Nazghor – A World Ablaze (Review)

Nazghor - A World AblazeNazghor are a Swedish black metal band and this is their eighth album.

Nazghor play old-school melodic black metal that drips with second wave darkness. On the 40-minute A World Ablaze, Nazghor capably showcase why their black metal is a cut above the norm. Get ready to immerse yourself in Nazghor’s fiery world. Continue reading “Nazghor – A World Ablaze (Review)”

Ashbringer – Subglacial (Review)

Ashbringer - SubglacialThis is the fifth album from US post-black metal band Ashbringer.

Following on from 2019’s Absolution and 2023’s We Came Here to GrieveSubglacial brings us 40 minutes of Ashbringer’s compelling approach to black metal. Let’s get this out of the way first – this Continue reading “Ashbringer – Subglacial (Review)”

Worm – Necropalace (Review)

Worm - NecropalaceThis is the fourth album from US black/death/doom act Worm.

In many quarters Necropalace is a big deal. Through a range of EPs, splits, and albums, (such as Foreverglade and Bluenothing), Worm have continued to develop and grow over the years, essentially Continue reading “Worm – Necropalace (Review)”

Ponte del Diavolo – De Venom Natura (Review)

Ponte del Diavolo - De Venom NaturaThis is the second album from Italian blackened metal/post-punk band Ponte del Diavolo.

Following hot on the heels of 2024’s Fire Blades from the Tomb comes the 40-minute De Venom Natura. Ponte del Diavolo’s new record is a good one, with much to enjoy if you’re a fan of quality metal with an uncommonly tasty flavour. Continue reading “Ponte del Diavolo – De Venom Natura (Review)”

Udręka – Nieistnienie (Review)

Udręka - NieistnienieUdręka are a black metal band from Poland and this is their debut album.

Nieistnienie contains 39 minutes of ferocious modern black metal. Spliced with elements of hardcore and death metal to give it additional power and bulk, this is an imposing release that’s filled with grim sonic violence. Udręka have come out of nowhere and Continue reading “Udręka – Nieistnienie (Review)”

Agenbite Misery – Remorse of Conscience (Review)

Agenbite Misery - Remorse of ConscienceThis is the debut album from Agenbite Misery, a US black/death/sludge metal band.

Okay, it’s to the promo blurb for this one – “…the band began with a deceptively simple idea: to adapt James Joyce’s Ulysses into an experimental metal album. What emerged from that idea is a 55-minute odyssey of layered sonic aggression and literary depth, an album that blends blackened sludge, dissonant death metal, post-punk, ambient drone, and more into a singular, genre-defying statement of purpose.” So there you have it. Continue reading “Agenbite Misery – Remorse of Conscience (Review)”

Mayhem – Liturgy of Death (Review)

Mayhem - Liturgy of DeathThis is the seventh album from legendary Norwegian black metallers Mayhem.

New Mayhem material is always A Big Event. Despite enjoying 2019’s Daemon, it wasn’t quite as special compared to the band’s other records. So what of the 49-minute Liturgy of Death? Does it suffer the same malady? Continue reading “Mayhem – Liturgy of Death (Review)”

Sidious – Malefic Necropolis (Review)

Sidious - Malefic NecropolisThis is the fourth album from UK black metal band Sidious.

From 2014’s symphonic blackened death metal Revealed in Profane Splendour, to 2019’s reinvention as the raw black metal darkness of Temporal, and then 2022’s slice of contemporary blackened might Blackest Insurrection, Sidious always put out something I want to listen to. Each album so far has been better than the last too. Can Malefic Necropolis continue to follow this upward trend? Continue reading “Sidious – Malefic Necropolis (Review)”

MØL – Dreamcrush (Review)

MØL - DreamcrushMØL are a post-black metal band from Denmark and this is their third album.

With 2018’s Jord and then 2021’s Diorama, MØL have established themselves as quality purveyors of sharp, shiny post-black metal. Now, with the 44-minute Dreamcrush, they consolidate their position, offering up their most polished and well-rounded album to date. Continue reading “MØL – Dreamcrush (Review)”