This is the debut album from UK black metal band Sluagh.
Brought to us by current/ex-members of Ageless Summoning, Barshasketh, and Dvne, (and many others), II contains 41 minutes of atmospheric black metal, played with old-school authenticity and heart. It’s raw and unashamedly ancient, driven by a love of the traditional black metal style as seen through a contemporary Scottish-focused lens. Continue reading “Sluagh – II (Review)”
This is the sixth album from international, (Germany/Finland), black metal band Order of Nosferat.
I’ve had a soft spot for Order of Nosferat since discovering their vampiric brand of black metal on their 2023 split with Lunar Spells, which this year’s The Absence of Grace just reinforced. Yes, this is the band’s second full length of 2024, and across these 45 minutes Order of Nosferat have produced another corker of an album. Get ready for the second wave furious majesty of Towards the Nightrealm of Orlok! Continue reading “Order of Nosferat – Towards the Nightrealm of Orlok (Review)”
Atra Vetosus are an Australian black metal band and this is their third album.
I always enjoy catching up with Atra Vetosus. Periodically they emerge from wherever it is they slumber, unleashing quality black metal as they do so. If you haven’t heard them before, make sure you check out 2018’s Apricity and 2021’s Even the Dawn No Longer Brings Hope, alongside this new record, of course. Especially this new one, actually, as we’ll see. Continue reading “Atra Vetosus – Undying Splendour (Review)”
This is the fourth album from US black metallers Canis Dirus.
By the Grace of Death contains 38 minutes of atmospheric black metal. Through a captivating mix of hostility, beauty, and dark splendour, Canis Dirus have produced a record that’s undeniably potent. Continue reading “Canis Dirus – By the Grace of Death (Review)”
This is the third album from Portuguese black metal band Monte Penumbra.
It’s been eleven years (!) since I last caught up with Monte Penumbra on Heirloom of Sullen Fall, so a reunion is long overdue. Containing 41 minutes of new material, Austere Dawning offers us a journey into dissonant black metal darkness. Continue reading “Monte Penumbra – Austere Dawning (Review)”
Yes, it’s list season once more, so gather round and witness some of the best metal that 2024 had to offer!
2024 was a fantastic year for metal, and that’s an understatement. I thought 2023 was one of the weaker years for metal releases, overall. As such, putting last year’s list together, although challenging as it always is, was relatively effortless compared to this one. I don’t think I’ve agonised over placings more any other year. In the end, similar to last year, I just decided that enough was enough and I needed to just stop needlessly obsessing. Continue reading “Wonderbox Metal End of Year List – Best Metal of 2024”
This is the latest release from Australian black metal band Mesarthim.
With quite a prolific discography, I don’t get to catch up with Mesarthim as often as I’d like, (though do check out .- -… … . -. -.-. ., The Density Parameter, and CLG J02182–05102), so upon the arrival of Anthropic Bias / Departure I made sure I spent some time with it. Continue reading “Mesarthim – Anthropic Bias / Departure (Review)”
This is the fifth album from UK industrial black metal band An Axis of Perdition.
Apertures contains 48 minutes of malignant dark terror. It’s an industrial black metal vehicle for extradimensional horror that uses the listener’s mind against them. Enter into the world of An Axis of Perdition at your peril. Continue reading “An Axis of Perdition – Apertures (Review)”
This is the sixth album from Swiss black metal band Aara.
A new Aara album is always a cause for celebration. I’ve been a big fan of everything they’ve put out so far, (check out Triade I: Eos, Triade II: Hemera, and Triade III: Nyx), so expectations are high for Eiger. Continue reading “Aara – Eiger (Review)”
It’s time for another high quality (mostly) black metal all dayer courtesy of the fine folks at Reaper Agency. Today was originally meant to have been headlined by the mighty Worm, but despite that unfortunately no longer being the case, they were never the only reason to attend. So let’s get on with the show – the day promises to be a very enjoyable one indeed. Continue reading “Hulder/Verwoed/Aristarchos/Ante-Inferno/Deathless Void/Burial/Slimelord – Rebellion, Manchester – 30/11/24 (Live Review)”
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