Black metal – Page 27 – Wonderbox Metal

Aethyrick – Death Is Absent (Review)

This is the fifth album from Finnish black metallers Aethyrick.

I always have time for Aethyrick’s brand of black metal, so it’s great to have some new material from them in the form of the 43-minute Death Is Absent. If you’re unfamiliar with the band, then as well as this new album it’s also worth checking out 2018’s Praxis, 2020’s Gnosis, 2021’s Apotheosis, and 2022’s Pilgrimage. Aethyrick may have only been around since 2016, but they’re quite prolific. Continue reading “Aethyrick – Death Is Absent (Review)”

Firtan – Ethos (Review)

Firtan are a German black metal band and this is their fourth album.

Following on from 2022’s very enjoyable Marter, Ethos brings us 51 minutes of new material from Firtan. On this new album the band aren’t holding back. Continue reading “Firtan – Ethos (Review)”

Oceans of Slumber – Where Gods Fear to Speak (Review)

This is the sixth album from US progressive metallers Oceans of Slumber.

After releasing two very well-received albums of progressive metal in 2018’s The Banished Heart and 2020’s self titled album, Oceans of Slumber surprised many by adopting more of a hard rock approach on 2022’s Starlight and Ash. Although ultimately I naturally prefer their heavier more metallic material, it was still an accomplished album worthy of anyone’s time. With new record Where Gods Fear to Speak now on the horizon, what do Oceans of Slumber bring us in 2024? Let’s find out. Continue reading “Oceans of Slumber – Where Gods Fear to Speak (Review)”

Isolert – Wounds of Desolation (Review)

This is the third album from Greek black metallers Isolert.

Isolert gained my attention with 2015’s Isolated Soul, held it with 2016’s No Hope, No Light…Only Death and 2017’s split with Insanity Cult – Towards the Great Dissolution, and then exceeded all expectations with 2020’s fantastic World in Ruins. The latter ended up in my top three in my end of year list for that year, so to say expectations are high for Wounds of Desolation is an understatement. Continue reading “Isolert – Wounds of Desolation (Review)”

Marrow of Man – Ancient Hymns of Apocalypse (Review)

This is the debut album from Marrow of Man, a one-man black metal band from the Netherlands.

Ancient Hymns of Apocalypse contains 46 minutes of black metal, with some thrash metal elements added in for extra brutality. The promo blurb says that the primary influences of this act are Dissection, Bathory, Evilfeast, Darkthrone, Odium, and Lunar Spells, so that will give you a starting point for the Marrow of Man sound. Continue reading “Marrow of Man – Ancient Hymns of Apocalypse (Review)”

God Dethroned – The Judas Paradox (Review)

God Dethroned are a blackened death metal band from the Netherlands, and this is their twelfth album.

God Dethroned may have been around for over three decades, but they’ve lost none of their fiery intensity. The Judas Paradox contains 44 minutes of their well-crafted brand of blackened death metal, showing once again what they’re capable of. Continue reading “God Dethroned – The Judas Paradox (Review)”

Brutally Deceased – Chasms (Review)

Brutally Deceased are from Czechia, play death metal, and this is their fourth album.

I thoroughly enjoyed 2010’s Dead Lovers’ Guide and 2016’s Satanic Corpse, so it’s been a long wait for the 29 minutes of new music that Chasms brings us. Continue reading “Brutally Deceased – Chasms (Review)”

Teeth – The Will of Hate (Review)

Teeth are a death metal/grindcore band from the US, and this is their third album.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed watching Teeth develop, from their split with Fister and also with Barghest, to last full length The Curse of Entropy in 2019. The Will of Hate is the band’s longest release yet, clocking in at 39 minutes of pure punishing extremity. Continue reading “Teeth – The Will of Hate (Review)”

Modern Rites – Endless (Review)

This is the second album from Modern Rites, a Swiss/US black metal band.

Endless is the follow up to 2021’s Monuments and contains 41 minuets of new music from Modern Rites, (who are made up of members of Aara and Kuyashii). It’s a wonderfully realised expression of aggressively bleak blackened darkness. Continue reading “Modern Rites – Endless (Review)”

Sur Austru – Datura Străhiarelor (Review)

Sur Austru are an atmospheric black/folk metal band from Romania and this is their third album.

Datura Străhiarelor is the 54-minute follow up to 2019’s Meteahna Timpurilor and 2021’s Obârșie. Sur Austru’s path is not a well-trodden one, and on this new album the band have travelled further into the wilderness, to great effect. Continue reading “Sur Austru – Datura Străhiarelor (Review)”