Dwellnought – Monolith of Ephemerality (Review)

Dwellnought - Monolith of EphemeralityThis is the debut album from Italian blackened doom band Dwellnought.

Dwellnought play hideous, lightless doom that’s soaked in black metal’s corrosive acids. Monolith of Ephemerality is a 47-minute nightmare, one that drowns the listener in Continue reading “Dwellnought – Monolith of Ephemerality (Review)”

Reaper Festival 2026 – Rebellion, Manchester, 14/02/26-15/02/26 (Live Review)

Reaper Festival 2026 - Rebellion, Manchester, 14.02.26-15.02.26

It’s been a few years since the last edition of Reaper Festival, so this show appearing once more was a welcome surprise when it did. The lineup is extremely strong, and it promises to be a great weekend. Kudos to the organisers too, (the always great Reaper Agency), for specifically Continue reading “Reaper Festival 2026 – Rebellion, Manchester, 14/02/26-15/02/26 (Live Review)”

Domhain – In Perfect Stillness (Review)

Domhain - In Perfect StillnessDomhain are a post-black metal band from Northern Ireland and this is their debut album.

I’ve been looking forward to hearing an album from Domhain ever since first catching them at 2024’s Fortress Festival, (and then narrowly missing them with Saor a couple of months later). In Perfect Stillness contains 35 minutes of material, and is a strikingly strong record. Continue reading “Domhain – In Perfect Stillness (Review)”

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)”