Typhonian – The Gate of the Veiled Beyond (Review)

Typhonian - The Gate of the Veiled BeyondTyphonian are a German death metal band and this is their second album.

The Gate of the Veiled Beyond contains 50 minutes of old-school death metal, but of a non-standard variety. It’s rooted firmly in 90s waters, but has also been expanded with blackened, atmospheric, and progressive influences; Typhonian may look backwards for inspiration, but they also look to the future with what they do with it. Continue reading “Typhonian – The Gate of the Veiled Beyond (Review)”

Wormwitch – Wormwitch (Review)

Wormwitch - WormwitchThis is the fourth album from Canadian black metallers Wormwitch.

New Wormwitch! I’m a bit behind on this one, but I couldn’t let it pass me by. Whether it’s 2019’s Heaven That Dwells Within, 2021’s Wolf Hex, or this year’s split with Sadistic Ritual, Wormwitch always deliver the goods. Continue reading “Wormwitch – Wormwitch (Review)”

Avmakt – Satanic Inversion Of… (Review)

Avmakt - Satanic Inversion Of...This is the debut album from Norwegian black metallers Avmakt.

Satanic Inversion Of… contains 46 minutes of old-school second wave 90s black metal worship. Avmakt’s music uses the Darkthrone template extensively, yet somehow manages to avoid coming off as a cheap knockoff. How? Basically, it’s just a damn good album. Continue reading “Avmakt – Satanic Inversion Of… (Review)”

Vafurlogi – Í Vökulli Áþján (Review)

Vafurlogi - Í Vökulli ÁþjánVafurlogi are a black metal band from Iceland and this is their debut album.

Í Vökulli Áþján contains 43 minutes of music and is brought to us by a current/ex-member of Sinmara and Svartidauði. Joined by a very capable drummer, (Beneath, Helfró, Ophidian I), Vafurlogi are a dark revelation that has long been threatening to spill over into reality, but now has. Continue reading “Vafurlogi – Í Vökulli Áþján (Review)”

Winterfylleth – The Imperious Horizon (Review)

Winterfylleth - The Imperious HorizonWinterfylleth are a UK black metal band and this is their eighth album.

The Imperious Horizon is the 58-minute follow up to 2020’s The Reckoning Dawn. With a new guitarist in tow, (from Necronautical), how does Winterfylleth’s atmospheric black metal sound in 2024? Continue reading “Winterfylleth – The Imperious Horizon (Review)”

Agrypnie – Erg (Review)

Agrypnie - ErgAgrypnie are a black metal band from Germany and this is their seventh album.

Erg contains 54 minutes of music, and is brought to us by members of The Negative Bias and Perchta, (as well as many others). Agrypnie’s music is of a high quality level, and Erg showcases the band in a good light throughout. Continue reading “Agrypnie – Erg (Review)”

Aethyrick – Death Is Absent (Review)

Aethyrick - Death Is AbsentThis 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 - EthosFirtan 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)

Oceans of Slumber - Where Gods Fear to SpeakThis 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)

Isolert - Wounds of DesolationThis 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)”