This is the second album from Scottish black metallers Aristarchos.
Following on from 2021’s self titled debut, Martyr of Star and Fire brings us 33 minutes of new material. I’m still none the wiser as to whether Aristarchos is the product of a full band or just an individual, but either way, it’s a band that continues to progress and impress. Continue reading “Aristarchos – Martyr of Star and Fire (Review)”
This is the third album from US death metal band Witch Vomit.
Witch Vomit are such an enjoyable band, and I really liked the filthy, gruesome old-school rot of A Scream from the Tomb Below, Poisoned Blood, and Buried Deep in a Bottomless Grave. But wait, change is afoot in the Witch Vomit camp. What does that mean for the 31 minutes of Funeral Sanctum? Continue reading “Witch Vomit – Funeral Sanctum (Review)”
This is the second album from US black/death metal band Diabolic Oath.
After enjoying Diabolic Oath’s Divinations split with Aberration not so long ago, I’m both surprised and pleased that Oracular Hexations has come along so quickly. Clocking in at 36 minutes, it’s a violent, barbaric mix of brutal black metal and hideous death metal. Continue reading “Diabolic Oath – Oracular Hexations (Review)”
This is the debut album from Greek black/death metal band Kvadrat.
The Horrible Dissonance of Oblivion is a 44-minute leviathan that swims through dark, dissonant waters with the self-assured skill of an apex predator. Combining black and death metal into a monster of dissonant nightmare, the artist behind Kvadrat’s skill in delivering this style is impressive and rewarding. Continue reading “Kvadrat – The Horrible Dissonance of Oblivion (Review)”
This is the debut album from US black metal band Mountain Shadow.
Mountain Shadow play atmospheric black metal and their self titled record contains 53 minutes of material. It might not be what you’re expecting though, as Mountain Shadow have created something a little different in some ways on these eight tracks. Continue reading “Mountain Shadow – Mountain Shadow (Review)”
This is the second album from Dutch black metal solo act Verwoed.
Drawn in by the evocative cover art, I approached The Mother with expectations of dark splendour and vicious aggression. I soon found more than I had bargained for, as the artist behind Verwoed took me on a multifaceted 44-minute journey into the sort of black metal waters that are normally best avoided due to how vibrant, otherworldly, and treacherous they are. Continue reading “Verwoed – The Mother (Review)”
This is the second album from Vorga, a German black metal band.
With 2022’s Striving Toward Oblivion Vorga made a notable impact in the world of melodic black metal. Now they’re back with Beyond the Palest Star, which delivers another sci-fi trip through 43 minutes of sharp melodic aggression. Continue reading “Vorga – Beyond the Palest Star (Review)”
Sacrificial Vein are a black metal band from the US and this is their debut album.
Containing the singer of Nothingness in their ranks, Sacrificial Vein play avant-garde/dissonant black metal. Black Terror Genesis is a 47-minute journey into darkness. Continue reading “Sacrificial Vein – Black Terror Genesis (Review)”
Wormwitch are a black metal band from Canada and Sadistic Ritual are a thrash metal band from the US.
Barring a couple of singles in 2022, this is the first we’ve heard from Wormwitch since 2021’s Wolf Hex, (also make sure you check out 2019’s Heaven That Dwells Within if you haven’t already), so these three songs – 16 minutes of new material – are a welcome sight. Continue reading “Wormwitch/Sadistic Ritual – Split (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Swedish black metal band Dödsrit.
Whereas each of Dödsrit’s well-regarded previous albums, (including 2018’s top notch Spirit Crusher), contained four songs, Nocturnal Will breaks with tradition and delivers six tracks in total, (although to be fair one is a sub-minute interlude). Continue reading “Dödsrit – Nocturnal Will (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 