This is the debut album from black metal band Achathras.
A mysterious entity, formed by veterans of the scene apparently, Achathras certainly know their stuff. A Darkness of the Ancient Past contains 43 minutes of classic 90s black metal, and it’s pretty damn good. Continue reading “Achathras – A Darkness of the Ancient Past (Review)”
This is the debut album from solo Dutch black metal band Sterveling.
Brought to us by an ex-member of Wesenwille, Sterveling brings us three sprawling songs across 43 minutes. Despite being a solo act, there are three others involved in the album who provide vocals, synths and additional vocals. Continue reading “Sterveling – Sterveling (Review)”
Frostmoon Eclipse are an Italian black metal band and this is their eighth album.
As Time Retreats is the 41-minute follow up to 2019’s Worse Weather to Come. Since their previous album Frostmoon Eclipse have refined their sound into something quite tasty. If you’re looking for black metal that embraces the core of the 90s second wave, while also simultaneously branching out from it, this is the one for you. Continue reading “Frostmoon Eclipse – As Time Retreats (Review)”
This is the fourth album from US black metal band Fauna.
Containing members of Echtra and Eigenlicht, Fauna play Cascadian atmospheric black metal. Ochre & Ash is the unexpected follow up to 2012’s masterpiece Avifauna, so to say I have high expectations for the 70 minutes of Ochre & Ash is an understatement. Continue reading “Fauna – Ochre & Ash (Review)”
This is the debut album from Portuguese death metal band Ethereal Wound.
Defile | Demise contains 38 minutes of death metal that’s blackened, dissonant, and atmospheric. Ethereal Wound, (along with a session drummer, from Ashen Horde, Evilyn, Norse, Somnium Nox, Virulent Depravity, and many more), have produced a striking record that offers a rewarding, satisfying experience. Continue reading “Ethereal Wound – Defile | Demise (Review)”
When a rare chance to see Portal and Impetuous Ritual appears, you take it. The show being opened by the mighty Abduction is then simply the icing on the top. Continue reading “Portal/Impetuous Ritual/Abduction – Rebellion, Manchester – 18/09/25 (Live Review)”
This is the latest EP from Bezwering, a black metal band from the Netherlands.
Containing an ex-member of Wederganger, Dwalingen is a 12-minute release that showcases Bezwering’s uncommon take on black metal across two tracks. Although you can hear second wave elements for sure, there’s a stronger dose of first wave influence than you typically find in contemporary bands. Continue reading “Bezwering – Dwalingen (Review)”
This is the second album from Icelandic black metal band Nexion.
Sundrung contains 49 minutes of material for the refined listener to explore. Nexion play arcane black metal, with elements of death metal skilfully incorporated to add extra force and brutality. There’s more than just that here though. Get ready for something special. Continue reading “Nexion – Sundrung (Review)”
Kamra are a black metal band from Slovenia and this is their second album.
Kamra have a member of Assumption in their ranks, and Unending Confluence contains 41 minutes of music. This is black metal influenced by the old-school, but dragged by lethal dissonance into the modern era. Continue reading “Kamra – Unending Confluence (Review)”
This is the debut album from UK blackgaze band Æl-Fierlen.
Æl-Fierlen play an evocative form of blackened Gothic metal, (for lack of a better term), that incorporates atmospheric black metal, doom, blackgaze, and folk into a compelling musical framework. Containing 34 minutes of music, All Is Far Away is an underground gem of an album. Continue reading “Æl-Fierlen – All Is Far Away (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 