Midnight – Hellish Expectations (Review)

Midnight - Hellish ExpectationsThis is the sixth album from blackened speed metal solo act Midnight.

Containing 26 minutes of filthy raging mayhem, Hellish Expectations is a furious record of blackened speed/thrash metal that’s hard to dislike. It’s charismatic and nasty, which is a great combination for this sort of thing. Continue reading “Midnight – Hellish Expectations (Review)”

Etoile Filante – Mare Tranquillitatis (Review)

Etoile Filante - Mare TranquillitatisEtoile Filante are a French black metal band and this is their second album.

Mare Tranquillitas has a duration of 40 minutes and showcases Etoile Filante’s brand of ambient/atmospheric black metal. Continue reading “Etoile Filante – Mare Tranquillitatis (Review)”

Lunar Spells – Sacraments of Necromantical Empires (Review)

Lunar Spells - Sacraments of Necromantical EmpiresThis is the third album from Greek black metal band Lunar Spells.

Ever since first encountering Lunar Spells last year on their split with Order of Nosferat I’ve been interested to see what they could do with a full length, and that time has now arrived. With 36 minutes of piercing black metal, Sacraments of Necromantical Empires has not disappointed. Continue reading “Lunar Spells – Sacraments of Necromantical Empires (Review)”

Lvme – Of Sinful Nature (Review)

Lvme - Of Sinful NatureThis is the second album from international black metal band Lvme.

Of Sinful Nature contains 45 minutes of esoteric and mysterious black metal. Taking influence from traditional black metal and then incorporating modern elements into it, Lvme’s music will be of interest to fans of bands such as Funeral Mist, Deathspell Omega, Mayhem, Dødsengel, Nightbringer, Verberis, and Blaze of Perdition. Continue reading “Lvme – Of Sinful Nature (Review)”

Ninkharsag/The Infernal Sea/Devastator/Abduction/The Sun’s Journey Through the Night/Andracca/Imperial Demonic – Rebellion, Manchester – 17/02/24 (Live Review)

Ninkharsag The Infernal Sea Devastator Abduction The Sun's Journey Through the Sky Andracca Imperial Demonic - Rebellion, Manchester - 170224 (Live Review)

This show is a special one, designed to not only highlight some of the best black metal that the UK has to offer, but also to act as a new release showcase, with special sets from many of the bands. It’s sold out too, which is great to see. Continue reading “Ninkharsag/The Infernal Sea/Devastator/Abduction/The Sun’s Journey Through the Night/Andracca/Imperial Demonic – Rebellion, Manchester – 17/02/24 (Live Review)”

Borknagar – Fall (Review)

Borknagar - FallThis is the twelfth album from Norwegian blackened progressive/folk metallers Borknagar.

Borknagar are a very well-regarded band, so it’s a real pleasure to be able to catch up with their latest release. On their new album the band have created 54 minutes of new material for lovers of the band to Fall hard for, (ahem). Continue reading “Borknagar – Fall (Review)”

Devastator – Conjurers of Cruelty (Review)

Devastator - Conjurers of CrueltyThis is the second album from UK black/thrash metallers Devastator.

Conjurers of Cruelty boasts 51 minutes of material, (44 without the two bonus tracks), delivering a feast of filthy riffs, corroded teeth, and overgrown claws. Continue reading “Devastator – Conjurers of Cruelty (Review)”

Griffon – De Republica (Review)

Griffon - De RepublicaThis is the third album from French black metallers Griffon.

I enjoyed 2020’s ὸ θ​ε​ό​ς ὸ β​α​σ​ι​λ​ε​ύ​ς, so knew I wanted to check out De Republica when it appeared. Across 37 minutes Griffon once again demonstrate their mastery of historically themed black metal. Continue reading “Griffon – De Republica (Review)”

Ihsahn – Ihsahn (Review)

ihsahn - ihsahnThis is the eighth album from Ihsahn, a legendary black, progressive, and avant-garde metal artist.

Ihsahn has never lacked talent or ambition, but on this latest release he has really outdone himself. Ihsahn offers up two album’s worth of material. Each is 49 minutes in length – one is a progressive metal album with orchestral layering, while the other is a fully orchestral version. Continue reading “Ihsahn – Ihsahn (Review)”

Hulder – Verses in Oath (Review)

Hulder - Verses in OathThis is the second album from US one-woman black metal band Hulder.

2022’s The Eternal Fanfare grew on me over time the more I listened to it, so I’ve been looking forward to Verses in Oath. I’m pleased to say that it has met my expectations. Continue reading “Hulder – Verses in Oath (Review)”