This is the debut album from US black metallers Ritual Clearing.
Penitence contains 38 minutes of dark hostility. This is black metal that’s raw and hateful, delivering aggressive music shrouded in blades, spikes, and darkness. Ritual Clearing are ones to watch. Continue reading “Ritual Clearing – Penitence (Review)”
This is the ninth album from Norwegian black/death metal band Aeternus.
Aeternus, (who contain current and ex-members of bands such as Gorgoroth and Gaahls Wyrd), play an expressive form of dark death metal that gains extra depth and substance from esoteric black metal components. On Philosopher, Across 39 minutes of material, Aeternus showcase their art’s efficacy in no uncertain terms. Continue reading “Aeternus – Philosopher (Review)”
This is the fifth album from Swedish black metallers Mephorash.
It has been four long years since 2019’s colossal Shem Ha Mephorash first graced the world with its infernal presence, and we’re now due a new emanation from this esoteric act. Behold Krystl-Ah! Yes, Mephorash have gifted us with 67 minutes of new material, and once again, Mephorash have created an impressive album that’s absolutely huge in more ways than one. Continue reading “Mephorash – Krystl-Ah (Review)”
This is the third album from Swedish black metal band Night Crowned.
I thoroughly enjoyed 2021’s Hädanfärd, and my appreciation for its dark charms has only increased over time. Tales gives us 43 minutes of new material, and I have been looking forward to hearing what it has to offer. Continue reading “Night Crowned – Tales (Review)”
Heretoir are a post-black metal band from Germany and this is their third album.
Nightsphere contains 42 minutes of atmospheric post-black metal. Heretoir have an emotive, textured delivery, and across this album they seriously impress. Continue reading “Heretoir – Nightsphere (Review)”
It’s Damnation o-clock once more! This is always such a good festival to attend. The line up is an interesting and varied one, with some bands I’m less interested in, some that are an essential experience, and some frustrating clashes. I missed some great bands today, unfortunately, but that’s always going to be the case with such a jam-packed festival. Continue reading “Damnation Festival 2023 – BEC Arena, Manchester, 04/11/23 (Live Review)”
This is the second album from Enevelde, a Norwegian solo black metal band.
2020’s Enevelde was an enjoyable record that made a good impression. Now the artist behind Enevelde has returned with 39 minutes of new material, showcasing the sort of well-rounded black metal that’s a definite cut above the norm. Continue reading “Enevelde – En Gildere Død (Review)”
This is the second album from US one-woman black metal band Feminizer.
Beneath the Harm is a 43-minute journey into nightmare and pain, one that’s frequently gorgeous, despite its venomous bite. It’s a multifaceted exploration of raw blackened expression. It’s one that embraces the artist’s vision wholly, resulting in material that drips emotion and passion through every devastating pore. Continue reading “Feminizer – Beneath the Harm (Review)”
Bihargam are a black metal band from the US and this is their latest EP.
Following on from 2020’s Ove Tenebrae, Executioner Star contains two new songs and a Soundgarden cover, making for a total duration of a little over 16 minutes. Continue reading “Bihargam – Executioner Star (Review)”
This is the third album from Xoth, a death metal band from the US.
Exogalactic can be thought of as a sci-fi-themed tech death album that’s spliced with black and thrash metal elements. Across 39 minutes Xoth impress with their exuberant delivery, especially as it’s backed up by some serious musical chops. Continue reading “Xoth – Exogalactic (Review)”
