Urbain – A Soul Purged (Review)

Urbain - A Soul PurgedUrbain are a black metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

With a description of urban black metal, and a recommendation for fans of Emperor, White Ward, early Dimmu Borgir, and Cradle of Filth, I was intrigued to hear what Urbain had to offer. The fact that the band contain members of Ovnev and Wills Dissolve was further reason, if any were needed. Continue reading “Urbain – A Soul Purged (Review)”

Tongues – Formløse Stjerner (Review)

Tongues - Formløse StjernerTongues are a black metal band from Denmark and this is their second album.

Tongues create quality extreme metal – just check out 2014’s Thelésis Ignis or 2017’s Hreilia for ample evidence of this. It’s been a while, but Tongues have now returned with Formløse Stjerner, a 40-minute odyssey of abyssal exploration. Continue reading “Tongues – Formløse Stjerner (Review)”

Standard Interrogation Techniques: Five Questions for Fen (Interview)

Although I’d ideally love to be able to conduct hard-hitting, in-depth interviews, who has the time these days? In lieu of this, I’ve thrown together the below question template, hopefully to gather some interesting and informative results, without taking up too much of anyone’s time.

Introduce yourself – who are you and what do you do?

I am The Watcher – I play guitar and perform vocals. Continue reading “Standard Interrogation Techniques: Five Questions for Fen (Interview)”

Thra – Forged in Chaotic Spew (Review)

Thra - Forged in Chaotic SpewThis is the debut album from US death/sludge metallers Thra.

Forged in Chaotic Spew is an ugly union of foul death metal and dirty sludge, which has resulted in a merciless 37 minutes of malevolent heaviness. If you’re into the dark underbelly of extreme music, then Thra have birthed a monster for you. Continue reading “Thra – Forged in Chaotic Spew (Review)”

Beyond the Permafrost – Fallen from the Throne (Review)

Beyond the Permafrost - Fallen from the ThroneThis is the debut album from French black metallers Beyond the Permafrost.

Fallen from the Throne contains 33 minutes of black metal that’s influenced by the traditional style and second wave era. Beyond the Permafrost have created an album that should easily find favour with any adherent of the old-school blackened arts. Continue reading “Beyond the Permafrost – Fallen from the Throne (Review)”

Alghol – Night Eternal (Review)

Alghol - Night EternalThis is the second album from US one-man black metal band Alghol.

Night Eternal contains 40 minutes of second wave black metal, delivered with an authentic skill and passion that’s raw and honest. It’s also catchy and moreish as all Hell. Continue reading “Alghol – Night Eternal (Review)”

Mizmor (מזמור) – Prosaic (Review)

Mizmor (מזמור) - ProsaicThis is the fourth album from US solo blackened doom band Mizmor, or מזמור.

Following on from 2019’s Cairn and 2022’s Wit’s End, Prosaic contains 46 minutes of new material from Mizmor. Prosaic is an emotive powerhouse, one that is surely destined for many well-deserved plaudits. Continue reading “Mizmor (מזמור) – Prosaic (Review)”

Sworn – A Journey Told Through Fire (Review)

Sworn - A Journey Told Through FireSworn are a Norwegian black metal band and this is their fourth album.

If you’re a fan of black metal with both melody and atmosphere, then A Journey Told Through Fire is a 50-minute feast of the stuff. Honestly, Sworn have something well above average going on here that combines the best of old and new. Continue reading “Sworn – A Journey Told Through Fire (Review)”

Somniate – We Have Proved Death (Review)

Somniate - We Have Proved DeathSomniate are a black metal band from Czechia and this is their second album.

Following on from 2020’s The Meyrinkian Slumber, Somniate, (who feature current/ex-members of Brutally Deceased, Self-Hatred, Mallephyr, and Heaving Earth), are now back with another 33 minutes of furious black metal. Continue reading “Somniate – We Have Proved Death (Review)”