Fellmoon – Fellmoon (Review)

Fellmoon - FellmoonThis is the debut album from solo Norwegian black metal band Fellmoon.

Fellmoon contains 41 minutes of atmospheric/symphonic black metal. Divided into four tracks that mirror the phases of the moon, Fellmoon is a blackened hymn to the lunar cycle. Continue reading “Fellmoon – Fellmoon (Review)”

Autumn Nostalgie/Hænesy – Awaking Mechanon – Split (Review)

Autumn Nostalgie Hænesy - Awakening Mechanon - SplitAutumn Nostalgie from Slovakia and Hænesy from Hungary are both black metal bands, and this is their latest split release.

Across a total of 32 minutes, each band provide two songs to Awaking Mechanon. Autumn Nostalgie’s contribution lasts 18 minutes and Hænesy’s 14 minutes. Continue reading “Autumn Nostalgie/Hænesy – Awaking Mechanon – Split (Review)”

Necrofier – Burning Shadows in the Southern Night (Review)

Necrofier - Burning Shadows in the Southern NightThis is the second album from US black metallers Necrofier.

Following on from 2021’s Prophecies of Eternal Darkness, Burning Shadows in the Southern Night contains 47 minutes of melodic black metal with a classic heavy metal influence. Continue reading “Necrofier – Burning Shadows in the Southern Night (Review)”

Wampyric Rites/Moloch – The Serpent Cult of Darkness – Split (Review)

Wampyric Rites Moloch - The Serpent Cult of Darkness - SplitWampyric Rites and Moloch are both black metal bands, from Ecuador and Ukraine, respectively.

Ever since encountering Wampyric Rites on their 2022 album The Wolves Howl to the Moon, I’ve been smitten, so when this split appeared I knew I wanted to hear it. The band contribute two songs to The Serpent Cult of Darkness, with a combined total duration of 19 minutes. Continue reading “Wampyric Rites/Moloch – The Serpent Cult of Darkness – Split (Review)”

Morkera – Aggravations (Review)

Morkera - AggravationsMorkera are a black metal band from Croatia and this is their second album.

Aggravations is a 36-minute album of modern black metal that’s beautifully harsh and aggressive, while still achieving a certain level of atmospheric darkness. Continue reading “Morkera – Aggravations (Review)”

Dratna – Fomóraigh (Review)

Dratna - FomóraighDratna is a solo black metal band from Northern Ireland and this is his second album.

I enjoyed 2020’s Druid Winds & the Fall of the Celtic Gods, but missed Dratna’s debut album, so Fomóraigh is the perfect opportunity for me to catch back up with the band. The 39 minutes of material on the album reveals a well-rounded and well-developed slice of atmospheric black metal. Continue reading “Dratna – Fomóraigh (Review)”

Immortal – War Against All (Review)

Immortal - War Against AllThis is the tenth album from legendary Norwegian black metal band Immortal.

Whereas on 2018’s Northern Chaos Gods Immortal were a duo, on War Against All the band have now been slimmed down further to just one original member, and is now essentially a solo act, albeit with session musicians, (from Enslaved and Gaahls Wyrd). Continue reading “Immortal – War Against All (Review)”

Ondfødt – Det Österbottniska Mörkret (Review)

Ondfødt - Det Österbottniska M​ö​rkretThis is the fourth album from Finnish black metal act Ondfødt.

I always enjoy catching up with Ondfødt. 2014’s Hexkonst, 2019’s Dödsrikets Kallelse, and 2021’s Norden are all records that I enjoyed, so it made sense for me to want to check out Det Österbottniska Mörkret too. I’ll say upfront that this has turned out to be Ondfødt’s most professional, accomplished, and enjoyable record. Continue reading “Ondfødt – Det Österbottniska Mörkret (Review)”

Kostnatění – Úpal (Review)

Kostnatění - ÚpalKostnatění is a one-man black metal band from the US and this is his second album.

Containing 40 minutes of unconventional black metal, Úpal is an atypical release that merges different genres and sounds into a blackened whole. A clash of cold, harsh dissonance and vibrant, melodic folk influences from around the globe, Úpal is a record that’s striking and impactful. Continue reading “Kostnatění – Úpal (Review)”

Usnea – Bathed in Light (Review)

Usnea - Bathed in LightThis is the fourth album from US doom band Usnea.

After loving 2014’s Random Cosmic Violence and 2017’s Portals into Futility, I am so completely ready for a new Usnea album. Bathed in Light brings us not only their shortest album yet at 43 minutes, but also many of their shortest songs. What does this mean for the Usnea we know and adore? Continue reading “Usnea – Bathed in Light (Review)”