This is the debut album from US black/thrash metallers Daeva.
This is the follow up to 2017’s Pulsing Dark Absorptions, which seems like it was released way back in the depths of time, but in reality was actually only five years ago. Through Sheer Will and Black Magic… delivers 37 minutes of characterful carnage. I’m not the biggest fan of blackened thrash, but when done well as it is here, I pay attention. Continue reading “Daeva – Through Sheer Will and Black Magic… (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Canadian black/death metallers Begrime Exemious.
Rotting in the Aftermath contains 37 minutes of filthy underground death metal with a raw blackened edge of ice. This is the most death metal I’ve heard the band, and they sound like they’re enjoying themselves with it. Continue reading “Begrime Exemious – Rotting in the Aftermath (Review)”
House of Wolf and Crow is a music collective primarily focusing on midwest USA/Minnesota bands, in this case, Shaidar Logoth, Herzegovinian, and Horrid Litany. All three bands contribute one song, and the split release has a total duration of 19 minutes. Continue reading “House of Wolf and Crow (Shaidar Logoth/Herzegovinian/Horrid Litany) – Dawn of the Trident – Split (Review)”
Bihargam are a black metal band from the US and this is their second album.
Featuring members of the mighty Fornicus, and playing the sort of moreish melodic black metal that hits the spot nicely, enjoying Ove Tenebrae was pretty much a given. Continue reading “Bihargam – Ove Tenebrae (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Polish blackened thrashers Bloodthirst.
Blackened thrash metal frequently disappoints me. I think I just expect more than I get, as the mix of black and thrash metal seems to usually end up lacking the power of either. Bloodthirst are different, however, as both Chalice of Contempt and Glorious Sinners demonstrated to me quite effectively. Continue reading “Bloodthirst – I Am Part of That Power Which Eternally Wills Evil and Eternally Works Wrong (Review)”
Gloam and Obscure Evil are both black metal bands. The former are from the US and the latter are from Peru.
I was first introduced to Gloam on 2017’s Death Is the Beginning, which ably showcased their doom-infected brand of grimly majestic black metal. Continue reading “Gloam/Obscure Evil – Split (Review)”
This is the debut album from Argentinian black metal band Enoquian.
Llamas de Gloria Primera contains 39 minutes of enjoyably raw second wave-influenced black metal. Continue reading “Enoquian – Llamas de Gloria Primera (Review)”
Alastor are a Portugese blackened thrash metal band and this is their sixth album.
Here Alastor give us 48 minutes of furious blackthrash, and they do it surprisingly well. I say ‘surprisingly’ only because I find this kind of subgenre quite disappointing most of the time, but must confess that when it’s done right, I really take to it. Continue reading “Alastor – The Dark Tower (Review)”
This is the debut EP from Daeva, a blackthrash band from the US.
Featuring members of Unrest and Trenchrot, this is 20 minutes of frenzied blackened thrash metal. Continue reading “Daeva – Pulsing Dark Absorptions (Review)”
Poland’s Bloodthirst play Black/Thrash Metal with a hard edge.
This is harsh music that positively bursts forth with pure belligerence and arrogance.
For all their severity they also find the time to introduce some melodies and leads into the proceedings which provide depth and interest.
The addition of Blackened riffs and blastbeats into the Thrash Metal template is a welcome change from the hordes of Thrash bands who all want to be Testament. Some songs are more Thrash-based than others, while others sport this Black Metal influence more openly.
In fact, sometimes I’m torn between describing them as a Blackened Thrash band, or a Thrashy Black Metal band. Not that it really matters, but it demonstrates that they do something more with the the Thrash template than simply repeating what others have done before them. Either way; it’s Metal to the core.
The vocals are abrasive and uncompromising, falling more into the Black Metal camp than the traditional Thrash one. Snarling and raging; they’re not to be underestimated.
A very good album – give it a listen.
Wonderbox Metal 