Blut Aus Nord – Wonderbox Metal

Ὁπλίτης (Hoplites) – Ψευδομένη (Review)

This is the debut album from Ὁπλίτης (otherwise known as Hoplites), a one-man post-black metal band from China.

Ψευδομένη contains 38 minutes of experimental avant-garde black metal. The artist behind Ὁπλίτης has combined a lot of different styles and influences into this record. Imagine Blut Aus Nord, Jute Gyte, and Deathspell Omega crossed with Frontierer, Converge, and Sectioned, along with a touch of Ephel Duath and Oranssi Pazuzu, and you’ll have a rough idea of what you’ll encounter here. Continue reading “Ὁπλίτης (Hoplites) – Ψευδομένη (Review)”

Invertia – Through the Black Bubble (Review)

This is the fourth album from US industrial black/sludge metal band Invertia.

When I last caught up with Invertia it was on 2014’s Another Scheme of the Wicked, where they played industrial black metal, complete with remixes of the original tracks. Nine years or so later, the band’s music is darker and uglier, yet also laced with hooks and catchy riffs and beats. Continue reading “Invertia – Through the Black Bubble (Review)”

Dødsengel – Bab Al On (Review)

This is the fifth album from Norwegian black metal band Dødsengel.

I haven’t caught up with Dødsengel in a while, but enjoyed both their 2013 split with Nightbringer – Circumambulations of the Solar Inferno – and their 2017 album Interequinox, so when Bab Al On appeared with its very striking album art, I knew I wanted to explore that it had to offer. Continue reading “Dødsengel – Bab Al On (Review)”

Lykotonon – Promethean Pathology (Review)

This is the debut album from US black metallers Lykotonon.

An experimental black metal band featuring members of Blood Incantation and Wayfarer? Sign me up! Promethean Pathology contains 39 minutes of darkness, and offers a journey not to be missed for connoisseurs of the underground. Continue reading “Lykotonon – Promethean Pathology (Review)”

Devenial Verdict – Ash Blind (Review)

This is the debut album from Finnish death metallers Devenial Verdict.

Containing an ex-member of Hooded Menace, Ash Blind provides the listener with 44 minutes of atypical death metal. The promo blurb recommends this for fans of acts such as Ulcerate, Aeviterne, Morbid Angel, Mithras, and Blut Aus Nord, which is a good place to start from when approaching Ash Blind. To this list I’ll also add older Rivers of Nihil and Gojira. Continue reading “Devenial Verdict – Ash Blind (Review)”

Blut Aus Nord – Disharmonium – Undreamable Abysses (Review)

This is the fourteenth album from Blut Aus Nord, a French black metal band.

A new Blut Aus Nord release is always worth paying attention to. Over the years the band have ranged through a variety of dark, blackened styles, (see some examples, here, here, here, and here), so what delights does Disharmonium – Undreamable Abysses hold? Continue reading “Blut Aus Nord – Disharmonium – Undreamable Abysses (Review)”

Au-Dessus – Mend (Review)

This is the latest EP from Lithuanian post-black metallers Au-Dessus.

After thoroughly enjoying 2017’s End of Chapter, I’m pleased to be able to hear some new material from Au-Dessus. Mend contains five tracks, with a duration of 26 minutes. Continue reading “Au-Dessus – Mend (Review)”

Modern Rites – Monuments (Review)

This is the debut album from Modern Rites, a Swiss/US black metal band.

Featuring members of Aara and Kuyashii, Monuments contains 37 minutes of modern blackened aggression that mainly exists in the melodic black metal sphere, but not exclusively. The music also borrows from the wellspring of 90s industrial music, (which can be especially felt in some of the melodies, structuring, and atmospheres), as well as some of the more brutal strains of modern black metal. Continue reading “Modern Rites – Monuments (Review)”

Remah – Une Main (Review)

Remah are an international black metal band and this is their debut album.

Une Main adopts a modern approach to its black metal, one which adapts elements of the depressive, second wave, and atmospheric styles for its own nefarious use. Alongside this sit darkwave and psychedelic influences, both of which add extra depth to the band’s blackened repertoire. Continue reading “Remah – Une Main (Review)”

Borgne – Temps Morts (Review)

This is the tenth album from Swiss black metal act Borgne.

Featuring a member of Enoid and Ancient Moon, Borgne play industrial black metal, and Temps Morts contains 73 minutes of the layered darkness. Continue reading “Borgne – Temps Morts (Review)”