Ancient Gate – Empire Beyond Dusk (Review)

Ancient Gate - Empire Beyond DuskAncient Gate are an Argentinian black metal band and this is their second album.

Now here’s an album that really reminds me of the 90s. Yep, this is raw, underground, second wave worship through-and-through, and if you’re a fan of the style that’s no bad thing. Continue reading “Ancient Gate – Empire Beyond Dusk (Review)”

Hexivoid – The Beckoning of Celestial Tendrils (Review)

Hexivoid - The Beckoning of Celestial TendrilsHexivoid is a one-man UK black metal band and this is his second album.

Hexivoid’s music is a mix of modern darkness and Burzum-esque atmosphere. It manages to balance an atmospheric delivery with one that also seethes with dissonance and feral aggression. Continue reading “Hexivoid – The Beckoning of Celestial Tendrils (Review)”

Molog – Tri (Review)

Molog - TriMolog are an Australian black metal band and this is their debut album.

Tri offers a relatively brief hit of grim, underground blackness. The raw old-school approach of Molog is endearing and authentic, and has been captured effectively across these 33 minutes. Continue reading “Molog – Tri (Review)”

Naxen – Towards the Tomb of Times (Review)

Naxen - Towards the Tomb of TimesThis is the debut album from Naxen, a German black metal band.

Mixing classic second wave black metal with the atmospheric style from the US, Towards the Tomb of Times contains 47 minutes of compelling material divided into four epic tracks. Continue reading “Naxen – Towards the Tomb of Times (Review)”

From the Vastland – The Haft Khan (Review)

From the Vastland - The Haft KhanFrom the Vastland is an Iranian/Norwegian black metal band and this is their sixth album.

We’re familiar with From the Vastland’s work – both 2016’s Chamrosh and 2018’s Daevayasna were enjoyable examples of classic blackened fury. The Haft Khan provides us with another seven songs in a similar vein; 46 minutes of new material to enjoy. Continue reading “From the Vastland – The Haft Khan (Review)”

Voidfire – Ogień Pustki (Review)

Voidfire - Ogień PustkiVoidfire are a black metal band from Poland and this is their debut album.

Voidfire play melodic black metal, doing so in an endearing and infectious way. This is music that has a heart of darkness, rather than a shiny, upbeat one. Some melodic metal is so smothered in ostentatious bright leads it can be off-putting, but Continue reading “Voidfire – Ogień Pustki (Review)”

Thokkian Vortex – Thy Throne Is Mine (Review)

Thokkian Vortex - Thy Throne Is MineThokkian Vortex are a black metal band from the US and this is their second album.

Featuring an ex-member of Ancient, Thokkian Vortex deliver 45 minutes of second wave-inspired black metal. Continue reading “Thokkian Vortex – Thy Throne Is Mine (Review)”

Blaze of Perdition – The Harrowing of Hearts (Review)

Blaze of Perdition - The Harrowing of HeartsBlaze of Perdition are a Polish black metal band and this is their fifth album.

A new Blaze of Perdition album is always welcome, with both 2015’s Near Death Revelations and 2017’s Conscious Darkness setting high standards. Pleasingly, The Harrowing of Hearts doesn’t let the side down, and offers 51 minutes of quality material, including a Fields of the Nephilim cover that closes the album. Continue reading “Blaze of Perdition – The Harrowing of Hearts (Review)”

Dawn Ray’d – Behold Sedition Plainsong (Review)

Dawn Ray'd - Behold Sedition PlainsongThis is the second album from Dawn Ray’d, a black metal band from the UK.

Dawn Ray’d play classic, second wave-inspired black metal, with moments of folk interspersed here and there. Violin features prominently, and enhances the music in unobtrusive ways. Continue reading “Dawn Ray’d – Behold Sedition Plainsong (Review)”

Ossomancer – Artes Magickae (Review)

Ossomancer - Artes MagickaeOssomancer is a black metal entity from the US and this is their debut album.

Ossomancer combine old and new, taking a base of second wave black metal and transporting it to the present day. Continue reading “Ossomancer – Artes Magickae (Review)”