Kold – Intet Mere Er (Review)

Kold - Intet Mere ErKold are a black metal band from Denmark and this is their debut album.

Following on from 2021’s KoldIntet Mere Er is a 44-minute black metal journey of frozen landscapes and sorrowful climes. Continue reading “Kold – Intet Mere Er (Review)”

Sarcoptes – Prayers to Oblivion (Review)

Sarcoptes - Prayers to OblivionSarcoptes are a US black metal band and this is their second album.

It has been a long time since 2016’s Songs and Dances of Death, but the second Sarcoptes album is finally here. And what do we have? Something pretty damn tasty. Prayers to Oblivion is the sound of Sarcoptes taking their material to the next level in every regard; songwriting, recording, and performances, have all improved. Continue reading “Sarcoptes – Prayers to Oblivion (Review)”

Moonthoth – Uroczysko (Review)

Moonthoth - UroczyskoThis is the second album from Polish one-man black metal band Moonthoth.

Uroczysko treats us to 50 minutes of underground black metal. It’s old-school and traditional at heart, yet rich, layered, and adventurous in scope. It has a keen atmospheric edge, is bolstered by powerful symphonic elements, and is not afraid to walk its own path. Continue reading “Moonthoth – Uroczysko (Review)”

Häxanu – Totenpass (Review)

Häxanu - TotenpassThis is the second album from US black metal act Häxanu.

Featuring a current/ex-member of bands such as Chaos Moon, Krieg, Ringarë, Skáphe, and Manetheren, Totenpass contains 45 minutes of sleek melodic black metal with plenty of experience. Continue reading “Häxanu – Totenpass (Review)”

Lumen ad Mortem – Upon the Edge of Darkness (Review)

Lumen ad Mortem - Upon the Edge of DarknessLumen ad Mortem are a black metal band from Australia and this is their debut album.

Upon the Edge of Darkness is a 42-minute second wave symphonic black metal journey, played with grim determination and blackened intensity. This is an interesting release. Lumen ad Mortem’s style is influenced by the 90s black metal era, especially the symphonic side. However, taken by itself that statement is misleading. Continue reading “Lumen ad Mortem – Upon the Edge of Darkness (Review)”

Eihort – Consuming the Light (Review)

Eihort - Consuming the LightThis is the debut album from UK black metallers Eihort.

Consuming the Light consists of six original blackened hymns and a Samael cover. All told, we’re given 33 minutes of classic black metal from a band that obviously know and love the style very much. Continue reading “Eihort – Consuming the Light (Review)”

Jours Pâles – Tensions (Review)

Jours Pâles - TensionsThis is the second album from French post-black metal band Jours Pâles.

Last year’s Éclosion came out of nowhere and hugely impressed me. I ended up enjoying it so much it appeared on my end of year list too. I wasn’t expecting another album so soon, but here we are with Tensions, which contains 61 minutes of new material. Continue reading “Jours Pâles – Tensions (Review)”

Imha Tarikat – Hearts Unchained – At War with a Passionless World (Review)

Imha Tarikat - Hearts Unchained - At War with a Passionless WorldThis is the third album from German black metal band Imha Tarikat.

Imha Tarikat’s well-written contemporary black metal is satisfying and rewarding to listen to. It combines elements from the modern and classic styles into something all of its own. Elements of hard rock, heavy Continue reading “Imha Tarikat – Hearts Unchained – At War with a Passionless World (Review)”

Nordjevel – Gnavhòl (Review)

Nordjevel - GnavhòlNordjevel are a Norwegian black metal band and this is their third album.

Following on from 2021’s fiery Fenrir EP, (of which Gnawing the Bones reappears here), Gnavhòl is a 55-minute expression of black metal darkness. Continue reading “Nordjevel – Gnavhòl (Review)”

Mourir – Disgrâce (Review)

Mourir - DisgrâceThis is the second album from Mourir, a black metal band from France.

This is the follow up to 2020’s Animal Bouffe Animal, and delivers 38 minutes of utter blackened darkness. Mourir, (who contain members of Drawers and Plebeian Grandstand), specialise in modern black metal, with unhinged daemonic vocals and more oppressive, malignant atmosphere than a lot of people will be able to handle. Continue reading “Mourir – Disgrâce (Review)”