Wampyric Rites are a black metal band from Ecuador and this is their second album.
The Wolves Howl to the Moon contains 35 minutes of raw, undergound, old-school black metal. There’s no messing around; Wampyric Rites mean business. Continue reading “Wampyric Rites – The Wolves Howl to the Moon (Review)”
This is the debut album from black metal solo act Blackbraid.
The music on Blackbraid I is a form of black metal that takes from the classic and atmospheric styles to create something all of its own. Native American folk influences can also be heard, and these are well-integrated into the music’s Continue reading “Blackbraid – Blackbraid I (Review)”
This is the debut album from one-man Greek black metal act Auriferous Flame.
Brought to us by the artist behind Spectral Lore and Mystras, The Great Mist Within contains 39 minutes of black metal influenced by the classic second wave era. It’s modelled on the traditional style, but can’t escape the contemporary feel that the artist brings to it. Continue reading “Auriferous Flame – The Great Mist Within (Review)”
This is the debut album from Hilning, a solo black metal act from Sweden.
Brought to us by a member of Afgrund and Besvärjelsen, Råtijinn contains 48 minutes of frosted black metal ferocity. Hilning’s music merges the old-school cold and dark approach with epic folk-tinged melodies. Continue reading “Hilning – Råtijinn (Review)”
Pestilent Hex are a black metal band from Finland and this is their debut album.
Brought to us by members of Corpsessed and Desolate Shrine, The Ashen Abhorrence contains 42 minutes of authentic second wave black metal. Worshipping at the altar of the 90s classics, Pestilent Hex combine elements of bands such as Emperor, Gehenna, Satyricon, Dimmu Borgir, and Arcturus, while injecting their own grim character, to produce an enjoyable slice of symphonic blackened art. Continue reading “Pestilent Hex – The Ashen Abhorrence (Review)”
Vong is a one-man black metal band from Vietnam and this is his debut album.
Apparently a demo version of this was released in 2019, but this definitive version is a complete rerecording of the songs, with some rearranging going on too.
Vong’s music is an atavistic example of the core blackened Continue reading “Vong – A Wander in Liminality (Review)”
This is the latest EP from Hulder, a one-woman black metal band from the US.
A 26-minute mini-album, The Eternal Fanfare has strong roots in the classic 90s era. It uses these influences well, but is not restricted by them. The artist behind the band clearly knows what she wants to achieve with her music, and uses influences Continue reading “Hulder – The Eternal Fanfare (Review)”
This is the second album from Belgian black metal band Serpents Oath.
Ascension contains 42 minutes of second wave black metal played in the classic style.
Serpents Oath’s music is dark and aggressive. It combines lethal speed with mystical atmosphere. Blackened leads add melodic Continue reading “Serpents Oath – Ascension (Review)”
Miasmes are a French black metal band and this is their debut EP.
Miasmes play classic second wave black metal with an underlying punk energy. It’s old-school and raw, and pretty damn nasty. Continue reading “Miasmes – Vermines (Review)”
Hyrgal are a French black metal band and this is their third album.
I enjoyed both 2017’s Serpentine and 2020’s Fin de Règne, so – is well-received, if unusually titled. We once again get seven tracks of dark black metal art, this time with a duration of 38 minutes. Continue reading “Hyrgal – – (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 