This is the debut album from Doodswens, a black metal band from the Netherlands.
Doodswens play black metal infused with the spirit of the Scandinavian second wave, and delivered with contemporary passion and mood-focused impact. Think a combination of the traditional old-school Darkthrone sound combined with the grim darkness of acts like Xasthur and Gnaw Their Tongues. Continue reading “Doodswens – Lichtvrees (Review)”
This is the debut album from Canadian black metal band Oriflamme.
Oriflamme’s black metal combines furious intensity with atmospheric appeal. When the band play fast they play with fire and vigour, but when they slow down is when the real dark magic happens. Continue reading “Oriflamme – L’égide Ardente (Review)”
Wesenwille are a black metal band from the Netherlands and this is their second album.
Wesenwille play modern black metal that’s delivered with passion and skill. You can hear the band’s traditional influences, but these are delivered with a contemporary twist. Continue reading “Wesenwille – II: A Material God (Review)”
This is the debut album from Starer, a one-man black metal band from the US.
Brought to us by a member of Bihargam, Starer is a different proposition from that band, and offers 45 minutes of modern darkness for the listener to become absorbed by. Continue reading “Starer – 18° Below the Horizon (Review)”
This is the debut EP from German black metallers Bestialis.
Ritus provides 17 minutes of black metal, and serves as a good introduction to the nefarious talents of Bestialis. The band’s style is rooted in traditional black metal, but also contains elements of more modern styles too. As a very rough Continue reading “Bestialis – Ritus (Review)”
This is the second album from French black metal band Hyrgal.
2017’s Serpentine was an enjoyably aggressive cold slab of melodic darkness. Three years later, and the band return, and they’ve clearly been busy. Continue reading “Hyrgal – Fin de Règne (Review)”
This is the third album from German black metallers Beltez.
Following on from 2017’s well-regarded Exiled, Punished…Rejected, A Grey Chill and a Whisper is well-received and quite exceptional. Across 65 minutes Beltez brutalise and mystify with a compelling tale of darkness and despair, but with some glimmers of hope. Continue reading “Beltez – A Grey Chill and a Whisper (Review)”
Somniate are a black metal band from Czechia and this is their debut album.
Containing members of bands such as Brutally Deceased, Self-Hatred, Mallephyr, and Heaving Earth, The Meyrinkian Slumber is a different proposition than most of Somniate’s component bands, and gifts us with 32 minutes of modern black metal instead. Continue reading “Somniate – The Meyrinkian Slumber (Review)”
Craft are a Swedish black metal band and this is their fifth album.
Although the album title might suggest a combination of blistering black metal and heartless noise assaults, it’s actually 42 minutes of the former rather than the latter. Of course, this is no bad thing. Continue reading “Craft – White Noise and Black Metal (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 