Ethereal Wound – Defile | Demise (Review)

Ethereal Wound - Defile DemiseThis is the debut album from Portuguese death metal band Ethereal Wound.

Defile | Demise contains 38 minutes of death metal that’s blackened, dissonant, and atmospheric. Ethereal Wound, (along with a session drummer, from Ashen Horde, Evilyn, Norse, Somnium Nox, Virulent Depravity, and many more), have produced a striking record that offers a rewarding, satisfying experience. Continue reading “Ethereal Wound – Defile | Demise (Review)”

Sea Mosquito – Majestas (Review)

Sea Mosquito - MajestasThis is the second album from UK black metallers Sea Mosquito.

Majestas contains 44 minutes of esoteric black metal. As a rough starting point, think of a compelling mix of bands such as Aara, Blut Aus Nord, Inherits the Void, Deathspell OmegaLabyrinthus Stellarum, Mare Cognitum, Selbst, and Vorga, although Sea Mosquito do offer up an experience that’s their own. Continue reading “Sea Mosquito – Majestas (Review)”

Délirant – Thoughteater (Review)

Délirant - ThoughteaterThis is the second album from Spanish black metal solo act Délirant.

Thoughteater contains 38 minutes of swirling dissonance, esoteric atmosphere, and dark aggression. With a promo blurb that references bands such as Blut Aus Nord, Akhlys, Deathspell Omega, Abigor, and Misþyrming, are you ready for the nightmare experience that the artist behind Délirant offers up? Continue reading “Délirant – Thoughteater (Review)”

Monte Penumbra – Austere Dawning (Review)

Monte Penumbra - Austere DawningThis is the third album from Portuguese black metal band Monte Penumbra.

It’s been eleven years (!) since I last caught up with Monte Penumbra on Heirloom of Sullen Fall, so a reunion is long overdue. Containing 41 minutes of new material, Austere Dawning offers us a journey into dissonant black metal darkness. Continue reading “Monte Penumbra – Austere Dawning (Review)”

Serpent Column – Tassel of Ares (Review)

Serpent Column - Tassel of AresThis is the fourth album from US solo black metal band Serpent Column.

Tassel of Ares is a 39-minute avant-garde black metal album brought to us by the artist behind Theophonos. The style is dissonant, esoteric, and obscure, yet remarkably accessible for that. Serpent Column’s music is an impressive beast. Continue reading “Serpent Column – Tassel of Ares (Review)”

Ingurgitating Oblivion – Ontology of Nought (Review)

Ingurgitating Oblivion - Ontology of NoughtThis is the third album from German extreme metal band Ingurgitating Oblivion.

It’s been some time since Ingurgitating Oblivion terrified the world with their malignant presence. 2014’s Continuum of Absence showed great promise, which was then realised on 2017’s colossal Vision Wallows in Symphonies of Light. The wait is now over, for Ontology of Nought brings us a massive 73 minutes of darkness. It’s time to step into the nightmare once more. Continue reading “Ingurgitating Oblivion – Ontology of Nought (Review)”

Wrach – Quae Infra Volo Videre (Review)

Wrach - Quae Infra Volo VidereThis is the debut album from Wrach, a Welsh solo black metal band.

Quad Infra Volo Videre contains 48 minutes of sinister underground black metal. It’s inspired by the 90s second wave style, but other influences from across the last few decades have been drawn into its malevolent embrace, giving it more of a 00s feel overall. Continue reading “Wrach – Quae Infra Volo Videre (Review)”

Ceremony of Silence – Hálios (Review)

Ceremony of Silence - HáliosThis is the second album from Slovakian black/death metal band Ceremony of Silence.

Five years after 2019’s malignant Oútis, Ceremony of Silence have returned with the 36-minute Hálios. An album of atmospheric brutality, Hálios expands on and further develops the strengths of Ceremony of Silence’s debut album. Continue reading “Ceremony of Silence – Hálios (Review)”

Corpus Diavolis – Elixiria Ekstasis (Review)

Corpus Diavolis - Elixiria EkstasisThis is the fifth album from Corpus Diavolis, a French black metal band.

I enjoyed 2017’s Atra Lumen and 2021’s Apocatastase, (which I honestly thought I had reviewed), so when the promo for Elixiria Ekstasis appeared I wanted very much to be able to get to it. Alas, it was not to be, as sadly there just isn’t enough time in the world. However, as I like Corpus Diavolis I eventually made the mistake of listening to it – a mistake, only because it’s damn good and I knew I had to write about it – which is why, despite this coming out in March, you’re reading this now. Continue reading “Corpus Diavolis – Elixiria Ekstasis (Review)”

Selbst – Despondency Chord Progressions (Review)

Selbst - Despondency Chord ProgressionsThis is the third album from solo black metal act Selbst, originally from Venezuela, and now Chile.

Following on from 2020’s Relatos de Angustia, Despondency Chord Progressions contains 44 minutes of new material. The artist behind Selbst, (also in Animus Mortis), is aided on this release by the drummer of Aversio Humanitatis/Eternal Storm, and has created something quite special. Continue reading “Selbst – Despondency Chord Progressions (Review)”