Deathspell Omega – Wonderbox Metal

Ὁπλίτης (Hoplites) – Ψευδομένη (Review)

This is the debut album from Ὁπλίτης (otherwise known as Hoplites), a one-man post-black metal band from China.

Ψευδομένη contains 38 minutes of experimental avant-garde black metal. The artist behind Ὁπλίτης has combined a lot of different styles and influences into this record. Imagine Blut Aus Nord, Jute Gyte, and Deathspell Omega crossed with Frontierer, Converge, and Sectioned, along with a touch of Ephel Duath and Oranssi Pazuzu, and you’ll have a rough idea of what you’ll encounter here. Continue reading “Ὁπλίτης (Hoplites) – Ψευδομένη (Review)”

Tchornobog/Abyssal – Split (Review)

This is a split release between US black/doom solo act Tchornobog and UK black/death band Abyssal.

It’s been five long years since Tchornobog’s 2017 self-titled monster, which I really, really liked. Well, the artist has now returned, alongside a host of collaborators, with a single 24-minute track called The Vomiting Choir. Continue reading “Tchornobog/Abyssal – Split (Review)”

Dysgnostic – Scar Echoes (Review)

Dysgnostic are a Danish death metal band and this is their debut album.

Do you remember the band Defilementory who released the 2014 album The Dismal Ascension? The question is relevant because Dysgnostic are Defilementory’s reincarnation. Apparently the band have changed their name to indicate a fresh start, but whatever the reason, Dysgnostic are now here, and they mean business. Continue reading “Dysgnostic – Scar Echoes (Review)”

Wesenwille – III: The Great Light Above (Review)

Wesenwille are a black metal band from the Netherlands and this is their third album.

Having enjoyed last year’s II: A Material God, I was pleased to see the appearance of III: The Great Light Above, (and also surprised to have more Wesenwille material so soon after the last album). Continue reading “Wesenwille – III: The Great Light Above (Review)”

Embarla Firgasto – Temporal Capsule (Review)

This is the debut album from one-man Polish death metal band Embarla Firgasto.

Temporal Capsule offers up 31 minutes of dissonant blackened death metal. The artist claims influence from acts such as Deathspell Omega, Aosoth, Ulcerate, Gorguts, Leviathan, Convulsing, and VI, and this is a good place to start when approaching this album. Continue reading “Embarla Firgasto – Temporal Capsule (Review)”

Merihem – Incendiary Darkness (Review)

This is the debut album from international black metal band Merihem.

Featuring members of bands such as Frostmoon Eclipse, Israthoum, Manetheren, and Suffering Hour, Incendiary Darkness contains 39 minutes of occult black metal.

These songs weep nightmare Continue reading “Merihem – Incendiary Darkness (Review)”

Miserable Failure – Death March (Review)

This is the latest release from Miserable Failure, (or MSRBLFLR), a French death metal/grindcore band.

This enigmatic act have been quiet since 2017’s Alone, (at least with this project), but now they’re back with the beautifully adorned Death March. Containing just one 22-minute track, (made up of three named movements), this is a welcome return from this talented group. Continue reading “Miserable Failure – Death March (Review)”

Haunter – Discarnate Ails (Review)

This is the third album from US black/death metallers Haunter.

Following on from 2019’s very well-received Sacramental Death Qualia, Haunter have now returned with 32 minutes of new material. The band’s style can be termed progressive black/death metal, and Continue reading “Haunter – Discarnate Ails (Review)”

Icare – Charogne (Review)

Icare are a post-black metal band from Switzerland and this is their second album.

So, here’s one that intrigued me form the start with its unusual album artwork. But wait, there’s more to why this grabbed my attention; this is an album that the promo blurb describes as a mix of black-metal, post-metal, and grindcore. It also recommends Charogne for fans of Wake, Calligram, Cult of Luna, and Ulcerate. More and more intriguing, thought I. And then, upon discovery that the album consists of one single 43-minute track, I was sold, and knew I had to check out what Icare have to offer. Continue reading “Icare – Charogne (Review)”

Golgothan Remains – Adorned in Ruin (Review)

This is the second album from Australian death metallers Golgothan Remains.

I really enjoyed the ugly malevolence of Golgothan Remains’ 2018 debut Perverse Offerings to the Void. It’s now four years later, and Adorned in Ruin has finally come crashing into our lives. Has it been worth the wait? Continue reading “Golgothan Remains – Adorned in Ruin (Review)”