This is the third album from French black metal act Jours Pâles.
Jours Pâles’ debut album Éclosion was a surprise hit of 2021 for me, and while 2022 follow up Tensions was a worthy successor, it was released too late in the year to impact upon list season. So, now we have 46 minutes of new material to work through on Dissolution, how have Jours Pâles fared this time around? Continue reading “Jours Pâles – Dissolution (Review)”
This is the second album from Naxen, a German black metal band.
Descending into a Deeper Darkness is the follow up to 2020’s Towards the Tomb of Times, and contains 43 minutes of new material that’s spread out over four sprawling tracks. Naxen were already a quality band before this, but Descending into a Deeper Darkness sees them raise their standards even higher. Continue reading “Naxen – Descending into a Deeper Darkness (Review)”
This is the second album from US one-woman black metal band Feminizer.
Beneath the Harm is a 43-minute journey into nightmare and pain, one that’s frequently gorgeous, despite its venomous bite. It’s a multifaceted exploration of raw blackened expression. It’s one that embraces the artist’s vision wholly, resulting in material that drips emotion and passion through every devastating pore. Continue reading “Feminizer – Beneath the Harm (Review)”
This is the debut album from one-woman black/doom band Decompression from the US.
Decompression is a 53-minute collection of original compositions, (five), and cover songs, (three, including one from Forgotten Tomb). Stylistically, black/doom doesn’t really do it full justice, but it’s a loose descriptor that’s suitable enough. Continue reading “Decompression – Love Is the Beauty of the Soul (Review)”
This is the seventh album from Canadian one-man black metal act Nordicwinter.
After enjoying 2020’s Desolation and 2021’s Sorrow, I was pleased to see This Mournful Dawn appear. I was then surprised when I subsequently found out that the artist has released two other Nordicwinter albums between Sorrow and this new one! Has being this prolific impacted upon quality levels since I last encountered this act? Continue reading “Nordicwinter – This Mournful Dawn (Review)”
None are a black metal band from the US and this is their fourth album.
If you’re unfamiliar with None, where have you been? Releasing three stellar records in a row, (2017’s None, 2018’s Life Has Gone on Long Enough, and 2019’s Damp Chill of Life), None have now finally returned with their longest album yet, the 56-minute Inevitable. Continue reading “None – Inevitable (Review)”
This is the third album from Aodon, a black metal band from France.
Portraits is the follow up to 2020’s 11069, and features 46 minutes of sleek, quality material. If you liked 11069, then Portraits is the upgraded version. Continue reading “Aodon – Portraits (Review)”
Autumn Nostalgie from Slovakia and Hænesy from Hungary are both black metal bands, and this is their latest split release.
Across a total of 32 minutes, each band provide two songs to Awaking Mechanon. Autumn Nostalgie’s contribution lasts 18 minutes and Hænesy’s 14 minutes. Continue reading “Autumn Nostalgie/Hænesy – Awaking Mechanon – Split (Review)”
Wampyric Rites and Moloch are both black metal bands, from Ecuador and Ukraine, respectively.
Ever since encountering Wampyric Rites on their 2022 album The Wolves Howl to the Moon, I’ve been smitten, so when this split appeared I knew I wanted to hear it. The band contribute two songs to The Serpent Cult of Darkness, with a combined total duration of 19 minutes. Continue reading “Wampyric Rites/Moloch – The Serpent Cult of Darkness – Split (Review)”
This is the second album from Indonesian post-black metal band Numeron.
Road to Valhalla is a 43-minute exploration of atmospheric black metal and blackgaze, delivered in a post-black metal package that’s passionately performed. Numeron have produced a well-crafted slice of expressive darkness. Continue reading “Numeron – Road to Valhalla (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 