Toadeater are a post-black metal; band from Germany and this is their third album.
Bexadde delivers 44 minutes of black metal across four lengthy nightmarescapes. Blending atmospheric components into a post-blackened framework, Toadeater’s music is compelling and satisfying. Continue reading “Toadeater – Bexadde (Review)”
Yes, it’s that time of year again! 2021 gave us some very, very good metal, and I feel honoured to have been able to have listened to as much of it as I have done. There are some notable absences, (for me at least), from the below list, but there’s just not enough time or space for everything, dammit!
2020 was a very blackened year for me; I listened to a lot of black metal, and the list for that year reflected that. At the start of 2021 I decided I’d consciously try to ensure I cast my net a bit wider again, reconnecting more deeply with some of many other styles of metal that I enjoy. 2021’s list reflects this. However, I’ve still ended up with much more of a black metal presence in the list than I was initially expecting. What can I say? I’m a sucker for all of the myriad blackened flavours of the style. However, there’s also a lot of other stuff here that I hope you’ll dig into and enjoy too. I felt that there was a notable absence of grindcore in 2021, as well as some of the more extreme styles of doom. What do you think?
I hope you enjoy perusing some of my favourite records from this year, and I hope you find something new to tickle your fancy. What’s your number one this year? Continue reading “Wonderbox Metal End of Year List – Best Metal of 2021”
Many fine records were released in November, too many to do justice to here. Instead I’ll just pick five of my favourites. The below albums are all quite different, but all striking in their own individual ways… Continue reading “Monthly Overview – the Best of November 2021”
This is the fifth album from German black metal band Der Weg Einer Freiheit.
Following on from 2017’s Finisterre, Noktvrn is an album that finds Der Weg Einer Freiheit at the height of their powers. Containing 48 minutes of progressive and atmospheric post-black metal, Der Weg Einer Freiheit sound darkly vibrant and full of expressive might. Continue reading “Der Weg Einer Freiheit – Noktvrn (Review)”
Bait are a German blackened hardcore band and this is their debut album.
Featuring a member of Der Weg Einer Freiheit, Bait play post-black metal with hardcore bite. Offering 45 minutes of aggressive darkness, Revelation of the Pure is a worthy listen. Continue reading “Bait – Revelation of the Pure (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Frigoris, an atmospheric post-black metal band from Germany.
Frigoris’ post-black metal is atmospheric and immersive, and as you journey across this 65-minute album, you’ll also discover aspects of doom, progressive metal, and post-rock that are incorporated into the music’s textured tapestry. Continue reading “Frigoris – …In Stille (Review)”
Downfall of Gaia are a German post-black metal band and this is their fifth album.
Downfall of Gaia are an impressive proposition. Their blackened brand of atmospheric sludge metal is channelled into post-black metal songs that are both satisfying and immersive. We last encountered them on 2016’s Atrophy, and now they grace us with 40 minutes of new material. Continue reading “Downfall of Gaia – Ethic of Radical Finitude (Review)”
Benighted are a French death metal band and this latest release is to celebrate their 20th anniversary.
Sometimes you just want something ultra-brutal to knock away the cobwebs and get rid of the lethargy. Sometimes you need something to truly get the blood pumping and the adrenaline flowing. For times like these, the simple pleasures of a good brutal death metal band rarely fail to hit the spot. Continue reading “Benighted – Dogs Always Bite Harder Than Their Master (Review)”
This is the fourth album from German black metal band Der Weg Einer Freiheit.
This is dark and emotive black metal that mixes an atmospheric approach with one born out of a love of furious aggression and blazing extremity. Imagine a mix of Wolves in the Throne Room, Downfall of Gaia, Alcest, and Marduk; taking the best elements of each to form an atmospheric and molten delivery. Continue reading “Der Weg Einer Freiheit – Finisterre (Review)”
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