This is the debut album from black metal band Achathras.
A mysterious entity, formed by veterans of the scene apparently, Achathras certainly know their stuff. A Darkness of the Ancient Past contains 43 minutes of classic 90s black metal, and it’s pretty damn good. Continue reading “Achathras – A Darkness of the Ancient Past (Review)”
This is the debut album from UK black metallers Praesider.
Enter the Praesidium contains 48 minutes of old-school symphonic black metal. Praesider’s music evokes such a strong sense of nostalgia in me for the 90s that it’s almost overwhelming. Make no mistake though, Praesider are a skilled bunch and know their subject matter inside out. Continue reading “Praesider – Enter the Praesidium (Review)”
This is debut album from Swiss industrial black metal band Versatile.
I did something unusual with this album – I went into it completely fresh, without hearing anything from them at all. I normally sample everything first to see if it’s my thing or not, but here a combination of the album cover and logo made me just want to listen to it, regardless. What did I find? Continue reading “Versatile – Les Litanies du Vide (Review)”
This is the seventh album from Canadian solo post-black metal band Unreqvited.
Pathway to the Moon contains 43 minutes of post-black metal, taking in elements of blackgaze, symphonic black metal, progressive metal, and post-rock along the way. If you are familiar with Unreqvited’s past work, Pathway to the Moon finds the artist taking their art to the next level. Everything here is an evolutionary step up, delivering music that is extremely well-rendered into its final form. Continue reading “Unreqvited – Pathway to the Moon (Review)”
Pestilent Hex are a black metal band from Finland and this is their second album.
After 2022’s enjoyable The Ashen Abhorrence, Pestilent Hex have now returned with the 46-minute Sorceries of Sanguine & Shadow. Continue reading “Pestilent Hex – Sorceries of Sanguine & Shadow (Review)”
This is the debut album from solo US black metal band Ogasawara.
The Ages of Stars is a 35-minute concept album that ably showcases what the artist behind Ogasawara is capable of. If you’re looking for a well-crafted black metal album that covers a few different bases, then this is for you. Continue reading “Ogasawara – The Age of Stars (Review)”
This is the third album from US death metal band Vale of Pnath.
Between the Worlds of Life and Death is a blackened death metal extravaganza, boasting 38 minutes of face-melting material. On their new album Vale of Pnath are vying for the modern extreme metal crown. Continue reading “Vale of Pnath – Between the Worlds of Life and Death (Review)”
This is the fourth album from US black metallers Valdrin.
It’s been a long time since 2014’s Beyond the Forest, and Valdrin have had two other full albums since then. Throne of the Lunar Soul is their latest, and boasts an imposing 73 minutes of material. What does the Valdrin of 2023 have to offer the discerning black metal fan? Continue reading “Valdrin – Throne of the Lunar Soul (Review)”
This is the eighth album from Australian one-man black metal act Midnight Odyssey.
Here it is, the one we’ve all been waiting for – the third and final part of the Biolume trilogy. Emerging from the long, deep shadows of 2015’s Shards of Silver Fade, 2019’s Biolume Part 1 – In Tartarean Chains, and 2021’s Biolume Part 2 – The Golden Orb, how can Biolume Part 3: A Fullmoon Madness possibly compare? After all, all three of the aforementioned releases either made it into my end of year list in the top five, (here), or the coveted top spot, (here and here). How does this one one fare? Continue reading “Midnight Odyssey – Biolume Part 3 – A Fullmoon Madness (Review)”
Urbain are a black metal band from the US and this is their debut album.
With a description of urban black metal, and a recommendation for fans of Emperor, White Ward, early Dimmu Borgir, and Cradle of Filth, I was intrigued to hear what Urbain had to offer. The fact that the band contain members of Ovnev and Wills Dissolve was further reason, if any were needed. Continue reading “Urbain – A Soul Purged (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 