Agrona are a UK black metal band and this is their debut album.
Containing 47 minutes of black metal that effectively combines both scathing brutality and grim atmosphere, this as a well-rounded and well-written album that demonstrates a talented and passionate band who are clearly doing what they love. Continue reading “Agrona – Realm of the Fallen (Review)”
Dimmu Borgir are a symphonic black metal band from Norway and this is their ninth album, (unless you count the rerecorded version of Stormblåst).
So, Dimmu Borgir have returned, a band that will likely need little introduction. Is this a case of more of the same, or do they offer something a bit different on their latest album? The truth lies somewhere in between.
Although the classic building Continue reading “Dimmu Borgir – Eonian (Review)”
An Argency are a deathcore/metalcore band from Belarus and this is their second album.
So here’s a band that are travelling a path slightly less-worn – self-described as symphonic blackened deathcore, or occult deathcore, Eternal Legacy is the sound of deathcore/metalcore structuring that’s been warped and corrupted by black metal’s sickening touch. Continue reading “An Argency – Eternal Legacy (Review)”
This is the latest EP from US black metallers Singularity.
Singularity are an interesting beast. They play technical black metal, which by itself is a relatively unusual sub-genre. Add in a symphonic side to this and their self-titled debut album was an atypical and enjoyable release. Continue reading “Singularity – Void Walker (Review)”
This is the fourth album from US death metallers Allegaeon.
This is an ambitious, epic release; 72 minutes of science fiction-themed grandeur and technical aggression.
The band’s music is technical, melodic death metal that features a lot of engaging content and some quite virtuoso playing. For a band like this, the level of technicality on display is always going to be high, but Allegaeon never Continue reading “Allegaeon – Proponent for Sentience (Review)”
This is the fifth album from this US black metal band.
Dawn of Ashes play modern, professional, industrial black metal with plenty of keyboard/electronic enhancements. Kind of coming across as a mix of Dimmu Borgir, Deathstars and Neurotech, this is heavy, rhythmic and quite catchy. Continue reading “Dawn of Ashes – Theophany (Review)”
Sarcoptes are a black metal band from the US. This is their début album.
This record makes me feel nostalgic. The band play a classic style of black metal that incorporates elements of the 90s symphonic style alongside a few thrashier bits here and there. It really does take me back to the early days of bands like Cradle of Filth, Emperor, Bal-Sagoth, Hecate Enthroned, Dimmu Borgir, etc.
The singer has Continue reading “Sarcoptes – Songs and Dances of Death (Review)”
This is the third album from Israeli melodic/progressive Black Metallers Winterhorde.
Winterhorde use melodic Black Metal as a base to launch their epic brand of music from. On this base, they build firm structures of progressive Metal and symphonic/orchestral enhancements, all of which work together to produce Maestro, an Extreme Metal extravaganza.
If you combine elements of Black Metal with bands like Dimmu Borgir, Borknagar, Vintersorg, Arcturus and Nevermore, you’ll have a good idea of where Winterhorde are coming from. Continue reading “Winterhorde – Maestro (Review)”
Images at Twilight are an orchestral Black Metal band from Norway. This is their début album.
Featuring the same orchestral mastermind behind the stunning symphonic Death/Doom début by Abyssic, Images at Twilight is essentially a Black Metal version of this, (or the other way around, actually, as this album came first), with rich, sumptuous orchestration and classical grandness.
Enthean are from the US and this is their début album. They play Black Metal.
This is progressive, technical and symphonic Black/Death Metal. It’s a bit of a mouthful, but then this is a band who have a lot of different influences. I hear bands like Zyklon, Dissection, Emperor, Dimmu Borgir, Septic Flesh and Fleshgod Apocalypse in their sound.
Continue reading “Enthean – Priests of Annihilation (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 