Upon Stone – Dead Mother Moon (Review)

Upon Stone - Dead Mother MoonUpon Stone are a melodic death metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

Upon Stone play melodic death metal in the classic Scandinavian style. The band list influences such as At the Gates, In Flames, and Dissection, so you should have a decent idea of where Dead Mother Moon is coming from. Across a lean 32 minutes Upon Stone demonstrate that they understand the style well. Continue reading “Upon Stone – Dead Mother Moon (Review)”

Valdrin – Throne of the Lunar Soul (Review)

Valdrin - Throne of the Lunar SoulThis 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)”

Rüyyn – Chapter II: The Flames, the Fallen, the Fury (Review)

Rüyyn - Chapter II The Flames, the Fallen, the FuryThis is the debut album from French solo black metal band Rüyyn.

Chapter II: The Flames, the Fallen, the Fury offers the listener 43 minutes of well-crafted black metal to absorb and digest. Rüyyn’s music is accomplished and rewarding. Continue reading “Rüyyn – Chapter II: The Flames, the Fallen, the Fury (Review)”

Moonlight Sorcery – Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle (Review)

Moonlight Sorcery - Horned Lord of the Thorned CastleThis is the debut album from Finnish black metallers Moonlight Sorcery.

Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle contains 44 minutes of symphonic melodic black metal. However, beneath this simple description hides a deeper truth, that Moonlight Sorcery offer more than just black metal to enjoy here. Continue reading “Moonlight Sorcery – Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle (Review)”

Alghol – Night Eternal (Review)

Alghol - Night EternalThis is the second album from US one-man black metal band Alghol.

Night Eternal contains 40 minutes of second wave black metal, delivered with an authentic skill and passion that’s raw and honest. It’s also catchy and moreish as all Hell. Continue reading “Alghol – Night Eternal (Review)”

Necrofier – Burning Shadows in the Southern Night (Review)

Necrofier - Burning Shadows in the Southern NightThis is the second album from US black metallers Necrofier.

Following on from 2021’s Prophecies of Eternal Darkness, Burning Shadows in the Southern Night contains 47 minutes of melodic black metal with a classic heavy metal influence. Continue reading “Necrofier – Burning Shadows in the Southern Night (Review)”

Cloak – Black Flame Eternal (Review)

Cloak - Black Flame EternalThis is the third album from US black metal band Cloak.

Cloak play black metal with melodic weight and malevolent guitars, yet do so with their own personality that betrays a healthy classic metal influence. Black Flame Eternal is a 49-minute journey into the band’s dark world. Continue reading “Cloak – Black Flame Eternal (Review)”

Thron – Dust (Review)

Thron - DustThron are a black metal band from Germany and this is their fourth album.

Now boasting the drummer of the mighty Aara in their ranks, Dust contains 55 minutes of accomplished black metal. I haven’t caught up with the band since 2018’s Abysmal, so it’s good to hear what they’re up to once more, and I have not been disappointed. Quite the opposite, in fact. Continue reading “Thron – Dust (Review)”

Majesties – Vast Reaches Unclaimed (Review)

Majesties - Vast Reaches UnclaimedThis is the debut album from US death metal band Majesties.

Brought to us by members of Inexorum and Obsequiae, Vast Reaches Unclaimed delivers 39 minutes of melodic death metal played in the classic, old-school Gothenburg style. Continue reading “Majesties – Vast Reaches Unclaimed (Review)”

Frozen Dawn – The Decline of the Enlightened Gods (Review)

Frozen Dawn - The Decline of the Enlightened GodsThis is the third album, (or their fourth, if you include 2017’s covers album), from Frozen Dawn, a Spanish black metal band.

The Decline of the Enlightened Gods is the follow up to 2014’s Those of the Cursed Light, and contains 50 minutes of melodic black metal, (which includes a Necrophobic cover). Delivering a Continue reading “Frozen Dawn – The Decline of the Enlightened Gods (Review)”