Barbarian Hermit – Solitude and Savagery (Review)

Barbarian Hermit - Solitude and SavageryThis is the debut album from Barbarian Hermit, a stoner/sludge metal band from the UK.

With a thick, heavy sound, Barbarian Hermit explode out of the speakers with big riffs and a forceful presence. No messing around, no stupid intros, just straight into the good stuff. Just as I like it. Continue reading “Barbarian Hermit – Solitude and Savagery (Review)”

Skeletonwitch – Devouring Radiant Light (Review)

SkeletonwitchThis is the sixth album from Skeletonwitch, a blackened metal band from the US.

Well, this is not what I was expecting to hear from Skeletonwitch. I confess that I’ve only ever really heard a small amount of the band’s prior material, and what I did hear was kind of a thrash/melodic metal affair, from what I recall. I approached this Continue reading “Skeletonwitch – Devouring Radiant Light (Review)”

Skogen – Skuggorna Kallar (Review)

SkogenSkogen are a Swedish black metal band and this is their fifth album.

Skogen play a mix of black metal and folk, producing an atmospheric and charismatic take on the style. Continue reading “Skogen – Skuggorna Kallar (Review)”

An Argency – Eternal Legacy (Review)

An ArgencyAn 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)”

Horizon Ablaze – The Weight of a Thousand Suns (Review)

Horizon AblazeHorizon Ablaze are a Norwegian progressive black/extreme metal band and this is their third album.

Horizon Ablaze play a brand of extreme metal that largely consists of atmospheric/progressive/avant-garde black metal, (among other things). It’s an impressive and well-delivered proposition, that’s for sure. Continue reading “Horizon Ablaze – The Weight of a Thousand Suns (Review)”

Jarun – Sporysz (Review)

JarunJarun are a Polish progressive black metal band and this is their third album.

This is the follow up to 2015’s very enjoyable Pod Niebem Utkanym z Popiołu, which demonstrated the band’s progressive/folk-influenced black metal very well. Continue reading “Jarun – Sporysz (Review)”

Ne Obliviscaris – Urn (Review)

Ne ObliviscarisNe Obliviscaris are an Australian progressive extreme metal band and this is their third album.

Urn is epic, progressive, aggressive, and textured. It’s a release that has a lot to absorb and experience, requiring multiple sittings to really even start to get the most from it. This is a complex and emotive listen, one that’s highly rewarding and enjoyable. Continue reading “Ne Obliviscaris – Urn (Review)”

Enslaved – E (Review)

EnslavedEnslaved are a Norwegian progressive black metal band and this is their fourteenth album.

Enslaved have put out so much quality music over the years it’s no wonder that they’re one of many people’s favourite bands, (including mine); they have more than earned that privileged. Continue reading “Enslaved – E (Review)”