Vemod – The Deepening (Review)

Vemod - The DeepeningThis is the second album from Norwegian black metallers Vemod.

The Deepening contains 48 minutes of dark blackened worldscapes. It’s the sort of record that is worth exploring in a thorough and comprehensive manner, as there are many rewards to be had within its beautifully coated exterior. Continue reading “Vemod – The Deepening (Review)”

Returning – Severance (Review)

Returning - SeveranceThis is the debut album from US black metal band Returning.

Containing 48 minutes of music, Severance is a journey into the horrors of ecocide and a hymn to the natural world. Blending black metal with the ambient and atmospheric styles to create immersive soundscapes that exude emotional power, Severance is a shock to the system and a call for better times. Continue reading “Returning – Severance (Review)”

Murk Rider – Exile of Shadows (Review)

Murk Rider - Exile of ShadowsThis is the debut album from US black metal band Murk Rider.

Three enormous songs, with a combined duration of 82 minutes? Okay, I’ll bite.

An album of depth, both musically and thematically, Exile of Shadows is black metal in only one of its aspects, albeit a primary one. The band also occasionally incorporate apocalyptic sludge and stoner doom into their melting pot, as well as strands of classic heavy and speed metal. This curious, (yet effective), mixture means that Continue reading “Murk Rider – Exile of Shadows (Review)”

Evergreen Refuge – Skyward (Review)

Evergreen Refuge - SkywardThis is the tenth album from US one man atmospheric black metal project Evergreen Refuge.

I like Evergreen Refuge a lot. I may not listen to this project that often, (partially due to the colossal song lengths, and partially due to needing to be in a certain mood), but the artist behind this band has pumped out some truly memorable and impressive work since first Continue reading “Evergreen Refuge – Skyward (Review)”