This is the second album from New Zealand solo blackened heavy metal band Miasmata.
Subterrania brings us 39 minutes of material from the artist behind Miasmata. The style is a mix of black, speed, thrash, and heavy metal, and these six songs exemplify how to combine these elements into something cohesive and entertaining. Continue reading “Miasmata – Subterrania (Review)”
This is the fourth album from UK black/doom/heavy metal band Wode.
This is the follow up to 2021’s Burn in Many Mirrors, and a record I’m pleased to see appear. Uncrossing the Keys is not more of the same from Wode though. This should be expected, as each Wode album so far has found the band adding to their musical framework. Continue reading “Wode – Uncrossing the Keys (Review)”
This is the latest EP from Bezwering, a black metal band from the Netherlands.
Containing an ex-member of Wederganger, Dwalingen is a 12-minute release that showcases Bezwering’s uncommon take on black metal across two tracks. Although you can hear second wave elements for sure, there’s a stronger dose of first wave influence than you typically find in contemporary bands. Continue reading “Bezwering – Dwalingen (Review)”
This is the second album from Icelandic black metal band Nexion.
Sundrung contains 49 minutes of material for the refined listener to explore. Nexion play arcane black metal, with elements of death metal skilfully incorporated to add extra force and brutality. There’s more than just that here though. Get ready for something special. Continue reading “Nexion – Sundrung (Review)”
This is the debut EP from Swedish solo black metal act Shatterer.
The Shatterer style is atavistic, violent, and moody. It’s firmly rooted in the 90s second wave, with suitably raw and unpolished production values. Mainstream black metal this is not. It’s a journey back in time, to the dawn of the genre, and burns with passionate zeal because of this. Continue reading “Shatterer – Fire (Review)”
This is a split between two US black metal bands, Lust Hag and Reaping Fields.
NEW LUST HAG! ALERT! ALERT! ALERT! I dunno what it is with Lust Hag, but I just can’t get enough. Actually, I know exactly what it is – it’s just absolutely killer black metal. This is a split though, and Reaping Fields, as we’ll see, are a revelation. Continue reading “Lust Hag/Reaping Fields – Prayers Unanswered – Split (Review)”
This is the third album from UK black metal band Inconcessus Lux Lucis.
Inconcessus Lux Lucis made a good impression on me with 2017’s The Crowning Quietus, and this was reinforced on 2021’s SamaeLilith: A Conjunction of the Fireborn split with Thy Darkened Shade, Amestigon, & Shaarimoth. The band have now returned with Temples Colliding in Fire, which delivers 44 minutes of new material. Continue reading “Inconcessus Lux Lucis – Temples Colliding in Fire (Review)”
Svneatr are a Canadian black metal band and this is their third album.
Across six tracks Never Return delivers 40 minutes of progressive black metal. Taking a second wave base and building on it with contemporary influences and an array of additional musical layers, Svneatr’s music is impressive and moreish. Continue reading “Svneatr – Never Return (Review)”
Stress Angel are a death/thrash metal band from the US and this is their second album.
Punished by Nemesis contains 40 minutes of atavistic metal that’s easy to enjoy. It’s all scorching riffs, pounding drums, and fierce attitude. What’s not to like? Stress Angel have a natural charisma, and this album is loads of fun. Continue reading “Stress Angel – Punished by Nemesis (Review)”
Boarhammer are a German black metal band and this is their debut album.
II: Chemognosis – A Shortcut to Mushrooms contains 45 minutes, (with the bonus track), of old-school black metal. So old-school in fact, that it’s a blend of first and second wave influences, rather than the latter only. Boarhammer channel the spirits of Darkthrone, Venom, Celtic Frost, and Bathory, and they do so rather well. Continue reading “Boarhammer – II: Chemognosis – A Shortcut to Mushrooms (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 