This is the second album from French black metallers Griffon.
Griffon give us a very agreeable and enjoyable take on medieval-influenced black metal. Across 40 minutes, ὸ θεός ὸ βασιλεύς, (or o Theos, o Basileus), proves to be aggressively melodic and energetic, but not without atmosphere or depth. Continue reading “Griffon – ὸ θεός ὸ βασιλεύς (Review)”
This is the second EP from Italian atmospheric black metal band Ashlands.
Here we have an 18-minute EP featuring two intro/interlude-style tracks and two more standard songs. Continue reading “Ashlands – Ashlands II (Review)”
Allelic is a one-man black metal band from Canada. This is his second album.
À Contre Vent is much-anticipated by yours truly, as 2018’s The Smoke of Atavistic Fires was one of my favourites from that year, despite not actually being reviewed on this site. Continue reading “Allelic – À Contre Vent (Review)”
Árstíðir Lífsins are an international, (Germany/Iceland), black metal band, and this is their fifth album.
Here we have 74 minutes of pagan black metal, incorporating elements of the atmospheric, folk, and ambient styles. Continue reading “Árstíðir Lífsins – Saga á tveim tungum II: Eigi fjǫll né firðir (Review)”
Afsky is a one-man Danish black metal band and this is his second album.
Ofte Jeg Drømmer Mig Død is the follow up to the very enjoyable Sorg from 2018, and contains 46 minutes of new material. Mixing small parts of folk and doom into a traditional black metal approach, this is a melancholic and emotive take on the blackened style. Continue reading “Afsky – Ofte Jeg Drømmer Mig Død (Review)”
Winterfylleth are a UK black metal band and this is their seventh album.
My first introduction to Winterfylleth was with last year’s The Siege of Mercia, which I really enjoyed. As such, I knew I had to check out The Reckoning Dawn when it appeared. Continue reading “Winterfylleth – The Reckoning Dawn (Review)”
Huntsmen are a US progressive metal band and this is their second album.
I really enjoyed 2018’s American Scrap, and it grew in my estimation over time too. At almost 80 minutes in duration this new album is almost double the length of the band’s first full length; Huntsmen are clearly not lacking in ambition. Driven by storytelling, Mandala of Fear takes the listener on a dystopian journey, one that has the musical ability to back up its concept. Continue reading “Huntsmen – Mandala of Fear (Review)”
Crown of Asteria is a one-woman black metal band from the US, and Nodus Tollens in a one-man black metal band, also from the US.
The split opens with the single 19-minute track Claw of the Firemaker by Crown of Asteria. The style is nature-influenced atmospheric black metal with elements of doom, folk, and ambient mixed in. It’s raw and unpolished, but this simply adds to the music’s charms. Continue reading “Crown of Asteria/Nodus Tollens – Split (Review)”
Mara is a Swedish one man black metal band and this is his third album.
Sometimes you just need a hit of the black stuff, and RÖK offers 36 minutes of the darkness you need. Spread across 5 tracks, this is cold black metal played as if it was still the 90s. Continue reading “Mara – RÖK (Review)”
This is the fourth album from doom rockers Avatarium, who are from Sweden.
2017’s Hurricanes and Halos was a quality album that stood out from other ostensibly similar bands playing this sort of style. On The Fire I Long For, however, there’s the impression that the band have really come into their own. Continue reading “Avatarium – The Fire I Long For (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 