Urne – Setting Fire to the Sky (Review)

Urne - Setting Fire to the SkyThis is the third album from UK metallers Urne.

Urne are a great band. 2021’s Serpent & Spirit was a fantastic debut, and 2023’s follow up A Feast of Sorrow wasn’t too shabby either. After finally catching the band live at the end of last year supporting the mighty Orange Goblin, I was more than ready for Setting Fire to the Sky. Continue reading “Urne – Setting Fire to the Sky (Review)”

Serpent Column – Aion of Strife (Review)

Serpent Column - Aion of StrifeThis is the fifth album from US solo black metal band Serpent Column.

Following on from 2024’s Tassel of Ares, Aion of Strife contains 50 minutes of new material from the esteemed Serpent Column. Prepare yourself for overstimulating oblivion. Continue reading “Serpent Column – Aion of Strife (Review)”

Archvile King – Aux Heures Désespérées (Review)

Archvile King - Aux Heures DésespéréesThis is the second album from French solo black metal band Archvile King.

I enjoyed my time with 2022’s À la Ruine, so a new record from Archvile King is not unwelcome at all. Aux Heures Désespérées boasts 47 minutes of new material, and it’s pretty damn good. Continue reading “Archvile King – Aux Heures Désespérées (Review)”

End of Transmission: 1995-2025 The Final Tour – Orange Goblin/Grand Magus/Urne – Academy 2, Manchester – 13/12/25 (Live Review)

End of Transmission 1995-2025 The Final Tour - Orange Goblin Grand Magus Urne

This is quite the event. Legendary band Orange Goblin are calling it a day after 30 years, sadly, and this is their farewell tour. It’s sold out, which I’m happy for them about, as they’re a band who deserves all the success they have had and more. Tonight they’re joined by two other bands that I’m a fan of too, the mighty Grand Magus and the riff-tastic Urne. It promises to be a good one. Continue reading “End of Transmission: 1995-2025 The Final Tour – Orange Goblin/Grand Magus/Urne – Academy 2, Manchester – 13/12/25 (Live Review)”

Lamp of Murmuur – The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy (Review)

Lamp of Murmuur - The Dreaming Prince in EcstasyThis is the fourth album from US solo black metal band Lamp of Murmuur.

The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy is the follow up to 2023’s well-received Saturnian Bloodstorm. The latter was a record that only improved over time, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing songs from it, (and other releases), performed live when I saw Lamp of Murmuur at 2024’s Fortress Festival. All of this is to say, I’ve been looking forward to this new record. Continue reading “Lamp of Murmuur – The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy (Review)”

Beastwars – The Ship // The Sea (Review)

Beastwars - The Ship The SeaBeastwars are a sludge/stoner metal band from New Zealand and this is their fifth album.

Following on from 2019’s IV, (via a covers album in 2023 called Tyranny of Distance), comes the 40-minute The Ship // The Sea. I was excited to listen to this, as Beastwars always deliver, and it hasn’t disappointed. Continue reading “Beastwars – The Ship // The Sea (Review)”

Miasmata – Subterrania (Review)

Miasmata - SubterraniaThis 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)”

Black Soul Horde – Symphony of Chaos (Review)

Black Soul Horde - Symphony of ChaosThis is the fourth album from Greek heavy metal band Black Soul Horde.

Black Soul Horde play a mix of classic heavy metal and power metal, combined with a touch of epic doom metal. As such, Symphony of Chaos is great fun. It’s a 44-minute explosion of addictive metallic joy. If you’re partial to the style, how could you not enjoy this? Continue reading “Black Soul Horde – Symphony of Chaos (Review)”

Wode – Uncrossing the Keys (Review)

Wode - Uncrossing the KeysThis 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)”