Aeon Winds – An Ode to the Mountains (Review)

Aeon Winds - An Ode to the MountainsThis is the fourth album from Slovakian black metal band Aeon Winds.

An Ode to the Mountains contains 60 minutes, (with bonus track), of symphonic black metal. Aeon Winds play in the older style, recalling bands such as Aquilus, Emperor, Limbonic Art, and Midnight Odyssey. Continue reading “Aeon Winds – An Ode to the Mountains (Review)”

Midnight Odyssey – Biolume Part 3 – A Fullmoon Madness (Review)

Midnight Odyssey - Biolume Part 3 - A Fullmoon MadnessThis is the eighth album from Australian one-man black metal act Midnight Odyssey.

Here it is, the one we’ve all been waiting for – the third and final part of the Biolume trilogy. Emerging from the long, deep shadows of 2015’s Shards of Silver Fade, 2019’s Biolume Part 1 – In Tartarean Chains, and 2021’s Biolume Part 2 – The Golden Orb, how can Biolume Part 3: A Fullmoon Madness possibly compare? After all, all three of the aforementioned releases either made it into my end of year list in the top five, (here), or the coveted top spot, (here and here). How does this one one fare? Continue reading “Midnight Odyssey – Biolume Part 3 – A Fullmoon Madness (Review)”

Moonlight Sorcery – Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle (Review)

Moonlight Sorcery - Horned Lord of the Thorned CastleThis is the debut album from Finnish black metallers Moonlight Sorcery.

Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle contains 44 minutes of symphonic melodic black metal. However, beneath this simple description hides a deeper truth, that Moonlight Sorcery offer more than just black metal to enjoy here. Continue reading “Moonlight Sorcery – Horned Lord of the Thorned Castle (Review)”

Urbain – A Soul Purged (Review)

Urbain - A Soul PurgedUrbain are a black metal band from the US and this is their debut album.

With a description of urban black metal, and a recommendation for fans of Emperor, White Ward, early Dimmu Borgir, and Cradle of Filth, I was intrigued to hear what Urbain had to offer. The fact that the band contain members of Ovnev and Wills Dissolve was further reason, if any were needed. Continue reading “Urbain – A Soul Purged (Review)”

Skythala – Boreal Despair (Review)

Skythala - Boreal DespairThis is the debut album from US black metal band Skythala.

Boreal Dispair offers discerning listeners 57 minutes of avant-garde black metal, which is a really simplistic way of describing a work that’s the complete opposite of simple. Continue reading “Skythala – Boreal Despair (Review)”

Pénitence Onirique – V.I.T.R.I.O.L. (Review)

Pénitence OniriqueThis is the debut album by Pénitence Onirique, a French black metal band.

Pénitence Onirique play scathing black metal, filled with dark atmosphere and with a foreboding presence.

Razor sharp vocals lash out from the music like barbs, lacerating with ease, while the Continue reading “Pénitence Onirique – V.I.T.R.I.O.L. (Review)”