Marduk – Wonderbox Metal

Sidious – Malefic Necropolis (Review)

This is the fourth album from UK black metal band Sidious.

From 2014’s symphonic blackened death metal Revealed in Profane Splendour, to 2019’s reinvention as the raw black metal darkness of Temporal, and then 2022’s slice of contemporary blackened might Blackest Insurrection, Sidious always put out something I want to listen to. Each album so far has been better than the last too. Can Malefic Necropolis continue to follow this upward trend? Continue reading “Sidious – Malefic Necropolis (Review)”

Enthroned – Ashspawn (Review)

Enthroned are a black metal band from Belgium and this is their twelfth album.

Following on from 2014’s Sovereigns and 2019’s Cold Black Suns, a new Enthroned album has now appeared on the horizon. Ashspawn boasts 50 minutes of new music from Enthroned, and it has not disappointed. Continue reading “Enthroned – Ashspawn (Review)”

Execrari – Desolation Manifest (Review)

This is the debut album from US black metal band Execrari.

Containing a member of Relentless, Execrari’s style is rooted in black metal’s second wave, while also showing some contemporary influences and progressive, melodic, and avant-garde tendencies. Desolation Manifest has come out of nowhere to really impress. There are six songs, spanning 47 minutes, and each track is a powerful reminder of just how potent black metal can be in the right hands. Exciting even, despite its ancient roots. Continue reading “Execrari – Desolation Manifest (Review)”

1349 – The Wolf and the King (Review)

This is the eighth album from Norwegian black metallers 1349.

1349 boast current/ex-members of Gorgoroth, Keep of Kalessin, Mortem, and Satyricon in their ranks, and they provide us with 39 minutes of Norwegian black metal in the form of The Wolf and the King. Continue reading “1349 – The Wolf and the King (Review)”

Kvaen – The Formless Fires (Review)

This is the third album from Swedish black metal solo act Kvaen.

The name Kvaen hit the black metal underground hard with 2020’s The Funeral Pyre, and then followed this up in 2022 with The Great Below, which showed that the quality of the debut was no fluke. Another two years have passed, and now we have The Formless Fires. Do the 39 minutes of new music here still demonstrate a continuation of these quality levels? Continue reading “Kvaen – The Formless Fires (Review)”

Corpus Diavolis – Elixiria Ekstasis (Review)

This is the fifth album from Corpus Diavolis, a French black metal band.

I enjoyed 2017’s Atra Lumen and 2021’s Apocatastase, (which I honestly thought I had reviewed), so when the promo for Elixiria Ekstasis appeared I wanted very much to be able to get to it. Alas, it was not to be, as sadly there just isn’t enough time in the world. However, as I like Corpus Diavolis I eventually made the mistake of listening to it – a mistake, only because it’s damn good and I knew I had to write about it – which is why, despite this coming out in March, you’re reading this now. Continue reading “Corpus Diavolis – Elixiria Ekstasis (Review)”

Marduk/Origin/Doodswens – Club Academy, Manchester – 16/04/24 (Live Review)

I’ve been listening to both Marduk and Origin for a long, long, long time, but have never seen either of them. Imagine my surprise and excitement then when I saw this show appear on my radar. Scrumptious stuff indeed. Continue reading “Marduk/Origin/Doodswens – Club Academy, Manchester – 16/04/24 (Live Review)”

Imperatus – At the Mercy of the Wind (Review)

Imperatus are a Vietnamese black metal band and this is their debut album.

Imperatus play second wave black metal that’s spiced up with thrash and death metal flavouring. The promo blurb states that this is for fans of Marduk, Immortal, Nordjevel, and Dark Funeral, which sets the scene nicely for what At the Mercy of the Wind has to offer. Continue reading “Imperatus – At the Mercy of the Wind (Review)”

Serpents Oath – Revelation (Review)

Serpents Oath are a black metal band from Belgium and this is their third album.

Following quickly on from last year’s Ascension, Revelation contains 47 minutes of new material for lovers of the classic blackened style. Continue reading “Serpents Oath – Revelation (Review)”

Impalement – The Dawn of Blackened Death (Review)

This is the second album from Swiss solo black metal act Impalement.

Blending together black and death metal into 41 minutes of dark malevolence and infernal might, The Dawn of Blackened Death is an album of powerful presence. Continue reading “Impalement – The Dawn of Blackened Death (Review)”