Blut Aus Nord – Ethereal Horizons (Review)

Blut Aus Nord - Ethereal HorizonsThis is the sixteenth album from Blut Aus Nord, a French black metal band.

Following on from 2023’s Disharmonium – Nahab comes Ethereal Horizons, a 52-minute work of expansive, exquisite black metal artistry. Yep, this one’s pretty damn good. Continue reading “Blut Aus Nord – Ethereal Horizons (Review)”

Starer – Ancient Monuments and Modern Sadness (Review)

Starer - Ancient Monuments and Modern SadnessThis is the fourth album from Starer, a one-man black metal band from the US.

Since appearing out of nowhere with the wonderful 18° Below the Horizon in 2021, the artist behind Starer has been busy. We’ve had two subsequent full lengths, (2022’s The What It Is to Be and 2023’s Wind, Breeze, or Breath), and a plethora of other smaller releases. he’s now back with the 49-minute Ancient Monuments and Modern Sadness, and it’s a cracking record. Continue reading “Starer – Ancient Monuments and Modern Sadness (Review)”

Sea Mosquito – Majestas (Review)

Sea Mosquito - MajestasThis is the second album from UK black metallers Sea Mosquito.

Majestas contains 44 minutes of esoteric black metal. As a rough starting point, think of a compelling mix of bands such as Aara, Blut Aus Nord, Inherits the Void, Deathspell OmegaLabyrinthus Stellarum, Mare Cognitum, Selbst, and Vorga, although Sea Mosquito do offer up an experience that’s their own. Continue reading “Sea Mosquito – Majestas (Review)”

Oskoreien – Hollow Fangs (Review)

Oskoreien - Hollow FangsThis is the third album from US black metal band Oskoreien.

After enjoying both previous Oskoreien albums, it’s come as a surprise to discover that I never actually reviewed either of them. Hollow Fangs is a great opportunity to remedy this, and it’s Oskoreien’s first outing as a full band too. Hollow Fangs contains 39 minutes of new material, so let’s dive in. Continue reading “Oskoreien – Hollow Fangs (Review)”

Blood Abscission – I I (Review)

Blood Abscission - I IThis is the second album from black metal band Blood Abscission.

I I contains 41 minutes of black metal that’s melodic and atmospheric. However, this is such a simple description for something so exceptional. Blood Abscission have created a record that’s destined to stay with me for some time. Holy crap this is good. Continue reading “Blood Abscission – I I (Review)”

Acathexis – Immerse (Review)

Acathexis - ImmerseThis is the second album from Acathexis, an international black metal band.

Acathexis is given dark life by Jacob Buczarski(, the artist behind the amazing Mare Cognitum), the insanely prolific Déhà, (COAGCult of Erinyes, Silver Knife, Slow, We All Die (Laughing), and many others), and a singer from some bands I don’t know, (Dany Tee, from Los Males del Mundo and Seelenmord). Immerse may only have four songs, but with a total duration of 50 minutes, there’s a lot here to delve deeply into. The album is Well-named, and the songs are sprawling and immersive. Continue reading “Acathexis – Immerse (Review)”

Etoile Filante – Mare Tranquillitatis (Review)

Etoile Filante - Mare TranquillitatisEtoile Filante are a French black metal band and this is their second album.

Mare Tranquillitas has a duration of 40 minutes and showcases Etoile Filante’s brand of ambient/atmospheric black metal. Continue reading “Etoile Filante – Mare Tranquillitatis (Review)”

Omega Infinity – The Anticurrent (Review)

Omega Infinity - The AnticurrentThis is the second album from international black metal band Omega Infinity.

Brought to us by members of Ne Obliviscaris and Todtgelichter, The Anticurrent is a 49-minute journey into the realms of cosmic black metal, (or 57 minutes with the bonus Sear Bliss and Emperor covers). Continue reading “Omega Infinity – The Anticurrent (Review)”

Iravu – A Fate Worse Than Home (Review)

Iravu - A Fate Worse Than HomeThis is the debut album from Malaysian one-man black metal band Iravu.

A Fate Worse Than Home contains 34 minutes of expressive, cosmic black metal. Mixing the atmospheric, ambient, and progressive styles into an engaging whole, the artist behind Iravu has crafted something quite special here. Continue reading “Iravu – A Fate Worse Than Home (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)”