Non Est Deus – Blessings and Curses (Review)

Non Est Deus - Blessings and CursesThis is the fifth album from German solo black metal act Non Est Deus.

Brought to life by the artist behind Kanonenfieber and Leiþa, Blessings and Curses contains 41 minutes of melodic black metal. Across this record the listener is treated to a Continue reading “Non Est Deus – Blessings and Curses (Review)”

Antrisch – Expedition III: Renitenzpfad (Review)

Antrisch - Expedition III RenitenzpfadThis is the second album from German black metal band Antrisch.

Expedition III: Renitenzpfad is a 48-minute black metal album that’s spliced with a few different influences. Across these seven tracks Antrisch take the listener on a journey into history, and as they do so they Continue reading “Antrisch – Expedition III: Renitenzpfad (Review)”

Nazghor – A World Ablaze (Review)

Nazghor - A World AblazeNazghor are a Swedish black metal band and this is their eighth album.

Nazghor play old-school melodic black metal that drips with second wave darkness. On the 40-minute A World Ablaze, Nazghor capably showcase why their black metal is a cut above the norm. Get ready to immerse yourself in Nazghor’s fiery world. Continue reading “Nazghor – A World Ablaze (Review)”

Jours Pâles – Résonances (Review)

Jours Pâles - RésonancesThis is the debut album from French post-black metallers Jours Pâles.

Jours Pâles have been a band to not miss out on ever since 2021’s delectable Éclosion. Followed swiftly in 2022 by Tensions and then again in 2024 with Dissolution. With 58 minutes of new material to captivate and entrance the listener with, Résonances is another winner from Jours Pâles. Continue reading “Jours Pâles – Résonances (Review)”

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)”

Thron – Vurias (Review)

Thron - VuriasThron are a black metal band from Germany and this is their fifth album.

Vurias is the 47-minute, (including bonus track), follow up to 2023’s Dust. That previous record, along with 2018’s Abysmal, firmly cemented Thron as ones to pay attention to, which is why when Vurias appeared I was eager to not let if fall through the cracks. Continue reading “Thron – Vurias (Review)”

Vespéral – La Mort de l’Âme (Review)

Vespéral - La Mort de l'ÂmeThis is the second album by Canadian black metal band Vespéral.

La Mort de l’Âme contains 41 minutes of black metal, brought to us in part by members of Conifère. I wasn’t consciously aware of Vespéral before they were announced to play the mighty Fortress Festival next year, although I’ve definitely seen their logo and album art before, somewhere, somehow. Continue reading “Vespéral – La Mort de l’Âme (Review)”

Der Weg Einer Freiheit – Innern (Review)

Der Weg Einer Freiheit - InnernThis is the sixth album from German black metal band Der Weg Einer Freiheit.

Innern is the greatly anticipated follow up to 2017’s Finisterre and 2021’s Noktvrn, the latter placing prominently on my 2021 end of year list, (which in retrospect Finisterre should also have done in 2017). It’s safe to say that I’ve been excitedly looking forward to this new record, especially after seeing the band at last year’s Fortress Festival. Continue reading “Der Weg Einer Freiheit – Innern (Review)”

Execrari – Desolation Manifest (Review)

Execrari - Desolation ManifestThis 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)”

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)”