Noctule – Extinguish Thy Flame (Review)

Noctule - Extinguish Thy FlameThis is the second album from UK solo black metal band Noctule.

The artist behind Noctule, (from Svalbard), brings us 39 minutes of melodic black and death metal on Extinguish Thy Flame. The music of Noctule has taken an assured step forward with this new record. Continue reading “Noctule – Extinguish Thy Flame (Review)”

Tynebound 2026 – Anarchy Brew Co, Newcastle upon Tyne, 05/09/26-06/09/26 (Live Review)

Tynebound 2026 Header Graphic

It’s the inaugural Tynebound, brought to us by the lovely Reaper Agency. It’s a sister festival of this year’s Reaper Festival, and if it’s even half as good as that was, this weekend will be a smashing success. With a great lineup over both days, it’s time to embrace the northern darkness. Continue reading “Tynebound 2026 – Anarchy Brew Co, Newcastle upon Tyne, 05/09/26-06/09/26 (Live Review)”

Sworn – Null Crowned the Infinite (Review)

Sworn - Null Crowned the InfiniteSworn are a Norwegian black metal band and this is their fifth album.

Sworn are one of the best melodic black metal bands active right now. Coming off a genuinely top tier previous album, (2023’s A Journey Told Through Fire), and with a strong back catalogue overall, any new Sworn material is going to be hotly anticipated. Enter the 44-minute Null Crowned the Infinite. Continue reading “Sworn – Null Crowned the Infinite (Review)”

Lumen ad Mortem – A Grave Ascent (Review)

Lumen ad Mortem - A Grave AscentLumen ad Mortem are an Australian black metal band and this is their second album.

Following on from 2023’s Upon the Edge of DarknessA Grave Descent brings us 42 minutes of new material from Lumen ad Mortem. Theirs is an engaging, enveloping form of black metal that burns cold, but is still fiery at heart nonetheless.

A Grave Ascent follows Continue reading “Lumen ad Mortem – A Grave Ascent (Review)”

Astral Alchemy – Weaving Chilling Magical Dreamworlds (Review)

Astral Alchemy - Weaving Chilling Magical DreamworldsThis is the debut album from US black metal band Astral Alchemy.

Weaving Chilling Magical Dreamworlds unleashes 39 minutes of multifaceted black metal on the world. Astral Alchemy revel in the creation of an alluring mix of the ancient and the modern, leading to a record that captures the strengths from both remarkably well. Continue reading “Astral Alchemy – Weaving Chilling Magical Dreamworlds (Review)”

Inherits the Void – The Silent Abscission (Review)

Inherits the Void - The Silent AbscissionThis is the fourth album from French solo black metal act Inherits the Void.

From 2021’s Monolith of Light to 2023’s The Impending Fall of the Stars to Scars of Yesteryears, the artist behind Inherits the Void seems to refine and tweak his vision for atmospheric/melodic black metal just that little bit more with every release. Which brings us to The Silent Abscission. It is the longest Inherits the Void album so far at 47 minutes in length, so what does this new record have to offer fans of this quality act? Continue reading “Inherits the Void – The Silent Abscission (Review)”

Stormkeep – The Nocturnes of Iswylm (Review)

Stormkeep - The Nocturnes of IswylmThis is the third album from US black metallers Stormkeep.

Bright to us by members of Blood Incantation, Lykotonon, and Wayfarer, The Nocturnes of Iswylm contains 46 minutes of engaging symphonic black metal. The return of Stormkeep is one heralded by change, but it’s a most welcome change, as this record is a beast. Continue reading “Stormkeep – The Nocturnes of Iswylm (Review)”

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)”