Aethyrick – Apotheosis (Review)

Aethyrick - ApotheosisThis is the third album from Finnish black metallers Aethyrick.

Well, I wasn’t expecting a new Aethyrick album so soon. Gnosis only came out less than a year ago, (Jan 24, 2020), and Apotheosis will come out on Jan 22, 2021 – it seems there’s been little rest for Aethyrick. Still, as a fan of the band’s work, (also check out 2018’s Praxis), I’m not complaining. Continue reading “Aethyrick – Apotheosis (Review)”

Saarkoth – Cult of Nature (Review)

Saarkoth - Cult of NatureThis is the second album from UK black metal band Saarkoth.

Saarkoth’s Bandcamp page says that they are inspired by bands like Winterfylleth, Agalloch, and Emperor, and this serves as a good starting point for approaching Cult of Nature. However, although you can hear the influences and recognise the style, I’m pleased to say that Saarkoth have found their own voice within it. Continue reading “Saarkoth – Cult of Nature (Review)”

Soulskinner – Seven Bowls of Wrath (Review)

Soulskinner - Seven Bowls of WrathSouskinner are a Greek death metal band and this is their fifth album.

Soulskinner are back! A band I really enjoy, (check out Crypts of Ancient Wisdom, Descent to Abaddon, and their split with Obsecration, Abyssus, and Malicious Silence), they have now returned with a new platter boasting 47 minutes of death metal and a brand new singer. Continue reading “Soulskinner – Seven Bowls of Wrath (Review)”

Isolert – World in Ruins (Review)

Isolert - World in RuinsThis is the second album from Greek black metallers Isolert.

Isolert specialise in Scandinavian-style second wave black metal, and I like the way they play it. Thus far, 2015’s Isolated Soul, 2016’s No Hope, No Light…Only Death, and 2017’s Towards the Great Dissolution, (a split with Insanity Cult), all satisfied, and now the band are back Continue reading “Isolert – World in Ruins (Review)”

Darkenhöld – Arcanes & Sortilèges (Review)

Darkenhöld - Arcanes & SortilègesThis is the fifth album from French black metallers Darkenhöld.

We last caught up with Darkenhöld on 2014’s Castellum, although the band haven’t been doing nothing in the past six years; they’ve had an another album and a split release with Griffon since then. Darkenhöld specialise in old-school Continue reading “Darkenhöld – Arcanes & Sortilèges (Review)”

Griffon – ὸ θεός ὸ βασιλεύς (Review)

Griffon - ὸ θεός ὸ βασιλεύςThis is the second album from French black metallers Griffon.

Griffon give us a very agreeable and enjoyable take on medieval-influenced black metal. Across 40 minutes, ὸ θεός ὸ βασιλεύς, (or o Theos, o Basileus), proves to be aggressively melodic and energetic, but not without atmosphere or depth. Continue reading “Griffon – ὸ θεός ὸ βασιλεύς (Review)”

Amiensus – Abreaction (Review)

Amiensus - AbreactionAmiensus are a progressive black metal band from the US, and this is their third album.

We last met Amiensus in 2017 with All Paths Lead to Death, which saw them in a more atavistic mood than debut album Restoration. Abreaction finds the band in a more expensive mood once more, while still retaining a core of blackened darkness and aggression. Continue reading “Amiensus – Abreaction (Review)”

Ashlands – Ashlands II (Review)

Ashlands - Ashlands IIThis is the second EP from Italian atmospheric black metal band Ashlands.

Here we have an 18-minute EP featuring two intro/interlude-style tracks and two more standard songs. Continue reading “Ashlands – Ashlands II (Review)”