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)”

Uada – Djinn (Review)

Uada - DjinnThis is the third album from Uada, a black metal band from the US.

Bursting at the seams with 60 minutes of ambitious, energetic material, Djinn is melodic black metal played by a talented band that know how to write the style. Clearly influenced by the classic blackened style, Uada have taken these influences and channelled them into music that has its own personality and character. Continue reading “Uada – Djinn (Review)”

Foretoken – Ruin (Review)

Foretoken - RuinThis is the debut album from US black/death metal band Foretoken.

So, you fancy a good-sized chunk of Scandinavian death metal? That’s no problem, take your pick. What’s that? You also want a decent black metal influence to be felt? That’s easily done. Now you want a take on the style that’s highly melodic too? Sure, Continue reading “Foretoken – Ruin (Review)”

Noctem Aeternus – Landscape of Discord (Review)

Noctem Aeternus - Landscape of DiscordNoctem Aeternus is a one-man atmospheric black metal band from Argentina.

Although Landscape of Discord was originally released in 2019, this is an album worth getting to know now that it’s being released by a label, (Naturmacht Productions). Continue reading “Noctem Aeternus – Landscape of Discord (Review)”

The Phantom Carriage – 7-Year Epilogue (Review)

The Phantom Carriage - 7-Year EpilogueThe Phantom Carriage are a blackened hardcore band from France and this is their third album.

As the album title suggests, it’s been 7 years since the band’s second album, and 7-Year Epilogue is one that I’ve definitely been looking forward to. If you’re unfamiliar with the band’s work, then put simply; The Phantom Carriage combine Continue reading “The Phantom Carriage – 7-Year Epilogue (Review)”

Somniate – The Meyrinkian Slumber (Review)

Somniate - The Meyrinkian SlumberSomniate are a black metal band from Czechia and this is their debut album.

Containing members of bands such as Brutally Deceased, Self-Hatred, Mallephyr, and Heaving Earth, The Meyrinkian Slumber is a different proposition than most of Somniate’s component bands, and gifts us with 32 minutes of modern black metal instead. Continue reading “Somniate – The Meyrinkian Slumber (Review)”

Ovnev – Transpiration (Review)

Ovnev - TranspirationOvnev is a one-man US black metal band, and this is his third album.

I enjoyed both 2016’s Cycle of Survival and 2017’s Incalescence, so knew that Transpiration was a release I wanted to check out. I’m definitely glad I did. Continue reading “Ovnev – Transpiration (Review)”

Molog – Tri (Review)

Molog - TriMolog are an Australian black metal band and this is their debut album.

Tri offers a relatively brief hit of grim, underground blackness. The raw old-school approach of Molog is endearing and authentic, and has been captured effectively across these 33 minutes. Continue reading “Molog – Tri (Review)”