Carnifex – World War X (Review)

Carnifex - World War XThis is the seventh album from Carnifex, a US death metal band.

2016’s Slow Death was a real treat for fans of modern death metal, blending catchy songwriting with blackened melody and orchestration to produce a really enjoyable collection of songs. Although it contained elements of deathcore, as does this new one, Carnifex aren’t really a deathcore band these days – they’re far too melodic and have too much else going on, much to their credit. Continue reading “Carnifex – World War X (Review)”

Haze of Summer – Stuzha (Review)

Haze of Summer - StuzhaThis is the second album from Russian post-black metal band Haze of Summer.

I enjoyed 2017’s Znoi, and on the band’s new release we get a further 33 minutes of melodic post-black metal. The album follows on from Znoi, even down to the tracklisting, which picks up where the last one left off. Continue reading “Haze of Summer – Stuzha (Review)”

Misþyrming – Algleymi (Review)

Misþyrming - AlgleymiMisþyrming are a black metal band from Iceland and this is their second album.

Misþyrming are a band that made a huge splash in the black metal ocean when they released their debut album in 2015, but I confess I never got around to hearing it. As such, Algleymi is my first exposure to this much-vaunted band. After this, I will definitely be checking out their earlier work. Continue reading “Misþyrming – Algleymi (Review)”

Deathspell Omega – The Furnaces of Palingenesia (Review)

Deathspell Omega - The Furnaces of PalingenesiaThis is the seventh album from french black metallers Deathspell Omega.

Deathspell Omega are well-known in black metal circles, and a new release is always somewhat of an event for people with a taste for high quality esoteric substance. Continue reading “Deathspell Omega – The Furnaces of Palingenesia (Review)”

Sühnopfer – Hic Regnant Borbonii Manes (Review)

Sühnopfer - Hic Regnant Borbonii ManesThis is the third album from one man French black metal band Sühnopfer.

After 2014’s very enjoyable Offertoire, Hic Regnant Borbonii Manes provides us with 52 minutes of new material that tears into the airwaves with streaks of melodic colour and a frenzied heart of darkness. This is misanthropic, furiously melodic black metal with a Medieval feel and theme, propelled by rage and very aggressive screams. Continue reading “Sühnopfer – Hic Regnant Borbonii Manes (Review)”

Mavradoxa – Nightmarrow (Review)

Mavradoxa - NightmarrowMavradoxa are an atmospheric black metal band from the US and this is their third album.

Afer enjoying 2017’s memorable Lethean Lament, Mavradoxa have now returned with a shorter album, (43 minutes vs its predecessor’s 62 minutes), that sees them focused, lean, and firing on all cylinders. Continue reading “Mavradoxa – Nightmarrow (Review)”

Blyh – Awake to Emptiness (Review)

Blyh - Awake to EmptinessBlyh are a German black metal band and this is their second album.

Awake to Emptiness is 45 minutes of raw, melodic black metal, spread out over five lengthy tracks. Continue reading “Blyh – Awake to Emptiness (Review)”

Aethyrick – Praxis (Review)

Aethyrick - PraxisThis is the debut album from Aethyrick, a Finnish black metal band.

Praxis features 39 minutes of occult black metal, and I have to say this is quite a captivating underground gem of an album. Continue reading “Aethyrick – Praxis (Review)”

Wormwitch – Heaven That Dwells Within (Review)

Wormwitch - Heaven That Dwells WithinWormwitch are a Canadian black metal band and this is their second album.

Heaven That Dwells Within features 46 minutes of black metal that’s accessible, catchy, and memorable, while still retaining underground aesthetics, dark atmospheres, and grim intent. Continue reading “Wormwitch – Heaven That Dwells Within (Review)”

Thron – Abysmal (Review)

Thron - AbysmalThron are a German melodic black metal band and this is their second album.

Thron play professionally-recorded black metal influenced by the second wave, with bands such as Dissection, Dimmu Borgir, Naglfar, Necrophobic, and Marduk worthy of mention as decent starting points for Abysmal. Continue reading “Thron – Abysmal (Review)”