Void Omnia are a black metal band from the US, and this is their debut album.
Dying Light is largely fast and furious, taking elements of melodic and atmospheric black metal into its dark, cold embrace and suffocating them with the essence of the deep void of outer space.
Full of blast beats and fast riffs, the songs on Dying Light Continue reading “Void Omnia – Dying Light (Review)”
This is the seventh album from these Norwegian black metal veterans.
This is the band’s first album in 12 years, so I think it’s safe to say there’s no small level of expectation riding on this release in some quarters.
Well, they’re returning with no half measures – this album contains 67 minutes of music, spread across 12 original songs plus a Bathory cover.
This is melodic black metal with Continue reading “Ancient – Back to the Land of the Dead (Review)”
This is the second album from Vukari, a post-black metal band from the US.
With such striking album art, my fervent wish was for the album to match the quality of the cover.
My wish was granted.
Vukari play a very modern take on black metal that covers both its atmospheric and post-black metal bases well.
Atmosphere is something that Vukari foster easily, amidst Continue reading “Vukari – Divination (Review)”
Are you a fan of melodic black metal? Do you crave darkness in your music, but still like some vibrant and addictive streaks of colour amidst the blackness? If the answer is yes, then you could do a whole lot worse than checking out Uhtcearu’s début album The Plight of Wanderers. Zach Ostrowski, (bass/vocals), took time out from weaving dark magics to give us a bit more info on this US band…
We have a ton of influences that range musically from death and black metal to genres of classic rock, fusion, jazz, and prog.
Here are 5 bands:
Northless – https://northless.bandcamp.com
Vukari – https://vukari.bandcamp.com
Capture the Sun – http://music.capturethesunband.com
Vow of Thorns – https://vowofthorns.bandcamp.com
Hot Coffin – https://hotcoffin.bandcamp.com
Honorable Mention – Mgla – https://no-solace.bandcamp.com Continue reading “Interview with Uhtcearu”
Uhtcearu are a melodic black metal band from the US. This is their début album.
The production on The Plight of Wanderers is enough to turn blood to pure ice. It’s the perfect kind of recording that allows for that intimate sense of frozen fragility and icy winds to permeate every fibre of your being, while at the same time retaining enough clarity and power to showcase the band in the best darkened light. Also, the bass can be heard. Bonus. Continue reading “Uhtcearu – The Plight of Wanderers (Review)”
This is the third album from Norwegian black metallers Sulphur.
Here we have an interesting release that combines a few different things into one. Omens of Doom is black metal that adds progressive, sometimes quirky, layers onto the razor-sharp modern style that it employs. Some elements of death metal and the avant-garde get a look in too, all incorporated into the comprehensive song structures.
This is the third album from Israeli melodic/progressive Black Metallers Winterhorde.
Winterhorde use melodic Black Metal as a base to launch their epic brand of music from. On this base, they build firm structures of progressive Metal and symphonic/orchestral enhancements, all of which work together to produce Maestro, an Extreme Metal extravaganza.
If you combine elements of Black Metal with bands like Dimmu Borgir, Borknagar, Vintersorg, Arcturus and Nevermore, you’ll have a good idea of where Winterhorde are coming from. Continue reading “Winterhorde – Maestro (Review)”
Krigsgrav are a Black Metal band from the US and this is their fourth album.
This is long and expansive Black Metal with a melodic edge. It’s vibrant and exploratory without losing focus and across these lengthy tracks the band take the time to unfold their vision of what Black Metal should look, feel and sound like in 2016.
If you take the depressive core of a band like Forgotten Tomb and add some Post-Black Metal influences, then you’ll be in the right area of where Krigsgrav lurk. Elements of depressive and melodic Black Metal round this out, as well as some aspects of funeral Doom.
With a decent recording the band’s compositions take on a dark life of their own. All of the instruments sound clear and precise, and I always like an album that you can hear the bass on, especially when it makes a valid and noticeable contribution to the music.
Additional instrumentation appears here and there, adding extra tools to the band’s repertoire and deepening the depths of sound that they create.
The vocals are notably impressive; ragged screams that sound like the singer is ripping his throat out are enhanced by the occasional deeper growl and some powerful cleans.
The songs describe harrowing tales of misery and hopelessness, set against a backdrop of just enough light and possibility so as to make the dark atmospheres all the worse. The mixture of lighter sections and heavier, blackened distortion work well and the build/release Post-Metal mechanic is used effectively in a Post-Black Metal environment.
Waves of Degradation is an impressive listen and has more than enough content to compel you to visit it again and again.
Recommended.
Fimbulvinter are a Russian Black Metal band. This is their début album.
Fimbulvinter’s Black Metal is thoroughly of the old-school, so much so that it even contains a relatively high proportion of proto-Black Metal in the form of more classic-era Metal riffs and licks, including leads and solos.
There’s a pagan feel to some of the guitars and the band successfully capture the original Scandinavian style while also infusing the music with other elements. Infectious riffs from even earlier times are frequent additions and there’s enough of a melodic edge through the leads to grab the attention.
The songwriting is really strong and the band’s grasp of dynamics and pacing is good. These songs are exactly that; songs. Coupled with the highly enjoyable leads and the well-considered rhythm guitars, Начертаны Резы Древних Заклятий aptly demonstrates the band’s considerable talent in writing tracks that are actually quite catchy and memorable.
Screamed vocals make up the bulk of the release, but growls also appear on occasion adding that little bit extra variety and interest.
At only 36 minutes in length Начертаны Резы Древних Заклятий doesn’t outstay its welcome; in fact it leaves you hungry for more. The Metal leads, blackened guitars, solid riffs and rasping hatred that flow easily from the band make this album an extremely enjoyable listen.
Definitely one not to overlook. Very highly recommended.
Morth is a one-man Black Metal band from Bulgaria. This is his début album.
This album has plenty of occult melodies for the listener to enjoy. Sometimes these melodies can seem quite jaunty or folksy, which is a nice touch among the overall darkened vibes that Morth creates.
The long songs have an epic feel and there’s plenty of atmosphere to soak up here. The music is expansive and seems to revel in a certain primitive sophistication that some of the early Black Metal bands found themselves experimenting with. It’s the kind of music that makes me feel nostalgic and never fails to raise a grim smile.
Synths and keyboards are never too far from the action, wrapping the twisting melodies in their dark embrace.
Vocally we get trademark Black Metal croaking screams that fit the music perfectly. These vocals are absolutely of the classic style and go hand in hand with the classic atmospheric music.
This is well-constructed atmospheric Black Metal with a nice line in melodies and uplifting leads and synths.
Very enjoyable.
Wonderbox Metal 