Spirit of the Forest – A Void into the Fields of Silence/La Nature Oubliée (Review)

Spirit of the ForestThis is Spirit of the Forest’s third album. They play atmospheric melodic black metal and hail from Canada.

Are you a fan of Emperor, Dissection, Windir and Borknagar? If you are then I’ll happily point you in the direction of Spirit of the Forest and let you listen to their very satisfying new release.

For others that might require a bit more convincing, let me Continue reading “Spirit of the Forest – A Void into the Fields of Silence/La Nature Oubliée (Review)”

Void Omnia – Dying Light (Review)

Void OmniaVoid 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)”

Ancient – Back to the Land of the Dead (Review)

AncientThis 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)”

Interview with Uhtcearu

Uhtcearu Logo

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…

What are your influences?

We have a ton of influences that range musically from death and black metal to genres of classic rock, fusion, jazz, and prog.

Name five things you’ve listened to recently that you’d recommend

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 – The Plight of Wanderers (Review)

UhtcearuUhtcearu 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)”

Sulphur – Omens of Doom (Review)

SulphurThis 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.

Continue reading “Sulphur – Omens of Doom (Review)”

Winterhorde – Maestro (Review)

WinterhordeThis 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)”