Melodic Black Metal – Page 5

Fortress Festival 2024 – Scarborough Spa, Scarborough, 01-02/06/24 (Live Review)

What an incredible lineup this is. I mean, just look at it. It’s ridiculous. I’ve never been to Fortress Festival before, (this is its second year), or Scarborough, but this was an event not to be missed. My words below won’t really do justice to what a great festival this was, but hopefully you’ll get a flavour of it at the very least.

Before we get into it – if you’ve ever read one of my live reviews previously you’ll notice that the quality of the photos used here far, far, far outstrips my usual meagre efforts. This is because I didn’t take them. I’m enormously pleased to say that they very talented Aleksandra Hogg captured and supplied all of these photos, and I urge you to check out her work at Acidolka here, here, or here. Continue reading “Fortress Festival 2024 – Scarborough Spa, Scarborough, 01-02/06/24 (Live Review)”

Houle – Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire (Review)

This is the debut album from French black metallers Houle.

After thoroughly enjoying Houle’s 2022 debut self titled EP, I was pleased to see Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire appear. Houle deliver 45 minutes minutes of melodic black metal across this album, and the record is a scorcher. Continue reading “Houle – Ciel Cendre et Misère Noire (Review)”

Oubliette – Eternity Whispers (Review)

This is the third album from US black metal band Oubliette.

I really liked 2018’s The Passage, and I can’t quite believe it’s been six years since that record. Now the band are back, with a refreshed lineup, (which includes the drummer of Inferi), and 39 minutes of new material in the shape of Eternity Whispers. Continue reading “Oubliette – Eternity Whispers (Review)”

Wormwood – The Star (Review)

Wormwood are a Swedish black metal band and this is their fourth album.

It’s great to have some new Wormwood material out in the wild. 2021’s Arkivet was a notable album, so The Star is one I have been anticipating. Across 47 minutes Wormwood prove that Arkivet was no fluke. Continue reading “Wormwood – The Star (Review)”

Häxanu/Greve – Naturmystik – Split (Review)

This is a split between black metal bands Häxanu, from the US, and Greve, from Sweden.

Häxanu open up the split, with four tracks that last 20 minutes in total. I was a big fan of 2023’s Totenpass, which is why I knew I wanted to check out this split when it appeared on my radar. Continue reading “Häxanu/Greve – Naturmystik – Split (Review)”

Downcross – White Tower (Review)

Downcross are a black metal band from Belarus and this is their sixth album.

White Tower contains 43 minutes of melodic black metal. It’s sharp and well-performed, and Downcross showcase what they’re capable of with attitude and force. Continue reading “Downcross – White Tower (Review)”

Sidus Atrum – Розірване Небо (Torn Sky) (Review)

This is the third album from Ukrainian black metal band Sidus Atrum.

2022’s Spiral of Life made a strong impression on me, and I really enjoyed it. This makes Розірване Небо (Torn Sky) one I’ve definitely been looking forward to. On Torn Sky Sidus Atrum have expanded to a duo, bringing us 37 minutes of new music. Continue reading “Sidus Atrum – Розірване Небо (Torn Sky) (Review)”

Infestus – Entzweiung (Review)

This is the sixth album from German solo black metal band Infestus.

Has it really been ten years since 2014’s The Reflecting Void? I really liked that record. With only one album since then – 2018’s Thrypsis, which I somehow missed – I’ve been looking forward to exploring the 46-minute Entzweiung. Continue reading “Infestus – Entzweiung (Review)”

Veriteras – The Dark Horizon (Review)

This is the second album from US death metal band Veriteras.

Veriteras play melodic black/death metal inspired by the old-school Scandinavian scene of the 90s. The Dark Horizon is a 31-minute homage to this era, and boy does it get a lot right. Continue reading “Veriteras – The Dark Horizon (Review)”

Witch Vomit – Funeral Sanctum (Review)

This is the third album from US death metal band Witch Vomit.

Witch Vomit are such an enjoyable band, and I really liked the filthy, gruesome old-school rot of A Scream from the Tomb Below, Poisoned Blood, and Buried Deep in a Bottomless Grave. But wait, change is afoot in the Witch Vomit camp. What does that mean for the 31 minutes of Funeral Sanctum? Continue reading “Witch Vomit – Funeral Sanctum (Review)”