Thron – Dust (Review)

Thron - DustThron are a black metal band from Germany and this is their fourth album.

Now boasting the drummer of the mighty Aara in their ranks, Dust contains 55 minutes of accomplished black metal. I haven’t caught up with the band since 2018’s Abysmal, so it’s good to hear what they’re up to once more, and I have not been disappointed. Quite the opposite, in fact. Continue reading “Thron – Dust (Review)”

Aara – Triade III: Nyx (Review)

Aara - Triade III NyxThis is the fifth album from Swiss black metal band Aara.

Another year, another Aara record, and I’m very happy about this. Triade III: Nyx is the final instalment in the trilogy that brought us Triade I: Eos from 2021 and the stellar Triade II: Hemera from last year. Continue reading “Aara – Triade III: Nyx (Review)”

Shores of Null – The Loss of Beauty (Review)

Shores of Null - The Loss of BeautyThis is the fourth album from Italian doom metal band Shores of Null.

I thoroughly enjoyed 2020’s single track album Beyond the Shores (on Death and Dying), so knew that I wanted to catch up with The Loss of Beauty when it appeared. Unlike its predecessor, this new album is divided into individual tracks, and delivers 55 minutes of material, (or 49 minutes without the bonus tracks). Continue reading “Shores of Null – The Loss of Beauty (Review)”

Ne Obliviscaris – Exul (Review)

Ne Obliviscaris - ExulNe Obliviscaris are an Australian extreme progressive metal band and this is their fourth album.

It seems like such a long time ago that 2017’s Urn came out – and it was – so it’s great to now have Ne Obliviscaris back with Exul. Containing 52 minutes of new material, Exul may just be Ne Obliviscaris’ best album yet. Continue reading “Ne Obliviscaris – Exul (Review)”

Kold – Intet Mere Er (Review)

Kold - Intet Mere ErKold are a black metal band from Denmark and this is their debut album.

Following on from 2021’s KoldIntet Mere Er is a 44-minute black metal journey of frozen landscapes and sorrowful climes. Continue reading “Kold – Intet Mere Er (Review)”

Majesties – Vast Reaches Unclaimed (Review)

Majesties - Vast Reaches UnclaimedThis is the debut album from US death metal band Majesties.

Brought to us by members of Inexorum and Obsequiae, Vast Reaches Unclaimed delivers 39 minutes of melodic death metal played in the classic, old-school Gothenburg style. Continue reading “Majesties – Vast Reaches Unclaimed (Review)”

Frozen Dawn – The Decline of the Enlightened Gods (Review)

Frozen Dawn - The Decline of the Enlightened GodsThis is the third album, (or their fourth, if you include 2017’s covers album), from Frozen Dawn, a Spanish black metal band.

The Decline of the Enlightened Gods is the follow up to 2014’s Those of the Cursed Light, and contains 50 minutes of melodic black metal, (which includes a Necrophobic cover). Delivering a Continue reading “Frozen Dawn – The Decline of the Enlightened Gods (Review)”

Moonthoth – Uroczysko (Review)

Moonthoth - UroczyskoThis is the second album from Polish one-man black metal band Moonthoth.

Uroczysko treats us to 50 minutes of underground black metal. It’s old-school and traditional at heart, yet rich, layered, and adventurous in scope. It has a keen atmospheric edge, is bolstered by powerful symphonic elements, and is not afraid to walk its own path. Continue reading “Moonthoth – Uroczysko (Review)”

Häxanu – Totenpass (Review)

Häxanu - TotenpassThis is the second album from US black metal act Häxanu.

Featuring a current/ex-member of bands such as Chaos Moon, Krieg, Ringarë, Skáphe, and Manetheren, Totenpass contains 45 minutes of sleek melodic black metal with plenty of experience. Continue reading “Häxanu – Totenpass (Review)”

Carathis – Amethyst & Moonstone (Review)

Carathis - Amethyst & MoonstoneThis is the latest release from Austrian black metal band Carathis.

Carathis is essentially a solo act that is augmented by a drummer. This is an interesting release in that it consists of two EPs. The Amethyst Fortress, (the first five tracks), came out in 2021, and The Moonstone Temple, (the final four tracks), which is not officially released on digital until this compilation is on CD in February 2023. Continue reading “Carathis – Amethyst & Moonstone (Review)”