I’ve never been to The Hairy Dog before, but it’s a great venue with a good vibe and good sound system. I don’t actually think I’ve ever been to Derby before at all, but if anything was going to entice me here, it was this year’s Reaper Festival, brought to us by the wonderful Reaper Agency UK. It was a great day overall, and I’d gladly attend such a well-organised show again. Sadly I could only make day one of the festival, which is a shame, as day two has many great bands too. Continue reading “Reaper Festival 2023 – Day One: Saturday – Ultha/Darkher/Coscradh/Dawn Ray’d/The Sun’s Journey Through the Night/Ruadh/Calligram/Cairns – Derby The Hairy Dog, 29/07/23 (Live Review)”
Tag: Modern Black Metal
Urbain – A Soul Purged (Review)
Urbain are a black metal band from the US and this is their debut album.
With a description of urban black metal, and a recommendation for fans of Emperor, White Ward, early Dimmu Borgir, and Cradle of Filth, I was intrigued to hear what Urbain had to offer. The fact that the band contain members of Ovnev and Wills Dissolve was further reason, if any were needed. Continue reading “Urbain – A Soul Purged (Review)”
Sworn – A Journey Told Through Fire (Review)
Sworn are a Norwegian black metal band and this is their fourth album.
If you’re a fan of black metal with both melody and atmosphere, then A Journey Told Through Fire is a 50-minute feast of the stuff. Honestly, Sworn have something well above average going on here that combines the best of old and new. Continue reading “Sworn – A Journey Told Through Fire (Review)”
Deitus – Irreversible (Review)
This is the third album from UK black metallers Deitus.
Irreversible contains 39 of black metal that traverses both the traditional and modern realms of the style. Upon first listen it’s quickly apparent that Deitus are no generic act, and subsequent spins only cements the view that they are definitely operating on a higher plane of existence than many of their so-called peers. Continue reading “Deitus – Irreversible (Review)”
Calligram – Position | Momentum (Review)
Calligram are a UK-based black metal band and this is their latest album.
Following on from 2020’s very well-received The Eye Is the First Circle, Calligram have now returned with 40 minutes of new material on Position | Momentum. Continue reading “Calligram – Position | Momentum (Review)”
Aodon – Portraits (Review)
This is the third album from Aodon, a black metal band from France.
Portraits is the follow up to 2020’s 11069, and features 46 minutes of sleek, quality material. If you liked 11069, then Portraits is the upgraded version. Continue reading “Aodon – Portraits (Review)”
Morkera – Aggravations (Review)
Morkera are a black metal band from Croatia and this is their second album.
Aggravations is a 36-minute album of modern black metal that’s beautifully harsh and aggressive, while still achieving a certain level of atmospheric darkness. Continue reading “Morkera – Aggravations (Review)”
Mnajdra – Mnajdra (Review)
This is the debut album from US black metal band Mnajdra.
From out of nowhere comes Mnajdra, a 44-minute slice of underworld darkness. This is thick, unfriendly black metal that has subsumed elements of doom and sludge into itself to better portray the utter bleakness and horror of existence. Continue reading “Mnajdra – Mnajdra (Review)”
Moonreich – Amer (Review)
This is the fifth album from Moonreich, a French black metal band.
Moonreich’s aggressive brand of modern black metal is always good to hear. Following on from 2018’s Fugue and 2019’s Wormgod, Amer contains 43 minutes of new material from this enjoyable band. Continue reading “Moonreich – Amer (Review)”
Cursebinder – Drifting (Review)
This is the debut album from Polish post-black metal band Cursebinder.
Featuring the vocalist of Dormant Ordeal, (and also ex-Moanaa), Cursebinder play black metal that contains elements of doom, blackgaze, post-rock, and progressive metal. Continue reading “Cursebinder – Drifting (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 