Auriferous Flame – The Great Mist Within (Review)

Αuriferous Flame - The Great Mist WithinThis is the debut album from one-man Greek black metal act Auriferous Flame.

Brought to us by the artist behind Spectral Lore and Mystras, The Great Mist Within contains 39 minutes of black metal influenced by the classic second wave era. It’s modelled on the traditional style, but can’t escape the contemporary feel that the artist brings to it. Continue reading “Auriferous Flame – The Great Mist Within (Review)”

Umbra Conscientia – Nigredine Mundi (Review)

Umbra Conscientia - Nigredine MundiUmbra Conscientia are a black metal band from Costa Rica/Germany, and this is their second album.

Featuring current and ex-members of Corpse Garden, Nigredine Mundi contains 32 minutes of black metal that will flay your skin while it summons daemonic horrors to swallow your soul. Continue reading “Umbra Conscientia – Nigredine Mundi (Review)”

Hyrgal – – (Review)

Hyrgal - -Hyrgal are a French black metal band and this is their third album.

I enjoyed both 2017’s Serpentine and 2020’s Fin de Règne, so is well-received, if unusually titled. We once again get seven tracks of dark black metal art, this time with a duration of 38 minutes. Continue reading “Hyrgal – – (Review)”

Aara – Triade II: Hemera (Review)

Aara - Triade II HemeraThis is the fourth album from Swiss black metallers Aara, (who feature members of Modern Rites and Porta Nigra).

Following hot on the heels of last year’s Triade I: Eos comes Triade II: Hemera, which gives us 42 minutes of new material. Aara play a hybrid form of black metal that combines the atmospheric and the melodic styles into their own brand of scathing darkness. Continue reading “Aara – Triade II: Hemera (Review)”

Ante-Inferno – Antediluvian Dreamscapes (Review)

Ante-Inferno - Antediluvian DreamscapesThis is the second album from UK black metal act Ante-Inferno.

Ante-Inferno play atmospheric black metal, and on Antediluvian Dreamscapes they deliver 43 minutes of contemporary blackened darkness. Continue reading “Ante-Inferno – Antediluvian Dreamscapes (Review)”

Katharos – Of Lineages Long Forgotten (Review)

Katharos - Of Lineages Long ForgottenKatharos are a Swedish black metal band and this is their second album.

Featuring the drummer of Wormwood, Of Lineages Long Forgotten contains 49 minutes of symphonic black metal. The band take clear influence from the likes of Dimmu Borgir and the legendary Emperor, while also carving their own path through Continue reading “Katharos – Of Lineages Long Forgotten (Review)”

Vital Spirit – Still as the Night, Cold as the Wind (Review)

Vital Spirit - Still as the Night, Cold as the WindThis is the debut album from Canadian black metallers Vital Spirit.

Featuring members of Seer and Wormwitch, Still as the Night, Cold as the Wind contains 36 minutes of folk-enhanced black metal. Continue reading “Vital Spirit – Still as the Night, Cold as the Wind (Review)”

Feral Light – Psychic Contortions (Review)

Feral Light - Psychic ContortionsThis is the fourth album from US black metallers Feral Light.

Feral Light impressed me with both 2020’s Life Vapor and the short EP Ceremonial Tower the year after. Psychic Contortions continues the band’s impressive run, showcasing Feral Light doing what they do best across 36 captivating minutes. Continue reading “Feral Light – Psychic Contortions (Review)”