Francis Root, (based in Norway), and Sconsacrata, (based in the UK), are both solo black metal acts who have teamed up for this split release, (both artists are also in sludge metal band Beggar).
Francis Root start us off, with 19 minutes of material. The style of the four songs we’re presented with is one that’s modern and progressive, with elements of electronica and industrial sewn into the music. Continue reading “Francis Root/Sconsacrata – Split (Review)”
Sordide are a black metal band from France and this is their fourth album.
Sordide deliver us 39 minutes of sharp, modern black metal. Continue reading “Sordide – Les Idées Blanches (Review)”
This is the third album from German deathcore band Mental Cruelty.
This is the follow up to 2019’s Inferis, although A Hill to Die Upon is a different beast to its predecessor. Although the foundations are the same, they’ve been built upon and reshaped into a far darker, more blackened Continue reading “Mental Cruelty – A Hill to Die Upon (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Jarun, a Polish progressive black metal band.
Both 2015’s Pod Niebem Utkanym z Popiołu and 2017’s Sporysz were very enjoyable blackened progressive/folk hybrids, and their newest album continues Jarun’s unbroken run of high quality releases. Continue reading “Jarun – Rok Spokojnego Słońca (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Swiss black metallers Coldcell.
Featuring the drummer of Schammasch and guest vocals on two songs by the singer of Zatokrev, Coldcell spend 49 minutes delivering atmospheric modern black metal that’s sinister and layered with existential dread. Continue reading “Coldcell – The Greater Evil (Review)”
This is the debut album from Udånde, a solo black metal band based in Slovakia, augmented by as session vocalist and drummer.
Now here’s an album to thoroughly scratch that modern black metal itch. Life of a Purist is atmospheric and melodic, without being entirely beholden to either Continue reading “Udånde – Life of a Purist (Review)”
Wesenwille are a black metal band from the Netherlands and this is their second album.
Wesenwille play modern black metal that’s delivered with passion and skill. You can hear the band’s traditional influences, but these are delivered with a contemporary twist. Continue reading “Wesenwille – II: A Material God (Review)”
This is the debut album from Starer, a one-man black metal band from the US.
Brought to us by a member of Bihargam, Starer is a different proposition from that band, and offers 45 minutes of modern darkness for the listener to become absorbed by. Continue reading “Starer – 18° Below the Horizon (Review)”
This is the debut EP from German black metallers Bestialis.
Ritus provides 17 minutes of black metal, and serves as a good introduction to the nefarious talents of Bestialis. The band’s style is rooted in traditional black metal, but also contains elements of more modern styles too. As a very rough Continue reading “Bestialis – Ritus (Review)”
This is the debut album from Sepulchre by the Sea, a one-man post-black metal band from the UK.
Sepulchre by the Sea’s music is a hybrid form of modern/traditional black metal, expressed in an atmospheric style and enhanced with elements of post-rock and blackgaze. This approach results in a sprawling post-black metal epic that unfolds across 58 minutes of evocative, well-written music. Continue reading “Sepulchre by the Sea – Conqueror Worm (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 