Sworn – A Journey Told Through Fire (Review)

Sworn - A Journey Told Through FireSworn 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)

Deitus - IrreversibleThis 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 - Position MomentumCalligram 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)

Aodon - PortraitsThis 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 - AggravationsMorkera 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)

Mnajdra - MnajdraThis 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)

Moonreich - AmerThis 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 WormgodAmer contains 43 minutes of new material from this enjoyable band. Continue reading “Moonreich – Amer (Review)”

Cursebinder – Drifting (Review)

Cursebinder - DriftingThis 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)”

Tempel Wolf – Hirschgeweihmaskeraden (Review)

Tempel Wolf - HirschgeweihmaskeradenTempel Wolf are a black metal band from Switzerland and this is their debut release.

Tempel Wolf play atmospheric black metal, and on Hirschgeweihmaskeraden they deliver 32 minutes of material across this absorbing release. Continue reading “Tempel Wolf – Hirschgeweihmaskeraden (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)”