This is the debut album from US black metallers Ritual Clearing.
Penitence contains 38 minutes of dark hostility. This is black metal that’s raw and hateful, delivering aggressive music shrouded in blades, spikes, and darkness. Ritual Clearing are ones to watch. Continue reading “Ritual Clearing – Penitence (Review)”
This is the third album from international black metallers Asagraum.
After thoroughly enjoying 2017’s Potestas Magicum Diaboli and 2019’s Dawn of Infinite Fire, (especially the latter), Veil of Death, Ruptured is one I’ve been looking forward to. It has surpassed my expectations too, let me tell you that now. Continue reading “Asagraum – Veil of Death, Ruptured (Review)”
Valravn are a Finnish black metal band and this is their second album.
Featuring a current/ex-member of Altar of Betelgeuze/Cardinals Folly, The Awakening contains 44 minutes of expressive black metal. Continue reading “Valravn – The Awakening (Review)”
This is the debut album from Irish/international black metallers Belial’s Throne.
Featuring the drummer of Coscradh, Forgotten Land of the Lost Souls contains 36 minutes of good quality second wave black metal. Continue reading “Belial’s Throne – Forgotten Land of the Lost Souls (Review)”
Marduk are a Swedish black metal band and this is their fifteenth album.
Memento Mori contains 42 minutes of passionately crafted blackened intensity. It’s like bottled chaos and frenzied mayhem, with moments of dark storms and nightmare worldbuilding. Yep, Marduk are back. Continue reading “Marduk – Memento Mori (Review)”
Baxaxaxa are a German black metal band and this is their second album.
Featuring members of Runespell and Ungod, Baxaxaxa play black metal with sinister atmosphere and wicked groove. De Vermis Mysteriis contains 41 minutes of atavistic blackened character. Continue reading “Baxaxaxa – De Vermis Mysteriis (Review)”
Lepra are a black metal band from the US and this is their debut album.
In a fit of pure laziness on my part, I’m going to just reproduce a line from the promo blurb to set the scene for this release – “It is not your usual cup of black metal, this one has a unique blend of black punk/and roll, folk, goth rock, doom… All played with drums, bass, flute, endless keyboards, and duelling vocals.” Continue reading “Lepra – Devil’s Blood in Her Tongue (Review)”
Ancient Torment and Haxen are both US black metal bands, and they have teamed up for this split release.
Ancient Torment, (who feature an ex-member of Abnormality), open the split, with two songs lasting 13 minutes in total. Continue reading “Ancient Torment/Haxen – The Howling Gale – Split (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)”
This is the debut album from French black metallers Beyond the Permafrost.
Fallen from the Throne contains 33 minutes of black metal that’s influenced by the traditional style and second wave era. Beyond the Permafrost have created an album that should easily find favour with any adherent of the old-school blackened arts. Continue reading “Beyond the Permafrost – Fallen from the Throne (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 