Sarcoptes – Prayers to Oblivion (Review)

Sarcoptes - Prayers to OblivionSarcoptes are a US black metal band and this is their second album.

It has been a long time since 2016’s Songs and Dances of Death, but the second Sarcoptes album is finally here. And what do we have? Something pretty damn tasty. Prayers to Oblivion is the sound of Sarcoptes taking their material to the next level in every regard; songwriting, recording, and performances, have all improved. Continue reading “Sarcoptes – Prayers to Oblivion (Review)”

Moonthoth – Uroczysko (Review)

Moonthoth - UroczyskoThis is the second album from Polish one-man black metal band Moonthoth.

Uroczysko treats us to 50 minutes of underground black metal. It’s old-school and traditional at heart, yet rich, layered, and adventurous in scope. It has a keen atmospheric edge, is bolstered by powerful symphonic elements, and is not afraid to walk its own path. Continue reading “Moonthoth – Uroczysko (Review)”

Limbes – Écluse (Review)

Limbes - ÉcluseThis is the debut album from one-man French black metal act Limbes.

We’ve encountered the artist behind Limbes before, on his split with Mütterlein, and also when the project was named Blurr Thrower. Écluse contains 39 minutes of new material, and although the songs are still on the longer side, (especially the 15-minute closer), overall they’re shorter and more concise than we’re used to from this artist. Continue reading “Limbes – Écluse (Review)”

Vahrzaw – In the Shallows of a Starlit Lake (Review)

Vahrzaw - In the Shallows of a Starlit LakeVahrzaw are an Australian black metal band and this is their fifth album.

Having enjoyed 2014’s Twin Suns & Wolves’ Tongues, 2018’s Husk, and 2021’s The Trembling Voices of Conquered Men, I was always going to have to check out the new Vahrzaw album. Continue reading “Vahrzaw – In the Shallows of a Starlit Lake (Review)”

Inherits the Void – The Impending Fall of the Stars (Review)

Inherits the Void - The Impending Fall of the StarsThis is the second album from French one-man black metal band Inherits the Void.

Following on from 2021’s Monolith of Light, The Impending Fall of the Stars brings us 43 minutes of mood-rich black metal. Bolstered by additional musicians on drums and piano/keyboards, the artist behind Inherit the Void has crafted an album to fall deeply into. Continue reading “Inherits the Void – The Impending Fall of the Stars (Review)”

Eihort – Consuming the Light (Review)

Eihort - Consuming the LightThis is the debut album from UK black metallers Eihort.

Consuming the Light consists of six original blackened hymns and a Samael cover. All told, we’re given 33 minutes of classic black metal from a band that obviously know and love the style very much. Continue reading “Eihort – Consuming the Light (Review)”

Helvellyn – The Lore of the Cloaked Assembly (Review)

Helvellyn - The Lore of the Cloaked AssemblyHelvellyn are a black metal band from the UK and this is their debut album.

Containing 38 minutes of material, The Lore of the Cloaked Assembly delivers black metal steeped in the old ways; Helvellyn worship at the altar of 90s second wave black metal. The band have clearly been blessed by their dark gods, as their music recalls the classics, while also offering something worth listening to in 2022. Continue reading “Helvellyn – The Lore of the Cloaked Assembly (Review)”

Wampyric Rites – The Wolves Howl to the Moon (Review)

Wampyric Rites - The Wolves Howl to the MoonWampyric Rites are a black metal band from Ecuador and this is their second album.

The Wolves Howl to the Moon contains 35 minutes of raw, undergound, old-school black metal. There’s no messing around; Wampyric Rites mean business. Continue reading “Wampyric Rites – The Wolves Howl to the Moon (Review)”

Northmoon – Shadowlord – My Soft Vision in Blood (Review)

Shadowlord - My Soft Vision in BloodThis is the debut album by Austrian black metal band Northmoon.

Dedicated to the 90s era, Shadowlord – My Soft Vision in Blood contains 41 minutes of frosted old-school black metal. Continue reading “Northmoon – Shadowlord – My Soft Vision in Blood (Review)”

Hilning – Råtijinn (Review)

Hilning - RåtijinnThis is the debut album from Hilning, a solo black metal act from Sweden.

Brought to us by a member of Afgrund and Besvärjelsen, Råtijinn contains 48 minutes of frosted black metal ferocity. Hilning’s music merges the old-school cold and dark approach with epic folk-tinged melodies. Continue reading “Hilning – Råtijinn (Review)”