Atra Vetosus are an Australian black metal band and this is their third album.
I always enjoy catching up with Atra Vetosus. Periodically they emerge from wherever it is they slumber, unleashing quality black metal as they do so. If you haven’t heard them before, make sure you check out 2018’s Apricity and 2021’s Even the Dawn No Longer Brings Hope, alongside this new record, of course. Especially this new one, actually, as we’ll see. Continue reading “Atra Vetosus – Undying Splendour (Review)”
This is the eleventh album from French one-man black metal band Esoctrilihum.
Over the years I’ve developed a real fondness for the creative blackened output of this prolific artist. 2018’s Pandaemorthium (Forbidden Formulas to Awaken the Blind Sovereigns of Nothingness) started my journey, 2021’s Dy’th Requiem for the Serpent Telepath really made a mark, 2022’s Consecration of the Spiritüs Flesh was harsh and unforgiving, and then last year’s monster triple album Astraal Constellations of the Majickal Zodiac was far more enthralling than anything as long as that had any right to be. Of course, then there’s also the rest of the Esoctrilihum’s discography too, which I haven’t reviewed. For now though, we have the colossal 80-minute Döth-Dernyàlh. Continue reading “Esoctrilihum – Döth-Dernyàlh (Review)”
This is the fourth album from UK black metallers Gråt Strigoi.
Despite being four albums deep into their career, I’ve never heard of Gråt Strigoi before the wonderful Fiadh Productions put them on my radar. It’s seriously been my loss, as this stuff is so far up my alley it hurts. The Prophetic Silence contains 56 minutes of black metal that’s so good you should just stop reading this now and go and listen to it. Continue reading “Gråt Strigoi – The Prophetic Silence (Review)”
This is the third album from German solo black metal band Uprising.
III is brought to us by a founder of Waldgeflüster, with drums provided by the artist behind Panopticon. Uprising’s music is rooted in the classic black metal style, but not limited to it, and carries with it a contemporary message. Continue reading “Uprising – III (Review)”
This is the second album from Perchta, a black metal band from Austria.
D’Muata offers a 48-minute atmospheric blackened folk experience that’s compelling and immersive. Perchta have crafted a strong personality of their own on this record, and it’s one that serves them well for almost all of the album. Continue reading “Perchta – D’Muata (Review)”
What an incredible lineup this is. I mean, just look at it. It’s ridiculous. I’ve never been to Fortress Festival before, (this is its second year), or Scarborough, but this was an event not to be missed. My words below won’t really do justice to what a great festival this was, but hopefully you’ll get a flavour of it at the very least.
Before we get into it – if you’ve ever read one of my live reviews previously you’ll notice that the quality of the photos used here far, far, far outstrips my usual meagre efforts. This is because I didn’t take them. I’m enormously pleased to say that they very talented Aleksandra Hogg captured and supplied all of these photos, and I urge you to check out her work at Acidolka here, here, or here. Continue reading “Fortress Festival 2024 – Scarborough Spa, Scarborough, 01-02/06/24 (Live Review)”
This is the debut album from US black metal band Mountain Shadow.
Mountain Shadow play atmospheric black metal and their self titled record contains 53 minutes of material. It might not be what you’re expecting though, as Mountain Shadow have created something a little different in some ways on these eight tracks. Continue reading “Mountain Shadow – Mountain Shadow (Review)”
This is the latest EP from US black metal band Obsidian Tongue.
I’ve never properly reviewed anything by Obsidian Tongue, although I did love 2020’s Volume III and included it here. My very brief overview of “Highly accomplished atmospheric black metal with a voice of its own.” still applies, and The Stone Heart is definitely one to check out if you’re a fan of bands such as Agalloch, Wolves in the Throne Room, Wilt, Alda, etc. Continue reading “Obsidian Tongue – The Stone Heart (Review)”
This is the debut album from US black metal band Yfel.
Across the 40 minutes of music on Beneath the Mountain’s Vigil Yfel reveal themselves as very capable purveyors of atmospheric black metal. Continue reading “Yfel – Beneath the Mountain’s Vigil (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Scottish epic black metallers Ruadh.
Oh dear, it’s taken me an obscene amount of time to finally check out Ruadh, after thoroughly enjoying them at this year’s Reaper Festival. Ah well, better late than never, and 1296 has definitely been worth the wait. Continue reading “Ruadh – 1296 (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 