Terzij de Horde – Our Breath Is Not Ours Alone (Review)

Terzij de Horde - Our Breath Is Not Ours AloneTerzij de Horde are a black metal band from the Netherlands and this is their third album.

Whether it’s 2015’s Self or 2022’s In One of These, I Am Your Enemy, Terzij de Horde being the intensity. Now they’re back, sooner than expected, with the 43-minute Our Breath Is Not Ours Alone, and it absolutely rages. Continue reading “Terzij de Horde – Our Breath Is Not Ours Alone (Review)”

Agriculture – The Spiritual Sound (Review)

Agriculture - The Spiritual SoundAgriculture are a post-black metal band from the US and this is their second album.

The Spiritual Sound is the 44-minute follow up to 2023’s well-received Agriculture. Combing a range of diverse ingredients into an engaging post-black metal sound, Agriculture’s new record is a step up for the band. Continue reading “Agriculture – The Spiritual Sound (Review)”

Æl-Fierlen – All Is Far Away (Review)

Æl-Fierlen - All Is Far AwayThis is the debut album from UK blackgaze band Æl-Fierlen.

Æl-Fierlen play an evocative form of blackened Gothic metal, (for lack of a better term), that incorporates atmospheric black metal, doom, blackgaze, and folk into a compelling musical framework. Containing 34 minutes of music, All Is Far Away is an underground gem of an album. Continue reading “Æl-Fierlen – All Is Far Away (Review)”

Heretoir – Solastalgia (Review)

Heretoir - SolastalgiaHeretoir are a post-black metal band from Germany and this is their fourth album.

Following on from 2023’s Nightsphere comes Solastalgia, which brings us 63 minutes of new music from Heretoir, (which includes an In Flames cover). I confess, I wasn’t expecting this to be as good or as impactful as it is. Continue reading “Heretoir – Solastalgia (Review)”

Der Weg Einer Freiheit – Innern (Review)

Der Weg Einer Freiheit - InnernThis is the sixth album from German black metal band Der Weg Einer Freiheit.

Innern is the greatly anticipated follow up to 2017’s Finisterre and 2021’s Noktvrn, the latter placing prominently on my 2021 end of year list, (which in retrospect Finisterre should also have done in 2017). It’s safe to say that I’ve been excitedly looking forward to this new record, especially after seeing the band at last year’s Fortress Festival. Continue reading “Der Weg Einer Freiheit – Innern (Review)”

Autrest – Burning Embers, Forgotten Wolves (Review)

Autrest - Burning Embers, Forgotten WolvesThis is the second album from Brazilian solo black metal act Autrest.

On Burning Embers, Forgotten Wolves, the artist behind Autrest provides us with 42 minutes of nature-inspired atmospheric black metal. It’s well crafted, and the artist clearly knows what he’s doing. Continue reading “Autrest – Burning Embers, Forgotten Wolves (Review)”

Vintras – Timescarred (Review)

Vintras - TimescarredVintras are a UK black metal band and this is their debut album.

Here’s a tasty blackened treat from earlier in the year that you really need in your life. Brought to us by members of Ageless Summoning, Ashen Horde, Evilyn, Norse, Of Spire and Throne, Sluagh, Somnium Nox, and Virulent Depravity, I couldn’t help but expect good things from Vintras. And believe me, Timescarred does not disappoint. Continue reading “Vintras – Timescarred (Review)”

Gaahls Wyrd – Braiding the Stories (Review)

Gaahls Wyrd - Braiding the StoriesThis is the second album from Gaahls Wyrd, an avant-garde/dark metal band from Norway.

I really liked both 2019’s Gastir – Ghosts Invited and 2021’s The Humming Mountain, so the 42-minute Braiding the Stories is gratefully received. This is not music to be casually experienced, but an experience to be explored at length. Continue reading “Gaahls Wyrd – Braiding the Stories (Review)”