This is the fourth album from US black metallers Canis Dirus.
By the Grace of Death contains 38 minutes of atmospheric black metal. Through a captivating mix of hostility, beauty, and dark splendour, Canis Dirus have produced a record that’s undeniably potent. Continue reading “Canis Dirus – By the Grace of Death (Review)”
Yes, it’s list season once more, so gather round and witness some of the best metal that 2024 had to offer!
2024 was a fantastic year for metal, and that’s an understatement. I thought 2023 was one of the weaker years for metal releases, overall. As such, putting last year’s list together, although challenging as it always is, was relatively effortless compared to this one. I don’t think I’ve agonised over placings more any other year. In the end, similar to last year, I just decided that enough was enough and I needed to just stop needlessly obsessing. Continue reading “Wonderbox Metal End of Year List – Best Metal of 2024”
This is the latest release from Australian black metal band Mesarthim.
With quite a prolific discography, I don’t get to catch up with Mesarthim as often as I’d like, (though do check out .- -… … . -. -.-. ., The Density Parameter, and CLG J02182–05102), so upon the arrival of Anthropic Bias / Departure I made sure I spent some time with it. Continue reading “Mesarthim – Anthropic Bias / Departure (Review)”
Veilburner are a black/death metal band from the US and this is their seventh album.
A new Veilburner album is always an exciting prospect. I’ve been a fan since 2016’s The Obscene Rite, but it was 2022’s VLBRNR that really saw them reach their true potential in my eyes. Now we have The Duality of Decapitation and Wisdom‘s 49 minutes upon us, and I’m ready to fall into Veilburner’s well-realised world once more. And, this time, it’s stranger than ever. Continue reading “Veilburner – The Duality of Decapitation and Wisdom (Review)”
Schammasch are a black metal band from Switzerland and this is their fifth album.
I have been really excited to hear this one. I’ve been a big fan of everything I’ve heard from Schammasch; make sure you check out 2016’s Triangle and 2019’s Hearts of No Light, both of which are top tier records, and both of which placed on my end of year lists for 2016 and 2019. Interestingly though, The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean is the spiritual follow up to Schammasch’s 2017 avant-garde EP The Maldoror Chants: Hermaphrodite, making me even more interested to find out what this new opus had to offer. Continue reading “Schammasch – The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Portuguese black metallers Gaerea.
Ever since I first heard 2018’s Unsettling Whispers Gaerea have stood out to me as something pretty special. In 2020 Limbo solidified this opinion, and then in 2022 Mirage cemented this further. In fact, my appreciation of Mirage has only increased since catching the band’s transcendental live experience at this year’s fantastic Fortress Festival. I have high hopes for Coma. Continue reading “Gaerea – Coma (Review)”
This is the fifth album from US black metallers Amiensus.
We’re being treated. This is the second Amiensus album of the year; the second part of Reclamation: Part 1 that we saw back in April. The first instalment was a progressive black metal feast that focused on atmospheric depth. What do the 38 minutes of Reclamation Pt. II have to offer us then? Continue reading “Amiensus – Reclamation Pt. II (Review)”
Agrypnie are a black metal band from Germany and this is their seventh album.
Erg contains 54 minutes of music, and is brought to us by members of The Negative Bias and Perchta, (as well as many others). Agrypnie’s music is of a high quality level, and Erg showcases the band in a good light throughout. Continue reading “Agrypnie – Erg (Review)”
Firtan are a German black metal band and this is their fourth album.
Following on from 2022’s very enjoyable Marter, Ethos brings us 51 minutes of new material from Firtan. On this new album the band aren’t holding back. Continue reading “Firtan – Ethos (Review)”
This is the third album from Canadian black metal act Liminal Shroud.
Following on from 2022’s All Virtues Ablaze, comes the 44-minute Visions of Collapse. On their new record Liminal Shroud continue to forge ahead with their brand of black metal, refining it further, with some very tasty results. Continue reading “Liminal Shroud – Visions of Collapse (Review)”
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