Gurthang – Hearts of the Hollow (Review)

Gurthang - Hearts of the HollowThis is the seventh album from Polish black metal act Gurthang.

2019’s Ascension was an album that I enjoyed at the time, but which has only increased in my estimation since. As such, I was eager to hear their latest creation. Continue reading “Gurthang – Hearts of the Hollow (Review)”

Label Roundup: I, Voidhanger Records – Creature, Mystras, Ars Magna Umbrae, & Vertebra Atlantis (Reviews)

Wonderbox Metal gets sent a lot of new music, (which is great), but there’s no way that everything can get covered unfortunately, (which is not so great). This new column hopes to redress this balance, if only slightly, by taking a look at a handful of releases that a record label has recently sent out that might have otherwise slipped through the cracks.

I, Voidhanger Records consistently puts out high quality, frequently non-standard music. One of their releases is always an interesting proposition to explore. Below you’ll find four of the label’s more recent ones; make sure you give each of them the time it deserves… Continue reading “Label Roundup: I, Voidhanger Records – Creature, Mystras, Ars Magna Umbrae, & Vertebra Atlantis (Reviews)”

Adoperta Tenebris – Oblivion: the Forthcoming Ends (Review)

Adoperta Tenebris - Oblivion the Forthcoming EndsThis is the second album from French black metal solo act Adoperta Tenebris.

Oblivion: the Forthcoming Ends contains 48 minutes of black metal that has a strong second wave Scandinavian influence and a smattering of death metal ones. Continue reading “Adoperta Tenebris – Oblivion: the Forthcoming Ends (Review)”

Ghost Bath – Self Loather (Review)

Ghost Bath - Self LoatherGhost Bath are a depressive black metal band from the US and this is their fourth album.

I’m a big fan of Ghost Bath‘s work. Although somewhat divisive and an acquired taste for some, 2017’s Starmourner was so unusual and charismatic with its over-the-top histrionics and charged melodic atmosphere, that I couldn’t help but fall for it completely. As such, I’ve been looking forward to Self Loather. Continue reading “Ghost Bath – Self Loather (Review)”

Label Roundup: Vendetta Records – Gespenst, Aristarchos & Lurid (Reviews)

Wonderbox Metal gets sent a lot of new music, (which is great), but there’s no way that everything can get covered unfortunately, (which is not so great). This new column hopes to redress this balance, if only slightly, by taking a look at a handful of releases that a record label has recently sent out that might have otherwise slipped through the cracks.

For the very first one of these columns I thought I’d pick the below three from Vendetta Records. I have a high opinion of this label’s output, and these releases reinforce that. I would ideally have covered each one of these individually, but sadly there’s just not enough time to give everything its proper due. In lieu of that, let’s see what you think of these three below… Continue reading “Label Roundup: Vendetta Records – Gespenst, Aristarchos & Lurid (Reviews)”

Runespell – Verses in Regicide (Review)

Runespell - Verses in RegicideRunespell is a solo black metal band from Australia, and this is his fourth album.

I like a bit of Runespell. I’ve enjoyed watching the band develop from 2017’s Unhallowed Blood Oath, through 2018’s Order of Vengeance, to 2019’s Voice of Opprobrium. It’s now time for a new offering, and Verses in Regicide contains 38 minutes of the good stuff. Continue reading “Runespell – Verses in Regicide (Review)”

Feral Lord – Purity of Corruption (Review)

Feral Lord - Purity of CorruptionThis is the debut album from US black metal band Feral Lord.

Recommended by the promo blurb for fans of bands such as Oranssi Pazuzu, Odraza, and Deathspell Omega, I couldn’t resist giving this a listen to see if it hooked me. Well it did, as you can probably tell by the fact I’m reviewing it. To the above list I’d also add parts of bands like Suffering Hour and Mourir as reference points for Purity of Corruption too. Continue reading “Feral Lord – Purity of Corruption (Review)”

Wormwitch – Wolf Hex (Review)

Wormwitch - Wolf HexThis is the third album from Canadian black metallers Wormwitch.

Wolf Hex is the 34-minute follow up to 2019’s very well-received Heaven That Dwells Within, but it’s somewhat of a different record to its predecessor. Although obviously the same band, (but with a different lineup), Wolf Hex is rawer and less-polished, and owes more to the underground scenes; it sounds loose, organic, and unforced, and the songs benefit from this approach throughout the album. Continue reading “Wormwitch – Wolf Hex (Review)”

Ondfødt – Norden (Review)

Ondfødt - NordenThis is the third album from Finnish black metallers Ondfødt, a duo whose members are also in Dispyt.

I always like catching up with what Ondfødt are offering. I enjoyed 2014’s Hexkonst and 2019’s Dödsrikets Kallelse, so now it’s time to turn to Norden with positive expectations. Continue reading “Ondfødt – Norden (Review)”