Waldgeflüster – Knochengesänge (Review)

Waldgeflüster - KnochengesängeThis is the seventh (and eighth) album(s) by German black metal band Waldgeflüster.

I’m a big fan of Waldgeflüster, so make sure you check out their past releases here, here, here, and here, and my review of their performance at last years Fortress Festival here. Now that’s out of the way, let’s turn our full attention to Knochengesänge. Continue reading “Waldgeflüster – Knochengesänge (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)”

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)”

Ahamkara – The Harrow of the Lost (Review)

Ahamkara - The Harrow of the LostThis is the second album by UK black metal band Ahamkara.

I’ve been waiting for a new Ahamkara album since 2014, which is a shockingly long time to wait for anything. The Embers of the Stars was a damn good album though, so now that a new record is here, it was not one I wanted to overlook. Unfortunately, it seems there was a good reason for this delay, as the promo blurb tells us – “Following ten years of silence after the release of their debut album “The Embers of the Stars” and the untimely death of vocalist Steven, Ahamkara return with a new lineup and new album “The Harrow of the Lost”, an unflinching exploration of the transformative nature of grief.” Continue reading “Ahamkara – The Harrow of the Lost (Review)”

Serpents of Pakhangba – Air and Fire (Review)

Serpents of Pakhangba - Air and FireThis is the second album from Indian avant-garde metal band Serpents of Pakhangba.

Air and Fire is an ambitious album, in more ways than one. Across 54 minutes you’ll find a wealth of creativity and ideas, all delivered with skilled performances and detailed songwriting. Serpents of Pakhangba are resolutely not your average band. Continue reading “Serpents of Pakhangba – Air and Fire (Review)”

Saor – Amidst the Ruins (Review)

Saor - Amidst the RuinsThis is the sixth album from UK one-man black metal band Saor.

After my 2022 introduction to Saor via the enjoyable Origins, I’ve since explored their back catalogue some more, and also seen them live and bought the t-shirt. This means I’ve been looking forward to Amidst the Ruins a great deal. Continue reading “Saor – Amidst the Ruins (Review)”

Wolvencrown – Celestial Lands (Review)

Wolvencrown - Celestial LandsWolvencrown are a black metal band from the UK and this is their second album.

After 2019’s very enjoyable Of Bark and Ash, Wolvencrown have now returned with the majestic Celestial Lands. Bigger, better, and more ambitious, the Wolvencrown of 2024 is a formidable force. Continue reading “Wolvencrown – Celestial Lands (Review)”

Saor/Cân Bardd – Rebellion, Manchester – 28/07/24 (Live Review)

Saor Cân Bardd Tour Poster - Rebellion, Manchester - 28 07 24 (Live Review)

I couldn’t miss an opportunity to see Saor again, especially on an event like this – the 10th anniversary of Aura. The entire lineup is good though, although getting to the venue tonight is not without incident, annoyingly. Continue reading “Saor/Cân Bardd – Rebellion, Manchester – 28/07/24 (Live Review)”

Belore – Eastern Tales (Review)

Belore - Eastern TalesBelore are a French black metal band and this is their third album.

Belore play atmospheric/folk black metal, and on Eastern Tales they offer up 43 minutes of music. The material seems to swell out of nothingness to build massive soundscapes that lift the listener up and out of the real world, into the realms of fantasy and history. Continue reading “Belore – Eastern Tales (Review)”

Aklash – Reincarnation (Review)

Aklash - ReincarnationThis is the fourth album from UK black metal band Aklash.

According to the promo blurb, Aklash “…cite Drudkh, Wolves in the Throne Room, and Judas Priest as key influences”, which sounds like an interesting enough mix to me to merit further investigation. That description doesn’t quite do Reincarnation justice though, as Aklash’s music is diverse and rich. Continue reading “Aklash – Reincarnation (Review)”