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)”

Ruadh – 1296 (Review)

Ruadh - 1296This 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)”

Stormkeep/Winterfylleth/Saor/Ninkharsag/Arð/Nemorous/Cairns – Rebellion, Manchester – 05/08/23 (Live Review)

Stormkeep - Live Manchester RebellionIt’s a sold out show today at Manchester’s Rebellion, a venue I always like coming to. There’s a good atmosphere, and loads of quality bands to be had. What more could you want? Spoiler alert: today was an excellent day. Continue reading “Stormkeep/Winterfylleth/Saor/Ninkharsag/Arð/Nemorous/Cairns – Rebellion, Manchester – 05/08/23 (Live Review)”

Saor – Origins (Review)

Saor - OriginsThis is the fifth album from UK one-man black metal band Saor.

Brought to us by the artist behind Fuath, (and also an ex-member of Falloch), Saor’s music is well-regarded, although this is my first encounter with it. My loss, it seems, as Origins offers up a very compelling 41 minutes of atmospheric black metal. Continue reading “Saor – Origins (Review)”