Lamp of Murmuur – Saturnian Bloodstorm (Review)

Lamp of Murmuur - Saturnian BloodstormThis is the third album from US one-man black metal band Lamp of Murmuur.

Saturnian Bloodstorm is a 40-minute blast of frozen winds. Lamp of Murmuur is a name that has made a strong mark here, and Saturnian Bloodstorm is a infectiously enjoyable slice of black metal. Continue reading “Lamp of Murmuur – Saturnian Bloodstorm (Review)”

Xalpen – The Curse of Kw​á​nyep (Review)

Xalpen - The Curse of Kw​á​nyepXalpen are a black metal band from Chile and this is their second album.

Xalpen play old-school black metal and The Curse of Kw​á​nyep gives us 49 minutes, (53 minutes with the bonus track), of infernal darkness. Continue reading “Xalpen – The Curse of Kw​á​nyep (Review)”

Verminous Serpent – The Malign Covenant (Review)

Verminous Serpent - The Malign CovenantVerminous Serpent are a black metal band from Ireland and this is their debut album.

Featuring members of Primordial, Dread Sovereign, Slidhr, and Malthusian, Verminous Serpent supply us with 40 minutes of malevolent black metal on The Malign Covenant. Continue reading “Verminous Serpent – The Malign Covenant (Review)”

Afsky – Om Hundrede År (Review)

Afsky - Om Hundrede ÅrThis is the third album from Danish one-man black metal band Afsky.

Following on from 2018’s Sorg, 2020’s Ofte Jeg Drømmer Mig Død, and 2022’s I Stilhed, Om Hundrede År contains 43 minutes of new material and is eagerly anticipated by many fans of atmospheric black metal. Continue reading “Afsky – Om Hundrede År (Review)”

Kold – Intet Mere Er (Review)

Kold - Intet Mere ErKold are a black metal band from Denmark and this is their debut album.

Following on from 2021’s KoldIntet Mere Er is a 44-minute black metal journey of frozen landscapes and sorrowful climes. Continue reading “Kold – Intet Mere Er (Review)”

Sarcoptes – Prayers to Oblivion (Review)

Sarcoptes - Prayers to OblivionSarcoptes are a US black metal band and this is their second album.

It has been a long time since 2016’s Songs and Dances of Death, but the second Sarcoptes album is finally here. And what do we have? Something pretty damn tasty. Prayers to Oblivion is the sound of Sarcoptes taking their material to the next level in every regard; songwriting, recording, and performances, have all improved. Continue reading “Sarcoptes – Prayers to Oblivion (Review)”

Lumen ad Mortem – Upon the Edge of Darkness (Review)

Lumen ad Mortem - Upon the Edge of DarknessLumen ad Mortem are a black metal band from Australia and this is their debut album.

Upon the Edge of Darkness is a 42-minute second wave symphonic black metal journey, played with grim determination and blackened intensity. This is an interesting release. Lumen ad Mortem’s style is influenced by the 90s black metal era, especially the symphonic side. However, taken by itself that statement is misleading. Continue reading “Lumen ad Mortem – Upon the Edge of Darkness (Review)”

…And Oceans – As in Gardens, so in Tombs (Review)

...And Oceans - As in Gardens, so in TombsThis is the sixth album from Finnish black metallers …And Oceans.

…And Oceans play symphonic black metal, and As in Gardens, so in Tombs provides us with 50 minutes of sharp, professional music, (58 minutes with the bonus tracks). It’s redolent with second wave symphonic splendour, and this is an album that really exemplifies the style. Are you ready for a slice of pure black metal mastery? Continue reading “…And Oceans – As in Gardens, so in Tombs (Review)”

Vahrzaw – In the Shallows of a Starlit Lake (Review)

Vahrzaw - In the Shallows of a Starlit LakeVahrzaw are an Australian black metal band and this is their fifth album.

Having enjoyed 2014’s Twin Suns & Wolves’ Tongues, 2018’s Husk, and 2021’s The Trembling Voices of Conquered Men, I was always going to have to check out the new Vahrzaw album. Continue reading “Vahrzaw – In the Shallows of a Starlit Lake (Review)”

Glyph – The Time of Peril (Review)

Glyph - The Time of PerilThis is the second album from Glyph, a one-man black metal band from the US.

We turn now to solo act Glyph for a 37-minute trip into a black metal underworld that’s a work of individuality and obvious passion. There’s a special sort of mysterious, esoteric magic that surrounds The Time of Peril, one that’s quite intoxicating to delve into. Continue reading “Glyph – The Time of Peril (Review)”