Obscurae are a black metal band from the US and this is their second album.
The style here is atmospheric black metal, with influence taken from the classic second wave era and enriched with traditional synth effects. Continue reading “Obscurae – To Walk the Path of Sorrows (Review)”
This is the debut album from Varde, a Norwegian black metal band.
Fedraminne contains 59 minutes of black metal that mixes folk influences into an atmospheric journey. Continue reading “Varde – Fedraminne (Review)”
This is the second album from Greek black metallers Isolert.
Isolert specialise in Scandinavian-style second wave black metal, and I like the way they play it. Thus far, 2015’s Isolated Soul, 2016’s No Hope, No Light…Only Death, and 2017’s Towards the Great Dissolution, (a split with Insanity Cult), all satisfied, and now the band are back Continue reading “Isolert – World in Ruins (Review)”
This is the fourth album from Soulburn, a black metal band from the Netherlands.
Following up from 2016’s Earthless Pagan Spirit, (via an EP I hadn’t heard, but is actually included here as bonus tracks), Noa’s D’ark is 47 minutes of music with snarling attitude and infectious guitars. Continue reading “Soulburn – Noa’s D’ark (Review)”
Antzaat are a Belgian black metal band and this is their debut album.
I derived a lot of enjoyment from 2017’s The Black Hand of the Father, which was a solid slice of second wave malice. We now turn to For You Men Who Gaze into the Sun, with its 45 minutes of distorted darkness. Continue reading “Antzaat – For You Men Who Gaze into the Sun (Review)”
Auðn are an Icelandic black metal band and this is their third album.
Auðn play atmospheric black metal, and I like what I hear here very much. Theirs is a form of music that’s rooted in classical atmospheric blackness, but is not limited to the second wave by any means. This is a very contemporary release, despite its Continue reading “Auðn – Vökudraumsins Fangi (Review)”
This is the second EP from Italian atmospheric black metal band Ashlands.
Here we have an 18-minute EP featuring two intro/interlude-style tracks and two more standard songs. Continue reading “Ashlands – Ashlands II (Review)”
This is the third album from UK black metal band The Infernal Sea.
After 2015’s The Great Mortality, I’ve been really looking forward to this one. On Negotium Crucis The Internal Sea offer up a compelling cocktail of classic second wave black metal, with a few added ingredients to spice it up. This is a rawer album than its predecessor, Continue reading “The Infernal Sea – Negotium Crucis (Review)”
This is the debut album from French black metallers Sunnudagr.
Le Silence features 36 minutes of Scandinavian-influenced black metal. It’s capably forged from a second wave base and then enhanced with a contemporary edge. Continue reading “Sunnudagr – Le Silence (Review)”
Ancient Gate are an Argentinian black metal band and this is their second album.
Now here’s an album that really reminds me of the 90s. Yep, this is raw, underground, second wave worship through-and-through, and if you’re a fan of the style that’s no bad thing. Continue reading “Ancient Gate – Empire Beyond Dusk (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 