The Circle are a German black metal band and this is their second album.
Of Awakening is a 33-minute black metal album of sorts that incorporates elements of doom, ambient, symphonic, and post-black metal. While black metal is the obvious tag for this, and it’s superficially the correct one, it doesn’t tell the whole story of Continue reading “The Circle – Of Awakening (Review)”
This is the third album from Starer, a one-man black metal band from the US.
It’s time for some new Starer once more! After making a splash with 2021’s stellar 18° Below the Horizon, and then following up with last year’s The What It Is to Be, the artist has returned to us once more. Wind, Breeze, or Breath contains 38 minutes of symphonic black metal, divided over seven movements, and it’s quite exceptionally good. Continue reading “Starer – Wind, Breeze, or Breath (Review)”
Urbain are a black metal band from the US and this is their debut album.
With a description of urban black metal, and a recommendation for fans of Emperor, White Ward, early Dimmu Borgir, and Cradle of Filth, I was intrigued to hear what Urbain had to offer. The fact that the band contain members of Ovnev and Wills Dissolve was further reason, if any were needed. Continue reading “Urbain – A Soul Purged (Review)”
This is the second album from German black metal band Servant.
Aetas Ascensus contains 48 minutes of black metal played in the old-school Scandinavian way. Competent in both the melodic and symphonic styles, Servant’s music is effortless to enjoy if you’re a fan of the cold blackened arts. Continue reading “Servant – Aetas Ascensus (Review)”
This is the fourth album from German deathcore band Mental Cruelty.
Following on from 2019’s Inferis and 2021’s huge A Hill to Die Upon, Mental Cruelty have now returned with the crushing Zwielicht. Boasting 49 minutes of new material, as well as a new singer, this material continues Mental Cruelty’s forward progression, marking another shift in style towards even more blackened waters than the band waded in on A Hill to Die Upon. Continue reading “Mental Cruelty – Zwielicht (Review)”
This is the debut album from solo Norwegian black metal band Fellmoon.
Fellmoon contains 41 minutes of atmospheric/symphonic black metal. Divided into four tracks that mirror the phases of the moon, Fellmoon is a blackened hymn to the lunar cycle. Continue reading “Fellmoon – Fellmoon (Review)”
Dratna is a solo black metal band from Northern Ireland and this is his second album.
I enjoyed 2020’s Druid Winds & the Fall of the Celtic Gods, but missed Dratna’s debut album, so Fomóraigh is the perfect opportunity for me to catch back up with the band. The 39 minutes of material on the album reveals a well-rounded and well-developed slice of atmospheric black metal. Continue reading “Dratna – Fomóraigh (Review)”
This is the debut album from one-man black metal band Hasard.
Malivore contains 45 minutes of dark, nightmarish black metal. It’s a dissonant, avant-garde style, infected with bleak atmosphere and classical symphonic influences. For a rough guide, think of bands such as Ævangelist, Abyssal, Akhlys, and Blut Aus Nord. Continue reading “Hasard – Malivore (Review)”
This is the tenth album from French one-man black metal band Esoctrilihum.
Astraal Constellations of the Majickal Zodiac is a monster of a release. It’s actually three albums in one, essentially, with a total of 130 minutes of material spread across all three. It’s always interesting and enjoyable to catch up with this artist’s work, (for example Continue reading “Esoctrilihum – Astraal Constellations of the Majickal Zodiac (Review)”
Leukotomy are a Vietnamese black metal band and this is their debut album.
Eternal Path to Eden delivers 51 minutes of black metal that has a second wave base which has been adorned with avant-garde enrichments. Continue reading “Leukotomy – Eternal Path to Eden (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 