This 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)”
Sarcoptes 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)”
This is the second album from Polish one-man black metal band Moonthoth.
Uroczysko treats us to 50 minutes of underground black metal. It’s old-school and traditional at heart, yet rich, layered, and adventurous in scope. It has a keen atmospheric edge, is bolstered by powerful symphonic elements, and is not afraid to walk its own path. Continue reading “Moonthoth – Uroczysko (Review)”
Another year, another chance for metal to excel. So what has January brought us? Continue reading “Monthly Overview – the Best of January 2023”
This is the latest release from Austrian black metal band Carathis.
Carathis is essentially a solo act that is augmented by a drummer. This is an interesting release in that it consists of two EPs. The Amethyst Fortress, (the first five tracks), came out in 2021, and The Moonstone Temple, (the final four tracks), which is not officially released on digital until this compilation is on CD in February 2023. Continue reading “Carathis – Amethyst & Moonstone (Review)”
Lumen 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)”
This 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)”
This is the debut album from US black metal band Skythala.
Boreal Dispair offers discerning listeners 57 minutes of avant-garde black metal, which is a really simplistic way of describing a work that’s the complete opposite of simple. Continue reading “Skythala – Boreal Despair (Review)”
This is the latest EP from Worm, a blackened death/doom band from the US.
Worm return! After the monstrous slab of blackened doom malevolence that was 2021’s Foreverglade, Worm are back with 27 minutes of foul new material. Continue reading “Worm – Bluenothing (Review)”
This is the fourth album from US blackened deathcore band Lorna Shore.
Pain Remains offers a well-crafted 61 minutes of modern professional deathcore. Ambitious in scope, but superlative in execution, Pain Remains is epic, brutal, and atmospheric, probably about in equal measure. Continue reading “Lorna Shore – Pain Remains (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 