Lorn are an Italian black metal band and this is their fourth album.
Following on from 2017’s Arrayed Claws, Lorn have now returned with the 41-minute Searing Blood. It’s not the same Lorn as previously encountered though. However, when you listen to Searing Blood, it’s hard to complain. This is a shockingly good record. Continue reading “Lorn – Searing Blood (Review)”
Aldheorte are a black metal band from the US and this is their second album.
The Wild Divine is a 37-minute dose of classic black metal darkness. Aldheorte play their material with icy aggression and despondent atmospheres. If you’re a fan of bands from the 90s era, then Continue reading “Aldheorte – The Wild Divine (Review)”
This is the fourth album from UK black metal band Sidious.
From 2014’s symphonic blackened death metal Revealed in Profane Splendour, to 2019’s reinvention as the raw black metal darkness of Temporal, and then 2022’s slice of contemporary blackened might Blackest Insurrection, Sidious always put out something I want to listen to. Each album so far has been better than the last too. Can Malefic Necropolis continue to follow this upward trend? Continue reading “Sidious – Malefic Necropolis (Review)”
This is the second album by Canadian black metal band Vespéral.
La Mort de l’Âme contains 41 minutes of black metal, brought to us in part by members of Conifère. I wasn’t consciously aware of Vespéral before they were announced to play the mighty Fortress Festival next year, although I’ve definitely seen their logo and album art before, somewhere, somehow. Continue reading “Vespéral – La Mort de l’Âme (Review)”
This is the eighth album from Australian black metal band Pestilential Shadows.
For such a long-running band this is my first encounter with Pestilential Shadows. Wretch caught my eye though, with its 48 minutes of material that satisfies my taste for all things old-school black metal. Continue reading “Pestilential Shadows – Wretch (Review)”
This is the third album from Finnish black metallers Sarastus.
Agony Eternal contains 42 minutes of material, and is brought to us by current/ex-members of Iron Harvest and Order of Nosferat. Sarastus unleash their classic black metal might in no uncertain terms across these nine songs. It’s Finnish melodic black metal, played with cold fury and a fiery heart. Continue reading “Sarastus – Agony Eternal (Review)”
This is the second album from US black metallers Azathoth’s Dream.
Solitary Forest Necromancy contains 36 minutes of 90s synth-heavy atmospheric black metal. If the classic, atmosphere-rich blackend style is to your taste, then this is for you. Me? I really like this. Continue reading “Azathoth’s Dream – Solitary Forest Necromancy (Review)”
This is the second album from Spanish black metal solo act Délirant.
Thoughteater contains 38 minutes of swirling dissonance, esoteric atmosphere, and dark aggression. With a promo blurb that references bands such as Blut Aus Nord, Akhlys, Deathspell Omega, Abigor, and Misþyrming, are you ready for the nightmare experience that the artist behind Délirant offers up? Continue reading “Délirant – Thoughteater (Review)”
Vafurlogi are a black metal band from Iceland and this is their debut album.
Í Vökulli Áþján contains 43 minutes of music and is brought to us by a current/ex-member of Sinmara and Svartidauði. Joined by a very capable drummer, (Beneath, Helfró, Ophidian I), Vafurlogi are a dark revelation that has long been threatening to spill over into reality, but now has. Continue reading “Vafurlogi – Í Vökulli Áþján (Review)”
This is a split between two US black metal bands, Lust Hag and Reaping Fields.
NEW LUST HAG! ALERT! ALERT! ALERT! I dunno what it is with Lust Hag, but I just can’t get enough. Actually, I know exactly what it is – it’s just absolutely killer black metal. This is a split though, and Reaping Fields, as we’ll see, are a revelation. Continue reading “Lust Hag/Reaping Fields – Prayers Unanswered – Split (Review)”
Wonderbox Metal 