Ninkharsag – The Black Swords of Winter (Review)

Ninkharsag - The Black Swords of WinterThis is the latest EP from UK black metallers Ninkharsag.

This has been a long time coming. In a similar way to the recent Abduction album Existentialismus, I saw Ninkharsag play songs from this release live back in February 2024, but it’s only now seeing the light of day. Has it been worth the wait to hear Ninkharsag’s brand of melodic black metal once more? Continue reading “Ninkharsag – The Black Swords of Winter (Review)”

1349 – The Wolf and the King (Review)

1349 - The Wolf and the KingThis is the eighth album from Norwegian black metallers 1349.

1349 boast current/ex-members of Gorgoroth, Keep of Kalessin, Mortem, and Satyricon in their ranks, and they provide us with 39 minutes of Norwegian black metal in the form of The Wolf and the King. Continue reading “1349 – The Wolf and the King (Review)”

Wraithfyre – Of Fell Peaks and Haunted Chasms (Review)

Wraithfyre - Of Fell Peaks and Haunted ChasmsThis is the debut album from Wraithfyre, a UK solo black metal band.

On Of Fell Peaks and Haunted Chasms the artist behind Wraithfyre delivers 37 minutes of old-school symphonic black metal. It’s good stuff, and has clearly been created by somebody that knows the style well. Continue reading “Wraithfyre – Of Fell Peaks and Haunted Chasms (Review)”

Kvaen – The Formless Fires (Review)

Kvaen - The Formless FiresThis is the third album from Swedish black metal solo act Kvaen.

The name Kvaen hit the black metal underground hard with 2020’s The Funeral Pyre, and then followed this up in 2022 with The Great Below, which showed that the quality of the debut was no fluke. Another two years have passed, and now we have The Formless Fires. Do the 39 minutes of new music here still demonstrate a continuation of these quality levels? Continue reading “Kvaen – The Formless Fires (Review)”

Corpus Diavolis – Elixiria Ekstasis (Review)

Corpus Diavolis - Elixiria EkstasisThis is the fifth album from Corpus Diavolis, a French black metal band.

I enjoyed 2017’s Atra Lumen and 2021’s Apocatastase, (which I honestly thought I had reviewed), so when the promo for Elixiria Ekstasis appeared I wanted very much to be able to get to it. Alas, it was not to be, as sadly there just isn’t enough time in the world. However, as I like Corpus Diavolis I eventually made the mistake of listening to it – a mistake, only because it’s damn good and I knew I had to write about it – which is why, despite this coming out in March, you’re reading this now. Continue reading “Corpus Diavolis – Elixiria Ekstasis (Review)”

Serpents Oath – Revelation (Review)

Serpents Oath - RevelationSerpents Oath are a black metal band from Belgium and this is their third album.

Following quickly on from last year’s AscensionRevelation contains 47 minutes of new material for lovers of the classic blackened style. Continue reading “Serpents Oath – Revelation (Review)”

Trivax – Eloah Burns Out (Review)

Trivax - Eloah Burns OutTrivax are an Iranian/UK black metal band and this is their second album.

Following on from 2016’s SIN, Trivax return with 49 minutes of new material in the dark shape of Eloah Burns Out. This new album offers a more refined, well-developed vision of extreme metal, and is definitely a record you should check out if you’re a fan of black/death metal. Continue reading “Trivax – Eloah Burns Out (Review)”

Servant – Aetas Ascensus (Review)

Servant - Aetas AscensusThis 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)”

Gravefields – Tetragrammaton (Review)

Gravefields - TetragrammatonGravefields are an international death metal band and this is their third album, (second with this name).

I really enjoyed 2019’s Embrace the Void, so was pleased to see Tetragrammaton appear. Containing 49 minutes of new extreme metal material, this is a record that many a fan of death/black metal would do well to pay attention to. Continue reading “Gravefields – Tetragrammaton (Review)”

Necrofier – Burning Shadows in the Southern Night (Review)

Necrofier - Burning Shadows in the Southern NightThis is the second album from US black metallers Necrofier.

Following on from 2021’s Prophecies of Eternal Darkness, Burning Shadows in the Southern Night contains 47 minutes of melodic black metal with a classic heavy metal influence. Continue reading “Necrofier – Burning Shadows in the Southern Night (Review)”