Wiegedood – Wonderbox Metal

Damnation Festival 2025 – BEC Arena, Manchester – 08/11/25-09/11/25 (Live Review)

Another year, another Damnation Festival. Has it really been 20 years? I went to the very first one waaaaay back in 2005, and a love affair was born. It has been great to watch it become one of the world’s best festivals. Kudos to the organisers for their continued passion and ability.

This edition is therefore the festival’s twentieth year and sees Damnation bigger and arguably better than ever before. It’s across two days now, and the lineup is strong in both depth and breadth. From veteran classics to newborn sensations, the festival has it all. Continue reading “Damnation Festival 2025 – BEC Arena, Manchester – 08/11/25-09/11/25 (Live Review)”

Hæresis – Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum (Review)

This is the debut album by German post-black metallers Hæresis.

Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum contains four tracks, with a duration of 41 minutes in total. Hæresis offer up a feast of foreboding hostility, and will ably reward anyone into acts such as Akhlys, Black Birch, Der Weg Einer Freiheit, Terzij de Horde, This Gift Is a Curse, Ultha, and Wiegedood. Continue reading “Hæresis – Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum (Review)”

Terzij de Horde – Our Breath Is Not Ours Alone (Review)

Terzij de Horde are a black metal band from the Netherlands and this is their third album.

Whether it’s 2015’s Self or 2022’s In One of These, I Am Your Enemy, Terzij de Horde being the intensity. Now they’re back, sooner than expected, with the 43-minute Our Breath Is Not Ours Alone, and it absolutely rages. Continue reading “Terzij de Horde – Our Breath Is Not Ours Alone (Review)”

Sterveling – Sterveling (Review)

This is the debut album from solo Dutch black metal band Sterveling.

Brought to us by an ex-member of Wesenwille, Sterveling brings us three sprawling songs across 43 minutes. Despite being a solo act, there are three others involved in the album who provide vocals, synths and additional vocals. Continue reading “Sterveling – Sterveling (Review)”

Der Weg Einer Freiheit – Innern (Review)

This is the sixth album from German black metal band Der Weg Einer Freiheit.

Innern is the greatly anticipated follow up to 2017’s Finisterre and 2021’s Noktvrn, the latter placing prominently on my 2021 end of year list, (which in retrospect Finisterre should also have done in 2017). It’s safe to say that I’ve been excitedly looking forward to this new record, especially after seeing the band at last year’s Fortress Festival. Continue reading “Der Weg Einer Freiheit – Innern (Review)”

Blood Abscission – I I (Review)

This is the second album from black metal band Blood Abscission.

I I contains 41 minutes of black metal that’s melodic and atmospheric. However, this is such a simple description for something so exceptional. Blood Abscission have created a record that’s destined to stay with me for some time. Holy crap this is good. Continue reading “Blood Abscission – I I (Review)”

Wrath of Logarius – Crown of Mortis (Review)

This is the debut album from US black metallers Wrath of Logarius.

Crown of Mortis contains 37 minutes of modern black metal, incorporating elements of death metal to make a highly compelling whole. Continue reading “Wrath of Logarius – Crown of Mortis (Review)”

Cross Bringer – Healismus Aeternus (Review)

Cross Bringer are a black metal band from Russia and this is their second album.

Brought to us by the singer of Predatory Void and the drummer of Downfall of Gaia, Healismus Aeternus contains 27 minutes of scathing modern black metal. Taking influences from post-black metal, blackened hardcore, and crust, and building them into a whirlwind of intricate ferocity, Healismus Aeternus is a rewarding album that should find favour with fans of bands such as Black Birch, Celeste, Hexis, Rorcal, Still, The Sun’s Journey Through the Night, and Wiegedood. Continue reading “Cross Bringer – Healismus Aeternus (Review)”

Marduk – Memento Mori (Review)

Marduk are a Swedish black metal band and this is their fifteenth album.

Memento Mori contains 42 minutes of passionately crafted blackened intensity. It’s like bottled chaos and frenzied mayhem, with moments of dark storms and nightmare worldbuilding. Yep, Marduk are back. Continue reading “Marduk – Memento Mori (Review)”

Black Birch – Black Birch (Review)

This is the debut EP from Black Birch, a Swedish black metal band.

Containing 22 minutes of music, Black Birch is an atmospheric black metal release that showcases the very capable talents of this new black metal act in no uncertain terms. Continue reading “Black Birch – Black Birch (Review)”