Austrian Metal

Asphagor – Pyrogenesis Review

By Kenstrosity on March 13, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, 26 comments

“Fire seems to be a popular theme in the black metal pantheon. Whether it be a metaphorical representation of birth or rebirth, a literal representation of destruction, or just a simple reference to Hell, Satan, or Varg, fire is a lifelong staple. Thankfully, from such a primal element of our Earth and in our hearts springs a bottomless well of inspiration for these bands, and Austria’s Asphagor are no exception. With fourth LP Pyrogenesis, the epic black metal quintet burn with the passion of a thousand suns, and they want you to burn with them.” Burn after hearing.

Phal: Angst – Whiteout Review

By Thus Spoke on January 13, 2023 in Reviews, Post-Metal, 16 comments

“I am already a chronic daydreamer, but I can’t recall an album so powerfully inducing waking unconsciousness as Whiteout. This isn’t because it causes the listener to tune out. Rather, its immersiveness is so intense that they’ll find themselves dead to the world midway through the first track. This is the fifth full-length from the Viennese four-piece, with a slew of other musicians in tow, and it largely follows in their signature trajectory of post-metal meets dark ambient. However, perhaps more so than before, Phal: Angst emphasize the cinematic with long, subtly evolving pieces of deceptive simplicity.” Haze runner.

Obsidious – Iconic Review

By Kenstrosity on October 31, 2022 in Reviews, Death Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal, Technical Death Metal, 39 comments

“There’s been an incredible amount of hype roiling behind international supergroup Obsidious’s upcoming debut record Iconic. Having lived under a rock for the past two years, I missed literally all of that hype, only first becoming aware of Obsidious late this past summer. Nevertheless, once I heard all of the numerous advance singles, I was convinced that this would be my Album o’ the Year by the time I got to hear the whole thing. Technical death metal meets post-apocalyptic space opera meets musical theater? It’s quite possibly the most me thing to fall into my lap during my entire four-year tenure at AMG to date. Needless to say, I generated plenty of my own hype. The question remains, did Obsidious live up to it?” Hype and reality.

Ellende – Ellenbogengesellschaft Review

By Doom_et_Al on September 30, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Post-Metal, 37 comments

“If much of post-black metal maintains a chilly distance from its listeners, Ellende has always—for better or worse—worn its emotions on its sleeve. And these emotions are some of the most mournful in all of black metal. The problem in the past was that the execution was lacking, which dulled the impact. Shifts on previous albums were inelegant and clunky, sapping momentum; the interludes were intrusive; the fuzzy production obscured rather than highlighted. But with every new release, Ellende have been honing and improving their craft, and Ellenbogengesellschaft finds the band finally cracking the code.” Pearls before swine.

Belphegor – The Devils Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on July 27, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 55 comments

“As I approach the end of Belphegor’s catalog, I’m reminded of how consistent the band has been for the last 25 years. Even other AMG writers have given equal praise to the band’s material—regardless if it’s 1997’s classic Blutsabbath or 2011’s monstrous Blood Magick Necromance. As the band moved into this hard-hitting era, Belphegor’s output didn’t disappoint. You can attribute their success to familiarity and consistent deliverance of concussive riffage. But, after all these years of comfortability and expected outcome, something looms in the skies above Austria. Whatever’s in the air, Belphegor has partooken. And it isn’t what you expect.” The Devil has tricks.

In Slumber – While We Sleep Review

By Maddog on July 11, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 13 comments

“While We Sleep’s cover art is creepy but striking. Even in its edited monochromatic form, this 1890s painting piqued my interest. Looking at the shadowy whispering figure with billowing hair and the wide-eyed woman, shrouded in darkness but with her face glowing, I expected While We Sleep to sound evocative and mysterious. This was largely wrong. Austria’s In Slumber plays “direct melodic death metal” (their words, not mine), the least mysterious of genres.” Blue clues.

Venator – Echoes From the Gutter Review

By Holdeneye on March 2, 2022 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, NWOBHM, 67 comments

“Echoes From the Gutter finds Venator expanding upon the classic sound they established on the well-executed and well-received 2020 Paradiser EP, a sound that finds them worshipping with reverent fervor before the alter of the deities of early 80s British and American heavy metal. When I listen to these guys, I hear Defenders-era Judas Priest mixed with Jag Panzer, Angel Witch, and Omen; their songs are undeniably heavy and irresistibly catchy.” Hello from the metal gutter.

Ancient Mastery – Chapter One: Across the Mountains of the Drämmarskol [Things You Might Have Missed 2021]

By Doom_et_Al on December 14, 2021 in Things You Might Have Missed 2021, Black Metal, 24 comments

“You’re going to be bombarded by TYMHM vying for your attention in the coming days/weeks, so here’s the elevator pitch for Ancient Mastery’s debut, Chapter One: Across the Mountains of the Drämmarskol: one man black metal band meets dungeon synth, but synth straight from “The Final Countdown.” Throw in a story about journeys and wizards, and a cover ripped straight from Paysage d’Hiver, and the signs are about as promising as a great deal from Honest Hal’s Used Motors.” What do we need to do to put you in this album today?

Fearancy – Dæmonium Review

By Twelve on August 18, 2021 in Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, 10 comments

“With a couple of slight modifications, Dæmonium would make a solid power metal album, and, at first, I wondered if I was in for a thrashy-power-metal group masquerading as melodeath. The vocals, however, immediately dissuaded me from that notion, in the form of rasping shouts that care for neither heavy brutality or catchy adventure. Across the album, the vocal performance is the Thing That Is Not Like The Others, and while I have respect for the style – and don’t think it’s performed badly by any means – I definitely think that this album would feel like a heavy power metal act if not for them.” Melopowerdeath.

Harakiri for the Sky – Mære Review

By Dear Hollow on February 4, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Post-Metal, 44 comments

“If there’s ever been a band that reeks of potential, it’s Harakiri for the Sky. Standing separate from twinkly genre-mates with muscular songwriting and a refusal to stagnate, these Austrians have released album after album of incredibly strong post-black that always hinted at true greatness but never quite achieved it.” Mære, Mære, quite contrary.