Progressive Black Metal

Seance Of – The Colour of Magick Review

By Carcharodon on June 27, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, 26 comments

“On more than a couple of occasions, I’ve mused on decisions made by artists that one might label … pretentious. My musings have not, of course, led to anything useful but why should that stop me? Perth, Australia’s curiously-named, one-man project Seance Of is ready to unleash The Colour of Magick. The last – chronologically speaking – of three records written by mainman AR (also of Grave Worship), this is the project’s debut, with the other two to follow at some unspecified future time. Magnanimously, Seance Of has also decided not to name any of the tracks on this record, instead encouraging “listeners to create their own titles for each of these eight tracks: indeed, this unorthodox freedom is his intent.” Having initially written this off as a pretentious gimmick, it took the ever-wise GardensTale to point out that I was missing a trick here.” Boaty McBoatface metal.

Lord Almighty – Wither Review

By Kenstrosity on October 15, 2020 in Reviews, Black Metal, 40 comments

“Lord Almighty, that’s some pretty artwork. An animal skull, painted with myriad pastel colors, conveys that sense of decay which defines so much of the metal art world. Meanwhile, a rich palette of greens and blues strengthens the impression that this skeletal creature’s surroundings teem with life. Plus, emblazoned atop the stripped-down scenery oversees this Lord’s unholy crest, gnarled and subtly overgrown while simultaneously resembling a fortress, the moon presiding over its kingdom. Needless to say, I was thrumming with excitement to get my hands all over this. Imagine my glee when the Bostonians’ sophomore record Wither—an apt name to go with the cover—didn’t totally suck.” Wither systems.

Amiensus – Abreaction Review

By Emya on October 2, 2020 in Reviews, 28 comments

“It beats me how the grief-stricken yet gorgeous and woodsy, black metal of Minnesota’s Amiensus flew under the radar of my hawk-like colleagues here at AMG up until now. After my first few listens of the ten year old band’s newest material, however, I couldn’t help myself from feeling taken aback and even pouting a little. Where are the beautiful, aching cleans and shimmering synths of 2013’s Restoration and 2015’s Ascension, I wondered? Amiensus’s first two albums, arguably more accessible than their latest, were especially formative for me. They pulled me into the metal genre deeper than any other metal albums I had listened to before, more so even than Panopticon’s Autumn Eternal.” Gourd songs.

Creature – Ex Cathedra Review

By Cherd on June 25, 2020 in Reviews, Black Metal, 60 comments

“A mere six months ago I wrote a TYMHM piece on the second Creature album Contes Funèbres, noting that while that album had a black metal base and clear elements of 70s prog, it also contained an anachronistic theatricality, like a corpse-painted staging of Les Misérables. If Contes Funèbres was broadway, Ex Cathedra is opera.” Shock me, Amadeus.

Malist – To Mantle the Rising Sun Review

By Master of Muppets on April 28, 2020 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 70 comments

“The difference between what one might expect from something labeled as atmospheric black metal versus what to expect from Malist was something I stressed when reviewing their debut, In the Catacombs of Time, and I really can’t stress it enough this time around.” AtmoMantle.

Creature – Contes Funèbres [Things You Might Have Missed 2019]

By Cherd on January 5, 2020 in Avante Garde, Black Metal, French Metal, Progressive Metal, Self-released, Things You Might Have Missed, Things You Might Have Missed 2019, Black Metal, Progressive Metal, 35 comments

On Contes Funèbres, Fournier’s second as Creature, there are sounds and styles that can be found in our world, but they’ve been arranged by a mind that surely originates elsewhere. Yes, this is black metal at a foundational level, but there is so much synth prog, electronic trickery, odd vocals and anachronistic choral arrangements that calling it any one thing is pointless.” Creature features.

Obsequiae – The Palms of Sorrowed Kings Review

By Saunders on November 21, 2019 in 20 Buck Spin, 2019, American Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 66 comments

“Back in 2015 I was taken off guard and enchanted by the superb sophomore album from Obsequiae, entitled Aria of Vernal Tombs, which marked a strong improvement over their impressive debut. Despite operating a bit outside my regular wheelhouse, the album’s raw blend of folky and medieval melodic black metal struck a chord that left me gobsmacked, gushing over the album’s elegant melodies, accomplished song-writing and earthy tones. Well finally the band have awoken from their slumber, returning to the ye olden days with another taut yet epic collection of melodic black metal tunes on their long awaited third album, The Palms of Sorrowed Kings.” Royal tidings.

IATT – Nomenclature Review

By Eldritch Elitist on October 10, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Black Lion Records, Black Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, 23 comments

“IATT—FKA I Am the Trireme, the one-time recipients of an AMG 1.0—is a band I hoped would capitalize on my renewed craving for a smarter kind of blackened death metal. Much of Nomenclature certainly qualifies as prog—and as such, scratches that particular itch—but like the best music in the style, it is great music first, progressive music second. Through theatrical songwriting and melodic grandeur, IATT has assured that their second record is a deeply captivating experience.” You can call this a comeback.

Angry Metal Primer – Borknagar and Cult of Luna

By Dr. Wvrm on September 15, 2019 in 2019, Angry Metal Playlist, Angry Metal Primer, Black Metal, Century Media, Metal Blade, Norwegian Metal, Post-metal, Swedish Metal, Post-Metal, 74 comments

“In which we waste your time always searching for those blunder years.”

Gaerea – Unsettling Whispers Review

By Master of Muppets on June 29, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Portuguese Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Sludge Metal, Transcending Obscurity, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Sludge Metal, 284 comments

“A black metal Transcending Obscurity release with monochrome artwork: who could have ever foreseen this one falling into my velvety grasp? Portugal’s Gaerea certainly put their Muppet-est foot forward when casting Unsettling Whispers into the Angry Metal Promo Sump, and yet I was wary. Black metal is the best metal, ov course, but it’s also everywhere and lately sounding too similar to itself. Sure, a few vague details got my attention, but I’m a poseur and all the Muppet love in the world can’t make an album innovative or objectively meritorious; did I perhaps build my hopes too high only to find yet another band trying to be either Ulcerate or Agalloch?” Black metal art.