Vreid

Highland – Loyal to the Nightsky Review

Highland – Loyal to the Nightsky Review

By Saunders on May 12, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Black Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Unsigned Bands, Black Metal, 19 comments

“Though I appreciate black metal and listen to my fair share of the genre, generally I’m more of a death metal guy, so I’m particularly selective when it comes to choosing artists to engage my black metal fix. When perusing the promo portal, for some reason the band name, album title and unsigned status of American/Armenian trio Highland was enough to pique my interest and curiosity. Plying their trade with a minimum of fuss, Highland channel Scandinavian second wave influences, spiked with shades of the livewire thrashing energy of Absu, riff-driven groove of Vreid, and seething wallop of Mantar, delivering an aggressive and dynamic album.” It’s over Anakin….

1476 – Our Season Draws Near Review

1476 – Our Season Draws Near Review

By Madam X on March 28, 2017 in 2017, Ambient Metal, American Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Prophecy Productions, Reviews, Rock, Ambient Metal, 37 comments

“Known for its short summers and long, drawn out winters, New England is not the worst starting point for a winter-themed album. Fueled by isolation and frigid temperatures, 1476 hail from the infamous Salem, Massachusetts and their specialty is a mixture of art and stripped-down dark, atmospheric rock.” We didn’t land on 1476’s rock, it landed on us!

Svarttjern – Dødsskrik Review

Svarttjern – Dødsskrik Review

By Madam X on May 9, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Soulseller Records, Black Metal, 8 comments

“I’m a sucker for HansFyrste’s ghastly vocal style, he could probably read from the phone directory and I’d be very okay with it. The bug in my ear took effect around Ragnarok’s Malediction and it only got worse when I discovered Svarttjern’s and later release Ultimatum Necrophilia. Thankfully it’s a solid 2-years beyond the release of Ultimatum, which means we get another shot of Svarttjern, decked out in all their bullet belt and corpse paint finery.” Phone directory grimness would be very kvlt.

Dodsferd – Wastes of Life Review

Dodsferd – Wastes of Life Review

By Madam X on December 7, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Greek Metal, Moribund Records, Reviews, Black Metal, 32 comments

“Wastes of Life hit me at my most unprepared. Billed as “unapologetically defiant and shockingly melodic” including a statement from Wrath to the effect of “My new album is one of my most soul-destroying albums. It was written under feelings of frustration and disgust.” my expectations were high.” You know, there just aren’t enough soul-destroying albums out there these days.

Vreid – Sólverv Review

Vreid – Sólverv Review

By Madam X on November 2, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Indie Recordings, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 25 comments

“Those who remember my review of Vreid’s rambling Welcome Farewell will remember that they arose from the tragic end of Windir. Vreid’s sound bears some similarities to Windir’s warring black metal roots, but it also goes beyond that. They’ve honed a black ‘n roll sound that’s loaded with repetitively catchy riffs and melodies that bludgeon in their familiarity and overuse.” Who’s up for some overused bludgeoning?