Carcharodon

King of the North(ish).

Ihsahn – Ihsahn (Studio version) Review

By Carcharodon on February 14, 2024 in Reviews, Black Metal, Classical, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Metal, 117 comments

“Introductions to Emperor’s creative mastermind Ihsahn, as he drops his eighth (and ninth) solo LPs, seem unnecessary. However, a small note is needed for this review because there are two, entirely separate but inextricably related, versions of Ihsahn and I am reviewing only one of them. Ihsahn’s solo work has always involved a significant symphonic component, as did his writing for Emperor albeit to a lesser degree, but he has gone all-out orchestral for his selt-titled offering.” Symphonies of the night.

Hulder – Verses in Oath Review

By Carcharodon on February 8, 2024 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Folk, Symphonic Metal, 103 comments

“Originally from Belgium but now firmly ensconced in the Pacific Northwest of the US, one-woman black metal project Hulder caused some ripples with debut LP, Godslastering: Hymns of a Forlorn Peasantry, in 2021. Steeped in dark medieval themes and even darker folklore, it channeled both an almost second wave black metal harshness and a folk edge to create a unique sound. Although a little rough around the edges, it promised much for the future.” The future is NOW!

Necrowretch – Swords of Dajjal Review

By Carcharodon on February 1, 2024 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 82 comments

“It’s almost four years since I reviewed French blackened death outfit Necrowretch’s fourth record, The Ones from Hell, a record I enjoyed quite a bit. Harsh, claustrophobic death metal with a nasty blackened edge, it was almost sludgy in its sound at times. I had a few minor quibbles about the songwriting and pacing of the record, and a bigger gripe with the production, but it remained a very good record. The band regrouped and began working on the follow-up, Swords of Dajjal, which was three years in the making. Having swept up a new drummer and bassist along the way, was it time well spent?” Burning swords of religion and rage.

Olhava – Sacrifice Review

By Carcharodon on January 29, 2024 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Shoegaze, 32 comments

“Less black metal than Trna, and more evocative synths a la Unreqvited, there is no rushing Olhava. Shimmering soundscapes are what they do, albeit that, where Unreqvited has (at least since 2018’s Mosaic I: L’Amour et L’Ardeur) hints of light and promise in the sound, Olhava is all shades of loss and a sense of hopeless grey.” 50 shades of sadboi.

Boundless Chaos – Sinister Upheaval Review

By Carcharodon on January 16, 2024 in Reviews, Death Metal, Thrash Metal, 51 comments

“The German town of Reichenbach im Vogtland in Saxony is, in all likelihood, not the first place one would look for a metal band. However, the relatively small and generally unremarkable town is home to Boundless Chaos. Four of whose five members previously comprised The True Hellfyre Warmachine, which managed one 2016 EP before (probably advisedly) changing its name the following year. Having acquired a fifth member, vocalist E.M., somewhere along the way, Boundless Chaos self-released an EP and a couple of splits between 2020 and 2023, which did enough to secure the band a deal with Germany’s Dying Victim Productions. Boundless Chaos have arrived?” Chaos is a map.

Domination Campaign – A Storm of Steel Review

By Carcharodon on January 11, 2024 in Reviews, Death Metal, 37 comments

“When it comes to war as inspiration in metal there are, broadly speaking, two approaches. There is the Sabaton school, which applies a sort of glossy sheen to its subject matter, making war an almost glorious pursuit. The second might be referred to as the Kanonenfieber college, at which the likes of 1914 are also students, which draws on, and seeks to convey, the true horrors of war. Tasmanian duo Domination Campaign are applying to the latter institution, with their second studio album A Storm of Steel.” War support.

Carcharodon’s and Cherd’s Top Ten(ish) of 2023

By Carcharodon on December 29, 2023 in Blog Posts, Lists, 119 comments

Carcharodon and Cherd join the Listurnalia cavalcade with exclusive lists and elitists opinions. Brace for impact.

Sworn – A Journey Told Through Fire [Things You Might Have Missed 2023]

By Carcharodon on December 18, 2023 in Things You Might Have Missed 2023, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 45 comments

“Hailing from Bergen, Norway,Sworn have been toiling away in relative anonymity since 2005. Two early, and frankly unremarkable, records were followed by a nine-year gap before the release of 2018’s very good, Dark Stars and Eternity. Melodic black metal with a ton of atmosphere, and sounding more Finnish than Norwegian for much of its run, the album was only really hampered by a slightly questionable mix. There is no question, however, that it represented a real step up in quality for the quartet when compared to their first two outings. Scroll forward to July this year and, still unsigned, Sworn dropped their fourth LP, A Journey Told through Fire.” The fire still burns.

Antrisch – EXPEDITION II: Die Passage [Things You Might Have Missed 2023]

By Carcharodon on December 13, 2023 in Things You Might Have Missed 2023, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 48 comments

“Back in April—practically a lifetime ago—I interviewed Noise of Kanonenfieber, Leiþa and Non Est Deus fame. Ever the professional, I shamelessly used it as an opportunity to fish for album recommendations for my own enjoyment. In my defense, I did at least deign to share some of them with you ungrateful swine. Unsurprisingly, all of Noise’s recommendations were solid but there was one that really got its frozen claws into me, Würzburg, Germany’s Antrisch and their second record, EXPEDITION II: Die Passage.” In cold blood.

Among the Rocks and Roots – Pariah Review

By Carcharodon on December 7, 2023 in Reviews, Drone, Noise, Post-Hardcore, 18 comments

“Among the Rocks and Roots explore semi-free form compositions, relying as heavily on hypnotic repetition as they do shifts in style and tempo. The concluding part of a trilogy that has explored the battle to conquer addiction, Pariah fairly seethes with an unstable anger.” Rage against the hunger.