Doom_et_Al

Atavistia – Cosmic Warfare Review

By Doom_et_Al on May 6, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, 32 comments

“It’s no secret that I was a little harsh on Canadian black metal outfit, Atavistia’s last album, 2020’s The Winter Way. Call it COVID-19 induced burn-out, call it black-metal fatigue, or simply call it being right, but that album grated this reviewer’s proverbial carrot. Far too long, bloated like a corpse in the sun, with a focus on sheer epic-ness at the expense of all else, I dropped the hammer on it and moved on. But a swell of opposition arose declaring that I had been too hasty; that I should take it back for one last dance. So when the follow-up, Cosmic Warfare, arrived, I changed our status from “Splitsville, Population: Atavistia” to “It’s Complicated,” and dived in. Was I being too kind or have these canucks found the key to my withered heart?” Dating in the darkness.

Liturgy – 93696 Review

By Doom_et_Al on March 29, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, 75 comments

“93696 is, apparently, the numerological representation of heaven. It is also the numerological representation of Liturgy with the dial turned to 11. If you aren’t familiar, explaining Liturgy is a challenge. It’s black metal meets avant-garde sparkliness meets weird trills meets progressive djentiness meets dissonant noisiness, all of which thunders uneasily around your brain.” Math and insanity.

Häxanu – Totenpass Review

By Doom_et_Al on February 9, 2023 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 31 comments

“In 2020, a very well-regarded black metal album generated some waves that… completely passed me by. That album was Snare of All Salvation by American black metallers Häxanu. For a debut, it was praised for its stargazing atmosphere melded with violent hysteria. The combination of multi-intrumentalist A.P. and vocalist L.C. appeared to have hit upon a winning formula which meant that a generous amount of buzz greeted the announcement of the follow-up, Totenpass. With influences and collaborations running the spectrum of black metal, and a cool early single, I was intrigued. Was a new USBM voice upon us?” Hype and tripe.

Lumen Ad Mortem – Upon the Edge of Darkness Review

By Doom_et_Al on January 27, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, 42 comments

“Australian black metal is strong, and hoping to add their names to the list of Strayan luminaries is Lumen Ad Mortem (The Dying Light). Formed in 2019, Upon the Edge of Darkness is their debut, and promises grim melodies from the “floor of the Australian forest.” The question of whether Australia has forests or not crossed my mind, but over-analysis is rarely a good idea with metal.” Under the Down Under moon.

Ropes inside a Hole – A Man and His Nature

By Doom_et_Al on January 16, 2023 in Reviews, 14 comments

“Let’s address the elephant in the room. Ropes inside a Hole is a weird name. The sexual connotations are impossible to escape (Just how many ropes fit inside this particular hole? for example). But the band appears to be playing things seriously, calling A Man and His Nature a meditation on (yawn) quarantine and the pandemic.” Knot your dad’s metal.

Zeal & Ardor – Zeal & Ardor [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]

By Doom_et_Al on December 21, 2022 in Things You Might Have Missed 2022, Black Metal, 44 comments

“Zeal & Ardor have always been a band of “buts” (with only one “t”!): individual songs have been great but previous albums haven’t quite coalesced into a consistent whole. The live show is fantastic but the energy is lost in the recording studio (compare the scintillating live performance of “Baphomet”—with its classic “Right hand up! Left hand down!” chorus—to the tame studio version). Their schtick of combining slave gospel with black metal is great but it’s also limited in its options and will become overdone soon. Which meant a great deal rode on their third album, Zeal & Ardor. Was the band going to fulfill its promise, or remain an interesting, if flawed, mishmash? A “but” band, if you will?” But rock.

Blackbraid – Blackbraid I [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]

By Doom_et_Al on December 10, 2022 in Things You Might Have Missed 2022, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 57 comments

“The story of Blackbraid I is a tale as old as the mountains. Unknown artist bursts onto a scene that is crying out for something new and original. Artist brings fresh perspective and everyone gets excited. This is the next big thing. Hype builds with promising singles. Debut album is released. Initial reaction from fans is rapturous. But some new listeners feel let down; the promise has not materialized. Since nuance is dead, camps double down: this is either AotY or boilerplate black music that’s been massively overhyped. Sound familiar? This is the trajectory Blackbraid’s debut album, Blackbraid I, took earlier this year when it was released.” Hype meets reality.

Nazghor – Seventh Secular Crusade Review

By Doom_et_Al on November 28, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, 42 comments

“Nazghor play old school black metal with the melody turned way up. Think classic Dissection mixed with the hyperactivity of Sacramentum. Since 2016’s Death’s Withered Chants, Nazghor have followed an ever-more melodic road without sacrificing their trve brand of old school satanism. Seventh Secular Crusade walks the path ever deeper without sounding like it has abandoned its black metal roots.” Satan Claws is coming to town.

Spider God – Fly in the Trap Review

By Doom_et_Al on November 16, 2022 in Reviews, 35 comments

“In January, The Sponge nearly broke this goddamn site with his review of Spider God’s album-of-covers, Black Renditions. Now that the dust has settled, two truths have emerged: First, Ken was completely sincere in his love for that album, and his great review perfectly mirrored those feelings. And second, I completely disagree with him. Don’t get me wrong: I don’t hate Black Renditions. I just thought (and still think) that an album of other people’s material should never score that highly. Now Spider God is back with their debut collection of fully original material in the form of Fly in the Trap. Is the site about to be broken again?” Spider holes and site trolls.

Black Anvil – Regenesis Review

By Doom_et_Al on November 15, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, 32 comments

“In his review of Black Anvil’s 2017 album, As Was, Mark Z. noted that despite possessing a rock-solid discography, the band was a perpetual “almost there” of the USBM scene. In the 5 years since then, not much has changed. The band has remained mostly underground, but a recent shift in record label to Season of Mist, and a coveted spot on the Cannibal Corpse North American tour, has suggested a shift towards widespread recognition. Are the perpetual bridesmaids of American BM about to have their own wedding?” Black wedding.