Melodic Black Metal

Uada – Cult of a Dying Sun Review

By El Cuervo on May 25, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Black Metal, Eisenwald Records, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 153 comments

“2016 saw the release of the debut album by Portland’s Uada, entitled Devoid of Light (DoL). It was a top-drawer album on first listen, secured second place in my top 10 records of that year, and remains one of strongest examples of melodic black metal from this decade. Its greatest assets were assuredly its immediacy and infectiousness despite the typically macabre subject matter and black metal tools. A sophomore release is now due called Cult of a Dying Sun (CoaDS) and it faces the burden of unreasonable expectations.” Why no king flashmob? Uada!

Vallendusk – Fortress of Primal Grace Review

By Eldritch Elitist on April 11, 2018 in 2018, Indonesian Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Northern Silence Productions, Reviews, Folk Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 85 comments

“I like to think that I’m one of the more omnivorous consumers of metal on the AMG staff, but sometimes while perusing the promo sump, I’m overcome with a strong urge to say “fuck it” and dump nothing but atmospheric black metal onto my upcoming review schedule. There are so many submissions to choose from in this style, and I’ve had such consistent luck in reviewing the genre, that I would probably be content with pigeonholing myself as the blog’s go-to atmo-black guy for an extended tenure. Of course, “atmospheric black metal” is an especially broad classification in today’s metal climate, and perhaps no other album I’ve encountered plays with the term as loosely as Vallendusk’s third LP, Fortress of Primal Grace.” Emo the masses.

North Hammer – Stormcaller Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on March 20, 2018 in 2018, Canadian Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Folk Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Power Metal, 65 comments

“‘Just so you know I’ll be milking this for a long time.’ These were the first words out of my girlfriend’s mouth after acting willingly (albeit with trepidation) as a last-minute road trip and concert companion to see Watain and Deströyer 666 after the flu struck down two friends who were originally supposed to go. I knew that sitting through myriad episodes of Dr. Phil or Real Housewives of [Pick a Place with Pretentious Snobs Galore] was my price to pay for seeing one of black metal’s most entertaining live acts rampage through the excellent ‘Nuclear Alchemy’ and other great songs, and that was fine. I knew what I signed up for, and honesty is always the best policy.” Our word is our bond, until we break it!

Harakiri for the Sky – Arson Review

By Mark Z. on February 13, 2018 in 2018, Art of Propaganda, Austrian Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 1 comment

“If there’s a more promising band out there than Harakiri for the Sky, I don’t know of them. Formed in 2011, this Austrian duo first came to my attention with 2014’s Aokigahara, whose crisp, riffy take on post-black metal was a welcome change from the Alcesty haziness overflowing the genre. My love affair continued with 2016’s III: Trauma, a terrific album that narrowly missed a spot on my year-end list with its lush, gorgeous melodies. Since then Harakiri’s gifted songwriting and unique style have built a rabid fanbase (including both myself and Master of Muppets), making Arson one of my most anticipated records of the year.” Ooooo… the suspense! So much filthy click-bait. I wonder how this is going to end…

Sicarius – Serenade of Slitting Throats Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on October 27, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Black Metal, M-Theory Audio, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 72 comments

“One of my top modern bands is Anaal Nathrakh, and seeing that instrumentalist Mick Kenney produced the debut of Californian black metal band Sicarius’, charmingly called Serenade of Slitting Throats, got me intrigued. When I started listening, that rush of excitement hit once again; now this is a band worth watching.” Benicio del Toro approved.

Xanthochroid – Of Erthe and Axen: Act II Review

By Saunders on October 22, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Symphonic Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Metal, 53 comments

“Nevertheless, the stronger moments from Act I are powerful examples of the band’s capabilities. So, here we go again with round two. Can Xanthochroid pull off this ambitious project with a worthier second act? Or is Of Erthe and Axen gearing for a spot on my ‘Biggest Disappointments o’ 2017′ list?” These double and triple albums, man.

Nazghor – Infernal Aphorism Review

By Dr. Wvrm on October 18, 2017 in 2017, Melodic Black Metal, Non Serviam Records, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 37 comments

“Though initially operating in a callous, misanthropic style, Nazghor embraced a full-blown melodic bent with 2016’s Death’s Withered Chants. This turn of events, coupled with increased attention to production standards, resulted in their strongest material to date. Infernal Aphorism is the logical next step in Nazghor’s evolution: an exploration of their newfound abilities and a test of their endurance.” Black metal marathon.

Horrified – Allure of the Fallen Review

By Dr. Wvrm on September 28, 2017 in 2017, British Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Shadow Kingdom Records, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 55 comments

“Horrified is in a bit of an odd place. Parallels to Philadelphia death outfit Horrendous are apt, with Horrified’s first two albums delivering exactly the slabs of modernized Swedeath you might expect. Though 2016’s magnificent Of Despair put the band on the map, Horrified mastermind Dan Alderson himself immediately touted their next album as ‘something with an even larger and dynamic range of influences… more original and diverse than the material presented on Of Despair.'” Big words. Big album.

Crafteon – Cosmic Reawakening Review

By Eldritch Elitist on August 23, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Melodic Black Metal, 54 comments

“Cthulhu rises from the depths. Seawater cascades in waterfalls down its body; its colossal form dwarfs a nearby castle, a monument to mankind’s delusions of superiority as if it were some child’s plaything. The logo in the top left reads “Crafteon,” a nod to Lovecraftian[1. Get it? Huh? Do ya?] fiction, complete with dangling tentacles. Sure, this album’s exterior presentation pretty much screams “Eldritch bait,” but you know what? This is my 50th review for AMG, and I feel like indulging my base impulses in celebration.” Celebrate with Cthulhu!

Xanthochroid – Of Erthe and Axen: Act I Review

By Saunders on August 22, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Symphonic Metal, Folk, Melodic Black Metal, Progressive Metal, Symphonic Metal, 49 comments

“Finally, Xanthochroid return with a detailed prequel narrative to the storytelling events of the debut, split into two albums to be released in 2017, beginning with Of Erthe and Axen: Act I. Do they have what it takes to craft a prequel story with the musical output to match their ambition? Or is Act I destined to become the metal equivalent of The Phantom Menace?” Jar Jar-core?