Absu

The Infernal Sea – Hellfenlic Review

The Infernal Sea – Hellfenlic Review

“Black metal is a finnicky beast. While it’s cohesively devoted to the barbed-wire sonic abuse of the darkest variety, and themes range from the occult, misanthropy, and our old pal Satan, The Infernal Sea dwells in history’s halls. While prior full-lengths Negotium Crucis and The Great Mortality respectively deal with themes such as the medieval church’s exploitation and the Black Death, 2024 finds the Brits exploring a distinct figure: the “Witchfinder General” Matthew Hopkins.” Witch hammering on the coast.

Xoth – Exogalactic Review

Xoth – Exogalactic Review

“When the Elder Gods finally turn their dread gaze on this flake of cosmic dandruff, Xoth will be there to pass out beers. “Party Lovecraft” is a tricky vibe to nail and also possibly an oxymoron, but this Seattle tech/thrash/black/melodeath/whatever act makes it their own. Over the course of two excellent albums, Invasion of the Tentacube and Interdimensional Invocations, Xoth filled a void that only Xoth knew was there. Few who listen can resist their charms, and now the band drops third long-player Exogalactic.” X marks the Xoth.

Sonja – Loud Arriver [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]

Sonja – Loud Arriver [Things You Might Have Missed 2022]

“Normally these things we missed are because we didn’t get promo and stumbled upon the album post-release. Not so in the case of Loud Arriver,<,b>Sonja’s debut album. This one sat in the promo bin unnoticed for all of September, and it wasn’t until I read some flattering press about the album that I dove in. Thank god I did because this little gem delivers a delicious knockout punch.” Big (loud) entrance.

Epoch of Unlight – At War with the Multiverse Review

Epoch of Unlight – At War with the Multiverse Review

At War with the Multiverse is a familiar, yet fresh take on their established formula, featuring a re-jinked line-up that has tirelessly honed the material comprising this long-awaited return. Whereas Epoch of Unlight’s sound has previously featured a technical, thrashy black metal core embellished with melodeath and progressive elements, At War with the Multiverse flips the tact a little.” Run to the Unlight.

The Day of the Beast – Indisputably Carnivorous Review

The Day of the Beast – Indisputably Carnivorous Review

“The almighty riff. While I’m not entirely convinced of its importance, masochists like Diabolus in Muzaka and Ferrous Beuller spend their days raking the dregs of the Skull Pit’s outer limits in the vain hopes of discovering it laying amid the rusty needles of tech-death or beneath the gore and grime of OSDM, only to return empty-handed and receive yet another beating from the all-knowing ape. While the foundation of countless styles of metal, it’s a frail thing, as its weak implementation or absence can violently derail a song or an album. Worshipers of the almighty and ever-elusive riff, does The Day of the Beast succeed or will they crash and burn with the hordes of Nifelheim-copycats?” Nice to eat you.

Mongrel’s Cross – Arcana, Scrying and Revelation Review

Mongrel’s Cross – Arcana, Scrying and Revelation Review

“I was but a mere Angry Metal Applicant when Mongrel’s Cross released their sophomore full-length Psalter of the Royal Dragon Court during the summer of 2018, and I can still remember sitting down to read Mark Z.‘s review. I was still in the diaper stage of exploring black metal, and having already enjoyed the output of their Australian countrymates Deströyer 666, I happily indulged in Mongrel’s Cross’ epic, thrashened version of the style.” Read the bones.

Ketzer – Cloud Collider Review

Ketzer – Cloud Collider Review

“If any band are poised to make a comeback, it’s Ketzer. Back in 2009 the German quintet burst onto the scene with their Satan’s Boundaries Unchained debut, which essentially sounded like the best album Desaster never wrote. I can hardly even mention Boundaries without wanting to blast it at ear-splitting volumes and to this day it remains one of my favorite blackened thrash albums of all time. Sadly, 2012’s Endzeit Metropolois was altogether weaker, while 2016’s Starless was an Illud Divinum Insanus-level atrocity that showed the group unsuccessfully attempt to rip off the goth rock style of Tribulation’s The Children of the Night.” Don’t call it a comeback.

The Black Moriah – Road Agents of the Blast Furnace Review

The Black Moriah – Road Agents of the Blast Furnace Review

“Saddle up, cowboy! The Black Moriah have come to town to raise hell, drink the saloon dry, and make off with your most buxom women. Formed in 2009 by drummer/vocalist “The Mad Arab” and former Absu guitarist “Zawicizuz,” this Texas band peddle blackened thrash with lyrics that paint them as marauding highwaymen of the Old West.” Cowboy up.

Ulthar – Cosmovore Review

Ulthar – Cosmovore Review

“I have a long history with thrash metal, dating back to the very first time I heard a metal song (“Dyer’s Eve”) at the tender age of nine. My exposure to black metal is much more limited as I only discovered this site and the many flavors of extreme metal three years ago. Ulthar’s debut Cosmovore bills itself as equal parts black and thrash metal, with a healthy dose of death metal swagger in its step as well. I’m intimately familiar with the thrash portion and merely acquainted with the blackened component, so I approached Cosmovore with curiosity, trepidation, and excitement in equal measure.” Speed and loathing in Cosmovore.

Veiled – Black Celestial Orbs Review

Veiled – Black Celestial Orbs Review

“Back in 2014, I reviewed Dauðr Burðr Þrysvar, a promising EP by American black metal duo Gnosis of the Witch. Even with the amount of preciousssssssing going on vocally by vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Niðafjöll, the energy and ferocity piqued my interest. Four years later, Gnosis is Gno-more, and now Niðafjöll has teamed up with Grá drummer Dimman in a headier, more atmospheric project known simply as Veiled.” No Gnosis is good Gnosis?