Agonia Records

Svartsyn – Black Testament Review

By Alex Franquelli on May 23, 2013 in 2.5, 2013, Agonia Records, Black Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Uncategorized, Black Metal, 0 comments

“Black metal. No, wait, not that one; but the other, unpolished predecessor of whatever came next. And when I say ‘next’ I mean that black metal. With its intriguing plots, assassinations, Satanists that become pagans, that go to prison and discover the absolute, compelling modernity of nationalism. Usually right before they realize that, you know what, milking Norwegian cows can indeed be a form of protest against Christianity and Judaism if one looks at it from the right perspective.” Join Alex as he speedily runs us through 27 years in black metal!

The Moth Gatherer – A Bright Celestial Light Review

By Happy Metal Guy on March 28, 2013 in 2013, 3.5, Agonia Records, Doom Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, 0 comments

“The guitarist plays his guitar while high on meth-infused beer, plugging the guitar cable into a meth-powered amplifier and stomps on the pedal incessantly with the enthusiasm of a little kid playing Dance Dance Revolution at the arcade. The drummer prefers rhythmic consistency to speed; the bassist wears an invisibility cloak even as he hits low notes that causes window panes to reverberate, giving away his presence; the vocalist sings about life’s saddest moments (boo-hoo v.v). Finally, there are also calm, acoustic interludes that serve as breaks between heavy passages.”

Kongh – Sole Creation Review

By Alex Franquelli on February 5, 2013 in 2013, 3.5, Agonia Records, Doom Metal, Reviews, Sludge, Swedish Metal, Doom Metal, Sludge Metal, 2 comments

Quite an epic album. The fuzz is there in all its imperfect majesty, while the pace is as slow as ever, bringing back the doom where it belongs: in the realm of repetitions, through think layers of narcotic sounds. Overall, the final result is a solid evolution from the psychedelic throes of Shadows of the Shapeless, but whoever (well, everyone) says that Kongh sound like Yob is right. And yet they’re wrong at the same time [Oh God! Which is it!? — AMG], since the sound these three lost souls from Nässjö and Småland (that’s southern Sweden, for the most curious nerds amongst yourselves) seem to enjoy touching on the likes of Alice in Chains (“Skymning”), Mastodon (“Sole Creation”) and Brooklyn’s own Tombs.

Ragnarok – Malediction Review

By Madam X on October 31, 2012 in 2012, 4.0, Agonia Records, Black Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 4 comments

Ragnarok is back with a new album and yet another vocalist. These guys go through vocalists like Spinal Tap goes through drummers! Anywho, Madam X is here to break it down as she gets herself in a tizzy over church burnings and other “necro” things.

Die Hard – Conjure the Legions Review

By Steel Druhm on September 26, 2012 in 2.0, 2012, Agonia Records, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 1 comment

I hope you all remember where you left your skull tanks…cause here’s more re-thrash!! Extra old school re-thrash is the game, and Die Hard is the name. Steel Druhm generously takes time away from lipsticking swine to discuss the album with you.

Necrovation – Necrovation Review

By Steel Druhm on August 7, 2012 in 2012, 4.5, Agonia Records, Death Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Black Metal, 5 comments

Not your dad’s Swedish death! This has enough odd ideas and influences to make you sit up and spit out your beer (or a nice white zinfandel if you prefer).

Opera IX – Strix Maledictae in Aeternum Review

By Dr. Fisting on January 19, 2012 in 1.5, 2012, Agonia Records, Black Metal, Gothic Metal, Italian Metal, Reviews, 3 comments

To say that Italian symphonic black metallers Opera IX have been keeping a low profile would be an understatement. The last time I even heard their name mentioned was back in the days of Napster and the Y2K virus. At the time, their mix of black metal with gothic imagery and female vocals was pretty rare in the scene [Yeah, if you had never heard of Cradle of Filth, I guess. – AMG], and it seemed like the band was poised to do great things. Now, they have returned in 2012 with Strix Maledictae in Aeternum, their first album in 7 long years.