Blut Aus Nord

Hwwauoch – Into the Labyrinth of Consciousness [Things You Might Have Missed 2019]

By Dear Hollow on December 18, 2019 in 2019, Ambient, Amor Fati Productions, Black Metal, Drone, International Metal, Reviews, Things You Might Have Missed, Things You Might Have Missed 2019, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 34 comments

“I’m beginning to see a trend as 2019 draws to a close: I like me some weird-ass black metal. And, boy howdy, has 2019 has been a weird-ass year for it. Prolifically, having released a new album from each of its equally weird-ass projects by means of several record labels, the Prava Kollektiv has released quality atmospheric black metal en masse: the frostbitten cosmic stylings of stalwart Arkhtinn, the dark ambient maws of the appropriately named Voidsphere, the eerie and empty musings of Mahr, and the hellish and malevolent tones of newcomer Pharmakeia. But the subject of today’s tragically overlooked album is the latest thing your cat typed walking across the keyboard: Hwwauoch.” Say again?

Fen – The Dead Light Review

By Doom_et_Al on December 4, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, English Metal, Post-metal, Prophecy Productions, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 56 comments

“The bleak and harsh Canadian Winter has drawn us into her icy bosom. Days are short, temperatures are lower than the last run of scores I’ve given, and rain and snow abound. It’s the perfect weather for the frosty kiss of good atmospheric black metal, and yet there has been a relative dearth recently. The English trio of Fen aim to change all that with their sixth release, The Dead Light.” Fen is coming.

An Isolated Mind – I’m Losing Myself Review

By Grymm on July 8, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Experimental Metal, I Voidhanger Records, Post-metal, Reviews, Experimental Metal, Post-Metal, 66 comments

“Kameron Bogges isn’t exactly a household name. In fact, prior to today’s review, the only thing I had to go by is that he’s the sole proprietor of one-man experimental act Four Hoove Death Pig, who has an album dedicated to baking banana bread under its belt. Sadly, about a year or so, Bogges suffered the all-too-real hospitalization brought on by what I can imagine would be a manic episode and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The ongoing struggle, as well as coping with such a maligned mental health condition, inspired I’m Losing Myself, released under the guise of An Isolated Mind.” Reflections on a struggle.

Yellow Eyes – Rare Field Ceiling Review

By Cherd on June 27, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Black Metal, Gilead Media, Reviews, Black Metal, 61 comments

“Now that the year is finally over, let’s look back on the embarrassment of riches that has been black metal in 2019. With so many incredible albums to pick from it’s hard to…wait, FUCK ME IT’S STILL JUNE?! How have we had so many exceptional albums from what is supposedly an overstuffed, tired genre in just six months? By my count, we’ve awarded a 3.5 or higher to 43 albums that feature black metal as the primary genre over the last 26 weeks, and that’s just albums we’ve covered at AMG & Sons LLC.” Trending up.

Vous Autres – Champ du Sang Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on April 8, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, French Metal, Reviews, Sleeping Church Records, Sludgelord Records, Black Metal, 126 comments

“‘Dark’ is my thing. Dark dreams, dark thoughts, and dark music make me who I am. For most that know me, this comes as no surprise. For those that think you know me: surprise! But, as of late, my dark place has become a living hell. I could always escape there when things got tough and it was a place I could go to avoid judgment from this pathetic, untrusting world. But, four months ago, things turned real dark. Too dark. And the little room in my head wasn’t dark enough to handle it.” Dark music for dark minds.

Yerûšelem – The Sublime Review

By Grymm on February 5, 2019 in 2019, Debemur Morti, French Metal, Industrial Metal, Reviews, Industrial Metal, 47 comments

“Sometimes, repetition can be a powerful tool. French weirdos Blut Aus Nord know this quite well, as they’ve (he’s) used this tool over the course of several classic and not-so-classic albums. When guitarist, vocalist, and otherwise main fixture Vindsval reunited with longtime BaN bandmate W.D. Feld to further explore the more coldwave/post-punk influences found during the 777 trilogy in Yerûšelem’s debut, The Sublime. With a fresh canvas to work with, Yerûšelem looks to paint a newer, fresher image of what Vindsval’s main project hinted at.” Loopy.

Ars Magna Umbrae – Lunar Ascension Review

By Cherd on January 22, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, I Voidhanger Records, Polish Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 151 comments

“Dissonant black metal is having a bit of a moment. With the late-aughts explosion of woodsy atmoblack now a decade old and on the wane—if ever so slightly—and artists turning to other inspiration for blackened evolution, those reclusive and mysterious French musicians of Deathspell/Aus Nord who first pioneered a more technical, terrifying sound are suddenly elder statesmen of a mini-movement. Now there’s K. M., the appropriately cryptic single member of Poland’s Ars Magna Umbrae, with a new album of dissoblack tunes.” Magna opus.

Gorycz – Piach Review

By Lokasenna on December 1, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Pagan Records, Polish Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Doom Metal, 15 comments

“There are certain things that will always warm a music reviewer’s cold, dead heart. Poland’s Gorycz, for example, made a good impression on me immediately, as I opened the promo to an actual lyric sheet. Granted, that wasn’t much help with reviewing their debut, Piach, as my knowledge of Polish goes only a little further than “kurwa,” but it’s the thought that counts. The band choosing to write in their mother tongue was, in fact, only another point in their favor for a multiculturalism-loving cuck like myself.” First impressions matter.

Svartidauði – Revelations of the Red Sword Review

By Angry Metal Guy on November 30, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Icelandic Metal, Reviews, Van Records, Black Metal, 115 comments

“Although not the first country that leaps to mind, Iceland is tailor made for a black metal scene. With thirty active volcanoes, a sun that can still shine in the middle of the night, and a winter that lasts almost precisely as long as summer, bands have plenty of inspiration in which to toil and leave their legacy on the sound. The arguable leader of these is Svartidauði, whose debut full length Flesh Cathedral received heaping praise and exposed the Icelandic scene to the world at large.” Of ice, volcanoes, and red swords.

Bloodstock Open Air 2018 Review

By Akerblogger on September 2, 2018 in 2018, Blog Posts, Live Reviews, 40 comments

“On Thursday the 9th of August, myself and 19,000 others descended upon the grounds of an old manor house in the heart of the British countryside for a weekend of heavy metal, drinking, and debauchery.” AMG was there. Were you?