Dark Essence Records

Acârash – Descend to Purity Review

By Doom_et_Al on June 11, 2020 in Reviews, Black Metal, Gothic Metal, Hard Rock, 18 comments

“Descend to Purity is the band’s sophomore effort, following 2018’s In Chaos Becrowned. Doc Grier thought that effort was a promising debut, but with songs that tended to meander and ultimately go nowhere. He also nearly started a riot in the comments section by stating that Ghost kinda suck. Now, I have no wish to further inflame a world that has enough tension as is, but whatever your feelings about Ghost, you have to admit that the band members at least sound like they’re having fun. Acârash is aiming for the same aesthetic.” Good metal fun?

Nyrst – Orsök Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on May 3, 2020 in Reviews, Black Metal, 20 comments

“My last review took us to Finland to meet the mighty Bythos. This time we’ll head to another region on our quest north through Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Our destination? Iceland. Alongside stalwarts Misþyrming and Svartidauði, the newly conceived Nyrst likes its black metal as cold as the Arctic. In some cases, even more so than their countrymen.” Ice, ice, baby.

Dwaal – Gospel of the Vile Review

By Cherd of Doom on March 5, 2020 in 2020, Dark Essence Records, Doom Metal, Norwegian Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Sludge, Doom Metal, Post-Metal, Sludge, 6 comments

“Dwaal is made up of six full-time members, a lot for this genre, and they spring from the sludgy post landscape founded by Neurosis. A close contemporary in sound and style would be Amenra, with both bands adept at slow building tension, but there are moments, especially in closer “Descent,” that indicate they are very much down with Why Oh Bee (yeah you know me).” Sludge hammer.

T.O.M.B. – Thin the Veil Review

By Dear Hollow on January 22, 2020 in 2020, Ambient, American Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Drone, Electronica Metal, Industrial Metal, Noise, Powerviolence, Reviews, Trap, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Electronic Metal, Noise, 24 comments

“I would kill for a good atmospheric album. Just ask Kronos about that time that we discussed the atmospheric sludge/doom beauty of The Osedax around the water cooler when Gardenstale mentioned he was gonna give it, AT BEST, a 2.5. Have you seen any Gardenstale reviews lately? Didn’t think so.” Thin lines between love and hate.

Helheim – Rignir Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on May 8, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Viking Metal, Black Metal, Viking Metal, 38 comments

“As I sit here with Helheim‘s newest album, Rignir, two things occur to me. First, Helheim is the most-consistent band I know. Not only are all their albums good or great but they’ve been releasing a new one every 2-3 years since 1995. Second, I’ve been at AMG far longer than I realized. Having first reviewed this black/Viking metal band back in 2015, Rignir is now the third time I’ve penned some words on their music.” The olde and the reliable.

Superlynx – New Moon Review

By Cherd of Doom on March 16, 2019 in 2019, Dark Essence Records, Doom Metal, Norwegian Metal, Occult Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Reviews, Stoner Rock, Doom Metal, Occult Rock, 47 comments

“Stoner doom can frequently be heard in the House of Cherd. I enjoy it in my rotation, being, as I am, of Doom. Mrs. Cherd, however, takes particular delight in it. Whenever we’re doing housework to one of her playlists, it’s not uncommon for three Windhand songs from different albums to be followed by Bongzilla, then Electric Wizard, all while she promises that there are other genres in there and the next song probably won’t be stoner doom.” Family friendly doom.

Avast – Mother Culture Review

By Master of Muppets on October 30, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 83 comments

“Dear Kronos, If you’re reading this, it’s already too late. When the respective hazes of gun smoke and cranial-injury clear, you’ll find your army of feral pigs disposed of and your fortress reduced to rubble; I even sang Porcupine Tree as everything burned to the ground, how’s that for brutal, yo? Anyway, you knew this was coming. You had something of mine – that’s right, had. Not only are you down a fortress and a pig army, but you’ll also find yourself no longer in possession of Avast‘s Mother Culture.” Speak the Charm of Taking.

Orkan – Element Review

By Mark Z. on October 5, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 85 comments

“I don’t listen to much Taake (hell, I’m not even sure I pronounce their name right), and this lack of familiarity puts me at an immediate disadvantage for reviewing Orkan. Observant readers will note that “Orkan” is actually the title of a Taake song, but the connection goes beyond that: Orkan actually consists of Taake’s live guitarist and former live bassist, who formed the project in 2008 along with fellow members of Norwegian black metal band Enchanting Darkness.” Taaking it to the streets.

Madder Mortem – Marrow Review

By GardensTale on September 20, 2018 in 2018, Avante Garde, Dark Essence Records, Norwegian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 99 comments

“Rare is the band that truly sounds like no one else. Either standing on the shoulders of giants, or innovating their way to hundreds of copycats, few have no comparable peers, followers, or ancestors. Madder Mortem, also known as Norway’s best-kept secret, are one of those bands.” Post-Madder Mortem.

Cor Scorpii – Ruin Review

By Eldritch Elitist on June 30, 2018 in 2018, Dark Essence Records, Melodic Black Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Melodic Black Metal, 53 comments

“2018 has been a damn good year for folk-oriented black metal. Okay, quantitatively speaking, that’s not true at all; more accurately, there have been two particularly captivating releases in the new Sojourner and Vallendusk records that on their own have single-handedly carried the style in recent months. This seems more than a bit unfair to Norway’s Cor Scorpii. Formed from the ashes of Windir by drummer Steingrim and guitarist Strom (neither of whom are actually still in this band), their decade-in-the-making sophomore effort, Ruin, is relatively featureless when stacked against the current crop of folk-black trailblazers.” Folking in the ruins.