Dark Essence Records

Madder Mortem – Old Eyes, New Heart Review

By GardensTale on January 25, 2024 in Reviews, Alternative Metal, Gothic Metal, Progressive Metal, 82 comments

“Angry Metal Guy might be the only place on the internet where Madder Mortem won’t need an introduction for a significant amount of its readers. The Norwegian band first made waves here with Red in Tooth and Claw, and those waves got much bigger with Marrow earning a well-deserved 4.5 and topping several lists. It’s also the only band with a movie review on the site. When there is no news on the band I still can’t stop name-dropping them, even when it’s not relevant to the music I’m reviewing. So when I contacted the band to send them the movie review and they told me they were in the middle of recording a new album, my inner hype machine went into overdrive.” Heart of a fanboy.

Vulture Industries – Ghosts from the Past Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on June 20, 2023 in Reviews, Progressive Metal, 59 comments

“Nothing pleases me more than writing a review for a new Vulture Industries record. After getting the shaft from Seasons of Mist in 2017, I could only bring Stranger Times to the public via TYMHM. Dark Essence Records was kind enough to send us the promo for this year’s Ghosts from the Past, and ole Grier is happy in the pants.” Vultures, ghosts and happy pants.

T.O.M.B. – Terror Winds Review

By Dear Hollow on December 9, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Industrial Metal, Noise, 14 comments

“I picked up Terror Winds for shock – I’ll admit that fully. When we last met T.O.M.B. readily dealt my very first 1.0 roundhouse kick. 2020’s Thin the Veil was, by all accounts, a disgrace. Offering a revolving door of guest musicians without a thread of consistency while flaunting painfully directionless songwriting in the name of kvlt kred, it consisted of forty-five minutes of noisy industrial black metal that felt about forty-three minutes too long. Straddling the fence between a bargain bin Psyclon Nine “beats ‘n shred” approach and the Tetragrammacide ascetic aesthetic with the grace of a toddler, it was something else. I just didn’t expect to see T.O.M.B. back ’round these parts so soon.” T.O.M.B. soon?

Helheim – WoduridaR Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 7, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, Viking Metal, 30 comments

“Though one could say Bathory were the pioneers of the sound, Helheim grabbed it up and ran with it. And they’ve been doing it for thirty fucking years. And, since their debut full-length in 1995, they really are one of the most prolific bands in all metal. That’s why in my ‘short’ time at AMG, I’ve reviewed them as many times as I have. It also means, for those new to the band, you have a lot of catching up to do. But don’t fret, no matter where you begin in the discography, you’re going to find something you like. See, Helheim doesn’t write bad albums. Some are solid and some are infuckingcredible. The only question we have to ask ourselves is where this year’s WoduridaR fits in the mix.” Enjoy of deep catalog.

Endezzma – The Archer, Fjord and the Thunder Review

By Akerblogger on January 30, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, 18 comments

“It’s a silent and foggy evening on the banks of your fjord. You’ve finally got a moment to yourself, away from the chaos of the clan. You press play on your Windir tape as you sit back to watch the fog unfurl over the water. Then a light. Then an arrow. All of a sudden a buff trio of mythological malevolent creatures arrive to upset your reverie and rain fire upon your name. Endezzma has arrived with a slow, evil intent that rapidly turns to chaos and hellfire.” Fjord world problems.

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, 21 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 on March 5, 2020 in 2020, Dark Essence Records, Doom Metal, Norwegian Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Sludge, Doom Metal, Post-Metal, Sludge, 5 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, 23 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.