Dark Essence Records

Sarkom – Anti-Cosmic Art Review

Sarkom – Anti-Cosmic Art Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 8, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 16 comments

“The biggest difference between 2013’s Doomsday Elite and their previous work is the amount of inspiration they brought into every track of Doomsday. They brought in The Kovenant’s Psy Coma to handle the closing orchestral arrangements, Negator’s Nachtgarm for vocal assistance, and the guitars of Keep of Kalessin’s Vyl. And Anti-Cosmic Art is here to take it one step further. The band brings more guests, unleashes more riffs, more blastbeats, and a plethora of guitar solos. The result is Sarkom’s best release to date. ” Is this the Avantasia of blackness?

Black Hole Generator – A Requiem for Terra Review

Black Hole Generator – A Requiem for Terra Review

By Madam X on November 14, 2016 in 2016, Avante Garde, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 7 comments

“Give this some thought for a second: you’re putting together a black metal dream team, who would it include? I wonder how many of you would arrive at noted producer and Vulture Industries’ frontman – Bjørnar E. Nilsen, and guitar aficionados Arve Isdal (Enslaved, I, Audrey Horne) and Gjermund Fredheim (Taake, Orkan).” Super groups doing stranger things.

Madder Mortem – Red in Tooth and Claw Review

Madder Mortem – Red in Tooth and Claw Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on November 2, 2016 in 2016, Dark Essence Records, Norwegian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Progressive Metal, 47 comments

“I was going to begin this review by referring to Madder Mortem as one of Norway’s best kept secrets, but I had no idea if that were true. It’s hard to judge how well-known a metal band is outside of one’s own group of heavy metal compadres, which is probably why I’m so often surprised by the billing of certain acts at certain German festivals (Feuerschwanz, anyone?).” Now featuring a popularity contest!

Hail Spirit Noir – Mayhem in Blue Review

Hail Spirit Noir – Mayhem in Blue Review

By El Cuervo on October 24, 2016 in 2016, Avante Garde, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Greek Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Psychedelic Rock, 37 comments

“Tensions remain, not just between Greece and the overlords of the EU but within the country: between those who support the economic freedom conferred by greater government spending and those who advocate fiscal responsibility. It’s in this turmoil that Mayhem in Blue was written.” Frugality breeds insanity.

Sulphur – Omens of Doom Review

Sulphur – Omens of Doom Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on March 7, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Death Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 47 comments

Sulphur (or sulfur in the States) is ungodly, foul smelling shit. This isn’t exactly news to anyone but you don’t know the half of it until you have actually jousted with the likes of benzyl or ethanethiol. There aren’t many chemicals I’ve worked with that linger on your mustache and penetrate your clothes like sulfur. It’s pungent, it’s offensive, and it’s fucking nauseating. While I’ve had my fair share of encounters with sulfur, I have never encountered its black-metal equivalent—which is odd considering I’ve been a fan of Øyvind Madsen’s other project, Vulture Industries, for years. With a name like Sulphur, I had expected some unsettling, engulfing black metal to match the stomach-turning feelings I get when “sulfur” is mentioned.

The 3rd Attempt – Born in Thorns Review

The 3rd Attempt – Born in Thorns Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on September 23, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 48 comments

“When I heard Tchort put together a black metal band that combined elements of Carpathian Forest and Blood Red Throne with those of Gorgoroth, Immortal, Bathory, and even Motörhead, I nearly shat myself. After a decade trying to fill the empty crater in my achy-breaky heart with more of Nattefrost’s sadomasochism, I’m stoked to hear the master-behind-the-riffs unleash a sultry combination of all he is; black thrash, blackened rock ‘n’ roll, Scandinavian death, and a variety of surprising twists.” Its time to strap on the assless chaps again and take a run through the forest.

Orkan – Livlaus Review

Orkan – Livlaus Review

By Madam X on September 11, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Norwegian Metal, Black Metal, 16 comments

“Apart from a fierce weather condition, Orkan refers to a Norwegian four-man atmospheric and blackened thrash force, formed back in 2008 by ex-Byfrost drummer Rune Nesse and Taake’s own live guitarist Gjermund Fredheim. With an interesting connection between two bands established and the fact that Hoest (Taake) and V’Gandr (Helheim) guest, this album all but demanded a review. How could I say no!” A copy of a copy….

Galar – De gjenlevende Review

Galar – De gjenlevende Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on March 11, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Folk Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Neo-Classical Metal, 14 comments

“Much like rap-rock legends 8ball, Galar got dynamics. A lazy person might describe Galar’s music as “what Windir would sound like if they were a bit sadder, less widdly, and exchanged the cheesy synths for real instruments.” To be fair though, there’s more to them than that.” Need more black in your diet, maybe Galar is for you?

Kraków – Amaran Review

Kraków – Amaran Review

By Madam X on February 11, 2015 in 2015, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Drone, Norwegian Metal, Not Metal, Post-metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Experimental Metal, Post-Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Stoner Metal, 9 comments

“Winter is being a Mr. Cold Miser and evenings like these cry out for a glowing fire, the dark notes of a glass of Malbec and some post-metal meandering gloom which, as luck has it, is Norwegian based Kraków’s claim to fame.” Cold and snow may be new to Madam X, but not post-metal. Or wine!