Dark Funeral

Panphage – Drengskapr Review

Panphage – Drengskapr Review

By Lord Lucan on November 23, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Nordvis Produktion, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 82 comments

“One-man black metal projects are like rats nowadays; you’re never more than a few meters away from one at any given time. Okay, I may have made that up, but there does seem to be quite a surplus of them knocking about at the moment. While this abundance of choice is great for those of us who like our music bleak and wintery, with every man and his dog getting in on the act, cutting through the chaff and finding material actually worth listening to can seem like a pretty mammoth task.” Allow us to separate the wheat from the rats.

Witchery – In His Infernal Majesty’s Service Review

Witchery – In His Infernal Majesty’s Service Review

By Lord Lucan on November 21, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Century Media, Reviews, Speed Metal, Swedish Metal, Thrash Metal, Black Metal, Speed Metal, Thrash Metal, 40 comments

“For a quality so inextricably linked with metal, at times heaviness can be a difficult characteristic to define. For some it’s all about sheer volume and noise, whereas for others, myself included, attitude and the weight of feeling behind the music are key components. Every now and then, however, a record will come along dripping with such malice and vitriol that it nullifies any need for a debate on the matter entirely.” 8 out of 10 Witchfinder Generals recommend this.

Hobbs’ Angel of Death – Heaven Bled Review

Hobbs’ Angel of Death – Heaven Bled Review

By Mark Z. on October 10, 2016 in 2016, Australian Metal, Hells Headbangers Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 47 comments

“The year is 1987. Robocop is in theaters, thrash metal is booming, and my mommy and daddy are just a few short years away from bumpin’ uglies to produce yours truly. On the other side of the world, an Australian Slayer fan named Peter Hobbs decides to transform his thrash band Tyrus into a new project named after Reign in Blood’s infamous opening track. The result is Hobbs’ Angel of Death – ostensibly one of the first bands from Down Under to play what we now know as classic thrash metal.” The social thrash contract must not be broken!

Dark Funeral – Where Shadows Forever Reign Review

Dark Funeral – Where Shadows Forever Reign Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on June 3, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Century Media, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Black Metal, 75 comments

“Much like Behexen, Dark Funeral have been at this whole black metal thing for some time. Not sure if “pioneer” is appropriate for these Swedish tremolo-crafters, but they are influential. Their approach is straightforward, their black metal is classic, and their releases consistent.” Classic and consistent is an okay way to go through life, son.

Infernus – Grinding Christian Flesh Review

Infernus – Grinding Christian Flesh Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on April 16, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Black Metal, Moribund Records, Reviews, Black Metal, 25 comments

“I’ve never listened to Infernus before, and a quick perusal of their promo shots (corpsepaint, bullet-belts, graveyards) and song titles (killing Christians, paganism, war, sodomy) led me to believe they were a Scandinavian second wave band that I’d just never got around to checking out. Infernus in fact hail from the other side of the globe…” The votes are in and you want more goats!

Von – Dark Gods: Seven Billion Slaves Review

Von – Dark Gods: Seven Billion Slaves Review

By Natalie Zed on March 11, 2013 in 2013, 3.0, American Metal, Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 3 comments

“A few short years ago, Von appeared to be one of those seminal back metal bands who were only recognized for their genius and influence post-mortem. Hailing from San Francisco, CA, Von were arguably the first American black metal band, and inarguably were hugely influential in establishing black metal’s second wave aesthetic. Formed in 1987, the band disbanded in 1992 after a releasing a pair of demos and recording, but not releasing, a third. Over the years, copies of their demos and live bootlegs were hunted by collectors, especially before the internet made sharing and copying as simple as it is now. For over twenty years, aside from the 2003 release of the Satanic Blood Angel demo compilation and live record, Von were silent and inactive, though their influence has touched bands from Dark Funeral and Enthroned to Taake and Watain.” Natalie Zed is here to tell you how that’s workin’ out for ’em in 2013.

Illnath – 4 Shades of Me Review

Illnath – 4 Shades of Me Review

By Madam X on March 9, 2013 in 2013, 3.0, Black Metal, Danish Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Pitch Black Records, Releases, Reviews, 2 comments

“Prior to 4 Shades of Me, their fourth full-length, Danish metallers Illnath had similarities to bands like Taiwanese Chthonic, South Korean Dark Mirror ov Tragedy, and the the non-Asian Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir. The evolution that is 4 Shades of Me led them to drop the keyboard and symphonic sparkle, instead giving up their inner Illnath and adopting a virtually unrecognizable aggressive approach resembling the melodic blackened side of Dark Funeral. While I was intrigued to spin this album and waited for it with some anticipation I also had a seed of trepidation lurking in the pit of my stomach that 4 Shades of Me would have the same meh, lack of power and spark as Third Act in the Theatre of Madness.” I’m not sure what surprises me more, that Madam X actually has heard of the band Illnath, or that she actually knows their discog inside out? Looks like she’s the person to tell you whether or not you should be check out their new record Four Shades of Me.

Skineater – Dermal Harvest Review

Skineater – Dermal Harvest Review

By Natalie Zed on February 9, 2013 in 2013, 3.5, Death Metal, Pulverised Records, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Death Metal, 2 comments

“Dermal Harvest is the horror-drenched debut from Swedish extreme metal outfit Skineater. Though the band was together as early as 2008, it wasn’t until 2011 that they began to seriously court label interest, play live and record demos. They often market themselves as a supergroup of the extreme metal underground, as their members include guitarist and founder Håkan Stuvemark (ex – Wombbath, ex – In Thy Dreams, ex – Vicious), guitarist Kari Kainulainan (ex-Mourning Sign, ex-Amaran), drummer Matte Modin (Raised Fist, ex – Dark Funeral), bassist and backing vocalist Stefan Westerberg (ex-Carnal Forge, ex – In Thy Dreams) and vocalist Jörgen Ström (The Mary Major).” Natalie Zed gives you the lowdown on this Swedish death “supergroup” and tells you if they have enough skin in the game.