Darkthrone

Cold Fell – Irwell Review

Cold Fell – Irwell Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on February 28, 2017 in 2017, Argento Records, Black Metal, English Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 49 comments

“It’s no secret: I love me some black metal. But, even I, have gotten tired of every other album we review being a product of the genre. And none of it is good. So, it’s no surprise that I have to ignore a large portion of the releases that sneak by our oh-my-god-I’m-so-sick-of-black-metal filters. Again, I love the genre and still listen to way more black metal than even the sickest doctor would dare prescribe. But many of the new black metal outfits just don’t do it for me.” Feel like you’re drowning in excessive blackness?

Ignis Gehenna – Baleful Scarlet Star Review

Ignis Gehenna – Baleful Scarlet Star Review

By Madam X on January 14, 2017 in 2017, Australian Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Séance Records, Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Melodic Metal, 24 comments

“Here’s something to think about… If Darkthrone’s Transilvanian Hunger released today, would it make the same impression it made back in 1994? More importantly, would it get the same reception nowadays that it got in the past?” No chance.

Cara Neir – Perpetual Despair Is the Human Condition Review

Cara Neir – Perpetual Despair Is the Human Condition Review

By Mark Z. on October 13, 2016 in American Metal, Black Metal, Broken Limbs Recordings, Punk, Reviews, Black Metal, Punk, 13 comments

“For those who love the bizarre black/grind/punk that vocalist Chris Francis and multi-instrumentalist Garry Brents have been producing since Cara Neir’s 2008 inception, Despair, has been a hotly anticipated record indeed. So turn off the lights, grab some white wine, and get ready to sulk in the corner as we explore the hopelessness of Perpetual Despair Is the Human Condition.” Does white wine even go with existential angst?

Darkthrone – Arctic Thunder Review

Darkthrone – Arctic Thunder Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 12, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Heavy Metal, Norwegian Metal, Peaceville, Reviews, Black Metal, Heavy Metal, 57 comments

“For the last fifteen, this Norwegian duo have been turning out album after album of crusty, blackened heavy metal. Using these recent records as the balancing weight to their black metal counterparts. Though fans may be split on which seat they prefer on this dilapidated teeter totter from Hell, Darkthrone ain’t returning to their old, black metal ways. And Arctic Thunder is proof of that, adding even more weight to the leather-draped seat on this hellish seesaw.” Sounds of a playground…nearing?

Abigail – The Final Damnation Review

Abigail – The Final Damnation Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 5, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Japanese Metal, Nuclear War Now! Productions, Punk, Reviews, Thrash Metal, 32 comments

“Remember that awesome review of Barbatos’ Straight Metal War a year ago? Remember those silly lyrics and song titles? Remember checking out all the bands referenced because you’re a sick son of a bitch? Well, here’s Abigail, another one of Yasuyuki Suzuki’s sick and twisted metal outfits.” Have a bad taste in your mouth? Just wait….

Cryfemal – D6s6nt6rro Review

Cryfemal – D6s6nt6rro Review

By Eldritch Elitist on October 3, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Osmose Productions, Reviews, Spanish Metal, Black Metal, 24 comments

“I became absolutely giddy when I managed to snag Cryfemal’s ludicrously titled D6s6nt6rro as it hurtled into the depths of the AMG Rookie Pit. A one-man Spanish black metal project from a guy who calls himself Ebola, (yeah, really) Cryfemal has existed since 1996 and has an impressive number of releases under its belt.” From the rookie pit to the throwback ditch.

Uada – Devoid of Light Review

Uada – Devoid of Light Review

By El Cuervo on September 1, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Black Metal, Eisenwald Records, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 71 comments

“The first thing that struck me about Uada is that although they are categorically black metal, drawing influence from numerous sources, they’re so bright and energetic. There’s a vibrancy here which is missed entirely by so many of their blackened peers. The musicianship is enthusiastic, agile and infectious as neat ideas are incorporated throughout – I’m not supposed to be feel happy when listening to black metal but I invariably am with Devoid of Light.” We laughed, now we must applaud.

Twilight Fauna – Fire of the Spirit Review

Twilight Fauna – Fire of the Spirit Review

By Treble Yell on August 15, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Ravenwood Recordings, Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 15 comments

“It’s not enough for new album releases these days to crow that they’re the work of a single person. The novelty of a sole individual stitching together a trove of instruments and producing a handcrafted, free-range, conflict-free album has long since worn off. There needs to be more – some sort of hook to separate itself from the horde of other releases jockeying to gnaw at our aural pleasure centers. With a concept built around snake handling, Fire of the Spirit is the latest release by Paul Ravenwood, whose band Twilight Fauna is described as “a blackened-folk solo project devoted to telling the often forgotten stories of the Appalachian Mountains.”” Mountain folk don’t like no outsiders intrudin’.

Nuke – Nuke Review

Nuke – Nuke Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on July 16, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Hells Headbangers Records, Reviews, Speed Metal, Speed Metal, 18 comments

“If you are looking for groundbreaking speed metal, Nuke doesn’t have it. But it is exactly what you want from a speed-metal record and it has become the rebellious soundtrack to my sultry weekends. Once spun, you begin to hear the rolling thunder of domesticated, metal-head dads everywhere. They all roll out of bed on a Saturday morning, raise middle fingers to their front yards, and tell that unkempt grass to go fuck itself.” The Lawn Doctor is out!