Emperor

Naglfar – Cerecloth Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on May 11, 2020 in Reviews, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 33 comments

“These Swedes have been around a long time and, I’m sad to admit, I kinda gave up on them after 2007’s Harvest. Yet, here we are, some thirteen years later, with Naglfar’s newest record plopped in my lap. Upon initial inspection, Cerecloth looks, feels, and smells like Naglfar. Former bassist, Kristoffer W. Olivius, is still at the mic, after replacing the mighty Jens Rydén on 2005’s Pariah. And, as it’s been since ’95’s Vittra, each instrument is as crucial as the next. The result is some of the strongest songwriting in the genre. Never groundbreaking and never meant to be, Naglfar is a true purveyor of that melodic black metal sound.” Olde and still colde.

…and Oceans – Cosmic World Mother Review

By Holdeneye on May 6, 2020 in Reviews, Black Metal, Symphonic Metal, 84 comments

“Over a decade after leaving …and Oceans behind, original guitarists Timo Kontio and Teemu Saari reunited to resurrect it, rounding out the band with a new cast of characters. What have constant stylistic change, new blood, and time have done to the band’s sound?” Mutation and adaptation.

殞煞 Vengeful Spectre – 殞煞 Vengeful Spectre Review

By Kenstrosity on January 29, 2020 in 2020, Black Metal, Chinese Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Pest Productions, Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 105 comments

“‘I’ll have to wait,’ says the little voice in my head, ‘until that winter wonderland of Things You Might Have Missed returns at the end of the year.’ Well, it’s fucking January, and I’m not waiting another gotdamn picosecond. I have an album with which you should get yourselves familiar all quick-like, because it’s my favorite release this month.” Patience is for wimps.

Witchbones – The Seas of Draugen Review

By Carcharodon on December 3, 2019 in 2020, American Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Iron Bonehead Productions, Reviews, 10 comments

“Only in existence since 2018, the one-man black and death metal project has, so far this year alone, dropped three EPs, two compilations and a debut album, May’s We Haunt Ourselves. And now we come to December and Witchbones’ second album, ,i>The Seas of Draugen. This is not blackened death as you picture it in your head. Unless, that is, you are familiar with the type of records that Iron Bonehead tends to put out.” Roll the bones.

The Deathtrip – Demon Solar Totem Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 12, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, International Metal, Profound Lore Records, Reviews, Svart Records, Black Metal, 19 comments

“Five years ago, Grier became more than a twinkle in AngryMetalGuy.com’s eye. Forever after, AMG was subject to the King of Clickbait. And, since then, you poor bastards have had to read the sometimes depressing, sometimes passionate, sometimes right and sometimes wrong moments of my career. In these early days of the Coming of Grier, there arose such an album that it still finds regular rotation for this ole Dok Tor. First, for its content—old-school, Scandinavian black metal. Second, for resurrecting a master of the black metal arts—Aldrahn. I loved The Deathtrip’s Deep Drone Master and still love it today. Not for its originality but, rather, for its commitment and flawless execution of ’90s Norwegian black metal. It wasn’t until I heard it that I realized how much I missed Aldrahn’s voice. But, Aldrahn has vanished once again. In his place stands Kvohst (ex-Code, ex-Void, and ex-Dødheimsgard).” Musical chairs and deathtrips.

Aeon Winds – Stormveiled Review

By Cherd on July 13, 2019 in Avantgarde Music, Black Metal, Reviews, Slovak Metal, Black Metal, 39 comments

“Stormveiled is the second album by Slovak black metal band Aeon Winds, and it’s deeply rooted in the second wave symphonic flourishes pioneered by our aforementioned super spy stand-ins as well as Dimmu Borgir. Icy riffs and blast beats drive the album, while grandiose synthesizers ride shotgun across the 10 track, 50 minute run.” Familiar winds.

Mysticism Black – Return of the Bestial Flame Review

By Mark Z. on July 1, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Black Metal, Reviews, Self-released, Black Metal, 14 comments

“Thirteen years later, ‘OldNick’ has recruited former Ceremonial Castings drummer ‘Blood Hammer’ for sophomore album Return of the Bestial Flame. But does Flame reignite the passion of yesteryear or merely linger like an awkward conversation with an old acquaintance you ran into at the grocery store?” Flaming beasts will set the world on fire.

Vargrav – Reign in Supreme Darkness Review

By Doom_et_Al on April 26, 2019 in Reviews, Black Metal, Symphonic Metal, 78 comments

“Remember anything substantial about Gus van Sant’s shot-for-shot remake of the Hitchcock’s classic, Pyscho? Me neither. If you’re going to copy or reboot something, you need to bring something new to the table. In 20 years’ time, people will still be watching Predator, Point Break, and Total Recall. No one will be wasting time with the pointless and forgettable reboots. Before I get banished to yet another extra latrine shift by my slave-driving editor, while he mumbles something about this ‘Not being Angry Movie Guy,’ allow me to explain.” Reboots, man.

Continuum – Designed Obsolescence Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on February 21, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Reviews, Technical Death Metal, Unique Leader, Technical Death Metal, 115 comments

“The internet has created an interesting world where, no matter how esoteric what you do or like is, someone else is doing or enjoying the very same thing. On the one hand, this is great; it’s easier than ever to get recommendations on obscure Brazilian goregrind bands, because there’s a small online community devoted to just that. On the other hand, it’s a bit haunting to some types of people to be not whatsoever original in their tastes.” Fetish-tech.

Asgrauw – Gronspech Review

By Kenstrosity on February 5, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Dutch Metal, Heidens Hart Records, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 75 comments

“I look upon the squiggly logo lightly imposed upon a dusky, yet colorful landscape and I realize that almost a half an hour has passed. Boy where does the time go? I finally break out of my trance and hit the play button, having queued up Asgrauw’s third offering, Gronspech. Well, I could have seen that coming miles away; this is quintessential 90’s black metal. Normally I feel ambivalence towards this particular strain. It drains me, the grating guitars and the wanton shrieks sapping my will to continue more quickly than most other subgenres of metal might. But this time I am finding myself once again entranced by what Asgrauw have on display.” Blackness from the land of orange.