Gorgoroth

Gaerea – Unsettling Whispers Review

By Master of Muppets on June 29, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Portuguese Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Sludge Metal, Transcending Obscurity, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Sludge Metal, 284 comments

“A black metal Transcending Obscurity release with monochrome artwork: who could have ever foreseen this one falling into my velvety grasp? Portugal’s Gaerea certainly put their Muppet-est foot forward when casting Unsettling Whispers into the Angry Metal Promo Sump, and yet I was wary. Black metal is the best metal, ov course, but it’s also everywhere and lately sounding too similar to itself. Sure, a few vague details got my attention, but I’m a poseur and all the Muppet love in the world can’t make an album innovative or objectively meritorious; did I perhaps build my hopes too high only to find yet another band trying to be either Ulcerate or Agalloch?” Black metal art.

Marduk – Viktoria Review

By Angry Metal Guy on June 20, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Century Media, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Black Metal, 0 comments

This post has been removed because it promoted Nazi or Nazi-adjacent metal bands or musicians. We apologize.

Hoth – Astral Necromancy Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on June 18, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 58 comments

“Astral Necromancy, the third release from American metal band Hoth, has caused me to discard far more words than I will publish about it. Very little of these words concerned the Star Wars theme of the band, which seems to interpret that series as a bunch of myths with archetypal themes that can be put into any context. This makes the whole enterprise more appealing, as there are no forced references and the focus remains on the music instead of hunts for little Easter eggs concerning Jar-Jar.” Death to Jar-Jar!

Provocator – Satan, Chaos, Blood and Terror Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on February 25, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Moribund Records, Reviews, Slovenian Metal, Black Metal, 0 comments

“Now, this is a weird one for Doc Grier. Back in 2014, I had the pleasure of reviewing Provocator’s debut record, Antikristus. At the time, this one-man, black metal outfit from Slovenia sought the rhythms and execution of Norway’s ’90s scene. The approach was raw—but not too raw—and the delivery was somewhere between the aggressiveness of Gorgoroth, the minimalism of Darkthrone, and the “upbeatness” of Nattefrost/Carpathian Forest. And, after all these years, the record still has staying power for me. What’s so weird about this? What’s weird is that Antikristus was Doc Grier‘s very first review with AMG. So, as you can guess, I couldn’t pass up Hellscream’s follow-up full-length, Satan, Chaos, Blood and Terror.” So much Satan.

Deathcult – Cult of the Goat Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on December 11, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Soulseller Records, Black Metal, 32 comments

“I’m not quite sure how it happens but I always seem to find myself buried in black metal at the end of the year. It’s not like 2015, where Kampfar’s Profan squeezed its way into my top ten at the last second, but there are some last-minute gems from 2017. And two, in particular, involve the infamous Hoest. Last month, there was Taake’s Kong Vinter. This month, there’s the return of Norway’s sibling-driven Deathcult.” Goatloads of fun.

Taake – Kong Vinter Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on November 24, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Dark Essence Records, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 65 comments

“But the ones I came back to the most were the underrated groups, like Ofermod, Svartsyn, Urgehal, and Taake. To me, this latter group has some of the best black metal ever recorded. In Taake’s case, Nattestid ser porten vid, Over Bjoergvin graater himmerik, and Hordalands doedskvad still make me dribble over my lower lip like a fucking vegetable. But, like most black metal giants, Taake’s recent material has begun to slip in quality. Their 2014 release, Stridens hus, left my throat parched and now my need for nourishment is at an all-time high. The question is: will Taake’s newest release, Kong Vinter, wet lips or will it cause them to crack and bleed?” Lip care is crucial in a frostbitten kingdom of ice.

Sicarius – Serenade of Slitting Throats Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on October 27, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Black Metal, M-Theory Audio, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 72 comments

“One of my top modern bands is Anaal Nathrakh, and seeing that instrumentalist Mick Kenney produced the debut of Californian black metal band Sicarius’, charmingly called Serenade of Slitting Throats, got me intrigued. When I started listening, that rush of excitement hit once again; now this is a band worth watching.” Benicio del Toro approved.

Antiversum – Cosmos Comedenti Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on October 2, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Death Metal, Invictus Productions, Reviews, Swiss Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, 13 comments

“OK, think fast: what’re the first two bands that come to mind when you think of Zurich? If you’re me, it’s Celtic Frost and Triptykon. Sure, there are plenty of others, but regardless which ones you picked, I bet Antiversum wasn’t one of them. Nothing against this mysterious, black/death group, but with only a demo and a six-way split to their name, I’m sure only a few people here have heard of them. But, now that their debut record is out, here’s your chance.” Blackened Swiss for all.

Urarv – Aurum Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on September 25, 2017 in 2017, Avante Garde, Black Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Svart Records, Black Metal, 24 comments

“Without a doubt, the darkest moments of my life have involved vocalist Aldrahn. At first, it was an unfortunate coincidence. But then his voice and his music became my go-to during those dark days and nights. Be it his groundbreaking introduction with Zyklon B and Old Man’s Child, his psychotic direction with DHG, or his genre-setting contributions to Thorns. This one man has haunted my dreams (and nightmares) for close to two decades. I’ve considered suicide as his voice rang out on my speakers and I even attempted it while listening to Thorns. Then, no more music. But, three years ago, Aldrahn came back to us with The Deathtrip’s Deep Drone Master. While Deep Drone Master was fun, Urarv’s Aurum is something else.” The voice of pain returns.

Wolves in the Throne Room – Thrice Woven Review

By Lord Lucan on September 21, 2017 in 2017, American Metal, Artemisia Records, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 89 comments

“Whenever I hear a half-decent band describe their upcoming record as ‘experimental,’ I find myself afflicted with a sort of low-level split-personality disorder. Half of me wants to clap them on the back and praise their boldness, while the other 50% wants to give them all a good slap for risking disaster so needlessly.” Claps and slaps for all.