Immortal

Ctulu – Ctulu Review

Ctulu – Ctulu Review

By Ferrous Beuller on November 15, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, MDD Records, Reviews, Viking Metal, Black Metal, Viking Metal, 13 comments

“Knowing my obsession for all things Lovecraft, a friend of mine has been haranguing me for the last few years to check out Ctulu (the band, not the scourge of creation). Something I have consciously avoided doing, mostly because I’m an infuriating and perverse son of a bitch. When I stumbled upon their fourth and newest self-titled release in the arcane libraries of AMG, I decided enough was enough. Frankly, I wish I had sooner because Ctulu play a high-energy amalgamation of Lawless Darkness-era Watain and latter-day Immortal.” The restricted section is off limits to newbies!

Uburen – Fra Doden Fodes Liv review

Uburen – Fra Doden Fodes Liv review

By GardensTale on November 1, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Via Nocturna, Viking Metal, Black Metal, Viking Metal, 23 comments

“Listening to Enslaved, Deathspell Omega, or Immortal now makes it obvious that an evil tone and master is something you can achieve without sacrificing sound quality. A dynamic production suited for black metal can actually increase and enhance the inherent unease of the genre. Yet, there are still persevering atavists like Uburen, whose primary goal seems to be emulating the aural mutilation of Norway ca 1993.” Behold the Tree of Strife.

Eastern Front – EmpirE Review

Eastern Front – EmpirE Review

By Dr. Wvrm on October 5, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Cacophonous Records, Death Metal, English Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 13 comments

“War is hell. It’s also pretty metal. This defining aspect of the human condition has been touched upon by more bands than you can rattle your saber at. It’s even made its mark on black metal, as Eastern Front will be quick to remind you. Plundering the history books for wartime atrocities has inspired some ferocious work from Eastern Front before, and EmpirE rides that Panzer down a solid if unsurprising path.” Let’s blow stuff up!

Ancient – Back to the Land of the Dead Review

Ancient – Back to the Land of the Dead Review

By Lord Lucan on September 18, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Black Metal, Greek Metal, Italian Metal, Norwegian Metal, Reviews, Soulseller Records, Black Metal, 60 comments

“I find black metal deeply polarizing. While helplessly captivated by the cold, desolate aura of much of the genre’s higher quality output, I also find myself mind-numbingly frustrated when magnificent records are in my view ruined by intentionally dreadful production, sounding as though they were recorded not in a studio but rather in a metal bin at the bottom of a distant lake (Transilvanian Hunger anyone?). Founded in Bergen in the early nineties by frontman Aphazel, the aptly-named Ancient have been diligently plying their trade for almost a quarter of a century now, establishing a back catalogue of uncharacteristically lush-sounding black metal and recruiting a small but loyal following along the way.” Old and cold, or old and bold?

Inquisition – Bloodshed Across the Empyrean Altar Beyond the Celestial Zenith Review

Inquisition – Bloodshed Across the Empyrean Altar Beyond the Celestial Zenith Review

By Angry Metal Guy on August 26, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Black Metal, Reviews, Season of Mist, Black Metal, 70 comments

This post was removed due to Dagon’s involvement in a number of explicitly Nazi projects and events. If you were unaware of this, now you know. Armed with that information, I encourage you to not support Inquisition or any Nazi band. The reason this is important is because financial support for Neo-Nazi groups often comes via the white power punk and metal music scenes and, therefore, cutting off financial support to these bands may be a meaningful way to counteract the ability to organize.

Sodom – Decision Day Review

Sodom – Decision Day Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on August 24, 2016 in 2016, German Metal, Reviews, SPV, Steamhammer, Thrash Metal, Thrash Metal, 48 comments

“As you get older, reminiscing becomes part of everyday life. Especially those pushing thirty, forty, fifty years old. Times were simpler in the old days and, while we’re wiser now, there’s a sense of envy for those days of ignorance. In 2016, AMG Industries, Inc. gives Sodom’s thirty-year-old self an opportunity to look back at baby pictures. A few weeks ago we got an YMIO on Obsessed by Cruelty and now we get 2016’s Decision Day.” That baby was mighty ugly. So what’s the adult version looking like these days?

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.

SIG:AR:TYR – Northen Review

SIG:AR:TYR – Northen Review

By Steel Druhm on April 9, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Canadian Metal, Folk Metal, Hammerheart Records, Reviews, Viking Metal, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Viking Metal, 53 comments

“SIG:AR:TYR are one of the most criminally overlooked acts in the Viking/folk/black metal arena and even after three high quality albums they still seem woefully under-appreciated. Taking the best elements of Bathory’s Viking era and fusing them with influences ranging from Immortal, Falkenbach and Primordial, founder and sole member Daemonskald crafted some amazingly epical moments on unsung classics like Beyond the North Winds and 2010’s Godsaga.” Prepare to feel the Hammer o’ the North.

Rimfrost – Rimfrost Review

Rimfrost – Rimfrost Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on March 22, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Non Serviam Records, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Black Metal, 53 comments

“Because the chances of getting another release worth a damn from Immortal are about as likely as my Writer o’ the Year award, I have no other choice but to look elsewhere for my Immortal Thirst Quencher. But where can I find that iciness that somehow defines Immortal but no one else? From whence shall I procure melodic black metal that taps into my heart and freezes my veins into blood Popsicles?” These are the kind of hard questions that get you a doctorate!