Melodic Black Metal

Vorna – Sateet palata saavat Review

By Master of Muppets on September 23, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Finnish Metal, Folk Metal, Lifeforce Records, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Folk Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 45 comments

“With the annual pilgrimage to dead leaves and perpetual darkness underway, an appropriate soundtrack is imperative to survival; I need something that will simultaneously sonically augment the surrounding scenery as well as shield me from its scheduled sadness, something which will bring this death to life and save me from it. Such a savior has arrived in the form of Vorna’s Sateet palata saavat, and though I am loathe to share such splendor with the likes ov you, the urge to babble about said greatness has temporarily overtaken my selfish recalcitrance: you’re welcome, yo.” The autumn wind smells like Muppet.

Anticosm – The Call of the Void Review

By El Cuervo on August 24, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Black Metal, Hell Kill Destroy Records, Reviews, Thrash Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Thrash Metal, 30 comments

“Deströyer 666 and Hellripper opened my eyes to the sheer energy and surprising hooks which can be present when linked with black metal, while the likes of early Slayer overlapped with an old favorite in classic metal. I saw more clearly the interconnected map of styles in the ’80s and was lured in with the treats of genres with which I was better accustomed. The prospect of a new blackened thrash release in the promo bin was therefore exciting and so it was that I turned to New Jersey’s Anticosm and their third full-length entitled The Call of the Void.” Jersey boys in the void.

Deadwood Lake – Immortalised in Death Review

By Emya on August 14, 2019 in 2019, English Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, UKEM Records, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 15 comments

“Sparkling cool water gently thrums against a piece of driftwood. A tiny squirrel scurries through the underbrush. I sit atop a picnic bench beside the rock strewn shore of Diamond Lake in southern Oregon mulling over how to articulate my heavy thoughts regarding an album by a band with a similar name to the very lake I overlook. When asked how they got their name, melodic atmospheric black metal band Deadwood Lake’s response is simply “we just thought it sounded cool.” It turns out that there is in fact a body of water in northern Wisconsin with the same sinister name as this relatively new yet prolific addition to the UK’s atmoblack scene.” Death at the lake.

Funeral Storm – Arcane Mysteries Review

By Mark Z. on May 31, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Greek Metal, Hells Headbangers Records, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 42 comments

“Mystical. Archaic. Melodic. Militant. Triumphant. All words that could be used to describe Greek black metal, and all reasons why albums like Macabre Omen’s Gods of War – At War and Rotting Christ’s mid-00s material hold a special place in my blackened heart. Funeral Storm aren’t technically a new name on the scene, though you’d be forgiven for never having heard of them given they’ve released virtually nothing other than a few splits since their 2002 formation.” Putting the Hell in Hellenic.

Belzebubs – Pantheon of the Nightside Gods Review

By GardensTale on April 26, 2019 in 2019, Century Media, Finnish Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Reviews, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, 231 comments

“The concept of the virtual band is hardly a novel one anymore. The first was arguably Alvin and the Chipmunks all the way back in 1958, though it was Gorillaz who popularized the concept. Metal has dipped their toes in the idea a few times as well, most notably with Dethklok from Adult Swim’s Metalocalypse cartoon. Yet something just feels different about Belzebubs, a new virtual band formed around the webcomic of the same name by Finnish author JP Ahonen. The comic is high quality in and of itself, mixing black metal tropes, an Adams Family theme of a dark and weird yet loving family, and a Calvin & Hobbes sense of adorable bubbly slapstick. But comics and music are extremely different media. How serious can we take an actual album by the bumbling ink-drawn band?” Anime to the Nightside Eclipse.

Istapp – The Insidious Star Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on April 25, 2019 in 2019, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Swedish Metal, Trollzorn Records, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 148 comments

“‘You guys remember Istapp?’ asked the Head Honcho Himself, as he shared the news of an upcoming release. Not to mention “I väntan på den absoluta nollpunkten,” from debut record Blekinge. A song from a record as novel as any the black/folk/Viking metal world has ever known. So much so that you’d guess these Swedes have been around since the beginning of time. Perhaps as a black metal outfit that morphed into a melodic, folky one? Or a group that invented the subgenre, releasing their first album before the almighty Bathory and his Viking trilogy? But, it turns out, the untouchable Blekinge is shy of only nine years of age.” Star power.

Vanum – Ageless Fire Review

By Cherd on February 15, 2019 in 2019, American Metal, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Profound Lore Records, Reviews, Black Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 161 comments

“Vanum caught my attention with this gorgeous image of a violent geological process–a particular interest of mine–that is both legibly pictorial and pulling at the edges of abstraction. Tasteful typography and minimal framing compliments rather than competes with the painting. Interest piqued, I dug further and discovered this to be a project of K. Morgan and M. Rekevics of American black metal bands Ash Borer and Yellow Eyes, respectively, both of which I enjoy. Now firmly on the hook, my main question is: does the musical carpet match the visual drapes?” For lavas of fine art.

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.

Lemuria – The Hysterical Hunt Review

By Kenstrosity on January 14, 2019 in 2019, Belgian Metal, Black Metal, Massacre Records, Reviews, Symphonic Metal, Black Metal, Epic Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 149 comments

“It would probably surprise nobody to learn that my background as a metalhead began with symphonic metal. Somehow (read: through a series of ill-advised sessions of reckless YouTube binges) I discovered it during the early days of high school. Symphonic metal enlivened me and became my gateway into this marvelous metalverse. Today I return to that hallowed ground upon which my transformation manifested. Waiting there for me is Lemuria—a symphonic black metal band from Belgium, est. 1999—with their third epic The Hysterical Hunt.” Night hunt at the opera.

Exit…Hall Left: The Weenie Metal Round-Up [Things You Might Have Missed 2018]

By Dr. Wvrm on December 27, 2018 in 2018, Alt-Metal, American Metal, Black Metal, British Metal, Chinese Metal, Doom Metal, Dutch Metal, Epic Metal, German Metal, Hard Rock, Israeli Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Non-Metal Metal Things, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, Synthwave, Things You Might Have Missed 2018, Alternative Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal, Doom Metal, Epic Metal, Hard Rock, Melodic Black Metal, Melodic Death Metal, Non-metal Metal Things, Power Metal, Progressive Metal, Sludge Metal, Stoner Metal, Synthwave, 68 comments

“Not everyone can be BRUTAL ENOUGH!!! Some of us are hobbits; diminutive, folksy, averse to Camo™ and Camo™-derived accouterments. Maybe you just want to smell the flowers, despite your allergies. That’s ok. We’re here for you.” Hello, weenies.