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Outre – Hollow Earth Review

By Akerblogger on October 25, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Debemur Morti, Polish Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, 71 comments

“Another day another cryptic European black metal band. I’m certainly not complaining. Between the 90s and today, impulsive, anarchistic satanism has been replaced by the sophisticated, wine drinking sort: we’re all very smart these days, you see. Nature, religion and the occult have been approached with kaleidoscopic freedom in the lyrics and instrumentation of black metal bands for many years, but Poland particularly has spawned many bands of this mysterious, enigmatic variety.” The Polish Hammer.

Délétère – De Horae Leprae Review

By El Cuervo on June 22, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Canadian Metal, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Sepulchral Productions, Black Metal, 38 comments

“‘Délétère’. A word which translates from French into English as ‘deleterious’. Aside from sounding distinctly metal, it apparently means ‘harmful’ or ‘damaging’. Bear this in mind. Addressing the band that is the subject of today’s review, Délétère partake in the affecting métal noir Québécoise scene.” Québéc-core.

4 Days of Death: The Maryland Deathfest Diaries

By Mark Z. on June 16, 2018 in 2018, Blog Posts, Live Reviews, 41 comments

“Anyone who’s seen The Wire knows Baltimore can be a rough place, but on Memorial Day weekend every year, things get especially brutal. Hundreds of rabid metal fans from all over the world descend on ‘Charm City’ to participate in Maryland Deathfest, and the result is four days of moshing, headbanging, and partying like it’s 1989.” Death to all.

Medico Peste – Herzogian Darkness EP Review

By Dr. Wvrm on March 27, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Polish Metal, Reviews, World Terror Committee, Black Metal, 11 comments

“In the 14th century, the Black Death shaved roughly 20% of the world’s population off the map and your average medico della peste watched it happen. These plague doctors treated the disease when possible, but all the while bolstered their grim understanding of its contraction, its progression, and its corpses. Medico Peste tapped this horrific lineage with א: Tremendum et Fascinatio. Terrifying and entrancing indeed, the debut opened a festering wound in the hearts of listeners. With follow-up EP Herzogian Darkness, the Poles convincingly bolster a black-hearted résumé that is quickly becoming one to watch.” Bring out your EPs!

Draugsól – Volaða Land Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on January 10, 2017 in 2017, Black Metal, Death Metal, Icelandic Metal, Reviews, Signal Rex, Black Metal, Death Metal, 14 comments

“It’s no secret that—following a legacy now two decades old—black metal is synonymous with Scandinavia. For most, this refers to Norway and Sweden, but, depending on who you ask, this may also include Finland and Iceland. Regardless if these countries meet the rules for the “Scandinavia” tag, they have a plethora of black metal bands, with legacies all their own. And I thank that goat-headed deity for that.” Feeling Scandinavia, looking frozen tundra.

Ash Borer – The Irrepassable Gate Review

By Dr. Wvrm on December 8, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Black Metal, Profound Lore Records, Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, 16 comments

“I will admit off the bat that I did not know what I was walking into with Ash Borer. They were a random pick, as our promo sheet is currently blacker than an Ad Reinhardt ten-part series on being born blind. I missed the boat on the so-called “Cascadian black metal” scene after several unsatisfying jaunts with Wolves in the Throne Room, but I’m down to see what all the hype is about.” Hype can truly be a bore.

Torrid Husk & End – Swallow Matewan [Split] Review

By Saunders on October 1, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Black Metal, Greek Metal, Grimoire Records, Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 10 comments

“On a Saturday morning I was lazily kicking back in bed, gazing through the shades at the vibrant colors of the gorgeous day ahead, feeling the mild spring breeze float through the window when I decided it was time to delve into Swallow Matewan, a split release between West Virginia’s Torrid Husk and Greece’s End. Some 40-odd minutes later of listening to the despairing double dose of violent, rainbow killing, unicorn enslaving atmospheric black metal and I was left emotionally damaged and wallowing in self-pity.” Unicorn enslaving is frowned upon in this establishment.

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.

Thrawsunblat – Metachthonia Review

By Diabolus in Muzaka on July 4, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Canadian Metal, Folk Metal, Ignifera Records, Melodic Black Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Melodic Black Metal, 93 comments

“Thrawsunblat is a bit more related to black metal than the last two Woods of Ypres records were, but the late David Gold’s influence is certainly felt here. It’s easy to hear some similarities to Ensiferum along with newer Winterfylleth, but there’s a very Canadian element that sets Thrawsunblat apart.” The Woods live on….

Forteresse – Thèmes pour la Rébellion Review

By El Cuervo on June 15, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Canadian Metal, Reviews, Sepulchral Productions, Black Metal, 17 comments

“I’m largely done with black metal as it was in Norway in 1993. That raw, lo-fi, stripped-back approach to black metal had its place and developed metal in so many ways but it’s definitely had its time. Bands such as Ulver, Emperor and Enslaved were already beginning to move the sound into unprecedented regions in the mid-late 90s. Now in 2016 it’s rare that I listen to that sort of no frills attached, no genre cross-over, nothing added to that furious, godless formula.” But there are always exceptions.