Occult Black Metal

Thokkian Vortex – Thy Throne is Mine Review

Thokkian Vortex – Thy Throne is Mine Review

Thokkian Vortex has always been a little… odd. Into the Nagual frequently sounded like standard second-wave black metal fare, with few frills and even less fuss. But then, out of nowhere, weird ambient tones would emerge, combined with chanting and strange instrumentation. While it didn’t work particularly convincingly, like great uncle Bob removing his dentures as a party trick at Thanksgiving, it had a peculiar charm.” Throne to the wolves.

Aegrus – In Manus Satanas Review

Aegrus – In Manus Satanas Review

“The AMG taskmasters are an unforgiving lot. Missed deadlines result in extra latrine duty, or occasionally banishment to the Skull Pit. But sometimes, missed deadlines (and the grumpy glare of the frequently-disappointed ape who doubles as my editor) are worth it because not all albums can be fully digested in a week. Or even a month. Some take their sweet time to fully reveal their secrets, and patience is key. Aegrus’s latest effort, In Manus Satanas, is a great example of this.” Patience is great. Lateness is not.

Negator – Vnitas Pvritas Existentia Review

Negator – Vnitas Pvritas Existentia Review

“You know that feeling when you’ve entrusted someone you don’t know to do a job, and you realize early on that they are capable and competent and that, for this particular task at least, you don’t have to worry? Listening to Negator’s latest effort, Vnitas Pvritas Existensia, is a lot like that. Within the first 5 minutes, you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into: furious, no-nonsense Germanic, occult black metal (with a distinct paucity of U’s in the song titles).” Goats til Sunday!

Crimson Moon – Mors Vincit Omnia Review

Crimson Moon – Mors Vincit Omnia Review

Crimson Moon originated as a single-man black metal project in 1994, the creation of Scorpios Adroctonus. In 1998, he moved from America to Germany and expanded the project. But the output of Crimson Moon has been sparse, with only three albums since it was formed. The last was 2016’s Oneironaut, which impressed many (including our own Al Kikuras) with its expansive, but occasionally excessive, approach. Now the band is back with Mors Vincit Omnia (Death Conquers All) in, by their standards, record time. Is that occult itch about to be scratched?” Institutional blasphemy.

Dødsengel – Interequinox Review

Dødsengel – Interequinox Review

“How much stock do you place in authenticity? Do you opt for subtitles over the dub? Will you only reach for your wallet if a suit was hand stitched by a broom closet-dwelling tailor in Milan? And even if you can’t believe it’s not butter, do you push it aside for the original, anyway? When it comes to music, when one hears the word “Norway” invariably the next words that follow are “black metal” so it may be comforting to know that Dødsengel — with their own brand of svart metall — hails from the land of frost and cod.” For cod and country.