The Meads of Asphodel

In the Woods… – Cease the Day Review

By Mark Z. on November 21, 2018 in 2018, Black Metal, Debemur Morti, Norwegian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Progressive Metal, 32 comments

“There have been so many strong comebacks in recent years that it actually seems more notable when one doesn’t go well. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to In the Woods…. In the 1990s, this Norwegian quintet captivated listeners with three albums that ranged in style from black metal to prog rock to avant-garde, all while maintaining an esoteric aura that was somehow only strengthened by their dissolution in 2000. Sadly, after their 2014 reformation, Woods released the disappointing Pure in 2016, a vapid piece of experimental doom metal that probably didn’t even deserve the 2.5/5.0 I gave it at the time.” Comeback redux.

In the Woods… – Pure Review

By Mark Z. on September 8, 2016 in 2016, Black Metal, Debemur Morti, Doom Metal, Norwegian Metal, Progressive Metal, Reviews, Black Metal, Doom Metal, Progressive Metal, 36 comments

“I have a strange relationship with In the Woods…. Back when I was first discovering underground metal and devouring all the obscure releases I could find in the Internet’s further reaches, I remember being taken aback one night by a mysterious 1995 debut called Heart of the Ages. Both the record’s hazy cover art and the esoteric black metal contained within conveyed a haunting, archaic timelessness that, oddly enough, was so powerful it actually discouraged me from returning to the album after my initial awestruck listens. The mystique was furthered by the fact that Woods broke up in 2000 – years before I ever heard of them.” Mystique and aura aren’t just friendly girls at the local gentlemen’s club.

The Meads of Asphodel/Tjolgtjar – Taste the Divine Wrath Review

By Jean-Luc Ricard on June 10, 2015 in 2015, American Metal, Black Metal, English Metal, Eternal Death, Reviews, Black Metal, Psychedelic Rock, 9 comments

“Split albums are hard to do well. It’s rare that the contributing bands are equally matched, and even rarer that the musical styles are complementary. The Meads of Asphodel are no stranger to the dodgy split.” Begs the question, is Tjolgtjar the yin to the Meads raging yang?

Ebonillumini – Arktos Review

By Lord Doom on May 30, 2015 in 2015, Avante Garde, Black Metal, English Metal, Reviews, Wickerman Recordings, Black Metal, 22 comments

“Rather than a true sub-genre, “avant-garde” seems more a default category for bands who can’t be pigeonholed with a nice, tidy tag. With a name like Ebonillumini it’s almost a given this is a band worthy of the avant-garde label. Less obvious is that they’re far removed from anything like an Arcturus style of forward-thinking, unconventional metal.” Icebergs ahead!