Having long forsaken the path of raw black metal, it has almost turned into a sport to see what the Norwegian extreme progessive metal act Enslaved conjure up whenever they announce a new album. The Norwegians are some of the few that have both managed to maintain (a bit of) and musically evolve from their […]
review
Forgotten Tomb – Nihilistic Estrangement
Italy’s blackened sludge / doom band Forgotten Tomb are about to release their tenth full-length Nihilistic Estrangement via Agonia Records.
Ritual Dictates – Given To Despair Review
‘Given to Despair’ by Ritual Dictates is a strong debut that combines genres that seemingly do not fit well together in a very skillful manner, resulting in some of the best songs I’ve heard in a while.
Ihsahn – Telemark
Ihsahn‘s solo work has always had a divisive character to me. The roots in extreme metal, the progressive and complex music, combined with the influences and a brass ensemble, leaves me somewhere between being intruiged (‘Lend Me The Eyes Of Millennia‘) and not getting through the material. That said, there is no doubt that this […]
Necronautical – Apotheosis
It’s been nearly 10 years since an album of a (extreme / black) symphonic metal band has stuck with yours truly as much as Necronautical recently (Carach Angren’s ‘Death Came Through A Phantom Ship’ probably being the last). Not that there haven’t been decent releases in the genre. On the contrary: the above mentioned, Septicflesh […]
Numenorean – Adore
Canadian post-black metal entourage Numenorean left a deep and long lasting impression with their 2016 debut release Home. In the crowded genre of (depressive) post-black, they differentiated themselves with a record that stuck, hooked and was there to stay. Instead of sinking into the quagmire of mediocre ‘music by the mile’ that post-black can be(come), […]
Lucifer’s Cold Embrace – The Elegy of Lilith
After the well-received EP “Sovereign Heresy” Martin van Beek (Non-Divine, Netherlands) reckoned it was time for a full length album with his project Lucifer’s Cold Embrace. And with “The Elegy of Lilith” he delivers impressive work! Especially regarding the fact that all guitars, vocals and programming are solely performed by Martin himself. Musically we are […]
Funeral Mist – Hekatomb
Better late than never is a phrase. This phrase also goes for the Funeral Mist “Hekatomb” review. The album has already been released six months ago. If I should make a year list of best metal albums this one is high in the ranks. It would be unfair that we wouldn’t treat your blackened ears […]
Lucifers Child – The Order
Hellenic black metal formation Lucifers Child have just released their second full length on Agonia Records. ‘The Order’ heavily leans on the influences of its big brothers in the genre: Watain, Marduk and Rotting Christ (with whom the band shares a guitarist). Does ‘The Order’ stand on its own, or will it be crushed by […]
MaYaN – Dhyana
We wanted to post this review a couple of weeks ago and apologize for the delay. Fact is, I wasn’t able to get out of my chair, since Dhyana blasted me into it. Dyana is MaYaN’s third album and hardly disappoints. Even after listening a couple of times, the record keeps me mezmerized and entertained […]