Are you inherently cynical, like me? Is it engrained in your DNA to be automatically suspicious of everything, especially musical recommendations? Have you ever laughed hysterically to yourself upon hearing...
BLUT AUS NORD – MEMORIA VETUSTA I: FATHERS OF THE ICY AGE LP (Debemur Morti Productions)
May 29th, 2012CLAIR CASSIS – CLAIR CASSIS LP (Starlight Temple Society)
May 22nd, 2012
Clair Cassis is Velvet Cacoon in all but name. For some reason, the oft-maligned VC opted to change their name; I can’t imagine why. Anyway, the debut album under the more-recent moniker was committed to vinyl in 2010 but I’ve only...
FJORSVARTNIR – LEGIONS OF THE NORTH (Grom Records)
May 19th, 2012
Pagan Black Metal and melodic Black Metal are dubious areas I tend to avoid like the plague, for obvious reasons. Anything to do with Vikings and longships and runestones and battles of the north will generally cause me to run a...
KRATER – NOCEBO LP (Eternity Records)
May 15th, 2012
The CD version of Krater’s sophomore full-length came out last summer but I held out for the vinyl edition, having already purchased the exquisite 2LP of ‘Das Relikt Des Triumphes’ a few years back. I was expecting something grand with this new one and I haven’t...
ENTHRONED – OBSIDIUM LP (Agonia)
May 5th, 2012
Enthroned truly is a strange beast. Active since 1994, they’ve released a grand total of nine full-lengths including this current one. But, who exactly is they? None of the original members remain in the band. Indeed, the line-up now is totally different to that which unleashed the...
ILL OMEN – DIVINITY THROUGH UN-CREATION LP (Analog Worship)
May 4th, 2012
‘Divinity Through Un-creation’ is the debut full-length from challenging and crushing Australian horde Ill Omen and it’s a foul, dank gust of fetid vapour. This is oppressive, dark, deathly Black Metal that suffocates relentlessly, wrapping its deviant fingers around your...
CHAO – SPIRITUS SANKTI EP (Terratur Possessions)
April 26th, 2012
This EP showcases three excellent offerings of orthodox Black Metal from the Icelandic capital. The fact that it appears on Terratur almost guarantees high quality straight away and, naturally, ‘Spiritus Sankti’ does not disappoint. It comes on a beautiful pro cassette, with high-quality cover...
DROWNING THE LIGHT – DROWNED (Obscure Abhorrence Productions)
April 26th, 2012
Upon first listen, I was disappointed by the bad sound that dogs this album. So much so that I was initially tempted to write a negative-ish review. That would have been an injustice. Drowning The Light has benefited from a much cleaner...
DEMONCY – ENTHRONED IS THE NIGHT (Forever Plagued Records)
April 21st, 2012
Been listening to this album around the clock for the past month or so now and, well, it’s obviously extremely good stuff. Comprising eight slabs of deathly underground Black Metal and three excellent eerie instrumentals spaced out over 41 minutes,...
GALLOWS THRONE – SCOURGE OF BEDLAM (self-released)
April 20th, 2012
Interesting debut here from an unknown entity out of Texas / Arizona in the States. (Wonder how that works.) I have little other info about Gallows Throne except that ‘Scourge Of Bedlam’ comprises six songs and lasts a mere 29 minutes. Short...