ALBUM REVIEW: Sakna – De Syv Dødssynder


I’ve always been drawn to the notion of exploring the deeper cores of works that are published posthumously– and De Syv Dødssynder by Sakna is one of them. It’s not just an ordinary Sognametal-inspired record; it’s an accumulation of remnants gathered over four years consisting of Atmospheric Black Metal/DSBM materials written by the late Solemn himself– later discovered by his brother S (of Lunedi fame) in a long-lost drive, and 15 years after his demise, is set to be released via Hypaethral Records.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Intraether – Vestiges


It seems with every listen, Vestiges (Fiadh Productions) has something more somber to offer.

Intraether, the Atmospheric Black Metal outfit responsible for the new album, succeeds in creating distinguishable songs that all still contain a common thread of melancholy and bombast that brings everything together.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Blackbraid – Blackbraid III


The third chapter of Blackbraid is upon us! Blackbraid III (Self-Released ) has been released onto the world, continuing where the previous chapter ended. This installment in the series keeps all of the elements we have all come to love from Sgah’gahsowáh’s (Editor’s note: translated from Indigenous American for “The Witch Hawk”) solo project, with even more guitar leads to melt your face. A few ticks under an hour places Blackbraid III slightly shorter than its predecessor. It’s worth every minute, so keep that finger off the skip button.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Bergthron – Neu Asen Land


Despite coming from Germany, the 30-year-strong Atmospheric Black Metal unit Bergthron tend to incorporate strong Norse-themed concepts and influences into their songs. Playing mostly Black Metal with a touch of progressive undertones —that would remind their listeners of Sólstafir and the likes–, they are best known for writing songs that pay homage towards the North and its pulchritude, and the ancient times; references of Norse myths included. This fact somehow also bears relevance with how the concepts of their sounds –both lyrically and sonically– are strongly associated with the cold and winter. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: CMPT – Na utrini


CMPT weaves an impressive atmosphere on Na utrini (Osmose Productions). The Balkan black metal band sets themselves apart from the pack by not just going full blast in your face. Not falling victim to the sophomore slump, the band is assured in what they are doing here. The choked rasp of the vocals to the most prominent element to ground the band in his sub-genre. It moves along with an eerie creep.  It’s not until the second song that the drummer begins to push for more momentum, This restraint is their strength, as there is no shortage of Black Metal bands out there still trying to bleed blast-beats from the late nineties era sound, that find too much conformity coming from a misanthropic genre. Here the guitars tap into the trademark metallic buzz of black metal, but the band has already set the stage for a wider range of dynamics, making this a more well-balanced listen.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Paysage D’Hiver – Die Berge


Consistently being the inherent epitome of a harsh menacing winter and presenting ever-enigmatic themes that have to do with the void of darkness and the subconscious, the Switzerland-bound Paysage d’Hiver has been around for quite some time playing inclement Ambient Black Metal with a low-fidelity raw production, while also incorporating elements of a myriad of associated styles, being Funeral Doom Metal, Dungeon Synth, and Drone. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Ellende – Todbringerin


If Taylor Swift can do it, so can Ellende.

The longtime Austrian Atmospheric Black Metal outfit have re-recorded their 2016 record Todbringer for purposes of acquiring ownership. That new effort, entitled Todbringerin (AOP Records), is a shining example of Ellende’s innate ability to produce music that is precise and approached with care and balance.Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Show Me A Dinosaur – Plantgazer (2024 Reissue)


We are into the second half of 2024 and what a year it has been for new music! Even some of the reissues of older recordings coming out so far have been really good. The latest that deserves attention is the 2020 topical album about isolation and loneliness during the COVID Lockdowns, Show Me A Dinosaur’s Plantgazer (AOP Records). The Saint Petersburg post-Black Metal outfit toys with your emotions for nearly forty-five minutes. All while a “fictitious” man lives out his days in lockdown staring at his home plants, pondering about life under the new normal.Continue reading