As a consistently profound blend of blackgaze, ambient, post-rock, and black metal, the Ottawa-bound Unreqvited led by 鬼 (Ghost) takes a groundbreaking step toward a rather structured approach in terms of their soundscapes on their new album; incorporating elements from their past releases. With the release of A Pathway to the Moon –out via Prophecy Productions–, they transition into something beyond their borders; inclined more towards intricate lyrical expressions and clean vocals rather than instrumental-heavy elements. This change of trajectory also happens because of the fact that they recently transitioned into a full touring band with heavy focus on live performances. Continue reading
Tag Archives: blackgaze
ALBUM REVIEW: Hidden Mothers – Erosion – Avulsion
Hidden Mothers made sure to sneak in their debut full-length just before the 2024 calendar year comes to a close, and it’s important that everyone makes sure not to miss this one as 2025 approaches with a new crop of releases.
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: Respire – Hiraeth
In 2020, Canadian Post / Avantgarde Black Metal collective Respire, released their memorable third album Black Line. A record with a spin on the genre that stood out as the works of a band who were comfortable in pushing the boundaries of what was possible with the Black Metal sound. Hiraeth now follows, four years in the making and diving deeper into the use of experimentation, with grand orchestral arrangements creating a sound that owes as much inspiration to the likes of their fellow countrymen Godspeed You! Black Emperor, as it does classic Black Metal bands such as, well Emperor.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
ALBUM REVIEW: Alcest – Les Chants de L’Aurore
Alcest began as a solo Black Metal project for French musician Neige at the turn of the millennium, and have since forged themselves a fine reputation as one of the pioneering bands of the Blackgaze sound. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Deliria – Phantasm
Boy is it exhilarating when a group of meticulous and notable artists get together to show the world how music is done the right way!Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Glassing – From the Other Side of the Mirror
Hailing from Austin, Texas, Glassing is an intriguing band who have released some quality music across the albums Light and Death (2017), Spotted Horse (2019), and Twin Dream (2021). They’ve always shown that they are not one to be musically pigeonholed, as they convey a wide range of sounds from Post Metal to Hardcore, Sludge to Black Metal while often breaking up the chaos with moments of drone atmospherics. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Acathexis – Immerse
Consisting of Jake, Dany, and Déhà, Acathexis unites members of Mare Cognitum, Los Males del Mundo, and Downfall of Nur together as an intercontinental unit based in Argentina, USA, and Belgium, In collaboration with Extraconscious Records, Amor Fati Productions proudly releases Acathexis’ second full length that is highly anticipated; entitled Immerse which is available on both CD and vinyl formats.
ALBUM REVIEW: Suldusk – Anthesis
Anthesis (Napalm Records) is the second full album from Australia’s Suldusk, originally the one-women project of vocalist/guitarist Emily Highfield, but now expanded into a full-band lineup including a violinist and three guitarists, plus a bass player and drummer.Continue reading