Author Andy Pountney
The opening night of any new arena is bound to be a special occasion and the inaugural show will always go down in history. Copenhagen’s Royal Arena marked their arrival on the world stage with a huge statement of intent… Continue Reading →
If you turn on any news channel, on pretty much any day, you will see stories about religion inspired war, whether it be Israel, Syria or the frighteningly frequent terror attacks across the globe to name but a few. Sadly,… Continue Reading →
The fact that most of the UK dates on this tour sold out speaks volumes about the current appetite for underground extremity. Oathbreaker and Svalbard are perfect touring partners, each having their own style and identity, while complementing each other, making… Continue Reading →
Dutch extreme metal is in a rude state of health at the moment, and while the immediate focus may go towards the pummelling death metal scene, there is a hotbed of quality black metal bands lurking in the undergrowth, just… Continue Reading →
Canadian metal outfit Kobra and the Lotus, rolled into Manchester as part of their tour with Delain and Evergrey. Enigmatic front-woman Kobra took time out of her schedule to have a chat with Ave Noctum in her dressing room… Continue Reading →
Black clad hordes descending on the Union building of Leeds University, sending unsuspecting students running for cover can only mean one thing – Damnation Festival! This was the 12th consecutive annual incarnation of this one day festival, showcasing the best home… Continue Reading →
It’s fair to say that The Blackwood Gathering is not your average UK metal festival. Forget mainstream metal for the masses, dodgy burger vans and over priced watered down beer. This is how a music festival should be…. The Blackwood… Continue Reading →
I managed to catch Norwegian black metal barbarians Tortorum at a gig in their hometown of Bergen a few years ago and was blown away by their ferocity, which even exceeded the aggression and intensity captured on their two previous… Continue Reading →
Having just submitted a review of the fantastic Midgardsblot festival, I was asked whether I would like to continue my “Viking adventure” by giving a listen to Skálmöld’s new release ‘Vögguvísur Yggdrasils’. Of course, I jumped at the chance. Hailing… Continue Reading →
Day Three The music was scheduled to begin at 14:00 on day 3, so I took the opportunity to have a look at some of the Viking artifacts in the Midgard Center, and to have a walk around Borrepark amongst… Continue Reading →
Background Set amongst the Viking burial mounds of Borre in Norway, Midgardsblot is held on one of Norway’s most important national heritage sites and a place that was clearly of great importance to the Vikings who once resided here. The… Continue Reading →
Okay, cards on the table……I have been a big fan of Delain since catching them at their first UK show in 2009, and have seen them many times since, both in the UK and further afield, and consider them one… Continue Reading →