Formed in 1999 by members of Goatwhore and a few like minded nihilists, Ritual Killer was conceived with the aim of being a singularly savage US black metal force. Their debut album (and only release aside from this follow-up) ‘Upon… Continue Reading →
Another Nordvis signing crossing my path, another name new to me. Grift are the vision of Swedish maestro Erik Gärdefors, his now solitary journey into the melancholic regions of blackened and doomed metal. Apparently inspired by the poets and artists… Continue Reading →
“Black metal bands from Cuba are rare”. I’d certainly agree with that statement. “Through Blackness, And Remote Places”, which to my discredit I initially misread as “Through Bracknell, and Remote Places”, is the band’s third album and there’s a swagger… Continue Reading →
It’s been a while since we last heard from West Midlands black metal crew Funeral Throne, six years to be precise. Their debut album ‘Nihil Sine Diabolvs’ was released through Satanas Rex in 2008, and now ‘Threshold’ has been given… Continue Reading →
Italian hardcore four-piece, Lambs, while relatively new to the scene, have a playing style that will sound familiar to those fond of the likes of Hexis, Ancst and Cowards. This debut EP gives us a short, 13 minute taste of… Continue Reading →
Even on a summer’s day, the bleak and cold landscape of “Fanden på Veggen” (Devil on the Wall), which opens this album sears through any suggestion of warmth or comfort. My immediate reaction was “Taake” and sure enough, this is… Continue Reading →
It is claimed that Kaiserreich are the modern face of true black metal. I’m still more suspicious of such claims when I read that this is a mature and sonically advanced take on their “raw and aggressive form of Primeval… Continue Reading →
Blackened doom rock merchants The Spirit Cabinet have managed to splice two very different and appropriate meanings into their band name. Yes, it refers to some weird ouija board-style magic trick to communicate with the ‘other’ side. And also a… Continue Reading →
Morbid Slaughter from Peru have been going since 2009 when front man Envenom decided it would be a good idea to channel his love for horror and witching metal. Joined here by Ripping Corpse (bass) and the charmingly named Necrophiliac… Continue Reading →
Formed just 9 months ago and apparently comprising of members of bands from the Dutch underground such as Sammath, Kjeld and Noordelingen this is a debut album of ‘black, war metal’ and it’s rather a vicious beast too. There’s not… Continue Reading →
One of the least mentioned aspects of this misunderstood-but-we’re-secretly-glad metal genre we all love is the willingness to explore and embrace other cultures, particularly in their mythic or historical sense. Yeah, the Daily Hate wouldn’t believe it, but it does…. Continue Reading →
A gruesome world is presented to us, based on spirits, undeath and horror. This trio from the Netherlands pay homage to this world where dead people return by infusing the pitch black atmosphere with strange sounds, deep mantra-like chants and… Continue Reading →