Old video, but good music: Barzakh's song "Shadow in the Grief"

Black Metal band from Indonesia Barzakh contacted me on Instagram recently (in case you don't know, Lachryma Christi's has now an Instagram account, which is @lachryma_christi_black_metal), and sent two songs for promotion.

I confess I didn't know this band, but I am very thankful that they contacted me, as their music is really good.

They have been around since 1998 (and it shows); and they have quite a few releases, from a demo, to participations in compilations, and to three albums. The last album, Shadow in the Grief, was released in 2019, and what I'm sharing here today, is precisely the track with the same title, which you can listen here:

This song had been featured on the album In a Meaning the Note.

Read more in: 

https://www.facebook.com/BARZAKH-Black-Metal-Jakarta-129349202409

Review: LYKHAEON's new album "Opprobrium"

Black Metal band from Switzerland LYKHAEON, just released (on the 21st) their second full-length, called Opprobrium.
This album was sent to me for review a couple of months ago, but only now I managed to go through it. I only regret I didn't do it earlier, as it is quite good.

As you know, LYKHAEON play a sound we can cathegorize as Death/Black Metal, and their music is mostly about Greek Mythology.

It is very interesting, as they are not Greek, but bring up similarities to Greek bands as Septicflesh.

Opprobrium has seven tracks, all of them very heavy and some of them very dragged, almost doomy. In fact, with huge doomy influence.

2021 has been a good year with original and unique sounds in the black metal industry, as I stated in the previous review shared also today. And LYKHAEON's Opprobrium is no exception. They can have influences and resemblances, but they are also very original in what they do. Their music brings us a great ammount of introspection, anger and fury, my favourite song being Descent Into Ruinous Splendor. The clean voices mixed with the gutural ones at the end of this track are just something. Almost magical.

LYKHAEON are a Duo, but what a sound they make. They had a session drummer on the recording of Opprobrium. 

It is fantastic. If you haven't heard it yet, go for it. You won't be disappointed.

Review: Gospelheim's upcoming single "Into Smithereens"

Greetings, fellow readers!
Things have been a bit slow around here, as you might have noticed, but I have a ton of work on my actual job, so haven't had as much time, but eventually, I will!

However, I am not here to write about me (just thought you should know what's going on), but about Gospelheim and their new single, Into Smithereens, which is scheduled to be released on the 30th of July.

Gospelheim are a new band from Manchester, which include members from Impavidus, Frozen In Shadows, Agvirre, and others. Lachryma Christi has worked with Agvirre in the past.

Before we continue, let me tell you this single Into Smithereens is the first single to be released from their upcoming debut album, coming out in the new year.

So, what can you expect from this single? It is a mix of gothic rock, classic heavy metal and black metal.

I liked it very much. It is a breeze of fresh air. Different, heavy, catchy, melodic, and with beautifully sung clean and clear voices, male and female.

The song is quite original, and at the same time brings you that comfortable feeling that only a good song or album can do.

I heard it once, then I had to hear it again, and again, not sure how many times I heard the song in a loop. Hopefully, it will work just like that for you too.

2021 has been a very good year, in what comes to the black metal (and related) style. Gospelheim have black metal influences more instrumentally. It is a very good song, that will stay in your head for a long time, and although the band is newly formed, you can tell musicians are very talented and know what they are doing and where they want to go. Their sound is unique, very sober and consistent.

It is very pleasing to listen to. I felt quite pleased, and I am sure many of you will too.

To mention some influences I found here: My Dying Bride, Therapy (from early 2000s) - strange, but yes!, and I would risk to mention a bit of Moonspell. Intrigued? You can listen to Into Smithereens on the 30th. I will be sharing a link for sure.

You may also expect a review of the full album, when the time comes.

(and look at that logo!)