Review: Meister Leonhardt's upcoming album "Thanatopoeia"

Back Metal band Meister Leonhardt are releasing a new album called Thanatopoeia, via Purity Through Fire. The album is scheduled to be released on the 21st of March.

It is very good indeed, proper Black Metal, without artifacts. Going straight to my top releases of 2024.

So what can you expect from Thanatopoeia? 

Thanatopoeia has 6 amazing tracks, I can't even chose a favourite.

Meister Leonhardt's music is so powerful and furious. Also has it's melodic bits, of course, it is very well balanced, I have to say. But even those melodic parts have their dose of anger, and the whole album is very obscure. 

There is a very strong darkness through the whole release. I love it. The voice is also so desperate and full of rage and wrath, which adds a lot to the atmosphere. At some point there are clean voices, very subtle and appropriate, adding to the mystery.

This is the kind of album that I put on, and suddenly it had ended. The 6 tracks felt like they went so quickly, because the music is so good, so vibrant, so full of feel, so pleasant to listen to. 

I'd like to see Meister Leonhardt live.

 

So if you like Black Metal music that takes you elsewhere, through an icy and empowering journey, raw enough, melodic enough, where skill and talent stands out, and where you end up speechless as I am right now, go for it.

I feel quite energised after I listened to it. I, sure everyone else will too.

News: Paracrona sign with Wormholedeath to reissue their album "Sun God"

Melodic Black Metal band Paracrona joined forces with Wormholedeath Records, and are re-releasing their album Sun God on the 12th of April.

The band comments:

"Dear Fans and Music Lovers, We are thrilled to share some incredible news with you all! Paracrona is ecstatic to announce the re-release of our debut album "Sun God," now in partnership with the esteemed record company, Wormholedeath. This partnership marks an exciting chapter for us as a band. Collaborating with Wormholedeath allows us to reintroduce "Sun God, giving it a new lease of life and a chance to reach a wider audience.

Wormholedeath's passion for fostering unique musical journeys resonates deeply with our artistic vision. Together, we aim to bring "Sun God" to music enthusiasts around the world. To all our incredible supporters who have been our guiding light on this musical voyage, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your unwavering belief in our music fuels our passion, and we're thrilled to embark on this exciting journey with you once again.

Stay tuned for more updates, exclusive content, and details about the re-released "Sun God" album with Wormholedeath. Your continued support means everything to us, and we can't wait to take this musical adventure together!

Thank you for being a part of our story."

You can watch the video for the song Carry the Cross, featuring Baard Kolstad, here:

Line up:

Ringo Christiaan Van Droffelaar - vocals

Øystein Hansen - lead guitar

Audun Melby - rhythm guitar

Laszlo Juhos - drums

Gregg Roland Schneider - bass

Tracklist:

1. New Impurity

2. Carry the Cross

3. Thriller

4. Sun God

5. Mendacious

6. River of Pain

7. Therefore I Move the Time

8. Gates of Immortality

9. Reasons 

Read more on:

www.youtube.com/@PARACRONA

www.instagram.com/paracrona

www.facebook.com/Paracrona

twitter.com/PARACRONA

Review: Deathlike Dawn's new album "Among the Graves of the Archetypes"

Black Metal project Deathlike Dawn released yesterday (27th) their second album, Among the Graves of the Archetypes, through Putrid Cult.

It is quite different and original, I must say. Sometimes it is surprisingly and pleasantly disturbing. Especially track 2, Plutonic Ether. It has so many interesting and unexpected sounds and passages, it's so good and strange at the same time.

So, Among the Graves of the Archetypes has 6 tracks. All of them with the right dose of fastness and aggressiveness, balanced with the right dose of melody. But, it has very wacky and atonal and dissonant stuff, which makes it so different, and so good. The more you listen, the more your jaw drops.

My favourite track might be track 4, Darkly Treads the Twilight. Maybe because it is so angry but so melodic at the same time, and the keyboards are just on point. Nothing fancy nor symphonic, just so you know.

It is quite difficult to describe, I tell you. You can find bits that are more traditional, bits that are more raw, bits that are more melodic, keyboards in the right place and time.

Repetition that is right enough for the guitar riffs to get stuck in your head ad aeternum, and I mean this in a good way. 

I haven't mentioned the vocals yet. Well. Don't expect the usual high pitched ones, you won't find that here. In fact, nothing is too traditionally high pitched in Among the Graves of the Archetypes. The voice is actually quite dragged and low, grave, deep, angry, fits perfectly.

And the solos. I've said before, in different reviews, that not many bands can pull interesting and vibrating solos in Black Metal music. Deathlike Dawn can. So there's that too.

So, if this is your cup of tea, you can actually stream the album (and purchase it too, of course), in bandcamp, right here:

https://deathlikedawn.bandcamp.com/album/among-the-graves-of-the-archetypes

Enjoy!

News: Vltimas release third single from upcoming album "Epic"

Black Metal band Vltimas released a few days ago the third single from their upcoming album Epic.

The song is called Invictus, and you can stream it here:

The album Epic is scheduled of be released on the 15th of March, through Season of Mist, and you can pre order it here:

https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/vltimas-epic

Or, you can pre save it here:

https://orcd.co/vltimasepic?mc_cid=bde3a20eaf&mc_eid=609cc73cec

Also, to celebrate and promote Epic, Vltimas will be on tour through Europe in March, as you can see below.

Tracklist:

1. Volens Discordant (1:02)

2. EPIC (4:35)

3. Miserere (3:51)

4. Exercitus Irae (4:01)

5. Mephisto Manifesto (05:05)

6. Scorcher (03:21)

7. Invictus (5:30)

8. Nature's Fangs (3:52)

9. Spoils of War (5:54)

Photo by © Jolanda Siemonsa

Read more on:

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/vltimas/1445457453

Bandcamp: https://vltimas.bandcamp.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vltimas/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vltimas/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0kz64zyv2xtkdhboztpdwa

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/vltimas?lang=en

News: Panopticon to go on European tour to celebrate 10 years of the album "Roads to the North"

Black/Folk Metal band Panopticon will embark in a mini European tour, with special guests Falls of Rauros.

Roads Further North tour comes as the result of a collaboration between Nordvis Produktion, Doomstar Bookings and Bindrune Recordings.

You may find the dates below:

• May 29: Kollektivet Livet, Stockholm (SE)

• May 30: Hulen, Bergen (NO)

• May 31: Parkteatret, Oslo (NO)

• June 1: Fortress Fest, Scarborough (UK)

You can get your tickets here:

https://linktr.ee/truepanopticon

Read more on:

Panopticon:

Web (EU): https://www.nordvis.com/panopticon

Web (US): https://shop.bindrunerecordings.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTruePanopticon

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetruepanopticon/

 

Falls of Rauros:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fallsofraurosOfficial/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fallsofrauros.official/

News: Nastergal release video for song "Brothers in War" from upcoming album

Nastergal are releasing a new album called The Untold War next month, through Wormholedeath Records.

They just released a lyric video for the song Brothers in War from the same, and you can watch it here:

Read more on:

www.facebook.com/Nastergal

www.instagram.com/nastergal_metal

Review: Ischemic's upcoming album "Condemned to the Breaking Wheel"

Ischemic are a Blackened Death Doom band from Canada, and I wouldn't be able to find a better description for the music they play. Although I don't really like to label Black Metal music styles, here in this case it's very appropriate, because that is exactly the music they do. No more, no less. Very good though.

Condemned to the Breaking Wheel is their third full-length, and it will be released on the 5th of April.

What can you expect of this album? Well, Condemned to the Breaking Wheel has four tracks, all of them extremely grave, bassy and heavy. Besides the songs being melodic and very musical, they are performed with excellence and the vocals are extraordinary. Those gutural are just so deep and cavernous. It's two different vocals. The quality of the production is also very high, and although I usually prefer a bit more rough and raw productions, I have to confess this album is brutal. I seriously liked it a lot.

Ischemic is another band I haven't heard about before, so I wasn't sure what I was about to get into. I'm very pleasantly surprised.

I admit the Death Metal influences and elements are the predominant ones on their music. And as much as Death Metal isn't very much my cup of tea, I loved the blend. Also the Doom bits are so emotional, especially on the second track Tomb Fog. And then there are the twists. When you are getting emotional and completely taken by those sad and nearly depressive vibes, it turns into proper Black Metal in a very surprising and unexpected way. 

Ischemic make a big difference on this style of music. Their music is bloody good and brings some fresh air to the industry.

My favourite track might be the third one Rust and Bones. Can't describe why, it's just so good.

So, if you are into this kind of highly Death Metal influenced Black Metal music, with some touch of Doom here and there, strong and profound vocals, you'll love Condemned to the Breaking Wheel.

Review: Above Aurora's upcoming album "Myriad Woes"

Polish Black Doom Metal band Above Aurora are releasing their third full length album Myriad Woes next month, through War Anthem Records.

I haven't heard of them before. I've reviewed some Black Doom bands recently, and Above Aurora are different. They are more Black Metal than not. 

Myriad Woes has 5 tracks. The first one, which is more of an intro, is over 11 minutes long, and is more of a Doom Metal song, almost until the end. At 9 minutes it gets closer to what the rest of the album is, which is more Black Metal. To be honest, apart from this track I just mentioned, which is called Inner Whispers, I don't find a lot of Doom in this album.

Yes, the melodies are quite groovy at times, they're very steady, they're quite heavy too, but it is a lot more within the Black Metal realm. 

The voice is very dragged and more grave than not, and it fits perfectly the blend that their music is. 

Don't expect anything very traditional, but expect a good dose of fury and anger and sadness even. A great deal of experience, with rhythms and passages and details that will blow your mind. It is very good, I like it. I find it almost hypnotic even. You get into a specific state of mind while you listen to Myriad Woes.

My favourite track might be the third one Efforts to Fail. It's the most varied and which has that climax element. You wait for it for a bit while it's growing, and then there it comes in all its glory, bringing you a whole lot of emotions and thoughts and rage. It's fantastic.

It's different, it's original, it is very good Black Metal.

The date is 29th of March, don't forget.

News: Sadistic Force release track "Iron Rite"

Blackened Thrash Metal band Sadistic Force just released their latest song Iron Rite, and you can listen to it here:

Iron Rite is set to be released in cassette through Goat Throne Records, along with additional bonus tracks from the Japanese version of their album Midnight Assassin.

Iron Rite Credits:

Music and lyrics by James Oliver 

James Oliver – Guitar, vocals 

Mike Gupta – Bass, backing vocals 

Rom Gov – Drums 

Recorded by Kfir Gov at Evil Snail Studios in Manchaca, Texas 

Mixed by Vampyric Hell Mummy at Sweetheart Studios in Elgin, Texas 

Mastered by Jason Fuller at Goatsound Studios in Melbourne, Austrialia 

Cover art by Timbul Cahyono 

Read more on:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064130731403

https://www.instagram.com/sadisticforceofficial/

Review: Morbonoct’s new album "The Highest Purpose"

Cosmic Black Metal band Morbonoct are releasing their most recent album The Highest Purpose today, the 19th of February.

Morbonoct started in 2021 as a studio project, and they have released an album every year since. It is the first time I listen to them, and I must say I really like their music.

This band focuses on Space as a theme, so you can expect spacey and atmospheric sounds and melodies. From synthesiser characteristic sounds to wacky sounds that very much suggest the space stuff.

But they are indeed a Black Metal band. Maybe a bit more melodic and/or more symphonic than not. I'm not saying this in a bad way, just stating a fact. 

It also gets progressive at times. It is original, and also you can tell there is a massive dose of experience there.

The Highest Purpose has six tracks, all of them long, but you get so immersed in each of them, that you don't even notice that. There are some slow bits like the beginning of the second track, which starts almost as a Doom Metal song, which adds more to the feel and to the atmosphere. But in general, this is a very angry and fast paced album. 

I've reviewed a few space/cosmic Black Metal bands before, and although that's not exactly my thing, I've truly enjoyed all of them. Morbonoct is not an exception, as I really enjoy The Highest Purpose. 

I love the unexpected twists. When you are in the middle of a melodic part, suddenly come all the fastness, the fury, all so well blended. It gets emotional too, as the compositions and tempos go from intricate to very melodic and comfortable in a very short time, catching you by surprise, taking you to a very nostalgic and nearly sad mood.

Then there are also the high pitched clean voices from times to times, almost ghostly, bringing all the weird possible and imaginary vibes you can imagine. This all combined with the very dragged suffered vocals. It is so good.

My favourite track might be track 4 Comet King. 

So, if you enjoy synth as a background in Black Metal music, with entangled and complex melodies and rhythms, with eerie and ethereal voices every now and then, you will really enjoy The Highest Purpose. However, if you are into very fast blast beats and empowering Black Metal music, this is also for you. It is different, but very good.

News: Darkspace broadcast the album "Dark Space -II" in full

Atmospheric Black Metal band Darkspace are broadcasting their new album Dark Space -II. 

Dark Space -II is being released tomorrow, the 16th of February, through Season of Mist. 

You can stream it on their YouTube channel, here:

You can still pre-order Dark Space -II here:

https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/darkspace-dark-space-ii

Or pre-save it here:

https://orcd.co/dark-2-2

Also, Season of Mist reissued all Darkspace's catalogue on CD and vinyl. You can check these items out, here:

https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/darkspace-reissues

Photo by © STEMUTZ

Track-list

1. Dark -2.-2 (47:12)

Available Formats:

Digital Download

CD Digisleeve

12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black

Line-up

Wroth - Guitars, Vocals

Yhs - Guitars, Vocals

Zhaaral - Bass, Vocals

Read more on:

Official Website: https://www.darkcyberspace.com/

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/darkspace/329478213

Bandcamp: https://darkspace.bandcamp.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4sww0FgGlUX3NCrrJleszz

News: Dark Affliction signs with Theogonia Records and announce debut album

Greek atmospheric Black Metal band Dark Affliction just signed a deal with Theogonia Records.

The band is also releasing their debut album Five Stages of Grief, on the 24th of May.

Five Stages of Grief is a conceptual album, which explores the five psychological stages of grief: denial, haye, bargaining, depression, ans acceptance.

Read more on:

https://www.facebook.com/DarkAfflictionbm

https://www.instagram.com/dark.affliction

Review: Hulder's recent album "Verses in Oath"

Only recently I've heard about Hulder, and I was curious about the project. So it was quite a surprise, when this morning the album Verses in Oath landed in my inbox.

A pleasant suprise, I must say, as Hulder is actually right up my street. 

For those who don't know, Hulder is a one woman band, originally from Belgium, and currently based in the USA.

The album Verses in Oath came up recently, on the 9th, through 20 Buck Spin.

So what is Verses in Oath like? It's like very good, indeed. It is very potent, dark, with the perfect mix of raw and melodic music, sometimes almost touching the symphonic. Symphonic isn't very much my thing, when it is all just about that. Here that is not the case, thankfully. It is perfectly balanced. 

More traditional than not, as well. The voice is on point too, and mind you I'm quite picky with voices in Black Metal music. 

There are calmer songs and bits with clean voices, which add a whole atmosphere and feel to the album. Also, three tracks aren't Black Metal, but more ambience sounds that help with that too. Not going to spoil it for you though.

You can tell that this woman is very well versed in what she is doing, there is a lot of competence, dedication, professionalism, and experience.

I'm pleasantly surprised, and Verses in Oath is going straight to my top ten releases of 2024. I don't have any doubt this will be one of the best albums I'll listen to during this year.

So, if you like proper Black Metal music with angry and furious melodies, blast beats combined with calmer passages, keyboards when necessary (for this type of music, that is) atmosphere, melancholy and a great deal of passion for Black Metal, you'll enjou Hulder and Verses in Oath as much as I'm enjoying. 

I'm sure I'll listen to this album many more times, and will also listen to her previous works too, as I have a feeling I've been missing out on some very good stuff.

Review: Forest of Insomnia's EP "Black Gaia"

Italian band Forest of Insomnia released a EP called Black Gaia last December.

It is quite entertaining, I must say. It is varied, I can't even place an influence, because it is actually that interestingly original. I can tell the riffs are maybe 90s oriented.

Black Gaia has 6 tracks of some Blackened Doom Metal, but it's quite a good mix, as there's enough of both, and there's still some space for some heavy metal style music too.

Catchy riffs, gripping rhythms and beats, very dragged voice. It includes a Intro, an Interlude and a Outro, that are three accoustic guitar compositions, which add the perfect touch to the release.

I like the technicality too, these guys know very well what they are doing. I also like the fact that the songs are not massively melancholic, just enough to keep the feeling, but it is actually uplifting. 

I was preparing myself for a dose of huge sadness and nostalgia, but then when I started listening to the songs, I was pleasantly surprised, by how different it actually is. It's refreshing. I like sad music, but it's good to listen to something actually different, within the same style.

My favourite song is track 2 Nightscape. It's a perfect blend of Doom, Black and Heavy Metal. 

So, if you're looking for something along the lines of Doom Black Metal, or Atmospheric Black Metal, with some catchy riffs and upbeat rhythms (I know, it sounds contradictory because of the Doom, but once you listen to the EP, you'll know what I'm talking about), Black Gaia might be for you. 

News: Vesperian Sorrow release lyric video for "Traverse The Vorthonian Passage"

Symphonic Black Metal band Vesperian Sorrow just released the newest single from their upcoming album Awaken the Greylight, which is set to be released on the 26th of April, through Black Lion Records.

The track is called Traverse The Vorthonian Passage, and you can watch the video here:

Tracklist:
1. As The Pillars Were Raised
2. Antediluvian - Proceeding The Unshaping
3. An Epistle To The Prime Vivified
4. Traverse The Vorthonian Passage
5. A Dire Flight for the Black Fragment
6. Seek the Last Priestess of Tyyk
7. They Beheld the Chainbreaker's Crowning Defiance
8. Who Dwells Whithin The Blight Moon
9. The Excillion Ontogenesis
10. Awaken the Greylight

Lineup:
Christopher Nunez - Drums / Keys
Will Rohirrim - Guitars
Orlando Logan Olivero - vocals

Gabe Reyes - bass

Read more on:
ttp://vesperiansorrow.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/vesperian
https://www.instagram.com/vesperiansorrowofficial/

www.facebook.com/blacklionrecordsswe
blacklionrecords.bandcamp.com

News: Daemon Forest release new single from upcoming album

Portuguese Black Metal band Daemon Forest are working on a new album, which will be called Easter European Front XXI.

They just released the single Ballistic Tears from the same, and you can listen to it here:

Read more on:

https://www.facebook.com/DaemonForestBand

Review: Stuporous' debut album "Asylum's Lament"

Blackened Doom Metal band from the Netherlands Stuporous, released their first album Asylum's Lament last month, on the 25th of January, through War Productions and Void Wanderer Productions.

I find them more Doom than Black Metal, for the predominance of slow paced rhythms, accompanied by the violins and pianos, and even the dissonant distorted guitars we hear  in Doom bands.

I got taken to the 90s or early 2000s for a bit.

However, it is not all like that. Their originality starts properly when Stuporous get very much more aggressive due to the Black Metal side of their music. And they are very experimental as well. 

Also, the singer performs a few different vocals, from soft clean voices to very deep enraged gutturals, which changes the whole scenario.

I can hear jazz influences, and also there are bits that touch the Depressive Black Metal music too, which is very welcome. 

I must say as well that they are very deep and heavy in what comes to the atmosphere, not only for the atmospheric sounds and sad melodies, but in the themes of the songs. 

Their music is very rich, very full. You can tell they have a eclectic background in music, and a great lot of experience.

There are 7 tracks, full of despair, pain, anger, sadness, loneliness, deep emotions. If you follow my reviews, you know that sometimes I take (involuntarily) Black Metal music to an emotional level, and song number 4 Decorating the Willow Tree really did that for me. The intensity and the suffering can be felt just by listening to it. You can almost grab those sensations with your hands.

So, this album is perfect for people who like Doom Metal, as well as Atmospheric and Depressive Black Metal. It is good, it is super intense. And they only made 200 copies, so if you're interested, I suggest you rush a bit.

News: Demolition release first song "Among the Ruins"

Black Metal project from Netherlands/Poland Demolition just released their first song, Among the Ruins.

You can listen to it here:

Demolition is a five-piece band consisting of members of Misanthropia, Welmoed & Zørormr. 

Read more on:

https://www.facebook.com/demolitionhorde