The concept of Epic/Atmospheric Black Metal seems to thrive on extreme ends of the spectrum: it’s either performed as passionately and pristinely as a fantastical saga, or it’s generic drab that breeds vague cliches and untethered musical arrangements. There is no in-between.Continue reading
Tag Archives: atmospheric black metal
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: Malist – Of Scorched Earth
The one-man riff-driven Atmospheric Black Metal act Malist consists of none other than the ever-talented multi-instrumentalist Ovfrost, who “believes that evil dominates the world”. The project is notable for featuring recurring themes that circulate around tyranny, war, and reclusion. To this day, Malist has released four full-length studio albums in a relentlessly belligerent pace, with the fifth full-length, Of Scorched Earth coming via Avantgarde Music.
Of Scorched Earth also marks the start of a new journey that Malist embarks on with the label.Continue reading
CONCERT REVIEW: Gaerea – Spectral Wound – Afsky – Naxen Live at UT Connewitz
I was not supposed to be at this show. I was in Germany for Wacken but the rain had other ideas. As I scrambled to figure out new plans, I searched concerts happening across Germany and came across this one, so I rented a car and hit the Autobahn for the 4.5-hour journey from Hemmingstedt to the UT Connewitz in Leipzig. The venue which felt like an underground concrete bomb shelter, was slow to fill with fans. Shortly before the opening act came on, the fog began to fill the stage, and it continued to fill the concrete bunker we were in.Continue reading
EP REVIEW: Wolves In The Throne Room – Crypt Of Ancestral Knowledge
A mere two years removed from the fifty-minute colossus that is Primordial Arcana, Wolves In The Throne Room have undertaken a full 180 with Crypt Of Ancestral Knowledge (Relapse Records). The four-track extended play is spearheaded by “Beholden To Clan”, and is supplemented by three instrumental-dominant tracks.
EP REVIEW: Black Birch – Black Birch
As an atmospheric Black Metal duo with a wide range of influences ranging from Crust to post-Metal, the Sweden-based Black Birch manage to keep both the classical and contemporary nuances of their sounds intact. Being the progressive, anti-fascist black metal act that they are, human nature and humans’ place and effect on earth become some of the recurring major themes in their songwriting.
ALBUM REVIEW: Blackbraid – Blackbraid II
Flowing down from the Adirondack Mountains in New York, just as the rivers do, Blackbraid returns with the second chapter, Blackbraid II (self-released). Created by Sgah’gahsowáh, Blackbraid quickly took the black metal world by storm with his stunning self-titled just last year that mixed atmospheric black metal with indigenous American mythology and history.
ALBUM REVIEW: Aodon – Portraits
There are certain facets of life and the world that are absolute. Until the inevitable apocalypse it is simply a given that the sun will rise and set, that the tides ebb and flow, and that, most importantly, Willowtip Records rarely miss. Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Imperium Dekadenz – Into Sorrow Evermore
Into Sorrow Evermore (Napalm Records) marks the return of the German Black Metal two-piece Imperium Dekadenz, who wears the influence of the Norwegian second wave firmly on their sleeve, along with the inspiration of their Black Forest surroundings. The album is their seventh full-length release and dives deep into a landscape of atmospheric black metal, written as a symphony of aggressive yet uplifting music, woven around sweeping and mesmerising guitar riffs.Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Liminal Shroud – All Virtues Ablaze
Over the years I have slowly come around to liking more black metal projects, but none do more justice than those that focus on the atmosphere that brings you on a journey. British Columbia’s own Liminal Shroud does just this on their second full-length, All Virtues Ablaze (Willowtip Records). In just under forty minutes (across only four tracks), this album will be sure to be part of many conversations towards the end of the year.Continue reading