This is one of those one-man Black Metal projects, isn’t it? Figured as much. What gave it away, you ask? Well before even listening to Argenthorn’s The Ravening (Avantgarde Music) the band’s name and record label sort of told me everything I needed to know. That and there’s a track titled ‘I Incursion II A Procession of Spectres.’
Yes, I think I’ve figured it out. What’s that? Well, I’m listening to Gaerea’s Mirage (Season of Mist) and for whatever reason, my brain keeps bringing up modern-day Lorna Shore. How does that make any sense, you ask? The former is clearly a black metal outfit, while the latter traffics in the death metal – deathcore, whatever – side of things. Sure, but as stylistically distinct as they are, boy do both bands enjoy being self-indulgent.
How so?
Psycho Las Vegas festival previously confirmed itsineup for their 6th annual fest, added a second wave of bands, as well an expected move to a new location. The fest takes place August 19-21 at Resorts World Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada. A Psycho Swim pre-party is set for August 18. Confirming the 2022 edition of Psycho Las Vegas will feature Mercyful Fate (USA-Exclusive Performance), Emperor (USA-Exclusive Performance), Suicidal Tendencies, Mayhem, Watain, Wolves In The Throne Room, Samael, Boris, Mgla, Cirith Ungol, King Woman, Marissa Nadler, Bömbers and Year Of No Light. Now they have announced their stage times for the entire weekend. Continue reading
The Ashen Abhorrence (Debemur Morti Productions) is the debut album from Finnish duo Pestilence Hex, who delivers a full-on blast of heavily old-school Norwegian-influenced black metal. The project brings together vocalist M.Malignant (Corpsessed / Tyranny) and multi-instrumentalist L.Oathe (Desolate Shrine / Convocation) two musicians better known in death/doom circles, but who certainly appear to also know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to the black stuff.
Nailed it. On first listen of Equinox Vigil (Gilead Media), I suspected this to be the work of one man, two at most. Wrapped up my first listen and immediately checked online only to confirm that Inexorum is indeed a two-person operation and from the Midwest no less. Those drab icy winters would likely compel a musician or two to abandon polite society and embrace extreme metal whole hog.Continue reading
Swedish symphonic black metal act Katharos return with a couple of tweaks to their line-up for Of Lineages Long Forgotten (Willowtip Records) their second full length album since forming back in 2006. Guitarist Max Müssbichler straps on the bass as well as taking care of his usual six string obligations for this record while drummer Tatu Kerttula makes his first studio appearance since joining the band in 2019.Continue reading
Ibaraki is the new solo project from Trivium’s Matt Heafy, and Rashomon is released through Nuclear Blast, having been over a decade in the making. The name translates as “Wild Trees”, but is also taken from a terrifying Japanese demon of feudal legend, and the concept is a profound affirmation of Heafy’s Japanese-American heritage, incorporating a number of different musical styles. Although the main inspiration clearly sits within the black etal genre, taking influence from the experience of Emperor’s Ihsahn, who co-produced, and whose quirkier ideas from his solo work are peppered throughout the release. Continue reading
Psycho Las Vegas festival confirmed their lineup for their 6th annual fest, added a second wave of bands, as well an expected move to a new location. The fest takes place August 19-21 at Resorts World Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada. A Psycho Swim pre-party is set for August 18. Confirming the 2022 edition of Psycho Las Vegas will feature Mercyful Fate (USA-Exclusive Performance), Emperor (USA-Exclusive Performance), Mayhem, Satyricon, Watain, Wolves In The Throne Room, Samael, Boris, Mgla, Cirith Ungol, King Woman, Marissa Nadler, Bömbers and Year Of No Light. Psycho Las Vegas also shared the trailer and the expanded lineup.Continue reading
Trivium singer and guitarist Matthew Kiichi Heafy has released the very first single from his highly-anticipated Ibaraki Black Metal project. Today, Ibaraki has shared the video for “Tamashii No Houkai,” featuring special guest Ihsahn of Emperor. Watch the video here.Continue reading
As the familiar strains that launch Noktvrn harken back to a theme from predecessor Finisterre (both Season of Mist), it is a fitting acknowledgement of an integral part in the ascension of Der Weg einer Freiheit that was played with the release of their 2017 masterpiece in establishing the band as a serious artist of note. It also serves to guide us into the slow-building and considered unveiling of first track proper ‘Monument’, preparing us for the fact that we are taking part in a procession, a conscious movement from one state in an evolution to another.