Staff picks
Grab your sweord and scyld, because those pesky Danes are back demanding their Danegeld. How will you ever be Engla Cyning if you keep throwing all your geld at those wave-walking interlopers instead of building burhs? Arm thyself, ye thegn of Wessex, and let Forefather lead you to æsctír.
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ScreamingSteelUS R'Vannith |
This is a fantastic album. Awesomeness runs strong in this one beyond my expectations even. I love how some of the songs almost reach out into gothic territories. If amidst the Sólstafir drama you are looking for a new Icelandic favourite, this should definitely be your choice.
Head over to Bandcamp to give it a listen.
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Ivor R'Vannith, Ag Fox, Deadsoulman, BloodTears, Nefarious, Dream Taster, X-Ray Rod, ScreamingSteelUS, Starvynth |
Are Bong really doing anything new here? No. Do they need to? No. Coming back with another chapter in their sitar-fueled drone rituals, the band's music is as focused, relaxing, and meditative as ever.
Go get yo trance on.
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Auntie Sahar Deadsoulman, Daniell, X-Ray Rod, Nefarious, Ag Fox, ScreamingSteelUS |
Too much of a fanboy? Probably...
Yet I still feel the obligation to remind our users that one of the modern classics of black metal has just turned a decade old.
It remains as unique and soul-draining as the very day it was released.
No happiness, no sadness, no fear, no hope... Pure emptiness.
Celebrate the void!
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X-Ray Rod Auntie Sahar, Marcel Hubregtse, BitterCOld, wormdrink414 |
I reviewed their 2008 EP and thought they had potential. Consider that potential realized. Four tracks, all over 10 minutes, one over 30 - including one from the EP - show they've improved significantly over the years. Well done.
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BitterCOld R'Vannith, Nefarious, BloodTears, Ag Fox, ScreamingSteelUS, X-Ray Rod |
Poaching another Fenriz-Approved, stream it here.
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wormdrink414 Marcel Hubregtse |
Sigh: the Pier Gerlofs Donia of extreme underwater basket-weaving, the Brough Superior SS100 of the 1805 Unspunnenfest, the Crank 2 of Tammany Hall, the Swabian Salute of double-corrugated, eight-fold, 14-gauge cardboard boxes. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but there's a little bit of everything - everything you didn't know you absolutely needed in a metal album.
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ScreamingSteelUS Nefarious, Auntie Sahar, Fat & Sassy!, X-Ray Rod, Introspekrieg, Deadsoulman, Ag Fox, Darkside Momo, Dream Taster |
Waiting for the new Haken already? Try Native Construct instead. Way too much fun!
For listening head over to Bandcamp.
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Ivor BloodTears, Introspekrieg, ScreamingSteelUS, Nefarious |
If you happen to like your avantgarde airy and dreamy, infused with a bit of electronica and trip-hop, if you tend to stack your avantgarde up against the likes of Ulver and Manes, then Område's début is something you will definitely not want to pass by.
Listen to "Mótsögn".
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Ivor ScreamingSteelUS, Darkside Momo |
Perhaps less proggy, definitely less death metal-ly, definitely more concise. Definitely brilliant. Don't miss this gem.
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Daniell X-Ray Rod, Nefarious, Auntie Sahar, wormdrink414, Ag Fox, Marcel Hubregtse, Deadsoulman |
Matt Wicklund and Van Williams make a winning team in Ghost Ship Octavius's debut album. Their talent to produce intricate, hard-hitting songs combined with the soaring performance of vocalist Adōn Fanion reaches epic proportions. Dark in atmosphere and themes, Ghost Ship Octavius borrows elements like groovy riffs à la Nevermore and Communic, and the melodic virtuosity of the likes of Darkwater. Add outstanding solos and a grandiose sound to the equation, and you have a very auspicious start for this band.
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BloodTears corrupt, psykometal, Promonex, Ag Fox |
If you haven't heard it yet, you're missing out. Dødheimsgard raise the creativity bar for experimental bands everywhere. Call it avant-garde, call it black, call it industrial, or call it post. This is a musical milestone that combines Dødheimsgard's unique extreme sound with a wide variety of influences and an unequalled vocalist duo. If metal is more for you than melodic riffs and blast beats, this is your album.
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corrupt Auntie Sahar, BloodTears, X-Ray Rod, ScreamingSteelUS, nikarg |
Santo Rostro's sophomore effort is more riff-driven, mostly mid-paced stonerrific jams with power and just a dash of groove. Worthy of checking out? My advice, "Hunt It Down."
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BitterCOld Deadsoulman, Abattoir |
Half from 2014, half from 1988/89, all ugly as a whole.
Vocals are the highlight, stream it here
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wormdrink414 Fat & Sassy!, X-Ray Rod |