Königreichssaal : Loewen – Podróż Przez
Dziesiąty Krąg Piekła
Königreichssaal’s new EP is a clear sample of how
diverse the Polish black metal scene can be.
The record is filled with literally beastial energy from the
first track, bursting with expressive and desperate vocals,
carefully accented by atmospheric guitars and rhythmic drums.
Combining elements from several black metal scenes worldwide (the
French feels extremely strong) along with doom metal segments,
“Loewen – Podróż Przez Dziesiąty Krąg Piekła” is leading
us to the dark world of Königreichssaal, where at times one
feels the refreshing chill of melancholy.
Aerdryk : Met de drietand op
mijn huid
When I heard “Met de drietand op mijn huid” for a first
time I found it quite surprising that it was a
debut album, but no wonder – behind the project is standing
no other but C.V.B. – we already know well his
name from already established names like Cult of Erinyes, Monads,
The Nest, Wolvennest, We All Die (Laughing) and Psalm.
The musician has created an atmospheric and at the same time highly
classical album in which we can simultaneously enjoy muffled
classic black metal vocals, ritualistic chants, atmospheric and
totally cutting distortion guitars, fast-paced drums and last but
not least – beautiful bass lines.
Black metal with a lo-fi atmosphere in excellent quality,
triumphing in the space without compromise.
Ancient North : Ancient
North
With two full-length albums and two EPs already under their belt,
Forlorn – the multi-instrumentalist and vocalist behind the Ancient
North project never ceases to delight the die-hard fans of 90s
black metal with his traditional vocals and cutting, cold
guitars.
A classic mini-album from a very unpretentious artist who easily
manages to recreate the atmosphere of bygone times.
Ferum : Asunder /
Erode
Ferum is one of my new death/doom metal discoveries and the album
“Asunder / Erode” is their debut.
Slow, as if cursed riffs are combined with faster, sharper parts,
while harmonized melodies and solos paint a cavernous atmosphere
typical for death metal music from two decades ago and bands
like Cianide, Asphyx, Goatlord, etc.
Samantha’s guttural vocals (yes, the vocals are performed by a
woman – a thing I only noticed after seeing the band line-up at the
end) are like taken from a textbook and filled with an inhuman
charge that makes you want to break your neck.
Auriferous Flame : The Great
Mist Within
Auriferous Flame is the new project of A. (Clarent Blade, Divine
Element, Fortress of the Pearl, Mystras, Spectral
Lore, A Compendium of Curiosities, Ontrothon, Saga of the Ancient
Glass, ex-Tome of the Unreplenished, ex-
Warbled Arma, ex-Devathorn (live), ex-Dødsferd). Atmospheric black
metal in a very beautiful and ethereal form that combines the
aggression of records from the 90s with powerful vocal appeals and
distinctive fast drums and guitars. An engaging adventure that will
appeal to fans alike to classic black metal as well as fans of more
atmospheric albums. And most importantly, this record is
filled with a special energy that brings you into a specific
atmosphere of coldness and floating among the space. Beautiful
escape.
Hevvn : Satanic
Doctrine
Kharkiv black metal project Hevvn’s new album “Satanic
Doctrine” is a classic record in which
they circulate primal rage, perfectionism and an interesting
approach to songwriting. Standing out
from a large part of the representatives of the scene with a
different theme of the lyrics – Satanism, the album
presents a slightly different perspective of traditional Ukrainian
black metal music, at the same time carrying the core in each
of the songs. Indefatigable, omnipresent , intensive ,
extraordinary in its essence, the vibrating album
does not leave you alone even for a second. Reminds me a lot of the
work of Roman and company (mostly for Blood of Kingu and Hate
Forest), to the guys from Khors and etc.
Kharkiv is certainly proud of this record, and I am extremely
grateful that I was given the chance to hear it.
Mimorium : The Route of
Haeresis
Finns Mimorium are total savages and never disappoint their
fans.
“The Route of Haeresis” is another smashing dose of blackness in
the band’s style, yet another avalanche of ominous and haunting
vocals, methodically executed cutting guitars and tunes – musical
blasphemy in its purest form.
An aggressive record reminiscent of the spirit of the second wave,
by combining various stylistic approaches, both when it comes to
the vocals and instrumentals, making the album interesting to
listen to and follow through.
If you don’t know who are Mimorium yet, and you like to hear
something in the spirit of Ars Veneficium, Watain, Dissection or
Necrophobic – break “The Route of Haeresis” from listening.
Goety : Seasonal
Ceremonies
“Seasonal Ceremonies” is the first album by the American
atmospheric black metal project Goety, which
I discovered quite by accident while digging around for new
music. The album is dedicated to the four seasons and
presents four tracks with dizzying atmospheric passages
representing the characteristic of each of them.
Heavy, brutal and elegant at the same time, “Seasonal Ceremonies”
creates a sense of grandeur and elevation.
Pilori: Quand bien même
l’enfer et le déluge s’abattraient sur nous
PILORI are a French blackened crust/deathgrind band. In
“Quand bien même l’enfer et le déluge
s’abattraient sur nous” they intertwined the styles very
skillfully, delivering a stocking pulsating beat,
fierce brutal vocals and in places the typical deathgrind and crust
punk elements. The whole album’s charge is explosive and emanating
an urgent sense of rage, panic, of suffocating emotions.
A thunderous album, which for me personally was a fresh breath from
the first listen.
There is a lot of darkness in these guys, and the way they express
it through music is fascinating.
Hierophant: Death
Siege
Italians Hierophant are among my favorite misanthropes in the
black/death metal scene.
Their new album “Death Siege” is an all-sweeping opus forged by
hatred, an enemy of all mortals.
The album has spectacular moments reminiscent of a military parade
in front of the very gates of Hell, as
at the same time, we can also hear playful guitar solos inserted
among the general aggression of the album.
“Death Siege” is exactly what the title suggests – a deadly siege
of bloodthirsty black metal fury that leaves no hostages and burns
everything to the ground.

Mother of THE VOID.
Underground music is the ultimate weapon against mediocrity.