Metalcatto
You wouldn’t be crazy to think that Blood Countess has a blood fetish. I mean, the album is called Imperatrix Sanguinus. Wasn’t it easier to just use a self-title? It’s also obvious there’s some infatuation with royalty. Anyway, if you haven’t noticed already, this is an old school Black Metal album that promises everything the style represents, and yet I’m cautious as usual.
Alright, this is dirty. It’s clear to me that whoever wrote Imperatrix butchered stuffed animals as a child, because this is just blasting and raging for nearly the album’s entire runtime. There’s real horror and misanthropy here—those things Black Metal fans dream about. In other words, incredibly furious introvert music. Still, this thing has Norway written all over it. I could name a ton of bands, but Blood Countess mixes all its influences in a way that belongs to her alone.
We talk a lot about riffs in Black Metal albums, but rarely do we highlight the guitar solo work. It’s pretty hysterical here, which saves us from monotony. The drums are raw and remind me of Gorgoroth if it sounded good. The vocals are executed with genuine fury. There’s next to no contemplation or moments to feel sad because you’re just getting blood buckets thrown at you over and over. That brings me to the less flattering part of this review.
Sure, there’s a weird interlude track I could do without (we get it, the album is scary!), but my issue with Imperatrix is more conceptual. It’d be interesting to see what Blood Countess could do beyond the classic emotional range of Black Metal. There’s more than anger in life, right? Or what do I know? The album could use some more changes of scenery. The talent is there, and it’d be risky, but probably worth it.
Did Imperatrix really stand out from the zillion bands that hit our mailbox? Kind of. In terms of execution and atmosphere, this thing is as solid as it gets. In terms of breaking the mold, I’d say this release is on the conservative side of the style. Anyway, jump into this bloodbath and enjoy how decent old school albums can be. Sometimes you don’t need reinvention—you just need someone to do the old thing well, with conviction and a body count. Blood Countess delivers exactly that. Not something super new, but a solid slab of vintage hatred.
Label: Dominance Of Darkness
Release date: April 24th, 2026
Website: facebook.com/bloodcountessofficial
Country: UK
Score: 3.5/5.0
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