Black Metal – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Milo Lane’s Top Albums of 2025

Milo Lane

(according to vibes, weather, and emotional damage)

2025 seemed so forked (Catto still won’t let me swear, so The Good Place rules apply) that it felt like it would never end — and honestly, it still kind of does. I’m not entirely convinced it isn’t yet time for the apocalypse. If this list abruptly ends, please assume society collapsed or my attention span finally did. On a lighter note, there’s no better time to count your blessings than cold, cold December — the month of numb fingers, hot headphones, and staring out windows in contemplation. Hopefully this list leaves you more blessed than before you found it.

HOLOGRAMAH – Abyssus.Versus.Versiculos.

Metalcatto

You thought we were done with the long reviews for 2025. Think again, because there are still a few surprises left! HOLOGRAMAH is basically Chilean Black Metal royalty, which is why I gave it a chance in our crazy tight schedule. Abyssus.Versus.Versiculos. (yes, insane name I know) is supposed to keep showing that this part of the world can produce Black Metal that can compete with the colder places, but am I being too hopeful or is there real greatness here? Let’s find out!

True kvlt: Apeiron Bound, Murdery, Valkeneva Korppi, Cranium Rubrum, & Norblut

Metalcatto

We have so many submissions, we need an extra day for them. So here we go!

True kvlt: Endurus, Wsemzs, Asylum Road, Terminal Sun, Desu Taem & United Thoughts

Metalcatto

You know what’s next, let’s start!

Retro-Review: Moonsorrow – Voimasta ja kuuniasta

Milo Lane

As a fan of all things retro, there had to come a time for my first ever retro-review — late as usual, but that just means the album had more time to become retro, don’t you think?

Interview: Deconstructing the Night – Asenath Blake’s Philosophy of Black Metal

Metalcatto

We’ve done many interviews at MER now—some nerdy, some about war, some about mental struggles—but today, I bring you something different. Asenath Blake is here to talk to us about her work, and more importantly, about its philosophy. That’s not new in metal; so many black metal musicians are inspired by old books. But how about one that gets us out of our comfort zone?

Weft – The Splinter Oar

Metalcatto

The year is almost over. I’m led to believe that the best of the year has passed, that the only thing left is the struggle of picking the best albums this so, so year produced. Yet, a project with an unsurprising name comes in. Weft’s The Splinter Oar reached me with no expectations. I literally picked the album in a rush before leaving home to use it as a soundtrack for my journey to the coal mine. With this little information, we can jump right in!

Morte France – Hesperia

Metalcatto

Another Black Metal band from France, aaaaah!!! I’m excited. You know nothing mixes like those two when it comes to giving you an interesting experience. However, Morte France wants to do something different with Hesperia: it wants to reconcile Paganism and Christianity, which is like making pasta and chocolate sauce fit well together (food analogies are safe, they don’t offend anyone!). So, this album set some solid expectations for me, which is why I was afraid of ending up with endless disappointment — but let’s get to it.

True kvlt: Mørkeheimen, Strawberry Lust, Red Skies Dawning, S.Y.G.M.A, Profiler

Metalcatto

Too many bands! Click now!

Blut Aus Nord – Ethereal Horizons

Metalcatto

Not many bands can embody the meaning of the term eras like Blut Aus Nord. We have the Vetusta saga, the 777 saga, Disharmonium. A band that basically invented a niche with The Work Which Transforms God (a 5/5 in my list). I’m a huge fan if you haven’t noticed. So comparing Ethereal Horizons with the rest of the band’s work was way more challenging than I expected. All of its albums are different, and yet they share the same identity. So, where to put this one? Let’s see!