Suffering so you don't have to!
Metalcatto
Perhaps it’s the rage against the Central European Bank, but it’s already been decades since Greece became a Black Metal powerhouse. However, old school wouldn’t be the first term I’d use to describe that scene, which is why Eleventh Ray got my attention. Its upcoming album Reviving Tehom promises a strange return to an era when Black Metal wasn’t too filthy nor too clean—but let’s find out if there’s anything original to blast here.
Stargazer Scholar
The last thing we need is to add another branch to the ever-spreading tree of Heavy Metal subgenres. Yet I can’t help but think that many bands emerging over the last decade would fall neatly under the umbrella of Cathartic Black Metal. Something must have shifted in our perception of the world, and instead of the ever-venomous, devilish malice of the cold second wave, we arrived at a different kind of darkness. Bands like Mephorash, Mgła, or Schammasch spearheaded a more comprehensive approach to Black Metal, blending the cosmic and the personal in one existential cauldron. These bands may be different in their aesthetic direction and the subject matter of their lyrics, but the underlying urgency of their craft and the strength of emotions they evoke in the listener somehow make them a part of a movement.
Milo Lane
A surefire way to pique my interest is to record one song and call it an album. However, not many things can be Dopesmoker or Crimson. A slightly more realistic move in today’s age of thirty-second attention spans is to put four humongous songs next to each other and call them an album. And in A Flock Named Murder – Incendiary Sanctum‘s case, I found it quite hard to lose focus.
I’ve been hearing whispers about Karg for a while. It’s another band that can proudly join the whole German/Austrian Post/Black Metal scene. It’s been dominating this small niche for at least the last ten years. So yeah, I do feel kind of guilty that it took me this long to give the project a proper chance. Marodeur has a serious name, a serious cover art—so you obviously expect serious music. The kind of album that reminds you of those small mistakes you thought you’d let go, but still haunt you at night. Uplifting stuff, right? Let’s start!
Vicky
I get that Burzum, Darkthrone, and Mayhem are considered to be the best Black metal bands, but can we agree to disagree? There are people (much like myself) who prefer Doom, Atmospheric, or Gothic Black Metal, and they probably won’t agree with those who think the style doesn’t go farther than those aforementioned bands. As a matter of fact, I want to tell you more about the latest album released by the Black Metal project Exiled Hope, Apocrypha—you can thank me later for helping you discover this hidden gem of dark music. First thing’s first, Apocrypha is Exiled Hope’s third full-length album, a follow-up to the band’s previous LPs, Exiled Hope (2020), and Angel of Greytown (2021). So this band plays Black Metal, but here’s the twist: it’s a US-based one-man band—or should I say, a one-woman band—founded by Sofia Frasz, also known for her work with the bands Figures and Stygal.
Hi there, my beloved blog-dwellers. It’s been a long time since we had an interview. However, that doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten about you—the people who can read for longer than three minutes! (The blog stats show that not only do you exist, but you also come back often.) Anyway, we talked to Hedonistica from Völva, one of the most interesting Black Metal bands out there. Why? Because it’s actually rebellious and controversial without being edgy. But “Catto, how’s that even possible?” Read below, kiddo!
Hi there, my corpse-painted children. I’m not saying much today because the MER crew has way better things to say. This is a special True Kvlt edition, so let’s get to it!
Few bands elicit as many passionate discussions as Deafheaven. They stand as the ultimate hipster black metal band – that distinctly warm Californian/edgy interpretation of the traditionally depressive Nordic formula. To these ears, it’s crafted exactly one perfect 5.0/5.0 album (Sunbather). However, ever since New Bermuda, I’ve gradually fallen out of love with its evolving sound. This isn’t to say its subsequent work was bad – it simply never recaptured those genre-defining heights that initially made them so revolutionary. So it was with minimal expectations that I approached Lonely People With Power a title so quintessentially Deafheaven it almost hurts), steeling myself primarily against disappointment.
Welcome to Retro-Reviews, a space where I indulge in my own nostalgic reveries, reminiscing about a time that never truly existed, but one that I’ve crafted through various random albums that hold significance for me. Whether good or bad, one thing is certain: remembering can be a bittersweet journey.
It’s been a while since we’ve tackled a proper dose of raw Black Metal – the kind that makes you want to rip your hair out and sends your cat scrambling under the bed. Normally, we let those rancid “true kvlt” promos pass by unnoticed, but every so often, something slithers out of the void that’s just too interesting to ignore. Enter Robust – Robust (yes, the album is as sturdy as its name suggests). Think the name lacks edge? Don’t worry, because this is about to plunge straight into the abyss.
Metal Eclipse Reviews 