Black Metal – Page 14 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Ancient Torment – Follow the Echo of Curses

Metalcatto

I’ve seen it all when it comes to band names — from great to terrible — which is why Ancient Torment feels just right. Not too fancy, not too simple. It fits what the band is doing here. It’s not often that a debut sends all the right signals from the start, so I’m expecting something at least decent from Follow the Echo of Curses. And you can’t blame me. How else would I face this job if I didn’t believe in bands? I’d just be another bitter Metal elitist reviewer, I guess — which might make good ragebait. Hmm, maybe I should think about that. Anyway, let’s dive in.

Blind Equation – A Funeral In Purgatory

Metalcatto

Ok, you might be wondering. Do we like manga and anime at MER? To which I say: I don’t represent everyone on the crew, but maybe? I’m no Otaku, but I know a Japanese-inspired product when I see it, and Blind Equation’s A Funeral In Purgatory looks exactly like that. My hopes are rather low, but I’m also sick of reviewing music from the worst toilet at the gas station. I could use a breather — or some good old weirdness. Let’s see if this is what I need to keep going on this endless path.

Guitar solos to break you and heal you part 2

Milo & Catto

No Intro, let’s go!

Fermento – Acts of Blood

Metalcatto

Yes, I’ll be honest, I saw Fermento’s Acts of Blood artwork and thought: “This is exactly what I need on a hot summer day.” There’s nothing like indulging in some self-inflicted sonic punishment. That, and the fact that there aren’t many bands pushing this Death/Black hybrid from Spain. At first, I assumed it was from Eastern Europe, but I quickly realized I was dealing with a group that’s been part of the extreme Metal underground since the early days of the Spanish scene. At MER, we don’t hand out veteran points just for longevity—but this time, an exception might be earned.

Imperialist – Prime

Metalcatto

It might surprise you, but I’ve been following Imperialist for a while. You know I’m all in when it comes to space-themed Metal. However, I must admit that if I ignore the lyrics, this band’s music often feels like effective and almost traditional Black Metal—something that could make many old Norwegians proud. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, but it did make me wonder if Prime would break the band’s mold or stick to its strengths. After all, if it’s not broken, why fix it?

True kvlt: Lacerations, Mosara, & Chrysalïd

Metalcatto

It feels like fame has gotten to the top of my head and I’m starting to neglect the deep underground, right? Just kidding! But we’ve had a lot of special articles and high-profile reviews lately, and—as usual—the local bands pay the price like innocent bystanders. So now I’m bringing back a bit of justice, even if just for a moment, in this sorrowful world… Wait, what am I trying to say? It’s sunny outside—let’s stick to that mood. Let’s go!

Growls & Grammar: Ixone analyses Naglfar – Harvest

Ixone

Very few albums have impacted me as deeply as Naglfar’s Harvest, and a huge part of that is, of course, its lyrical content. Why is that? To start, it’s fitting to address the fact that, generally, in Black Metal, when someone wants to explore dark states of being, the result often ends up being an absolute trauma dump of a DSBM record. Yeah… there are better ways to do it. Luckily, Naglfar found a solution to that problem on this album. But how did they manage that? By doing quite literally what symbolist poets were doing in the late 19th century: assigning external elements to inner states. However, in Harvest, this is done with far less subtlety and far more visceral intensity—which, being Black Metal, is exactly what one might expect.

Oskoreien – Hollow Fangs

Metalcatto

It’s been a while since we’ve had some Post-Black Metal in our hands. You know how it goes with these types of albums: they either end up on a best-of-the-year list or fade into oblivion. There’s rarely anything in between. However, Oskoreien is a band that, despite having few releases, has been around for a while, which is why I approached Hollow Fangs with a decent amount of respect—and even a little hope. Besides, I kind of dig that dragon artwork (no, the dragon doesn’t look goofy—it’s art!). Now, let’s start throwing down.

Rotgut – 24 oz Cantrip

Ixone

As someone who routinely defrosts halfway through a thrasher during summer, what could be more up my alley than a Blackened Thrash/Speed Metal record about drinking? Absolutely nothing. Rotgut’s very suggestively titled 24 oz Cantrip EP, which reeks of hangover from the album cover alone, delivers an infectious, high-energy sound that’s perfect for a burning June day. That said, be prepared for a whirlwind of chaos.

Incinerated – The Epitome of Transgression

Metalcatto

Metal is full of colorful and almost quirky band names. Incinerated isn’t one of those. If anything, this Indonesian band means business with its proposal. Also, have we noticed how Indonesia has become an extreme Metal powerhouse in the last decade? I wouldn’t be surprised if it hasn’t already become Asia’s biggest producer, but I digress. Time to focus on Epitome of Transgression.