Black Metal – Page 19 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Tribulation – Sub Rosa in Æternum

Well, this is going to be tricky. You see, I’m what people would call an old-fashioned Tribulation fan. Here I am, eating chips and scratching my head, while the band has morphed from a Black Metal outfit into a Goth Rock one. Evidently, I’m a bigger fan of its first era, but I’m open to giving Sub Rosa in Æternum a chance. Goth albums typically fall into two categories: they either evoke the horrors of the night, or end up as cringeworthy festivals of edgy people in leather. Let’s see which one this album turns out to be.

Eldingar – Lysistrata

Ixone

Hellenic Black Metal has, from its inception, shown striking differences from nearly everything that might be categorized as traditional Black Metal. Eldingar’s latest record, Lysistrata, is no exception. Since its first release, Eldingar has forged a unique sound that melds a wide variety of influences—from Thrash and Melodic Death Metal to folk music—into its style. With that, let’s dive in.

Halloween releases: Kvelstimer & Mythbegotten

Halloween is almost here, and for all those into Metal, that means it’s time to celebrate. It doesn’t matter if you’re in Iowa or Ulaanbaatar. If there’s an excuse for a Metalhead to dress up and indulge in melodramatic obsessions with the obscure and occult, they’ll take it. So, today, we’re diving into two releases coming out this October 31st. Let’s see if they fit the vibe—but let’s be real, you’re always in the mood for something decadent and evil, aren’t you? I thought so.

Sólstafir – Hin Helga Kvöl

How’s your Icelandic? Chances are you don’t even know how to say “hi” in this ancient language. I don’t blame you—part of Sólstafir‘s charm is that, much like its homeland, it transports us to a remote place many have never seen. Yet, it remains familiar enough to be relatable. Calling Sólstafir a “Post/Black Metal cowboy” isn’t far off. In fact, Sólstafir could be seen as the extreme, modern response to Finland’s Leningrad Cowboys. Or am I pushing my Nordic culture references too far? Anyway, let’s dive into Hin Helga Kvöl.

Barathrum -Überkill

When I got Barathrum’s Überkill and read that this was a Finnish Black Metal band, all alarms went off at MER HQ. Panic and anxiety ensued! We called our contact in intelligence to run a background check on the band. Luckily, nothing sketchy came up! So, I could proceed with reviewing what many call the first Black Metal band from the land of a thousand lakes. Join me, and let’s uncover some hidden history!

1349 – The Wolf and The King

Stargazer scholar

Norway’s 1349 has been consistent in proving that maintaining the unholy spirit of Black Metal doesn’t require stagnation. Starting out as self-professed adherents of a more traditionalist approach, the band has since explored Dark Ambient and Thrash, all without compromising its blackened credentials. While some of its work has been divisive—particularly the more experimental, droning side, which received mixed reactions from the genre’s more conservative audience—the band has pressed on with unfaltering zeal and grim determination. At this point in 1349‘s career, one thing is certain: the new opus is dark, uncompromising, and extreme. Its final form, however, remains to be seen, so let’s discover The Wolf and the King together.

Hell is Other People – Moirae

Let’s face it: Post/Black Metal has won the extreme music war. It doesn’t matter where I go; there are at least 20 Post/Black bands making everything around them a valley of tears and sorrow. That brings me to today’s guest, Hell is Other People. With a name clearly inspired by Huis Clos, I couldn’t let it pass! I love my Black Metal existentialist, and that’s what Moirae seemed to promise. Rarely have I been this interested in finding no way out of a painful situation, but that’s what extreme music does to the soul! Anyway, it’s judgment time!

Valetta – Summer

Is it sarcastic to drop an album named Summer in autumn, with that cover art? It sure feels like a provocation for those of us who are about to not see the sun for months. Anyway, we’re here to judge the music, not the sense of humor. Valletta promises something rooted in the past but, at the same time, fresh. The band might be relatively new on the scene, but its members are experienced and ready to show us what dirty Black N’ Roll has to offer. Let’s move!

Death Like Mass – The Lord of Flies

It’s been a while since we covered a debut. You know us—we’re defenders of the deep underground. While I wouldn’t say Death Like Mass comes without some noise, today feels like a low-key moment to talk about some decadent and obscure Black Metal. On another note, when did Poland become the land of Black Metal? Is it the Catholic guilt? Anyway, I digress. With a title like The Lord of The Flies, this release promises something disgusting and maniacal, right? But you know how it is—Black Metal can always find new ways to let you down. That’s why I approach this with open arms, but a cold heart. Let’s dive in.

Winterfylleth – The Imperious Horizon

Stargazer Scholar (follow the scholar here!)

A band doesn’t need to invent a new genre to have an identity. Originality may earn you a paragraph or two in a history book, but at the end of the day, it’s the songwriting that sells records and boosts streaming stats. It’s that special, subtle something that makes you stand out from the crowd and be distinct. Case in point: Winterfylleth, who over the years have managed to carve out a niche within the overcrowded subspace of Melodic and Atmospheric Black Metal. Without being too groundbreaking or experimental, the Mancunians excel at conveying complex emotions with memorable tunes, and their mixture of bludgeoning pagan valor and moving melodicism has become a trademark. But did the band succeed in maintaining its standards with The Imperious Horizon?