Black Metal – Page 20 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Kanonenfieber – Die Urkatastrophe

We know that Sweden has Swanö, Finland has Saukonnen, and lately, Germany has Noise—an anonymous artist involved in countless projects, all receiving high critical acclaim. I won’t hide my bias: I want Kanonenfieber to blow me away. Its Menschenmühle had me more than impressed. Sure, the sound the band goes for isn’t exactly new, but the way it uses it, combined with the power of such an authentic and raw narrative, has turned it into one of the most fascinating acts in Black Metal. Excellent! But how about Die Urkatastrophe? Does it honor the dead? Join us in the trenches!

Groza – Nadir

Groza is Germany’s answer to Mgła. They share that traditional rawness, that sense of melancholy, and so far, no major controversies. So, it’s a more guilt-free experience (but we’re all guilty of something, aren’t we?). Album after album, I’ve watched the band evolve from a traditional Black Metal act into a more Post-Black entity. Yet, I always feel like Groza is just one step away from truly finding its own voice on the treacherous path to originality. Is Nadir the album where it finally reaches its full potential? Grab an umbrella, because it’s about to rain tears.

Ævangelist – Perdition Ekstasis Meta

Whoever said that Industrial Metal is boring and commercial has clearly never listened to whatever Ævangelist has been up to. Do they even know what they’re doing? Ever since De Masticatione Mortuorum In Tumulis, the band has developed this bizarre blend of Death, Black, and Industrial Metal, all wrapped in the most lo-fi production possible. It’s such a dense listen that I was genuinely worried I might hate Perdition Ekstasis Meta. Was it because it’s so far removed from anything we might consider enjoyable, or because it lacks something previous it previously had? Either way, I came in ready to give this disturbing album a chance. Let’s go!

EP madness 2: Hammerfilosofi, Emasculator & Grave Sermon

It’s been a while since we paid attention to the leftovers of the Metal world, or in other words, the EPs. As you know, I usually avoid them like the plague, but sometimes it’s good to step out of the comfort zone and try something different. These are a few EPs that managed to keep me awake when all I wanted to do was sleep. That should tell you everything you need to know, right?

Gaerea – Coma

I wouldn’t be exaggerating when I say that in the barren landscape that is pure Black Metal, Gaerea stands as a rare ray of originality. I was there when Unsettling Whispers came out and was just as impressed as anyone else. Then came the crushing and lengthy Limbo, followed by the leaner and more dramatic Mirage. Now, Coma faces the difficult task of continuing a streak of innovation that few other contemporary Metal bands have been able to achieve. Can Gaerea keep us dreaming? Can it replicate the poetic anxiety that has defined its work so far? Come with me and let’s find out.

Various Artist: Surrender to Death A History of the Atlanta Metal Underground Vol. 1

If you’ve been following us for a while, you’ll know that we love history at MER. We even do retro-reviews all the time. Not many music genres have as much reverence for the past as Metal does. However, we tend to focus on the big classics and forget the dirt, the crust, and the deep underground where bands live and die, hoping to evade oblivion for just a little longer. That’s why today we have a different type of review. Surrender to Death: A History of the Atlanta Metal Underground Vol. 1 features more than 20 artists. I know nothing about Atlanta except that it has a huge airport, but let’s learn about its old Metal scene, shall we?

Tusenårseken – Omhuldra

Stargazer Scholar

The underground spirit of extreme Metal doesn’t prevent it from being one of the most demanding genres when it comes to execution. The increasing accessibility of modern technology has yet to catch up with human creativity and the exploratory ambitions of artists working in small studios and isolated bedrooms. Musicianship and songwriting talent are still the foundation of any musical edifice, but without appropriate production quality, even the most solid building blocks may not hold. Omhuldra, the third full-length release by Sweden’s one-man Atmospheric/Pagan Black Metal project Tusenårseken, exemplifies this contradiction better than any other album I’ve heard recently.

Blighted Eye – Agony’s Bespoke

You know my running joke: I judge albums by their cover. When I received Blighted Eye – Agony’s Bespoke, I had two thoughts: this is either going to be AOTY material or a typical 2.5/5.0. There’s no middle ground. When a band takes itself this seriously, things can either fly or crash and burn. Especially when there’s a plot in the album that’s heavily inspired by an extremely raw and depressing film (The Nightingale). Hence, I approached this release with incoherent expectations. Anyway, let’s see if Blighted Eye can pull it off.

Ellende – Todbringerin

Stargazer Scholar

Metal and classical music have a lot in common. From direct quotations to arrangements and the general feeling of overarching grandeur, our beloved genre has borrowed heavily from its noble ancestor. However, while a romantic symphony or a baroque concerto are open to reinterpretation, Metalheads are known to be jealous guardians of the original incarnations of their favorite albums. And let’s be honest, more often than not, this stance is well justified. Nonetheless, the artists’ right to amend and reconsider their own creations should likewise be taken into account, leading us to a trade-off that is hard to resolve. This brings me to today’s topic.

Spectral Wound – Songs of Blood and Mire

There are few albums that have been relentlessly hyped on social media like Spectral Wound‘s Songs of Blood and Mire. Sure, I’ve liked what this band has released before, but the implicit pressure to check out this one has been a remarkable feat of marketing by whoever handles its promotions. Either way, you’re probably here after reading countless reviews that beat me to the punch, all of which have hyped you to death. Now you’re just wondering: Am I going to crush your expectations or make you even more ravenous for the release date? Watch and learn.