Black Metal – Page 22 – Metal Eclipse Reviews

Ulvehunger – Retaliation

We’re back to our bread and butter—Black Metal from the pits of (oh surprise!) Norway. We also have something of a super band, because Ulvehunger is made up of members from Satyricon, Disgusting, and Cadaver, just to name a few. However, I must say it’s been decades since I’ve fully enjoyed an album from any of these bands. Don’t throw hate at me; taste is like a butt: split. Despite this, I had no negative preconceptions about Retaliation. If anything, I want all bands to do well and be successful (see? It’s not so bad). Let’s find out if we can jump into this.

Interview with Tony Petrocelly from Construct of Lethe: Metal and mental health

Welcome back, everyone! I’ve hinted on many occasions that this section will mostly focus on interviewing people in unconventional parts of the Metal scene. However, at MER, we’re also strong advocates for mental health, and if you haven’t listened to A Kindness Dealt in Venom, you should. It’s a harrowing journey through the demons inside most of us. I met Tony in the most ironic way: he texted me to correct an enormous mistake in our Construct of Lethe review. He was understanding, and I could tell he was someone with a great eye for detail. Given the personal nature of this album, I couldn’t help but invite him for an interview.

Join our feline attempt to overthrow our human masters here!

Seth – La France des Maudits

I think it would be an understatement to say that right now, or whenever you’re reading this article, France is going through turbulent times. It’s a nation always in crisis, just like Argentina. Why am I talking about non-Metal matters? Well, because Seth’s new album La France des Maudits is thematically the most French album I’ve reviewed in the short history of this site. Also, it’s nice to talk about a French Black Metal band that won’t get me in trouble with half of the internet (you all know what I’m talking about). Great, so is this fresh work, or is it cursed? Stay with me!

Liminal Shroud – Visions of Collapse

I’d like to tell you one of my romantic stories about how I ran into Liminal Shroud, but that’d be lying more than usual. I was looking for discounts on Bandcamp and saw that Through the False Narrows was cheap, so I bought it after listening to one track. It was solid Black Metal with Prog touches. The same could be said about All Virtues Ablaze. Hence, Visions of Collapse has a difficult task ahead: overcoming solid albums that, without much drama, have solidified the band’s reputation as a respectable act. Hopefully, this won’t ruin it. Let’s go!

Akhlys – House of the Black Geminus

Here we go! I know that Akhlys has been involved in controversy in the past and has even been banned from some media outlets. Since I’m a cat, human affairs don’t affect me, and despite my ideological disagreements with, well, a lot of Black Metal bands, I’ll focus on the art this time. Now that that’s out of the way, I’ll admit that I loved The Dreaming I and that it’s one of the best albums of its kind! Though I enjoyed Melinoë, it just wasn’t the same. Hence, I approached House of the Black Geminus with mixed expectations. Let’s just fall into this endless pit, ok?

Exploring South Africa’s Metal Scene: An Interview with Keenan Oakes of Wildernessking & Constelletia

Alright, my fellow basement dwellers, we have our first but not last interview for MER. I had the privilege of speaking with THE band in South African Black Metal. Even if you know nothing about South Africa (shame on you!), you know that Wildernessking (Wilderness and king, do you get it?) is the most important Black/Post Metal band coming from the deep south (Not Alabama, you American-centered people!). Destiny crossed my path with Keenan because I was the first person to get a digital copy of The Writing of Gods in the Sand. Exploiting my special status, I managed to convince Keenan to open this section for us. Needless to say, Keenan is an awesome and fun guy that I can’t wait to have a beer with. But putting my fanaticism aside, I did try to keep it together and ask him questions like his influences, which are close to what you’d expect.

KVAEN – The Formless Fire

KVAEN has been the underground’s darling for a while now. Needless to say, yours truly is a fan of the previous two albums, where KVAEN showcases speed, durability, heaviness, and exceptional songwriting that combines the best of old and new Black Metal. I think I speak for many when I say the expectations for The Formless Fire are huge, and the mightiest band from Kalix (the North of the North) has a monumental task ahead of it. However, this has been a good year for unrealistic expectations, so let’s keep it going, ok?

Alcest – Les Chants De L’Aurore

It’s one of those days! The rare ones when you wake up feeling victorious, refreshed, and ready to take on the world! This unique occasion calls for a fitting soundtrack, and no other band defines the feeling of flying on a cloud towards freedom quite like Alcest. Their last two albums have been certified winners in my feline opinion, but now we’ve got Les Chants De L’Aurore in our claws, and it’s our duty to see if it stacks up in Alcest‘s illustrious catalogue. It’s emotion time!

True kvlt – The Giant Baba, Eisige Venen, JAELYN, June 1974, Ghost Frog and Crystal Sun

In today’s edition of True kvlt, we’re featuring an insane variety of bands and styles. You might think I’m trying to spam you mercilessly, and you’re sort of right. However, they’re all singles! So, if you put them all together, it’ll take the same amount of time that you would otherwise waste watching cat videos instead of doing something productive with your life, like exploring the deep underground. You know It’s time!

Codex Mortis – Tales of Woe

Here at MER, we strive to follow state-of-the-art Metal. However, we sometimes deny our roots, occasionally talking friendly trash about those who came before us. Enter Codex Mortis‘ Tales of Woe, a band trying to capture the spirit of the second wave of Black Metal (but meaner). It’s an extremely difficult task! You might be thinking, “What does The Catto mean? It’s been done to death”. Precisely, my child! How is this going to surprise us when “pure” Black Metal has become a constant trip to the past? Let’s find out!