Black Moor – Lethal Waters Review
There are basically two ways to view Lethal Waters, the sophomore album from Nova Scotia’s Black Moor. On one hand, it largely fails all of the typical “critics’ darling” tests. The execution of a melodic, …
Down – Down IV Part I – The Purple EP Review
Considering that Down has basically been a full-time band for several years now, the development of the fourth entry in their recorded catalog sure took a long damn time. Eventually they announced that Down IV …
Hellwell – Beyond The Boundaries Of Sin Review
The Hellwell project came on seemingly out of nowhere, but once details spread, it came as no surprise to fans of the band’s most noteworthy member. After all, Mark “The Shark” Shelton’s immortal Manilla Road …
Enslaved – RIITIIR Review
Enslaved has officially entered rarified territory, or rather, they did a while ago and just keep reaffirming it. Their consistent dependability would make a sub-stellar album not just disappointing, but downright shocking. Opeth at least eased …
Blut Aus Nord – 777 – Cosmosophy Review
When news came out that blackened French masters Blut Aus Nord would be unleashing not one, not two, but a full trilogy of albums within a short time span, the skeptics immediately started crying foul …
Midnight – Complete And Total Hell Review
Listening to Midnight’s full length debut Satanic Royalty was like getting beaten in the temple with King Diamond’s old bone mic and loving every skull-crunching delivery. Plain and simple: The album rocked. ROCKED. The Venömhead …
Cairn – Raise The Cairn Review
It’s always nice when the one-man side project doesn’t end up sounding like a wafer-thin version of the full ensemble. Case in point: Cairn, the sole creation of Samu Rahn, guitarist in Chicago’s prog/doomster act …
Agalloch – Faustian Echoes Review
Agalloch’s history of rare, limited, and / or special releases is well noted, and the quality and style of these records range greatly. Some were similar to their albums (Of Stone, Wind and Pillor), others …