Ritualistic Black Metal. An instant turn-on for some, an instant “eww, gross” from others. For me, it’s one of my favorite aspects of what Black Metal can be. Thy Darkened Shade has opened its doors once again (after 8 years of nothing save for some splits) with the second part of the grand trilogy Liber Lvcifer. Is it a worthy followup to its predecessor?
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Esoctrilihum – Funeral Review
Esoctrilihum, to Gator, has always been one of those bands that are intriguing but never fulfilling. Will Funeral change that, or will it result in a funeral for our friend?
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Sagen – Roots of Proctor Review
While Deathcore in expression and production, Roots of Proctor is more Death Metal in technique. This might not seem like much but this marks a crucial difference in that Sagen show that they are not one of the Deathcore bands that rely on breakdowns to save every song. So in the absence of many breakdowns, what makes it worth your time?
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Рожь – Всё Review
Рожь (pronounced Rozh) certainly seem competent enough instrumentally and strive to make mood music with some swelling builds. The intent is not to rip and tear like regular black metal but rather to present something that is either epic, sorrowful, atmospheric and/or ethereal.
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Hammers of Misfortune – Overtaker Review
Overtaker, true to its name, sports an aggressively overpowering sound. From the first second to the last, it uses unpredictable slithering riffs and intensity to create a chaos that is sure to repel a lot of people, whether they’re used to intense thrash albums or not. Thrashed and overtaken, this Gator lives to tell the tale.
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Darkthrone – Astral Fortress Review
I consider late era Darkthrone to be more interesting than most of their career. They have been experimenting a lot lately and to decent results. I might even go so far as to say that Old Star is my favorite Darkthrone album after A Blaze in the Northern Sky. Yes, much better than Transilvanian Munchies.
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Keiji Haino & Sumac – Into This Juvenile Apocalypse Our Golden Blood to Pour Let Us Never Review
Come for the improv, stay for Gator’s fake haikus.
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KEN mode – NULL Review
As a big fan of the direction they took with the closer “No Gentle Art” on Loved (which is also my favourite track on that album), it’s a real treat to see KEN mode continuing writing slow building and slightly lower tempo songs.
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Dawnwalker – House of Sand Review
Dawnwalker aren’t trying to show off. Instead, each piece of the puzzle informs the whole of this slow despair-fueled journey into death. Yes, House of Sand is an album of rock songs, but also it’s built of small details and an overwhelming feeling of self inflicted misery. Stare into its windows and be still.
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Crypts of the Unknown: Lorn – Arrayed Claws
