black metal

Headline, Reviews, Reviews - Live October 19, 2012

Noctis Valkyries 5: Hell Comes To Cowtown

“I cannot stress how fantastic it was to attend Noctis V. To get to see three nights of amazing shows from a lot of bands who would never come to this part of the world otherwise; to spend afternoons rubbing elbows with those same bands, esteemed members of the metal literati, and like-minded fans, all of us just there to bask in the glory of metal, welcome and free to discuss the music we love so much with people just like us. It just might be that Calgary is the new metal capital of Canada”

Noctis 2012 wrap up article by Kyle Harcott

Featured, Reviews, Reviews - Audio August 24, 2012

Formloff: Spyhorelandet

Spyhorelandet comprises the kind of unrelenting hopelessness you’ll experience stumbling naked and bleeding though a blizzard after seeing your family devoured by wolves. However, where much of black metal concentrates on diabolic or fantastical pursuits, Formloff are interested in the “ugly personal histories each of us carries”.

Featured, Reviews, Reviews - Vinyl July 31, 2012

Barghest / False split LP

This September Gilead Media and Mirror Universe will co-release a split LP featuring two of USBM’s best, Barghest from Baton Rouge, LA and Minneapolis, MN’s, False. Both bands are coming off successful 2011s, which saw Barghest release their debut self-titled full-length and an untitled EP from False. While these two bands are undoubtedly black metal, their styles – at least on this release – are complimentary enough to make this split seem natural, yet distinguishing enough that there would be no confusing the two.

Featured, Reviews, Reviews - Audio May 3, 2012

A tenebrous tetralogy: reviews of four recent black metal releases

As a neurotic and obsessive metal fan I struggle to cope with the number of magnificently malevolent black metal releases I’m missing out on. It’s a depressing thought—which I suppose is quite apt really. Such is the enigmatic nature of the underground scene, coupled with the fact that I am essentially a troglodyte, for every excellent black metal release I get to hear, five other worthy contenders pass me by. However, there are a few releases of late that I have been fortunate enough to hear and think deserve some praise-heavy wordage. Continuing my never-ending multi-album review series, this time I’m focusing on a few rough-edged gems (and one notably polished one) from black metal’s inhospitable climes.

Featured, Reviews, Reviews - Audio March 7, 2012

Desaster – The Arts of Destruction

With a few defeats and changes of members along the way, along with a fairly lengthy discography, Desaster are still campaigning like true survivors. Having never gained the sort of popularity or visibility of many of their German brethren, the band have remained a cult act, and their new album, The Arts of Destruction, isn’t likely to change that scenario any time soon.