Review: Highgate - Highgate

The first thing that strikes about HIGHGATE is the similarity to bands such as KHANATE, OTESANEK, NEGATIVE REACTION, STUMM, WRECK OF THE HESPERUS and GRIEF. However the most striking similarity is to KHANATE certainly when bearing in mind their slower, more abstract offering of “Things Viral”; the style of vocals HIGHGATE use is very much in this vein, in fact astoundingly so, though perhaps less restrained and a little more tormented than KHANATE (that is just about possible!). “Highgate” is basically a combination of Sludge, Black Metal and Doom Metal with a few elements of Noise, Drone and synth experimentation thrown in here and there plus the sort of sampling you would expect from EYEHATEGOD in places. The album consists of one long track of almost an hour in length so a moderate degree of perseverance and patience is needed when giving it a listen and therefore... Post Continued Here

Review: Reaktor 4 - Reaktor 4

Total Holocaust Records are one of those labels that always release excellent quality releases one way or another. REAKTOR 4 is no different in that it is another fine example of a THR release, but it is also highly experimental and has a clinically cold atmosphere that Swedish bands in this vein seem to create so well. Along with bands such as LIFELOVER (this release does actually feature B. of LIFELOVER as session vocalist) and WOODS OF INFINITY; REAKTOR 4 have created a sound that blends together some very random influences, approaches and samples / electronic effects in a very clever and profoundly strange manner. This is what makes the release so instantly compelling as it transmits a really strong and eccentric character that it is impossible not to be absorbed by. REAKTOR 4 are one of those bands who have real personality and obviously don’t give a fuck about what anyone else... Post Continued Here

Review: Velnias - Sovereign Nocturnal

“Sovereign Nocturnal” consists of three epic nature-inspired tracks of Pagan / Down-tempo / Folky Black Metal. Although this looks like an EP (and is also priced as an EP), it is actually more like a full length album as the tracks are such lengthy compositions. However, it is easy to see why the tracks had to reach such proportions of length. The emphasis here is most certainly on gradually building towards Post-Rock / Post-Metal style crescendos whilst also creating a sombre and majestic atmosphere. The subtle development of the shadowy atmosphere here is something that certainly can’t be achieved through break-neck speeds or crudely thrown together melodies. VELNIAS use mature song-writing techniques (border-lining on progressive), making use of many moody acoustic passages and slow, sorrowful riffs that gradually build and shift throughout each track. Although it is possible... Post Continued Here

Review: Gorgon - Immortal Horde EP

Released by Wounded Love Records in 1993, “Immortal Horde” is a rare underground gem from classic French band GORGON. When listening to the three tracks on offer, it is difficult to believe that GORGON did not achieve more recognition as even in their embryonic stages the band already had not only a strong character formed but also a highly recognizable and unusual sound. Listening now, it is amazing to think these tracks were written so long ago as they still sound fresh, original and timeless. Of course, there is that 1990s atmosphere present that many Black Metal bands aim to recreate today, but there is nothing like the real thing. In this sense, the atmosphere of dark nostalgia also makes this release obsessive compulsive listening. The first track entitled “Ephaistos” begins with an experimental keyboard piece, before launching into a blistering Black Metal onslaught.... Post Continued Here

Review: Hammemit - Spires Over the Burial Womb

“Spires Over the Burial Womb” is the debut release for HAMMEMIT; the new identity of UK Black Noise project EMIT; though now featuring additional members to the enigmatic U.I./Malachi. Released by the well-respected label Total Holocaust Records (a personal favourite of mine), this is a truly stunning album, steeped in confounding mystery and evoking a morbidly religious Medieval atmosphere. After following EMIT for a number of years I was keen to hear the difference in direction that inspired the name change to HAMMEMIT, and I have to say that the album is perhaps the most consistent and effective to date. Whereas EMIT are in a similar vein to ABRUPTUM (although undeniably superior to ABRUPTUM), HAMMEMIT is totally fresh and individual. After many productive years in existence for EMIT, “Spires Over the Burial Womb” is a superlative work that takes the band to a higher... Post Continued Here

Review: Year of No Light - Nord

When it comes to influential bands such as NEUROSIS, there are many who wish to imitate their sound, some are predictable perhaps even a little dull, but others such as the French YEAR OF NO LIGHT show some real promise in their own right. Despite the undeniable similarities to stalwarts such as CULT OF LUNA, ISIS et al, “Nord” is full of soaring epic melodies, avant-garde effects and blistering screamed hardcore vocals that really tend to linger in the memory. Yes, YEAR OF NO LIGHT make no secret of their influences but their talent for epic songwriting cannot be overlooked. One of the elements that makes NEUROSIS so successful (when considering their later releases) is their aptitude for building amazing atmospheres through layer upon layer of slowly building walls of sound and sludgy feedback. YEAR OF NO LIGHT also manage to pull this off with ease while also maintaining their... Post Continued Here

Review: Faal - Abhorrence - Salvation

I first consciously became aware of Post-Rock influences in Black Metal through bands such as CAÏNA, (later) DEATHSPELL OMEGA and FEN. When I first started following Black Metal around a decade ago, the thought of combining two such genres would have seemed hugely unlikely, however, the combination is complimentary, beautifully atmospheric and enthralling. After discovering CAÏNA I became totally hooked on this approach to Black Metal and so FAAL was a mandatory purchase. Although FAAL do combine Black Metal and Post-Rock influences, there is also a strong element of dark, funeral Doom making them stand apart in terms of originality and innovation. There surely can’t be many bands around writing Funeral Doom that incorporates classically arranged Post-Rock structures! It’s obvious from the onset that FAAL have put a great deal of work and careful contemplation into the four... Post Continued Here

Review: T.O.M.B. - Uncovered Ancient Gateways

Completed at the end of 2009, UAG (Uncovered Ancient Gateways) is a wholly new T.O.M.B. work, it is also a continuation (faze 2) of the experiments that began with Pennhurst (July 2009). These two experiments are leading T.O.M.B. toward the next major work: Fury Nocturnous. As with Pennhurst, the approach here moves away from the largely Black Metal-structured MNR, back to Sacrilegium era recordings. Meaning: Industrial drone, haunted noise! Being part of the Pennhurst experiments, location recordings are from the Pennhurst State Hospital in Pennsylvania. This one-time Sanitarium is now a decaying shell, deserted after the accounts of institutional physical and mental cruelty became public knowledge and permanently closed after lengthy prosecutions. Using techniques originating from the first demo, T.O.M.B. slams metallic receptors into the brittle walls and rusting metal structures within... Post Continued Here

Review: From Depths - Resoaring from the Depths

Symphonic Black Metal is a genre that will not garner much interest in these pages. The fact that it is used sparingly, despite labelling themselves as such several times throughout the biography, works in the bands favour. Resoaring from the Depths (referencing their latest release since 1997) is a short MCD – three tracks, never much over four minutes, and an intro. Heavy melodic guitars range from black metal to recognisably mainstream death / gothic metal, aided by unimposing but no less unambitious keyboards. From Depths have incorporated ’symphonic’, modern-gothic influences since their inception in 1991. The newest material strips away some of the more blatantly mainstream elements giving it a darker, Black Metal focused atmosphere. The genre From Depths are recording is well established and predictable, as such if your interests reach that far you will find an enjoyable... Post Continued Here

Review: Satanic Holocaust - Promo 2008

Satanic Holocaust is the partnership of two South American’s (Lord Blood on Drums, Lordnatt vocals, guitars and bass) living in Germany. This may normally be useless trivia, but here it explains an interesting clash of styles which translates directly into the music. There are remnants of the South American driving pounding drums, minor thrash influence especially on the final track; but it resembles more immediately the European Black metal sound especially the guitar melodies in the first two tracks. The result is impressive. Sexecuting Jerusalem’s Whore is a good black/war metal track lifted above mediocre by the Latin-influenced vocal delivery on the chorus. Minor but effective. Promo 2008 is an notable first release and should be sought out by fans of both European black metal and Blasphemy-inspired war metal. We will be interested to see if the forthcoming material continues... Post Continued Here