Tag Archives: atmospheric black metal

Interview – Zenith Maharg (Necht)

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It’s time to honor the memory of our most ancient ancestors, the Enkari, with an amazing and detailed interview with Zenith Maharg of the Temple of Necht.

Zenith Maharg (Necht)

The Headbanging Moose: Thanks a lot for your time, Zenith Maharg. Could you please start by introducing yourself and the band to our readers? Who are Necht, and what’s your main purpose in this world?

Zenith Maharg:   Hails, Herald Gustavo!  I am the Zenith of the Temple of Necht. I am pleased to be given this opportunity to Illuminate you and your readers. Necht honours the memory of our most ancient ancestors, the Enkari – the earliest civilization yet discovered – and through our black metal Sermons we spread knowledge of their culture, beliefs and history. At our Live Rituals, we embody the Cult of B’ahn, who were the warriors of the Enkari city-state of Lashmir.  The Cult existed to further a state of religiously mandated constant war against their foes in Ishpan, thereby mirroring and supporting the struggles of the Sun God, B’ahn, the Ceaseless Warrior, against the Mother Dragon, Karnifor, and Her constant efforts to swallow the world.

THM: You’re currently supported by your Ascendants Zhargor on the guitars, Aemoh on bass, and Vlasfimos on drums. How did you first get in contact with them, and what do they bring to the music by Necht that others couldn’t?

ZM: The Ascendants of the Temple are all masters of their craft, having honed their skills through many years of practice and countless hours upon battlefields across Canada. Ascendant Vlasfimos and I are long-term collaborators from earlier musical projects. By the Light of B’ahn, we were guided to find in Ascendants Zhargor and Aemoh similarly dedicated warriors of black metal. As every Sermon results from the combined efforts of each member of the Temple, without the participation of each member, Necht would not exist.

THM: You’ve recently released your debut opus, the excellent The Prophecy of Karnifor, which you like to describe as your “long meditation.” Can you tell us a bit more about the whole idea behind it?

ZM: Heed these words carefully, Herald.  The Grand Meditation of The Prophecy of Karnifor introduces to a modern age the wisdom of the Enkari; with this and with each subsequent Meditation, Necht will gradually reveal more of the Enkari, as laid out in the Enkari-B’ahn scrolls.

These scrolls were discovered in the 19th century by German explorer and philosopher, Dr. Karl von Mecklenburg, and our Sermons are based on the contents of the scrolls as translated and published by Dr Birgitta Olsson in 2015.  The scrolls themselves were written by the Qa’ars – priest-kings – of Ishpan, and comprise a record of contemporary observations, personal philosophy and religious passages.

Though long forgotten and hidden behind the fog of thousands of years of distortions and misunderstandings that our societies call ‘religion’ and ‘history’, there are many truths to be revealed by studying the thoughts, history, learnings and the doom of the Enkari.

THM: One of my favorite songs of the album is undoubtedly Stirred By Shadow, I Did Wake, which also has a really cool official video. Can you please explain to us what this amazing song is all about, and how the recordings of the video went?

ZM:   Our gratitude, Herald!  The Sermon “Stirred By Shadow, I Did Wake” tells of how B’ahn awoke to awareness as His Mother moved to devour Him; of how he fashioned both Thunder Shield and Lightning Spear from His rage and light, and confronted the Dragon, refusing to back down in the face of Her eternal and unstoppable power, and committing Himself to always fight.  Therefore, it is only by His constant struggle that we live.

The recording of the Visual Revelation for this Sermon was done under the guidance and direction of Brother Joe Teminsky who, as an Azimuth-level Cultist, shares our vision and understanding of B’ahn’s radiance.  It was important for this Visual Revelation to portray the ominous darkness of the void, the Star Ocean, in which Karnifor ever swims, and Brother Joe helped us capture that perfectly.

Album Review – Necht / The Prophecy Of Karnifor (2024)

THM: You were one of the finalists for Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2023 in Toronto, a concert I had the pleasure of witnessing, and now in 2024 you were summoned to be the guest headliners for the finals in Edmonton. What was the feeling for you and your ascendants to participate in both events, and what are the biggest differences in the band from last year to this year’s concert?

ZM:   We were honoured to be a part of the WMB Canada Finals both in 2023 – where we did holy battle with Strigampire and Eaten by Sharks – and even more honoured to be invited back this year, where we looked on as five combatants furiously fought for the winning spot.  2024 differed in that it included an opportunity to welcome even Junior Initiates, as there was no age barrier to enter the Sacred Hall. Also, as the 2023 WMB Canada Finals was only our 5th live Ritual, we had considerably tightened our performance time of the 2024 Finals. In both cases, however, the atmosphere among the gathered was suitably electric and we were able to Initiate many people into the Cult by administering the Ritual of Ashes, marking the loyal with the Ashes of the Fallen.

THM: Apart from of course Necht and the finalists for this year’s Wacken Metal Battle Canada (Arrow In The Quiver, Age of Ashes, Infrastrvctvre, Beguiler and Dead Velvet), which other bands from Calgary or from the entire Canadian scene do you think are worth checking out?

ZM:   Most definitely, Herald!  Black metal fans should check out our compatriots in Kings Rot (a Cascadian style in the vein of UADA), Svneatr (more progressive) and Black Pestilence (for a punk fusion). Those who enjoy technical death metal with some truly ferocious vocals should indulge their ears with the latest release from Vaegon.  Grand Mal also provide a crushing blackened death metal experience.

THM: Which bands and artists influenced Necht the most, and who would you love to tour with from those major influences?

ZM:   We are very much rooted in second-wave European black metal, with bands such as Dark Funeral and Satyricon providing a foundation for our music. Other bands that have influenced us include  Batushka, Behemoth, Belphegor, Cult of Fire, Gorgoroth, Helrunar and Rotting Christ. We would particularly enjoy the opportunity to conduct a Ritual in the presence of any of these Elders.

Necht

THM: You’ve just played at a very cool underground festival called Decimate Metal Fest 2024 in Millet, Alberta. How was the event as a whole, and what are the next live concerts for Necht?

ZM:   Decimate is a young festival, held in a small town south of Edmonton. It offered the gathered an opportunity to see many bands from Western Canada as well as from the US, and includes camping.  Junior Initiates were welcome at the festival also. The experience was excellent and we hope that B’ahn shines His holy light upon the festival in future years, so that more and more people take the opportunity to attend and support the underground metal scene.

For 2024, we recently completed our “Illuminating The Plains in Furious Radiance” series of Rituals in Alberta.  However, our Zenith has been called overseas, drawn by visions to search for the Obelisk, so we will not be conducting any full Rituals for the rest of 2024 – only our Zenith is sanctioned to perform the Ritual of Ashes – but the Ascendants will host three more Assemblies. At these Assemblies, Ascendant Zhargor will provide the voice for the Sermons.

Saturday, July 6 – Canmore Alternative Metal & Punk Festival (AMP) III at Arts Place, Canmore
Saturday, July 20 – with Kings Rot and Liminal Shroud at The Palomino, Calgary
Saturday, August 17 – with Black Pestilence, Black Solstice, Void of Mood and Putrid Stain at The Slice, Lethbridge.

THM: Now that you’ve released your first album and started promoting it with your insane live performances, what’s next for the band?

ZM:  We will be revealing our next Lesser Meditation, “Dread Is The Consort Of The Dark” before the end of 2024. We have already recorded the footage for the accompanying Visual Revelation, and the Sermon will be recorded shortly.

We will then retire to the sanctity of our Temple to contemplate the wisdom of the Enkari-B’ahn Scrolls once more, and work on another Grand Meditation, which we aim to reveal in 2025.  We also plan to conduct Rituals in other countries during 2025, in order to spread the word of B’ahn more widely.

THM: Thanks again for the interview! Please feel free to leave your final message and considerations to our readers, and I hope to see Necht live again in the near future! Glory to the Sun!

ZM: Our gratitude, Herald.  GLORY TO THE SUN! 

Links
Necht Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | BandCamp | Linktree

Album Review – Darkflight / Entropy (2024)

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This Bulgarian doom trio will darken your senses with their fifth full-length album, a monumental work of sadness and despair taking the listener on a soul reaping journey through afterlife and purgatory.

Formed in the already distant year of 2000 in the city of Varna, Bulgaria, crafting a hybrid of Blackened Doom with fantasy-influenced lyrics, the unyielding Atmospheric Black/Doom Metal entity Darkflight has just unelashed upon mankind their fifth full-length opus, titled Entropy, following up on their 2017 album The Hereafter. Stronger than ever, and showcasing a melodic brilliance, the album proves that the band has matured and created a monumental work of sadness and despair, taking the listener on a soul reaping journey through afterlife and purgatory, all carefully brought into being by Milen Todorov on vocals and bass, Ivo Iliev on the guitars and synths, and Valentin Deskov on drums, being therefore perfect for admirers of the music by My Dying Bride, Anathema, and Katatonia.

The band’s obscure, old school Doom Metal feast begins with the lugubrious A Sad Place to Call Home, with Valentin delivering those traditional sluggish beats, darkening the skies while Milen declaims the song’s deep lyrics with tons of passion. Second Genesis is even more melodic, whimsical and atmospheric, blending the finesse of Atmospheric Black Metal with nuances of Progressive Rock while Ivo sounds fantastic on the guitars, delivering an amazing solo halfway through it; and  a mysterious female guest vocalist bring an extra touch of finesse to So Much to Tell, a beautiful ballad by Darkflight that brings melancholy and hope to our blackened hearts, whereas more of their fusion of rock and metal sounds is offered to us all in Vague Echoes, with the soothing guitars and synths by Ivo sounding very comforting and enfolding.

Then a pensive, deep start to the passionate vocals by Milen kick off the also embracing tune Buried Together, a beautiful ballad led by the intense vocals by Milen, while Rebirth follows a similar pattern, being at the same time dark, atmospheric and mesmerizing, with Ivo having an amazing performance with his piano and synths, or in other words, it’s definitely a song to listen to together with your loved ones. Your Time Has Passed is a more straightforward tune by Darkflight, bringing forward their trademark dark sounds infused with Gothic Rock and Metal elements, also offering another blast of Milen’s ethereal vocal lines while Valentin dictate’s the song’s gorgeous pace behind his drums. They keep embellishing the airwaves with their Atmospheric Black, Doom and Gothic Metal in Towards the Ruins, where once again Ivo and Valentin generate the perfect ambience for Milen to shine on vocals; and closing the album the trio offers more of their soothing, penetrating sounds in the form of Be Well, not as amazing as the rest of the album but still a solid ballad by those Bulgarian rockers.

In a nutshell, Entropy is a very well-crafted and detailed journey through the realms of Atmospheric Black and Doom Metal that truly deserves a full listen by any fan of good heavy music, and if you also want to know more about Darkflight, their tour dates and plans for the future, you can start following the band on Facebook, stream their music on Spotify or any other streaming service, and above all that, grab a copy of their striking new album from Symbol of Domination’s BandCamp page. The dark, pensive and mournful musical journey crafted by Darkflight in their new album will simply crush your hearts and souls, positioning them as one of the must-see names of the Bulgarian scene, and adding an extra layer of doom to the metal community worldwide.

Best moments of the album: Second Genesis, Vague Echoes and Your Time Has Passed.

Worst moments of the album: Be Well.

Released in 2024 Symbol Of Domination/Australis Records

Track listing
1. A Sad Place to Call Home 6:02
2. Second Genesis 6:40
3. So Much to Tell 4:40
4. Vague Echoes 5:40
5. Buried Together 4:45
6. Rebirth 4:52
7. Your Time Has Passed 3:38
8. Towards the Ruins 5:36
9. Be Well 5:00

Band members
Milen Todorov – vocals, bass
Ivo Iliev – guitars, synths
Valentin Deskov – drums

Album Review – Necht / The Prophecy Of Karnifor (2024)

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Offering grim, martial and epic tales of the Enkari, the first human civilization, this Canadian Black Metal horde steps out of the shadows of the past to spread the word of their long meditation.

GLORY TO THE SUN!

We humans are and have always been driven by our own imagination. Someone stumbles across an old book as a child and from then on lives a life believing in the resurrection of a man who died in a cruel way, giving rise to white metal as a movement. Born in the fires of the Canadian city of Calgary, Alberta in 2022, the infernal Black Metal entity known as Necht is stepping out of the shadows of the past to spread the word of their long meditation, entitled The Prophecy of Karnifor. Offering grim, martial and epic tales of the Enkari, the first human civilization, inspired by the discoveries of the German explorer and philosopher Karl von Mecklenburg, as unveiled in the controversial research of Dr. Birgitta Olsson, The Prophecy Of Karnifor is a bold, multi-layered feast of Black Metal in the name of B’ahn, Our Father, The Ceaseless Warrior, masterfully brought into being by Zenith Maharg (vocals) and his Ascendants Zhargor (guitars), Aemoh (bass) and Vlasfimos (drums).

As if the band was preparing us for their Stygian cult, we face the imposing intro The Vision of the Qa’ar, exploding into the ferocious Within Her Jaws Dwells The Dark Promise Of Our Death, where Ascendant Vlasfimos sounds utterly infernal behind his drums while Zenith Maharg begins his visceral, demented vocal attack by screaming and roaring manically nonstop. Then continuing their ritualistic feast of darkened sounds, it’s time for Stirred By Shadow, I Did Wake, where the riffs by Ascendant Zhargor will haunt your damned souls accompanied by the classic bass by Ascendant демон in another heavy, grim and venomous creation by the quartet. To Me, The Obelisk Calls blends their core Black Metal with elements from Atmospheric Black Metal, and the final result is a phantasmagorical voyage by Necht, with the drums by Ascendant Vlasfimos once again sounding demolishing; and you better prepare your senses for an overdose of towering, visceral sounds by Necht in the eight-minute beast titled Into Bondage Born, a Melodic Black Metal aria where Zenith Maharg leads his horde with his devilish gnarls while the guitar by Ascendant Zhargor will pierce your minds mercilessly.

And they keep decimating our damned souls in By The Fires Of Ascension Shall I Reach The Sky, with the band’s stringed duo delivering sheer Black Metal madness supported by the always hellish beats by Ascendant Vlasfimos, whereas By Blood And Bone Do We Bind lives up the the legacy of modern-day Melodic Black Metal, blasting our ears with the band’s trademark ferocity and passion for the occult, all of course spearheaded by the demonic growls by Zenith Maharg. There’s time for a cinematic interlude titled Blackened Loom The Walls Of Ishpan, setting the stage for the band to crush our souls one last time in For Violence Was Wrought Upon Me, a Behemoth-inspired extravaganza tailored for fans of Blackened Death Metal, putting a beyond infernal ending to the band’s black mass.

“BRETHREN! Do not fear the shadow. Within the shadow there may be found despair. Within the shadow there may be found death, and dissolution. But within the shadow, there may also be found awakening and enlightenment. For it was in the shadow that our Father, B’ahn, was born. GLORY TO THE SUN!” Those were the words by Zenith Maharg, from the Temple of Necht in the Cult of B’Ahn, citing the Enkari-B’Ahn writings, and if you’re eager to join them in the occult you can start following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, listen to their eerie creations on YouTube and on Spotify, and above all that, grab a copy of The Prophecy Of Karnifor from the band’s own BandCamp page or by clicking HERE. Glory to the Sun, glory to Black Metal, and glory to Necht for bringing into being such an amazing album.

Best moments of the album: Stirred By Shadow, I Did Wake, Into Bondage Born and By Blood And Bone Do We Bind.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2024 Independent

Track listing
1. The Vision of the Qa’ar 1:42
2. Within Her Jaws Dwells The Dark Promise Of Our Death 7:25
3. Stirred By Shadow, I Did Wake 5:40
4. To Me, The Obelisk Calls 5:26
5. Into Bondage Born 8:37
6. By The Fires Of Ascension Shall I Reach The Sky 6:41
7. By Blood And Bone Do We Bind 7:33
8. Blackened Loom The Walls Of Ishpan 1:46
9. For Violence Was Wrought Upon Me 5:32

Band members
Zenith Maharg – vocals
Ascendant Zhargor – guitars, choir
Ascendant демон – bass, choir
Ascendant Vlasfimos – drums

Album Review – Anthropovore / Parthénogenèse (2024)

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This French two-headed Black Metal beast returns with its sophomore album, sounding utterly experimental, dissonant and austere from start to finish.

Forged in the fires of Paris, France inspired by old school titans the likes of Darkthrone and Marduk, among others, with the goal to return to the origins of a primary, anxiety-inducing, angry and hateful Black Metal, the two-headed beast known as Anthropovore is back from the underworld with their sophomore offering, beautifully titled Parth​é​nogen​è​se, the follow-up to their 2022 debut Boogeyman. The album title is French for “parthenogenesis”, or “virgin birth”, a form of reproduction in which an egg can develop into an embryo without being fertilized by a sperm, and that weird concept is translated into the most experimental, dissonant and austere music you can think of thanks to the amazing job done by the band’s duo comprised of Simon Perrin (Demande à la Poussière, Muertissima, MUD, WeedBringer) on vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, bass, drone and machine sounds, and Stéphane Prados (Muertissima) on lead guitars and harsh screams, supported by the more-than-special guest vocals by Adsagsona (aka Adèle Adsa, the talented frontwoman of French Black Metal horde Hule).

Notre père, or “our father”, starts with a narration in French before their dirty riffs and low-tuned bass fill out every single space in the air, with Simon and Stéphane making an amazing duet with their clean vocals and demonic roars, flowing in a disturbing and devilish way until the very last second. Their wicked experimentations go on in Transmigre-moi (“transmigrate to me”), another sulfurous fusion of traditional Black Metal with Atmospheric and Experimental Black Metal, sounding dissonant and furious, with the mechanized sounds generated by Simon being infernal; whereas a demented start evolves into a feast of blackened, caustic sounds in Castigo, a Portuguese/Spanish word that means “punishment”, where Simon and Stéphane deliver sheer aggressiveness through their axes while also blasting sick vociferations in the name of darkness. And the title-track Parthénogenèse offers more of their idiosyncratic, devilish sounds where the guitars and bass feel utterly demonic while the duo keeps blasting endless obscurity through their visceral growls, followed by Souffrir, or “to suffer”, another explosion of Experimental Black Metal by the duo with all background noises and sounds adding an extra touch of insanity to the overall result.

They keep hammering our cranial skulls and decimating our damned souls in Mal dedans (“bad inside”), again showcasing their characteristic harsh roars, machine-like drums, and a reverberating sense of despair; then investing in a more brutal and thunderous sound, they will smash us all in Ternir, or “to tarnish”, offering their most demonic vocals, sounding almost like the screeches of an evil goblin, while the instrumental pieces generate a darkly disturbing atmosphere. Déconstruit (“deconstructed”) keeps the album at an insane level of animosity and rage by blending elements from Industrial Metal with their core Black Metal essence, while rumbling bass lines and massive beats set the tone in the heavy-as-hell Mangez-moi, or “eat me”, the duo’s second to last spawn of evil in the album, where they once again burst their lungs screaming like demonic creatures. Finally, Anthropovore kill whoever is still alive with the violent and grim Better Off Alive, ending the album on a high note to the sound of their inhumane harsh roars, caustic riffs and mechanized background sounds.

Such dissonant, devilish album is available in full on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course you can add it to your demonic collection by purchasing it directly from the band’s own BandCamp page or from the France Black Death Grind webstore, and don’t forget to also follow the band on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for more of their wicked music. Parth​é​nogen​è​se exhales pure evil, hatred and darkness just the way we like it in Black Metal, strengthening the band’s name in the scene and inspiring them to keep blasting sheer obscurity for many years to come, always trying new experimentations while staying true to their roots, something really hard to do nowadays but that those French metallers are learning how to master, I might say.

Best moments of the album: Transmigre-moi, Parthénogenèse and Ternir.

Worst moments of the album: Souffrir.

Released in 2024 France Black Death Grind

Track listing
1. Notre père 8:12
2. Transmigre-Moi 5:59
3. Castigo 5:50
4. Parthénogenèse 9:06
5. Souffrir 5:22
6. Mal dedans 9:25
7. Ternir 5:09
8. Déconstruit 5:35
9. Mangez-Moi 4:48
10. Better Off Alive 5:32

Band members
Simon Perrin – vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, bass, drone and machine sounds
Stéphane Prados – lead guitars, harsh screams

Guest musician
Adsagsona – additional vocals

The Year In Review – Top 10 Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Albums of 2023

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“Whatever your age may be, when you go to a heavy metal gig, you’re a teenager again.” – Rob Halford

I believe that quote from the Metal God himself perfectly represents the year of 2023 for most of us metalheads, including of course myself and my buddy Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi as we’ve been to countless metal gigs this year (and you can see detailed reviews with amazing professional photos for each one of them HERE), keeping our inner fires burning during such difficult times for the entire world. A never-ending economic crisis that’s dragging tons and tons of people to poverty everywhere, the Russo-Ukrainian War that persists for almost two years now, the extremely sad and inhumane Gaza–Israel conflict, all environmental disasters that in the end are all mankind’s fault, and so on. On the heavy music side, we witnessed the final concert ever by KISS, the end of great bands like The Agonist and Betraying the Martyrs, and the deaths of Sebastian Marino (former guitarist of Overkill and Anvil), Michael “Majk Moti” Kupper (former guitarist of Running Wild), Jon Kennedy (former bassist of Cradle of Filth and former vocalist of Hecate Enthroned), Hiroshi “Heath” Morie (bassist of X Japan), Charlie Dominici (former vocalist of Dream Theater), and several other talented musicians.

Despite all those losses, it was a very good year for heavy music, as bands kept fighting for rock and metal no matter what, putting on fantastic albums and memorable tours for us fans, with some already voicing their dissatisfaction against Live Nation and Ticketmaster for their sky-rocketing ticket prices, shady fees, and an obscure ticket reselling “mafia” running in the background that inflates those prices even more. In 2024 we’ll surely (and hopefully) see more of this insurgence against their ticket monopoly, and while we wait for that let’s enjoy The Headbanging Moose’s Top 10 Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Albums of 2023, excluding EP’s, best of’s and live albums, offering our avid ears the perfect soundtrack to every single moment in our lives, even if that moment is the apocalypse.

1. UADA – Crepuscule Natura (REVIEW)
One of the rising stars of the current Melodic Black Metal scene returns with their majestic fourth album, unleashing upon us five sonic vessels.
Best song of the album: Retraversing the Void

2. Cattle Decapitation – Terrasite (REVIEW)
Fear the devourer of earth in the form of the brand new and absolutely majestic album by California’s own Deathgrind masters.
Best song of the album: We Eat Our Young

3. Overkill – Scorched (REVIEW)
One of the pillars of old school Thrash Metal will scorch the earth to the sound of their breathtaking new album.
Best song of the album: The Surgeon

4. Hellripper – Warlocks Grim & Withered Hags (REVIEW)
Behold this infernal storm of Blackened Thrash Metal by a one-man army deeply rooted in his Scottish origins.
Best song of the album: Goat Vomit Nightmare

5. Viscera – Carcinogenesis (REVIEW)
UK’s own Technical Death Metal/Deathcore monster returns with their striking sophomore album.
Best song of the album: Sungazer

6. Cannibal Corpse – Chaos Horrific (REVIEW)
The mighty Corpse is back with another pulverizing album of old school, undisputed Death Metal, blasting gore, blood and violence.
Best song of the album: Chaos Horrific

7. Primal Fear – Code Red (REVIEW)
German Power Metal masters are back with their thirteenth opus, a hard-hitting metal lesson and living proof of the healing power of music.
Best song of the album: Play a Song

8. Werewolves – My Enemies Look and Sound like Me (REVIEW)
The most savage Blackened Death Metal band from Australia returns to the battlefield in full force with an even more demented offering.
Best song of the album: I Hate Therefore I Am

9. Vomitory – All Heads Are Gonna Roll (REVIEW)
All heads are gonna roll to the sound of the infuriated new album by one of the most important bands in the history of Death Metal.
Best song of the album: Raped, Strangled, Sodomized, Dead

10. Marduk – Memento Mori (REVIEW)
One of the pillars of Swedish Black Metal is back with a devilish new album, reminding us that we all must die.
Best song of the album: Blood of the Funeral

And here we have the runner-ups, completing the top 20 for the year:

11. Angelus Apatrida – Aftermath (REVIEW)
12. Immortal – War Against All (REVIEW)
13. Blackbraid – Blackbraid II (REVIEW)
14. 4ARM – Pathway to Oblivion (REVIEW)
15. When Plagues Collide – An Unbiblical Paradigm (REVIEW)
16. Hrothgar – Rise of Ragnarök (REVIEW)
17. Mystic Prophecy – Hellriot  (REVIEW)
18. Tsjuder – Helvegr (REVIEW)
19. Hyperia – The Serpent’s Cycle (REVIEW)
20. Sarcoptes – Prayers to Oblivion (REVIEW)

In addition to all that, let’s bang our heads with our Top 10 EP’s of 2023 to prove once and for all that not all great albums of the year have to be so long. The EP’s from this list are simply awesome, showcasing the band’s talent and their ability to sound epic even if the music lasts for only a few minutes.

1. Imperial Demonic – Beneath the Crimson Eclipse (REVIEW)
2. Spectral Lore – 11 Days (REVIEW)
3. Admire the Grim – Rogue Five (REVIEW)
4. Saint Vermin – Together as None (REVIEW)
5. Lost Brethren – Dimensional Rift (REVIEW)
6. Cryptosis – The Silent Call (REVIEW)
7. Nemesism – Nemesism (REVIEW)
8. Decompose To Ashes – In The Eternal Silence (REVIEW)
9. Dysease – Era of Decay (REVIEW)
10. Throat Locust – Dragged Through Glass (REVIEW)

Do you agree with our list? What are your top 10 albums of 2023? Also, don’t forget to tune in every Tuesday at 10pm BRT on Rádio Coringão to enjoy the best of classic and underground metal with Jorge Diaz and his Timão Metal, and every Thursday at 8pm UTC+2 on Midnight Madness Metal e-Radio for the best of underground metal with The Headbanging Moose Show! And if you lost some of our latest special editions of The Headbanging Moose Show, including our Top 20 Underground Albums of 2023 – Parts I and II, go to our Mixcloud page and there you have hours and hours of the best of the independent scene, sounds good?

Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year! See you in 2024!

And before I go, I need to talk once again about Savage Lands, a nonprofit featuring members of Megadeth, Sepultura, Obituary and other legends of metal to support forests in Costa Rica, who released an amazing single titled The Last Howl back in November. The Last Howl is a howling tribute to the howler monkey, which are endangered in Costa Rica. The song features Savage Lands co-founders Sylvain Demercastel and Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth), as well as support from John Tardy (Obituary), Andreas Kisser (Sepultura), Poun (Black Bomb A) and Etienne Treton (Black Bomb A). 100% of the song royalties will help fund nature sanctuaries, establish green zones and other land preservation projects in Costa Rica. Having said that, why don’t you go and make a nice donation to the cause, and learn more about Savage Lands on their official website? I’m sure Sylvain and Dirk, plus everyone else involved in this magnificent project, will love to receive that Christmas gift from you!

Album Review – Bull of Apis Bull of Bronze / The Fractal Ouroboros (2023)

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A rising force in the American Black Metal scene returns with their stunning, antifascist sophomore album, a brief on occult liberation in seven parts.

Playing what they like to label as “Antifascist Black Metal Liberation Rituals”, the cryptic Colorado, United States-based Black Metal entity Bull of Apis Bull of Bronze stands as a knife pointed to the throat of any who seek to maintain the oppressive systems of white supremacy and fascism that continue to fester in our societies. Formed of Achaierai (aka Cooper Stapleton) on vocals and synths, Athshean (aka Dylan Rupe) on the guitars, bass, harmonium and synths, and Yaeth (aka Jon Lervold) on drums, the band is unleashing upon our rotten society their sophomore opus, titled The Fractal Ouroboros, the follow-up to their 2019 effort Offerings of Flesh and Gold. Mixed and mastered by Jon Lervold at Big Name Recording Studio, and displaying a stunning artwork by Alex CF, The Fractal Ouroboros is as grim and dark as it’s delicate and touching, being a must-listen for admirers of classic Black Metal with a strong atmospheric and epic vein.

As if a ritual was about to begin, tribalistic drums and eerie sounds permeate the air in the opening aria Trophy, growing in intensity until exploding in a dissonant, visceral Black Metal extravaganza led by the harsh roars by Achaierai and the piercing riffs by Athshean, while also morphing into an atmospheric creature during its last part before all erupts once again as majestic Black Metal. Their mysterious, uncanny Black Metal feast goes on in A History of Cages and Broken Bones, with the sinister riffs by Athshean making a beautiful paradox with the Blackened Doom drums by Yaeth; and the guitars by Athshean will darken your thoughts in Suffocate O Earthen Lungs; They Now Lungs of Ash, also showcasing flammable words majestically growled by Achaierai (“A fire to burn our beginning away / A fire to erase the roots / A fire to destroy indigene / A fire to keep us gasping”), whereas the Atmospheric Black Metal tune Annihilation starts in an ethereal, enigmatic vibe and moves on in a smooth and compelling manner, with Achaierai delivering his deepest, most delicate clean vocals while declaiming the song’s poetic lyrics (“The sunset fires catch / The dust, hanged throughout the air / Screaming glints against a bruising sky”).

More of the trio’s tribal sounds are offered to the listener in Liberation Ritual, an extended interlude that will drag your soul to their Stygian realm, sounding absolutely hypnotizing and working perfectly as the predecessor to Our Overt Apocalypse, bringing forward 13 minutes of dark passages, somber nuances and pensive tones,  with Yaeth sounding bestial behind his drums and, therefore, adding an extra touch of heaviness and insanity to the music while Achaierai continues to bark and roar nonstop. Not only that, the song also offers several different layers, breaks, variations and everything else we love in Atmospheric Black Metal, not to mention how devilish the riffage by Athshean feels. Lastly, Bull of Apis Bull of Bronze will attack our senses one final time with 15 minutes of first-class Black Metal titled Ekstasis, Enstasis, and The Fractal Ouroboros, with Achaierai leading his bandmates with his desperate screams while Athshean and Yaeth sound absolutely demolishing and ruthless with their riffs, bass lines and pounding drums, resulting in a fantastic and climatic conclusion to the album that leaves us eager for more of their music in a not-so-distant future.

“Over three years in the making, The Fractal Ouroboros is the embodiment of grief, catharsis, and empowerment”, commented the band about their imposing new album, and if you want to know more about this multi-talented American trio you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their music on Spotify, and of course grab your copy of the demolishing The Fractal Ouroboros from their own BandCamp page, as well as from the Vita Detestabilis Records’ BandCamp page, from the Fiadh Productions’ BandCamp page, or from Apple Music. Dismantle the police, dismantle all prisons, protect trans kids, black lives matter, indigineous voices matter. This is Bull of Apis Bull of Bronze, and they’re among us to open our eyes against all that’s wrong in our world with The Fractal Ouroboros, a brief on occult liberation in seven parts that will help them easily cement their names in the Black Metal scene worldwide.

Best moments of the album: Trophy, Suffocate O Earthen Lungs; They Now Lungs of Ash and Ekstasis, Enstasis, and The Fractal Ouroboros.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 Vita Detestabilis Records/Fiadh Productions

Track listing
1. Trophy 11:52
2. A History of Cages and Broken Bones 6:49
3. Suffocate O Earthen Lungs; They Now Lungs of Ash 10:51
4. Annihilation 9:41
5. Liberation Ritual 5:49
6. Our Overt Apocalypse 13:31
7. Ekstasis, Enstasis, and The Fractal Ouroboros 15:57

Band members
Achaierai – vocals, synths
Athshean – guitars, bass, harmonium, synths
Yaeth – drums

Album Review – Spectral Lore / 11 Days EP (2023)

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Embark on a musical voyage together with this Greek Atmospheric Black Metal/Ambient entity, offering us all a powerful concept album about the refugee sea route to Europe through the Mediterranean sea.

A concept album about the refugee sea route to Europe through the Mediterranean sea, 11 Days is a very different album for Athens, Greece-based Atmospheric Black Metal/Ambient entity Spectral Lore, being its first album to feature a specifically political theme. Originally released as a digital album in March of 2023 with the aim to gather funds for refugee and migrant aiding collectives, it functions not just as a musical album with a fictional narrative based on real events, but also as a statement of protest against the policies of the European Union regarding refugees and migrants. Recorded, mixed and mastered by the band’s own mastermind, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Ayloss (of Auriferous Flame, Clarent Blade, Divine Element, Fortress of the Pearl, Mystras, and several other amazing projects) at Stellar Auditorium, displaying a captivating artwork by Christina Chrysanthopoulou, and featuring an array of special guests, the album describes a fictional journey of survival through the Mediterranean sea using supernatural and mythic elements, in an attempt to tell such a story in a way consistent with Black Metal and Ambient aesthetics, being therefore recommended for fans of Mare Cognitum, Chaos Moon, Midnight Odyssey and Blut Aus Nord, among others.

Featuring guest vocals by an unknown member of Greek Black Metal horde Yovel, Moloch is a multi-layered, harsh and unique creation by Ayloss that alternates between classic Atmospheric Black Metal and Experimental Black Metal moments, with its visceral, cryptic vociferations being beautifully complemented by hammering drums and piercing Black Metal riffs, moving like an arrow on fire in pitch black darkness until the very last second. Then we have Fortitude/Sunrise, with synths, electronics and vocals by guest Nate Collins, another phantasmagorical and ethereal aria that will mercilessly enfold your damned soul for ten minutes. In other words, it’s the utmost definition of ambient music, with all elements connecting to each other to craft an ominous atmosphere; followed by Adro Onzi, featuring guest vocals by V. and a guest guitar solo by K. (both of Greek Black Metal act Voak), guest vocals by Sadistik, and synths by Odile Aurora Strik, an explosion of old school Black Metal with modern nuances that’s simply pulverizing from start to finish. Once again leaning towards Experimental Black Metal, the song showcases an amazing job done by all musicians involved, embellishing the airwaves for impressive 13 minutes and flowing into the also dense and mesmerizing Tremor/Kalunga Line, featuring synths, electronics and vocals by guests Nate Collins and Odile Aurora Strik, again venturing through the realms of atmospheric and ambient music, sounding very delicate yet also dark and grim, therefore closing the album on a whimsical note.

“These kinds of policies with the goal of violently curtailing immigration cause enormous death and suffering, as migrants are forced to take even more difficult and dangerous routes to avoid repression. The primary intention with this album is therefore to call out the xenophobic, nationalist and anti-immigrant ideologies that are still dominant today in Europe, under the veil of fake progressivism and pseudo-humanist rhetoric,” commented Ayloss about all issues going on in Europe, and you can get to know more details and find additional links about everything happening in the region on the project’s BandCamp page, where you can obviously purchase a copy of 11 Days (also available for a full listen on YouTube), as well as from the I, Voidhanger Records’ BandCamp page or from Throne Records as a CD or an LP, keeping in mind all sales from the digital version and proceeds from the physical editions will be donated to pro-refugee organizations and causes. You can also follow Ayloss and his Spectral Lore on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, and stream more of the project’s music on Spotify, joining Ayloss on a musical journey where fantasy and reality collide in a truly compelling way, again proving how the power of music can have a very positive impact on our rotten and decaying world.

Best moments of the album: Moloch and Adro Onzi.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2023 I, Voidhanger Records/Throne Records

Track listing
1. Moloch 11:05
2. Fortitude/Sunrise 10:08
3. Adro Onzi 13:45
4. Tremor/Kalunga Line 9:02

Band members
Ayloss – vocals, all instruments

Guest musicians
Nate Collins – synths, electronics and vocals on “Fortitude/Sunrise” and “Tremor/Kalunga Line”
Odile Aurora Strik – synths on “Adro Onzi”, synths and field recording on “Tremor/Kalunga Line”
V. – vocals on “Adro Onzi”
K. – lead guitars on “Adro Onzi”
Sadistik – vocals on “Adro Onzi”
Unknown – vocals on “Moloch”

Album Review – Adventum Diaboli / Mørke (2023)

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A lone wolf from the Hellenic Black Metal scene returns with his tenth studio album, bringing sheer darkness to our damned hearts through the album’s impressive 52 minutes of music.

Many try to find solace in religion, but they offer no real answers. There is no ultimate meaning to existence, no grand design, no benevolent god watching over us. In the end, all we can do is accept our fate. We can find solace in the fact that we will eventually be swallowed by the great void and become one with the universe. Until then, we must live our lives with the knowledge that everything we do is ultimately meaningless. That’s the essence of what you’ll find in M​ø​rke (Norwegian for “darkness”), the impressive tenth studio album in ten years of existence by Volos, Greece-based Black Metal one-man army Adventum Diaboli, which means “The Arrival of Satan” in Latin. Recorded, mixed and mastered at Cosmic Lucifer Studios, and displaying a sinister artwork By Dimitris Kostopoulos, M​ø​rke is a classic and solid depiction of old school Black Metal by vocalist and instrumentalist Leviathan (aka Giorgos K.), once again proving why the extreme scene in Greece has been among the most fruitful and exciting ones for the past few decades.

A Doom Metal-infused intro titled The Death Of Light will darken your thoughts before Leviathan unleashes hell on earth in Demons Of My Youth, roaring and screaming in the name of evil while his guitars exhale an obscure lament that lives up to the legacy of classic Black Metal. In Eerie Existential Angst we’re treated to darkly poetic lyrics declaimed by Leviathan (“Mundane people passing by / Painted in blood / I see the sky / From horizon’s gloom / The impending doom”) while he delivers sinister yet mesmerizing riffs from his axe; and keeping the album at a high level of sulfur and darkness, Leviathan continues to crush his drums while also slashing his guitar strings in Reborn From Hellfire, generating a menacing ambience that continues in Air Of Despair, where a delicate yet grim intro evolves into another mid-tempo Black Metal feast offering our avid ears raw, melodic and caustic sounds until the very end. And Γαία Απόκοσμη offers more of Leviathan’s darkened, atmospheric sounds, with his anguished gnarls being fully inspired by contemporary Atmospheric Black Metal.

Featuring synths by guest musician Pan, which bring a touch of finesse to the overall result, De Nihil Philosophia is another melodic and enfolding Black Metal aria by Leviathan and his Adventum Diaboli, and get ready for more of Leviathan’s cryptic words in The Unholy Mysteries Of The Night (“Deep into the night’s dark / Of wisdom there’s not a spark / Secrets of life and death combined / A path not for the weak of mind”), while he generates at the same time a beyond Stygian ambience with his riffs and drums. Leviathan continues to masterfully show his love for all things darkness and evil in Soulless By Dawn, where his riffs sound haunting and austere, piercing our damned minds mercilessly; whereas the second to last blast of Black Metal by our lone wolf comes in the form of the melodic and melancholic The Grand Scheme Of Things, flowing into the ethereal outro The Absence of Meaning, putting a whimsical ending to the album.

The sinister and atmospheric M​ø​rke, which is available for a full and detailed listen on YouTube and on Spotify, definitely represents all the passion for the darkest side of music by Leviathan, and if you also want to show him how much you enjoy his music you can purchase the album from the project’s own BandCamp page or from Apple Music, and don’t forget to also start following Adventum Diaboli on Facebook and to subscribe to its YouTube channel for more Greek Black Metal madness by one of the most hardworking, devilish lone wolves of the extreme scene in his homeland. Let Leviathan and his Adventum Diaboli bring sheer darkness to your hearts to the sound of his newborn opus, helping him proudly carry the flag of Hellenic Black Metal all across our decaying world.

Best moments of the album: Eerie Existential Angst, De Nihil Philosophia and The Unholy Mysteries Of The Night.

Worst moments of the album: Reborn From Hellfire.

Released in 2023 Hellenic Metal World

Track listing
1. The Death Of Light (Intro) 2:09
2. Demons Of My Youth 5:10
3. Eerie Existential Angst 5:33
4. Reborn From Hellfire 4:25
5. Air Of Despair 5:31
6. Γαία Απόκοσμη 7:11
7. De Nihil Philosophia 4:23
8. The Unholy Mysteries Of The Night 4:41
9. Soulless By Dawn 4:36
10. The Grand Scheme Of Things 5:21
11. The Absence of Meaning 3:29

Band members
Leviathan – vocals, all instruments

Guest musician
Pan – drum programming on ”Reborn From Hellfire”, lead synth melody on ”De Nihil Philosophia”

Album Review – Infernal Throne / Caelum Et Infernum (2023)

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This Blackened Thrash Metal beast from Greece will crush us all with their first full-length album, a tour de force that is nothing short of an auditory journey through chaos and darkness.

Formed in 2019 in Corinth, a city in south-central Greece, by vocalist and guitarist Panos Hliopoulos (of Corinthian thrash metallers Massive Pain) and vocalist and guitarist Greg Barlas (of legendary Corinthian Technical Thrash/Death Metal horde Extremity Obsession), but currently a one-man band comprised of Panos Hliopoulos,  the demonic Blackened Thrash Metal beast Infernal Throne has just unleashed upon humanity their first full-length album, titled Caelum Et Infernum, or “heaven and hell” from Latin. Produced, mixed and mastered by Panos Hliopoulos himself, and displaying a sick artwork by by Haris Burekas (with booklet and layouts by Rafael Tavares), not to mention all special guests featured in the album, Caelum Et Infernum is a must-listen for metal aficionados, offering our avid ears a 50-minute tour de force that is nothing short of an auditory journey through chaos and darkness, solidifying the band’s status as a rising force in the current Greek extreme music scene.

The atmospheric intro A World Of Chaos will darken the skies and get deep inside our minds before Panos comes ripping in Wings Of Winter, featuring his former bandmate Greg Barlas on vocals, bringing forward a massive wall of sounds crafted by the band’s mastermind offering classic Black Metal blast beats while the vocals by Greg are pure Hardcore. Then featuring Kerveros (Athos) on vocals, Desolation is a more cadenced metal hymn where all vocals sound a lot darker and more desperate, leaning towards old school Black Metal, which in the end works extremely well; and Greg Barlas returns in the pulverizing Among Two Worlds, showcasing damned words (“The light is lost / The light comes out / Thin red lines / They sacrifice your thought / You do their will / You follow the path / This path haunts you / Among two worlds”) amidst a heavy-as-hell fusion of Black and Thrash Metal, whereas the title-track Caelum Et Infernum presents the project in its most venomous form, with the caustic riffs and the hellish drums by Panos exhaling aggressiveness while his vocals sound utterly evil.

Panos keeps hammering his guitar, bass and drums in And Lead Us Not Into Temptation, resulting in a Blackened Thrash Metal onrush not recommended for the lighthearted while also showcasing some Atmospheric Black Metal nuances and passages. In Thy Flame Of Darkness, the ruthless Panos shows no mercy for our souls once again, blending the obscurity of Black Metal with the visceral Thrash Metal by Slayer, resulting in one of the most electrifying of all songs. Put differently, the whole song is pure madness, with his riffs sounding simply incendiary. And Greg Barlas returns for one final round in Cataclysm Of The Soul, also featuring Michalis Kripasis on bass and Nodens (Temple of Katharsis, Prometheus) on drums, with all  guests blasting their instruments nonstop until the very end ruthlessly; followed by Αιώνια Ζωή (Eternal Life), featuring Archon (Celtefog, Empathy) on vocals, bringing forward over seven minutes of Infernal Throne’s caustic Black Metal sonority, another tune where desperate vocals match perfectly with the thrashing riffs and beats by Panos, flowing into the obscure outro No Hope, No Pain, which is a good way to conclude the album albeit a bit too long (or maybe it needed to be more dynamic).

You can enjoy such sulfurous metal attack by Infernal Throne in its entirety on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course in order to show your utmost support to the multi-talented Panos Hliopoulos you can purchase a copy of the album from the band’s own BandCamp page, or from the Theogonia Records’ webstore. Don’t forget to also start following Infernal Throne on Facebook and on Instagram, and to subscribe to their YouTube channel for more of their caustic music. Panos did an amazing job representing the chaos between heaven and hell in the new album by Infernal Throne, proving once again why Greece has become the ultimate source of extreme music worldwide, therefore paving a very interesting path ahead of such talented and hardworking Greek musician (and I can’t wait to see what’s next in his thrilling career).

Best moments of the album: Desolation, Caelum Et Infernum and Thy Flame Of Darkness.

Worst moments of the album: No Hope, No Pain.

Released in 2023 Theogonia Records

Track listing
1. A World Of Chaos (Intro) 2:04
2. Wings Of Winter 3:03
3. Desolation 6:45
4. Among Two Worlds 5:27
5. Caelum Et Infernum 6:27
6. And Lead Us Not Into Temptation 5:57
7. Thy Flame Of Darkness 5:43
8. Cataclysm Of The Soul 4:09
9. Αιώνια Ζωή (Eternal Life) 7:10
10. No Hope, No Pain (Outro) 3:46

Band members
Panos Hliopoulos – vocals, all instruments

Guest musicians
Greg Barlas – vocals on “Wings Of Winter”, “Among Two Worlds” and “Cataclysm Of The Soul”
Kerveros – vocals on “Desolation”
Nodens – drums on “Cataclysm Of The Soul”
Archon – vocals on “Αιώνια Ζωή (Eternal Life)”
Michalis Kripasis – bass on “Cataclysm Of The Soul”

Concert Review – Wolves In The Throne Room (Lee’s Palace, Toronto, ON, 10/04/2023)

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If harsh and cryptic Atmospheric Black Metal runs through your veins, then the city of Toronto was the perfect place for you to be last night.

OPENING ACTS: Hoaxed, Gaerea and Blackbraid

After all the Maidenmania that took over Western Canada last week, the underground called me back last night in Toronto for a wild feast of Atmospheric Black Metal (and some Dark Rock) by HOAXED, GAEREA, BLACKBRAID and WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM during their Crypt Of Ancestral Knowledge North American Tour 2023 at Lee’s Palace, which by the way felt like a true sauna due to the increasing heat during the entire night. Also, I’m glad I had the support of my friend Keith Ibbitson of Lower Eastside Photography for some amazing shots, because the circle pits were too intense while I was at the same time too tired to brave those. It was a very warm and pleasant night in Toronto, which is why I believe there were so many metalheads at the venue, making it a successful and memorable event for all bands and fans.

However, due to the intense traffic conditions during rush hour, I wasn’t able to arrive in time for the first band of the night, Portland, Oregon-based Dark Rock trio HOAXED, but I only heard good things about their show even though they were the “lightest” band last night, or the only one that doesn’t play any sort of Black Metal. Formed of Kat Keo on vocals and guitars, April on bass, and Kim Coffel on drums, the band released last year the album Two Shadows, and they played several songs from that album as part of their setlist, so if you’re curious to know more about their music simply visit their BandCamp page or Spotify and you’ll be able to stream all of the creations by those three talented girls.

Setlist
The Call
Guilty Ones
For Love
The Knowing
Riders
Dam
High Seas
Candle Master

Band members
Kat Keo – vocals, guitars
April – bass
Kim Coffel – drums 

As I arrived to the venue, everyone was outside having a smoke or getting some not-so-fresh air (as the temperatures in Toronto this beginning of October are hot like summer), a few minutes before one of the two bands I really wanted to see live hit the stage. I’m talking about Portuguese Black Metal entity GAEREA, who put on a breathtaking show blasting our ears and minds with what some people like to call “Cathartic Black Metal”. Having recently released the single Dormant (and sorry about that, but I honestly don’t know if they played it or not), plus of course their 2022 full-length masterpiece Mirage, the band led by the uncanny frontman Guilherme Henriques hypnotized us all during their entire performance, with their new guitarist Sonja Schuringa (known for her work with Dutch Death Metal horde Dictated) bringing an extra touch of energy to their already fiery performance. I’m not sure if I got their setlist right, but it doesn’t really matter as all songs sounded insane live, igniting some sick mosh pits and inspiring Guilherme to keep vociferating like a rabid creature nonstop while showing all his love for Toronto. Everyone at the venue loved their performance, which in my opinion was even better than when they opened for Rotting Christ earlier this year in the city, and we can’t wait for another visit of those bringers of darkness and insanity from Portugal. Hence, don’t forget to stream their cathartic music on BandCamp and on Spotify, supporting one of the most innovative and unique bands of the current extreme music scene.

Setlist
Mantle
Salve
Deluge
Urge
Mirage
Laude

Band members
Guilherme Henriques – vocals
Sonja Schuringa – guitars
Unknown – guitars
Lucas Ferrand – bass
Diogo Mota – drums 

The third attraction of the night was also the one I wanted to see the most, and let’s say they didn’t disappoint at all; quite the contrary, Adirondack Mountains, New York-based Atmospheric Black Metal horde BLACKBRAID simply stole the show last night, turning up the heat inside the venue and igniting the sickest circle pits you can think of. Spearheaded by the multi-talented frontman Sgah’gahsowáh (growling like a beast and armed with his amazing Native American flute), the band delivered a sensational concert for all attendees, blending songs form their 2022 album Blackbraid I with their most recent effort, the stunning Blackbraid II. The first three songs of their set, The Spirit Returns, The Wolf That Guides the Hunters Hand and Moss Covered Bones on the Altar of the Moon, sounded brilliant live, and as I mentioned for Gaerea, Blackbraid were even better last night than when they opened for Dark Funeral and Cattle Decapitation in Toronto back in May. There was a wild ovation to the band after their concert was over, and we could all see how happy all band members were, meaning we’ll see them again in Toronto sooner than we can imagine. In addition, if you know nothing about Blackbraid yet, I highly recommend streaming their two superb albums on BandCamp and on Spotify. you’ll fall in love for their music, no doubt about that.

Setlist
The Spirit Returns
The Wolf That Guides the Hunters Hand
Moss Covered Bones on the Altar of the Moon
A Song of Death on Winds of Dawn
Barefoot Ghost Dance on Blood Soaked Soil

Band members
Sgah’gahsowáh – vocals
Y.E. – guitars
Unknown – guitars
DM – bass
Johnny Violence – drums

WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM

It was close to 9:30pm when the main attraction of such atmospheric celebration,  Olympia, Washington’s own Atmospheric Black Metal outfit WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, kicked off their absolutely somber, cryptic and eerie performance, and although they’ve just released a new EP titled Crypt of Ancestral Knowledge they didn’t play any of its songs, starting with a few creations from their previous album Primordial Arcana, from 2021, those being the excellent Mountain Magick and Spirit of Lightning, plus songs from all of their old releases. Nathan Weaver, Kody Keyworth, Galen Baudhuin and Cedar Serpent were on fire throughout their entire set, alternating between very atmospheric, Stygian passages and pure savagery, which of course inspired the crowd to start a few demented circle pits, proving Torontonians like to get into the action even during long, atmospheric songs.

The quartet kept the energy and mystery of their concert flowing smoothly until the very end, when it was already close to 11pm, and the reaction of their fans was also amazing despite the fact that it was getting impossible to remain inside Lee’s Palace due to the rising and brutal heat. As soon as their concert was over I rushed out to avoid traffic as I was still tired from my trip out west, but it was awesome seeing so many metal brothers and sisters at the show, and whenever Wolves in the Throne Room return to Toronto I’ll definitely be there for another blast of their Atmospheric Black Metal. They’re also on BandCamp and on Spotify, of course, and in case you have no idea how their Atmospheric Black Metal sounds, I suggest you listen to some of their albums and get ready for a one-way journey into the pits of the underworld.

Setlist
Mountain Magick
Spirit of Lightning
Eostre
Angrboda
Prayer of Transformation
Vastness and Sorrow
I Will Lay Down My Bones Among the Rocks and Roots

Band members
Nathan Weaver – lead vocals, guitars
Kody Keyworth – guitars, vocals
Galen Baudhuin – bass
Cedar Serpent – drums

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