While only the first half of an ambitiously expansive double LP, Amiensus‘ newest release alone is one for the books. Release date: April 26, 2024 | M-Theory Audio | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp Atmospheric black metal that comes out of Minnesota is that of a different breed. Being a MN native myself, I have and always will proudly represent these local bands to the day I die. While we may not necessarily have the sheer quantity of bands out there, we most certainly have those that put out nothing but utmost quality (and then some – see Panopticon and Ashbringer). What brings us here ..read more

Swedish black metal band Dödsrit dive deeper into medieval melodies and themes than ever before on Nocturnal Will, leaving their punk-influenced past behind. Release date: March 22, 2024 | Wolves of Hades | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp Confession time: I go through an existential crisis every other year or so as a music fan. I am in one now. I gleefully absorb new music so much and so often that long loved genres of music start to feel stale. In this case, rock & roll. Guitar music is cool, fine. You crank the drums and have some swagger. Throw a solo in for good measure. I get it ..read more

It’s somewhat rare that there are large splashes within niche genres to the level that we’ve seen Blackbraid make in the space of black metal over the last year and a half. With a release of a pair of songs at the start of 2022, eyes and ears began noticing this one-man band that embraced the band’s heritage and love of USBM and since that time, Blackbraid has released a pair of records and traveled the world and has gained the interest of mainstream journalism. This week I’m proud to bring you insight into the mind behind the music, Sgah’gahsowáh, and share our conversation about influenc ..read more

Ne Obliviscaris embark on yet another musical crusade that’ll leave lasting impressions on the musical world to come. Release date: March 24, 2023 | Season of Mist | Facebook | Bandcamp | Website | Purchase/Stream Ne Obliviscaris is a name that we’re likely all familiar with at this point, as they’re one of the finest progressive death metal bands to have done the damn thing. Finally returning after what seems like an eternity since their previous record, Exul marks their triumphant return with an album very worthy of the discography that it resides in. Any new music from Ne Obliviscaris ..read more

Euphrosyne have conjured up a symphonic, progressive blend of post-black and doom metal for their début EP Keres. Release date: November 25, 2022 | Independent | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram It’s a Christmas fucking miracle – Dom is reviewing a metal record. The last time I did that was back in 2019, and that golden streak only has a fellow EIN editor to blame for getting killed. I humored his request, and our in-house music library offered to just send me a surprise selection. Now, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t in it strictly for the shits and giggles at first, and so I accepte ..read more

Dynamic, massive, ferocious, gorgeous. Mirage is the pinnacle of Gaerea‘s work and one of the best black metal experiences of the year. Release date: September 23, 2022 | Season of Mist | Facebook | Bandcamp | Twitter | Website Portugal’s Gaerea have been on a streak of releasing good black metal albums since their inception. I say ‘good’ with intent – they have always struck me as a band that have been on the cusp of greatness if they can just put the right set of songs together, as I think their formula needed little tinkering. This is a band that can walk the line between at ..read more

Are you ready for some black metal? Of course you are. Today I get to bring you a brand new track from the Swedish black metal duo Blodskam. This track is taken from their upcoming album Ave Eva, which will be released on September 23, 2022 through Suicide Records. The album is an enticing reinterpretation of the biblical and destructive force of Eve and the story of her bloody mission to destroy Earth, slaughter its creatures, and undo God’s creation to restore infinite chaos. What a concept – I love it. “Sharpening The Knives” is the first track from the forthcoming six-song release, and ..read more

Montreal’s Spectral Wound return in triumphant fashion with their second studio album A Diabolical Thirst, displaying fierce and grand intensity that establishes itself as another fine addition to Quebec’s interesting and diverse black metal scene. Release date: April 16, 2021 | Profound Lore | Facebook | Bandcamp Following on from Spectral Wound’s 2018 release Infernal Decadence, A Diabolical Thirst sees the Montreal collective continuing to push boundaries with their turbulent and aggressive rendition of black metal. Hailing from Quebec’s rich and expansive black metal scene, which hos ..read more

Stortregn are fresher than ever with subtle innovations on their core sound on new release Impermanence. Release date: March 12, 2021 | The Artisan Era | Facebook | Bandcamp In the eternal debate of whether consistency or experimentation should hold more weight when evaluating an artist’s oeuvre, I’ve always sided with the avant-gardists, trailblazers, and pioneers. I respect the monumental effort and sheer forethought required in crafting a cogent, logically flowing artistic body of work, but it has traditionally been the artists who reinvent themselves and buck tradition that resonate ..read more

Nihilistic Estrangement is a shining example of a band both embracing and enhancing what makes them great. Forgotten Tomb have crafted a record that excels in all aspects. Release date: May 8, 2020 | Agonia Records | Bandcamp | Facebook Formed in 1999 in Piacenza, Itay, Forgotten Tomb has nearly two decades of heavy music under their belts. Nihilistic Estrangement sees them tackling the same themes as futility, depression, and of course, nihilism, but with a slightly different approach in the overall tone of the record, as well as some new wrinkles to the instrumentation and pacing. Whil ..read more