Nechochwen

Domhain – In Perfect Stillness Review

Domhain – In Perfect Stillness Review

By Steel Druhm on February 19, 2026 in Reviews, Black Metal, 56 comments

“For the second review in a row, I heard about a band via skimming YouTube, heard something I liked, and tracked down their promo. I’m used to working this from the other direction, but when the almighty algorithm gives, one must take and be thankful. Domhain is an atmospheric post-black metal band from Northern Ireland, and In Perfect Stillness is their debut full-length. With an emotionally charged sound and style, Domhain touches on the past works of Darkest Era, Primordial, and Agalloch while utilizing cellos and haunting female vocals to punctuate the melancholic, often grim moods they wallow in.” Dashed upon the Reefs of Grief.

AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö: Kalaveraztekah – Nikan Axkan

AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö: Kalaveraztekah – Nikan Axkan

By Dolphin Whisperer on June 27, 2025 in Angry Metal Guy's Unsigned Band Rodeo, Death Metal, Folk Metal, Groove Metal, 48 comments

“AMG’s Unsigned Band Rodeö” is a time-honored tradition to showcase the most underground of the underground—the unsigned and unpromoted. This collective review treatment continues to exist to unite our writers in boot or bolster of the bands who remind us that, for better or worse, the metal underground exists as an important part of the global metal scene. The Rodeö rides on.” Get in the death groove.

Nechochwen – Spelewithiipi Review

Nechochwen – Spelewithiipi Review

By Killjoy on May 8, 2025 in Reviews, Dark Neofolk, Folk, Not Metal, 25 comments

“It can be healthy for artists to periodically take time to reset and remember what first compelled them to start creating music. Aaron Carey originally founded Nechochwen in West Virginia as an unostentatious acoustic guitar project paying homage to his Native American lineage. It didn’t take long for black metal influence to emerge and with the addition of Andrew D’Cagna as the rhythm section, the two styles proved a potent pairing to explore the cultural history sewn into every note. 2015’s Heart of Akamon was well-received in the metal community and by our Vice Overlord Steel Druhm, who later went on to underrate their very good follow-up Kanawha Black. During all this time, Nechochwen had been quietly working on Spelewithiipi, a fully instrumental acoustic folk album akin to their debut full-length Algonkian Mythos.” Return to the source.

Ironflame – Kingdom Torn Asunder Review

Ironflame – Kingdom Torn Asunder Review

By Holdeneye on July 26, 2024 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 74 comments

“It’s a little known fact that traditional metal is scientifically proven to possess therapeutic qualities. While anecdotal, you should consider my own experience to be even more authoritative than any evidence that science can produce. Whenever I’m feeling down about my work, my home responsibilities, or just life in general, putting on some tunes about warriors valiantly battling in the name of duty and honor usually kickstarts my heart and returns the gleam to the eye of my tiger. Ironflame, the traditional metal platform of Nechochwen’s Andrew d’Cagna, was formed in 2016, and since that time, the project has released four stellar platters of classic heavy metal.” Iron, flames, swords, and you.

Ulvik – Last Rites | Dire Omens Review

Ulvik – Last Rites | Dire Omens Review

By Mystikus Hugebeard on June 5, 2024 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Neofolk, 15 comments

“Last Rites | Dire Omens. Interesting album title, that. Last rites signify mourning and gentle acceptance, while dire omens suggest malevolence, a promise of death yet to come. Likely by design, these contrasting themes directly apply to the kind of neofolk and atmospheric black metal that Canadian duo Ulvik peddles, as the sad beauty of their folk music inevitably succumbs to a more pronounced black metal malevolence.” Nature in your face.

Ironflame – Where Madness Dwells Review

Ironflame – Where Madness Dwells Review

By Holdeneye on July 1, 2022 in Reviews, Heavy Metal, 89 comments

“About two and a half years ago, I covered Blood Red Victory, the third full-length album from Ironflame, and I nearly dropped the 4.0hammer™ on it. That record had some incredible traditional anthems on it, and the chorus of “Honor Bound” still runs through my head every so often—usually when I’m forced to deal with a commitment that I regret making. The Ohio-based Ironflame is the brainchild of one Andrew D’Cagna, an artist probably best known for his work as a drummer in blackened bands like Nechochwen and Obsequiae, but this project reveals that D’Cagna’s abilities cannot be contained to just one instrument or just one style of music. When I reviewed Blood Red Victory, I felt like D’Cagna was on the verge of true greatness, and I’m happy to report that follow-up Where Madness Dwells proves that, as usual, I was right.” Iron evens the score.

Nechochwen – Kanawha Black Review

Nechochwen – Kanawha Black Review

By Steel Druhm on May 12, 2022 in Reviews, Black Metal, Heavy Metal, 54 comments

“It seems like forever since Nechochwen graced our collective lobes with an album. It’s actually been 7 years since the excellent Heart of Akamon, but it feels longer given everything that’s happened since it dropped. Now we finally get new platter Kanawha Black and with it, a different approach for the West Virginia twosome. The Native American themes are still present, and their fusion of genres is still in play, but now the breadth and scope of it all has been thrown wide open.” Mad ambitions.

Feral Season – Rotting Body in the Range of Light Review

Feral Season – Rotting Body in the Range of Light Review

By Twelve on October 18, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, 19 comments

“Feral Season is a great band name, and Rotting Body in the Range of Light is an album title I can definitely get behind. It’s nice when a band is able to immediately tell you what you’re going to be in for before you’ve reached the play button, and everything about this package, from the promo text to the “black metal” label to the album art, looked promising.” Angry kitties and suspicious promises.