Borknagar

Starscourge – Conqueror of the Stars – Betwixt Sundered Seraphim, the Lands Between Bleed Review

Starscourge – Conqueror of the Stars – Betwixt Sundered Seraphim, the Lands Between Bleed Review

By Andy-War-Hall on December 22, 2025 in Reviews, Blackened Death Metal, 49 comments

“Fromsoftware’s behemoth action-RPG Elden Ring is an enigma. How a game so obtuse, difficult, and uniquely itself in its visuals and storytelling became the blockbuster that it is baffles me, and it’s one of those precious pieces of art that simply makes me happy to live in the same world as it. It’s also metal as anything can be. Bands like Fell Omen have tapped into the game’s mythology for inspiration before and, now, the international blackened death duo Starscourge enter the fray with their debut Conqueror of the Stars – Betwixt Sundered Seraphim, the Lands Between Bleed.” Star power.

Vintersorg – Vattenkrafternas spel Review

Vintersorg – Vattenkrafternas spel Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on September 24, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Progressive Metal, Viking Metal, 24 comments

“After releasing the sequel to their debut record in 2017, things have been quiet on the Vintersorg front. But now they are back with Vattenkrafternas spel sets out to take that same infusion of the Vintersorg of old with the Vintersorg of new that we heard from Till fjälls del II. Which I can’t complain about, considering I love it when the band knocks out some of those nasty black metal licks. Not that they have abandoned those influences in the last decade or so, but it’s a touch more prevalent on Vattenkrafternas spel. But, how far will they go, and how well will it work?” Early vinter chills.

In the Woods… – Otra Review

In the Woods… – Otra Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on April 3, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, Gothic Metal, Progressive Metal, 34 comments

“As of 2022’s Diversum, In the Woods… has pretty much combined all their genre influences into one. In some cases, it works; in other cases, it’s a touch messy. That said, I think I liked Diversum more than Ferox because I thought the individual songs came together nicely to create the album—though there were obvious issues with some of the tracks. Some of it might be the new singer on staff. Or, it could be the songwriting as a whole. But Fjellestad is a solid addition to the crew, returning once again for this year’s Otra. The question is, will we see another side of In the Woods…, or will they finally reel in their influences to release something stunning?” Woods package!

Istapp – Sól Tér Sortna Review

Istapp – Sól Tér Sortna Review

By Doom_et_Al on March 17, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, 34 comments

“Not many bands can claim to have a 4.5 from AMG Himself and a 4.0 from notorious curmudgeon, Grier. Yet that is exactly what Swedish black metal band, Istapp (Icicle) managed to achieve with debut album, Blekinge, and third album, The Insidious Star, respectively. Yet despite these glowing endorsements, Istapp remained on the periphery of the metal scene since their inception in 2005. Maybe it’s the long turnaround time between albums (4 in 20 years), or perhaps it’s the constantly shifting band line-up. Whatever the reason, Istapp remained relatively obscure.” Secret ice.

Bergthron – Neu Asen Land Review

Bergthron – Neu Asen Land Review

By Killjoy on January 8, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, Progressive Metal, Progressive Rock, 36 comments

“Some people just can’t be rushed. Neu Asen Land is the first sign of life from the German atmospheric/progressive black metal band Bergthron since 2010. That’s a 15-year hiatus lasting almost the entire time that our beloved blog has been in operation! The exact identities of the band members have historically been difficult to ascertain, but the promotional material describes them as explorers who used this time for expeditions to remote forests and the Arctic Circle. Talk about a sabbatical!” Back to work!

In Vain – Solemn Review

In Vain – Solemn Review

By El Cuervo on April 16, 2024 in Reviews, Melodic Death Metal, Progressive Metal, 133 comments

“In Vain were clearly one of the most exciting Norwegian bands in the 2010s, boasting 2 great releases across Aenigma and Currents. The latter was even my Album o’ the Year for 2018, resulting in my unreasonable expectations for a sequel. For those unfamiliar, imagine a more varied and melodic version of Borknagar; a convenient comparator in a year that has also featured a new release from those guys too. And good though that record undoubtedly is, Solemn beats it hands down.” Vain and glorious.