Shining

Unmother – State Dependent Memory Review

Unmother – State Dependent Memory Review

By Tyme on February 24, 2026 in Reviews, Black Metal, Post-Metal, 17 comments

“Independent U.K. undergrounder’s, Unmother, have been holding a mirror up to urban dystopian dehumanization since forming in 2019. Their 2021 debut, Lay Down the Sun, garnered significant underground acclaim that, according to the promo kit, established Unmother “as a restless and forward-thinking presence within the scene.” Foregoing the nature-scapes and mythological motifs of other post-black metal outfits, Unmother draws inspiration from the streets and, with their sophomore effort, State Dependent Memory, examines “urban isolation, inner dislocation, and moral decline, reflecting a world formed by concrete environments and social erosion.”” Rough parenting.

Kryptan – Violence, Our Power Review

Kryptan – Violence, Our Power Review

By Tyme on February 21, 2025 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, 50 comments

“Atmospheric black metal band Kryptan is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist and thirty-plus-year Swedish metal scene veteran Mattias Norrman. Having spent a decade (1999-2009) as the bassist for Katatonia, Norrman is now most known for his guitar work in October Tide and Moondark. Long influenced and fascinated by black metal, however, especially the Norwegian and Swedish scenes of the nineties, Kryptan represents a passion project, providing Norrman an outlet for yet another avenue of extreme exhibition.” Black tides.

Swallow the Sun – Shining Review

Swallow the Sun – Shining Review

By Steel Druhm on October 16, 2024 in Reviews, Death Metal, Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, 150 comments

“Swallow the Sun have been on a slow, steady arc of evolution since their early days of crushing doom-death. Over the years their overall sound lightened and expanded, adding more Goth rock elements along the way. 2019s When a Shadow is Forced into the Light moved away from brute heaviness toward glumly melodic, introspective soundscapes, and 2021s Moonflowers continued that drift while painting with a gray-forward palette. For Shining the band wanted to push further into new territories and brought in 2-time Grammy nominee producer Dan Lancaster, known for his work with acts like Blink 182 and Muse. The result is what the band refers to as “the Black Album of Death Doom.” Sundown in Sad Town.

Serotonin – Motiv Review

Serotonin – Motiv Review

By Tyme on September 16, 2024 in Reviews, Black Metal, 31 comments

Sometimes in life you’re told that you’re getting one thing and you end up getting another. As a n00b in a difficult world, the thing you have to ask yourself is whether what you got was worth the ritual humiliation of n00bdom. This is the question posed by “Serotonin, a Dutch black metal band hailing from Nijmegen in The Netherlands. As one of the ten happiest countries on earth, the band bearing the moniker of the human body’s ‘happy’ chemical was both funny and intriguing. And before long, I was exploring previous releases.” Will Motiv be the upper this n00b so desperately craves?

Den Saakaldte – Pesten Som Tar Over Review

Den Saakaldte – Pesten Som Tar Over Review

By Doom_et_Al on October 9, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, 11 comments

“Formed in 2006 by guitarist Sykelig, the band has previously featured members from Shining, Gehenna and Dødheimsgard. Unfortunately, most of these folks have gone, raising the question about whether Den Saakaldte still qualifies as a “super group” anymore. There’s one way to shut up the doubters and that’s to release a killer album.” Kill or be filler.

Shining – Shining Review

Shining – Shining Review

By GardensTale on September 14, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, Doom Metal, 35 comments

“Shining have a carefully calibrated reputation as one of the saddest bands in history. A single spin of the renowned V: Halmstad is enough to know that it’s a reputation well earned. Oppressive, dark and full of despair— it’s rightfully considered a seminal depressive suicidal black metal record. The band’s record since then has been spotty, however. Incorporating more acoustics and clean vocals brought variety but did not increase the gut punch the band was known for. Attempts at re-aligning the band’s direction were made and unmade, naming traditions were dropped and picked up again, and the misanthropic flame started to sputter.” The definitive Shining?

Fustilarian – All This Promiscuous Decadence Review

Fustilarian – All This Promiscuous Decadence Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on September 21, 2021 in Reviews, Black Metal, 48 comments

“While many a reviewer despises grabbing black metal promos stuck in the ’90s, I love it. For nothing else, it gives me an itch for my favorites. Sometimes I won’t even finish the new promo before I abandon it for the road down memory lane. I always start with Darkthrone—sometimes Transylvanian Hunger, other times it’s Hate Them. Then it’s Mayhem’s De Mysterii Dom Sathanas and Wolf’s Lair Abyss. From there, it’s Gorgoroth, Immortal, Funeral Mist, and Horna. Before I know it, the review is past due and the album is already on the shelves.” Lateness and decadence.