Today, I am listening to ZUD, a blackened rock and roll outfit from some remote location in Maine that I have never heard of. Â They just self-released an album, The Good, The Bad and The Damned. The fact that I saw Skeletonwitch last night has made me want to seek out others who use a …
Abazagorath rekindling the black flame of American black metal
Although many look to Scandinavia for "trve" black metal, the Americas have always played a role in the propagation of this extreme musical subgenre.  Abazagorath, from New Jersery, have reigned as pioneers of the USBM aesthetic  since 1995. Hey, New Jersey is not frostbitten, but it certainly can be very grim. Over the years, Abazagorath …
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Vreid trade common black metal themes for art, literature, history
Black metal music is rife with themes of the occult, Satanism, and misanthropy. Once in a while though, a band comes along that takes a different approach. That band is Norway’s Vreid, who use historical, philosophical and now themes from literature, nature and art in their concept driven recordings. “We get a lot of very …
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Xeukatre transforms Sidebar into kvlt klvb
Sunday night was black metal at The Sidebar. Xeukatre of Baltimore set an eerie mood with props, special lighting and a fog machine. The group is relatively new as a three piece. Go like them on Facebook or check out this video: http://youtu.be/90Rp0SHXCxU
Burn down our churches for one day you’ll be Norway’s “brand”
Remember when burning down churches in Norway was bad and black metallers were labeled satanists? Well apparently, all is forgiven and the Norwegian government is looking to black metal to become its "brand." I guess the country finally figured out that black metal is their nation's top export over what.....herring? Read this interesting story here.
INTERVIEW: Carpathian Forest prepare for exclusive Maryland Deathfest show
Carpathian Forest embodies everything I love about black metal --grim but beautiful, atmospheric melodies, songs with misanthropic themes and socially biting, often disturbing lyrics. Yet the group couches this "strange old brew" of ideas into infectious rock and roll rhythms that make me want to get up and dance. They also are not afraid to …
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Arckanum to release Fenriz Kindir in May
Swedish black metal project Arckanum will be putting out a new album called Fenriz Kindir (that is, Fenriz's Children) on May 14 with Season of Mist.Fenriz Kindir coming soon from ArckanumCheck out this intense album art! According to band founder Shamaatae, "This album is a dedication to the flaming giant-wolf, son of Loki; created from the Chaos-fires of …
Full stream of Vreid – Welcome Farewell
Vreid, the Norwegian black and roll band that arose from the ashes of Windr in 2004, have a new record, Welcome Farewell, set for North American release March 5, 2013. Their blend of black metal, punky thrash and straightforward rock and roll combined with captivating song writing and lyrics puts them into my "what's not …
REVIEW: The Almighty Propagator of Doom and Despair, plus philosophizing with Ptahil
I like to imagine that somewhere in northeastern Indiana there lies a portal to the Underworld where the members of the Ptahil have set up camp to receive messages directly from their Dark Lord. I am probably not too far off, based on the content of their most recent recording.Ptahil, which in gnostic mysticism can …
REVIEW: Embers and Revelations, plus Weapon’s Monarch speaks
Weapon What do you get when you cross the anti-religious themes of true black metal with the death metal aesthetics of Bolt Thrower and tinge it with the cultural undertones of Bangladesh? You get Weapon. (And yes, the name is trademarked; legally there can be only one.)The first time I heard Canada’s blackened death metal …
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