Black Metal Zine

24/01/2025

Good day fine folk,

2024 has come and gone, but it’s always good to take a moment to reflect. Here are our favorite releases of the year! While there were countless incredible releases, these are the ones that stood out to us the most.

Read more : https://blackmetalzine.com/the-best-black-metal-releases-of-2024/

Black Metal Promotion Labyrinthus Stellarum Akhlys Houle Paysage d'Hiver Kirkebrann ZØRZA Kristailer Mefitis

The best black metal releases of 2024 according to the writers of BMZ. There are many more worth mentioning, but these are our favourites.

06/01/2025

Good day to you folks! We start off the new year with a review of the latest Gorgon album For Those Who Stay. You can read our thoughts on it and afterwards, listen to the album and let us know your thoughts on it.

Read more: https://blackmetalzine.com/review-gorgon-for-those-who-stay/

Gorgon Osmose Productions Black Metal Promotion Black Metal

Gorgon, the black metal outfit out of France, is back! Their new album For Those Who Stay will be released on 29th of November, here are our thoughts.

31/12/2024

We got a new review for you all to read on the last day of the year. We reviewed the latest album by Svartjern titled Draw Blood. So grab yourself a drink, read the review and blast the album and share us your thoughts.

And to all of you, the best of wishes for 2025 and that it may be filled with lots of black metal releases.

— Roberto

Read; https://blackmetalzine.com/review-svarttjern-draw-blood/

NORWEGIAN BLACK METAL Black Metal Promotion Soulseller Records

Svarttjern the Norwegian black metal band is back and is ready to Draw Blood! We reviewed their latest album and are ready to share our thoughts on it.

19/11/2024

Gravenoire - Devant la Porte des Etoiles ⚔️

If you ask black metal fans today which scene (country) is among their favourites, you will most likely hear a lot of them mention France, and that’s for good reason. The French black metal scene has brought forth some very nice black metal bands like Gorgon, Anorexia Nervosa, Mütiilation, Death Spell Omega, the list goes on and on.

But now there is a new kid on the block. Gravenoire released their first EP on the 23rd of August this year. And I say new kid in black, the band may be new, but 3 of the 4 members have a long pedigree in the black metal band Bâ’a. The vocalist of Gravenoire isn’t an unknown in the scene either, as it’s RMS Hreidmarr, former vocalist of Anorexia Nervosa.

So it comes down to this, the collective maybe new but that doesn’t mean they are all seasoned veterans, simply under a new moniker, Gravenoire. So let’s dive into this EP and let’s see what they spawned forth.

Read the whole review at blackmetalzine.com 🪦

https://blackmetalzine.com/review-gravenoire-devant-la-porte-des-etoiles/

Season of Mist

16/11/2024

Interview - Kirkebrann ⚔️ Kirkebrann

Back in august after reviewing their opus magnum, Kilian got the change to do an interview and Januz, (guitar), Hrafn (bass) and Draug )lyrics & vocals) was so kind to take their time to answer all his questions as presented here. Thanks to the guys in Kirkebrann and to Hellstain Productions for making this possible!

We talk all about Kirkebrann and their albums, take a look for yourself by reading the whole interview on blackmetalzine.com 🪦

https://blackmetalzine.com/interview-kirkebrann/

Hellstain Productions

15/11/2024

Ars Veneficium - The Lurking Shadows of Death ⚔️

Some releases, just make you happy, and every time I see a new release from this band it, as said, makes me happy. Ars Veneficium is a Belgian black metal band with including this new album 3 full albums available.

One of the members of this band is Ronarg, and he’s very active in the Belgian black metal scene. He, for example, is also active in: Bloedmaan, Antzaat and Rongarg. So when he releases a new album (with any of the bands he’s involved in) I dive in and give the album a few proper spins.

That was also the case with the latest release of Ars Veneficium entitled The Lurking Shadows of Death, gave it a few good spins, and now I’m ready to reveal what’s hiding inside the lurking shadows of death.

Read the whole review at blackmetalzine.com 🪦

https://blackmetalzine.com/review-ars-veneficium-the-lurking-shadows-of-death/

Immortal Frost Productions

13/11/2024

Bötes Void - Vagrant ⚔️

Bötes Void, not to be confused with Boötes Void (Germany), are an atmospheric black metal duo hailing from Warsaw, Poland. The duo consisting of members Nebula (Bass,Guitars) and Zephrael-2 (Drums,Vocals) began their cosmic journey into the black metal scene in 2023. Now reaching out to us from the darkest depths of space with their first EP Vagrant.

Read the whole review at blackmetalzine.com 🪦

https://blackmetalzine.com/review-botes-void-vagrant/

08/11/2024

Fiende comes kicking down the door with their debut EP. A fierce blend of crust and doom infused 2nd wave black metal.

“If you're a fan of Khold and 2000s era Satyricon this is a must-listen.”

Read our full review on our website.

Link: https://blackmetalzine.com/review-fiende-snart-er-alt-glemt/

Watch out! Fiende is here and they are coming for us all! Hide behind the couch with Boenna as we try to survive their first assault.

06/11/2024

Svarrogh - Черна Песен ⚔️

Svarrogh was created in 2001 as a raw pagan black metal project by Dimo Dimov, the band’s sole member. Over the course of the last 23 years, several EPs, demos and 6 full-length albums, the band has evolved from its raw black metal origins to an atmospheric folk black metal band with a much more sophisticated and cohesive sound. The lyrical inspirations, however, have mostly remained consistent, dealing with Slavic and Bulgarian folklore and traditions.

Side note: I’m an English-speaking individual, so my review here can truthfully only be about the music itself and the feelings and emotions that are invoked whilst listening to it.

Read the whole review at blackmetalzine.com 🪦

https://blackmetalzine.com/review-svarrogh

#ЧернаПесен

05/11/2024

Gallóglaigh - Fall of Eternity’s Throne ⚔️

The opening track “Raising the Banners of Unsilence” starts setting the mood for what’s to come on this record. Nasty distorted guitars similar to the sound of early Mayhem or Marduk on Frontschwein accompanied by synths that make you hope for a hard — hitting follow up.

Ó Dorchadas go Lasair kicks in as the opening made you hope for. Full speed from the beginning, the same ugly guitars with a thunderous bass beneath and haunting synths before the disgusting vocals kick in. Regarding the vocals, top-notch work there, very reminiscent of Mortuus or Draug from Kirkebrann

Read the whole review at blackmetalzine.com 🪦
https://blackmetalzine.com/review-galloglaigh-fall-of-eternitys-throne/

Black Metal Promotion p

01/11/2024

KRVL - Donkere Paden ⚔️

Krvl, a Belgian post black metal band, just released their second full length, Donkere Paden. I’ve heard of the band before, but wasn’t familiar with their actual music. So for me, it was a dive into the unknown.

As said, the band makes post black metal, now truth be told I’m not very fond of all those subgenres and sub labels of black metal, but that’s just me. The press statement said the following about the style of the band:

“Musically, the band is all about atmosphere. With a foundation of traditional 90s and modern black metal, the anonymous band also mixes post-metal, doom and sludge influences.”

That’s a pretty broad range of styles, but what’s also interesting is the fact that it says anonymous band. All we know that it’s a selection of Belgian artists that formed in 2020 with the release of their first single, and then released their first full album in 2022. So as said, it’s time to dive in to the unknown…

Read the whole review at blackmetalzine.com 🪦
https://blackmetalzine.com/review-krvl-donkere-paden/

Black Metal Promotion

29/10/2024

Hekseblad - Kaer Morhen ⚔️

Hekseblad is a melodic black metal duo hailing from the United States. Formed in 2021 by members Bruxa; vocals and lyrics and Frosk; instrumentals and production, they draw inspiration from the lore of Andrzej Sapkowski’s The Witcher novels.

Hekseblad’s well crafted blend of raw, atmospheric, and melodic black metal tinged with symphonic elements is very reminiscent of second-wave bands such as Emperor and Dissection and is sure to resonate with fans of both.

Read the whole review at blackmetalzine.com 🪦

https://blackmetalzine.com/review-hekseblad-kaer-morhen/

Black Metal Promotion

25/10/2024

Gaerea - Coma ⚔️

Gaerea, ain’t a new kid on the block. They have been around since 2016, and have released three full albums so far, Unsettling Whispers, Limbo, and Mirage. But for me, they are pretty new. The first time I got any knowledge of them was when they released their third album, Mirage, that’s the one with the golden mask on the front cover. I do remember I liked that album when listening to them, but it’s not something I would set on repeat daily.

But now they are back after 2 years with a brand-new album. I gave it a few good spins and should be ready to share my impressions on it.

Read the whole review at blackmetalzine.com 🪦

https://blackmetalzine.com/review-gaerea-coma/

GAEREA Season of Mist

23/10/2024

Mordran - One-and-Ninety Years of Darkness ⚔️

Mordran is an independent, one-man, atmospheric black metal project hailing from Sweden. Founded in 2021, Mordran has released 4 albums and 2 EPs to date. His music takes influence from various genres, blending them together to craft a unique soundscape.

The first track, The Dark Rites of Faustus Thorn, starts the EP off strong. It’s melancholic guitar riffs and screeched vocals are very reminiscent of the second wave and is initially what drew me to this release. The riffs are cold and invoke images of winter and feelings of loss.

Read the whole review at blackmetalzine.com 🪦

https://blackmetalzine.com/review-mordran-one-and-ninety-years-of-darkness/

21/10/2024

Silhouette - Les Dires de L’âme ⚔️

That feeling of tranquillity has a lot to do with the female vocals on this album (and the EP for that matter) which are sung by Odine, she also took care of the lyrics (my French is non-existent so she could sing about making soup for all I know, but it would still sound beautiful). The style of the album reminds me of an older band called The Sins of Thy Beloved (from Norway). For me, they give off the same vibes, but that is mostly down to the female vocals.

The album has a good blend of melancholic black metal with a great atmosphere, and a lot of that atmosphere is created by Odine. I love her vocals, they are very tranquil and mix wonderful with the harshness of the more metal vocal style.

Read the whole review at blackmetalzine.com 🪦

https://blackmetalzine.com/review-silhouette-les-dires-de-lame/

Black Metal Promotion Silhouette

19/10/2024

Kristailer - In the Hearts of the Brave ⚔️

The songs follow the pace of the cavalry, fast and fierce. The drums are blasting like the shattered bones of bashed skulls being crushed into the ground by the iron hooves of the dark knights horses. Their cryful screams is carried through by Zmei’s harsh but muffled vocals.

The tracks are also supported by a hefty groove that hits you exactly at the right time and they are organized and ordered by the lord commander Kristailer.

Read the whole review at blackmetalzine.com 🪦

https://blackmetalzine.com/kristailer-in-the-hearts-of-the-brave/

Black Metal Promotion Kristailer

03/10/2024

1349 - The Wolf & The King ⚔️

It’s the year 1349 and Norway is being decimated by the Black Death, two thirds of the population doesn’t make it, and the year 1349 is also the year the golden age of Norway ended. But there is hope, little did they know that Norway would have a new golden age 640 years later.

And that golden age would be just as black as the plague, with a lower death count, but higher counts of churches burned.

And in that Golden age of Black Metal, the band 1349 arose, known for their fierce drums and piercing vocals. Now they return after 5 years with a an album that promises to take the listener on a dark, intense journey. For myself, their third album, Hellfire, and their sixth album, Massive Cauldron of Chaos are their best work to date, but in general, I like all their albums. But it’s been 5 years since their last output, The Infernal Pathway, was released, and a lot can happen in 5 years’ time. So let’s see what kind of black magic they conjured up this time.

Read the whole review at blackmetalzine.com 🪦

https://blackmetalzine.com/review-1349-the-wolf-the-king/

1349 (Official) Season of Mist

#1349

01/10/2024

Trelldom - ...by the shadows... ⚔️

Trelldom is a Black Metal Band hailing from Sunnfjord & Bergen, Norway. It was founded back in 1992 by none other than Kristian Gaahl Espedal. The band released their debut Disappearing of the Burning Moon … in 1994, followed by the album trilogy Til Evighet, Til et Annet and Til Minne… . After the release of Til Evighet, the band became a staple of the Norwegian scene and the black metal genre, espacially due to their Singer Gaahl also joining Gorgoroth as their vocalist around that time. But enough of praising the past, let dive into the creative realm of their newly released madness.

Read the whole review at blackmetalzine.com 🪦
https://blackmetalzine.com/review-trelldom-by-the-shadows/