black metal
After the band imploded due to the extracurricular activities from its members in the wake of the “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” release – it was surprising to see Mayhem resurfacing so unpredictably quick after what would have killed any lesser underground band, or any band whose history or its alleged legend
Burton C. Bell
“Obsolete”, the third Fear Factory record, isn’t so much the next evolutionary step in the band’s development as it is a mere refinement. It is the second in its ongoing man vs machine narrative, and the one that established Fear Factory as veritable metal force. Fully capitalizing on
Australia
The first Mortification album was a mere dress rehearsal for the absolutely gargantuan “Scrolls Of the Megilloth” that would arrive a year later. Released in 1991 - the same year as Death’s “Human”, Morbid Angel’s “Blessed Are the Sick” and Sepultura’s “Arise” – it is a thundering death/thrash
black metal
“Opus Nocturne” is the band’s third album, and the transitional record in Marduk’s ongoing transformation from a particularly minimalistic and barbaric death metal band into a black metal one. Where the preceding two albums saw the band differentiating itself from the burdgeoning death metal scene through its usage
Angist
Iceland has been on the rise as the new haven for quality underground metal. In the traditional spheres Angist is slowly making a name for itself on an international level. Angist, the death metal unit centered around Edda Tegeder Óskarsdóttir (vocals, guitar), and Gyða Hrund Þorvaldsdóttir (guitar), who are based
death metal
Often considered a black page in Vader’s early discography “Black To the Blind” not only is marred by a thin, substandard production – but it is also tucked within two veritable classics with “De Profundis” and “Litany”, respectively. On top of that one track was omitted in post-production leaving
Ancient Rites
After two more underground sounding albums Belgian black metal combo Ancient Rites underwent somewhat of a stylistic transformation as its line-up became trans-European. “Fatherland” is a transitional chapter for the band as the record sees the induction of international guitarist duo Erik Sprooten (previously of Dutch speed/thrash
atmospheric
That Dimmu Borgir reached its creative zenith (and its songwriting limit) by the time they released “For All Tid” speaks for itself. In order to prepare audiences for its second album “Stormblåst” Norwegian would-be black metal combo Dimmu Borgir released this little EP. Recorded during the “For All Tid”
David Vincent
In between the disintegration of the “Abominations Of Desolation” line-up - which saw the ousting of drummer/vocalist Mike Browning and bass guitarist John Ortega - and its Earache debut, the band recorded a demo, and a single called “Thy Kingdom Come” to keep the name alive. For this session Wayne
Aurora Borealis
The full-length debut of Waldorf, Maryland death/black metal combo Aurora Borealis is where the band largely etched out its musical niche, but was still searching for its identity lyrically. “Praise the Archaic Lights Embrace” introduced bass guitarist Jason Ian-Vaughn Eckert, who would reconnect with the band many
Attila Csihar
Whereas “Deathcrush” was instrumental in crystallizing the essence of the first wave of black metal, Mayhem’s legacy as “innovators” would be cemented with its proper full-length debut. Draped in mystique and legend “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” is more famous for the events that surrounded it than the actual
Azylya
It is more or less a tradition in symfo – and gothic metal circles that once certain frontwomen have enough industry clout that they use said leverage to launch a solo career. Liv Kristine Espenæs-Krull (ex-Theatre Of Tragedy, Leaves’ Eyes) set the precedent roughly a decade ago, and later