Tag: atmospheric black metal

March 31, 2023

Song of the Day: Grave Declaration - Change of Heart

Grave Declaration is (was?) a symphonic/atmospheric black metal project from Norway. While that’s not so unusual, what set the band apart was its distinct emphasis on worship. Self-touted as “worship metal” the band’s lyrical emphasis was on a praiseworthy connection to the Creator. Their sound is firmly within the atmospheric branch of black metal, as opposed to the more raw, primitive sounds often associated with the genre. With ties to stalwarts Antestor, and underground legends Vaakevandring, Grave Declaration had the pedigree and the chops to prove their worthiness.… Continued →

July 29, 2022

Song of the Day: Vaakevandring - Some Day

This Norwegian band formed in 1999, and sadly by 2007 had called it quits. Hailing from Nannestad, just outside Oslo, they played a formed of atmospheric BM that appealed to many who heard them. While their lifespan was short, their impact was huge. You can still read accolades from fans on music-related social media pages, and band members have also been associated with a number of other, more well-known bands including Antestor, Frosthardr, and Grave Declaration. “Some Day” is taken from their 3-song self-titled demo CD, which was also re-issued a few years later by Momentum Scandinavium with an extra song as Vaakevandring.… Continued →

October 23, 2020

Song of the Day: Flaskavsae - Throne Room (Or Judgement Hall)

When it comes to black metal, true fans will generally argue that the more raw, the better. And the more underground too. And there’s not much more rare, raw, and underground than Flaskavsae. The band was spearheaded by the mysterious “E” and most of their releases were in limited runs of a few hundred copies. I happened across the band when I was running a distro about 15 years ago specializing in underground metal, hardcore and indie rock (among other things). Their sound, though bleak, brings in bits of atmospheric layers, and at times, downright noisy textures.… Continued →

June 19, 2020

Song of the Day: Swine Suicide - Howls of Worship

This obscure black metal band only issued a handful of releases from 2008-2011, before shunning Christian lyrical themes for their final release in 2014. “Howls of Worship” is taken from their self-titled EP and also appears on the full-length To Known Hell (what is it with extreme metal’s deliberate use of incorrect grammar?), and is a full-on black metal worship anthem: Come let us worship and bow down Let us kneel before the Lord our maker Come let us worship and bow down to our maker While it’s awesome to have a full-on worship song in the extreme metal format, that is not the track’s sole accomplishment.… Continued →

August 21, 2019

REVIEW : TIMŌRĀTUS/Symphony of Heaven/Bismoth - Body of Christ: 3-Way split

SPOILER ALERT: This is a fantastic release! 3 different bands playing 3 different styles (sub-sub-subgenres) of black metal. Each band contributes 2 songs, and while it would be logical to assume that 6 songs equals an EP, this album clocks in at 37 minutes, so I’m gonna call that a full-length. First up are TIMŌRĀTUS (from Louisville, KY), who continue to surprise and amaze me! Every album they do is in a different style, and amazingly they somehow manage to do them all well. Previous efforts I’ve heard have been in post-metal or drone metal territory and others have touched on experimental metallic sounds.… Continued →

March 21, 2017

Introducing: Flayed Alive

The band, Abated Mass of Flesh has had several side projects, everything from raw atmospheric black metal bands like Cryptic Rising or awesome deathcore bands like Parallax Withering. Flayed Alive is probably the most like AMOF. The project is a new band from Zack Plunkett, the brainchild of AMOF. They have a new EP, for those interested in brutal death metal/grindcore bands like this one. The EP is called Repulsive Manifestation and is available for free here.
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February 14, 2017

Ascending King (SkyBurnsBlack Records) Finishing EP

The Unblack metal project, Ascending King has began to finish their debut EP. The band has a sound like Atmospheric Black metal with Zao/Carcass Vocals. Aaron Kirby is the mastermind behind the project. Aaron was a member of the metalcore/hardcore band Dryline for it’s duration. The project began in 2015-2016ish and has released a single titled “Genesis of Desolation”. I did an interview with Aaron awhile back so there is a little more background there, but he’s been rather busy recording this to give many updates.… Continued →