Inside The Darkness reviews

Review by Olga Schneider

Ablaze My Sorrow - Among Ashes and Monoliths.

Ablaze My Sorrow is one of those Swedish Melodic Death Metal bands which has been on board since 90s when this genre was so actively developing, so it’s not surprising that on their new album named Among Ashes and Monoliths you can notice strong influence of this period. Actually you won’t find anything specially new in the

sound, it’s just the classic Gothenburg sound, these are the same cold and melodic riffs which sound like a hit in your face in combination with almost hysterical extreme vocals. Most of tracks are brief and brutal, you listen to them simply in one breath and kinda recall old At The Gates, Dark Tranquillity etc. From time to time, this hurricane pace slows down what creates more sedative effect and strong contrast to the main mood so to say, and sometimes you can hear some clean vocals, but I’d rather say they just emphasize the strength of the main pace and extreme vocals even more.

On some tracks you can also find some modern influences, but in general this album is a great reason for some nostalgia for experienced MDM fans... What is always great, in my opinion.

Anguis Dei - Angeist.

Japanese Black Metal is definitely the easiest kind of Black Metal to get into. This album starts off very much like Arcturus before the Black Metal kicks in properly. Sometimes these guys remind me of Absu while at other times it’s very much like Bishop of Hexen. Maybe more arty than Absu. The influence of Arcturus is very obvious with this band. Fellow Japanese Black Metal bands like Sigh, Gallhammer, Tyrant and Reek of Unzen Gas Fumes will be proud to have these guys among them. It’s very good. The blast beats create a good energy, and the weirdness is almost always great. Having followed the Japanese scene for a while, I’m surprised I never came across this band before. But now I have, I’m glad I found them. If you love Sigh, you will love this band. I wouldn’t really call it ‘symphonic’, but you will hear elements of it on here. Unlike

Carach Angren, Anguis Dei are definitely a Metal band first. Not as much messing

Review by Andrew Stanton

about as Carach Angren. The deep growled parts are awesome on this. The opera parts would have been better without the screams. Perhaps the only real fault here. It’s all very theatrical.

By and large, this is a very entertaining album. They seem to concentrate on the entertaining part of the album. I love it.

Review by Andrew Stanton

Dead Exaltation - Despondent

Very cool. Very much the Indian Deicide. It’s very much just Death Metal. They haven’t bothered with any ethnic influences. As soon as it started it reminded me of Deicide, Massacre, Incantation and Morbid Angel. This band have been around since 2015 and this is their first album. Who knows what they were up to. The musicianship is mostly great with good songs. Good growls. According to my resources, this is a gore band, but nothing obvious. Nothing I can work out. It is all in English though. About half way through the album we are treated to a beautiful little guitar piece, just randomly placed at the end of the song ‘The Psychology’. Not exactly sure why, but it’s very nice. Once the song finishes, it’s straight back to normal. I actually know quite a few Indian bands, and they have mostly been really good. Maybe Tetragrammacide was too heavy for me, but I’m glad they exist. It’s one Metal scene I’m surprised isn’t bigger. This album mostly stays good.

It never gets too extreme, it just stays enjoyable and I really like it.

Enemy Awake is a Melodic Death Metal band from Sweden. A really young one, formed in Stockholm in 2017 and consisting of two members, but they already seem to be really active, and in February 2021, they released their new full-length album which is the second one for all the time of their existence/ activity. The album is named Fallen World. Honestly, before checking out the band, I was a bit skeptical, cause all of you know what means a new Melodic Death Metal band nowadays. But even after checking out the single named The Vampire, I realized that my skepticism was in vain and I was completely wrond in this case! N o modern tendencies, the whole album sounds more as some kind of Death’n’Roll. Really tight riffs and moderate, sometimes even slow pace are constantly reminding of old school Death Metal. And most of all I’d like to concentrate the attention on the vocals. It’s female growl voice which doesn’t even

Review by Olga Schneider

sound like female one. It’s really smooth and guttural at the same time, what actually makes this old school atmosphere even stronger. Unfortunately we don’t know that much about the band, but anyway, we wish these guys good luck and hope they’re going to develop their great potential.

Review by Andrew Stanton

Thron - Pilgrim

Some very enjoyable, easy to get into Black Metal from Germany. You really can’t go wrong. Sometimes I hear a bit of deep space ambient stuff. Very melodic and just great songs. Almost like the ‘Black’ version of In Flames. Even though it’s all in English, I’m not really sure what these songs are about. Already this year I have reviewed some pretty amazing and perfect albums. This is another one. It’s not intense energy like Emperor or Mayhem, you can sit back and relax to this one. It’s all very good. As far as Black Metal goes, they don’t really remind me of anyone. But definitely a darker version of In Flames or Instorm. I love this album. I’m not really

finding a lot of faults here. If you wanna step into Black Metal waters, this is a perfect place to start. Germany has been quite a successful country as far as Black Metal goes. It’s very much Emperor meets In Flames. The album goes on a bit as just shy of an hour, but the songs aren’t boring. And It’s a lot of fun. It’s not just senseless noise. They have really taken the time to write some good songs for you. Just buy it.

Caedes Cruenta - Of Ritual Necrophagia and Mysterious Ghoul Cults.

Even though this is good and interesting, the songs go on a bit. The shortest song is just over 5 minutes. But the sound is okay. A lot of different sounds come through, especially with the vocal ranges. Sometimes it’s like Absu, Inquisition, Sigh, Carcass, Six Feet Under, Emperor. My main issue is their need to drag songs out. I think this is all in English, but I have no idea what any of this is about. Some of this I love to bits, but I still crave shorter songs. They get quite experimental at times that we can all appreciate. Even though it’s long (just over an hour), it never gets boring. It stays very good. The blast beats create some great energy and a lot of the

music is very beautiful.Review by Andrew Stanton The Greek Black Metal scene has always remained very important to the world. With pioneers such as Rotting Christ, Astarte and Septic Flesh, Caedes Cruenta are another good addition. I wouldn’t exactly call it ‘easy to listen to’ Black Metal, but it’s definitely not shit by any means.

Review by Andrew Stanton

Feskarn - Ravens Way.

Sweden’s Feskarn is certainly very talented. This is some very melodic Viking Metal with some fairly unusual parts. It never really reminds me of Enslaved or Ensiferum, it’s very much its own thing. The more I listen the more I find it very hard to believe it’s just one person. It’s very, very impressive. All kinds of instruments and vocal ranges on here. The songs are never completely extreme, but just enjoyable. Some of the music reminds me of Korpiklaani, but with Ensiferum growls. I think the little jingles here and there and the throat singing will make this very much an album you either love or hate. Fans of Folk Metal in general will probably love this. Pretty much toe tapping anthems with some very relaxing parts. If you’re looking for something just crazy, over the top, don’t even bother with this one. But if you want just good songs, it’s fairly perfect. If you’re a Folk Metal fan who hates this, I would be very confused. It’s Folk Metal/Black Folk with all the trademarks. Personally I think it’s great.

Ulvegr - Isblod.

Some fairly ordinary Raw Black Metal from the Ukraine. The blast beats start and don’t bother stopping. The growls are okay. The energy keeps up for the most part, but faster vocals would have been better. At times they remind me of Endezzma, but definitely not as good. But what do I know? I couldn’t even guess what these songs are about, nor tell the language. When my editor first sent me this, I actually thought it was Ulver. The songs here range from 2 minutes to 8 minutes. One thing this does have going for it is it’s length. Even with an 8 minute track, the entire album is only 29 minutes. So it quickly passes. The songs just get on with it. The album finishes with a

strangely eerie instrumental song (best part of the album as far as I’m concerned).

It’s not terrible. I Review by Andrew Stanton probably will never listen to it again after today, but it’s cool to hear it once. It’s mostly not my thing or at least not fast enough for me, but it’s okay. There are so many albums worse than this (I probably own a few). They need to experiment a bit more I think.

Review by Andrew Stanton

Malice Divine - Malice Divine.

Some quite long songs on this one. This is the debut album from Ric Galvez (ex-Astaroth Incarnate). My main issue so far is it’s length, but it’s not bad. The energy and blast beats are quite good. Some of the melodic guitars get quite uplifting at times. At certain moments it starts to remind me of other bands, but not for long. It quickly goes back to doing its own thing. It’s quite an easy listen for the Black Metal beginners. Thanks to Spectral Wound, Canadian Black Metal started to get a bit of respect a few years ago, but quickly became forgotten again. The Canadian Black Metal scene needs more great bands to stop people forgetting about its scene. The Canadian Black Metal scene has never had it easy from the critics. This album is absolutely not shit, but it doesn’t half go on. Needs shorter songs next time. The songs range from about 5 minutes way up to 9.46 minutes (yes, 9.46). Some people get the idea this is very normal for this genre, but it shouldn’t be. Let’s be honest, would people hate this if it had little 2 and 3 minute songs? I know I wouldn’t. But as I said, this isn’t all bad. I actually quite like it. Many will be put off by its epicness, but it’s okay.

Proudhon - The Damaged Bodies.

My first time hearing some old school Death Metal from France. My first impression is it’s like a kind of cross between Morbid Angel and Cancer. Very good, very cool, very short songs. Just done properly. From what I can work out, there seems to be a few different languages on this (including English). I’m about halfway through and I’m not bored yet. If anyone is old enough to remember a band called Warp Spasm, they sound similar to them. I think it’s the shortness of the songs that make this EP. We’re talking around the 1 minute range. Basically, just not long enough to ever get dull. It’s pretty perfect. The album actually finished while I’m still typing. I have

no idea what Review by Andrew Stanton any of these songs are about, but who cares? Just enjoy it. I know it’s only March, but this is already one of the best Death Metal releases of the year. For genuine Metalheads, this is impossible to hate. I loved it and so will you. Start the year on a high note. Awesome.

Review by Andrew Stanton

Masochist - Chaos of Possession.

Some super deep growls here. This is a reissue EP that came out back in 2019. The sound is very good. Good rhythm guitars and blast beats. Sometimes they remind me of Deicide, a little bit. The energy is very good on this album. Featuring exmembers of Decay and Stormfront. Definitely not boring. Very old school and very cool. No idea what the songs are about and

I can’t make out a single word, but I love it anyway. I love the growls in this. It’s mostly just good fun (sort of). I have to admit, I don’t actually remember this being released in 2019, but I clearly missed out. But to be fair, there’s a lot of bands in America called Masochist, so they’re maybe easy to miss. But definitely worth making the effort to find. Another great Death Metal EP released this month. If like me, you have been listening to

Death Metal noise forever and never got bored of it, this is an EP for you. It’s short, it’s got great energy, the growls are almost as deep as Six Feet Under, it’s very brutal, just proper Metal really.

Gorr - Kvit som snoen, kald i blikket.

Some quite slow Black Metal here. No real clue of what any of this is about, and no real information about this band. Way too slow for me personally. At times it reminds me of Gehenna’s First Spell without the ambience. The album falls short; just under 30 minutes. I hate it personally, but you can make your own minds up. The album just fails completely, even at just 25 minutes. Faster songs are seriously needed here. I just find it dull (not DSBM). From what I can work out (and it’s very little), this is one of the international bands. With band members coming from all corners of the globe (well, America and Norway anyway). Not a single word i n

English. Boring Metal is a mistake I’m surprised so

Review by Andrew Stanton

many bands keep making. When they’re recording this in the studio, they must know it’s dull and needs to be faster. Bear in mind, they’re catering for

Metalheads here. At 25 minutes I still think it’s too long. A complete lack of energy. I’m not really sure what kind of fan base these guys have, but if it’s big I would be shocked.

Review by Andrew Stanton

Los Males del Mundo - Descent Towards Death.

Some truly epic Black Metal from Argentina. Epic, epic and then more endless songs. Wouldn’t bother me so much if the songs were much faster, but they’re not. The album just goes on and on and on. It’s like they don’t know when to stop. Opening with a 12 minute song (and actually seeming like 12 minutes). If the vocals were faster, with faster guitars and blast beats, I don’t think I would really complain at all. Even though it’s only 5 songs, it very quickly outstays its welcome. Just endless. The vocals remain pretty much mid to slow screams. The song ‘Eternal Circle of Vain Efforts’ has a very beautiful guitar solo. Not only endless, but way too laid back.

Of course, epic songs doesn’t bother everyone, and by all means, buy it if I’m making this sound good to you. If you’re gonna be truly epic, do it with faster everything. As someone who follows the South American Metal scene very closely, I’m just disappointed. My main issue is just the whole album.

Just dragging on and hoping listeners won’t get bored. Well good luck with that. I always try to be very open minded about the albums I’m given to review, and more especially Latin

American bands. But if you want my advice, either cut your songs down to just 2 minutes or speed everything up.

Einherjer - North Star.

I’m always excited when asked to review a Black Folk album. Especially an old band that I’ve never heard of before. Good songs on this one, but should be to be expected. How many bad Black Folk albums have you heard? My first time hearing this and I’m already singing along to it. They really have taken the effort to write some great songs here. Very entertaining. Instead of crazy energy, they have chosen to write big anthems ( and done it well ). Definitely more Ensiferum than Enslaved. Not a very heavy album, but so what? Some nice guitar work on this. I’m about halfway through it now and no bad songs so far. Mostly all growled. I love this band ( or this album at least ). Definitely gonna listen to their older albums soon. They have really relied on their ability to write good songs, and that’s rare in modern Metal. If

you’re like me you love this genre, you WILL love

Review by Andrew Stanton

it. If you’re one of those people who hates Black Metal with a passion, this band might very quickly change your mind about it. Einherjer fucking rule and you deserve to hear them… Buy it now.

Review by Andrew Stanton

Zaratus - In the Days of Whore.

Some fairly posh Metal here. A kind of cross between Symphonic Black Metal and Blackened Death Metal. Even though the songs go on a bit, it’s not boring. Good energy. Great bass lines on this one. The vocals have all the Black Metal trademarks, but some Death Metalheads might find it enjoyable as well. A Greek band that I have never heard of, who released a short EP a few years ago. This is their first full-length release. The songs do get a bit epic at times, but it’s a cool listen. Not really sure about lyrics or themes, but I am a bit of a retard at times. But it does appear to be all in English. No idea what the cover is of; a sort of dead woman lying next to a dead bull. Who knows what it means, but as I said, I am a retard to be fair. They don’t remind me of one single band, but if I was to pick out sounds, I would list a lot. Apparently this band is just two guys. One singing and the other playing all the instruments, so it’s very impressive if I’m to give it respect where due. All the instruments are played very well.

Some people say Greece comes in second after Norway, I disagree personally, but I do like some Greek Black Metal. Very, very cool and fun.

Spell of Dark - Ghost from the Past.

Some quite spooky, ghostly Black Metal from Russia. This tends to be something Russia is quite good at. The sound is almost like the early years of Norway’s Gehenna. It sounds almost lost between DSBM and Post Black Metal and something else. Very atmospheric, quite relaxing and I would say quite an easy listen. All in English and tends to go on a bit, but it’s worth it. The songs range from around 6 and 7 minutes, but the ghostliness makes it very enjoyable. Almost like a whispered growl. Some Doom and Goth heads would love this. Undersmile fans WILL love it. But it’s definitely all Black Metal and nothing else. It’s a hard sound not to quickly get into. A lot of these songs sort of sound the same, but I am enjoying this

Review by Andrew Stanton

album. Mostly just for it’s spookiness I think. The spookiness IS the album. There’s not much else. Like Carach Angren without the stupid parts. Relaxing Black Metal doesn’t seem to be a thing, but trust me, get this and Gehenna’s First Spell and you will be happy (sort of). Most of the guitars and drums all seem alike here, but it is good. Let’s all hail Russian ghostly Black

Metal.

The fifth full-length album by the Norwegian Black Metal band Mork was released in March 2021. The band has been keeping really active lately, and especially last year since all this shit with the pandemy started. As some of you remember, we recently had an interview with the dudes, and now we discovered that the new album had been presented in the online concert format, and we simply couldn’t ignore that. Actually the online stream format will never be even close to live shows. Its only difference from just watching youtube is the fact that everything’s happening right at the moment while you’re watching, and no, it doesn’t create any presence effect (as many people tell about it). And - no, that’s not anything bad to say about musicians who use this format, especially making it free for their audience. This is all about the fact that this absolutely useless lockdown is simply depriving us of the opportunity to get lots of REAL experiences which are always priceless. As for the album itself, Mork are just keeping what they are and developing their own traditions. The sound is a little bit «polished», the band isn’t even trying to sound raw or stuff like that, but it still has the elements of classical Black Metal, we can feel a really strong influence of old Norwegian Black Metal. It sounds majestically cold, we can even hear some clean vocal parts on the album. Of course that’s a

question to discuss, and some part of the audience will like it, while the other one will say it’s breaking all the traditions and stuff. But there’s no point in judging about some tendencies «in general», it always depends on the case, we always need to check out. Also a massive respect for the lyrics made in Norwegian. We can’t deny the fact that less popular languages always make the atmosphere special. And actually, knowing that such bands still exist, there is a hope that all these good old Extreme Metal traditions won’t go downhill in the near future.

Review by Olga Schneider

Review by Olga Schneider

The Stone - Kosturnice.

The Stone is a Black Metal band founded in 1996 in Belgrade, Serbia. These dudes have already been mentioned in our edition and took part in one of the first issues, and now they have returned with their new full-length album named Kosturnice, just as lots of bands nowadays. One of the most special moments of the whole creation is the fact that the biggest part of the lyrics is made in Serbian. As for a listener that speaks a slavic language as well, that really sounds a bit special, cause it feels like I understand everything, but at the same moment like I understand nothing. That’s really stange and hard to describe, but there’s something really charming in that. For European listeners as well I guess, cause the fact that you understand nothing in fact makes the music the only thing able to convey everything the authors wanted to tell. As for the music part, in general it sounds like traditional Black Metal, the dudes are simply keeping who they are and staying loyal to their style. The same intense guitar riffs, the same anti-life moods and cold atmosphere. The typical good old hectic drumming and vocals without any excesses that feels like cold wind... Moderation and cold severity - this is how I can describe the whole album.

Review by Andrew Stanton

Dead Sun - Night Terrors.

Sweden has become very successful with its Death Metal, and Dead Sun are another great band. Very hard not to love. Some old school Death Metal with deep growled vocals. What more do you want? This is a two piece band, but Rogga Johannsen holds a lot of the cards. The songs remain short (or short enough). It’s all very perfectly done. Every time he sings

I’m reminded of some horrible gutter growl bands. The energy stays

good, but some of the guitar solos get a bit slow and melodic. I absolutely love it. Even though it’s all in English, I have no idea what it’s about. Doesn’t seem to be Satanic or gorebased. They have been around since 1997 apparently. I’m not sure how I missed them. To a Death Metal fan my age, this is pretty faultless. The songs remain very simple. They never try to be clever (not on this album at least). I will never know how many albums I have sold through my reviews, but I like to think it’s millions. Just buy it, stop deciding and do it.

Xeper - Ad Numen Satanae.

From Italy. I might call it old school Satanic Black Metal. Some of the clean vocals parts are a bit weird (or weird to me at least). Fairly ordinary really. A bit like Satanic Warmaster. I wouldn’t exactly call it amazing, but it’s short which I like. ‘Riding the Spiral of Lilith’ goes on a bit at 9.30 minutes, but the rest stays short. I will say it’s an album only for the Black Metalheads. Some great drum lines on this album. According to my sources, this is a Norwegian band who moved to Italy. It’s all in English from what I can tell. Definitely not an easy listen. Some of this I really like, but they definitely don’t like to experiment. It is very much just a Black Metal album. If I had more time to hear it a few times I might even change my mind about it. It definitely borderlines on Raw Black Metal, it might even be Raw Black Metal to your ears. Some of it reminds me of early Burzum. If you’re

Review by Andrew Stanton

a fan of Raw Black Metal, you probably can’t go wrong. If you hate Black Metal, you WILL hate this. This will do nothing to change your mind.

far. The energy Review by Andrew Stanton is very good on the parts where the album kicks off and it’s quite often. The blast beats Demenzia Mortis - Anti done well. They remind me of are good, but not constant. As Kult. a lot of different bands, in a I said earlier, the songs speed Pretty much, just more few different genres - Carcass, up and slow down. But the awesome Metal from Belphegor, Exodus, Morbid slow parts are still good. Maybe Belgium. Very fast, quick Angel, Frightmare. Apparently without the slower parts, the and vicious vocals. album would just blow up None of this slow, into chaos. Who knows? I angry shit that passes don’t know what they put in for Metal these days. the water in Belgium, but Very brutal Blackened I think I need to find out. Death Metal. I’m not really All in all, it’s pretty amazing. I finding a lot of faults here. would be nitpicking to find a The songs stay around lot of faults, so I won’t bother. the 4 and 5 minute mark. it’s Satanic, but All in English ( I think ). we’ll just have to take their The songs seem to speed word for it, because I haven’t up and slow down, but it’s understood a single word so

Verwilderd - Homo Homini Lupus Est.

Some Blackened Death Metal from Belgium. Way too epic for my liking, but it is good though. Good, deep growled vocals. Almost like Bolt Thrower goes Black Metal. It often has a bit of a doomy feel to it. But way too epic as I said. It’s all in English, but without a lyric sheet I can’t really comment. I have to admit, I’m not exactly educated with Belgium Metal, but listening to this, I want to start being. This is their debut album. They released two singles previously and they both appear on this. It’s a hard album to fault other than the length of its songs. But even with epic songs, I’m not finding it dull at all. The songs aren’t exactly easy to get into, not exactly simple songwriting. It probably all depends on whether you can appreciate these deep growls (which I love). The songs are slowish. Not trailblazing, but as I said easier, it does have a doomy sound. With shorter songs I might have

called this ‘perfect’. Definitely a band Review by Andrew Stanton that I’m dying to hear their next offering. Since I’ve been working for Inside the Darkness, this has been only the second Belgium album I have been asked to review, and I loved them both. It’s definitely a Metal scene I need to pay more attention to and so do you really. Pretty much awesome.

Review by Andrew Stanton

Saprobiontic - Apocalyptic Retribution.

The album starts off with a short instrumental song before it begins properly. Some fairly horrible Death Metal from Germany. The growls are very deep and mid paced. Very much in the style of Incantation. A bit faster than Bolt Thrower. According to Metal Archives, this band has quite a vast array of topics. Kind of just everything ( or everything horrible anyway ). This is a twopiece band, even though the picture shows three people. I’m guessing I was given some wrong information, but I will carry on anyway. The blast beats don’t half explode at times on this album. Even though I’m enjoying this album, I feel it needs more added into it. Maybe a second singer with a different style. It would stop the sound getting stale, but it’s not crap. It just has the sound that stays similar, but it’s okay. It’s an album for the Death Metalhead. I think other people might not be allowed to buy this. At 44 minutes, I do wish they added another singer. The blast beats and the rhythm guitar are what keeps this album together in my opinion. By and large, it’s a horrible album for horrible people ( no offence ).

Coming up to the last two tracks, it’s still horrible really.

They haven’t felt the need to change anything yet. It’s pretty much just ‘roar, rooooaaaaar, roooooaaaar’. That’s kind of it really. If that sounds like your cup of tea then buy it.

Review by Andrew Stanton

Vox Mortis - Avignam Jagat Samagram.

Some animal rights rebellion from Indonesia. This is quite energetic Death Metal with good growls. The songs remain short, around the 4 minute mark. Not much in English here, but the odd track. But you get their message. Their sound reminds me of a lot of different bands - Deicide, Carcass, Incantation, Infiltration, Reek of Unzen Gas Fumes, Napalm Death. It almost sounds like a cross between old school and Slam if that makes sense. This is a new band and they’re very good. I think the shortness of the songs that makes this great. They don’t drag stuff out. As far as I’m aware, there is only one subject of matter here. But that’s fine, and I doubt anyone will complain. I have to admit, I don’t know much about Indonesia nor it’s Metal scene, but I know great Metal when I hear it (or at least I like to think I do). Maybe I’m being a bit biased to it’s topic, but I don’t really care if I’m honest. This is one band I hope releases a second album and a third album, and I hope they become HUGE. To the right sort of listener, it’s impossible not to love. And luckily enough, they asked me to review it and I’m saying ‘buy it’.