CD

TERRA are one of the most intangible and enigmatic presences to emerge from within the UK underground music scene in recent times. The Cambridge-based Atmospheric Black metal group formed in 2014 and since have worked dedicatedly to carve an atypical niche for themselves with their uncompromising musicality, seeking to communicate a shared experience of existentialism. 

The band comments: "Für Dich Existiert Das Alles Nicht is the purest example of this bands determination to concentrate all of its unrelenting elements into a pressure vacuum and explode them out into new and unexpected textures that will remain with the listener in a multitude of ways. TERRA have been biding their time; sharpening their claws on the pavement they have dragged themselves through to better utilize a way to gift the most honest statement of intent imaginable."

“Björndansen” is the new album by Hagathorn, a folk project by American musician Will Ott. The material is largely derived from traditional Nordic folk songs which feature added improvisation and thematic elements to compliment the original melodies. Two of the tracks are not traditional but rather original Hagathorn compositions inspired by Nordic folklore.

The atmosphere and aesthetics of “Björndansen” are conjured with a historic sound driven by rhythms from an older era. Mystery and melodies from the past intertwine to invoke feelings of magic, ancient forests, and rural antiquity.

“A Thirst for Summer Rain” is the eighth full-length album of Lustre – the Swedish apotheosis of ambient black metal.

Comes in a 4-panel digipack with a 12-page booklet. First batch comes in black polycarbonate CD.

Drinking deep from the well of ‘90s second wave Black Metal, the masterful first utterance from Finnish newcomers PESTILENT HEX is a flawlessly reverent blend of symphonic nostalgia, modern power and ravishing grimness.

Shiki, the 2022 studio album from Sigh is an opus of dark and eclectic blackened Heavy Metal, shrouded in traditional Eastern influences. 

CD edition.

CD in classic jewel case with 12-page booklet incl. all lyrics, plus a designed album download card.

Composed during the pandemic-induced lockdown period of 2020/2021, "Isolation" features some of ColdWorld's most expressive compositions to date. Managing to transcend the conventional sounds pursued in what is best described as the "ambient/depressive" black metal subgenre, ColdWorld's newest sonic endeavor draws listeners into an incredibly immersive soundscape, rife with lush classical instrumentation and ethereal, yet occasionally harrowing vocals, the first of which is showcased brilliantly on the album's second track "Soundtrack to Isolation".

Clearly, this music is a truly honest and emotional representation of what the project's sole mastermind G.B. has experienced these past years. As such, the songs that comprise "Isolation" ebb and flow effortlessly, with even seemingly lengthy track durations being navigated masterfully by G.B.'s approach to songwriting and track placement. Throughout "Isolation", listeners may notice influences ranging from more traditional black metal and immensely heavy doom fused with post-rock leanings along the lines of Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Of particular note is the use of classical string instrumentation and guitar lead harmonies that harken back to early My Dying Bride. However, it is the fusion of these elements and their interpretation through the creative mind that allows to confront listeners with an incredibly individualistic sound.

The creative and diverse vocal work featuring layered clean vocals, harrowing wails, a fascinating form of what is possibly throat singing as well as profoundly deep growls give "Isolation" an unmistakable edge over many of ColdWorld's contemporaries in a rather crowded scene. As such, listeners are sure to return to these eight tracks regularly, as this work is not easily grasped in its entirety on a first listen. Although it makes a staggering first impression, this record demands to be experienced repeatedly.

Hailing from Poland and making their public debut with the demo Ancient Darkness Triumphant in 2020, TEUFELSBERG are a band out of time. The modern "black metal underground" is a vacant void to be shunned, spit upon; for the trio, the elder ways of black metal militancy reflected in the Polish underground during the glorious '90s are to be proudly upheld. And upheld they did with a successive split with comrades MINNESJORD last year, once again through the auspices of SIGNAL REX, in the process building their own dead Christ commune.

And now, TEUFELSBERG fortify it further with their full-length debut, Ordre du Diable. No great changes have been made, thankfully - cold and grim is their march, rendered in raw-yet-clear tones that remarkably retain an era-authentic vibe - but the trio's songwriting has undoubtedly advanced, moving at many speeds and effortlessly evincing a focus that's fiery and finessed in equal measure. Further, their integration of synths is subtle and tasteful, coloring Ordre du Diable in rich hues of velvety purple emanating from deepest black. More simply stated, TEUFELSBERG deliver a record that could've easily come out in 1995: that same mysticism is alive and well here, and DEAD.

Opening with a fug of crypt-dwelling ambience, and the distant howls of the bloodthirsty Wampyre, building through riff and atmosphere towards a clearer skied climax in the more epic medievalism from Ages of Blood. A perfectly ascendent split with euphoric trajectory from the raw to the radiant, balanced by the pivotal Beulenpest who features in both projects.

Furious violent black / death metal, tracked live for extra rawness

Fantastic cover art executed perfectly by Italian master Paolo Girardi