Lycia – A Day in the Stark Corner

Posted in Reviews on February 15th, 2010 by General Blaspheme

Lycia - A Day in the Stark Corner

Genre: Darkwave, Goth
Label:
Projekt

Oh man. This album is so good. It’s a lot of what I’ve been reviewing lately, and I never really realized it until today.
There’s tons of ambient happening, with some really haunting almost-spoken vocals, and it’s all wrapped up in a very melancholy feeling, a sadness that just won’t go away.
If you’re a fan of the stuff I’ve been talking about here (Proxenus, Blood of the Black Owl, Balpehor, etc.) then you should definitely be looking to get this album. You can only get it digitally from Projekt right now, and it’s not even ten bucks.
I love A Day in the Stark Corner. It’s just awesome.
8 out of 10.

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Enthroned Confirmed to Play Kings of Black Metal 2010

Posted in News, Tour Update on February 15th, 2010 by General Blaspheme

Belgian black metallers ENTHRONED complete the lineup of this year’s Kings Of Black Metal Fest!

Kings of Black Metal Festival
April 10, 2010
Giessen – Hessenhallen – Germany

The festival will feature:

Immortal
Enthroned
Inquisition
Kampfar
Setherial
Impiety
Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult
Forgotten Tomb
Den Saakaldte

Ticket info: burningstage.net

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Blood of the Black Owl – A Banishing Ritual

Posted in Reviews on February 15th, 2010 by General Blaspheme

Blood of the Black Owl - A Banishing Ritual

Genres: Ambient, Doom, Drone
Label:
Bindrune Recordings

So here’s another review for Bindrune Recordings, a label that instantly became a favorite of mine the second I heard Wodensthrone’s Loss (review).
When I got the opportunity to review the new Blood of the Black Owl, I was fairly excited. And with reason. This is a well regarded band, on a well regarded label.
But when I started to listen to A Banishing Ritual, I must admit, I was a little disappointed. It seemed, at first, just like any other ambient/drone album. 41 minutes of the same shit does get tiring even for me.
Then it got to the 13 minute and 14 or so second mark. And that’s when I really took notice. It’s like Blood of the Black Owl decided to weed out the asshats for fifteenish minutes, and whoever is left listening to the rest will be blown away.
This is one of the finest examples of this kind of music I’ve heard so far. Haunting vocals and some of the doomiest riffs and gorgeous soundscapes follow.
I love it.
Apparently it’s for fans of Ruhr Hunter, The Elemental Chrysalis (both of those bands feature members of Blood of the Black Owl), Neurosis, Celtic Frost, and Swans. But I think fans of My Dying Bride, November’s Doom, The 11th Hour, and Moss will find something to A Banishing Ritual that they enjoy as well.
7.5 out of 10.

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Gravehill’s Rites of the Serpent Tour 2010

Posted in Tour Update on February 15th, 2010 by General Blaspheme

Gravehill On Tour