CD Reviews

Because this page is not yet online very long we can not yet give you the full cd review page. This because we are still adding older albums. This review list is a list of cd's that have been released recently. The page will be updated frequently, so keep looking for the new albums.

This page includes a lot of pictures to make it a bit more entertaining and attractive. Loading the pictures may take a while, but you can already read the reviews.

Very important to know is that our reviews are the opinion of two persons, it is possible you really like an album we bury under tons of dust, we frankly don't care about that, this text is just here to prevent getting mail from some fuckheads correcting us. If you don't like what you are reading our opinions are different.

Something for the record companies: Click here.

How the reviewing works

We think it is very important to tell you how this all works, like why there are two ratings every album and only one review, sometimes two. Ok, first of all we divide the work by reviewing the cd's apart, ok......this may sound as personal taste is involved but it is not. If one of us really disagrees with the other one, it will be mentioned in the review. We also both rate all cd's, but only one of us does the review. To know who did it, you have to look at the ratings, the name mentioned first is the reviewer. Sometimes you will see a cd with two reviews, well this only happens with important releases like Emperor, Enslaved, Immortal, Gehenna,... If you have questions or remarks about the reviews please contact us here.

Aeternus - ...and so the night became (Hammerheart)

This album is pure magic, dark, agressive and evil. Ares and companions are getting better every album. Raw guitar agression is what you can expect. Really cool stuff that stays in you cd player for weeks. Buy this one for sure. A killer album with superb production.
Vryk : 85/100

Ancient - Mad grandiose bloodfiends (Metal Blade)

This would be a superb album when it had a better production. When they play the strings it sound as if they are using a violin in stead of a guitar. It sound to fuckin empty, and that being on a label like metal blade, bands recording their debut often have a much better production. The songs on the album are really good, but the spirit is missing. I hope this gets better on the next album......
Vryk : 78/100

Ancient Rites - Fatherland (Mascot)

The pride of Flanders is back....and my god how.....this is really to good for words. Pure heavy metal combined with black metal. The true spirit of Vercingetorix wades around in you room when this album flows trough the speakers. Melodic music, combined with heavy metal and black metal, all integrated superbly. Belgium can be very proud.
Vryk : 88/100

And Oceans - The dynamic gallery of thoughts (Seasons of mist)

Finnish atmospheric black metal with a Dimmu Borgir alike atmospheric touch. Instead of becoming poppy like Dimmu Borgir, they manage to integrate the keyboard on a more 'unannoying' way. This album is quite good and one does not get bored while listening. Catchy headchakers with a little bit an agressive touch make this album outclass the big swarm of atmospheric black metal bands.
Vryk : 80/100

Arcturus - La masquerade infernale (Music for nations)

Many hours of joy I had listening to this album. Ok, it's not really black metal, but still it used to be a really good atmospheric black metal band. Garm pulls all his qualities right from his throat, a superb voice that is. The music is quite extravagant, and they use lot's of samples, the way they do it is quite cool and sounds great. The production is very nice, probably because they had a bigger budget. I advise you to listen a few times before you buy it, once you get used to it, you'll be surprised about the evil content of this album.
Vryk : 88/100

Asgaroth - Trapped in the depths of eve ... (Newgotia Records)

A CD released by Newgotia Records; distibuted by Repulse Records. "Death metal", I hear you say. Suprisingly not: this is pure black metal. Blood-curdling screams, scary wispers, tough hymns, lots of keybord, ... it 's all there. Some parts are really strong but in general the album misses originality. What I mean is that the music is quite good, but it 's done before. I suggest we wait on their next CD; because these three Spanish guys really have potential.
North : 70/100

Autumn Verses - Tunes of disconsolation (Solistitium)

Tunes of disconsolation is the debutalbum from this Finnish band. They play atmospheric black metal, and not so bad at all. It 's a well produced album, full of variety. So people who enjoy listening ...and Oceans for example, should check 'em out.
North : 77/100

Behemoth - Pandemonic Incantations (Solistitium)

Behemoth is Polands leading act, they have always been. Since the second wave of black metal bands rose from the earth, behemoth was there. They stand for raw and extreme black metal, but they always give their songs something catchy, that makes you want to shake your head. Nergal and his brothers in war really give themselves this album. A masterpiece in its genre.
Vryk : 79/100

Bloodthorn - In the shadow of your black wings (Seasons of mist)

Seasons of mist has a real nose for good bands. Oxiplegatz, And Oceans and their labelmates Bloodthorn really kick ass. The last two bands recently realeased a split cd to. Now.....about the album. The opening track is my favorite, The embodied core of darkness is an atmospheric black metal "love" song, hehe. Really cool stuff. The production is not the best I ever heard and personally I think the guitar should be a bit stronger. The keyboard is a very important instrument within Bloodthorn, some of you might turn their back on this album right away, but I advise you to listen first. Good stuff.
Vryk : 80/100

Demonic - The empire of agony (Necropolis)

When I think of Necropolis records, I think of pure agression, so just like I expected, Demonic's new album is filled with no-nonsense, right to the point black metal. Raw guitars, an underground sounding production, and a superb voice. This album does not follow the keyboard trend, however sometime s they use one, but it's never disturbing in any way. People who like raw black metal should check this one out.
Vryk : 76/100

Dimmu Borgir - Godless savage garden (Nuclear blast)

Crap, (Cradle of) filth, shit,....I can go on for hours. This album really sucks. The only possible advantage on this album is the price.. ..but since I really hate paying for crap, that advantage is gone to. Dimmu Borgir has recorded to new songs for this album, some live numbers, a cover and an old song in a new jacket. Well, I like the old song best, the new ones are so full of shit. Dimmu Borgir will never reach the level they reached with Stormblast and Enthrone Darkness Triumphant, if they go on like this. If you ask me, Nagash made a good decision by leaving the band.
Vryk : 51/100

Einherjer - Odin owns ye all (Century media)

Since the beginning I have always been a very big fan of Einherjer and this album proves me why I was right all the time. This is superb heavy/viking metal. Great and awsome are words not even strong enough to show people the quality of this album. The new singer sometimes reminds me of Bruce Dickinson in the days everyone still loved Iron Maidon, superb is the word.
Vryk : 90/100

Emperor - Anthems to the welkin at dusk (Candlelight)

In my opinion this is one of the best albums ever made. Emperor crushes, tortures and plays like never before. Black metal they way it was ment to be. Melodic, but not pussy or trendy, yet agressive with a melodic touch. This album is a cult album. One thing Emperor should pay attention to is the production. It is very good they keep a pretty raw production, but the voice of Ihsahn could use a little more power in the mix.
Vryk : 89/100

Enslaved - Blodhemn (Osmose)

Enslaved brings us a magical portion of Viking metal. Agressive, pure, extreme and violent is what I can tell you about this music. The best album of Enslaved. The production is superb and the artwork is also really cool. A must for all fans of extreme black/viking metal.
Vryk : 84/100

Enthroned - Regie sathanas (Blackend)

When cernunnos, the former drummer of Enthroned, killed himself, everyone thought that this was the end of Enthroned. "Towards the skullthrone of Satan" proved us wrong. Now they are salluting their former brother in war with this tribute. We do not speak of a rip off here, this album is worth buying for sure. Some new songs and a few old songs of Enthroned and the former band of Cernunnos and Sabathan called Morbid Death. The speed black metal of Enthroned hasn't changed and fast riffs keep torturing our ears. Another great band from Belgium.
Vryk : 81/100

Gehenna - Admiron Black (Moonfog)

Gehenna's last album, Malice, was in my opinion not very good. I liked the first song, She who loves the flames, but that was all so when I got this cd my hopes weren't to high. But Gehenna changed their style, no more atmospheric black, but hard and agressive black metal. This probably has something to do with the departure of Sarcane. Gehenna really prove themselves to be really great musicians. A must for all agressive black fans.
Vryk : 85/100

Gorgoroth - Destroyer (Nuclear Blast)

When I first got hold of this album and I looked upon the artwork I thought that this would be the most evil and extreme album ever. I was almost right, and beside from bands like Baltak, I was right. Extreme agression, raw, icy sharp vocals and guitars are what you can expect. No album for Dimmu Borgir or Cradle of Filth fans, but the black metal fan will appreciate it for sure. The production is better than the first three albums, this probably because they signed for Nuclear Blast.
Vryk : 80/100

Helheim - Av norron aett (Solistitium)

Helheim surprised me with their first album, ice-cold vocal, very sharp guitarwork, and an icy atmosphere, now they are back with this superb album. Although they icy vocals and sharp production have made place for a bit warmer and better production, they remain very Helheim. The guest appereances of a violin player and the great vocal of the female singer Belinda make this cd really great. Worth spending your money on for sure if you ask me.
Vryk : 86/100

Immortal - Blizzard Beasts (Osmose)

Immortal is back, and how, mindcrushing black metal, icy cold riffs and this all very well played and in no way chaotic. Immortal proves that they can play their instruments. Really great is the new drummer Horgh, I don't know him from an other band but he's shure been practising. Battles in the north was good, but the sound was shit, they played as if it was the first time they touched their instrument, but this has all changed. A killer album.
Vryk : 87/100

Kvist - For kunsten maa vi evig vike (Avantgarde)

I know that this album is already quite old, but still it remains a killer album I really like. A really raw album with a very heavy (not very good) production. The booklet that comes with the album is very poor, so is the artwork, yet the music is great. As far as I know Kvist has split up. A damn shame, this band surprised me ones, and I hoped for it to happen a second time......but that seems impossible. A great album, almost a classic one to have in your collection.
Vryk : 87/100

Limbonic Art - Epitome of illusions (Nocturnal Art)

Although this is the demo material of Limbonic Art, you could consider this as their latest cd. They rerecorded their older songs and added some new ideas, the production is good and the quality of the songs is high as usual. Samoth made a smart move by signing this band on his labe l. A must for the evil, grim yet atmospheric black metal fans.
Vryk : 82/100

Lux Occulta - Dionysos (Pagan)

Atmospheric black from poland with a really good created atmosphere. This album is one of my favorites when it comes to atmospheric music. A killer band, I wish their next album was already available. The production is pretty good compared to other Polish acts. Really good.
Vryk : 81/100

Marduk - Nightwing (Osmose)

Marduk continues in the vein of Haeven shall burn with this new album. Agressive, violent and grim black metal rules and there is no place for keyboards and other fluffy stuff. Great guitarwork and excellent drums make this cd one of the best in it's genre, withouth getting chaotic like many other bands. The first part of the cd are stand-alone songs but the second part tells the story of Vlad Tepes Dracul, the lord impaler continuing the song on Heaven shall burn. A must for the fans of extreme art.
Vryk : 81/100

Mayhem - Wolf's lair abyss (Misantrophy)

Ok, I admit, Mayhem will never reach the level of "De Mysteriis dom Sathanas", but that is impossible to. That album is 'the' black metal album, noone can top it, but.....mayhem managed to make an album that is almost equal to "De Mysteriis ...", although it is just a mini. Pure agression and evil. A must for every black metal fan.
Vryk : 88/100

Mithotyn - King of the distant forest (Invasion)

Viking/speed metal is what I call the music Mithotyn plays. Really great catchy hymns and speedy metal succeed each other in a great way. I loved their first album, but this one is even better. A must for all Enslaved and Einherjer fans.
Vryk : 82/100

Mystic Circle - Drachenblut (Last Episode)

What should we think of Mystic Circle.....posers? Fakers? Wimps?.......well.....they don't think so.....they still think they are true.......I don't know.....and I don't care either, it is not my job to judge them, it is my job to judge the music......and......it's not really great....it starts off very promising with agressive atmospheric blackness, but after a song or two I got so bored......damn they really do suck........yes.....they are posers that care to much about how they look.
Vryk : 67/100

Odium - The sad realm of the stars (Nocturnal art)

Odium? Never heard of them......on Nocturnal Art.......Samoth's label......that can't be bad......can it? Well....Odium is quite good. They combine agressive black with atmospheric music withouth becoming poppy, which is very good......but all the songs begin to sound alike after a while.....it's not really very disturbing.....but then again.... they should have spent more time to avoid that. The artwork is very original and is done by Morfeus of Limbonic Art. Not bad for a debut.
Vryk : 74/100

Perished - Kark (Solistitium)

Some of you, who check out the vinyl releases, may know Perished already from their 7 inch EP 'Kald Som Aldri For' wich came out a few years ago. 'Kark' is now their debut-CD. Perished is a Norwegian band that plays black/viking metal. It 's a shame that Solistitium is unable to do more promotion for this band, because this CD really deserves it! Evil screams, catchy rythms and the use of keybord in an acceptable way, make from 'Kark' a very good debut. The more you listen to it; the more you appreciate this album!
North : 80/100

Profanum - Eminence of satanic imperial art (Pagan)

If you ask me to discribe the music made by Profanum, I would answer you "something in between Darzamat, Summoning and Abigor", this band from Poland really makes great cold and evil atmospheric black metal. Let your grandmother listen to this in the dark and she will die of a heart attack. A combination of keyboard, a drumcomputer and icy voices is all these polish dudes need to create this horrifying music. A good album worth spending your money on.
Vryk : 79/100

Ragnarok - Arising realm (Voices of wonder)

Ragnarok makes melodic atmospheric black, but they don't make it sound wimpy, yet they still have a raw and evil sound. The production is underground but it sounds quite good. The absolute killer track is "The fall of Christiannity, a superb melodic black metal song that makes you hunger for more, these guys are great.
Vryk : 80/100

Satyricon - Nemesis Divina (Moonfog)

Satyricon has always been one of the best bands within the Norwegian black metal scene. The shadowthrone is an album that earned a "cult" status and Nemesis Divina looks to do the same, however, it's a bit weaker. The shadowthrone was an album I could put on for hours and hours, with this album I couldn't do that. The catchy rythms are still there and so are the raw guitars and the superb voice of Satyr, but the Shadowthrone is better. Still, this album is a must for all.
Vryk : 82/100

Sear Bliss - The haunting (2 Moons/Mascot)

"A trumpet on a black metal album?", that is what I thought when I first heard about Sear Bliss a few years ago. Their debut "Phantoms" was already a great album, but this one is even better. The trumpet is integrated so cool I am surprised that they are still the only band that uses it. The music is very raw and heavy riffs are combined with great trumpet parts. The voice is very down and when listening to the album you might think the singer is ready to commit suicide. Worth the money for sure.
Vryk : 84/100

Sigh - Hail horror hail (Cacaphonous)

I always thought of Sigh as one of the most original Black Metal bands, that was prbably why they first signed to Euronymous' label Deathlike Silence. The different sounds they use to create a song are endless and so is their ability to sound original. I love this album, it is so great I want to buy two of them, just in case one of them breaks down during one of the many listening sessions. An absolute must.
Vryk : 85/100

Summoning - Minas Morgul (Napalm)

A few years ago, protector and silenius gregor of Abigor started a band called Summoning. Their first album Lugburz was quite good, but the production wasn't that great. Their second album "Minas Morgul" is a bit better when it comes to production. Again Summoning uses a lot of keyboards to create dark and majestic songs that make little children have really bad dreams. Summoning is a good band, but they become a bit boring after a while, for the fans this is amust, other people should listen first.
Vryk : 76/100

Thyrfing - Thyrfing (Hammerheart)

Thyrfing is the best newcoming viking metal band of the last years. Innovating they combine keyboard in their music. The victory songs on their album could be good sing alongs (like Going Berserk). One thing I regret about the album is the production. The feeling of the song gets lost by a very flat production. Give this band Peter Tägtgren and the Abyss studios and we have a super band.
Vryk : 83/100

Twin Obscenity - For blood honour and soul (Century Media)

Black/Death hymns sound from my speaker when I put in the album of Twin Obscenity. A very good album, but we heard it before. The originality of bands like this is equal to zero, which of course is a very big shame. I like what I hear, but it misses something. The guitarwork is nice and raw, the production is quite good, but yet it doesn't really amuse me. It's better than the average band, but a lot of work still has to be done.
Vryk : 75/100

Ulver - Nattens Madrigal (Century media)

What has gotten into century media, letting Ulver give their new album a really shitty underground production. They probably weren't thinking of this when they signed Ulver. Garm also known from Arcturus and formerly Borknagar wants to go back to the roots of black metal. Musically everything is quite ok, but this production is even worse than the first Darkthrone albums. Evil and agression rule on this album, but with this kind of production I can't give them a high rating at all. For the Darkthrone fans a real must.
Vryk : 68/100

Unlord - Schwarzwald (Displeased)

Displeased wanted to sign a black metal band right since they wanted to earn as much money as their new collegues "Hammerheart" did. They went looking for one, and what to you know, who thought they would find a band right from the eternal dephts of the sceptic tank. Damn Unlord sucks, they want to make agressive black metal, but in stead of keeping me awake I put it on every night to fall asleep, and believe me it works. This is an absolute waste of money. (Still better than the last Dimmu Borgir, but practictly everything is)
Vryk : 56/100

Various Artists - A tribute to Bathory (Hellspawn/No fashion)

For those who know the beginning period of Bathory, this album is a real must. Many known bands like Emperor, Marduk, Satyricon, Dark Funeral, Lord Belial and many more recorded their favorite song. The absolute highlight on this album is " A fine day to die" by Emperor. The magic of Bathory can really be felt as Emperor gives this song their own little twist. A great collector for the older fans and the newer fans who want to get in touch with older stuff.
Vryk

Various Artists - Darkthrone holy Darkthrone (Moonfog)

Darkthrone, one of the greatest Norwegian black metal bands ever is finally tributed the way it should be. Satyricon, Emperor, Thorns, Immortal, Gorgoroth, Enslaved, Dodheims Gard and Gehenna all picked a song, and all of them do very well, exept for Thorns, Fausts band. A computerised voice fucks everything up. Immortal makes a really evil grim and underground appearance and Emperor does the best job of all covering Cromlech. Still it is great to hear Darkthrone again. A superb tribute this is...........grim, cold, raw, evil,........BUY IT.
Vryk

Various artists - Gods of darkness (Nuclear Blast)

This is an excellent black metal compilation. The following bands are on the CD: Dimmu Borgir, Emperor, Satyricon, Cradle of filth, Agathodaimon, Mayhem, Covenant, Immortal, Dissection, Gehenna, Enslaved, Bal-Sagoth, Dismal Euphony, Naglfar and The Abyss. Fifteen top black metalbands, each represented by (one of) their best song(s). For the freaks among us, buying this compilation is redundant because they already have all of these songs in their collection. People who only buy four CD's a year or aren't familiar with the black metal genre: buy this! The booklet gives you information about each band.
North

Various artists - Nordic Metal (Necropolis Records)

Euronymous and Paul 'Typhon' Thind were working on a compilation called Nordic Metal. The idea was to present the best scandinavian bands on one album. As you all know, Euronymous got murdered by Varg Vikernes. Years after this happened the CD finally got released by Necropolis. Nordic Metal is now a testamony, a tribute to the king of kings ...... Euronymous! Mayhem, Dissection, Emperor, Mysticum, Marduk, Opthalamia, Enslaved, Arcturus and Mortiis are honouring their friend and brother in war! A special mention goes out to Abruptum and Thorns. Abruptum opens with a real lamentation. This song is so intens and evil, that it is one of the best black metal songs ever written! Thorns with Faust from the great Emperor is represented by a rehearsal track. This is a slow song so fucking dark and ominous! Great bands with killer songs and a nice booklet full of rare pictures and lots of information make from this compilation a must for every black metal fan!!!
North

Yaotzin - Heaven burning bleeding (No label)

Another dutch black metal band, having heard Liar Of Golgotha, my hopes for this album are not so high. My fear changed to exitement when I the extreme black metal tortured my speakers. This album is quite good. I never thought Holland would bring us music of this quality. Very agressive, but there is still rythm in the music. Of course, Belgium still has Enthroned and Ancient Rites, take that Holland.
Vryk : 72/100

This page was created by Vrykolas and North. All reviews by Vrykolas and North, all pictures scanned by Vrykolas and North. This page is copyrighted to Vrykolas and North. Nothing on this page may be used on any other page or in any other magazine withouth our promission. You can contact us here if you have any questions or remarks.