The second month this year has been great with a ton of outstanding black metal including some atmospheric and post black. This is great for me but if that is not your thing, you may be struggling to find music so far this year. But at the end of the list are a couple of honorable mentions that I enjoyed, are also great and something different than black metal.
Euch’Mau Noir bis by Galibot
Melodic Black Metal from France
Phenomenal female fronted black metal band. I’ve listened to this one several times since it came out on the 19th and it has only been getting better. Coming from northern France, they take inspiration from the mining history from that area. Galibot is also the name given to the children that were sent to work in the mines.
Renewer by Mossgiver
Atmospheric Epic Black Metal from Slovenia
Third release from solo project out of Slovenia and what an incredible album. As the cover art would suggest, the themes are based in nature. This is one of those albums I can get lost in and it will be in my regular rotation for some time.
Vaketimen by Evig Natt
Gothic Doom Metal from Norway
One of the benefits of doing these lists is finding new music. Evig Natt is one of those bands. This is their third album but I have just discovered them, and I am glad I did. As some of you know, I am not a huge fan of clean vocals. The main exception for me is when the cleans are female. And these are fantastic. This album is filled with emotion and sorrow and it just speaks to me.
Deprive of Vision by Thy Gnosis
Progressive Technical Death Metal from Switzerland
I think their Bandcamp page sums it up well so I’ll just leave this here. “Combining facemelting riffs with haunting melodies and the technical intensity of an
asynchronous steam-motor.”
Unveiled Nightsky by Winter Eternal
Melodic Black Metal from Scotland
Fifth album from one man melodic black metal band originally from Greece and now located in Scotland. Taking influence from Hellenic and Nordic black metal, this is an outstanding album. As with the previous release, V. Nuctemeron (Burial Hordes, Dysemblem, Sacral Rage and others) is filling in on drums on this release also.
Honorable mentions
Red Asphalt by Exhumed
Goregrind from the US
Advent of Wounds by Fossilization
Death / Doom Metal from Brazil
Midnight by Toward the Throne
Progressive Melodic Death Metal from France
What are your favorites from the month? It’s always possible I miss things and I’m always up for discovering new music.