Anaal Nathrakh
In the Constellation of the Black Widow
Candlelight (2009)
This is an album that I wanted to like as soon as I saw the cover art, but in the back of my mind I was afraid I wouldn't after the slightly-too-polished and slightly-too-death-metal Hell is Empty and All the Devils are Here from 2007. But In the Constellation of the Black Widow turns out to be one of the … Read more
Anaal Nathrakh
Vanitas
Candlelight (2012)
Anaal Nathrakh have always been on the very edge of extremity, teetering on the brink of absolute annihilation and destruction. Their sound is imbued with total hatred for mankind, the world and all life and the two-piece push themselves ever further towards the threshold of utter desolation with Vanitas. How two people can make such harsh and deadly sounds between … Read more
Cnoc An Tursa
The Giants of Auld
Candlelight (2013)
I'll admit, I was intrigued by the idea of Scottish Pagan Metal. Even with the full understanding of Pagan Metal by definition of the more extreme metal using folk instruments from any religion or culture, the ole' noggin still tends to default to the Norse code. Cnoc An Tursa hail from the lowlands of Scotland. Falkirk, to be exact. They represent their … Read more
Corrosion of Conformity
Self Titled
Candlelight (2012)
The mighty COC have returned. In the past few years the band returned to the musical landscape by reforming their original and much beloved lineup. That is the lineup that wrote the much lauded classic Animosity. Records under such pretenses could go a few ways. Will the band return playing a rehashed version of old songs? Will they reach far … Read more
Ihsahn
Das Seelenbrechen
Candlelight (2013)
Ihsahn is one of the most immediately recognisable artists that Norway has produced and his work in legends Emperor and now as a solo act has seen him move from the early stages of black metal to a much more progressive sound. Ihsahn’s solo efforts have always been extremely interesting and with Das Seelenbrechen he has created a textured landscape of sound … Read more
Ihsahn
Eremita
Candlelight (2012)
Norway’s Ihsahn (or Vegard Sverre Tveitan if we're being formal) has continued to produce some of the most exciting and progressive music since his days as a member of the influential Emperor. Gradually turning from the black metal aspect of his career, Ihsahn has taken his skills as a songwriter and instantly recognisable vocalist to an entirely different and powerful … Read more
Manes
How the World Came to an End
Candlelight (2007)
Linkin Park, by and large, are looked upon as a joke. With few exceptions, they are loved solely by young fans who really don't know any better and are unable to find any other kind of "heavy" music at their local Wal-Mart in Smalltown, U.S.A. What does Linkin Park have to do with Norway's Manes, you ask? Well, they kind … Read more
Nebelhexë
Essensual
Candlelight (2007)
For those who find Evanescence's Amy Lee too goth and Sarah Brightman not quite goth enough, we have Norway's Andrea Haugen a.k.a. Nebelhexë. Now, "Neb," as we'll call her, is, according to her bio, "a warrior with never-fading energy and she fights with passion for individual and spiritual freedom; animal rights, awareness for ecological food, recognition for ancient goddess worship … Read more
Nine Covens
...On The Dawning Of Light
Candlelight (2013)
Nine Covens second release …On The Dawning of Light is a raging follow up to their debut that’s full of extremity and shades of melody alike. The furiously enigmatic group – no names, or indeed, faces – prefer to step back from the spotlight in order to let their music do the talking. Although, if you have a keen ear … Read more
sadgiqacea
False Prism
Candlelight (2013)
After the release of an EP and two split albums, Sadgiqacea managed to land a deal with Candlelight Records under which their debut full-length album False Prism is coming out. The band from Pennsylvania is definitely one you want to check if you are into experimental heavy music, because they definitely know how to create imposing music that has the side effect … Read more
Starkweather
Croatoan
Candlelight (2006)
The enigmatic metal behemoth that is Starkweather has been erratically dropping musical bombs sporadically for well over a decade. An uncompromising band of musicians that set out to artistically satisfy their own predilections rather than satisfy any kind of musical "market", Starkweather has been lauded in the underground metal and hardcore community for quite a long time. They have been … Read more
The Devil
Self Titled
Candlelight (2013)
Now this is surely a weird one. The mysterious and enigmatic The Devil, released their self titled album and they seem to have everyone’s attention. The band does not feature any vocals but they instead use recordings of famous speeches and to be fair the end result is great, it seems like the atmospheric gothic band has really managed to … Read more
Vision Of Disorder
The Cursed Remain Cursed
Candlelight (2012)
It's not hard to figure that Vision Of Disorder were one of two Long Island Hardcore bands (along with Glassjaw) that have managed to influence a ridiculous number of current bands while remaining relatively dismissed outside of their scene during their original time as a band. The first 2 Vision of Disorder records had a sound all their own at … Read more
Woe
Withdrawal
Candlelight (2013)
Having began life as a one-man project borne from the mind of Chris Grigg, Woe’s motive was one of total aggression and pure hate and signified a time when American black metal was only just starting to find its feet within the darker realms of the musical sphere. With A Spell for the Death of Man Grigg stepped forward and laid his entire heart … Read more
