Jerome Reuter
As far as new music goes, 2019 is off to a strong start. From veterans making powerful returns to a new generation leaving their mark, there’s been no shortage of good albums. My task of choosing JUST five for this list was easier said than done, but here we are. If the rest of 2019 continues like this, it’s going to be quite the year.
Darkthrone Old Star
Black metal hasn’t been the same since Darkthrone released A Blaze in the Northern Sky. The duo of Nocturno Culto and Fenriz have set the standard for several bands to follow. This year, they unleashed their 17th studio album, Old Star. Reminiscent of the Celtic Frost worship found on their 1994 album Panzerfaust, Old Star is that sound and concept fully realized. On songs like "Alp Man" and "The Hardship of The Scots", in particular, the pair demonstrate the ability to merge several classic styles together while remaining true to their own.
Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult Mardom
After a six-year absence, Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult make their return with Mardom. Some groups might have slowed down or compromised their sound after a considerable absence, but that’s not the case here. Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult sound more focused than ever and are completely unrelenting in their delivery. Songs like “The Boundless Beast” are indicative of frontwoman Onielar’s tenacity and warrior queen like presence. As we learned last year, some releases are worth the wait.
Possessed Revelations of Oblivion
Possessed unleashed Seven Churches on an unsuspecting world all the way back in 1985. The album featured Larry Lalonde (Later of Primus) on guitar and introduced the term "death metal" to the underground. Revelations of Oblivion is the first new material from the group since disbanding in 1987. Possessed are stronger than ever, even with vocalist Jeff Becerra being the only original member. Revelations of Oblivion sounds like a natural progression from 1987’s Beyond the Gates. It’s as if the group never left us in the first place.
Thuringwethil To Summon the Spirits of Eternal Night
Every now and again you find something that takes you back. Such is the case with To Summon the Spirits of Eternal Night, the newest EP from Thuringwethil. In an age where United States black metal continues to go in all sorts of unfavorable directions, this is proof that old traditions die hard. You’ll find no frilly edges here, just raw black metal in the vein of Mutilation and Satanic Warmaster.
Voëmmr Ovnh intot adr mordrb
Voëmmr are one of the exports from Portugal’s growing black metal scene. The group turns abrasiveness into an art form with their sophomore effort, O ovnh intot adr mordrb. With songs such as “Profvndr,” the group creates landscapes of desolation and melancholy. O ovnh intot adr mordrb thrives on a combination of screeching howls and dissonant riffing in the vein of Silencer. One doesn’t simply listen to Voëmmr, they experience them.
