Review by Alex on January 7, 2020.

My opinion regarding the genre of the music on Empire of the Moon’s 2nd full length record changes with each new listen. Upon first instance my original impression was blackened heavy metal, second play-through warranted ambient heavy metal with black metal influences and the third one spawned the idea of Avant Garde heavy metal. Whichever categorization is most applicable is beside the point when factoring how well thought-out and fluent of an album Empire of the Moon have recorded. Translated to ‘Eclipse’, ΕΚΛΕΙΨΙΣ offers a vast, ambient approach to black metal and heavy metal; its spatial artwork and use of chilling keyboards transports your mind to realms and craters home to the moon. The black metal is of the all rounded type, spanning 1st wave to late second wave eras with a scholarly air about itself; and for a band that has been about since 1997 and features members of other adulated sects, it comes as no surprise the sapient voice of its recordings be so stentorian.

Given this be my first encounter with Empire of the Moon, I had no standards set to be fair; and though the band had released their debut full-length record in 2014, ΕΚΛΕΙΨΙΣ seemed like a good entry to make a first impression of the band provided it would reflect where they currently are. And with the possibility of their debut album not being to one’s taste, it was necessary to avoid it, should the music make the listener reluctant to explore beyond such.

Following the ambient ‘Arrival’, evidence of a Hecate Enthroned materialized through the vocal imprints on ‘Imperium Tridentis’; already delivering a surprise, my more attentive consciousness was activated in preparation for what-else might fall from the empirical luminescence on ΕΚΛΕΙΨΙΣ. It was a blistering first entry that relied on speed and atmosphere while playing with the idea of eccentrics, which would take some effect with the album's progression.

Cohesion would need to be at the core of the music should it at least be bare-able; and on this facet, it does not deliver a shortage of such. Though there is variety to be found in pacing, tones and rhythmic textures, the album adheres to a primary idea of majesty. This appears so due to the song titles imbuing an astrological summoning or bidding; it’s the feeling generally associated with the music. The synthy guitar driven leads and framework around the core of the music being black metal is what allows the album to break away from the modular norms of the genre. The mid-tempo pacing, and occasional inclusions of heavy metal guitar patterns as-well heard on ‘Per Aspera Ad Lunae – I. The Resonance Within’ runs parallel with all other incorporations whether they be the choirs or slow tremolo and chanting canticle-like build on ‘Per Aspera Ad Lunae – III. Descending’. The fluency at which ΕΚΛΕΙΨΙΣ moves is ecstatic, no one element appears forced or unnecessary and for songs exceeding the 6-minute length they never feel old or worn-out for their duration. The album is 5 years in the making and each song tells of an effort seriously undertaken to make it sound like such is the case.

I can't find a single inconvenience on ΕΚΛΕΙΨΙΣ, just when you have had a blast, another wave of audial bliss meets your ears. It may be the gigantic postured guitar work, the lunar 80's sounding keyboard synth or the drumming at any given moment that would sprawl in boasting fashion. You can hear the pride of a Disharmony through the keyboards that are suavely introduced on any randomly selected track, from offering a sense of interstellar urgency to mystical calm, the contrasts of these pieces are remarkable. The final track ‘Per Aspera Ad Lunae – IV. Son of Fire’ sounds like something Opeth would execute, progressive and mellow rhythms lay gently on a shell of black metal cracked and inserted with Gregorian chanting towards the end of its journey. Had ΕΚΛΕΙΨΙΣ released in 2019 it would have easily made my top 5 list, and with the opening to the new year the bar could not be set higher for a release of this pedigree, or could it? ΕΚΛΕΙΨΙΣ is the shadow of Celestial Bodies torn from a twilight sky, fetched to a blackening serendipity.

Rating: 9.3 out of 10

Review by Alex on January 7, 2020.

My opinion regarding the genre of the music on Empire of the Moon’s 2nd full length record changes with each new listen. Upon first instance my original impression was blackened heavy metal, second play-through warranted ambient heavy metal with black metal influences and the third one spawned the idea of Avant Garde heavy metal. Whichever categorization is most applicable is beside the point when factoring how well thought-out and fluent of an album Empire of the Moon have recorded. Translated to ‘Eclipse’, ΕΚΛΕΙΨΙΣ offers a vast, ambient approach to black metal and heavy metal; its spatial artwork and use of chilling keyboards transports your mind to realms and craters home to the moon. The black metal is of the all rounded type, spanning 1st wave to late second wave eras with a scholarly air about itself; and for a band that has been about since 1997 and features members of other adulated sects, it comes as no surprise the sapient voice of its recordings be so stentorian.

Given this be my first encounter with Empire of the Moon, I had no standards set to be fair; and though the band had released their debut full-length record in 2014, ΕΚΛΕΙΨΙΣ seemed like a good entry to make a first impression of the band provided it would reflect where they currently are. And with the possibility of their debut album not being to one’s taste, it was necessary to avoid it, should the music make the listener reluctant to explore beyond such.

Following the ambient ‘Arrival’, evidence of a Hecate Enthroned materialized through the vocal imprints on ‘Imperium Tridentis’; already delivering a surprise, my more attentive consciousness was activated in preparation for what-else might fall from the empirical luminescence on ΕΚΛΕΙΨΙΣ. It was a blistering first entry that relied on speed and atmosphere while playing with the idea of eccentrics, which would take some effect with the album's progression.

Cohesion would need to be at the core of the music should it at least be bare-able; and on this facet, it does not deliver a shortage of such. Though there is variety to be found in pacing, tones and rhythmic textures, the album adheres to a primary idea of majesty. This appears so due to the song titles imbuing an astrological summoning or bidding; it’s the feeling generally associated with the music. The synthy guitar driven leads and framework around the core of the music being black metal is what allows the album to break away from the modular norms of the genre. The mid-tempo pacing, and occasional inclusions of heavy metal guitar patterns as-well heard on ‘Per Aspera Ad Lunae – I. The Resonance Within’ runs parallel with all other incorporations whether they be the choirs or slow tremolo and chanting canticle-like build on ‘Per Aspera Ad Lunae – III. Descending’. The fluency at which ΕΚΛΕΙΨΙΣ moves is ecstatic, no one element appears forced or unnecessary and for songs exceeding the 6-minute length they never feel old or worn-out for their duration. The album is 5 years in the making and each song tells of an effort seriously undertaken to make it sound like such is the case.

I can't find a single inconvenience on ΕΚΛΕΙΨΙΣ, just when you have had a blast, another wave of audial bliss meets your ears. It may be the gigantic postured guitar work, the lunar 80's sounding keyboard synth or the drumming at any given moment that would sprawl in boasting fashion. You can hear the pride of a Disharmony through the keyboards that are suavely introduced on any randomly selected track, from offering a sense of interstellar urgency to mystical calm, the contrasts of these pieces are remarkable. The final track ‘Per Aspera Ad Lunae – IV. Son of Fire’ sounds like something Opeth would execute, progressive and mellow rhythms lay gently on a shell of black metal cracked and inserted with Gregorian chanting towards the end of its journey. Had ΕΚΛΕΙΨΙΣ released in 2019 it would have easily made my top 5 list, and with the opening to the new year the bar could not be set higher for a release of this pedigree, or could it? ΕΚΛΕΙΨΙΣ is the shadow of Celestial Bodies torn from a twilight sky, fetched to a blackening serendipity.

Rating: 9.3 out of 10

Review by Carl on January 5, 2022.

Blood Storm is old school as fuck, simple as that. Where other contemporary bands adhering to the sounds of yore can come across as forced, Blood Storm quite simply ooze conviction and old school underground spirit. There is not a single dud in their discography in my opinion, all their output is well worth the effort, and this applies to The Stellar Exorcism as well. What else was there to be expected from former members of bands like Goreaphobia and Necrovore?

There are two sides to the force that is The Stellar Exorcism. There are on one side the slower (mid tempo) parts, like in opener 'Howling Void' or 'Winds Of Faceless And Terrible Ones', where the influence of Hellhammer/early Celtic Frost is totally up front, and on the other side there are tracks like 'Ituhat Ipsos' and 'Venom Elementals', where Blood Storm conjure up the spirit of acts like Possessed and early Sodom, getting beaten up by Sarcofago and Sextrash. One would think that this approach leads to a schizophrenic sounding album, but Blood Storm manages to make it all blend together in a way that doesn't sound forced in any way. The different approaches complement each other very effectively: the primal, thudding slow passages work extremely well with the raging fast parts that the band have on offer. Nice touch are the Tom Warrior-esque vocals that are employed here and there in the slower tracks, nailing the atmosphere right on the head. Also a nice touch is that after a few listens other, even more ancient, influences start to become apparent. In some of the tracks runs the subtle influence of old speed metallers like Anvil and Exciter, with other, not so subtle, nods to Mercyful Fate/King Diamond as well. After a veritable metal storm the album closes with the instrumental outro 'Unwinking Eye Of Oblivion', a short, harrowing ambient piece that oddly enough reminded me of Trentemøller's "Moan". That's probably just me, so perhaps don't pay too much attention to this.

This monolith of old school metal worship is being held together by a very fitting, unpolished production job. First time I heard it, it had me thinking of a metallic version of the Discharge album "Hear Nothing, See Nothing, Say Nothing". It fits the music perfectly: all the instrumentation is audible and it's certainly not short on power and aggression.

Even if this release doesn't grab me in the same way that their Pestilence From The Dragonstar did (for me, their magnum opus), this is another excellent Blood Storm release. If you appreciate bands like Pentacle, Hellsodomy and Warhammer, or old school styled death/black metal in general, go check out Blood Storm and their output if you haven't already.

They don't come any truer than this, that's for sure!

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Felix on September 17, 2019.

Black Beast is another formation from Finland. Black metal seems to be the Finnish antidote against suicide and the members of this band obviously love to be alive. Do not be fooled by the slightly rocking, almost misleading intro. Already the next track - the first regular one - bursts with vehemence out of the speakers, hyper-fast drums and flattening, violent guitars trigger pure hell while the vocals walk the fine line between human articulation and beastly screaming. This opener sets the course for the following pieces and believe me, the band members are not in the mood for jokes.

The group has a special history. It released its first EP 14 years ago, a split in 2006 and then... everything broke down for 13 years. This is probably the reason why the promo is not speaking of a long-awaited album, but of a LONG-awaited one. Please note the difference! I am almost happy that I did not get in contact with their first releases. Otherwise I could not have slept during the last 13 years because of the fear to be not the first one who gets the essential message about a new release of this combo. On a more serious note, I understand the intention of these promos, nevertheless, they are ridiculous.

Seriously speaking, Nocturnal Bloodlust does not need exalted promos, because it speaks for itself. Despite its stereotyped title, the album does not fall victim to stale ideas. Of course, the vocals of Infernal Tormentor Necrocorpse von Demonblood (shorter names were sold out) do not have an innovative touch, but his barking and nagging conveys an evil touch. Furthermore, the guitars create an infernal overall impression. The sound does not lack primitive recklessness and so the guitars appear as razors that inflict thousand wounds on the ear canals of the listener. To call this mix sterile would be the greatest lie of the year, it's exactly the opposite of sterility.

A profound love for the dark sides of human existence shimmers through every song of the album and even though there are fortunately no trumpets, the songs appear like fanfares that call for the final battle. Maybe it is true that the tracks focus a tad too much on sheer velocity and brutality. Sometimes great riffs break through the wall of noise, but they have to struggle in order to be heard and to reveal their full strength. But many albums from the Finnish pioneers, Behexen or Horna to name just two examples, have pointed in the same direction. So finally, as always, song-writing is key. Black Beast, this does not come as a surprise, shit on conventions. They do not seek their fortune in progressive patterns, but the creation of mind-boggling sonic whirlwinds reveals a profound grasp of the genre's requirements. And there is another remarkable detail. The fast sections downgrade albums like "Pure Holocaust" to the soundtrack of a funeral march of grief-stricken relatives. I salute the man behind the kit, if this drum work has been completely done by a human being. Either way, this celebration of ultra-velocity is almost painfully consistent.

At the end of the day, Black Beast are surely not the new brightly shining star at the Finnish black metal sky that overshadows the lights of its competitor. Nonetheless, they enrich the prolific scene of their home country in a really headstrong yet laudable way. In other words, 33 minutes are long enough for this kind of black metal, because a very narrow frame is set. But these 33 minutes truly provide diabolic pleasure. Thus, I am sorry to inform you that you should open your wallet one more time in order to get your copy or your collection of strong Finnish black metal will eternally suffer from incompleteness.

Rating: 8.1 out of 10

Review by Felix on September 17, 2019.

Black Beast is another formation from Finland. Black metal seems to be the Finnish antidote against suicide and the members of this band obviously love to be alive. Do not be fooled by the slightly rocking, almost misleading intro. Already the next track - the first regular one - bursts with vehemence out of the speakers, hyper-fast drums and flattening, violent guitars trigger pure hell while the vocals walk the fine line between human articulation and beastly screaming. This opener sets the course for the following pieces and believe me, the band members are not in the mood for jokes.

The group has a special history. It released its first EP 14 years ago, a split in 2006 and then... everything broke down for 13 years. This is probably the reason why the promo is not speaking of a long-awaited album, but of a LONG-awaited one. Please note the difference! I am almost happy that I did not get in contact with their first releases. Otherwise I could not have slept during the last 13 years because of the fear to be not the first one who gets the essential message about a new release of this combo. On a more serious note, I understand the intention of these promos, nevertheless, they are ridiculous.

Seriously speaking, Nocturnal Bloodlust does not need exalted promos, because it speaks for itself. Despite its stereotyped title, the album does not fall victim to stale ideas. Of course, the vocals of Infernal Tormentor Necrocorpse von Demonblood (shorter names were sold out) do not have an innovative touch, but his barking and nagging conveys an evil touch. Furthermore, the guitars create an infernal overall impression. The sound does not lack primitive recklessness and so the guitars appear as razors that inflict thousand wounds on the ear canals of the listener. To call this mix sterile would be the greatest lie of the year, it's exactly the opposite of sterility.

A profound love for the dark sides of human existence shimmers through every song of the album and even though there are fortunately no trumpets, the songs appear like fanfares that call for the final battle. Maybe it is true that the tracks focus a tad too much on sheer velocity and brutality. Sometimes great riffs break through the wall of noise, but they have to struggle in order to be heard and to reveal their full strength. But many albums from the Finnish pioneers, Behexen or Horna to name just two examples, have pointed in the same direction. So finally, as always, song-writing is key. Black Beast, this does not come as a surprise, shit on conventions. They do not seek their fortune in progressive patterns, but the creation of mind-boggling sonic whirlwinds reveals a profound grasp of the genre's requirements. And there is another remarkable detail. The fast sections downgrade albums like "Pure Holocaust" to the soundtrack of a funeral march of grief-stricken relatives. I salute the man behind the kit, if this drum work has been completely done by a human being. Either way, this celebration of ultra-velocity is almost painfully consistent.

At the end of the day, Black Beast are surely not the new brightly shining star at the Finnish black metal sky that overshadows the lights of its competitor. Nonetheless, they enrich the prolific scene of their home country in a really headstrong yet laudable way. In other words, 33 minutes are long enough for this kind of black metal, because a very narrow frame is set. But these 33 minutes truly provide diabolic pleasure. Thus, I am sorry to inform you that you should open your wallet one more time in order to get your copy or your collection of strong Finnish black metal will eternally suffer from incompleteness.

Rating: 8.1 out of 10