Rating: 3/5

At first listen, “The Extra Dimensional Wound” is a great thrash/black metal album, but it has no memorable value. I normally don’t say this about black metal, but it needs some solos or something to mix it up.

Rating: 4/5

Overall, Istapp’s debut full-length is amazing, especially when there’s so many unoriginal melodic Black Metal acts out there. It may not touch the greats of old, but that’s fine with me, because it’s obvious that they’re looking to do something fresh and new.

Rating: 4/5

“Stemning” is not your typical Black Metal album. It’s not even typical for melodic Black Metal. Despite some weak points, this is a very promising debut for Nàttsòl.

Rating: 3/5

I Shalt Become is impressive, for a one-man project. “Poison” should be considered Black Metal, but only in the mysterious sense. It’s not heavy or fast, but it also doesn’t have the softness to really be post-black

Rating : 2/5

One thing I require to really respect a Black Metal band is their ability to embrace their heritage or the history of the land on which they live, no matter what part of the world they’re from. Hacavitz does this by writing songs about what I assume is Aztec mythology or anthropology. This is sure to keep “Metzli Obscura” shrouded in mystery, the way Black Metal should be.

Rating : 4.5/5

It goes without saying that shoegaze black metal is a miniscule sub-genre, and it can also be assumed that Neige, the artist behind Alcest, stands in the foreground of this sub-genre.

Rating : 4.5/5

Maiestrit is not a typical rehash of an early album. It takes something that was old and unnoticed and gives it the attention it deserves.

Rating : 3.5/5

“Universal” is the latest and greatest in progressive metal and an epic failure in Black Metal.