The moment Europe Ablaze Tour 2024 was announced last December by Goetia Productions, I knew I had to be on 2 of its dates to see the legendary Unpure and the maniacs from Xalpen sharing the stage together. I couldn't believe it that after 33 years of activity Unpure will embark on such a tour.... Continue Reading →
Abysmal Grief / SVOID / Devil Seed Live report – Dürer Kert, Budapest – April 2024 AB
Back in 2016 (seems like in another life, really) I finally got to see SVOID live. At the time, they had just released their sophomore studio album S.V.O.I.D. and were doing a mini tour in Romania supporting the Italian masters of horror Abysmal Grief. 8 years later, on the 2nd of April, Svoid were celebrating... Continue Reading →
Blestemat – “Poisonous Metal” EP review – Silent Future Recordings – March 2024 AB
I recently got a promo in my mailbox which instantly caught my attention, due to its bold and "arrogant" description:" “Poisonous Metal” is a homage to the black metal renaissance of the 2000s, the so-called orthodox current – resonating with the spirit of notable acts like Malign, Watain, and Ofermod. But this is more than a mere tribute;... Continue Reading →
Best 5 black metal albums of 2023 AB
Compared to the past years, I did not pay too much attention to all the music that came out in 2023. As I see it, there's simply too much music being released, too many bands out there and not enough time. That's why for my 2023 end of year list I only chose 5 releases... Continue Reading →
The Night Of Darkness and Evil – Xalpen / Lidérc / Ljuska live in Kék Yuk Budapest – November 24th 2023 AB
On a cold November Friday, Budapest's Blue Hell club was the host of a true underground concert, an event for all the true die-hards out there. Xalpen, the Chilean black metal band co-fronted by Alvaro Lillo from Watain was doing a couple of shows in the region and eventually, to my delight, they made it... Continue Reading →
Watain Live in Budapest – Agony and Ecstasy Over Europe Tour 2023 AB
A Watain concert is always an extra sensorial experience that needs to be fully embraced with all your senses. The smell, the visuals and the music all create a portal through which one can travel into unknown dimensions far from this wretched world. On the the 7th of May Watain stopped in Budapest for the... Continue Reading →
Best of 2022 AB
When it comes to music, I can honestly say that at least for me, 2022 has been quite a good year. While suffering from a slight form of nostalgia, throughout this year I focused my listening habits mainly on old school bands, like stuff I grew up with or listened a lot during my youth/teenage... Continue Reading →
Best albums and demos/EPs of 2020 – December 2020 AB
As you have probably noticed by now, 2020 has been one of the strangest years we have experienced in our wretched existence. This applies to music as well, as a lot of events have occurred this year, despite the overall pandemic crisis. The live shows have been cancelled one after the other, but we had... Continue Reading →
Ondskapt – “Grimoire Ordo Devus” – album review – December 2020 AB
What more can be said about the Swedish band Ondskapt? Considered as one of the originators of the so called "Orthodox Black Metal" current back in the early 2000's, this band has released so far a bunch of memorable albums that can make any record collector very proud. The 3rd release, "Arisen From the Ashes",... Continue Reading →
Ond Vind – “Demo” tape review – July 2020 AB
Ond Vind is a new Swedish band hailing from the port city of Malmö. On the 17th of June they released their debut "Demo" tape (limited to 50 pieces, already sold out by now) via Ropes & Bones, the same label who released Transilvania's debut full length, "The Night of Nights". If this demo had come... Continue Reading →