Monthly Archives: September 2026

Black Metal

Acherontas – For the Blood of Tiamat

The previous albums have been among the very best of Black Metal, with vocals so powerful as to rival the most brutal in death metal, and music so chilling, dramatic, and sophisticated that the band may have created a unique subgenre.

This is another exceptional album.

The vocals have many forms. They are chilling at times, with an intensity unmatched by any other band. The words are delivered frighteningly, as if by a demon, a god, or a magus. It is almost like voice-acting, delivering horror in the most dramatic form possible. Every song makes me feel like I just survived hell.

The music, superbly produced and exquisitely performed, sends me on mental journeys. This must be savored with closed eyes.

If you have not heard Acherontas, do not just buy this album. Buy them all, and plan to do nothing else for a few hours because your journey will be long, and you will not want to return. Stay in the abyss this music creates.

Doom Metal, Metal, Odd

CULTUS SANGUINE – Tears Painted Sky

Long ago, when I first heard the album “Sum of all Fears,” I was captivated, yet I was also disoriented. I did not know quite how to categorize the music, but that is a good thing. Categories are for retailers, really, not for listeners unless they are purists of a particular genre.

The music was melancholy, but not quite doom or, dare I say “Gothic.” The band came close to some styles, but was never planted anywhere. This made it essential to listen many times, and in doing so, some songs became impossible to remove from the brain.

The vocals had a variety of techniques as well. The band was not afraid to permit emotional delivery. (No, it wasn’t what is called “emo”).

That album has recently been re-released by MY KINGDOM. That was very exciting news.

Even more exciting is a totally new album, “Tears Painted Sky.” This contains everything I enjoyed from “Sum of all Fears” plus some new ideas. It is still the same undefinable style, with even more diverse vocals, sometimes becoming a bit aggressive but also sometimes venturing into a sort of character acting, which results in a dramatic and dynamic collection of compelling songs.

It is an album to be savored. Drop all other tasks. Sit back, and take it in.