Vesterian: "Anthems for the Coming War Age"

In league with the gods of war

US black metal band Vesterian has existed in some form since 1994 where they started out as Centurion. Once they changed their name to Vesterian in 1997, several demos ensued before the release of their first actual album came out in 2013 through Glorious North Productions. Anthems for the Coming War Age is as tumultuous as the fractured past of the band, mirroring the revolving door lineup through the years in cacophonous black metal eruptions.

Nordland: "The True Cult of the Earth"

Another shot of British black metal

There are countless examples where a band's second effort falls short of the first. Often, the first album is the result of pent up inspiration and ambition, where the sophomore album in many cases seems like an effort driven by necessity or expectation rather than the will to create. Upon Nordland's mighty - and highly recommendable - 2012 album of the same name, the British band stands before a gruelling task in creating something that even comes close to the debut.

Written in Torment: "Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes"

Triumphant black metal from Harrogate

The fact that Written in Torment - an anti-Christian black metal band - hails from a town as scenic and picturesque as Harrogate, England, is testament to the fact that you can find even the most extreme genres in all places, unlikely though they may be. Mike Hardisty, working under the name Leviathan, created the band in 2003 and has since recorded a few releases more or less on his own. From The Uncreation EP in 2006, it wouldn't be until 2013 that the world would once again be exposed to Written in Torment's vile doctrines.

Nordland: "Nordland"

A welcome addition to the black metal roster

Vorh, a resident of North East England, has with his project Nordland joined the forces of one-man black metal bands. Since the early days, bands like Burzum, Satanic Warmaster and Xasthur have proven that the basic concept isn't necessarily a stillborn attempt at the genre. A plethora of singular individuals have sought to mimic the success of the few; most have failed. But with the eponymous debut, Nordland from the UK is a strong contender among legends.

Pantheon of Blood: "Consociatio Solis et Lunae"

Abundant craftsmanship capable of great things

Some bands are so offendingly run of the mill that there's just not anything to be excited about. But some bands, while not as such adding any innovative elements, are just plain good at their craft. Finland's Pantheon of Blood belongs to the latter grouping, delving into the depths of black metal songstructure and creating music that may be straight forward, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Deviator: "Way of Warriors - Hymn to Immortals"

Illustrations of mediocrity

Compilations can various purpouses. Some are merely a collection of a band's best efforts, while others yet portray a group's evolution, tracking their progression through styles or as songwriters. While most ambient black metal isn't normally associated with change and transformation bands within the genre obviously aren't immune to progression and stylistic change.

Moloch: "Illusionen Eines Verlorenen Lebens"

No delusions, only ambience and black metal

Black metal is in many ways about the mindset. You can rasp your vocals and shred your fingers to pieces with a thin guitar tone all you want, but if you haven't got "it" you haven't got anything. The Ukranian one-man band Moloch is a busy one. In 2008, as an example, the band's driving force Sergiy Fjordsson release over 20 splits, albums and demos total. Obviously quantity rarely equals quality, and the quality of a band's material usually worsens with frequency of release.