Hailing from Netherlands, Dormant is an one man black metal project by Nain-User. He released this album on now defunct Son of Man records in 2006, limited to only 100 copies.

This is some great black metal! When I listened to it at work, I actually felt like I'm alone in my cubicle and it's all cold... almost like I'm imaging myself in one giant frozen barren lands. This is one of few black metal albums where a real drums is actually being used which is great. It's actually refreshing to hear that because I honestly am getting sick of programming drums. It simply is not the same.

I really love the variety of vocals being used in this album. There's screaming, clean singing, whispers, and I can really see that the guy behind this project really have a talent for vocals. I also dig the fact that some songs are in English and some are in Dutch. I always have a thing for bands singing in their native language. It just makes it more beautiful and emotional for me because I have to rely on the music to feel the emotions more deeply than I would've if I listened to English songs.

There is an album in the works for years. Let's hope it will be released soon because this is some quality black metal. Too bad this album is long out of print so good luck obtaining a copy folks!


Best Song: The Grevious Children- this is where the drumming part absolutely shines!

Worst Song: Dromant Souls-could use some more creativity in vocals and riffs. However it still is a good song.

Score: 8/10

http://www.myspace.com/dormantmetal

Labels: black metal, dormant, review, son of man records, unblack

Fans of this band always cheer "HOOOOOOORRDDEE!"

If you are a christian metal fan and you don't know about this band then you must have been living under the rock your entire life. Horde is one of the most famous christian black metal band(one man band actually) and released the album, "Hellig Usvart", back in mid 90's. This is the most important release for the "unblack" scene due to it being released on Nuclear Blast.

Okay, enough about history...if you want to know more then research!

Generally, the music is pretty good but a little bit generic in my opinion. The vocals is alright but hey come on, its black metal so the vocals gotta sound brutal. What I really dig about this album is the drums...its excellent which is obvious due to who the man behind the band is....(if you don't know who then get out of the rock!). I always think the song titles are so cheesy that it's awesome!

Best song: Invert the Inverted Cross
Worst song: An Abandoned Grave Bathes Softly in the Falling Moonlight

This album is absolutely an essential for black metal collection. However, the quality is not top notched like Antestor's material. It is more valuable due to the history behind the album.

Score: 7/10

www.myspace.com/hellingusvart

Labels: black metal, horde, metal, review, unblack

Hortor is a black metal band from Mexico and they released a demo, an EP, and a debut album. I am reviewing the EP, which have four songs. I don't really know what most of their lyrics means because they are in Spanish. However, I really dig the emotion and the keys in this EP. The major problem would be the mastering because it is really hard to listen through the bad production. I hope they would improve that aspect and put some money in mastering part. I can see that they have big potential to be a really good black metal band. The only thing that hold they back would be the production/mastering. Definitely give them a listen and try to ignore the production issues. 5/10

www.myspace.com/hortor

Labels: black metal, hortor, mexican metal, review, sullen records, unblack

Elgibbor is a one man project by Fire who originally is from Poland but lives in USA now. He has many previous albums in his belt so there is a high expectation for this release. This album definitely surpass my expectation and I was blown away with the progress he has made with the album compared to last one. The whole album is excellent black metal with no fillers at all. Each single track is very good. I especially love the two songs in Polish language. Maybe it is just me but I have a thing for singing in foreign language. My favorite track probably have to be Dark Valley due to the atmosphere Fire created in this song. The entire album is pretty much almost flawless. I am very excited to see what Fire will do with his new album, War, that is coming out soon. 9/10

www.myspace.com/elgibbor

Labels: black metal, christian, polish metal, review, sullen records, unblack

Frost Like Ashes is a band created by Sebat in 2001. They are mixed black/death metal and just released Born To Pieces EP last year. This happened to be one of my favorite release of 2008. The album is limited to 250 copies and is already sold out. The album is absolutely amazing... I listened to it for weeks when I first got it. First three tracks are totally solid and Born To Pieces track is my favorite track. It's so brutal and the lyrics is hauntingly straightforward about abortion. The EP have two covers, one of Saint's "Plan 2" and Johnny Cash's "When the Man Comes Around". Both covers are excellent done although I prefer the Cash over one a little better than the Saint one. They also did an acoustic version of their famous song, "A Nightfall's Cold Kiss", which is an interesting but good song. At first I was hesistant because I normally am not a fan of acoustic versions but they did this one very well. The last two tracks are rehearsal tracks which is nice to hear and see how they usually rehearse.

This is definitely a must for any death/black metal fans. Unfortunately its all sold out so you will have to search through ebay or see if anyone have it for sale/trade. 9/10


www.myspace.com/frostlikeashes

Labels: black metal, christian, frost like ashes, review, sullen records, unblack