Michael
Loves Tolkien, black metal, and dungeon synth. Has been writing for Black Metal Zine since 2024.
Review: Ghül - Shadow of Grief (2026)
Ghül - Shadow of Grief (8/10). UK one-man raw BM channeling Tolkien's darkest tale, The Children of Húrin, with Burzum-esque grimness. Read more!
Tolkien and Black Metal: (Part 5)
Tolkien and Black Metal Part 5 explores Tolkien-themed BM beyond Summoning, from naming conventions to deeper Silmarillion lore. Read more!
Review: Noir Sire - Upon the Svlfvr Path (2026)
Noir Sire - Upon the Svlfvr Path (7/10). French one-man melodic black metal with second-wave worship and early Dissection vibes. Read more!
The Infernal Records: Short Reviews (Volume 1)
Infernal Records: Short Reviews. Verikaste, Peste Negra, Svorght, Paradogmata, and Tabernakel — five underground gems in short form. Read more!
Review: Gravplåga - Veneration of Chaos (2026)
Gravplåga - Veneration of Chaos (7.5/10). Swedish solo project kneeling before the second wave with cold, raw, unhurried conviction. Read more!
Tolkien and Black Metal: (Part 4)
Tolkien and Black Metal Part 4: Summoning's golden age, from Stronghold to With Doom We Come, and the bands they inspired. Read more!
Interview: Abghül (Ghül/Imladris)
Interview with Abghül (Ghül/Imladris) on Tolkien's legendarium, Summoning worship, and the UK black metal scene. Read more...
Tolkien and Black Metal: (Part 3)
Tolkien and Black Metal (Part 3) examines how Summoning became the single most important Tolkien-themed black metal entity.
Interview: Niveous
Interview with Niveous from the United States on debut Cult of the Void Star, crafting cosmic sci-fi lore, USBM, and second-wave black metal influences.
Review: Hulder - Verbolgen (2026)
Hulder - Verbolgen (8.5/10) Atmospheric Black Metal from the US. A wrathful, medieval-infused third album blending tremolo fury with old-world dread.
Tolkien and Black Metal: (Part 2)
Tolkien and Black Metal (Part 2) examines how 90s second-wave Norwegian bands like Burzum, Gorgoroth, and Isengard mined Middle-earth lore.
Tolkien and Black Metal: A History (Part 1)
Tolkien and Black Metal: A History (Part 1) explores the origins and deep links between Middle-earth's darkness and black metal's worldview.
Review: Pusta Noc - Funus Vampyri (2026)
Pusta Noc – Funus Vampyri (7.5/10) Atmospheric Black Metal from Poland. A bleak, mid-tempo offering steeped in Slavic folklore and dread.
10 Atmospheric Black Metal Albums you need to hear.
Explore 10 essential atmospheric black metal albums you need to hear, featuring classics from Burzum, Summoning, Agalloch, Drudkh, and more.
Review: Grabunhold - Frostheim (2026)
Grabunhold - Frostheim (9/0) Tolkienian Black Metal from Germany. With Frostheim, Grabunhold solidifies their status alongside One of Nine at the absolute vanguard of modern Tolkienian black metal. A freezing, brilliantly paced descent into the tragic ruins of Angmar. Read more!
Review: Imladris - Kings of Forgotten Lore (2026)
Imladris - Kings of Forgotten Lore (9.5/10) Atmospheric Black Metal from the United Kingdom. Imladris sees Abghul (Ghül) step away from the blast-driven rawness of Ghül, into the cinematic, synth-driven world of the likes of Summoning. Read more!
Review: Walg - VI (2026)
Walg returns with VI, a masterclass in modern melodic black metal. Read our full 9/10 review of the prolific Dutch duo's latest offering.
Review: Stormkeep - The Nocturnes of Iswylm
Stormkeep - The Nocturnes of Iswylm (9/10) Melodic/Symphonic Black Metal from Denver, Colorado. Melding 90's Dissection with the keyboard-drenched splendor of early Emperor and Dimmu Borgir, the quartet once again prove that symphonic black metal could still has teeth. Read more!
Review: Véhémence - Assiégé pour l'éternité (2026)
Véhémence - Assiégé pour l'éternité (8/10) Melodic Black Metal from France. Does this reimagined take on their debut album stand out or is it just a cliche cash in? Read more!
Review: Niveous - Cult of the Void Star (2026)
Niveous - Cult of the Void Star (9.5/10), the chilling 2026 full-length debut album from Milwaukee atmospheric black metal trio Niveous. This concept-driven cosmic black metal masterpiece blends raw second-wave aggression with a sprawling, sub-zero sci-fi mythology. Read more!