Black Metal

Since their formation in 2007, MINENWERFER have pursued a proud ‘n’ pure vision of black metal idiosyncratically focused on World War I – idiosyncratic, in the sense that the band hail from America but mostly sing in German. What has resulted is a startlingly accomplished canon that has quietly built itself into prolific proportions, with their first album arriving in 2010, followed by albums in 2012 and 2019, and a slew of split releases and EPs in the interim.

Of those many short-length releases, Der Rote Kampfflieger is the oldest and perhaps most curious. Here, MINENWERFER offered the new track “Ace of Aces,” the reworked “Albatros in Flammen,” and two very surprising covers: deep martial industrial artist Striider’s “Schüzengraben” and legendary shredder Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s early scorcher “I am a Viking.” MINENWERFER for sure have their own identifiable sound.

Black Metal

Since their formation in 2007, MINENWERFER have pursued a proud ‘n’ pure vision of black metal idiosyncratically focused on World War I – idiosyncratic, in the sense that the band hail from America but mostly sing in German. What has resulted is a startlingly accomplished canon that has quietly built itself into prolific proportions, with their first album arriving in 2010, followed by albums in 2012 and 2019, and a slew of split releases and EPs in the interim.

That first album, Volkslieder, was a throttling first introduction to MINENWERFER’s unique world. Grim and violent but not short on grace, Volkslieder indeed conveyed a folkish element that was by turns tragic and triumphant. And while the duo’s foot was firmly on the accelera to here, it never sacrificed strong songwriting, with those icy-hot melodies searing the soul during every successive spin.

Black Metal

Stellar Black Metal split release.

Black Metal

For those who know and truly understand actual underground black metal, Mons Veneris require no introduction. For over 20 years now, this shadowy and insanely prolific Portuguese cabal have pursued a uniquely vile vision with an unquenchable thirst. From hammering primitivism to medieval melancholy, volcanic drone to chaotic oblivion, nods to the French Black Legions to frequencies far outside of metal, there’s never any guarantee of how Mons Veneris’ vision will manifest itself – only that they’ll explore a darkness few have the constitution to tread.

Black Metal

Moonblood’s Reh/Demo 10, now entitled “Angelwings in the darkness”, recorded from January to April 1997, professionally restored from the original tape.