Review by Jeger on June 20, 2024.

Thrash has come a long way with the likes of innovators such as Municipal Waste, Skeletonwitch and Suicidal Angels - just to name a few - who have, over the course of the new millennium, bestowed upon us ass-blistering thrash metal of the contemporary variety. But just beneath the surface, away from pristine recording techniques, the major gear contracts and the 20,000 plus crowds, lies the fruit of the underground. And it’s here in the chasmic heft of evil’s lair where we discover new blood in the form of upstarts like Australia’s Mages Terror who haunt these hallowed halls under the gaze of the ever-scrutinizing Invictus Productions. On July 12, 2024 Mages Terror will release their debut Damnations Sight LP via the aforementioned Invictus. 

A little black metal peppered in sans tremolo riffs, and the overall aesthetic one of thrash-dominant proportions. Soloing like a mad scientist’s greatest work, but mainly, with Damnations Sight, Mages Terror take up their ‘93 Jackson Rhoads (probably not literally) and lay down riff after tasty riff; thrashy segment upon thrashy segment and no less fiendish in the vox department than the mighty Shagrath. Black metal bands like Gorgoroth, Svarttjern and Tsjuder took inspiration from the early thrash days as opposed to the usual Bathory worship, and you’ll discover nuances within this volume that will certainly remind you of those heavyweights. The atmosphere is wicked and the evil energy coursing through 'Serpent Bat', and as I take in the opening track, King Diamond vibes during the intro quickly giving way to intense, air-tight riffing set to snare-snapping blast-beats out of the adept CY Consummator. Here’s a band you’ve probably never heard of: Brazil’s Kanvass - known for similar compressed air sort of rhythmic/riffing patterns. 

Guitarists, Rotten (Pustilence) and Illogium, put on display their vast collective knowledge of extreme metal as they explore a myriad of influences with every sequence from black to death and much in between, but it’s those fucking leads, man. A clinic! Balls to the wall, just how thrash was meant to be. Subtle speed metal influences redolent to the mighty Venom and Aura Noir interjected brilliantly throughout along with some strong British heavy metal styled passages in 'Ruthless Guild' as meaty, mid-tempo’d chugs fit for Dio unfold. A headbanger here and probably a good time for any guitarist. You could fit just about any kind of lead into this cut and Rotten chose - of course - to dazzle. Loving the passion and the energy. 

'Master In The Black Cavern' - a specimen of blackened thrash metal: the energy, the grime, the malediction and the lowly tonality of it the highlight of the album for me. A brief but formidable show of force. Coda coming by way of the titular cut. Some old-school Exodus worship during the opening seconds as I’m reminded of “Bonded By Blood”, but of course the track takes a hard left into shadowy territory as Stillborn’s vocals take on even more sinister shades and then, you guessed it, a face melter. The buildup, the anticipation and then with the Mustaine-happy solo. A shredder! Hold onto your nuts, kids. Thrash metal blackened to perfection and with all the dynamics you could expect from a modern thrash release, but grounded in the traditions of the Black Mark. Thoroughly enjoyed this one and expecting more invigorating ensorcellments to come out of Mages Terror. 

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Jeger on November 11, 2024.

Black metal in its truest forms revolves around occultism, history, and heritage. The latter two are prominent within geographical locales such as Scandinavia, England, and Scotland. The history in these places can be traced back to ancient times and ancient Pagan traditions that far predate Christendom. The black metal that’s created in homage to these historical periods and practices is of the utmost importance to what is so much more than a mere genre of music. 

Kildonan (Cill Donnain), Scotland is a small village located on the Southern coast of the Isle of Arran in the Firth of Clyde. Early life in the village was characterized by and revolved around Kildonan Castle in the early 1500s. Fast forward to the 19th Century - families who called the village home were evicted during the Clearances and were banished by The Duke of Sutherland to coastal villages like Helmsdale and Badea. Landowners such as The Duke came to value sheep above those who called the village home. As a result, many homesteaders made their way to Canada and New Zealand for life anew. For Hamish MacKintosh - multi-instrumentalist and founder of the black metal project Kildonan - these lands are of great importance, as part of his family still owns their Croft in Helmsdale. 

Kildonan is a folk black metal project; a continuation of MacKintosh’s former venture, Vostok, and the idea behind this particular endeavor is preservation and education. May the history not be forgotten! So as to never be repeated. MacKintosh stands as a pioneer and as a visionary for a new movement within the realm of BM. Much like the English Heritage Black Metal Movement that was set into motion by collectives such as Winterfylleth and Fen, his vision is one of great historical pertinence and of profound musical memento. On December 13, 2024, Kildonan will release Embers via Caligari Records. 

MacKintosh is a Forester and a Keen Hill-Walker who spends much of his time roaming the striking landscapes of the Arran coast, and his music encapsulates the beauty/history of the land as conveyed through black metal of the truest variety: entrancingly melodic, starkly visual and soulfully heartfelt. With epics like 'Desperate Leap For Salvation' with its intrepid cadences / godlike chants and 'Tobar Mheasain' with its deeply moving melodic passages / cathartic wails, Embers is not only accessible but also earthy in a way that evokes images of torchlit treks into hills of yore under a harvest moon and rusted ploughs beneath golden sunrises. Passion ablaze throughout every second of runtime during this gem of a black metal record; history and heritage set aglow to the music of the most deeply-seated consort. 

What a beaut and what a fine representation of true black metal; a breath of fresh air in comparison to what’s become a rather predictable Scandinavian scene: intelligent and visceral, soul-stirring and despairing BM that inspires deep thought along with a focused sense of yearning. There is not much in the way of other bands or solo projects to compare Kildonan to and that’s the beauty of Embers. This record and this project are very much their own entities - beholden only to the precious lands by which they were inspired and to the black metal person who values meaning over superficial things like technicality and aggression. Feel the pulse of the heartbeat of generations past during each minute of every no-compromise album cut and relish in the rehashing of a simpler time when family, hardship, and homestead were the heart of life. 

Black metal for enlightenment and for sacredness is Kildonan’s Embers. Music for the seasoned and scrutinizing enthusiast who has grown weary of typical Satanic black metal and who admonishes the plasticity of our modern day. Dig your hands into the precious soil of the land and of harvest if only in your mind, take in the salty coastal air, and strike up the timbers of remembrance. Let them burn to golden embers in honor of those forlorn…

Rating: 9 out of 10