Review by Jeger on March 15, 2026.

Black Metal is the exploration of chaos and hatred, of darkness and of our innermost humanity. And while the masses scramble to grab their copy of the new Blackbraid EP, over in Belgium there stalks a new terror in the form of Erbeet Azhak - a solo venture masterminded by one CVB (Aerdryk, Cult of Erinyes) whose vision for BM is one that jives with the above-mentioned realms of exploration. True Black Metal that has been created with no material purpose other than to spread evil.

Black Metal can also be considered as a means toward total transcendence and enlightenment through agony; a soundtrack to your own transformation or deterioration, whichever path you happen to find yourself treading. For Erbeet Azhak, the realization of genre-defining Black Metal appears to be the modus operandi - essentially functional - beholden to no man or group of men, only albums like their debut LP, "Only The Vile Will Remain", that spit in the face of conformity but also of radicalism. Somewhere tucked away between the two is where you'll find it in all of its true BM reverence. True but also not of the basement variety. Within "Only The Vile Will Remain", you'll discover "The Wings of Liberation" in all of its Sargeist-reveling magnificence and "Lecherous Angels" - a highly aggressive, early Watain-heralding cut. These tracks are light years apart from one another in regard to style yet they commingle nicely together within the scape of the album's established essence.

The genre is thirsty for albums like "Only The Vile Will Remain"; Black Metal records that don't merely homage the Second Wave by being nothing more than cookie-cutter variety throwbacks, but instead a proper representative entity that casts Black Metal in a genuine light with the titular track to ease you into a still, steaming hot compositional bath. Just soaking up every rich, martially rhythmic passage, every divine melody and basking in the trueness of it all. The quintessential BM experience? You could sum it up that way and few would argue. Nothing fancy, just the beautiful controlled chaos of expertly executed Black Metal.

If you get it, you get it. So many Artists/Collectives aim for this and never get it right, because it is not something that is learned. It is not something that is forced or rushed. A man's understanding of Black Metal is a natural occurrence that is developed organically and is realized once he listens to BM for the first time and feels like he has found his home. And "Only The Vile Will Remain" is the album for such a divine reckoning. Take notes, kids, because this is true Black Metal through and through.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Review by Jeger on March 15, 2026.

Black Metal is the exploration of chaos and hatred, of darkness and of our innermost humanity. And while the masses scramble to grab their copy of the new Blackbraid EP, over in Belgium there stalks a new terror in the form of Erbeet Azhak - a solo venture masterminded by one CVB (Aerdryk, Cult of Erinyes) whose vision for BM is one that jives with the above-mentioned realms of exploration. True Black Metal that has been created with no material purpose other than to spread evil.

Black Metal can also be considered as a means toward total transcendence and enlightenment through agony; a soundtrack to your own transformation or deterioration, whichever path you happen to find yourself treading. For Erbeet Azhak, the realization of genre-defining Black Metal appears to be the modus operandi - essentially functional - beholden to no man or group of men, only albums like their debut LP, "Only The Vile Will Remain", that spit in the face of conformity but also of radicalism. Somewhere tucked away between the two is where you'll find it in all of its true BM reverence. True but also not of the basement variety. Within "Only The Vile Will Remain", you'll discover "The Wings of Liberation" in all of its Sargeist-reveling magnificence and "Lecherous Angels" - a highly aggressive, early Watain-heralding cut. These tracks are light years apart from one another in regard to style yet they commingle nicely together within the scape of the album's established essence.

The genre is thirsty for albums like "Only The Vile Will Remain"; Black Metal records that don't merely homage the Second Wave by being nothing more than cookie-cutter variety throwbacks, but instead a proper representative entity that casts Black Metal in a genuine light with the titular track to ease you into a still, steaming hot compositional bath. Just soaking up every rich, martially rhythmic passage, every divine melody and basking in the trueness of it all. The quintessential BM experience? You could sum it up that way and few would argue. Nothing fancy, just the beautiful controlled chaos of expertly executed Black Metal.

If you get it, you get it. So many Artists/Collectives aim for this and never get it right, because it is not something that is learned. It is not something that is forced or rushed. A man's understanding of Black Metal is a natural occurrence that is developed organically and is realized once he listens to BM for the first time and feels like he has found his home. And "Only The Vile Will Remain" is the album for such a divine reckoning. Take notes, kids, because this is true Black Metal through and through.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Review by Jeger on March 15, 2026.

Black Metal is the exploration of chaos and hatred, of darkness and of our innermost humanity. And while the masses scramble to grab their copy of the new Blackbraid EP, over in Belgium there stalks a new terror in the form of Erbeet Azhak - a solo venture masterminded by one CVB (Aerdryk, Cult of Erinyes) whose vision for BM is one that jives with the above-mentioned realms of exploration. True Black Metal that has been created with no material purpose other than to spread evil.

Black Metal can also be considered as a means toward total transcendence and enlightenment through agony; a soundtrack to your own transformation or deterioration, whichever path you happen to find yourself treading. For Erbeet Azhak, the realization of genre-defining Black Metal appears to be the modus operandi - essentially functional - beholden to no man or group of men, only albums like their debut LP, "Only The Vile Will Remain", that spit in the face of conformity but also of radicalism. Somewhere tucked away between the two is where you'll find it in all of its true BM reverence. True but also not of the basement variety. Within "Only The Vile Will Remain", you'll discover "The Wings of Liberation" in all of its Sargeist-reveling magnificence and "Lecherous Angels" - a highly aggressive, early Watain-heralding cut. These tracks are light years apart from one another in regard to style yet they commingle nicely together within the scape of the album's established essence.

The genre is thirsty for albums like "Only The Vile Will Remain"; Black Metal records that don't merely homage the Second Wave by being nothing more than cookie-cutter variety throwbacks, but instead a proper representative entity that casts Black Metal in a genuine light with the titular track to ease you into a still, steaming hot compositional bath. Just soaking up every rich, martially rhythmic passage, every divine melody and basking in the trueness of it all. The quintessential BM experience? You could sum it up that way and few would argue. Nothing fancy, just the beautiful controlled chaos of expertly executed Black Metal.

If you get it, you get it. So many Artists/Collectives aim for this and never get it right, because it is not something that is learned. It is not something that is forced or rushed. A man's understanding of Black Metal is a natural occurrence that is developed organically and is realized once he listens to BM for the first time and feels like he has found his home. And "Only The Vile Will Remain" is the album for such a divine reckoning. Take notes, kids, because this is true Black Metal through and through.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Review by Jeger on March 15, 2026.

Black Metal is the exploration of chaos and hatred, of darkness and of our innermost humanity. And while the masses scramble to grab their copy of the new Blackbraid EP, over in Belgium there stalks a new terror in the form of Erbeet Azhak - a solo venture masterminded by one CVB (Aerdryk, Cult of Erinyes) whose vision for BM is one that jives with the above-mentioned realms of exploration. True Black Metal that has been created with no material purpose other than to spread evil.

Black Metal can also be considered as a means toward total transcendence and enlightenment through agony; a soundtrack to your own transformation or deterioration, whichever path you happen to find yourself treading. For Erbeet Azhak, the realization of genre-defining Black Metal appears to be the modus operandi - essentially functional - beholden to no man or group of men, only albums like their debut LP, "Only The Vile Will Remain", that spit in the face of conformity but also of radicalism. Somewhere tucked away between the two is where you'll find it in all of its true BM reverence. True but also not of the basement variety. Within "Only The Vile Will Remain", you'll discover "The Wings of Liberation" in all of its Sargeist-reveling magnificence and "Lecherous Angels" - a highly aggressive, early Watain-heralding cut. These tracks are light years apart from one another in regard to style yet they commingle nicely together within the scape of the album's established essence.

The genre is thirsty for albums like "Only The Vile Will Remain"; Black Metal records that don't merely homage the Second Wave by being nothing more than cookie-cutter variety throwbacks, but instead a proper representative entity that casts Black Metal in a genuine light with the titular track to ease you into a still, steaming hot compositional bath. Just soaking up every rich, martially rhythmic passage, every divine melody and basking in the trueness of it all. The quintessential BM experience? You could sum it up that way and few would argue. Nothing fancy, just the beautiful controlled chaos of expertly executed Black Metal.

If you get it, you get it. So many Artists/Collectives aim for this and never get it right, because it is not something that is learned. It is not something that is forced or rushed. A man's understanding of Black Metal is a natural occurrence that is developed organically and is realized once he listens to BM for the first time and feels like he has found his home. And "Only The Vile Will Remain" is the album for such a divine reckoning. Take notes, kids, because this is true Black Metal through and through.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Review by Jeger on March 15, 2026.

Black Metal is the exploration of chaos and hatred, of darkness and of our innermost humanity. And while the masses scramble to grab their copy of the new Blackbraid EP, over in Belgium there stalks a new terror in the form of Erbeet Azhak - a solo venture masterminded by one CVB (Aerdryk, Cult of Erinyes) whose vision for BM is one that jives with the above-mentioned realms of exploration. True Black Metal that has been created with no material purpose other than to spread evil.

Black Metal can also be considered as a means toward total transcendence and enlightenment through agony; a soundtrack to your own transformation or deterioration, whichever path you happen to find yourself treading. For Erbeet Azhak, the realization of genre-defining Black Metal appears to be the modus operandi - essentially functional - beholden to no man or group of men, only albums like their debut LP, "Only The Vile Will Remain", that spit in the face of conformity but also of radicalism. Somewhere tucked away between the two is where you'll find it in all of its true BM reverence. True but also not of the basement variety. Within "Only The Vile Will Remain", you'll discover "The Wings of Liberation" in all of its Sargeist-reveling magnificence and "Lecherous Angels" - a highly aggressive, early Watain-heralding cut. These tracks are light years apart from one another in regard to style yet they commingle nicely together within the scape of the album's established essence.

The genre is thirsty for albums like "Only The Vile Will Remain"; Black Metal records that don't merely homage the Second Wave by being nothing more than cookie-cutter variety throwbacks, but instead a proper representative entity that casts Black Metal in a genuine light with the titular track to ease you into a still, steaming hot compositional bath. Just soaking up every rich, martially rhythmic passage, every divine melody and basking in the trueness of it all. The quintessential BM experience? You could sum it up that way and few would argue. Nothing fancy, just the beautiful controlled chaos of expertly executed Black Metal.

If you get it, you get it. So many Artists/Collectives aim for this and never get it right, because it is not something that is learned. It is not something that is forced or rushed. A man's understanding of Black Metal is a natural occurrence that is developed organically and is realized once he listens to BM for the first time and feels like he has found his home. And "Only The Vile Will Remain" is the album for such a divine reckoning. Take notes, kids, because this is true Black Metal through and through.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Review by Jeger on June 8, 2026.

Across centuries of time and o'er enchanted lands forlorn has our journey through the annals of Black Metal history brought us. Here, now, on this eve of joining, of dark forces wrought and rendered over dually do we prepare for lore, for magick and for evils of the ancient kind. The veil that separates our world from that of great spirits of yore is thinning now as we approach the sound of their voices calling out from somewhere beyond Assiah. The voices of Norway's Enevelde and Gjendød as they've come together under the prestigious banner of Terratur Possessions for a split LP release, "Elegier Fra Avgrunnen", set for a June 6 unveiling. And it's time for a clinic in true Norwegian Black Metal…

You can't just decide one day as a musician that you're going to start writing true Black Metal for shits and gigs… In order for true BM to be made, there must be passion, there must be an organic understanding of the value of rebellion, of evil and of the way of the adversary. The Norwegian school has always proven stalwart in every such facet. Across eight salt-of-the-earth album cuts, Enevelde and Gjendød draw from the depths of the land a most enthralling volume of Mörk, Kampfar and Taake-reveling BM that explores the oft-unforgiving Norse landscapes along with ghastly tales of unseen but legendary forces that go bump in the night, darkness and evil, Townsfolk in the grip of hysteria and packaged so classily in modest yet impactful cover art. Alive with the rustic beauty of the language and the feeling of trueness, of genre nobility to rouse from within a sense of pride in the scene and in being one who stands under the Sign of the Black Mark.

This is the split you want. Not some crumby B-Side cuts and some demo track from Ancient times. Two prominent collectives coming together under the olde spirit of personal development through shared artistic expression, and the result is the striking opener by Enevelde, "Ut Av Deg Selv" - a somber chants-driven intro pulls you in as would a Black Hole into a plush gauntlet of ethereal tremolo riffs and gentle ride-accented beats until the mania of genuine anguish-inspired BM ensues: driving the rhythms forward now underneath intrepid riffs as the vocal agony of a hundred years bellows off into an atmosphere that is alive with elements of all I've just mentioned but not in an overwhelming way. Class and wisdom incarnate in regard to recording: mixing, mastering and tonality. A sense of classicism intertwining with a clean contemporary thread in these bitter, downright dreadful moments of "Langt Fra Umaken Verdt". A deep melodic touch and a silver lining around the palpable gloom to create a sense of liberation from within what has felt suffocating during some parts thus far.

Gjendød kicks off the second half with "Verden Våkner" and the similarities between these two entities are striking but also are their differences. Where the former makes an impact on a more melodic front, Gjendød are deploying a heartier, groove-dominated approach. A bit whimsical even in its delivery like some lost Carpathian Forest deep cut and then flashing some melodic steel of their own. Rhys King (Advent Sorrow) worship? Not intentional but striking too are the similarities between KK's tones/delivery and Rhys'. The following track, "Dødsrikets Pinsler" delivers those same dreadful/depressive tones as Advent Sorrow but unmistakable is the true Norwegian heart & soul of it. Gjendød's half of the recording proved to be more textured and unpredictable whereas Enevelde's felt cozier, a little more familiar. The very best in both collectives was brought out and that's the idea. Two proud Black Metal forces, one true Underground Label.

This is why the Norwegian scene is arguably the finest. This is why we will always return to the Norwegian product - this distinct ethos - all of these many influences converging together but yet so Norse all the same. A celebration! This is why Black Metal is more than a mere genre of music; why some people don't deserve to listen to it; why the gates must be kept! All things precious should be safeguarded… Enjoy.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10