Jun 032025
 

(written by Islander)

In late 2019, paltry months away from the world being consumed and frozen in place by the covid pandemic, we came across a startling early single called “Milk Sea (Bathing in Its Waves)” by the Canadian black metal band Witherer, then the solo effort of one Tiamoath. It was a fascinating two-part piece of music that created the feeling of being caught in someone else’s disturbing yet transfixing hallucination, an intricate and unpredictable work that was by turns dreamlike, frenzied, and disorienting.

The song made a striking impression and, as I wrote at the time, left me eager to discover how Witherer would follow that first release. And then of course the world turned black, and even after it recovered (sort of) nothing more was heard from Witherer — until now.

Now, at last, Witherer is returning with a debut album entitled Shadow Without a Horizon (which will be released on June 20th by Hypaethral Records)‬, rising to the surface again only to lead us far down through crushing depths to witness stunning catastrophes.

But this isn’t the same Witherer we first heard more than five years ago. Both the band and the music have undergone a transformation, as you’ll discover for yourselves through today’s premiere of the song “Devourer of All Graveyards“. Continue reading »

Dec 172019
 

 

Way back on Saturday morning, at the end of a roundup of new music, I mentioned the risk that there would be no SHADES OF BLACK column the next day, due to the likelihood that I would get hammered at a holiday party Saturday night, rendering my Sunday mind a wasteland. I know myself all too well. But now that my head is clearer (always a relative condition) I picked up what I had hoped to do on Sunday, added a couple of songs I’ve discovered since then, and have assembled this collection, which I hope you will enjoy.

FLUISTERAARS

We have enthusiastically covered everything released by this Dutch black metal band from Gelderland, beginning with their 2014 debut album Dromers. We won’t stop now. Their newest release will be a third album entitled Bloem, set for release on February 28th by Eisenwald.

I can imagine the looks of skepticism on some of your grymm visages after having seen those pretty flowers on the album cover, unmarred by words, but don’t turn up your noses until you’ve listened to the first track released from the album (and I’m betting you won’t do that afterward either). Continue reading »