If you’ve been following Noise Vortex for a while you will know that I endorse all kinds of creative takes on established styles. Over the course of this decade, black metal has seen a particular amount of exciting experimentation. Bands like Deafheaven, Lantlôs and Alcest left a mark on the scene by defining the blackgaze sound. On their self-titled debut, american Wishfield draw from these bands as they put their own spin on blackgaze with dream pop vocals and outstanding fretless guitarplay. Read More
Looking Back: Dark Tranquillity – Projector
Looking Back returns and this time another classic of melodic death metal is at the center of attention. Dark Tranquillity’s Projector celebrates its 20th anniversary. Read More
Idle Hands – Mana
Sometimes a band comes out with an album that begs the question “why has no one done this before?”. Idle Hands prompt this question with their infectious debut album Mana as they fuse epic heavy metal with cold gothic rock. Admittedly, gothic influences in heavy metal aren’t groundbreaking, but Mana’s quality and integrity in uniting these two certainly is. Read More
Metal in May Part 4: Darkthrone, Visigoth, Twisted Tower Dire
Despite a continued abundance of albums, most of the releases at the end of May left me underwhelmed. As such this last part of Metal in May focusses on albums that didn’t make it into previous part. Read More
Metal in May Part 3: Deathspell Omega, Misþyrming, Gaahl’s Wyrd
The final days of May greet us with a plentitude of releases by both new and esteemed bands. Once again, the darker regions of the genre supply a set of high-quality releases. Read More
Metal in May Part 2: Bethlehem, Délétère, Firelink
After a bit of a slow week, the end of May is close at hand but this was just the silence before the storm. The next two weeks are bursting at the seams with highly anticipated metal releases by veterans and newcomers alike. For now, here is what this past week brought with it. Read More
Metal in May Part 1: Idle Hands, Lice, Nyt Liv
Moving into May, after just one week there is already a host of releases demanding your attention. And rightfully so. May is looking to be one of the busiest months of the year for metal and if the three picks for this article are any indication, we’re in for a great month. Idle Hands – Read More
Metal in April: Departure Chandelier, Wallfahrer, Whiskey Ritual
Much like the rest of the year so far, April has yielded a number of noteworthy black metal releases. Today’s selection of albums is an especially varied mix of bands, each delivering their own vision of metal’s darkest subgenre. Read More
Noise Vortex is back
After almost a year of silence, I am happy to say that Noise Vortex is finally back on track. It wasn’t for lack of wanting or motivation that held me back from posting though. With the GDPR coming into effect shortly after my last post, I had to make changes to the site to accommodate Read More
Looking Back: At the Gates – With Fear I Kiss The Burning Darkness
In light of its 25th anniversary and the upcoming release of their sixth album, this issue of Looking Back discusses At the Gates’ sophomore album With Fear I Kiss The Burning Darkness. Enter one of melodic death metal’s most challenging and enigmatic albums. Read More