Paragon Records are proud to announce the signing of Ukrainian Dark Metal band Khors.
Formed by former Astrofaes bassist, Khorus, and later joined by Helg (Runes Of Dianecht) and Khaoth (Tessaract, ex-Astrofaes, ex-Hate Forest), Khors play Black Metal in the Ukrainian style, that combines a somber atmosphere together with rich melodies.
Since their formation, Khors have quickly [...]

Paragon Records is proud to announce the signing and the release of the latest album of Germany’s Anael, entitled From Arcane Fires.
Anael have released two prior albums on the Barbarian Wrath label, in addition to limited vinyl editions on Iron Tyrant Productions, both receiving worldwide acclaim by critics as well as fans. Described by Diabolical [...]

First off, I will not mention that guitarist/vocalist Paulo posts on a message board I frequent (damn).
Second off, I have to say that the artwork for Muay Thai Ladyboys by Scott Porterfield, is absolutely fucking fantastic. Unfold the inlay for a surprise that’s like John Baizley artwork (Baroness, Darkest Hour), but felched through the opium [...]

If Joe J. Fogarazzo were to walk into a headhunter’s office one day in search of a job, the agent would likely ask what his skills and qualifications are. And he would be able to list off his audio engineering degree, his music degree - and his three years spent studying mortuary science. And of [...]

This slipcased cd comes carefully crafted in an artful package courtesy of Paragon Records and France’s own melancholic misanthrope, Noktu, of Celestia. Celestia released their first official release a decade ago, and have flooded their corner of the market with demos and splits and compilations ever since. This is in fact only their/his second full-length [...]

Hailing from Hungary, Aetherius Obscuritas is a prolific (4 albums since 2004) one man black metal project that does a little more than the usual Burzum worshipping woe is me, moping in self despair act.
Coming across as more like a full band (with the aid of a session drummer), main man Arkhorrl renders a pretty [...]

While I’m not totally loving Dimentianon’s (formerly known as The Forgotten) form of chaotic, garage blackened death metal, I can appreciate its DIY delivery and primal intensity for what it is. This should appeal to fans of Goatwhore and Hellhammer mixed with Mayhem/Darkthrone or demo era Anaal Nathrakh, with maybe a splattering of retro underground [...]

So here is the second (not including their 3 way split) release from metal and magazine entrepreneur Marty Rytkonen (Wormgear) and fellow Metal Maniacs scribe S Craig Zahler, and I’ll admit their first EP The Dark Archives, from the cover art to the music was pretty awful.
However, with the creepy artwork gracing The Igneous Race, [...]

While being interestingly named, Hungary’s Vorkuta (named after a city where a major Gulag labor camp was based during Stalin’s years and where thousands of political prisoners died or disappeared) is still a relatively average, crawling, ambient black metal band with a few bursts of Norwegian frost.
One atmospheric intro, followed by six lengthy songs of [...]

The measuring stick for mediocrity has just gotten a little shorter. Charnel Valley has released their opening salvo in what promises to be a short career. Once you get past the lame amateurish cover art you get to hear “epic, raw and imaginative black metal.” I kid you not. Five days from conception to completion [...]

This is Norwegian black metal. Elite is a new band, formed in 2001, playing an old style. There are many bands playing nostalgic black metal and a few that play it extremely well. From the opening cymbals to the closing laughter, truly a delightful surprise. Yes I find true black metal delightful. The misery of [...]