Gravewurm Doomed To Eternity

For 25 years, Gravewurm have been carrying the banner for their particularly acerbic brand of American black metal deep into the hellish heart of winter, but there are a few things that make their 11th release noteworthy. Appearing in the world on Christmas Day like something dark slouching towards Bethlehem, Doomed To Eternity marks not only their quarter-century of evil-doing, but the last recording with drummer (and co-writer) Jim Konya, who passed away due to a stroke in October.
 
Konya is the blackened heart beating at the centre of all of these tracks, propelling them forward into the abyss. From the wraith-like, rasping vocals to the acid-burn guitar tone, this is exactly what you would expect from a piece of Venom-inspired old-school black metal. The exception to this is standout track "The Wolves of Isengard," which takes on a slower, more menacing and harrowing pace, with an almost doom-like lugubriousness. For what it lacks in surprises, Doomed To Eternity makes up for in familiar viciousness, making the holidays a little darker in the process. (Hells Headbangers)

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