Carach Angren means “Iron Jaws” in the Elvish language of Sindarin and appears as the name of a mountain pass in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is also the moniker of one of symphonic metal’s most celebrated modern bands.

Hailing from The Netherlands, Carach Angren (the band) has released four full-length albums and two extended plays since their formation in 2003. All of the band’s records so far have been horror-themed concept albums. The latest of those endeavors is the 2015 album This Is No Fairytale.

Swedish band Mist of Misery has just released its second full-length album via Black Lion Records. It is titled Absence and it is a tour de force of symphonic black metal. The record marks a notable upgrade in songwriting and production quality from the already impressive trio. Formed in 2010, they have also previously released two excellent EPs in addition to their debut album Bleak Autumn.

Absence is an album that is truly meant to be listened to as a whole, nevertheless, the band has released a single and it is the album’s title track. It is also our pick for this week’s featured Black Metal Friday track. If you like what you’re hearing here, I strongly recommend that you pick up a copy of Absence and enjoy it in it’s entirety.

Abigail Williams is a black metal band originally from Phoenix, Arizona, but now operating out of Los Angeles. They take their name from one of the initial accusers in the Salem witch trials of 1692, which led to the arrest and imprisonment of more than 150 accused witches. The band’s sound started out as an epic sort of symphonic black metal in the vein of Cradle of Filth or Dimmu Borgir, but over the years they’ve steered more and more toward a traditional Nordic black metal aesthetic.

This week’s edition of Black Metal Friday features the epic track “Beyond The Veil” from Abigail Williams 2012 offering Becoming. Check it out here below.

Blut Aus Nord is a black metal band from France, but also so much more. Guitarist/vocalist Vindsval started out as a one-man project in 1994 under the moniker of Vlad. The name was soon changed to Blut Aus Nord, which translates to “blood from the north.” Musically, the project started out as fairly straight black metal, but quickly evolved to incorporate elements of industrial, ambient, avant garde and symphonic black metal.

The county of Suffolk in the UK recently reached out to residents and asked them what and who they thought were local icons of the area. Officials behind the outreach were surprised, and unamused, when the metal band Cradle Of Filth came in as the number 1 voted icon of Suffolk, receiving a total of 13,025 votes… which is “OVER 9,000” more votes than what was received by the icon that came second place: a swimming pool.

Cradle of Filth originated from Suffolk in 1991, playing music that was highly influenced by the Black Metal movement. The band’s sound has since evolved into a mix of different metal styles including Gothic Metal and Symphonic Black Metal, and are known for songs such as “From The Cradle To Enslave” and “Nymphetamine.”

The organization behind the icons poll, Choose Suffolk, have opted to ignore the public votes, and have since provided a list of 20 finalists to the judges — a list that does not contain the band’s name.