Nordicwinter/Solitude/Naturmacht Productions/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Quebec,  Canada's  solo  project  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  atmospheric  and  depressive  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2025  album  "Solitude"  which  will  be  released  in  November  by  Naturmacht  Productions.

  Winter  orientated  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  keyboards  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.

  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  depressive  black  metal  screams  while  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  at  times.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  some  spoken  words  also  being  used  briefly  along  with  most  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  when  the  album  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  are  also  utilized  as  well  as  one  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  and  the  closing  track  is  an  instrumental.

  On  this  recording  Nordicwinter  goes  for  a  very  slow,  atmospheric  and  depressive  style  of  black  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Coldness,  Emptiness,  Darkness  and  Agony  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Nordicwinter  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric  and  depressive  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Whispers  Of  Frozen  Abyss"  and  "Eternal  Night's  Embrace".  8 out  of  10.

  https://naturmacht.com/nordicwinter/

Azzaya/Infernal Blasphemia/Maledict Records/War Productions/2025 EP Review

 

  Portugal's  Azzaya  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  raw  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  ep  "Infernal  Blasphemia"  which  will  be  released  in  November  as  a  joint  effort  between  Maledict  Records  and  War  Productions.

  Spoken  words  start  off  the  ep  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  direction  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in a   great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  brutal  blast beats  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  the  vocals  bring  in  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.

  A  lot  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  old  school  era  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along with  one  track  also  being  a  brief  instrumental,  some  tracks  also  add  in  some  angry  shouting  vocals  which  also  have  a  touch  of  the  first  wave  era  to  them.

  On  this  recording  Azzaya  goes  for  a  very  raw,  old  school  and  satanic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism  and  Blasphemy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Azzaya  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  raw,  old  school,  satanic  black  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Black  Death  Assault"  and  "Of  Blood,  Gold  And  Eternal  Darkness".  8  out  of  10.

https://linktr.ee/azzaya_bm  

Natas/Mara/Dusktone/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Natas  are  a  band  from  Norway  that  plays  an  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Mara"  which  will  be  released  in  November  by  Dusktone.

  A  very  dark  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  grim  yet  high  pitched  sounding  black  metal  screams  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  takes  the  music  into  a  heavier  direction.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  clear  singing  is  also  added  on  a  couple  of  tracks.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  recording  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  A  lot  of  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  second  wave  era  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  some  angry  shouts  also  being  utilized  at  times.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  also  bring  in  a  melodic  style,  one  song  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  and  spoken  words  are  also  added  towards  the  end.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  a  mixture  of  English  and  Norwegian  and  cover  Luciferianism  and  Misanthropy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Natas  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Book  Of  Destruction"  "Dying  Sun"  and  "Death  Beyond  Death".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.facebook.com/officialnatas  

Myrkkyharakka Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

Ia-Omnissiah came up with the name in 2023 and I made the first logo and then we decided we'll form a band. I happened to have a manic episode right after so I made songs all day and night for a month or so, so I would say that was the start. From the beginning it was very clear that we make music without any genre/ideologial/whatever boundaries. Then my roommate at the time joined and we found a bass player/vocalist. Those guys left in beginning of 2025 which truly was a blessing in disguise as Invoker of the Shadows and Rutto Von Der Issen joined the band right after which lifted the band to a whole new level.

2.Recently you have released a new album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

I have listened black metal for like 25 years but when I compose I don't think I'm making black metal. That would be very restricting for me. But as I have listened the finished album it came out pretty black metal haha. Some riffs on the album are decade old or even older so it's no wonder you can hear the black metal influences as I was playing in many black metal bands at the time. Music on the album came very naturally and we think good riff is good riff no matter what genre it is. I would say it's a mixature of both old school and modern black metal, 80's heavy metal, drill rap (melody wise) with rock'n'roll/punk attitude in general.

3.All of the band members have experience playing in other bands, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Myrkkyharakka', that you wherenbot able to do with your recent or past groups?

For me Myrkkyharakka opened total new portal of creativity as in past I have never had this kind of freedom to do whatever I want musically. I have made all kinds of riffs and no one has said that we can't use that or so. Most of the time I make demo versions of the songs on my own (Maa-Äidin Verestä was co-written by Invoker of the Shadows and Daturagnosis by Nekrokunt) and then every member has right to arrange their instrument in their own way.  Also the structure of the songs take final form when we rehearse them. You could say it's pretty chaotic that everyone does whatever he or she wants but in Myrkkyharakka it works. I guess it's that freedom and free flowing energy which binds us to create Myrkkyharakka.

4.A lot of your lyrics cover Occultism and Left Hand Path themes, which aspects of the dark arts do you bring out with your songwriting?

My writing process come always with music first and then lyrics are made to fit the song. Everyone in band has interest in occultism/horror/spirituality etc. I guess it comes from from our sub-conscious and bleeds to the art. It also should be noted that I, Rutto Von Der Issen, and Ia-Omnissiah all made lyrics so you can see different approaches in albums texts. Maybe someday we'll translate those Finnish texts but the problem is that there is always some meaning lost in doing that. My approach is kinda straightforward because I don't like lyrics to be too cryptic or have some "too hidden" messages.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Myrkkyharakka

Myrkkyharakka literal translation would be poison (myrkky) and magpie (harakka) but it cannot be translated directly because it has different meaning in Finnish tradition both as single words and together. Only thing I can say about the inspiration is every member of this band is Myrkkyharakka in one way or the other.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

Album cover is most likely temporary, we'll see what we come up with to the physical release. Sigil on the cover is our bands logo.

7.Has the band done any live shows or is this strictly a studio project?

We have played 2 times with the old line up and are looking forward to get on stage now that we have new strong line-up. We just have to find a bassist for the job. Of course we can do it with session bassist but we'd rather find same kind of fuck-up as the rest of band as a permanent member.

8.So far very little is known about the band even with all of the band members being veterans, do you prefer to keep a lower profile?

We aren't trying to keep low profile on purpose. We are promoting the album as we speak and we are on social media and whatever. I think the growth will come naturally by making more music and playing more gigs and become better in that.

9.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

Yes we are indeed looking for a label! For me I would prefer to make deal with underground label as I have had bad experience with big labels. I don't want to give anyone rights to my music I just want like 500 vinyls made and if it sells out we make a new deal.

10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?

We haven't seen much reviews or comments and such yet so I really can't answer that in this point of time. The people we know have appreciated it very much. But I'm definitely interested about the reception when we release it.

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

It's impossible to say what we'll do in future cause we like to push our own limits but I'm pretty sure it will have drums, electric guitars etc if I have to say something haha. There are bunch of songs written in time we made Mystichrist but we'll see if we ever use them. Next planned release is a split and those songs definately differ from the album songs.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Musical influences come from wide range from classical to rap to heavy metal to black metal to glam rock to progressive rock. Those are the main genres I have listened in my youth and on these days as well.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

I'm honored that you asked for a interview after the album review!

ANANTA-ABRASAX-SHESHA! HAMA KARE RAHE HAIM GNOSTIKOI HA-SHAITAN!

Yours truly

Seven Kadoshwinds

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579265175924

Dimholt/MetaForm/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Bulgaria's  Dimholt  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  very  modern  and  aggressive   form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2025  album  "MetaForm"  which  will  be  released  in  December.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  which  also  gives  the  recording  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

  Clear  singing  is  also  introduced  on  one  track  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized.

  Some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  a  couple  of  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  as  well  as  some  death  metal  growls  also  being added  on  the  closing  track. The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  life  and  death  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Dimholt  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  modern  and  aggressive  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "MetaForm"  "Reality  In  Timeless  Comatose"  and  "Tapestry  of  Shameless  Eternity".  8  out  of  10.

dimholtofficial@gmail.com

http://facebook.com/dimholt.official
https://www.instagram.com/dimholtofficial/

http://dimholt.bandcamp.com

http://dimholt.org

Nemorous/What Remains When Hope Is Lost/Bindrune Recordings/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Nemorous  are  a  band  from  the  united  Kingdom  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  melodic,  atmospheric  and  progressive  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "What  Remains  When  Hope  Is  Lost"  which  will b e  released  in  November  by  Bindrune  Recordings.

  Clean  playing  which  returns  on  later  tracks  starts  off  the  album  which  also  gives  the  recording  more  of  a progressive  feeling.  When  keyboards  are  utilized  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  an  atmospheric  touch  and  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times  along  with  the  vocals  being  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Growls  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  lot  of  blast  beats  are  utilized.

  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  faster  riffing  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  One  track  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  words  and  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  finally  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  more  of  a  melodic  style.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  melancholy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Nemorous  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric,  melodic  and  progressive  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "This  Rotten  Bough"  and  "What  Remains  When  Hope  Ha s Failed".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/NemorousUK/

https://www.instagram.com/nemorousuk/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ZxHBnGUlRuUU87UTO8Tqw

Satanicristo Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?

Morbid Lord Ron Seth: First of all, thank you for your interest and attention. I'd like to say that SATANICRISTO isn't a project, as we're established as a two-member band and will continue to do so, focusing on this extreme music, with a sound geared towards that transition period of the true underground, of bands from our city that we passed through, as well as others from abroad, from the period from 1986 until the beginning of the 90s.

2.So far you have released an ep and been a part of a split, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recordings?

Morbid Lord Ron Seth: I could be describing this song as what SARCÓFAGO described when they made their first sound recordings: a total Satanic Fucking Metal, considering that the drummer passed through that band and brought with him the influence from that time, so I don't know a better definition for our sound.

3.The project has been around since 2017 but you waited until 2024 to release any music, can you tell us a little bit more about the long wait?

Morbid Lord Ron Seth: Exactly. I started the band in 2017, initially looking to be a one-man band. After that period, when the first record was made, recording a cover for a tribute compilation to IMPURITY, I was involved with other bands, but creating new music, until the drummer offered to join me and we could record a debut EP. I agreed to the proposal, and so we did.

4.Both of the band members are  also involved with other bands and projects, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Satanicristo', that you have not been able to do with your other groups?

Morbid Lord Ron Seth: The sound we make in SATANICRISTO is another type of sound that, despite some differences, follows a more extreme and raw line in relation to the other bands we play in, although the other bands we are part of also influence us a lot, for sure.

5.A lot of your lyrics cover Satanism and Blasphemy themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the black arts?

Morbid Lord Ron Seth: If you refer to the black arts, associating them with the occult, this theme has fascinated me since the 80s, even before my connection with Metal music, because I already had a fascination and interest in literature about the occult and magic, but the themes addressed by SATANICRIST are different, as they are restricted to the violation of moral codes and biblical principles, that is, pure hatred for the Christian gospel.

6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Satanicristo'?

Morbid Lord Ron Seth: There's no specific meaning, per se. I created this name and realized it has a blasphemous connotation, which is what the band aims to do.

7.Currently there are only 2 members in this project, do you feel you are able to accomplish more with your musical style with less members?

Morbid Lord Ron Seth: Exactly, the band's proposal is to move forward with just two members, and always distilling that same sound, without changes.

8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of war, black and death metal?

Morbid Lord Ron Seth: So far, our 7th debut EP, in addition to the song I recorded for the Tribute to IMPURITY, has been well received by the underground audience that appreciates this genre. I've seen and heard many supportive and encouraging comments.

9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

Morbid Lord Ron Seth: IMPURITY recently completed a 40-day European tour, and recently we played here in Brazil, one of which was in Brasília, the federal capital. We continue rehearsing for future performances with IMPURITY and other bands we're part of.

10.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Morbid Lord Ron Seth: We're organizing and preparing for both our first full-length album and future tours in Brazil and abroad. Stay tuned for updates soon.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you currently listening to nowadays?

Morbid Lord Ron Seth: As I said, bands we were part of and some that even say they were influenced by us. The veterans from here like SARCÓFAGO, HOLOCAUSTO, MUTILATOR and others that came later like BLASPHEMY, BEHERIT, SAMAEL, and some current ones like TORMENTADOR, BLOODY VENGEANCE, CONQUEROR, BLACK WITCHERY, and others…

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Morbid Lord Ron Seth: I conclude this interview by thanking you for your strong support and interest, and also to all the underground maniacs who took the time to read this interview. Long live Occult Black Metal Zine and may you always continue in complete blasphemy, in nomini Satanas. Hail!

https://www.youtube.com/@Satanicristo-666