Chants/Echoes/Everlasting Spew Records/2026 Full Length Review

  Chants  are  a  band  from  Portugal  that  plays  an  atmospheric  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Echoes"  which  will  be  released  in  November  by  Everlasting  Spew  Records.

  

  A  very  dark,  heavy  and  atmospheric  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  album  also  adding  in a   lot  of  blast  beats  and  the  recording  also  has  its  dissonant  moments.

  Most  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  modern  era  of  the  genre  while  the  album  also  adds  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  fast  riffing  they  also  give  the  recording  more  of  a  raw  feeling  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  long  and  epic  in  length.

  A  small  amount  of  synths  can  also  be  heard  at  times  and  when  guitar  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in a   very  melodic  style  as  well  as  some  clean  plating  also  being  used  on  a  few  songs.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  loss,  isolation  and  inner  turmoil  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Chants  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Hollow"  "Noir"  and  "Chants".  8  out  of  10.

  [MAILORDER] https://bit.ly/4xM1517 

[BANDCAMP] https://bit.ly/4cTthHY 

https://youtu.be/Zc-LyG3Y-sk?si=oASSp94Pk1AAif__ 

Mannveira/Vesöld/Dark Descent Records/2026 Full Length Review

  Mannveira  are  a  band  from  Iceland  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  a  very  raw,  atmospheric  and  dissonant  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Vesöld"  which  will  be  released  in  october  by  Dark  Descent  Records.

  A  very  dark,  heavy  and  dissonant  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording.  Vocals  are  mostly  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  and  blast  beats  are  added  into t he  faster  sections  of  the  songs.

  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  fast  riffing  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  while  the  album  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  music  also  adding  in a   good  amount  of  atmospheric  touches,  a  couple  of  tracks  also  adds  in a  small  amount  of  clear  singing  and  keyboards.

  On  this  recording  Mannveira  brings  out  a  very  raw,  modern,  dissonant,  aggressive  and  atmospheric  style  of  black  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Icelandic  and  cover  nihilism  and  darkness  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Mannveira  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric,  dissonant  and  raw  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Lygar  himinsins"  "Stormur"  and  "Rottur".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/mannveira

https://www.instagram.com/mannveira       

Ithdabquth Qliphoth/Self Titled/Thou Shalt kill Records/2005 Full Length Review

  Ithdabquth  Qliphoth  are  a  band  from  Russia  that  plays  an  occult  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  20005  album  which  was  released  by  Thou  Shalt  Kill  Records.

  A  very  dark  and  distorted  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  tremolo  picking  in  the  guitar  riffing  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  A  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  while  the  music  also  adds  in  a  lot  of  90's  second  wave  influences.  Some  of  the  songs  also  add  in a   good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  a  couple  of  tracks  also  being  instrumentals,  some  of  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.

  Ithdabquth  Qliphoth  plays  a  style  of  occult  black  metal  that  is  very  aggressive  and  traditional  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Qabalah,  Enochian,  Qlipthoth  and  Left  Hand  Path  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  Ithdabquth  Qliphoth  are  a  very  great  sounding  occult  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  'Matriarchatus  Infernus  Noctis  Daemonecare"  and  "Ignis  Nomenis  Tuis".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekWIs0NZJno 

Myhrding Interview

 

.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new ep?

Myhrding: Well, the thing is, the EP was recorded some years ago. In the meantime, we in the band have gone through personal issues that have affected the release of the record. But all the while, we’ve been writing new material and coming up with fresh ideas.

2.Recently you have released a new ep, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

Myhrding: I feel the sound is the same, but I think its a bit more towards the raw sound so to speak. For instance, these songs don't contain a single guitar solo. Thats something we used to feature heavily but have now chosen to leave out in favor of a more "straight-to-the-point" approach.

3.This is also your first release since 2016, can you tell us a little bit more about the long wait in between releases?

Myhrding: Yeah, it took a while, but we recorded the songs back in 2019. We didn't get much of a response from our previous label, so we decided to leave. Then it took way too long to find a new one, but once we hooked up with Downfall Records, everything went very smoothly and quickly. They’re a great label to work with.

4.The lyrics and the bands name comes from Swedish Folklore, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest this topic?

Myhrding: We are all deeply interested in, and have strong ties to our own history and local area. Therefore it feels natural to us this as topics when writing lyrics.

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?

Myhrding: An ancient forest exuding mystery and history felt like a fitting concept for the title "Echoes from the Past". A title that was already decided for the EP. Our friend Thimmy Mueller made the cover art, and it turned out exactly as we hoped.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Myhrding: We’ve been sparing with live performances, but previous shows at Club Dissonans in Jönköping have been really good. Our performances have always reflected who we are, and we don’t put a lot of energy into stage decorations and the like; we want to deliver a performance where we unleash our energy and anger.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

Myhrding: We’ve been offered a few gigs but only have one booked so far: May 1st of next year, when we’ll be playing alongside acts including Vintersorg at the recurring Club Dissonans in Jönköping.

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

Myhrding: It has been good, from the little we’ve seen.

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

Myhrding: Hopefully it won’t take another 10 years until the next release. We have songs that have not tet veen recorded and we are constantly working on new material. Whether this will turn into an album, a split, or something else remains to be seen.

10.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?

Myhrding: Of course, it varies from person to person in the band. But I (Tomas) personally listen a lot right now to bands like Sorhin, Arckanum, and Vinterland. Otherwise, some of my favorite bands are Bathory, Windir, and Dissection. Lots of Swedish and Nordic bands, so to speak. It’s not really something I use as an inspiration when creating music. rather as I mentioned, I gets inspiration more from experiences and historical or mythological moments.

11.Does Paganism play any role in your music?

Myhrding: No, not really.

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

Myhrding: Make sure to check out the new album "Echoes from the Past," as well as our previous albums.

Thank you!

Death is certain - life is not

https://www.facebook.com/Myhrding/#

Nahash/Daath/Drakkar Productions/2016 Full length Review

  Nahash  are  a  band  from  Lithuania  that  plays  an  occult  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Daath"  which  was  released  by  Drakkar  Productions.

  Synths  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  ritualistic  soundscapes  and  orchestra  style  music  a  few  seconds  later  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  can b e  heard  which  also  gives  the  recording  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams.  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a lot  of  melody  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  album  also  having  its  atmospheric  moments.  A  couple  of  tracks  are  also  instrumentals  and  clear  singing  can  also  be  heard  briefly,  growls  are  also  used  at  times.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Qabalah,  Left  Hand  Path,  Death  and  Darkness  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Nahash  are  a  very  great  sounding  occult  black  emtal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Arcanum  Triste"  "Aula  Glacialis"  and  "Daath".  8  out of  10.

  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT3FpLKdUsA) 

   

Громгор Interview

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

Громгор is a one-man band project from Petrozavodsk, Republic of Karelia, Russia. The project was formed in August 2024 with the release of the first track, "Зверь".Everything is recorded using a regular Clevan CST 30 guitar. I ripped out all the electronics from it and directly soldered a single Seymour Duncan Black Winter humbucker.

2.A few months back you released your first full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

The album «Земля сделанная из льда» is recorded in the atmospheric, depressive raw black metal genre. The guitar parts consist of melodic tremolo. The speed is medium: the tempo (BPM) was chosen so that it would be comfortable to play tremolo with the right hand. This technical aspect is always my starting point.

3.Most of your lyrics cover winter themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

In fact, "winter themes" sounds too vague. The album tells a specific story that took place on «Земля сделанная из льда». According to the plot, a long time ago an army of chorts descended from the heavens and encased the sun in ice, causing a glacier to form in the middle of a massive body of water. There, the king of chorts built a fortress. He cut out his own heart, hid it in a chest inside the fortress, and fed the key to the chest to a monster that guards it.The winter atmosphere is revealed through the story: blizzards, ice giants, snow reindeer. Just look at the single line about how the main character, Громгор, walks through the snow: "What heavy snow, what heavy snow" — it simply sends chills down your spine.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Gomgor'?

«Громгор» simply stands for "гром гор" (the thunder of the mountains). At first, I wanted to name it "Гром с гор", but then I thought the letter "с" was redundant. It is already clear that we are talking about thunder that rumbles specifically in the mountains. Such thunder has no place in a city, in a cafe, or at work. Its place is in the forests and mountains, which is why I often go to the countryside to record tracks.In general, I love leaving the city and walking through the forest in silence. I would walk there all the time if it weren't for bears — I am afraid of them. In one track, I have a line: "A family of bears crawled into my boot to sleep" — it is an image showing that the hero's boot is so big and powerful that the bears decided to hibernate inside it. But the line itself appeared because of fear, after I actually encountered a bear in the forest.

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

The artwork for the releases is done strictly in a textured pixel art style.

6.With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?

In fact, I am not ready to collaborate. I write riffs only when I am in a specific mood. For instance, right after a walk in the forest, the music begins to pour out of the guitar like a wide river. Other people often disrupt this mindset, which is already hard to maintain. My task is to take the entire forest, squeeze it into a fist, bring it back, and unleash it into the riffs like a roaring river. Outside people would only get in the way.

7.According to the Metal Archives page you are signed to 'Depressive Illusions', how did you get in contact with this label?

No, that is not true. Громгор is not signed to any labels. I release everything on my own.

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

The reaction was good. Before that, a bunch of singles had been released, and listeners expected the album to consist of those exact same tracks. Instead, Громгор unleashed entirely fresh material. And people liked it.

9.Do you have any experience playing in other bands or musical projects?

No.

10.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

In the future, I see myself remaining within this or related genres.

11.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?

I love doom metal, black. Over the past 10 years, I've also listened to a lot of thrash, death, and melodic death metal.When I used to play the old game Heroes of Might and Magic III, I always turned on Summoning in the background — it’s a magical combination. I’ll also separately note Dissection and Death. But overall, I was probably influenced by absolutely everything I've ever listened to.

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

My thoughts are these: black metal is a wonderful genre with a strong character, but it shouldn't be turned into a theater of corpse paint and masks. Black metal is an internal state of soul that no one can take away from you. Whether you are at work, in the subway, or in the city — you just turn on a track and you are alone in this world, this is a state of soul that you cannot share with anyone. Nowadays, within black metal you rarely come across a serious text. Even when it comes to satanism, pain, or nature, you can speak about them in different ways. What's the point of just screaming about it? Black metal is a very serious genre. It should be written in cellars, but it shouldn't be locked away there. It should be like a fresh, damp wind in the middle of a dry desert for you. That's all.

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2P6QtVnvWORkN9hCwgaALT

Sysi/Self Titled/2026 EP Review

  Sysi  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  plays  a  very  depressive  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  and  self  released  2026  ep.

  Ambient  style  synths  start  off  the  ep  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  direction  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  depressive  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.

  Spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  while the  ep    also  adds  in  a  great  amount  of  clean  playing.  At  times  the  music  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  along  with  the  songs  adding  a  more  modern  approach  to  the  genre  and  the  whole  ep  also  sticks  to  a  slower  direction,  clear  singing  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  amount  of  90's  infleunces.

  Sysi  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  slow  and  depressive  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Finnish  and  cover  mental  health  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Sysi  are  a  very  great  sounding  depressive  black  metal   band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Minka  fahden".  8  out  of  10.

  http://www.facebook.com/sysi.metal

https://www.instagram.com/sysi.metal/        

Anagnorisis/Caregriever/Bolverk Collective/Vendetta Records/Negative Reflections/2026 Full Length Review

  Kentucky's  Anagnorisis  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  atmospheric  form  of  post  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Caregriever"  which  will b e  released  in  october  as  a  joint  effort  between  Bolverk  Collective,  Vendetta  Records  and  Negative  Reflections.

  Drum  beats  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  takes  the  music  into  a  heavier  direction.  Some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  all  of  the  musical instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  head  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  post  metal  style,  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  faster  riffing  they  also  give  the  recording  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  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  a  a  couple  of  songs  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing.  Electronic  sounds  are  also  added  on  a  couple  of  tracks  as  well  as  some  spoken  word  samples  also  b3eing  used  briefly,  one  track  also  adds  in  a  small  amount  of  clear  singing.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  childhood  trauma,  depression,  grief  and  self-reflection.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Anagnorisis  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric  post  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Chole"  "A  Living  Grave"  and  "Death  Of  me".  8  out  of  10.

  https://linktr.ee/Anagnorisis666

https://anagnorisis.bandcamp.com

https://www.instagram.com/anagnorisis666

https://www.facebook.com/anagnorisismetal

https://www.youtube.com/user/Anagnorisisband    

Bloedmaan/Crypts Of Dusk/Curse of The Emerald Knight/Void Wanderer Productions/2026 Splt Album Review

  This  is  a  review  of  a  split  album  between  Belgium's  Bloedmann  and  Crypts  of  Dusk  called  "Curse  Of  The  Emerald  Knight"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Void  Wanderer  Productions  and  we  will  start  off  the  review  with  Bloedmaan  a  band that  plays  a  very  old  school  and  vampyric  form  of  black  metal.

  Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  some  melodic  guitar  solos  and  heavy  riffing  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  his  side  of  the  recording.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  of  the  genre.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in a   great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  which  also  gives  their  side  of  the  recording  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  the  tracks  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Vamprism  and  Romantic  Literature.

  In  my  opinion  Bloedmaan  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  and  vampyric  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Feast  Of  Vultures"  and  "Queen  Of  Blood".

  Next  up  is  Crypts  Of  Dusk  a  duo  that  plays  an  old  schol  and  symphonic  style  of  black  metal.

  Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  a  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  present  on  their  side  of  the  split.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

  Vocals  are mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  the  tracks  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era,  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  when  synths  are  utilized  they  also  add  in  some  symphonic  touches.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Necromancy  and  Depression  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Crypts  Of  Dusk  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  symphonic  black  metal  duo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Beyond  The  Desolate  Horizon"  and  "Requiem  For  A  Broken  Mind".  

  In  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  would  recommend  it  to  all  fans  of  old  school  black  metal.  8  out  of  10.

 https://voidwanderer.com/product/bloedmaan-crypts-of-dusk-curse-of-the-emerald-knight/

   

   

Blackness/Crossing The Abyss/Darker Then Black Records/Final Agony Records/Poisonous Sorcery/2025 Full Length Review

  Blackness  are  a  band  from  Belarus  that  plays  an  occult  form  of  black  emtal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Crossing  The  Abyss"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Darker  Then  Black,  Final  Agony  Records  and  Poisonous  Sorcery.

  A  very  fast  and  raw  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  synths  are  also  utilized  at  times  and  add  in  touches  of  ambient  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  melody  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  of  the  genre.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  guitar  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized  and  the  music  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments.

  Blackness  plays  a  style  of  occult  black  metal  that  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  of  the  genre.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Western  Occultism,  Hermetic  Philosophy,  Alchemy  and  Qabalah  themes.   

  In  my  opinion  Blackness  are  a  very  great  sounding  occult  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Vitriol"  "Nigredo"  and  "Crossing  The  Abyss".  8/5  out  of  10.

https://blackness.bandcamp.com/album/crossing-the-abyss

Radbraker/When The Mist Falls.../Osmose Productions/2026 Full Length Review

  Radbraker  are  a  band  from  Belgium  that  plays  a  very  aggressive  and  traditional form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "When  The  Mist  Falls..."  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Osmose  Productions.

 A very  dark  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  chants  and  clean  playing  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  All  of  the  tracks  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in a   great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  album  also  adds  in a   good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  melody.

   A  lot  of  the  music  is  very  heavily  influenced  by  the  old  school  era  of  the  genre  along  with  one  track  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  words.  Acoustic  guitars  are  added  on  a  couple  of  tracks  and  clear  singing  can  also  be  heard  briefly  as  well  as  the  recording  also  adding  in  a  more  modern  atmosphere  at  times,  synths  are  also  added  towards  the  end. The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Flemish  and  is  a  concept  album  covering  despair,  anger  and  hate.

  In  my  opinion  Radbraker  are  a  very  great  sounding  aggressive  and  traditional  sounding  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Kadaverdauw"  and  "Duizend  haerden".  8  out  of  10.

  Online release page: https://osmoseproductions-label.com/radbraker-when-the-mist-falls/

Pre-Order/Order on: https://tinyurl.com/radbraker-store
Bandcamp: https://osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com/album/when-the-mist-falls

All Digital Links: https://bfan.link/RADBRAKER-When-the-mist-falls     

:BOLVERK:/Blodtaake/Hellstain Productions/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Norway's  :BOLVERK:  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  very  melodic  and  aggressive  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Blodtaake"  which  will  be  released  in  November  by  Hellstain  Productions.

  A  very  heavy  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  harsh  vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams.  Clear  pagan  vocals  are  also  utilized  at  times  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording  and  all  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast beats  and  tremolo  picking  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  recording  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  album  also  adds  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  growls  are  also  used  at  times.

  On  this  recording  :BOLVERK:  brings  out  a  very  modern,  melodic  and  aggressive  style  of  black  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Norwegian  and  cover  history  and  paganism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  :BOLVERK:  and  if  you a re  a fan  of  melodic  and  aggressive  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Blodtaake"  "Den  man  elsker  tukter  man"  and  "Bolverk".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/BolverkBandNorway

Deathcult/Cult Of The Dog/Soulseller Records/2026 Full Length Review

  Norway's  Deathcult  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  old  school,  misanthropic  and  satanic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Cult  Of  The  Dog"  which  will  be  released  in  october  by  Soulseller  Records.

  A  very  fast  and  raw  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Most  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  second  wave  Norwegian  tradition  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.

  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  clear  singing  can  also  be  heard  at  times.  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  one  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  dark  soundscapes,  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  tracks.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  finally  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  as  well  as  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  a  later  track  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Misanthropy  and  Darkness  themes.    

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Deathcult  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  old  school,  misanthropic  and  satanic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Dogs  of  War"  "Eat  Broken  Glass"  and  "Imperium  Satana".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/wa5oru_CaOM?si=PRRy7Ckz-M-gb4_-

https://youtu.be/K9a6wYU9T4o?si=3ao8XONlaJiKLkSW

  

A' Repit/Oltre il sentiero del Tempo/Naturmacht Productions/2026 Full Length Review

  Italy's  A'  Repit  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  atmospheric  and  old  school  style  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Oltre il  sentiero  del  Tempo"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Naturmacht  Productions.

  Atmospheric  sounding  synths  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Operatic  female  vocals  and  choirs  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard.

  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  fast  riffing  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.  The  album  also  adds  in  a  lot  of  old  school  influences  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

   When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  some  clear  singing  also  being  added  on  a  few  tracks  as  well  as  some  of  the  songs  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.   Spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  at  times.  and  one  song  also  introduces  clean  playing  onto  the  album.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Italian  and  cover  Mother  nature  and  Alpine  Myths  and  Traditions.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  A'  Repit  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric  and  old  school  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "L'alba  ei  crepuscoli"  "Crossing  The  Magician's  Door"  and  "Ypa  dea  dei  salassi  (Part  II)".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/DDYZApwD9-I?si=7rhpwbvpxjbgZ23K  :

   

Heimdalls Wacht/Sphärenschänder: Echoes of an Old Belief – Part I/Talheim Records/2026 Full Length Review

  Germany's  Heimdalls  Wacht  have  returned  with  a  n ew  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  neo  romantic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Sphärenschänder: Echoes  Of  An  Old  Belief  –  Part  I"  which  will b e  released  on  Halloween  by  Talheim  Records.

  Synths  start  off  the  album  before  adding  in  some  melodic  guitar  solos  and  leads while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  Spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  the  recording  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments  along  with  some  clear  pagan  vocals  also  being  added  on  some  of  the  tracks.

  Harsh  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  album  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  along  with  the  recording  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  Whispered  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  adding  in  elements  of  doom,  death  and  thrash  metal.  When  clean  playing  is  utilized  at   takes  the  music  into  more  of a  progressive  direction  as  well  as  some  of  the  songs  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  one  song  is  also  an  instrumental  and  a  later  track  also  adds  folk  music  influences  into  the  music.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  German  and  cover  nature,  lost  cultures,  paganism,  cross  culture  spirituality  and  spiritual  alienation.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Heimdalls  Wacht  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  neo  romantic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Flight  Eternal"  "Runes  To  Heal"  and  "Horn  gebrochen".  8  out  of  10.

   https://heimdallswacht.de/  

  
 

Urna/The Great Jihad/ATMF/2026 Full Length Review

  Urna  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  an  esoteric  mixture  of  black  and  funeral  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "The  Great  Jihad"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  ATMF.

  

  A  very  slow,  dark  and  heavy  doom  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  atmospheric  sounding  synths  are  also  used  at  times.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  recording  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  the  vocals  add  in  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.

  

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  album  also  adds  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style.

 

  Urna  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  an  occult  form  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  funeral  doom  metal  to  create  a  sound  of t heir  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Hermeticism  and  Esoteric  themes.

   In  my  opinion  Urna  are  a  very  great  sounding  occult  mixture  of  black  and  funeral  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "First  Of  Three"  "Four  Levels  Of  Infinite  Splendour".  8  out  of  10.

  https://atmfsssdtp.bandcamp.com/album/the-great-jihad    

 

Громгор/Земля сделанная из льда/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Громгор  are  a  solo  project  from  Russia  that  plays  a  very  atmospheric  and  depressive  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2026  album  "Земля  сделанная  из  льда".

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  before  before  introducing  some  depressive  black  metal  screams which  takes  the  music  into  a  heavier  direction.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in a   decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  which  also  gives  the  recording  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

  Most  of  the  album  focuses  more  on  a  slower  and  mid  tempo  direction  with  some  faster  sections  while  a  great  portion  of  the  songs  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  The  music  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments  along  with  the  guitar  leads  also  being  done  in  a  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized.

  Громгор  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  atmospheric,  depressive  and  mid  tempo  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Russian  and  cover  winter  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Громгор  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  and  depressive  black  metal solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Земля  сделанная  из  льда" "Крепость  из  камня  и льда"  and  "Дубины  в  небеса".  8  out  of  10.

  

Yandex Music: https://music.yandex.ru/artist/22853232

VK: https://vk.ru/gromgorbm

      

  

  

Bokkerijders/Crush Kill Destroy/Personal Records/2026 Full Length Review

  Bokkerijders  are  a  band  from  Belgium  that  plays  a  very  raw  form  of  black  metal  with  elements  of  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Crush  Kill  Destroy"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Personal  Records.

  A  very  heavy  thrash  metal  influenced  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  tremolo  picking  in  the  fast  riffing  also  giving  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  solos  and  leads  also  stick  to  more  of  an  old  school  yet  melodic  style.  A  great  portion  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  and  synths.

  Bokkerijders  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  a  very  raw  form  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  thrash  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  violent  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Bokkerijders  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  mixture  of  black  and  thrash  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Ashen  Scream"  "Primordial  Phosphorus  Eclipse"  and  "Fire  Chaser".  8  out  of  10.

http://personal-records.bandcamp.com/album/crush-kill-destroy

bokkerijders.bandcamp.com         

     

Sepulchre By The Sea/Godseeker/2026 EP Review

  United  Kingdom's  solo  project  Sepulchre  By  The  Sea  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  atmospheric  and  melodic  mixture  of  post  black,  doom,  death  metal,  hardcore  and  shoegaze  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2026  ep  "Godseeker"  which  will  be  released  in  November.

  Nature  sounds  start  off  the  ep  before  adding  in  some  melodic  guitar  solos  and  leads  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  adds  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  all  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Some  of  the  music  also  mixes  in  the  heaviness  of  death  metal  along  with  the  recording  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  the  clean  sections  show  an  influence  of  shoegaze  and  post  rock.

  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  along  with  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  elements  of  doom  metal,  growls  are  also  utilized  at  times  as  well  as  some  synths  also  being  utilized  briefly  and  the   mid  tempo  sections  of  the  songs.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  writings  of  Edgar  Allan 
Poe.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Sepulchre  By  The  Sea  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric  post  black  metal,  you  should c heck  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Godseeker".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/sepulchrebytheseamusic      

Vendanges Interview

 

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

So, Vendanges is a project that was born a few months ago—July 2026, to be exact—in Claix, the French village where I grew up. I put it together in a single evening while listening back to the tracks from my first solo project. I felt that project was really lacking in soul and meaning. I had an inner need to put into words what I experienced during my childhood and adolescence in Burgundy.

I eded to talk about the "terroir", the walks, the family meals, and the childhood memories.

That’s what Vendanges is about.

2.So far you have released a full length and a demo with this project, musically how do they differ from each other?

What sets them apart is basically the mix, you could say. The concepts for the album and the demo came at the same time. I recorded one long, 35-minute demo that served as the blueprint for both the first demo and the debut album. Of course, I had time to come up with other ideas to develop the album, but the core material comes from that first demo!

So, the two are very closely related, and I didn't really feel the need to make them different from one another. I attach just as much importance to a demo as I do to an album!

3.You also have another solo project under the name of 'Espor', how does the music of 'Vendanges' differ from your other project?

As I mentioned in the first question, Espoir is really just a test project. That might be a strong way to put it, but I’ve come to realize that’s what it is. I use it to get out whatever crosses my mind—strictly Doom, Dungeon Synth, and Black Metal.

As for Vendanges, I found a sound I like, and it’s going to stay that way for a long time. I’m not going to do too much experimentation with this project. I’m keeping the story in mind.

What really sets them apart, actually, is the level of seriousness and rigor I bring to each one!

4.The lyrics on the new album is the  first chapter of a trilogy, can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrics you have written so far with this project and the concept behind the trilogy?

The lyrics have always played an important role, even though they are inaudible on the album. I wrote them before composing the music. That’s usually how it works: I figure out what I want to talk about, write verses, simple sentences, or even just words, and then start finding riffs that match the atmosphere of the lyrics.

On this upcoming debut release, I talk about things like the time spent playing in a shack at my grandfather’s place, walks taken while listening to black metal albums, life in the village center, and sunsets over the vineyards. I’ll probably release the lyrics shortly after the album comes out. I really want people to immerse themselves in the world I grew up in.

As for the trilogy, it helps strengthen the story while also allowing me to make an album that is a little shorter than usual, but more complete. It gives me room to breathe and take my time composing between each part.

5.I know that the projects name means 'grape harvests' in French, how does this name fit in with the musical style that you play?

In Vendanges, the music is really just there as an accompaniment. It’s a project designed to make the listener think, imagine, and feel.

In terms of composition, I absolutely didn't want to create a black metal record packed with riff after riff, endless blast beats, and 200 BPM tremolo picking for 45 minutes straight. Sure, there are elements of that, but not throughout the entire album. I wanted to leave room for other instruments and different sides of musical composition.

I want this trilogy to be rich in variety! Vendanges simply serves to give an idea of where the listener is about to be taken.

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

The artwork is a photo I took at sunset in the village where I used to spend my childhood holidays. Nothing too complex, admittedly, but it works really well. It was taken from the spot I always go to whenever I visit my childhood home.

The view from up there is stunning—you can really feel the sense of calm.  I’ve included two other photos of the village in the CD version, if you're interested! It’s a typical Burgundy village with a very strong medieval feel.

7

7.With both of your projects you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?

That’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while now! The answer varies quite a bit depending on the project.

For Vendanges, I prefer to handle the composition side of things on my own; it’s a project deeply rooted in my personal memories and feelings. That said, I’m open to putting together a live lineup—provided the venues resonate with me and the shows stay within France. It’s hard to imagine Vendanges music being performed live, but I wouldn't rule it out if the right opportunity came along.

As for Espoir, I recently released an album titled OKVLTVS, which leans into occult death-doom. For this project, I’d love to find musicians to help me compose a follow-up album and eventually perform the material live.That’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while now! The answer varies quite a bit depending on the project.

For Vendanges, I prefer to handle the composition side of things on my own; it’s a project deeply rooted in my personal memories and feelings. That said, I’m open to putting together a live lineup—provided the venues resonate with me and the shows stay within France. It’s hard to imagine Vendanges music being performed live, but I wouldn't rule it out if the right opportunity came along.

As for Espoir, I recently released an album titled OKVLTVS, which leans into occult death-doom. For this project, I’d love to find musicians to help me compose a follow-up album and eventually perform the material live.

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

If the opportunity arises, why not? But I’ve only found one label that really fits the Vendanges style, and they didn't want the album. I’m in no rush to find one.

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

So far, I’ve only received feedback from a few people—in Japan, America, and England. The reviews have been very good, but it’s only when the album comes out that I’ll really see whether the project is well received or not!

10.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

Personally, I dream of being able to make a living from my music, like any musician in the black metal scene. It’s a complex challenge, and unlikely to happen. I’m going to keep working hard on my music and try to find musicians to collaborate with—we’ll see what the future holds!

11.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?

My journey into metal actually started with hard rock. The first band I heard was AC/DC in my dad's car—I must have been about eight or ten years old. That kicked off a progression where I discovered the biggest names in the metal scene on my own: Motörhead, Maiden, Judas Priest, Sabbath... the classic path for a metal kid.

That’s where I diverge a bit, though: my dad always played other things for me besides metal—Peter Gabriel, Simple Minds, Pink Floyd. All those prog bands that "true" black metal fans hate—well, I found them really interesting! They had groove, well-crafted synths, and atmosphere. I discovered all that around age eleven.

When I was about fifteen, I discovered Gojira—it blew me away. From that point on, I started looking for darker bands, ones focused on the Middle Ages and fantasy (a period I love). That’s how I discovered black metal and Dungeon Synth.

Right now, I’m listening to a lot of Hyver, Véhémence, Ulk, Marduk, Peste Noire, Dark Funeral, Seth...

I also became obsessed with one specific album—like nothing else before it: Dopethrone by Electric Wizard. To me, it’s a masterpiece. I just can't get enough of it!

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

Don't hesitate to go listen to OKVLTVS, my latest album with Espoir!

Thanks, for this interview!

https://www.instagram.com/vendangesblackmetal/