Ataud/Satan's Vindication/Marwoleath Records/2023 Full length Review

  Ataud  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  satanic  form  of  black  metal  with  elements  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Satan's  Vindication"  which  was  released  in  2023  by  Marwoleath  Records.

  Dark  soundscapes  and  bells  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  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  vocals  also  adding  in a   mixture  of black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.

  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  dark  sounding  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  A  lot  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  influenced  by  the  South  American  style  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  synths.

   Some  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  ritualistic  touches  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  also  adding  in  more  of  an  old  school  approach  when  they  are  introduced  along  with  one  song  also  bringing  in  a  brief  use  of  clear  singing,  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Occultism,  Paganism,  Darkness  and  Death  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  Ataud  are  a  very  great  sounding  satanic  black  metal b and  with  elements  of  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Under  The  Night  Of  Cold  Saturn"  "Satan's  Vindication"  "May  Demons  Fuck  Your  Rotten  Corpse"  and  "Smell  of  Death".  8  out  of  10.

  https://ataudmuerte.bandcamp.com/album/satans-vindication       

Verletzen/The Blackened Crusade/Marwolaeth Records/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Verletzen  are  a  band  from  Wales  that  plays  a  very  raw  form  of  black  metal  with  elements  of  punk  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "The  Blackened  Crusade"  which  was  released  by  Marwolaeth  Records.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  music  also  captures  the  energy  of  punk  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.

  Pagan  style  chants  can  also  be  heard  briefly  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  A  lot  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  old  school  era  of  the  genre  along  with  a  couple  of  tracks  being  brief  instrumentals  which  also  adds  in  some  synths  and  touches  of  folk  music  as  well  as  a  later  song  also  introducing  clean  playing  onto  the  album,  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  they  close  the  recording  with  a  Venom  cover.

  Verletzen  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw  and  traditional  sounding  as  well  as  adding  in  some  elements  of  punk  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  occultism  and  nihilism  themes. 

  In  my  opinion  Verletzen  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  black  metal  band  with  elements  of  punk  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Ballad  Of  The  Beheaded"  "Tir  Du"  and  "The  Neverending  Reign".  8  out  of  10.

https://marwolaethrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-blackened-crusade 

Pepel/Lord Of The Abyss/Marwoleath Records/2025 Full Length Review

  Pepel  are  a  duo  form  Croatia  that  plays  a  very  raw,  melodic  and  melancholic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Lord  Of  The  Abyss"  which  was  released  by  Marwoleath  Records.

  Bells  start  off  the  album  along  with  acoustic  guitars  a  few  seconds  later  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  when  the  music  speeds  up    a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  synths  also  add  in  a  touch  of  classical  music  when  they  are  utilized.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  added  into  the  music  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style,  one  of  the  tracks  is  also  an  instrumental  and  most  of  the  album  also  sticks  to  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.

  Pepel  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw,  melodic,  mid  tempo,  melancholic  and  atmospheric  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  sorrow,  melancholy  and  misanthropy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Pepel  are a   very  great  sounding  raw,  melodic  and  melancholic  black  metal  duo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Misanthropy  And  Sorrow"  and  "Departure  Of  Souls  Into  The  Absence".  8  out  of  10.

https://marwolaethrecords.bandcamp.com/album/lord-of-the-abyss

           

Fortabaddon/Blasphemous Builds/2026 EP Review

  Fortabaddon  are  a  solo  project  from  Baltimore,  Maryland  that  plays  a  very  satanic  and  blasphemous  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2026  ep  "Blasphemous  Builds".

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  demo  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  old  school  era  of  the  genre. 

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  while  all  of  the  drum  beats  are  also  programmed.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  recording  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  Growls  are  also  utilized  at  times  and  a  couple  of  tracks  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  dark  soundscapes  as  well  as  some  of  the  songs  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  one  track  also  being  an  instrumental.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Anti  Christianity,  Fortnite  and  Parody  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Fortabaddon  are  a  very  great  sounding  satanic  black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Elimination"  and  "Polar  Peaks".  8  out  of  10.

  https://fortabaddon.bandcamp.com/album/blasphemous-builds  

Duir Interview

 

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

 Since the release of Catarsi, we’ve been focused on promoting the album through interviews, reviews and live shows. It’s been great to see how people have connected with the music, and we’re grateful for the support we’ve received so far. At the same time, we’re working on bringing the album to as many stages as possible while slowly collecting ideas for the next chapter of DUIR. 

2.You have a new full length coming out in June, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past? 

Compared to our previous releases, Catarsi is more cohesive and narrative-driven. Every song is part of the same journey, so the arrangements and dynamics were written to serve the story as a whole. Musically, we pushed the contrast between aggression and melancholy even further, while giving the folk elements a more natural role within the songs. The result is an album that feels more mature, cinematic and emotionally focused without losing the identity of DUIR. 

3.The lyrics on the new album cover impermanence and existentialism themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?

 We’ve always been interested in these themes because they are part of the human experience. Questions about impermanence, identity and the search for meaning are something everyone faces at some point in life. With Catarsi, we chose to explore these ideas through the story of a soldier during the First World War. The war is only the setting, the real focus is on how extreme experiences change a person and lead to a deeper understanding of themselves. Rather than giving answers, we prefer to leave space for listeners to find their own meaning. 

4.I know the bands moniker comes from the Celtic word 'oak, do you have any interest in the paganism from that region?

 The Celtic origin of our name reflects our appreciation for nature, symbolism and ancient traditions rather than a specific religious or spiritual belief. We find those themes inspiring because they represent values like endurance, wisdom and the connection between humanity and the natural world. Our music isn’t meant to promote any particular belief system. We are more interested in the cultural and symbolic aspects of those traditions and in how they can enrich the atmosphere and storytelling of our music.

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

The artwork was created by our friend Silvia from The Veil of Arda, whose artistic vision perfectly matched the atmosphere we wanted for Catarsi. Rather than depicting the First World War in a literal way, the cover focuses on the emotional side of the story. It represents the weight of memory, suffering and inner transformation, reflecting the journey of the album’s main character. We wanted the artwork to evoke emotions and invite the listener into the world of Catarsi before even hearing the first note. 

6.Out of all the shows the band has done so far which one stands out the most? 

One of the shows that stands out the most for us was Summoning of Darkness Festival in Stockholm. It was a great opportunity to play in front of a new audience outside Italy and share the stage with bands we respect. At the same time, every show has its own value. Whether it’s a small club or a festival, what really makes a concert memorable is the connection with the audience and the atmosphere that is created during the performance. 

7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released? 

Yes, our goal is to bring Catarsi to as many stages as possible. We already have several live shows planned, and we’re actively working on more dates and festival appearances. Playing live has always been an essential part of DUIR, so we’re looking forward to sharing the new songs with audiences across Italy and beyond.

 8.The new album also has a guest appearance from L.G Of Ellende, can you tell us a little bit more about his contribution to the recording?

 L.G. appears on “Impeto”, and the collaboration came together very naturally. We had already shared the stage with Ellende in Italy, and we’ve always appreciated both their music and their approach.  His voice added a different emotional depth to the song while fitting perfectly with its atmosphere. It was never about changing the identity of DUIR, but about enriching a specific moment of the album with someone we genuinely respect.

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

 The response has been very positive, and we’re truly grateful for it. Seeing people from different countries connect with Catarsi and understand the emotions behind the music has been very rewarding. We’ve received great feedback from listeners, magazines and reviewers around the world, and joining AOP Records has helped us reach an even wider audience. It’s encouraging to see our music resonate beyond Italy, especially within the atmospheric black metal community. 

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

We don’t like to set strict limits on where our music should go. Our goal is simply to keep evolving naturally while staying true to the identity of DUIR. We’ll continue exploring the balance between atmospheric black metal and folk elements, always focusing on emotion, storytelling and creating immersive music. If our sound changes over time, it will be because it feels like the right direction, not because we’re trying to follow trends. 

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?

 Lately we’ve been listening to a mix of atmospheric black metal, post-black metal and music outside the metal scene as well. Bands like Ellende, Panopticon, Saor, Harakiri for the Sky, Groza, Sunken and Mgła are still among our favorites, but we’re always looking for new music and different influences. We believe it’s important not to limit ourselves to a single genre, because inspiration can come from many different places. 

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

We’d like to thank you for the interview and everyone who has taken the time to listen to Catarsi and support DUIR. It means a lot to us. We hope to meet many of you at our upcoming shows and festivals. Until then, thank you for being part of this journey, and see you on the road!

https://www.facebook.com/duirofficial

Companions Of Hellfire/Profane Rites Of Manifestation/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Singapore's  Companions  Of  Hellfire  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  very more  of  an  experimental  and  ritualistic  style  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2026  album  "Profane  Rites  Of  Manifestation".

  Synths  start  off  the  album  and  also  adds  in  a  very  ritualistic  atmosphere  before  adding  in  some  drum  beats,  clear  chants  and  grim  black  metal  screams  which  also  takes  the  music  into  a  darker  direction.  Most  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  more  experimental  and  avant  garde  approach  then  the  previous  releases.

  A  lot  of  the  tracks  also  sound  very  different  from  each  other  while  also  moving away  from  more  traditional  metal  instruments.  When  percussions  are  utilized  they  also  add  in  more  of  a  ritualistic  atmosphere   along  with  the  album  also  adding  in  a  good  amount  of  stringed  and  folk  instruments.  

 Some  of  the  drum  beats  also  add  in  a  touch  of  underground  industrial  as  well  as  a  couple  of  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  the  music  moves  away  from  the  raw  and  melodic  style  of  previous  releases.     The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Rituals  and  Blasphemous  themes.    

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Companions  Of  Hellfire  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  experimental  and  ritualistic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Manifestation  Of  The  Black  Plague"  "Mystic  Rites  of  Vengeance"  "Trance  of  Doom"  and  "Arcane  Rites  Of  Purifacation".  8  out  of  10.

  . https://companionsofhellfire.bandcamp.com/album/profane-rites-of-manifestation 

Endscape/First Contact/Transcending Obscurity Records/2026 Full Length Review

  Endscape  are  a  duo  from  Ontario,  Canada  that  plays  a  sci-fi  themed  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "First  Contact"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Transcending  Obscurity  Records.

  A  very  fast  and  raw  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are done  in  more  of  a  deep  growling  style  mixed  in  with  a  few  black  metal  screams  while  the  electronic  sounds  also  add  in  more  of  a  sci-fi  atmosphere  when  they  are  utilized.

  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.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  some  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  robotic  orientated  clear  singing,  synths  are  used  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  and  the  music  also  incorporates  elements  of  death  metal  and  industrial.

  Endscape  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  aggressive  and  experimental  as  well  as  adding  in  elements  of  electronic  music,  industrial  and  death  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  science  fiction  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Endscpae  are  a  very  great  sounding  sci-fi  themed  black  metal  duo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Fist  Transmission"  "Fourth  Transmission"  "Sixth  Transmission"  and  "Ninth  Transmission".  8  out  of  10.

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