Ancestros/Blasfemia Austral/Cyclic law/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Ancestros  are  a  band  from  Spain t hat  plays  a  very  avant  garde  and  experimental  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Blasfemia  Austral"  which  will b e  released  in  November  by  Cyclic  Law.

  Avant  garde  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  takes  the  music  into  a  heavier  direction.  A  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording.

  At  times  the  music  also  goes  into  more  of  an  experimental  direction  while  dark  sounding  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  Blast  beats  are  also  added  into  the  faster  sections  of  the  album  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  adding  in  more  of  a  chaotic  style  as  well  as  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  synths.

 Spoken  words  are  also  used  at  times  along  with  the  album  also  getting  more  ritualistic  on  later  tracks  as  well  as  each  song  also  sounding  very  different  from  each  other,  clear  vocals  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Spanish  and  cover  the  cultural  heritage  of  Southern  Europe.

  In  my  opinion  Ancestros  are  a  very  great  sounding  experimental  and  avant  garde  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  'Orbitor"  and  "Black  Drone  Templexity".  8 out  of  10.

https://youtu.be/4bpJK_iIYoU?si=NSm9m0fO8MyahfEV

        

  

Horizon Ablaze/Livets høst/Leviatan/2026 Full Length Review

  Horizon  Ablaze  are  a  band  from  Norway  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  a  very  atmospheric,  melodic  and  progressive  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Livets  høst'  which  was  released  by  Leviatan.

  Melodic  riffing  starts  off  the  album  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  the  music  also  gets  very  progressive  sounding  at  times.  When  the  recording  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

 Death  metal  growls  are  also  utilized  at  times  while  the  album  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments  and  some  tracks  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  clear  singing.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  spoken  words  can  also be  heard  briefly.

  On  this  recording  Horizon  Ablaze  takes  a  very  melodic,  atmospheric  and  progressive  style  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  melodic  death  metal  to  create  a  very  aggressive  sounding  album.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Norwegian  and  cover  violence  and  destruction  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Horizon  Ablaze  and  if  you  are  fan  of  atmospheric,  melodic  and  progressive  black  and  death  metal.  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Flammehav"  "Byrde"  and  "Evigheten".  8  out  of  10.

  https://ditto.fm/livets-host-horizon-ablaze    

     

Paara Interview

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

Waara: A lot has happened since we decided to start working on Laulut tulen ja jään. The past few months have been busy promoting the new album and putting together our upcoming shows. Rehearsals for the upcoming gigs are also underway, and we can’t wait to hit the stage with the new material and visual look.

So it feels good to be back after Riitti, which was quite a while ago now.

2.You have a new album coming out towards the end of October, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

Helmouth: Musically we’ve taken a giant leap, in my opinion. Our music is now more layered. Even though there’s a lot happening in some of these songs, everything serves a purpose. I think we’ve matured musically. This development came naturally. We don’t feel the need to force our music in any specific direction. The only thing we knew pretty early on was that this was going to be a theme album. 

3.This is also going to be your first album in 8 years, can you tell us a little bit more about the long wait in between releases?

Helmouth: The album has been in the making for six years. We started composing before the whole covid madness started. Those pandemic years really messed up our plans, but I also think that it gave us perspective and depth for our music. I was in a really dark place back then - depression and alcoholism. I had to deal with my demons before we could’ve continued with the composing. So we “lost” a few years dealing with personal matters. When we actually sat down and continued with the album, the process was fairly fast considering the outcome.

4.A lot of your lyrics cover nature and Finnish Folklore, which aspects of these topics do you cover with the new release?

Helmouth: The nature imagery is always present in a way or another. I feel the need to celebrate the grandeur of the Nordic landscapes. Wilderness is after all where I went by myself to tame my demons, to rediscover myself. This is a theme album. It deals with themes like depression, death, loss and disconsolation. The story runs through the whole album and it’s told using a mythological framework. Finnish folklore is present and I think has become a big part of our identity.

5.Most of the band members also have backgrounds working with other metal styles and the music also incorporates a lot of non metal influences, would you consider yourself as being very diverse when it comes to writing and creating new music?

Zvartus: As the primary songwriter, I can answer: yes. I listen to a wide range of music—including genres outside of metal. I have particularly listened to old Finnish schlager music, from which I also draw melodies for Paara’s material.

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

Helmouth: We’ve been fortunate to work with the very talented David Thiérrée - for quite some time now. He did the artwork for ‘Riitti’ and also the vinyl version of ‘Yön olevainen puoli’. This time around we gave David more freedom. We talked about what the album was about. He came up with this idea of a blacksmith, a forge and caverns of the underworld. The hero of our story is an Axebearer. In a way the artwork depicts an untold part of the story. The forging of the axe. David’s art is always incredible and full of details.

7.Out of all the shows and tours the band has done so far, which one stands out the most?

Helmouth: There have been a lot of memorable shows. Years ago we played at a small festival in the UK - near the Scottish border, in the historic forest of Cumbria. They had bonfires outside the venue. We could see them from the stage because these massive sliding doors were left open. The place was packed. After the show we went straight to a nearby pond to participate in a traditional paganic rite. Festivals have been good for us.

Trangoth: In part of our first European tour, we were playing in a small cellar bar in Poland, and there were like 10 people watching. 

The owner of the bar lit a huge fire in the open fireplace as we started playing. It was a very atmospheric and intimate gig. It doesn’t have to be the biggest venue, or biggest crowd to outstand another gig, it’s more like an overall feeling about the gig. 

Also the Tuska-festival in 2017 was really special for me, since I've been going to that festival since I was a teenager. There have been many great places we’ve had the chance to play, and hopefully that trend continues!

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

Waara: We’ll be touring Finland in November, playing selected gigs in various towns and cities. We’ll carry on touring next year. Let’s hope we’ll also get to see the band at festivals and on tours abroad.

9.The new album is going to be released on 'Dusktone', how would you compare working with this label to other labels you have worked with in the past?

Waara: ​​We've been really pleased with Dusktone's contribution and the way they handle their work. They also have a truly customer-focused approach, and their communication is prompt and friendly.

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

Zvartus: The feedback we’ve received has been amazing. We’ve noticed that people have really been looking forward to our return. Our singles have clearly been well-received.

11.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?

Waara: Our band has brilliant musicians, which also means that they play in several other bands like Shape Of Despair, Where’s My Bible, The Man-Eating Tree, The Abbey etc. I see that as a positive thing. As far as I know, every band is touring, and some are preparing their upcoming releases.

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

Helmouth: We’ll keep on evolving. We haven’t carved an intentional path. Only time will tell where our music will take us. Only that is a constant is the influence of black metal and the deep melancholy of our melodies.

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

Waara: As I mentioned earlier, the members of Paara also play in many other bands. They don’t limit themselves to just metal. The same goes for what we listen to and what we like. Of course, I can’t speak for everyone, but I’d say we’re open to all kinds of music and draw inspiration from everywhere, even though our hearts lean toward heavier music.

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

 Waara: We hope to see you at our shows around the world. Don't forget to buy our new album and enjoy the music and the people around you!

https://paara.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/paaranmaa

https://www.instagram.com/paaraband/

Invultation/Inferno Descends/Sentient Ruin Laboratories/2026 Full Length Review

  Ohio's  solo  project  Invultation  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  bestial  mixture  of  war,  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2026  album  "Inferno  Descends"  which  will  be  released  on  October  30th  by  Sentient  Ruin  laboratories.

  Chaotic  guitar  solos  and  leads  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  battle  sounds  before  going  into  a  very  fast,  raw  and  brutal  war  metal  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  bestial  growls  while  the  music  adds  in  a  lot  of  90's  infleunces.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  some  of  the  tracks  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Dark  sounding  melodies  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  one  track  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  synths  and  most  of  the  recording  focuses  on  a  heavier  direction.

  On  this  recording  Invultation  continues  the  war  and  bestial  black/death  metal  style  that  he  has  introduced  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  cruelty  and  destruction  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Invultation  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  war  and  bestial  black/death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Molten  Aggression"  "Sacrificial  Incineration"  "Withered  Exiguity"  and  "Atrocity  Vehemence".   8  out  of  10.

  BANDCAMP RELEASE 

     

Xeropolis Interview

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

1. Well, over the last few years I have collected many ideas for several new music projects. I like experimenting with different styles of extreme metal and different songwriting approaches, while keeping them old-school oriented. Xeropolis is one of those projects I had been working on. Basically, it's my own take on a certain black metal sound, with clear punk influences. I composed our debut album in late 2025, then asked Kris, from the atmospheric black metal band Skialykon, to help me with the project, and he accepted. I think it's a fruitful collaboration, because he brought new perspectives and fresh ideas that will also be useful in the future.

2.You have your first full length is coming out in 2027, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you going for on the recording?

2. The album, titled "Scunfortu Mediterraneu" (meaning "Mediterranean Discomfort" in Sicilian language), has already been recorded. The three tracks included in the upcoming "Promo 2026" will also appear on the album, although with a different production. So you can expect straightforward black metal with punk elements and a scorching production.

3.hat are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with the project?

3. The whole project is basically the opposite of a typical Norwegian black metal album. Instead of talking about Scandinavian winters and Nordic nature, our lyrical themes focus on Mediterranean drought and aridity. Normally, when you think of Southern Italy, particularly Sicily, you might picture green nature, warm weather and so on. Here, however, I wanted to show a more "tragic" aspect that is not always known. Besides the arid Mediterranean landscapes, our lyrics also show a clear interest in Sicily's ancient Greek heritage and a certain sense of disillusionment.

Last but not least, my parents are from Sicily, even though I was born and raised in the Rome area. That's why I decided to sing in Sicilian: it's a sort of tribute to my family roots, particularly to my grandfather, who died earlier this year.

4.I know that the bands name means 'dry city' in Greek, how does this name fit in with the musical style that you play?

4. The name works on two levels. First, its meaning emphasizes the arid and dry lyrical setting of the project. Second, the fact that I chose a Greek word underlines my interest in Sicily's ancient Greek heritage, as I mentioned in the previous answer.

5.The album cover is a still from the film 'Toto che visse due volte', can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this film?

5. "Totò che visse due volte" is a 1998 movie by Sicilian directors Daniele Ciprì and Franco Maresco. The movie was censored when it came out, as it was considered degrading, offensive, blasphemous and sacrilegious. I'm passionate about Ciprì and Maresco's work in general, and in particular about "Cinico TV", a satirical TV program broadcast in the early/mid-1990s. The program consisted of clips featuring interviews conducted by the two directors with marginalized, mentally ill and disreputable characters, set against the backdrop of a desolate Sicily.

 6.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?

6. No, it will remain a duo. I don't think there is any need to change.

7.You also run 'Prehistoric Sounds', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

7. Prehistoric Sounds is, more than a label, a sort of "box" for my projects. I mostly use it to release secondary material such as demos, promos and limited cassette editions. Xeropolis's "Promo 2026" will be my eighth release. The only project not by me that I have published is Gadir, because I know the guy behind it and wanted to help him with a physical release. But it will remain the only exception

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

8. Xeropolis in particular is still basically unknown. This is my first interview for the project, and promotion for the first release has only just started. In general, I'm just a small fish in an ocean of bands, but that's fine: I never did this for fame. Still, I always find it funny when someone spends words of praise on me and my projects, or even asks me to send them a record they've bought from me with an autograph.

9.What is going on with your other musical projects these days?

9. I have several things going on at the moment. I'm currently looking for labels for a couple of records, and the new Clactonian demo is also currently being mixed. I also hope to find a label interested in releasing Xeropolis's debut album. In terms of recording, I recently recorded guest vocals for an Irish atmospheric black metal project.

All in all, there's always a lot going on, also because I tend to write whenever I get an idea. Sometimes these ideas materialize into something real, sometimes they don't, but that's part of the creative process.

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

10. I'll surely spend the next three or four years composing and releasing new stuff. After that, we'll see. But in general, I can't see myself not making music.

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?

11. For Xeropolis, my clearest influences are Ildjarn, Darkthrone, Akitsa and Bone Awl. Anyway, even though I listen to a lot of black and death metal, I'm a pretty omnivorous listener. One of the most recent releases I enjoyed the most was the debut album by Mischievous Wraith: very cool witchcraft-inspired black metal.

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

12. Thanks for the interview. For those who are interested, Xeropolis's Promo 2026 is out on November 13th, and cassettes can be pre-ordered through Prehistoric Sounds' Bandcamp page. Until the light takes us...

 https://prehistoricsounds.bandcamp.com/album/promo-2026-2 

Alasthor/Flesh Apart, Mind Inside/Chapitre XIII/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Belgium's  Alasthor  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  atmospheric  mixture  of  occult  black  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Flesh  Apart,  Mid  Inside"  which  will  be  released  on  October  23rd  by  Chapitre  XIII.

  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  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams  while  the  music  also  adds  in  a  lot  of  thrash  emtal  elements  and  the  riffs  also  add  in a   lot  of  meldoy.

  At  times  the  music  also  captures  the  raw  energy  of  crust  punk  while  the  album  also  adds  in a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized  as  well  as  the  recording  also  having  its  atmospheric  moments  and  tthe  songs  also  mix  in  a  lot  of  old  school  touches.

  On  this  recording  Alasthor  bring  out  a  very  atmospheric  and  melodic  style  of  occult  black  metal  as w ell  as  adding  in  some  elements  of  thrash  metal  and  crust  punk  to  create  a  very  aggressive  sounding  album.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Left  Hand  Path, Occultism ,  Aghora  and  Draconic  Magick.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Alasthor  and  if  you  are  of  a  fan  atmospheric  occult  black  and  thrash  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Wormhole"  and  "Divine  Limited  Flesh".  8/5  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/Alasthor.black.metal.Belgium/      

Herzog/Mugwort/Amor Fati Productions/2026 Full Length Review

   Herzog  are  a  band  from  Belgium t hat  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  a  very  aggressive  and  melancholic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Mugwort"  which  will  be  release d on  october  26th  by  Amor  Fati  Productions.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  vocals  are mostly  high  pitched  yet  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams,  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Spoken  words  and  growls  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  album  also  add  in  a lot  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  adding  some  atmospheric  touches.   When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  the  closing  track  is  also  an  instrumental. 

  On  this  recording  Herzog  brings  out  a  very  aggressive,  melancholic  and  traditional  style  of  black  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  shock,  pain  and  the  violence  of  losing  everything  you  held  true.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Herzog  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  aggressive  and  melancholic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Dawn  Of  The  Prosper"  and  "Post-Truth".  8  out  of  10.

  facebook.com/p/Herzog-61558581568781