Friday, April 24, 2026

Piolun/Exolvuntur/Malignant Voices/2026 Full Length Review


  Piolun  are  a  band  from  Poland  that  plays  an  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Exolvuntur"  which  will  be  released  in  may  by  Malignant  Voices.


  A  very  fast  and  raw  musical  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams  and  and  the  music  is  heavily  influenced  by  the  classic  Polish  and  Scandinavian  eras  of  the  genre.


  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  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  closing  track  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing.


  Piolin  plays  a  style  of  black  emtal  that  is  very  melodic  and  old  school  in  the  Polish  and  Scandinavian  tradition  as  well  as  adding  in  a  more  modern  approach.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics are  written  in  Polish  and  cover  the  cycle  of  life  and  death.


  In  my  opinion  Piolun  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  and  old  school  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Manifest-kresu"  "Kolo-zycia"  and  "Hiems".  8  out  of  10.


  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087671561976 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/piolun_pbm/ 
Bandcamp: https://piolunbm.bandcamp.com/ 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2AKke5khUveYU5opxMnEch     


     

Varathron/Procreation Of Unaltered Evil/WoldKult Religion/2026 Demo Re-Issue Review

 


  This  is  a  review  of  an  older  demo  from  Greece's  Varathron  which  showed  the  earlier  style  of  occult  black  metal  and  the  demo  was  released  in  1989  "Procreation  Of  Unaltered  Evil"  which  was  originally  released  in  1989  and  was  re-issued  in  2026  by  WolfKult  Religion  and  called  "Procreation  Of  Unaltered  Evil".


  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  demo  along  with  a  brief  use  of  demonic  sounding  spoken  words  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  and  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.


  Throughout  the  demo  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  growls.  A  lot  of  the  music  is  very  heavily  influenced  by  the  first  wave  era  of  black  metal  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  more  of  an  80's  extreme  metal  style.


  On  this  demo  Varathron  played  a  style  of  occult  black  metal  that  was  very  heavily  influenced  by  the  first  wave  black  metal  and  also  paved  the  way  for  the  early  Hellenic  black  metal  style.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism  and  the  Chthulu  Mythos.


  In  my  opinion  this  was  a  very  great  sounding  recording  from  Varathron  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  Hellenic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  re-issue.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Necranastis".  8  out  of  10.


  https://www.facebook.com/varathron 

Molosser/Self Titled.Gutter Prince Cabal/2026 EP Review


  Molosser  are  a  band  from  New  Zealand  that  plays  a  bestial  mixture  of  war,  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of t heir  self  released  2025  ep  which  will  be  released  in  May  by  Gutter  Prince  Cabal.


   A  very  dark,  heavy  and  brutal  sound  starts  off  the  ep  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  bestial  death  metal  growls.  Some  of  the  slower  riffing  also  shows  an  influence  of  doom/.death  metal  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  blast  beats ,  raw  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.


  A  lot  of  the  music  also  shows  an  influence  of  the  90's  era  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Some  of  the  riffing  also  shows  an  influence  of  black  metal  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  bringing  in  a  classic  death  metal  style  and  clean  playing  is  added  on  the  closing  track.


  Molosser  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  war,  black,  doom  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  destruction  themes.  


  In  my  opinion  Molosser  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  war,  black,  doom  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Strychnine  Hill"  and  "Indomitable  Force".  8  out  of  10.


  https://www.instagram.com/molosser04

https://molosser04death.bandcamp.com   

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Nocturnal Departure/Spiritual Cessation/Hells Headbangers Records/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Canada's  Nocturnal  Departure  have  returned  with   a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  very  raw  and  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Spiritual  Cessation"  which  will  be  released  in  May  by  Hells  Headbangers.


  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  the  riffs  also  add  in  some  dark  sounding  melodies  and  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  second  wave  era  of  the  genre.


  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  some  tracks  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  growls  and  angry  shouts.


  On  this  recording  Nocturnal  Degrade  remain  true  to  the  raw  and  old  school  style  of  black  metal  that  they  have  introduced  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Rituals  and  Death  themes.


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Nocturnal  Degrade  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  raw  and  old  school  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Spiritual  Cessation"  "Deathcraft  Majesty"  and  "Mental  Abyss".  8  out  of  10.


https://occultblackmetalzine.blogspot.com/2026/03/hajduk-amor-fati-productions2026-full.html


  

Ater Era/Sinistria/On Parole Productions/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Ater  Era  are  a  band  from  Slovenia  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Sinistria"  which  will  be  released  in  May  by  on  Parole  Productions.


  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast b eats  can  be  heard  along  with  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  elements  of  doom  and  sludge  metal.   


  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  songs  also  add  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  album  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast parts.


  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  also  bring  in  more  of  an  old  school  extreme  metal  style.  The  album  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  some  death  metal  growls  also  being  used  at  times,  when  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  faster  riffing  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  spoken  words  are  also  introduced  on  a  later  track  and  clear  singing  can  also  be  heard  briefly.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  oppressive  themes.  .


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Ater  Era  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Gorging  On  Devilries"  and  "Um  Na  Dnu".  8  out  of  10.


Bandcamp: https://ater-era.bandcamp.com/music
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AterEraOfficial
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aterera9172

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ater.era/            

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

NOLÉ Interview

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


1. Regarding my solo project...it's not something traditional like others, or at least I try to make my solo project very far removed from the traditional...beyond wanting to convey pain...I seek identification...in dark sounds, without much use of vocals...atmospheres for crying.


2.Can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you have went fon on the recordings so far?


2. I've always tried to make the recordings and everything surrounding them as raw as possible. I've often distanced myself from the technical aspects so that it feels much more powerful and sad...I don't usually use depression much...I prefer emotions like anger so that the sound is exactly what I want to convey.


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


3.Depression, Loneliness, Overthinking, and broken relationships...many broken relationships.


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


4.At first, I was looking for a name for the band (which is my first project). Initially, I wasn't thinking of DSM-B but rather traditional Black Metal. But the name came from an advertisement, "God Doesn't Care." I felt it was a sign... and I suppose it's the project I'm most proud of. It's something of mine, something that came about at the perfect time.




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


5. I've settled quite comfortably into my solo career. I had small bands that were very far removed from DSBM and Black Metal, but I prefer to have my own reins in my project and explore sounds on my own for a long time.


6.In the last few months you have released a great amount of music on the youtube channel, do you spend a great amount of time writing and creating music?


6. It would be foolish to say that everything comes out of nowhere. Many times it takes me months to think about an album, lyrics, and artwork, but it's obvious that my life didn't initially revolve around NOLÉ. Now it does, even more so in this solo phase.


7.You have also done an 'Amy Winehouse' cover, what was the decision behind doing your own version of one of her songs?


7. Amy personally impacted me in so many ways...not only because she was one of the first female artists I listened to...but also because I identify with her on personal issues. And yes, she's one of my favorite artists, and that song is one of my favorites. She deserved a tribute even more poignant than the one she already received.


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


8. I won't lie, I would love a record deal. I've tried contacting some labels on my own, but I would accept an offer without hesitation.


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


9. So far, it's been very well received, especially in South American countries like Mexico and the United States. I'd like to continue with NOLÉ and achieve something more. The task may be difficult, but not impossible, especially with the release of my next album, which I almost have finished.


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


10. Leaving aside the topic of NOLÉ and extreme music... I suppose that in these months I will begin a solo career completely separate from NOLÉ... I am a very exploratory person in terms of sound, personally and musically, and also restless. I see myself exploring more with NOLÉ and a solo career of a different kind of music and time.


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. To be honest, I don't usually listen to the most famous and traditional DSBM bands. I quite like the strange and lesser-known side of DSBM—bands with raw sounds, without much theatrics, just more rage, heavy sound, and extreme guitars. I don't have a single band whose music I'm completely hooked on; I listen to a lot of different things, and I like that.


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


12. As a reflection... I would say that what can happen in life is sometimes difficult... we must look into our own eyes... look at our present and not stop trying different things


https://www.youtube.com/@NOL%C3%89-t2i

My Dark Secret Transcendence/My Dark Secret Diary - Part 1/2026 Full Length Review


  My  Dark  Secret  Transcendence  are  a  band  from  Thailand  that h as  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  depressive  mixture  of  post  black  metal  and  blackgaze  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2026  album  "My  Dark  Secret  Diary  -  Part  1".


    Melodic  post  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads  start  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.  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  clean  sections  also  add  in  elements  of  shoegaze.


  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  clear  male  singing  is  also  utilized  at  times.  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  songs  also  adding  in  female  vocals,  atmospheric  sounding  synths  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album  and  as  the  recording  progresses  high  pitched  depressive  black  metal  screams  are  also  introduced  into  the  music.   


  On  this  recording  My  Dark  Secret  Transcendence  takes  dsbm,  post  black  metal  and  blackgaze  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  very  diverse  release.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  melancholy  themes.


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  my  Dark  Secret  Transcendence  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric  and  depressive  post  black  metal  and  blackgaze,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Through  My  Vice"  and  "Father  Sun,  Mother  Earth".  8  out  of  10.


https://mydarksecrettranscendence.bandcamp.com/album/my-dark-secret-diary-part-i