Ashen Horde/The Harvest/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Los  Angeles,  California's  Ashen  Horde  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  melodic  and  progressive  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2026  album  "The  Harvest"  which  will  be  released  in  May.

  A  very  dark,  heavy  and  melodic  sound  start  off  the  album  while  the  solos  and  leads  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  which  also  gives  the  recording  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

  Vocals  are a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  mixed  in  with  some  clear  singing  which  also  adds  in  a  touch  of  alternative  rock  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  technical  sounding  along  with  some  tracks  also  showing  the  music  going  into  more  of  a  progressive  direction.

  On  this  recording  Ashen  Horde  introduce  elements  of  alternative  rock  into  their  progressive  and  technical  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  to  create  something  very  different  from  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  collapse,  decay  and  transformation.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Ashen  Horde  and  if  you  are  a fan  of  progressive  and  technical  black  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Autumnal"  "Remnant"  and  "The  Harvest".  8  out  of  10.

 https://www.facebook.com/AshenHorde/

​https://www.instagram.com/ashenhorde

Acolythus/Unearthly Kingdoms Neath Lifeless Stars/Inverse Music/2026 Full Length Review

  Acolythus  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  plays  a  very  melodic  and  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Unearthly  Kingdoms  Neath  Lifeless  Stars"  which  will  be  released  in  May  by  Inverse  Music.

  A  v3ery  dark  sounding  synth  orientated  intro  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  brief  use  of  spoken  words  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  blast beats  and  tremolo  picking  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  old  school  era  of  the  genre.  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  growls  are  also  utilized  at  times  as  well  as  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  long  and  epic  in  length,  spoken  words  are  also  added  towards  the  end.

  Acoythus  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  melodic  and  old  school  in  the  mid  90's  Finnish  tradition.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  occultism,  esoteric  knowledge,  and  a  misanthropic  and  post-apocalyptic  focus  on  humanity.   

  In  my  opinion  Acolythus  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  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Scholars  Of  Empires  Beyond"  and  "In  The  Fading  Lights  Of  Burning  Cathedrals".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.facebook.com/Acolythusband
https://www.instagram.com/acolythusband

https://acolythus.bandcamp.com 

  

Vinterstov/Where Light Drowns/2025 Full length Review

 

   Vinterstov  are  a  band  from  Russia  that  plays  a  very  atmospheric  and  melodic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  2026  album  "Where  Light  Drowns".

  Rain  and  thunder  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  atmospheric  sounding  synths  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  are  also  utilized  which  also  gives  the  recording  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  acoustic  guitars  and  clean  playing  also  being  used  on  a  couple  of  tracks.  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  

  Vinterstov  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  modern,  melodic,  atmospheric  and  aggressive  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  isolation  and  introspective  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Vinterstov  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  and  melodic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Where  Light  Drowns"  "Ancestors  Of  Ancient  Cults"  and  "My  Final  Scream".  8  out  of  10.

  https://vinterstov.bandcamp.com/album/demo-11

Python Interview

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

Yeah Python is a black metal/funeral doom whatever you want to call it one man band centered around a very non traditional banjo. But really i just call it hypnotic swamp shit.

2.So far you have released a full length, can you tell us a little bit about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

I live out the woods literally back in the swamp and what came out on the record is so appropriate for the setting here. Very raw, creepy, and hypnotic. Originally i was going to just be making banjo songs and i ended up getting carried away adding bass and drums and rolled with it.

3.Instead of using regular guitar's you use a banjo as a lead instrument, can you tell us a little bit about the decision behind introducing this instrument to the genre of black metal?

My extended family has always been involved in bluegrass and my great uncle is the legend Dock Boggs. Honestly, i bought a banjo because of family and started learning traditional bluegrass and being who i am, i got really bored quickly and B lined into making this record.

4.Can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with the music?

Everything is about Florida nature and the spirits that inhabit this land.

5.How does the name 'Python' fit in with the musical style that you play?

The reason i wanted to use the name is because of the invasive Burmese Pythons in the Florida Everglades. It’s something i have studied heavily and am counting on hunting myself soon. This record feels like being on mushrooms alone in the glades so i felt it was appropriate.

6.How would you describe the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

I love Warhead art so much. It’s so raw and primitive. It’s a swamp spirit fuckin his skeletal corpse while hallucinating on shrooms in the bog DUH

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

I did record this with a friend who gave me inputs, helped me with things, mixed it, and added sample sounds and shit like that. I just wrote and recorded everything. But yes i am open to it. I have a split recorded already but i will be starting a new full length this year with another friend and i am very much looking forward to that.

8.The album was released on 'Jems Label', how did you get in contact with this label?

We just chatted on Instagram a bit and we are boys now. Jorge rules. I can’t thank him enough for helpin with the release.

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

Seems pretty good so far, i haven’t seen much negative or any really. Honestly i am glad people like it, but i really mostly made this record for myself. After being in a very large death metal band for years and stepping back from music for 5 years now i really needed to make something for myself like this.

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

I’m just going to keep evolving this project for now and trying to make it weirder and more mind bending. I have two - ten minute songs for a split with a friends swampy black metal project. Then i will do another full length probably all this year.

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?

Ak’chamel, Craft, Leviathan, Esoctrilihum, and Xasthur are my top influences for this I’d say. And honestly i mostly listen to Ak’chamel right now and i keep putting on Invunche, Cuntroaches, and Kūka’ilimoku.

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

I just hope everyone enjoys the weird shit i have made and will make.

Stop moving to Florida, it’s full.

Skunk ape is real. He’s a spirit that takes physical form and he lives out here.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/python.swamphymns

 

SOTABOSC/El Batec dels Maquis/DUNK! Records/2026 Full Length Review

 

  SOTABOSC  are  a  band  from  Spain  that  plays  an  atmospheric  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "El  Batec  dels  Maquis"  which  will  be  released  on  April  17th  by  Dunk!  Records.

  Dark  soundscapes  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.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  songs  also  adds  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  A  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  album  also  having  its  atmospheric  moments,  when  synths  and  clean  playing  are  utilized  they  also  add  in  elements  of  post  rock  and  ambient  as  well  as  the  riffs  also  mixing  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.

  SITABOSC  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is very  modern,  melodic,  aggressive  and  atmospheric  sounding  as  well  as  mixing  in  elements  of  post  rock  and  ambient  to  create  a  sound  of t heir  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Catalan  and  cover  Norse  Mythology  themes.

  In  my  opinion  SOTABOSC  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  "Nerthus"  and  "Freyja".  8  out  of  10.

 https://www.instagram.com/sotabosc_official/ 

https://www.facebook.com/sotaboscofficial/

 https://sotaboscband.bandcamp.com    

Teloch Vovin/Towards The Inevitable/An Eastern Temple/Thus Spake Qayin Records2026 Full Length Review

 

  New  York's  Teloch  Vovin  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  occult  form  of  black  metal  with  elements  of  doom,  death,  traditional  metal,  classical,  ambient  and  electronic  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Towards  The  Inevitable"  which  will  be  released  in  May  as  a  joint  effort  between  An  Eastern  Temple  and  Thus  Spake  Qayin  Records.

  Ambient  style  synths  and  ritualistic  spoken  words  start  off  the  album  while  also  adding  in  some  electronic  sounds  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Vocals  are mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  mixed  in  with  the  a  few  death  metal  growls  and  blast  beats  are  added  into  the  faster  sections  of  the  recording.  

  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  fast  riffing  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  while  the  album  also  adds  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  riffs  and  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  elements  of  doom  emtal.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  also  add  in  more  of  a  melodic  traditional  metal  style  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Operatic  female  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly,  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  as  well  as  one  track  also  being  an  instrumental  and  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing,  rain  and  thunder  sounds.  The  production  sounds  vey  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Left  hand  Path,  Rituals,  Theistic  Satanism  and  Qlipthoth  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Teloch  Vovin  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  occult  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Samael  -  Lord  Ov  The  Second  Death  (Hymn  131)"  and  "Panzer  Fist".  8/5  out  of  10.

https://telochvovin288.bandcamp.com

https://www.facebook.com/TelochVovinOfficial

https://www.instagram.com/telochvovin666

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyipOHDTkF4

Na Zarot/Todesverse/My Proud Mountain/2026 Full Length Review

  Germany's  solo  project  Na  Zarot  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  very  raw,  lo-fi  and  depressive  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2026  album  "Todesverse"  which  was  released by  My  Proud  Mountain.

  A  very  dark,  distorted  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  The  recording  also  captures  a  very  lo-fi  atmosphere  along  with  the  vocals  being  mostly  high  pitched  depressive  black  metal  screams  and  clear  singing  can  also  be  heard  on  one  of  the  tracks.

  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  riffing  they  also  give  the  album  more  of  a  raw  feeling  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  tracks  along  with  some  keyboards  also  being  utilized  briefly.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  one  track  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  choir  samples  before  returning  back  to  a  heavier  direction  as  well  as  some  spoken  words  also  being  introduced  on  the  closing  song.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  a  mixture  of  English  and  German  and  cover  death,  darkness  and  paranormal  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Na  Zarot  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  raw,  lo-fi  and  depressive  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "al  infitar"  "la  llorna"  "liquid  cancer"  and  "noctem".  8  out  of  10.

https://nazarot.bandcamp.com/album/todesverse