Saturday, November 14, 2026

Dark Divination/Tuhonsaaton Täyttymys/Signal Rex/2026 Full Length Review


  Finland's  solo  project  Dark  Divination  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  raw and  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2026  album  "Tuhonsaaton  Täyttymys"  which  will  be  released in  December  by  Signal  Rex.


  A  very  heavy  and  aggressive  sound  starts  off  the  album  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.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.


  A  lot  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  old  school era  of  the  genre  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  one  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  synths  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  songs.


  On  this  recording  Dark  Divination  continue  to  expand  on t he  raw  and  old  school  style  of  black  metal  that  he  introduced  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  a  mixture  of    Finnish  and  English  and  cover  nature,  darkness,  death  and  nihilism  themes.


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Dark  Divination  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  raw  and  old  school  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Landscape  Of  Unholy  Flames"  "Triumph  Through  Heresy"  and  "Blood  Spilled  Upon  The  Altar".  8  out  of  10.


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

Vindalf Interview

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

 A: Two long years have passed since the album began taking shape in the gloom, a prolonged period of creation in which every concept and idea was molded with absolute patience in the shadows. Today, the structure of this recent work is completely finished.This path represents the culmination of a rigorous and ritualistic cycle, a personal ascension where I learned a great deal.Now all that remains is to channel the power delivered to the album and for the final phase to take definitive form and be released to inhabit the spaces that belong to it. Gaining the power it deserves.


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

 A: For me, this album represents an ascension and a total evolution on a musical level. It is a release with a sound that balances greater technical maturity with absolute organic rawness, featuring more work on composition, mixing, and equalization, while maintaining and respecting Vindalf's main path in musical terms. I did not seek to modernize Vindalf's core essence, but rather to refine its resources and take its musical atmosphere one step further. Recorded, edited, and produced by me. Everything built in previous releases served as a foundation; this time, the composition and sound treatment leverage that base to carry the weight of the work further. 


3.In the earlier years of the project you released a great amount of material, do you feel that helped the project out in the beginning having a new release out once every few months?

 A: That period coincided with the accumulation of months of releases and ideas conceived years prior, between 2018 and 2019, which back then had never seen the light of day. At that time, I lacked any experience regarding “releasing music”; the sole purpose was to share it with my inner circle and friends, since there were no other listeners beyond them. Honestly, I don't think releasing albums so consecutively served that 'growth.'I never was, nor am I, interested in seeking recognition or approval within the scene, and that indifference remains intact. Back then as well as now, my focus has never been to compose music to please the expectations or tastes of others, and perhaps it was precisely this stance that provided the true momentum.“Creating without expecting anything in return”, with releases that neither seek external approval nor care to fit into the 'scene.' I never saw it as a job or an obligation, as it always went beyond making music; it was the need to channel and evoke feelings that otherwise would have been lost, seeking to immortalize them. I have never been a supporter of those who beg for approval or fame when composing, let alone when it comes to black metal. Nowadays, a great deal of music is predictable, commercial, and empty. There are those who compose solely to sell or to please the masses, which represents complete decadence and a direct path to failure. As I say, perhaps that was the real push: absolute honesty when creating, leaving aside the expectations of others and any search for external validation." 


4.Some of your lyrics also cover esoteric and paganism themes, how would you describe your interests in these topics? 

A: My connections in these matters go far beyond mythology, paganism, or simple symbolism. Or something that can be explained through words. I consider them paths of knowledge, power, and spiritual transformation. For many years I have maintained constant study and deep dedication to these paths, exploring their different currents, mysteries, and practices, self-sacrificing my spirit to gain wisdom each time.I feel a particular affinity for ancient knowledge, runic mysteries, and the gods of death and life. I have found in this bond a conception of darkness as a primordial force, a source of knowledge and a path toward transcendence and awareness. Thanks to the gods I have obtained knowledge that has made me see beyond the veil, where I have descended into the abysses of the mind and death and have found peace and knowledge. I do not consider these paths a matter of appearance, nor something that should be exposed or over-explained. There are experiences, insights, and aspects of spirituality that belong strictly to personal knowledge. Of course, not every experience must be told, nor should every door be opened before the eyes of others. For me, this search, this connection, is a permanent path of transformation, where life, death, darkness, and divine wisdom meet under a single will. And, naturally, all of this is part of the spirit that inhabits Vindalf.


 5.Lyrically you also have covered fantasy themes, which aspects of this genre have you brought out in the songwriting so far?

A: Dark fantasy has been present in Vindalf's lyrical universe. Serving as inspiration and manifesting through ancient realms buried by time, primordial forces, and worlds plunged in darkness. Much of this lyrical imagery is rooted in Tolkien, whose vast worlds, mythologies, and grim landscapes have been a source of inspiration over the years. His writings opened the doors for me to worlds full of mysticism, lands of glorious kings and eternal darkness, from which I have taken certain elements to forge my own lyrical atmospheres. But beyond that, Tolkien was and always will be a revelation. His works, loaded with mythology, their own language, symbolic depth, and an absolute respect for the ancestral, became one of the important pillars of my creative lyrical process. 


6.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects you have explored over the years with your music? 

A: The aforementioned have been my main focus when it comes to writing lyrics. Since it is the experiences I have had and what I have wanted to immortalize on the canvas of music. Every lyric captured in each album or song is a piece of knowledge offered up to the music itself. Each lyric is an experience of dark practices, a search for wisdom, or a way to evoke and give existence to a world. Thus, each work preserves a part of what I have experienced, learned, and gone through, becoming a manifestation of my own path. Releases and music are the medium through which all of this finds its space to remain immortalized. 


7.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Vindalf'? 

A: The name Vindalf is a magical name born from ancient, nearly forgotten texts that Christians often tried to destroy. Written in magical runes by ancient peoples. It is a name I chose to adopt to honor and consecrate the rebirth of that nearly forgotten ancient knowledge, and to strip away any mortal identity when making music. It is the echo of ancestral oaths, the wrath of ancient spirits, and the eternal flame that burns in the depths of darkness. It represents the wisdom of the ancients, the power of the runes, the majesty of storms, and the sacred bond between death and transformation. Vindalf represents eternity. It is that which transcends the existence of its creator and endures even after their death. When I cease to exist, Vindalf will live on; its essence, its spirit, and its legacy will remain beyond my own life. 


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

A: The cover represents a manifestation of the forces that evoke and give rise to the album "Through the Black Fires of Ascension", death, hidden knowledge, willpower, and the power of war. It depicts the warrior's initiatory journey of self-sacrifice, wearing armor and thrusting the sword forward to cross the thresholds of darkness, descending into the realms of death to return carrying what remains hidden from the living. It is not merely a depiction of war, but of a spiritual transformation through death and forbidden knowledge. The skull is a talisman that grants wisdom—the very duality of mortality and immortality. It is the wisdom bestowed after the descent toward a triumphant ascent; the awakening of a consciousness that no longer belongs to this world. 


9.With this project you record everything by yourself but have worked with musicians in other bands in the past, do you prefer to work solo?

 A: Absolutely, I have worked with many musicians across different bands and roles in general. For about 5 years, I worked with and contributed on drums for the national band “Tagirion Est Tiferet”, to which I feel very happy to have shared my knowledge. I gained a lot of musical experience; now the band has stopped performing live, and I assume it will be on hiatus for a while. Right now, I am once again playing drums for the project “Blutnacht”, whose second release will be out soon, featuring drums recorded by me. And previously, I have contributed to other bands both live and in the studio. I believe there is an important duality when it comes to talking about other musicians. I feel that working alone is a way to connect with yourself, get to know all your facets, and serve as a form of meditation. Yet at the same time, I believe we are social beings, and working with other musicians enriches you, gives you experience, and manages to open your mind even more. 


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

 A: The reception has been very satisfying and, above all, meaningful to me. Over the years, Vindalf has gained followers and listeners in different parts of the world, both within Black Metal and Dungeon Synth. I am deeply grateful to those who have understood its true essence and have kept its spirit alive over time.It is not about masses, numbers, or statistics, but about people who truly appreciate the art, setting aside the empty.My respect will always be with them.


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

 A: Staying as I am now, resisting as a musician. In a world where creating turns into a waste of time, and mediocrity is prioritized thanks to immediacy. I intend to keep creating, learning, and gaining knowledge through music, which for me is the most sacred thing. Creating in these times is also a form of resistance toward the world of modernity, especially in a world that seems to despise effort and discipline.


 12.What are some of the bands or musical styles you are currently listening to nowadays? 

A:Lately, I have been quite immersed in and obsessed with more ambient and atmospheric music, especially dark ambient from different parts of the world. I am fascinated by the ritualistic and meditative depth these sounds manage to evoke, moving away from conventional structures to transport you to other planes of consciousness. Within that same search, I feel a great admiration for music that incorporates ancient folk instruments, as well as the use of Hindu chants and mantras, for example. Since they carry a spiritual and historical weight capable of connecting directly with the ancestral and the sacred. Over the past few weeks, I have been listening a lot to bands like Dead Can Dance, Àrnica, and Heilung, which to me are simply incredible for the way they manage to fuse the mystical, the ancient, and the ethereal in their works. On the other hand, and although it may seem a bit distant, this time at the end of the year usually makes me extremely nostalgic and reflective about the passage of time. In those moments, I turn a lot to Frank Sinatra, especially his album “Cycles”. It is a record loaded with melancholy and contemplation of life, endings, and the inevitability of time; it always connects with me during this time of year. 


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

 A: First of all, thank you for the recognition and for this space—something that feels even more necessary in these times of constant immediacy. I extend my deepest gratitude to all the unholy souls who support and understand the path of Vindalf; thank you very much for your support. Eternal honor to the inner circle for being the true bearers of the black flames and upholding this cult from the shadows; you know exactly who you are. 

Vindalf rejects the light, the false gods, and the dead god. 

Our devotion belongs to the ancient blood and the inner fire. We recognize no authority other than our own will: only the absolute sovereignty of our untamed spirit. 

No tolerance. No light, death, and eternal life. 


DARK MEDIEVAL BLACK METAL


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCQI-W86ghw

Friday, November 13, 2026

Odiosordo/Effimera/2026 Full Length Review


  Odiosordo  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  an  atmospheric  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2026  album  "Effimera"  which  will  be  released  on  November  28th.


  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  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  going  for  more  of  a  melodic  post  metal  style. 


  Some  of  the  mid  tempo  sections  show  an  influence  of  d  beat  while  the  album  also  adds  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  some  synths  and  hurdy  gurdy  also  being  used  at  times  as  well  as  most  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length,.


 Growls  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  the  recording  also  having  its  atmospheric  moments.  one  of  the  tracks  is  also  a  The  Cure  cover  which  also  adds  in  some  female  vocals,  as  well  as  some  songs  also  bringing  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Italian  and  cover  inner  struggles  and  personal  experiences.    


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Odiosordo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Destino  commune  per  una  fossa  comune"  and  "Dispnea".  8  out  of  10.


  https://www.facebook.com/odiosordo16/  

Irae/Terror 666/Signal Rex/2026 Full Length Review

 


  Portugal's  solo  project  Irae  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  old  school  and  satanic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2026  album  "Terror  666"  which  will  be  released  in  December  by  Signal  Rex.


  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  old  school  era  of  the  genre.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  when t he  music  speeds  up  a  lot  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard.  


  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  faster  riffing  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  while  the  synths  also  add  in  a  atmospheric  touch  when  they  are  utilized.  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  a couple  if  tracjs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing.


    Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  and  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  melodic  and  old  school  style  when  they  are  utilized.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  a  mixture  of  Portuguese  and  English  and  cover  Satanism  and  End  Of  Humanity  themes.


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Irae  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  old  school  and  satanic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Fogo  Negro"  "Order  Of  the  Black  Goat"  "unholy  War"  and  "Vultures  Of  Satan".  8 out  of  10.


  https://www.facebook.com/p/irae-61570435526102/.    

Karner/Zebrest: Zintrest/Folter Records/2026 Full Length Review


  Karner  are  a  band  from  Austria  that  plays  a  folkloric  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Zebrest:  Zintrest"  which  will  be  released  in  December  by  Folter  Records.


  Dark  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  while  choirs  can  also  be  heard  briefly  before  introducing  synths  into  the  music  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Clear  pagan  vocals  and  spoken  words  are  also  added  on  some  of  the  tracks  and  clean  playing  is  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording.


  Harsh  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  A  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.


  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  which  also  gives  the  album  ,more  of  a  raw  feeling.  The  recording  also  adds  in  a  lot  of  second  wave  influences  as  well  as  the  songs  also  adding  in a   good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  German  and  cover  the  nature,  traditions  and  landscapes  of  Southern  Austria.   


  In  my  opinion  Karner  are  a  very  great  sounding  folkloric  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Die  letze  Sun"  "Wiedagong"  and  "Limbus".  8  out  of  10.


  https://www.facebook.com/karnerofficial

https://www.instagram.com/karner_band
https://www.youtube.com/@karner7247

https://youtu.be/hNqniilMRnE?si=KVFNVcx_uM3ZnmFw

Thursday, November 12, 2026

Ancient Gate/The Perpetual Silence/2026 Full Length Review


  Ancient  Gate  are  a  band  from  Argentina  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  old  school  and  atmospheric  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2026  album  "The  Perpetual  Gate".


  Atmospheric  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  recording  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.


  Growls  are  also  used  at  times  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  the  music  is  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  melodic  style  along  with  most  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.


  Throughout  the  album  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.  Clear  singing  and  choirs  are  also  added  on  some  of  the  tracks,  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  songs.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  horror,  legends  and  cosmos.


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Ancient  Gate  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  old  school  and  atmospheric  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Distant  Flickering  Dream"  and  "Perpetual  Silence".  8  out  of  10.


  https://ancientgate.bandcamp.com/album/the-perpetual-silence


      

Dothe/Self Titled/2026 EP Review


  Dothe  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  very  experimental  and  progressive  form  of  post  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  and  self  released  2026  ep  which  will  be  released  on  November  20th..


  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  field  recordings  and  whispers  a  few  seconds  alter  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  Clear  singing  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  the  harsh  vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  post  metal  style.


  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  can b e  heard  which  also  gives  the  recording  more  of  a r aw  feeling.  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. 


   At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  as  well  as  some  of  the  tracks  also  going  into  more  of  a  progressive,  psychedelic,  avant g arde  and  experimental  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  death  themes.


  In  my  opinion  Dothe  are  a  very  great  sounding  experimental  and  progressive  post  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Seppuku"  and  "Ruminations".  8  out  of  10.


  https://www.instagram.com/wearedothe