Kyrios/Blood Constellation/Caligari Records/2026 EP Review

  Kyrios  are  a  band  from  new  York  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  atmospheric  and  dissonant  form  of  black  metal  with  elements  of  dungeon  synth  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  ep  "Blood  Constellation"  which  will  be  released  in  August  by  Caligari  Records.

  A  dungeon  synth  orientated instrumental  starts  off  the  ep  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  vocals  also  add  in  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.  Atmospheric  sounding  synths  and  keyboards  are  also  mixed  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody.

  At  times  the  music  gets  very  dissonant  sounding  while  the  faster  sections  of  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  technical  style  along  with  the  ep  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  On  this  recording  Kyrios  takes  a  very  atmospheric  and  dissonant  style  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  technical  death  metal  and  dungeon  synths  to  create  something  very  different  from  their  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  mythological  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Kyrios  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric  black, death  metal  and  dungeon  synth,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "A  Highborn  Sacrifice".  8  out  of  10.

  http://caligarirecords.bandcamp.com/album/blood-constellation

kyrios.bandcamp.com        

Sev Lezu/Blood Conscript/Ordovician Records/2026 Full Length Review

  Sev  Lezu  are  a  band  from  the  United  States  that  plays  an  aggressive  and  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  metal  and  grindcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Blood  Conscript"  which  will  be  released  in  August  by  Ordovician  Records.

  Field  recordings  and  synths  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.  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  while  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  old  school  era  of  the  genre.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  music  also  captures  the  brutality  of  gri9ndcore  at  times.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear a   good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  album  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  death  metal  elements  as  well  as  one  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  and  one  track  is  also  an  instrumental.

  Sev  Lezu  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  a  very  melodic  and  old  school  form  of  black metal  and  mixes  it  with  death  metal  and  grindcore  to  create  a  sound  of t heir  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  ancient  mythology, a  hateful  pantheon  and  ensanguined  revenge.

  In  my  opinion  Sev  Lezu  are  a  very  great  sounding  aggressive  and  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  metal  and  grindcore  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Stillborn"  and  "Man's  Evil  Gift".  8  out  of  10.

 

https://ampwall.com/a/sevlezu/album/blood-conscript

sevlezu.bandcamp.com/album/blood-conscript          

Hanternoz/A Hed an Noz, a Noz, a Noz/Antiq/2026 Full Length Review

  Hanternoz  are  a  band  from  France  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  epic  and  atmospheric  form  of  pagan  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "A  Hed  an  Noz,  a  Noz,  a  Noz"  which  will  be  released  in  August  by  Antiq.

  Raw  tremolo  picking  starts  off  the  album  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  the  recording  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments.

  Clear  pagan  vocals  are  also  used  at  times  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount of  clean  playing  and  folk  instruments  which  also  adds  in  some  medieval  touches,  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  as  well  as  one  song  also  being  an  instrumental.  

  On  this  recording  Hanternoz  continue  to  expand  on  the  epic  and  atmospheric  style  of  pagan  black  metal  that  they  have  introduced  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  French  and  cover  the  Devils  of  Breton  Folklore.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Hanternoz  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  epic  and  atmospheric  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Sur  le  Chemin  des  fees"  "La  Peste  a  Limoges"  and  "Quand  j'ai  tue  le  Rol  de  lqa  Foret".  8  out  of  10.

  

facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063558461964   

Astar/Lourney Beyond The Ages/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Astar  are  an  international  band  with  members  from  Italy  and  Australia  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  a  melodic  form  black  metal with  elements  of  dungeon  synth  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2026  album  "Journey  Beyond  The  Ages".

  Melodic  guitar  solos  and  leads  start  off  the  album  while  the  synths  also  add  in  elements  of  dungeon  synth  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music  at  times.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  some  of  the  tracks  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  recording  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  the  album  also  adds  in a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  Some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  one  of  the  songs  also  being  an  instrumental  which  also  brings  a  medieval  atmosphere  to  the  album,  female  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  the  album  also  has  its  symphonic  moments.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Paganism,  Esoteric  and  Alchemy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Astar  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Hyperborean  Sky"  "A  Ballad  For  The  Riding  Hero"  and  "Journey  Beyond  The  Ages".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.instagram.com/astar_blackmetal  

Terrestrial Hospce/Omnicide Chapter I/Edged Circle Productions/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Poland's  Terrestrial  Hospice  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  old  school,  misanthropic  and  nihilistic  form  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Omnicide  Chapter  I"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Edged  Circle  Productions.

  Clean  playing  and  synths  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  recording  also  adding  in a   great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  old  school  era  mixed  in  with  a  more  modern  touch.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

  On  this  recording  Terrestrial  Hospice  beings  out a  very  aggressive,  nihilistic  and  misanthropic  style  of  black  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  misanthropy.  nihilism  and  philosophical  themes.    

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Terrestrial  Hospice  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  old  school,  nihilistic  and  misanthropic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Phosphoric  Salvation"  "Serpents  In  The  Grass"  and  "The  Gospel  Of  Obedience".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/TerrestrialHospiceOfficial  

Bloodoffer/Black Rites of Hell/2012 Demo Review

  Bloodoffer  are  a  solo  project  from  France  that  plays  a  very  raw,  old  school  and  satanic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  20212  demo  "Black  Rites  of  Hell".

  Raw  tremolo  picking  starts  off  the  demo  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in t he  90's era  and  the  vocals  ar e mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal screams.

  At  times  the  music  also  captures  a  very  lo-fi  atmosphere  while  the  solos  and  leads  also  stick  to  more  of  an  old  school  direction.  Chants  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  mid  tempo  sections,  dark  sounding  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  and  the  whole  demo  sticks  to  a  heavier  direction.

  Bloodoffer  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw  and  satanic  in  the  90's  second  wave  tradition.  The  production  sounds  very  raw,  lo-fi  and  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Bloodoffer  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw,  old  school  and  satanic  black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  demo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "A  Sovereign,  A  Horned  King"  and  "Curse  of  The  Black  Circle".  8  out  of  10.

  https://bloodoffer.bandcamp.com/album/black-rites-of-hell     

Kudex Thaldoma/Krhle El Var Satan/2026 Full length Review

  Kudex  Thaldoma  are  a  band  from  Kazakhstan  that  plays  a  very  occult  and  satanic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2026  album  "Krhle  El  Var  Satan".

  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  a  great  amount  of  melody  as  well  as  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  old  school  era  of  the  genre.

  Growls  are  also  utilized  at  times  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  guitar  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  the  music  also  has  its  ritualistic  moments.

  Kudex  Thaldoma  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  satanic,  occult,  aggressive  and  traditional  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism  and  Occultism  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  Kudex  Thaldoma  are  a  very  great  sounding  satanic  and  occult  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "May  The  Gates  Open"  and  "Primordial  Chaos".  8  out  of  10.

https://kudexthaldoma.bandcamp.com/album/krhhe-el-var-satan

Qliphotic Realm/Entrance/Careless Records/2021 Full Length Review

  Qliphotic  Realm  where  a  solo  project  from  Italy  that  played  a  very  raw  form  of  occult  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review of  his  2025  album  "Entrance"  which  was  released  by  Careless  Records.

  Ritualistic  whispers,  synths  and  spoken  words  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams.  A  lot  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  old  school  era  of  the  genre  and  when  the  recording  speeds  up  a  lot  of  blast b eats  can b e  heard.

  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into t he  faster  riffing  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  dark  sounding  melodies.  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  one  track  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  clear  singing.

  Qkiphotic  realm  plays  a  style  of  occult  black  metal  that  is  very  raw  and  traditional  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Qlipthoth,  Demonology  and  Left  Hand  Path  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Qliphotic  Realm  where  a  very  great  sounding  raw  occult  black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "As  Lightning  From  Sky"  "Bearer  Of  Light"  and  "Call  Of  Melammu".  8  out  of  10.

https://carelessrecords.bandcamp.com/album/entrance-2   

Astral Evocation/Abditus Perditio/2025 Full Length Review

 

   Astral  Evocation  are  a  band  from  Mexico  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  a  very  avant  garde  and  orthodox  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2025  album  "Abditus  Perditio".

  Avant  garde  sounds  start  off  the  album  and  also  mix  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Clear  vocals  can  also b e  heard  briefly  while  the  faster  parts  of  the  album  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  the  recording  also  has  its  prohressive  moments.

  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  while  the  album  also  adds  in  a  good  balance  between  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  dissonant  style.

  Keyboards  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  at  times  as  well  as  one  song  also  being  an  instrumental  and  they  close  the  album  with  a  Der  Weg  Einer  Freheit  cover.  The  production  sounds  vey  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Spanish  and  cover  the  conjuring  of  primordial  forces  of  Abyss  Void,  and  Chaos.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Astral  Evocation  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  avant  garde  and  orthodox  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Abyssum  Incorporeum  (Perditio  Movement  I)"  and  "Umbral  oculto  de  transmutaciones  caóticas  (Perditio  Movement  III)".  8  out  of  10.

https://astralevocation.bandcamp.com/album/abditus-perditio

Spectr3 Interview

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

We are rehearsing for our first gig in the Drums of War festival, preparing new videos and soon we’ll be working on our next album. 

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

Spectr3 was a kind of project since we were very busy with other bands, but we decided to focus on this band, and now it’s our priority. We’re meeting regularly and spending more time working together and that is reflected on our music. 

3.The band was broken up for more than 10 years, what was the cause of the split and also the decision to reform? 

We all live quite far away from each other so as I said before we would gather, record something and just keep on with other projects. It’s during the recording of the last album that we decided to focus all our energy in Spectr3 and play live. 

4.All of the band members are also in other bands, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Spectr3', that you have not been able to do with your other groups?

 We are all friends from the 90” and although we play different styles in our other bands we wanted to play True Black Metal the way it was made back in the 90”. 

5.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years? 

The songs are about Spectres, haunted houses, Dante’s Inferno and ancient legends. The lyrical topics are the same since I entered the band (LILITH). I have always liked to write about black magic and old legends and in Spectr3 I can inspire with the music.

 6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Spectr3'? 

It’s the name in the logo. Last E is inverted so it’s always been typed ending in 3.

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

All the photos were taken during the recording of the first videoclip BLOOD RITUALS IN THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD at Can Busquets, the most haunted house in Catalunya. 

8.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance? 

We have never performed live, this summer will be our debut as a band at the Drums of War. 

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

 After the summer festival we are talking deals for other festivals in 27”.

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

To tell the truth as expected. This music is for fans of old school BM, and it’s the people who follow us. Also, more people have got to know us thanks to releasing with Solistitum again after so many years. 

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? 

We’re all pretty busy playing live, recording albums and so but our priority is Spectr3. 

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

We want to play more of the same. Keep the black flame burning. 

13.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? 

Well I must say that, besides Varg that’s the only young member of the bands and has interest in current bands, the rest of us still listen to our old records. 80”-90” and not much more. Sometimes there’s a band that calls your attention and it’s cool but usually old shit. 

14.Does Occultism play any role in your music? 

Absolutely. We are very interested in old magic books and also underground cinema. We are lucky to live in Catalunya where there are many gates in different sites. Old buildings, abandoned towns, ancient woods…we are surrounded by great forces from beyond. 

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

I would like to thank you for your interest and support to the bands. Looking forward playing abroad to meet our fans and share some evil.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adEdP5WGexs

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.

  Endspace Facebook

Endspace Instagram    

   

Horns Of Abomination/Self Titled/Sentient Ruin Laboratories/2026 Demo Review

  Horns  Of  Abomination  are  a  solo  project  from  California  that  plays  a  bestial  mixture  of  war,,  black,  death  metal  and  noise  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  titled  2026  demo  which  will  be  released  in  July  24th  by  Sentient  Ruin  Laboratories.

 Synths  start  off  the  demo  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  demo  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  brutal  blast  beats,  tremolo  picking  and  war  metal  elements  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  bestial  growls  mixed  in  with  some  black  emtal  screams.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  harsh  noises  are  also  utilized  at  times.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  all  of  the  tracks  stick  to  a  heavier  direction.

  Horns  Of  Abomination  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  war,  bestial  black/death  metal  and  noise  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  blasphemy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Horns  of  Abomination  is  a  very  great  sounding  bestial  mixture  of  war,  black,  death  metal  and  noise  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Necrogoat".  8  out  of  10.

  BANDCAMP RELEASE  

   

Barkasth/Silent Torment/Mara Production/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Ukraine's  Barkasth  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  traditional  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Silent  Torment"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Mara  Production.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  music  also  bringing  the  old  school  aggression  into  the  modern  eta  and  growls  are  also  utilized  at  times.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  tremolo  picking  in  the  fast  riffs  also  giving  the  album  more  of  a  raw  feeling  when  they  are  utilized,  when  guitar  leads  are  introduced  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  On  this  recording  Barkasth  remains  true  to  the  traditional  style  of  black  metal  that  they  have  introduced  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  fragile  boundary  between  reality  and  the  inner  world  that  slowly  unfolds  within  the  mind.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Barkasth  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  traditional  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "When  Dawn  Refuses  To  Break"  "Before  The  First  Shot"  and  "Stay  Away".  8 out  of  10.

  https://barkasth.bandcamp.com

https://www.facebook.com/Barkasth

https://www.youtube.com/@barkasthofficial4035

https://youtu.be/NhS9NBKLKiw?si=4Ls4QUQ8hFghZbrc    

Miasmes/Violence, Blasphème et Pourriture/Les Acteurs de L'Ombre Productions/2026 Full Length Review

  France's  Miasmes  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  very r aw  and  old  school  form  of  black  metal  with  elements  of  crust,  punk  and  rock'nroll  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Violence,  Blasphème  et  Pourriture"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  les  Acreurs  de  L'Ombre  Productions.

  High  pitched  black  metal  screams  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  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in t he  old  school  era  of  the  genre  and  also  adds  in  elements  of  crust  punk.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  bring  in  more  of  a  rock'n'roll  style  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  of  the  riffing  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  melody  and  all  of  the  songs  also  stick  to  a  heavier  direction.

  On  this  recording  Miasmes  sticks  to  the  punk  and  rock'n'roll  inspired  raw  and  old  school  style  of  black  metal  that  they  have  introduced  on  previous  releases.  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  French  and  cover  decay,  apostasy  and  inner  violence.  

     In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Miasmes  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  raw  and  old  school  black  metal  with  elements  of  punk,  crust  and  rock'n'roll,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Ecorche"  "Cendres"  "Agonie"  and "Redemption".  8 out  of  10.

   https://www.lesacteursdelombre.net/product-category/preorders'

Facebook

Instagram

Bandcamp  

Primal Cult Interview

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

Hello, thank you for the invitation and greetings to your readers. Primal Cult is a band from Greece founded in 2012 by me Eve (guitars) and my brother Ares (drums). In 2013 we met Deathlicon (guitars also) and with this line up we recorded In Timeless Paths EP 2014 and Perennial Fire full album 2018. After the release of Perennial Fire, there came a time when major unforeseen life challenges confronted the members of the band, and we could not continue as a full band anymore. So at some point I decided to continue this project alone and it took me some more time until the completion of the new album.

 

2.Recently you have released a new album, musically how does this it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

I feel the new album is a bit darker and more aggressive than the previous one, but it’s still 100% Primal Cult since I am the main composer behind both albums.

 

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

During these eight years I experimented and composed a lot of music, from which I selected the tracks for this album. The album was completed and financed through my day job as I wanted all the instruments I had composed to be played by real musicians. Certainly, the circumstances that arose within the band caused a large part of the delay, but on the other hand music is not my job but my creative pursuit and I don’t care about making it hurried or attractive to the market.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with the new album and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?

 

Lyrically, Dark Passage is a journey of transitions, from the known and safe to the unknown and unpredictable, from isolation to transformation, from darkness to light and from light to darkness again, from life to death and from death to life. Mythological or historical references are used sometimes to portray these states.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Primal Cult'?

Primal  Cult refers to the primal forces behind creation and destruction, as well as our inner primal impulses. To put it as briefly as possible, it reflects the Greek philosophical view of the Pre-Socratic philosophers, where the cosmos is perceived as an interplay of opposing forces which cause an eternal cycle of transformations. The name also refers to an old school, direct and focused approach to music, structured around core primal ideas.

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

The artwork, which was made by the great artist Nela Reindl, represents a cosmic sea, a literal sea, and an inner emotional sea at the same time, with a portal to the unknown. It’s a pattern that permeates all phases of existence, where a part always remains a mystery and it’s always hidden, but it’s that very Mystery that keeps us driven. 

7.On the new album you also have some session musicians, can you tell us a little bit more about who they are and their contributions to the recording?

Apart from Babis Konstas (Melmoth) on piano, who is a longtime friend and we have played music together for years, the rest were musicians to whom I was introduced by Nick Setesh (sound engineer of Adyton Recordings), who also played the bass on the album. Krotos (ex-Diablery, Dodsferd live), is an awesome drummer who doesn't hesitate to try anything new and Michalis Kontos is a rare case of a metalhead who is also an excellent cello teacher. They are all amazing musicians who loved the material and performed the parts I gave them to the letter and very quickly, while they also contributed their technical nuance and deep knowledge of their instruments. 

8.With the live line-up what are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

We haven’t played many live shows as a band. For me, the most important show was our first gig which was organized by our dear friend X from Human Serpent (RIP), and it had a totally underground spirit to it.

 

9.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?

Some specific shows are possible.

 

10.The new album was released on 'Northern Silence Productions', how would you compare working with this label to 'Azermedoth Records'?

Αzermedoth records was a last resort at the time since we were an unknown band with no network and they were the only label that offered us a decent deal, so we thank them for that. Unfortunately, it seems the distribution of the album in Europe wasn’t sufficient. We also collaborated with other companies, Ancient Spirit Terror released a tape version of Perennial Fire and Floga Records released a vinyl version. Now, with the support of Northern silence, we have opened up to a larger audience that might be interested in connecting with our music and this is always positive. The support we have had from Northern Silence in all areas is invaluable.

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

Lots of people who are fond of a more organic and old school approach to music were very enthusiastic about the new album.

 

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

I’ll just keep creating music as long as I feel the need to do it, following the inner call rather than modern trends or market demands.

 

13.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?

I’m always searching for what feels authentic to me, and this might come from many different sources. I’m trying to listen to new stuff and there is great music out there, though most of the modern productions don’t really resonate with me because my ears and brain are very addicted to the old school-sound of the 80s and 90s.

 

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

I’d like to thank you sincerely for this interview and I hope that your readers will take the chance to connect with our music and follow the journey of Dark Passage.

Bandcamp: https://primalcult.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/PrimalCultgr