It’s time to rumble with THE HEADBANGING MOOSE SHOW every Thursday @ 20:00 UTC+2 (with a reprise on Saturdays @ 19:00 UTC+2) exclusively at Midnight Madness Metal e-Radio, your Greece-based web radio blasting the best of heavy music nonstop 24/7!
Presented by Gustavo Scuderi, The Headbanging Moose Show will bring to you the cream of underground metal music, giving you a short and sweet background on every band played on the show. No silly jokes, no shenanigans… THIS IS PURE F****N’ METAL!
So remember, EVERY THURSDAY @ 20:00 UTC+2(with a reprise on Saturdays @ 19:00 UTC) tune into Midnight Madness Metal e-Radio to enjoy one hour of kick-ass underground metal from all over the world, courtesy of The Headbanging Moose!
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Demon, please leave my mind… Delusional fight… Beaten, feel so traumatized… Outraged and down…
As June in the Northern Hemisphere is always splendid, our metal lady of such a warm and vibrant month also had to be a splendid one. However, you’re absolutely wrong if you think she sings about happiness and joy. Quite the contrary, she doesn’t care if it’s sunny and warm outside, delivering a Stygian blend of Atmospheric Black and Doom Metal with her band powerful enough to block the sun like a true sonic eclipse. Her name is Kristien Cools, the frontwoman for Belgian doom entity Splendidula, and you better be ready because once you enter her realm of gloomy and visceral doom, there’s no escape.
Born on September 22, 1985 in Mol, a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp, but currently residing in Temse, a municipality in East Flanders, Belgium, Kristien is not only a metal vocalist, but she’s also a digital creator and a financial assistant. Regarding her studies, she went to the Provincial Kunsthumaniora Hasselt (PIKOH), to SISA in Antwerp, and also studied Desktop Publishing at CVO Heusden-Zolder. In addition, she’s is in a relationship with Belgian musician Joachim Taminau, who’s by the way the drummer for Splendidula.
Kristien said that she already started singing from the very first moment she could, already as a young child. Even back then she said “I’m going to be a singer,” and she has stuck to that ever since. “I was in my first band when I was 17, with which I did gigs and recorded a CD. Splendidula is definitely the band where things got more serious. I actually waited a very long time before taking singing lessons, but I once read an article about a singing teacher who teaches the technique for heavier singing in a healthy way, and that piqued my interest.”
Effortlessly blending genres to create a unique and captivating sound while dealing with delicate topics such as spirituality, depression, nightmares and death, Temse, Belgium-based Atmospheric Black/Doom Metal entity Splendidula started back in 2008, but none of the founding members are part of the band anymore. As a matter of fact, the band only released their debut self-titled album in 2013, already including Kristien on vocals, but with a completely different lineup with David Vandegoor and Adriaan Paszewski on the guitars, Jo Flemings on bass, and Patrick Vanderhenst on drums. After that, already featuring Joachim Taminau on drums (as well as other band members), the band released the albums Post Mortem, in 2018, and Somnus, in 2021.
Things unfortunately took a dark turn for Splendidula in 2022 with the passing of bassist Peter Chromiak, who played with the band in the albums Post Mortem and Somnus. Both guitarists at that time, Pieter Houben and David Vandegoor, found it impossible to carry on and Kristien and Joachim had to find new band members. After guitarist Guy Van Campenhout joined the band, and with the departures of guitarist Kim Van Stichel and bassist Bart Deroissart, they released their 2026 opus Absentia, a deeply personal journey through themes of loss and remembrance, available on BandCamp and on Spotify. Furthermore, in all of their albums you’ll find really touching, grim and scathing creations such as Absentia, Echoes of Quiet Remain, Behind My Semblance, Oculus, and Drocht.
According to the band, their name is derived from “lamprohiza splendidula,” the Latin name for “firefly,” aiming to represent the mysterious and peaceful feeling that these insects express when they fly around trees or float over water at night. Sitting at the crossroads of Atmospheric Black Metal and Doom Metal, the band blends the raw intensity of Black Metal with the deep, immersive atmosphere of Doom Metal, and while classic influences are certainly present, their focus is on crafting a layered, emotional experience. The combination of visceral screams, ethereal synths, and heavy instrumentation builds an atmosphere that is both intense and hypnotic, as their music is all about emotion and immersion, drawing the listener into the darkness they create.
Kristien also had some interesting comments about the music style played by Splendidula in one of her interviews. “We actually started writing music without wanting to play a particular genre. For us, the atmosphere that a song radiates is more important than whether or not we fit into the box we’re put into. During this process, we’ve evolved to a sound with a typical Doom metal base, accompanied by different influences from Sludge, Post and Black Metal. In this way we’re not limited to the boundaries of a particular genre. We want to continue evolving and explore musical boundaries, without standing still, and of course we hope that our audience will show the willingness to grow with us.” Regarding the band’s usually bleak artworks, she mentioned that the band decided to go for a really somber, yet very meaningful style of monochromatic art, to connect further with the concept of dreaming. “Actually a part of the population dreams solely in black and white, and a lot of theories suggest that people tend to dream in black and white when they experience something traumatic. After overcoming that difficult period, colours are gradually returning. We found this connection between dreams and reality very intriguing.”
Although Splendidula is obviously Kristien’s only band, you can also find her as a guest vocalist for the song Of Winter’s Woe and Whishes Whispered, from the 2021 album Prelude to Void, and all female vocals in the 2022 album A Voidchaser’s Elegy, both by German Ambient Doom/Post-Metal act Eirð, with her delicate yet visceral vocals matching perfectly with the long composition by the band’s mastermind Andreas Georg Libera, going on for over 10, 15 and even 20 minutes. I’m sure we’ll see more special appearances from Kristien in the near future for other bands that play Black, Death, Doom, Post-Metal, or any other subgenre of extreme music, as her voice fits perfectly in any of the darkest styles in Heavy Metal.
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Within the Black Metal spectrum, Kristien said that some of her major musical influences are renowned acts the likes of Rotting Christ, Wiegedood, Austere, Hecate Enthroned, and Urfaust, among several others, saying she’s always been drawn to Atmospheric Black Metal. “There’s something about the darkness and atmosphere that truly moves me. It’s more than just music, it’s an emotional experience. Outside of metal, my ‘feel-good’ music is New Wave and EBM, as I love the melancholic yet danceable energy these styles bring. I listen to many genres, what truly matters is that the music evokes emotion,” she commented.
As the band wanted to dedicate Absentia to their deceased bassist Peter Chromiak, and as Kristien was looking for a way to express her emotions even further, that album is the one where you’ll find her most aggressive vocals, having received lots of tips on how to properly venture through the realms of screaming and guttural singing. “Personally, I like to be able to vary as much as possible, both the low and high vocals, and now with the screams added, so that people stay captivated, and for me that is interesting too, of course.” Not only that, she mentioned that the band’s creative process includes writing the music first, starting from a basic riff in the rehearsal room, and then experimenting with song structures and implementing some of their personal influences, which is when she begins crafting her vocal lines as well. “Remarkably, I usually create my vocals while driving the car. Belgian traffic jams seem to be the perfect occasion to play some rehearsal recordings and start singing along. In this way I often create melodies very instinctively, and only at the very last stage, these melodies are also accompanied by written words.”
Needless to say, Kristien loves to perform live, having already played in different Belgian cities like Antwerp, as well as outside of their homeland, and at Belgium’s second-largest metal festival, Alcatraz. Furthermore, when asked how she would determine the setlist when Splendidula is scheduled for a 30 or 40-minute slot anywhere, taking into account their songs are long and detailed (sometimes surpassing the nine-minute mark), she said that can be a bit of a puzzle, but in the end everything makes sense and the show flows really well. Also, as the band consistently uses visuals in the background, like video footage, to create the perfect atmosphere and give their concerts a more theatrical vibe, there’s always lot of work to be done by Kristien and the boys, but it’s all worth it as the audiences love every single second of their performances.
Lastly, as a Belgian citizen that’s proud of the metal scene in her homeland, Kristien recommends Antwerp’s own Doom/Death Metal band Marche Funèbre, who by the way released the amazing album After the Storm, in 2024; West Flanders-based Atmospheric Death/Black Metal act Thurisaz, who unfortunately played their last concert on December 6, 2024 in Kortrijk, Belgium, before calling it quits; and Mechelen’s own Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Metal band Pothamus, who released in 2025 the album Abur. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll see Kristien as a guest vocalist for one of these bands, or any other band from the darkest and most melancholic side of music, right? Because we need more of the voice of Kristien Cools in our rotten and decaying world, as her singing is as comforting as it’s dark and gloomy.
Meshing different Death Metal styles in a way that’s both confounding and challenging, this Canadian ensemble returns with their sophomore beast, their most evolved creation to date.
Meshing different Death Metal styles in a way that’s both confounding and challenging, throwing Technical, Melodic, and Brutal Death Metal elements into a high-speed blender, Brantford, Ontario-based ensemble Goreworm have been on a roll since their inception back in 2017, culminating now in 2026 with the release of their sophomore album Miasmic Solitude, following up on their 2020 debut Prodigy of the Grotesque. Displaying a grim, barren artwork by Leanna TenEycke, and featuring guest drummer Robin Stone (of bands like Ashen Horde, Norse and Chestcrush), the new album by Robert Miller on vocals, Jordan Estrela on the guitars, and Brent Moerschfelder on the guitars and bass is their most evolved creation to date, and it must be celebrated for its passionate and innovative take on the Technical Death Metal style.
It’s pedal to the metal from the very first notes in the infuriated Conjuring, with its background epicness elevating the band’s heaviness to a whole new level, not to mention Robin simply demolishes his drums in an ode to tech death. The following tune Monuments to Murdering brings forward a crazy fusion of Progressive and Technical Death Metal where Robert’s enraged roars match perfectly with the intricate riffs by Jordan and Brent; whereas The Enthralling Grave, the first single of the album, offers an onrush of violence and dexterity, with Robin once again hammering his drums in the name of extreme music. The band then delivers a somber, grim sonority in Orbweaver, evolving into another slab of brutal insanity spearheaded by the inhumane riffage by the band’s guitar duo, and it’s time to headbang like a maniac to the sound of Amor Vincit Omnia, a Latin phrase meaning “love conquers all,” coined by the Roman poet Virgil around 37 B.C., another solid Technical Death Metal beast crafted by the boys.
The band goes berserk in the Death Metal extravaganza No Reprieve, with Robert barking and growling rabidly for our absolute delight in a lecture in Technical Death Metal made in Canada; while Eve of Flagellation feels a bit uninspired in the end despite its heaviness and fury, even with Robert roaring like a demonic entity nonstop. Then back to a more creative and demented sonority we face Jarrell, as infernal as it is technical, with Robin stealing the spotlight with perhaps his most demolishing performance of the entire album; whereas adding epic elements to their core savagery, the band destroys everything and everyone with Strelly, where Brent sounds ruthless with both his guitar and bass for our total delight. And lastly we have the title-track Miasmic Solitude, putting a beyond pulverizing ending to the album to the sound of the band’s undisputed screams, riffs and beats.
After all is said and done, the new offering by the unrelenting Goreworm will undoubtedly appeal to fans of the most intricate yet demolishing form of Death Metal crafted by bands the likes of Arsis, Gorod, Xenosis, Fleshbore, and Obscura, just to name a few. You can get to know more about such a talented band from Canada by following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, blow your speakers by streaming their music on Spotify, and of course grab a copy of their incendiary new album from their own BandCamp or from the Transcending Obscurity Records’ BandCamp, main store, US store or EU store. Goreworm offer classic Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, Brutal Death Metal and more in Miasmic Solitude, and you better get ready as once their music strikes you, it will be deadly.
Best moments of the album:Monuments to Murdering, No Reprieve and Jarrell.
Worst moments of the album:Eve of Flagellation.
Released in 2026 Transcending Obscurity Records
Track listing 1 Conjuring 4:10
2 Monuments to Murdering 3:04
3 The Enthralling Grave 3:04
4 Orbweaver 4:34
5 Amor Vincit Omnia 5:02
6 No Reprieve 4:13
7 Eve of Flagellation 4:11
8 Jarrell 4:10
9 Strelly 3:29
10 Miasmic Solitude 4:09
Band members Robert Miller – vocals
Jordan Estrela – guitars
Brent Moerschfelder – guitars, bass
One of the most compelling acts within the South American Extreme Metal scene returns with their deadly third full-length album, refining their sonic identity without sacrificing intensity or authenticity.
Formed in 2016 in Iquique, a coastal city in northern Chile, to the west of the Atacama Desert, the unrelenting Rotten Tomb have steadily risen as one of the most compelling acts within the South American Extreme Metal scene, blending Death Metal with doom-laden atmospheres and occult undertones. Following the strong impact of their 2022 debut Visions of a Dismal Fate and the equally praised 2024 sophomore The Relief of Death, the band formed of Deathbringer on vocals and guitar, C. also on the guitar, Utukku on bass, and A. Prophaner on drums returns with their most ambitious and fully realized work to date, titled Vestiges of Tortured Souls. Recorded and mixed by Pablo Clares at DM6 Recording Studio, the album sees the band refine their sonic identity without sacrificing intensity or authenticity. The riffs are sharper and more cohesive, while the melodies take on a more prominent role, painting soundscapes that feel more sorrowful and evocative than ever before, being therefore highly recommended for fans of Incantation, Paradise Lost, Krypts, and Sonne Adam.
The quartet wastes no time and begin their lecture in violence and hatred in Horror Manifestations, with the demented roars by Deathbringer walking hand in hand with the crushing drums by A. Prophaner, followed by Condemned Reality, as brutal and visceral as the opening track, with the guitars by Deathbringer and C. exhaling sulfur. Then investing an even more infuriated sonority we have Lost Memories, where the pulverizing beats and fills by A. Prophaner are nicely supported by Utukku’s evil bass, while Waiting, Dying is a lecture in 90’s Death Metal with a doomed twist, perfect for some vigorous headbanging in the name of absolute darkness. And A. Prophaner’s crushing drums kick off the infernal Mortified, living up to the legacy of classic Death Metal.
Mind of Chaos blends the obscurity and vileness of Doom Metal with their core deadly sonority, with Deathbringer making sure he doesn’t use that moniker in vain, spreading death and violence through his devilish gnarls and riffs. Here Lies Death is another song highly recommended for admirers of ultimate heaviness without forgetting the much needed melody and intricacy, with the bass by Utukku reverberating like the bellow of a creature from the abyss. They still have a lot of fuel to burn in Vestiges of Tortured Souls, and the venomous sounds from Ancestral Preservation are the perfect depiction of the band’s devotion to doom-laden Death Metal; and last but certainly not last, get ready for the mot obscure and infernal of all songs, entitled Human Pyre, putting a demonic ending to the album with the striking riffs by Deathbringer and C. cutting our flesh mercilessly.
Channeling the oppressive weight of the genre’s darkest pioneers alongside a deeply mournful and introspective atmosphere, while still maintaining a distinct and personal voice, Vestiges of Tortured Souls represents a major step forward for Rotten Tomb, solidifying their position at the forefront of Chile’s increasingly renowned Extreme Metal scene and extending their reach far beyond national borders. Those Chilean death dealers are waiting for you on Facebook and on Spotify, and don’t forget to show them your utmost support by purchasing their new album from their own BandCamp or from the Nuclear Winter Records’ BandCamp or webstore. In other words, Vestiges of Tortured Souls is not just dark and heavy. It’s a statement of the power of Chilean extreme music worldwide, further cementing Rotten Tomb’s commitment to the underground tradition.
Best moments of the album:Horror Manifestations, Waiting, Dying and Human Pyre.
Worst moments of the album: None.
Released in 2026 Nuclear Winter Records
Track listing 1. Horror Manifestations 3:43
2. Condemned Reality 4:32
3. Lost Memories 4:46
4. Waiting, Dying 4:25
5. Mortified 3:43
6. Mind of Chaos 3:52
7. Here Lies Death 4:27
8. Ancestral Preservation 4:19
9. Human Pyre 5:04
Band members Deathbringer – vocals, guitar
C. – guitar
Utukku – bass
A. Prophaner – drums
Following a nine-year silence, witness the return of pure hostility with the new opus by this unrelenting Chilean Death Metal institution.
Formed in the distant year of 1997 in Talca, a city in central Chile’s Maule region, the iconic Death Metal outfit Godless is unleashing hell upon humanity with their sophomore full-length opus Adversus Parousia, following a nine-year silence since their last EP Omega Omnipotens, marking the return of a band whose legacy in the underground has been quietly monumental since their formation. Produced by the band itself, and mastered by Eric Brisso at Equinox Studio, the new offering by V.D.A. Irrenemidis on vocals, Gioser Nasare on the guitars and bass, and Rob A. on drums demonstrates a rigorous adherence to traditional Death Metal principles, yet its execution is anything but predictable. It’s a work that challenges both themselves and their listeners, embodying fidelity to the ethos of the genre, while also eschewing pretension for a direct confrontation with darkness and dissolution.
The trio kicks off their ruthless feast of Death Metal with Ingenitus-Ekstasis, where Rob already hammers his drums with tons of fury and dexterity while the riffs by Gioser exhale sulfur and hatred. Then the cadaverous guttural by V.D.A. Irrenemidis sets the tone in Omega Omnipotens: Hosanna in Nullificatio, an ode to the most obscure form of Death Metal, again presenting a wicked guitar work by Gioser; and they show absolute zero mercy for our putrid souls in Plaga Vobiscum (Et Cum Spiritu Tuo), with the demented beats and fills by Rob inviting us all to slam into the pit manically. And venturing through the lands of morbid, vile Doom Metal we face Pneuma-Khaos, with V.D.A. Irrenemidis once again vociferating like a demonic entity for our total delight.
After such a dark and devilish tune it’s time for the trio to crush our souls with Ekstasis-Cosmogravis, starting in a doomed way before exploding into primeval Death Metal madness; whereas Gioser sounds even more infuriated and demented armed with his axe in Numenlagneia, perfect for some wild headbanging to their scorching fusion of Death and Doom Metal. V.D.A. Irrenemidis continues to summon the dark forces of the underworld in Ultraticum Infinita Omnium in Nihilum, supported by the hammering beats and fills by Rob in another bestial creation by the trio; and the closing song of the album, titled Et Verbum Nihil Factum Est, might be the weakest of all, but that doesn’t mean it’s not grim and sulfurous, with V.D.A. Irrenemidis’ growls sounding as harsh as they can be.
Godless have always approached their work with meticulous care, and Adversus Parousia is the culmination of years of patient refinement. For those attuned to the gravest depths of the genre, the album offers a profound, immersive encounter with the essence of Death Metal at its most solemn and potent, being highly recommended for fans of Immolation, Morbid Angel, Dead Congregation, and Drawn And Quartered. You can find more information about those deadly veterans on Facebook and on Instagram, and of course show them your love for absolute Death Metal by purchasing their new album from their own BandCamp, as well as from the Nuclear Winter Records’ BandCamp or webstore. Witness the return of pure hostility with the newborn spawn by one of the most important bands in the history of Chilean metal, but you better be warned as once they have you under their deadly black wings, there’s no way out.
Best moments of the album:Omega Omnipotens: Hosanna in Nullificatio, Plaga Vobiscum (Et Cum Spiritu Tuo) and Numenlagneia.
Worst moments of the album:Et Verbum Nihil Factum Est.
Released in 2026 Nuclear Winter Records
Track listing 1. Ingenitus-Ekstasis 7:06
2. Omega Omnipotens: Hosanna in Nullificatio 4:54
3. Plaga Vobiscum (Et Cum Spiritu Tuo) 3:55
4. Pneuma-Khaos 5:51
5. Ekstasis-Cosmogravis 4:51
6. Numenlagneia 4:55
7. Ultraticum Infinita Omnium in Nihilum 5:02
8. Et Verbum Nihil Factum Est 3:53
Band members V.D.A. Irrenemidis – vocals
Gioser Nasare – guitars, bass
Rob A. – drums
These Canadian metal heroes return with their sixth studio album, taking on loss, pain and struggle while also blending their classic Heavy Metal roots with new textures, progressive touches, and a renewed sense of storytelling.
Forged in Vancouver, Canada in 2011, Iron Kingdom have spent fifteen years carrying the torch for classic Heavy Metal with unwavering conviction, inspired by the genre’s titans such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, Scorpions, and Rush while building identity on electrifying stage presence, intricate twin-guitar harmonies, and a steadfast devotion to the melodic, adventurous spirit of traditional metal, culminating now in 2026 with their sixth studio album, titled Shadows and Dust. Recorded at KH Studios, co-produced by the band’s own Chris Osterman and Megan Merrick, mixed by Andy Boldt, mastered by Greg Reely at The Green Jacket, and displaying a harsh artwork by Alan Lathwell (inspired by a scene in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson), the new opus by vocalist and guitarist Chris Osterman, guitarist Megan Merrick, bassist Leighton Holmes, and drummer Max Friesen heavily lends itself towards the themes of death and impermanence, taking on loss, pain and struggle while also blending the band’s classic Heavy Metal roots with new textures, progressive touches, and a renewed sense of storytelling.
Chris and Megan rev up the band’s Heavy Metal engine with their striking axe attack in Defenders before the same Chris delivers his 80’s-inspired soaring vocals for our total delight; and get ready for another battle hymn titled Eternal Emperor, with the galloping rhythm led by Leighton and Max sounding thrilling and vibrant. Then fully inspired by the classic sound crafted by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Saxon we have Dreamless Sea, with their guitars sounding melodic and sharp from start to finish. Max once again takes the lead in Deadhouse Gates, with the entire band being in total sync and therefore offering us all first-class classic Heavy Metal; whereas it’s time for total anarchy with the fast and furious Line of Fire, adding elements of Speed and Thrash Metal to their core sound while led by the ass-kicking riffs and solos by Chris and Megan.
Despite its imposing name, Blood and Steel sounds a bit too mellow and soft compared to the rest of the album, as if it was a mellow version of Melodic Rock or AOR, although it’s still a very enjoyable tune. Then back to their trademark fusion of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal we face Shadow of Time, with the groove flowing from Leighton’s bass and Max’s drums penetrating deep inside our metallic minds; and it’s time to put the pedal to the metal in the high-octane Speed Metal extravaganza Dark Demands, with Chris firing his most insane high-pitched screams of the whole album. Again delivering a rhythmic, galloping sonority we have Starlight, with their guitar riffs and solos once again bringing fire to the ambience, whereas closing the album we’re treated to the epic seven-minute aria Sacred Fire, starting in a serene manner before morphing into a classic sound rooted in the 80’s, spearheaded by the old school vocals by Chris.
Across six albums, Iron Kingdom have transformed from a Hard Rock-leaning young band into a fully realized traditional Heavy Metal powerhouse, with Shadows and Dust also becoming the first album recorded entirely in the band’s own home studio, a major step in their long-standing DIY ethos. You can find more information about the band on Facebook and on Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their excellent music on Spotify, and of course purchase their new album from BandCamp. With Shadows and Dust, Iron Kingdom enter a new era with sharpened purpose, renewed fire, and a sound that honors the past while forging boldly ahead. It’s a story of endurance, evolution, and the unbreakable power of Heavy Metal, and I’m sure that after Shadows and Dust we’ll see those Canadians rockin’ for many years to come no matter what.
Best moments of the album:Deadhouse Gates, Line of Fire and Dark Demands.
Worst moments of the album:Blood and Steel.
Released in 2026 Steel Shark Records
Track listing 1. Defenders 6:05
2. Eternal Emperor 4:31
3. Dreamless Sea 5:11
4. Deadhouse Gates 4:57
5. Line of Fire 3:06
6. Blood and Steel 4:53
7. Shadow of Time 4:23
8. Dark Demands 3:36
9. Starlight 4:10
10. Sacred Fire 7:21
Band members Chris Osterman – lead vocals, guitars
Megan Merrick – guitars
Leighton Holmes – bass
Max Friesen – drums
New Haven, Connecticut’s own Progressive Death Metal entity strikes again with their incendiary fifth studio album, retaining their core sound as they elaborate on both the progressive and technical aspects.
Honing their craft with each album since their inception back in 2010, and showcasing a flair for experimentation too, New Haven, Connecticut-based Progressive Death Metal entity Xenosis is ready to attack our senses once again with their fifth studio album, entitled Hermetic Transmutation, following up on their amazing albums Haunted Skies (2012), Sowing the Seeds of Destruction (2015), Devour and Birth (2018), and Paralleled Existence (2021). Showcasing a striking artwork by Graphic Nightmare, the new offering by Sal Bova on vocals, Kenny Bullard and Keith Benway on the guitars, Travers Kenney on bass, and Gary Marotta on drums retains their core sound as the band elaborates on both the progressive and technical aspects, even borrowing elements of Brutal Death Metal and Dissonant Death Metal to achieve that, becoming a must-listen for admirers of Death, Atheist, Gorguts, Obscura, Evilyn, and Mors Verum, just to name a few.
Those ultra talented American metallers don’t waste a single second and begin their Technical Death Metal feast in Sentient Shapes, spearheaded by the menacing guitars by Kenny and Keith, kicking off the album on a high and insane mode for our absolute delight; and their striking riffs continue to cut our skin deep in Prolapsed Twin Entombment, while Gary sounds like a stone crusher of progressiveness on drums. Needless to say, it will surely sound amazing if they decide to add it to their live performances. Spore Whore sounds as ravenous as its predecessors, with the dissonant sound of their guitars being perfect for the bestial vocals by Sal, keeping the album’s flow moving in great fashion with zero moments of boredom.
Then after the Stygian instrumental interlude Engravings for Dyslexic Clairvoyants we’re treated to Rapid Metamorphosis, one of the most detailed and complex songs of the entire album, again presenting Sal’s demonic roars to give it an edgier vibe, feeling as if Dream Theater decided to go full Death Metal, not to mention its experimental passages will quickly consume your rotten mind. After such a bold and multi-layered tune, Sea of Teeth feels a bit generic. Well, I know it’s not, but it gets a bit repetitive after a while. Travers then gives a lecture in insanity armed with his bass in Altar of the Hound, blending the most idiosyncratic elements of Progressive and Dissonant Death Metal; and get ready for one final progressive attack by Xenosis in the form of No Longer Human, with Kenny and Keith again stealing the show with their sharp riffs and solos.
After years of toiling, Xenosis have created a delightfully engrossing album that is bound to confound, tantalize, and ultimately satiate fans of Progressive Death Metal. Hermetic Transmutation is at the same time absolutely aggressive and intricate, old school and experimental, upbeat and obscure. You can put your hands on such a unique album of extreme music by purchasing it from their own BandCamp or from the Transcending Obscurity Records’ BandCamp, main store, US store or EU store, and don’t forget to also check what those talented musicians are up to on Facebook and on Instagram, and to stream their unique creations on Spotify or any other platform. After all is said and done, you’ll easily realize that Xenosis are out for blood armed with Hermetic Transmutation, waving the banners of Progressive and Technical Death Metal high in the always electrifying American underground.
Best moments of the album:Prolapsed Twin Entombment, Rapid Metamorphosis and Altar of the Hound.
Worst moments of the album:Sea of Teeth.
Released in 2026 Transcending Obscurity Records
Track listing 1. Sentient Shapes 5:21
2. Prolapsed Twin Entombment 4:35
3. Spore Whore 7:15
4. Engravings for Dyslexic Clairvoyants 1:08
5. Rapid Metamorphosis 7:38
6. Sea of Teeth 4:40
7. Altar of the Hound 6:05
8. No Longer Human 6:02
Band members Sal Bova – vocals
Kenny Bullard – guitar
Keith Benway – guitar
Travers Kenney – bass
Gary Marotta – drums
Celebrating ten years of existence, this Swedish supergroup returns with their fourth studio album, standing as a statement of transformation as it does not mourn what was lost, but it proves that loss did not define the ending.
Celebrating ten years of existence now in 2026, Gothenburg, Sweden-based Melodic Groove Metal/Hard Rock ensemble Cyhra is releasing their explosive fourth studio effort, titled Requiem For A Pipe Dream, following up on their 2023 album The Vertigo Trigger. Produced by the band’s own Jake E and Euge Valovirta, with artwork by world renowned artist Gustavo Sazes, the new album by Jake E on vocals and keyboards, Euge Valovirta on the guitars, bass and keyboards, Jesper Strömblad on bass and guitars, Marcus Sunesson on the guitars, and Alex Landenburg on drums brings to our avid catchy hooks, atmospheric synths, fierce riffs and ferocious breakdowns, while the band opens up with deeper vulnerability in their lyrics. Written in the aftermath of lost momentum during the pandemic years, the record confronts uncertainty, frustration, and rebuilding after collapse.
Classic Swedish keys and beats set the tone in the opening song Bleed With Pride, with Jake’s melodious vocals walking hand in hand with the riffs by Euge, Jesper and Marcus; whereas Superman feels more like the band’s kryptonite, sounding too generic and radio-friendly when they could have delivered something way heavier. In Miss Me When I’m Gone, its keys bring an extra touch of epicness to their music while the bass lines sound utterly metallic, followed by Ghostbound, presenting an excellent fusion of Melodic Metal with Hard Rock and AOR. Needless to say, Jake is again flawless on vocals, which is also the case in In The Center Of A Miracle, an inspiring power ballad by Cyhra with Alex adding sheer stamina to their music with his fierce beats.
Skin From Bones is another very melodic display of their trademark Melodic Rock and Metal where all keys once again play an important part to keep the electricity flowing, followed by Ghost I’m Meant To Be, as radio-friendly as Superman, but in this case the formula works really well led by the slashing riffs by Euge, Jesper and Marcus. Mark Of My Sins flirts with other styles such as Progressive Metal, even presenting hints of Djent, giving the song an extra taste while Jake once again delivers endless power from his vocals; and Venom In Me keeps the progressiveness from the previous song pulsing strong, with Alex stealing the spotlight with his intricate drumming. Then back to a more straightforward sonority we have Box With Spirits, with their rockin’ riffs, soulful guitar solos and pounding drums putting a climatic ending to the album. Well, there’s also an excellent addition to any of the special editions of the album, the bonus track Hold Your Fire, featuring Finnish-Egyptian vocalist and guitarist Samy Elbanna of Lost Society, an electrifying tune for the masses.
“There was a moment when everything stopped. We had built momentum for years, and suddenly the future we were running toward felt unreachable. Requiem For A Pipe Dream came out of that silence – out of frustration, doubt, and the realization that nothing is guaranteed. At first it felt like loss. But it became something else,” commented frontman Jake about the album. You can get in touch with the guys from Cyhra and know more about their music on Facebook and Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel and stream their music on Spotify, and of course support them by purchasing their new album from the Reigning Phoenix Music webstore in the EU, US or UK. Requiem For A Pipe Dream stands as a statement of transformation as it does not mourn what was lost, but it proves that loss did not define the ending.
Best moments of the album:Bleed With Pride, Ghostbound and Mark Of My Sins.
Worst moments of the album:Superman.
Released in 2026 Reigning Phoenix Music
Track listing 1. Bleed With Pride 3:12
2. Superman 3:23
3. Miss Me When I’m Gone 3:13
4. Ghostbound 3:51
5. In The Center Of A Miracle 3:46
6. Skin From Bones 3:19
7. Ghost I’m Meant To Be 4:04
8. Mark Of My Sins 3:18
9. Venom In Me 3:17
10. Box With Spirits 3:21
Special Edition bonus track
Hold Your Fire 3:39
Band members Jake E – vocals, keyboards
Euge Valovirta – guitars, bass, keyboards
Jesper Strömblad – bass, guitars
Marcus Sunesson – guitars
Alex Landenburg – drums
Guest musician
Samy Elbanna – vocals on “Hold Your Fire”
Prepare for a descent into blackened decay through the down-tuned, crushing Black Metal offered by this ruthless Slovenian horde in their incendiary new opus.
Bastard-born in a land of fractured identities, the venomous Slovenian Black Metal horde Ater Era channels the red soil of their homeland Istria as it rots, darkens, and transforms into something else entirely in their newborn spawn, titled Sinistria, the combination of the words “sinister” and “Istria.” Showcasing a blackened, oppressive, mid-tempo, riff-driven sound with weight and atmosphere, with lyrics in English, Istrian dialect and Slovenian, the follow-up to their 2017 album Clades represents a descent into blackened decay through down-tuned, crushing Black Metal with elements of Doom and Death Metal, embodying a sound that is oppressive and uncompromising, all masterfully brought into being by S.S. (aka Samuel Simonovič) on vocals and guitars, Eva Hreščak on bass, and J.G. (aka Jure Svarog Gams) on drums.
Grim, minimalist guitar and bass sounds permeate the air in Gorging On Devilries, being gradually joined by the pounding drums by J.G. and, therefore, crafting a dense and heavy atmosphere not recommended for the lighthearted; and the band ventures through the lands of Avantgarde and Experimental Black Metal in Terra Rossa, featuring guest musician Igor Pavletič on the trombone, with the riffs by S.S. and the rumbling bass by Eva making the earth tremble. The trio goes full Black Metal in Tema Trma, with the harsh vociferations by S.S. matching perfectly with the nonstop beats and fills by J.G., inviting us to join them in absolute chaos and darkness; while S.S.’s strident riffs ignite the band’s blackened engine in Bastard Born, filling every single space in the air with their Stygian sounds, not to mention his vociferations are also truly demonic, also presenting haunting, atmospheric passages to give it an extra taste. Lastly, we face the ten-minute aria of darkness titled Um Na Dnu, a phrase that translates directly to “mind at the bottom,” often used metaphorically in psychological or meditative contexts referring to exploring the deepest, subconscious, or foundational levels of one’s mind. Musically speaking, it’s a multi-layered display of contemporary Black Metal, ending the album on a vile and pensive mode.
Much like the land that inspired it, Sinistria exists in a state of tension between multiplicity and negation, origin and dissolution without seeking to reconcile these oppositions, but to inhabit them. Furthermore, while the core of Ater Era remains rooted in a primal Black Metal approach, their sound continues to expand into slower, more oppressive territories, adding multiple layers to their already dark and deep sonority. If you want to let their darkness embrace you, you can find Ater Era on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their Stygian music on YouTube and on Spotify, and of course grab a copy of their killer new opus from BandCamp or from On Parole Records. But you better be prepared as once you start your descent into total darkness together with Ater Era, there’s no turning back.
Best moments of the album:Gorging On Devilries and Um Na Dnu.
Worst moments of the album: None.
Released in 2026 On Parole Productions
Track listing 1. Gorging On Devilries 8:15
2. Terra Rossa 7:01
3. Tema Trma 7:41
4. Bastard Born 9:25
5. Um Na Dnu 10:08
Band members S.S. – vocals, guitars, production
Eva Hreščak – bass
J.G. – drums
Guest musicians Igor Pavletič – trombone on “Terra Rossa”
Eva Brajkovič – backing vocals on “Gorging on Devilries,” “Bastard Born,” and “Um Na Dnu”
Steve Broy – backing vocals on “Bastard Born”
Mitja Rupel – backing vocals on “Bastard Born”
Kariti – backing vocals on “Terra Rossa”
This uncanny Dutch collective returns with their suffocating fourth studio album, a dark and compelling work that once again pushes the boundaries between Black, Doom and Post-Metal.
Hailing from Breda, a city and municipality in the southern part of the Netherlands, located in the province of North Brabant, the uncanny Sludge/Post-Metal/Post-Hardcore entity The Fifth Alliance returns with their fourth studio album, titled Stenahoria, a dark and compelling work that once again pushes the boundaries between Black, Doom and Post-Metal. Recorded by Lander Cluyse at Hearse Studio, and mixed and mastered by Mendel bij de Leij, the follow-up to their 2019 album The Depth of the Darkness sees the band currently formed of Natalya Thelen (aka Thalos Sacritas) on vocals, Niels Termote and Matthijs Keuvelaar on the guitars, Puck Wildschut on bass, and Peter Scheffer on drums push into even more expressive territory, shifting between fragile, almost ethereal passages and massive, crushing moments, emerging from shared human experiences of sorrow, fear, and confinement, and therefore drawing the listener into an intense sonic journey through distress and introspection.
The album simply explodes in darkness from the very first second in Phoenix, with Natalya roaring in anger and hatred like a true she-demon while Peter hammers his drums like there’s no tomorrow in a lecture in Post-Black Metal madness. Then the minimalist but caustic and piercing guitars by Niels and Matthijs will put you in a trance in Benandanti, offering a grim fusion of Post-Metal with blackened, sluggish and visceral sounds, with Natalya stealing the show with her deep clean vocals. Fool on the Hill is as atmospheric as it is obscure and hypnotizing, with their Black Metal vein pulsing harder than ever thanks to the massive blast beats by Peter and the Stygian riffage by the band’s guitar duo; whereas in Battle of Barnet the band adds progressive and experimental elements to their core sound, providing Natalya with exactly what she needs to penetrate deep inside our souls with her flawless vocal performance. And closing the album we’re treated to the even more introspective and vile Jakob, where their Blackened Sludge Metal sonority erupts like a ruthless volcano, delivering metallic lava to our avid ears spearheaded by the scorching bass and drums by Puck and Peter before flowing into an absolute void.
A deliberate confrontation with discomfort, Stenahoria is a cathartic listening experience where intensity and fragility collide, creating a sound that lingers long after the final note fades, truly unfolding the more you sit with it, somewhere between the emotional intensity of Amenra, the atmosphere of Wolves in the Throne Room, and the dynamics of Cult of Luna, with those darker edges of Year of No Light and early Katatonia running throughout. Hence, you can get to know more about such a talented Dutch ensemble by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their unique creations on Spotify, and of course purchase their striking new album from their own BandCamp, from the Tartarus Records’ BandCamp, from Ardua Music, or from Breathe Plastic’s BandCamp or webstore. The word “stenahoria” refers to a deep sense of emotional distress, anguish, sadness, or anxiety, derived from words meaning “narrow space,” and metaphorically signifying feeling suffocated, confined, or troubled. In other words, that’s exactly what you’ll feel while listening to the new album by The Fifth Alliance, with their dark music suffocating you until you can’t breathe anymore.
Best moments of the album:Phoenix and Fool on the Hill.
Worst moments of the album: None.
Released in 2026 Tartarus Records/Breathe Plastic/Ardua Music
Track listing 1. Phoenix 8:11
2. Benandanti 7:33
3. Fool on the Hill 7:35
4. Battle of Barnet 6:59
5. Jakob 7:28
Band members Natalya Thelen – vocals
Niels Termote – guitars
Matthijs Keuvelaar – guitars
Puck Wildschut – bass
Peter Scheffer – drums
Renowned worldwide for blending traditional American Death Metal with European and Scandinavian Death Metal, this deadly ensemble will attack armed with their ruthless third album.
Formed in 1999 in Clifton, New Jersey, the unrelenting Death Metal horde Funebrarum is renowned worldwide for a dark and heavy sound that blends traditional American Death Metal with influences from the European and Scandinavian Death Metal scenes of late 80’s and early 90’s such as Bolt Thrower, Demigod, and Abhorrence. After a long (but temporary) five-year hiatus due to the pandemic, career and familial responsibilities, the band formed of vocalist Daryl Kahan, guitarists Sam Osborne and Phil Tougas, bassist Kyle Winslow, and drummer Charlie Koryn is finally back into the battlefield with their third studio album, titled Beckoning The Void of Eternal Silence, following up on their 2001 debut Beneath the Columns of Abandoned Gods, their 2009 sophomore The Sleep of Morbid Dreams, and their 2016 EP Exhumation of the Ancient. Recorded by Charles Koryn at Elektric City Recording, and mixed by Steven Di Acutis at Sound Spa Productions, the album is perfect for fans of Incantation, Tomb Mold, and Autopsy, among others, keeping the fires of classic Death Metal burning majestically.
As if it was taken from a Sci-Fi horror movie, the intro The Arrival opens the gates of the underworld for Funebrarum to kill us all in Beckoning the Void of Eternal Silence, a lecture in Black, Death and Doom Metal showcasing an overdose of sluggish beats by Charlie while Daryl delivers deep, inhumane roars nonstop. Ša Nagba Amāru, the opening line of the standard Babylonian version of the Epic of Gilgamesh, translating from Akkadian to “he who witnessed the abyss”, is an absolute Death and Doom Metal feast blasted by the guys, whereas Through the Barren Halls of Grieving Emptiness continues their path of devastation and chaos, with Sam and Phil breathing fire through their riffs and solos. And Into Dark Domains is one of the heaviest and most doomed songs of the album, with the vocals by Andreas sounding utterly demonic.
It looks like their plan was to split the album in two acts, as we face the atmospheric interlude Ancestral Manor before all hell breaks loose in the incredibly heavy Anhela Odor Mortoruom (The Adepts), led by the massive bass and drums by Kyle and Charlie. Put differently, it can’t get any heavier than this. Then presenting a wild fusion of Death and Doom Metal we have From Rotting Burial Shrouds, with their vocals and riffs sounding primeval and intoxicating; and Kyle keeps blasting his bass without a single drop of mercy in Turning the Stones of Torment, keeping the album as incandescent as it is obscure. Last but certainly not least, they bring forward their most detailed, multi-layered and demonic composition to date, entitled The Whispering Cathedral – Epilogue, with the riffage by Sam and Phil darkening the skies in the name of extreme music until all fades into a climatic, vile finale.
After all is said and done, you’ll feel absolutely disoriented when the last notes in Beckoning The Void of Eternal Silence penetrate deep inside your rotten soul, proving how demolishing yet intricate and detailed the music by Funebrarum can be. If you want to know more about those guys, their tour dates, plans for the future and so on, you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, and don’t forget to also stream their ruthless music on Spotify and on Apple Music. Beckoning The Void of Eternal Silence can be purchased directly from their own Bandcamp, or you can also get it from the Pulverised Records’ BandCamp or webstore. But be warned Funebrarum do not fool around when it comes to crafting Death Metal. Their music is deadly, and once it hits you, get ready to be crushed into tiny pieces.
Best moments of the album:Beckoning the Void of Eternal Silence, Anhela Odor Mortoruom (The Adepts) and The Whispering Cathedral – Epilogue.
Worst moments of the album:Ancestral Manor.
Released in 2026 Pulverised Records
Track listing 1. The Arrival 1:53
2. Beckoning the Void of Eternal Silence 5:30
3. Ša Nagba Amāru 6:56
4. Through the Barren Halls of Grieving Emptiness 4:26
5. Into Dark Domains 5:48
6. Ancestral Manor 1:32
7. Anhela Odor Mortoruom (The Adepts) 5:03
8. From Rotting Burial Shrouds 3:50
9. Turning the Stones of Torment 5:28
10. The Whispering Cathedral – Epilogue 8:44
Band members Daryl Kahan – vocals
Sam Osborne – guitars
Phil Tougas – guitars
Kyle Winslow – bass
Charlie Koryn – drums
Attention, metalheads!
THE HEADBANGING MOOSE 