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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So far away, yet held so close… I know you call me, wishing me back…
Let’s kick off the celebrations of the 13th anniversary of The Headbanging Moose, and there’s nothing better to represent over a decade of passion for the underground than paying a tribute to one of the staples of the Finnish extreme music scene as our metal lady of this month of October. If you’re not from another planet, you might have already heard of the name Tanja Kemppainen (sometimes also spelled Tanya Kemppainen), or Tanja Kirsi Tellervo Kemppainen, and who also goes by the darkly beautiful moniker Whisper Lilith or Tanya Whisper Lillith, the frontwoman for the incredible band Soulgrind since the already distant year of 1997, as well as the vocalist for other first-class bands from the land of ice and snow such as Lullacry and Gloomy Grim, always delivering those hypnotizing Stygian vocals we all love so much from one of the best places to be in the entire world when it comes to Heavy Metal. The skies are getting darker, the nights are getting colder and longer, and Whisper Lilith is among us all to remind us that winter might be coming, but there’s always beauty in its frostbitten landscapes.
Born in 1979 in Kajaani, a town of less than 40,000 people in Finland, and the regional capital of Kainuu, Tanja came to public attention as the singer of Melodic Death/Gothic Metal entity Lullacry (a play word with the words “lullaby” and “cry”) from 1998 to 2002, before being replaced by another Finnish singer named Tanja Lainio. The band called it quits in 2014, but their legacy remains with some excellent released with both Tanja Kemppainen and Tanja Lainio on vocals. Our metal lady of the month, Tanja Kemppainen (because as you know, there might be too many Tanjas in Finland), recorded with the band their very first demos in 1998 after changing their name from Coarse (which existed between 1992 and 1998 and played a more direct blend of Melodic Death Metal), those being Weeper’s Aeon and Sweet Desire, and the 1999 demo Alone.
After the release of those successful demos, the band then released their debut full-length studio album, also titled Sweet Desire, but containing 11 tracks instead of only the two original ones from the demo. The band picked up momentum and two years later released their sophomore opus, entitled Be My God, which gained tons of positive reviews from the fans and the media. Curiously enough, the band had a pretty steady lineup through the year with guitarists Sauli Kivilahti and Sami Vauhkonen, bassist Heavy, and drummer Jukka Outinen, with pretty much only Tanya leaving their classic formation and being replaced by the aforementioned Tanja Lainio in 2002, who stayed with the band until the end.
Between 1997 and 1998, she was also the female vocalist for a Helsinki-based Symphonic Black Metal horde named Gloomy Grim, having recorded with them the 1997 demo Friendship Is Friendship, War Is War!, and their 1998 debut full-length offering titled Blood, Monsters, Darkness, already going by the moniker Whisper. As a matter of fact, Tanja was the girlfriend of the band’s mastermind, vocalist and keyboardist Agathon (aka Juha Tapio Hintikka) while she was in the band. She left the band when they broke up (although they played together in Soulgrind after that). Furthermore, the band was put on hold in December 2019 due to Agathon’s deteriorating health, and then disbanded in August 2021. Unfortunately, Agathon died on May 30, 2022 due to complications of a brain cancer, but the legacy of Gloomy Grim lives on.
Another band which Tanja was a member of for a few years was Finnish Gothic Metal band Silentium. She was part of the band for a very brief period in 2003, when the band’s longtime original female vocalist, Tiina Lehvonen, took a temporary leave for personal reasons and Tanja stepped in to help them complete their next studio effort. By the time the band moved on to record their fourth album Seducia, in 2006, they had recruited a new permanent singer named Riina Rinkinen. Tanja and Silentium recorded only one studio album together, titled Sufferion – Hamartia of Prudence, released in 2003, a highly theatrical 16-song, 1-hour long concept album produced by Nightwish mastermind Tuomas Holopainen and featuring Tanja sharing vocal duties alongside Maija Turunen.
Apart from those, Tanja was also involved in two other pure Finnish metal bands. The first one was Symphonic Heavy Metal band Metallimessu. The band’s name is Finnish for “Metal Mass”, a service of worship which follows a Lutheran service patterns but where Finnish hymns are adapted to a Heavy Metal style. The first Metal Mass was held in 2006, becoming a phenomenon in Finland, but the group disbanded a couple of years later, in 2008. Tanja recorded with the band the songs Herra, elämääni, Herra, kädelläsi, and Ken tahtoo käydä Herran askelissa, which should translate to English as “Lord, my life,” “Lord, in Your hand,” and “whoever wishes to walk in the Lord’s footsteps,” from their 2008 self-titled album. She was also involved in the project Raskasta Joulua, which means “Heavy Christmas” in Finnish, delivering traditional Christmas carols and Christmas hits in a Heavy Metal style mostly with Finnish lyrics (although some are also in English and Swedish). In 2004 the project released their debut self-titled album, and Tanja was the vocalist for the song Maa on niin kaunis, or “the earth is so beautiful.”
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Needless to say, her biggest contribution to the world of heavy music will forever be her role as vocalist for Helsinki-based Gothic/Black Metal beast Soulgrind as Tanya Whisper Lillith, fronting the band alongside the excellent vocalist Miika “Azhemin” Niemelä. Tanja joined Soulgrind back in 1997, when the band was the solo project of guitarist Jussi “Lord” Heikkinen and already had a couple of EPs and two full-length albums released. Right after joining the band with other musicians, hence Soulgrind becoming a full-bodied group, she recorded with them a 1997 demo titled Helkavirsiä, Promo 1997, followed by the albums Whitsongs (1997), Kalma (1999), Elixir Mystica (2001), Into the Dark Vales of Death (2002), The Origins of the Paganblood (2005), Pakana (2007), The Tuoni Pathway (2010), and more recently the excellent Ad Pulchram Mortem, as well as an EP in 2010 titled March Butterfly, all available on Spotify, slightly changing her moniker to Ms W. Lilith or Ms Tanya Lilith, depending on the album. You can find most of the songs from all albums also on YouTube, including official videos and lyric videos for songs such as Jylhä metsämies (or “the grim forest-dweller”) and Tears of the Earth.
Our incredible and unstoppable vocalist also participated in several amazing bands and projects as a guest musician through her undisputed career. For instance, she recorded backing vocals for the 2007 album Silent Waters, by Finnish Melodic Heavy Metal/Rock masters Amorphis; additional vocals for the 2010 demo The Space Opera, and the voice as “Princess Celeste” for the 2024 album Legacy of Morfuidra, by Finnish Power Metal act Coventhrall; vocals on the 1997 album Yellow, by Finnish Death/Thrash/Black Metal horde Nomicon; backing vocals on the song Black Lotus, from the 2006 album Fuck the World, by Finnish Stoner Metal/Hard Rock band Stoner Kings; and additional vocals on the Sandra’s cover In the Heat of the Night, from their 2000 single In the Heat of the Night, and backing vocals on the 2001 album Epilogue, both by Finnish Gothic Metal/Rock titans To/Die/For.
Once our metal lady Tanja was interviewed together with the diva Tarja Turunen to talk about women in metal in their homeland, and Tanja made some interesting comments about that. “In Helsinki’s heavy circles tough women are called rude chicks. That means the attitude that combines all heavy women. You can be any size or look anyway as long as you have the right attitude. Although the concept of rude chick started out as a joke, it means not to make trouble with me,” she said. Displaying the same style both onstage and in her personal life, Tanja (and also Tarja) said it’s certainly not hard to be a woman in the world of heavy music. “I’ve never faced hardships because I’m a woman nor have I gotten any concessions. Except for the fact that I rarely have to be a roadie! I pretty much have the same things as the guys, there’s no special position,” she commented.
After all is said and done, it’s crystal clear that there is no Heavy Metal in Finland without Tanja Kemppainen, and there is no Tanja Kemppainen without Heavy Metal. She’s a staple of the metallic scene in the always beautiful land of ice and snow, and I’m sure she’ll keep on rockin’ no matter what until her final breath. She has a Heavy Metal heart and soul, and it’s a true honor to let you readers know more about her stunning career here on The Headbanging Moose. May Whisper Lilith continue to darkly whisper her hypnotizing words to us, mere mortals, through her undisputed music, keeping the fires of Finnish Heavy Metal burning bright for many centuries to come.
These relentless Swedish Vikings return with their thirteenth studio album, showcasing ten songs of absolute power and might historically inspired by epic tales of conflict and sacrifice for a greater good.
A ten-song masterwork that further cements the legacy of the band’s spectacularly memorable riffs and unflinching aural power, The Allfather Awakens is the thirteenth studio opus by Swedish Melodic Death Metal warriors Amon Amarth, following on their 2022 beast The Great Heathen Army. Recorded across two recording sessions, months apart, at Hansen Studios, and displaying a dark artwork by German artist Tom Thiel, who created seven of the quintet’s album covers, portraying the mighty Oden, the Norse “all father” who is a deity of war, wisdom, death, magic, and poetry, the new album by frontman Johan Hegg, guitarists Olavi Mikkonen and Johan Söderberg, bassist Ted Lundström, and drummer Jocke Wallgren once again presents Oden as the through-line in their lyrics and music. However, despite Oden being their inspiration as usual, The Allfather Awakens is not a concept album, rather historically inspired epic tales of conflict and sacrifice for a greater good.
Get ready for a wild battle alongside Amon Amarth in Gjallarhorn, with its epic lyrics (“Through Nifelheim’s eternal night / A trek of fear and dread / The keeper of the well to find / The wanderer walks ahead”) walking hand in hand with the band’s heavy and vibrant instrumental, followed by Eight Legs of Thunder, another song perfect for some wild headbanging to the hammering drums by Jocke. Kvasir’s Blood is a horns raising metallic tune by those Swedish Vikings where the guitars by Olavi and Johan breathe melody and fire; whereas We Rule the Waves is a song from the band to their diehard fans, with Johan roars the song’s catchy chorus majestically (“We are / We are Vikings / From cradle until the grave / As long as the sun sets in the west / We rule the waves”), inviting us all to row with them. And the acoustic tune Upphaf, despite its decent Folk Metal vibe, is a weird addition to the album in the end.
Then back to a hammering, no shenanigans melodeath sonority we have Die with a War Cry, where the thunderous bass by Ted matches perfectly with the pounding drums by Jocke from start to finish, followed by Raven God, another song perfect to be played live (or on one of those countless Viking TV shows), with the guitar work by Olavi and Johan sounding very melodic and bringing even more epicness to their music. The Allfather Awakens reeks of classic Amon Amarth, with all instruments supporting Johan and his Viking roars, and I’m sure we’ll hear this song played live on their upcoming tours; and it’s then time to grab our swords and shields and head into the battlefield alongside Amon Amarth in Oden’s Hunt, a fast and furious display of their trademark sound, with Jocke punishing his drums in the best way imaginable. Lastly, after an imposing intro, the music explodes into Swedish melodeath fire in Ascending like an Eagle, a song about overcoming obstacles with persistence and power, and the continuation of “Serpent’s Trail” from The Great Heathen Army, with their guitars and bass creating a dense atmosphere perfect for Johan’s warrior-like guttural.
Introducing previously untried efforts, an impressive and conscious musical and lyrical feat after 30 years of band-dom, The Allfather Awakens is yet another strong album by those Norsemen. For Amon Amarth, a new album has always meant more than a collection of songs, it marks the beginning of a new world, and you can join the band in such an exciting quest by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their music on Spotify, and of course, by purchasing The Allfather Awakens from BandCamp or from Metal Blade Records. In other words, as Oden hears our call, it’s time to go to war to the sound of the incendiary new opus by the most beloved Vikings in the history of heavy music.
Best moments of the album:Gjallarhorn, We Rule the Waves and Oden’s Hunt.
Worst moments of the album:Upphaf.
Released in 2026 Metal Blade Records
Track listing 1. Gjallarhorn 5:14
2. Eight Legs of Thunder 4:20
3. Kvasir’s Blood 4:26
4. We Rule the Waves 3:50
5. Upphaf 4:32
6. Die with a War Cry 3:29
7. Raven God 4:30
8. The Allfather Awakens 4:36
9. Oden’s Hunt 4:23
10. Ascending like an Eagle 6:44
Band members Johan Hegg – vocals
Olavi Mikkonen – guitars
Johan Söderberg – guitars
Ted Lundström – bass
Jocke Wallgren – drums
Behold the new EP by this iconic Ukrainian Symphonic Black Metal horde, offering more than forty minutes of first-class heavy music, and a very good indication of what to expect from their upcoming full-length strike.
Initially a pure Death Metal project under the name of Suppuration formed in 1992 in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Symphonic Black/Folk Metal Nokturnal Mortum started to gain real attention from fans under their new name in 1994, with the album Twilightfall (1995), Lunar Poetry (1996) and Goat Horns (1997) presented a unique blend of Melodic and Symphonic Black Metal with the heritage of Ukrainian folk music. Now in 2026 the band currently formed of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Knjaz Varggoth, guitarist Wortherax, keyboardist Surm, bassist Karpath, and drummer Kubrakh returns with a very special EP titled Біль | Hurt, following up on their 2022 opus До лунарної поезії, offering more than forty minutes of first-class heavy music, and a very good indication of what to expect from their upcoming full-length strike.
To Those Who Went Down the Tysyna River is an absolutely atmospheric and cinematic track, working as an extended intro to Eight Days to Spring, one of the most emotionally charged songs the band has ever made, born after protesting people getting shot down by criminal government forces at Maidan in the last days of February 2014, where the band blasts their trademark fusion of Black and Folk Metal spiced up by symphonic and epic elements. Then after the also experimental interlude First Steps of Freedom… The Flavor of Doom in Eight Years, we face Weltanschauung, with the scorching riffs by Knjaz Varggoth and Wortherax, and the massive beats by Kubrakh, exhaling Blackened Folk Metal magic. The Forgotten Ages of Victories offers a more epic vibe, with Knjaz Varggoth declaiming the song’s dark words like a beast from the underworld, followed by Ukraine, a vibrant live take on one of the band’s classics, where the keys by Surm sound striking from start to finish.
The year of 2026 is going to witness two new metal storms by Nokturnal Mortum, starting with the excellent EP Біль | Hurt, and culminating with their still untitled upcoming full-length album, which doesn’t have a release date confirmed yet. If their new album is just half as good as what they have to offer in this awesome EP, we can rest assured the gods of Black Metal will be extremely happy, just like us mere mortals, fans of extreme music, and you can get in touch with those talented Ukrainians via Facebook and Instagram, and of course, grab a copy of their new EP from Oriana Music. Біль | Hurt is the perfect representation of the past, present and future of such a resilient Ukrainian band, keeping the fires of Black Metal burning bright, and pointing to an even more exciting future ahead of them in the coming years.
Best moments of the album:Eight Days to Spring and The Forgotten Ages of Victories.
Worst moments of the album: None.
Released in 2026 Oriana Music
Track listing 1. To Those Who Went Down the Tysyna River 7:34
2. Eight Days to Spring 4:51
3. First Steps of Freedom… The Flavor of Doom in Eight Years 9:06
4. Weltanschauung 8:42
5. The Forgotten Ages of Victories 6:45
6. Ukraine (live) 7:28
Band members Knjaz Varggoth – vocals, guitars, keyboards, weellyre, drymba, telynka, kobza, percussion
Wortherax – guitars
Surm – keyboards, dulcimer, pipes
Karpath – bass
Kubrakh – drums
These Melodic Black Metal veterans are back with their sixth studio opus, a conceptual journey exploring themes of psychological torment, inner conflict, fragile hope and ultimate sacrifice.
Formed in 2005 in Sortland, Northern Norway by vocalist Aage Krekling and guitarist Simon Larsen, but currently located in Bodø, Norway, with the ambition of creating a distinctive form of Melodic Black Metal deeply connected to the atmosphere of the Arctic north, the mighty horde known as Iskald (which translates to “ice cold” in English) is finally back with their sixth studio album (and first concept work), titled Curse of the Mind, following up on their 2018 opus Innhøstinga. Built as a conceptual journey, the new album by the aforementioned Aage Krekling and Simon Larsen alongside guitarist Ben Hansen, basisst Tobias Aubert, and drummer Isak Larsen unfolds through four interconnected chapters linked by ritualistic invocations, exploring themes of psychological torment, inner conflict, fragile hope and ultimate sacrifice. Framed within a stark, Norse-inspired vision of Helheim, the story is mythological in setting but deeply psychological at its core. Helheim is not merely a place, it is the shape taken by inner darkness. The true battlefield is the mind itself.
After the melancholic, dark intro Curse of the Mind – Invocation I, we face the band’s first slab of ferocity titled The Other Realm, or “The Descent,” a representation of vast emptiness, fog and isolation, with Aage vociferating like a demonic entity while Tobias and Isak generate an intricate, reverberating background that reeks of Black Metal. Then we have another invocation titled Curse of the Mind – Invocation II, where the guitars by Simon and Ben transpire malignancy, followed by Manifestation of Madness, or “The Prison,” showcasing doubt, fragmentation and psychological collapse, offering almost seven minutes of scorching Melodic Black Metal led by Isak’s bludgeoning drums
The second act of the album kicks off with the minimalist yet penetrating Curse of the Mind – Invocation III, where the sound of the piano will hypnotize us all before the band comes ripping with one of the most complex songs of the album, titled A Burden of Hope, or “The Fragile Light,” a display of strength found through accepting the darkness within, where their Doom Metal vein arises, darkening the skies to the devilish gnarls by Aage. And lastly, the short and ethereal invocation titled Curse of the Mind – Final Invocation sets the stage for the album’s climatic conclusion with The Sacrifice, or “The Ritual,” where before the throne of Hela suffering becomes meaningful, a multi-layered aria of Black Metal magic spearheaded by the scathing riffs by Simon and Ben, sounding infernal yet delicate until the very end.
Marking the beginning of a new chapter for the band, Curse of the Mind” was recorded at Strand Studio, mixed and mastered by Hallstein Sandvin, and features a stylish artwork by SG7 Graphics. For over two decades, Iskald have stood among the leading names in Norwegian Melodic Black Metal, expanding their trademark northern sound with its most ambitious and immersive work to date in Curse of the Mind, and if you want to know more about the band you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their music on Spotify, and purchase a copy of the album from Dusktone’s BandCamp or webstore. In other words, the new Melodic Black Metal journey by Iskald is about to begin, and you’re more than invited to join those amazing musicians in their ritualistic and mythological adventure.
Best moments of the album:The Other Realm, Manifestation of Madness and The Sacrifice.
Worst moments of the album: None.
Released in 2026 Dusktone
Track listing 1. Curse of the Mind – Invocation I 4:37
2. The Other Realm 6:53
3. Curse of the Mind – Invocation II 3:01
4. Manifestation of Madness 6:56
5. Curse of the Mind – Invocation III 2:06
6. A Burden of Hope 8:11
7. Curse of the Mind – Final Invocation 0:54
8. The Sacrifice 10:20
Band members Aage Krekling – vocals
Simon Larsen – guitars
Ben Hansen – guitars
Tobias Aubert – bass
Isak Larsen – drums
Florida’s own Death and Doom Metal entity returns with the sequel to the epic psychedelic saga that started in their debut album, an odyssey for the adventurous listener, and a deathly riff journey into the outer cosmos.
Hailing from Gainesville, Florida, the ruthless Death/Doom Metal entity Wharflurch left the Death Metal world hanging at the end of their 2021 debut Psychedelic Realms ov Hell, with the protagonist of the first album being lost in a fungal haze of disillusionment at the album’s conclusion. They return with the sequel to the epic psychedelic saga, Mycodeath and Rebirth in the Outer Clusters, another concept album continuing the story, placing our “hero” at the precipice of an incredible journey to the furthest regions of our universe. A true Sci-Fi epic of world-building and conceptualization, the new offering by vocalist and guitarist Myk Colby, and vocalist and drummer John Mamo (with guest appearances by Garrett Alvarado, frontman for Maul, on vocals as the voice of the “Sporelords,” and Jamie Stewart, throat shredder for The Abscence, Party Time, and Hot Graves, doing narratives and guest vocals on quite a few songs) places the listener at a vantage point to interpret interplanetary life as ventures of this secret race of mycelial beings who control the life force of galaxies with a hidden hand.
A cosmic intro quickly evolves into a prog death feast led by the scathing riffs by Myk titled Death Toll Horror while John pounds his drums nonstop, resulting in a ruthless start to the sonic voyage crafted by the duo; followed by Forgotten Temple, as intricate as it is demonic, with the duo hammering our heads mercilessly with their gruesome vocals and striking guitar lines, all boosted by an ethereal background. Their old school Death Metal vein pulses harder than ever in Non Zero Expanse, with John dictating the pace with his cadaverous beats and fills, and they continue their otherworldly journey with the Progressive Death Metal attack titled Headless God, again showcasing those Cannibal Corpse-infused riffs we all love so much.
It takes a while for Dimensional Parasite to really take off, but when it does it offers more of the band’s trademark blend of Death Metal. It could have been a little faster, though. Then again presenting a wild blend of progressiveness with harsh, visceral sounds we have The Leaving Orbs, where John is once again flawless behind his drums accompanied by the whimsical guitars by Myk, followed by Revelations ov the Spore Lords, heavy and obscure from the very first second, alternating between doom-laden Death Metal moments and bursts of sheer savagery. And lastly, we’re treated to Mycodeath and Rebirth / Awakening the Emissary, an expansive instrumental outro that feels like the ending scene and credits of a Sci-Fi movie.
Embraced by the sinister, otherworldly artwork by American artist Claw//Eight, Mycodeath and Rebirth in the Outer Clusters is definitely a must-listen for fans of the craziest form of Death and Doom Metal, and you can find more details about such a demented duo on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their music on Spotify, and purchase the album from the Personal Records’ BandCamp or webstore (or click HERE for all things Wharflurch). In the end, Mycodeath and Rebirth in the Outer Clusters is more than just an album of heavy music. It’s an odyssey for the adventurous listener, a deathly riff journey into the outer cosmos, where our destiny has been foretold by beings who treat our planet as a failed.
Best moments of the album:Forgotten Temple, Non Zero Expanse and Revelations ov the Spore Lords.
Worst moments of the album:Dimensional Parasite.
Released in 2026 Personal Records/Gurgling Gore/Dawnbreed
Track listing 1. Death Toll Horror 4:10
2. Forgotten Temple 6:18
3. Non Zero Expanse 4:32
4. Headless God 5:08
5. Dimensional Parasite 5:21
6. The Leaving Orbs 5:42
7. Revelations ov the Spore Lords 6:15
8. Mycodeath and Rebirth / Awakening the Emissary 8:28
Band members Myk Colby – vocals, guitars, synthesizers
John Mamo – vocals, drums
The ride is about to begin to the sound of the new album by this talented American Progressive Metalcore duo.
Hailing from Charleston, in the “Mountain State” of West Virginia, Progressive Metalcore project Altarheart began in early 2023 as a solo endeavour from vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Anthony Conn. After releasing one full-length album, and welcoming his brother Alex Conn on drums, the new, expanded Altarheart released the EP Creatures Here Below in 2024, followed now in 2026 by their second full-length album, titled Prone To Wander. Mixed and mastered by Anthony Conn himself, Prone To Wander affords space and clarity to every element of the band’s complex sound, while it also sees the duo taking giant strides forward and fulfilling all the potential shown by their previous EP in abundance.
All background elements elevate the epicness and add an extra kick to Wayward, with Anthony roaring in great fashion while his brother Alex pounds his drums in the best Metalcore way imaginable. Then in Mortal Man, featuring Scapegoat as a guest vocalist, Anthony delivers an overdose of scathing riffs while also hammering his bass nonstop, followed by Not Well, which sounds and feels introspective yet enraged at the same time, with Alex bringing his share of heaviness through his pounding drums. Rustbelt sees the duo again deliver a solid blend of Progressive Metalcore with Djent elements, with the guitar work by Anthony sounding insane; and the atmospheric Consider The Lillies works like the calm before the storm for Low Souls, another dark and visceral creation by the Conn Brothers, with Alex stealing the spotlight with his killer beats and fills.
Brother, Sister presents what’s perhaps their most Metalcore sound of all, following a more traditional take while Anthony’s harsh and clean vocals exhale despair; whereas Weaken My Flesh, featuring Michael Grice on guest vocals, is an explosion of Technical and Progressive Metalcore where Anthony delivers another round of his piercing roars and guitars lines. Streets Of Mold feels extremely metallic and detailed, with even nuances of Industrial Metal added to its core, resulting in an enfolding aria by the duo, while Island Of One is an excellent option for headbanging together with the boys, with Anthony and Alex being in absolute sync with their scorching riffs and pounding drums. Then a serene intro morphs into another ruthless display of Metalcore entitled Reconcile, keeping the atmosphere dense and pensive, before we face For Those Who Have Wandered Away, closing the album on a high note with its epic background sounds.
An achievement in itself, but also a step in a journey still to unfold, Prone To Wander is highly recommended for fans of Bring Me The Horizon, August Burns Red, Refiner, and The Light Superior, just to name a few, and you can give those talented brothers a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their classy music on Spotify, and purchase Prone To Wander from their own BandCamp (or click HERE for all things Altarheart). The ride is about to begin to the sound of the new opus by Altarheart, and you better get ready because it’s going to be a heavy and melodic one.
Best moments of the album:Wayward, Rustbelt and Island Of One.
Worst moments of the album:Consider The Lillies.
Released in 2026 Rottweiler Records
Track listing 1. Wayward 3:43
2. Mortal Man 3:14
3. Not Well 3:26
4. Rustbelt 3:55
5. Consider The Lillies 3:17
6. Low Souls 4:18
7. Brother, Sister 3:41
8. Weaken My Flesh 4:33
9. Streets Of Mold 3:51
10. Island Of One 3:30
11. Reconcile 4:27
12. For Those Who Have Wandered Away 4:39
Band members Anthony Conn – vocals, guitars, bass
Alex Conn – drums
Guest musicians
Scapegoat – additional vocals on “Mortal Man”
Michael Grice – additional vocals on “Weaken My Flesh”
This German Heavy Metal and Punk Rock trio returns louder, sharper, and more dangerous than ever, delivering twelve hard hitting, no compromise tracks that tear down genre boundaries without mercy.
Officially founded in Geislingen, Germany in January 2013 by vocalist and guitarist Twisted-Felix Ruyn and his best buddy, bassist Dome Ruyn, being later joined by drummer Sammy Ruyn in 2015, Heavy Metal/Punk Rock outfit Ruynor returns louder, sharper, and more dangerous than ever after a five-year silence with a new album titled Metal To The Punk, the follow-up to their 2021 opus Here We Go. Mixed and mastered by none other than singer Michelle Darkness of End of Green, Metal To The Punk delivers twelve hard hitting, no compromise tracks that tear down genre boundaries without mercy. As stated in the title of the album, brutal metal clashes head on with raw, filthy punk without filters and safe zones.
The trio ignites their Motörhead-inspired feast with the excellent Bring Bakk The Balls To Punk, with the inebriate vocals by Twisted-Felix being nicely boosted by the song’s rebellious backing vocals; and Dome’s bass and Sammy’s drums will make you bang your head like a maniac in 10 Years, followed by the also rockin’ tune Your Threats Don’t Sway Me, presenting darker, more sinister elements that end up giving it an old school Heavy Metal vibe. Then of course a name like Metal Punk Commando would carry with it a frantic, heavy-as-hell sound, a true Metal N’ Roll hymn led by Twisted-Felix’s piercing riffs, while Fear Is A Strategy keeps the momentum going with its high dosage of heaviness and rebelliousness, followed by Date Of Death, one of the songs with the strongest Punk Rock vein, again showcasing their striking combination of raspy vocals and insurgent backing vocals.
Twisted Daze / Hellfire Nites is clearly inspired by the Rock N’ Roll and Hard Rock sound from the 80’s, as if it was taken from an afternoon adventure movie; and let’s raise our horns and praise the rock gods to the sound of Hail Rock’N’Roll, led by the pounding drums by Sammy while Dome hammers his bass nonstop. Misanthropic Tendencies is by far the weakest of all songs. It doesn’t work at all, in special if compared to the electricity flowing from all other tunes; whereas back to a more ferocious, faster sonority we face Into The Mosh, which will drag you to the mosh pit without you even noticing. Then inspired by the sound of the mighty Misfits they bring forward Nightmare (Horrific Scenes Of Days Past), offering a nice twist to the album, and there’s nothing better than a wild fusion of Rock N’ Roll and Punk Rock, just like what they offer in P.C. Scum, to conclude any rock album, again showcasing the sharp, incendiary riffs by Twisted-Felix.
Still rooted in real life, still unapologetically diverse, but this time with a level of songwriting and sonic power Ruynor have never reached before, Metal To The Punk will inspire you to slam into the mosh pit like there’s no tomorrow, keeping the adrenaline flowing inside your metallic veins. Hence, you can get in touch with such a talented Teutonic trio by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, including their highly energetic live performances, stream their killer creations on Spotify, and of course grab a copy of Metal To The Punk from BandCamp or Big Cartel, as well as from Metalapolis Records. With the release of Metal To The Punk, the trio is more than ready to rock your world, or as they like to say… TRIGGA TRIGGA PENG!
Best moments of the album:Bring Bakk The Balls To Punk, Metal Punk Commando, Hail Rock’N’Roll and Into The Mosh.
Worst moments of the album:Misanthropic Tendencies.
Released in 2026 Metalapolis Records
Track listing 1. Bring Bakk The Balls To Punk 4:08
2. 10 Years 3:46
3. Your Threats Don’t Sway Me 2:45
4. Metal Punk Commando 1:53
5. Fear Is A Strategy 3:40
6. Date Of Death 4:00
7. Twisted Daze / Hellfire Nites 3:33
8. Hail Rock’N’Roll 2:46
9. Misanthropic Tendencies 2:42
10. Into The Mosh 2:48
11. Nightmare (Horrific Scenes Of Days Past) 5:27
12. P.C. Scum 2:58
Band members Twisted-Felix Ruyn – vocals, guitar
Dome Ruyn – bass
Sammy Ruyn – drums
Behold the heart from rottenness offered by this up-and-coming Italian Apocalyptic Doom Metal duo in their debut album.
Equisetum (commonly known as horsetail) is a genus of primitive plants historically used to scour and polish metal surfaces because its stems contain high levels of abrasive silica. In heavy music, Equisetum are an up-and-coming Apocalyptic Doom Metal hailing from Italy who are unleashing upon humanity their debut offering, titled Cor Ex Putredine, or “heart from rottenness” from Latin. Recorded at Camera Ardente III-MS (vocals) and Camera Ardente IV-BS (guitars, bass and drums), the striking debut by vocalist Noctuaria, who was also responsible for all lyrics (sung in a ritualistic and visionary way, exploring themes of decay and loss), and multi-instrumentalist Mortifero, who took care of the mixing, mastering, music, artwork and layout, is rooted in the traditional Italian dark sound with a reference to Alkaest by Paul Chain, while expanding into multiple Doom Metal trajectories, from the heavier and alienating reminiscences of Celtic Frost, to the more irregular and dissonant approach of Unholy, up to the slow, gothic atmospheres of Type O Negative. Not only that, subtle Black Metal influences emerge, particularly in the construction of rhythmic textures, drawing from the essence of Thorns.
The album begins with the six-minute caustic aria Aghram, where Noctuaria already delivers her phantasmagorical vocals supported by the Doom Metal beats by Mortifero, not to mention his low-tuned, scorching bass will hammer your cranial skull. And Mortifero keeps firing dirty riffs and bass lines in Il Canto Degli Impiccati, once again utterly heavy and ritualistic. Mente Sepolta lives up to the legacy of classic Doom Metal infused with darker and tribal vibes, perfect for some ruthless headbanging, whereas Noctuaria’s vocals will send shivers down our spines in Mortuaria while Mortifero keeps pounding his drums in the name of sheer doom. Presenze Oniriche brings forward another seven minutes not recommended for the faint at heart where Noctuaria sounds hypnotizing with her deep vocalizations; and the Triptykon-like scathing bass by Mortifero will embrace us in darkness in Prevenar. It is as apocalyptic as it is evil, exhaling despair and melancholy. Finally, they still have one last breath of visceral Doom Metal in the form of Rymohr, where the wall of sounds crafted by Mortifero is beyond demonic.
In a nutshell, Cor Ex Putredine presents itself as a focused debut by this promising duo from the always beautiful Italian Extreme Metal scene, built on controlled contrasts and a balance between heaviness and timbral exploration. Hence, if you want to know more about Noctuaria and Mortifero, their music, plans for the future and so on, you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their doomed creations on Spotify, and above all that, put your hands on Cor Ex Putredine by purchasing it from BandCamp. Death is not an event, Death is a process, and the debut opus by this Italian duo is among us to remind us of such a harsh reality.
These beats from Down Under are back with their sophomore opus, fusing Brutal Death Metal with flashes of Grindcore and Hardcore to create a sound that is both crushing and unmistakably Australian.
In just a few years, the Brutal Death Metal/Grindcore beast known as Slaughterculthas gone from Sydney underground upstarts to one of Australia’s most promising new forces in extreme music. Built around cavernous riffs, relentless blast beats, and an unapologetically savage approach to songwriting, the three piece has steadily earned its place through sheer intensity, both on record and on stage, culminating now in 2026 with the release of their sophomore opus, titled Devoured by Perversion, the follow-up to their visceral 2023 debut Meat Head. Expanding on the unfiltered brutality of its predecessor, the new album by Jeremy McLoughlin on the guitars and vocals (who also recorded, produced and mixed the album), Sean Cartwright on bass and vocals, and Matthew Newling on drums delivers their most focused and devastating material to date, fusing Brutal Death Metal with flashes of Grindcore and Hardcore to create a sound that is both crushing and unmistakably Australian, all embraced by a beyond grim and sinister artwork by Khaos Diktator Design.
The opening attack Birthing Ceremony sounds absolutely chaotic and disruptive from the very beginning, with Matthew showing no mercy for his drums (and consequently for our putrid souls), while Repulsed By Your Haggard Appearance continues with the trio’s trademark violence, with Jeremy slashing his axe like a maniac while also barking deeply and rabidly nonstop. Then we face Perverse Bestial Lactation, featuring vocalist Marvin Ruiz of Devourment, one of the most demented songs of the album where their scathing Death Metal riffs and rumbling bass are exactly what Jeremy and Marvin need to roar like true beasts. Horrible Cunt is another song with a charming name, and their Brutal Death Metal sounds live up to such an inspired title, in special Matthew’s demented drumming; whereas Menstrual Marinade, featuring vocalist Elfi Davis of Kraanium, is perfect to be played at any Sweet 16 celebration, as neck-breaking as it is demonic. And Steeped In Fungal Discharge starts in full force to the hammering drums by Matthew before Jeremy takes the lead with his dirty, colossal riffs, resulting in a lecture in brutality.
Pools Of Bile is another sick blend of Brutal Death Metal with Grindcore violence, with its breakdowns inspiring us to headbang like demented creatures; and those guys certainly know how to mix speed, fury, heaviness and hatred, exactly what they have to offer us all in Intravenous Acuphagia, with Jeremy once again sounding inhumane on vocals. The trio them slams their sonic weapons in Strong Poison, with Jeremy and Sean providing a visceral stringed attack for our total delight, followed by Molotov Cock-Tease which, despite its interesting name, falls flat after a while, sounding a lot less exciting than the other tunes. And closing the album they offer another face melting tune titled Soft Foetal Malformation, with their gurgling vocals walking hand in hand with Matthew’s brutal beats and fills.
With Devoured By Perversion, a growing international fanbase, and a relentless touring schedule ahead, Slaughtercult are proving that Australia’s Brutal Death Metal scene is stronger than ever, and if you want to know more about those purveyors of absolute carnage you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their cadaverous music on any platform like Spotify, and of course purchase their demented new offering from the Vicious Instinct Records’ Bandcamp or webstore. These Australian death dealers are on fire throughout their entire new album, eager to bleed you dry, and there’s no escape once their infuriated Brutal Death Metal attack begins.
Best moments of the album:Perverse Bestial Lactation, Steeped In Fungal Discharge and Intravenous Acuphagia.
Worst moments of the album:Molotov Cock-Tease.
Released in 2026 Vicious Instinct Records
Track listing 1. Birthing Ceremony 2:25
2. Repulsed By Your Haggard Appearance 3:26
3. Perverse Bestial Lactation 2:44
4. Horrible Cunt 2:19
5. Menstrual Marinade 2:54
6. Steeped In Fungal Discharge 2:30
7. Pools Of Bile 3:06
8. Intravenous Acuphagia 2:35
9. Strong Poison 2:33
10. Molotov Cock-Tease 2:46
11. Soft Foetal Malformation 3:06
Band members Jeremy McLoughlin – guitars, vocals
Sean Cartwright – bass, vocals
Matthew Newling – drums
Guest musicians
Marvin Ruiz – vocals on “Perverse Bestial Lactation”
Elfi Davis – vocals on “Menstrual Marinade”
Blending multiple sounds to create something highly intricate, varied, and dynamic, this one-man Progressive Death Metal entity returns with its thrilling sophomore album.
The brainchild of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Dylan Cruz, of bands like Noxis, Scumbag, and Dissonance, Yonkers, New York-based Progressive Death Metal beast Hanging Garden blends multiple sounds to create something highly intricate, varied, and dynamic, just like what it has to offer in its sophomore album, titled Dream Death, following up on its 2024 debut The God That Made Them Bow. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Dylan himself, with a stunning artwork by Hafiz, the album presents Dylan’s trenchant prog and tech death approach expertly tempered by transcendental melodic passages, and all of it bears a blackened touch on top of it.
Dylan wastes no time and begins his prog attack with Arete, delivering an avalanche of intricate riffs and blast beats while he vociferates rabidly until the very end. He then brings forward an even more chaotic yet harmonious sonority in Ondine, sounding absolutely heavy from start to finish while led by his demonic vociferations; whereas Dreamwoven presents an amalgamation of styles from Progressive Metal to Experimental and Dissonant Death Metal, with his riffs and solos sounding utterly electrifying. Carambola carries a very peculiar name for a song, musically while speaking it’s another explosion of Progressive Death Metal where he hammers his drums manically; and shifting his focus from hard hitting drums to classy, melodious guitar lines we have Endymion, whhile still maintaining his core essence intact. It’s impressive how he manages to sound so dynamic and fresh with each song like in Tears of Lustful, Secret Desire, as if Dream Theater had a bastard son addicted to the violence of Death Metal, before we face one last breath of progressiveness and insanity by Dylan titled Suffering Radiant Memories, firing piercing guitar solos for our total delight.
In the world of Death Metal, the unrelenting Hanging Garden has concocted an undeniably refreshing sound that is highly nuanced, textured, and worth delving into, exactly like what’s offered in the excellent Dream Death. Highly recommended for fans of the fusion of intricacy and violence by renowned acts the likes of Death, Sentenced, Goreworm, Xenosis, Opeth, and Krallice, among several others, Dream Death can be purchased from Hanging Garden’s own BandCamp or from the Transcending Obscurity Records’ BandCamp, main store, US store or EU store, and don’t forget to also follow the project on Facebook, and to stream its music on Spotify. Progressive Death Metal is indeed a subgenre of heavy music with basically no boundaries, and Dylan and his Hanging Garden are among us to keep exploring those new lands with each and every album release, with Dream Death paving a fantastic path ahead of the project.
Best moments of the album:Ondine, Dreamwoven and Tears of Lustful, Secret Desire.
Attention, metalheads!
