Category Archives: 2025 New Releases

Album Review – Castrator / Coronation of the Grotesque (2025)

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New York-based Death Metal maidens are back with their relentless sophomore album, firmly cementing the band among the extreme music elite.

Three years after their crushing debut Defiled in Oblivion, New York-based Death Metal maidens Castrator return with Coronation of the Grotesque, an album that not only exceeds all expectations, but leaves them shattered in its wake, firmly cementing the band among the North American Death Metal elite. Recorded across multiple studios with key figures in the United States Death Metal scene, mixed and mastered by Noah Buchanan at Mercinary Studios, produced by Carolina Perez and Taylor Nordberg (Deicide, Inhuman Condition, Ribspreader), and displaying a gruesome, dystopian artwork by Jon Zig, the new album by the badass Clarissa Badini on vocals, Sara Loerlein on the guitars, Robin Mazen on bass, and Carolina Perez on drums explores a range of historical and societal themes that reflect on injustice, victimization, and human suffering. Among the topics confronted are the tragic killing of Mahsa Amini, the ancient Sumerian practice of eunuchization, and seething condemnation of predator Naasón Joaquín García.

The opening tune Fragments of Defiance will already melt your damned faces to the demented beats and fills by Carolina and the she-demon gnarls by Clarissa, resulting in an insane way to kick off the album, and Sara showcases all her dexterity and rage armed with her stringed axe in I Am Eunuch, delivering pure Death Metal riffs for our total delight. Covenant of Deceit is another song that reeks of Death Metal, starting with a cryptic intro before Sara and Robin hammer their sonic weapons mercilessly until the very last second; whereas Clarissa’s vocals get even deeper and more demonic in Mortem Opeterie, which is Latin for “to meet a violent death”, always supported by the visceral, no shenanigans sounds blasted by her bandmates. And Carolina keeps showing no mercy at all for our necks and bodies in Remnants of Chaos, inviting us all for some wild action inside the pit.

Those girls are definitely not fooling around when it comes to playing old school Death Metal, with Deviant Miscreant sounding as infernal as it is technical and vibrant, led by the stone crushing drums by Carolina, followed by Psalm of the Beguiled, less frantic but heavy-as-hell, with Sara delivering some Cannibal Corpse-inspired riffs that will burn you alive accompanied by the low-tuned, menacing bass lines by Robin. After such an imposing tune, Sara continues to strike us all with her riffs and solos in Blood Bind’s Curse, adding an extra touch of insanity to the band’s onrush of brutality while Clarissa barks and roars nonstop, and those girls are on absolute fire in the also demented Discordant Rumination, keeping the album at an insane level of violence. Last but definitely not least, their cover version for the all-time classic Metal Command by Exodus, from their 1985 masterpiece Bonded By Blood (check the original version HERE), is a stunning Death Metal rendition of such a thrashing beast, with Clarissa and Sara stealing the spotlight with their respective roars and riffs.

“We see it as a leap forward,” exclaims drummer Carolina Perez. “It’s by far the strongest work we’ve done to date. Writing Coronation of the Grotesque was an incredibly enjoyable experience, and everything seemed to come together much more naturally this time. While the album still retains elements of who we were as a band, it’s much more refined, cohesive, and brutal.” And if you want to join those absolutely talented and ferocious ladies in their quest for Death Metal you can start following them on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their ass-kicking music on Spotify, and of course grab a copy of the incendiary Coronation of the Grotesque from the Dark Descent Records’ BandCamp or  webstore (as a CD, LP, or tape), or simply click HERE for all things Castrator. Those girls are not fooling around when it comes to crafting brutal, in-your-face Death Metal, and you better be ready as once you have the pleasure of listening to their scathing new opus, you’ll be pulverized by their undisputed heavy music.

Best moments of the album: Fragments of Defiance, Mortem Opeterie, Blood Bind’s Curse and Metal Command.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Dark Descent Records

Track listing
1. Fragments of Defiance 3:33
2. I Am Eunuch 3:42
3. Covenant of Deceit 4:08
4. Mortem Opeterie 3:18
5. Remnants of Chaos 3:17
6. Deviant Miscreant 3:15
7. Psalm of the Beguiled 3:41
8. Blood Bind’s Curse 3:46
9. Discordant Rumination 4:20
10. Metal Command (Exodus cover) 4:13

Band members
Clarissa Badini – vocals
Sara Loerlein – guitars
Robin Mazen – bass
Carolina Perez – drums

Album Review – The Final Witness / Beneath The Altar (2025)

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Behold the debut album by this Phoenix, Arizona-based Progressive Thrash/Death Metal one-man act, progressing with intense aggression, passages of amazing, atmospheric, melodious reflection and a staggering array of riffs.

Solo projects are not the rare entity that they once were in the multitude of metal genres, and an album can simply pass us by as just another barely noted scrap of information. However, when the songs are so individual, complex and emotionally charged it can still take your breath away. That’s exactly the case with The Final Witness, the debut album by Phoenix, Arizona-based Progressive Thrash/Death Metal act The Final Witness, the brainchild of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Josh Henderson. Produced by Jason Wisdom of Becoming The Archetype, Beneath The Altar offers no gradual immersion into its turbulent waters, no gradual revealing of its unpredictable nature, progressing with intense aggression, incredible guitar solos, passages of amazing, atmospheric, melodious reflection and a staggering array of riffs.

Josh’s incendiary riffs set fire to the atmosphere in Principalities, also presenting crushing beats and fills, and his trademark demonic roars, resulting in a great start to the album, followed by Coronation, even more melodic than the opening track, with Josh shredding his axe in the name of Progressive Death Metal. The title-track Beneath The Altar also brings to our avid ears Josh’s share of aggressiveness mixed with pure melody and intricacy, not to mention his work on the guitars and drums is fantastic; and he keeps roaring and barking nonstop in Sanctum of the Holy, offering more of his Progressive Death Metal blend, with his scorching riffs adding intricacy and rage to the music. Our lone wolf then puts the pedal to the metal in the infuriated Negative World, offering a high dosage of Death and Thrash Metal violence armed with his blast beats and visceral growling. Testimony, the second to last song from the album, is a burst of pure energy, keeping the fun inside the pit flowing until we face The Blood, another complex and long composition presenting his piercing riffage and progressive beats and fills, resulting in a multi-layered tune recommended for fans of the genre.

Highly recommended for fans of bands the likes of Sadus, White Stones, Coroner, and Moonloop, among others, Beneath The Altar definitely deserves a listen by any fan of high quality extreme music with a strong progressive and melodic vein, and you can get to know more about Josh and his The Final Witness on Facebook and on Instagram, stream the album in full sooner than later on Spotify, and of course, grab a copy of it from the Rottweiler Records’ BandCamp or webstore, as well as from DistroKid, or simply click HERE for all things The Final Witness. It’s time for Beneath The Altar to be unleashed, positioning The Final Witness as a force to be reckoned with in the current American scene, therefore inspiring the multi-talented Josh to keep venturing through the wild and unpredictable lands of progressiveness as a true lone wolf, always putting a huge smile on our faces with more excellent releases like Beneath The Altar.

Best moments of the album: Coronation, Beneath The Altar and Negative World.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Rottweiler Records

Track listing
1. Principalities 5:13
2. Coronation 3:56
3. Beneath The Altar 5:14
4. Sanctum of the Holy 4:27
5. Negative World 4:59
6. Testimony 6:13
7. The Blood 6:40

Band members
Josh Henderson – vocals, all instruments

Album Review – Incite / Savage New Times (2025)

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This Phoenix, Arizona brigade is back with a new powerhouse of modern Thrash Metal, encapsulating the pure nature of the band instilled with their unyielding drive and years of dedication to honing their sound.

Ever since their beginnings, Phoenix, Arizona’s own Thrash/Groove Metal brigade Incite has been fiercely devoted to crafting their distinctive sound, making their mark since their 2009 debut The Slaughter. Now in 2025 the band formed of Richie Cavalera on vocals, Layne Richardson on the guitars, Christopher “EL” on bass, and Lennon Lopez on drums presents their most ferocious incarnation in the form of Savage New Times, the follow-up to their 2022 album Wake Up Dead. Recorded by Steve Evetts at Bell House Studios, mixed by Arthur Rizk, and displaying a dystopian artwork by Marcelo Vasco, Savage New Times is a powerhouse of modern Thrash Metal, encapsulating the pure nature of the band instilled with their unyielding drive and years of dedication to honing their sound.

Eli, Christopher and Lennon begin hammering their sonic weapons in the name of Thrash Metal in Lies, being quickly joined by the visceral vocals by Richie; followed by Feel This Shit (I’m Fired Up), another feast of Thrash and Groove Metal where Richie screams like a demented beast while Lennon invites us all to slam into the pit to the sound of his unstoppable beats and fills. Then the scorching riffs by Eli keep burning our skin in Just a Rat, offering more of the band’s trademark fusion of Groove Metal and heavier sounds, whereas Chucked Off is also heavy as hell, albeit a bit confusing compared to the other songs, with Eli still showcasing a good performance armed with his axe. And Doubts and the Fear lives up to the legacy of modern-day Thrash and Groove Metal, with Richie once again bursting his lungs roaring.

A sinister intro gradually morphs into a harsh and obscure metal attack titled Dolores, showcasing the band’s darkest, most introspective side, with Lennon dictating the pace with his hammering beats, and the quartet then offers an overdose of groove and violence in the form of No Mercy No Forgiveness, with Eli and Christopher extracting sheer aggression form their stringed weapons. Richie declaims pensive, dark words with tons of hatred in Used and Abused, resulting in a vile and infernal metal attack by the band, while Never Die Once reminds me of some of the creations by Soulfly, offering a strong Groove Metal sound boosted by Lennon’s pounding drums. Finally, closing the album we’re treated to two minutes of violence and animosity in the form of the title-track Savage New Times, inspiring us all for some wild, neck-breaking headbanging together with the boys.

With sheer determination and raw talent, Incite have carved out a place in modern thrash, dominating every stage with their unbreakable, unforgiving sound, and their new opus Savage New Times represents a true coronation of their focus, hard work and passion for heavy music. Hence, you can get in touch with those Phoenix thrashers via Facebook and Instagram, stream their wicked music on Spotify, and above all that, show them your utmost support by purchasing Savage New Times by clicking HERE or HERE. Our rotten and decaying society is definitely living its most savage, evil times in history, and in order to survive that there’s nothing better than our good old Thrash Metal, just like what Incite are offering in their scathing new album.

Best moments of the album: Feel This Shit (I’m Fired Up), No Mercy No Forgiveness and Savage New Times.

Worst moments of the album: Chucked Off.

Released in 2025 Reigning Phoenix Music

Track listing
1. Lies 3:27
2. Feel This Shit (I’m Fired Up) 2:33
3. Just a Rat 2:40
4. Chucked Off 2:48
5. Doubts and the Fear 3:15
6. Dolores 5:42
7. No Mercy No Forgiveness 2:46
8. Used and Abused 3:11
9. Never Die Once 3:22
10. Savage New Times 2:28

Band members
Richie Cavalera – vocals
Layne Richardson – guitars
Christopher “EL” – bass
Lennon Lopez – drums

Album Review – Baest / Colossal (2025)

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Back from the fires of Denmark with a fresh sound and a badass attitude, this unstoppable creature will crush you with their fourth studio album, a thrilling celebration of Heavy Metal played with Extreme Metal intensity.

Back once again from the fires of Aarhus, Denmark with a fresh sound and a badass attitude, the ruthless Death Metal creature known as Baest will crush our damned minds and souls with their fourth full-length opus, entitled Colossal, following up on their fantastic albums Danse Macabre (2018), Venenum (2019) and Necro Sapiens (2021) while also cementing their reputation as Extreme Metal mavericks with an ear for lethal hooks. Produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studio, and featuring a demonic artwork by Solo Macello, the new offering by frontman Simon Olsen, axemen Lasse Revsbech and Svend Karlsson, bassist Mattias “Muddi” Melchiorsen, and drummer Sebastian Abildsten is an absolute monster, bursting at the seams with catchy riffs and classy melodies, with stylistic salutes to everyone from Ozzy Osbourne and Dokken, through to Iron Maiden and Whitesnake, while still rooted in the belligerent Death Metal that informed previous records, resulting in a magnificent Rock N’ Roll rebirth of such a prominent beast from the Danish metal scene.

The AC/DC-infused riffs by Lasse and Svend ignite the opening tune Stormbringer before the music turns into a wild fusion of Death Metal with Progressive Rock and Metal elements, followed by the indomitable Colossus, showcasing heavy-as-hell, Doom Metal-infused lyrics growled by Simon (“Colossus / Breath the air of the deceit / Colossus / Feel the weight of your defeat / Colossus / Never stray from the common line / Colossus / Crushed under the weight of the colossus”) while the sounds blasted by his bandmates are absolutely dark and menacing. The band keeps delivering sheer adrenaline spearheaded by the venomous vocals by Simon in In Loathe and Love, a lesson in modern-day Death Metal, whereas in King of the Sun, featuring Jesper Binzer of Danish rock band D-A-D on guest vocals, we’re treated to a rockin’ sonority led by the classic beats and fills by Sebastian.

Then blending the fury of Death Metal with the heaviness of Doom and Sludge Metal we have Imp of the Perverse, with Mattias and Sebastian hammering their thunderous weapons mercilessly; and featuring additional vocals by Danish black metal band ORM, the band offers another blast of insanity, heaviness and classy Death Metal in Misfortunate Son, with the riffage by Lasse and Svend exhaling pure adrenaline. Then get ready to be crushed into tiny pieces to the sound of Mouth of the River, where Simon’s deranged growls walk hand in hand with Sebastian’s pounding drums; and a guitar-driven instrumental tune titled Light the Beacons, which feels like an ode to all of their idols and influences, sets the stage for Depraved World, a multi-layered, groovy and vibrant composition where the deep roars by Simon match perfectly with all riffs, bass lines and beats, putting a climatic ending to the album.

Colossal never bends to current trends; instead, it is a thrilling celebration of Heavy Metal played with Extreme Metal intensity, representing a wholesale transformation. Inspired by and infused with old school, classic metal riffs, Colossal is an album that delights in the glory of Heavy Metal and the fine art of rocking out, inviting us all to bang our heads and raise our horns together with those beyond talented Danes, and they’re waiting for you on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Spotify with more of their ass-kicking music, undisputed attitude, and deep passion for all types of rock and metal music. Hence, you can purchase a copy of Colossal by clicking HERE, or you can also click HERE for all things Baest, getting to know more about one of the best bands of the current scene worldwide. As you might have noticed, something colossal is coming, and you better brace for impact as those boys are armed to the teeth with the pulverizing sounds of their incendiary newborn beast.

Best moments of the album: Colossus, In Loathe and Love, Mouth of the River and Depraved World.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Century Media Records

Track listing
1. Stormbringer 4:32
2. Colossus 4:23
3. In Loathe and Love 5:09
4. King of the Sun 4:09
5. Imp of the Perverse 5:56
6. Misfortunate Son 4:02
7. Mouth of the River 4:24
8. Light the Beacons 3:42
9. Depraved World 6:03

Band members
Simon Olsen – vocals
Lasse Revsbech – guitars
Svend Karlsson – guitars
Mattias “Muddi” Melchiorsen – bass
Sebastian Abildsten – drums, percussion

Guest musicians
Jesper Binzer – vocals on “King of the Sun”
ORM – vocals on “Misfortunate Son”

Album Review – Cytolysis / Surge Of Cruelty (2025)

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This one-man Technical and Brutal Death Metal machine is back with its ruthless sophomore opus, constructed from eleven sonic acts of torture.

Born in Naugatuck, Connecticut, but currently based in Boston, Massachusetts, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Darren Cesca, the demented drummer with Goratory, Eschaton and previously Deeds Of Flesh, has returned with Surge Of Cruelty, the second album from his unconscionably brutal solo project, Cytolysis, following up on his 2020 debut Portraits of Malevolence. Mixed and mastered by Darren Cesca himself, adorned in the hypnotically horrifying artwork of Vladimir Cebakov (Six Feet Under, 1914, DeadHead), and featuring brutal guest vocal performances from Mac Smith (Eschaton), Brian Forgue (Syphilic), Adam Mason (Goratory) and Flo Butcher (Tortured), Surge Of Cruelty is constructed from eleven sonic acts of torture, where twisted technicality and methodical precision collide with frenzied explosions of fury and unnerving alien atmospheres, offering exactly what we’re always looking for in high-quality Technical and Brutal Death Metal in the vein of Cannibal Corpse, Deeds Of Flesh, In Asymmetry, and Incinerate.

Darren wastes no time and ignite his demented metal attack in the form of Your Slow Demise, where his infernal gnarling matches perfectly with his killer blast beats; and featuring guest vocals by Mac Smith, Devout Sacrifice is a beyond demented creation where the sound of his riffs is truly piercing and austere, resulting in a lecture in violence and gore. Then in the title-track Surge of Cruelty our dauntless Darren keeps barking like a demented creature while also firing some of his most intricate and visceral riffage, and get ready to headbang until your neck breaks in half to the sound of Consenting Brood, with Darren’s metallic bass and pounding drums boosting his visceral growls in great fashion. After such an insane tune, guest Brian Forgue lends his demented gnarls to A Blood-Soaked Offering, leaning towards the most gruesome form of Brutal Death Metal.

The Stygian, atmospheric interlude Ritual Carnage will darken the skies before Darren comes ripping once again with Tribal Savagery, where his deep pig-like screeches will disturb your frail mind while he keeps blasting his drums in the name of extreme music. Then featuring guest vocals by Adam Mason, Tortured Flesh brings forward more of the inhumane fusion of Brutal Death Metal and classic Deathcore by Cytolysis, spiced up by some nicely inserted cryptic nuances; and of course with a guy like Flo Butcher as a guest vocalist the final result was going to be demolishing to say the least in Mark of the Demons, offering those downtempo breaks perfect for some brutal slamming. Darren doesn’t sound human with his deep guttural and unstoppable beats and fills in Innocence is Raped, offering an avalanche of first-class Brutal Death Metal, whereas the last song of the album, titled Hung from the Rafters, is just as insane and demented, with Darren hammering his guitars and bass until the very end.

Not only a seasoned musician who has already played with tons of amazing underground bands the likes of Eschaton, Goratory, Pillory, Serpent of Gnosis, Vile, In Asymmetry, Virulence, Hideous Deformity, Arsis, Blasphemer, Deeds of Flesh, Incinerate , Burn in Silence, Strappado, and Embers from Cremation, Darren has also studied Performance: Percussion at Berklee College of Music, and appeared as a guest drummer in the video game Call of Duty: Black Ops II, just to give you an idea of how talented he is, and how he crafted Surge of Cruelty to sound as catchy as razor wire through flesh, offering a blend of Technical and Brutal Death Metal of the highest order. You can find more information about him on Facebook, and put your dirty hands on Surge Of Cruelty via Comatose Music’s BandCamp or webstore, supporting such an amazing underground musician in his quest for extreme music.

Best moments of the album: Devout Sacrifice, A Blood-Soaked Offering and Innocence is Raped.

Worst moments of the album: Ritual Carnage.

Released in 2025 Comatose Music

Track listing
1. Your Slow Demise 4:29
2. Devout Sacrifice 4:29
3. Surge of Cruelty 4:32
4. Consenting Brood 3:19
5. A Blood-Soaked Offering 3:41
6. Ritual Carnage (Instrumental) 1:34
7. Tribal Savagery 3:40
8. Tortured Flesh 4:58
9. Mark of the Demons 5:07
10. Innocence is Raped 3:48
11. Hung from the Rafters 4:03

Band members
Darren Cesca – vocals, all instruments

Guest musician
Mac Smith – vocals on “Devout Sacrifice”
Brian Forgue – vocals on “A Blood-Soaked Offering”
Adam Mason – vocals on “Tortured Flesh”
Flo Butcher – vocals on “Mark of the Demons”

Album Review – Thorn / Nebulous Womb of Eternity (2025)

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Phoenix, Arizona’s own Death/Doom Metal creature arises from its Stygian lair with its fourth studio offering, bringing forward more of its asphyxiating grasp like a pin-pricked voodoo ragdoll.

Having a knack of churning out punchy, rotten Death Metal hymns rife with some nasty, lurching grooves, Phoenix, Arizona’s own Death/Doom Metal creature Thorn arises from its Stygian lair with its fourth studio offering, entitled Nebulous Womb of Eternity, following up on its critically acclaimed 2023 opus Evergloom. Mixed and mastered  by Daniel Bonofiglio (Fumes, Gutvoid, Intestinal Hex, Grotesque Mass, Internal Infestation), and displaying a visceral artwork by Arifullah Ali of KanvasKarat, the new album by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Brennen Westermeyer brings forward more of the project’s asphyxiating grasp like a pin-pricked voodoo ragdoll, being therefore perfect for fans of bands the likes of Mortician, Fumes, Wharflurch, Fluids, Intestine Baalism, and Retching.

Brennen showcases all his passion for the extreme from the very first second in Ooze Maelstrom, crushing his drums nonstop in great Death Metal style while also adding an extra dosage of groove to the music, and our cryptic lone rider goes full Doom Metal in the utterly heavy and disturbing Entombed in Chrysalis, hammering his drums like there’s no tomorrow while also extracting pure malignancy from his riffs, ending in a beyond cadaverous way. Then back to a more in-your-face, straightforward Death Metal mode we have Quartersawn Remains, where Brennen sounds inhumane on vocals while also firing flammable, acid riffs. Zombifying Mold, featuring a guest solo by Daniel Bonofiglio, also sounds utterly inhumane for our total delight; and it’s pedal to the metal in the infuriated Haunting Gale, with its Death Metal core being nicely blackened by a good dosage of Doom Metal. Before all is said and done, we face the obscure, grim interlude Gloaming Corporeal Form, which could have been slightly shorter, setting the stage for the title-track Nebulous Womb of Eternity, featuring guest vocals by Ryan Fairfield (Hallowed Butchery, Toxic Cross), bringing to our putrid ears Brennen’s deep passion for heavy and visceral sounds, resulting in a scathing fusion of primeval death and doom where his vocals sound as cadaverous as possible.

In a nutshell, if you like the idea of Death Metal sounding massive, ponderous, and packed with heaving, earth-rumbling parts, then Nebulous Womb of Eternity is most certainly meant for you, and you can grab a copy of the album from the Transcending Obscurity Records’ BandCamp, main store, US store or EU store, adding it to your devilish collection of doom. Don’t forget to also check what Brennen and his Thorn are up to on Instagram, to stream all of his albums on Spotify, or simply click HERE for all things Thorn. This is definitely the type of music not recommended for the lighthearted. This is primeval, dirty and vile Death Metal, and you better be prepared if you think you have what it takes to face Nebulous Womb of Eternity.

Best moments of the album: Entombed in Chrysalis, Quartersawn Remains and Nebulous Womb of Eternity.

Worst moments of the album: Gloaming Corporeal Form.

Released in 2025 Transcending Obscurity Records

Track listing
1. Ooze Maelstrom 5:14
2. Entombed in Chrysalis 8:27
3. Quartersawn Remains 4:35
4. Zombifying Mold 4:19
5. Haunting Gale 3:54
6. Gloaming Corporeal Form 2:56
7. Nebulous Womb of Eternity 7:33

Band members
Brennen Westermeyer – vocals, all instruments

Guest musicians
Daniel Bonofiglio – guitar solo on “Zombifying Mold”
Ryan Fairfield – vocals on “Nebulous Womb of Eternity”

Album Review – Crimson Shadows / Whispers of War (2025)

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Bringing fast and thrilling songs of battle and victory to our metal hearts since 2006, Toronto’s own metal warriors are finally back into the battlefield with their breathtaking third studio album.

Bringing fast and thrilling songs of battle and victory to our metal hearts since the already distant year of 2006, Toronto, Canada’s own Epic/Melodic Death/Power Metal warriors Crimson Shadows are finally back into the battlefield with their fusion of the guttural screams and blast beats of Death Metal with the epic up-tempo guitar harmonies and choruses of Power Metal in their brand new album, the magnificent Whispers of War. Mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson, and displaying a classy artwork by Péter Sallai of Mortpaintgraphics, showcasing a brave, dauntless warrior that perfectly depicts the sound of the band, the new album by frontman Jimi Maltais, guitarists Greg Rounding and Ryan Hofing, bassist Alex Snape, and drummer Cory Hofing is a worthy follow-up to their 2014 beast Kings Among Men, offering our avid ears an overdose of the band’s characteristic sound while also pointing to an even brighter future ahead of them.

Those Toronto warriors waste no time and kick off their metal music played at the speed of light party in Dawn of an Age, with Cory taking the lead with his crushing beats, and Jimi and Greg make a phenomenal vocal duo in Guardians, with it’s catchy-as-hell lyrics (“Guardians / We stand in a time of blood and fire / Ancient tales become our legacy / Skies ablaze, spirits of evil surrounding me / The prophecy remains our destiny”) inspiring us all to raise our fists and join them in a lecture in Melodic Death and Power Metal. Defenders of the Crown offers our avid ears more of their epic lyrics (“Here we stand to hold our ground / We defenders of the crown / Hold your steel and clench it tight / Or we all will die tonight”) in another classic battle hymn; and featuring the unparalleled Canadian growler Matt McGachy of Cryptopsy, Whispers of War is a fulminating metal attack by the boys sounding as fast as it is epic and aggressive, with Greg and Ryan firing truly piercing riffs nonstop, followed by Embrace the Fire, a little bit below the rest of the album but still fast, furious and presenting the band’s trademark sonority.

Then a smooth piano-driven intro quickly evolves into another shredding extravaganza by Greg and Ryan titled Battle Hard II: Battle Harder (the sequel to their 2012 song “Battle Hard”), while Jimi roars and growls with all of his strength and passion for heavy music. And featuring the indomitable Brittney Slayes (frontwoman for Canadian metal masters Unleash The Archers), who brings balance to the vocals together with Greg, we have Secrets of Our Time, not to mention Cory demolishes his drums in great fashion until the very last second. Jimi then sounds out of control, roaring manically in The Legacy of Steel, another headbanging beast where their riffs and solos exhale pure Heavy Metal magic, whereas lastly, the band will head into their final battle entitled Rise of the Fallen Soul, with Greg stealing the show with his awesome clean vocals while their Dragonforce-like guitar solos bring an extra onrush of electricity to their sound.

Crimson Shadows might have competed in and won the 2013 edition of Wacken Metal Battle Canada, and they absolutely deserved it, but in my humble opinion it’s now with Whispers of War that their trademark metallic, roaring sounds are ready to spread all over the world, positioning them as one of the forces to be reckoned with in the current Heavy Metal scene. Furthermore, those brave metallers are ready to take on the stages of the world by storm, and you can keep an eye on their tour dates by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, as well as by clicking HERE. Don’t forget to also stream their striking creations on YouTube and on Spotify, and of course to grab a copy of the incendiary Whispers of War from BandCamp or from Big Cartel. War is upon us, and it’s time to fight side by side with Crimson Shadows to the sound of their superb new album, one of the best of the year, and a lecture in Canadian metal.

Best moments of the album: Guardians, Whispers of War, Battle Hard II: Battle Harder and The Legacy of Steel.

Worst moments of the album: Embrace the Fire.

Released in 2025 Independent

Track listing
1. Dawn of an Age 4:46
2. Guardians 4:20
3. Defenders of the Crown 5:09
4. Whispers of War 5:18
5. Embrace the Fire 4:07
6. Battle Hard II: Battle Harder 5:57
7. Secrets of Our Time 4:48
8. The Legacy of Steel 5:39
9. Rise of the Fallen Soul 5:51

Band members
Jimi Maltais – vocals
Greg Rounding – guitars, clean vocals
Ryan Hofing – guitars
Alex Snape – bass
Cory Hofing – drums

Guest musicians
Matt McGachy – vocals on “Whispers of War”
Brittney Slayes – vocals on “Secrets of Our Time”

Album Review – Disembodiment / Spiral Crypts (2025)

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This Canadian Death Metal quartet is finally storming back into the scene with their debut full album, digging you deep into the most gruesome slasher experience your deviated mind has ever experienced.

Sherbrooke, Quebec’s own Death Metal quartet Disembodiment is finally storming back into the most rancid and filthiest Death Metal scene with their debut full album Spiral Crypts, four years after their acclaimed EP Mutated Chaos, and it was definitely worth the wait. Recorded at the band’s own rehearsal space (vocals and guitars) and at Studio C (bass, drums and additional guitar tracks), mixed by the band’s own guitarist Christian, mastered by Carlo Altobelli at Toxic Basement, with a gory, sinister cover art by Slimeweaver (with additional artworks by draught__, and logo by the band’s drummer Eric), Spiral Crypts digs you deep into the worst and most gruesome slasher experience your deviated mind has ever experienced, all carefully brought into being by all four members of Canadian Death Metal band Oath Div. 666, those being Mathieu on vocals, Christian on the guitars, Carl on bass, and Eric on drums.

Like the soundtrack to a gory horror movie, the band will spread their metallic virus in Morbid Infestation, with Mathieu vomiting the song’s demented words accompanied by the caustic Death Metal riffs by Christian, followed by Stygian Overture, offering us all classic and gruesome Death Metal spearheaded by Eric’s unrelenting beats and fills, also presenting hints of Doom Metal to make things even more obscure. The title-track Spiral Crypts brings to our avid ears another round of heavy and visceral sounds by the band, with Christian’s riffage sounding truly vile; and Disembodiment then blasts a shorter Death Metal tune titled Putrification, with its three minutes bringing forward absolutely intense, unstoppable and thrilling violence.

Then a beyond cryptic, disturbing start gradually evolves into a massive wall of Death Metal thunder in Larval, slower than its predecessors yet just as pulverizing and grim, with Eric smashing his drums supported by Carl’s Stygian bass. Mathieu takes the lead once again with his deranged guttural in Infected To Rot, again delivering sheer insanity, with the low-tuned bass by Carl sending shivers down our spines; followed by Unknown Origins, two minutes of obscure, demonic sounds brought into being by those Canadian death metallers, before Sentient Inorganic Mess ends the album on a high note with the vile growls by Mathieu matching perfectly with Christian’s ruthless riffage.

In a nutshell, fans of the putrid, violent music blasted by some of the biggest names of the global Death Metal scene the likes of Incantation, Corpus Offal, Undergang, and Rottrevore will certainly enjoy what Disembodiment have to offer in Spiral Crypts, which is by the way available for purchase on BandCamp or via mailorder. You can also check what the band is up to on Facebook and on Instagram, including their ruthless live concerts, and stream their wicked creations on Spotify or any other streaming service. Because life is most definitely not made of rainbows, unicorns and butterflies; quite the contrary, it’s a downward spiral filled with gore, violence and hatred, and the music by Disembodiment is perfect for opening your eyes to that harsh reality.

Best moments of the album: Stygian Overture, Putrification and Infected To Rot.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Everlasting Spew Records

Track listing
1. Morbid Infestation 6:04
2. Stygian Overture 5:04
3. Spiral Crypts 4:26
4. Putrification 3:02
5. Larval 4:44
6. Infected To Rot 3:45
7. Unknown Origins 1:52
8. Sentient Inorganic Mess 3:57

Band members
Mathieu – vocals
Christian – guitars, backing  vocals
Carl – bass, backing  vocals
Eric – drums

Guest musician
Frank Z. – intro on “Morbid Infestation”

Album Review – Ancient Torment / Follow the Echo of Curses (2025)

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The leading torchbearer of New England’s Black Metal will attack armed with their debut offering, an immersive, introspective journey through the shadows of abysmal suffering and mysteries of death’s embrace.

From the coastal reaches of New England, Rhode Island-based Ancient Torment emerged in 2016 as a leading torchbearer in the region’s Black Metal underground. Now, nearly a decade after their inception, the band formed of Stygal on vocals, Tormentum and Apparition on the guitars, Czarnobóg on bass, and Zealot on drums is prepared to unleash their first full-length, aptly titled Follow the Echo of Curses. Recorded at Distorted Forest Studio, mixed by Josh Welshman at Flux Studios NYC, mastered by Dan Lowndes at Resonance Sound Studio, and displaying a Stygian artwork by David Thiérrée, the band’s debut album is an immersive, introspective journey through the shadows of abysmal suffering and mysteries of death’s embrace, always taking influence from the gloomy darkness of the Finnish scene and triumphant misery of their Québécois neighbors to the north.

The band will destroy your senses right from the very first second in Hanging from a Dead Star, with Stygal already roaring like a beast for the delight of admirers of the darkest side of music while their riffage sounds absolutely sulfurous. Zealot shows no mercy for our putrid bodies in Spectre at the Crossroads, smashing us like insignificant insects while Czarnobóg sounds like an animal pounding his bass nonstop; whereas bringing sheer doom to our blackened minds it’s time for Sorrow Verses, with Tormentum and apparition firing their most obscure riffs of the whole album. In Dejected Dreams Molested in Purgatory, the music certainly lives up to the song’s poetic name, a Black Metal aria exhaling rage and darkness with Zealot once again making the earth tremble with his drums, followed by Under the Guise of Virtue, another long and detailed black mass by Ancient Torment where the demonic screeches by Stygal will send shivers down your spine while the music remains violent, deranged and thrilling until the very end. And finally, let’s open the gates of the underworld to the sound of the nine-minute aria Rotting Temperament, with their Black Metal magic flowing majestically to the scathing riffage by Tormentum and Apparition.

Within a duration of 42 minutes, Follow the Echo of Curses is a testament to the mysteries of true death worship, driven by nuanced aggression and drenched in cold melodies, covering themes that span the swirling depths of depravity, suffering, and infernal release. In other words, Ancient Torment have at last arrived to reclaim bloodied ground, and you can join their dark army by following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their wicked music on Spotify, and of course by putting your damned hands on such a sulfurous album on BandCamp. Ancient Torment offer pure, unfiltered Black Metal in their debut offering, mastering the craft of the dark arts while remaining loyal to the foundations of the style, resulting in a must-listen for any worshiper of the darkest side of music.

Best moments of the album: Hanging from a Dead Star and Under the Guise of Virtue.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Eternal Death

Track listing
1. Hanging from a Dead Star 6:44
2. Spectre at the Crossroads 5:47
3. Sorrow Verses 7:04
4. Dejected Dreams Molested in Purgatory 5:08
5. Under the Guise of Virtue 7:31
6. Rotting Temperament 9:00

Band members
Stygal – vocals
Tormentum – guitar
Apparition – guitar
Czarnobóg – bass
Zealot – drums

Album Review – Symphobia / Hideously Traumatic (2025)

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This Indonesian three-headed beast will crush us like insignificant insects to the sound of their debut album, an imposing invocation of purposeful destruction.

Formed in 2024 in Pare, a town and district in the Kediri regency within the province of East Java, Indonesia, the ruthless, demented Brutal Death Metal three-headed beast Symphobia is ready to unleash hell armed with their debut opus, entitled Hideously Traumatic. Featuring a coalition of members from Demented Heart, Perveration, and Orbital Element, those being Jossi Bima on vocals, Dodik Bhre on the guitar, and Humam Aliy on drums, Symphobia will crush us like insignificant insects to the sound of their new album, an imposing invocation of purposeful destruction with devastating blast beats, a tormenting riff attack and gore-choked vocals, all boosted by the striking mixing and mastering by Tonebetter Soundlab (Vox Mortis, Nattmaran, Murtad) for a scathing, scalding sound and adorned in the eye-impaling artwork of Timbul Cahyono of BvllArt (Massacre, Nocturnus A.D., Witchburner), resulting in a sonic killing machine devoted to the destruction of every living thing.

There are only two words I can say about the opening song Hecatomb, and they’re “HOLY SHIT!”, what a fulminating tune where Jossi gnarls like a demonic pig; and Humam is definitely NOT human behind his drums in Monstrously, blasting our faces rabidly while Dodik slashes his axe in the name of savagery. Heinous is another explosion of vomiting guttural vocals, demented drums and vicious riffs by the trio, showing no peace at all, just violence and hatred, whereas Jossi’s high-pitched screeches couldn’t have sounded more demented in Spurted, or in other words, it’s simply BREEEEEEEEEEEEEE! And Deceased presents an overdose of the most demonic, vile and grotesque form of Brutal Death Metal made in Indonesia, sounding devastating form start to finish.

Jossi’s pig-like guttural will disturb your inner peace in Scattered, accompanied by another infernal performance by Humam on drums; whereas their ruthless Brutal Death Metal attack goes on in full force in Convulsively, where the Cannibal Corpse-inspired riffage by Dodik sounds absolutely awesome. It’s pedal to the metal in the beyond devastating Incessant, a song that could easily be used as the perfect depiction of the most extreme form of heavy music found in Indonesia, followed by Abominable, and a name like that demanded total chaos, violence and gore, which is exactly what the trio has to offer us in this hellish “lullaby”. Last but definitely not least, Humam will pulverize our putrid, frail bodies in Inebriated, while Jossi continues to vomit and bark the song’s unfriendly “words” (or whatever language that is).

Definitely leaving lasting scars upon your mind, Hideously Traumatic is a one listening experience that you are never going to recover from, being therefore highly recommended for fans of Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation, Immolation, and Kill Everything, just to name a few. Needless to say, you can get in touch with those torchbearers of violence and gore via Facebook or Instagram, stream their music on Spotify, and of course purchase the album from Comatose Music’s BandCamp or webstore, but be warned that their new album is not your average extreme music release; it’s indeed hideously traumatic.

Best moments of the album: Monstrously, Spurted and Incessant.

Worst moments of the album: The fact there isn’t a bassist in the band makes their sound feel a little bit thinner than what it could be.

Released in 2025 Comatose Music

Track listing
1. Hecatomb 2:43
2. Monstrously 2:41
3. Heinous 2:43
4. Spurted 2:52
5. Deceased 2:44
6. Scattered 2:40
7. Convulsively 2:31
8. Incessant 2:25
9. Abominable 2:41
10. Inebriated 3:34

Band members
Jossi Bima – vocals
Dodik Bhre – guitar
Humam Aliy – drums