Category Archives: 2025 New Releases

Album Review – Golem Of Gore / Ultimo Mondo Cane (2025)

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Emerging from the boiling bowels of horrendous vomit and uncompromising gore, this unrelenting Italian Goregrind brigade will attack armed with their filthy sophomore album.

Emerging from the boiling bowels of horrendous vomit and uncompromising gore, the unrelenting Italian Goregrind brigade Golem Of Gore is finally back with their most faceted, dramatic yet filthier work, entitled Ultimo Mondo Cane, or “last dog world” in English, a monstrous battle hymn for all the gore freaks out there. Recorded by Marco Carboni, mixed and mastered by Davide Guerri (with vinyl mastered by Carlo Altobelli at Toxic Basement Studio), and displaying a sick artwork by James Wilson with collage art by Adam Medford, the sophomore album by vocalist Riki, guitarist Marco, bassist Bonne, and drummer Dave is an overdose of savagery and blast beats, proving only gore is real and, of course, being recommended for admirers of the music by Last Days Of Humanity, Regurgitate, Pissgrave, and Caustic Wound, among several others bringers of gore worldwide.

The album starts with the cryptic, devilish movie-like intro Cruelty Abounds On This Planet, opening the gates of horror and gore and, therefore, letting Golem of Gore invade our world and kill us all in The Fragrance Of Pus – Filled Eyes of the Dead, with Riki’s demented, deep guttural sounding absolutely bestial. In Regurgitated Entrails With Intense Mortification the name of the song says it all, offering an overdose of savagery led by the insane drums by Dave; whereas guest Gabri from Terror Firmer delivers screaming devastation in Withdrawal Crisis – Through the Keyhole of Madness, elevating its gore and insanity considerably. The visceral riffs by Marco will slash your entrails in In The Cold Room Of My Restaurant, You Are Dog Food, while in L’isola maledetta – Immersed In A Formaldehyde Coffin all members of Slug Gore (those being Amianto, Fuoco and Sbocco) unite for total gore and devastation. The Slasher in Black Latex – Acrid Aroma In Tenebris is the perfect depiction of the band’s infuriated blend of Grindcore, whereas A Prayer From The Filthy Creatures Of The Deep presents one and a half minute of brutal slamming led by the demented drumming by Dave, which is also the case in Buried in Feces – Ultimo Mondo Cane.

Then we face the spine-chilling interlude La Montagna della Dea Cannibale before guest Tom from Haggus spews filth in Chronic Obstructive Caustic Vomit, a ruthless, wild display of Goregrind perfect for slamming into the pit like a true metalmaniac. Fucked By The Shovel, Thrown Into Violent Screams is another song with a charming name displaying the always gruesome roars by Riki, followed by Methamphetamine – Drenched In Piss And Gore, another minute of pure Grindcore with their riffs and blast beats sounding inhumane. The two part song formed of Through The Gates of Hell – Una tomba aperta and Back From The Gates of Hell – Una bara vuota showcases a band that only knows the language of gore; followed by The Final Feast of the Damned – Tre Passi nel delirio, with Marco and Bonne destroying their stringed axes. Cannibal Banquet for the Lord of Flies – Maggots Throne is an ode to the most putrid and horrid Italian horror movies, offering excellence in pure gore and heaviness, before all comes to an end with Senza Uscita – Worse Than Reality, a virulent, putrid outro that will haunt your damned souls for all eternity.

“Every culture, every belief hides grotesque contradictions. Mondo Cane (1962) exposed this raw truth, unveiling cruelty, rituals, and civilization’s dark side. This album is our tribute – no escape, no trigger warnings. Face the horror or look away… but it won’t disappear. Pure goregrind: relentless blast beats, vomit-drenched vocals, and crushing guitars. No gimmicks, no clownish nonsense… just 100% raw, putrid brutality in your face,” commented the band, and you can join them in all of such filth and gore by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their putrid creations on Spotify, and by purchasing a copy of the depraved Ultimo Mondo Cane via mailorder or BandCamp. Our world is cruel, filthy, and dark, and the extreme aggression flowing from the new album by Golem Of Gore will open your eyes for all that’s wrong in our rotten and decaying society.

Best moments of the album: The Fragrance Of Pus – Filled Eyes of the Dead, The Slasher in Black Latex – Acrid Aroma In Tenebris, A Prayer From The Filthy Creatures Of The Deep, Chronic Obstructive Caustic Vomit and Cannibal Banquet for the Lord of Flies – Maggots Throne.

Worst moments of the album: La Montagna della Dea Cannibale (Interlude).

Released in 2025 Everlasting Spew Records

Track listing
1. Cruelty Abounds On This Planet (Intro) 2:36
2. The Fragrance Of Pus – Filled Eyes of the Dead 1:46
3. Regurgitated Entrails With Intense Mortification 1:21
4. Withdrawal Crisis – Through the Keyhole of Madness 2:19
5. In The Cold Room Of My Restaurant, You Are Dog Food 2:18
6. L’isola maledetta – Immersed In A Formaldehyde Coffin 2:26
7. The Slasher in Black Latex – Acrid Aroma In Tenebris 2:39
8. A Prayer From The Filthy Creatures Of The Deep 1:31
9. Buried in Feces – Ultimo Mondo Cane 1:00
10. La Montagna della Dea Cannibale (Interlude) 3:16
11. Chronic Obstructive Caustic Vomit 2:10
12. Fucked By The Shovel, Thrown Into Violent Screams 3:14
13. Methamphetamine – Drenched In Piss And Gore 1:00
14. Through The Gates of Hell – Una tomba aperta 0:43
15. Back From The Gates of Hell – Una bara vuota 0:44
16. The Final Feast of the Damned – Tre Passi nel delirio 1:30
17. Cannibal Banquet for the Lord of Flies – Maggots Throne 2:42
18. Senza Uscita – Worse Than Reality (Outro) 4:32

Band members
Riki – vocals
Marco – guitars, vocals
Bonne – bass, vocals
Dave – drums

Guest musicians
Gabri – vocals on “Withdrawal Crisis – Through the Keyhole of Madness”
Amianto, Fuoco & Sbocco – vocals on “L’isola maledetta – Immersed In A Formaldehyde Coffin”
Tom – vocals on “Chronic Obstructive Caustic Vomit”

Album Review – Anzv / Kur (2025)

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The world of the dead is calling us all to the sound of the newborn spawn by this mysterious Portuguese horde, opening our ears and hearts to the underworld of nihilism and despair.

Taking their name from the Mesopotamian monster figure Anzû, described as a divine storm bird who could breathe fire and water or in some descriptions as a lion-headed eagle, while also considered as the personification of the southern wind and the thunder clouds, Porto, Portugal-based Death/Black Metal beast Anzv is challenging the spiritual possibilities of seeing beyond the void and into the nothingness of nothing in their sophomore opus, entitled Kur, opening your ears and hearts to the underworld of nihilism and despair. Written, produced, and conceptualized by the band’s own guitarist M., mastered by M. and Bruno Silva, and displaying an ominous artwork by vocalist A. (of Dantas Inferno), the follow-up to their 2022 album Gallas continues to blend Portugal’s dark musical side with the Sumerian underworld, resulting in extra creepy, hostile and mysterious soundscapes masterfully crafted by the aforementioned A. and M. alongside guitarist N., bassist T., and drummer E.

In Sumerian, Ekur means “mountain house” and refers to the sacred temple of the god Enlil in the city of Nippur, while musically speaking it’s a devilish and harsh display of Black Metal, with the guitars by M. and N. exhaling sulfur. Then we have Imdugud, which in ancient Mesopotamian religion refers to a monstrous bird, often depicted as a lion-headed eagle or griffin, with A. continuing to vociferate like a demonic entity supported by the rumbling kitchen by T. and E.; followed by Alû, a vengeful, nocturnal spirit in Akkadian and Sumerian mythology, often described as a shadow demon or evil spirit that terrifies people in their sleep and can cause nightmares, with the band showcasing their trademark fusion of Black and Death Metal with Sumerian mythology. Sahar, of Arabic origin, meaning “dawn” or “the time before dawn”, is a two-minute aria of darkness with their riffage penetrating deep inside our skin; and Shamash, a  Hebrew word (שמש) that means “servant” or “helper”, is a lecture in Melodic Black Metal where the vocals by A. will send shivers down your putrid spine.

An Edimmu in Mesopotamian mythology refers to a type of spirit often associated with the ghosts of those who died and did not receive a proper burial, with the music sounding devilish and grim from the very first second while M. and N. fire pure darkness form their axes, followed by Etemenanki, meaning “House of the Foundation of Heaven and Earth” in Sumerian, the name of a ziggurat (stepped temple) dedicated to the god Marduk in ancient Babylon, sounding as venomous as its predecessors, all boosted by another visceral vocal performance by A. Then in Ancient Mesopotamian religion, Namtaru is a deity who personifies death and destiny, and that’s exactly the feeling in this vile aria, offering an overdose of caustic Black Metal to our avid ears. Lamashtu is the most terrible of all female demons in Mesopotamian religion, the daughter of the sky god Anu, and the band needs less than two minutes to pulverize our souls with their hellish sounds, before all comes to an end with Anzû, a monster in several Mesopotamian religions, where A. keeps roaring darkly while E. hammers his drums nonstop.

In the context of Sumerian mythology, “kur” refers to the underworld or the world of the dead, and each song in Kur is deeply rooted in that thematic, either representing a lion-headed, winged eagle monster, a class of spirits, or a demonic deity depicted as a hybrid creature with lion, bird, and human features, among others, and it’s that additional touch of obscurity and mystery that truly elevates the album’s power and energy to a whole new level. You can find more information about such a brilliant Portuguese horde on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their Stygian creations on Spotify, and put your damned hands on Kur by clicking HERE or HERE. In the end, the world of the dead is calling us all to the sound of Anzv’s newborn spawn, dragging us all into eternal darkness in the name of our beloved Black Metal.

Best moments of the album: Imdugud, Shamash and Namtaru.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Edged Circle Productions

Track listing
1. Ekur 5:21
2. Imdugud 5:03
3. Alû 4:05
4. Sahar 3:55
5. Shamash 4:56
6. Edimmu 6:25
7. Etemenanki 5:09
8. Namtaru 4:02
9. Lamashtu 3:15
10. Anzû 2:57

Band members
A. – vocals
M. – guitars
N. – guitars
T. – bass
E. – drums

Album Review – Eschaton / Techtalitarian (2025)

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This Technical Death Metal and Deathcore juggernaut returns after a gap of six years with a reinvigorated, star-studded lineup, offering us all their breathtaking, intricate and demented third studio album.

Formed in 2006 and based in both Naugatuck, Connecticut and Lowell, Massachusetts, Technical Death Metal/Deathcore juggernaut Eschaton returns after a gap of six years with a reinvigorated, star-studded lineup that undoubtedly elevates their sound to hitherto unexplored heights, exploding our senses with their third full-length offering, entitled Techtalitarian. Displaying an Aliens-inspired artwork by Dave Melvin, the new beast by vocalist Mac Smith (Apogean, Abyssalis, Hammer of Dawn), guitarists Christian Muenzner (Retromorphosis, Eternity’s End, Necrophagist, Obscura, Alkaloid) and Josh Berry (the band’s founder), bassist Scott Bradley (Inanimate Existence), and drummer Darren Cesca (Goratory, Serpents of Gnosis, Pillory, Deeds of Flesh, Arsis) is the perfect follow-up to their 2019 album Death Obsession, standing on its own without having to be necessarily pitted against any of the aforementioned bands’ past efforts.

Their futuristic Death Metal attack begins with Inferior Superior, with Darren simply demolishing everything and everyone that dares to cross his path while Mac fires inhumane roars for our total delight, and the sick shredding by Christian and Josh set the tone in Devour the Contrarian, another bestial tune overflowing heaviness and insanity. Then their violent sounds will hammer our heads mercilessly in Blood of the People, where they showcase all their dexterity while also staying loyal to the foundations of the most ruthless form of Death Metal, whereas more demented riffs, solos, blast beats and demonic vociferations are offered to our avid ears in Hellfire’s Woe, perfect for some wicked headbanging, with Scott’s bass lines sounding utterly metallic. And The Bellicose Duality sounds even more infuriated and insane than its predecessors, with the entire band melting our faces with their undisputed Technical Death Metal sounds.

The album continues on a high and visceral note with Econocracy, with Darren once again demolishing his drums with tons of rage and dexterity while Mac barks and growls like a rabid beast nonstop; and in Antimatter the rabid Mac vociferates the song’s wicked lyrics manically (“Bleeding from inanimate spiracles / Metonymy of our existence / Our roaming stative / Repelling forces within all existence”) amidst a hurricane of aggressive yet complex Death Metal. Techtalitarian, the song that carries the name of the album, perfectly summarizes Eschaton’s current sound, a striking combination of violence with the most technical form of extreme music you can imagine. Darren also dictates the pace in The Sufferer’s Dichotomy, while Christian and Josh extract sheer insanity from their axes; followed by the closing tune Castle Strnad, which might be their homage to Trevor Strnad of The Black Dahlia Murder, who sadly passed away on May 11, 2022. Not sure if that’s the case, but even if it’s not, this is another neck-breaking, unrelenting display of first-class Death Metal by the band.

You can put your tech death hands on Techtalitarian by purchasing a copy of it from their own BandCamp, as well as from the Transcending Obscurity Records’ main store, Bandcamp, Europe store or US store, and don’t forget to also follow the band on Facebook and on Instagram, and to stream more of their demented creations on Spotify or any other streaming service. Eschaton are back into the Death Metal battlefield stronger and sharper than ever, staying loyal to their foundations but of course with the renewed energy brought by the band’s new members turning their heat and aggression up to 11, and if you consider yourself a loyal servant of the extreme music arts, always staying tech, then Techtalitarian is a must-have in your dark and heavy collection.

Best moments of the album: Hellfire’s Woe, The Bellicose Duality and Techtalitarian.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Transcending Obscurity Records

Track listing
1. Inferior Superior 4:12
2. Devour the Contrarian 3:46
3. Blood of the People 4:51
4. Hellfire’s Woe 5:04
5. The Bellicose Duality 4:24
6. Econocracy 5:28
7. Antimatter 4:02
8. Techtalitarian 4:00
9. The Sufferer’s Dichotomy 4:20
10. Castle Strnad 5:21

Band members
Mac Smith – vocals
Christian Muenzner – lead guitars
Josh Berry – guitars
Scott Bradley – bass
Darren Cesca – drums

Album Review – Xenos A.D. / Reqviem For The Oppressor (2025)

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These ruthless Italians are back in action with their violent third album, a neck-breaking Thrash Metal assault that is inextricably linked to war and its horrors.

After the successful releases of their 2020 debut Filthgrinder and their 2021 sophomore album The Dawn of Ares, Agrigento, Sicily, Italy-based Thrash Metal bulldozer Xenos A.D.  is back into the battlefield with their third full-length installment, entitled Reqviem for the Oppressor. Mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studios and displaying a sinister artwork by Ivan Stan, the new album by Ignazio Nicastro on lead vocals and bass, Giuseppe “Tiyris” Taormina on the guitars and harsh vocals, and Danilo Ficicchia on drums is inextricably linked to war and its horrors expressed through its nine tracks of pure violence, resulting in a neck-breaking Thrash Metal assault that pays homage to thrashing titans such as Slayer, Megadeth, Kreator, Exodus and Testament, as well as to the melodies and progressive tendencies of Metal Church and Death Angel.

The epic, cinematic intro 1986 sets the stage for Xenos A.D. to attack us like rabid wolves in the infuriated Dogma of War, a classic thrashing beast led by the pulverizing beats and fills by Danilo, inviting us all to join them in war (aka slam into the mosh pit). Then the Stygian bass by Ignazio and the acoustic guitar by Giuseppe ignite the ruthless Tears on the Face of God, presenting tons of progressiveness, rage and heaviness; and the trio speeds things up and kicks us all in the ass with Crown of Separation, offering an overdose of harsh vocals, Thrash Metal riffs and pounding drums. After such a hurricane of heaviness, Giuseppe shreds his axe mercilessly in Welcome the Destroyer, while also firing a sick guitar solo in the name of old school Thrash Metal.

Children of the Atomic Sun is another frantic creation by Xenos A.D. that will surely provide their fans with a very good reason to go mental inside the circle pit, with Ignazio’s vocals sounding utterly caustic; whereas the band then fires their most insane, relentless sounds in The Bleeding Hands of Faith, with Danilo hammering his drums nonstop inspired by thrashing giants the likes of Exodus and Anthrax. The title-track Reqviem for the Oppressor sounds absolutely inspired by Megadeth, in special due to the Hangar 18-like riffs blasted by Giuseppe, offering our avid ears an overdose of violence, metallic sounds and endless fury, ending with the post-war outro Dance of the Gods, where Giuseppe offers one final blast of his striking guitar lines.

Violent and technical from start to finish, Reqviem For The Oppressor, which can be purchased by clicking HERE, sends an aggressive message to the unbelievers, proving why Thrash Metal will forever represent all the violence, hatred and every other nasty thing that’s gradually consuming our society and, therefore, leading us to our inevitable and horrid end. You can also show your support to the guys from Xenos A.D. by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, and stream their austere creations on Spotify, getting ready for some sick mosh pits anytime they take your city by storm. Xenos A.D. will keep on thrashing as long as the human race continues to spread evil across the world (which will basically happen forever and ever), delivering albums like Reqviem For The Oppressor to make our everyday lives less stressful as we relax inside a nice and frantic mosh pit.

Best moments of the album: Dogma of War, The Bleeding Hands of Faith and Reqviem for the Oppressor.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 My Kingdom Music

Track listing
1. 1986 1:37
2. Dogma of War 4:10
3. Tears on the Face of God 5:35
4. Crown of Separation 4:59
5. Welcome the Destroyer 4:52
6. Children of the Atomic Sun 5:24
7. The Bleeding Hands of Faith 4:40
8. Reqviem for the Oppressor 7:08
9. Dance of the Gods 3:57

Band members
Ignazio Nicastro – lead vocals, bass
Giuseppe “Tiyris” Taormina – guitars, harsh vocals
Danilo Ficicchia – drums

Album Review – Primal Age / Until The Last Breath (2025)

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Combining power and commitment, the striking new album by the trailblazers of French Hardcore and Metalcore marks a new chapter for the band, remaining true to their identity and original values.

The unstoppable pioneers of French Hardcore and Metalcore, Évreux, Normandy-based veterans Primal Age, are back in action after their successful 2021 album Masked Enemy with a brand new offering titled Until The Last Breath, the fourth studio album in their solid career. Recorded and mixed by Guillaume Doussaud at Swan Sound Studio, mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music, and displaying a classy cover art by Greg of Visual Injuries, the new album by frontman Didier, guitarists Benoit and Florian, bassist Dimitri, and drummer Rudy marks a new chapter for the band who, over 30 years after their debut, remains true to their identity and original values.

The album’s eerie Intro sounds as the calm before the storm, as Didier and his crew are ready to attack in Empire Will Always Fail, with Benoit and Florian showing no mercy for their axes (nor for our necks, of course). Didier also screams manically in False Pretense, supported by the always demented drums by Rudy, whereas in Voiceless Ones we face rebellious lyrics barked by all band members (“In cages small, they live their last and only days / Their freedom gone, in dismal ways / Their cries unheard, their pain unseen / A fucking world of suffering, a silent scream / WE ARE, WE ARE / We are the voice for the voiceless ones / WE ARE, WE ARE / End the cruelty, let love be our course / WE ARE, WE ARE / Their lives matter, / WE ARE, WE ARE / Just like ours”) amidst a lesson in Hardcore. And No Regrets offers another round of frantic, no shenanigans Hardcore made in France, led by the hammering drums by Rudy.

The second half of the album begins in a serene, melancholic manner with Madness, a whimsical interlude that once again brings some peace to our blackened hearts before Shadows Of Intolerance presents the band’s guitar duo formed of Benoit and Florian delivering an overdose of electricity, rage and melody through their energetic riffage. Then we’re treated to Walls Of Stone, bringing forward hints of classic Death Metal in their core sonority while Didier roars like a beast and his bandmates deliver a huge dosage of insanity armed with their incendiary sonic weapons; followed by The Meaning Of Life, their second to last breath of Hardcore infused with Metalcore elements, yet again bringing to our avid ears pure adrenaline flowing from their riffs, bass lines and unstoppable beats. Finally, it’s time for one more dive into the circle pit to the sound of Undisguised Shame, sounding as fast, electrifying and ruthless as we all love in the band’s more metallic version of Hardcore.

Combining power and commitment, Until The Last Breath is a must-listen for admirers of Hardcore infused with Metalcore elements with a strong and meaningful message in the background. Hence, you can get in touch with those French rockers on Facebook and Instagram, staying up to date with all things Primal Age including their frantic and electrifying live concerts, stream their awesome creations on Spotify, and of course purchase the excellent Until The Last Breath from Primal Age’s Big Cartel or from the WTF Records’ webstore. Even after three decades on the road, Primal Age are still alive and kicking, sounding as fresh as in their early days in their new album, which means they’ll keep kicking our asses mercilessly for years and years until their very last breath.

Best moments of the album: Empire Will Always Fail, Voiceless Ones and Walls Of Stone.

Worst moments of the album: False Pretense.

Released in 2025 WTF Records

Track listing
1. Intro 1:00
2. Empire Will Always Fail 3:51
3. False Pretense 3:16
4. Voiceless Ones 3:57
5. No Regrets 3:12
6. Madness 2:01
7. Shadows Of Intolerance 3:58
8. Walls Of Stone 3:46
9. The Meaning Of Life 4:01
10. Undisguised Shame 3:56

Band members
Didier – vocals
Benoit – guitars
Florian – guitars
Dimitri – bass
Rudy – drums

Album Review – …And Oceans / The Regeneration Itinerary (2025)

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These iconic Finnish extremists are back with their seventh studio opus, a flamboyant distillation of the group’s grand nocturnal art assimilating all their hopes, dreams and influences into an uncompromising document of ravenous intent.

Chaos chameleons. Nocturnal shapeshifters. The skyward trajectory of idiosyncratic Finnish extremists …And Oceans has been serpentine and sublime, appealing to diehard fans of bands the likes of Dimmu Borgir, Behemoth and Samael with their unique blend of Experimental, Industrial, Electronic and Symphonic Black Metal. Recorded at Inka Studio and at SoundSpiral Audio, produced and engineered by Juho Räihä at SoundSpiral Audio, mixed and mastered by Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio, and displaying a visually stunning artwork by Adrien Bousson, The Regeneration Itinerary is the seventh studio album by this unstoppable band currently formed of Mathias Lillmåns on vocals, Teemu Saari and Timo Kontio on the guitars, Pyry Hanski on bass, Antti Simonen on keyboards, and Kauko Kuusisalo on drums, a flamboyant distillation of the group’s grand nocturnal art assimilating all their hopes, dreams and influences into an uncompromising document of ravenous intent.

Otherworldly, cryptic sounds suddenly explode into a hybrid of Experimental and Symphonic Black Metal entitled Inertiae, with Mathias’ deep roars matching perfectly with the striking keys by Antti, followed by Förnyelse i Tre Akter, or “renewal in three acts” from Swedish, even darker than the previous song thanks to the visceral riffage by Teemu and Timo while Kauko shows no mercy for his drums, delivering his own blend of Black and Death Metal violence. Chromium Lungs, Bronze Optics carries a poetic name for a hard hitting creation by …And Oceans, where their caustic riffs will pierce your mind in great fashion, while their experimental and symphonic sides clash beautifully in The Form and the Formless, once again led by the massive beats and fills by Kauko. Prophetical Mercury Implement showcases massive Stygian lyrics (“Injecting the mirrorlike waters / Feeling it flowing within / Floating on its waves / Observing how it unfolds / Now, / I am the medium / I am the stream”) amidst a beyond enfolding and atmospheric sonority, whereas in The Fire in Which We Burn we face an overdose of heaviness, sulfur and darkness blasted by the band in the best Behemoth style, spearheaded by the inhumane roars by Mathias.

The Ways of Sulphur lives up to the legacy of Industrial Black Metal, with Antti stealing the show with his phantasmagorical keys; and I Am Coin, I Am Two offers a more introspective sound inspired by Melodic Black, Death and Doom Metal, while still presenting their trademark ferocity. Then back to a more visceral mode we have Towards the Absence of Light, with their riffs and the bass lines by Pyry being boosted by Antti’s whimsical keys. The last song of the regular edition, The Terminal Filter, brings to us all another humongous dosage of Black Metal infused with experimental and industrial nuances, resulting in an epic ending to the album, and if you go for the deluxe edition of the album (a digipak with extended 20-page booklet + exclusive gold coloured metal coin symbolizing an adviser through opposites + 2 exclusive bronze coloured acrylic coaters symbolizing the coming together of opposites in clamshell box with alternative cover, hand-numbered and limited to 500 copies worldwide) you’ll get two bonus tracks, Copper Blood, Titanium Scars and The Discord Static, both sounding absolutely insane and worth every single penny invested in it.

…And Oceans The Regeneration Itinerary Digibox + Digital Deluxe Edition

Exploring the interplay between darkness and light, chaos and order, spiritual and material realms, with each song embodying an experience for the mind and body, finally navigating a passage to the present moment, The Regeneration Itinerary is definitely the band’s most experimental album to date. “The new album can be seen as a synthesis of our entire back catalogue,” suggests frontman Mathias Lillmåns. “But there are new levels of extremity, too, ones that we’ve never reached before. These songs simply demanded harsher vocals. The riffs commanded it, and who am I to disobey?” Hence, you can get to know more about …And Oceans, their new album, tour dates, plans for the future, and support them by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their music on Spotify, and by purchasing their awesome new album from BandCamp or by clicking HERE. In the end, those Finnish metallers will keep pushing their own boundaries, experimenting with new sounds and nuances and, therefore, delivering more striking albums like The Regeneration Itinerary in the coming years, proving why they’ve become a reference and a force to be reckoned with in the extreme music scene worldwide.

Best moments of the album: Förnyelse i Tre Akter, The Fire in Which We Burn and Towards the Absence of Light.

Worst moments of the album: I Am Coin, I Am Two.

Released in 2025 Season of Mist

Track listing
1. Inertiae 4:30
2. Förnyelse i Tre Akter 5:07
3. Chromium Lungs, Bronze Optics 4:29
4. The Form and the Formless 3:32
5. Prophetical Mercury Implement 6:57
6. The Fire in Which We Burn 3:04
7. The Ways of Sulphur 4:17
8. I Am Coin, I Am Two 4:25
9. Towards the Absence of Light 4:49
10. The Terminal Filter 5:22

Digibox + Digital Deluxe Edition bonus tracks
11. Copper Blood, Titanium Scars 4:14
12. The Discord Static 3:35

Band members
Mathias Lillmåns – vocals
Teemu Saari – guitar
Timo Kontio – guitar
Pyry Hanski – bass
Antti Simonen – keyboards
Kauko Kuusisalo – drums

Album Review – Witchrot / Soul Cellar (2025)

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Toronto’s own conjurers of doom and psychedelia return with their sophomore opus, reflecting the lives of its creators, delving into themes of hopelessness, betrayal, paranoia, and societal frustration.

Emerging from Toronto’s underground in 2018, Doom/Sludge Metal/Psychedelic Rock conjurers Witchrot have captivated audiences with their heartfelt fusion of Doom Metal with fuzzed-out psychedelia and haunting shoegaze, with their atmospheric melodies and crushing heaviness pushing genre boundaries, creating a sound that lingers like an echo in the abyss. Now in 2025 the band formed of vocalist Lea Reto, guitarist Peter Turik, bassist Jon Ferreira, keyboardist Patrick Sherrard, and drummer Myles Deck is set to release Soul Cellar, the follow-up to their 2021 debut Hollow. Recorded by Nixon Boyd at Simcoe Mechanical and by Dylan Frankland at Palace Sound, with additional recordings by Chad Ross and Scott Deathe, mixed by Dylan Frankland, mastered by Tony Reed at HeavyHead Recording Company, and displaying a darkly sexy cover art by ZZ Corpse, Soul Cellar reflects the lives of its creators, delving into themes of hopelessness, betrayal, paranoia, and societal frustration, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in the raw emotion and sonic depth the band has become known for.

In the opener Possession Deepens, a smooth, sexy and enfolding start gradually evolves into a psychedelic sonic voyage led by the minimalist yet powerful vocals by Lea, supported by the atmospheric sounds by her bandmates; and Peter then enhances the band’s aggressiveness with his sharp riffs in Tombstoned, blending Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal in great fashion while Myles offers those trademark sluggish beats. Throat Cutter is another song that starts in a phantasmagorical way before exploding into more of their fierce rock and metal sonority, with Peter stealing the show again armed with his axe; whereas adding an extra pinch of old school Rock N’ Roll to their core sound we have Die Alone, with Patrick’s striking keys being nicely boosted by the rumbling kitchen by Jon and Myles. Green River is a way too mellow tune that’s not at the same level as the other songs of the album, flowing into Spineless, sounding a lot heavier, darker and stronger thanks to another mesmerizing vocal performance by Lea, resulting in a lecture in modern-day Doom Metal infused with Psychedelic Rock. And lastly, we face the title-track Soul Cellar, with the reverberating, menacing bass by Jon making your head tremble in the name of dark and merciless Doom Metal.

In Soul Cellar, Witchrot continues to evolve while staying true to their roots, creeping and crawling under your skin armed with their insane grooves and eerie keys that will haunt you for days, sounding absolutely diabolical and addictive. Hence, you can get in touch with this precious gem of the Torontonian underground via Facebook and Instagram, staying up to date with all things Witchrot (including their excellent live performances), subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their music on Spotify or on any other platform, and of course purchase Soul Cellar from BandCamp. Doom and psychedelia have never sounded better together thanks to the undeniable talented of the Witchrot crew, and once you savor their music for the very first time, there’s no turning back.

Best moments of the album: Tombstoned, Die Alone and Spineless.

Worst moments of the album: Green River.

Released in 2025 Fuzzed and Buzzed Records/Majestic Mountain Records

Track listing
1. Possession Deepens 6:51
2. Tombstoned 5:05
3. Throat Cutter 6:23
4. Die Alone 5:06
5. Green River 2:44
5. Spineless 5:03
6. Soul Cellar 8:14

Band members
Lea Reto – vocals
Peter Turik – guitar
Jon Ferreira – bass
Patrick Sherrard – keyboards
Myles Deck – drums

Album Review – Unmerciful / Devouring Darkness (2025)

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This Kansas-based Brutal Death Metal beast strikes again with their fourth studio album, delivering ten tracks of unrelenting speed, crushing riffs, and sheer sonic aggression.

Known for their relentless brutality and technically devastating sound, Topeka, Kansas-based Brutal Death Metal creature Unmerciful returns with their fourth full-length opus, titled Devouring Darkness, the follow-up to their 2020 album Wrath Encompassed. Recorded, produced and mixed by Clinton Appelhanz at Waveworks Studio, mastered by Alan Douches, and displaying a visceral artwork by Santiago Francisco Jarramillo, the new album by newcomer Josh Riley on vocals, guitarists/bassists Clinton Appelhanz and Jeremy Turner, and drummer Trynt Kelly delivers ten tracks of unrelenting speed, crushing riffs, and sheer sonic aggression, solidifying their reputation as one of the most punishing acts in modern Death Metal, being therefore recommended for fans of Hate Eternal, Suffocation, and Origin.

Miracle In Fire is a beyond devastating start to the album, kicking us hard in the head with their no shenanigans, devilish sounds led by the guttural gnarls by Josh, and their Brutal Death Metal infused with Technical Death Metal keeps roaring manically in Unnatural Ferocity, with Trynt sounding like a stone crusher from hell on drums. There’s no time to breathe as Unmerciful simply shows no mercy for our necks and bodies in Malice Unbound, spearheaded by a visceral riff attack by Clinton and Jeremy, whereas the title-track Devouring Darkness offers us all a more obscure, doomed side of the band, with Josh barking deeply like a demonic entity. And Relentless Malevolence blasts our faces with two and a half minutes of sheer insanity and ruthless violence, with the crushing beats by Trynt making the earth tremble.

Their cover version for Origin’s Vomit You Out, which original version was part of their 2000 self-titled debut, is a fulminating rendition of such a tech death classic led by the demented growling by Josh; while Infernal Conquering is one of the heaviest, most infernal of all songs, with their scorching riffs and demented beats and fills providing Josh with exactly what he needs to bark like a beast. The Reaping is another explosion of brutality offered by the band, with the demonic growling by Josh and the inhumane drumming by Trynt being perfect for some action inside the mosh pit; and they keep smashing us like putrid insects in Voracious Lunacy, another killer Brutal and Technical Death Metal composition showcasing their passion for extremely heavy riffs. Finally, the album couldn’t have ended in a more ferocious way than with Vengeance Transcending, where their lancinating guitars and blast beats sound absolutely brutal until the very end.

After all is said and done, it’s clear that Unmerciful are definitely cementing their legacy even further with Devouring Darkness, offering more of their signature precision and brutality for the delight of Death Metal fans worldwide, and you can start following this ruthless band on Facebook and on Instagram, as well as stream their music on Spotify and of course purchase a copy of their sanguinary new album from BandCamp or from Willowtip Records. Unmerciful are among us to blast our ears with Brutal Death Metal at its finest, and instead of succumbing to darkness, let’s simply devour it mercilessly to the sound of their infuriated new album.

Best moments of the album: Miracle In Fire, Infernal Conquering and The Reaping.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Willowtip Records

Track listing
1. Miracle In Fire 4:06
2. Unnatural Ferocity 3:33
3. Malice Unbound 3:39
4. Devouring Darkness 5:35
5. Relentless Malevolence 2:40
6. Vomit You Out (Origin cover) 2:51
7. Infernal Conquering 4:12
8. The Reaping 4:15
9. Voracious Lunacy 3:39
10. Vengeance Transcending 3:51

Band members
Josh Riley – vocals
Clinton Appelhanz – guitar, bass
Jeremy Turner – guitar, bass
Trynt Kelly – drums

Album Review – Undecayed / In Death’s Image (2025)

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The debut album by this ruthless Swedish Death Metal group takes its thematic obsession with death to another level, showing there’s simply no hope for life.

Formed in August 2008 by vocalist Tony Richter and guitarist Mikael Bergman as a result of lineup issues in their respective bands, 9th Plague and Disromance, Helsingborg, Sweden-based Death Metal beast Undecayed is unleashing upon humanity their long-awaited debut album, titled In Death’s Image. Despite their origins, the band eschews the traditional HM-2-driven Swedish sound in favor of a raw and relentless approach deeply rooted in the ferocity of 90’s American Death Metal in their debut offering, recalling the percussive onslaught of Suffocation and the unholy aggression of Deicide, all carefully brought into being by the aforementioned Tony Richter and Mikael Bergman alongside bassist Christoffer Svensson and drummer Jesper Leidbring, all spiced up by the dark and sinister artwork by renowned artist Jon Zig.

Get ready for an avalanche of raw, old school Swedish Death Metal spearheaded by the brutal drums by Jesper in the opening beast The World Shall Know Only Death, while Mikael slits our throats with his lancinating riffs. As you know, death is only the beginning, and Undecayed make sure we face our inevitable end in Death’s Only Demand, highly recommended for slamming into the pit like a true headbanging bastard; whereas in The Descendants of Death they add hints of Blackened Death Metal to their core malevolence, with Tony barking and roaring deeply like a beast. And in the title-track In Death’s Image the quartet shows no mercy for our putrid bodies, brutalizing us all with their undisputed blend of old school Death Metal.

Death Shall Come (Death Shall Prevail) carries a darkly poetic name for a venomous display of extreme music where once again Jesper simply demolishes his drums mercilessly. There’s absolutely no sign of peace or hope in the entire album, and of course Death’s Pallid Coat offers more of the band’s demented sounds led by the hellish riffs by Mikael, whereas  your neck will break in half headbanging manically to World at Death’s Door, with the gruesome vociferations by Tony being nicely complemented by the rumbling bass by Christoffer. Those Swedish metallers show no sign of slowing down in Entreating Death in Vain, continuing to bring forward sheer devastation armed with their heavy riffs and pounding drums; and lastly, it’s time to die to the unrelenting tune The Greatest Death, where the band once again fires their undisputed Death Metal magic while Tony barks rabidly for our total delight.

Likely the first album ever released with the word “death” in the title of every song, In Death’s Image takes its thematic obsession to another level; for instance, in one track, the word “death” is even sung in 19 different languages. Hence, in order to join those talented Swedish metallers in death, you can start following them on Facebook and on Instagram, and of course show them your utmost support by purchasing their new album from the Lethal Scissor Records’ BandCamp or webstore. Because in the end no one and nothing is spared. Humans, animals, vegetation, water, air, everything dies. There is NO hope for life, and there is nothing better than some first-class Swedish Death Metal like what’s found in the new album by Undecayed to remind us of that scary but unavoidable fate.

Best moments of the album: The World Shall Know Only Death, The Descendants of Death and Entreating Death in Vain.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Lethal Scissor Records

Track listing
1. The World Shall Know Only Death 3:07
2. Death’s Only Demand 3:45
3. The Descendants of Death 4:06
4. In Death’s Image 3:51
5. Death Shall Come (Death Shall Prevail) 3:08
6. Death’s Pallid Coat 4:23
7. World at Death’s Door 3:20
8. Entreating Death in Vain 4:00
9. The Greatest Death 4:01

Band members
Tony Richter – vocals
Mikael Bergman – guitars
Christoffer Svensson – bass
Jesper Leidbring – drums

Album Review – Antropomporphia / Devoid of Light (2025)

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These Dutch death deallers return from the underworld with their newborn beast, combining a wide variety of harsh musical textures and emotions into dark and oppressive soundscapes.

Six years after their 2019 acclaimed studio album Merciless Savagery, the ruthless Tilburg, Netherlands-based death dealers Antropomporphia return with their darkest and most brutal record so far, aptly entitled Devoid of Light. Recorded and mixed by the band’s own drummer Marco Stubbe at Aftermath Studio, with further recording by Daan Janzing at Pitchfork Studio, mastered by Dan Swanö at Unisound, and showcasing a Stygian cover art by Richard Schouten, the new beast by Ferry Damen on vocals and guitar, Jos van den Brand also on the guitar, Jeroen Pleunis on bass, and Marco Stubbe on drums combines a wide variety of harsh musical textures including fanatical, white-eyed aggression, misanthropic and nihilistic lyrics, and dark emotions such as anger, despair, and pain among many others into dark and oppressive soundscapes.

The gates of the underworld are wide open to the sound of the evil guitars by Ferry and Jos in The Withering Stench of Hope, igniting a headbanging beast of Black and Death Metal followed by the title-track Devoid of Light, sounding and feeling even more obscure than the opening track, with the unstoppable drums by Marco matching perfectly with Ferry’s hellish Death Metal roars. Funeral Throne is another sulfurous, unrelenting attack by the quartet where their pulverizing riffage walks hand in hand with the pounding bass by Jeroen; and then adding elements from Doom Metal to their acid essence, the band fires the even heavier and more menacing In Writhing Rapture, led by the steady and vile beats by Marco in an ode to obscurity.

The second half of the album begins in full force with a demented Blackened Death Metal creature named Cancerous Bane, spearheaded by the always demonic guttural by Ferry; and the band continues to haunt our damned souls with their blend of Death and Black Metal in Unending Hunt, with Jeroen’s bass lines sounding utterly brutal, all boosted by a striking guitar solo. After that, the crushing drums by Marco kick off the venomous Ash Drapes the Earth, accompanied by the blackened riffs by Ferry and Jos, resulting in a lesson in extreme music; whereas In the Shade of the Devils Horns carries a beautiful name for another explosion of infernal Death Metal by such an amazing Dutch horde. And last but not least, the band goes full Doom Metal in Triumphant Death, sounding haunting, evil and melodic, albeit lacking the same punch as the rest of the album.

In a nutshell, Devoid of Light shows the world that Antropomporphia are still hungry to push the limits of both themselves and of the Death Metal scene to new frontiers, inviting us all to crank the volume up to 10 and simply let the album rip, which is quite easy to do as you can grab a copy of this sulfurous opus from BandCamp or by clicking HERE. You can also join such an amazing Dutch horde in total darkness by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, keeping an eye on their tour dates, and staying loyal to the foundations of extreme music while also renouncing all light, exactly like what the band wants you to achieve to the sound of their excellent newborn spawn. And if you have what it takes to face Devoid of Light, you’ll certainly have a very good time together with those bringers of Dutch darkness.

Best moments of the album: Devoid of Light, Cancerous Bane and Ash Drapes the Earth.

Worst moments of the album: Triumphant Death.

Released in 2025 Testimony Records

Track listing
1. The Withering Stench of Hope 5:05
2. Devoid of Light 5:17
3. Funeral Throne 3:28
4. In Writhing Rapture 5:04
5. Cancerous Bane 3:37
6. Unending Hunt 5:32
7. Ash Drapes the Earth 3:47
8. In the Shade of the Devils Horns 4:53
9. Triumphant Death 5:58

Band members
Ferry Damen – vocals, guitar
Jos van den Brand – guitar
Jeroen Pleunis – bass
Marco Stubbe – drums