Category Archives: 2025 New Releases

Album Review – Ültra Raptör / Fossilized (2025)

Posted on by
Reply

The fast and furious Cadillac driving dinosaurs hailing from Canada will rock your world to the sound of their incendiary sophomore full-length album.

Formed in 2015 in the charming Quebec City, and having already released their self-titled debut EP in 2018 and their first ever full-length album Tyrants in 2021, Heavy/Speed Metal antediluvian creatures Ültra Raptör are back with album number two, the incendiary Fossilized. Recorded, mixed and mastered by David Lizotte, and displaying an insane artwork by Mario López, the new beast by Phil T. Lung on vocals, Criss Raptör and Zoltan Saurus on the guitars, Dick Van Heuß on bass, and Tony Bronco on drums offers another round of the band’s blend of primeval speed and savagery with meticulous, precision playing, or in other words, everything a metal hungry headbanger could ask for and more.

Those prehistorical Québécois warriors already put the pedal to the metal in the title-track Fossilized, with the frantic, sharp riffs by Criss and Zoltan bringing even more adrenaline to their striking Speed Metal sound. Then the glory of the 80’s, or maybe I should say from “metal’s prehistoric age”, comes in full force in Spinosaurus, led by the hammering drums by Tony in a headbanging feast of heavy music. In Hard ‘N Fast that’s exactly what you’ll get, with Phil T. Lung stealing the show with his old school, passionate vocals, sounding perfect for some action on the dance floor; and Criss and Zoltan show no mercy for their stringed axes in Livin’ for the Riff, delivering nonstop incendiary riffs and solos just the way we love it in Thrash Metal, followed by Bitter Leaf, which starts in a weird way before morphing into a decent thrashing tune, despite still lacking an extra kick.

They get back on track with an 80’s-inspired rock and metal train titled X-Celerator, offering more of the band’s trademark riffs and the raspy vocals by Phil T. Lung, and the band keeps speeding things up and invading our senses with their Thrash Metal-infused sounds in Pterö-Ranger, living up to the legacy of the genre. Those Canadian bastards will invite us to slam into the circle pit once again and shake our bodies to the sound of Down the Drain, where Criss and Zoltan will cut your skin deep with their caustic riffage. Then in the interlude Le voyageur d’Oort, melodious guitar lines will transport you to the whimsical world ruled by Ültra Raptör before facing the closing tune Face the Challenge, a pure Hard Rock and Rock N’ Roll feast inspired by giants the likes of Scorpions, perfect for heading out to the highway with your beloved ones.

In summary, the impact of the new opus by the Cadillac driving dinosaurs from Canada on the metal scene will be seismic. Fossilized is the epitome of energized, exhilarating metal, and you can join the band in their quest for fast and heavy music by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their thrilling creations on Spotify, and of course by purchasing Fossilized from the Fighter Records’ BandCamp or from the Xtreem Music’s webstore. The Raptör is back, baby! And if you don’t want to be fossilized as a dull and prehistorical being, you better jump inside your Cadillac and rock to the sound of this newborn beast made in the icy cold Great White North.

Best moments of the album: Fossilized, Hard ‘N Fast and X-Celerator.

Worst moments of the album: Bitter Leaf.

Released in 2025 Fighter Records

Track listing
1. Fossilized 4:08
2. Spinosaurus 3:55
3. Hard ‘N Fast 4:19
4. Livin’ for the Riff 4:14
5. Bitter Leaf 4:40
6. X-Celerator 3:58
7. Pterö-Ranger 4:09
8. Down the Drain 4:54
9. Le voyageur d’Oort 1:10
10. Face the Challenge 5:11

Band members
Phil T. Lung – vocals
Criss Raptör – lead guitar
Zoltan Saurus – rhythm guitar
Dick Van Heuß – bass
Tony Bronco – drums

Album Review – Testament / Para Bellum (2025)

Posted on by
1

Let’s prepare for war to the sound of the breathtaking fourteenth studio album by Oakland, California’s own masters of old school, crushing Thrash Metal.

“Parabellum” is the second half of the Latin phrase “si vis pacem, para bellum”, which translates to “if you want peace, prepare for war”. That’s exactly what Oakland, California’s own Thrash Metal masters Testament are offering us all now in 2025 with their infernal fourteenth studio album, titled Para Bellum, a worthy follow-up to their 2020 beast Titans of Creation. Produced by Chuck Billy and Eric Peterson alongside Juan Urteaga at Trident Studios, who also recorded vocals, bass, drums, and acoustic guitars, with guitars recorded at Dragon Lair Studio and Skol Productions Studio, mixed by Jens Bogren and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios, and showcasing an apocalyptic artwork by the majestic Eliran Kantor, the new opus by the iconic  frontman Chuck Billy, the unparalleled guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick, the ruthless bassist Steve Di Giorgio, and the beyond talented newcomer Chris Dovas (Evulsion, Unflesh, Aversed) on drums is a lecture in both old school and modern-day Thrash Metal, sounding as heavy, infuriated, intricate and explosive as a real war, leaving us absolutely disoriented after all is said and done.

Chris already showcases his welcome card in the opening beast titled For the Love of Pain while Eric and Alex hypnotized us all as expected with their undisputed riff attack, with Chuck’s ruthless roars being the icing on their thrashing cake. Their sonic devastation goes on in full force in Infanticide A.I., where Chuck’s deep, enraged gnarls walk hand in hand with the striking riffs and solos by the band’s guitar duo in a lesson in Thrash Metal, followed by Shadow People, utterly tribal, dark and heavy, a more melodic display of the band’s core sonority led once again by Eric’s and Alex’s flawless guitar work. Meant to Be follows a similar pattern as their own song “Dark Roots of Earth”, a somber, pensive ballad including some acoustic moments; whereas back to a much more ferocious, progressive and ruthless sonority we have High Noon, perfect for breaking our necks headbanging to Chris’ intricate beats and fills.

It’s time to go hunt some witches in the name of old school Thrash Metal with Witch Hunt, another avalanche of metallic riffs and blast beats for our total delight where Chuck sounds inhumane as usual on vocals; and I also love when he sounds less demented like in Nature of the Beast, delivering those raspy, deep and almost “clean” vocal lines that give the whole song an even edgier vibe, as melodic as it is groovy. Room 117 offers the band’s more contemporary sonority from their latest decade, with Steve hammering his bass mercilessly accompanied by the pounding drums by Chris; whereas Eric and Alex will crush your damned minds and souls with their electrifying axes in Havana Syndrome, an explosion of first-class Testament for the masses. Finally, ending the album we face the Stygian, imposing title-track Para Bellum, one of their most detailed, multi-layered songs of the past few years, with Chuck’s demonic growls sounding phenomenal from start to finish in an ode to war before all fades into the void.

Readiness to fight is necessary to maintain peace and defend oneself or one’s country, and the undisputed Thrash Metal blasted by Testament in Para Bellum is also necessary in the life of any decent human being. You can follow the band on Facebook and on Instagram for news, tour dates and other nice-to-know details about one of the torchbearers of classic thrash, stream their demonic creations on Spotify, and above all that, grab a copy of their incendiary newborn spawn from Nuclear Blast or by clicking HERE. In other words, it’s time to prepare for war, and there’s nothing better than Testament’s new album to inspire us all to head into the battlefield alongside one of the most important bands in the history of heavy music.

Best moments of the album: For the Love of Pain, Infanticide A.I., Witch Hunt, Nature of the Beast and Para Bellum.

Worst moments of the album: Meant to Be.

Released in 2020 Nuclear Blast

Track listing
1. For the Love of Pain 5:35
2. Infanticide A.I. 3:27
3. Shadow People 5:45
4. Meant to Be 7:33
5. High Noon 3:52
6. Witch Hunt 4:16
7. Nature of the Beast 4:28
8. Room 117 4:18
9. Havana Syndrome 4:40
10. Para Bellum 6:30

Band members
Chuck Billy – vocals
Eric Peterson – guitar
Alex Skolnick – guitar
Steve Di Giorgio – bass
Chris Dovas – drums

Guest musicians
Dave Eggar – cello, violin, viola, orchestrations, strings arrangements
Chuck Palmer – orchestrations, strings arrangements
Xavi Morató – violin

Album Review – Arson Charge / A Dying Light (2025)

Posted on by
Reply

Rising up from Denver, Colorado, this Hardcore outfit is unleashing their debut opus, a bludgeoning and brutal dive into the feelings of pain, disconnection, and loss that arise from abuse and self-sabotage.

Rising up from Denver, Colorado’s prolific metal scene, Arson Charge are a five-piece behemoth made up of former members from mile-high area stalwarts Native Daughters, Chieftain, and Love Me Destroyer, playing a unique blend of Hardcore, Thrash Metal and Punk Rock, with elements from Thrashcore and Metalcore, tailored for fans of Mastodon, In Flames, Sepultura, Gojira and Black Flag. Now in 2025 the band formed of Ben Roy on vocals, Justin Hackl and Dave Sandoval on the guitars, Kris Hodgell on bass, and Cody Hull on drums is set to release their debut album, titled A Dying Light, recorded at Green Door Recordings and produced by Felipe Patino, Justin Hackl and Arson Charge, offering a bludgeoning and brutal dive into the feelings of pain, disconnection, and loss that arise from abuse and self-sabotage.

The intro The Feeding Grounds sets the stage for the band to kick some serious ass in For The Damned, with the harsh vocals by Ben penetrating deep inside our minds accompanied by the pounding beats by Cody, who then shows no mercy for his drums in Cleanup On Aisle 10, while Justin and Dave make a dynamic guitar duo in an explosion of modern-day Thrash and Groove Metal in the vein of Lamb of God. It’s pedal to the metal in the Hardcore beast titled One by One, with its rebellious backing vocals walking hand in hand with Cody’s sick drumming, whereas investing in a more modern sound we have A New Throne, without forgetting to add their share of heaviness to the sound, followed by There Was No Dog, sounding inspired by classic Punk Rock and led by the raspy vocals by Ben and the pounding drums by Cody.

666 BC stands strong with a foot on the heaviness of Gojira and the other on the progressiveness of Mastodon, with Justin and Dave delivering some of their best riffs of the entire album, followed by The Aftermath, again investing in the power of the riff, with Ben’s harsh vocals being boosted by the thunderous kitchen crafted by Kris and Cody. The Lark The Wolf and The Rabbit is another song with a strong Mastodon vibe, and that means sheer awesomeness flowing from all instruments, of course; and then back to a more straightforward Groove Metal sound we face Build a Fire, with the band’s guitar duo firing sheer heaviness from their axes. Bloodstains offers a nice blend of Thrash Metal and Punk Rock led by Ben and his unrelenting screams, not to mention its hypnotizing riffs and solos, while lastly the title-track A Dying Light closes the album on a Sludge Rock and Metal vibe thanks to the ruthless beats by Cody and the scorching riffs by Justin and Dave.

Arson Charge know exactly how to fuel their metal machine with the feelings of anger and pain in a compelling way, and their debut A Dying Light is a more-than-excellent example of how heavy music will always be a recommended way to channel all that darkness inside us. Hence, you can get in touch with those hardworking and talented boys via Facebook and Instagram, enjoy their caustic music on any streaming services like Spotify, and purchase A Dying Light from BandCamp or from the Anxious & Angry webstore. Arson Charge are beginning to spread their wings over their own country and everywhere else where good Hardcore music is appreciated with their striking debut, leaving us eager for more in the near future while we keep dealing with our inner demons.

Best moments of the album: One by One, 666 BC and The Lark The Wolf and The Rabbit.

Worst moments of the album: A New Throne.

Released in 2025 Anxious & Angry

Track listing
1. The Feeding Grounds 1:16
2. For The Damned 4:18
3. Cleanup On Aisle 10 2:44
4. One by One 4:27
5. A New Throne 4:43
6. There Was No Dog 1:57
7. 666 BC 3:42
8. The Aftermath 4:10
9. The Lark The Wolf and The Rabbit 2:13
10. Build a Fire 3:23
11. Bloodstains 1:50
12. A Dying Light 5:27

Band members
Ben Roy – vocals
Justin Hackl – guitar
Dave Sandoval – guitar
Kris Hodgell – bass
Cody Hull – drums

Album Review – Enragement / Extinguish All Existence (2025)

Posted on by
Reply

Playing their own blend of Technical and Brutal Death Metal, this Finnish entity will extinguish all existence to the sound of their invigorating and powerful new album.

Playing their own blend of Technical and Brutal Death Metal that’s insanely heavy and yet incredibly varied, Helsinki, Finland-based entity Enragement returns with their fourth full-length beast, an invigorating, powerful expression that ticks all the boxes entitled Extinguish All Existence. Following up on their 2022 album Atrocities, and showcasing a sinister artwork by Daemorph Art, the new album by Atte Ojanne and Tuomas Iivanainen on vocals and guitars, Juhana Korkka Heinonen on vocals and bass, and Lasse Sannikka on drums is a striking depiction of the band’s raw power, aggression and versatility, cementing their name not only in the local Finnish scene, but also everywhere else in the world where the fusion of violence and dexterity is truly appreciated.

Lasse shows no mercy for our souls and begins blasting his drums in Vorarephilia, a demented onrush of Technical Death Metal boosted by the band’s deranged growls and screeches, and things get even more serious and intricate in Abyssal Hellscapes, with the strident guitar lines by Atte and Tuomas bringing an extra dosage of violence to the band’s already demonic sounds. Then a Doom Metal-infused intro morphs into another killer attack by Enragement titled Pathogenesis, where their sulfurous vociferations match perfectly with the finesse and rage flowing from their riffs and solos; whereas the quartet keeps smashing our frail bodies with their blend of Death Metal in Parasitic Ingress, with Lasse once again sounding inhumane behind his drums, followed by Harbingers of Degradation, one of the heaviest, most infuriated songs of the album while also presenting extremely detailed and complex lines, with Lasse stealing the spotlight with his ruthless drumming.

Vesuvius is perhaps the “weakest” of all songs, although it’s still a pulverizing display of the band’s core Technical Death Metal, and it’s pedal to the metal in the technical yet venomous Hypercarnivorous, with the guitar duel by Atte and Tuomas exhaling heaviness and intricacy in an overdose of sonic madness by those talented Finnish metallers. After that, an infuriated attack of harsh growls, blast beats and razor-edged riffs will penetrate deep inside your soul in Insectiferous Abomination, living up to the legacy of complex and violent extreme music, and it’s time to break our necks headbanging to the utterly heavy Natural Mass Asphyxiation, with Juhana and Lasse making sure the earth trembles to the sound of their vicious kitchen. Then we have the title-track Extinguish All Existence closing the album on the most demented note you can think of, where the entire band sounds infernally awesome and with Atte, Tuomas and Juhana bursting their lungs screaming in the name of Death Metal.

In a nutshell, Enragement have struck the right balance with Extinguish All Existence, making their album satisfying, interesting, and also hugely enjoyable, in special for admirers of the bestial music crafted by Cutterred Flesh, Devourment, Abominable Putridity, Blood Red Throne, Katalepsy, Benighted, and Aborted, just to name a few. You can find more details about such an amazing Finnish band on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their awesome music on Spotify, and above all that, show them your utmost support by purchasing their new album from their BandCamp or from the Transcending Obscurity Records’ BandCamp, main store, US store or EU store. It’s time to extinguish all existence, and the music found in the new album by Enragement will most definitely work as a great soundtrack for the cleansing of our putrid and decaying world.

Best moments of the album: Abyssal Hellscapes, Harbingers of Degradation and Extinguish All Existence.

Worst moments of the album: Vesuvius.

Released in 2025 Transcending Obscurity Records

Track listing
1. Vorarephilia 3:49
2. Abyssal Hellscapes 3:58
3. Pathogenesis 4:15
4. Parasitic Ingress 3:42
5. Harbingers of Degradation 3:37
6. Vesuvius 4:06
7. Hypercarnivorous 3:46
8. Insectiferous Abomination 3:49
9. Natural Mass Asphyxiation 3:34
10. Extinguish All Existence 5:22

Band members
Atte Ojanne – vocals, guitar
Tuomas Iivanainen – vocals, guitar
Juhana Korkka Heinonen – vocals, bass
Lasse Sannikka – drums

Album Review – Blood and Brutality / Wrath Upon EP (2025)

Posted on by
Reply

This three-piece Death and Thrash Metal outfit attacks again with a brand new EP, offering six tracks that are fast, heavy and sharply executed, with a sound that stays true to their roots while pushing into fresher ground.

A three-piece band known for their uncompromising live performances and raw intensity formed in 2008 in Birmingham, Alabama, Death/Thrash Metal outfit Blood and Brutality is raising hell once again with their brand new EP, entitled Wrath Upon, the follow-up to their 2023 EP Evil Dead (and their third EP in a row). Recorded at B&B Records Studios, mixed by Bryan Arant, and mastered by Andreas Westholm at Dark Prod, the new EP by Bryan Arant on vocals and drums, Tim Boykin on the guitars, and Max Rains on bass offers six tracks that are fast, heavy and sharply executed, with a sound that stays true to their roots while pushing into fresher ground.

Wrath Upon Thee already blasts our ears with their trademark Death Metal with an edgy Hardcore vibe, with Bryan sounding demented both on drums and with his visceral screams while Tim delivers pure, unfiltered Punk Rock-infused riffs. Chaos to Silence, the first single of the EP, offers more of the trio’s undisputed attitude and violence, with both Tim and Max hammering their stringed axes; then a sinister, cinematic interlude titled March Towards Destiny sets the tone for Never Surrender, a no shenanigans display of aggression in the vein of the early days of Slayer, which is obviously a great thing, led by Bryan’s nonstop beats and fills. Fuck You brings forward one minute of a beautiful message by the band presenting hints of Rockabilly in their core sound, whereas lastly they fire a heavier neck-breaking tune titled Life is Pain, with the riffage by Tim sounding beyond caustic while Bryan barks like a demented creature nonstop until the song’s ethereal finale.

Many of the songs have been tested live over the past few years, giving them a natural energy in the studio. Not only that, the band describe their new EP as the best representation so far of what they sound like on stage, delivered with a clean and high-quality production that will certainly please fans of Slayer, Pantera, Metallica, Death, and Morbid Angel, just to name a few. Hence, you can get in touch with those hardworking metallers on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their sonic brutality on Spotify, and of course grab a copy of their new EP from BandCamp. Those guys are not named Blood and Brutality in vain, because that’s exactly what you’ll get in Wrath Upon. Pure blood and brutality in the form of ass-kicking Death and Thrash Metal.

Best moments of the album: Wrath Upon Thee and Never Surrender.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Blood and Brutality Records

Track listing
1. Wrath Upon Thee 2:12
2. Chaos to Silence 3:12
3. March Towards Destiny 1:31
4. Never Surrender 1:49
5. Fuck You 1:00
6. Life is Pain 4:37

Band members
Bryan Arant – vocals, drums
Tim Boykin – guitars
Max Rains – bass

Album Review – Hangatyr / Sumpf der Fäule (2025)

Posted on by
Reply

Enter the swamp of rot found in the fourth studio opus by this devilish Heathen and Nordic Black Metal horde hailing from Germany.

In Norse mythology, Hangatyr was one of many names for Odin, translated as the “Hanged God”, a reference to his ordeal upon the World Tree. In extreme music, Hangatyr are a Heathen/Nordic Black Metal horde hailing from Bad Sulza, a town in the Weimarer Land district, in Thuringia, Germany, inspired by German icons of the genre with nuances from 90’s Norwegian Black Metal. Now in 2025 the band currently formed of Silvio on vocals, Ali and Basti on the guitars, and Falk on bass is ready to unleash upon humanity their fourth opus, entitled Sumpf der Fäule, or “swamp of rot” from German, the follow-up to their 2020 album Kalt. Produced by Alexander Dietz (Heaven Shall Burn) at Chemical Burn Studios, and showcasing a grim artwork by Ute Ruhmann, Sumpf der Fäule sees the quartet conjure up an unmistakably unique atmosphere throughout the entire album, positioning it as a must-listen for admirers of the black arts.

After a Stygian intro the music explodes into grandiose Black Metal in Sumpf der Fäule, where you can sense their Pagan and Nordic Black Metal influences in the riffage by Ali and Basti; whereas Eine Wahrheit (“one truth”) already starts in full force to its crisp, scorching riffs and blast beats, while Silvio roars and gnarls nonstop in the name of extreme music, exhaling 90’s Black Metal for our vulgar delectation. Leichenmahl (“funeral feast”) is a bit slower yet still venomous and harsh, darkening the skies to the devilish screams by Silvio while all instruments sound as heavy and grim as possible, followed by Es webe Nacht (“let the night weave”), another song that transpires Heathen Black Metal, inspiring us to raise our horns to the band spearheaded by the striking guitars by Ali and Basti. Then leaning towards classic Norwegian Black Metal we have Fatales Gedeih (“fatal prosperity”), showcasing how versatile the band can be inside the broader genre, with Falk making the earth tremble with his bass; and ending the album the quartet offers another bold and dense Black Metal aria titled Dämmerung (“twilight”), spreading absolute darkness until all fades into a melancholic grand finale.

Overflowing heaviness and sheer intensity in all of its six biting songs with abysmal atmospheres, Sumpf der Fäule is highly recommended for fans of early Enslaved, Helheim, and Helrunar, among several other Heathen and Nordic Black Metal hordes out there, and if you want to get in touch with those talented and hardworking Teutonic black metallers you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their music on Spotify (only the album Kalt at the moment, by the way) or on BandCamp (all of their already released albums), and soon grab your copy of their newborn spawn from the same BandCamp. In other words, it’s time to enter the swamp of rot offered by Hangatyr in their new album, letting their festering, devilish sounds penetrate deep inside your putrid skin in the name of our beloved Black Metal.

Best moments of the album: Sumpf der Fäule and Es webe Nacht.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Independent

Track listing
1. Sumpf der Fäule 7:46
2. Eine Wahrheit 5:35
3. Leichenmahl 6:51
4. Es webe Nacht 6:29
5. Fatales Gedeih 6:38
6. Dämmerung 10:00

Band members
Silvio – vocals
Ali – guitar
Basti – guitar
Falk – bass

Album Review – De Profundis / The Gospel Of Rot EP (2025)

Posted on by
1

The rot is everywhere, and it’s time to tear it down to the sound of the pulverizing new EP by one of the must-see names of the current UK Death Metal scene.

“The Gospel Of Rot is both a warning and a weapon – a sonic rebellion against the forces that seek to silence and subjugate. De Profundis offers not salvation but a wake-up call…” – De Profundis

Celebrating 20 years of death dealing and devastation, London, England-based Death Metal horde De Profundis has returned with a rejuvenated lineup and a brand new EP of stunning power and intensity, entitled The Gospel Of Rot. Recorded at Barking Dog Studio, mixed and mastered by Matt Jones at CapsaArx Studios, and embraced by a darkly beautiful artwork by Pierre-Alain D. of 3mmi Design, the new EP by frontman Stefano Bassi, guitarists Shoi Sen and Paul Nazarkardeh, bassist Simon McAuliffe, and drummer Tom Atherton will most definitely please fans of bands the likes of Death, Morbid Angel, Immolation, and Nocturnus, bringing together four tracks of furious Death Metal and masterful musicianship into a manifesto of resistance against the empty vessels that rule us, dragging our civilization into a mire of degradation.

The band wastes no time and kicks off the EP with the Death Metal extravaganza I: Corruption, where newcomer Stefano already showcases his ruthless deep guttural for our total delight, and Tom crushes his drums with rage and dexterity in II: Deception accompanied by the visceral Death Metal riff attack by Shoi and Paul. Then the quintet shows no mercy for our putrid souls in III: Indoctrination, offering an overdose of harsh riffs and demonic vociferations, with once again Simon and Tom making the earth tremble with their evil kitchen. And lastly, we have their cover version for Sepultura’s IV: Subtraction, from their 1991 masterpiece Arise (you can enjoy the original one HERE). De Profundis take the vibe from those Brazilian thrash and death heroes and add their own twist to it, resulting in a lecture in modern-day Death Metal where Stefano sounds brutally violent on vocals until the very end.

From their early days of primeval Doom and Death Metal, then venturing through the Progressive Death and Black Metal realms of their latest albums The Blinding Light of Faith (2018) and The Corruption of Virtue (2022), to the full-on Death Metal attack in The Gospel Of Rot, the band keeps crushing our putrid souls with their undisputed aggressiveness, precise musicianship, and a deep passion for the extreme, and you can get to know more about one of the precious gems of the British Death Metal scene by following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, by subscribing to their YouTube channel, by listening to all of their demented tunes on Spotify, and by purchasing the excellent The Gospel of Rot from BandCamp or by clicking HERE. In a nutshell, De Profundis are back at the very top of their game with The Gospel of Rot. Because the rot is everywhere, and it’s time to tear it down.

Best moments of the album: I: Corruption and IV: Subtraction.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Independent

Track listing
1. I: Corruption 4:11
2. II: Deception 3:45
3. III: Indoctrination 4:27
4. IV: Subtraction (Sepultura cover) 4:34

Band members
Stefano Bassi – vocals
Shoi Sen – guitars
Paul Nazarkardeh – guitars
Simon McAuliffe – bass
Tom Atherton – drums

Album Review – Achathras / A Darkness of the Ancient Past (2025)

Posted on by
Reply

The debut opus by this uncanny horde offers us all a resurrection of the values from the early to late 90’s European Black Metal scene.

Bringing into being mystical Melodic Black Metal dedicated to the magic and mystique of the 90’s, Achathras are a new project formed by uncanny musicians from long-running and acclaimed Black Metal bands, unleashing upon humanity their debut offering entitled A Darkness of the Ancient Past. As epic and at times melodic, recalling acts such as Gehenna, Odium, Emperor, Hecate Enthroned, Taake, Old Man’s Child, Ancient, Dimmu Borgir, and Abigor, among others, A Darkness of the Ancient Past offers a resurrection of the values from the early to late 90’s European Black Metal scene, with the band’s mysterious members Eidolon Drakh, Malefic Orator, and Vorthol blasting their magnificent share of Black Metal incantations for our total and depraved delight.

The Weaving Of The Worlds is absolutely dark and sinister from the very first second, an atmospheric intro that will penetrate deep inside your damned soul before the band comes ripping with Anointed With Moonfire, and it doesn’t matter who plays each instrument (although the band itself has already hinted at who plays what in the album), we must admit they do it to perfection, offering an overdose of classic Black Metal riffs and demented screams supported by an embracing wall of sounds in the background. More of their melodious and sulfurous sounds permeate the air in A Cerement Of Flame, evolving into a beast of old school Black Metal that’s out of any type of human control; and it’s time to head into the battlefield alongside those uncanny musicians to the sound of Emanation Of Chaos, a frantic, no shenanigans Black Metal extravaganza overflowing fire and madness through its classic riffs and blast beats.

After such a demented metal attack we face the ethereal interlude Melancholy Wanderer, warming us up for The Curse Of Supremacy, an imposing, epic explosion of Black Metal by the band, with all background keys and orchestrations adding even more obscurity to the music. Let’s then bang our heads in pitch black darkness to the sound of The Despiser Triumphant, where their rumbling drums live up to the legacy of classic Black Metal; whereas such an infernal horde delivers seven minutes of scorching Black Metal entitled A Lamenting Presence, with the sound of their riffs being a thing of beauty. And lastly, it’s time to explore the chilly and despondent winter lands ruled by Achathras in The Uttermost Cold, an icy cold outro that could have been slightly shorter to sound more effective.

Although there isn’t much information about Achathras anywhere, it’s their music that truly counts, and A Darkness of the Ancient Past indeed brings to our putrid souls an overdose of the grandiose Black Metal sound from decades ago. If you dare to get in touch with those Black Metal sorcerers, you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, blow your speakers with their devilish sounds on Spotify, and of course purchase their newborn beast from the Cult Never Dies webstore or from their EU webstore,  fueling their Black Metal machine for decades to come. And if they decide to remain as mysterious and anonymous as possible through the years, as long as their music keeps burning our souls like what they have to offer in A Darkness of the Ancient Past, we have absolutely nothing to complain about.

Best moments of the album: Anointed With Moonfire, Emanation Of Chaos and The Despiser Triumphant.

Worst moments of the album: The Uttermost Cold.

Released in 2025 Cult Never Dies

Track listing
1. The Weaving Of The Worlds 2:43
2. Anointed With Moonfire 5:51
3. A Cerement Of Flame 5:14
4. Emanation Of Chaos 5:05
5. Melancholy Wanderer 1:58
6. The Curse Of Supremacy 5:24
7. The Despiser Triumphant 5:25
8. A Lamenting Presence 7:06
9. The Uttermost Cold 4:23

Band members
Malefic Orator – vocals
Eidolon Drakh – guitars, bass, keyboards
Vorthol – drums

Album Review – Gore. / If You Do Not Fear Me… EP (2025)

Posted on by
Reply

This Texas-based Progressive Metal and Metalcore outfit is back with their second EP, continuing to challenge norms and expressing the full spectrum of feminine experience.

Bringing a distinctly feminine perspective to the heavy music scene since the band’s inception back in 2023, Houston, Texas-based Progressive Metal/Metalcore outfit Gore. makes waves with their emotionally raw and unapologetically vulnerable sound. Currently formed of Haley Roughton on vocals, Alex Reyes on the guitars, Devin Birchfield on bass, and Wills Weller on drums, the band strikes back with their second EP, titled If You Do Not Fear Me…, following up on their 2024 debut EP A Bud That Never Blooms, continuing to challenge norms and expressing the full spectrum of feminine experience through their powerful sound while combining elements of Metalcore with personal and introspective lyrics.

Wrath, the first song of the EP, offers an amalgamation of styles that perfectly depicts the band’s approach, starting in an almost pop manner to the clean vocals by Haley while also presenting heavy, caustic moments where their Djent vein pulses hard. Then investing in a more direct Metalcore sound we have Sepsis, reminding me of some of the creations by Infected Rain, with the bass by Devin sounding utterly metallic and thunderous; followed by Orbiting, again modern and visceral, with Alex firing some piercing riffs while Haley alternates between clean vocals and her screaming madness, clearly inspired by the music by the Butcher Babies. And their last blast of Metalcore infused with Groove, Alternative and Nu Metal, entitled Like You Meant it, will captivate your senses mercilessly, with Wills dictating the pace with his classic beats supported by the rumbling bass by Devin.

Thematically exploring identity, emotional vulnerability, and interpersonal relationships in their lyrics, the band has received support from well-known acts such as Motionless in White, Flyleaf, and Papa Roach, and based on the quality of the music found in If You Do Not Fear Me… I’m sure their fanbase will keep growing in the coming years. Hence, you can also join the band in their quest for heavy music with a delicate touch via Facebook and Instagram, stream their distinct creations on Spotify, and of course add If You Do Not Fear Me… to your respectable collection by clicking HERE or HERE. Gore. will definitely go places after the release of their two excellent EPs, paving their path for an upcoming full-length album for our total delight and, therefore, embracing us with their undisputed progressiveness, passion and darkness.

Best moments of the album: Sepsis and Orbiting.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Spinefarm Records

Track listing
1. Wrath 4:33
2. Sepsis 3:28
3. Orbiting 3:04
4. Like You Meant it 4:13

Band members
Haley Roughton – vocals
Alex Reyes – guitar
Devin Birchfield – bass
Wills Weller – drums

Album Review – Abraded / Ethereal Emanations from Chthonic Caries (2025)

Posted on by
Reply

The newborn spawn by this American beast sees the band pushing deeper into filth, spewing slime-drenched Deathgrind, balancing frenetic blasting, grooves, grime, and putrefaction with unadulterated passion.

Formed in the festering underground of Cleveland, Ohio in 2018, the ruthless Death Metal/Grindcore entity Abraded delivers raw, repulsive Death Metal rooted in the old school traditions of the genre’s most grotesque pioneers. Drawing influence from legends like Napalm Death, Assück, Agathocles, Repulsion, Autopsy, and Carcass, the band is back in action with Ethereal Emanations from Chthonic Caries, following up on their 2023 offering Unadulterated Perversions. Originally recorded in 2017, mixed by Patric Pariano at Aggressively Uninterested Studios, mastered by Will Killingsworth at Dead Air Studios, with additional drum programming by Black Art Audio, an infernal cover art by Mihály Zichy, and layout by Nestor Carrera, the new album by the band’s mastermind Patric Pariano on guitars and drums alongside vocalist Mark Gallon and bassist David Kirsch sees the band pushing deeper into filth, spewing slime-drenched Deathgrind, balancing frenetic blasting, grooves, grime, and putrefaction with unadulterated passion.

It’s pedal to the metal from the very first second in the demented Ethereal Emanations, with Mark’s gurgling, deranged vocals matching perfectly with the song’s violent vibe, and with Patric kicking some serious ass on drums. Their depraved, gory party goes on in full force in Menticide, perfect for slamming like a wild beast inside the pit, followed by Uroboric Incest, presenting hints of Progressive Death Metal added to its core essence, with their guitars, bass and drums hammering our cranial skulls mercilessly, not to mention all inhumane screeches and gnarls by Mark. And Collectivized Enmeshment is another song where Patric’s riffage will cut your skin deep, supported by David’s thunderous bass punches in a hurricane of first-class, no shenanigans Grindcore.

Compensatory Contrarianism is highly recommended for some vigorous headbanging while Abraded keep firing their trademark riffs and evil vociferations, keeping the album’s aura burning, whereas Theonemesis should sound absolutely amazing and devastating if played live. It’s Grindcore at its finest, with no filters, no fillers, only our good old savagery and hatred, and the band still has a lot of fuel to burn starting with Mass Formation Psychosis, a bludgeoning tune that lives up to the legacy of the style. Chthonic Caries, the second composition to “form” the name of the album, is a bit generic compared to all other songs; while the album ends with its most intricate and demonic tune of all, entitled Theodicy, where Patric distills his Grindcore riff-fueled venom until the very last second like a true beast.

Executed with a relentless DIY ethos that was undoubtable carried over from founding member Patric Pariano, Ethereal Emanations from Chthonic Caries cements Abraded’s status as one of the most promising acts in the resurgence of the American Brutal Death Metal and Grindcore scene, and you can show your total support to such a vicious beast by following it on Instagram, by streaming its gory creations on Spotify, and of course by grabbing a copy of the album from the Redefining Darkness Records’ Bandcamp or webstore (in the United States or the EU / rest of the world), or by clicking HERE. Ethereal Emanations from Chthonic Caries transpires gore, violence, insanity and heaviness just the way we like it in extreme music, and you better brace for impact as once Abraded’s music embraces your darkened soul, there’s no way out.

Best moments of the album: Ethereal Emanations, Theonemesis and Theodicy.

Worst moments of the album: Chthonic Caries.

Released in 2025 Redefining Darkness Records

Track listing
1. Ethereal Emanations 2:04
2. Menticide 2:49
3. Uroboric Incest 2:35
4. Collectivized Enmeshment 2:27
5. Compensatory Contrarianism 3:10
6. Theonemesis 2:43
7. Mass Formation Psychosis 2:48
8. Chthonic Caries 2:52
9. Theodicy 4:28

Band members
Mark Gallon – vocals
Patric Pariano – guitars, drums
David Kirsch – bass

Guest musicians
Evan Crouse – guitars (live)
Brad Moore – bass (live)
Jon Gonzalez – drums (live)