Category Archives: 2026 New Releases

Album Review – Moorah / The Beast Called Ego (2026)

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Succumb to the new opus by this ritualistic Black Metal entity hailing from Czechia, a testament to the darkness that dwells within.

A ritualistic Black Metal entity hailing from Prague, Czechia, originally established in 2019 as a one-man project by Count Hroozah, Moorah are entering a new era with their sophomore opus, titled The Beast Called Ego, moving towards a more massive and organic sound from their 2021 debut Marnost nad marnost. Recorded at Riversound Productions and Seabeast Production Studios, mastered by the iconic Jaime Gómez Arellano at Orgone Studios, and showcasing a sinister artwork by Aaron Bonogofsky of October Midnight, the new opus by Count Hroozah on vocals and guitars alongside Severan on bass, Silenthell on timpani, and FX Grond on drums, with Ashok (former guitarist of Cradle Of Filth) joining the ritual as a special guest, offers more of the band’s unique vision of apocalyptic Black Metal, blending the traditional elements of classic Czech and Norwegian acts with modern Post-Metal, Post-Punk, and Blackgaze techniques. A distinctive part of their identity lies in the lyrical depth provided by Count Hroozah, whose poetry, previously published in literary magazines, explores themes of faith and individual destiny within an apocalyptic world.

You can feel the darkness permeating the air from the very first second in Left Hand Of Darkness, with the cryptic vociferations by Count Hroozah walking hand in hand with the thunderous drums by FX Grond, whereas Breitspurbahn Egotrip begins in full force to the striking riffs by Count Hroozah, blending classic Black Metal with contemporary Melodic Black Metal in over eight minutes of absolute obscurity. Eternal Ahasver starts in a melodic, almost melancholic way, again presenting a heavy and dense sound thanks to the rumbling kitchen crafted by Severan and FX Grond, followed by Baptism Of Scum, the most ritualistic and atmospheric of all songs, with Severan, Silenthell and FX Grond once again making the earth tremble. Then scorching riffs and solos, not to mention an overdose of Doom Metal beats, set the tone in Vasa Ship, a solid black mass by the quartet; whereas Démon za krkem (a Czech phrase that translates to “a demon behind your neck,” used metaphorically and psychosomatically to describe a heavy, persistent psychological burden or stress that weighs a person down) also ventures through the lands of Blackened Doom Metal, sounding very sinister and detailed, with its multiple layers and passages taking us on a visceral journey though the dark spearheaded by Count Hroozah’s caustic vocal lines.

“The motif, together with the album title The Beast Called Ego, represents a whispering entity that at first appears as a supportive friend. Yet the moment you surrender to its temptations, it watches your downfall with a grin and quiet satisfaction. Almost everyone has, at some point, succumbed to its false call through the influence of our own egos,” commented the band about the artwork, the title, and the music found in their newborn spawn, inviting us all to join them in darkness via Facebook and Instagram, to stream their music on Spotify, and to grab a copy of The Beast Called Ego by clicking HERE. The Beast Called Ego is a testament to the darkness that dwells within, further cementing Moorah’s place as a vital force in the contemporary extreme underground.

Best moments of the album: Breitspurbahn Egotrip and Démon za krkem.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Art Gates Records

Track listing
1. Left Hand Of Darkness 6:07
2. Breitspurbahn Egotrip 8:27
3. Eternal Ahasver 5:26
4. Baptism Of Scum 5:33
5. Vasa Ship 5:54
6. Démon za krkem 7:43

Band members
Count Hroozah – vocals, guitars
Severan – bass
Silenthell – timpani
FX Grond – drums

Guest musician
Ashok – guitars

Album Review – Cryptorium / Through the Bowels of Ceaseless Dissonance (2026)

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This demented four-piece army returns with their sophomore and most ambitious release yet, an ugly, nasty and raw display of the best kind of Swedish Death Metal.

Having splashed onto the scene with their 2024 rambunctious debut titled Descent into Lunacy, the ruthless Swedish Death Metal creature known as Cryptorium returns with their sophomore and most ambitious release yet, the incendiary Through the Bowels of Ceaseless Dissonance. Recorded at Studio Catacombs, with lead guitars on a few songs recorded at Eremin Studios, and with all band members sharing the vocal duties throughout the entire album, the new offering by Fabian Larsen on vocals and guitars, Ludvig Carman on lead guitars, Karl “Knalle” Arvidsson (RIP) on vocals, bass and synthesizers, and Albin Holgersson on vocals and drums takes their music to the next level, churning out the best kind of Swedish Death Metal and paying homage to the elder ones the likes of Dismember, Entombed, Carnage, Grave, Crawl, Feral and Vomitheist, while adding their own layer of grime and filth to it. In other words, it is ugly, nasty and raw, just how it was meant to be.

After the album’s darkly delicate Intro we’re crushed into pieces by Cryptorium with the title-track Through the Bowels of Ceaseless Dissonance, where the vocals by Knalle sound insanely obscure and heavy, and therefore deserve our full appreciation, while he also slams his bass manically. Malodor offers a more direct blast of Death Metal with a doomed vibe, this time with Fabian taking the vocal duties, sounding perfect for some action inside the pit; and Albin hammers his drums like a demented beast in Rivers of Celestial Blood, offering an overdose of Death Metal insanity boosted by another cadaverous vocal performance by Fabian. After such a demolishing tune, Knalle’s bass and Albin’s drums will demolish your senses in the obscure, visceral In Bitter Remorse, another no shenanigans display of savagery by those talented metallers.

In Revolting Obsession we see the band add elements of Crust and Doom Metal to their core Death Metal feast, giving the song an even heavier and more rebellious vibe led by Albin’s pulverizing beats and fills, whereas the guitars by Fabian and Ludvig exhale fire and electricity in Corpus Effigy, not to mention Albin’s Cannibal Corpse-inspired vocals sound inhumane. Knalle’s metallic bass set the atmosphere on fire in the groovy yet venomous Concrete Interment, one of the heaviest of all songs, if not the heaviest, a lecture in brutality, violence, gore and insanity. The band then shows no mercy for our putrid souls in the frantic and demented Malignant Crucifixion, living up to the legacy of old school Death Metal; whereas their coup-de-grace comes in the form of Consumed by the Eternal Rot, an avalanche of Death Metal aggression by the quartet where Albin’s vocals once again transpire gore and evil.

Cryptorium go all the way in Through the Bowels of Ceaseless Dissonance, convincingly delivering the classic kind of Death Metal without dampening it with too many melodies or making it sound too clean, and always with the right spirit and intent. This is gnarly, in-your-face, competently executed Swedish Death Metal with substance and rot, not to be missed by any fan of the genre, and you can get more details about the band and their bludgeoning music on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their depraved music on Spotify, and grab a copy of their new album from their own BandCamp or from the Transcending Obscurity Records’ BandCamp, main store, US store or EU store (or click HERE for all things Cryptorium). Furthermore, Through the Bowels of Ceaseless Dissonance is dedicated to the late Karl “Knalle” Arvidsson, who sadly passed away earlier this year, on February 1, 2026. He was just 18 years old, had a brilliant future ahead of him, and will surely be missed by his bandmates, fans, friends and family. This means the music by Cryptorium is meant to be played louder than hell, and we should all raise our horns and enjoy the wild bass playing by Knalle in Through the Bowels of Ceaseless Dissonance. I’m sure this is exactly what he wants us all to do right now.

Best moments of the album: Through the Bowels of Ceaseless Dissonance, Concrete Interment and Consumed by the Eternal Rot.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Transcending Obscurity Records

Track listing
1. Intro 1:05
2. Through the Bowels of Ceaseless Dissonance 5:10
3. Malodor 4:22
4. Rivers of Celestial Blood 3:27
5. In Bitter Remorse 5:04
6. Revolting Obsession 5:17
7. Corpus Effigy 4:01
8. Concrete Interment 3:50
9. Malignant Crucifixion 4:27
10. Consumed by the Eternal Rot 6:32

Band members
Fabian Larsen – guitars, vocals on  “Malodor”, “Rivers of Celestial Blood”, “In Bitter Remorse”, “Revolting Obsession” and “Consumed by the Eternal Rot”
Ludvig Carman – lead guitars on “Revolting Obsession” and “Malignant Crucifixion”
Karl “Knalle” Arvidsson (R.I.P. 2026) – bass, synthesizers, vocals on “Through the Bowels of Ceaseless Dissonance”, “Concrete Interment” and “Malignant Crucifixion”, additional vocals on “Revolting Obsession”
Albin Holgersson – drums, vocals on “Corpus Effigy”, additional vocals on “Concrete Interment”, “Malignant Crucifixion” and “Consumed by the Eternal Rot”

Album Review – Ereboros / From Oblivion to the Grave (2026)

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Behold the debut full-length by this Brazilian Death Metal squad, transforming personal pain into something honest, confrontational, and deeply expressive.

Formed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2023, the ruthless four-piece squad known as Ereboros combines aggressive Death Metal with dark atmospheres, culminating now in 2026 with the release of their debut offering, titled From Oblivion to the Grave. Recorded, mixed and mastered throughout 2025 in Brazil, and self-produced by Ereboros under the direction of Victor Mendonça, the debut by Thiago Barbosa on vocals and guitar, Juan Carlos also on the guitar, Paulo Doc on bass, and Victor Mendonça on drums was born from real-life experiences, diving into suffering, anxiety, disillusionment, and the struggle to find meaning in the middle of chaos. Many of the lyrics were shaped by difficult moments faced by Thiago Barbosa and Victor Mendonça, transforming personal pain into something honest, confrontational, and deeply expressive.

The cinematic intro From Oblivion to the Grave opens the gates of the underworld for the band to kill in Distorted Man-made Concept, with Thiago roaring and barking in great Death Metal fashion, supported by the pulverizing drums by Victor. Thiago and Juan deliver killer riffs and solos in the Melodic Death Metal-infused tune The Agony of Existence, followed by Salute to Disorder, blending the heaviness of Amon Amarth with the visceral sounds from Cannibal Corpse, with Victor once again sounding inhumane behind his drums. And they keep slashing their axes in the name of Death Metal in Dissonant Soul, with Thiago once again roaring the song’s devilish words nonstop.

Their modern take on old school Death Metal again works majestically in Nocturnal Paranoia, flirting with Technical and Progressive Death Metal at times thanks to the phenomenal job done by Victor on drums. We then face the epic interlude One Last Pulse, warming up our souls for another venomous attack titled In the Depths of Misery, alternating between sheer savagery and more technical and melodic moments where Paulo and Victor make the earth tremble as usual. Progenies of the Unseen is by far one of the most detailed songs of the entire album, with their guitars breathing fire from start to finish in an ode to Death Metal; and they close the album with the doom-laden Death Metal tune At the Gallows of Doom, sounding heavy-as-hell but not as detailed as the other songs. It’s still infernal as expected, of course.

Bringing together crushing riffs, relentless aggression, and suffocating atmospheres, balanced by melodic passages that give the songs greater emotional weight without taking away from their intensity, From Oblivion to the Grave is highly recommended for fans of Hypocrisy, Septicflesh, Morbid Angel, Carcass, and Dissection, among many others, and if you want to give the band a shout and enjoy more of their music you can find them on Facebook, on Instagram, on YouTube, on Spotify, and on Apple Music, and of course purchase their killer new album from BandCamp. In summary, finding any type of meaning in absolute chaos is never easy. Quite the contrary, it’s an excruciating task, and the guys from Ereboros more than succeeded in turning all that frustration into high quality Death Metal in their awesome debut album.

Best moments of the album: Distorted Man-made Concept, Nocturnal Paranoia and Progenies of the Unseen.

Worst moments of the album: At the Gallows of Doom.

Released in 2026 Independent

Track listing
1. From Oblivion to the Grave 1:16
2. Distorted Man-made Concept 4:05
3. The Agony of Existence 4:47
4. Salute to Disorder 3:15
5. Dissonant Soul 3:53
6. Nocturnal Paranoia 4:51
7. One Last Pulse 1:05
8. In the Depths of Misery 4:22
9. Progenies of the Unseen 3:55
10. At the Gallows of Doom 5:31

Band members
Thiago Barbosa – vocals, guitar
Juan Carlos – guitar
Paulo Doc – bass
Victor Mendonça – drums

Album Review – Annihilus Mundi / The Dead Sea Scrolls (2026)

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The annihilation of the world continues with the sophomore opus by this amazing Progressive Death Metal entity, a 77-minute concept album criticizing theocracy, oligarchy, and religious fundamentalism.

Formed in 2018, by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Saillant, blending elements of Death Metal, Shoegaze, and Progressive Rock, Boston, Massachusetts-based Progressive Death Metal entity Annihilus Mundi (a dark, destructive twist on the classical Latin philosophical phrase anima mundi, or “soul of the world,” effectively translating to “the annihilation of the world”) continues to push musical boundaries, combining harsh and clean vocals, complex guitar arrangements, and introspective lyrics in the project’s sophomore album, titled The Dead Sea Scrolls, following up on their critically acclaimed 2019 debut Grief. Produced, mixed, mastered and engineered by Daniel Saillant himself at Wailing Pines Productions, the new album by the aforementioned Daniel Saillant on vocals and all instruments, alongside Noah Magnelli on harsh and clean vocals, is a 77-minute long concept album exploring his personal life experiences. In a fusion of genres and artforms, Annihilus Mundi reconceptualize the album’s central ideas through Hideaki Anno’s notorious 1995 anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion and its subsequent 1997 film The End of Evangelion.

Second Impact (Overture) is a massive creation by Daniel and his henchmen, offering a wild fusion of Progressive Metal with more extreme and grandiose sounds where his guitars transpire fire and aggression, followed by Absolute Terror, featuring a guest guitar solo by Chris Jones (Æther Realm), absolutely captivating from start to finish, with the clean and harsh vocals by Noah working majestically. A Hedgehog’s Dilemma sounds as complex and multi-layered as the previous tunes, with both keys and drums sounding epic; whereas The Dead Sea Scrolls, Mvt. I – “Reminiscence” is a semi-acoustic ballad that sets the stage for The Dead Sea Scrolls, Mvt. II – “Incursion”, with Andrew Matarazzo (Perennial Quest) on a guest guitar solo, offering us all an overdose of infernal growls and crushing riffs, resulting in ten minutes of undisputed, no shenanigans extreme music with a strong progressive vein. Black Moon, also showcasing a guest guitar solo by Chris Ramusciwicz (Graveborn), and Olive Gallop (Ice Giant) on vocals, is as epic as it is venomous and dark; while King of Thorns, boosted by a guitar solo by Sam Mooradian (Sam Mooradian, Fallujah), lacks the same energy of the rest of the album, sounding a bit tiresome in the end.

Then the four-part beast named “Terminal Dogma” kicks off with Terminal Dogma, Mvt. I – “Do you love me?”, a serene and grim tune where Daniel is ruthless armed with his axe, flowing into Terminal Dogma, Mvt. II – “Take care of yourself.”, featuring Alex Haddad (Dessiderium, Atheist) on a guitar solo and Sarah Hartman (Aversed) on vocals. Needless to say, Noah makes a phenomenal duet with Sarah in a lecture in Progressive Metal. In Terminal Dogma, Mvt. III – “Love is destructive.” we have a break from Daniel’s usual heaviness, warming our hearts before we face Terminal Dogma, Mvt. IV – “I need you.”, again featuring Sarah Hartman on vocals, presenting the power of the riff, massive beats, and deep, evil vocal lines. Silent Planet, featuring Anthony Harter (d r 0 n 3) on noise and atmospheres, is noisy and perturbing, working as a wicked bridge to Human Instrumentality, featuring a guest guitar solo by Michael Laurendeau Jr., bringing forward 13 minutes of complex, intricate passages, acoustic and cinematic moments, and the always visceral guitars by Daniel.

Criticizing theocracy, oligarchy, and religious fundamentalism, exploring how unquestioned ancient dogmas lead to destruction, The Dead Sea Scrolls is definitely a must-listen for metalheads searching for a high quality blend of extreme music infused with a rich and deep storyline. You can get in touch with Daniel and his Annihilus Mundi via Facebook and Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their music on Spotify, and of course, purchase The Dead Sea Scrolls from BandCamp or by clicking HERE. Put differently, the annihilation of the world continues with the new album by Annihilus Mundi, a dense and detailed journey that will surely hypnotize you and consume your soul just the way we like it in extreme music.

Best moments of the album: Absolute Terror, The Dead Sea Scrolls, Mvt. II – “Incursion”, Terminal Dogma, Mvt. II – “Take care of yourself.” and Human Instrumentality.

Worst moments of the album: King of Thorns.

Released in 2026 Independent

Track listing
1. Second Impact (Overture) 5:25
2. Absolute Terror 6:39
3. A Hedgehog’s Dilemma 5:50
4. The Dead Sea Scrolls, Mvt. I – “Reminiscence” 2:10
5. The Dead Sea Scrolls, Mvt. II – “Incursion” 10:32
6. Black Moon 4:35
7. King of Thorns 7:27
8. Terminal Dogma, Mvt. I – “Do you love me?” 3:09
9. Terminal Dogma, Mvt. II – “Take care of yourself.” 5:19
10. Terminal Dogma, Mvt. III – “Love is destructive.” 3:29
11. Terminal Dogma, Mvt. IV – “I need you.” 5:31
12. Silent Planet 2:52
13. Human Instrumentality 13:55

Band members
Daniel Saillant – vocals, all instruments

Guest musicians
Noah Magnelli – harsh & clean vocals
Chris Jones – guitar solo on “Absolute Terror”
Andrew Matarazzo – guitar solo on “The Dead Sea Scrolls, Mvt. II – Incursion”
Chris Ramusciwicz – guitar solo on “Black Moon”
Sam Mooradian – guitar solo on “King of Thorns”
Alex Haddad – guitar solo on “Terminal Dogma, Mvt. II”
Michael Laurendeau Jr. – guitar solo on “Human Instrumentality”
Olive Gallop – vocals on “Black Moon”
Sarah Hartman – vocals on “Terminal Dogma, Mvts. II & IV”
Anthony Harter – noise & atmospheres on “Silent Planet”

Album Review – Nihilo / Abyss (2026)

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A ruthless Swiss Death Metal horde is back from the grave with their fifth full-length opus, sounding bleaker, harder and more devastating than ever before.

Formed in 2003 in Huttwil, a municipality in the Oberaargau administrative district in the Swiss canton of Bern, the ruthless Death Metal horde known as Nihilo is back from the grave once again with their fifth full-length opus, titled Abyss, following up on their 2022 album Resolution. Produced and mixed by Romano Galli and Simon Egli at HardBeat Studio, mastered by Christophe Brandes at Iguana Studios, and bound in the disconcerting and unsettling artwork of Rodrigo Pereira Salvatierra, the new offering by Ragulan on vocals, Marco and Schwab on the guitars, Florian on bass, and Damiano on drums hits hard and convinces utterly from the very first notes, sounding bleaker, harder and more devastating than ever before, being highly recommended for fans of Morbid Angel, Vader, Immolation, and Nile.

Primal Instinct offers us all two minutes of absolute destruction and hate flowing from all instruments, working as a striking welcome card by those death dealers; and the guitars by Marco and Schwab are breathing fire in Voidbound, a lecture in Death Metal where Ragulan roars like a demonic entity nonstop. They continue to spread hate and fury in Impending Doom, with Florian and Damiano blasting our heads with their thunderous kitchen, followed by the fast and furious Dishonored Death, perfect for some action inside the pit, with Damiano sounding once again like a stone crusher on drums. The band shows no sign of slowing down at all in Inherent Cracks, delivering another hard hitting, heavy-as-hell blend of pure Death Metal insanity.

Veil of Nothing is absolutely demolishing from the very first second led by the demented screams by Ragulan, ending in an ethereal, soothing manner, before Damiano kicks off the pulverizing Suffocating Silence, another explosion of Death Metal where all band members are in sync and utterly enraged. Fractured feels even more demented than its predecessor while also showcasing strident, melodic riffs and solos by Marco and Schwab, whereas Roots in Bone flirts with Blackened Death Metal at times, bringing even more violence and darkness to their already demonic core sonority. Finally, Enter the Abyss ends the album on a high note, again presenting Ragulan’s infernal guttural amidst pure sonic madness.

If you want to know more about Nihilo and join them in their world of violence and bloodshed, you can find those amazing musicians on Facebook and Instagram, stream their sick music on any platform like Spotify, and above all that, purchase their striking new offering from Xtreem Music’s BandCamp or webstore, or click HERE for all things Nihilo. Those Swiss metallers are out for blood armed with Abyss, or in other words, simply lower your gaze in fear and submission before the return of the ruthless and demented Nihilo.

Best moments of the album: Voidbound, Dishonored Death and Suffocating Silence.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Xtreem Music

Track listing
1. Primal Instinct 2:20
2. Voidbound 2:47
3. Impending Doom 2:46
4. Dishonored Death 2:40
5. Inherent Cracks 3:21
6. Veil of Nothing 2:55
7. Suffocating Silence 3:01
8. Fractured 3:29
9. Roots in Bone 3:18
10. Enter the Abyss 3:44

Band members
Ragulan – vocals
Marco – guitar
Schwab – guitar
Florian – bass
Damiano – drums

Guest musician
Shyai – vocals on “Dishonoured Death”

Album Review – Dread Witch / Cult (2026)

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The vile witch of doom from Denmark is back with its venomous sophomore offering, a 36-minute descent into an occult nightmare.

Built from colossal low-tuned riffs, crushing drums, ritualistic vocals, psychedelic textures and an absolutely massive wall of sound, Cult, the new opus by Aarhus, Denmark-based Sludge/Doom Metal entity Dread Witch, and the follow-up to their 2023 debut Tower of the Severed Serpent, is a 36-minute descent into an occult nightmare. Recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studio, and showcasing a sinister artwork by Deliriavision, the new album by Mikael Rise on lead vocals and rhythm guitars, Jesper Kragh on lead and rhythm guitars, Andreas Cadaver on rhythm guitars and backing vocals, Leifur Sørensen on bass and backing vocals, and Dennis Larsen on drums once again creates an immersive sonic experience in an occult universe of serpents, witches, human sacrifices and unspeakable horrors, unfolding like a horror movie translated into sound. Think Conan, Triptykon and Devin Townsend, but dragged through a Boschian hellscape.

Gloomy and pensive, the intro Born Again will darken the skies before the witch from Denmark consumes our souls in the title-track Cult, with the thunderous, heavy-as-hell riffs by Mikael, Jesper and Andreas melting our faces mercilessly while Dennis deliver those slow, steady and massive beats we all love so much in Doom Metal. The Summoning continues with their reverberating, inhumane heaviness, with Leifur’s demonic bass walking hand in hand with the phantasmagorical drums by Dennis, offering Mikael exactly what he needs to vociferate in absolute darkness. And then they switch gears to a faster, more infernal tune titled Cyclops, adding Death and even Post-Metal elements to their core sound.

Altar offers more of their trademark fusion of somber Doom Metal with sluggish and visceral Sludge Metal, again showcasing hammering drums and the always vile gnarls by Mikael, while Sofia Schmidt of Ethereal Kingdoms makes a guest appearance as the Dread Witch herself, delivering haunting vocals for our total delight. Marrow feels utterly dissonant and experimental, with their guitars breathing fire, therefore sending shivers down our spines with their disturbing sounds. And then after the imposing interlude Vesexuff we face their coup-de-grace in the form of Omen of Oblivion, offering us all eight minutes of no hope, no happiness nor any positive feelings, only the crushing venom of Doom Metal. Moreover, Mikael is once again bestial on vocals, while Jesper and Andreas extract sheer insanity from their stringed axes.

Fans of such bands as Conan, With the Dead and Triptykon will feel right at home in Dread Witch’s murky universe, where light itself is sought extinguished by dark incantations of cultic evil and apocalyptic worship. Their new album, Cult, certainly feels like a descent into the darkness of a foreboding, mad abyss that is meant to be enjoyed in its entirety from beginning to end, and you can do so by purchasing the album from BandCamp. Don’t forget to also give the guys from Dread Witch a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, to stream their music on Spotify, or simply click HERE for all things Dread Witch. Because, in the end, the vile witch from Denmark is back more venomous than ever with Cult, and there’s nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.

Best moments of the album: Cult, Cyclops and Omen of Oblivion.

Worst moments of the album: Vesexuff.

Released in 2026 Independent

Track listing
1. Born Again 1:53
2. Cult 4:56
3. The Summoning 5:39
4. Cyclops 2:21
5. Altar 6:44
6. Marrow 4:21
7. Vesexuff 2:18
8. Omen of Oblivion 8:18

Band members
Mikael Rise – lead vocals, rhythm guitars
Jesper Kragh – lead and rhythm guitars
Andreas Cadaver – rhythm guitars, backing vocals
Leifur Sørensen – bass, backing vocals
Dennis Larsen – drums

Guest musician
Sofia Schmidt – vocals on “Altar”

Album Review – Insolitus / The Monumental Fall (2026)

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An up-and-coming Belgian Melodic Death Metal collective is ready to strike armed with their incendiary debut offering.

A Belgian Melodic Death Metal collective utterly determined to forge something epic and memorable without following fleeting trends, Insolitus are ready to unleash hell armed with their debut offering, titled The Monumental Fall. With a sound built on a foundation of crushing riffage and articulate, driving percussion, layered with catchy and intricately intertwining melodies, the debut opus by Leslie Stroobant on vocals, Floren Van Stichel, Fré Clement and Kaatje Desmet on the guitars, and Dries Claeys on drums presents 11 original tracks inspired by the classic melodeath sound blasted by bands the likes of Amorphis, Nevermore, The Halo Effect and Soilwork, while at the same time offering a fresh twist added to their core sound by each band member.

The opening track Crossing Voyage sounds modern while remaining loyal to the foundations of Melodic Death Metal, with Floren, Fré and Kaatje already offering a triple riff attack tailored for fans of the genre; and their guitars kick off the electrifying A Dream Resonance, also presenting a Progressive Metal vibe while Leslie roars in great fashion, followed by Reclaim the Flame, as incendiary as its title, with Dries stealing the spotlight with his hammering drums. In Search For reminds me of some of the more modern creations by In Flames, with Leslie once again delivering sheer adrenaline through his harsh vocals, while Leap of Life presents another traditional take on Scandinavian Melodic Death Metal with a Belgian twist, and of course, their guitars re again breathing fire. And after such a solid tune we have Beneath a Thousand Eyes, showcasing the hammering drums by Dries accompanied by the slashing riffs by Floren, Fré and Kaatje.

Whisperbox is not as vibrant as the other songs despite bringing forward another striking, intricate guitar attack by the band’s trio. It could have been more ferocious and a little less melodic. Then back to a more aggressive sonority we face The Dying Light of Day, with Leslie’s vocals transpiring rage and fury until the very end; whereas Soar has a very cool and epic vibe, inviting us all to raise our fists together with the band in the name of melodeath. Of Time and Change sounds and feels just as epic as the previous song, with Leslie’s harsh vocals being nicely boosted by all clean and backing vocals. Lastly, the title-track The Monumental Fall puts an end to the album with its imposing wall of sounds, feeling like a climatic conclusion to an adventure movie.

Bringing melody-driven heavy music with both clean vocals and harsh vocals, and lyrics rooted in themes of authenticity, empowerment and emotional honesty, Insolitus are on fire throughout their debut offering, and you can give those talented Belgians a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, keeping an eye on their tour dates, stream their music on Spotify, and of course purchase a copy of The Monumental Fall from BandCamp or by clicking HERE. The Monumental Fall is just the first step for Insolitus, and based on the quality of the music found in the entire album we can rest assured we’ll hear a lot more form those Belgians in a not-so-distant future.

Best moments of the album: A Dream Resonance, In Search For and Of Time and Change.

Worst moments of the album: Whisperbox.

Released in 2026 Independent

Track listing
1. Crossing Voyage 6:36
2. A Dream Resonance 4:17
3. Reclaim the Flame 4:55
4. In Search For 3:41
5. Leap of Life 6:12
6. Beneath a Thousand Eyes 5:10
7. Whisperbox 6:16
8. The Dying Light of Day 5:48
9. Soar 4:48
10. Of Time and Change 5:28
11. The Monumental Fall 4:40

Band members
Leslie Stroobant – vocals
Floren Van Stichel – guitars, backing vocals
Fré Clement – guitars
Kaatje Desmet – guitars
Dries Claeys – drums

Album Review – JANVS / Fatum Est EP (2026)

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After over a decade of silence, one of the best-kept secrets in the Italian underground scene is rising from the ashes with a new EP where each song draws on a myth, a figure, or an episode from the Hellenic tradition.

After over a decade of silence, one of the best-kept secrets in the Italian underground scene is rising from the ashes. JANVS, the Roman god of beginnings, passages and endings, is a Progressive Black Metal entity formed in Genoa over two decades ago, which may have fallen through the tides of time for many, but never really forgotten. Now in 2026 the band formed of Matteo “Vinctor” Barelli on vocals, guitars, keyboards and programming, Claudio “Malphas” Fogliato on bass, and Massimo “m:A Fog” Altomare on drums returns from the waves of the Mediterranean sea with a new EP titled Fatum Est, which translates from Latin as “it is fate” or “it is destiny,” following up on their 2014 full-length offering Nigredo. Produced and mastered by the legendary Dan Swanö at Unisound, and displaying as its artwork the piece Studio per la Gorgone e gli Eroi (1890-1899) by Italian artist Giulio Aristide Sartorio, the EP is comprised of five songs where each song draws on a myth, a figure, or an episode from the Hellenic tradition, reshaping and deconstructing its narrative into an existential vision that is both intimate and universal.

The trio kicks off their feast of progressiveness and fury with Bucefalo, with the scathing riffs by Matteo walking hand in hand with his own roars and the massive beats and fills by Massimo. Then a serene intro evolves into another dark and visceral sound in Filo d’Arianna, slower and more introspective, bringing elements of Doom Metal to their core sonority while also exploding in absolute Black Metal magic; followed by Argonauti, a more straightforward blend of Progressive Black and Death Metal where Claudio and Massimo will crack the sky with their thunderous bass and drums. Quis tantus furor is perhaps the most experimental and diverse of all songs, flirting with Dissonant Death Metal at times, with Matteo once again vociferating like a demonic entity, before we face Gaugamela, which reeks of 90’s Swedish Black Metal. Moreover, all gnarling vocals, blast beats and obscure passages turn it into a must-listen for fans of the genre.

Dedicated to those who defy the gaze of the gods, burning without oxygen in infinitesimal and eternal moments of beauty and death, drowned in the void of a cosmos eternally identical to itself, devoid of any purpose, Fatum Est moves forward from the softer atmospheres of their 2008 album Vega, overflowing intensity and desperate cosmic ferocity. You can get to know more about JAVS via Facebook and Instagram, stream their unique music on Spotify, and of course put your hands on Fatum Est from the Avantgarde Music’s BandCamp or Sound Cave. Your destiny is sealed, and JANVS will make sure the soundtrack to your journey is heavy and electrifying armed with their newborn spawn.

Best moments of the album: Filo d’Arianna and Gaugamela.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Avantgarde Music

Track listing
1. Bucefalo 3:44
2. Filo d’Arianna 4:19
3. Argonauti 4:41
4. Quis tantus furor 6:17
5. Gaugamela 3:48

Band members
Matteo “Vinctor” Barelli – vocals, guitars, keyboards, programming
Claudio “Malphas” Fogliato – bass
Massimo “m:A Fog” Altomare – drums

Album Review – Litost / Logos (2026)

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This emerging force in the Spanish extreme music underground returns with the last part of their trilogy dedicated to the three core modes of persuasion defined by Aristotle.

An emerging force in the extreme music underground built around a strong conceptual foundation inspired by Milan Kundera’s notion of “Litost” and Aristotle’s rhetoric, Valencia, Spain’s own Blackened Death Metal creature Litost crafts a sonic narrative driven by introspection, emotional conflict and the inevitable decay of the self, always exploring the darkest corners of human consciousness through an intense, atmospheric and boundary-pushing blend of Black and Death Metal. After the successful releases of their 2019 debut Ethos and their 2023 sophomore Pathos, the band formed of Manri Vidal on vocals and guitars, Joaquín García also on the guitars, Luis Bru on bass and vocals, and Dani Molina on drums is back with a new offering entitled Logos, the third installment in their trilogy dedicated to the three core modes of persuasion defined by Aristotle. While Ethos appeals to a speaker’s credibility and character, and Pathos targets the audience’s emotions, Logos relies on logic, reasoning, facts, and evidence to convince the listener.

The band wastes no time and drag us to darkness from the very first second in Tifón, with Dani sounding inhumane with his demolishing beats and fills accompanied by the visceral growls by Manri; while Ábrego on the other hand starts in an acoustic way before morphing into sheer Black Metal madness, with their guitars once again transpiring rage and obscurity. Then after the instrumental interlude Alabeo, where they showcase their passion for traditional Spanish sounds, we face Tràngol, featuring guest vocalist Eloi Boucherie (frontman of Vidres a la Sang), as disruptive, infernal and technical as it can be, not to mention what Luis and Dani do with their respective bass and drums is simply out of this world, resulting in a lecture in modern-day Black Metal.

Ponzoña offers a more introspective and demonic side of the band, with the guitars by Manri and Joaquín sounding as progressive as they’re vile, a downward spiral into chaos and madness; followed by Ocaso, bringing forward a more direct blend of Black Metal with progressive elements, albeit lacking the same punch as its predecessors. The rumbling bass by Luis will hammer your minds and souls in Nimbo, featuring guest vocals by Albert Batlle (from Perennial Isolation), presenting multiple layers, nuances and the always desperate roars by Manri, whereas they conclude the album with an overdose of progressive and grim sounds titled Cerrote, the perfect depiction of present-day Spanish Black Metal showcasing striking riffs, groovy bass lines and intense and captivating beats and fills.

In a nutshell, with a clear artistic vision and a growing presence on the live circuit, Litost continue to establish themselves as a compelling name within the  contemporary Extreme Metal landscape with the release of the excellent Logos, which can be purchased by clicking HERE. Don’t forget to also start following those amazing Spanish musicians on Facebook and on Instagram, including their breathtaking live concerts, and to stream more of their music on any platform such as YouTube and Spotify. In other words, after an overdose of character and emotion in their first two albums, Litost will melt our faces with the logic found in Logos, beautifully concluding their dark trilogy and, therefore, pointing to an even brighter future ahead of them.

Best moments of the album: Tifón, Tràngol and Cerrote.

Worst moments of the album: Ocaso.

Released in 2026

Track listing
1. Tifón 3:18
2. Ábrego 3:42
3. Alabeo 1:40
4. Tràngol 5:52
5. Ponzoña 4:41
6. Ocaso 4:27
7. Nimbo 4:59
8. Cerrote 4:50

Band members
Manri Vidal – guitars, vocals
Joaquín García – guitars
Luis Bru – bass, vocals
Dani Molina – drums

Guest musicians
Eloi Boucherie – vocals on “Tràngol”
Albert Batlle – vocals on “Nimbo”

Album Review – Enslaved / Mið (2026)

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Immune to the familiar rock narratives, these unstoppable Norwegian Progressive Black and Viking Metal masters are back with their stunning seventeenth studio offering.

Immune to the familiar rock narratives, and celebrating 35 years of existence, Norwegian Progressive Black/Viking Metal masters Enslaved are back with their seventeenth studio offering, titled Mið, an Old Norse word for “centre,” or “middle,” marking another departure, and another new beginning. Recorded at Duper Studio, Solslottet Studio, Personal Sound, Conclave & Earshot Studios, and Scandinavia House, mixed and mastered at Fascination Street Studios, and displaying a cryptic artwork inspired by a Bronze Age stone monument found in the township of Skjeberg, Østfold Norway, near the Swedish border, but removed by a museum in the 1960’s, the follow-up to their 2020 album Utgard and their 2023 opus Heimdal sees the band formed of vocalist and bassist Grutle Kjellson, guitarists Arve Isdal and Ivar Bjørnson, keyboardist and pianist Håkon Vinje, and drummer Iver Sandøy build their unique, expansive cosmology from a vital new starting point. With the swerving prog flourishes and krautrock wormholes dialed back, these eight tracks fizz with a newfound clarity and purpose while casting yet more illumination on the band’s kaleidoscopic palette. “I’ve come to realize that this is a really positive album. It’s about growth, it’s about digging yourself out of a pit, and it’s about leaving yourself open to the element of surprise. It’s about all the possibilities of being a human being,” commented Grutle Kjellson.

The cold and enfolding intro Non-Being sets the tone for the band’s darkened feast of melancholy in the form of I Am Ice, featuring guest Johan Sara Jr, a Sami musician and a central Sami composer, producer, teacher, arranger, actor and performer of contemporary music with roots in the Sami tradition. Needless to say, the song is an explosion of Enslaved’s core prog madness, and the same can be said about Solar Will, showcasing poetic lyrics vociferated by Grutle (“Son of cosmic wisdom / Son of Mother Earth / The starlight at the center / The illuminated I / Drowned in dreams of blood / Pierced by merciless vanity / The starlight at the center / The illuminated I”) accompanied by the hammering drums by Iver. And Mountain is by far the most experimental of all songs, and although the heaviness is there (in special through the devilish kitchen by Grutle and Iver), it’s not as exciting as the other songs.

Spirit Helper, featuring vocals by Kevin Kicking Woman, an esteemed Native American educator from the Blackfeet Nation who made history as Montana’s first-ever Native American Teacher of the Year, is a tribalistic tune that unites Kevin’s vocals with the heaviness of the guitars by Arve and Ivar; whereas they go full Progressive Black Metal in the eight-minute aria titled Parting, with their riffs once again clashing in a beautiful way with the keys by Håkon, alternating between stormy moments and delicate passages. Tales of Trees brings forward the perfect balance between Black and Progressive Metal, with Iver  sounding insane on drums from start to finish, followed by I Miðju, a more atmospheric and pensive aria by the band including elements of Doom Metal to make things heavier and darker, with Grutle  once again sounding bestial on vocals until the song’s Stygian finale.

A album that sheds light on harmonies and dialogues embedded all around us, between the ways of the past, and how they can bring enlightenment to the present, between small kernels of truth and their ability to project onto the most universal on canvases, and between band members relying on instinct and each other to create a record that galvanizes on every possible level, Mið is another solid stone in the unbreakable castle built by Enslaved through the years. “I started with the songwriting very shortly after Heimdal, but I had a feeling that the old ways didn’t work anymore. I’d always been chipping away, playing on the guitar and then on keyboards, something would happen then I’d work on that. But once I had a bunch of demos, none of it felt like it was good enough to follow up on Heimdal. It felt like we had to go somewhere else,” said Ivar Bjørnson. Needless to say, you can get in touch with Enslaved via Facebook and Instagram, subscribe to their Youtube channel, stream their music on Spotify or Apple Music, and of course purchase Mið from Bandcamp or several other locations. Because the excellent Mið represents the past, the present, and a new beginning for a band that’s never tired of stunning us all with their first-class heavy music.

Best moments of the album: I Am Ice, Parting and Tales of Trees.

Worst moments of the album: Mountain.

Released in 2026 Nuclear Blast Records

Track listing
1. Non-Being 1:19
2. I Am Ice 5:02
3. Solar Will 4:39
4. Mountain 5:46
5. Spirit Helper 4:52
6. Parting 8:16
7. Tales of Trees 4:43
8. I Miðju 7:16

Band members
Grutle Kjellson – vocals, bass, keyboards
Arve Isdal – lead guitars, acoustic guitars, backing vocals
Ivar Bjørnson – guitars, acoustic guitars, keyboards, effects, backing vocals
Håkon Vinje – keyboards, piano, clean vocals
Iver Sandøy – drums, percussion, keyboards, effects, clean vocals

Guest musicians
Johan Sara Jr – vocals on “I Am Ice”
Kevin Kicking Woman – vocals on “Spirit Helper”