UK’s own leaders and titans of Symphonic and Melodic Black Metal are back from the underworld stronger than ever with their vicious, breathtaking seventh studio offering.

Leaders and titans of Symphonic and Melodic Black Metal, England’s own Hecate Enthroned are finally back from the underworld with their vicious seventh studio album, beautifully entitled The Corpse of a Titan, a Lament Long Buried, following up on their 2019 beast Embrace of the Godless Aeon. Once again produced by the band itself alongside Dan Abela (Akercocke, Bleed From Within, Annal Nathrakh), who also mixed and mastered the album, and showcasing a stunning cover art created by Erskine Designs (Inanimate Existence, Bleed The Sky), the new offering by Joe Stamps on vocals, Nige Dennan and Andy Milnes on the guitars, Dylan Hughes on bass, Pete White  on the piano and keyboards, and Matt Holmes on drums will pulverize us all with their signature fusion of Death Metal aggression with orchestral Black Metal atmosphere, once again cementing the band as one of the most important names in the history of extreme music.

The Stygian intro Adar Rhiannon (or “Birds of Rhiannon,” three magical, otherworldly birds from Welsh mythology associated with the horse goddess Rhiannon) sets the stage for the band’s undisputed Black Metal attack in Spirits Stir Within Our Ancestors Tombs, with Matt sounding simply demolishing behind his drums, adding endless rage and fury to their sound while the keys by Pete are utterly haunting. The devilish guitars by Nige and Andy will pierce your soul in The Arcane Golem, another lesson in Symphonic Black Metal by such a talented UK horde, whereas a beyond cryptic start gradually evolves into a massive Black Metal beast titled Steed of the Still Water, led by another pulverizing performance by Matt on drums. After that we have Pwca, a shape-shifting, mischievous, and often chaotic spirit or fairy from Celtic and Welsh folklore, with the music sounding maybe a bit too atmospheric and lengthy, but still very emotional.

The band gets back on track with the infuriated Black Metal beast titled Deathless in the Dryad Glade, also presenting elements from Death and Doom Metal to spice things up even more. A Gallery of Rotting Portraits, the first single released of the album, is utterly bestial, with the harsh vociferations by Joe walking hand in hand with the slashing riffs by Nige and Andy, and the always majestic keys by Pete. The Boreal Monastery sounds and feels massive, multi-layered and grim form start to finish, with the hammering drums by Matt sounding flawless, offering Joe everything he needs to scream like a demon, whereas lastly we face Into a Vale of Endless Snow, keeping their Symphonic Black Metal vein pulsing harder than ever, consequently ending the album on a demolishing note to the thunderous sounds blasted by Dylan, Pete and Matt.

“Our first release since 2019, these are huge, epic, hard-hitting songs carved in the traditional Hecate Enthroned way with a menacing veil delivered with a crisp punch. Lyrically based around ancient British myths and legends,” commented the band’s bassist Dylan Hughes, inviting us all to join the band in absolute darkness in the best British Extreme Metal style. Having said that, don’t forget to check what the band is up to on Facebook and on Instagram, to stream their undisputed discography on Spotify, and above all that, to purchase their venomous new opus from BandCamp or from M-Theory Audio. The corpse of a titan lies upon the shores of England, and Hecate Enthroned will make sure his demise reverberates to the four corners of the earth to the sound of their insane new album.

Best moments of the album: Spirits Stir Within Our Ancestors Tombs, Steed of the Still Water, A Gallery of Rotting Portraits and The Boreal Monastery.

Worst moments of the album: Pwca.

Released in 2026 M-Theory Audio

Track listing
1. Adar Rhiannon 0:43
2. Spirits Stir Within Our Ancestors Tombs 8:10
3. The Arcane Golem 6:14
4. Steed of the Still Water 7:09
5. Pwca 6:07
6. Deathless in the Dryad Glade 6:37
7. A Gallery of Rotting Portraits 4:40
8. The Boreal Monastery 7:03
9. Into a Vale of Endless Snow 7:10

Band members
Joe Stamps – vocals
Nige Dennan – guitar
Andy Milnes – guitar
Dylan Hughes – bass
Pete White – piano, keyboards
Matt Holmes – drums