Tag Archives: avantgarde music

Album Review – Olde Throne / Megalith (2025)

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Behold the new opus by this New Zealand-based Melodic and Atmospheric Black Metal entity, a primal journey into the depths of prehistory, delving into the primordial darkness of the Neolithic age.

A Melodic and Atmospheric Black Metal band born in a time when main composer and frontman Harrison McKenzie was living in Glencoe, Scotland, the amazing Christchurch, New Zealand-based project Old Throne returns with another bold and multi-layered opus, entitled Megalith, following up on their 2022 debut An Gorta Mór and their 2023 sophomore In the Land of Ghosts. Even after moving back to his native New Zealand, Harrison felt deeply inspired by his experience in the highlands, translating such inspiration into the music found in all of his albums. Mixed and mastered by Tim Yatras (Austere, Germ), and displaying a stunning artwork by German illustrator Misanthropic Art, the newborn spawn by Harrison on vocals, guitars and bass, alongside Zannibal on lead guitars and synthesizers and the aforementioned Tim Yatras as their session drummer, is a primal journey into the depths of prehistory, delving into the primordial darkness of the Neolithic age. Drawing inspiration from stories of Celtic mythology, the album’s narrative is rooted in tales dating back as far as 10,000 BC, with the use of flutes, throat singing and tribal drums forging an immersive brand of Neolithic Black Metal.

The soothing sounds of Mother Nature permeate the air in the intro Primordial Realm, inviting us all to join Old Throne in an distant era long forgotten in The Most Elder Days, a lecture in Atmospheric Black Metal spearheaded by Harrison’s striking riffs and devilish roars, with all background elements giving it an even more epic and visceral vibe just the way we like it in extreme music. It’s then pedal to the metal in the Black Metal attack entitled My Throne, offering more of the band’s killer riffage, boosted by the blast beats by Tim; whereas An Drochshúil, an Irish-Gaelic term meaning “the evil eye” which refers to a supernatural curse or affliction caused by a malevolent glare or look, believed to bring harm to a person or animal, perfectly depicts that type of evil, with Zannibal’s synths bringing an extra dosage of darkness to the song.

Ail Na Mireann, which means the “Stone of the Divisions” and refers to a significant ancient stone on the Hill of Uisneach in County Westmeath, Ireland, sees the band shift to an even more obscure, melancholic sonority, with Harrison’s strident riffs and rumbling bass matching perfectly with his desperate growls. Then we face a stunning Atmospheric Black Metal storm titled Temple of the Sky, where Tim shows no mercy for his drums while Harrison and Zannibal extract pure adrenaline from their axes, not to mention the song’s captivating, mysterious female vocal lines. The second to last song in Megalith, titled Sceach Geal, a sacred tree in Irish folklore strongly associated with fairies and mystical beings, slows things down a bit while maintaining the album’s epic vibe, losing a bit of its energy close to the end, though; and lastly, get ready for the darkest of all songs, the ruthless Tuan’s Bane, alternating between Doom Metal moments and the sheer aggression of Black Metal, also offering some enfolding passages until its climatic and furious finale.

Conceived as a single, unbroken auditory ritual, Megalith is a continuous concept piece, with each track flowing seamlessly into the next, demanding to be experienced in its entirety from beginning to end, therefore resulting in the perfect meeting spot for SAOR and Naglfar alike, just to name a couple. Harrison and his henchmen are waiting for you with their breathtaking Neolithic Black Metal experience on Facebook and on Instagram, and don’t forget to also stream their undisputed creations on Spotify, and to purchase a copy of the excellent Megalith from the project’s own BandCamp, as well as from the Avantgarde Music’s BandCamp or from Sound Cave (in both CD and LP formats), or simply click HERE for all things Old Throne. This is by far one of the most interesting and unique Melodic and Atmospheric Black Metal projects of the current scene worldwide, and I’m sure you’ll have an absolute blast going back ten thousand years together with Old Throne to the sound of their imposing new album.

Best moments of the album: The Most Elder Days, Temple of the Sky and Tuan’s Bane.

Worst moments of the album: Sceach Geal.

Released in 2025 Avantgarde Music

Track listing
1. Primordial Realm 1:15
2. The Most Elder Days 5:14
3. My Throne 3:17
4. An Drochshúil 5:18
5. Ail Na Mireann 6:39
6. Temple of the Sky 6:18
7. Sceach Geal 6:50
8. Tuan’s Bane 7:58

Band members
Harrison McKenzie – vocals, guitars, bass
Zannibal – lead guitars, synthesizers

Guest musician
Tim Yatras – drums (session)

Album Review – Nexion / Sundrung (2025)

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Behold this act of rebirth through the cycle of destruction by one of the must-see names of the current Icelandic Black Metal scene.

An Old Icelandic for “discord, disharmony and the sundering of the social and cosmic fabric,” Sundrung, the sophomore effort by Reykjavík, Iceland’s own Black Metal horde Nexion, is an act of rebirth through the cycle of destruction. Mixed and mastered at Studio Emissary, and enriched by a cryptic illustration by José Gabriel Alegría Saboga, the follow-up to their 2020 debut Seven Oracles sounds vastly more dynamic and far-reaching, showcasing a stunning evolution in the music by vocalist Joshua Hróðgeir Rood, guitarists Jóhannes Smári Smárason and Óskar Rúnarsson, bassist Atli Jarl Martin, and drummer Kristján Guðmundsson.

It’s total annihilation to the sound of Uþarpaspa, where the fulminating drums by Kristján bring sheer Black Metal magic to their music, wherras Gandr sounds even more infuriated, devilish and somber, led by the scorching guitars by Jóhannes  and Óskar, all spiced up by the demonic gnarls by Joshua. Not only that, the entire song is also a curse, ritually breaking an ancient runic ward against destroyer spirits by inverting it to call them forth against mankind’s perpetrators of discord. Norðr ok niðr sounds more epic and imposing than all previous songs, even presenting hints of Symphonic Black Metal, with Kristján stealing the show with his crushing beats supported by the rumbling bass by Atli; and the beautifully titled When Raven Steals the Sun offers an overdose of first-class, in-your-face grim sounds, with Joshua taking the lead with his desperate gnarls from the underworld.

After such a demented Black Metal attack we have the cryptic interlude :Þþþ:, sounding like the soundtrack to a horror movie before we face the ruthless Hymn of the Valkyrjur, a beyond infernal creation by this talented Icelandic horde showcasing everything we love in contemporary Black Metal, in special the intricate yet primeval beats and fills by Kristján. Rending the Black Earth brings forward another six minutes of dark and melodic passages embraced by the scathing riffage by Jóhannes and Óskar, and the album couldn’t have ended in a more Stygian way than with Visions of the Seventh Fire, blending the harshness of Black Metal with the finesse and haunting melodies of Atmospheric Black Metal.

In summary, Sundrung is riven with an apocalyptic fervour that’s ramped up to the most galvanizing, consciousness-searing of degrees as it becomes an incendiary act of deliverance, and you can join Nexion in their blackened quest by following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their unique creations on Spotify, and above all that, by purchasing Sundrung from the Avantgarde Music’s BandCamp page or from Sound Cave. Because as only in death we can find our way back to life, we shall follow such a tormenting and harsh path of rebirth to the sound of the caustic Black Metal by Nexion.

Best moments of the album: Gandr, When Raven Steals the Sun and Hymn of the Valkyrjur.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Avantgarde Music

Track listing
1. Uþarpaspa 4:56
2. Gandr 6:36
3. Norðr ok niðr 5:35
4. When Raven Steals the Sun 7:46
5. :Þþþ: 2:22
6. Hymn of the Valkyrjur 6:41
7. Rending the Black Earth 6:37
8. Visions of the Seventh Fire 8:06

Band members
Joshua Hróðgeir Rood – vocals
Jóhannes Smári Smárason – guitar
Óskar Rúnarsson – guitar
Atli Jarl Martin – bass
Kristján Guðmundsson – drums

Album Review – Kamra / Unending Confluence (2025)

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This uncanny Slovenian Black Metal beast will attack your senses with a complete madness of riffs, intricate drumming, flowing bass and multifaceted vocals, allowing you to dream of death.

Touching the borders where Black Metal has experimented in the 90’s but daring to go further with combining that with fleshy parts of Death Metal within a truly dark atmosphere, Unending Confluence, the new offering by Slovenian Atmospheric/Experimental Black Metal entity Karma, is unrelenting, brutal, beautiful and mentally unstable. Recorded at MH Dungeon, mixed by Anže Čanžek, mastered by Gabriele Gramaglia at Crepuscular Sound Studio, and displaying a stunning artwork painting by Jeff Christensen, with layout and design by Nik Košar and Tryfar, the follow-up to their 2022 debut Cerebral Alchemy showcases an overdose of darkness and madness by N.K. on vocals and keyboards, M.D. on the guitars and keyboards, J.B. on the guitar, L.B. on bass, and D.K. on drums, a true celebration of life and death through six unrelenting songs.

When an album starts with a song that surpasses the eight-minute mark like Unlightment you know you’re in for a treat, and such an insane Slovenian cult makes sure they slowly build up the atmosphere before starting their obscure mass, with D.K. demolishing his drums in the name of Black Metal. Then the raspy, demonic vociferations by N.K. and the Stygian riffage by M.D. and J.B. will darken your minds and thoughts in Cavernal Rebirth of Ends, another multi-layered aria of total fuckin’ darkness. After two intense tunes it’s time for the serene Owlgrowth, with parts of it being recorded in May 2020 in forests of Bled, creating a dark embrace to capture our souls forever before they crush our damned bodies once again with Weaver’s Bane, where the cryptic, gnarling vocals by N.K. sound even more demented. Of Pillars, Walls and Mutilation is one of the most insane and experimental creations of the current Black Metal scene worldwide, with the bass and drums by L.B. and D.K., respectively, oozing of obscurity and sulfur, and the album ends with the disruptive, dissonant Dreams of Veiled Veins, where the band’s fusion of Black and Death Metal with avantgarde elements works majestically.

A complete madness of riffs, intricate drumming, flowing bass and a multifaceted vocals, Unending Confluence allows you to dream of death. Hence, you can get to know more about such an uncanny five-headed creature on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their idiosyncratic creations on Spotify, and of course add their new black mass to your private collection by purchasing it from their BandCamp, as well as from the Avantgarde Music’s BandCamp or from Sound Cave. Unending Confluence is dark, heavy, atmospheric, mysterious and diverse, while at the same time keeping a raw and primeval vibe exactly like we enjoy in such a distinguished genre, and after two incredible albums we can rest assured the voices of Kamra will keep echoing to all four corners of the earth for many years to come.

Best moments of the album: Unlightment, Cavernal Rebirth of Ends and Of Pillars, Walls and Mutilation.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2020 Avantgarde Music

Track listing
1. Unlightment 8:58
2. Cavernal Rebirth of Ends 8:40
3. Owlgrowth 3:07
4. Weaver’s Bane 6:54
5. Of Pillars, Walls and Mutilation 7:04
6. Dreams of Veiled Veins 6:02

Band members
N.K. – vocals, keyboards
M.D. – guitar, keyboards
J.B. – guitar
L.B. – bass
D.K. – drums

Guest musicians
David Kocmur – additional keyboards

Album Review – Akouphenom / Connections To The Erebus EP (2025)

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Coming from the same recording sessions of their 2023 album, the new EP by this uncanny Spanish horde continues the exploration of dark themes and complex compositions.

Known for their fusion of Blackened Death Metal with elements of Doom Metal and Noise, aiming to reflect absolute evil in their creations, A Coruña, Galicia, Spain-based entity Akouphenom returns from the netherworld with a brand new EP titled Connections To The Erebus, following up on their critically acclaimed 2023 full-length offering Death·Chaos·Void. Coming from the same composition and recording sessions of Death·Chaos·Void, their new four-track EP continues the exploration of dark themes and complex compositions by DraGon on vocals and guitars, Pandemia also on the guitars, Korgüll on bass, and Prgich on drums, further establishing their presence in the extreme metal scene.

Absurd of the Arkhe already brings to our putrid ears 11 minutes of ruthless Blackened Death Metal, with the crushing drums by Prgich setting the tone for DraGon to roar like an evil creature. Not only that, the guitars by Pandemia transpire malignancy while Korgüll hammers his bass nonstop, resulting in a true aria of absolute darkness. Then switching to their native language Spanish, the songs Extrema Uncion and Abismo, as described by Akouphenom themselves, are “a denial to Christianity and the idea of a paradise after death in exchange of an entire living as sheep and following the rules,” while musically speaking Extrema Uncion sounds as demented as it can be, with the infernal vociferations by DraGon penetrating deep inside your putrid soul, while Abismo showcases an even harsher vibe with the vocals by DraGon sounding truly inhumane, supported by the crushing drums by Prgich. And lastly, we’re treated to a whimsical instrumental track titled Limbo, where the haunting sound of the piano will bring some peaceful obscurity and melancholy to our hearts.

“We are atheists, we do not believe in nothing, and we accept that Death is the main end,” commented the band, and if you also want to follow Akouphenom in their dark path you can find more information about the band on Facebook and on Instagram, including their demonic live concerts, stream their music on any available platform like Spotify, and of course purchase a copy of the excellent Connections To The Erebus from the Avantgarde Music’s BandCamp, or from Sound Cave, and you can always click HERE for all things Akouphenom. Those Spanish servants of the black arts are on an absolute roll after the releases of Death·Chaos·Void in 2023 and now Connections To The Erebus, proving why the extreme music scene in their homeland cannot be ignored at all; quite the contrary, Spain hosts an ever-growing manifestation of first-class Black and Death Metal, with Akouphenom being one of the torchbearers of such an exciting movement.

Best moments of the album: Absurd of the Arkhe and Abismo.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Avantgarde Music/Unorthodox Emanations

Track listing
1. Absurd of the Arkhe 11:50
2. Extrema Uncion 6:42
3. Abismo 3:55
4. Limbo 3:03

Band members
DraGon – vocals, guitars
Pandemia – guitars, backing vocals
Korgüll – bass, backing vocals
Prgich – drums

Album Review – Amalekim / Shir Hashirim (2025)

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This obscure horde from Italy and Poland returns with their caustic third studio offering, encasing more dissonant sounds while embracing once again the occult, the profane, and the hermetic.

Formed in 2020 by vocalist and guitarist Mróz, Italian/Polish Black Metal horde Amalekim (by the way, Amalek was a nation that harassed the rear caravan of Israelites during the Exodus, seen as the absolute nemesis of the Jews) continues to trace their obscure path in 2025 with their third full-length offering, titled Shir Hashirim, or “שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים‎”, a Hebrew phrase that translates to “Song of Songs”, the follow-up to their 2023 opus Avodah Zarah. Mixed and mastered by the band’s own bassist Azghâl, with a stunning cover illustration once again painted by Igor Datkiewicz, the new album by the aforementioned Mróz and Azghâl alongside guitarist Atanor and drummer Ktulak walks a more innovative path, encasing more dissonant sounds while embracing once again the occult, the profane, the hermetic, not only in the music, but also in the concept and lyrics. The parable of the two mothers and Solomon, as shown on the cover, lends itself to a complex interpretation, such as the role of power and the choice to submit to it, dogmatic authority, divine law, and how these references, crystallized and widespread in everyday existence, are in reality fragile and not so unshakeable.

Their devilish Black Metal mass begins with the beyond phantasmagorical Chant I: Ra’al Zorem, offering an overdose of blast beats, venomous gnarls and an endless sense of hatred and despair; whereas as imposing as the opening tune, the title-track Chant II: Shir Hashirim will demolish your senses to the slashing riffs by Mróz and Atanor while also presenting haunting background sounds and vocalizations, flowing into Chant III: Mesharet HaShilton, which after a serene, eerie start explodes into an overdose of Black Metal led by Ktulak’s hammering drums. And their fourth offering, entitled Chant IV: Sodot HaYekum, exhales a humongous amount of darkness and sulfur, with Mróz roaring with tons of anger and anguish in his blackened heart.

Mróz and his henchmen continue to crush our putrid bodies in Chant V: Tanur Nitzchi, with Azghâl and Ktulak bringing forward their caustic Marduk-inspired kitchen; and there’s no sign of peace or hope in Chant VI: Tisha Daltot, with the visceral riffage by Mróz and Atanor walking hand in hand with Ktulak’s unstoppable blast beats in the name of Black Metal. Then such an amazing horde presents their most demonic side in Chant VII: Haka’as HaNachash, a lecture in old school and modern-day Black Metal where Mróz sounds deeply infuriated on vocals. Lastly, the album ends on a high and Mephistophelian note with Chant VIII: Mishteh Malkhuti, a slab of devilish Black Metal magic spearheaded by the always demented drums by Ktulak.

As in their previous work, the biblical metaphor is at the heart of Shir Hashirim, while the music remains as caustic, venomous, occult and devilish as it has been a constant in the music by Amalekim. There are so many layers and different ways to interpret their music it’s hard to put all that into words; however, you can always check what the band’s up to on Facebook and on Instagram to get to know more about them, their music, beliefs and ideas, as well as their tour dates, and not only stream their unique creations on Spotify, but also show them your utmost support by purchasing their newborn spawn from their own BandCamp, from the Avantgarde Music’s BandCamp, or from Sound Cave. The music found in Shir Hashirim might not be an easy listen for the average rock and metal fan, but once you dive deep into their world of harsh and occult Black Metal, you won’t ever want to come back.

Best moments of the album: Chant II: Shir Hashirim, Chant IV: Sodot HaYekum and Chant VII: Haka’as HaNachash.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Avantgarde Music

Track listing
1. Chant I: Ra’al Zorem 5:14
2. Chant II: Shir Hashirim 4:33
3. Chant III: Mesharet HaShilton 4:03
4. Chant IV: Sodot HaYekum 4:56
5. Chant V: Tanur Nitzchi 4:55
6. Chant VI: Tisha Daltot 4:23
7. Chant VII: Haka’as HaNachash 4:17
8. Chant VIII: Mishteh Malkhuti 5:50

Band members
Mróz – vocals, guitars
Atanor – guitars, backing vocals
Azghâl – bass, backing vocals
Ktulak – drums

Album Review – Light Dweller / The Subjugate (2025)

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Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Cameron Boesch strikes again with his fifth album, delving into themes of death, purgatory, and the cessation of time.

Founded in December 2017 by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Cameron Boesch in Phoenix, Arizona, in the United States, Dissonant Death/Black Metal entity Light Dweller is set to release its fifth offering, entitled The Subjugate. Inspired by a broad spectrum of dissonant and melodic influences, including Cosmic Putrefaction, Defacement, Mesarthim, Convulsing, Violet Cold, Mare Cognitum, and more, Light Dweller has forged a unique path through the darker, more obscure realms of metal, with The Subjugate spanning six tracks delving into themes of death, purgatory, and the cessation of time, presenting a cohesive journey through these concepts, all embraced by another ass-kicking artwork by Adam Burke of Nightjar Illustration.

Cameron begins his riff and growl attack in full force in Echoes from the Spectral Void, offering our avid ears four minutes of top-of-the-line Progressive Death Metal; whereas Cessation of Time sounds as demolishing and experimental as the opener, with Cameron’s deep guttural walking hand in hand with his intricate yet heavy-as-hell drumming. Then a sinister intro evolves into another darkened amalgamation of sounds in Fracturing Light, where Cameron lets his Progressive Metal vein pulse harder than ever, and with his demonic gnarling matching perfectly with the music; followed by the eight-minute title-track The Subjugate, where Cameron invests in a very diverse and progressive sound by bringing into being several breaks, variations, and experimental and sharp sounds, all combined in a harmonic yet visceral way. In the second to last song of the album, titled Phasing Through the Veil, our one-man band shows no mercy for our souls with his demented riff, bass and drum attack, with its phantasmagorical ending flowing into Adrift the Expanding Nothingness, another bestial tune overflowing insanity and heaviness where he fires his most experimental riffs of the entire album, smashing our minds and souls mercilessly during its hellish seven minutes.

With each release, Light Dweller has evolved, skillfully weaving dissonance with melody, and balancing intense aggression with haunting, introspective passages, culminating now in 2025 with the excellent The Subjugate, and of course pointing to an even more interesting path ahead for Cameron. You can get to know more about him, his music and other details by following Light Dweller on Facebook and on Instagram, and show him your utmost support by streaming his music on Spotify or any other streaming service, and of course by purchasing The Subjugate from the Avantgarde Music’s BandCamp or from Sound Cave. This is undoubtedly Cameron’s strongest opus to date, but I’m sure we’ll hear a lot more from him in the near future, and we’ll say the same about his upcoming albums, as Light Dweller is always evolving, always looking forward, and always ready to surprise us all with its unique sounds.

Best moments of the album: Echoes from the Spectral Void and The Subjugate.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Avantgarde Music/Unorthodox Emanations

Track listing
1. Echoes from the Spectral Void 4:29
2. Cessation of Time 5:20
3. Fracturing Light 4:45
4. The Subjugate 8:10
5. Phasing Through the Veil 4:38
6. Adrift the Expanding Nothingness 7:39

Band members
Cameron Boesch – vocals, all instruments

Album Review – Void Of Hope / Proof of Existence (2025)

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The horrors of reality are the proof of your existence, and this uncanny Black Metal trio from Finland is going to expose you to that harshness to the sound of their debut album.

A Finnish Black Metal trio born somewhere in time during a recording session that includes members from Moonlight Sorcery and Ondfødt and consider themselves influenced by bands like Gris, Silencer, Lifelover, Coldworld and Austere, Void of Hope are set to unleash their debut album, titled Proof of Existence. Composed and recorded in five days in the studio with -30°, -35° outside and in complete darkness for most of the day (with all screams taking place later and being recorded in two days), Proof Of Existence is a journey through mental health and depression, the outcome of which may be triumph or giving up, having started as Depressive Black Metal, but growing into much more.

The gentle, serene start in Gift of Life quickly morphs into a sluggish and pounding feast of Atmospheric Black Metal, with their riffs and beats sounding truly imposing, not to mention its devilish creature-like vociferations. Then fierce, hammering drums and caustic guitar lines set the tone in the title-track Proof of Existence, offering us all almost seven minutes of first-class, modern and ruthless Black Metal; and it’s now time for the skies to get as dark as a raven with 11 minutes of undisputed Black Metal in The Hollow Hymn, sounding and feeling absolutely haunting, multi-layered and penetrating from the very first second.

Then the delicate yet eerie interlude Inner Peace will prepare your putrid souls for total darkness in T.E.T.L., presenting seven minutes of blast beats, ruthless riffs and hellish gnarls not recommended for the lighthearted, a very detailed and impactful creation by such an uncanny Finnish trio, blending elements from different styles into their core Black Metal magic. The last act in Proof of Existence, entitled Decaying Years, sounds as haunting and mysterious as it can be, with its background piano notes walking hand in hand with its sluggish, Doom Metal-inspired beats, therefore ending the album on a high and devilish note.

Void of Hope are not an anonymous band, yet they do not consider their identities relevant, as regardless of what names are printed in the album, the music is all that matters. Void of Hope can be a place or a state of mind, and their debut album will simply show you that the horrors of reality are the proof of your existence. Although there isn’t much information online about the band apart from their recently created profiles on Facebook and on Instagram, you can put your damned hands on their newborn beast via the Avantgarde Music’s BandCamp page or from Sound Cave, and perhaps we’ll get to know more about those mysterious Finnish metallers as they spread their blackened wings upon humanity to the sound of their austere, grim and, therefore, more than necessary album.

Best moments of the album: Proof of Existence, The Hollow Hymn and T.E.T.L.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Avantgarde Music

Track listing
1. Gift of Life 06:35
2. Proof of Existence 6:51
3. The Hollow Hymn 11:10
4. Inner Peace 1:55
5. T.E.T.L. 7:20
6. Decaying Years 8:20

Band members
*Information not available*

Album Review – Todestrieb / Corona Tenebra (2024)

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An up-and-coming Polish Black Metal duo is crowned in darkness to the sound of their debut opus, dealing with themes like spirituality, gnostic Satanism, blasphemy, theology and philosophy.

Formed in Krakow, Poland in 2023 by vocalist Res and guitarist and bassist Blein, the ruthless Black Metal duo Todestrieb (a German word that translates to “death drive” or “death wish” in English, from the classical Freudian psychoanalytic theory) is set to darken our minds and souls with their debut album, titled Corona Tenebra, or “crown of darkness” from Latin. Recorded at No Solace Studio, mixed and mastered at Impressive Art Studio, with a fiery artwork by Izabela Grabda and with guest Michał “The Fall” Stępień (Mgła, Hauntologist, Owls Woods Graves) on drums, Corona Tenebra consists of five tracks and an outro inspired by the music by Watain, Odraza, Drastus, Kriegsmaschine, Tortorum, Funeral Mist and many more, with its lyrics circling around themes like spirituality, gnostic Satanism, blasphemy, theology and philosophy.

Res and Blein are definitely another prolific duo of the underground, and the dense atmosphere and enfolding darkness found in Axis Nihil are proof of their talent, supported by the complex yet vile drums by Michał. Then investing in a more direct form of Black Metal the band will pulverize our senses with Na Twoje Przeciwienstwo, which is Polish for “for your opposite”, where Res not only sounds demonic on vocals, but the fact the lyrics are in Polish gives the song an even edgier vibe. Blein’s visceral riffs and bass add a touch of lunacy to Po krokach naszych tylko cisza, or “after our steps only silence”, another song where the duo continues to experiment with darker than usual sounds; followed by the title-track Corona Tenebra, a lecture in Polish Black Metal, or in other words, a blasphemous, infernal blast of obscurity where Res keeps roaring like a true demon supported by the classic drums by Michał. They still have time for one final exhibit of their passion for all things evil in Misterium Fidei, which is Latin for “the mystery of faith”, with the incendiary riffs by Blein burning our souls mercilessly, ending with ע, the letter “p” or number 70 in Hebrew, a whimsical outro to their more-than-demolishing opus.

As Blein and Res are crowned in total darkness to the sound of their vile debut offering, you can show them your support by following them on Facebook and on Instagram for all things Todestrieb, and of course you can purchase a copy of Corona Tenebra from Avantgarde Music or from Sound Cave (as a digipak CD, a red vinyl, or a very special vinyl + CD bundle). Corona Tenebra is a spiritual and philosophical voyage through the realms of Black Metal, and I’m sure after such an imposing album we’ll hear a lot more from Todestrieb in the near future as they’ll keep darkening our minds and souls with their music without showing a single drop of mercy.

Best moments of the album: Na Twoje Przeciwienstwo and Corona Tenebra.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2024 Avantgarde Music

Track listing
1. Axis Nihil 5:09
2. Na Twoje Przeciwienstwo 6:50
3. Po krokach naszych tylko cisza 6:25
4. Corona Tenebra 4:38
5. Misterium Fidei 3:49
6. ע          0:56 ע

Band members
Res – vocals
Blein – guitars, bass

Guest musician
Michał “The Fall” Stępień – drums (session)

Album Review – Defacement / Duality (2024)

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Three years after their latest output, this Dutch Black and Death Metal entity flares its cryptic head yet again with an epic tome of twisted and gnarly emanations, an immersive pathway into the void.

With an inception going back to 2019, Utrecht, Netherlands-based Blackened Death Metal beast Defacement rapidly gained momentum within the underground realms with two full-length records marked by an intense and experimental take on Death and Black Metal, those being their 2019 debut Deviant and their 2021 self-titled album. Three long years after their latest output, the band flares its cryptic head yet again with an epic tome of twisted and gnarly emanations, an immersive pathway into the void entitled Duality. Mixed by Gabriele Gramaglia (Cosmic Putrefaction, Vertebra Atlantis) and mastered by Simon Da Silva (Aversio Humanitatis) at The Empty Hall Studio, Duality is as addictive as it is distressing, a vast landscape of sense and spirit, an ode to the dark night of the soul, a penetrating sonic journey masterfully crafted by Forsaken Ahmed on vocals and bass, Khalil Azagoth on the guitars, and Mark Bestia on drums, sounding unpredictable in its own dynamic, ever-changing form.

Eerie sounds arise from the depths in the opener Optic, sounding and feeling futuristic yet primeval, therefore captivating our senses before the trio smashes our souls in Burden, where a visceral, demented roar by Forsaken Ahmed invites us all to their Stygian lair, not to mention how evil and technical the blast beast by Mark Bestia sound, resulting in a multi-layered aria of darkness alternating between Black Metal-inspired moments and sheer Death Metal bursts for admirers of the most experimental side of both genres. Vagus is another cryptic interlude that brings moments of serenity, yet sounding obscure, flowing into the phantasmagorical Barrier, a fulminating onrush of Experimental Death Metal not recommended for the lighthearted where the riffage by Khalil Azagoth couldn’t have sounded more dissonant and infernal, adding extra layers of violence and insanity to their core sound.

It’s then time for another instrumental piece titled Facial, again presenting the band’s characteristic obscurity and experimental vein, morphing into Scabulous, a very detailed and disturbing creation where the deep roars by Forsaken Ahmed walk hand in hand with the piercing riffs by Khalil Azagoth, all embraced by another bestial performance by Mark Bestia behind his drums. Hypoglossal, their last interlude, will drag us back to the pits of hell together with the trio, consuming our souls until there’s no way back in the 16-minute feast of darkness titled Duality, an absolutely demonic, captivating and grim explosion of Black and Death Metal, showcasing their caustic riffs, blast beats and infernal vociferations, a sonic descent into the abyss presenting all the band’s dexterity and passion for the underworld, ending in a climatic, ethereal and hellish way.

If you think you have what it takes to face the disturbing sounds blasted by one of the most talented bands hailing from the Netherlands, you can start following Defacement on Facebook, stream their wicked creations on Spotify, and above all that, purchase a copy of the pulverizing Duality from their own BandCamp page, from the Avantgarde Music’s BandCamp page, or from Sound Cave as a CD or LP. Duality is challenging and confrontational in its invocation of primal forces lying dormant in the world below, and Defacement deserve our full recognition and admiration for continuing to pave their path to total darkness with another excellent album of pure, undisputed extreme music.

Best moments of the album: Burden and Duality.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2024 Unorthodox Emanations

Track listing
1. Optic 2:10
2. Burden 9:48
3. Vagus 2:23
4. Barrier 5:05
5. Facial 2:23
6. Scabulous 6:27
7. Hypoglossal 2:30
8. Duality 16:18

Band members
Forsaken Ahmed – vocals, bass
Khalil Azagoth – guitars
Mark Bestia – drums

Album Review – Vøidwomb / Spiritual Apotheosis (2024)

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Deliver your soul to this nine-track immersive Black Metal experience that will guide you through the inherent utter darkness of human condition and the cathartic search for enlightenment.

“SIC ITUR AD ASTRA”

On the shores of Portugal, deep in the north of the country, a creature lurks in the shadow. Forged in the fires of Barroselas, Viana do Castelo in 2019, Vøidwomb are a Black Metal quintet who’s back to the light after three years in the shades with their first full-length opus, titled Spiritual Apotheosis. Mixed and mastered by Diogo Santana at Noise Portrait Studios, with a cover painting by prolific painter Daniel Hermosilla of Nox Fragor Art, the follow-up to their debut EP Altars of Cosmic Devotion is a record about understanding darkness and sacrificing self to reach transcendence, a nine-track immersive Black Metal experience that will guide you through the inherent utter darkness of human condition and the cathartic search for enlightenment, all carefully brought into being by vocalist M.S.Vøid, guitarists Lord and Fractal, bassist F.S.Void, and drummer Noctvs.

Ominous and grim from the very first second, the extended intro Exordium will darken the skies before the band begins their vile black mass in Metempsychosis, featuring guest vocals by Diogo Santana (Fustilarian, Necrobode, Raw Decimating Brutality), offering us all five minutes of absolute darkness and hatred spearheaded by the Black Metal beats by Noctvs, while M.S.Vøid distills his venomous gnarls nonstop together with Diogo. Black Putrescence feels even more primeval and demonic than the opening track, with the guitars by Lord and Fractal piercing our damned souls mercilessly; whereas Liberation keeps the sulfur flowing majestically in the album, with the vociferations by M.S.Vøid matching perfectly with the massive, Stygian sounds blasted by his infernal bandmates, flowing like an uncontrolled, vile beast from the underworld until the very end.

The band then offers a cryptic (and way too long) interlude simply titled Interludium, once again blackening our minds and souls before those Portuguese metallers attack our senses with Vesselvoid, bringing forward seven minutes of sheer despair and void, with M.S.Vøid roaring from the depths of the underworld while F.S.Void and Noctvs sound thunderous with their respective bass and drums, resulting in a lecture in Black and Death Metal by the band. Then the atmosphere switches from the epicness of longer tunes to the violence of a short and devastating one titled Azoth, where the entire band sounds evil and tight during its less than three minutes of savagery, with of course Noctvs sounding beyond brutal on drums. Lastly, they blast our ears with another six-minute feast of Black and Death Metal entitled Coagulation, with their strident riffs and rumbling bass generating a menacing atmosphere perfect for M.S.Vøid’s eerie growls and gnarls, morphing into the outro Epilogus, presenting three minutes of desolate passages, grim sounds and tones, and an absolute sense of nothingness.

As mentioned, Vøidwomb will guide you through pitch black darkness in their excellent new album, and you can get to know more about such promising name of the current Portuguese scene by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming more of their eerie creations on Spotify or on any other streaming service, and above all that, by purchasing Spiritual Apotheosis from the Avantgarde Music’s BandCamp page, from Sound Cave, or by clicking HERE. In other words, let the Black Metal darkly crafted by Vøidwomb in Spiritual Apotheosis reach deep inside your rotten soul, joining them in darkness for all eternity. And so we go to the stars.

Best moments of the album: Metempsychosis, Vesselvoid and Azoth.

Worst moments of the album: Interludium.

Released in 2024 Avantgarde Music

Track listing
1. Exordium (Intro) 3:53
2. Metempsychosis 5:09
3. Black Putrescence 4:36
4. Liberation 4:51
5. Interludium 3:29
6. Vesselvoid 7:04
7. Azoth 2:41
8. Coagulation 6:19
9. Epilogus (Outro) 3:02

Band members
M.S.Vøid – vocals
Lord – guitars
Fractal – guitars
F.S.Void – bass, backing vocals
Noctvs – drums

Guest musician
Diogo Santana – vocals on “Metempsychosis”