This American Black Metal horde attacks with their debut full-length album, a harrowing, philosophical descent into sound and symbolism built on contrasts between the cosmic and the personal, defiance and decay, melody and obliteration.
A harrowing, philosophical descent into sound and symbolism, Herezjarcha, the brand new opus by Bangor, Pennsylvania-based Black Metal horde Profane Elegy, sees the band expand every element of their vision, sounding heavier, more dynamic, more refined, and deeply introspective. Produced by J Gulick and mixed and mastered by Kevin Antreassian at Backroom Studios, the new offering by vocalist Mikael L , guitarist J Gulick, bassist David G, and drummer Sean M is more than an album. It is a record built on contrasts between the cosmic and the personal, defiance and decay, melody and obliteration, exploring themes of nihilism, mortality, philosophy, and religious symbolism, often invoking figures like Satan not as dogmatic statements, but as metaphors in a broader spiritual and existential dialogue.
There’s no time to breathe as the band attacks in full force with Exeunt Omnes, which is Latin for “all go out,” a phrase drawn from Shakespeare’s Richard III, where Mikael’s grim vocals will lacerate your minds in a perfect fusion of Black and Death Metal. Then Sean’s hammering drums dictate the pace in the devilish Haunted, also presenting those classic Black Metal riffs we love so much by J, followed by The Accuser, drawing from the Biblical role of Satan as prosecutor, with the song representing both indictment and rejection. Put differently, it’s another undisputed blast of savagery by such an uncanny horde, led by J’s classic riffage and supported by David’s rumbling bass. The band then offers one of the heaviest songs of the album, titled As My Heart Turns to Ash, while also showcasing an overdose of melody and progressiveness, reminding me of some of the best bands from the current Nordic extreme scene.
In the pulverizing I AM, with its title drawn from the book of Exodus, taking the phrase spoken by God “I am that I am” and transforming it into a proclamation of human rebellion, we’re all invited to slam into the pit to the unstoppable beats and fills by Sean, once again ending on a more pensive, melancholic vibe. Immutable explores the inescapable traits and traumas we are born into, keeping the album at a high level of violence while blasting our damned souls with the band’s scathing Black Metal; whereas And Then We Are Gone might not be a bad tune, but it’s way below the rest of the album in terms of violence, speed and electricity despite its doomed vibe. Finally, we face Herezjarcha, a sprawling, conceptual narrative about a man transformed by his own heresy. In visions and madness, he births a new ideology, becoming one with darkness in pursuit of hidden truths, and the music perfectly depicts that by sounding very intricate and detailed, with Mikael’s roars exhaling endless anger and hatred while his bandmates craft thunderous and hypnotizing sounds before the song’s nocturnal ending.
The name Herezjarcha is a neologism meaning “arch-heretic,” and the record embodies this fully, an oath against complacency, a testament of defiance, and a new scripture of darkness, being therefore highly recommended for fans of Mayhem, Woods of Ypres, Swallow the Sun, and Emperor. Hence, you can get to know more about the band via Facebook and Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their sulfurous music on Spotify, and of course, purchase their excellent new opus from BandCamp. Fusing the atmospheric elements of Black Metal with the weight of Doom Metal, the precision of Death Metal, and the unexpected textures of orchestration and clean vocals, Herezjarcha rejects genre purity in favor of vision. This is what Profane Elegy stand for. This is a new heresy.
Best moments of the album:Exeunt Omnes, As My Heart Turns to Ash and Herezjarcha.
Worst moments of the album:And Then We Are Gone.
Released in 2026 Independent
Track listing 1. Exeunt Omnes 4:57
2. Haunted 3:31
3. The Accuser 5:20
4. As My Heart Turns to Ash 5:23
5. I AM 3:49
6. Immutable 3:56
7. And Then We Are Gone 4:02
8. Herezjarcha 5:55
Band members
Mikael L – vocals, orchestrations
J Gulick – guitars, orchestrations
David G – bass, orchestrations
Sean M – drums
This Sweden-based Australian lone wolf returns with his unique blend of the sorrow of depression-tinged Black Metal with the coldness, thrill and melancholy of its atmospheric kind in his third album.
Brought forth by the Västmanland County, Sweden-based vocalist and multi-instrumentalist M., aka Matthew Bell (originally from Australia), of bands like Aeon Moon, Arboreal Trance, Autumn’s Dawn, Austere, and many others, the bitterly cold Atmospheric/Depressive Black Metal entity Tjaktjadálvve(a Sámi season representing the time when the sun sets and reindeer move to winter pastures, signifying the deep cold and preparation for polar night, translating to something like “Autumn Winter” or “Dark Winter” in concept) returns with its unique blend of the sorrow of depression-tinged Black Metal with the coldness, thrill and melancholy of its atmospheric kind in its third album, titled Encompassing Nothingness, guiding the listener through his low-paced and synth-driven scenarios. Mixed and mastered at Nekkomix, with cover photo by Francesco Del Vecchio and other images and layout by Tryfar, the follow-up to the project’s 2023 sophomore Echoes on a Windswept Plain encloses a musical journey which can’t reward the listener more than so, with its neat production and dreadful vocals elevating the overall coldness and desolation in great fashion.
In The Solitude of Abject Darkness, the name of the song says it all. Prepare for a whimsical journey through cold and dark lands, with M. roaring like a demonic entity, bursting with anguish and pain while the instrumental pieces are simply majestic. Norrsken (pronounced “norr-shen”) is the Swedish word for the Northern Lights (or “Aurora Borealis”), literally meaning “north” (norr) and “light” or “shine” (sken), and that’s exactly what M. offers with his minimalist yet harsh riffs, sluggish beats and all background elements in a true Depressive Black Metal aria; and M.’s deep vociferations will penetrate deep inside your soul in the also bitterly cold Longing, again delivering a classy Atmospheric Black Metal sound with tons of depressive and grim elements. Lastly, let’s embark on a 10-minute voyage through the harshness of the Swedish winter in the title-track Encompassing Nothingness, with M. once again crushing his drums while also delivering ethereal key notes, all boosted by his trademark roars.
In a nutshell, fans of phenomenal atmospheric bands the likes of Woods of Desolation, Austere, Panopticon, and Mesarthim, among others, will have an absolute blast listening to Encompassing Nothingness, and of course if you want to join M. and his Tjaktjadálvve in bitterly cold darkness, you can find his music on Spotify, on Apple Music, and on BandCamp (and no, there’s no social media for Tjaktjadálvve), and purchase his excellent new album from the Flowing Downward’s BandCamp or webstore. Why would anyone move from the warmth and stunning beaches of Australia to face the freezing temperatures of the Swedish winter, one might ask? Well, if M.’s endgame is to craft the enfolding, grim music by Tjaktjadálvve, let’s say Sweden is doing wonders to his creative process, and I’m sure we’ll hear a lot more from this Australian lone wolf and his cold adventures in Svea Rike in the near future.
Best moments of the album:The Solitude of Abject Darkness and Encompassing Nothingness.
Worst moments of the album: None.
Released in 2026 Flowing Downward
Track listing 1. The Solitude of Abject Darkness 7:17
2. Norrsken 9:07
3. Longing 6:09
4. Encompassing Nothingness 9:49
The sophomore opus by this German Black Metal and Punk Rock beast sounds moodier and murkier than their debut offering, while also portending a deeper doom and gloom.
Hailing from Germany, Black Metal/Punk Rock brigade Karloff was formed in 2018 initially as a means for erstwhile Graveyard Ghoul member Tom Horrified to blow off some punk-oriented steam with a couple close comrades. Three years after the release of their 2022 debut The Appearing, the band currently formed of Tom Horrified on vocals and guitar, 733 on bass, and H. T. Steinbrecher on drums and percussion returns in full force with their sophomore installment, the incendiary Revered by Death. Following logically from The Appearing, Revered by Death sounds moodier and murkier, living up to its lofty title while its songwriting definitely feels punchier, portending a deeper doom and gloom.
The scorching, visceral riffage by Tom kicks off the trio’s beyond devilish festivities in Pessimistic Soaring, presenting a deep Punk Rock rebelliousness intertwined with the raw, obscure sounds of Black Metal, whereas the relentless bass by 733 and the pounding drums by H. T. will smash your skull in Die Wiederkehr der Dunkelei, or “the return of the dark egg” (if that makes any sense). The band then blends elements from Doom and Post-Metal to their core sound in When the Flames Devour You All, with Tom once again delivering absolutely caustic vocals and riffs.
Then the atmospheric (yet a bit too lengthy) interlude On Weathered Altar sets the tone for Prince of Parasites, where we’re treated to a caustic, electrifying fusion of Black Metal and Punk Rock, in special through the rebellious riffs by Tom and the classic beats by H. T. The band then ventures through the vast realms of Death Metal in Regicide, with the song’s vicious, deep riffage matching perfectly with its bass lines and crushing beats; and it’s pedal to the metal in the slamming tune Crown Cvlt Fate, perfect for some wild action inside a hot and humid circle pit at one of those infernal metal pubs, while Elisabetha’s Revenge, their last blast of insanity and rage, will simply demolish your soul, again presenting the raspy, harsh vociferations by Tom.
Ghouls and ghosts, thugs and thieves, Karloff are back and calling upon you to be Revered by Death, and if you believe you have what it takes to face such a harsh and visceral album of Black Metal and Punk Rock you can find those talented guys on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their acid creations on Spotify, and above all that, grab a copy of Revered by Death from the Dying Victims Productions’ BandCamp or webstore as a CD, an LP or a special edition LP on oxblood vinyl including an insert, a poster, a sticker, a post card, a woven patch, and a download code. Because Revered by Death is not just Black Metal, nor only Punk Rock; it’s everything at once, offering an amalgamation of violent and obscure sounds that will certainly haunt your souls for all eternity.
Best moments of the album:A Pessimistic Soaring, Prince of Parasites and Crown Cvlt Fate.
Worst moments of the album:On Weathered Altar.
Released in 2026 Dying Victims Productions
Track listing 1. A Pessimistic Soaring 2:52
2. Die Wiederkehr der Dunkelei 3:05
3. When the Flames Devour You All 5:53
4. On Weathered Altar 4:08
5. Prince of Parasites 2:47
6. Regicide 3:52
7. Crown Cvlt Fate 2:30
8. Elisabetha’s Revenge 4:52
Band members Tom Horrified – vocals, electric rhythm & lead guitar
733 – electric bass guitar
H. T. Steinbrecher – drums & percussion
The debut opus by this Italian Black Metal entity will embrace us all in darkness, portraying humanity lost in nature, seeking itself amid hatred, solitude, and the eternal return of its own demons.
Born from the depths of lunar silence from the vision of vocalist Faith and guitarist Kaelos, kindred spirits united by the desire to give voice to inner silence, with drummer Hexis completing the lineup, Moon Wisdom is the reflection of a soul that contemplates darkness as part of its own essence. In their Black Metal, mist, forests, and inner abysses intertwine, every note echoing an ancient feeling suspended between pain and beauty, exactly like what they have to offer in their debut opus, entitled Let Water Flow. Recorded by the band itself, mixed and mastered by Faith and Kaelos, with photography by Debrinka and Faith, and a stunning artwork and logo combo by Faith and Kaelos, this lean, 29-minute ritual introduces the band with unrelenting vigor, channeling the raw spirit of Black Metal’s second wave while weaving a current of Punk Rock energy and depressive Blackgaze.
The atmospheric album Intro will darken the skies and bring a touch of anguish to our hearts before the band destroys our souls with As Rain, with Faith delivering those harsh, devilish vocals we all love so much in primeval Black Metal; and Kaelos keeps firing scorching riffs for our absolute delight in Ashen Winds, supported by the demented blast beats by Hexis in a lesson in Black Metal magic. Then presenting a contemporary fusion of Black Metal with Atmospheric and Blackened Doom Metal we have Frozen Soul, slower and more obscure than its predecessors, whereas they get back to a more ferocious vibe in Solitude, with Faith again vociferating rabidly for our total delight. The longest of all songs, titled Dark Shades, is also the most infernal and visceral, with the trio hammering their sonic weapons in the name of extreme music. Furthermore, Faith’s vocals get even more demonic thanks to the ruthless sonority blasted by Kaelos and Hexis, flowing into the sinister and melancholic outro Lullaby of Woods, concluding the album on a high note to the sound of a crying violin.
A forest of shadows, a lunar call that watches and consumes, Moon Shadow offer cold, melancholic melodies drift like nocturnal winds through the mind in their debut opus, while lyrics steeped in symbolism and mysticism portray humanity lost in nature, seeking itself amid hatred, solitude, and the eternal return of its own demons. You can get to know more about such an up-and-coming entity of the current Black Metal scene via Facebook and Instagram, stream their full album on Spotify, and of course purchase it from the Hypnotic Dirge Records’ Bandcamp or webstore. As the moon rises, the night will enfold us all, and the music found in the debut album by Moon Wisdom is simply perfect for succumbing to such a dark embrace.
Best moments of the album:Ashen Winds and Dark Shades.
Worst moments of the album: None.
Released in 2026 Hypnotic Dirge Records
Track listing 1. Intro 1:42
2. As Rain 3:44
3. Ashen Winds 3:33
4. Frozen Soul 5:47
5. Solitude 4:48
6. Dark Shades 6:31
7. Lullaby of Woods 2:22
Band members Faith – vocals
Kaelos – guitars
Hexis – drums
This uncanny Symphonic Black Metal entity returns with their first full-length opus, a devastating and majestic release that delves deep into identity, belonging, and the mythos of a demon cast into the human world.
A Demon Symphonic Black Metal project about dysphoria and coping with living in a world that you’re not from, Santa Clara, California-based creature Vesseles, the brainchild of the uncanny vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Valira Pietrangelo, returns with Home, a devastating and majestic release that delves deep into identity, belonging, and the mythos of a demon cast into the human world. Pulled from the scorched marrow of The Beneath, the demon dominion she once forgot and now remembers with terrifying clarity, Valira and her henchmen Joel Ferry on vocals, Ron Graves on bass, and Nick Brown on drums fuse Symphonic Black Metal with cinematic grandeur and emotional weight in their newborn spawn, a worthy follow-up to their 2024 debut EP I Am A Demon, beautifully depicting the sound of returning to a place you’ve never truly known.
In the opening aria Flesh Throne, Valira reclaims her sovereignty over humanity, with her keys and orchestrations sounding absolutely hypnotizing and perfect for the visceral roars by Joel, starting the album on a truly haunting mode. Eternally Within Us is a ceremonial track complete with Latin mantras and sweeping symphonics that ground the demon realm’s ancient roots in flesh and blood, again presenting Valira’s cryptic, grim piano while Nick hammers his drums in the name of Doom Metal; followed by The Beneath, a brutal, bombastic ode to Valira’s home world, as obscure as some of the best creations by the mighty Cradle of Filth, with our demon firing razor-edged riffs in paradox with her phantasmagorical keys. She then takes on lead vocals in the title-track Home, questioning whether the place she fought so hard to return to was ever meant to comfort her, captivating our senses with her sinister piano before all suddenly morphs into a Black Metal beast tailored for admirers of the genre.
They Wither… is an instrumental piano piece that counters the despair of previous releases, flowing into Until They Are Dust, which details the grotesque birth of The Beneath, a cursed sludge consuming humanity to give rise to the next generation of demons, offering three minutes of absolute madness where Joel once again barks rabidly until the very end. Scriptures Etched Into the Mind’s Pillars marks the album’s lyrical turning point, from external reclamation to internal unraveling, while flirting with Melodic Black Metal, in special in its riffs and keys. Needless to say, it should sound brilliant if played live. Then we have Perpetual Chasm of Black Mirrors, a harrowing journey through isolation, suffocation, and the horror of being self-aware in a world that rejects you, and it’s when the music gets less violent that you’ll feel its fury and darkness deep inside your heart. Lastly, This Is Not Home brings the album full circle, also presenting Gothic Metal elements in its vocals, with Valira’s riffage again sounding and feeling fantastic, ending the album on a true epic and climatic vibe.
Home is the natural maturation of the unique sound crafted by Vesseles, sounding and feeling more dynamic, more orchestral, and more unflinchingly personal, charting Valira’s journey from confident origin to tortured self-doubt and finally to righteous authority. During recording, a late inclusion of Valira’s own vocals unlocked new potential, revealing the expressive power of her voice in leading the story and, therefore, pointing to a bolder, deeper, more human, and more demonic future. Unfortunately, due to Valira taking on all vocal duties, Home is also the band’s last album with vocalist Joel Ferry, but of course their friendship will remain forever. Anyway, you can get in touch with Valira and her Vesseles via Facebook and Instagram, subscribe to the project’s YouTube channel, stream their eerie music on Spotify, and of course grab a copy of the caustic, incendiary Home from BandCamp or by clicking HERE. In the end, Vesseles is not just music. It’s a reckoning, and Home is the sound of a demon returning, not to find peace, but to claim it by force.
Best moments of the album:Eternally Within Us, Home and Scriptures Etched Into the Mind’s Pillars.
Worst moments of the album: None.
Released in 2026 Independent
Track listing 1. Flesh Throne 5:18
2. Eternally Within Us 5:02
3. The Beneath 5:16
4. Home 6:11
5. They Wither… 1:32
6. Until They Are Dust 3:07
7. Scriptures Etched Into the Mind’s Pillars 3:41
8. Perpetual Chasm of Black Mirrors 5:03
9. This Is Not Home 7:14
Band members Joel Ferry – vocals
Valira Pietrangelo – guitars, piano, orchestrations, backing vocals, vocals on “Home”
Ron Graves – bass
Nick Brown – drums
Behold the debut offering by this ruthless Russian entity, a tour de force of dark, deadly Death Metal of a most 90’s vintage.
Founded in 2020 in Saint Petersburg, Russia, dead in 2022, but reborn in 2024 with a newly sculptured style blasting wicked, old school Death Metal with sinister lyrics, the ruthless entity Void Monuments will decimate your putrid bodies with their debut opus, entitled Posthumous Imprecation. Adorned by a clear and crushing production and a suitably eerie cover artwork, the new album by K. Svart on vocals and guitar, P. Doom also on the guitar, Ivan on bass, and Bestial Barlog on drums stands tall as a debut declaration, a tour de force of dark, deadly Death Metal of a most 90’s vintage, constructing crushing towers of sound that shoot off into dusty catacombs and primordial slime alike.
Like a demonic creature arising from the pits of the underworld, the album’s Intro will captivate our senses before the band rips our putrid souls in half with Epitome Of Fear, a lecture in Death and Black Metal where Bestial Barlog shows no mercy for our necks with his demonic beats and fills. Then investing in a blood-soaked, vile Doom Metal sonority we face Devilish Prophecies, with K. Svart vomiting the song’s impious words like a rabid beast; followed by Decapitate The Saints, perhaps the song with the most poetic name, a headbanging 90’s-inspired Death Metal attack by the band, with K. Svart and P. Doom showcasing the power of a deadly riff.
Ascent to the Crucifixion is another song with a blasphemous name offering us all an overdose of Blackened Death Metal in the form of six (six six) minutes of pure infernal sounds spearheaded by another gory vocal performance by K. Svart; and Void Monuments go absolutely mental in Invocation, a lesson in Death Metal savagery where Bestial Barlog’s demented drumming is boosted by the metallic, ruthless bass by Ivan and the striking solos by the band’s guitar duo. Their second to last explosion of utter violence is offered in the form of The Sign of Blasphemy, living up to the legacy of 90’s Death Metal, before the band concludes their black mass with Father Of Sin, led by Bestial Barlog’s undisputed hammering drums, putting a beyond demonic ending to the album.
No more but definitely no less, Posthumous Imprecation is undoubtedly a strong release by Death Metal maniacs, for Death Metal maniacs, being highly recommended for admirers of bands the likes of Malevolent Creation, Sinister, The Chasm, Monstrosity, and Cenotaph, among others. You can get in touch with Void Monuments via Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their music on any platform like Spotify, and of course put your damned hands on Posthumous Imprecation from the Blood Harvest’s BandCamp or webstore. Void Monuments are craving fresh blood armed with their newborn spawn, and you better get ready because there’s nowhere to hide from their undisputed Death Metal savagery.
Best moments of the album:Epitome Of Fear, Decapitate The Saints and Invocation.
Worst moments of the album: None.
Released in 2026 Blood Harvest
Track listing 1. Intro 2:14
2. Epitome Of Fear 4:50
3. Devilish Prophecies 5:32
4. Decapitate The Saints 4:50
5. Ascent to the Crucifixion 6:13
6. Invocation 4:58
7. The Sign of Blasphemy 3:30
8. Father Of Sin 4:03
Band members K. Svart – vocals, guitar
P. Doom – guitar
Ivan – bass
Bestial Barlog – drums
Behold the fires of Black Metal and the blood of the Targaryen dynasty united in the form of the new opus by this ruthless American horde.
Hailing from New York City, the ruthless Black Metal horde known as Viserion unites the Second Wave Black Metal tradition with Atmospheric and Death Metal, balancing melodic soundscapes with raw aggression while also exploring a wealth of fantastical literature, highly influenced by the writings of George R.R. Martin and the World of Westeros, through the bloodthirsty shroud of extreme music. Produced, recorded and engineered by Billy Pfister at Westfall Recording, mastered by Jacob Buczarski, mixed by Chris Grigg, and displaying as its stunning cover art the painting Fire in Rome (1785) by Hubert Robert, Fire and Blood, the new EP by Benedetto Marvilli on vocals and guitars, Cris Valentine also on the guitars, Tasso Diakov on bass, and Matthew Marvilli on drums, is a worthy follow-up to their 2021 full-length Natural Selection, offering more of the band’s trademark blend of epic and scorching Black Metal magic. “Our concept for this album was inspired by George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones world. It particularly focuses on the Targaryen dynasty hence the title being their house words: Fire and Blood,” commented the band.
It’s pedal to the metal in the infuriated, incandescent title-track Fire and Blood, focusing on the black magic rituals that the Targaryen family was rumored to use in order to control dragons, with Matthew blasting his drums in great Black Metal fashion; whereas Mad King explores the delusions and cruelty of King Aerys II as well as his demise, continuing the band’s path of annihilation with the guitars by Benedetto and Cris exhaling sulfur and hatred. Aegon The Conqueror and his dragon Balerion are the focus on Reign of Fire, a lecture in modern-day Melodic Black Metal without a single second of peace, with Benedetto’s dragon-like vile gnarling sounding absolutely haunting. Then we have Blackfyre, telling of The Blackfyre Rebellions through a dark and rhythmic offering, with Tasso and Matthew bringing the rhythm and groove to the song in another display of the band’s trademark Black Metal magic; and lastly, we face Harrenhal, a composition of despair that sees the lyrics portray the horrifying destruction of Lord Harren’s fortress at the hands of Aegon the Conqueror and his dragon. Furthermore, the EP couldn’t have ended in a stronger way, sounding infernal from start to finish thanks to another killer performance by Matthew on drums.
Renowned bands the likes of Ultar, 1349, Satyricon, and Gates of Ishtar are significantly influential in the construction of Viserion’s creativity, as they delve heavily into the melodic across their discography, with Fire and Blood perfectly depicting those influences, therefore becoming a must-listen for fans of bands such as Ultar, Wormwitch, and the early-era of Enslaved. Viserion are waiting for you on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Spotify, and you can grab a copy of their flammable new EP from their own BandCamp. Because, in the end, when you have an album that unites the power of the Targaryen dynasty with our beloved Black Metal, you know you’re in for a treat, one of pure fire and blood.
Best moments of the album:Reign of Fire and Harrenhal.
Worst moments of the album: None.
Released in 2026 Independent
Track listing 1. Fire and Blood 3:09
2. Mad King 3:33
3. Reign of Fire 4:51
4. Blackfyre 5:31
5. Harrenhal 6:33
Band members
Benedetto Marvilli – vocals, guitar
Cris Valentine – guitar
Tasso Diakov – bass
Matthew Marvilli – drums
Austria’s own one-man Atmospheric/Post-Black Metal project is back with its sixth opus, portraying the state of being shattered into fragments and the slow, painful process of rebuilding oneself.
Originally conceived as an introverted, misanthropic, and anonymous project by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist L.G. (aka Lukas Gosch) in Graz, Austria back in 2011, the unrelenting Atmospheric/Post-Black Metal entity Ellende, a Middle High German adjective which means “miserable” or “exiled” (as well as “misery” in Dutch), is unleashing upon humanity its sixth full-length offering, titled Zerfall, which translates as “disintegration” or “decay,” portraying the state of being shattered into fragments and the slow, painful process of rebuilding oneself, a confrontation with the void and ultimately a triumph over it. Recorded, mixed and mastered by L.G. and Markus “Schwadorf“ Stock at Klangschmiede Studio E, featuring session drummer P.F., with oil painting by L.G. himself (under the moniker Farbbringer), and shaped also by a tragic event in the life of its mastermind, the follow-up to the project’s critically acclaimed 2024 album Todbringerin continues to fuse raw intensity with profound emotional depth, turning it into a must-listen for fans of Harakiri For The Sky, Wolves In The Throne Room, Alcest, Drudkh, Blut aus Nord, Negura Bunget, Paysage d’Hiver, and Woods of Desolation.
Stygian, introspective sounds set the tone in the intro Nur (or “only” from German), growing in intensity until we face Wahrheit Teil I (“truth part I”), starting with the caustic riffs by L.G. in the most visceral Black Metal style, offering seven minutes of first-class extreme music with L.G.’s venomous gnarls bringing even more anguish to the music, flowing into Wahrheit Teil II (“truth part II”), a darker tune exhaling Depressive Black and Doom Metal, with P.F.’s pounding drums hammering our souls mercilessly. Then the title-track Zerfall starts in a serene, melancholic manner before exploding into majestic Atmospheric Black Metal led by our lone wolf’s devilish riffs and vociferations, alternating between absolute darkness and whimsical, enfolding passages; followed by Übertritt (“transition”), another song that reeks of contemporary Melodic and Atmospheric Black Metal where the strident sound of L.G.’s guitar will pierce our blackened minds in great fashion.
Ode ans Licht (“ode to the light”) brings forward an imposing start to L.G.’s scathing riffage, sounding very melodic albeit not as exciting as the rest of the album while still presenting the project’s trademark melancholy. Zeitenwende Teil I (“turning point part I”), featuring Klara Bachmair from German Black Metal horde Firtan on the violin, is a lecture in extreme music, taking the listener on a one-way journey to absolute darkness together with L.G., with his riffs transpiring epicness; whereas in Zeitenwende Teil II (“turning point part II”), the second piece of such a thrilling Black Metal aria, L.G. keeps gnarling in the most obscure way imaginable supported by the classic beats by P.F., ending with a killer guest guitar solo by Peter Mairhofer from Austrian Melodic Death/Thrash Metal band Norikum. And lastly, we’re treated to the atmospheric, gloomy Reise (“journey”), where its acoustic moments bring peace to our gloomy hearts while its climatic ending sounds as captivating as it is devilish and grim.
Ellende has grown into an internationally recognized live act with session musicians firmly rooted in the Atmospheric Black Metal genre, while also incorporating classical instrumentation such as strings and grand piano, often pushing beyond the boundaries of what is considered traditional within the style, and that’s exactly what makes an album like Zerfall so interesting, detailed and hypnotizing. Hence, you can get in touch with L.G. and his Ellende via Facebook and Instagram, stream his vast and innovative discography on Spotify or any other streaming service, and grab a copy of Zerfall from BandCamp, from AOP Records, from Nuclear Blast or from Napalm Records allowing the music by Ellende to penetrate deep inside your blackened heart and, therefore, letting your deepest emotions arise. Because that’s what high quality Atmospheric Black Metal is all about, and we should always thank L.G. and his Ellende for providing us with such an amazing form of extreme music.
Best moments of the album:Zerfall, Zeitenwende Teil I and Zeitenwende Teil II.
Worst moments of the album:Ode ans Licht.
Released in 2026 AOP Records
Track listing 1. Nur 2:35
2. Wahrheit Teil I 7:03
3. Wahrheit Teil II 5:50
4. Zerfall 7:19
5. Übertritt 6:03
6. Ode ans Licht 4:23
7. Zeitenwende Teil I 6:36
8. Zeitenwende Teil II 5:01
9. Reise 7:14
What killed the dinosaurs? The Ice Age! But do you know what will crush you like an insect here on The Headbanging Moose? If you said it’s a ruthless bass player as our metal lady of this month of January to properly kick off the year of 2026, you’re damn right, my friend. She’s not only a member of one of the must-see names of the current Death Metal scene worldwide, but also a very talented tattoo artist. Her name is Samantha Mobley, also known as Sam Mobley, the badass bassist for Texas-based Death Metal entity Frozen Soul, and the owner and artist at Heavy Metal Tattoo, and after knowing more about such an up-and-coming artist who lives and breathes heavy music, you’ll definitely feel the heat in this always bitterly cold month to kick off another headbanging year in style.
Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Samantha has always loved arts and music, constantly creating art as a child. “I’ve been an artist since I was a little girl, I would draw on anything I could get my hands on. Being a quiet and sensitive child, art was a perfect outlet for me, and it took up most of my time growing up, as well as having a love of music since I was little,” she commented. Always placed in advanced art classes in which she excelled, those were basically the only formal classes that allowed her to have structure and craft her technique. “I have done freelance photography, logos, artwork and graphic design since I was a teenager. I’ve become proficient in digital media, watercolor, oils, graphite, charcoal, acrylic, clay, and now, putting designs on skin,” said Sam, showing how talented she is not only in music, but also in arts in general.
Long before becoming a bassist, she spent around 11 years working as a pet stylist at a veterinary clinic, bathing, brushing, and styling everything from chihuahuas to great danes. “When Frozen Soul started, I was on a completely different career path. I was like a hermit pretty much. I just went to work and came home.” Also, despite the steady income coming form her days as a pet stylist, her decision to leave that stability and pursue her passion for music is a testament to her courage and determination, and all that can be easily noticed when you listen to her ruthless bass in any of the songs composed by Frozen Soul, proving she took the right decision to invest in her career as a musician.
She was gifted her first guitar at the age of 8, and a cherry red electric guitar at age 10, casually playing off and on throughout the years, always trying to teach herself the basics in between her studies. “I would listen to the radio, record it on a tape player, and teach myself how to play.” Sam grew up on 90’s alternative music, but quickly progressed into listening to heavier and heavier music in her teenage years. “The first thing that made me pick up an instrument when trying to learn how to play guitar was the band Kittie. I saw that they were all female and was like, ‘Shit, if they can do it, I can do it!’ I messed around with guitar in my free time when I was younger but as I got older I just really wanted to pursue music as it’s always been a huge passion of mine. When I finally got the opportunity to do so with Frozen Soul, at the time, the bass was the only instrument open. I had to learn it fast and now it’s my first instrument of choice, but I still play guitar passively too I guess.” She mentioned in an interview that she picked up bass at the end of 2018, and started practicing with a Black Metal band called Vermiculated. While short lived, it allowed her to get some experience under her belt. “We broke up right before I started playing with Frozen Soul, and shortly after (about a month or two after recording the Vermiculated demo) we recorded the Frozen Soul demo.”
However, not everything in her life has been as smooth as her career as a musician and as a tattoo artist, mentioning in an interview she struggled from the age of 15 up until about a few years ago with a mental illness misdiagnosis that deeply affected her life. “It caused me so many hardships, damaged relationships, setbacks, trauma, and ultimately, it caused me a lot of grief with the time lost in my late teens and all through my twenties. Now that I am in my early thirties, things have gotten much better for me because, honestly, I stopped being afraid of everything. I was too scared to go out of my comfort zone for too long and that squandered my potential because of it,” she said back then, but fortunately now she’s stronger than ever, kicking ass on and off stage with Frozen Soul, and spreading the beauty of her tattoos to the four corners of the earth.
Speaking of the frostbitten creature known as Frozen Soul, the band got together back in 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas, when vocalist Chad Green (End Times, Vulgar Display) and guitarist Michael Munday (End Times, Wildspeaker, Creeping Death, Disencumbrance, Contusions) set out to revive the primal force of 90’s Death Metal. After laying down initial riffs steeped in themes of winter’s desolation, the duo realized they needed a rhythm section capable of matching their vision. That’s when they recruited Sam, longtime acquaintance of both Chad and Michael. “I knew Michael and Chad, and they’re like, ‘Well, we need a bass player.’ I was like, ‘Fuck it, I’m going to learn how to play bass,’” she said in one of her interviews. Currently formed of our dauntless Sam Mobley on bass, the aforementioned Chad Green on vocals and Michael Munday on the guitars, Chris Bonner (Steel Bearing Hand, Tolar, Distort, Obstruction, Unit 21, Wild//Tribe) also on the guitars and Matt Dennard (End Times, Sage Fortune, Humanerror, High Anxieties, Negaduck, What They Lack) on drums, the band released the demo Encased in Ice, in 2019, followed by the split Live in Chicago 10/23/2019 (with the bands Molder and Coffin Rot), in 2020, their debut full-length album Crypt of Ice, in 2021, and their sophomore beast Glacial Domination (co-produced by Daniel Schmuck and Trivium’s own Matthew K. Heafy), in 2023 (including additional vocals by Sam herself on the song Morbid Effigy, which also features guest vocals by John Gallagher of Dying Fetus), all available on BandCamp and on Spotify.
The cold and ice-theme of the band might not make a lot of sense at first, as Texas is absolutely scorching during most of the year, but Sam perfectly explained why the band decided to move in such a unique direction. “We wanted to incorporate a band theme that was both true to the brutal nature of death metal without being played out . We like to think our theme sets us apart and gives us a different feel than most bands. It may be hot here, but we’re cold blooded,” she commented. Furthermore, if you want to feel the frostbitten Death Metal crafted by Sam and the boys, you can enjoy the official videos for the fantastic, bitterly cold Death Metal bangers Glacial Domination, Crypt of Ice, Arsenal of War, Encased in Ice, and their most recent single, a cover version for White Zombie’s Creature of the Wheel. Not only that, as Frozen Soul are a band that simply kicks ass onstage, you can also check out several videos on YouTube with their live performances, like their demolishing full set at Bloodstock Open Air Metal Festival 2023.
She mentioned in one of her interviews that some of her favorite bands growing up and her biggest influences are, in no particular order, Dissection, Acid Bath, Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus, Bolt Thrower, Crowbar, Black Sabbath, Pantera and Type O Negative, and let’s be honest, all of those influences can easily be seen in her playing style and sound. “I basically just try to be as punchy as possible without overpowering the guitars. I try to be as heavy as possible – the nastier the tone the better.” Frozen Soul are actually compared to Bolt Thrower a lot, and Sam is truly proud of it. “Jo Bench (Bolt Thrower) and Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse) are my two main influences on bass,” she commented. Moreover, although we don’t have her list of top 10 albums of 2025 yet, you can find online her top 10 albums of 2024, a kickass list, by the way, including Mortal Wound’s The Anus of The World (10), Modem’s Megalomania (9), Gost’s Prophecy (8), Undeath’s More Insane (7), Blood Incantation’s Absolute Elsewhere (6), Enforced’s A Leap Into The Dark (5), Fluids’ Reduced Capabilities (4), 200 Stab Wounds’ Manual Manic Procedures (3), Necrot’s Lifeless Birth (2), and Fulci’s Duck Face Killings (1).
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Let’s now switch gears to her career as a tattoo artist. Owner and artist at Heavy Metal Tattoo, she specializes in colorful traditional and neo-traditional tattoos. “I started a tattoo apprenticeship in 2019, and graduated to a full time tattoo artist that same year.” She said that when she was a teenager, she was also big into painting and charcoal arts. “I took a little break from it in my twenties but it’s really what I love to do. Tattooing has always been super cool and at the time was a good way for me to earn a living while still doing art everyday. I did an apprenticeship and then I got really busy with clientele and then the opportunity presented itself for me to open my own shop. I knew nobody was going to let me work at a regular tattoo shop and be gone seven months out of the year on tour so I decided to open my own shop and that’s pretty much how it was all born.”
With Heavy Metal Tattoo, she has put together a solid team of tattoo artists who share a collective vision to make the shop an all-inclusive and safe space for their vast clientele in a male-dominated industry that has often not prioritized inclusion. “I want everyone to feel like they are welcome there and that it’s a safe play to get tattooed where you’re not going to get harassed or feel uncomfortable by male tattooers — which is a pretty big problem in the tattoo industry. Everyone’s welcome and I just want everyone to have a good time. I also want it to be a good environment for everyone who works there to grow in their career.” She also had some nice words to say about how to gain a loyal clientele. “Networking is a newer thing to me as of this past year… I’m pretty introverted. I’ve found Instagram to be the best for showcasing your work and gaining new clientele. Tattooing my friends that are also musicians or heavily involved in the local music scene has been very helpful too,” commented Sam in one of her interviews.
Back to her career as a musician, more specifically to the equipment she uses as a bass player both in the studio and when she’s kicking some serious ass across the stages worldwide, Sam said that she currently alternates between an 87 NJ BC Rich Warlock with DiMarzio pickups in it, and a 5 string Legacy Series Widow with active EMG pickups, while her pedal board consists of a Decimator, the Lone Wolf Audio Caveman pedal, a Metal Muff and her tuner. For her cab, she plays on a 8×10 Ampeg, and for her head she uses an Ampeg SVT4PRO.
Having already scored high-profile tours with Death Metal legends the likes of Cattle Decapitation, Aborted and Gatecreeper, and an arena run with Swedish Melodic Death Metal veterans Amon Amarth, Frozen Soul are already a force to be reckoned with when they hit any stage, but of course as their touring schedule gets busier and busier, all band members, including obviously Sam, have less and less time for other activities outside of the band. “It’s been very busy and very crazy. Last year, I think we toured seven months out of the year but this year has been a constant grind with touring to get our name out there and promote our new record. It’s been awesome though and it’s been nice to see the reception to everything. That tour with Amon Amarth really was an affirmation that we are doing the right thing. For some of the shows, we were playing to six-thousand people a night, so going from 800-cap venues to that was a little bit jarring but also really cool,” she commented.
During such a hectic touring schedule, Sam always finds time for herself. “For self care, on an off day I will do my own thing and take an Uber somewhere to get a pedicure, manicure or maybe a massage. I feel like that is very important for me on tour because I’m always the only woman in the band. It’s very chaotic and hectic every day, so having a little bit of peace, at least once a week is essential,” she said, also commenting about other things that help her calm down, relax and decompress from her touring madness. “Sometimes, I’ll go find a local card store and play Magic: The Gathering or go shopping even if I don’t end up buying anything. I feel like I’m kind of bougie but I bring a massage gun, face masks and satin eye things to help me go to sleep which really helps me. I also bring my Steam Deck so I can play video games. Any little thing helps.”
Moreover, among all concerts ever played by Frozen Soul, there’s one in particular in 2024 that holds a very special place in her heart. “One of the things that I’m super proud of is when we played Red Rocks Amphitheatre last year with Amon Amarth, Cannibal Corpse, and Obituary. All of our families flew out for that. I did special makeup. And I had special stuff on. I had a special bass. And I played what I would consider a perfect set. We were technically the first death metal band to play there. So we have a plaque at Red Rocks. And that means I’m the first female death metal musician to play there as well.” Her first ever concert with Frozen Soul was also a special one for her and the boys, of course. “It was weird for me because I had never toured. Hell, my first live show was with Blood Incantation and Necrot. That was my first time playing live – ever! I still actually get nervous to this day.”
As a proud and strong woman, Sam also had a few beautiful words to say to any girl who wants to start a career in heavy music or in tattooing. “I am in two professions that are male-dominated. My advice is to study hard, work your ass off, and don’t take anyone’s shit. Do everything with your whole heart because anything less is not worth doing. My advice for other women and younger women especially would be to just figure out what means the most to you and just go for your dreams. The worst that can happen is that you fail. And even failure is not an excuse to give up. Keep trying, learn from your setbacks, because sometimes wonderful opportunities will present themselves as a result.”
As expected, our dark diva is also a huge fan of the occult. “I have an entire wall of books that are just occult and astrology stuff. I used to study pagan witchcraft when I was younger and studied it heavily for fifteen years and am still very interested in it. I would say the ‘three of swords’ card is my favorite, I actually wanted to get that tattooed on my chest at one point. I’ve always liked the imagery of it and think it looks sick.” There are lots of excellent interviews online with Sam where she talks about different topics like that, such as episode 55 of the series “She’s with the Band” by Knotfest, where she discusses her passion for Death Metal and tattoos, being the only woman on tour with a lot of men, and more, and you should definitely go check all of those interviews, as well as the music by Frozen Soul. Because Samantha Mobley is an indomitable bassist and tattoo artist that’s getting stronger and more prominent in the world of heavy music year after year, and you better get ready as once she hits you with her devilish music and art, there’s no escape from her ice-cold embrace.
There’s not much to celebrate in rock and metal music in the same year when we lost the one and only John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne. Nothing will ever be the same without the Prince of Darkness, the Madman, The Wizard of Ozz. There isn’t a single artist or band reviewed in the history of The Headbanging Moose that wasn’t influenced in several ways by Ozzy and, of course, by Black Sabbath. It is a very sad year indeed. However, Ozzy was always in a great mood, always happy, and I’m sure that, wherever he is now, he wants to see us all smiling and laughing, because that’s what life is all about. He also wants us to keep attending rock and metal concerts to have a good time with our loved ones, with our closest friends, just like Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I did so many times this year, covering incredible bands the likes of Blackbraid, Ne Obliviscaris, Cattle Decapitation, Blind Guardian, and so on. I’ve also had the utmost pleasure of seeing the mighty Judas Priest in Dalhalla, Sweden, a dream come true for this fanboy here, and I can’t wait to “run for my life” in 2026. Having said all that, let’s honor the life of Ozzy with The Headbanging Moose’s Top 10 Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Albums of 2025, excluding EP’s, best of’s and live albums, and keep on rockin’ like the Madman until our very last breath!
1. Blackbraid – Blackbraid III (REVIEW) Behold the stunning next chapter in the musical and spiritual journey of the witch hawk of Black Metal hailing from the Adirondack Mountains.
Best song of the album: Wardrums At Dawn On The Day Of My Death
2. Werewolves – The Ugliest of All (REVIEW) The torchbearers of “Caveman Death Metal” continuing to annihilate intellects with an unlistenable barrage of truly hideous music.
Best song of the album: The Ugliest of All
3. Testament – Para Bellum (REVIEW) Let’s prepare for war to the sound of the breathtaking fourteenth studio album by California’s own masters of old school Thrash Metal.
Best song of the album: Para Bellum
4. Helloween – Giants & Monsters (REVIEW) These German giants of Heavy Metal and monsters of Rock N’ Roll are back with their ass-kicking seventeenth studio album.
Best song of the album: Majestic
5. An Abstract Illusion – The Sleeping City (REVIEW) This incredible Swedish Progressive Death and Black Metal entity returns with their heaviest and most atmospheric work to date.
Best song of the album: Like a Geyser Ever Erupting
6. Allegaeon – The Ossuary Lens (REVIEW) World domination awaits to the sound of the striking new beast by one of the must-see bands of the current tech death scene worldwide.
Best song of the album: The Swarm
7. 1914 – Viribus Unitis (REVIEW) Trench warfare meets blackened death and doom in 1914’s fourth onslaught of war-torn fury.
Best song of the album: 1918 Pt 3: ADE (A Duty to Escape)
8. Cryptopsy – An Insatiable Violence (REVIEW) Canada’s own Death Metal machine returns with their ruthless ninth studio album.
Best song of the album: Until There’s Nothing Left
9. Baest – Colossal (REVIEW) Back from the fires of Denmark, this unstoppable creature will crush you with their fourth studio album.
Best song of the album: Colossus
10. Diabolizer – Murderous Revelations (REVIEW) The torchbearers of diabolical abomination unite once again to drag us down into the fiery abysses of Turkish Death Metal without warning.
Best song of the album: Deathmarch of the Murderous Tyrant
And here we have the runner-ups, completing the top 20 for the year:
11. Lorna Shore – I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me (REVIEW)
12. Impureza – Alcázares (REVIEW)
13. Crimson Shadows – Whispers of War (REVIEW)
14. Primal Fear – Domination (REVIEW)
15. Serenity In Murder – Timeless Reverie (REVIEW)
16. Khôra – Ananke (REVIEW)
17. Panzerchrist – Maleficium – Part 2 (REVIEW)
18. Ominous Ruin – Requiem (REVIEW)
19. Wrath of Belial – Embers of Dead Empires (REVIEW)
20. Grima – Nightside (REVIEW)
Not only that, here’s once again our Top 10 EP’s of 2025, proving once and for all that the duration of an album is not that important in the end. As long as the music is great, the whole thing can be only one second long, like the classic “You Suffer” by Napalm Death!
1. When Plagues Collide – Kingmaker (REVIEW)
2. De Profundis – The Gospel Of Rot (REVIEW)
3. Fimbul Winter – What Once Was (REVIEW)
4. NecroticGoreBeast – Brute (REVIEW)
5. Serpent Corpse – Retaliate (REVIEW)
6. Akouphenom – Connections To The Erebus (REVIEW)
7. Necht – The Inevitable Suffering (REVIEW)
8. Discovery Through Torment – Telesynthetic Rebirth (REVIEW)
9. Der Rote Milan – Verlust (REVIEW)
10. Eleine – We Stand United (REVIEW)
Do you agree with our list? What are your top 10 albums of 2025? Also, don’t forget to tune in every Tuesday at 10pm BRT on Rádio Coringão to enjoy the best of classic and underground metal with Jorge Diaz and his Timão Metal, and every Thursday at 8pm UTC+2 on Midnight Madness Metal e-Radio for the best of underground metal with The Headbanging Moose Show!
Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year! See you in 2026!
And of course, as we really don’t like those boring Christmas songs here on The Headbanging Moose, we’ll leave you with what’s perhaps the most emotional and strongest metal hymn of the year, the charity version of “War Pigs”, by Black Sabbath, recorded by Judas Priest and with Ozzy himself sharing the vocal duties with the Metal God Rob Halford! This is the epitome of rock and metal music!
Generals gathered in their masses Just like witches at black masses…
A harrowing, philosophical descent into sound and symbolism, Herezjarcha, the brand new opus by Bangor, Pennsylvania-based Black Metal horde Profane Elegy, sees the band expand every element of their vision, sounding heavier, more dynamic, more refined, and deeply introspective. Produced by J Gulick and mixed and mastered by Kevin Antreassian at Backroom Studios, the new offering by vocalist Mikael L , guitarist J Gulick, bassist David G, and drummer Sean M is more than an album. It is a record built on contrasts between the cosmic and the personal, defiance and decay, melody and obliteration, exploring themes of nihilism, mortality, philosophy, and religious symbolism, often invoking figures like Satan not as dogmatic statements, but as metaphors in a broader spiritual and existential dialogue.
The name Herezjarcha is a neologism meaning “arch-heretic,” and the record embodies this fully, an oath against complacency, a testament of defiance, and a new scripture of darkness, being therefore highly recommended for fans of Mayhem, Woods of Ypres, Swallow the Sun, and Emperor. Hence, you can get to know more about the band via Facebook and Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their sulfurous music on Spotify, and of course, purchase their excellent new opus from BandCamp. Fusing the atmospheric elements of Black Metal with the weight of Doom Metal, the precision of Death Metal, and the unexpected textures of orchestration and clean vocals, Herezjarcha rejects genre purity in favor of vision. This is what Profane Elegy stand for. This is a new heresy.
THE HEADBANGING MOOSE 