Tag Archives: black metal

Album Review – Noitasapatti / Sankarin matka (2024)

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This ruthless Finnish Black Metal horde returns with a scorching yet cold and vile concept album where its dreamlike story slowly advances towards indescribable horrors.

Formed in the spring of 2017 in Pori, a city in Finland and the regional capital of Satakunta, the unrelenting Black Metal horde known as Noitasapatti, which is Finnish for “witch’s sabbath”, is set to darken the skies with the release of their sophomore album, titled Sankarin matka, or “a hero’s journey”, the follow-up to their 2022 debut Kuolemattomille maille. Displaying a broad range of sounds while also bringing a lot of fresh soundscape to their music, Sankarin matka is a concept album consisting of an intro and seven songs where its dreamlike story slowly advances towards indescribable horrors, which waver between dream and reality until the truth is exposed in all of its heinousness, while the music is clearly inspired by 90’s Black Metal, British Death and Doom Metal, and even Progressive Rock, showcasing all the talent and dexterity by Erakko on vocals, bass, mouth harp and horns, Liekkiö on the guitars, Kadonnut on keyboards, and Häviö on drums.

Tulikipuna, or “red fever”, is a beyond cinematic intro, a phantasmagorical start to the album that nicely flows into Tuhatkasvoinen, or “thousand faced”, where Erakko begins screaming like a maniac supported by the classic Black Metal riffs by Liekkiö. After that, we have the the title-track Sankarin matka, bringing to our avid ears more of their fusion of Black Metal with experimental sounds, with the intricate beats by Häviö and the wicked keys by Kadonnut sounding absolutely electrifying; and their fusion of raw Black Metal with atmospheric and melodic sounds works really well in Paluu liekkeihin (“back to the flames”), the most Atmospheric Black Metal song of the entire album.

Käskyläisen sanat (“orderly words”) continues with their piano-infused extreme music attack, sounding even more piercing and devilish to the caustic riffage by Liekkiö while Erakko barks the song’s Finnish lyrics like a creature of the underworld, whereas Henkien polulla (“on the path of spirits”) sounds haunting and captivating from the very first second, reminding me of some of the songs from the early days of Cradle of Filth. Moreover, Kadonnut has mastered the art of devilish keys, making the song feel truly experimental at times. Then creepy guitars and bass lines will penetrate deep inside your skin in Matka halki myrskyjen, or “a journey through storms”, despite lacking more energy and getting stale after a while, though. Finally, let’s embark on a 10-minute voyage through the realms of cryptic Black Metal with Noitasapatti in Tähtivaeltaja, or “star trek”, where the bitterly cold gnarls by Erakko match flawlessly with the phantasmagorical sounds crafted by his bandmates, with its piano outro exhaling melancholy for our total delight.

A hero’s journey can be dark, evil and very demanding, just like what Noitasapatti have to offer us all in their new beast Sankarin matka, and if you think you have what it takes to face that infernal path you can get in touch with the band via Facebook or Instagram, stream their wicked creations on Spotify, and purchase their venomous new opus on BandCamp or from the Inverse Records webstore. However, be warned you’re going to face unimaginable horrors as soon as you hit play, proving once and for all the devilish power of Black Metal hailing from the North, sounding scorching and caustic while at the same time bitterly cold and chilling.

Best moments of the album: Sankarin matka, Käskyläisen sanat and Tähtivaeltaja.

Worst moments of the album: Matka halki myrskyjen.

Released in 2024 Inverse Records

Track listing
1. Tulikipuna 1:33
2. Tuhatkasvoinen 4:09
3. Sankarin matka 5:10
4. Paluu liekkeihin 6:21
5. Käskyläisen sanat 6:42
6. Henkien polulla 4:18
7. Matka halki myrskyjen 5:48
8. Tähtivaeltaja 9:50

Band members
Erakko – vocals, bass, mouth harp, horns
Liekkiö – guitars
Kadonnut – keyboards
Häviö – drums

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 – Golgothan Remains / Bearer of Light, Matriarch of Death EP (2024)

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A concept EP of monumental Death Metal mastery made in Australia, recounting a journey across a mystical, barren world cloaked in darkness.

A concept EP of monumental Death Metal mastery, recounting a journey across a mystical, barren world cloaked in darkness, Bearer of Light, Matriarch of Death is the brand new offering by Sydney, Australia-based entity Golgothan Remains, following up on their 2018 debut Perverse Offerings to the Void and their 2022 sophomore album Adorned in Ruin. Re-amped, mixed and mastered by Greg Chandler at Priory Recording Studios, and displaying a stunning artwork by Christian Kiesling of Misanthropic Art, capturing the journey through time and space, and the story’s setting, landscapes and aura which are relayed in the EP, Bearer of Light, Matriarch of Death brings forth the band’s distinct brand of relentless Death Metal, masterfully balancing blistering speeds, sinister Black Metal undertones, and crushing doom, all carefully crafted by Matthieu Van den Brande on vocals, Matt Hillman on the guitars, Adam Martin on bass, and Aled Powell on drums.

The dissonant, cryptic guitars by Matt set the tone in the opening track Methuselah, being gradually accompanied by his bandmates while Matthieu delivers his deepest roars with tons of anger, all boosted by the massive beats by Aled; whereas Tribulation presents an even more infernal and demolishing version of the band where Aled keeps hammering his drums nonstop supported by the rumbling bass by Adam. Put differently, it’s harsh, no shenanigans Death Metal that sounds like it’s coming from the deepest tomb, ending in a haunting manner before we’re treated to Necropoles, another pulverizing explosion of primeval Death Metal spearheaded by the visceral growling by Matthieu. Lastly, closing the EP we face the incendiary, somber Andromeda, where once again the blast beats by Aled match perfectly with the strident riffage by Matt in the best Death Metal vibe possible.

The final result in Bearer of Light, Matriarch of Death is a suffocating, trance-inducing atmosphere of unyielding intensity, with the story being told only making things even more hypnotizing. “It is a wrought, and evil love story about two centuries old creatures trying to find companionship but due to their strong evil spirit are unable to exist with another powerful figure by their side,” commented the band, and you can get in touch with them and find more information about their new EP on Facebook and on Instagram. Don’t forget to also stream their music on Spotify or on Apple Music, and of course to grab a copy of Bearer of Light, Matriarch of Death from their own BandCamp, as well as from the Dark Descent Records’ BandCamp or webstore in CD or vinyl format. The journey through the dark has begun to the sound of the new opus by Golgothan Remains, and you better get ready as once you start following the band on that sinister path, there’s no turning back.

Best moments of the album: Tribulation and Andromeda.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2024 Dark Descent Records

Track listing
1. Methuselah 6:13
2. Tribulation 5:22
3. Necropoles 4:24
4. Andromeda 5:04

Band members
Matthieu Van den Brande – vocals
Matt Hillman – guitars
Adam Martin – bass
Aled Powell – drums

Album Review – KIR / L’appel du Vide (2024)

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Behold this journey through disappointment and despair, towards disintegration, by a newborn Black Metal beast hailing from Poland.

Exploring the lowest of lows of human nature, warped and excreted by the concrete jungle, a deeply personal tale of a troubled mind entrenched in a society seething right below the surface, and a journey through disappointment and despair, towards disintegration, the scorching L’appel du Vide (which is French for “the call of the void”), the debut opus by Kraków, Poland-based Black Metal unity KIR, is a powerful testament to the band’s relentless pursuit of creative expression. Recorded by Maciej Soboń at TRIPlets Audio, produced, engineered, mixed, mastered by the band’s own guitarist and bassist Ferment, displaying a grim artwork by another member of the band, vocalist Harvest, and featuring guest drummer Krzysztof Klingbein, the album explores themes of urban isolation, human frailty, and despair, reflecting a profound awareness of music as an art form that can challenge, disturb, and inspire.

The album couldn’t have started in a more atmospheric vibe than with DestinationVoid, exploding into the Black Metal extravaganza titled Monument, where the insane beats by Krzysztof alongside the piercing guitars by Ferment build the perfect ambience for Harvest to vociferate rabidly in the name of Black Metal. Then get ready for almost eight minutes of pure sonic devastation not recommended for the faint at heart titled Znów, or “again”, where Harvest sounds absolutely merciless during the whole song while Ferment fires his most decimating riffs of the entire album, followed by Eter, the Polish word for “ether”, which starts in a grim, more introspective manner to the vile guitar lines by Ferment, showcasing hints of Doom Metal added to their sound, therefore resulting in what’s by far the most haunting, obscure of all songs. The band brings forward their final Black Metal offering in Apoptosis, where their most cadaverous vein arises like a demonic entity, blasting almost ten minutes of no hope, nor any sign of peace, while the despair flowing from Harvest’s anguished roars is truly outstanding, consequently putting a terrific conclusion to such a flammable opus.

L’appel du Vide is a grungy, suffocating invitation to explore the “call of the void” within oneself – that impulse to teeter over the edge, to feel the pull of darkness and walk right up to it. Hence, you can get to know more about the duo on Facebook and on Instagram, and show them your utmost support to the extreme music scene by purchasing the album from their own BandCamp page or from the Godz ov War Productions’ BandCamp or webstore. With the caustic L’appel du Vide, KIR are inviting all listeners to lose themselves in a sonic landscape where the absurdity of modern life meets the beauty and despair of the human psyche, creating an unforgettable Black Metal journey for those willing to heed the call and, consequently, keeping the fires of underground extreme music burning bright for many centuries to come, always offering us all harsh, visceral and captivating music like what’s found in the band’s debut opus.

Best moments of the album: Znów and Apoptosis.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2024 Godz ov War Productions

Track listing
1. DestinationVoid 1:14
2. Monument 4:34
3. Znów 7:47
4. Eter 7:54
5. Apoptosis 9:28

Band members
Harvest – vocals
Ferment – guitars, bass

Guest musician
Krzysztof Klingbein – drums (session)

Metal Chick of the Month – Inka Ojala

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I grieve in darkness… All ends in silence

As December is by far the darkest month of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, let’s all “dark the suns” here on The Headbanging Moose to the music by our multi-talented metal lady of the month. Hailing from the land of ice and snow, also known as Finland, she’s a bassist, keyboardist, pianist, vocalist, songwriter, lyricist, photographer and graphic designer, and just by that you can imagine how important she is to her breathtaking Melodic Death/Gothic Metal band Dark The Suns. I’m talking about the amazing Inka Ojala, who will embellish the airwaves with her melancholic and passionate music during this dark and cold last month of the year.

Born in Finland as Inka Tuomaala, but having changed her name to Inka Ojala after getting married to Dark The Suns’ own mastermind Mikko Ojala, our beloved metal diva has a very nice and decent life outside of heavy music, having attended the University of Jyväskylä and being an early childhood education teacher at Kempeleen kunta. She also mentioned in an interview that she used to work at an art museum, but I have absolutely no idea if that’s still the case.

Her main band is definitely Jyväskylä, Finland-based Melodic Death/Gothic Metal act Dark The Suns, which originally started in 2005 as a one-man project by Mikko Ojala, with the first demo recorded completely by himself. Eventually, Dark The Suns grew into a full band capable of performing live with the addition of Juha Kokkonen on keyboards, Markus Lehtinen on drums, and our metal diva (at that time still known as Inka Tuomaala) on bass, while Mikko took care of the vocals and guitars, releasing their debut album In Darkness Comes Beauty back in 2007.

As the years progressed, Inka was not only responsible for the bass duties anymore, but also for their female vocals from 2008 to 2009, and keyboards from 2010 until present day. To date, she has recorded with Dark The Suns the bass lines in the aforementioned 2007 album In Darkness Comes Beauty; was responsible for the lyrics, bass, songwriting and female vocals in their 2009 album All Ends in Silence; did the orchestrations, keyboards, songwriting, piano and bass in their 2010 album Sleepwalking in a Nightmare; played bass and keyboards in their 2021 album Suru raivosi sydämeni pimeydessä; and more recently did the female vocals, keyboards and bass in their 2023 album Raven and the Nightsky. Not only that, she was also responsible for the artwork, photography and/or graphic design of several releases by Dark The Suns, those being their 2007 album In Darkness Comes Beauty, their 2008 EP The Dead End, their 2009 album All Ends in Silence, their 2010 single Don’t Fear the Sleep, their 2010 album Sleepwalking in a Nightmare, their 2020 single Suru raivosi sydämeni pimeydessä, their 2022 single Kun Allot Kallioihin Murtuu, and their 2023 single Swans of the Frozen Waters. Inka and the band were also featured in the compilations Fear Candy 48 (Terrorizer Magazine, 2007) with the song Reflections, Gothic Spirits 7 (Golden Core, 2008) with the song The Sleeping Beauty, and Firesampler #7 (Firebox Records, 2009) with the song All End in Silence.

When asked what makes Dark The Suns stand out amongst the countless Finnish dark and extreme music bands, she said that she doesn’t really care about that, and she believes there’s always enough room for good metal music and good metal bands. She doesn’t think fans think they have to choose a particular Gothic Metal band, or a particular Doom Metal band. “I think people are usually happy when they get to know some new, good bands whose music they like and whose concerts they enjoy going to,” commented Inka. Currently formed of Mikko and Inka alongside Jani Moilanen on the guitars, the band has been on a roll since returning form their seven-year hiatus in 2020, continuing to blend heavy and dark sounds with their nature-inspired lyrics, therefore embellishing their airwaves with tons of melancholy and passion.

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Inka can also be found in another band, Jyväskylä, Finland-based Melodic Gothic/Black Metal band Crowned with Black, having released with them the two-song EP The Dragon Age back in 2010, playing keyboards in both songs, but apparently the band has already split up and there’s nothing else available from those Finnish rockers. Also, on the design and arts side, Inka was responsible for the logo in the 2019 album Ikuisen talven sarastus, and for the artwork in the 2019 single Kuura & horros, both by Finnish Black Metal horde Kaamos Warriors, which is by the way the other main band by her husband Mikko Ojala.

When asked about her idols and main influences, Inka mentioned that nature is the most important source of inspiration for her, sharing her love for rainy autumn nights and misty days. “We live in a quite small town and a very small lake and it is so beautiful in the evenings when the lake reflects all the lights around us. Nature is just beautiful in central Finland,” commented Inka, who also said that, for her, “night is more mysterious than daytime life. Familiar things seem to change a little when you’re walking alone through the city and the rain is falling on the street. It’s so beautiful when the whole world looks like it’s sleeping.”

In addition, she said she likes to read a lot, and all of those mysteries, emotions and feelings influence the music she writes. “I love Katri Vala’s poems and one of my favourite books is Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s The Shadow of the Wind. It is really an atmospheric and inspiring story, almost a horror novel. I also love Foucault’s Pendulum by Umberto Eco. I think good stories always inspire you.” Furthermore, apart from nature, darkness and books, she mentioned Before The Dawn and HIM among her favorite bands, as well as Entwine and To/Die/For, plus some Finnish rock bands as for example Kent, saying they have truly interesting bass lines and catchy melodies.

Inka and Mikko are definitely soulmates, and that combination of beautiful, whimsical melodies and dark, devilish growls certainly makes their music even more compelling. For instance, you can check some of their creations on YouTube, like the official videos for the songs Phoenix, Swans of the Frozen Waters, Raven, Everywhere, Aurora, and Seeker, and of course stream all of their creations on any streaming platform like Spotify. And if you think Inka or Mikko are worried about releasing music for free online, you’re absolutely wrong. “I think web singles are very important nowadays. There are so many new bands and albums, so it’s great that people can listen to music samples and singles for free,” commented our diva, but of course, if you want to show them your utmost support, you can always purchase their music from different physical or online stores, buy their merch, and always attend their live performances, helping the duo in keeping darkening the suns for many years to come.

“When all is said and done, when everything is lost, then there is only silence.” – Inka Ojala

Inka Ojala’s Official Facebook page
Dark The Suns’ Official Facebook page
Dark The Suns’ Official Instagram

Concert Review – Zeal & Ardor (The Opera House, Toronto, ON, 11/28/2024)

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Fans in Toronto had the pleasure of enjoying a very diverse and dark night of heavy music on a cold and chilly Thursday in the city.

OPENING ACTS: Zetra and Gaerea

Traffic to get to Toronto and to leave the city any day of the week is brutal, but Thursday nights seem to be the worst of all. It took me forever to arrive at The Opera House this Thursday night to enjoy the concerts by ZETRA, GAEREA and ZEAL & ARDOR during their North American Tour 2024, to the point I completely missed the show by London, England-based Synth Rock duo ZETRA. Not only that, the way back home was even worse as two lanes of the QEW were closed due to construction, which turned my usual 25-minute drive into a 1h40min nightmare, but I’ll stop my rant here and focus on the music, which is what really matters. Fortunately, my buddy Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi was there to enjoy their show and take some killer photos of them, and of course you can listen to their self-titled 2024 album on BandCamp and on Spotify. I’m not sure if they were the right choice to open the night, as some fans considered their show a bit weird for their taste, but I can’t say much as I wasn’t there.

Setlist
Sacrifice
Starfall
Shatter the Mountain
Suffer Eternally
Gaia
The Angel Cries

Band members
Adam – vocals, guitars
Jordan – vocals, synthesizers

It was not even 8pm when Porto, Portugal’s own Black Metal creature GAEREA kicked off their stunning performance, and even with the huge delay due to traffic and the hassle of finding a parking spot I made it to the venue exactly two seconds before they began their show. And what a show that was, my friends! Those uncanny black metallers sounded brilliant during their short but extremely captivating and hypnotizing set, with their theatricals, especially the moves by their ultra talented and charismatic lead singer, certainly converting several Zeal & Ardor fans to the Gaerea cult. The entire band was on fire, and the reaction of the crowd, including some intense mosh pits, made their whole show even more memorable.

It was my third time seeing Gaerea live, and I don’t know if it was the fact that this was by far the best venue they played in, if the songs from their newborn spawn Coma like The Poet’s Ballet, Hope Shatters and World Ablaze (all available on BandCamp and on Spotify, by the way) are among the best they’ve ever created, or if it was a combination of both, but this was by far their best ever presentation in the city of Toronto. The crowd was in total sync with the band, and you could notice everyone headbanging nonstop, some with their eyes closed to simply let their music do the entire job. I honestly hope Gaerea return to Toronto in a not-so-distant future as a headliner, because they definitely deserve a lot more time to kick some ass onstage with their unique music.

Setlist
The Poet’s Ballet
Hope Shatters
Unknown
World Ablaze
Wilted Flower
Laude

Band members
*Information not available*

ZEAL & ARDOR

I’m going to be honest with all of you and confess that I had pretty much zero idea of what ZEAL & ARDOR was before this show, and not even listening to their 2024 album GREIF helped me identify their genre or style. Although they’re labeled by some as an Avantgarde Metal band that mixes sounds of African-American spirituals with Black Metal, once they hit the stage the task of identifying what the hell they were playing got even worse, as each song sounded completely different form the other, sometimes sounding like a Gospel band, sometimes like an Experimental Rock one, and even showing elements from Djent in their music (and you can check all that on BandCamp and on Spotify). Don’t get me wrong, Manuel Gagneux and his crew did a great job and the reaction from their fans was fantastic, but for me personally it was a weird combination of different sounds from start to finish.

When they played their heavier songs, like Feed the Machine, it felt more like a metal concert, but then there were some weird songs like Devil Is Fine in their setlist that were a bit boring in the end. One thing that worked really well onstage was the presence of backing vocalists Denis Wagner and Marc Obrist, who not only added depth to all songs, but the fact they kept dancing, headbanging and interacting with the crowd the whole time inspired the band’s most diehard fans to jump up and down and scream even louder. As I said, it was a phenomenal concert for fans of the band, but for me Gaerea stole the night with their much heavier and sinister performance. Well, I’m a Black Metal enthusiast, so maybe my opinion shouldn’t count, right? Anyway, I wouldn’t mind seeing Zeal & Ardor again live as those guys are excellent musicians, mainly bassist Lukas Kurmann who’s indeed a metallic beast, and you should give them a try too as their uncompromised blend of styles might be exactly what you’re looking for if you’re thinking about exploring new lands in music.

Setlist
the Bird, the Lion and the Wildkin
Wake of a Nation
Götterdämmerung
Ship on Fire
Erase
Gravedigger’s Chant
Tuskegee
Blood in the River
Kilonova
Run
Golden Liar
Sugarcoat
Death to the Holy
to my ilk
Feed the Machine
Devil Is Fine
Trust No One
I Caught You
Clawing out

Band members
Manuel Gagneux – lead vocals, guitars, keyboards, synthesizer, programming
Tiziano Volante – rhythm guitar, lead guitar
Lukas Kurmann – bass
Marco Von Allmen – drums
Denis Wagner – backing vocals
Marc Obrist – backing vocals

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Album Review – Decompose To Ashes / Pod Plameny Severu (2024)

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This sinister Czech entity returns with a crushing collection of songs of pure Black Metal magic under the flames of the north.

Shortly after the releases of their debut EP In The Eternal Silence and their 2024 EP Until the Darkness Comes Again, Děčín, Czechia’s own Black Metal/Ambient horde Decompose To Ashes returns with their 90’s Black Metal-inspired sounds in their first full-length opus, entitled Pod Plameny Severu, which translates from Czech as “under the flames of the north”. Now comprised of Honza Kapák on vocals, Wlad on guitars and bass, Leviathan on drums, and Silenthell on timpani, the band continues to blast their dirty sounds, raw production and 90’s vibe, with an ambient instrumental atmosphere being woven into their music inspired by gloomy burial subject matter, resulting in a crushing collection of songs of pure Black Metal magic.

Bouře plamenů means “flamestorm” in Czech, that’s the exact sound you’ll get in this phantasmagorical intro before the band demolishes our souls in Slyš jak umírám (“hear me die”), a grim and dark display of classic Black Metal where Wlad fires old school riffs accompanied by the visceral blast beats by Leviathan, resulting in an absolutely demonic composition by the quartet. Then once again Leviathan takes the lead in Brána z popela (“gate of ashes”), exhaling pure evil in the form of music boosted by the venomous gnarling by Honza, followed by Tma, or “darkness”, and the name of the song says it all as it’s a no shenanigans, in-your-face Black Metal attack showcasing the always piercing riffage by Wlad.

There’s no hope in sight to the sound of Z nicoty a prachu, or “from nothingness and dust”, once again bringing forward the blasting drums by Leviathan supported by the low-tuned, unstoppable bass by Wlad; and  they show their deep passion for Black Metal and all things dark in Za mostem z lebek (“beyond the bridge of skulls”), another slab of brutality, evil and rage led the the visceral riffs by Wlad, morphing into the atmospheric interlude Nářek nevinných (“lament of the innocent”), overflowing melancholy and obscurity before we’re treated to Krystalická řeka, or “crystal river”, where Honza sounds even more malignant on vocals, haunting our souls while Leviathan doesn’t stop smashing his drums, offering our avid ears more of their Black Metal magic sounds. And lastly, there’s still time for Návrat života, or “return of life”, an ambient outro that closes the album on a somber mode.

Black Metal can be an overcrowded land these days, and sometimes you need patience to find bands that truly stand out amidst the countless names out there, but let’s say Decompose To Ashes are definitely a band that knows how to differentiate themselves from the others, which is easy to notice in Pod Plameny Severu (available in full on YouTube and on Spotify, by the way). Having said that, go check what those Czech black metallers are up to on Facebook and on Instagram, and purchase a copy of their new album from their own BandCamp or from the Necroeucharist Productions’ BandCamp, keeping the “flames of the north” burning bright to the sound of one of the most interesting names of the current Czech scene.

Best moments of the album: Slyš jak umírám, Tma and Za mostem z lebek.

Worst moments of the album: Nářek nevinných.

Released in 2024 Necroeucharist Productions

Track listing
1. Bouře plamenů 0:53
2. Slyš jak umírám 5:27
3. Brána z popela 4:13
4. Tma 3:53
5. Z nicoty a prachu 4:24
6. Za mostem z lebek 5:00
7. Nářek nevinných 2:42
8. Krystalická řeka 4:00
9. Návrat života 1:09

Band members
Honza Kapák – vocals
Wlad – guitars, bass
Leviathan – drums
Silenthell – timpani

Album Review – Infernalivm / Conquering the Most High EP (2024)

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Get ready for the debut EP by a new and vile horde hailing from France, pointing to a new reign of dark Death Metal terror.

Formed in 2022 as a studio-only project by Melek Dlth Aton (Novae Militiae) on vocals and guirtars, Raph Daethorn (Merrimack, Ritualization) on bass, and Kevin Paradis (Benighted, Svart Crown) on drums, a Paris, France-based Death Metal legion that goes by the stylish name of Infernalivm spawned straight out of the French “Orthodox Satanic Death Metal Movement”, with their background lying the foundations for a Death Metal band heavily rooted in Satanism (in the vein of Deicide, Profanatica, and Incantation), but musically versed in a highly technical and complex strain of ultra-violent, abysmal, and dissonant Death Metal in the vein of Immolation, Nile, and Morbid Angel. Now it’s time for their debut EP, entitled Conquering the Most High, to see the light of day (or the dark of night), an inaugural and demonstrative twenty one-minute, four-track onslaught of inescapable dark Technical/Brutal Death Metal crafted in the sanguinary jaws of the Antichrist.

Kevin kicks off their infernal feast in the best Krisiun style in the title-track Conquering the Most High, hammering his drums like a demonic beast while Melek roars and barks deeply nonstop. In other words, it’s a beyond demolishing welcome card by those French metallers, who also show absolutely zero mercy for our putrid souls and rotten bodies, decimating us all in Temple of a Destroying Sun, with the thunderous bass by Raph adding even more energy to the blast beats by Kevin. Ashes of the Saints offers four minutes of undisputed Black and Death Metal tailored for admirers of the genre, with the harsh roars and sharp, caustic guitar by Melek inviting us all to slam into the circle pit frantically; and the last song of the EP, titled The Maze of Havoc, definitely leaves us eager for more Infernalivm, as its riffs, bass lines and blast beats are a stunning fusion of the music by Cannibal Corpse, Marduk and Krisiun.

In a nutshell, the band’s debut EP is a dissonant, bludgeoning beast seething with all the might and power of the Antichrist, a dark and violent abomination with an immensely evil and antihuman atmosphere and an infernal aura casting massive, ominous shadows across the face of European Death Metal and sending a clear message on the magnitude of things to come, pointing to a new reign of dark Death Metal terror. Furthermore, you can join them in their quest for all things dark and evil by following them on Facebook, and by purchasing their EP from their own BandCamp or from the Sentient Ruin Laboratories’ BandCamp or webstore, and I honestly can’t wait to see what’s next in the career of this promising horde hailing from France.

Best moments of the album: Conquering the Most High and Ashes of the Saints.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2024 Sentient Ruin Laboratories

Track listing
1. Conquering the Most High 5:23
2. Temple of a Destroying Sun 5:39
3. Ashes of the Saints 4:00
4. The Maze of Havoc 6:44

Band members
Melek Dlth Aton – vocals, guitars
Raph Daethorn – bass
Kevin Paradis – drums

Album Review – Thy Legion / Grand Cosmic Funeral (2024)

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One of the best bands hailing from Malta returns with their strongest album to date, a brutal and thrilling slab of Black and Death Metal.

Formed in 2004 in the city of Birkirkara, located in the Central Region in the island of Malta, Blackened Death Metal horde Thy Legion is unleashing their fourth studio effort, titled Grand Cosmic Funeral, the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2017 album World Stigmata. Recorded and produced at XIR Recording Studios, and mixed and mastered by Daniel Bezzina at RiverStone Studios, the new album by Tonio Spiteri and Mark Dimech (Martyrium) on vocals, Elton Falzon and Emanuel Portelli (Hemplifier, Animamortua, Victims of Creation) on the guitars, Kurt Dimech (Martyrium) on bass, and Clayton Cini (Animamortua) on drums will definitely strengthen the name of the band in their local scene and anywhere else where good extreme music is appreciated, representing another solid step forward in their career.

An obscure and imposing intro led by the venomous guttural by Tonio and Mark will darken the skies in the opener Black World Funeral, oozing of classic Black Metal, with Elton and Emanuel delivering caustic riffs nonstop; then putting the pedal to the metal and succumbing to the most devilish side of music the band fires the ruthless Midnight Malediction, where Clayton hammers his drums nonstop supported by the rumbling bass by Kurt. Dark Mother, the first single of the album, offers us all an enfolding fusion of Melodic Black Metal with atmospheric nuances, sounding creepy and haunting at first before exploding into more of the band’s trademark violence, whereas the melodious guitars by Elton and Emanuel kick off the also visceral Those Who Are Awake, with the band’s vocal duo bursting their lungs roaring.

The Adoration of Omega brings to our damned ears almost seven minutes of beautiful Black Metal with an atmospheric twist, with the riffs blasted by the band’s axe men piercing our souls like an arrow in pitch black darkness, not to mention Clayton once again sounds demonic behind his drums; and their second to last ode to Death and Black Metal comes in the form of From Flesh to Spirit, with both Tonio and Mark sounding like beats incarnate on vocals, adding an extra touch of insanity to the overall result. Last but not least, we face another seven minutes of blackened sounds made in Malta in Upon A Wretched Throne, starting yet again in a sinister, slow way before all hell breaks loose to the vile vociferations by Tonio and Mark, while the riffage by Elton and Emanuel reeks of evil and hatred.

Thy Legion are undoubtedly one of the top metal bands hailing from the always vibrant and interesting Maltese scene, and one of the most hardworking and focused as well, and the quality of the music found in their new album Grand Cosmic Funeral is proof of that, pointing to an even brighter future ahead of them. Hence, you can find more information about such an amazing blackened squad on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their music on Spotify or other streaming services, and grab your copy of their heavy-as-hell new album from Art Gates Records. Grand Cosmic Funeral is by far their strongest release to date, and I wouldn’t be surprised if after this album the band starts paying visits to all parts of the world to spread darkness upon us with their infernal music.

Best moments of the album: Midnight Malediction, Dark Mother and The Adoration of Omega.

Worst moments of the album: Those Who Are Awake.

Released in 2024 Art Gates Records

Track listing
1. Black World Funeral 5:59
2. Midnight Malediction 6:08
3. Dark Mother 6:34
4. Those Who Are Awake 5:10
5. The Adoration of Omega 6:40
6. From Flesh to Spirit 4:48
7. Upon A Wretched Throne 7:08

Band members
Tonio Spiteri – vocals
Mark Dimech – vocals
Elton Falzon – guitars
Emanuel Portelli – guitars
Kurt Dimech – bass
Clayton Cini – drums

Guest musician
Clint Aquilina – vocals