Tag Archives: black metal

Album Review – Barshasketh / Antinomian Asceticism (2025)

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This Scotland-based Black Metal beast returns with their first full-length in five years, their most direct album to date evoking authentic, purple-blue visions of the late 90’s.

It’s been a long and winding road for Black Metal beast Barshasketh from their earliest days in 2007 as a solo project of KG aka Krigeist in his native Wellington, New Zealand on to his relocation to Edinburgh, Scotland and building an actual band, from breakout third album Ophidian Henosis in 2015 on to the even-mightier Barshasketh in 2019, but even amidst all the lineup shuffles and geographical distance covered, one fact has remained firm, and that’s purest Black Metal, intentionally free of genre cross-pollination, chiseled and refined with patience and persistence, which is also the case with their newborn spawn Antinomian Asceticism, their first full-length in five years. Recorded by the band’s guitarist GM at Sonorous Studio and Necromorbus Studio, mixed and mastered by Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio, and displaying a beautifully sinister artwork by Rodrigo Pereira Salvatierra (with additional illustrations and layout by Fenomeno Design), the new album by the aforementioned KG on vocals, guitars and keyboards, GM on the guitars, BB on bass, and MK on drums, vocals and keyboards is their most direct and concise record in many a year, with its melding of mysticism and might evoking authentic, purple-blue visions of the late 90’s as soundly as it stands upon palatably modern ground.

The bells tolling warn the listener of the brutal Black Metal attack that’s about to come in Radiant Aperture, with the devilish vocals by KG sounding truly haunting and evil; and KG and GM sound ruthless with their piercing, caustic Black Metal riffage in Nitimur in Vetitum, supported by the rumbling bass by BB. Lebenswelt Below is a Blackened Doom extravaganza where MK hammers his drums in absolute darkness, exploding into sheer savagery made in the pits of the underworld, whereas they continue to evoke the fires of the netherworld in Charnel Quietism, a classic Black Metal feast where KG once again vociferates like a demonic entity.

Phaneron Engulf is another song with a beyond sinister start, darkening our minds and hearts to the minimalist guitar lines by KG and GM, but the fact it’s an instrumental piece takes away a bit of its strength; followed by the title-track Antinomian Asceticism, keeping the album’s overall vibe grim and vile with MK’s sluggish, visceral beats inspiring us all to headbang in the name of evil. And the album ends with the fulminating Black Metal aria Exultation of Ceaseless Defiance, again presenting the band’s trademark riffs, beats and the always infernal gnarls by KG.

Torches ablaze, hearts enflamed. Eternal strife is the fuel. Barshasketh, which by the way derives from the Hebrew term Be’er Shachat, roughly translating as “pit of corruption”, are on absolute fire throughout their entire new album, proving that the five-year wait for new material from such an amazing horde was absolutely worth it. You can get more information about them on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their music on Spotify or on Apple Music, and of course purchase a copy of the caustic Antinomian Asceticism from BandCamp or from the W.T.C.Productions webstore, fueling the band’s Black Metal machine to keep roaring in the name of pure darkness and evil for all eternity from the bottomless pit with more amazing albums like their demented new offering.

Best moments of the album: Radiant Aperture, Lebenswelt Below and Antinomian Asceticism.

Worst moments of the album: Phaneron Engulf.

Released in 2025 W.T.C.Productions

Track listing
1. Radiant Aperture 6:47
2. Nitimur in Vetitum 5:46
3. Lebenswelt Below 6:48
4. Charnel Quietism 7:14
5. Phaneron Engulf 4:21
6. Antinomian Asceticism 7:26
7. Exultation of Ceaseless Defiance 5:08

Band members
KG – vocals, guitars, keyboards
GM – guitars
BB – bass
MK – drums, vocals, keyboards

Album Review – Lord Agheros / Anhedonia (2025)

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One of the leading Atmospheric and Avantgarde Black Metal names in Italy returns with its cinematic, emotional and dramatic seventh studio album.

One of the leading Atmospheric and Avantgarde Black Metal names in Italy, Catania, Sicily-based entity Lord Agheros takes us into a musically extreme world that mixes Nordic-style Black Metal with ancient and melancholic atmospheres linked to symphonic and ambient elements in its newborn spawn Anhedonia, the seventh studio album in its brilliant career. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Lord Agheros at Molon Labe Studio, with graphic project and layout by Federico De Luca, the new album by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Gerassimos Evangelou offers a beautiful slab of what he likes to call “Atmospheric Emotional Black Metal”, bringing forward the cinematic essence of Ulver, the Avantgardism of Ihshan, the strength of Wolves In The Throne Room, the Mediterranean touch of Moonspell, and the dramatic elements of Empyrium.

A melancholic, soothing start evolves into a deep feast of harsh and ethereal vocalizations that lasts for over six minutes in Lament of the Lost, flowing into Harmony of Despair, which also starts in a serene manner before Gerassimos delivers devilish riffs and beats boosted by a grandiose backdrop, also presenting delicate piano notes and endless fire. Eclipse of Hope offers another enfolding dosage of his emotional version of Atmospheric Black Metal, alternating harsh, visceral moments and delicate passages, whereas a reverberating sound will enfold you in darkness in Lost Dreams Ritual, taking too long to take off despite its interesting tribalistic vibe.

Sorrow’s Shroud is a lot heavier, more introspective and somber than its predecessors, with Gerassimos kicking some ass with both his harsh vociferations and serene, soothing instrumental passages; flowing into the beyond atmospheric Soul’s Descent into the Void, with its piano notes matching beautifully with the female vocals by a mysterious guest vocalist, also connecting with the melodic track Tears in the Silence, where Gerassimos focuses on the ethereal sound of his acoustic guitar alongside the gentle sound of the piano, and ending with the Avantgarde Metal feast named Ancient Echoes, with all vocalizations and ambient elements putting a pensive conclusion to the album.

In a nutshell, Anhedonia is a sort of musical journey between esoteric and oriental sounds, Ambient-wave elements and references to Nordic musical traditions, but without losing the identity of the project made by the beauty of the atmospheres that blend inextricably with the sonic extremism of Black Metal. Hence, don’t forget to follow Gerassimos and his Lord Agheros on Facebook and on Instagram, to stream his music on Spotify, and of course to buy a copy of his striking new album from BandCamp or from My Kingdom Music’s BandCamp or webstore. As it is for years now, always expect the unexpected. Because this was, is, and will always be the main path of Lord Agheros.

Best moments of the album: Harmony of Despair, Sorrow’s Shroud and Soul’s Descent into the Void.

Worst moments of the album: Lost Dreams Ritual.

Released in 2025 My Kingdom Music

Track listing
1. Lament of the Lost 6:30
2. Harmony of Despair 3:46
3. Eclipse of Hope 4:34
4. Lost Dreams Ritual 5:02
5. Sorrow’s Shroud 5:50
6. Soul’s Descent into the Void 4:44
7. Tears in the Silence 5:12
8. Ancient Echoes 4:13

Band members
Gerassimos Evangelou – vocals, all instruments

Metal Chick of the Month – Laura Nardelli

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From lucidity into darkness…

Another year begins, another badass bassist arrives at The Headbanging Moose to kick your goddamn ass mercilessly! A true she-demon who masters the dark arts of Black, Death and Doom Metal, she’s not only a beast armed with her bass, but she’s also a guitarist, a tattoo artist, a body artist and an illustrator with a massive portfolio. Her name is Laura Nardelli, also known as Aura Negativa or Daphoene, the bassist for Italian Black/Death Metal horde Askesis, who’s also part of the bands Bottomless, and who was also involved in a very interesting project named Ponte del Diavolo under the moniker Laurus. Oh Yeah, Laura is an unstoppable force of extreme music, and you’re certainly going to be mesmerized by her undeniable talent both as a musician and as an artist, darkening our hearts in the best way imaginable.

Born on January 25, 1993 in Italy, which means our humble tribute to her contributions to the world of heavy music will also be our birthday gift to her, Laura seems to be quite reserved in terms of her personal life, letting her music and her art speak on her behalf. There aren’t any interviews with her available anywhere, which makes it difficult to talk about her origins, her idols and influences, and even her opinion in non-music or arts subjects, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t deserve to be feature on The Headbanging Moose; quite the contrary, it will be a true pleasure reviewing her amazing career so far, starting with her main band, the sulfurous Askesis.

Forged in the fires of Venice in 2013, the ruthless entity Askesis, or ἄσκησις, meaning “ascetism” or “self-discipline” in Ancient Greek, has been blasting a beyond caustic mix of Black and Death Metal in their sound, delivering a listening experience that is raw and violent while simultaneously captivating and hypnotic. Since the band’s genesis, the core lineup has featured Laura Nardelli on bass (as well as on the guitars from 2018 to 2022) and Samuele Scalise on drums, who have been joined by vocalist Nico Fabbri and guitarists Gregorio Di Angilla and Juri Vatova in 2022. Their songs are linked by an existentialist theme that takes up concepts from Ancient Greek myths, projecting them into today’s world. The band invites the listeners to confront their own fears, contradictions, and desires, encouraging introspection and contemplation on the complexities of existence.

Under the moniker of Aura Negativa, Laura has released with Askesis the EP The Path to Absence, in 2016, followed by a 2018 demo titled Black Ontology, and more recently their 2023 debut full-length opus Beyond the Fate of Death, this one in particular drawing inspiration from The Myth Of Sisyphys by Albert Camus to express their personal visions of our “non-existence”, plus a split with Italian Black Metal band Nox Interitus titled Wrecks from Cosmos (which you can listen in full HERE and HERE), released in 2016.

As aforementioned, the band’s name, meaning “asceticism” from Ancient Greek, is “man’s horror of the being of which his own phenomenon is an expression, of the will to live, of the core and essence of a world recognized as full of pain,” and you can experience all that in their music by streaming or purchasing their albums on BandCamp and on Spotify, plus you can also enjoy some live footage of the band like this full show at Summer Metal Festival in Codroipo, Italy, in 2019, or simply click HERE for all things Askesis, letting their blackened sounds penetrate deep inside your psyche.

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Laura is also the bassist for two other amazing bands, Bottomless and Restos Humanos. Bottomless are an Italian Doom Metal band hailing from Treviso, Veneto and Bologna, Emilia-Romagna formed in 2016 by drummer David Lucido, vocalist and guitarist Giorgio Trombino, and bassist Sara Bianchin, with Sara being replaced by Laura in 2023. The band already had two albums released when Laura joined them, but in 2024 they released a split named Graveyard Thunder together with Brazilian Doom Metal band Witching Altar, with each band recording three songs for the split, and you can enjoy all six songs on BandCamp and on Spotify, with the songs by Bottomless being titled Burning of the Vampire, Lightning in the Realms of Death, and Shadows Call. If the music by Bottomless is dark and sluggish, Italian/Colombian act Restos Humanos play a visceral fusion of Death Metal and Grindcore, and while Laura was part of the band in the mid-2010’s (replacing Sara Bianchin as their bass player on stage in a few concerts) they recorded the live album Grindin’ the Garage, in 2016, available in full on BandCamp.

Apart from those, you can also find her contributions to a phenomenal Italian Blackened Doom Metal band named Ponte del Diavolo, which means means “devil’s bridge” in Italian, formed in the winter of 2020 in a jam involving members of Feralia, Inchiuvatu, Abjura and Askesis. Laura, who went by the monicker of Laurus during her period with the band from 2020 until 2024, played bass in three of their EPs, those being Mystery of Mystery (2020), Sancta Menstruis (2022), and Ave Scintilla! (2022), and in their 2024 full-length album Fire Blades from the Tomb. You can enjoy all of those albums on Spotify or any other streaming service, as well as the official videos for the songs Demone, Covenant and Nocturnal Veil.

As aforementioned, Laura is also an accomplished dark and esoteric tattoo and body artist, specializing in black work, dotwork, linework, medievale, sketchy, and hatching, working at Iguana Tattoo, while she’s also responsible for several artworks for different metal bands out there, always under her darkly beautiful nickname Aura Negativa. For instance, she took care of the artwork for the 2016 EP The Path to Absence, by her band Askesis; of the artwork for the 2024 single Moth to a Flame, by Italian Symphonic/Melodic Death Metal band Bloody Unicorn; of the artworks and logos of all her releases with Ponte del Diavolo, those being Mystery of Mystery, Sancta Menstruis, Ave Scintilla! and Fire Blades from the Tomb; or the artwork for the 2020 album Necrofagia, by Italian Avantgarde Black Metal band Prometeus; of the artwork for the 2020 single The Hanged Ballad and the 2021 EP Dark Italian Art, by Italian Progressive Black/Heavy Metal horde Selvans; and last but certainly not least, of the design for the 2023 album Helvegr, by Norwegian Black Metal masters Tsjuder. She’s indeed a determined, inexorable she-wolf of heavy music as you can see, and I honestly can’t wait to witness the next steps in her already solid and vibrant career both as a musician and as an artist.

Laura Nardelli’s Official Facebook page
Laura Nardelli (Tattoo & Graphic Artist)’s Official Facebook page
Laura Nardelli (Tattoo & Body Artist)’s Official Instagram
Laura Nardelli (Artworks)’s Official Instagram
Askesis’ Official Facebook page
Askesis’ Official Instagram

The Year In Review – Top 10 Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Albums of 2024

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“Fans still compare me to Bruce Dickinson. I have people coming up to me and saying, Don’t you know that could’ve been you? And I tell them, That was me! I just didn’t want it..” – Paul Di’Anno

It’s hard to put into words the loss of our beloved Paul Andrews (17 May 1958 – 21 October 2024), better known by his stage name Paul Di’Anno, one of the most iconic musicians in the history of heavy music, helping Iron Maiden be what they’re today by giving that edgier vibe to the albums Iron Maiden and Killers, therefore influencing all future generations of musicians not only in Heavy Metal, but also in Punk Rock and Rock N’ Roll. He was a legend and will be sorely missed by anyone who loves good music. There’s not much we can do at The Headbanging Moose to honor his life and work, but we’ll keep celebrating heavy music in his name for as long as we can. I wish he could have played one final show in Toronto so Keith Ibbitson of Metal Paparazzi and I could have registered such a unique moment in the city, but unfortunately time is not always in our favor. Anyway, it might be a very sad year to the metal community worldwide with an irreplaceable loss like that, but heavy music lives on, and that’s why here we have once again The Headbanging Moose’s Top 10 Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Albums of 2024, excluding EP’s, best of’s and live albums, to keep the spirit alive and keep raising our horns to countless metal musicians like our great Paul Di’Anno.

1. Judas Priest – Invincible Shield (REVIEW)
Nothing can stand in the way of the Metal Gods as they raise the invincible shield of Heavy Metal.
Best song of the album: The Serpent and the King

2. Werewolves – Die For Us (REVIEW)
Australia’s most savage beast is back with their fifth studio opus, a lecture in Death Metal perfect for beating anyone back to life.
Best song of the album: Spittle-Flecked Rant

3. Aborted – Vault of Horrors (REVIEW)
These Death Metal and Deathcore beasts open their demonic vault of horrors to bring brutality, gore and evil to our damned souls.
Best song of the album: Death Cult

4. Necrowretch – Swords of Dajjal (REVIEW)
This French Blackened Death Metal horde returns blacker than ever with a magnificent opus dedicated to the Islamic Antichrist.
Best song of the album: Vae Victis

5. Gaerea – Coma (REVIEW)
The torchbearers of present-day Black Metal arise again, erupting with intensity, casting forth black ashes over the world.
Best song of the album: Coma

6. Blood Incantation – Absolute Elsewhere (REVIEW)
Blood Incantation offer us all two sensational compositions that are as confounding as they are engaging in their scope.
Best song of the album: The Stargate [Tablet I]

7. Benighted – Ekbom (REVIEW)
Let’s dive into the auditory abyss with this Brutal Death Metal and Grindcore entity armed with their newborn beast.
Best song of the album: Fame of the Grotesque

8. Fleshgod Apocalypse – Opera (REVIEW)
One of the torchbearers of Symphonic Death Metal worldwide returns with their strongest opus to date.
Best song of the album: I Can Never Die

9. Arhat – Secrets of Ancient Gods (REVIEW)
The newborn spawn by this Ukrainian horde will take you on a journey into the world of ancient gods and mysterious rituals.
Best song of the album: Abyss of Flame

10. Grand Magus – Sunraven (REVIEW)
Sweden’s own Heavy and Doom Metal institution is back with a new collection of battle hymns inspired by the tale of Beowulf and Grendel.
Best song of the album: Skybound

And here we have the runner-ups, completing the top 20 for the year:

11. Ecclesia – Ecclesia Militans (REVIEW)
12. The Last of Lucy – Godform (REVIEW)
13. Rotting Christ – Προ Χριστού (Pro Xristou) (REVIEW)
14. Rage – Afterlifelines (REVIEW)
15. Ingested – The Tide of Death and Fractured Dreams (REVIEW)
16. Blaze Bayley – Circle of Stone (REVIEW)
17. Striker – Ultrapower (REVIEW)
18. Kerry King – From Hell I Rise (REVIEW)
19. Accept – Humanoid (REVIEW)
20. Hiraes – Dormant (REVIEW)

In addition, as I always like to say, sometimes a band doesn’t need to release a full album to kick some ass, and that’s why we also have our Top 10 EP’s of 2024 to show that sometimes less is more, or maybe I should say, less is heavier!

1. Rifftera – Coda (REVIEW)
2. Trollwar – Tales from the Frozen Wastes (REVIEW)
3. Atavistia – Inane Ducam (REVIEW)
4. Ways. – Are We Still Alive? (REVIEW)
5. Enforced – A Leap Into The Dark (REVIEW)
6. Gutvoid – Breathing Obelisk (REVIEW)
7. Onslaught Kommand – Visions of Blood and Gore (REVIEW)
8. Golgothan Remains – Bearer of Light, Matriarch of Death (REVIEW)
9. Infernalivm – Conquering the Most High (REVIEW)
10. Dragoncorpse – Fall of House Abbarath (REVIEW)

Do you agree with our list? What are your top 10 albums of 2024? 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 2025!

In the end, there’s no Christmas-inspired song this year, nor anything festive like that, but I’ll leave you with the official video for one of the most important songs ever recorded by Iron Maiden, one with a strong punk and thrash vibe, with the one and only Paul Di’Anno on vocals. Let’s raise our horns to him forever and ever, my fellow metalheads! RIP legend!

Album Review – Misanthropia / Envy The Dead (2024)

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These Dutch Black Metal veterans are back with a concept album that conjures a dark, gritty atmosphere inspired by historical horrors like Jack The Ripper and necromancy.

For over 20 years, Nijmegen, Netherlands-based Melodic Black Metal horde Misanthropia has been carving a path through the metal scene with their unique blend of blackened fury and Death Metal aggression, and that grim path continues now in 2024 with their fifth full-length offering, entitled Envy The Dead. Engineered, mixed and mastered by Mike Wead (Mercyful Fate, King Diamond), Envy The Dead is a concept album that conjures a dark, gritty atmosphere inspired by historical horrors like Jack The Ripper and necromancy. Moving away from symphonic elements, it embraces a Progressive Death and Thrash Metal vibe with influences from Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth, Necrophobic, Mayhem, and Death, all carefully brought into being by Bram Koller on vocals and guitars, Dennis Schoenmaker also on the guitars, Pepijn Heilbron on bass, and Hugo de Waal on drums.

The cryptic, cinematic intro Envy the Dead will drag you to the world of horrors ruled by Misanthopia before they crush your soul in Malediction and Laughter, where Bram leads his horde with his austere, sulfurous gnarls supported by the violent yet intricate beats and fills by Hugo. Bram and Dennis showcase their passion for the riff in Organs, for a Fair Price, evolving into a bestial fusion of Death and Black Metal; followed by Prosperity by Cocaïne, presenting over five minutes of Melodic Black Metal for the masses spearheaded by the rumbling drums by Hugo with the help of Pepijn’s massive bass lines. And Hugo continues his path of devastation in Maze of Madness, enhancing the visceral reach of the riffage blasted by Bram and Dennis.

River Dumplings reminds me of some old school creations by Dimmu Borgir with the bands own Melodic Death and Black Metal twist, in special the harsh, piercing vociferations by Bram, whereas the quartet delivers another round of their flammable, caustic sounds in Coughing in the Coffin House, led by the classic beats by Hugo and supported by Pepijn’s devilish bass. Fade into the Abyss, the second single of the album, brings forward the band’s most aggressive side, resulting in a feast of Black and Death Metal where Bram’s vocals sound and feel truly haunting; and their last breath of obscurity and fear, entitled A Deadly Embrace, a Sinister Grace, will pierce our minds with it Melodic Black Metal vocalizations and riffs, not to mention how thrilling the drums sound and feel throughout the entire song.

The incendiary, harsh and devilish Envy The Dead is already available in full on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course you can join Misanthropia in their darkened path by purchasing your favorite version of the album by clicking HERE. Don’t forget to also follow those talented Dutch metallers on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, helping them keep the spirit of both old school and present-day Black Metal alive, therefore inspiring the band to keep moving forward in the name of extreme music for at least another 20 years.

Best moments of the album: Malediction and Laughter, Prosperity by Cocaïne and Fade into the Abyss.

Worst moments of the album: Maze of Madness.

Released in 2024 WormHoleDeath

Track listing
1. Envy the Dead 2:23
2. Malediction and Laughter 6:12
3. Organs, for a Fair Price 5:47
4. Prosperity by Cocaïne 5:37
5. Maze of Madness 6:25
6. River Dumplings 4:21
7. Coughing in the Coffin House 5:10
8. Fade into the Abyss 4:15
9. A Deadly Embrace, a Sinister Grace 0:41

Band members
Bram Koller – vocals, rhythm guitars
Dennis Schoenmaker – lead & rhythm guitars
Pepijn Heilbron – bass
Hugo de Waal – drums

Album Review – Úlfarr / Fornetes Folm / His Crown Grows From His Skull (2024)

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This uncompromising, antisocial UK horde returns from the underworld with an ode to darkness and evil, appealing to all fans of the most devilish, somber form of Black Metal.

Since their inception back in 2011 in the fires of Cumbria, England, the unrelenting Black Metal horde Úlfarr has stood for uncompromising, antisocial UK Black Metal, or under their own banner of “Cumbrian Black Metal”. Now in 2024 the band formed of Játvarðr on vocals, Dominus on the guitars, and Nosdrahcir on bass and drums is unleashing upon us their sophomore opus, titled Fornetes Folm, following up on their 2023 debut Orlegsceaft, and featuring His Crown Grows From His Skull as a bonus EP on both CD and vinyl LP formats. Mixed and mastered by Nosdrahcir, with artwork by Játvaðr, cover border designs and details by Heortlufu Symbolism, and photo border designs and details by Arabella Cartwright (Voiidlyrkr), the album is an ode to darkness and evil, appealing to all fans of the most devilish, somber form of Black Metal.

The trio makes sure our experience listening to Fornetes Folm is beyond disturbing, starting with the eerie, vile Alarūna, with Játvarðr’s demonic gnarls sending shivers down our spines; followed by Hildeleoma, sounding utterly sulfurous thanks to the sharp, in-your-face riffage by Dominus while Nosdrahcir crafts a thunderous atmosphere with his bass and drums. Algol (As Malice Shone Upon Northward Doors) carries a stunning name for an old school, caustic creation by Úlfarr, again disturbing our damned souls to the sound of the creature-like roars by Játvarðr, and the trio is never tired of invading our senses with pure Black Metal magic like what we get in November, spearheaded by the classic riffs by Dominus. Then Moonskin might be perhaps the strongest song of the album, a tribute to our mighty darkness where all band members exhale sulfur and hatred, in special the razor-edged, thrilling riffs by Dominus.

It’s amazing how Játvarðr can keep growling like in Glæterung without hurting his vocal cords, adding an extra layer of insanity to their already incendiary Black Metal, and they keep the flames of the underworld burning in The Cold Council of Old Shadow, a very detailed, multi-layered display of Black Metal where Nosdrahcir continues to kick some serious ass on drums. The album ends with more evil and darkness in the form of Forn-Jotr, again presenting the band’s trademark riffs, blast beats and devilish vociferations. After the end of Fornetes Folm, we’re treated to the short and sweet bonus EP His Crown Grows From His Skull, where a cryptic intro will blacken your minds before the band comes ripping one more time in Ānforlætan, as demolishing and infernal as it can be, with Nosdrahcir pounding his drums manically in the best Black Metal way imaginable. Lastly, there’s still time for two minutes of pure insanity in In Veneration of the Corpse Eaters Star, a venomous explosion of Black Metal tailored for fans of the genre.

Absolutely vile and impious, Fornetes Folm, potentialized of course by the more-than-welcome bonus EP His Crown Grows From His Skull, is a must-listen for admirers of classic Black Metal, and you can put your dirty hands on such an amazing album by purchasing it from Purity Through Fire’s official webstore, and let’s also hope they restart uploading their albums on streaming platforms because Spotify only has their 2013 split Wulfhere with Hrafnblóð. You can also get in touch with the band on Facebook, letting the caustic waves of Cumbrian Black Metal flow through your damned mind and soul, always in the name of evil, and always praising bands like Úlfarr for keeping releasing amazing music like what’s found in their newborn beast.

Best moments of the album: Hildeleoma, Moonskin and The Cold Council of Old Shadow.

Worst moments of the album: Forn-Jotr.

Released in 2024 Purity Through Fire

Track listing
Fornetes Folm
1. Alarūna 5:42
2. Hildeleoma 5:30
3. Algol (As Malice Shone Upon Northward Doors) 5:26
4. November 3:52
5. Moonskin 5:14
6. Glæterung 4:27
7. The Cold Council of Old Shadow 5:34
8. Forn-Jotr 3:59

His Crown Grows From His Skull (Bonus EP)
9. Intro 2:35
10. Ānforlætan 3:12
11. In Veneration of the Corpse Eaters Star 2:00

Band members
Játvarðr – vocals
Dominus – guitars
Nosdrahcir – bass, drums

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