Album Review – Funebrarum / Beckoning The Void of Eternal Silence (2026)

Renowned worldwide for blending traditional American Death Metal with European and Scandinavian Death Metal, this deadly ensemble will attack armed with their ruthless third album.

Formed in 1999 in Clifton, New Jersey, the unrelenting Death Metal horde Funebrarum is renowned worldwide for a dark and heavy sound that blends traditional American Death Metal with influences from the European and Scandinavian Death Metal scenes of late 80’s and early 90’s such as Bolt Thrower, Demigod, and Abhorrence. After a long (but temporary) five-year hiatus due to the pandemic, career and familial responsibilities, the band formed of vocalist Daryl Kahan, guitarists Sam Osborne and Phil Tougas, bassist Kyle Winslow, and drummer Charlie Koryn is finally back into the battlefield with their third studio album, titled Beckoning The Void of Eternal Silence, following up on their 2001 debut Beneath the Columns of Abandoned Gods, their 2009 sophomore The Sleep of Morbid Dreams, and their 2016 EP Exhumation of the Ancient. Recorded by Charles Koryn at Elektric City Recording, and mixed by Steven Di Acutis at Sound Spa Productions, the album is perfect for fans of Incantation, Tomb Mold, and Autopsy, among others, keeping the fires of classic Death Metal burning majestically.

As if it was taken from a Sci-Fi horror movie, the intro The Arrival opens the gates of the underworld for Funebrarum  to kill us all in Beckoning the Void of Eternal Silence, a lecture in Black, Death and Doom Metal showcasing an overdose of sluggish beats by Charlie while Daryl delivers deep, inhumane roars nonstop. Ša Nagba Amāru, the opening line of the standard Babylonian version of the Epic of Gilgamesh, translating from Akkadian to “he who witnessed the abyss”, is an absolute Death and Doom Metal feast blasted by the guys, whereas Through the Barren Halls of Grieving Emptiness continues their path of devastation and chaos, with Sam and Phil breathing fire through their riffs and solos. And Into Dark Domains is one of the heaviest and most doomed songs of the album, with the vocals by Andreas sounding utterly demonic.

It looks like their plan was to split the album in two acts, as we face the atmospheric interlude Ancestral Manor before all hell breaks loose in the incredibly heavy Anhela Odor Mortoruom (The Adepts), led by the massive bass and drums by Kyle and Charlie. Put differently, it can’t get any heavier than this. Then presenting a wild fusion of Death and Doom Metal we have From Rotting Burial Shrouds, with their vocals and riffs sounding primeval and intoxicating; and Kyle keeps blasting his bass without a single drop of mercy in Turning the Stones of Torment, keeping the album as incandescent as it is obscure. Last but certainly not least, they bring forward their most detailed, multi-layered and demonic composition to date, entitled The Whispering Cathedral – Epilogue, with the riffage by Sam and Phil darkening the skies in the name of extreme music until all fades into a climatic, vile finale.

After all is said and done, you’ll feel absolutely disoriented when the last notes in Beckoning The Void of Eternal Silence penetrate deep inside your rotten soul, proving how demolishing yet intricate and detailed the music by Funebrarum can be. If you want to know more about those guys, their tour dates, plans for the future and so on, you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, and don’t forget to also stream their ruthless music on Spotify and on Apple Music. Beckoning The Void of Eternal Silence can be purchased directly from their own Bandcamp, or you can also get it from the Pulverised Records’ BandCamp or webstore. But be warned Funebrarum do not fool around when it comes to crafting Death Metal. Their music is deadly, and once it hits you, get ready to be crushed into tiny pieces.

Best moments of the album: Beckoning the Void of Eternal Silence, Anhela Odor Mortoruom (The Adepts) and The Whispering Cathedral – Epilogue.

Worst moments of the album: Ancestral Manor.

Released in 2026 Pulverised Records

Track listing
1. The Arrival 1:53
2. Beckoning the Void of Eternal Silence 5:30
3. Ša Nagba Amāru 6:56
4. Through the Barren Halls of Grieving Emptiness 4:26
5. Into Dark Domains 5:48
6. Ancestral Manor 1:32
7. Anhela Odor Mortoruom (The Adepts) 5:03
8. From Rotting Burial Shrouds 3:50
9. Turning the Stones of Torment 5:28
10. The Whispering Cathedral – Epilogue 8:44

Band members
Daryl Kahan – vocals
Sam Osborne – guitars
Phil Tougas – guitars
Kyle Winslow – bass
Charlie Koryn – drums

Guest musician
Patrik Fernlund – lead guitars

Album Review – Chronic Hate / Defeating the Oblivion of Life (2026)

Let’s use the new album by this ruthless Italian Death Metal entity as our weapon to defeat the concept of death as a total cessation of consciousness and existence.

Formed in 2001 in Northeast Italy, the unrelenting Death Metal outfit known as Chronic Hate has been building a strong presence in the European metal scene, performing alongside bands such as Obituary, Suffocation, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Pungent Stench, and many more, always combining many influences in the Extreme Metal genres, from the old school vibes of the early 90’s sound to the more contemporary blasting acts. Now in 2026 the band formed of Andrea on vocals, Daniele and Massimo on the guitars, Marco on bass, and Nicolas on drums strikes again with their third full-length opus, entitled Defeating the Oblivion of Life. Recorded by Daniele Tollon at Black Swamp Studio (vocals, guitars an bass) and by Ivan Moni Bidin at Artesonika Studio (drums), reamped, mixed and mastered by Greg Chandler at Priory Recording Studios, and adorned by a sinister artwork by Colin Marks of Rain Song Design, the album inaugurates a new, significant chapter for Chronic Hate, railing against a generational void through crude and direct lyrics, alternated with more intimate, lacerating and personal passages, resulting in undeniable emotional power and authenticity.

It’s pedal to the metal in the inhumane, demonic The Wrong, led by the ferocious beats and fills by Nicolas in a lesson in Black and Death Metal. With such a cool name it was obvious we were going to be pulverized by the band in Blastphemy, where Daniele and Massimo deliver pure Death Metal madness from their Immolation-inspired riffs, whereas a sinister intro quickly explodes into absolute chaos in Mass Distraction Program, with Andrea roaring and barking nonstop in the name of putrid, vile and grim extreme music. Let’s all feel the power of the riff in Regurgitated Brains before we have our faces melted by the band’s ruthless sounds led by Nicolas’ demonic beats and fills; and there’s no sign of the quintet slowing down at all in Despair… in Sorrow, with the bludgeoning kitchen by Marco and Nicolas bringing thunder to their sound.

Subjugated Minds sounds as metallic and heavy as it can be, with the guitars by Daniele and Massimo exhaling absolute aggression and fury, therefore living up to the legacy of 90’s Death Metal, while Born to Appear kicks off in an ominous manner before the boys pulverize us all with their multi-layered wall of Death Metal, spearheaded by another slab of the monstrous vocals by Andrea. The breathtaking Handcuffed invites us all to dive deep into a ferocious mosh pit, with their dark and deep vocals and riffs embracing us all in pitch black obscurity, and finally, we’re treated to the song that carries the name of the band, the crushing Chronic Hate, where Andrea’s guttural is boosted by another demented performance by Nicolas on drums.

The guys from Chronic Hate are definitely not fooling around when it comes to crafting deadly and visceral heavy music, and as you listen to each and every track from Defeating the Oblivion of Life you’ll feel all their rage, violence and passion for the extreme flowing through your veins. Those talented Italians are waiting for you with news, tour dates and more of their music on Facebook and on Instagram, and don’t forget to also stream their wicked music on Spotify, and to purchase their pulverizing new album from their own BandCamp or from Time To Kill Records. Defeating the concept of death as a total cessation of consciousness and existence, a “deep, dreamless sleep” without a post-mortem afterlife, can only be achieved with a lot of noise, and only first-class Death Metal like what Chronic Hate have to offer us in their new album can help us with such a difficult task.

Best moments of the album: The Wrong, Regurgitated Brains and Handcuffed.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Time To Kill Records

Track listing
1. The Wrong 3:35
2. Blastphemy 3:20
3. Mass Distraction Program 3:05
4. Regurgitated Brains 2:45
5. Despair… in Sorrow 9:45
6. Subjugated Minds 4:31
7. Born to Appear 4:02
8. Handcuffed 3:31
9. Chronic Hate 5:04

Band members
Andrea – vocals
Daniele – guitars, backing vocals
Massimo – guitars
Marco – bass
Nicolas – drums

Album Review – Deus Sabaoth / Distortion of Lies (2026)

This Ukrainian Black Metal horde returns in full force with their sophomore offering, tracing the quiet seduction of belief and exposing how easily comfort becomes deception.

“In this cold-lit sermon where redemption and obedience blur, and devotion feels less demanded than desired, the thrill lies not in force, but in the willing surrender to something feared, and thus revered.” – Deus Sabaoth

After the successful release of their 2025 debut Cycle of Death, the unrelenting Ukrainian Melodic Black Metal horde Deus Sabaoth wasted no time and continues to spread their dark music across the four corners of the earth with their sophomore opus, entitled Distortion of Lies. Exploring controversial themes such as religious criticism, existentialism, nihilism, and solitude, the new album by N-Exul on vocals, Alyona Neith on bass, piano, music composition and lyrics, and Ercld  on drums, with the support of session musicians Anton Vorozhtsov on the guitars and Sofia Konstantynova on the violin, plus drum recording and partial composition by Dmytro Kim, drifts through the fragile architectures we build to protect ourselves from reality. It traces the quiet seduction of belief – whether wrapped in sacred language or stitched together from desperate hope – and exposes how easily comfort becomes deception.

The pulverizing opening track Worship starts in an epic manner before exploding into absolute Black Metal chaos where Ercld’s drums boost N-Exul’s vocals to a whole new level, kicking off the album on a sulfurous and demented note for the delight of all admirers of the darkest of arts. Then Alyona’s melancholic piano kicks off the title-track Distortion of Lies, a grim composition where the guitar by Anton exhales obscurity, proving why he was chosen by the band to be responsible for the album’s riffs and solos. After that, Alyona and guest Sofia Konstantynova embellish the airwaves with their respective piano and violin in Last Gleam, where Black Metal clashes in absolute darkness with the Stygian sounds of Doom Metal.

The scorching Imperishable Script is another song where Alyone steals the spotlight with her devilish piano, with all caustic Black Metal riffs and bass blasted by the band crushing our damned souls mercilessly. And in Tree of Knowledge the vile N-Exul declaims the song’s scathing words like a demonic entity, accompanied by the demented drumming by Ercld. For There Will Be Dawn offers us all a good display of Epic Black Metal, albeit not as dynamic nor detailed as the rest of the album, whereas their black mass comes to an end with Anton, Alyona and Ercld crafting a visceral and piercing sonority in Wooden Box, while N-Exul growls nonstop with tons of anguish and hatred in his heart.

“And beyond the longest night, there will be a dawn, when every distortion fades, leaving nothing but what was real all along,” cryptically commented the band about their newborn beast, and if you want to follow those Ukranian black metallers into oblivion you can find them on Facebook and Instagram, stream their previous album and very soon their new one on Spotify or any other platform, and above all that, grab a copy of Distortion of Lies from their own BandCamp, or from Paragon Records. Cold, blasphemous and grim, Distortion of Lies will keep the fires of Ukranian metal burning bright, inspiring Deus Sabaoth to keep delivering their blend of blasphemy and darkness for the delight of us all, mere mortals, for many years to come.

Best moments of the album: Worship, Imperishable Script and Tree of Knowledge.

Worst moments of the album: For There Will Be Dawn.

Released in 2026 Paragon Records

Track listing
1. Worship 5:13
2. Distortion of Lies 4:24
3. Last Gleam 4:33
4. Imperishable Script 6:12
5. Tree of Knowledge 5:25
6. For There Will Be Dawn 4:34
7. Wooden Box 4:40

Band members
N-Exul – vocals
Alyona Neith – bass, piano
Ercld  – drums

Guest musicians
Anton Vorozhtsov – guitars (session)
Sofia Konstantynova – violin (session)

Album Review – Hecate Enthroned / The Corpse of a Titan, a Lament Long Buried (2026)

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

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

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

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

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

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

Worst moments of the album: Pwca.

Released in 2026 M-Theory Audio

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

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

Album Review – Serpent Lord / The Once Forgotten Ways of Old (2026)

The Year of the Snake is upon us, and the mighty Serpent Lord will teach us the once forgotten ways of the old through the music found in his majestic debut album.

Originally written in 2005, shelved, rebirthed and reimagined in the Year of the Snake, the excellent The Once Forgotten Ways of Old, the debut offering by Battle Ground, Washington-based solitary Pagan Black Metal vessel Serpent Lord, forged in 2003 by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Jake Superchi (UADA, Ceremonial Castings), but laid dormant for 20 years, stands as a triumphant and immersive work – melodic, fierce, and steeped in ritualistic energy. Recorded at Obsidian Spells, mixed and engineered by Jake Superchi himself, mastered by Arthur Rizk, and displaying a mythical and arcane artwork by Kris Verwimp, the album offers expansive riffing, evocative passages, and a dynamic interplay between harsh and atmospheric elements, both timeless and fully awakened, while at the same time preserving every note of its primordial conception.

Jake kicks off his Stygian ceremony with the massive, multi-layered hymn Aries Ram, where his trademark enraged roars walk hand in hand with his scorching riffs and blast beats in a lecture in Melodic Black Metal, followed by Constrictor, a more direct Black Metal tune in the vein of the old ones like Venom and Mayhem, with Jake once again crafting a beyond cryptic atmosphere with his flammable riffs and serpent-like vocals. And his raging guitar transpires obscurity in the intense title-track The Once Forgotten Ways of Old, offering moments of pure heaviness and ritualistic doom intertwined with his classic Black Metal madness. Then we face Enter Serpentagram, presenting elements from the mighty UADA (for obvious reasons) but still sounding unique, as well as another killer job done by Jake on vocals, guitars and drums, flowing majestically until its venomous finale; whereas A Pagan’s Spell is as tribal and grim as it can be, inviting us all for another black mass led by the indomitable Serpent Lord, with Jake once again extracting those scathing riffs we all love so much. Lastly, he offers us all Forever on the Grounds of Battle, the perfect fusion of Black, Folk and Pagan Metal, with its main riff inspiring us all to raise our horns and worship the mighty Serpent Lord. Needless to say, the album couldn’t have ended in a more epic, climatic and somber way.

Channeling the spirit of 90’s Pagan Black Metal, Serpent Lord emerges from decades of silence with a work that fulfills the promise of its early recordings. It’s an album shaped by time, and driven by an uncompromising vision of Black Metal. If you want to put your hands on such a unique and evocative album, you can purchase it from the project’s own BandCamp (worldwide), as well as from Eisenwald Records (Europe and UK) or from Obsidian Spells (North America). In other words, the Year of the Snake is upon us, and the imposing Serpent Lord will teach us the once forgotten ways of the old through the music found in his majestic debut album.

Best moments of the album: Aries Ram, Enter Serpentagram and Forever on the Grounds of Battle.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Eisenwald Records

Track listing
1. Aries Ram 8:35
2. Constrictor 3:09
3. The Once Forgotten Ways of Old 8:36
4. Enter Serpentagram 4:58
5. A Pagan’s Spell 5:27
6. Forever on the Grounds of Battle 8:09

Band members
Jake Superchi – vocals, all instruments

Album Review – Torchia / They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness (2026)

Behold the new opus by this unrelenting Finnish melodeath entity, bringing the band’s storytelling to life through vivid tales of horror, superstition, and doom.

Formed back in 2010 in Tampere, Finland, Torchia have steadily carved out a distinctive identity within the Extreme Metal scene by blending thrash-infused Melodic Death Metal with dark fantasy, gothic horror, and cinematic atmospheres. Produced by Janne Saksa and Villemorte, mixed by Janne Saksa, and mastered by Dan Swanö at Unisound, with killer artwork, illustrations and layout by Caelan Stokkermans Arts, the incendiary They Are Born Under Rules, the fourth full-length opus in their career, represents a defining chapter in the artistic journey by frontman Nox, guitarists Villemorte and Henri von Hardy, bassist Vulkan, and drummer Vincent Oscar Mill. Set against a bleak, 19th century-inspired gothic backdrop, the album brings Torchia’s storytelling to life through vivid tales of horror, superstition, and doom, uniting narrative depth with relentless musical force.​

The opening song Nekromanteion is simply cinematic and grim from the very first second, with Nox’s deep, dark vocals walking hand in hand with their striking guitar lines by Villemorte and Henri, kicking off the album with tons of sulfur, insanity and Black and Death Metal energy. The band continues their infernal path with Hellmouth, blending the demented sounds of modern heavy music with old school symphonic and dark elements, resulting in a truly headbanging feast; and Vincent ignites the band’s ruthless engine in Into Hell, pounding his drums while the guitars by Villemorte and Henri exhale rage and fury in another strong contender for their live performances. Guess what? They remain in hell for the also hard hitting melodeath tune Hellstorm, again presenting the demonic vociferations by Nox for our total delight while also displaying some wicked guitar solos.

After such a high level of fire and sulfur, the band will crush our damned skulls with the infuriated Die Amour, perfect for breaking our necks headbanging to the massive beats by Vincent, followed by The Tiamat Machine, carrying a beautiful name for an epic, thrilling creation by those uncanny metallers, offering a clash of distinct sounds that will bring excitement and fear to our hearts, all boosted by the insane roars by Nox and all background cinematic sounds. The band then lets their Thrash Metal vein arise in Black Cat, adding speed and rebelliousness to their core Melodic Death Metal sounds while the guitar work by the band’s axe duo is once again fantastic; and Vulkan and Vincent will shake the foundations of the earth with their thunderous kitchen in Stygian Waters, keeping the album as powerful and aggressive as possible. Lastly, they slow things down a bit while keeping the atmosphere as dense and epic in Sanguine Masquerade, sounding like a dark and devilish waltz led by the grim vociferations by Nox.

“With this record, we wanted to push our sound further into darker and more cinematic territory without losing the immediacy and energy that defined our earlier work,” commented the band, expanding on the album’s direction, and if you’re a fan of the music by renowned acts the likes of Behemoth, Cradle of Filth, and Children of Bodom, you should definitely check what Torchia are up to on Facebook and on Instagram, bang your head to their caustic creations on Spotify, and of course purchase They Are Born Under Rules of the Darkness from BandCamp or from Rockshots Records as a CD or an LP. We’re living truly dark times, and although the music from Torchia’s new album is inspired by the 19th century, it’s beyond perfect for the chaotic state of our world.

Best moments of the album: Into Hell, The Tiamat Machine and Stygian Waters.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Rockshots Records

Track listing
1. Nekromanteion 4:23
2. Hellmouth 4:08
3. Into Hell 3:38
4. Hellstorm 3:55
5. Die Amour 4:12
6. The Tiamat Machine 5:39
7. Black Cat 3:19
8. Stygian Waters 4:05
9. Sanguine Masquerade 4:46

Band members
Nox – vocals
Villemorte – lead guitars, vocals
Henri von Hardy – guitars
Vulkan – bass, backing vocals
Vincent Oscar Mill – drums

Album Review – Malebeste / Monestherou (2026)

A new Black Metal entity arises from the pits of France with their scorching debut, deeply rooted in their land and history, exploring themes inspired by the legends of Charente, Vendée, and surrounding regions.

Formed in 2024 in the small town of Angoulême, located in Western France, Malebeste are a five-piece Black Metal band deeply rooted in their land and history, exploring themes inspired by the legends of Charente, Vendée, and surrounding regions, while drawing inspiration from both the French and Swedish Black Metal scenes. Recorded and mixed by Bastien Cabirol at Akroma Studio, and mastered by French musician Septev (of bands like Hrad, Outland Hill and Stellar Forest), Monestherou is the striking debut by such a promising horde, offering a blend of melodic and powerful Black Metal driven by sharp riffs and percussive drumming with galloping and varied patterns, while its lyrics, all in French, are carried by atmospheres that are by turns dark and luminous, blending medieval and modern sounds.

Crafted by guest musician Septev, Aigre Vinasse et Chaude Populace, or “sour wine and a hot-tempered populace,” is an eerie intro to the band’s venomous realm in Hautefaye 1870 (inspired by a criminal incident that took place on August 16, 1870, during a fair in the village of Hautefaye in the Dordogne region, France, when Alain de Monéys, a young local nobleman, was beaten, tortured and finally burned alive by the crowd), where their unstoppable riffs and Black Metal blast beats will crush your skull in a demented manner, sounding simply infernal from start to finish. Their Black Metal attack goes on in full force in Chasse Gallery, with their devilish vociferations matching perfectly with all background Stygian sounds; whereas Palefroi du Diable, or “the devil’s steed,” offers to our putrid ears six minutes of absolute darkness and doom, leaning towards pure Blackened Doom Metal without forgetting their core ferocity. And Milouziena (a female spirit of fresh water) is a more direct Black Metal extravaganza by those uncanny creatures from the depths of France, with their guitars transpiring sulfur and hatred.

Such an evil horde continues to pound our heads and consume our souls mercilessly in Le Puits d’Enfer, or “hell’s well,” with its rebellious Punk Rock-infused riffage sounding stunning. The title-track Monestherou might be slower than its predecessors due to its Doom Metal vibe, but it’s still venomous and obscure, spearheaded by the demonic vocals by their devilish frontman, followed by Flamme Noir de l’Espoir, or “black flame of hope”, and such a poetic name would certainly offer us all a vicious Black Metal attack by the band, resulting in one of the most detailed songs of the album with its hammering drums sounding phenomenal. Finally, Nocturne (Medley Acoustique) could have been positioned before the previous song as an intro to it, as there’s not too much to say about this acoustic and instrumental tune.

In the end, Malebeste prove they’re among us to stay based no the high quality of the Black Metal found in their killer debut Monestherou, leaving the gates of the underworld open for another slab of sheer Black Metal magic by those talented French musicians. If you’re curious to know more about this up-and-coming extreme music ensemble from France, you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, and of course, you can show them your utmost support by purchasing a copy of their album from their own BandCamp, as well as from Antiq’s BandCamp or webstore (as a digipak or an LP). It’s always a true pleasure exploring the French Black Metal landscape, and Monestherou is an invitation for us all metalheads to dive deep into the Stygian world ruled by Malebeste within such an exciting genre.

Best moments of the album: Hautefaye 1870, Milouziena and Flamme Noir de l’Espoir.

Worst moments of the album: Nocturne (Medley Acoustique).

Released in 2026 Antiq

Track listing
1. Aigre Vinasse et Chaude Populace 1:32
2. Hautefaye 1870 5:27
3. Chasse Gallery 5:10
4. Palefroi du Diable 6:07
5. Milouziena 5:01
6. Le Puits d’Enfer 4:38
7. Monestherou 4:59
8. Flamme Noir de l’Espoir 6:02
9. Nocturne (Medley Acoustique) 3:21

Band members
*Information not available*

Guest musician
Septev – everything on “Aigre Vinasse et Chaude Populace”

Album Review – IATT / Etheric Realms of the Night (2026)

This American blackened band returns with their most immersive and conceptually daring work to date, unveiling a descent into dream consciousness.

Hailing from the pits of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Progressive/Melodic Black/Death Metal entity IATT (which stands for “I Am The Trireme,” an ancient maritime vessel, representing a shift in their musical style from their early Metalcore days) returns with their most immersive and conceptually daring work to date, entitled Etheric Realms of the Night. Mixed and mastered by Marcos Cerutti (co-founder of Black Lion Productions), the newborn spawn by Jay Briscoe on vocals and bass, Joe Cantamessa on lead guitars, Alec Pezzano on rhythm guitars and orchestral arrangements, and Paul Cole on drums and percussion is a worthy follow-up to their 2022 album Magnum Opus, unfolding as a continuous narrative that explores the fragile boundary between sleep and oblivion, consciousness and illusion, life and whatever waits beyond it, unveiling a descent into dream consciousness.

In the opening tune Drift Away the music gradually builds into a wall of Progressive Death Metal sounds led by Jay’s visceral screams, while Paul delivers an overdose of crushing beats and fills that transpire Black Metal; followed by To Lie Beneath, a nine-minute aria of darkness where the guitars by Joe and Alec breathe fire, supported by the always thunderous drums by Paul. Put differently, it’s like Opeth on steroids. Somniphobia already begins in full force, with all of its progressiveness clashing beautifully with its fury, not to mention its melodeath and dissonant riffs sounds amazing, whereas Pavor Nocturnus is one of the most Black Metal songs of the entire album, where its haunting atmosphere and intricate riffage and drums bring sheer joy to our blackened hearts. In the cryptic Quietus, the symphonic elements bring an avalanche of epicness to the overall result, with Jay once again barking and roaring nonstop, and their metallic dreams go on in Walk Amongst, another very detailed and multi-layered aria of Symphonic and Melodic Death Metal where Joe and Alec are again flawless on the guitars, before all fades into nothingness in the ethereal outro Hypnos.

With Etheric Realms of the Night, IATT venture deeper into psychological and conceptual territory, shaping a work that feels immersive, unsettling, and profoundly human, tracing the path from surrender to transformation, where dreams deepen into realms that no longer fade with morning light. Across its 48 minute runtime, the album unfolds with cinematic scope, guided by atmosphere, symbolism, and emotional momentum, and if you want to join IATT on such a unique voyage you can find those guys on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify, and of course purchase Etheric Realms of the Night from BandCamp, from their merch store, or by clicking HERE. Orchestral elements, unusual instrumentation, constantly shifting sonic landscapes, and the sense of a single story told in seven movements. That’s what IATT offer in their new album, inviting you to dream together with them while fully awake.

Best moments of the album: To Lie Beneath, Pavor Nocturnus and Walk Amongst.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Black Lion Records

Track listing
1. Drift Away 6:39
2. To Lie Beneath 9:12
3. Somniphobia 6:04
4. Pavor Nocturnus 7:23
5. Quietus 7:18
6. Walk Amongst 8:06
7. Hypnos 3:38

Band members
Jay Briscoe – vocals, bass
Joe Cantamessa – lead guitars
Alec Pezzano – rhythm guitars, orchestral arrangements
Paul Cole – drums, percussion

Guest musicians
Didier Malherbe – flute
Valček – violin

Album Review – Goholor / Locus Damnatorum (2026)

It’s time to ascend to the place of the damned with the first full-length opus by this Slovakian horde, a throwback to the late 90’s heydays of Black and Death Metal.

Arising from the depths of suffering in Slovakia in 2010 at the instigation of vocalist Anton Piovarci and guitarist and vocalist Demo, later joined by Erik Čalfa on bass and Pio on drums, Michalovce-based Blackened Death Metal horde Goholor (which in the Enochian language, a constructed language used in occult traditions, translates to “ascend”) is unleashing upon humanity their first full-length opus, titled Locus Damnatorum, a Latin phrase that translates to “place of the damned,” following up on their 2016 debut EP In Saeculis Obscuris. Mixed and mastered by Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studios, the album feels like a throwback to the late 90’s heydays of Black and Death Metal, recalling the likes of Unanimated, Necrophobic, Sacramentum, Gates of Ishtar, and Sweden’s Sacrilege, while at the same time there’s just as equally their own personality injected into their atmospheric muscle.

There’s no hope for our putrid souls as the band kicks off their infuriated attack with Demonical Redemption, where Anton’s deep guttural sound inhumane while the guitar by Demo exhales sulfur. Pio continues to crush his drums like a true beast in the Black and Death Metal aria titled Black Rising Suffering, as dark as it’s heavy and demonic, followed by Divine Blood Invocation, which carries a classic name for a vicious extreme music tune where Demo and Erik’s stringed attack will send shiver down your spine. Last Groan Devoured by Death also portrays a very poetic and evil name, starting in a serene manner before evolving into a massive beast of Blackened Death Metal with Doom Metal nuances; and Pio is once again ruthless behind his drums in Ominous Delusion, offering Anton exactly what he needs to fire his cadaverous guttural roars. They definitely know how to craft deadly song names, and in Embraced by Demons Spell not only the title is menacing, but the music is a vile display of Death Metal savagery; whereas Demo sounds demonic armed with his axe in Nihillistic Torments, adding endless rage to the band’s core blackened essence, therefore ending the album on a sulfurous, grim note.

Continuing to focus on the dark and demonic side of society, such as hypocrisy, perversion, insensitivity, and obsession with religion, those Slovakian metallers are on absolute fire from start to finish in their newborn beast Locus Damnatorum, and you can get to know more about the band, their music and tour dates on Facebook, and purchase their incandescent new album from the Personal Records’ BandCamp or webstore. In other words, it’s time to ascend to the place of the damned alongside Goholor and their new album, a thrilling blast of underground extreme music that will surely keep such a talented horde more than ready to strike again with their venomous music in the coming years.

Best moments of the album: Black Rising Suffering, Last Groan Devoured by Death and Embraced by Demons Spell.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Personal Records

Track listing
1. Demonical Redemption 5:45
2. Black Rising Suffering 5:04
3. Divine Blood Invocation 5:20
4. Last Groan Devoured by Death 8:25
5. Ominous Delusion 4:06
6. Embraced by Demons Spell 5:30
7. Nihillistic Torments 4:11

Band members
Anton Piovarci – vocals
Demo – guitars, vocals
Erik Čalfa – bass
Pio – drums

Metal Chick of the Month – Olga Kann

Tomorrow’s song will never sound again… Silence reigns in the hall of the dead…

Let’s set fire to the always vibrant month of May here on The Headbanging Moose with a multi-talented lady that lives and breathes music and arts in general. Just like Midas, it looks like everything she touches turns into gold, or maybe I should say Heavy Metal gold, as all of her bands, projects and contributions sound, look and feel phenomenal. She’s the face of the amazing extreme bands Withered Land and Monumentum Damnati, while also involved in several other musical projects, not to mention she also produces music videos, album artworks and booklets, and she plays most of the instruments used within her genres. You’ll be absolutely stunned after knowing more about Olga Kann, also known as Ольга Канн or Volha Aleksandrovna Kandziuryna, an unstoppable Belarusian artist who surely makes the world of heavy music a much better, more fun and more interesting place.

Born on April 21, 1992 in Minsk, the capital and largest city of Belarus, located on the Svislach and the now subterranean Nyamiha rivers, the beyond talented Olga creates music that is both beautiful and chilling to the listener, never following the same formula nor sticking to any specific metal or non-metal genre or subgenre. It was in the year of 2020 when Olga founded her main project, the stunning Epic/Symphonic Black/Doom Metal entity Withered Land, an original blend of extreme music styles inspired by the achievements of the Scandinavian scene, the atmosphere of Summoning’s music, folk, and a fantasy world ambiance. As the sole member of Withered Land, Olga can not only sing, but she also plays bass, keyboards, kantele, tagelharpa, and she’s also responsible for all songwriting, lyrics, artworks, designs and booklets, with only the guitars and drums being played by guest musicians in her albums.

When asked about what inspired her to start Withered Land, she said that some developments were many years old, but basically the conceptual canvas was completed in a relatively short time. “I’m a big fan of ‘depressive seasons’. Ordinary life falls asleep and archaic creativity awakens. So, one Autumn/Winter I again had an irresistible feeling that it was time to bring this project to light. Cold, lifeless gusts of wind swaying the twisted branches of trees on the devastated ground. I looked again at the devastating motives, and melodies swarmed in my head. Walking through the snow-covered, fluffy snow-white forests, epic-ness was added, and sublime feelings took me far from here in my thoughts,” commented our Queen of Snow. “This is not my first project (and not my last). But it is special to me in many ways. Here, as in no other place, the burden of choice rests solely with me. What can I say? Art is my gift and my curse. If you objectively look at the world, I live a little, I constantly create. For yourself or for others. This is my Sisyphean stone I constantly raise uphill.”

To date, Olga and her alter-ego Withered Land have unleashed upon us mere mortals two full-length albums, plus a few singles before the official album release dates. In 2021 her debut full-length offering, entitled The Endless Journey, saw the light of day (or the dark of night, whichever you prefer), with songs like Over Distant Shores embracing us all in absolute darkness. In it, a fearless but wounded warrior fights in his main battle, for his life, being on his own kind of esoteric journey on the other side of consciousness. On his way he will meet the mighty mountains, cold rocks and distant shores, but no one knowns if his spirit will be able to return to the world of the living. “I was waiting for that moment in my life when my experience, accumulated over the years, will allow me to create those arrangements, go to that production to release this material. I don’t think it’s the perfect version of that album, but it’s definitely perfect for that moment. With all its shortcomings and virtues, this is selfless love like between mother and child.”

Regarding her sophomore album, Hall of the Dead takes the listener to a world of fantasy, presenting rich, monumental arrangements reminiscent of Summoning, being neatly crafted and forming a cohesive whole. “The album was originally conceived as a concept album. I try to make all my albums, including the albums for other projects, not as a best-of collection, but as a complete work, united by a concept or a single narrative. This is a powerful source of inspiration, allowing you to experience the music and lyrics from beginning to end, making the story as honest as possible. On the other hand, this can impose certain limitations. But I think a concept, or at least a general mood, is important for an album as a format; otherwise, it would simply be a compilation album, in my opinion,” she commented. “The album’s overall concept revolves around death, about the inevitability of fate, the suffering of a wandering warrior. About the cycle of things in nature and the cyclical nature of existence. About the fate of kings and simple beggars; the hall of the dead awaits everyone.”

According to Olga, while the debut album by Withered Land featured more of a journey, a prologue of sorts, Hall of the Dead is undoubtedly a descent. Furthermore, her sophomore album also represents a much richer, more textured offering by our she-wolf, with her core Black Metal being enriched with touches of Dungeon Synth and Viking Metal, for example. “It’s very important to me to make the material not standard black metal, but to introduce various elements that will help immerse you in the story in a more engaging way. To combine new combinations, without regard for fashion or tradition. I love the atmosphere of dungeon synth, as well as the melodic/pagan feel reflected in Viking stuff. In general, an idea or concept is born first, and then the style is formed. It would be wrong to box myself in and limit my creative imagination. I follow what comes from within.”

One of the best songs in Hall of the Dead is undoubtedly All Dead, All Rotten, inspired by the work of J.R.R. Tolkien. ‘’This is the only track on this album focused on Tolkien’s worlds, specifically the history of the Dead Marshes. It shares a common theme with the other tracks: tragic deaths, desolation, and devastation. Echoes of a bitter past hang in the air as the listener slowly wanders through a hazy halo. The bitter fate of people, warriors, no matter who won the battle, the price was high, and in the end, none of it mattered. Such things should never happen again, but they always do,” commented our talented she-demon. Other amazing songs from the album are the title-track Hall of the Dead, Through the Winterhold’s Blizzard, and Dark Pale Winter, and don’t forget to check Withered Land on BandCamp and Spotify as well to enjoy all of the project’s other songs.

After the release of Hall of the Dead, fans worldwide started to ask if Olga and her Withered Land would bring the power and darkness of the studio to the stages, and everyone was extremely excited when she confirmed she already had a live lineup and was planning some shows. However, she confirmed she wouldn’t be doing any extensive or exhausting tours. “I’m quite a flighty person, and given the right amount of energy, health, and desire, I can take on many adventures. But for now, I’d like to focus on studio work, streaming, building a community around my work, playing concerts in my country, and, if possible, going to major festivals abroad.”

Olga is also involved with another amazing project, the international Melodic Doom/Death Metal act named Monumentum Damnati, a Latin phrase that roughly translates to “Monument of the Damned,” alongside the mysterious vocalist Thanatos. Olga, who goes by the moniker Abhoth in this case, takes care of all guitars, bass, keyboards and drums in Monumentum Damnati, as well as the artworks and booklet layouts, focusing on horror, philosophical themes, mythology, H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe, and more, having released with the band so far the albums In the Tomb of a Forgotten King, in 2020, when she only played bass, and From Beyond, in 2025, already taking care of the guitars, bass, drums, keyboards and kantele, not to mention she’s also responsible for the songwriting and lyrics on both albums.

In addition, she has also started to put more focus on her solo career as well, and you can already find on BandCamp and on Spotify her very first album of covers dedicated to some of the biggest names of the genre in history (played on unusual, old instruments from Northern Europe, such as the kantele, tagelharpa, and flute), titled Ethnic Black Metal vol. 1, including her personal and heartfelt rendition of the songs For All Tid by Dimmu Borgir, The Legend of the Master-Ring by Summoning, Dunkelheit by Burzum, Nostalgia by Nocturnal Depression, Sterile Nails and Thunderbowels by Silence, Expandera by Lifelover, Freezing Moon by Mayhem, and Längtar Bort Från Mitt Hjärta by Shining. “To be honest, recording covers always seemed like a wild idea to me. However, it turned out to be a fun and interesting experience, at the very least. I also managed to create unique arrangements rather than rerecording identical to the original material. I wanted to give myself a break from my own material and return with a renewed mindset. And perhaps one of the best ways to do this was to use ethnic instruments.”

Another one of her bands is Bleeding Malice, a Dark Deathcore project formed at the beginning of 2020 by Olga Kann on bass and Alex Rabets on vocals, combining elements of Hardcore, Deathcore and Metalcore while the lyrics contain social issues, philosophy and religion, and psycho-emotional experiences. To date, the duo has unleashed upon humanity the 2021 album Thy Kingdom Come, available on BandCamp and on Spotify, and you can enjoy some of their videos on YouTube including Thy Kingdom Come, Stillborn Hope, and The Last Prayer. There’s also a very cool footage of The Last Prayer live at Cerberus Fest in 2024, where you can see how badass Olga is onstage armed with her bass and vocals.

As if Withered Land, Monumentum Damnati and Bleeding Malice weren’t enough, Olga also formed another project named Cryo Depth in 2020, blending Dark Ambient with Drone, vintage horror, neoclassical, cinematic and space music, inspired by games such as Stalker, Resident Evil 4, Outlast, Clive Barker’s Undying, Amnesia, Scratches, Silent Hill, Penumbra, and Sublustrum, having released so far three full-length albums, those being Monolith (2020), The Haunted Stories (2021), and Gravedigger’s Diary: The Lurking Fear (2023), plus a few more recent singles, all available on YouTube, on BandCamp and on Spotify. If you want to check her latest singles, you can check the official videos for Witnesses Of Our Decay and Dead Whispers, both featuring Shane Beck (The Last American Poet) on vocals. But wait, as there’s more, as she’s also the mastermind behind Symphonic/Technical Death Metal band Life for Ner’zhul, having founded the project in 2025. Labeling Life for Ner’zhul as “Warcraftian Extreme Metal,” she released the debut single The Scourge Of Lordaeron in the middle of 2025, but nothing else since then. And as a guest musician, she recorded the kantele in the single Живое (Alive) together with Russian Melodic/Progressive Power Metal band Winteria. All of her bands and projects can be found by clicking HERE, and I bet we’ll see a lot more from Olga in several other interesting musical endeavors in the near future.

As already mentioned, Olga is also an accomplished and extremely creative designer and artist, having already taken care of countless artworks, booklets and even music videos for an array of very distinct bands. Just to give you an idea of how awesome she is as a designer, among some of her best works you’ll find the artworks for the 2025 album The Embracing Light of Rarohenga, by German Melodic Death Metal band Aeon of Awareness; the 2023 albums I – These Bones Became the Roots of the Forest… and II – On These Shores Where Nothing Now Stands, by British Pagan/Atmospheric Black Metal act Blencathra; the 2026 album Ablution, by American Black Metal band Elseetoss; the 2021 album Eternal, by Scottish Atmospheric Folk/Black Metal band Ruadh; and the 2022 album Memoriae, by Italian Atmospheric/Post-Black Metal act Vesperhymn, among countless others. “Creating art, videos, and booklets is my main and only job, just like music. I’ve been working towards this for a long time. I didn’t want to work a regular job, in a group setting. I’m a completely unsociable person in life, with my own work/activity/rest schedule. Some things come out more sincere, others are a little more a result of self-discipline. But each time it’s a search, a look within. Inspiration comes or doesn’t, but the main thing is the idea. You can feed it with anything, the main thing is to have a strategy and stick to it. My main inspiration is to never go back to an office job, haha. But seriously, all this art in its various forms is pieces of my puzzle that bring me together and make me who I am. This whole journey is something akin to finding and maintaining integrity, self-identity.”

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Speaking of what inspired her to begin creating music and art, her idols and influences, Olga said it’s actually hard to remember when it all started. “From a very early age, I was exposed to hard rock, glam, and art-rock; my father is a big fan of all of them. When I was about 10, I first heard Megadeth and thought they were powerful. During summer vacations, my cousin and I would wake each other up with Sepultura songs; their extreme vocals were a great way to stay awake during fishing trips or early morning hikes. We’d play them on cassette tapes. I remember with great inspiration those times when we’d rewind cassette tapes with pencils. We didn’t skip songs, listening to albums in their entirety was magical,” she commented, also having some very nice words to say about her very first major influence. “My favorite band since childhood was Iron Maiden. I loved literally everything about them: the bassist/leader, the unique lyrics, the original mascot, the memorable vocals, the three guitars, and their signature drums. It was largely thanks to this band that I wanted to start my own band. Even back then, I was drawing logos for potential projects. However, I never wanted to play heavy metal. I didn’t have any strategy.”

Then closer to finishing school she discovered Black and Death Metal, including a lot of bands from the Scandinavian scene, especially Finnish bands, as well as Melodic Death and Power Metal. “I loved the combination of keyboards, symphonic orchestrations, and heavy riffs. I loved the combination of clean male vocals and extreme sounds. I wanted to play that. My first bands were inspired by doom, the gothic scene, and some melodic death. Regarding Withered Land, the idea of ​​playing black metal came to me quite late; I’d never really wanted to write black metal specifically. A lot has changed since I heard Caladan Brood. It’s still the kind of album you could easily add to your funeral playlist. You can listen to it again and again in any mood, or when you’re not sure what you want to listen to. Of course, Summoning, Bathory, Thyrfing, Amon Amarth, Finntroll and a number of other projects inspired me with their themes and epicness.”

Not only that, Olga is also highly inspired by fictional worlds such as The Lord of The Rings, nature (especially during its “depressive seasons”), esoteric and sacred worlds, literature, video games, and films. “I am a psychologist by education. Perhaps this fact also influenced the sources of my inspiration in some way. I love hidden meanings, complex characters, their contradictions, doubts, decisions, and actions. My graduate thesis was related to the concept of death in different cultures. Many years have passed, but this topic does not leave me in my art. One of the most sacred things, like the sacrament of birth, so the sacrament of passing beyond life is the most interesting object of study,” she complemented, also saying how important nature is in her life in general. “The earth remembers everything: bloody battles, the fall of great cities, the creation of the greatest buildings, and their destruction. In a sense, the earth is time. Ruthlessly all-consuming, but invariably bestowing in return. Flowers will sprout on the remains of the fallen warrior’s bones and provide food for thirsty bees. Is this not the true poetics of metaphysics?” That also explains her openness to create something new with each project and album, experimenting with an array of styles such as Dungeon Synth, Folk and Viking Metal, Doom and Gothic Metal, and so on.

In regards to her extreme vocal technique, she mentioned that she studied extreme vocals with teachers for a while, but she was not entirely happy with the results because there aren’t many professional extreme vocal teachers, at least in her homeland, and online classes aren’t exactly convenient for her. “Now I devote a lot of time to practicing clean vocals with my coach and occasionally extreme vocals. I still have a lot to learn, but I’m making steady progress, following the goals of my projects. I don’t have a goal of becoming the best vocalist or the best bassist; I don’t dedicate much time to one thing, and I don’t do musical sports. I’m a multitasker who makes music first and foremost. I enjoy creating music, visuals, and lyrics, and singing my own lyrics is even more enjoyable than listening to someone else. In reality, anyone can learn; it’s just a matter of how much they’re willing to put in and how much they want to. I don’t want that as much as I want the joy of creating music itself, so I don’t expect any particular heights. But a highly motivated person usually learns quickly. It’s definitely not something you’re born with; it’s something you train yourself to have.”

As one of the torchbearers of Belarusian heavy music and arts in general, Olga said that unfortunately she can’t support the current state of her homeland, in special with the mood of the post-Soviet communist abyss. She also mentioned that despite the fact the metal scene in Belarus is not as big as in other countries, she still had a lot of fun and learned a lot during her early days. “In comparison with the advanced countries, our metal scene was not so developed. But the years of youth were nonetheless truly interesting. I was able to make interesting acquaintances, attend interesting events, concerts, theater performances, and all that. Being young, inexperienced, but ambitious guys, we gathered at music studios. I don’t even remember how many people I had a chance to play with in my whole life – a lot. We organized concerts, gatherings, participated in the activities of webzines. Well, it’s not something unique. But I am still grateful to any environment, whatever it may be. I know friends who have a metal scene in much worse situations. Well, in any case, I believe that it is not the place that makes the person beautiful, but the person make the place beautiful. Too many negative thoughts when I think about it.”

According to Olga, one of the biggest issues in music and arts worldwide, if not the biggest issue of all, is the overuse of AI. She said that the whole essence of art has been wiped out by the AI phenomenon, and this isn’t like when computers first appeared and people screamed that music and arts in general were finished. “I think humanity will lose its meaning completely when art can be created not only with words and prompts, but simply by the power of thought, and a special device will produce a finished product straight from the brain. Does anyone want to experience that time? A madness in which the entire essence of life and the creative process is devalued.” Furthermore, when it comes to our “classic” problems, it gets even worse. “Civilized societies continue to experience military conflicts, the global pandemic crisis has hit hard, economic sanctions and total isolation, the Cold War, genocide, the incitement of religious and gender conflicts, animal abuse, environmental disasters, social inequality… If you look deeply at the world, look into this abyss, the abyss will look back at you. I’m a pessimist by nature, and if I think too much, it’s scary. Art is one way to save ourselves from the monstrous reality around us and in the world at large,” she commented.

When asked if she’s a spiritual person, she said that can be said about her, but only in the sense that she believes in a certain Absolute, or wants to believe in it. “I do not recognize religions in the form in which they are in their pure form. I am impressed by the ideas of ancient Greek philosophy and Roman philosophy. In terms of interaction with the outside world, the ideas of Buddhism are close to me more, I suppose. From each idea, I want to take a little bit of everything, and brush aside something.” She complemented her thought with her view of our present-day society and world in general. “I would like to believe in a higher good, but every day I look around and see different things. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I tend to notice one thing and try to block unpleasant information. However, here it is difficult. This evil corrodes everything around. Yes, there is no light without darkness. Nevertheless, it seems that now the balance is upset, the world is again going in the wrong direction, and it is sad to realize this. Probably not only the vision of the beautiful, but also the terrible has driven artists from time immemorial. As they say in the dramaturgy, every performance should have a problem/conflict, otherwise the action impossible. So, I think the imperfection of the world and its perfection in separate things at the same time attracts the artist, me in particular.”

Last but not least, as you might have noticed, our metal lady of the month never stops, letting her creativity flow majestically and, therefore, continuing to grow as a musician and an artist. “In any case, the more you practice, the better you get. For someone who loves composing music and dedicates a significant part of their life to it, everything happens naturally. Regular practice is essential. I play quite a few instruments and also practice both extreme and pure vocals. It’s a lot of work, and of course, I could choose one and become a virtuoso in it, but I wouldn’t be interested in it without everything else,” she commented. “The life of a multi-instrumentalist composer is never boring.” She also strongly believes presenting a true expression of oneself through music, letting all emotions and message flow organically and with originality, will always be more important than simply following a traditional song structure. “There’s no point in doing what someone else, or even yourself, has already done. I add different stylistic elements, different themes, and change my approach to arrangements. I’m very grateful that listeners embrace this and enjoy experimenting with me.” As you can see, Olga is an unstoppable force of heavy music, always ready to stun us all with her innovative mind and approach, and may she keep melting our faces with her undisputed talent and scorching music for many years to come.

Olga Kann’s Official Facebook page
Olga Kann’s Official Instagram
Olga Kann’s Official YouTube channel
Withered Land’s Official Facebook page
Withered Land’s Official Instagram
Withered Land’s Official YouTube channel
Monumentum Damnati’s Official Facebook page

Monumentum Damnati’s Official Instagram
Monumentum Damnati’s Official YouTube channel

“My favorite band since childhood was Iron Maiden. I loved literally everything about them: the bassist/leader, the unique lyrics, the original mascot, the memorable vocals, the three guitars, and their signature drums. It was largely thanks to this band that I wanted to start my own band.” – Olga Kann