This German horde continues their darkened path by offering their own blend of Heavy, Black, Doom and Melodic Metal in their sophomore studio album.

Having created their own highly distinctive style by drawing on numerous influences from Heavy, Black, Doom and Melodic Metal, Gelsenkirchen, Germany’s own Post-Black Metal outfit Old Ruins is back with their sophomore full-length offering, entitled Mount Arreat (a major fictional location in the Diablo video game franchise), following up on their 2023 debut full-length album Always Heading East. Displaying a dystopian artwork by Timon Kokott, the new album by Christian Krajewski on vocals and guitars, Ersin Kara also on the guitars, Oliver Krajewski on bass, and Mike Gelnar on drums sees the band continue the darkened path which stated with their self-titled debut EP from 2020, sounding tighter, heavier and more dynamic than ever.

The strident guitars by Christian and Ersin ignite the band’s dark and heavy feast in Once There Was Light, with Christian’s deep vociferations sounding haunting yet captivating, followed by Gates Of Harrogath, even heavier and more dynamic, offering a wild fusion of Melodic Death and Doom Metal led by Mike’s thunderous beats and fills, always supported by Oliver’s rumbling bass. Call To Arms is a more cadenced and sluggish tune, with its Sludge Metal elements adding a visceral vibe to their core sound before their classic Heavy Metal vein pulses through their dual guitar attack; and a serene intro morphs into another massive metal onrush by the quartet titled Uileloscadh Mor, with the guitars by Christian and Ersin once again cutting our flesh mercilessly.

Nihlathak flirts with old school Black Metal, hence its dirtier, rawer and more aggressive sound, while Mike dictates the song’s pace with his spot-on beats and fills, whereas Mount Arreat, the song that carries the name of the album, is just as grandiose as the location that inspired it, offering a solid fusion of Death and Doom Metal with the epicness of Heavy Metal. Then we’re treated to Lord Of Destruction, the heaviest and darkest of all songs, where Mike’s drums sound immense while Christian roars like a demonic creature until the song’s very last second; and they conclude the album with an overdose of epicness and rage in the form of Tyrael’s Despair, with their guitars once again breathing fire.

In a nutshell, Old Ruins offer in the excellent Mount Arreat their unique blend of melodic, catchy and gripping Black and Death Metal for fans of In Flames, Children Of Bodom, Arch Enemy, and Tribulation, inspiring us all to join them in their darkened quest, while also fueling the band to continue fighting for extreme music in their upcoming releases. Those talented German metallers are waiting for you on Facebook and on Instagram, and don’t forget to also stream their music on Spotify and to purchase Mount Arreat from their own BandCamp or from Sick Taste Music. In other words, it’s time to climb the mount of extreme music together with Old Ruins while listening to their new album, keeping your blood running wild through your veins as you face such a demanding and exciting challenge.

Best moments of the album: Gates Of Harrogath, Uileloscadh Mor and Lord Of Destruction.

Worst moments of the album: Call To Arms.

Released in 2026 Sick Taste Music

Track listing
1. Once There Was Light 5:48
2. Gates Of Harrogath 4:52
3. Call To Arms 5:02
4. Uileloscadh Mor 7:27
5. Nihlathak 5:15
6. Mount Arreat 6:25
7. Lord Of Destruction 5:37
8. Tyrael’s Despair 6:16

Band members
Christian Krajewski – vocals, lead guitars
Ersin Kara – guitars
Oliver Krajewski – bass
Mike Gelnar – drums