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Metal Chick of the Month – Kristien Cools

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Demon, please leave my mind… Delusional fight… Beaten, feel so traumatized… Outraged and down…

As June in the Northern Hemisphere is always splendid, our metal lady of such a warm and vibrant month also had to be a splendid one. However, you’re absolutely wrong if you think she sings about happiness and joy. Quite the contrary, she doesn’t care if it’s sunny and warm outside, delivering a Stygian blend of Atmospheric Black and Doom Metal with her band powerful enough to block the sun like a true sonic eclipse. Her name is Kristien Cools, the frontwoman for Belgian doom entity Splendidula, and you better be ready because once you enter her realm of gloomy and visceral doom, there’s no escape.

Born on September 22, 1985 in Mol, a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp, but currently residing in Temse, a municipality in East Flanders, Belgium, Kristien is not only a metal vocalist, but she’s also a digital creator and a financial assistant. Regarding her studies, she went to the Provincial Kunsthumaniora Hasselt (PIKOH), to the University of Antwerpen, and also studied Desktop Publishing at CVO Heusden-Zolder. In addition, she’s is in a relationship with Belgian musician Joachim Taminau, who’s by the way the drummer for Splendidula.

Kristien said that she already started singing from the very first moment she could, already as a young child. Even back then she said “I’m going to be a singer,” and she has stuck to that ever since. “I was in my first band when I was 17, with which I did gigs and recorded a CD. Splendidula is definitely the band where things got more serious. I actually waited a very long time before taking singing lessons, but I once read an article about a singing teacher who teaches the technique for heavier singing in a healthy way, and that piqued my interest.”

Effortlessly blending genres to create a unique and captivating sound while dealing with delicate topics such as spirituality, depression, nightmares and death, Temse, Belgium-based Atmospheric Black/Doom Metal entity Splendidula started back in 2008, but none of the founding members are part of the band anymore. As a matter of fact, the band only released their debut self-titled album in 2013, already including Kristien on vocals, but with a completely different lineup with David Vandegoor and Adriaan Paszewski on the guitars, Jo Flemings on bass, and Patrick Vanderhenst on drums. After that, already featuring Joachim Taminau on drums (as well as other band members), the band released the albums Post Mortem, in 2018, and Somnus, in 2021.

Things unfortunately took a dark turn for Splendidula in 2022 with the passing of bassist Peter Chromiak, who played with the band in the albums Post Mortem and Somnus. Both guitarists at that time, Pieter Houben and David Vandegoor, found it impossible to carry on and Kristien and Joachim had to find new band members. After guitarist Guy Van Campenhout joined the band, and with the departures of guitarist Kim Van Stichel and bassist Bart Deroissart, they released their 2026 opus Absentia, a deeply personal journey through themes of loss and remembrance, available on BandCamp and on Spotify. Furthermore, in all of their albums you’ll find really touching, grim and scathing creations such as Absentia, Echoes of Quiet Remain, Behind My Semblance, Oculus, and Drocht.

According to the band, their name is derived from “lamprohiza splendidula,” the Latin name for “firefly,” aiming to represent the mysterious and peaceful feeling that these insects express when they fly around trees or float over water at night. Sitting at the crossroads of Atmospheric Black Metal and Doom Metal, the band blends the raw intensity of Black Metal with the deep, immersive atmosphere of Doom Metal, and while classic influences are certainly present, their focus is on crafting a layered, emotional experience. The combination of visceral screams, ethereal synths, and heavy instrumentation builds an atmosphere that is both intense and hypnotic, as their music is all about emotion and immersion, drawing the listener into the darkness they create.

Kristien also had some interesting comments about the music style played by Splendidula in one of her interviews. “We actually started writing music without wanting to play a particular genre. For us, the atmosphere that a song radiates is more important than whether or not we fit into the box we’re put into. During this process, we’ve evolved to a sound with a typical Doom metal base, accompanied by different influences from Sludge, Post and Black Metal. In this way we’re not limited to the boundaries of a particular genre. We want to continue evolving and explore musical boundaries, without standing still, and of course we hope that our audience will show the willingness to grow with us.” Regarding the band’s usually bleak artworks, she mentioned that the band decided to go for a really somber, yet very meaningful style of monochromatic art, to connect further with the concept of dreaming. “Actually a part of the population dreams solely in black and white, and a lot of theories suggest that people tend to dream in black and white when they experience something traumatic. After overcoming that difficult period, colours are gradually returning. We found this connection between dreams and reality very intriguing.”

Although Splendidula is obviously Kristien’s only band, you can also find her as a guest vocalist for the song Of Winter’s Woe and Whishes Whispered, from the 2021 album Prelude to Void, and all female vocals in the 2022 album A Voidchaser’s Elegy, both by German Ambient Doom/Post-Metal act Eirð, with her delicate yet visceral vocals matching perfectly with the long composition by the band’s mastermind Andreas Georg Libera, going on for over 10, 15 and even 20 minutes. I’m sure we’ll see more special appearances from Kristien in the near future for other bands that play Black, Death, Doom, Post-Metal, or any other subgenre of extreme music, as her voice fits perfectly in any of the darkest styles in Heavy Metal.

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Within the Black Metal spectrum, Kristien said that some of her major musical influences are renowned acts the likes of Rotting Christ, Wiegedood, Austere, Hecate Enthroned, and Urfaust, among several others, saying she’s always been drawn to Atmospheric Black Metal. “There’s something about the darkness and atmosphere that truly moves me. It’s more than just music, it’s an emotional experience. Outside of metal, my ‘feel-good’ music is New Wave and EBM, as I love the melancholic yet danceable energy these styles bring. I listen to many genres, what truly matters is that the music evokes emotion,” she commented.

As the band wanted to dedicate Absentia to their deceased bassist Peter Chromiak, and as Kristien was looking for a way to express her emotions even further, that album is the one where you’ll find her most aggressive vocals, having received lots of tips on how to properly venture through the realms of screaming and guttural singing. “Personally, I like to be able to vary as much as possible, both the low and high vocals, and now with the screams added, so that people stay captivated, and for me that is interesting too, of course.” Not only that, she mentioned that the band’s creative process includes writing the music first, starting from a basic riff in the rehearsal room, and then experimenting with song structures and implementing some of their personal influences, which is when she begins crafting her vocal lines as well. “Remarkably, I usually create my vocals while driving the car. Belgian traffic jams seem to be the perfect occasion to play some rehearsal recordings and start singing along. In this way I often create melodies very instinctively, and only at the very last stage, these melodies are also accompanied by written words.”

Needless to say, Kristien loves to perform live, having already played in different Belgian cities like Antwerp, as well as outside of their homeland, and at Belgium’s second-largest metal festival, Alcatraz. Furthermore, when asked how she would determine the setlist when Splendidula is scheduled for a 30 or 40-minute slot anywhere, taking into account their songs are long and detailed (sometimes surpassing the nine-minute mark), she said that can be a bit of a puzzle, but in the end everything makes sense and the show flows really well. Also, as the band consistently uses visuals in the background, like video footage, to create the perfect atmosphere and give their concerts a more theatrical vibe, there’s always lot of work to be done by Kristien and the boys, but it’s all worth it as the audiences love every single second of their performances.

Lastly, as a Belgian citizen that’s proud of the metal scene in her homeland, Kristien recommends Antwerp’s own Doom/Death Metal band Marche Funèbre, who by the way released the amazing album After the Storm, in 2024; West Flanders-based Atmospheric Death/Black Metal act Thurisaz, who unfortunately played their last concert on December 6, 2024 in Kortrijk, Belgium, before calling it quits; and Mechelen’s own Atmospheric Sludge/Post-Metal band Pothamus, who released in 2025 the album Abur. Who knows, maybe one day we’ll see Kristien as a guest vocalist for one of these bands, or any other band from the darkest and most melancholic side of music, right? Because we need more of the voice of Kristien Cools in our rotten and decaying world, as her singing is as comforting as it’s dark and gloomy.

Kristien Cools’ Official Facebook page
Kristien Cools’ Official Instagram
Splendidula’s Official Facebook page
Splendidula’s Official Instagram
Splendidula’s Official YouTube channel

Album Review – Goreworm / Miasmic Solitude (2026)

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Meshing different Death Metal styles in a way that’s both confounding and challenging, this Canadian ensemble returns with their sophomore beast, their most evolved creation to date.

Meshing different Death Metal styles in a way that’s both confounding and challenging, throwing Technical, Melodic, and Brutal Death Metal elements into a high-speed blender, Brantford, Ontario-based ensemble Goreworm have been on a roll since their inception back in 2017, culminating now in 2026 with the release of their sophomore album Miasmic Solitude, following up on their 2020 debut Prodigy of the Grotesque. Displaying a grim, barren artwork by Leanna TenEycke, and featuring guest drummer Robin Stone (of bands like Ashen Horde, Norse and Chestcrush), the new album by Robert Miller on vocals, Jordan Estrela on the guitars, and Brent Moerschfelder on the guitars and bass is their most evolved creation to date, and it must be celebrated for its passionate and innovative take on the Technical Death Metal style.

It’s pedal to the metal from the very first notes in the infuriated Conjuring, with its background epicness elevating the band’s heaviness to a whole new level, not to mention Robin simply demolishes his drums in an ode to tech death. The following tune Monuments to Murdering brings forward a crazy fusion of Progressive and Technical Death Metal where Robert’s enraged roars match perfectly with the intricate riffs by Jordan and Brent; whereas The Enthralling Grave, the first single of the album, offers an onrush of violence and dexterity, with Robin once again hammering his drums in the name of extreme music. The band then delivers a somber, grim sonority in Orbweaver, evolving into another slab of brutal insanity spearheaded by the inhumane riffage by the band’s guitar duo, and it’s time to headbang like a maniac to the sound of Amor Vincit Omnia, a Latin phrase meaning “love conquers all,” coined by the Roman poet Virgil around 37 B.C., another solid Technical Death Metal beast crafted by the boys.

The band  goes berserk in the Death Metal extravaganza No Reprieve, with Robert barking and growling rabidly for our absolute delight in a lecture in Technical Death Metal made in Canada; while Eve of Flagellation feels a bit uninspired in the end despite its heaviness and fury, even with Robert roaring like a demonic entity nonstop. Then back to a more creative and demented sonority we face Jarrell, as infernal as it is technical, with Robin stealing the spotlight with perhaps his most demolishing performance of the entire album; whereas adding epic elements to their core savagery, the band destroys everything and everyone with Strelly, where Brent sounds ruthless with both his guitar and bass for our total delight. And lastly we have the title-track Miasmic Solitude, putting a beyond pulverizing ending to the album to the sound of the band’s undisputed screams, riffs and beats.

After all is said and done, the new offering by the unrelenting Goreworm will undoubtedly appeal to fans of the most intricate yet demolishing form of Death Metal crafted by bands the likes of Arsis, Gorod, Xenosis, Fleshbore, and Obscura, just to name a few. You can get to know more about such a talented band from Canada by following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, blow your speakers by streaming their music on Spotify, and of course grab a copy of their incendiary new album from their own BandCamp or from the Transcending Obscurity Records’ BandCamp, main store, US store or EU store. Goreworm  offer classic Death Metal, Technical Death Metal, Brutal Death Metal and more in Miasmic Solitude, and you better get ready as once their music strikes you, it will be deadly.

Best moments of the album: Monuments to Murdering, No Reprieve and Jarrell.

Worst moments of the album: Eve of Flagellation.

Released in 2026 Transcending Obscurity Records

Track listing
1 Conjuring 4:10
2 Monuments to Murdering 3:04
3 The Enthralling Grave 3:04
4 Orbweaver 4:34
5 Amor Vincit Omnia 5:02
6 No Reprieve 4:13
7 Eve of Flagellation 4:11
8 Jarrell 4:10
9 Strelly 3:29
10 Miasmic Solitude 4:09

Band members
Robert Miller – vocals
Jordan Estrela – guitars
Brent Moerschfelder – guitars, bass

Guest musician
Robin Stone – drums (session)

Album Review – Rotten Tomb / Vestiges of Tortured Souls (2026)

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One of the most compelling acts within the South American Extreme Metal scene returns with their deadly third full-length album, refining their sonic identity without sacrificing intensity or authenticity.

Formed in 2016 in Iquique, a coastal city in northern Chile, to the west of the Atacama Desert, the unrelenting Rotten Tomb have steadily risen as one of the most compelling acts within the South American Extreme Metal scene, blending Death Metal with doom-laden atmospheres and occult undertones. Following the strong impact of their 2022 debut Visions of a Dismal Fate and the equally praised 2024 sophomore The Relief of Death, the band formed of Deathbringer on vocals and guitar, C. also on the guitar, Utukku on bass, and A. Prophaner on drums returns with their most ambitious and fully realized work to date, titled Vestiges of Tortured Souls. Recorded and mixed by Pablo Clares at DM6 Recording Studio, the album sees the band refine their sonic identity without sacrificing intensity or authenticity. The riffs are sharper and more cohesive, while the melodies take on a more prominent role, painting soundscapes that feel more sorrowful and evocative than ever before, being therefore highly recommended for fans of Incantation, Paradise Lost, Krypts, and Sonne Adam.

The quartet wastes no time and begin their lecture in violence and hatred in Horror Manifestations, with the demented roars by Deathbringer walking hand in hand with the crushing drums by A. Prophaner, followed by Condemned Reality, as brutal and visceral as the opening track, with the guitars by Deathbringer and C. exhaling sulfur. Then investing an even more infuriated sonority we have Lost Memories, where the pulverizing beats and fills by A. Prophaner are nicely supported by Utukku’s evil bass, while Waiting, Dying is a lecture in 90’s Death Metal with a doomed twist, perfect for some vigorous headbanging in the name of absolute darkness. And A. Prophaner’s crushing drums kick off the infernal Mortified, living up to the legacy of classic Death Metal.

Mind of Chaos blends the obscurity and vileness of Doom Metal with their core deadly sonority, with Deathbringer making sure he doesn’t use that moniker in vain, spreading death and violence through his devilish gnarls and riffs. Here Lies Death is another song highly recommended for admirers of ultimate heaviness without forgetting the much needed melody and intricacy, with the bass by Utukku reverberating like the bellow of a creature from the abyss. They still have a lot of fuel to burn in Vestiges of Tortured Souls, and the venomous sounds from Ancestral Preservation are the perfect depiction of the band’s devotion to doom-laden Death Metal; and last but certainly not last, get ready for the mot obscure and infernal of all songs, entitled Human Pyre, putting a demonic ending to the album with the striking riffs by Deathbringer and C. cutting our flesh mercilessly.

Channeling the oppressive weight of the genre’s darkest pioneers alongside a deeply mournful and introspective atmosphere, while still maintaining a distinct and personal voice, Vestiges of Tortured Souls represents a major step forward for Rotten Tomb, solidifying their position at the forefront of Chile’s increasingly renowned Extreme Metal scene and extending their reach far beyond national borders. Those Chilean death dealers are waiting for you on Facebook and on Spotify, and don’t forget to show them your utmost support by purchasing their new album from their own BandCamp or from the Nuclear Winter Records’ BandCamp or webstore. In other words, Vestiges of Tortured Souls is not just dark and heavy. It’s a statement of the power of Chilean extreme music worldwide, further cementing Rotten Tomb’s commitment to the underground tradition.

Best moments of the album: Horror Manifestations, Waiting, Dying and Human Pyre.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Nuclear Winter Records

Track listing
1. Horror Manifestations 3:43
2. Condemned Reality 4:32
3. Lost Memories 4:46
4. Waiting, Dying 4:25
5. Mortified 3:43
6. Mind of Chaos 3:52
7. Here Lies Death 4:27
8. Ancestral Preservation 4:19
9. Human Pyre 5:04

Band members
Deathbringer – vocals, guitar
C. – guitar
Utukku – bass
A. Prophaner – drums

Album Review – Godless / Adversus Parousia (2026)

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Following a nine-year silence, witness the return of pure hostility with the new opus by this unrelenting Chilean Death Metal institution.

Formed in the distant year of 1997 in Talca, a city in central Chile’s Maule region, the iconic Death Metal outfit Godless is unleashing hell upon humanity with their sophomore full-length opus Adversus Parousia, following a nine-year silence since their last EP Omega Omnipotens, marking the return of a band whose legacy in the underground has been quietly monumental since their formation. Produced by the band itself, and mastered by Eric Brisso at Equinox Studio, the new offering by V.D.A. Irrenemidis on vocals, Gioser Nasare on the guitars and bass, and Rob A. on drums demonstrates a rigorous adherence to traditional Death Metal principles, yet its execution is anything but predictable. It’s a work that challenges both themselves and their listeners, embodying fidelity to the ethos of the genre, while also eschewing pretension for a direct confrontation with darkness and dissolution.

The trio kicks off their ruthless feast of Death Metal with Ingenitus-Ekstasis, where Rob already hammers his drums with tons of fury and dexterity while the riffs by Gioser exhale sulfur and hatred. Then the cadaverous guttural by V.D.A. Irrenemidis sets the tone in Omega Omnipotens: Hosanna in Nullificatio, an ode to the most obscure form of Death Metal, again presenting a wicked guitar work by Gioser; and they show absolute zero mercy for our putrid souls in Plaga Vobiscum (Et Cum Spiritu Tuo), with the demented beats and fills by Rob inviting us all to slam into the pit manically. And venturing through the lands of morbid, vile Doom Metal we face Pneuma-Khaos, with V.D.A. Irrenemidis once again vociferating like a demonic entity for our total delight.

After such a dark and devilish tune it’s time for the trio to crush our souls with Ekstasis-Cosmogravis, starting in a doomed way before exploding into primeval Death Metal madness; whereas Gioser sounds even more infuriated and demented armed with his axe in Numenlagneia, perfect for some wild headbanging to their scorching fusion of Death and Doom Metal. V.D.A. Irrenemidis continues to summon the dark forces of the underworld in Ultraticum Infinita Omnium in Nihilum, supported by the hammering beats and fills by Rob in another bestial creation by the trio; and the closing song of the album, titled Et Verbum Nihil Factum Est, might be the weakest of all, but that doesn’t mean it’s not grim and sulfurous, with V.D.A. Irrenemidis’ growls sounding as harsh as they can be.

Godless have always approached their work with meticulous care, and Adversus Parousia is the culmination of years of patient refinement. For those attuned to the gravest depths of the genre, the album offers a profound, immersive encounter with the essence of Death Metal at its most solemn and potent, being highly recommended for fans of Immolation, Morbid Angel, Dead Congregation, and Drawn And Quartered. You can find more information about those deadly veterans on Facebook and on Instagram, and of course show them your love for absolute Death Metal by purchasing their new album from their own BandCamp, as well as from the Nuclear Winter Records’ BandCamp or webstore. Witness the return of pure hostility with the newborn spawn by one of the most important bands in the history of Chilean metal, but you better be warned as once they have you under their deadly black wings, there’s no way out.

Best moments of the album: Omega Omnipotens: Hosanna in Nullificatio, Plaga Vobiscum (Et Cum Spiritu Tuo) and Numenlagneia.

Worst moments of the album: Et Verbum Nihil Factum Est.

Released in 2026 Nuclear Winter Records

Track listing
1. Ingenitus-Ekstasis 7:06
2. Omega Omnipotens: Hosanna in Nullificatio 4:54
3. Plaga Vobiscum (Et Cum Spiritu Tuo) 3:55
4. Pneuma-Khaos 5:51
5. Ekstasis-Cosmogravis 4:51
6. Numenlagneia 4:55
7. Ultraticum Infinita Omnium in Nihilum 5:02
8. Et Verbum Nihil Factum Est 3:53

Band members
V.D.A. Irrenemidis – vocals
Gioser Nasare – guitars, bass
Rob A. – drums

Album Review – Xenosis / Hermetic Transmutation (2026)

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New Haven, Connecticut’s own Progressive Death Metal entity strikes again with their incendiary fifth studio album, retaining their core sound as they elaborate on both the progressive and technical aspects.

Honing their craft with each album since their inception back in 2010, and showcasing a flair for experimentation too, New Haven, Connecticut-based Progressive Death Metal entity Xenosis is ready to attack our senses once again with their fifth studio album, entitled Hermetic Transmutation, following up on their amazing albums Haunted Skies (2012), Sowing the Seeds of Destruction (2015),  Devour and Birth (2018), and Paralleled Existence (2021). Showcasing a striking artwork by Graphic Nightmare, the new offering by Sal Bova on vocals, Kenny Bullard and Keith Benway on the guitars, Travers Kenney on bass, and Gary Marotta on drums retains their core sound as the band elaborates on both the progressive and technical aspects, even borrowing elements of Brutal Death Metal and Dissonant Death Metal to achieve that, becoming a must-listen for admirers of Death, Atheist, Gorguts, Obscura, Evilyn, and Mors Verum, just to name a few.

Those ultra talented American metallers don’t waste a single second and begin their Technical Death Metal feast in Sentient Shapes, spearheaded by the menacing guitars by Kenny and Keith, kicking off the album on a high and insane mode for our absolute delight; and their striking riffs continue to cut our skin deep in Prolapsed Twin Entombment, while Gary sounds like a stone crusher of progressiveness on drums. Needless to say, it will surely sound amazing if they decide to add it to their live performances. Spore Whore sounds as ravenous as its predecessors, with the dissonant sound of their guitars being perfect for the bestial vocals by Sal, keeping the album’s flow moving in great fashion with zero moments of boredom.

Then after the Stygian instrumental interlude Engravings for Dyslexic Clairvoyants we’re treated to Rapid Metamorphosis, one of the most detailed and complex songs of the entire album, again presenting Sal’s demonic roars to give it an edgier vibe, feeling as if Dream Theater decided to go full Death Metal, not to mention its experimental passages will quickly consume your rotten mind. After such a bold and multi-layered tune, Sea of Teeth feels a bit generic. Well, I know it’s not, but it gets a bit repetitive after a while. Travers then gives a lecture in insanity armed with his bass in Altar of the Hound, blending the most idiosyncratic elements of Progressive and Dissonant Death Metal; and get ready for one final progressive attack by Xenosis in the form of No Longer Human, with Kenny and Keith again stealing the show with their sharp riffs and solos.

After years of toiling, Xenosis have created a delightfully engrossing album that is bound to confound, tantalize, and ultimately satiate fans of Progressive Death Metal. Hermetic Transmutation is at the same time absolutely aggressive and intricate, old school and experimental, upbeat and obscure. You can put your hands on such a unique album of extreme music by purchasing it from their own BandCamp or from the Transcending Obscurity Records’ BandCamp, main store, US store or EU store, and don’t forget to also check what those talented musicians are up to on Facebook and on Instagram, and to stream their unique creations on Spotify or any other platform. After all is said and done, you’ll easily realize that Xenosis are out for blood armed with Hermetic Transmutation, waving the banners of Progressive and Technical Death Metal high in the always electrifying American underground.

Best moments of the album: Prolapsed Twin Entombment, Rapid Metamorphosis and Altar of the Hound.

Worst moments of the album: Sea of Teeth.

Released in 2026 Transcending Obscurity Records

Track listing
1. Sentient Shapes 5:21
2. Prolapsed Twin Entombment 4:35
3. Spore Whore 7:15
4. Engravings for Dyslexic Clairvoyants 1:08
5. Rapid Metamorphosis 7:38
6. Sea of Teeth 4:40
7. Altar of the Hound 6:05
8. No Longer Human 6:02

Band members
Sal Bova – vocals
Kenny Bullard – guitar
Keith Benway – guitar
Travers Kenney – bass
Gary Marotta – drums

Album Review – Ater Era / Sinistria (2026)

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Prepare for a descent into blackened decay through the down-tuned, crushing Black Metal offered by this ruthless Slovenian horde in their incendiary new opus.

Bastard-born in a land of fractured identities, the venomous Slovenian Black Metal horde Ater Era channels the red soil of their homeland Istria as it rots, darkens, and transforms into something else entirely in their newborn spawn, titled Sinistria, the combination of the words “sinister” and “Istria.” Showcasing a blackened, oppressive, mid-tempo, riff-driven sound with weight and atmosphere, with lyrics in English, Istrian dialect and Slovenian, the follow-up to their 2017 album Clades represents a descent into blackened decay through down-tuned, crushing Black Metal with elements of Doom and Death Metal, embodying a sound that is oppressive and uncompromising, all masterfully brought into being by S.S. (aka Samuel Simonovič) on vocals and guitars, Eva Hreščak on bass, and J.G. (aka Jure Svarog Gams) on drums.

Grim, minimalist guitar and bass sounds permeate the air in Gorging On Devilries, being gradually joined by the pounding drums by J.G. and, therefore, crafting a dense and heavy atmosphere not recommended for the lighthearted; and the band ventures through the lands of Avantgarde and Experimental Black Metal in Terra Rossa, featuring guest musician Igor Pavletič on the trombone, with the riffs by S.S. and the rumbling bass by Eva making the earth tremble. The trio goes full Black Metal in Tema Trma, with the harsh vociferations by S.S. matching perfectly with the nonstop beats and fills by J.G., inviting us to join them in absolute chaos and darkness; while S.S.’s strident riffs ignite the band’s blackened engine in Bastard Born, filling every single space in the air with their Stygian sounds, not to mention his vociferations are also truly demonic, also presenting haunting, atmospheric passages to give it an extra taste. Lastly, we face the ten-minute aria of darkness titled Um Na Dnu, a phrase that translates directly to “mind at the bottom,” often used metaphorically in psychological or meditative contexts referring to exploring the deepest, subconscious, or foundational levels of one’s mind. Musically speaking, it’s a multi-layered display of contemporary Black Metal, ending the album on a vile and pensive mode.

Much like the land that inspired it, Sinistria exists in a state of tension between multiplicity and negation, origin and dissolution without seeking to reconcile these oppositions, but to inhabit them. Furthermore, while the core of Ater Era remains rooted in a primal Black Metal approach, their sound continues to expand into slower, more oppressive territories, adding multiple layers to their already dark and deep sonority. If you want to let their darkness embrace you, you can find Ater Era on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their Stygian music on YouTube and on Spotify, and of course grab a copy of their killer new opus from BandCamp or from On Parole Records. But you better be prepared as once you start your descent into total darkness together with Ater Era, there’s no turning back.

Best moments of the album: Gorging On Devilries and Um Na Dnu.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 On Parole Productions

Track listing
1. Gorging On Devilries 8:15
2. Terra Rossa 7:01
3. Tema Trma 7:41
4. Bastard Born 9:25
5. Um Na Dnu 10:08

Band members
S.S. – vocals, guitars, production
Eva Hreščak – bass
J.G. – drums

Guest musicians
Igor Pavletič  – trombone on “Terra Rossa”
Eva Brajkovič – backing vocals on “Gorging on Devilries,” “Bastard Born,” and “Um Na Dnu”
Steve Broy – backing vocals on “Bastard Born”
Mitja Rupel – backing vocals on “Bastard Born”
Kariti – backing vocals on “Terra Rossa”

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

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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)

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

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

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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