Tag Archives: extreme metal

Album Review – Hrafnablót / Guðlaugar Saga (2026)

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Enjoy this true epic blending folklore, sagas, magick, and folk tradition into a cohesive narrative, courtesy of this up-and-coming Sorcerous Icelandic Folk Metal horde.

A true epic blending Icelandic folklore, sagas, magick, and Folk Metal tradition into a cohesive narrative, Guðlaugar Saga is the debut offering by Reykjavík, Iceland-based horde Hrafnablót, whose name translates translates from Old Norse and Icelandic as “raven sacrifice” or “raven blood offering,” and who likes to label their music as “Sorcerous Icelandic Folk Metal.” Mixed by Helgi Durhuus, mastered by Lasse Lammert, and displaying an epic artwork by Julie Lochridge, the debut opus by Hugrún Hanna Stefánsdóttir on vocals, Steingrímur Viðar Karlsson and Mara Birna Jóhannsdóttir on the guitars, Þórgnýr Einar Albertsson on bass, Ólafur Daði Jónsson on keyboards, and Andri Pétur Dalmar on drums follows the story of Guðlaug, a modern woman hurled into the settlement age with nothing but her clothes and a taser, as she navigates battles, celebrations, kidnapping, fate, and the choice between returning home and reshaping history, while musically the album contrasts darkness and light, ugliness and beauty, past and present, weaving together Icelandic folk music, Nordic Folk Metal, NWOBHM, gothic influences, and Extreme Metal to create a sound that is sorcerous, folky, dramatic, melodic, and contrasting.

After the epic, atmospheric intro Spádómurinn (and sorry, Icelandic seems to be the most difficult language to translate in the world, which is why I’m not adding any tentative translations to the titles of the tracks), we face Dísablót, with the bass by Þórgnýr making the earth tremble while Ólafur brings peace to our hearts with his striking keys. And the band then blackens their core Folk Metal in Heljarhlíð, resulting in a gripping aria where Hugrún delivers sheer electricity through her vocals. Then following the acoustic interlude Kappar, Meyjar, Komendur, it’s time for Fögnuður, with the guitars by Steingrímur and Mara exhaling epicness in the name of classic Folk Metal.

The band then invites us to dance around the firepit to the sound of the frantic Nornarheimt, where Andri dictates the pace with his fast and furious beats and fills, also perfect for some vigorous headbanging, followed by Svartigaldur, alternating between the whimsical vocals by Hugrún and the deep guttural by Ólafur, while Steingrímur and Mara keep shredding their axes in the name of heavy music. Heimþrá feels like a Folk Metal version of the music played by Nightwish or Xandria, feeling very melodic and enfolding, with Ólafur’s keys stealing the spotlight; whereas after a serene piano intro a beautiful wall of sounds is formed in the background in Örlagavegur, offering Hugrún exactly what she needs to hypnotize us with her passionate vocals, resulting in a multi-layered Folk Metal feast presenting darker moments, delicate sounds, and crying guitar solos, therefore putting a climatic conclusion to the album.

“We want to give listeners a sonic journey inspired by Icelandic nature and folklore, harsh, fragile, intimate, and always beautiful,” commented the band about their newborn baby, and if you want to join those Icelandic warriors in their metallic journey recommended for fans of Ensiferum, Nightwish, Wintersun, Skálmöld, and Eluveitie, you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, subscribe to their YouTube channel, stream their sorcerous music on any platform like Spotify, and of course, purchase the excellent Guðlaugar Saga from BandCamp. Will Guðlaugar decide to return home, or become a brave warrior and change history? Simply sit down, relax, and enjoy her adventure in time to the sound of the striking debut by such a promising new name from beautiful Iceland.

Best moments of the album: Heljarhlíð, Nornarheimt and Örlagavegur.

Worst moments of the album: Kappar, Meyjar, Komendur.

Released in 2026 Independent

Track listing
1. Spádómurinn 1:49
2. Dísablót 5:44
3. Heljarhlíð 6:22
4. Kappar, Meyjar, Komendur 1:22
5. Fögnuður 5:41
6. Nornarheimt 5:21
7. Svartigaldur 5:17
8. Heimþrá 4:59
9. Örlagavegur 11:23

Band members
Hugrún Hanna Stefánsdóttir – vocals
Steingrímur Viðar Karlsson – guitar
Mara Birna Jóhannsdóttir – guitar
Þórgnýr Einar Albertsson – bass
Ólafur Daði Jónsson – keyboards
Andri Pétur Dalmar – drums

Album Review – Werewolves / You’re Weak and You Know You’re Weak (2026)

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Back from the Death Metal pits of Down Under, these Australian cavemen attack once again with their seventh display of absolute savagery and hatred.

Back from the Death Metal pits of Down Under, having sworn to release ten albums in ten years (or commit group suicide if they fail), Melbourne, Australia’s own Technical Black/Death Metal cavemen Werewolves attack once again with their seventh display of absolute savagery and hatred, beautifully titled You’re Weak and You Know You’re Weak, following up on their just as demented albums The Dead Are Screaming (2020), What a Time to Be Alive (2021), From the Cave to the Grave (2022), My Enemies Look and Sound like Me (2023), Die for Us (2024), and The Ugliest of All (2025). Once again mixed and mastered by Joe Haley at Crawlspace Productions, and showcasing a savage artwork by Mitchell Nolte featuring crucifixions, baby kebabs, and a werewolf army, the new offering by Sam Bean on vocals and bass, Matt Wilcock on the guitars, and David Haley on drums beautifully marches against world peace, offering another blast of berserk heavy music not recommended for the lighthearted.

There’s no sign of happiness, hope or sanity on the horizon as the trio begins their infuriated metal attack with Uroboric Fuckwit, where David is as usual absolutely inhumane on drums while Sam growls like a rabid beast; and Matt delivers his trademark Black and Death Metal riffs in Tank Habit, inviting us all to slam into the pit like true headbanging bastards. Burn It To The Ground is even more demented and violent than its predecessors, with Sam sounding pissed off on vocals supported by the heavy artillery brought forth by David, followed by Triple Negative, a very positive name for an Extreme Metal song, with Sam’s deep roars and demented screams piercing our putrid minds mercilessly. And their circle pit extravaganza goes on in full force with So Say All Of Us, where David showcases another round of his unique, visceral drumming skills always in the name of our good old Death Metal.

Fields Of Suicide is another song with a very charming and poetic name, offering our avid ears an avalanche of unfiltered Death and Black Metal insanity led by the scorching riffs by Matt while Sam keeps barking and hammering his bass manically. The trio definitely knows how to offer pure darkness and fear through their slower compositions, which is exactly the case in We March, enhancing the depth of their vocals, and of course the heaviness of their riffs; and it’s pedal to the metal in the infernal aria beautifully titled The Song Of Stupid Men, where David pounds his drums like a true Tasmanian devil, resulting in another lecture in absolute brutality and chaos by those phenomenal musicians. Lastly, their coup-de-grace comes in the form of You’re Weak and You Know You’re Weak, played with endless fury, hatred and venom in their blackened hearts, therefore leaving us eager for more of the uncompromised insanity by Werewolves in about a year or so.

As soon as you start listening to You’re Weak and You Know You’re Weak, you know there will be blood, just like how those amazing guys form Australia have been doing for the past seven years under the Werewolves banner, as well as with their other bands including Psycroptic, Abramelin, and The Antichrist Imperium. In other words, this album is for fans of Marduk, Marduk, fucking Marduk, and getting your teeth kicked right the fuck in. Having said that, once again don’t forget to invite the guys from Werewolves for an afternoon tea while blasting their ravenous Death Metal by following them on Facebook and on Instagram and by streaming the visceral, deadly music on YouTube or on Spotify, and of course to grab their scorching new album from their website or BandCamp page, from Direct Merch, from Nightshift, or from Plastic Head. You’re weak, and you know you’ll always be weak. Unless, of course, you start listening to Werewolves. Then you’ll be Death Metal.

Best moments of the album: Uroboric Fuckwit, Burn It To The Ground, Fields Of Suicide and The Song Of Stupid Men.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 Back On Black Records

Track listing
1. Uroboric Fuckwit 3:22
2. Tank Habit 3:43
3. Burn It To The Ground 3:04
4. Triple Negative 2:55
5. So Say All Of Us 3:25
6. Fields Of Suicide 4:16
7. We March 5:21
8. The Song Of Stupid Men 3:35
9. You’re Weak and You Know You’re Weak 3:28

Band members
Sam Bean – vocals, bass
Matt Wilcock – guitars
David Haley – drums

Album Review – Equisetum / Cor Ex Putredine (2026)

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Behold the heart from rottenness offered by this up-and-coming Italian Apocalyptic Doom Metal duo in their debut album.

Equisetum (commonly known as horsetail) is a genus of primitive plants historically used to scour and polish metal surfaces because its stems contain high levels of abrasive silica. In heavy music, Equisetum are an up-and-coming Apocalyptic Doom Metal hailing from Italy who are unleashing upon humanity their debut offering, titled Cor Ex Putredine, or “heart from rottenness” from Latin. Recorded at Camera Ardente III-MS (vocals) and Camera Ardente IV-BS (guitars, bass and drums), the striking debut by vocalist Noctuaria, who was also responsible for all lyrics (sung in a ritualistic and visionary way, exploring themes of decay and loss), and multi-instrumentalist Mortifero, who took care of the mixing, mastering, music, artwork and layout, is rooted in the traditional Italian dark sound with a reference to Alkaest by Paul Chain, while expanding into multiple Doom Metal trajectories, from the heavier and alienating reminiscences of Celtic Frost, to the more irregular and dissonant approach of Unholy, up to the slow, gothic atmospheres of Type O Negative. Not only that, subtle Black Metal influences emerge, particularly in the construction of rhythmic textures, drawing from the essence of Thorns.

The album begins with the six-minute caustic aria Aghram, where Noctuaria already delivers her phantasmagorical vocals supported by the Doom Metal beats by Mortifero, not to mention his low-tuned, scorching bass will hammer your cranial skull. And Mortifero keeps firing dirty riffs and bass lines in Il Canto Degli Impiccati, once again utterly heavy and ritualistic. Mente Sepolta lives up to the legacy of classic Doom Metal infused with darker and tribal vibes, perfect for some ruthless headbanging, whereas Noctuaria’s vocals will send shivers down our spines in Mortuaria while Mortifero keeps pounding his drums in the name of sheer doom. Presenze Oniriche brings forward another seven minutes not recommended for the faint at heart where Noctuaria sounds hypnotizing with her deep vocalizations; and the Triptykon-like scathing bass by Mortifero will embrace us in darkness in Prevenar. It is as apocalyptic as it is evil, exhaling despair and melancholy. Finally, they still have one last breath of visceral Doom Metal in the form of Rymohr, where the wall of sounds crafted by Mortifero is beyond demonic.

In a nutshell, Cor Ex Putredine presents itself as a focused debut by this promising duo from the always beautiful Italian Extreme Metal scene, built on controlled contrasts and a balance between heaviness and timbral exploration. Hence, if you want to know more about Noctuaria and Mortifero, their music, plans for the future and so on, you can find them on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their doomed creations on Spotify, and above all that, put your hands on Cor Ex Putredine by purchasing it from BandCamp. Death is not an event, Death is a process, and the debut opus by this Italian duo is among us to remind us of such a harsh reality.

Best moments of the album: Aghram and Prevenar.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 My Kingdom Music

Track listing
1. Aghram 6:06
2. Il Canto Degli Impiccati 5:57
3. Mente Sepolta 5:12
4. Mortuaria 6:07
5. Presenze Oniriche 7:04
6. Prevenar 6:38
7. Rymohr 6:42

Band members
Noctuaria – vocals
Mortifero – guitars, bass, drums

Album Review – Eaten By Sharks / The Undertow Of Hate (2026)

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This Canadian Technical Death Metal sea beast returns from the ocean depths with their sophomore album, a dark conceptual journey rooted in nautical horror and psychological collapse.

Blending Technical and Progressive Death Metal with technical precision, crushing grooves, and Deathcore aggression, St. Catharines, Ontario’s own rising force Eaten By Sharks continues to evolve from the sound established on their 2022 release Eradication with their newborn spawn, entitled The Undertow Of Hate, embracing a more composition-focused and cinematic approach by crafting a dark conceptual journey rooted in nautical horror and psychological collapse. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson, and displaying another killer artwork by Paolo Girardi, the new album by Matt Sherriff on vocals, Chris Chaperon and Dan Okowinsky on the guitars, Tyler Abrams on bass, and Justin Whitehead on drums offers us mere mortals a devastating blend of Deathcore, slam, and modern Extreme Metal intensity, becoming therefore a must-listen for fans of Fit For An Autopsy, Gojira and Cattle Decapitation, just to name a few.

The piercing guitars by Chris and Dan invite us all to dive deep into the unruly waters of The Undertow Of Hate in Vessels Torn, with Matt screaming and gnarling like a demented creature until the very end; while In Tidal Chaos starts in a sinister way before all hell breaks loose to the massive beats by Justin and the rumbling bass by Tyler in a lecture in Technical Deathcore. Capsized sounds even heavier and more demented, with Matt’s deep guttural reeking of classic Death Metal, supported by the always technical and venomous guitar work by Chris and Dan; and let’s enjoy several bodies slamming into the pit to the sound of Bodies Overboard, with Justin hammering his drums nonstop, consequently bringing even more heaviness and violence to their music.

Their Technical Death Metal vein pulses harder than ever in Treading Water, with the visceral roars by Matt walking hand in hand with the intricacy and hatred blasted by his bandmates, followed by Dragged Under, which keeps the momentum going with an explosion of absolute violence by all band members, all boosted by the groovy kitchen crafted by Tyler and Justin. Becoming Chum is definitely less electrifying than its predecessors, albeit still very aggressive and showcasing the band’s trademark sound; and the band will drag us 10,000 meters deep to the multi-layered, very technical and demonic Crimson Tide, where their striking riffage offers Matt exactly what he needs to vociferate like a creature from the deep, flowing into the cinematic outro Surfaced Remains, where you can smell the blood of the fallen on their shark-infested waters.

With a commitment to high-quality production and engaging storytelling, Eaten By Sharks are poised to leave a lasting impact on the genre with the release of The Undertow Of Hate, an album built around transformation, destruction, and irreversible change at sea. You can find those subaquatic death dealers on Facebook, on Instagram and on YouTube, stream their visceral creations on any platform like Spotify and Apple Music, and of course purchase their awesome new album from Bandcamp or from CDN Records. Just like an aggressive shark at sea, Eaten By Sharks can smell your blood from a very far distance, and once they capture with their Technical Death Metal and Deathcore jaws to the sound of their new opus, there’s no way out.

Best moments of the album: In Tidal Chaos, Treading Water and Crimson Tide.

Worst moments of the album: Becoming Chum.

Released in 2026 CDN Records

Track listing
1. Vessels Torn 4:43
2. In Tidal Chaos 4:36
3. Capsized 3:36
4. Bodies Overboard 3:53
5. Treading Water 3:40
6. Dragged Under 3:42
7. Becoming Chum 4:25
8. Crimson Tide 4:03
9. Surfaced Remains 1:26

Band members
Matt Sherriff – vocals
Chris Chaperon – lead guitar
Dan Okowinsky – guitar
Tyler Abrams – bass
Justin Whitehead – drums

Album Review – Duir / Catarsi (2026)

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Behold the sophomore album by this uncanny Italian Atmospheric Folk and Black Metal entity, guiding listeners on a cathartic journey where history becomes emotion and memory turns into sound.

An Atmospheric Folk and Black Metal band formed in 2013 by guitarist MK, aiming to blend personal influences with Folk and Black Metal elements, Verona, Italy-based horde Duir, whose moniker comes from the Celtic word for “oak,” a symbol of longevity and wisdom, returns with the follow-up to their 2022 debut T​.​S​.​N​.​R​.​I. – Impermanenza, entitled Catarsi. Recorded by Alberto Spaziani and the band itself, edited by MK at Void Sounds Studio, mixed and mastered by P.G. of Groza at Ad Nauseam Sounds, and displaying a stylish artwork by Silvia Luppi of The Veil of Arda (with logo by Moonroot), the new opus by Vox in Umbra on vocals, MK and Skryer on the guitars, TZ. on flute, bagpipe and hurdy gurdy, and P. on drums, and featuring guest bassist Andrea Privato, the album represents the band’s most ambitious work yet. Set during the First World War, it follows a young soldier caught between pride, despair, and oblivion, guiding listeners on a cathartic journey where history becomes emotion and memory turns into sound.

The band kicks off the album with the multi-layered, atmospheric and ritualistic Manifesto, where the venomous gnarling by Vox in Umbra walks hand in hand with their caustic riffs by MK and Skryer, not to mention the background sounds blasted by TZ. are a thing of beauty. After such a detailed and captivating aria, the band brings forward their most Black Metal side in Di nessuno (“of no one”), without forgetting to add their share of folk music to the overall result; and Impeto, featuring L.G. of Ellende, is a modern-day Post-Black Metal extravaganza with tons of atmospheric and folk elements where P. steals the spotlight with his demonic drumming. Then we have what feels like a trilogy inspired by the paradox between night and day, starting with Della notte (“of the night”), where MK and Skryer embellish the airwaves with another killer riff attack, flowing into Del giorno (“of the day”), with its ethereal intro being boosted by the devilish vociferations by Vox in Umbra, again presenting an amalgamation of styles such as Post-Metal, Black Metal and folk music. And they conclude such trilogy and the album as a whole on a high and emotional note with Oltre l’alba (“beyond the dawn”), where Vox in Umbra and P. are in absolute sync, as well as the multi-talented TZ. and his stunning folk sounds, before the song’s climatic, whimsical finale.

Through Atmospheric Black Metal intertwined with evocative folk elements, Catarsi showcases the band’s signature blend of haunting melodies and visceral intensity, positioning them as one of the must-see names not only of the current Italian Extreme Metal scene, but also anywhere else in the world where first-class heavy music is truly appreciated. Those uncanny creatures from Italy can be found on Facebook and on Instagram, including their breathtaking live concerts, and don’t forget to also stream their music on Spotify, and above all, to purchase Catarsi from their own BandCamp or from the AOP Records’ BandCamp. Having said all that, do you think you have what it takes to follow Duir on their Stygian, purifying voyage to the sound of their caustic new album?

Best moments of the album: Manifesto, Impeto and Oltre l’alba.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2026 AOP Records

Track listing
1. Manifesto 10:02
2. Di nessuno 6:54
3. Impeto 7:59
4. Della notte 4:38
5. Del giorno 7:20
6. Oltre l’alba 9:40

Band members
Vox in Umbra – vocals
MK – guitar
Skryer – guitar
TZ. – flute, bagpipe, hurdy gurdy
P.  – drums

Guest musician
Andrea Privato – bass (session)
L.G. – vocals on “Impeto”

Album Review – Blood Of Angels / Les Agnst ov Thanatous (2026)

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This Florida-based Extreme Metal beasts are ready to attack with their sophomore album, plunging headfirst into the emotional and psychological aftermath of death.

Inspired by the burgeoning local metal scene of Tampa, Florida, Melodic Death/Thrash Metal beasts Blood of Angels are making their mark on the genre that has guided them through the darkest of times. With local town heroes such as Cannibal Corpse and Nasty Savage inspiring down that path, the band formed of vocalist Randy Reyes, guitarist Aaron Robinson, bassist The Maggot, and drummer Jonathan Rushford blends Death, Black, Thrash and lashings of Power Metal into a high-octane frenzy, combining their musical prowess and instrumental talents to make social commentary on public mistruths and the atrocities committed against humanity. Now in 2026 the quartet is unleashing their sophomore opus, entitled Les Agnst ov Thanatous (which refers to the existential dread, anxiety, and deep-seated fear surrounding the inevitability of death, with “Thanatos” being the Greek mythological personification of death and “Angst,” German for anxiety or dread, representing the psychological weight of this realization), plunging headfirst into the emotional and psychological aftermath of death while presenting a cohesive narrative that traces the human response to grief through violence, ritual, memory, and reflection.

After the cryptic, horror movie-like intro Transitional Portal, the band comes crushing our souls with Beating You, where Jonathan hammers his drums in the best Death Metal style while Randy delivers deep, enraged vociferations for our total delight, supported by the always caustic guitar lines by Aaron. Then investing in a more Melodic Death Metal sonority the band offers our ears the hard hitting The Last Rites, perfect for some wild headbanging to the demolishing drums by Jonathan; and the quartet sounds absolutely on fire in Red River Death, a massive Death and Thrash Metal extravaganza led by the infuriated, grim roaring by Randy while his bandmates don’t stop pounding their sonic weapons.

The Pain Inside starts as a ballad, then morphs into a not-so-inspired metal aria, losing its grip after a while, albeit the crying guitar by Aaron still sounds great in the end; whereas back to the sound the band truly thrives we face Spillage, a Death Metal onrush where The Maggot and Jonathan make the earth tremble with their demented kitchen. Aaron’s riffage then revs up the band’s ruthless engine in Minds of the Broken, inviting us all for some action inside the pit. Nevermore presents elements from Sludge and Stoner Metal added to their core, a seven-minute feast of riff after riff, as heavy and groovy as it can be, with The Maggot once again kicking ass on bass, before all fades into the outro Eulogy, as enigmatic and cryptic as the intro, making the album go full circle.

Through its cohesive narrative and emotional intensity, Les Agnst ov Thanatou stands as the band’s most immersive conceptual work to date, inviting listeners to confront fear, loss, and mortality directly, offering an experience that remains long after the final sound fades. And you can also be part of such a unique experience by following the band on Facebook and on Instagram, by subscribing to their YouTube channel, by streaming their caustic creations on any platform like Spotify, and of course by grabbing a copy of Les Agnst ov Thanatous by clicking HERE. Death has always walked hand in hand with Extreme Metal, and Blood Of Angels definitely know how to turn all that fear, violence and darkness into ass-kicking heavy music as what they have to show us all in their new album.

Best moments of the album: Red River Death, Spillage and Minds of the Broken.

Worst moments of the album: The Pain Inside.

Released in 2026 Independent

Track listing
1. Transitional Portal 2:37
2. Beating You 4:05
3. The Last Rites 5:19
4. Red River Death 5:54
5. The Pain Inside 7:29
6. Spillage 3:26
7. Minds of the Broken 3:46
8. Nevermore 7:45
9. Eulogy 1:35

Band members
Randy Reyes – vocals, acoustic guitars
Aaron Robinson – guitars
The Maggot – bass, backing vocals
Jonathan Rushford – drums, keyboards

Album Review – Bloodhunter / Sons of the Abandoned (2026)

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These Spanish Melodic Death Metal beasts are out for blood with their fourth studio album, shifting the focus inward to explore identity, vulnerability, personal struggle and the cost of pursuing one’s own path.

Having steadily carved their name into the international metal scene through relentless touring, uncompromising sound and a clear artistic vision, blending Extreme Metal aggression with melodic depth, groove and narrative ambition, forging a sound that is both ferocious and emotionally charged, Spanish Melodic Death Metal beast Bloodhunter is ready to unleash hell armed with their fourth studio offering, titled Sons of the Abandoned, following up on their excellent 2022 album Knowledge Was the Price. Their most personal and honest album so far, the new opus by the unrelenting frontwoman Diva Satanica, guitarists Dani Arcos and Guillermo Starless, bassist Fabian Tejeda, and drummer Adrian Perales shifts the focus inward to explore identity, vulnerability, personal struggle and the cost of pursuing one’s own path. For the first time, the lyrics speak directly from the heart, addressing inner demons, toxic environments, generational disconnection and the feeling of being lost in a world driven by individuality and superficial values.

The boys waste no time and begin firing their ravenous melodeath perfect for the she-demon vocals by Diva Satanica in The Devil’s Own, inviting us all for some good slamming into the pit, and they keep hammering their sonic weapons mercilessly in The Outspoken, with Adrian sounding like a stone crusher on drums. Then featuring the iconic Fernando Ribeiro of Moonspell as a guest vocalist, the band fires a lecture in modern-day Melodic Death Metal entitled The Threshold Of Hell, where Diva Satanica and Fernando make a “Beast and the Beast” vocal duet. Fabian and Adrian show no mercy for our necks and bodies in Ephemeral Youth, another harsh and visceral creation by those Spanish rockers; while the title-track Sons Of The Abandoned sounds like one of the most recent songs by Arch Enemy, with Diva Satanica once again delivering her trademark incendiary vocals. And adding elements form the hard hitting Groove Metal by Lamb of God to their core sound we have No One Beats Death, with Dani and Guillermo being once again flawless with their axes.

Code Aeternam is more rhythmic and groovy thanks to the classy drumming by Adrian, while their guitars continue to exhale fire and electricity nonstop; whereas it’s time for absolute chaos in the form of The Path That Never Ends, featuring the indomitable vocalist Laura Guldemond of Burning Witches, with her operatic, soaring vocals bringing even more adrenaline to the band’s core insanity, not to mention Dani and Guillermo are also on fire with their riffs and solos. Then after the lengthy interlude The Night Is Darker Before Dawn, which could have been a minute shorter to be honest, we face Masters Of Deceive, offering more of the band’s modern take on Melodic Death Metal led by Diva Satanica’s enraged roars and vociferations, ending in a serene mode and flowing into the closing tune Human Insecticide, a cover version for the mighty Annihilator, from their 1989 masterpiece Alice in Hell (check the original HERE), which drags us all to the circle pit to the ruthless drums by Adrian. In other words, it’s fast, infuriated, detailed and dense for our absolute delight, with Diva Satanica once again roaring in our faces without a single drop of mercy for our impious souls.

With Sons of the Abandoned, Bloodhunter solidify themselves as a band unafraid to evolve, challenge expectations and expose their own scars. It is a statement of identity, resistance and survival in a world that constantly demands compromise, and if you want to join them in their quest for extreme music in our rotten and decaying society you can find those Spanish headbangers on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their already striking discography on any platform like Spotify, and grab your copy of their awesome new album by clicking HERE. As long as Bloodhunter are alive and out for blood, you can rest assured you won’t be abandoned by society. You’ll always be welcome in their black embrace, with albums like Sons of the Abandoned giving you a very good reason to keep headbanging and raising your horns until your very last breath.

Best moments of the album: The Devil’s Own, The Threshold Of Hell, The Path That Never Ends and Human Insecticide.

Worst moments of the album: The Night Is Darker Before Dawn.

Released in 2026 ROAR! Rock of Angels Records

Track listing
1. The Devil’s Own 4:39
2. The Outspoken 3:56
3. The Threshold Of Hell 4:54
4. Ephemeral Youth 4:05
5. Sons Of The Abandoned 3:14
6. No One Beats Death 5:04
7. Code Aeternam 3:43
8. The Path That Never Ends 3:20
9. The Night Is Darker Before Dawn 3:28
10. Masters Of Deceive 3:46
11. Human Insecticide (Annihilator cover) 4:58

Band members
Diva Satanica – vocals
Dani Arcos – guitar
Guillermo Starless – guitar
Fabian Tejeda – bass
Adrian Perales – drums

Guest musicians
Fernando Ribeiro – vocals on “The Threshold Of Hell”
Laura Guldemond – vocals on “The Path That Never Ends”

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 – 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