Tag Archives: kolding

Album Review – Kinetic / Liminal (2026)

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Witness the rise, fall and infinite loop of human civilization throughout the cosmos in the form of the striking debut album by this up-and-coming Danish Progressive Metal ensemble.

Emerging with a sound that bridges technical precision, atmospheric depth, and cinematic storytelling, Kolding, Denmark-based Progressive Metal ensemble Kinetic was built on a shared ambition to create music that moves beyond convention, both musically and conceptually, drawing inspiration from progressive heavyweights while carving out a distinct sonic identity. Following the release of their well received debut EP Sentience in 2025, which offered a first glimpse into the band’s evolving sound, the band formed of vocalist René Hougaard, guitarist David Thing, bassist Christian F. Heitmann, keyboardinst Marcus Levin, and drummer Rune Görlitz returns with their first full-length opus, titled Liminal, a concept album produced by Frederik Uglebjerg (Galge, MØL, Trold, Isbjörg) and shaped by contrast – tension and release, chaos and control, the vastness of space and the intimacy of human thought – while the band refines their musical identity by pushing into both heavier and more ambient territories.

Beginnings is as atmospheric and eerie as it can be, slowly growing into an enfolding sound led by René’s deep vocal lines while Rune dictates the pace with his heavy-as-hell beats and fills, while in Evolution initial acoustic, ethereal moments evolve into another Progressive Rock and Metal extravaganza, feeling like five or six songs in one. New Frontiers sounds like Dream Theater on steroids, with the guitars by David breathing fire while Marcus makes sure the atmosphere remains cryptic with his spot-on keys; followed by Type 0.75, showcasing a more cadenced side of the band as if Meshuggah decided to go full progressive, with Marcus again delivering sheer electricity from his keys. Half of the following tune, Fermi, is almost like a dark ballad, with everything switching to a heavier and groovier sound led by the intricate riffs by David and the low-tuned bass by Christian, repeating everything all over again, and the same Christian kicks off the obscure Progress to One, inviting us to bang our heads nonstop in absolute darkness, with Rune crushing his drums with endless power.

Dyson is not a bad song, but not as electrifying as the rest of the album, although the riffs and solos by David sound majestic; whereas they bring elements from 80’s Gothic Rock and Metal to their core Progressive Metal essence in Journey to the Stars, and the final result is truly entertaining, spearheaded by the groovy bass by Christian. Digital Mind offers more of their futuristic take on Progressive Metal, with René’s vocals sounding again flawless, adding passion and darkness to the overall result, all boosted by another classy solo by David; while 2 to Five also alternates between absolute heaviness and delicate, passionate moments, not to mention the electricity flowing from their axes is insane. Lastly, composing a 20-minute song is always a bold move, but a band like Kinetic definitely knows how to do that to perfection like in Omega, kicking it off with serene and atmospheric elements before blasting their trademark Progressive Metal sounds, resulting in a wild metallic journey where David is on fire armed with his axe while René keeps telling the story majestically until the song’s climatic ending.

A massive Progressive Metal concept album bound together by a coherent, overarching storyline that connects the first note of the opening track to the final fading echoes of the grand finale, drawing inspiration from the Kardashev Scale (a theoretical framework proposed by astrophysicist Nikolai Kardashev that measures the technological advancement of a civilization based on the amount of energy it can harness), Liminal will surely help the band establish themselves as a notable force within the modern Progressive Metal landscape, and you can get to know more about them on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their music on Spotify, and of course, grab a copy of the album by clicking HERE. Spanning more than 115 minutes in length, the album uses dynamic songwriting and deep narrative storytelling to track the rise, fall and infinite loop of human civilization throughout the cosmos, and I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time traversing the universe together with Kinetic to the sound of their striking new album.

Best moments of the album: New Frontiers, Progress to One and Omega.

Worst moments of the album: Dyson.

Released in 2026 Eclipse Records

Track listing
1. Beginnings 8:40
2. Evolution 11:13
3. New Frontiers 12:58
4. Type 0.75 8:26
5. Fermi 8:11
6. Progress to One 5:35
7. Dyson 6:15
8. Journey to the Stars 8:27
9. Digital Mind 7:18
10. 2 to Five 9:13
11. Omega 20:09

Band members
René Hougaard – vocals
David Thing – guitars
Christian F. Heitmann – bass
Marcus Levin – synthesizers
Rune Görlitz – drums

Album Review – Foetorem / Incongruous Forms Of Evergrowing Rot (2026)

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Erupting from the depths of Denmark with a new onslaught of putrid Death and Doom Metal, this ruthless creature will unleash hell armed with their debut full-length offering.

Erupting from the depths of Kolding, Denmark with a new onslaught of putrid Death and Doom Metal, sounding heavier, darker and more merciless than before with riffs dripping decay, drums pounding like collapsing stone and vocals dredged from the deepest rot, the ruthless creature known as Foetorem (which translates to “stench of decay”) is unleashing hell with their debut full-length opus, poetically titled Incongruous Forms Of Evergrowing Rot. Recorded, mixed and produced by the band’s own Daniel Farre and Claus Andersen, mastered by Dan Lowndes at Resonance Sound Studio, and displaying a sinister artwork by N. Zuki of Belial NecroArts, with logo by Giancarlo Melgar and layout by Alice Mingotti and Giorgio Spewo, the newborn spawn by the aforementioned Claus Andersen and Daniel Farre on vocals and guitars, alongside Ric Broe Goldschmidt on bass and Geistaz on drums, spews psalms of death that drag the listener into miasmic landscapes, conjuring abhorrent visions of human ruination, becoming a must-listen for fans of Spectral Voice, Krypts, Mortiferum, and Hooded Menace, just to name a few.

The quartet shows no mercy for our putrid bodies and kick off their soul devouring feast with Reeks of Moldy Guts, where the vocals by Claus and Daniel are absolutely haunting from start to finish, and their violent Death Metal vein explodes in Escalating Rot, led by the caustic riffage by Claus and Daniel while Geistaz sounds like a stone crusher on drums. In Oozing With Pustulent Fluids the sound is just as carnivorous as the title, with the menacing bass by Ric walking hand in hand with another ruthless drumming by Geistaz in a lecture in extreme music made in the beautiful Denmark; followed by Mors Viaturis – the Death Traveler, perhaps the most Doom Metal of all songs, as sluggish and grim as it can be albeit a bit tiresome in the end.

Then after the cryptic interlude Grotesque Decomposition we face a wall of brutality and hatred in the form of Rebirth in Morbid Disgust, alternating between the sheer savagery of Death Metal and the gloomy heaviness of Doom Metal, all spiced up by another cadaverous vocal performance by Claus and Daniel. After that, it’s time for the skies to go pitch black to the sound of Tapestries of Misery, offering total doom annihilation to our putrid ears while Geistaz dictates the pace with his devilish beats. Claus, Daniel and Ric’s stringed attack bring forward their most deranged, metallic and thunderous sounds in Decay of the Flesh, sounding brutal and relentless from start to finish, followed by Peeled Face Mask, presenting one last blast of their ass-kicking hybrid of Death and Doom Metal, and leaving us completely disoriented after all is said and done.

A suffocating surge of filth sharpened into pure ruin, showcasing no light, no hope, only the stench of inevitable collapse rising, Incongruous Forms Of Evergrowing Rot can be purchased via mailorder or BandCamp, and you can also join Foetorem in absolute darkness on Facebook and on Instagram, and stream their obscure music on any platform like Spotify. Foetorem stand on the verge of their most defining chapter yet, promising to expand their oppressive sonic palette, delving deeper into the putrid atmospheres and melodic decay that have become their signature, and if you nurture a deep passion for extreme music, you’re certainly in for a treat.

Best moments of the album: Escalating Rot, Rebirth in Morbid Disgust and Decay of the Flesh.

Worst moments of the album: Mors Viaturis – the Death Traveler.

Released in 2026 Everlasting Spew Records

Track listing
1. Reeks of Moldy Guts 5:13
2. Escalating Rot 4:44
3. Oozing With Pustulent Fluids 4:26
4. Mors Viaturis – the Death Traveler 5:35
5. Grotesque Decomposition 0:31
6. Rebirth in Morbid Disgust 5:15
7. Tapestries of Misery 5:10
8. Decay of the Flesh 3:55
9. Peeled Face Mask 5:38

Band members
Claus Andersen – vocals, guitars
Daniel Farre – vocals, guitars
Ric Broe Goldschmidt – bass
Geistaz – drums