UK’s own acolytes of the very darkest Blackened Death Metal are back after four years with a brand new EP, a work of rare mystery and malevolence.

In Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Phobetor (‘Frightener’), so called by men, or Icelos (‘Like’), so called by the gods, is one of the thousand sons of Somnus (‘Sleep’). He appeared in dreams “in the form of beast or bird or the long serpent”. In heavy music, Phobetor are a London, UK-based Blackened Death Metal band who has been around since 2018, having already released the 2019 EP Burning Memories and their full-length albums When Life Falls Silent (2020) and Through Deepest Fears and Darkest Minds (2021). Now in 2025, the band formed of vocalist Debora Conserva, guitarists Ross White and Ben Ash, bassist Dredgewood, and drummer Marc Dyos is unleashing a new EP, titled A Solitary Vigil, a work of rare mystery and malevolence. Mixed by Ollie Roberts at Kettle Brew Studios, mastered by Lawrence Mackrory at Rory Sound Studios, and displaying a haunting artwork by Ghost Kid and photography by Scott Chalmers, the EP simply leads us deeper into the darkness than ever before.

The piercing riffs by Ross and Ben ignite the band’s detailed, visceral and grim feast of Black and Death Metal titled A Solitary Vigil, while Debora offers our putrid ears an overdose of sulfur and rage through her harsh vociferations, followed by Absence of Light, another bestial blast of Black Metal magic, with Marc smashing his drums in the name of pitch black darkness accompanied by the always thunderous bass by Dredgewood. Debora sounds like a demonic entity, roaring as a true she-demon in Black Fading Winter, while her bandmates fire the most caustic and evil form of Blackened Death Metal; whereas in The Vacant World Within Us we can say that such a poetic name deserved a no shenanigans sound, and that’s exactly what Phobetor bring forward with their infernal roars and demented blast beats. Last but not least, the razor-edged guitar riffs by Ross and Ben will penetrate deep inside your soul in Where Mournful Shadows Dwell, while Debora continues to hypnotize us with her devilish vocals until the very last second.

After all is said and done, you’ll quickly realize A Solitary Vigil is more than just the new EP by these acolytes of the very darkest Blackened Death Metal; as you peer into its impenetrable blackness, an obsidian mirror, it disgorges all the terrors you had forgotten were real, the dream monsters that hide in the deepest recesses of your mind, resulting in an onslaught of blackened death and mind-rending fear highly recommended for fans of Behemoth, Immolation, Belphegor, and Dark Funeral. Hence, don’t forget to join Phobetor in absolute darkness by following them on Facebook and on Instagram, by streaming their sulfurous creations on Spotify, and of course by purchasing A Solitary Vigil from BandCamp or Big Cartel. Phobetor are back from the netherworld sounding darker and more sinister than ever, and I bet you’ll succumb to their obscure powers once you begin your descent into madness to the sound of their Stygian new offering.

Best moments of the album: A Solitary Vigil and Black Fading Winter.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2025 Independent

Track listing
1. A Solitary Vigil 3:54
2. Absence of Light 5:02
3. Black Fading Winter 2:58
4. The Vacant World Within Us 4:08
5. Where Mournful Shadows Dwell 4:41

Band members
Debora Conserva – vocals
Ross White – guitar
Ben Ash – guitar
Dredgewood – bass
Marc Dyos – drums