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Album Review – Abscence / Enigma (2025)

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Behold the debut offering by this promising Black and Gothic Metal horde, a concept album that chronicles the tragic and immortal love of two vampire women, bound by blood, betrayal, and devotion.

Channeling the essence of 90’s Black and Gothic Metal into a modern yet uncompromising sound, Yorkshire, England-based cult Abscence is unleashing upon humanity their debut offering, entitled Enigma. A concept album that chronicles the tragic and immortal love of two vampire women, bound by blood, betrayal, and devotion, Enigma is a gothic love story steeped in myth and moonlight, told across nine long-form tracks that unfold like chapters in a dark epic, drawing deeply from old school Theatre of Tragedy and Cradle of Filth while forging a captivating soundscape that’s both brutal and melancholic, all masterfully crafted by the dramatic and aggressive vocalist Mordred, the grief, rage, and spectral beauty by bassist and vocalist Morrigan, the raw blackened power of guitarist Balor, and the poetic vision and symphonic depth of keyboardist Gawain.

Ethereal, angelic sounds permeate the air in the opening track We Abandon Worldly Pearls, before the band begins distilling their Cradle of Filth-inspired attack led by the visceral gnarls by Mordred. Then the stylish, grim keys by Gawain set fire to the band’s Black Metal engine in Under Moon’s Glance, offering a high-octane feast of extreme sounds enfolded by a whimsical aura, whereas the title-track Enigma is another beast of blackened and symphonic sounds, with the guitars by Balor clashing with Morrigan’s thunderous bass in great fashion. After that, we face the atmospheric (and a bit lengthy) Secrets Confide, a slow, sinister tune by Abscence that sets the tone for the six-minute aria Silk & Shadows, a Black Metal extravaganza where Mordred’s devilish roars will send shivers down your spine while the atmosphere trembles to their wicked riffs and beats, all boosted by Morrigan’s hypnotizing clean vocals.

Eternal Vows of Midnight is another sinister, spine-chilling composition by Abscence, with the haunting keys by Gawain walking hand in hand with Morrigan’s delicate yet penetrating vocals. Mordred then takes the lead once again with his Dani Filth-like screeches in Cloak of Mind, a fast and infuriated composition where Gawain’s keys give the song a striking phantasmagorical vibe; and the second to last song of the album, titled Whispers of Eternity, presents a more Melodic Black Metal vibe thanks to the harmonious guitar lines by Balor. Not only that, it’s perhaps the song where Morrigan’s vocals thrive the most. Finally, the epic conclusion to the story of the vampire lovers comes in the form of Our Love Ignites, a beautiful aria of Symphonic Black Metal magic where the vocals by Mordred and Morrigan build a cinematic paradox.

At its heart, Abscence is a band devoted to emotional authenticity and artistic freedom, with their symphonic arrangements, melodic guitars, dual vocal dynamics, and narrative-driven lyricism helping them creates a sonic world where brutality meets elegance, just like what they have to offer in Enigma. Hence, don’t forget to check what this up-and-coming beast of extreme music is up to on Facebook and on Instagram, to stream their unique, enfolding creations on Spotify, and of course to grab your copy of the hypnotizing Enigma from the band’s own BandCamp. This talented and hardworking horde has all it takes to conquer the world of heavy music with the detailed and visceral music found in Enigma, and just like the immortal love of the two protagonists of their new album, it will capture your blackened heart for all eternity.

Best moments of the album: Under Moon’s Glance, Silk & Shadows and Cloak of Mind.

Worst moments of the album: Secrets Confide.

Released in 2025 WormHoleDeath

Track listing
1. We Abandon Worldly Pearls 5:26
2. Under Moon’s Glance 7:04
3. Enigma 7:18
4. Secrets Confide 3:48
5. Silk & Shadows 6:18
6. Eternal Vows of Midnight 3:47
7. Cloak of Mind 8:09
8. Whispers of Eternity 5:25
9. Our Love Ignites 8:42

Band members
Mordred – vocals
Balor – guitars
Morrigan – bass, female vocals
Gawain – keyboards

Metal Chick of the Month – Luciana Catananti

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Demons from the war now lives… Rain down explosions upon us… Terror in the air!

As we’re heading to the end of another hot and humid summer, let’s keep the temperatures as warm as possible with our metal lady of this month of September, and you better be prepared as she will breathe fire into your damned soul with her scorching guttural. She’s the unrelenting frontwoman for an amazing Italian Technical Death Metal band named Mechanical God Creation, and since mid-2024 she has also become a vocalist for a ruthless Italian Black Metal band named Stormcrow. As you can see, she takes no prisoners in her quest for extreme music, and I’m sure you’ll have an absolute blast listening to the amazing music crafted by her bands. Her name is Luciana Catananti, a talented she-wolf that will kick your ass mercilessly, keeping the fires of Death and Black Metal burning brighter than a thousand suns in her beautiful homeland.

Born on May 2, 1985 in Bergamo, an Italian city northeast of Milan, in the Lombardy region, Luciana was part of a band named Art of Mutilation when she lived in the UK, and also a member of a band called The Anger back then, but there isn’t much information about The Anger anywhere. Well, at least we know that Art of Mutilation was a Melodic Death/Thrash Metal band based in Birkenhead, England in its early days, then moving to Wrexham, Wales, and the band lasted between 2002 and 2011 before splitting up. Luciana was only part of the band in the year of 2005, having recorded with them the demo Mortality that same year. The demo had only three songs, those being Eviscerated, Blackened Sculpture, and Cabal, and as you can see by the only two songs available on YouTube, Luciana and the boys were a really promising band (which unfortunately is no more), and her vocals were already ruthless.

It was then in 2006 in the charming Italian city of Milan when Luciana founded Mechanical God Creation alongside guitarist Simo, and quickly adding bassist Andrea “Veon” Marini, guitarist Andrea “Runza” Galdi, and drummer Mattia Jay “Jambra” Giambini to their lineup; however, as all four already left the band after a few years, she remains as the only member of the original lineup. Their music also morphed from Melodic Death Metal the likes of Arch Enemy in their early days, hence the name of the band (taken from their 2005 masterpiece Doomsday Machine), to a more visceral, brutal and infernal form of Technical Death Metal, even adding hints of modern-day Death Metal and Progressive Death Metal to their core sound, as you can se in the evolution of their music from their 2007 demo …and the Battle Becomes War, to their 2010 debut Cell XIII, followed by their 2013 sophomore Artifact of Annihilation, and finally their 2019 album The New Chapter, all available for streaming in most streaming services like BandCamp, YouTube and Spotify, except for their demo, and you can also enjoy a lot of official videos like Terror In The Air and I Am The Godless Man, and lots of cool live footage including Walking Dead live in Russia in 2014, on their official YouTube channel.

Although Mechanical God Creation haven’t released any new material since 2019, we can also enjoy our dauntless growler as the new frontwoman for an Italian Black Metal band named Stormcrow since July 2024, under the moniker Vexa (maybe taken from a half-troll from Dungeons & Dragons, who knows). Playing what they like to label as “Alpine Black Metal”, the band currently formed of our beloved Luciana, or if you prefer, Vexa on vocals alongside Vastis also on vocals, Astaroth and Tohrus on the guitars, Zedar on bass, and Wraith on drums has been making a name for themselves since 1997, having already released the demo Hell on Earth (2000), the EP Wounded Skies (2004), and the full-length albums Disposition to Tyranny (2012), Face the Giant (2019), and more recently Path to Ascension (2024), all available on BandCamp and on Spotify. Furthermore, although Luciana has only been playing live with the band for now, with no participation in any of the band’s albums, not only you should still listen to all of their discography as their music is awesome, but it will also give you a very good taste of what Luciana has to offer when hitting the stages together with her new horde (and stay tuned as their 2026 European dates are coming soon).

Apart from Mechanical God Creation, Stormcrow, The Anger, and Art of Mutilation, you can also find Luciana as a guest vocalist for the song Urban Massacre, from the 2019 album 1996, by an Italian Death Metal/Grindcore band named Abbinormal. It’s a one-minute song, which might be very short for us metalheads eager for more of Luciana’s vocals, but enough already to show how violent she can sound. She has also recently contributed with her powerful vocals to a track titled Portals, on the new album by legendary Dutch Death Metal band Pestilence that should see the light of day sometime still in 2025 (or maybe only in 2026). In addition, you can also find on YouTube a cover version for Lamb of God’s Walk With Me In Hell by Luciana alongside Italian guitarist and bassist Francesca Mancini, of bands like Chaos Rising, Necrosy, and Sudden Death, and let me tell you that such an incredible female duo kicked some serious ass with their rendition of one of the best songs by Randy Blythe and his crew.

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Highly influenced by bands the likes of Morbid Angel, Behemoth, Cannibal Corpse and Deicide, just to name a few, Luciana enjoys writing caustic, harsh lyrics that reflect the daily reality and the problems we all face in the time we’re living that is so full of very important and sudden changes from the cultural, political and technological point of view. Moreover, apart from heavy music, Luciana also enjoys listening to bands and artists like David Bowie, Adele, Coldplay, and Amy Winehouse, showing her eclectic music taste, and when asked which was her first ever live concert and the very first album she bought, she mentioned the always controversial Marilyn Manson (saying it was a great show and that he is a good frontman, but also pointing out she doesn’t listen to him anymore), and probably a Metallica album as far as she remembers.

Having already played at some of the biggest festivals in Europe with heavy music giants including Ozzy Osbourne, Korn, Megadeth, Graveworm, Meshuggah, and Amon Amarth,  just to name a few, Luciana also mentioned in one of her interviews that she really enjoys a festival in Slovenia named Metalcamp, saying that although it’s not as big as Wacken Open Air, it’s a very nice festival in the midst of nature. I really wish both Mechanical God Creation and Stormcrow would cross the pond and come play a few shows in Canada and in the United States, but I understand it’s not easy nowadays to tour the world due to the high touring costs. Well, maybe I can catch them at an European festival next year, right?

Despite being a proud Italian, while at the same time of course having her own constructive feedback about the current political and social landscapes in her homeland, Luciana is not very involved with the Italian underground scene. She mentioned in one of her interviews that she obviously knows bands like Fleshgod Apocalypse are proudly carrying the Italian flag everywhere they go, and she feels very happy for them despite not being a true fan of their music.

Currently working in the A&R (Artists and Repertoire) department of WormHoleDeath and Epictronic, Luciana mentioned in an interview that one of her biggest mistakes in music was having stopped to play the piano after years playing it, as it certainly helped her to feel calm. However, if you think she enjoys movies that would also make her calm down and relax, you’ve got another thing coming as her favorite flicks are horror movies with zombies or exorcisms, with her favorite one being the classic Dawn of the Dead. Maybe one day we’ll see Luciana joining the cast of a horror movie, playing some sort of she-demon, screaming at our faces, and sending shivers down the spines of the lighthearted. Because she’s a true extreme music diva, and she will show no mercy for your soul armed with her phenomenal vocals and badass attitude.

Luciana Catananti’s Official Facebook page
Luciana Catananti’s Official Instagram
Mechanical God Creation’s Official Facebook page
Mechanical God Creation’s Official Instagram
Mechanical God Creation’s Official YouTube channel
Stormcrow’s Official Facebook page
Stormcrow’s Official Instagram
Stormcrow’s Official YouTube channel

Album Review – Belle Morte / Pearl Hunting (2025)

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Let the music by this global collaboration of sound and spirit crafted by one of the most innovative acts of the current Gothic and Symphonic Metal scene worldwide penetrate deep inside your soul.

Emerging as one of the most innovative acts of the current Gothic and Symphonic Metal scene worldwide, Minsk, Belarus-based Belle Morte returns with their highly anticipated sophomore album, titled Pearl Hunting, following up on their critically acclaimed 2021 debut Crime of Passion. Known for their dark, gothic edge and symphonic depth, the band formed of Belle Morte on vocals, Ilya Rogovoy and Ilya Petrashkevich on the guitars, Sergey Butovsky on bass, Maria Shumanskaya on keyboards, and Rostislav Golubnichiy on drums ventures into a bold new territory with their new album in collaboration with a lineup of fantastic, multi-talented guest musicians from across the globe. Recorded across continents, the album combines the majesty of Symphonic Metal with traditional sounds from countries as far-reaching as Mongolia, Japan, and Peru, blending Eastern, Celtic, and Latin influences into a transcendent fusion.

Featuring Hunt Max Kerner, Caterina Castiglioni, Yanina Yakshevich, and Ada Rusinkiewicz, each bringing forward the unique sounds of instruments like the Celtic bouzouki and the Germanic lyre, the title track Pearl Hunting is a gentle and soothing start to the album; and Tero Kalliomäki and his jouhikko join Belle Morte in Fallen Idol, a Symphonic Metal extravaganza where the guitars by Ilya Rogovoy and Ilya Petrashkevich exhale power and passion. In Exorcism we have guest Ulziisaikhan Khoroldamba armed with his Mongolian mornin khuur and throat singing (like what the guys from The HU offer in their creations), with Rostislav making sure there’s enough heaviness in the song thanks to his pounding drums; whereas featuring Lernik Khachatrian and his Armenian clarinet duduk, Belle Morte sounds absolutely passionate and melancholic on vocals for our total delight in Blame Me, followed by Wintersleep, featuring Ella Zlotos and Marta Masciola, providing Belle Morte with exactly what she needs to shine on vocals in this whimsical ballad, all boosted by Maria’s crying violin. And in Losing Faith we face the mesmerizing pan pipes, ocarina and quena by Carlos Carty, resulting in an enfolding folk tune where traditional sounds clash with heavy riffs.

Guest Maulana Malik Ibrahim blasts the unique sounds of the suling and gamelan in Black Waters, while Belle Morte and Sergey make a stunning vocal duet in another excellent metal ballad by the band; while Emma Spinelli and Rúben Monteiro bring the sounds of the lute and the hurdy-gurdy to the band’s core Symphonic and Gothic Metal in Willow, again presenting a striking fusion of melodic vocals, metallic guitars and hammering drums. Rúben Monteiro returns with the sounds of the saz baglama and oud in September, also featuring guest vocals by Ada Rusinkiewicz, offering us all more of Belle Morte’s charming yet penetrating vocals; and featuring Hisashi, Reigen Fujii and Souzan Kato, it’s east meets west in the rockin’ feast titled Jorōgumo, where once again Rostislav’s drums sound fierce, matching with the song’s harsh vociferations. Krew, featuring Yaroslav Dzhus, Alex Pilkevych, and Ada Rusinkiewicz, is a decent ballad in their mother tongue, albeit not as compelling as the rest of the album, while lastly we have the acoustic version of Exorcism, which feels like a special bonus track offered by Belle Morte, a beautiful rendition of one of the album’s best songs.

After all is said and done, Pearl Hunting showcases Belle Morte’s evolution into global musical storytelling while incorporating an impressive range of instruments, including the Belarusian duda, the Ukrainian sopilka, the Celtic bouzouki, and the Armenian duduk, alongside the Peruvian pan pipes, the Indonesian suling and gamelan, and the Japanese shamisen, koto, and shakuhachi. Each track offers its auditory landscape, pairing the intensity of Symphonic Metal with the haunting allure of the Trinity College harp or the guttural, earthy tones of the morin khuur. Hence, don’t forget to check what Belle Morte are up to on Facebook, Instagram, and VKontakte, to stream their music on YouTube and on Spotify, and to purchase the breathtaking Pearl Hunting by clicking HERE. Pearl Hunting is more than just a Symphonic Metal album, but a declaration of the beauty of all types of music, and how important music will always be to build a stunning connection between different people and their unique cultures.

Best moments of the album: Fallen Idol, Exorcism, Black Waters and September.

Worst moments of the album: Krew.

Released in 2025 WormHoleDeath

Track listing
1. Pearl Hunting 1:46
2. Fallen Idol 5:11
3. Exorcism 5:30
4. Blame Me 4:35
5. Wintersleep 5:18
6. Losing Faith 5:11
7. Black Waters 4:44
8. Willow 5:26
9. September 4:50
10. Jorōgumo 4:51
11. Krew 4:45
12. Exorcism (Acoustic version) 5:53

Band members
Belle Morte – vocals
Ilya Rogovoy – guitars
Ilya Petrashkevich – guitars
Sergey Butovsky – bass, backing vocals, vocals on “Fallen Idol”, “Black Waters”, “Jorōgumo” and “Krew”
Maria Shumanskaya – keyboards, violin on “Wintersleep”
Rostislav Golubnichiy – drums

Guest musicians
Max Kerner – Celtic bouzouki on “Pearl Hunting”
Caterina Castiglioni – Germanic lyre on “Pearl Hunting”
Yanina Yakshevich – Belarusian duda and Ukrainian sopilka on “Pearl Hunting”
Ada Rusinkiewicz – backing vocals on “Pearl Hunting”, “September” and “Krew”
Tero Kalliomäki – jouhikko on “Fallen Idol”
Ulziisaikhan Khoroldamba – Mongolian mornin khuur and throat singing on “Exorcism”
Lernik Khachatrian – Armenian duduk on “Blame Me”
Ella Zlotos – uilleann pipes, tin whistle and low whistle on “Wintersleep”
Marta Masciola – Trinity College harp replica on “Wintersleep”
Carlos Carty – pan pipes, ocarina and quena on “Losing Faith”
Maulana Malik Ibrahim – suling, gamelan and additional vocals on “Black Waters”
Emma Spinelli – lute on “Willow”
Rúben Monteiro – hurdy-gurdy on “Willow”, saz baglama and oud on “September”
Hisashi – koto on “Jorōgumo”
Reigen Fujii – shamisen on “Jorōgumo”
Souzan Kato – shakuhachi on “Jorōgumo”
Yaroslav Dzhus – bandura on “Krew”
Alex Pilkevych – backing vocals on “Krew”

Album Review – Misanthropia / Envy The Dead (2024)

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These Dutch Black Metal veterans are back with a concept album that conjures a dark, gritty atmosphere inspired by historical horrors like Jack The Ripper and necromancy.

For over 20 years, Nijmegen, Netherlands-based Melodic Black Metal horde Misanthropia has been carving a path through the metal scene with their unique blend of blackened fury and Death Metal aggression, and that grim path continues now in 2024 with their fifth full-length offering, entitled Envy The Dead. Engineered, mixed and mastered by Mike Wead (Mercyful Fate, King Diamond), Envy The Dead is a concept album that conjures a dark, gritty atmosphere inspired by historical horrors like Jack The Ripper and necromancy. Moving away from symphonic elements, it embraces a Progressive Death and Thrash Metal vibe with influences from Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth, Necrophobic, Mayhem, and Death, all carefully brought into being by Bram Koller on vocals and guitars, Dennis Schoenmaker also on the guitars, Pepijn Heilbron on bass, and Hugo de Waal on drums.

The cryptic, cinematic intro Envy the Dead will drag you to the world of horrors ruled by Misanthopia before they crush your soul in Malediction and Laughter, where Bram leads his horde with his austere, sulfurous gnarls supported by the violent yet intricate beats and fills by Hugo. Bram and Dennis showcase their passion for the riff in Organs, for a Fair Price, evolving into a bestial fusion of Death and Black Metal; followed by Prosperity by Cocaïne, presenting over five minutes of Melodic Black Metal for the masses spearheaded by the rumbling drums by Hugo with the help of Pepijn’s massive bass lines. And Hugo continues his path of devastation in Maze of Madness, enhancing the visceral reach of the riffage blasted by Bram and Dennis.

River Dumplings reminds me of some old school creations by Dimmu Borgir with the bands own Melodic Death and Black Metal twist, in special the harsh, piercing vociferations by Bram, whereas the quartet delivers another round of their flammable, caustic sounds in Coughing in the Coffin House, led by the classic beats by Hugo and supported by Pepijn’s devilish bass. Fade into the Abyss, the second single of the album, brings forward the band’s most aggressive side, resulting in a feast of Black and Death Metal where Bram’s vocals sound and feel truly haunting; and their last breath of obscurity and fear, entitled A Deadly Embrace, a Sinister Grace, will pierce our minds with it Melodic Black Metal vocalizations and riffs, not to mention how thrilling the drums sound and feel throughout the entire song.

The incendiary, harsh and devilish Envy The Dead is already available in full on YouTube and on Spotify, but of course you can join Misanthropia in their darkened path by purchasing your favorite version of the album by clicking HERE. Don’t forget to also follow those talented Dutch metallers on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, helping them keep the spirit of both old school and present-day Black Metal alive, therefore inspiring the band to keep moving forward in the name of extreme music for at least another 20 years.

Best moments of the album: Malediction and Laughter, Prosperity by Cocaïne and Fade into the Abyss.

Worst moments of the album: Maze of Madness.

Released in 2024 WormHoleDeath

Track listing
1. Envy the Dead 2:23
2. Malediction and Laughter 6:12
3. Organs, for a Fair Price 5:47
4. Prosperity by Cocaïne 5:37
5. Maze of Madness 6:25
6. River Dumplings 4:21
7. Coughing in the Coffin House 5:10
8. Fade into the Abyss 4:15
9. A Deadly Embrace, a Sinister Grace 0:41

Band members
Bram Koller – vocals, rhythm guitars
Dennis Schoenmaker – lead & rhythm guitars
Pepijn Heilbron – bass
Hugo de Waal – drums

Album Review – Odio Deus / Spiritual Syphilis (2024)

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The debut album by this Norwegian Black Metal horde will attack your senses mercilessly, unveiling the inherent ‘evil’ embedded in organized religions.

Meticulously crafted for approximately two years, evolving from a mere idea to a finished product, Spiritual Syphilis, the debut opus by Oslo, Norway-based Black Metal horde Odio Deus, unveils the inherent ‘evil’ embedded in organized religions, particularly those led by fanatical leaders. Presenting a fusion of traditional Norwegian and Swedish Black Metal heavily influenced by the American Death Metal scene, Spiritual Syphilis is a beast of an album brought into being by Braatebrann on vocals, guitars and bass, Winterheart on the guitars, and the band’s mastermind Telal on drums and bass, or in other words, a collaborative effort with all three members working in unison from inception to completion, being highly recommended for all fans of old school Black and Death Metal.

As soon as you hit play, an ominous start suddenly explodes into chaotic, fierce Black Metal led by the demented drumming by Telal in Curse of Jehovah, definitely not recommended for the lighthearted, setting fire to the atmosphere before the sulfurous The Con Man makes things even more scorching, with Braatebrann’s harsh, devilish vocals being an ode to classic Black Metal. After such an explosive song we have The Chosen People, a massive Black Metal onrush by Odio Deus in the vein of Behemoth where Braatebrann sounds inhumane on vocals, exhaling rage, darkness and evil, whereas the title-track Spiritual Syphilis will smash you like a putrid insect, with Telal crushing his drums mercilessly in an amazing display of both classic and modern-day Melodic Black Metal.

Then the slashing riffs by Braatebrann and Winterheart set the tone in Deceiver, another solid composition by the trio that should work really well if played live; and leaning towards a darker, doomed version of Black Metal, we’re treated to Lenkene er brutt, which means “the chains are broken” from Norwegian, keeping the album at a high level of obscurity thanks to all demonic sounds blasted by the band. Svik, the Norwegian word for “betrayal”, brings forward more of their caustic riffs and hammering drums, with Braatebrann once again leading his horde with his devilish, grim roars and gnarls, whereas Glossolalia is by far the heaviest of all songs thanks to the brutal bass lines by Braatebrann and the always pounding drums by Telal, switching gears to a venomous Black Metal sound halfway through it, therefore resulting in a complete aria. And lastly, Til evig tid, or “for eternity” in English, sounds haunting and multi-layered, albeit not as exciting as the other songs, also presenting a way too lengthy ending but still being very enjoyable.

In a nutshell, Odio Deus simply nailed it with Spiritual Syphilis, with everything related to the album, from its title to its artwork, from its lyrics to its violent and caustic music, perfectly representing all the evil that religion does to mankind. Hence, don’t forget to start following the band on Facebook if you also believe fanatic religion leaders will bring humanity to its downfall, and also to grab a copy of the album from Amazon (and soon from other sources). Odio Deus can be translated from Latin as something like “I hate God”, and that’s exactly what the band proposes with their music, staying true to Black Metal not only regarding its sound, but also its principles, all beautifully offered to us all in the form of Spiritual Syphilis.

Best moments of the album: The Con Man, Spiritual Syphilis and Glossolalia.

Worst moments of the album: Til evig tid.

Released in 2024 WormHoleDeath

Track listing
1. Curse of Jehovah 6:23
2. The Con Man 5:49
3. The Chosen People 4:22
4. Spiritual Syphilis 4:47
5. Deceiver 4:07
6. Lenkene er brutt 4:47
7. Svik 5:44
8. Glossolalia 4:36
9. Til evig tid 6:40

Band members
Braatebrann – vocals, guitars, bass
Winterheart – guitars
Telal – drums, bass

Album Review – Heterogeneous Andead / Chaotic Fragments (2022)

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A chaotic amalgamation of metal and non-metal styles beautifully brought into being by one of the most creative bands of the current Japanese scene.

Formed in 2013 in the metropolitan city of Tokyo, Japan, the idiosyncratic Symphonic Death/Thrash Metal unity that goes by the curious name of Heterogeneous Andead has just released their sophomore album, entitled Chaotic Fragments, the follow up to their 2018 debut album Deus Ex Machina. Comprised of Haruka Morikawa on vocals and Yusuke Kiyama on the guitars, synthesizers and programming (not to mention drummer Tomoyuki Nakano, who left the band shortly after the recordings of Chaotic Fragments), Heterogeneous Andead play a very unique style of heavy music that can be labeled as “Melodic and Symphonic Electro Death/Thrash Metal”, and it’s quite easy to identify all those elements in their new album, sounding very harmonious but at the same time chaotic, progressive but at the same time violent, and delicate but at the same time energetic.

The band begins a Speed and Thrash Metal-inspired attack entitled The Void Sacrifice, with Yusuke slashing his stringed axe while Haruka alternates between gnarling deeply in an old school Death Metal way and her operatic vocals; and the Anime-like keys and synths by Yusuke will penetrate deep inside your mind in Fragments of Memories, sounding as if you’re placed inside a video game where the soundtrack is ass-kicking heavy music, not to mention how awesome the drums by Tomoyuki sound and feel. Tomoyuki continues to crush his drums accompanied by the wicked riffs and keys by Yusuke in Last Reverie, fast and thrilling from start to finish with Haruka once again being a princess and a she-demon incarnate on vocals. Then close your eyes and succumb to the breathtaking Symphonic and Electronic Death Metal by Heterogeneous Andead in Beautiful Nightmare, also presenting elements from the Black Metal played by Cradle of Filth, or in other words, it’s nonstop adrenaline flowing through our avid ears.

Fission brings forward a fusion of the heaviness and rage of Death and Thrash Metal with the insanity of electronic music, with Haruka stealing the spotlight with another kick-ass vocal performance; whereas putting the pedal to the metal the trio fires the high-octane Mirror of the Lie, with its background keys adding hints of epicness to the demented Death Metal sounds blasted, once again reminding me of the heaviest and craziest Gothic Metal bands from the 80’s with a Black Metal twist. Their second to last explosion of idiosyncratic sounds is offered in the form of Regrettable, where Haruka’s barks make a beautiful paradox with the keys by Yusuke and obviously with her own operatic vocals, all supported by the classic blast beats by Tomoyuki. There’s time for one more round of their striking music with over eight minutes of flammable riffs and solos, sinister keys and massive beats entitled Licking, which despite lacking the creativity of the previous songs still provides a powerful ending to the album.

While Haruka and Yusuke search for a new guitarist, a new bassist and a new drummer to join them in their quest for heavy music, you can enjoy Chaotic Fragments in full on Spotify, as well as follow the band on Facebook and subscribe to their YouTube channel. In addition, in order to show all your support and admiration for Heterogeneous Andead, you can purchase their classy new album by clicking HERE, or from Qobuz. You won’t regret succumbing to the chaotic and experimental music brought into being by Heterogeneous Andead, proving once and for all that if innovation is your cup of tea in heavy music, the beautiful Japan will always be your place to go.

Best moments of the album: The Void Sacrifice, Beautiful Nightmare and Mirror of the Lie.

Worst moments of the album: Licking.

Released in 2022 WormHoleDeath

Track listing
1. The Void Sacrifice 4:49
2. Fragments of Memories 8:26
3. Last Reverie 5:24
4. Beautiful Nightmare 6:53
5. Fission 6:05
6. Mirror of the Lie 5:34
7. Regrettable 5:23
8. Licking 8:29

Band members
Haruka Morikawa – vocals
Yusuke Kiyama – guitars, synthesizers, programming
Tomoyuki Nakano – drums

Album Review – Artamene / Ziggurat (2022)

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Behold the debut opus by this Iranian metal horde, setting out on the difficult path of breaking barriers and scaling the cliffs of prejudice.

Setting out on the difficult path of breaking barriers and scaling the cliffs of prejudice, Tehran, Iran-based Heavy/Thrash Metal band Artamene has just unleashed upon humanity their debut full-length opus, entitled Ziggurat, bringing into being much more than just an amalgamation of metal and non-metal styles, but a solid statement that vocalist Soheil Avakh, guitarists Pedram Shitrah and Ali Karimi, bassist Yahya Rahmani and drummer Pooya Shitrah are among us to stay, showcasing their deep and sincere passion for heavy music with each track of their newborn spawn. “Ziggurat is based on Iranian ancient mythology which we tried to show human life in the era that we are living, especially ourselves as an Iranian metal band who are labeled as Satan worshipers and accused as an anti-cultural wave and relate it to the storyline which was told,” commented the band about the album, inviting us all to join them in their quest for Heavy Metal, freedom and equality.

The sinister guitars by Pedram and Ali kick off the opening tune Infinite Escape, with Soheil declaiming the song’s lyrics with tons of anger in his heart (“As the sun appears / Spate of piercing thoughts start to flow / Desertion, illusion, an infinite escape / As you decide to face your fears / The same coward you always have been grown”) in a fusion of Thrash and Groove Metal with Metalcore elements, whereas the band’s guitar duo keeps darkening the skies with their riffage and solos in Fear of Darkness, another heavy and melodic creation by the quintet where Pooya dictates the song’s wicked pace while also presenting hints of Progressive Metal. It’s then time for another neck-breaking extravaganza entitled Heavy Motion, with Yahya and Pooya adding tons of groove to the music armed with their sonic weapons, resulting in an awesome display of heavy music inspired by renowned acts the likes of Pantera and Lamb of God; and in Mayhem the name of the song says it all, sounding brutal and fierce from the very first second with Soheil showcasing his dirtiest and deepest roars of the whole album.

Get ready to slam into the circle pit to the sound of Shining Black, where Pedram and Ali show no mercy for our souls while Yahya is on absolute fire with his metallic bass, or in other words, it’s a solid, progressive and thrilling instrumental feast by Artamene; and Yahya’s bass keeps hammering our heads in Inshushinak, blending the heaviest elements from Groove and Thrash Metal and all spiced up by the gruesome, infernal screams and vociferations by Soheil in paradox with his own clean vocals. The sound of rain ignites the delicate interlude Rain of Paradise, with Pedram and Ali jamming in great fashion, setting the stage for Petrichor, starting in the same enfolding manner as its predecessor before evolving into a melodic and somber musicality, with Soheil’s melancholic vocals walking hand in hand with the whimsical riffs by the band’s guitarists.

As aforementioned, Ziggurat, which is available for a full listen on on YouTube and on Spotify, is much more than just an album of contemporary metal music, but proof that Artamene will keep moving forward no matter what, going against all odds in the name of heavy music and working hard for their place in the scene. Hence, don’t forget to follow those Iranian metallers on Facebook and on Instagram for all things Artamene, to subscribe to their YouTube channel for their wicked videos, and of course, above all that, to purchase a copy of Ziggurat by clicking HERE. Let your hearts shine through this blackened earth, and let the violent but melodic music blasted by Artamene in Ziggurat enter deep inside your soul forever and ever.

Best moments of the album: Heavy Motion, Mayhem and Inshushinak.

Worst moments of the album: Rain of Paradise.

Released in 2022 WormHoleDeath

Track listing
1. Infinite Escape 5:27
2. Fear of Darkness 4:10
3. Heavy Motion 3:54
4. Mayhem 3:50
5. Shining Black 5:24
6. Inshushinak 6:01
7. Rain of Paradise 2:55
8. Petrichor 5:38

Band members
Soheil Avakh – vocals
Pedram Shitrah – lead guitar
Ali Karimi – rhythm guitar
Yahya Rahmani – bass
Pooya Shitrah – drums

Album Review – Belle Morte / Crime of Passion (2021)

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Enjoy this stunning album of Gothic and Symphonic Metal made in Belarus with dark and progressive flavors and a beautiful, melancholic vibe.

3.5rating

belle-morte-crime-of-passion-2021Formed in 2015 in Minsk, the capital and the largest city of Belarus, the musical project that goes by the Stygian name of Belle Morte plays a fusion of Gothic and Symphonic Metal with dark and progressive flavors and a beautiful, melancholic vibe. Spearheaded by the talented and stylish vocalist Belle Morte, the project has just released their brand new opus entitled Crime of Passion, following up on their highly acclaimed 2018 debut EP Game On. Produced, mixed and mastered by Sergey Butovsky (who also plays bass and does backing vocals on the entire album), displaying a delicate artwork by Stefan Heilemann (Heilemania), and inspired by John Fowles’ novel The Collector, Crime of Passion tells a coherent story which started as an unhealthy obsession and stalking and resulted in murder, both from the side of the murderer and his victim, all beautifully and meticulously put together by Belle Morte and her bandmates Ilya Rogovoy and Ilya Petrashkevich on the guitars, Sergey Butovsky on bass, Maria Shumanskaya on keyboards and Rostislav Golubnichiy on drums in a way that will certainly please all fans of the genre.

Dark and melancholic sounds permeate the air in the cinematic intro Overture, preparing our hearts and souls for Who Are You, where Belle declaims the song’s poetic lyrics majestically (“You’re watching me, what do you see / I want to hide, but you’re behind / I try to run the hunt begun / Don’t cross this line, there’s no return”) while the band’s guitar duo slashes his stringed axe accompanied by the rumbling bass by Sergey; whereas investing in a more Gothic and modern sonority it’s time for the delicate If Only You Knew, featuring guest guitars by Artur Naumenko and displaying hints of Industrial Rock and Metal added to the band’s core essence. Artur keeps delivering his classic riffs in To Get Her, keeping the dark flames of Gothic and Symphonic Metal burning bright while Belle is again fantastic on vocals, resulting in a thrilling fusion of the music by Nightwish, Tristania and Lacrimosa, and leaning towards pure old school Symphonic Metal we’re treated to Beauty And The Beast, showcasing crushing beats, atmospheric passages and endless passion flowing from Belle’s distinguished voice supported by the guitars by Ilya Rogovoy and Ilya Petrashkevich.

My Little Demon brings forward another round of their cryptic words declaimed by Belle and Sergey (“Come to me, my little demon, stay with me until the dawn / I won’t lie to you, my darling, when you fall asleep I’ll run / I won’t lie to you, my darling, you will lose me with the sun”), with the guitars by Ilya Rogovoy and Ilya Petrashkevich adding a touch of evil to the overall musicality, which is also the case in Broken Things, presenting a pleasant sonority led by Belle and her whimsical vocals and with Sergey once again kicking ass with his groovy bass. Then a serene intro gradually grows in intensity, evolving into a dark and melancholic ballad entitled Beauty Meant To Kill where the acoustic guitars by Sergey generate the perfect ambience for Belle to shine on vocals once again; whereas enfolding piano notes will penetrate deep inside your mind in Lace, featuring guest guitars by Kirill Movshuk, sounding very orchestral at times and with Belle hypnotizing us all with her soulful vocals as usual. And lastly, featuring guest backing vocals by Alexandra Mantis and Katya Shtirts, My Legacy drinks form the same fountain as renowned bands the likes of Epica, Within Temptation and Nightwish, or in other words, it’s the perfect way to close the album in great fashion.

belle-morte-2021The gorgeous and mesmerizing music by Belle Morte in Crime of Passion can be appreciated in full on Spotify, but of course in order to show your true support to the band you should definitely purchase a copy of the album by clicking HERE or HERE, as well as from their own BandCamp page or from the Aural webstore, and if you want to know more about Belle Morte and listen to more of their classy metal music simply go to their official Facebook page, to Instagram, to VKontakte and to their YouTube channel. Crime of Passion is one of those albums that will drag you to darkness, take you to another world and captivate all your senses once and for all, just the way we like it in Gothic music, and let’s hope Belle Morte and her amazing crew can keep embellishing the airwaves with more releases like their excellent new album for all eternity.

Best moments of the album: Beauty And The Beast, My Little Demon and My Legacy.

Worst moments of the album: Broken Things.

Released in 2021 WormHoleDeath

Track listing     
1. Overture 1:38
2. Who Are You 3:48
3. If Only You Knew 4:35
4. To Get Her 5:11
5. Beauty And The Beast 3:43
6. My Little Demon 5:41
7. Broken Things 4:10
8. Beauty Meant To Kill 4:26
9. Lace 5:15
10. My Legacy 3:07

Bonus track
11. To Get Her (Acoustic version) 4:19

Band members
Belle Morte – vocals
Ilya Rogovoy – guitars on “Who Are You”, “Beauty And The Beast”, “My Little Demon”, “Broken Things” and “My Legacy”
Ilya Petrashkevich – guitars
Sergey Butovsky – bass, backing vocals, vocals on  “My Little Demon” and “To Get Her”, acoustic guitars on “Beauty Meant To Kill”
Maria Shumanskaya – keyboards
Rostislav Golubnichiy – drums

Guest musicians
Alexandra Mantis – backing vocals on “My Legacy”
Katya Shtirts – backing vocals on “My Legacy”
Kirill Movshuk – guitars on “Lace”
Artur Naumenko – guitars on “If Only You Knew” and “To Get Her”