Irkalla/Skyshatter/2026 Full Length Review

  Irkalla  are  a  solo  project  form  Austria  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2026  album  "Skyshatter".

  A  very  heavy  thrash  metal  influenced  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  The  music  also  shows  influences  of  both  the  old  school  and  modern  era's  of  the  genre  along  with  a  couple  of  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  plying,  tremolo  picking  is  also  added  into  some  of  the  faster  riffing  and  one  song  is  also  a piano  orientated  instrumental.

  Irkalla  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  a  melodic  form  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  thrash  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  fantasy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Irkalla  is  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  thrash  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Skyshatter"  "Sinister  Devotion"  and  "Weltonbruch".  8  out  of  10.

 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/366led9l37LWzGrFWXAshs
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoJJvQHTMUcMWl1TctixCwA
Follow Matej's main band here: https://www.sheogorath.at/

 

    

Anifernyen/Ex Tenebris Lvx/Ethereal Sound Works/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Anifernyen  are  a  band  from  Portugal  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Ex  Tenebris  Lvx"  which  will  be  released  in  April  by  Ethereal  Sound  Works.

  A  very  fast  and  brutal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  vocals  also  add  in  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Whispers  and  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  tracks  while  the  album  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  a  few  songs  also  adding  in  clear  singing  and  clean  playing,  synths  are  also  added  on  the  closing  track.

  On  this  recording  Anifernyen  continue  to  expand  on  the  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  that  they  have  introduced  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  based  upon  Arturo  Perez-Revete's  "The  Club  Dumas".

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Anifernyen  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  black  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "None  Shall  Be  Denied"  "Frusta"  "Disciple  Surpasses  The  Master"  and  "From  Darkness  Comes  Light".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UizyZuhurUY

bandcamp; facebook; instagram         

  

Se, josta ei puhuta/Syvyyden portit on saatava auli/Inverse Records/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Se,  josta  el  puhuta  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Syvyyden  portit  on  saatava  auii"  which  will  be  released  in  may  by  Inverse  Records.

  Synths  and  clean  playing  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  lot  of  tremolo  picking and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  along  with  some  spoken  words  also  being  used  on  a  few  tracks  and  the  the  vocals  add  in  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.

  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Clean  playing and  acoustic  guitars  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style,  whispered  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly and  a  brief  use  of  clear  vocals  and  orchestration  are  added  on  the  closing  track.

  On  this  recording  Se,  Jo0sta  el  puhuta  continue  to  expand  on  the  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  from  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Finnish  and  cover  death,  misery  and  the  dark  side  of  human  nature.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Se,  josta  el  puhuta  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  black  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Myrsky"  "Pahuuden  palavat  noulet"  and  "Pimeys  ja  kuinen  yp".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/T7tHrBma1YU

https://linktr.ee/sejostaeipuhutaofficial 

http://www.facebook.com/sejostaeipuhuta 
https://www.instagram.com/sejostaeipuhutaofficial 
https://www.tiktok.com/@sejostaeipuhuta 

https://sejostaeipuhuta.bandcamp.com    

Nefarious Grime Interview

 

 1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the musical project these days? 

I am currently working on 7 different projects for Nefarious simultaneously! 

2 different splits with different artists from all around the world. 

1 Goth EP and Single 

A compilation of my Noise/ Avant Garde music  

Working on an Industrial track 

And a lo-fi Dungeon Synth album 

 

2.Recently you have released a new EP; musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past? 

It differs in the quality of sound and composition mostly. There is now a level of sophistication and proper structure that I’m aiming for. I usually would just improvise everything in the past and not actually compose with a goal in mind. It was a very intuitive way of writing.  

 

3.Originally the project started out more with a darkwave style while the new release shows more of a black metal style. What was the decision behind going into this musical direction? 

Black Metal has been a genre I have had a deep, long intimate love and appreciation for. It’s a genre I’ve always been curious to play and explore but never got the chance to until a year ago when my friend Vinnie of Voidrium added me to a Black Metal fest and that’s when I decided this would be the perfect opportunity to try my hand at it and see what I would come up with. I was just doing it for fun and challenging myself with something new. I never thought it would take flight and be as successful as it has been.  

 

4. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with the new release and also how would you describe your progress as a songwriter over the years? 

My subject matter has always been and will always be of a dark, morose, and gothic nature for the most part. On my EP “Death is Immortal” I create fictional stories about vampires with insatiable hunger, resurrection through necrophilia and demonic dominions, but also touching on our own mortality and human plight such as regret, guilt and sorrow as well as the power and beauty of nature.  My older works didn’t have as much dark fiction as this EP does. For example, “A Broken Curse”, was mostly about betrayal, revenge and seeking guidance from ancestral spirituality to purify the soul from generational curses. Although it did have one vampire song also! I guess you can say I was flirting with the dark fiction back then.  

 

5. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Nefarious Grime? 

I was playing on the thought of Tautology where different words or phrases are framed side by side but have repeated meanings or ideas, in other words a form of redundancy. The word “Nefarious” means having wicked, evil or villainous characteristics coupled with “Grime” which indicates being dirty or filthy. Placed together basically means Evil Filth or Wicked Dirt, and it’s assumed dirt can be wicked, and filth can be evil. At the end of the day, it’s just a play on words and somewhat describing my tastes within music and the arts as well. I was raised and indoctrinated into Christianity, so my entire youth revolved around purity, and this was my way to rebel against that as well.  

 

 

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new ep cover? 

The artwork is a direct representation of how I see myself when I’m in character and on stage; A hot and sensual vampire Queen, hypnotizing the masses with my banshee screams. 

 

7.With this project you record everything by yourself but have experience working with musicians in other bands, do you prefer to work solo? 

I recorded the bass, keyboards, and vocals for the EP and did have help from my sound engineer who not only mixed and mastered all the songs but provided customized guitar parts for them too. The drums were drum tracks I found online.  

While I do love and enjoy playing in a band with a group of people, performing by myself is also equally rewarding and boosts my confidence in my ability to hit those vocal queues seamlessly and have a solid stage presence. It's also easier to be solo, especially when you don’t have to rely on anyone’s schedule or financial state to take the plunge and perform out of town.  

 

8. What are some of the best shows that you have done with this project and how would you describe your stage performance?  

So far, I really loved the support and energy when I performed in Portland, Oregon. It is significant because that was the 2nd out of state show I did as my solo project (Arkansas being the 1st which was also a great experience but didn’t yield as many people). So, it is a huge milestone for me as well. Although I will mention playing Florida Dungeon Fest in Orlando, FL also came close to that as the vibes and response there were immaculate too.  

 

9. Do you have any touring or show plans for the future? 

Yes. My next adventure will be performing in Queens NY at The Bunker April 30th, 2026. After that, I hope to conquer Seattle in June, have a do-over in Arkansas at an actual venue in September, and try to play Colorado and maybe Ohio later in the year if possible. However, I am open to playing fests or other lineups elsewhere; I will go where I’m wanted basically.  

 

 

10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and gothic metal? 

Surprisingly enough, there has been a HUGE appreciation for my flavor of Black Metal worldwide, from Spain to Australia, Germany and even Japan. I’ve gained fans from all over the world quite rapidly.  

 

11. Are you involved with any other bands or musical projects these days? 

YES XD. Way too many! But I genuinely enjoy them all.  

 

Local Projects: 

I’m the vocalist for Old School Death Metal outfit, Amenorrhea. 

 

Keyboardist and vocalist for Sludge/Doom band Snake Healer.  

 

Bassist for Post Punk duo His Panic.  

 

I’ve got a secret Black Metal project with a full lineup here in Miami. Details of this project are anticipated to be released soon, I hope! 

 

Out of Town projects: 

I’ve got a black metal project with my friend from Canada called Souffrance Eternelle; I do keyboards and vocals/ compose lyrics for that.  

 

I’ve got a goth project with a friend from Massachusetts who used to live in Miami called Martyr Opera. Slow progress with it, but the intention to start is there.  

 

I’ve got a Melodic Doom Death project called Somber Embrace with 2 friends from Virginia. We are slowly building the song structures and so far, we have about 5 songs. 

 

As mentioned earlier, I’m working on a Black Metal split with my friend in Denial of Death from Germany and a secondary split with a compilation of artists from California, Mexico and other parts of the States.  

 

Projects worth mentioning; Hiatus or Dead bands: 

My first band ever was Bullethorn; A Post Instrumental Doom project I played drums for. Apocalyptic Assault; a thrash project I played drums for. 

Dog Night Terror; a dark Punk project I also played drums for. 

 

 

 

12.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future? 

My hope is to play large festivals, not just in the States but out of the country as well.  

And eventually traveling more frequently to perform and getting a substantial allowance from that so I can continue doing what I love and eventually live off my art and music. Every artist's goals really! 

 

 

13. What are some of the bands or musical styles you are currently listening to nowadays? 

I’m highly eclectic with genres and constantly rotating the music I listen to based on my mood. I’m currently obsessed with Pillorian. 

Bongripper and Sexual Purity are always in rotation though.  

 

14. Does Occultism play any role in your music? 

Occultism plays a huge part in my music and aesthetics. And the next few albums will certainly dive deeper into more occult themes that are probably more obscure and not as touched upon. I’m highly curious and inquisitive, so I love to explore many different themes within the Occult spectrum. Watching documentaries, spiritual/ metaphysical lectures, and doing research about certain topics is one of my favorite things to do.  

 

15. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts? 

Don’t be afraid to do things on your own. You don’t really have to depend or rely on anyone but yourself to get the job done. It’s ok to get help when needed, but you should be the master of your own craft and orchestrate your own moves at your own pace. Try to always create daily and take small steps toward your goals. It's ok to sometimes do nothing and rest when needed. When inspiration comes, DO NOT STOP, let that energy flow through you. Don’t feel discouraged if you go for a long time without creating or feeling unmotivated to start; your talent and skills never really leave you. Think of it as if you are just marinating in your creative juices, anticipating the stove of willpower to turn on so you can COOK.  

https://www.facebook.com/NefariousGrime666

God Against Humanity Interview

 1. Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?

David: Hi, thank you for having us. We’re currently on a bit of a break because Ben (guitar) had to undergo surgery. In the meantime, we’re using this time to write new material and look for shows in the fall (by the way, if you’re a booker, don’t hesitate to reach out!). For now, we’re basically preparing the ground for the band’s future.

At the same time, we also have some side projects: Ben plays in Mindgrief, Max recently joined Laucéan on bass, and Simon and I are involved in Majestic Major.

Ben: Absolutely. During my recovery, I can’t lift heavy equipment like amplifiers until May, so performing is technically impossible right now. However, there are already a few opportunities in the works for the coming months.

2. You recently released your first full-length album. Musically, how does it differ from your previous demo?

David: The first demo was basically an experiment I did alone as a one-man band. I wrote and recorded the track by myself. Since then, the band has evolved into its current, stable lineup. Musically, we’ve shifted more toward death metal, and our songs are now tuned down to baritone ranges.

Ben: Personally, I wasn’t part of the band at that time. I joined as a bass player a few months before the first lockdown, then later switched to guitar while our friend Max joined on bass.

Simon: Originally, the style and atmosphere we were aiming for were quite different. We were leaning more toward black metal with a strong use of synthesizers. We were even considering recruiting a keyboard player. It’s interesting to see how everything has matured and evolved since then.

3. This is also your first release since the demo in 2018. Can you tell us more about the eight-year gap?

David: The hardest part was finding a stable lineup and playing shows with it. We wanted to perform live so the album wouldn’t just come out of nowhere. But we promise the next one will come much faster now that we have more experience and a clearer direction.

Ben: For me, the COVID lockdown was a real pain, both personally and professionally. On top of that, several members had personal issues that affected our workflow. We needed that time to build a strong relationship within the band, which is just as important as the music itself to me. We also experimented with additional instruments and musicians before finally settling on the current lineup.

Simon: A lot has changed during that time—personally, musically, and even globally. It allowed us to build the lineup we have today, which feels perfect in terms of chemistry and gives us the confidence to perform live and share our music.

4. What are some of the lyrical themes explored on the album?

David: The lyrics deal with relationships between people, especially those who see themselves as gods and those who suffer because of them. There are also more introspective tracks dealing with the pain and anxieties of modern life and how we interpret them.

5. The album title was inspired by the Judgement card. Do any of the band members have an interest in tarot?

David: Not really, but my partner does! She actually collects tarot cards. The title simply means that you reap what you sow. Most of the songs also explore how mankind destroys civilization through its sins and personal greed.

6. Can you tell us more about the artwork featured on the album cover?

David: I created the artwork myself. It represents the overall theme of the album. The most challenging part was capturing the atmosphere of the record: something with an old-school feel, a death metal edge, and a more dreamlike, black metal vibe.

Ben: Clearly, God Against Humanity is primarily David’s project. He’s the mastermind who builds everything from the ground up. Then we all bring in our own style through our instruments and vision, and we work on it together in great harmony.

7. Out of all the shows you’ve played so far, which one stands out the most?

David: Probably the show we played in Wasquehal right before the album release, with our friends from Last Retaliation. The crowd’s reaction was amazing and everything went really well.

Ben: Honestly, I don’t think there’s a single GAH show I didn’t enjoy. Everything always goes well. The shows at The Black Lab are definitely outstanding thanks to the amazing work they do for musicians, but I also love playing smaller venues with very responsive crowds.

Simon: Yes, the last show at The Black Lab was incredible. We knew it would be the last one before Ben’s surgery and the short break from performing. The venue was fantastic, the audience was amazing, and we delivered!

8. Do you have any touring plans for the new album?

David: Unfortunately not at the moment. At our level and without a label, it’s difficult to organize a tour. But if you’re a booker and you like what we do, feel free to contact us.

Ben: We’re handling everything ourselves, and organizing a tour requires a lot of time and skills. We all have busy lives—some of us have families and demanding jobs, plus other projects. But we’re actively discussing it, and hopefully with some support, it could happen in the near future.

9. The band is currently unsigned. Are you looking for a label or have you received any interest?

David: For now, we’re not actively looking for anything specific. If a label comes with a good offer, why not? But the music industry is becoming more complicated, and labels tend to take fewer risks nowadays.

Ben: Personally, I’ve never been signed, and I don’t plan to with my own project Mindgrief. But with GAH, since the album has just been released, we’re definitely open to hearing offers that could help push the project forward.

10. How has the worldwide reaction been to your music so far?

David: We haven’t received that much feedback yet. We know the album has been appreciated in Russia, Germany, and Scandinavia. The responses we’ve had so far have been very positive, but still limited.

Ben: It’s honestly amazing to see the feedback we’re getting. It feels really rewarding.

11. Where do you see the band heading musically in the future?

David: The band will probably move toward a more melodic death metal direction, with songs that are more suited for the stage while still keeping dark atmospheres. We also want to simplify our sound and focus on what’s essential for a stronger impact.

Ben: Right now, we already have a full setlist that allows us to play for almost 60 minutes. Adding new tracks is exciting because it will open up new directions and choices for us as a band. It’s great to see the project moving forward.

12. What are you currently listening to?

David: We all have our own musical tastes with some overlap. Personally, I listen to a bit of everything in metal, except pure old-school thrash. Right now, I’m really excited about Nevermore coming back, and I’m also looking forward to the new Gaerea album coming out this week.

Ben: One of the biggest debates in the band is “old school vs modern” metal influences, but we all share a strong love for extreme metal—especially death, melodic, and progressive metal. These are our roots. Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of post-black and blackgaze, especially the two bands I toured with in February: RAÜM and MÜRRMÜRR. I love massive reverb over transcendental blast beats.

Simon: We all have different tastes but a solid common ground. Personally, I’ve been listening to Der Weg Einer Freiheit’s latest release on repeat, and I can’t wait to hear what Benighted comes up with next.

13. Any final words?

David: A big thank you to you for your time. When you’re unsigned and releasing your first record, it’s easy to be overlooked, so we really appreciate your support.

Ben: I feel honored to be part of this band with amazing people like David, Simon, and Max. We’re like brothers, and it’s a great life experience. I’m also very grateful for all the feedback we’ve received over the years. May the Eternal bless you all—this is just the beginning. L’Amour triomphera.

Simon: Thank you for your time, and thanks to everyone who came to see us or listened to our first album. It’s always a pleasure to get feedback. See you very soon!

https://www.facebook.com/godagainsthumanity

Madvice/I 'Ottavo Giorno/Art Gates Records/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Madvice  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "I  'Ottavo  Giorno"  which  was  released  by  Art  Gates  Records.

  A  very  fast  and  brutal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  thrash  metal  elements.

  Death  metal  growls  and  spoken  words  are  also  used  at  times  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Synths  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing,  melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  as  well  as  the  solos  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style,  one  song  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  clear  vocals.

  Madvice  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  a  melodic  form  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  death  and  thrash  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  inner  struggles,  death  and  sorrow  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Madvice  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Legacy  Of  The  Serpent  God"  and  "Not  Dead  Enough  (to  Feel  No  Pain)'.  8  out  of  10.

  https://artgatesrecords.com/artists/madvice        

Highgate/Prophecies Of Eternal Doom/Horror Pain Gore Death Productions/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Highgate  are  a  band  from  Kentucky  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Prophecies  Of  Eternal  Doom"  which  will b e  released  on  March  27th  by  Horror  Pain  Gore  Death  Productions.

  Psychedelic  soundscapes  and  acoustic  guitars  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  album  also  bring  in  elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  most  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  can  be  heard  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  album.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  bringing  in  more  of  a  classic  metal'rock  style  as  well  as a  couple  of  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  spoken  words,  growls  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album.

  Highgate  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  global  war  atrocities,  religious  fanaticism  and  class  warfare.

  In  my  opinion  Highgate  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Terraforming  Hell"  and  "The  Writing  Dawn".  8  out  of  10.

  www.highgatedoom.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/Highgatedoom  

  

  

Aeonik/The Roamer Of Heaven And Hell/Fetzner Death Records/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Aeonik  are  a  band  from  Luxembourg  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "The  Roamer  Of  Heaven  And  Hell"  which  will  be  released  in  April  by  Fetzner  Death  Records.

  A  very  heavy  and  aggressive  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  death  metal  growls  are  also  utilized  at  times.  A  lot  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  influenced  by  the  Swedish  style  along  with  a  few  songs  song  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  acoustic  guitars  and  clean  playing,  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  a  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  

  Aeonik  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  the  melodic  forms  of  black  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Aeonik  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Beyond"  "Aeonian  Nights"  "Visions"  and  "Eternal  Descent".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/Aeonikofficial 

    

Archaic Oath/Determined To Death And Beyond/AOP Records/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Archaic  Oath  are  a  duo  from  Belgium  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Determined  To  Death  And  Beyond"  which  will  be  released  in  April  by  AOP  Records.

   Dark  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  vocals  also  add  in  a  lot  of  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  melody.

   Most  of  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  Swedish  era  while  also  mixing  in  elements  of  death  metal,  A  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  album  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  all  of the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

   The  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  as  well  as  some  growls  also  being  used  at  times  and  synths  are  also  utilized  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  one  song  also  introducing  spoken  words  onto  the  album.  A  couple  of  tracks  also  adds  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  and  acoustic  guitars  which  are  added  on  a  brief  instrumental  and  clear  singing  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  the  closing  song  is  an  Emperor  cover.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  horror  and  witchcraft  themes.   

  In  my  opinion  Archaic  Oath  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  duo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Above  The  Light"  "Abysmal  Ascent"  and  "Ye  Entrancemperium".  8  out  of  10.   

aoprecords.de

facebook.com/AOPrecords   

God Against Humanity/The Judgement/2026 Full Length Review

 

  God  Against  Humanity  are  a  band  from  France  that  plays  a  very  brutal  and  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2026  album  "The  Judgement".

  Tragic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording.  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.

  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  emtal  screams  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  Throughout  the  album  you  can also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  as  well  as  one  song  also  introducing  clear  vocals  onto  the  recording,  tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  faster  riffing.  

  God  Against  Humanity  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  the  brutal  and  melodic  forms  of  black  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  modern  world,  societal  tension  and  personal  isolation.  

  In  my  opinion  God  Against  Humanity  are  a  very  great  sounding  brutal  and  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Judgement"  "Blood  Of  The  Soil"  and  "Bury  Me".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.youtube.com/@godagainsthumanity2841

Nefarious Grime/Death Is Immortal/Hypnotic Dirge Records/2026 EP Review

 

  Nefarious  Grime  are  a  band  from  Florida  that  plays  a  gothic  and  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  ep  "Death  Is  Immortal"  which  was  released  by  Hypnotic  Dirge  Records.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  ep  while  the  keyboards  also  add  in  some  gothic  and  symphonic  elements.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  are  also   being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  Most  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  of t he  genre  while  some  tracks  also  add  in  operatic  female  vocals.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  along  with  a  couple  of  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  Nefarious  Grime  plays  a  musical  style  that  goes  back  to  the  90'[s  era  of  gothic  and  symphonic  black  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  Vampirism,  Occultism ,  Necromancy,  Death  and  Horror  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Nefarious  Grime  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  and  gothic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Evil  Dead"  and  "Mountain  Frost".  8 out  of  10.

  https://hypnoticdirgerecords.bandcamp.com/album/death-is-immortal  

Atavistia/Old Gods Awaken/Blood Blast Distribution/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Vancouver  B.C,  Canada's  Atavistia  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  symphonic  and  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  and  folk  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "old  Gods  Awaken"  which  will b e  released  in  May  by  Blood  Blast  Distribution.

  Folk  instruments  and  symphonic  orchestration  starts  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  When  the  music  speeds  up  black  metal  style  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  mixed  in  with  some  clear  singing  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody.  Death  metal  growls  are  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  at  times.

  Acoustic  guitars  are  also  added  on  a  few  tracks  along  with  some  back  up  shouts  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  as  well  as  the  album  also  having  its  progressive  moments.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  a  mixture  of  English,  Swedish  and  Finnish  and  cover  taverns,  forests,  storms  and  gods.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Atavistia  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  symphonic  and  melodic  black,  death  and  folk  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Mystic  Tavern"  "Goddess  Of  My  Dreams"  and  "Old  Gods  Awaken".  8  out  of  10.

  

• Bandcamp: https://atavistia.bandcamp.com/music
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialAtavistia/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atavistia/?hl=en
• Twitter / X: https://x.com/atavistia?lang=en
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwQWMCiFZL1duPSdbdjGyCg
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@atavistia
• Discord: https://discord.gg/Fj99DHRyc3
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1QoL6PD6QyjdsxvTBacepq
• Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/atavistia/1287070679

  

      

Vargrav/Dimension: Daemonium/Werewolf Records/2026 Full Length Review

  Finland's  Vargrav  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Dimension:  Daemonium"  which  will  be  released  in  April  by  Werewolf  Records.

  A  very  dark  sounding  intro  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  brief  use  of  spoken  words  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  aggressive  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Symphonic  elements  also  mix  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  and  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  mid  90's  era.

  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  yet  high  pitched  sounding  black  metal  screams  while  some  of  the  songs  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length.  Clear  singing  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  the  album  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to t hem.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  a  couple  of  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  spoken  words,  when  guitar  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Darkness  and  Cosmos.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Vargrav  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  symphonic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Ablaze  Unto  The  Nocturnal  Reams'  "The  Gates  Of  My  Dimension"  and  "Unveil  The  Enslavement  Of  Lunar  Prophecies".  8  out  of  10.

  https://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/item-group.asp?PgpID=40795  

       

Mývalyĭr Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

As a band that formed during the pandemic we wrote all of our material remotely, so we have been working on new material and we're also currently planning our live show setup and making sure our songs translate powerfully on stage. At the same time, we’ve been connecting with press, and writing new ideas that are already hinting at where the next album might go.

2.You have your first full length coming out towards the end of February, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

So each member of the band has preferred styles of metal. Overall the album is melodic death metal but we didn't want to confine ourselves to one genre, so if you listen you'll find influences of black metal, metalcore and even folk metal.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

As the album name suggests we write about 'The Past Tales'. The Past Tales is a concept album using parts of history and folklore to tell a story that melds with past personal experiences.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Mývalyĭr'?

So we have been asked this question before and we will give the same answer. The name Mývalyĭr (Mee-val-year) does have a meaning, but we are hoping that people will be able to figure it out at some point as well as find the hidden image on our album cover and the hidden feature in our website, as some of us are gamers and we love an easter egg.

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

There’s a great deal of symbolism embedded in the art work and it includes elements which relate to each song on the album. We worked closely with the artist Felipe Franco Machado to ensure the cover didn’t just look striking, but actually felt connected to the music.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

We only actually all met in person for the first time together at the 'Reign' Music Video shoot, as a band that met online with members in different countries we have yet to play our first show, but we are currently working on our live show as we mentioned before.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?

We do, we are currently organising something and we look forward to sharing it.

8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

We are not looking for a label currently but if one was to show interest then we would be open to the right partnership.

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of melodic and extreme metal?

We did not expect to reach as many countries as we did such as Russia, Chile and USA being a band from the UK who have only just had our first release but we are very happy with the feedback, the comment and the reviews of 'The Past Tales' so far.

10.Are any of the band members currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?

Various members are also currently in other bands/projects and the best way to find them out would be via Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube.

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Our plan is to start working on our next release and further solidify our sound

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?

As we mentioned before each of us have our personal preference of metal so the music we are listing to at the moment are Children of Bodom, Devildriver, Dvořák, Mykur, Berlioz, Beethoven, Ne Obliviscaris, Imminence, Lorna Shore and Wolfheart

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

We would like to thank everyone who has supported us so far, old and new. We are amazed at the feed back and we hope to see you at one of our shows in the near future.

Once again apologies for the delay, and look forward to hearing from you again soon

https://www.facebook.com/myvalyir

Speglas Interview

 1. Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?

We've been rehearsing as a band a lot and kept our focus on making sure we are ready to hit the stage.

2. Recently you have released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

It's more direct and to the point, even though we had some of the same elements on the two earlier EPs–this one feels more evolved and fleshed out.

3. The band has been around since 2015 but so far there has only been three releases, can you tell us a little bit more about the long wait in between recordings?

It basically comes down to me (Isak) being involved in several other projects that took up a lot of time and focus. I basically finished a full record around 2017–2018, but it never felt like the right moment to release it, so parts of it were distilled into the 2022 EP Time, Futility, and Death. Now my focus has shifted entirely to Speglas—creative work, rehearsing, and live aspects.

4. The lyrics on the new album cover the writings of Fredrich Nietzsche, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in his work?

I'm a hobby reader of philosophy and I even wrote a bachelor's thesis discussing the relationship between music and philosophy. Nietzsche's ideas just resonate strongly with me, and I felt they fit perfectly into this musical format.

5. What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored over the years with your music?

The first EP (Birth, Dreams, and Death, 2015) had a very loose, abstract theme—mostly abstract for the sake of being abstract. The second EP (Time, Futility, and Death, 2022) became a bit more focused. On this new record (Endarkenment, Being, and Death) the lyrics are very much a fleshed-out concept.

6. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Speglas'?

"Speglas" means "mirrored" in Swedish. There's no deep philosophical story behind it—we were just sitting at a pub in Stockholm (I think it was Gröna Jägaren) in 2014 when the band formed, drinking beer and throwing around ideas. Somehow "Speglas" came up and stuck.

7. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

It's a tilted (dead) rose. I had one sitting in a vase at home, took a photo of it, and sent the idea to Tim at Trust No One Recordings, who created the black-and-white artwork based on that. I've always worked fast and intuitively with covers—the first thing that comes to mind usually ends up being it. Here the tilted rose symbolizes transformation: from life to death, light to darkness.

8. Out of all the shows and tours the band has done so far which one stands out the most?

I’d say the show we played in 2017 in Stockholm at Kägelbanan together with Antichrist, Vampire, and Gehennah. Great lineup, great turnout, really nice evening.

9. Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?

Nothing booked yet, but it's certainly in the planning phase. It will happen.

10. The new album is going to be released on 'Trust No One Recordings', how would you compare working with this label to other labels you have worked with in the past?

It's a Swedish label, so geographically much closer, which makes logistics easier. It's also practical in terms of language and mutual understanding of what we both want.

11. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and death metal?

The album hasn't been released yet (at the time of this interview), but so far we've received good reviews in magazines and other places. I hope fans of extreme metal—and people in general—will find something resonating in it once it's out.

12. Are any of the band members currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?

Yes. Me (Isak) and our drummer Jesper are both in Sweven. Our bass player Victor is in Grass Eating Man and a couple of other projects. Our guitarist Alexi is only in Speglas.

13. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

I’ve started writing the next record—about a third is done—and it will be similar to this one but heading in a direction that makes it differ.

14. What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?

Personally I've been listening a lot to Susanne Sundfør (Norwegian singer), Judas Priest lately, the Swedish band Kent, Oasis, Father John Misty. I can't speak for everyone, but I'd guess Alexi is listening to something like Concrete Winds or Katharsis.

15. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Make sure to pick up the album and merch via the Trust No One Recordings website. Keep an eye out for upcoming show announcements in the coming months (especially in Sweden). Thank you!

https://linktr.ee/speglas 
https://www.facebook.com/SPEGLAS/ 
https://www.instagram.com/speglas /
https://speglas.bandcamp.com 
https://www.tnor.se/