Rakinua/Esi Um Ninu/Dusktone/2026 Full Length Review

  Rakinua  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  very  dark  and  progressive  form  of  folk  metal  and  this  is  a review  of t heir  2026  album  "Esi  Um  Ninu"  which  was  released  by  Dusktone.

Acoustic  guitars  start  off  the  album  which  also  adds  in  elements  of  folk  music  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  Clear  singing  is  also  utilized  at  times  while  the  recording  also  adds  in  a  lot  of  progressive  touches  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound to  them.

  When  spoken  words  are  utilized  they  also  take  the  music  into  more  of  a  ritualistic  direction  while  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Keyboards  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with t he  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when t hey  are  utilized,  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard.

  When  harsh  vocals  are  introduced  they  are  also  done  in  more  of  black  metal  style  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  harps  and  percussion  and  most  of  the  album  sticks  to  a  slower  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Raectic  Paganism.

  In  my  opinion  Rakinua  are  a  very  great  sounding  dark  and  progressive  folk  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this musical  genre,  you  should  check  out t his  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  'Sacrilege'  "Warrior  Of  Light"  "Spirits  Of  Water"  and  "The  old  paths  -  Sangue".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.instagram.com/rakinua.music

https://www.facebook.com/rakinua

     

Alkuharmonian Kantaja/Melas Khole/I, Voidhanger Records/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Alkuharmonian  Kantaja  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  an  avant  garde  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Melas  Khole"  which  will  be  released  on  June  26th  by  I,  Voidhanger  Records.

  A  very  fast  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  mixed  in  with  some  clear  avant  garde  style  singing  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  A  lot  of t he  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  mid  90's  Norwegian  avant  garde  style  mixed  in  with  more  modern  touches  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  one  of  the  tracks  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing,  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  briefly

  On  this  recording  Alkuharmonian  Kantaja  continue  to  expand  on  the  avant  garde  style  of  black  metal  that  they  introduced  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  collapse,  wandering,  transformation  and  ecstatic  ruin.   

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Alkuharmonian Kantaja  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  avant  garde  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Culprit  Sunsets  (To  Chew  On  Darkness)"  "6th  Of  Senses  (The  Shape  Of  Unknwn)"  "The  Redeemer  (Smudged  Flesh  Withers)"  and  "Hollowed  Minds  Collide  (In  Omnious  Wellbeing)".  8  out  of  10.

  https://i-voidhangerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/melas-khole  

Soothsayer/The Unbinding/Apocalyptic Witchcraft/2026 Full Length Review

  Ireland's  Soothsayer  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  atmospheric  mixture  of  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "The  Unbinding"  which  will  be  released  in July  by  Apocalyptic  Witchcraft.

  Dark  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  vocals  also  add  in  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.

  Elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  are  also  added  into  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  some  angry  shouts  also  being  utilized  at  times  and  the  album  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Clean  playing  is  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  as  well  as  a  couple  of  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clear  singing and  synths  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  throat  singing  is  also  added  towards  the  end.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  melancholy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Soothsayer  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric  black,  doom  and  sludge  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Eroding  The  Sky"  and  "A  Vague  Shimmer".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/soothsayerdoom

https://youtu.be/iWOagQfwlwA?si=2R_3NRYFkIuiDH7a     

Hecate Enthroned/The Corpse of A Titan, A Lament Long Buried/M-Theory Audio/2026 Full Length Review

  United  Kingdom's  Hecate  Enthroned  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "The  Corpse  Of  A  Titan"  which  will  be  released  on  May  29th  by  M-Theory  Audio.

  A  very  dark  sounding  intro  starts  off  the  album  while  whispers  can  also  be  heard  briefly  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  symphonic  sounding  keyboards  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  and  death  metal  growls  are  also  used  at  times.

  A  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking.  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts ,  acoustic  guitars  and  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  on  some  of  the  tracks  and  melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing.

  On  this  recording  Hecate  Enthroned  remain  true  to  the  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  that t hey  have  established  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  ancient  British  Myths  and  Legends.   

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Hecate  Enthroned  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Spirits  Stir  Within  Our  Ancestors  Tombs"  "Pwca"  and  "Into  A  Vale  of  Endless  Snow".  8  out  of  10.

Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music    

 

Foghazer/He Left The Temple/Hypnotic Dirge Records/2026 Full Length Review

  Foghazer  are  a  solo  project  from  Germany  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black  metal  and  trip  hop  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2026  album  "He  Left  The  Temple"  which  was  released  by  Hypnotic  Dirge  Records.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  trip  hop  elements  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  Operatic  vocals  are  also  utilized  briefly  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  tracks  also  add  in  a  lot  of  record  scratching.

  Most  of  the  heavier  parts  of  the  album  are  more  rooted  in  black  metal  while  the  album  also  has  its  lo-fi  moments.  When  guitar  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  along  with  most  of  the  tracks  also  being  instrumental,  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  as  well  as  the  harsh  vocals  being  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.

  Foghazer  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  black  metal  and  trip  hop  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  whle  the  song  themes  focus  on  space  and  emotion.

  In  my  opinion Foghazer  is  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black  metal  and  trip  hop  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  ?He"  "Temple"  "Fog"  and  "Out".  8  out  of  10,

https://hypnoticdirgerecords.bandcamp.com/album/he-left-the-temple   

Kosmogonia/Aella/Rockshot Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Kosmogonia  are  a  band  from  Greece  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  mixture  of  folk,  pagan  and  melodic  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Aella"  which  was  released  by  Rockshot  Records.

  Keyboards  and  spoken  words  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Female  vocals  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  the  harsh  vocals  are  mostly  death  metal  growls  along  with  some  folk  instruments  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  a  couple  of  tracks  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  some clear  male  vocals   and  spoken  word  also  being  used  on  a  few  tracks.

  On  this  recording  Kosmogonia  remain  true  to t her  mixture  of  folk,  pagan  and  melodic  death  metal  that  they  introduced  on  their  previous  release.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  encounter  between t he  Scythian  princess  and  the  Greek mercenary  Lykkon.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Kosmogonia  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  folk,  pagan  and  melodic  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Rise"  "Scheme  And  Rebirth"  "Elixer"  and  "Oblivion".  8  out  of  10.

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kosmogonia_official/​

​Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kosmogoniafolk  

Emergenz Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

Emergenz formed in December of 2024 from the fragments of different bands. We define our music as Franconian Black/Death Metal. This is not a strict definition rather a kind of scaffold to give some idea where we come from and what to expect when tuning in. We are a small band with small following. We are happy share our thoughts and listen to yours. 

2.Recently you have released your first full length, musically how does it differ from your previous demo’s?

The demos we released earlier were self-produced songs from our album ‚becoming none‘. During 2025 our vocalist and lyricist assembled existing songs into a concept album. In this form we presented the album live at Witchrites 2025 where we received good feedback. Therefore we made the decision to produce the album professionally with Andy Claßen at Stage One studio.

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

‚'becoming none' is a concept album. From the first song to the last, we tell stories about life, memories, self-doubt and inner conflict, unfolding metaphorically through the journey of a protagonist wandering through a Franconian forest in autumn, until he ultimately accepts his own inevitable finitude and fades away. 

In this sense, becoming none stands for the realization that life, reflected through the forest, simply continues without the actions of the individual. This also carries a comforting element. One can find peace in the knowledge that one does not have to be special, and that in the end, one’s own transience is simply part of existence, and that this is okay.

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

‚Emergenz‘ (engl.: emergence) is a phenomenon known from different fields in science. It roughly describes a system showing behavior which is not deducible from the properties of the different components in the system. The phrase ‚the whole is more than the sum of its parts‘ could be referred to here. Only through the interaction between the different components with their respective properties an emergent system can be described. This is also true for our music. Our guitarists have been playing and composing together for more than 15 years. Their ideas are unleashed by the skills of our drummer and bassist while our vocalist and lyricist gives a unique touch to every song, works out the concept and arranges each song within the album.

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

We worked together with a wonderful artist creating aquarelles for each song. These paintings reflect the most relevant scene described in each of the songs. From the beginning of the journey to the end the protagonist enters the Franconian forest and, step by step, fades into nothingness, becoming none. 

We invite anyone, while listening to the music, to read the lyrics and glance at the paintings. It might be a unique experience. This  journey through the forest is also reflected in the rooted style of the logo and the album cover. 

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

With Emergenz, thus far, we have performed two shows. 2025 we focused on creating and rehearsing the album and since the end of 2025 until April of 2026 we have been producing becoming none. Both concert were unique and memorable in their own right. The first gave us the confidence to produce our album, the second was a confirmation of the path we’re on. We’re working on more.  

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album/

Organizationally we went into the release quite naively. We pushed our music to many common streaming platforms, however things  like a release show, tour, etc. are not planned. Seeing how the music industry works and how venues are booked, we probably should have planned this mid last year, where the decision to produce the album was not yet even made.

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

Currently, we are not actively searching for a label. We did receive interest, however we declined thus far. Being a small band the contracts offered do not really make sense. For now, most of what we do is done by ourselves or direct contractors we collaborate with for a limited amount of time. That being said, we are open for collaboration with a label should a good opportunity arise.

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

As mentioned above, we are a small band. We did not receive a lot of feedback outside of our small following and direct feedback on the concerts. There are some blogs with reviews of becoming none and the feedback we get on Bandcamp. Usually the feedback we get is quite positive. The coolest part is when you really feel people taking the time, listening through the music and telling you their favorite song.

10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of  the band members are a part of?

All former bands are part of the past. We grew up with these bands. People parted, moved and started lives elsewhere, which is fine. 

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

We are already working on our next concept album. For becoming none, most music already existed from one of the former bands. Our vocalist and lyricist created the story around the atmosphere in the music and arranged the songs within the album. For our next album, we already have a concept. The music will be composed along the concept entirely. We’re curious where this journey will go. 

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Agrypnie, Immortal, Empyrium, Darkthrone, Gorgoroth

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

Thank you for the opportunity. Should readers have more questions, they can reach out any time. 

1. Instagram

 

Auszaat Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band? 

The idea for the band “Auszaat” was born sometime in 2018 during a heavy night of drinking. We wanted to create music and soundscapes according to our own vision, without compromise. In 2019, we entered the rehearsal room for the first time with our initial song ideas. This eventually led to the creation of Morast menschlicher Worte, and we began playing our first live shows. Since then, the lineup has remained largely unchanged, except for one change in the vocal position. Now, in April 2026, we have released our second full-length album, Trümmerethik, and we are looking forward to bringing it to the stage soon. 

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

 As musicians, we’ve continued to evolve, which we hope is noticeable when comparing the two albums. The song structures on Trümmerethik are more complex overall. We also made a conscious effort to incorporate stronger influences from death metal and hardcore into our sound.

 3.This is also your first album in 5 years, can you tell us a little bit more about the wait in between releases?

 After the release of our first album, we tried to play as many live shows as possible, with mixed success. However, we realized that live performances can become a limiting factor in the creative process, since maintaining and rehearsing an existing live set takes up time that could otherwise be spent developing new ideas. 

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

We try to incorporate a range of lyrical themes into our music—both political and nonpolitical, as well as personal and more detached perspectives. On Trümmerethik, there are five tracks, each dealing with very different subject matters. Some lyrics take a critical stance on society, including antifascist and anti-capitalist elements, while others explore darker, more personal aspects of the human condition. Overall, the lyrics are written in a very open and interpretative way 

5.I know that the bands name is Austro-Bavarian for overstretched' or 'worn', how does this name fit in with the musical style that you play?

 “Auszaat” is Austrian dialect for “worn out” or “drained.” To what extent the band name influences the songs—or vice versa—is something we leave open to individual interpretation. 

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

The artwork for Trümmerethik was created by Stefan Rindler (Nekrodeus, Saturnists), also known as Reldnir on Instagram. For a deeper interpretation, we prefer to refer directly to him, as he is the artist and we don’t feel it’s our place to speak on behalf of his work. 

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

 One of our coolest shows was definitely in Italy at Il Grande Baccano in the summer of 2025. We also went on tour with good friends—just to name a few, Nekrodeus and Harrowist—which left us with a lot of great memories. We want to keep our live shows dark and simple, yet captivating. No lights to the faces, no breaks during the songs, no chatter, but an onholding stream of energy that keeps you in the void from which no sound escapes.

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

At the moment, there are unfortunately no shows planned. However, we’re keeping our eyes open and hope that opportunities will come up soon. We’d love to bring Trümmerethik to bigger stages—or just as much to DIY venues. The main thing is being able to present our music live. 

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

 We’ll see what the future brings. For the time being, we’re taking the DIY route, which we’re very happy with. However, if the right offer comes along from a label that fits us, we’re definitely open to discussions. 

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

The response we’ve received so far has been consistently positive. We know our sound isn’t suited for everyone—and that’s exactly how it should be. 

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

 We will intensify the way “Trümmerethik” sounds and feels. 

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays? 

There are many bands that inspire us individually. Each of us comes from different musical backgrounds, and we try to integrate those influences into our sound. However, there are some shared references as well, such as Oranssi Pazuzu, Knocked Loose, Russian Circles, Isis, and Amenra—just to name a few. 

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

 Thank you for the opportunity to introduce ourselves and to share a small glimpse into our work. We hope that our music can enrich a few people along the way, and we would be happy to welcome you at one of our shows. Cheers!

1. Facebook
2. Instagram

Madvice Interview

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

.We finished the recording in late spring/early summer of 2025 and we spent the months later to search for a label to release it and, at the same time, we played live in some festivals like the first edition of Southammer Metal Fest and Chania Rock Festival 2025.

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

.It’s definitely heavier and darker than our previous albums: everything is more extreme, both in aggression and atmosphere.

3.This is also going to be your first release in 4 years, can you tell us a little bit more about the long wait for the new release?

.Due to personal reasons, we’ve been on hold for the whole 2024. In early 2025 we started to work on “L'Ottavo Giorno" and in six months we wrote and recorded the album.

We've been searching for a label until the end of the same year and in early 2026, thanks to Art Gates Records, we started to share news and release singles taken from our forthcoming work. If you are an underground band, nothing is easy: and time flies…

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new album and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?

.I always write the lyrics, so they are about my personal struggles, a way to exorcise my demons. Even the lyrics apparently simple (for example about anti-religion) have always to be read in an allegoric way: nothing is as it appears and nothing appears as it is!

About our progress as songwriters, I have to say that, in my opinion, “L'Ottavo Giorno" is our more mature album, there was a sensible step forward towards the best expression possible of what Madvice is: but of course the listeners will confirm or not what I’m saying.

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

.We searched for an original name, possibly of just one word, easy to remember: so we thought of mix two words, "mad” and “advice”, and “Madvice” was born.

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

.The artwork of our new album, created by Roberto Toderico, is an evolution of our old logo: a new darker logo for a new more extreme beginning.

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

.I have no doubt: Southammer Metal Fest and Chania Rock Festival (with Rotting Christ and Kreator) last year and the two shows supporting the Finnish black metal Masters Horna in 2023.

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

.We are working on it with our agency, Rock On Agency: we have several shows already confirmed, so far, but I can't talk about ‘em yet.

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

.We always had good feedback from our fans and in these last months, thanks to the good work of our new label, we made an notable upgrade, reaching more people and gaining a bigger fanbase.

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

.We don't know how far we can go, but for sure we'll be here, kicking asses and taking souls for many more years to come!

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

.We have very different backgrounds: Maddalena (guitar) and Raffaele (bass) are U.S. thrash metal oriented: I am a blackster and Marco (drums), the younger of us, listen to old stuff but also to modern extreme metal bands. We try to put in Madvice music all our influences without compromises, hoping to create something unique.

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

.We’d like to thank Art Gates Records and Rock On Agency for helping us in our musical growth. 

Many thanks to you for this interview, in my opinion is really important for an underground band to have the chance to talk about its music.

And, last but not least, thanks to everyone who supported, supports and will support us in this journey, stay extreme!

https://artgatesrecords.com/artists/madvice

 

Emergenz/Becoming None/2026 Full Length Review

  Emergenz  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Becoming  None".

  Fire  sounds,  synths  and  classical  guitars  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  musical  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  music  brings  in  a  lot  of  death  metal  elements  and  the  music  is  heavily  rooted  in  the  Swedish  style.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  songs  also  ad  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 ,  growls  are  also  utilized  at  times  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  as  well  as  a  couple  of  tracks  also  adding  in  a brief  use  of  clean  playing,  clear  singing  and  spoken  words. 

  Emergenz  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  are  a  concept  album and  cover  the  journey  of  a  protagonist  waking  through  a  forest. 

  In  my  opinion  Emergenz  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  "Serenity"  "Tradfall"  "Wanderers"  and  "Footsteps".  8  out  of  10.

  https://emergenz.bandcamp.com/album/becoming-none     

Wooden Shadow/Age of Tree/Inverse Records/2026 EP Review

 
  Wooden  Shadow  are  a  solo  project  from  Finland  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  folk  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2026  ep  "Age  Of  Tree"  which  will  be  released  on  April  29th  by  Inverse  Records.

  Spoken  words  and  acoustic  guitars  start  off  the  ep  which  also  adds  in  elements  of  folk  music  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  direction.  Harsh  vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams  mixed  in  with  some  dark  metal  growls and  melodies  are  also  added  into  a  great  amount  of  the  guitar  riffing.

  Clear  vocals  are  also  utilized  at  times  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  Synths  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  as  well  as  the  music  also  having  its  symphonic  moments  and  most  of  the  songs  stick  to  a  mid  tempo  direction.

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  On  this  recording  Wooden  Shadow  takes  the  melodic  and  symphonic  forms  of  death  and  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  folk  metal  to  create  something  different.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  different  emotional  levels.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Wooden  Shadow  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  symphonic  black,  death  and  folk  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "We  Are  The  North"  and  "The  Great  Feast".  8  out  of  10.

   https://push.fm/fl/wooden-shadow-age-of-tree

https://www.facebook.com/Tormentius
https://www.instagram.com/woodenshadowofficial
https://woodenshadow.bandcamp.com

Old Moon/Home To Nowhere/M-Theory Audio/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Old  Moon  are  a  band  from  Oregon  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  a  melodic  mixture  of  post  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Home  To  Nowhere"  which  will  be  released  on  May  8th  by  M-Theory  Audio.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  can  be  heard  along  with   the  synths  also  adding  in  an  atmospheric  touch  when  they  are  utilized.

  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  post  metal  style,  one  track  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  female  vocals  and  spoken  words  are  also  added  towards  the  end.

  On  this  recording  Old  Moon  brings  out  a  very  melodic  and  atmospheric  mixture  of  post  black  and  death  metal.  The    production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  life's  sorrows.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Old  Moon  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  atmospheric  post  black  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Between  The  Stars"  "A  Rest  To  My  Name"  and  "Creations  Undone".  8  out  of  10.

  https://oldmoonmusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/oldmoon.om

https://www.instagram.com/oldmoon.om/

https://oldmoonmusic.bandcamp.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=5oBIPSJoMXYMCix1&v=Rb99B9_IHhw&feature=youtu.be  

Hrothgar/Tales Of Valhöll/2026 Full Length Review

  Hrothgar  are  a  band  from  France  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  viking  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2026  album  "Tales  Of  Valhöl'  which  will  be  released  in  July.

  A  very  heavy  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  music  is  very  heavily  influenced  by  the  Swedish  style.  Vocals  are  mostly  death  metal  growls  along  with  the  screams  also  adding  in  a  touch  of  black  metal  when  they  are  utilized  and  some  of  the  tracks  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  synths.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along with  some  chants  and  shouts  also  being  utilized  at  times,  blast beats  are  also  added  into  the  faster  sections  of  the  album  and  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  one  track  also  introducing  spoken  words  onto  the  recording.

  Hrothgar  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  viking  metal  and  mixes  it  with  melodic  death  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Norse  Mythology  and  Viking  History.

  In  my  opinion  Hrothgar  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  viking  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are   a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Face  To  Face"  "Blazing  Stones"  "The  Voyager"  and  "The  Kraken".  8  out  of  10.

  https://hrothgarmetalband.bandcamp.com

https://www.facebook.com/HrothgarMetalBand

https://www.instagram.com/hrothgarofficial

https://youtu.be/fhy1wagUyIo?si=Qu5Wu2sbZKAv4t9T   

Agarwaen/The Murder Trend/Over The Border Records/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Agarwaen  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  plays  a  very  melodic,  symphonic  and  horror  themed  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "The  Murder  Trend"  which  will  be  released  in  July  by  Over  The  Border  Records.

  Police  radio  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  keyboards  and  symphonic  elements  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  angry  black  metal  screams,  death  metal  growls  and  back  up  shouts.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  tremolo  picking  is  also  added  into  some  of  the  fast  riffing.

  Clear  singing  is  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  the  album  also  adding  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,  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  briefly  as  well  as  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  some  songs  also  add  in  acoustic  guitars  and  clean  playing.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  horror  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Agarwaen  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  and  symphonic  horror  themed  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Bad  Beginning"  "La  Coleccion"  "The  Hunt"  and  "The  Murder  Trend".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/Agarwaenband/  

https://overtheborderrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-murder-trend

Verdun/Abyssal Womb/Transcending Obscurity Records/2026 Full Length Review

  Verdun  are  a  band  from  France  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Abysmal  Womb"  which  will  be  released  in  June  by  Transcending  Obscurity  Records.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording.  Elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  are  also  added  into  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  along  with  the  vocals  being  mostly  black  metal  screams  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.

  A  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  angry  shouts  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing,  the  album  also  has  its  atmospheric  and  dissonant  moments  along  with  a  couple  of  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clear  singing  and  the  whole  recording  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.

  Verdun  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  are  written  in    mixture  of  English  and  French  and  cover  science  fiction  and  metaphysical  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Verdun  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  "Funeral  of  The  Cosmic  Knight"  "Rise  of  The  Atomic  Ghouls"  and  "Les  Nocesdu  Neant".  8  out  of  10.

  Verdun Facebook

Verdun Instagram

Official Label YouTube Channel    

Auszaat/Trümmerethik/2026 Full Length Review

  Auszaat  are  a  band  from  Austria  that  plays  a  mixture  of  post  black,  sludge  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2026  album  "Trümmerethik".

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  post  metal  style.  All  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  elements  of  sludge  metal  also  being  added  into  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  and  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  tracks.

  Harsh  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  atmospheric  sounding  synths  can  also  be  heard  at  times  as  well  as  some  of  the  riffing  also  adding  in  elements  of  hardcore.

  Auszaat  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  post  black,  sludge  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  German  and  cover  depression,  death  an  inner  struggle  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Ayszaat  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  post  black,  sludge,  death  metal  and  hardcore  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Schein"  and  "Gerwaches  II".  8  out  of  10.

  https://auszaat.bandcamp.com/album/tr-mmerethik    

IATT/Etheric Realms Of The Night/Black Lion Records/2026 Full Length Review

  Pennsylvania's  IATT  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  melodic  and  progressive  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Etheric  Realms  Of  The  Night"  which  will  be  released  in  May  by  Black  Lion  Records.

  Clock  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  acoustic  guitars  and  flutes  a  few  seconds  later  and  spoken  words  which  also  return  on  later  songs  can  also  be  heard  briefly  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  lot  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  while  the  album  also  adds  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Synths  and  clear  singing  can  also b e  heard  at  times  along  with  most  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  at  times  the  recording  also  goes  into  more  of  a  progressive  direction.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  and  technical  style.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  symphonic  and  ambient  sounding  as  well  as  some  tracks  also  adding  in  orchestration,  the  album  also  has  its  dissonant  moments.   Tremolo  picking  is  also  added  into  some  of  the  faster  riffing  and  one  track  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing,  some  songs  also  add  in  elements  of  jazz.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  fragile  boundary  between  sleep,  oblivion,  consciousness,  life  and  illusion.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  IATT  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  progressive  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "To  Lie  Beneath"  and  "Walk  AMongst".  8  out  of  10.

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamthetrireme
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iatt_official
• X: https://x.com/iamthetrireme
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@iatt_official
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6EeKkHWc1PQO7vGUnyWNdr
• Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/iatt/1780562884
• Bandcamp: https://iamthetrireme.bandcamp.com
• Official Website: https://linktr.ee/IATT_Official
• Merch Store: https://merchbooth.net/iatt
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iatt_official

     

Bloody Falls/IV/Art Gates Records/2026 Full length Review

  Finland's  Bloody  Falls  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a melodic  mixture  of  black,  death,  thrash  and  groove  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "IV"  which  will  be  released  in  June  by  Art  Gates  Records.

   A  very  hard  and  heavy  groove  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  vocals  bring  in  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.  You  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.

  Elements  of  thrash  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  while  the  music  brings  in  a  very  modern  style.  During  the  faster  sections  of  the  album  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized  as  well  as  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  synths  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  a  couple  of  tracks  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length.

  On  this  recording  Bloody  Falls  remains  true  to  the  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death,  thrash  and  groove  metal  that  they  have  established  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Blood  Falls  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  black,  death,  thrash  and  groove  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "By  My  Own  Grave"  "The  Four"  "Wrath"  and  "Black  Death".  8  out  of  10.

  https://artgatesrecords.com/artists/bloody-falls