Battlesoul/The Wheel/2026 EP Review

 

   Battlesoul  are  a  band  from  Ontario,  Canada  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  pagan  form  of  folk  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2025  ep  "The  Wheel".

  Battle  sounds  start  off  the  ep  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  brutal  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast beats.  Harsh  vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams  while  the  music  also  adds  in  the  brutality  of  death  metal   and  the  clear  singing  adds  in  influences  of  pagan  and  power  metal.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Growls  are  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style,  folk  instruments  are  also  added  on  a  few  tracks,  acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  spoken  words  are  also  added  on  the  closing  track.

  On  this  recording  Battlesoul  takes  melodic  black,  death,  folk,  pagan  and  power  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  very  aggressive  and  diverse  sounding  release.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  pagan  mysticism,  mythology,  history  and  the  eternal  cycle  of  conflict  and  renewal.    

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Battlesoul  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  pagan  folk  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "No  Legacy"  and  "The  Wheel".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/BattlesoulOfficial

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGLXfzKsKSOm1xUpWSYWtwQ

https://battlesoul.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4P1Uy9C866snVJngOauZPl

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/battlesoul/659846013

   

Terramorta/The Fading Lumina's Embrace/Magus Pike Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Terramorta  are  a  band  from  Portugal  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  a  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "The  Fading  Lumina's  Embrace"  which  was  released  by  Magus  Pike  Records.

  A  very  distorted  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  melodic  guitar  solos  and  leads  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  takes  the  music  into  a  heavier  direction.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  symphonic  sounds  also  mix  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  album.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  can  be  heard  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,.

  Spoken  words  and  shouts  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  as  well  as  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing,  a  couple  of  songs  also  adds  in  a  small  amount  of  clear  singing  which  also  adds  in  an  operatic  touch.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  emotions  and  aspirations  of  man.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Terramorta  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  symphonic  black  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Baba  Yaga"  "Deliberate  Killing  Of  Oneself"  "March  Of  The  Forsaken"  and  "The  Fading  Lumina's  Embrace".  8  out  of  10.

 hkps://terramortaofficial.bandcamp.com/album/the-fading-luminas-embrace  

 hkps://www.facebook.com/terramorta.official : 

hkps://www.instagram.com/terramorta.official/

Monovoth Interview

 

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

Much of the work over the last couple of months has focused on putting the finishing touches on the visual aspects of the album, as well as the overall marketing and media strategy. While I’ve already started writing some songs that reflect the evolution of the project, it’s still hard to know which of them will eventually make it onto the next album. What I do know is that I’m constantly writing and trying to express myself through music.

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

I think people are going to be surprised by To Live in the Breath of Worship, as it’s vastly more dynamic than the previous records. I tried to write songs from a more universal perspective while maintaining the core Doom / Drone / Funeral essence. What were already quite dynamic compositions were elevated even further by Martin Visconti’s drumming contributions. I believe listeners will discover a more eclectic side of Monovoth this time.

3.You have worked with a variety of many different extreme metal styles in your other projects, how would you compare the music of 'Monovoth' to what you have done musically in previous or current groups?

I’ve worked on grindcore and death‑metal‑oriented projects before, but approaching Monovoth allows for a grandeur in scope and composition that I can’t express within those genres. The length of the songs, the layers, the atmospheres and moods all allow Monovoth to be an ‘all‑around’ experience—both as a composer and as a listener.

4.Most of your music so far has been instrumental but you did experiment a little bit with vocals on the new album, are you planning on expanding on that aspect on future releases?

Not really. I generally have one or two guest vocalists in Monovoth, and only on specific songs or sections, for artistic or textural purposes. I see Monovoth mainly as an instrumental project, but vocals can—and will—appear now and then as another instrument or layer, if the song calls for it.

The most I’ve done with vocals was a shared EP with a local singer (Ber Stinco in 'Elogio a la Noche'), leaning more into a Nick Cave‑like, very experimental territory. For now, it remains a one‑time collaboration—but who knows what the next few years will bring? Experimentation and art are central to how I envision the project.

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the themes you explore on the new album?

The new album is about lonely gods in a universe without faith, part mythological, part philosophical, maybe. But as the album evolved, and considering how reality is unfolding nowadays, I began to see it as a metaphor for many of the negative things happening around the world. In a way, we are all lonely gods begging for attention under the paradigm of the algorithms. And at the same time, how many lonely gods are begging for power and attention while ruling various countries today? The parallels are endless.

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

In harmony with the album’s theme, I stumbled upon an artwork by Santiago Caruso purely by chance. He’s an outstanding Argentine artist I’ve been wanting to collaborate with for ages, and I feel his piece represents the concept and the music perfectly

7.With this project you work mostly solo but have worked with musicians in other bands. Do you prefer recording by yourself?

It’s funny, this is a ‘solo project,’ yet at this point I have a group of underground Argentine artists, whom I consider the best of the best, who have been tagging along with small (and not-so-small) contributions since the first Monovoth album. I’ve also worked with Andrew Notsch (Manipulator, Ex-Sunless) on our project Golden Cannibal, with Lindsay O’Connor (Coma Cluster Void) in Blvgth, and on many other things as well.

I love working alone, and having full artistic direction is very comfortable, but it can also get tiresome and overwhelming to handle every aspect myself. So I’ve been trying to lean on other people more and more.

In the creative process, what others can bring to your songs is always a plus. I see it as colors outside my own palette—and the results are outstanding.

8.On the new album you also have a few quests, can you tell us a little bit more about who they are and also their contributions to the recording?

On To Live the Breath of Worship, first and foremost, Martin Visconti plays drums once again, but this time he truly delved into the composition and creation process with me, so his contributions to the album as a whole are incredible. Federico Ramos (Avernal) delivers a solo on Cosmically Orphaned. Ivo Bisceglia (Atadues, Los Últimos Días), a young and mind‑blowing talent, arranged parts for The Fallen. Martin Passaro and Andrew Notsch contributed vocals here and there, and Kevin Hufnagel (Gorguts, Dysrhythmia) was kind enough to play on Crimson Red Wound.

I’m so humbled to have these people perform on something I wrote. Last but not least, Sebastián Barrionuevo (Medivm) mixed and mastered the album and also contributed guitar on Crimson Red Wound.

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

The reaction to the first two records was really unexpected—especially for a one‑man band from Argentina, you know? Trepanation Recordings from the UK released those albums physically, which was incredible for me. I’ll be forever thankful to Dan and all his work. The label closed shop last year, so at the moment I’m not attached to any label

10.What is going on with your other musical projects these days?

Not much, but I do have a couple of things in the works for Monovoth—even ideas that wouldn’t normally fall under what people expect from the project. I’ve decided not to have any more parallel projects for the time being and to channel all my creative output through this one.

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

I always find it a bit grandiose to consider myself ‘a musician,’ in a way. But I’d say something like: play better, play more, look forward and never look back. That’s the attitude and the motto behind everything I do.

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

Lately I’ve been diving back into Pink Floyd and Cynic in terms of ‘classics.’ But when it’s not that, Primitive Man, Avernal, Imperial Triumphant, and Krallice are usually in my regular rotation.

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

I just hope everyone enjoys the records. Thank you for this space and opportunity. And as a reminder, all proceeds from now until after Bandcamp Friday (Feb 6) will go toward supporting the fight against the wildfires in southern Argentina.”

Regards,

Social Media:

https://linktr.ee/monovoth 

Monovoth/To Live In The Breath Of Worship/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Monovoth  are  a  solo  project  from  Argentina  that  plays  a   mixture  of  post  black,  doom,  death  metal,  crust,  drone  and  dark  ambient  elements  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2025  album  "To  Live  In  The  Breath  Of  Worship"  which  will  be  released  in  February.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  while  the  synths  also  being  in  elements  of  dark  ambient  Before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  The  slower  sections  of  the  recording  are  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  funeral  doom  metal  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  done  in  more  of  a  post  metal  style.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  drones  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album.  A  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  music  also  capturing  the  brutality  of  death  metal  at  times.   Touches  of  crust  are  also  added  into  the  mid  tempo  sections  of  the  recording  as  well  as  the  vocals  being  done  in  more  of  a  black  metal  style  when  they  are  introduced,  acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  the  closing  song  also  adds  in  some  fast  riffing  and  blast  beats..

  Monovoth  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  post  black,    funeral  doom,  death  metal,  crust,  drone  and  dark  ambient  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own  as  well  as  sticking  to  mostly  an  instrumental  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  song themes  cover  lonely  gods  in  a  faithless  world.

  In  my  opinion  Monovoth  is  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  post  black,  funeral  doom,  death  metal,  crust,  drone  and  dark  ambient  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "From  A  Dying  Star"  and  "To  Drown  In  The  Tears  Of  God".  8  out  of  10.

  https://linktr.ee/monovoth 

Moros/Cemetery Hallucinations/Strange Mono/Knife Hit Records/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Moros  are  a  band  from  Pennsylvania  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  a  mixture  of  black,  sludge,  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Cemetery  Hallucinations"  which  will  be  released  in  March  as  a  joint  effort  between  Strange  Mono  and  Knife  Hit  Records.

  A  very  dark  yet  distorted  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  spoken  word  samples  and  noises  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  Elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  are  also  added  into  the  slower  sections  of  the  recording  while  the  vocals  bring  in  mostly  death  metal  growls  and  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  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  Black  metal  screams  are  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  bringing  in  a  very  dark  style  when  they  are  finally  utilized  and  the  whole  album  also  sticks  to  a  heavier  direction.

  On  this  recording  Moros  takes  black,  sludge,  doom  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  very  heavy  album.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  horror  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Moros  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  sludge,  doom  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Wasted  Burial"  "Cemetery  Hallucinations"  and  "Cretin".  8  out  of  10.

  https://strangemono.bandcamp.com/album/cemetery-hallucinations

https://knifehitscollective.bandcamp.com/album/cemetery-hallucinations

https://moros-666.bandcamp.com/

  

HVRT 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?

Well, basicaly we  are trying to get this thing on the road. We played a release show in one of our three hometowns and we are about to play a second release show on january 23th. After that we try to be busy playing live for the rest of the year but booking shows in small underground venues  has become a bit harder than before covid. But yeah, thats basically  the plan as of now.

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

To me it sounds much more melodic, more song oriented and more rock n roll. The first HVRT record was basically  written as a follow up to the last SHITSHIFTER record (the band we once were before changing our name to HVRT). CANCERBLOOM has more influences and we are experimenting a lot more with different sounds and different  influences.

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

The wait was long for sure. Covid was a huge factor in that peroid of time. We haven´t seen each other for almost two years and during this period our Drummer Tobias left the band. So we had to find a new Drummer and basically re-group ourselves as a band.

4.Lyric wise how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the last few albums?

I´m not sure if there is much progress…..At least for my part of the lyric writing. I´ve always wrote about  stuff that resonated with me on an emotional level and I have never changed that approach. But yeah, in the end, there may be  some progress regarding the quality of the lyrics. We write in English  and German and I think we got better in mixing those two languages.

5.Originally the band was called 'Shitshifter', what was the cause of the name change and also the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'HVRT‘?\

Changing our name was something we thought about for a while. In the beginning SHITSHIFTER was a fun band that was all about making a lot of noise at maximum volume. We didn´t think too much about songs or melodies but more about how to maximize our sonic impact. At one point we realized that our music wasn´t the same anymore. We started thinking way more about arrangements, melodies, structures and different sounds. So changing the name to HVRT made a lot of sense. The inspiration was the song by Nine Inch Nails/ Johnny Cash…..we were talking about different names and our drummer had a note sheet of that song on his desk. Since we all love the song and the sound of the word, we went with Hurt. Because there is another band with probably the same idea, we went trve old school and ditched the u for a v ;)

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

The artwork es the work of our longtime collaborators Dasha Pliska and Lars Horstmann. Both are friends of ours and we collaborated with them on a lot of different projects. We had a hard time finding the right visuals for this record and we thought about  trying different directions. But in the end, we stayed with working with both Dasha and Lars again since they know exactly what we like and what our music needs.

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

Tough question….I remember  a show (still under the shitshifter name) that we played in berlin in a small squatted building. The whole place was hot as hell and the crowd went wild. For me personally, it´s all about the vibe in the room. I don´t care too much about sound, lights or other technical stuff….I like playing small venues with no stages and a good energy in the room. Most of the time, these are the shows where you can get very close with the audience.

8.Do you have any touring os show plans for 2026?

Playing live as much as we can!

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

So far we received  a lot of very lovely feedback from the people that listened to our new record, at least when talking to people. Personally I don´t read any reviews about our music so I don´t know what the press reaction is like….but when I talk to people, the reactions are absolutely  lovely! 

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

Yeah, my brother (who is our singer and bass player) plays in another  band named Raptvre. Make sure to check them out!

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

Right now, I don´t think too much about new music to be honest. I am happy that we managed to get this record out because it was a lot of work. But of course there is something cooking as we speak….;) In fact, we have probably  enough music written for two more records.

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

Our other guitarplayer Florian listens to a lot of old school black and death metal stuff like Vader, Marduk or Emperor. Both him and my brother are very much into black metal in general. Our drummer Stephan listens to a lot of the classic stuff like Metallica or Pantera but also a lot of americana/ singer songwriter music. I myself love music like Bruce Springsteen, Stephen Wilson Jr., or Warhaus (which my brothers is a fan of as well). On the harder side, I always listen to Converge or a lot of Motörhead recently.

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

Yeah, go check out or new album CANCERBLOOM, maybe come to a show and say hi and don´t hang out with MAGAs or other right wing scum.

https://youtu.be/QxYXNtiDfSw

HVRT/Cancerbloom/Crawling Chaos/20265 Full Length Review

 

  HVRT  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays a   mixture  of  black,  sludge,  death  metal  and  hardcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Cancerbloom"  which  was  released  by  Crawling  Chaos.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  harsh  vocals  that  mix  hardcore  style  shouts  with  death  metal  growls.  Elements  of  sludge  metal  are  also  added  into  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  black  metal  style  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard.

  Throughout  the  album  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  dark  yet  melodic  style.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  and  synths  and  some  songs  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  clear  singing  as  well  as  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  whispers

  Hvrt  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  black,  sludge,  death  metal  and  hardcore  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  a  mixture  of  German  and  English  and  cover  political,  social  and  digital  themes  and t he  attempt  to  stay  human  inside  of  it.

  In  my  opinion  HVRT  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  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  "The  Wait,  The  Weep,  The  Woe"  "Corporate  Serenade"  "I  Don't  Want  To  Die  In  America"  and  "Cancerbloom".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/QxYXNtiDfSw

Evoked Eclipse/The Cries Of Evil/Club Inferno Ent./2026 Full Length Review

 

  Evoked  Eclipse  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  an  atmospheric  and  melodic  mixture  of  black,  gothic  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "The  Cries  Of  Evil"  which  will  be  released  in  February  by  Club  Inferno  Ent..

  Atmospheric  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times  and  also  adds  in  a  gothic  touch.  Elements  of  doom  metal  are  also  added  into  the  slower  sections  of  the  recording  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats.  A  lot  of  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  Swedish  style  along  with  the  recording  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  influences  from t he  more  melodic  style  of  death  metal.

   Clean  playing  is  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  one  track  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  female  vocals.  Spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  a  couple  of  tracks  being  instrumentals  and  some  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  as  the  album  progresses  growls  are  also  introduced.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Darkness  and  Evil  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Evoked  Eclipse  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  and  melodic  mixture  of  black,  gothic  doom  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are a   fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Cries  Of  Evil"  and  "Illusions  Of  The  Lie".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/evokedeclipse     

Ka,aper Interview

 

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

Evgeny: Hey guys! Thanks for having us here! Timur (the guitarist) and Evgeny (the singer) are here.

Timur: We’re recording our new album, got a tour coming up, it’s a busy time now.

Evgeny: Timur is a very humble guy and doesn’t like to boast, but the truth is: the work on our new album, entitled "When Gods Walked the Earth", is coming to an end, and we’re gonna release it in April or May.

2.In April you released your first full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

Timur: In the very beginning we got together to play some Swedish MDM, yet we played something darker, our songs were atmospheric and gloomy. We call it dark metal… because we had to call it somehow he-he

Evgeny: Yeah, it always happens like that. You plan something, then you realise it’s not really what you wanted, and you change your direction. As Timur said, we started from MDM, then added some doom, atmospheric black, some modern stuff. Everything for our music to sound dark yet very fierce.

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

Timur: We are still on our path through the endless desert of myths from ancient Egypt. Those myths have a lot about life, death, despair and eternal powers, a lot to admire, and to sing about.

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

Timur: Well, Ka’aper, or Sheikh el-Baled, is a man from ancient Egypt. Not that he is known for something big, but the name sounds cool.

Evgeny: You won't miss his statue if you're in the Cairo Museum, for sure! It's impossible to pass by not being captivated by those eyes. Neither did I one day! Kinda "What the hell is this? It's a fucking piece of wood with real human eyes". And yes, Ka'aper sounds really cool, doesn't it?

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

Timur: The cover for "While flows the Nile" is a picture that we generated using some AI tools and Photoshop. The idea behind it is simple - what could tear apart our perception of the world more than the sky that is "broken" and burning the land?

As for "Amenhotep" single cover, this one has much deeper concept. It is a scene of majesty and worship, where ancient gods are witnessed in modern culture. This is the first cover that was done not by us, but by an artist. You can tell that by deeper and more meaningful visuals.

6.The bands member are originally from Russia and Ukraine but now reside in Cyprus, how would you compare living in this country compares to the other countries you are originally from?

Timur: It’s completely different culture. We were lucky to join the very welcoming community, and sometimes absolutely crazy community in a good way.

Evgeny: And it's essential to add - the metal scene here is awesome! I know at least 40-50 active metal bands here, and if this number is not really big, just check the population of Cyprus on Wikipedia, it's a really small island. When I was leaving Russia for Cyprus, we had only 5-7 barely alive bands in my hometown (which has a population of almost one million)

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

Timur: There were a few to name. We had a warm welcome and awesome gig in Cairo, wild crowd and great atmosphere in Yerevan, insane shows in Limassol and Larnaca. Every time that the crowd is headbanging with us enjoying the show - it’s a good show, as we feel connected.

8.Do you have any touring or show plans for 2026?

Timur: Yup, we have a tour over Poland and Germany coming up in February. And we’re currently making up our plans for the Summer.

Evgeny: Before that, in January, we have a show in Dubai and a show here, in Cyprus, and yeah, we have lots of plans for spring and summer

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

Timur: I think it’s too early to tell. But every time that we visit a new country, we are coming back packed with great emotions and new connections overseas.

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

Timur: We’re not guessing that to be honest, the music always goes as it goes.

Evgeny: Completely agree with Timur! That doesn't mean we don't try to find new audience, on the contrary, we spend a lot of time planning and organizing new shows, shooting promo videos, participating in interviews, of course, and much more stuff that has to be done if you don't want to get lost among thousands of bands releasing their music in this exact moment

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

Timur: MDM of course, progressive metal, pop music, electronic music - many genres have some true gems.

Evgeny: A year ago Spotify surprised me by showing that my favorite artist of the year was Bob Marley and The Wailers, he-he, also some old jazz, and fucking tons of metal of course.

Timur: Since we mentioned, my top tracks in Youtube Music are by 21 Pilots, Agnes Obel and Neil Young

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

Evgeny: Thank you so much for your interest in our music, we really appreciate it. Stay kind, guys, stay open-minded, listen to good music and always support it. It's not a secret at all that metal music is a kind of music made by musicians for musicians - I guess, at least 90% of the crowd at any metal show are musicians from other local bands, so let's support each other and make as much good music as we can. Take care!

https://www.instagram.com/kaaper_official/#

Deos/Augustus Omnipotens/WormHoleDeath Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Deos  are  a  band  from  France  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  melodic  form  of  blackened  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Augustus  Omnipotens"  which  was  released  by  WormHoleDeath  Records.

  A  very  epic  sounding  intro  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  Spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  tracks  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  vocals  also  add  in  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Chants  are  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  some some  clear  singing  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album,.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  a  couple  of  tracks  also  adds  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  as  well  as  one  track  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  based  upon  Octavian,  later  Augustus,  the  first  emperor  of  Rome.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Deos  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Octavianus"  "Triumvirat"  "Mylae  Invicta"  and  "Pax  Romana".  8  out  of  10.

  www.facebook.com/deos.legio

instagram.com/deos_official
deos-official.bandcamp.com/releases

www.youtube.com/@deos-official9793/  

Sorrow Enthroned/Sorrow Enthroned (2025 Re-Recordings)/EP Review

 

  Connecticut's  solo  project  Sorrow  Enthroned  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  where  he  re-records  some  of  his  older  melodic  and  brutal  blackened  death  metal  for  the  modern  era  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2025  re-recordings.

  A  very  dark,  heavy  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  ep  while  the  solos  and  leads  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody.  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  and  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  mid  90's  era.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  brutal  blast beats  can  be  heard  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  the  whole  recording  sticks  to  a  heavier  direction.

  On  this  recording  Sorrow  Enthroned  sticks  to  a  very  heavy  and  brutal  style  of  blackened  death  metal  heavily  rooted  in  the  classic  era.  The  production  sounds  very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  Thelema,  Occultism  and  Darkness  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Sorrow  Enthroned  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  brutal  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Submerged  In  Slithering  Serpents"  and  "Upon  Angelic  Ash".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/sorrowenthroned666/

https://www.instagram.com/sorrow_enthroned/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCutRpqon7N59zCUwLr09oNA

https://sorrowenthroned.bandcamp.com/album/sorrow-enthroned-2025-re-recording  

Cruentus/End Without End/Kult und Kaos Productions/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Sweden's  Cruentus  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "End  Eithout  End"  which  was  released  by  Kult  und  Kaos  Productions.

    A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  brutal  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  death  metal  growls  are  also  used  at  times.

  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  thrash  metal  elements.  Synths  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  some  of  the  songs  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  a  couple  of  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  and  acoustic  guitars  and  spoken  words  and  melodic  guitar  leads  are  also  added  towards  the  end.

  On  this  recording  Cruentus  goes  for  a  very  aggressive,  modern  and  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  human  emotion  and  the  complexities  of  existence,

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Cruentus  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  black,  death  and  thrash  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Shades  Of  Thiea"  "Limitless  Conjuring"  ""M.I.A"  and  "As  My  Senses  Collide".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/FGkP6zZ4Nv

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cruentus-SWE-101581451696691

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cruentus_swe/

  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cruentusswe4585

  Bandcamp: https://cruentus1.bandcamp.com/

  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0S5fJ4mSuFJOOXiqf0nbcI?si=mjfEUjBGTDmyQ_8IXygQew

  Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/se/artist/cruentus/416008378

Bloodred/Colours Of Pain/Massacre Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Germany's  Bloodred  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  melodic  and  brutal  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  album  "Colours  Of  Pain"  which  will  be  released  in  2026  by  massacre  Records.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  ver4y  fast  and  brutal  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  some  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  atmospheric  touches,  clean  playing  and  synths  can  also  be  heard  at  times  as  well  as  a  couple  of  tracks  also  being  long  and  epic  in  length.

  On  this  recording  Bloodred  takes  their  melodic  and  brutal  style  of  blackened  death  metal  into  more  of  an  atmospheric  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  betrayal,  censorship,  environmental  collapse,  societal  decay,  pandemic  devastation  and  global  resistance.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Bloodred  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric,  brutal  and  melodic  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Ashes"  "Heretics"  and  "Resist".  8  out  of  10.

  www.bloodredband.com 

www.facebook.com/Bloodredofficial 

www.instagram.com/bloodred.band 

https://youtu.be/rxKVHDRhdC0  .    

Starscourge Interview

 

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

Zul: Currently, we are awaiting for the reception that the album will receive upon release. I have already commenced with some songwriting concepts for new tracks. Mithun: As Zul mentioned, we are curious as to how the record will be perceived. Some lyrical ideas already exists for the upcoming songs. 

2.Recently you have released your first full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording? 

Zul: Regarding musical direction we decided on an epic Blackened Death concept, with emphasizing melody and a cinematic scope. We also wanted to encapsulate a classic Metal vibe. I began writing the tracks that were not bound to specific genre rules and limitations, and went along the path of the various riffs and melodies, concluding in each song’s completion. Mithun: I aimed to do justice to the fantastic riffs and melodies that Zul had concocted, and opted for a theatrical and diversified vocal approach. Each track had to feel different and adhere to the various lyrical themes.

 3.Both of the members are also in other bands, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Starscourge', that you have not been able to do with your other groups? 

Mithun: When Zul and I started discussing this venture, I was playing in the punk band, Nedtur. I hadn’t involved in anything within Metal since 2020, and naturally I was drawn back to my roots. We both wanted to do something different from what we had previously played in our various projects. 

4.Your lyrics cover the Elden Ring, dark fantasy and mythology themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics? 

Mithun: Well, before Silent Images disbanded, we were in the process of a Bloodbornethemed concept album. I have always sought to lyrically compose something based off FromSoftware’s titles, and Elden Ring released at the perfect opportune moment.

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

Zul: Mithun and I started talking about starting the band and after planning out the musical and conceptual aspect we started brainstorming potential names. Eventually we decided on Starscourge. Mithun: Starscourge is the title of one of Elden Ring’s prominent characters, General Radahn also known as Starscourge Radahn during his boss fight. 

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

 Zul: Seven Kings Productions handled the artwork for all the singles as well as the album cover, and we attained permission from Maciej Wituski to utilize his excellent rendition

7.The band members live in Sweden and Singapore, what impact does the long distance in between members have on the musical style that you play? 

Zul: It would have been great if we could jam and rehearse together. Thankfully, the internet has provided a excellent medium for communication. Mithun: Indeed, Whatsapp has been a great friend. I think I correspond with Zul more than I do with my own family. Haha!

 8.On the album you also did a 'Slayer' cover, what was the decision behind doing your own version of one of their songs?

 Mithun: I’ve never been too much of a Slayer or Thrash fan to be honest. I do enjoy Reign in Blood, Seasons of the Abyss and Hell Awaits. When Zul sent over this rearranged version I thoroughly enjoyed the new atmosphere and increased melodies, and went about throwing in more Thrashy vocals. We gave it the Starscourge treatment! 

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

 Zul: We are keeping our options open. It would be great to license out these tracks for physical releases. Mithun: It all depends on the deal and the possibilities at the day’s end. 

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

 Zul: It is still too early to gauge since the album has yet to launch, but we have had a decent amount of support from the singles. 

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

 Zul: We both play in Chaos Imperium, a Black Metal project that I started a few years ago before I roped in Mithun this year. I am still part of Death Metal act Oshiego, and I have a few other projects underway. Mithun: Apart from Chaos Imperium, I sing with Avantgarde/Experimental Black Metal act Andharu, who’re also recording our debut as we speak. 

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

 Zul: Depending on the album’s response, we would be honoured to play live. Regardless, I’m already brewing up some new material for the next record. Mithun: The live stage would be fantastic, but we are very eager to continue making more music. 

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

 Mithun: Classic Metal will always be there, though I’ve listened to lots of epic scores as well. This year’s favourites are quite the strange bag - Afsky, Team Anarchy, Rudra, KLPS, Metaphor: Refantazio’s soundtrack, Sleep Theory, Alice Cooper, Bloody Valkyria, Nemophilia, Katla 

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

Mithun: Thank you for this interview, and for the lovely review as well. We should keep in touch! 

https://www.facebook.com/Official.Starscourge/
https://www.instagram.com/starscourge.official/

Cultic Interview

 

CULTIC INTERVIEW 

W/ Brian Magar & Andrew Harris

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

Brian: Since the release we’ve been playing shows, writing new material and ideating new concepts. This train keeps a rollin all night long.  

Andrew: Riffs and shows baby. 

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

Brian: We’re growing. LORE is really just a deeper pool of what we’ve done in the past. I think the writing is tighter and more focused in both the intros and the songs. But our overall vision never waivers. 

3.You refer to your music as being 'dark dungeon metal', can you tell us a little bit more about this term?

Brian: It’s a bite from Mortiis’s “Dark Dungeon Music”. We started calling ourselves “Dark Dungeon Metal” after we added the Dungeon Synth elements to our music.

Andrew: It is the sound of you rotting in a dungeon. It is what you hear when any hope of freedom you have as you rot in your cell finally fades away. 

4.A lot of your lyrics cover dark fantasy themes, which aspect of this topic do you cover with your songwriting?

Brian: All of our lyrics explore dark fantasy themes. CULTIC is a conceptual band. Each of our albums follows a specific theme, and each song tells an individual story within that theme. All of our full-length albums connect to one another, forming one continuous overarching narrative. The same is true of our album artwork. If you place all of our LP covers side by side in order, they create a single continuous image. Our next full-length album will reveal even more of that scene.

The Cliff’s Notes version of the CULTIC universe goes like this:

Our first album, HIGH COMMAND, centers on a great war fought between two powers, with each song exploring different aspects of that conflict. Our second album, OF FIRE AND SORCERY, visually depicts a warlock receiving an enchantment from a dragon statue; the album itself focuses on the sorcery used to summon the great dragon featured on HIGH COMMAND. Our most recent album, LORE, revolves around various characters who inhabit this world, while also explaining how the Warlock gained the knowledge needed to summon the dragon.

I’m essentially writing this story in reverse order.

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

Brian: The LORE album art features the NOMAD. A lone warrior and pariah who carries hidden knowledge of sorcery. He serves as the connection between LORE and OF FIRE AND SORCERY, as he’s the one who supplied the WARLOCK with the spell used to summon the great dragon.

My wife Rebecca, who is also our drummer, creates all of our cover art. She absolutely nailed this one. It’s my favorite album cover by far. I’d describe it as BOLT THROWER meets BLIND GUARDIAN.

6.Out of all the shows and tours the band has been so far, which one stands out the most?

Brian: We’re not a touring band, so I can’t really speak to that. As far as memorable shows go, there’s always something, but two come to mind. We recently opened for CONAN, which was hands down the largest show we’ve ever played and a real milestone for the band. We also played a SOUL GRINDER Records show at the Alternative Gallery in Allentown, PA earlier this year. It was a cool venue with great hospitality. I’ve been playing in bands on and off since I was a young teenager, and I’d never played a show where the band was assigned a road crew until that night.

Andrew: Conan show was cool. Really dug playing with Spiter and Total Maniac. Anytime we play with Grozov is also a good time. 

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for 2025?

Brian: The only thing we have lined up for 2026 so far is Ann Everton’s memorial show at the OTTOBAR in Baltimore. It’s a two day event Feb 30 & March 1. I’m not sure on the hard and fast details yet.

Andrew: We would love to do some festivals. 

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

Brian: We’ve done more with this band in nine years, than I ever imagined possible. 

Andrew: Absolute rabid devotion. Some real freaks out there. 

9.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?

Brian: My solo project, LAYR has been sitting on a full length DUNGEON SYNTH album for 5 years. If any Dungeon Synth labels are reading this, hit me up. I know Andrew has some stuff going on with his solo project, GRIM DISCIPLINE. He just came out with an EP called PENNSYLVANIAN THIRST. 

Andrew: yeah, I just released my first EP and will continue to write and record my solo stuff under that moniker. Check it out. 

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

Brian: Straight to the top of madness mountain. We’ll keep getting heavier and weirder. I did an interview last year where I said I was going to incorporate HARSH DUNGEON NOISE into LORE. But I didn’t do it. Maybe we’ll go in that direction in the future? Maybe more atmospheric or theatrical passages within our songs? One thing I will say is that we will not stray from DARK DUNGEON METAL!!!!

Andrew: Who knows? The riffs come down to us so I cannot predict what the gods will deliver. It is simply my duty to pass on the message. 

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

Brian: I always have a bunch of old stuff in rotation. Maiden, Priest, early Scorpions, Motorhead and so on. The real stuff.  

I’ve been slowly acquiring more BLIZARO albums this year. Big fan of that Italian horror sound. 

As far as really underground stuff goes. BALL always finds a way into my late night antics. If you have an itch for some super sleazy, drugged out, Satanic, porno loving rock and roll. Check out BALL. Fuckin Love that band. 

I’m always going to name drop the NECRO INVEST record label anytime I get the chance. If I had to guess, I think every band on the label is the same  person or group of people. Kinda has a GRIME STONE RECORDS vibe but different. It’s fun, reckless, lo-fi, unhinged, metal punk music for nuclear wasteoids. RAT OF SODOM, CREMAZIONE and SPHYNX’s rule. 

My favorite album of 2025 is PAGAN ALTAR’s “NEVER QUITE DEAD”. Really solid metal album front to back. I think it’s the only metal album that literally choked me up the first time I listened to it. This album should have received A LOT more attention than it did. 

Andrew: Old shit. 70s era Scorpions, Thin Lizzy, Judas Priest. Random black metal at times. Antonin Dvorak. 

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

Brian: Always humbled. Thank you for the opportunity. Keep doing what you’re doing. It’s important. 

To anyone out there looking to check us out. We have a website ( https://culticband.com  ), Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/culticband ), Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/culticband/ ), Youtube ( https://www.youtube.com/@CulticBand ) and Bandcamp ( https://cultic.bandcamp.com/ ).

Metal Rules! 

Atavistia/The Winter Way(Reforged)/Blood Blast Distribution/2025 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  2025  album  "The  Winter  Way  (Reforged)"  which  will be  released  on  December  12th  by  Blood  Blast  Distribution  and  is  also  a re-recorded  version  of  their  2020  album.

  Nature  sounds  and  symphonic  orchestration  starts  off  the  album  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  vocals  also  add  in  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death metal  growls  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody.

  Spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  tracks  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  Back  up  shouts  are  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  some  clear  singing  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album  as  well  as  the  songs  also  mixing  in  elements  of  folk  music.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  one  track  also  bringing  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  nature,  winter  and  Scandinavian  Mythology. 

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another4  great  sounding  recording  from  Atavistia  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  symphonic  black,  death  and  folk  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "From  The  Ancient  Stones"  "Eternal  Oceans"  and  "The  Winter  Way".  8  out  of  10.

 

1. linktr.ee

     

Starscourge/Conqueror Of The Stars, Betwixt Sundered Seraphim, The Lands Between Bleed/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Starscourge  are  an  international  duo  with  embers  from  Sweden  and  Singapore  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  2025  album  "Conqueror  Of  the  Stars,  Betwixt  Sundered  Seraphim,  The  Lands  Between  Bleed"  which  will  be  released  on  December  19th.

  Spoken  words  and  keyboards  start  off  the  album  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  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  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  lot  of  blast   beats  can  be  heard.

  Tremolo  picking  is  also  added  into  some  of  the  faster  riffing  while  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  along  with  the  clear  vocals  also  adding  in  a  touch  of  power  metal  when  they  are  utilized.

  At  times  the  music  also  adds  in  some  symphonic  touches  and  a  couple  of  songs  also  adds  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  as  well  as  the  closing  tracks  also  being  a  Slayer  cover.   The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  fantast,  mythology  and  the  epic  grandeur  of  the  Elden  Ring.

  In  my  opinion  Starscourge  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  duo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Blessings  Upon  the  Golden  Throne"  "Destiny's  Dastardly  Dynasty"  "Together,  My  Serpentine's  Valentine"  and  "Spirit  in  Black".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/Official.Starscourge/

https://www.instagram.com/starscourge.official/  

Hexagraf/Walsen van hoop/Void Wanderer Productions/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Hexagraf  are  a  duo  from  the  Netherlands  that  plays  an  atmospheric,  progressive  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Walsen  van  hoop"  which  will b e  released  on  December  18th  by  Void  Wanderer  Productions.

  Coughs  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  darker  and  heavier  direction  while  elements  of  doom  metal  are  also  added  into  the  slower  parts  of  the  recording.    Symphonic  keyboards  are  also  mixed  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  and  the  vocals  bring  in a   mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.

  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  songs.

  Whispered  vocals  and  spoken  words  are  also  utilized  briefly  along  with  some  of  the  songs  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  The  album  also  has  its  progressive  moments  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style,  throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  clear  singing  is  also  added  towards  the  end.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Dutch  and  cover  the  dark  underbelly  of  industry.

  In  my  opinion  Hexagraf  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric,  progressive  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  duo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Stoflongen"  and  "Bitjend  in  de  geestvan  productie".  8  out  of  10.

 https://voidwanderer.com/product/hexagraf-walsen-van-hoop-cd-preorder/