Thy Sanitorium Interview

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

Greetings! There has been so much going on and so fast it has all been a whirlwind and we are taking it all in one day at a time. Thy Sanatorium has only existed since October 2025 and we originally had no plans to make a full album. We originally intended to release one song at a time as singles at a more spread out pace but when we released "Torment" it was received very well and news spread quickly. Then we released "The End Consumes" and the reaction was so positive we knew we had something special so we dove into writing and recording more songs and ended up with a full length album. We didn't know this would become a band with a full album and as that solidified and we started talking about future plans Nyx, Remus and Pyxis expressed they would prefer to be more contributors to the band but not permanent band members. It was nothing dramatic, we are already working on ideas for the next album and they will still be involved but moving forward Ra, Crux and myself will be the main core (which it's how it's always been really) with other musicians listed as guests.

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

We take inspiration from some of our favorite bands and albums and blend them together the same way a chef would and hopefully come up with a dish that is unique yet familiar. 

The obvious ones are Opeth, Cradle of Filth, Children of Bodom and alike, but then I also enjoy indie rock, goth and punk so you'll find snippets of The Cure, The Hives and more.

I personally write very naturally. I usually come up with a guitar riff and then let whatever comes next flow naturally. Lyrically and vocally Ra and Crux add their own spice and that adds even more to the mix. Ra has a strong background in death metal while Crux doesn't have much of a metal background at all and the combination of it all takes our music to interesting places.

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

A lot of psychological horror ranging from anxiety to depression, the horrors of war, the horrors of social media, the realization that we all have a monster within us, hypocrisy, narcissism, power and more. I'm a big fan of horror movies and I've found that even the scariest ones don't come close to the horrors we live everyday in our world. But as dark, gloomy and depressing as that may sound it's a reminder to cherish life to the fullest. It's an ode to the philosophy of memento mori.

4.You have also mentioned an interest in classic horror movies, which films have had an influence on the music and songwriting?

Some of my favorite horror movies are the ones without big special effects and are very sound driven. Take the original 1931 Dracula for example which is one of my favorite movies of all time. The original has no music other than "Swan Lake" in the opening credits. But the white noise and hiss adds so much vibe to that movie that visually isn't gory or that scary at all, but the overall vibe of it all just permeates and gets under your skin. Love all the universal monster series, Hammer, Italian movies from Mario Bava and Dario Argento.

The Exorcist is still to me the scariest movie of all time, and not for it's effects, but it's just brutal psychologically. Stephen King, The Conjuring series, the latest Invisible Man was anxiety on film and I'm a sucker for 'found footage' movies. The lower the budget the better! Not an influence music-wise, but thematically and how I approach the music itself. 

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

Sanatoriums were originally intended to be health spas. Places where people went to get better but historically and in reality they became institutions where they sent people with terminal illnesses with no cure to die. I was drawn to the juxtaposition of a place created for healing that in reality was a place you went to die. The word Thy means "Your" so it's "Your Sanatorium". We are inviting you to Thy Sanatorium to face your horrors...we just don't promise you will ever be able to leave.

6.How would you describe the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

Very old school. King Diamond, Metal Church...the classic album covers from the 80's that would want to make you by the album without even knowing what it sounded like and you'd put it on your record player or in your CD player and go "Holy shit!". It's also kind of like a "Here we are!" statement introducing Thy Sanatorium and the sanatorium that they are standing in front of.

7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the masks you wear in the promo pics?

What's the quote from Karate Kid? "A belt only holds up pants. $3.98. J.C. Penny." in the same way the masks are to cover our faces. They do have a very "Roman/Venetian/Greek" inspiration to them which ties in with our pseudonyms. Ra being the sun god, Aries, Crux, Nyx, Remus and Pyxis all being constellations. But i'm going to give a little tease that how we present ourselves may change so don't read too hard into things. The focus is Thy Sanatorium as a place you go to face your horrors, not each individual member which could also change over time.

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

Haha, we haven't played any shows yet! As mentioned, this has all happened so quickly so we'll have to see.

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

No not yet at least. We are truly a multinational entity spread across the globe and with the current state of the world, getting us all one place would require multiple visas and a lot of coordinating. Which is ironic when you think that social media brags about bringing the world and people together but we seem to be more and more isolated from each other since it's conception.

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

We are not signed at this time and we have received a few offers, but nothing that offered anything we can't do ourselves.

I believe in the old school way of spreading our music, one person at a time sharing it with another person. It. may take longer but we are not in any hurry. We're not interested in social media numbers, in fact we just deleted our Bluesky account and will most likely delete our instagram account soon too. We don't have Facebook either and will probably just keep our YouTube channel for our music videos. We're going to let others talk about us and share our music. I see too many artists and bands trying to blow their own horn, desperately going "look at me! look at me!" and trying to get some viral video that has nothing to do with the music. I'm not into that. If people discover Thy Sanatorium it will be because someone listened to the music, liked it and recommended it to someone else. We're not doing this for fame or to get a big following. If we do cool, but that's not why we are doing this. Thy Sanatorium exists because of our love of metal, our love of making music and selfishly we are doing it for ourselves to satisfy our creative hunger. If others like it and share it that's a bonus.

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

One day at a time lol. Right now we're excited to get the album out on April 24 and see what happens. We've been doing a lot of interviews and reviews have started popping up and it's been very fun and positive. I can say that I can't stop writing and already have a few demos for the next album but let's leave it at that for now.

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

I recently got hooked on Drudkh, a Ukrainian black metal band. Love their vibe and tone, oh that guitar tone is to die for. Also Tribulation, I'm a big fan of their new stuff as much as their old stuff. I love bands who evolve and that aren't afraid to do so. A new guilty pleasure is Dominum. So ridiculously fun and catchy. To be honest I didn't want to like them but then I got "Bam-a-lam Bam-a-lam" stuck in my head at 3 in the morning and was like "God Dammit!!!". The new Rob Zombie, Mayhem, Eihwar, Frayle, Paradise lost, Castle Rat all kick ass. Being that I don't live alone there has also been ASAP Rocky (new album in collaboration with Tim Burton and Danny Elfman), Tyler the Creator, Denzel Curry...I might get a lot of hate for this but I find Hip Hop and Rap to have a lot in common with Black and Death Metal lyrically and vocally.

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

Well first thank you for this interview and amazing review for our debut album. We are big fans of independent blogs and magazines supporting music, you are the foundation of what keeps it all going! We truly appreciate you! And for those who have discovered our music and enjoy it, thank you! Get the CD, get the Vinyl, get our Merch but if you aren't in a position to afford that then stream it, rip it, copy it, share it, make tapes, burn CD's, file share it...share what you love, not what you hate.

Oh and...welcome to Thy Sanatorium

Aries.

Thy Sanatorium/Self Titled/2026 Full Length Review

  Thy  Sanatorium  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  symphonic  and  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  and  gothic  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  and  self  titled  2026  album.

  Dark  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  emtal  growls  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  album  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  symphonic  elements  also  mix  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  When  clear  male  and  female  vocals  are  utilized  they  also  add  in  touches  of  gothic  metal, one  song  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  acoustic  guitars  and  spoken  word  samples  can  also  be  heard  briefly  as  well  as  another  track  also  being  a  piano  orientated  instrumental.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  horror  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Thy  Sanitorium  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black,  death  and  gothic  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Torment"  "Devil's  Heart"  and  "Thy  Sanitorium".  8  out  of  10.

https://youtu.be/VztMgLvM6Jw

Website: https://www.thysanatorium.com

Pre-orders: https://elasticstage.com/thysanatorium

Bandcamp: https://thysanatorium.bandcamp.com

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

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

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thysanatorium.bsky.social

   

Kalrog Naar/L'alba delle tenebre/Kalrog Records/2026 Full Length Review

  Italy's  solo  project  Kalrog  Naar  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  epic  and  romantic  fantasy  style  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2025  album  "L'alba  delle  tenebre"  which  was  released  by  Kalrog  Records.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  all  of  the  drum  beats  are  also  programmed,  Synths  are  also  used  at  times  along  with  the  clear  singing  also  adding  in  elements  of  gothic  metal  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  A  lot  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  dark  metal  style  while  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  when  the  recording  speed  up.  The  album  also  captures  the  dark  atmosphere  of  black  metal  without  the  use  of  any  harsh  vocals  and  most  of  the  tracks  stick  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.

  On  this  recording  Karog  Naar  focuses  more  on  a  mixture  of  romantic  dark  metal  and  epic  fantasy  metal  as  well  as  cutting  back  on  the  black  metal  elements  of  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Italian  and  cover  the  writings  of  Fritz  Lieber  and  the  films  of  Maurizio  Zaccaro.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Kalrog  Naar  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  epic,  romantic  and  fantast  themed  dark  emtal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "II  talismano"  and  "L'Impero  di  Azad".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/LYFJgeKlQ-k  

     

Nefarious Grime Interview

 

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

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

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

1 Goth EP and Single 

A compilation of my Noise/ Avant Garde music  

Working on an Industrial track 

And a lo-fi Dungeon Synth album 

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

 

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

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

 

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

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

 

Local Projects: 

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

 

Keyboardist and vocalist for Sludge/Doom band Snake Healer.  

 

Bassist for Post Punk duo His Panic.  

 

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

 

Out of Town projects: 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Projects worth mentioning; Hiatus or Dead bands: 

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

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

 

 

 

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

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

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

 

 

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

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

Bongripper and Sexual Purity are always in rotation though.  

 

14. Does Occultism play any role in your music? 

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

 

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

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

https://www.facebook.com/NefariousGrime666

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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     

Kalrog Naar/Archeogothik Vol. 1/Kalrog Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Kalrog  Naar  are  a  solo  project  that h as  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  epic,  romantic  and  fantasy  themed  form  of  dark  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2025  album  "Archeogothik  Vol.  1"  which  was  released  by  Kalrog  Records.

  Programmed  beats  and  keyboards  start  off  the  album  which  also  adds  in  elements  of  goth  metal  and  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  A  lot  of  the  vocals  are  also  done  in  a  clear  singing  style  mixed  in  with  some  grim  black  metal  screams  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast b eats  can b e  heard.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  most  of  the  album  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  more  of  dark  metal  style.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  some  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  at  times  and  there  are  also  some  Death  SS,  Savage,  Opus  and  In  Ketton  covers.  

  In  his  recording  Kalrog  Naar  goes  for  more  of  a  mixture  of  goth  and  dark  metal  with  some  touches  of  black  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  fantasy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Kalrog  Naar  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  epic,  romantic  and  fantasy  themed  dark  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Monster"  "The  Nightmare"  "Burning  Down  The  Hell"  and  "Verlassen".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TwYKhtGPvA  

  

W.E.B/Darkness Alive/Metal Blade Records/2026 Live Album Review

 

  Greece's  W.E.B  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  they  take  their  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  gothic  metal  to  the  live  stage  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  album  "Darkness  Alive"  which  will  be  released  in  2026  by  Metal  Blade  Records.

  Live  audience  reaction  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  folk  instruments  a  few  seconds  later  while  also  introducing  symphonic  and  orchestral  elements  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  Vocals  are  mostly  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams  while  operatic  vocals  are  also  utilized  at  times.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  Touches  of  gothic  metal  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.

   Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  as  well  as  the  album  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  a  couple  of  the  tracks  also  being  long  and  epic  in  length.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Darkness  and  Armageddon  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  W.E.B  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  symphonic  black  and  gothic  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  live  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Crimson  Dawn"  "Into  Hell  Fire  We  Burn"  "Necrology"  and  "Eigios".  8  out  of  10.

  https://webmetalband.com

https://www.facebook.com/webdarkness

https://www.instagram.com/webdarkmetal

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

https://x.com/webdarkmetal  

  

Abscence Interview

 

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

Abscence is a symphonic black/gothic metal band born in the shadows of Yorkshire. At our core, we’re storytellers we take the grand emotional palette of gothic romanticism and fuse it with the frostbitten atmosphere of black metal. The band consists of Gawain, who shapes the orchestral and compositional backbone; Morrigan, whose bass work and dual vocal style (haunting cleans and fierce growls) define our emotional range; Aethra on guitars, bringing both aggression and melody; and Glen Veldman, whose drumming provides precision, brutality, and ritualistic pulse.

Our music is drenched in atmosphere. We treat every album, every song, as a world. With Enigma, our debut, we introduced listeners to our cinematic approach dark, raw, symphonic and we’ve been expanding that universe ever since under Wormholedeath Records.

2. You recently released a new album—what musical direction did you aim for with Enigma?

Enigma was our declaration of identity. We didn’t want a hyper-polished modern metal record. Instead, we wanted something that felt alive fragile in the right places, feral in others.

The musical style lies at the crossroads of symphonic black metal, gothic metal, and classical influences. Gawain’s orchestral arrangements shaped the atmospheric backbone; the keyboards behave like another narrative voice. Morrigan’s vocals became the emotional flashpoint her clean passages carry sorrow, while her brutal vocals tear through the more intense climaxes.

Aethra’s guitars are sharp, melancholic, and dynamic, and Glan’s drumming pushed the album into harsher territory: relentless blasts, cinematic swells, and ritualistic rhythms.

We aimed for drama, emotion, and honesty and we didn’t shy away from keeping small imperfections that preserved the human touch of the record.

3. The lyrics form a concept album—what story does Enigma tell?

Enigma is a romantic tragedy wrapped in vampiric myth. It follows two immortal women, bound by a love that transcends centuries yet is constantly threatened by time, betrayal, and darkness. Their devotion is both salvation and curse.

The album follows their journey:

– their first meeting in secrecy

– their transformation

– their vows under moonlit skies

– their descent into obsession

– the sacrifices they make to remain together

– and the haunting stillness of eternity that follows them

It’s a story about how love can become monstrous, beautiful, and eternal all at once. Every track is a piece of their emotional landscape.

4. What inspired the name Abscence?

The name represents the emotional void inside every human being—the hollow ache left by lost love, grief, or longing. We selected the altered spelling deliberately. Abscence feels slightly “wrong” to the eye, like a forgotten term from worn-out folklore or an inscription found in a ruined chapel.

It symbolizes our musical philosophy: beautiful imperfection, emotional honesty, and the spaces between light and shadow.

5. Tell us about the artwork for Enigma.

The artwork embodies the core theme of the album: eternal love forged in darkness.

The imagery of spectral figures, crimson hues, and symbolic patterns encapsulates the delicate balance between beauty and torment. The artwork isn’t just aesthetic it’s part of the narrative. The cover looks like a moment frozen in time from the vampires’ story, capturing their tragic devotion.

We wanted something that could stand both as folklore and as a cinematic still.

6. Your stage names are inspired by Arthurian legends and Celtic Mythology. Can you explain your connection to these themes?

We’ve always gravitated toward mythologies steeped in tragedy, prophecy, and mysticism. Arthurian legends and Celtic lore contain all the elements we channel into our music: doomed heroes, witches, forbidden love, sacrifice, and magic.

Our chosen names Gawain, Morrigan, and Aethra reflect archetypes we align with artistically. They’re not costumes; they’re spiritual representations of the energies we bring into Abscence. We don’t just write songs we inhabit the mythic world we’re creating.

7. What have been your most memorable shows so far, and how would you describe your performance style?

Some of our most unforgettable shows have been intimate ones where every element lights, fog, volume, silence came together perfectly. We don’t simply play songs; we immerse the audience in the world of Enigma.

Onstage we are theatrical, emotional, and intense.

– Morrigan balances ethereal serenity with monstrous ferocity.

– Aethra delivers a combination of elegance and aggression.

– Gawain’s presence behind the keys adds ceremonial depth.

– Glan’s drumming drives everything forward with technical precision.

A live Abscence performance is meant to feel like watching a dark romantic tragedy unfold.

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

Yes. We are planning selective UK and European shows to support Enigma and our upcoming releases. As we approach the next album cycle, we will expand into festivals and atmospheric venues that fit the storytelling nature of our performances. We prefer quality over quantity shows that feel like rituals.

9. How has the global reaction been among fans of symphonic black and gothic metal?

The response has been phenomenal. Listeners from around the world have connected deeply with the emotional and narrative approach of our music. Many have said it reminds them of the classic era when gothic and black metal were both raw and romantic, yet feels undeniably modern in spirit. This mixture of nostalgia and freshness seems to resonate strongly.

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

We’re entering a new creative era.

Before the next full album drops, we are releasing an EP titled:

“Each Fervent Kiss”

This EP acts as a bridge between Enigma and our upcoming album Where We Carved Our Stone.

It expands the vampire lovers’ saga with additional chapters more intimate, more violent, and more emotionally vulnerable.

Musically, it leans deeper into atmosphere, romantic sorrow, and haunting vocal interplay between Morrigan and Aethra.

Then comes the next full album:

“Where We Carved Our Stone”

This album will be grander, heavier, more symphonic, and more intense than anything we’ve done.

Expect:

– larger orchestral arrangements

– darker guitar landscapes

– more of Morrigan’s romantic cleans

– deeper storytelling

– guest vocalists

– a more cinematic experience from beginning to end

It is the next chapter of our mythology, carved literally and metaphorically.

11. What bands and styles have influenced you, and what are you listening to today?

We take inspiration from Emperor, Theatre of Tragedy, old Cradle of Filth, Paradise Lost, Limbonic Art,and classical composers like Vivaldi,Handel. But we also draw from dark folk, ambient soundtracks, Celtic traditions, and film score composers even vocal trance from Netherlands.

Recently we’ve been listening to everything from atmospheric black metal to contemporary classical pianists like Hélène Grimaud. We try not to limit our influences emotion guides the sound more than genre.

12. Do you have any final thoughts you would like to share?

We want to thank everyone who entered the world of Enigma and embraced our dark romantic vision. With the upcoming EP Each Fervent Kiss and the album Where We Carved Our Stone, we will dive even deeper into sorrow, passion, and myth.

This is just the beginning of our story.

Walk with us into the shadows there is much more to come.

 www.instagram.com/abscenceband

youtube.com/@abscenceband

Abscence/Enigma/WormHoleDeath Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Abscence  are  a  band  from  the  united  kingdom  that  plays  a  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  gothic  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Enigma"  which  was  released  by  WormHoleDeath  Records.

  Keyboards  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  Vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  music  also  having  its  symphonic  moments  and  blast beats  are  added  into  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.

  Growls  are  also  utilized  at  times  while  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  and  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  When  clear  singing  is  utilized  they  also  add  in  elements  of  gothic  metal  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style,  clean  playing  is  also  utilized  at  times  and  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  one  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  words

  Absence  plays  a  musical  style  that takes  a  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  gothic  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  based  upon  the  tragic  an  immortal  love  of  two  vampire  women.

  In  my  opinion  Abscence  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  gothic  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "We  Abandon  World  Pearls"  "Secrets  Confide"  "Cloak  Of  Mind"  and  "Our  Live  ignites".  8 out  of  10.

  www.instagram.com/abscenceband

youtube.com/@abscenceband  

End of Dawn Interview

 

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

At the moment we are continuing the momentum from our debut album Primordial Darkness. Since signing with WormHoleDeath Records and releasing the album in late 2024, we have been playing shows around Greece and working on new material. Our recent performance at the GR Festival in Volos was a highlight, and we are steadily preparing the next steps for both live activity and songwriting.

2. A year ago the band released its first full-length. Can you tell us a bit more about the musical style you aimed for?

With Primordial Darkness, we wanted a balance of symphonic and gothic black metal, combining aggressive elements such as riffs and harsh vocals with clean vocals, orchestral arrangements, and darker atmospheric layers. The music explores contrasts like melancholy and intensity, and the themes draw from mythology, biblical imagery, and existential ideas, which naturally shaped the album’s cinematic and somber tone.

3. The band has been active since 2019 but waited until 2024 to release a debut. What were those first years like?

Those early years were focused on developing the sound and identity of End of Dawn. The project started small and gradually came together as a full band, with each member bringing personal influences into the writing process. We spent a lot of time composing, experimenting, and shaping the atmosphere that eventually defined Primordial Darkness. We also played a few shows to try out new material, and in 2024 the partnership with WormHoleDeath made it possible to release the album properly.

4. Many of your lyrics touch on occult themes. What draws you to this subject?

For us, the occult is less about dogma and more about symbolism. It offers imagery that represents internal struggles, transformation, and the more hidden aspects of human experience. Using these themes helps us frame emotional and psychological ideas in a way that fits the tone of our music, without leaning on any strict doctrine or established belief system.

5. What other lyrical topics appear in the newer material?

Besides occult symbolism, we also explore ideas related to death, mythology, biblical references, dark fantasy, and existential conflict. On the debut album, each track follows a kind of descent and eventual rise on a spiritual or psychological level. The new material draws more from dark fantasy influences such as literature, cinema, games, and the Dungeons and Dragons universe, which gives us room to approach our themes from another angle.

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

The artwork represents the core essence of Primordial Darkness: the dawn of a post-apocalyptic era freed from the burning light of human civilization and welcoming a purifying darkness. The eclipse, which people seem to greet with awe, symbolizes that transformation. Both the confrontation with the unknown and a gateway to spiritual awakening, echoing the album’s lyrical themes. We wanted the visual aesthetic to mirror the music’s atmosphere: mystical, oppressive, and transformative.

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

Our performance at the GR Festival in Volos this August stands out. Sharing the stage with local bands and, one of our inspirations, Old Man’s Child was meaningful for us, and the atmosphere of the event left a strong impression. As we started performing, clouds gathered and darkened the sky, and combined with the crowd’s energy it felt like a true dark rite.

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

We are currently planning the next steps. While nothing is confirmed yet, we aim to be more active live in 2026, both within Greece and potentially abroad. We are considering festivals, a national tour, and international appearances depending on how things develop.

9. Will the next album also be released through WormHoleDeath Records?

WormHoleDeath has been a supportive partner for our debut, and the collaboration remains positive. We will decide how to proceed once the new material reaches a more complete stage.

10. How has the worldwide reaction been to your music from fans of symphonic and gothic black metal?

The feedback has been encouraging. Listeners have responded well to the combination of heavier elements with orchestral and atmospheric parts. We are still building our audience, but so far the reception has been helpful and motivating.

11. What is going on with some of the other bands or projects your members are involved in?

Several members remain active in other projects, which brings new ideas back into End of Dawn. This year, Gravekeeper released a full length with his hardcore band Soulhound, as well as a single with his blackened deathcore band Chants ov Obscurity. Akhenaten released a split with Darkest Oath. Absence and I are working on a black metal project that is still taking shape. Other members occasionally join different projects or tribute bands, although our primary focus is on the next End of Dawn release.

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

We want to continue developing the symphonic and gothic aspects of our sound while keeping the raw black. metal foundation present. Our goal is to expand the arrangements, use a wider dynamic range, and put more attention on the visual and atmospheric elements of the music. We also feel more comfortable on stage now, which motivates us to improve the live experience further.

13. What bands or musical styles are the members currently listening to?

We listen to a broad mix of metal styles, as well as related genres such as gothic rock, psychedelic rock, dungeon synth, dark synthwave, Scandinavian folk, classical music, and film soundtracks. Each member has personal preferences, but our influences often blend into the writing process. We all share an interest in symphonic black metal, particularly bands like Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth, and Old Man’s Child.

14. Any final words or thoughts?

We would like to thank our siblings of the night who have embraced Primordial Darkness and shown interest in the band. We are already working on new material and we hope to continue growing and creating music with sincerity and focus. Stay with us. The dawn may end, but the darkness continues to evolve.

https://linktr.ee/endofdawn

Unsouling/Outward Streams Of Devotional Woe/I, Voidhanger Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Unsouling  are  a  solo  project  from  Minnesota  that  plays  an  experimental  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2025  album  "Outward  Streams  of  Devotional  Woe"  which  was  released  by  i,  Voidhanger  Records.

  Synths  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  while  some  tracks  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  vocals  being  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.

  Death  metal  growls  are  also  utilized  at  times  while  a  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length.  Blast  beats  are  also  added  into  the  faster  sections  of  the  album  along with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  tremolo  picking  is  also  added  into  some  of  the  fast  riffing.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  influences  of  goth  rock  and  darkwave.  Spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  briefly  as  well  as  the  album  also  having  its  experimental  moment,  whispers  are  also  introduced  on  a  later  song.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  loss  and  grief  from  a  spiritual  and  metaphysical  point  of  view.

  In  my  opinion  Unsouling  are  a  very  great  sounding  experimental  mixture  of  black  and death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Immaterial  Existence"  "Grief  Reconfigured"  and  "Dissolved  In  Spiritus'.  8  out  of  10.

  https://i-voidhangerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/outward-streams-of-devotional-woe

      

End Of Dawn/Primordial Darkness/2024 Full Length Review

 

     End  Of  Dawn  are  a  band  from  Greece  that  plays  a  very  atmospheric,  gothic  and  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2024  album  "Primordial  Darkness".

  Symphonic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams.

  Operatic  vocals  are  also  utilized  at  times  which  also  adds  in  touches  of  gothic  metal  while  the  album  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments.  Clean  playing  is  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  some  spoken  words  also  being  utilized  at  times  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  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  death  metal  growls  also  being  used  at  times,  clear  male  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  death,  darkness,  chaos,  damnation,  occultism  and  suffering  themes.

  In  my  opinion  End  Of  Dawn  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric,  gothic  and  symphonic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Dawn  of  Decay"  "Stepping  Into  Oblivion"  "The  Fall  Of  The  Rebel"  and  "Breaking  The  Pendulum".  8/5  out  of  10.

  ouTube – Full Album:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h265r1GBC4

Spotify Artist Page:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/03GS0Jd0J7nEJv1Ra3idkS?si=58e4dda93eac40cd

The Promise Of Plague/The Earth Above, A Grave Beneath/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Kentucky's  The  Promise  Of  Plague  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  90's  inspired  mixture  of  black,  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  album  "The  Earth  Above,  A  Grave  Beneath"  which  will  be  released  in  2026.

  High  pitched  black  metal  screams  start  off  the  album  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  recording  also  add  in  elements  of  doom  metal  and  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  at  times.

  Spoken  words  are  also  added  on  a  couple  of  tracks  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  Most  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  along  with  some  death  metal  growls  also  being  utilized  at  times  as  well  as  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts

   The  recording  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments  along  with  the  clear  vocals  also  add  in  touches  of  gothic  metal,  melodies  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  and  one  track  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  synths  as  well  as  one  song  also  adding  in  some  acoustic  guitars,  the  album  also  closes  with  a  Quiet  Riot  cover.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  sorrow  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  The  Promise  Of  Plague  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  90's  inspired  black,  doom  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Vomit  Running  Through  My  Veins"  "The  Earth  Above,  A  Grave  Beneath"  and  "Of  Sorrow".  8  out  of  10.

  Bandcamp

https://thepromiseofplague.bandcamp.com

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/thepromiseofplague

YouTube

https://youtube.com/@thepromiseofplague

Irreparable Interview

 

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

N.M. - We finished recording The Fate Of All Life in February, with the final masters being approved in April. Since then we’ve played a few shows and are preparing for our big album launch show which is scheduled for November 29th. There has been some work on a cover song, but there will be more information on that when it all comes together.

2.Later in October you have your first full length coming out, musically how does it differ from your previous ep's?

D.B. - This release is what we have aimed for since the beginning. There was a clear idea in my head when we first began writing in 2018, and while I am proud of our first two records, we experimented with soundscapes on our first release and expanded upon that with "Complete Emptiness", though I always had a feeling we had not quite yet achieved what I had envisioned. This time around, without being hindered by technical restrictions or inexperience, we had the freedom to focus more on what we wanted to write, instead of overcoming hurdles to get there, and sonically it represents what I had always had in mind for the band.

N.M. - I feel that with Complete Emptiness we really started to find our sound. So with this new album, the songwriting has continually improved, expanding on the previous release while adding new elements and really solidifying what we’d set out to achieve.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the past 6 years?

N.M. - The lyrical themes are quite introspective and focus on personal suffering, the inevitability of death, the idea of multiple “deaths” and “rebirths” throughout a lifetime, endless cycles and the idea that we are, in fact, living in hell. Hell within and hell without. 

It is rather bleak, and everything I write is extremely personal, but I do like to allow some ambiguity for the interpretation of the listener because art is in the eyes and ears of the beholder.

As we became more focused, the songwriting, lyrics and themes have all improved over the years. It is always a process when starting a new project. You create a foundation, as we did with our first EP Transfixion. From there we played on our strengths as we saw them and went forward. I think the improvements on the 2nd EP Complete Emptiness were quite vast. 

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

M.B. - Irreparable means "broken beyond repair" and we felt this was a true expression of the themes of the music we were trying to create. The sort of depressing music where the tone is there is no coming back from this. There is no salvation. There is no light at the end of the tunnel. When you are that truly far gone and nothing can ever bring you back.

N.M. - When trying to think of a band name, this word literally jumped at me. I think in some ways it aptly describes how I feel inside, so I took the opportunity to turn it around as a catharsis. There can be such beauty in our suffering. A lot of the most amazing art over the years is inspired by this. Expressing these bleak feelings is something we can all relate to and get something positive out of creating.

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

D.B. - One moment there was a person, atop a hill, gazing out into the universe. The next moment they were gone, and their presence never really meant anything at all.

N.M. - For the artwork, I sat down with Promathiart and went over the album's themes and lyrics with him, as well as visions I had in my head about what the artwork could look like. He took extensive notes and came back to us with sketches and after a few back and forth’s we decided that this is what best represented the album. 

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

M.B. - I would say the best shows have been any of our interstate shows because it's always great to go to a new place we don't normally get to play, as well as meeting people from other parts of Australia. The run of shows we did with Mondernte (Iceland) were fun to play for that, as well as seeing her performance every time was always a pleasure. The best show was probably Melbourne Dethfest at the Corner Hotel in Richmond, put on by Your Mate Bookings. That one came to us so last minute because Midnight Odyssey unfortunately had to pull out due to cyclone warnings where they were going to be flying from, and with maybe 3 days notice we jumped on and played to the biggest audience we have ever played to. Plus it was an honour to play with Left to Die, the Death tribute band.

Our stage performance is bleak yet intense. NM is a great performer and a lot of the times when I am playing a show, I am distracted by how much he throws himself into what he is doing whether it is movements of pure aggression, or a vision of a man having a full on mental breakdown on stage. 

N.M. - I concur, the Mondernte shows were incredible and we made a lifelong friend out of her. We are definitely keen to tour with her again when she comes back to Australia. Our first big show was supporting Unto Others (US) in 2023, which was when we were launching the Complete Emptiness EP. This was organised by Your Mate Bookings, who also contacted us for the Melbourne Dethfest fill in slot mentioned above which was definitely our best show so far.

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

M.B. - Our album launch for The Fate of All Life is at the Leadbeater Hotel in Richmond on Sat 29/11. Organised by Black Oceans Media, it also features Burden Man (NSW), The Nihilistic Front and Nighteyes. Our end goal is to tour Europe. I think that would be amazing.

8.Currently the band is signed to 'These Hands Melt', how did you get in contact with this label?

D.B. - The label found us so perhaps you would have to ask them! They had found us in the digital void and reached out, saying that our music spoke to them. They contracted us for a vinyl release of "Complete Emptiness" and then re-signed us for "The Fate of all Life". They have always respected our vision and allowed us to create freely, and they have made the process of label/artist interaction as streamlined and simple as possible. We owe them a debt of gratitude.

N.M. - I had always assumed they found us because we’d had the Netherlands-based French vocalist Carline van Roos (Aythis, Lethian Dreams) guest on a track on Complete Emptiness.  Either way, it’s been a great relationship from the get-go and we do appreciate all their hard work.

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

D.B. - Amazing! I wondered during the early stages of our journey if our music would be anathema to genre-purists (either of extreme/black metal, or also to listeners of goth electronica) but most people at our shows seem to really dig it and enjoy that it's a little bit different. It's always just been about telling a story, and every story has highs, lows, and mid points. We use genre-shifting to convey that and I think people enjoy it.

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

D.B. - That's a hard question. I don't want to repeat what we've accomplished as I think music tends to lose heart and sounds less genuine when that happens. It's a lot of why we didn't adhere to a specific genre/sound in the first place. I think it's important to let the next record come to us naturally, and not try and force another release for the sake of it. I guess at this time all I can say is...watch this space!

11.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?

D.B. - My guitar work was heavily inspired by classic black metal like Emperor & Immortal, and also a lot of post-punk and early hardcore. Bands like the Dead Kennedy's, TSOL, Siouxsie and the Banshees etc. I always loved the similarities between black metal guitar playing and that kind of surf-rock sound the Dead Kennedy's had. They were one of the earliest influences on my playing and there's probably a bit of them in everything I do. In terms of the electronic components of our sound, I was heavily influenced by classic horror & science fiction films and their synthesizer scores. Probably not so much the modern synthwave resurgence, but classic composers like John Carpenter, Christopher Young and Claudio Simonetti's Goblin are all massive influences.

N.M. - From a young age, I was heavily inspired by frontmen like Marilyn Manson and Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails. As my tastes grew more extreme, vocalists like Attila Csihar (Mayhem), Alan Averill (Primordial), Niklas Kvarforth (Shining), Aaron Stainthorpe (My Dying Bride) and Kim Carlsson (Lifelover) further shaped my role in extreme music.

On the goth/darkwave spectrum, I have been heavily influenced by the likes of Type O Negative, Fields of the Nephilim, Beastmilk/Grave Pleasures, Killing Joke etc.

M.B. - Mostly listening to dungeon synth at the moment. Artists like Erang, Hole Dweller, Quest Master.

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

N.M. - Thanks for your interest in what we do, and we hope you like the album!

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