Obscurity/Ascheregen/Trollzorn Records/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Germany's  Obscurity  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  melodic  mixture  of  black,  viking  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  album  "Ascheregen"  which  will  be  released  in  2025  by  Trollzorn  Records.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  vocals  also  add  in  a  mixture  of  shouts,  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.

  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  one  track  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  words,  clean  playing  also  returns  on  later  songs  and  a  later  song  also  adds  in a  brief  use  of  clear  vocals.  

  On  this  recording  Obscurity  remains  true  to  the  melodic  mixture  of  black,  viking  and  death  metal  that  they  have  established  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  German  and  cover  Old  Norse  Mythology,  the  violent  shades  of  Christianization  and  the  fractures  of  our  modern  world.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Obscurity  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  black,  viking  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Intium  Dekadentiae"  "Dreifaltigkeit"  "Bekehrung"  and  "Dystopie  und  Schwanengesang".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.obscurity-online.de

https://www.facebook.com/obscuritybergischland

https://www.instagram.com/obscurity_official

https://obscurity.bandcamp.com

https://youtu.be/9hrsNf6K1Q4      

Bretwaldas Of Heathen Doom/Seven Bloodied Ramparts/Caligari Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Bretwaldas  Of  Heathen  Doom  are  a  duo  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording   plays  a  mixture  of  black,  doom,  heavy  metal  and  crust  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Seven  Bloodie  Ramparts"  which  was  released  by  Caligari  Records.

  Fast  tremolo  picking  starts  off  the  album  while  also  bringing  in  elements  of  black  metal  before  going  into  more  of  a  crust  influenced  direction.  Elements  of  doom  metal a re  also  added  into  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  while  the  vocals  bring  in  a  mixture  of t he  first  wave  era  and  Bathory's  pagan  era.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  in  more  of  a  melodic  traditional  metal  style.  A  lot  of  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  as  well  as  remaining  very  modern  at  the  same  along  with  some  clean  playing  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album

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    A  couple  of  tracks  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length  and  most  of  the recording  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction,  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast b eats  can  also  be  heard.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Heathenism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Bretwaldas  Of  Heathen  Doom  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  doom,  heavy  metal  and  crust,  you  should  check  out  this  duo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Welcome  The  Rider"  "Grey  Wolf"  and  "Smite".  8  out  of  10.

  caligarirecords.bandcamp.com/album/seven-bloodied-ramparts-remastered

www.facebook.com/bretwaldasofheathendoom 

 

Voragoth/Storm Obey No Masters!/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Voragoth  are  a  band  form  Croatia  that  plays  a  melodic  and  progressive  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  with  elements  of  folk  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2025  album  "Storm  Obey  No  Masters".

  Synths  and  acoustic  guitars  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  folk  instruments  which  also  returns  on  later  tracks  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  When  clear  singing  is  utilized  it  also  adds  in  a  touch  of  pagan  metal  while  the  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to t hem  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  mixed  in  with  a  few  death  metal  growls.  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.

    Some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  some spoken  words  and  whispers  also  utilized  briefly,  back  up  shouts  are  also  utilized  at  times  as  well  as  some  of  the  vocals  also  going  into  an  angry  shouting  direction  on  a  few  tracks,  tremolo  picking  is  also  added  into  some  of  the  faster  riffing.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  th e lyrics  cover  Nature  and  Dark  Fantasy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Voragoth  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  and  progressive  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  with  elements  of  folk  music  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "In  Chaos  We  Reign"  and  "The  Last  Day  Of  Night".  8  out  of  10.

  https://fanlink.tv/wdfk

https://www.instagram.com/voragothkvlt/

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

https://voragoth.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6WVeRfR5ZfaBU80OigVMLJ

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/voragoth/storm-obey-no-masters

https://voragoth.bandcamp.com/album/storm-obey-no-masters 

Garde/Harbringer Of Revenge And War/Heidens Hart/2025 Full length Review

 

  Garde  are  a  duo  from  the  Netherlands  that  plays  viking  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Harbringer  Revenge  And  War"  which  will  be  released  on  November  28th  by  Heidens  Hart.

  Clean  playing  and  synths  start  off  the  album  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  vocals  go  for  more  of  a  clear  viking  metal  style.

  At  times  the  vocals  also  bring  in  the  harshness  of  black  metal  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  Elements  of  folk  music  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  one  tracks  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  words  along  with  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  also  bringing  in  a  small  amount  of  melody  and  the  whole  album  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction  with  one  track  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  fast  playing  and  blast  beats.

  Garde  plays  a  style  of  viking  metal  that  is  very  epic,  melodic  and  mid  tempo  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Paganism,  Vikings  and  Germanic  Mythology.  

  In  my  opinion  Garde  are  a  very  great  sounding  viking  metal  duo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "A  Gathering  Of  Blood"  and  "Fallen  Heroes".  8  out  of  10.

  https://heidenshart.bandcamp.com/album/harbinger-of-revenge-and-war  

Havamal/Age Of The Gods/Art Gates Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Havamal  are  a  band  from  Sweden  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black,  folk,  viking,  death  and  power  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Age  Of  the  Gods"  which  will  be  released  in  November  by  Art  Gates  Records.

  Tribal  style  drumming  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  orchestration  and  epic  sounding  keyboards  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams  mixed  in  with  some  death  metal  growls  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  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  the  album  also  adding  in  touches  of  folk  metal  at times  mixed  in  with  some  power  metal  style  melodies  in  the  solos  and  leads,  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  On  this  recording  Havamal  tales  the  melodic  sides  of  black,  death  and  viking  metal  and  mixes  it  with  folk  and  power  metal  to  create  a  sound  that  is  very  epic  and  modern  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Norse  Mythology  and  Paganism  themes. 

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from Havamal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  viking,  folk,  melodic  death  and  power  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Pagan  Path"  "The  Shaman'  and  "Ashwalker".  8  out  of  10.

  https://artgatesrecords.com/artists/havamal   

Tedd Deireadh Interview

 

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

1. We are melodic death metal band from Brodnica in Poland and we’re getting started on a polish underground scene.

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

2. As for our style, we’re aiming at heavy riffing along with melodies and it all filled with Michał’s growls. We’re still developing and learning, but in the future You may expect something tied to what we do now. 

3.A lot of your lyrics cover viking themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this toipic?

3. We’re viking fans as well as metalheads! As all of us are Amon Amarth fans, it was very likely that we’ll follow the topic with our debut for the lyrics. However, the main viking topic stays on the first album and we’ll move to another topic in the second one which we’re writing right now. What’s it going to be? You’ll find out in the future, but there are some hints �� 

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

4. The meaning of ‘Tedd Deireadh’ is ‘Time of the End’ in the elvish in The Witcher’s world. The inspiration is the world shown in The Witcher itself written by Andrzej Sapkowski. 

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

5. The art covers vikings in a battle against enemies with a mysterious person in the middle. Who’s this? Let’s hope You can find out by yourselves �� 

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

6. As for our best shows, we’ll pick 5.07.2024 in Voodoo in Warsaw (support for Znich) and 20.07.2025 in Gdańsk (on tour with Morbithal and Morlord). Our stage performance is quite good and we really enjoy playing live, however for now, there are no additional features during live shows, but we plan some of them in the future. 

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

7. We’re on our tour right now – well, at the end of it. We played 19.07 in Toruń, 20.07 in Gdańsk, 26.07 in Poznań and 27.07 in Łódź and we’re playing 15.08 in Katowice (yeah, the premiere concert!). As for the future gigs, we’re planning them, but there are none confirmed yet. 

8.The new album is coming out on 'Via Nocturna'. how did you get in contact with this label?

8. Our guitarist Sony wrote to the label and shared released singles. Via Nocturna replied with enthusiasm, we set agreements and so the releasing of the album began. 

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

9. For now, we’ve released just three singles, but we’re getting a lot of positive feedback from listeners from all of the world. It means a lot for us. Thank You all, guys! 

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

10. Musically we’re heading kinda the same way we took at the beginning. There might be some differences as we’re not going to play all the tracks the same way as previous ones, but the main musical concept remains the same. However on the second album You may feel a little of romancing with black metal. 

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

11. The list is going to be really long… It’s not a surprise that the biggest influence and inspiration is Amon Amarth and we say it proudly and with no hesitation. However each of us has different influences on our own. For example, our bassist/vocalist Michał is a really big fan of Opeth, our guitarist Szymon prefers Death, Behemoth and Children of Bodom, our drummer Tyr’s the most favourite band is Insomnium and our founder and guitarist Sony’s biggest influences are Mgła, Kanonnenfieber and Panzerfaust. We also all love classics like Slayer, KAT (only with Roman Kostrzewski!), Kreator etc. and black metal bands (mainly polish) like Batushka, Patriarkh, Varnheim, Zorza or Zmarłym. The list really never ends. 

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

12. We’re really happy and honored that You wanted to ask us these questions. It means a lot. We really hope that people will enjoy our new album and so we can see on the upcoming gigs – if You want us to play somewhere – write to us! Thanks for the interview, You’re great!

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Tedd Deireadh/Fight To Death/Via Nocturna/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Tedd  Deireadh  are  a  band  from  Poland  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  viking  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Fight  To  Death"  which  will  be  released  in  August  by  Via  Nocturna.

  A  very  heavy  and  aggressive  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  vocals  being  mostly  death  metal  growls  and  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  classic  Swedish  style.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  viking  metal  elements.  Screams  are  added  into  the  background  briefly  along  with  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  being  utilized  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  and  acoustic  guitars  are  added  on  the  closing  track.

  Tedd  Deireadh  plays  a  musical  style  that  take s the  melodic  forms  of  viking  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Vikings,  Battles  and  Norse  Mythology  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Tedd  Deireadh  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  viking  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Fight  To  Death"  "Savior" "Mercenary"  and  "As  The  Sword  Falls".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/_D4a6th1H7k

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram 

  

Epic Death 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?

"Since the recording and release of 'The Seer,' our focus has been squarely on promotion. We intentionally kept our live performances minimal during the recording phase to dedicate our energy to this album's launch. To amplify our reach, we've brought on Metal Devastation PR, who are doing an incredible job helping us spread the word and connect with our audience on a broader scale. The momentum is building, and we're excited to see 'The Seer' resonate with fans."

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

"'The Seer' definitely takes a more progressive turn compared to 'Witchcraft.' While 'Witchcraft' established our core sound, 'The Seer' incorporates more intricate progressive metal elements, pushing our boundaries musically. However, both albums remain undeniably and emphatically METAL. We embrace the diverse sub-genres within metal, but at our heart, we are about delivering raw, powerful, and authentic metal music."

3. This is also your first album in 10 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

"That ten-year gap was a period of crucial internal refinement. You know the saying, 'having the right pieces to the puzzle'? That's exactly what we were focused on. We dedicated ourselves to ensuring the band's lineup was absolutely solid and cohesive. Once we had that synergy, the songwriting process truly began. While unforeseen circumstances did extend the timeline beyond our initial hopes, we firmly believe the wait has been more than worth it for 'The Seer.' We did manage to break the silence with a successful week-long tour in 2023, hitting Texas, Vegas, and two fantastic shows in Arizona, which was a great way to reconnect with our live audience."

4. So far lyrically you have covered Witchcraft and Norse Mythology, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?

"Our passion lies in crafting compelling narratives through our music, and what better subjects than the rich tapestry of the supernatural and ancient mythology? These themes offer an endless well of inspiration for storytelling, allowing us to delve into deep, often dark, and always captivating lore. They provide a powerful backdrop for the intensity of our music, creating an immersive experience for our listeners."

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

"The name 'Epic Death' actually has a rather serendipitous origin. Back in 2010, when it was just Dennis and Becky, we were brainstorming band names. Dennis, a huge fan, lamented, 'Death took the best band name in the history of band names.' Becky, with a flash of inspiration, immediately countered, 'What about Epic Death?' It just clicked. From that moment, it became the band's moniker, partly as a respectful nod to the legendary Chuck Schuldiner and the band Death, embodying both the grand scale of our music and a tribute to one of metal's true pioneers."

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

"We're thrilled to feature Lady India, the same phenomenal model from our 'Witchcraft' cover, on 'The Seer.' She's an extraordinary artist in her own right, known for her captivating fire artistry and unique performances. We approached Lady India with the album title and overarching theme, giving her complete creative freedom to interpret and create the visuals she felt best represented 'The Seer.' The images you see now are just a glimpse of the incredible work she delivered. We'll be gradually releasing more of these stunning photographs as part of our ongoing promotion for 'The Seer,' not only to enhance the album's presence but also to showcase Lady India's exceptional talent."

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

"Over our 15 years, we've had the privilege of playing countless memorable shows, but some truly stand out. Sharing the stage with bands like Mushroomhead, Gemini Syndrome, Carach Angren, Nile, and Finntroll were unforgettable experiences. Our 2023 tour also featured two absolutely phenomenal shows in Arizona that truly energized us. As for our stage performance, we strive for an intense and immersive experience. We aim to translate the power and emotion of our music into a visually captivating and high-energy live show that leaves a lasting impression on the audience."

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

"Our primary focus right now is on strategic opportunities. We're actively keeping our eyes open for festival appearances. Festivals offer an incredible platform to reach a broad and dedicated audience, and we believe our sound will resonate strongly in that environment. We're eager to bring 'The Seer' to the stage and connect with fans live."

9. The new album was self-released, but the band has worked with a label before in the past. Are you open to working with another label in the future?

"Both 'Witchcraft' and 'The Seer' were released under our own imprint, Bast Records. While we've always harbored the ambition of securing distribution with a larger, more established name, the landscape of the music industry is incredibly competitive. With so many talented bands vying for attention, it can be challenging for an independent band like ours to gain the same visibility as more mainstream acts. That said, we remain open to opportunities. If a partnership with a label aligns with our vision and offers significant benefits, we would certainly consider it."

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

"The reaction to our new music has been overwhelmingly positive, which is incredibly validating. We even consider it a badge of honor when our music starts circulating on Russian torrent sites – it's a clear indicator that you've created something impactful enough to capture global attention, even if it's not always through official channels! It shows our music is reaching a wide audience and resonating with them."

11. 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?

"Our rhythm section is quite active! Reece, our drummer, and Justin, our bass player, are both integral members of the band Omen. They are currently deep in the creative process, actively writing new music for Omen, which is exciting for them and for fans of their work."

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

"We're always looking ahead, and we've already solidified the theme for our next album. Without giving too much away, I can confidently say that it will strongly appeal to anyone who enjoys horror movies. We're excited to delve into a darker, more cinematic sonic landscape, and we believe it will be a thrilling evolution for Epic Death's sound."

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

"Our collective listening habits are quite diverse, reflecting the varied influences within the band. You'll find everything from the raw intensity of Slayer and Cannibal Corpse, to the epic power of Amon Amarth, and the technicality of Dream Theater. This broad palette of musical tastes undoubtedly contributes to the unique blend that defines Epic Death's sound."

"Absolutely. We sincerely hope that anyone reading this will take the time to check out our music and, if it resonates with them, share it with their friends. Every band, regardless of how successful they become, starts as a 'local' band with the same fundamental dream: to be known for their music and to cultivate a dedicated fanbase. We invite everyone to visit our social media pages, stream our music on Spotify, Pandora, and YouTube, and keep an eye out for our developing TikTok content. We're deeply committed to connecting with our listeners and building a thriving community. Stay tuned for what comes next from Epic Death – we've got a lot more in store!"

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

https://www.facebook.com/EpicDeathOfficial

http://www.instagram.com/epicdeathband

https://x.com/EpicDeathBand

https://www.youtube.com/epicdeath

Epic Death/The Seer/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Epic  Death  are  a  band  from  Houston,  Texas  that  plays  a  symphonic  and  technical  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  with  elements  of  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2025  album  "The  Seer".

  Symphonic  and  orchestral  sound  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  along  with  the  music  also  getting  very  technical  at times.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Elements  of  thrash  metal  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clear  singing.

  Clean  playing  is  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  a  couple  of  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  samples.  When  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  as  well  as  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  back  up  shouts  are  also  added  on  a  few  tracks  and  one  song  is  also  an  instrumental.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  lyrics  cover  Norse  Mythology  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Epic  Death  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  and  technical  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Freya;s  Fire"  "Chieftain  King"  and  "The  Epic".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/EpicDeathOfficial

http://www.instagram.com/epicdeathband

https://x.com/EpicDeathBand

https://www.youtube.com/epicdeath  

  

Valkenrag/Fury Untamed/Art Of The Night Productions/2025 EP Review

 

  Valkenrag  are  a  band  from  Poland  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  viking,  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  ep  "Fury  Untamed"  which  will  be  released  on  April  25th  by  Art  Of  The  Night  Productions.

  Drum  beats  and  heavy  riffing  starts  off  the  ep  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  melody and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  while  the  songs  also  add  in a   good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  A  lot  of  the  recording  is  also  very  heavily  influenced  by  the  Swedish  style  along  with  some  of  the  faster  riffing  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  one  song  also  adds  in  some  orchestration,  spoken  words  are  also  added  towards  the  end.

  Valkenrag  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  the  melodic  forms  of  viking,  black  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Norse  and  Slavic  Mythology.  

  In  my  opinion  Valkenrag  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  viking,  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  'Fury  Untamed"  and  "Bleed  To  Be".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/kx6e0Toilhs

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Valhalore 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?

Firstly, thanks for having us! Since finishing Beyond the Stars mid-2021, we have been fortunate to support a number of amazing bands across Australia: Alestorm in 2022, Arch Enemy in 2023, Blind Guardian in 2024, and Hammerfall in 2025. We have also signed with ROAR, a division of Reigning Phoenix Music, and released Beyond the Stars through them a few days ago. The band is keeping very busy preparing for our Australian tour in May in support of Beyond the Stars, and we are looking to tour overseas toward the end of 2025.

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

Voyage into Eternity, our first album, was written well before the band was formed, so it was more of a studio project that had many ideas and experimentations. With Beyond the Stars, it was a much more collaborative approach to the music, and we really leaned into our own ‘sound’ this time with what came out naturally, rather than trying to sound like other bands.

3.This is also your first album in 8 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what was going on during that time frame?

Sure! So we did a few Australian main support runs, and had to take some time to really organise the release of Beyond the Stars. The label process can take some time, and this in particular took around 2 years to come to fruition. If not for the pandemic, this album would have come out a lot sooner, but fortunately there are many songs and ideas already written for our third album. We do not want another 8 years to wait for our next release!

4. lot of your lyrics cover Vikings and paganism themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?

On Voyage into Eternity there is a lot of these themes. On Beyond the Stars, we strayed from the Viking theme and focused on what resonated with us at the time: exactly what makes us who we are? Beyond the Stars deals with the highs and lows of the human experience and ultimately dares to answer what happens after we pass on. Do we become nothing or do we become something far greater? These topics resonate a lot more with us nowadays as opposed to ‘literal’ topics we have sung about on Voyage into Eternity.

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

‘The Storm’ for example, deals with the following: "Being a musician (or just a human, really) is a constant battle with self-doubt, depression, and inner demons. This all became even more prominent during the pandemic when everything you’ve spent your life working towards seemed to disappear overnight. ‘The Storm’ asks the questions; will you give up and succumb to the inner darkness, or will you rise above?" We feel that this is a topic that resonates with us and many people these days, and is an important topic to bring to the foreground.

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

“Valhalore” came about around 2014 – being a portmanteau of the words ‘Valhalla’ and ‘folklore’. It was a combination of words that we thought sounded cool, so it stuck!

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

Certainly. The artwork demonstrates a person or figure who has passed on and is becoming ‘greater’ than themselves by expanding through space and time. The song ‘A Walk Among the Stars’ deals with this concept and theme.

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

One of our most memorable shows would be when we played Melbourne with Arch Enemy in 2023. The venue was called The Forum and it was an absolutely beautiful space; it was a pleasure to play there. Our Japan tour in 2018 with Ensiferum, Wind Rose, and Trollfest was also very memorable. Our stage show, we like to say, is a high energy and emotional experience. Our aim is to take listeners on an amazing journey, full of aggression, dynamics, and fun!

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

Yes – we are touring Beyond the Stars in our home country of Australia in May 2025, and hope to tour Beyond the Stars overseas later in the year.

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

We have been inundated with support for Beyond the Stars across the globe. Currently, the album has already had 100,000 total plays on Spotify in just a few days. We also have received a lot of genuine and amazing feedback showing love for the album. Many people have said the long wait has been totally worth it, which is so awesome to hear!

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

We deal with many dark themes on Beyond the Stars. Considering the new material that’s currently written, I can see the band heading into a darker direction in the future.

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

Overall for the band: melodic death, power, prog, symphonic, folk, core, rock, and atmospheric are some of the genres we all like to listen to!

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

Thanks for having me! We really appreciate you taking the time to ask us these questions and support Valhalore and Beyond the Stars. We hope you love the album just as much as we loved making it, and we hope to perform for you wherever you are reading this from very soon!

Anthony

https://www.valhalore.com
https://www.facebook.com/valhalore
https://www.instagram.com/valhalore 

Valhalore/Voyage Into Eternity/ROAR/2025 Album Re-Issue Review

 

  This  is  a  review  of  another  recording  from  Australia's  Valhalore  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  epic  and  symphonic  form  of  folk  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  album  "Voyage  To  Eternity"  which  will  be  re-issued  on  April  11th,  2025  by  ROAR.

  Nature  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  spoken  words  a  few  seconds  later  while  also  introducing  folk  instruments  on  the  recording  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music  at  times.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  symphonic  sounding  and  some  tracks  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  acoustic  guitars.

  Some  of  the  songs  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  harsh  vocals  bring  in a   mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  melody  and  all  of  the  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  clear  vocals  are  utilized  they  also  bring  in  a  combination  of  pagan  and  power  metal  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  some  of  the  tracks  also  bring  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  adventure,  death,  battle  and  Vikings

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Valhalore  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  epic  and  symphonic  folk  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  re-issue.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Malice  Of  Illusion"  "Upon  The  Shore"  and  "Voyage  To  Eternity".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/valhalore  .

Valhalore/Beyond The Stars/ROAR/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Valhalore  are  a  band  from  Australia  that  plays  a  very  epic  and  symphonic  form  of  folk  metal  with  elements  of  melodic  death  and  power  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Beyond  The  Stars"  which  will  be  released  on  April  11th  by  ROAR.

  Epic  sounding  keyboards  and  folk  instruments  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  music  also  has  its  symphonic  moments  along  with  the  harsh  vocals  being  mostly  death  metal  growls.

  Clear  pagan  vocals  which  also  mixes  in  a  touch  of  power  metal  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  added  into  the  music  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  acoustic  guitars.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  album  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  screams  also  adding  in  elements  of  black  metal  when  they  are  utilized,  when  the  music  speeds  up  on  a  couple  of  tracks  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  and  female  vocals  are  also  added  one  song.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  adventures,  death,  battles  and  Vikings.  

  In  my  opinion  Valhalore  are  a  very  great  sounding  epic  and  symphonic  folk  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Edge  Of  Forever"  "Wayfinder"  "Horizon"  and  "A  Walk  Among  Stars'.  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/valhalore  

  

Aexylium/Myth Of Mankind/Rockshot Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Aexylium  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  symphonic  form  of  folk  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Myth  of  mankind"  which  will  be  released  in  May  by  Rockshot  Records.

  A  very  epic  sounding  intro  starts  off  the  album  while  also  introducing  keyboards  onto  the  recording  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Symphonic  orchestration  and choirs  can  also  be  heard  at  times  and  folk  instruments  are  also  added  on  a  lot  of  the  tracks.

  A  lot  of  the  harsh  vocals  also  bring  in black  metal  screams,  death  metal  growls  and  angry  shouts  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  Some  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  acoustic  guitars  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized.

  Clear  female  and  male  vocals  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  tracks  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  When  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  are  also  utilized  and  a  couple  of  songs  also  add  in a   good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  spoken  words  are  also  introduced  on  a  later  song.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Celtic/Norse  Mythology,  Folk  Tales  and  legends.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Aexylium  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  symphonic  folk  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Queen"  "In  Sorrow"  "Wild  Hunt"  and  "Eternity".  8 out  of  10.

  https://www.instagram.com/aexylium_official​

​https://www.facebook.com/aexylium

     

Selvans/Saturnalia/Avantgarde Music/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Selvans  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  progressive  and  folk  influenced  mixture  of  black  and  heavy  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2024  album  "Saturnalia"  which  will  be  released  on  January  31st  by  Avantgarde  Music.

  Keyboards  and  orchestration  start  off  the  album  adding  in  some  symphonic  touches  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Choirs  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  bringing  in  more  of  a  melodic  traditional  metal  style  and  a  lot  of  the  vocals  bring  in  more  of  an  80's  metal  style.

  Black  metal  screams  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  progressive  sounding  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  blast  beats  are  also  added  into  the  faster  sections  of  the  album.

  

  Tremolo  picking  is  also  added  into  some  of  the  faster  riffing  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  some  of  the  album  also  adding  in  elements  of  folk  music,  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  briefly.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Italian  and  cover  folk  and  horror  tales  from  their  home  country.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Selvans  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  progressive  and  folk  influenced  black  and  heavy  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Il  mio  maleficio  v'incalzera!"  and  "Fonte  dei  diavoli".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.selvans-official.com

https://www.instagram.com/selvanstherealone

https://www.facebook.com/selvansofficial

https://www.youtube.com/user/templeofselvans        

Burning Creation Interview

 

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

1. First, I want to say hello to everyone reading this interview. Burning Creation is a band we've been playing together since early 2022. Our music is a mix of melodic death metal, and our lyrics are mostly about Vikings and their beliefs. So far, we've released an EP "Never Dead Nation" and a full album "Sea Of Dead Bodies".

2.So far you have released an ep and a full length, musically how do they both differ from each other?

2. Never Dead Nation was our first release, and at that time we were still figuring out our sound and style. With Sea Of Dead Bodies, we knew exactly what we wanted. We decided to go for a rawer sound, more towards death metal. I think that’s the main difference between the two releases.

3.A lot of your lyrics cover Nordic Mythology and Vikings, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this subject?

3. We got interested in Vikings and Norse mythology mainly from listening to bands like Amon Amarth, Unleashed, Ensiferum, etc., and also from watching the show "Vikings". Later on, this interest grew after reading book "Mitos Nordicos" by Neil Gaiman .

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

4. The name of the band was thought up by our guitarist Marek. In the beginning, we played a lot of Amon Amarth covers, and one of them was Burning Creation. The name represents the start of something new for us, leaving behind the past.

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

5. The artwork for the album, made by Damian Bydliński, shows four Vikings who crossed the "Sea of Dead Bodies," and now they're ready to continue their conquest. It’s a continuation of the story from Never Dead Nation, where we introduced the Viking army coming back from the afterlife.

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

6. The concert I remember the most was at Leśniczówka in Chorzów in 2023. Even though it was cold, because it was December, the crowd was big and we had a lot of energy on stage.

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

7. Next year, we plan to play three concerts with All Sars, and also take part in "Brutal Valentine’s" in Garage Pub in Kraków.

8.On the new album you also had done an 'Amon Amarth' cover, what was the decision behind doing your own version of once of their songs?

8. This song is really special to us. It represents the beginning of our band. We owe not only our name to it but also the style we’ve developed through these two releases. Another reason for this cover is to show that we’re not afraid to admit we’re inspired by Amon Amarth. It’s a kind of tribute to them for the inspiration their music gave us.

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

9. The reactions were mixed, but this mix of melody and brutal playing has been accepted quite well. The main criticism we got with the EP was that we were copying Amon Amarth, but with the second release, I think we’ve created our own style.

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

10. Our drummer, Jarosław also plays in a thrash metal band called Consumer, which existed long before Burning Creation. That’s all.

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

11. On our next album, we plan to focus less on melodies and more on heavy riffs. We want to sound more like Unleashed than Amon Amarth. We’ve already written four songs, and two of them have lyrics. So, the work on the new stuff is going pretty smoothly.

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

12. Most of our inspiration comes from Swedish bands that follow the Viking theme, but not only that. On the way to our concerts or other band’s gigs, we listen to all kinds of bands like Dark Tranquillity, Six Feet Under, Sylosis, Virgin Snatch, Septicflesh and a lot of  thrash metal.

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

13. Thanks to everyone for reading! Check out our social media and of course, listen to our music on streaming platforms! Cheers!

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Nefalem/A Realm Beyond/2024 Full length Review

 

  Nefalem  are  a  band  from  Hungary  that  plays  a  very  melodic  and  blackened  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2024  album  "A  Realm  Beyond".

  Epic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody. When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  while  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  classic  Swedish  style  mixed  in  with  some  modern  touches.  Some  of  the  vocals  also  bring  in  a  more  melodic  yet  aggressive  thrash  metal  approach  and  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.

  Tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  faster  riffing  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well as  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clear  singing,  one  song  is  also  an  instrumental  and  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  briefly.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  false,  gods,  pagan  legends  and  the  afterlife.  

  In  my  opinion  Nefalem  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  blackened  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Breaching  The  Gates"  "The  Seer"  "Legend"  and  "They  Bleed  Back".  8  out  of  10.

  https://linktr.ee/nefalem

Burning Creation/Sea Of Dead Bodies/Via Nocturna/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Burning  Creation  are  a  band  from  Poland  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  viking,  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Sea  Of  Dead  Bodies"  which  was  released  by  Via  Nocturna.

  Water  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  epic  sounding  keyboards  a  few  seconds  later  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  direction.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  A  lot  of  the  album  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  Swedish  style  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  the  closing  track  is  an  Amon  Amarth  cover.

  Burning  Creation  plays  a  viking  themed  form  of  melodic  blackened  death  metal  in  the  Swedish  tradition.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Nordic  Mythology,  Vikings,  Scandinavian  Folklore  and  Historical  Events.

  In  my  opinion  Burning  Creation  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  viking,  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Eaten  By  Hulder"  "The  Einherjer's  Return"  "Under  The  Fading  Sun"  and  "As  The  ocean  Takes  us  Down".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/4b3kDcdS9rM

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