Sardonic Allegiance/Coast II/2025 EP Review

 

  Sardonic  Allegiance  are  a  duo  from  the  Netherlands  that  plays  a  very  melodic  and  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  ep  "Coast  II"  which  will  be  released  in  2026.

  Symphonic  sounds  start  off  the  ep  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  along  with  the  vocals  being  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.

  Most  of  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  the  vocals  also  going  into  more  of  a  deeper  and  angrier  direction  at  times.,  one  song  also  adds  in a   brief  use  of  spoken  word  samples  and  the  closing  track  is  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

   Sardonic  Allegiance  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  melodic  and  symphonic  in  the  mid  90's  tradition.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  themes. 

  In  my  opinion  Sardonic  Allegiance  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  and  symphonic  black  metal  duo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Your  God  Now"  and  "Prodigious  Night  (The  Sorceress)".  8  out  of  10.

  Spotify - Bandcamp - Deezer - Apple Music 

  

          

Suffering Souls/Twilight Ripping Souls Apart/Solistitum Records/2025 Re-Recorded Album Review

 

  Germany's  Suffering  Souls  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Twilight  Ripping  Souls"  which  is  a  re-recorded  version  of  the  album  released  in  2000  with t he  same  name  along  with  a  re-recorded  version  of  their  1999  ep  "Cries  Of  Silence"  and  2  live  tracks  which  will b e  released  in  December  by  Solistitum  Records.

  Symphonic  sounding  keyboards  and  orchestration  starts  off  the  album  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.

  Spoken  words  are  also  utilized  at  times  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  A  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style,  clear  singing  is  also  added  on  a  few  songs  as  well  as  the  album  also  adding  in  a  couple  of  instrumentals.

  On  this  recording  Suffering  Souls  takes  their  material  from  1999  and  2000  and  re-records  them  for  the  modern  as  well  as  remaking  to  true  to  the  old  school  style  of  symphonic  black  metal  which  was  a  huge  part  of  the  earlier  recordings.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Anti  Christianity,  Death  and  Misanthropy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Suffering  Souls  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  symphonic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  re-recorded  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Throne  Unite  Dimensions"  "Summon  The  Infernal  King"  "The  Source  Of  Blasphemy"  and  "I'm  The  Essence  of  Sin".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/LPn_JiOWPVg  

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

Eshtadur/Symphonic Crows - Live At The Santiago Londonos Theater/2025 Live Album Review

 

  Columbia's  Eshtadur  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  melodic,  symphonic  and  blackened  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2025  live  album  "Symphonic  Crows  -  Live  At  The  Santiago  Londonos  Theater"  which  will   be  released  in  December.

  A  very  hard  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  also  mixing  in  with  the  symphonic  and orchestral  sounds.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  vocals  being  mostly  death  metal  growls  as  well  ad  the  faster  sections  of  the  recording  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.

  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  Live  audience  reaction  can  also  be  heard  in  between  tracks  along  with  the  music  also  incorporating  elements  of  black  metal  as  well  as  a  couple  of  songs  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  a  later  track  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing,  throat  singing  can  also  be  heard  at  times.

  On  this  recording  Eshtadur  introduces  symphonic  and  classical  music  orchestration  to  their  melodic  and  blackened  style  of  death  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  despair  through  the  decay  of  humanity.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Eshtadur  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic,  symphonic  and  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  live  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Lowborn  Bastard"  "The  Red  Door"  and  "The  Fall".  8  out  of  10.

  

• Official Website: https://www.eshtadur.com
• Bandcamp: https://bandcamp.com/eshtadurmusic
• Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/EshtadurOfficial
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eshtadur/
• Twitter/X: https://x.com/eshtadur
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUCNspfTmYc11cx-DlpFCfFSIbZ-nJ98i&si=nkVZ97ee4akIbeB0
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-es/artist/0IdWx63RAlOm5W5iOKPesn?si=uDyPtTm9TOO0E_IiGkBM7A
• Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ve/artist/eshtadur/1116355501
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eshtadur

Withering Soul/Passage Of The Arcane/Liminal Dread Productions/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Chicago,  Illinois's  Withering  Soul  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  very  melodic  form  of  blackened  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Passage  Of  The  Arcane"  which  was  released  by  Liminal  Dread  Productions.

  Wind  soundscapes  and  synths  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  the  music  also  adds  in  a  lot  of  death  metal  elements.

  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  When  synths  are  utilized  they  also  add  in  some  symphonic  touches  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  growls  are  also  utilized  at  times  and  one  song  also  adds  in  a b rief  use  of  clean  playing.

  On  this  recording  Withering  Soul  brings  in  a  symphonic  touch  to  their  melodic  style  of  blackened  death  metal,  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  ghosts,  horror, paranormal  and  death  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Withering  Soul  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Attrition  Horizon"  "Gallery  Of  The  End"  and  "Burden  Of  The  Variant".  8  out  of  10.

  https://witheringsoul. bandcamp.com/album/passage-of- the-arcane  

    

Xaemora/Carnivores In Heaven: Chapter 1: Of Serpents And Vultures/2025 EP Review

 

  St.  Louis,  Missouri's   Xaemora  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  melodic  and  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2025  ep  "Carnivores  In  Heaven:  Chapter  1:  Of  Serpents  And  Vultures".

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  ep  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  can  be  heard  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  the  keyboards  also  taking  the  music  into  more  of  a  symphonic  direction,  clear  singing  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

  On  this  recording  Xaemora  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  melodic  and  symphonic  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  misanthropy,  chaos  and  death  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Xaemora  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  symphonic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "From  A  Western  Sky".  8  out  of  10.

  Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/0uHqGtyythgs7SALa4D3AT

https://youtu.be/TKYnyYaGR1E

https://xaemora.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/xaemora/

https://www.facebook.com/Xaemora/ 

Pedestal For Leviathan/Enter: Vampyric Manifestation/Personal Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Pedestal  For  Leviathan  are  a  band  from  Denver,  Colorado  that  plays  a  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Enter:  Vampyric  Manifestation"  which  will  be  released  in  December  by  Personal  Records.

  Symphonic  sounding  synths  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  Vocals  are  mostly  guttural  death  metal  growls  while  a  group  amount  of  brutal  beats  are  utilized  when  the  music  speeds  up  and  the  recording  also  incorporates  a  great  amount  of  black  metal  elements.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  Black  metal  screams  are  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  as  well  as  some  of  the  mid  tempo  sections  also  adding  in  touches  of  slam  and  deathcore.

  Tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  fast  riffs  and  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  finally  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  as  well  as  the  music  also being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  modern  era  of  the  genre.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  occultism,  Darkness  and  Horror  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Pedestal  For  leviathan  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  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  "Summoning  Sickness"  "Purgatory  Displacement"  "Warlock  Blacksmith"  and  "Nightshade  Familiar".  8  out  of  10.

  http://personal-records.bandcamp.com/album/enter-vampyric-manifestation-bonus-track-edition

linktr.ee/pedestalforleviathan     

Onsetcold Interview

 

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

Once we recorded the album, I did a mix and master and nearly sent it to the label, but I was just not getting the right sound. I asked around and Dan Mullins (My Dying Bride) was up for it, so with all my raw stems I sent them over to him. The new mix and master was returned to us, and he’s done a brilliant job. We’re also making a video for the track Sleep Tonight on the WormHoleDeath YouTube and getting ready for the album release.

2. You have a new album coming out towards the end of November. Musically, how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

Hopefully this new album is closer to what I wanted to achieve with my earlier creations, some of the 2008 and mostly 2011 tracks (Sodom and Gomorrah / Goat of Mendes / Horus You can find them on the Onsetcold YouTube Channel )which were more in keeping with the tempo and sounds I wanted to create.

3. From 2008 to 2020 there was no music being released. Can you tell us a little bit more about this 12‑year gap?

We returned to the stage with a 2011 lineup/demos and played the Terrorizer Shows that were happening at the time, with some great support from larger bands on the scene. After that I ended up going outback and then doing a degree in Fine Art and a Postgraduate Degree in Fine Art with a lot of assistance, I must add. We then released Gloomy Sunday (single) mixed and mastered myself in 2018, as for some odd reason I wanted to release every track as a single. Then came the whole album Arte Destroyer (mastered by Mick Kenney, Anaal Nathrakh), after that Death Blast EP, then Noam Chomsky leading into this release.

4. A lot of your lyrics cover apocalyptic themes. Can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

Similar to storytelling in an audio format. I was thinking of calling the album Edward Bernays, but I think Apocalyptic Sleep suited today’s climate.

5. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name ‘Onsetcold’?

Onset - Cold. The beginning of the end, the end of the beginning. Maybe a post‑industrial look at the world.

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

Seiza Friedrich, also vocals, painted the album art cover titled A Morning Filled with 400 Billion Suns (homage to J.M.W. Turner). Oil on canvas, 110.5 x 139.7 cm.

7. Currently there are only 2 members in the band, but the band has had a full line‑up in the past. Are you open to adding new members again or do you prefer to remain a duo?

For sure it would be great to go live, I would be stoked. But with what I will say about my blood pressure in another question (9) and the stress of getting musicians together myself, I don’t think it would be possible at the moment. It would if they came to me, but we know that is a long stretch. Being neurodivergent, both of us, complicates things. At this moment I would like to thank previous members for supporting the creation that became Onsetcold.

8. With the live line‑up, what are some of the best shows that the band has played so far, and how would you describe your stage performance?

I have played so many shows over the years it is quite hard to remember, playing with so many bands from around the world, some that are now much further on than myself. Onsetcold touring with Hecate Enthroned, and the Terrorizer Shows. I enjoy playing live more than I can say.

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

Not at the moment. I have some heavy health issues to deal with day to day. I have had several malignant hypertensions since 2018, thus I struggle to control my blood pressure if at all.

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

In the earlier days it was very alive. I recall someone creating a Mexican/Latin website for Onsetcold news. 2011 demos were something I always wanted to do, but never an official release. I think my head was so far into fine art that the Arte Destroyer album may have leaned too far that way. I hope with Apocalyptic Sleep there is more balance between me before the art stuff and with the art stuff.

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

Seeing as I am living on borrowed time, I am just very happy to release this album. I would love to start a new album after a short break from recording music nonstop for the past 7 years. It took 2 years to get this one done. I may start something else because I really enjoyed creating this last album.

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

I’m listening to many bands, but to list a few: Igorrr, Labyrinthus Sellarum, Zeal & Ardor, Kordhell (and related), The Moody Blues, Cattle Decapitation, Kavinsky, and many more. Influences on my music span many years, including some of those mentioned in my current listens.

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

All good.

Shaq

www.youtube.com/onsetcold
www.instagram.com/onsetcold
www.facebook.com/onsetcold

Lycantrophilia/The Tyranny Of Decay/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Lycantrophilia  are  an  international  duo  with  members  from  Germany  and  France  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  a  symphonic  and  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2025  album  "The  Tyranny  Of  Decay".

  Spoken  words  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  musical  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  while  symphonic  elements  also  mix  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  angry  shouts  are  also  utilized  at  times  as  well  as  one  track  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  and  clear  singing.

  On  this  recording  Lycantrophilia  goes  for  a  very  aggressive,  modern,  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  nature  themes.   

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Lycantrophilia  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  symphonic  black  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Carnivorous  Forest"  "Sung  Through  The  Maw  Of  Nothingness"  and  "Sanctum  of  Silence".  8  out  of  10.   

 https://lycantrophilia.bandcamp.com

Numenor/Runes Of Power/Elevate Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Serbia's  Numenor  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  epic,  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black,  death  and  power  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Runes  Of  Power"  which  will  be  released  on  November  21st  by  Elevate  Records.

  A  very  hard  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.  Clear  vocals  are  done  in  more  of  a  power  metal  style  style  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  sounding  very  powerful  and  symphonic  sounds  are  also  mixed  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  grim  black  metal  screams  are  also  utilized  at  times.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  along  with  one  song  also introducing  death  metal  growls  onto  the  album.

  Back  up  shouts  are  also  added  on  a  few  tracks  and  a  couple  of  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  keeping  the  main  focus  on  a  mid  tempo  direction  for  most  of  the  album  along  with  one  track  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing,  spoken  words  are  also  added  towards  the  end.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  inspired  by  fantasy  literature  and  mythology.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Numenor  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  epic,  melodic,  symphonic  black,  death  and  power  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Arioch"  "The  Nine"  Morgana  LeFay"  and  "Dragons  Of  Erebor".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063626564979#

  

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

Onsetcold/Apocalyptic Sleep/WormHoleDeath Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Onsetcold  are  a  duo  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  very  experimental  and  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Apocalyptic  Sleep"  which  will  be  released  on  November  28th  by  WormHoleDeath  Records.

  Symphonic  style  orchestration  starts  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  avant  garde  style  clear  singing  while  female  vocals  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  experimental  sounding  along  with  one  song  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  and  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  Death  metal  growls  are  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  as  well  as  some  tracks  also  bringing  in  a  very  sci-fi  orientated  atmosphere.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  pain,  survival  and  the  end  of  the  world.

  In  my  opinion  Onsetcold  are  a  very  great  sounding  experimental  and  symphonic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Blue  Room"  "Standing  In  the  Rain  Beside  You"  "Short  Circuit"  and  "Austere".  8  out  of  10.

  www.youtube.com/onsetcold

www.instagram.com/onsetcold

www.facebook.com/onsetcold    

Darklore/The Great Elven War/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Darklore  are  a  band  from  Australia  that  plays  a  fantasy  themed  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released   album  "The  Great  Elven  War"  which  will  be  released  in  2026.

  Nature,  rain  and  thunder  sounds  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  will  all  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Symphonic  and  orchestral  sounds  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams.

  Death  metal  growls  are  also  used  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.  Clean  playing  is  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized  as  well as  the  music  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  blast  beats  when  the  album  speeds  up  

  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.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  fantasy  themes  inspired  by  the  video  games  of  Skyrim,  The  Witcher  3,  Diablo  and  the  cinematic  epics  Lord  Of  The  Rings  and  Game  Of  thrones.

  In  my  opinion  Darklore  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Hunting  Grounds"  "Servants  Of  Sauron"  and  "Wrath  Of  The  High  Heavens".  8  out  of  10.

  https://darklore.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Darkloreband

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

https://open.spotify.com/artist/12eEcl0sAbWnAcXXcn70Wb

https://www.youtube.com/darkloreband  

    

The Human Tragedy/Upon Waves, The Inferno/2025 Full Length Review

 

  The  Human  Tragedy  are  a  band  from  Lexington,  Kentucky  that  plays  a  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2025  album  "Upon  Waves>  The  infernO".

  Spoken  word  parts  which  return  on  later  tracks  start  off  the  album  while  also  introducing  symphonic  sounds  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  mixed  in  with  some  growls  while  the  music  is  very  heavily  influenced  by  the  mid  90's  era  of  the  genre  with  a  modern  touch.  

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  tremolo  picking  also  being  added  into  the  faster  riffing  at  times.

  Acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  on  in  certain  sections  of  the  album  and  a  few  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well as  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  melodic  style  when  they  are  finally  utilized. The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  human  suffering,  resilience  and  the  consequences  of  neglect  and  isolation.  

  In  my  opinion  The  Human  Tragedy  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Beyond  The  Veil  Of  Dreams"  "Fear  of  A  Starless  Sky"  and  "Desecrated  Grounds".  8  out  of  10.

https://youtu.be/n8P0kFQ1xY8

https://linktr.ee/thehumantragedyofficial

https://www.instagram.com/thehumantragedyofficial/

https://www.youtube.com/@thehumantragedy5880

EPK: https://www.thehumantragedy.com/epk

LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/thehumantragedyofficial

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0sRcfc8Y81DYihcy0SBvqD

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehumantragedyofficial

https://thehumantragedy.wixsite.com/thehumantragedy

BANDCAMP: https://thehumantragedy.bandcamp.com/ 

Lux Mortalis/The Eventide Collapse/Ad Noctem Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Lux  Mortalis  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "The  Eventide  Collapse"  which  was  released  by  Ad  Noctem  Records.

  Symphonic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  mixed  in  with  some  clear  singing  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.

  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  A  lot  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  modern  era  of  the  genre  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

Lux  Mortalis  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  a  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  death  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  horror  and  darkness  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Lux  Mortalis  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  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  "Soltude"  "Overflow"  and  "Visions  of  Oblivion".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.instagram.com/lux_mortalis/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558753154239
https://www.youtube.com/@LuxMortalis/videos
https://open.spotify.com/intl-pt/album/6NlqxifCG2DfNHMfHQKrSA?si=vcru_sQySlmCj3tFlxMwZw

Haimad/When Night Rode Across The North/Northern Silence Productions/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Haimad  are  a  band  from  Sweden  that  plays  a  very  melodic  and  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "When  Night  Rode  Across  The  North"  which  will  be  released  on  November  8th  by  Northern  Silence  Productions.

  Dark  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  symphonic  and  orchestral  sounds  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  mid  90's  era  of  the  genre.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  some  growls  also  being  utilized  at  times  as  well  as  a  couple  of  songs  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  acoustic  guitars  and  clean  playing.  

  Haimad  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  aggressive,  melodic  and  symphonic  in  the  mid  90's  tradition.  The  production  sounds  very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  covers  the  writings  of  J.R R  Tolkien.

  In  my  opinion  Haimad  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  and  symphonic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "When  Night  Rode  Across  The  North"  "Naur"  and  "The  Key  To  The  First  And  Final  Day".  8  out  of  10.

  https://haimad.bandcamp.com

https://haimad-northernsilence.bandcamp.com/album/when-night-rode-across-the-north

https://www.facebook.com/HaimadSweden

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CT1zoNRQ7w  

Mystic Circle/Hexenbrand/ROAR/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Germany's  Mystic  Circle  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Hexenbrand"  which  will  be  released  on  Halloween  by  ROAR.

  Horror  movie  samples  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  direction  while  the  vocals  bring  in  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  and  symphonic  elements  mix  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  recording.

  

  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  mid  90's  era.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  clear  male  and  female  vocals.

  A couple  of  songs  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  spoken  words  along  with  a  later  track  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of   clean  playing  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Luciferian,  Black  Magick,  Occultism,  Witchcraft,  Horror  and  Darkness  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Mystic  Circle  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Luciferian"  "Ghost  Of  Whitechapel"  and  "Dance  On  The  Wings  of  Black  magic".  8  out  of  10.

  Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/MysticCircleOfficial

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/mystic_circle_official

TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@mystic_circle_official

YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWjsdNlz2HHPJ6Gv1LpwbZg