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
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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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

      

Centinex/With Guts And Glory/Black Lion Records/2025 Full length Review

 

  Sweden's  Cintinex  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  old  school  and  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  with  elements  of  thrash,  death'n'roll  and  d  beat  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "With  Guts  And  Glory"  which  was  released  by  Black  Lion  Records.

  A  very  hard  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording.  Vocals  are  mostly  death  metal  growls  along  with  the  mid  tempo  sections  also  adding  in  some  d  beats  and  the  music  is  heavily  rooted  in t he  classic  Swedish  style.

  Some  of  the  riffing  also  shows  an  influence  of  thrash  metal  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  along  with  the  mid  tempo  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  elements  of  death'n'roll,  when  screams  are  utilized  they  also  add  in  a  touch  of  black  metal  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  some  of  the  tracks  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  On  this  recording  Centinex  focuses  more  on  a  mixture  of  death,  thrash  metal,  d  beat  and  death'n'roll  which  is  also  very  different  from  their  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  death,  apocalypse  and  war  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Centinex  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  old  school  Swedish  death metal  with  elements  of  black, thrash  metal,  d  beat  and  death'n'roll,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "becoming"  "A  Masterpiece  In  Flesh"  and  "Sorrowtears".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/gLAqO9qgCQY  

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