Aduanten/Apocryphal Voice/Nameless Grave Records/2o25 EP Review

 

  Aduanten  are  a  band  from  Austin,  Texas  that  plays  an  atmospheric  and  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  ep  "Apocryphal  Voice"  which  was  released  by  Nameless  Grave  Records.

  A  very  heavy  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  ep  while  the  vocals  bring  in  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  along  with  a  couple  of  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  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  synths  are  also  utilized  at  times.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  along  with  the  recording  also  having  its  progressive  moments  and  most  of  the  recording  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.

  Aduanten  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  the  atmospheric,  melodic  and  progressive  forms  of  black  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  decay  and  despair  with  profound  sorrow.

  In  my  opinion  Aduanten  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric,  melodic  and  progressive  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  "Cerulean  Dream"  and  "The  Weakening  Sovereign".  8  out   of  10.

https://youtu.be/sR2DwsbrEgM

    

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

Avdagata/The Apocalyptic Aeon/At Dawn Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Avdagata  are  a  band  from  Sweden  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  a  very  melodic  form  of  blackened  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "The  Apocalyptic  Aeon"  which  will  be  released  on  November  29th  by  At  Dawn  Records.

  Acoustic  guitars  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  brutal  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  while  tremolo  picking  is  also  added  into  some  of  the  faster  riffing.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  mixed  in  with  some  old  school  extreme  metal  aggression  while  the  songs  also  add  in a   good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Synths  can  also  be  heard  in  the  background  at  times  along  with  one  track  also  introducing  female  vocals  onto  the  album,  a  later  song  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  as  well  as  some  spoken  words  also  being  utilized  briefly  

  On  this  recording  Avdagata  expands  on  their  melodic  style  of  blackened  death  metal  which  they  introduced  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  a  mixture  of  English  and  Swedish  and  cover  an  apocalyptic  future.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Avdagata  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "As  Humanity  Falls"  "The  Apocalyptic  Aeon"  "Regnum  In  Tenebris"  and "Luciferian".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/Avdagata218/

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzwPmvQrFCE  

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
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