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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

  

Cruentus/End Without End/Kult und Kaos Productions/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Sweden's  Cruentus  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "End  Eithout  End"  which  was  released  by  Kult  und  Kaos  Productions.

    A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  brutal  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  death  metal  growls  are  also  used  at  times.

  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  thrash  metal  elements.  Synths  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  some  of  the  songs  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  a  couple  of  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  and  acoustic  guitars  and  spoken  words  and  melodic  guitar  leads  are  also  added  towards  the  end.

  On  this  recording  Cruentus  goes  for  a  very  aggressive,  modern  and  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  human  emotion  and  the  complexities  of  existence,

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Cruentus  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  black,  death  and  thrash  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Shades  Of  Thiea"  "Limitless  Conjuring"  ""M.I.A"  and  "As  My  Senses  Collide".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/FGkP6zZ4Nv

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cruentus-SWE-101581451696691

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

  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@cruentusswe4585

  Bandcamp: https://cruentus1.bandcamp.com/

  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0S5fJ4mSuFJOOXiqf0nbcI?si=mjfEUjBGTDmyQ_8IXygQew

  Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/se/artist/cruentus/416008378

Cattle Hammer/Dark Thoughts With Lights Out/Road To Masochist/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Cattle  Hammer  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  blackened  mixture  of  doom,  sludge  metal  and  drone  and  this  is  a  review of  their  album  "Dark  Thoughts  With  Lights  Out"  which  will  be  released  in  2026  by  Road  To  Masochist.

  A  very  dark  and  heavy  stars  off  the  album  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  recording  also  add  in  elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal.  Spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  tracks  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  melodic  style.

  All  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  growls.  Drones  are  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  some  of  the  riffing  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  dark  sounding  melodies,  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  blast  beats  are  also  introduced  on  the  album.

  Cattle  Hammer  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  black,  sludge,  doom  metal  and  drone  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  pain,  suffering,  death  and  misery  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Cattle  Hammer  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  sludge,  doom  metal  and  drone  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Gloomsower"  and  "Body  Puzzle".  8  out  of  10.

  

https://www.facebook.com/cattlehammer/

https://youtu.be/zVRItOA_K_o        

Bloodred/Colours Of Pain/Massacre Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Germany's  Bloodred  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  melodic  and  brutal  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  album  "Colours  Of  Pain"  which  will  be  released  in  2026  by  massacre  Records.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  ver4y  fast  and  brutal  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  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  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  some  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  atmospheric  touches,  clean  playing  and  synths  can  also  be  heard  at  times  as  well  as  a  couple  of  tracks  also  being  long  and  epic  in  length.

  On  this  recording  Bloodred  takes  their  melodic  and  brutal  style  of  blackened  death  metal  into  more  of  an  atmospheric  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  betrayal,  censorship,  environmental  collapse,  societal  decay,  pandemic  devastation  and  global  resistance.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Bloodred  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric,  brutal  and  melodic  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Ashes"  "Heretics"  and  "Resist".  8  out  of  10.

  www.bloodredband.com 

www.facebook.com/Bloodredofficial 

www.instagram.com/bloodred.band 

https://youtu.be/rxKVHDRhdC0  .    

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

  https://webmetalband.com

https://www.facebook.com/webdarkness

https://www.instagram.com/webdarkmetal

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

https://x.com/webdarkmetal  

  

Daidalos/Dante/Rockshot Records/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Daidalos  are  a  solo  project  from  Germany  that h as  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  album  "Dante"  which  will  be  released  in  2026  by  Rockshots  Records.

  Nature  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  before  introducing  grim  black  metal  vocals  and  symphonic  elements  which  also  takes  the  music  into  a  heavier  direction.  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.

  Tremolo  picking  is  also  added  into  some  of  the  faster  riffing  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Growls  are  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style,  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  as  well  as  the  album  also  having  its  atmospheric  moments  and a  couple  of  tracks  also  adds  in  a  small  amount  of  operatic  vocals  and  clear  singing.

  On  this  recording  Daidalos  remains  true  to  the  symphonic  style  of  black  metal  which  he  introduced  on  his  previous  release.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  based  upon  the  writings  of  Dante  Alighieri.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Daidalos  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  symphonic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Inferno"  "King"  "Dis"  and  "Ultimatum".  8  out  of  10.

   Instagram.com/daidalosmusic |

 Facebook.com/daidalosband

  .  

  

Starscourge Interview

 

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

Zul: Currently, we are awaiting for the reception that the album will receive upon release. I have already commenced with some songwriting concepts for new tracks. Mithun: As Zul mentioned, we are curious as to how the record will be perceived. Some lyrical ideas already exists for the upcoming songs. 

2.Recently you have released your first full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording? 

Zul: Regarding musical direction we decided on an epic Blackened Death concept, with emphasizing melody and a cinematic scope. We also wanted to encapsulate a classic Metal vibe. I began writing the tracks that were not bound to specific genre rules and limitations, and went along the path of the various riffs and melodies, concluding in each song’s completion. Mithun: I aimed to do justice to the fantastic riffs and melodies that Zul had concocted, and opted for a theatrical and diversified vocal approach. Each track had to feel different and adhere to the various lyrical themes.

 3.Both of the members are also in other bands, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Starscourge', that you have not been able to do with your other groups? 

Mithun: When Zul and I started discussing this venture, I was playing in the punk band, Nedtur. I hadn’t involved in anything within Metal since 2020, and naturally I was drawn back to my roots. We both wanted to do something different from what we had previously played in our various projects. 

4.Your lyrics cover the Elden Ring, dark fantasy and mythology themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics? 

Mithun: Well, before Silent Images disbanded, we were in the process of a Bloodbornethemed concept album. I have always sought to lyrically compose something based off FromSoftware’s titles, and Elden Ring released at the perfect opportune moment.

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

Zul: Mithun and I started talking about starting the band and after planning out the musical and conceptual aspect we started brainstorming potential names. Eventually we decided on Starscourge. Mithun: Starscourge is the title of one of Elden Ring’s prominent characters, General Radahn also known as Starscourge Radahn during his boss fight. 

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

 Zul: Seven Kings Productions handled the artwork for all the singles as well as the album cover, and we attained permission from Maciej Wituski to utilize his excellent rendition

7.The band members live in Sweden and Singapore, what impact does the long distance in between members have on the musical style that you play? 

Zul: It would have been great if we could jam and rehearse together. Thankfully, the internet has provided a excellent medium for communication. Mithun: Indeed, Whatsapp has been a great friend. I think I correspond with Zul more than I do with my own family. Haha!

 8.On the album you also did a 'Slayer' cover, what was the decision behind doing your own version of one of their songs?

 Mithun: I’ve never been too much of a Slayer or Thrash fan to be honest. I do enjoy Reign in Blood, Seasons of the Abyss and Hell Awaits. When Zul sent over this rearranged version I thoroughly enjoyed the new atmosphere and increased melodies, and went about throwing in more Thrashy vocals. We gave it the Starscourge treatment! 

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

 Zul: We are keeping our options open. It would be great to license out these tracks for physical releases. Mithun: It all depends on the deal and the possibilities at the day’s end. 

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

 Zul: It is still too early to gauge since the album has yet to launch, but we have had a decent amount of support from the singles. 

11.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that both of the band members are a part of?

 Zul: We both play in Chaos Imperium, a Black Metal project that I started a few years ago before I roped in Mithun this year. I am still part of Death Metal act Oshiego, and I have a few other projects underway. Mithun: Apart from Chaos Imperium, I sing with Avantgarde/Experimental Black Metal act Andharu, who’re also recording our debut as we speak. 

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

 Zul: Depending on the album’s response, we would be honoured to play live. Regardless, I’m already brewing up some new material for the next record. Mithun: The live stage would be fantastic, but we are very eager to continue making more music. 

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

 Mithun: Classic Metal will always be there, though I’ve listened to lots of epic scores as well. This year’s favourites are quite the strange bag - Afsky, Team Anarchy, Rudra, KLPS, Metaphor: Refantazio’s soundtrack, Sleep Theory, Alice Cooper, Bloody Valkyria, Nemophilia, Katla 

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

Mithun: Thank you for this interview, and for the lovely review as well. We should keep in touch! 

https://www.facebook.com/Official.Starscourge/
https://www.instagram.com/starscourge.official/