Tetragrammacide | Cyber-Tantric Paradigm Of Radical Sri-Vidya | Iron Bonehead Productions

 

Formed in 2012, Tetragrammacide have carved their name into the underground with a reputation for absolute extremity and sonic violence. Emerging from India’s metal scene, they have long pushed beyond conventional boundaries of black and death metal. Releases like “Typhonian Wormholes: Indecipherable Anti-Structural Formulæ” and “Primal Incinerators Of Moral Matrix” displayed their ability to create raw, suffocating soundscapes, while “Typho-Tantric Aphorisms From The Arachneophidian Qur’an” was hailed as a martial triumph of chaotic precision. Now, allied once again with Iron Bonehead Productions, they return with “Cyber-Tantric Paradigm Of Radical Sri-Vidya”, a 20-minute EP that brings forth recordings originally captured in 2017 and 2018, unleashed now in full force.

The music on this release is explosive and immediate, carrying the same firestorm intensity of “Primal Incinerators”, while being drenched in a thick aura of ritualistic violence. Across its three tracks, Tetragrammacide summon an overwhelming wall of sound where blasting percussion collides with spiraling riffs, layered with a suffocating density that demands total immersion. Vocals emerge like incantations, feral and commanding, cutting through the maelstrom as proclamations of war and esoteric doctrine.

What makes this EP distinctive is the merging of its raw intensity with psychedelic, almost surreal textures. The result feels like a battlefield drenched in spiritual warfare, where sonic chaos becomes an act of devotion. “Multi-Armed Bellicosity Of Babalon-Durga Riding On The Xeno-Beast Of Grand Apocalypse To Trigger The Outbreak Of A Pan-Dimensional Holy Pogrom” immediately throws the listener into a vortex of relentless aggression. “Techno-Tehomic Invocation Of Malignant Shadow Shakti On The World.Wide.Web. Of Internet” fuses digital-inspired chaos with their ritualistic assault, while “Astro-Theological Gomaya Initiation With The Sacred Excretion Of Hawking Radiation Emitting From The Universe’s Anus” closes the EP with a sprawling, otherworldly torrent.

“Cyber-Tantric Paradigm Of Radical Sri-Vidya” is a total sensory assault, steeped in mysticism, violence, and transcendence. With this release, Tetragrammacide continue to stand as one of the most uncompromising forces in extreme metal, offering a vision that is as destructive as it is otherworldly.

Score: 6.6

www.facebook.com/tetragrammacide

tetragrammacide.bandcamp.com

www.ironbonehead.de

ironboneheadproductions.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/ironboneheadproductions

Car Bomb | Tiles Whispers Dreams | Self-Release

 

Car Bomb, the experimental metal quartet from Long Island, New York, has been twisting perceptions of heaviness for twenty-five years. Since forming in 2000, the band has built a reputation for pushing metal into disorienting new territory with their relentless use of shifting polyrhythms, down-tuned guitar abuse, sudden tempo fractures, and vocals that alternate between unhinged rage and rare melodic flashes. Through albums like “Centralia”, “w^w^^w^w”, “Meta”, and “Mordial”, they’ve remained one of the most uncompromising acts in modern extreme music, touring with names such as Meshuggah, Gojira, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and Animals As Leaders. With their first release since 2019, Car Bomb now return with the EP Tiles Whispers Dreams, a three-track offering that marks both their 25th anniversary and a long-awaited re-entry into new material.

The EP wastes no time in reminding listeners why Car Bomb occupy such a unique space in metal. Opener “Paroxysm” is a violent detonation compressed into under three minutes, where blast-beat precision, jagged guitar strikes, and soaring vocals slam into each other in unpredictable bursts. Just as the chaos seems impenetrable, a brief melodic line opens like a crack of light before collapsing back into relentless aggression. The song’s brevity works in its favor, making it feel like an explosion contained in a small chamber.

Across the three tracks, “Tiles Whispers Dreams” is less about accessibility and more about immersion in controlled sonic turbulence. Car Bomb’s trademark unpredictability is present in every measure—time signatures twist, riffs seem to fold in on themselves, and effects-laden guitars warp sound into something alien. Yet within the storm, there are moments of strange cohesion where heavy grooves emerge, giving the listener a fleeting sense of grounding before the floor shifts again.

What makes this release stand out is its urgency. After years of silence, the EP feels like Car Bomb unleashing every ounce of pent-up energy, attacking with the ferocity of a debut band rather than one celebrating a quarter-century. While only three songs long, the intensity packed into these tracks makes the listening experience feel massive.

“Tiles Whispers Dreams” underlines everything that has made Car Bomb such an enduring and respected force: unpredictability, aggression, and sheer sonic density. It is a reminder that even after twenty-five years, they remain one of the most daring bands in extreme metal.

Score: 7.5

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Sult | Sult | Deadbangers Productions

 

Sult is a misanthropic black metal band from Copenhagen, Denmark, consisting of members involved in groups such as Apparatus, Eldjudnir, and Hyperdontia. Formed out of a bleak vision, the band brings forward a sound that channels themes of despair, suffering, and existential hunger. Their self-titled debut was first released digitally in September 2024 and now receives a physical release on vinyl through Deadbangers Productions, limited to 300 copies split between classic black and a striking gold-in-black edition.

The album offers seven tracks of harsh, unrelenting black metal, carried by an atmosphere that feels both oppressive and relentless. The riffs are raw and hostile, carried forward by fast, pummeling drumming that drives the music with violent momentum. Vocals take on a rasping and tortured form, dripping with venom, giving the songs a feral energy. Across the album, the band balances speed-driven assaults with passages where the weight of despair feels almost suffocating, leaving no room for light.

The production abrasive enough to maintain a harsh underground feel, yet balanced so the instruments remain distinct. The atmosphere is as much a part of the album as the riffs themselves, creating a sense of total immersion in misanthropy. "Sult" embodies the hunger and emptiness reflected in its title, presenting black metal in a form that is direct, vicious, and utterly unforgiving.

This debut marks a strong statement from the Copenhagen band, showing their devotion to creating hostile, grim music that strips away comfort and leaves only bleak intensity. For those drawn to black metal that thrives on despair and raw aggression, Sult delivers exactly that.

Score: 7.7

SULT bandcamp: https://sultblack.bandcamp.com/album/sult

SULT instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sult.black/

Deadbangers Productions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Deadbangers

Deadbangers Productions instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deadbangers/

Deadbangers Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@deadbangersproductions 

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Mephisto facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mephistocph

Ursawrath | Emergence | Self-Release

 

Progressive thrashers Ursawrath is making their official entrance with their debut album, “Emergence.” Formed in Seattle in 2023 by bassist and vocalist Adam Schaefer, the band grew from a solo vision into a full lineup after Schaefer connected with guitarists DJ and Lucas Robertson, and drummer Maximilian Onsager. With early demos already laying the groundwork, the group quickly solidified into a powerful unit, refining material and bringing new ideas into the fold. By mid-2024, Ursawrath had established themselves live in the Seattle metal scene, and with “Emergence” they now present the first full expression of their sound—an intense and intricate brand of progressive thrash designed to make an impression.

“Emergence” is a furious yet controlled strike, balancing complex song structures with unrelenting aggression. The album blends classic thrash roots with forward-thinking arrangements, layering riffs that twist and shift without losing their momentum. The dual guitar work from DJ and Lucas Robertson offers precision and volatility, while Schaefer’s vocals cut through with raw intensity. Onsager’s drumming ties everything together, delivering a mix of speed, precision, and heavy rhythmic backbone.

Across its ten tracks, “Emergence” travels through a wide range of moods—from the blazing aggression of “Thawed By Hell’s Flames” and “Rot” to the darker atmosphere of “In The Abyss” and the relentless push of “Unstoppable.” The reworked demo songs feel fully realized here, transformed into complete visions with added solos, refined arrangements, and sharpened delivery. The new material fits seamlessly, reinforcing the idea that Ursawrath has built not just a debut album, but a unified statement of intent.

The production, handled in collaboration with Max Barber of Singular Path Audio, captures the weight and precision of the music. It allows each part to strike with impact while retaining a raw edge that suits the band’s aggressive approach. With “Emergence,” Ursawrath arrives as a band fully equipped to stake their claim. It is an album that balances technical prowess with sheer force, leaving no doubt that this is only the beginning of a much larger journey.

Score: 8.3

https://ursawrath.bandcamp.com/album/emergence

https://www.facebook.com/people/Ursawrath/61551945290981/

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Tomb Of Giants | Holding The Flame | Independent

 

Since 2013, Tomb Of Giants has carried the banner of traditional heavy metal with unwavering passion. Hailing from Osnabrück, Germany, the band delivers a sound deeply rooted in the legacy of Judas Priest, Accept, and Iron Maiden, while confidently forging their own identity. With their new EP “Holding The Flame”, released in July 2025, they continue their mission of keeping classic heavy metal alive and burning strong.

This release marks a new chapter with vocalist Kai Roarside joining the ranks. His voice adds a fresh spark to the band’s already energetic sound. Across the EP, the quintet delivers heavy riffs, melodic hooks, and pounding rhythms that recall the very essence of what made metal a force in the first place. The production, handled by Andy Classen at Stage One Studio, ensures the songs hit hard and retain a raw edge that fits the band’s character.

The title track “The Flame” is a rallying anthem that embodies the EP’s spirit—powerful, uplifting, and designed for fist-raising unity. “Evilnator” follows with relentless drive, a live-tested banger that proves Tomb Of Giants thrive on stage energy. The reimagined versions of “Midnight Devil” and “When Destiny Calls” bring their 2017 material into the present with renewed force, connecting the band’s beginnings to their current direction.

“Holding The Flame” blazes as a proud milestone in Tomb Of Giants’ legacy. This EP doesn’t just keep the fire alive—it roars with steel, spirit, and unbreakable devotion to heavy metal.

Score: 7.3

Contact

E-Mail: kontakt@tombofgiants.de

Web: tombofgiants.de

Facebook: facebook.com/tombofgiants

Instagram: instagram.com/tombofgiants_

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TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@tombofgiants

Bandcamp: tombofgiants.bandcamp.com/

LinkTree: tombofgiants.de/links/

Alterium | Stormrage | Independent

 

Alterium is an Italian power metal quintet founded in late 2022 by vocalist Nicoletta Rosellini (ex-Kalidia, Walk In Darkness), joined by former bandmates Paolo Campitelli (guitars, keyboards) and Dario Gozzi (drums), later completed by Alessandro Mammola (guitars) and Luca Scalabrin (bass). Produced by Lars Rettkowitz (Freedom Call), their debut album “Of War And Flames” was released on March 8, 2024 via AFM Records. The album contained 9 original songs and a cover of Sabaton’s “Bismarck”, quickly surpassing 1 million streams on Spotify and 1.2 million YouTube views. Even before the debut’s release, the band appeared live at events such as Epic Fest in Denmark and Brainstorm Fest in the Netherlands, building a strong reputation in the European power metal scene.

With “Stormrage”, Alterium deliver a short yet striking release that builds on their growing momentum. Containing two brand-new tracks, plus two bonus versions available exclusively on the limited CD edition, this EP is designed both as a collector’s item and a powerful bridge between past and future material.

The title track “Stormrage” bursts forward with galloping riffs, layered orchestrations, and the soaring voice of Rosellini leading the charge. It’s fast, melodic, and packed with the triumphant energy that defines the band’s sound. The symphonic layers never overpower the guitars, instead creating an atmosphere that feels vast and cinematic, perfectly suited for fans of European melodic power metal.

“Sui” takes a slightly different path, opening with a delicate acoustic section before erupting into a blazing display of speed, melody, and orchestral grandeur. Inspired by Chinese mythology, the track shows Alterium’s ability to weave storytelling into their music, making it both energetic and immersive. Played live at summer festivals ahead of its release, the song already feels like a crowd favorite, and it’s easy to understand why.

For collectors and completists, the CD version also includes two bonuses: a cover of Symphony X’s “Paradise Lost” and an orchestral reimagining of “Of War And Flames.” Both additions give extra depth to the physical edition, with the Symphony X cover adding a progressive twist to the band’s repertoire and the orchestral version offering a cinematic reinterpretation of one of their strongest songs.

The production is sharp, vibrant, and fittingly epic, allowing each instrument to breathe while keeping the vocal performance at the forefront. With “Stormrage”, Alterium confirm their identity as one of the most promising new acts in European power metal. It’s a compact release, but it carries the intensity and grandeur needed to keep excitement high for their next full-length.

Score: 7.5

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Fermento | Acts Of Blood | Independent

 

Fermento are an institution of brutal death metal, formed in 1991 in Madrid when there were actually no death metal bands in Spain yet, only thrash ones. Their first 7", “Only The Flesh”, was released in 1992, and a year after, two more songs were recorded and compiled onto the split “Dead Flesh”, where their sound would be clearly defined as brutal death. In 1994, the very dark and dense EP “Fervour Of The Impure” was released. The next year, a live demo was released, and in 1996, another demo – “The Shining” – went out with a very original voice that would define a new style in the brutal death scene. It was the prelude to their first full-length, “Symbols Of Decrepitude, Symbols Of Supremacy”, released in 1997. It could be said that this album was one of the pioneers of slam/brutal death metal spread in the United States a short while after, and it's probably Fermento's most popular album to date.

In 1999, Fermento moved to Ourense, and in 2004, the album “Insignia” was released, which received excellent reviews due to the technical, complex drumming and loads of extremely rapid riffs. It wasn't until 2009 that “Recipe For Cremation” was recorded, one of the most rapid works in the band’s history, and like every other Fermento album, it was also reissued by an American label. In 2019, Fermento released their first live album, “Revengeful Wolves From The Mouth Of Hell”, featuring all the tracks from “Symbols” as a tribute to that album.

“Acts Of Blood” arrives as a ferocious statement of intent, opening the gates with relentless intensity and carrying it forward with suffocating force. Fermento’s brutal death foundation remains intact, but the infusion of black metal creates a darker, more sinister edge. The riffs are oppressive, often dragging the listener into cavernous depths before cutting with bursts of violence. The drumming of BST is relentless, varied, and storm-like, giving the album pace and atmosphere. MkM’s guest vocals inject further menace, his voice clashing with Fermento’s guttural assault like an invocation from another realm.

The production adds weight to the chaos—low-tuned, resonant, and thick with distortion, creating a wall of sound that feels monumental in its intensity. This density fuels the suffocating power the band clearly aims for. Across the album’s span, the atmosphere remains nightmarish, with riffs collapsing into dissonance and vocals carving through the storm like ritualistic chants.

“Acts Of Blood” is a chapter where the band embraces its legacy while pushing itself into a more venomous and extreme sphere. This is not an album that offers respite—it is an unyielding, pitch-black experience designed to punish, provoke, and leave an imprint long after its final track fades.

Score: 7.0

https://www.facebook.com/fermentoband

https://fermento.bandcamp.com/album/acts-of-blood-2

Supernaughty | Apocalypso | Ripple Music

 

Supernaughty is a powerhouse stoner metal quartet from Livorno, Italy, forged in 2014 by underground scene veterans: Filippo Del Bimbo (lead guitar), Alessio Franceschi (drums), Angelo Fagni (vocals/rhythm guitar), and Luca Raffoni (bass). After years of sharpening their skills in Italy’s indie rock and heavy circuits, the four musicians officially gathered in 2013, cutting their teeth on Sabbath-worship before conjuring their own riff-heavy anthems. Supernaughty are known for their explosive and gritty live shows, having toured extensively across Italy and Europe, sharing the stage with international acts such as Fatso Jetson, High On Fire, Zeke, and Nebula.

Their sound is a molten blend of stoner rock, sludge, grunge, and hard rock—built on colossal, hypnotic riffs, raw guitar tones, and hook-laden choruses. Drawing from the desert grooves of Kyuss, the swagger of Orange Goblin, and the dark melodies of Alice In Chains, their music has been hailed as “sleazy blues rock” and “acidic, psychedelic fuzz with a groove reminiscent of biker gangs.” Lyrically, they warp sci-fi tales, B-movie madness, and surreal personal narratives through vocalist Angelo Fagni’s warped yet vivid storytelling.

After carving their name into the stoner rock underground with the self-released “Welcome To My V” (2015), and acclaimed LPs “Vol. 1” (2018) and “Temple” (2020) via Argonauta Records, Supernaughty is poised for their next chapter—signing with Ripple Music in 2024 for their upcoming third studio album “Apocalypso”.

Their forthcoming third album, “Apocalypso”, marks a turning point in the Livorno-based foursome's sound, who returns louder, heavier, and more metallic than before. The album’s title draws a parallel between the myth of nymph Calypso—who held Odysseus captive on her island for years before setting him free—and a recent dark chapter in modern human history.

The artwork was created by renowned Italian illustrator Luca SoloMacello, whose distinctive visuals blending dark surrealism, mythological references, and psychedelic motifs have become iconic within the stoner and doom metal scene. His work on the band's 2020 album “Temple” was featured among the 100 best album covers of the year in Heavy Music Artwork's “Masterpieces 2020” book.

“Apocalypso” was recorded by Nicola Giorgetti at Indipendente Recording Studio (Matelica, Italy), with vocals tracked by Matteo Barsacchi (Mr. Bison) at Blotch Recording Studio (Cecina, Italy), and mixed and mastered by Karl Daniel Lidén (Dozer, Greenleaf) in Sweden.

With “Apocalypso”, Supernaughty deliver heavy, feverish, and full of venomous groove. The guitars dominate with molten riffs that feel thick and urgent, weaving fuzz-drenched walls with occasional moments of melody cutting through the storm. Filippo Del Bimbo’s guitar work thrives on repetition and weight, but it’s the raw edge of Angelo Fagni’s vocals that give the album its bite—gravelly, melodic when needed, and dripping with menace.

Luca Raffoni’s bass is massive, the kind that rumbles low and steady, while Alessio Franceschi pounds with a primal energy that keeps the music storming forward. Together, they form the pulse that makes each track stomp and swagger like an engine running hot.

Thematically, “Apocalypso” mirrors its explosive cover art: apocalyptic, feverish, and surreal. There’s a wild, cinematic quality to the music, as though each riff and vocal snarl is drawn from pulp horror comics and psychedelic nightmares. One can easily imagine these songs as the soundtrack to a desert wasteland road trip or a late-night screening of a cult B-movie.

It is a loud, unfiltered stoner metal record that doesn’t shy away from rawness. The band sounds locked in and confident, fully embracing the heaviness without losing their knack for catchy choruses and acid-burned grooves. From start to finish, “Apocalypso” is steeped in swagger, fuzz, and a sense of danger that feels authentic to the stoner metal underground.

Score: 8.3

https://www.facebook.com/supern4ughty/

https://supernaughty.bandcamp.com/music

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyUSK1SWMj8

https://ripple-music.com/

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https://www.instagram.com/ripplemusic/

Paradox | Mysterium | High Roller Records

 

Paradox is among the true veterans of German thrash metal. Formed back in 1981 by guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Charly Steinhauer, the band made a name for themselves with albums such as “Product Of Imagination” (1987) and “Heresy” (1989), both of which still hold a special place for fans of classic European thrash. Over the decades, Paradox have gone through several hiatuses and line-up changes, with Steinhauer remaining the driving force throughout. Now, more than forty years later, the group present their ninth studio album, “Mysterium” – a release that carries additional weight, since Steinhauer wrote, performed and produced everything on his own.

The album offers eleven tracks (including the CD-only bonus track “Within The Realms Of Gray”) and runs for just under an hour. Sonically, it is distinctly Paradox – fast, melodic thrash rooted traditioned, yet still fresh in its songwriting. Steinhauer’s riffs and leads maintain the classic speed metal edge, while his vocals, instantly recognizable, add character to the songs. The drum programming is handled with precision, driving the music forward without feeling mechanical, and the overall production gives the material enough punch and power to match the intensity of the performances.

Lyrically, “Mysterium” draws inspiration from real-life experiences, mystical themes and personal reflections. Tracks like “Abyss Of Pain And Fear” echo the psychological torment of Midnight Express, while the instrumental “Grief” serves as a heartfelt tribute to founding member Axel Blaha, who passed away in 2023. Other songs, such as “Tunguska” and “The Demon God”, weave historical and mythological imagery into the thrash framework, giving the album a unified atmosphere without turning it into a strict concept work.

What makes “Mysterium” engaging is how each song has its own character, yet all fit into the broader sound world that Paradox have built over decades. The title track stands out with its theme of dream interpretation, while pieces like “Those Who Resist” and “Fragrance Of Violence” deliver the energetic aggression long-time fans expect. Travis Smith’s artwork ties the album together visually, enhancing its sense of mystique and depth.

For a project created almost entirely by one man, “Mysterium” feels complete and convincing. It carries the spirit of Paradox, respects their legacy, and proves that Charly Steinhauer still has the creativity and stamina to drive this band forward. After more than four decades, Paradox remains true to themselves while keeping their music alive and relevant. Easily it kicks asses and stands after the two first classics.

Score: 8.8

https://www.facebook.com/hrrecords

https://www.instagram.com/highrollerrecordsofficial

https://www.facebook.com/paradoxthrash

Cruentation | Damned Fallen Angels | Iron Bonehead Productions

 

Iron Bonehead Productions brings forth the debut full-length from Cruentation, titled “Damned Fallen Angels.” Formed in the underground trenches of New England, the band is no stranger to extreme metal’s most hostile corners. With members linked to acts such as Witch Tomb, Impenitent Thief, Hirudenia, Cemetery Lights, Martyrvore, Ninnixu, and Embryonic Cryptopathia, Cruentation channel decades of uncompromising extremity into this first full-scale statement. Their earlier demos and EPs hinted at this direction, but here the group finally unveils a definitive slab of black/death chaos.

“Damned Fallen Angels” delivers 32 minutes across ten tracks, immediately plunging the listener into fire and torment. The sound is raw in spirit yet fully fleshed-out, a storm of riffs steeped in malevolence and driven by relentless drumming. Each track lashes forward with violent intent, with vocals rising like incantations from deep below. The band captures a balance between black metal’s blasphemous aura and death metal’s crushing weight, summoning a sound that is both punishing and captivating in equal measure.

Cruentation keeps the pace merciless, never allowing respite. Tracks like “Prayers And Piss” and “Snake Of Knowledge” embody the album’s violent pulse, while “Chaos And Old Night” and the title track expand the infernal scope with an almost suffocating density. Despite its brevity, the album leaves the impression of a much larger work, condensing aggression into a tightly coiled strike. By the time “Dagger In My Heart” closes the ritual, “Damned Fallen Angels” has carved its presence with undeniable force.

This debut makes clear that Cruentation’s vision is uncompromising and steeped in a tradition of true underground extremity. Their name will now be impossible to ignore in black/death metal circles.

Score: 7.5

cruentation1.bandcamp.com

https://www.facebook.com/people/Cruentation/100083550304988/

www.ironbonehead.de

ironboneheadproductions.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/ironboneheadproductions

Hellir | Hollow Moon: Precursor | Self-Release

Hellir was founded in 2023 by multi-instrumentalist Daniel Shaneyfelt as an outlet for ideas that stretched beyond his other projects. The debut, “Wheel Of Ghosts” (2024), introduced a mix of black metal, vaporwave, synth-driven textures, and cinematic soundscapes. Soon after, drummer Dylan Webb joined, steering Hellir toward heavier and more intricate compositions. The project’s name, meaning “Cave” in Old Norse, reflects the band’s fascination with dark atmospheres and hidden depths.

With “Hollow Moon: Precursor”, Hellir opens the first chapter of a trilogy that will eventually form their debut full-length, “Hollow Moon”. Across four tracks, the duo presents a dense, shape-shifting vision that threads black metal with electronic, industrial, and ambient elements.

“Ishimura” begins with an imposing wall of sound, immediately blurring the line between synth-driven textures and blackened aggression. The track moves like a vast soundscape, futuristic and ominous. “Firespray” sharpens the pace, driven by frantic percussion and glimmers of melody breaking through the haze. It feels cinematic in scope, with layers that expand and contract like waves of heat.

“Spiral” is the most dynamic track of the EP, incorporating a guest guitar solo by Harlon McCargar that twists the song into a different dimension, fusing dissonance with soaring leads. The closer, “Below,” dives deep into atmospheric territory, pulling threads of piano and synth together into something spacious yet crushing. It leaves the impression of a descent, fitting for a project whose name translates to “Cave.”

What makes “Hollow Moon: Precursor” compelling is the breadth of its sound. Hellir moves between heavy breakdowns, vaporwave-tinged electronics, classical piano, and black metal ferocity, yet the EP retains a sense of cohesion. It’s an ambitious beginning to a trilogy that suggests even more layers to come.

Score: 7.0

https://hellir.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/_hellir/

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

Oskoreien | Hollow Fangs | Self-Release

 

Following two previous albums and a split EP with Botanist, Oskoreien has now evolved from a solo endeavor into a duo. Founder Jay Valena—handling vocals, guitars, synth, and programming—has joined forces with guitarist Rashid Nadjib for the project’s third full-length. “Hollow Fangs" is described by its creators as an intensely personal work, channeling severance, endurance, and the search for meaning after trauma. Session bassist Matthew Durkee contributes to the recordings, while the mastering was completed by Jack Shirley at Atomic Garden Studios.

The five compositions on "Hollow Fangs" stretch between seven and nine minutes, allowing the songs to expand, contract, and transform in their own time. The music constantly shifts, moving between aggressive passages of storming black metal riffing and moments of spacious reflection, always with a sense of emotional urgency. Guitars frequently take the lead, trading between biting dissonance and sweeping melodic passages, while the programmed drums and synths add weight and atmosphere. Valena’s vocals, anguished yet defiant, tie the intensity together, never losing sight of the human core behind the chaos.

Despite the density of ideas, the album, breathes with dynamic energy. Each track feels like a journey, veering from turbulence into stretches of poignant melody, before surging back with renewed force. "Prismatic Reason" opens with striking immediacy, establishing the duality of ferocity and reflection that carries through the album. "Bernalillo Sunrise" and "Psychotiscism" bring a sharper edge, channeling frenzy and grief. "Fragments" lingers in haunting contemplation, while "To Kiss The Viper’s Fang" closes the album with a sense of final confrontation—wrathful, mournful, and strangely triumphant.

"Hollow Fangs" is an album of conviction, delivered with fire and clarity of purpose. It speaks directly through sound, offering a release and an embrace for anyone who listens closely. It’s harsh, intricate, and deeply affecting.

Score: 7.7

https://oskoreien.bandcamp.com/album/hollow-fangs

https://www.facebook.com/Oskoreienband/

https://www.instagram.com/oskoreien/

Shadows | Miseria | Self-Release

 

Shadows is a German/Swedish blackened death metal band formed in 2021 by vocalist/guitarist Dejan Milenkovits. Originally started as a solo project during the pandemic, it quickly expanded after the release of early material in 2022. With help from Finnish session drummer Filip Gäddnäs and producer Mathias Lodmalm, the band recorded its first full-length during 2024. By early 2025, Shadows solidified its permanent lineup with Milenkovits joined by guitarist Martin Bermheden, bassist Andreas Holm, and drummer Joél Cirera. The band’s members bring with them experience from notable acts such as Visceral Bleeding, The Berzerker, Enshrined, and Ominous, giving Shadows a pedigree deeply rooted in extreme metal.

“Miseria” is a dark and relentless debut that wastes no time in making its presence felt. From the opening surge of “As Above So Below” to the ending burden of “Unnamed Sorrow,” the album delivers an unforgiving storm of blackened death metal that balances aggression with atmosphere. The guitar work is compact and piercing, weaving tremolo-picked melodies with crushing riffs, while the rhythm section drives everything forward with precision and ferocity.

Vocally, Dejan Milenkovits provides a feral performance that sits perfectly between cavernous growls and scathing shrieks, reinforcing the grim vision the band set out to explore. The production is raw yet powerful, maintaining crushing force while ensuring clarity between instruments. Tracks like “Lamia” and “Delivered From Sin” benefit from searing guest solos that inject a venomous flair, while tracks such as “Mässa XCIV” and “Cycles” lean heavily into the suffocating blackened side of the band’s sound.

Lyrically and conceptually, “Miseria” is steeped in existential dread, exploring futility and decay with no promise of redemption. The grim artwork by Fernando Rojas B. further cements this atmosphere, presenting the album as a complete vision of despair and inevitability.

For a debut, Shadows has crafted an uncompromising and fully realized slab of blackened death metal. “Miseria” is oppressive, intense, and unrelenting, yet infused with enough solemn melody to keep the listener engaged throughout its nine tracks.

Score: 8.5

https://shadows-official.com/

Talaqat | Talaqat | Independent

 

Talaqat is a project formed in 2023 by three Italian musicians who come from very different musical paths yet share the same urge to push boundaries. Drummer Matteo Borzini and guitarist Adriano Fontaneto, veterans of underground acts such as Corey, Postvorta and The End Of Six Thousand Years, join forces with bassist Massimo Splendore, who carries a trajectory that stretches from metal and rock into the realm of Italian pop. Together, they shape Talaqat into a meeting point of post-metal weight, progressive thinking, and free-form experimentation.

The self-titled debut “Talaqat” unfolds across seven expansive instrumental tracks. The band’s approach is collective and organic—songs grow out of rehearsal sessions rather than rigid planning, which gives the music a sense of spontaneity and unpredictability. This freedom results in a sound that defies easy classification. Elements of post-rock’s atmospheric layering meet the density of post-metal, with flashes of jazz-like phrasing and rhythmic shifts that recall progressive rock.

The compositions move between delicate passages and towering climaxes, drawing the listener into immersive journeys where tension and release are key. The track lengths, often stretching beyond eight minutes, allow the trio to explore gradual build-ups, detailed textures, and wide dynamic contrasts. The interplay of guitar, bass, and drums keeps the listener engaged without the need for vocals, giving the music a narrative voice of its own.

Recorded in Biella, Italy and mastered in Montreal, Canada, the production captures the raw energy of a live performance while giving space for detail and nuance. “Talaqat” stands as a deeply personal album that invites interpretation, letting each listener find their own meaning within its sonic landscapes.

Score: 7.0

https://talaqat.bandcamp.com/

https://instagram.com/talaqatband