heavy-metal-darkness: Mystic Circle | Hexenbrand 1486

Thursday, September 4, 2025

Mystic Circle | Hexenbrand 1486 | ROAR

Few bands in German black metal have a history as turbulent and relentless as Mystic Circle. Founded in the early nineties, the duo of Beelzebub and A. Blackwar carved their way into underground infamy with records like “Drachenblut” (1998) and “Infernal Satanic Verses” (1999). After years of silence, the two reunited in 2021, igniting a second chapter that has already brought forth “Mystic Circle” (2022) and “Erzdämon” (2023). Now, on their tenth full-length “Hexenbrand 1486”, the band dives deeper into Europe’s grim history of witch hunts, tying their sonic violence to a concept rooted in the infamous Malleus Maleficarum.

The album arrives like a storm—ten tracks that weave black and death metal with a heavy dose of classic heavy metal grandeur and eerie horror soundscapes. From the ritualistic opener “Luciferian” to the grim medieval atmospheres of “The Bible Of Witch Chase”, the album maintains a balance between aggression and atmosphere. Dark synthesizers, used tastefully throughout, add a cinematic edge reminiscent of 80s horror scores, intensifying the chilling aura.

Vocally, Beelzebub summons venomous incantations, while guest contributions elevate the thematic depth. Sarah Jezebel Deva brings her signature haunting voice, while Karo Hafke injects raw emotion into the narrative of tortured and condemned women, tying perfectly to the lyrical themes. The inclusion of Natalie Ostermaier’s comic art not only enriches the visual experience but also underlines the band’s intent to merge music, history, and dark storytelling into a single entity.

Musically, “Hexenbrand 1486” is relentless yet atmospheric, fusing hammering blast beats with melodic leads, sinister riffs, and spine-chilling synth passages. Songs like “Boogeyman” and “Ghost Of Whitechapel” prove the band’s fascination with historical and folkloric horror, each track feeling like its own nightmare scenario. The production by Nils Lesser keeps everything powerful and grand, giving the brutality and the theatricality room to breathe.

The fact that this album contains Mystic Circle’s 100th song, “Dance On The Wings Of Black Magic”, feels symbolic. It is a milestone and a statement of endurance from a band that continues to push forward with vision and conviction. Released fittingly on October 31st, “Hexenbrand 1486” is an album meant to be experienced not only as music but as a full immersion into a world of fire, superstition, and dark imagination. It is theatrical, aggressive, and steeped in macabre history—the kind of black metal journey that lingers long after the final notes fade.

Score: 8.0