heavy-metal-darkness: Ad Noctem Records

Showing posts with label Ad Noctem Records. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Abbinormal | Italia’s Gore Talent | Ad Noctem Records

Release Date: 5 December 2025

Format: Digital/CD

Genre: Death Metal, Grindcore

Country: Italy

Milan’s Abbinormal has a long history that dates back to 1996, with a rebirth in 2017 that pushed them deeper into extreme metal’s unhinged territories. Their early works mixed grindcore, death metal and thrash with a chaotic punch, something that earned them stages with Gutalax, Crowbar, Left To Die, Hideous Divinity and many more. After “1996” and “Grind Hotel”, the band returns with “Italia’s Gore Talent”, released through Ad Noctem Records. True to its name, the album dives into modern decay with a grotesque grin, wrapped in artwork by Davide Scianca whose disturbing visuals complement the band’s twisted character.

“Italia’s Gore Talent” storms forward with short and violent outbursts, delivered with the determination of a band that knows its territory well. Abbinormal rely on speed, aggression and chaotic flare, often switching gears in abrupt ways that fit their grind-infused approach. The vocal work spits venom, the guitars run like a buzzsaw and the drums hammer without pause. It is a quick and brutal trip, full of punchy ideas that erupt one after the other.

The album’s satire of violence and societal decay stands at the center of its personality. Tracks like “Inverted Karma”, “Boomer”, “Web Scum” and “Goat Save The Dirt” sound like commentary filtered through a blender of rage. Everything is pushed forward with raw attitude, nothing softened or sweetened. Abbinormal clearly enjoys turning ugly subjects into explosive bursts of noise, something that has always been part of their character.

For listeners who follow the more extreme corners of metal, the album offers a storm that never loosens its grip. It keeps a wild pace, occasionally dropping into darker or groovier zones before erupting again. The band’s chemistry is strong and this fuels the overall rush, giving the album a chaotic pulse that matches its themes. It is a release that embraces excess, carnage and absurdity, presented with a grin soaked in blood.

“Italia’s Gore Talent” stands as a solid entry in Abbinormal’s catalog. It hits hard, moves fast and carries the unfiltered madness that the band has built its name on. Not every moment lands with equal impact, though the overall ride is consistent in tone and aggression. Fans of death/grind metal will easily latch onto its ferocity.

Score: 8.0

Follow Abbinormal: https://linktr.ee/abbinormal

Saturday, November 22, 2025

Lux Mortalis | The Eventide Collapse | Ad Noctem Records

Release Date: 4 October 2025

Format: Digital/CD

Genre: Symphonic/Black/Death Metal

Country: Italy

Lux Mortalis formed in Padua in early 2024. The band unites musicians who spent many years shaping the Italian extreme metal underground through bands like Ades Numen, Cruenta Lacrymis and Lostair. Their background gives them a solid creative backbone, and they use this experience to build a sound where aggressive death metal, blackened darkness and solemn symphonic lines move together with confidence. “The Eventide Collapse” presents eight songs written with a clear goal, direct and immersive, pushing the band’s idea of dark grandeur without unnecessary distractions.

“The Eventide Collapse” plays like a storm that moves with a steady course. Lux Mortalis build their atmosphere through cold melodies, firm rhythmic momentum and vocals that cut through the mix with a commanding tone. The album maintains a consistent temperature, always intense, always dramatic. The guitars often rise in sweeping patterns that bring an icy, tragic colour, while the symphonic elements add a shadowy glow around everything. Instead of swelling into theatrical excess, the orchestral touches support the anger and melancholy already present in the riffs.

The pacing stays controlled from start to finish. Each song stands firmly on its own thanks to its focused arrangemen., with enough variety to keep the listener drawn in. The band use contrast in an effective way, shifting from surging aggression to more solemn passages without breaking the flow. Keyboards hover like distant storms, never dominating, always sharpening the emotional impact. There is a strong sense of focus, as if every part was placed with intention, and the final result comes across as unified and confident.

Vocals stand as one of the album’s strongest pillars. They move between harsh, scorching lines and more ritualistic tones, which brings extra colour to the music. The guitar work stays gripping throughout the album, switching between melodic phrasing and crushing attacks with fluency. The rhythm section gives the album a solid pulse and a dark drive that keeps everything moving forward. Nothing comes across as ornamental, everything contributes to a sound that is harsh, dramatic and atmospheric at the same time.

“The Eventide Collapse” introduces Lux Mortalis as a band that knows exactly what they want to express. The album blends violence and sorrow, intensity and gloom, in a way that holds the listener’s attention from the first note to the last. It is a strong debut from a group that already understands how to use their strengths to build something striking. Fans of symphonic black death metal will find a work that stands tall, confident, and fully committed to its vision.

Score: 7.5