Hela |A Reign To Conquer |Ardua Music

Release Date February 27^th, 2026
Format CD/Digital/Vinyl
Genre Melodic Doom Metal
Country Spain

Taking their name from the Norse goddess of death, Hela emerged from Elche, Spain in 2012 and slowly carved their name into the doom underground with patience and stubborn dedication. Their debut album, "Broken Cross", caught attention quickly enough to land a vinyl release through Svart Records, while later works "Death May Die" and "Vegvísir" showed a band refining its melancholic identity without chasing whatever trend happened to be fashionable that week. Years passed, the world shut down, life shifted around them, and silence followed. Now they return with "A Reign To Conquer", introducing vocalist Raquel Navarro and stepping forward with renewed energy and a deeper emotional current.

The album lives in that shadowy territory where melodic doom breathes slowly and every chord carries a heavy emotional pull. Hela focus on atmosphere and long, expressive melodies rather than brute heaviness. Guitars drift between somber weight and elegant lead lines, painting wide melancholic landscapes while the rhythm section keeps things grounded in a steady march. It is doom metal that looks inward, patient and reflective, letting the emotional tone unfold naturally rather than forcing drama at every turn.

Raquel Navarro proves to be a strong addition. Her voice floats above the music with a calm, almost dreamlike quality that softens the darker edges without diluting them. The contrast between her airy delivery and the thick guitar work gives the songs a bittersweet character, sometimes haunting, sometimes quietly uplifting. The band clearly understands the value of space and pacing, allowing melodies to develop instead of rushing through them. When the guitars rise into more dramatic passages, the payoff lands in a satisfying way because the groundwork has already been laid.

"A Reign To Conquer" is not a reckless or aggressive album. It is measured, emotional, and occasionally hypnotic, built for listeners who appreciate patience in doom metal. Some stretches drift a bit longer than they need to and a stronger punch in a few moments would have pushed the impact further. Still, the songwriting remains thoughtful and the atmosphere holds together well across the album, giving the whole journey a coherent emotional thread.

In the end, Hela returns with an album that shows maturity and careful craft. It carries sorrow, beauty, and quiet power in equal measure, delivered through melodic doom that values emotion over brute force. "A Reign To Conquer" might not overwhelm immediately, but it grows stronger the longer you stay inside its dimly lit world.

Score: 7.5

https://www.helaband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Helaband/

https://www.arduamusic.com/

https://www.tormorecords.com/en/

Ars Onirica | 2.5 Nighttime | Ardua Music

 

Format: Digital/CD

Genre: Melodic Doom Death

Country: Italy

Release Date: October 24th, 2025

Born from the mind of Italian multi-instrumentalist Alessandro Sforza, Ars Onirica first appeared in the early 2000s as a full band and released one demo, “Utopia: A Winternight’s Traveller,” before going silent for more than a decade. In 2018, Sforza resurrected the name as a solo project, weaving melancholic melodies and introspective themes into the acclaimed full-lengths “I: Cold” and “II: Lost”. Now comes “2.5 Nighttime,” a short but fully realized interlude between albums that carries all the depth and atmosphere of a complete work.

Running just over twenty minutes, “2.5 Nighttime” is like a single dream told in chapters. It begins with “Dusk (An Ode To The Stars),” a delicate piece that draws the listener in through gentle guitars and whispered emotion, setting the tone for what follows. The three-part title track then forms the emotional core of the release. “Nighttime Part I” opens like a slow breath, its melodic layers blooming into something luminous and cinematic. 

“Nighttime Part II (Your Silence Around Me)” builds on that mood with heavier guitars and harsh vocals, contrasting beautifully with Sforza’s clean voice and allowing tension and release to coexist naturally. By “Part III,” the music takes on a slightly darker tone, carrying hints of blackened atmosphere while still holding onto the melodic sorrow that defines the project. The closing track, “Dawn,” acts as a gentle exhale, ending the journey in soft light and reflection.

Sforza’s collaboration with Lorenzo Carlini (Black Therapy/Invernoir) once again pays off in the sound design. The production is full and clear, letting every note breathe without losing the emotional density. Fans of Anathema, The Gathering, Tiamat, and Ghostheart Nebula will find plenty to admire here. The music refines with sincerity and atmosphere, and Ars Onirica continues to stand out not by volume or aggression, but through emotional clarity and melodic storytelling that feels deeply personal.

Score: 7.5

https://www.facebook.com/ArsOnirica/

https://www.arduamusic.com/