Nuctemeron |Demonic Sceptre |I Hate Records

Release Date 13.03.2026
Format CD/LP/Digital
Genre Black/Speed Metal
Country Germany

Formed well over a decade ago, Germany's Nuctemeron spent twelve grueling years in the underground trenches dropping a relentless barrage of splits and EPs. Forged in leather, spikes, chains, and bullet belts, this crew finally unleashes their long-awaited debut full-length, "Demonic Sceptre", to the masses. Dropping appropriately on Friday the 13th, this release unleashes pure black/speed metal hell upon the earth.

The band unloads a ruthless barrage of fast, vicious riffing and maniacal speed. "Demonic Sceptre" delivers total devastation through chaotic guitar attacks, thunderous drumming, and throat-shredding vocal madness. Nuctemeron channels the ancient destruction of legends like Sodom, Violent Force, and Nifelheim, ripping through the speakers with absolute savage aggression. There is zero compromise here, just old school metal dominance firing on all cylinders.

A massive advantage to this album is the serious diversity across the tracklist. Every single song establishes a completely unique identity. Whether the band is tearing through hyper-fast neck-breakers like "Fresh Blood For The 13^th Coffin" or stomping the skull in "Brandish The Hammer Of Hell", the music remains lethal. The riffing changes gears constantly, the bass lines rumble like an earthquake, and the solos tear through the mix with blistering speed. Nuctemeron maintains the old school banner high throughout the entire playtime.

This is a triumphant strike for German extreme metal. The twelve years of grinding in the underground paid off massively, resulting in a tremendously thrilling and devastating debut. "Demonic Sceptre" is mandatory listening for extreme metal maniacs seeking pure, violent, and unholy speed. Nuctemeron crafted an absolutely killer album for anyone worshipping the dark and fast arts.

Score: 8.0

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Bezdan | Upon The Altar | I Hate Records

Release Date: 28.11.2025

Format: CD/LP/Digital

Genre: Black/Speed Metal

Country: Croatia

Bezdan comes from Croatia with roughly fifteen years of underground activity, a handful of singles and EPs, and a reputation for raw aggression. The band name means “Abyss” for Croatian, which fits their long path through the darker parts of extreme metal. Signing to I Hate Records brings them into a label roster that has always championed rough edged metal from Eastern Europe and South America. With their first full length, “Upon The Altar”, Bezdan finally steps into the wider arena.

The album delivers fast and hungry old school violence. The roots in Possessed, early Death, old Sepultura and the ex-Yugoslav legends like Heller and Evil Blood are very clear, although the band moves with their own pulse. The guitars rely on straight forward riffing with a raw bite, the vocals attack without decoration, and the rhythm section keeps things grounded in metal’s primal energy. There is no padding here, no safe middle ground, just sharp forward motion. Things are simple.

The aggression keeps building from track to track and the album never drops its momentum. The band sound fully committed to the violence they create, turning the whole album into a steady eruption of old school extremity. The chaotic edge is part of the charm, although there are moments where more variation could have pushed the album even higher. Still, the energy remains strong all the way through and the material shows a band with clear vision.

“Upon The Altar” stands as a solid introduction to Bezdan’s world. It is harsh, straightforward and packed with the spirit of classic extreme metal. Anyone into early death and blackened speed or todays bands of the genre like Bütcher, Hellripper, Midnight will find an ideal match. This is a debut that opens a door for the Croatians and hints at bigger storms ahead.

Score: 7.5

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Johan Langquist The Castle | Johan Langquist The Castle | I Hate Records

 

    Johan Langquist, known as the original voice behind Candlemass' “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus” and as frontman of Swedish heavy/doom act Jonah Quizz, returns under his own banner: Johan Langquist The Castle. After decades contributing to the roots and continuation of Scandinavian heavy and doom metal, Johan has now forged a personal path. The debut album under this new name began as an independent digital release in 2024 before finding a physical home via I Hate Records. Rather than remaining a solo or studio effort, Johan Langquist The Castle is planned as a full band with live ambitions and future releases in the works.

Johan Langquist The Castle is steeped in the dramatic grandeur and melodic power of a specific era: a sound built on traditional heavy metal with heavy touches of doom. The album carries a direct lineage from the melodic complexity of Rainbow and the theatrical heaviness of Dio, wrapped in a Swedish sense of melancholy that has long run through Langquist’s past work. There is no pretense here—this is heavy music built on songwriting and character.

The production is organic, with plenty of space for each element to breathe. Langquist’s voice remains expressive and powerful, delivering verses and choruses with maturity and strength. The guitars are rich in tone and grounded in classic metal traditions, while the rhythm section gives the songs a solid, purposeful drive. A careful use of keyboards and background vocals adds a sense of breadth without tipping into excess.

Despite the album’s nod to vintage influences, it doesn’t feel static or bound by nostalgia. The songs are focused, with memorable structures and dynamics. The moods range from sorrowful reflection to fiery determination. Moments of grandeur meet stripped-down heaviness, and the interplay between male and female vocals adds color and depth; especially in the opening track, "Eye Of Death," the soprano vocals are magnificent.

At just under 42 minutes, the album flows well from beginning to end. Its pacing avoids monotony, balancing mid-tempo burners with more somber passages. There’s an evident care in the sequencing and overall tone that gives the album a unified character.

Johan Langquist The Castle is neither flashy nor concerned with trends. Instead, it’s rooted in an honest, timeless form of heavy metal that values emotional weight and melody. It doesn’t overreach, but it doesn’t play it safe either. It stands tall on its own merits and gives the listener exactly what its title promises—an entrance into Johan Langquist’s own castle of dreams.

Score: 8.0