Hooded Menace | Lachrymose Monuments Of Obscuration | Season Of Mist

 

Release Date: 3 October 2025

Format: Digital, CD, LP

Genre: Death/Doom Metal

Country: Finland

For nearly twenty years, Hooded Menace has prowled the graveyards of death-doom like eternal sentinels. Formed in 2007 by guitarist and songwriter Lasse Pyykkö, the Finnish trio grew out of his teenage obsession with horror flicks, worn VHS covers, and the suffocating heaviness of the early doom and death metal underground. From the cult beginnings of “Tombs Of The Blind Dead” to the crushing “Never Cross The Dead” and later the gothic darkness of “Ossuarium Silhouettes Unhallowed”, Hooded Menace has built a world of slow decay and haunted grandeur.

Their seventh album, “Lachrymose Monuments Of Obscuration”, arrives like a funeral procession crawling through thick fog. The guitars rumble with massive, sepulchral heaviness, but the production keeps everything vivid and alive. The first seconds of “Twilight Passages” open a portal into that cryptic world, where melody and menace share the same coffin. When “Pale Masquerade” unfolds, it’s pure Hooded Menace; ominous, dramatic, and soaked in horror imagery. Harri Kuokkanen’s vocals sound less like growls and more like a ghoul sermon, echoing through catacombs.

There’s a striking theatrical quality running through the whole album. “Portrait Without A Face” and “Daughters Of Lingering Pain” move with a dreadful beauty, the riffs shifting like shadows against a dying candle. The presence of cello and subtle keys deepens the atmosphere without stealing the heaviness. The production by Heikki Marttila gives space to every layer, and the mastering by Jaime Gomez Arellano adds depth to the cryptic gloom.

By the time “Lugubrious Dance” and “Into Haunted Oblivion” close the ritual, the band sounds like they’re resurrecting the ghosts of Cathedral and Candlemass through their own plague-ridden lens. There’s a thick, old-school metal pulse buried inside these songs that keeps the album from sinking into pure despair. The unexpected cover of Duran Duran’s “Save A Prayer” is exactly the kind of unholy trick Hooded Menace pull off with style, turning a pop classic into a hymn for the dead.

This is death/doom made with vision and soul. Hooded Menace doesn’t need to chase trends; they summon them to the grave instead. “Lachrymose Monuments Of Obscuration” is heavy in every sense, musically, atmospherically, spiritually. That’s is death/doom where riffs claw at your spine and the rhythm section moves like a slow-motion guillotine. Hooded Menace once again prove that horror and heaviness belong together when crafted with such force. The tomb remains open, and its echo is glorious.

Score: 8.5

Bandcamp: https://hoodedmenace.bandcamp.com/music

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hoodedmenaceofficial/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoodedmenaceofficial/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/10mjw8SFRZjS0d8tecdEW8

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/hooded-menace/364200709

Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/3748981

Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/4754969

Disarray | The Darkening | Jawbreaker Records

Release Date: 24.10.2025

Format: CD/Digital

Genre: Thrash Metal

Country: Sweden

Disarray has been making noise in the Swedish thrash scene since their 2022 debut “Evil Is Reborn”. What started as a group of young musicians with old-school roots has now grown into one of the most vicious new thrash forces around. Their previous full-length, “Religious Disease”, was met with praise for its chaotic precision and furious energy. With “The Darkening”, the band strikes again, proving that their momentum is far from fading.

Recorded at Devo Andersson’s Endarker Studio, the new EP captures Disarray at full throttle. captures a band that sounds like it’s rehearsing in a burning bunker. The sound is sharp and raw, but not chaotic. Every riff cuts like rusted wire, every drum hit lands with precision and venom. This is the thrash we’d like to hear. Violent with guts.

Across its six tracks, “The Darkening” balances technical intensity with unfiltered aggression. The new songs, “Poltergeist”, “Lord Of Lies”, and “Mass Abuse Of Power”, strike fast and leave scars. They’re tight, furious, and with no remorse old-school without sounding stuck in the past. The re-recorded version of “Evil Is Reborn” hits harder than before, proving how much the band has grown since their early days. The two live cuts, “Deafening Sound” and “Forbidden Of Speech”, are pure chaos, the kind that smells of sweat, beer, and broken necks.

Disarray clearly understands what makes thrash metal so addictive. Riffs that bite, drums that punish, and vocals like a war cry. Their chemistry is certain, and their precision doesn’t soften the impact. This isn’t just another nostalgic tribute to the 80s. It’s a reminder that thrash, when played with raw passion and rage, still burns hotter than ever. “The Darkening” confirms Disarray as one of the most exciting young thrash bands out there. They’ve sharpened their attack and delivered an EP that hits hard from start to finish. No filler, no gimmicks, just violent metal made by people who mean every note.

Score: 8.0

https://www.jawbreaker.se

https://jawbreakerrecords.bandcamp.com

https://www.facebook.com/JawbreakerRecords

https://www.instagram.com/jawbreaker.se

https://www.instagram.com/disarraybandofficial

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566552307142

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

Malota | Scapegoat | Go Down Records

 

Release Date: October 10^th, 2025

Format: Digital/CD/Vinyl

Genre: Sludge/Post-Metal

Country: Italy

Malota formed in Italy during the 2010s, blending heavy riffs with politically charged lyrics and raw emotional intensity. Their sound began with clear rock roots, but over time, the group evolved toward darker, more oppressive territories. “Scapegoat,” their second full-length release through Go Down Records, arrives four years after their last EP and presents a band fully immersed in despair and confrontation.

The album is built on slow, crushing rhythms and a heavy, metallic tone that dominates from start to finish. The guitars rumble with a thick, suffocating presence, while the vocals sound almost torn from the throat, packed with anguish and anger. “Scapegoat” abandons any trace of their earlier rock energy for something far more unforgiving, this is music that grinds and drags like a march through emotional wreckage.

Lyrically, Malota does not hide behind metaphor. Their words strike directly at political decay, human cruelty, and historical wounds. “Nermin,” for instance, recounts the horrors of Srebrenica in 1995, echoing one of Europe’s darkest postwar moments. The storytelling feels brutally honest, refusing to comfort or soften the truth. The band’s view of humanity is bleak but painfully grounded in reality, a reflection of a world that keeps repeating its mistakes.

Across “Scapegoat,” the tone remains oppressive but purposeful. The songs unfold with a steady sense of weight and atmosphere, occasionally lifting through sections of restrained melody that only deepen the surrounding heaviness. “...But Deliver Us From Pain” and “Until The Next Nuclear Holocaust” embody the album’s emotional and sonic extremes, combining fury, sorrow, and hopelessness in a seamless, punishing tide.

Malota’s shifts toward a darker metallic approach gives “Scapegoat” a sense of honesty and urgency. The production is raw and natural, leaving the rough edges intact. This is not music meant for comfort or escape, it’s confrontation through sound. “Scapegoat” stands as a heavy and thought-provoking release, drenched in human suffering and political awareness. It may not offer light or redemption but its sincerity and emotional gravity make it a worthy listen for those drawn to the darker side of metal’s emotional spectrum.

Score: 7.0

https://malota.bandcamp.com/

https://www.instagram.com/malotarocksplendido/

https://www.facebook.com/malotastoned

Refiner | Refiner | Rottweiler Records

 

Format: Digital/CD

Genre: Metalcore

Country: USA

Release Date: September 26th, 2025

Christopher Adam, the driving force behind Refiner, joined Rottweiler Records in early 2025 and quickly made his presence known. A multi-instrumentalist with a sharp instinct for blending aggression and melody, he introduced Refiner as a project meant to explore the more emotional side of metalcore, with layers of electronics and atmosphere. After two EPs, “Return To Dust” and “Mistake”, this self-titled album arrives to pull all his creations together into one unified release, enriched with a few new ideas.

The album opens with “All Aboard”, an introduction that builds a sense of excitement before “Not The End” lands with massive guitars and strong, determined energy. The song has an uplifting tone that matches its lyrical push toward resilience. “Upside Uʍop” brings in a darker groove, where electronic elements move against the heavy riffs in an interesting way. “Return To Dust” sounds the most anthemic, with melodies that stick easily and choruses that hit an emotional nerve without becoming melodramatic.

One of the main surprises here is “Selfish Days”, which adds freshness to the collection. The contrast between harshness and reflective moments works well, giving the album a personal depth. The final vocal track, “Mistake”, brings everything together with its mix of aggression and introspection, giving a sense of closure.

The physical release adds instrumental versions of each track, which underline the structure of the songs and how well the electronic and metalcore elements blend together. The remix “God Doesn’t Make Mistakes” closes the album on a slightly different tone, more experimental and layered, while the radio edit of “Return To Dust” serves as a condensed reminder of the album’s main focus.

Overall, Refiner is a cohesive and thoughtful project. The sound is tight and consistent, the production has punch, and Christopher Adam’s songwriting shows sincerity. It doesn’t aim to overwhelm with technicality or overproduction, it’s straightforward, emotional, and designed to leave an impression through energy and honesty. For fans of Neck Of The Woods, Bleeding Through, and My Place Was Taken, this album will offer a familiar yet engaging experience, one that blends heaviness with reflection. It might not shake the foundations of metalcore but it has a clear sense of purpose and identity.

Score: 6.5

https://www.facebook.com/refinermetal

https://www.rottweilerrecords.com/

Slander | Take It To The Grave | Stormspell Records

 

Release Date: September 23rd, 2025

Format: CD (Limited to 300 copies)

Genre: Traditional Heavy Metal

Country: United Kingdom

Slander, the traditional heavy metal force from Lancashire, has a story that reads like a proper British metal saga. Born in 1990 out of a spontaneous gig arrangement and fueled by pure enthusiasm, they quickly went from local heroes to underground legends. Their debut “Careless Talk Costs Lives” became a collector’s gem, their second album “Resolution Defiance” revived the fire sixteen years later, and now, with “Take It To The Grave,” they return once again, uniting their original twin-guitar attack after more than three decades.

This third album doesn’t sound like a band looking back, it’s a band standing proud in its own identity. The riffs are lively, the vocals punch with authority, and the rhythm section drives the songs with the kind of energy you’d expect from a band half their age. “Terrified” opens with the familiar spirit of British steel, carrying that early 80s influence where galloping riffs and twin harmonies ruled the scene. The guitar work of Andy Saxon-Lamb and Andy Gregson is a key part of this energy, weaving melodies that recall the glory of early Iron Maiden and Tygers Of Pan Tang, while keeping things firmly rooted in Slander’s own sound.

The title track “Take It To The Grave” is built for headbangers. The hooks are immediate, and the choruses are built to be shouted live, fists high. Songs like “Rust In My Bones” and “Soul Reaper” hit with a no-nonsense attitude, straightforward, catchy, and proudly traditional. The band’s chemistry, sharpened by years of playing and reforming, shines in how naturally the songs unfold.

Vocally, there’s a raw power that fits perfectly with the sharp edges of the music. The production has that warm, organic tone that gives each instrument space to strike hard, keeping the album sounding alive. The result is a collection of songs that sound made for the stage, beer-soaked venues, and genuine metal fans. After years of silence, “Take It To The Grave” proves that Slander’s fire never faded. It’s honest, energetic, and clearly rooted in the spirit that defined British heavy metal from the start.

Score: 7.8

https://www.facebook.com/slanderuk/

https://www.instagram.com/slander_uk_band/

https://slanderuk.bandcamp.com/music

https://slanderuk.co.uk/

Tabernacle | The Iron Tabernacle | Stormspell Records

 

Release Date: September 23, 2025

Format: CD (limited to 300 copies)

Genre: Epic/Heavy Metal

Country: UAE

Tabernacle was formed in 2019 by Rayner (guitars, vocals), Jasper (bass), and Shawn (drums). The trio began with a classic heavy metal sound in the style of Judas Priest and Accept, but soon turned their eyes toward darker horizons. Their evolution came to life in the 2021 demo “Terror In Thrace”, which introduced a more dramatic and historical approach. Drawing inspiration from the epic storytelling of Manilla Road and the atmospheric grandeur of Bathory’s Viking era, Tabernacle took their first true step into the realm of myth and memory with “The Iron Tabernacle.”

The album moves through ancient wars and doomed empires with a storyteller’s tone. “Hannibal’s Crossing” opens the battlefield with rhythm shifts and galloping riffs that echo the sound of marching legions. The production is organic, with a warmth that gives space to the instruments, while Rayner’s voice has a raw, almost bard-like presence. The guitars ring with melodic intent, often bending toward the mystic progressiveness of Fates Warning’s early era.

“On The Bloodies Fields Of Westphalia” and “The Curse Of Akkad” deepen the journey into lost history, each composition unfolding with patience and dramatic weight. The riffs alternate between stoic heavy metal tradition and doom-laden grandeur, while the drums give the songs their steady, ceremonial pace. “The Legacy Of Malik Ambar” expands the narrative into its most ambitious form, an eight-minute tale full of shifting sections and distant melodies that sound like echoes from forgotten lands. The closing “These Crying Seas” has a tone of reflection, as if the wars are over and the ghosts of the fallen are whispering through the tide.

“The Iron Tabernacle” is an album that breathes history and mysticism through the language of epic metal. It sounds like it was forged in a time when stories mattered as much as sound. The influences are clear, but the delivery is personal, sincere, and grand in scope. It stands as a strong debut, not only for what it presents, but for the promise of where Tabernacle might go next.

Score: 7.0

https://www.facebook.com/tabernacle.metal/

https://tabernacle-hm.bandcamp.com/album/the-iron-tabernacle

https://www.instagram.com/tabernaclemetal/

Withering Soul | Passage Of The Arcane | Liminal Dread Productions

 

Release Date: November 14, 2025

Format: Digital / CD

Genre: Blackened Melodic Death Metal

Country: United States

From the dark corridors of Chicago’s extreme metal scene, Withering Soul returns with their fifth full-length, “Passage Of The Arcane,” a release that continues their long journey through the intersection of melody and shadow. Formed in 2004 by Christopher and Mykil, the band has evolved into a disciplined quartet of experienced musicians who have built their name through consistency and atmosphere. Over the years, they’ve performed across North America and sharpened their sound into something distinctly their own, a blend of Scandinavian-inspired aggression and American precision, cloaked in mysticism.

“Passage Of The Arcane” unfolds as a cohesive journey into occult storytelling and melodic darkness. The production, handled by Dennis Israel, captures the band’s mix of chilling guitar harmonies and rhythmic precision with a clarity that keeps the aggression sharp. The guitars weave between piercing tremolo passages and melodic twin leads, while the drumming pushes forward with measured fury rather than chaos. Christopher’s vocals have a hoarse venom that complements the lyrical concept, tales of human downfall and spectral transformation.

The album thrives on variety. Songs like “Attrition Horizon” and “Grievance Eludes The Light” charge ahead with melodic fury reminiscent of Dissection and Dark Fortress, while “Gallery Of The End” and “Burden Of The Valiant” stretch into longer forms, combining hypnotic riffs and mournful harmonies. “Trajectory,” featuring a guest solo from Nick “Exhul” Morgan, adds a soaring touch to the midsection, where melody and aggression fuse into a cold, cinematic vision.

There’s a balance across the album, the guitars maintain their dominance without drowning the rhythm section, and the drumming gives structure and propulsion to the melodic phrasing. The bass adds depth, anchoring the songs while enhancing the darker edges of the mix. Lyrically, the album explores mythic and supernatural themes, told through verses that mirror the atmosphere of cursed stories and doomed souls.

The compositions are elaborate without excess, melodic without softening the aggression, and atmospheric without losing focus. Withering Soul shows once again that blackened melodic death metal can retain its emotional pull without sacrificing technical strength. It’s a mature, solid release from a band that has refined its craft through years of persistence and vision, a reminder that darkness can be beautiful when shaped with care. A strong addition to the band’s discography and a rewarding listen for those who appreciate the melodic tension between sorrow and ferocity.

Score: 7.5

https://www.facebook.com/witheringsoulband

https://witheringsoul.bandcamp.com/album/passage-of-the-arcane

https://www.youtube.com/user/WITHERINGSOUL

Godark | Omniscience | Self-Release

 

Release Date: 5 November 2025
Format: Digital, CD, LP
Genre: Melodic Death Metal
Country: Portugal

Emerging from Portugal’s thriving underground, Godark has steadily carved their name into the melodic death metal landscape. Formed in the mid-2010s, the band first made their presence felt with the EP “Reborn From Chaos” in 2015, then sharpened their identity with the full-length “Forward We March” five years later. Their blend of aggression and atmosphere soon pushed them onto festival stages at home and abroad, earning a loyal following that awaited their next move. Now, “Omniscience” a conceptually charged and emotionally layered album that reaches deep into the nature of human awareness and the limits of perception.

Across its nine songs, “Omniscience” unfolds as a journey through introspection and turmoil. The guitars intertwine in tight melodic structures, alternating between sharp, cutting riffs and more reflective passages that feel like pauses in a storm. The vocals, led by Vitor Costa, have a primal and expressive tone, sometimes roaring from a place of rage, other times channeling something closer to despair or contemplation. The rhythm section locks everything in place, giving each song a distinct momentum that guides the listener through the album’s shifting emotional landscape.

Production-wise, the album has a modern, clean sound without losing its grit. The mix allows each instrument to breathe, giving clarity to both the melodic guitar lines and the punch of the drums. The balance between melody and aggression is deliberate and carefully constructed, showing a band in full control of their artistic direction. There’s a cinematic quality in the arrangements too, suggesting that Godark has not only refined their sound but also deepened their ability to weave emotion and meaning into each composition.

What makes “Omniscience” stand out is how it manages to sound personal and vast. It deals with the tension between knowledge and faith, chaos and clarity, life and meaning, concepts that fit perfectly within the emotional gravity of melodic death metal. Rather than chasing trends, Godark seems more focused on expressing a state of mind, translating introspection into sound without softening its edges. With “Omniscience”, Godark takes a confident step forward. It’s an album that should resonate with fans of Dark Tranquillity, Insomnium, and Amorphis, while still maintaining its own identity. It proves that melodic death metal, when it’s done with sincerity and focus, still has plenty of room to move hearts and shake heads.

Score: 7.0

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/godarkband

https://www.instagram.com/godarkband

https://godarkband.bandcamp.com/

Sinister Days | Disconnect Society | Self-release

 

Release Date: 20 October 2025

Format: CD

Genre: Hardcore Metal

Country: France

Formed in Nantes in 2013, Sinister Days has spent the last decade fusing the raw aggression of hardcore with the bleak atmosphere of black metal. Their new EP “Disconnect Society” takes this hybrid sound into sharper territory, fueled by frustration with modern decay and disillusionment. The band, consisting of Guillaume Gandon on vocals, Vincent “Vince” Rob on guitar, Jered Teague on bass, and Josselin “Joss” Viot on drums, delivers six tracks that capture the sound of a world spinning further out of control.

Lyrically, the EP is an open confrontation with the contemporary world. “Clouds” and “No Care For Us” strike directly at economic exploitation and class inequality, their anger filtered through short, heavy bursts of rhythm and shouted defiance. “Shot” takes on male suicide and the poisonous expectations surrounding masculinity, while “Disconnect Society” dives into digital isolation and the loss of privacy under constant surveillance. The band uses repetition and simple lines to drive their point home, turning into communal chants.

The sound is rough and unrefined in a way that serves the message. The guitars grind forward with industrial precision, while the drums maintain a steady assault that keeps everything grounded. There’s no aim for beauty here, only confrontation. “Seeds Of Despair” and “The Darkest Order” add a darker, ritualistic dimension, mixing occult imagery with political decay. The “Tree of Hate” functions as a unifying symbol across the EP, humanity consuming itself in a loop of self-destruction and apathy.

What “Disconnect Society” achieves best is consistency in purpose. Its energy doesn’t fluctuate, its anger doesn’t waver. The band has a clear sense of what they want to express. Disgust at modern systems, solidarity with the oppressed, and a call to resist. The sound draws from bands like Power Trip, Knocked Loose, and Full Of Hell, but the French context gives it a specific edge, a voice rising from economic precarity and urban tension. “Disconnect Society” is raw, direct and grounded in everyday struggle. It might not reach for grandeur but it’s a short, furious statement from a band that understands its surroundings and channels them into something harsh, political, and alive.

Score: 6.0

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/SinisterDaysHxC

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

Lothlöryen | …Of Bards And Madmen | Self-Release (Reimagined)

 

Release Date: September 12, 2025

Format: Digital, CD, LP

Genre: Power Metal, Folk Metal

Country: Brazil

Formed in 2002, Lothlöryen has long stood as one of Brazil’s most respected names in the power and folk metal circles. Known for blending high fantasy storytelling with melodic precision and theatrical spirit, the band carved its identity through albums such as “Raving Souls Society” and “Principles Of A Past Tomorrow.” Their early works quickly earned cult recognition across South America and Europe, praised for their adventurous fusion of traditional heavy metal and folk elements. After several years of silence, Lothlöryen returns to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut with “...Of Bards And Madmen (Reimagined),” a revisiting of their 2005 release that marked their first breakthrough into the wider metal scene.

This new version is not a nostalgic replay but a full reworking of the material, updated with the band’s experience gathered through decades on the road and in the studio. The production is crisp and vivid, giving the songs the sound they always seemed to deserve back in 2005. There’s a sense of grandeur and balance between the electric and the orchestral, with the guitars and orchestrations moving together in a colorful harmony. Daniel Felipe’s vocals lead with storytelling strength, switching between melodic phrasing and a theatrical tone that fits perfectly with the band’s folk-inspired narrative.

The presence of orchestrations by Lucas Bello and the precise rhythm section of Leo Ghigiarelli add weight and texture to the songs. The band still delivers that typical Lothlöryen energy, part tavern chant, part epic metal charge. Songs like “Moriality” and “There And Back Again” sound both heroic and playful, combining galloping riffs, symphonic layers, and a sense of journey that recalls early Blind Guardian and Elvenking without imitation.

The production by Leko Soares and Ghigiarelli gives every instrument a fair place, capturing the band’s essence in a clear and organic way. The orchestrations are warm, the guitars are powerful, and the overall sound connects the fantasy spirit of power metal with the earthy liveliness of folk. The reimagined version of “Namärie” closes things with elegance, summarizing what Lothlöryen have always done best, turn fantasy tales into passionate heavy metal songs.

After ten years without a new album, this release is a reminder of how Lothlöryen helped define a uniquely Brazilian version of power and folk metal. Their return is not just a tribute to their own past but a statement that the band’s creative spark remains alive, shaped by time and maturity. “...Of Bards And Madmen (Reimagined)” reaffirms Lothlöryen’s place as one of the country’s most imaginative and enduring acts.

Score: 7.5

Links:

https://www.lothloryen.com/english

https://www.instagram.com/lothloryenofficial

https://www.youtube.com/lothloryen

https://www.lothloryen.com

https://www.facebook.com/lothloryen

https://lothloryen.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/intl-pt/artist/64vtblDCBdSNgr9oioOA5T?si=8eh_cOBITAmD64OxZDfysg