Sad--Fullmoon's Bestial Awakening cd&lp{Purity Through Fire}

 

Sad is a duo that comes out of Greece's black metal scene and this is a review of the latest full length.Fullmoon's Bestial Awakening is a very well written and performed release.The music is composed and performed by Ungod  that does a great job of performing 90's style black metal that is both melodic and also has some faster passages that are used in throughout the songs.The guitars are a mix of mid paced guitar parts that are played with skillful writing.Their are also some well executed and performed guitar passages and solo's.The drums are done in the same vein with mid paced drums used throughout most of the songs.Their are some faster drum patterns also used throughout a few of the songs.Nadir  handles the vocals and are grim,raw black metal screams and screeches.Both the music and vocals are done extremely well on this release so if you are a fan of Sad or just well performed black metal then do not miss out on Fullmoon's Bestial Awakening.

Purity Through Fire 

purity-through-fire.com

https://www.facebook.com/people/Purity-Through-Fire/100063648343729/

https://www.instagram.com/puritythroughfire/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpgOcrw4vv9P0_3kDZ4hRA

Orbstruct--Ostracism cd&LP{Paragon Rec.}

 

Orbstruct  return with their third full length featuring nine tracks of brutal death metal with some black metal elements added into a few of the songs.Musically the band blends some newer death metal elements with some old school influences for a really good release.The Guitars are a mix of heavy,crunchy mid paced passages.The guitars do  speed to a faster pace with some really well performed guitar solo's and patterns entertwined into the music.The drumming is well done with some very well written and delievered mid paced drum passages.Both the drummer and guitarists write some memorable musicial passages that compliment the music.The vocals are low,guttural death metal growls that are done with powerful growls.The singer also uses some raspy screams in a few of the songs to give each track a nice variety.Ostracism is a very well written and executed release if you are a fan of well thought out musicial songs that add some variety to the death metal scene then do yourself a favor and pick up a copy when it is released.

Orbstruct 

https://orbstructofficial.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/orbstructofficial/

https://www.instagram.com/orbstruct_official/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAHnrifiT9DxRfiKVkB0ldQ

Paragon Rec.

https://www.paragonrecords.org/

https://www.facebook.com/paragonrecordsli/

instagram.com/paragon_records_official/#

Dying Remains--Merciless Remains cd(Maggot Stomp.}

 

Dying Remains is a band coming out of Canad's death metal scene.Merciless Remains is the debut full length with ten tracks of catchy old school brutal death metal.The guitars are done with some extremely well played guitar passages.The guitarist does write some memorable passages and performs some really well played solo's.The drums are well delievered with a mix of fast paced drums and some heavier mid paced drums.The vocals are old school death metal growls that are powerful in their delievery.Merciless Remains  is a really good  release of catchy old school death metal that everyone needs to check out.                                                                                                                                      Dying Remains                                                                                                                                               https://www.facebook.com/people/Dying-Remains/100091308382555/                                                     https://www.instagram.com/dying.remains/                                                                                                Maggot Stomp                                                                                                                                            https://maggotstomp.bigcartel.com/                                                                                                              https://dyingremains-maggotstomp.bandcamp.com/album/merciless-suffering                                        https://www.facebook.com/MaggotStomp/                                                                                              https://www.instagram.com/maggotstomp/?hl=en                                                                                         https://www.youtube.com/@maggotstomp                                                                                                   

Interview with Malakhim

 

1.Hails  please introduce yourselves to the readers? 

Greettings. I am EB, responding for Malakhim.

2.When did you first discover Black Metal and what is it about this genre of music that drew you in? 

Perhaps around 1997/1998 or so? The darkness called and something stirred within. 

3.Who were the first bands that you discovered? Who are some of the current bands that you have been listening to?

A number of bands at the same time – Mayhem, Darkthrone, kind of the essential classics? Some classic Swedish 90ies death metal bands like Dissection, Unanimated etc as well. 

4.When did you and the other  members first get the idea to start Malakhim?Does the band name have  a special meaning?

We first discussed this in 2015. My other band at the time had gone dormant. The name is Hebrew and refers to Angels/Messengers. 

5.Who would you  say are the bands biggest influences?For the readers who have never heard the band how would you best describe the bands sound?

Death, darkness, the Devil. Musically we draw from many sources, both old and new. We play black metal.

6.And In Our Hearts The Devil  Sings  is the bands second full length how long did it take the band to write the music for this release?Does the whole band take part in the writing process or does one member usually write everything?

Composition for the new album began after the release of Theion. Usually each member brings their ideas to the rest once they’re ready, primarily songwriting is handled by our guitarists.

7.Where does the band draw inspiration for the lyrics and what are some subjects written about on the new release?Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?

Lyrically themes touch upon the presence of the Devil, the numinous darkness within and without and the cosmic horror that lurks between the light of the stars. Lyrics are written whenever inspiration strikes and then adapted to the songs that match the feelings conveyed. 

8.Besides the upcoming And In Our Hearts The Devil  Sings release are the bands previous releases still availible to purchase?Besides physical releases does the band have any other merchandise currently availible for the readers to to purchase if yes where can the readers find it?

Yes. There’s a bigcartel for that, or find it via Iron Bonehead.

9.Does Malakhim ever  play  live or do you prefer to work in the studio? What have been some of the bands most memorable shows over the years?

We’ve played live several times. Hole in the Svn 2023 and Never Surrender the same year were great festivals. 

10.Are their any shows or tours planned in support of  And In Our Hearts The Devil  Sings?If yes where will the band be performing?

Yes, we will tour with Whoredom Rife and Halphas at the end of this year. Tour dates:

28/11 – Oberhausen DE, Unholy Rite Awaits II
29/11 – Oudenarde BE, Celebrare Noctem
30/11 – Arnhem NL
01/12 – Colmar FR
02/12 – Aarburg CH
03/12 – Barberaz FR
04/12 – Milan IT
05/12 – Wels AT, Celebrare Noctem
06/12 – Erfurt DE
07/12 – Kiel DE

11.What  does Black Metal  mean to you?

Black Metal is a sonic expression of the antinomian currents that are best represented in the west through Satan. This is key to what Black Metal is, without the presence of Satanic elements in aesthetics, lyrical matter and other things, there is no black metal.  

12.Besides working in  Malakhim do any of the members currently work with other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?

There’s no point in bringing up other projects here. For the curious I’m certain there’s information out there on various websites cataloguing bands. 

13.Malakhim comes out of the legendary  Swedish Black Metal scene what is your opinion on  the scene in Sweden over the years?

We certainly had some good bands, yes. 

14.Who are your all-time favorite Swedish Black Metal bands? Are their any new  bands you feel the readers should check out soon?

Svartsyn, Funeral Mist, Malign, Watain, Arckanum, Ofermod, Ondskapt. New is such a relative term, but Mortuus and Encryptment should be checked out.

15.Thank you  for  taking the time to fill this  interview out do you have any final words for the readers?

No.

Malakhim

https://malakhim.bigcartel.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Malakhimofficial

https://www.instagram.com/firesofmalakhim/#

Iron Bonehead Prod.

https://ironbonehead.de/

https://ironboneheadproductions.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions

https://www.instagram.com/ironboneheadproductions/?hl=en

SYN--Wilk cd{Regimental Rec.}

 

SYN is a four man band that comes out of New Jersey's  black metal scene and this is a review of the bands 2023 debut that was released through Regimental Rec.Wilk is seven tracks of fast and traditional black metal.The guitars are a mix of fast paced guitar patterns that are played with skill and intensity.The guitarist does slow to a more calm mid paced range and adds some memorable passages that are well executed guitar passages.The drumming is done with a mix of crazed fast drum passages and some slower more calm drum passages that are equally as well delievered as the faster drum parts.The vocals are a mix of raw black metal screams and some clean vocal screams and hollering.The vocalist even uses some deeper death metal growls in a few of the songs each vocal style is well done and is delievered with power.Wilk  is a really good release if you are a fan of raw,traditional black metal then be sure to  pick up a copy today.                                                                                                            SYN                                                                                                                                                            https://synusbm.bandcamp.com/album/wilk                                                                                            https://www.facebook.com/SYNusbm#                                                                                                         https://www.instagram.com/syn_usbm/                                                                                                        Regimental Records                                                                                                                                       https://regimentalrecords.bigcartel.com/                                                                                                       https://www.facebook.com/RegimentalRecords                                                                                           https://www.instagram.com/regimental_records/#                                                                                       

Ritual Hammer--Grand Pestilential Flame cd&LP{Werewolf}

 

Ritual Hammer  is a new band that comes out of Finland's violent and extreme death metal scene and this is a review of their debut full length.Grand Pestilential Flame is nine songs of savage and brutal musical tracks.The guitars are played at whirlwind fast speeds that are done with some extremly well delievered patterns.The guitars do slow to a more mid pace in a few of the songs and even add some well played solo's into the music.The drums are played with relentless  blast beats that are powerful in their delievery.The vocals are powerful death metal growls  and some gruff growls and raw screams are also used throughout the songs,Ritual Hammer delievers a great release of barbaric and uncomprimising death metal.                                                                                                                                           Ritual Hammer                                                                                                                                              https://www.facebook.com/ritualhammerband                                                                                              https://www.youtube.com/@ritualhammerband                                                                                            Werewolf                                                                                                                                                        https://www.werewolf.fi/                                                                                                                                https://www.facebook.com/werewolf.rex                                                                                                      https://www.instagram.com/werewolfrecords/                                                                                               https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC880tk5yEaU7N7SOc5wtmIQ                                                                                                                                                                    

1917--Factor Bestial cd&digital{Self-Released}

 

Argenttina's  1917  return with a new release that is extremely well played and written death metal.Factor Bestial is the newest full length with a intro and eight well composed songs of no frills death metal that is classic.Alejandro S. once again handles writing and composing the music.Combinging both old school death metal with some heavier and fast passages to create a unique release.The guitars are played with a mix of whirlwind fast paced guitars and some well played solo's.Alejandro also  handles the vocals that are death metal growls and some raw,gruff growls to give each song it's own identy.Mario M. handles the bass duties and does a great job with it.Both musicians seem to work well together and create some memorable and well delievered death metal.                          1917                                                                                                                                                                https://1917official.bandcamp.com/album/factor-bestial-full-length-2025                                                 https://www.facebook.com/1917metal                                                                                                          

Malakhim--And In Our Hearts The Devil Sings LP&cd{Iron Bonehead Prod.}

 

Sweden's black metal band Malakhim is back with their second full length release.And In Our Hearts The Devil Sings is seven tracks of  satanic black metal that is a mix of fast and furious passages but also has some really well played mid paced passages.The guitars are done with razorsharp  fast guitar passages that are extreme and aggressive.The guitarist knnows how to create and perform some well played patterns.The drums are blast beats that are done with powerful drum passages.Like the guitars the drums do slow to a more mid paced range in a few of the tracks to give the release a nice mix of speeds.The vocals are grim black metal screams but some gruff death metal growls are also used throughout a few of the songs.And In Our Hearts The Devil Sings is a really good release for those who are fans  of black metal with excellent musicians defintly check this release out.                                      Malakhim 

https://malakhim.bigcartel.com/                                                                                                                     https://www.facebook.com/Malakhimofficial                                                                                               https://www.instagram.com/firesofmalakhim/#                                                                                            Iron Bonehead Prod.                                                                                                                                       https://ironbonehead.de/                                                                                                                              https://ironboneheadproductions.bandcamp.com/                                                                                    https://www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions                                                                              https://www.instagram.com/ironboneheadproductions/?hl=en

Angrrsth--ZLUDNIA cd&Lp,cassette {Godz Ov War Prod.}

 

Angrrsth is a four man band that plays a good style of Black Metal that is raw and fast paced music.ZLUDNIA is the second full length featuring seven tracks of well executed and performed black metal.The guitars are played with a range of fast and mid paced passages.The guitarist performs some excellent guitar parts that are well delievered and executed.The drumming is fast with some blast beats but also uses some slower,mid paced drum passages to give each song a nice variety.The vocals are grim and raw black metal screams and some deeper growls.ZLUDNIA is a really good  release if you are a fan of traditional,cold black metal then defintly give this band a chance.                                          Angrrsth                                                                                                                                                      https://www.facebook.com/Angrrsth/                                                                                                        https://www.instagram.com/angrrsth/?igshid=keozqgg2quja                                                                        Godz Ov War Prod.                                                                                                                                        https://godzovwar.com/                                                                                                                                  https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/z-udnia                                                                       https://www.facebook.com/godzovwarproductions                                                                                      https://www.instagram.com/godz_ov_war_productions/                                                                              https://www.youtube.com/rosenstahl3x6                                                                                                                                        

Pandemic Outbreak--Torment Beyond Comprehension cd&LP{Godz Ov War Prod.}

 

Pandemic Outbreak  is a band that comes out of the Polish death/thrash metal scene.Torment Beyond Comprehension  is the second full length nine tracks of aggressive and extremly fast thrashing anthems.Both the drumming and guitars are played at whirlwinnd fast paced passages.The musicians know to how to play and write some memorable songs.The vocals are death metal growls and some screams are used in a few of the tracks.Torment Beyond Comprehension is a very well written release that combines the best of thrash and death metal to create a memorable release.                                         Pandemic Outbreak                                                                                                                                        https://www.facebook.com/pxoxdeathrash                                                                                                  https://www.instagram.com/pxox_deathrash/                                                                                              Godz Ov War Prod.                                                                                                                                         https://godzovwar.com/                                                                                                                                 https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/album/torment-beyond-comprehension                              https://www.facebook.com/godzovwarproductions                                                                                     https://www.instagram.com/godz_ov_war_productions/                                                                               

Korp--And Darker It Shall Become CD {Grind to Death Records} done on 9-12-25

This is the fourth full length from this Swedish horde. Their history stretches all the way back to the mid-1990s, and I'm sad to have missed their other albums since this one is so good. Their style is vicious thrashing black metal, heavy on the black metal, with a cold sense of melody and aggressive musical arrangements. The black metal riffs are epic, reminding me of the best of the '90s Scandinavian bands, and they stick in your head like a bad memory. The double bass rarely stops, creating a distinct feeling of urgency and momentum as the album progresses. This is truly inspired material made by talented musicians. Thrash riffs are used for emphasis and power rather than as a basis for the songs - the black metal side of them does that part. This is easily one of the best black metal records I've heard this year, so far. It's not bullshit forest-worshipping, no-riff-having garbage black metal - this is real metal for real metalists.

grindtodeathrecords.bigcartel.com

Perishing--Malicious Acropolis Unveiled cd&LP{Transcending Obscurity Rec.} done on 9-7-25

 

Perishing is a four man band that comes  out of Costa Rica and plays a bleak death,doom style.Malicious Acropolis Unveiled is the debut featuring six songs of heavy.crushing and devestating death,doom.The guitars are played with slow,heavy guitar patterns.The guitarist does speed to a more mid paced range throughout a few of the tracks to give the songs a little variety.The drums will devestate you with their power.The vocals are low death metal growls that are done with powerful vocal passages. Fans of bands like Winter,Disembowelment or just plain heavy,bleak death,doom should check this band out today.

Perishing

https://www.instagram.com/perishing_doom/#                                                                                          Transcending Obscurity Rec.

https://tometal.com/                                                                                                                                  https://transcendingobscurity.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/transcendingobscurityrecords                                                                            https://www.instagram.com/transcendingobscurity/                                                                                    https://bsky.app/profile/transcendingobs.bsky.social                                                                                   

Kaeck--Gruwelijk Onthaal cd&LP{Folter Rec.} done on 9-7-25

 

Kaeck is a black metal band that comes out of the Netherland's black metal scene.Gruwelijk Onthaal is the third full length featuring seven tracks of dark,cold traditional black metal at it's finest.The guitars range from icy cold mid paced guitar parts to a more fast and aggressive pace.Both the mid paced and faster patterns are played with equally great writing and skill.The drumming is done with extremely fast,chaotic passages that will shatter your speakers.The drummer does slow to a more mid paced drum pace with some well delievered mid paced passages.The band even uses some keyboards to add another layer of  darkness into the music.The vocals are a mix of gruff old school growls and raw screams and growls.Gruwelijk Onthaal is a great release of quality black metal that should please all fans of this genre.                                                                                                                                                              Kaeck                                                                                                                                                          https://www.facebook.com/Kaeckhorde/                                                                                                  https://www.instagram.com/__kaeck__/                                                                                                        Folter Rec.                                                                                                                                                      https://folter666.de/folter/                                                                                                                            https://folterrecords.bandcamp.com/album/gruwelijk-onthaal                                                                    https://www.facebook.com/FolterRecordsGermany                                                                                    https://www.instagram.com/folterrecords/#                                                                                                 https://www.youtube.com/@folterrecords                                                                                                    

Affliction Vector--Contra Hominem CD/LP {Iron Bonehead Records} done on 9-3-25

From Italy comes Affliction Vector with their first full length album - they had just one EP prior to this. It's definitely more to the black metal end of the black/death spectrum, with claustrophobic riffing and smothering textures. The vocals range from shout to snarl to scream in true black metal style. It's brutal, but with a definite sense of dark and cold melody at times. This has as much in common with Mayhem as it does with Conqueror or Revenge, a perfect middle ground with good riffs and decent composition. Weird intros and outros abound, adding to the horrific, choking atmosphere. Their songs do tend to blend a bit on the first listen through, but I imagine with multiple listens that subsides. There's just so much going on in these songs that you won't catch it all the first time through unless you have a truly trained ear. It's hard to absorb in one sitting. This is not a bad thing, as Emperor was like this for me at first as well. This is worth the time to check out if you want something a bit more visceral from your black metal.

ironbonehead.de

Flagg--Diabolical Bloodlust CD {Purity Through Fire} done on 9-2-25

Flagg from Finland gives us this, their third full length, and a might one it is. Breaking somewhat with what has become known as the Finnish sound, Flagg has crafted a record influenced mainly by the Norwegian gods, and it could stand alongside those records if it had been released in the 1990s. So, is it derivative? Yes. Is it good? Fuck yes. It's very good. Icy black melodies and cold-as-winter riffs abound. The vocals are strong, long and drawn out screams, but perfectly timed. Synths make extended appearances here, but much like Emperor, they add to the music instead of detract from it. They add an extra layer of melody to the tracks. The drums are masterful indeed, and the double bass is relentless, as is proper with this style of black metal. In fact, the bass and drums work together more than most acts that play in this style, playing off each other and avoiding the pitfall of just following the riffs. This is a perfect record for those of us who pine for the glory days of black metal, when the astounding releases just kept coming. Is this as memorable as those classic albums? No. But few things are. Flagg has done an outstanding job here, and credit where it's due. It's worth tracking down.

purity-through-fire.com

Urn--Demon Steel CD/LP/CS {Osmose Productions} done on 9-1-25

By now everyone ought to know about Urn from Finland, who ply us with their black/thrash for a sixth time on this new full length. It's black/thrash of the highest order, bringing to mind all the greats, but Urn has seemingly become one of these greats in their own right, bringing melody to bear on this album in a way that I do not recall that they did on the material that I previously heard. I'm not as familiar with their back catalog as I should be, checking out after their debut 666 Megatons, and I am glad I decided to review this to catch up with them. They came to prominence during the black/thrash boom of the early 2000s, and for some reason I just lost track of them. Even with the masterful melodies on display (and excellent solos), as well as more brutal thrash aspects, they maintain a primitive aspect to the music that belies their black metal roots, and this is a good thing. It's where they came from, and where they continue to tread. The lyrics and vocal patterns are a little simplistic but I think this has rather to do with English as a second language rather than any sort of songwriting defect. I think I'll be paying much closer attention to any future Urn albums, and checking out that back catalog. I did not expect this to be as good as it is, and it's truly one of the better records in this style I've heard in quite some time. 

osmoseproductions.com