Slaughter Messiah--Exorcised to None (CD) {2024 High Roller Records}

Slaughter Messiah has returned to give us a three song EP, but with an extra three live renditions of the studio tracks included. They plan an amalgam of styles here, a mixture of black, death, and thrash metal that truly satisfies the ear. I can hear Destruction and Bathory in their sound, but I also hear Dissection, Nifelheim, and Destroyer 666. Together it's more than the sum of its parts, with well-written and memorable songs. The drums are nicely recorded and have that slightly "wet" sound I like so much, and they sound quite natural, almost live. The vocalist reminds me of a mixture of early Destruction and Bathory, and his delivery is fantastic. A quick note on the live tracks: they're a bit of an afterthought. I would rather have heard different songs than the same three songs as the studio tracks. Perhaps we could get three songs from across their discography. It would make it more interesting, overall. But, that's nitpicky. This is a worthy release, and absolutely worth adding to your collection.'

hrrecords.de

Geheimnisvoll--Pale Triumph of the Hidden Flame (LP) {2026 Obscurant Visions}

Geheimnisvoll plays black metal in the ancient Norwegian and Finnish styles, with darkly melodic riffs over relentless drumming and bass work. Sargeist and Gorgoroth come to mind as comparable artists, but obviously this band has its own personality and isn't a clone of anything. There are just similarities. The production is just raw enough to give it some personality. Vocally, this is typical black metal fare, but cavernous-sounding, all full of echo and atmosphere. Tremolo-picked riffs are the primary form of guitar expression here, as suits the style. The song titles are evocative and descriptive, with my favorite being "Wraith's Ascent Through Ashen Skies." If the raw end of black metal is where your deviant loyalties lie, you could do worse than going and finding this record. 

www.obscurantvisions.com

Mist of Doom--Oldupai (Digital) {2026 Independent}

Spanish Mist of Doom play a black metal/crust crossover that's a compelling and refreshing take on two genres that can prove stagnant. The crust riffs energize the affair and create a sense of urgency while the cold black metal riffs preserve the anger and pure hate that black metal should have. It winds up acting a bit like black thrash in practice, and adherents of that style would do well to investigate this band. The production is crisp and hard-edged, and the guitar tones are bright and black at the same time. It's also very natural sounding, almost a live sound. The band's black metal side is a bit introspective and laid back - I'd prefer some blasting hell here, but what they're doing works well enough. Vocally, we get a black metal croak that also has the power of punk anger behind it, and they're very well-performed. This is definitely something to check out if you prefer black thrash or black punk, it will be well worth your while.

mistofdoom.bandcamp.com

Tenebroso--O Ceifador das Almas (CD) {2025 Mal Caminho Productions}

This is Brazilian black metal played in the ancient Norwegian style, but with plenty of cold melody in the largely tremolo-picked riffs. Often, there's a melody played overtop the main riffs, and there's almost a folk-like quality to some of it. This band has been remarkably prolific so far, already on its sixth release in its first year of existence, this being the second full length. This is ok stuff, not something that blew me away at all, but was fine for what it is. I just have a hard time getting into this sort of melodic, almost somber, black metal. I prefer brutality over melody. But if you are the opposite of me, try it out, for your mileage may vary.

tenebroso98.bandcamp.com

Kurse Relic--Ninth Rib (CS) {2025 Vermignosis Records}

Kurse Relic from Seattle plays very much American-sounding black metal with the low-end rumble of war metal, the repetition of an act like Von, but with much more variety in the riff department. This is their second full length since their debut effort in 2020. The riffs are indeed so repetitive that they achieve an almost trancelike effect at times. The band also has a proclivity for doomed-out sections as well, sometimes slowing to a crawl and using dissonant riffs in a repetitious way while doing so. The vocals are a throaty, powerful rasp that are performed with perfection - this is a talented vocalist that has some serious ability. Also of note are the toms, which thunder appropriately in the mix, reminding me a little of the old Mayhem drum sound. This isn't a bad record at all, and worth looking into if you like more offbeat styles of black metal, or black doom.

www.vermignosis.com

Arcane Frost--Night's Cavalry (CS/LP) {Bleeding Heart Nihilist Productions}

This is German black metal of a fairly aggressive nature, but with a lot of slower elements to it. Everything is very tight and well-performed, with excellently written songs. The guitar tone instantly reminded me of Hellhammer when they slowed down to a doomed-out pace, and it wouldn't surprise me if they're an influence here. In fact, this band seems to have a proclivity for doom, and their songs either start very slowly or come to a crawl halfway through. The slow parts are agonizing affairs with howled vocals and atmosphere created by instruments alone. The band is quite original, and I can think of no one else that sounds quite like this. They kept the best for last with the title track "Night's Cavalry," which is a great song and all the elements of their sound mesh perfectly here. While this isn't my favorite style of black metal, they have enough fast parts to keep me interested, and that's the challenge, isn't it? I was interested, and that's 90% of the battle. The cover art is also quite fantastic - I spent a while looking at it.

www.bleedingheartnihilist.de

Astral Ruins--Cursebound (Digital) {Independent}

Hailing from Austria, this is another band doing their level best to play in the ancient Norwegian style. The riffs are rather melodic and somber, but the emotion is there, cultivated by the screams of the singer and his powerful throat. They also have some atmospheric moments that let the rest of the music breathe, like the instrumental track "Keys to Astral Dimensions." Of special note is the rhythm section of the band, drums and bass working tightly together, especially as regards the double bass drumming. The bass tone is perfection, rumbling underneath the guitars and really anchoring the band's sound. The cover of the album is laid out like a cassette tape, so I hope there may be some physical format to come sometime soon. I'm a big believer that serious bands need physical products. Until then, we have digital.

astralruins.bandcamp.com

Vlad Spirit--Ashes of the Crimson Kingdom (LP) {Obscurant Visions}

This is the first full length and only release from this Grecian act. It is clearly their intention to create black metal that hearkens back to the early Norwegian scene and the sound emanating from it. Their riffs are ice cold yet somehow melancholic in a way, yet they have no shortage of blastbeats on the record. The riffs are also grandiose and epic, evoking sweeping vistas and frozen tundras. The singer croaks his vocals, almost, and sounds rather unique. This is remarkably melodic stuff, and dense. I would need the lyrics to truly dissect the arrangements. While it's not an instant classic that immediately blew me away, it is indeed good, and succeeds in its mission to evoke the feel of old black metal. The production is well-suited to this, with a rawness that helps give the album an ancient sound. It's definitely worth checking out, even if only digitally.

www.obscurantvisions.com

Atomic Front-Kaiser,Kaos,Kommando digital&cd{Southern Sound Clash Rec.}

 

Atomic Front from Germany returns with their debut EP. Kaiser,Kaos,Kommando which is getting a cd release through  Southern Sound Clash Rec.on the new release the band plays bestial and chaotic mix of black and death metal.The guitars are played with extremly fast guitar passages.The guitarist does add some mid paced patterns entertwined into the chaotic music.The drumming is played with hyperspeed blast beats that are done with powerful drum patterns.The vocals are grim raw black metal screams and screeches and some gruff growls are also used throughout the songs.Again this is primitive and raw black death so if you are a fan of this genre defintly give this a listend and buy a cd once they are out.     Atomic  Front 

https://southernsoundclashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/kaiser-kaos-kommando

https://www.instagram.com/atomic.front/

https://www.youtube.com/@atomicfront-w5w

Southern Sound Clash Rec.

https://southernsoundclashrecords.bandcamp.com/album/kaiser-kaos-kommando

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

https://www.facebook.com/southernsoundclash

Atomic Front-Self Titled demo cassette&digital{Rat Cave}

 

This is debut demo from Germany's raw black war metal band Atomic Front.The debut consists of five songs of  primitive and brutal metal that will only please the fans of true underground raw black war metal.The music is fast paced guitars and drums that are mainly played with fast paced patterns.The music does slow to a mid paced in a few of the tracks but not for very long.The vocals are raw black metal screams and some gruff  growls are also used in a few of the songs. As mentioned Atomic Front plays fast and furious black death metal that is extreme and raw so if you are fan of this style defintly give the band a listen.If you are more into the polished well produced black metal then you will probably hate this release.

Atomic Front

https://atomicfront.bandcamp.com/album/atomic-front

https://www.instagram.com/atomic.front/

https://www.youtube.com/@atomicfront-w5w

Rat Cave 

https://ratcovenant.bandcamp.com/album/dis-063-atomic-front-atomic-front

https://www.instagram.com/rat_cov_2/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYQhQzcVfX84T8Sz8Qfr2iw