Goddess--Ritual of the Cloven Hoof (CD/LP) (2026 Majestic Mountain Records)

Goddess is a recently renamed band from Sweden (they were formerly Goatess and had three full lengths under that name, and I personally think this is a fine name that makes their album title work better, but Goddess will do as well) with a very old take on metal, being firmly in the Black Sabbath camp. I usually don't review doom metal because I'm not as familiar with the nuances and the influence of stoner rock on the genre, which is definitely the case here, but in the case of Goddess the release is so good that I want to review it and get the word out. There's enough traditional doom here for me to sink my teeth into and enjoy this, as well as enabling me to talk about it intelligently. The vocals are what make the record for me. The rich vocal melodies and occult-influenced lyrics really push this into a new territory musically, one where I'll gladly listen to this over and over. It's a powerful performance, and one that deserves multiple listens because it's that damn good. The bottom line is that if you like Sabbath, you'll like Goddess. I perhaps like them more than Sabbath for the vocals (well, at least until Dio takes over for Ozzy). This is top notch stoner doom and has dark enough lyrics for my tastes on top of it all. If all doom had lyrics like this, I would probably listen to more of it! I really do enjoy the darkness of it all.

www.majesticmountainrecords.com

Atronos--Gram (CD) (2026 Purity Through Fire Records)

I can't understand the meaning of the German lyrics, but I can understand how fuckin' metal they sound, and Atronos is as metal as they come. At their heart, they play black metal, but they feature yelled and sung clean vocals in many passages rather than snarled or growled. It's quite diverse, vocally, with all sorts of styles and tones, and it's quite original sounding due to this. They bear some passing similarity to Eisenkult, but only superficially, and this is natural as they do share some members, including the vocalist. Stylistically they mix in epic heavy metal riffing with their brand of black metal, and the melodies soar overtop an aggressive rhythm section. The songs are almost always upbeat and aggressive yet somehow melodic and anthemic, and I imagine the choruses are singalong quality if you know German. Atronos is yet another band that I've recently stumbled upon that reminds me of the obscure English band Forefather, mainly for their epic style of riffing, and some of the vocal arrangements. This is quite a unique black metal record, and it's got a true metal feel to it, so I highly recommend it to you, reader.

www.purity-through-fire.com

Sojourner--Gateways (CD/LP/CS) (2026 Avantgarde Music)

An international project between Sweden and New Zealand, this is the fourth full length from this atmospheric black metal entity. I was expecting something a bit more in the way of epic riffs out of this band for some reason, and there are a few, but they're understated and not necessarily big and bombastic like I was expecting. The clean female vocals are perhaps the best part of this record, breathlessly performed and majestic. It puts the album much more in the vein of gothic metal than black metal. I might actually respect this more if they got rid of the growled vocals and went totally clean. I just feel like stuff like this loses sight of what black metal was meant to be in the first place, a fist in the face of the mainstream and the morality police, and by making it accessible like this, boiling it down to a musical style instead of an accompanying ideology, misses the overall point. But I digress. Note that my above criticism in no way means that the music isn't enjoyable. It is. Very much so. Just not from a traditional black metal perspective, a perspective shared by the underground for decades. There's no ugliness here, only dark beauty, and that runs counter to what I want in the genre, even on the atmospheric and epic side of things. I know, I have complicated thoughts on non-traditional black metal. It is what it is. I'll file this under gothic metal and be satisfied with it.

www.avantgardemusic.com

Witches Hammer--Final Storm (CD/LP) (2026 Nuclear War Now! Productions)

Another one of those bands whose history stretches back into the late 1980s but never put out a proper full length until 2020, Final Storm is the third and purportedly last Witches Hammer full length. The band was, in its early days, instrumental in helping build the Canadian extreme metal scene alongside bands like Blasphemy. The recording has an '80s style rawness to it while also being clear and well-engineered. I like how natural everything sounds and how not modern it is. The songs are polished and well-written and I'm sure some of them have been in the band's repertoire for years. If you're unfamiliar with this band but interested in classic death thrash or black metal, this should be a band you investigate immediately. This definitely isn't a record to miss out on, and it should be added to your collection post haste.

www.nwnwprod.com

Torpor--Dungeon Descent (CD/LP) (2026 Dying Victims Productions)

Torpor from Poland have concocted something quite unique and original, being black metal musically but heavy metal vocally, with epic melodies overtop aggressive drums and expressive riffs. The riffing itself sort of reminds me of Abbath's riffing style in mid-period Immortal, but also of the obscure English band Forefather (who, if you haven't heard, please do). This, however, is totally original and cannot be compared to anything past what I already superficially compared them to, and that's exactly what it is, a superficial comparison. The drums have a quite nice natural sound, especially the ride cymbal, and they're produced perfectly. This is album of the year material, a performance of such power and innovation that every metalist should sit up and a take note. This has that metal magic that hooked us on the genre to begin with, that certain "something" that all classic albums contain. I look forward to even more material from this band, and if this LP is anything to judge by, this will be a very important band to metal in the future. For now, this album should be flying off the shelf and into collections everywhere, as I intend to make it do soon where my own collection is concerned. 

www.dying-victims.de

Agonysm--Litany Of Uncreation{digital}{Independent}

 

Agonysm is a band coming out of California's  black death metal scene and this is a review of the bands debut full length.Litany Of Uncreation is six tracks of powerful and heavy black death metal.Musically the band blends heavy and fast paced death metal with some black metal musicial passages entertwined within a few songs. The vocals are death metal growls that are powerful and some raw,gruff screams are also used.Litany Of Uncreation won't get any points for originality but the band does perform solid death,black metal.                                                                                                                                        Agonysm                                                                                                                                                      https://agonysm.bandcamp.com/album/litany-of-uncreation                                                                         https://www.youtube.com/@Agonysm

Grotesque Revenant--Demo 2026{digital}{Independent}

 

Grotesque Revenant  is a  three man band coming out of Austin,Texas and this is a review of their debut demo.Demo 2026 is three songs of powerful and brutal death metal.The guitars are performed with fast and energentic guitar patterns that are well performed.The guitars do slow to a more calm pace throughout a couple of tracks for a nice mix.The drums are well performed with blast beats that will pummel the listener.The  vocals are ferocious old school death metal growls and some newer deep death metal growls are used throughout the songs.Demo 2026 is a really good start to this new band if you are a fan of brutal death metal that just performs brutal death metal with no other genres added then defintly give  Grotesque Revenant a listen today.                                                                                                    Grotesque Revenant                                                                                                                                       https://grotesquerevenant.bandcamp.com/album/demo-2026                                                                       https://www.facebook.com/profile.phpid=61568009999339&rdid=gdHgleFmDG5rtbZd&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F1D1sj1VtcG%2F#                                                      https://www.instagram.com/grotesquerevenant/                                                                                        https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd20-T2Y72gxG7o7_AP0cAg

Atomic Aggressor--The Occult Forces CD&LP and CS.{Hells Headbangers}

 

Chile's old school metal maniacs return with a brand new full length.The Occult Forces is eight tracks of solid old school death metal that is performed with skillful writing.The guitars are done with some fast paced guitar passages.The guitarist does write some well executed patterns that are memorable and powerful.Their are some well performed solo's and some slower mid paced guitars added into a few of the songs.The vocals are raw old school death metal and some gruff growls are also used throughout the songs.The drumming is top notch with some well played drums that are a mix of crazed fast drums.The drummer does write and perform some well executed drum passages with some extremely fast and chaotic drums and some heavier mid paced drums.If you are a Atomic Aggressor's past releases then do yourself a favor and check this release out today.                                                                                        Atomic Aggressor

https://atomicaggressor.bandcamp.com/album/the-occult-forces                                                              https://www.facebook.com/AtomicAggressor

https://www.instagram.com/atomicaggressor                                                                                                Hells Headbangers                                                                                                                                      https://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/                                                                                                            https://hellsheadbangers.bandcamp.com/artists                                                                                          https://www.facebook.com/hellsheadbangers                                                                                              https://www.instagram.com/hellsheadbangers                                                                                               https://www.youtube.com/user/hellsheadbangers666                                                                                   

Expiatoria--A History in Three Acts (CD) (2026 Diamonds Production)

This is the second full length from this band that apparently began its life in 1987 and released a spate of demos and EPs up until their first full length release in 2022. An unorthodox history and an unorthodox band to fit that history, for sure. These Italians have created something quite interesting being part epic doom similar to Candlemass and part horrific heavy metal like Death SS. The playing is on par with both of these mentioned acts, and the vocals ride a line of quality between the two, neither as talented as Candlemass nor as rough as Death SS. They're unique in their own way. Some of the arrangements border on the progressive, with some quite complicated changes and time shifts with haunting passages and morose melodies. I believe "Seven Chairs and a Portrait" is my favorite track here, really leaning into occult horror and the heavy metal side of the band. Doom freaks and classic metal maniacs alike would do well to check this out, as it satisfies both types of fan.

www.diamondsprod.it

Coffin Hunters--Cosmic Dawn (CD/LP) (2026 Independent)

Coffin Hunters play a unique form of heavy metal that mixes the sounds of the '70s with more modern heavy metal tropes. Think 1970s Judas Priest and Deep Purple mixed with Iron Maiden and Queensryche style vocals with some nods to modern metal throughout. Perhaps there's a little Goblin influence here, too? The thing that really puts this record over the top is the organ-style synths used to add to the melodies. It really pushes the originality. Plus, we all know I'm a sucker for a Hammond organ, and the sound here is similar to that at times, although other synth sounds make an appearance as well. This is truly epic shit that every metalist should hear. The melodies will be stuck in your head forever, and the atmosphere will completely envelop you. The riffs are playful and they make the songs quite fun, each song being a journey into weirdness and uniqueness. I can absolutely see why they used the song "Cosmic Dawn" as the title track of this album, it's a clear standout track. It's addictive and fantastically written. I just can't say enough positive things about this record. Just go hear it, and buy their shit. This is a band that deserves the support of the diehards for their originality and skill. This will clearly be on my albums of the year list this year.

coffinhunters1.bandcamp.com

Chamber of Unlight--Avernus (CD/LP/CS) (2026 Werewolf Records)

The mighty Chamber of Unlight have returned with another full length and it's yet another opus of symphonic black metal majesty. They still remind me a little of labelmates Vargrav and of course the mighty Emperor, but only a little. This is truly majestic stuff, full of big atmospheres and quality songwriting, able to hold their own amongst black metal royalty. This is like uncovering a long-lost gem from the grim 1990s, and I have a feeling that's exactly what they want to evoke, aside from just playing honest and unpretentious black metal music. What I like about the use of the synths on this record is that, while ever-present, they're not overpowering and they don't drown the other instruments as with some other symphonic acts. They somehow remain grim as fuck even with the spotless recording and synths, and that is testament to their true roots and integrity. This is a must-hear album of 2026 if you claim to enjoy black metal at all. 

www.werewolf.fi

Stonecast--Expand Crimson Chaos (CD) (2026 Pitch Black Records)

Hailing from France, this is the band's fourth full length of darkly melodic heavy metal with a slight gothic tinge. It's also their third record for label Pitch Black and I must say I like when labels stick by a band like that. There's a bit of Nevermore or Iced Earth feel to this band, but without all the unnecessary jammin' that Nevermore tends toward. This is straight forward, dark, modern heavy metal. I can hear a little Manowar in their sound as well, when they lean into an epic riff, and they do it often enough to notice. The songwriting is interesting, and arresting, with a focus on hooks and catchy riffs as well as memorable vocals. The vocals aren't virtuosic, but are perfectly capable of holding down the melodies, and the singer turns in a good performance. His voice has a dark quality that I like quite a bit. They employ some interesting time shifts in some of the songs that keep things fresh and keeps the listener watching out for the next little flourish. This is quite a good record overall, and it's a totally different flavor of heavy metal, which is refreshing. Highly recommended for the classic metal fan.

www.pitchblackrecords.com

Maestitia Gehennalis--Unsanctified Life Of Ephemerality CD&CS&digital{Plague Demon Rec.}

 

Maestitia Gehennalis is a melodic black metal band coming out of Romania.Unsanctified Life Of Ephemerality  is the debut release featuring five tracks of raw,melodic black metal that is well performed and written music.The guitars are played with maainly mid paced passages that are played almost flawlessly.Their are some good guitar passages with the guitars speeding up in a few of the songs but never over the top speeds.The vocals are grim and raw black metal screams that fit the music perfectly.Unsanctified Life Of Ephemerality is a really well written and performed debut if you are a fan of raw,meloic black metal be sure to pick this up today. 

Maestitia Gehennalis

https://maestitiagehennalis.bandcamp.com/album/unsanctified-land-of-ephemerality

https://www.facebook.com/people/Maestitia-Gehennalis/100071902458174/

Plague Demon Rec.

https://plaguedemonrecords.bandcamp.com/merch

https://www.facebook.com/Plaguedemonrecords.net/

https://www.instagram.com/namtar.axarcuth

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt4Jqad8hAHPHisR2aU4Q4A

Humanity--From Tragedy To Erode CD&Digital{ Independent}

 

Humanity is a band that performs old school death metal coming out of Estonia.From Tragedy To Erode is the new EP that features intro and four tracks of solid well perfored death metal.The guitars are a mix of fast and aggressive guitar patterns.Their are some slower,mid paced guitars that are also used.Both styles are well played and some well played solo's are also used throughout the songs.The drums are played with some extremly fast and chaotic drum passages that are brutal in their delievery.Like the guitars the drums do slow to a more controlled fast paced with some well performed drum patterns.The vocals are brutal old school death metal growls.From Tragedy To Erode is a must hear for those who love old school death metal that is brutal and relentless. 

Humanity

https://humanitybandestland.bandcamp.com/merch

https://www.facebook.com/humanityest/

https://www.instagram.com/humanity_estland/

Arrogant Destruktor--The Old Spirit Remains CS{Vicious Witch Rec.}

 

Arrogant Destruktor is a four man band that performs epic black metal coming out of the U.K..The Old Spirit Remains is the bands fourth full length with eight tracks of well executed and performed traditional black metal.The guitars are played with some fast and intense guitar passages.The guitars are mainly played with speed but the guitarist does write and create some well performed patterns.The vocals are a mix of grim gruff screams and growls.Their are some black metal screams used through some of the songs as well.The drums are done with a mix of crazed,fast drum patterns that are intense and heavy.The Old Spirit Remains is a great follow up to the last full length.If you are into uncomprimising black metal with some epic elements then defintly check out Arrogant Destruktor you won't be sorry.                                                                                                                                            Arrogant Destruktor                                                                                                                                      https://arrogantdestruktor.bandcamp.com/merch                                                                                      https://www.facebook.com/arrogantdestruktor                                                                                          https://www.instagram.com/arrogantdestruktorblackmetal                                                                          Vicious Witch Rec.                                                                                                                                        https://viciouswitch.com/                                                                                                                          https://viciouswitchrecords.bandcamp.com/merch                                                                                    https://www.facebook.com/viciouswitchrecords/                                                                                      https://www.instagram.com/viciouswitchrecords/