Grabunhold--Frostheim (CD/LP) {2026 Iron Bonehead Records}

German really does make for great-sounding lyrics when sung, it just has a hard edge and is perfect for metal, a lot like English. I can't understand a damn word of it, but it sounds cool. Grabunhold have a classic black metal sound and image, and apparently a fascination with Tolkien, which is also on-brand for black metal. The production is good, but has a nice loud, raw edge to it, like every instrument is pushed a little too far. This is fine. I don't want modern production values to invade black metal too much, it should at least have a fuzzy edge like this. Don't get me wrong, this is quite well-recorded - it just has that "something" that black metal needs. The vocals are more mid-ranged than high, which is perfect for this material. The vocals are quite powerful and the singer knows when to shut up and just let the music do all the work. The riffs alternate between quite aggressive and melodic, and constitute a nice mix of the two, as most good black metal seems to do. I only wish I had some English translations of the lyrics since I also enjoy Tolkien and would like to see what has so inspired this band. Perhaps they're included in the physical copy, I hope they are.

www.ironbonehead.de

Leatherwitch--First Spell (CD/LP) {2026 Listenable Records}

Leatherwitch is the solo project of Marta Gabriel, the longtime vocalist of Crystal Viper. Leatherwitch is largely a continuation of Crystal Viper's work, although there are some stylistic differences. For me, the vocals are smoother and more well-produced than on the last Crystal Viper record. Marta also leans in more heavily to classic metal melody, reminding me a bit of Warlock in that regard. The choruses are all written to be extremely catchy and some of them are serious earworms. I'm impressed with the level of skill she shows with all the instruments here as well - even the drums, which are notoriously neglected on a lot of one-person projects, often resorting to haphazard programming. No, these are the real deal and she plays them well, assuming she plays them and didn't just leave session musicians off the credits. I love when she hits a high note on this record, they're so smooth. She has the same smooth high notes that Journey frontman Steve Perry had, and his were like silk. She has the same texture if not the same range. It could be a trick of production, but you can't polish a turd, so the raw tracks have to be impressive at the very least. This is one all traditional metal fans ought to be able to enjoy and I hope there's more where this came from.

www.listenable.eu

Rotten Tomb--Vestiges Of Tortured Souls CD&LP and C.S{Nuclear Winter Rec.}

 

Rotten Tomb is a four man band coming out of Chile's death metal scene and this is a review of the bands newest full length.Vestiges Of Tortured Souls contains nine tracks of intense and powerful death metal.The music is very well delievered and written with some memorable guitars and drum passages.The guitars are performed with skill and are a mix of some mid paced heavy guitars and some faster more aggressive patterns.Both styles are played with intensity and their are some well played solo's throughout the songs.The drums are equally as well delievered with some faster drums.The drummer does slow to a more heavier mid paced in a few of the songs for a nice balance.The vocals are well performed death metal growls that are powerful in their delievery. This is my first encounter with Chile's Rotten Tomb but if you are a fan of pure death metal then defintly give this release a listen and pick up a copy today.                                                                                                                                    Rotten Tomb                                                                                                                                                https://rottentomb.bandcamp.com/album/vestiges-of-tortured-souls                                                        https://www.facebook.com/rottentombband/                                                                                                https://www.instagram.com/rottentombofficial/                                                                                          Nuclear Winter Rec.                                                                                                                                    https://nuclearwinterrecords.com/shop/                                                                                                        https://nuclearwinterrecords.bandcamp.com/album/vestiges-of-tortured-souls                                        https://www.facebook.com/martyrdoomproductions/                                                                                  https://www.instagram.com/nuclearwinterrecords/                                                                                        https://www.youtube.com/@nuclearwinterrecords

Diabolic Oath--Unholy Barbaric Hymns EP. CD&CS{Sentient Ruin Laboratories}

 

Portland Oregon's Diabolic Oath return with a new EP. featuring four tracks of brutal black and death metal.If you have never heard this band and love intense,violent black death metal then i defintly recomend this band and release.Musically the guitars and drums are performed with guitar and drum passages that are crazed but are well executed and performed.The drums are a mix of hyperspeed blst beats and some more controlled heavy fast drum sections.The vocals are raw black metal and some ferocious death metal growls are also used both vocal styles are well done.Unholy Barbaric Hymns  is a great release of extremly violent and punnishing black and death metal.                                                    Diabolic Oath                                                                                                                                                https://diabolicoath.bandcamp.com/album/unholy-barbaric-hymns                                                            https://www.facebook.com/DiabolicOathOfficial#                                                                                      https://www.instagram.com/diabolicoath/                                                                                                Sentient Ruin Laboratories                                                                                                                            https://sentientruin.com/                                                                                                                              https://sentientruin.bandcamp.com/album/unholy-barbaric-hymns                                                               https://www.facebook.com/SentientRuin                                                                                                      https://www.instagram.com/sentientruin/                                                                                                    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7ZyzClXkP-mg6aR9CCi-4Q

Sanctiphagous--Ferrum Flammaque (Digital) {2026 Nekrolust Records}

Every once in a while I find a mighty black metal band that gets close to the aggression and violence of Panzer Division Marduk, and Brazil's Sanctiphagous get quite close to that sublime sound on this, their first full length. I may need to put an asterisk on full length, because the recording quality differs on the material past the first several songs, and this may be a hodgepodge of previous EPs. It's listed as a full length on the Archives, and it's a great representation of this band's material, so I'll call it a full length as well. On to the music. The tremolo picked riffs here are nearly as tasty as the ones on that classic Marduk record, and the blastbeats just don't stop. I'm not sure if the drums are sampled/programmed or live, but in either case, they're well done. The vocals even remind me of Legion's breathless delivery, half growled, half shrieked, half snarled, and they're sung with conviction and power. The songwriting is equally excellent, relying on shorter songs with fewer riffs and catchy transitions for hooks. Sometimes the songs are only a minute long, which is pretty unique in today's black metal scene. Synths do make a limited appearance on a few songs and they really fill out the sound of the record where they're included, since they're usually included over a slower riff. These sections, however, tend to be my least favorite if only because the music slows down a bit in these sections, and I want that violence to return! Keep in mind, the best recorded, and I'm assuming newest, material is at the front of this record, which is smart. It gives us a great glimpse of what's to come along with the history of recorded material that comes after. No physical format yet, from what I can tell, but you can get this digitally, and I will highly recommend doing so.

nekrolustrecords.bandcamp.com

Ignition--All Will Die (CD) {2026 Daredevil Records}

Ignition play fantastic and aggressive power metal, reminding me of the great Brainstorm in many ways. They're aggressive, bordering on thrash metal at times, like the heaviest moments of Primal Fear, except it's a whole album of these moments. The singer is a little gruff, using excellent melodies and a powerful voice to deliver the lyrics, reminding me of old Blind Guardian in tone and style. They also have big choruses a lot like Powerwolf with haunting melodies rather than feel-good stuff. All the guitar harmonies should keep the guitar fans happy, and indeed they do a great job of it, with melodies weaving in and out of the more aggressive riffs. This is the sort of power metal that I like - it's full on metal atmosphere and no weakness at all, even in the more melodic moments. Real heavy metal fans the world over will enjoy this record and this band should be as big as the bands I've compared them to, they're that good. 

http://www.daredevilrecords.de/

Witching Hour--Descending... Where Time Has Ceased to Exist (CD/LP) {2026 Dying Victims Productions)

I have to declare that I was unfamiliar with this band before hearing this, although I was aware of their existence. I'm glad I chose to review them. They play excellent black thrashing heavy metal with top shelf riffs and wonderful songwriting. Many people compare them to countrymates Nocturnal, but Nocturnal is straight thrash. Temper them with Deceased-style melodicism, however, and you'll have a good idea of what to expect, especially when the vocals hit. They're gruff but sung, and carry some melody, just like King Fowley. Long songs are also in their repertoire, also like Deceased, with the songs here ranging from six to eleven minutes in length. This gives the guitars plenty of time to play around with the riffs and some truly epic material results. This has a true '80s heavy metal feel as well as a Germanic thrash feel, both at the same time. It's quite a feat, and I have to say that while I normally hate long songs, this was quite good and the lengths of the songs didn't affect my enjoyment of the music. They felt a lot shorter than what they actually are. This album is for true metal diehards, and there should be no buyer's remorse!

www.dying-victims.de

Consecration--Exanimis CD&LPAnd CASSETTE{Nuclear Winter Rec.}

 

Consecration is  a  five man band coming out of the U.K that plays a good style of death doom metal.Exanimis  is the bands fourth full length featuring eight tracks of well composed and performed death doom metal.The guitars are performed with some slow to mid paced guitar passages that are well executed and delievered.Besides the heavy mid paced guitars there are also some very well performed acoustic guitars used in a few of the songs that add another layer to the bands sound.The vocals are heavy death metal growls that are crushing in their delievery.Their are also some raw gruff growls used in a few of the songs.If you are a fan of well composed death doom metal that even adds moments of atmosphere to their crushing sound and style i urge you to check this band out today.                            Consecration                                                                                                                                                https://consecration666.bandcamp.com/merch                                                                                          https://www.facebook.com/Consecration666/#                                                                                            https://www.instagram.com/consecration666                                                                                            https://www.youtube.com/user/ConsecrationDoom666                                                                          Nuclear Winter Rec.                                                                                                                                      https://nuclearwinterrecords.com/shop/                                                                                                      https://nuclearwinterrecords.bandcamp.com/album/exanimis                                                                      https://www.facebook.com/martyrdoomproductions/                                                                                https://www.instagram.com/nuclearwinterrecords/                                                                                    https://www.youtube.com/@nuclearwinterrecords

Hoc Est Bellum--Filth Majesty CD&LP and Cassette{Time To Kill Rec.}

 

Hoc Est Bellum is a band that was  started in 2022 and plays  bestial black metal.After releasing one demo in 2023 the band will be releasing their debut full length Filth Majesty at the end of June.The guitars are razorsharp fast and chaotic in the delievery.The drums are played with hyperspeed blast beats that are crazed and destructive in the delievery.The vocals are grim,raw black metal screams and some deeper demonic growls.If you are looking for a barbaric band that blends the best of black,grind and death metal together then be sure to pick up a copy of Filth Majesty when it is released.                          Hoc Est Bellum                                                                                                                                          https://hocestbellum.bandcamp.com/merch                                                                                                https://www.instagram.com/hoc_est_bellum_black_noise/                                                                          Time To Kill Rec.                                                                                                                                      https://timetokillrecords.com/                                                                                                                    https://hocestbellum.bandcamp.com/album/filth-majesty                                                                          https://www.facebook.com/timetokillrecords/                                                                                            instagram.com/timetokillrecords/                                                                                                                https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCydoZxnJqGq4AeETKM6uO-A

Signs of the Evil--Calling the Ancient Legions Under the Red Moon (CS) {2026 Infernal Arts Productions}

 

Signs of the Evil was originally formed in Peru  but has since relocated to the U.S.And this is a review of the bands second full length  Calling the Ancient Legions Under the Red Moon the music is a great release of traditional black metal that is not all out speed and aggression like most of the bands these days.The  music is crafted with genuine musical ability and creativity.The guitars are performed with some well executed guitar passages and patterns.The guitars do speed up to a faster pace through some of the tracks but never go full force  with the over the top speeds.The vocals are a mix of demonic gruff growls and black metal screams and screeches are also used.Calling the Ancient Legions Under the Red Moon  is a great release of quality well delievered traditional black metal at it's finest.                            Signs of the Evil                                                                                                                                          https://signsoftheevil666.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                    https://www.facebook.com/signsoftheevil                                                                                                     https://www.instagram.com/signs_of_the_evil                                                                                             

Wampyric Rites/Noirsuaire--Consecration of Nocturnal Entities (CD) {2026 Inferna Profundis Records}

Wampyric Rites from Ecuador and Noirsuaire from France unite here under the banner of the Lithuanian label Inferna Profundis. Each band gives us three tracks apiece, all coming in around the five to six minute mark. Wampyric Rites play their usual raw black metal attack, being nicely recorded with a raw edge like all our favorite '90s acts. They clearly worship the Norwegian sound and sort of resemble early Emperor, especially the guitar sound. I like it quite a lot. Noirsuaire get compared to Sargeist and Mutiilation and I can see that in their sound a little. They use cold melody and their half of the split is a little more laid back because of that. I definitely like the Wampyric Rites material more as it's more in line with what I like in black metal - it's grandiose but not overly melodic and it has the required darkness and evil. This is a worthy split if you like black metal with zero frills, as it should be.

www.ipr666shop.com

Jehovah Lashing--Amongst the Cascades of Subterranean Inferno (Digital) {2026 Independent}

From somewhere deep in Pennsylvania comes Jehovah Lashing, a fairly unique-sounding black metal band. Their style of black metal is interesting - it combines deep echoing Archgoat-style vocals with an almost Finnish kind of melody on the guitars, all with a flowing rhythm section. The problem is this four-song EP is quite repetitive and all the songs blend together, as they're quite similar. The melodies used are so close to each other it's like one twenty-minute song with a few breaks of silence in it. I wish this was more diverse, because it's an interesting sound, one that I would explore further if this had been a better outing. Unfortunately I must recommend a pass on this one.

jehovahlashing.bandcamp.com

Grimheart--A Beast of Ancient Memory (Digital) {2026 Independent}

Here we have some forest-worshipping atmospheric black metal that seems to vacillate between metal and synth soundscapes, sometimes multiple times in the same song. It's pretty unique, I can't think of anything this band really sounds like, and that's a good thing. However, this just isn't black metal to me. It's so far away from the original intent of black metal as a vessel of rebellion in the face of the mainstream. The synths are overpowering, not just in the sonic sense, but in the sense that they dilute the metal and turn this into almost a classical music piece. There's no occult atmosphere, no lingering ghosts, no moldering corpses in the basement, just nature-worship and the saccharin sound of too many synths. Not for me, but your mileage may vary if you're more adventurous than I am.

agrimheart.bandcamp.com

Nazgash--Eternal Cycle of Death (Digital) {2026 Independent}

Nazgash come to us from Spain and this is their second full length of melodic black metal with plenty of synths. Now, I lived in the 1990s, so I was subject to the waves of melodic black metal coming out of Europe back then. Most of those bands are now forgotten. This record reminds me of that style and time, and seems like it's right out of that era of so-called black metal bands. I say so-called because there is something missing in this style that all good black metal has, and that's a dangerous atmosphere. This music seems too kind, too nice, to be proper black metal. See, black metal is more than a musical style. It's an attack on the mainstream, both musically and ideologically. There isn't anything about this album that screams "be afraid" or "run away." In fact, this isn't much more than extreme heavy metal marketed as black metal with harsh vocals. There's nothing wrong with it otherwise, other than the songs are a bit boring. I just want more from black metal than this. Your mileage may vary of course, if you're a sucker for melodicism. That's up to you to find out. The album cover is absolutely killer, though.

nazgash.bandcamp.com

Louder--Devil's Night (CD) {2026 Fighter Records}

Louder, from Colombia, come armed to the teeth with classic speed metal riffs and gruff Motorhead-like shouted vocals. Black thrash fans should pay attention to this one, as it's a decent entry into the canon of the genre, even if it does have a few issues, as we'll see later in the review. They do get the "song title that makes me laugh every time I see it" award for the song "Satan's Bitch." It's even funnier when they get to the chorus of the song and repeat the song title as part of it. This is not overly technical or polished - this is dirty, fast, rock and roll heavy metal and makes no apologies for what it is, and in that respect I like it. My only problem with the album is that it gets a bit repetitive after a while and the songs begin to run together quite a bit, over time becoming much the same. A little more variation in the riffs would help immensely. That said, I'll be interested to see what the band does next, because there's quite a bit of potential here for something awesome.

www.fighter-records.com