Leviathan A.C.--God's Failure (CD) {2026 Nekromantra Records}

This is the first full length from this one-man project from Spain under this re-named band, which was formerly just Leviathan when he lived in Venezuela, from what I can tell. It's a continuation of sorts. This is black metal played in the old Norwegian style, and as such sounds similar to a lot of acts right now trying to reclaim and amplify that sound and atmosphere. The thing that sets them apart is the mid-range vocals that are more of a yell than a growl, and they're fairly unique sounding. However, the vocal patterns aren't very interesting, being very monotonous, with one song blending into another a bit - they need more variation and better planning of vocal patterns. One standout song is "Heralds of Chaos," which was quite good, opening with some melody and some synths added for effect, and continuing to add some of those elements throughout the song. It really makes a difference on the record when one track is this good and stands out. Overall this is a middling effort that should spark some interest with real collectors, but it's nothing that's going to blow you away. 

nekromantrarecords.bandcamp.com

Dehydrated--Victims:Over 30 Years Of Sickness DCD{Paragon Rec.}

 

Slovakia's  Dehydrated  will release a double cd complilation of most of their sold out releases through Paragon Rec. here in the U.S. Starting off with cd 1 is the 2025 EP. Victims with seven tracks of quality well delievered death metal in the old school style.The guitars and drums are well executed with some memorable guitar passages that are played with skill,The guitarist writes some excellent patterns and solo's are used throughout the songs.The vocals are death metal growls similar to the 90's but are well done powerful death metal growls.And Death Shall have no Dominion is the 2019 EP. featuring two tracks of  pure death metal that is a mix of heavy mid paced and some faster patterns.Both musicial styles are performed with intensity and skill. Up next is the bands 2017 full length Resurrection with six tracks of  aggressive and a faster paced death metal style which is done very well showcasing the bands ability to play a more fast paced and also a more controlled and slower death metal.The second cd starts off with the bands 1997 full length Idea's which is eleven tracks of well performed death metal with a mix of fast paced musicial passages and some more controlled mid paced patterns.Both styles are performed with excellent musicianship.The vocals are old school gruff death metal growls.Up next is the bands songs off their split with Bestialit the four tracks are a little more dark in their delievery with some well performed drumming and guitar passages that are extreme.The vocals are more death metal growls that are done with some powerful vocal style.The final release presented on this double cd is the bands debut demo Festered Find featuring seven tracks of raw death metal the music is performed with a mix of extremely fast paced drumming and guitars but the band does slow to a mid paced range to give each track it's own identity. If you  have  never heard Dehydrated and are a fan of old school quality death metal you need to get this release today.                                                                                Dehydrated                                                                      https://www.facebook.com/groups/526881854152655                                                                                  https://www.instagram.com/dehydratedskofficial/                                                                             Paragon Rec.                                                                                                                                              https://www.paragonrecords.org/                                                                                                                   https://www.facebook.com/paragonrecordsli/                                                                                               https://www.instagram.com/paragon_records_official/

Hibernum--Djavo (CD) {2025 Satanath Records}

This is slicky performed, polished black metal from Croatia, their first full length. The band has been around in some form since 2003 when their first demo was published. There are some similarities, superficially, to Immortal in the riffing, but that's where the similarities end. The primary vocal style here is a hoarse yell, which definitely sets this band apart from a lot of black metal today. Sung vocals make an appearance throughout the record at points, and they add both melody and atmosphere, and are performed a lot like Emperor's clean vocals, or Watain's yells. The riffs alternate between laid back and brutal, but the drums never back off and it's full speed ahead most of the time. This is fairly enjoyable stuff, and it reeks of true feeling and intent, but isn't stuck trying to imitate others. Definitely original.

satanath.com

Zweihander---Genocidal Siege Of Thorn Knights{Digital}{Independent}

 

Zweihander is a band that comes out of Chile's black,death war metal  scene and this is a review of the bands debut EP.Genocidal  Siege Of Thorn Knights.Featuring a intro and outro and six songs of savage and vicious war metal at it's  finest.The guitars are played with fast paced guitar patterns that are violent and aggressive in the delievery.The drums are a barrage of blast beats that will pummel the listener.The music is not all insanely chaotic and fast as the band does play some slower mid paced instruments in the intro and outro.The vocals are powerful death metal growls that are done with some sick vocal patterns.Genocidal  Siege Of Thorn Knights is a really well done release of relentless war black and death metal.

Zweihander

https://zweihanderwar.bandcamp.com/album/genocidal-siege-of-thorn-knights

https://www.instagram.com/zweihander.war?igsh=MWRqeGt1YWxsNXVpaw%3D%3D

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

Zweihander--Disciplines Of Gro-Goroth{Demo 2025) {Digital}{Independent}

 

This  is the debut demo from Chile's black and death war metal band Zweihander.Disciplines Of Gro-Goroth  consists of a intro that is chanting and three tracks of barbaric black and death war metal that is vicious in the delievery.Both the guitars and drums are done with powerful and raw music passages.that will pummel the listener with it's violent delievery.The vocals are death metal growls that are powerful and vicious.Zweihander has delievered a crazed and barbaric debut demo all those into the war black and death scene should check this band out.

Zweihander

https://zweihanderwar.bandcamp.com/album/disciplines-of-gro-goroth-demo-2025

https://www.instagram.com/zweihander.warutm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%3D%3D

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

Interview with Radek owner of Northern Shadow

 

1.Hello Radek please introduce yourself to the readers?

Hi everyone !!!

Radek here , i run distro and label Northernshadow , Proudly Canadian since 2020

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

My first contact with black metal was in the early ’90s with the Necromantia / Varathron split "Black Arts Lead to Everlasting Sins". At the time, I was a huge death metal fan (Morbid Angel, Entombed, Deicide, etc.), and this release felt completely different. The mysticism and evil atmosphere were overwhelming, and I realized that this was exactly what I had been looking for in metal music.

Because of this release, I still love Hellenic black metal and bands like early Rotting Christ (Thy Mighty Contract and Non Serviam are perfect), Necromantia, Varathron, Katavasia, and others. Later, I discovered the Norwegian black metal bands with their colder approach—and that sealed the deal for me

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

If you count all the bands that paved the way to black metal, then the very first one for me was of course Slayer (South of Heaven). But as I said, the first BM release I heard was the Necromantia / Varathron split. That’s where my journey with Hellenic black metal began. Later, I discovered Emperor (Wrath of the Tyrant EP and their great split with Enslaved) and Darkthrone. I liked Darkthrone’s debut, and I was really surprised by the direction they chose on the second album—but in hindsight it feels like it was meant to be, because the following records showed real consistency.

I’ve discovered a lot of bands since the early ’90s and had the privilege of watching black metal evolve into what it is today. But I can honestly say I never expected it to become so diverse. It has mutated into so many subgenres that I’m sometimes surprised by the bands that are still considered black metal.

4.When did you first get the idea to start this label?How did you come up with the name Northern Shadow?

It’s hard to pinpoint the exact date, but I think the final decision came at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Sitting at home helped me finalize all the details and launch an online store with vinyl records, which is still growing. Later, I decided to release a few things — and here I am. The name was always meant to reflect the North, and I think I captured what I wanted.

5.What are your current releases that are availible for the readers to purchase?

On December 21 last year, I released my first vinyl: KASM "Gravitational Echoes", cosmic black metal from Alberta, Canada. The purple vinyl edition is limited to 110 copies. All my releases are available at my online store: https://northernshadow.ca/

6.What do you look for when signing and releasing a band?What styles of metal do you release on your label?Are you currently looking for new bands to work with or is your roster full for now?

Of course — I'm always looking for new bands! What I look for is hard to define, because it’s mostly based on feel. If I like the music, the atmosphere of the record, the album concept, and the arrangements, then I’m open to working together. I try not to make decisions based strictly on genre, because I believe there’s only good music and bad music. Genres blend so much these days that it’s often hard to draw clear lines, and I don’t want to be closed ‑ minded.

But you’ve probably noticed that so far all my releases have been black metal, and I think that will remain the main genre for my label.

7.What are some of your upcoming releases in 2026 that the readers should watch out for?

I don’t have any confirmed dates yet, but something is definitely brewing.

8.If their are any labels or bands reading this do you do many trades with labels or do you prefer to buy wholesale?If their are any labels reading this how can they get in contact with you about possible trades?

Of course, I’m open to trades and other forms of cooperation. All contact details and socials are available on my website: https://northernshadow.ca

9. Radek you live in Canada what is your opinion of the mighty Canadian metal scene over the years?

I think the Canadian metal scene has always been a bit in the background — it was never as famous as Florida death metal, Teutonic thrash, Swedish DM, and so on. But there are many great bands here, starting with Voivod, Annihilator, and Sacrifice, to the powerful war metal scene with Blasphemy and Revenge. Quebec practically breathes black metal, and Ontario gave us Woods of Ypres (sadly, RIP) and Thantifaxath.

There are plenty of great bands here, and that’s why I’m trying to focus on releasing Canadian artists — I think there’s a lot of potential in this scene

10.Who are your all-time favorite Bands coming out of Canada?Are their any new bands you could recomend to the readers to check out soon?

I can definitely recommend Miserere Luminis from Québec. Their new album will be released via Debemur Morti in March. You can also check out their previous albums—great atmospheric black metal

11.Besides your own label are their any other Canadian Metal labels that you can recomend or that you have worked with?

To be honest, I haven’t had direct contact with other labels in Canada, but I can recommend CDN Records from Ontario — they specialize more in death metal

12.When you need to take a break from working on label business what do you like to do in your free time?

Hahaha — the label is my main free time hobby. I have a regular job and a family, so free time is limited. I’m more of a metal fan than a businessman, so I’m sure there are many things I could do better with the label. But I’m in the comfortable position where it’s only a side gig, so I don’t have to base my decisions on money or compromises — I just release what I like and distribute what I like.

For example, I love Hellenic black metal and I’ve stocked almost everything I could get my hands on, but it mostly gathers dust because it’s not very popular here in Canada. Still, I believe this niche approach is my strength, and maybe with my small contribution, those bands will gain more fans here.

13.Do you get to go to very many shows in your town or area? What have been some of your most memorable shows that you have gotten to witness?Who are your favorite bands that you have got to see live?

There aren’t many interesting shows here — unfortunately, most of the really exciting ones happen in Europe. We mostly get the more mainstream bands like Vader, Behemoth,Cradle of Filth, and a few others. The last truly great show I saw was Wardruna a few years ago.

14.Thank you Radek for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?

Thank you for reading! Please check out the albums I have released. The best option is to visit my YouTube channel —I uploaded all my releases there: https://www.youtube.com/@Northernshadow-ca    Northern Shadow                                                                                                                                           https://northernshadow.ca/                                                                                                                             https://www.facebook.com/northernshadowwebstore/                                                                                 https://www.instagram.com/northernshadow.ca/                                                                                           https://www.youtube.com/@Northernshadow-ca                                                                                          

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