Helsinki based post punk/rock band Hello Black Hole featuring Johan “Goatspeed” Snell, known as the creative force behind the cult band Beastmilk, is ready to release a 4 track EP entitled “In No Good Hand” generously packed with loads of catchy melodies.

“Tight Rope Tightens” shows some rough punk roots with a mid paced indie rock style rhythm that naturally surrounds a super catchy series of polychromatic melodies.

“Five Hundred Rocks To Throw” has a raw garage rock approach with scratchy guitar driven rhythms and slightly rebellious vocals but is also full of luminous melodies that culminates with a smooth crispy guitar solo.

“Crude Awakening” starts with charismatic bass lines followed by an overload of catchy dirty guitar riffs that nicely build a healthy rocking groove. While the post punk attitude lingers throughout the song, the melodic core conveys a rather somber mood.

“In No Good Hand” might be short but Hello Black Hole certainly delivers an entertaining groovy work of music with lovely dark accents suitable for a wide audience.

After a short hiatus Kataklysm’s side project Ex Deo comes back with the third full length “The Immortal Wars” on which charismatic vocalist Maurizio Iacono proudly narrates the endeavors of the great military commander Hannibal during the Punic wars.

“The Rise Of Hannibal” features dominant magnificent symphonic arrangements that convey a theatrical atmosphere while guitars and thick bass lines deliver obscurely nuanced melodies in a well constructed mid paced rhythm with subtle death metal echoes.

On “Crossing Of The Alps” the melo-death inspired guitar work acquires a more powerful role amplified by a crispy energetic rhythmic section and embellished by a captivating polished melodic guitar solo while Maurizio delivers viciously fierce growls.

“Cato Major: Carthago Delenda Est!” relies on a heavier primordial rhythmic backbone as drums and guitars acquire a more aggressive impetus surrounded by cinematic sinister symphonic orchestrations and warrior style choirs.

“The Roman” starts with solemn symphonic orchestrations conveying a tragic mood that gradually gives way to a relentless guitar driven ferocious sonic attack and enthralling shredding but the song reaches its epic acme with Maurizio’s inspiring Italian words filled with heartfelt devotion to the historic unrivaled grandeur of Roma.

With triumphant orchestrations and dramatic atmospheres “The Immortal Wars” celebrates history and glory and Ex Deo mark their return to the music scene with the expected majestic style. Ave Roma!

Finnish eclectic band Kairon; IRSE!  has released an ambitiously visionary musical voyage entitled “Ruination” which fearlessly blends familiar prog rock elements with shoegazing and much more.

“Sinister Waters I” has an ethereal yet ambiguous musical approach as it is filled with dreamy guitar melodies that smoothly turn into more sophisticated prog oriented sonic jams with highly intricate guitar work suitable for an immediate introvert mind trip that promises loads of surprises and uncertainty.

“Sinister Waters II” continues such experimental music trip with hypnotic atmospheres, full blown fuzzy stoner attitude with wild dissonant accents and unexpected intense tempo/style variations. The song also features a lovely retro sound and gracefully soothing vocals that always enhance the balanced melodic combos of mysterious guitar & spacey psychedelic synths.

The title track shifts between the softest atmosphere and elegant moody guitars with a strong retro psychedelic vibe while a particular highlight can be found in the blissfully darkened instrumental piece that brings a bittersweet closure.

For its inner enigmatic nature and moody variety “Ruination” might not sound like the most radio friendly album of the year but Kairon; IRSE! certainly proves to be an avant-garde creative band that a selected audience will learn to sincerely appreciate.

Renowned guitarist John 5 and his backing band The Creatures return with a flamboyant album entitled “Season Of The Witch” which offers intense virtuosic jams with creative twists that combine multiple music genres.

“Black Grass Plague” starts with some serious guitar riffing that generates a catchy rhythm enhanced by loads of elegant technical shredding while towards the end of the song John 5 adds a cute bluegrass style banjo solo.

“Guitars, Tits And Monsters” features fierce rock/metal riffing while the irresistible full blown virtuoso style guitar work effortlessly gives way to a fancy jazzy fusion momentum.

“Making Monsters” has an intense metal rhythm that would sound super groovy at a live show. As expected, the rhythm is continuously embellished by experimental guitar elements and smooth inflamed shredding that simply cannot be ignored.

“Here’s To The Crazy Ones” combines blistering tapping and shredding with charismatic jazz fusion incursions and overall maintains a memorable catchy melody.

“The Macabre” is moody and quite somber focusing on more relaxed sinuous melodies and absolutely impressive tapping.

The title track could have not been groovier with a vibrant heavier metal core emphasized by creepy industrial accents and enriched by smoothly intricate guitar work.

“Season Of The Witch” is a rather entertaining instrumental effort with a macabre touch and John 5 is not only demonstrating his eclectic musicianship as he is also sharing with the listeners his genuine passion for diverse music styles.

Black metal lovers are certainly familiar with Norwegian band Nidingr founded by infamous Mayhem’s guitar player/songwriter Teloch. Nidingr makes a triumphant return with the new album “The High Heat Licks Against Heaven” which, as expected, focuses on dominant extreme black metal elements but also offers scattered avant-garde moments.

“Hangaguð” starts with thunderous drumming and furious tight guitar riffing to ensure maximum impact at the very first listening. Besides the wicked approach, melodic guitars come alive to smooth the raw asphyxiating mood and concoct a cold catchy groove.

“The Ballad of Hamther” showcases a particularly ominous vibe with ferocious growls that hold a steady spotlight, nevertheless there is still space for enthralling modern tempo variations and theatrical narratives.

“On Dead Body Shore” features a simply crushing rhythmic section surrounded by an icy cold aura that channels a desolate soundscape while dramatic vocals linger over complex guitar melodies.

“Ash Yggdrasil” features a painfully slow tempo with sinister clean vocals performed by Garm of Ulver while desolation continues to reign supreme as guitars acquire doom and gothic nuances.

A similar enigmatic tormented atmospheric approach can be found on “Heimdalargaldr” which delivers also a more intense primordial blackened sound with heavier guitar riffs.

“Naglfar Is Loosed” stands out as a particularly doom influenced track that leaves behind the extreme fury and instead relies on a heavy and slow tempo enhanced by exquisitely gloomy melodies. An intoxicating gothic melancholy is further intensified by ethereal vocals performed by Amalie Bruun of Myrkur.

Despite the explosive brutality “The High Heat Licks Against Heaven” is not an album meant exclusively for a black metal audience as it contains variegated artsy melodies and ambitious musical depths that can be widely appreciated.

Fronted by charismatic vocalist Michelle Nocon, Belgian band Bathsheba is ready to release the blackened doom oriented debut album “Servus” which will inevitably attract those who are eternally drawn to obscure music.

“Conjuration Of Fire” features the heavy despair of beloved doom influences as thick guitar riffs support tormented rhythmic blasts. Michelle conquers and dominates with unrivaled mesmerizing vocals that effortlessly convey grim harmonies.

“Ain Soph” has a violently aggressive approach with black metal style punishing drumming and tight guitar riffing. As the enraged tempo slows down leaving behind an asphyxiating mood, Michelle leads the listeners through an uneasy and probably unsafe trance. The powerful presence of a jazzy saxophone might sound unexpected and odd but it turns out to be a flamboyant experimental touch that successfully delivers additional musical depth.

On “Demon 13” monolithic heavy doom guitar riffs deliver ominous sludge grooves and sharply cut through a moody arcane atmosphere while Michelle’s vocals skillfully shift from lascivious chants to witchy/devilish growls.

“I At The End Of Everything” delivers an spellbinding blend of heavy relentless doom guitar riffs and melodic atmospheric vibes that create a savage groove in the midst of a palpable gloomy decadence. Michelle proves to be a dark enchantress par excellence as her melodic chants will hypnotize the listeners while her fierce growls evoke an understated fury.

With “Servus” Bathsheba invites the listeners to join a perilously distorted musical journey and deliver a crushing nightmarish collection of songs that belong to an enchanted realm of darkness.

Finnish multi-instrumentalist Kimmo Helén returns in the music scene with the self titled solo album “Helén” which features an interesting musical blend that ranges from folk to shoegaze.

“Uusi Olento” offers an understated energetic bass driven rhythm with scattered shoegaze elements that channel soulful atmospheres while the catchy rock chorus is followed by a contrasting melancholic cello.

“Muinainen Muoto” features a fascinating dreamy atmosphere that gracefully surrounds folk style chants and catchy electric guitars melodies.

“Lyijypeto” channels ancient folk roots within a mystical atmosphere where delightful acoustic passages that belong to a forgotten dreamland call for attentive introspection.

“Kaikki isä” is filled with immense melancholy fully expressed in the soothing vocals, the smooth acoustic layers and the harmonious jazzy saxophone solo.

Helén’s solo project might be categorized as an artsy niche effort that successfully crosses the standard music genre boundaries delivering impressive musicianship and genuinely emotive songwriting.

Finnish meta rockers PH, originally known as Mr. Peter Hayden, return with the new fourth full-length “Eternal Hayden” that celebrates the band’s musical freedom with an enigmatic mixture of post rock and ambient.

“Looking Back At Mr. Peter Hayden” is a super lengthy track that definitely sets the mood bending traditional music genres with hypnotic drone/ambient elements and offers a comprehensive summary of PH’s visionary musical pathway. Surrounded by a perennial somber mood, psychedelic guitar riffing with doom accents and dizzy ambient influenced synths generate a surreal atmosphere that will inevitably make you space out.

“We Fly High” is another trippy musical voyage meant to break any given boundaries and to lead the listeners through a cosmic hole with loads of post rock guitars drifting freely over noisy ambient layers.

“Rock And Roll Future” incorporates more dominant traditional melodic features as dreamy guitar driven melodies in post rock fashion hold the spotlight with plenty of spacey psychedelic arrangements.

“Eternal Hayden” is not exactly music for the masses as it relies on an uneasy trance style music that will engage a selected audience.

Witherfall might be a new name in the music scene but many will be familiar with the musicians that created this project: guitarist Jake Dreyer, vocalist Joseph Michael and drummer Adam Sagan who sadly passed away before the release of the debut album “Nocturnes And Requiems”. Witherfall certainly worked hard on the genesis of “Nocturnes And Requiems” which features a rather stylish combo of progressive metal and darkened melodies.

“Portrait” stands out immediately for the exquisitely sophisticated guitar work heavily prog influenced with an overdose of classy shredding and neoclassical accents. There is a good amount of crunchy guitar riffs to keep a heavy groove alive but the highlights tend to be found in the melodic melancholy that lingers throughout the song and is particularly expressed in the soothing vocals.

“What We Are Dying For” features a sharp guitar driven rhythm that is always embellished by killer guitar leads and again loads of elegant shredding. A darkened aura holds a dominant role particularly when the tempo slows down with somber arpeggios and memorable Spanish style acoustic passages.

“End Of Time” shines for the charismatic neoclassical inspired guitars that create a luminous musical palette enhanced by complex tempo variations. Joseph Michael delivers eclectic inspired vocals with a remarkable classic metal approach as well as a more mellow style when passionate acoustic guitars channel intense sadness.

“Nobody Sleeps Here” is filled with moody melancholy while a solid virtuosic guitar style continues to surpass any expectation with enthralling licks and neoclassical melodies that are simply unforgettable. Again, Michael’s vocals effortlessly showcase great versatility shifting from soft melodic to a heavier powerful delivery.

With impressive musicianship and emotionally charged songwriting “Nocturnes And Requiems” proves to be a genuine musical effort that will righteously put Witherfall in the spotlight.