Danish doom newcomers Maunah aim to spellbind the listeners with the haunting debut full-length “Hjarta” rooted in melodic Scandinavian doom tradition and Nordic folk.
“Heimaland” depicts a desolate world where guitars can freely explore diverse territories even with a rather catchy approach through fierce rhythmic segments and decadent melodic progressions enhanced by a remarkably poetic vocal performance.
“Solin Vaugna” acquires darker tonalities highlighting the presence of an ancestral force as abrasive riffs build proper monumental grooves yet a dismal melodic flow continues to emerge through fascinating guitar phrases.
Within the bleak atmospheric ensemble of “Theinajau” guitars focus on soothing melodies with a crispy sound that spontaneously becomes more aggressive and the consequent groovy dynamics channel an ominous extreme metal flair.
Under the perennial shroud of frost of the title track guitars move sinuously crafting impeccable harmonious movements and evoking eternal gloom around particularly fervent vocals while the eclectic rhythmic section often gains the spotlight generating electrifying crescendos.
Maunah features veteran musicians and their chemistry is undeniable so even if “Hjarta” is just the first chapter of an immersive journey it perfectly symbolizes their intriguing artistic vision.
Category: Album Reviews 2026
Besvärjelsen – Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem
Self-proclaimed Swedish forest rockers Besvärjelsen are ready to deliver sincere passion and monumental grooves on the new release “Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem” inspired by mysticism and traditions.
“The Greatest Sin” conquers the listeners with subtle occult rock vibes and a colossal rhythmic section channeling a glorious old school formula through thrilling guitar riffs and a fervent vocal performance.
“Counting Flies” acquires mesmerizing darkened tonalities that spontaneously generate an intricate melodic ensemble highlighting the smooth guitar leads and the soulful vocal harmonies.
“Drifters on a Quiet Stream” reveals a mellow ballad structure with glowing melodies and soft piano floating freely under a sunny sky nevertheless you can appreciate a significantly heavier & wilder rhythmic rampage.
With a super entertaining attitude “Didn’t Come to Party” shines for the glorious vintage sound putting the spotlight on the charismatic guitar work effortlessly shifting from gritty riffing to explosive leads.
“Black Wave” feels darker and moody relying on galloping loud guitar riffs to build monolithic rhythmic patterns and melancholic passages embellished by the organ.
The sentimental final track “Oblivion” focuses on wistful vocals, gentle piano and polished guitars to fully express emotive themes.
Besvärjelsen always manifest devotion to heavy stoner rock and follow their own musical pathway that now leads straight to the mystical forest of “Till Glömskan Ad Oblivionem”.
Static Abyss – The Dying Hunt
Founded by Autopsy’s Greg Wilkinson & Chris Reifert in the early 2020’s, Static Abyss presents their twisted manifesto of doom-laden brutal death metal throughout the hostile new release “The Dying Hunt”.
As “Lobotomized at Last” begins a cruel rhythmic march we enter a distant pitchblack dimension where a pale doom melodic essence is surrounded by relentless drumming and violent guitar riffs.
At the center of the title track there is a crusty death metal rhythm certainly amplified by raging screams so there’s no time to relax and shadowy doomed guitar progressions render the mood even darker.
“Bleeding in the Fog” might slow down for a bit but guitars continue to evoke unnerving dynamics through ominous phrases inevitably leading to a completely chaotic sonic realm.
Nightmarish vibes fill the air on “Nowhere Forever” as guitars skillfully build malevolent grooves and still provide a generous dosage of hypnotic melodies to capture your attention.
On “Volcanic Womb” cavernous growls dwell within a dystopian landscape and drums dictate belligerent speed yet guitars can provide a mournful melodic touch.
“Darkness at the End of the Light” brings a monolithic closure with towering gritty riffage but shifts the focus on the classic doom nuances of the lugubrious lead guitar work and the consequent tormented melodic ensemble.
On the third album “The Dying Hunt” Static Abyss confidently unleash an unapologetic rhythmic assault fueled by sheer fury that could trigger an insane moshpit at the very first listen.
Gåte – Sigil
Drawing inspiration from magical Nordic folk traditions Norwegian band Gåte is ready to conquer a solid status in the international music scene with the ancestral power and the eclectic narrative of the new riveting full-length “Sigil”.
The folk essence of “Bergteken” shines bright as the engaging tribal rhythm and the otherworldly vocals take you straight to magical landscapes where you can easily connect with nature guided by graceful melodic waves that will evolve into an intense ritualistic grand finale.
“Oskorsreia” doesn’t waste any time unleashing a solid series of harsh guitar riffs that certainly amplify a modern rock approach while the soothing vocal harmonies and the elegant strings continue to spellbind the listeners.
The album’s lead single “Sannsiger” immediately stands out for the crucial role of the multilayered hypnotic synths creating mystifying atmospheric tapestries that unfold around the mesmerizing chants featuring guest vocalist Maria Franz of Heilung.
In the mystical realm of “Nokon” we search for a sense of renewal following diligently the syncopated percussion and the cryptic chanting while in the distance enchanting strings maintain a deeply melancholic melodic flow.
“Strandvaskar” presents a glowing folk flair focusing on bewitching vocals and evocative electro textures yet significantly heavier guitars ultimately lead to monolithic rhythmic crescendos.
On “Aude” the band’s Nordic folk roots constantly emerge through the cathartic melodies enhanced by the addition of the hardanger fiddle yet guitars gradually gain intensity and darker tonalities to build impactful rhythmic dynamics.
Depicting a world of ancient legends and myths, Gåte are destined to impress the audience with untamed devotion and a unique songwriting style combining fascinating traditional instruments and surreal programmed electronics to reach remarkable artistic heights.
The Night Eternal – Cold Velvet
German quintet The Night Eternal is shaping a detailed personal style on the alluring third album “Cold Velvet” characterized by a cohesive narrative and a gripping darkened essence.
“Where This World Ends” begins a sorrowful journey through gelid soundscapes highlighting the towering rhythmic section and the mature musicianship through relentless riffs and captivating guitar solos.
“Eurydice (Don’t Look Back)” follows a rather dark pathway but the natural melodic flow leads to the shadowy sentimental catchiness of the chorus and the ardent melodic crescendos fueled by the polished guitar work.
On “Caught in a Spell” magnetic guitars confidently embrace a super groovy approach maintaining a balanced rhythmic pace with a remarkable old school attitude and continues to emphasize a hypnotizing melodic essence.
“The Watcher of the Burning Veil” reveals a genuine devotion to ’80s classic heavy metal so you can expect loads of monumental grooves often embellished by epic melodic accents.
“Dance on Crimson Ground” shines for the captivating vocals and the poetic melodic progressions thriving within a cold atmospheric ensemble as guitars focus on sophisticated leads and emotional depth yet still engage in memorable energizing rhythmic segments.
Drenched in endless melancholia “Cold Velvet” passionately combines Nordic heaviness and mesmeric melodic themes allowing The Night Eternal to effortlessly reach a wider audience.
The Eternal – Obscured Horizons
Australian/Finnish progressive dark metal collective The Eternal returns to spread overwhelming melancholia throughout the new darkly alluring offering aptly entitled “Obscured Horizons”.
The haunting melodic grandeur of “Lament For The Hollow” resonates through the irresistible chorus and the elegant guitar progressions expressing grim feelings and perfectly manifesting the band’s genuine passion for doom-laden textures.
Following a mellow rhythmic pathway “I’ve Seen The Dream” immediately reveals an introspective essence through the eloquent combo of poetic vocals and refined guitar melodies bound to reach a sincere emotional depth.
The thrilling prog metal flair of “Liminality” increases heaviness & complexity as guitars constantly shift from shadowy tones to glowing dynamics and skillfully add diverse rhythmic twists to the main enthralling melodic motifs which continues to flow gracefully within an expansive epic atmospheric ensemble.
The title track confidently builds a monumental rhythmic section fueled by soaring guitar riffs and precise drumming in impeccable prog fashion yet still holds an attractive Nordic melancholy that naturally leads to soothing melodic moments.
The sophisticated composition of “Awaken” relies on a charismatic series of enticing melodic guitar phrases gently unfolding around a poignant vocal performance and further enriched by shimmering intricate keyboards.
On the immersive eighth studio album “Obscured Horizons” The Eternal confidently presents to the world their own striking blend of darkened sentiments and musical prowess destined to impress the audience.
If These Trees Could Talk – The Hidden Hand
It’s been a while but instrumental post-rock band If These Trees Could Talk is finally ready for a mesmeric journey through the contemplative soundscapes of the brand new album “The Hidden Hand”.
“Moon Machine” dwells within a hazy atmospheric realm where guitars can move freely to build an enthralling melodic structure characterized by forlorn tonalities and eclectic musicianship.
The bleak beauty of the arpeggios on “Sea Of Glass” inevitably moves even the occasional listener and guitars craft gripping rhythmic crescendos driven by a palpable emotional turmoil.
“Silence Between Mountains, Pt. 1” emphasizes a dreamy composition with thoughtful guitar phrases resonating through a delicate cinematic ensemble.
“Silence Between Mountains, Pt. 2” continues to embrace the same pensive feelings as the otherworldly guitar work gradually becomes more elaborate and acquires extra distortion ultimately leading to a dramatically heavier momentum.
The syncopated rhythmic core of “Metanoia” naturally generates some energizing grooves yet guitars effortlessly maintain a smooth melodic flow and a luminous sound.
On “The Hidden Hand” If These Trees Could Talk focus on spirituality and emotional depth to create a memorable sonic experience captivating the audience with hypnotizing melodies and spaced out atmospheric tapestries.
Green Lung – Necropolitan
UK heavy rock band Green Lung fully embraces a glorious classic sound to deliver an overdose of memorable hooks on the new darkened album “Necropolitan”.
“Dance to the grave” feels entertaining and macabre at the same time maintaining a delightful retro attitude as soaring guitars focus on monumental stomping riffage and rebellious vocals enhance a spooky catchiness.
“Black magick radio” embodies a serious occult rock affair as the Hammond successfully crafts multilayered bewitching tapestries to support a ghastly storyline and a wild rhythmic rampage.
Stories from occult London folklore thrive on “Necropolitan line” which stands out for the intense grooves skillfully generated by the sumptuous Hammond and the blazing guitar acrobatics.
“Ozymandias” relies on the timeless strength of classic heavy metal with hints of vintage proto – metal so the swaggering riffs stay at the center of the rhythmic structure while the lead guitar work reveals a refined melodic approach.
Featuring Riley Pinkerton of US fantasy doomers Castle Rat as prophetic narrator “Alostrael (Be My Babalon)” quickly acquires an epic flair through solemn vocals and mythical themes while guitars continue to build inflamed groovy dynamics with evident raw energy.
Inspired by traditional British metal and an evident passion for esoterism Green Lung proudly channels a beloved old school style depicting a haunting Victorian era throughout “Necropolitan”.
Moon Destroys – Omni
Formed by renowned guitarist Juan Montoya and drummer Evan Diprima, US heavy rock powerhouse Moon Destroys is ready to conquer your heart inviting you on a trippy voyage through the kaleidoscopic soundscapes of the new release “Omni”.
“Invasion” immediately unleashes acidic groovy dynamics and without particular bombastic effects the band skillfully blends sludgy riffage and dreamy vibes.
The cinematic track “My Eyes” begins to showcase an eloquent shoegazy atmospheric ensemble and guitars naturally acquire warmer tonalities crafting bittersweet harmonies but still follows a vibrant rhythmic approach.
“Kingdom” bravely explores hypnotizing psychedelic territories as drums choose a slower tempo to put the spotlight on the intricate shimmering guitar progressions accompanied by a particularly soulful vocal delivery.
The raw energy of “Missing Wish” feels quite liberating and generates a monolithic rhythmic momentum with galloping abrasive guitar riffs and thunderous drums.
“Nocturne” aptly embraces shadowy nuances and the resulting darkened mood leads to elaborate rhythmic variations and magnetic guitar phrases characterized by alluring shoegaze tonalities.
“She Cried” brings closure expressing immense melancholia through deeply emotive vocals and hazy melodic motifs yet guitars maintain a spontaneous gritty stoner rock sound enriched by significantly darker tonalities.
On “Omni” Moon Destroys take the chance to fully manifest their own sonic vision without any hesitation showing their vulnerable melodic side as well as an authentic devotion to heavy rock.
Psycroptic – The Pulse Of Annihilation
Renowned as vanguard of technical death metal, Psycroptic are back to reconfirm their reputation delivering an intense sonic experience on the new studio effort “The Pulse Of Annihilation”.
“Ashes Of A New Dawn” drags you through a dystopian dimension where violent guitars masterfully build a colossal rhythmic march showcasing excellent musicianship with plenty of twisted technical elements and solemn melodic accents.
“A Sword Of Me” emphasizes an intriguing melodic finesse through the eloquent arpeggios and the crispy guitar sound yet the monumental combo of pummeling drums and hostile riffs can leave you breathless.
“Our Pillars Fall” welcomes you with warm acoustic passages but this momentary peacefulness is destined to fade away as the monolithic riffing ignites pure rhythmic fury ultimately leading to a memorable chorus focused on fiery vocals and glorious guitar leads.
“Annihilation Pulse” relies on the technical density of the empowering rhythmic section once again bound to impress any music connoisseur and the menacing growls constantly amplify a classic brutal death metal inspiration.
On “Forging The Crown” nocturnal atmospheric arrangements embellish the precise harsh rhythmic structure evoking a primordial cryptic force and guitars can often shift to sophisticated gloomy harmonic movements.
Driven by impressive technical prowess and indisputable death metal worship Psycroptic show no mercy throughout “The Pulse Of Annihilation” presenting an extremely elaborate composition that challenges and even pleasantly entertains the audience from beginning to end.
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