Namtaru/Cult Of Ancient Deities/Awakening Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Namtaru  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  blackened  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Cult  of  Ancient  Deities"  which  will  be  released  in  April  by  Awakening  Records.

  A  very  dark  sounding  intro  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  synths  and  ritualistic  chants  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  a  lot  of  brutal  blast  beats  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  death  metal  growls.

  Black  metal  style  tremolo  picking  is  also  added  into  some  of  the  faster  riffing  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  bring  in  more  of  a  90['s  death  metal  style  along  with  a  couple  of  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  as  well  as  one  song  also  being  an  instrumental  and  spoken  word  samples  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

  Namtaru  plays  a  style  of  blackened  death  metal  that  is  very  fast,  aggressive  and  brutal  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Sumerian  Mythology,  Occultism  and  Cosmic  Horror  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Namtaru  are  a  very  great  sounding  blackened  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Cold  Dead  Waste"  "Dagon"  and  "Call  From  The  Depths".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/namtaru.band

Nekrodeus/RUAß/F.D.A Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Nekrodeus  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  death  metal,  grind  and  hardcore  punk  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album "RUAß"  which  will  be  released  in  may  by  F.D.A  Records.

  A  very  fast  and  brutal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  tremolo  picking,  blast  beats  and  grindcore  elements.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  at  times  the  music  captures  the  raw  energy  oh  hardcore  punk.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  Most  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  modern  era  along  with  a  couple  of  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing.

  When  guitar  leads  are  finally  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  some back  up  shouts  also  being added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album,  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  short  in  length  and  whispered  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly.  One  song  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  acoustic  guitars  and  spoken  words  are  also  added  towards  the  end.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  a  mixture  of  German  and  English  and  cover  dark  and  political  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  Nekrodeus  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  death  metal,  grind  and  hardcore  punk,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Sarg  aus  Fleisch"  "Volkscanner"  "Astraldepression"  and  "Sternenleichen".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.instagram.com/nekrodeusofficial

https://www.facebook.com/nekrodeus

https://nekrodeus.bandcamp.com/music 

  

thisquietarmy/Langue Hybride/Consouling SOunds/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Montreal,  Quebec,  Canada's  solo  project  thisquietarmy  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  mixture  of  drone,  experimental,  post  rock,  black  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2025  album  "Langue  Hybride"  which  will  be  released  in  April  by  Consouling  Sounds.

  Atmospheric  sounding  drones  and  ambient  style  synths  start  off  the  album  while  the  clean  sections  also  add  in  elements  of  post  rock  and  shoegaze.  Stringed  instruments  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  tracks  along  with  some  of  the  beats  also  being  programmed  and  the  recording  also  gets  very  experimental  at  times.

  A  lot  of  the  music  also  sounds  improvised  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  The  slow  and  heavy  riffs  are  also  done  in  more  of  a  doom  metal  direction  with  some  touches  of  black  metal  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  adding  in  influences  of  krautrock  and  psychedelic  music.  All  of  the  album  also  sticks  to  an  instrumental  direction  and  all  of  the  tracks  also  stick  to  a  slower  style  while  the  production  sounds  very  professional.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  thisquitarmy  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  drone,  experimental,  post  rock,  black  and  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Respirer,  I'instabilite"  and  "Solastalgie  impalpable".  8  out  of  10.

  https://thisquietarmy.bandcamp.com/album/langue-hybride      

 

Seidhr/Draconthropy/Witches brew/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Seidhr  are  a  band  from  Michigan  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Draconthropy"  which  was  released  by  Witches  Brew  and  also  consists  of  their  2023  ep  "Wrath  Of  The  Hellbitch"  as  bonus  tracks.

  A  very  apocalyptic  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  brief  use  of  keyboards  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Elements  of  thrash  metal  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  riffs  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in a   decent  amount  of  blast  beats.  Most  of  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  80's  and  90's  as  well  as  being  modern  at  the  same  and  death  metal  growls  are  also  utilized  at  times.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  also  remain  very  true  to  an  old  school  extreme  metal  style  along with  the  music  sticking  mostly  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction  as  well as  one  song  also  being  an  Absu  cover,  acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  the  ep  tracks  focus  more  on  an  aggressive  and  rawer  style.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Magick,  Evil,  Torture  and  Violence  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Seidhr  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black  and  thrash  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Under  The  Sign  Of  The  Serpent"  "Akkadian  Invokation"  "Wrath  Of  The  Hellbitch"  and  "The  Okkult  Order  Of  The  Saxons".  8  out  of  10.

  https://seidhr666.bandcamp.com/music

  

  

Warhammer/Total Maniac/Van Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Warhammer  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  doom,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Total  Maniac"  which  was  released  by  Van  Records.

  Spoken  word  samples  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  riffing  brings  in  elements  of  thrash  metal.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  80's  style  death  emtal  growls  and  first  wave  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.

  A  lot  of  the  music  is  very  heavily  influenced  by  Hellhammer  and  sounds  like  what  the band  could  of  evolved  into  if they  ever  released  a  full length.  A  lot  of  the  slower  riffing  shows  an  influence  of  doom  metal  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  remaining  true  to  an  old  school  style  when  they  are  utilized  as  well  as  a  couple  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length. 

  

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  one  song  also  being  a  Crude  SS  cover  and  the  whole  album  also  sticks  to  a  heavier  musical  direction,  all  of  the  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  The  production  sounds  very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Occultism,  Death,  Terror  and  War  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Warhammer  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  doom,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Angel  Of  Destruction"  "Rise  of  A  New  Apocalypse"  "Bestial  Torment"  and  "Dying  Is  East".  8  out  of  10.   

  Instagram:  @death.doom.brigade

Facebook:   /DeathDoomBrigade 

The Vice/A Great Unrest/Noble Demon/2025 EP Review

 

  The  Vice  are  a  band  from  Sweden  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  a  mixture  of  black'n'roll,  dark  and  gothic  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  ep  "A  Great  Unrest"  which  will  be  released  in  march  by  Noble  Demon.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  ep  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  music  also  mixing  in  a  lot  of  dark  metal  elements  and  the  clear  vocals  also  add  in  more  of  a  goth  metal  touch.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  mid  tempo  sections  of  the  songs  are  more  rooted  in  black'nroll.  Touches  of  ambient  and  pop  music  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  one  track  also  being  a  Miley  Cyrus  cover,  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  more  melodic  style  and  most  of  the  recording  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction,  female  vocals  are  also  added  on  the  closing  song.

  On  this  recording  The  Vice  brings  in  a  mixture  of  black'n'roll, dark,  gothic  metal,  ambient  and  pop  to  create  something  very  different.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  The  Vice  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black;nroll,  dark  and  gothic  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "A  Great  Unrest"  and  "Welcome  The  Storm".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/TheViceOfficial/  

Urn Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

Hey. Basically not that much. It was Urn’s 30th year anniversary, did one show late 2024 and released some special limited edition shirts, patches and some other stuff. Mostly I have been busy with the same things as past years. Staying at home and playing guitar and record new songs. Oh, two music videos were done as well.

Also I have been writing my solo stuff. So far I have 15 done, probably 7 or 8 for Urn as well.

2.In March you have a new album coming out, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

Hmm..i think we have more aggression in the riffs compared to previous album which was maybe just a little more epic. I would say this album is natural and logical progression. I put quite much more into lyrics. While listening to album read in the meanwhile and listen what I am saying.

3.This is also the first album to be released since 2019, can you tell us a little bit more about the 6 year hiatus?

Well, covid shit hit just a few months after album release and that was it, basically empty silence echoing in these empty halls. Lost a bit motivation but being fucked up from the mind and possessed by demons I didn’t had any other choice than continue the devils work. Past few years I have been more active than ever, when it comes to songwriting thats the process I love the most and it gives the energy for me to continue this madness. On the other hand I have had some serious issues in personal life so being creative have been my therapy as well.

4.Over the years the band has also covered some satanic and occult topics, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the dark arts?

I am possesed by demons and they will melt my brain till I am not able to do anything else than serve them at full capacity..read..writing even more songs. This is pure living hell. Creating songs and getting zero money and gigs..Thats the purest form of torture!! And i even enjoy this!! Its easier to worship the devil when you are completely broke. Otherwise I would be too busy to do something else.

5.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored over the years with your music?

Well, whatever comes to my mind but never any political shit. Politics sucks and doesn’t belong to metal scene. 

New album have more personal and deeper meaning in lyrics. By reading them you will get the point.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

Its for all who were laughing at dawn of the devastation cover. Evil never dies as you see, they will possess your mind through the riffs. There is some hidden messages in the covers that makes you experience weird things in your life, Enjoy the ride and feel dark energies surround you! When you deal with the devil, the work you do expands around you. Its like a virus that effects..

7.Out of all the shows and tours the band has been a part of, which one stands out the most?

Well, always nice to play with the bands I like. Lets say desaster and destroyer666 are always killer live bands! Made some good friends at tours and shows around Europe. Its been good..

8.The band has been around since 1994, what is it that motivates you to keep going after 30 years?

Well, I still have hunger left but mostly its my perverse mind who likes to torture me. I need a vacation from myself. Thanks, at least a week!

9.The new album is going to be released on 'Osmose Productions, how would you compare working with this label to other labels that you have been a part of in the past?

Osmose been best so far. Every single promise kept and all going good. I personally don’t know does it really matter on which label you are in these days but I am happy to be here.

10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and thrash metal?

As usual you can please some but not all but my point is to do something that is different from these million bands but also the main thing is probably that i just please my inner demons

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Well, if you ask now we do what we are doing, tomorrow I might quit. Lets see what new album brings, if its as empty period as after previous album its quite obvious there will be no new album. I don’t see any point to spend one year for travelling/rehearse and record new album for getting nothing.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?

We are old and we are loyal to the stuff we have grown with. By listening that same shit as always is the way. 

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

 At least you readers spend your time by giving us a listen. Some people know what it is to do a new record when starting it from a scratch to have it in your hands. Speaking about my motivation. Only to travel to rehearsals for the album it took 16000 kilometers from me. Some things are made with passion, otherwise it cant be possible, your body will stop you and drives you down for sure!

https://osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com/album/demon-steel