Almanon Interview

 

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

Sergio Vieira: Greetings, we released the album on July 13, 2025, and since then we've had a very positive response from all the media involved with extreme metal. We've played some shows where we performed the album in its entirety, and we continue promoting the album and our physical material into 2026. We hope our sound reaches every corner of the extreme metal world.

2.In July you released a new album, musically how does it differ from your previous releases?

Sergio Vieira: Our first work was the EP Warlegion, released in 2023, followed by our live album Ao Vivo Tres Lagoas Metal Fest 2023. In 2025, we completed this trilogy with our full album, maintaining the essence and purpose of being an old-school and organic band. We feel we've evolved from the EP to the full album, but we've kept the band's core essence. We strive to follow our instincts without chasing fads or trends; we are an underground band and will remain so until the end of time.

3.The lyrics on the new album cover the writings of Edgar Allan Poe, which stories di you cover with this release?

Sergio Vieira: When I started writing the lyrics for the album, it wasn't my intention to make a concept album. However, as I created the lyrics—the first one I wrote being "Death Red," inspired by the short story "The Death of the Red Mask"—it triggered other Poe stories like the song "Human Perversity" (story: The Imp of the Perverse) and "The Black Birds" (story: The Raven), and thus a universe of Poe's psychological horror was created.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Almanon'?

Sergio Vieira: The name Almanon is a universal name and has no direct translation, but it has its meaning and was taken from the Atlas of the Moon. Almanon is one of the names of the craters on the Moon and has all this cosmic symbolism. On our album and EP covers you will find the Moon.So every time you look at the Moon, remember Almanon.

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

Sergio Vieira: The cover art was created by the artist Marcio Blasphemator, and he understood the entire concept of the album, where the front and back covers (yes, there's a back cover only on the physical CD) dialogue with the songs and stories, making every connection between characters and music. Marcio also created the monster that appears on the album cover and our EP cover, and it will be present in our future works. All the art was done by hand by Marcio with an old pen, thus maintaining an organic feel throughout the album, starting with the cover.

6.Out of all the shows the band has done so far which one stands out the most?

Sergio Vieira: Without a doubt, it was in Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil, where we performed for the first time in 2023, and from that show came our first live album. Of course, we played in other cities and states in Brazil, which was very special for everyone in the band, but the symbolism of it being our first show in our city, and after 10 years there hadn't been a live extreme music event in the city, and the fact that we released this live album on all digital platforms and in physical CD format, made the "Ao Vivo Tres Lagoas Metal Fest" very symbolic.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for 2026?

Sergio Vieira: We have plans to play in as many places as possible, however we have a logistical problem with the other members. Drummer Ricky Longinus and I are from Três Lagoas, but vocalist Paulo and bassist Gustavo Jianoto don't live in the same city, and we all have personal commitments because we don't live off the band; we have our own personal and professional obligations. But we always try to adapt to show invitations and do our best to make it happen, and we always want to be playing in different places and chatting with the metal crowd, and that's how we'll continue.

8.Currently the band is unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

Sergio Vieira: We currently have no contract or contact with any record label. We released our physical material in Brazil through a collective of labels that believed in our project; they are: Misanthropic Records, Ihells Productions, Heavy Metal Rock, Terror Shop, Trevas Nascemos, and it was released on CD in 300 copies. If a record label appears in the future, we will be willing to talk.

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

Sergio Vieira: The response has been very positive, both in reviews from extreme metal magazines and websites, and with the crowd at shows and those who purchased our material. People understood very well our entire proposal of an old-school, organic band, bringing out the dark side of literature, and we delivered our best and made this album with pure soul and passion, and this, in a way, resonates with those who listen and feel the truth of our sound.

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

Sergio Vieira: The band's goal from the beginning has been to be organic and raw, and we will maintain that until the end. What will happen is the natural evolution that we all go through, but for us, the important thing is to maintain the same essence. We always evolve in some way, and that's not just in music, but in our lives too. But I repeat, what matters most to the band is maintaining its real and true essence.

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

Sergio Vieira: Speaking for myself, I listen to a lot of Death Metal and Black Metal. I can mention some of the bands I've been listening to lately, and I can't fail to mention our brothers from Krisiun (by the way, the band I listen to the most). I've also listened to Escarnium, and I've been revisiting some of Dismember past work, classic albums from the past. In short, there are many things, but these are the ones I've mentioned that I've been listening to lately.

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

Sergio Vieira: Thank you so much for the interview and the opportunity to present our band to your readers. It's spaces like this that strengthen the extreme metal scene, whether in print magazines or online portals; all are important. We believe this unity strengthens everyone involved with extreme music.

https://www.facebook.com/almanon.35737

Chaingün Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band? 

Axe: For me Chaingün is a mixture of speedy thrash metal with elements of black metal and a bit of rock ‘n’ roll. Everything started with a group of buddies who wanted to play something like Teutonic thrash metal. In the beginning we played at a rented rehearsal room and the band members changed a lot at that time. The first thing we released was our EP Under Lucifer’s Command. Our band member Budy played the drums on this EP but then later when recording Nukin’ the Heaven’s Door, our LP, he took the place of the lead guitarist. The band as it was when recording our LP has been consistent since 2024/2025. 

2.You have your first full length coming out towards the end of February, musically how does it differ from your previous ep? 

B: The LP is definitely more mature in terms of sound and songwriting, we have a lot more experience compared to when we recorded the EP. 

3.Some of your lyrics cover occult themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the dark arts?

 B: We just do it for the sake of the game. Like Venom, who never actually believed this stuff, they just wanted to piss off neurotic catholic parents.

 4.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

 B: As a main lyricist, I feel obliged to answer. When I'm not writing about the occult and warfare stuff, I take inspiration from historic legends, old movies or just the world we live in. As an example, our first single, Clandestine Sorcery is loosely based on the old Polish legend of witches' sabbat from Łysa Góra. 

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Chaingün'?

 B: I don't know, I came up with it when I started writing the first songs and thought it sounded awesome and catchy. Maaaaybe it has something to do with the fact I played a lot of Duke Nukem back in the day ;) You can tell by the artwork that we're big fans of 90s shooter games.

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

Axe: Both the EP and LP cover artworks were made by my close friend who is an artist from Krakow. Michał Stempak (igasu) created our band mascot which we wanted to be present on many of our artworks.The album cover should somewhat mirror what the music is about, so there are visions of the usual stuff for this kind of genre - hell, war, torment… 

7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

 B: I would go with Barbaric Onslaught two years ago and then the mini-tour with the sexy pricks from Grimoire and R.I.P. About the stage performance, I don't see myself as a particularly excellent frontman, so I just go with the flow and if the crowd comes along, I count it as an awesome gig.

 8.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released? 

B: We have some shows in Poland scheduled for this year, but before we go on a fully-fledged tour we have to get our shit together.

 9.Currently the band is signed to 'Virulent Records', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

 B: It's run by our good friend Mikołaj, right now it's just a small label for friends, but he has an ambition to make the label grow organically into an important player among the indie labels. Axe: The creator of the label is the person who introduced me to Batcos and that was the moment when Chaingün became more of a band than just an idea. 

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

 B: The only time we went "international" was the tour with our Transylvanian friends of Treasondom (cheers guys!), so I don't think I can really tell for now. Maybe after we release the album we're gonna aim for some European festivals. 

11.Are any of the band members currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?

B: Who of us isn't? Since you're asking, I also play drums in an old-school thrash/death outfit called Instant Death. We like to say out here "five musicians make six bands". Axe: Me and our drummer Bartek (Witchhammer) are also involved in a black metal band called Zdrada Iskariota. We first played together there and after seeing that we “clicked” as musicians, I invited him to play the drums in Chaingün as well. Budy and Bartek also played together in a band called Slütstation. We create new projects together from time to time as we are really just good friends who want to spend quality time together. 

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

B: Hopes are high, we want to play bigger and bigger stages and lineups and preach the old ways of metal. 

13.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays? B: My main inspiration will always be Toxic Holocaust. Other than that, of course Bathory, Celtic Frost, Motörhead, Hellripper and old Teutonic thrash masters, especially Sodom. As for what I’m listening to these days -, the current Polish underground scene is flourishing and every month there's an awesome new release to listen to. 

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

Our music always takes from the old-school metal scene. Even though we, as a band, listen to many different music genres, in the case of Chaingün, our minds are alike about the direction in which this band is heading. Playing gigs is always a lot of fun and we were able to meet so many other metal maniacs along the way! Even though we aim at playing true metal, we still remain down to earth. Axe would like to thank all maniacs who come to our gigs, buy merch and support our band! B: Stay metal, stay blasphemous and come to our shows when we’ll be around!! 

https://www.facebook.com/Chaingun666

Nuctemeron Interview

 

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

Infernal Hails, Lunatic Aggressor here. I'll be doing the interview with you and will try to answer all your questions. So, since we finished recording in August at our friend Avenger's (Nocturnal) Somewhere in Nowhere studio, a few months have passed. We've used this time to rehearse a new setlist with many of the songs that will be on the album and to prepare for upcoming gigs. We've also been busy getting the artwork approved, the layout, taking promo photos, and all those other things a band has to do for a new Album. We've poured a lot of time and heart into these to prepare the new album, "Demonic Sceptre," exactly the way we want it.

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

So, I think we musically focused more on our roots, which are firmly planted in the heavy, black, and speed metal of the 80s. And I think you can hear that in the songs, since we wrote a lot more Speed and Heavy Metal riffs that really suit them. With the older songs, we focused more on pure speed, whereas with the new songs, we eased off the gas pedal a bit and wrote them in favor of more heaviness and aggression. I think we took our time so that in the end, all four of us were one hundred percent satisfied with every song.

3.A lot of your lyrics cover Satanic and Blasphemous themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the dark arts?

Since I'm the one who "commits" all the lyrics here, I can give you the appropriate answer. Our lyrics are always a huge part of my inner demons and, admittedly, sometimes somewhat morbid fantasies. Among other things, I have a great interest in black magic, sexual rituals, witchcraft, and things like that. I've read many books on the subject and am also a huge horror movie fan, especially of films from the 70s and 80s. I also see the whole Satanism thing we've adopted more as our counter-movement to all the religions that unfortunately dominate our world and which I despise with all my heart.

4.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

Of course, our lyrics also revolve a lot around heavy metal, the way we understand and live it, the way we embody and stylize it with all its clichés. But for the new album, I've also incorporated my interest in serial killers and similar topics into the lyrics. It's also about war, destruction, nuclear madness, and everything else humanity is capable of.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Nuctemeron'?

First of all, the name Nuctemeron means the unity of day and night, a complete daily cycle often imbued with symbolic, spiritual significance. Some occult or "witchcraft" movements interpret these forces as access to ancient hidden, dark energies. This, combined with the song title "Nuctemeron" from the Sodom album "Obsessed by Cruelty," which we absolutely adore, was the deciding factor for us in choosing this name as our band name.

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

The album cover was designed by Sebastian Frigerio, whom we discovered through the cover of Phantom's EP "Transylvanian Nightmare" and whose style immediately captivated us. He painted the entire cover in oils, which was something we particularly valued. He perfectly captured our vision and ideas for the cover, and we are completely satisfied with his work and all our communication with him.

7.Out of all the shows and tours the band has done so far, which one stands out the most?

We don't really tour. We usually play a maximum of five or six concerts a year because that's enough for us and we don't want to play that often. This way, we can offer our fans a special Nuctemeron concert experience with our stage show. Our highlights definitely included our performance at "Thrash Nightmare" in the Czech Republic in 2022 and our guest appearance at "Odyssey to Blasphemy" in 2024. But actually, every gig we've played so far has been special for us in its own way and we've had a blast.

8.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?

Of course, with the new setlist and this awesome album behind us, we want to play some awesome shows and festivals both at home and abroad. We're itching to unleash a hefty dose of Black Witching Blitz Metal of Satan on the audience and deliver an energetic Nuctemeron Metal show.

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

We are absolutely satisfied with Peter's work at I Hate Records. He's just like us, a total metal fanatic and Die Hard Metal Maniac, which is why we clicked immediately. Peter has been a fixture in the metal scene for a long time and has already released many great albums. Comparing him to other labels is always difficult, as every label we've worked with so far has given their best, and in the end, it's always resulted in great Nuctemeron releases.

10.On the new album you also done a 'Venom' cover, what was the decision behind doing your own version of one of their songs?

Oh hell yeah! Venom were and always will be a huge influence on us and many others. After already paying tribute to Bathory with our cover version of "Reaper" on the split EP "Fuck Off (In the Name of Satan)", we thought it fitting to cover Venom's "Angeldust" for the pre-released 7" vinyl single "Rape from the Grave" and as a bonus track for the CD version of "Demonic Sceptre", and worshipping the Black Metal trio from Newcastle.

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

Over the years, we've consistently received positive feedback on our music from all over the world, which has always made us very happy. Even though, as is often said, you mainly make music for yourself, it's a special reward. I think the new album will again generate a lot of positive reactions and also appeal to people who might not have connected with us before.

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

That's a good and valid question, and I have to say that we haven't fundamentally changed our basic musical style compared to the "Knights of Hell" EP and this album. We've simply refined it and become a bit more multifaceted, and our black heavy speed metal influences are more pronounced on the album. We're completely satisfied with it and will remain true to this musical formula in the future. Fans can continue to expect uncompromising Black Heavy Speed Metal from us and won't be disappointed.

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

The four of us have very broad musical tastes and listen to pretty much everything that came out in the 80s in terms of Heavy, Speed, Thrash, and Black Metal. The classics, of course, from Iron Maiden, DIO, and Judas Priest to Manowar, Running Wild, Venom, Hellhammer, Bathory, Destruction, Sodom, and early Slayer or Metallica—it's just too much to list. But we also listen to 70s an 80s Hard Rock, AOR, Punk, and 90s Second-Wave Black Metal. And of course, we listen to a lot of current underground Metal releases from all over the world. Naturally, I don't need to mention that we're absolute vinyl fanatics and collect and adore everything else related to Metal.

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

First of all, thank you very much for the interview and Hail and Kill to the readers of the BlackenedDeathMetalZine.

RAISE THE DEMONIC SCEPTRE AND OPEN THE HELL´S CHAPTER!!!!

 https://youtu.be/90n4RKupuv4

Witching Hour/Rise Of The Desecrated/Dying Victims Productions/2026 Album Re-Issue Review

 

  Witching  Hour  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  played  a  mixture  of  black  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2009  album  "Rise  Of  The  Desecrated"  which  will  be  re-issued  in  March,  2026  by  Dying  Victims  Productions.

  A  very  distorted  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  direction  while  blast  beats  are  added  into  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs.  Elements  of  thrash  metal  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  and  the  vocals  are  done  in  more  of  a  first  wave  black  metal  style.

  Most  of  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  80's  era  while  also  being  very  heavily  influenced  by  the  Teutonic  style of  that  era.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  also  remain  very  true  to  an  old  school  style  along  with  the  whole  album  also  sticking  to  a  heavier  musical  direction.

  On  this  recording  Witching  Hour  took  first  wave  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  Teutonic  thrash  metal  to  create  a  very  heavy  and  aggressive  album.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Luciferian,  Occultism,  Blasphemy,  War,  Murder  and  Violence  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  was  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Witching  Hour  and  if  you  are   a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  re-issue.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Rise  of  The  Desecrated"  "Unholy  Alliance"  and  "Cold  Grave'.  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axxP7BFxsM4

https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/rise-of-the-desecrated    

  

Cruel Force/Haneda/Shadow Kingdom Records/2026 Full Length Review

  Cruel  Force  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  thrash  and  speed  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Haneda"  which  will  be  released  in  March  by  Shadow  Kingdom  Records.

  Melodic  guitar  solos  and  leads  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  heavy  riffing  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  elements  of  speed  and  thrash  metal.  Vocals  are  done  in  more  of  a  first  wave  black  metal  style  as  well  as  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  blast  beats  and  the  music  makes  and  80's  style  more  modern.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  yet  old  school  style,  back  up  shouts  are  also  used  on  a  few  tracks  along  with  one  song  being  an  instrumental  which  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  Asian  folk  instruments  and  a  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length. 

  On  this  recording  Cruel  Force  takes  the  80's  style  of  black,  thrash  and  speed  metal  and  modernize  them  for  the  modern  era.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  mystical  and  mythological  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Cruel  Force  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  thrash  and  speed  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOIMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Whips  A  Swinging"  "Warlords"  and  "Haneda".  8  out  of  10.

www.facebook.com/cruelforce      

Funeral Pile/Summoning/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Funeral  Pile  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  blackened  mixture  of  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2026  album  "Summoning"  which  will  be  released  in  March.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  before  adding  in  some  melodic  guitar  solos  and  leads  which  also  takes  the  music  into  a  heavier  direction.  Some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  album  also  bring  in  elements  of  doom  metal.  Vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams  along  with  some  death  metal  growls  also  being  utilized  at  times,  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  and  a  couple  of  tracks  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  clear  singing  can  also  be  heard  briefly.  

  On  this  recording  Funeral  Pile  takes  black,  doom  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  very  dark  and  heavy  sounding  album.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  mythological  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Funeral  Pile  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  doom  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Hope  is  A  Lie"  "The  Unendurable"  and  "In  Eternal  Fire".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/funeralpile/

The Leaving/Self Titled/Personal Records/2026 EP Review

 

  The  Leaving  are  an  international  band  with  members  from  Argentina,   Germany  and  the  netherlands  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  2025  ep  which  will  be  released  in  March  by  Personal  Records.

  Distorted  soundscapes  and  spoken  words  start  off  the  ep  before  going  into  a  heavier  doom  metal  direction  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.

  When  keyboards  are  utilized  they  also  take  the  music  into  more  of  an  atmospheric  direction  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  A  lot  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  along  with  the  whole  recording  also  sticking  to  a  slower  musical  direction,  clean  playing  is  also  added  towards  the  end.

  The  leaving  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  and  atmospheric  form  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  doom/death  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  and  cover  the  emotional  and  psychological  torment  of  those  left  behind  in  a  fractured  relationship.

  In  my  opinion  The  Leaving  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "I"  "IV"  and  "VII".  8  out  of  10.

  http://personal-records.bandcamp.com/album/the-leaving