Liturgy of Death finds Mayhem sounding cold, deliberate, and utterly confident in their identity. Rather than chasing chaos for its own sake, the album moves with a grim sense of purpose, like a slow ritual unfolding rather than an explosion of violence. Every element feels controlled, from the rigid, punishing drumming to the dense, coiled guitar work that favors atmosphere as much as aggression.

Attila Csihar’s vocals remain one of the record’s most unsettling features. He doesn’t simply scream — he inhabits the songs, shifting between chants, growls, and spectral mutterings that give the music a ceremonial weight. The band sounds less interested in shock and more focused on creating a suffocating mood, where death isn’t dramatic but inevitable.

The album doesn’t rush to impress, and that patience may alienate listeners looking for immediate intensity. Instead, its power builds through repetition and immersion, revealing details over time. Liturgy of Death may not redefine black metal, but it reinforces why Mayhem still matter: they understand how to make darkness feel serious, oppressive, and alive. ... See More

Aux Heures Désespérées feels like an album shaped by tension and urgency, where every riff carries weight and intention. Archvile King blends harsh black metal energy with more melodic and atmospheric passages, creating a sound that’s cold, violent, but also deeply emotional. The guitars shift between cutting tremolo lines and darker, almost heroic melodies, while the vocals sound less like simple aggression and more like a voice trapped inside the album’s bleak themes. Subtle ambient moments give the music room to breathe, reinforcing the sense of despair without breaking the momentum. Overall, it plays like a single, continuous descent rather than a collection of separate tracks, intense, immersive, and uncompromising

Con Orquesta presents Therion in their most theatrical and classically driven form, capturing the band in a live setting alongside a full orchestra and choir. Well-known songs are reshaped into expansive, cinematic arrangements where orchestral and vocal elements take center stage, while the metallic edge is intentionally softened.

The album feels like a natural extension of Therion’s artistic vision rather than a one-off experiment. Its dramatic and ceremonial character becomes even more pronounced in this symphonic context, emphasizing atmosphere and grandeur over raw power. Con Orquesta stands as a testament to Therion’s compositional strength and their deep-rooted connection to operatic and classical traditions.

The Bereaved marks Marianas Rest’s return with an emotionally charged and immersive album centered on themes of loss and reflection. As their fifth full-length, the record deepens the band’s established blend of doom, melodic death, and post-metal, presenting a heavy yet cinematic atmosphere that feels both oppressive and elegant.

The album unfolds at a measured pace, guided by brooding riffs, layered ambience, and expressive vocal performances that alternate between harsh intensity and restrained melody. This contrast strengthens the album’s somber mood, drawing the listener into a deeply introspective experience.

Songs such as “Again Into the Night” and “Diamonds in the Rough” highlight the band’s ability to merge weighty heaviness with moments of clarity and melody. Subtle keyboard work and open, spacious production enhance the emotional impact, allowing the music to resonate more with each listen.

Overall, The Bereaved is a compelling and emotionally rich release, offering a cathartic listening experience for fans of atmospheric and melancholic extreme metal. ... See More

With Endless, Ov Sulfur reinforce their blackened deathcore sound while pushing it into more dynamic territory. The album delivers relentless heaviness but balances it with melodic layers and atmospheric touches, giving the material a sense of scale and emotional contrast.

The songwriting moves beyond constant aggression, allowing space for symphonic elements, varied vocal approaches, and more expansive structures. Ricky Hoover’s intense vocal performance anchors the record, while guest appearances add subtle variety without distracting from the band’s core identity.

Although it stays rooted in the genre’s foundations, Endless stands out as a focused and confident release. One that combines crushing force with thoughtful arrangement and signals the band’s steady evolution within the extreme metal scene. ... See More