#blackmetal — Public Fediverse posts

Recensioni ✍️

👤 Lammoth
🔗 Onward 7️⃣.5️⃣
🏠 2026 (Fiadh Productions)
#️⃣ Blackmetal Blackgaze Chiptune

Tra blackgaze, chiptune, RABM e Tolkien, l'oscurità del black metal si colora di rosa

#Ondarock #MusicianSky #MusicSky #Music

GAROTA (Polònia) presenta nou EP: "Strąceni w Ciemność" #Garota #BlackMetal #ThrashMetal #Setembre2026 #Polònia #NouEp #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic

GAROTA (Polònia) presenta nou EP: "Strąceni w Ciemność" #Garota #BlackMetal #ThrashMetal #Setembre2026 #Polònia #NouEp #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic

THE TERMITES ARE CRAWLING !
Some new tapes, CDs and free stickers were added to the webshop!

INSIDE (Malaysia)
VULTUR (Ita)
OBSIDIAN (Hol)
THE OBSCENE (Uk)
PAIN PENITENTIARY (Uk)/ ORGAN GRINDER (Uk)
GOATROACH (Fin)

https://nihilistic-webzine-distro.fr/Webshop/fr/24-news

#metal #deathmetal #blackmetal #doom

THE TERMITES ARE CRAWLING !
Some new tapes, CDs and free stickers were added to the webshop!

INSIDE (Malaysia)
VULTUR (Ita)
OBSIDIAN (Hol)
THE OBSCENE (Uk)
PAIN PENITENTIARY (Uk)/ ORGAN GRINDER (Uk)
GOATROACH (Fin)

https://nihilistic-webzine-distro.fr/Webshop/fr/24-news

#metal #deathmetal #blackmetal #doom

THE TERMITES ARE CRAWLING !
Some new tapes, CDs and free stickers were added to the webshop!

INSIDE (Malaysia)
VULTUR (Ita)
OBSIDIAN (Hol)
THE OBSCENE (Uk)
PAIN PENITENTIARY (Uk)/ ORGAN GRINDER (Uk)
GOATROACH (Fin)

https://nihilistic-webzine-distro.fr/Webshop/fr/24-news

#metal #deathmetal #blackmetal #doom

THE TERMITES ARE CRAWLING !
Some new tapes, CDs and free stickers were added to the webshop!

INSIDE (Malaysia)
VULTUR (Ita)
OBSIDIAN (Hol)
THE OBSCENE (Uk)
PAIN PENITENTIARY (Uk)/ ORGAN GRINDER (Uk)
GOATROACH (Fin)

https://nihilistic-webzine-distro.fr/Webshop/fr/24-news

#metal #deathmetal #blackmetal #doom

PROFECI (Polònia) presenta nou àlbum: "Troska" #Profeci #BlackMetal #Setembre2026 #Polònia #NouÀlbum #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic

PROFECI (Polònia) presenta nou àlbum: "Troska" #Profeci #BlackMetal #Setembre2026 #Polònia #NouÀlbum #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic

Morcrof – De Pessimism Philosophiam Et Dogma Nihilistic
#BlackMetal #CompactDisc #Kombi

Morcrof – De Pessimism Philosophiam Et Dogma Nihilistic
#BlackMetal #CompactDisc #Kombi

Morcrof – De Pessimism Philosophiam Et Dogma Nihilistic
#BlackMetal #CompactDisc #Kombi

CH'AHOM (Alemanya) presenta nou àlbum: "Anthropic Rites of Sublimation" #ChAhom #BlackMetal #DeathMetal #Setembre2026 #Alemanya #NouÀlbum #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic

CH'AHOM (Alemanya) presenta nou àlbum: "Anthropic Rites of Sublimation" #ChAhom #BlackMetal #DeathMetal #Setembre2026 #Alemanya #NouÀlbum #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic

NOVAE MILITIAE (França) presenta nou àlbum: "Apocryphon of the Unborn Light" #NovaeMilitiae #BlackMetal #Setembre2026 #França #NouÀlbum #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic

NOVAE MILITIAE (França) presenta nou àlbum: "Apocryphon of the Unborn Light" #NovaeMilitiae #BlackMetal #Setembre2026 #França #NouÀlbum #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic

Three days of rehearsal, two almost complete #BlackMetal songs. Not bad.

Three days of rehearsal, two almost complete #BlackMetal songs. Not bad.

Three days of rehearsal, two almost complete #BlackMetal songs. Not bad.

Three days of rehearsal, two almost complete #BlackMetal songs. Not bad.

Three days of rehearsal, two almost complete #BlackMetal songs. Not bad.

Where souls get lost 2
#blackandwhite #photography #woodland #walking #blackmetal :unarist:

Where souls get lost 2
#blackandwhite #photography #woodland #walking #blackmetal :unarist:

Where souls get lost 2
#blackandwhite #photography #woodland #walking #blackmetal :unarist:

Where souls get lost 2
#blackandwhite #photography #woodland #walking #blackmetal :unarist:

Where souls get lost 2
#blackandwhite #photography #woodland #walking #blackmetal :unarist:

*Quelle surprise!* - French Post- #BlackMetal Post- #Hardcore mixture that develops quite an enigmatic atmosphere.

Any takers?
@MFDOOMALLCAPS?

https://plevre.bandcamp.com/album/cit-mouroir

*Quelle surprise!* - French Post- #BlackMetal Post- #Hardcore mixture that develops quite an enigmatic atmosphere.

Any takers?
@MFDOOMALLCAPS?

https://plevre.bandcamp.com/album/cit-mouroir

*Quelle surprise!* - French Post- #BlackMetal Post- #Hardcore mixture that develops quite an enigmatic atmosphere.

Any takers?
@MFDOOMALLCAPS?

https://plevre.bandcamp.com/album/cit-mouroir

*Quelle surprise!* - French Post- #BlackMetal Post- #Hardcore mixture that develops quite an enigmatic atmosphere.

Any takers?
@MFDOOMALLCAPS?

https://plevre.bandcamp.com/album/cit-mouroir

MIASMES (França) presenta nou àlbum: "Violence, blasphème et pourriture" #Miasmes #BlackMetal #Setembre2026 #França #NouÀlbum #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic

MIASMES (França) presenta nou àlbum: "Violence, blasphème et pourriture" #Miasmes #BlackMetal #Setembre2026 #França #NouÀlbum #Metall #Metal #MúsicaMetal #MetalMusic

Fühle mich oldschool, sehr trve und evil … „Originally released on Posercorpse Music“ … weißte Bescheid 🕺🔥😅 #mayhem #blackmetal

Fühle mich oldschool, sehr trve und evil … „Originally released on Posercorpse Music“ … weißte Bescheid 🕺🔥😅 #mayhem #blackmetal

Since getting started in 1989, Finland’s Archgoat have more than earned their place on the Mt. Rushmore of bestial blackened death metal (or “war metal,” for those like-minded fukks who spend too much time on Metal Archives and wear camo shorts to Best Buy). Helmed by twin brothers “Lord Angelslayer” (bass/vocals) and “Ritual Butcherer” (guitars), the group’s formula is simple yet effective: take rushing black metal riffs, add uber-deep growls, downtune the fukk out of the guitars, and throw in a lot of ritualistic, marching breaks that whip live audiences into a godless frenzy. For those who’ve never listened to them, imagine Beherit’s Drawing Down the Moon but more bludgeoning and blasphemous. Since returning from a decade-plus hiatus and releasing their long-awaited debut Whore of Bethlehem in 2006, the band’s albums have shown them honing that core sound while offering minor variations of it, with 2009’s The Light-Devouring Darkness veering closer to the more chaotic side of war metal and 2018’s The Luciferian Crown serving as a career high with its excellent variety and commanding production. Their last album, 2021’s Worship the Eternal Darkness, unfortunately felt a bit like the band was treading water after The Luciferian Crown, making me worried about how their sixth album, Nightbringer, Lightbringer, would fare.

Turns out those worries were for naught, as Nightbringer, Lightbringer shows Archgoat continuing to trample Christianity beneath their hooves with as much conviction as ever. After the requisite ambient intro, the title track blasts forth like a firestorm, scorching your pathetic little ears with stampeding double-bass runs, guttural pigfuck vocals, and pounding mid-paced riffs that force heads to be banged. With lots of pauses and tempo shifts, the track at times feels like it was blown up by a grenade and hastily reassembled, though the grunts of the track title (with dramatic pauses between each word) serve as a catchy anchor that holds everything together. Other than this song, the late-album track, “Reaper of Christianity,” comes the closest to the “classic” Archgoat formula, aside from the pianos that embellish that track’s marching riffs.

Those pianos, it turns out, aren’t the only experimental touches here, as this record shows Archgoat trying more new things than perhaps any other album in the band’s catalog. Several songs feature novel vocal approaches: the relentless assault of “Iconoclasm the Nazarene” has moments of higher-pitched screams that recall Revenge, while “Blood of Jesus Spilling Upon the Earth” employs bits of deep spoken word that might even be pitch-shifted. The latter song also uses passages of spacey, ringing chords that aren’t as powerful as the band’s trademark marching riffs, but are at least different. Perhaps the most notable moment, however, is in “Keys of Hell and Death,” whose epic conclusion is probably the most melodic minute of music the group has ever performed.

Overall, these new touches are welcome, though given how goddamn effective the band’s core sound is, I do wish the record offered a few more “traditional” Archgoat songs. The average tempos also feel slower than usual and, when combined with the heavy use of keyboards, create a sinister, ritualistic feel that may displease those looking for something with more raw bloodthirst. The only real misstep, however, is second proper track, “The Dawn to Armageddon.” The track itself is actually great, with hypnotic mid-paced riffing and keyboard embellishments that together make it sound a bit like old Samael. The problem is that its placement on the tracklist saps the album’s momentum early. Fortunately, songs like “The Light Behind the Horns” and the closing track, “Obsidian Reflection of Anti-Light,” are the perfect antidote, with punky energy and rampaging riffs that make it easy to bang your fukkin head (for the master in hell). Tracks like these are all the more powerful given the clear, full production that lets every layer shine through the darkness while retaining plenty of raw grit.

Apparently, Nightbringer, Lightbringer is about the end of Christianity and the beginning of a new Satanic dawn. The band supports this theme with as much conviction as ever while offering plenty of new embellishments, yet remaining wholly recognizable as the one and only Archgoat. In some ways, Lightbringer, Nightbringer is the epitome of the late-career dilemma: should a band continue doing the same thing or actually try new shit? For Archgoat, the answer is apparently a little bit of both, and the result is yet another Satanic stampede that’s sure to please war metal fans and anyone else looking for a blasphemous good time.

Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 9 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps
Label: Debemur Morti Productions
Websites: archgoat666.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/archgoat.official
Releases Worldwide: September 11th, 2026

Since getting started in 1989, Finland’s Archgoat have more than earned their place on the Mt. Rushmore of bestial blackened death metal (or “war metal,” for those like-minded fukks who spend too much time on Metal Archives and wear camo shorts to Best Buy). Helmed by twin brothers “Lord Angelslayer” (bass/vocals) and “Ritual Butcherer” (guitars), the group’s formula is simple yet effective: take rushing black metal riffs, add uber-deep growls, downtune the fukk out of the guitars, and throw in a lot of ritualistic, marching breaks that whip live audiences into a godless frenzy. For those who’ve never listened to them, imagine Beherit’s Drawing Down the Moon but more bludgeoning and blasphemous. Since returning from a decade-plus hiatus and releasing their long-awaited debut Whore of Bethlehem in 2006, the band’s albums have shown them honing that core sound while offering minor variations of it, with 2009’s The Light-Devouring Darkness veering closer to the more chaotic side of war metal and 2018’s The Luciferian Crown serving as a career high with its excellent variety and commanding production. Their last album, 2021’s Worship the Eternal Darkness, unfortunately felt a bit like the band was treading water after The Luciferian Crown, making me worried about how their sixth album, Nightbringer, Lightbringer, would fare.

Turns out those worries were for naught, as Nightbringer, Lightbringer shows Archgoat continuing to trample Christianity beneath their hooves with as much conviction as ever. After the requisite ambient intro, the title track blasts forth like a firestorm, scorching your pathetic little ears with stampeding double-bass runs, guttural pigfuck vocals, and pounding mid-paced riffs that force heads to be banged. With lots of pauses and tempo shifts, the track at times feels like it was blown up by a grenade and hastily reassembled, though the grunts of the track title (with dramatic pauses between each word) serve as a catchy anchor that holds everything together. Other than this song, the late-album track, “Reaper of Christianity,” comes the closest to the “classic” Archgoat formula, aside from the pianos that embellish that track’s marching riffs.

Those pianos, it turns out, aren’t the only experimental touches here, as this record shows Archgoat trying more new things than perhaps any other album in the band’s catalog. Several songs feature novel vocal approaches: the relentless assault of “Iconoclasm the Nazarene” has moments of higher-pitched screams that recall Revenge, while “Blood of Jesus Spilling Upon the Earth” employs bits of deep spoken word that might even be pitch-shifted. The latter song also uses passages of spacey, ringing chords that aren’t as powerful as the band’s trademark marching riffs, but are at least different. Perhaps the most notable moment, however, is in “Keys of Hell and Death,” whose epic conclusion is probably the most melodic minute of music the group has ever performed.

Overall, these new touches are welcome, though given how goddamn effective the band’s core sound is, I do wish the record offered a few more “traditional” Archgoat songs. The average tempos also feel slower than usual and, when combined with the heavy use of keyboards, create a sinister, ritualistic feel that may displease those looking for something with more raw bloodthirst. The only real misstep, however, is second proper track, “The Dawn to Armageddon.” The track itself is actually great, with hypnotic mid-paced riffing and keyboard embellishments that together make it sound a bit like old Samael. The problem is that its placement on the tracklist saps the album’s momentum early. Fortunately, songs like “The Light Behind the Horns” and the closing track, “Obsidian Reflection of Anti-Light,” are the perfect antidote, with punky energy and rampaging riffs that make it easy to bang your fukkin head (for the master in hell). Tracks like these are all the more powerful given the clear, full production that lets every layer shine through the darkness while retaining plenty of raw grit.

Apparently, Nightbringer, Lightbringer is about the end of Christianity and the beginning of a new Satanic dawn. The band supports this theme with as much conviction as ever while offering plenty of new embellishments, yet remaining wholly recognizable as the one and only Archgoat. In some ways, Lightbringer, Nightbringer is the epitome of the late-career dilemma: should a band continue doing the same thing or actually try new shit? For Archgoat, the answer is apparently a little bit of both, and the result is yet another Satanic stampede that’s sure to please war metal fans and anyone else looking for a blasphemous good time.

Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 9 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps
Label: Debemur Morti Productions
Websites: archgoat666.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/archgoat.official
Releases Worldwide: September 11th, 2026

Since getting started in 1989, Finland’s Archgoat have more than earned their place on the Mt. Rushmore of bestial blackened death metal (or “war metal,” for those like-minded fukks who spend too much time on Metal Archives and wear camo shorts to Best Buy). Helmed by twin brothers “Lord Angelslayer” (bass/vocals) and “Ritual Butcherer” (guitars), the group’s formula is simple yet effective: take rushing black metal riffs, add uber-deep growls, downtune the fukk out of the guitars, and throw in a lot of ritualistic, marching breaks that whip live audiences into a godless frenzy. For those who’ve never listened to them, imagine Beherit’s Drawing Down the Moon but more bludgeoning and blasphemous. Since returning from a decade-plus hiatus and releasing their long-awaited debut Whore of Bethlehem in 2006, the band’s albums have shown them honing that core sound while offering minor variations of it, with 2009’s The Light-Devouring Darkness veering closer to the more chaotic side of war metal and 2018’s The Luciferian Crown serving as a career high with its excellent variety and commanding production. Their last album, 2021’s Worship the Eternal Darkness, unfortunately felt a bit like the band was treading water after The Luciferian Crown, making me worried about how their sixth album, Nightbringer, Lightbringer, would fare.

Turns out those worries were for naught, as Nightbringer, Lightbringer shows Archgoat continuing to trample Christianity beneath their hooves with as much conviction as ever. After the requisite ambient intro, the title track blasts forth like a firestorm, scorching your pathetic little ears with stampeding double-bass runs, guttural pigfuck vocals, and pounding mid-paced riffs that force heads to be banged. With lots of pauses and tempo shifts, the track at times feels like it was blown up by a grenade and hastily reassembled, though the grunts of the track title (with dramatic pauses between each word) serve as a catchy anchor that holds everything together. Other than this song, the late-album track, “Reaper of Christianity,” comes the closest to the “classic” Archgoat formula, aside from the pianos that embellish that track’s marching riffs.

Those pianos, it turns out, aren’t the only experimental touches here, as this record shows Archgoat trying more new things than perhaps any other album in the band’s catalog. Several songs feature novel vocal approaches: the relentless assault of “Iconoclasm the Nazarene” has moments of higher-pitched screams that recall Revenge, while “Blood of Jesus Spilling Upon the Earth” employs bits of deep spoken word that might even be pitch-shifted. The latter song also uses passages of spacey, ringing chords that aren’t as powerful as the band’s trademark marching riffs, but are at least different. Perhaps the most notable moment, however, is in “Keys of Hell and Death,” whose epic conclusion is probably the most melodic minute of music the group has ever performed.

Overall, these new touches are welcome, though given how goddamn effective the band’s core sound is, I do wish the record offered a few more “traditional” Archgoat songs. The average tempos also feel slower than usual and, when combined with the heavy use of keyboards, create a sinister, ritualistic feel that may displease those looking for something with more raw bloodthirst. The only real misstep, however, is second proper track, “The Dawn to Armageddon.” The track itself is actually great, with hypnotic mid-paced riffing and keyboard embellishments that together make it sound a bit like old Samael. The problem is that its placement on the tracklist saps the album’s momentum early. Fortunately, songs like “The Light Behind the Horns” and the closing track, “Obsidian Reflection of Anti-Light,” are the perfect antidote, with punky energy and rampaging riffs that make it easy to bang your fukkin head (for the master in hell). Tracks like these are all the more powerful given the clear, full production that lets every layer shine through the darkness while retaining plenty of raw grit.

Apparently, Nightbringer, Lightbringer is about the end of Christianity and the beginning of a new Satanic dawn. The band supports this theme with as much conviction as ever while offering plenty of new embellishments, yet remaining wholly recognizable as the one and only Archgoat. In some ways, Lightbringer, Nightbringer is the epitome of the late-career dilemma: should a band continue doing the same thing or actually try new shit? For Archgoat, the answer is apparently a little bit of both, and the result is yet another Satanic stampede that’s sure to please war metal fans and anyone else looking for a blasphemous good time.

Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 9 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps
Label: Debemur Morti Productions
Websites: archgoat666.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/archgoat.official
Releases Worldwide: September 11th, 2026

Since getting started in 1989, Finland’s Archgoat have more than earned their place on the Mt. Rushmore of bestial blackened death metal (or “war metal,” for those like-minded fukks who spend too much time on Metal Archives and wear camo shorts to Best Buy). Helmed by twin brothers “Lord Angelslayer” (bass/vocals) and “Ritual Butcherer” (guitars), the group’s formula is simple yet effective: take rushing black metal riffs, add uber-deep growls, downtune the fukk out of the guitars, and throw in a lot of ritualistic, marching breaks that whip live audiences into a godless frenzy. For those who’ve never listened to them, imagine Beherit’s Drawing Down the Moon but more bludgeoning and blasphemous. Since returning from a decade-plus hiatus and releasing their long-awaited debut Whore of Bethlehem in 2006, the band’s albums have shown them honing that core sound while offering minor variations of it, with 2009’s The Light-Devouring Darkness veering closer to the more chaotic side of war metal and 2018’s The Luciferian Crown serving as a career high with its excellent variety and commanding production. Their last album, 2021’s Worship the Eternal Darkness, unfortunately felt a bit like the band was treading water after The Luciferian Crown, making me worried about how their sixth album, Nightbringer, Lightbringer, would fare.

Turns out those worries were for naught, as Nightbringer, Lightbringer shows Archgoat continuing to trample Christianity beneath their hooves with as much conviction as ever. After the requisite ambient intro, the title track blasts forth like a firestorm, scorching your pathetic little ears with stampeding double-bass runs, guttural pigfuck vocals, and pounding mid-paced riffs that force heads to be banged. With lots of pauses and tempo shifts, the track at times feels like it was blown up by a grenade and hastily reassembled, though the grunts of the track title (with dramatic pauses between each word) serve as a catchy anchor that holds everything together. Other than this song, the late-album track, “Reaper of Christianity,” comes the closest to the “classic” Archgoat formula, aside from the pianos that embellish that track’s marching riffs.

Those pianos, it turns out, aren’t the only experimental touches here, as this record shows Archgoat trying more new things than perhaps any other album in the band’s catalog. Several songs feature novel vocal approaches: the relentless assault of “Iconoclasm the Nazarene” has moments of higher-pitched screams that recall Revenge, while “Blood of Jesus Spilling Upon the Earth” employs bits of deep spoken word that might even be pitch-shifted. The latter song also uses passages of spacey, ringing chords that aren’t as powerful as the band’s trademark marching riffs, but are at least different. Perhaps the most notable moment, however, is in “Keys of Hell and Death,” whose epic conclusion is probably the most melodic minute of music the group has ever performed.

Overall, these new touches are welcome, though given how goddamn effective the band’s core sound is, I do wish the record offered a few more “traditional” Archgoat songs. The average tempos also feel slower than usual and, when combined with the heavy use of keyboards, create a sinister, ritualistic feel that may displease those looking for something with more raw bloodthirst. The only real misstep, however, is second proper track, “The Dawn to Armageddon.” The track itself is actually great, with hypnotic mid-paced riffing and keyboard embellishments that together make it sound a bit like old Samael. The problem is that its placement on the tracklist saps the album’s momentum early. Fortunately, songs like “The Light Behind the Horns” and the closing track, “Obsidian Reflection of Anti-Light,” are the perfect antidote, with punky energy and rampaging riffs that make it easy to bang your fukkin head (for the master in hell). Tracks like these are all the more powerful given the clear, full production that lets every layer shine through the darkness while retaining plenty of raw grit.

Apparently, Nightbringer, Lightbringer is about the end of Christianity and the beginning of a new Satanic dawn. The band supports this theme with as much conviction as ever while offering plenty of new embellishments, yet remaining wholly recognizable as the one and only Archgoat. In some ways, Lightbringer, Nightbringer is the epitome of the late-career dilemma: should a band continue doing the same thing or actually try new shit? For Archgoat, the answer is apparently a little bit of both, and the result is yet another Satanic stampede that’s sure to please war metal fans and anyone else looking for a blasphemous good time.

Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 9 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps
Label: Debemur Morti Productions
Websites: archgoat666.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/archgoat.official
Releases Worldwide: September 11th, 2026

Since getting started in 1989, Finland’s Archgoat have more than earned their place on the Mt. Rushmore of bestial blackened death metal (or “war metal,” for those like-minded fukks who spend too much time on Metal Archives and wear camo shorts to Best Buy). Helmed by twin brothers “Lord Angelslayer” (bass/vocals) and “Ritual Butcherer” (guitars), the group’s formula is simple yet effective: take rushing black metal riffs, add uber-deep growls, downtune the fukk out of the guitars, and throw in a lot of ritualistic, marching breaks that whip live audiences into a godless frenzy. For those who’ve never listened to them, imagine Beherit’s Drawing Down the Moon but more bludgeoning and blasphemous. Since returning from a decade-plus hiatus and releasing their long-awaited debut Whore of Bethlehem in 2006, the band’s albums have shown them honing that core sound while offering minor variations of it, with 2009’s The Light-Devouring Darkness veering closer to the more chaotic side of war metal and 2018’s The Luciferian Crown serving as a career high with its excellent variety and commanding production. Their last album, 2021’s Worship the Eternal Darkness, unfortunately felt a bit like the band was treading water after The Luciferian Crown, making me worried about how their sixth album, Nightbringer, Lightbringer, would fare.

Turns out those worries were for naught, as Nightbringer, Lightbringer shows Archgoat continuing to trample Christianity beneath their hooves with as much conviction as ever. After the requisite ambient intro, the title track blasts forth like a firestorm, scorching your pathetic little ears with stampeding double-bass runs, guttural pigfuck vocals, and pounding mid-paced riffs that force heads to be banged. With lots of pauses and tempo shifts, the track at times feels like it was blown up by a grenade and hastily reassembled, though the grunts of the track title (with dramatic pauses between each word) serve as a catchy anchor that holds everything together. Other than this song, the late-album track, “Reaper of Christianity,” comes the closest to the “classic” Archgoat formula, aside from the pianos that embellish that track’s marching riffs.

Those pianos, it turns out, aren’t the only experimental touches here, as this record shows Archgoat trying more new things than perhaps any other album in the band’s catalog. Several songs feature novel vocal approaches: the relentless assault of “Iconoclasm the Nazarene” has moments of higher-pitched screams that recall Revenge, while “Blood of Jesus Spilling Upon the Earth” employs bits of deep spoken word that might even be pitch-shifted. The latter song also uses passages of spacey, ringing chords that aren’t as powerful as the band’s trademark marching riffs, but are at least different. Perhaps the most notable moment, however, is in “Keys of Hell and Death,” whose epic conclusion is probably the most melodic minute of music the group has ever performed.

Overall, these new touches are welcome, though given how goddamn effective the band’s core sound is, I do wish the record offered a few more “traditional” Archgoat songs. The average tempos also feel slower than usual and, when combined with the heavy use of keyboards, create a sinister, ritualistic feel that may displease those looking for something with more raw bloodthirst. The only real misstep, however, is second proper track, “The Dawn to Armageddon.” The track itself is actually great, with hypnotic mid-paced riffing and keyboard embellishments that together make it sound a bit like old Samael. The problem is that its placement on the tracklist saps the album’s momentum early. Fortunately, songs like “The Light Behind the Horns” and the closing track, “Obsidian Reflection of Anti-Light,” are the perfect antidote, with punky energy and rampaging riffs that make it easy to bang your fukkin head (for the master in hell). Tracks like these are all the more powerful given the clear, full production that lets every layer shine through the darkness while retaining plenty of raw grit.

Apparently, Nightbringer, Lightbringer is about the end of Christianity and the beginning of a new Satanic dawn. The band supports this theme with as much conviction as ever while offering plenty of new embellishments, yet remaining wholly recognizable as the one and only Archgoat. In some ways, Lightbringer, Nightbringer is the epitome of the late-career dilemma: should a band continue doing the same thing or actually try new shit? For Archgoat, the answer is apparently a little bit of both, and the result is yet another Satanic stampede that’s sure to please war metal fans and anyone else looking for a blasphemous good time.

Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 9 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps
Label: Debemur Morti Productions
Websites: archgoat666.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/archgoat.official
Releases Worldwide: September 11th, 2026

Like those programmers who insist on rebuilding every line of code in Python, New York’s black metal woodland-walkers Astral Alchemy envision a universe unraveled down to its last atom. That process is captured in their debut record, Weaving Chilling Magical Dreamworlds. With five tracks and just shy of forty minutes of music, that’s a lot of ground to cover in little time. From the duo of guitarist/bassist/vocalist He Who Walks under the Bloodmoon and drummer/guitarist He Who Wields Twin Scepters of Malice, Astral Alchemy invites you to “Let the power of the stars guide you and the atmospheric universe coalesce the accounts of dreamworlds becoming reality.” But black metal bands are always talking big on how mystical and esoteric they are. Does Astral Alchemy have the magic, or is the only thing cold about Weaving Chilling Magical Dreamworlds how it leaves me in the end?

Astral Alchemy aren’t reinventing the wheel, but they sure get it spinning on Weaving Chilling Magical Dreamworlds. Evoking the grandeur of Emperor and the riffing belligerence of Dissection, Astral Alchemy wields second-wave sorcery through darkly atmospheric soundscapes. Particularly in early cuts like “Tria Prima Offering to the Great Serpent” and “Bathing in the Sap of the Moonflower,” Dreamworlds plays it straight in entwining blast beat-downs with synthesized choirs and symphonics, shifting between creeping, distorted arpeggios and furious tremolos. Where Astral Alchemy stand out is in execution: Dreamworlds is a living, angry beast. Astral Alchemy’s guitar tone is thick, burly, and good for turning their dense, high-octane riffs into weapons of cosmic warfare. Drumming on Dreamworlds is scathing and thunderous, but just as menacing in its slower moments like the Mayhemic crawls of “Tria Prima…” or the crushing back half of “Stars of Ruin.” Topped off with intricately layered synths and husky, ravenous rasps, Weaving Chilling Magical Dreamworlds becomes a particularly engrossing listen.

Like earthly alchemy, Astral Alchemy take simple ingredients and transmute them in subliminal ways while Weaving Chilling Magical Dreamworlds. With midpoint “Stars of Ruin,” Dreamworlds takes an unexpected turn: it slams. Halfway through, Astral Alchemy turned my head with its melodic, borderline metalcore chug riff before stopping and breaking my neck with a groovy, ignorant death riff and ear-splitting Breeeeeeee. It’s nuts. Forwarding Astral Alchemy’s march towards weirdness, “Collapse of the Cosmos” bookends its tremolo madness with Hexrotting electronic glitches and atmospherics1 while the epic, SotY-contending “Eyes through the Speculum” punches bright, downright uplifting progressions into Dreamworld’s frigid mold and somehow makes it work. Songs on Dreamworlds just don’t sit still; “Eyes…” bounces between airy acoustics to thick post-metal riffing to ethereal synths while comparatively normal tracks like “Bathing in the Sap of the Moonflower” still find ways to inject variation in rhythm and dissonance in melody. Simply, Weaving Chilling Magical Dreamworlds sees Astral Alchemy operate within the established tropes of black metal without being beholden to them.

Authenticity isn’t something black metal is known for, but that’s exactly the impression I get from Astral Alchemy. Weaving Chilling Magical Dreamworld’s lyricism is rooted in genuine alchemical philosophy (“Tria Prima Offering to the Great Serpent”), espousing the significance of transformation through destruction and synthesis. Everything about Astral Alchemy’s approach to songwriting—from the seamless melding of passages to the constant iterations on motifs to the dynamism of tone and energy—stands in accordance with these values. Astral Alchemy aren’t concerned with sounding “kvlt;” Dreamworlds’ mix and production sounds too crisp for that, despite its modest DR score. Instead, Astral Alchemy is very much guided by the pursuit of an esoteric soundscape of boundless creative and destructive energy. Weaving Chilling Magical Dreamworlds isn’t perfect in this regard—the first two tracks lose some steam by the end and “Collapse of the Cosmos” is somewhat standard-issue outside of its electronics—but you also don’t get much better than it either.

Weaving Chilling Magical Dreamworlds isn’t a great title—it doesn’t want to roll off the tongue at all—but it is apt. Abrasive, melodic, twisted, and just plain big, this first showing from Astral Alchemy honestly has me wondering if this duo is industry veterans in disguise. The confidence with which they carry themselves on Dreamworlds would be impressive for fresh musicians; it translates to impressive music in my headphones regardless. When much of black metal feels like a race to the bottom of the barrel, Astral Alchemy’s fresh take on the blackened arts is truly exciting. Weave on, Astral Alchemy!

Rating: Great!
DR: 6| Format Reviewed: 320 kbps MP3
Label: Naturmacht Productions
Websites: astralalchemybm.bandcamp.com | facebook.com/AstralAlchemyMusic
Releases Worldwide: June 25th, 2026

https://www.europesays.com/ie/342658/ Shine – Wrathcult Review | Angry Metal Guy #2026 #35 #AtTheGates #Behemoth #BlackMetal #BlackenedDeathMetal #DarkDescentRecords #DeathMetal #Decapitated #Éire #Entertainment #Hate #Hazael #IE #Ireland #Jan26 #Music #OldMan'sChild #PolishMetal #Review #Reviews #shine #Vader #Wrathcult

Something must be in the water over in Poland, because the country churns out quality death metal like few others. The phrase ‘Polish death metal’ always grabs my attention, whether it’s technical like early Decapitated, thrashy à la Vader, or as blackened as Behemoth. Such was the case when I espied Shine’s Wrathcult lying unclaimed in the promo bin. The invention of guitarist Tomasz Dobrzeniecki (ex-Hazael), Shine unleashes a Polished debut of blackened death, eliciting prompt comparisons to compatriots Hate and Behemoth. While both provide apt reference points, there’s an acerbic tunefulness that evokes At the Gates and Old Man’s Child, as well. Given the glamor of these benchmarks, does Wrathcult let a light Shine down on Poland’s latest blackened death metal opus?

If you give me a word to sum up Polish metal, I’ll say ‘conviction,’ which Wrathcult oozes with calculated rabidity. Whether brandishing steady chugs, rapid-fire trems, or slinky, groove-infested crawls, Shine feels focused and frothing with finely-tuned fire. Dobrzeniecki’s description of the music and lyrics pins the overarching inspiration of Wrathcult on pre-Christian beliefs and the arcane powers of primeval mysticism, specifically calling out the intersection of ‘Germanic, Norse, and Slavic mythology.’1 While it’s not a theme I would’ve divined on my own, this context adds helpful color once Shine shows me where to look. In particular, the clean singing (“The Lamb Against the Wolf”) and chanting (“The Horror of the Night”) sprinkled throughout Wrathcult often give proceedings a ritualistic zest, culminating in one of my favorite tracks, “The Necklace with Runes.” The clean drawl at the beginning is underscored by finely crafted, deeper vocal layers, and while I’m generally unmoved by rhythmic spoken word, singer Marek Krajcer’s performance reads as a ceremonial incantation, reinforcing Wrathcult’s primordial basis.2

Wrathcult by Shine

Musically, Shine exhibits a cunning understanding of the crossroads between death metal, black metal, and melody. Besides the cleans, Krajcer projects a deathly growl that’s at once confident, scathing, and commandingly effective throughout Wrathcult. Guitarists Tomasz Dobrzeniecki and Mateusz Waśkiewicz supply equal doses of second-wave fervor and dulcet leads that are as barbed as they are captivating. Mid-album song “Oddajcie co moje” sports not only the hookiest melody of the bunch, but also contains one of the best bass grooves. Though subtle, Wojciech Gąsiorowski’s ambling bass-lines burble and thump with delightful heft, solidifying a resonant dimension on tracks “The Lamb Against the Wolf” and “Wrath of the Hammer.” With the high caliber of musicianship featuring on strings, an anemic drum performance could dull the entire showing. Thankfully, Paweł Duda seizes the opportunity with gusto, lashing his kit with precision strikes. Overall, Shine lays me on the ground with meaty, well-executed performances that belie Wrathcult’s debut status.

While many moments on Wrathcult fly me in the sky, a few aspects creep in and dim the power of Shine’s light. The production bolsters strong performances across the album, allowing proper room for each instrument to gleam—especially the bass. The forty-six-minute runtime keeps Wrathcult digestible, although riff repetition presents an opportunity to trim thirty-to-sixty seconds from several tracks for a tighter experience. And while Shine serves up several great jams on Wrathcult, a few weaker cuts create dips between the peaks of its strongest material. To be clear, there are no bad or inessential songs that I skip,3 but I do find myself waiting out some moments to get to better ones. Still, there’s variety in the songwriting that keeps affairs engaging and blood pumping through Shine’s blackened heart.

Shine’s Wrathcult should garner its fair share of devotees, living up to the high expectations of Polish blackened death. It’s taken many spins to unlock Wrathcult’s otherworldly secrets, and I’m of a mind that there are even more treasures to unearth. Anyone looking for melodious fury and a band with possibilities on the horizon should be paying attention. When I snatched Shine’s debut, I asked myself, ‘What will I find? Will love be there?’ While I can’t guarantee the same results for you, my answer is a resounding, ‘Yeah.’

Rating: Very Good!
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Dark Descent Records
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: January 30th, 2026

Something must be in the water over in Poland, because the country churns out quality death metal like few others. The phrase ‘Polish death metal’ always grabs my attention, whether it’s technical like early Decapitated, thrashy à la Vader, or as blackened as Behemoth. Such was the case when I espied Shine’s Wrathcult lying unclaimed in the promo bin. The invention of guitarist Tomasz Dobrzeniecki (ex-Hazael), Shine unleashes a Polished debut of blackened death, eliciting prompt comparisons to compatriots Hate and Behemoth. While both provide apt reference points, there’s an acerbic tunefulness that evokes At the Gates and Old Man’s Child, as well. Given the glamor of these benchmarks, does Wrathcult let a light Shine down on Poland’s latest blackened death metal opus?

If you give me a word to sum up Polish metal, I’ll say ‘conviction,’ which Wrathcult oozes with calculated rabidity. Whether brandishing steady chugs, rapid-fire trems, or slinky, groove-infested crawls, Shine feels focused and frothing with finely-tuned fire. Dobrzeniecki’s description of the music and lyrics pins the overarching inspiration of Wrathcult on pre-Christian beliefs and the arcane powers of primeval mysticism, specifically calling out the intersection of ‘Germanic, Norse, and Slavic mythology.’1 While it’s not a theme I would’ve divined on my own, this context adds helpful color once Shine shows me where to look. In particular, the clean singing (“The Lamb Against the Wolf”) and chanting (“The Horror of the Night”) sprinkled throughout Wrathcult often give proceedings a ritualistic zest, culminating in one of my favorite tracks, “The Necklace with Runes.” The clean drawl at the beginning is underscored by finely crafted, deeper vocal layers, and while I’m generally unmoved by rhythmic spoken word, singer Marek Krajcer’s performance reads as a ceremonial incantation, reinforcing Wrathcult’s primordial basis.2

Wrathcult by Shine

Musically, Shine exhibits a cunning understanding of the crossroads between death metal, black metal, and melody. Besides the cleans, Krajcer projects a deathly growl that’s at once confident, scathing, and commandingly effective throughout Wrathcult. Guitarists Tomasz Dobrzeniecki and Mateusz Waśkiewicz supply equal doses of second-wave fervor and dulcet leads that are as barbed as they are captivating. Mid-album song “Oddajcie co moje” sports not only the hookiest melody of the bunch, but also contains one of the best bass grooves. Though subtle, Wojciech Gąsiorowski’s ambling bass-lines burble and thump with delightful heft, solidifying a resonant dimension on tracks “The Lamb Against the Wolf” and “Wrath of the Hammer.” With the high caliber of musicianship featuring on strings, an anemic drum performance could dull the entire showing. Thankfully, Paweł Duda seizes the opportunity with gusto, lashing his kit with precision strikes. Overall, Shine lays me on the ground with meaty, well-executed performances that belie Wrathcult’s debut status.

While many moments on Wrathcult fly me in the sky, a few aspects creep in and dim the power of Shine’s light. The production bolsters strong performances across the album, allowing proper room for each instrument to gleam—especially the bass. The forty-six-minute runtime keeps Wrathcult digestible, although riff repetition presents an opportunity to trim thirty-to-sixty seconds from several tracks for a tighter experience. And while Shine serves up several great jams on Wrathcult, a few weaker cuts create dips between the peaks of its strongest material. To be clear, there are no bad or inessential songs that I skip,3 but I do find myself waiting out some moments to get to better ones. Still, there’s variety in the songwriting that keeps affairs engaging and blood pumping through Shine’s blackened heart.

Shine’s Wrathcult should garner its fair share of devotees, living up to the high expectations of Polish blackened death. It’s taken many spins to unlock Wrathcult’s otherworldly secrets, and I’m of a mind that there are even more treasures to unearth. Anyone looking for melodious fury and a band with possibilities on the horizon should be paying attention. When I snatched Shine’s debut, I asked myself, ‘What will I find? Will love be there?’ While I can’t guarantee the same results for you, my answer is a resounding, ‘Yeah.’

Rating: Very Good!
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Dark Descent Records
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: January 30th, 2026

Something must be in the water over in Poland, because the country churns out quality death metal like few others. The phrase ‘Polish death metal’ always grabs my attention, whether it’s technical like early Decapitated, thrashy à la Vader, or as blackened as Behemoth. Such was the case when I espied Shine’s Wrathcult lying unclaimed in the promo bin. The invention of guitarist Tomasz Dobrzeniecki (ex-Hazael), Shine unleashes a Polished debut of blackened death, eliciting prompt comparisons to compatriots Hate and Behemoth. While both provide apt reference points, there’s an acerbic tunefulness that evokes At the Gates and Old Man’s Child, as well. Given the glamor of these benchmarks, does Wrathcult let a light Shine down on Poland’s latest blackened death metal opus?

If you give me a word to sum up Polish metal, I’ll say ‘conviction,’ which Wrathcult oozes with calculated rabidity. Whether brandishing steady chugs, rapid-fire trems, or slinky, groove-infested crawls, Shine feels focused and frothing with finely-tuned fire. Dobrzeniecki’s description of the music and lyrics pins the overarching inspiration of Wrathcult on pre-Christian beliefs and the arcane powers of primeval mysticism, specifically calling out the intersection of ‘Germanic, Norse, and Slavic mythology.’1 While it’s not a theme I would’ve divined on my own, this context adds helpful color once Shine shows me where to look. In particular, the clean singing (“The Lamb Against the Wolf”) and chanting (“The Horror of the Night”) sprinkled throughout Wrathcult often give proceedings a ritualistic zest, culminating in one of my favorite tracks, “The Necklace with Runes.” The clean drawl at the beginning is underscored by finely crafted, deeper vocal layers, and while I’m generally unmoved by rhythmic spoken word, singer Marek Krajcer’s performance reads as a ceremonial incantation, reinforcing Wrathcult’s primordial basis.2

Wrathcult by Shine

Musically, Shine exhibits a cunning understanding of the crossroads between death metal, black metal, and melody. Besides the cleans, Krajcer projects a deathly growl that’s at once confident, scathing, and commandingly effective throughout Wrathcult. Guitarists Tomasz Dobrzeniecki and Mateusz Waśkiewicz supply equal doses of second-wave fervor and dulcet leads that are as barbed as they are captivating. Mid-album song “Oddajcie co moje” sports not only the hookiest melody of the bunch, but also contains one of the best bass grooves. Though subtle, Wojciech Gąsiorowski’s ambling bass-lines burble and thump with delightful heft, solidifying a resonant dimension on tracks “The Lamb Against the Wolf” and “Wrath of the Hammer.” With the high caliber of musicianship featuring on strings, an anemic drum performance could dull the entire showing. Thankfully, Paweł Duda seizes the opportunity with gusto, lashing his kit with precision strikes. Overall, Shine lays me on the ground with meaty, well-executed performances that belie Wrathcult’s debut status.

While many moments on Wrathcult fly me in the sky, a few aspects creep in and dim the power of Shine’s light. The production bolsters strong performances across the album, allowing proper room for each instrument to gleam—especially the bass. The forty-six-minute runtime keeps Wrathcult digestible, although riff repetition presents an opportunity to trim thirty-to-sixty seconds from several tracks for a tighter experience. And while Shine serves up several great jams on Wrathcult, a few weaker cuts create dips between the peaks of its strongest material. To be clear, there are no bad or inessential songs that I skip,3 but I do find myself waiting out some moments to get to better ones. Still, there’s variety in the songwriting that keeps affairs engaging and blood pumping through Shine’s blackened heart.

Shine’s Wrathcult should garner its fair share of devotees, living up to the high expectations of Polish blackened death. It’s taken many spins to unlock Wrathcult’s otherworldly secrets, and I’m of a mind that there are even more treasures to unearth. Anyone looking for melodious fury and a band with possibilities on the horizon should be paying attention. When I snatched Shine’s debut, I asked myself, ‘What will I find? Will love be there?’ While I can’t guarantee the same results for you, my answer is a resounding, ‘Yeah.’

Rating: Very Good!
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Dark Descent Records
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: January 30th, 2026

Something must be in the water over in Poland, because the country churns out quality death metal like few others. The phrase ‘Polish death metal’ always grabs my attention, whether it’s technical like early Decapitated, thrashy à la Vader, or as blackened as Behemoth. Such was the case when I espied Shine’s Wrathcult lying unclaimed in the promo bin. The invention of guitarist Tomasz Dobrzeniecki (ex-Hazael), Shine unleashes a Polished debut of blackened death, eliciting prompt comparisons to compatriots Hate and Behemoth. While both provide apt reference points, there’s an acerbic tunefulness that evokes At the Gates and Old Man’s Child, as well. Given the glamor of these benchmarks, does Wrathcult let a light Shine down on Poland’s latest blackened death metal opus?

If you give me a word to sum up Polish metal, I’ll say ‘conviction,’ which Wrathcult oozes with calculated rabidity. Whether brandishing steady chugs, rapid-fire trems, or slinky, groove-infested crawls, Shine feels focused and frothing with finely-tuned fire. Dobrzeniecki’s description of the music and lyrics pins the overarching inspiration of Wrathcult on pre-Christian beliefs and the arcane powers of primeval mysticism, specifically calling out the intersection of ‘Germanic, Norse, and Slavic mythology.’1 While it’s not a theme I would’ve divined on my own, this context adds helpful color once Shine shows me where to look. In particular, the clean singing (“The Lamb Against the Wolf”) and chanting (“The Horror of the Night”) sprinkled throughout Wrathcult often give proceedings a ritualistic zest, culminating in one of my favorite tracks, “The Necklace with Runes.” The clean drawl at the beginning is underscored by finely crafted, deeper vocal layers, and while I’m generally unmoved by rhythmic spoken word, singer Marek Krajcer’s performance reads as a ceremonial incantation, reinforcing Wrathcult’s primordial basis.2

Wrathcult by Shine

Musically, Shine exhibits a cunning understanding of the crossroads between death metal, black metal, and melody. Besides the cleans, Krajcer projects a deathly growl that’s at once confident, scathing, and commandingly effective throughout Wrathcult. Guitarists Tomasz Dobrzeniecki and Mateusz Waśkiewicz supply equal doses of second-wave fervor and dulcet leads that are as barbed as they are captivating. Mid-album song “Oddajcie co moje” sports not only the hookiest melody of the bunch, but also contains one of the best bass grooves. Though subtle, Wojciech Gąsiorowski’s ambling bass-lines burble and thump with delightful heft, solidifying a resonant dimension on tracks “The Lamb Against the Wolf” and “Wrath of the Hammer.” With the high caliber of musicianship featuring on strings, an anemic drum performance could dull the entire showing. Thankfully, Paweł Duda seizes the opportunity with gusto, lashing his kit with precision strikes. Overall, Shine lays me on the ground with meaty, well-executed performances that belie Wrathcult’s debut status.

While many moments on Wrathcult fly me in the sky, a few aspects creep in and dim the power of Shine’s light. The production bolsters strong performances across the album, allowing proper room for each instrument to gleam—especially the bass. The forty-six-minute runtime keeps Wrathcult digestible, although riff repetition presents an opportunity to trim thirty-to-sixty seconds from several tracks for a tighter experience. And while Shine serves up several great jams on Wrathcult, a few weaker cuts create dips between the peaks of its strongest material. To be clear, there are no bad or inessential songs that I skip,3 but I do find myself waiting out some moments to get to better ones. Still, there’s variety in the songwriting that keeps affairs engaging and blood pumping through Shine’s blackened heart.

Shine’s Wrathcult should garner its fair share of devotees, living up to the high expectations of Polish blackened death. It’s taken many spins to unlock Wrathcult’s otherworldly secrets, and I’m of a mind that there are even more treasures to unearth. Anyone looking for melodious fury and a band with possibilities on the horizon should be paying attention. When I snatched Shine’s debut, I asked myself, ‘What will I find? Will love be there?’ While I can’t guarantee the same results for you, my answer is a resounding, ‘Yeah.’

Rating: Very Good!
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Dark Descent Records
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: January 30th, 2026

Something must be in the water over in Poland, because the country churns out quality death metal like few others. The phrase ‘Polish death metal’ always grabs my attention, whether it’s technical like early Decapitated, thrashy à la Vader, or as blackened as Behemoth. Such was the case when I espied Shine’s Wrathcult lying unclaimed in the promo bin. The invention of guitarist Tomasz Dobrzeniecki (ex-Hazael), Shine unleashes a Polished debut of blackened death, eliciting prompt comparisons to compatriots Hate and Behemoth. While both provide apt reference points, there’s an acerbic tunefulness that evokes At the Gates and Old Man’s Child, as well. Given the glamor of these benchmarks, does Wrathcult let a light Shine down on Poland’s latest blackened death metal opus?

If you give me a word to sum up Polish metal, I’ll say ‘conviction,’ which Wrathcult oozes with calculated rabidity. Whether brandishing steady chugs, rapid-fire trems, or slinky, groove-infested crawls, Shine feels focused and frothing with finely-tuned fire. Dobrzeniecki’s description of the music and lyrics pins the overarching inspiration of Wrathcult on pre-Christian beliefs and the arcane powers of primeval mysticism, specifically calling out the intersection of ‘Germanic, Norse, and Slavic mythology.’1 While it’s not a theme I would’ve divined on my own, this context adds helpful color once Shine shows me where to look. In particular, the clean singing (“The Lamb Against the Wolf”) and chanting (“The Horror of the Night”) sprinkled throughout Wrathcult often give proceedings a ritualistic zest, culminating in one of my favorite tracks, “The Necklace with Runes.” The clean drawl at the beginning is underscored by finely crafted, deeper vocal layers, and while I’m generally unmoved by rhythmic spoken word, singer Marek Krajcer’s performance reads as a ceremonial incantation, reinforcing Wrathcult’s primordial basis.2

Wrathcult by Shine

Musically, Shine exhibits a cunning understanding of the crossroads between death metal, black metal, and melody. Besides the cleans, Krajcer projects a deathly growl that’s at once confident, scathing, and commandingly effective throughout Wrathcult. Guitarists Tomasz Dobrzeniecki and Mateusz Waśkiewicz supply equal doses of second-wave fervor and dulcet leads that are as barbed as they are captivating. Mid-album song “Oddajcie co moje” sports not only the hookiest melody of the bunch, but also contains one of the best bass grooves. Though subtle, Wojciech Gąsiorowski’s ambling bass-lines burble and thump with delightful heft, solidifying a resonant dimension on tracks “The Lamb Against the Wolf” and “Wrath of the Hammer.” With the high caliber of musicianship featuring on strings, an anemic drum performance could dull the entire showing. Thankfully, Paweł Duda seizes the opportunity with gusto, lashing his kit with precision strikes. Overall, Shine lays me on the ground with meaty, well-executed performances that belie Wrathcult’s debut status.

While many moments on Wrathcult fly me in the sky, a few aspects creep in and dim the power of Shine’s light. The production bolsters strong performances across the album, allowing proper room for each instrument to gleam—especially the bass. The forty-six-minute runtime keeps Wrathcult digestible, although riff repetition presents an opportunity to trim thirty-to-sixty seconds from several tracks for a tighter experience. And while Shine serves up several great jams on Wrathcult, a few weaker cuts create dips between the peaks of its strongest material. To be clear, there are no bad or inessential songs that I skip,3 but I do find myself waiting out some moments to get to better ones. Still, there’s variety in the songwriting that keeps affairs engaging and blood pumping through Shine’s blackened heart.

Shine’s Wrathcult should garner its fair share of devotees, living up to the high expectations of Polish blackened death. It’s taken many spins to unlock Wrathcult’s otherworldly secrets, and I’m of a mind that there are even more treasures to unearth. Anyone looking for melodious fury and a band with possibilities on the horizon should be paying attention. When I snatched Shine’s debut, I asked myself, ‘What will I find? Will love be there?’ While I can’t guarantee the same results for you, my answer is a resounding, ‘Yeah.’

Rating: Very Good!
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Dark Descent Records
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: January 30th, 2026