Ixone
I remember this time last year I was worrying about not having listened to enough music… Well, let’s just say that version of me would call my present self a lazy slob in that regard. But, the only thing I can do in that regard other than try and put together this Judgement Day of a list, is to hope that 2026 will find me in a place where I actually pull myself together enough to keep up with music properly. However, despite all that, choosing what went in or was left out of this list ended up being a surprisingly difficult endeavor, since the underground has been undoubtedly just as busy as always. But now I will spare you of my ceaseless lamenting and get on with the list.
10. Barshasketh – Antinomian Asceticism
A clear pattern setter for my ventures of 2025, Barshasketh‘s Antinomian Asceticism is an occult rabbit hole of a record in every sense of the word. Dense, yet elegant, harsh, yet undoubtedly moody, it is the kind of album that feels like floating in the void, but the void is surprisingly comfortable. All that being said, it’s not lacking in teeth by any means. The way the album creates and uses tension in its instrumentation is nothing short of masterful, there being several moments where the music itself makes the listener uncomfortable by the way it is written alone. Honestly I think Merrimack fans would eat this album up, not because it sounds the same, or even bears close resemblance, but more because of the fact that it is just as immersivelly anxiety-inducing as the French titans.
9. Nyktmyst – Nyktmyst
This album, or better said, EP, is one of those releases that just settled in underneath my skin from the first couple of notes. There’s just something about the bleak, yet dynamic songwriting, the galloping riffs and the howling rasps that comprise the vocal performance that.. charmed me in every sense of the word. It’s stripped down Black Metal, and that is its biggest strength. It knows exactly what it wants to do and achieves it masterfully. To those of you looking for unfiltered black metal spirit and a freezing atmosphere, Nyktmyst is your way to go. And I am definitely keeping an eye out for this project in the future, because if the debut is this good…
8. Ofermod – Drakosophia
If I said Barshasketh‘s record is an occult rabbit hole… well here is the abyss said rabbit hole leads to. Impeccable production, top notch riffing, punchy drumming and a gnarly vocal performance. What more can one wish for? Swedish Black Metal finery. Yet, it is undoubtedly one of the catchiest albums I’ve heard in a long while, and the fact that I picked up and was mouthing along to several choruses after one listen is proof of that. Along with the fact that I had the title track stuck in my brain for a really long time. Still, that’s not something to complain about. And those seemingly imbalanced cadences happening in the structures? That’s the icing on the cake. Seriously, you can’t not like it.
Not a new one of the year per se, but given that it was re released back in summer and that I got to review it in the first place… it ended up here as it should have. A testament to the fact that EPs are, as I’ve said, a criminally underrated format, the songwriting on Mortuus Morgana is top notch, pure and simple. Melodic, ferocious, yet raw end echo-y, it takes a bit of time getting used to, but it’s worth every second. And the closing track, “Endless Crimson Dawn?” It’s simply perfect, and I’d even incline to say that’s putting it lightly. Still, this might just be my knack for epicness talking (it’s not, but okay).
6. Enthroned – Ashspawn
I listened to this one at the recommendation of a good friend of mine. And if said friend is reading this, I am thanking you once again because this album is nothing short of… massive is the only way to put it. It’s punishing, it goes all out in every regard, yet the artistry involved in it is just as outstanding. After all… just look at the album cover, it’s stunning. I think what I ended up resonating with most about this album is this exact balance between unrelenting extremity and elegant artistry that only pushes said extremity further. At no point whatsoever does it come off as sugarcoated, and that’s quite a feat. Still, I expect it will grow even more on me as time passes.
5. Lord Belial – Unholy Trinity
Here’s an album that secured its place on the list from the first time I heard it. That being said, it’s not necessarily surprising, since the powerhouse of a band that is Lord Belial have been delivering masterpiece after masterpiece for three decades at this point. As far as this album goes, it follows in a similar vein to its predecessor, “Rapture”, although I would argue it has a much more expansive sound. It feels grander in scale, so to say. And for those looking for a song that illustrates this best, “The Whore” is the one in question. That, of course, made it a highly effective single at the time of its release, and it only served to prove what an incredible record “Unholy Trinity” ended up being.
4. Sargeist – Flame Within Flame
Here goes yet another classic band that seems incapable of musical missteps. If I were to describe Flame within Flame in three words, those would be: striking, sophisticated and moody. By sophisticated, I mean that it has an oddly specific atmosphere that edges between ritualistic, meditative and unchained, storm-like. And it does wonders for the music. When I first listened to it, I got chills from the first couple of notes. And the title track is just,,, perfect. It’s one of those songs that I am simply unable to find any hiccups in. That’s also why is the one I end up returning to most, but the album as a whole shares that quality. You don’t get sick of it, no matter how many times you listen to it.
3. Hangover in Minsk– Party is Over
An album that happened to show up at the exact time it was needed, and which might as well have been my no. 1 pick given the sheer ammount of times I ended up coming back to it. Hearing it live as well definitely added to the experience and… what can I say? It hit rather uncomfortably close to home at times. However, don’t take it for cheesy, overly indulgent DSBM. It has a lot to say and does so in a manner that is as in-your-face as it is heartbreaking, yet, with a strong hint of irony and dark humour. Ah, and it can also be looped endlessly, hence my predicament. I dare you listen to it just once (spoiler, you can’t).
2. Malakhim – And In Our Hearts The Devil Sings
Here comes another impeccable record, that should come as a surprise to virtually no one. Truth being told, I’m at a loss for words as to how I should describe it, since there’s pages to be said about it. Back when I reviewed it, I described it as being “grand in that awe inspiring, apocalyptic way that Black Metal thrives on”. And by all means my point still stands. That’s the only way I am able to put it into words. It’s the kind of album that you can’t understand the true power of until you hear it, even though the album cover is undoubtedly striking. Cosmic fatalism made sublime indeed…
- Rietas – Torne Valley Black Metal
I thought for a long while about what made me resonate with this album on such a level. It’s not as grand as some of the other records on the list, nor as intricate. But what it has, and what I’ve come to conclude is the reason for it placement in the list is its… familiarity. Not necessarily in the musical sense, but more atmosphere wise. There’s just something about it that feels eerily familiar, almost as if visiting an old, abandoned place and recognizing bits and fragments from nearly faded memories. Yet, at the same time, it is wild in its spirit and execution. Once again, my words fail me. The music, by all means, speaks for itself
Nevertheless the list wouldn’t be complete without some honorable mentions, specifically 1914’s unflinching war soundtrack Viribus Unitis, Runenwacht‘s Das Letzte Geleit and it’s triumphant, melodic riff work, Blutsauger‘s Nocturnal Blood Tyrants, a true deathspawn of a raw black metal album, YEW‘s bone chilling, yet immersive IV, and, of course, Sarastus’s opus, Agony Eternal. All that being said, this was enough rambling for one article, so I shall take my leave gracefully and leave it here. Well, as graceful as the musical context allows… until I change my mind and decide to rewrite this all over again.
Metal Eclipse Reviews 