Metalcatto
This is a long one, so no intro!
True kvlt: Na Zarot, Vihilija, Sweden Ice, The Parishables, Stolen soul, Tormentus, Myrmann, & Black Steam
Month: January 2026
Obscurity – Ascheregen
Metalcatto
Obscurity has a long career, and I probably should’ve realized that sooner just by looking at the name. Seriously, how did nobody take it before? Anyway, Ascheregen is clearly meant to make us feel the pain and destruction of the world. Very uplifting stuff. That said, the album has a noticeable blend of death and post-metal elements that give it a more emotional edge than you might expect. On paper, that combination should work for me, and in practice… well, I genuinely wondered what the worst that could happen was. Turns out, not much in a bad way.
Edenbridge – Set the Dark on Fire
Metalcatto
Edenbridge would be the kind of band Elyna would normally cover, but she’s on vacation, so you’ll have to settle for my snarky takes in the meantime. The big question from the start was simple enough: what can Set the Dark on Fire add to an already long and fairly successful career? I’m not sure the answer is entirely straightforward, but I’ll do my best to help with some balanced and absolutely not hateful commentary… who am I kidding? This is Power Metal, after all.
Mors Verum – Canvas
Metalcatto
You know I have a soft spot for anything that mixes Prog and Death in the same sentence. What can I say? I like my bands to starve. So when Mors Verum came to me like a fart in the wind, I knew I had to smell it properly. Enough disgusting and childish jokes, though; what we really want to know is whether Canvas is worth your money, or at least your almost non-existent attention. Let’s get this horror started.
From Classical Music, to Metal, and Beyond – Interview with Thomas Vikström (Therion)
Vicky
As a Symphonic Metal enthusiast, my heart is overfilled with joy when I tell you that I have recently spoken with Thomas Vikström (whom I must thank once again for this opportunity!), Therion’s talented lead vocalist, about his entire career, and numerous preferences, including his beverage of choice, and a top 20 songs he currently loves. Enjoy reading this interview and don’t forget to get back to us with some feedback.
Ellende – Zerfall
Metalcatto
I’m late to this party again, but here we are: a new Ellende album exists, and that alone means we can’t just let it pass unnoticed. The band has been delivering stunning Post/Black Metal for years now, to the point where having an opinion on a new release isn’t just advisable, it feels almost mandatory. I also happened to see that one of the band members (L.G.) defended his PhD not long ago, which honestly explains a lot. Suddenly, the sheer emotional devastation of this record makes complete sense. Ellende, if you’re reading this, I’d love to say the academic pain is over, but judging by Zerfall, it has merely transformed into sound.
Shadowmass -Wasteland
Metalcatto
I guess I should stop giving chances only to the big fish and actually start caring more about the tiny ones, even if that comes with fewer views and less immediate payoff. After all, we mostly don’t do this for the money, right? Anyway, Shadowmass deliver a Thrash Metal record with Wasteland that at least promises not to be completely derivative. Let’s say they don’t… waste our time (don’t hit me for the pun). There’s a clear sense of intent here! Let’s go!
True kvlt: Desu Taem, Silas Grime, Scribe Shift, Black Pigs & Velkhanos
Metalcatto
You know what you know. Let’s start
Eximperitus – Meritoriousness of Equanimity
Metalcatto
I don’t know what Willowtip Records is cooking most of the time, but somehow they keep delivering. So when Eximperitus – Meritoriousness of Equanimity (what does that even mean?) landed in my mailbox, for once I actually had expectations. I knew next to nothing about the band, and judging by the lack of noise around them, this still feels like a fresh act in an already hostile scene. Fearing I might be getting ahead of myself, I dove into uncharted territory hoping to find gold—like a proper colonialist—but enough context, let’s start the plunder.
Shine – Wrathcult
Metalcatto
Welcome back—it’s been one day! So let’s get into what the new year already has in store for us. If you were hoping for brutal and merciless blackened death metal, then today is your lucky day, because I’m here to show you what Shine have to offer with Wrathcult. An album with a promo campaign more pagan than an Edda Reddit thread. So prepare your spells and animal bones, because this is going to be one of those mythological trips—or at least I hope so.
Metal Eclipse Reviews 