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Skaphos – Cult of Uzura

It’s been a while since we covered anything coming from animal-loving labels like Transcending Obscurity. So, I went to my collapsed email box and found an album with a cool and Lovecraft-like cover from la France! Of course, I had to give it a go. Skaphos is a Blackened Death Metal band. As a style that many have tried and failed to master, it’s a complex balance between the fury and sorrow of both genres, but Cult of Uzura aims to defy these expectations, and I’m okay with that. In fact, as long as it doesn’t just blast from beginning to end, that’ll be enough for me!

Lordi – Limited Deadition

Any of you who have been following the blog for the last year know two things: a) I hate nostalgia, and b) I believe the 80s are overrated in every artistic aspect. This is why Lordi’s Limited Deadition had such a hard task convincing me to even give it a chance. Besides, this is the only Metal band that won Eurovision decades ago, so with a mix of admiration and repulsion, I recalled that the point of being a reviewer is to explore horrors we never thought we’d encounter—to leave the comfort of my sauna and see what we’re up against next.

Dessiderium – Keys to the Palace

Vicky

I have to mention that I’ve listened to this album about twenty times in the past week or so, which means that I’ve had time to view it from various different angles. The first thing you may notice is the album cover, which resembles something you might see in The Lord of the Rings. However, you probably understand from the beginning that we are talking about something that Frodo Baggins probably wouldn’t listen to on his way to Mordor.

Belnejoum – Dark Tales of Zarathustra

I guess it was about time to return to Symphonic Black Metal. I mean, isn’t this what we all want every week? But in reality, these releases are few and far between. Enter Belnejoum, a project that, despite having one main writer, features collaborations from all corners of the Metalsphere (Fleshgod Apocalypse, Nile, Annihilator, to name a few). Dark Tales of Zarathustra—a title that instantly takes me back to my teenage years, lost in Nietzsche and Sartre books (what? I had a lonely and pretentious childhood!). So, how about we dive into the depth of this album?

True kvlt: The Host, Ashenheart & Ancine

We’re back with what the tide brought in over the last few days. It was an intense release week, but was it equally intense in the deep underground department? Today, we have a lot of familiar faces, but each brings something unique to the table. Because, let’s face it, most of you aren’t satisfied with not getting paid for one project—you have to juggle several. Nothing but respect for that, I’ll just say. Now, let’s dive in!

Spiritbox – Tsunami Sea

If we go back to 2021, most of you were locked into your homes, thinking about how many shows were left to watch before the total apocalypse consumed us. However, that wasn’t the only surprise of the year. We got Eternal Blue, an album that put Spiritbox on the map as one of the new ambassador bands (bands that bring newcomers into the genre). Being such a band can deeply divide the Metal world, which is why Tsunami Sea is one of the most anticipated—and dreaded—releases of 2025. I’ll be honest, I enjoyed the debut as much as anyone, but I understood its limitations. So, where does Tsunami Sea stand?

Imperial Triumphant – Goldstar

Enough procrastinating! It’s time to finish what we started a few days ago by giving our “expert” opinion on Imperial Triumphant’s Goldstar. We even made a top to celebrate this occasion. If that doesn’t tell you how pumped I am for this release, then I don’t know what else to do for you. No need for long intros—we all know Imperial Triumphant is one of the most Avant-Garde bands of the last ten years. Not many can compete with the level of urban horror these guys conjure up, but as a huge fan, I’m nervous! Can you blame me?

Destruction – Birth of Malice

It’s time for a classic—after all, we don’t dive into those often enough around here. Does Destruction even need an introduction? For the younger crowd, here’s a quick history lesson: after the U.S. had its wave of Thrash, Germany followed suit with its own. The Teutonic version was more aggressive, though over time, it also embraced a more melodic edge. Destruction has seen it all—the highs, the lows, the classic albums (Release from Agony), and the not-so-classic ones (Born to Perish). So, where does Birth of Malice fit into this legacy? Is it going to beat us up at the bar, or will it need a hip replacement? Let’s find out!

Sadist – Something to Pierce

Not many bands embody the saying “it was ahead of its time” like Sadist does. A band that has been crafting complex, quirky, and creative Progressive Death Metal since before many of us were born, it continues to push boundaries with its signature sound. Firescorched was a total hit in my eyes, proving once again that this project sounds like no other, and wherever it goes, its style remains undeniably unique. That said, Something to Pierce has a high bar to reach, and I find myself on the fence about it. I’ve been hurt too many times before to get my hopes up too quickly!

Gotta Rank ‘Em All: Every Imperial Triumphant Album Ranked

Metalcatto

The people have spoken, and we started a new section, filled with hunger and ambition—but let’s see how it goes. Imperial Triumphant is the definition of a band of rich kids that went to art school. Nothing wrong with that, because I’m a huge fan! In fact, IT is New York’s response to French Avant-Garde/Black Metal hegemony, and as much as I love that scene (despite its controversies), who the fudge wants to be ruled by the French? Let’s start this countdown as a celebration of the upcoming release Goldstar.