HOLOGRAMAH – Abyssus.Versus.Versiculos.

Metalcatto

You thought we were done with the long reviews for 2025. Think again, because there are still a few surprises left! HOLOGRAMAH is basically Chilean Black Metal royalty, which is why I gave it a chance in our crazy tight schedule. Abyssus.Versus.Versiculos. (yes, insane name I know) is supposed to keep showing that this part of the world can produce Black Metal that can compete with the colder places, but am I being too hopeful or is there real greatness here? Let’s find out!

Lost In the Riffstorm 2025: Part 3

Metalcatto

There were several old and new acts we missed this year, so it’s time to give you our two cents. You can get mad sure, or you could just think, well, “I almost forgot that came out, maybe I should check how wrong Catto is.” That’s a great way to find out I’m right. Anyway. Let’s get to it.

Vicky’s Top Artworks of 2025

Vicky

I decided to eventually stop procrastinating, and finally get to writing this article, and actually give you what you guys have been asking for for a while, a top best artworks made by a person lacking in any sort of drawing skills whatsoever. But, I make up for that with my writing skills, you have to give me credit for it. Without any further do, here are the three albums I really liked, artwork-wise:

What We Lost in 2025

Vicky & Metalcatto

People change, people grow. They become musicians, leave a legacy behind, and sadly pass away when we need them the most. When they are still alive, no one cares about them, others treat them like scum, but the second they die, they become popular again, fans rediscover their music, and they forget that they once saw these artists as if they had plague and it was dangerous to get close to them.

Rotten Sound – Mass Extinction

Metalcatto

Finland has given us excellent Metal in almost every subgenre. However, have you ever heard of Finnish Grindcore? Chances are you haven’t, which is why veterans Rotten Sound’s Mass Extinction caught my attention. I ended up wondering if those sauna addicts could be good at this, too. I mean, look at that artwork! It’s super promising! It makes me feel like I’m going to start an epic and dramatic journey. Could that be true? Am I imagining things?

Interview: Deconstructing the Night – Asenath Blake’s Philosophy of Black Metal

Metalcatto

We’ve done many interviews at MER now—some nerdy, some about war, some about mental struggles—but today, I bring you something different. Asenath Blake is here to talk to us about her work, and more importantly, about its philosophy. That’s not new in metal; so many black metal musicians are inspired by old books. But how about one that gets us out of our comfort zone?

Weft – The Splinter Oar

Metalcatto

The year is almost over. I’m led to believe that the best of the year has passed, that the only thing left is the struggle of picking the best albums this so, so year produced. Yet, a project with an unsurprising name comes in. Weft’s The Splinter Oar reached me with no expectations. I literally picked the album in a rush before leaving home to use it as a soundtrack for my journey to the coal mine. With this little information, we can jump right in!