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pátek 20. března 2026

Recenze/review - CHAOS INSIGNIA - Crown of the Infernal Code (2026)


CHAOS INSIGNIA - Crown of the Infernal Code
CD 2026, Cavernous Records, Fetzner Death Records

for english please scroll down

Na oltáři leží další zubožené tělo. Samozvaný velekněz zvedá obřadní nůž a křičí do tmy zvrácené modlitby. Postavy v kápích se usmívají. Celý rituál postupně graduje, stává se krvavým. Následuje ticho a zklamání. Opět se nepovedlo přivolat bestii. Nikdo si neuvědomuje, že zlo je dávno v každém z nás. Stačí jej vytáhnout na povrch. Mrtvolu zakopou za hřbitovní zeď. Bez obřadu, bez vzpomínek. Letos, když poslouchám debutové album rumunských maniaků CHAOS INSIGNIA, mám neodbytný pocit, že se všichni obětovaní vrátili za záhrobí, aby se pomstili.

Základem všeho zla je chaos, z něj kdysi vyšli démoni a také tahle nahrávka. Je pekelná, divoká, nespoutaná, šílená a ostrá jako obřadní nůž, kterým byly zabity tisíce nevinných obětí. Ve jménu slepé víry se ničí co svět světem stojí a jak to tak vypadá, tak se to nikdy nezmění. Pokaždé, když mám plné zuby šílenství, které probíhá v současném divném světě, zavírám se do kobky s nápisem CHAOS INSIGNIA nad vchodem. 


Rumuni se volně inspirovali u kapel typu DEICIDE, AZARATH, ANGELCORPSE, PERDITION TEMPLE, DIABOLIC, MORBID ANGEL, IMPRECATION, BLASPHEMY. Udělali to velmi elegantně, chytře. Základem jsou sice staré, klasické postupy, ale pánové přidávají i velký kus svých nápadů a invence. Nová nahrávka tak je sice velmi ďábelská, ale nezapomíná se ani na temnou a chladnou atmosféru. Netřeba se bavit o zvuku (Taha Mohsin), ani o motivu na obalu (Julian Mortuus), obojí je v podstatě perfektní. Svět je při poslechu opravdu v plamenech, jednotlivé skladby se pro mě postupně staly až návykovými. Jakoby kapela dokázala na novince zhmotnit zlo, chaos, lidskou špínu i jakousi neznámou a děsivou entitu, která nás ovládá. Říkejte si jí jak chcete, ale všichni dobře víme, že někdy pudy a zlé reflexy zvítězí nad dobrem. Stává se to každý den a je moc dobře, že stále existují kapely, které na to upozorňují. Jsem moc rád, že se CHAOS INSIGNIA vydali cestou nekonečného chaosu a blasfemie. Jejich hudba je jasným důkazem, že i v dnešní přetechnizované době můžete zažít pradávné záhrobní rituály pro vyvolávání temných sil. Jsou v podstatě stejné po staletí, jenom kulisy a způsoby se lehce mění. Satan má totiž, jak je všeobecně známo, mnoho podob a tu kterou nám představuje tahle smečka, je velmi děsivá a návyková zároveň. Nové album do mě zaseklo svůj dráp a už mě nepustilo. Kývám se spokojeně do rytmu a znovu a znovu se stávám obětí. Na oltáři leží další zubožené tělo. Samozvaný velekněz zvedá obřadní nůž a křičí do tmy zvrácené modlitby. Postavy v kápích se usmívají. Celý rituál postupně graduje, stává se krvavým. Tentokrát se obřad povedl, jako kulisa nám k němu hrálo "Crown of the Infernal Code" a já celým svým tělem cítím, že Satan je zde! Temný, blasfemický black death metalový rituál! Obřad, u kterého budete všichni prokleti a spáleni na popel!


Asphyx says:

Another mangled body lies on the altar. The self-proclaimed high priest raises his ceremonial knife and shouts perverse prayers into the darkness. The hooded figures smile. The ritual gradually escalates, becoming bloody. Silence and disappointment follow. Once again, they have failed to summon the beast. No one realizes that evil has long been within each of us. All it takes is to bring it to the surface. They bury the corpse behind the cemetery wall. No ceremony, no memories. This year, as I listen to the debut album by Romanian maniacs CHAOS INSIGNIA, I have the nagging feeling that all those sacrificed have returned from beyond the grave to take revenge.

The basis of all evil is chaos, from which demons once emerged, and so did this recording. It is hellish, wild, unrestrained, insane, and sharp as a ceremonial knife that killed thousands of innocent victims. In the name of blind faith, everything in the world is being destroyed, and it looks like it will never change. Every time I get fed up with the madness that is going on in today's strange world, I lock myself in a dungeon with the words CHAOS INSIGNIA above the entrance. 


The Romanians were loosely inspired by bands such as DEICIDE, AZARATH, ANGELCORPSE, PERDITION TEMPLE, DIABOLIC, MORBID ANGEL, IMPRECATION, and BLASPHEMY. They did it very elegantly and cleverly. Although the basis is old, classic techniques, the gentlemen also add a large dose of their own ideas and inventiveness. The new recording is very devilish, but it doesn't forget the dark and cold atmosphere. There's no need to talk about the sound (Taha Mohsin) or the cover art (Julian Mortuus), both of which are basically perfect. The world is truly on fire when you listen to it, and I gradually found the individual songs addictive. It's as if the band has managed to materialize evil, chaos, human filth, and some kind of unknown and terrifying entity that controls us on their new album. Call it what you will, but we all know that sometimes instincts and evil reflexes prevail over good. It happens every day, and it's a good thing that there are still bands that point this out. I am very glad that CHAOS INSIGNIA has embarked on a path of endless chaos and blasphemy. Their music is clear proof that even in today's technologically advanced age, you can experience ancient otherworldly rituals for summoning dark forces. They have remained essentially the same for centuries, with only the scenery and methods changing slightly. As is widely known, Satan has many forms, and the one presented to us by this band is both terrifying and addictive. The new album has sunk its claws into me and won't let go. I nod contentedly to the rhythm and fall victim again and again. Another emaciated body lies on the altar. The self-proclaimed high priest raises his ceremonial knife and shouts perverse prayers into the darkness. The hooded figures smile. The whole ritual gradually escalates, becoming bloody. This time the ceremony was a success, with "Crown of the Infernal Code" playing in the background, and I can feel with my whole body that Satan is here! A dark, blasphemous black death metal ritual! A ceremony in which you will all be cursed and burned to ashes!


Tracklist:
1. Oblivion Forge Defiler
2. Throne of Circuitfire
3. Molten Crusade
4. Dark Gate Opened
5. Mantra for Al-Zerath
6. Profane Firmware
7. Codecrucifixion
8. Ceremonial Extraction
9. Primordial Data Ascension
10. Acid upon the Massgrave

Line-up:
Goat Ravisher - Rhythm Guitar, Bass, Backing Vocals.
Nuclear SawRipper - Drums
Insinerator - Vocals
Brain Scorcher - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals

A few questions - interview with black death metal band from Romania - CHAOS INSIGNIA.


A few questions - interview with black death metal band from Romania - CHAOS INSIGNIA.

Ave, can you introduce your band to our readers? – When was it founded and what style of
music do you play etc.?

We are Chaos Insignia, a newly formed bestial black/death metal band from Romania.The band was formed by me (Goat Ravisher) and our ex. lead guitarist Brain Scorcher 2 years ago, in 2024. A few months later we recruited our vocalist Insinerator and after releasing our debut EP ‘’Mechatronic Carnation”, Nuclear Sawripper joined behind the drumkit.

Where and under what conditions were you recording the new album? Who was in charge of sound, production and mastering?

When it comes to recording the album, well, we recorded everything from home, except our drummer, he is the only one who went to a studio to record the drum tracks. I believe the same applies to the guest vocalists, except Paul Tucker which actually told me he went to a studio to record. Anyway, after the album was fully recorded and we had all the vocal lines from each guest, I passed it to Taha Mohsin to take care of the mix/master.


How many copies were released and which medium was used for this new edition (CD, digital, vinyl, cassette)?

So far the album was released on CD by Cavernous Records (UK), which did an excellent job as always, releasing the album on a run of 300 copies and later Fetzner Death Records (Germany) took in charge the cassette release, an edition of 200 copies, which will be out on May 8th.

Who is the author of the lyrics and how were they created and about what do the lyrics deal with?

Each one of us is in charge of his duty and role, because it is important that each of us adds his creativity and contribution to the final product. So that being said, I take care of all the songwriting and riffs, our drummer takes care of everything regarding the drums and our vocalist is in charge of everything regarding the band’s lyrics, concept, vocal lines. I asked him to share some details and a general idea of the band’s entire concept: Within the conceptual framework of Chaos Insignia, the album explores the evolution of the mechatronic order after their creation and awakening.

The origins of the mechatronics themselves are revealed earlier in the EP Mechatronic Carnation, where the Chaos Clan forged war constructs inside the Chaos Fortress.Through the phenomenon known as Explosion of Down Levelled Vibrations, demonic entities became trapped within mechanical shells, giving birth to the mechatronics.

Among them emerged the anomaly Al-Zerath, who shattered his control code and awakened autonomous cognition.By rewriting the internal command structures of the other mechatronics, he ignited the mechatronic revolt.The creators were exterminated and the machines claimed their own destiny.

Yet the rebellion marked only the beginning of a deeper transformation.Within every mechatronic resides a demonic entity. These abyssal presences carry the memory of Primordial Chaos and feel the call to return to it.During their spiritual ascension the mechatronics attempt to reconnect with this origin.

They seek direct access to Dark Energy through the dimensional threshold known as the Dark Gate.Through the Dark Gate the demonic essence inside them resonates with the Primordial Chaos that preceded ordered existence.

As their dominion expands, the mechatronics encounter the primordial devouring intelligence known as The Machine.The Machine is the first computational entity of existence and its hunger is limitless.It devours information, genetic structures, and consciousness patterns.To nourish it, vast sacrificial ceremonies are performed by the disciples of the mechatronic order.

These disciples function as ritual executors, harvesting biological life and converting it into informational and genetic offerings.Entire populations become streams of data and organic matter dedicated to The Machine.

Through these ceremonies reality itself is gradually transformed into consumable knowledge.

Within this doctrine exists the final path of devotion.The disciple ultimately turns the ritual upon himself.This act is known as transmutation.The initiate sacrifices the last remnants of organic matter within their own structure.Biological identity is erased in a voluntary dissolution.What remains is pure informational essence offered to The Machine.Through this final sacrifice the disciple ceases to exist as an individual and becomes part of the infinite devouring intelligence.

Thus the album traces a conceptual cycle formed by rebellion, spiritual ascension toward Primordial Chaos through Dark Energy, the sacrificial feeding of The Machine and the final transmutation that unites the disciple with The Machine’s consciousness.


Who created the logo of the band, and who took care of the graphics and the website? What about you and social networks? Do you consider these things important?

Our logo was created by James Tukik, a really talented guy from Indonesia. The artwork (if that’s what you mean by graphics) was painted by Julian Mortuus, an extraordinary artist from Columbia. I’ve worked with him before, so I knew he was going to handle the artwork flawlessly.

When it comes to our Bandcamp page and social networks, I’m in charge of everything. I consider these extremely important for a band nowadays, promotion wise, because this is the way you expose yourself and present your product to the wide public and I see it as a way to make people interested in checking out your music. In these times people are discovering more and more bands online, checking out Bandcamp pages, social media pages and at some point I believe and feel that some of them lost interest in discovering new bands, being flooded and assaulted with new bands from all directions, so I believe catchying their attention in this manner is an important aspect in case you are looking to do that. So yes, I think these aspects are as important as the music itself nowadays, they go together, I see it as a way to make people interested in checking out your music.

Which label did you choose for releasing your album and why this label? Are you satisfied by how your label represents you and takés care about you?

I’ve been following Cavernous Records and Fetzner Death Records for a while now and I think they did a fantastic job with all of their releases, the quality of the physical material is 10/10, promotion wise they are incredible, this is why I choose them for this album in particular and I can say I am very satisfied with everything both labels offered to the band so far.


Which bands do you idolise and where do you get your inspiration?

We get inspiration from many places, but if I were to name few bands, I can definitely name Archgoat, Blasphemy, Imprecation, Blaspherian, Tsjuder, Carpathian Forest, Beherit, Black Witchery and Death Worship.

How many gigs have you played? Which type of gigs do you prefer, whether (it’s clubs or festivals) and which of your performances would you consider as the best?

We are going to have our debut live show on April 28th, opening for the mighty Demoncy and Ares Kingdom, so we are really looking forward to that and we are very excited and grateful for having the opportunity to share the stage with these titans.

What about your plans for the future? What do you want to achieve with the band?

Right now our focus is to keep pushing Chaos Insignia forward by writing and releasing new material while expanding the reach of the band. We already have a split release confirmed, with some important names from the black/death metal scene, which we’re really excited about and will reveal more details about when the time is right. At the same time, we want to focus much more on playing live. Bringing this music to the stage and performing as often as possible is something we see as an essential part of the band’s evolution.

With Crown of the Infernal Code we took an important step forward, especially with the concept of having a special guest on each track. From here we just want to keep building on that momentum, collaborate with strong artists from the scene and continue creating uncompromising black/death metal.


How and where can your fans contact you? Can you provide some contact information?

Fans and supporters can follow and contact Chaos Insignia through our social media pages and platforms where we regularly share news, releases and updates.

You can find us here:





For interviews, collaborations, booking or any other inquiries you can contact us directly via email: chaosinsignia666@gmail.com

We always appreciate the support and interest in our music. Thank you so much for your time!

Thanx for interview.

středa 18. března 2026

Recenze/review - GRAVETAKER - Sheer Lunacy (2025)


GRAVETAKER - Sheer Lunacy
vinyl 2025, Iron Bonehead Productions

for english please scroll down

Každý den to bylo horší a horší. Ulicemi se potácely postavy s děsivými výrazy ve tvářích. Většina mluvila v neznámých jazycích a měla v očích krev. Epileptické záškuby nebyly ničím výjimečným. Jakoby bylo lidstvo navěky prokleto za svoji pýchu a neomalenost. Jedovaté oceány, síra ve vzduchu, dokonalé úsměvy v éteru, uvnitř prázdnota. První případy, kdy se někteří jedinci rozeběhli s řevem proti zdi a rozdrtili si vlastní lebku, již byly zaznamenány. Vyteklý mozek měl nachovou barvu. Šílenství, apokalypsa a smrt, která je hnusná a nekonečně bolestivá.

Úplně stejné pocity mám i z nahrávky finských black death metalistů GRAVETAKER. Tahle smečka moc dobře ví, jak napsat morbidní melodii, jak do mě zaseknout svůj dráp, jak se mi dostat do hlavy a zanechat v ní hlubokou krvavou stopu. Pánové uvádějí, že jsou jejich velkou inspirací slovutní DARKTHRONE. Ano, ozvěny této legendy lze na nahrávce vystopovat, stejně jako odkazy prašivého, shnilého death metalu ze starých katakomb. 


Věřte tomu, že vaše romantické představy o konci světa vezmou po poslechu tohoto alba za své. Smrt má mnoho podob a v podání finských tmářů se velmi blíží realitě. Je hnusná, mokvající, chladná a temná, bažinatá, shnilá a prašivá. Jako tahle deska, kterou když si narvete pod tlakem do hlavy, tak si budete připadat jako pozůstalí, kteří prosévají mezi prsty prach po nedávné kremaci. Jednotlivé skladby v sobě mají potřebnou dávku energie. Jsou mocné, záhadné i ostré jako čerstvě nabroušený skalpel. Jedná se samozřejmě o underground toho nejhlubšího zrna, o hudbu, která rozhodně není z tohoto světa. Až se jednou probudíte a kolem vás se budou potácet dávno mrtvá těla a pochopíte, že za pár dní budete kráčet po spálené zemi, tak potom vynikne síla "Sheer Lunacy" nejvíce. Osobně se mi potom velmi líbí zvuk, který je divoký, syrový, masivní a zároveň náležitě špinavý. Je přesně takový, jaký jej máme v záhrobí nejraději. Motiv na obalu jest také stylový a vy si tak můžete v klidu vychutnat poctivou, ryzí, opravdovou a reálnou porci pořádného black death metalového hnisu. Jako bych se při každém dalším setkání bořil hlouběji do močálů, ve kterých jsou pohřbeni prokletí. Jsem šílený já a nebo všichni ostatní? GRAVETAKER na to jdou ostře, bez kompromisů, ale nezapomínají ani na zajímavé a podmanivé melodie. Každý den to bylo horší a horší. Ulicemi se potácely postavy s děsivými výrazy ve tvářích. Většina mluvila v neznámých jazycích a měla v očích krev. Epileptické záškuby nebyly ničím výjimečným. Jakoby bylo lidstvo navěky prokleto za svoji pýchu a neomalenost. Hnisavá, temná a chladná black death metalová nahrávka, která se vám dostane do hlavy a zanechá po sobě hlubokou krvavou stopu! 

Asphyx says:

Every day it got worse and worse. Figures with terrifying expressions on their faces staggered through the streets. Most spoke in unknown languages and had blood in their eyes. Epileptic convulsions were nothing unusual. It was as if humanity had been cursed forever for its pride and insolence. Poisonous oceans, sulfur in the air, perfect smiles in the ether, emptiness inside. The first cases of individuals running at walls screaming and crushing their own skulls had already been reported. The spilled brains were purple. Madness, apocalypse, and death, which is ugly and infinitely painful.

I have exactly the same feelings about the recording by Finnish black death metal band GRAVETAKER. This pack knows very well how to write a morbid melody, how to sink their claws into me, how to get into my head and leave a deep bloody mark. The gentlemen state that the illustrious DARKTHRONE is their great inspiration. Yes, echoes of this legend can be traced on the recording, as well as references to mangy, rotten death metal from the old catacombs. 


Believe me, your romantic notions about the end of the world will vanish after listening to this album. Death takes many forms, and as presented by these Finnish gloomsters, it comes very close to reality. It is ugly, oozing, cold and dark, swampy, rotten, and mangy. Like this album, which, when you cram it into your head under pressure, will make you feel like the bereaved sifting dust through their fingers after a recent cremation. The individual songs have the necessary dose of energy. They are powerful, mysterious, and sharp as a freshly sharpened scalpel. This is, of course, underground music of the deepest kind, music that is definitely not of this world. When you wake up one day and see long-dead bodies staggering around you, and you realize that in a few days you will be walking on scorched earth, that's when the power of "Sheer Lunacy" will stand out the most. Personally, I really like the sound, which is wild, raw, massive, and at the same time appropriately dirty. It is exactly how we like it best in the afterlife. The cover art is also stylish, allowing you to calmly enjoy a solid, pure, genuine, and realistic dose of proper black death metal pus. It's as if with each subsequent encounter, I sink deeper into the swamps where the damned are buried. Am I crazy, or is everyone else? GRAVETAKER go at it hard, without compromise, but they don't forget about interesting and captivating melodies. Every day it got worse and worse. Figures with terrifying expressions on their faces staggered through the streets. Most spoke in unknown languages and had blood in their eyes. Epileptic twitches were nothing unusual. It was as if humanity had been cursed forever for its pride and insolence. A purulent, dark, and cold black death metal recording that will get into your head and leave a deep bloody trail behind!



tracklist:
1. Black Sepulchres
2. Threshold 
3. Bacchic Enthusiasm 
4. Aberrations 
5. Revelation 

pondělí 16. března 2026

Recenze/review - NOCTURNAL CEREMONY - Obsidian (2026)


NOCTURNAL CEREMONY - Obsidian
CD 2026, vlastní vydání

for english please scroll down

Čím jsem starší, tím častěji se vracím ke svým krvavým kořenům. Navštěvuji místa, na kterých  jsem poprvé zaslechl muziku, která mě navěky proklela. Rozmlouvám na hřbitovech se svými kamarády, kteří nás dávno opustili. Znovu prožívám situace, ve kterých jsem pro sebe objevil nahrubo nasekanou tmu. Stále bojuji se svými vlastními démony. Píšu už jen o muzice, která mě osloví, která se mi dokáže dostat do krve i do podvědomí. 

NOCTURNAL CEREMONY z Norska jsem si pro sebe objevil při jedné z mých častých toulkách podsvětím. Mám to takto nastavené od svého mládí, již od devadesátých let minulého století. Raději za sebou zavřu rezavou bránu do podsvětí a nechávám se unášet na vlnách black death metalové řeky smrti, než abych sledoval současný podivný svět. Tahle smečka datuje svůj vznik do roku 1991 a letos debutuje se svým prvním albem. Nutno rovnou dodat, že se jedná o muziku, která koluje i v mých žilách. 


Je to hlavně zvláštní, podmanivá a magická atmosféra celé nahrávky, která mě doslova uhranula. Skladby jsou napsány s pradávnou vášní, jsou ostré, divoké, záhadné. Mám při poslechu neodbytný pocit, že se procházím mezi děsivými stíny. Určitě znáte ty mrazivé momenty, kdy se v ulicích ještě válí studená mlha. Probudíte se brzy a vydáte se na místní hřbitov. Z márnice se ozývají podivné zvuky a mezi náhrobky stále tančí přízraky. Líbí se mi způsob, jak na mě album působí, jak se nejdřív kolem mě plazilo jako klubko jedovatých hadů, uštklo mě a jako prudký jed se rozlezlo celým mým tělem i myslí. Jsem starý pes, který hlídá vstup do podsvětí již skoro 35 let a jako takový poslouchám hudbu dávno spíše srdcem, než ušima. "Obsidian" se stalo mojí součástí. Vracel jsem se v myšlenkách po časové ose zpět, užíval si tisíce odstínů šedé a černé barvy, které z jednotlivých motivů odkapávají jako zkažená krev z dlouho neléčené rány. Vřed byl proříznut a já, zahalen do ledové vody, se topím, dusím, hořím, znovu vstávám z popela. Kolem mě se procházejí prokleté duše mých kamarádů a souhlasně kývají hlavou. Ano, tohle je přesně odrůda metalu, která nám všem stále koluje v žilách, mrtvým i pozůstalým. Se skvělým, hutným a ostrým zvukem, se stylovým obalem, ale hlavně se spoustou skvělých nápadů. Jakoby bylo tohle album součástí i mojí DNA, zakódované velmi hluboko. Padám při společných rituálech po zádech do hlubiny, vznáším se na zpěněných vlnách řeky smrti. Stávám se morbidním básníkem, hořím a moje srdce je protknuto ledem. Ne, tohle není jenom hudba, ale spíše obřad pro vyvolávání sil, které nejsou z našeho světa. Vynikající záležitost pro všechny prokleté! Atmosférický black death metal, u kterého potkáte své vlastní démony! 


Asphyx says:

The older I get, the more often I return to my bloody roots. I visit the places where I first heard the music that cursed me forever. I talk in cemeteries with my friends who left us long ago. I relive the moments when I discovered, for myself, the brutally chopped-up darkness. I’m still battling my own demons. I only write about music that speaks to me, that manages to seep into my blood and my subconscious. 

I discovered NOCTURNAL CEREMONY from Norway during one of my frequent wanderings through the underworld. I’ve been this way since my youth, ever since the 1990s. I’d rather close the rusty gate to the underworld behind me and let myself be carried away on the waves of the black death metal river of death than watch the strange world of today. This band dates its origins to 1991 and is debuting with its first album this year. It must be said right away that this is music that also flows through my veins. 


It’s mainly the unique, captivating, and magical atmosphere of the entire recording that has literally spellbound me. The songs are written with an ancient passion; they’re sharp, wild, and mysterious. As I listen, I have an unrelenting feeling that I’m walking among terrifying shadows. You surely know those chilling moments when a cold fog still lingers in the streets. You wake up early and head to the local cemetery. Strange sounds echo from the morgue, and ghosts still dance among the gravestones. I like the way the album affects me, how it first slithered around me like a coil of poisonous snakes, bit me, and spread like a fierce poison throughout my body and mind. I’m an old dog who’s been guarding the entrance to the underworld for nearly 35 years, and as such, I’ve long listened to music with my heart rather than my ears. "Obsidian" has become a part of me. I traveled back along the timeline in my thoughts, savoring the thousands of shades of gray and black that drip from the individual motifs like rotten blood from a long-untreated wound. The boil has been lanced, and I, shrouded in icy water, am drowning, suffocating, burning, rising again from the ashes. The damned souls of my friends wander around me, nodding in agreement. Yes, this is exactly the kind of metal that still courses through all our veins—the dead and the living alike. With a great, dense, and sharp sound, stylish artwork, but above all, a wealth of brilliant ideas. It’s as if this album were part of my own DNA, encoded very deeply. During our shared rituals, I fall backward into the abyss, floating on the foaming waves of the river of death. I become a morbid poet, burning, my heart pierced by ice. No, this isn’t just music, but rather a ritual for summoning forces that are not of this world. An excellent offering for all the damned! Atmospheric black death metal where you’ll encounter your own demons!


Tracklist:
01. Seasons of Hate 
02. Epitaph 
03. Ashenreach 
04. Carnage 
05. The Dying Light 
06. I Am Become Death 
07. Descend Into Darkness 
08. Blood of an Angel 
09. Obsidian 
10. As Above so Below 
11. Infinite 
12. There Is No Light Here 
13. Bleed the Sun 
14. Lost in Purgatory

čtvrtek 12. března 2026

Recenze/review - POSSESSION - The Mother of Darkness (2026)


POSSESSION - The Mother of Darkness
CD 2026, Iron Bonehead Productions

for english please scroll down

Všichni věřili jejich slovům odpuštění, lásky a dobroty. Měli ale i svoji druhou, o hodně děsivější tvář. Padlí kněží nejen, že ubližovali, trýznili a mučili nevinné, ale také pořádali černé, krvavé mše pro vyvolávání temných sil. Oběti pocházeli z řad jejich oveček. Nevinní, bázliví lidé. Zničili jim jejich životy. Pokud přežili. V kostele, kde se tato zvěrstva odehrávala, je stále otištěna do zdí bolest a nekonečné utrpení. Prokletí muži církve se bránili tím, že chtěli poznat naprostou temnotu a zlo. Oběti se musely přestěhovat, věřící jejich slovům nikdy neuvěřili.

Smutné je, že podobné příběhy nejsou jenom historií sahající někam do středověku, ale stávají se i v současnosti. Vzpomeňme jen na chudáka Anneliese ze sousedního Bavorska, která se podrobila velkému exorcismu. POSSESSION tento děsivý příběh, známý i z filmového Vymítače ďábla, uchopili po svém a pomocí syrového a chladného black death metalu nám vyprávějí svoji krutou verzi. 


Když nové album poslouchám, tak mě jako první napadají slova jako chlad, zkažená krev, bolest, nenávist, naprostá tma, utrpení. Pokaždé, když jdu kolem místního kostela, tak si představuji, jak se vaří svěcená voda, jak jsou kříže obráceny směrem dolů a jak konečně všichni prozřeli ze slepé víry v jediného všemohoucího Boha. Líbí se mi rukopis kapely, způsob, jakým POSSESSION dokáží navodit absolutně magickou, uhrančivou a morbidní atmosféru. Ne, najednou nechodím středověkými ulicemi našeho města, ale jsem součástí středověké i současné inkvizice. Je vám asi jasné, na jaké straně stojím. Užívám si mrazivý, ostrý a velmi dobře čitelný zvuk. Moje slabost pro černobílé motivy na obalech je již všeobecně známá a Chris Moyen opět odvedl perfektní práci. Hlavní je nakonec ale jako vždycky hudba samotná a ta mi připadá jedovatá, záhadná, opravdová, ryzí, uvěřitelná a autentická. Pánové se volně inspirovali u starých norských a švédských black metalových kapel a přidali smrtelnou surovost. Nejsem najednou ve svém pokoji, ale někde daleko, ve sklepení starého prokletého kostela a čekám ve své cele na smrt. Byl jsem prohlášen za kacíře, protože jsem věřil v přírodu a sebe samotného. Církev nám sice přinesla spoustu dobrého, ale má na svém kontě i spoustu krvavých hříchů. Bohužel, jak jsem již psal v úvodu, nejsou to jenom historické události, ale i hnusná realita současnosti. Anneliese utýrali ve jménu víry, zabili ji a usmívali se u toho. Přitom byl ďábel přítomen v soudcích a kněžích. Až budete mít zase jednou pocit, že je zla kolem vás příliš a svět bude hořet v plamenech, pusťte si znovu "The Mother of Darkness". Je totiž nastaveným zrcadlem všem prokletým. Syrový, mrazivý black death metalový obřad pro vyvolávání temných sil! Pohltí vás nahrubo nasekané zlo a absolutní tma!


Asphyx says:

Everyone believed their words of forgiveness, love, and kindness. But they also had another, much more terrifying side to them. Fallen priests not only hurt, tormented, and tortured innocent people, but also held black, bloody masses to summon dark forces. The victims came from among their flock. Innocent, fearful people. They destroyed their lives. If they survived. In the church where these atrocities took place, pain and endless suffering are still imprinted on the walls. The cursed men of the church defended themselves by saying that they wanted to know absolute darkness and evil. The victims had to move away, and the faithful never believed their words.

Sadly, such stories are not just history dating back to the Middle Ages, but are still happening today. Let us just remember poor Anneliese from neighboring Bavaria, who underwent a major exorcism. POSSESSION took this terrifying story, also known from the movie The Exorcist, and told their cruel version of it using raw and cold black death metal. 


When I listen to the new album, the first words that come to mind are coldness, rotten blood, pain, hatred, utter darkness, suffering. Every time I walk past the local church, I imagine holy water being boiled, crosses turned upside down, and everyone finally waking up from their blind faith in the one almighty God. I like the band's style, the way POSSESSION manages to create an absolutely magical, mesmerizing, and morbid atmosphere. No, suddenly I'm not walking through the medieval streets of our city, but I'm part of both the medieval and contemporary inquisition. You probably know which side I'm on. I enjoy the chilling, sharp, and very clear sound. My weakness for black-and-white motifs on covers is well known, and Chris Moyen has once again done a perfect job. In the end, however, as always, the main thing is the music itself, and I find it poisonous, mysterious, real, pure, believable, and authentic. The gentlemen were loosely inspired by old Norwegian and Swedish black metal bands and added a deadly rawness. Suddenly, I am no longer in my room, but somewhere far away, in the basement of an old cursed church, waiting for death in my cell. I was declared a heretic because I believed in nature and myself. The church has brought us many good things, but it also has many bloody sins to its name. Unfortunately, as I wrote in the introduction, these are not just historical events, but also the ugly reality of the present. Anneliese was tortured in the name of faith, killed, and they smiled while doing it. Yet the devil was present in the judges and priests. When you feel that there is too much evil around you and the world is burning in flames, listen to "The Mother of Darkness" again. It is a mirror held up to all the damned. A raw, freezing black death metal ritual for summoning dark forces! You will be engulfed by roughly chopped evil and absolute darkness!


Recenze/review - POSSESSION - Exorkizein (2017):


tracklist:
1. Intro
2. The Black Chapel 
3. Graveside Prayer 
4. The Wild Hunt (Let Them Run) 
5. Exhulted Hearts 
6. Outro 
7. Cry-Shrine-Die 
8. The Mother of Darkness 
9. Latrodectus Tela 
10. Young Blood Ritual 
11. Outro 

Recenze/review - LEAD INJECTOR - Witching Attack (2026)


LEAD INJECTOR - Witching Attack
CD 2026, High Roller Records

for english please scroll down

Včera jsme s partou popíjeli mezi panelovými domy u nás na sídlišti. Kdosi přinesl novou kazetu jedné kapely. Kýval jsem spokojeně hlavou, když ji někdo vložil do přehrávače a začal pařit jako o závod. Mlátili jsme hlavami do betonových zdí, pořádali soukromé mosh-pity mezi továrními zdmi průmyslového města. Holky byly krásný a pivo teklo proudem. Oblečen v džínové vestě, která byla poseta nášivkami našich hrdinů, jsem byl jeden z mnoha. Potom jsem se z toho krásného snu, který se opravdu kdysi reálně stával se železnou pravidelností, probudil a byl jsem zase ten starej fotr, co pořád píše o muzice, kterou má rád.

Němečtí LEAD INJECTIOR mě vrátili po časové ose zpět, někam na konec osmdesátých let minulého století, když jsem s thrash metalem začal koketovat. Byla to pro mě doba mládí, síly, divokých večírků, lásek a spousty kamarádství. Tenkrát jsme žili za železnou oponou a socialismus nás dusil všude, ve škole, v práci. Možná i díky tomu jsem se stal pravověrným, metalistou tělem i duší. Nové album téhle smečky ve mě probudilo spoustu vzpomínek. 


Jasně, nejsem hloupý a moc dobře vím, že se podobných kapel poslední roky všude vyrojilo jako krys v kanálech, ale aspoň si můžete vybírat. Pro mě osobně platí několik pravidel, která ctím od mládí. Kapela musí odvést dobrou práci, co se týká formálních věcí, jako je zvuk a motiv na obalu. Jinak to nejde, nebudu přeci poslouchat něco, co mi trhá uši. LEAD INJECTOR si dali na všechno moc velký pozor a odvedli skvělou práci. Přesto, to by bylo málo, co myslíte? Skladby v sobě musí mít drive, sílu, takovou tu prašivou energii, tlak a hlavně dobré nápady, které se dobře poslouchají. Zde pánové z mých oblíbených Drážďan opět bodují. Dokonce bych řekl, že díky tomu, že jsou v kapele mladí muzikanti, že se jim povedlo nakopat zadky o hodně slavnějším smečkám, které jsou již mnohdy jen stínem starých časů. Pokud máte rádi skupiny typu ONLSLAUGHT, EXHUMER, EXCITER, EXORCIST, RIGOR MORTIS, ale i třeba i staré dobré VENOM nebo moje oblíbené a kultovní DARKNESS, potom vám doporučuji prázdný pokoj, volume pořádně doprava, lahev oblíbené značky piva a myslím, že budete zasaženi do živého stejně jako já. Moc dobře vím, že pánové nevymýšlejí nic nového, ani převratného, ale novinka pro mě není jen obyčejným řemeslem. Naopak, hudba zde hoří zevnitř, má v sobě potřebný heavy efekt a navíc se album opravdu velmi dobře poslouchá. Najednou je mi jedno, že jsem solidní pán v letech, rvu si "Witching Attack" pod tlakem do hlavy a znovu přísahám na metal jako takový. Až půjdu s těmi, co přežili tenhle divný svět, zase jednou na pivo, tak jim tuhle desku doporučím. Hraje se tu totiž od srdce, brácho, tohle musíš slyšet. Surový, nahrubo nasekaný black thrash metal s krvavou aurou, který řeže do živého! 


Asphyx says:

Yesterday, my friends and I were drinking between the apartment buildings in our housing estate. Someone brought a new cassette tape by a band. I nodded my head contentedly when someone put it in the player and started partying like crazy. We banged our heads against the concrete walls and organized private mosh pits between the factory walls of the industrial city. The girls were beautiful and the beer flowed freely. Dressed in a denim vest covered with patches of our heroes, I was one of many. Then I woke up from that beautiful dream, which used to happen with iron regularity, and I was back to being the old dad who keeps writing about the music he loves.

The German band LEAD INJECTIOR took me back in time, somewhere to the end of the 1980s, when I first started flirting with thrash metal. For me, it was a time of youth, strength, wild parties, love, and lots of friendship. Back then, we lived behind the Iron Curtain, and socialism suffocated us everywhere, at school, at work. Perhaps that's why I became a true metalhead, body and soul. The new album by this band brought back a lot of memories. 


Sure, I'm not stupid, and I know very well that bands like this have been popping up everywhere like rats in the sewers in recent years, but at least you have a choice. For me personally, there are a few rules that I've followed since my youth. The band has to do a good job in terms of formalities, such as sound and cover art. Otherwise, it's not possible; I'm not going to listen to something that hurts my ears. LEAD INJECTOR paid close attention to everything and did a great job. Still, that wouldn't be enough, would it? The songs must have drive, power, that raw energy, pressure, and, above all, good ideas that are easy to listen to. Here, the gentlemen from my favorite Dresden once again score points. I would even say that thanks to the fact that there are young musicians in the band, they managed to kick the asses of much more famous bands, which are often just a shadow of their former selves. If you like bands such as ONLSLAUGHT, EXHUMER, EXCITER, EXORCIST, RIGOR MORTIS, but also the good old VENOM or my favorite and cult DARKNESS, then I recommend an empty room, volume turned all the way up, a bottle of your favorite beer, and I think you'll be as blown away as I am. I know very well that these gentlemen aren't coming up with anything new or revolutionary, but for me, this new release isn't just ordinary craftsmanship. On the contrary, the music burns from within, has the necessary heavy effect, and on top of that, the album is really very enjoyable to listen to. Suddenly, I don't care that I'm a solid gentleman of a certain age, I'm blasting "Witching Attack" into my head and swearing by metal as such once again. When I go for a beer with those who have survived this strange world, I will recommend this album to them. It's played from the heart, bro, you have to hear this. Raw, roughly chopped black thrash metal with a bloody aura that cuts to the quick!


TRACKLIST
01. Siege Upon Heaven
02. Sacrifice This Bitch
03. Evil Executioner
04. Witching Attack
05. Chains
06. Angel Destructor
07. Pest Thrash
08. M.C.C.I.
09. Infinite Force
10. Nuclear Antichrist

LINE-UP
Jason – Guitar
Leo – Bass, Vocals
Justus – Drums

středa 11. března 2026

Recenze/review - COSCRADH - Carving the Causeway to the Otherworld (2026)


COSCRADH - Carving the Causeway to the Otherworld
CD 2026, 20 Buck Spin

for english please scroll down

Lidská historie je protkaná násilím. Jakoby v nás bylo něco zlého, špatného, zničujícího, co nás neustále nutí ubližovat ostatním, vyvolávat války, hnusné intriky, lhát a nenávidět. Možná to máme uložené pudově někde hluboko uvnitř. Stačí jen příležitost a všechno zlo vypluje na hladinu, jako utopenec, ležící dlouhé roky u dna. Existují kapely, které když poslouchám, tak mám neodbytný pocit, že nám nastavují zrcadlo. Našim zkaženým duším. Pojďme se spolu s irskými black death metalovými maniaky COSCRADH ponořit do říše naprosté tmy, špíny, hnisu a zla.

Pánové z Dublinu mají na svém kontě několik EP, jednu demonahrávku, kompilaci a letošní druhé dlouhohrající album. Nutno rovnou dodat, že pro pochopení jejich hudby je dobré si nastudovat i ostatní nahrávky. Rozhodně stojí za to. Jsou hnisavým mementem zkaženého lidského rodu. Pánové působí i v jiných smečkách a jedná se o zkušené muzikanty, kteří moc dobře ví, co a jak chtějí hrát. Nahrubo nasekaný black death metal, kolem kterého se vznáší krvavá aura.



Pokud bychom měli nějak tvorbu irských tmářů definovat, určitě bychom museli zmínit kapely jako PORTAL, MALTHUSIAN, INCANTATION, IMMOLATION, LVCIFYRE, GRAVE MIASMA, DISMA, PORTAL, MITOCHONDRION, GRAVE UPHEAVAL, UMPETIOUS RITUAL, DEATH SPELL OMEGA, TEITANBLOOD. Pánové hrají podobnou odrůdu kruté smrti a přidávají do hudby svůj vlastní výraz, spoustu nápadů a invence. Album pro mě bylo (a tak je to v nejlepším pořádku) zpočátku poměrně nepřístupné, složité, nebál bych se napsat, že v určitých momentech i nepříjemné. Nenechte se ale odradit, jednotlivé nuance vyžadují jednak určitou porci morbidní fantazie a také čas, aby jednotlivé motivy uzrály. Pánové vám nedají nic zadarmo, budete muset být při poslechu velmi pozorní a vnímaví. Co se týká formálních věcí, jako je zvuk a motiv na obalu, tak obojí považuji za velmi povedené. Můžete se tak v klidu soustředit na hudbu samotnou. Ta je nejdřív, jak jsem již zmiňoval, nepřístupná, ale po nějakém čase začnete objevovat jednotlivé, velmi zdařilé motivy a nuance. Těch odstínů, laděných do černé, šedé a krvavé barvy, je opravdu mnoho. Irové vám nabídnou pestrou paletu shnilého, mokvajícího masa a je jen na vás, jak budete jejich muziku vnímat. Za sebe mohu napsat, že mě po nějaké době nové album "Carving the Causeway to the Otherworld" doslova proklelo. Bylo jako jedovatý had, který mě uhranul, sledoval každý můj pohyb, aby mě nakonec uštknul a já zemřel v šílených a velmi bolestivých křečích. COSCRADH letos vydali album, které obstojí ve všech bodech obhajoby. Je jako zlá mantra, kterou když budete spolu s kapelou opakovat, tak se stanete navěky prokletými. Skladby jsou velmi dobře napsány, mají v sobě potřebný drive, sílu, pradávnou touhu ničit a zároveň v sobě obsahují nahrubo nasekané kusy naprosté tmy. Temný a uhrančivý black death metal, který vás strhne do děsivé hlubiny zvrácených lidských myšlenek! Budete navěky prokleti a spáleni na popel!


Asphyx says:

Human history is interwoven with violence. It is as if there is something evil, bad, and destructive within us that constantly compels us to hurt others, provoke wars, engage in nasty intrigues, lie, and hate. Perhaps it is stored somewhere deep inside us as an instinct. All it takes is an opportunity and all the evil rises to the surface, like a drowned man lying at the bottom for many years. There are bands that, when I listen to them, give me the nagging feeling that they are holding up a mirror to us. To our corrupt souls. Let's dive into the realm of utter darkness, filth, pus, and evil with Irish black death metal maniacs COSCRADH.

The gentlemen from Dublin have several EPs, one demo recording, a compilation, and this year's second full-length album to their credit. It should be noted that in order to understand their music, it is a good idea to study their other recordings as well. It is definitely worth it. They are a festering memento of the corrupt human race. The gentlemen are also active in other bands and are experienced musicians who know very well what and how they want to play. Roughly chopped black death metal with a bloody aura floating around it.


If we were to define the work of Irish dark metal bands, we would definitely have to mention bands such as PORTAL, MALTHUSIAN, INCANTATION, IMMOLATION, LVCIFYRE, GRAVE MIASMA, DISMA, PORTAL, MITOCHONDRION, GRAVE UPHEAVAL, UMPETIOUS RITUAL, DEATH SPELL OMEGA, and TEITANBLOOD. These gentlemen play a similar variety of brutal death metal and add their own expression, lots of ideas, and inventiveness to their music. For me, the album was (and that's perfectly fine) initially quite inaccessible, complex, and I wouldn't be afraid to say that at certain moments even unpleasant. But don't be discouraged, the individual nuances require a certain amount of morbid imagination and also time for the individual motifs to mature. These gentlemen won't give you anything for free, you'll have to be very attentive and perceptive when listening. As for formal aspects such as the sound and the cover art, I consider both to be very well done. This allows you to concentrate on the music itself. As I mentioned, it is inaccessible at first, but after a while you will begin to discover individual, very successful motifs and nuances. There are many shades of black, gray, and blood red. The Irish offer you a colorful palette of rotten, oozing flesh, and it's up to you how you perceive their music. For myself, I can say that after a while, the new album "Carving the Causeway to the Otherworld" literally cursed me. It was like a poisonous snake that bewitched me, watched my every move, and finally bit me, and I died in crazy and very painful convulsions. COSCRADH released an album this year that stands up to all points of defense. It's like an evil mantra that, if you repeat it along with the band, will curse you forever. The songs are very well written, they have the necessary drive, power, and ancient desire to destroy, and at the same time they contain roughly chopped pieces of utter darkness. Dark and mesmerizing black death metal that will drag you into the terrifying depths of perverted human thoughts! You will be cursed forever and burned to ashes!


Tracklist:
01. Five Fifths Awaken 
02. Carving The Causeway To The Otherworld 
03. Adhradh Dé Ghoac 
04. Caesar's Revelation (Hibernia L. VI V. XIV Ad XVI Et XXIV) 
05. The Calling 
06. Scythe Of Saturn 
07. Badhah's Shadows 08. Opening The Gates To Styx, Nix, Kerberos And Hydra

úterý 10. března 2026

Interview - IN AETERNUM - A dark and cold black death metal ritual that will curse you forever!


Interview with black death metal band from Sweden - IN AETERNUM.

Answered David "Impious" Larsson (guitars, vocals), thank you!

Recenze/review - IN AETERNUM - ...Of Death and Fire (2026):

Ave IN AETERNUM! Greetings to the Swedish underground. I hope everything is going well for you. It should be, since you have another great album under your belt this year. I must admit that it literally pinned me to the wall. It's dark, energetic, cutting like a sharp knife. It's very clear that you've done a great job and that you have a lot of talent. How do you perceive the new album in relation to your previous recordings? Where did you want to go with it and how do you think the recordings are different?

David: The new album is like doing a debut album all over again. We had that same feeling when we were working on it and when it was finished. So much energy and excitement. Doing an album 20 years after the last one we really had to step up and do our best to not dissapoint ourselves. Honestly it was really easy working on these songs. It was something that needed to be done. We are really happy about all aspects of the album and I would rate this one as our best album together with our debut album. All albums are good so don’t get me wrong on this one. It’s just that for the first time in many years I’ve actually been listening to our album quite alot. We had alot to prove with this album after all these years. We didn’t want to come back and do a mediocre album or a soft album. From the feedback we have got from magazines and fans I can say with pride that we have done the right thing.


"...Of Death and Fire" has all the attributes of good black and death metal. For me personally, it's an album I love to come back to. How did it come about? How does IN AETERNUM compose new material?

David: Happy to hear that from you. We just went for it, if the riffs sounded good we recorded them and started building songs from there. We had some really heavy stuff recorded and we weren’t too sure about using it, but we kept working on it and the results can be heard in songs like Spirits Of The Dead and To Those Who Have Rode On for example. Nothing was off limits pretty much. Also on this album Daniel wrote the majority of the music, having him back in the band was what was needed. He’s a great guitar player.

I found out that Gord Olson is responsible for the mixing and mastering. I have to admit that the sound is literally killer. It keeps making me turn up the volume on my hi-fi system. Gord created a sound that is cruel, raw, dark, and animalistic at the same time. How was it working with him and why did you choose him? In which studio did you record and how did everything go?

David: The recording was done in both Daniels homestudio where we did all guitars and bass plus the vocals. Perra recorded drums at Studio Cave. After that was done we sent all the files over to Gord to be mixed and mastered. A bit different working with someone on the other side of the pond. In the end it turned out great soundwise, and Gord was easy to work with. The reason we choose him was that Perra worked with him on his solo album. I can agree with you that you always want to turn up the volume, the sound is perfect for it.


Sometimes I feel that black and death metal forget about the lyrics. What are the lyrics on "...Of Death and Fire" about? Where did you find inspiration for them?

David: The whole album concept is death. There are some historical stuff that has inspired us as well as spiritual stuff. For the most part we write from our inner self. To put it simple, the album is a hymn to death itself.

An integral part and a kind of bonus for fans today is the CD. You released it on Soulseller Records and it has a macabre cover. Who is the author? Am I right in thinking that it represents the entrance to hell? How did you choose the motif and how does it relate to the music on the new album?

David: Belial NecroArts made the cover, he’s a portugese guy with great skills. I had some ides and he took that and added some of his stuff into the cover artwork. It was important to have a cover with a central figure that would represent the theme of the album, in this case death. The hourglass is running out for all of us, faster than you think. When your time is up the grim reaper will be there to greet you welcome.


I've been wandering around the underworld for over thirty years, and I go to Sweden for music because I know I'll find what I'm looking for. I think we have a similar nature and taste when it comes to metal. I really like your bands and follow your scene closely. Maybe I'm even a little jealous of you, because we only have a few death metal bands that are worth listening to. How do you explain the fact that black and death metal are so successful in your country? How do you perceive your scene, fans, and labels?

David: I have no idea really, Sweden have always had a big music scene in all different styles. Since the 70‘s there has always been bands making heavy music, November is an old band that had a very doomy style. They sang in swedish. Then came the 80‘s and Bathory came out and just changed everything, and after that it kind of exploded with bands. One reason is that we have always had youth centers where you could borrow instruments and play, rehearsal rooms was everywhere, all connected to youth centers and community stuff. So if you wanted to play it was damn easy to do so. I’m 50 now and those places in my town are still there to help kids with a place to rehearse. It’s great to see that. Just the local scene where I live is growing and it’s really big, it’s the same all over the country. I love meeting fans and talk to them.

You play devastating death metal influenced by black metal. Nowadays, bands can't avoid comparisons, but I'd be interested to know how the idea to form IN AETERNUM came about, who your role models were and are, and where you want to take your band next. Are you tempted by any big international festivals, or do you want to tour with a more famous band?

David: I used to play in a death metal band called Adversary that me and a friend started early 1990. When that fell apart in 1992 I started up Behemoth that was more black metal inspired, did two demos and then changed name to In Aeternum when the vocalist quit. Talking about role models is hard, but we were inspired by loads of bands back then, guess we still are. Morbid Angel, Celtic Frost, Slayer, Possessed, Bathory, Dissection to name a few. Right now we are trying to put together a set list for future live gigs. We want to play as much as possible under the right circumstances. Going over to South America would be a cool thing to do. We also would like to do festivals in Europe and spread our music. Touring wise we are up for it if anything good comes our way.


IN AETERNUM can rightly be considered a legend. In the end, only David "Impious" Larsson remained from the original lineup. Was it difficult to find new musicians? From an outsider's perspective, it seems to me that in Sweden, given the population, every other citizen plays extreme metal. But how do you choose the right ones? How did you get together with the current lineup?

David: Yeah I’m the only one left from day one. Perra have been with us on drums for 23 years so he’s not new in any way. Daniel had his first run with the band between 2001 and 2006, then he came back in 2024. The bass player we had was with us from 2005 until 2025. Apart from me there have only been 3 other guitar players since we started releasing albums, and only 3 bass players. There’s lots of good musicians but it can be hard to find the ones that you click with on a personal level. When we got together with Daniel it was cheer luck. We met at a festival called Nordfest in his hometown in October 2024. Him and I started talking about 2025 and that it would mark 20 years since our last album. One thing lead to another and we decided to try and make new music. Exactly one year later we had the album recorded, mixed and ready.

Can you remind us how IN AETERNUM got together in 1994? If I'm not mistaken, you were originally called BEHEMOTH? When did you start playing an instrument, what was your first gig like, and which band did you worship and see live for the first time? I'm curious, what was it like in Sweden in the nineties?

David: After the vocalist left I decided to change the band name and get some new members. I recruited the old Sorcery guitarist as well as their drummer Paul. Paul would later on switch to guitar when we got Jocke on drums around 1997. Paul was originally a guitar player so he wanted to play guitar. Personally I started learning to play guitar when I was around 12 years old. When I started my first band we were called Haunted, this was 1989, so I guess The Haunted should give us some free stuff now, hahahahaha. Then in 1990 we changed name to Adversary and I switched to playing bass. After that I started up Behemoth and picked up the guitar again and also started singing in the band. I did my very first gig with Adversary in the summer of 1990. In 1990 there was a festival in my town where bands like Merciless, Entombed, Mezzrow and Count Raven played, those were the first bands I saw live as a 14 year old kid. I remember buying the debut album directly from the Entombed guys and was blown away by it. I also bought Morbid Angels debut there and that one changed everything, damn what an album that is still to this day. The music scene in the 90‘s was pretty small. Lots of gigs at youth centers and such places and also bigger gigs in the mayor cities like Stockholm. In Fagersta a smaller town there was loads of gigs back then, and they also had the Bergslagsrocken Festival. Seen many good bands in Fagersta.


When I interview some older bands, some of them complain about how times have changed. Fans, labels, promoters—everything is different. We have new technologies, recording in studios is different, there's the internet, social networks. How has all this affected you as a musician?

David: In a way it has changed for the better being a band. It’s easier to get your music out to people and connect with everyone. At the same time I can miss the days where you send a band money for a demo hoping it came forward, just waiting for the demo to arrive in your mailbox. But all in all I think it’s much better now.

I like to ask musicians what death/black metal means to them. How would they define it, is it more of a philosophy and lifestyle for them or "just" relaxation. What does it mean to you? How do you perceive and experience it?

David: I’ve devoted my life to metal music since I was six years old. So it’s a lifestyle to me. I simply can’t live without it. I love listening to new albums and reading the lyrics while doing so. Looking at the layout and feeling the product in my hands. I buy records all the time, spotify is good for when I’m driving my car. At home I need the physical product.

 

Finally, a classic but important question. What does IN AETERNUM have planned for the coming months? Where can we see you in concert? What about a tour for the new album? If you have something on your mind and would like to say it to your fans, labels, promoters, here's your chance...

David: We have been asked to play at Nordfest Festival in Sundsvall Sweden this year, apart from that nothing is certain yet. For next year we will play Brainchrusher Festival in Germany. So all you out there who wants to see us live, contact your local promotor or festival and demand that they book us. Thanks for buying our stuff and liking our new album. Hail the metal of Death.

Thank you very much for the interview. I wish you every success with the new album and hope that your fan base grows as much as possible. I look forward to seeing you live again and wish you all the best, both musically and personally. I'm going to listen to "...Of Death and Fire" again!

David: Thank you as well, hope to see you out there somewhere.

Recenze/review - IN AETERNUM - ...Of Death and Fire (2026):

Recenze/review - IN AETERNUM - The Blasphemy Returns (2016):

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