Album of the Year
The Infernal Records: Our Staff’s Personal Albums of the Year
The Infernal Records: BMZ Staff’s Personal Albums of the Year. Discover the top 3 picks from our writers, featuring essential 2025 releases. Read more!
Michael
Black Metal, Coffee, Tolkien.
Reviews
Review: Nyrak - Phoenix Mortis (2025)
Nyrak’s Phoenix Mortis (8/10). This Belgian Atmospheric Black Metal opus is a bold, cinematic journey of destruction and mythic rebirth. Read more!
Reviews
Review: Mitternacht - Self-titled EP (2025)
Mitternacht's self-titled EP (7.5/10). This US Black Metal solo project delivers a punishing, orthodox statement of raw, purposeful aggression. Read more!
Reviews
Review: Lunar Amulet - Self-titled EP (2025)
Lunar Amulet’s self-titled EP (7/10). This US Atmospheric Black Metal debut is a patient, dreamlike journey of beauty and restraint. Read more!
Reviews
Review: Skjønnhet - Sailing into the Drowning Horizon (Single)
Skjønnhet’s Sailing into the Drowning Horizon (8/10). This Indonesian Atmospheric Black Metal single delivers moody melodies. Read more!
Reviews
Review: Gravplåga - Maliferous Portents (2025)
Gravplåga's debut EP, Maliferous Portents (6.5/10), is a solid return to traditional, raw Swedish Black Metal with melodic riffs. Read the full review!
Reviews
Review: Autrest - Burning Embers, Forgotten Wolves (2025)
Autrest's Burning Embers, Forgotten Wolves (8/10). This Brazilian Atmospheric BM opus balances ferocity with introspection, delivered through rich, nature-driven soundscapes. Read the full review!
Reviews
Review: Nordicwinter - Solitude (2025)
tnorNordicwinter's Solitude (8/10). This Atmospheric/Depressive Black Metal opus maintains a cold, consistent atmosphere of isolation and sorrow. Read the full review!
Reviews
Review: 1349 - Winter Mass (2025)
1349's Winter Mass (8.5/10) is a ferocious live album, capturing the Norwegian Black Metal band's uncompromising aural hellfire. Read the full review!
Reviews
Review: Stworz - U Śmierci na Komornem (2025)
Stworz's U Śmierci na Komornem (7,5/10). This folk-infused Polish Pagan BM album is a solemn meditation on heritage and mortality. Read the full review!
From the Vault
From the Vault: Gates of Ishtar - At Dusk and Forever
Gates of Ishtar's At Dusk and Forever (1998) is a Melodic Black/Death classic, merging aggression and Gothenburg finesse. See the review!
Swedish Black Metal
Review: Haimad - When Night Rode Across the North
Haimad's long-awaited debut, When Night Rode Across the North (8.5/10), is a strong return to cold, mid-90s Swedish Melodic Black Metal. Read the full review!