Reviews
Review: Walg - VI (2026)
Walg returns with VI, a masterclass in modern melodic black metal. Read our full 9/10 review of the prolific Dutch duo's latest offering.
At Black Metal Zine (BMZ) we review albums that deserve to be in the spotlight. We do not believe in 1000 word reviews, because in the end you the reader, needs to decide for yourself if an album is good or not. But you can use our opinion as a guide to navigate the vast number of releases each year.
Reviews
Walg returns with VI, a masterclass in modern melodic black metal. Read our full 9/10 review of the prolific Dutch duo's latest offering.
Reviews
Murk - Battlefields of Destiny (8.5/10) Black metal from Italy. With Battlefields of Destiny, Murk bypasses modern production polish entirely, opting instead for a suffocating, gravel-raw atmosphere. It’s a relentless exhibition of old-school black metal malice. Read more!
Reviews
Stormkeep - The Nocturnes of Iswylm (9/10) Melodic/Symphonic Black Metal from Denver, Colorado. Melding 90's Dissection with the keyboard-drenched splendor of early Emperor and Dimmu Borgir, the quartet once again prove that symphonic black metal could still has teeth. Read more!
Reviews
De l'Abîme Naît l'Aube - Rituel : Initiation (7.5/10) Atmospheric black metal from Switzerland. What happens if you mix the melodic vocals of alcest, add in some atmospheric black metal vibes and then threw in a bunch of ISIS style post metal? Read more!
Reviews
Véhémence - Assiégé pour l'éternité (8/10) Melodic Black Metal from France. Does this reimagined take on their debut album stand out or is it just a cliche cash in? Read more!
Reviews
Niveous - Cult of the Void Star (9.5/10), the chilling 2026 full-length debut album from Milwaukee atmospheric black metal trio Niveous. This concept-driven cosmic black metal masterpiece blends raw second-wave aggression with a sprawling, sub-zero sci-fi mythology. Read more!
Reviews
Ulvhedner’s Berg Øde (10/10). This Norwegian Black Metal release is an outstanding homage to rural traditions, draped in brilliant Sognametal textures. Read more!
Reviews
Svrm - Мертвий край EP (9/10) Atmospheric Black Metal from Ukraine. While dozens of bands try to copy the hypnotic, wall-of-sound formula pioneered by Drudkh, does Svrm rise above the crowd? Read more!
Reviews
Via ad Mortem's Requiem I: Through the Path, over the Ruins (8.5/10) Brand new Italian Black Metal band Via ad Mortem has delivered a record that feels genuinely alive, grounded in the roots of traditional black metal. Read more!
Reviews
Panopticon's Det hjemsøkte hjertet (9/10) Atmospheric Black Metal from the United States. A conclusion to the Laurentian Trilogy and a meditation on the loss of our culture and heritage to the modern world. Read more!
Reviews
Gemynd Beadu's Obsolete Human Machine (8/10) Australian atmospheric/Depressive black metal. A one man hellscape stokes the flames with dystopian nightmare fuel. Read more!
Reviews
Deudkh's Thaw EP (10/10) Ukrainian atmospheric black metal legends Drudkh follow up 2025's Shadow Play with their new EP Thaw. Read more!