Reviews
At Black Metal Zine (BMZ), we review albums that deserve to be in the spotlight. May that be a new band that just started and released their first EP or album, or a settled name that has been around for ages. If we enjoy the release, we will try our best to review it.
Review: Aspen Sanctum - To Withhold the Need to Conquer (2026)
Aspen Sanctum - To Withhold the Need to Conquer (7/10). US atmospheric black metal with blackgaze leanings, for Deafheaven/Møl fans. Read more!
Review: Ultratvmba - Night Worship (2026)
Ultratvmba - Night Worship (7.5/10). Mexican duo's debut EP blends thrash and black metal with a first-wave feel and bilingual lyrics.
Review: Lumen Ad Mortem - A Grave Ascent (2026)
Lumen Ad Mortem - A Grave Ascent (8.5/10). South Australian sophomore LP drenches 90s-era symphonic black metal in dense, punishing atmosphere.
Review: Immortuus - Shadow over Wisborg (2026)
In the shadows where vampiric lore and Black Metal form a sanguine union, Immortuus' debut album Shadow over Wisborg (10/10) unleashes blood-curdling cutting edge riff's from the fangs of Orlok!
Review: Fire Magic - Memories of Fire (2026)
Fire Magic - Memories of Fire (9.5/10). Richmond USBM duo delivers a sophomore album that raises the bar for modern underground black metal. Read More!
Review: Hanternoz - A Hed an Noz, a Noz, a Noz (2026)
Hanternoz - A Hed an Noz, a Noz, a Noz (9/10) Black Metal from France. A haunting, folk-infused concept album rooted in Breton folklore.
Review: Hulder - Verbolgen (2026)
Hulder - Verbolgen (8.5/10) Atmospheric Black Metal from the US. A wrathful, medieval-infused third album blending tremolo fury with old-world dread.
Review: Cairiss - Wilderness (2026)
Cairiss - Wilderness (10/10) Atmospheric Black Metal from the UK. A dreamy, masterful journey blending post-rock beauty with raw, emotional depth
Review: Zørza - Twilight of The Golden Star (2026)
Zørza - Twilight of the Golden Star (7.5/10) Post Black Metal from Poland. A hard-hitting sophomore album with catchy, festival-ready riffs.
Review: Taake - En Skog av Nidstang
Taake - En Skog av Nidstang (8.5/10) Black Metal from Norway. A stellar return by Hoest blending raw, atmospheric, and classic Norwegian riffs.
Review: Namu - Wretched Spawns of Iniquitous Orders (2026)
Namu – Wretched Spawns of Iniquitous Orders (9/10) Progressive Black Metal from the UK. A cosmic solo effort blending aggression and synths.
Review: ECHO ZERO - EO (2026)
ECHO ZERO – E0 (9/10) Experimental Black Metal from Poland. A stunning, avant-garde debut blending weird riffs and unique, alien energy.
Review: Plaguepreacher - Abyssol (2026)
Plaguepreacher – Abyssol (8/10) Black Metal from Austria. A well-crafted, filthy, old-school black metal album with top-notch production.
Review: Torver - Witching Hour (2026)
Torver - Witching Hour (9/10) Symphonic Black Metal from England. A spellbinding debut full-length blending intricate violin and 90s black metal.
Review: Faustian - Parable of the Sewer (2026)
Faustian - Parable of the Sewer (8/10) Black Metal from Australia. A strong, riff-heavy release blending aggression with unsettling atmospheres.
Review: Pusta Noc - Funus Vampyri (2026)
Pusta Noc – Funus Vampyri (7.5/10) Atmospheric Black Metal from Poland. A bleak, mid-tempo offering steeped in Slavic folklore and dread.
Review: Umbría - Descent into the Forgotten Core (2026)
Umbría - Descent into the Forgotten Core (9/10) Black Metal from Chile. A solid, hauntingly aggressive album with standout bass and atmosphere.
Review: Grabunhold - Frostheim (2026)
Grabunhold - Frostheim (9/0) Tolkienian Black Metal from Germany. With Frostheim, Grabunhold solidifies their status alongside One of Nine at the absolute vanguard of modern Tolkienian black metal. A freezing, brilliantly paced descent into the tragic ruins of Angmar. Read more!
Review: Maria of the Copper Mountain - Into the Black Whirlpools (2026)
Maria of the Copper Mountain - Into the Black Whirlpools) (8/10) a one-woman atmospheric black metal/Folk from Russia. Read More!
Review: Mossystone - Paysages Tristes (2026)
Mossystone - Paysages Tristes (8.5/10) Atmospheric Black Metal from France. An incredibly promising debut album that confronts and challenges the loneliness of our modern times. Read more.