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: Imladris - Kings of Forgotten Lore (2026)
Imladris - Kings of Forgotten Lore (9.5/10) Atmospheric Black Metal from the United Kingdom. Imladris sees Abghul (Ghül) step away from the blast-driven rawness of Ghül, into the cinematic, synth-driven world of the likes of Summoning. Read more!
Review: Automaton – Labyrinth (2026)
Automaton - Labyrinth (9/10) Greek Blackened Doom Metal band Automaton has released their second full length album. Based on Minoan mythology, with the Minotaur as the main figure. Through the lense of the Minotaur, the band creates a very dark story. Read more!
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.
Review: Murk - Battlefields of Destiny
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!
Review: Stormkeep - The Nocturnes of Iswylm
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!
Review: De l'Abîme Naît l'Aube - Rituel : Initiation (2026)
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!
Review: Véhémence - Assiégé pour l'éternité (2026)
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!
Review: Niveous - Cult of the Void Star (2026)
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!
Review: Ulvhedner - Berg Øde (2026)
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!
Review: Svrm - Мертвий край EP (2026)
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!
Review: Via ad Mortem (2026)
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!
Review: Panopticon - Det hjemsøkte hjertet (2026)
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!
Review: Gemynd Beadu - Obsolete Human Machine (2026)
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!
Review: Drudkh - Thaw EP (2026)
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!
Review: Bosse-De-Nage - Hidden Fires Burn Hottest (2026)
Bosse-De-Nage's Hidden Fires Burn Hottest (10/10) American avant-garde black metal legends Bosse-De-Nage return after an 8 year hiatus to bring us their magnum opus. Read more!
Review: Jötunheimar - Ravens of the Heathen Sun (2025)
Jötunheimar's Ravens of the Heathen Sun (7/10) British symphonic black metal band Jötunheimar embrace Norse mythology to weave a tapestry of harmonic and atmospheric tales. Read more!
Review: Hädangången - Vädjan (2026)
Hädangången's Vädjan (8.5/10) Swedish "Raw Nature Black Metal" in its truest form: a sonic manifestation of the unforgiving Scandinavian landscape. Read more!
Review: Non Est Deus - Blessings and Curses (2026)
Non Est Deus’s Blessings and Curses (7/10). This German black metal release is well-written and powerful, yet it plays it a bit too safe within its blasphemous sermon. Read more!
Review: Beleriand - Rituals of Winter (2026)
Beleriand's Rituals of Winter (9/10) Norwegian atmospheric black metal Beleriand returns with Rituals of Winter, a cold, purposeful triumph that marks the project’s finest hour. Read more!
Review: Yoth Iria - Gone with the Devil (2026)
Yoth Iria's Gone with the Devil (7.5/10) Helmed by Hellenic Black Metal legend Jim Mutilator, Yoth Iria release their latest full length album Gone with the Devil. Read more!