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: 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!
Review: Forlorn Citadel - An Oath Undone (2026)
Forlorn Citadel’s An Oath Undone (7.5/10). This Australian Atmospheric Black Metal work is a meditation on collapse, blending high-fantasy misery with dungeon synth roots. Read more!
Echoes from the Crypt: I
Echoes from the Crypt: I is out! Step away from the blast-beats and dive into our hand-picked Dungeon Synth treasures. See the full list!
Review: Blood Countess - Imperatrix Sanguinis (2026)
Blood Countess’s Imperatrix Sanguinis (9/10). This English Black Metal release is an unforgiving, macabre journey steeped in darkness and harrowing legends. Read more!
Review: Herztod - III (2026)
Herztod’s III (7.5/10). This Austrian Atmospheric Black Metal release is a primordial trek through forest and meadow with a devotion to terrestrial decay. Read more!
Review: Blodørn - Det Finnes Ingen Trone (2026)
Blodørn’s Det Finnes Ingen Trone (9/10). This Norwegian Black/Viking Metal release is dark, melodic, and harsh, featuring Windir-inspired guitar work. Read more!