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: 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.
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!