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: Enthroned - Ashspawn (2025)
Enthroned’s Ashspawn (9/10). These Belgian Black Metal veterans return with a brutal, mid-paced masterpiece of demonic atmosphere and top-tier production. Read more!
Review: Skjønnhet - Sailing into the Drowning Horizon (Single)
Skjønnhet’s Sailing into the Drowning Horizon (8/10). This Indonesian Atmospheric Black Metal single delivers moody melodies. Read more!
Review: Gravplåga - Maliferous Portents (2025)
Gravplåga's debut EP, Maliferous Portents (6.5/10), is a solid return to traditional, raw Swedish Black Metal with melodic riffs. Read the full review!
Review: Autrest - Burning Embers, Forgotten Wolves (2025)
Autrest's Burning Embers, Forgotten Wolves (8/10). This Brazilian Atmospheric BM opus balances ferocity with introspection, delivered through rich, nature-driven soundscapes. Read the full review!
Review: Nordicwinter - Solitude (2025)
tnorNordicwinter's Solitude (8/10). This Atmospheric/Depressive Black Metal opus maintains a cold, consistent atmosphere of isolation and sorrow. Read the full review!
Review: GraveRipper - From Welkin to Tundra (2025)
GraveRipper - From Welkin to Tundra (9/10). This Blackened Thrash/Speed Metal album hits like a merciless sprint: fast, caustic, and vicious, delivering pure forward motion. Read the full review!
Review: 1349 - Winter Mass (2025)
1349's Winter Mass (8.5/10) is a ferocious live album, capturing the Norwegian Black Metal band's uncompromising aural hellfire. Read the full review!
Review: Stworz - U Śmierci na Komornem (2025)
Stworz's U Śmierci na Komornem (7,5/10). This folk-infused Polish Pagan BM album is a solemn meditation on heritage and mortality. Read the full review!
Review: Bloedmaan - Vampyric War in Blood (2025)
Bloedmaan's Vampyric War in Blood (8/10). This Atmospheric Black Metal album delivers cold, melodic sound with a haunting vampiric aesthetic. Read the full review!
Review: Adorn - Adorn
Adorn - Self-titled (7.5/10). This self-titled release mixes elegant, uplifting black gaze riffs with intricate, lush orchestration, inviting you into a gorgeous 17th-century world. Read the full review!
Review: 1914 - Viribus Unitis
1914 - Viribus Unitis (8/10). The Ukrainian Blackened Death/Doom war machine delivers an unyielding onslaught of vicious riffs and historical horror. Read the full review!
Review: Lamp of Murmuur - The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy
Lamp of Murmuur's The Dreaming Prince in Ecstasy (8.5/10) is a symphonic, melodic opus of clean vocals and fallen gods. Experience the whirlwind! Read more.
Review: Suffering Hour – Impelling Rebirth
Suffering Hour's Impelling Rebirth (9/10) is a dissonant BM EP driven by neoclassical melody and jarring tech-thrash. Read the full story!
Review: Haimad - When Night Rode Across the North
Haimad's long-awaited debut, When Night Rode Across the North (8.5/10), is a strong return to cold, mid-90s Swedish Melodic Black Metal. Read the full review!
Review: WitcheR - Öröklét
WitcheR's Öröklét (7.5/10). This Atmospheric Black Metal opus delivers majestic classical influences and profound emotional depth. Read the full review!
From the Vault: Summoning - Stronghold
Summoning's Stronghold (1999) is an Atmospheric Black Metal cornerstone that translates Tolkien’s mythic grandeur into sound. Read the full review!
Review: Achathras - A Darkness of the Ancient Past
Achathras’ A Darkness of the Ancient Past (7.5/10) is a debut that resurrects the cold heart of Second Wave Black Metal. See the full review!
Review - Dense Fog - Dense Fog
Dense Fog's self-titled debut (7/10). This master class in Atmospheric Black Metal blends stunning classical piano with majestic, haunting riffs. Read the full review!
Review: Heimland - Der Torv Moeter Hav
Heimland's Der Torv Moeter Hav (8/10) marks a strong shift in Norwegian Black Metal, embracing sorrow and longing with new vocalist Fanden. Read the full review!
Review: White Rune - Eventide on Aurora
White Rune’s Eventide on Aurora (7.5/10). This Finnish Melodic Black Metal album balances raw aggression with melodic grace. Read the full review!