AN NCS PREMIERE: BOTHRASH — “ESCAPE MORTAL”

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Jun 192026
 

(written by Islander)

As their name suggests, the Costa Rican band Bothrash originally rooted their music in traditional thrash metal after the band’s founding by by John Snake and Minor Picado in 2013. But over the following years and across the course of five albums they have turned their music in darker and more aggressive directions.

As reflected in their forthcoming sixth album Almas Poseídas, the music can now be referred to as a style of vicious black/thrash (albeit with atmospheric elements as well). And while the band have delved into inspirations spawned by horror and occult themes, the new album (as described by the band’s labels) “also incorporates strong elements of social criticism”.

Those labels — GrimmDistribution (Ukraine) and Sanatorio Records (Costa Rica) — will release the new record on July 19th, and today we reveal its multifaceted second single, “Escape Mortal“. Continue reading »

AN NCS PREMIERE: VIANDE — “SACRIFICE ARDENT”

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Jun 192026
 

(written by Islander)

The French extreme metal band Viande named their 2022 debut album L’abime dévore les âmes, which can roughly be translated as “The abyss devours souls”. It was a fitting title, because in listening to the music we imagined horrific terrors that await the extinction of life in endless chasms from which there is no escape — an abyss lying deep within the earth, opening its giant maw to swallow what now dwells in the sun, or a supernatural dimension to be revealed when hideous powers have decided the time is right, or a frigid void, or what lies within deranged human minds bent on mayhem and murder.

Now Viande are returning with a second album, again to be released by Transcending Obscurity Records (On July 31st). The name of this new one is Monument aux mort — literally a “monument to the dead,” but a phrase that also refers to war memorials established in towns throughout France to honor those killed in the World Wars and other lethal conflicts.

Like the first album, the new one triggers the imagination of listeners. Inevitably, it creates mental visions — daunting, dangerous, and viscerally haunting ones. As T.O. says, “When this carefully devised album ends, the feeling is akin to stumbling out of a horrific catacomb in an enhanced spiritual state, with the cries of a thousand dead souls still ringing in your head.”

As proof of this, we offer you the sounds of “Sacrifice ardent” (which refers to a sacrifice offered with utmost fire and fervor). Continue reading »

AN NCS INTERVIEW: DISTORTED REFLECTION

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Jun 192026
 

(In late February the Greek doom metal band Distorted Reflection released their second full-length through Iron Shield Records, and that led our Comrade Aleks to contact the band’s founder and guitarist/vocalist Kostas Salomidis for an interview, which we are happy to share with you today.)

Distorted Reflection was created by Kostas Salomidis, guitarist and co-founder of one of the first Greek doom metal bands, Sorrows Path. Kostas left his first band in 2022 due to creative differences, and the newly formed traditional doom outift, Distorted Reflection, released their debut, Doom Rules Eternally, two years later. The second full-length, Doom Zone, was recorded by Kostas, again with Vangelis Yal (bassist for prog metal band Fragile Vastness) and new drummer Thomas Zen.

Kostas performs not only as a guitarist but also as a vocalist now, and by the second album, he has made progress in his new role. For better or worse, Doom Zone’s eleven tracks fit into 38 minutes, and within this framework, Distorted Reflection offer a slightly revised formula of the first album. This collection of tracks, built on the foundations of doom and heavy metal, is energetic in spirit and filled with melodic themes that, despite their richness, are remarkably compact.

Let’s try to catch a glimpse in Distorted Reflection with Kostas himself. Continue reading »

AN NCS ALBUM PREMIERE (AND A REVIEW): IF I DIE TODAY — “I FELT NOTHING”

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Jun 182026
 

(written by Islander)

We live in a time of trauma and constant distraction, bombarded by personally damaging events beyond our control, emotional turmoil caused by damage to others, and bafflements produced by algorithmically generated slop and delusion. When it gets to be too much, it might numb us to what matters — tuning-out as self-protection, theoretically for the better but ultimately for the worse.

The title of a new album that will be released tomorrow by the Italian post-hardcore band If I Die Today provoked these dreary musings. Its name is I Felt Nothing, and lyrically it does explore the darker sides of humanity.

But the music is anything but dreary, and it’s about as far away from numbness as you could want — a conclusion we think you’ll reach for yourselves when you hear the album in its entirety via our streaming premiere below. Continue reading »

SHORT BUT SWEET: CONDUIT / TORTURE REALM / VOMIT FORTH

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Jun 182026
 

(Andy Synn tries to tempt you with another terrific triptych of short form releases)

The last one of these “Short But Sweet” collections I did was all about Hardcore… albeit, firmly of the more Metallic persuasion… and is well worth checking out if you haven’t already done so (read all about Ecotage, Melting, and Rats Will Feast here).

I promised, however, that next time I’d focus more on the Death Metal side of things, which brings us to today’s trio of terror from Conduit, Torture Realm, and Vomit Forth.

Continue reading »

MORK: “MONOLITT”

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Jun 182026
 

(This is Daniel Barkasi’s review of a new album by the Norwegian black metal band Mork, which will be released by Peaceville Records on June 19th.)

If you don’t evolve, you can get left behind. As humans, we learn and grow as we traverse this wild journey called life. It can be similar for music, especially for bands who have been around for quite a bit of time. Norway’s Mork is a poignant example of this principle. The solo endeavor of one Thomas Eriksen, Mork has been an active project since 2004, coming forward with a debut full-length in 2013 with Isebakke. An album that was born from the influence of early ’90s second wave black metal, with classic Darkthrone being the most obvious of reflections.

Since then, Eriksen has been consistent with his productivity, releasing a total of seven albums to date under the Mork banner, while also dropping a record with his newer side quest, the blunt and direct Udåd. The progression of Mork has been a fascinating one, leaning into experimentation and spreading his proverbial wings in later efforts, beginning with Det svarte juv and taking off from that point in 2019. Retaining the tried-and-true black metal elements, but also expanding the amount of sonic directions, the distinctly personal and memorable Dypet was a true tentpole moment, taking Mork into even fresher waters. Further risks within follow-up Syv also paid off, with it being as equally distinct as Dypet, leaning much deeper into the folk characteristics than the aforementioned predecessor.

Now with Monolitt, as with all of Mork’s releases at this point, we expect the undertone of the early second wave to be present to some degree, but also don’t know what ideas will pour out of Eriksen this time around. As it turns out, the abrasiveness has been turned up more than a few ticks, and the guitars are increasingly riff-oriented, giving a bushel of earworms that perhaps make this the most balanced and irate effort to date. Continue reading »

AN NCS ALBUM PREMIERE (AND A REVIEW): WARTHRASH — “NO LIGHT SHALL REMAIN”

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Jun 172026
 

(written by Islander)

Metal fans who aren’t familiar with the Colombian band Warthrash should be forgiven for assuming their music is straight thrash. The pointer is right there in their name, shining like a beacon on an ocean cliff. But although this band from Medellín did sink their early roots in the traditions of thrash when they started more than 20 years ago, their music has evolved in more diverse directions. Newcomers might even get a powerful sense of that by gazing upon the dark and daunting artwork by Felipe Mora that shrouds their latest album.

That album, aptly titled No Light Shall Remain, will be released on June 19th by the band’s new label, the respected Awakening Records. It’s a great display of how varied the songwriting of Warthrash has become over time, and how powerfully their performances translate those varied interests into cohesive songs.

We’re very happy to bring you a full stream of the album today, preceded (of course!) by some of our own thoughts about what they’ve accomplished. Continue reading »

BEST OF BRITISH: SCORDATURA / TEMPLE GUARD / URZAH

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Jun 172026
 

(Andy Synn has three more prime cuts of British beef to share with you today)

Look, I know I’ve titled this series of columns the “Best of British”, but I’ll admit that that’s not always the case… sometimes the artists/albums I feature here are just “good”, rather than “great”, and it’s more about me just wanting to write about them, and get you to listen to them, rather than literally claiming they’re the “best”.

Today, however, I really do have three excellent example of the “Best of British” for you, courtesy of Scordatura (Death Metal), Temple Guard (Metallic Hardcore), and Urzah (Post-Metal).

Continue reading »

OBSCURITIES – VOLUME XXVIII: FLYING HIGH

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Jun 172026
 

(Today we present another monthly collection of reviews by Daniel Barkasi, who focuses his attention this time on albums released during May 2026.)

I began writing this reflecting on what was another incredible edition of Maryland Deathfest and preparing for my flight over the pond to attend and cover the mighty Fortress Festival. Well, with the time needed to complete my extensive overview, we’re finally getting back to this column. Apologies for the delay, but between that and getting my general existence sorted post-Fortress mayhem, this unfortunately got pushed to the back burner. But hey, better late than never, and we’ve got some records you won’t want to sleep on.

I also have to give a shout out to the wife, as Monday, May 25th, was our tenth wedding anniversary. Thanks for being the best and dealing with my oddball self. Time flies far too quickly, and each moment is a cherished one.

To add to personal instances, we mentioned our pregnant horse Naru was due any day. Well, during the Maryland Deathfest weekend, she gave birth to her first foal, a wonderful grulla filly who we just named Ezri. Mom and the little one are healthy as can be, doing great, and thriving at home. Life can be pretty awe-inspiring sometimes, and this is one of those moments. Excited to see this little one grow up. Continue reading »

AN NCS PREMIERE: SALLOW MOTH — “BIOHYBRID VIRULENCE”

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Jun 162026
 

(written by Islander)

Much has been written about the progressive death metal band Sallow Moth since this solo project of Garry Brents began releasing music a decade ago. It drew attention fairly quickly, and then the attention continued expanding with each new release.

We ourselves have devoted continuing attention to Sallow Moth’s evolution, with our Andy Synn extensively reviewing each of the band’s albums released so far — The Larval Hope, Stasis Cocoon, and Mossbane Lantern — as well as the 2024 EP Vial.

One significant reason why so much has been written about Sallow Moth is that the music has undergone a continual process of transformation, but with each phase displaying significant achievements. Heretofore, that process has led to increasingly unpredictable, unorthodox, head-spinning, and challenging concoctions of music.

Which will leave many people wondering about what happens in Sallow Moth’s forthcoming fourth album, Hydrophilous Brood, which follows Mossbane Lantern in a relatively quick year-over-year churn. We have some hints for you today in our premiere of the album’s fourth track, “Biohybrid Virulence“. Continue reading »

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