CD

Moving the first steps into the Daughters of Sophia realm is apparently peaceful descent into a dimension of meditative solitude, where few calm blinking soon get into dying, melancholic lights.

Song after song, step after step the listener comes more into empathy with the sad story of dissolution of dreams, expectations, hope that covers perfectly represent the transformation of the will into a phantom.

Like a lost soul in a beautiful and cruel world, like the 9 protagonists of each and every song, you can join this dark trip to a vision where tragedy, sadness and melancholia owns the field.

Conceptually this album fits to the most intimate side of Japanese culture, musically references can be made to instrumental Atmospheric Post-Black Metal/Shoegaze/Ambient & soundscape stuff.

A Sad Sadness Song starts back steps from where his history roots, a journey made of bands like Lantlos, An Autumn for Crippled Children, Svarti Loghin, Falaise & Lascar…

After their much acclaimed debut album - “The Desolate One” - Hammerfilosofi returns with a fiery assault on the senses, in the shape of an EP entitled “SOLUS ( Igne Natura Renovator Integra)"; four psalms of relentless, multi-layered and hellish madness.

“The EP is an inward journey of spiritual violence and cathartic soul-searching”, comments NKTFR, and adds: “Both musically and lyrically, it picks up from where “The Desolate One” left off, and continues in a bold leap into the dark unknown”.

Behind the music is as per usual the Norwegian-Italian duo - NKTFR and FCCM. Lyrics for the EP was this time penned by long time comrade of the band, Rune Vedaa from the legendary Norwegian Black Metal band Forgotten Woods.

“The EP is both a continuation of the debut, and an ominous forewarning of what is to come. We continue our relentless march, spreading our sulphurous gospel”, concludes FCCM.

“SOLUS” was recorded at WS Studios during during Autumn of 2023 and Winter 2024.

Mastered by Magnus “Devo” Andersson at Endarker Studios during the Spring of 2024.

Hammerfilosofi was formed in the year MMXX in the midst of global chaos, shutdowns, death, panic and pestilence. For some, a time of despair and mass hysteria, but for others, a time of solitude, of contemplation and of inner strength. The idea behind the band, according to Fuoco Cammina Con Me was quite simple:

“We are taking Black Metal back to its primeval and genuine meaning and purpose. Hammerfilosofi is the cleansing fire that aims to eradicate every trace of the civilized, the harmless, and the mediocre. It is an instrument to initiate a violent cathartic inner journey – and a celebration of strength and vigor, of terror and strife, and of glorious death.”

Two years later, Hammerfilosofi is ready to unleash its first offering to the world: A 45 minute long incendiary feast of Black Metal Fanaticism, entitled “The Desolate One”. According to Noktifer, the album is a musical and lyrical celebration of the path to godhood.

“It is a ceremonious depiction of the sulphurous path that may turn man into superman. Hopefully our work can contribute to Black Metal once again being both Feared and Revered!”

This is Black Metal from the fertile earth of the graveyard – made for the wanderer who dares walk the path of no return – guided by nothing but His luminous darkness.

Ascalapha’s art is dark and deviant, an expression of a macabre obsession. Like cobwebs growing in the dark, the immortal myth of the vampire finds a new incarnation in the band’s music which through dark melodies gives shape to a new story to tell, embracing the solitary and evocative aesthetic of corridors and abandoned rooms in which the sound of the death bells echoes. The references to Neige’s first projects (Alcest), namely Mortifera and Celestia, are clear, and more generally the imprint of the nostalgic and melancholic French black metal wave can be felt. While remaining within the scope of low-fi artistic expressiveness, Ascalapha’s creations must still be listened to in the light of modernity.
Let the cry of blood shed every last drop of hope.

Hailing from Reykjavík, Iceland is where Dauðaró’s journey begins, a place where the earth gets black and a burning pathos annihilates any hope.
It’s a descent to Lovecraftian fields, where atmospheric
noisy echoes merge with funeral doom and black metal for a multi layered
experience.
Let yourself be guided into the unknown:
“Nýir Heimar” will draw your essence to the world beyond.

From the remote reaches of Haparanda, Sweden, Häxkapell presents a black metal masterpiece that resonates with the eternal rhythms of nature and the cyclical dance of life and death.

“Om jordens blod och urgravens grepp” (‘Of earth’s blood and the grave’s grasp’) is a powerful blend of black metal, folk, and atmospheric darkness, interwoven with classical and progressive influences. Traditional instruments such as the violin, viola, willow flute, and hand drum infuse the music with ancient, primal energy. The lyrics, crafted through subconscious writing, serve as a conduit to the mystical and otherworldly.

The album was engineered, produced, and mixed by Oraklet. Drums were recorded at Nordvis Ljudstudio, with the remaining tracks laid down at Studio HMH. Mastering was handled by Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio.

Founded in 2015 in the northernmost part of Scandinavia, Häxkapell is the creation of Oraklet, who embarked on an inward journey to explore the philosophical, spiritual, and mystical aspects of existence. Following the 2016 demo “Om sanningen,” Häxkapell released their debut album, “Eldhymner”, in 2021.

On “Om jordens blod och urgravens grepp”, Häxkapell’s music evolves much like the earth itself: slowly, imperceptibly, yet ever-changing. It reflects the cycle of birth and bereavement, with death and life beginning anew as earthen folk melodies murmur ancient slumbers into dawn. Oraklet channels these profound truths into lyrics and music.

Their debut album "Awaken The Black Flame" is clearly inspired by the Scandinavian Black Metal of the late 90's.
Without further ado, UNHALLOWED lead the way with aggressive Black Metal, but give melodic elements again and again space to function as a counterpart in the sound.
The complex guitar arrangements with extensive lead guitars form the basis on which, on the one hand, the excessively aggressive hustle and bustle, but also, on the other hand, the melodic "aha-moments" are created. The cold, catchy vocals underline the gripping atmosphere and provide goosebump moments.
The content of the debut album is characterized by personal strife for spiritual gnosis that goes far beyond the cosmic reality.
UNHALLOWED are a must for lovers of Scandinavian Black Metal art and fans of contemporary Black Metal alike.