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By now, GOATS OF DOOM should require no introduction. Since their formation in 2008, they've remained one of the Finnish underground's best-kept secrets, largely because of a somewhat misleading moniker, but make no mistake: GOATS OF DOOM are 100% black metal through and through. Their stout catalog has seen the band develop from a synth-based style of black metal during their first three albums; then, with an expansion from a trio to quintet, GOATS OF DOOM truly began their ascent with 2018's Rukous, where an uptick in aggression melded with the mysterious atmosphere of old. Aligning with PURITY THROUGH FIRE in 2020 for Tie on hänen omilleen, GOATS OF DOOM finally seemed to have gotten their due or at least raised their profile - not for nothing, that, as Tie on hänen omilleen was arguably the band's most powerful 'n' poignant record to date. But, a year later came the eclipsing Shiva, where they unloaded anthem after anthem, proving that the metal can be kept firmly within black metal without sacrificing its mystical powers.

Following something of a respite - unusual for the band, given the feverish release rate at which they operated since 2015 - GOATS OF DOOM return refreshed and recharged with INRI. The Finns' seventh full-length thus far, INRI is a rather unique entry in their gem-laded catalog: initially beginning as a disarmingly raw affair, the album soon opens up into a bountiful feast of alternately asskicking / ethereal black METAL. GOATS OF DOOM unload the entirety of their arsenal here - charging-hard speed, Bathorian gallop, medieval triumph, and pagan hymnal, all with a pronounced emphasis on melancholic, distinctly Finnish melodicism - and really give rise to heroic heavy metal leads, which seem strangely out of character for cold & raw black metal, but their burning-hot touch eventually melts the ice and floods the heart with emotion or at least reflection. The cleaner, choir-style vocals also aid this lateral move, imbuing INRI with a soaring / ascending sensation - or, again, ethereal in many senses of the word - that's absolutely perfect for the album's unique production style. As ever, when GOATS OF DOOM wanna get going, they kick ass with the best of 'em and exude charisma every step of the way; it's just that they're here able to incorporate more acoustic passages without losing steam, which also goes for album's track sequence, closing out the latter third of it in epic fashion. Thus, INRI is yet another triumph of ANTHEMIC black metal heroism: bow before these GOATS of greatness!

NORTHTRIP AMONG THE STORMS…

Active since 1995 and with 5 previous full-lengths under their belts, Russian OLD WAINDS are back on the frozen field.

Picking up where they left off with their previous album, the predominantly fast-paced “Stormheart” reveals itself as ice-cold, yet melancholic and introspective at the same time. Driven by stunning guitar work, completely devoid of unnecessary gimmicks and vocals slightly distorted, OLD WAINDS delivered one of the best Black Metal albums of the last couple of years.

Mastered by Jack Control and Maor Appelbaum.

Dark Nordic Metal from the icy wastes of Murmansk.

Grim, cold and majestic as it should be…

Digipak-CD with UV-varnish, 16-page booklet

With an inception heading back to the year 2020, UK’s Final Dose have built a reputation from its feral blend of black metal’s icy malevolence and the raw, uncompromising power of punk through the release of a demo, an EP and a full-length album in 2023.
With the experience of touring across the US and Europe granted by the excellent reception of aforementioned “Void Inside”, Final Dose return with a vengeance, a bone-crushing slab of savagery and frostbitten fury entitled “Under the Eternal Shadow”.

Merging Black Metal and Punk is not in any way a novelty, however few acts have managed to imply the solid edge of both approaches in a such a vehemently organic fashion as the UK horde. From the very first seconds of opener “Eternal Winter”, a clear, powerful, in-your-face production compels the razor-sharp virulent riffs to gleam and cut through the ether like an electrical storm, whereas pounding fast beats function as a taser for the body, a remarkably pulsing mania which serves as a marching order for the wild raging vocals, a performance which renders gist to each word yelled in anguish.

But, beware. “Under the Eternal Shadow”’s ornamentation is yet provided by various elements such as Dungeon Synth and Folk, details that supply the record with more than a Black Metal/Punk substance. The brilliant slower moments offer an extra dose of bleakness and despair to the filthy fury, together with the lugubrious clean chords, filled with disheartening melody. These traits blazingly give shape to the lyrical concept of the album, the pain and gloom of mental decline, the misery of the societal ravishingly decay. This layer of mournfulness genuinely confers momentum to Final Dose’s art, a sense of impending doom which sticks to the brain and captures the heart, making “Under the Eternal Shadow” much more than a musical record, but a tome of inspiration through the ashes of the world’s turmoil and dismay.

Sad Whisperings was formed in 1990 (as Desecrate) and released several demo’s in the 80’s / 90s up till their split in 2004 and gained a worldwide cult following. Sad Whisperings was pure doom death metal like their early inspiration Paradise Lost and with a touch of the Dutch school of doom death metal like The Gathering. Sad Whisperings got signed by Dutch cult label Foundation 2000 (The Gathering, Gorefest) and released their debut album in 1993 called ’Sensitive to autumn’. Demos 1995 & 1998 are a natural follow up to their debut, doom death metal, Dutch style.
The booklet contains rare and old pictures, flyers and posters. Extensive liner notes from Steven Willems (Rock Tribune, Streams of Ancient Wisdom: The History of Dutch Death And Extreme Metal

Although it had a very troubled birth, all detailed in the liner notes included with those different versions here, CRADLE OF FILTH almost-album-length 1996 EP V Empire, Or Dark Faerytales In Phallustein proved to be a superb triumph over adversity.

Despite all their legal problems, line-up changes and insane pressure after the gigantic success of their debut album, the Brits nevertheless managed to write and record a slab of new even grander songs, next to a new version of the already classic ‘The Forest Whispers My Name’, some would argue even bettering their debut in the process.

Another undeniable 90s symphonic black metal masterpiece, available again for the first time officially since 2017!

Luxurious hardcover digibook-CD with 24-page booklet.
New liner-notes by Olivier ‘Zoltar’ Badin.

Remastered from the original 1996 DAT by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY in January 2025.

Until 2016, very few people had access to the original version of CRADLE OF FILTH follow-up to their hugely successful debut album The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh.
Entangled in legal problems with their former label and with few of their key members about to jump ship to form THE BLOOD DIVINE, this recording was seemingly doomed to fail. It thus remained locked up in the vault for over twenty-one years, the band having decided ultimately to shelve it and quickly record and release the V Empire, Dark Faerytales In Phallustein EP instead, before committing to tape another version of this album with a revamped line-up and new arrangements.

Having heard the fans’ plea, Dani Filth finally agreed to issue it officially for the first time in 2016 after remastering it with the help of famed producer and longtime collaborator Scott Atkins (AMON AMARTH, VADER, GAMA BOMB, BENEDICTION).

Luxurious hardcover digibook-CD with 24-page booklet.
New liner-notes by Olivier ‘Zoltar’ Badin.

Featuring members from Corpsessed, Solothus, Tyranny, Profetus and Cataleptic, the finnish trio is back with their first full length album, one of the most savage, grinding, furious and primordial Death Metal releases you could hear this year!