Enthroned<\/a> frontman Nornagest displays exceptional versatility and a horrifying level of vocal excellence on the sublime Ashspawn<\/em>, while Menthor gives a splendid performance on drums and percussion and T. Kaos (whom Nornagest had long wanted on his roster) brings his prowess on guitars and bass.<\/p>\n During the long and grueling process of composing Ashspawn<\/em>, this trio of perfectionists labored from morning until night. Nornagest also painstakingly worked with fellow occult writer Gilles de Laval on the lyrical concept and more, directing a dizzying amount of thought into the album.<\/p>\n The distinguished scholar, author and visual artist Jos\u00e9 Gabriel Alegr\u00eda Sabogal (known\u00a0for his collaborations with the likes of Whoredom Rife) handled the artwork, and Mr. Nornagest (who doubles as an accomplished visual artist with a master\u2019s degree in the field) contributed a piece himself.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Although 100 cassette copies of Enevelde\u2019s Pandemonium<\/em> were sold in 2024, the rightly revered and feared label Terratur Possessions counts April 8, 2025, as its true release date and that is around the time when the music fell into the eager hands of die-hard fans and journalists (whether digitally, on vinyl or on CD).<\/p>\n On Pandemonium<\/em>, Enevelde, the enigmatic one-man entity of Brage Kr\u00e5b\u00f8l (also of Misotheist; Diabolus, Mecum Semperterne!; and the family supergroup Kr\u00e5b\u00f8l), yet again inspires awe with his songwriting, musicianship and fiery vocals. This hypnotic album is infuriatingly magnificent\u00a0and demands (yet also rejects by virtue of its hostility) more gushing praise than feels humanly comfortable.<\/p>\n While there are plenty of talented musicians in the scene today, Kr\u00e5b\u00f8l, in my opinion, is the youngest worthy of being called a torchbearer of the genre in all of the seriousness of the term.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n To say that the Lifelover and Hypothermia legend Kim Carlsson never disappoints is an understatement. Ritualmord\u2019s\u00a0This Is Not Lifelover<\/em>\u00a0administers a shot of truth so potent that it\u2019s dangerous; this triumph cuts painfully deep and straight to the heart but ultimately proves transformative, even, dare I say, healing.<\/p>\n The news of\u00a0This Is Not Lifelover<\/em>, which arrived in time for the glorious and tasteful 20th anniversary festivities for the disbanded yet beloved Lifelover (Eternal hails to the immortal Jonas Bergqvist\u2026), simply seemed too good to be true.<\/p>\n Fans not only owe their gratitude to Carlsson for his divine vocals, lyrics and musicianship, but also to 1853 for lyrics and additional vocals and Belgium\u2019s esteemed D\u00e9h\u00e0 for helping manifest the compositions\u00a0at his studio.<\/p>\n Verily, this nuanced album receives my vote for the most emotionally impactful release of 2025.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n After many journalists had retired their pens for the year, plenty of so-called Satanists were busy celebrating Yuletide with their families and true misanthropes found themselves indulging in the rotten fruits of grinch-like anger, France\u2019s venerable M\u00fctiilation<\/a> unleashed the brutally awesome surprise\u00a0Pandemonium of Egregores<\/em>\u00a0(online on Christmas and officially released on December 26).<\/p>\n M\u00fctiilation rose from the crypt, as on previous occasions, for 2024\u2019s\u00a0Black Metal Cult<\/em>, and this pioneering outfit must remain active for a simple reason: As proven by that effort and\u00a0Pandemonium of Egregores<\/em>, M\u00fctiilation\u2019s example of Truly Uncompromising Black Metal is a crucial reminder to audiences (who are too often inundated with diluted products) of the genre\u2019s meaning.<\/p>\n While the modern world presents us with \u201ca theatre of puppets for the plebeian to fear,\u201d remember to stay coldly cynical and listen to M\u00fctiilation.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n Sarkom\u2019s varied\u00a0Exceed In2 Chaos<\/em>\u00a0(a nearly 50-minute journey into beautifully \u201corganized pain\u201d) provided the refreshing burst of kaleidoscopic color and originality (without sacrificing any blackness) that felt desperately needed. Composed entirely by outstanding frontman Erik Unsgaard, the exhilarating\u00a0Exceed In2 Chaos<\/em>\u00a0also features Galaaen on guitars, Somby on guitars and bass and, finally, none other than leading drummer Dominator.<\/p>\n Sarkom have been producing First-Class Norwegian Black Metal since around 2004; thus, only greatness could be expected of the full-length follow-up to\u00a0Anti-Cosmic Art<\/em>\u00a0(2016), which showcases guests as\u00a0TNT<\/a>\u2019s Ronni Le Tekr\u00f8. Even Unsgaard\u2019s vitriolic lyrics deliver delightful crowbar blows to the Janus-face of weakness, as he calls out \u201cBottomfeeders\u201d and other types of swine. Without downplaying Exceed In2 Chaos<\/i>\u2019 seriousness, it is possible to call it the most fun black metal title of 2025.<\/p>\n Notably, Sarkom\u2019s video collaboration with Ksenia Hinderson for the remarkably adrenaline-boosting and even danceable single \u201cEnter as Fool \u2014 Exit as Beast\u201d (an effort to which ex-Dimmu Borgir<\/a>\u00a0and Troll\u2019s Nagash lent his on-set assistance) earned them an invitation to the Berlin Music Video Awards.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nEnevelde, “Pandemonium’<\/h2>\n
Ritualmord, ‘This Is Not Lifelover’<\/h2>\n
M\u00fctiilation, ‘Pandemonium of Egregores’<\/h2>\n
Sarkom, ‘Exceed In2 Chaos’<\/h2>\n