Labels: Self-Released
Formats: Digital
Release Date: 30 Jan 2026
Tracklist:
1. Exeunt Omnes
2. Haunted
3. The Accuser
4. As My Heart Turns to Ash
5. I AM
6. Immutable
7. And Then We Are Gone
8. Herezjarcha
I feel like 2026 is going to be the year where more bands self-release their music. It's easier than ever to self-release it digitally but with labels having to wait longer for vinyl pressings and CDs/Tapes becoming ever popular, I can see bands taking more control.
US black metal band Profane Elegy are doing just that with their soon-to-be-released album Herezjarcha, which is being made available digitally from 30th January. Having formed as a duo in 2021, Profane Elegy's line-up expanded to a quartet in time for their 2023 debut album When All Is Nothing and has stayed that way ever since.
It’s bloody freezing here right now. I appreciate that “UK freezing” isn’t exactly “proper freezing” but it kinda feels that way. The harsh black metal delivered by Profane Elegy won’t add much warmth but who’s really here for that anyway. Opening with ‘Exeunt Omnes’, their’s is a blistering take on black metal. A constant barrage of percussion/bass, coupled with metallic guitar work and hellish vocals provide no respite until near the end, where haunting choral melodies grow amongst the extremity.
Profane Elegy’s sound is so consistent, even this early on into the album as ‘Haunted’ rings out with mighty percussive blasts and buzzsaw guitar, which gives way to a slower tempo later on, showing more metallic leanings and musical intricacy. ‘The Accuser’s breakneck intro flows to all kinds of elements, from traditional heavy metal, to progressiveness and theatrical passages complete with semi-clean singing. This isn’t just another run of the mill black metal release.
The traditional heavy metal influence that showed itself on ‘The Accuser’ manifests into something more thrash-like on ‘As My Heart Turns to Ash’ and coupled with the more melodic guitar passages later on, Profane Elegy step further into uncharted territories, as once again gentle instrumentation and grandiose vocals deliver a mid-song chorus. It’s brief and it only makes their heaviness sound even heavier (if that makes sense).
‘I AM’ seems to go by in the blink of an eye, such is it’s effortlessly woven mix of extremity and folk instruments. It’s a whole song and not an interlude too, which helps. ‘Immutable’ is a raging beast on the flip side, featuring no histrionics and just the slightest symphonic accompaniment. I’m really surprised by how strong this album is, especially as this is my introduction to Profane Elegy.
The US is known for not sticking to the script when it comes to black metal and that is true of ‘And Then We Are Gone’, which is much more like an Amorphis song with an Appalachian twist. The clean vocals throughout are absolutely fantastic, adding plenty of feeling to the recording alongside the slower tempos. Once again, it all fits together perfectly. Closing with the title track ‘Herezjarcha’, semi-acoustic guitars maintain a subtly sombre mood before one final blast of icy darkness. It ends with gentle choral singing, acoustic guitar and vocal whispers.
I still have a lot of work to do to get myself organised for 2026, but to have something this strong to kick things off is great. Profane Elegy give such an honest account of themselves here and it shows in their music. Black metal might be a catch all term for it but it’s way more than that. 30th of January will be here before you know it, so sit tight and let the excitement build for this release.
To build anticipation and excitement for the release, Profane Elegy have released six tracks as stand alone singles via bandcamp, the latest being 'And Then We Are Gone'. You can stream and download it (name-your-price) below, alongside the other singles:-
They also have a special t-shirt containing the album art for sale here - https://profaneelegy.bigcartel.com
Profane Elegy - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092367915270