Viserion - Fire and Blood EP

Labels: Terminus Hate City

Formats: CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 16 Jan 2026

Tracklist:

1. Fire and Blood

2. Mad King

3. Reign of Fire

4. Backfyre

5. Harrenhal

This week is not US black metal, it's just the way my first two reviews of the year have fallen. I should really have done both the other way round as Viserion's newest EP Fire and Blood will be released on 16th of January. It'll be available on CD and tape, as well on digital platforms, with help from fellow US label Terminus Hate City.

Viserion formed in New York in 2019 and released their debut EP Death Dealer in 2020, their first full-length Natural Selection in 2021 and a split in 2023 with Teloch Vovin. They also have a real appreciation for Game of Thrones, which you might have already picked on!

Viserion pull no punches as they unleash their full assault on EP opener ‘Fire and Blood’. Rasping screams and deep growls sit right in the middle of the instruments here, as drums pummel, bass rumbles and both guitars give off a powerful display of black/war metal ferocity, coupled with some old-school soloing. 

It’s not just about straight-forward battery though as ‘Mad King’ switches between more striking riff progressions, passages of barbaric intensity and ones filled with subtle ambience, and melody too. There’s a lot going on in such a short song and it goes to show exactly why their bandcamp page recommends Esoctrilihum as a companion band.

Just as with Profane Elegy on Monday evening, this is stellar as well. ‘Reign of Fire’ has such a commanding volume and in turn, it envelopes you in a way that’s both sinister and warming at the same time. I’m not sure how that’s even possible but it is. The fact that each of the five tracks here get longer as the EP progresses should be a sign in itself.

The sumptuous instrumentation that opens ‘Blackfyre’ gives away just how good the rest of it is, as Viserion finesse their way through dark passages and epic solos that lead to a choral ending that’s quite haunting. Obviously, my description doesn’t do it justice. You only have nine days to wait and then you can hear it for yourselves. 

Closing out the EP with ‘Harrenhal’, Viserion ramp up the kick drumming to an almost unbelievable level, while also injecting loads of atmosphere and melody in between. You can still pick out the rest of the percussion alongside the kicks, such is the strength of the production, mixing and mastering. When the tempo slows is where the rest of the music breathes. 

There are times when this EP sounds symphonic but there are no synths or strings employed (at least to my knowledge) and I appreciate that. All of that symphonic sound comes from the guitars. It’s like when a beer tastes like fruit but there’s no fruit in it, just hops, barley and yeast. No fuss, no additives just old school musical excellence. That’s what you get here.

You can stream both the first and last tracks on Fire and Blood prior to it's full release below:-

You can also pre-order the EP on CD and tape formats from Terminus Hate City here - 

https://www.terminushatecity.com/product-page/viserion-fire-blood-preorder

Viserion - https://www.facebook.com/ViserionOfficial

Terminus Hate City - https://www.facebook.com/terminushatecity

Profane Elegy - Herezjarcha

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