Mascharat - Ars Aurea Mortis

Labels: Remparts Productions

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 31 Jan 2026

Tracklist:

 

1. Intro

2. Re Mida

3. Nigredo

4. Albedo

5. Citrinitas

6. Rubedo

7. Lapis

8. Outro

May has been a little bit frustrating as I haven't been able to post as frequently as I would have liked. I'm still pleased with what I have been able to write about, just wish time would have been on my side a bit more. I was certainly hoping that would be the case when I put together this month's schedule! Italian black metallers Mascharat were one of bands I added to said schedule, after they wrote to me earlier in the year.

Their newest (and second full-length) Ars Aurea Mortis was released back in January via French label Remparts Productions. Mascharat released their debut demo back in 2014 before their first self-titled album in 2017. With a gap of nearly nine years between albums, Mascharat will be opening themselves up to a whole new wave of listeners.

As I sat down to write this review I realised how many other sites/blogs have already done a similar thing. That’s not a negative realisation though, as it just means that this album and Mascharat have gathered a lot of attention, which is fully deserved. For me that attention starts with the ‘Intro’ to Ars Aurea Mortis, which is a lot more grandiose than I was expecting. ‘Re Mida’ goes someway to banishing that sense of grandeur, as Mascharat launch into typically fabled black metal with an occult tinge. I was actually thinking today about the fact that I don’t listen to enough black metal! This has all the icy hallmarks of the genre, from the raspy vocals to the metallic guitar melodies and mesmeric percussive barrages. Not truly raw but not avant-garde either. 

Mascharat give their songs plenty of space to build and breathe on this album, if you excuse the first and last ones. ‘Nigredo’ is a perfect case in point, as the marauding opening passages give way to mid-paced introspection and dramatic shifts later on. For a Mediterranean country that’s known for great food and wine, it’s hard to imagine such musical bleakness. I’m sure I’ve alluded to something similar before though! ‘Albedo’ wraps itself around your ears in a way that only black metal can. Mainly, due to those unnerving riffs and ghostly vocals. I will say that it’s a bit of a disappointment when the song fades out with nearly a minute to go, leaving only ambient tones.

Following the album’s longest song, ‘Citrinitas’ takes you into it’s latter half with plenty of immediacy. The metallic/melodic guitar work takes centre stage again, as bass, drums and vocals swirl around them. Mascharat’s approach is one that’s more deeply rooted in traditional black metal and they do it well. ‘Rubedo’ packs a lot more urgency to say the least. Containing fewer atmospheric passages than earlier songs, it sees Mascharat revelling in their furious blasphemy. Can’t say fairer than that!

Penultimate song ‘Lapis’ mixes both Mascharat’s traditional black metal blueprint with introspective/instrumental passages that feel airy and light. I’m not saying that they’re going soft or anything, just that their instrumentation is able to breathe life into what is an extreme album, just when it needs to. Closing Ars Aurea Mortis with a beautiful ‘Outro’, Mascharat bring to an end what is an engrossing album. Above, I mentored that it was neither raw nor avant-garde. It sits in that middle ground and gives Mascharat a platform to really build upon.

You can stream and purchase the album digitally below:-

Mascharat have sold out of their CD copies but you can still purchase them from Remparts Productions here - https://rempartsproductions.bigcartel.com/product/mascharat-ars-aurea-mortis-cd-digital

Mascharat - https://www.facebook.com/Mascharat

Remparts Productions - https://www.facebook.com/RempartsProductions 

dagerman. - Di fronte a noi il nulla

Labels: Best Life Records/Dancing Rabbit Records/Fireflies Fall/Shove Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 20 Mar 2026

Tracklist:

1. Incarnazione

2. Calvario

3. Lontani da qui

4. Caino

5. Oltre

6. Neve

7. Immobili

8. Metamorfosi

Time waits for no man and it certainly isn't waiting for me! Pelle from dagerman. wrote to me back in March about the release of the band's second album and here I am, writing about it just over a month later. Coming less than eighteen months after debut album tragedie | VIVERE was unleashed, Di fronte a noi il nulla was released digitally by dagerman. and also pressed onto vinyl by a beautiful bunch of collaborating labels made up of Best Life Records (UK), Dancing Rabbit Records (DE), Fireflies Fall (FR), Shove Records (IT) and Zegema Beach Records (USA/CAN).

Last year I wrote about a fair few bands from Italy. A few years ago, I did the same with bands from Finland. I have a tendency to gravitate towards certain countries or styles sometimes. This year’s been a bit more random so far I think and I’m going to try to vary things further. Jumping into Di fronte a noi il nulla, ‘Incarnazione’ brings back the warmth I felt while listening to tragedie | VIVERE. Flourishes of metalcore and hardcore can be heard too, building on the sound of their debut album.

‘Calvario’ has a lot more urgency and intensity compared to the album’s opener. dagerman. give their earliest take on emotive hardcore here. The explosive opening third progresses into a mid-section that’s more subdued and pensive, before the final third explodes once again.

dagerman. have this innate ability to make their songs sound both intense and introspective at the flip of a switch. ‘Lontani da qui’ is the best example of that. The mix of hardcore and introspective, emo-like musicianship is perfect when it’s held up against the vocals, which are very much front and center. 

There’s a mid-section of sorts on this album where dagerman. throw in a couple of shorter songs, starting with ‘Caino’. It’s filled with such gorgeous instrumentation that you’d be forgiven for ignoring how technical dagerman. can be at times, ‘Oltre’ is darker and more unnerving at first, so it’s not a surprise when the quintet’s angular hardcore/screamo takes the lead later on.

‘Oltre’ bleeds seamlessly into ‘Neve’. The percussion especially stands out for me here, as it’s filled with subtle groove and even some funk early on, before the volume explodes once again with the classy bass, melodic guitar work and emotive vocals. 

Penultimate track ‘Immobili’ passes by in waves of post-hardcore/rock atmosphere, bracketed by faster flourishes, in turn creating a dramatic soundscape that carries over into final song ‘Metamorfosi’. It is the album’s longest song and it fittingly show’s off everything in dagerman.’s musical arsenal. Such an epic way to end what’s been a special album.

Once again, there’s such a buzz around Italy’s post-hardcore/screamo scene that shows no sign of calming down. dagerman. might have just released one of the best albums of the year in the sub-genre. Don’t sleep on this.

You can stream and purchase the album digitally below:-

dagerman. Instagram - @dagerman.band

Physical copies are available from the labels below:-

Best Life Records - https://www.bestliferecords.com/products/untitled-mar20_10-35

Dancing Rabbit Records - https://dancingrabbitrecords.bandcamp.com/album/drr027-di-fronte-a-noi-il-nulla

Fireflies Fall - https://firefliesfall.com/product/dagerman-di-fronte-a-noi-il-nulla/

Shove Records - https://shoverec.bandcamp.com/album/di-fronte-a-noi-il-nulla

Zegema Beach Records CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/dagerman2 / USA - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/dagerman2

Best Life Records - https://www.facebook.com/bestliferecords

Dancing Rabbit Records Instagram - @dancingrabbitrec

Fireflies Fall - https://www.facebook.com/firefliesfall

Shove Records - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100062967532917

Zegema Beach Records Instagram - @zegema_beach

HyperioN - Cybergenesis

Labels: Fighter Records

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 15 Jan 2026

Tracklist:

1. Deafening

2. Rewire, Rebuild

3. Yet We Still Fight

4. The Shackles of Chronitus

5. Blood Over Chrome

6. Grain of Sand

7. Rhizome Rider

8. The Whole of Time

After starting the year with four releases from North America/Canada, I felt I couldn't feature another until I had covered one from a different continent. The first one on my list was the most recent album from Italian heavy metal band HyperioN. Cybergenesis was released just last week via Spanish traditional/heavy metal label Fighter Records (an offshoot of Xtreem Music) and is HyperioN's third full-length since their formation in 2015.

Before settling down to write this review, I made the mistake of reading a “report” from a user on Metal Archives, who is complaining about the choice of genre that HyperioN have been categorised under on the site. I mean, yes they share the same name as a power metal band that existed in Italy in the 90s, but their bandcamp page bio describes them as traditional heavy metal. I know the distinction between the two genres is somewhat blurred, but does it really matter? Can’t we just be allowed to enjoy music for what it is?

Not so important questions aside, this is quintessential Italian heavy metal. ‘Deafening’ opens up the album with a strong Iron Maiden vibe, soaring melodic vocals, galloping musicianship and some dramatic elements too. It’s really uplifting so far. ‘Rewire, Rebuild’ promises so much from the guitar prowess that’s evident early on and there’s some off-kilter/subtle thrash-like trickery going on throughout, but HyperioN are reluctant to truly unleash anything heavier.

Heaviness isn’t their approach though. They prefer to stick to the tried, tested and effective European heavy metal path. ‘Yet We Still Fight’ continues to hammer that point home, though the lead guitar solos are pretty bloody epic and there are gang-chants/semi-clean vocals thrown in at this juncture. The whole thing with the heavy metal revival in recent years is that you know what you’re going to get. ‘The Shackles of Chronitus’ is a perfect case in point, as it’s a retreat back to a mid-tempo, if slightly meandering, heavy metal song as opposed to something more neck snapping.

That being said, HyperioN don’t write uber long songs. ‘Blood Over Chrome’ is a prime example of how enthusiasm and pace can remove the illusion of needless rock operas. I’ve never been a fan of them. They’re the reason I’ve shied away from trad heavy metal over the years. Being guilty of being selective is a me problem, especially when ‘Grain of Sand’ sounds as good as it does! As I’ve alluded to already, it’s a product of the country it was birthed in but that doesn’t hold it back. 

Penultimate song ‘Rhizome Rider’ keeps the heavy metal flowing in almost uncontrollable fashion. It’s kinda like a Spaghetti Western song (excuse the unfortunate pun) written for the modern day. Apologies HyperioN, I don’t mean for that to sound disrespectful. Album closer ‘The Whole of Time’ is much more theatrical, as it’s near seven-minute playing time suggests. In truth though, it’s just a lengthier take on what they’ve been doing throughout the album as a whole; playing solid heavy metal in their own way. 

It’s not usually what I lean towards but I really do appreciate it for what it is. I certainly wouldn’t label it solely as power metal, as that would be doing HyperioN a huge disservice. Cybergenesis is a really strong album, putting European traditional heavy metal at the forefront of where it should be in 2026.

You can stream Cybergenesis digitally and purchase digital download/cd copies, and other merch via their bandcamp page below:-

CD copies can also be purchased here - https://shop.xtreemmusic.com/english.list.index.php?special=fighterrecords

HyperioN - https://www.facebook.com/hyperionbandheavy

Fighter Records - https://www.facebook.com/fighter.records

Beriedir - Liminal Spaces

Labels: Rockshots Records

Formats: CD/Digital

Release Date: 10 Jan 2025

Tracklist:

1. Halo

2. Neon

3. In The Corner Of My Eyes

4. As Tight As Phantoms Hold

5. F.I.V.E.

6. More Than Starlight

7. Burnout

8. Anemoia

9. Massive

10. In The Liminal Space

This may be a little bit outside of my wheelhouse but at least I'm keeping up the support for Italian bands! Progressive metal is the sub-genre of choosing this evening with the newest album from Lombardy quintet Beriedir. Liminal Spaces saw it's release on both cd and digital formats via Rockshots Records way back in January. I have seen them being described as a progressive power metal band on some sites but I've also read that they've been compared to Leprous and Gojira as well. This is my first time hearing them, so let's see.

I did go through a phase of really liking power metal, way before I started the blog. I listened to bands like Hammerfall and Turisas amongst others quite a lot, though I drifted away from the sub-genre when I started discovering heavier styles. I guess I’m not a huge fan of the whole fantasy/theatrical side of metal and at first listen, I’m getting that vibe from Beriedir on album opener ‘Halo’; however, the mix of melodic instrumentation, clean vocals and harsh growls work together really well. Italy is known for it’s unique blend of melody, theater and progression after all. 

Talking of theater, the keyboard work is prominent throughout this album and it’s not overpowering on ’Neon’, which is good. The change of tempos and styles throughout keep things really interesting, while the clean vocals really come into their own when they hit the highest notes. It’s still too early to decide how I feel about this album but upon hearing the opening bars of ‘In The Corner Of My Eyes’ with it’s death metal-like brutality, I’m almost sold. There’s a lot going on here, which can sometimes be overwhelming. The heaviness later on is punctuated by melody, that may come as a relief to some. I want to give a special shoutout to the excellent guitar solo towards the end too.

‘As Tight As Phantoms Hold’ sees Beriedir circling back toward their more melodic roots, but with the addition of what sounds like programmed beats (though they’re probably organic, apologies if so!). The song’s latter half of a heady mix of everything that goes into their music. I’m writing this while being somewhat out of my comfort zone musically, so apologies if I’m talking nonsense. The imaginatively titled ‘F.I.V.E.’ is up next (I say that because it’s the album’s fifth song) and it has a euro-dance feel to it before the hard-hitting percussion and guitars kick in. That feeling stays throughout the song, which is a lot more approachable for those who stay away from anything that’s truly heavy.

There’s a subtle Queen influence flowing through ‘More Than Starlight’, which grows on you as it switches between angelic melody and startling heaviness, and back again later on. The way that Beriedir weave that heaviness into their otherwise symphonic sound is excellent during ‘Burnout’, as nothing sounds out of place or forced, which was a worry of mine when I hit play on this album. In fact, it’s a lot more technically adept than I expected it to be.

I do have a soft spot for piano-led, electronica-infused music (thanks to many hours of listening to Sleep Token), so the opening bars of ‘Anemoia’ hit the spot before Beriedir retreat back into a more familiar space. The remainder of the song is more of the same but that’s not doing it a disservice and it blends nicely into penultimate song ‘Massive”, which is brimming with broody atmosphere and seemingly slower tempo s throughout. Closing with ‘In The Liminal Space’, Beriedir offer up a final slab of really well performed metal that bridges the gap between clean and harsh sounds. 

Despite being slightly outside my wheelhouse (as already mentioned) when it comes to metal, this album has surprised me a lot. I guess I prejudged it and that’s a lesson I need to learn. Beriedir are very proficient musically and they have as few tricks up their sleeve as well. I’m not quite ready to fully embrace power metal again but if it’s as proggy/heavy as this, then who knows!

You can stream and purchase Liminal Spaces digitally, as well on CD below:-

CD copies are also available to purchase from Rockshots Records here:-

https://rockshots.eu/products/beriedir-liminal-spaces-cd

Beriedir - https://www.facebook.com/BeriedirOfficial

Rockshots Records - https://www.facebook.com/rockshotsrecords

Light/Moongazer/A Rose Dying In The Rain - Sundrowning 3-Way Split

Labels: Self-Released/Fiadh Productions

Formats: Digital/Tape

Release Date: 06 Dec 2024

Tracklist: 

1. Light - Everflowing Rivers

2. Moongazer - Lilac

3. A Rose Dying in the Rain - Starry Eyes Like Late Sunset

In December of 2024, three blackgaze/ambient black metal bands joined forces and released a split together. Italy's Light, Moongazer from the US and Mexico's A Rose Dying In The Rain put said release online digitally for both streaming and purchase. Prolific US label Fiadh Productions announced a tape release via press mail-out earlier this year and feature the split on their Soundcloud page too; however, after scouring their socials and bandcamp, it doesn't appear to have materialised yet (please correct if I'm wrong and have missed it, or if it's still due for release!). Whatever the situation, I feel it's only right to champion these bands and their split.

This is an epic split release. One that’s typical amongst underground metal bands, especially those who lean towards black metal. It begins with the song ‘Everflowing Rivers’ by Italy’s Light, which is also it’s longest song. Gentle, soothing guitar melodies open the split in glorious fashion, in some ways reminiscent of compatriots like Earth And Pillars, Falaise and others besides. As it builds with additional layers of percussion and ambience, you’re encouraged to relax before Light unleashes harsh yet uplifting black metal vocals upon you. Amongst the backdrop of the vast cinematic instrumentation, it’s hard to feel anything but adulation for what’s coming out of the speakers. 

The latter half of the song is filled with so many layers; from the aforementioned guitar/ambient melodies, to the throat-scraping vocals and beautifully executed choral singing too. As opening songs go, this is gonna be hard to beat. I feel so energised after that, especially as the sun in coming out around me after such a grey and miserable day here. It’s apt though that America’s Moongazer are up next, as we head ever closer to evening darkness. ‘Lilac’ is also truly beautiful, with even more swathes of melody and ambience. The dissonance from the guitars may shock at first, but it soon nestles comfortably within Moongazer’s enthralling sound.

The further you get into this release, the greater it becomes. There’s a huge feeling of positivity about it, which aligns with how I feel in general right now. I hope it makes you feel the same. To close out this split, Mexico’s A Rose Dying In The Rain provide the cosmic, synth-laden ’Starry Eyes Like Late Sunset’. It’s heavily instrumental and when the band’s vocals join the mix, they’re slightly deeper. Their position doesn’t do any harm at all though, as there’s an authentic and organic feel to the whole song. There isn’t really anything else I can say to describe this release at this point.

All three bands are breathtaking and deserved of any attention they receive. I know a lot of people will pour scorn on so-called “blackgaze” bands but in an environment where genres are constantly getting blurred, they definitely have their place. If you’re still unsure, give this a chance. Light, Moongazer and A Rose Dying In The Rain deserve greater attention after this.

You can stream and purchase the split below:-

Moongazer's bandcamp:-

A Rose Dying In The Rain's bandcamp:-

Moongazer - https://www.facebook.com/moongazerofficial / Instagram - @moongazerofficial

A Rose Dying In The Rain - https://www.facebook.com/aroserainofficial/ / Instagram - @aroserainofficial

Fiadh Productions - https://www.facebook.com/fiadhproductions

dagerman. - tragedie | VIVERE

Labels: Self-Released/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Digital/Vinyl

Release Date: 24 Oct 2024

Tracklist:

1. luogo | PROGETTARE

2. inquietudine | SUBLIMARE

3. oggetto | PRODURRE

4. attesa | ESISTERE

5. niente | AVERE

6. direzione | OPPORRE

7. equazione | AMARE

8. domande | FINIRE

Somehow, we're made it to the month of May already. Being in the fifth month of 2025 isn't really that significant except for the fact that new Italian band dagerman. is also the fifth Italian band I have featured here this year. It all started with the exceptional instrumental/progressive guitar work of Federico Favaro, followed by the black/death/doom of both Malauriu and Sinoath, as well as more recently the epic post-hardcore of Chivala. tragedie | VIVERE was digitally released by dagerman. last October and just over a month ago it was given the vinyl treatment by Zegema Beach Records.  

Honestly, I’m going through one of those phases where I want to write/don’t want to write/am feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of music there is to write about. I need to get back in the saddle though and what better way to do it than with another fantastic Italian band. If you’re familiar with Zegema Beach Records (and by now you should be!), you’ll know roughly what to expect. dagerman. starts tragedie | VIVERE with ‘luogo | PROGETTARE’ and it’s every bit as dramatic as promised. An emotive mix of striking Italian lyricism and off-kilter post-hardcore that’s much slower in tempo than usual (at least on initial listen).

‘inquietudine | SUBLIMARE” is the perfect coming together of both frenetic screamo/emo-violence and abject beauty. Poetically delivered vocally, as the instrumentation behind crashes, stomps and captivates with dramatic melodies, it embraces you. There’s more obvious urgency as the release progresses and ‘oggetto | PRODURRE’ embodies that urgency with yet more heart-on-the-sleeve passion, coupled with passages of raging intensity. As it ends, it draws out the frustration I’ve felt over the last couple of weeks.

‘attesa | ESISTERE’ starts off with the most unexpected panic-induced riff. It immediately lights a fire in both dagerman. and in myself, as the song flows from off-kilter mathiness to groovy punk and back in the blink of an eye. It’s the aural equivalent of a kick up the arse and it’s brilliant! After that moment of chaos, ‘niente | AVERE’ comes into view like a beacon of calm but don’t let that intro section fool you. It’s not long before dagerman. flip the switch in favour of a solid mix of epic post-hardcore and constantly shifting emo-violence. 

The latter half of tragedie | VIVERE doesn’t change direction as ‘direzione | OPPORRE’ moves through various phases, embracing everything that shapes dagerman.’s sound. The lovely indiemo feel that surrounds you at the start of ‘equazione | AMARE’ is one that should really stick around (it has that La Dispute vibe going on), which isn’t actually that far off as a comparison actually. dagerman. bring the feels here. 

Closing out with ‘domande | FINIRE’, there’s a strange feeling of peace and tranquility amongst the heaviness. Maybe that feeling is subjective because I haven’t been able to properly focus on music recently or because this album cleanses the senses and transcends conscious thought. Either way, it’s a brilliant body of work and another example of how rich Italy’s musical community is.

You can stream and purchase the album as a name-your-price download from dagerman. below:-

Physical copies are available from Zegema Beach Records below:-

CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/dagerman

USA - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/dagerman

dagerman. - https://www.instagram.com/dagerman.band/

Zegema Beach Records - https://bsky.app/profile/zegemabeachrecords.bsky.social