Ultima - I: Katabasis

Labels: Self-Released/Obscurant Visions

Formats: Digital/Vinyl

Release Date: 18 Jan 2026

Tracklist:

1.  Hermeticism

2. A Labyrinth Beneath Reality

3. Cryptic Spiral of Wisdom

4. Catacombs of the Sun

5. Katabasis

While I enjoy various genres and sub-genres of heavy music, I find myself being drawn to black metal more of late. There's something about the imagery and the often anonymous creators behind the music that pulls me to dig deeper. I trawled the Internet recently in search of such music but I needn't have bothered, because it was closer to me than I thought.

D.B. wrote to me regarding his new project Ultima and its first full-length I: Katabasis, which he self-released digitally and cult Kazakhstani label Obscurant Visions released on vinyl early in 2026. D.B. himself is fairly well known in underground black metal circles, as the musical brain behind Délirant,   Hässlig and Negativa, as well as Spanish label Bile Noire.

I’ve been getting twitchy again. Mainly because I didn’t end up writing anywhere near as much as I had hoped last week. I’ll try harder this week. I mean, it’s not like I’m short of releases to cover! Anyway, in between sneezing, hitting play on the opening track of I: Katabasis brings a surprise of sorts. ‘Hermeticism’ is an ambient intro that’s both relaxing and unnerving, if that makes any sense. Following next, ‘A Labyrinth Beneath Reality’ is anything but, as Ultima bursts into life with a mixture of blasting and melodic black metal. It’s not totally true/occult sounding, but it’s also not too avant-garde/progressive. It sits in between, at least to my ears. The instumentation is very well executed and ice cold at times, while the vocals have a raspiness to them that could easily put you to sleep (in the best way).

‘Cryptic Spiral of Wisdom’ is a real joy to listen to now my neighbour has stopped revving the hell out of their motorbike (I try to be considerate with my own volume after all!). It’s a longer song too, all eight-and-a-half minutes of it. That’s a proper length for an all engrossing black metal song in my opinion. There’s a cascadian element to Ultima’s music at times and it shows itself here. ‘Catacombs of the Sun’ has a mdi-tempo feel thanks to the pace of the percussion and the hypnotic riffs. The orchestration during the song makes you think there is actually a full orchestra on the recording, while the raspy vocals are backed up by subtle blackgaze elements (if I’m allowed to use that comparison here!).

Ending with ‘Katabasis’, Ultima leaves the most expansive track till last. It encompasses not just the early sound that Ultima is built on but also the collective experience that D.B. has gained over the years, It’s where the music slows to a near crawl, almost funeral doom-like for a few moments. It’s here though where the approach does become a bit more abstract, as Ultima flirts with more metallic guitar elements and melodic textures. That said, furious black metal is just around the corner and with a flourish of up-tempo musicianship, it all ends with the shortest of outro sections.

For a project to be able to deliver its musical intent on debut is very difficult. Ultima isn’t far away from achieving that though, given D.B.’s experience. Black metal fans are almost fervent in their support of the genre, so they’ll warm to Ultima really quickly (if they haven’t already). I have that warm feeling already and will be returning to listen to more Spanish black metal immediately.

You can stream and purchase I: Katabasis on both digital/vinyl formats via Ultima's bandcamp page below:-

Vinyl copies are also available from Obscurant Visions here - https://www.obscurantvisions.com/product/ultima-ikatabasis

Ultima Instagram - @negativa0

Obscurant Visions Instagram - @obscurantvisions 

Vibora - Egin Ez Dugun Guztia

Labels: BCore/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 20 Feb 2026

Tracklist:

1. Egin Dugun Guztia

2. Sentir Nostalgia de Cosas que Quizá Nunca Pasaron

3. Autoestima

4. Zerbait Ona Idatzi

5. Fotos

6. Blu

7. Ezin Duzu Zure Lagunak Hiltzen Utzi (ft. Miren Narbaiza)

8. 636

9. Nuevas Formas

10. Egin Ez Dugun Guztia

Spanish post-hardcore band Vibora returned in February with their newest album Egin Ez Dugun Guztia, released on vinyl via both BCore and Zegema Beach Records as well as digitally by Vibora. I didn't realise that they hadn't been featured here before, as I could've sworn I had written about them but I first heard about them through fellow Spaniards Crossed. Both bands released a split together in 2022. Vibora have been steadily releasing music since 2019.

Honestly, the skramzphere is getting larger by the day and while we’re already more than half-way through March, keeping up is all but impossible. I can but try though. Opening with ‘Egin Dugun Guztia’, Vibora’s gentle melody subsides fairly quickly, revealing a swirling mix of screamo, metallic hardcore and semi-clean screams/deeper harsh vocals that collide, dancing in perfect harmony. It’s a blasting opener that doesn’t switch off, leading to ’Sentir Nostalgia de Cosas que Quizá Nunca Pasaron’, which is even heavier and more violent. It’s a shock if you were expecting anything lighter, but it’s also an absolute belter if you weren’t! It has everything from emoviolence to metallic hardcore/metalcore and instrumental passages. The feels are real with this one.

‘Autoestima’ scratches that itch for chaotic music in a way that usually only proper tech/mathcore can, so hats off to Vibora for being so agile and genuine. I can’t do this record justice by simply writing words on a page or screen. It needs to be experienced first hand. As I write that statement, the chugging brutality of ‘Zerbait Ona Idatzi’ takes over and with it comes utter madness. This might be the heaviest record ZBR has ever helped to release. 

In a fashion that keeps you guessing, Vibora bring the tempo down on ‘Fotos’. Not only does the tempo drop, but clean singing is introduced, nestling amongst the heaviness that wrestles for center stage. It’s a glorious song that’s way more euphoric than it should be! Crossing the album’s mid-point, ‘Blu’ initially sounds like an ambient interlude before turning into something a lot more art/math-rock like. It’s at this point I realise that those higher pitched screams remind me of many Japanese bands of the same ilk. It’s brief but I love it. 

On ‘Ezin Duzu Zure Lagunak Hiltzen Utzi’, Vibora are joined by fellow Basque musician/singer Miren Narbaiza. It all starts off with familiar heaviness, plus the addition of subtle panic chords for extra intensity.  Miren provides soothing clean singing amongst the chaos, which adds an extra layer of atmosphere that wasn’t expected. After such a gentle ending, ‘636’ shocks you into life with some properly nasty, metallic, even blackened emoviolence. Obviously, Vibora don’t keep that up for the whole time and half-way through they pause, leading to a latter-half filled with introspection and bird song. I love how they keep you guessing.

With such a strong album, reaching the final two songs comes as a surprise. ‘Nuevas Formas’ with its initial screeching feedback and the post-hardcore that follows, shows off both the brutality and the beauty that’s on offer throughout this record. Vibora wait to the very end to unleash their title-track (and longest song) ‘Egin Ez Dugun Guztia’. Rallying cries that encourage us all to be on the right side of history lead into seemingly mid-tempo screamo/hardcore, providing final closure amongst a tremendous barrage of noise.

There’s something very original and raw about this album. Vibora seem to be able to tap into a sound that crosses many boundaries musically, binding heaviness with melody and beauty at the same time. I’m going to stop over-analysing it all now and just say that it’s awesome!

You can purchase the album digitally and on vinyl from Vibora below:-

You can also buy the album on vinyl via the below links:-

BCore - https://bcstore.bcoredisc.com/shop/hardcore-punk/screamo/vibora/vinyl/lp/lp-colour/egin-ez-dugun-guztia/

Zegema Beach Records CAN/INTL - http://www.zegemabeachrecords.com/zegema-beach-releases/vibora2 / USA - https://zbrusa.com/collections/zbr-releases/products/vibora2

Vibora Instagram - @viboraband

BCore - https://www.facebook.com/bcoredisc

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

Sun of the Dying - A Throne Of Ashes

Labels: AOP Records

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 21 Nov 2025

Tracklist:

1. Martyrs

2. Black Birds Beneath Your Sky

3. With Wings Aflame

4. The Greatest Of Winters

5. The House Of Asterion

6. Of Absence

I seriously need to do something about my inbox, but that's for another day! When I chose to write about the newest full-length from Spanish doom-death band Sun of the Dying, I had no idea it had been six years since their previous release The Earth Is Silent, which I wrote about back in December 2019. In cooperation with long time supporters AOP Records, Sun of the Dying have released A Throne Of Ashes on CD and vinyl formats, as well as digitally.

I find that I can listen to pretty much any genre of metal at any time of the year, but listening to doom-death on a dark/cold December night makes the experience even greater. Sun of the Dying open their newest album with the majestic ‘Martyrs’, which is filled with soaring gothic-like melodies and passages of searing death metal. I could draw on many comparisons here from both Scandinavia and the UK, but I’m not going to. It’s better that this music is allowed to stand alone.

You’d be forgiven for thinking that after such a melodramatic opener, Sun of the Dying would perhaps move in a more uptempo direction given the shorter length of ‘Black Birds Beneath Your Sky’; instead, they present a more minimalistic approach during the verses, which is punctuated by melodic choruses and heaviness that’s joined by choral brightness. 

This release contains boat loads of musical maturity, as the guitars, percussion and keys demonstrate throughout. ‘With Wings Aflame’ is beautifully symphonic early on and the mix of Eduardo Guilló’s deep melodic tones/harsh growls and the clean vocals of guest Antinoë seem to elevate the song and Sun of the Dying’s sound further as it progresses. 

This sextet has mastered the art of throwing the listener off the scent when it comes to musical direction, as ‘The Greatest Of Winters’ highlights. From the fast, blasting intro to the doom-laden verses to follow; there’s no room for guessing what Sun of the Dying are gonna do next. What they do is inject the song with a breathy mix of introspection and death metal ferocity all rolled into one cohesive package. The keys towards the end are absolutely beautiful too.

Penultimate song ’The House Of Asterion’ is heavy right from the off but once again, Sun of the Dying lull you into a false sense of security (for those of you who prefer your doom-death leaning more towards death metal), as they drop back into another loverly melodic passage soon after. Some might say that their song-writing and structure is traditional in one sense, but at the same time there’s an unexpected nature to it as well. The mix of gothic gloom, downtempo heaviness and orchestral unease accentuates that point.

Closing with ‘Of Absence’, Sun of the Dying have one more chance to explore their exquisitely melodic side, where keys and guitars rule over the drums as the harsh vocals enter the fray,. Thankfully, the vocals don’t overpower the music as a whole and add to what is a gloriously emotive song, filled with fantastic melodic elements.

This album is a beautiful body of work from a band that continue to forge their own path. The only genuine similarity I can draw on here would be Portuguese doom/death band Moonspell; however, Sun of the Dying in their own right need to be appreciated. Epic and thought-provoking in every sense.

You can purchase A Throne Of Ashes on all formats from Sun of the Dying below:-

Physical copies can also be ordered from AOP Records here - https://shop.aoprecords.de/gb/49-sun-of-the-dying.

Sun of the Dying - https://www.facebook.com/SunofTheDying

AOP Records - https://www.facebook.com/aoprecs

Crossed - Realismo Ausente

Labels: Fireflies Fall/Navalla Discos/Saltamarges/Through Love Records/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 21 Mar 2025

Tracklist:

1. Ojos Cerrados

2. Vaciar Un Corazón

3. Distrés

4. Monotonia De La Lluvia En La Ventana

5. Cerrojo

6. Carne Atravesada

7. Sentirse Solo

8. Cruz Vertical

9. Cuerpo Distorsionado

10. Realismo Dolor

11. Catedral

I've been in love with Spanish hardcore/metal band Crossed ever since I purchased a copy of their 2022 album Morir from Left Hand Label (which was a co-release with Clever Eagle Records, Pundonor Record and Zegema Beach Records). Following their 2022 split release with Vibora and the 2024 EP Vida Quieta, Crossed return with their newest album Realismo Ausente. For those still unfamiliar, Crossed is made up of members from Boneflower, Descubriendo a Mr Mime and Eros+Massacre.

This album isn’t even a month old yet, so I don’t feel that far behind for once! Self-deprecation aside, Crossed are on an absolute roll. Opener ‘Ojos Cerrados’ fills the speakers (and room) with a screeching, heady mix of twinkly post-hardcore and blackened metal. It acts as an ice-breaker or an initiation if you will as it’s followed by ‘Vaciar Un Corazón’, which is filled with much more intensity and a whole lot of groove too. I for one wasn’t expecting that! The percussion sits a little deeper in the mix, while the bass and guitars ramp up the volume alongside the high-pitched vocals. 

‘Distrés’ opens up yet more sonic avenues on this release, as Crossed manically switch between upbeat punk rhythms and off-kilter signatures that truly blur genre lines. They purposefully ignore the need to write lengthy songs and allow momentum to do it’s thing. ‘Monotonia De La Lluvia En La Ventana’ is another case in point with it’s unnerving feedback and panic-inducing riffs. This song is somewhat different in approach as it relies on spoken-word vocals during the first-half before the band hits top gear once again.

In a time where bands are crossing genres as if they never existed, ‘Cerrojo’ offers no safe haven. Proper core riffs/bass delivered alongside eardrum-bursting screams and upfront drumming amplifies how far Crossed are willing to go for their art. ‘Carne Atravesada’ is filled with the most unnerving noise and screams, it’s easy to forget that this isn’t a noise/ambient black metal release. I mean, it sort of is but not in that sense as it’s got much more to it like the blasting insanity of ’Sentirse Solo’, which comes complete with mathcore-esque panic chords and added post-metal riffs.

The excellent continuation you get on Realismo Ausente doesn’t go unnoticed, The way Crossed uses feedback and natural sounds to bridge gaps between songs works perfectly. ‘Cruz Vertical’ is testament to that as it instantly hits after ’Sentirse Solo’ has seemingly ended, filling the speakers with heavy hardcore and repetition that actually sounds good!. They can do no wrong, as proven by the glorious yet metallic melody that opens ‘Cuerpo Distorsionado’. Those metallic tones make themselves heard throughout the song, while huge stomping riffs and high-pitched shrieks override the senses alongside cymbal-led percussive crashes. 

Penultimate song ‘Realismo Dolor’ both carries on the momentum left by it’s predecessor but also brings the earlier groove back to the forefront of Crossed’s sound, along with the spoken-word/shouted portion of the vocals. Ending with the album’s longest song ‘Catedral’, Crossed treat you to the heaviest piece overall. It contains pretty much everything that this record has to offer sonically, while creating the ultimate soundscape in which to conclude.

Crossed have always been heavy but that term is subjective. Some listeners will consider Morir to be a lot heavier while others will say the same about this album. I’m not looking to draw a proper comparison between the two (though it reads like I am) and I do like to approach records as I find them. Realismo Ausente is a great record filled with so much density. This year is passing by far too quickly, don’t let records like this do the same.

You can stream and purchase the album both digitally and physically from Crossed below:-

Crossed - https://www.facebook.com/crossedxband

You can also buy physical copies from the labels below:-

Fireflies Fall - https://firefliesfall.com/shop/

Navalla Discos - https://navalla.bandcamp.com/merch

Saltamarges - https://saltamarges.bandcamp.com/merch

Through Love Records - https://shop.throughloverec.com/collections/releases

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

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

Navalla Discos - https://www.facebook.com/navalladiscos

Saltamarges - https://www.facebook.com/saltamarges

Through Love Records - https://www.facebook.com/ThroughLoveRec

Zegema Beach Records - https://www.facebook.com/zegemabeachrecords

Retador - Ear​ë​ndel

Labels: Xtreem Music

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 21 Jan 2025

Tracklist:

1. Ear ë ndel

2. Somos Eternos

3. La Sombra de tu Existir

4. Redes

5. Lux Ferre

6. Asesino

7. Profanado

8. Terror en la Noche

9. Abismo 52 (outro)

Spanish thrash metal quartet Retador are due to release their second album Ear ë ndel via fellow Spanish extreme metal label Xtreem Music later this month, whom also released their debut self-titled album back in 2023. Retador have been compared to German teutonic thrash bands like Kreator and Sodom, as well as earlier Sepultura and Death Angel amongst others. If those comparisons don't wet your appetite for this album, then hopefully that striking cover art will.

It’s absolutely freezing here at the moment. The pavements are slick with ice and it’s been close to -10 over the last couple of days in the evenings. I didn’t write anything last night due to being exhausted after trudging through snow and making sure I didn’t stack it on the ice. Some good old comforting Spanish thrash metal is thankfully close to hand tonight, as is a lovely glass of red wine. 

Album opener and title-track ‘Ear ë ndel’ may first appear as an intro track but it’s so much more than that, as Retador’s excellent thrash metal bursts into life with uptempo instrumentation and harsh, old-school vocals (including some excellent falsettos too!). I go back and forth with thrash metal at times, as I find some bands to be quite atonal and rigid in their song-writing; however, there are times when a band comes out of seemingly nowhere and smacks me clean in the chops. 

On the strength of the opener, Retador are definitely the latter. I’m hoping it’s not just there to pull you in and ’’Somos Eternos’ proves it isn’t. It’s maybe not quite as theatrical in the guitar-department but the gang vox and extra falsettos, alongside the consistently amazing percussion and bass seal the deal early on. Later on it’s the turn of the guitars to truly work their magic again, as epic solos give way to twin-leads and furious riffs. 

I feel this write-up is going to be longer than originally planned, but I don’t really care when the music’s this good. ‘La Sombra de tu Existir’ initially sounds slightly more restrained but the chains are removed before too long as the music switches up a notch once again. I’ve already said that I think this year’s gonna be another stellar year for metal and I stand by that statement. Retador are flying the flag for thrash as a sub-genre and they really stand out!

‘Redes’ sees Retador presenting the most barbaric and straight-forward version of themselves in thrash metal terms. They fit in a couple of epic guitar solos and twin-guitar passages later on but this is still one of their heaviest songs so far. ‘Lux Ferre’ follows in pretty much the same format. No time is wasted and no quarter given As the album crosses over to it’s latter half, Retador’s catchiness continues to amaze and surprise.

‘Asesino’ is not a tribute to the US band of the same name. Instead, it’s gang-vox fuelled proto-thrash that pulls no punches, even when Retador pull off a melodic instrumental mid-section. If you long for simpler times when the sub-genre was fast and full of unbridled rawness then you’ll find plenty to enjoy here. ‘Profanado’ comes at you with a very different feel early on, with a brooding mid-paced intro that leads into off-kilter musicianship and semi screamed/sung vocals. That formula is retained throughout the rest of the song to great effect.

Before you even realise it, you’re at penultimate song ’Terror en la Noche’ and it’s where Retador deliver their final (full) precision blast of Spanish thrash metal. It’s another frenetic song and it leads instantly into the album’s closer ‘Abismo 52’, which is an instrumental outro of epic proportions! To summarise, I can’t fault this record. That it’s only the 2nd release from Retador is mind-blowing as well. You have nine days to wait for the official release and it’ll definitely be worth that wait.

You can stream album track 'Asesino' and watch it's accompanying video on bandcamp below, where digital pre-orders are also open:-

Retador Instagram - @retador_oficial

Physical vinyl/cd pre-orders are live via Xtreem Music here too - https://www.xtreemmusic.com/shop/

Xtreem Music - https://www.facebook.com/xtreemmusic666

Tröpical Ice Land - D

Labels: Dingleberry Records/Krimskramz/Zegema Beach Records

Formats: Vinyl/Digital

Release Date: 04 Mar 2019

Tracklist:

1. Calliphoriade

2. Amittat

3. Teresa

4. Kokoro no kaze

5. Reverencia a la nada

6. Pluie de feu

I'm delving back into the earlier release catalogue of Zegema Beach Records this evening, as part of my ongoing roster review series (which I really need to pick up the pace on). Spanish trio Tröpical Ice Land released their 2019 LP D via ZBR in early 2019, with help from Dingleberry Records and Krimskramz too!

It marked their fourth release as a band (though 'Amittat' was released as a standalone single and 'Teresa' appeared on ZBR's Zampler #12 before the full record saw the light of day). The band have links to Enze, Empty Heads and Strong Noises. I first properly discovered them thanks to their appearance on the 2020 five-way split Cinq that also featured Jeanne, Potence, Les Deux Minutes De La Haine and Yarostan.

I was going to open this review with something completely off topic, but it didn’t feel right. My brain works in odd ways sometimes! Allow me to guide you into D by Tröpical Ice Land instead with it’s opener ‘Calliphoriade’. Now it’s probably just me but does that first sixty-second intro remind anybody of ‘Aerials’ by System Of A Down? That’s not a comparison, it’s just an observation because Tröpical Ice Land are on a completely different plane musically, as their atmospheric post-hardcore takes over. 

Majestic and cinematic in the best possible way, without the explosive nature that the sub-genre can possess. Maybe it’s the time of year but I’m here for slower tempos and almost glacial atmosphere, which Tröpical Ice Land deliver beautifully. ‘Amittat’ follows directly on in the same vein, though a retreat into silence and introspection does give way to a more violent approach, which actually brings to mind Spanish compatriots Descubriendo Y Mr. Mime and Hurricade (whose split 7” was also released via Dingleberry Records and Krimskramz, alongside Dog Knights Productions back in 2016). 

After two frankly palatial numbers, ‘Teresa’ comes at you with an unexpected level of rawness. Maybe it’s because of the hasher vocal delivery or the crustier-edge to the instrumentation. Whatever the reason though, it does nothing to dampen the enjoyment you’ll get from this release. As ‘Kokoro no kaze’ signals the record’s latter half, it does so in deceiving fashion as it starts off with the atmosphere that opened things before launching into heavier vibes. 

Penultimate song ‘Reverencia a la nada’ is the most dramatic song on D and as it builds to a likely crescendo, it reminds me of how fleeting my attention span can be at times. Thankfully, I’m dragged back into the moment around about two-and-a-half minutes in by more abrasive screamo/emoviolence (why hasn’t someone just come up with the sub-genre “screamoviolence” yet?).

Closing out with ‘Pluie de feu’, Tröpical Ice Land leave you spellbound thanks to a gut-wrenchingly beautiful instrumental that was slightly unexpected but not out of place. I have this thing where I’m scared to be late but also think that I never have enough time to do things, so I always leave plenty of time for everything. Maybe I just need to chill. I didn’t think I’d have enough time for this tonight but sitting down to write this review after ironing (yes, my life is that glamorous!) has made me relax and truly appreciate this musical moment.

Now, while I implore you to purchase D on vinyl or digitally from Tröpical Ice Land via their bandcamp page below; their songs are also available as free downloads on the same page:-

Tröpical Ice Land - https://www.facebook.com/Tropicaliceland

Physical copies are also still available from the labels below:-

Dingleberry Records - https://www.discogs.com/seller/dingleberryrecords/profile

Krimskramz - https://krimskramz.com/produkt-kategorie/krimskramz-releases/

Zegema Beach Records - https://zbrusa.com/

Dingleberry Records - https://www.facebook.com/DingleberryRecordsAndDistribution

Krimskramz - https://www.facebook.com/krimskramzstuff

Zegema Beach Records - https://www.facebook.com/zegemabeachrecords