Nel Buio/Self Titled/Avantgarde Music/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Nel  Buio  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a mixture  of  black  metal  and  darkwave  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  2025  album  which  will  be  released  on  December  5th  by  Avantgarde  Music.

  Synths  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times  while  also  adding  in  elements  of  darkwave.  Programmed  beats  are  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  Growls  are  also  used  at  times  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style,  clear  singing  and  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  tracks.

  On  this  recording  Neil  Buio  continue  to  expand  on  the  mixture  of  black  metal  and  darkwave  that  they  introduced  on  their  previous  release.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  tragic  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Nel  Buio  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black  metal  and  darkwave,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Splendeva  di  vita,"  "Col  cuore  puro"  and  "Eppur  perdona.".  8  out  of  10.

  https://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/nel-buio-ii

https://www.instagram.com/nel_buio_blackwave

https://nel-buio.bandcamp.com

https://youtu.be/UqsNZXKHwe0

    

Baneful Tongue/Self Titled/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Baneful  Tongue  are  a  solo  project  from  Norway  that  plays  a  dissonant  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  and  self  released  2025  album.

  A  very  fast  and  brutal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  while  dark  sounding  melodies  are  also added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  deep  death  metal  growls  and  the  recording  also  has  its  dissonant  moments.

  A  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length   while  the  album  also  adds  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  tremolo  picking  in  the  fast  riffing  also  giving t he  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling,  clear  chants  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  the  guitar  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style..

  Baneful  Tongue  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  the  dissonant  forms  of  black  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  s  sound  of  his  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  damnation  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Baneful  Tongue  is  a  very  great  sounding  dissonant  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Rot  of  Belief"  and  "Divine  Dissonance".  8  out  of  10.

  https://banefultongue.bandcamp.com/album/baneful-tongue

Dark Divination Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project? 

Dark Divination is a rawish black metal band hailing from Finland. Dark Divination’s musical outlet can be described as highly melancholic but at the same time purely aggressive. 

2.In December you have your first full length coming out, musically how does it differ from your previous ep's and demo? 

I have developed as a composer a lot from the previous releases and I believe that on this album I have achieved a more unique and satisfactory sound. The synths on this album are in a big role and I started playing keyboard again just a while ago, so the development on synth can be definitely heard. On a few releases including Liitto hengen ja veren i have used an old yamaha psr synth that i got when i was 5 years old. Some could say the album's sound is built around the synth. I have always wanted to make beautiful and purely melancholic soundscapes and I believe that the synths have highlighted the melodies the most effectively.

3.You are also involved with a few other bands and projects, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Dark Divination;, that you have not been able to do with your previous groups? 

In Dark Divination the project's concept, themes and outlet have always been only my vision. Its purpose has always been just to express myself in the most natural way. 

4.A lot of the lyrics on the new album focus on spirituality and death, can you tell us  which aspects of these topics you bring out with your songwriting? 

My lyrics are highly personal and usually discuss my own worldview, how I see things and feel them in a spiritual manner. As for death, I use death mainly as a metaphor for spiritual decay and reconstruction. I see death as purely sacred. Because Dark Divination's lyrics have been focused on death, darkness, nihilism, et cetera, the sound should reflect that. It's also a reflection on how I feel/experience such things, which adds to the necessity of melancholy.

5.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with your music? 

Dark Divination’s lyrics can be highly nihilistic and question social structures and norms. The main lyrical source is reflection of my thoughts and mind. Manifesto of my worldview and my ideologies. 

6What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Dark Divination'? 

I came up with the name when I was in junior high school. The name back then didn't mean much to me and just sounded cool on paper. As time has passed, the name has started to create a meaning by itself. At this time the name represents to me the age of decay; the time of kali yuga.

7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

I wanted the album art to be as simple as possible. The album art includes only the logo, album name and a picture of myself. I think that the music represents the album much better than just a shallow album art. Because the whole project is focused on my thoughts, it is natural that I am present in the album art. No more needs to be added to it. As for the picture, it was taken near my home in a forest which I have visited the entirety of my life. The picture place has a deep emotional connection for me.  

 

8.With this project you record everything by yourself but have worked with musicians in other projects, do you prefer to work solo?

On this project I prefer to work solo because I want to create my own visions and views. On other projects/bands or collaborations, I want to expand upon the musical views, ideas and processes so that it isn't just me but a bigger entity, if you will.

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal? 

I have gotten very much positive feedback. In general, the reception to my music has been really positive. Although it's always good to hear positive feedback, I wouldn't mind constructive criticism at all. 

10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that you are a part of? 

I don’t want to spoil too much but new releases are coming but with time and large effort. I am currently writing songs for Valonkantaja's full length album. Songwriting is a long process and it consumes a lot of time. There will probably be a fairly large span of time until another big release. In other projects with other people the process is obviously lengthened because you have to collaborate on ideas together. By myself, it's a much faster process since I don't have to run it by another person.

11.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future? 

I am trying to develop my composing skills and improve my sound more to my liking. I would never consider music as a career option because I want to make music purely regardless of money or financial concerns. Music should never stem from money. 

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays? 

The first black metal band I ever heard was Burzum. It's a band that I can always come back to and can never really get tired of it. The synths on Hvis lyset tar oss and Filosofem have always fascinated me. Burzum has had a big impact on my music and songwriting. Peste noire is another band that has influenced my songwriting, especially the Peste Noire side project Valfunde. I find the melancholy on their split release with Amesoeurs almost possessing. Outside black metal my biggest influence has been a Finnish goth rock band Varjo. Especially their EP “Ensinäytös” had a really big impact on me when I first heard it. Almost everything on that EP feels perfect to me.     

Recently I have been listening to a lot of neo-folk such as Pyhä Kuolema and Death in June. 

 13.Does Satanism or Occultism play any role in your music? 

Not directly as ideologies but through metaphors and symbolism. I may use occultism or other various ideologies to represent my own spirituality. Through occultism you can draw spirituality and the ideological concepts which can be adapted into music. 

14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Thank you for this interview and always keep the flame burning!

darkdivination.bandcamp.com

Propalitet Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project?

1. Propalitet is a solo atmospheric black metal/ambient project that was formed in 2024 by Inferno, it was a concept before 2024 dwelling in the back of my mind before I finally decided to realize it into a real project as a way for me to get my feelings and thoughts out.

 2.You have a new ep coming out in 2026, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

2. From my previous releases, i'd say it differs mostly in the sound. Hearts of the Forgotten is a lot more melancholic and atmospheric in my opinion, more blast-beats, larger walls of guitars and vocals.. similar to my previous releases but different in it's own way.

 3.Since 2024 you have released a great amount of music, do you spend most of your time writing and recording material?

3. Yes I do, most of my days are filled with writing, mixing,recording.. and me still being in high school and having lots of free time almost insinuates me to spend time creating.

 4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with the music?

4. I've explored many lyrical topics with my music from my personal experiences like hallucinations, attempts at suicide, depression, psychosis.. to more abstract or different topics like the afterlife, astrology, dreams, astral projections and so much more that it would be hard for me to list all of the topics that i've written about and or experienced in my music. Side note, I have never and will never include politics as a lyrical topic in my music.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Propalitet'?

5. Propalitet is a word over here in the balkans which means "failure", I named the band Propalitet as it is a one man band and because in a way I feel that I am a failure to other people (and in some ways) to myself.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?

6. The cover for Hearts of the Forgotten is a collage of pictures that is meant to represent me taking the listener of the ep down a path that I have gone down many times.. where some of my worst memories lay and the worst reflections of my life reside.

7.With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?

7. Well, if you mean by working with other musicians as in making splits, then maybe. But working with other musicians as in recruiting them as bandmates? No. I would only work with other musicians in a different band, but Propalitet will stay as a solo project.

 8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

8. I'm not looking for labels because for what I do, being unsigned feels right. But I wouldn't mind getting signed if I was given a good opportunity.

 9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?

9. It's been positive, I haven't seen any negative reactions to my music so far. If someone does have something negative to say about my music, my email is always open to feedback.

10.Where do you see yourself heading into musically during the future?

10. Tough to say, I don't know what the future holds for me and only time will tell. But I think whatever does happen is gonna be a good outcome.

11. I listen to a lot of bands, and I mean A LOT, and I also listen to most music genres so it's hard to say which ones influenced/inspired me the most. But for Propalitet, I think that Xasthur, Trist, Burzum, Paysage d'hiver, Aakon Keetreh, (and so many more) have influenced my sound and inspired me the most. Nowadays I'm listening to many other

genres and bands that have piqued my interest in them. (Kino, Primitive Warfare, Crowbar just to name a few...)

 11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

11. I listen to a lot of bands, and I mean A LOT, and I also listen to most music genres so it's hard to say which ones influenced/inspired me the most. But for Propalitet, I think that Xasthur, Trist, Burzum, Paysage d'hiver, Aakon Keetreh, (and so many more) have influenced my sound and inspired me the most. Nowadays I'm listening to many other

genres and bands that have piqued my interest in them. (Kino, Primitive Warfare, Crowbar just to name a few...)

 12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

12. Not much else to say, thank you for the interview and review and thank you for the work you're doing in the metal community. It's been

a pleasure.

1. open.spotify.com
2. Instagram

Barditus/Nibelungentreue/Purity Through Fire/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Barditus  are  a  duo  from  Germany  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  an  acoustic  mixture  of  black  metal  and  neo-folk  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Nibelungentreue"  which  will  be  released  on  December 6th  by  Purity  Through  Fire.

  Acoustic  guitars  start  off  the  album  while  also  introducing  elements  of  medieval  folk  music  onto  the  recording.  When  clear  vocals  are  utilized  they  also  bring  in  more  of  a  pagan  neo-folk  style  while  spoken  words  are  also  used  at  times  and  some  of  the  tracks  also  add  in  some  tribal  style  percussion.

  At  times  the  music  also  captures  the  dark  atmosphere  of  pagan  black  metal  while  a  couple  of  songs  also  add  in  some  spoken  words  from  Ian  Reed  of  Fire  +  Ice  and  Dutch  born  Rune  Magician  Freya  Aswynn.  Folk  instruments  are  also  introduced  on  a  later  track  and  as  the  album  progresses  electric  guitars,  harsh  noises,  melodic  solos  and  leads  as  well  as  some  grim  vocals  are  also  utilized  on a  couple  of  tracks.

 On  this  recording  Barditus  takes  black  metal  and  neo-folk  and  mixes  them  together  as  well  as  keeping  most  of  the  music  acoustic  to  create  something  original.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  German  and  cover  Germanic  Paganism,  Greek  Mythology,  Christian  Symbolism  of  the  Middle  Ages  and  National  Romanticism.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Barditus  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  acoustic  black  metal  and  neo-folk,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Nordisches  Herz"  "Song  Of  The  Spring"  "Immer  bereit!"  and  "Das  Gericht".  8  out  of  10.

  barditus.bandcamp.com   

Uhl/Habitant Des Tempêtes/2024 Full Length Review

 

    Uhl  are  a  duo  from  France  that  plays  a  very  raw  and  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2024  album  "Habitant  Des  Tempêtes".

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear a   good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  recording  also  adding  in a   good  amount  of  old  school  influences,  when  guitar  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  as  well  as  one  track  also  being  a  brief  instrumental.

  Uhl  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw  and  aggressive  in  the  classic  European  tradition.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  French  and  cover  nihilism,  skepticism  and  nature  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Uhl  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  old  school  black  metal  duo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "La  Foudre  Ente  Ses  Mains"  and  "Neuf  Nuits".  8  out  of  10.

  https://uhluhluhl.bandcamp.com/album/habitant-des-temp-tes

Umbrio Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?

Greetings from Southern Chile! Thank you for sending us this interview. “O” to answer this.

We are currently waiting to receive our copies of this album. In the meantime, we are rehearsing the songs from the album for upcoming live performances.

2.Recently you have released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

Musically, the composition is a bit more complex than our previous work. Instrumentally, we incorporated the use of keyboards and clean vocals to enhance the soundscape.

3.All of the band members are also in other bands, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Umbrio', that you have not been able to do with your other groups?

Yes, all of us are involved in other projects. However, in Umbrío, the idea is to continue, in a way, the musical direction we've been taking. Playing raw, cold, and intense, yet atmospheric. Which is something that isn't replicated in our other projects.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?

 The themes explored in the band's lyrics revolve primarily around death, animism, and the occult. All framed within the context of the darkness of nature that surrounds us in southern Chile.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Umbrio'?

"Umbrío" is synonymous with something gloomy. The band's name is oriented towards the dark and hidden side of things, of people (living or dead), and especially of nature.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

The idea behind the cover art was to present a visual description of what "Quintaesencia Nocturna" is. To achieve this, we contacted the Chilean illustrator "Nox Fragor." We explained the theme and main idea to him, as well as some visual references to help him create the artwork. He worked on the idea and sent us progress updates until, together, we decided the work was finished.

7.Has the band done any live shows or open to the idea?

Yes, we've done a few live shows. We don't usually play live very often. However, I think we've played four times this year. That's a lot for us. But they were valuable invitations, ones we considered. We've also had the honor of playing alongside great Chilean bands like Cold, Mortuary Avshy, and soon, Temple.

8.The new album was released on 'Vampiric Militant Legions', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

VML is a label that has just formally launched in Romania. We contacted Damian, from the band “Vampiric Oath,” who also runs the YouTube channel “Metal Blasfemo,” as he was interested in recruiting bands for his new label. However, he stated that he didn't want to accept just any band, since the label focuses on Black Metal. After sending him our album, lyrics, artwork, and a description of the central themes, they offered us an exclusive European edition of 100 CD copies.

 

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal/

It's probably a bit of a stretch to refer to the "rest of the world" when discussing the response or reaction to our music. However, the places (or people) we've reached who are interested in this style of music and this particular sound have given us interesting feedback. We've received very positive reviews. Everyone offers their own interpretation of our work, focusing on some of its central themes. Perhaps we didn't achieve much reach with our first album. However, with "Quintaesencia Nocturna," the band has gained a bit more recognition.

10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

Our main side projects, which are currently active, are working on new material. Avernal Vulture M.E. is working on "Flamas de Odio." Argvs Noctes is working on "Catafalco." And I (O) am working on "Detest."

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

I don't think the band's core idea will change.  The atmosphere will probably explore some other sounds or elements, but it will remain within the realm of extreme music.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Umbrió's music and compositions have likely been influenced by bands from the tumultuous first half of the 1990s. Bands that I still listen to today, such as Mayhem, Darkthrone, Burzum, Emperor, Satyricon, Gorgoroth, Dissection, Marduk, Nifelheim, Dark Funeral, Abigor, Judas Iscariot, Nagelfar, Summoning, and Horns (Chile), to name a few. As well as more recent bands that keep the flame of the old days of Black Metal alive, such as Taake, Mare, Djevel, Darvaza, Necropole, Wildes Heer (Chile), and many more.

13.Does Paganism and Occultism play any role in your music?

Directly or indirectly, occultism is related to our music, or its themes. It depends on how you interpret the music, lyrics, and artwork as a whole.

14.Before we wrap up this interview. do you have any final words or thoughts?

Thank you for your interest and for wanting to learn more about us and our musical spectral universe.

I hope you were able to find some of what you were looking for. I also hope that whoever reads this will be able to understand some of our music and immerse themselves in it. Greetings from Valdivia, Chile. 

O.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Vj6_MbrMVU