In this feature, we look back at a number of reviews from the previous month, focusing on albums that were released in that month, or are yet to be released. We perform this retrospective with several members of the staff, who were also given the opportunity to have their say. This can confirm the judgement of the original review, or perhaps offer a slightly different perspective. Above all, it is intended to bring a few more albums to light in these fleeting modern times: you never know if something might have flown under the radar.
I must admit, only coming up with an article about May now is quite embarrassing. A fine piece of time management on my part. Of course, the option to just skip it altogether is there, but I simply cannot do that to the staff members who put the effort into it.
In May, we shared our thoughts on an act that has already well and truly earned its stripes: At the Gates. But we also covered a band that has caused quite a stir online in a short space of time: Frozen Soul. A new rising star or overhyped? Furthermore, we put the split by Dark Divination and Wampyric Rites, the EP by Wrath of the Apostate, and the full-length by Lago under the magnifying glass. (Ricardo)
Dark Divination / Wampyric Rites – Finnish Ecuador Alliance [Split]
Signal Rex
The Finnish Dark Divination and the Ecuadorian Wampyric Rites are two Black Metal acts whose productivity certainly cannot be denied, each contributing one track to this 7” split.
VincentP described Dark Divination’s side as follows: “With a sound deeply diving into the Finnish roots of the band, it combined the typical riff-driven melancholy of the country’s stalwarts with the uncanny sense of atmosphere of Cosmic Church… As the final minute ebbs out in cosmic ambiance, Dark Divination once again manages to impress by at least temporarily taking away the yearning for departed bands like Cosmic Church with this new song.”
Regarding side B, he noted: “Wampyric Rites brings their typical take on 90’s / 00’s inspired raw Black Metal… Production wise, ‘Evil Spirit of Varcolaci’ is quite close to the Signal Rex released ‘The Wolves Howl to the Moon’ album, with a sound that’s raw but clear enough to dissect all the parts.”
Rocky had the following to say: “A solid cross continental pact of pure malice. Dark Divination delivers that classic, mid-2000s freezing Finnish filth that drags you through the mud before tearing apart from inside. Wampyric Rites delivers with blood drenched atmosphere and killer synth to hook ones for few more repeats.” Huw could also appreciate the split: “Dark Divination’s contribution to this split is a meditative, enchanting and bone-chilling cut, with a wonderful synth embellishment towards the close. The track offered up by Wampyric Rites is a blistering, cavernous torrent that brings shrill lead guitars and a sound that is massive in terms of spatial scope.”
Stijn agreed with the rest, although he did have a slight preference: “Entertaining and atmospheric black metal split from two bands from both ends of the world, one song each. I prefer Dark Divination slightly, with their lingering, mminimalistic approach. But I can enjoy Wampyric Rites with their melodic riffing and convincing vocals as well.”
Frozen Soul – No Place of Warmth
Century Media
Huw, who can certainly appreciate a modern edge, is bitterly disappointed: “I’ve admired Frozen Soul’s approach to modern traditional Death Metal quite a bit in recent years, they’ve been a unique and stand-out act within the contemporary genre. That’s why it’s so disappointing to me that this album falls far below the excitement I expect from this band. The album is caked in boring and aimless guitar playing, a linear, tiresome use of tempo, not to mention that the star-studded feature list is barely utilised and adds virtually nothing to the album’s merits… of which there are few… ‘No Place of Warmth’ is a big, underwhelming regression.”
First, a dissenting voice. Will “Bones” Lee had his own take on it: “I will be honest I always thought the Bolt Thrower worship was a bit too much. Well with this release call me a changed man! I think they may be getting more of their own feel and adding a bit more “other influences” in the songwriting dept. Also the production on this is legit!”
Rocky does not agree with Huw either: “A steamrolling caveman Death Metal with surprising association with of featuring Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance. It’s crazy to say, Gerard DELIVERS voice of no frills with chugging Texas styled brutality colliding head on with classic Bolt Thrower groove. This thing packs a massive icy punch, which seems like a strong fusion of old school Death Metal, Hardcore, and Texas grooves”
After a few listens, Stijn is certainly not convinced: “Despite the utterly obvious similarities with a certain British war-themed Death Metal band, a band I hold in very high regard, Frozen Soul lacks that magical touch. Decent riffing and cool vocals, but a tad too bland for my taste.”
Ricardo cannot really do much with it either: “I fully believe that broadening their horizons will immediately appeal to a wider audience, and Frozen Soul is hardly unique in doing so, but there are plenty of known cases where the music drifts towards being a crowd-pleaser, becoming too friendly, which is exactly how I feel about this album. Trying to draw in people who might not normally listen to Frozen Soul with gimmicks like ‘featuring Machine Head’ may be smart from a marketing perspective, but then you have to ensure it actually adds value to a track. Some are already calling it ‘album of the year,’ but in my opinion, if you think that, you’re searching with your eyes closed.”
Huw does not budge an inch from his stance: “My thoughts as expressed in my review for this album still stand. This is an uninspiring album with bland one-dimensional instrumention and big name guest features that add nothing to the already mind numbing experience.”
Lago – Vigil
Everlasting Spew Records
We have been following the American band Lago for quite a while now, and 2026 marked their return after eight years. X grabbed the album with both hands and appreciated it from the very first minute to the last: “After several front to back listens, I can confidently confirm that Lago’s awakening from the long slumber in between ‘Sea of Duress’ and the present day was built around patience, purpose and building something not only meant to hold up against the music of their peers but go a step beyond the traditional Death Metal guardrails in favor of making something entirely unique.”
Stijn also sat down and gave it a proper listen: “Highly explosive mixture of Black and Death Metal. Well executed, good sense of melody and loads of dynamics. The band feels comfortable at both hyperspeed and slow parts. Very entertaining.”
Will heard something he certainly didn’t expect: “If Immolation ever decides to call it a day, I think Lago would be contenders for the throne. This release definitely caught me by surprise.”
Rocky was equally convinced of the album’s quality: “Lago returns from a long slumber. And here delivered a suffocating and dissonant darkness that reminiscent of Immolation in current era. It’s surgical and bone crushing American death metal precision with some atmospheric assault. Like the current era Immolation the production can be swaying experience for many, yet its a dense and punishing offering by them.”
Wrath of the Apostate – In Verecundiam [EP]
A Fine Day to Die Records
Besides the familiar names, as you know, we always keep an eye out for the obscure. Wrath of the Apostate can certainly be listed among them. Their ‘In Verecundiam’ EP was released on cassette by the underground label A Fine Day to Die Records, and LV captured the gem well: “There isn’t that much information on the band but the 5 tracks on the EP display brutal as fuck tyrannical trve Black Metal at its finest. Over 21 minutes of undiluted mayhem that will please the diehard fans of the genre.” Following the release of the EP, the band surrounding Ad Hominem’s Kanwulf decided to call it quits.
Stijn didn’t quite share the enthusiasm of that review: “Swansong of this project, as it is no longer active by now. Twenty minutes of intense Black Metal, which has its decent moments here and there, but quite forgettable as a whole.”
Rocky, however, sided with LV: “France always surprises hard in Black Metal. And, Wrath of the Apostate proven that again with their cold, uncompromising, and drenched in traditional black metal. From the very beginning they unleashes a grim and hateful storm that cuts like a rusted blade through the ear and soul. The overall production, specially the snare and the drums kicks sounds like a dagger to the modern scene, which relies on polished output. From starts to finish, this is a short and determined shock of pure audio hostility”
At The Gates – The Ghost of a Future Dead
Century Media
X started his review with the right words: “There’s not much more to be said about At the Gates that hasn’t already been said throughout their 30+ year history.” Yet this album is different from all other At The Gates albums.
Tompa lost his battle with the terrible disease cancer, however, just before his operation, he managed to immortalise his voice on this record.
“Musically this is At the Gates in peak form. The band has an uncanny ability to write incredibly catchy riffs and utilize a variety of chordal structuring to shift moods as they please throughout the entire release. There’s moments of mournful melody, fist pumping groove, speed and everything in between” is how X describes the Swedish band on this album. Regarding Tompa, he continues: “…Lindberg provided a triumphant and strong final performance worthy to stand up against any of his previous efforts across all of his past projects.”
Rocky shared the following: “At The Gates, is at your gates again. This is surely an emotionally charged deliverance that serves as the ultimate monument to the late Tomas Lindberg. Blending the razor sharp thrashing energy of ‘Slaughter of the Soul’ with deep and haunting darkness, the whole record is a ferocious, hard-hitting and nostalgia invoking final statement from one of the true forefathers of the Gothenburg sound. Horns up for Tompa!”
Will was short but sweet: “I can remember when ‘The Red In The Skies Is Ours’ was released. How much it changed the musical landscape. I will now remember this one as well for what it represents.”
Stijn appreciates the album, just like the rest: “Obviously this album does not have the same impact as a ‘Terminal Spirit Disease’ or ‘Slaughter of the Soul’. But this is very good album, meticulously crafted by clearly very experienced musicians. This album earns its place in At the Gates’ discography, and is a worthy farewell from and to Tompa.”
X concludes the piece with: “…take this for what it is, the classy and expertly crafted final offering of Gothenburg Death from At the Gates with the Godfather of the style himself at the helm. Rest in Power, “Tompa”.”
