There is something appropriately sinister about the way ‘Howls of Despair’ announces the arrival of Hymns of Darkness. Emerging from Milan in 2026, this one-man Black Metal project dives straight into the darker side of the genre, creating a world where despair, darkness and something distinctly feral seem to exist beneath every note.
The music carries a raw and shadowy character, balancing aggression with a strong sense of atmosphere. Rather than chasing unnecessary complexity, Hymns of Darkness focuses on the essential ingredients of Black Metal: cold guitars, harsh vocals, relentless momentum and an atmosphere that feels increasingly claustrophobic as the music unfolds. There is also a primitive quality to the recording that works in its favour. It gives ‘Howls of Despair’ the feeling of something created away from the modern world, where the music is less concerned with perfection and more interested in creating a particular state of mind. The themes of lycanthropy and anti-Christianity add another layer to that darkness, while the underlying sense of sadness prevents the material from becoming simply aggressive for aggression’s sake.
For a project only emerging in 2026, Hymns of Darkness already understands an important aspect of Black Metal: sometimes the most effective darkness is the darkness you leave unexplained. ‘Howls of Despair’ is a bleak first glimpse into a world of shadows, beasts and despair, and one that deserves to be watched as Hymns of Darkness develops further. Sometimes simplicity becomes the perfect way to approach music, and Black Metal is no exception.
