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In 2018, the ongoing work of Arckanum (Official) was formally concluded following the release of ‘Den Förstfödde’ (2017). The project’s sole member, Shamaatae, withdrew from musical activity to focus on his esoteric endeavors within the Thursatru Tradition and the writing of a series of books pertaining to his Thursian Workings.

After an extended creative and spiritual withdrawal, we are proud to announce, one decade later, that Shamaatae has now become musically active again and inspired to continue the legacy of Arckanum.

The musical material has been developed sporadically since 2016, in parallel with ongoing and corresponding esoteric practices. What has emerged is not the result of a conventional writing period, but of a longer process aligned with the same current that has always defined Arckanum, serving as one of the tools of its outward manifestation.

Two new albums have thus far been written, and the generation of material for a third is currently in progress. The first of these, entitled ‘Beswærilsin’, will be released in 2026 via Darkness Shall Rise Productions. Shamaatae is currently in the studio concluding the recording of this album.

‘Beswærilsin’ marks the opening of Arckanum’s third phase, an initiation arising from a deeper stratum of the Thursian current. It is not a return, nor a repetition, but an emergence shaped by what has been forged and endured through previous workings. Across eleven ritualistic compositions, the past is not revisited as nostalgia but reawakened as an anti-cosmic force.

Further details, including formats and exact release date, will be announced in due course.

Þæt ær æi en beswærilse sum koma skal.
Þæt ær beswærilsin af þæt som æn ær.

Swedish Black / Thrash Metal veterans Bewitched are back.

Forged in fire back in 1995, three decades of chaos now culminate in ‘Diabolical Death Mass’. Their new full-length will be unleashed on April 24th via Osmose Productions, making it the first studio release since 2006.

Years of silence were broken onstage, igniting triumphant infernos in Brazil, Colombia, Greece, and all across Europe, thus proving that the fire is burning brighter than ever.

Now, the circle is completed as Bewitched return to the legendary Osmose, the label that helped shape their early legacy. With ‘Diabolical Death Mass’, Bewitched deliver 11 tracks true to the traditional old-school Black/Thrash sound that made them known: savage riffs, anthemic power, and pure blackened fury. An uncompromising Hellcult attack, nothing more and nothing less.

‘Diabolical Death Mass’ is not a resurrection; Bewitched were never dead. Let the ritual begin.

Blood Harvest Records is proud to present Tombal’s striking debut EP, ‘Grave of the Damned’, on CD format. Unholy Domains will be handling the cassette version.

Making their way straight out of a grave and crawling into the human-known world, Tombal see the light in late 2025. Heavily inspired by the Hm-2’s fierce and sharp tones, Tombal channel the tradition of Swedish Death Metal, finding their identity in a violent, ferocious sound, with no compromises. The grave-risen band consists of Luigi Cara, with his annihilating guitars and growls; Massimiliano Falchi, on the butchering low-end four strings; and Luca Barone, the fresh blood behind the machine-gun-like drums.

‘Grave of the Damned’, Tombal’s public debut, is a swift & satisfying display of classic Swedeath. In just 16 minutes, the power-trio lay waste to all in their path; from fleet-footed gallops to gutted blasting, tar-thick riffing with just a bit of evil melody, and an undeniably authentic atmosphere of the early ’90s, the EP displays the band’s full arsenal, even at this early stage. So impressed by this opening statement, Blood Harvest have signed Tombal and will be unleashing the band’s debut album, which is slated to be recorded before year’s end. The past is alive…and undead!

Chilean Death Metallers Rotten Tomb proudly announce the release of their third full-length album, ‘Vestiges of Tortured Souls’, set for June 6th, 2026 via Nuclear Winter Records. The album will be available on LP, CD, and cassette formats, further cementing the band’s commitment to the underground tradition.

Formed in 2016 in Iquique, Rotten Tomb have steadily risen as one of the most compelling acts within the South American Extreme Metal scene, blending Death Metal with Doom-laden atmospheres and occult undertones. Following the strong impact of ‘Visions of a Dismal Fate’ (2022) and the equally praised ‘The Relief of Death’ (2024), the band now returns with their most ambitious and fully realized work to date.

‘Vestiges of Tortured Souls’ stands as one of the most anticipated Death Metal releases of the year. On this new record, Rotten Tomb refine their sonic identity without sacrificing intensity or authenticity. The riffs are sharper and more cohesive, while the melodies take on a more prominent role, painting soundscapes that feel more sorrowful and evocative than ever before.

Without losing any of the crushing heaviness and sense of decay that defined their earlier material, the band now delivers songs with an immediate and lasting impact. Each track strikes a balance between overwhelming force and carefully crafted lead guitar work, resulting in compositions that are both memorable and devastating.

The album channels the oppressive weight of the genre’s darkest pioneers alongside a deeply mournful and introspective atmosphere, while still maintaining a distinct and personal voice. This duality allows Rotten Tomb to push their sound forward, achieving a level of songwriting maturity that marks a clear evolution from their previous efforts.

‘Vestiges of Tortured Souls’ represents a major step forward for Rotten Tomb, solidifying their position at the forefront of Chile’s increasingly renowned Extreme Metal scene and extending their reach far beyond national borders.

Hells Headbangers is proud to present a brand-new EP from Norway’s Gouge, ‘Pure Deathfuck’, on 12″ vinyl, CD, and cassette tape formats.

Though it’s been a decade since their cult debut album, ‘Beyond Death’, the Norwegian duo of Gouge have still kept the old-school fire burning. Witness their long-awaited new record, ‘Pure Deathfuck’. Perfectly fucking titled, ‘Pure Deathfuck’ continues the same raw, rabid, and regressive sound they perfected on that celebrated debut: ravenous deathnoise steeped in the primordial slime of Repulsion, Autopsy, Death Strike, and very earliest Death. Still, what separated ‘Beyond Death’ from all other pretenders to the ‘old school’ throne was Gouge’s acute understanding of what drives those sounds rather than the replication of them, and that noble endeavor reaches a fever pitch with ‘Pure Deathfuck’. Five gutsfucking songs in 10 devilish minutes, ‘Pure Deathfuck’ achieves its goal with startling efficiency; darker and more doomed than ever, with a rude & restless execution matching content, making up for lost time by paradoxically sending the listener back to the mid/late ’80s.

Available as a stand-alone vinyl 12″ or cassette and also on CD with 2012’s ‘Doomed to Death’ debut EP as bonus tracks, ‘Pure Deathfuck’ proves that Gouge’s death is certain… life is not!

Hells Headbangers is proud to present Desolus’ highly anticipated second album, ‘Dwellers of the Twilight Void’, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.

It was but 2024 when Desolus burst onto the international metal map with their Hells Headbangers debut album, ‘System Shock’. Acclaimed by fans and media, the power trio’s first full-length immediately and irrevocably proved that, despite the glut of ’80s-style Thrash around, they’re indeed the Real Deal: while they may’ve been inspired by the likes of Sodom, Kreator, and Dark Angel, Desolus keenly understood what made those legends so vital: strong songwriting and the razor-sharp execution to back it up. And back it up they did, touring their native United States following the album’s release.

However, at the beginning of 2026, Desolus expanded their lineup to a quartet, adding drummer Bileh Dougsiyeh and previous drummer Travis Stone moving to second guitar. With that lineup thus bolstered, the band now unleash their sophomore full-length: ‘Dwellers of the Twilight Void’.

In one sense, one could look at Desolus’ two albums covers and get a view into their respective auras: ‘System Shock’ was doubtlessly fiery, while ‘Dwellers of the Twilight Void’ goes darker and bloodier. The ’80s horror Vhs intro sets the stage perfectly for the blistering speed and aggression to come. Unbelievably, Desolus sound even more diabolical and crazed here, seemingly intent to slay listeners as quickly and efficiently as possible, with Dougsiyeh delivering an utterly unhinged performance to keep apace with his bloodthirsty bandmates. And yet, beyond their characteristic intensity, there’s an evolution in the band’s sound that’s subtle and never belabored. Be it the more blackened textures, the duality of straightforward rush vs. haunting twists, or the unique production style that has a dingey, dungeonic clarity, Desolus display a strive to build upon the debut’s not-inconsiderable foundation whilst keeping their core identity intact. In just 36 breathless minutes, these ‘Dwellers of the Twilight Void’ will drag you from the light… for good!

Testimony Records proudly announces the new full-length of Dutch Blackened Death Metallers Soulburn, entitled ‘Quantifying Cosmic Doom’, set for release on June 12th 2026.

The album’s opening track and leadoff single ‘The Braveheart of Nightmares’ has been released as streaming teaser for the album

Vocalist Twan de Geel comments: ‘The single edit of ‘The Braveheart of Nightmares’ retains the unique, dark, and journey-like feel of the song. Its Dna derives from the fabric of dreams and nightmares. The combination of epic storytelling with an eerie, melancholic vibe turns it into such a stand-out song that has somehow kept me intrigued during the whole creation process. The album version is actually extended, you just have to wait a bit to hear this song in full.’

Eric Daniels adds: ‘The presence of this song lingers long after the final note has faded, as if it opens a door to some hidden inner world’, the guitarist states. ‘This track drifts into the space between fear and fascination.’

Behind the fifth Soulburn album, ‘Quantifying Cosmic Doom’, lies a long journey that never followed a straightforward road but travelled through many dimensions and took hidden paths. Yet the Dutch metal extremists have undeniably reached a dark and beautiful peak.

Built upon a solid foundation of Death Metal, ‘Quantifying Cosmic Doom’ seamlessly adds walls of melancholy that are chiselled out of Doom bedrock and crowns towering riffs with the fierce and spiritual flames of Black Metal. A wide range of musical variability as well as the masterful storytelling that runs like a golden thread through the epic songs give Soulburn away as experienced veterans who are utterly confident and passionate about their extreme craft.

Soulburn rose from the ashes of Asphyx in 1996, one of the times when the Dutch Death Metal pioneers fell apart before reuniting sooner or later. This involved some back and forth until guitarist and mastermind Eric Daniels, drummer Bob Bagchus, and Pentacle frontman Wannes Gubbels firmly settled under the new band name. Their acclaimed debut album ‘Feeding on Angels’ (1998) doubled up as a statement of musical intent as it contained a stripped down but deadly concoction of Doom-laden Black Metal, which quickly established them as a devastating musical force. Following an extended period of consolidation, Soulburn gradually coalesced into solid core with Daniels, Bagchus, Graceless guitarist Remco Kreft, and former Legion of the Damned member Twan van Geel (also Gott) as vocalist and bass player. This manifested physically into the sophomore full-length ‘The Suffocating Darkness’ that was released in 2014 and again widely praised, particularly for its ostensive old school ethics. Finally, Soulburn were on track, pushing forward hard, and only two years later followed up with the vicious third album ‘Earthless Pagan Spirit’ (2016) and cemented their growing reputation with the two-track EP ‘Carpe Noctem’ (2018). The following switch from Bagchus to Graceless drummer Marc Verhaar could not stop this deadly bullet-train either. Building upon their, by then, well-established fanbase, Soulburn emphasised the old school and raw aspect of their sound, which was seamlessly joined with a wide range of metallic influences across genres, with the next full-length ‘Noa’s D’ark’ (2020). The Dutch also established themselves firmly as a sought-after live act performing across Europe as well as overseas. Highlights include sharing stages with Unleashed, Asphyx, and God Dethroned as well as touring in South America with Mork and in Germany with Sodom.

With ‘Quantifying Cosmic Doom’, Soulburn renew the dark pact with their loyal following of delivering extreme and harsh Metal that always pushes to new frontiers while staying true to its core values of Black Metal, Death Metal, and Doom.

In our endless quest to push and support current underground acts that perpetuate the odor of vintage Death Metal, we’re extremely thrilled to announce a new signing: Mulyfication, from Ukraine.

Mulyfication was brought forth in 2018 by some young Death Metal enthusiasts who, under the influence of the Osdm revival wave, felt an intense compulsion to find an outlet for their unhinged devotion to grotesque, obscure, filthy and fermented music. ‘Swamped in Forlorn Misery’, their truly impressive debut full-length, released back in 2023, was a disgusting slab of fetid and smothering Death Metal drenched in a suffocating atmosphere that just dripped and oozed with putridity. The guitar tone resembled the most rotten bands from the early/mid 90’s mixed with the vocal tone and cadence of some of your favorite Death/Doom Metal bands. Fans of Incantation, Bolt Thrower, Deteriorot, Dead Congregation, Autopsy, Phobophilic, Disma, Mortiferum and Cerebral Rot, among others, should definitely be appealed by the echoing, haunting and destructively groovy debauchery that Mulyfication offers.

Memento Mori will unleash the Cd version of their 2nd full-length in the 2nd half of 2026.

On May 8th internationally, Personal Records is proud to present Goholor’s highly anticipated debut album, ‘Locus Damnatorum’, on CD format.

Goholor arose from the depths of suffering in Slovakia in 2010 at the instigation of two maniacs Demo (guitars / scream) and Anton (growl). Gradually, Pio (drums) and Erik (bass) joined. In 2016, the quartet released their debut EP, ‘In Saeculis Obscuris’. Thematically, Goholor focus on the dark and demonic side of society, such as hypocrisy, perversion, insensitivity, and obsession with religion.

Now, at long last, Goholor are set to release their first full-length, ‘Locus Damnatorum’. Not for nothing does the band’s moniker mean ‘ascend’ in the Enochian dictionary: Goholor’s Blackened Death Metal retains an acute balance of timelessness and freshness sure to garner the band widespread attention across genre lines. The quartet possess superlative chops, and promptly put them in the service of stridently linear songwriting; while nothing across ‘Locus Damnatorum’ could quite qualify as ‘catchy’ verse / chorus fare, these song constructions also safely elude riff-salad aimlessness, instead diving headlong into coiling labyrinths of Metal memorability. Indeed, Goholor here are something of a throwback to Black / Death’s late ’90s heyday, variously recalling the likes of Unanimated, Necrophobic, Sacramentum, Gates of Ishtar, and Sweden’s Sacrilege, but there’s just as equally their own personality injected into their atmospheric muscle. And all of this luxurious crunch is heightened by the esteemed Tore Stjerna’s mixing & mastering at Necromorbus Studios.

‘Filthy minds and darkened acts bring insane tomorrow’! Sorrow!

With the concept album ‘Heerscht de Dood nu als Onderkoning?’, Galghe presents a dark, restrained, and respectful tribute to the millions of lives lost during the First World War. At a time when humanity believed civilisation to be invincible, trench warfare, mustard gas, and industrialised mass destruction formed an icy counterproof. The war meant to end all wars proved to be nothing more than the prelude to a blood-soaked century.

The album consists of two long compositions, each divided into four chapters. Together they form eight scenes that guide the listener from the geopolitical spark in Sarajevo, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, to the signing of the armistice in 1918. Each chapter focuses on a key moment or location of the conflict, including Liège, Verdun, the Somme, Diksmuide, and Ypres.

The lyrics are carefully constructed in three languages; Dutch, French, and English, reflecting both the multinational nature of the war and the individual tragedies that unfolded on every front. This is not dry historiography, but raw, poetic evocations of suffering, madness, and the dehumanisation that war inevitably brings. Musically, Galghe blends atmospheric and brutal Black Metal with dissonant melodies and militant rhythms that underscore the pitch-black subject matter. Field recordings, orchestral layers, and audio fragments from original letters, speeches, and artillery bombardments intensify the oppressive atmosphere, drawing the listener ever deeper into the trenches.

With this work, Galghe seeks not only to commemorate the past, but also to make the eternal echo of war tangible: an echo in which Death no longer creeps silently, but reigns as sub-king.

About Galghe

Galghe is a collaboration between J. (Nether, Vergankelijk) and P. (Wurgilnō, Corpusculum, Vergankelijk), two seasoned Black Metal veterans active within the underground scene since the early 1990s. Both carry a long history of musical and ideological involvement, approaching Black Metal not as a fixed genre, but as a living, breathing, and ever-transforming medium.

While firmly rooted in the Black Metal tradition; raw, uncompromising, and atmospheric, Galghe refuses to be bound by subgenre labels. Ambient passages, neoclassical structures, field recordings, and ritual sound collages are integrated without hesitation. Nothing is sacred, except intention.

J. and P. do not regard Galghe as a band, but as a channel: a spiritual collective in which loss, transience, historical reflection, and human tragedy take centre stage. Their work is uncompromising and free of commercial agenda, born from the necessity to create, to remember, and to bear witness.