The Black/Death Metal band Hadopelagyal from Germany formed in 2020. Their name and music are inspired by the hadopelagic zone (the deepest parts of the ocean). They channel an imagery of crushing depths, cosmic violence, and arcane ritualistic chaos throughout their music.
The debut full-length ‘Nereidean Seismic End’ was released in, 2021, which established their reputation for crushing suffocating, cavernous soundscapes.
2025 sees the relesase of their second full-length, entitled ‘Hæmatophoryktos’ on Amor Fati Productions.
A generous display of dense, distorted guitar riffs that feel like collapsing tides flush through the speakers, accompanied by possessed vocals that sound as guttural howls from the abyss. The punishing shock wave percussion ranges from relentless blast beats to barbaric tectonic, pounding rhythms.
It’s Black/Death Metal at its best here, make no mistake. Just have a listen to opener ‘Swarthseleniasmos’, ‘Promulgating Haematekchysia’ or the 9-minute menacing ‘Halios Enthroned In Hyperdiluvian Kataklysmos’, where the rhythm section is tighter than a duck’s ass. Brutal, yet technically controlled bashing and shredding is Hadopelagyal’s trade mark.
A torrid, asphyxiating atmosphere lingers over this album, complemented with the gloom of cosmic dread and other otherworldly horrors.
Hadopelagyal are carving out a niche in the underground as one of Germany’s most uncompromising Black/Death duos. ‘Hæmatophoryktos’ is seen as a continuation of their deep-sea/cosmic abyssal mythology, pushing further into ritualistic extremity and atmosphere. It’s not about hooks or melody, it’s about immersion, endurance, and atmosphere.
Fans of Antediluvian, Teitanblood, Diocletian and even Barbaric Horde can easily add this gem to their collection.
