Hammerheart Records

Opia – I Welcome Thee, Eternal Sleep [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]

Opia – I Welcome Thee, Eternal Sleep [Things You Might Have Missed 2025]

By ClarkKent on January 5, 2026 in Things You Might Have Missed 2025, Doom Metal, Gothic Metal, 18 comments

“This stunning debut comes to us via members from across the globe—from England to Spain to Czechia to Brazil. Despite somewhat limited experience between them, the sextet plays like they’ve been jamming together for decades. They bring an eclectic range of styles from their previous and current bands, from black metal to scatological heavy metal to melodic doom to gothic metal, in order to craft a gentle yet brutal piece of gothic doom metal. I would like to give a warm welcome to Opia and their powerful debut album, I Welcome Thee, Eternal Sleep.” Sleep in the void.

Vintersorg – Vattenkrafternas spel Review

Vintersorg – Vattenkrafternas spel Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on September 24, 2025 in Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, Progressive Metal, Viking Metal, 24 comments

“After releasing the sequel to their debut record in 2017, things have been quiet on the Vintersorg front. But now they are back with Vattenkrafternas spel sets out to take that same infusion of the Vintersorg of old with the Vintersorg of new that we heard from Till fjälls del II. Which I can’t complain about, considering I love it when the band knocks out some of those nasty black metal licks. Not that they have abandoned those influences in the last decade or so, but it’s a touch more prevalent on Vattenkrafternas spel. But, how far will they go, and how well will it work?” Early vinter chills.

Jord – Emellan Träden Review

Jord – Emellan Träden Review

By Killjoy on September 11, 2025 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Post-Metal, 31 comments

“Jord began life in pretty much the exact way one would expect of an atmospheric black metal act. Founder Jörgen “Jurg” Ström would take daily walks through the forests of Sweden during fall 2020, during which he decided to start a nature-oriented musical endeavor. He quickly released two albums, Sol and Måne, on his own before recruiting guitarist Sebastian “Hravn” Svedlund and drummer Stefan Jansson, both of whom he had briefly performed with in Rimfrost and its splinter group Omnicidal. They worked together to create Tundra in 2023, and now look to extend their productive streak with Emellan Träden, Jord’s fourth full-length record in five years.” Forest packaging.

Entrails – Grip of Ancient Evil Review

Entrails – Grip of Ancient Evil Review

By Saunders on July 21, 2025 in Reviews, Death Metal, 21 comments

“Rooted in the fertile graveyard turf of the Swedeath golden years, veterans Entrails occupy an interesting place in the revivalist old school Swedish death metal scene. Originally conceived in 1990 by sole original member Jimmy Lundqvist, the band lay dormant until Lundqvist resurrected the outfit with new bandmates in tow, unleashing a couple of long-gestating demos before eventually releasing their impressive debut Tales from the Morgue in 2010.” Guts is enough!

Castle – Evil Remains Review

Castle – Evil Remains Review

By Steel Druhm on September 7, 2024 in Reviews, Doom Metal, 30 comments

“I had quite a torrid love affair with Castle from 2011 through 2016. Their gritty, back alley take on occult doom really got into my bones and I was helpless to resist their demonic charms. Albums like In Witch Order, Blacklands, and Under Siege were in near-constant rotation at the House of Steel and I wanted more, more, MOAR. They were just so skilled at their chosen brand of minimalist street doom and Elizabeth Blackwell’s rough yet seductive vocals were nigh irresistible. By the time 2018s Deal Thy Fate rolled around, some of the bloom was off the black rose and things were starting to sound a touch less essential. Fast forward 5 years and we’ve survived a million crises and the whole occult doom trend has died down considerably.” Evil reborn?

SIG:AR:TYR – Citadel of Stars Review

SIG:AR:TYR – Citadel of Stars Review

By Steel Druhm on May 30, 2024 in Reviews, Black Metal, Folk Metal, 70 comments

“Though I’m far from a black metal enthusiast, I grew up with the mighty sounds of Bathory ringing throughout my teen years. We didn’t call them black metal back then as Venom had co-opted that term for their rowdy, faux-Satan cock rock metal, but I loved what Bathory was doing regardless of genre label. Albums like The Return, Under the Sign of the Black Mark, and Blood Fire Death were so savage and massive, they set us up for what black metal would become in the 90s. It was always the epic edge of Bathory’s sound that truly seized my metal heart. The sounds of Blood Fire Death and especially Hammerheart spoke to the indomitable warrior within us all. When SIG:AR:TYR came along many years later, they clicked for me immediately in a way few black metal acts ever did because they were flying the same foundational battle standards as Bathory before them.” Battle beyond the stars.

Red Rot – Borders of Mania Review

Red Rot – Borders of Mania Review

By Dolphin Whisperer on May 21, 2024 in Reviews, Death Metal, Gothic Metal, 20 comments

“Depression comes in waves. If you—or anyone you know and love—have ever witnessed or experienced its grip, you know that it’s a battle. Davide Tiso, the slippery Italian guitarist responsible for the jazzy hardcore machinations of Ephel Duath, and the jangling progressive excursions of Howling Sycamore, seems to know this fight all too well. Two years ago Tiso unearthed Red Rot as a heart-on-sleeve death metal journey that both reunited him with his old friend and vocalist Luciano George Lorusso (ex-Ephel Duath) and explored the darkest corners of his psyche with crashing riffs and scathing, hypnotic melodies. Here in 2024, I’m not too sure that Tiso is any better, but his axe remains sharp and thrilling as ever.” Shredding despair.

ACOD – Versets noirs Review

ACOD – Versets noirs Review

By Dr. A.N. Grier on April 30, 2024 in Reviews, Black Metal, Death Metal, 59 comments

“How I’ve never known about France’s ACOD is beyond me, and I heartily apologize to them because I’ve been having a hella good time with many of their releases. Beginning their career as a black/thrash outfit with metalcore tendencies, they began to explore Mephorash-meets-Septicflesh territories around the time of their 2018 release, The Divine Triumph. While there are thrashy moments, the songwriting is now predominantly massive string atmospheres, marching drumbeats, cranked-up bass work, and riff after motherfucking riff.” ACOD AOK.