Atmospheric black metal ensemble Perennial Isolation are streaming “Crimson Iconoclasm”, the first taste from their next music output to be released later this year via Non Serviam Records. More details to be disclosed soon.
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Category: news
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Sicksense – To Release EP In September
Arizona-based Sicksense will be releasing a new EP, Funerals, on September 25th. The 4-piece outing was mixed by Joey Doherty and mastered by Tyler Smyth. Two new songs, “Artificial Irrelevance” and “Newsflash”, are available for listening below.
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Listening Now : Rachael & Demol – NYD
Rachael & Demol’s NYD is a breezy alt pop delight that radiates warmth, optimism, and effortless charm. The husband-and-wife duo blends catchy melodies, laid-back grooves, and heartfelt lyricism into a song that feels as refreshing as a bright summer morning. Their natural vocal chemistry shines throughout, while the polished production keeps the mood light, intimate, and irresistibly inviting. Balancing thoughtful songwriting with an easygoing, feel-good atmosphere, NYD captures the excitement of fresh beginnings and proves that sometimes the simplest moments inspire the most memorable songs.
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Avulsed – Reveal New Cover
Spanish brutal death metal maniacs Avulsed have unveiled the first advance track from its upcoming covers album Nordic Embryogenesis with a crushing reinterpretation of “Expunging Mortalities”, a dark hidden gem taken from the 1990 second demo of Finnish death metal cult act Funebre.
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Serpent Lord – The Once Forgotten Ways of Old Review
After reviewing Crotaline1 in April and Dimmu Borgir’s Grand Serpent Rising earlier this month, 2026 is shaping up as the Year of the Snake—at least for me. Now at the end of May, Battleground, Washington’s Serpent Lord emerges from a protracted brumation to deliver a dose of venom fermenting for over twenty years. After recording a split and two demos between 2003 and 2004, one-man band Jake Superchi (Uada, Ceremonial Castings) shelved the project for a couple decades. Now Superchi has resurrected his defunct sobriquet to record The Once Forgotten Ways of Old, Serpent Lord’s long-gestating debut LP. After an extended incubation period, does Serpent Lord rejuvenate the Ways of Old, or should the act have remained Forgotten?Like Uada, Serpent Lord falls under the broader umbrella of black metal. Rather than expansive meloblack, though, Serpent Lord basks in the light of pagan gods, eliciting forlorn calls to umbral deities scoured from memory by the winds of time. Rhythmic grooves and hypnotic guitar refrains lay the foundation for The Once Forgotten Ways of Old, imbuing the album with enough ritualistic zest that you may catch faint whiffs of incense and petrichor while listening. Three of the album’s six songs push past the eight-minute mark, and it’s these moments where Serpent Lord best embodies heathen incantations. In particular, “Aries Ram” and the title track conjure visions of enigmatic and arcane rites, evoking mystical practices that lurch and brood in the dark.
On The Once Forgotten Ways of Old, Serpent Lord summons inspirations and reshapes them into a well-developed and distinct character. Most immediately, Serpent Lord reminds me of Rauhnåcht without the folk instrumentation, particularly when the slower, plaintive guitar leads slither above swirling riffs and unyielding drums (“A Pagan’s Spell,” “Enter Serpentagram”). Superchi’s vocals cover an array of deliveries, ranging from frenetic, blackened barking and rasping (“Constrictor”) to droning harangue, where the latter strikes similarities to Mayhem’s Attila Csihar’s cleaner stylings (“The Once Forgotten Ways of Old”). The sermonizing works well, but the harsher vocals occasionally blur with the cascading guitars in the mix, obscuring Superchi’s voice and packing too much sound into too narrow a band. The harsh deliveries work better when there’s room to breathe, like the back half of “Forever on the Grounds of Battle” (which features guitar work recalling Alice in Chains’ “Whale & Wasp” midway through). Regardless, the star performances belong to the guitars and drums, which pack a potent, two-pronged punch as they wend and weave through The Once Forgotten Ways of Old.
For all that Serpent Lord achieves, The Once Forgotten Ways of Old proves a slippery and elusive beast. Despite the many things done well, I struggle to remember most of it once the music fades from my speakers, and the snippets that stick drive me back to the inspirations more than the Ways of Old. Serpent Lord nails the aesthetic of pagan black metal, and The Once Forgotten Ways of Old is a record I feel like should resonate more than it does. What ultimately undercuts Serpent Lord’s success is the lack of fulfilling climaxes.2 Superchi does a fabulous job of orchestrating tension through the give and take of guitars and drums, yet few moments capitalize on that buildup. This songwriting oversight is most telling at the ends of tracks, as four of the album’s six songs close with a fade. Concluding a song this way isn’t one of my pet peeves, and I typically don’t notice them, but their abundance here stands out and suggests the opportunity to finish with a bang every now and again.
The Once Forgotten Ways of Old convinces me that Serpent Lord seethes with potential, but will need to shed its current approach to actualize it. I spent a lot of time traversing The Once Forgotten Ways of Old, and while I enjoyed them, I recognize the album doesn’t offer enough for me to return once the proverbial ink dries on this review. Even so, a few minor tweaks would rid this danger noodle of musical impotence, and I look forward to listening to Serpent Lord’s next worship service if and when it comes.
Rating: Mixed
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Eisenwald Records
Website: Bandcamp
Releases Worldwide: May 29th, 2026The post Serpent Lord – The Once Forgotten Ways of Old Review appeared first on Angry Metal Guy.
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Listening Now : Wibes – Dive Down
Wibes’ Dive Down is a radiant indie pop offering that pairs dreamy melodies with an uplifting sense of freedom and discovery. Blending organic instrumentation, shimmering textures, and warm vocal harmonies, the Norwegian-American duo crafts a sound that feels both intimate and adventurous. The bilingual lyrics add a distinctive charm, while the airy production captures the exhilaration of embracing life, love, and the unknown. Effortlessly balancing playfulness with emotional sincerity, Dive Down is a refreshing, feel-good track that invites listeners to let go, trust their instincts, and dive headfirst into possibility.
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Defiance – Headline Shows In Europe Confirmed
Bay Area thrashers Defiance have announced a string of headline shows in Europe later this year. Italy’s Game Over will be joining them as main support and special guests.
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Mawiza – Stream ‘Mür’ Single & Video
Chilean’s Mawiza have released a new single/video “Mür”, featuring Mira Ceti and Danefae’s Anne Olsen. The accompanying video clip was created by Jesus Carrillo.
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Listening Now : Thoma – Moving Through (feat. James Waterman)
Thoma’s Moving Through is a mesmerizing fusion of organic house, downtempo electronica, and global rhythmic traditions. Built around a seamless dialogue between live percussion, textured synths, and subtle electronic pulses, the instrumental unfolds with remarkable fluidity and emotional depth. Drawing inspiration from gamelan, West African polyrhythms, and Latin percussion without ever sounding derivative, the duo crafts an immersive sonic journey that feels equally suited for mindful listening and late-night movement. Rich in detail and beautifully paced, Moving Through showcases Thoma’s gift for transforming rhythm into a deeply atmospheric, transportive experience.
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