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Experience is a good thing, right? In the case of newcomers Sev Lezu, their collective experience in other bands is undoubtedly a good thing, as you can hear that learned knowledge across debut Blood Conscript. This all lady lineup starts with drummer/vocalist/lyricist Sasha Stroud (who just this year put out a whopper of an EP with Belexum), continues with guitarist Melissa Moore (Sonja, Crossspitter, ex-Absu), and finishes with bassist FW (Manat), and friends, they absolutely rip through these 21-plus minutes of fiery-but-frosty (and a little grindy) melodic black metal.

To get an idea of what Sev Lezu is up to here, imagine your favorite Dissection and Horna records and condense them. Squeeze everything into smaller packages (most of these songs are under three and a half minutes) and up the brutality with that touch of aforementioned grind. Blood Conscript is relentless in its attack: the riffs shift from more traditional black metal sounds to chunky thumpers; the drums rumble and blast all over the place; the vocals are gruff and irate but still charismatic; and the transitions are absolutely necksnapping. It’s a bursting-at-the-seams album if there ever has been one–don’t come to this one looking for relaxed moments or introspection.

Each song here is its own little self-contained journey of blackened brutality, and each has its own way of flattening you and leaving before you really know what hit you. “The Stillborn” gets things going (after an intro) with some serious melody for the verse but several passages of ruthless blasting, while “Corpse Step” similarly wrecks you with sudden transitions, this time between those early Finnish sounds and intense hammering. The title track and “Revenge,” meanwhile, feature plenty of riffs that ought to sound familiar to fans of Moore’s work with Absu (on the Abzu album); she brings the goods throughout, but those couple really hit. The beginning of “Revenge” is also the album’s one tease with something a little softer, but it’s all a deke, as a barrage of blasts soon flatten the listener.

There isn’t much more to say about the record other than the undeniable fact that it’s a little bit of a tease. Blood Conscript simply isn’t enough of this goodness, and soon after digesting this most listeners will be eagerly awaiting whatever Sev Lezu comes up with next. But what they’ve provided here deserves ample attention and appreciation. Sev Lezu pays homage to a wide variety of their heroes while making an album that bursts with a personality all their own. No matter what they do in the future (hopefully soon), Blood Conscript rips with enough murderous intent to have you listening on repeat for a good while.

The post Sev Lezu – Blood Conscript Review appeared first on Last Rites.

We had the incredible honor of talking to Rose and Ost from Hämatom, the day after they headlined Wacken Open Air this year with a spectacular show.

Benedetta

I’m here today with the spectacular Hämatom. How are you doing, guys?

Hämatom

We are fine. No, I’m not fine. I’m really… I’m dead. I’m bloody dead, really. It’s my bad. The aftershow party was too long.

Benedetta

Your show was something completely mind-blowing. It was the best Hämatom show of all times. I became your fan very recently because I think that the first show I was supposed to attend was Rock the Lakes 2023. And unfortunately, that was cancelled. But then I started following you guys and you have been just leveling up and always raising the bar of your live shows. And you are simply outstanding. Like, there is no band in the world like you are. So, thank you for your art because you are just spectacular. Here you have outdone yourselves. I have goosebumps thinking about yesterday. That was something just so incredible. And you put so much passion and effort in your shows. You have fun, we have fun. That’s the best thing. How was performing on the anniversary year for Wacken?

Hämatom

It’s a huge honour. Because Wacken is one of the most iconic metal festivals in the world. And being part, it’s a pleasure for us. It makes us feel special.

Benedetta

Do you think that the life of an artist is a lonely life?

Hämatom

We played more than 600 shows until now. A lonely life? I don’t know. Back then I started to play music, to learn guitar just for live playing. I didn’t think about it that I go to a studio and record an album or songs or something like that. Just for playing live. For kids, the most important thing in my life. I love it. I had a few moments yesterday when I was standing on the stage. Looking in the eyes of 80.000 people. I said, “The last 35 years were exactly for this moment.” That’s the reason why we are so disruptive. Because we celebrate it after the show.

Benedetta

Do you think that we will ever have equality between men and women in metal?

Hämatom

That would be a great idea because we need to support each other. There’s enough place on the world stages for everyone of us. I hope. It will happen, but I’m not so agreeing. Because I think more male artists play instruments. Especially in metal music. So, it’s not so easy to say, “Okay, we will equal“. But I would love it.

Benedetta

Guys, thank you so much. for taking the time to do this game and this interview with me. Is there anything else that you want to add to the readers?

Hämatom

We are very happy for this. You were great. 

The post “Equality would be a great idea because we need to support each other” – interview with Hämatom first appeared on FemMetal – Goddesses of Metal.

Swedish heavy metal duet Century have put out an official music video for “Strange Illusion”, the first single from their third long player. Details of the latter are yet to be unveiled.
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Texas-based metalcore ensemble Fervence has disclosed details and first single in what will be their second full-length instalment. Entitled Constructs, it will be unleashed upon the masses on October 16th, 2026 via Metal Blade Records. Produced by Odneal and guitarist Austin Bentley and mixed and mastered by Zack Ohren.
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Ricky Warwick has released the new single ‘Last Chance To Dance’, which is a Thin Lizzy inspired anthem, with Ricky channelling the musical and lyrical spirit of Phil Lynott. The track is the latest to be released from his forthcoming new solo album, ‘Fire & Vengeance‘, which is released September 4th via Earache Records. The […]

The post Ricky Warwick Releases New Single ‘Last Chance To Dance’ appeared first on ROCKPOSER DOT COM.

“The Storm”, the third and final single from Skuggor‘s upcoming studio release The Expanse, has surfaced online. Swedish atmospheric black metal operatives will put out the new album on September 4, 2026 via Nordvis.
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Following the international success of his celebrated fourth solo studio album ‘Traces of the Flood‘ (released May 15th, 2026 via BFD/The Orchard), South African singer-songwriter Steve Louw returns with a passionate new live recording of the album’s second single, ‘Across the River (Live in Nashville)‘. ‘Across The River (Live in Nashville)‘ is available on all […]

The post Steve Louw Announces ‘Across The River (Live in Nashville)’ Single & Video appeared first on ROCKPOSER DOT COM.

DIY generated atmospheric Blackened Death Doom from Shrewsbury. Yep, sitting amidst the Tudor tea shops, the medieval market town appears a bit too sleepy to produce such filth. Alongside the River Severn, this link between Wales and England has brewed up something a little unseemly as Drowning Hour release The Pain Of Loss.

Drowning Hour – The Pain Of Loss

Release Date: 19 August 2026

Words: Paul Hutchings

Two big slabs of misery hold the centre of this four-track EP together. After the introduction, The Visitation, it is the slow, glacial pace of The Longing that takes the attention.

Now, there is nothing here that did not feature in the early ’90s. Think some early Opeth, Katatonia, Anathema, My Dying Bride and Paradise Lost, and you are in the right ballpark. The riffs are crushing, lumbering, almost grinding to a halt whilst Kieran Scott, yes, him of Death Collector and Ashen Crown, roars his way across them.

Scott is joined by Kelly Gobold on clean, ethereal vocals, and she adds a nice contrast to what is a rather routine delivery. 

Yes, plenty of energy and enthusiasm went into this, and there is nothing wrong with the lumbering beast that is The Inheritance. It is, however, nothing new, though Scott’s bristling death growls are well suited to the devastating slumber that the songs induce.

These are no spring chickens after all. It is punishing, at times a wall of noise that brings a sludgy corrosion to the ears. It is downright nasty yet bristles with a pleasing melody that contrasts and confuses. Am I loving it? Well, I certainly am enjoying it, despite the brooding malevolence that festers in the darkness. Intimidation? Sinister threat? Probably both.

Two big numbers that rely on brute force, then, which echo the melancholy of the finale, The Farewell. This clearly eases out the story and closes the EP, and works fantastically well. Enchanting in its melancholic delivery, the contrast is stark.

It is this final switch that really pushes this EP into the upper echelons. The bruising death elements are of limited impact but throw in a shimmering vision with all the fragility of an ice sculpture, and I am gone. It captures the lot.

Huge potential then from Scott, Kelly Gobold, Craig Gobold (Rhythm Guitar, Bass, Drums and mix/master) and Dan Ashley (Lead Guitar). The Pain of Loss is well worth checking out.

Drowning Hour release The Pain of Loss on 19 August 2026. For more details, find them on Bandcamp.

The post Drowning Hour / The Pain Of Loss Turns Crushing Misery Into Melancholic Beauty first appeared on MetalTalk – Heavy Metal News, Reviews and Interviews.

The Upsides return with Pretending It Fades, a compelling indie rock track that balances emotional weight with a more expansive, guitar-driven sound. Built around melodic hooks, a strong bass presence, and a memorable chorus, the song explores the aftermath of a breakup while looking beyond the obvious pain of loss. Rather than simply portraying heartbreak as something to overcome, the lyrics suggest that difficult relationships can reshape a person, leaving behind a different version of themselves. The New York City four-piece brings together jangly guitar influences, energetic rhythms, and a heavier edge that reflects their evolving sound. With Matt and Dan Fullam joined by Matt DaSilva and Hart Mechlin, The Upsides continue moving beyond their earlier guitar-pop roots toward a bigger, more ambitious alternative rock identity.

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Deux Visages is vocalist Daphney Hanono, guitarist Jack Chiu and bassist Tony Jouvin. Their emergence has been a whirlwind.