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When we talk about the late-nineties emo and post-hardcore scene, it’s easy to get lost in the usual suspects from the Midwest or the D.C. beltway. But if you were paying attention to the tri-state area back then, specifically New York, you knew that Joshua was doing something that didn’t quite fit the standard “sad […]

When we talk about the late-nineties emo and post-hardcore scene, it’s easy to get lost in the usual suspects from the Midwest or the D.C. beltway. But if you were paying attention to the tri-state area back then, specifically New York, you knew that Joshua was doing something that didn’t quite fit the standard “sad […]

Posted on February 25th 2026, 12:08p.m.

When it comes to the vast pantheons of mythological figures, Aeon Gods is clearly interested in the most powerful. Their 2024 debut album, King of Gods, expounded upon the mighty deities of Mesopotamia with plenty of power metal bombast. Now, less than 18 months later, this German five-piece turns their attention to ancient Egypt. Specifically, Reborn to Light orbits the sun god Re (more commonly known today as Ra). The first half recounts Re’s nightly voyage into the underworld and his battles with the giant snake Apophis, then the latter half describes Re’s disagreements with humankind, which lead to his eventual departure at the hands of an unbelieving population. Let’s examine this latest offering and weigh its worthiness.

Reborn to Light may be about a sun god, but Aeon Gods is more similar to the moon reflecting the light of many important power metal forebears. The predominant style is an anthemic blend of Gloryhammer and Sabaton. As expected, the music is big and dramatic, seeking to replicate the larger-than-life storytelling of Brothers of Metal, though with much more of a symphonic slant than folk. Aeon Gods stops just short of going full-blown symphonic power metal like Dragony, sticking closer to acts like Twilight Force or Freedom Call, which garnish with keyboards more judiciously. Organs and choirs at times recall the theatricality of Powerwolf. Pretty much all the main hallmarks of the genre are present on Reborn to Light.

Overall, Aeon Gods are blessed by their devout worship of these groups. Most immediately noticeable are the sharp, memorable choruses (charismatically delivered by Alex “Sol’Ra-tu” Hunzinger), as well as the bounteous guitar shredding (courtesy of Robert “Abzu’Kean” Altenbach and Nino “En-Atum” Helfrich). Reborn to Light embodies its concept unexpectedly well, being enhanced considerably by a lyric sheet (and a casual Wikipedia perusal about Egyptian mythology). The bulk of the record paints a vivid cycle of blazing sunrise (“Birth of Light”), tranquil twilight (“Barque of Millions (Amduat pt. I)”), a valiant battle (“Soldiers of Re (Amduat pt. III)”), and the inevitable victory of the sun (“Reborn to Light (Amduat pt. IV)”) again. In many important respects, Aeon Gods stacks up well against the genre greats.

On the other hand, this side-by-side comparison reveals a few qualities in which Aeon Gods is lacking. While Sol’Ra-tu has a solid singing voice—some listeners will appreciate that he avoids the typical shrill upper ranges—it isn’t always strong enough to carry the music on its own, particularly during the slower parts like quasi-ballad “Barque of Millions (Amduat pt. I).” The guitarists prove their mettle with their soloing during the bridges of most songs, but there are few notable leads that might have given the vocals a boost. Anja “Su’en-Chel” Hunzinger’s keyboards are more impactful, injecting a triumphant oomph to the chorus of “Reborn to Light (Amduat pt. IV)” and an awe-inspiring tone to “Blood and Sand (Re’s Dying Reign pt. II).” Finally, while Aeon Gods rejects bloat, Reborn to Light does not deviate at all from the standard pop structure, which gives each song a measure of predictability despite the variety in the compositions.

Imperfections notwithstanding, Reborn to Light is a great implementation of tried-and-true musical formulas. It’s executed very well, and should be a pleasantly familiar—albeit safe—experience for many power metal fans. I would, ideally, like to see Aeon Gods apply their abundant talents to more daring songwriting and let the guitars and keyboards share a bit more of the melodic load. Reborn to Light is a sizable step up from Aeon Gods’ debut, showing they are on a clear upward trajectory. I look forward to the day when Aeon Gods ascends to the echelons of full-fledged godhood.

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Rating: 3.0/5.0
DR: 6 | Format Reviewed: 256 kbps mp3
Label: Scarlet Records
Websites: scarletrecords.bandcamp.com | aeongods.com | facebook.com/AEONGODS
Releases Worldwide: February 20th, 2026

The post Aeon Gods – Reborn to Light Review appeared first on Angry Metal Guy.

VIA DOLORIS Unveils “Un Franc Soleil,” A Luminous Glimpse from Debut Album ‘Guerre et Paix’
Norwegian extreme music visionary Gildas Le Pape returns with VIA DOLORIS , presenting the second single, “Un Franc Soleil,” from his forthcoming debut album Guerre et Paix , set for release on March 20th via Season of Mist. The track stands out as one of the record’s most radiant moments, capturing a fleeting sense of release after prolonged inner unrest—a glimpse of serenity always just out of reach.
Listen to Un Franc Soleil : YouTube

Expansive and textural, “Un Franc Soleil” unfolds with measured restraint. Layered guitars trace gentle melodic arcs over a patient rhythmic foundation, anchored by the nuanced drumming of Frost , allowing melody to emerge from distortion and clarity from dissonance. Sung in French, the lyrics convey vulnerability and resolve, portraying serenity as something pursued rather than attained. Within the broader architecture of Guerre et Paix , the track acts as a contemplative threshold—a pause before the album dives back into denser, more conflicted sonic territory.
VIA DOLORIS is the manifestation of Le Pape’s vision: a space where emotion, discipline, and atmosphere converge. Rooted in solitude and forged through contrasts of darkness and beauty, the project confronts the gravity of existence—our quiet burdens, hidden wounds, and the journey toward mortality. This “Way of Suffering” seeks meaning through pain, always with the flickering promise of rebirth.
While the instrumentation nods to black metal’s formal foundations, VIA DOLORIS refuses confinement. Harmonic depth and subtle dissonance create tension and richness, while folk and pagan influences weave ancestral threads throughout, lending the music a mythic, almost sacred quality. Layered vocals in French, English, and Norwegian expand the emotional palette, delivering lines that feel both timeless and immediate.
Le Pape’s journey began in Oslo, where he first gained recognition in 2007 as a guitarist for the legendary Satyricon . After six years of global touring and recording, he stepped away to explore diverse musical avenues before returning to extreme music with renewed focus. For Guerre et Paix , he enlisted the masterful Frost on drums, bringing unparalleled precision and feel to the debut.
Line-up:
Gildas Le Pape — Lead Vocals, Choirs, Guitars, Bass
Frost — Session Drums
Production Credits:
Drums & vocals recorded at Red Room Studios, Norway (engineered by Mattis Elvestuen; guitars engineered by Le Pape & Elvestuen)
Produced by Gildas Le Pape
Mixed by Nicolai Codling & Gildas Le Pape
Mastered by Magnus Gulbrandsen at Jeløy Sound Mastering
Guest Artist:
Raido (Ferriterium, Heimsgard, Karne) — Guest Vocals on Track 3
Visuals:
Artwork & press photography by Linnea Syversen
Album artwork by Gildas Le Pape
Pre-orders and pre-saves for Guerre et Paix are live here: Pre-order & Pre-save
With Un Franc Soleil , VIA DOLORIS invites listeners into a world where melody drives meaning, atmosphere carries weight, and every note resonates with the tension between shadow and light.

Tunisian-French metal visionaries Myrath unleash their new single ‘Breathing Near The Roar‘, one of the most intense and emotionally charged tracks from their upcoming album ‘Wilderness of Mirrors‘. Listen to the new single – here. Driven by thunderous riffs, cutting-edge production, and the unmistakable pulse of their ancestral heritage, the song captures inner battles at […]

The post Myrath Release New Single ‘Breathing Near The Roar’ appeared first on ROCKPOSER DOT COM!.

AEGROR SIGNS WORLDWIDE DEAL WITH EXTREME MANAGEMENT GROUP
Extreme Management Group (EMG), home to bands like Suffocation, Atheist, Cryptopsy and more, has announced their partnership with Atmospheric Black Metal Band AEGROR.
Aegror is a metal band from Kerken, Germany, founded in 2009. The name Aegror is derived from the Latin word for “disease”. Their music combines atmospheric black metal with progressive and melodic
elements, revolving around themes of disease and psychological phenomena. These themes are woven into a coherent narrative full of horror and madness, centered around the character Plaguebreeder — a being from another dimension seeking to break into the human world.
On a metaphorical level, the lyrics also reflect real-world crises, pandemics and events.

Their debut album, De Morbis (2010), introduced a 90s-inspired black/death sound and laid the foundation for the band’s conceptual storytelling. In 2013, they released the EP Forgotten Tales, which explored more progressive and emotional directions. Their full-length album Dead Man’s Diary (2017) refined their sound, with stronger production and a clearer narrative. After the release of their second studio album Dead Man’s Diary, they discussed concluding the project. Vocalist and founding member Narthaas, along with guitarist Abyssus, decided to continue Aegror in a new artistic direction.
After a hiatus, the duo returned with their third studio album, Reign of Disease, on May 16, 2025. The album was produced and released in the first step independently, blending modern post-black metal with their signature melodic and atmospheric sound. Reign of Disease received critical acclaim and solidified Aegror’s position in the European extreme metal underground. Reign of Disease has so far achieved international chart placements on various streaming platforms.
Now in 2026, AEGROR has signed with Extreme Management Group and says, “We are beyond excited to join the EMG roster, this partnership opens up incredible new opportunities for us, and we can’t wait to take Aegror to the next level together. The future looks bright — and brutal! Before releasing Reign of Disease, we had actually planned for it to be our final album and to bring Aegror to an end. But things turned out completely different — it now feels like this is only the true beginning of the band.”
www.aegror.com
https://extrememanagementgroup.com/
WHAT IS NEXT FOR AEGROR?
Aegror returns from the Shadows with their new Album “Reign of Disease”
Kerken, Germany – What was once meant to be Aegror’s final chapter has transformed into a fierce new beginning. After eight years of silence, the German atmospheric/prog black metal duo rises again with their new album Reign of Disease, released independently on May 16, 2025. Frontman Narthaas and guitarist Abyssus unleash a powerful blend of black metal, post-metal, and atmospheric ferocity. The title track “Reign of Disease” attacks with militant rhythms, ominous tremolo lines, and raw, piercing vocals — the unmistakable sound of a band returning with sharpened intent and creative rebirth. Their music strikes a balance between relentless aggression and cinematic tension, delivering a surprisingly massive sonic footprint for a two-piece act.
International Chart Impact
What began as a purely independent release quickly evolved into a global underground success story. Reign of Disease entered the streaming and digital sales charts 21 times across 8 countries, marking Aegror’s first international chart presence and demonstrating the project’s rapidly growing worldwide audience. Without major industry backing, the album’s momentum was driven entirely by organic reach, word of mouth, and a dedicated fanbase within the extreme metal community.
Management Deal with Extreme Management Group, New York
In the wake of this unexpected international momentum, Aegror has signed a management deal with Extreme Management Group (New York) — one of the leading management companies in the global metal scene. This partnership marks a decisive step into the band’s next phase, opening the door for expanded international strategy, new industry networks, and long-term career development while preserving the artistic independence that defines the project.
A Concept of Control, Corruption, and Collapse
Reign of Disease expands Aegror’s long-standing narrative surrounding the interdimensional entity Plaguebreeder, who establishes dominion over humanity by infiltrating and corrupting the world’s most essential institutions and societal functions. On a metaphorical level, this thematic arc reflects real-world dynamics — crises, manipulation, and societal decay — serving as a dark commentary on the fragility of human systems. Despite these themes, Aegror remains strictly unpolitical. The band does not promote any ideological position and explicitly distances itself from all forms of violence, extremism or hateful
worldviews. The narrative is a work of fiction and atmospheric storytelling, shaped by horror, psychology, and speculative dystopia.
A New Era for Aegror
Recorded, mixed, mastered and designed by Abyssus, the album marks the rebirth of a project once close to dissolution and now revitalized with a clear artistic vision, a rapidly expanding international reach, and the backing of a world-class management team. The band is now preparing with close friends and fellow musicians for live performances and upcoming tours.
Listen to “Reign of Disease”:
Bandcamp: https://aegror.bandcamp.com

HIGHGATE Unleash Northern Kentucky Doom on Prophecies Of Eternal Horror

Northern Kentucky has always had a little grit in its soil, and HIGHGATE are proving it’s fertile ground for something seriously heavy. The Bluegrass State’s resident sludge crushers have officially joined the roster at Horror Pain Gore Death Productions for the release of their new full-length album, Prophecies Of Eternal Horror . And yeah, the title tells you exactly what you’re in for.
Emanating from the hills of Northern Kentucky, HIGHGATE deliver a doom-soaked, sludge-caked howl that sounds like it’s been dragged through years of struggle, economic strain, and late-night existential dread. This is not background music. This is the soundtrack to staring down the abyss and daring it to blink first.
Prophecies Of Eternal Horror is a bleak and unflinching examination of the world as it burns. The record grapples with global war atrocities, religious fanaticism, and class warfare, stacking lyrical bodies sky high while the riffs crawl forward like a tank rolling over cracked pavement. There’s no sugarcoating here. Just weight. Massive, oppressive, chest-crushing weight.
The first single, “At Paranoia’s Poison Door,” sets the tone with a blackened doom battle cry aimed straight at authoritarian overreach. The band describes it as a warning shot against a government that prefers its citizens scared, divided, and docile. The refrain “crawl to your masters” hammers home the track’s central theme, the frightening ease with which power structures can condition people into submission. It’s ugly. It’s confrontational. It’s meant to be.
Musically, HIGHGATE sit comfortably in the lineage of sonic devastation carved out by bands like Grief , Primitive Man , Mizmor , Eyehategod , and Rwake . Think suffocating atmospheres, punishing tempos, and vocals that sound like they’ve been torn from the throat of something buried alive. This is the kind of doom that doesn’t just knock on the door. It kicks it in and sets up shop.
HIGHGATE is:
Greg Brown – vocals
Steve Porter – battery & vocals
Jamie Porter – guitar, bass & vocals
Three men. One mission. Absolute sonic annihilation.
With the backing of Horror Pain Gore Death Productions and a record that refuses to flinch in the face of modern collapse, HIGHGATE are poised to drag their brand of Northern Kentucky despair to a much wider audience. If you like your doom traditional, your sludge filthy, and your message blunt as a hammer to the skull, Prophecies Of Eternal Horror belongs on your radar.
Turn it up. Let it crush you. Then hit repeat.
https://highgatedoom.bandcamp.com/

Malevolence have shared a new track which was built from the ground up in just 12 hours, all in celebration of the new World Of Warcraft: Midnight expansion.

The song is called ‘Twelve To Zero’, fittingly, and showcases the band at their most melodic yet malicious, the perfect meeting point for what Malevolence is. From the soaring chorus, littered with atmospheric builds and fantastical intent, to the pit-swelling ferocity of the verses, with ripping solos and slick breakdowns aplenty, it’s classic Malev, heightened and intensified.

The song itself was written as a challenge, with the quintet putting it all together in just 12 hours. Proposed by Blizzard to “capture the scale and tension of Midnight – where Xal’atath’s rising Void threatens Azeroth and a devastating storm looms over the Sunwell”, it meant that the band had to put themselves in the headspace of one of the most meticulous and detailed creative universes there is, and then put their own spin on it.

Of course, they make it look effortless.

You can check out the full process of how the song came together, along with the finished product, below.

World of Warcraft: Midnight is set for release on March 02. You can pre-order it from here.

The song comes hot on the heels of another surprise drop, which arrived just in time for Valentine’s Day earlier this month.

That is ‘Sillouette’, a ballad to end all ballads.

The post Malevolence Join Forces With World Of Warcraft For Soaring New Track ‘Twelve To Zero’ appeared first on Rock Sound.

Review: Starbenders – The Beast Goes On Sumerian Records (February 27th, 2026) Reviewer – Grant Foster ‘‘If you’re going to be a fucking rock star, go be one. People don’t want to see the guy next door on stage; they want to see a being from another planet. You want to see somebody you’d never […]

The post Review: Starbenders – The Beast Goes On appeared first on ROCKPOSER DOT COM!.