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UK underground Metal outfit Tyrannus return with their sophomore studio offering, Mournhold, the follow-up to 2022’s debut release Unslayable. Sound-wise, drawing from ’80s Thrash, atmospheric Black Metal, and elements of post-punk, they say that this time around they have added a “sharper focus and refinement.”

Tyrannus – Mournhold

Release Date: 15 May 2026

Words: Jools Green

Unslayable was influenced by Lovecraftian horror. This may still be the case with Mournhold, as the superb cover art suggests as much but lyrics, often being the wonderfully ambiguous creation that they are, mean there could be other factors cleverly woven into their content too.

So I am not going to make any guesses. However, the superbly striking cover art suggests it still plays a part.

Opening piece Violent Inheritance develops out of a sonic wave. I love the dramatic extremes of pace and intensity across this piece, particularly the way it switches and stops suddenly, delivering icy riffs, mournful melody and even the leadwork is broad ranging, sometimes haunting, other times searing. The vocal delivery is both acidic, scathing and well-protracted. It is a superb listen.

On the next piece, Orbus Non Sufficit (which translates from Latin as the world is not enough), the haunting opening quickly builds into driving blackened riffs and powerfully punctuated scathing vocals. I like the delivery of this piece. It is dark, intense and largely unrelenting, not ebbing back until midway for a spoken element, slightly after which you get a few dramatic drops and builds. The regular backing chants of “Orbus Non Sufficit” add further depth, making another excellent piece.

A heavy chugging driver with an addictive repeat from the offset, Seize The Stars develops heady Thrash overtones and acerbic vocals with dramatic squealing waves of thrashy leadwork. Plunging back midway, this still delivers an ominous intent, even more so as it builds back up to more of that thrashy lead work ebbing out on chants of “Seize the Stars.”

Flesh Eternal takes a different slant with its post-punk influences. I love the loose but catchy bass lines, drum rhythms and haunting keyboard repeat, and you see a different side to the vocals, which are cleaner. The pace switches up midway, and the riffing intensifies, carving a path for a swathe of soaring leadwork ending on sonic noises that fade out towards the end.

Reignfall, the first single released from the album, is an up-tempo Thrashy number that becomes more intense as it progresses. You cannot help but get caught up in those hugely engaging Thrash-rich riffs and squealing leads. It is a heady beast of a track.

Penultimate offering and title track Mournhold emerges out of a wall of riffing, quickly developing pace, punch and a subtly catchy edge. The lyrics are delivered with a well-phrased punch, and the second half lead work elevates the piece and sets it on a frantic up-tempo drive to the close. A well-composed and engaging track.  

Final and longest piece at seven and a half minutes, Back To Grey opens on a reflective, haunting, melodic repeat rapidly building into a sharp Thrashy drive that twists and turns alongside dramatic drops. Lyrics are delivered with acidic punch and precision, and the second half develops a subtly blackened melodic feel alongside the sharp, haunting lead work, fading out as it began, but with added impactful drum beats.

Tyrannus release Mournhold on 15 May 2026 via True Cult Records. It will be available as a vinyl in heavyweight transparent deep purple vinyl and include a full colour printed double-sided lyric sheet, a professionally dubbed tape, with full colour on-body tampography print and a two-sided J-card.

First editions will be limited to 50, and reservations are getting snapped up fast. A limited-edition digipak CD and a digital download are available to pre-order at Mournhold | Tyrannus.

The post Tyrannus Strike Back With Dark, Thrashy Force On Mournhold first appeared on MetalTalk – Heavy Metal News, Reviews and Interviews.

The post appeared first on INFRARED MAGAZINE.

If you’ve paid attention to what’s happening in the alternative and indie rock scenes, you’ve probably noticed that

Few things in life are as reliable as Jungle Rot. And not in the purely physical state, but in the crushing Death Metal that the band has been delivering for more than 30 years. This run continues with the band’s twelfth album, Cruel Face Of War.

Jungle Rot – Cruel Face Of War

Release Date: 15 May 2026

Words: Paul Hutchings

Whilst there have been many musicians that have crewed the good ship, it is a solid line-up that has steered the band through the past 20+ years.

Most recent addition, powerhouse drummer Spenser Syphers has been on board for closing in on seven years, whilst founder Dave Matrise has had trusty counterparts in bassist James Genenz and guitarist Geoff Bub for over two decades. 

It is evident that this is a band who can deliver with cohesion but also with fresh approaches. Yes, their sound is a blend of old-school Thrash, Death, Crossover and even crust punk, but there is a specific sound that makes the likes of Obituary, Immolation and Vomitory relevant today.

Add Jungle Rot into the mix, for they bring it hard and without any focus on the flashy. This is slow stomp melodies, bruising riffage, growling vocals and efficiency in all they do. 

It is evident that the band do not take it for granted. Matrise comments: “Let’s start off by saying what an amazing accomplishment it is to hit 12 releases in my career. Never would I think I’d still be doing this 30+ years later. I guess be careful what you wish for. I’m very grateful to all of our fans that have supported us for so many years and for never giving up on us.”

What we get is a glorious slab of in-your-face old school. From the imaginatively titled Intro that forms the starting point, via the lynchpin of Blade Of Betrayal with its Thrash overtones and finale Hollow Husk, this is an album that pulls no punches. 

I love how genuine Jungle Rot are. There is nothing superficial here at all, just pure mayhem and power that drives at the jugular and rams home.

But there is also groove, a catchiness that demands your attention and then slams you hard. Maniacal possesses a grinding riff that slowly builds into a headbanging dream, whilst the arrival of Benediction’s Dave Ingram on Horrors Vile adds another step to the levels.

A track bristling with aggression and punishment, it’s fast, furious, and still possesses melodious lead work that screams out of the melee with class and style. Meanwhile, the blistering drumming of Syphers is immaculate throughout. 

There is nothing more to add apart from to implore you to listen to this album, from one of the genre’s legendary outfits.

As Matrise says, “We have stood the test of time. We are still here playing our trademark style of old school Death Metal that has carved a legendary name for us in the underground scene today.”

Jungle Rot release Cruel Face Of War on 15 May 2026 via Unique Leader Records. Pre-orders are available from orcd.co/CRUELFACEOFWAR.

The post Jungle Rot Prove Longevity And Power On Cruel Face Of War first appeared on MetalTalk – Heavy Metal News, Reviews and Interviews.

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