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The post The Smashing Pumpkins, Turnstile, YUNGBLUD, Etc. Booked For 2026 ‘Lollapalooza’ In Chicago appeared first on Theprp.com.

It’s not often I underrate something, but if there were ever a legitimate example, it might be my review of Arcane Paths to Resurrection, the debut from Greek black metal trio Decipher. Upon revisiting it recently, I experienced newfound intense appreciation for their slightly crusty melodic black metal, and this all stemmed from my initial spins of sophomore ΘΕΛΗΜΑ.¹ Not overly atmospheric, not supremely dissonant or integrated into death metal, nor straightforwardly raw and aggressive, Decipher maintain a style in Thelema that’s as subtly intriguing and melodic as it is punchy and to-the-point. The word Thelema means will² and while there’s no lyric sheet or storytelling in promo material to elucidate the concept, the snatches of audible references to Satan, and the generally extreme, yet anthemic vibe of the music broadcast defiant rebellion and the burden of being, which suit that word well.

Decipher’s sound is broadly the same as on Arcane Paths, a Watain-meets-Dissection viciousness tempered—if you can call it that—by a darker, eerier side that pulls more from Icelandic acts like Svartidauði. Whilst remaining committed to frequent use of group-chanted and screamed vocal lines and plenty of recognisably malicious blackened riffery, Thelema sees the band experiment a little more. While not meandering—with the possible exception of “Bound to the Wheel”—songs spread their themes into more variations (“The Black March,” “Towards Renaissance”) or uncanny soloing, whilst rhythms shift more often, and build tension for longer before unravelling and transforming. The barely five minutes added is enough for the compositions to have more presence, whether with energetic malevolence (“Return to Naught,” “Seven Scars”) or ominous finality (“Liturgy”). Skirting the precipice that would see a descent into atmo-black, there’s a relaxation and a layering to the melodic lines that deepens and darkens the sound.

Thelema demonstrates that Decipher’s command of rhythm, melody, and grit has only gotten better, as it compels with the joint force of hookiness and evil. Using recurring patterns of riff, vocals, and percussion that each cue one another, Decipher create a thrashing feeling of push-and-pull that’s downright magnetic. A group wail precipitating a gnarly descending arpeggio (“Seven Scars”); the way a guitar clambers up and down to the precise beat of the drums (“Return to Naught,” “Hail Death”). These manifest organically out of existing tempos—blast beat (“Seven Scars”), march (“The Black March”), or shuffling skitter (“Towards Renaissance”) alike, making the shifts seamless and the identity consistent. Perhaps this is black metal that’s not unusual on paper, but adorned with Decipher’s now recognisable bright yet sinister melodies, and continually layered vocals, it sounds freshly thrilling. The tingles that go down my spine when I hear the first riff on opener “Return to Naught,” the solo that ends “The Black March,” and the overlaid cries and urgent tremolo of “Litany” have not yet failed to materialise.

Thelema’s enjoyability and power over its listener is also bolstered by Decipher’s additional refinements in areas not lacking before. By severing any instrumental interlude or protracted intro, the energy—however it transforms—and momentum are maintained, and the album has a more robust through-line. Rhythmic and thematic shifts flex and emerge variously with emphasis and mournful or spiteful intensity. The wails are just as agonised and chest-emptying in the latter half as they are in the first. Decipher’s production has also expanded to accommodate their slightly more nuanced and exploratory sound. Thelema sports a roomy mix that keeps the interspersed vocal and guitar lines, and the proudly beating drums and crashing cymbals equally audible and striking.

I recall bemoaning a lack of zhuzh in Arcane Paths and, whether or not I still consider that justified, it definitely wouldn’t be here. For all the new layers and senses of intrigue, Thelema remains a black metal album with standout moments that threaten to overshadow and desaturate the more standard fare, and may strike some harder than others. It yet undeniably shows Decipher carving out a decisive space for themselves that adumbrates a dark, delicious presence. Thelema stands one step behind the inexorability that confers greatness in its sphere. But it’s a small step.

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Rating: Very Good
DR: 11 | Format Reviewed: 320kbps mp3
Label: Transcending Obscurity Records
Websites: Bandcamp | Facebook
Releases Worldwide: March 20th, 2026

The post Decipher – ΘΕΛΗΜΑ (Thelema) Review appeared first on Angry Metal Guy.

“I think I said something the other day that then got misconstrued into something that is not intentionally necessarily true.”

The post Trent Reznor Clarifies Nine Inch Nails May Yet Tour Again, Confirms New Music Is Planned appeared first on Theprp.com.

“Fans of the golden era of Industrial Metal have just gained another classic.” (Musique Machine) Five days before official release, Industrial Metal pioneer Jason Köhnen (THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE, THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET) premieres the full stream of “Esoterik“, the new album from his primary project BONG-RA, on DMP’s YouTube channel. Listen here: BONG-RA‘s signature low-frequency weight, cinematic horn arrangements […]

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Posted on March 17th 2026, 4:35p.m.

Rise Against announces fall U.S. tour dates with Alkaline Trio was originally published on HM Magazine by Nao Glover.

Today, the iconic alternative punk rock band Rise Against has announced a new leg of headlining tour dates this fall across the U.S. with support from Alkaline Trio. They will kick off the tour in Dallas, TX on September 22 at South Side Ballroom and will be visiting cities including New York City, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Phoenix, Milwaukee, Las Vegas, […]

Rise Against announces fall U.S. tour dates with Alkaline Trio was originally published on HM Magazine by Nao Glover.

They're his first performances since the end of the Get Back Tour 2025. Continue reading…

The heat is on: Rome’s skygazers KLIMT 1918 reveal the sun-drenched music video ‘Dream Core‘ as the first advance single taken from the forthcoming new full-length “Àmor“. The beloved Italians’ fifth album has been chalked up for release on June 12, 2026. Pre-sale link: https://spkr.store/collections/klimt-1918 KLIMT 1918 comment: “The song ‘Dream Core’ revolves around resilience, strength, and the ability to overcome life’s adversities”, frontman Marco Soellner explains. “We dedicate this track to those […]

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Once again performing the album in is entirety nightly.

The post Minus The Bear Announce Fall “Menos El Oso” 20th Anniversary Tour With Keep appeared first on Theprp.com.

If you only know Jessie Buckley for her Best Actress triumph at the Academy Awards, just wait until you hear her sing