UNHOLY IMPURITY
Bone maniacs Unholy Impurity’s style is sinister and ritualistic, reminiscent of the first eras of Mayhem and Watain, as well as of, perhaps, Marduk and Celestial Bloodshed. There is a certain authenticity, easily perceptible, which directs the conjured sensations in the mind of the listener towards the very essence of black metal, in its darkest and most ominous spirit. Oculus Mortis is old school, raw and straight to the point. The past is alive, and in rude health if Oculus Mortis (released at the end of next month by Masked Death Records) is anything to go by.
Hailing from Sardinia, the island whose ancient population dates back to the Bronze Age, and with their music centered around themes of Sardinian occultism, Unholy Impurity’s localised focus gives them a distinctive cultural identity within the broader black metal community, and further strengthen’s the genre’s reputation as a protector and promoter of ancient streams of belief.
Unholy Impurity are inspired by anticosmic spirituality and the ancient mysteries linked to Sardinia’s culture. The album features four songs with lyrics in the Sardinian language (hence the self-coined name for the band’s music, Sardinian Native Black Metal) and an astonishingly detailed artwork by the Indonesian artist Oik Wasfuk (Watain).
KATI RAN
As a testament to her passion for music and her determination to stay true to her vision, Kati Rán originally released LYS in 2015 as a solo artist after her folk band L.E.A.F dissolved over artistic differences. During this transition to a solo career, Christopher Juul provided his immersive audio production expertise, which continues to shape the Nordic folk genre today through various projects and bands. The magic of their collaboration is evident in the LYS album, as well as in Kati Rán’s singles Blodbylgje and Unnr Mindbeach, which were featured on her latest album, SÁLA, in 2024. Since its original release, LYS has sold out all physical editions, garnered over ten million streams across music platforms, and is widely considered a genre-defining record in Nordic Dark Folk.
LYS impresses not only with its sound but also through its collaborations with various artists and bands. These include Oliver S. Tyr of the German pagan folk act Faun, Kai Uwe Faust’s signature throat vocalisations on Suurin, a duet with Maria Franz (Heilung, Euzen) on Vinda, soothing harmonising vocals by drummer Kristian Uhre (Euzen) on Sol and instrumental contributions from Kati Rán’s former bandmates in L.E.A.F. The album also features Rán’s first duet recordings with Heilung’s Kai Uwe Faust on the opening track Flamme.
LYS was originally crowdfunded by listeners and supporters of Kati Rán’s dark pagan folk band L.E.A.F and her solo musical journey. Several international artists contributed campaign support videos, helping to make her first album an international success.
The 2025 anniversary edition of LYS offers an exclusive vinyl print with a bonus track, alongside other formats available through Kati Rán’s label, Svart Records. This release is a must-have for music collectors and listeners worldwide. The LYS 2025 Anniversary Album will be released on 18th April 2025.
IRONRAT
The wait is over! UK-based doom heavyweights Ironrat are back and ready to dominate the heavy music scene once again. The band has revealed the full details of their highly anticipated new album, Beneath It All, set for release in February 28th 2025 via the ever-reliable Argonauta Records. Alongside the announcement, the band has dropped a thunderous new single and an accompanying video, Watch it below!
Drawing inspiration from iconic bands such as Red Fang, Alice In Chains, Corrosion of Conformity and Mastodon, Ironrat has crafted a sound that blends the raw grit of sludge and doom with the emotive edge of grunge. Their forthcoming record marks a triumphant return nearly a decade after their acclaimed debut, Monument, in 2015.
The journey to Beneath It All hasn’t been without it’s challenges; The band weathered a temporary setback with the departure of their vocalist, Chris, due to health reasons. However, instead of faltering, the band used this time to regroup, reforge and emerge stronger than ever with a revitalised lineup: of Martin Wiseman (Psychlona, Wolves In Winter) on vocals and guitar, Guitarist Wayne Hustler (Wolves In Winter, ex-Monolith Cult), Stuart Hillman (bass) and drummer Gordon Wilkinson (Hollow Earth, Lazarus Blackstar, ex-Khang)
Fans of the band will know Ironrat hasn’t been idle during their studio hiatus. Their explosive live performances alongside heavyweights like Orange Goblin, Phil Campbell and Psychlona have kept their name firmly etched in the heavy music circuit. Appearances at prestigious festivals like Bloodstock, SOPHIE Fest, and Manor Fest have further cemented their reputation as one of the UK’s premier doom acts.
The upcoming album, recorded at the renowned Foel Studio and produced by Chris Fielding of Conan fame, is a tribute to Ironrat’s sonic evolution. Packed with massive riffs, crushing tones, and a newfound melodic depth in the vocals, Beneath It All showcases the band’s growth while still retaining the core sound that made them such an enticing proposition in the first place.
Stay tuned for the full release of Beneath It All this February, and in the meantime, dive into the new single and video—a powerful preview of the epic soundscapes that await.
GREYEMBER
Greyember is the blackened death metal project of Melbourne-based multi-instrumentalist Rick Grimm who you may remember is a member of the excellent Bentham’s Head, who released a rather good album last year. Fusing crushing distortion with haunting melodies, Greyember tackles themes of determination, passion, and responsibility. Its tagline, “We are all each other’s keeper,” reflects a commitment to fostering community and defying injustice.
Rick began his journey in Ipswich, Queensland, where skateboard culture and a Fender Strat knockoff introduced him to music. Inspired by bands like Emperor and Behemoth, he developed a style that balances technical precision with raw intensity. Grimm moved to Melbourne to pursue music full-time at seventeen with nothing more than a guitar case full of clothes and a desire to make something work. Today, he regularly busks solo around Melbourne, delivering raw, powerful performances to street audiences. Greyember’s debut elf-produced EP marks a significant milestone, with future plans including a national busking tour. Combining the rawness of live street performance with the depth of studio production, Greyember offers a fresh take on metal’s emotional and sonic potential.
Grimm has recently has unveiled the debut Greyember EP, Blooming in Antarctica. Grimm has channelled the raw energy of his busking into a three-track release that fearlessly examines some of life’s most difficult realities.
The EP’s title track, draws inspiration from the stark reality of flowers now growing in Antarctica—a harbinger of the climate crisis and its devastating implications. This chilling theme is mirrored in the music itself, which combines brutal riffs with atmospheric passages to create a sense of looming catastrophe. In Reflections, Grimm tackles the internal conflict of balancing authenticity with the safety of societal norms, while madness dives into the mind of someone standing on the edge of despair.
The EP’s sound is as dynamic as its subject matter, pulling from death metal, black metal, and progressive influences. Guest vocalists Richard White of Grim Demise and Luna Starchild of With Witch bring added intensity and nuance to two of the tracks, elevating the emotional depth of the project. With nods to bands like Gojira, Behemoth, and Emperor, Greyember crafts a unique sonic identity that blends the crushing and the contemplative.
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