This week’s Heavy Music HQ reviews include releases from Archgoat, Cartilage, Dreadnought, Green Lung, Harlott, Hunter Omega, Jess By The Lake, Lemongrab, Shrineburner, Sněť, Space Chaser, Til The End, Tygers Of Pan Tang and Vulgar Mephitis.
The ratings are on a 5-star scale.
Archgoat – Nightbringer, Lightbringer (Debemur Morti)
They have been around for nearly 40 years, but the Finnish black metal band Archgoat’s catalog isn’t all that extensive. It took them until 2006 to issue their full-length debut, and two decades later are unleashing their sixth album Nightbringer, Lightbringer.
While black metal is their base, Archgoat mix in other styles including death metal, grindcore, thrash and punk. Angelslayer’s vocals are low-pitched death metal growls. The tempos range from deliberate on tracks like “The Dawn To Armageddon” to chaotic on songs such as “Keys Of Hell And Of Death.” There are plenty of shifts in pace, and synths add atmosphere to much of the album. Archgoat deliver a dose of classic black/death metal with Nightbringer, Lightbringer.
Rating: 3
(Chad Bowar)
Cartilage – Operating Altar (Everlasting Spew)
The anthology stories in 2025’s Tales From The Entrails: A Necrology EP was a pathway for Cartilage to go full concept album with Operative Altar. The twisted fictional tales of Dr. Warwick Locke’s inhumane surgeries and experiments at St. Petersen’s University Hospital are given the death metal/grindcore treatment.
The days of under-two-minute grinders are gone for now, as room is made for enhancements like the organ introduction to closer “Stitch By Stitch.” This track also includes one of the best guitar solos recorded this year, memorable enough to be stuck with a listener long after Operative Altar ends. Cartilage are able to fully engage in the concept without it weighing the songs down.
Rating: 4
(Dan Marsicano)
Dreadnought – Wars of Spirit // Wards of Light (Vesperian)
For their latest album Wars of Spirit // Wards of Light, the Colorado band Dreadnought had some lineup changes and are back to being a quartet. The album was produced by Julius Mauranen (Oranssi Pazuzu). As with previous releases, pigeonholing Dreadnought’s style is a fruitless endeavor.
They span numerous genres, incorporating electronic elements alongside extreme metal, while also embracing folk and avant-garde moments. Opener “Tiamat’s Gate” is the record’s longest song at over 9 minutes, showcasing the band’s many facets. It goes from mellow to intense and back again, with both ethereal vocals from Kelly Schilling and harsh growls. While Dreadnought can display their full arsenal on the longer numbers, they are also effective on more focused compositions like “The Archive” and “Colors Of Our Broken Hearts.” Wars of Spirit // Wards of Light is an engrossing and engaging album that’s hard to categorize but easy to enjoy.
Rating: 3.5
(Chad Bowar)
Green Lung – Necropolitan (Nuclear Blast)
Green Lung’s Necropolitan delivers a solid retro-heavy and sludge metal experience that balances psychedelic vibes with tight songwriting. While the album stays within a familiar comfort zone, it avoids filler and offers infectious riffs, thick grooves, and melodic guitar solos that add sophistication beyond typical nostalgic throwbacks. It’s not groundbreaking, but its confident charm and warm, foggy atmosphere make it an engaging listen.
Though the trippy elements may not appeal to everyone, and higher technical ambition could have pushed it further, the album succeeds in what it sets out to do. It’s a fun, well-crafted release that feels like a breath of fresh air—even for those who usually prefer darker, heavier sounds. Necropolitan is a pleasant surprise worth checking out.
Rating: 3.5
(Carlos Tirado)
Harlott – Exsequiis (Metal Blade)
It has been a minute since we’ve heard from Australian thrashers Harlott. They churned our albums about every two years from their 2013 debut through 2020’s Detritus Of The Final Age, but it took nearly six years for their fifth full-length Exsequiis to come to fruition.
Harlott bring plenty of typical, galloping thrash to the table but aren’t limited to just that. Their songwriting is dynamic, channeling Slayer on tracks like “Messiah Simplex” while bringing the groove and melody to songs such as “The Joyful Stain.” There are plenty of blazing guitar solos and catchy riffs throughout the album. Harlott address current issues and timeless topics in their lyrics while still paying homage to classic thrash. Exsequiis should appeal to fans of both old school and modern thrash.
Rating: 3.5
(Chad Bowar)
Hunter Omega – Lake Of Death (Self)
After releasing a couple of albums as Hunter, the Belgian band is now known as Hunter Omega. Lake Of Death is a heavy and power metal oriented release, classically framed with a very true metal tone. There is very little to dislike here as the music is crisp and melodic. There is a fun aspect to the music that makes it shine.
Hunter Omega’s musicianship is very solid and has a high degree of tightness associated with it that is one of the aspects that elevates the album. It combines melody and abrasiveness to make for an interesting listen, augmented by a lot of catchy songs. Lake Of Death is a powerful listen, and while it doesn’t reach the level of a genre classic, is a solid release.
Rating: 3.5
(Adam McAuley)
Jess By The Lake – Human (Svart)
Back in 2019, former Jess And The Ancient Ones vocalist Jasmin Lempinen released her debut solo project album as Jess By The Lake. Though the songwriting for this record started several years ago, the decision to record Human fully analog made the process longer.
Psych rock is the predominant style on the album, driven by Lempinen’s potent vocals. Jess By The Lake explore other sonic palettes as well, from the pop stylings of “Lovely Boy” to the bluesy “Falling Under” to the ’70s rock vibe of “How Could You Tell?” The warm, analog sound does add to the retro feel, contrasting the sterile, loud, compressed style of modern digital production. Human is largely mellow, but Jess By The Lake amp up the intensity from time to time.
Rating: 3.5
(Chad Bowar)
Lemongrab – Another Kind Of Freedom (Mothland)
When one thinks of Berlin’s punk scene, it is safe to say one is brought back to the time of the Cold War and the symbol of anti-authoritarianism it stood for. Relative newcomers to the scene Lemongrab and their EP Another Kind Of Freedom is another notch in the long belt of time.
Clocking in less than thirteen minutes, this short yet invigorating EP does what the genre is known best for, speaking out against social issues in a way people will listen. Whether it’s speaking out about the lack of livability artists in the industry are facing in “Pay to Play” or “Necessary Condition” which focuses on the nature of distracting ourselves when the world starts crumbling around us.
Rating: 3
(Dalton Husher)
Shrineburner – Hymns Of Despair (Self)
Shrineburner live up to the name of their debut album, Hymns Of Despair. It’s not just in the lyrics, with lines like “We sail on an ocean formed of ashes and broken hope,” but with sludgy riffs that stubbornly hold firm to their piercing tempos. They do tease us with an enraged start to “Spectral Cataclysm,” and even return to it halfway through the song, but that’s not the norm for the band.
Slow-churning jams and hoarse screams are where Shrineburner find their purpose. “An Ocean Of Broken Hope” and the title track either inch close to or exceed the double-digit mark by letting the trio keep the music going with no interruptions. That includes letting the vocals sit off to the side for long stints. Hymns Of Despair is not a chill listen for the end of summer, but an early dip into the doldrums of winter.
Rating: 3.5
(Dan Marsicano)
Sněť – V Bažinách Vědomí (Dark Descent)
Death metal isn’t a one size fits all type of metal. One of the ways in which it works is with straightforward brutality and Czechia’s Sněť more than have you covered there on their sophomore release V Bažinách Vědomí. Opener “Tíha světů” feels more like a combination of the death doom of Autopsy with the overall disgust of Demilich making for a unique and transparent attack. The drums pound into your skull while the vocals sound as though they are coming from a subterranean prison cell, with the guitars either dragging a casket or flying high with technical precision. It’s a true combination of old school death metal styles used to form this calculated chaos.
When this type of music is done right, there is no need for pomp and circumstance. Riffs are played in a simple and gross way, often celebrating the genre’s past while also plumbing the depths a bit more for some added stench. Tracks like “Ve stínu slunce” and “Moskyt” are exactly where this band excels. For being one of the most truly authentic death metal releases of 2026, V Bažinách Vědomí is Sněť’s mildew-laced masterwork.
Rating: 4.5
(Tom Campagna)
Space Chaser – Razorblade Bay (Testimony)
The re-thrash movement gained popularity in the mid-2000’s, with many bands emerging during that era through the early 2010’s. Space Chaser were at the tail end of that, forming in 2011 and issuing their debut Watch The Skies! in 2014. Razorblade Bay is their fourth album.
The German thrashers follow in the steps of their countrymen like Kreator, Destruction and Sodom while injecting their own style into the equation. This time around guitarist Leo Schacht adds lead vocal duties and the band doesn’t miss a step. Former Sodom guitarist Andy Brings helps with production on the record and also provides guest vocals on “8 Minutes.” While there’s plenty of old school goodness on Razorblade Bay, Space Chaser add enough modern touches to avoid being completely retro.
Rating: 3
(Chad Bowar)
Til The End – Til The End (Lifeforce)
For Til The End, the “Genesis” to their self-titled debut album is nearly two minutes of acoustics. It’s an understated way to introduce themselves, assuming a listener hasn’t heard various singles and 2025’s Dark Kings EP. Once “Lava” comes in, the melodic death metal is in full gear. Gothenburg energy is baked into this album, calling back to the dominance Sweden had on the genre decades ago.
The acoustics are not just held to the first track, but added to a few other songs in a tasteful manner. “Dismal Paradise” and “These Little Voices” use them as quaint intros, while the six-and-a-half minute finale “Until The End” pairs them up with a piano. Til The End puts together musicians from multiple countries with the purpose of stamping their own spin on melodic death metal.
Rating: 3.5
(Dan Marsicano)
Tygers Of Pan Tang – Electrifyed (Mighty)
Tygers Of Pan Tang‘s Electrifyed sounds distinctly heavier than their previous Bloodlines album of 2023. Guitarist Francesco Marras has been replaced by John Footitt; otherwise the lineup remains unchanged.
The music style seems to evoke the band’s early days with a production that suitably complements the songs. “Electrified” is full of hooks and well-written songs that will make you want to strap on your air guitar and repeatedly bang your head in approval. Iacopo Meille’s voice is in great shape and songs such as “The Nail” and “Revenge Is Sweet” has him displaying a Deep Purple-like swagger. But actually all the band plays like one compact unit. Electrifyed is an electrifying album.
Rating: 4
(Chris Galea)
Vulgar Mephitis – From Dust (Willowtip)
From Dust is an assured debut album from Vulgar Mephitis, one that takes an angular approach to brutal death metal. Drummer Nick Bentzel dazzles with his chaotic fills unwilling to maintain the same patterns for too long. Some of his performance is akin to jazz fusion gone extreme, assisting in the technical design these songs fall into. At only 26 minutes, From Dust does not waste time.
The opening title track and closer “Wounds” are where Vulgar Mephitis try out something different to uneven results. The former is a groove-infused instrumental, which works well, and the latter has a 2-minute outro of a distorted vocal choir, which is not so great. From Dust does more as brutal death metal than just mindlessly pounding away, which puts the band in a promising spot.
Rating: 3
(Dan Marsicano)
