Review by Fernando on November 28, 2025.

Death metal is a style that, despite growing a bit saturated as of late, is one that I keep coming back to, particularly with the more evil-sounding or hybrid with black metal. A recent phenomenon of extreme metal veterans starting brand new projects is always an interesting proposition to check, even if the music doesn’t quite live up to the initial hype. And so, today we have Hellstorm Apocalypse’s self-titled debut mini album. This project is the love child of Australian extreme metalheads Doomsayer and Hellaeon, who previously played together in cult acts Darklord, Suffering, Beyond Mortal Dreams and Oni, and their biggest selling point is the fact that they’re collaborating together for the first time in over a decade.

Given the two members’ experience within the realms of black and death metal, it's not surprising that Hellstorm Apocalypse leans into evil black/death metal territory, and of course, their bona fides are very much displayed with pride. This EP is a slab of brutal riffs, sinister keyboard-enhanced atmospheres and foul gutturals. It evokes that very brief period in the very early 90s when death metal bands started blackening their sound before the Scandinavians took over. As such, the record balances a vintage sound with a timeless feel; it sounds like it belongs in 1990 but without coming off as artificial.

While Doomsayer handles the bulk of the instrumentation, I wanna first give props to Hellaeon’s drumming, he expertly toes the line between sheer brutality of blast beats and double bass with a classic metal swagger. The band’s cover of legendary Australian death metal icons Armoured Angel is the best display of this dynamism, but as a whole Hellaeon steals the show with his drumming.

However, that’s not to sell Doomsayer short, handling the rest of the instrumentation and vocals showcase all of his talents and how his tenure in different bands with different styles pays off. His approach is very old-school, maintaining a primitive but effective songwriting that also gives him space to flex his more technical skills, particularly in how he employs speed in his riffs, classically melodic soloing, and the effectiveness of his evil synths, and of course, his sinister gutturals while matching Helleaeon’s intensity beat for beat. The chemistry of both members and how they play together on record is what makes this EP so enjoyable; the way they’re on the same wavelength and employ their skills to complement one another really makes the songs feel more impactful.

The production is also perfect for the band, not too polished, but also not overly gritty; it has the perfect balance while maintaining a thick, bass-heavy sound that makes the drumming sound organic. My only real complaint is how the bass seems lost in the mix, due to the use of downtuned guitars and employing that old school, evil death metal sound. The bass becomes the casualty in the service of everything else working as intended, with the overall execution being successful in every sense of the word. These 2 veterans display the best qualities of that brief period of evil metal that a lot of bands just now seem to start paying more reverence than ever before, and for my money, it really is an easy recommendation for any fan of extreme metal.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Jeger on July 6, 2025.

Αχέροντας - Sages of the Dark Arts and practitioners of the Great Craft of Occultism require little introduction. A Greek institution that has bestowed upon the Hordes ten studio LPs - all of which are dedicated to various currents of magick and formulated as vessels for the transmission of magickal energy. Their latest LP, "Nekya - The Necromantic Patterns", was released in April to the enthrallment of Critics and Enthusiasts alike. Αχέροντας visionary, VP Adept is a practitioner who views the practice of Occultism from a scientific perspective, and that can also be said of Αχέροντας' music. Every album is a specimen of true Occult Black Metal.

Horna! A band that requires no introduction, but I'll provide one anyway. Formed by guitarist, Shatraug, during the early '90's Second Wave heyday, this band has established itself as one of the greatest Second Wave/New Wave of Finnish Black Metal bands to have ever formed alongside Satanic Warmaster and Sargeist. The latter happens to be another acclaimed group masterminded by Shatraug. Horna's music has conceptually spanned a wide breadth of themes - everything from Tolkien to Satanism and olde fashioned Devil worship. They've been the subject of the witch-hunt for Black Metal "fascism", and have come under fire for alleged ties to the NSBM Movement with accusations based on hysteria and lies. One of the most respected Suomi collectives - drunken Occult Bastards through and through. In 2015, in the olde tradition of one Black Metal band bringing out the best in another, Αχέροντας and Horna released a split EP known as "Atavistic Resurgence" via World Terror Committee. 

The first three tracks belong to Αχέροντας, and they do what they are known for, and that is to invigorate the senses with Black Metal of the transcendent kind: epic, visual and dramatic. The opener, "Seven Tongues Of The Serpent", evokes imagery of a steamy Grecian eve spent in the throes of ritual: sweat-soaked, enthralled and possessed by the spirit of the Great Serpent. And then it's off into the shadows, into the realm of true Greek Black Metal as it stands in such elaborate form. Grandiose yet steeped in tradition is "Gospel Of Saturn". You'll hear tremolo riffs and blast-beats but also a multilayered vocals contribution that transpires to the sound of chants, bellows and Daemonic shrieks. The energy is urgent, suspenseful even. "Sphere Of The Sicle" - an homage to the One and a proclamation of undying dedication to Him, as realized through tribal rhythms and hypnotic incantations that permeate a most enchanting atmosphere - closes out Αχέροντας' contribution in epic fashion.

Horna culminates the Split with two cuts of their own: "Ikuiseen Mustaan Uneen" and "Incipit". The former alternates between mid and fast tempos, all the while as grimy Black & Roll vibes give way to swift riffing patterns and galloping rhythms. Horna's portion is modestly engineered in comparison to Αχέροντας' contribution, but I wouldn't call it raw either. A stylistic throwback to the "Sudentaival" era: nicely balanced, segmented and melodic. And then "Incipit"… An adrenaline-inducing work of Black Metal aggression. An onslaught! A barrage of everything that makes Horna so great. Racing and complex but still intoxicatingly melodic is "Incipit" until the midway point where a slower, more sinister ambiance surrounds you. By far and wide, "Incipit" is one of Horna's finest recording feats.

The split is a celebrated tradition within the realm of Black Metal and "Atavistic Resurgence" is one of this tradition's greatest pieces. Both Αχέροντας and Horna do each other and the Label proud. Two bands that are light years apart stylistically. Two bands whose respective scenes are direct contrasts to one another. Two bands who came together anyway in the spirit of Black Metal unity. Both contributions are equally important and uniquely equivocal; inspiring a feeling of excitement from start to finish.

Αχέροντας and Horna have grown into literal powerhouses since the release of "Atavistic Resurgence". Horna's latest LP, "Nyx - Hymnejä Yölle" is their greatest Full-length accomplishment in my opinion and Αχέροντας is enjoying all new levels of respect and notoriety. Not fame, just a fresh level of artistic reverence due to the release of what is arguably their finest record in the aforementioned "Nekya - The Necromantic Patterns". To maintain a reputation as a true Black Metal band while at the same time drawing in an international base of followers is the most coveted balance that a Black Metal band can achieve, and I can think of few bands that have accomplished this feat with more class than Αχέροντας and Horna. Hail!

Rating: 8.8 out of 10