Probably one of the best black metal billings in 2025 were to find that evening in Oberhausen. Kicking off with British Necro Ritual the show started at 6 PM. But it is as it is and because it was a typical Friday in November I was stuck in a huge traffic jam so that I almost missed the whole show. I arrived when the band played their last song and this one was quite convincing. Playing typical cold and fast black metal, heavily Scandinavian influenced they offered asides from stuff of their latest album "Bysmer" some new tracks to the audience. The band is quite an unknown gem in the scene, you should check their discography!

Setlist: Black Holocaust / Liber / Endless Cemetery / Silver / Strands Of War / Lycanfire / Homines Religiosi

Necro Ritual weren't the only British band that evening. After their gig came the guys from Master's Call who are presenting themselves quite often in Oberhausen. I guess it was the third time within two years the guys were there and it is always a pleasure seeing them live. Focusing mainly on their debut album "A Journey For The Damned" they also had a brand new song ("Black Steel & Devil's Fire") up in their sleeve. And this one was a really killer track that makes me looking forward to their hopefully soon-to-be-released follow-up album. The show was, as always, really pretty much fun to see and hear and the hug from vocalist John was unforgettable.

Setlist: The Serpent's Rise / All Hope In Fire / From Once Beneath The Cursed / Into The Abyss Once More / Damnation's Black Winds / Black Steel & Devil's Fire / Blood On The Altar / The Spire Cranes

Now the time had come for German Halphas (not to confuse with Swiss Malphas!). Just like Necro Ritual they have released three albums yet and focused mainly on their last one "Sermons Of The Black Flame". The first four tracks were even the same as on the album. Maybe a little bit more creativity in the creation of the setlist would have had been cool. But their show was quite cool. Black metal in the vein of Sarkrista or Totenwache with a lot of atmosphere and fury in it and some good stage acting made the approximately 40 minutes quite enjoyable.

Setlist: Into The Void / The Draconian Path / Satan Speaks / Wolves Of The Void / At The Diamond Gates / Into The Fires Of Black Flame

But not only Halphas let the Devil speak but also Swedish Malakhim who has released my personal black metal highlight in 2025: "And In Our Heart The Devil Sings". For this reason I was super excited to see them live for the first time and they actually didn't disappoint. Offering a furious show with a good sound they came over quite good. Maybe a little bit more evilness would have been nice, I guess even my mother-in-law wouldn't have been shocked about the show. But maybe it is what the Devil wants – camouflaged in harmlessness. Fact is that he (through the Swedes) sung very well and filled my heart with his words.

Setlist: There Is A Beacon / Solar Crucifixion / The Splendour OfStillborn Stars / He Who Devours / Hammer Of Satan / His Voiceless Whisper / The Golden Shrines

At 10:30 PM it was time for some Norwegian blasphemies, Whoredom Rife. Being supported by Ragnar from Austrian Theotoxin the guys delivered a really good show. Just like Malakhim they had a good sound and also the illumination was convincing. Vocalist K.R. was very active interacting with the audience and came even down from the stage to the trench to shake hands with the fans. Just like the last time I saw them they performed very well and I would dare to say that the guys are one of the best live bands in the black metal scene these days. Playing songs from all four albums (and also from their debut EP) it was really an evil pleasure to attend the show. Let's hope that they will soon release a follow-up to their 2024 album "Den Vrede Makt".

This was a fantastic evening with some great bands and in the case you've missed the Unholy Rite II, in October there will be another great show in Oberhausen (Odyssey To Blasphemy IX with Warlust, Vel'Har and Bütcher). It is always great to have such shows around here, so support the underground!!!