The previous edition of South of Heaven was a special one. Instead of, as usual, keeping an eye out for new names on the horizon, I allowed myself a moment to look back, revisiting debut albums that, in my opinion, left the strongest mark on the Polish metal scene over the last quarter century. It was especially gratifying to see that this idea was met with such a warm reception. Who knows—perhaps one day we will return to a similar retrospective edition of South Of Heaven. For now, however, it is time to turn our gaze once again to where it all begins: basements, garages, and rehearsal rooms. It is there, far from the spotlight, that new bands are born, while those who have already made their presence known with their first releases show no signs of slowing down. The Polish extreme metal scene is in excellent shape today, and the bar—both in terms of quality and ambition—is set remarkably high. Another encouraging fact is that domestic record labels are not afraid to release and discover new names on the scene. A deep nod of appreciation to them for that. I hope that this time as well, I will be able to draw your attention to a few bands that are more than worthy of your time.

Levi

Arouse The Darkness - Lost In Grief - Mara Productions

The debut "Cemetery Of Buried Hopes"was a promising release, but in doom/death metal, promise alone doesn't count for much. It is a genre that can quickly expose the ambitions of young bands. All the more reason to appreciate the fact that Arouse The Darkness have not only maintained their standard but clearly raised it on "Lost In Grief". The material sounds more mature, more deliberate, and above all, more cohesive. The sense of randomness is gone—these compositions breathe in their own rhythm, and the album's hour-plus running time passes surprisingly quickly. The duo clearly understands the spirit of the 1990s. This is not about copying specific riffs, but about capturing an atmosphere—that distinctive blend of melancholy and heaviness that bands like My Dying Bride and the early incarnation of Anathema once perfected. The guitars are both nostalgic and suffocating, especially when the deep growls enter the picture. Keyboards, acoustic passages, and calmer moments all make appearances, yet the album never loses its metallic backbone. "Lost In Grief"is a cohesive, atmospheric work and undoubtedly sits among the upper tier of contemporary Polish doom/death metal releases.

Moria - Path Of The Dead - Mara Productions

Behind the Moria project stands Dave Włodarski, a musician known from several underground ventures (including Poisoned and Putrid Evil), who this time decided to strike out on his own. No warm-up EPs and no lengthy build-up—just a full-length album right from the start. "Path Of The Dead" consists of nine tracks of raw blackened death metal that reek of the late '80s and early '90s. The material is built on simple, aggressive riffs and a direct, no-frills energy. Tremolo picking, classic riffing, and at times an almost speed-metal-like momentum combine into a mix that never aims for technical showmanship, yet hits exactly where it should. The guitars sound rich and vibrant, the rhythm section performs with confidence, and the whole album is driven by a rough, gritty vocal delivery. There are a few minor flaws here and there—the vocals occasionally sound slightly strained, and the ballad closing the album comes as a rather unexpected twist. Even so, "Path Of The Dead" remains a very enjoyable return to a time when metal was more direct, raw, and sincere.

Primitiae Dormientium - The Ash Chalice - Putrid Cult

The second album from Primitiae Dormientium is a clear nod to classic Scandinavian black metal. "The Ash Chalice" draws heavily from the aesthetics of the second wave, particularly the cold Swedish school known from the recordings of Marduk and Setherial. The material runs for over forty minutes and is largely built around fast, precise riffs. Melodies appear sparingly, but always at the right moments, allowing the music to maintain its aggression without falling into monotony. The tempo slows down in several tracks, emphasizing the weight and atmosphere of the compositions. The vocals are raw and emotional, while the lyrics — both in English and Polish — remain rooted in a distinctly traditional, anti-religious approach. The production stays faithful to the second-wave spirit: cold, somewhat sterile, and free of modern studio gloss. "The Ash Chalice" does not attempt to reinvent black metal, but it does one thing very well — it delivers a solid dose of classic blackened darkness.

Death Has Spoken - Elegy - Meuse Music Records

The third album from Death Has Spoken demonstrates that the band continues to develop its vision of doom/death metal with consistency and purpose. "Elegy"is the most refined release in their catalog to date—both in terms of songwriting and atmosphere. The influence of the classic British scene associated with the Peaceville roster remains evident, but the band is becoming increasingly confident in forging its own identity. Slow, crushing riffs and deep growls create a dense aura of melancholy. On tracks such as 'Beyond The Pale Horizon' and 'Closure', sorrow and heaviness intertwine naturally, evoking the spirit of early Anathema and Katatonia. The entire album has a distinctly old-school character, both in its riff construction and in the raw feel of the recording. "Elegy" works best when experienced as a complete album. It does not chase easy melodies or dramatic climaxes; instead, it gradually builds its atmosphere, guiding the listener through a bleak and contemplative landscape. The result is the most mature and fully realized work in Death Has Spoken's discography.

O.D.R.A. / Las Trumien - Breslau Spleen - Arcadian Industry

This split release from two homegrown acts serves as a solid report from the local underground scene.O.D.R.A. and Las Trumien are names well known to readers of this column, and "Breslau Spleen"only confirms that both bands continue to deliver the goods. O.D.R.A. contributes five tracks steeped in its trademark blend of sludge, stoner rock, and hardcore. Heavy, pulsating riffs build a groove that practically begs to be experienced in a packed club, surrounded by thick smoke and an energized crowd. Lyrically, it is as grimy, bleak, and disillusioned as ever. Las Trumien responds with an equally weighty set of songs, although at times there is a slight sense of déjà vu. The tracks still carry the necessary groove and heaviness, but some of the ideas—particularly in the vocal department—may feel somewhat familiar to longtime listeners. Even so, "Breslau Spleen" remains a cohesive and powerful release. Fans of sludge will devour it without a second thought.

Nox Urorum - Fall Of The Chaos King - Putrid Cult

Atmospheric black metal has never been my greatest musical passion, so I approached "Fall Of The Chaos King" with a certain amount of hesitation. Fortunately, Nox Urorum does not drown in ambient passages and, from the very beginning, focuses on straightforward, concrete songwriting. The material is built around moderately raw riffs, cold keyboards, and is generally performed at mid-paced tempos. The compositions unfold slowly, creating a hypnotic atmosphere of cold, nocturnal landscapes. The vocals balance between a classic black metal shriek and a spoken declamation, adding a certain theatrical quality to the whole experience. The album's greatest strength is its cohesive atmosphere — it flows like one long, icy stream. Its weakness may be a certain degree of monotony, especially for those who prefer more dynamic forms of black metal. However, at around thirty-five minutes in length, the material remains compact enough to never become tiresome. A solid release for fans of atmospheric black metal.

The Ruins of Megiddo - Siedem Dni Gniewu - Black Flame Rebellion

The debut release from the Szczecin-based project The Ruins Of Megiddo was issued on cassette in a strictly limited edition of only thirty-three copies — and it is hardly surprising that it disappeared from distribution almost immediately. The music is raw, filthy black metal in the spirit of the early nineties. The sound is dirty and basement-dwelling, the riffs are simple, and the vocals resemble a desperate scream echoing from the ruins of a long-forgotten civilization. A particularly interesting element is the lyrics inspired by the paintings of John Martin, which give the entire release an almost apocalyptic atmosphere. "Siedem Dni Gniewu" is not a record for everyone — this is black metal in its rawest and most uncompromising form. Yet it is precisely within this aesthetic that its greatest charm lies.

Odór - Foetor Hepaticus Vol. 1 - Godz Ov War Productions

Odór is a new project featuring musicians known for their work with Aggressor, Betrayer, and Calm Hatchery. That lineup of names alone suggested something brutal — and indeed, "Foetor Hepaticus Vol. 1" delivers exactly what one would expect. These six short tracks are classic death/grind: fast, direct, and completely devoid of unnecessary embellishments. The riffs are sharp and to the point, the rhythm section operates like a well-oiled machine, and the whole release carries the right amount of energy and dynamics. It is clear that experienced musicians are behind the instruments. Unfortunately, the weaker point lies in the lyrics. Their level of childishness can occasionally make one grind their teeth, so it is best to treat them as an insignificant addition. Fortunately, the music speaks for itself. If someone is looking for a short, brutal blast of death/grind, Odór delivers the goods without any problem.

Genocide Kvlt – Genocide Gospel - Putrid Cult

The name Genocide Kvlt alone makes it clear that there is no room for subtlety here. Their debut EP, "Genocide Gospel", is a raw, garage-drenched dose of black metal at its filthiest—exactly the kind of release one would expect from the Putrid Cult catalog. The material runs for just under half an hour and consists of six tracks packed with aggression and punk-infused energy. The production is rough and rugged, at times sounding as if it were recorded in a basement, but it is precisely this rawness that gives the music its authenticity. The band blends fast galloping rhythms with a d-beat pulse and occasional bursts of war metal-inspired chaos. Not every idea hits the mark—there are moments that feel derivative or simply unremarkable. However, with each successive track, the EP gains momentum, and the riffs begin to show more character. "Genocide Gospel" is not a fully realized work just yet, but as a debut, it succeeds quite well. The potential is definitely there.

Aborcja / Rapidfire / Pogarda / Czarny Szermierz / Necromantic / Little Man, Figurine - Via Ad Nihil Carpatia Split Vol. 1 - Independent

"It has long been known that Rzeszów rules" — this slogan was an inseparable part of metal concerts in the city for many years. During its heyday, the local scene was one of the most active in Poland. Then came years of silence, but it seems that the underground of the Podkarpacie region is slowly awakening from its slumber. Proof of this is the compilation "Via Ad Nihil Carpatia Vol. 1", featuring twelve tracks from six young bands:Aborcja, Pogarda, Czarny Szermierz, Necromantic, Rapidfire, and Little Man, Figurine. Each band contributes two songs, showcasing very different faces of metal — from black and death metal, through thrash, to more experimental territories. The material has a distinctly underground character, but that is exactly where its strength lies. There is a genuine sense of energy here and a desire to make a mark on the scene. Some bands are still searching for their own musical language, while others already display considerable potential, but the entire compilation remains an engaging listen. The release brings to mind the old split records that often opened doors for young bands. Hopefully, this time will be no different, because the Podkarpacie scene certainly deserves a new beginning. Apparently, another compilation is already on the way, so stay alert.

War-Saw - Blood For God - Independent

War-Saw has remained one of the most reliable thrash metal acts in Poland for years. Their new EP "Blood For God" only confirms that the Warsaw-based outfit still knows exactly how proper, no-nonsense thrash metal should sound. The material is built around sharp, energetic riffs and an excellent rhythm section. The influence of the American school is clear — echoes of Overkill and Exodus can be heard in the guitars — but the band uses those influences in a very natural way. The biggest strength of the EP is its energy. The songs charge forward while maintaining clear structures and memorable moments that practically beg for a concert mosh pit. "Blood For God" shows that War-Saw remains in excellent shape. Pure, uncompromising thrash metal.

Rapidfire - Ninth Circle Of Hell - Independent

And finally, I saved something really cool from my home region for the end. Rapidfire is a young quartet from the areas around Sanok and Lesko that has clearly fallen in love with the wildest recordings of the late '80s. "Ninth Circle Of Hell" sounds like a return to the days when death and thrash metal were still taking shape. The riffs are simple, aggressive, and packed with raw energy. The influences of the South American scene are obvious — early Sepultura and Sarcófago can be heard here — but there are also echoes of Slayer, Bathory, and Venom. The production remains appropriately dirty, which only strengthens the atmosphere. The material is short but intense. The band attacks without unnecessary introductions, and the whole thing closes with a very well-chosen cover of 'Countess Bathory' from Venom's repertoire. Most importantly, this young crew manages to capture the spirit of the old school without ever sounding artificial. And personally, I am especially happy to see that music like this is still being created in my home region.