Further expanding their aural palette, today we have Denmark’s Møl and their superbly dreamy release “Dreamcrush”. Keeping on their Post-Black Metal/Shoegaze style, but adding more atmospherics and an extra pinch of heaviness, this release capitulates the momentum the band has and propels them to be compared to the likes of Alcest, Deafheaven, and similar outfits. For over 42 minutes, the band delivers one of the most aurally pleasing releases of 2026 so far.

Opening with “Dream”, the band sets a highly atmospheric and intoxicating vibe, with “Små forlis” continuing the onslaught with a peppered step and a masterful mixture of tempos. One second being pretty mellow and the next fierce, this track and others like “Young” and “Hud” unravel the band’s powerful ability to completely change the vibe and unleash some venom alongside their dreamy nature.

Unleashing one hell of a magical debut full-length release, today we have Vesseles with “Home”. Featuring a very lively and explosive sound that reminds us of the early days of Symphonic Black Metal in the 90’s with bands like Tartaros, Limbonic Art, and most recently rekindled by the likes of Vargrav. Featuring nine tracks and over 44 minutes of music, this release makes a statement as the band showcases their abilities.

Opening with the bombastic “Flesh Throne”, we get a very lush and blistering opening, filled with ravaging guitars, crafty atmospherics and hellish shrieks. The band’s tempo changes work perfectly, creating a very contrived and chaotic vibe. Pummeling through nightmarish pieces like “Eternally Within Us”, “The Beneath”, and the solemn album title track, the band gives that theatrical vibe that Cradle of Filth featured in their earlier releases like “Dusk and Her Embrace” and “Cruelty and the Beast”.

Delivering the first blow to the head in 2026, today we have Ov Sulfur and their crushing sophomore full-length release “Endless”. Featuring ten tracks filled with unrelenting brutality, this outfit unleashes over 45 minutes of some of the most brutal music that has been released in the last few years. However, not all is linear and dull, as there are a few surprises here and there that keep the release fresh and very engaging.

Opening with the punishing “Endless//Godless”, we get the expected pummeling breakdowns of your typical Deathcore release and Ricky Hoover inhuman growls. The album quickly transitions to a more melodic and yet brutal tempo with “Seed”, a track that delivers waves of crafty riffs and engaging vocal arrangements alongside the band’s razor sharp brutality. The cinematic nature of “Forlorn” and “Vast Eternal” brings the band’s sound closer to contemporary giants like Lorna Shore, while still featuring their own identity and style.

Perfectly unleashing a highly melancholic mixture of Gothic and Doom Metal, today we have international outfit The Eternal, returning with a six-track EP titled “Celestial”. Featuring current and ex members of Finland’s Amorphis and members of Australia’s Nefariym, this release unleashes nearly 30 minutes of music that reminds us of a cross between bands like To/Die/For with sprinkles of Anathema and Paradise Lost.

After the dreamy opener, “Celestial Veil” quickly unleashes powerful Doomy riffs that set a very melancholic backdrop to Mark Kelson’s piercing vocals. The band’s ability to shift tempos and moods is very effective, partly thanks to Jan Rechberger’s expert drumming, creating very dynamic songs. Other tracks like “It All Ends” have a more prominent Gothic Metal edge with crafty percussions and dreamy atmospherics, reminding us of the late 90’s/early 2000’s Finnish Gothic Metal scene.

Continuing the rise in the Symphonic Metal/Rock scene, today we have Germany’s Beyond the Black with their sixth full-length release “Break the Silence”. Masterfully fronted by the charismatic and talented Jennifer Haben, this outfit moves one step closer to transitioning from traditional Symphonic Metal, to the more radio friendly and Within Temptation-esque Symphonic Rock/Alternative Metal territories. While this release is still pretty solid, the band’s shift is more evident than ever.

Opening with the bombastic “Rising High”, the band sets a very dynamic and playful atmosphere that, at least for now, keeps things heavy thanks to powerful guitar riffs/leads and crafty drumming. Things get a bit more catchy and engaging with the dreamy “Break The Silence" showcasing the band’s heavier side. Things shift a bit into the Gothic Rock realm with “The Art of Being Alone”, a collaboration featuring Chris Harms of Lord of the Lost. This track is pretty engaging and explosive, but a slight shift is felt, especially coming after two very engaging opening tracks.

After blowing everybody away with their majestic 2024 release “Kinship”, Iotunn has been making the rounds playing their highly melancholic music to live audiences. Lucky for those of us that haven’t been close enough to catch them live, Metal Blade opens 2026 with the band’s “Waves over Copenhell” live album. Featuring five tracks and tons of energy, the band gives us a little glimpse of their live show.

Opening with “Waves Below”, the band showcases fierce rawness and their signature emotive sound that oozes melancholy. Jón Aldará is a very talented vocalist and masterfully showcases his range as Jesper Gräs and Jens Nicolai Gräs guitars lead the way. The band’s live sound seems to be more organic and powerful, delivering tracks like “The Tower of Cosmic Nihility” and “Access All Worlds” with a vicious edge, while keeping things engaging and heavy.

Starting 2026 with a bang, we have Ellende with their latest opus “Zerfall”. Featuring a distinctive and very fierce approach to Post-Black Metal, this Austrian one-man outfit delivers nine tracks and over 53-minutes of highly emotional and crushing music. Constantly improving and refining their sound since their breakthrough “Todbringer”, this release showcases poise and maturity while keeping their signature sound mostly intact.

Opening with the mood setting “Nur”, the band quickly escalates their onslaughts with their fierce two part opener “Warheit”. In the first part we get the band at its finest with waves of crafty riffs alongside L.G’s punishing snarls and very crafty drumming. This nicely transitions into lush atmospheric passages and dramatic guitar leads as this blends into the second part. With both songs so well developed and connected, one only wonders why not have a very long song rather than two movements.

Hailing from Chile, today we have a very unique and interesting Atmospheric Black Metal release titled “Quintaesencia nocturna”. Featuring a poignant Black Metal sound with heavy Doom influences, this outfit delivers eight tracks and nearly 40-minutes of hypnotic and ritualistic music with a certain retro edge, and some truly haunting passages. This band has a similar, albeit less theatrical sound that one of our favorite Mexican bands of the 90’s: Argentum, and their captivating Black/Doom Metal.

After a magical and lush atmospheric opening, “El vacío de una flama bajo el firmamento” kicks off with blistering drumming and punishing riffs. The deep monotone vocals are quite engaging, keeping things very eerie, particularly thanks to the Spanish lyrics that add that extra layer of mystery (to non-Spanish speakers). The harsh vocals are very fitting of the genre, and a solid contribution, but the atmospheric components of the music is what draws the listener’s attention as “Vientos del clamor del pasado” and “Polvo - piedras - silencio” showcase.