The Metal Mayan Mixtape - 18 Sept, 2025

Absinthe Green - Of Love and Pain (Independent), out 19 September

Anyone who has ever danced with the Green Fairy knows that each experience varies from mellow to far out. It is fitting then that Absinthe Green would concoct something as mind bending as the bedazzling liquor they are named for.

Weaving hard rock groove with metal influenced guitar solos, Of Love and Pain is an eleven track journey into the ego and the esoteric. Channeling elements of The Sword and The 69 Eyes with a dash of punk, songs like "Bittersweet", "Give The Devil His Due" and "Cat Song" demand to be played at high volume on repeat.

Painting with a more melodic brush, "Fiery Serpent" and closer "Same Old Fire" are a dance between something mighty, yet vulnerable. Ultimately, the honesty projected by vocalist Eirini 'Absinthe Green' in every note tells a brutally honest story of joys and sorrows that is incredible and refreshing to hear.

Scheduled to perform in the United Kingdom later this month in addition to two shows in their native Greece in October and December, Of Love and Pain is sure to capture the ears and souls of many more listeners this year.

Heretoir - Solastalgia (AOP Records), out 19 September

With bands like Alcest and Agalloch paving the way in the early years of the new millennium, opening the door for the likes of Deafheaven, Ghost Bath and Harakiri From the Sky, the era of post-black metal remains at its peak strength as the 2020s continue. Furthering this dynamic sub-genres' agenda is Germany's Heretoir, who proudly present their fourth release, Solastalgia, to the masses.

Grabbing listeners by the heart and soul, "The Ashen Falls" brings together the bleakness of the aforementioned bands while introducing groove and catchiness for fans Skyharbor and Rivers of Nihil. Backed by some of the album's shorter tracks, like "Inertia", "The Heart of December", and closer "The Metaphor", Solastalgia succeeds in offering some of the most accessible post-black metal tracks to date and is sure to welcome new legions of followers to the cold, grey landscape.

For those more familiar with the grittiness, almost urban textures that post-black provides, "Dreamgatherer", "Season of Grief" and the title track will surely be instant favorites. From the echoing blast beats and pained screams of vocalist and brainchild David Conrad, there is no question that Heretoir will leave a permanent mark on the extreme music world.

Releasing their new record and kicking off their European run in the same weekend, Heretoir is an absolute must to keep on the radar, with added hopes for a North American run in the very near future.

Novembers Doom - Major Arcana (Prophecy Productions), out 19 September

In the years when the death-doom metal gambit was primarily run by European titans such as Saturnus, Katatonia and the Peaceville Three - Anathema, My Dying Bride and Paradise Lost - Novembers Doom stood tall and represented the genre for the U.S. by way of their native Chicago. Flash forward over thirty years since their inception and the Windy City quintet still reign supreme in the genre, as made evident with their twelfth album, Major Arcana.

Coming down with crushing force in "Ravenous", the death metal aspects are perfectly paired with well placed droning guitar notes that add a haunted element to the mix in addition to the brutality. Headbangers will also be challenged to keep up with the pummeling drum work of "Dusking Day" and the frantic riffs of "The Fool".

At the same time, doomsters will find all the gloomy goodness they can stand on "Mercy" and the eight minute epic "Bleed Static". There are even a few gothic hues for the militant Funeral fans in the album's title track that warrant multiple replays.

Set to perform back to back shows in Brooklyn this October [20 years of The Pale Haunt Departure on 10 October and a release show for Major Arcana on the 11th], New York City fans will have the chance to celebrate the past and future in one epic weekend.

Paradise Lost - Ascension (Nuclear Blast Records), out 19 September

Flying the flag high for doom metal for over 30 years across 16 genre defining albums, Paradise Lost is a name that needs no introduction. Coming in as their seventeenth opus, Ascension is another testament to the English quintet's legacy of excellence arriving just in time for autumn in the northern hemisphere.

Beginning with the hook heavy "Serpent On the Cross", vocalist Nick Holmes' thundering roar is perfectly balances with the nimble guitar leads courtesy of ax-man Gregor Mackintosh. Channeling their signature blend of intensity and melancholy, "Tyrants Serenade" and "Lay A Wreath Upon the World" are masterclasses in melodic, emotionally charged music.

While impressively heavy at multiple point throughout the album, "Savage Days" injects a potent dose of ambience and atmosphere - like a fever dream on a foggy day. In contrast, "Deceivers" and "Silence Like The Grave" dive into gothic territory essential for any Type O Negative or Draconian fan.

Having graced North and South America earlier this year, Paradise Lost will round out the backend of 2025 touring in England through half of October before a European run into November. U.K. fans will also have the chance to attend four album signing events in September to celebrate the release of Ascension.

Advanced copies courtesy of Adrenaline PR and Secret Service PR.