Into The Necrosphere

Beyond the Gates 2025, held from July 30 to August 2 in Bergen, Norway, was a must-visit for metal fans. This iconic festival, set across historic venues like Grieghallen and USF Verftet, delivered a killer lineup with King Diamond’s first Norwegian show in 19 years, Paradise Lost, Misthyrming and more. Featuring 18 bands making their festival debut and epic sets like Gehenna’s original lineup and Abbath tearing through Immortal’s discography, it was a diverse celebration of black, death, and heavy metal. Fresh from Bergen, here’s my review of the thirteenth edition of Norway’s legendary festival.   Thumbnail credit: The ALMIGHTY Necroshorns (https://www.instagram.com/necroshorns/)

This week Matt Wilcock and Sam Bean from Australian death metal juggernauts, Werewolves, return to the show to discuss their upcoming record, “The Ugliest Of All”.  Along the way, we also talk about their experience of releasing music independently, the recent re-issue of The Antichrist Imperium’s debut album, delve into some Akercocke lore and compare our favourite Commodore 64 game soundtracks. On my Weekly News rant, I round up the latest singles by Tombs, Internal Bleeding,  Esoctrilihum, Imperialist and Ofermod for judgment.  Plus, I reflect on the passing of Ozzy Osbourne.   Please support the bands featured on this episode: Werewolves:  https://werewolvesdeathmetal.bandcamp.com/  The Antichrist Imperium:  https://apocalypticwitchcraft.bandcamp.com/  Karyorrhexis: https://karyorrhexis.bandcamp.com/    Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and track reviews! Follow me on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the other podcasts by the Horsemen Of the Podcasting Apocalypse:  Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

My brothers, Necromaniacs hosts and fellow Horsemen Of The Podcasting Apocalypse, Mike Hill (Everything Went Black, Tombs) and Mike Scondotto (Inhuman), join me for the long-awaited, highly anticipated and sure to be furiously debated countdown of our favourite 80s thrash albums.  There’s one twist though: no Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth or Anthrax albums allowed!   PLUS: on my Weekly News rant, the latest singles by The Acacia Strain, Grand Cadaver, Cuttered Flesh, Biohazard and more are rounded up for judgment.  I also pick my favorite track of each of Akercocke’s six studio albums, and I issue a bruising Swirly Of The Week. Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and track reviews! Follow me on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the other podcasts by the Horsemen Of the Podcasting Apocalypse:  Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

Gigi Arabia from Heavy Arabia joins me to unpack the insane journey of pulling off Saudi Arabia’s first-ever international death metal gig, headlined by the brutal Cryptopsy. We dig into her career, the gritty reality of promoting heavy music in Saudi Arabia, the government’s unexpected stance on metal, and more.  Then, “The Outlaw” Mike Scondotto saddles up to join me for the weekly news rant, slicing through new singles from Amorphis, Paradise Lost, Abigail Williams, and others. Plus, we tear into Black Sabbath’s “Back To The Beginning” farewell show and what it all means.   Support the bands featured on this podcast Hebephrenique: https://hebephrenique.bandcamp.com/  Necrosin: https://necrosin.bandcamp.com/  Desaster: https://desaster.bandcamp.com/  Napalm Death: https://napalmdeath.bandcamp.com/    Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and track reviews! Follow me on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the other podcasts by the Horsemen Of the Podcasting Apocalypse:  Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

In this episode, recorded live at Fortress Festival 2025 in Scarborough, UK, I sit down with Frank Allain from Fen and Fellwarden to talk about the recording of Fen’s debut record, “The Malediction Fields”, the evolution of the UK black metal scene, his journey as a musician and much more.  Then, it’s on to a solo news rant where the latest singles by Sanguisugabogg, Crypt Sermon, Forbidden, Novembers Doom, Unleashed and others are rounded up for judgment.  I also reveal - at the Legion’s request - my recipe for the best steak you’ll grill all summer and I unleash a Swirly of the Week from whence its recipient(s) will not soon recover.   Support the bands featured on this podcast Fen:  https://fenuk.bandcamp.com/ Werewolves:  https://werewolvesdeathmetal.bandcamp.com/ Nox Formulae: https://noxformulae.bandcamp.com/  Behexen: https://behexen.bandcamp.com/   Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and track reviews! Follow me on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the other podcasts by the Horsemen Of the Podcasting Apocalypse:  Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

In this episode, recorded live at Fortress Festival 2025 in Scarborough, UK, I sit down with my friend Christopher Dean, better known as NecrosHorns, widely regarded as the top photographer in metal today. From his past as a commercial airline pilot to capturing iconic moments in music, he shares his journey, photography philosophy, and tips for nailing the perfect shot. We dive into the story behind his legendary photo, “The Omen,” and much more.   Follow Necroshorns on social media: https://www.facebook.com/necroshorns  https://www.instagram.com/necroshorns/    Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and track reviews! Follow me on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the other podcasts by the Horsemen Of the Podcasting Apocalypse:  Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

This week, Cryptopsy's powerhouse vocalist and Vox & Hops host, Matt McGachy, returns to the show to dive into An Insatiable Violence, social media, podcasting, and Cryptopsy's historic performance as the first extreme metal band to play in Saudi Arabia. But that’s not all! Shayan, the Middle Eastern Merauder from Trivax and Iblis Manifestations, joins for an epic news rant. We tackle your burning questions, go head-to-head to unearth the most absurd movie trailer ever, and check out new singles from Escapism, Panzerchrist, Inhuman Condition and more. PLUS: Two exclusive Premieres On The Sphere premieres Cult Burial and the unrelenting Spells Ov Torment.    Please support the bands featured on this episode: Cryptopsy: https://cryptopsyofficial.bandcamp.com/  Cult Burial: https://cultburial.bandcamp.com/  Spells Ov Torment: https://spellsovtorment.bandcamp.com/  Nile: https://nile.bandcamp.com/  Trivax: https://trivax.bandcamp.com/    Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and track reviews! Follow me on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the other podcasts by the Horsemen Of the Podcasting Apocalypse:  Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

On this special Friday episode of Into The Necrosphere, I sit down with Brendan Hayter of progressive black metal duo Obsidian Tongue. We dive deep into a track-by-track breakdown of their latest album, Eclipsing Worlds of Scorn. Brendan also shares his musical journey, from discovering metal to his passion for cassettes, and much more.   If you enjoy this interview, please support Obsidian Tongue on Bandcamp:  https://obsidiantongue.bandcamp.com/    Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and track reviews! Follow me on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the other podcasts by the Horsemen Of the Podcasting Apocalypse:  Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

In this episode, I sit down with Benjamin Guerry - guitarist, vocalist and founding member of The Great Old Ones - at Fortress Festival 2025 for a discussion of their latest album, “Kadath”, French black metal, his love of H.P. Lovecraft and his perspective on who reigns supreme as the greatest metal frontman of them all. Then, on the weekly news rant I give you my verdict on new singles by Lord Belial, Biohazard, Abigail Williams, Nailed to Obscurity, and Till Lindemann.  I also answer your questions, including my top 5 favourite releases of 2025 so far, my ideal retirement (!) and the albums I’m most looking forward to for the remainder of the year.  PLUS: the black metal album cover that’s got every man, woman and their dogs’ attention, and a follow-up to last week’s comments about My Dying Bride.   Please support the bands featured on this clip The Great Old Ones: https://thegreatoldones.bandcamp.com/   Warhammer 666: https://warhammer666kult.bandcamp.com/  Gehenna:  https://gehennadarknessshallrise.bandcamp.com/      Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and track reviews! Follow me on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the other podcasts by the Horsemen Of the Podcasting Apocalypse:  Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

On this special Friday episode of Into The Necrosphere I’m joined by Andy Milnes, guitarist for UK symphonic black metal legends Hecate Enthroned. Andy dives into the band's preparations for their upcoming performance at Metal Threat Fest, reflects on the early UK black metal scene and Hecate's role in it. We also explore the band's storied history, plus I get the scoop on the highly anticipated follow-up to “Embrace of the Godless Aeon”.    Check out Hecate Enthroned on Bandcamp:  https://hecateenthroned.bandcamp.com/    Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and track reviews! Follow me on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the other podcasts by the Horsemen Of the Podcasting Apocalypse:  Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.