On April 2nd, 2026, Ultha dropped the surprise follow-up to their critically acclaimed album All That Has Never Been True with no warning, press or prior buildup.

Ahead of its release, I sat down with my good friend Ralph Schmidt, guitarist for Ultha, to dissect the new record, A Light So Dim. Ralph takes us track-by-track through the album, unpacking the personal experiences behind it, the evolution within the band, and how those shifts shaped its final sound.

On the Weekly News Rant: I’m answering your questions on hi-fi, grilling the perfect steak, and TV shows, while rounding up the latest tracks by Trelldom, Defiled, Aversio Humanitatis, Mork, Shane Embury and others for judgement. 

PLUS: Horsemen of the Podcast Apocalypse capos Mike Hill and Karl Hikara join forces with the mighty Drugoth for Hollow Lands in this week’s Unsanctioned Filth spotlight, and a feeble attempt at trolling backfires spectacularly, earning its author a well-deserved Swirly of the Week.

Featured Bands:

Ultha - https://ultha.bandcamp.com/   

Hollow Lands - https://ordotenebris.bandcamp.com/   

Harms Way - https://harmswayband.bandcamp.com/ 

Support Nick Barker: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nicholas-barker 

Visit intothenecrosphere.com for playlists and more. Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and reviews. Follow on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the Horsemen of the Podcasting Apocalypse: Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

The legendary Robert Vigna of Immolation joins me this week to dissect one of death metal’s most enduring legacies. We dig into the band’s remarkable longevity, the creative fire that still drives them, and the making of their upcoming album Descent.  Robert reflects on Immolation’s early days in the underground, his decades-long creative partnership with Ross Dolan, and what fans can expect from their upcoming tour alongside Deicide, Behemoth and Rotting Christ.

On the Weekly News Rant: I tackle your latest questions and round up the latest singles by Doedsvangr, Moonspell, Dimmu Borgir, Nargaroth and more are rounded up for judgment.

Canadian black metal insurgents Beholder return to the Unsanctioned Filth spotlight—while another UF alumni finds themselves on the receiving end of the Swirly of the Week.

Featured Bands:

Immolation - https://immolation.bandcamp.com/  

Beholder - https://beholderqc.bandcamp.com/  

Ulcerate - https://ulcerate.bandcamp.com/ 

Support Nick Barker: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nicholas-barker 

Visit intothenecrosphere.com for playlists and more. Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and reviews. Follow on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the Horsemen of the Podcasting Apocalypse: Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

Hellripper mastermind, James McBain, joins me on the show this week to chart the band’s evolution from a one-man black/speed metal assault to one of the most electrifying forces in the underground. We get into his songwriting process, the evolution of the Hellripper sound, and how he overcame performance anxiety to emerge as one of metal’s most commanding frontmen.

On the Weekly News Rant, I react to two huge surprises from the past weekend: a new Darkthrone record and the long-awaited return of Neurosis. I also share first impressions of new material from Ashen Horde, High Parasite, and Samael, plus my take on the divisive new Exodus album—and plenty more.

PLUS: Unsanctioned Filth spotlights rising Mexican chaos merchants Ov Darkness I Breed.

Featured Bands:

Hellripper - https://hellripper.bandcamp.com/music 

Ov Darkness I Breed - https://ovdarknessibreed.bandcamp.com/ 

Midnight - https://midnight-ohio.bandcamp.com/ 

Support Nick Barker: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nicholas-barker 

Visit intothenecrosphere.com for playlists and more. Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and reviews. Follow on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the Horsemen of the Podcasting Apocalypse: Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

Chris Naughton and Simon Lucas of UK black metal stalwarts Winterfylleth join me to break down the inspiration and themes behind their excellent new album, The Unyielding Season. We also talk about the band’s decision to sign with Napalm Records, their take on how the music industry is evolving, and take a nostalgic detour into the halcyon days of British comedy.

On the Weekly News Rant: new singles from Melechesh, Corrosion of Conformity, Skaphos, Sisyphean, Immolation, Transilvania and Six Feet Under get rounded up for judgment.

PLUS: my six favourite 80s action movies, the fallen legends I’d most like to have shared a drink with, the definitive ruling on whether gas BBQ counts as real BBQ, and more of your burning questions answered.

On this week’s Unsanctioned Filth, I celebrate the launch of new label Serpent Sun Records and spotlight one of their standout signings: Mexico’s Hierophany.

And finally, both Ticketmaster and Metallica are frogmarched—kicking and screaming—towards their first, and long overdue, appearance on the Swirly of the Week.

Featured Bands:

Winterfylleth - https://winterfylleth.bandcamp.com/ 

Hierophany - https://hierophanytemple.bandcamp.com/ 

Transilvania - https://transilvania.bandcamp.com/ 

Support Nick Barker: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nicholas-barker 

Visit intothenecrosphere.com for playlists and more. Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and reviews. Follow on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the Horsemen of the Podcasting Apocalypse: Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

Christian Larson from US black metal legion Necrofier joins the podcast this week to discuss the band’s sensational new album, Transcend Into Oblivion. We dig into Necrofier’s decision to sign with Metal Blade Records, talk about the changing realities of the modern music industry, and Christian breaks down the real cost of touring the United States. We also go deep on his festival Hell’s Heroes, which returns this year for its eighth edition.

On the weekly news rant, I round up the latest singles from Deathstorm, Archspire, Warsenal, Yoth Iria, and Trelldom for judgment. I also answer more of your questions, including ranking my favourite Marduk albums and revealing some of the cover songs I’d love to see metal bands take on.

There’s also a Premiere on the Sphere, as Australian black metallers Graveir unveil the first taste of their upcoming album, The Festering Triad. And finally, labelling bands as “sketch” based on hearsay and internet rumour earns one member of the online red guard a double dunk in the Swirly of the Week.

Featured Bands:

Necrofier- https://necrofier.bandcamp.com/ 

Graveir - https://graveircult.bandcamp.com/ 

Coscradh - https://coscradh.bandcamp.com/ 

Support Nick Barker: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nicholas-barker 

Visit intothenecrosphere.com for playlists and more. Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and reviews. Follow on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the Horsemen of the Podcasting Apocalypse: Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

This week on Into The Necrosphere, Hellenic black metal legend The Magus joins me to discuss his new album Daemonosophia and his pivotal role in shaping the Greek black metal movement as a founding force behind Necromantia. We revisit the roots of the Hellenic scene, his creative brotherhood with Baron Blood, the occult philosophy driving his work, his devotion to medieval fencing, and his unfiltered perspective on modern society and the state of the underground.

In Unsanctioned Filth, one-man black metal entity Death Ritual earns his stripes among the unsigned elite, while Matt Priso (SIK, Spells Ov Torment, Conspiracy X) joins the Weekly News Rant to pass judgement on new releases from Aversio Humanitatis, Sepultura, Monstrosity, Cruel Force and more. We answer questions from the Legion — and award a fully merited Swirly of the Week to those who think a 35-year-old horror film should come with a sensitivity warning. 

Featured Bands:

The Magus - https://themagusthecirclemusicfamily.bandcamp.com/ 

Death Ritual - https://deathritualrecords.bandcamp.com/ 

Aversio Humanitatis - https://aversiohumanitatis.bandcamp.com/  

Support Nick Barker: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nicholas-barker

Visit intothenecrosphere.com for playlists and more. Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and reviews. Follow on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the Horsemen of the Podcasting Apocalypse: Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

This week sees the long-overdue return of my brother-from-another-mother, Shayan of Trivax and host of the Iblis Manifestations podcast.

We dive into his perspective on everything from the critical response to Trivax’s latest album, The Great Satan, to his vision for the band’s future. We also have a candid and wide-ranging discussion about the rapidly evolving situation in his home country of Iran, his views on the future of the Islamic Republic, and much more.

On this week’s Unsanctioned Filth, the spotlight falls on Polish black metallers Primitiae Dormientium.  Then, on the News Rant, I round up the latest singles from At The Gates, Midnight Odyssey, Extinction A.D., Exodus, and Belphegor for judgement.  I also answer your questions, including: what I’d like to see more (and less) of in the metal scene, my all-time Top 5 favourite albums, who I consider the best UKHC band and more.

Featured Bands:

Trivax - https://trivax.bandcamp.com/ 

Primitiae Dormientium - https://primitiaedormientium.bandcamp.com/ 

Misotheist - https://terraturpossessions.bandcamp.com/album/misotheist 

Support Nick Barker: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nicholas-barker

Visit intothenecrosphere.com for playlists and more. Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and reviews. Follow on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the Horsemen of the Podcasting Apocalypse: Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

This week I welcome back the legendary Sakis Tolis of Greek black metal titans Rotting Christ. We discuss the upcoming “Godless IV” tour alongside Behemoth, Immolation and Deicide, the re-recording of the seminal “Aealo”, and Sakis reflects on the early days of his musical journey — plus plenty more.

Then it’s on to the weekly news rant: No/Mas, Metal Church, Down, Slagmaur and Melechesh all get their latest singles rounded up for judgment. I break down the latest developments surrounding the Nevermore reunion, talk about my favourite lyricists in metal, and deliver what may be my most scathing Swirly yet.

Featured Bands:

Cnoc An Tarsa - https://apocalypticwitchcraft.bandcamp.com 

Rotting Christ - https://rottingchrist.bandcamp.com/music 

Nevermore - https://nevermoreofficial.com 

PLUS: Cnoc An Tursa return with their first album in eight years — and debut a new track pm this week’s Premiere On The Sphere.

Support Nick Barker: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nicholas-barker

Thumbnail Credit: The Savage Of Savages, NECROSHORNS

Visit intothenecrosphere.com for playlists and more. Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and reviews. Follow on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the Horsemen of the Podcasting Apocalypse: Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

This week I'm joined by the legendary Nick Barker, a truly generational talent whose thunderous drumming has defined extreme metal for three decades. From Cradle of Filth to Dimmu Borgir, Lock-Up, Brujeria and beyond, Nick's career speaks for itself.  In this raw, hour-plus conversation, Nick opens up about the serious health struggles he's faced over the past three years. We also dive deep into his time with Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir, explore how he first picked up the sticks, and discuss what keeps him fighting.

On my weekly news rant, I tear through new singles from Mammon's Throne, Hecate Enthroned, Kanonenfieber and Sisyphean, then rank every Mayhem album including the latest Liturgy of Death. PLUS: I answer your questions—my Top 5 UK black metal albums, my desert-island Seinfeld episode, and more.

Support Nick: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nicholas-barker

Featured bands:

The Furor: https://thefuror.bandcamp.com/

Lock-Up: https://listenable-records.bandcamp.com/

Visit intothenecrosphere.com for playlists and more. Subscribe for weekly black and death metal interviews, news rants, and reviews. Follow on X, Instagram and Facebook, and check out the Horsemen of the Podcasting Apocalypse: Horrorwolf 666, Iblis Manifestations, Everything Went Black, Necromaniacs and The Sol Nox Podcast.

This week I reveal the official Into The Necrosphere Album of the Year for 2025. Joining me is my friend Mike Hill — fellow Horseman of the Podcasting Apocalypse and the mastermind behind Tombs and Scorpion Throne. We each count down our Top 10 albums of 2025, debate the year’s finest metal releases, and ultimately crown one record supreme.

On the weekly news rant, I tear through the latest singles by Cruel Force, Necrofier, Winterfylleth, Crippled Black Phoenix, Tulus, and more. Unscrupulous record labels get put on notice, and a fresh gaggle of virtue-signalling nitwits are lined up and flushed in the Swirly of the Week.

Visit intothenecrosphere.com for episode playlists, contact information and more.

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.