Into The Necrosphere

Harri Kuokkanen returns to Into The Necrosphere to discuss the tenth Hail Conjurer album, Abyss & Ekstasis, and the very different creative process that brought it to life. After almost two years between the recording of this album and its predecessor, Order Of Disgrace, Harri deliberately approached the new record from a more structured and premeditated perspective, composing the music, lyrics and arrangements before entering the recording process. We discuss why he felt the need for a fresh approach after a decade of creating Hail Conjurer, the tension between instinct and control that has defined the project since its inception, and how each album has become a process of shedding the skin and becoming something new.

Then, on the Weekly News Rant, Karl Haikara joins me to tribute to the late, great Cronos of Venom, reflecting on his enormous influence on black metal and the countless bands who simply would not have existed in the same form without him.  We round up new tracks by Wolves In The Throne Room, Arctos, Goat Major and Dumal for judgment, debate the merits of overly literal storytelling and concept-driven lyrics, answer your questions on Elden Ring and our favourite full live sets available on YouTube, and discuss why some of the best live footage can capture a band in a way that studio recordings simply cannot.

Plus: a Premiere On The Sphere with Black Flame Altar delivering an exclusive preview of their upcoming release, “Runes of Darkness & Blood”.  

Featured Bands

Hail Conjurer: https://hailconjurer.bandcamp.com/  

Black Flame Altar:  https://blackflamealtar.bandcamp.com/  

Venom:  https://venomlegions.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 on Into The Necrosphere, I’m joined by Skyggen of black metal battalion Terrestrial Hospice. Having been a fan of his work for years, the release of the band’s devastating new album Omnicide: Chapter 1 finally provided the perfect excuse to bring him onto the show for his debut appearance. We discuss his journey from discovering King Diamond and Darkthrone as a kid in Poland, forming his first band and becoming immersed in the country’s chaotic black metal underground, to ultimately taking on the role of guitarist and vocalist in Terrestrial Hospice.

After that, it’s on to the Weekly News Rant, where I round up the latest singles by Lugubrious Garment, Azarath, Enslaved, Hatesphere and Sarcator for judgment. I’m also answering your questions, including social media’s impact on the metal scene, Blackie Lawless’ alleged use of backing tracks, and the new project Chants featuring former Gaerea guitarist Miguel Vanziller. I also reveal my five favourite video game soundtracks and games, list some of the best newer Norwegian black metal bands, lament the Springboks’ defeat to the Wallabies, and give you my thoughts on the new Resident Evil movie.

Plus: One-man black metal project Diem Mortis features on this week’s Unsanctioned Filth segment.

Featured Bands

Terrestrial Hospice: https://edgedcircleproductions.bandcamp.com/ 

Diem Mortis:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCVe8t2BLAzehoaY4nt0KnQ 

Bestia Arcana:  https://bestia-arcana.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’m joined by Ketil from Red Harvest, the legendary Norwegian band whose uncompromising blend of extreme metal, electronics and experimentalism made them one of the most distinctive acts to emerge from the Scandinavian scene. In this conversation, we dig into what happened to the band after A Greater Darkness, the new material that was being developed, the financial realities that ultimately brought Red Harvest to a halt, and the frustrating circumstances that prevented their return. Ketil also looks back at the band’s history, the music they left unfinished, and whether there could ever be another chapter for Red Harvest.

Then it’s on to the Weekly News Rant, where I round up the latest singles by Ministry, Dungeon Serpent, Arckanum, Master and Werewolves for judgement. I also answer your questions, including my favourite releases from Gaahl, my top 5 Swedish black metal bands, the greatest action movie of all time and more. 

Plus:  Carson City Nevada’s Dishumane bask in the glory of the Unsanctioned Filth spotlight with a track from their EP, Centurion’s Demise.  

Featured Bands

Red Harvest: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Red-Harvest-Official/150019894329 

Dishumane:  https://bloodharvestrecords.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’m joined by Daniel Rabadán Gayoso, the man behind Down With The Most High. What started in 2008 as a DIY merchandise and record label has evolved into something far more ambitious, combining extreme metal, craftsmanship, art and an uncompromising commitment to doing things properly, with the spectacular Celtic Frost, Emperor and Marduk collections being perhaps the ultimate expression of that philosophy. Daniel and I get into the origins of Down With The Most High, his decision to resurrect the label and take it full-time, the years of work that went into the Celtic Frost project, and why preserving the spirit and legacy of extreme metal means refusing to compromise. 

Then it’s time for another news rant, and this week I’m rounding up the latest singles by Ovate, Armagedda, Werewolves, Mother of Graves, Servant, Trolldom and others for judgement.  I also talk about some of my favourite black metal songs recorded after 2020, I scour Slayer’s post-Diabolos back catalogue in the hopes of finding something worth listening to and it all culminates in a savage Swirly of the Week, as Slipknot and their maggots pay a visit to the Porcelain Bowl of Reckoning. 

Plus: Australian black metallers, Duskveiled, soak up the glory of the Unsanctioned Filth spotlight with a track from their debut record, Winters of the Soul.  

Featured Bands

Mythical:  https://downwiththemosthigh1.bandcamp.com/  

Duskveiled:  https://duskveiled.bandcamp.com  

Visit the Down With The Most High webstore:  https://downwiththemosthigh.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’m joined by the legendary Gene Palubicki, the guitarist and driving force behind Angelcorpse, Perdition Temple, Hexorcist and Malefic Throne, to talk about his decades-long career in extreme metal and his refusal to stand still creatively. We get into the mid-’90s period when, in Gene’s words, death metal started to go soft, the creation and enduring impact of Angelcorpse, the importance of ignoring genre boundaries and outside expectations, his prolific approach to songwriting, and the excellent new Hexorcist album, “Crucificial Implications”. 

Then it’s on to The Weekly News Rant, where I’m joined by the sinister minister himself, Karl Hikara.  We weigh in on the latest developments around My Dying Bride and Nevermore, and discuss our favourite albums of all time.  We also round up the latest tracks from Power From Hell, SRPNTS, Nova Militiae, Atomic Aggressor and Hail Conjurer for judgement, while getting sidetracked into everything from the decline of physical-release extras to a head-to-head comparison of cover recordings of Venom’s “In League With Satan.” 

Plus: West Yorkshire extremists, Soul Grief, take a bow on the Unsanctioned Filth segment with their latest single, The Misosophist.  

Featured Bands

Hexorcist:  https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/ 

Perdition Temple:  https://perditiontemple.bandcamp.com/ 

Demonized:  https://osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com/ 

Malefic Throne:  https://maleficthrone.bandcamp.com/ 

Soul Grief:  https://soulgrief.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’m joined by A.A. from the Norwegian black metal outfit Malum to dig into their excellent new album, “From The Voids”. We get into the band’s origins as a studio project, the evolution of their sound from their debut, “In Nauseam”, to the new record, and the intersection of Polish and Norwegian character that has emerged in their music. We also talk about taking Malum from the studio to the stage, their appearances at Inferno, the challenges of maintaining anonymity in the middle of Oslo’s black metal scene, and what the future might hold for a band that increasingly looks like it’s on the verge of becoming something much bigger.

On the weekly news rant, I’m joined by two surprise guests - long-time Legion General, @kelu666, and my good friend, Katy Irizarry from Suspiria PR. We celebrate the brilliance of the latest singles by Carnifex, Wayfarer and Manveira, while wailing in despair at the career-worst humiliations offered by the new Pain and Fear Factory tracks. We also talk essential Metallica tracks, bad tour booking and on my Swirly of the Week, the world’s worst bedroom techno dork pays a visit to the Porcelain Bowl of Reckoning. 

Featured Bands

Malum: https://norwegianmalum.bandcamp.com/    

Immiserator: https://immiserator.bandcamp.com/   

Ovate: https://www.facebook.com/ovatemusic/  

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.

On this episode of Into The Necrosphere, I’m joined by Rhevok Vermithrax, frontman for US black metal upstarts, Mordant Rhed.  We get into the band’s origins, their killer new split with Lord Humongous, playing Dead by Dawg 2, building a band entirely on their own terms, the importance of actually having a personality in 2026, and plenty of bullshit about professional wrestling, Broken Hope, W.A.S.P., music documentaries and Christmas movies. 

Then it’s on to the weekly news rant where I’m rounding up the latest singles by Down, Enslaved, Master, Fluisteraars, Wolves In The Throne Room and Skuggor.  I also run down my favourite album covers of all time, my top 5 Icelandic bands and ten releases by newcomers that prove black metal hasn’t run out of steam.  

Featured Bands

Mordant Rhed: https://mordantrhed.bandcamp.com/   

Lord Humongous: https://lordhumongous.bandcamp.com/    

Midnight: https://midnight-ohio.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 The Sheriff himself - Mike Scondotto - is back on the Weekly News Rant. We answer your questions, including our favourite intro riffs, our favourite death metal album of all time and more. We round up the latest singles from Archgoat, Prong, Xentrix and Sorcery for judgment. And the torch-and-pitchfork brigade are out for Jorge Rosado’s blood, so they get their due reckoning on the Swirly Of The Week 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.

Huge double episode this week as I wrap up my coverage of Fortress Festival 2026.

First up, I’m sitting down with P.G. from Groza to discuss their latest record, Nadir, how they evolved from a solo project into a band-led effort, dealing with the inevitable comparisons to Mgła and much more. 

Then, my friend and world-renowned photographer Necroshorns is back. He shares his perspective on the changing face of metal festivals, the commercial realities of these events and the growing prominence of photographers as an integral part of the festival experience. He also reflects on the late, great Bartholomäus Resch and the legacy of the House of the Holy festival.

If that’s not enough for you, The Sheriff - Mike Scondotto - is back on the Weekly News Rant! We answer your questions, including our favourite intro riffs, the best death metal album of all time and more. We also round up the latest singles from Archgoat, Prong, Xentrix and Sorcery for judgment.  And the torch-and-pitchfork brigade are out for Jorge Rosado’s blood, so they get their due reckoning on the Swirly Of The Week.

PLUS - New Jersey extremists Filthy Ilk step into the “Unsanctioned Filth” spotlight.

Featured Bands

This week, I’m back at Fortress Festival 2026 for a face-to-face interview with Ken Sorceron of Abigail Williams. We dive into the early days of the band, as Ken shares stories from their first-ever tour, supporting none other than the legendary Emperor. We also talk about Abigail Williams’ evolution alongside the development of the US black metal scene, and Ken shares the story behind the making of the band’s most recent album, A Void Within Existence.

On the Weekly News Rant, I’m answering YOUR questions, including which non-metal guests I’d love to have on the show, which revered bands I just can’t get into, and which musicians I’ve interviewed whose music I ended up liking more - but the person less. Plus, plenty more!

I also round up the latest singles by Silvertomb, Sigh, Krallice, Kanonenfieber and Critical Defiance for judgment.

PLUS — Illinois blackened death metallers Solt serve up a man-sized helping of “Unsanctioned Filth”.

Featured Bands

Abigail Williams: https://abigailwilliams.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.