German atmospheric black metal act Äera has released its sophomore album, Phantast, via Vendetta Records. Phantast is an album that creates a sonic space full of possibilities and fantasy, but always with reference to reality to show contrasts and grievances.
Fusing influences from classic 90s black metal with contemporary post, ambient, and atmospheric black metal, Äera's music is characterized by drawn-out emotional, dynamic, and energetically charged compositions. The band's name, rooted in an ancient German dialect where ÄER symbolizes 'earth', reflects the essence of their lyrical explorations drawn from the works of literary luminaries such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Christian Morgenstern. Äera's thematic pursuits encompass humankind's detachment from nature, existential inquiries, cosmic fascinations, social and religious criticism, and natural romanticism.
The entire new album, Phantast, is now available for streaming. More album details and previously released lyric video for the track "Fleisch und Knochen" can be found over HERE. Link

Kansas City–based industrial metal/electro‑rock outfit Razorwire Halo return with a striking new release: a dark, immersive reinterpretation of Nine Inch Nails’ iconic Pretty Hate Machine...
Australian/Finnish dark progressive gothic metal collective The Eternal have unveiled the striking new video for “Existing To Expire”, the second single taken from their forthcoming...
Swiss symphonic metal ensemble Deep Sun have present "The Window - Live", the first cut taken from their upcoming debut live record Vollständiges Live-Album. Captured on 28 March 2026...
Italy's atmospheric folk / black metal outfit Duir are now streaming the full breadth of their highly anticipated sophomore full‑length Catarsi, offered in advance of its Friday release...
"Sometimes an album just falls into place, and Rapture is one of those albums. From the beginning, I felt that things were lining up and everything was flowing." - Ashley Dayour
"We're fucking vampires, you know? The desire to stay young forever is always there. But alienation — that definitely comes from being a non‑human person." - Lee Margot
"We only make an album when we feel genuinely inspired. You can't just say, "OK, I'm going to record a new album", because without inspiration, it would be boring." - Gregor Mackintosh
"Goth people want to have fun sometimes too. I guess if your listening time is 99% dark, sad songs or evil black metal songs, sometimes you want 1% joy, and here I come." - Franck Hueso
