OBSCURITIES – VOLUME XXV: 28 HEAVY DAYS LATER

 Album Reviews  3 Responses »
Mar 052026
 

(In this latest of Daniel Barkasi’s monthly reviews for NCS he focuses on records released in February 2026.)

With the snow thawing in our area – a much different tale for many in the northeast US – leaving the house has become much more of a normal feat, without the risk of slipping on an ice sheet. I should have whipped out my ice hockey skates when we had sub-freezing temperatures, and made a complete ass of myself. Well, you know, in a different way than normal.

The lessening presence of arctic cold in the air hasn’t slowed the release calendar, with proceedings picking up with an icy bluster of quality releases in the year’s shortest month. For the “bigger” releases, Mayhem put out what has been one of the most dynamic and intriguing releases of their existence, while Worm went symphonic with dazzling results, and vets Converge bestowed an all-timer upon us.

While we’ve only got six spots to bestow in this column, there were several strenuous omissions, not due to a lack of quality of course, but fierce competition amongst a bevy of top level records. Mors Verum’s death metal manifestation is ever intriguing, Howling took me by surprise with their abrasive black metal, and The Magus and Nazghor provided contrasting-yet-gripping slabs of the dark arts, whereas Bizarrekult and Diabolus, Mecum Semperterne gave their own inspiring and undeniable viewpoints on all things black. Hell, there’s a full slate for this monthly exercise that would have been fantastic, but therein lies the strength of February’s offerings. Continue reading »

OBSCURITIES – VOLUME XXIV: NEW YEAR, NEW METAL

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Feb 202026
 

(Daniel Barkasi is back with us from chilly West Virginia, presenting another monthly roundup of reviews and recommendations, this time focusing on releases from January of this year.)

Howdy, and hope everyone had a great holiday season! If you had some quality downtime, the envy is immense. We finished our move a few days before Christmas, which made for a hectic time. We’re settled now, thankfully. I go more into it on my year-end list, so we’ll avoid repetition – hope you all checked it out and found something good that you may have missed.

With all of that considered, we have finally returned. Continue reading »

LISTMANIA 2025: DANIEL BARKASI’S 25 CUTS OF 25!

 LISTMANIA 2025  4 Responses »
Jan 132026
 

(For our final LISTMANIA installment of for 2025 [other than the still-evolving infectious song list], we present Daniel Barkasi’s Top 25 list.)

Arriving at the tail-end of Listmania is the one you haven’t been waiting for. Yup, it’s my year-end list of stuff that kept me going for another spin ‘round the record that is life. I chronicle my recent happenings in my monthly Obscurities column, so yes, we’re going to subject you to a quick synopsis.

This is being written post-move to the mountains and frigid cold of West Virginia. Unpacking will take a while, and most of my end-of-year downtime has been spent packing, moving, and unpacking. Not exactly relaxing as we’d like to unwind before going back to the day job, but it had to be done, and we’re settling in nicely. The pups and cats are doing great, and the sheep/pigs have a lot more space (and warm enclosures to shield them from this). I’m sure the new neighbors have enjoyed my cursing the high winds and temperatures in the teens we’ve endured the last few days. Being a Florida resident for a decade certainly changes one’s perspective on temperature, and I’ll be spending as much indoor time as possible until March or April. Whenever it becomes suitable for a human to exit the house. Continue reading »

DARVAZA: “WE ARE HIM”

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Dec 102025
 

(We present Daniel Barkasi’s review of. new album by the international black metal band Darvaza, released last week by Terratur Possessions. Band photography by Necroshorns.)

When attempting to think of an active band who embodies the essence of what black metal is, can, and should be, the name Darvaza should be at the forefront of thought.

Harnessing the tried-and-true of the genre’s originators, while imposing their own devilish defiance and musical ideals, the two-piece has blazed their own path since their 2015 EP The Downward Descent, and since have steadily cemented their place in the pantheon of darkness. Ascending into Perdition in 2022 set a high marker for the band, especially impressive with that being their first full-length – a release that even the most skeptical approve of without hesitation.

At long last, the wait for the eagerly anticipated album number two is at an end, with We are Him ready to be unleashed. With the weight of expectation hanging overhead, the question is if Darvaza can continue delivering as they have. No pressure.

Continue reading »

OBSCURITIES – VOLUME XXIII: NOVEMBER TRANSFORMATIONS

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Dec 052025
 

(Daniel Barkasi has delivered another monthly collection of reviews, and in this installment he recommends six records released in November 2025.)

An occurrence that comes along with this time of year – other than a lot of holidays – is an uptick in touring and shows. For the last month, we could have gone to at least 3-4 shows per week if able – a fine way to bow out of the Sunshine state. One of the last of which was Cattle Decapitation’s headline run (you can read the review and see my photographer wife’s photos here at NCS). She’s damn good, and it’s a blast to cover shows with her. We make a great tandem, both in this scenario and every other. With the US Thanksgiving holiday in the rearview, this serves as a reminder that I’ve got a ton to be thankful for. Don’t take anything for granted, folks! Continue reading »

CATTLE DECAPITATION, ABORTED, FROZEN SOUL, TRIBAL GAZE — NOV. 25, 2025 — THE ORPHEUM, TAMPA, FL

 Concert Reviews  8 Responses »
Dec 042025
 

(Our contributor Daniel Barkasi was lucky enough to catch the Tampa stop of Cattle Decapitation’s still-ongoing No Fear For Tomorrow North American Tour, with support from Aborted, Frozen Soul, and Tribal Gaze, and he sent us the following enthusiastic report, accompanied by terrific photos made by Brittany Barkasi @Turn off the Thunder.)

To say that we’re supporters of Cattle Decapitation could be the understatement of the day. Having followed this band ever since hearing Homovore 25 years ago – how is it that long – it’s been a constant evolution for the death/grinders with the ironic name. For these ears, The Harvest Floor displayed a bit that was really on to something special, which was fully realized with Monolith of Inhumanity, at this point not being solely a grindcore act, but a homogenization of the best elements of that style smashed together with roaring, energetic death metal.

From there, the band has been on a steady trajectory of phenomenal records, whose subject matter has also gotten bleaker in their vision of the human condition. Each album since the aforementioned Monolith has given added flavor to their already signature sound, with 2019’s Death Atlas being a personal standout – a well-assembled record that digests best as a whole, whilst being more poignant than the band could have imagined, considering what was about to happen with the dreaded COVID times.

With this tour, the band are playing Death Atlas in full, so if we couldn’t have already been more excited for another romp through the slaughterhouse, anticipation was at a fever pitch. Bringing along a notably weighty trio of Aborted, Frozen Soul, and Tribal Gaze along for the ride, an unabashedly crushing of an evening was set. Continue reading »

OFERMOD: “DRAKOSOPHIA”

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Nov 242025
 

(We present Daniel Barkasi’s review of a new album from the Swedish black metal band Ofermod, which was released on October 3rd by Shadow Records.)

Good old-fashioned, second wave, ritualistic, riff-centric black metal is a distinct sort of flavor profile that admittedly has been done many times; a particular sound that represents a sort of comfort zone to these ears. Those who purvey that sound were my gateway into a much larger and diverse universe of black metal, and when that feeling is captured and executed precisely, we’re all in. Enter Ofermod, the vehicle of the enigmatic Belfagor, who has cycled through a fair number of members throughout the years – especially vocalists. Through it all, however, the style has stayed remarkably consistent; a testament to Belfagor’s focused vision.

Albums such as Sol Nox and Mysterium Iniquitatis serve as the best examples of what Ofermod have to offer up to now, both being albums that are recalled when seeking this archetype of black metal. Now we have Drakosophia, with a new vocalist in tow in Adeptus (who is now a former member – more on that later), and the resultant is familiar and wholly satisfying. Continue reading »

OBSCURITIES – VOLUME XXII: A BUSY WINTER IS COMING

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Nov 142025
 

(Daniel Barkasi is back with us today, presenting a collection of reviews for a variety of recommended albums released in October 2025.)

As winter approaches – it was 35 F this morning in Florida – and living amongst a sea of boxes and plastic tubs (move prep and all that), the madness for myself and our very large family of animals intensifies. A move with a farm filled with creatures is a challenge that I for one cannot wait to be done, and while we’re chipping away at it, it’s going to take a bit more time. Not in a massive rush, however, so we move forward without panic. With that, the current cooler weather in Florida has been a joy – typically chilly enough for a light hoodie in the evening, and never breaking a sweat by simply opening the house door.

The fall touring season is in full swing, with the next couple of weeks filled with so many shows that there’s no way we’ll be able to do all the ones we’d like. We did, however, just take in Ulcerate and Spirit Possession, which was a flawless evening by two exceptional acts. It certainly brought me back to June and Fortress Festival, where both performed phenomenal sets in what was an incredible experience. It was cool to see Ulcerate headline and add a few additional tracks; this being the first time we’ve seen them here in the US in 9 years, which was last at the legendary Brass Mug with Zhrine and Phobocosm. Continue reading »

SELFGOD: “LEFT HAND PAGAN”

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Nov 042025
 

(We present Daniel Barkasi’s review of a new album by Pittsburgh-based Selfgod that was released by Veles Records on October 31st.)

Selfgod’s Serge Streltsov (ex-Necrophagia, ex-Automb) has been busy since the release of debut album Born of Death back in February of 2022, with multiple tours under their belt (one that included a stop at our current location of Tampa at the famous Brass Mug), and timing-wise, the band’s next step felt imminent. There were some rumblings, but nothing concrete, until now. Sure enough, the second full-length Left Hand Pagan was announced in mid-October for a quickly approaching Halloween release, this time by way of his own newly formed label, Veles Records. 

To the uninitiated, Selfgod conjures a technical, riff-driven sort of death metal that dabbles in the occasional black metal aesthetic. Think Hate, God Dethroned, Azarath – that sort of approach, coupled with a Pagan thematic presence, which is emphasized further by the new record’s title. As an aside, we explored Streltsov’s personal beliefs and close connection with his home country of Ukraine in an interview we did here at NCS a few years ago, and they’re front and center with this release, which sadly was marked by a personal tragedy for Streltsov during the lead-up (more on that later). Continue reading »

OBSCURITIES – VOLUME XXI: HALLOWEEN & CHILLING RIFFS

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Oct 212025
 

(Daniel Barkasi is back with another monthly collection of carefully chosen obscurities, providing vivid and enthusiastic reviews of six fine albums released in September of this year.)

As I begin to write this in an airport, heading to Pittsburgh on a shockingly delayed flight – helping out the folks with a few things, seeing a great friend who has struggled with some awful health issues (love you, Darren), and the Under Appalachian Skies festival (which has concluded by the time you read this, and it was an incredible time) — it’s dawned on me how wild of a year it’s been, yet it’s gone by so damn fast. Hope everyone is hanging in there best you can!

I wanted to also give my deepest appreciation to those who gave their condolences for our dog Kaiya last month. Those kind words went a long way, and it meant a lot.

Halloween is rapidly approaching, and it’s the season of Reese’s peanut butter pumpkins and good horror flicks. If anyone has any good suggestions, I’m all ears! There’s a ton of Korean films and series that I want to check out, as some of the best productions are coming from there, and have for some time. We also went to Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando recently and had a blast! If anyone ever finds themselves in the swamp at this time of year, it’s definitely worth your time. Continue reading »

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