[Heavy News] Music Monday 08.12.25: KAKIHARA (UK), BURIED SOULS (SWI), VERILEHTO (FIN) & BLACK MAGIC TREE (GER).
Hoo boy. Really feeling that progression past the mid-thirties mark right now!
Having done my back in getting out of bed (lol) and also from having a rather large, heavyset fellow physically run up and jump full-force off my spine at Suicidal Tendencies (ouch/worth it), catching a lot of walking with a full backpack for the head-up to/from Good Things 2025 & Cenotaph in Melbourne… yeah, ouch. Yeee-ouch.
Despite my mostly self-inflicted gripes and whinges, having the resulting couple of days laden on the couch in agony has conferred some benefits - for you!
Whilst feeling caught-up on all the new/upcoming releases is honestly a game in futility even for a small-fry podcast/blog such as mine, after nostalgia-listening all through last week I’ve put in a solid couple of days re-hashing and re-listening to some late November/early December releases.
See below for details on some recent LPs and EPs now doing the rounds on streaming platforms/physical media, as well as some additional future releases I’d personally recommend keeping an eye on!
You know the drill - artist links, album order links and the like are always included where possible. Have a taste-test here and now and if you want the proper dining experience, go support the acts!
Support local music - support your local scene.
Peace, Love and Now-Probably-Invertebrate Podcast Hosts - Brady.
Kakihara (Scotland) - Love Songs Part II EP (Released Fri 5th December 2025, via Ripcord Records):
Formed in 2018 from Edinburgh’s underground, Kakihara deliver metallic hardcore with all the subtlety of the One O’Clock Gun. Vocalist Keith Muddiman, drummer Gary Hollingsworth, bassist Biff Paris, and guitarists Fraser McNeill and Kris Kournavos grew up in Scotland’s 2000s hardcore scene, took a few quiet years away, and came back, average age, a midlife crisis of 36.5, convinced the world desperately needed more Big Stupit Beatdoons.
Ready to hit the road again, COVID had other plans. But once stages (and floors) reopened, Kakihara went all in, touring the UK from Inverness to Bournemouth, tearing up festivals in Manchester, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Dundee, Leeds, and London, and sharing bills with The Callous Daoboys, Portrayal of Guilt, Kaonashi, Meth, and ’68. The band freely admit they just love playing shows, and are grateful for every chance to step on a stage (or floor) and unleash the chaos.
Their new EP Love Songs Part II captures that same live ferocity while staying true to their DIY ethic. Tracked over several days in a single living room, live drums one day, roaring amps the next, vocals the day after, the band chased the raw electricity of a gig, with guitarist Kris Kournavos handling recording and mixing, and mastering by Fader Mastering.
Drawing inspiration from Coalesce, Converge, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Heaven In Her Arms, Envy, and Botch, Kakihara fuse mathcore chaos, ’90s screamo textures, and punishing hardcore beatdoons into a sound that’s urgent, unpolished, and unmistakably their own.
For Fans of: Converge, Coalesce, Botch, The Dillinger Escape Plan
2. Buried Souls (Switzerland) - Here Comes The Void EP (Independently released Tue 2nd December 2025):
Blackened death metal band BURIED SOULS release new EP ‘HERE COMES THE VOID.’ Influenced by both black metal and hardcore, the EP delivers a form of death metal that is aggressive, cold, and relentlessly mechanical. The songs offer undeniable extremity built atop a foundation of stalwart rhythms, thick riffs, and inhuman vocals.
Switzerland’s BURIED SOULS formed in 2010 and released their debut full-length album, ‘THE CROSSING,’ in 2015. The band has been consistent since, releasing another full-length in 2022, followed by three more EPs.
‘HERE COMES THE VOID’ hurtles by in less than ten minutes, each of the three songs offering a short but hellish ride through visceral horror, fervent energy, and uncompromising brutality.
Link to Here Comes The Void Full-EP Stream (via Buried Souls’ Youtube Channel):
3. Verilehto (Finland) - Aarnihauta LP (Released Nov 28th, 2025 via Inverse Records):
The Finnish black metal band Verilehto released their second album Aarnihauta on November 28th 2025, via Inverse Records.
LISTEN to the album on streaming services:
https://push.fm/fl/verilehto-aarnihauta-album
"The album is built largely on the same principles as its predecessor: something new, something borrowed, and something black, combining old riffs and fresh ideas without trying to reinvent the wheel. The songs were created quite quickly during the summer and autumn of 2023, but the final production shaped more slowly into its current form. The material is diverse, containing both dark and slow-tempo pieces as well as faster and even catchy productions. The overall package is stronger than before, and with the new bassist Räipiö, the sound world has gained significantly more depth." says, Janne Tuikkala.
WATCH ‘Aarnihauta’ Single, via Inverse Records on Youtube:
BIOGRAPHY:
The Finnish melodic black metal band Verilehto are back with a new album, Aarnihauta. The album title translates as 'hidden grave in the forest', which is a fitting description of the band's second album.
Verilehto plays Finnish 90s-style black metal, characterised by melodic and aggressive riffs, raw vocals, and an eerie overall tone. The Finnish folklore-inspired lyrics fit well with the band's versatile riffs, and the songs vary from fast blastbeats to slower storytelling elements.
This album also sees a change in Verilehto's line-up, with Markus Räppiö from Kaira joining the crew. With Markus on bass, Janne Partanen (Hautajaisyö, Alfa Pentatonik, Marraskuun Lapset, Paavalin Harhat) on vocals, and Janne Tuikkala (Muria & Dawn of Everwinter) on guitars, drums and synth, the band is stronger than ever.
Aarnihauta sees the band continuing to evolve from their debut album Kuoleman Siipien Havina by focusing on their own sound and style. The album is not overly polished, and has a good raw quality to the production, but this is not the main focus. It was recorded by the band themselves in 2024–25.
The album artwork was created by the talented Awinita Alm, and the single artwork was created by the band. The "Aarnihauta" video was filmed in 2024 and edited by Janne Tuikkala and Markus Räppiö.
Tracklist:
01. Surutta Tapettu
02. Nälänhätä
03. Aarnihauta
04. Kalman Sotajuokko
05. Tuhkaverho
06. Syöjätär
07. Virvatulet
Line-up:
Janne Tuikkala - Guitars, Drums, Synths
Janne Partanen - Vocals
Markus Räipiö - Bass & Backing Vocals
4. Black Magic Tree (Germany) - Terra LP (Released Nov 28th 2025, via Majestic Mountain Records):
Berlin’s Black Magic Tree make their long-awaited return this fall with Terra, their second album and first release through Majestic Mountain Records, arriving November 28th. The new record sees the band sharpening their heavy rock edge while embracing the warm psychedelia and melodic swagger that have become their trademark.
Formed in 2018, the band emerged from Berlin’s vibrant underground scene, steeped in the sounds of Led Zeppelin, Cream, Black Sabbath, and The Doors, yet unafraid to channel the modern energy of Rival Sons, Graveyard, and Wolfmother. Their music has often been described as “elastic psychedelic hard blues through a uniquely Berlin lens”, a contagious mix of heavy blues riffs, groovy rhythms, and soaring vocals that balance nostalgia with something entirely of the present moment.
Black Magic Tree first turned heads with their self-produced debut EP Of Animals and Men (2019), establishing themselves as a force within Germany’s heavy psych underground. The single “Burnin’ Berlin” captured their city’s grit and pulse with irresistible swagger. Two years later, the band’s full-length debut Through the Grapevine (2021, Karma Conspiracy Records) expanded their scope and sound, earning praise for its warm, boogie-laden grooves and modern production, highlighted by the tracks “Mandala Lady” and “Domo.”
With Terra, the group take their songwriting and production to the next level. The album offers an eclectic, contemporary and catchy heavy rock menu with rich flavours from the golden decades of rock music. Magnificent vocals meet bouncing melodic swagger, distinctive riffs, splendid hooks, and a warm yet vigorous production.”
The record was recorded and mixed by Richard Behrens (Big Snuff Studio Berlin, FOH for Kadavar and Elder), mastered by Roland "Role" Wiegner (Tonmeisterei Oldenburg), and features artwork by Martin Meir.
After years of sweat-soaked underground shows across Germany, Black Magic Tree have found their home with Majestic Mountain Records for this new chapter. Terra captures a band at their most confident and inspired, channeling the timeless spirit of rock through a distinctly Berlin soul.
Link to Terra Single ‘Grace’ via Black Magic Tree’s Youtube Channel:
Black Magic Tree Are:
Alessandro Monte – Vocals
Christian Reuter – Electric Guitar
Max Milan Bergrath – Electric Guitar
Michael Hupp – Drums
Philipp Ott – Electric Bass Guitar