KHNVM strikes again.

Two years have passed since his last album, but mastermind Obliterator (guitar/bass/vocals, Nekrohowl, ex-Homicide), accompanied by M. on drums (as well as Chasmist (bass) and J. (drums) live), is already ready to unveil his fourth album, Cosmocrator.

The icy wind of Purgatorial Pyre welcomes us and guides us to a few melancholic notes that develop and sketch out a rhythm with the help of some percussion before suddenly bursting into flames. The vocals join the thick, dissonant mix, which progresses at a steady pace until the final solo, then Fetid Eden takes its place and quickly becomes much more aggressive, alternating melodious harmonics with jerky bursts of violence. The track is much livelier than the previous one, even borrowing some virulent touches from Black Metal, but it is indeed with its slowness that the band reconnects and captivates us, weaving its leads before accelerating again to join the intriguing Mercurial Remnants, which features sharp and sometimes even slightly complex riffs that intertwine in a rather chaotic manner. However, the track is quite short, and it ends up giving way to Fathomless Enigma, which offers us a moment of respite with mystical and ethereal touches before the eponymous Cosmocrator comes in to trample us with its piercing leads. The track remains quite wild, also benefiting from some very present choirs and harmonics, especially in its final moments before giving way once again to the melancholy of Venom Spawn and its almost oriental influences that initially hypnotize us. But after a long time, the raw violence resurfaces at full speed to assault us before returning to that suffocating slowness and then leaving Haunting Blight to close the album, first with a jerky prog touch, then with its usual heaviness but above all its velocity, which will only fade when its final moments are over.

KHNVM is as consistent as ever, both in terms of quantity and quality. The albums follow one another but are not alike, and Cosmocrator will surprise us not with its raw power, but with its new influences, particularly those haunting touches.

85/100

Version Française ?

A few questions to KHNVM’s founder Obliterator about the release of the band’s new record, Cosmocsrator.

Hello and first of all, thank you very much for your time! How would you introduce the band KHNVM without using the musical labels, such as “Death Metal” or any of its subgenres?
Obliterator (guitar/bass/vocals): Thanks a lot for the invitation for this interview. KHNVM channels the depths of human sorrow and suffering, transforming anguish into sound – where raw emotion collides with reality to create music that resonates with pain, truth, and catharsis.

Do you remember how you came with the name KHNVM, and how do you link it to the music you play?
Obliterator: It was a cold winter night in the university library of Magdeburg, a quiet city in eastern Germany. I was exhausted, buried in preparation for my machine learning exam, and needed a break—something completely different to reset my mind. Drawn by my fascination with Egyptian mythology, one book caught my eye: The Book of the Dead. As I flipped through its pages, a chapter titled “KHNUM” stood out. Khnum – the eldest god in Egyptian mythology, creator of the Nile, of humanity, and guardian of the dead. His name intrigued me deeply. I discovered that “Khnum” is derived from Ka (soul) and num (creator) – together meaning “soul creator.” That moment felt profound. The name resonated with something deep inside me. I knew instantly that this would be the name for my musical project. Over time, it evolved into KHNVM – a sonic embodiment of sorrow, suffering, and existential reflection, much like the mythological weight carried by its namesake.

KHNVM is about to release its fourth album, Cosmocsrator. How do you feel about it? Do you already have any feedback?
Obliterator: As I write this interview, my fourth studio album has already been released—on August 29th. The feeling is bittersweet. This album sat on my desk for over eight months before I finally found a label willing to support it. Despite the wait, I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve created. I recorded it during one of the most challenging periods of my life, and apart from the drum recordings, I handled everything regarding composition by myself. It demanded immense time and energy to shape it into something I felt was truly complete. Seeing the album now receive praise in the press is deeply rewarding. Most of the feedback has been positive and appreciative, which makes me feel that the album has found its place and, in its own way, is a success.

How would you sum Cosmocrator’s identity up in only three words?
Obliterator: Ethereal, ageless, abyssal

As you are now the sole headmaster of KHNVM, how does the creation process happen? Did it become easier to compose now?
Obliterator: I’ve always been the headmaster of this project – and maybe that’s how it’s meant to be. In the beginning, I believed that being in a band meant collaborating, sharing creative space, and writing music together. But reality proved otherwise. I’ve struggled—and still struggle—to find people whose musical vision aligns with mine. Friends often told me I needed stable members and a rehearsal room to build a proper band. But I proved them wrong. If I can’t find the right people to create music with, I’ll do it myself – and hire musicians for live performances. That’s exactly what I’m doing now. The creative process lives entirely in my head. I follow a disciplined guitar practice schedule, with dedicated time for composing new riffs. I’m constantly writing. Right after finishing one album, I dive into the next. So far, I’ve been releasing two albums per year. However, with my fifth album, the pace might slow down to one every three years, as I shift focus toward performing the songs live.

The band’s sound is anchored in Death Metal with both Black and Doom influences to create its own identity, which bands would you quote as your main influences?
Obliterator: I consider myself a simple person, and my musical journey began with Black Sabbath – particularly the Dio era, which resonated with me far more than the Ozzy years. From the very beginning, I’ve held a deep reverence for Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi. To me, they are gods. In the Death Metal realm, my core influences stem from the early ’90s Florida scene – Morbid Angel, Deicide, Death. Much of my picking technique was shaped by studying the works of Dallas Toler-Wade and Karl Sanders from Nile. I also closely follow Dave Suzuki’s work during his time with Vital Remains. These artists helped define my approach to guitar and composition. In recent years, especially before recording my latest album, my daily bike rides to work became a ritual of musical immersion. During those moments, I found myself repeatedly drawn to Churchburn for their Doom-laden heaviness, and to Deathspell Omega and 1349 for their raw, chaotic Black Metal energy. These bands continue to fuel my creative fire.

Where do you find your inspiration to create music and lyrics?
Obliterator: My inspiration comes from different sources. The first thing about the music is, given that the world actually does not need more bands, more music, and the industry being the smallest with the entire entertainment  industry, one really might ask why are you making new albums ? The simple reason is for me, it’s a way of cleansing myself. I see making music as a door way to create a significant artifact from your emotions. I find inspiration from self, from experiences and thoughts of reality, also some external influences like Chirstopher Hitchens, Stephen King, Carl Jung and sometime the ancient mythologies or histories. It completely depends on the riffs first how I will write the lyrics. For Cosmocrator, the lyrics part came very differently. In August 2024, my wife underwent a critical surgery – a deeply emotional period that left me vulnerable and introspective. During that time, I channeled my thoughts and emotions into writing six lyrics, which ultimately became the lyrical backbone of Cosmocrator. These words reflect a spectrum of feelings that defy simple categorization—neither black nor white, but something far more complex and human. This was the time that triggered my artist self to contain the emotions in more tangible format and thus came the idea of making an album which turned into Cosmocrator.

Do you have a favorite song on Cosmocrator? Or maybe the hardest one to achieve for the album.
Obliterator: I would definitely go for Mercurial Ramnants, Fetid Eden and Cosmocrator. Those are really engaging and physically demanding to play. Venom Spawn and Purgatorial Pyre will be the next to put in the setlist. 

Do you think you improved yourself as a musician/songwriter with this new record?
Obliterator: “Improvement” is a vague term when it comes to music. What truly matters is evolution – both in songwriting and musical expression. If an artist continues to explore the dimensions of their instrument and creative mind year after year, it’s only natural to move beyond the point where they started. That’s not just growth; it’s transformation. The real question isn’t whether I’ve improved, but rather: ”To what extent have I been able to connect the dots between the riffs I’ve written and the lyrics I’ve crafted?” And my answer is yes. With this album, I wanted to prove to myself that I don’t have to be confined by my own shadow. Yet, even as I evolve, the riffs still unmistakably carry the identity of KHNVM. I believe I’ve achieved that. Cosmocrator stands as a testament to that journey—and honestly, it might be the hardest album to surpass.

Cosmocrator made you reconnect with the label Testimony Records, who released your first album back in 2019. What made you resign with them, and how is it to work with them?
Obliterator: The new management at Testimony Records has been nothing short of professional and easy to work with. I first met Thomas at Party San a few years ago – we shared a few beers and instantly connected. When I sent him the album, he picked it up without hesitation, and we began working together right away. The collaboration has been incredibly smooth. Thomas is an awesome guy – always available, responsive, and supportive. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. It’s a solid 100/100.

As I said, you’re now the only thinking head of KHNVM, what motivated this evolution? How did you pick the musicians who play with you on stage?
Obliterator: Building a band is not just about playing music—it’s about commitment, discipline, and shared vision. Success depends on skill, motivation, passion, loyalty, and a strong sense of responsibility. It’s a game, yes—but not a fun or casual one. There are rules, expectations, and a professional way of doing things. Julian Dietrich has been my go-to drummer, but as his schedule becomes more demanding, I’ve had to look for substitutes for live gigs. I run this project professionally, and I expect the same level of professionalism from everyone involved. Julia, our guitarist, is a fresh and talented presence – full of potential. She’s still figuring out her direction, but her playing speaks volumes. Our new bassist, Thomas, brings motivation, skill, and a lot of enthusiasm to the table. We’ve only rehearsed twice so far, but I’m hopeful this lineup will stay solid for at least a year of live shows.

Are there any artists you would like to collaborate with? Whether it is for just a song, or an album, a cover art…
Obliterator: That’s a tough question. I have always wanted to tour with Behemoth, Immolation, Deicide, Morbid Angel (I am Morbid), Decapitated, 1349, etc. There is no particular reason apart from sharing the stages with your Idols. That’s it.

I unfortunately never attended a KHNVM show yet, what can we expect of the band on stage?
Obliterator: No backing tracks, no gimmicks no bullshit. Straight on, on your face Death Metal for 50 mins. That’s it.

Have you ever heard of the French Metal scene? Are there any bands you know and like?
Obliterator: I love the French Metal scene. For example I love Deathspell Omega (my favorite) Gorod, Arkhon Infaustus, Blut aus Nord, Skelethal, etc.

If I ask you to create a poster with KHNVM as headliner and three other bands for the release of Cosmocrator, which bands would you like to play with? Even unrealistic answers are accepted.
Obliterator: Black Sabbath, Immolation, Necros Christos.

Last and funny question: which dish would you compare KHNVM’s music with?
Obliterator: KHNVM’s music can be compared to squid ink Paella (Arroz Negro). It has all the flavours of sea food but still in complete BLACK ! Hahahahah.

That was the last question for me, so thank you very much for your time and your music, last words are yours!
Obliterator: Thanks alot for this well thought questions. I really appreciate it. To the audience and people who are still into this art, stay strong and push harder, the ultimate glory is always yours. Cheers. Obliterator.