Sidious kicks off 2026 with a new album.
Signed to Immortal Frost Productions, the English band composed of Baalrath (bass, ex-Eye of Solitude), Isfeth (vocals, ex-Eye of Solitude), Indomitus (guitar, ex-Eye of Solitude) and Valdr (drums, Hecate Enthroned) unveils its fourth album, Malefic Necropolis.
Shears of Atropos welcomes us with a sample that is both disturbing and mysterious, joined by drums, then guitars and Isfeth’s roars, which burst in without warning. Violence and darkness blend naturally, joining forces to give occult power to the riffs that explode regularly before adopting a virulent Old School touch on Rotborn Terror, the next, much rawer composition, where they welcome Tubal-Qayin (Völniir, ex-Vehement) on vocals. We are then treated to a short break with the heavy Inversion and Collapse, a one-minute sampled interlude that leads us to Cosmossuary and its furious harmonics, which contribute to the catchy coldness accompanied by lively rhythms. The momentum is broken by Grave, a new, distressing sample in which we progress slowly, encountering cries and tortured guitar, then Crows Atop the Gallows first offers a Black’n’Roll-infused sound before picking up speed and accelerating from time to time. The band follows up with Vortex of Boundless Unlight, which gives us a moment to catch our breath before speeding off, imposing its brutal vocals while letting the riffs sometimes transform into a veritable charge, creating an interesting contrast with its cruising speed. The pace picks up again with Sanguineous Art, the next track, which returns to rage with a solid rhythm, but also a polished solo that adds a little nuance to this ocean of aggression. The album ends with Bloodlust Command Infinite, which offers a cold groove coupled with increasingly surprising accelerations, allowing the band to close their album on a high note.
Although quite short, Malefic Necropolis knows how to make itself heard and offer quality riffs. Sidious delivers a good performance without revolutionizing Black Metal, and I’m sure many of us will appreciate it for what it’s worth!
85/100