If Bonegoat was Doomherre announcing their arrival, Plaguelords is the sound of a band realizing the throne was never occupied in the first place. There's no hesitation here, no sophomore uncertainty—just forty-something minutes of towering Epic Doom that knows exactly what it wants to be. Released through Skatbo Records and Majestic Mountain Records, this is an album that doesn't chase the past. It grabs it by the collar, drags it into 2026 and reminds you why you fell in love with Doom Metal in the first place.
Right from the opening notes of "Serpent Shrine", Doomherre make their intentions clear. Massive riffs, soaring melodies and an infectious sense of momentum immediately pull you in. "Stormfather" keeps that energy alive, while "Wrath Of A Mountain God" is one of the album's real highlights, slowly building tension before crashing down with enormous riffs and a chorus that refuses to leave your head. "Hymn For Helios" perfectly balances melody and weight, and the haunting instrumental "Blodregn (Sabbatsberg II)" offers a welcome breather without losing any of the atmosphere the band has built.
The second half is every bit as strong. "Dark Hand" rolls forward on huge, memorable riffs, "Dead Ship Bay" pulls you deeper into Doomherre's world of mythology and towering landscapes, and the title track delivers exactly the kind of epic payoff you'd hope for. The riffs don't just feel heavy—they feel inevitable. Every chorus arrives at exactly the right moment, every lead melody lifts the songs higher, and before you notice it you're no longer listening to individual tracks. You're wandering through the same storm, one chapter after another. By the time "This Burning Guilt" closes the album with its mix of quieter passages and crushing heaviness, it feels less like an ending than an invitation to hit play all over again.
A lot of what makes Plaguelords work so well comes down to Victor Takala. His voice moves naturally between powerful Heavy Metal melodies and darker, rougher moments, giving the songs both character and emotion. Whether he's singing about Nordic myths, inner struggles or apocalyptic visions, he sounds completely believable. Backed by Max Coljin's thunderous bass, Daniel Strachal's rock-solid drumming and a guitar attack that effortlessly blends Doom and traditional Heavy Metal, the band never falls into the trap of repeating themselves.
What really stands out is how naturally Doomherre wear their influences. You can hear echoes of Candlemass, Trouble and Black Sabbath throughout the record, but Plaguelords never feels like a tribute or an exercise in nostalgia. The songs have their own personality, the hooks feel genuine and the riffs are memorable because they're well written—not because they're trying to imitate the past.
That's what makes Plaguelords such a satisfying listen. It captures everything that makes Epic Doom Metal great while sounding fresh, hungry and completely sincere. Doomherre have taken a huge step forward with this album, and it honestly feels like the moment they establish themselves among the most exciting bands in today's Doom scene. One of the year's strongest Doom Metal releases without question.
-Helge Neumann
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