Ensanguinate – Death Saturnalia (with temples below)

Formed in 2020, Ensanguinate is Slovenia’s putrid entry into the occult black/death metal grimoire of old, performing dark arts & sinister sounds. Following their debut album Eldritch Anatomy (2022), the band led by A.C. (guitar & vocals), G.C. (drums), J.C. (guitar & organ), and K.O. (bass) has signed with Soulseller Records for the release of their second album, Death Saturnalia. This highly anticipated, and critically acclaimed album, has been released through Soulseller Records on February 6th 2026.

The album consisting of eight tracks, features a mix of a razor-sharp technicality and pure black/death metal style with prominent/skilled/deep and rich bass lines, powerful riffs (while incorporating extended solos), a cutting tremolo picking, boisterous and powerful drums, and high-energy vocals.

The overall lyrical themes has been described as ‘a monument to the female form in occultism’ and an ‘ode to the burning love of Kali – Ereshkigal – Lilith’. Stand-out tracks, from the 42-minute album, for me includes the opening “Lámia” and “On Wings of Bone”. The first one, “Lámia” due to its majestic welcome and introduction to the album, using some piano disturbing and slow down parts.

“On Wings of Bone“ is another of my favourites due to the sound and the presence that are cruel and vicious as black metal is supposed to be. I like the guitar work in this particular song with its simple, yet effective and atractive sonic elements. Meanwhile, “Angel of a Thousand Poisons” is another equally strong track, featuring this raw and old-school sound, a great dose of technicality, and above everything – a dark and occult atmosphere. Death Saturnalia ends with “Daughter to Cain”, a track with an almost military approach that is varied song which explodes suddenly, but also making a final swich for a final moment of calm.

The production is dark and occult, but also sophisticated and transparent, where the technology ‘disappears’ and the listener hears the source material exactly as it was intended. The cover art is the work of Dávid Glomba who created a perfect visual representation of this band and their sound.

With the release of an eight-tracker, Death Saturnalia (with temples below), Ensanguinate brings metal of death burning with even more zeal for the old ways and is bolstered by a dose of ’70s mysticism and black metal fury! Highly recommended for worshippers of Repugnant, Morbid Angel, Watain, Deicide, Nifelheim, Funeral Mist, Antaeus, Marduk, Venom, etc.

Death Saturnalia (with temples below) can be heard and purchased on bandcamp.