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With their fourth album "Cosmocrator", KHNVM are entering a downward spiral into the abyss of the human experience. The death metal brainiacs explore the crossroads of psychology, philosophy, and spirituality. "Cosmocrator" draws powerful inspiration from Christopher Hitchens' scathing account "God Is Not Great" and Carl Jung's "Mysterium Coniunctionis" to explore themes surrounding the tension between rationality and mysticism, while challenging conventional beliefs.
The album title "Cosmocrator" carries a dual significance. It symbolises the "Ruler of the World" and, within religious vocabulary, also stands for "Satan". This reflects the album's exploration of common phenomena, expressed through an adrenaline-fueled artistic lens. With the thought-provoking lyrics and harsh yet to the point musicality of "Cosmocrator", KHNVM promise not to just deliver on musical terms but also to captivate those who are drawn to complex narratives and philosophical depth.
KHNVM are a death metal band that has walked the line between old school death metal and contemporary influences without stumbling. Fronted by Bangladeshi-born guitarist and vocalist Obliterator, the band was founded and is firmly based in Germany.
When KHNVM entered the scene with their debut album "Foretold Monuments of Flesh" on Testimony Records in 2019, they were immediately met with acclaim both from critics and fans alike. This head start on many of their emerging peers became a solid lead with their sophomore full-length "Portals to Oblivion" (2021). Occasional sonic influences and instrumentation from the Indian subcontinent that tell on the origins of mastermind Obliterator were used carefully and as an added spice rather than a simple gimmick.
In the wake of the second album, KHNVM began to perform live at first in Germany including established festivals such as In Flammen Open Air, Damned Days, and Metal Attack Fest among others. A year later, the trio began to take their crushing death metal steamroller abroad, starting with the "Heretic Ascension Over Brazil 2023" tour. Meanwhile, KHNVM have toured, entered stages at many festivals, and played headliner and support shows across Europe.
With their third release that some regard as a mini and others as a full-length album, "Visions of a Plague Ridden Sky" (2023), KHNVM cemented their status as one of the most interesting "new" death metal bands. On this record, Obliterator added two instrumental tracks that further explored his Eastern origins. His fascinating lyrics explored themes of life and death, the afterlife, human suffering, existentialism, and spirituality in a much welcome break from the standard gore lyrics of the genre.
KHNVM present their most complex work so far. "Cosmocrator" offers a dual approach to its listeners: an easy way as to be enjoyed for its excellent musicality but also a far more difficult path to take with intricate lyrics and rich thoughts to be analysed, explored, and discussed for many years to come - and new meanings to be found as well as discoveries of fresh ideas to be made with each new turn!
Band: KHNVM
Album title: Cosmocrator
Style: Death Metal
Release date: August 29, 2025
Label: Testimony Records
Review impact date: July 28, 2025
Recording line-up
Obliterator – guitars, bass, synths, vocals
M. – drums
Live line-up
Obliterator – guitars, vocals
Chasmist – bass
J. – drums
Guest musician
Ekaitz Garmendia (SIJJIN) – guitar solo in 'Venom Spawn'
Guitar, bass & vocal recording by Obliterator at Obliterator Studio, Berlin (DE)
Drum recording by M. at Studio Usama Siddiqui, Berlin (DE)
Guitars & bass reamping, mix & mastering by Ekaitz Garmendia at BlackStorm Studio, Karrantza, Basque Country (ES)
Artwork by Khaos Diktator Design
Layout by Ulf Binder
Shop
https://spkr.store/collections/khnvm
Formats
"Cosmocrator" will be available as Jewelcase CD, ltd. transparent turquoise & black marbled vinyl LP, black vinyl LP, and as music cassette.
Links
www.facebook.com/KHNVM666
www.instagram.com/khnvm696
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