With The Cult of Kariba, CARACH ANGREN summon the spectres of their origins. Returning to the myth of Lammendam, the Dutch masters of horror black metal weave a new chapter steeped in vengeance, folklore, and the occult. Across five harrowing compositions, an underground cult in Schinveld performs forbidden rites to resurrect Kariba: the poisoner, the witch, the White Lady’s shadow. From the ominous awakening of “A Malevolent Force Stirs” through the sacrificial frenzy of “Draw Blood” and the dark resurrection at the heart of “The Resurrection of Kariba,” the EP traces a descent into ritual madness and spectral retribution.
Stream the full EP here, a day earlier prior to official release tomorrow (October 17) via Season of Mist.
The EP’s creation brought together a team of long-standing collaborators integral to CARACH ANGREN’s sonic identity. Keyboardist and composer Clemens “Ardek” Wijers shaped the orchestral arrangements, pre-production, and overall compositional framework, while Dennis “Seregor” Droomers embodied the EP’s narrative through his unmistakable vocal and guitar performances. Their partnership, refined over two decades, once again anchors the balance between theatrical grandeur and visceral aggression. Patrick Damiani (Tidal Wave Studio, Germany) handled recording, mixing, and mastering with meticulous detail, ensuring each passage resonates with cinematic scope. Drummer Gabe Seeber (Mayhemeness Recording Studio) delivered the EP’s percussive intensity, while Nikos Mavridis contributed evocative solo violin passages that elevate the ritualistic atmosphere. Voice actor Tim Wells lends his narrative gravitas, and Stefan Heilemann’s striking artwork and photography, featuring model Lara Mauve, complete the visual dimension of CARACH ANGREN’s haunting world.
In support of The Cult of Kariba, CARACH ANGREN will summon their theatrical spectacle across Europe throughout 2026, including confirmed appearances at Mystic Festival (Gdańsk, PL, June 3–6), Into the Grave (Leeuwarden, NL, June 12–14), and Alcatraz Festival (Kortrijk, BE, August 6–9). These performances mark the first live manifestations of the new material and promise to merge stagecraft, horror, and symphonic might in the band’s trademark fashion.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.