Werewolf Promotion continues to solidify its status as one of Poland's most vital black metal labels, with 2025 showcasing the consistent realization of this legendary imprint's publishing vision. Through a series of compelling new releases, long-awaited reissues, and international collaborations, the label remains a steadfast propagator of authentic black metal.
2025 Releases: Diversity and Quality
New Year Opening with Deathlike Dawn
Werewolf Promotion kicked off 2025 with a dual premiere from Deathlike Dawn. On January 1st, the label released the band’s new album, Noc Czarna Czernią Otchłani, alongside a split with American act Barbaric Hatred, titled From The Tenebrosus Depths of Ages. This simultaneous release highlights the label’s focus on thematic depth and strategic curation over sheer volume.
March 2025 saw a wave of atmospheric black metal releases. Polish project Isceald delivered both a new album, Zagubiony w Bezkresie, and a compilation, Tales of Ice Ages. Concurrently, the German project Gjaldur released a mini-CD, Jahrzeit, in collaboration with Astral Nightmare Productions, reinforcing Werewolf Promotion’s commitment to diverse, atmospheric sounds.
Controversial Return of Pentagammadion
In April, Pentagammadion, a radical black metal project from Warsaw, made a polarizing return with Nord Storm Behind Me, a limited edition of 666 copies.
International Expansion
Late April marked a focus on international talent. Austria’s Vinterstille released the compilation Tyroler Vorherrschaft, while Finnish act Patriot debuted with the mini-CD Kansa on Noussut. These releases demonstrate Werewolf Promotion’s growing influence beyond Poland, fostering connections across the global underground scene.
Strategic Rivers Like Veins Reissues
May 2025 was dominated by vinyl reissues of Rivers Like Veins’ discography, a flagship act in the label’s catalog. The releases included:
- The Hidden Portals (second album, 200 black + 100 smoke marble blue copies)
- Architektura Przemijania (third album, 200 black + 100 marble black/brown copies)
- Z Iskier Srebrnych Orszaków (debut album, digipack reissue)
These reissues reflect Werewolf Promotion’s strategic investment in preserving and promoting its most significant catalog entries.
Continuation of Tradition, Not Revolution
Werewolf Promotion’s 2025 activities are marked by thoughtful consistency rather than a flood of releases. Compared to previous years, the label maintains a stable output, prioritizing quality and long-term impact over quantity. This approach is evident in:
- Genre diversity: From radical to atmospheric and ambient black metal.
- Internationalism: Featuring bands from Poland, Germany, Austria, Finland, and the USA.
- Limited runs: Preserving the prestige and collectible nature of releases.
- Collaborations: Partnering with labels like Astral Nightmare Productions and Stronghold Music to strengthen underground networks.
Key Artists and Catalog
Rivers Like Veins - Avant-Garde Black Metal from Poland
Rivers Like Veins is a cornerstone of Werewolf Promotion’s roster, known for their avant-garde black metal since their 2019 debut, Z Iskier Srebrnych Orszaków. Rejecting pagan black metal labels, the band emphasizes a unique identity, free from native faith themes. Their 2023 album, Architektura Przemijania, was shaped by personal loss, with the main composer mourning his father’s death, resulting in a deeply emotive, mournful sound. The 2025 vinyl reissues cement their legacy within the label’s catalog.
Zmora - Dark Essence of Polish Black Metal
Zmora, hailing from Poznań, embodies the raw, orthodox side of Polish black metal. Their Widma Nocy trilogy—comprising the mini-albums Nocy czerń, nocy chłód, W głębinach nocy niepojętej, and Najczarniejsza z nocy—was released in a limited wooden box set of 66 copies, featuring hand-painted, pyrography-burned designs. This collector’s treasure encapsulates Zmora’s dark, mysterious themes of death and misanthropy.
Old Leshy - Pagan Force from Warsaw
Old Leshy, a Warsaw-based duo formed in 2017, delivers heathen black metal inspired by the early ‘90s. Their 2024 album, Na Skraju Przepaści, spans eleven tracks and nearly an hour, blending icy guitar riffs, varied tempos, and melancholic melodies. The album’s mix of fast-paced aggression and slower tremolo sections creates a distinctive, atmosphere-heavy sound.
Severoth - Atmospheric Journey from Ukraine
Severoth, a Ukrainian one-man project led by Illia Rafalskyi, is a prolific force in atmospheric black metal. Albums like Winterfall, Samitnist, and Forestpaths evoke snow-covered landscapes through misanthropic soundscapes and ambient elements.
Stworz - Pagan Black Metal from Poland
Stworz is a key representative of pagan black metal in Werewolf Promotion’s catalog. Since their formation, the band has woven Slavic mythology, folklore, and nature themes into their music, blending raw black metal with folk instrumentation and atmospheric passages. Their releases are noted for their conceptual depth and authentic connection to Eastern European heritage, making them a standout in the label’s offerings.
Label Philosophy in Practice
Founded by Szymon, Werewolf Promotion remains true to its mission of “releasing/promoting worthy and devoted bands/projects.” In 2025, the label resists commercial pressures, maintaining its underground ethos through deliberate, high-quality releases. Each project is a curated addition, reflecting the label’s commitment to authentic black metal values.
Summary: Stability as Strength
Werewolf Promotion’s 2025 output proves that consistency and durability outweigh the pursuit of volume. By focusing on quality releases, international collaboration, and loyalty to black metal’s core principles, the label strengthens its position on the global underground scene. Rather than chasing trends, Werewolf Promotion builds a lasting catalog, ensuring its relevance in an era where authenticity is paramount.
