25 years in and Hellshock still have a lot to say and their sound is getting darker and heavier than ever. XXV dives deep into bleak, metallic stenchcore territory, blending their trademark crust foundation with Bolt Thrower-style riffing, somber melodies, and even the occasional synth touch that adds to the apocalyptic vibe.

The production is massive, thick, heavy, but never over-polished. Everything hits hard: the guitars are crushing, the rhythm section is powerful, and the vocals bark with the usual visceral intensity. There’s an oppressive, almost funereal atmosphere running through the record that drags you down with it—and that’s a compliment.

Hellshock kinda reinvent the wheel here creating something different that usual that I would define “progressive darkened stench core”. XXV is a fitting soundtrack for the end times: scary, powerful, and utterly uncompromising.

• Format Type: cassette