Today we have the privilege of sharing an early stream of “Empire of Gnawed Bone” the latest featured track taken from Elizabethtown, Kentucky-based black/death metal quartet SINISTRUM‘s sophomore full-length album ‘The Hammer of Conquest‘. Formed between ex-members of Abominant and Fornicus these folks’ve been active since ~2022 or so, aiming to create black/death metal with a thrashing groove set behind it. You might recall I’d reviewed their debut album (‘Infernal Dawn‘, 2024) favorably upon release, hearing great potential in their classics minded approach. After a couple of big shifts in their line-up last year they’ve returned even more aggressive, embracing the throttle of their black-thrashing death machine and upping the riff count in the process.

Our subject for today, “Empire of Gnawed Bone”, speaks to the fluidity of the sub-genre combine on display achieving a thrash-attacked form of black/death metal with a slight melodic edge. Fans of everything from Belphegor and Immortal to Necrophobic should appreciate not only their approach on this song but the full extent of ‘The Hammer of Conquest‘. Speaking to the theme of the album, and this song in particular, the band comment: “The album thematically revolves around medieval warfare and dark fantasy. This song in particular is inspired by a battle that descended into cannibalism, the Siege of Ma’arra in 1098. It was during the first crusade when European Christian crusaders resorted to consuming the flesh of slain Turkish Muslims to stave off starvation. It isn’t a direct retelling, but borrows from the story to tell of a civilization reduced to fodder for an invading army.“

Thanks goes out to SINISTRUM and Remorseless Records for the opportunity to share this song early. Scroll down to the Bandcamp embed below to finalize your descent… As always, support the global death and black metal underground and grab a copy on CD, Cassette or Vinyl LP this coming November 13th, 2026:

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Per the Press Release:

CENTRAL KENTUCKY, USA — From the depths of the Kentucky underground comes Sinistrum, a black/death metal force built on death metal brutality, black metal savagery, and flashes of thrashing, riff-driven aggression. On October 30, 2026, the band will unleash its second full-length album, The Hammer of Conquest, through Remorseless Records on CD, cassette, and vinyl.

Originally forged by members of Kentucky’s extreme metal underground, Sinistrum features vocalist and drummer Scott Briggs, guitarist and vocalist Timmie Ball, guitarist Matthew Smith, and bassist Mike May. The members bring years of experience from acts including Fornicus and Kentucky death metal veterans Abominant, combining old-school heaviness with a vicious blackened edge.

Sinistrum first emerged in 2022 with the three-song demo/EP Trichotomy of Death. The band followed it with its debut full-length, Infernal Dawn, released in February 2024 through Adirondack Black Mass and Morbid and Miserable Records. Following lineup changes, the band regrouped with Matthew Smith joining on guitar while Scott Briggs took over drum duties in addition to continuing as the band’s lead vocalist.

Over the next two years, Sinistrum meticulously crafted The Hammer of Conquest, taking the foundation established on Infernal Dawn and pushing it further into darker and more extreme territory.

The result is an album forged in chaos, darkness, violence, and relentless riff-driven aggression, bringing together the crushing weight of death metal with the cold savagery of black metal and the raw energy of thrash.

The Hammer of Conquest features all-new material written and performed by Sinistrum, with the sole exception of “Flag of Hate,” the band’s rendition of the classic Kreator track. Timmie Ball handles vocals on the song, while Scott Briggs delivers lead vocals and drums throughout the remainder of the album.

The album’s artwork was created by Johny Prayogi, with the band’s logo and sigil designed by Gragoth. Album photography was provided by Brandon McQueen. Sinistrum recorded, mixed, and mastered the album themselves, with Scott Briggs handling production, recording, mixing, and mastering.

On November 13th, the hammer falls.

Death has arrived.

THE HAMMER OF CONQUEST

Sinistrum
Release Date: November 13, 2026
Label: Remorseless Records
Formats: CD / Cassette / Vinyl
Genre: Black/Death Metal

Pre-Orders:
https://www.remorselessrecords.com/ (cd/tape/vinyl)
https://remorselessrecords.bandcamp.com/ (cd/tape/vinyl)
https://sinistrum.bandcamp.com/ (vinyl/digital)

Track credits:
All music and lyrics by Sinistrum
Except “Flag of Hate” by Kreator

Lineup:
Timmie Ball – Guitar, Vocals on “Flag of Hate”
Matthew Smith – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Mike May – Bass
Scott Briggs – Lead Vocals, Drums

Album Art: Johny Prayogi
Logo & Sigil: Gragoth
Album Photography: Brandon McQueen
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by: Scott Briggs

Follow Sinistrum:
https://www.facebook.com/Sinistrum.Death
https://www.instagram.com/sinistrum.death

Band Contact:
Scott Briggs
sinsitrum.death@gmail.com

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