Album Review: Khemmis – Khemmis (Nuclear Blast)

Khemmis will release their 5th studio album, the self-titled Khemmis, on the 12th of June via Nuclear Blast.

Over the last decade, Khemmis have established themselves as one of the most respected names in modern heavy metal. Emerging from Denver, Colorado, the quartet built their reputation on a distinctive blend of doom, traditional heavy metal, and soaring melodic grandeur, earning widespread acclaim with albums such as Absolution, Hunted, Desolation, and Deceiver. Along the way they have become a band whose sound is instantly recognisable, balancing crushing heaviness with genuine emotional depth.

Now, eleven years on from their debut, Khemmis return with their fifth full-length album, the self-titled Khemmis. Arriving via Nuclear Blast on June 12th, 2026, the record marks both a continuation and a celebration of everything that has made the band so beloved. Featuring a refreshed line-up, renewed creative energy, and a concept centred around the power, freedom, and sheer joy of heavy metal, Khemmis sees the band embracing their identity more completely than ever before.

As Phil Pendergast states:

“This record embraces that fun in playing heavy metal together again. I think that it’s really cathartic, almost an act of rebellion, to just give in to the joy of playing music again.”

Khemmis is Ben Hutcherson on guitars and vocals, Phil Pendergast on guitars and vocals, David Small on bass and Zach Coleman on drums.

Khemmis gets underway with one of the singles released from this self-titled album, Invocation of the Dreamer. One thing I love is how instantly recognisable it is as Khemmis. It is everything I have come to love about this band. Huge riffs, thick bass and powerful drums add weight and heaviness while balancing it with melody and constant transitions. Moving through the heaviness, the clouds part, melody shines through and then the storms erupt again. I love it.

The vocals and the masterful harmonising have always been a selling point for me and it is on point here. It’s catchy, you’ll sing along to it, but there is also plenty of time to bang your head and really get lost in the massive sounds and atmosphere that Khemmis create. It’s a brilliant start to the album. That continues into Corpsebloom Garden where the rhythm section really stands out. The drums are powerful, the bass is thick, but it’s also nicely polished and produced so you hear and feel every beat and note. It’s a fiery track with a bit more edge, energy and intensity, but no less emotionally charged. The vocals are on point, as always, and the huge solo and instrumental section that closes the song out is superb.

Grief’s Reverie pushes the emotional edge further with some gorgeous lyricism and singing skills on display. There are also some stunning guitar passages that really showcase the wide-reaching talent and creativity within this band. In true Khemmis style, it’s still plenty heavy too, with some really impressive drumming, layers of bass and head-banging rhythms. We also get a section of probably the most guttural vocals I have heard from the band to date, which really adds weight and contrast to another exceptional track.

Beneath The Scythe comes next and is another one of the pre-release singles that I have been playing almost on repeat since its release. I love this track. From that wicked guitar melody in the intro to the bouncy and infectious beat that it grows into, it’s an instant hook. The vocals are amazing in the verses, backed by a thrashy, chugging riff that keeps building and building before cleverly dropping into a chorus that screams anthem and epic. It displays the very best of their harmonising vocals before transitioning smoothly back into the pacey verses. And it also packs a massive solo and a slight key change heading into another verse afterwards.

It might seem like a small thing, but it’s just another stroke of genius. As is the moody and sombre slow down that comes later in the track, leading us through to the end with expert melody and singing.

Gilded Chambers sees the pace and intensity pick back up and really demonstrates Coleman’s impact on the drums. The verses and bridges deliver some darkness and extremity, and some of the gutturals later on might surprise some Khemmis fans, but the choruses bring you straight back to the familiar with stunning melody, stunning vocals and emotional class. A speedy solo will wow you, then, as that breaks into a morose and moody slowdown, you’ll find yourself completely hypnotised and in tune with the band. It’s a great song, but it’s also so well written and engaging throughout.

Tomb Of Roses leans more on the emotional power of Khemmis, though it’s still balanced nicely. Softer melody leads us in before crashes of riffs and drums start to break it up. The verses have meat and groove to them, along with some more seriously impressive drum and bass rhythms. That leads us nicely through to an anthemic chorus that oozes emotion and class. It’s still a pretty heavy track but just feels deep and thoughtful, helped a lot by the classy singing and soaring guitars.

Carrion King then keeps this ever-changing flow moving forwards with a heavy number that shows the addition of David Small and Zach Coleman is really adding something significant to Khemmis. The riffs, the depth of the bass and the drums impress in an almost death metal-styled intro. The heaviness carries us through the verses, packing guttural vocals and intensity before the chorus sees a small break in the clouds that allows the melodies and vocals to soar freely. As the chorus ends, the clouds close and the darkness surrounds us again.

The vocals get darker and more sinister as the music slows down, and it’s as the clean vocals then pierce through this that you see the cleverness of these song structures. It’s a phenomenal track.

Sadly though, it leads us to the end with the final track, Benediction Tones. Khemmis make sure they close out this exceptional album with another masterpiece. Showcasing all of their considerable talent, the drums and bass are exceptional, the guitars are masterful and the vocals and harmonising are gorgeous. It’s a heavy track, but one that packs emotional weight as well. Passages of dark gutturals lead into cleans while the rhythm and riffs keep things moving forward with purpose and intensity.

The chorus is strong, of course, with the vocals hitting some serious range while the drums pound and the riffs punch. As those vocals fade out, leaving harmonised guitar melodies flowing through you, you can’t help but take a moment to appreciate an album of immense quality and a band of such great talent.

Khemmis have long been one of my favourite bands, so it should come as no surprise that I love this album. What does surprise me is how refreshed and energised the band sound. The additions of David Small and Zach Coleman seem to have awoken something within Khemmis, bringing a renewed sense of purpose and creativity that shines through on every track.

Most of all, this sounds like a band enjoying what they do. The heaviness, emotion and incredible song writing that have always defined Khemmis are all present, but there is an added spark here that makes this album feel special. Quite simply, Khemmis is everything I love about this band wrapped up in one exceptional record.

Track List:

01 – Invocation of the Dreamer
02 – Corpsebloom Garden
03 – Grief’s Reverie
04 – Beneath the Scythe
05 – Gilded Chambers
06 – Tomb of Roses
07 – Carrion King
08 – Benediction Tones

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