One-man Indigenous black metal project BLACKBRAID has released the surprise EP "Nocturnal Womb," featuring three tracks described by sole creator Sgah'gahsowáh as "too dark and visceral" for inclusion on the "Blackbraid III" album. The EP dropped without prior announcement, appearing on streaming platforms and Bandcamp in the early hours of March 6, catching fans off guard in the best possible way.
Lead single "Celestial Bloodlust" sets the tone immediately with relentless blast beats and tremolo-picked fury that ranks among the most savage material BLACKBRAID has ever produced. The track builds through multiple movements, shifting from raw, second-wave-inspired aggression into passages of haunting atmospheric beauty that evoke the vast wilderness landscapes central to the project's identity. The EP also includes "Obsidian Dreamcatcher," a mid-paced crusher built around a monolithic riff, and an acoustic rendition of "Barefoot Ghost Dance on Blood Soaked Soil" — a reimagining that strips the original down to its emotional core.
A limited 10-inch vinyl pressing in transparent blood red with black marbling is available through the BLACKBRAID Bandcamp page, with only 1,000 copies produced. The EP was recorded at Hollow Anvil Studio by Sgah'gahsowáh, who handles all instruments and vocals — a one-person creative vision that has made BLACKBRAID one of the most talked-about acts in modern black metal. Since debuting in 2022, the project has challenged preconceptions about who can create authentic extreme music while honoring Indigenous identity and connection to the natural world. The "Blackbraid III" full-length is expected later in 2026.