Qasu

**Qasu** is a UK-US experimental black metal trio that released their debut album *A Bleak King Cometh* on January 30, 2026. The band describes their sound as "ancient future black metal," blending traditional black metal elements with psychedelia, occultist techno, and experimental sound design. The group consists of vocalist and electronics programmer Rahsaan Sagan, drummer Nikhil Talwalkar (known for his work in the death metal band Anal Stabwound), and instrumentalist and songwriter Aldous Daniken. Daniken and Sagan are based in the UK, while Talwalkar is based in New York, and the band works remotely to create their music.

The band's sonic world merges ancient ritual imagery—witch-burning, human sacrifice, and arcane animism—with futuristic sci-fi elements like alien landings and stargates. Their debut album *A Bleak King Cometh* features crushing riffs, meaty blastbeats, and tortured vocals layered with an unconventional palette that includes moaning synths, autotuned vocals, new wave synths, techno kick drums, and taiko drumming. Taking their name from a dream in which Daniken encountered a "destructive, powerful, but ultimately protective ghost," Qasu have already made waves in the extreme metal scene with their unorthodox approach to black metal.