Nervosa
Nervosa are undoubtedly one of the most famous all-female bands in the world within the extreme metal scene.
Founded in 2010 in São Paulo by guitarist Prika Amaral and drummer Fernanda Terra, the band initially took shape with Karen Ramos, who joined as a second guitarist. About a year and a half later, Ramos—living outside the Brazilian metropolis—left the project due to difficulties attending rehearsals and commitments. She was replaced by bassist Fernanda Lira, with whom Nervosa would make a significant leap in quality.
In 2012, the band released the demo Time of Death, also producing a music video for the track Masked Betrayer. Shortly afterward, Fernanda Terra left the band and was replaced by Pitchu Ferraz.
Their aggressive thrash metal, halfway between Slayer and Kreator, quickly brought Nervosa recognition not only in Brazil but worldwide, attracting the attention of major labels such as Napalm Records, which promptly offered them a recording contract.
In 2013, the Brazilian band recorded their debut album Victim of Yourself, produced by Heros Trench and Marcello Pompeu of the thrash metal band Korzus. On this record, Fernanda Lira stands out as the undisputed driving force behind the harsh and aggressive vocals.
In January 2016, with the addition of new drummer Luana Dametto, Nervosa began recording their second album in the United States with producer Brendan Duffey. A few months later, they released Agony, continuing along the same stylistic path.
In February 2018, the band completed their third full-length album, Downfall of Mankind, released in June, featuring guest appearances by João Gordo (Ratos de Porão), Rodrigo Oliveira (Korzus), and Michael Gilbert (Flotsam and Jetsam). In April 2020, Fernanda Lira and Luana Dametto left the band due to musical differences, though on friendly terms, leaving Prika Amaral as the sole remaining member.
Determined to keep the project alive, Amaral replaced her former bandmates and even expanded the lineup, recruiting vocalist Diva Satanica (Bloodhunter), bassist Mia Wallace (Abbath), and drummer Eleni Nota.
As Amaral herself explained, the choice of musicians was deliberate: by becoming an international band—with members from Italy, Spain, and Greece—touring and recording logistics would be far more manageable.
On January 22, 2021, the new Nervosa released their fourth studio album, Perpetual Chaos, which also showcases a step forward in songwriting despite the loss of a versatile and talented vocalist like Fernanda Lira.
This new lineup, composed of experienced musicians from established bands, gave Nervosa a renewed identity and broader appeal, leading to a 2022 tour with Warbringer.
Despite their relatively short career, Nervosa have already achieved cult status among their peers and remain one of the most extreme and aggressive all-female bands worldwide.
Crypta
Chronologically, this band should be mentioned last. However, since Nervosa were discussed in the previous chapter, it is only logical to focus on Crypta next.
On April 25, 2020, Fernanda Lira and Luana Dametto announced via social media that they had left Nervosa after nine years. Just a month later, they revealed the formation of a new band, Crypta, alongside guitarists Tainá Bergamaschi (ex-Hagbard) and Sonia “Anubis” Nusselder (ex-Burning Witches).
The reason behind their departure quickly became clear: both musicians wanted to pursue an even more extreme sound, shifting toward death metal. Eager to create new music, they soon secured a deal with Napalm Records, which announced their debut album on June 16.
In early 2021, Crypta entered the Family Mob Studios—owned by Jean Dolabella and Estevam Romera—to record Echoes of the Soul, released on June 11. The result is highly effective, closely resembling the raw sound of the ’90s while avoiding the overly polished feel of many modern productions.
On November 20, after promoting the album across all platforms, Crypta performed their first live show at the Porão do Rock festival in Brasília, both in person and via livestream. On April 5, 2022, Sonia Anubis amicably parted ways with the band, leaving the group as a trio.
Today, Crypta are considered one of the leading bands in the Brazilian underground scene, remaining highly active with strong releases and compelling live performances, including one at the latest edition of Wacken Open Air.
Asagraum
The Netherlands has always had a strong metal tradition. While not on the same level as Norway or Sweden, its scene has produced many notable names, particularly in extreme genres like death metal.
In recent years, the country has seen the rise of several bands enriching its extreme legacy, including Asagraum—one of the most promising all-female bands in the entire world scene.
The project was founded in 2015 by Hanna van den Berg, known as “Obscura,” with the aim of creating a sound deeply rooted in Scandinavian black metal, while also drawing from the darkness of Inquisition and the melodies of Carach Angren—a combination that proved successful from the start.
Joined by Canadian drummer Trish Kolsvart, Obscura established a two-member lineup, a decision that would remain consistent despite the addition of live musicians for performances.
After a first demo filled with sinister atmospheres, the duo released their debut album Potestas Magicum Diaboli through the Finnish label Kvlt, establishing themselves as one of the most surprising acts in extreme metal.
Two years later, Trish left the band and was replaced by Amber de Buijzer (Sisters of Suffocation), who contributed to the second album Dawn of Infinite Fire. Rich in ideas, technically precise, and cohesive, the album stands as one of the most interesting releases of 2019.
From the beginning, Asagraum have delivered intense live performances featuring additional musicians, creating hypnotic, ritualistic shows in true old-school black metal fashion, free from unnecessary theatrical elements.
Their career is still far from over, and with consistently high-quality releases, they have all the potential to become the next big thing in the underground scene.
Konvent
Despite being a relatively recent band, Konvent are already considered among the best all-female acts in extreme metal, as well as direct heirs to bands like Derkéta and Mythic.
From lefto to right: Julie Simonsen, Heidi Withington Brink, Rikke Emilie List, and Sara Nørregaard
The band was born in Copenhagen in 2015, when Mette Marie List started taking drum lessons from Nicolai Lomholt of Dirt Forge. The news quickly reached Heidi Withington Brink, a friend’s roommate, who reached out to Mette with a bold proposal: form a band.
Already an accomplished bassist, Heidi had long dreamed of starting an extreme metal project. But the musicians she approached—mostly men—simply didn’t have the time. Seeing an opportunity to experiment and write music together, Heidi and Mette set out to find a guitarist, a quest that initially seemed almost impossible.
Enter Alexander Kolby of Dirt Forge, who suggested the idea to his girlfriend, Sara Nørregaard, an experienced guitarist. She jumped on board immediately. With the lineup still missing a vocalist, they turned to Rikke Emilie List, Mette’s sister, who was then honing her skills in extreme vocals.
From their very first rehearsal, the chemistry was undeniable. The four clicked instantly, and that moment marked the official birth of Konvent—a band destined to make waves in the world of extreme metal.
After two years, Mette left to pursue her studies and was replaced by the talented young drummer Julie Simonsen. With the lineup solidified, the band began composing death/doom metal inspired by Candlemass, Incantation, and Paradise Lost, while developing a more innovative sound.
January 2018 marked a turning point for the band. They took the stage at When Copenhell Freezes Over in Copenhagen, and by sheer chance, Napalm Records executive Thorsten Harm was in the crowd. Their performance left a strong impression, and before long, he offered them a record deal—cementing Konvent’s place on the international metal scene.
Two years later, they released their debut album Puritan Masochism, characterized by claustrophobic atmospheres and a dark, immersive sound.
The musicians quickly earned their stripes, and after their acclaimed debut, they were ready to take the next leap. When the pandemic hit—bringing cancelled shows and a near-total collapse of the live music scene—they turned adversity into opportunity, crafting a second album that firmly placed them among the leading female forces in extreme metal: Call Down The Sun, released in March 2022.
On this record, Konvent is fiercer than ever, pushing their death/doom influenced by Derkéta into new territory with touches of post-metal and even progressive flourishes. The track Harena highlights their evolution, enriched by the haunting violin and cello lines of Felix Havstad, adding layers of texture that set the album apart.
From start to finish, the record stands alongside the best death/doom releases of recent years, positioning Konvent as major players in the scene.
Feminazgûl
Among all the bands mentioned, Feminazgûl stands out for bringing a unique and different perspective to extreme metal.
The project, founded in Asheville, North Carolina, revolves around Margaret Killjoy—a transgender writer of horror and steampunk fiction with a passion for extreme music. Known for her strong feminist, antifascist, and anarchist views, she has lived an unconventional life that deeply influences her artistic output.
In 2018, Killjoy combined her literary skills, political ideas, and love for fantasy and horror into a musical project: Feminazgûl.
The name itself merges “feminazi”—a derogatory term used against radical feminists—and “Nazgûl,” the creatures from The Lord of the Rings. Her admiration for Tolkien is also evident in the title of her first EP, The Age of Men Is Over.
Musically, the project is rooted in black metal but enriched with atmospheric elements reminiscent of Summoning and Caladan Brood, resulting in a unique and experimental sound.
In 2020, Killjoy expanded the project into a full band by adding vocalist Laura Beach and multi-instrumentalist Meredith Yayanos. This led to their debut full-length album, No Dawn For Men, a deeper and more complex work.
The album blends atmospheric black metal with intricate rhythms, sharp riffs, delicate piano passages, and breathtaking melodic interludes, creating a distinctive identity.
After releasing their latest single, A Mallacht, in 2021, Feminazgûl further showcased their talent, establishing themselves as one of the most striking all-female acts and one of the most promising bands in extreme metal.
Solo projects
To conclude, it is worth mentioning several solo projects.
Myrkur, the project of Danish musician Amalie Bruun, introduced a unique take on black metal with her debut album M, blending harshness with melody and elements of blackgaze. Her later works explore darker tones (Mareridt, 2017) and more acoustic sounds (Folkesange).
Another notable project is Vouna, the alias of Yianna Bekris.
Her albums Vouna (2018) and Atropos (2021) showcase her talent, drawing from the Cascadian black metal tradition associated with bands like Wolves in the Throne Room, Agalloch, and Uada.
Hulder, founded by Belgian musician Marliese Beeuwsaert, carries forward European black metal traditions while incorporating themes of medieval folklore.
Her debut album, Godslastering: Hymns of a Forlorn Peasantry, reflects early Dimmu Borgir influences with gothic elements.
Finally, Nachtlieder, the project of Swedish musician Dagny Susanne Hansson, has been active since 2008 and includes three full-length albums. Her music blends atmospheric and melancholic black metal, reminiscent of Dark Funeral but with a deeper emotional dimension.
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