When you think of Puerto Rican music, most of us default to Bad Bunny. But the growing metal scene of the island is not to be missed or underestimated, with an ever-expanding pool of talented bands and artists making their mark in the extreme music underground.
Case in point: the cinematic doom of Ender. Formed in 2021, the San Juan-based trio crafts an elegant strain of progressive/melodic doom metal that’s equal parts emotional and heavy. After releasing their debut EP, Lamplighter, in late 2023, Ender is preparing to re-emerge with In Silent Throne on February 20th next year. Today, they unveil the first single, “The Obelisk.”
Second releases are always tricky, especially for bands with an experimental or avant-garde streak. Reproducing the complex alchemy of inspiration and originality takes focus, and many bands (understandably!) find themselves refining their vision on their sophomore release. With Ender, the differences are subtle yet distinct, an aura of increased confidence and crispness that envelops “The Obelisk.” With Lamplighter, droning incantations rolling into deep doom riffs wrapped around heavy metal rhythms and song structures. The tension perfectly matched Rasputin’s conspiracies in the Russian court, which served as the inspiration of the EP.
With “The Obelisk,” Ender turn inward, exploring the collapse of faith. The competing, yet often coexisting, forces of devotion and disillusionment are pitted against each other. Clean, almost orchestral vocals with the plaintive tone of a prayer seem to be in dialogue with harsh growls, which scrape against bruising, abrasive guitars. The rapid tone shifts create a sense of breathless turmoil, channeling the emotional intensity and loss of self that comes with a fall from faith. Like an acolyte finding new purpose after disillusionment, the new era of Ender promises greater clarity in their sophomore EP.
Listen to “The Obelisk” below and follow Ender on Bandcamp or Instagram. “In Silent Throne” will be released on February 20, 2026 via Praetorian Records.
Ender will perform this December at a Metal & Hardcore Festival in Puerto Rico, where they will debut their new single live. Alongside the live performance, the band will launch a pre-sale campaign on Bandcamp and host a CD Release Party in San Juan, Puerto Rico.