Month: July 2019

GRABUNHOLD set release date for IRON BONEHEAD debut EP, reveal first track

Today, Iron Bonehead Productions sets September 20th as the international release date for Grabunhold‘s striking debut EP, Unter dem Banner der Toten, on CD and 12″ vinyl format.

Hailing from Germany, Grabunhold are ’90s black metal classicism incarnate. The quartet showed boundless promise with their first demo, Auf den Hügelgräberhöhen, in 2017, but it’s with their debut EP, Unter dem Banner der Toten, where Grabunhold really come into their own – and quickly. Comprising three central black metal tracks and a solemn instrumental, this swift ‘n’ spellbinding short-length references a whole host of timeless influences – beyond the wandering moon, an arising realm upon a shadowthrone, dark waters stirring at the dawn of the dying sun – but processes them in such an undeniably Teutonic, swords-drawn way that’s wholly their own, and wholly refreshing. It’s medieval madness run riot, and it’s riotously compelling.

And before you know it, the 18 minutes of Unter dem Banner der Toten are over and you’re fully in Grabunhold‘s thrall, pressing “play” yet again. Most magickal, that: the past is forever alive, consuming the present like an ouroboros.

Step forward into the jaws of that ouroboros with the new track “Gespenster” here:

Cover and tracklisting as follows:

Tracklisting for Grabunhold’s Unter dem Banner der Toten
1. Gespenster
2. Hexentanz
3. Von Gefallenen Helden und vergess
4. Grabunholde
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/grabunhold

DEATHWHITE complete recordings for second album ‘Grave Image’

Enigmatic dark metal outfit DEATHWHITE have wrapped the recording process for their forthcoming second full-length album, ‘Grave Image’. The album was tracked in April and May at Cerebral Audio Productions under the watchful eye of Shane Mayer, with vocal tracking taking place at Mana Recording with engineer Art Paiz. The album was mixed by Mayer, with Dan Swanö taking care of the mastering process. 

The band comments: “The recording process for ‘Grave Image’ was seamless and enjoyable throughout, something we owe largely to the skills and expertise of those so kind to assist us in making this album a reality. In particular, we are indebted to Mr. Shane Mayer, whose production skills and congenial nature is second-to-none. The sonic jump between our 2018 album ‘For a Black Tomorrow’ and ‘Grave Image’ is quite evident, and we are eager to share its contents in the near future. We are not too fond of clichés or typical band-speak, but the songs on ‘Grave Image’ are heavier than anything we’ve created before, but also include a wealth of new elements, some surprising…some not.

Now that the album is in the proverbial can, we have turned our attention to its cover art and related materials. Further details — as well as release date — will be shared in due time.”
DEATHWHITE released their debut album ‘For A Black Tomorrow’ via Season of Mist in 2018 which can be listened to in full here! The artwork and details of the album can be viewed below.
Track-list
1. The Grace of the Dark (4:06)
2. Contrition (4:11)
3. Poisoned (4:56)
4. Just Remember (4:44)
5. Eden (4:13)
6. Dreaming the Inverse (5:01)
7. Death and the Master (6:25)
8. Prison of Thought (5:25)
9. For a Black Tomorrow (4:13) 
Total playing time: 43:26
American metal is often associated with its rather brutal side in Europe and often taken to involve the terms “death” and “core” by default. With their first album ‘For A Black Tomorrow’, DEATHWHITE masterly demonstrate that hard sounds from overseas can also be dark, emotional, and subtle. Although the Americans come with an already well matured style very much their own, some rough comparisons are offering a sketchy idea on which paths DEATHWHITE tread.
 
To say that they combine the melancholic depth of GHOST BRIGADE with a sense of drama that would fit MOONSPELL and a pinch of AMORPHIS for added taste is of course not fully correct, but might give suitable hints.

Formed in 2012, DEATHWHITE were created in part to follow on the path first explored by dark metal torchbearers such as ANATHEMA, KATATONIA, MY DYING BRIDE, and PARADISE LOST.

In 2014, the ‘Ethereal’ EP successfully established a template of melodic, clean vocals alongside melancholic, but heavy riffing. This debut created an early buzz within the metal underground that grew significantly with the following ‘Solitary Martyr’ EP (2015), which was hailed by critics as “thick with emotion” and “wonderfully engrossing”.

Backed by such praise, DEATHWHITE spent 2016 writing and recording their first full-length under the supervision of producer and engineer Shane Mayer. Listen and let ‘For A Black Tomorrow’ seduce you to delve deep into its enthralling darkness!

www.deathwhite.com
www.facebook.com/deathwhiteofficial

BRETUS set release date for new ORDO MCM album, reveal first track

Today, Ordo MCM sets September 27th as the North American release date for Bretus‘ highly anticipated fourth album, Aion Tetra, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

Formed in the year 2000, Bretus are cult figures in the Italian doom metal scene. Much like their loose ‘n’ lumbering music’s heaviness, the quartet are patient in their creations and are never in a rush, prizing quality over quantity. As such, their first public recording, Demo 2008, didn’t arrive until eight years after their formation. Ever since, they’ve stuck to this slow ‘n’ steady schedule, with a heavy whiff of stoner rock underlying their granite-thick doom metal foundation – altogether, a heady canvas for them to ruminate on supernatural horror and other Lovecraftian themes.

Alas, although it’s only been a couple years since their last full-length, the critically acclaimed …from the Twilight Zone, TOTAL DOOM arrives with Bretus‘ fourth album, Aion Tetra. Sweaty, swaggering, and more than a bit bluesy, Aion Tetra is sound of Bretus hitting a fever pitch of creativity. Almost effortlessly, the band unload one molten crusher after another, with each opening up to reveal new, deeper corridors to their signature sound. Within, despite the obvious world-eating weight, every one of the nine songs mesmerizes with spacey, spacious intent, dazzling the imagination with an array of otherworldly textures and territories. Of those territories, perhaps a cursory rundown of Aion Tetra’s attendant song titles suggest exactly where Bretus are going: “The City of Frost,” “The Third Mystic Eye,” “Deep Space Voodoo,” “Cosmic Crow,” and especially “Fields of Mars,” to name just a few.

Italian doom is some of the finest in the world. Whether already a convert or a first-time acolyte, Aion Tetra asserts Bretus‘ position among the best of the best.

Hear for yourself with the new tracks “Cosmic Crow” and “The City of Frost” here:

Cover and tracklisting as follows:

Tracklisting for Bretus’ Aion Tetra
1. The Third Mystic Eye
2. Priests of Chaos
3. Prisoner of the Night
4. Aion Tetra
5. Deep Space Voodoo
6. The Mark of Evil
7. Fields of Mars
8. Cosmic Crow
9. The City of Frost


MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/bretusdoom

War metal machine Cult of Extinction streams Iron Bonehead Debut

Today, war metal machine Cult of Extinction streams the entirety of its striking debut album, Ritual in the Absolute Absence of Light. Set for international release on July 19th via Iron Bonehead Productions, hear Cult of Extinction‘s Ritual in the Absolute Absence of Light in its entirety here:

The devastating force known as Cult of Extinction was evoked from the abyss in 2017 by sole member Void. Influenced by bands like Revenge, Blasphemy, and Proclamation, the goal was to create a merciless onslaught of pitch-black war metal with a mystical and eerie atmosphere. In 2018, the first demo Black Nuclear Magick Attack was released via Sentient Ruins and Atavism Records. Here, the songs were driven by a fascination with the infinite chaos of the cosmos and Void’s attempt to capture its destructive essence.

And indeed, with Ritual in the Absolute Absence of Light does Cult of Extinction accomplish that lofty goal. Utterly CRUSHING in its sonic excesses, uniquely, there exists a paradoxically ethereal feel across the album’s eight-song/33-minute span. It’s a savagely twisted disconnect that truly puts Cult of Extinction in a league of its own: undeniably “war metal” by definition, no longer is Void totally tethered to those aforementioned influences and instead creates a multi-dimensional maelstrom of inexorable might. Also of note are the hauntingly stretched-out lead-guitar parts, further exploring that ethereal-onto-crushing aspect. Consequently, the lyrics across Ritual in the Absolute Absence of Light are inspired by the dark forces of nature and propagate a total war against light.

Behold the triumph of darkness!

Cover art and tracklisting to follow:
Tracklisting for Cult of Extinction’s Ritual in the Absolute Absence of Light
1. Sacred Glorification of Pandemic Barbarity
2. Anti-Monad Black Hole Bomb
3. Blood of the Theurg
4. Inverted Henosis
5. Possessed by A Servant of Iblis
6. Emanated from the Cosmic Darkness
7. The Descent
8. Ritual in the Absolute Absence of Light
MORE INFO:
www.cultofextinction.bandcamp.com

Beyond Creation release drum play-through for ‘The Afterlife’

BEYOND CREATION drummer Philippe “Tyrant” Boucher has shared an elaborate drum play-through for the track “The Afterlife” via Sick Drummer Magazine! The track is taken from the band’s latest release ‘Algorythm’ which was nominated for a JUNO-Award (Canadian Grammy) and recently won an Indepedent Music Award for “Best Metal/Hardcore Album”! The clip can be seen here:
You can listen to ‘Algorythm’ in full here. The cover artwork can be viewed together with the album details below.
Track-list1. Disenthrall (1:44)
2. Entre Suffrage Et Mirage (4:20)
3. Surface’s Echoes (6:54)
4. Ethereal Kingdom (5:19)
5. Algorythm (7:40)
6. À Travers Le Temps Et L’Oubli (1:48)
7. In Adversity (3:19)
8. The Inversion (7:26)
9. Binomial Structures (6:32)
10. The Afterlife (5:37)
Bonus tracks
11. Surface’s Echoes (Instr) (6:53)
12. The Afterlife (Instr) (5:37)
Total playing time: 1:03:09
Feel the onrush of sweeping arpeggios, crushing waves of fretless bass, complex rhythmical patterns and erupting scales peppered with jazzy feeling and masterful execution under the mark of ‘Algorythm’, which names the third full-length of BEYOND CREATION.
 
The French part of Canada is home to a vibrant culture of technical Death Metal fostered by outstanding acts such as GORGUTS, CRYPTOPSY, MARTYR, and NEURAXIS. This illustrious family tree has produced many sprouts in the past, yet none of them are as brilliant as Quebec’s amazing scion: BEYOND CREATION!

BEYOND CREATION saw the light of day in 2005 in Montreal, Canada but it wasn’t until 2010 that the band was ready to hit the stage with their original line-up consisting of Simon Girard, Kevin Chatré, Guyot Bégin-Benoît and Dominic ‘Forest’ Lapointe. A year later, the band self-released their debut full-length album ‘The Aura’ (2011), which quickly became a highlight in the genre. Since then, BEYOND CREATION has been known as the progressive, innovative and exciting new metal sound of their homeland, Quebec.
 
In late 2012, the band had Philippe Boucher (Ex-FIRST FRAGMENT, INCADESCENSE, CHTHE’ILIST, DÉCOMBRES) take Guyot’s place on drums and things started moving at a faster pace in 2013, when they joined Season of Mist, re-releasing ‘The Aura’ and touring North America and Japan. In 2014, BEYOND CREATION released their second masterpiece ‘Earthborn Evolution‘.
 
After the addition of Hugo Doyon-Karout (BROUGHT BY PAIN, EQUIPOISE, CONFLUX) on bass, the band focused on touring as much as possible on the ‘Earthborn Evolution’ album cycle compiling 3 North American tours, 3 European tours, countless shows in Canada, appearances in Mexico, Colombia and Dubaï, sharing the stage with heavy weights like ARCH ENEMY, HATE ETERNAL, MISERY INDEX, DYING FETUS, PSYCROPTIC and OBSCURA. They also took part in multiple large-scale music festivals such as Hellfest (FR), 70 000 Tons of Metal (US), UK Tech-Fest, Montebello Rockfest (CA), Heavy MTL (CA) and Damnation Fest (UK).
 
In 2018, BEYOND CREATION recorded their highly-anticipated third album ‘Algorythm’ at The Grid Studio in home land Canada, which is set for release on October 12th, 2018. With the new album, BEYOND CREATION delivers a ferocious blend of technicality, melody, and brutality aided by fang-filled growls, which is interwoven with beautiful progressive interludes. Prepare for the lightning evolution of the progressive technical death metal revolution!

Current line-up
Simon Girard: Vocals & Guitars
Kevin Chartré: Guitars & Back Vocals
Hugo Doyon-Karout: Bass
Philippe Boucher: Drums

www.beyondcreationofficial.com
www.facebook.com/BeyondCreationOfficial

SAVAGE MASTER set release date for new SHADOW KINGDOM album – reveal cover, tracklisting

Today, Shadow Kingdom Records sets October 25th as the international release date for Savage Master‘s massively anticipated third album, Myth, Magic & Steel, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.

One of the most exciting and electrifying bands in today’s occult heavy metal scene, for the past six years, Savage Master have swiftly built an impressive canon of work over the course of two cult albums, one EP, one single, and especially their over-the-top live shows. The band was founded in 2013 by guitarist Adam Neal and vocalist Stacey Savage, so inspired by their love of heavy metal and horror. Soon enough, a mysterious spectacle was created, and it bore the name Savage Master. From there, the band began their assured ascent through the underground, touring non-stop across North America and Europe, playing such festivals such as Keep It True, Hell Over Hammaburg, Legions of Metal, Frost and Fire, Ragnarokkr, Hells Heroes and many more, and now landing themselves an album deal with longtime fans Shadow Kingdom.

The first fruit of that union, Myth, Magic & Steel is everything longtime fans of Savage Master have been waiting for – and dazzling ammunition to gain a legion of brand-new fans. Right from the very first seconds of the album’s opening title track, Myth, Magic & Steel bristles with a timeless electricity that reminds us all of the eternal glory of heavy metal, as well as the wonders that lurk beyond the shadows. Each song charges forward with energy but also dynamics, drive but also hooks – no sonic overload here – as Savage Master‘s metal is forged from ancient steel. From track to track, the album’s namesake is played out with darkness and drama, with the track-flow itself weaving an overarching spell that makes Myth, Magic & Steel more than just a collection of songs, even more than just a mere album: indeed, it is an experience. Of course, leading the charge are the immediately recognizable vocals of Stacey Savage; here, she’s never sounded more commanding, her power and clarity truly putting her in a league all her own. Topping it all off is a gritty-yet-nuanced production that’s the epitome of ageless – no trendy or computerized “recording” here!

Speed metallers, occult rockers, thrashers, NWOBHM fanatics, everyone in between and especially beyond – all will become entranced by Savage Master‘s Myth, Magic & Steel!

First track premiere and preorder info to be announced shortly. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Savage Master’s Myth, Magic & Steel
1. Myth, Magic & Steel
2. The Devil’s Ecstasy
3. The Owl
4. Flyer in the Night
5. Crystal Gazer
6. Lady of Steel
7. High Priestess
8. Far Beyond the Grave
9. Warrior vs. Dragon
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/savagemasterofficial
www.shadowkingdomrecords.com
www.facebook.com/shadowkingdomrecords

1349 premiere new single “Through Eyes of Stone”

Norwegian black metal masters 1349 have unleashed a brand new single “Through Eyes of Stone”. The song has been taken from the self titled EP, which will be released on August 16. 1349 have furthermore finished the recordings of their new full length, which will be released via Season of Mist in the fall of 2019.

Listen to “Through Eyes of Stone” here:
The artwork of ‘Through Eyes of Stone’ can be viewed here, together with the tracklist.
Tracklist:
1. Through Eyes of Stone (03:24)
2. Riders of the Apocalypse (Live in Tokyo) (04:56)

1349 have previously announced a European tour in January 2020, with ABBATH and VLTIMAS. Find the full list of confirmed shows below
1349 festivals
12 Jul 19 Torgau (DE) In Flammen Open Air
04 Aug 19 Rasnov (RO) Rockstadt Extreme Fest
30 Nov 19 Parma (IT) Black Winter Fest XII

1349
European tour w/ ABBATH and VLTIMAS
23 Jan 20 Weimar (DE) Uhrenwerk
24 Jan 20 Bochum (DE) Matrix
25 Jan 20 Nijmegen (NL) Doornroosje
26 Jan 20 Antwerpen (BE) Trix
27 Jan 20 London (UK) Islington Assembly Hall
28 Jan 20 Paris (FR) La Machine Du Moulin Rouge
29 Jan 20 Nantes (FR) Stereolux
30 Jan 20 Toulouse (FR) Metronum
31 Jan 20 Barcelona (ES) Salamandra
01 Feb 20 Madrid (ES) But
02 Feb 20 Lyon (FR) Nikasi Kao
04 Feb 20 Mannheim   (DE) MS Connexion Complex
05 Feb 20 München (DE) Backstage
06 Feb 20 Luzern (CH) Schüür
07 Feb 20 Parma (IT) Campus Music Industry
08 Feb 20 Brno (CZ) Fleda
09 Feb 20 Warschau (PL) Progresja
11 Feb 20 Berlin (DE) Festsaal Kreuzberg
12 Feb 20 Hamburg (DE) Kulturpalast
13 Feb 20 Copenhagen (DK) Amager Bio
14 Feb 20 Gothenburg (SE) Tradgarn
15 Feb 20 Stockholm (SE) Fryhuset Klubben
When 1349 rose from the ashes of ALVHEIM in 1997, the band was driven by a deep desire to keep the black metal flame burning in all its rebellious glory. The Norwegians set out with the declared aim to remain true to the original spirit of their scene, which they saw heading into all the wrong directions. Conceived around the founding members, which consisted of vocalist and first drummer Ravn, guitarist Tjalve, and Seidemann on bass, 1349 completed their line-up with the addition of guitarist Archaon in 1999 and SATYRICON drum-legend Frost, after the latter recorded a demo and the debut album with the band in 2001. When their debut ‘Liberation’ was finally unleashed in 2003, 1349 took the world by storm with their intense blend of old school black metal soundscapes and ultra-fast aggression. Further assaults followed in rapid succession. ‘Beyond the Apocalypse’ (2004) and ‘Hellfire’ (2005) cemented the Norwegians’ reputation as one of the strongest acts in the already peaked scene, where they managed to carve out a claim for their own. Founding member Tjalve decided to focus on his band PANTHEON I and 1349 have since continued as a four-piece – occasionally adding renowned guest guitarists. Extensive touring aided the growth of a massive following, which started to seriously reach across the Atlantic, when 1349 opened for reunited metal legends Celtic Frost in North America in 2006. In an impressive demonstration that dedication to the origins and early principles of black metal does not have to mean nostalgia and stagnation, 1349 considerably widened their sonic palette with the next full-length ‘Revelations of the Black Flame’ (2009), which was co-mixed by iconic CELTIC FROST mastermind Tom Gabriel “Warrior” Fischer. Their newly found darker and more ambient side, was further explored and interwoven with the earlier sonic approach, which 1349 dub “aural hellfire” on the following ‘Demonoir’ (2010). Extensive touring and performances at prestigious festivals around the globe filled the period from 2010 to 2012. ‘Massive Cauldron of Chaos’ (2013) was the next milestone in the Norwegian’s merciless advance, scoring excellent reviews and sparking more festival shows as well as extended touring, which also brought 1349 for the first time to Australia and New Zealand. Now the band is preparing to unleash more “aural hellfire” onto the expecting world via Season of Mist.
www.facebook.com/1349official

Line-up
Seidemann: bass
Ravn: vocals
Archaon: guitars
Frost: drums

ANCIENT RECORDS founder reveals GREVE – debut EP set for PURITY THROUGH FIRE, first track revealed

Today, Purity Through Fire sets August 19th as the international release date for the striking debut EP of Greve, Nidingsdåd utav det Uråldriga, on 7″ vinyl format.

Greve is classic, second-wave Swedish black metal – which should come as no surprise considering it comes under the banner of Ancient Records linchpin Swartadauþuz (Azelisassath, Bekëth Nexëhmü, Digerdöden, Gnipahålan, Musmahhu, Mystik, Summum, Trolldom, Daudadagr). Much like most/all of Swartadauþuz’s projects are blessed with an intrinsically ancient sound, authentic and austere as the age-old classics from which his imagination sprung, so too does Greve with a breathtakingly spectral ‘n’ stargazing style of black metal mysticism. Dense yet spacious, racing yet floating, dreams both darkest and most majestic, Nidingsdåd utav det Uråldriga brings 1996 to the present like so few records can…and it’s but a mere two songs, with a full-length Greve monument being prepared imminently. The past is more alive than ever!

Hear for yourself with the “I Svarta Solens Magi” here:

Cover and Tracklisting:

Tracklisting for Greve’s Nidingsdåd utav det Uråldriga
1. Domedagens Renaste Profet
2. I Svarta Solens Magi
MORE INFO:
www.ancientrecords.se

MAVORIM set release date for new PURITY THROUGH FIRE mini-album, reveal first track

Today, Purity Through Fire sets August 19th as the international release date for a special mini-album from Mavorim, titled Aasfresser, on A5 digipak, regular CD, and LP formats.

For the last five years, the defiant warlord otherwise known as P. has put forth a stark, austere style of black metal under the Mavorim banner. With a couple demos, splits, and then last year’s Silent Leges Inter Arma debut album through Purity Through Fire, Mavorim has swiftly come to define the new breed of German black metal that hearkens back to the old guard: Teutonic to the bone, harsh and harrowing yet heralding triumph.

Continuing that momentum, with Aasfresser, Mavorim presents a special record that’s something of a double-EP: six brand-new songs comprising its own mini-album, and then four unreleased demo songs that are no less mighty. Epic to the very end, P. here casts Mavorim in a blazing obsidian light, drawing together orcish violence and coldly stirring melodies, often breathtakingly touched with spectral synth. It’s immediately memorable and exceptionally “catchy,” even if it (thankfully) doesn’t employ rote rock-music structures – or rather, the breath of night is blown across mini-suites that are storytelling in black metalled form. And at 55 minutes across 10 songs, Aasfresser is a richly satisfied work that be experienced in whole or split into two equally compelling halves.

While the next full-length propaganda is prepared, witness the iron-willed ascent of Mavorim with Aasfresser!

The first iron fist can be felt with the new track “Missraten und verkommen”
Tracklisting for Mavorim’s Aasfresser
1. Victoria
2. Aasfresser
3. Geeint im Kampf
4. Missraten und verkommen
5. Ein hasserfüllter Geist
6. Lux Aeterna
7. Im Angesicht der Endlichkeit
8. Hort der Seligkeit
9. Verhallt in Dunkelheit
10. Quälen zerreißen vernichten
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/mavorim

Elevated black/death/doom primitivists Arkhaaik stream their Iron Bonehead debut

Today, elevated black/death/doom primitivists Arkhaaik stream the entirety of their striking debut album, *dʰg̑ʰm̥tós. Set for international release on July 5th via Iron Bonehead Productions, hear Arkhaaik‘s *dʰg̑ʰm̥tós in its entirety here:
Arkhaaik is the excavation of rites long forgotten, of primitive worship and ancient deities that ruled long before man dominated and soiled the earth. These sounds explore Europe’s bronze age and encompass the very essence of said rites that were extinct long ago, told in the Indo-European tongue that was used at the time and is now long lost to the ages, its utterance strange to the modern ear.

Encompassing three expansive tracks in 33 minutes, Arkhaaik‘s first sonic manifestation suitably takes a guttural (and GUTTING) form, drawing together sepulchral death metal, blackened bestiality, and lava-like doom into a sulfuric, senses-flaying mass. Its cavernous, ceaselessly roiling slipstream of carnal hysteria and barbarism punishes physically and penetrates psychically; it is of this earth, and beyond it. Then again, this skillful balance/bending of the primeval and supernatural is perhaps not surprising given that the band hails from Switzerland’s Helvetic Underground Committee, which includes fellow Iron Bonehead legions Dakhma and Death. Void. Terror. among others.

Now, witness the unearthed ancients, beholden to the almighty sky father, ruler of the daylit skies! Behold the mighty bull! In his veins, the blood of the ancients pounds with fervor, and reciprocating this fervor, Arkhaaik bathe in his gore. Through the spilling of his blood, they attain ancient divinity. Do you have the iron-clad constitution to partake in the sacred rites of *dʰg̑ʰm̥tós?
Tracklisting for Arkhaaik’s *dʰg̑ʰm̥tós
1. u̯iHrós i̯émos-kʷe [16:00]
2. *dʰg̑ʰm̥tós [6:34]
3. u̯rsn̥gwhé̄n [10:07]
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/helveticundergroundcommittee