Month: February 2020

TITAAN sets release date for new ATMF album: ambitious single 46-minute track

Today, Aeternitas Tenebrarum Music Foundation (ATMF) sets April 16th as the international release date for TITAAN‘s highly anticipated second album, ITIMA.

It was but 2016 when TITAAN emerged from virtual/literal obscurity with its debut album, Kadingir, for ATMF. The work of one Lalartu, with no warning whatsoever, TITAAN here created a towering monument to black metal’s most barbaric and avant-garde extremes. Kadingir existed on both tangibly physical and spiritual planes, thoroughly engrossing the listener with a miasmic, multi-layered experience. So monomaniacal was its minimalism but embellished with rhythmic and atmospheric elements no “normal” black metal band would ever attempt, TITAAN challenged the status quo in a most daring fashion. Not for nothing is Kadingir regarded as a modern classic in some corners.

Now, TITAAN is set to eclipse that feat with the even-more-challenging ITIMA. A single, seamless 46-minute work – in the true sense of the word WORK, for there are layers upon layers upon layers within this forever-spiraling-downward labyrinth – ITIMA takes the firm foundation of Kadingir to yet further extremes. More violent, more atmospheric, more doomed, more ceremonial, more straightforward, more ornate, more of MORE: if there was ever any question before, here does TITAAN truly embody its namesake. Skillfully to say the very least, Lalartu threads together esoteric vibrations brewed in the abyss of Mesopotamic culture and unfolds an utterly ominous patchwork of past, present, and future; with ITIMA, TITAAN stands above and beyond all. Put another way, this is black metal at arguably its most cinematic – and breathtakingly so.

In the none-more-vast world of TITAAN, no half-measures exist, and the totality is all. For that, ITIMA is graced with equally breathtaking artwork courtesy of Luciana Nedelea, whose dark mind visually embodies the album’s central concepts of misanthropy, human futility, and merciless vengeance by the ancient gods.

If Kadingir proved too daunting, either in 2016 or especially now, then one need not enter the evolving flux of ITIMA. For those of the hardiest, headiest constitution, however, TITAAN will gladly lead you into the catacombs of your darkest self…

Preorder info can be found HERE for the vinyl LP version, while the CD version can be preordered HERE.

Aforementioned cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for TITAAN’s ITIMA
1. ITIMA [46:38]


MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/titaan.official

Medico Peste release new song “All Too Human”

Polish black metal formation MEDICO PESTE are now releasing the second new song of their upcoming album ‘ב :The Black Bile’. The track “All Too Human” is streaming here:
The new record is set for worldwide release on March 20, 2020 via Season of Mist Underground Activists. Pre-orders are available HERE!
The cover artwork of  ‘ב :The Black Bile’ was created by Inside Flesh and can be found below, together with the tracklist.
Track List:
1. God Knows Why (08:25)
2. All Too Human (08:33)
3. Numinous Catastrophy (07:10)
4. Were Saviours Believers? (06:48)
5. Skin (06:37)
6. Holy Opium (05:48)
7. The Black Bile (06:45)
Total playing time: 0:50:06
In recent years, many Polish black metal bands have found their way to the forefront of the scene. Sharing live musicians with the titans of Mgła, MEDICO PESTE approach common narratives in black metal from a darker and more twisted state of mind than their contemporaries. The five-piece embrace a different look at death, religion, the Devil and his work, by exploring the distorted views of a tormented, neurotic subject and his schizophrenic visions.
 
MEDICO PESTE was originally formed in early 2010 by Lazarus (vocals) and Nefar (guitar), shortly after joined by The Fall (bass), EVT (guitar) and Priest (drums). The band released a demo in 2011 and shortly after followed up with the debut: ‘א: Tremendum et Fascinatio’. With this first full length, the Polish band impressed fans worldwide with their distinct approach to black metal.
 
In 2014 the band parted ways with Priest, replaced by The Fall for the recording of the EP ‘Herzogian Darkness’.  The acclaimed EP came out in 2017 and in that same year and Desolator joined the band as permanent drummer. MEDICO PESTE continued working on their second record and joined forces with Season of Mist’s Underground Activists sublabel to release ‘ב :The Black Bile’ in 2020.  

Themes such as madness, religion and nihilism form the core part of the band’s lyrics, accompanied by music which emanates psychopathic rage, intertwined with a wide range of non-metal influences like post-punk, avantgarde and cabaret music. ‘ב :The Black Bile’ builds on a specific vision of madness revolving around butoh theatre, ecclesiogenic neurosis, schizophrenia, dark grotesque and Jungian archetypes. Beware when you enter these nightmarish visions, emanating from a contorted mind..

Line-up:
Lazarus – vocals, guitar
The Fall – guitar, bass
Nefar – guitar
E.V.T – guitar
Desolator – drums

Recording line-up:
Lazarus – vocals, guitar
The Fall – guitar, bass
Nefar – guitar
Desolator – drums

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/medicopesteband
https://medicopeste.bandcamp.com

RITUAL DICTATES reveal second track from forthcoming ARTOFFACT debut – features members of REVOCATION and 3 INCHES OF BLOOD

Today, Ritual Dictates – a new metal band formed by Justin Hagberg (3 Inches of Blood) and Ash Pearson (Revocation) ready to crush skulls in 2020 – reveals the new single “Terror of Time.” The track is the second to be revealed from their forthcoming debut album, Give in to Despair, set for international release on April 3rd via Artoffact Records on CD and vinyl formats.
Ritual Dictates are inspired by a wide array of styles and instruments. The music itself has straightforward elements of metal and grind, with detours into anything from black metal to good-time rock ‘n’ roll. Picking up on inspiration from their respective previous bands Allfather and Angel Grinder, ex-3 Inches of Blood members Justin Hagberg and Ash Pearson (drummer of Revocation) are continuing down the heavy metal path while fusing their eclectic influences of black, grind, death metal, and classic rock into interesting new places.
  Mixed by ​Jesse Gander (​Bison, Anciients, Japandroids​) and mastered by ​Jason Corbett (​ACTORS​), the debut album ​Give in to Despair sees Mr. Hagberg and Mr. Pearson produce a savage onslaught of uncompromising heaviness. Guest musicians include ​Danko Jones​, ​Shawn Haché (​Mitochondrion, Auroch, Night Profound​), and ​Shane Clark​ (​Bison, 3 Inches of Blood​)! 
In the meantime, hear the second single “Terror of Time” HERE. Also hear the first single (and phonetic title track) “Given to Despair” HERE.

Cover art, courtesy of Rheanna Fancypants, and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Ritual Dictates’ Give in to Despair
1. It’s About Goddamn Time (The Hours Of Folly Part One)
2. Dominance and Will
3. Given to Despair
4. Obsolete Instinct
5. Last Phase of Life
6. Poisonous Proclamation
7. Aperiam in Porta
8. Extinction
9. Indivisible Mind
10. What Cannot Be Altered Must Be Endured
11. Terror of Time (The Hours of Folly Part 2) 


MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/ritualdictates

CARNATION enter studio for second full length!

Belgian death metal outfit CARNATION have begun building the foundation of their next massive aural soudscape by entering the studio for their upcoming second full length. The band have kicked off their recordings at the Hertz Studio in Białystok, Poland.

CARNATION comment on the recording: “The first step in recording the second Carnation album has already been completed. Our drummer Vincent Verstrepen has been hard at work to finish recording his drum parts at the Hertz Recording Studio in Bialystok, Poland. The foundation has now been laid… And the remaining instruments and vocals are set to be recorded during the next couple of weeks in our trusty Project Zero Studio. Be prepared for our second offering of unrelenting death metal madness!”

For further updates on the recording process, follow the band on the Facebook or Instagram account!
CARNATION latest record ‘Chapel of Abhorrence’, was released in 2018 and can be listened to in full here! The cover artwork and album info can be viewed below.
Track-list
1. The Whisperer (6:16)
2. Hellfire (4:17)
3. Chapel of Abhorrence (3:23)
4. The Unconquerable Sun (4:10)
5. Disciples of Bloodlust (3:28)
6. Hatred Unleashed (3:23)
7. Plaguebreeder (3:45)
8. Magnum Chaos (4:41)
9. Sermon of the Dead (4:38)
10. Fathomless Depths (5:38)
11. Power Trip (4:02)
Total playing time: 47:41
Embrace the new death metal overlords with their death metal offering, ‘Chapel of Abhorrence’!

CARNATION equals blistering death metal madness from Belgium. Early 2013, guitar player Jonathan Verstrepen created the band to show his appreciation for the old school death metal legends from the ‘80s & early ‘90s. Vocalist Simon Duson, bass player Yarne Heylen, guitar player Bert Vervoort, and drummer Vincent Verstrepen were summoned to complete the band, and it didn’t take long until the chemistry between this quintet to hit critical mass.

2015 marks the year that the first offering entitled ‘Cemetery of the Insane’ was released upon the masses. Tracks such as “Explosive Cadavers” or “The Rituals of Flesh” take you back in time to the better days of shredding riffs, neck-breaking drums, and skull-crushing guttural vocals.

The live rituals that followed were executed with stone cold merciless aggression. CARNATION delivered their bloodbath at select festivals across Europe during 2015 and 2016. Their next journey led them to distant Asia for their first tour across mainland Japan. This resulted in the infamous ‘Live at Asakusa Deathfest’ recording (2017). These releases, combined with their reputation as a notoriously impressive live act, drew the attention of fans worldwide and provided CARNATION with the opportunity to perform at several European festivals and saw the band touring alongside PESTILENCE during their special Brazilian tour in April 2018.

With ‘Chapel of Abhorrence’, CARNATION welcome you to death’s domain and invite you to witness them rise to their throne! www.carnationband.com
www.facebook.com/CarnationBE
www.instagram.com/carnationbandofficial
www.youtube.com/c/CarnationOfficialBE

Line-up
Simon Duson: vocals
Jonathan Verstrepen: guitars
Bert Vervoort: guitars
Yarne Heylen: bass
Vincent Verstrepen: drums

HÄXANU set release date for AMOR FATI debut – features members of CHAOS MOON, KRIEG, SKAPHE+++

Amor Fati Productions is proud to present Häxanu‘s striking debut album, Snare of All Salvation, on April 1st. It will be available as CD, vinyl LP, digital download, and on streaming platforms.

A bolt from the blue, blinding in its obsidian glare, Häxanu‘s first public recording comes courtesy of the extremely prolific Alex Poole, who’s known far & wide for his long-running Chaos Moon as well as Krieg, Skáphe, Ringarė, and Guðveiki among many others. Here joined by vocalist/lyricist L.C., under the Häxanu banner does Poole explore a stargazing surge that’s equal parts violent hysteria and shimmering mysticism, ghostly synths glazing a twisting maw of terror. As such, Snare of All Salvation is undeniably black metal bearing Poole’s distinctive touch, but the stark-yet-subtle layers across these six tracks suggest deeper pools of understanding, grandly culminating in the album’s literally massive 17-minute closing title track…

For Häxanu, a larger thematic indeed informs the band’s debut record. Snare of Salvation is a comparison of the study of alchemy to primal humanity’s attempts to build and ascend the Tower of Babel. The Neoplatonic concept of the great chain of being establishes a hierarchical structure of all matter and life. Alchemy was an explicit pursuit to violate that order – via transmutation of lower metals to higher metals, seeking eternal life, etc – and in a sense, overcome God. In other words, alchemy is an iteration of the lessons not learned from Eden, Babel, and elsewhere: humanity is inevitably punished by its inability to restrain ambition. Kafka once wrote, “If it had been possible to build the Tower of Babel without ascending it, the work would have been permitted.”

Here does Häxanu provide the foundation. Choose to ascend or descend at will, for the Snare of All Salvation infinitely resounds regardless of path undertaken.

First track premiere to be revealed shortly.
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Häxanu’s Snare of All Salvation 1. The Pale 2. Materia Prima
3. Sulfur, Salt, Mercury
4. Smaragdina
5. Anima Mundi
6. Snare of All Salvation
www.amor-fati-productions.de 
www.amorfatiproductions.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/amorfatiprod

Helfró release stunning music video for “Afeitrun” and reveal album details

Icelandic black metal band HELFRÓ are now premiering the first song of their self titled debut album, which will be released on Season of Mist Underground Activists on April 24. The song “Afeitrun” is streaming here:
HELFRÓ comment: “We’re thrilled to present “Afeitrun”, an odyssey into the boundless and bare wastelands of cold and despair”.

The video was filmed in the beautiful, frozen landscapes of Iceland by Void Revelations. Pre-orders are available now. Order your copy HERE.
The cover artwork was created by View from the Coffin and can be viewed below, together with the tracklist.
Tracklist
1. Afeitrun (05:40)
2. Ávöxtur af rotnu tré    (04:19)
3. Eldhjarta (03:53)
4. Þrátt fyrir brennandi vilja (04:17)
5. Þegn hinna stundlegu harma (03:49)
6. Hin forboðna alsæla (04:28)
7. Katrín (05:20)
8. Musteri agans (04:50)
Total: 0:36:36
Slithering in the cauldron that is the Icelandic black metal scene, HELFRÓ emerges with fury and competence rarely seen. Written by Ragnar and arranged by Símon, a debut album has been recorded with unforgiving precision and profound musicianship. It is meant to channel the hopeless and empty feelings that have been concentrated from the frozen wastelands from which the band emerges. Shrilling guitarwork and unforgiving blast beats weave together a soundscape that rarely leaves room for thought. It is an aural attack, seducing the listener to the barren and desolate black sands where the realization of futility and loneliness sets in heavier than anywhere else. The band members, veterans in extreme music, have created this project as an audio representation of the endless arctic darkness, and with pride present the self titled first offering: „Helfró“.

Line-up:
Ragnar S: Composition, drums, vocals.
Símon Þ: Arrangements, guitars, bass, vocals.


Recording studio: Studio Emissary
Producer / sound engineer: Stephen Lockhart / Simon Þ.
Mixing studio and engineer: Stephen Lockhart
Mastering studio and engineer: Stephen Lockhart

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/HelfroIce/
https://www.instagram.com/helfromusic/

TO CONCEAL THE HORNS set release date for PURITY THROUGH FIRE debut, reveal first track

Today, Purity Through Fire sets March 1st as the international release date for To Conceal the Horns‘ striking debut album, Purist, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.

To Conceal the Horns hail from Finland, and formed in 2018. Despite being a new entity, Vexd – the mainman behind the band, handling all vocals and instruments save drums as well as recording – played in Ghost Brigade for many years and, more recently, in the now-disbanded Alghazanth. But as To Conceal the Horns, Vexd takes a wholly different route: completely cosmic black metal, as vast and daunting as the solar system itself.

The Kun Luovon EP, the first To Conceal the Horns recording, arrived at the beginning of 2019 and duly revealed this aesthetic. But it was the Transformaation yöpuolta EP a month later where that aesthetic truly took flight: a massive 19-minute track, with an ambient remix just as long, here did Vexd unfurl a dense-yet-spacious landscape of infinite blackness. Now, with the consequent debut full-length, To Conceal the Horns show their grandest hand.

Simply but elegantly titled, Purist is stark, austere, but exceptionally sumptuous. The skyscraping surge is undeniably rooted in the most mystical recesses of the ’90s black metal memory, recalling the dazzling depths/heights reached by the early works of Limbonic Art, Covenant, and Norway’s Troll but with an astral identity all its own. Indeed, To Conceal the Horns‘ acute/astute balance between cosmic wonder and woodland wander places Purist in a more modern context without diluting any of its classicist foundation. Likewise, the album’s clear ‘n’ cutting contours emit a palatably gleaming sheen, where the layers are subtle but defined, and none of the inherent aggression is neutered. Above all, Vexd’s songwriting itself is of a sterling standard, his cosmic keys the creation of a man transfixed by the stars and with the talent and resolve to capture it in sonic form.

The past is always alive within the Purity Through Fire stronghold, but with To Conceal the Horns‘ Purist, a trip to the negative void of space awaits!

Begin the star(k) trek with the new track “The Rite of Purification” here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for To Conceal the Horns’ Purist
1. Ataraxy – Intro
2. Realm of Averiandur
3. Wanderer in Time
4. The Rite of Purification
5. Musta Usva
6. Vapaus – Interlude
7. Death Horizon
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/toconcealthehorns

THY DYING LIGHT set release date for PURITY THROUGH FIRE debut album – features members of ÚLFARR and NEFARIOUS DUSK+++

Today, Purity Through Fire sets April 11th as the international release date for Thy Dying Light‘s long-awaited debut album, Thy Dying Light, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.

Since 2016, Thy Dying Light have prolifically pursued their vision of uncompromising, antisocial UK black metal – or, under their own banner of Cumbrian Black Metal. Founded by vocalist/guitarist Hrafn – who counts among his activities the equally prolific Úlfarr as well as the equally long-running Nefarious Dusk – and more recently joined by guitarist & drummer Azrael (also of Nefarious Dusk), across three demos, four EPs, and just as many compilations have Thy Dying Light hatefully unleashed a torrent of traditional black metal fervor, including countless gigs bringing that violence to the stage.

At long last, Thy Dying Light deliver their debut album, fittingly self-titled. No more but definitely no less, Thy Dying Light encapsulates with chilling perfection the duo’s devilish and dangerous style of black metal. Hammering and more hateful than ever, here do Thy Dying Light create ten terrorizing tracks that span a surprising amount of variety given how strictured their traditional stylings are. References can of course be made to classic Craft, Khold, and most especially ’90s Darkthrone and Gorgoroth, but Thy Dying Light indeed beams with an obsidian glow all their own. Malevolently melodic, hellishly headbanging, inhumane in intent but defiantly human in execution, Thy Dying Light fully strike with sadist glee – fucking feel the fist of Satan!

First track premiere to be revealed shortly. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Thy Dying Light’s Thy Dying Light
1. Under the Horns
2. Cold In Death
3. Impaler
4. Black Death
5. The Rise of Evil
6. Ritual Altar
7. Fist of Satan
8. Temple of Flesh
9. Thy Dying Light
10. Death Knell
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/thydinglight

BISHOP OF HEXEN signed to Dusktone, launches first lyric video of the upcoming album

Today they release their first single lyric video “Death Masks”, before their highly anticipated new full length album “The Death Masquerade” drops on spring 2020.
You can enjoy watching this video here:

This new set of songs promises a deep and introspecting journey, from orchestral black metal vibes to theatrical and monumental atmospheres.

> the band states :

“Ancient curses and demonic spirits never die; they only fool thee they are asleep. Now, we have awakened from slumber – after five years where we have taken a wretched, black path to hell and back – we have finally been able to overcome a plethora of impediments and obstacles to bring forth an infernal and musically opulent opus. Our new creation will feature a galore of guest artists and theatrical musical boundaries never explored by us before. We pray that the toil taken shall suffice to appease the crowds and deities. The exact date of incantation will be announced by our label Dusktone. Awake and harken, as grand tidings are soon to be delivered”

Stay tuned for updates and further details connecting to Dusktone channels and The Bishop of Hexen ones :
https://www.facebook.com/Bishopofhexen/

VIRCOLAC, SPITE, and SACRILEGIA join together for U.S. tour, announce dates

Invictus Productions, in conspiracy with Black Vomit Propaganda, announces the “Seven Dates of Heresy” U.S. East Coast Tour with Vircolac, Spite, and Sacrilegia!

This marks the first time both Vircolac and Sacrilegia spread their wings over the North American continent, particularly the US East Coast. Bringing Spite on board adds another barb to their collective attack, which sees the unity of black, death, and thrashing speed metal on display for U.S. audiences.

Kicking off Saturday, May 16th at Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn and finishing at Maryland Deathfest on May 24th, the full list of confirmed dates are as follows:
May 16 – Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus Bar
May 17 – Worcester, MA @ Ralph’s Rock Diner
May 18 – Rochester, NY @ Bug Jar
May 19 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Howlers
May 20 – Philadelphia, PA @ Cousin Danny’s
May 21 – Brooklyn, NY @ Kingsland
May 22-24 – Baltimore, MD @ Maryland Deathfest  

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/vircolacdeathmetal
www.facebook.com/spitedesecration
www.facebook.com/sacrilegiametal
www.invictusproductions.net www.facebook.com/invictusproductions