Today, Caligari Records sets April 24th as the international release date for Dødskvad‘s debut demo, Krønike I, on cassette tape format.
Hailing from Norway, Dødskvad is a project of E.R. (Desolation Realm) with members from Obliteration and Sovereign. Wasting no time, songs were written in the spring of 2019, and then recorded at Forråtnelsens Krypt in the fall. Dødskvad then released this first recording, Krønike I, digitally in early 2020.
Dødskvad‘s sound is obscure and OLD. With influences primarily being old Death, old Bolt Thrower, Obituary, Infester, and Resurrection as well as old heavy metal and synth music, what results on Krønike I is strangely familiar yet foreign simultaneously, its simplicity of design understated yet bountifully provocative. Like so much weird ‘n’ twisted metal of the past, Dødskvad reveal their secrets slowly and subtly; their eerily bubbling cauldron seems to simmer endlessly, never overflowing but likewise never short on strange spices and other far-darker ingredients. And with the lyrics following a common concept based on equal parts fantasy, Norwegian history, and mythology, Krønike I‘s otherworldly aspect deepens ever more…
Highly recommended for fans of Cultes Des Ghoules, Faustcoven, Ride For Revenge, Sacriphyx, Oksennus, Cauldron Black Ram, and all freaks into tripped-out black/death sounds: head into the hinterlands of the obscure with Dødskvad!
In the meantime, stream Krønike I in its entirety here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Dødskvad’s Krønike I 1. Rike I Ruiner 2. Adelråte 3. Pakt Med Dypet
Today, German black metal mavericks Krater reveal a new video for“Prayer for Demise.” The track hails from the band’s critically acclaimed fourth album, Venenare, released this past November via Eisenwald. See & hear Krater‘s”Prayer for Demise” video its entirety here:
A study in patience and progress, Krater formed in 2003. In the band’s earliest days – across two demos, two splits, and 2006’s debut album, Das Relikt des Triumphes – the Krater sound tended more toward pagan black metal, but powerfully so. Come 2008, however, a period of silence and self-reflection followed…
When at last those sounds arrived, Krater had taken on a new form: one partly tied to their earlier traditionalism, another more so modernized. This burst-chrysalis came in the shape of 2011’s Nocebo, and following yet another lineup shake-up, 2016’s masterful Urere, courtesy of current label home Eisenwald. However, with these still-poignant albums as the foundation, Krater have now delivered their magnum opus with Venenare.
A 50-minute work broken into nine songs but unified as one winding, widescreen composition, Venenare shows Krater at the height of their all-too-considerable powers, a blinding and windswept vortex of sumptuous songcraft and passionate execution. Motifs slice and dice, blast and race with a grace that’s simply stunning, as melodic counterplay runs riot with a proud ‘n’ powerful assertion of classic metal sensibility. Krater‘s contours here undeniably exude a sleek and urban quality, but with abstracted hints of their pagan past subtly woven in to the soundfield, the result is staunchly second-wave black metal bravely recast for the 21st century. Venenare is thus timeless, yet forward-thinking all the same.
With cover artwork courtesy of Misanthropic-Art and mixing & mastering handled by Esoteric’s Greg Chandler, Krater have gone full-force to deliver a great work for the ages with Venenare. The only hurdle is resisting its spellbinding pull…
Aforementioned cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Krater (Germany)’s Venenare 1. Eruption 2. Prayer for Demise 3. Zwischen den Worten 4. Stellar Sparks 5. When Thousand Hearts 6. Atmet Asche 7. No Place for You 8. Darvaza Breeds 9. Wasted Carbon
Today, Colorado black/death cult Black Curse premiere the new track “Enraptured by Decay”. The track hails from the band’s highly anticipated debut album, Endless Wound, set for North American release on April 24th via Sepulchral Voice Records. Hear Black Curse‘s “Enraptured by Decay” in its entirety here:
Formed in 2015, Black Curse is the focused will of death-obsessed fanatics. Physically residing in Denver, the band is comprised of various members of other cults responsible for the outside attention the city has gained in recent years. Black Curse has grown slowly over the years, changing form several times. The band has a meticulous writing process, wrought with intention and focus, that demands reflection. With this in mind, they chose to let the material take shape over years of creative effort, evolving into a fully realized vision of something powerful and succinct.
Combining ripping, violent rhythms with razor-sharp riffing and trancelike pulses, Black Curse creates true malevolence. The band rips open (un)holy portals to times when black and death metal shared the same principalities, the same aesthetics, and the same diabolical wrath.
Produced with the heaviest sound possible, Endless Wound crushes into the world like the spawn of primordial chaos. Herein, Black Curse crawl on the darkest lava fields of doom, revel in the infernal storms of death, and levitate in the utmost black.
Although the album is marked by an extraordinarily savage execution and a grand violent production, it still allows a honest homage/praise of the elder gods. The sound calls back to the most extreme and evil American acts joined (in darkness) with the barbarity and mysticism of Finnish, German, and South American cults. This combination of what came before filtered through a distinct and unique vision makes Black Curse and Endless Wound relevant in the today’s death/black metal scene.
Also hear the previously revealed “Charnel Rift” HERE at Sepulchral Voice‘s Soundcloud.
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Black Curse’s Endless Wound 1. Charnel Rift 2. Crowned in (Floral) Vice 3. Enraptured by Decay 4. Seared Eyes 5. Lifeless Sanctum 6. Endless Wound 7. Finality I Behold
BLACK CURSE IS AND ARE: Eli Wendler – vox & guitar Jonathan
Campos – guitar Morris Kolontyrsky – bass guitar Zach Coleman – drums
& percussion
Today, Eternal Death sets April 24th as the international
release date for Ritual Clearing‘s striking debut EP,
self-titled Ritual Clearing, on cassette tape format.
The
solitary collective known as Ritual
Clearing has been refining their craft since the earliest days of 2019,
relentlessly pushing their sonic depravity while seeking the most effective
means by which to spread their otherwise seclusive screed to the world. Now, in
2020 (with the assistance of kindred spirits Eternal
Death), Ritual
Clearing has deemed their reclusive message ready to infect the masses.
While paying proper homage to essential Swedish black metal bands of yore
(Bathory, Sacramentum, Lord Belial), Ritual
Clearing also showcases their ingenuity as they concoct a seething
contrivance of darkness and isolation. Melodic yet cutting, Ritual
Clearing serve to ignite the spark necessary to usher in the new gods,
while acknowledging the aural firmament of the old.
Experience the
first spark with the brand-new track “Hide”
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Ritual Clearing’s Ritual Clearing 1. Hide 2. Necrophage 3. Void 4. Mensis
The Dutch masters of horror CARACH ANGREN are back with their 6(66)th full length ‘Franckensteina Strataemontanus’, which will see the light on May 29, 2020. In celebration, the horror outfit is now releasing a brand new track from the album; ‘Monster’. The new offering can be seen, in the form of a lyric video here:
CARACH ANGREN comment:
“‘Monster’ will give you a grim insight in the overall story that is about
to unfold. The track is set to a menacing lyric video created by Tamara Llenas
featuring thehorrifying otherworldly artwork of Stefan Heilemann which you will
also find throughout all the killer pre-order bundles that go on sale as of
today”
CARACH ANGREN unveil first monstrous track of ‘Franckensteina Strataemontanus’
CARACH ANGREN have
previously released the cover artwork, which is created by Stefan Heilemann, and
track-list of ‘Franckensteina Strataemontanus’. Both can be be viewed
below.
Track
list: 1. Here in German Woodland (01:35) 2. Scourged Ghoul Undead
(05:38) 3. Franckensteina Strataemontanus (03:03) 4. The Necromancer
(04:08) 5. Sewn for Solitude (03:52) 6. Operation Compass (06:00) 7.
Monster (03:33) (WATCH) 8. Der Vampir von Nürnberg (06:00) 9. Skull with
a Forked Tongue (05:56) 10. Like a Conscious Parasite I Roam
(08:16) Bonus 11. Frederick’s Experiments (02:40) Total playing
time: 50:41
The Dutch masters of horror are back with their most flamboyant album so far. On ‘Franckensteina Strataemontanus’, CARACH ANGREN resurrect the gruesome story of troubled soul ‘Conrad Dippel’; the inspiration of Mary Shelly’s novel ‘Frankenstein’.
CARACH ANGREN have extended all the sonic colours on their established palette to dazzling effect. Their trademark whipping guitars are weaving harsh melodies and sinister soundscapes, which are beautifully contrasted by opulent keyboards and majestic orchestrations. That Till Lindemann (RAMMSTEIN) and Peter Tägtgren (PAIN) have called upon the composition talent of Clemens “Ardek” Wijers is a telling sign of his outstanding mastery of the craft. Another signatory counterpoint is provided by Seregor’s fierce rasping and shrieking vocals. Adding to the impact, Namtar has become a relentless driving force with his hart hitting yet intricate drumming. Each track on this album is a highlight on its own, while combined ‘Franckensteina Strataemontanus ‘ simply shines.
CARACH ANGREN set out to tell ghost-stories with a set of paranormal cases recorded on the demo ‘The Chase Vault Tragedy’ (2004). This was soon followed by the official release of the ‘Ethereal Veiled Existence’ EP (2005) as a prelude to the haunting ‘Lammendam’ (2008). The Dutch had a clear vision of combining a dark baroque style of metal with horror based lyrical concepts. Their sophomore full-length ‘Death Came through a Phantom Ship’ (2010) witnessed the band setting sail to bring their eccentric and capturing live performances to audiences and festivals all over Europe. In the wake of third album ‘Where the Corpses Sink Forever’ (2012), the haunting had reached the Americas and started to spread rapidly. This record added a serious side to the lyrics of CARACH ANGREN. While firmly remaining in the horror genre, their tales revolve around the evils of war. This mature streak was taken a step further with the fourth full-length ‘This Is No Fairytale’, which is on the surface a darker variation of the “Hansel and Gretel” story from the Brothers Grimm collection, but also deals with the too real topic of child abuse in a dysfunctional family. With ‘Dance And Laugh Amongst The Rotten’ (2017), the band returned to pure story telling with episodes that are centred on a girl playing a little too long with her Ouija board.
Now, CARACH ANGREN return with the monster ‘Franckensteina Strataemontanus’, where the Dutch have pushed their unashamedly theatrical style to a new intense height. You do not believe us yet? Press play and have your soul transferred with this new elixir of life!
Today, Finnish black metal firebrands Curse Upon a Prayer premiere the new track “Haram”. The track hails from the band’s highly anticipated third album, Infidel, set for international release on April 10th via Saturnal Records. Hear Curse Upon a Prayer‘s “Haram” in its entirety here:
Despite the censoring acts and overall spinelessness of this day and age, Curse Upon a Prayer returns from northern Finland to conquer, kill, and turn the castles of this modern world into sand. Since forming in Tornio in 2010, the band have released two albums – From The Lands of Demise in 2014, and Rotten Tongues in 2015 – and the especially well-received The Three Woes EP in 2018. That EP hastened Curse Upon a Prayer‘s feverish momentum on the live front, where the band gained no small amount of recognition for manifesting their strongly anti-Islamic themes in multiple Quran desecrations.
But at long last, Curse Upon a Prayer deliver their masterwork: the aptly titled Infidel. With no hesitation nor self-doubt, these Finnish infidels have taken another giant step towards the gaping abyss here, a ruthless yet incredibly dynamic assault on the senses and spirituality. No page of the Quran is left unburnt on Infidel: from quintessentially nasty Finnish-style black metal to somber acoustic sections, Curse Upon a Prayer‘s third album ranges a vast spectrum of searing sonics. While flagrant blasphemy is at the core of the band’s being, the artistry across Infidel is undeniable; Curse Upon a Prayer are working within a rarefied field for black metal, and their truly unique character has come to the fore on this seamless song-cycle. Indeed is Infidel threaded together like one massive work, throttling the listener with filthy physicality one minute and haunting their dreams the next, and each of these nine songs reveal deeper, darker truths across the album’s compact yet incredibly satisfying 36 minutes. Allah-raping has never sounded better…
Hasten to prayer, all ye whose lungs breathe fire! Hasten to damnation, all ye true Infidels! Behold the instigating torch hereby known as Curse Upon a Prayer‘s Infidel!
Behold the first torch with the previously revealed “Al-Masih ad-Dajjal” HERE at the Black Metal Promotion YouTube channel.
Tracklisting for Curse Upon a Prayer’s Infidel 1. Call To Prayer 2. Infidel 3. Taste Ye The Penalty Of Burning 4. Haram 5. The Portrait Of Iblis 6. Al-Masih ad-Dajjal 7. Prophetic Poison 8. Fitna 9. Jahannam
Today, Iron Bonehead Productions sets May 15th as the international release date for Wandering Forlorn, a special split album between Runespell and Forest Mysticism, on CD and vinyl LP formats.
A cross-generational meeting of two very old souls, Wandering Forlorn brings together two Australian hordes who’ve been following the voice of blood longer than most have been alive. Runespell mainman Nightwolf has been forging steel in the glare of burning churches since 2017. In feverish succession, his three albums for Iron Bonehead have poignantly presented pagan black metal in an authentically old yet refreshingly new hue, and with his three equally epic tracks here, Runespell shows that the fire is far from extinguished – in fact, its flames soar ever higher like spears hunting heaven. By comparison, Forest Mysticism put Down Under paganism on the map nearly 15 years ago and then retreated into the shadows in 2011, honor intact. Come 2018, the Hearken EP indeed hearkened the band’s rebirth, and the three stout-yet-sumptuous tracks here continue that noble trajectory. And aside from a single-track split last year, Wandering Forlorn marks the most extended Forest Mysticism recording since the no-less-considerable Hearken, a true fire of awakening.
Forest Mysticism
Past, present, and future…the ancients roam free across all. Wandering Forlorn are Runespell and Forest Mysticism, their creed of iron resilient and resounding.
In the meantime, hear a special teaser here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting
for Wandering Forlorn
Runespell: 1.
Wolfwoods 2. Streams of Sorrow 3. Fated in Blood
Forest
Mysticism: 1. Summon 2. Rivers of Silver (II) 3. Ancient Tides of
War
Death metal maniacs DEFILED are about to kick off their previously announced European tour dates in support of VADER. The death metal rampage will kick off at the Bastard venue in Osnabrück (DE) tomorrow and continues throughout 8 more counries before a final curtain at the Colloseum in Košice (SK) on March 22. A full list of confirmed shows can be viewed below.
DEFILED comment on the tour: “We’re thrilled to announce our next European tour with the mighty Vader! We actually opened for Vader back in 1998, on their first show ever in Tokyo; so not only is it a great honor for us to be a part of their anniversary tour and have the chance to share the stage with them again, but it also brings back so many souvenirs and good memories… Saying that we’re excited would be a strong contender for the understatement of the year!! Now about the tour itself, you guys should expect a lot of new songs from our upcoming album ‘Infinite Regress’.
Looking forward seeing you all on the road. Thanks!”
DEFILED +Vader +Chronosphere +Fallcie 07 Mar 20 Osnabruck (DE) Bastard 08 Mar 20 Arlon (BE) l’Entrepot 09 Mar 20 London (UK) Underworld 10 Mar 20 Rotterdam (NL) Baroeg 11 Mar 20 Lokeren (BE) Sport & Jeugdcomplex 12 Mar 20 Amersfoort (NL) Fluor 13 Mar 20 Leipzig (DE) Stadtbad 14 Mar 20 Marsberg (DE) Metal Diver Festival 15 Mar 20 Mannheim (DE) MS Connexion Complex 16 Mar 20 Martigny (CH) Sunset 17 Mar 20 Martigny (CH) Sunset 18 Mar 20 Milano (IT) Slaughter House 19 Mar 20 San Dova di Piave (IT) Revolver 20 Mar 20 Zagrzeb (HR) Mochvara 21 Mar 20 Wien (AT) Viper Room 22 Mar 20 Kosice (SK) Colloseum DEFILED will be touring in support of their freshly released album ‘Infinite Regress’. and can be heard in full HERE.
The artwork, which has been created by Wes Benscoter, can be viewed together with the album details below.
Track-list 1.
Intro (00:23) 2. Divide and Conquer (02:30) 3. Tragedy (05:21) 4. Systematic Decomposition (02:33) 5.
So Blind (02:48) 6. Legacy (01:58) 7. Masses in Chaos (02:01) 8.
Centuries (04:17) 9. Aftermath (03:02) 10. Invisible War (01:45) 11.
Ignorant (02:28) 12. Slaverobot (02:57) 13. Infinite Regress
(02:48) 14. Outro (00:33) Total playing time:
35:24
DEFILED come yet again, barging in like some crusty Godzilla made out of the stuff polished tech death nightmares are made from. The revered Samurai of death metal crush through the spiral ganglion with a sound rawer than shark sushi that still bites.
This time it took the Japanese three years to deliver a follow-up to the critically acclaimed ‘Towards Inevitable Ruin’ (2016) which was not pretty, nor pretending to be. Instead, they reduced death metal to the bare bones and with this, showing its naked brutality.
‘In Crisis’ (2011), which came out eight years after ‘Divination’ (2003) shook the world awake to the band from the Land of the Rising Sun. DEFILED climbed to the top of Asia’s death metal scene with the release of their self-financed EP ‘Defeat of Sanity’ (1994) two years after their inception. Founded in Tokyo, they quickly combined the brutal and technical aspects of this mad metropolis into their own unique sound. Their first album ‘Erupted Wrath’ (1999) was mixed by genre legend Jim Morris in Tampa, Florida, who returned to work on sophomore opus ‘Ugliness Revealed’ (2001) as well as third full-length ‘Divination’. The Japanese opened for extreme metal legends such as CANNIBAL CORPSE, MORBID ANGEL and toured with INCANTATION and MAYHEM to name but a few.
DEFILED are back with a bang. ‘Infinite Regress’ is not for the faint of heart or intended for easy listening, but when giving the new monster some spins, the apparent fragments start to drift together once more– starting from a catchy fill, riff or grating grunt that morph into a strange hook relentlessly driving its spike into the brain.
Today, W.T.C. Productions sets April 30h as the international release date for Order of Orias‘ long-awaited second album, Ablaze.
It’s been nine long years since Australia’s Order of Orias released their bold debut album, Inverse, for W.T.C. Since then, in 2015, only a split EP with Aosoth arrived: but while being “merely” one track, Order of Orias‘ contribution was a staggering 13-minute epic, suggesting further glories to come. But then, only silence followed. The band’s flame of creation had not been extinguished; it was merely simmering in the shadows…
At long last, Order of Orias step forth from those shadows with a stark ‘n’ strident second album, fittingly bearing the title Ablaze. Indeed, the Order here blaze with a fury, locking into a moody ‘n’ martial style of black metal which seamlessly moves from teeth-gnashingly tense violence to smoke-swirlingly hypnotic downtempo passages. Within, big open chords reverberate with haunting magnitude while gravel-throated vocalist A.S explores sepulchral depths of the spirit. Co-conspirator D.A’s riffing in particular explores bolder expanses of the aggression vs. atmosphere divide, working within that spectrum a sulfurous magick. As such, Ablaze is an album equally suited to stage and solitude, of external displays of hatred and internal ones of same.
While orthodox black metal has largely been a sleeping beast lo these many years, it sometimes falls to yesteryear’s mavericks to awaken and shake the firmaments – and that’s exactly what Order of Orias do with Ablaze. And with Nocturnal Graves’ Jarro Raphael on session drums and mastering by Order of Apollyon’s BST, they’re certainly in good company. The flame still burns!
First track premiere to be revealed shortly.
Cover art, courtesy of Fenomeno Design, and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Order of Orias’ Ablaze 1. Blood To Dust 2. Gleaming Night 3. Raging Idols 4. Snares & Thorns 5. Crowned In Brass 6. Dawning Light
Today, UK black metal stronghold Thy Dying Light reveal the new track “Under the Horns.” The track is the first to be revealed from the band’s long-awaited debut album, Thy Dying Light, set for international release on April 11th via Purity ThroughFire. Hear Thy Dying Light‘s “Under the Horns” in its entirety here:
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!
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
