On November 13th, Vidfare Productions (a division of NoEvDia) will release Gravrost – the second album of DomJord. D Rostén delves further into the minimalistic yet immersive electronic sounds explored on the project’s debut.
“This time, I took the easy route by drawing most of my inspiration from a place far closer to home, resulting in a musical journey oozing with apocalyptic gloom and existential despair,” he explains. “Gravrost is an odyssey in seven chapters, guiding the listener through ominous landscapes of rust-laden ruins, barren ground, and the thick black fog of burning oil. In other words, the perfect soundtrack to the death of a civilisation – perhaps from a forgotten past, perhaps in the foreseeable future.”
Enjoy!
Full album stream to be revealed the day of release. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Today, Greek black metallers Isolert stream the entirety of their highly anticipated second album, World in Ruins. Set for international release on November 11th via Nihilistische KlangKunst, hear Isolert‘s World in Ruins in its entirety here:
Howling forth from the nameless abyss betwixt Hell and insanity, black wings outstretched to envelop the world, comes the nihilistic yet irrepressible spirit of Isolert. Forged in Volos, Thessaly amidst the searing flames of 2015 by Nick S and Panagiotis T (also active together in Sørgelig), this bewitching project draws not from the classic Greek black metal sound and instead delves deep into the Scandinavian night with a wretched fervor that calls to mind such luminary names as Gorgoroth or Dissection, dexterously blended with a touch of that crepuscular madness that only acts like Tribulation can typically conjure.
The early years of Isolert were a flurry of diabolical activity. In March of 2015, with the sparks of their meeting setting all around them ablaze, their initial demo, Isolated Soul, was quickly wrought upon the unsuspecting world. 2016 would then see Giannis and Apostolos join the band for the release of their first LP, entitled No Hope, No Light… Only Death, garnering great acclaim. 2017 pushed their possessed productivity to even greater levels of intensity, the impure fruits of which were an EP entitled Isolert, a split album with countrymen and kindred souls Insanity Cult, plus a collaborative effort with the mighty Human Serpent on a glorious 20-minute composition – all of which only served to strengthen their whispered legend.
And then, the project was locked in a cage. Hidden deep underground. Almost forgotten…until now.
For 2020 sees the now-triumvirate of Nick, Panagiotis, and Apostolos poised to release their most devastating ode to darkness yet: World In Ruins. With a name both inspired by the end-state of the world and descriptive of what will surely happen once this album is released, the album roars and rails with a ferocious apocalypticism only hinted at in Isolert‘s previous works. Crushing melodic leads entwine with an incredibly visceral, vital vocal performance to inspire dread and despair as you, the listener, can only watch it all collapse around you…
So be warned: you have until November to make all necessary preparations before Nihilistische KlangKunst unleashes the final catastrophic blow upon humanity via digipack CD and 12″ vinyl, with spectacularly eschatonic cover art courtesy of VisionBlack – Nikos Stavridakis.
Isolert have returned…and they bring with them a World in Ruins. (text by Aaron Bray)
Aforementioned cover art and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Isolert’s World in Ruins 1. Fire, Ash, Blood [3:31] 2. Burn Them [4:04] 3. As We Die [5:08] 4. Extinction [4:36] 5. Staring at a Path Towards Nowhere [7:19] 6. World in Ruins [5:33] 7. Light…Has Abandoned Us [10:14]
Today, Shadow Records (distributed & marketed by Regain Records) announces January 20th, 2021 as the international release date for a special EP from Sacrocurse, Supreme Terror, on CD, 12″ vinyl, and cassette tape formats.
One of the underground’s best-kept secrets, Sacrocurse have been sticking to their nuclear-powered guns since 2012. The band, which has spanned continents in the past, is led by scene veteran ZK, who began his prolific career in Mexico’s Unholier in the early ’90s and has played in such south-of-the-border bands as Nodens and Morbosidad and has recently joined Russia’s Pseudogod as tour session bass-player. However, it is Sacrocurse where ZK has made his name in recent years, and the band have delivered two foul full-lengths of warring black/death that retain the rich lifeblood of quintessential South American madness.
Supreme Terror is a quick-hitting four-song/17-minute warhead of that madness, and it’s arguably this short-length format where Sacrocurse most excel. Armed with a production that’s cutting ‘n’ clear yet ripping with a razorbladed rawness all the same, Supreme Terror lives up to its title and then some, with one martial torrent after another tearing apart the helpless listener. But let it be known that Sacrocurse drink deeply the black blood of METAL, and never forget the importance of actual songwriting; while Supreme Terror is no doubt unhinged and urgent, chaos never overtakes proceedings, and ZK’s barbed-wire throat and guitar give the record a strident simplicity of design that one could actually qualify as “catchy.” Still, no safe spaces here – only ugliness, and unremittingly so!
As society sinks deeper into darkness, herald Supreme Terror with Sacrocurse!
Ordering info can be found HERE at Regain‘s Bandcamp. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Sacrocurse’s Supreme Terror 1. Herethical Catharsis 2. Man Became Cursed 3. Temple is Open 4. From Genesis to Revelations
Metal veteran brothers Sakis and Themis Tolis of the Greek metal band ROTTING CHRIST have reached immortality by having a fossil named after them! Two researchers from the Natural History Museum in Luxembourg recently found a new brittle-star species and decided to name it ‘Brezinacantha Tolis’ honoring the Tolis brothers.
Frontman Sakis Tolis comments: “This is one of the greatest honors I have received as an individual and musician and it gives me power to keep on creating and offer these wild times.” Dr. Ben Thuy and and Dr. Lea Numberger (research associates at the Natural History Museum Luxembourg) comment on the naming: “When we first saw the fossil brittle star, we immediately knew it was something exciting. It turned out to be a species new to science, and so we had the privilege to name it. With the choice of the name, we wanted to combine our joint passions for science and music, and decided to honour one of our favourite bands. The new fossil belongs to an animal that lived in a dark, toxic environment in the depths of an ancient ocean, dwelling on the remains of their dead predecessors. This is pure black metal! Naming this species after Sakis and Themis Tolis is our way to issue an academic recognition of their talent and hard work. Now they own a small piece of immortality, because scientific species names are for eternity.”
More info on the discovery and naming of ‘Brezninacantha Tolis’ can be found HERE.
ROTTING CHRIST‘s latest album ‘The Heretics’ is streaming via the official Season of Mist YouTube channel here. The album artwork, created by Maximos Manolis, and album details of ‘The Heretics’ can be found below.
Track-list: 1. In The Name of God (04:14) 2. Vetry Zlye (Ветры злые) (03:13) 3. Heaven and Hell and Fire (04:52) 4. Hallowed Be Thy Name (05:06) 5. Dies Irae (03:46) 6. I Believe (ΠΙΣΤΕΥΩ) (03:42) 7. Fire God And Fear (04:50) 8. The Voice of the Universe (05:23) 9. The New Messiah (03:07) 10. The Raven (05:23) Total: 43:36
ROTTING CHRIST have reached another peak in their long career that now spans over more than three decades. The Greeks have literally stood the test of time. With a steady core line-up and their well-honed live delivery, ROTTING CHRIST are filling concert halls and reap enthusiastic crowd reactions wherever they go. This demonstration of love from their followers is not just driven by nostalgia as the band has managed to evolve and grow, while staying relevant beyond the classics with their highly acclaimed latest albums such as ‘Aealo’ (2010), ‘Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτού’ (2013), and ‘Rituals’ (2016).
Now, with the new offering ‘The Heretics’, ROTTING CHRIST are opening a brand new chapter. With confidence and skills derived from experience, each song represents its own sonic universe. Guitarist and vocalist Sakis Tolis in collaboration with his brother Themis on drums achieve a perfect balance of amalgamating their classic and unique style of riffing and rhythm with exciting new elements sprinkled in to keep their material exciting and fresh. The experienced is enhanced by Jens Bogren’s equally clear and transparent yet also massive as well as sombre mix and mastering at his widely renowned Fascination Street Studios (AMORPHIS, BORKNAGAR, MOONSPELL, DEVIN TOWNSEND, and many more).
ROTTING CHRIST were founded by Sakis Tolis and his brother Themis in the year 1987. Starting out on a basis of death and grind, the Greeks had already embarked on a darker musical journey by the time their debut full-length ‘Thy Mighty Contract’ (1993) was revealed. On the following seven albums covering a ten-year period from ‘Non Serviam’ (1994) to ‘Sanctus Diavolos’ (2004), ROTTING CHRIST steadily defined their own distinct style by experimenting with elements from death, heavy, and gothic metal without betraying their black roots. At the same time, the band went from underground heroes to headliner status. With the highly acclaimed ninth album, ‘Theogonia’ (2007), the Greek stalwarts added an unmistakable native element to their sound, which has remained with them as a signature trademark ever since. Exploring the mythical legacy of cultures around the globe let to
ROTTING CHRIST‘s massively successful latest release, ‘Rituals’ (2016). With more than 30 years, 13 studio albums, a dozen EPs, singles and split releases, as well as more than 1.250 shows under their belt, 2018 marked the year of ‘Their Greatest Spells’ (2018), where they musically revisited their exciting legacy to connect their past with the present.
‘The Heretics’ marks another step in the evolution of the Greek masters. Buckle up for a fascinating musical ride through the woes of religious wars, Zoroastrianism and the eternal war between good and evil. Metal at its best!
Studio: Pentagram Studios (Athens, GR) Producer: Sakis Tolis Sound Engineer: George Emmanouil Mix/studio: Jens Borgen, Fascination Street Studios (SE)
Guest Musicians: Irina Zybina (GRAI): Vocals on ‘Vetry Zlye’ Dayal Patterson: Intoning on ‘Fire God and Fear’ Ashmedi (MELECHESH): Vocals on ‘The Voice of the Universe’ Stratis Steele: Intoning on ‘The Raven’
This past weekend, Swedish black metal elite Mephorash performed a special live show out in the forest, which was premiered on Halloween which can be viewed here:
“To redeem the lack of shows this year due to Covid-19, we decided to make this special live event, which took a lot of sweat and tears to realize,” says the band. “We decided right from the start that we wanted to make this performance out in nature, and this came with a lot of challenges. The weather worked against us, and we met a lot of hardships on the journey to finish this live recording. We hope you enjoy the final result and that it will quench the thirst to watch us perform, until next year when we can go on the road again.” See & hear Mephorash‘s special Covid-19 live performance exclusively HERE.
Since their formation in 2010, Mephorash have been a study in patience and persistence. Every step of the way, their moves have been tactical and decisive, with each work breathing a totality of vision consistent with the band’s deeply occultic/esoteric beliefs. Granted, the name Mephorash may not be the most recognizable – yet – but with 2018’s The Third Woe 7″ on Shadow Records, a glorious new epoch has begun.
With their current lineup including past and present members of Malign and Ofermod, Mephorash have deep roots within Sweden’s esteemed black metal underground – the same underground which spawned the now-worldwide “religious”/orthodox black metal movement – but with Shem Ha Mephorash do they boldly separate themselves from standard tropes. A literally MASSIVE album at 74 minutes, the eight songs comprising Shem Ha Mephorash are each a corridor, an entire sprawling landscape, unto itself. Naturally, the way Mephorash weave all these various, virulent fibers together bespeaks a grandiose vision: an esoteric journey through the concepts and ideas behind the Shem Ha Mephorash system, the 72-fold explicit name of god. Wisely utilizing all the tools in their generous arsenal, the quartet take a largely mid-to-downtempo approach, lumbering forward with molten might and a more mystical aspect – in some senses, one could label it “ceremonial” – judiciously maximizing each construct’s potential before subtly weaving a new tale. Of course, bouts of cryogenic speed do crop up, but do so with malicious excitement. You never quite know where these corridors will lead… Or, simply, each track of Shem Ha Mephorash is a journey; taken together, they create a unified, endlessly fascinating journey to the beyond and back.
The time of reckoning is at hand. The second decade of the millennium is over, and Swedish black metal is in sore need of unshackled invigoration. Confidently striding forward, ready to claim their throne, are Mephorash with an album for the ages. Explicit on the tongue, it bears the name Shem Ha Mephorash, and is graced with suitably ceremonial artwork courtesy of José Gabriel Alegría Sabogal. Stream the album in its entirety and find ordering info for all formats HERE at Regain Records‘ Bandcamp.
