Month: October 2021

Gaahls Wyrd release new track “The Seed”

Norwegian extreme metal formation GAAHLS WYRD have released the second new track from their upcoming EP “The Humming Mountain”. The brand new song “The Seed” can be heard here:

The 5-track EP will be released via Season of Mist on November 5. Pre-orders are now available in the shop HERE.

The cover artwork and tracklist of ‘The Humming Mountain’ can be found below. The cover photo was made by Kristian “Gaahl” Espedal. 

Tracklist:
1. The Seed (09:12)
2. The Humming Mountain (04:46)
3. The Dwell (05:01)
4. Awakening Remains – Before Leaving (07:18)
5. The Sleep (03:00)
Total: 0:29:17

Norwegian Grammy (Spellemannprisen)-winning metal outfit Gaahls WYRD return with new mini-album The Humming Mountain. Spanning five thought-provoking songs over 30-plus minutes, the mini-album continues from but challenges the tenets of the group’s lauded debut full-length, GastiR – Ghosts Invited. Conceptually, The Humming Mountain  intrinsically ties into the pre-history of its forebear, where heady, fastidious topics of origin, creation, and consciousness are pondered, explored, and conveyed to a riveting score of reflective, if sometimes vicious metal. The Humming Mountain resides between spaces but is wholly its own artistic entity.

“I like the concept of a mini-album instead of an EP,” says Gaahl (aka Kristian Espedal). “I like the format of a mini-album. Back in the day, bands like Hellhammer and Celtic Frost used this format. The audience gets more from this format. To me, it’s more serious than if it’s just a few tracks. Plus, the concept of The Humming Mountain isn’t big enough for a full-length album. The concept was something I had to get out of my head.”

Three of The Humming Mountain’s tracks were originally slated to appear on GastiR – Ghosts Invited but were eventually shelved when Gaahl determined that they weren’t a conceptual fit with the rest of the album’s tracks. Indeed, not one to let good ideas die on the proverbial vine, Gaahl worked with guitarist Lust Kilman (Ole Walaunet) and producer Iver Sandøy to refashion them. Through creative process and artful invention, “Awakening Remains – Before Leaving,” “The Dwell,” and the title track were born again for The Humming Mountain. The mini-album’s introspective bookends—opening epic “The Seed” and filmic closer “The Sleep”—came during and after, one song to remind listeners that patience is a virtue and the other to send them off into dream-like cogitation.

“The title track ‘The Humming Mountain’ dictated how the mini-album would go forward,” Gaahl says. “‘The Humming Mountain,’ however, has connections to GastiR – Ghosts Invited recording-wise, but it’s been reshaped. ‘The Dwell’ and ‘Awakening Remains – Before Leaving’ are more from the same foundation. We did change how we approached these songs by adding keyboards and removing bass grooves, especially on ‘Awakening Remains – Before Leaving.’ We got a different flow and pace to the final versions of the songs.”

While The Humming Mountain is a real place called Gnolloden near the Svalbard archipelago, it has no relation to the mini-album’s title or contents. Lyrically, The Humming Mountain is about patience. Not in the human sense of the word—though that certainly can be applied to nine-minute opener “The Seed”—but in the universal sense. The vibrations (hums) of creation ebb and flow sub-glacially. The intent of creation spans eons. Even the mini-album’s artwork—captured and designed by Gaahl—is part of the overall theme. The closer to The Humming Mountain, the farther away it appears.

“I’m always searching,” says Gaahl. “I’m trying to find the core of self, the core of everything. GastiR – Ghosts Invited dealt with being conscious about the subconscious. The Humming Mountain is more direct in dealing with that topic. Creation is something that happens very slowly, I believe. I connected it to ice, in a way. It’s a Norse concept, where a witch ‘hummer’ is feeding on salty ice. Out of this comes the first conscious. In Norse creationism, creation originates with sound. Of course, fire and ice are the two opponents, but every being, which are manifestations of something, are connected to humming or noise, the vibrations created by it. That’s how I arrived at The Humming Mountain, a slow vibration from the mountain and the slow movement of ice.”

Gaahls WYRD revisited Sandøy’s Solslottet Studio (Wardruna, Crippled Black Phoenix) periodically from August 2020 through May 2021 to track and complete The Humming Mountain. The sessions were set apart for various reasons (schedules mostly), but the team first focused the groundwork on sound design. Gaahl, Lust Kilman, and Sandøy then pivoted to Spektre’s (aka Kevin Kvåle) drums. From there, vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards, and piano were laid down. Sandøy also helmed the mix and master.

“The first thing we did was to work through the songs,” Gaahl says. “This was to find the foundation of the sound and how we could reshape the sound. We focused on the sound (or voice) of the drums. We didn’t want them to be too close to the drum sound on GastiR – Ghosts Invited. I’ve worked on three albums with Iver this year. It’s very easy to work with him. He’s good at bringing himself into my philosophical mindset. He’s tuned into why I choose to do this or that. Usually, before we start, I explain my direction so that he can understand it, and together we can expand upon that direction. On this EP, he’s done a lot of the keys and piano parts. He’s contributed quite a lot.”

Though The Humming Mountain reveals a more contemplative side to Gaahls WYRD, fans of stunners “Ek Erilar,” Carving the Voices,” and “Through and Past and Past” will find new tracks “The Dwell,” “Awakening Remains – Before Leaving,” and the title track equally engaging, while “The Seed” and “The Sleep” are destined to open new doors with their mercurial angst and picturesque, if involuted themes. Indeed, The Humming Mountain sets the stage for Gaahls WYRD’s next chapter.

“We’ll release the mini-album next,” says Gaahl. “After that, it all depends on how things open up for us to tour. There will be shows in Europe for sure, though. In a way, I hope the pandemic situation may continue for a bit longer. It’s a good time for studio work. So, I hope not to be too disturbed by touring to continue to do more studio work. We’re about to enter the studio for the next full-length.”

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/gaahlswyrd
http://www.gaahlswyrd.com
https://gaahlswyrd.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/gaahlswyrd/

Germany’s KNIFE stream DYING VICTIMS debut

Today, German speed metalpunks Knife stream the entirety of their highly anticipated self-titled debut album. Set for international release on October 22nd via Dying Victims Productions, hear Knife‘s Knife in its entirety here:

Formed in 2019, Germany’s Knife have been one of the hottest insider tips in the metalpunk underground. The quartet’s aim from the beginning has been to play fast and wild METAL, and they did exactly that with their two-song debut tape, Black Leather Hounds, in early 2020. Not long after, Knife released the four-song Locked In EP. Even more aptly titled than their first recording, Locked In saw the band bring all their influences together – from classic hard rock and heavy metal to first-wave black metal and punk, and more – into a throttling and nasty sound.

Now, forged in the hot winds, tempered by the shrieking sounds of Hades, a blade made of immortal steel rises from the depths to vindicate the souls of those who obey the true sound of METAL: Knife’s debut full-length, simply self-titled Knife. At once comfortingly familiar but exuding a charisma and star power which elevates it into the halls of greatness, Knife goes from the throat right from the opener “Behold the Horse of War” and doesn’t let go even after the last seconds of closer “Possession” ring out. Neither strictly straightforward heavy metal nor retro-minded metalpunk, spanning both speed metal surge and fist-banging hard rock alike, Knife keep it lawless and loose across their debut album, cumulatively conveying their past, present, and definitely future. You like Exciter, W.A.S.P., Thin Lizzy, Bathory, Manowar, Discharge, and Kreator? Then Knife have all the blades you need, and they’ve sharpened them into 11 life-invigorating anthems (plus interlude) that are all wrapped in a gleaming ‘n’ powerful production.

Ferocity, power, and speed. Metal like a hammer blow! Knife is unleashed!

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Knife (Germany)’s Knife
1. Behold The Horse Of War
2. Inside The Electric Church
3. White Witch Black Death
4. Black Leather Hounds
5. K.N.I.F.E.
6. I Am The Priest
7. Furnace
8. Sword Loser
9. Demon Wind
10. The Hallowed Chamber Of Storms
11. 1989
12. Possessed


MORE INFO:
www.knifeofficial.de

www.dying-victims.de 
www.facebook.com/dyingvictimsproductions 

New single: Häxkapell – Tomhetens lågor

The time has come to reveal the second single of Häxkapell’s debut album, “Eldhymner”, which is due for release on October 29, 2021. Stream “Tomhetens lågor” it here:

Those who heard the first single, “Ur malströmmens famn”, will notice that this song shows an entirely different face of Häxkapell. Musically, the album is highly versatile – yet it retains the same atmospheric core all the way through.

As for its concept, Oraklet commented:

“Tomhetens lågor” paints a sweeping, melancholic picture of the tremendous force that lies within the Void. The furious, destructive fires are ignited and burst fully aflame – they rise to the heavens and engulf all which is Holy, growing ever-mightier after devouring their Oppressor. Burnt by the sun’s rays, everything turns to ashes as power, violence, and wrath reign. The wind sings an elegy to a world lost to the flames of Emptiness.

HÄXKAPELL:

Web: https://nordvis.com/en/haxkapell-a-42
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/haxkapell
Bandcamp: http://haxkapell.bandcamp.com

Heilung announce re-scheduled tour dates for 2021 / 2022 / 2023

HEILUNG are now announcing the re-scheduled and updated tour dates for 2021 & 2022. Due to the current state of the world, the enigmatic world music outfit are forced to cancel their 2021 appearances,  except for the show in Tilburg (NL) on December 03. Unfortunately label mates GAAHLS WYRD have cancelled their appearance as well during this run.

The correct and re-scheduled dates can be found below! Ticket sales have already kicked off and are expected to run low very fast. We therefore recommend purchasing them on time.

HEILUNG 2021
03 December 2021 – Tilburg (NL) 013 

HEILUNG Russia/Belarus
11 Apr 22 Minsk (BY) – Prime Hall
13 Apr 22 St Petersburg (RU) – Aurora Concert Hall
15 Apr 22 Moscow (RU) – Glav Club
17 Apr 22 Ekaterinburg (RU) – Tele Club

HEILUNG 2022
27 march 2022 – Madrid (ES) – Vistalegre Arena *new date* 
30 march 2022 – Metz (FR) – Cite Musicale Bam
01 April 2022 – Rouen (FR) – Le 106
02 June 2022 – Mystic Fest – Gdansk (PL) 
10 June 2022 – Novarock – Nickelsdorf (AT) 
17 June 2022 – Graspop – Dessel (BE)
23 June 2022 – Hellfest – Clison (FR)

01 July 2022 – Tuska festival – Helsinki (FI)
26 October 2022 – Copenhagen (DK) Forum Black Box 
28 October 2022 – Stockholm (SE) Annexet
30 October 2022 – Helsinki (FI) Black Box *Upgraded venue*
04 November 2022 – Prague (CZ) Forum Karlin
06 November 2022 – Leipzig (DE) Haus Auensee  *new date* 
08 November 2022 – Zurich (CH) Halle 662
11 November 2022 – Brussels (BE) Cirque Royal 
13 November 2022 – Berlin (DE) Tempodrom 
16 November 2022 – Bochum (DE) Ruhrcongress 
18 November 2022 – Paris (FR) L’Olympia
02 December 2022 – Budapest (HU) Barba Negra *new date* 
05 December 2022 – Ljubljana (Sl) Hala Tivoli *new date* 
07 December 2022 – Frankfurt (DE) Jahrhundert Halle *new date* 
14 December 2022 – Stuttgart (DE) Liederhalle Hegelsaal *new date*
18 December 2022 – München (DE) Zenith 

HEILUNG UK/IR
14 January 2023 – London (UK) O2 Academy Brixton
17 January 2023 – Manchester (UK) Bridgewater Hall *new date*
19 January 2023 – Dublin (IR) National Stadium
22 January 2023 – Glasgow (UK) Barrowland *new date*  

HEILUNG will be touring in support of their latest album ‘Futha’, which was released on June 28, 2019. The cover artwork and album details can be viewed below.

Track-list
Galgaldr (10:22)
Norupo (4:18)
Othan  (10:19)
Traust (9:49)
Vapnatak (4:03)
Svanrand (3:36)
Elivagar (8:45)
Elddansurin (8:05)
Hamrer Hippyer (14:17)
Totalplaying time: 1:13:34

“Ofnir” was a very masculine album. To create it, HEILUNG took a big part of the lyrics from preserved rune inscriptions on weapons and armour. “Futha” is the counterpart, the balance point, the feminine side. Here, the lyrics originate from old Icelandic poetry, in which the holy women chant magic spells and offer their blessings. Hence, female voices are more prominent on “Futha”.

HEILUNG means “healing” in the German language and this also describes the core of the band’s sound. The listener is supposed to be left at ease and in a relaxed state after a magical musical journey that is at times turbulent.

HEILUNG reach far back in time to the Northern European iron age and Viking period to create their sound experience. The band utilises many means in their songs: from running water via human bones, reconstructed swords and shields up to ancient frame drums as well as bronze rings.

When HEILUNG self-released ‘Ofnir’ in 2015, the Danish band could hardly have anticipated the breakthrough success of their debut album. Spectacular live shows, strong critical acclaim, and a massive underground buzz added to the constantly high demand for this full-length are the reason why their new label Season of Mist did not hesitate to re-issue ‘Ofnir’ in several collector’s edition formats. HEILUNG‘s live album, ‘LIFA’ (2017) was released in parallel.

The word “Futha” is taken from an artefact, that is still controversially discussed. Big names in runology like Düwel and Heizmann can agree neither on the deciphering nor the meaning of the description.…The word is engraved in a gold bracteate from Skåne (SE), which was produced around 500-530 AD. It was discovered in 1831 and these medals or coins were divided into different categories by the Swedish archaeologist Oscar Montelius. The bracteate in question is a so-called C-bracteate named Schonen II-C (Schonen is the German Name of Skåne) with a horse and a face. The rune inscription is between the hind-legs of the horse. Interesting to mention here is the fact that the majority of full rune set inscriptions start with “futh“, which also is the first three letters in all runic alphabets. It is considered that our forefathers saw magic potential in engraving the full rune line, but there is also great significance in the beginnings. Science has no key for the meaning of only engraving the first couple of letters yet, but there is a surplus of theories. This brings us to a runic staff found in Bergen, which was given the rather unpoetic archaeological classification B011. It carries the inscription: “felleg er fuþ sin bylli Fuþorglbasm”, which means: “Lovely is the cunt, may the cock fill it up”.

Also interesting is that the Högstena amulet, which we use in the song “Galgaldr”, has an alternative deciphering of the word “futh“, which in this context means “cunt”. All this leaves us with two hints: magic potential and the female genitalia. The great healing power of the female wild strength is evoked in “Futha”. Those who have been present at a birth or seen a lioness hunting, know the spirit. The spirit of the “wilde Weiber” (German), the wild wise women. “Futha” endeavours to connect to a time before the female was degraded to a birth-machine and carrier of eternal inherited guilt. 

“Futha” was three years in the making and was finished for production and print at midwinter, the very darkest day of the solar year, the 21st in the 12th month at 21:00.

Any attempt to link the band with or bring their music into a modern political or religious context is pointless, since HEILUNG try to connect their listeners with a time before the coming of Christianity and modern political ideologies

Line-up
Kai Uwe Faust 
Christopher Juul
Maria Franz

www.facebook.com/amplifiedhistory

CLOUDS to release new album with bonus track thru PERSONAL RECORDS

On December 3rd internationally, Personal Records is proud to present Clouds‘ highly anticipated sixth album, Despărțire, on CD format with exclusive bonus track.

Clouds was born out of grief and loss, a story like so many others of this kind. However, the music is what remains of this whole process of having to lose the ones we love. The music speaks of it; it carries the soul to another world where sadness, grief, and pain are no more.

Clouds was created by Daniel Neagoe in 2012, and the following year saw the birth of its first album, Doliu (Romanian for “Mourning”). The album was amazingly received by both media and the public and saw the start of the band’s ascension.

In the years to come, Clouds released several albums and made its first live appearances, gathering members from Shape Of Despair, Funeral, and Pantheist and participating in the world’s most dedicated festivals, both indoor and outdoor, such as Doom Over London, Doom Over Kiev, Dutch Doom Days, Doom Over Bucharest, Gothoom, Doom Over Vienna, and headlining shows in special locations, such as the Amuz Cathedral and Valkenburg cave.

In early 2021, Clouds partnered with Personal Records to have their back catalog properly reissued, as every other CD released to this day had only been self-released by the band and in limited quantities (and thus went for insane collector’s prices). First came the pair of Dor (2018) and Doliu (2014), and then followed the pair of Destin (2017) and Departe (2016). Now arrives the release of Clouds’ brand-new sixth album, Despărțire (Romanian for “Separation”), which Personal will release with an exclusive bonus track. Further consolidating Clouds’ position as the leading atmospheric funeral doom-death band, Despărțire is arguably their most heartfelt album yet, continuing their legacy where they left off with last year’s Durere. What’s more, Despărțire features guest appearances by My Dying Bride’s Aaron Stainthorpe on “In Both Our Worlds The Pain is Real” and Antimatter’s Mick Moss on “This Heart, A Coffin.”

As longtime fans of the band, Personal Records is honored to be working again with Clouds for this special release of Despărțire. Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Clouds’ Despărțire
1. Deepen This Wound
2. This Heart, A Coffin (feat. Mick Moss)
3. Your Name In My Flesh
4. In Both Our Worlds The Pain Is Real (feat. Aaron Stainthorpe)
5. The Door We Never Opened
6. A Place For All Your Tears
7. See The Sky With Blind Eyes
8. Untitled (bonus track)

MORE INFO:

www.facebook.com/CloudsBandOfficial

www.personal-records.com
personal-records.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/personalrecords666

PHENOCRYST set release date for BLOOD HARVEST debut EP, reveal first track – features members of SUMMON, NECROBODE, SCUM LIQUOR, CONCILIUM, SEPULCROS+

Today, Blood Harvest Records announces December 17th as the international release date for Phenocryst‘s striking debut EP, Explosions, on CD and cassette tape formats. The 12″ vinyl version will follow next year.

Hailing from Portugal, Phenocryst was formed in early 2020 by D.S. (Archaic Tomb, Summon) and P. Tosher (Extreme Unction, Scum Liquor,  ex-A Tree of Sign), with N. (Summon, Sepulcros, Concilium) and V.M. (Systemik Violence, Necrobode) joining later on, during the recording of their debut EP. The band is based in the outskirts of Lisbon, and the origin of such conjuration is a rigorous consequence of a vibrant underground activity in the city.

D.S. and P. Tosher wanted to create the foundation of a death metal act crossing other influences like doom and some psychedelic vibes, to illustrate soundscapes of disastrous, catastrophic, and annihilating volcanic and natural events. There are not many artists actually singing about this specific topic, if any, and therefore, the lyrical content is also something to explore. As such, the moniker Phenocryst is fitting.

Aptly titled Explosions, Phenocryst now reveal their debut recording. Totaling five tracks (one instrumental) over 23 minutes, Explosions unsettles with preternatural ease, reeking of death stench and obscure delirium. Phenocryst are proudly and purely death metal, but are emboldened in their liberation to explore within this rich language: Only Death is Realer.

Indeed, Explosions is an explosive event, and one which marks Phenocryst‘s forthcoming debut album, which is currently being prepared. Take the first step into their burnt lands…

The first step can be taken with the brand-new track “Pyroclastic Flows”  here:

Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover artwork, courtesy of Belial NecroArts, and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Phenocryst’s Explosions
1. Fumarole Emanations [5:40]
2. Phreatic Explosions [5:50]
3. Pyroclastic Flows [4:18]
4. Craters [4:25]
5. Igneous Fluids [3:10]

MORE INFO:
www.phenocryst.bandcamp.com

www.bloodharvest.se
www.bloodharvestrecords.bandcamp.com
www.twitter.com/BloodHarvestRec

French black metal supergroup Diablation premiere new track

Today, French black metal supergroup Diablation premiere the new track “Ego Daemonium”. Uniting for the first time ever the two cult singers of Seth (Vicomte Vampyr Arkames) and Anorexia Nervosa (Hreidmarr), the track is the second to be revealed from the band’s highly anticipated debut album, Allégeance, set for international release on December 6th via Antiq. Hear Diablation‘s “Ego Daemonium” in its entirety here:

Diablation has for essence the worship of the Devil: its meaning is the fact of giving him life. Including V.Orias A. (ex-Ad Inferna) and Vicomte Vampyr Arkames (ex-Seth, ex-Ad Inferna), Hyde joined the band as bassist a few months after its creation, in the course of 2020. Two decades of silence in their musical world, black metal will have been necessary for their metallic and lyrical torments to spring up again. Dark and unhealthy, the identity of the group is forged in obscurantism and loneliness. April 2021 marked the end of the recording of their debut album, Allégeance, featuring Rose Hreidmarr (ex-Anorexia Nervosa) on the track “Ego Daemonium.” Mixed by V. Orias A. and mastered by Stefan Traunmüller at SoundTemple Studio, the eight tracks thus lay the foundation stones of a work of which this album is only the advent.

“Hell is in man, hell is man.” So could be summed up the concept of the first opus of Diablation. From the title “Aigle de Sang, Aigle du Mal” begins the descent into the depths of darkness that V. Orias A. has meticulously composed, sharpening riff after riff. Vicomte Vampyr Arkames draws on his inner being, wounded to the soul, to reveal its most painful words and cries, the most symptomatic of the evil that is gnawing at him. Supported by a majestic, dark, and tragic black metal, Diablation lays the first stone of a temple – or more precisely, of an order. The principles of this hermetic circle are enumerated over the incantations released by a voice from beyond the grave, always in French: “Reject your God, Erase your vows, Embrace the ineffable, Accept the Devil” are the commandments. Diablation, through Allégeance, offers French black metal: a black mass that will mark minds…and bodies. Now is the time to pledge allegiance.

Antiq is a label dedicated to the fully coherent concept of making music through sound, image, video, and attitude. They have been putting their entire existence into it since 2009. Over the years, Antiq have been identified as producers of not only perfectly coherent lyrics and themes through music, but also conceptual art and, of course, the manufacturing of beautiful objects. The label tries as much as it can to work with French creators, and if possible, with the smallest and most serious structures.

Hear the previously revealed “Aigle du Mal, Aigle de Sang” HERE, at the Atmospheric Black Metal Albums YouTube channel. Cover artwork, courtesy of Tancrede Szekely, and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Diablation’s Allégeance
1. Invictus
2. Aigle du Mal, Aigle de Sang
3. Des Ruines de la Solitude Éternelle
4. Ego Daemonium 
5. La Noirceur des Limbes
6. L’Ordre Hermétique des Âmes Noires
7. Éloge du Mysticisme Impérieux
8. La Nuit Obscure de l’Âme partie 1
9. La Nuit Obscure de l’Âme partie 2

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/diablation

www.antiqrecords.com
www.facebook.com/antiq.label 

Ancient black metallers Orgrel stream their highly anticipated debut album

Today, ancient black metallers Orgrel stream the entirety of their highly anticipated debut album, Red Dragon’s Invocation. Set for international release on October 15th via Iron Bonehead Productions, hear Orgrel‘s Red Dragon’s Invocation in its entirety here:

A band literally out of time, Orgrel hail from Italy and, more importantly, hail the ancient days of black metal – the days too often forgotten, in the late ’90s, when labels like Solistitium, Sombre, and Drakkar began releasing obsidian gems during the genre’s post-sensationalism fallout. Rich with righteous fury and triumph alike, the power-trio deliver their first public recording, the full-length Red Dragon’s Invocation. Immediately, mystical splendor and dizzying delirium are felt as Orgrel kick in with an impassioned surge, each and every riff, rhythm, and holler stirring bloodlust and wonder/wander simultaneously. The soundfield is studiously raw yet robust, flat but somehow full, allowing aggression and atmosphere equal reign, and engrossing the listener to the very last: indeed, Red Dragon’s Invocation is summarily titled. Its mysteries are starkly simple but exceedingly sublime, being purely and totally BLACK METAL in word and deed; black metal doesn’t need to “become” anything when it already IS. Orgrel know this intrinsic truth and pursue it to the hilt across their debut album.

Graced with absolutely stunning cover artwork by Luciana Nedelea, Orgrel raise their sword of truth and prepare to strike unbelievers with Red Dragon’s Invocation.

Aforementioned cover art and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Orgrel’s Red Dragon’s Invocation
1. Burning Ruins
2. Amor Fati
3. Surrounded by Nothing
4. Gate of Eternal Life
5. Torn Flag
6. Fiery Dawn Cry
7. Carved in Blood

www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions

Gothic Doom band EMBER SUN Sign With code666/Aural Music

Aural Music is proud to announce the signing of Gothic Funeral Doom project EMBER SUN from Greece.

The band is releasing their new album, titled On Earth and Heaven, on October 22 via code666, the cult sublabel of Aural Music.

The band commented about the signing:
“When code666 contacted me and propose to release my debut album, it was like I was dreaming that such a label wanted to join their roster. It’s a blessing to us that this respected label believed in us. Now EMBER SUN are ready to uncover the deep, primordial feelings of sorrow, sinisterness, and solitude under the banner of Code666”

EMBER SUN is the new solo project born in 2021 of Lorthar (founder/ex-member of black metal band ORDER OF THE EBON HAND) from Greece, playing atmospheric funeral doom death with influences of gothic scene. Lorthar has been and still is a member of several bands in the metal music scene and also on ambient style bands. EMBER SUN is a mix of all the music styles haunting Lorthar’s temperament.

On Earth And Heaven is a hymn of solitude and sorrow. It expresses the fear of reaching our end; the despair of not seeing again all those we loved or hated; the incomprehensibility of being devoid consciousness; the sorrow of never seeing the dawn again.

Socials:
https://www.facebook.com/EmberSunBand
https://embersun.bandcamp.com/

CHARNEL ALTAR set release date for BLOOD HARVEST debut album, reveal first track

Today, Blood Harvest Records announces December 17th as the international release date for Charnel Altar‘s highly anticipated debut album, Abatement of the Sun, on CD and cassette tape formats. The vinyl LP version will follow next year.

Hailing from Adelaide, Australia’s Charnel Altar formed in late 2018. Not long after, the band’s self-titled debut demo followed in January 2019. Originally self-released digitally, a cassette version was soon released by Desert Wastelands Productions and a 12″ vinyl version by Seed of Doom Records and Impure Sounds; a tape re-release then came in mid-2020 via Blood Moon Productions. With this underground momentum building, Charnel Altar released a split EP with fellow Aussies Carcinoid, which was released on tape by Headsplit Records and on 10″ vinyl once again by Seed of Doom.

During all this, Charnel Altar became a prolific force on the live front. Their first show was supporting Uada, and they went on to play with the likes of Incantation, Krisiun, Integrity, Primitive Man, Faceless Burial, Gutless, Ignivomous, and Vile Apparition. A tour with Carcinoid and others was planned for 2020, but was unfortunately cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Nevertheless, Charnel Altar make their full-length debut with the slimy ‘n’ stultifying Abatement of the Sun. Horrific and harrowing, churning and gestating with utter dread and doom, Charnel Altar‘s death metal is like a slo-mo melting of mind and matter. One could arguably qualify it as death-doom, but the band’s version of such evades easy categorization and aims more for hovering tension and paradoxically spacious density – indeed, like old(er)-school death metal dragged through tar but trudging forward like a tank. That all three members previously played together in the cult Tombsealer – who toured nationally in support of Mournful Congregation and played with such acts as Dead Congregation, Portal, Fetid, Windhand, Cough, Inverloch, and Nocturnal Graves to name a few – shows in their seemingly effortless execution, that these dreadful ‘n’ doomed-out ruminations have been simmering in their hearts for time eternal. Or, put another way, Abatement of the Sun is all-too-perfectly titled: the end is not just nigh; it’s NULL.

Face the end with the brand-new track “Vexation of Sorrow”  here:

Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Charnel Altar’s Abatement of the Sun
1. Grave Totem [8:05]
2. Vexation Of Sorrow [6:44]
3. Slaughter [8:36]
4. Wormworld [7:52]
5. Malefic Blessings [7:04]
6. Metempsychosis [8:45]

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/charnelaltar

www.bloodharvest.se
www.bloodharvestrecords.bandcamp.com
www.twitter.com/BloodHarvestRec