Month: August 2022

Sweden’s WITCH BLADE premiere new track, set release date for new DYING VICTIMS album

On October 21st, Dying Victims Productions will release the highly anticipated second album of Sweden’s Witch Blade, Månsken, on CD and vinyl LP formats.  Hear Witch Blade‘s “Vittrorna Kommer” in its entirety here:

Hailing from Kristinehamn, Sweden’s Witch Blade were formed back in 2012 by Witchlover and Witchhunter. The two childhood friends had been playing together in other projects but wanted to form a band that honored their heavy metal heroes: namely Angel Witch, Tokyo Blade, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden. After writing a couple of songs, the band became a three-piece when drummer Witchburner joined in early 2013. The same year, the band recorded their self-titled debut demo, which sold out quickly and was later re-released by Levitate Records, followed by a 7” single titled Fjärrans Krig in 2014. After working as a sound engineer on the single recording, Witchdoctor joined on second guitar just in time for the band’s debut album, Oskuldernas Eld, released in 2015 by Dying Victims.

Witch Blade made their live debut in 2015 as a supporting act for Black Trip. Since then, the band have made several live appearances around Sweden. Thereafter, a period of hibernation followed until 2021, when the band decided to continue again as a trio. The result is something of a rebirth: Månsken, Witch Blade’s second album.

While the cover to Oskuldernas Eld certainly clued listeners in to its contents, the one for Månsken compellingly complements the album’s contents in a most tasteful fashion. There’s undoubtedly an olde-worlde, magickally musty flair to Witch Blade – also keenly note the band’s change in logos – their traditional heavy metal going back even further in time to the proto-metal era. Nothing overdriven, nothing too over-the-top, just hard rocking AND hot rockin’ and an almost narrative moodiness to the songwriting whilst staying locked into classic verse/chorus/break structures, Witch Blade once again locate that wonderful (and elusive) balance between garage-born emotion and swords & sorcery stateliness. To a man, the riffs and leads of guitarists Witchlover and Witchdoctor (who also drums here) often impart a melancholy on par with Wishbone Ash’s Argus or Thin Lizzy’s Black Rose, while frontman/bassist Witchhunter sings his heart out in his native tongue, which only heightens the heart-on-sleeve pathos across Månsken. And just like its full-length predecessor, the eight-song Månsken is an extremely swift & satisfying spin at 33 minutes.

All those denim-clad diehards and cloak-wrapped warlocks into early (and moody) hard rock AND cult NWOBHM, you are hereby commanded to witness the rebirth of Witch Blade with Månsken!

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Witch Blade (Sweden)’s Månsken
1. Skuggornas Herre [5:02]
2. Månsken [3:32]
3. Vittrorna Kommer [4:09]
4. Hellvetika [4:51]
5. Vidundrets Kall [4:29]
6. Ritual [2:49]
7. Häxjägarna [3:04]
8. Slavarnas Hämnd [4:19]

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/witchbladeband

www.dying-victims.de 

DEAD VOID set release date for ME SACO UN OJO / DARK DESCENT debut, reveal first track

Today, Me Saco Un Ojo Records and Dark Descent Records announce September 15th as the international release date for Dead Void‘s highly anticipated debut album, Volatile Forms, on vinyl LP and CD formats, respectively.

After some silence since their magnificent demo, Dead Void return from the depths to bestow a crushing debut LP upon us. Drawing in on doomy yet certainly not-meek atmospherics, the sheer monstrous tone of which will pin you to the wall, it is clear this is something unwieldy. Murmuring bass seeps through buzzing guitars in a manner that sounds profoundly unwelcoming, while the daunting vocals and crashing drums give no alleviation from the bludgeoning force. While the hostile and claustrophobic sounds of the record cannot be ignored, equally impactful are the grooves which hit like a hammer of pure malice when carefully spliced with the caverns of eerily contorting death metal. When the pounding drums break through the guitars, they have a real hard tone, while the seeping filth of the strings is not overshadowed. Clearly, the three demos and spacing between have allowed the band to develop into the best version of themselves, as on this debut album, we hear a refined-but-unpolished and inhospitable cut of truly awesome music take form.

Moving forth, the hooks, the grooves, and the expanses of doom and desolation all conjure something inescapable and dread-tinged while the malignant hammering of pure old-school violence is not lost or forgotten, as warped riffs and blastbeats meet gutturally spewed vocals and occasional lead oddities. Contrasting often-nuanced moments with an assault of bestial ferocity, there is no predictability or obvious pattern – rather, a chaotic and honest approach to all of the songs. These tracks move in a lumbering fashion with organically composed structures while not feeling formulaic or running in circles with the same idea. Dead Void fantastically curate their most vile elements into a cohesive and ultimately expansive experience that takes the promise shown on the demos to unfathomable new heights. This is not simple or easily pigeonholed death metal to follow a tiny niche; this is barbarity, extremity, and atmospherics in death metal contorted to a whole new template of their own, which isn’t followed easily, but this defining debut album certainly makes the vision clear, for those who seek it in the murk. 


Mark the day, for it shall be your last, when you hear Dead Void‘s definitively obliterating debut album. Additionally, catch their album launch show at Loppen in Copenhagen on August 26th. (text by Jørgen Sven Kirby, Nattskog webzine)   

In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “Perpetually Circling the Void”  here:

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Dead Void’s Volatile Forms
1. Atrophy [9:41]
2. The Entrails of Chaos [6:16]
3. Sadistic Mind [8:03]
4. The Reptilian Drive [9:00]
5. Perpetually Circling the Void [11:01]

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/thedeadvoid

www.mesacounojo.com
www.mesacounojo.bandcamp.com

www.darkdescentrecords.com
www.darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com

Belgium’s BONES set release date for long-awaited INVICTUS debut album, reveal first track

Today, Invictus Productions announces September 9h as the international release date for the highly anticipated debut album of Belgium’s Bones, Sombre Opulence.

Bones arose from the wastelands of Belgium in 2011, united by a common passion for real-sounding death metal: performed with authenticity and devotion, infused with the sorceries of the ancients. A primitive demo was recorded, released, and re-pressed several times. This was followed by two EPs: the Awaiting Rebirth 10″ from 2014 and the Gate of Night 12″ from 2020, both released through Blood Harvest Records. The interim was spent laying waste to stages across Europe, and the patient forging of the debut album. Now, this work has been completed, and the time has come for Bones to emerge with Sombre Opulence.
 
As deadly of a debut album as it comes, Sombre Opulence is a manifestation of total death metal dedication. Across nine cursed tracks, Bones evoke the ancient forces that lie at the core of true death metal, conjuring visions of primordial violence and sorcery. One can feel a broad range of influences, with a clear affinity for the darker acts that emerged at the genre’s dawn. From fast and ferocious to slow and sinister, their assault is both varied and cohesive, placing importance on organic production and morbid atmosphere, all delivered without mercy.
 
Above all, Sombre Opulence is the sound of triumphant slaughter, obscure magical ritual, and spiritual despair in the face of eternity. It is the slow crumbling of monuments across aeons, the stirring of primordial waters, and the howling of distant jackal gods. Be beckoned to this altar of death, from which flows the blood of crushed enemies…there stands Bones, ready to conquer all. 

Prepare to be conquered with the brand-new track “Twilight Divination”  here:

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Bones (Belgium)’s Sombre Opulence
1. Execration Rites
2. Funerary Magic
3. Twilight Divination
4. Deserts of Eternity
5. Withering
6. Primordial Idolatry
7. Composite Deities
8. Great Altars of Ascension
9. Formulas of Condemnation

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/pages/Bones-Death-Metal/148871445266066

www.invictusproductions.net

BUNKER 66 and Germany’s LUCIFUGE to release new split mini-album via DYING VICTIMS, reveal first track

Bunker 66 band

On October 21st internationally, Dying Victims Productions will release Of Night and Lust, a special split mini-album between Bunker 66 and Germany’s Lucifuge, on CD and 12” vinyl formats.  Hear Lucifuge‘s “Of Night and Lust” in its entirety here:

Lucifuge band

Both Bunker 66 and Lucifuge should be familiar names to those versed in the dark deeds of Dying Victims: Just earlier this year, Bunker 66 released through the label a split 7” with fellow Italian filth-bangers Hellcrash, as well as their long-awaited (and rightly celebrated) fourth album, Beyond the Help of Prayers, earlier in 2021; for their part, Lucifuge released their equally celebrated fourth album, Infernal Power, through Dying Victims during the spring of 2021. Here on Of Night and Lust, both bands each deliver three exclusive songs, making for 24 minutes of ancient speed metal sleaze and metalpunk ghoulishness

Bunker 66 are up first and show no signs of slowing down, especially so after 15 years as a band now. “Mellhammer” and “Sulphurous Lust” are exemplary displays of their greasy speed-metal surge, and yet subtly exude an eerie aspect that perhaps point the way forward for future recordings. Capping their entry is a faithful cover of Motörhead’s “Doctor Rock,” which both underlines Bunker 66’s roots as well as reverently paying respect to the fallen gods of Lemmy and Würzel. Lucifuge follow with an even-more-blackened iteration of their etched-in-stone metalpunk across the tracks “The Great Unseen” and “In Blood and Dust.” They conclude with a surprising-yet-storming anthem fittingly titled “Warriors of the Night.” While many metal anthems have been attempted under such a title, you’ve truly never heard one as invigorating as this – nor Lucifuge so bright and brassy!

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Of Night and Lust
1. Bunker 66 – Mellhammer [3:31]
2. Bunker 66 – Sulphurous Lust [3:39]
3. Bunker 66 – Doctor Rock [Motörhead cover] [3:47]
4. Lucifuge – The Great Unseen [2:56]
5. Lucifuge – In Blood And Dust [5:13]
6. Lucifuge – Warriors Of The Night [4:03]

www.facebook.com/bunker66

www.facebook.com/lucifugeblackmetal

www.dying-victims.de 

BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE announce European tour dates

UK trio BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE have recently announced new European tour dates for September 2022. The band will be traveling throughout the Netherlands and Germany, including a performance at the prestigious Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg! A full list of confirmed dates can be found below.

BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE
20 Sep 22 Rotterdam (NL) V11
21 Sep 22 DE (TBA) Cassiopeia
22 Sep 22 Munich (DE) Kranhalle
23 Sep 22 Koln (DE) MTC
24 Sep 22 Hamburg (DE) Reeperbahn
25 Sep 22 Leipzig (DE) Naumanns
  Season of Mist previously announced the signing of BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE. The new album will be released via Season of Mist in 2023.

The band comments: “We’re super excited about our new partnership with Season of Mist! Michael and his dedicated team share our passion for incredible heavy music and have an inspiring vision about where we can take the band. We can’t wait for the next chapter of Black Orchid Empire to unfold.“

For a glimpse of things to come, check out BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE on Spotify HERE

BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE create huge, memorable rock music that combines heavy-hitting savagery with intense melodic beauty. Their technical, fearlessly complex grooves and gigantic sing-along choruses have already earned them a widespread fanbase. 

A ferociously tight live band, BLACK ORCHID EMPIRE have toured Europe and the UK extensively, supporting Skunk Anansie, HED p.e, INME and Black Map as well as festival slots at Download, Standon Calling and Planet Rockstock. Black Orchid Empire have sealed the bands reputation as a force to be reckoned with.

Having released their debut album ‘Archetype’ (2016) to universal acclaim, Black Orchid Empire signed with German label Long Branch Records to release the follow up albums ‘Yugen’ (2018) and ‘Semaphore’ (2020). Both albums received stellar reviews and over 1,000,000+ combined streams.

The band are now looking ahead to the future with their next album, which will be released by Season of Mist, that sees them continue to push the musical envelope.

Line up:
Paul Visser: Vocals / Guitar
Dave Ferguson: Bass / Vocals
Billy Freedom: Drums

Band picture credit: Omar Ahmed

Links:
www.blackorchidempire.com
www.fb.com/blackorchidempire
www.instagram.com/blackorchidempire
www.tiktok.com/@blackorchidempire
www.youtube.com/blackorchidempire
www.open.spotify.com/artist/4TrfxRxjCvOFprX1W2V8k1?si=NOgPoSmSRAiHkvwsWcFHgA


Abysmal Dawn supports Atheist On Massive European Tour

The time has finally come! Los Angeles death metal titans ABYSMAL DAWN will spread their death metal brutality on European soils September 2022.

The ‘Enthralled In Europe’ tour isn’t for the meek! ABYLSMA DAWN will be supporting death/thrash legends ATHEIST and SUICIDAL ANGELS during 25 gigs in 15 different countries, hitting countries like Hungary, Switzerland, Denmark and many more. The tour starts on the 6th of September and meets it’s end on 2nd of October 2022. 

ABYSMAL DAWN comments: “So what can we say? This will be our second time touring in Europe, and the last time we played there was in 2015 with Death To All and Loudblast. Have we been long overdue to come back? Hell yes we are! To say we’re just ‘excited’ to return to your fine continent again with some killer bands, would be a huge understatement. So friends and metal brethren, come out and bang your fucking heads! Let’s make this a tour to remember.”

The full list of confirmed shows can be found below. 

ABYSMAL DAWN
(+Atheist +Suicidal Angels)

01 Sep 22 Kosice (SK) Collosseum
02 Sep 22 Ostrava (CZ) Barrack Club
06 Sep 22 Budapest (HU) Barba Negra
07 Sep 22 Novi Sad (RS) Fabrika
08 Sep 22 Sofia (BG) Mixtape 5
09 Sep 22 Bucharest (RO) Maximum Rock Fest 
10 Sep 22 Cluj Napoca (RO) Flying Circus
11 Sep 22 Vienna (AT) Viper Room
13 Sep 22 Martigny (CH) Sunset Club
14 Sep 22 Milan (IT) Slaughter Club
15 Sep 22 Rome (IT) Traffic Club
18 Sep 22 Weinheim (DE) Café Centra
19 Sep 22 Paris (FR) Glazart
20 Sep 22 Vorselaar (BE) De Dreef
21 Sep 22 Essen (DE) Turock
22 Sep 22 Apeldoorn (NL) Gigant
23 Sep 22 Geleen (NL) Café De Meister

24 Sep 22 Berlin (DE) ORWO Haus
25 Sep 22 Osnabruek (DE) Bastard Club
26 Sep 22 Hamburg (DE) Headcrash
27 Sep 22 Copenhagen (DK) Stengade
28 Sep 22 Cottbus (DE) Gladhouse
29 Sep 22 Warsaw (PL) Proxima
30 Sep 22 Katowice (PL) P23
01 Oct 22 Kosice (SVK) Collosseum
02 Oct 22 Ostrava (CZE) Barrack Club

Abysmal Dawn will play in support of their latest EP ‘Nightmare Frontier’, which is available to order at the Season of Mist E-Shop, Abysmal Dawn Bandcamp, and Abysmal Dawn Store. The single and EP can be streamed via your favorite streaming services HERE.

The artwork for ‘Nightmare Frontier,’ which was created by Par Olofson, can be found below along with the tracklist

Tracklist:
01. A Nightmare Slain (4:43) [WATCH]
02. Blacken The Sky (4:15) [WATCH]
03. Behind Space (3:37)
04. Bewitched (6:43)
Total running time: 00:19:20

For more info on ABYSMAL DAWN regarding bio, releases and many more you can find on our WEBSITE or the PRESSKIT.

Lineup:
Charles Elliott: guitars, vocals
Eliseo Garcia: bass, additional vocals
James Coppolino: drums
Vito Petroni: guitars

Guest Musicians: Orchestral arrangement on “Behind Space” by Craig Peters (Destroying the Devoid, Deeds of Flesh)

Recording Studio:
Tastemaker Audio, Los Angeles, CA (USA) – everything excl. drums
Trench Studios, California (USA) – drums

Shop:https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/AbysmalNightmare

For more on ABYSMAL DAWN, visit their official FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and BANDCAMP.