Alex Bruder Des Lichts

SACROCURSE reveal first track from new SHADOW EP

Today, Mexican black/death cult Sacrocurse reveal the new track “Herethical Catharsis.” The track is the first to be revealed from the band’s forthcoming new EP,  Supreme Terror, set for international release on January 20th, 2021 via Shadow Records (distributed & marketed by Regain Records). Hear Sacrocurse‘s “Herethical Catharsis” in its entirety here:

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!

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

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/sacrocurse

Throane new EP “Une balle dans le pied” reviewed

I just got done listening to the new ep by French Black Metal act “Throane” released digitally, on cd and as 7″ this one 13 minute track is a masterpiece of emotion.

I have often said that different countries bring their own flavor (or slant) to Black Metal and where as the French were hard pressed to produce more than a handful of world class Death metal bands they have produced no enf of World Class BM acts (Alcest, Nocturnal Depression, Mutiltaion, Deathespell Omega etc) that never fail to blow you away, not sure why that is but who cares – I for one ain’t complaining!

This ep is more of a roller coaster of emotions or an aural nightmare masterpiece than a traditional verse chorus chorus structure. Even though Throane’s roots are firmly in black metal there is enough here for industrial music fans to also get excited about.

The Ep image btw is Throane main man’s Dehn Sora’s sister who is a nurse. Says Dehn “Working as a nurse in different services, her daily routine makes her face death, addicted personalities, terminally ill people. Walking through their homes, their souls. Walking on broken glass. But forced to get rid of it, at the end of every day. To stand still. And keep walking.”

“Une balle dans le pied“ was written, performed and recorded by Dehn Sora at the end of 2019. Julien T. who also plays the drums in live settings is responsible for recording the drums together with Francis Caste (KICKBACK, ARKHON INFAUSTUS, …) at the Studio Sainte-Marthe. Production and mixing were done by Tim De Gieter (AMENRA, …) at MuchLuv Studio, while famous Magnus Lindberg (CULT OF LUNA) took care of the mastering in Sweden.

Une balle dans le pied“ is available to order via the label’s EU shop, Bandcamp and US shop

Bestial Chilean cult Indoctrinate stream the entirety of their highly anticipated debut album

Today, bestial Chilean cult Indoctrinate stream the entirety of their highly anticipated debut album, Antilogos: Arcane Transmutation in the Temple of Flesh. Set for international release on September 25th via Unholy Prophecies, hear Indoctrinate’s Antilogos: Arcane Transmutation in the Temple of Flesh in its entirety here:

While it would seem that Chile’s Indoctrinate is a brand-new entity, having no prior public recordings, this power-trio actually rose from the ashes of Sadistik Goathammer, who were founded in 2006 by vocalist/bassist H.O.E.V, the sole original member now active in Indoctrinate. The intention with Sadistik Goathammer was not to innovate, but rather to go back to the primitive, bestial sounds of such bands as Sarcofago, Mystifier, Abhorer, Parabellum, Blasphemy, and Conqueror among others. After years of war and lineup changes, Sadistik Goathammer released some demos and splits – among them, 2008’s Goatical Nuclear Order is still considered a very relevant work in the so-called war metal scene, giving the band a renowned reputation in the underground. They opened for legendary bands like Impurity in 2014 and Profanatica in 2017, while the members were also active with other projects in the shadows, like Henosis and Interitvm.

Finally, in 2019, and after recording the same material three times over, resulting in years of delay for the band, Indoctrinate’s debut recording session was completed. Bearing the title Antilogos: Arcane Transmutation in the Temple of Flesh, this first work resulted in an eight-song/29-minute album that’s utterly gnarly ‘n’ gnashing in its intensity – indeed, bearing some bestial primitivism of the preceding Sadistik Goathammer – but imbued with a more ominous ‘n’ occultic aspect. That name change was significant, as the three members of Indoctrinate have grown and deepened in the intervening years, and now endeavor to unleash an equally savage yet more sophisticated style of ravenous black/death metal. And likewise, a title like Antilogos: Arcane Transmutation in the Temple of Flesh portends a lyricism rife with otherworldly horror and supernatural questing: a transcendence from a primitive state to an elevated one, all coursing through unremitting ugliness that’s quintessential Chilean.

Sadistik Goathammer is dead. Long live Indoctrinate, and herald their arrival with Antilogos: Arcane Transmutation in the Temple of Flesh!

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Indoctrinate’s Antilogos: Arcane Transmutation in the Temple of Flesh
1. N.A.G.I.T.H.A.
2. Arcane Ectasis
3. Barbaric Asencion
4. Sacred Brew of Perdition
5. Forbidden Rites of Fertility
6. Savagery
7. Antediluvian experiencia (Celebrate in Profane Exaltation)
8. Phalocentric Goatidolatry

INDOCTRINATE lineup
H.O.E.V.: vocals/bass (Interitvm, ex-Henosis, ex-Hellbutcher)
Grunenwald: guitars (Henosis)
C.R.: drums (Cannon Fodder, Qebeth)

www.unholyprophecies.com
www.facebook.com/unholyprophecies666

Evil-metal vanguard Blackevil premiere the new track “Lucifer’s Supremacy”

Today, evil-metal vanguard Blackevil premiere the new track “Lucifer’s Supremacy”. The track is the second to be revealed from the band’s highly anticipated second album, Forever Baptised in Eternal Fire, set for international release on September 25th via Dying Victims Productions.
Hear Blackevil‘s “Lucifer’s Supremacy” in its entirety exclusively here:
Hailing from Bavaria, Blackevil have been forging fire since 2013. Their first demo, appropriately titled Hail the Cult, emerged from the darkness in 2015, auspiciously revealing a razor-sharp and endlessly salacious style of blackthrash. Come Blackevil‘s debut album, 2017’s The Ceremonial Fire, the power-trio up-ratcheted everything: more speed, more hooks, more black, more evil, more of MORE! Diehards took notice, thankfully, and the band furthered the momentum the next year with a split LP with Italy’s esteemed Witchunter. Still, the best was yet to come…
 
At last, Blackevil‘s breakout moment arrives with their long-awaited second album, Forever Baptised in Eternal Fire. Of course, ones for astute titles, Blackevil nevertheless lay it all on the line with Forever Baptised in Eternal Fire, bringing together their not-inconsiderable past with an envious present and doubtlessly damned future! Naturally, they’d never betray their roots – whether it’s the German thrash Big Three of Sodom, Kreator, and Destruction or evil speed metal legends like Razor, Evil Angel, OZ, and Exciter, and plenty of other classic points in between – but the way the trio assimilate them into something that’s so uniquely their own and yet so uniquely and purely HEAVY METAL, we can only guess there’s some black magick at play. Put another way, Forever Baptised in Eternal Fire is fucking EPIC from beginning to end, but it never sounds like it’s straining to sound “epic.” Likewise, one could charitably qualify Blackevil here as transcending blackthrash altogether, so creative is this idiosyncratic iteration of the idiom…but even then, that’s selling both band and record short.
 
All we can say is simply step into this eternal fire, feel the witching-metal leads course through your veins, the throttling yet tastefully nuanced drums guide your quest, and allow bassist Abyss’ commanding and increasingly charismatic vocals to lead the charge; try to resist ALL THAT, and try remaining metal to the bone. Won’t work! Suitably for such a classic-in-the-making, Forever Baptised in Eternal Fire is baptized with (un)godly cover art by the masterful Paolo Girardi. Make no mistake: Blackevil have ARRIVED!
 
Begin heralding that arrival with the previously revealed “Black Fire Tornado” exclusively HERE, courtesy of Deaf Forever magazine. 
Aforementioned cover art and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Blackevil’s Forever Baptised in Eternal Fire
1. Come Forth [0:59]
2. Satan’s Crown [4:15]
3. The Disciple [4:24]
4. Black Fire Tornado [3:57]
5. Forever Baptised In Eternal Flames [8:20]
6. Lucifer’s Supremacy [6:08]
7. The Final Book [4:58]
8. Pestkarren [3:54]
9. 1943 [8:59]
MORE INFO:
www.blackevil.net
www.dying-victims.de 
www.facebook.com/dyingvictimsproductions 

Finland’s FRONT reveal first video for new IRON BONEHEAD mini-album

Today, Finnish war-machine Front reveal the new video “Venom & Salt.” The track hails from the band’s highly acclaimed new mini-album, Antichrist Militia, released June 5th via Iron Bonehead Productions. See & hear Front‘s “Venom & Salt” video in its entirety here:
Guitarist/songwriter Von Bastard states: “As we made the Antichrist Militia record by ourselves all the way – produced, engineered, recorded, mixed – we wanted to try if we could pull out a video also. We didn’t want to do another mindless and easy lyric video with few still images looping around mindlessly like the trend is today. We wanted to do the video in an old-school way, and I think we captured that spirit. The video was made with zero budget, DIY all the way. It really is an honest attempt, despite its warts and all. It was clear to us that the place where to shoot the video should be in the very same place where the record was created.”

“This song is an all-out attack on sheep mentality spread by Abrahamic religions. Their ignorance shall be reduced to ashes and scattered into the scorched ground with all the venom and salt!” vocalist/lyricist Kaosbringer rasps out.  

Listen to Antichrist Militia in its entirety HERE at Front‘s Bandcamp. CD and 12″ vinyl versions of Antichrist Militia are out now on Iron Bonehead. Tape versions coming later this summer/autumn via Von Wolfsblood and Funeral Hymns (exclusively in North America) and Davao Hellbangers (exclusively in Asia). Official T-shirts for a limited time only and exclusively from Saturnal Records HERE.

Cover art, courtesy of Jenglot Hitam, as well as tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Front (Finland)’s Antichrist Militia
1. Doom Cult Legion
2. Antichrist Militia
3. Iron Front
4. Venom & Salt
5. Mouths of War
6. Machinegun Blasphemy
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/legionfront
www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions

Canada’s PANZERFAUST set release date for new EISENWALD album, reveal first track

Today, Eisenwald sets August 28th as the North American release date for Panzerfaust‘s The Suns of Perdition II: Render Unto Eden – the highly anticipated second installment of a four-part album series – on digipack CD and vinyl LP formats.

For the better part of 15 years, Canada’s Panzerfaust have been steadily crafting some of the finest, most thought-provoking black metal. With their The Winds Will Lead Us… debut album in 2006 onward, their obsidian flower forever kept blossoming, culminating in 2013’s pivotal Jevohah-Jireh: The Divine Anti-logos, which signaled a significant (and fortuitous) shift in the band’s aesthetic. In 2016, Panzerfaust released The Lucifer Principle EP, pushing their adventurous spirit yet further, perhaps most forecasted by the closing Johnny Cash cover.

However, it was 2019’s The Suns of Perdition – Chapter I: War, Horrid War where Panzerfaust truly had their watershed moment. Released to widespread acclaim by Eisenwald, this staggering work brimmed with daring and dynamics – a kaleidoscopic fury, if you will – that vivaciously and viciously displayed a band hitting their creative peak. The album was the first chapter of the band’s tetralogy examining the malign episodes of this past century, shining a light on difficult subject matter using a begrimed philosophical lens. The resulting synthesis is what George Orwell once described as [a vision of the future] “a boot stamping on a human face forever.”

Alas, Panzerfaust waste no time in delivering the next chapter of that tetralogy – and equally keep a fever pitch to that creative peak – with the much-anticipated The Suns of Perdition II: Render Unto Eden. Recorded at BWC Studios with Greg Dawson and with mastering by Sergei Lazar at CDM Records, Render Unto Eden is an altogether more somber record: here do Panzerfaust more fully work with light and shade, their darkness displaying far more hues than previously deemed imaginable. Whereas the five-song first chapter was taut ‘n’ terrorizing, The Suns of Perdition II likewise features five songs but in a more expansive 44-minute runtime. As such, massive vistas of molten melancholy unfold, the inexorable push-and-pull patient but persistent; layers upon layers of understanding are packed into each of these scintillating minutes. The violence is more carefully doled out, in kind, and the sum effect is nothing short of hypnotic, particularly the track “Promethean Fire,” which features guest vocals from Maria Arkhipova of Russia’s Arkona. The Suns of Perdition II: Render Unto Eden echoes within the mind and spirit long after the record’s over…

A new dawn looms, retaining the brilliance of yesteryear’s horizon. Ominous and omnipotent, here rises Panzerfaust‘s The Suns of Perdition II: Render Unto Eden.

In the meantime, hear the aforementioned brand-new track “The Faustian Pact” here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Panzerfaust (Canada)’s The Suns of Perdition II: Render Unto Eden
1. Promethean Fire [10:22]
2. The Faustian Pact [8:10]
3. Areopagitic [7:34]
4. The Snare of the Fowler [9:54]
5. Pascal’s Wager [8:00]
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/PANZERFAUST.BM.OFFICIAL
www.eisenton.de
www.facebook.com/eisenwaldofficial
www.youtube.com/eisenwaldofficial
www.twitter.com/EisenwaldHammer
www.soundcloud.com/eisenwald
www.instagram.com/eisenwald.official
www.open.spotify.com/user/eisenwald_official

Italian death metal cult Valgrind premiere new track “The Day”

Today, Italian death metal cult Valgrind premiere the new track “The Day” here:
The track hails from the band’s highly anticipated fourth album, Condemnation, set for international release on July 27th via Memento Mori.

Valgrind was born from the ashes of the ultra-underground act Necrospell in 1993, as a death/black metal project with both extreme and melodic influences. Over the following years, the band released four demos and developed its own style, combining the main influences (Morbid Angel, Pestilence, Death, Nocturnus, Possessed, Monstrosity, Immolation) with a passion for the epically dark atmospheres of bands like Candlemass and early Paradise Lost.

Disbanded in 2003, the strong will to return on stage of both founding member / main songwriter Massimiliano Elia and vocalist Daniele Lupidi (also frontman of Hateful) made Valgrind‘s return possible in 2008. With the addition of new motivated members, the band released their debut full-length, Morning Will Come No More, in 2012. The album contained almost one hour of classic death metal filled with killer solos, memorable riffs and obscure vocals. Following the release, a series of shows were held in Italy, Germany, Holland, and Sweden. In 2016, the band delivered their sophomore full-length, Speech of the Flame, via Lord of the Flies Records. The music strayed away from some of the early influences to become more personal, while the lyrical concept dealt with the darkest sides of the ancient Mediterranean civilizations. An EP called Seal of Phobos followed in 2017, and only one year later, Valgrind delivered their third full-length, their most ambitious work to date, on Everlasting Spew Records. Blackest Horizon saw an increasing level of technicality in the guitar department, while retaining the old-school vibe of the previous works. Vocals became less guttural and more aggressive, while a more organic production gave the listener a wider musical spectrum to dive into. Again, the public was introduced to the new songs in some memorable shows, including Helsinki Deathfest in 2018.

Entering the studio again in mid-2019, Valgrind have now arguably delivered their masterwork: Condemnation. Undeniably and 1000% DEATH FUCKING METAL to the core, there’s an intangible “something,” a never-belabored uniqueness, that now sets these Italians apart from so much stock-standard death metal. For sure, their roots lay in the genre’s old school still, but the bits & pieces they pull and recombine are unexpected but most definitely welcome; no particular scene or substyle or specific year is selected, just the focus on strong songwriting and impassioned performance. Likewise, the lyricism doesn’t betray death metal’s rigorous boundaries – here, it’s the myths of legendary creatures and beasts in various ancient cultures – but Valgrind bring an artful touch to fantastical horror, all of it rolling out of bassist Lupidi’s lugubrious throat with commanding clarity. To that, the power-trio’s clarity of execution is also a thing of (ugly) beauty, firing off one flowing, furious part after another with seamless construction and solos that are the absolute definition of class. In fact, calling Condemnation “classy death metal” would not be much of a stretch: the songwriting itself is that poignant and powerful, and the production – mixed by Cristiano Copat at KK Recording Studio, and mastered by Damian Herring at Subterranean Watchtower Studios – is perfectly matched, skillfully balancing that clarity with crush.

Giving this special album an ever-more-distinctive touch is the cover art courtesy of Lupidi himself, hereby making Condemnation truly Valgrind‘s triumph of death!

Begin marching with the previously revealed “Entangled in a World Below” HERE at Memento Mori‘s official YouTube channel. Aforementioned cover art and tracklisting are as follows:
1. Intro
2. The Curse of Pegasus Spawn
3. Entangled in a World Below
4. Condemnation
5. Eater of Hearts
6. The Day
7. Furies
8. Storm Birds Descent
9. Divination – Marked by the Unknown
10. Goddess of the Salt Sea  
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/valgrindband
www.valgrindband.bandcamp.com
www.memento-mori.es
www.facebook.com/memento.mori.label

BLOOD STRONGHOLD set release date for new NEBULAR CARCOMA album, reveal first track

Today, Nebular Carcoma, in conspiracy with Satanik Requiem, announces July 2nd as the international release date for Blood Stronghold‘s highly anticipated third album, Spectres of Bloodshed, on vinyl LP format.

For the past six years, Blood Stronghold have prolifically pursued their vision of black metal, strongly (and bloodily) rooted in the classic ’90s Polish tradition. A pan-international duo, it’s no surprise that these visions are so stout and solidified: on vocals, guitar, and bass is Nightwolf, who concurrently maintains the esteemed Runespell as well as the much-missed Eternum; and exceedingly busy drummer Krew, who’s played with countless bands but most prominently with Necrostrigis, Ravenmoon Sanctuary, Ordo Sanguinis Noctis, and Starlit Woods. Together as Blood Stronghold, these two scene veterans have created a vast landscape of pure ‘n’ proud Polish-style majesty that mesmerizingly transcends its hardly-disguised foundation.

But, to simply say that Blood Stronghold “only” create vintage Polish black metal is to severly undercut their not-inconsiderable artistry. Witness their latest full-length, Spectres of Bloodshed. With Krew’s drums of war raising the banners before the listener’s very ears, Blood Stronghold waste no time in establishing a grim-yet-splendorous atmosphere, whisking the listener away to forgotten realms and arcane ages. The riffing, in particular – undoubtedly austere, yet strangely inviting in its somber melodicism – opens those portals of the imagination with utterly masterful ease, a veritable symphony of windswept abandon and tragic grandeur that’s seemingly infinite in their resounding textures. Nightwolf’s commanding throat, of course, conveys these tales with hackle-raising authenticity, verily imagining oneself before “Unbowed Wolves” or the “Blood Dawn,” or what horrors arise “From the Depths of Veles Sea.” And Krew’s drumming, as always, is without peer here, guiding every pulse with poignancy and very real humanity; his reliance on tribal rhythms makes Blood Stronghold‘s black metal ever more unique whilst firmly rooted in that richest tradition mentioned earlier.

All too aptly titled, Spectres of Bloodshed is an ominous reflection of an all-too-ancient past. Thankfully, Blood Stronghold remain resolute and continue sharpening their swords, unconcerned with the rabble passing for nowadays “black metal.” Follow their voice of blood, or fall before those swords!

Stand before the first sword with the brand-new track “Crowned Virtue” 
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Blood Stronghold’s Spectres of Bloodshed 1. Edict of Conflict
2. Unbowed Wolves
3. From the Depths of Veles Sea
4. Blood Dawn
5. Forests Dark Eyes
6. Crowned Virtue
7. Sunder
www.nebularcarcoma.com
www.lunarapparitions.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/nebularcarcoma 
www.soundcloud.com/nebularcarcoma 

Poland’s CLAIRVOYANCE to release debut demo through CALIGARI – streaming now

Today, Caligari Records sets June 26th as the international release date for the debut demo of Poland’s Clairvoyance on cassette tape format.

Hailing from Warsaw City, Clairvoyance was formed in late 2019 by guitarist Denis Didenko and vocalist Maciej Cesarczyk. Soon after that, bassist Jasiek Kraciuk and drummer Adrian Szczepanski had joined the band. Members of the band have had a bit of experience in other genres in several bands in Poland and Ukraine, but nothing related to death metal.

That said, the main idea behind Clairvoyance was to embody their passion for ’90s extreme metal – predominantly death metal, as one might guess – and maybe spark some interest in OSDM in the local underground scene. As far as influences go, it’s for them to name specific bands. For some, it’s mostly Finnish death metal from the ’90s; for others, it’s 80s thrash metal, punk rock, death/doom, or even Type O Negative. Needless to say, all these influences are loved deeply by the quartet.

Lyric-wise, Clairvoyance prefer to leave an air of mystery and won’t be publishing anything online anytime soon. Like the best death metal over its many decades as a genre, they treat vocals as a separate instrument to complement Clairvoyance‘s overall sound, which is dark and disgusting but very lucidly played; as such, there’s an element of freshness due to the demo’s not-easily-pigeonholed style. But ultimately, they’re not trying to say anything through their lyrics, as their main purpose is to allow Cesarczyk to reflect some dark corners of his soul, which is not always possible in day-to-day life.

In a mere 11 minutes, Clairvoyance‘s three-song debut demo gets in, gets out, and grinds the listener into the dirt. An auspicious start, to say the very least!

Hear all of it for yourself by streaming it in full here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Clairvoyance (Poland)’s Demo
1. Pointless Rebirth
2. Broken Shackles
3. Abyss


MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/clairvoyancedeathmetal
www.caligarirecords.com
www.facebook.com/caligarirecords
www.caligarirecords.bandcamp.com 

Turkish Black metal band Seed of Cain release debut EP

We were saying yesterday that one of the good things about all this virus/lock down madness we are facing right now , gives us way more time to discover new bands.

Today I wanna tell you about a new black metal out of Turkey – Seed of Cain. Formed in 2019 by the bands Guitarist and Bassist Ozan, the band really started to gather momentum when Doga joined. Things really picked up pace when vocalist Sazakan best known from some of Ankara’s underground bands (OholYeg, Narken and Cosmic Funeral).

They just dropped their debut ep – check it out on their bandcamp :

Expect a full length album and live shows to follow soon!

Go follow them on Instagram here