Spending time on Instagram is not always a massive time suck – sometimes you make new friends and discover up and coming bands that you would not have heard of if you didn’t connect to people via your insta page
LA based Black metal band Blood Sanctum are one of those great undiscovered gems I have had the fortune of hearing by hanging out on Insta. If you love black metal bands that have that old school war metal sound (Archgoat, Blasphemy etc) then you’re going to love Blood Sanctum
The guys plan to drop a new EP may 2nd – in the mean time go check out the previously released track “Ritual Bloodskull” here:
Go give them a follow at their instagram page : here
From Finland comes a brand-new alliance who creates their musical black art under the name of Bythos! Bythos has made a pact with the infamous Terratur Possessions and will bring forth their debut album bearing the title The Womb of Zero, to be released internationally tomorrow, on April 24th. Hear Bythos‘ The Womb of Zero in its entirety here:
Musically, Bythos combines cold melodies and versatile riffs, creating rich and numinous landscapes which encounters powerful and vicious liturgies. The music supports the lyrical theme of the songs well, and the moods range from oppressive despair to ecstatic praise of the dark gods. The theme of the album is an interdimensional view of the underworld and its deities, emphasizing strongly on the spiritual evolution to liberate the imprisoned powers, and make one with the outer darkness.
The resetting of the divine plans through destruction and rise above limitations of life. Beauty in destruction, destruction in beauty. A sonic interpretation of what once was and our constant path of devolution towards the Luciferian dawn.
Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover art, courtesy of Kristiina Lehto, and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Bythos’ The Womb of Zero 1. Black Labyrinth 2. When Gold Turns into Lead 3. Sorath the Opposer 4. Omega Dragon 5. Call of the Burning Blood 6. Hymn to Lucifer 7. Legacy of Naahmah 8. Destroyer of Illusions 9. Luciferian Dawn
In case you’ve been asleep at the wheel the last 2 years Hulder has been on a mission to take the metal underground by storm, over the span of a mix of DIY releases and a full length on Iron Bonehead Productions she’s succeeding. We caught up with her this week to find out what she is all about – read on!
So are you from Belgium and moved to the USA right? What’s the story here? I was born in Duffel, and spent the majority of my formative years in Mechelen, Belgium. I moved to the USA a little over ten years ago. After spending time all over California I relocated to Oregon and have been enjoying the many splendors of its mountain ranges and vast forests.
If from Belgium now living here what bought you here? the music scene? family? The move was purely circumstantial. Not a decision I would have made at that time, but seeing as I was quite young, I did not have a say in the matter. That being said, I am quite pleased with where I have nested for the time being.
What has been the biggest cultural difference living in the USA vs Europe? Besides many political differences I do not care to discuss.. I would have to say the unnecessary abundance of everything. I’m fairly certain the bigger and better mentality is not something I will ever get used to. There is also a lack of ritual through home cooking, and time spent at a table as opposed to in front of electronics. These examples may have struck me as stark differences due to the fact I grew up in rural farm surroundings.
The fact that it is dreary most of the year
What are your favorite things about living in Oregon? It’s dense woods and grey coast. The fact that it is dreary most of the year, and there are plenty of shady hideaways along glacier runoff on the off-day when it gets too warm. The city is currently very accessible if the urge strikes, but I plan to make my return to more rural settings when the time is right.
My passion only grows.
How did you get into Black metal? What was your “gateway” band so to speak? I was introduced to bands like Satyricon, Summoning, Darkthrone, Burzum, Moonsorrow, and Dissection in my early teenage years. Someone quite a few years my senior left me with some cassettes and an old CD binder, enough study material for a few years at least. It was my first passion, and I knew fairly shortly thereafter it would stick with me forever. I eventually worked my way backwards to a lot of first wave bands and other extreme metal. My passion only grows.
Were you playing any instruments before you got into Black metal? I have been playing guitar since I was 10. I played in multiple punk bands in my youth, and always had solo projects simultaneously, though never made public.
How did your deal with iron Bonehead come about? Are you happy with the promotion they have done so far? IBP reached out to me shortly after the first run of the “Embraced..” EP was out. So far I am very pleased with our collaboration, and look forward to what the future holds.
I am only concerned with furthering the consciousness of the self.
If I am not mistaken Hulder is the name of mother of Odin – are you an Odinist at all? If not what faith do you practice/follow? I am not aware of any mythology referring to Hulder as the mother of Odin nor do I practice a faith of any kind. I am only concerned with furthering the consciousness of the self.
Have you played live before and if so how was it for you? HULDER has made one live appearance. It was a satisfactory experience, but only a small glimpse into what is to come for those who got to witness it.
Are there any plans to play live? I absolutely plan on live performances. Things are quite uncertain at this point due to the plague of our time, but hopefully circumstance will allow for a tour within the next year or so.
What can we expect from Hulder in 2020 and beyond? A full length, some unspoken announcements to accompany said release, and of course more Dark Medieval Black Metal at full force.
Any final words? Your questions and interest are much appreciated. Gezondheid to you and anyone reading this.
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
This week we spoke with Spanish Doom/ Death veterans Evadne – read on
First of congrats on the new album – anyone who has been in a band knows how hard it is to keep it going you guys have been going for nearly 20 years now – what is your secret?
PASSION, I THINK THERE IS NO MORE SECRETS IN THIS WORLD.
I love the artwork for Dethroned Of Our Souls who came up with that? What’s the story behind the art?
WE WANTED TO MIX THE ART COVER OF OUR FIRST DEMO WITH ART COVER OF THE E.P “DETHRONED OF LIGHT”, THE ARTISTIC RESULT WAS FROM THE COVER DESIGNER (VLADIMIR PROKOFIEV). IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL RESULT
Lyrically what inspires your guys?
EVERY THING. NOT JUST ANY KIND OF ARTISTIC EXPRESSION. ALSO FEELINGS, LANDSCAPES, PERSONAL SITUATIONS. IN ART EVERYTHING IS VALID
How did you guys get into heavy music were you death metal fans before becoming doom metal fans? What were the bands that lead you on this journey?
OF COURSE, WHEN WE START LISTENING METAL MUSIC THE DOOM METAL STYLE DIDN’T HAVE THE SOUND THAT HAS INFLUENCED US. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 90’S SOME BANDS START TO DO A NEW MUSIC THAT REALLY HYPNOTIZES US. BANDS LIKE ANATHEMA, PARADISE LOST, MY DYING BRIDE, KATATONIA, THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE AND A GREAT SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR US.
I imagine the Spanish scene as being more death and black metal bands than doom – how are you guys received in Spain?
HERE THE THINGS ARE COMPLICATED, ALTHOUGT FOR THE BLACK AND DEATH METAL BANDS. HERE THE PEOPLE PREFER TO LISTEN HEAVY, ROCK FOLK METAL AND OTHER TYPES OF METAL
Is Spain your best place to play or are you better received in other European territories? If so which ones?
IN THE CENTER –WEST EUROPE THERE ARE MORE CULTURE OF EXTREME MUSIC, WE PREFER TO PLAY THERE. IN THIS PLACES THE PEOPLE GO TO CONCERTS OF DOOM METAL, IT’S A FACT.
I know you guys have done a decent amount of touring over the years – what’s been your best and worst gig so far and why?
THE BEST IS COMPLICATED TO DECIDE, WE HAVE PLAYED IN GREAT FESTIVALS LIKE:
FROM DUSK TILL DOOM IN BELGIUM, MADRID IS THE DARK (SPAIN), DUTCH DOOM DAYS (HOLLAND), MALTA DOOM FESTIVAL, HARD ROCK LAAGER (ESTONIA), AUTUMN SOULS OF SOFIA (BULGARIA), DARK SESSIONS IN ROMANIA, DOOM HEART FEST (ITALY), AND MANY MORE. WE CAN’T CHOOSE CAUSE THERE ARE ALWAYS FUNNY AND FUN EXPERIENCES. SOME DIFFICULT EXPERIENCE BUT NOTHING TOO BAD…SOMETIMES WE HAVE LOST FLIGHTS, THE LONG HOURS OF TRAVELING ON THE ROAD ARE THE WORST PART BUT WE ARE FUN PEOPLE AND WE HAD A GOOD TIME.
Have you played any American concerts to date? If not any plans to tour the USA?
NOT FOR THE MOMENT, WE WERE CLOSE TO GO BUT AT THE END WAS NOT POSSIBLE, HOPE WE CAN GO SOON AND MEET ALL OUR AMERICAN FRIENDS.
Has any of the band members ever visited the USA if so what did you think of it?
NOT FOR THE MOMENT. WE HOPE TO DO IT.
What can we expect from the band in 2020?
WE ARE IMMERSED IN THE CREATION OF NEW SONGS FOR THE NEXT ALBUM AND WE HAVE SOME GIGS FOR THE SECOND PART OF OUR IBERIAN TOUR (SPAIN)
Any final words?
THANK YOU FOR THE INTERVIEW AND THANK YOU TO THE READERS WHO TAKE THEIR TIME TO READ IT. STAY DOOM!
Invictus Productions, in conspiracy with Black Vomit Propaganda, announces the “Seven Dates of Heresy” U.S. East Coast Tour with Vircolac, Spite, and Sacrilegia!
This marks the first time both Vircolac and Sacrilegia spread their wings over the North American continent, particularly the US East Coast. Bringing Spite on board adds another barb to their collective attack, which sees the unity of black, death, and thrashing speed metal on display for U.S. audiences.
Kicking off Saturday, May 16th at Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn and finishing at Maryland Deathfest on May 24th, the full list of confirmed dates are as follows: May 16 – Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus Bar May 17 – Worcester, MA @ Ralph’s Rock Diner May 18 – Rochester, NY @ Bug Jar May 19 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Howlers May 20 – Philadelphia, PA @ Cousin Danny’s May 21 – Brooklyn, NY @ Kingsland May 22-24 – Baltimore, MD @ Maryland Deathfest
Today, Purity ThroughFire sets October 31st as the international release date for Úlfarr‘s highly anticipated debut album, Hate & Terror – The Rise Of Pure Evil, on regular jewelcase CD and A5 digipack limited to 100 copies.
Since 2011, Úlfarr have stood for uncompromising, antisocial UK black metal – or, under their own banner of Cumbrian Black Metal. Helmed by Dominus, AKA Hrafn, who counts the equally prolific Thy Dying Light amongst his activities, Úlfarr released a couple demos its first few years and then a split album with comrades Hrafnblóð. Another demo followed in 2014, followed by, uniquely, two live albums.
Time has festered for five years as well as Hrafn’s hate, and at last comes Hate & Terror – The Rise Of Pure Evil, Úlfarr‘s debut album. Although released earlier by the cult Worship Tapes in an extremely limited edition, the fire burning through Úlfarr‘s first full-length statement has lost none of its potency. In fact, those flames are even more devouring: unapologetically traditional black metal in the vein of classic Craft, Darkthrone, Mayhem, One Head One Tail, and Death Cult. As ever, Úlfarr are inspired by the desolate landscapes of their homeland, the unrelenting dismal climate, and a shared disdain towards humanity in the overpopulated wastelands of modern Britain. You don’t so much as listen to this album as FEEL it – and it hates you, too.
DIY as always, Hate & Terror – The Rise Of Pure Evil was recorded entirely by Dominus, with drums programmed by Skoth and mixing & mastering by Azrael. No hope, and NO CONTACT! Úlfarr plays CUMBRIAN BLACK METAL exclusively!
Begin feeling that hate & terror with the new track “Hate & Terror – The Rise of Pure Evil – Part I” here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Úlfarr’s Hate & Terror – The Rise of Pure Evil 1. Part I 2. Part II 3. Part III 4. Part IV 5. Part V 6. Part VI
NEVER SURRENDER FEST VOL. II October
19-20, 2019 Oakland Metro Operahouse Oakland CA, USA Facebook Buy
Tickets In
2009, Iron Bonehead and Nuclear War Now!
worked together to present the first NWN! Fest. The
collaboration proved fruitful and the event was a success, so we continued the
partnership, presenting four additional installments over the years. As
Iron Bonehead ascended to become one of the preeminent
underground labels, it began to make more sense to present bands from both
Nuclear War Now! and Iron Bonehead, resulting
in the Never Surrender Fest, the first edition of which took
place this past November. We held all of the previous fests in Berlin because it
was a centralized location, allowing us to bring more bands from Australia and
Asia, while also presenting many North and South American bands to a European
audience for the first time. Ten years later, it seems like the right moment to
put together a fest in the United States, particularly, Oakland, California—the
home of NWN! To that end, Iron Bonehead and
NWN! are presenting the first-ever U.S. edition of the
Never Surrender Fest, scheduled to take place on October 19th
and 20th, 2019, in Oakland, CA, with a pre-show scheduled for October 18th,
2019. There will be 16 bands performing, with 8 bands chosen from each label.
Full fest order follows, as well as poster art.
***SATURDAY OCT 19TH*** Doors: 3:00 PM
EOSPHOROS (USA): 04:00
PM – 04:40 PM BYYRTH (USA): 05:10 PM – 05:50 PM MORBOSIDAD (USA): 06:20 PM
– 07:00 PM BLUE HUMMINGBIRD ON THE LEFT (USA): 07:30 PM – 08:15 PM BONE
AWL (USA): 08:45 PM – 09:30 PM TEMPLE NIGHTSIDE (AUSTRALIA): 10:00 PM – 10:45
PM UNAUSSPRECHLICHEN KULTEN (CHILE): 11:15 PM – 12:00 AM BLACK WITCHERY
(USA): 12:30 AM – 01:30 AM
***SUNDAY OCT 20TH*** Doors: 3:00
PM
ORDER OF THE NAMELESS ONES (USA): 04:00 PM – 04:40 PM CEMETERY
LIGHTS (USA): 05:10 PM – 05:50 PM HOUSE OF ATREUS (USA): 06:20 PM – 07:00
PM SIEGE COLUMN (USA): 07:30 PM – 08:15 PM VOLAHN (USA): 08:45 PM – 09:30
PM GRAVE UPHEAVAL (AUSTRALIA): 10:00 PM – 10-45 PM ANTEDILUVIAN (CANADA):
11:15 PM – 12:00 AM BLACK CILICE (PORTUGAL): 12:30 AM – 01:30 AM
French Lovecraftian black metal
masters THE GREAT OLD ONES have revealed a lyric video for the
song “Nyarlathotep”, taken from their upcoming
record ‘Cosmicism’
The band comments: “We are proud to present you “Nyarlathotep”, a song based on the Lovecraft’s text with the same name. What better than a dark and heavy track to bring us in front of the “messenger, heart, and soul” of the Outer Gods, to sink into madness and the knowledge of occult secrets. Enjoy the encounter, be afraid for your sanity. He is the scourge, he is the wounds, he is the purge, who brings the final dooms”.
The artwork for ‘Cosmicism’ has
been created by Jeff Grimal and can be viewed below, together with the
tracklist.
Tracklist 1.
Cosmic Depths (01:47) 2. The Omniscient (09:26) 3. Of Dementia (06:16) 4. Lost
Carcosa (08:57) 5. A Thousand Young (11:44) 6. Dreams of the Nuclear Chaos
(04:27) 7. Nyarlathotep (07:29) 8. To A Dreamer (07:34) Bonus
Track
“The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is
the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. We live on a
placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was
not meant that we should voyage far.” H.P. LOVECRAFT
(1890-1937)
Channelling the spirit and literary heritage of author H.P.
Lovecraft, French Atmospheric black metallers THE GREAT OLD
ONES have returned with their most impressive work to date. ‘Cosmicism’
lures the listener deeper into darkness with intricate, beautiful and twisted
melodies, ultimately encompassing them with
madness.
THE
GREAT OLD ONES emerged in 2009 from the old parts of the ancient
Aquitanian harbour city of Bordeaux, FRANCE, a city famed for its secrets and
deep red wine. After releasing their first album, ‘Al Azif,’ the reactions of
critics and fans were unanimously positive.
The band followed up with
their second full-length, ‘Tekeli-li,’ which garnered even higher praise. As a
result, THE GREAT OLD ONES played a show at the acclaimed
Roadburn festival, opened for BEHEMOTH in their homeland, played at Hellfest,
and supported label mates SHINING and DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT.
The third
full length, ‘EOD – A Tale of Dark Legacy,’ (2017) marked another big step in
the band’s fast rising career. The five-piece took the road with the legendary
GAAHLS WYRD and embarked on a successful European co-headline tour with label
mates AUÐN from Iceland. THE GREAT OLD ONES also appeared on
the billing of respected festivals, such as Brutal Assault and Eindhoven Metal
Meeting, in front of a gigantic crowd of cultists.
Now, the French
worshippers of Cthulhu reveal their fourth offering to the old ones. “Cosmicism”
is a literary philosophy developed by H.P. Lovecraft. The idea behind
“Coscmicism” is that humans are godless creatures who are totally insignificant
in the grand scheme of our cosmic universe.
The production of this album
was entrusted to Francis Caste (SINSAENUM, LOUDBLAST, SVART CROWN, REGARDE LES
HOMMES TOMER, HANGMAN’S CHAIR) of the Studio Sainte-Marthe, who managed to
capture the singular essence of THE GREAT OLD ONES.
The
record is a true journey in the cold deep of space. Each song features a
Lovecraftian entity and parallel the dark destiny of the protagonist who meets
her and in turn, slowly succumbs to admiration and madness. Lyrics inspired by
H.P. Lovecraft layered over haunting, melodic beauty result in a perfect match.
Just listen and you will find out what awaits down
there…
Today, Chilean metal elite Slaughtbbath premiere the new track “Amulets of Carnage” The track hails from the band’s long-awaited second album, Alchemical Warfare, set for international release on September 6th via Hells Headbangers. Hear Slaughtbbath‘s “Amulets of Carnage” in its entirety exclusively HERE.
SLAUGHTBBATH premiere new track at CVLTNation.com
For a decade and a half now, Slaughtbbath have prolifically pursued a fierce ‘n’ fiery vision of total black/death METAL. With a rich yet uniformly exemplary discography, this power-trio have laid waste to the underground across a myriad demos, splits, EPs, and 2013’s now-classic debut album, Hail to Fire. Allied with Hells Headbangers since 2016, a split 7″ with Grave Desecrator followed that summer, with September 2017 seeing the release of the Contempt, War and Damnation compilation, which precluded the band’s first-ever North American tour alongside fellow Chilean labelmates Communion.
Slaughtbbath have kept quiet since then, studiously brewing the firestorm that is Alchemical Warfare. A consolidation of the band’s beyond-considerable strengths as well as an extension of them, Alchemical Warfare was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Pablo Clares at DM6 studio in Santiago, Chile during 2017/2018. Here, Slaughtbbath are at the peak of their powers, pulsing with both bestiality and burliness alike, and yet exhibiting a nuanced songwriting nous that is second to none. Their sulfurous maelstrom is a veritable meat-grinder of South American darkness lo these past four decades, both reverent of the past whilst forging an even-darker future, and Alchemical Warfare finds the band hitting a fever pitch, its nine-song/36-minute runtime both succinct and satisfying. Each track invokes utter possession – a hypnotic diabolism, perhaps, in spite of the often-frantic tempos – but Slaughtbbath possess the prolific experience to convey that diabolism in a dynamic manner. If anything, Alchemical Warfare is the band’s best-produced record to date, and a survey of its song titles suitably convey the occultic austerity within: the title track, naturally, as well as the closing trifecta of “Amulets of Carnage,” “Celestial Overthrow,” and “Ascension to the Dragon’s Throne,” as well as the ever-epic “Rejoined Into Chaos.”
However, especially at this point in time and the career high-point that is Alchemical Warfare, it is important to underline the unique differences in Slaughtbbath makeup. For one, the band hail from San Vicente de Tagua Tagua, a small countryside town with no scene at all, whereas most Chilean bands hail from the bigger cities; in fact, early on, Slaughtbbath were branded “rural black metal” when they played live. Secondly and relatedly, they’ve not once ever strived to “sound South American,” much less do there exist any other Chilean bands doing a similar thing musically or lyrically. Lastly and perhaps most importantly, Slaughtbbath have maintained a solid lineup and kept up constant activity – both on record and on the live front – all these years while most bands disappear, fade, change members, come back, or form new bands with the same lineup to fit into the new trend. The Slaughtbbath name is thus iron-fisted, inexorable, and immaculate
With more eyes than ever on the Chilean black/death scene, it’s high time that the leaders separate themselves from the followers. Slaughtbbath firmly and furiously take the torch and lead the way forward with Alchemical Warfare.
The first torch can be witnessed with the previously revealed “Resuscitated by Immortal Scorn,” which can be heard both HERE at Hells Headbangers‘official YouTube channel as well at the label’s Bandcamp HERE, where the album can also be preordered.
Aforementioned cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Slaughtbbath’s Alchemical Warfare 1.
Ritual Bloodbath 2. Resucitated by Immortal Scorn 3. Cavern of
Misanthropy 4. Prophetic Crucifixion 5. Rejoined Into Chaos 6.
Alchemical Warfare 7. Amulets of Carnage 8. Celestial Overthrow 9.
Ascension to the Dragon’s Throne
