Today, Shadow Kingdom Records sets November 23rd as the international release date for Blackrat’s highly anticipated third album, Dread Reverence, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.
One of the underground’s best-kept secrets, Blackrat have been skilfully skirting the often-fine lines among metalpunk, thrash, crust, and traditional speed metal. Formed in 2012, this Canadian power-trio to date have delivered two cult full-lengths, 2013’s rough ‘n’ rowdy Whiskey and Blasphemy and 2016’s far-more-epic Hail to Hades, laying on the line exactly what Blackrat’s all about. Big fans for years, Shadow Kingdom had no other choice but to scoop up the band, and now they’ve arrived with their ultimate statement: Dread Reverence.
More metal, more punk, darker, catchier, wilder and more finessed, just more of MORE: Dread Reverence is the sound of Blackrat firing on all cylinders. Wrapped in a rough-yet-clear production that allows the dirt to bleed and the chrome to glisten simultaneously, Dread Reverence positively explodes with a timelessness that’s impossible to deny. It’s as fresh as 2018 and as old as 30 years before that (if not more!), and it’s all done effortlessly and without any trace of self-consciousness. Simply, this is who Blackrat are and what they do, and they’re doing it better than ever – and better than just about anyone around. Plus, there’s faint traces of deathrock that surface across the album, underlining further that the band are in a league of their own.
Up from the gutters and into the graveyard, Blackrat hereby bring you Dread Reverence! In the meantime, hear the new track “Into the Ebony” HERE
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Blackrat’s Dread Reverence
1. Into the Ebony
2. Lust to Burn
3. Thrall to the Gallows
4. Coffin Rock
5. Fang of Malice
6. Headless Countess
7. The Sign
8. Haunter of the Threshold
Catalan atmospheric metal band FOSCOR have revealed the details of their digital album ‘Les Irreals Visions”, to be released on August 24, 2018. Furthermore, a new lyric video for the track “Encenalls de Mort (Irreals),” from the upcoming record has been published. The video can be viewed below.
‘Les Irreals Versions’, the title aptly translating to ‘The Unreal Versions’, can be seen as a continuation of the album ‘Les Irreals Visions’, released a little more than a year ago. Six tracks, taken from previous albums, have been re-arranged and recorded from zero. FOSCOR introduces different instruments to the compositions, creating a more intimate feel and ambient approach, ultimately taking the music to new boundaries.
FOSCOR comment: “Our creative foundations call for a transformation of all moments to eternal, reaching a reconciliation between the far beyond and the here, matching the spiritual and earthly level of our nature. As we set during the creative process for ‘Les Irreals Visions’, common things must acquire a new meaning, and so this compilation of songs digs into this aim.
The world must be poetized, and taking our own songs to the most intimate level, we were able to expand its dimension and memory. A pleasant experience shared with pure artists, which today we are more than proud to present you with this first visual and acoustic approach. This time-lapse video experience sets a metaphor of a personal and individual experience.
“Encenalls de Mort (Irreals)” translate as “Shavings of Death”, is based on our vocalist Fiar experience during his grandfather’s last hours. Watching him touch a sort of invisible sparks or falling leaves in front of him, gave him the idea that perhaps by catching these invisible things in the very last moment you are saving some life shavings: memories, experiences and moments you love but that Death asks you to leave behind.”
Video credits
Produced by Foscor
Edited by Falke
Heart time-lapse credits.
Photography | Raquel García Photography
Logistics | Griselda Casan
Edition | Adrià Escanilla
Hands video recording.
Camera operator | Adrià Escanilla
Photography & Prod. Assistants | Raquel García & Irati Aguado
Edit | Falke
FOSCOR have also revelead the artwork and track-list of ‘Les Irreals Versions’, which can be viewed below.
Track-list
1. Instants (Irreals) (5:50)
2. Altars (Irreals) (6:26)
3. Encenalls De Mort (Irreals) (7:44)
4. Espectres Al Cau (Irreals) (7:06)
5. Les Irreals Visions (Irreals) (7:15)
6. L.Amor.t (Irreals) (7:47)
Total playing time: 42:08
Catalan atmospheric metal band FOSCOR have never shied away from exploring the lines between reality, poetry and the beyond. With ‘Les Irreals Versions’, the band seeks to intensify their music and give new meaning to it.
Departing from their black metal roots of the first three records and building on the progressive foundations of ‘Those Horrors Wither’ (2014), the Catalans found a way to express darkness by using doom infused tempo’s, heavy riffing and adding clean vocals on ‘Les Irreals Visions’ (2017). On the upcoming digital release, ‘Les Irreals Versions’, FOSCOR have even pushed beyond that, providing an alternative, yet no less enchanting perspective on their music.
The name FOSCOR translates as “darkness” in their native Catalan tongue, which the band from Barcelona often uses for their lyrics as a distinctive element and strong connection with their cultural reality.
FOSCOR hail from Catalonia, which is still yet largely unwilling part of modern Spain. With Barcelona as its capital, this region has a long artistic tradition with the fin de siècle style of Modernisme – a parallel development to Art Nouveau and Jugendstil among others – forming one of its major achievements. Catalonia has also left an audible mark in the extreme music scene of Spain in recent years.
FOSCOR are attracted to and build upon these foundations, while taking inspiration from the morbid, decadent, and sick reflections on a rapidly changing society that shaped the artistic landscape at the end of the nineteenth century.
Today, Secretum Secretorum, the new split album between Ancient Moon and Prosternatur streams in its entirety. Two pan-international entities, both Ancient Moon and Prosternatur have but one recording each to their respective names – an album, with the former’s arriving in 2015 and the latter’s in 2016 – but Secretum Secretorum should prove to shine more blacklight on two infinitely promising, shadowy entities. The split is set for international release on June 22nd via Iron Bonehead Productions, and can be streamed in its entirety exclusively HERE.
Prosternatur
For their half, Ancient Moon deliver an 18-minute epic that builds slowly and ominously before exploding into a tensely buzzing hive of nightmarish black metal. Hypnotic yet free-flowing, somehow making time stand still and move in reverse, “Hekas Hekas Este Bebeloi!” imparts an absolutely spellbinding mysticism that could be a whole record unto itself, its movements and fluctuations subtle yet profound; this track simply demands repeat spins, and eternal thralldom. For their half, Prosternatur render three tracks that are impossibly vast for their six-minute average length. And indeed, Prosternatur are a complementary fit for Ancient Moon, in that this shadow-cloaked trio conjures their own brand of black metal mysticism. Viscously thick yet somehow emitting a near-cosmic sense of space, Prosternatur burl forth with a constantly churning density that’s expertly laced with all manner of beneath-the-surface color and shade. Their attack is doubtlessly muscular, yet similarly evokes a bewitching sensation on the right side of medieval.
Together, both Ancient Moon and Prosternatur beckon the listener to let loose the bounds of reality and step into their Secretum Secretorum… Step fully in exclusively HERE.
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Ancient Moon & Prosternatur’s Secretum Secretorum
1. Ancient Moon – Hekas Hekas Este Bebeloi!
2. Prosternatur – Ana Harrani Sa Alaktasa La Tarat
3. Prosternatur – Zi Dingir Isatum Kanpa!
4. Prosternatur – Usella Mituti
Swedish black metal masters CRAFT are currently streaming their entire new album “White Noise and Black Metal”. The band’s highly anticipated full length will hit stores this Friday, June 22nd, 2018.
CRAFT have previously released the amazing cover of ”White Noise and Black Metal”, which has been created by renowned Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak and can be viewed together with the album details below.
Track-list
1. The Cosmic Sphere Falls (4:56)
2. Again (4:15)
3. Undone (6:39)
4. Tragedy of Pointless Games (6:27)
5. Darkness Falls (4:50)
6. Crimson (4:49)
7. Shadow (5:40)
8. White Noise (4:42)
Total: 42:18
By dry definition, white noise denotes a random signal having equal intensity at different frequencies, giving it a constant power spectral density. It has been commonly employed in electronic music and denotes for instance the sound of a non-existent radio station, while searching through the spectrum for a signal. For black metal it denotes the yin to the yang of the will to shape forms and patterns of melodies and rhythms and as such has a constant presence.
CRAFT have chosen their title as a perfect description of this symbiotic relationship into which the seeming contrast and contradiction of black and white enters. With ‘White Noise and Black Metal’, the Swedes return to strength after a long hiatus following the release of previous full-length, ‘Void’ (2011). The forthcoming album combines the vitriolic virtues of ‘Terror Propaganda’ (2002) with an updated songwriting that is as mature and intelligent as it is razor-sharp. The fast and furious of extreme metal contrasts with dark and depressive passages with added undertones of black ‘n’ roll.
CRAFT embodies the black metal virtue of raw spiritual energy expressed through violent, ripping guitar-work and unholy rhythms enhanced by demonic vocals. The Swedes have long enjoyed a massive cult status within underground circles, yet also gained strong acclaim and recognition by mainstream metal media and critics.
CRAFT were spawned by guitarist Joakim, who was joined by a friend on drums in late 1994. Lead guitarist John was added to the roster in 1996 but left in 1998 only to return about a year later. A demo entitled ‘Total Eclipse’ hit the world in 1999, which led to a first record deal. During the recording of their crushing debut ‘Total Soul Rape’ (2000), the Swedes were reinforced by vocalist Nox. This misanthropic album captured the ear of SHINING’s Niklas Kvarforth, who released sophomore opus ‘Terror Propaganda’ in 2002 on his own label. With their extremely dark music the group gained much acclaim by critics and fans alike. CRAFT continued to build and expand their typical hateful and destructive style by adding ‘Fuck the Universe’ (2005) and ‘Void’ (2011) to the list of their albums. Meanwhile bass player Alex had joined and with their completed line-up the band finally became a live entity in September 2014.
Now CRAFT are ready to take a giant step in their career with the extremely strong, ‘White Noise and Black Metal’. This is misanthropic Swedish black metal honed to perfection.
Our macabre prayers have been answered: Finnish death metal eidolons Abhorrence took over Amorphis drummer Jan Rechberger’s Moon Unit studio to record a new EP.” -Decibel magazine, May 2018
The rumours are true: underground death metal legends Abhorrence are back.
Svart Records is proud to present to you “Anthem for the Anthropocene,” the first track from Megalohydrothalassophobic, an all-new Abhorrence EP, all full of old-school Finnish death metal. The EP will be released by Svart Records on September 15th.
Hear Abhorrence’s “Anthem for the Anthropocene” in its entirety exclusively HERE.
They promised you they were still vulgar and still brutal. And 28 years later, they are. The lineup is the same as back in 1990, with the addition of drummer Waltteri Väyrynen, of Paradise Lost and Vallenfyre fame.
The old Abhorrence sound, reaching from death to doom to black and psychedelia, is all there on the EP. This time, the pioneers of death metal horror have dug their claws into the deep abyss of the ocean. True to their roots of nightmare and terror, Abhorrence brings you a vision of Lovecraftian horror in the age of the ecological catastrophe. The lyrics fuse together the deeply unsettling tales of H.P. Lovecraft with the thought-provoking philosophy of Timothy Morton, arguably the most important thinker of the anthropoce, the current catastrophical age of human existence.
The first premiere from the EP is the opening number “Anthem for the Anthropocene.” It is a brutal, hard-hitting black roller that cuts deep into the sick heart of humanity in the year 2018. Hear it in its entirety exclusively HERE.
“The stars will be right when the black stains all light” – “Anthem for the Anthropocene.”
Preorder info to be announced shortly.
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Abhorrence’s Megalohydrothalassophobic
1. Intro – The Mesh
2. Anthem For The Anthropocene
3. The Four Billion Year Dream
4. Hyperobject Beneath The Waves
5. The End Has Already Happened
FIRTAN lineup 2018:
Phillip Thienger – guitars & vocals
Oliver König – bass
David Kempf – drums
C.S. – guitar
Today, extreme metal mavericks Firtan premiere the new track “Tag Verweil”. The track hails from the band’s highly anticipated second album, Okeanos, set for international release on July 13th via AOP Records. Hear Firtan’s “Tag Verweil” in its entirety exclusively HERE.
Firtan are one of Germany’s most uprising extreme metal acts, delivering their very own mixture of styles to fans all over Europe since 2010. Having supported Rotting Christ, Imperium Dekadenz, and Der Weg einer Freiheit and played festivals like Summer Breeze and Metaldays, their sound originates from black metal involving atmospheric and progressive elements alongside intense vocal performances and accentuating ambient sounds. Firtan known for their intensive live shows, which, to date, they have delivered to ten European countries.
Now, after two EPs and one full-length, Firtan hereby present their strongest work, Okeanos. Inspired by avant-garde intellectuals like Nietzsche and Lovecraft, Okeanos is a dazzling display of epic black metal grandeur, suffused with autumnal atmosphere and winding-yet-captivating compositions. But, although deeply rooted in black metal, the overt muscle Firtan display here – not to mention the panoramic approach to songwriting, daring and boundless – helps Okeanos elude easy categorization. It’s an immediately captivating experience, expanding the listener’s consciousness whilst whisking the listener away to worlds yet unexplored. And its soundfield is as robust as it is majestic, which is no surprise considering it was recorded at the esteemed studio Klangschmiede E with Markus Stock of The Vision Bleak/Empyrium. At six songs in 40 breathtaking minutes, Okeanos is the album by which Firtan enter into the elite.
Hear for yourself with the new track “Tag Verweil” exclusively HERE,
In the leadup to the album’s release, Firtan will be playing a number of shows/festivals over the coming months (dates after the jump). Cover art, by Denis Forkas (Behemoth, etc.) and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Firtan’s Okeanos
1. Seegang
2. Tag Verweil
3. Nacht Verweil
4. Purpur
5. Uferlos
6. Siebente, Letzte Einsamkeit
upcoming FIRTAN live appearances
15.06. Aaargh Festival (Uttenhofen/Allgäu)
07.07. Eresia Metalfest (Résia, IT)
22.07. Metaldays Slowenien (Tolmin, SLO)
24.08. Wolfszeit Festival (Crispendorf
IMPERIUM DEKADENZ have been the victim of Mexican plagiarizers ISON (not to be confused with the Swedish ISON). Not only did the band perform official tracks from IMPERIUM DEKADENZ under their own flag, they also planned to release IMPERIUM DEKADENZ’s entire full length “Meadows of Nostalgia” under the false name of “The Outsiders”. The Mexican exploiters did not even bother to re-record their theft, but were under the impression that a simple song name-change would do the trick.
The band comments:
“Hello everyone,
During our conquest with IMPERIUM DEKADENZ, we have seen and witnessed about everything that is imaginable – but what we have encountered now sinks brazenness to a new low.The lame plagiarizers of the Mexican band ISON are obviously trying to desperately built their ‘career’ by using OUR songs! This beggars believe, but this ‘band’ does not only try to play IMPERIUM DEKADENZ songs under false flag live, but they even released an album called ‘The Outsiders’, which features our original recordings! They now deleted their Facebook-Page and most of the YouTube videos, but they will not stop performing live. They are cheating on you and the whole metal-scene!
A warning to those shameless exploiters of of our creativity and liars, ISON: Don’t mess around with IMPERIUM DEKADENZ! Our label and lawyers are informed. Your time is up! We will make sure, your fraud will be exposed. To our supporters and everyone who believes in art: Please let them know your thoughts on theft of intellectual property! Spread the word!”
Thank you for your attention!
Horaz & Vespasian
IMPERIUM DEKADENZ
On previous news, critically acclaimed open world RPG, Kingdom Come: Deliverance has picked the title track of IMPERIUM DEKADENZ’ second album, ‘Dämmerung der Szenarien’ (2007) for its soundcheck under the new name “Thru the Fog of Time”.
IMPERIUM DEKADENZ drummer Vespasian comments: “We are extremely stoked to be part of the soundtrack of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, which was developed by Warhorse Studios. It has given us a chance to have our music heard around the globe and we are thankful for all the kind praise that we have received for ‘Thru the Fog of Time’ that was written and recorded in 2007. Exciting times.”
IMPERIUM DEKADENZ live
26 Oct 18 Wien (AT) Escape
27 Oct 18 Klagenfurt (AT) Follow the Goat
17 Nov 18 Radolfzell (DE) s’Bockle
01 Dec 18 Tübingen (DE) Epplehaus
IMPERIUM DEKADENZ are playing live in support of their latest full-length, ‘Dis Manibvs’. The artwork of the band’s fifth album has been created by Francesco De Luca and can be viewed below.
Track-list
01. In Todesbanden
02. Only Fragments Of Light
03. Still I Rise
04. Dis Manibvs
05. Pantheon Spells
06. Vae Victis
07. Volcano
08. Somnia
09. Pure Nocturnal Rome
10. Seikilos
Vae victis! Woe to the vanquished! IMPERIUM DEKADENZ hail from Germany’s Black Forest, where the Roman Empire clashed, conquered, and finally fell against first Celtic and later Germanic tribes. Its impenetrable, murky, and mysterious fog ridden woods and harsh landscapes have given rise to a dark romanticism that even imbues the works of this band with deep roots in Nordic black metal.
IMPERIUM DEKADENZ have cultivated and advanced an atmospheric style of their own with their highly acclaimed third and fourth studio albums ‘Procella Vadens’ (2010) and ‘Meadows of Nostalgia’ (2013). The dark chasms and steep rises of the Black Forest mountains are echoed within the German duos’ majestic melodies, which are contrasted by interludes of often fragile acoustic parts.
With their new full-length ‘Dis Manibvs’ – a title derived from antique Roman grave markers translating from Latin as “To the Spirits of the Dead” and basically meaning “In Remembrance” – IMPERIUM DEKADENZ take a surprising step in their evolution by adding an expression that is probably best compared to DEAFHEAVEN and DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT. Probably even more astonishing is how well and organically the German veterans integrate this sound with seeming ease into their already existing style, which has also been likened to WINTERFYLLETH and AGALLOCH in its more epic moments and MGŁA or WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM during harsher parts – to drop but a few suitable names.
Founded in the year 2004, IMPERIUM DEKADENZ quickly gained a dedicated following with their debut ‘…und die Welt ward kalt und leer’ (2006) as well as its follow-up ‘Dämmerung der Szenarien’ (2007). Lyrically, IMPERIUM DEKADENZ clad metaphors of human transience, ashes, and shadows into an antique attire with a penchant for the Roman Empire, while declining to deal with genre typical political, religious or misanthropic themes.
IMPERIUM DEKADENZ break new ground with their forthcoming masterpiece ‘Dis Manibvs’, an album that has the potential to unite traditional as well as progressive black metal adherents together in well-deserved praise – which would mark an astonishing achievement in itself. Judge for yourself!
British death metal band Ravens Creed have completed their fourth album, entitled Get Killed or Try Dying, which is going to be released through Xtreem Music on August 2nd.
On this new album, Ravens Creed stick to their habitual style which blends death metal with crust hints and a nasty sound inspired in bands like Death Strike, Master, Venom, and Hellhammer, delivering 13 new tunes of sleazy bizarrism!
In the meantime, hear the new track “Hymn & Hearse” HERE
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Ravens Creed’s Get Killed or Try Dying
1. Intro – Unrelenting Supremacy
2. Dead Bird on Winchester Street
3. Death on a Rival
4. Get Killed or Try Dying
5. Hymn & Hearse
6. Off with their Legs
7. Treacherous Rector
8. Rats Beneath Our Feet
9. Remember the Hammer
10. Sound of Sirens
11. When a Deaf Man Goes Blind
12. The Trauma of Being Hunted
13. Outro
Today, upstart death metal cult Deathwards stream the entirety of their debut demo, Towards Death. Set for international release on June 8th via Invictus Productions, hear Deathwards’ Towards Death in its entirety exclusively HERE.
Deathwards formed in 2017, comprising veterans of the metal underground, and within five months had recorded their very first demo, Towards Death. As aptly titled as their moniker, Deathwards’ Towards Death is a timeless, trend-bucking slab of thrashing Metal of Death. Across the five furious-yet-finessed songs here, the band conjoin the primal essence of ’80s Slayer, Slaughter Lord, Van Drunen-era Pestilence, and Voivod’s early work, but tweak it with a more technical aspect ala Sindrome, Sadus, and Obliveon, etc. It’s a classic-yet-fresh blend between influences and authentic ideas, instead of mere copycat-ism or rote rehashing of older, better ideas. Altogether, including a reverential cover of Infernal Majesty’s “Overlord,” Deathwards’ opening salvo is as furious as it is catchy, iron-clad in its approach yet bespeaking more development to come.
And Towards Death is but the start: already, Deathwards are preparing new material for their imminent debut album, also to be released by Invictus. Prepare to go Towards Death! Embark upon the full march exclusively HERE.
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Deathwards’ Towards Death
1. In Death I Become
2. The Hierarchist
3. Epitaph from the Underworld
4. Impending Prophecies
5. Overlord (Infernal Majesty cover)
DEATHWARDS lineup 2018
Hellavenger – vocals
Extravasation – lead guitar
The Usurper – rhythm guitar
The Magus – bass
The Penance – drums
Today, Hells Headbangers sets July 27th as the international release date for Invocation Spells’ highly anticipated fourth album, Spread Cruelty in the Abyss, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.
There’s simply no stopping Invocation Spells. One of the hottest bands in the shit-hot Chilean black/death scene, this diabolical duo continues to unleash one punishing slab of filth ‘n’ fury after another, each one more concise and crushing than the next. Spread Cruelty in the Abyss follows hot on the heels of the critically acclaimed The Flame of Hate, released internationally last year by Hells Headbangers. Like that predecessor, Spread Cruelty in the Abyss wastes absolutely no time in igniting a sulfurous conflagration from the first few notes…except this time, it’s more quickly apparent how daresay catchy Invocation Spells have become.
Lest anyone accuse the band of softening or selling out, be aware that Spread Cruelty in the Abyssis simply and 100% Invocation Spells through and through: no compromise, and no quarter. Like The Flame of Hate before it and Descendent the Black Throne before that, Spreads Cruelty in the Abyss possesses a special magick that eludes easy “blackthrash” categorization – namely, through an acute balance between the bestial and more classically speed metal tropes – but the molten, even martial pulse the duo develop further here turns these more deliberately hypnotic spells of possession into veritable anthems of minimalism, spilling poison and black blood in equal measure, and even more endlessly headbanging than before. And with this unselfconscious, even-more-pronounced emphasis on “catchiness” comes an even swifter and stricter sense of economy: Spread Cruelty in the Abyss clangs ‘n’ bangs with absolute authority in a mere 26 minutes. Get in, get out, get fucked.
And just like they have with their songwriting nous, Invocation Spells have all about perfected their production style, once again locating that ever-so-sweet middle-ground between fuck-off raw and clear/cutting, with each incensed-yet-impassioned note ringing out through the humid haze before mangling the mind with quintessentially Chilean diabolism. And now, North America will be able to witness that diabolism in the flesh, as Invocation Spells will be heading out on an 11-date tour alongside fellow Hells Headbangers speed metallers Outline; the CD and tape versions of Spread Cruelty in the Abyss will be available for early sale during the tour (dates after the jump). This summer’s gonna be a hot one, then, so no better time to Spread Cruelty in the Abyss!
Hear for yourself with the album’s opening track, “Ruins of Cemetery,” HERE
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Invocation Spells’ Spread Cruelty in the Abyss
1. Ruins Of Cemetery
2. Rotting Sacrifice
3. Victims Of Doom
4. Torment Of Obssessor
5. Old Rites
6. Spread Cruelty
7. Obscure And Evil
8. From The Graves
June 22 – San Diego, CA
June 23 – Los Angeles, CA – L.A. StrikeFest @ Regent Theatre
June 24 – San Francisco, CA
June 25 – Reno, NV @ Shea’s Tavern
June 28 – Cleveland, OH @ Now That’s Class
June 29 – Baltimore, MD @ Wheaton Lounge
June 30 – Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
July 4 – New York, NY @ Pista Bandas Unidas
July 6 – Houston, TX @ The Concert Pub North
July 7 – San Antonio, TX
July 8 – New Orleans, LA @ Santos Bar
