Finnish Trad-Metal newcomers LEGIONNAIRE will release full-length debut album Dawn of Genesis May 26 on Gates of Hell Records (a Cruz Del Sur Music imprint). The album will be available on CD, vinyl, and digital formats. Buy: http://tinyurl.com/mbtfzt3
A lyric video for new track “Black Harbinger” is available at this location.
LEGIONNAIRE’s music is based on powerful twin guitar harmonies, and medieval style epic melodies. While the lyrics often have influences from ancient or medieval mythology. fictional themes, including science fiction, are also present. LEGIONNAIRE creates an original, personal sound, though you can definitely hear tons of influences in their music: old Scandinavian metal, classic NWOBHM-style galloping riffs, and an overall epic feel that brings to mind U.S. metal bands such as LIEGE LORD, BROCAS HELM and obscure US epic metal release from the mid-80s. In a few words: traditional Heavy Metal!
Dawn of Genesis was mastered by Wicked Ischianus of MAUSOLEUM GATE. With bands like LEGIONNAIRE, Heavy Metal will never die!
Recommended for fans of NWOBHM, LIEGE LORD, BROCAS HELM, THE LORD WEIRD SLOUGH FEG, and early German power/speed metal.
LEGIONNAIRE consists of singer/lead/rhythm guitarist, Aku Tiensuu, Lead/rhythm guitarist Petri Ranta, Bassist Frans Kivelä and drummer Akseli Häärä. Aku, Petri and Frans are the three original members of the group. Akseli was asked to join LEGIONNAIRE in late 2014 to replace the original drummer, Heikki Härkönen. Before the first official release, full-length album Dawn of Genesis, LEGIONNAIRE released two demo tapes, Legionnaire in 2014 and The Enigma of Time a year after the first one, both on cassette format.
MERRIMACK are now revealing the second crushing song taken from their forthcoming fifth full-length, which bears the title ‘Omegaphilia’ and will be released on June 9th.
MERRIMACK comment: “Our will to create a record that is more rooted in the 90’s era of black metal becomes pretty obvious on ‘The Falsified Son’, which is a straight forward and simple track. Our typical lead guitars, the slightly dissonant end, the addition of a guitar solo, and the mid-tempo middle break make it a strong tune, which has proved to be very well received at our latest live performances. The lyrics deal with the way of life that we have chosen and its consequences – with black metal (which is mentioned in the song) being an immense part of it.”
MERRIMACK have previously unveiled the cover art (by Dehn Sora) and track-list of ‘Omegaphilia’, which can both be viewed below.
Track-list
1. Cauterizing Cosmos
2. The Falsified Son
3. Apophatic Weaponry
4. Gutters of Pain
5. Sights in the Abysmal Lure
6. Cesspool Coronation
7. At the Vanguard of Deception
Musicians as any artists can be roughly categorised into different groups by their approach to composing. There are those for example, who come with restless souls and always try to find new ways and break into uncharted territories. Others prefer to evolve within a certain genre, driven by a desire to hone their skills and striving to bring their art to perfection. MERRIMACK as black metal traditionalists obviously belong to the latter circle and their fifth full-length with the apocalyptic title ‘Omegaphilia’ is an impressive demonstration of how far the French band has matured.
MERRIMACK are breathing fresh life into an exhausted genre, not by heaping up epithets such as progressive, post-, and avant-garde, but by razor-sharp songwriting, captivating melodies, and close to perfect arrangements. ‘Omegaphilia’ achieves excellence through hard work and experience that shows through on every single song.
MERRIMACK were founded by guitarist Perversifier in 1994 with a clear vision to keep the black metal flame burning as an act of aesthetic terrorism – as adamantly based in the underground as opposed to any attempts to co-opt, commercialise, or turn the style into a self-parody.
With a number of demo recordings (‘Prologue’ – 1995, ‘Act 1’ – 1995, ‘Horns Defeat Thorns’ – 2001) and split releases (with Hirilorn in 1998 and Sargeist in 2002), the French gained respect in the scene by remaining true to their words. Although MERRIMACK decided to reach out to a larger audience with the release of their first full-length ‘Ashes of Purification’ (2002), the Parisians did not sever their roots with the underground at any time.
‘Of Entropy and Life Denial’ (2006) and ‘Grey Rigorism’ (2009) followed and witnessed MERRIMACK closing ranks with the most influential, active, and authentic acts of the French black metal scene. Their classic combination of harsh sound with epic structures appealed to critics and fans alike and put the band on their celebrated first US tour with MARDUK and NACHTMYSTIUM in 2009.
Following the recording of ‘The Acausal Mass’ (2012) again in the legendary Necromorbus Studio (WATAIN, DESTRÖYER 666), MERRIMACK embarked on a European tour with Norwegian icons MAYHEM and accepted invitations to prestigious festivals such as Hellfest in their native France, Germany’s Party-San Open Air and Summer Breeze and Montreal’s Messe des Morts in Canada.
Having firmly established their black name and message around the globe, MERRIMACK are setting a bold exclamation mark with ‘Omegaphilia’. Be warned, this album is determined to remain in your playlist for a long time.
Guest musicians
Aldrahn – vocals on “Cesspool Coronation”
Frater Stephane (NKRT) – rituals on “Cauterizing Cosmos”
The Chorale of Cachan – choir on “At the Vanguard of Deception”
Recording, mix, mastering: Andrew Guillotin at Hybreed Studios, France
LEGACY OF EMPTINESS was originally started by Eddie and Kjell-Ivar as a tongue in cheek BM-project called Permafrost back in 1995. A few years later, Øyvind joined on keyboards and the band recorded a couple of demos with this lineup and left the project to bleed out in the early 00’s.
In 2010, the band came together and decided that the songs they had left years ago were too good to be left behind, and thus decided to record them properly for,once again, for their own amusement. The result was the self titled debut album containing 5 old tracks and one brand new; it was released in 2011.
The band is unveiling their new chapter as they are to release their sophomore full length ‘’OVER THE PAST’’ via Black Lion Records. All splendidly mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö, one of the biggest inspirations of the band. Dan Swanö even performed Lead guitar on ‘Evening Star’, final track from the album.
There is no real lyrical concept on this album other than the usual suspects like darkness,hopelessness,void and the odd historical moments. Musically it’s the opposite of what the band did on their debut. This time all songs are brand new except for one that they brought along from the 90’s, heavily reworked. The cover artwork is based on the song ‘Four Hundred Years’ wich is about the ‘night of the four hundred years’ that is a description of the years Norway were ruled by foreign kings. The artist,Alex Tartsus,really caught the nerve in the lyrics and created this masterpiece.
The 09 track album is a journey towards the fantasy realm, where darkness and melody equally reign together.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: To the fans of Carach Angren, Limbonic Art, Dimmu Borgir (Old) etc.
Track – List:
1. Reminisce
2. Despair
3. Angelmaker
4. Into The Eternal Pits Of Nothingness
5. Drawn By Nightmares
6. There -was A Man
7. Four Hundred Years
8. Transition
9. Evening Star
Additional vocals on ‘Drawn By Nightmares’ performed by Jesse M. Jolly.
Lead guitar on ‘Evening Star’ performed by Dan Swanö.
Banjo on ‘Despair’ performed by Geir Emanuelsen.
Mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö at Unisound Studios, winter/spring 2017.
Artwork created by Alex Tartsus.
ULSECT are releasing the third new track taken from their self-titled debut album, which has been slated for release on May 12th.
The Dutch death metal innovators are now streaming “Unveil” at the link below, which can be freely used and spread.
Regarding the track, ULSECT comment: “Our song ‘Unveil’ speaks of scorned omens and the revelation of inevitable consequence. The chaos and sudden transitions that initiate this track are contrasted by a moment of clarity, ultimately leading to a crushing and repetitive mantra; a symbolization of the vicious cycle in which death is a necessity for life to bloom.”
Artwork and track-list of ‘Ulsect’ can be viewed below.
Track-list
1. Fall to Depravity (06:45)
2. Our Trivial Toil (07:59)
3. Diminish (05:52)
4. Moirae (02:20)
5. Unveil (04:23)
6. An Augury (03:59)
7. The Endling (04:43)
8. Maunder (06:32)
Total playing time: 42:33
It is hard to imagine Tilburg as the heart of darkness. Yet in musical terms, this expression qualifies as an apt description for the homely Dutch city that has spawned such acts as blackened extremists DODECAHEDRON and rhythmic progressives TEXTURES. Out of this circle, ULSECT have emerged.
The death metal innovators feature guitarist Joris Bonis and drummer Jasper Barendregt from DODECAHEDRON as well as former TEXTURES bass-player Dennis Aarts. It therefore hardly comes as a surprise that elements of their origins have permeated into ULSECT’s eponymous debut album. You will find high technical precision and prowess woven into dense dissonance and lucent atmosphere.
‘Ulsect’ embodies relentless post-death metal aesthetics fraught with shifting patterns and dark tonality. The primeval forces unleashed by pioneers such as GORGUTS and DEATHSPELL OMEGA are violently harnessed to serve a sinister musical purpose. Nightmares transformed into sonic matter.
ULSECT herewith cordially invite you to dare and explore their dark dimension.
Line-up
Dennis Maas – vocals
Arno Frericks – guitars
Joris Bonis – guitars
Dennis Aarts – bass
Jasper Barendregt – drums
NETHERBIRD sprung into existence October 30th 2004 in Stockholm, Sweden when Nephente, Bizmark and Grim decided to start collaborating. The was goal was to create harsh metal with influences from both black and death metal without any regard or limitation when it comes to style or even line up.
The first full-length Netherbird album, when it came out in 2008, was well received by the media and attracted a large group of fans. Due to the production being pretty heavy on keyboards and gothic elements, the band quickly gained popularity among the appreciators of gothic-influenced extreme- and sympho-black metal. The Ghost Collector is a promise of something grand and ambitious, it is a clear proof that Netherbird were always a band with a bigger vision; and it paves a solid path to the success of their recent, more atmospheric records. This album is an inspired complex venture, combining both the earliest tunes written by Netherbird co-founder Grim and songs created by the band’s main composer Bizmark between 2004 and 2008, with vocalist Nephente’s profound and imaginative lyrics crowning them. A massive guild of guest musicians that took part on the recording sessions adds to the versatility of instrumentation and stylistic diversity of the record.
Originally recorded in several sessions, this album was guested by renowned pillars of metal scene such as Adrian Erlandsson (At The Gates, The Haunted), Janne Saarenpää (The Crown), Brice Leclercq (Ages, ex-Satyricon, ex-Dissection) and Daniel “Mojjo” Moilanen (Katatonia, Lord Belial) among others, which makes it a remarkable collection of songs with a wide range of styles. Having been sold out for many years, The Ghost Collector is now being reissued by Black Lodge Records. The re-release is scheduled for the 5th of May, 2017, and comes with a new cover art as well.
Official music video for THE BLACKEST BREED by NETHERBIRD off their album, THE GHOST COLLECTOR
A broad retrospective of all rarities, covers and non-album tracks throughout Netherbird history, Hymns from Realms Yonder is a must-have for every collector. Tunes that were once available as digital releases only have now been gathered into one CD summarizing the band’s creative journey through the first decade of its existence. Written and recorded during different session and lineups, these songs present a staggering sonic rollercoaster when it comes to their sound, tone and atmosphere, at the same time remaining recognizable and keeping all the distinctive elements that made Netherbird who they are today.
Original tunes (single b-sides as well as limited EP’s material) are neighboured by several cover versions of renowned classics of metal and obscure alternative, including Annihilator, Paradise Lost, and Sentenced. Vika Yermolyeva’s masterpiece piano rendition of Pillars of the Sky is definitely a rare gem to crown the album. The album was released on 7th of April, 2017, via Black Lodge Records.
Russian one man Funeral Doom Project FUNERAL TEARS released its third full length “Beyond the Horizon” via Satanath Records & Cimmerian Shade Recordings; bandcamp exclusively streamed the album, which can be found at this location
Initiated from Tomsk, Russia during December, 2007, Funeral Tears is the solo Funeral Doom project of Nikolay Seredov (leader of bands like Стахановцы [Stakhanovite] and Taiga). Dark melodic music and lyrics convey the inner state of Nikolay at different periods of life, the struggle for spiritual balance, at war with himself for only purpose – to find his own eternal peace. With two grief-stricken full lengths and a split with Poyezd Rodina, Funeral Tears has made their place in the realm of underground Funeral Doom Metal.
The third full-length of Funeral Tears, “Beyond The Horizon”, clocking in at near an hour, creates the aura of getting buried into the grave of intense depression. Prepare to be crushed amongst the gloomy passages of 06 unadulterated Funeral Doom tracks.
FUNERAL TEARS
Beyond The Horizon
(Full Length)
Location: Tomsk, Russia
Release Date: April 13, 2017
Label: Satanath Records (Rus) & Cimmerian Shade Recordings (USA)
Format: CD
Track – List:
01. Close My Eyes
02. Breathe
03. Dehiscing Emptiness
04. I Suffocate
05. Beyond The Horizon
06. Eternal Tranquility
TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 56:07
Members:
Nikolay Seredov – Everything
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FORCEPS is a 4 piece Death Metal band based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, born in 2006. Two neck wrecking tracks from their upcoming full length are available for streaming, find them below
During these 10 years the band made several shows in Brazil and released two DEMOS and one EP. Despite sometimes of inactivity due to changes in the lineup, the band kept its presence in the minds of local and international fans because of its identity and originality.
Musically influenced by elements of various Death Metal sub-genres such as Brutal Death Metal, Grindcore and Technical Death Metal, bringing in their lyrics a catastrophic vision of the future in a world ravaged by human action. A voracious critique of humanity’s relation with itself and with the planet in today’s world. It is a desperate narrative about the decay of the planet and the horrendous methods and consequences of post-human efforts to prevent extinction.
The first demo was released in 2007, followed by a three-track demo entitled “CORPOREALITY” in 2010, both had a good response from the public and in 2012 the band signed with North-American label Ossuary Industries and released the EP entitled “HUMANICIDE “, its reception to date showed that the band was definitely rooted in the Brazilian Death Metal scene.
FORCEPS has performed at several shows in Brazil since then, playing alongside internationally renowned bands such as Cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, Hatebreed, Brujeria, Otargos (FRA) and Symbiosis (PT) and Brazilian renowned bands Krisiun, Torture Squad and Claustrophobia.
The band returned in 2016 with a new lineup after completing the recording and production of their first full-length album. Now with the experienced musicians Bruno Tavares (guitar) and Thiago Barbosa (bass) joining forces with long-lasting members Doug Murdoch (vocals) and Emmanuel Ivan (drums), the band is re-energized and ready to release their new album “MASTERING EXTINCTION” containing ten tracks, in addition to making its first international tour in 2017.
Upcoming Schedules:
– APRIL 2017: NEW OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
– JUNE / JULY 2017: BRAZILIAN TOUR
– SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2017: EUROPEAN TOUR
NIGHTBRINGER are are unleashing their complete forthcoming new album ‘Terra Damnata’, which has been scheduled for release on April 14th.
NIGHTBRINGER comment: “With Terra Damnata we have tread even deeper into the labyrinth of certain esoteric traditions and sacred mythos, closer to the heart of the living darkness that destroys all and liberates but few. The spirit of the album is one of an ever backwards turning and embracing of both terror and ecstasis, love and death, before the gods and daemons of the Age of Misrule.”
NIGHTBRINGER have previously revealed the new artwork and the track-list of ‘Terra Damnata’, which can both be viewed below.
Track-list
1. As Wolves Amongst Ruins
2. Misrule
3. Midnight’s Crown
4. Of the Key and Crossed Bones
5. Let Silence be His Sacred Name
6. Inheritor of a Dying World
7. The Lamp of Inverse Light
8. Serpent Sun
NIGHTBRINGER are pushing forward in their fast-track evolution with grim determination. Their forthcoming fifth full-length ‘Terra Damnata’ takes at least as big a step into new musical dimensions as its predecessor ‘Ego Dominus Tuus’ (2014) – yet without straying from the band’s original black course.
While ‘Ego Dominus Tuus’ amalgamated traces of quintessential elements taken as inspiration from EMPEROR, DARK FUNERAL, and DIMMU BORGIR among other black classics into a dark American alloy, ‘Terra Damnata’ seems to systematically sever such ties to the previous orthodoxy found on ‘Hierophany of the Open Grave’ (2011). NIGHTBRINGER have sharpened their claws and unafraid of dissonance dare to take their songwriting where it hurts.
At the time of their founding, NIGHTBRINGER were conceived as a conduit for contemplations on the mysteries of death as it is understood in the tradition of the magical arts. Formed in the year 1999 by vocalist and guitarist Naas Alcameth and former member Nox Corvus, the outfit from Colorado, United States chose Scandinavian black metal as the foundation of their artistic expression. NIGHTBRINGER developed along the lines of second generation Black Metal, while continuously expanding their own unique sinister mark on sound. After unleashing several demos and split releases between 2001 and 2006, their debut album ‘Death and the Black Work’ arrived in 2008. Two years later, sophomore opus ‘Apocalypse Sun’ followed. Erupting from the US underground, NIGHTBRINGER found themselves opening for major scene acts such as WATAIN, KRIEG, and PROFANATICA.
Having firmly established their place within the elite circle of US black metal, NIGHTBRINGER are bound to break through new boundaries with ‘Terra Damnata’.
EVOKEN will re-issue their much sought after debut album ‘Embrace the Emptiness’ (1998) as a limited vinyl edition via Season of Mist. Only 666 hand-numbered copies in audiophile heavy black vinyl (180g) will be made available.
Please note that EVOKEN have not signed to Season of Mist
Season of Mist are reissuing EVOKEN’s much sought after debut album ‘Embrace the Emptiness’ as a strictly limited edition vinyl. Now that this dark gem of the US Funeral Doom Metal legend is available again, put the record on your turntable, shade your windows, turn off the light, lie down in bed and let yourself get overwhelmed with emotions. Drift away in your mind and just let the feelings of solitude hit you. An utterly dark album that every fan of funeral/death doom should own.
Track-list
Side A: Intro / Tragedy Eternal
Side B: Chime the Centuries’ End / Lost Kingdom of Darkness
Side C: Ascend into the Maelstrom / To Sleep Eternally
Side D: Curse the Sunrise
Recording line-up
Vince Verkay: drums
Nick Orlando: guitars
John Paradiso: vocals, guitars
Steve Moran: bass
Dario Derna: keyboards
INQUISITION are kicking off the second leg of their “Bloodshed Across Europe” tour this April. The fast rising US black metal duo will kick off their rampage at the Royal Metal Fest in the Danish city of Aarhus tonight and then proceed to bring darkness all over Europe throughout the whole month.
INQUISITION commented about this tour: “We are proud to announce our upcoming tour in April, which will take us partly outside of the usual touring circuit. Many of these places we will visit for the first time – expanding the circuit through this second leg for our Bloodshed tour throughout the continent.”
On further news, INQUISITION have already been confirmed for the prestigious Party.San and Bloodstock Open Air festivals this summer.
Please see below for a list of all confirmed shows.
INQUISITION tour
07 Apr 17 Aarhus (DK) Royal Metal Fest
08 Apr 17 Stockholm (SE) Dark Days in Stockholm
10 Apr 17 Hamburg (DE) Markthalle
11 Apr 17 Möhrlenbach-Weiher (DE) Live Music Hall
13 Apr 17 Roma (IT) Traffic Club
14 Apr 17 Brescia (IT) Circolo Colony
15 Apr 17 Pratteln (CH) Mini 27
16 Apr 17 Rotterdam (NL) Baroeg (Conspiracy Of The Damned)
17 Apr 17 Roeselare (BE) De Verlichte Geest
18 Apr 17 Groningen (NL) Vera
19 Apr 17 Essen (DE) Turock
20 Apr 17 Cham (DE) LA
21 Apr 17 Colmar (FR) Grillen
22 Apr 17 Quimper (FR) Polarites
23 Apr 17 Nantes (FR) Ferrailleur
24 Apr 17 Paris (FR) Glazart
27 Apr 17 Saragossa (ES) King King
28 Apr 17 Barroselas (PT) SWR Festival
29 Apr 17 Sevilla (ES) Fanatic
30 Apr 17 Murcia (ES) Garaje Beat Club
INQUISITION festivals
11 Aug 17 Catton Park (UK) Bloodstock Festival (Sophie Lancaster Stage)
12 Aug 17 Obermehler (DE) Party.San Metal Open Air 2017 (exact date tba)
