Black Metal News

NUCLEAR WAR NOW! to release WRATHPRAYER / FORCE OF DARKNESS split album

Nuclear War Now! Productions sets November 15th as the international release date for Wrath of Darkness, a special split album between Wrathprayer and Force of Darkness.

Chile’s storied history within the greater context of the South American black/death metal underground is extended with Wrath of Darkness, a joint LP from two of the country’s most respected current bands, Wrathprayer and Force of Darkness. Whereas most releases of this type are generally regarded as “splits,” owing to the separate nature of each band’s contribution, Wrath of Darkness is instead aptly considered a whole work, given the close-knit alliance between the two bands. Each individual element – including the music itself, art direction, and overall thematic concept – was deliberately developed in a collaborative effort involving both entities with the singular goal of producing the most cohesive release possible. The result of this endeavor, hereby released under the proud banner of Nuclear War Now!, is one that clearly validates the several years of work required for its realization.

Although Wrathprayer and Force of Darkness differ to a noticeable extent in the details of the composition and execution of their music, they are clearly united in that their styles are most firmly rooted in the black metal subgenre. On the one hand, Wrathprayer blends the foreboding nature of black metal with an oppressive, suffocating aura more commonly associated with death metal. Force of Darkness, on the other hand, peppers its interpretation of black metal with an impressive array of razor-sharp, blisteringly-precise riffs that tend to resemble the most evil variants of thrash.

The individual contributions by both bands are perfectly bookended and bound by the intro, “Inhaling Wrath,” performed by Wrathprayer, and the outro, “Exhaling Darkness,” performed by Force of Darkness. The five intervening tracks – two by Wrathprayer and three by Force of Darkness – are emblematic of two bands at the creative apex of their existence. Highlighting Wrathprayer’s side of the record is “De Profundis,” which opens with a chorus of desperate cries from the depths of the fiery pit and is then quickly consumed by a swirling maelstrom of aural ire. Force of Darkness then inherits this storm and multiplies it, culminating in “The Order,” a near-seven-minute opus that lays waste to any semblance of meagerness that may have somehow withstood the previous assaults.

With the whole of this work greater than the mere sum of its parts, Wrathprayer and Force of Darkness effectively redefine the notion of the split release and instead revive the more noble ideal of true collaboration, in service of darkness and wrath. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Wrath of Darkness
1. Intro – Inhaling Wrath
2. Tria Serpentis
3. De Profundis
4. Wall of Fire
5. Nunc Scio Tenebris Lux
6. The Order
7. Outro – Exhaling Darkness

tracks 1-3: Wrathprayer
tracks 4-7: Force of Darkness

Norway’s SJUKDOM sign with OSMOSE, reveal first track from new album

Osmose Productions announces the signing of Norway’s Sjukdom. The first fruit of this union shall be the band’s highly anticipated second album, Stridshymner Og Dodssalmer, which shall see release early next year.

Natt and Avsky established Sjukdom in September 2011. After having one record under their belt, the pace changed for a faster, more in-your-face style of black metal. This was a change that the whole band was into, and the result came out brutal. With war as a main theme, the music fits the lyrics very well. The music may have changed a bit since the first record, but you can clearly hear that this is Sjukdom. Accompanied by Aske (former member) from Sweden, the forthcoming Stridshymner Og Dodssalmer turned out to be just the way they wanted.

Release date, cover art, and tracklisting for Sjukdom’s Stridshymner Og Dodssalmer to be announced shortly. In the meantime, hear “Naervaer,” the first track to be revealed from Stridshymner Og Dodssalmer

MORE INFO:
www.sjukdom.net
www.facebook.com/Sjukdomband

BLACK DEATH, the first African-American metal band, set release date for reissue of rare debut album

Hells Headbangers sets the release date for a special, LONG-overdue reissue of Black Death’s self-titled debut album. The CD version will be released November 17th while the vinyl version – which includes a 12″ and a 7″ – will be released December 29th; the cassette tape version is out now.

Highly sought after by collectors, not only is Black Death a crucial piece in the rich history of Cleveland heavy metal, its original 1984 release marks the first full-length by an all-African-American heavy metal band. More than that, with the band’s origins dating back to 1977, Black Death are largely known to be the first African-American metal band. But most of all, Black Death’s lone album is a fucking classic of raw ‘n’ wild HEAVY fucking METAL with a thirst for the epic and dramatic.

Black Death’s original lineup consisted of Siki Spacek on lead vocals and lead guitar, Phillip Bullard on drums and percussion, bassist Daryl Harris, and guitarist Gregg Hicks. “This was the original, classic lineup of the band,” says Spacek. “I met these guys waaaaaay back in 1977 while I was in the 11th grade, on the exact same day that I was expelled from school. At this point in time, I had already decided that music was the direction that I wanted to take my life in, and heavy metal was the perfect way to accomplish this goal.”

Indeed, across the original version of Black Death – which consisted of a seven-song main LP and then a two-song 7″, both of which Hells Headbangers will reproduce down to the same detail, including the original band logo as envisioned by Spacek – the four maniacs of Black Death create a towering work of true metal magick. The production is almost punkish, emitting a blown-out and garagey atmosphere, but this ably benefits this maniacal playing across the collective nine songs. Energy and electricity explode from every note, passion writ large across each time-evaporating minute; every player is giving it his all and going for the throat, finding that elusive balance between the barbaric and virtuostic. The songs themselves possess the swagger of red-blooded rock ‘n’ roll, but are generously daubed in the darkness and mystery of aeons-old metal. Imagine, if you will, Judas Priest’s Sad Wings of Destiny boosted with an OTT meanness or if Cirith Ungol were punks but indulged their Thin Lizzy tendencies more. Truly, Black Death is that awesome and awe-inspiring.

“I always wanted to create the ultimate HEAVY METAL band,” Spacek states humbly, “a band that was able to cover the broad spectrum of the emotional realms of music that other artists like Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin had done but individually within their own respective bands; I wanted to create a heavy metal band that would have the best qualities of each these bands. I also had a visual look in mind of black leather and spandex with chains and studs, projecting a strong image befitting the band that I had in mind.”

As for the oft-discussed issue of race, “Being an all-dark American heavy metal band was not a preconceived idea by any of us,” Spacek says. “It was something that just happened to turn out that way. To us, and especially to me, we were a heavy metal band PERIOD. A coloring book is a coloring book no matter what different colors are used inside of them.”

As fervent supporters of their hometown metal scene, Cleveland’s Hells Headbangers will endeavor to make sure this massively anticipated reissue of Black Death’s lone classic is of the highest standard, including making it available on both CD and cassette tape for the first time ever. “I have been asked how I feel about the upcoming reissue of the very first Black Death album,” Spacek concludes. “There are a variety of emotions that I have, but the most important one is of relief – FINALLY! Not only will the congregations of heavy metal be able to have personal access to it, but I can finally get my own copy of the damn thing – hahaha! And we have Bill Peters along with Chase Horval and the whole gang at Hells Headbangers to thank for making this reissue a reality and for helping me to reclaim my musical legacy! But most importantly, I want to thank all of the fans who have stayed true and interested in the ‘four dark horsemen of heavy metal’ and its current incarnation, Black Death Resurrected! It’s been a LOOOOOOONG time coming, mates – 33 years, in fact – but now it’s finally made it here…”

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Black Death’s Black Death
-main LP-
Side A
1. Night of the Living Dead
2. The Hunger
3. When Tears Run Red (From Love Lost Yesterday)
4. Fear No Evil
Side B
5. The Scream of the Iron Messiah
6. Streetwalker
7. Black Death

– 7″ 45 RPM-
Side A
1. Here Comes the Wrecking Crew
Side B
2. Retribution

SLAUGHTBBATH stream new HELLS HEADBANGERS compilation – start North America tour today

In anticipation of their upcoming first North American tour starting today (dates further below), Slaughtbbath stream the entirety of their Contempt, War and Damnation compilation. Released today by Hells Headbangers on CD format, hear Slaughtbbath’s Contempt, War and Damnation in its entirety exclusively HERE.

One of the most elite hordes in the shit-hot Chilean black/death scene, 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.

Now aligned with Hells Headbangers since last year’s red-eyed ‘n’ raging split 7″ with Grave Desecrator, Slaughtbbath hereby present an exclusive collection of tracks from their post-Hail to Fire period. Aptly titled Contempt, War and Damnation, this seven-track CD compiles tracks from splits with Grave Desecrator, Ill Omen, Kill, and fellow Hells Headbangers cult Hades Archer as well as a rare compilation track and a brand-new song specifically recorded for this release. As ever going from strength to strength, Contempt, War and Damnation displays a Slaughtbbath 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.

As North America quivers before Slaughtbbath’s impending assault on its shores alongside fellow Chilean tyrants (and new Hells Headbangers labelmates) Communion, prepare for Contempt, War and Damnation!

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Slaughtbbath’s Contempt, War and Damnation
1. Astral Rape
2. Nefast Fireground
3. Tyranny From Sodom
4. Inverted Hierophany
5. Bestial Descension
6. The Sands of Despair
7. Black Revelation of Death

Confirmed dates and venues for Slaughtbbath and Communion’s first North American tour, dubbed Barbaric Cruelty Over North America, as well as poster art are as follows:

September 8-9 – Wings of Metal Festival @ Katacombes
September 12 – Worcester, MA @ Ralph’s Rock Diner
September 13 – Brooklyn, NY @ Metal Kingdom
September 14 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Fire
September 15 – Cleveland, OH @ Now That’s Class
September 16 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies Music Joint
September 17 – Hamtramck, MI @ New Dodge Lounge
September 20 – Buffalo, NY @ Rockin Buffalo Saloon
September 21 – Toronto, ON @ Coalition
September 22 – Sherbrooke, QC @ Le Murdoch
September 23 – Considered Dead Festival, QC @ Multi Meduse

SERPENTRANCE set release date for BLOOD HARVEST debut

Blood Harvest Records sets November 10th as the international release date for Serpentrance’s debut mini-album, The Besieged Sanctum, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

Originally released as a limited-edition cassette in early 2015, The Besieged Sanctum introduced this Russian cult to the international underground with a lurking menace. Comprised of members hailing from such elite hordes as Pseudogod, Ill Omened, and Sickrites, Serpentrance create a swirling, sulfurous maelstrom of ritualistic black/death trance. Both seemingly improvised and militantly martial, The Besieged Sanctum heaves its hulking mass in a deceptively doomed manner: always a sense of vertigo engulfs the listener, no matter the tempo – from sub-atomic crawl to blastbeaten bestiality – and textures bleed in and out like a lingering fog. Now amended with an exclusive bonus track, the 31 minutes comprising this new Blood Harvest version creates a gestating womb of eldritch dread and incantory solemnity.

Enter The Besieged Sanctum with Serpentrance HERE

Preorder info can be found HERE.
Cover and tracklisting are as follows

Tracklisting for Serpentrance’s The Besieged Sanctum
1. Sin
2. The Aphotic Temples
3. Among The Timeless Tombs
4. The Tongueless Oracle
5. The Funeral Mass Of The Abhorrent

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/Serpentrance-243700699154518

MIDNIGHT contribute exclusive track for hurricane relief benefit

Midnight contributes an exclusive cover of D.R.I.’s “I Don’t Need Society” for a hurricane relief benefit. Available as an exclusive Bandcamp download-only track, all profits from Midnight’s “I Don’t Need Society” cover will be donated to the Red Cross in their efforts to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

A statement from Midnight mainman Athenar reads: “Being wild nutty metalist/punkoid/scumball/rockheads blah blah blah, we all feel we don’t need society. But like it or not, we are a part of society…I think? Maybe not, but anyway, here’s an interpretation of ‘I Don’t Need Society’ by one of my all-time favorite Texas bands, Dirty Rotten Imbeciles! So, instead of buying a pair of those used soiled panties off of Ebay or that 13-inch-long unsanded dildo that you’ve had your eye on for quite some time now, use that cash to help out some folks in the Lone Star State who may need a pair of soiled panties or a dildo of some sort.”

In other Midnight news, the band recently revealed the first track from their highly anticipated third album, Sweet Death and Ecstasy, which will be released later this year on 2CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats via Hells Headbangers. Titled “Penetratal Ecstasy,” hear the first taste of Sweet Death and Ecstasy HERE

By now, Midnight need no introduction. Guided by the twisted muse of Athenar since 2003, this Cleveland cult have been slaying the metal/punk underground with their own, highly addictive brand of lust, filth, and sleaze, subsequently building up a sizable catalog and garnering a rabid fanbase. While there’s certainly fanatics for the band’s early EP work, it was Midnight’s debut album, Satanic Royalty – released to international fanfare in 2011 by Hells Headbangers – that entered the band’s name into the annals of “classic.” Never one to rush things (nor drop an EP along the way), Midnight continued their underground dominance with No Mercy for Mayhem in 2014, further perfecting their signature sound. Now, with their massively anticipated third album, Sweet Death and Ecstasy, Athenar and co. return with their darkest and most daring effort yet.

Granted, upon the first detonating chords of opener “Crushed by Demons,” it would be fair to assume that Sweet Death and Ecstasy is simply classic Midnight…until the tracktime nearly doubles what a characteristic track of theirs would be. This is no mere bloat, though: bookended by two of the band’s longest songs to date, Sweet Death and Ecstasy lays bare a more anguished ‘n’ aggravated Midnight, forever in thrall to the usual subjects (LUST, FILTH, SLEAZE) but speaking a slightly different, altogether-more-poisonous tongue. It both charges harder than ever – even harder than the band’s early EP work, arguably – and also puts on the brakes to bang ‘n’ clang in a manner most foul. Indeed, Midnight truly deliver Sweet Death and Ecstasy in a swift 32 minutes, and it’s absolutely addicting. What’s more, the CD version will feature a bonus disc that’s a 12-song live rehearsal recorded in 2015 by Commandor Vanik. There’s no dawn for Midnight…ever!

CAINAN DAWN set release date for new OSMOSE album – reveal first track

Osmose Productions sets October 27th as the international release date for Caïnan Dawn’s highly anticipated third album, F.O.H.A.T.

Once again, Caïnan Dawn have probed the infinite resonance of the everlasting chaos. Through seven tracks with strong atmosphere, the cosmic substance F.O.H.A.T reveals the mysterious link between Mind and Matter. F.O.H.A.T is the personified electric vital power, the transcendental binding unity of all cosmic energies, on the unseen as on the manifested planes. This is the final of a reversed path that was ending with Nibiru, the destructor, and followed by thAVMIAL, the twins.

Prepare for a journey beyond eternity. Kaos, Theos, Kosmos… Begin that journey with the new track “Ylem”

Additionally, a teaser for F.O.H.A.T can also be viewed at HERE.

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Caïnan Dawn’s F.O.H.A.T
1. Kaos Theos Kosmos
2. Ylem
3. Mara
4. Fohat
5. Thule
6. Fathomless
7. Om

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/cainandawn

KAPALA set release date for DUNKELHEIT debut, reveal first track

Dunkelheit Produktionen sets November 27th as the international release date for the utterly savage debut mini-album from a shocking newcomer in the fast-rising Indian black metal scene: Kapala’s Infest Cesspool.

Formed in the depths of Kolkata, India, Kapala have had one – and only one – objective since its formation: to play the most intense and bestial musick and annihilate the cesspool. Inspired by such legends such as Goatpenis, Revenge, Black Witchery, Blasphemy, Conqueror, and many other violent entities, Kapala seek to wage total sonic warfare with a strong obsession for the concept of “Survival of the Fittest.” And indeed, they accomplish that in the swift ‘n’ decisive 20 minutes comprising their first public recording, Infest Cesspool.

A true power-trio that’s more like a three-man war machine, Kapala seek to crush, kill, and destroy all in their path with overwhelming violence and totally OTT intensity. Their arsenal of shredded decibels is bountiful, as each riff and drum hit becomes its own weapon, unleashing wave after wave after unmitigatedly annihilating wave. Stripped to only the barest essentials and with a rawness pushed well past the red, Infest Cesspool quickly becomes its own blown-out, charred-beyond-redemption landscape, unforgiving and unrelenting and unforgettably so.

There will be nothing left but scorched earth and eviscerated eardrums after this Infest Cesspool has been wiped clean – Kapala’s martial dominance will prevail! The first iron fist can be heard with the new track “Homosapiennihilation”

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Kapala’s Infest Cesspool
1. Intro (To War)
2. Homosapiennihilation
3. Kapalik Hellstrike
4. Thermobarik Spear
5. A. K. S
6. Outro (Atrocity Cacophony)

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/Kapala666

Chile’s COMMUNION sign with HELLS HEADBANGERS, to tour North America this month, reveal new track

Hells Headbangers announces the signing of Chile’s Communion. The first fruit of this union shall be TWO albums released simultaneously: their debut album, At the Announcement, to be released by the Sinister Flame but with distribution by Hells Headbangers; and the band’s second album, The Communion, to be released exclusively by Hells Headbangers. Both albums shall be released on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.

One of the most cult bands in the shit-hot South American black/death scene, for nearly a decade now, Communion have been cultivating a mystique and work ethic like no other. Staunchly DIY and largely rejecting the gross machinations of the European “metal” industry, Communion have built up a sparse yet strangely vast body of work comprising myriad short-length releases – sometimes, true “singles” in that the release will feature only one track – that are either self-released or released through vocalist/bassist Deathmessiah’s Proselytism label, which has become ground zero for the very best in nowadays South American black/death. Despite their often-short runtimes, each Communion release is its own special world, ranging the rich history of South American metal, from its blackest, most sulfurous depths to its most traditional, headbanging heights. That one band can encompass a relatively expansive swath of sounds whilst remaining uniquely rigid and focused in their attack has endeared the band to legions the world over, all of whom await each Communion release with bated breath and cherish it as a true artifact.

A statement from Deathmessiah reads: “Many people ask us why we haven’t been signed and released any album before. Well, the truth is that we have been ripped off by an ex-member who played drums and owns a studio called DM6, and after being kicked out of the band, he magically ‘lost’ our first-album tracks – only voice needed to be recorded, and we previously paid 50% in advance – and also ripped off my label with other recordings I paid in advance, too, and from which we never got any fucking tracks or money back. All that made us waste YEARS of work, and my label got really financially affected, too. But now, after I found the right souls to work with and after being in the depths of the underground releasing demos after demos and playing in several countries through South and North America, we are attacking once more now with twice as much strength!”

Continuing, Deathmessiah reveals, “Besides that, when we entered again to record with a newer lineup, our recordings took a lot of time in the mixing so we could get a personal sound that will remain as dark, ferocious, and professional as we could achieve. We worked hard on the lyrics, which are totally straightforward. Both albums are linked lyrically. What we want to say with them in the end is to ‘keep ever open eyes,’ and there’s nothing better to sing it with total destructive and hypnotic metal.”

As for working with Hells Headbangers and The Sinister Flame, “With my label work, I have been in contact with Hells Headbangers and The Sinister Flame for many years. We’e been working together arranging trades since the early 2000s, and I know they are 100% into metal and dedicated to their unholy work, and that’s what really counts for me and for the future of Communion, which will forge two more albums, The Ordeals and Take This Torch. These labels have spread our name before we signed with them and supported my work in many ways, and I truly believe they’re not afraid to show and be themselves as record labels and persons, instead of following a sheep-minded world that’s trying to turn you into an ignorant coward. So, let’s celebrate the funeral of mercy with pure WITCHING METAL!”

As a prelude to the imminent double-album attack, Communion shall be embarking upon their first North American tour this month, alongside new Hells Headbangers comrades (and fellow Chilean tyrants) Slaughtbbath.

Confirmed dates are as follows, as well as tour poster:

September 8-9 – Wings of Metal Festival, QC
September 12 – Worcester, MA
September 13 – Brooklyn, NY
September 14 – Philadelphia, PA
September 15 – Cleveland, OH
September 16 – Chicago, IL
September 17 – Hamtramck, MI
September 20 – Buffalo, NY
September 21 – Toronto, ON
September 22 – Sherbrooke, QC
September 23 – Considered Dead Festival, QC

Release date, cover art, and preorder info for both albums to be announced shortly. In the meantime, Communion have just revealed two brand-new tracks : “Secret Rites,” from At the Announcement,

and “Witching Thrust,” from The Communion,

MORE INFO:
www.witchingmetal.bandcamp.com

HAMMR reveal first track from debut album Unholy Destruction – also cover, tracklisting

Satanic speed metallers Hammr reveal the new track “Satanic Raid” at Hells Headbangers’ official YouTube channel. The track hails from the band’s highly anticipated debut album, Unholy Destruction, which shall be released later this year on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette formats via Hells Headbangers.

Hammr was formed in Cleveland, Ohio by J. Hammer in 2013. As a strictly solo endeavor, Hammr recorded a full digital-only demos album, which caught the attention of several labels. From there, the band went on to release the Hammr EP in 2015, first digitally and then on cassette tape through Hota Rex, the latter of which quickly sold out. Other plans for releases were delayed due to label managers going to jail as well as the usual financial delays, which led J. Hammer to start releasing demo singles directly to the metal people. It was during this time that he met the folks behind Hells Headbangers and also Demona founder Tanza Speed, who both took a lot of interest in Hammr. Once he received the offer, J. Hammer decided to hold off on recordings for other labels, and use some of his demos and new material for the imminent debut album, Unholy Destruction.

Ever aptly titled, Unholy Destruction is the grand culmination of the Hammr aesthetic. Built on a proud foundation of early Bathory, Celtic Frost, Iron Angel, Discharge, early Slayer, Sodom, and Venom, Hammr lets loose a wild ‘n’ loose blast of what J. Hammer has dubbed “Satanic speed,” which, in his own words, “combines fast speed metal riffing with D-beat drums and relentless arrangements. This isn’t a quick-startup, Lemmy-worshiping metal/punk band that we see a lot of; Hammr goes for your throat and doesn’t give a fuck about that shit.” Indeed it does go for the throat – relentlessly and rabidly, possessing the listener’s very body and soul as each galloping charge detonates upon pressing “play.” The solos fly fast and free from Midnight’s Commandor Vanik, instilling that very lawlessness so often missing from heavy metal these days. It’s raw and rivetheaded to the very end, locating that elusive point between heavy metal glory and hardcore punk fury, and reveling in the moment while simultaneously clutching tightly to rock-solid songwriting. And, above all, it compels – nay, DEMANDS – repeat plays, so total is that possession.

No politics, no party, no drinks: Unholy Destruction is Hammr’s declaration of independence for all the fellow lone-wolves out there. With mixing done by Commandor Vanik and mastering by Toxic Holocaust maiman Joel Grind, Unholy Destruction is bound to be one of the hottest debut albums in recent memory!

Cover and tracklisting are as follows.

Tracklisting for Hammr’s Unholy Destruction
1. Intro
2. Satanic Raid
3. Under Black Command
4. Eternal Prey
5. Desecrator
6. Sadistic Poison
7. Death Reign
8. Unholy Destruction
9. Demonic Rites
10. Into the Pentagram
11. Final Sacrifice

MORE INFO:
www.hammr.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/hammr666