Angelplague is the third album from New Jersey’s death metal derelicts KALOPSIA. Weaving together the blasting intensity of American death metal, Scandinavian melodies and Jersey’s home grown breakdowns, Angelplague is KALOPSIA’s most ferociously heavy effort to date. The relentless opener “Destined to Return” is a high-velocity foreshadowing of things to come, while “Christened Upon the Slab” and “Not Peace But Pestilence” focus on knuckle-dragging, head nodding groove. “Scorched Earth and Blackened Skies,” the longest and most dynamic track on the album showcases frenzied fretwork and brutal groove before unleashing a dual-guitar hook that gets stuck in the listener’s head with all the subtlety of a pick axe.
“We wanted to come out swinging” says guitarist Matt Medeiros. “Our last album was focused on speed and dexterity. This time we wanted bigger hooks, and bigger breakdowns.”
Angelplague continues KALOPSIA’s horrific mutation, blending blasting brutality, pit-inducing ignorance, melodic guitar interplay and an old-school vibe to create a pestilential soundtrack to scorch the earth and blacken the skies. The album was produced by Bobby Torres at Frightbox Studios.
Lineup
Matt Medeiros (Ruinous, ex-Funebrarum) – Vocals / Guitars
Justin Spaeth (Abacinate, Hammer Fight, Dysentery) – Drums
Drew Murphy (Hammer Fight) – Bass
Steve Horvath (Deteriorot) – Lead Guitars
MADROST returns with a new full-length album titled The Essence of Time Matches No Flesh on June 27! Featuring seven tracks of Orange County’s finest Progressive Thrash Metal from one of the scene’s most sci-fi bands! This is 37 minutes of total devastation and chaos, makes this the only album to truly bake your brain! A lyric video for the album’s opening track, “Eyes of the Deceit,” is live, check it here
On The Essence of Time Matches No Flesh, MADROST has found its definitive sound, one that is much more dynamic and darker than previous album Into the Aquatic Sector. The forthcoming album picks up where Into the Aquatic Sector left off and takes the sound to a whole new, previously unexplored level. Vocalist/guitarist Tanner Poppitt comments: “I wanted a broader scope to work with and have the listener think about what they are listening to.” Last but certainly not least, Tony Koehl’s (The Black Dahlia Murder, Putrid Pile, Malignancy, etc) cover art also represents a huge step forward for the band, as his artistic interpretations tie everything together into a cohesive whole.
The Essence of Time Matches No Flesh was mastered by Alan Douches of West West Side Studios, and mixed and recorded by Mark Rivas of Rivas Studios. The album was produced by Mark Rivas and Tanner Poppitt.
Track Listing
1. Eyes of the Deceit
2. The Silence in Ruins
3. From Sand to Dust
4. Abstractions
5. No Future
6. Scorned
7. Dimensions
After a five-year wait, veteran Dark Descent alumni Father Befouled return with Desolate Gods, their 4th full length offering of twisted and cacophonous death metal chaos.
Picking up where 2012’s Revulsion Of Seraphic Grace left off, Desolate Gods picks up the torch, infusing their influences into a suffocating and mysterious album of serpentine riffing and lurching, cavernous doom. Compounding that is a maturity – a sound evolved from the heavy-handed Incantation worship of before – to a distinct sound all their own.
In their 10 year existence Father Befouled has developed into a tried-and-true death metal machine, and Desolate Gods is the direct result of that practice: a visceral and violent expulsion of rotting death metal blasphemy.
As much as the music of Desolate Gods is rooted in the influence of bands like Morbid Angel, Incantation, and Monstrosity, the lyrical direction pays homage to the ancient gods of death and chaos. The darkness that governs the universe and the pain that death creates.
Dark Descent Records will release Desolate Gods June 23 on CD and digital formats.
Desolate Gods was recorded in various sessions in Atlanta, GA, between August and December 2016. The album was mixed and mastered by Cruciamentum’s Dan Lowndes at Resonance Sound Studio. Cover art by Alex Shadrin of Sickrites/Nether Temple Design.
Father Befouled will make a May 27 appearance at the Maryland Deathfest.
Formed in 2014, Australia’s Earth Rot has wasted no time in spreading their venomous blend of black and death metal and released a four-track EP titled “Dirt” that same year, followed by their debut full-length “The Black Smoke” merely six months later. Both releases stunned the underground scene, showcasing the same energy and hunger of a pack of dingoes hunting in Australian desert. Such great reactions opened a few doors for the Perth-based four-piece group and offered them the chance to tour across Australia, Asia and even Europe, where they opened for Aversions Crown and Thy Art Is Murder.
In 2016, the group issued a new EP titled “Chthonian Virtues” to great critical acclaim, No Clean Singing for instance said “Chthonian Virtues houses five songs, and while it’s true that they’re all indeed trying to kill you, listening to them is an exhilarating experience for other reasons besides that one.”
Now just one year later, Earth Rot returns with their second full-length album “Renascentia”, which sees the Australian four-piece further honing and sharpening their crushing and vicious blackened death-metal attack. Recorded by Sam Allen and Jared Bridgeman at Electric City Studios, Western Australia, mixed by Erik Rutan (Cannibal Corpse, Goatwhore, Hate Eternal, Morbid Angel) at Mana Recording Studios, Florida, “Renascentia” features the same pummelling aggression that Earth Rot have been inflicting their listeners since their first EP, 2014’s “Dirt”, but also offers some new and refreshing ideas, like for instance, the saxophone played by Shining’s Jørgen Munkeby on the track “The Bones That Lay Beneath The Earth”.
Ultimately, “Renascentia” is clearly destined to be hailed as one of the best death metal releases of 2017.
California’s death-thrash machine Sacrificial Slaughter return to Horror Pain Gore Death Productions for the release of Generation of Terror.
Since forming more than 15 years ago, Sacrificial Slaughter has grown into one of the most dominant forces in the underground. The band’s evolution is fueled by series of full-lengths, EPs and splits, along with relentless tours with the likes of Vader, Master, Vital Remains and more.
Generation of Terror showcases the band’s razor-edged aggression and calculated violence with five brutal new tracks and a cover of the classic Carnivore track “Race War.”
RIYL: Asphyx, Autopsy, Behemoth, Cephalic Carnage, Cryptopsy, Death, Exhumed, Goatwhore, Malignancy, Massacre, Misery Index, Monstrosity, Nile, Razor, Suffocation and Vader.
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions will release “Generation of Terror” May 12 on CD and digital formats.
Catch the band live on the Strike of the Empire 2017 Tour featuring Vader & Internal Bleeding. Sacrificial Slaughter will also appear at the Las Vegas Deathfest.
Sacrificial Slaughter w/ Vader, Internal Bleeding, Voices of Ruin & Micawber:
5/22 – Santa Fe, NM @ Underground
5/23 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Thunder Alley
5/24 – Memphis, TN @ Growlers
5/27 – Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
5/28 – Tampa, FL @ Brass Mug
5/29 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
5/30 – New Orleans, LA @ Siberia
5/31 – Houston, TX @ Arcadia
6/01 – Dallas, TX @ Curtain Club
6/02 – El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse Bar
6/03 – Albuquerque, NM @ Blu Phoenix
6/04 – Mesa, AZ @ Club Red
6/05 – Santa Ana, CA @ Malones
6/06 – Oakland, CA @ Oakland Metro
6/07 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
6/08 – LAS VEGAS DEATH FEST – details at lasvegasdeathfest.com
6/09 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
6/10 – Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre
6/11 – Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room
6/12 – Newport, MN @ Opinion Brewery
6/13 – Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
6/14 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies Rock Club
6/15 – Lakewood OH, @ The Foundry
6/16 – New York City, NY @ Webster Hall
6/17 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung-fu Necktie
6/18 – Richmond, VA @ Banditos
6/19 – Louisville, KY @ Highlands Taproom
6/20 – Murfreesboro, TN @ Autograph Rehearsal Studio
6/22 – Shreveport, LA @ Bushnookies
6/23 – Austin, TX @ The Lost Well
6/24 – Odessa, TX @ Krazy 8
6/25 – Tucson, AZ @ The Loudhouse
CARACH ANGREN are streaming the next wicked track of their forthcoming new album, ‘Dance and Laugh amongst the Rotten’. The Dutch masters of horror metal have slated this haunting for June 16th.
CARACH ANGREN comment: “We proudly present the next track from our upcoming album ‘Dance and Laugh amongst the Rotten’ called ‘Charlie’. It will draw you right into the first chapter of an unsettling journey, setting an ominous dark paranormal tone. ‘Charlie’ has everything and more of what you may expect from us: a darkness brought forth by unsettling haunting melodies, piercing riffs, and bloodcurdling storytelling.”
CARACH ANGREN have previously revealed the cover art by renowned Romanian artist Costin Chioreanu and track-list of ‘Dance and Laugh amongst the Rotten’, which can both be viewed below.
1. Opening (2:17)
2. Charlie (4:10)
3. Bloodqueen (4:55)
4. Charles Francis Coghlan (6:07)
5. Song for the Dead (4:16)
6. In De Naam Van De Duivel (6:29)
7. Pitch Black Box (3:17)
8. The Possession Process (4:27)
9. Three Times Thunder Strikes (5:19)
Total playing time: 41:16
The Dutch masters of horror are back with their most flamboyant album so far. On ‘Dance and Laugh amongst the Rotten’, CARACH ANGREN are painting musical pictures that easily combine the grandiose depth of a Rembrandt with Van Gogh’s maelstrom of whirling colours and the utter madness of Bosch. This lusciously seductive danse macabre will drag you in and never let go.
CARACH ANGREN have employed all the sonic colours on their palette to dazzling effect. Their trademark whipping guitars are weaving harsh melodies and sinister soundscapes, which are beautifully contrasted by opulent keyboards and majestic orchestrations. That Till Lindemann (RAMMSTEIN) and Peter Tägtgren (PAIN) have called upon the composition talent of Clemens “Ardek” Wijers is a telling sign of his outstanding mastery of the craft. Another signatory counterpoint is provided by Seregor’s fierce rasping and shrieking vocals. Adding to the impact, Namtar has become a relentless driving force with his hard hitting yet intricate drumming. Each track on this album is a highlight on its own, while combined ‘Dance and Laugh amongst the Rotten’ simply shines.
CARACH ANGREN set out to tell ghost-stories with a set of paranormal cases recorded on the demo ‘The Chase Vault Tragedy’ (2004). This was soon followed by the official release of the ‘Ethereal Veiled Existence’ EP (2005) as a prelude to the haunting ‘Lammendam’ (2008). The Dutch had a clear vision of combining a dark baroque style of metal with horror based lyrical concepts. Their sophomore full-length ‘Death Came through a Phantom Ship’ (2010) witnessed the band setting sail to bring their eccentric and capturing live performances to audiences and festivals all over Europe. In the wake of third album ‘Where the Corpses Sink Forever’ (2012), the haunting had reached the Americas and started to spread rapidly. This recorded added a serious side to the lyrics of CARACH ANGREN. While firmly remaining in the horror genre, their tales revolve around the evils of war. This mature streak was taken a step further with the fourth full-length ‘This Is No Fairytale’, which is on the surface a darker variation of the “Hansel and Gretel” story from the Brothers Grimm collection, but also deals with the too real topic of child abuse in a dysfunctional family.
With ‘Dance and Laugh amongst the Rotten’, CARACH ANGREN are returning to “pure” storytelling with episodes that are centered on a girl playing a little too long with her Ouija board. The Dutch have pushed their unashamedly theatric style to a new intense height. You do not believe us yet? Press play and unleash these radiant ghosts into your home…
Line-up
Seregor: vocals, guitars
Ardek: keyboards, orchestra
Namtar: drums
Guitars on tracks 2, 3, 4 written by Seregor
Guitars on tracks 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 written by Ardek & Seregor
Bass written by Ardek
Guest musicians
Nikos Mavridis: solo violin on tracks 3, 4, 9
Patrick Damiani: all guitars and bass guitar
Vocals & keys recording: Clemens Wijers Music Productions, The Netherlands
Drums recording: Abyss Studio, Sweden
Guitars & bass recording: Patrick Damiani, Tidal Wave Studio, Germany
Mixing: Peter Tägtgren, Abyss Studio, Sweden
Mastering: Jonas Kjellgren, Black Lounge Studio, Sweden
NECROPHAGIA have announced a European tour in support of legendary MORBID ANGEL fronter David Vincent’s I AM MORBID. The American cult death metal pioneers will embark on their hellish road-trip at the Rudeboy in Bielsko-Biala, Poland on May 17th and continue to celebrate their horror shows throughout seven more countries before a final curtain at the Hellraiser in Oberhausen, Germany on the 12th of June.
Killjoy comments: “Europe are you ready for some horror and gore? We are very excited to come back and spread the sickness with l AM MORBID!”
NECROPHAGIA will be touring in support of their latest masterpiece ‘WhiteWorm Cathedral’, which is fully streaming at the link below.
Muahaha! NECROPHAGIA are back to haunt you! The masters of death metal horror invite you to bang to the Sabbath on a coffin night, when the evil priest and the rat witch raise the dead among us! Once again Killjoy DeSade has taken his time to compose and record ‘WhiteWorm Cathedral’, but the result was well worth the wait. NECROPHAGIA have generally taken another step back to a more straightforward approach. Although their latest full-length ‘Deathtrip 69’ (2011) was generally met with roaring applause, there has been some criticism levelled at the album. Killjoy DeSade seems to have drawn the same conclusions and reduced the atmospheric samples to the necessary, while focusing on songwriting and catchiness. Now NECROPHAGIA deliver more old school death metal with a blasphemous groove and killing hooks. The band was formed in late 1983 by the Godfather of Gore Metal, Killjoy and their debut recording ‘Season of the Dead’ was unleashed in February 1987. In the same year the Americans split despite their tremendous impact in the underground death metal scene, which they helped founding. In the middle of the 1990’s horror fan Philip Anselmo (DOWN, ex-PANTERA) convinced Killjoy to resurrect NECROPHAGIA and joined for the next three releases including their second album ‘Holocausto de la Morte’ (1998). The band released two more albums including ‘The Divine Art of Torture’ (2003) and several EPs despite undergoing continued line-up changes. NECROPHAGIA’s fourth full length ‘Harvest Ritual Vol. 1’ (2005) saw some experimentation, while their next eerie incarnation ‘Deathtrip 69’ featured more evil movie samples adding to the beloved vintage horror feeling. Yet the time has come to light those black candles, chant the incantations and watch the ‘WhiteWorm Cathedral’ rise! Amen, Brother Killjoy!
THE PROJECTIONIST, black metal band from Canada, formed and fronted by Lord Matzikeitus (ex-Idolatry) has recently released their 2nd full length “Exalted Solitude” via Appalachian Noise Records & The True Plague Records;
The Projectionist (previously known as Lord Matzigkeitus), was initiated by the frontman Lord Matzigkeitus (Ex – Idolatry). He was soon joined by comrades from some other diabolic acts including Vile Insignia, Unrest, Ov Enochian, Belchior etc, however the lineup has continued to change. The music is centered on themes of hatred and isolation, to evoke new unexplored domains of intellectual fury and bleakness in black metal with complete despotic will poured over its endeavors.
Beginning their warpath in 2016, they released a full length and EP, entitled “Poisonous Disengagement” and “The GallowForest Eulogy” respectively, which attacked listeners with ghoulish screams and mournful yet ultimately violent guitar work, gaining good reviews in the process. Exalted Solitude is the Projectionist’s next phase in evolution. Refined and despotically black. Here, the ramparts of hell are fully manned and blotting out the sun with hateful arrows. Meant to vanguard the tortured isolation of Satanic rule. Lord Matzigkeitus, Parageist and new drummer Malphas bludgeon True cultists with eloquent savagery and indominable power.
With lavish artwork by Sang Ho Moon and Jan Pysander Whitney, and a guest guitar track by Christopher Hernandez of Xasthur. Out April 20th on Appalachian Noise Records and The True Plague Records jointly.
Testimony from the Vocalist, Lord Matzigkeitus:
“Exalted Solitude is the Projectionist’s next phase in evolution. Refined and despotically black. Here, the ramparts of hell are fully manned and blotting out the sun with hateful arrows. Meant to vanguard the tortured isolation of Satanic rule. Lord Matzigkeitus, Parageist and Malphas bludgeon True cultists with eloquent savagery and indomitable power.”
The Projectionist
Exalted Solitude
(Full Length)
Location: Canada
Release Date: 20 Apr, 2017
Label: Appalachian Noise Records & The True Plague Records
Format: CD & Digital
Track – List:
1. 11 Strikes to Incite Incurable Silences
2. Suckling a Most Hateful Claustrum
3. Ineffable Inner Void
4. Oubliette Threnodies
5.If Erased, So Fertile Ought
6. Draw Away
7. Chapel of Astaroth
8. Zarathustra Within
9. Sleepless Witching Curse
10.Harpy Whispers Malice (The Regent’s Downfall)
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
