Today, Spanish death metallers Krypticy premiere the new track “The Water Street Butcher”. The track is the second to be revealed from the band’s highly anticipated second album, The Non-Return, set for international release on July 22nd via Memento Mori. Hear Krypticy‘s “The Water Street Butcher” in its entirety here:
Krypticy was founded by main composer Alex Guerrero (vocals/guitar) in Málaga, back in 2013. The band’s debut EP, Necronomicon, captured their fondness for old-school death metal, most specially of the Floridian kind (Morbid Angel, Obituary, Death, Cancer). By the time they released their debut full-length, Hideous Being, a few years later, the band was already exhibiting a larger range of influences (Suffocation, Malevolent Creation, Deicide, Decapitated) and had begun to play live, sharing the stage with bands such as Lapidated, Avulsed, Wormed, Aposento, and Necrophiliac, among others.
With the band solidifying their lineup by the end of 2022 – Guerrero alongside Pancho Vázquez (drums), Thomas Schenk (bass/backing vocals), and Sergio Álvarez (guitar) – Krypticy signed with Memento Mori for their sophomore full-length. And now it arrives, bearing the ominous title The Non-Return. As forecasted by its stark cover artwork (courtesy of Cardaver Art) and cryptic nomenclature, The Non-Return sees Krypticy aiming to push the limits their already consolidated sound. Undoubtedly still tried & true DEATH METAL, there’s nevertheless a strive for something more spiritual here, as the quartet seek an evolution towards a more unique personality whilst retaining the classic edge that always defined Krypticy‘s approach to the genre. Mind you, this isn’t doublespeak for going all-out “prog” or leaving behind death metal altogether (and still calling it such); rather, the band have begun to more fluently speak different dialects within the same language, producing a multilingual approach that can only but strengthen the sum effect. So, while the traditional tropes of late ’80s thrashing and early ’90s grinding are well and accounted for, there’s a markedly angular aspect to Krypticy‘s songwriting on The Non-Return, which works up a fever & fury when riffs and riffs and RIFFS attack, one mercilessly after the other, the rhythm section surging and staying linear and ultimately producing a memorability that easily evades verse/chorus structures.
So, for those who willingly have their minds warped by such unfussy sleepers as Suffocation’s Pierced From Within, Malevolent Creation’s Stillborn, Decapitated’s The Negation, and Diabolic’s Infinity Through Purification, prepare to arrive at your destination with Krypticy‘s The Non-Return!
Begin departing with the previously revealed “Hypatia’s Heresy” HERE at Memento Mori‘s official YouTube channel. Aforementioned cover artwork and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Krypticy’s The Non-Return 1. Infected Pharaoh 2. Hypatia’s Heresy 3. Texas Chainsaw Massacre 4. The Void 5. The Water Street Butcher 6. UGH! 7. Krypticy 8. Virgins Recently Fucked Sacrifice
Today, Blood Harvest Records announces August 30th as the international release date for Phenocryst‘s highly anticipated debut album, Cremation Pyre, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.
Hailing from Portugal, Phenocryst was formed in early 2020 by D.S. (Archaic Tomb, Summon) and P. Tosher (Extreme Unction, Scum Liquor, ex-A Tree of Sign), with N. (Summon, Sepulcros, Concilium) and V.M. (Systemik Violence, Necrobode) joining later on, during the recording of their debut EP. The band is based in the outskirts of Lisbon, and the origin of such conjuration is a rigorous consequence of a vibrant underground activity in the city.
D.S. and P. Tosher wanted to create the foundation of a death metal act crossing other influences like doom and some psychedelic vibes, to illustrate soundscapes of disastrous, catastrophic, and annihilating volcanic and natural events. There are not many artists actually singing about this specific topic, if any, and therefore, the lyrical content is also something to explore. As such, the moniker Phenocryst is fitting.
That debut EP, aptly titled Explosions, was released by Blood Harvest in late 2021 to international acclaim. Across its 23-minute runtime, Phenocryst unsettled with preternatural ease, reeking of death stench and obscure delirium. It was a noble foundation, to be sure, and one that allowed for further liberation of the rich language of death metal.
Speaking more confidently and boldly than ever and armed with a reconfigured lineup, Phenocryst at last deliver their debut album in Cremation Pyre. Another aptly titled record, Cremation Pyre indeed sonically approximates its namesake: somber yet furious, coiling with both inexorable dread and steely-eyed austerity, portentous and spacious in equal measure, and of course MOLTEN. Upon first blush, Phenocryst‘s debut full-length is perhaps purer death metal than its short-length predecessor; riffs are hulking and heaving, with a clearer production imparting a gleaming tank-like sound not unlike mid ’90s Bolt Thrower. But even within this seemingly more “standard” carapace, odd & adroit sensations get malformed into miasmic shapes, and what seems like a no-less-awesome iteration of gleaming meat & potatoes DEATH METAL soon starts sliding and slipstreaming into a vortex of cosmic ash as the second half of the album begins to dig in its supernatural claws and frightening spaciousness opens up. And that’s to say nothing of the subtly reverberating-into-the-abyss bits of melody dotting this sooty landscape…
Forward-thinking traditionalism? Perhaps, but the real beauty of Cremation Pyre is that it’s open to myriad interpretations; one only need step into its lava. Phenocryst prove, once again, that Only Death is Realer!
In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “Pyres of the Altar” HERE:
Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Phenocryst’s Cremation Pyre 1. Pinnacle Of Death 2. Astonishing Devastation 3. Pyres Of The Altar 4. Incandescent Debris 5. Embers Of An Ancient Fire 6. Volcanic Winter 7. Fogo Nas Entranhas 8. Burial Swamps
No band has tested the boundaries of extreme music more than Cryptopsy.
After an ungentle exhumation from the Canadian underground during the early ’90s, Cryptopsy quickly rose to recognition amongst metalheads all across the globe. Most bands would consider themselves lucky to make one classic album. Cryptopsy have made three, including None So Vile, which is widely considered one of the best death metal albums of all time.
Cryptopsy’s raw and blistering technical prowess set a precedent for extreme music. After all, their eldest statesmen did write the book on this style of drumming. But the band have continued to evolve throughout their storied career. Their 30-year discography defies any one categorization, incorporating everything from jazz fusion to mathy avant-garde rhythms and melodic experimentation before returning to their more brutal form.
Just last year, Cryptopsy won a JUNO Award for their most recent album, As Gomorrah Burns. This year, the band earned another prestigious honor: joining the celebration of death metal’s most iconic band. While they continue to tour North America alongside Death to All, recently, Cryptopsy made a stop at Maryland Death Fest for a special 30th anniversary set of their debut album, Blasphemy Made Flesh.
Now that they’ve signed with Season of Mist, Cryptopsy are focused on keeping their momentum rolling. They’re hitting the road this fall on a second tour of North America, this time with Carnifex. New music is also on the way, along with definitive reissues from their classic catalogue.
“We are thrilled to announce that Cryptopsy has joined forced with Season of Mist!” the band says. “Season of Mist’s dedication to artistic integrity and their track record of supporting diverse and innovative music make them the perfect partner for Cryptopsy. With their backing, we look forward to reaching new heights creatively, connecting with more fans and continuing to push the boundaries of extreme music. We are excited for the journey ahead and the opportunities this opens up for what’s already an exciting new chapter of our band”.
The Scream of Perseverance Tour 2024 featuring Cryptopsy and Death to All
May 18 – Milwaukee, WI @ Milwaukee Metal Fest May 19 – Milwaukee, WI @ Milwaukee Metal Fest May 21 – Columbus, OH @ The King Of Clubs May 22 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre Of Living Arts May 23 – New York City, NY @ Gramercy Theatre May 24 – New York City, NY @ Gramercy Theatre May 25 – Boston, MA @ The Middle East May 26 – Boston, MA @ The Middle East May 28 – Montreal, QC @ Le National May 29 – Montreal, QC @ Le National May 30 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre May 31 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre June 1 – London, ON @ London Music Hall June 2 – Detroit, MI @ Magic Stick June 3 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies* June 4 – St. Paul, MN @ Amsterdam Bar & Hall June 5 – St. Paul, MN @ Amsterdam Bar & Hall June 6 – Iowa City, IA @ Wildwood* June 7 – Lawrence, KS @ The Granada June 8 – Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater June 9 – Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater June 10 – Grand Junction, CO @ Mesa Theater* June 11 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall June 12 – Spokane, WA @ The Big Dipper* June 13 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre [TICKETS] June 14 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre [TICKETS] June 15 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile [TICKETS] June 16 – Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile [TICKETS] June 17 – Richland, WA @ Ray’s Golden Lion [TICKETS]* June 18 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre [TICKETS] June 19 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre [TICKETS] June 21 – Berkeley, CA @ Cornerston [TICKETS] June 22 – Berkeley, CA @ Cornerstone [TICKETS] June 23 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst [TICKETS] June 24 – Fresno, CA @ Full Circle Brewery District [TICKETS]* June 25 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick [TICKETS] June 26 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick [TICKETS] June 27 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater [TICKETS] June 28 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent Theater [TICKETS] June 29 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Nile Theater [TICKETS] June 30 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad [TICKETS]* July 2 – Oklahoma, OK @ 89th Street Collective [TICKETS]* July 3 – St. Louis, MO @ Red Flag [TICKETS]* *Cryptopsy only
Necromanteum Part II North American Tour 2024 featuringCryptoposy, Carnifex,Mental Cruelty, Organectomy and Heavy / Hitter
October 4 – Pomona, CA @ The Glass House Concert Hall [TICKETS] October 5 – Palmdale, CA @ Transplants Brewery [TICKETS] October 6 – Roseville, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post [TICKETS]* October 8 – Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre [TICKETS]* October 9 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon [TICKETS] October 10 – Vancouver, BC @ Hollywood Theatre [TICKETS] * October 12 – Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Ballroom [TICKETS] October 13 – Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room [TICKETS] October 14 – Saskatoon, SK @ Louis’ [TICKETS] October 16 – Winnipeg, MB @ The Park Theatre [TICKETS] October 17 – Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater [TICKETS]* October 18 – Bloomington, IL @ Castle Theatre [TICKETS] October 19 – Sauget, IL @ Pop’s [TICKETS]* October 20 – Indianapolis, IN @ Hi-Fi Annex [TICKETS] October 22 – Toronto, ON @ Opera House [TICKETS] October 23 – Nepean, ON @ Brass Monkey [TICKETS] October 24 – Montreal, QC @ Beanfield Theatre [TICKETS] October 25 – Quebec City, QC @ La Source de la Martinière [TICKETS] October 26 – Ablany, NY @ Empire Live [TICKETS] October 27 – Stroudsburg, PA @ Sherman Theater [TICKETS] October 28 – Cleveland, OH @ The Asylum at Masonic Temple [TICKETS] October 30 – Springfield, MO @ Regency Live [TICKETS] October 31 – Wichita, KS @ Temple Live Wichita [TICKETS] November 1 – Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep [TICKETS] November 2 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex [TICKETS]* November 3 – Reno, NV @ Virginia Street Brewhouse [TICKETS] *no Cryptopsy
Lineup Flo Mounier – Drums Matt McGachy – Vocals Christian Donaldson – Guitar Oli Pinard – Bass
When Cryptopsy emerged from Montreal, Quebec in 1993, their groundbreaking blend of technical prowess and brutal intensity left an indelible mark on extreme metal.
Right away, Cryptopsy showcased their unparalleled musicianship with their debut album. Blasphemy Made Flesh (1994) set the stage for a career that’s been defined by innovation and boundary-pushing. Their next album solidified the band as pioneers of death metal. None So Vile (1996) earned them critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase across the world.
“Brutal and beautifully chaotic…a must-have for any extreme metal fan’s collection”, wrote Metal Hammer, who named None So Vile one of the best death metal albums ever.
Cryptopsy has continued to evolve throughout their storied career. Their 30-year discography defies any one categorization, ranging from jazz fusion on Whisper Supremacy (1998) and the avant-garde rhythms of Once Was Not (2005) to the melodic experiments of The Unspoken King (2008).
In 2012, Cryptopsy released their self-titled album, which signaled a return to their brutal roots. Three years later, the band embarked on The Book of Suffering, an ambitious two-part EP that Decibelregarded as “an absolute fucking burner”.
Almost 30 years into their career, Cryptopsy won the JUNO Award for Best Metal/Hard Music Album for their latest album As Gomorrah Burns (2023). They followed that up by earning another prestigious honor: joining Death to All on a tour of North America.
Along with their celebrated discography, a relentless work ethic and reputation as blistering live performers has cemented Cryptopsy as one of metal’s most influential and respected bands. But while their legacy is safely established, the band remain committed to expanding the definitions of extreme music. Having now signed with Season of Mist, they’re preparing to release new music, along with definitive reissues from their classic catalogue.
Today, Sepulchral Voice Records announces July 26th as the international release date for Mayhemic‘s highly anticipated debut album, Toba, on CD and vinyl LP formats.
Over 70,000 years ago, an event of horrific proportions brought earth’s life to the edge of existing. Known as the Toba eruption, a monstruous super-volcano spat forth brimstone and fire and put the world under the fangs of a massive volcanic winter. Here and now, writing the year 2024, we finally get the audiomantic equivalence to this catastrophe absolute.
As if the most glorious days of thrash metal never had ceased to exist, Chilean aggressors Mayhemic come up with a debut combining utmost power and speed, intertwined with incredible musicianship and songwriting of sheer brilliance.
The young quartet has pushed it hard since the beginning with numerous live shows – sharing stages with names like Marduk and Krisiun, among others – countless rehearsals, and an evolution which can be only labeled as stunning. From the well-produced and -structured No-Life demo up until the total speed mayhem and maniacal fury of the Mortuary Feast of Skeletons EP and the “Volcanic Blast” single, the time is now for Mayhemic‘s first full-length madness.
Comparisons do mostly suck, but for those unfamiliar with their earlier output, imagine the ravage of old Sodom, the speed kill of Merciless and old Sepultura, all combined with Kreator’s best moments of high-class thrash as on Pleasure to Kill till Extreme Aggression. Big words without doubt, but listen to Toba and the rest is self-explanatory.
If you need your dirty white high-tops, skinny jeans, and leather jackets as sharp as in the ’80s, this is the perfect soundtrack to bang your heads to Hell.
In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “Triumph Portrait” here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Mayhemic’s Toba 1. Kollarbone Crushed Neanderthal 2. Extinction & Mystery 3. Valley Of The Thundra 4. Triumph Portrait 5. Eschatological Symphony 6. Hazardous Prowler 7. Olduvai’s Lullaby 8. Toba
In a tumultuous sea of static universes, a monumental sonic wave ripples across the cosmos — WORMED releases their latest single, Protogod. A track set to recalibrate the molecular composition of sound waves. Immerse yourself in the chasms of twisted quantum fabric and galactic chaos, as Protogod emerges from the forthcoming album Omegon — a sonic enigma engineered for the seekers of the abstruse and the warriors of the obscure.
This single renders a voyage through time, density, and reality, echoing WORMED’s enduring lineage in liberating mind-bending brutal metal. Protogod reverberates as a cosmic scream, enunciated through Krighsu’s revived quantum syndicate.
Delve into the celestial trenches as Protogod orchestrates the transformation of cosmic paradigms. Every note promises a paroxysm of revelation, with layers of aggressive instrumentation synonymous with the auditory assault only WORMED can engineer. They traverse through the spectral realms of aural brutality while preserving the narrative of Chryms’ divine legacy.
Space – the final frontier. Yet, when WORMED reach out into the void, the results sound far more like a dark space opera inhabited by bizarre aliens, genetically and technically evolved meta-humans struggling for power and survival in galactic empires. Now, the nano-technological war has been unleashed in the void to defeat the last sower of human life, Krighsu!
Odd-time signatures, avalanches of breaks and complex rhythmical as well as melodic patterns will excite every aficionado of extreme technicality, while growls down-tuned strings and double-bass assaults will more than satisfy extreme metal connoisseurs. While being outstandingly skilled musicians WORMED are avoiding any self-indulgent show of prowess for its own sake. Instead, the five-piece from Madrid clearly lays its emphasis on creating atmospheric songs, which develop and grow along the underlying story.
Originating from Spain’s capital Madrid in 1998, WORMED immediately made an impact in the death metal scene with the release of their ‘Floating Cadaver in the Monochrome’ MCD (1999). Following a promo CD under the title ‘Voxel Mitosis’ (2001), the first studio album ‘Planisphaerium’ received high acclaim by critics and fans alike in 2003. In the wake of their debut full-length, the Spanish received invitations to international festival shows and touring around the globe. WORMED performed in Japan alongside GORATORY and VOMIT REMNANTS and afterwards hit Europe with MALIGNANCY and DESPONDENCY.
A creative hiatus, partly due to line-up changes and filled with re-issues of their previous released as well as the single ‘Quasineutrality’ (2010) finally ended, when their sophomore album ‘Exodromos’ came out in 2013. On their third full-length ‘Krighsu’ (2016), the fast-rising Spanish Sci-Fi tech death prodigies are telling a dystopian cosmic story with lyrics and music joined into an overarching concept. Its intense brutality, dissonant dynamic riffing, and tremendous heaviness combined with an amazing futuristic concept, which introduced the character Krighsu – last human in the cosmos, harvested top reviews and saw WORMED headlining in the US and co-headlining in Europe.
In the summer of 2019, WORMED brought their ultra-technical cosmic sonic onslaught to new heights on their 4-track EP ‘Metaportal’, released through Season of Mist. Praised as a monstrously satisfying addition to their catalogue, the EP bridged the gap between their previously released 2016 ‘Krighsu’ and their newest project. Atmospheric yet faithful to the skull-crushing mindboggling textures they’ve given fans over the years, ‘Metaportal’ allowed WORMED to come to terms with the loss of Guillermo Calero in 2018 and move forward.
On ‘Omegon’, WORMED’s upcoming 2024 release, they continue the story of Krigshu, a timeline hacker entangled in manipulation by cosmic forces. As viciously as the aggression they bring on their technically impressive instruments, Krigshu battles his way to unlock the mysteries of Omegon, a mysterious cosmic substance holding ultimate power. With 9 tracks of ultimate interstellar chaos, a story unfolds and WORMED prove yet again that they reign supreme on the technical death metal genre.
Recording Studio BlackStorm Studios (Karrantza, Basque Country)
Production Credits Ekaitz Garmendia – Producer & Sound Engineer Mixed & Mastered by Colin Marston at Menegroth, The Thousand Caves (Queens, NY, USA) Editing by Simon Da Silva at The Empty Hall (Madrid, ES)
Available Formats: Digital Download CD Digipak 12″ Vinyl Gatefold – Black 12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – White 12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Transparent Blue 12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Blue, Black & White Marbled
On May 31s internationally, Chaos Records is proud to present Black Wound‘s highly anticipated debut album, Warping Structure, on CD format. And today, they stream the album in its entirety. Hear Black Wound‘s Warping Structure in its entirety here:
Following a trio of demos, a split, and an EP since their formation in 2021, Sweden’s Black Wound at last reveal their debut full-length, Warping Structure, consisting of six tracks of dense, murky, cavernous death metal. Clocking in at just over 40 minutes, the trio here sound like they’ve spent an unhealthy amount of time in the deepest, dankest subterranean hovel, with only humankind’s darkest nightmares for company.
Impossibly, Warping Structure sees Black Wound cranking up the aural brutality a couple notches. Everything goes up to that mythical eleven: the vocals, the guitars, the bass, all layered over the pummeling drums in a way that it feels like all light has been extinguished and suffocation seems inevitable. Teasingly, the crawling, doomier interludes provide some form of relief before the ferocious, relentless wall of sound overwhelms again.
Make no mistake, Warping Structure is a punishing journey, but once you’re immersed in Black Wound‘s bleak hellscape, you’ll find it to be an immensely satisfying listen. Maniacs for Spectral Voice, Teitanblood, and Winter are wholeheartedly encouraged to immerse themselves in this subterranean hovel!
Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
On August 2nd internationally, Personal Records is proud to present Mourners Lament‘s highly anticipated second album, A Grey Farewell, on CD format.
Formed in 2004, Mourners Lament are a doom-death metal band hailing from Viña del Mar, Chile. During their first years, they released a demo in 2004 and then an EP, Unbroken Solemnity, in 2008. Those two recordings launched the quintet onto numerous gigs within the Chilean doom scene, some of them with classic bands like Poema Arcanus and Mar de Grises.
Lineup changes followed during the next handful of years, as Mourners Lament underwent a minor period of silence while preparing what would be their debut album. Titled We All Be Given, the band’s first full-length would first be released in 2016 by esteemed national label Canometal Records, and then later the next year internationally through Hammerheart Records. Between the two editions, Mourners Lament established themselves as a considerable new(er) name in the wider doom-death scene.
After the debut album’s initial release, Mourners Lament continued playing live shows in their native Chile, climbing to a higher position in the national doom scene. Later on, two new members took over drums and vocal duties, and a new lineup was established in 2019, which continues to this day. This new-look Mourners Lament brought fresh sounds and spirit to the band, resulting in the new EP Grieving at a Distance in 2022 and their first adventure in European territory that same year.
After the Euro tour, which included an appearance at the renowned Dutch Doom Days festival, the band started the process of a new album. At last here, A Grey Farewell easily eclipses its not-inconsiderable full-length predecessor. Here, Mourners Lament erect a towering monument to misery: six songs in nearly 65 minutes, the album is an emotional and DARK journey across a majestic & melancholic landscape. Undoubtedly, it’s pure DOOM-DEATH by definition – riffs crush and then reverberate, rhythms lumber before nearly disappearing into darkness, guttural vocals either meld with both or play counterpart, and icy, almost-sensual synths flow with subtlety and a quiet power – but Mourners Lament prove to be masterful songwriters, patiently building arcs that unfold dark drama and bittersweet emotion, and then seamlessly threading the whole experience together as one unified work that’s equally spacious and suffocating. That there’s a bit more polish here only makes A Grey Farewell that much better, particularly given the band’s penchant for dynamic quietude.
The raw-yet-rich emotion of the earliest days of the Peaceville Three – Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, and Anathema, altogether THE eternal template for doom-death metal – can still be a fertile field for inspiration. It would not be hyperbole to suggest that A Grey Farewell is perhaps one of the best modern examples of pure doom-death that imparts its own personality. Some 20 years after their formation, Mourners Lament have truly arrived!
In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “Towards Abandonment” here:
Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Mourners Lament’s A Grey Farewell
1. Towards Abandonment [10:58] 2. Changes [13:27] 3. Ocaso [7:26] 4. The Clear Distance [12:29] 5. In A White Room [9:18] 6. Mass Eulogy [10:22]
In the ever-evolving saga of extreme metal, few bands have stirred as much respect as VLTIMAS. Comprising legends David Vincent (Morbid Angel), Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen (Mayhem, Aura Noir) and Ype TVS (Dodecahedron), this supergroup has carved a niche for themselves that breaks all boundaries of extreme metal. Their latest album, EPIC, showcases their dark, overpowering artistry, filled with tracks that push limits. Released March 15 on Season of Mist, VLTIMAS are now set on lighting up stages across Europe.
“Epic Prophecy for Europe” 2024 Tour Dates: 26 September: Bucharest, ROM @ Metal Gates Warm-Up Party 27 September: Sofia, BUL @ Mixtapes 28 September: Vienna, AUT @ Szene Wein 30 September: Graz, AUT @ Explosiv 1 October: Ostrava, CZE @ Barrak 3 October: Budapest, HUN @ A38 4 October: Venice, ITA @ Revolver 5 October: Rome, ITA @ Traffic 6 October: Milan, ITA @ Slaughter 8 October: Leipzig, GER @ Hellraiser 9 October: Luzern, SUI @ Schuur 10 October: Mannheim, GER @ MS Connexion 12 October: Manchester, UK @ Academy 3 13 October: Bristol, UK @ Thekla 14 October: Dublin, EI @ The Academy 15 October: Belfast, EI @ Limelight 2 18 October: Sheffield, UK @ Corporation 20 October: London, UK @ Underworld 24 October: Herford, GER @ Kulturwerk
In their latest offering, EPIC, VLTIMAS craft a masterpiece that is both a ferocious onslaught and an intricate work of art. With songs like Miserere and Scorcher, EPIC lives up to its name, delivering a maelstrom of relentless riffs, thunderous drumming, and Vincent’s iconic growls that showcase the band’s ability to meld their legendary talents into something uniquely powerful. The album’s production, handled by Jaime Gomez Arellano at Arda Recorders, captures the raw energy and sophistication of their sound, making EPIC an immersive experience.
Tracklist 1. Volens Discordant (1:02) 2. EPIC (4:35) 3. Miserere (3:51) [WATCH] 4. Exercitus Irae (4:01) 5. Mephisto Manifesto (05:05) 6. Scorcher (03:21) [WATCH] 7. Invictus (5:30) [LISTEN] 8. Nature’s Fangs (3:52) 9. Spoils of War (5:54) Total runtime: 37:16
Extreme metal powerhouse VLTIMAS (pronounced ‘uhl-tuh-mas’) assault metaldom once more with their highly-anticipated sophomore album, EPIC, through Season of Mist. Featuring Norwegian guitarist Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen (ex-Mayhem, Aura Noir), American vocalist David Vincent (ex-Morbid Angel), and Canadian drummer Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy), the multinational quintet, rounded out by Dutch bassist Ype TVS (ex-Dodecahedron) and Portuguese guitarist João Duarte (Corpus Christii), continue to venture down their path. Moored by strength and integrity, VLTIMAS fortified their signature with wicked invention, as applauded by Decibel Magazine, BangerTV, Louder, and many others, on their debut, Something Wicked Marches In (2019). Singles “Miserere,” “Scorcher,” and “Invictus” showcase a band of musicians at the top of their game, united in their pursuit of oneness. “We wrote every bit of EPIC together at my ranch in Dime Box, Texas,” offers Vincent. “The writing sessions were as organic as they could be. There were times when, at the end of the night, Rune would take his guitar and play something ridiculous. Flo would play something even more ridiculous on top of it. I’d say to the guys, ‘I need to capture this.’ So, the magic [of VLTIMAS] is being in the same room together, discussing, playing, and recording music and everything else we’re doing together. We have unbelievable camaraderie.”
While the members of VLTIMAS are not atavists, their preferred creative methods are time-tested and battle-hardened. Technology has its place, but the group thrive when they’re together, not separated by the world. Eriksen, renowned as a riff innovator, is more effective when he’s got a highly capable sideman like Vincent or Mounier, whose drumming in Cryptopsy and his celebrated instructional Extreme Metal Drumming 101 DVD has proven to be a no-limits player, by his side. Whether it’s the moody, angular attack of “Miserere,” the wicked groove of “Mephisto Manifesto,” or the dark fury of “Nature’s Fangs,” the chemistry and enterprise of VLTIMAS is undeniable.
“The main goal [of VLTIMAS] is to be real,” Eriksen reveals. “To channel the very moment, to let true inspiration out. I don’t believe I ever set myself a goal on what an album should or needs to sound like before I or we write it because that means I have to compromise during the process. For EPIC, we focused on more direct songs, trimming the fat, as opposed to Something Wicked Marches In, which had a progressive and ‘playful’ flair.”
VLTIMAS was a profane concept—a constellation of riffs against a modest frame—when formed by Eriksen in 2015. After departing Mayhem in 2008 and putting his gothic doom outfit Ava Inferi to rest in 2013, the Norwegian’s fingers still itched with infernal fury. VLTIMAS was his vent, and when Mounier and Vincent joined, he finally had the cadre of professionals to make it a reality. Together, they devised complementary schemes and themes rooted in rightness. In a world gone mad, VLTIMAS had a vision. On Something Wicked Marches In, they commanded attention with metaphors about the apocalypse, the ancient goddess Lilith, and truth. Lyrically, EPIC spears into the very nucleus of strength through Vincent’s brio of double entendre and clever wordsmithing. The songs are designed to be heard, read, and interpreted—there are no shortcuts.
“Everything we’re doing and messaging is about strength and honor,” says Vincent. “These are the fundamentals that I incorporate into my life, which I believe in. I want to share with others, hoping they’ll incorporate strength and honor into their lives. I wouldn’t say I like spelling lyrics out. I use a lot of double meanings on purpose because I want to inspire the listener to think. I’m not a short attention span guy, and I don’t appreciate it. EPIC is holistic and meant to be experienced that way.”
EPIC was recorded by producer Jaime Gomez Arellano (Paradise Lost, Grave Miasma) with engineer Jonathan Mazzeo (First Fragment, Sickening) at Arda Recorders in Porto, Portugal. VLTIMAS tracked the album throughout May 2023. Arellano also handled the mix and master. Like everything the band does, the main goal was to be honest. The maxim of no sample replacement or re-amping—EPIC was captured on outboard gear—was adhered to and enjoyed by the team. The result is a sonic expression that sounds like nothing else. From the crushing title track to the epic musicality of closer “Spoils of War,” EPIC is an absolute beast.
“Stress, long walks, too much alcohol, yet very focused once in the recording mode,” Eriksen says of the sessions. “We booked a month, but somehow, that flew by instantly. We worked up until the very end. I even added a few solos at my local Soundscape Studio in Almada, Portugal. Art unfolds, and once you think you are done, there’s always another idea popping up.”
VLTIMAS brought Italian artist Daniele Valeriani (Mayhem, Unanimated) to visualize EPIC. The aesthetic, as illuminated by music and message, was iconic boldness. The three-eagle head crest with three different crowns, accompanied by transfigured symbols of the Passion and the “impossible triangle,” projects effortlessly. In EPIC, the group will dominate. There’s no escape from “Miserere,” “Mephisto Manifesto,” “Scorcher,” and “Invictus.” Together, they thrust, by resolve and inventiveness, VLTIMAS into the uppermost echelons of extreme metal.
“[EPIC is] old meets contemporary, a symbiosis of all the great things we love about extreme metal,” offers Eriksen. “All combined into one album.”
“I want to be as emotional and honest [with VLTIMAS],” Vincent adds. “I want to tell stories; I want to have the themes that appeal to me; I want to have some messaging that someone can take away, in this case, strength. EPIC is strength.”
Lineup David Vincent – Vocals Rune Blasphemer Eriksen – Guitars Flo Mounier – Drums Ype TVS – Bass João Duarte – Guitars
Recording studio ARDA Recorders
Producer Jamie Gomez Arellano
Sound engineer Jonathan Mazzeo
Mixing and mastering engineer Jaime Gomez Arellano
Mixing and mastering studio Arda Recorders, Orgone Studio
Available Formats: Digital Download CD Digipak 12″ Vinyl Gatefold – Black 12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Gold & Black Marbled 12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Transparent Red & Black Marbled 12″ Picture Vinyl
Blood Feast has been transformed yet again. Nearly five years in the making, with many twists and turns along the way, the band’s fourth album, Infinite Evolution, will see international release via Hells Headbangers on July 12th on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.
In lieu of this announcement, the band reveal the new video “Outbreak.” See & hear Blood Feast‘s “Outbreak” video in its entirety here:
Continuing on from 2017’s The Future State Of Wicked, the band keeps the thrash vicious, as one would expect. Yet, this time out, the boundaries are expanded. There have been changes in the ranks, as original guitarist Adam Tranquilli has now added lead vocal duties, and co-guitarist/producer CJ Scioscia has taken on more of the songwriting. Drummer Adam Kieffer remains (he came onboard for the band’s 2019 EP Chopped, Sliced & Diced), while bassist extraordinaire Mike LePond of Symphony X lent his impressive talents on the low end.
Songs such as “Outbreak,” “Never Will I Die,” and “Of Hell” retain the Blood Feasttradition of fast and furious. However, the limits are pushed out a bit further into a tech/prog direction on “Eye Of Glass” and album closer “The Chosen.” With a production straddling the line between modern and old school, Infinite Evolution shows diversity, yet without sacrificing the speed or heaviness.
With the lineup now solidified by the addition of Dave Kramer on bass, Blood Feast is itching to get these songs aired in public. New adventures await, and new frontiers are ready to be conquered. Infinite Evolution is the key to the journey.
Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Blood Feast’s Infinite Evolution 1. Crafting Carnage 2. Ravaging The Loins Of Mary 3. Never Will I Die 4. Of Hell 5. Eye of Glass 6. Outbreak 7. The Preacher 8. Evilution 9. The Chosen
In their endless quest to push and support current underground acts that perpetuate the odor of vintage death metal, on July 22nd internationally, Memento Mori is proud to present Krypticy‘s highly anticipated second album, The Non-Return, on CD format.
Krypticy was founded by main composer Alex Guerrero (vocals/guitar) in Málaga, back in 2013. The band’s debut EP, Necronomicon, captured their fondness for old-school death metal, most specially of the Floridian kind (Morbid Angel, Obituary, Death, Cancer). By the time they released their debut full-length, Hideous Being, a few years later, the band was already exhibiting a larger range of influences (Suffocation, Malevolent Creation, Deicide, Decapitated) and had begun to play live, sharing the stage with bands such as Lapidated, Avulsed, Wormed, Aposento, and Necrophiliac, among others.
With the band solidifying their lineup by the end of 2022 – Guerrero alongside Pancho Vázquez (drums), Thomas Schenk (bass/backing vocals), and Sergio Álvarez (guitar) – Krypticy signed with Memento Mori for their sophomore full-length. And now it arrives, bearing the ominous title The Non-Return. As forecasted by its stark cover artwork (courtesy of Cardaver Art) and cryptic nomenclature, The Non-Return sees Krypticy aiming to push the limits their already consolidated sound. Undoubtedly still tried & true DEATH METAL, there’s nevertheless a strive for something more spiritual here, as the quartet seek an evolution towards a more unique personality whilst retaining the classic edge that always defined Krypticy‘s approach to the genre. Mind you, this isn’t doublespeak for going all-out “prog” or leaving behind death metal altogether (and still calling it such); rather, the band have begun to more fluently speak different dialects within the same language, producing a multilingual approach that can only but strengthen the sum effect. So, while the traditional tropes of late ’80s thrashing and early ’90s grinding are well and accounted for, there’s a markedly angular aspect to Krypticy‘s songwriting on The Non-Return, which works up a fever & fury when riffs and riffs and RIFFS attack, one mercilessly after the other, the rhythm section surging and staying linear and ultimately producing a memorability that easily evades verse/chorus structures.
So, for those who willingly have their minds warped by such unfussy sleepers as Suffocation’s Pierced From Within, Malevolent Creation’s Stillborn, Decapitated’s The Negation, and Diabolic’s Infinity Through Purification, prepare to arrive at your destination with Krypticy‘s The Non-Return!
Begin departing with the brand-new track “Hypatia’s Heresy” here:
Aforementioned cover artwork and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Krypticy’s The Non-Return 1. Infected Pharaoh 2. Hypatia’s Heresy 3. Texas Chainsaw Massacre 4. The Void 5. The Water Street Butcher 6. UGH! 7. Krypticy 8. Virgins Recently Fucked Sacrifice
