greek black metal

NIGHTFALL release brand new track of forthcoming album

Greek metal masters NIGHTFALL are now unleashing the first track of their brand new opus ‘At Night We Prey’. The new offering is set for release on March 05, 2021. ‘Darkness Forever’ can now be viewed here:

The new album is now available for pre-orders HERE.

Vocalist Efthimis comments on the track: “This song was originally inspired by Isaac Asimov’s nouvelle Nightfall. It is called ‘Darkness Forever’ because of its analogy to what one experiences when in deep depression. Hope seems to be nowhere near and help from others is never enough to bridge the gap between shattered psyche and real world. Incapacity to communicate this harsh condition, to explain what all is about, is suffocating. And as all beings struggling to breathe, reactions are neurotic and violent.”

NIGHTFALL have previously announced new European tour dates together with Draconian in March 2021! A full list of confirmed shows can be found below.

NIGHTFALL
+Draconian
11 Mar 21 Warsaw (PL) Hydrozagadka
12 Mar 21 Gdansk (PL) Drizzly Grizzly
13 Mar 21 Berlin (DE) Nuke
14 Mar 21 Leipzig (DE) Hellraiser
15 Mar 21 Prague (CZ) Black Pes
16 Mar 21 Regensburg (DE) Eventhall Airport
17 Mar 21 Mannheim (DE) MS Connexion Complex
18 Mar 21 Dortmund (DE) Junkyard
19 Mar 21 Hamburg (DE) Kronensaal
20 Mar 21 Enschede (NL) Metropool
21 Mar 21 Rotterdam (NL) Baroeg
22 Mar 21 Antwerpen (BE) Zappa
23 Mar 21 Rennes (FR) Ubu
24 Mar 21 Paris (FR) Petit Bain
25 Mar 21 Wetzikon (CH) Hall of Fame
26 Mar 21 Paderno (IT) Slaughter Club
27 Mar 21 San Donà di Piave (IT) Revolver
28 Mar 21 Vienna (AT) Viper Room
  NIGHTFALL have furthermore revealed the cover artwork and album details of ‘At Night We Prey’.

Track-list
1. She Loved the Twilight
2. Killing Moon
3. Darkness Forever
4. Witches
5. Giants of Anger
6. Temenos
7. Meteor Gods
8. Martyrs of the Cult of the Dead (Agita)
9. At Night We Prey           
10. Wolves in Thy Head
Total: 46:10

It has been seven long years since the world was last blessed with new music from the melodic blackened death metal stalwarts of NIGHTFALL. While the band has been absent from the scene since the release of 2013’s Cassiopeia, their legacy has not been forgotten. Comprising the holy trinity of Greek metal – along with ROTTING CHRIST and SEPTICFLESH – NIGHTFALL was the first extreme act in the country to sign an international deal, introducing the world to the burgeoning Mediterranean scene in the early 90s. Now, the band is plotting a triumphant return with At Night We Prey, the darkest and latest chapter of NIGHTFALL’s already storied career.

During the first decade of NIGHTFALL’s lifespan, the band headlined stages across Europe. Thereafter, went on to dominate international festivals such as Brutal Assault, Sonisphere, and Wacken, the latter of which the band solidified their legacy as the first ever Greek band to earn an envied spot at the renowned festival. The band eventually made the decision to switch to a studio act before they went completely silent. When reflecting upon the sudden disappearance after a steady rise from the underground, vocalist and founding member Efthimis Karadimas explained that it was due to an all too familiar beast – depression. “It’s because of depression that kicked in as early as mid-00s. I can write for hours and get into details about stuff gone wrong or mistreated situations, but the basis of all discouragement to move on has been depression and the effort required to get over it.” Despite the dark days, Karadimas did not abandon music entirely, moving on to form THE SLAYERKING, a gothic doom metal band that has released two agonizing full-length records between 2016-2019.

Alas, the abrupt departure of the band was not the final “goodbye” as NIGHTFALL has been reinvigorated with a new lineup and coveted deal with Season of Mist. Karadimas has reunited with original NIGHTFALL guitarist Mike Galiatsos, who helped define the band’s sound during the early years. With the addition of drummer and producer Fotis Benardo (ex-SEPTICFLESH) as well as guitarist Kostas Kyriakopoulos (THE SLAYERKING), the band is finally ready to release the tenth studio album At Night We Prey. In addition to the long-awaited new music, Season of Mist will also be re-issuing the band’s original albums that were produced by Holy Records back in the 90s. This is not the only news the band has to share as NIGHTFALL has also vowed to finally perform again. “We are gonna play these live, including stuff never played live before,” says Karadimas.

‘At Night We Pre’y is a very dark and personal effort, tackling the topic of Karadimas’s battle with depression. “A beast I have experienced its teeth deep into my soul, I decided to come out and share that experience with metalheads,” Karadimas laments. “This is the least I can offer now to the big fight against depression. If we do not stop this, it will eat us all alive. Share your pain, speak openly about it. This is the only way to kill the demons in your mind.”

https://www.instagram.com/nightfallband
https://www.facebook.com/nightfallbandofficial

Line-up
Efthimis Karadimas : Bass, vocals
Mike Galiatsos : Guitar
Kostas Kyriakopoulos : Guitar
Fotis Benardo : Drum

Recording studios: Devasoundz studios and Soundflakes studios (Athens)
Producers: Efthimis Karadimas and Fotis Benardo 
Engineers: Fotis Benardo, Thimios Krikos, Aggelos Karatzas
Mixing studio and engineer: Orgone studios, London, by Jaime Gomez Arellano
Mastering: Maor Appelbaum Mastering, Los Angeles, by Maor Appelbaum
Guest musician: Female vocals by Eleni and Souzana Vougioukli

Cover art: Travis Smith

ISOLERT reveal first track from new NIHILISTICHE KLANGKUNST album – features members of SØRGELIG

Today, Greek black metallers Isolert reveal the new track “Staring at a Path Towards Nowhere.” The track is the first to be revealed from the band’s highly anticipated second album, World in Ruins, set for international release on November 11th via Nihilistische KlangKunst. Hear Isolert‘s “Staring at a Path Towards Nowhere ” in its entirety here:
Howling forth from the nameless abyss betwixt Hell and insanity, black wings outstretched to envelop the world, comes the nihilistic yet irrepressible spirit of Isolert. Forged in Volos, Thessaly amidst the searing flames of 2015 by Nick S and Panagiotis T (also active together in Sørgelig), this bewitching project draws not from the classic Greek black metal sound and instead delves deep into the Scandinavian night with a wretched fervor that calls to mind such luminary names as Gorgoroth or Dissection, dexterously blended with a touch of that crepuscular madness that only acts like Tribulation can typically conjure.

The early years of Isolert were a flurry of diabolical activity. In March of 2015, with the sparks of their meeting setting all around them ablaze, their initial demo, Isolated Soul, was quickly wrought upon the unsuspecting world. 2016 would then see Giannis and Apostolos join the band for the release of their first LP, entitled No Hope, No Light… Only Death, garnering great acclaim. 2017 pushed their possessed productivity to even greater levels of intensity, the impure fruits of which were an EP entitled Isolert, a split album with countrymen and kindred souls Insanity Cult, plus a collaborative effort with the mighty Human Serpent on a glorious 20-minute composition – all of which only served to strengthen their whispered legend.

And then, the project was locked in a cage. Hidden deep underground. Almost forgotten…until now.

For 2020 sees the now-triumvirate of Nick, Panagiotis, and Apostolos poised to release their most devastating ode to darkness yet: World In Ruins. With a name both inspired by the end-state of the world and descriptive of what will surely happen once this album is released, the album roars and rails with a ferocious apocalypticism only hinted at in Isolert‘s previous works. Crushing melodic leads entwine with an incredibly visceral, vital vocal performance to inspire dread and despair as you, the listener, can only watch it all collapse around you…

So be warned: you have until November to make all necessary preparations before Nihilistische KlangKunst unleashes the final catastrophic blow upon humanity via digipack CD and 12″ vinyl, with spectacularly eschatonic cover art courtesy of VisionBlack – Nikos Stavridakis.

Isolert have returned…and they bring with them a World in Ruins. (text by Aaron Bray)

Aforementioned cover art and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Isolert’s World in Ruins
1. Fire, Ash, Blood [3:31]
2. Burn Them [4:04]
3. As We Die [5:08]
4. Extinction [4:36]
5. Staring at a Path Towards Nowhere [7:19]
6. World in Ruins [5:33]
7. Light…Has Abandoned Us [10:14]
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/isolert
www.isolert.bandcamp.com
www.n-kk.de 
www.nihilistischeklangkunst.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/Nihilistische-KlangKunst-104664284637790

CAEDES CRUENTA to reissue second album thru HELTER SKELTER on vinyl and tape, preparing third album

Today, Helter Skelter Productions (distributed & marketed by Regain Records) sets July 16th as the international release date for Caedes Cruenta’s classic second album, Ερείπια Ψυχών, on vinyl LP and cassette tape formats.

Formed in 2003, Caedes Cruenta are the foremost torchbearers for the classic Greek black metal sound. For them, the early Hellenic flame of the “Big Three” – Rotting Christ, Varathron, and Necromantia – never died, nor did the contemporaneous flames of Septic Flesh, Thou Art Lord, Kawir, Zemial, and Nightfall among others. “Greek black metal” may have changed shapes and styles over the past 30 years, but for the members of Caedes Cruenta, the ancient days of the early ‘90s burns stronger than ever.

Caedes Cruenta indeed made it their mission to uphold this noble sound, and it arguably reached its perfect on their second album, Ερείπια Ψυχών, originally released at the end of 2014. Whereas their Σκιές δαιμόνων debut album from four years previous took an altogether more atmospheric route, here Caedes Cruenta expanded from a duo to a quartet, and immediately is that classic Greek physicality felt: pulsing and patient but portending ominousness and metallic might, Ερείπια Ψυχών is the surging, Alpha sound of ancient brimstone made forever vital and virile. Bass-heavy in its infinitely potent throb and tastefully embellished with subtle layers of mystical synth, one could be forgiven for thinking Caedes Cruenta transported the listener back in time, so authentic and invigorating is its Hellenic classicism.

Thus, Helter Skelter is proud to make Ερείπια Ψυχών available again on vinyl and cassette. This reissue comes in lieu of Caedes Cruenta‘s forthcoming third album, Of Ritual Necrophagia and Mysterious Ghoul Cults, which is currently being recorded and will be released by Helter Skelter in late 2020 / early 2021.

In the meantime, stream Ερείπια Ψυχών in its entirety here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Caedes Cruenta’s Ερείπια Ψυχών 1. Ροκανίζουσιν κουκία: Το θανατικό (Intro)
2. The Mystical Ritual Of The Dark Priests
3. Under The Shadow Of Death
4. Εκεί όπου τραγουδά η νεκροκεφαλή
5. Aura Of Immortal Souls
6. From The Darkest Paths Of Golgotha
7. Lost Kingdom Of The Argead King
8. The Crescent Symbol Of The Apocalypse
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/Caedes-Cruenta-112443672198855
www.helterskelterproductions.se
www.facebook.com/helterskelterproductions
www.helterskelterproductions.bandcamp.com 

Greek black metal classicists Synteleia premiere new track

Today, Greek black metal classicists Synteleia premiere the new track “Ithaqua, thy Mighty Storm” The track hails from the band’s striking debut album, Ending of the Unknown Path, set for international release on August 30th via Hells Headbangers. Hear Synteleia‘s “Ithaqua, thy Mighty Storm” in its entirety HERE.
Although a relatively new band, Synteleia breathe the breath of the ancients and maintain an authentically classic Hellenic black metal style. Naturally, the influence of the Greek “Big Three” (Rotting Christ, Varathron, Necromantia) looms large, but also within the Synteleia sound can one detect traces of early Septic Flesh, Thou Art Lord, and Nightfall. Above all, despite being grounded in the early ’90s, Synteleia exhibit a vital fire and freshness of approach which makes Ending of the Unknown Path truly timeless.

Synteleia was founded in 2015 by guitarist Drakon Hesperion and vocalist Nyctelios. Being devoted followers of the Greek black metal scene for more than 20 years, they started composing original stuff, heavily influenced by the pioneers of the scene – Rotting Christ, Varathron, Horrified, Necromantia, Thou Art Lord, and more.

With the addition of Septis (bass/keys) and the assistance of Amdusias and Oort (also members of the Greek death metal band Plague), in June 2016, Synteleia entered the studio to record their first demo, Astral Blasphemies. In January 2017, the band made its debut appearance at the Extreme Assault II Festival at Modu club, Athens. In the summer of 2017, followed by a change in lineup, Cronios joined the band as the lead guitarist, and with the assistance of Nick “Yngve” on drums, the band started rehearsing for the Under the Pagan Moon Fest, taking place at Gagarin club, Athens, on November 4th, 2017, together with Kawir and Horn.

The recordings for the debut album, Ending of the Unknown Path, started in December 2017 and went until late summer 2018. During the recordings, Synteleia appeared at the Horns Up III Festival at Trikala and Black Death Holocaust Night at Remedy club, Athens. The band’s latest live performance has been at the Lords of the Void Festival at Temple club, Athens, on October 26th, 2018, with Varathron and Disharmony.

A statement from the band reads: “Synteleia are proud to announce Hells Headbangers Records to be our rightful partner, regarding the release of our debut album. We feel obligated to stay true to our ideals and beliefs, and cooperating with a genuine underground label that fully understands and supports our old-school Hellenic black metal aesthetics, taste, and philosophy feels the best way to repay all those who have entrusted us with their support and confidence. We are honored to be a member of HHR‘s unholy legions.”

Indeed, old-school Hellenic black metal aesthetics are alive and well with Synteleia as they take you to the Ending of the Unknown Path!

Continue on that path with the previously revealed track “Missioner of Sorrow” HERE at Hells Headbangers‘ Bandcamp, where the album can be preordered,  as well as the previously revealed “Daemonica Infernalium” HERE at Hells Headbangers‘ official YouTube channel.

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Synteleia’s Ending of the Unknown Path
1. Daemonica Infernalium
2. Dark Summoner of Yog-Sothoth
3. Ending of the Unknown Path
4. Three Oaths to Dagon
5. Ithaqua, thy Mighty Storm
6. Celephais
7. Missioner of Sorrow
8. Many Masks of Nyarlathotep
9. The Black Goat Rites
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/synteleia

SORGELIG set release date for IRON BONEHEAD mini-album, reveal first track

Today, Iron Bonehead Productions sets May 3rd as the international release date for a striking new mini-album from Sorgelig, Devoted to Nothingness, on 12″ vinyl format.

Released earlier this year on limited cassette, the aptly titled Devoted to Nothingness is a swift ‘n’ decisive blast of unapologetically grim, blown-out black metal. Sorgelig may hail from Greece, but they otherwise eschew their homeland’s classic paradigm for one that hearkens back just as far, to France’s notorious Black Legions. Thus, across Devoted to Nothingness will those of hardier constitutions find utterly tortured, hysteric bleariness that’s both malformed and melancholic, favorably suggesting the likes of Vlad Tepes, Mütiilation, and especially Belketre, but with an exquisitely rotten touch all Sorgelig‘s own.

This is black metal from ancient times, no more but certainly no less. No modernity, no progression, NO HOPE: truly, Sorgelig are Devoted to Nothingness. The first devotion can be found with the new track “Die in Vain” here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Sorgelig’s Devoted to Nothingness
A1. Light Fades Away
A2. Die In Vain
A3. The Parasites of Existence
A4. H.E.M.E.O.T.S
B1. Miden
B2. Devoted to Nothingness
B3. We Shall Be Forever Blind
B4. Eclipse
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/sorgelig

Rotting Christ announce European tour dates with Moonspell

The Greek metal veterans of ROTTING CHRIST  have announced new European tour dates together with Moonspell this Fall. The massive rampage kicks off at the Markthalle venue in Hamburg (DE), and continues to wreck havoc throughout 22 more countries before a final curtain at the Backstage in München (DE). A full list of confirmed shows can be found below.
ROTTING CHRIST
+Moonspell
24 Oct 19 Hamburg (DE) Markthalle
25 Oct 19 Bochum (DE) Matrix
26 Oct 19 Hengelo (NL) Metropool
27 Oct 19 Amsterdam (NL) Melkweg
29 Oct 19 London (UK) Islington Assembly Hall
30 Oct 19 Antwerp (BE) Trix
31 Oct 19 Rennes (FR) L’etage
01 Nov 19 Paris (FR) La Machine
02 Nov 19 Toulouse (FR) Metronum
03 Nov 19 Madrid (ES) MON
07 Nov 19 Murcia (ES) Garaje
08 Nov 19 Barcelona (ES) Salamandra
09 Nov 19 Bourg-en-Bresse (FR) Le Tannerie
10 Nov 19 Milano (IT) Magazzini Generali
11 Nov 19 Bologna (IT) Estragon
15 Nov 19 Istanbul (TR) If Performance Hall
17 Nov 19 Sofia (BG) Mixtape 5
18 Nov 19 Zagreb (HR) Mochvara
19 Nov 19 Graz (AT) Dom im Berg
20 Nov 19 Bratislava (SK) Majestic Club
21 Nov 19 Vienna (AT) Simm City
22 Nov 19 Budapest (HU) A38
23 Nov 19 Zlin (CZ) Winter MOR – Euronics Sports Hall
24 Nov 19 Krakow (PL) Kwadrat
25 Nov 19 Warszaw (PL) Progresja
26 Nov 19 Gdansk (PL) B90
27 Nov 19 Riga (LV) Melna Piektdiena
28 Nov 19 Tallinn (EE) Tapper
29 Nov 19 Helsinki (FI) Tavastia
30 Nov 19 Tampere (FI) Klubi
01 Dec 19 Turku (FI) Apollo
03 Dec 19 Stockholm (SE) Slaktkyrkan
04 Dec 19 Oslo (NO) Parkteatret
05 Dec 19 Kolding (DK) Godset
06 Dec 19 Roskilde (DK) Gimle
07 Dec 19 Berlin (DE) Columbia Theater
08 Dec 19 Hannover (DE) Musikzentrum
09 Dec 19 Mannheim (DE) MS Connexion Complex
10 Dec 19 Esch Alzette (LU) Kulturfabrik
11 Dec 19 Geneve (CH) PTR
12 Dec 19 Pratteln (CH) Z7
13 Dec 19 Leipzig (DE) Hellraiser
14 Dec 19 Würzburg (DE) Posthalle
15 Dec 19 München (DE) Backstage

ROTTING CHRIST Festivals
27 Apr 19 Stockholm (SE) Stockholm Slaughter 2019
11 May 19 Vienna (AT) Vienna Metal Meeting
07 Aug 19 Fortress Josefov (CZ) Brutal Assault (Exact date TBA)
08 Aug 19 Caton Hall (UK) Bloodstock Open Air 2019 (Exact date TBA)
10 Aug 19 Kortrijk (BE) Alcatraz Festival 2019 (Exact date TBA)

ROTTING CHRIST will be playing in support of their freshly released record ‘The Heretics’ which is streaming via the official Season of Mist YouTube channel here. The album artwork, created by Maximos Manolis, and album details of ‘The Heretics’ can be found below.
Track-list:
1. In The Name of God (04:14)
2. Vetry Zlye (Ветры злые) (03:13)
3. Heaven and Hell and Fire (04:52)
4. Hallowed Be Thy Name (05:06)
5. Dies Irae (03:46)
6. I Believe (ΠΙΣΤΕΥΩ) (03:42)
7. Fire God And Fear (04:50) 
8. The Voice of the Universe (05:23)
9. The New Messiah (03:07)
10. The Raven (05:23)
Total: 43:36
ROTTING CHRIST have reached another peak in their long career that now spans over more than three decades. The Greeks have literally stood the test of time. With a steady core line-up and their well-honed live delivery, ROTTING CHRIST are filling concert halls and reap enthusiastic crowd reactions wherever they go. This demonstration of love from their followers is not just driven by nostalgia as the band has managed to evolve and grow, while staying relevant beyond the classics with their highly acclaimed latest albums such as ‘Aealo’ (2010), ‘Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτού’ (2013), and ‘Rituals’ (2016).

Now, with the new offering ‘The Heretics’, ROTTING CHRIST are opening a brand new chapter. With confidence and skills derived from experience, each song represents its own sonic universe. Guitarist and vocalist Sakis Tolis in collaboration with his brother Themis on drums achieve a perfect balance of amalgamating their classic and unique style of riffing and rhythm with exciting new elements sprinkled in to keep their material exciting and fresh. The experienced is enhanced by Jens Bogren’s equally clear and transparent yet also massive as well as sombre mix and mastering at his widely renowned Fascination Street Studios (AMORPHIS, BORKNAGAR, MOONSPELL, DEVIN TOWNSEND, and many more).

ROTTING CHRIST were founded by Sakis Tolis and his brother Themis in the year 1987. Starting out on a basis of death and grind, the Greeks had already embarked on a darker musical journey by the time their debut full-length ‘Thy Mighty Contract’ (1993) was revealed. On the following seven albums covering a ten-year period from ‘Non Serviam’ (1994) to ‘Sanctus Diavolos’ (2004), ROTTING CHRIST steadily defined their own distinct style by experimenting with elements from death, heavy, and gothic metal without betraying their black roots. At the same time, the band went from underground heroes to headliner status. With the highly acclaimed ninth album, ‘Theogonia’ (2007), the Greek stalwarts added an unmistakable native element to their sound, which has remained with them as a signature trademark ever since. Exploring the mythical legacy of cultures around the globe let to 

ROTTING CHRIST‘s massively successful latest release, ‘Rituals’ (2016). With more than 30 years, 13 studio albums, a dozen EPs, singles and split releases, as well as more than 1.250 shows under their belt, 2018 marked the year of ‘Their Greatest Spells’ (2018), where they musically revisited their exciting legacy to connect their past with the present. 

‘The Heretics’ marks another step in the evolution of the Greek masters. Buckle up for a fascinating musical ride through the woes of religious wars, Zoroastrianism and the eternal war between good and evil.  Metal at its best!

www.facebook.com/Rotting-Christ-290468585669
www.rotting-christ.com

Studio: Pentagram Studios (Athens, GR)
Producer: Sakis Tolis
Sound Engineer: George Emmanouil
Mix/studio: Jens Borgen, Fascination Street Studios (SE)

Guest Musicians:
Irina Zybina (GRAI): Vocals on ‘Vetry Zlye’
Dayal Patterson: Intoning on ‘Fire God and Fear’
Ashmedi  (MELECHESH): Vocals on ‘The Voice of the Universe’
Stratis Steele: Intoning on ‘The Raven’

Line-up
Sakis Tolis: vocals, guitar
Themis Tolis: drums
Vangelis Karzis: bass
George Emmanuel: guitar