Month: May 2017

Interview with New Jersey Thrash Legends Blood Feast

Today I spoke with Adam from New Jersey Thrashers Blood Feast – these guys formed in 1986 but never saw the success of the bands like Anthrax and Overkill – disbanding in the late 80st he guys reformed 7 years ago – check what Adam has to say about coming back bigger and better than ever – read on

* First off guys congratulations on the come back album ” not many bands could be gone for so long and come back so relevant. So what were the factors involved in bringing the band back from the dead in 2010? What isnpired you to do this new album 7 years later?
ADAM TRANQUILLI:  Most of these songs were written about 5 years ago, a little while after we got back together.  I wanted to move forward with new material, but it was nearly impossible with Kevin (Kuzma, original drummer) living 6 hours away.  Once we made the change to the current line-up we were off to the races.  We working on “Off With Their Heads”, “The Burn” and “Who Prays For The Devil” at the first rehearsal with Joe & CJ.

* What’s been the best feedback you have got from “the Future State of Wicked” so far?
ADAM TRANQUILLI:  We’ve gotten a lot of great responses so far.  It’s definitely been more positive than negative.  Getting an 8 (out of 10) in Decibel Magazine was really cool.  The most important thing, though, is that the fans like it!!

* How did the deal with Hells headbangers come about?
ADAM TRANQUILLI:  They contacted us.  They’re fans of the band, and they wanted to work with us.  They’ve been great!!

* How much do you think the metal scene has changed since the 80s?
ADAM TRANQUILLI:  There are a lot more strains of metal since we were around the first time.  Death Metal was only starting up.  The Scandinavian Black Metal scene was in its infancy.  Symphonic and Folk Metal didn’t yet exist.

Things seem more friendly in the scene itself.  Maybe that’s because we’re all a bit older and wiser.

“I’m with you on Midnight – great band and cool dudes.  We just played with them down in Philadelphia”

* What young metal bands do you rate these days? I have to say I love that band Midnight from Cleveland
ADAM TRANQUILLI:  I’m with you on Midnight – great band and cool dudes.  We just played with them down in Philadelphia.  Another band we like is Game Over, from Italy.  We played with them in Japan at the True Thrash Fest in 2015.

* Are you surprised bands like Overkill and Kreator from the 80s are still out there and still doing it?
ADAM TRANQUILLI:  Not really.  Both of those bands have always put out high quality thrash albums.

* When the band was done in the 80s, did you carry on playing in other bands or just getting into family life, working 9-5 etc?
ADAM TRANQUILLI:  Yes, yes and yes.  I played in a few bands leading up to Headlock.  We put out an album in 1994 on Pavement Music, and toured with M.O.D. in Europe.  After that I took some time away from music, started a family and concentrated on business.  When we did the 1999 reunion that re-lit the fire.  Since Blood Feast didn’t carry on, I started Without End and put out 2 albums with that band.

* What would you say has been the best part of the modern internet smart phone generation?
ADAM TRANQUILLI:  Being able to communicate so quickly.

* The worst part?
ADAM TRANQUILLI:  Trying to get people to pull their heads away from their phones and live in the moment.

* Getting old is weird – like I am still the same retard I was at 15 but a lil wiser, what is the best advice do you think you would give “you” of the 1980s if you had a time machine?
ADAM TRANQUILLI:  Be patient, grasshopper.

Metal is blue-collar to the core, so it’s a perfect match.

* New Jersey is one of these states that is almost infamous for metal loving fans – why do you think that is?
ADAM TRANQUILLI:  New Jersey is very much a blue-collar state.  Folks work awfully hard around here.  Metal is blue-collar to the core, so it’s a perfect match.  NYC, Long Island and the Rockland and Westchester Counties of upstate NY are very similar.

* What were some of the accomplishments as a band you never got to do the 80s that you guys are doing now?
ADAM TRANQUILLI:  While we got to tour a bit back in the late ’80s, we never left the US.  Getting to go to Japan and Peru were amazing experiences.  We did Headbangers Open Air in 2010 and 2013, but playing there this year will be the first time with this line-up.  We’d love to get to the west coast – the original band never got to California.

* What plans do you have for the rest of 2017?
ADAM TRANQUILLI:  Now that the album is out we’re just taking it to the fans.  We have a lot of shows coming up.  Also, me and CJ have started writing for the next album.

* Any final words?
ADAM TRANQUILLI:  Thank you for the interview Alex!!  Cheers to everyone who has heard the new album, and we hope to see all of you at a show at some point.  Our web-site is www.BloodFeastLegions.com or catch us at www.FaceBook.com/BloodFeastLegions.  And… DRINK THE BLOOD OF EVERY CORPSE!!

Canadian death metal pioneers Gorguts announce more European festival shows and tour-dates

Hot on the heels of this week’s previous announcement of four special package shows featuring GORGUTS alongside FALLUJAH, HAVOK, REVOCATION and opener VENOM PRISON, the acclaimed Canadian death metal pioneers are revealing more European dates in summer. The band will perform at Brutal Assault (CZ), Ieper Festival (BE), Vagos Metal Fest (PT), and Summer Breeze (DE) as well as tour in support of CONVERGE with HAVOC and REVOCATION in August.

GORGUTS
Festivals
09 Aug 17 Jaromer (CZ) Brutal Assault
11 Aug 17 Ieper (BE) Ieper Festival
13 Aug 17 Vagos (PT) Vagos Metal Fest
18 Aug 17 Dinkelsbühl (DE) Summer Breeze

GORGUTS
+Fallujah +Revocation +Havok +Venom Prison
14 Aug 17 Wiesbaden (DE) Schlachthof
15 Aug 17 Leipzig (DE) Naumanns (Fallujah, Revocation, Havok, Venom Prison)
16 Aug 17 Rotterdam (NL) Baroeg (Fallujah, Revocation, Havok, Venom Prison)
17 Aug 17 Oberhausen (DE) Kulttempel (Fallujah, Revocation, Havok, Venom Prison)

GORGUTS
+Converge +Havok +Revocation
20 Aug 17 Wrocław (PL) Zaklęte Rewiry
21 Aug 17 Bratislava (SK) Majestic Music Club
22 Aug 17 Wien (AT) Arena
23 Aug 17 München (DE) Backstage Halle
24 Aug 17 Aarau (CH) Kiff
25 Aug 17 Paris (FR) Trabendo

GORGUTS will be performing in support of their previous albums as well as their critically highly acclaimed latest EP ‘Pleiades’ Dust’,

The artwork of the EP that contains only its epic title track was created by renowned Polish artist Zbigniew M. Bielak and can be viewed below.

Canada’s long-running and much loved craftsmen of technical death metal are returning with a 33-minute song. Entitled ‘Pleiades’ Dust’ this complex, image evoking, and masterly arranged eponymous track fills an entire EP. Expect the unexpected, when it comes to GORGUTS.

In an age of a postulated clash of cultures, mastermind Luc Lemay delivers a piece of music that is conceptually and lyrically based on the “House of Wisdom”, a medieval library based in Baghdad and at the heart of the Golden Age of Islam with its many scientific breakthroughs in various fields of learning. As Luc comments: “It is a story about curiosity, beautiful minds and sadly, about how man destroys great discoveries and achievements.” Musically there is more narrative feeling as each section is introduced in such a way that every riff has the space to evolve like a character in a story.

The stunning cover art created to reflect this concept has been specially created by renowned Polish artist Zbigniew M. Bielak (MAYHEM, GHOST, ZHRINE et. al.).

Few extreme bands can boast the pedigree of GORGUTS. During their early days as part of death metal’s first wave, they created a legacy of legendary releases including their debut album ‘Considered Dead’ (1991) and its more experimental and technical follow-up ‘Erosion of Sanity’ (1993). After a hiatus of five years, Luc Lemay returned with a new line-up, which released the highly acclaimed and seminal third full-length ‘Obscura’ (1998). By then GORGUTS had been busy at expanding and redefining the language of death metal. With a new line-up that left Lemay as the sole original member, the next milestone album was released under the title ‘From Wisdom to Hate’ (2001).

Yet again the band went into hibernation, while their musical legacy continued to inspire and thrive as their native Quebec became a focus for technical death metal with acts such as CRYPTOPSY, NEURAXIS, and BEYOND CREATION to name but a few following in their footsteps. After more than a decade of silence, mastermind Luc Lemay unleashed ‘Colored Sands’ (2013) with an all-star line-up including Colin Marston (BEHOLD THE ARCTOPUS), Kevin Hufnagel (DYSRHYTHMIA), and John Longstreath (ORIGIN, SKINLESS), who has in the meantime been replaced by Patrice Hamelin (QUO VADIS, BENEATH THE MASSACRE).

Line-up
Luc Lemay: Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Kevin Hufnagel: Rhythm & Lead Guitar
Colin Marston: Bass
Patrice Hamelin: Drums

www.facebook.com/GorgutsOfficial
www.gorguts.com
http://gorguts.bandcamp.com/
www.reverbnation.com/gorguts

Shop: http://smarturl.it/GorgutsPleiades

Interview with The Noctambulant, Melodic Black Metal from Florida

This week I spoke with the dudes from Florida Black Metal band the Noctambulant – if you are like me and love Melodic Black Metal do yourself a favor and check the band out – music video and streaming below!

Hey guys first off congrats on the album – I really love your style of black metal raw and full of energy but at the same time remaining very melodic

Thank you , very much . We take great pride in how our music shapes up.

* You guys are a lil older than some of the bands we speak to (like me, ha ha) How did you first get into black metal? Were you guys into stuff like Dio and Ozzy before Black metal came along?
Lars and D have been in the metal/punk scene since the 90s, so they have been rooted in heavy metal and early black metal .
Bathory, Venom , etc . Along with classics like Ozzy, Ratt, Voivod, etc
I (E.) Discovered black metal in the late 90s after being raised on classical music and 70s rock like Zepplin.

* I saw on your facebook page you guys name check bands like the Fields of Nephilim (one of Nergal from Behemoth’s favorite bands) and Sisters of Mercy.. do you think they accounts for your sense of melody in your music?
Definitely. Goth rock/post punk has had a huge influence on my song writing. Sisters of Mercy, the cure, fields of the nephilim all create melody and atmosphere with an almost minimalist approach. Really showing that sometimes less is more.

“The Florida black metal scene has some very strong bands. Black witchery , kult ov azazel , promethian horde”

* You guys are from Jacksonville Florida right? How’s the black metal scene down there? Why do you think Florida is such a stronghold for metal for the last 30+ years?
Jacksonville itself has a small, but reliable metal scene. The largest metal scenes are in Miami and Tampa, of course. So , while small, the Florida black metal scene has some very strong bands. Black witchery , kult ov azazel , promethian horde , etc .

* I know you guys have done a bit of touring so far? What’s been your favorite out of state place to play and why?
Grants pass, Oregon and Eureka , California have been some of the best shows. Small markets , but the best crowds. So much energy and passion.

* What are your thoughts on bands that tour as a full time job versus bands like Darkthrone who will probably never tour?
Each band has a different set of priorities and goals .What works for one , may not work for the other . So, while we would all love to tour full time and make a living at it, it doesn’t always work out .

* Have you guys played any of the major European metal festivals yet? If not what ones would you kill to play at?
Not yet. We are aiming to start breaking into the festival market this year. We’ve signed on with DSE marketing and have our sights set on Europe .
And of course the holy grail would be to play WACKEN. It’s been a goal since I started playing music

* I loved your video for the song Goddess – who shot that for you guys? Although the internet might have ruined the music business, the technology also made it far easier for smaller bands to make their own videos , what’s the feedback for the video been like so far?
Sam Farmer at Chance in Hell productions shot the video for us at Wolf’s museum of mystery in St. Augustine. He is a very talented videographer and I highly recommend him. As for the response, it’s been very positive . We have people bring it up at almost every show.

“Yes, we are tube purists at heart. We prefer to record on vintage fenders and hiwatt amps,”

* How did you record your latest album? Did you go to a pro studio or use a home set up which many bands prefer these days? What’s your take on digital recording technology? Digital amps etc or are you guys old school and still prefer tube amps, etc.
We recorded it in D’s home studio , and with today’s technology, it almost makes more sense for a smaller band .
And yes, we are tube purists at heart. We prefer to record on vintage fenders and hiwatt amps, though we have certainly used digital amps in the studio and on the road . The digital technology nowadays has really progressed to the point it’s a viable option.

* The name The Noctambulant is really cool – how did you guys come up with this name?
I took Latin for many years in school , and when I started listening to Immortal , they use the term noctambulant alot in their music . I love the imagery of the night walker (the noctambulant is Latin for night walker ) and the name took off.

* You guys sing about the occult a lot are any of the band practicing pagans – if so what path? Any strange experiences you care to share?
For some members of the band, it’s an academic interest. For others , it’s a calling and a path . We have certain pre show rituals that were started as an experiment to see what we could use to enhance our performance and our show. But after we performed it , every time after if we didn’t, something went wrong . Strings broke. Technical issues. Etc .
So now it’s a must . The demons must be satisfied.

“We have a philosophy . If you aren’t making progress , you’re going backwards. And we refuse to go backwards.”

* What can we expect from The Noctambulant for the rest of 2017?
We have a new album in the works now , in a addition to talks of a south American and European tour. We have a philosophy . If you aren’t making progress , you’re going backwards. And we refuse to go backwards.

* Any final words?
We genuinly appreciate everyone who enjoys our music , comes to our shows and helps us create the experience we strive to share.

Canadian masters of progressive technical death metal Beyond Creation announce European summer shows

BEYOND CREATION are announcing a string of European dates for this summer. The Canadian masters of progressive technical death metal will be supported by Swiss brothers in spirit, VIRVUM. The tour kicks off with a show at the prestigious Hellfest in Clisson France on June 18th and continues through 11 countries on the continent before its grand finale at the UK Tech Fest at the Newark Showground in Winthorpe on the 9th of July.

Please see below for a list of all confirmed dates.

BEYOND CREATION
18 Jun 17 Clisson (FR) Hellfest

BEYOND CREATION
+Virvum
20 Jun 17 Aarau (CH) Kiff
21 Jun 17 Bologna (IT) Alchemica Music Club
22 Jun 17 Ljubljana (SI) Orto Bar
24 Jun 17 Tuzla (BA) Club Palma
25 Jun 17 Sofia (BG) Live & Loud
26 Jun 17 Cluj (RO) Napoca The Shelter
27 Jun 17 Kosice (SK) Colloseum
28 Jun 17 Budapest (HU) Dürer Kert
29 Jun 17 Wien (AT) Viper Room
30 Jun 17 München (DE) Feierwerk
02 Jul 17 Utrecht (NL) dB’s

BEYOND CREATION
09 Jul 17 Winthorpe (UK) Newark Showground (UK Tech Fest 2017)

Feel the onrush of sweeping arpeggios, crushing waves of fretless bass, complex rhythmical patterns and erupting scales peppered with jazzy feeling and masterful execution under the mark of ‘Earthborn Evolution’, which names the sophomore full-length of BEYOND CREATION. The French part of Canada is home to a vibrant culture of technical Death Metal fostered by outstanding acts such as GORGUTS, CRYPTOPSY, MARTYR, and NEURAXIS. This illustrious family tree has produced many sprouts in the past, yet none of them are as brilliant as Quebec’s new amazing scion: BEYOND CREATION! Founded in the Olympic city of Montreal in the year 2005, the band worked hard to gain technical expertise before putting out their only demo in 2010. The immediate buzz resonated within and beyond technical Death Metal circles and was followed up by a self-release of “The Aura” (2011), which was re-issued by Season of Mist in 2013. With their debut album, BEYOND CREATION delivered a ferocious blend of technicality, melody, and brutality aided by fang-filled growls, which was interwoven with beautiful progressive interludes. Yet this was just the beginning as ‘Earthborn Evolution’ proves beyond doubt. Their next step now catapults the Canadians into the top league of their genre, right among such giants as ATHEIST, DEATH or early CYNIC. Prepare for the lightning evolution of the progressive technical death metal revolution!

Line-up
Simon Girard: vocals, 8-string guitars
Kevin Chartré: 8-string guitars
Dominic ‘Forest’ Lapointe: 6-string fretless bass
Philippe Boucher: drums

www.facebook.com/beyondcreationofficial

Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen’s (ex-MAYHEM, AURA NOIR) Earth Electric premiere new album in full

EARTH ELECTRIC are now premiering their complete debut album, ‘Vol.1: Solar’, which will hit the streets on Friday, May 12th.

The Norwegian-Portuguese rockers lead by mastermind guitarist Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen (ex-MAYHEM, ex-AVA INFERI, AURA NOIR) are exclusively streaming ‘Vol.1: Solar’

The artwork of ‘Vol.1: Solar’, which has been created by renowned Romanian artist Costin Chioreanu, can be viewed below

Track-list
01. Mountains & Conquerors (3:08)
02. The Endless Road (3:45)
03. Meditate. Mediate (3:58)
04. The Great Vast (4:31)
05. Set Sail (Towards the Sun) (1:55)
06. Solar (5:25)
07. Sabbatical Moons (4:51)
08. Earthrise (5:06)
09. Sweet Soul Gathering (2:32)

EARTH ELECTRIC are the new exciting brainchild of Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen. The Norwegian mastermind is known and praised for his stylistically diverse output within a mostly metal framework, which includes highly acclaimed compositions for MAYHEM, AURA NOIR, AVA INFERI, and TWILIGHT OF THE GODS.

With their debut album ‘Vol.1: Solar’, EARTH ELECTRIC turn out to be a quite different beast again. Eriksen is drawing heavily from classic rock influences including such giants as DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH, and PINK FLOYD. Those roots are rather hinted at than clearly visible and the Nordic track-smith has always made sure to hammer them into an individual shape of his own twisted liking.

EARTH ELECTRIC were formed by Rune Eriksen in cooperation with AVA INFERI vocalist Carmen Simões in early spring 2014, who graced the project with her ethereal soprano, which has also been enlisted by MOONSPELL on several recordings and live productions. The couple’s renewed cooperation was based on a mutual desire to explore today’s opportunities of creating energetic and extrovert rock. The duo enlisted the help of their friends Luigi “Gee” Anzalone from DRAGONFORCE and DORO band member Luca Princiotta and recorded a 3-track demo, entitled “2014” at Ultrasound Studio, Portugal in September 2014.

After completing the demo, the two core members decided to turn into a heavier and slightly more progressive direction, while the overall concept became more ethereal. EARTH ELECTRIC added GROG and NEOPLASMAH bassist Alexandre Ribeiro and Ricardo Martins, who also drums for JIBÓIA and PAPAYA to their line-up. The London based keyboarder Daniel Knight from the progressive UK rock band MESSENGER completed the crew for the recordings.

‘Vol.1: Solar’ was mainly recorded at Orgone Studio under the direction of acclaimed producer Jaime Gomez Arellano (GHOST, SÓLSTAFIR, PRIMORDIAL), who also signed responsible for mix and mastering in late summer 2016. Now EARTH ELECTRIC are ready to rock the world with their stunning debut. Rock on!

Line-up
Carmen Susana Simões: vocals
Rune Eriksen: guitars, vocals, FX
Alexandre Ribeiro: bass, FX
Ricardo Martins: drums & percussion, vocals
Daniel Knight: keyboards (studio)

www.facebook.com/earthelectricband
www.earthelectric.net
http://twitter.com/EarthEband

Canadian Melodic Death quartet DEAD ASYLUM will release sophomore album Death Always Wins on June 2

Melodic Death/Thrash quartet DEAD ASYLUM will release sophomore album Death Always Wins on June 2. On the follow-up to 2013 debut General Carnage, the Vancouver, Canada band has sharpened the songwriting to a fine point and bolstered its established muscular attack with a harder rhythmic punch and an even deadlier arsenal of riffs!

With an unexpected combination of thrash and melodeath elements reminiscent of the Gothenburg Sound (AT THE GATES, ARCH ENEMY, et al), DEAD ASYLUM’s Death Always Wins is one killer listen! The songs on Death Always Wins range from thrashy headbangers, to technical compositions, and chantable, heavy metal anthems. While it might seem like their sound covers the spectrum of metal, everything is tied together by brutal dual vocals and melodic leads. Lyrical themes include revolution and political uprising, the apocalypse, and—as the band name alludes—twisted facets of the human psyche. The band’s famously intense live shows are about to get fiercer when the new material is left beaten and bloodied on the stage!

Death Always Wins was tracked at Jam Factory Studios in Port Coquitlam, BC; recorded and edited by Roger Mowat; and mix/mastered by Chris Holmes. Pierre-Alain (3mmi Design) was responsible for the album art.

Track List:

1. Defiance
2. Death Always Wins
3. Between Me and the Grave
4. Bury the Living
5. Forgotten Sacrifice
6. Bred to Die
7. Welcome
8. Inmate 666

Dead Asylum is:

Mike Lister – Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
Roger Mowat – Vocals/Bass
Eric Morrison – Lead Guitar
Samantha Landa – Drums

Drummer Samantha Landa in many ways defines DEAD ASYLUM’s unbridled energy and inability to ever just stand still. Landa performed with Brazilian Thrashers and Napalm Records artist NERVOSA for three months throughout North America and Europe in 2016, including on a tour package that also featured DESTRUCTION, FLOTSAM & JETSAM, and ENFORCER. And all the while ran her online business from the road! Previously, Landa even served as a Pool Girl on the annual 70000 Tons of Metal cruise.

DEAD ASYLUM will hit the road this summer for an August/September U.S. tour. Stay tuned for details.

www.thedeadasylum.com

www.facebook.com/deadasylum

https://twitter.com/DeadAsylummetal

German Black Metal Band Der Weg Einer Freiheit announce first album details

DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT are now revealing details of their forthcoming fourth album. The new masterpiece of the German rising black stars is entitled ‘Finisterre’, and will be in stores on August 25th.

The band furthermore release the cover art by Max Löffler and track-list of ‘Finisterre’, which can both be viewed below.

DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT explaining the album’s details in a first studio report where the band talks about the drum and stdio recording process. The video can be viewed here:

DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT comment: “This album and its production process was one of the biggest challenges of our lives so far. Due to the fact that we took the whole production in our own hands, we had full control over everything but of course it was also hard work to achieve our vision and the sound we were looking for. However, now we’re very proud of what we’ve created and happy to share these insights from the recording sessions with you! The first part covers the drum recordings and shows the life in the studio.”


Tracklist
1. Aufbruch
2. Ein letzter Tanz
3. Skepsis Part I
4. Skepsis Part II
5. Finisterre

DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT previously announced a European headlining tour supported by French brothers in spirit, REGARDE LES HOMMES TOMBER and the recently added INTER ARMA.

Vocalist Nikita Kamprad comments: “We’re stoked to have INTER ARMA as another special guest joining our album release tour this fall. All the way from the US they will enrich each night with their unique soundscape and thus complete this killer package. We can’t wait, do not miss it!”

DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT Festivals
29 Jul 17 Albi Carmaux (FR) Xtreme Fest
09 Aug 17 Fortress Josefov (CZ) Brutal Assault Open Air
16 Aug 17 Dinkelsbühl (DE) Summer Breeze Open Air
22 Sep 17 Hamburg (DE) Hamburg Metal Dayz

DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT
+IINTER ARMA +REGARDE LES HOMMES TOMBER
21 Sep 17 Münster (DE) Gleis 22
23 Sep 17 Köln (DE) Underground
24 Sep 17 Rotterdam (NL) Baroeg
25 Sep 17 Nijmegen (NL) Merleyn
26 Sep 17 Esch-sur-Alzette (LU) Kulturfabrik
27 Sep 17 Wiesbaden (DE) Schlachthof
28 Sep 17 Stuttgart (DE) Keller Klub
29 Sep 17 Puget Sur Argens (FR) Le Rat’s
30 Sep 17 Barcelona (ES) Razzmatazz 3
01 Oct 17 Madrid (ES) Sala Caracol
02 Oct 17 Nantes (FR) Le Ferrailleur
03 Oct 17 Paris (FR) Le Petit Bain
04 Oct 17 Strasbourg (FR) La Laiterie
05 Oct 17 Lyon (FR) O’Totem
06 Oct 17 Zürich (CH) Werk 21
07 Oct 17 München (DE) Kranhalle
08 Oct 17 Salzburg (AT) Rockhouse
10 Oct 17 Budapest (HU) Dürer Kert
11 Oct 17 Wien (AT) Arena
12 Oct 17 Ceské Budejovice (CZ) MC Fabrika
13 Oct 17 Leipzig (DE) UT Connewitz
14 Oct 17 Berlin (DE) Lido

The musical puzzle that adds up to become DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT turns into something more complex – yet also clearer defined on the band’s fourth studio album, ‘Finisterre’. The original pieces are still in play: the aggressive German directness akin to ENDSTILLE and a penchant for brooding melancholy as embodied by IMPERIUM DEKADENZ. Spiralling psychedelic moments comparable to DEAFHEAVEN and WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM also find their place – as well as a knack for majestic melodies that shows parallels in Swedish black metal spearheaded by MARDUK and DARK FUNERAL.

Yet while DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT are clearly progressing along the lines laid out by their previous acclaimed effort, ‘Stellar’, the band has found a way to make these pieces fit more seamlessly. ‘Finisterre’ flows together into a coherent picture that stresses the Germans’ unique approach and sound. This album marks the point where DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT turn their various influences into a work entirely of their own expression despite never trying to cover up their roots. This impressive maturity has been reached through several stages.

Founded in 2009 by guitarist Nikita Kamprad and vocalist Tobias Jaschinsky, DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT garnered early attention with their self-released debut ‘Der Weg einer Freiheit’ (2009), which quickly sold out and was re-issued with new drum tracks a year later. Following the ‘Agonie’ EP (2011), their second album ‘Unstille’ (2012) already cored international acclaim. In the aftermath of this record, co-founding member Tobias left and main songwriter Nikita Kamprad took over his vocal duties.

The frontman was first heard on third full-length ‘Stellar’ (2015), which saw DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT gaining traction across the pond as well as expanding their European base. Having performed along such diverse acts as WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, NEAERA, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, AMENRA, CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX, and DOWNFALL OF GAIA as well as playing prestigious festivals such as Graspop, Hellfest, Resurrection, Roadburn, Summer Breeze, and Wacken has honed the band’s songwriting skills to razor-sharp precision.

‘Finisterre’ clearly stands at the apex (for now) of the steep climb that the DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT have taken. This German star is finally shining in full black.

www.derwegeinerfreiheit.de
www.facebook.com/derwegeinerfreiheit

Line-up
Nikita Kamprad: guitars, vocals
Tobias Schuler: drums
Sascha Rissling: guitars
Nico Ziska: bass

Recording line-up
Nikita Kamprad: guitars, bass, vocals
Tobias Schuler: drums

Recording: Ghost City Recordings, Nikita Kamprad

Mixing: Ghost City Recordings, Nikita Kamprad

Mastering: Original Mastering, Philipp Welsing

Cover art: Max Löffler

Medieval Black Metal Act Erzsebet releases her debut album “Black Spell”

Erzsebet (Rachel from Xasthur’s other band) released her debut album of dark folk black metal this week. The album titled Black Spell can be found on Itunes, Youtube and available to  download at: https://www.mediafire.com/folder/xmdgxztd4k4h2/Erzsebet-_Black_Spell.

As a one woman act all instruments for this album were recorded simultaneously . What’s cool about this record is she uses some pretty out there instruments, stuff I have not heard before in Black metal , like the waterphone

Check out some tracks here: May the Wind Carry Your Ashes to the Four Corners of the Earth

Black Spell

A Long Forgotten Tale

You can catch Rachel on tour with Xasthur this spring – tour dates below

Go like her on facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Erzsebet.us/

Australian Dark Progressive Metal band Ne Obliviscaris release acoustic video clip

NE OBLIVISCARIS have released video footage from their first-ever acoustic set at the Bendigo Hotel, Melbourne, Australia. The re-imagining of “Painters of the Tempest: Pt. II, Movement III: Curator” from their most recent album ‘Citadel’

The show was an exclusive event for the Australian progressive visionaries’ Patreon membership that was also given access to a worldwide live stream. The bands Patreon page can be accessed at the link below.

www.patreon.com/neobliviscaris

The album’s artwork, which has been designed by vocalist XEN and track-list of ‘Citadel’ can be viewed below.

1. Painters of the Tempest (Part I): Wyrmholes
2. Painters of the Tempest (Part II): Triptych Lux
• Movement I: Creator
• Movement II: Cynosure
• Movement III: Curator
3. Painters of the Tempest (Part III): Reveries from the Stained Glass Womb
4. Pyrrhic
5. Devour Me, Colossus (Part I): Blackholes
6. Devour Me, Colossus (Part II): Contortions

“Ne Obliviscaris”, which means “forget not” is the proud motto of Clan Campbell. These highlanders were as successful as ruthless and served as an inspiration for George R. R. Martin’s blockbuster series “Game of Thrones”. Yet the Australian band NE OBLIVISCARIS is neither dealing with folk metal nor bloody minded. It should be mentioned though that their compositions are at least as complex as Scotland’s history. These six musicians share the adventurous spirit of Argyll’s clansmen.

The multi-layered songs of their sophomore album ‘Citadel’ are building on a foundation of harsh metal with avant-garde elements of jazz, flamenco, progressive rock, and many more. NE OBLIVISCARIS display extraordinary musicianship and a depth of profound compositional abilities, one hardly expects from such a young group.

This impression is confirmed by one of Australia’s most prestigious classical conservatories, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music adding the song “And Plague Flowers The Kaleidoscope” taken from NE OBLIVISCARIS’ acclaimed debut full-length ‘Portal of I’ (2012) to their teaching curriculum. The band was founded in the beautiful Australian coastal City of Melbourne, Victoria in the year 2003. Their first demo ‘The Aurora Veil’ (2007), NE OBLIVISCARIS already garnered massive word-of-mouth prominence within the metal underground. Major press caught up with the debut album ‘Portal of I’, which showcased their unique array of influences and dynamic songwriting with a virtuous violin significantly adding to the sound.

The Australians also gained a reputation as an excellent live act, while supporting DEVIN TOWNSEND, ENSLAVED, BETWEEN THE BURIED & ME, CRADLE OF FILTH among others. After a highly successful three week headline tour throughout Asia including a sold out show in Tokyo, Japan NE OBLIVISCARIS started a crowd funding campaign to support further international touring. Their target of 37.500 US Dollars was reached in only 38 hours and the final sum of 56.644 US Dollars broke the previous Australian record. With ‘Citadel’ the band has begun to conquer the world.

Mixed and mastered Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA), this album spells international success for NE OBLIVISCARIS in capitals letter. Don’t miss their shows and judge for yourself!

Current line-up
Xenoyr: harsh vocals
Tim Charles: violin & clear vocals
Benjamin Baret: lead guitar
Matt Klavins: guitar
Dan Presland: drums

www.facebook.com/NeObliviscarisBand

Swiss Black Metal band Lvx Hæresis release their new album Descensŭs Spīrĭtŭs

Born on the ashes of a previous obscure project, LVX HÆRESIS began in MMXIII with DH (Vocals and Guitars) and W (Bass). Quickly the duo progressed into as same spiritual and artistic path as the former project. Later, N (Drums) joins the covenant, and with this line-up they released a self-produced Single limited to 200 pieces. This single received good returns consulting the path that the horde took.
Six months later, V (Guitars) and III (Guitars) joined the band and took part on the composition of the next album, retreating themselves in studio to record their future LP “Descensŭs Spīrĭtŭs“, scheduled to be released under Atavism Records.

The coven played their first gig on the 13th of May (2016) with Temple of Baal and Déluge. Since then, Lvx Hæresis shared the stage with bands like Regarde les Hommes Tomber, Svart Crown and Malepeste. And very recently on 13th april, they opened the gig for Dark Funeral.

The band is oriented in a ritualistic and hypnotic Black Metal devoted to the occult worlds in the vain of artists such as Mortuus, Ondskapt or Funeral Mist. The formation is a strong entity of one only soul, driven in the same direction. Black metal has magnificently developed in terms of both music and spiritual direction over the last decade, and Lvx Hæresis is great addition amongst those very few bands who are precisely having strong spiritual path as well as phenomenal musicianship. Organic production, devilish vocal, appropriate drumming, dark bass tone, death evoking riffs — existence of these feature showcase the caliber of the musicianship.

Facebook: facebook.com/lvxhaeresis
Bandcamp: https://lvxhaeresis.bandcamp.com
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/uxaeresis