Month: May 2018

MONGREL’S CROSS set release date for long-awaited HELLS HEADBANGERS album

Today, Hells Headbangers sets August 3rd as the international release date for the highly anticipated second album of Mongrel’s Cross, Psalter of the Royal Dragon Court, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

Hailing from the extreme metal hotbed of Australia, Mongrel’s Cross are one of the best-kept secrets Down Under. Mind you, the band – now pared down to a duo – have been quiet since the release of their Hells Headbangers debut album, The Sins of Aquarius, in 2012, but those years away from the prying eyes of the metal public have paid off in spades on Psalter of the Royal Dragon Court. Here, these hooligans take everything that made The Sins of Aquarius so grimily gratifying – the widescreen span of filthy thrashing, down-tempo war-marches, and epic metal grandeur alike – and render it all the more terrifying and triumphant through clear ‘n’ cutting production. It’s the age-old axis of form meeting content, and rarely has a metal record this cleanly produced sounded so threatening, which simply underlines the powerful panache to the band’s strong songwriting.

Taken another way, with Psalter of the Royal Dragon Court, Mongrel’s Cross step deeper into territory that’s entirely their own. Not for them the over-generalization of “Australia = war metal” nor the simplistic connotations associated with such; no, the duo are at the height of their compositional powers and are now truly a great extreme METAL entity. All the drama and danger, legendry and lawlessness, power and poison, and essential OTT abandon of this artform otherwise known as heavy metal: everything is played out with a palpably physical poetry across Psalter of the Royal Dragon. Suitably, its lyrical themes range a rich panoply of occultism – among others, such titles as “Vessel of Shar On,” “Neurian Transformation,” and “Derkesthai – Initiation (to see clearly)” should suggest plenty – making this a thoroughly engrossing experience deserving of the band’s elevated standards.

When so much metal aims so low, for such no-hope ghettoization, it’s down to true mavericks like Mongrel’s Cross to lead the intrepid to illumination. Hereby, open the Psalter of the Royal Dragon Court!

In the meantime, hear the previously revealed new tracks “The Thirteenth Card” and “Neurian Transformation” HERE.

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Mongrel’s Cross’ Psalter of the Dragon Court
1. King of the Beasts
2. Neurian Transformation
3. The Thirteenth Card
4. Khara
5. From Transylvania to Tunbridge Wells
6. Derkesthai – Initiation (to see clearly)
7. Trail of the Serpent
8. Vessel of Shar On

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/MongrelsCross

DIVINE ECSTASY set release date for IRON BONEHEAD debut, reveal first track

Today, Iron Bonehead Productions sets August 10th as the international release date for Divine Ecstasy’s striking debut mini-album, Strange Passions, on CD and 12″ vinyl formats.

Hailing from the darkest and dingiest recesses of Detroit’s metal underground, Divine Ecstasy are a sonic embodiment of all that post-apocalyptic city’s grit and grime, simply taken to a black metal extreme. This filthy foursome are unapologeticaly raw and regressionist, hailing the most ancient, trend-free days of early BLACK fucking METAL. Such gods as pre-Viking Bathory, Mayhem, Root, Bulldozer, and Master’s Hammer are indeed hailed – as well as later torch-carriers like early Ulver, Dodheimsgard, Judas Iscariot, and Hades (Norway) – and then desecrated in a most salacious manner, so sick and sickening is the heart that beats black blood through Divine Ecstasy. Indeed, Strange Passions is aptly titled, for perversion and Bacchanalia guide these six mini-anthems as surely as devil worship and the invoking of demons – and it’s all done with a Loki-like sense of wrongness. Truly, these Strange Passions are so wrong, they’re right…right inside the depths of Divine Ecstasy!

Take the first step with the new track “Lost in the Catacombs” HERE .

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Divine Ecstasy’s Strange Passions
1. Eternally Scarred
2. Lost in the Catacombs
3. Sands of Time
4. Great Cataclysm
5. Prophets of Madness
6. Taste the Demon Seed

MORE INFO:
www.divineecstasy.bandcamp.com

Merrimack announce Japanese tour dates with Marduk

MERRIMACK have announced Japanese tour dates in support of their latest album ”Omegaphilia”, which was released on June 09, 2017. The Parisian black metal fanatics will hit the road to Japan in November, where they will join MARDUK for four shows. A full list of confirmed dates can be found below.

MERRIMACK comment on the tour: “9 Years after our successful USA tour with the mighty Marduk, Merrimack will support the Swedish devils again for 4 shows in Japan this November. We are stoked to explore the Nippon territories for the first time, and deliver some pure french Black Metal, played with devotion and faith, to the maniacs there. It’s a brand new experience for us, but it will definitely leave a mark on the Japanese crowd as well!”

MERRIMACK Japan tour
+Marduk
22 Nov 18 Osaka (JP) Fan J Twice
23 Nov 18 Nagoya (JP) Imaike 3 Stars
24 Nov 18 Tokyo (JP) Cyclone
25 Nov 18 Tokyo (JP) Cyclone

MERRIMACK will be playing in support of their latest release ‘Omegaphilia’, which was released on June 9th, 2017 and is streaming in full here!

The cover art of ‘Omegaphilia’, which has been created by Dehn Sora and the album’s track-list can be viewed below.

Track-list
1. Cauterizing Cosmos
2. The Falsified Son
3. Apophatic Weaponry
4. Gutters of Pain
5. Sights in the Abysmal Lure
6. Cesspool Coronation
7. At the Vanguard of Deception
Musicians as any artists can be roughly categorised into different groups by their approach to composing. There are those for example, who come with restless souls and always try to find new ways and break into uncharted territories. Others prefer to evolve within a certain genre, driven by a desire to hone their skills and striving to bring their art to perfection. MERRIMACK as black metal traditionalists obviously belong to the latter circle and their fifth full-length with the apocalyptic title ‘Omegaphilia’ is an impressive demonstration of how far the French band has matured.

MERRIMACK are breathing fresh life into an exhausted genre, not by heaping up epithets such as progressive, post-, and avant-garde, but by razor-sharp songwriting, captivating melodies, and close to perfect arrangements. ‘Omegaphilia’ achieves excellence through hard work and experience that shows through on every single song.

MERRIMACK were founded by guitarist Perversifier in 1994 with a clear vision to keep the black metal flame burning as an act of aesthetic terrorism – as adamantly based in the underground as opposed to any attempts to co-opt, commercialise, or turn the style into a self-parody.

With a number of demo recordings (‘Prologue’ – 1995, ‘Act 1’ – 1995, ‘Horns Defeat Thorns’ – 2001) and split releases (with Hirilorn in 1998 and Sargeist in 2002), the French gained respect in the scene by remaining true to their words. Although MERRIMACK decided to reach out to a larger audience with the release of their first full-length ‘Ashes of Purification’ (2002), the Parisians did not sever their roots with the underground at any time.

‘Of Entropy and Life Denial’ (2006) and ‘Grey Rigorism’ (2009) followed and witnessed MERRIMACK closing ranks with the most influential, active, and authentic acts of the French black metal scene. Their classic combination of harsh sound with epic structures appealed to critics and fans alike and put the band on their celebrated first US tour with MARDUK and NACHTMYSTIUM in 2009.

Following the recording of ‘The Acausal Mass’ (2012) again in the legendary Necromorbus Studio (WATAIN, DESTRÖYER 666), MERRIMACK embarked on a European tour with Norwegian icons MAYHEM and accepted invitations to prestigious festivals such as Hellfest in their native France, Germany’s Party-San Open Air and Summer Breeze and Montreal’s Messe des Morts in Canada.

Having firmly established their black name and message around the globe, MERRIMACK are setting a bold exclamation mark with ‘Omegaphilia’. Be warned, this album is determined to remain in your playlist for a long time.

http://merrimack.satanslegions.com
www.facebook.com/merrimackofficial

Heilung announce more European festival dates

HEILUNG have added more festival appearances on their roster for this summer. The Danish band will kick of their festival tour at the Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel (BE) on June 21, and continue performing their mind-blowing live show at festivals such as Hellfest (FR), Roskilde (DK) and Wacken Open Air (DE). The band already announced new dates for 2019 as well, including the mighty Roadburn Festival (NL).

A list of all currently confirmed dates including festivals can be viewed below.

HEILUNG festival 2018
21 Jun 18 Dessel (BE) Graspop Metal Meeting
23 Jun 18 Clisson (FR) Hellfest
29 Jun 18 Yekaterinburg (RU) Ural Music Nights
05 Jul 18 Roskilde (DK) Roskilde Festival
01 Aug 18 Wacken (DE) Wacken Open Air
16 Aug 18 Dinkelsbühl (DE) Summer Breeze Open Air
18 Aug 18 Ryma, Albaiulia (RO) Dark Bobastic Evening
23 Aug 18 Leiria (PT) Entremuralhas
25 Aug 18 Sarasu (LT) Menuo Juodaragis
13 Oct 18 Copenhagen (DK) DR Koncerthuset

HEILUNG festival 2019
22 Feb 19 Wacken (DE) Wacken Winter Nights (Exact date TBC)
13 Apr 19 Tilburg (NL) Roadburn Festival (Exact date TBC)

HEILUNG will be playing in support of their debut full-length, ‘Ofnir’ (2015) which was recently re-released by Season of Mist. Cover artwork and album details of ‘Ofnir’ can be viewed below.

Track-list

1. Alfadhirhaiti (6:48)
2. Krigsgaldr (8:58)
3. Hakkerskaldyr (2:10)
4. Schlammschlacht (5:50)
5. Carpathian Forest (2:34)
6. Fylgija Ear (8:34)
7. Futhorck (10:45)
8. In Maidjan (12:32)
9. Afhomon (13:41)

Total playing time: 1:11:52

When HEILUNG self-released ‘Ofnir’ in 2015, the Danish band could hardly have anticipated the breakthrough success of their debut album. Spectacular live shows, strong critical acclaim, and a massive underground buzz added to the constantly high demand for this full-length are the reason why their new label Season of Mist does not hesitate to re-issue ‘Ofnir’ in several collector’s edition formats.

HEILUNG means “healing” in the German language and this also describes the core of the band’s sound. The listener is supposed to be left at ease and in a relaxed state after a magical musical journey that is at times turbulent.

HEILUNG reach far back in time to the Northern European iron age and Viking period to create their sound experience. The band utilises many means in their songs: from running water via human bones, reconstructed swords and shields up to ancient frame drums as well as bronze rings.

HEILUNG’s lyrics contain original texts from rune stones, preserved spear shafts, amulets, and other ancient artefacts. Furthermore, the band uses poems, which either deal with historical events or are translations and interpretations of the original texts.

Any attempt to link the band with or bring their music into a modern political or religious context is pointless, since HEILUNG try to connect their listeners with a time before the coming of Christianity and modern political ideologies.

Line-up
Kai Uwe Faust
Christopher Juul
Maria Franz

www.facebook.com/amplifiedhistory

TUNJUM set release date for DUNKELHEIT debut, reveal first track

Today, Dunkelheit Produktionen sets July 23rd as the international release date for Tunjum’s highly anticipated debut album, Deidades del inframundo, on CD format. The vinyl LP version shall see release on August 1st.

Hailing from Lima, Peru, Tunjum began in 2007 as an all-female project playing pagan-themed death metal. Their first promo tape arrived in 2011, to be followed by another promo in 2014, and later that year the Sagrado tiempo de caos EP and the Muerte ancestral demo. Though the lineup changed during these years, Tunjum remained committed to their primary influences – Death, Massacre, Autopsy, Treblinka, Nocturnus, VON, Nihilist, Insulter, Grotesque, Asphyx, Expulser, and Genocidio among others – but always endeavored to etch their own uniqueness within such exquisite rawness and darkness. And while that lineup has since ceased to be an all-female one, founding drummer (and now also vocalist) Kultarr continues to guide the band, and her vocals lend a particularly diabolic aspect to Tunjum’s proudly traditional attack.

Since the beginning, Tunjum’s themes have largely revolved around the ancient Moche culture, which reigned over eastern Peru from about 100 AD to 800 AD. Through Tunjum’s music, the listener is drawn into the Moche mythology, which is strongly based on blood: sacrificing the blood of a beheaded enemy to the gods strengthened their reign over the world. Also, there were many voluntary sacrifices, because the bloodshed was seen as a cleansing of the soul that linked the victim to the ancestors and thus made him holy. The name Tunjum itself is also rooted in the Moche language, and is taken from the combined verb for killing and dying. This hallows the ritual of blood and death, which was the only way of communicating with the gods, in times when the gods only lusted for blood and war.

Indeed, across the 42 minutes comprising Deidades del inframundo, the listener is dragged deeply down into Tunjum’s deadly vortex of blood, sacrifice, and total DEATH METAL. Tunjum’s attack is at once unapologetically primitive and expertly nuanced, which is not surprising considering their current lineup is completed by members of such respected cults as Grave Desecration and Putrid. The hammering surge strips everything down to its barbaric basics, but within that almost-hypnotizing rush of crude ‘n’ rude Metal of Death lays a keen understanding of what makes this artform so enduring – songwriting that literally possesses the listener immediately, and proceeds to guide each listener into the darkest bowels of the imagination (and beyond…). And it’s a totality that Tunjum pound and punish and pound and punish across each of these eight tracks, with Kultarr’s world-eating vocals, in particular, acting like an instrument unto itself; simply, there is no escape.

Completed by suitably ominous artwork courtesy of Alan Corpse, Tunjum make a grand, garish entry onto the world stage with Deidades del inframundo. The question remains, then: will you return from their thrall? Tempt fate with the new track “Difunta Señora Soberana” HERE

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Tunjum’s Deidades del inframundo
1. La Venganza De La Bestia
2. Difunta Señora Soberana
3. Antiguo Dios De La Noche
4. La Maldición De La Bruja
5. Destino De Los Cautivos
6. Demonios De La Tierra
7. Rebelión Del Inframundo
8. Retorno Al Orígen

TUNJUM lineup 2018
Kultarr – drums and ancestral voices
Saj – lead guitar and ritualistic bass
Evil Avatar – guitar of sacrifice

www.dunkelheit.cc
www.facebook.com/dunkelheitprod

STORTREGN: “Emptiness Fills The Void” Out Via Non Serviam Records; Full Album Streaming

Switzerland based blackened death force STORTREGN’s highly anticipated fourth album “Emptiness Fills The Void” comes out today via Dutch label Non Serviam Records.

The band states: “We’ve been working on this album for some time now, and it is with great pride that we release it. We pushed our limits further during the composition process and the result is a piece of work where each knob has been turned up to the maximum. Each member has a different musical background, and the range and depth of the riffs, rhythms and sound of this record serve as a testament of this variety. As a whole, the listener can expect a blend black and death metal, with a hint of old school heavy metal with a contemporary twist to it. Get ready. Charging riffs, blast beats and furious vocals will fill your head and shred your brain to pieces…and you’ll beg for more!”

STORTREGN is a blackened death metal band, formed in Switzerland in 2005. Initially influenced by the Nordic black metal scene, they have expanded their vision and sound into a more contemporary era. They are greatly appreciated for their music and even more so for their live shows. With a relentless energy, they deliver a mix of charging riffs, blast beats and brutality that leaves the audience with a lasting impression and begging for more. After a deluge of gigs, including Wacken, Metal Days, and four other international tours, Stortregn has become inevitable in the Blackened Death metal scene.

After many changes, the formation has stabilized and the current line-up consists of Romain Negro on vocals, Johan Smith and Duran Bathija on guitars, Manuel Barrios on bass guitar and Samuel Jakubec on drums.

After recording three albums, toured in three different continents and worked with various records labels, they are proud to present the fourth album, “Emptiness Fills the Void”. To give the album the aura it deserves, they hired the revered Daniel Seagrave to create the artwork, and recorded the album at the prestigious Conatus Studio with Vladimir Cochet (Mirrorthrone, Weeping Birth). The album will be released by Non Serviam Records on May 25th, 2018.

Moreover, with the recent signing with Alpha-Omega Management Agency, Stortregn are now planning to tour the world intensely. A European Tour has already taken place with Immolation & Full Of Hell in March and April 2018, and there is far more to come. Expressing this album through live performances with violence, blast beats, and killer riffs is what the band is about. At each of their thunderous live appearances, Stortregn ravage the place until the smallest shred of human skin is marked. The five members, tight as a hungry wolf-pack, energetically release their inner storm to transform every show into a dark and metallic mass of death, with precision, quality and professionalism.

“Emptiness Fills the Void” is out on May 25 on digipak format under the flag of NON SERVIAM RECORDS. The first 50 pre-orders will receive a free patch.

ORDER:
Webshop: http://www.non-serviam-records.com/shop.php#!/Stortregn-Emptiness-Fills-The-Void-digipak-Pre-Order/p/103155720/category=5291899
Bandcamp: https://non-serviam-records.bandcamp.com/album/emptiness-fills-the-void

STORTREGN
http://www.stortregn.com
https://www.facebook.com/Stortregn
https://twitter.com/stortregn
https://open.spotify.com/artist/4SuIgDBeOQBz7cI1HfsK31

Vreid announce Norwegian tour dates

In collaboration with Beyond the Gates, VREID have announced a string of Norwegian tour dates together with ENSLAVED and GAAHLS WYRD. The ‘Army of the North Star’ tour will kick off at the Parkteateret in Oslo on November 3rd, and will continue to hit several stages throughout the country until a final curtain at the Byscenen in Trondheim on December 1st.

A full list of confirmed dates can be found below

VREID
+Enslaved +Gaahls Wyrd
03 Nov 18 Oslo (NO) Parkteateret
15 Nov 18 Hamar (NO) Gregers
23 Nov 18 Kristiansand (NO) Kick
24 Nov 18 Stavanger (NO) Folken
30 Nov 18 Bergen (NO) USF Verftet
01 Dec 18 Trondheim (NO) Byscenen

VREID festival 2018
15 Aug 18 Dinkelsbühl (DE) Summer Breeze (Exact date TBC)

Season of Mist have previously announced the signing of VREID. The Norwegian black’n’roll veterans will release their highly anticipated next album through Season of Mist.

VREID comment on the signing: “We are extremely pleased to get signed by Season of Mist. Like us, they have been around for years, and we have a strong relationship to their people and admiration for their work. We are well on our way with our new album, and are very proud to have Season of Mist as a partner when we will launch the upcoming beast. Our march continues.”

VREID were formed in 2004. The Norwegian metal brigade rose from the ashes of WINDIR after the tragic perishing of the “Sognametal” legends with the declared mission of exploring new musical paths.

The Norsemen proved true to their words and have delivered 7 albums and one DVD, which each received high praise from critics and fans alike. VREID chose a course of constant evolution that is marked by thematically denoted phases regarding their often historically inspired lyrics.

This became particularly clear with albums number 3 and 4, ‘I Krig’ and ‘Milorg’, which both revolved around concepts dealing with resistance and liberation of Norway during World War II. With their following three records, VREID returned to their Norse roots, of which particularly their latest full-length, ‘Sólverv’ received highest critical acclaim.

VREID have hammered out their success partly by being a heavily touring band. The four-piece performed more than 500 shows in 25 countries so far. Their everlasting march to conquer new territories has led the Norwegians to headline tours in Europe, North America, Japan, and India.

Currently, the veterans are working on new material and will record their eighth opus this autumn. Composer and mastermind, Hváll has already announced that “…it will be one hell of an album. After more than 20 years of playing together our spirit is stronger than ever and we can hardly wait to get in studio again to give birth to our new creations”.

VREID’s style is often referred to as “black’n’roll” and Metal Hammer UK described their music as “a unique time travel in metal” as elements of 70’s rock, 80’s classic metal, and Norwegian black metal are all clearly audible.”

VREID will release their forthcoming album in 2018 via Season of Mist.

Line-up
Sture: vocals, guitars
Hváll: bass
Steingrim: drums
Strom: guitars

www.vreid.no
www.facebook.com/vreidofficial

MOENEN OF XEZBETH set release date for NUCLEAR WAR NOW! debut,

Today, Nuclear War Now! Productions sets August 1st as the international release date for Moenen of Xezbeth’s highly anticipated debut album, Ancient Spells of Darkness…. The CD version shall be released earlier on July 1st.

Conjuring the sinister spirits of yesteryear, Moenen of Xezbeth rises to deliver its first full incantation of mid-paced black metal, Ancient Spells of Darkness…, with its seven arcane invocations primed to unleash their plague on all who bear witness. Captured with the same approach and under the same austere conditions as its preceding demo and EP, Ancient Spells of Darkness… thus realizes the same unearthly effect, yet it is even more sinister and oppressive. These foreboding hymns serve as a conduit for the return of the original black flame, which was first sparked by Moenen of Xezbeth’s revered forbearers, has since nurtured itself in the underworld, and is now emboldened to return in its dark glory.

Hear for yourself with the new tracks “Into the Black Mist” and “Ancient Spells of Darkness,” as well as the album’s haunting intro, HERE.

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Moenen of Xezbeth’s Ancient Spells of Darkness…
1. Intro
2. Into the Black Mist
3. Oath of Malignancy
4. Pandemonial Curse
5. Ancient Spells of Darkness
6. Interlude
7. Obscured by Lunar Rites

www.nwnprod.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Nuclear-War-Now-Productions/114864651994141

SIXES Premieres Sadistic New “Fogbreather” Video

Southern California-based blackened sludge SIXES has premiered a sadistic new video for the band’s third and final single, “Fogbreather,” via Decibel. In addition, the band kicks off their debut U.S. tour tonight (5/23) in Los Angeles.

Watch the twisted video for “Fogbreather”

With a twisted blend of black metal, sludge and stoner doom, SIXES is carving their own niche within an already vast subgenre. Recorded by Brent Wisdom and mastered by Brad Boatright, Methistopheles was recorded in one of the harshest California winters in decades. The album’s artwork was designed by Ryan Bartlett.

Kicking off their own U.S. tour tonight (5/23), SIXES will be performing at several festivals this summer, including Austin Terror Fest and Chicago Doomed & Stoned Festival.

SIXES is:

Stephen Cummings – Vocals, Guitar
Hannes Bogacs – Guitar
Zander Reddis – Bass
Dustin Daniels – Drums

Tour Dates:

5/23 – Los Angeles, CA @ 5 Star Bar
5/24 – Oakland, CA @ The Golden Bull
5/25 – Eugene, OR @ Old Nick’s Pub
5/26 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon (Funhouse Seattle)
5/27 – Boise, ID @ The Shredder
5/28 – Salt Lake City, UT @ TBA *contact SIXES directly if you can help out with a new venue: sixesdoom(at)gmail(dot)com
5/29 – Denver, CO @ Streets of London Pub
5/30 – Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room
5/31 – Des Moines, IA @ Lefty’s Live Music
6/02 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Doomed and Stoned Festival
6/04 – Indianapolis, IN @ Indiana City Brewing Company
6/05 – Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place
6/06 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
6/07 – Providence, RI @ Alchemy
6/08 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Kingsland
6/09 – Spartanburg, SC @ GroundZero
6/10 – Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits
6/11 – Orlando, FL @ Will’s Pub
6/13 – Metairie, LA @ The Twist of Lime
6/14 – Houston, TX @ Satellite Bar
6/15 – Austin, TX @ Austin Terror Fest
6/18 – Corpus Christi, TX @ Boozerz Rock Bar
6/19 – San Antonio, TX @ Fitzgerald’s Bar & Live Music
6/20 – El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse Bar & Grill
6/21 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
6/22 – Tempe, AZ @ Tempe Tavern
6/23 – San Diego, CA @ Til-Two Club
6/24 – Fullerton, CA @ The Slidebar Rock N Roll Kitchen ***FREE show!!!***

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/Sixesdoom/
https://www.instagram.com/sixesdoom/
https://twitter.com/sixesdoom
https://sixesdoom.tumblr.com/
https://sixesdoom.bandcamp.com/
http://sixesdoom.bigcartel.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ6ZMAVQzqGOMEj3LBfIC4g/videos

Press:

“If you want darkness, you’ve got it!” – Decibel Magazine

“Like all good sludge bands, SIXES know their way around menacing feedback that will probably give you an irregular heartbeat…” – Metal Injection

“A barrage of vibrating distortion…” – Doomed & Stoned

“It’ll make your sunny day dark.” – The Obelisk

“SIXES Dive Into The Murk On ‘Methistopheles'” – Invisible Oranges

“Imagine desperation, derangement, and pain without end.” – No Clean Singing

“Malevolent, slow-burning blackened doom…” – Svbterranean

BLACK HOWLING set release date for new SIGNAL REX album, reveal first track

Today, Signal Rex sets July 27th as the international release date for Black Howling’s highly anticipated sixth album, Return of Primordial Stillness, on CD, vinyl LP formats, and cassette tape formats.

One of the oldest and most prolific bands in the Portuguese black metal underground, Black Howling have built up a staggering body of work of unparalleled anguish and misery. By no means strictly “depressive suicidal black metal,” the duo’s aesthetic often runs parallel to DSBM but fortunately evades all the usual cliches of such. More importantly, Black Howling’s commitment to an unapologetically raw soundfield yet suffusing that misery ‘n’ anguish with a remarkably accomplished melodicism has largely shaped the modern Portuguese black metal paradigm that has received so much international fervor in recent years.

Now, after three years of silence, Black Howling return with Return of Primordial Stillness, a compact-yet-massive distillation of their enduring aesthetic. Comprising four tracks in an epic 40 minutes, Return of Primordial Stillness indeed sounds primordial and indeed invokes a crypt-like stillness, but there’s so much more going on here. The record is bookended by two mostly instrumental tracks, with the two central compositions – “Celestial Syntropy” and “Celestial Entropy,” which are 14 minutes and 16 minutes, respectively – canvassing a wide sonic landscape, howling and desperate and yet strangely triumphant and even perversely soothing, such is their catharsis sought. However, this is all BLACK METAL through and through, undiluted and uncompromising; it’s just that Black Howling possess a profound understanding of it and are thusly able to shape it in dazzling(ly malodorous) ways. Simply put, if you aren’t mesmerized by the conjurings contained within, then perhaps black metal isn’t for you…

Though their output has slowed in recent years, each Black Howling recording is a stained treasure unto itself. When their next recording shall reveal itself, no one knows but then, but hereby witness their Return of Primordial Stillness.
In the meantime, hear an edit of the aforementioned “Celestial Syntropy” HERE

Cover and tracklisting are

Tracklisting for Black Howling’s Return of Primordial Stillness
1. Iberia
2. Celestial Syntropy
3. Celestial Entropy
4. Cosmic Oblivion

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/blackhowlingofficial

www.signalrex.com
www.facebook.com/signalrex
www.signalrex.bandcamp.com