Month: January 2021

SNĚŤ set release date for BLOOD HARVEST debut, reveal first track – also live stream tonight

Today, Blood Harvest Records sets May 14th as the international release date for Sněť‘s highly anticipated debut album, Mokvání V Okovech, on CD and vinyl LP formats. The cassette version will be handled by Lycanthropic Chants in Europe and Headsplit Records in the US.

Hailing from Prague, Sněť formed in the beginning of 2018 with a specific aim: rotten and crushing DEATH METAL in the vein of bands like Undergang, Funebrarum, Autopsy, and Carcass, but adding their own view to the style. Imperative to the five members of Sněť is placing equal emphasis on the punkish parts and crushing ones, with the sick melodies of doom-death swept across the whole thing. The five-piece released a two-song promo recording in April 2019, and preparations were underway for a new EP to follow; however, drummer Krütorr broke his leg right before the recording session and and then the Covid19 pandemic started, so the band decided to write more music and release a full-length instead.

Recorded during late 2020, Mokvání V Okovech is everything a first Sněť full-length should be: utterly CRUSHING, grimy ‘n’ ghastly DEATH METAL of a most mandatory order. Drenched in absolutely head-caving production, each tendril of sickness and slime enwrap the listener and refuse to relent. The deft shifts between mid-tempo lurch and up-tempo gallop lend an aspect that’s catchy as it is hypnotic, with dread-inducing melodies often bubbling up from the primordial muck. Likewise, when the doom hits, it hits HARD, pushing that listener deeper into the abyss and inspiring nightmares anew. Across the album’s swift, nearly 30-minute runtime, Sněť proudly uphold the banner of death metal, nodding to the aforementioned bands but definitely putting their own ugly stamp on this enduring artform.

Graced with hauntingly psychedelic cover art courtesy of Tomáš Mitura, perfectly matching form with content, Sněť deliver one of the year’s deadliest death metal debut albums with Mokvání V Okovech!

In other Sněť  news, the band will be performing a special live stream tonight January 30th, in support of the legendary “club 007” in Prague. Event info can be found HERE, and tickets can be purchased HERE.

In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “Kůň Kadaver here:

Preorder info for the CD version can be found HERE, for the vinyl version HERE, and for the vinyl bundle HERE. Aforementioned cover art and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Sněť’s Mokvání V Okovech
1. Útes Mrtvol
2. Kůň Kadaver
3. Princip Křížení
4. Demon
5. Zamrzlý Vrch
6. Folivor
7. Sakrofag
8. Vesmírná Saliva

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/snet666

www.bloodharvest.se
www.bloodharvestrecords.bandcamp.com
www.twitter.com/BloodHarvestRec

HEXORCIST sign with MEMENTO MORI, to release debut album

In their endless quest to push and support current underground acts that perpetuate the odor of vintage death metal, Memento Mori are extremely thrilled to announce a new signing: Hexorcist, from the United States.

Unearthed in Florida in early 2019 and comprised of past and current members of other impious hordes such as Gnosis and Devastator, Hexorcist summon old-school and blasphemous death metal that may as well fall under the “proto-death metal” category, for their ferocious and relentless approach to the genre harkens back to the mid-to-late ’80s, when all things extreme were still boiling in the same malignant cauldron and all boundaries were nothing but a blur that no diehard dweller of the underground gave a damn about. Hexorcist‘s aural and lyrical offering is uncompromising and exudes utter vileness, leaving no room for absolutely anything that could remotely be considered modern or trendy. Expel the flesh! Revere the sacrificial rites!

Hexorcist are recommended for fans of Morbid Angel, Necrovore, Sarcofago, Death, Incubus, Angelcorpse, Possessed, Vital Remains, Slayer, and Peru’s Mortem.

Memento Mori will unleash the CD version of their debut album on July 26th, whereas the LP version will be handled by Unholy Prophecies and the tape version will be put out through Godz ov War Productions. Further details to follow in the coming months. For more info, consult the links below.

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/hexorcistband
www.hexorcist.bandcamp.com

CONJURETH sign with MEMENTO MORI, to release debut album

In their endless quest to push and support current underground acts that perpetuate the odor of vintage death metal, Memento Mori are extremely thrilled to announce a new signing: Conjureth, from the United States.

Conjureth formed in 2018 with the goal of continuing the traditions forged by the originators of death metal. Taking influence via everything from Florida to Finland, Conjureth steamrolls their way through late ’80s-inspired filth. There was a short time when death metal wasn’t primarily full of blastbeats, caveman riffs, ultra-low-tuned guitars, and super-guttural vocals. Sadly, this era was fairly short-lived. But we all know how it spawned some of the most classic material the genre has ever seen. Conjureth slots in that bygone age of 1986-to-1989-style death metal with a heaping portion of thrash metal riffing and a dash of the technical side of things that would be unearthed a few years later. This is a band that celebrates the past giving birth to the future.

Memento Mori will unleash the CD version of their debut full-length, whereas their friends in Rotted Life Records will take care of the LP version. Release date for both formats has been set for July 26th. Further details to follow in the coming months. For more info, consult the links below.

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/conjureth
www.conjureth.bandcamp.com

www.memento-mori.es

NEKROMANTHEON reveal first track from new HELLS HEADBANGERS / INDIE album – also reveal cover, tracklisting

Today, Hells Headbangers – in conspiracy with Indie Recordings – announces April 30th as the North American release date for Nekromantheon‘s highly anticipated third album, Visions of Trismegistos, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats. In lieu of this announcement, Nekromantheon reveal the first track from the album: its title track, “The Visions of Trismegistos.” Hear Nekromantheon‘s “The Visions of Trismegistos” in its entirety here:


Behold the Visions of Trismegistos! After nine long years stirring the cauldron in the underground, Nekromantheon finally re-emerged from the depths with their most ferocious record to date!

Visions of Trismegistos is a long-awaited metal assault, bringing forth the spirit of old metal once again. Recorded in Chaka Khan Studio and various locations around Oslo by the members of Nekromantheon themselves using mostly old, analog equipment to get that warm, genuine sound, Visions of Trismegistos feels like a lost opus from the glory days of the ’80s, when thrash, death, and black metal were merged into one unholy trinity. Yet, it is a fresh and vital testament of a band at the height of their abilities who stand out amongst their peers.

With Visions of Trismegistos, Nekromantheon are ready to resurrect the ways of the ancient with their fresh take on old-school extreme metal!

Nekromantheon started out in early 2005 with only one goal in mind: to play fast, evil, and dirty thrash metal in the way of the old gods. Influenced by the classics of Slayer, Sadus, Kreator, Dark Angel, and Sepultura, they unleashed their attack on modern metal.

After the release of the We’re Rotting EP in early 2007, the band had already built a name for themselves in the underground scene. As the band got more and more focused on capturing the spirit of the ’80s, guitarist Arild “Arse” Myren Torp and drummer Christian “Kick” Holm started building their own recording studio. Shortly, their very own KickArse Studio was ready in Kolbotn, Norway, the hometown of the mighty Darkthrone.

With their own creative pit available, their first full-length, Divinity of Death, was released shortly. This intense evocation of evil turned some heads indeed, and earned the band a spot at Maryland DeathFest 2010 and the highly prestigious yet extremely underground Live Evil Festival in London the same year.

In 2012, Nekromantheon released their second album, Rise, Vulcan Spectre, elevating the level of ferocious, darkened thrash metal to unknown heights. The release was an unholy offering to summon the old ways of metal, being held up to underground classics from the ’80s. It was an intense, analog-sounding record that showed no mercy. Rise, Vulcan Spectre was met with raving reviews and went on to receive a Grammy for Best Metal album 2012.

Nekromantheon, unaffected by the “success,” continued to play underground concerts and festivals that they deemed suited for their concept, and continued to keep a low profile throughout the years, playing selected shows and slowly working on new material. As the members were active and creative in bands like Obliteration, Black Viper, Flight, Deathhammer etc, and they have an extremely self-critical way of writing music within Nekromantheon, the follow-up record took years and years before it materialized. We believe Visions of Trismegistos is worth the wait.

Preorder info for Hells Headbangers‘ North American editions can be found HERE for the CD and HERE for the vinyl. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Nekromantheon’s Visions of Trismegistos
1. The Visions of Trismegistos
2. Scorched Death
3. Seven Rulers of Fate
4. Thanatos
5. Dead Temples
6. Zealot Reign
7. Neptune Descent
8. Faustian Rites

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/nekromantheonofficial

www.hellsheadbangers.com

SAGENLAND stream HEIDENS HART debut album – features members of HEIMDALLS WACHT, ASGRAW, CULTUS, MESLAMTAEA++

Today, Dutch black metal classicists Sagenland stream the entirety of their long-awaited debut album, Oale groond. Now set for international release on January 25th via Heidens Hart Records, hear Sagenland‘s Oale groond in its entirety HERE.

Sagenland is a black metal project from Twente, Netherlands, founded at the turn of the millennium. Driving forces behind the project are A. (Cultus, Heimdalls Wacht, Uuntar) and F. (Asgrauw, Meslamtaea), who share an obsession for traditional Scandinavian black metal such as the legendary Ulver trilogy, old Dodheimsgard, and Arckanum. Sagenland plays folk-injected black metal with a leading role for melodic bass parts, epic choirs, and acoustic guitars.

In 2005, the band released the three-track EP Bladval on a split LP. The label ceased activity shortly after, so only a handful of copies were distributed, making this a real collectors item. Fifteen years later, Sagenland awakened from dormancy and finally deliver their debut album, Oale groond. The album follows the tradition of riff-based, well-written, actual songs, while capturing nostalgia, romanticism, and aggression in a way that is rare nowadays. This is sincere and honest traditional and folkish-themed grim black metal. Lyrics are mostly in the local dialect and describe sagas and local poetry from the countryside between Regge and Dinkel, where Sagenland is rooted.

 Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Sagenland’s Oale groond
1. Weer thuus
2. De jammerklachten van Singraven – eerste deel
3. De jammerklachten van Singraven – tweede deel
4. Veur de leu van vrogger
5. Bladval
6. In ‘t bos
7. Van eigen land
8. Botte bijlen
9. ‘t Leste gedicht (Twentse earde)
10. Terug noar et laand van aleer

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/sagenlandtwente

www.heidenshart.nl
www.facebook.com/heidenshart

SPELLFORGER set release date for PERSONAL RECORDS debut EP

On April 2nd internationally, Personal Records is proud to present SpellForger‘s striking debut EP, Upholders of Evil. Personal Records is the new label imprint of Majestic Downfall mainman Jacobo Córdova.

Hailing from Indonesia, SpellForger began early 2020, highly influenced by early proto-black metal such as Celtic Frost, early Slayer, Bathory, Possessed, and also modern black metal-influenced thrash metal bands such as Cruel Force, Deathhammer, Condor, and Inculter. And since most of the members are a huge fans of the old-school style of death metal, SpellForger‘s music also bears some slight ’90s death metal influences, as well.

SpellForger was formed by Demi Raldi (AKA Middernacht), and then he also invited a close friend named Jamie (AKA Carrion), who is also guitarist in the black metal bands Ashtarothum and Neurotic of Gods. Together, they then invited a veteran black metal drummer named Yaya (AKA L. Tchort), who has been involved in the black metal scene since the mid ’90s. Some time after, SpellForger was finally formed, with Middernacht recruiting a friend named Fauzan (AKA Horrifier) to fill the position of bassist even though his real skill is playing drums.

A few weeks after the band had formed, SpellForger started to write their first single, “Pestilentia,” and it was recorded three weeks later without any rehearsal. The song is widely well-received with black/thrash fans, with some viewing the band as giving a new, fresh injection into their local metal scene – this because Indonesia (in this case, Bandung) is widely known for its huge death metal scene, mainly focused on the brutal/slam style, which has largely been overdone. Instead, SpellForger wanted to revive the spirit of old-school metal within their local scene, bringing a strong anti-poser attitude in their music and lyrics. The band are also against any other sort of trends that’ve been going on for quite some time within that local scene.

Now, SpellForger have signed with Personal Records for their debut EP, Upholders of Evil. Bearing six tracks in 22 minutes, Upholders of Evil is a fresh blast of old air, the band honoring the ancient ways – actual songwriting, live playing, unpolished recording – with utmost aplomb whilst never reeking of “retro” regressionism. Simply put, this is METAL played METAL maniacs. Indeed, the EP is aptly titled, for SpellForger likewise exude a tangible evil here: never overwrought nor overly obvious, this atmosphere authentically harkens to those ancient forebears.

And this is just the start for SpellForger. The future is wide open to destroy, so prepare for these Upholders of Evil or get out of their way!

In the meantime, hear the original single version of “Pestilentia” here:

Cover and tracklisting as follows:

Tracklisting for SpellForger’s Upholders of Evil

1. Upholders of Evil
2. Lord of Possession
3. Metal Crusaders
4. Curse Of The Lycans
5. Black Spellcrafters
6. Pestilentia

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/spellforger.band


Brazilian ancient metallers Speedkiller stream their highly anticipated debut album

Today, Brazilian ancient metallers Speedkiller stream the entirety of their highly anticipated debut album, Midnight Vampire. Set for international release on January 29th via Edged Circle Productions on vinyl LP format (Helldprod Records will handle the CD and cassette versions), hear Speedkiller‘s Midnight Vampire in its entirety here:

Speedkiller hail from Brazil, arguably THE South American country with the richest history of extreme metal. A quartet, the band comprises vocalist/guitarist Spellcaster, fellow guitarist Summoned, bassist Evilspirit, and drummer Hellkrätus. A full-length album, Midnight Vampire is Speedkiller‘s first public recording…but HOLY FUCK is it a first statement!

Unapologetically, Speedkiller hail the old gods of their homeland, both the massively influential cult scene of the ’80s – Vulcano, Sarcofago, Mutilator, Holocausto, and earliest (and best) Sepultura – but also Mystifier’s classic first album, Wicca. As such, Midnight Vampire is a work of both aggression and atmosphere. But unlike so many past and especially present who endlessly try to replicate the OTT violence of Sarcofago’s INRI, Speedkiller possess a patience in their songwriting which allows bewitching atmosphere to play equal footing as belligerent aggression – the song to take precedence over style. In fact, much of Midnight Vampire charges forward at a brisk, enjoyably headbanging tempo, allowing their largely traditionalist constructions to breathe full, foul breaths: undeniably sulfurous, but firmly rooted in ancient values. Thus, here could one raise a gleaming sword as freely as drink black blood, and indeed do Speedkiller‘s primary inspirations run the gamut of street fights, vampirism, all-caps HEAVY METAL, perversion, and of course DEATH.

Hearty and hale, Midnight Vampire doesn’t waste any time, either: it gets in and gets out in a swift yet deeply satisfying 27 minutes. Suitably, the rich ‘n’ resoundingly analog production is completed by mixing from now-labelmates Inculter‘s Remi Nygård, and cover art by Jean Nightbreäker of Brazil’s Murdeath is everything it should be for a work like this. If you want ARGH, you got it with Speedkiller!

Preorder info for the vinyl version can be found HERE at Edged Circle‘s Bandcamp. Aforementioned cover art and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Speedkiller (Brazil)’s Midnight Vampire
1. Intro [1:07]
2. Nightspell [4:00]
3. Suicide Hell [4:17]
4. Shadow People [4:22]
5. Midnight Vampire [4:11]
6. Valley Of Death [3:32]
7. Circles Of Blood [4:47]

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/speedkiller666

MORE INFO:
www.edgedcircleproductions.com

MEDIEVAL DEMON set release date fornew HELLS HEADBANGERS album – features founding ROTTING CHRIST member

Today, Hells Headbangers sets February 12th as the international release date for Medieval Demon‘s highly anticipated third album, Arcadian Witchcraft, on CD format. The vinyl LP version will be released on March 12th.

It was but 2018 when Medieval Demon rose from the crypt of time eternal to release their comeback album, Medieval Necromancy, through longtime fans Hells Headbangers. The alliance was fortuitous, as Hells Headbangers have helped foster a new crop of ancient-style Greek black metal with the likes of Funeral Storm and Synteleia as well as join together two of Hellenic black metal’s most influential bands, Rotting Christ and Varathron, for a special split 7″ just last year. And, as Medieval Demon began stirring in that crypt, Hells Headbangers was the label they sought – and on evidence of Medieval Necromancy, indeed was the past alive!

Medieval Demon were formed in Greece in 1993 by brothers Lord Apollyon and Sirokous. Necrochrist and Muerte joined the band and entered the glorious Storm Studio to record their first demo tape, Night of The Infernal Lords. After releasing some more demos, they recorded their debut album, Demonolatria, in 1995 and released it on Unisound in 1998.

Following that lost classic, Medieval Demon ceased activity, but in 2018 did they rise from the time and dust of the mystical ’90s to unleash spells, prayers, and glorify the gods of the underworld and mighty Lucifer, the ruler of the Earth. Medieval Necromancy was the full-length spell they conjured, and truly did it sound like those ’90s never ended. Nor will they ever end with the imminent release of Arcadian Witchcraft.

Truly, Medieval Demon‘s third album is a wellspring of noble ’90s spirits, not just in their native Hellenic scene but further afield: from old Samael to equally old Master’s Hammer, from Necromantia’s pioneering early work to the cult Italian prog band Jacula from the early ’70s, most especially with their haunting church organ. Upon its first dramatic notes, Arcadian Witchcraft is immediately, excitingly Medieval Demon and pulses further into the velvety abyss with each of these seven spells. The poise, nuance, and sheer craft of their songwriting here reaches a masterful level, and one that’s authentically ancient in its splendor – which is perhaps not surprising given that their lineup now includes one Mutilator, original bassist of Rotting Christ. Here, he brings along a number of ideas he hadn’t used during the ’90s, and likewise does Lord Apollyon unearth a number of old unreleased songs from those days. Which brings everything full circle, as Mutilator helped record Medieval Demon‘s first demo at Storm Studio…

Creepier and more glorious, more proudly heavy metal whilst taking the listener deeper into the black, Arcadian Witchcraft is an impossibly essential album from an old band who sound more vital than ever. Long may Medieval Demon reign!

Fully stream Arcadian Witchcraft in its entirety here:

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Medieval Demon’s Arcadian Witchcraft
1. Meet Her Majesty, The Black Queen [5:05]
2. Mystics of Ritual Madness [5:20]
3. Mundus Est Diaboli [6:12]
4. The Grand Archon [5:16]
5. Nocturnal Gates Through the Night [5:49]
6. Seeking Blood in the Blackness [5:05]
7. Arcadian Witchcraft [5:01]

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/MedievalDemonOfficial

www.hellsheadbangers.com

SARKRISTA set release date for new PURITY THROUGH FIRE album, reveal first track

Today, Purity ThroughFire sets March 21st as the international release date for Sarkrista‘s highly anticipated third album, Sworn to Profound Heresy, on CD, vinyl LP, A5 digipack, and cassette tape formats.

Since their fiery formation in 2011, Germany’s Sarkrista have upheld the banner of pure ‘n’ proud black metal in a most paradigmatic Finnish fashion – which is not surprising, given that the band consists of transplanted Finns. Nevertheless, whether you liken Sarkrista‘s sound to classic Finnish black metal or a newer breed of German black metal, the results are the same: a deadly devotion to Satanism and traditional black metal ideals, all conjured forth in a maelstrom of freezingly melodic fury. And the band have pursued that vision with a single-minded focus and clarity of execution for a prolific decade now.

Purity ThroughFire‘s blood pact with Sarkrista began in 2014 with the vinyl edition of the band’s debut album, The Acheronian Worship, and that bond is stronger than ever. Now, together they cut their flesh for Satan with the long-awaited release of Sworn to Profound Heresy. Immediately recognizable as classic, characteristic Sarkrista, Sworn to Profound Heresy makes good on its titular promise: you can literally FEEL the band bleed through every ripping note and ripped vocal chord. And as the album winds on, going from speedy icicles to triumphant marches, from hellish intensity to epic majesty, Sarkrista provoke possession through these eight dizzying yet immediately memorable spells. And as effortless as all this sounds, Sarkrista worked on the album from December 2019 to October 2020, ensuring only the best material was delivered into recorded form, here entirely written by vocalist/guitarist Revenant and bassist/drummer Exesor. Uniquely, a number of guest vocalists make an appearance on Sworn to Profound Heresy: Nocturnal Depression’s Lord Lokhraed on “The Chosen ones of Satan,” Curse Upon a Prayer’s The Infidel on “Destroyer of the Sun,” and AntimateriA on “A Whisper from Forgotten Coffins.” Indeed, the spirit of celebration and ruination runs rampart across the album, and surprising twists abound as Sworn to Profound Heresy comes to a climactic close…

“This album is a great homage to our great master, and eternal leader SATAN!” says the band of Sworn to Profound Heresy. As ever with Sarkrista, expect nothing but furious madness!

Feel the first furious madness with the brand-new track “The Beast Reborn” here:

Cover and artwork as follows:

Tracklisting for Sarkrista’s Sworn to Profound Heresy
1. Intro
2. Sworn to Profound Heresy
3. Lair of Cursed Remains
4. Ablazing Ritual Torches
5. The Chosen Ones of Satan
6. Conjuring the Profane Fury
7. Destroyer of the Sun
8. The Beast Reborn
9. A Whisper From Forgotten Coffins

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/sarkrista

KANKAR set release date for new EISENWALD album

Today, Eisenwald sets March 19th as the international release date for Kankar‘s striking debut album, Dunkle Millennia, on CD and vinyl LP formats. Hear Kankar‘s “Zerfall des Lichts” in its entirety here:

Kankar are a black metal duo hailing from Thuringia, Germany. The band began in 2016, and two years later had released their debut EP, Elemental Fury. Aptly titled, Elemental Fury indeed lived up to its title and then some: despite the relatively raw nature of the recording, Kankar‘s songwriting chops were already honed to an enviable degree. Proud was their power and forward was their movement, even when taking detours; strident and austere, their surge betrayed a depth of nuance and detail. And yet, this EP was just a first step…

Now, Kankar make their first grand statement with Dunkle Millennia, the duo’s debut full-length. Immediately recognizable as Kankar but bolstered on every level – songwriting, performance, production – Dunkle Millennia literally bristles with an electricity that’s undeniable. For a band still (proudly) black metal, the Kankar of now here evince an artistry that spans decades and even genres; one can detect trace elements of classic death metal, pagan metal, traditional metal, and even rock ‘n’ roll within the album’s succinct-yet-expansive 45-minute runtime, and yet all of it’s spliced and diced in a most fluid manner, and not once ever schizophrenic. In fact, the muscular-yet-finessed interplay between vocalist/guitarist/bassist Stríð and drummer Plágan suggests an almost symbiotic relationship, each ever-unfolding passage walking/surging down a thorny path but with the route known only to Kankar. Even with these increasingly tricky detours, the 11 component songs of Dunkle Millennia never suffer from information overload or convoluted expressions of such: everything is always felt, darkly and dynamically. Credit that feel to the gleaming(ly powerful) production of Markus Stock (Helrunar, Bethlehem, Empyrium, Secrets of the Moon etc.) at his renown Klangschmiede Studio E.

References to be made include everyone from classic Windir and Germany’s Horn to more recent Satyricon and Vreid, from later Lunar Aurora and Skogen to even now-labelmates UADA, but Kankar are well on their way to etching out their own celebrated history with the startlingly developed Dunkle Millennia. The time is NOW to begin beholding its obsidian brilliance!

Order options for physical formats will become available closer to the release date. Cover artwork, courtesy of Northem Art and House of Inkantation, and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Kankar’s Dunkle Millennia
1. Gier
2. Krater in Sarx
3. Zerfall des Lichts
4. Vergeltung
5. Thüringer Schwarzmetall
6. Der Schütze
7. Neid
8. Festmahl für die Krähen
9. Pilgerreise
10. Die Sonne über Ikarus
11. Dunkle Millennia

MORE INFO:
www.kraterofficial.com

www.eisenton.de
www.facebook.com/eisenwaldofficial
www.youtube.com/eisenwaldofficial
www.twitter.com/EisenwaldHammer
www.instagram.com/eisenwald.official