Black Metal, Doom Metal, Pagan Metal, DSBM and More
“Let The Beast Run Wild” can be heard here:
Additionally, a limited t-shirt can be ordered HERE. More news to be revealed shortly!
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/inaphelion
MORE INFO:
www.edgedcircleproductions.com
Today, uprising German black metallers Kankar reveal the new track “Festmahl für die Krähen.” The track is the third to be revealed from the band’s highly anticipated debut album, Dunkle Millennia, set for international release on March 19th via Eisenwald. Hear Kankar‘s “Festmahl für die Krähen” here:
Kankar are a black metal duo hailing from Thuringia. 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!
Continue beholding that obsidian brilliance with the brand-new track “Festmahl für die Krähen” HERE at Eisenwald‘s official YouTube channel. Further behold that brilliance with the previously revealed title track “Dunkle Millennia” HERE and the previously revealed “Zerfall des Lichts” HERE, both also at Eisenwald‘s official YouTube channel. 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.kankarofficial.com
www.eisenton.de
www.facebook.com/eisenwaldofficial
www.youtube.com/eisenwaldofficial
www.twitter.com/EisenwaldHammer
www.instagram.com/eisenwald.official
Today, Invictus Productions announces May 7th as the international release date for a brand-new mini-album from Lunar Mantra, Psychosomatika.
It was 2015 when Lunar Mantra emerged from the void, fully formed, with Genesis. Aptly titled, this debut mini-album was the glorious birth pangs of a stalwart black metal entity physically calling the UK home – but spiritually, the sounds of Genesis resided in another realm… In the interim, a digital single teased the faithful in 2017, and then Lunar Mantra emerged again in early 2020 with the digital release of Psychosomatika.
Now finally finding physical release via Invictus, Lunar Mantra‘s Psychosomatika makes the mark it so very much deserves. Immediately, the sound of Lunar Mantra here is far more robust, molten in its physicality and world-eating in its effect; truly, the quartet evince a full-band aspect usually elusive to nowadays studio-only “bands.” Ambience is threaded through the three primary tracks of Psychosomatika ever so delicately, almost like a lurking dread at the periphery of understanding, while the resonance of their nightsky mysticism takes hold and reverberates across the soul. Indeed, Lunar Mantra‘s spiraling melodicism is a haunting thing to behold here, but not once does it sacrifice that rough ‘n’ righteous physicality. The sum effect, then, is one of levitation between planes: earth and sky, fire and water, Here and Beyond.
With deadly precision tempting the very threshold of madness, Lunar Mantra hereby offer a 29-minute portal to the arcane and visionary: Psychosomatika.
In the meantime, stream Psychosomatika in its entirety here:
New cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Lunar Mantra’s Psychosomatika
1. Preliminary [0:45]
2. Nexicthon [8:54]
3. Azothic Pyres [9:01]
4. Aghora [9:37]
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/lunarmantraesoteria
Today, Iron Bonehead Productions announces May 28th as the international release date for Cross Vault‘s highly anticipated third album, As Strangers We Depart, on CD and vinyl LP formats.
Slowly yet surely, Cross Vault have built a small-yet-stellar canon of releases that are extremely personal in nature and absolutely poignant in execution and effect. After two acclaimed cult albums – Spectres of Revocable Loss and The All-Consuming in 2014 and 2015, respectively – Cross Vault joined with Iron Bonehead for the release of a special mini-album, Miles to Take, released in late 2016. Although “just” two songs, this epic short-length was a transitional record in more ways than one: the quintet had solidified its lineup after two members had graduated from “session” status, and the sum result suitably proved stunning, showing how far they could stretch their Viking doom sound whilst keeping it fiercely focused. Cross Vault were on the march…
Alas, quality of such a standard is not an overnight matter, and time did pass…now nearly five years since the release of that last, tantalizing EP. Cross Vault return, mightier and more majestic than ever, with As Strangers We Depart. Right from the opening notes, this is the goosebump-inducing Cross Vault many have come to cherish as the metal underground’s most overlooked masters: solemn, steady, sweepingly stoic, but stirring the emotions and indeed the heartstrings like few others can these days. The formula hasn’t changed across As Strangers We Depart so much as the bravado and confidence in which Cross Vault dole out these seven towering hymns. Viking-era Bathory is still a touchstone, as are Solstice and Minotauri, but where the battlefield has gone bloodied but silent, the quintet explore the solemn aftermath with devastating dynamics. Not that Cross Vault‘s third album is merely an exercise in loud/quiet cliche; rather, delicate nuance has taken center stage with As Strangers We Depart, giving the record the overarching air of Viking funeral or simply a lament for lost times. And when that characteristic heaviness at last arrives, indeed is it the thunder of the gods…
Classic doom METAL is a very heavy, and very human, realm. Cross Vault roam that field of experience with a pathos and bathos that’s blanching to behold, and none more so than As Strangers We Depart: without a doubt, a great work of ages!
Hear (and see) for yourself with the brand-new video “Gods Left Unsung” here:
cover and tracklisting as follows:
Tracklisting for Cross Vault’s As Strangers We Depart
1. Golden Mending [8:43]
2. The Unknown Rewinds [7:40]
3. Gods Left Unsung [6:39]
4. Other Rivers [7:21]
5. Ravines [1:29]
6. As Strangers We Depart [6:47]
7. Silent Wastes Untrod [4:42]
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/crossvaultband
Today, Finnish black metal vanguard Sielunvihollinen premiere the new track “Teloituskäsky”. The track is the second to be revealed from the band’s highly anticipated fourth album, Teloituskäsky, set for international release on April 2nd via Hammer of Hate. Hear Sielunvihollinen‘s title track “Teloituskäsky” in its entirety here:
Formed in 2011 initially as a solo project, over the course of three albums and a handful of splits, demos, and EPs, Sielunvihollinen have come to be standard-bearers of pure ‘n’ proud Finnish black metal. While neither shying away from the spotlight nor intentionally cultivating an air of mystery, Sielunvihollinen‘s catalog over the past decade has come to speak of itself – thoughtful songwriting, impassioned performances, a totality of form meeting content – and with their development into a full band unlike so many other black metal “projects,” they’ve also become a considerable force on the live front.
Now, like clockwork, two years after its full-length predecessor comes Sielunvihollinen‘s fourth album, Teloituskäsky. Translated into English as “Execution command,” Teloituskäsky indeed burns with deadly precision, display a clarity of focus and (of course) execution that’s startling to behold. Riffs attack right from the off, but gnaw at the heartstrings with a plaintive melodicism equal parts tragedy and triumph. Rhythms race and march with apparent ease, deftly shifting tempos as the song requires and inciting emotion as needed. Vocals are a fury of Finnish invective and darkness, and yet the language is universal when spat forth with such charisma and (again) clarity. In fact, to qualify Teloituskäsky as Sielunvihollinen‘s cleanest-recorded work would not be inaccurate: their iron fists are now lined with velvet. However, that uptick in professionalism does nothing to dampen the band’s fires; if anything, Sielunvihollinen‘s inherent catchiness simply goes into overdrive here.
Authentically steeped in ’90s classicism whilst trampling the graves of the present, Sielunvihollinen continue their ascent to the upper echelons of international black metal with Teloituskäsky!
Further join that ascent with the previously revealed “Murtunut peili” HERE at Sielunvihollinen‘s Bandcamp. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Sielunvihollinen’s Teloituskäsky
1. Tulen kaste
2. Murtunut peili
3. Varjot
4. Kahleidenkatkoja
5. Noitavaino
6. Teloituskäsky
7. Hukkuneet
8. Usvan tuoma
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/sielunvihollinen
Today, ancient metal upstarts SpellForger premiere the new track “Lord of Possession” The track is the first to be revealed from the band’s highly anticipated debut EP, Upholders of Evil, set for international release on April 2nd via Personal Records, the new label imprint of Majestic Downfall mainman Jacobo Córdova. Hear SpellForger‘s “Lord of Possession” in its entirety exclusively HERE.
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!
Hear the original single version of “Pestilentia” HERE at SpellForger‘s Bandcamp; a re-recorded version will be on Upholders of Evil. Cover and tracklisting are 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
www.personal-records.com
personal-records.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/personalrecords666