Month: July 2021

HAUTAKAMMIO set release date for new PURITY THROUGH FIRE album, reveal first track – features members of KALMANKANTAJA, AZAGHAL, WHITE DEATH+++

Today, Purity ThroughFire sets September 30th as the international release date for Hautakammio‘s long-awaited third album, Pimeyden Kosketus, on digipack CD format. The vinyl LP version shall follow later.

A dark-horse titan in Finland’s ever-fertile black metal scene, Hautakammio formed in 2012 as a blood pact among four prolific veterans of that land’s underground. Two full-lengths followed in quick succession, in 2013 and 2014, displaying a beautiful savagery that was equal parts blistering speed and spiraling melodicism. While by no means intentionally at odds with the reigning Finnish paradigm, Hautakammio exhibited a refreshing uniqueness within that scene whilst upholding its usually staunch standards of excellence. Their works were perhaps too overlooked, or momentum not followed up on, for the band went on hiatus following the second album.

At long last, Hautakammio are back from the dead “after rotting away for almost five years,” in the band’s words, and have arrived with the iron-fisted Pimeyden Kosketus. Although seven years separates it from its predecessor, Pimeyden Kosketus proves that time has indeed been kind to Hautakammio. With the founding core of guitarist/songwriter Grim666 (Kalmankantaja) and drummer Lima (Azaghal), the trinity is here completed by erstwhile White Death vocalist Vritrahn and his vitriolic throat, who also contributes lyrics to the record. Together, a cryogenic blast of blasphemous black metal from the dark Finnish forests is conjured, invoking nostalgic reflections of 1997. No more but definitely no less, Hautakammio remain as uncompromising as ever, and effortlessly dole out their no-fashion, woodcutting hymns with calculating cruelty and nightsky wonder alike.

Relentless and reinvigorated, Hautakammio have returned from the darkest past to plant the new banner of Pimeyden Kosketus!

Uphold that banner with the brand-new track “Pimeys Tuhoaa Valon Luoman” here:

. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Hautakammio’s Pimeyden Kosketus
1. Harhaisen Mielen Turmlija [6:18]
2. Pimeyden Kosketus [6:13]
3. Lopun Ajan Alku [6:49]
4. Pimeys Tuhoaa Valon Luoman [6:16]
5. Unohtuva Ikuisen Ajan Hautaan [5:46]

MORE INFO:
www.hautakammio.bandcamp.com

ORGREL set release date for IRON BONEHEAD debut, reveal first track

Today, Iron Bonehead Productions announces October 15th as the international release date for Orgrel‘s striking debut album, Red Dragon’s Invocation, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

A band literally out of time, Orgrel hail from Italy and, more importantly, hail the ancient days of black metal – the days too often forgotten, in the late ’90s, when labels like Solistitium, Sombre, and Drakkar began releasing obsidian gems during the genre’s post-sensationalism fallout. Rich with righteous fury and triumph alike, the power-trio deliver their first public recording, the full-length Red Dragon’s Invocation. Immediately, mystical splendor and dizzying delirium are felt as Orgrel kick in with an impassioned surge, each and every riff, rhythm, and holler stirring bloodlust and wonder/wander simultaneously. The soundfield is studiously raw yet robust, flat but somehow full, allowing aggression and atmosphere equal reign, and engrossing the listener to the very last: indeed, Red Dragon’s Invocation is summarily titled. Its mysteries are starkly simple but exceedingly sublime, being purely and totally BLACK METAL in word and deed; black metal doesn’t need to “become” anything when it already IS. Orgrel know this intrinsic truth and pursue it to the hilt across their debut album.

Graced with absolutely stunning cover artwork by Luciana Nedelea, Orgrel raise their sword of truth and prepare to strike unbelievers with Red Dragon’s Invocation.

Fall beneath their sword with the brand-new track “Burning Ruins” here:

Aforementioned cover art and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Orgrel’s Red Dragon’s Invocation
1. Burning Ruins
2. Amor Fati
3. Surrounded by Nothing
4. Gate of Eternal Life
5. Torn Flag
6. Fiery Dawn Cry
7. Carved in Blood

More info : Iron Bonehead Productions

MORBID MESSIAH set release date for new CHAOS RECORDS EP, reveal first track

Today, Chaos Records announces September 24th as the international release date for a brand-new EP from Morbid Messiah, Disgorged in the Coffin, on CD and cassette tape formats. The 12″ vinyl version shall follow later.

Hailing from Mexico, Morbid Messiah was formed in 2015 by guitarist Roberto Trejo, vocalist José Rivas, and drummer Anubis Sandoval after they moved from Cancún to Guadalajara, Jalisco. Morbid Messiah started to play without a bassist until September 2016, when Guillermo López joined the band.

Morbid Messiah‘s debut EP, In the Name of True Death Metal, was released in October 2016 by the band independently on CD and in January 2017 by Godz Ov War Productions in a cassette tape edition limited to 100 copies. Their debut album, Demoniac Paroxysm, was recorded on April 2018 at MAT Studio (as the first release) and released by Memento Mori on CD and by Unholy Prophecies on vinyl in two different colors.

Morbid Messiah played in the first edition of Total Death Over Mexico City alongside Dead Congregation, Atomicide, Evil Priest, Of Feather And Bone, Antebellum 666, Infernal Conjuration, and Ascended Dead. 

Anubis Sandoval left the band in 2018 due to personal differences. Saúl Anzaldo joined the band as an official member on March 2019.

Demoniac Paroxysm was released for the very first time on cassette in January 2021 by Goatthrone Records and a CD digipack reissue by Ablaze Productions with extra live songs and re-mastered music. In the Name of True Death Metal is in progress to be re-released on cassette by Life After Death Productions.

About Morbid Messiah‘s forthcoming Disgorged in the Coffin, Trejo says, “This one will be heavier, deeper, and will contain more sickness and madness than the other recordings. It will contain six songs, each one with a lot of meaning for Morbid Messiah and a very raw production in artwork and music engineering.”

Indeed, Trejo is true to his word: Disgorged in the Coffin is a gutsfucking slab of sick-sick-sick, maddening DEATH METAL mania. Pure and proud, this is Metal of Death for the most maniacal of maniacs, by the most maniacal of maniacs; Morbid Messiah, if anything, have gotten filthier and more barbaric as time goes on. No “progression” here, only devolution – become Disgorged in the Coffin!

Devolve with the brand-new track “Dungeon of Vermin”  here:

. Cover artwork, courtesy of Dahmer Art, and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Morbid Messiah’s Disgorged in the Coffin
1. Disgorged in the Coffin
2. Rupturing Into Madness
3. Grinded for the Carnage
4. Dungeon of Vermin
5. The Maniacal
6. Angel of Disembowelment

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/morbidmessiahofficial
www.morbidmessiah.bandcamp.com

www.chaos-records.com
www.facebook.com/chaosrecords

SOLACIDE set release date for new SATURNAL album, reveal first track

Today, Saturnal Records announces September 24th as the international release date for Solacide‘s highly anticipated second album, Fall From Eternity, on CD format.

Solacide was founded by guitarist Kimmo Korhonen and drummer Matti Jauhola in 2004. In 2005, guitarist Joonas Vanhalakka and bass-player Sami Tikkanen joined the group.

In April 2008, Gökhan Korkmaz joined as lead singer, and Solacide recorded the EP Baptized in Disgust, which was released in February 2009. Baptized in Disgust received many praising reviews from Finland and countries such as Germany, the UK, France, and the US. During 2009 and 2010, Solacide did gigs across Finland and Russia, and audiences acknowledged them as a professional, aggressive, and fiery live band.

In September 2013, Waves of Hate EP was released through Gravity Entertainment. The EP consisted of three studio songs and two live songs. The live tracks were recorded during Solacide‘s 2010 tour. After the EP was released, guitarist Joonas Vanhalakka decided to leave the band.

Solacide went back to the studio in late 2013 to record The Finish Line, their first full-length. The album was mixed and mastered by Juho Räihä at SoundSpiral Audio in February 2014. The album was released through Via Nocturna in February 2016; at the same time, the band released their debut video “The Maze.” The Finish Line got excellent reviews around Europe, Scandinavia, and Russia.

Sami Tikkanen left in autumn 2016. In April 2017, Henri Sinokki joined. In 2018, Solacide started to record a follow-up for The Finish Line. During the recordings, the band and Gökhan decided to part ways. It took a year to find a proper singer, and in late 2019, Iiro Juntunen joined the band. The new album Fall From Eternity was mixed in the spring 2020 by Emil Pohjalainen.

A work of scything aggression and cosmic atmosphere alike, Fall From Eternity recasts Solacide in a strictly black metal context, but one that betrays a wealth of imagination and nuance. Epic and arching, dynamic as well as daring, Fall From Eternity conveys a vast landscape of dread visions and liberated emotions, of modernity and the archaic, resulting in a timeless work that’s undeniably Solacide‘s best to date.

For this new album, Solacide‘s lineup consisted of Iiro Juntunen on vocals; Kimmo Korhonen on guitars, keyboards, and vocals; Henri Sinokki on bass and keyboards; and Matti Jauhola on drums. After the album was finished, Henri switched from bass to guitar, and Sami Heinonen joined Solacide as bass-player.

It’s been a long time coming, but the best things come to those who wait. With Fall From Eternity, Solacide can now stand tall alongside such celebrated countrymen as Enochian Crescent and Ajattara as well as Negura Bunget, Winterfylleth, Khors, Cainan Dawn, and Sweden’s Skogen further afield.

In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “Forsaken by Gods here:

Cover and Tracklisting as follows:

Tracklisting for Solacide’s Fall From Eternity
1. Fall From Eternity [6:22]
2. Forsaken By Gods [6:41]
3. Oblivion [3:07]
4. Far Beyond Reality [5:49]
5. The Coldest Night [6:03]
6. Spirit Hibernation [0:56]
7. Away From Light [10:14]

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/Solacide

www.saturnalrecords.com

NECROFIER unveil new album details and share first single

Texan black metal battalion NECROFIER will be unleashing their debut full-length record ‘Prophecies of Eternal Darkness’ onto the masses on October 22, 2021 via Season of Mist Underground Activists! The cover artwork, track-list and further album details can be found below. In conjunction, the band is now sharing the first single, “The Black Flame Burns” along with an official music video. The video, which was created by Dwayne Cathey, can be found here:

Front man Bakka Larson comments: “We have been waiting patiently and are very pleased to finally release a song from our new record. Let the blame flame burn in us all!“

‘Prophecies of Eternal Darkness’ is now available for pre-ordersHERE.

The cover artwork for ‘Prophecies of Eternal Darkness’ was created by Burney and can be found below along with the tracklist.

Track-list:
1. The Black Flame Burns (WATCH)
2. Darker than the night
3. Madness Descends
4. Return to Chaos
5. Death Comes to Us All
6. Unholy Hunger
7. Betrayal of the Queen
8. Plaque Requiem
Total: 34:32

The rise of American black metal is a cult movement whose vast influence and growth cannot be ignored. Houston’s NECROFIER carries this torch, embodying the hallmarks of melodic black metal while embracing their Texas roots, delivering what can only be described as total Southern darkness as they bridge the divide between true Norwegian black metal and American gothic.

In the fall of 2018, fate coalesced when vocalist/guitarist Bakka Larson (VENOMOUS MAXIMUS, NIGHT COBRA) saw an open call on social media from drummer Dobber Beverly (OCEANS OF SLUMBER, INSECT WARFARE) who was looking to work on a traditional heavy metal project. Larson had already been working on black metal songs as an outlet to explore the themes of the supernatural and unknown and exploring this darkness, so he jumped on the opportunity and quickly reached out. The two immediately connected over their shared passion to create dark, old school music in which they could inject their Southern flair.

The duo eventually recruited Beverly’s OCEANS OF SLUMBER counterpart and bassist Mat Valentine and soon wrote and released a debut EP, ‘Visions in Fire,’ which channeled the spirit of late-era DISSECTION, WATAIN, CLOAK, and TRIBULATION while staying true to their own homegrown sensibilities.

Not long after the EP release, the band scored an opening slot with UADA. Needing a second guitarist to fill out the sound, Josh Bokemeyer (CHURCH OF DISGUST) was eventually tapped to fill that role, completing the band’s inception. The four-piece later released a music video for the EP title track and went on to perform with a vast array of their black metal brethren such as 1349, Goatwhore, and Cloak, including an appearance at a coveted SXSW showcase. Now, the band is emerging from the darkness of 2021, ready to fan the unholy flames and finally release their devastating debut full-length, ‘Prophecies of Eternal Darkness.’ 

www.necrofier.bandcamp.com
www.instagram.com/necrofier
www.twitter.com/necrofier
www.facebook.com/Necrofier

Line-up:
Bakka Larson – Vocals, Guitar
Josh Bokemeyer – Guitars
Dobber Beverly – Drums
Mat Valentine – Bass

Sweden’s VASSAGO stream long-awaited new NUCLEAR WAR NOW! album – features members of LORD BELIAL, KING DIAMOND+++

Today, reanimated Swedish black metal cult Vassago stream the entirety of their long-awaited second album, Storm of Satan. Set for international release on August 1st via Nuclear War Now! Productions on vinyl LP and cassette tape formats, hear Vassago‘s Storm of Satan in its entirety here:

Sweden’s reputation in the world of underground black and death metal is a well-earned one. Known for stellar musicianship, consistent quality, and distinct production, it should be no surprise that many ancient Swedish hordes are still as potent today as ever.

With that in mind, Nuclear War Now! is proud to release Storm of Satan, the second full-length from Vassago. Formed in the late 1980s, Vassago released two demos in the mid-’90s before recording their blasphemous 1999 ful- length Knights From Hell (reissued by NWN! in 2019). The group established an identity with revered fellow countrymen Lord Belial, sharing several members.

While Lord Belial has earned a stellar reputation for their sweeping, melancholic grandiosity, Vassago approaches black and death metal from a maleficent angle. With biting, vicious intensity that calls to mind fellow northern gods Impaled Nazarene or Nifelheim, Vassago offers a full-scale attack of warlike staccato and a penchant for the disgusting and evil.

Storm of Satan is thematically dominated by a pure worship of Satan: a true devotional homage to the literal essence of black metal art. Musicianship and execution are at their peak here, with the additional presence of the legend Andy Laroque (of King Diamond) producing the record as well as providing lead guitar.

Storm of Satan offers its listeners no recourse; this is worship of evil for the evil among us.

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Vassago (Sweden)’s Storm of Satan

1. Darkness of Satan
2. Elite of Satan
3. Evil of Satan
4. Fire of Satan
5. Grind of Satan
6. Mayhem of Satan
7. Metal of Satan
8. Sign of Satan
9. Storm of Satan
10. War of Satan

www.nwnprod.com

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

Today, Purity ThroughFire sets September 30th as the international release date for Aussichtslos‘ highly anticipated second album, Einsicht, on CD and A5 digipack formats. The vinyl LP version will follow later.

It was but March 2021 when Austria’s Aussichtslos burst from the void, fully formed, with their Völlig Aussichtslos debut album. Remarkably assured, classically inclined, the power-trio presented grim, harsh, but oft-hard-rocking black metal that favorably recalled the post-Strength & Honour landscape of Finland as well as ancient-days Germania ala Luror, Wolfsmond, and Hellfucked.

Striking while the iron’s literally hot, Aussichtslos return with their second full-length, Einsicht. Einsicht was recorded in 2020, before the release of Völlig Aussichtslos took place. Therefore, the album was created in a natural catharsis without any input from the outside, comparable to an eremite who decides to isolate himself to reflect on his conception of life and the thoughts which lead to his actions, which furthermore shaped his existence and the way he perceives and interacts with the world surrounding him. To that, vocalist/guitarist Norsk’s lyrics show, on a very personal level, the inner struggle of human beings – but not only his own prison of thoughts, but also the hard fight of life of beloved and hated people close to him. Musically, guitarist/bassist Garst strove for a more direct transportation of feelings on the whole spectrum of self-awareness: on one hand, the overwhelming futility of your situation, and on the other hand, energizing riffs full of hope, which give you the courage to keep on fighting. Life is a pile of shit sometimes, and so you need some fucking rocking riffs to keep yourself going. Einsicht marches forward, stern and steely-eyed, proving that Aussichtslos are black metalsmiths of destiny.

Altogether, Aussichtslos again acknowledge that there is war inside the inner-self, but you can raise your sword and don the chainmail even more vigorously with Einsicht!

Raise that sword and don that chainmail with the brand-new track “Flächenbrand” here:

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Aussichtslos’ Einsicht
1. Flächenbrand
2. Sklaven
3. Ertränken
4. Fels
5. Spiegel
6. Erinnerung
7. Maske
8. Kerker

Further Info : Purity Through Fire

VENEFIXION set release date for IRON BONEHEAD debut album, reveal first track

Today, Iron Bonehead Productions announces October 1st as the international release date for Venefixion‘s highly anticipated debut album, A Sigh From Below, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

On the boil since their formation in 2013, the French cult of Venefixion have been patiently perfecting their Metal of Death over the course of three wisely parceled-out short-lengths: 2015’s Defixio demo, 2016’s Amorican Deathrites EP, and a split mini-album with Belgian comrades Possession in 2019, all courtesy of Iron Bonehead. Within those quick-hitting blasts of morbidity exists a refreshingly rotten style of death metal – undeniably ancient, but strangely also modern, arriving at a timeless sound that still suggests more morbid mastery.

At last, it arrives with Venefixion‘s long-awaited debut album, A Sigh From Below. Flexing the very same muscles as those celebrated short-lengths – rabid, red-eyed, fierce, feral, and exhibiting a startling sense of confidence and daresay swagger – here on the longer-form A Sigh From Below do the quintet reach for the epic: of the furthest reaches of the abyss, of the most clandestine corners of the taboo, of the very threshold of the human psyche. That their musings are now rendered in robustly 3D production simply makes their kiss of death that much sweeter; Venefixion can verily hold their own with death metal’s biggest names as well as the underground’s most lawless. Which is all to say that A Sigh From Below recasts the band in a grander light, one that’s more the illuminating light of Lucifer as opposed to just never-ending darkness – the same band, but also different. No, for Venefixion is this Art that MUST be boldly proclaimed and proselytized far and wide, striking their flaming sword across the necks of both the converted and disbelieving alike. This is the underground come to devour those above – no one is spared!

Heed the warnings whispered in the shadows of night’s worst places. Venefixion come reckoning with A Sigh From Below!

Face the first sounds of that reckoning with the brand-new track “Of Wolves and Ghosts” here:

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Venefixion’s A Sigh From Below
1. Intro
2. Veneficial Upheaval
3. Of Wolves And Ghosts
4. Ways To The Netherworld
5. Clavicula Salomonis
6. Summoned And Defiled
7. Subterranean Deathspell
8. Aghori’s Ashes Of The Dead
9. As Light Goes Astray

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/Venefixion-872776712799238

www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions

TRIACANTHOS set release date for PURITY THROUGH FIRE debut, reveal first track

Today, Purity ThroughFire sets September 30th as the international release date for Triacanthos‘ striking debut album, Apotheosis, on CD format.

Hailing from Austin, Texas, the germ of what would eventually become Triacanthos first grew roots in 2013 when drummer and then-vocalist Lord Frost began collaborating with Imazapyr on guitar. Together, they refined and honed their sound over several years, resulting in one EP released on Red River Family and a single show to the original lineup’s credit in February 2019. Things continued to take shape and form with the addition of Thornicator on bass and lead vocals shortly thereafter. They forged ahead as a three-piece, sharing the stage with such acts as Horna, Vale, Master, and Black Vice. After much delay and false starts, the trio completed their full-length debut, Apotheosis.

With the band’s moniker meaning the Latin species name for the honey locust tree, bearing the thorns used for the crown of Christ, it’s entirely fitting that Triacanthos‘ Apotheosis is a piercing work of epic-yet-catchy black metal born from the cauldron of olde. Both stridently martial and lithe ‘n’ loose, the power-trio erect towers of alternately majestic/melancholic might. Triacanthos‘ march across Apotheosis is, in fact, deceptively brisk: iron-fisted power is felt rather than merely “told” to the listener, and each of the album’s ten central compositions ensnare with equally deceptive ease despite the generally generous length. The album’s production, in kind, is bravely clear and cutting, jettisoning withering rawness in favor of a gleamingly bright blade. Their sword strikes thus cut that much deeper, all concluding with a reverential cover of Judas Iscariot’s “Eternal Bliss… Eternal Death.”

And while the pivotal ’90s work of Judas Iscariot is indeed an apt reference, Triacanthos‘ subtly medieval musings actually slot well alongside Purity ThroughFire‘s vanguard of German black metal, including the likes of Eisenkult, Meuchelmord, and Valosta Varjoon among others. Behold their Apotheosis!

Begin beholding with the brand-new track “Pagan North” here:

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Triacanthos’ Apotheosis
1. Maledictio en Spinis Coepit
2. Rite of Recalling
3. Apotheosis
4. Rex Mundi
5. Pagan North
6. Lycanthropic Transmutation
7. Procession of the Aeons
8. Thaumiel (Extinguishing the Holy Light)
9. Morningstar
10. Occulta de Tenebris Frigidus
11. Eternal Bliss… Eternal Death [Judas Iscariot cover]

More info here : Purity Through Fire

ERDVE stream full album in advance of release date

Experimental Sludge outfit ERDVE are now streaming their forthcoming album ‘Savigaila’ in full in advance of the release date. The new offering will be out worldwide on July 23, 2021. Check out the full album here:

ERDVE comment: ”Finally, we are able to share our creative output at the fullest extent. This record is a huge step for us as a band and got us really hyped on experimenting further with heavy music, visuals and narrative. There was quite a bit of emotional weight that came up with the birth of this album, so we are really looking forward to all the feedback from the listeners. Now that the album is being released, we are very thankful to everyone who supports our work! You can be sure to hear much more from us soon, but for now, we hope you will enjoy this record.”

‘Savigaila’ is available in the Season of Mist shop HERE

The artwork and album details for ‘Savigaila’ which can be viewed below.

Track-list
1. Lavondėmės (4:48) (WATCH)
2. Smala (4:10)
3. Votis (5:36)
4. Betonas (3:22)
5. Pleura (2:09)
6. Bendrystė (3:29)
7. Sugretinimas (3:22) (WATCH)
8. Pragulos (4:29) (WATCH)
9. Savigaila (5:45)
10. Skilimas (2:02)
11. Takoskyra (3:33)
Total: 42:45

Crushing insanity drips atmospherically out of every crack on ‘Savigaila’, experimenting with elements from hardcore, sludge, and black metal.

When ERDVE formed in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius in 2016, the band had a clear aesthetic vision of creating a unique heavy sound that experimented with elements from hardcore, sludge, and black metal – yet was not bound by any unwritten “rules” surrounding those genres. ERDVE’s members had already been active in their local scene and performed in various acts such as NYKSTA, SRAIGĖS EFEKTAS, and SPIRALE. A self-made tape version of their debut made its rounds in underground circles and the Lithuanians received the rare honour of being picked straight out of the dreaded demo pile by virtue of their musical strength and compelling quality.

The core ideas behind ERDVE are translated into lyrics, visuals, and sound by in-depth reflection on concepts such as domestic violence, utmost disgusting behaviour, crimes against humanity, and extremism. Their debut album ‘Vaitojimas’, released in 2018 by Season of Mist, delivered exactely that! 

The new offering ‘Savigaila’, which translates as “self-pity”, revolves around overcoming the numbness within the great challenges of unsettling reality, and accepting them as they are. Regret, envy, self-regard, love, care and togetherness. From completely understandable to the most unreasonable sense. This idea is turned into melodies, rhythm, and sound by ERDVE on the bands upcoming sophomore album. 

But make no mistake, ERDVE successfully transformed these melodies into a new unnerving experience on how THEY perceive life and with ‘Savigaila’, you may find that enjoying life, can be entirely implausible… 

Join ERDVE on their next journey into the Baltic darkness!

www.facebook.com/erdvelt
www.instagram.com/_erdve_

Line-up:
Vaidotas Darulis – guitar, vox, recording, visuals
Valdas Voveraitis – drums, visuals
Karolis Urbanavičius – bass, piano