Season of Mist is proud to announce the signing of cult black metal band DARKSPACE. The Swiss duo will re-release their entire back catalogue with reinterpretated artwork and a remaster for vinyl via the label later in 2022, while working on the outlines of ‘Dark Space III II’.
DARKSPACE was founded in 1999 in Bern (Switzerland). In two decades, five albums and EPs were released: Dark Space -I to Dark Space III I. The band rarely appeared live. In 2019, Zorgh quit while the band was awarded the Music Prize of the Canton of Bern for the creation of their soundscapes and their atmospheric performances. Since then, Wroth and Zhaaral have been working in pairs – in search of a third soul to complete the three again. Far on the horizon, outlines of Dark Space III II are emerging.
Today, Messor Grandis Productions announces March 25th as the international release date for Grand Harvest‘s highly anticipated debut album, Consummatum Est.
Consummatum Est contains nine tracks of versatile-yet-focused metal music. Moving freely between the borders of death metal, doom metal, and black metal, the band focuses on portaying atmospheric and ethereal sonic landscapes that, together with the lyrics, will summon emotions and profound thoughts to the mind of the listener. Pay extra attention to the esoteric aspects of the lyrics, which perfectly blend with the music and present the different vocal styles – and Luciferian/misanthropic mindset – of singer and lyricist Dr. Häll.
Once called “Sweden’s most underrated metal band” by the editor of Sweden Rock magazine, Grand Harvest show themselves worthy of further attention. The heavy riffs, the soaring melodies, and the sinister vocals on this debut album will convince you of that.
HISTORY Stemming from numerous previous bands and originating in Malmö, Sweden, early attempts in the form of various collaborations between F.S. (lead guitar), R.M. (drums), and Dr. Häll (vocals) were seeing the light of day, and the band eventually took permanent shape as Grand Harvest around 2016 following the addition of M.G. (guitars – R.I.P 1979-2018) and N.N. (bass guitar). In late 2018, A.L. stepped in to take over guitar duties after M.G.’s passing.
The band recorded a five-track EP in May 2018, although they decided to not release it and instead focus on further refining the material. Work on their debut album started in 2019, along with trying out the material in front of a live audience. This was notably picked up by Martin Carlsson, editor of Sweden Rock magazine (arguably, the biggest metal magazine in Sweden at the time), who mentioned them in a major Swedish podcast as “the most underrated Swedish metal band at the moment.”
Their debut album, Consummatum Est, is set to be released on March 25th. The album is mixed by Tore Stjerna at NBS/Necromorbus and promises to be one of the great metal releases of 2022. They are also heavily pursuing doing more live performances.
MUSICAL STYLE AND IDEOLOGYGrand Harvest aims to create dark and dismal doom-influenced death metal, with very clear ties to the past but with an additional heavy element and with darker subject matters. It is a true collective effort, with all band members contributing to the songwriting.
Dark and misanthropic death/doom metal with hints of black metal and with epic/atmospheric elements that together lift the music to a versatile and transcendental level, without losing focus. A steady mix of old-school primitivity, ethereal dreamscapes, and esoteric sermons.
The lyrics—stemming from the thoughts and revelations of singer and lyricist Dr. Häll—reflect a deep resentment of the misery and tyranny congenital to sentient Being in general, and humanity in particular. A Luciferian gnosis of Death, cast in the language of mystical eschatology, personal trials, and a peculiar brand of misanthropic empathy, led to a certain lyrical main theme: the blissful end of all things. The spirit and philosophy informing the lyrics permeate the very essence of the music and the perfect vessel to complete the entity that is Grand Harvest—a means to an end, the definitive end.
In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “Fatehammer” here:
Cover artwork, courtesy of Misanthropic-Art, and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Grand Harvest’s Consummatum Est 1. Sol Maledictor 2. The Harrow 3. No Paler a Horse 4. As the Vultures Descend 5. Crowns to Ashes – Thrones to Dust 6. My Desolate Sea 7. Fatehammer 8. In Memoriam – Magnus Invictus 9. Consummatum Est
Today, Finnish black metal elite Aegrus stream the entirety of their highly anticipated new EP, The Carnal Temples. Set for international release on January 28th via Osmose Productions, hear Aegrus‘ The Carnal Temples in its entirety here:
During the 16 years of their existence, Finland’s Aegrus have established their position as one of the high-quality names of black metal hailing from the land of a thousand lakes. The Carnal Temples EP contains four relentless tracks with killer riffs and stunning melodies while lyrics are dealing with pure Devil worship and occult topics. Clocking a total length of 26 minutes, this proficiently illustrated fierce attack is the one you don’t want to miss!
Preorder info can be found HERE at Osmose Productions‘ Bandcamp. Presave link can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Aegrus’ The Carnal Temples
1. The Carnal Temples [6:13] 2. In Death Rapture [6:32] 3. Moonlit Coffinspirit [6:04] 4. Flesh And Blood [6:57]
Norwegian metal legend ABBATH will release a brand new song and music video today. The track is taken from the band’s new opus ‘Dread Reaver’, which is set for release on March 25.
Check the premiere of “Dream Cull” here:
Pre-orders for ‘Dread Reaver’ are available in the Season of Mist shop HERE. Pre-save the album HERE.
ABBATH have also unveiled the album cover for ‘Dread Reaver’ which can be found below, together with the tracklist. The cover artwork was created by Bjørn Stian Bjoarvik and the photos were made by Francisco Munoz.
Tracklist: 1. Acid Haze (04:51) 2. Scarred Core (03:29) 3. Dream Cull (04:15) WATCH HERE 4. Myrmidon (04:33) 5. The Deep Unbound (04:05) 6. Septentrion (04:30) 7. Trapped Under Ice (03:59) 8. The Book of Breath (04:35) 9. Dread Reaver (04:43) 10. Make my day (04:16)
The ravens gaze ominously from above. The seas roar in anticipation. The mountains creak yet again. ABBATH’s remarkable new album, Dread Reaver, is upon us all. Two years in the making, ABBATH’s third full-length is the culmination of everything before it. A fusion of debut Abbath (2016) and follow-up Outstrider (2019), the aptly titled Dread Reaver extends its fantastical fangs outward and drives its cloven hooves onward. Indeed, there’s nothing like an ABBATH record. This is the darkest metal for epic journeys and ancient battles. Comprised of eight riveting tracks and a red-hot cover of METALLICA’s “Trapped Under Ice,” Dread Reaver shows ABBATH triumphing over all trials and tribulations, riding hard into merciless glory as the one and only “Lemmy of black metal.”
ABBATH was formed by Olve Eikemo (aka Abbath) in Bergen, Norway, in 2015. After splitting with vaunted extreme metallers IMMORTAL, the beguiling frontman and storied songwriter only had one path: ABBATH. Years before, he had proven that venturing out of the IMMORTAL constellation was not only plausible but doable with the I project, a short-lived, one-album (Between Two Worlds) band featuring notable musicians from IMMORTAL, ENSLAVED, and GORGOROTH. Indeed, once Eikemo was free of IMMORTAL’s ’s shackles, he was able to assemble a cadre of like-minded conspirators for his solo debut album, Abbath. So crucial was Abbath that the Norwegian Embassy in the UK ran a music/culture piece, while in Norway, the album was nominated for a Spellemannprisen (Norwegian Grammy). Metal Hammer Germany even gonged Abbath with its Best Debut award. Follow-up album, Outstrider, was equally lauded. Billboard’s coverage sent shockwaves through the rock/metal scenes, while Kerrang! labelled it “dominating and creative,” awarding it 4Ks. Decibel also heaped praise on Outstrider, giving it the Best New Noise trophy. The new album Dread Reaver will yet again lionize ABBATH as leader of the frost-bitten pack.
Powered by Abbath’s creative musical imagination, Dread Reaver runs riotously out of the gate. The album’s edifice affords tracks like “Acid Haze,” “Scarred Core,” “The Deep Unbound,” and the album’s closing title track ample room to champion the extremes of black metal, heavy metal, and hard rock. While there are nods to NWOBHM greats, thrash metal’s luminaries, and black metal icons, Dread Reaver is unmistakably ABBATH. There is no other fingerprint. Paired with thought-provoking lyrics based on the historical figure of Othryades, ABBATH’s third album not only shouts exultant but reads like an ancient pyrrhic tale steeped in violence, sorrow, and grit. The idea of a Dread Reaver—a fearless duelist—can also be read as a metaphor for life’s actions and subsequent struggles. Be warned: Dread Reaver is ABBATH at his most menacing and accomplished.
Dread Reaver was produced by Endre Kirkesola, ABBATH, and Dag Erik Nygaard at Dub Studio in Kristiansand and Bergen Lydstudio, respectively. Kirkesola and Nygaard also engineered. Mixing was performed by ABBATH and Kirkesola, while the mastering was done by maestro Maor Appelbaum (FAITH NO MORE, ROB HALFORD) at Maor Appelbaum Mastering in Los Angeles. The goal was to field a storming production that sat firmly at the crossroads of Abbath’s heroes KISS, MOTÖRHEAD, MANOWAR and BATHORY. From the anthemic thrust of opener “Acid Haze” and the epic pound of “Dream Cull” to the rampaging “The Book of Breath” and the wicked cover of METALLICA’s “Trapped Under Ice,” Dread Reaver sounds as massive as Norwegian mountain and as fiery as the depths of Hell. Truly, the recording line-up of Abbath (guitar, bass, vocals), Ukri Suvilehto (drums), Ole André Farstad (guitars), and Mia Wallace (bass) found their sonic muse. If “Ace of Spades” catapulted MOTÖRHEAD to fame and notoriety, then Dread Reaver will find ABBATH atop the metal’s gigantic heap, the spoils of icy blood, scorching sweat, and steely tears at his feet. As “Myrmidon” states, “Die with a smile, stare glassy-eyed up / At boiling skies! / Valkyries descend to gore-caked fen / Fallen warriors arise!” Lightning strikes thrice with ABBATH’s incredible Dread Reaver!
Recording line-up: Abbath – Guitar, bass & vocals Ukri Suvilehto – Drums Ole André Farstad – Lead & acoustic guitars Mia Wallace – Bass on Acid Haze, Scarred Core, The Deep Unbound & Dread Reaver
Recording studio: Recorded in Dub Studio / Additional recordings: Bergen Lydstudio
Producer / sound engineer: Endre Kirkesola / Dag Erik Nygaard Mixing studio and engineer: Abbath and Endre Kirkesola
Mastering studio / engineer: Maor Appelbaum at Maor Appelbaum Mastering – California – U.S.A
After the blackest night comes the most radiant dawn; the spark of life illuminates all that which was swallowed by shadows. “Fäghring” (Florescence) bears the gift of rebirth – both in nature and for Swedish folk metal band Bhleg. The fourth and closing part of the album tetralogy “Ár” is the most ambitious Bhleg recording to date. Its metal parts are saturated with both primal ferocity and majestic atmosphere. The ambient interludes from their early works are still here, but now conveyed mostly through analogue recordings. The sweeping, dreamy soundscapes are enhanced by a slew of unorthodox instruments, courtesy of S – who performs not only guitars and bass, but also lyre, hurdy-gurdy, mouth harp, keyboards, bullroarer, birch trumpet, as well as percussion such as frame drums, birch sticks, and stones. Besides the characteristic voice of Bhleg vocalist and lyricist L, “Fäghring” features various guest appearances with a range of singing styles rooted in Scandinavian folk-tradition such as Andreas Pettersson from Saiva, Êlea of Noêta, and Swedish author Lars Magnar Enoksen.
“Fäghring” will be released by Nordvis on April 1, 2022. Tracked and mixed using the band’s own recording setup, Studio Asu. Mastered by Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studios. Both the CD and LP booklets have received a lot of attention, consisting entirely of custom photography as well as illustrations and calligraphy by T. Väänänen.
Bhleg, a Proto-Indo-European word for “to shine”, is an expression of life – its inherent essence and origin. It is also a musical manifestation of the long-running camaraderie between the involved musicians, S and L. The two met at age thirteen and soon found common ground in their mutual obsession for spirituality, nature worship, and folklore. That bond tightened further when the two realised they were born on the same day of the same year. Ever since, they’ve been virtually inseparable.
While recording their debut album, “Draumr Ást”, S and L had a shared experience of altered states of consciousness during which they envisioned “Ár”: an artistic interpretation of the four seasons. “Solarmegin” (2018) was a conceptual album about summer, explored from the perspective of Nordic animistic belief. “Äril” (2019) and its hymns to the fall depicts the natural decay brought about by autumnal darkness. “Ödhin” (2021) was composed in the dead of winter to accurately capture the icy stillness of lifeless surroundings. “Fäghring” brings this circle to a close, ending the tetralogy.
Bhelg commented:From death springs life – stronger, wiser, and alive. “Fäghring”, our homage to the glorious spring, signifies the part of the natural process where life is reborn. The album is dedicated to life and its triumphs over death; it is the fourth and last album in this cycle.
H is a black metal band from Italy born with the idea to create something extreme that fits both their musical inspiration and tradition. The band is made up between C. and R (mastermind of the one man band Ergot via ATMF) who together wrote all the music and adapted to the lyrics with the collaboration of two other session musicians on drums and bass recordings. A first full-length named “Dominus Draconis” is recorded at Orange Studio in Trieste with all analogic equipment between 2020 and 2021. All the lyrics are in original language extracted from The Book Of Revelation and they are interpreted according to the vision of the eternal war between the good and evil. Every lyric has its own handmade artwork inspired to the old medieval texture and all famous artists such Bosh as an example. The artwork was commissioned to the Italian artist Lucia D’asta, under the supervision of the great Italian master Piero Colombani
Every song represents a part of The Book Of Revelation, you can have an idea reading the follower point:
01 H – XVI, II 16,2- Mors Omnia Solvit 02 H – XVII, III 17,3 – Dominus Draconis 03 H – VI, XII 6,12- Il Sesto Sigillo (The Sixth Seal) 04 H – XVIII, VIII 18,8 – Bruciata Dal Fuoco (Burned by fire -> is referred to Babilonia) 05 H – IX, VII 9,7 – Locuste Dall’Abisso (Locusts From The Abyss) 06 H – VIII, I 8,1 – Il Silenzio Nel Cielo (The Silence Above The Sky) 07 H -XXI, VIII 21,8- La Seconda Morte (The Second Death) The first number correspond to the chapter, the second to the paragraph
“Dominus Draconis” will be out on January 26th, 2022.
Today, Hells Headbangers announces February 11th as the international release date for Hammr‘s highly anticipated second album, Eternal Possession, on CD and cassette tape formats. The vinyl LP version will follow later this year.
It was but early 2018 when Hammr made its full-length debut with the critically acclaimed Unholy Destruction courtesy of Hells Headbangers. Built on a proud foundation of proto-black metal, hardcore punk, and evil speed metal, here Hammr let loose a wild ‘n’ loose blast of what mainman JH at the time dubbed “Satanic speed.” With solos flying fast and free, instilling that very lawlessness so often missing from heavy metal these days, Unholy Destruction was ever aptly titled – and put Hammr on the international map with no small amount of punctuation.
And that punctuation becomes even louder (and lewder) with Hammr‘s second album, Eternal Possession. Now flying solo again like at the band’s beginning, JH here lets loose with a cruder, ruder iteration of that noble foundation. No longer strictly “Satanic speed” simply because this IS undeniably the Hammr sound, each of these nine sick ‘n’ sleazy slices of minimal-is-maximal crush just steamroll the listener with preternatural ease. For that, Eternal Possession is aptly titled: this monomaniacal surge is undeniable and irredeemable, with nothing but immediate immersion-unto-submission guaranteed. Curiously, Hammr‘s attack here is harsher and more uncompromising than ever, and yet its apparent crossover appeal is wider, ranging devotees of the crustiest black metal to obscure punk fetishists, from hard ‘n’ heavy deviants to meat & potatoes headbangers. Simply put, the eternal black flame of metalpunk lawlessness burns brighter than ever on Eternal Possession, and you WILL be consumed!
Still no politics, no party, no drinks: Hammr pander to no one, and remain the lonest wolves out there. Eternal Possession forever!
Roam alone with the previously revealed “Forces of Sin here:
Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Hammr’s Eternal Possession 1. Forces of Sin 2. Ritual Desecration 3. Seeping Chalice 4. Cascading Lustful Void 5. Suspicion 6. Negative Shift 7. Eternal Possession 8. Ceremonial Spite 9. Torment Prevails Again
Today, Blood Harvest Records, in conspiracy with Rotted Life, announces February 25th as the international release date for Insineratehymn‘s highly anticipated second album, Disembodied, on CD and cassette tape formats. The vinyl LP version will follow later in the year.
One of death metal’s best-kept secrets, Insineratehymn hail from Los Angeles and feature three ex-members of now-labelmates Transcendence. The band formed in 2016, and two years later did Insineratehymn‘s debut album arrive, bearing the title A Moment in a Vision. An auspicious start, already evincing mastery of timeless death metal songcraft, A Moment in a Vision was but a signal of greater things to come for Insineratehymn.
At last, that arrives with Disembodied, Insineratehymn‘s second album. Clearer, cutting, and more crushing, Disembodied doesn’t so much as dispense with the previous album’s style as it simply sharpens it to a dangerous degree. Indeed, Insineratehymn give a masterclass in ’90s death metal, from the spiraling vortexes of early Tampa to the sewage to come from New York, on to eerie emanations from Europe and the dissonance at the dawn of the new millennium. Naturally, the band bend those classic tropes in a variety of ways, all of which bespeak their own identity: scuzzy, slicing, clanging, angular, brutal beatdown, ignorant stomp, or just straightforward killshot – no weapon is left aside. Simply, Disembodied is a death metal record for death metal maniacs, by death metal maniacs who understand and appreciate the rich-yet-codified history of the genre.
Graced with amazing cover artwork courtesy of Edgar Roldan and utterly throttling production, Insineratehymn are prepared to ascend the throne with Disembodied!
Begin the ascent with the brand-new track “Proliferation of the Deceased” here:
Preorder info can be found HERE. Aforementioned cover art and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Insineratehymn’s Disembodied 1. Perpetual Anguish 2. Visceral Ignominy 3. Corporeal Inception 4. Proliferation Of The Deceased 5. Intransitive Sanction 6. Immolated Ascension 7. Cerebral Malevolence 8. Bitter Loss [Entombed cover]
Today, Inhuman Assault Productions announces March 15th as the international release date for the highly anticipated second album of Nevada’s Triumph, Retaliation Warfare, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.
Hailing from Reno, Nevada, Triumph is a lone-wolf abomination evoked by Immolater (Ritual Genocide, Ancient Malignity, Blasphemous Creation) in 2019. The band’s debut album, Edict of Iron Ascendancy, was released by Inhuman Assault on CD and tape t the end of 2020.
Lyrically, Triumph represents the total annihilation of weakness and the conquering of one’s self, hence the band name. Other lyrical subjects are hate, war, disgust, death, honor, chaos, destruction, genocide, and supremacy.
Triumph came into existence right before the global Covid pandemic hit. Immolater has been involved with many different projects over the past decade and has been performing live/ releasing music consistently throughout those years. After dealing with lots of hardships and obstacles with band members, he decided that doing a solo band was the right direction to go. It was time for something new & relentless. He felt a great impulse for total control of the music; thus, Triumph was born.
Both war march and war machine – a war “marchine,” perhaps? – Triumph‘s second full-length assault is merciless and mesmerizing in its single-minded focus. Scything and slashing, pulsing and primitive, and uniquely locating the elusive balance between all-consuming chaos and martial order, not for nothing is this new record titled Retaliation Warfare. Immolater’s ultraviolence spreads in all directions, sparing no one and nothing, these waves of wild black/death barbarity cresting and then crushing the listener. Maniacs for Canada’s Revenge, Black Witchery, and Spain’s Proclamation will be pleased; all others will cower in fear. Prepare for Retaliation Warfare!
Begin preparations with the brand-new track “Oblivion Barrage” here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Triumph (Nevada)’s Retaliation Warfare 1. Holocaust Siege 2. Slave Parasite 3. Oblivion Barrage 4. Conquer or Succumb 5. Inexorable Force 6. Annihilate The Inferior 7. Sigil Conflagration 8. Affliction Storm
Today, Purity ThroughFire announces March 21st as the international release date for Ad Finem Omnia‘s highly anticipated debut album, No Peace – No Dawn, on digipack CD format.
Formed at the dawn of 2020, Ad Finem Omnia are a duo hailing from Chile. Despite their seeming newness, both members concurrently play in Sol Sistere and have done time in such other bands as Animus Mortis and Totten Korps among others. However, as Ad Finem Omnia, both Ricardo Araya (guitars, bass, vocals) and Pablo Vera (drums) are devoted to melodic-yet-melancholic black metal steeped in timeless ’90s classicism. Two digital singles as well as a demo were issued over their first year of existence, and now Ad Finem Omnia strike with their first full-length, No Peace – No Dawn.
One spin through No Peace – No Dawn is enough to convince even the most cynical listeners that Ad Finem Omnia are indeed “old souls” who inherently understand the art of black metal. No rawness, no chaos, no depression: the duo’s debut album surges and sparkles to poignant, thoughtful songwriting that places equal emphasis on hook and atmosphere, passion and performance. It sounds strikingly familiar and foreign simultaneously; likewise does it sound authentically mid-’90s as well as modern. Perhaps more amazingly, Ad Finem Omnia evoke both northern and southern climes in their strident black metal, betraying a depth of character that further puts No Peace – No Dawn in rarefied territory. Equally amazing is the fact that Araya and Vera put masterful instrumental chops in service of the SONG, by proxy exuding a classiness that further underlines its unique nature.
From past to present and undeniably beyond, Ad Finem Omnia show there’s No Peace – No Dawn!
Witness past, present, and beyond with the brand-new track “The Solipsist” here:
Cover artwork – with photography by Marisol Correa Corales – and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Ad Finem Omnia’s No Peace – No Dawn 1. Vultures 2. The Abyss 3. Solve: Route To Extinction 4. Coagula: Promethean Fire 5. Doomed To Death 6. Pitch Black 7. In Defiance 8. Of Agony and Emptiness 9. The Solipsist
