Today, Iron Bonehead Productions announces May 19th as the international release date for Ara Solis‘ striking debut album, Ashvatta, on vinyl LP format. Zazen Sounds will handle the release of the CD version.
Ara Solis are a black metal band from Galicia, an Atlantic region in the northwest of Spain deeply idiosyncratic in terms of history and heritage, heritage which serves as a unique form of inspiration and drive for the duo. The beginnings of Ara Solis are difficult to trace and are often elusive, since the band was formed from the ashes of other black metal bands and solo projects. The oldest piece of recording is a rehearsal with different members to the current lineup dating from 2015 that never was spread. It is not until 2020 that the lineup becomes stable. Now, finally, their first public work is ready for immersion.
And immersive indeed is Ashvatta, Ara Solis‘ first full-length. A band literally out of time, there is little to compare this work to in the nowadays “black metal” scene. One would have to cast their gaze far back into the ’90s, root around in its deepest and darkest cellars, to find sonic analogs – ones that would include Norwegians Thorns and Strid as well as Abyssic Hate and early Blut Aus Nord and Nocternity. Still, that only tells half the story of Ashvatta; this three-song/37-minute album simply needs to be EXPERIENCED. A conceptual work, to be sure, Ara Solis roll out sine waves of minimalist-yet-memorable riff threaded through deceptively intricate song structures, and color that shimmering obsidian with dramatically atavistic percussion and ghostly synths hovering in the ether. That the tortured vocals span desolate yells and charnel whispers alike further adds to the dreamy delirium…a dark, desperate delirium that’s suffocating and spacious in equal measure.
An altar of golden sacrifice mightily arises ashore the tempestuous waters of Finis Terrae. At the sylvan realms of frost, the holy gate of light and darkness appears erected stone by stone to safeguard the transdimensional portal of heroic resurrection. The Garden of the Hesperides grows around. The ancient tree of life and death [Ashvattha, Yggdrasil] pours the sap of eternity in the ritual copulation of oxygenic and anoxygenic photophosphorylation. Mortals bow their heads toward the arch of heavens. The sword of the warrior reflects the light of the midday amidst the eternal dust of warfare. The moon reflects the light of the sun at night, lightening the hidden paths of the forests beyond reincarnation. War is the Essence. Living souls are reaped where the Phoenix is reborn.
In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “Ara Solis” here:
Today, Purity ThroughFire announces April 22nd as the international release date for Barditus‘ striking debut mini-album, Dein Schwert, on digipack CD format.
Barditus is a studio & live project of Uwe Nolte, from the cult Orplid, together with Christian S. from Stern des Bundes. While Orplid’s sound is somewhere between neofolk and neoclassical, with themes ranging from Germanic paganism and Greek mythology to the Christian symbolism of the early Middle Ages and natural romanticism, here with Barditus do the duo explore a sound somewhere between paradigmatic neofolk and black metal – or even “acoustic black metal,” if you will. And while in Orplid the occidental bastion was defended with the quill, Barditus take up the sword and unconditionally profess heroism and love.
The passion and power of Barditus here will be readily recognizable to fans of Orplid, with the pastoral-on-the-surface acoustics joined in their soon-to-be-bubbling-over frenzy by sharp shards of dungeonic black metal. That usually Spartan soundfield gets further filled out by a chorus of incensed voices, pagan percussion, and malformed synths that could be accordion or Harmonium or other olde-worlde instrumentation. But, for all the bathos and pathos on display, when Dein Schwert dips down in intensity is where its truest power lays: solitude and repose reverberating within the soul of the ancients.
All told, Dein Schwert is a good foretaste of the upcoming album Nibelungentreue, which will cast a spell on admirers of black metal and neofolk alike – because it has always been Barditus‘ declared goal to slay the sword of black metal in the fire reforging neofolk!
In the meantime, see & hear the brand-new video for “Wald-Gang” here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Barditus’ Dein Schwert 1. Fragen an Dresden 2. Wald-Gang 3. Dein Schwert 4. Erwache
Today, Iron Bonehead Productions announces May 19th as the international release date for Pa Vesh En‘s highly anticipated fourth album, Martyrs, on CD and vinyl LP formats.
Forming in 2017, the mysterious Belarusian entity known as Pa Vesh En promptly built a formidable discography, all under the aegis of Iron Bonehead. But after nine total records during its first three years of existence (including two albums) which explored the fringe elements of DSBM, it was 2021’s full-length Maniac Manifest where the otherwise-unnamed mainman began to open up his black metal to wider, wilder possibilities. Still emphatically embodying the sound of total and utter emptiness, Pa Vesh En showed a startling violence that only deepened his characteristic chasm of uncomfort.
Suitably, silence followed for once, but surely Pa Vesh En was restless behind those shadows, brewing his most unsettling record yet – and so it arrives with Martyrs. Split into three acts, Martyrs bears some aesthetic/thematic resemblances to the shocking French-Canadian film of the same name, but as the opening gambit of “A Vigilian Impending Murk” and “The House of Pain” quickly proves, Pa Vesh En is operating on an entirely different wavelength. That wavelength surely carries forward the undulating violence of its predecessor – rippling, roiling, and nearly bestial, with just as much (if not more) muscle to spare – but as Martyrs plays on and that violence begins to reverberate upon itself, ghostly textures arise from that murk and take on new, undead life. Are they synths? Church bells? Actual disembodied voices? Who can say, really… Truly, Pa Vesh En has taken to that far-more-Alpha surge brazenly displayed on Maniac Manifest, but here deftly (and densely) layers his creations with a swarm of sounds that seemingly come from every direction, which becomes all the more disorienting and disturbing when the tempos begin to accelerate and disintegrate at will. And survive long enough into Martyrs and one will hear the Belarusian loner’s melodicism rend the saddest notes from a still-bleeding heart…and an ethereal female voice bringing the album to a climactic close.
If one’s conception of Pa Vesh En is still based upon the band’s earlier works, then Martyrs will provocatively – and irrevocably – rearrange those coordinates, and those of your very soul.
Begin rearranging those coordinates with the brand-new track “In the Torment Cell” here:
Season of Mist are proud to announce the re-signing of HOODED MENACE. The Death Doom outfit will release their next full-length via the label. HOODED MENACE‘s previous album ‘The Tritonus Bell’ was released on August 27, 2021 and can be listened to via various digital platforms HERE. HOODED MENACE comment: “We’re looking forward to work with Season of Mist for more Hooded Menace music! This is the first time for us to re-sign to any label, so that says a lot, I suppose. Since we are not playing live anymore, but went back to being a “studio band” only – just like Hooded Menace was meant to be in the beginning – we’ve decided to part ways with Teemu Hannonen (rhythm guitar) in good spirits and continue as a three-piece.“
Line-up Harri Kuokkanen – Vocals Lasse Pyykkö – Guitars, bass Pekka Koskelo – Drums
Texan black metal outlaws NECROFIER will be releasing their second full-length ‘Burning Shadows in the Southern Night’ on June 2, 2023 via Season of Mist Underground Activists! The album artwork, track-list and further details can be found below.
In celebration, the band is now sharing the vicious new single “Burnt by the Sacred Flame” along with a music video! The song and video can be found here:
The album was recorded at legendary Studio G in Brooklyn, NY by 6xGrammy nominated and 1xLatin Grammy nominated engineer, producer and musician Joel Hamilton (UNSANE, IGGY POP, TOM WAITS). The album will follow up the band’s debut record ‘Prophecies of Eternal Darkness’ which was released in October of 2021.
NECROFIER comments: “For where I am, for where I am not For where I go, and where I have been, I burned my soul into this record”
‘Burning Shadows in the Southern Night’ is now available for pre-order HERE and can be pre-saved on various streaming services HERE.
The cover artwork for ‘Burning Shadows in the Southern Night’ was created by Burney and can be found below along with the tracklist.
Track-list: 1. The Fall from Heaven (3:24) 2. Total Southern Darkness (5:43) 3. To the Wolves (3:54) 4. Forbidden Light of the Black Moon (5:20) 5. Destroying Angels (5:09) 6. Whispers That Burn in the Dark (4:40) 7. The All Seeing shadows (4:44) 8. On Wings of Death We Burn the Sky (3:50) 9. Call to the Beyond (4:29) 10. Burnt by the Sacred Flame (6:00) [WATCH] Total: 47:12
Deep within the scorching cauldron of Texas, the alchemists of Necrofier have brewed another potent dose of American black metal with their sophomore full-length, ‘Burning Shadows in the Southern Night.’ The Houston four-piece honors the time-tested virtues of traditional black and heavy metal, even taking an organic sonic approach, tapping seven-time Grammy-nominated producer and engineer Joel Hamilton (Unsane, Tom Waits, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, etc.) to lend his magic touch for a natural sound.
“The goal going into the new record was to start setting ourselves apart from our contemporaries,” explains Necrofier drummer Dobber Beverly. “One of those ways was changing what the record sounded like. Moving away from the clinical and sterile nature that most productions suffer from and back into a real room with real instruments and performances. Our friend and esteemed producer/engineer Joel Hamilton had expressed interest in venturing back into the metal world and offered to make the record with us at his facility, Studio G Brooklyn. With a full vintage Neve front end and a host of Telefunken and Neumann microphones we tracked a record the old way, mostly. The results will speak for themselves hopefully, as this record breathes and spits fire wherever it’s played.”
“Joel is one of the world’s best engineers,” adds Necrofier guitarist and vocalist Bakka. “Dobber and Joel have become good friends since they recorded the last Oceans of Slumber album with him. After that, Joel wanted to record something heavy, so we made the trip to New York City to record in his legendary studio. It was an amazing experience in a great studio; besides having all the gear, he also created an environment where we challenged ourselves and brough everything up to the next level.” ‘Burning Shadows in the Southern Night’ doesn’t just simply pick off where Necrofier’s debut album left off, but displays a conscientious effort to double down on the elements that made ‘Prophecies of Eternal Darkness’ successful. The solos are more plentiful and intricate, the hooks are more anthemic, and the overall musicianship is bolder and more daring. Speaking of the band’s evolution, Bakka explains, “I think this collection of songs represents us very well. We have grown together as a band and it shows in the new songs. Also, for this record we flew to NYC and recorded all day long for 10 days straight. I love recording this way because it captures a certain magic. The whole band is immersed in the process and it’s all we would think, do, live and breathe during the process”
Another core facet of Necrofier’s allure is being a black metal band from Texas. “Where you live always helps shape someone,” says Bakka. “It helps shape our style and tone in ways, it’s hot most of the year, so as we burn, it gives us warmer tones and more of a heavy metal influence than when compared to our brothers from the North. Also, Texas has a style all of its own; everything is heavier, louder and we are always trying to outdo the rest of the world.”
To that avail, Necrofier isn’t your typical black metal band, and so this isn’t your typical black metal record as there’s a healthy amount of traditional metal influences, particularly within the guitar work. While conceptually, the band doesn’t heavily rely on Satanic themes, exploring deeper human philosophies and the occult like burning for your dreams or spiraling out on a psychedelic trip and exploring the beyond. “While there isn’t overt satanic worship in the lyrics, I would still say that he is a friend of ours,” Bakka cheekily says. “There are Occult themes on this record, but at the same time, it does take a philosophical approach.”
Further illustrating the influence of their environment, Necrofier also heavily explores one of Southern America’s most fabled myths. “The new record touches on selling your soul at the crossroads,” adds Bakka. “I like to take a different approach and touch on the elements of the esoteric world and dive into the forbidden or hidden that surrounds us in our lives every day.”
As the Texan black metal outlaws saddle up for record two, they are leading the charge as one of the contemporary purveyors of black metal revivalism. ‘Burning Shadows in the Southern Night’ is certain to elicit a sense of nostalgia for those who dare to lay ears on this vicious new offering. Lineup: Bakka – Vocals, Guitar Semir Ozerkan – Guitars Dobber Beverly – Drums Mat Valentine – Bass
Guest Musicians: Cammie Beverly (Oceans of Slumber) – Vocals on “The All Seeing Shadows” and “The Fall From Heaven”
Today, Helter Skelter Productions (distributed & marketed by Regain Records) announces April 28th as the international release date for Lord Mortvm’s highly anticipated second album, Dead Christ Baptism, on CD and vinyl LP formats.
Hailing from Norway, the mysterious Lord Mortvm made their bolt-from-the-blue debut in 2021 with the full-length Diabolical Omen of Hell. With virtually no warning and definitely with no mercy, the maybe-one-man band pumped out unapologetically dark, drugged-out, and Satanic black-DOOM that seemed like the END.
Alas, Lord Mortvm returns with a second album that eclipses those heights/depths: Dead Christ Baptism. As presaged by its title, Dead Christ Baptism is more blackened and blasphemous affair that, thankfully, still sticks to the strident blueprint of that cult debut album. Lumbering and almost languorous, there’s a certain swagger to Lord Mortvm‘s second album that’s utterly addicting – no matter how toweringly bleak ‘n’ black their doom gets. Likewise, the spaces between notes open up more widely, the occasional organ instilling a new creepiness, altogether revealing new portals to the beyond…or unsafe places of the mind. Either way, Dead Christ Baptism gestates and pulsates like a monolithic mountain of pus at the enter of the earth: perversely breathtaking to behold, but portending irrevocably ill intent.
If Diabolical Omen of Hell was verily “the end,” then Lord Mortvm‘s Dead Christ Baptism is the grim resurrection that reveals new, undead life.
In the meantime, stream the album in its entirety here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Lord Mortvm’s Dead Christ Baptism
1. Dead Christ Baptism I [6:29] 2. Agony Trip [4:13] 3. Eternal Gates [7:21] 4. Interlude [2:51] 5. God of Suffering [4:48] 6. Demon Slaughter [7:06] 7. Dead Christ Baptism II [8:11] 8. Finale [3:56]
Today, Soulseller Records announces May 26th as the international release date for Nattverd‘s highly anticipated fourth album, I Helvetes Forakt.
Hailing from Bergen, Norway, Nattverd was initially started in the ’90s, but due to reasons beyond control, the band’s official formation was delayed until 2014. A few tracks were written during this period by founders Ormr (vocals, guitar) and Atyr (guitar), which later culminated in Nattverd‘s debut album, Vi vet gud Er En Løgner, in 2017. On this album, Ormr and Atyr recruited Serpentr on drums, and the record received great critical acclaim in the underground scene. A year later, they released the EP Skuggen, which featured Skjolden on guest drums, from Norway’s infamous Fester. Shortly after this EP, they wrote their second album, Styggdom, and recruited drummer Antichristian (ex-Tsjuder) and bassist Sveinr (Nordjevel, ex-Ragnarok).
Thereafter, Nattverd scored a record deal with Osmose Productions, and eventually released Styggdom in 2020 through the label to high praise in the media. In 2021, they released their third album, Vandring – also through Osmose – and were signed by Flaming Arts Agency to take their music to the live arena. On this album, Aven joined the band on guitars, and after the album, they parted ways with drummer Antichristian. They were then joined by drummer Renton (ex-Urgehal, ex-Sarkom), which then led to the band recorded their fourth album in Caliban Studio Storsjøen.
Titled I Helvetes Forakt, Nattverd‘s fourth album is their first with new label home Soulseller Records, longtime fans of the band. Much as its cover art forecasts the contents ahead, I Helvetes Forakt effortlessly transports the listener to wintry, alluringly desolate landscapes, working as much atmospherically as they do aggressively. More than ever, Nattverd embody the cryogenic majesty of classic Norwegian black metal, conjured during the glorious 1990s but by no means tethered to that past. If anything, the quintet have their sights set on the distant future, patiently pushing their sound forward to icier heights (and depths) whilst maintaining their distinct poise and personality. And to punctuate the release of I Helvetes Forakt, Nattverd are confirmed to play Steelfest Open Air 2023.
First track and preorder info to be announced shortly. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Nattverd’s I Helvetes Forakt
1. Det Stormer I Norge 2. Vandring I Elver Av Blod 3. En Poesende Eim I Vinden 4. Oeyne I Natten 5. Forbannet Vaere 6. Helvete Kjenner Alt, Selv Naar Taaken Har Lagt Seg 7. En gammel Kriger Trosser Vind Og Vaer 8. Gudsforlatt 9. Elvedjuvet 10. I Moerke Skip Innover
On May 26th internationally, Dying Victims Productions will release Rapid’s striking debut mini-album, Blackstar Oppression Regime, on 12” vinyl and CD formats. The CD version will include the band’s Deadly Torment demo as bonus tracks. And today, hear a special promo medley of Rapid’s Blackstar Oppression Regimeexclusively here:
Hailing from coldest Finland, Rapid create burning-black speed metalpunk. The band’s roots go back to 2013, when the three friends – vocalist/bassist Vincent Revenge, drummer Tapio “The Goon” Malmström, and guitarist Atte “Spectre” Nikku, the latter two then still members of Excuse – were playing covers of such bands as Venom, Motörhead, Hellhammer, Slayer, and Judas Priest. The next year became more serious, and they decided to name themselves Rapid and soon recorded their first demo, Rapid Metal Attack. In 2016, they released their second demo, Deadly Torment, and garnered some larger recognition, especially outside of Finland. That then led to a deal with Svart Records for the Ancient Force 7” EP, released in 2017.
Then, in 2020, after a few years of different phases, live shows, and strict practice and composing, Rapid recorded their breakout mini-album, Blackstar Oppression Regime. Immediately upon pressing “play,” lighting strikes and it’s apparent that Rapid are more juiced-up than ever, electricity literally bristling from every second of these four songs. Whereas prior Rapid recordings suggested more convenient subgenre categorization, here on Blackstar Oppression Regime is the attack ever so subtly more unique. There’s the urgency of hardcore punk, the hook-oriented propulsion of speed metal, and the spidery aura of old-wave black metal, but even then, that only tells half the Rapid story; some of the lead lines could come from classic deathrock, while the general hot-rockin’ that anchors everything is pure turn-of-the-‘80s heavy metal. Put together, especially with the power-trio’s charisma spilling over into everything, Blackstar Oppression Regime becomes a four-pronged attack of timeless metal anarchy.
Previously only available digitally, Blackstar Oppression Regime now sees physical release via Dying Victims, both as a stand-alone 12” and on CD buttressed by Deadly Torment. Rapid have arrived!
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Rapid’s Blackstar Oppression Regime 1. Manticore 2. The Arrival 3. Edge Of Eternity 4. Marines Of The Blackstar 5. Strike From Hell* 6. Destructive Force* 7. Queen Of Torment* 8. Hades Descends… The Dark Realms*
Pagan black metal project UNFELLED (ft. members of WOODS OF DESOLATION, DRUDKH, AUSTERE) are now premiering their debut full-length, ‘Pall of Endless Perdition’. The new full length is out tomorrow, March 10, via Season of Mist Underground Activists!
Check out the new album here:
The artwork for ‘Pall of Endless Perdition’ was created by Yag Mort and can be viewed below along with the tracklist.
Track-list: 1. An Epoch in Bloodshed (5:50) 2. The Opposer (4:39) [WATCH] 3. Wreathed Wings (4:08) 4. Veil of Perdition (6:13) [LISTEN] 5. Transcendent Legacy (4:33) 6. Evanescent (3:13) 7. A Diadem Embattled (7:31) Total – (36:07)
Emerging Pagan black metal project Unfelled is rising from the underground to release its debut full-length, ‘Pall of Endless Perdition.’ Designed by the same mastermind behind Woods of Desolation, the project serves as a vicious and violent counterpart to its elegant and melodic predecessor, showcasing muti-instrumentalist D.’s impressive musical duality.
Formed in 2016 as a project of D. (Woods of Desolation, Remete), Unfelled first emerged with the solo demo offering ‘Beneath Distant Skies’ at the end of 2017. Expanding the line-up in 2020, fellow veterans Mitch (Austere, Dearthe) and Vlad (Drudkh, Windswept) were enlisted on vocals and drums respectively, completing the vision for the band.
Moving forward as a three-piece, the forthcoming full-length sees Unfelled pursuing heavier, more aggressive territory, yet never entirely eschewing the sense of melody and atmosphere established on the debut demo. “Musically weaving together fury and triumph, aggression and melody, the lyrics predominately center on bloodshed, war & death – the threefold cloak beneath which lies eternal darkness,” says Unfelled about the offering.
Today, Edged Circle Productions announces May 5th as the international release date for Heimland‘s highly anticipated debut album, Forfedrenes Taarer, on vinyl LP and cassette tape formats.
Formed in 2016, Norway’s Heimland are a band out of time. Despite their apparent “newness” and year of formation, Heimland harken back to ancient times – specifically, the golden age of Norwegian black metal, and particularly its more pagan variants. Be it equally early Enslaved, Windir, Helheim, Einherjer, or Kampfar, Heimland similarly maintain an epically inclined and soothingly harsh sound. Forget the past couple decades of black metal: there you will find Heimland, proud and pagan.
Point proof is their long-awaited debut album, Forfedrenes Taarer. While those aforementioned sonic signposts are surely planted across the album, here do Heimland exhibit their own flair, never belabored nor blustery. Swift and succinct at 35 minutes, the seven-song Forfedrenes Taarer takes the listener across myriad landscapes – desolate tundra, raging seas, bloody battlefields, solemn castle keeps – with an ever-roiling and authentic physicality that spans searing speed and grim marches alike. What’s more, Heimland are not afraid of a bit of melody, downcast and dreary it may be; even amidst that sometimes-hypnotic speed, its textures create a cool rippling effect that should be familiar (and enticing) to those who’ve peered deeper beneath black metal’s oft-impenetrable exterior.
Graced with gorgeously pastoral cover art by Johan Christian Dahl, Forfedrenes Taarer is guaranteed to place Heimland ahead of the throwback pack: vintage vibes, effortless style, and simply strong songwriting!
In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “Skugger Fra Ei Svunnen Tid” here:
Aforementioned cover art and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Heimland’s Forfedrenes Taarer 1. Dødens Foerstning 2. Ved Dødens Vugge 3. Lagt I Ruiner 4. Iskald Raatten Jord 5. Forfedrenes Taarer 6. Skugger Fra Ein Svunnen Tid 7. Ættestupet
