Today, epic black metallers Hasturian Vigil stream the entirety of their highly anticipated debut album, Unveiling the Brac’thal. Set for international release on February 2nd via Invictus Productions, hear Hasturian Vigil‘sUnveiling the Brac’thal in its entirety here:
Formed in the Dimension of Chains, with cosmic chaos and deathmagick, Hasturian VigilL seek to relinquish mortal ignorance with their brand of black metal, inspired by Mortuary Drape, Absu, Mercyful Fate, Negative Plane, and Zemial as well as a dose of classic heavy metal. Both familiar and foreign, the resultant four-song Unveiling the Brac’thal debut album comprises 33 minutes of epic, archaic splendor – labyrinths of majesty & malice that scourge the mind and body with equal relish. You want riffs? There are RIFFS. You want leads? There are LEADS. What about mystery and mysticism? Tons. A veritable bounty of black METAL, the Riddle of Steel draped in sensuous obsidian.
Indeed, the Irish two-piece walk their own path across Unveiling the Brac’thal, conceptualizing an entirely original mythos, inspired by authors such as Lovecraft, Machen, Lord Dunsany, and Yeats. This “Yith-Melle” mythos is embraced with their fascination for cosmic dread, deranged pantheons, and unspeakable curses! Thus, the power-duo of Cxaathesz and Shygthoth strike both as guides and teachers, torches ablaze with illumination almost incomprehensible to mere mortals. Prepare for the preachings of Hasturian Vigil!
In the scriptures of mortal men, there exists a pallet of stars and flesh… Yith-Melle, the dimension of chains… Where the resonance of deathmagick spurted the cosmic architect, decorated in a million eyes and teeth… The creator of plague and torment… A crack in the world has opened… To unveil the Brac’thal…
Cover artwork, courtesy of Canopic Ire, and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Hasturian Vigil’s Unveiling the Brac’thal 1. Ikaath the Seven Horned [10:08] 2. Apparitions of Torment [7:22] 3. Nine Bellowing Hounds [7:00] 4. Velvet Paintings Gaze [7:57]
On February 2nd internationally, Iron Bonehead Productions will release a brand-new mini-album from House of Atreus, Orations, on CD and 12″ vinyl formats. And today, they stream the mini-album in its entirety. Hear House of Atreus‘ Orations in its entirety here:
Since their emergence in 2011, House of Atreus have become one of the most singular hordes to hail from North American soil during that time. Across a demo, an EP, and two successive full-lengths, the Minnesota natives have patiently and painstakingly crafted death metal of a most epic order. A veritable riff-machine, House of Atreus are powered by the Greek tragedies and have that very same tragedy (as well as triumph) coursing through their rough ‘n’ rugged veins. Theirs is a sound unapologetically influenced by the ancient Hellenic legends Varathron and Rotting Christ as well as other singular riff-machines like Grand Belial’s Key and Arghoslent, and the earliest and most blackened works of Running Wild. However, House of Atreus handily transcend these influences, as evidenced by their critically acclaimed second album, From the Madness of Ixion, released in 2018 by Iron Bonehead. Truly, the quartet managed to add to this glorious lineage rather than merely bottom-feed off it.
While the years since have been quiet for the band, metal art such as theirs does not come overnight, nor are they tethered to tired yearly record/tour/repeat hucksterism. Thus do House of Atreus finally emerge with a swift-yet-satisfying mini-album elegantly titled Orations. Something of a strategic detour, the 33-minute Orations comprises five brand-new tracks – each one as regally galloping as the last, concise and expansive in equal measure – and a closing cover of heroes Running Wild and their late ’80s gem “Riding the Storm.” The “detour” aspect of the record largely pertains to the further finessing of their trademark songcraft: ever more patient, riffs flowing like molten gold, but a slicker and more seamless aspect emerges that pays off a hundredfold. The latent grit ‘n’ grime still exists, but rather than being an exception to wider “death metal,” here do House of Atreus assert themselves simply as a masterful HEAVY METAL band – but one that just so happens to have more than a bit of death metalled muscle. Founding bassist Anxietous Nero’s remarkably articulated vocals are again at the fore, but possess more clarity and charisma than ever. Not surprisingly, in just over a half-hour, House of Atreus prove with Orations that they have more (worthy) ideas than most bands can muster across a couple albums or more.
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for House of Atreus’ Orations 1. Orations / Reascension of Mastery 2. Thy Wounded Sovereignty 3. Under an Accursed Dynasty 4. Morphos of Degeneration 5. Cathedral of Ancestry 6. Riding the Storm [Running Wild cover]
Québec’s own CANTIQUE LÉPREUX are back with their third full-length album “Le bannissement”, scheduled for release in spring 2024 via Eisenwald. It is a tale of self-initiation, a rejection of society, and a glorification of nature – manifested in their signature style of swirling tremolo-guitar-riffs, tortured screams, and elaborate melodicism.
Formed in 2014 in Quebec City, Cantique Lépreux is the creation of Blanc Feu, Cadavre, and Matrak. Since their first album “Cendres célestes”, released in 2016, they have established themselves as an essential act of the Métal Noir Québécois scene. They channel the evocative power of Black Metal, carrying vast forests, desolate landscapes, impassable mountains, and cosmic torment. The band members are also associated with Mêlée des Aurores, Chasse-Galerie, Acédia, Manière Noire, Chaos Catharsis, Forteresse, Délétère and Au-delà des ruines.
“Le bannissement” tells the abduction of a young girl and the sickness that is forced into her. Tainted, and rejected by those who should have protected her, she flees to wild and unexplored land, where she shatters and mends herself continuously. In these countless battles, she severs her bond to reality, subverts the sickness, and overthrows those who had seized her innermost Dream. Through banishment, liberation.
Listen to the first single track ” Consécration” here!
The album presents a raging and hypnotic narrative. Fast-paced songs drag the listener in a wild hunt, rushing towards self-annihilation. It was interpreted with the band’s live line-up and equipment to preserve the fierceness of the mindset it was composed. This raging maelstrom, built on alluring melodies, shows guitarists Blanc Feu and Ascèse’s fascination for music history and musicology. The album’s emotional power stems not only from black metal’s common genre tropes but also from the austere grandeur of early music.
Recording and production were mostly handled by the musicians themselves. Guitarist, vocalist, and founder Blanc Feu took over the mixing duties. Drum recording and additional mixing was done by François Fortin at La Boîte Noire. Mastering and also additional mixing by X.T. at Tehom Studios. Marek Soszyński contributed his skills in calligraphy.
TRACKLIST: 1. Le ravissement 2. Fuir 3. Rivières rompues 4. Archétypes 5. Par la gueule des fantômes 6. Le rêve primordial 7. Consécration
DigiCD / 180g Classic Black Vinyl Edition / Bundle + CD Re-Releases of the first two albums incl. revised artwork and layout
Today, Osmose Productions announces March 29th as the international release date for Darkestrah‘s highly anticipated seventh album, Nomad, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.
On Nomad, their seventh full-length album, Darkestrah venture further on their chosen path of Epic Shamanic Black Metal. Sharp black metal riffing and traditional Central Asian melodies, verses from Kyrgyz epic poetry, and visions of spiritual quests are all woven into the fabric of this new opus.
With a new lineup consisting of long-term veterans and fresh blood, Darkestrah have never been in better shape.
First track premiere to be revealed on February 26th. Preorder link can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Darkestrah’s Nomad
1. Journey Through Blue Nothingness [2:12] 2. Kök-Oy [8:00] 3. Nomad [9:29] 4. Destroyer of Obstacles [9:28] 5. Quest for the Soul [9:43] 6. The Dream of Kojojash [4:51] 7. A Dream That Omens Death [1:45]
Today, Amor Fati Productions, in conspiracy with Extraconscious Records, announces March 20th as the international release date Lhaäd‘s
highly anticipated second album, Beneath, on CD and vinyl LP format.
Hailing from the currently thriving Belgian black metal scene, Lhaäd are a part of the esteemed Nox Entity collective, which also includes the likes of Entartung, Rituals of the Dead Hand, and Wolven. To begin to understand Lhaäd, one must dissect the band’s phonetically & visually unique moniker: an anagram of “hadal.” The hadal zone, also known as the hadopelagic zone, is the deepest region of the ocean, lying within oceanic trenches. The name comes from Hades, the ancient Greek god of the underworld. Fittingly, Lhaäd bring the same, incredibly vast darkness & tension as if they were to capture and take you to the ocean floor, deep within the largest abysses.
Such was the sound of the band’s 2021 debut album, Below, and now Lhaäd go impossibly deeper & darker with the follow-up Beneath. The band’s framework of martial/cosmic hypnosis is well and accounted for – namely, classic Thorns and Darkspace – but mainman Lykormas here evinces an engaging, almost-ceremonial aspect that brings forth ominous beauty to the no-doubt-dark deluge; perhaps one could make a parallel in this respect to his post-metal titans Hemelbestormer. Tempos thus span the slower end of the spectrum – trudging, ominous, HUGE – as frequently as the ultraviolent, altogether making for a slipstream that’s deceptively melodic and even tragically blissful. Too, the aquatic element is even more pronounced on Below, as cold & caustic riffs undulate and overlap like currents of the ocean, seemingly infinite in possibility but always with the portent of everlasting darkness.
True to its title, Beneath is a six-song/40-minute experience of going under the Below. Lhaäd plays hadopelagic black metal exclusively!
In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “Beneath V” here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Lhaäd’s Beneath 1. Beneath I [5:57] 2. Beneath II [7:18] 3. Beneath III [7:21] 4. Beneath IV [5:24] 5. Beneath V [6:20] 6. Beneath VI [7:39]
Today, Dutch black metal institution Funeral Winds stream the entirety of their highly anticipated eighth album, 333. Set for international release on January 26th via Osmose Productions, hear Funeral Winds‘ 333 in its entirety here:
“This album is dedicated to He, whose name is three hundred and thirty three, and that thrice one.”
333 is the title of Funeral Winds‘ eighth studio album and refers to the Dweller in the Abyss, the Demon of Dispersion, also known as Choronzon. Seen as the last great obstacle between the adept and enlightenment, Choronzon needs to be faced to be able to move beyond the Abyss.
Stylistically, this album is raw and cold black metal that throws the grit right in your face. Funeral Winds stay true to the original values of black metal, hateful and relentlessly contemptuous in sound and vision.
Preorder link can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Funeral Winds (Netherlands)’ 333
1. Sovereign of Shadows [4:01] 2. Eternal Nightmare [6:02] 3. Cast the Gauntlet of Doom [4:01] 4. Ancient Wrath Unleashed [4:53] 5. The Damned Ones Shall Rise [3:52] 6. Forever Cursed and Bound [4:07] 7. Birthed By Pure Malevolence [4:23] 8. Conjuration of the Blind One [7:11]
Today, black/doom enigmas Stuporous stream the entirety of their highly anticipated debut album, Asylum’s Lament. Set for international release on January 25th via Void Wanderer Productions, in conspiracy with War Productions, hear Stuporous‘ Asylum’s Lament in its entirety here:
Stuporous is a Dutch/Belgian black-doom band with members from the infamous Zwotte Kring collective. With a history in black metal going back to the ’90’s, and a deep interest in doom metal, the idea for Stuporous was born.
Stuporous is the brainchild of Floris Velthuis, who had previously flirted with blackened doom with his non-orthodox black metal band Meslamtaea. Trumpeter Izzy Op de Beeck, who’s also part of Meslamtaea, plays in various jazz-noir projects. Doom, therefore, is familiar territory to him, and he adds a special dark jazz vibe to the music. With singer Devi, who works in psychiatry, the formation is complete.
Stuporous‘ lyrics are about mental disorders and depression, based on true events in the psychiatric facility. Devi’s vocals, at times schizophrenic, are making the listener identify with the suffering persons that the music is about. Traditional grunts and screams are interspersed with clean vocals.
The band’s first public recording, Asylum’s Lament sounds heavy, nostalgic, and melancholic – dreamlike, but not a pleasant dream, as the listener is drowning into a mental nightmare maelstrom…
Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover artwork, courtesy of Gordiart, and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Stuporous’ Asylum’s Lament 1. Parasidious Preludium [2:22] 2. Throne of Madness [5:40] 3. Desperation [6:16] 4. Decorating the Willow Tree [7:13] 5. Never Let Me Go [8:26] 6. Distorted Echoes [6:34] 7. The Voice That Made Me Do It [10:33]
Lineup Floris Velthuis – guitar, bass, drums, synths (Meslamtaea, Schavot, The Color of Rain, Asgrauw) Devi Hisgen – vocals (Teitan, The Color of Rain, Cthuluminati) Izzy Op de Beeck – horn (Meslamtaea, Waveshard, Detour Doom Ensemble, Avatar BE)
SYLVAINE has grown into a guiding light for ambient post-metal and atmospheric black metal. But today, she’s tracing back to her roots on Eg Er Framand.
Growing up in Norway, amidst the contrasts between nature and urbanity, Kathrine Shepard often performed in the Kampen Church in Oslo. This 19th century relic is where she recorded the entirety of her ethereal new EP.
Lead single “Dagsens Auga Sloknar Ut“ comes from mysterious origins. The lyrics were written in 1891 by Elias Blix, a professor-turned-politician, who also wrote hymns. Staying true to the original’s delicate, reverent melody, Sylvaine sings in a breathy, elongated whisper that’s both haunting and soothing.
The music video for “Dagsens Auga Sloknar Ut” was directed and produced by William Lacalmontie. Kathrine dances and enchants across a magnificent tapestry of poetic landscapes, striking the beautiful balance that’s at the heart of Eg Er Framand. Watch the video:
With “Dagsens Auga Sloknar Ut”, Sylvaine opens the book on an intricate, transformative fairy tale.
“A beating heart so pure Who wished to feel once more As her eyes slowly opened to the world
She lifted her head And at once beheld A light in front of her
A path to take The choice to make To lead her on her way
A story about to begin Of a soul ignited again On a road to turn loose dismay?“
Track-list 1. Dagsens Auga Sloknar Ut (4:36) [WATCH] 2. Arvestykker (4:36) 3. Eg Veit I Himmelrik Ei Borg (4:47) 4. Livets Dans (6:09) 5. Tussmørke (3:15) 6. Eg Er Framand (4:46) Total runtime: 28:12
Kathrine Shepard, the visionary artist behind the evocative musical project SYLVAINE, weaves an intricate tapestry of emotions through the language of music. A transcendental bridge between worlds, a mesmerizing duality that encapsulates the beautiful and the harsh, light and darkness, serenity and chaos, and the delicate balance between the external world and the inner sanctum of the soul. It is a symphony that harmonizes the human experience with its spiritual origins – a resonance of something beyond the tangible.
Sylvaine’s compositions are a visceral journey through the vast spectrum of emotions that the complexities of the human experience have to offer. They encapsulate the inherent struggle of being an entity in this world, yet not entirely of it. Katherine’s music serves as a conduit for her innermost feelings, a cathartic expression of the eternal longing that resides within the very core of her melodies.
Akin to a fairytale spun from the threads of Norwegian folklore, a narrative that resonates with the spirits of ancient woods and the whispers of long forgotten creatures. With every ethereal note and haunting melody, she conjures images of untamed forests, of misty clearings inhabited by mystical beings. In this artistry, there is an undeniable sense of transcendence, where listeners are transported beyond the confines of the ordinary into a dreamscape where reality and fantasy converge. A profound sense of wonder and allure creates a unique musical alchemy – with a touch of enchantment that lingers long after the music has ceased.
With four albums and one split-EP released to date, Sylvaine’s ethereal soundscapes have been taken to stages across Europe, North America and South America, leaving audiences mesmerized by the transcendent power of the band’s live performances. Two of these albums have been nominated for the Norwegian Grammy Awards Spellemannprisen in the category of metal. The ability to transport listeners to otherworldly realm through her music is a manifestation of the artistry & profound impact the band can bring.
As Sylvaine prepares to unveil her upcoming EP, Eg Er Framand, she embarks on a deeply introspective and serene journey through the rich tapestry of Norwegian heritage and tradition. Folk tales of old are brought to life in this new chapter of her musical odyssey, offering a glimpse into the depths of her creative spirit and an exploration of the roots that anchor her artistry. A reflection of myths is embraced through exquisite sonic realms.
Line-up Sylvaine – Vocals, Church Organ, Guitars, Synthesizers & Percussion
Recording Studio Kampen Kirke
Sound Engineer Sylvaine
Mixing Engineer Magnus Lindberg (Magnus Lindberg Productions/VRTKL Audio/Redmount Studio)Mastering Engineer Karl Daniel Lidén
Rotting Christ have stood the test of time. While their name has caused plenty of gatekeepers to clutch their pearls, Sakis Tolis and has brother Themis have ascended from Greece’s blackened catacombs to one of metal’s most formidable bands.
This year, Rotting Christ are celebrating 35 years of evil excellence with their 14th album. ΠΡΟ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ (Pro Xristoy) is bound to hold a revered place in the band’s heretical history. Always true to their name, with Pro Xristoy (“Before Christ”), the band pay tribute to the last of the Pagan kings by offering up more towering, gothic, melodic black metal.
Now that Rotting Christ are closing in on four decades, some followers might’ve wondered if there was any sacred ground left for them to conquer. But Pro Xristoy is a testament to a band that’s still on the rise.
Pro Xristory comes out May 24.
Track-list
1. Pro Xristoy (Προ Χριστού) (1:29) 2. The Apostate (5:01) 3. Like Father, Like Son (4:35) 4. The Sixth Day (3:56) 5. La Lettera Del Diavolo (4:01) 6. The Farewell (6:15) 7. Pix Lax Dax (4:33) 8. Pretty World, Pretty Dies (4:51) 9. Yggdrasil (5:04) 10. Saoirse (6:17) 11. Primal Resurrection (Bonus Track) (5:32) 12. All For One (Bonus Track) (3:37) Total runtime: 55:17
Pre-orders for the new album will start next month.
To kick off what’s shaping up to be a year’s worth of devilish festivities, Rotting Christ are heading off on a tour of Latin America. Fans from Mexico to Argentina will have the pleasure of banging their heads to an unholy litany of the band’s greatest hits. They’ll also be treated to new songs off Pro Xristoy that are bound to become setlist staples.
In the dimly lit catacombs of extreme metal, one name stands as a monolith: ROTTING CHRIST. Sakis Tholis and his brother Themis started this band together back in 1987. In the three decades since, these Greek titans have left their blackened imprint all over the metal world. They’ve released 13 studio albums and played more than 1,3000 concerts around the globe. Underneath all this hard work, Rotting Christ have but one vision – an urge to not only push the boundaries of extreme metal, but to keep reinventing themselves along the way.
Rotting Christ’s evolution has unfolded across several distinct chapters. After starting out closer to the barely controlled chaos of grindcore, they went on to establish the iconic sound of Hellenic black metal. Their albums often embrace refined gothic soundscapes, only to plunge back into the depths of blasphemous fervour. Each chapter marked another, further exploration, and an unwavering commitment to bush boundaries.
But the real turning point came in 2007, when Rotting Christ signed a pact with Season of Mist. They unleashed a series of albums for the French label that defied any and all expectations. From the piercing Theogonia and the symphonic grandeur of Aelo to the ritualistic intensity of Κατά Τον Δαίμονα Εαυτού, the cinematic experiences created by Rotting Christ became a spectacle of bombastic atmospheres, mesmerizing choirs, and neo-classical arrangements. The unexpected is their modus operandi, with the use of various languages (Latin, Arabic, Greek, English) as well as the extensive use of famous poetry woven into their music, like Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Raven’ on The Heretics.
In 2019, Rotting Christ’s epic journey continued with The Apocryphal Spell compilation, which offers fans an intimate glimpse into unreleased and rare material. This allowed them to gather strength, preparing for the release of their next, highly anticipated, 14th full-length studio album: Pro Xristoy.
Pro Xristoy (‘Before Christ’ in Greek), serves as a fervent tribute to the last Pagan kings who resisted the onslaught of Christianity, guarding their ancient values and knowledge. In this thematic odyssey, intricately woven through tracks such as ‘The Apostate’ and ‘Ygdrassil’, Rotting Christ delves into the legacies of historical figures such as Flavius Claudius Julianus and Nordic mythological kings, embodying the might of Pagan wisdom in the face of Christian adversity. The album encapsulates the essence of Rotting Christ’s signature style – melodic, yet harsh at times – reinventing themselves yet again, while remaining rooted in their 35-year legacy.
Today, Werewolf Records announces February 23rd as the international release date for Druadan Forest‘s highly anticipated fifth album, Dismal Spells From the Dragonrealm – Part 2, on CD format. The vinyl LP version will follow later this year.
By now, Druadan Forest should require little introduction. From their demos in the late ’90s to the fever of work from 2016 onward, this Finnish entity has created a vast and magickal world like no other. Naturally, it should come as no surprise given that mainman V-Khaoz is an incredibly prolific veteran of the black metal underground for over 25 years now, and concurrently numbers the likes of Vargrav, Embryonic Slumber, and Grieve among his endeavors. With Druadan Forest, however, the emphasis has always been on atmosphere and its transportive qualities. Whether the medium is ominous, titanic-gait black metal, cosmic ambient, pure dungeon synth, or some symbiosis of those, it matters not: the story – and the voyage – from this realm to another is paramount.
After the interstellar ambient of 2022’s Portals, Druadan Forest returns to a medieval age with Dismal Spells From the Dragonrealm – Part 2. As spelled out by its title, Dismal Spells From the Dragonrealm – Part 2 is a companion record to 2019’s Dismal Spells From the Dragonrealm, arguably V-Khaoz’s most massive work to date: four tracks across 73 minutes, a none-more-immersive journey that felt even vaster than its epic length suggested. While scaled back to 38 minutes and comprising eight component tracks, Part 2 is no less immersive; if anything, it portends more magick and daresay whimsy, further fleshing out Druadan Forest‘s pure dungeon synth worldview. The track titles give credence to this parallel shift – “Moonlight Sorcery,” “Summer Night Orgies,” and “Spells and Magic Potions,” for example – while others suggest specific locales, like “Wizard’s Hut,” “Witches Lake,” and “Black Towers of Kharanos,” altogether serving as a sonic canvas for RPGs in the flesh or within the shadow soul. For his part, V-Khaoz stays within the parameters of dungeon synth – and, indeed, that was the aim with Part 2 – but he’s never skimped on its sonic palette, always rendering his tones in rich, 3D sound and tastefully embellished songwriting; this is far from the pre-programmed, one-note garbage borne of Bandcamp trendiness. Almost deceptively soothing at times, the sometimes-sparse canvas of Part 2 nevertheless reveals shimmering expanses perhaps more on par with Portals than the first part of Dismal Spells From the Dragonrealm.
But no matter where you meet Druadan Forest, the man remains a master of mood, and he again offers infinite landscapes on which to roam. Dismal Spells From the Dragonrealm – Part 2 is suitably completed by breathtakingly olde-world cover art courtesy of Misa Horkio.
Preorder info can be found HERE. Aforementioned cover art and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Druadan Forest’s Dismal Spells Part 2 – The Night Circus 1. Born From the Unholy Fire (Part II) 2. Iconoclast 3. Aal Apam Li Aamnuk 4. Strife For Blood 5. Life in Death 6. To Die a Thousand Times 7. Summum Bestiae 8. Phosphoros 9. Concerto of Sodomy 10. Celestial
