Month: May 2024

VLTIMAS Touring Europe With Batushka

In the ever-evolving saga of extreme metal, few bands have stirred as much respect as VLTIMAS. Comprising legends David Vincent (Morbid Angel), Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen (Mayhem, Aura Noir) and Ype TVS (Dodecahedron), this supergroup has carved a niche for themselves that breaks all boundaries of extreme metal. Their latest album, EPIC, showcases their dark, overpowering artistry, filled with tracks that push limits. Released March 15 on Season of Mist, VLTIMAS are now set on lighting up stages across Europe.

“Epic Prophecy for Europe” 2024 Tour Dates:
26 September: Bucharest, ROM @ Metal Gates Warm-Up Party
27 September: Sofia, BUL @ Mixtapes
28 September: Vienna, AUT @ Szene Wein
30 September: Graz, AUT @ Explosiv
1 October: Ostrava, CZE @ Barrak
3 October: Budapest, HUN @ A38
4 October: Venice, ITA @ Revolver
5 October: Rome, ITA @ Traffic
6 October: Milan, ITA @ Slaughter
8 October: Leipzig, GER @ Hellraiser
9 October: Luzern, SUI @ Schuur
10 October: Mannheim, GER @ MS Connexion
12 October: Manchester, UK @ Academy 3
13 October: Bristol, UK @ Thekla
14 October: Dublin, EI @ The Academy
15 October: Belfast, EI @ Limelight 2
18 October: Sheffield, UK @ Corporation
20 October: London, UK @ Underworld
24 October: Herford, GER @ Kulturwerk

In their latest offering, EPIC, VLTIMAS craft a masterpiece that is both a ferocious onslaught and an intricate work of art. With songs like Miserere and Scorcher, EPIC lives up to its name, delivering a maelstrom of relentless riffs, thunderous drumming, and Vincent’s iconic growls that showcase the band’s ability to meld their legendary talents into something uniquely powerful. The album’s production, handled by Jaime Gomez Arellano at Arda Recorders, captures the raw energy and sophistication of their sound, making EPIC an immersive experience.

Order EPIC here:https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/VLTIMASEPIC
Stream EPIC here:https://orcd.co/vltimasepic

Tracklist
1. Volens Discordant (1:02)
2. EPIC (4:35)
3. Miserere (3:51) [WATCH]
4. Exercitus Irae (4:01)
5. Mephisto Manifesto (05:05)
6. Scorcher (03:21) [WATCH]
7. Invictus (5:30) [LISTEN]
8. Nature’s Fangs (3:52)
9. Spoils of War (5:54)
Total runtime: 37:16

Extreme metal powerhouse VLTIMAS (pronounced ‘uhl-tuh-mas’) assault metaldom once more with their highly-anticipated sophomore album, EPIC, through Season of Mist. Featuring Norwegian guitarist Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen (ex-Mayhem, Aura Noir), American vocalist David Vincent (ex-Morbid Angel), and Canadian drummer Flo Mounier (Cryptopsy), the multinational quintet, rounded out by Dutch bassist Ype TVS (ex-Dodecahedron) and Portuguese guitarist João Duarte (Corpus Christii), continue to venture down their path. Moored by strength and integrity, VLTIMAS fortified their signature with wicked invention, as applauded by Decibel Magazine, BangerTV, Louder, and many others, on their debut, Something Wicked Marches In (2019). Singles “Miserere,” “Scorcher,” and “Invictus” showcase a band of musicians at the top of their game, united in their pursuit of oneness.
“We wrote every bit of EPIC together at my ranch in Dime Box, Texas,” offers Vincent. “The writing sessions were as organic as they could be. There were times when, at the end of the night, Rune would take his guitar and play something ridiculous. Flo would play something even more ridiculous on top of it. I’d say to the guys, ‘I need to capture this.’ So, the magic [of VLTIMAS] is being in the same room together, discussing, playing, and recording music and everything else we’re doing together. We have unbelievable camaraderie.”

While the members of VLTIMAS are not atavists, their preferred creative methods are time-tested and battle-hardened. Technology has its place, but the group thrive when they’re together, not separated by the world. Eriksen, renowned as a riff innovator, is more effective when he’s got a highly capable sideman like Vincent or Mounier, whose drumming in Cryptopsy and his celebrated instructional Extreme Metal Drumming 101 DVD has proven to be a no-limits player, by his side. Whether it’s the moody, angular attack of “Miserere,” the wicked groove of “Mephisto Manifesto,” or the dark fury of “Nature’s Fangs,” the chemistry and enterprise of VLTIMAS is undeniable.

“The main goal [of VLTIMAS] is to be real,” Eriksen reveals. “To channel the very moment, to let true inspiration out. I don’t believe I ever set myself a goal on what an album should or needs to sound like before I or we write it because that means I have to compromise during the process. For EPIC, we focused on more direct songs, trimming the fat, as opposed to Something Wicked Marches In, which had a progressive and ‘playful’ flair.”

VLTIMAS was a profane concept—a constellation of riffs against a modest frame—when formed by Eriksen in 2015. After departing Mayhem in 2008 and putting his gothic doom outfit Ava Inferi to rest in 2013, the Norwegian’s fingers still itched with infernal fury. VLTIMAS was his vent, and when Mounier and Vincent joined, he finally had the cadre of professionals to make it a reality. Together, they devised complementary schemes and themes rooted in rightness. In a world gone mad, VLTIMAS had a vision. On Something Wicked Marches In, they commanded attention with metaphors about the apocalypse, the ancient goddess Lilith, and truth. Lyrically, EPIC spears into the very nucleus of strength through Vincent’s brio of double entendre and clever wordsmithing. The songs are designed to be heard, read, and interpreted—there are no shortcuts.

“Everything we’re doing and messaging is about strength and honor,” says Vincent. “These are the fundamentals that I incorporate into my life, which I believe in. I want to share with others, hoping they’ll incorporate strength and honor into their lives. I wouldn’t say I like spelling lyrics out. I use a lot of double meanings on purpose because I want to inspire the listener to think. I’m not a short attention span guy, and I don’t appreciate it. EPIC is holistic and meant to be experienced that way.”

EPIC was recorded by producer Jaime Gomez Arellano (Paradise Lost, Grave Miasma) with engineer Jonathan Mazzeo (First Fragment, Sickening) at Arda Recorders in Porto, Portugal. VLTIMAS tracked the album throughout May 2023. Arellano also handled the mix and master. Like everything the band does, the main goal was to be honest. The maxim of no sample replacement or re-amping—EPIC was captured on outboard gear—was adhered to and enjoyed by the team. The result is a sonic expression that sounds like nothing else. From the crushing title track to the epic musicality of closer “Spoils of War,” EPIC is an absolute beast.

“Stress, long walks, too much alcohol, yet very focused once in the recording mode,” Eriksen says of the sessions. “We booked a month, but somehow, that flew by instantly. We worked up until the very end. I even added a few solos at my local Soundscape Studio in Almada, Portugal. Art unfolds, and once you think you are done, there’s always another idea popping up.”

VLTIMAS brought Italian artist Daniele Valeriani (Mayhem, Unanimated) to visualize EPIC. The aesthetic, as illuminated by music and message, was iconic boldness. The three-eagle head crest with three different crowns, accompanied by transfigured symbols of the Passion and the “impossible triangle,” projects effortlessly. In EPIC, the group will dominate. There’s no escape from “Miserere,” “Mephisto Manifesto,” “Scorcher,” and “Invictus.” Together, they thrust, by resolve and inventiveness, VLTIMAS into the uppermost echelons of extreme metal.

“[EPIC is] old meets contemporary, a symbiosis of all the great things we love about extreme metal,” offers Eriksen. “All combined into one album.”

“I want to be as emotional and honest [with VLTIMAS],” Vincent adds. “I want to tell stories; I want to have the themes that appeal to me; I want to have some messaging that someone can take away, in this case, strength. EPIC is strength.”

Lineup
David Vincent – Vocals
Rune Blasphemer Eriksen – Guitars
Flo Mounier – Drums
Ype TVS – Bass
João Duarte – Guitars

Recording studio
ARDA Recorders

Producer
Jamie Gomez Arellano

Sound engineer
Jonathan Mazzeo

Mixing and mastering engineer
Jaime Gomez Arellano

Mixing and mastering studio
Arda Recorders, Orgone Studio

Cover art
Daniele Valeriani

Additional artwork and layout
Adrien Bousson

Biography
Chris Dick

Pre-save:https://orcd.co/vltimasepic

Pre-order:https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/VLTIMASEPIC

Links:
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/vltimas/1445457453
Bandcamp: https://vltimas.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vltimas/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vltimas/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0kz64zyv2xtkdhboztpdwa
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/vltimas

Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
12″ Vinyl Gatefold – Black
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Gold & Black Marbled
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Transparent Red & Black Marbled
12″ Picture Vinyl

ROTTING CHRIST Anounce EU Tour w/ Borknagar & Seth

Rising from the pillars of their Hellenic heritage, the sovereign kings of black metal, ROTTING CHRIST, invite you to partake in a monumental crusade across Europe. Hot on the heels of their enthralling 14th studio album Pro Xristou, the Greek metal legends unveil their spellbinding 2024 EU Tour dates, commencing this autumn.

“Dear Metal brothers & sisters, we  can proudly announce that we celebrate our 35 years of existence with the release of our new album Pro Xristou & some special shows on European soils this Autumn. Together with the Scandinavian Pagan Metal  Kings Borknagar and French diabolical horde Seth we promise to perform a hell of a show every night! Thanks for your attention and look forward to seeing you all in the battle field!” Says Sakis, on behalf of ROTTING CHRIST

With the spellbinding essence of their latest opus, Pro Xristou, the Greek forebearers ROTTING CHRIST will share stages with Norway’s progressive black metal giants Borknagar, whose profound musical narratives have sculpted their undisputed place within the genre. Alongside them, France’s SETH will bring their own brand of fervent intensity and atmospheric ferocity to the mix. Together, they stand as a triad set to invigorate and bewitch audiences across the continent.

“Sharing the stage for a whole month with thy mighty Rotting Christ is thrilling ! This will be our 3rd European tour in over 25 years and definitely the biggest journey that we’ve ever had ! We can’t think of any better band on Season of Mist roster to promote La France des Maudits!” Says SETH.

SETH will be releasing the full-length album La France des Maudits on Bastille Day, July 14th, on Season of Mist.

You can catch both titans of Black Metal ROTTING CHRIST & SETH, as well as Borknagar playing on the the dates below.

Rotting Christ 2024 EU Tour w/ Borknagar & Seth:

28 September: Warsaw, PL @ Proxima
29 September: Krakow, PL @ Hyde Park
1 October: Gdansk, PL @ Drizzly Grizzly
2 October: Leipzig, DE @ Hellraiser
3 October: Heidelberg, DE @ Halle02
4 October: Ostwald, FR @ Le Point d’Eau
5 October: Seyssinet Pariset, FR @ l’ilyade
6 October: Torino, IT @ Audiodrome Live Club
7 October: Bologna, IT @ Locomotiv
8 October: Nuremburg, DE @ Hirsch
9 October: Utrecht, NL @ Tivoli Pandora
10 October: Bochum, DE @ Matrix
11 October: Wasquehal, FR @ The Black Lab
12 October: Limoges, FR @ CCM John Lennon
13 October: Montpellier, FR @ Rockstore
15 October: Villava, ES @ Totem
16 October: Ponferrada, ES @ La Vaca
17 October: Porto, PT @ Hard Club
18 October: Lisbon, PT @ Under the Doom Festival
19 October: Madrid, ES @ Changó
20 October: Seville, ES @ Custom
22 October: Murcia, ES @ Gamma
23 October: L’Hospitalet, ES @ Salamandra
24 October: Toulouse, FR @ La Cabane
25 October: La Mézière, FR @ Samain Fest (Salle Cassiopée)
26 October: Sint Niklaas, BE @ De Casino
27 October: Maastricht, NL @ Samhain Festival *without Seth

Tickets will be available shortly on Rotting Christ’s bandsintown page.

Dive into the legacy of the last Pagan kings with Pro Xristou—an album drenched in ancient wisdom and robust anthems, exemplified by sonic monuments like The Apostate and Like Father, Like Son. Through melodious symphonies and fierce, unyielding harshness, the album stands as a blackened testament to unquenchable Pagan might, resonating with the echoes of Flavius Claudius Julianus and Nordic myths.

⟴ Order:https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/RottingChristProXristou
⟴ Stream:https://orcd.co/proxtristoupresave

Track-list

1. Pro Xristou (Προ Χριστού) (1:29)
2. The Apostate (5:01) [WATCH]
3. Like Father, Like Son (4:35) [WATCH]
 4. The Sixth Day (3:56)
5. La Lettera Del Diavolo (4:01)
6. The Farewell (6:15) [WATCH]
7. Pix Lax Dax (4:33)
8. Pretty World, Pretty Dies (4:51) [WATCH]
9. Yggdrasil (5:04)
10. Saoirse (6:17) [WATCH]
11. Primal Resurrection (Bonus Track) (5:32) – Only Deluxe Editions!
12. All For One (Bonus Track) (3:37) – Only Deluxe Editions!
Total runtime: 55:17

Praise for Pro Xristou

“With their unique sound and bitingly abrasive lyrical content, Rotting Christ have returned with another soon-to-be classic opus […]” – Metal Injection (9/10)

“With Pro Xristou, Greece’s premier extreme metal band have just crafted their most accessible – and perhaps most magnificent – album yet.” – Metal Hammer UK (4.5/5)

“The album will be immediately adored by fans, while allowing newcomers to discover their most majestic side.” – Acta Infernalis (90/100)

“Their brand of blackened metal has changed a lot over years, mostly to being melodic, a little Gothic, and even having a tribal feel to some of their songs. “Pro Xristou” embraces these same components but presents them in a much more catchy way…” – Metal Temple (9/10)

“Pro Xristou” is not an album that will surprise us; on the contrary, it will seem familiar. Yet, the album is poised to be a memorable entry in Rotting Christ’s distinguished career.” – Metal War (9/10)

“One thing is for sure after all this: ROTTING CHRIST will never let us down!” – The Gallery (8/10)

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 1,300 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 push 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 Xristou.

Pro Xristou (‘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.

Line-up
Sakis Tolis – Guitar, Vocals
Themis Tolis – Drums
Kostas “Spades” Heliotis – Bass
Kostis Fouk – Guitar

Guest Musicians
Amdroniki Skoula – Vocals (on ‘La Letra Del Diavolo’)
Nikos Kerkiras – Keyboard
Christina Alexiou – Choir
Maria Tsironi – Choir
Alexandros Loyziotis – Choir
Vasilis Karatzas- Choir

Andrew Liles – Narration (on ‘The Apostate’, ‘Pretty World, Pretty Dies’)
Kim Diaz Holm – Narration (on ‘Ygdrassil’)

Recording Studio
Deva Sounds Studios (Athens, Greece)

Producer
Sakis TolisSound Engineer
Fotis Bernando
Aggelos Karatzas

Mixing
Jens Borgen at Fascination Street Studios (Örebro, Sweden)

Mastering
Tony Lidgren at Fascination Street Studios (Örebro, Sweden)

Artwork Artists
Thomas Cole – Artwork
Adrien Bousson – Digital Processing

Biography
Sébastien J. Gamez

Links:
Official Website: https://www.rotting-christ.com/en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rottingchristofficial/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rottingchristofficial/
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/athanatoieste
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RottingChristOfficia
Bandcamp: https://rottingchristofficial.bandcamp.com/
Apple Music: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/rotting-christ/id28441629
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7FhkwcO8Jd7BRWdllBpXBJ

Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
CD Clamshell Box – Deluxe Digipak w/ Gold Foil + 2 Bonus
Tracks & Extras
12″ Vinyl Gatefold – Black
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Crystal Clear
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Crystal Clear, Red & Blue Mixed
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Green
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Turquoise
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Yellow
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Blue
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – silver & Black Marbled
Limited Box Set Vinyl – 12″ Gold & Black Marbled w/ Gold Foil + 2 Bonus Tracks & Extras
Cassette

BLOOD FEAST set release date for new HELLS HEADBANGERS album, reveal first video

Blood Feast has been transformed yet again. Nearly five years in the making, with many twists and turns along the way, the band’s fourth album, Infinite Evolution, will see international release via Hells Headbangers on July 12th on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.

In lieu of this announcement, the band reveal the new video “Outbreak.” See & hear Blood Feast‘s “Outbreak” video in its entirety here:

Continuing on from 2017’s The Future State Of Wicked, the band keeps the thrash vicious, as one would expect. Yet, this time out, the boundaries are expanded. There have been changes in the ranks, as original guitarist Adam Tranquilli has now added lead vocal duties, and co-guitarist/producer CJ Scioscia has taken on more of the songwriting. Drummer Adam Kieffer remains (he came onboard for the band’s 2019 EP Chopped, Sliced & Diced), while bassist extraordinaire Mike LePond of Symphony X lent his impressive talents on the low end.

Songs such as “Outbreak,” “Never Will I Die,” and “Of Hell” retain the Blood Feast tradition of fast and furious. However, the limits are pushed out a bit further into a tech/prog direction on “Eye Of Glass” and album closer “The Chosen.” With a production straddling the line between modern and old school, Infinite Evolution shows diversity, yet without sacrificing the speed or heaviness.

With the lineup now solidified by the addition of Dave Kramer on bass, Blood Feast is itching to get these songs aired in public. New adventures await, and new frontiers are ready to be conquered. Infinite Evolution is the key to the journey.

Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Blood Feast’s Infinite Evolution
1. Crafting Carnage
2. Ravaging The Loins Of Mary
3. Never Will I Die
4. Of Hell
5. Eye of Glass
6. Outbreak
7. The Preacher
8. Evilution
9. The Chosen

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/bloodfeastlegions

www.hellsheadbangers.com
www.facebook.com/hellsheadbangers 

GJENDØD reveal first track from new OSMOSE album – features members of THORNS

Today, Norwegian black metallers Gjendød reveal the new track “Skumringsliv.” The track is the first to be revealed from the band’s highly anticipated fifth album, Livskramper, set for international release on June 28th via Osmose Productions. Hear Gjendød‘s “Skumringsliv” in its entirety here:

After four quite different-sounding albums as a duo, the Trondheim- based black metal band Gjendød has now returned with their fifth full-length.

It comes as no surprise that Livskramper also follows that path of constant changes, this time a 90-degree turn, very well helped by the new drummer TK, who’s most-listened previous work might be the Trøndertun session by Thorns. TK is another injection of mad supremacy into the spine of the band.

A fine and varied black metal album which includes a spectrum of feelings, from sheer passiveness to outraged despair, every second of the album is a life cramp. All draped in the crushing sound recorded in the infamous NordStern studios. A narcissistic scolding album of life, aggressively roared and whispered in dialect.

Preorder link can be found HERE. Cover artwork, courtesy of Theodor Kittelsen, and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Gjendød’s Livskramper

1. Å ule mot feil måne
2. Livskramper
3. Gendød
4. Skumringsliv
5. Byttingen
6. Under dekke
7. Død manns skygge
8. I nattens land

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100032359227090

www.osmoseproductions.com
www.facebook.com/Osmose-Productions-192865300755575

GOAT SEMEN set release date for new HELLS HEADBANGERS EP

Today, Hells Headbangers‘ announces July 26th as the international release date for Goat Semen‘s highly anticipated new EP, Fuck Christ, on CD, 12″ vinyl, and cassette tape formats.

At ground zero of the rebirth and resurgence of South American black/death at the dawn of the new millennium, Goat Semen delivered one of the most classic demos ever with their self-titled 2002 demo, which has seen countless re-editions in the past two decades. As their legendry grew to enviable levels, so, too, did the anticipation for these Peruvian devils’ debut album. But alas, time passed and the fervor ‘n’ anticipation for that first full-length reached critical mass in the metal underground, taking on almost mythical status (not unlike Sadistic Intent’s long-promised debut LP). Finally, it saw the unlight of day in 2015 as Ego Svm Satana: the ultimate Goat Semen statement, in the making for literally a decade, the album became something of a veritable travelogue across the history of South American metal barbarity the prior three decades. The very end, and also the beginning, Ego Svm Satana was suitably CLASSIC, as expected.

But, Goat Semen are never one for half measures, and much like that full-length took at least a decade before it emerged from hellfire fully formed, they’ve only released live albums and a couple splits since then – nothing as substantial as a fully-new recording. Now, nearly a decade after that momentous debut album, Goat Semen return with a comparatively quick-hitting EP in Fuck Christ. Much like its unapologetic & unadorned title, the Peruvian devils waste no time, kicking in immediately with a swirlingly sulfurous maelstrom of classic Goat Semen proportions. For a record that comprises five stout songs in 19 electric minutes, Fuck Christ feels simultaneously longer and quicker than that runtime suggests, so respectively satisfying and urgent is that hammering barbarity. Naturally, it wouldn’t be Goat Semen if everything wasn’t attacking from every angle all at once, the feeling of imminent implosion lurking around every dark ‘n’ diseased corner; compared to Ego Svm Satana, Fuck Christ exacerbates that mania to an almost overwhelming degree even when the intensity dips down to a doomed trudge. But perhaps the most unique element on this new record is how relatively clean and clear its recording is, with each and every instrument sounding sharp and powerful – nothing “muddy” about Goat Semen fucking Christ here – which in turn makes the band’s inherent grit & grime sound stranger and more depraved. Put another way, there’s nothing to hide behind here; there’s simply no escape from Fuck Christ.

For those who still hail the old gods of equally early Sarcofago, Krisiun, Hadez, Sextrash, and Mystifier, no matter when their records arrive, you can always count on Goat Semen to Fuck Christ!

In the meantime, hear the recently revealed track “Midnight Worship” here:

Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Goat Semen’s Fuck Christ
1. Midnight Worship
2. Los Ojos de Judas
3. Fuck Christ
4. Heed the Call
5. Prophets of Hell

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/goatsemen

www.hellsheadbangers.com
www.facebook.com/hellsheadbangers 

WINDSWEPT reveal second track new PRIMITIVE REACTION EP – features members of DRUDKH, PAYSAGE D’ HIVER, RUINS OF BEVERAST+++

Today, Ukrainian black metallers Windswept reveal the new track “Verbrannte Brücken.” The track is the second to be revealed from the band’s highly anticipated new mini-album, Der eine, wahre König, now set for international release on June 21st via Primitive Reaction. Hear Windswept‘s “Verbrannte Brücken” in its entirety here:

Windswept is yet another creative vehicle for the esteemed Roman Saenko, known worldwide for his pioneering work in Drudkh and Hate Forest among others. While most of his musical creations stem from black metal, thankfully, Windswept is consistent in this regard and unapologetically restrictive, retaining Saenko’s characteristically hypnotic riffing coasting atop a wintry atmosphere.

Now, after a couple albums with Season of Mist, Windswept join forces with Primitive Reaction, who released the debut album of his Precambrian project in 2020, with the brand-new mini-album Der eine, wahre König. Uniquely, this four-song / 28-minute recording features two equally esteemed vocalists – Winterherr of Paysage D’ Hiver, and Meilenwald of Ruins of Beverast – with both men splitting duties evenly. Indeed, with such a structure, Der eine, wahre König is a portrait of evenness: unwavering, unflinching, immovable, engrossing. Movement manifests in subtlety, as is Saenko’s stock in trade; further and deeper listens reveal a wealth of nuance even if it’s not always apparent. All four tracks comprising the record feature all-German lyrics, evoking a different-yet-related sense of austerity from the mainman’s proudly Ukrainian ruminations, and both vocalists rise to the challenge of pushing their respective throats to the limit whilst remaining rooted to Windswept‘s core consistency. That Der eine, wahre König attacks from the very first second and successively expands, concluding with the near-11-minute “Jedes Todes Lohn,” and retains its astute balance of urgency and epicness speaks to Saenko’s never-faltering mastery.

Also hear the previously revealed “Jedes Todes Lohn” HERE, also at Primitive Reaction‘s official YouTube channel. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Windswept’s Der eine, wahre König
1. Verbrannte Brücken [5:25]
2. Die Bürde der Erinnerungen [7:04]
3. Drangsal [5:03]
4. Jedes Todes Lohn [10:32]

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/windsweptukraine 

TSATTHOGGUA set release date for surprise OSMOSE comeback album, reveal new video

Today, Osmose Productions announces May 31st as the international release date for Tsatthoggua‘s surprise comeback album, We Are God, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.

We Are God, the third full-length by the German band Tsatthoggua, is aimed at all the perverted black sado-crazies out there. The original line-up of the band has reunited after more than 20 years to kick some ass and dominate. In true black love, they are once again signed to the renowned Osmose Productions and offer you nine brutally hellish, blasphemous black terror tracks of the bizarre kind for 40 minutes.

The anthems of hate and contempt were recorded and mixed at the infamous Rambado recording studio. Incredibly, powerfully mastered by the fantastic D. Koehne, the new songs promise pure glorious ecstasy.

With this release, Tsatthoggua are taking a completely new path with their bizarre art paired with the inimitable chaotic style of years past. The next extraordinary artwork was designed by the fantastic artist MorphArts and shows in his art the clear demarcation from everything known from this and past days.

With We Are God, Tsatthoggua show once again that there is no paradise for human sheep. It will pass the time until salvation.

In the meantime, see & hear the brand-new video “Master Morality”  here:

Preorder link can be found HERE. Aforementioned cover artwork and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Tsatthoggua’s We Are God

1. Master Morality
2. Vorwärts Vernichter
3. The Doom-Scrawl Of Taran-Ish
4. I Drive My Dogs (To Thule)
5. True Black Love
6. No Paradise For Human Sheep
7. Gloria Extasia
8. We Are God
9. Pechmarie

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/official.tsatthoggua

www.osmoseproductions.com
www.facebook.com/Osmose-Productions-192865300755575

KRYPTICY set release date for new MEMENTO MORI album, reveal first track

In their endless quest to push and support current underground acts that perpetuate the odor of vintage death metal, on July 22nd internationally, Memento Mori is proud to present Krypticy‘s highly anticipated second album, The Non-Return, on CD format.

Krypticy was founded by main composer Alex Guerrero (vocals/guitar) in Málaga, back in 2013. The band’s debut EP, Necronomicon, captured their fondness for old-school death metal, most specially of the Floridian kind (Morbid Angel, Obituary, Death, Cancer). By the time they released their debut full-length, Hideous Being, a few years later, the band was already exhibiting a larger range of influences (Suffocation, Malevolent Creation, Deicide, Decapitated) and had begun to play live, sharing the stage with bands such as Lapidated, Avulsed, Wormed, Aposento, and Necrophiliac, among others.

With the band solidifying their lineup by the end of 2022 – Guerrero alongside Pancho Vázquez (drums), Thomas Schenk (bass/backing vocals), and Sergio Álvarez (guitar) – Krypticy signed with Memento Mori for their sophomore full-length. And now it arrives, bearing the ominous title The Non-Return. As forecasted by its stark cover artwork (courtesy of Cardaver Art) and cryptic nomenclature, The Non-Return sees Krypticy aiming to push the limits their already consolidated sound. Undoubtedly still tried & true DEATH METAL, there’s nevertheless a strive for something more spiritual here, as the quartet seek an evolution towards a more unique personality whilst retaining the classic edge that always defined Krypticy‘s approach to the genre. Mind you, this isn’t doublespeak for going all-out “prog” or leaving behind death metal altogether (and still calling it such); rather, the band have begun to more fluently speak different dialects within the same language, producing a multilingual approach that can only but strengthen the sum effect. So, while the traditional tropes of late ’80s thrashing and early ’90s grinding are well and accounted for, there’s a markedly angular aspect to Krypticy‘s songwriting on The Non-Return, which works up a fever & fury when riffs and riffs and RIFFS attack, one mercilessly after the other, the rhythm section surging and staying linear and ultimately producing a memorability that easily evades verse/chorus structures.

So, for those who willingly have their minds warped by such unfussy sleepers as Suffocation’s Pierced From Within, Malevolent Creation’s Stillborn, Decapitated’s The Negation, and Diabolic’s Infinity Through Purification, prepare to arrive at your destination with Krypticy‘s The Non-Return!

Begin departing with the brand-new track “Hypatia’s Heresy” here:

Aforementioned cover artwork and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Krypticy’s The Non-Return
1. Infected Pharaoh
2. Hypatia’s Heresy
3. Texas Chainsaw Massacre
4. The Void
5. The Water Street Butcher
6. UGH!
7. Krypticy
8. Virgins Recently Fucked Sacrifice

MORE INFO:

www.facebook.com/Krypticy
krypticy.bandcamp.com

www.memento-mori.es
www.facebook.com/memento.mori.label

Germany’s UPRISING set release date for new AOP RECORDS album, reveal first track – features members of WALDGEFLÜSTER, PANOPTICON+++

Today, AOP Records announces July 19th as the international release date for the highly anticipated third album of Germany’s Uprising, III, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

Uprising was wretched from the shadows in 2016 by W. – a founding member of Waldgeflüster – with the release of I. While rooted in the classic tropes and topics of black metal, I already started to deal with social and political issues, which became the main focus on its successor, II, in 2020. II continued where I ended, incorporating rocking riffs and melancholic melodies built upon an aggressive and driving black metal foundation. 

In 2024 follows III, continuing the path that was started eight years ago. Supported by the furious drumming by Austin Lunn of Panopticon, a sonically and spiritually suiting counterpart, Uprising‘s third album again focuses on melodies and aggression in the vein of its two predecessors – desperate but triumphant, furious but refined, and always maintaining an urgency no matter how epic a composition gets – but this time with a more refined sound and fully embracing the social and political criticism, which became one of the trademarks of this project. One could call III the band’s cleanest and clearest recording, and he would not be wrong; the tradeoff is that that sociopolitical criticism hits harder, for what good is a message if it’s not spoken in its sharpest voice? From social injustice to raging hymns advocating climate protection, Uprising stay true to their moniker and show again that black metal can be relevant to society. 

In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “Eternal Mantra” here:

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

Tracklisting for Uprising (Germany)’s III
1. Eternal Mantra [6:39]
2. Uprise III [7:05]
3. Raise a Glass [6:36]
4. A Message to the Hypocrites [4:08]
5. While the World Is Burning [7:55]
6. Brace Yourself [8:05]

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/uprisingblackmetal

www.aoprecords.de
www.facebook.com/aoprecords

A Pierced Heart in the Shadows: SETH ReleasesDans le Cœur un Poignard

SETH emerge as the harbinger of a sound steeped in the clandestine narratives of Parisian lore and rebellion. Today, they release Dans le Cœur un Poignard, the latest single from their upcoming album La France des Maudits. A dark ode to those who bear the mark of betrayal and suffering within their hearts.

The haunting melody of Dans le Cœur un Poignard weaves through the labyrinth of Parisian despair, illuminating the darkest corners of a wounded heart. Lyrically, the track is a poignant narrative of anguish and defiance, serving as a siren call to those who navigate the treacherous waters of existence with a dagger sheathed within their soul. SETH, with their meticulous craftsmanship, etches a tale of sorrow and resilience, emboldened by the ethereal whispers of a love lost to the voracious appetite of betrayal.

“Dans mon cœur ce poignard. Toujours souffrir, Jusqu’à la mort!”, Saint Vincent echoes. A stark reminder of the perpetual battle against the specters of our past, encapsulating the essence of human struggle – a relentless journey punctuated by moments of exquisite pain and sublime liberation.

Alongside the haunting melodies of Dans le Cœur un Poignard, SETH has commissioned a visually arresting music video, bringing the song’s themes of betrayal, anguish, and defiance to life with heart-piercing imagery. Helmed by the visionary Pierre Reynard, it’s a striking piece of art, beautifully accompanying the song’s melancholic melodies.

Watch the music video for Dans le Cœur un Poignard here:

La France des Maudits is out July 14, on Bastille Day, through Season of Mist.

Pre-order & pre-save: https://orcd.co/sethlafrancesdesmaudits

Tracklist
1. Paris des Maléfices (5:09)
2. Et Que Vive le Diable ! (5:35) [WATCH]
3. La Destruction des Reliques (5:51)
4. Dans le Cœur un Poignard (5:30) [WATCH]
5. Marianne (2:59)
6. Ivre du Sang des Saints (5:37)
7. Insurrection (7:33)
8. Le Vin du Condamné (8:06)
9. Initials B.B. (Serge Gainsbourg Cover) (Bonus Track) (3:49)
Total runtime: 46:22

In the solemn shadows of a lyrically resurrected Paris, where the whispers of revolution still haunt the cobblestones and the phantom caress of the guillotine’s blade lingers in the air, stands a band – not merely of musicians, but of modern Marats, Robespierres in leather and lace, anointed with the spirit of insurrection. SETH, the harbingers of a dark yet fervidly awaited dawn, are poised once more to unleash a tempest upon the sanctified silence of the contemporary music scene with their newest auditory uprising, La France des Maudits.

The history of black metal formation SETH and Season of Mist spans back to the early days of the French metal scene. The band’s debut Les Blessures de L’Ame (1998) was one of the first releases on the label. This album is now regarded as a cornerstone in French black metal, pioneering the usage of their native tongue on a black metal record.

The release of Les Blessures de L’Ame quickly gained international attention and SETH built a solid fanbase. The French blasphemers signed a two-release deal with Osmose Productions and participated on the MAYHEM cult tribute album Originators of the Northern Darkness alongside IMMORTAL and BEHEMOTH. The second full-length The Excellence came out in 2000 and featured a contribution from none other than Fenriz (DARKTHRONE), who wrote the lyrics for the song Let Me Be The Salt In Your Wound.

Shortly after, the group recorded their third album Divine-X (2002) at the Excess Studios in Rotterdam (EPICA, AFTER FOREVER, SINISTER). This record demonstrated the ability of the band to mix gloomy and violent atmospheres and received extensive coverage from the international metal press at the time.

Returning to the Netherlands to record the fourth album Era-Decay (2004), two new members joined the ranks of SETH: vocalist Black Messiah and guitarist Cyriex. Afterwards, the band was invited to play at the prestigious Inferno festival in Norway in 2005.

A long hiatus followed, until the band returned in 2011 to play an exclusive show in Germany with the German cult act BETHLEHEM. The band re-joined the ranks of Season of Mist, eventually releasing The Howling Spirit (2013) and embarking on a European tour with PESTILENCE. Several appearances at major festivals followed, including Hellfest and Graspop Metal Meeting, concluded by a Canadian headliner tour with new vocalist Saint Vincent (BLACKLODGE).

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Les Blessures de L’Ame in 2018, SETH exclusively performed the entire album at festivals in Switzerland, Canada (Messe de Morts) and Belgium (Thronefest). The French label Les Acteurs de l’Ombre productions released a live recording of these shows, called 20 ans de Blasphème. The band’s new line-up features members of LOUDBLAST, ARKHON INFAUSTUS and MELTED SPACE.

In the twilight year of 2021, within Paris’ shadow-ridden crypt, Studio Sainte Marthe, an album was birthed from SETH‘s tumultuous revelation, christened, La Morsure du Christ. Earning plaudits of wonder, it was no mere collection of hymns, but a solitary harbinger of deconstruction, a cataclysm of unseen proportions. Inspiration seeped from Notre-Dame de Paris—her skeletal frame ablaze in a 2019’s firestorm—an emblem of decaying faith for a godforsaken era. As heavy as the iron heart of a guillotine, La Morsure du Christ echoed through the chambers of 2021, reigning supreme in a multitude of international & French metal charts, as well as its inclusion on premier streaming platform playlists. Bold symphonies interwoven with razor-sharp lyricism and a sophisticated conceptual resonance that dared to envision black metal through a revolutionary lens.

Rooted deeply in the soil that once drank deeply of royal and commoner blood alike during the tumultuous fervour of the French Revolution, SETH presents their latest opus – a black metal gospel according to the damned and the outcast. An intricate tapestry of shadows and defiance emerges from the darkness of history’s recesses, swirling with the mists of apocalyptic visions and the ashes of fallen angels. La France des Maudits is a declaration of war, a call to arms for the souls still smouldering beneath the veneer of a world too long gripped in the cold hands of a moribund orthodoxy.

With the fractured bones of dead gods beneath their boots, SETH voyages through the forbidden and the occult, tracing the lines of ancient prophecies and the decadent whispers of La Grande Catin Écarlate, the scarlet woman of the apocalypse. Their songs, from Paris des Maléfices to Insurrection, resonate with the echoes of a Paris besieged not by armies, but by souls clamouring for liberation – a city where each stone tells a tale of defiance, where every shadow harbours the spirit of revolt.

Lyrically, La France des Maudits is dripping with the wine of condemned men and the blood of saints, narrating the epic saga of rebellion from the ashes of a fallen Notre-Dame. This is not the Paris of light, but of enlightening darkness, where the façades of grandeur crumble to reveal the raw flesh of true humanity, writhing in its eternal struggle against divine oppression. Here, in the very heart of darkness, SETH finds its muse among the cacophony of broken chains and shattered dogmas.Prepare to march beneath the banner unfurled by SETH, in the grand tradition of those unyielding souls who once stormed the Bastille and dared to dream of a world remade. La France des Maudits beckons – not to the gallows, but to glory.

Line-up
Saint Vincent – Vocals (Blacklodge)
Heimoth – Guitar (Sinsaenum)
Drakhian – Guitar (ex-Loudblast, Griffar)
Pierre Le Pape – Keys (Melted Space)
EsX – Bass (Arkhon Infaustus, ex-Merrimack)
Alsvid – Drums (ex-Enthroned, ex-Ad Patres)

Recording Studio
Sainte Marthe Studio

Production Credits
Mixed, produced & mastered by Francis Caste

Biography
Sébastien Gamez

Cover Art
Andy Julia (Photography)

Stream & Order: 
https://orcd.co/sethlafrancesdesmaudits

Links/Follow Artist
Official Website: https://www.innomineseth.fr/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/innomineseth
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sethblackmetal
Bandcamp: http://innomineseth.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0mZohnzbCiVv54VIEA6Wb7
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/56150
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/seth/1643927366
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/InNomineSethOfficial
ReverbNation: https://www.reverbnation.com/innomineseth

Available Formats
Digital Download
CD Digipak
Limited CD Clamshell Box
12″ Vinyl Gatefold – Black
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Gold
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Blue & Black Marbled
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Red, White & Black Marbled
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Crystal Clear
12″ Liquid-Filled Vinyl Gatefold – Bood Red Liquid
Cassette