Darkness Shall Rise Productions is proud to present Aivvass‘ Spiritual Archives (Occult Rites I+II) collection on CD and cassette tape formats. Both EPs, Occult Rites I and Occult Rites II, shall be released separately on 12″ vinyl. The CD and tape versions will be released internationally on July 18th while the two vinyl EPs will be released on August 15th.
Permanently on the lookout for new blood, Darkness Shall Rise are delighted to proffer its latest discovery.
Having concocted their curious amalgam in secrecy for several years, Germany-based Aivvass come out of the shadows to reveal their aptly titled EPs Occult Rites I & II. Named after the non-corporeal being which Aleister Crowley claimed to have dictated his “Liber AL vel Legis,” it takes no wonder that the obscure band’s creations are profoundly steeped in Thelemic magick and occult lore.
Expertly oscillating between bludgeoning heaviness and acoustic serenity, the compositions of Aivvass take the listener on a stunning ride between polarities. Mellow neofolk accompanied by clean singing are effortlessly intertwined with down-tuned doom riffs and evocative growling of a bestial nature. The predominantly mid-paced songs, like the masterfully crafted “Lucifer” or “Witchcraft,” unfold a meditative quality by means of numerous repetitions of each arrangement. Adding to the atmospherically dense recordings are various samples including invocations by The Great Beast himself.
Fiends of the dark arts and aficionados of obscure sonic manifestation alike: COME TO THE SABBATH!
In the meantime, stream Spiritual Archives (Occult Rites I+II) in its entirety here:
Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Aivvass’ Spiritual Archives
1. Aivvass 2. Satan 3. Baphomet 4. Lucifer 5. Crucifixion 6. Witchcraft 7. Cremation of Care 8. The Ghoul [Pentagram cover]
Darkness Shall Rise Productions is proud to present Ulvehunger‘s highly anticipated debut album, Retaliation, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats. The CD and tape versions will be released on July 18th while the vinyl version will follow on August 15th.
When merited veterans of Norwegian death / black metal conspire to breathe life into a new entity, you know you are in for a real treat.
Ulvehunger‘s Retaliation – the outcome of a joint effort by L.J. Balvaz (Balvaz, Cadaver, Disgusting) and K.B. Fletcher (Disgusting) together with none other than the equally legendary Frost (Satyricon, 1349) and Anders Odden (Cadaver, Order, Satyricon live) – has Norwegian death / black metal written all over it.
Tracks like “Desecrator,” “Consumed by Hate,” or “Rise From the Shadows” convince with memorable riffs that are razor-sharp and remorselessly attacking yet melodious and melancholic at the same time. Pushed ahead by Frost’s unmistakable drumming and L.J. Balvaz’s scornful sermons, Retaliation is a dynamic, ravenous beast of an album.
Retaliaton was recorded in Tomb Studio (Order, Witch Club Satan) and produced by Anders Odden, with mastering by Patrick W. Engel at Temple Of Disharmony.
Ulvehunger, despite being steeped in the tradition of classic outputs by compatriots Carpathian Forest, Darkthrone, or Gorgoroth, deliver without being a carbon-copy of said bands. Ulvehunger have managed to create a worthy addition to the endless list of masterpieces from Norway no adherent of the genre can afford to miss out on.
In the meantime, stream Retaliation in its entirety here:
Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Ulvehunger’s Retaliation
1. Desecrator 2. Sacrifice 3. Leave Them In Disgrace 4. Consumed By Hate 5. Castle Of Blood 6. Forces Of Doom 7. Declaration Of War 8. Rise From The Shadows 9. The Mighty Pentagram 10. Covenant Of Pestilence
In a tumultuous sea of static universes, a monumental sonic wave ripples across the cosmos — WORMED releases their latest single, Protogod. A track set to recalibrate the molecular composition of sound waves. Immerse yourself in the chasms of twisted quantum fabric and galactic chaos, as Protogod emerges from the forthcoming album Omegon — a sonic enigma engineered for the seekers of the abstruse and the warriors of the obscure.
This single renders a voyage through time, density, and reality, echoing WORMED’s enduring lineage in liberating mind-bending brutal metal. Protogod reverberates as a cosmic scream, enunciated through Krighsu’s revived quantum syndicate.
Delve into the celestial trenches as Protogod orchestrates the transformation of cosmic paradigms. Every note promises a paroxysm of revelation, with layers of aggressive instrumentation synonymous with the auditory assault only WORMED can engineer. They traverse through the spectral realms of aural brutality while preserving the narrative of Chryms’ divine legacy.
Space – the final frontier. Yet, when WORMED reach out into the void, the results sound far more like a dark space opera inhabited by bizarre aliens, genetically and technically evolved meta-humans struggling for power and survival in galactic empires. Now, the nano-technological war has been unleashed in the void to defeat the last sower of human life, Krighsu!
Odd-time signatures, avalanches of breaks and complex rhythmical as well as melodic patterns will excite every aficionado of extreme technicality, while growls down-tuned strings and double-bass assaults will more than satisfy extreme metal connoisseurs. While being outstandingly skilled musicians WORMED are avoiding any self-indulgent show of prowess for its own sake. Instead, the five-piece from Madrid clearly lays its emphasis on creating atmospheric songs, which develop and grow along the underlying story.
Originating from Spain’s capital Madrid in 1998, WORMED immediately made an impact in the death metal scene with the release of their ‘Floating Cadaver in the Monochrome’ MCD (1999). Following a promo CD under the title ‘Voxel Mitosis’ (2001), the first studio album ‘Planisphaerium’ received high acclaim by critics and fans alike in 2003. In the wake of their debut full-length, the Spanish received invitations to international festival shows and touring around the globe. WORMED performed in Japan alongside GORATORY and VOMIT REMNANTS and afterwards hit Europe with MALIGNANCY and DESPONDENCY.
A creative hiatus, partly due to line-up changes and filled with re-issues of their previous released as well as the single ‘Quasineutrality’ (2010) finally ended, when their sophomore album ‘Exodromos’ came out in 2013. On their third full-length ‘Krighsu’ (2016), the fast-rising Spanish Sci-Fi tech death prodigies are telling a dystopian cosmic story with lyrics and music joined into an overarching concept. Its intense brutality, dissonant dynamic riffing, and tremendous heaviness combined with an amazing futuristic concept, which introduced the character Krighsu – last human in the cosmos, harvested top reviews and saw WORMED headlining in the US and co-headlining in Europe.
In the summer of 2019, WORMED brought their ultra-technical cosmic sonic onslaught to new heights on their 4-track EP ‘Metaportal’, released through Season of Mist. Praised as a monstrously satisfying addition to their catalogue, the EP bridged the gap between their previously released 2016 ‘Krighsu’ and their newest project. Atmospheric yet faithful to the skull-crushing mindboggling textures they’ve given fans over the years, ‘Metaportal’ allowed WORMED to come to terms with the loss of Guillermo Calero in 2018 and move forward.
On ‘Omegon’, WORMED’s upcoming 2024 release, they continue the story of Krigshu, a timeline hacker entangled in manipulation by cosmic forces. As viciously as the aggression they bring on their technically impressive instruments, Krigshu battles his way to unlock the mysteries of Omegon, a mysterious cosmic substance holding ultimate power. With 9 tracks of ultimate interstellar chaos, a story unfolds and WORMED prove yet again that they reign supreme on the technical death metal genre.
Recording Studio BlackStorm Studios (Karrantza, Basque Country)
Production Credits Ekaitz Garmendia – Producer & Sound Engineer Mixed & Mastered by Colin Marston at Menegroth, The Thousand Caves (Queens, NY, USA) Editing by Simon Da Silva at The Empty Hall (Madrid, ES)
Available Formats: Digital Download CD Digipak 12″ Vinyl Gatefold – Black 12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – White 12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Transparent Blue 12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Blue, Black & White Marbled
On May 31s internationally, Chaos Records is proud to present Black Wound‘s highly anticipated debut album, Warping Structure, on CD format. And today, they stream the album in its entirety. Hear Black Wound‘s Warping Structure in its entirety here:
Following a trio of demos, a split, and an EP since their formation in 2021, Sweden’s Black Wound at last reveal their debut full-length, Warping Structure, consisting of six tracks of dense, murky, cavernous death metal. Clocking in at just over 40 minutes, the trio here sound like they’ve spent an unhealthy amount of time in the deepest, dankest subterranean hovel, with only humankind’s darkest nightmares for company.
Impossibly, Warping Structure sees Black Wound cranking up the aural brutality a couple notches. Everything goes up to that mythical eleven: the vocals, the guitars, the bass, all layered over the pummeling drums in a way that it feels like all light has been extinguished and suffocation seems inevitable. Teasingly, the crawling, doomier interludes provide some form of relief before the ferocious, relentless wall of sound overwhelms again.
Make no mistake, Warping Structure is a punishing journey, but once you’re immersed in Black Wound‘s bleak hellscape, you’ll find it to be an immensely satisfying listen. Maniacs for Spectral Voice, Teitanblood, and Winter are wholeheartedly encouraged to immerse themselves in this subterranean hovel!
Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
On August 2nd internationally, Personal Records is proud to present Mourners Lament‘s highly anticipated second album, A Grey Farewell, on CD format.
Formed in 2004, Mourners Lament are a doom-death metal band hailing from Viña del Mar, Chile. During their first years, they released a demo in 2004 and then an EP, Unbroken Solemnity, in 2008. Those two recordings launched the quintet onto numerous gigs within the Chilean doom scene, some of them with classic bands like Poema Arcanus and Mar de Grises.
Lineup changes followed during the next handful of years, as Mourners Lament underwent a minor period of silence while preparing what would be their debut album. Titled We All Be Given, the band’s first full-length would first be released in 2016 by esteemed national label Canometal Records, and then later the next year internationally through Hammerheart Records. Between the two editions, Mourners Lament established themselves as a considerable new(er) name in the wider doom-death scene.
After the debut album’s initial release, Mourners Lament continued playing live shows in their native Chile, climbing to a higher position in the national doom scene. Later on, two new members took over drums and vocal duties, and a new lineup was established in 2019, which continues to this day. This new-look Mourners Lament brought fresh sounds and spirit to the band, resulting in the new EP Grieving at a Distance in 2022 and their first adventure in European territory that same year.
After the Euro tour, which included an appearance at the renowned Dutch Doom Days festival, the band started the process of a new album. At last here, A Grey Farewell easily eclipses its not-inconsiderable full-length predecessor. Here, Mourners Lament erect a towering monument to misery: six songs in nearly 65 minutes, the album is an emotional and DARK journey across a majestic & melancholic landscape. Undoubtedly, it’s pure DOOM-DEATH by definition – riffs crush and then reverberate, rhythms lumber before nearly disappearing into darkness, guttural vocals either meld with both or play counterpart, and icy, almost-sensual synths flow with subtlety and a quiet power – but Mourners Lament prove to be masterful songwriters, patiently building arcs that unfold dark drama and bittersweet emotion, and then seamlessly threading the whole experience together as one unified work that’s equally spacious and suffocating. That there’s a bit more polish here only makes A Grey Farewell that much better, particularly given the band’s penchant for dynamic quietude.
The raw-yet-rich emotion of the earliest days of the Peaceville Three – Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, and Anathema, altogether THE eternal template for doom-death metal – can still be a fertile field for inspiration. It would not be hyperbole to suggest that A Grey Farewell is perhaps one of the best modern examples of pure doom-death that imparts its own personality. Some 20 years after their formation, Mourners Lament have truly arrived!
In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “Towards Abandonment” here:
Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Mourners Lament’s A Grey Farewell
1. Towards Abandonment [10:58] 2. Changes [13:27] 3. Ocaso [7:26] 4. The Clear Distance [12:29] 5. In A White Room [9:18] 6. Mass Eulogy [10:22]
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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 Feasttradition 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
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
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
