On July 5th internationally, Abstract Emotions is proud to present Inerth‘s highly anticipated new mini-album, Hybris, on 12″ vinyl format.
Inerth was born in Madrid in early 2019 just after the dissolution of their previous band, the acclaimed grindcore act Looking For An Answer. Formed by veteran musicians with 25 years of touring and recording experience, Inerth‘s main idea was to create an amalgam of harsh-but-pondering music designed to reflect a lifelong passion for sounds ranging from death metal to sludge as well as incorporating doomed and industrial soundscapes. After a self-titled EP debut, Inerth released their debut album, Void, in 2022 through Abstract Emotions, receiving great reviews worldwide and being included on the best albums list at such outlets like Mondo Sonoro, Rock Zone, Aversionline, Ritvual and Metalitalia among others. Taking inspiration from such bands as Godflesh, Napalm Death, Neurosis, Celtic Frost, Amebix, and Killing Joke, on their first full-length did Inerth reclaim the spirit of the 1990s’ most extreme & transgressive sounds.
With Hybris, Inerth show an evolutionary leap for the band. Unafraid of experimentation and going beyond boundaries, the four new songs here are full of strength and spirit. Inerth are clearly influenced by Godflesh, a band with which they recently toured, but Hybris equally shows their own idiosyncratic style in even-more-powerful form.
In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “Midlife Wasteland”
Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
In the grand tradition of black metal supremacy, 1349 returns with a searing standalone single, Ash of Ages, paving the desolate path to their much-anticipated North American tour later this May. Echoing the grim roots of black metal’s full-throated cry, Ash of Ages ascends from the band’s profound depths to scorch the earth with its presence.
1349 have been the unrelenting force of Norwegian black metal since their rise from the realm of Alvheim in 1997. Their journey throughout the years has been relentless, an endless pursuit to refine their dark craft. With each release, they’ve etched their mark deeper into the annuls of the genre, and Ash of Ages is nothing less than a continuation of this furious legacy.
Listen to the new single Ash of Ages here:
The Norwegian black metal titans are set to unleash their blistering storm across Eastern Canada and the U.S. this May, commencing with a thunderous roar at Dark Lord Day Festival in Munster, IN.
Along for this malevolent crusade are the enigmatic Canadian occultists Spectral Wound, the ferocious Antichrist Siege Machine from Richmond, and the spellbinding Spirit Possession hailing from Oregon.
1349 will be bringing along the new singleon 12″ vinyl – lucky souls attending one of the 11 hellish rituals will get the chance to get the first new music since 1349‘s critically-acclaimed 2019 album The Infernal Pathway.
2024 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES:
May 18: Munster, IN @ Dark Lord Day Festival (w/ Abbath, High on Fire & more)
May 20: Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace May 21: Montreal, QC @ Le Studio TD May 22: Cambridge, MA @ Middle East / Downstairs May 23: Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows May 24: Baltimore, MD @ Maryland Deathfest* (1349 and Spectral Wound only) May 25: Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819 May 26: Atlanta, GA @ Boggs Social & Supply** (no Spirit Possession) May 28: Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop May 29: Cincinnati, OH @ Legends Bar & Venue May 30: Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme
Tracklist 1. Ash of Ages (Standalone Single) (5:27)
1349 is AURAL HELLFIRE. That has been, and continues to be, the primary concept since the band first rose from the ashes of Alvheim in 1997. Conceived around the founding members – vocalist and former drummer Ravn, guitarist Tjalve, and Seidemann on bass – 1349 completed their line-up with the addition of guitarist Archaon in 1999 and SATYRICON drum-legend Frost in 2001.
When their debut Liberation was unleashed in 2003, the Norwegians took the world by storm with their intense blend of old school black metal soundscapes and ultra-fast aggression. Further assaults followed in rapid succession. Beyond the Apocalypse (2004) and Hellfire (2005) cemented the band’s reputation as one of the strongest acts in the scene.
Upon the departure of founding member Tjalve, who decided to focus on his band PANTHEON I, 1349 have since continued as a four-piece – occasionally adding guest guitarists. Extensive touring aided the growth of their now massive following when the four piece opened for reunited metal legends CELTIC FROST in North America in 2006.
Impressively demonstrating that holding true to the principles of the genre do not mean nostalgia and stagnation, 1349 widened their sonic palette with Revelations of the Black Flame (2009), which was co-mixed by CELTIC FROST mastermind Tom Gabriel “Warrior” Fischer. This inspired a newfound ambient darkness from the band, which was further explored on Demonoir (2010).
Massive Cauldron of Chaos (2013) was the next milestone in the Norwegians merciless advance, scoring excellent reviews and a nomination for a Norwegian Grammy (Spellemannprisen). The release sparked more festival shows as well as extensive touring, bringing 1349 to Australia and New Zealand. In 2018, the Munch Museum and Innovation Norway chose 1349 as one of four bands to create a song based on the paintings of Edvard Munch. As a result, the single Dødskamp was released earlier this year.
After performing a fiery show at Norway’s Inferno festival this year, 1349 started recording in Amper Tone studios and Studio Nyhagen with engineer Jarrett Pritchard. Thus, The Infernal Pathway was born, a sonic parallel to summoning and unleashing the beast of the abyss in all its fearsome, ferocious and powerful splendor.
Now, in 2024, the Norwegian black metal titans 1349 are readying themselves to bring AURAL HELLFIRE across the US in May & EU in October. With these rituals, they bring the fiery Ash of Ages, marking new things to come… Line-up Archaon – Guitars Frost – Drums Ravn – Vocals Seidemann – Bass
Recording Studio Amper Tone (Oslo, Norway) & NEW CONSTELLATION R.M.P. (Orlando, USA)
Production Credits Produced by Jarrett Prichard & Ravn Mixed by Jaerrett Prichard & Ravn at NEW CONSTELLATION R.M.P. Mastered by Jaerrett Prichard at NEW CONSTELLATION R.M.P.
Today, reanimated horror metallers The Lurking Corspes premiere the new track “Satan is Real”. The track is the second to be revealed from the band’s highly anticipated fifth album, Lurking After Midnight, set for international release on May 24th via Hells Headbangers on CD format; the vinyl LP will follow later. Hear The Lurking Corspes‘ “Satan is Real” in its entirety:
For nearly 25 years now, The Lurking Corspes have been perfecting their patented “Horror Metal” – a singular and potent blend of dark, Misfits/Samhain-style punk rock, blistering thrash, and classic, hook-laden heavy metal – and deliver it with theatrics and panache, masked and becloaked in the best Halloween tradition. However, these Indiana ghouls’ albums hit hard no matter the season, and they’ve risen from the grave after a whole decade with Lurking After Midnight.
Featuring a mostly new lineup, led as ever by demon-crooning frontman Lord Vladimir Von Ghoul and bassist The Nameless Horror returning, The Lurking Corspes sound absolutely reinvigorated on Lurking After Midnight, their first album since the Hells Headbangers-released Workin’ For the Devil. Sure to fulfill every horror geek’s wet dream, the quintet unload a wide variety of styles across the album’s 15 songs, ranging from doo-wop to surf to punk to death metal, but always with addicting energy and straightforward heaviness to spare. Of course, it wouldn’t be The Lurking Corspes without their tongue-in-cheek mix of sex, violence, and good, old-fashioned horror-flick gore, and you get a maximum overdrive of all across the 49 minutes of Lurking After Midnight.
Sure to leave you singing along and banging your head like there’s no tomorrow, The Lurking Corspes put the “fun” back in funeral with Lurking After Midnight!
Hear the previously revealed “Murder Sweet Murder” HERE at Hells Headbangers‘ official YouTube channel. Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for The Lurking Corpses’ Lurking After Midnight 1. Lurking After Midnight 2. Boglin Lips 3. Burned Alive 4. When You’re Dead 5. Funeral Home 6. Black Dahlia 7. A Gruesome Find 8. Lost In Shadows 9. Murder Sweet Murder 10. Baby Hold On 11. Satan Is Real 12. This Night With You 13. The Begotten 14. Heartbreak 15. My Sweet Lenore
Darkness Shall Rise Productions is proud to present Azketem‘s highly anticipated second album, self-titled Azketem, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats. The CD and tape versions shall be released on June 6th while the vinyl version shall be released on July 4th.
Devotees of black metal with a penchant for etherial, melancholic atmospheres, take heed. Hailing from Germany and founded by the band’s sole member Azken in 2018, this self-titled second full-length of Azketem showcases eight remarkably well-written songs drenched in bittersweet bleakness.
A display of sheer talent, these predominantly mid-paced tracks – soothingly introspective, enchantingly otherworldly – take the attentive listener places. The majority of the album’s tracks aren’t shorter than seven minutes, allowing the compositions to fully unfold their meditative trance. The whole album is deeply imbued with a sense of escapist yearning, not least because of Azken’s extraordinary, mostly clean vocals. This – coupled with addictive, repetitive riffs, great bass-lines, and the occasional use of keyboards to amplify the overall atmosphere – make for an outstanding album not to be missed by anyone into ingeniously crafted melancholic metal.
In the meantime, stream Azketem in its entirety here:
Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
On May 3rd internationally, Iron Bonehead Productions will release Temple of the Beast‘s highly anticipated debut mini-album, Geminian Arcana, on CD and 12″ vinyl formats. Hear Temple of the Beast‘s Geminian Arcana in its entirety here:
Temple of the Beast is the work of one DarkWvlf, well known in the black metal scene as Blackthorn, founding vocalist / drummer of the long-running Thornspawn. But those expecting a blitzed assault of classic Norsecore will be in for a surprise with Temple of the Beast: oft-lumbering ritualism that slithers its way into hammering primitivism, recalling the earliest works of Samael, Mystifier, Demoncy, and Drawing Down the Moon-era Beherit but exuding its own strange, ethereal identity.
Preceded by a demo and a single, Temple of the Beast now arrive with a 30-minute-long mini-album, Geminian Arcana. Due to its generous length – five monolithic hymns are contained herein – the band’s full potential is displayed in diabolic, Dionysian splendor. Indeed, Temple of the Beast‘s central themes are arcane magick and bacchanalian bloodletting, ancient lore and mysteries only found in the innermost catacombs. Sonically, DarkWvlf illustrates this with tones that are tar-thick yet somehow atmospheric, layering the patient pulse with ritual bells and cosmic synths; likewise, his vocal tones go far deeper than his characteristic screech in Thornspawn.
As such, Temple of the Beast in general and Geminian Arcana in particular are equally recommended to maniacs of the early Greek black metal scene as well as the aforementioned legends. Debauch under the full moon!
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Temple of the Beast’s Geminian Arcana 1. Temple I: Through the Trees 2. Temple II: The Initiation 3. Temple III: Reborn into Darkness 4. Temple IV: The Key & the Gate (Sitra Achra) 5. Temple V: Exalted Invocation of the Blood Moon
Today, Purity ThroughFire sets June 21st as the international release date for Aussichtslos‘ highly anticipated third album, Schicksalstotschlag, on CD and vinyl LP formats.
It was but March 2021 when Austria’s Aussichtslos burst from the void, fully formed, with their Völlig Aussichtslos debut album. Remarkably assured, classically inclined, the power-trio presented grim, harsh, but oft-hard-rocking black metal that favorably recalled the post-Strength & Honour landscape of Finland as well as ancient-days Germania ala Luror, Wolfsmond, and Hellfucked. Six months later, Aussichtslos amazingly released another full-length, Einsicht. While it was chronologically their second album, Einsicht was actually recorded in 2020, before the release of Völlig Aussichtslos took place. Either way, between the two records did Aussichtslos show themselves as new contenders in austere black metal classicism, capable of tradition but also thought-provoking lyrics reflecting upon inner struggles so universal to the human experience.
And so it goes with Schicksalstotschlag, arguably Aussichtslos‘ most desperate record yet. While it may’ve been quiet on the Austrian front the past few years, that does nothing to dim the fire of their third full-length: Schicksalstotschlag is at once urgent and reserved, violently passionate but poised and stoic – and of course, as anthemic as ever. Not for nothing is Purity ThroughFire known as the stronghold of Teutonic steel, its sword-wielders capable of a catchiness as wild and windswept as any biergarten, and Aussichtslos keep apace on Schicksalstotschlag, keeping the riffs rocking as ever and the heart enflamed with emotion. Their production, as always, is on the palatable side of “polished,” crisp and clean and gleaming with steely-eyed pride, making these nine songs the penultimate in battle-charging bombast and ballast. Credit new drummer Kartharziss (who also provides tasteful synths) with that proud pulse, although vocalist / lyricist Norsk (unchain his heart!) and fellow six-stringer Garst hold their own and help make the closing nine-minute epic “Hochverrat” the band’s best track to date. Black metalsmiths of destiny, unite again for Schicksalstotschlag!
Raise that sword and don that chainmail with the brand-new track “Verwoben” here:
Cover artwork, courtesy of Irrwisch, and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Aussichtslos’ Schicksalstotschlag 1. Am hohen Ross 2. Verwoben 3. Im Schützengraben 4. Brachland 5. Schicksalstotschlag 6. Infektion 7. Ein Stück 8. Gotteswahn 9. Hochverrat
Today, Osmose Productions announces June 28th as the international release date for Gjendød‘s highly anticipated fifth album, Livskramper, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.
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.
First track premiere to be revealed on May 27th. 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
ROTTING CHRIST proudly present The Apostate, the latest single from the unparalleled masters of blackened ‘hellenic’ metal. This track is a vehement storm conjured from the depths of the band’s upcoming monumental release, Pro Xristou — a sonorous odyssey that not only celebrates the indomitable spirit of paganism but also challenges the encroaching shadows of conformity.
For over three decades, ROTTING CHRIST, led by the visionary Sakis & Themis Tolis, has carved a path of resistance, blending the raw energy of black metal with lyrical narratives that defy the sands of time. Their journey has been one of rebellion, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the essence of metal. Now, with Pro Xristou, they are set to redefine the legacy of Hellenic Black Metal once more.
The Apostate tells the story of resistance against the tide of religious conversion. It is a tribute to those who stood unbowed, of Flavius Claudius Julianus, safeguarding ancient knowledge and values against the onslaught of oblivion. The track is an intricate weave of mesmerizing choirs, neo-classical arrangements, and the band’s signature blackened atmosphere. On The Apostate, ROTTING CHRIST encapsulate their relentless exploration of musical and thematic boundaries.
The video for The Apostate is out now – check the video here:
“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)
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) 7. Pix Lax Dax (4:33) 8. Pretty World, Pretty Dies (4:51) 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
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.
Today, Canadian death-maniacs Reversed premiere the new track “Hungry Graves”. The track is the second to be revealed from the band’s highly anticipated debut album, Wildly Possessed, set for international release on May 24th via Invictus Productions. Hear Reversed‘s “Hungry Graves” in its entirety here:
Arising from Vancouver’s potent extreme metal mire, Reversed initially materialized in 2015 through a dedication to the spirit of real death metal and a rabid obsession with death. Guided more by passion than execution, this collection of well-honed ghouls quickly fell into a sepulchral trance to channel a singular form of necrotic, razor-lined heavy metal devilry.
Dying to crack open the tomb, Reversed harnessed and released the Widow Recluse demo tape into the wild in 2018 via Muerto En La Cruz and the recently closed Temple of Mystery. Showcasing the band’s gestating lunacy, the demo revealed shades of black, death, and thrash violently assembled into a refined vision of chaotic mayhem – a runaway train barely remaining on the rails. Due to wild demand, this was immediately followed by vinyl and CD versions on Temple of Mystery in 2019.
Afterward, a string of live shows displayed the wretched results across Western Canada and the USA, playing alongside Aura Noir, Morbid Saint, Antediluvian, Witch Vomit, and more. What followed was a period of cloistered writing and conspiring while the world writhed in torment by the festering plague.
Two rough tracks destined for the eventual debut album were recorded in the Reversed ritual space and released on limited tape by Bent Window Productions. This was to be fully realized on the Reversed debut LP, Wildly Possesed, heralding the dawn of a more aggressive and voracious worship of the ultimate extreme metal essence – 1986 – where labels of death, black, speed, and thrash were interchangeable.
The album was recorded at the infamous Fiasco Bros. Studios where Blasphemy recorded their legendary albums, mixed and mastered by Marco S. Vermiglio at The Forge Music Productions, and set to unleashed by infamous Irish underground devotee Invictus Productions in Spring 2024.
Also see & hear the previously revealed video “Final Death” HERE at Invictus‘ official YouTube channel. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Reversed (Canada)’s Wildly Possessed 1. Wildly Possessed 2. Maelstrom Juggernaut 3. Hungry Graves 4. Beneath Evil Eyes 5. Final Death 6. Rusted Breath 7. Black Seed
Heavily inspired by sci-fi and Tabletop RPGs, DESERTS OF MARS deliver a dynamic sonic mixture of stoner rock, grunge, metal, and doom/industrial. The new single “Crimson Mountain” is out now, and lands ahead of the forthcoming album Dead Planet Exodus to be released later this year.
The band comments on “Crimson Mountain”:
“An anthem and rallying cry for the Crashtronauts and the band as our heroes hop into a battle vehicle and head to take the rocket base atop the Crimson Mountain (you can see the rocket taking off on the album cover). I channeled all the anime/action visuals in my head for this one, as I wanted to evoke the feeling of a band going for broke with weapons shaped like instruments, slaying their enemies, and reaching their ultimate goal.
Thinly veiled, but the last lyric: ‘This flight, our final fight To seize our place Among the stars’ is how I feel this album and its strange winding production has been for the band. This is our final make or break during this time period, and a call to action that we have to make things happen.”
Stream “Crimson Mountain” here:
AboutDESERTS OF MARS: Austin, Texas, based DESERTS OF MARS was formed in 2006 by band leader and founder Tony Salvaggio. Salvaggio explains the ideology behind the band: “I came up with the name Deserts of Mars because I wanted to evoke the Desert Rock vibe. However, it also has a sci-fi slant; it can mean the God of War, so it has ties to mythology. I love letting the listener/viewer decide what it means to them.”
Salvaggio continues, “[DESERTS OF MARS runs off of] a steady diet of sci-fi movies, novels, manga, animation, RPGS, and metal fuels me and bleeds into the rest of the band. I’ve been a nerd first and a metalhead for a very long time, and I’ve never grown out of that quest for the next fun thing to watch/read/listen to half a century into life. I feel like if I lose that sense of wonder, it’s over. Always be learning/listening/creating.”
DESERTS OF MARS Is: Tony Salvaggio – Bass, Vocals Morgan Faber – Drums Kotah Mack – Guitar (2024)
Dead Planet Exodus Guests: Bradley Barnes – Guitar ((OG riffs on “Crashdown”, “Temple of the Rain”) Jeff Henson – Rhythm and Lead Guitar Wizardry Jeff Klein – Interstellar Rhythm and Lead Guitar
Track Listing: 1. Crashdown 2. Temple of the Rain 3. Shilluminati 4. Dead Planet 5. Darkness 6. Midnight Comes 7. Never 8. Temporal Vampires 9. Crimson Mountain 10. The Fallen
