Swedish black metal masters CRAFT have announced a new string of festival dates for May and June 2023. The announcement includes appearances at the prestigious Ascension Festival in Reykjavik Iceland and a small Mexican run! A full list of confirmed shows can be found below.
CRAFT comment: “This week, from May 4-7th, CRAFT will cross the pond to deliver darkness and chaos in Mexico for the very first time. We expect nothing but sheer dedication from what we hear is some of the best crowds in the world. This may also be the first time we play something from the new album being recorded this summer…
Attendance is mandatory, cabrónes!“
CRAFT‘s latest release “White Noise and Black Metal” can be found via the official Season of Mist YouTube channel HERE.
CRAFT Festivals 2023
19 May 23 Reykjavik (IS) Ascension Festival
17 Jun 23 Grod Rycerski w Byczynie (PL) Black Silesia Festival
30 Jun 23 Friesack (DE) Under The Black Sun Festival
21 Jul 23 Volyne (CZ) Etaf Festival
CRAFT Mexico
04 May 23 Monterrey (MX) Café Iguana
05 May 23 Guadalajara (MX) Foro Independencia
06 May 23 CDMX (MX) HDX Circus Bar
07 May 23 León (MX) Rock Station
CRAFT will be playing in support of their latest album “White Noise and Black Metal”. The amazing cover, which has been created by renowned Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak, can be viewed together with the album details below.
Track-list
1. The Cosmic Sphere Falls (4:56)
2. Again (4:15)
3. Undone (6:39)
4. Tragedy of Pointless Games (6:27)
5. Darkness Falls (4:50)
6. Crimson (4:49)
7. Shadow (5:40)
8. White Noise (4:42)
Total: 42:18
By dry definition, white noise denotes a random signal having equal intensity at different frequencies, giving it a constant power spectral density. It has been commonly employed in electronic music and denotes for instance the sound of a non-existent radio station, while searching through the spectrum for a signal. For black metal it denotes the yin to the yang of the will to shape forms and patterns of melodies and rhythms and as such has a constant presence.
CRAFT have chosen their title as a perfect description of this symbiotic relationship into which the seeming contrast and contradiction of black and white enters. With ‘White Noise and Black Metal’, the Swedes return to strength after a long hiatus following the release of previous full-length, ‘Void’ (2011). The forthcoming album combines the vitriolic virtues of ‘Terror Propaganda’ (2002) with an updated songwriting that is as mature and intelligent as it is razor-sharp. The fast and furious of extreme metal contrasts with dark and depressive passages with added undertones of black ‘n’ roll
CRAFT embodies the black metal virtue of raw spiritual energy expressed through violent, ripping guitar-work and unholy rhythms enhanced by demonic vocals. The Swedes have long enjoyed a massive cult status within underground circles, yet also gained strong acclaim and recognition by mainstream metal media and critics.
CRAFT were spawned by guitarist Joakim, who was joined by a friend on drums in late 1994. Lead guitarist John was added to the roster in 1996 but left in 1998 only to return about a year later. A demo entitled ‘Total Eclipse’ hit the world in 1999, which led to a first record deal. During the recording of their crushing debut ‘Total Soul Rape’ (2000), the Swedes were reinforced by vocalist Nox. This misanthropic album captured the ear of SHINING’s Niklas Kvarforth, who released sophomore opus ‘Terror Propaganda’ in 2002 on his own label. With their extremely dark music the group gained much acclaim by critics and fans alike. CRAFT continued to build and expand their typical hateful and destructive style by adding ‘Fuck the Universe’ (2005) and ‘Void’ (2011) to the list of their albums. Meanwhile bass player Alex had joined and with their completed line-up the band finally became a live entity in September 2014.
Now CRAFT are ready to take a giant step in their career with the extremely strong, ‘White Noise and Black Metal’. This is misanthropic Swedish black metal honed to perfection.
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https://craftofficial.bandcamp.com
Current line-up
Joakim: guitars, electronics
Nox: vocals
John Doe: guitars
Alex: bass