Long-running doom-death masters Majestic Downfall premiere new track

Today, long-running doom-death masters Majestic Downfall premiere the new track “A Dying Crown” . The track is the second to be revealed from the band’s highly anticipated sixth album, Aorta, set for international release on May 21st via Personal Records. Hear Majestic Downfall‘s “A Dying Crown” in its entirety here:

One of the leading doom-death bands in Latin America with full exposure in the international underground, Majestic Downfall started as a one-man doom journey in August 2006. The idea was to recapture the feeling of the ’90s European death-doom metal scene while mixing it with some more modern metal overtones. In 2007, Majestic Downfall pressed its first demo, The First Abyss Demo 2007, and it contained three songs of melodic-yet-mournful doom.

The year 2009 saw the release of Majestic Downfall‘s debut album, Temple of Guilt, via My Kingdom Music in Europe and Concreto/Personal Records in America. This time, the music contained a darker edge full of sorrow and new influences from bands like Shining and Forgotten Tomb. Temple of Guilt certainly placed Majestic Downfall in the doom/dark metal scene.

The Blood Dance appeared in 2011, Three in 2013, and the split with The Slow Death from Australia in 2014, all of them containing thicker productions, more experimentation, but still keeping the core sound and roots of Majestic Downfall. By now, it was clear the band was a hard working one.

In 2015, Majestic Downfall released …When Dead, one of the band’s most diverse albums, and for the first time, they had an important backing label, which was none other than the mighty Pulverised Records. This release allows the band to tour for the first time on European soil with known bands of the genre like Ophis (Germany) and Ataraxie (France). Majestic Downfall also plays as the first Mexican band ever to do so on the world-renowned 70000 Tons of Metal cruise, a headlining show in New York City, and to headline one of the stages on Force Fest Mexico with bands like Slayer, Carcass, Pestilence, and many more.

Waters of Fate came to life in 2018 via Weird Truth/Solitude/Chaos Records, and the band does a 14-date trek through Canada and concluding it by playing Maryland Death Fest. Also that same year, 2019, Majestic Downfall play the Domination Fest in Mexico City and Mexico Metal Fest in Monterey, Mexico, where the world’s most important bands once again gather.

During the Pandemic, Majestic Downfall write and record their latest album, Aorta. Comprising four songs in an epic 70 minutes, there are no taboos now, no rules or anything: the band is just recording the music they love, no matter where it comes from. It is still doom and always will be, but with every release, there just happens to be much more, and Aorta is a perfect example, going from suffocating to vibrating, damning to liberating, utterly devastated to strangely hopeful – but always CRUSHING, and devastatingly so.

Credit for that goes to the mixing & mastering courtesy of Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio, who has worked with Watain, Mayhem, Desultory, Ondkapt, Valkyrja, and many, many more. The stark yet mysteriously beautiful cover artwork was done by Oscar de las Flores, who has nothing to do with metal, and that surely gives Aorta a different vibe. Majestic Downfall return, mightier and more majestic/miserable than ever…bleed through Aorta.

Begin bleeding with the previously revealed opening track “Roberta” HERE at Personal Records‘ Bandcamp, where the album can also be preordered. Aforementioned cover art and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Majestic Downfall’s Aorta

1. Roberta 19:40
2. A Dying Crown 13:12
3. Aorta 16:48
4. Become Eternal 19:03

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/majestic.downfall

www.personal-records.com
personal-records.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/personalrecords666

REGARDE LES HOMMES TOMBER release “The Crowning” live video from Roadburn Redux

French black metal formation REGARDE LES HOMMES TOMBER have released a live video for “The Crowning”. The clip is a part of the band’s set they recorded for Roadburn Redux, which took place on April 16 – 18 online. The full set will available at a later date.

Watch “The Crowning” here:

‘Ascension’ was released on February 28, 2020. The cover artwork and tracklist can be found below. The artwork was created by Fortifem. Listen to the full album HERE.

Track List:
I. L’Ascension (1:49)
II. A New Order (8:04)
III. The Renegade Son (8:01)
IV. The Crowning (9:26)
V. Stellar Cross (8 :10)
VI. La Tentation (2:28)
VII. Au Bord Du Gouffre (8:53)
Total playing time: 0:46:50

Find REGARDE LES HOMMES TOMBER on Facebook, Instagram and Bandcamp.

Recording and Mixing: Francis Caste, Studio Sainte Marthe

Mastering: Francis Caste, Studio Sainte Marthe

Cover artwork: Fortifem

Line-up:
Vocals : T.C
Guitar : J.J.S
Guitar : A.M
Bass : A.B
Drums : R.R

NITE Signs to Season of Mist

Season of Mist is proud to announce the signing of blackened heavy metal band NITE! The San Francisco outfit will be releasing it’s second full-length via the label at a later date. Stay tuned for more!

NITE comments, “All of us in the circle of NITE are very excited to announce our signing with Season of Mist. We look forward to working with their talented and experienced team to bring our music to the unsuspecting masses. We are thrilled to join the label’s echelon of innovative artists whose legacy looms large over the history of modern heavy music.”

For a glimpse of what’s to come, check out NITE‘s Bandcamp and stream their 2020 debut album, ‘Darkness Silence Mirror Flame,’ HERE.

The San Francisco Bay Area has a history steeped in forward-thinking, technically dazzling metal, and NITE carries that torch with pride. Founded in 2018, their blackened heavy metal brand barrels towards the peril of an unknown future, while keeping one eye on the days when blistering leads once ruled the land. Guitarists Van Labrakis (Satan’s Wrath, Mencea) and Scott Hoffman (Dawnbringer, High Spirits) let loose galloping riffs and harmonies that evoke the classic sounds of the N.W.O.B.H.M., with Labrakis’ grizzled voice driving their dark, melodic metal into the modern era.

With Avinash Mittur (Wild Hunt) replacing founding bassist Bryan Coons in early 2021, he and drummer Patrick Crawford (Serpents of Dawn, Older Sun) make up a rhythm section that’s fierce yet breathlessly precise: a freewheel pounding reminiscent of the early days of heavy metal, with a Rickenbacker-powered roar fueling the low end. NITE’s debut full-length Darkness Silence Mirror Flame, released in March 2020 by Creator-Destructor Records, earned widespread praise. It showcased their fist-raising classic heavy metal that nearly every fan of the genre once fell in love with, but with a twisted and shadowy edge that the titans of old could never imagine. NITE is the flame of the past illuminating the darkness of tomorrow.


Lineup:
Van Labrakis: Guitar / Vocals
Scott Hoffman: Guitar
Avinash Mittur: Bass
Patrick Crawford: Drums

Links:
Website: http://nitemetal.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nitemetal
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nitemetal
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nitemetal
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo7-UhuJNohvsMB2DP05LAQ
Bandcamp: https://nitemetal.bandcamp.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6MjCnAA9RF0vy3j6QYyLG0
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/nite/1499573755

Mexican black-doom cult Hagel premiere new track

Today, long-running Mexican black-doom cult Hagel premiere the new track “Blindness” . The track is the second to be revealed from the band’s long-awaited debut album, Veneration of the Black Light, set for international release on May 21st via Personal Records. Hear Hagel‘s “Blindness” in its entirety here:

Formed back in 1995, Hagel are an atmospheric black-doom band hailing from Monterrey, Mexico. The original lineup comprised Carlos Velázquez (Ulveheim, Sacratus, Noctambulism) on guitar, Luis Galindo on keyboards and vocals, Fernando Galindo on bass, and David Benavides on drums. Due to personal reasons, the band went on hiatus in the year 2000. While recordings are rumored to exist, Hagel never publicly revealed any demos during this period.

In 2014, Carlos decided to re-form the band and started recruiting musicians to form the new lineup; not too long after, the new Hagel was reborn. The new lineup consisted of Juan Reyes (Buzrael) on drums, Elizabeth Castillo (S.O.Y.G) on bass, and Ivan Saldaña (Alpha Hydrae, Hiborym) on guitar and vocals. In 2017, one of the founding members, keyboardist Luis Galindo, rejoined the band.  

In 2019, Hagel entered the studio to record their first full-length, in a professional way. Bearing the title Veneration of the Black Light, the record was finished, mixed, and mastered on December 2019, all before the world fell into chaos. In May 2020, the band gave their first preview with the single “Decalogue of Misery,” an all-too-apropos title for the times.

At long last, the full strength of Hagel is revealed with Veneration of the Black Light. Refreshingly retro or at least traditional, Hagel remain true to their original ’90s vision with a sound favorably comparable to early Mortuary Drape, The Gathering circa Always…, Switzerland’s Sadness, 1992/93-era Katatonia, old Rotting Christ, Ophthalamia, Bethlehem circa Dark Metal, and Moonspell’s classic Under the Moonspell. In other words, when everything was dark and foggy and shrouded in obscurity and mysticism, those glorious ’90s…and Hagel resurrects that, with power and authenticity, across Veneration of the Black Light – because they were THERE. Reborn…undead!

Hear the first sounds of that undead rebirth with the previously revealed “Decalogue of Misery” HERE at Personal Records‘ official YouTube channel. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Hagel’s Veneration of the Black Light

1. Decalogue of Misery
2. Veneration Of The Black Light
3. Blindness
4. Labyrinth Of Flesh
5. Mystery Of The Mortal 
6. Pergamum
7. The Blazing Glow Of Eternity
8. Whims Of A God

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/Hagel-613153742156926 

www.personal-records.com
personal-records.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/personalrecords666

KHANDRA release new track of upcoming album ‘All Occupied by Sole Death’

Belarusian black metal band KHANDRA have released the second brand-new track of their upcoming album ‘All Occupied by Sole Death’. The new record will be out on Season of Mist Underground Activists on May 28, 2021. Listen to the band’s title-track ‘All Occupied by Sole Death’ here:

‘All Occupied by Sole Death’ is available for pre-orders at the Season of Mist shop HERE.

KHANDRA have furthermore unveiled the cover artwork and tracklist for ‘All Occupied by Sole Death’. The artwork was made by Chris Kiesling (Misantropic Art).

Tracklist:
1. Mute moleben (02:12)
2. Irrigating lethal acres with blood (06:29)
3. Nothing but immortality for aye (06:17)
4. In harvest against the Sun (07:03)
5. With the blessing of starless night (06:30)
6. Thanatos (08:21)
7. All occupied by sole Death (06:34)
Total: 0:43:26

Shrouded in a veil of mystery and death, Belarussian black metal act KHANDRA are soon to release their new offering ‘All occupied by sole Death’ upon mankind. Characterized by aggressiveness, dissonance and by creating a strong sense of atmosphere, the band’s third assault seamlessly fits in with the wave of black metal fronted by MGŁA and BLAZE OF PERDITION.  

KHANDRA’s first revelations were perpetrated in October 2017 under the banner ‘All is of no avail’ which subsequently merged with its successor ‘There’s no division outside existence’ in October 2018. These seeds sprouted even more fatal progression of metastases which transformed into ‘All occupied by sole Death’.

Khandra [xɐnˈdra] is a term to describe deathly ennui over the nothing. With that in mind, one can expect ‘All occupied by sole Death’ to be a dark and cold work of art. The musical vessel here is a result of expression that has no bonds with any personal emotion of social nature.

Artwork: Chris Kiesling (Misantropic Art)

Recording studio: Cavum Atrum Studio

Producer / sound engineer: Dmitry Romanovsky

Mixing and mastering: Studio Forz, Dmitry Haladko

Line-up:
Uladzimir B: vocals
Dmitry R: guitars
Pavel V: drums
Anton S: bass



Links:
https://www.facebook.com/khandraofficial/
https://khandra.bandcamp.com/

ARCHAEOPTERIS set release date for PERSONAL RECORDS / VOID WANDERER debut EP, reveal first track – features members of CROC NOIR, SUPERTZAR+++

Today, Personal Records, in conspiracy with Void Wanderer, announces June 18th as the international release date for Archaeopteris‘ striking debut EP, Vision Chaotiques D´un Songe Halluciné. Personal will handle the CD version while Void Wanderer will handle the cassette tape version.

While Archaeopteris may be brand-new in name, the three members behind the French band hail from various projects like Croc Noir (black metal), Supertzar (doom / stoner), and Toward (folk). The band was born one evening when the “Green Fairy” appeared to them and highlighted their personal visions of Chaos, Nothingness, and Void. From then on, the composition and recording of their debut EP started and took a little over a year to complete.

At last upon us, Vision Chaotiques D´un Songe Halluciné presents the first epic strike of Archaeopteris. Comprising two eight-minute tracks, the EP reveals the band as preternatural masters of dissonant black metal suffused with many epic moments and malevolent twists & turns, all surrounded by engrossing ambience. Names invoked include Deathspell Omega, Blut Aus Nord, Yeruselem, and Mitochondrion – all elite bands of experimental and avant-garde black/death – but with the teasingly short & swift evidence of Vision Chaotiques D´un Songe Halluciné, Archaeopteris are already on their way to such esteemed ranks.

Hear for yourself with the brand-new track “Visions Chaotiques” here:

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Archaeopteris’ Vision Chaotiques D´un Songe Halluciné

1. Visions Chaotiques [8:31]
2. Songe Halluciné [8:14]

ARCHAEOPTERIS lineup
J. – composition, lyrics, drums, bass, FX, mixing
M. – composition, lyrics, guitars, FX
N. – vocals

www.personal-records.com
personal-records.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/personalrecords666

voidwanderer.com
voidwandererproductions.bandcamp.com

SIDEREAN set release date for EDGED CIRCLE debut album, reveal first track – new incarnation of TELEPORT

Today, Edged Circle Productions sets June 25th as the international release date for Siderean‘s highly anticipated debut album, Lost on Void’s Horizon, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

One of the most singular bands orbiting the death metal underground in the past decade, Siderean began life in 2010 under the moniker Teleport. Shortly after forming, the Ljubljana, Slovenia-based band promptly set course for a prodigious schedule of self-released demos, each one perfecting their slithering, shapeshifting sound. Undoubtedly inspired by Gorguts, Voivod, and Australia’s Stargazer and yet finding contemporaries in Blood Incantation and Sacriphyx, Teleport truly hit their stride with 2018’s The Expansion, which so impressed Edged Circle that the label released a worldwide CD version the next year. As aptly titled as the band’s moniker, The Expansion weaved a winding, oft-bewildering path across its three-track/21-minute runtime. Sulfurous to the very end, one could pin tags like “prog” or “tech” or simply “that’s crazy, man!” onto Teleport‘s style of death metal, but within their attacking angularity existed actual hooks – malformed and mesmerizing, of course, but HOOKS to hold onto as you sink deeper into their maelstrom…

Seeing that the Teleport moniker had run its course and seeking even more-beyond means to express themselves, the name Siderean was chosen – as was Edged Circle as the label to release their long-awaited debut album. At last here, bearing the evocative title Lost on Void’s Horizon, Siderean‘s first full-length handily eclipses past, not-inconsiderable accomplishments – and then blasts off into new worlds unknown. The two-song Sidereal Evolution EP (released by Edged Circle in October 2020) teased with an even crisper iteration of that uniquely serpentine flow, and upped the hooks in the process. Those two epic songs are reprised here, and signpost a sea-change in the new-look Siderean world: no more sulfur, no more murk, just sparkling ‘n’ sidewinding mental wreckage that’s “death metal” in deed but not fully by definition. For one, one could argue that Lost on Void’s Horizon is a deceptively beautiful listen – yes, beautiful – in that way that lucid dreams drip into nightmares; credit much of this superlative development to the lead-guitar work, which brings the spaciness and then some. For another, that perceivable “cleaning up” actually reveals an even-more-organic entity, as each drop of sweat tastes that much sweeter when not buried under miles of reverb; the songwriting, consequentially, hits with even more urgency and fluidity. Credit due to Slovenia producer Anže Čanžek, with expert mastering courtesy of Horrendous’ Damian Herring at Subterranean Watchtower Studio.

Or, one could simply submit to Siderean‘s cosmic flow and marvel at the wonders they so effortlessly unfurl, this time across six linked songs in an impossibly epic 41 minutes. Graced with suitably spacey  cover art courtesy of Fernando JFL, Lost on Void’s Horizon marks the grand arrival of Siderean!

Witness the first sounds of that arrival with the brand-new title track “Lost on Void’s Horizon” here:

. Aforementioned cover art  and tracklisting are as follows

Tracklisting for Siderean’s Lost on Void’s Horizon
1. Eolith [9:15]
2. Traversing [1:42]
3. Lost on Void’s Horizon [9:05]
4. Sidereal Evolution [6:47]
5. Coalescing into the Expanse [6:19]
6. Abyssophora [7:40]

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/siderean

MORE INFO:
www.edgedcircleproductions.com

WINTER ETERNAL set release date for new HELLS HEADBANGERS album, reveal cover & tracklisting

Today, Hells Headbangers announces June 4th as the international release date for Winter Eternal‘s highly anticipated third album, Land of Darkness, on CD and vinyl LP formats. 

Winter Eternal is the sole work of one Soulreaper, formed as a means to express his darkest side – indeed, a place where winter reigns eternal. It all started in 2002 in Athens, Greece where, under the name Unveiled Nightsky, the seeds for the Winter that was yet to come where planted. Nine years later, in 2011, Winter Eternal were officially formed, and a year later, the first demo was released. The band’s first full-length, simply self-titled, originally saw release in 2013 as a limited cassette and, three years later, finally as a CD version.

Eternal winter was raging throughout Soulreaper’s long journey. The multitude of feelings captured in his lyrics and especially his music made Winter Eternal a unique entity within the modern underground: influences ranged from the ’90s Swedish black metal scene (Dissection, Gates Of Ishtar, Vinterland etc) to both the early Hellenic and Norwegian scenes (Rotting Christ, Necromantia, Varathron, Ulver, Windir, Satyricon etc). Truly, this was the work of an old soul, and the results were but only building in strength and sweeping grandeur…

In 2018, a new chapter for Winter Eternal began, marked by Soulreaper’s relocating to Scotland and the release of the second full-length, Realms of the Bleeding Shadows, a year later. Whereas previous recordings suggested an obviousness of influence nobly executed, here did Winter Eternal begin to add to that rich heritage rather than merely replicate it. Everything across Realm of the Bleeding Shadows – songwriting, performance, production, even artwork – was taken up more than a few notches, rendering the record both remarkably fresh and timeless.

Now, stronger than ever, Winter Eternal rampage through the Land of Darkness on their third album, and first for Hells Headbangers. Thrillingly chilling yet breathtakingly emotional, Land of Darkness absolutely bristles with an ancient-days mysticism and melodicism that bring black metal’s majestic past into the present. So authentic is Winter Eternal‘s understanding of classic songcraft as well as sympatico production, agonized and effervescent in equal measure, you’d be forgiven for thinking Land of Darkness was some lost relic released in 1997. However, again like its full-length predecessor but more so here, Winter Eternal poignantly taps into that wellspring of creation the aforementioned legends did and feeds his own lifeforce into it, flexing fluid chops along the way – always in service of The Song, of course – and returns with a nine-song/40-minute document of dreams both dark and beautiful. Nodding to his forebears, Soulreaper reverentially concludes the album with a cover of Gates of Ishtar’s “Dawn of Flames.”

Winter Eternal have at last arrived, and beckon you to venture across their Land of Darkness!

Begin the adventure with the previously revealed title track “Land of Darkness,” which can be heard here:

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Winter Eternal’s Land of Darkness
1. Crossing The Blackest Skies
2. Land Of Darkness
3. The Illusive Wings Of Death
4. Lord Of False Reality
5. Crown of Stars
6. Faded To Silence
7. Isolation
8. Shaped By Grief
9. Dawn Of Flames [Gates of Ishtar cover]

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/wintereternalband

www.hellsheadbangers.com

NEKROMANTHEON reveal video from upcoming release-rehearsal show for new HELLS HEADBANGERS / INDIE album

Today, old-metal standard-bearers Nekromantheon reveal a special live video track “Dead Temples – LIVE FROM THE CITY OF DIS.” The video is the first taste of their release-rehearsal show LIVE FROM THE CITY OF DIS: a full concert which will be out on YouTube and Facebook on May 8th at 3 pm EST.  The video is filmed and edited by Sanna Charles, and recorded and mixed by Arild M. Torp, and is yet another foretaste of the band’s highly anticipated third album, Visions of Trismegistos, set for North American release on April 30th Hells Headbangers on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats (Indie Recordings will be handling all other territories). See & hear Nekromantheon‘s “Dead Temples – LIVE FROM THE CITY OF DIS” in its entirety here:

Behold the Visions of Trismegistos! After nine long years stirring the cauldron in the underground, Nekromantheon finally re-emerged from the depths with their most ferocious record to date!

Visions of Trismegistos is a long-awaited metal assault, bringing forth the spirit of old metal once again. Recorded in Chaka Khan Studio and various locations around Oslo by the members of Nekromantheon themselves using mostly old, analog equipment to get that warm, genuine sound, Visions of Trismegistos feels like a lost opus from the glory days of the ’80s, when thrash, death, and black metal were merged into one unholy trinity. Yet, it is a fresh and vital testament of a band at the height of their abilities who stand out amongst their peers.

With Visions of Trismegistos, Nekromantheon are ready to resurrect the ways of the ancient with their fresh take on old-school extreme metal!

Nekromantheon started out in early 2005 with only one goal in mind: to play fast, evil, and dirty thrash metal in the way of the old gods. Influenced by the classics of Slayer, Sadus, Kreator, Dark Angel, and Sepultura, they unleashed their attack on modern metal.

After the release of the We’re Rotting EP in early 2007, the band had already built a name for themselves in the underground scene. As the band got more and more focused on capturing the spirit of the ’80s, guitarist Arild “Arse” Myren Torp and drummer Christian “Kick” Holm started building their own recording studio. Shortly, their very own KickArse Studio was ready in Kolbotn, Norway, the hometown of the mighty Darkthrone.

With their own creative pit available, their first full-length, Divinity of Death, was released shortly. This intense evocation of evil turned some heads indeed, and earned the band a spot at Maryland DeathFest 2010 and the highly prestigious yet extremely underground Live Evil Festival in London the same year.

In 2012, Nekromantheon released their second album, Rise, Vulcan Spectre, elevating the level of ferocious, darkened thrash metal to unknown heights. The release was an unholy offering to summon the old ways of metal, being held up to underground classics from the ’80s. It was an intense, analog-sounding record that showed no mercy. Rise, Vulcan Spectre was met with raving reviews and went on to receive a Grammy for Best Metal album 2012.

Nekromantheon, unaffected by the “success,” continued to play underground concerts and festivals that they deemed suited for their concept, and continued to keep a low profile throughout the years, playing selected shows and slowly working on new material. As the members were active and creative in bands like Obliteration, Black Viper, Flight, Deathhammer etc, and they have an extremely self-critical way of writing music within Nekromantheon, the follow-up record took years and years before it materialized. We believe Visions of Trismegistos is worth the wait.

In the meantime, see & hear the brand-new live video “Dead Temples – LIVE FROM THE CITY OF DIS” HERE at Nekromantheon‘s official YouTube channel. Also hear the previously revealed tracks “Dead Temples” HERE, “Thanatos” HERE, and “The Visions of Trismegistos” HERE. Preorder info for Hells Headbangers‘ North American editions can be found HERE for the CD and HERE for the vinyl. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Nekromantheon’s Visions of Trismegistos
1. The Visions of Trismegistos
2. Scorched Death
3. Seven Rulers of Fate
4. Thanatos
5. Dead Temples
6. Zealot Reign
7. Neptune Descent
8. Faustian Rites

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/nekromantheonofficial

www.hellsheadbangers.com

GOATS OF DOOM set release date for new PURITY THROUGH FIRE album, reveal first track

Today, Purity ThroughFire sets May 31st as the international release date for Goats of Doom‘s highly anticipated sixth album, Shiva, on CD, A5 digipack, and cassette tape formats. The vinyl LP version will follow later.

By now, Goats of Doom should require no introduction. For the past decade, they’ve remained one of the Finnish underground’s best-kept secrets, largely because of a somewhat misleading moniker, but make no mistake: Goats of Doom are 100% black metal through and through. Their stout catalog has seen the band develop from a synth-based style of black metal during their first three albums; then, with an expansion from a trio to quartet, Goats of Doom truly began their ascent with 2018’s Rukous, where an uptick in aggression melded with the mysterious atmosphere of old. Aligning with Purity ThroughFire in 2020 for Tie on hänen omilleen, Goats of Doom finally seemed to have gotten their due or at least raised their profile. Not for nothing, that, as Tie on hänen omilleen was arguably the band’s most powerful ‘n’ poignant record to date.

Alas, along comes the simply stated Shiva, and Goats of Doom once again eclipse their not-inconsiderable past works. With a wild abandon that’s addicting, the Goats here unload one anthem after another, reveling in the magick of The Moment, and keeping the METAL firmly within black metal. Despite its colorful makeover, Shiva is as obsidian as it comes: the melodicism is as medieval as ever, and the Goats‘ unique netherworld of nightsky mysticism and alcohol-fueled anger is thankfully intact. But, perhaps more importantly, the bountiful hooks here raise high the banner of heavy metal, the leads more strident and sometimes even folk-inflected, imparting that melancholy so endemic to the Finnish psyche. And whereas past works were (deliberately) rough around the edges, here on Shiva do Goats of Doom “clean up their act,” so to speak, with an impossibly professional production wholly suited to these seven skyscraping epics: the grit becomes gleam and the gleam gets gritty, each impassioned vocal intonation, string strum, and drum hit feeling momentous and muscular and yet rendered in the clearest tones possible. Above all, Goatsof Doom once again display their songwriting mastery, which stays true to their original sound and yet finds ever-newer ways to manifest its majesty.

Finnish black metal may still reign, but the time is long overdue for Goats of Doom to assume the throne. Begin the coronation with Shiva!

The first sounds of that coronation can be found with the brand-new track “Armon varjot” here:

Cover artwork, courtesy of Spellgoth, and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Goats of Doom’s Shiva
1. ἀπōκάλυ
2. Uljas uusi maailma
3. Luomiskertomus
4. Armon varjot
5. Korjuu
6. Rotat
7. Shiva

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/Scaregod