TOMBS release remote Jam Session Clip for “The World Is Made of Fire”

Isolation has resulted in many bands finding creative, new ways to rehearse and write music from afar. Brooklyn black metal formation TOMBS are now sharing a video of a remote jam session, in which the band performs the instrumental song, “The World is Made of Fire,” which is taken from 2016’s ‘All Empires Fall.’ Watch the clip here:
TOMBS most recent EP “Monarchy of Shadows” was released on February 28 via Season of Mist, making it the band’s debut to the label. The album can be heard in its entirety HERE and purchased HERE.
The cover artwork for ‘Monarchy of Shadows’ was created by Valnoir and can be found below, together with the tracklist.
Tracklist
1. Monarchy of Shadows (07:32)
2. Once Falls the Guillotine (04:44)
3. Necro Alchemy (05:47)
4. Man Behind the Sun (06:02)
5. The Dark Rift (05:58)
6. Path of Totality (Midnight Sun) (04:44)
Total: 0:34:47
Follow TOMBS via Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and check out their Bandcamp page!
 
Line-Up:
Mike Hill – guitar / vocals
Justin Spaeth – drums /electronics
Drew Murphy – bass / vocals
Matt Medieiros – guitar / vocals

Guest Musicians:
Mike Goncalves – guest vocals on “Path of Totality (Midnight Sun)”
Ben Karas – strings on “The Dark Rift”
Terence Hannum – synth on “Monarchy of Shadows”

Studio: Frightbox Recording (Passaic, NJ, U.S.A.)

Producer/Sound Engineer/Mixing Studio Engineer: Bobby Torres

Mastering studio engineer: Alan Douches @ West West Side Music

Cover Art: Valnoir

IMPIETY set release date for long-awaited new EVIL DEAD / HELLS HEADBANGERS album

Today, Evil Dead Production, in conspiracy with Hells Headbangers handling exclusive distribution, sets May 29th as the international release date for Impiety‘s long-awaited ninth album, Versus All Gods, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

By now, Impiety should need no introduction. Since 1990, led by the iron fist of founding vocalist/guitarist Shyaithan, IImpiety have stood for uncompromising black/death warfare. And while the band’s roots in Singapore have grown to encompass a number of lineups across international waters, the band’s fierce ‘n’ fiery sound has always stood firm: total and utter savagery, delivered with the swiftest execution!

Impiety have not been idle since the release of their last full-length, 2012’s aptly titled Ravage & Conquer: a hefty handful of splits, live albums, compilations, and 2013’s well-received The Impious Crusade EP courtesy of Hells Headbangers, as well as countless shows across the world. Impiety‘s crusade continues unabated with another aptly titled album: Versus All Gods, which says everything it needs to! Immediately and unmistakably Impiety, Versus All Gods blasts forth with unrelenting barbarity and insanity, but here finds Shyaithan and crew at their tightest yet, with some truly demented soloing courtesy of new guitarist Djinn. It’s a statement of intent spoken in chainsawed tongues, punctuated with the force of a heat-seeking missile; it’s the sound of defying and destroying the concept of “age,” of sticking to one’s guns and unloading that arsenal upon all doubters.

Neither strictly black metal nor death metal, Impiety once again deliver a thermonuclear warhead of sound that’s theirs and theirs alone: no quarter given, and no trends recognized! This is the official worldwide release of Versus All Gods – this is Impiety fucking VERSUS ALL GODS!

The first thermonuclear warhead can be found with the brand-new track “Reigning Armageddon” here:
Cover art, courtesy of Jenglot Hitam, and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Impiety’s Versus All Gods 1. Intro – Kommand IX
2. Reigning Armageddon
3. Djinn of All Djinns
4. Barbarian Black Horde
5. Inviktus Satanikus
6. Azazel
7. Terror Occult Dominion
8. Dajjal United
9. Interstellar Deathfuck
10. Magickal Wrath
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/impietyofficial
www.edp-store.com
www.hellsheadbangers.com
www.facebook.com/hellsheadbangers 

ABBATH drummer Ukri Suvilehto releases drum cam video for “Bridge of Spasms”

ABBATH drummer Ukri Sulivehto has released a drum cam video for the song “Bridge of Spasms”. The video was recorded in February this year in Club Progresja in Warsaw (PL), during the European tour with label mates 1349 and VLTIMAS.
Ukri comments: ” “Bridge of Spasms” is an highly energetic track and one of my favorite songs to play live. It’s also the first song that we started working on together for our latest album ‘Outstrider’, during my debut rehearsals with ABBATH early 2018. During our recent Outstrider 2020 European tour, “Drummers From Hell” Youtube drum channel filmed our show in Warsaw. We picked “Bridge of Spasms” to make the video of, because it represents our newer sound and the unifying sonic power that the ABBATH band can perpetrate on stage”.

‘Outstrider’ was released via Season of Mist on July 5, 2019. The album is still available HERE.
The coverartwork of ‘Outstrider’, which was created by Kim Holm and Olav Iversen, can be found below, together with the track list.
Track listing:
1. Calm in Ire (Of Hurricane) (04:32)
2. Bridge of Spasms (03:49)
3. The Artifex (04:09)
4. Harvest Pyre (04:12)
5. Land of Khem (04:08)
6. Outstrider (05:39)
7. Scythewinder (04:17)
8. Hecate (04:25)
9. Pace till Death (BATHORY cover) (03:41)
Total: 38:52
Line-up 
Abbath – Vocals & guitars
Ole Andre Farstad -Guitars
Ukri Suviletho – Drums
Rusty Cornell – Bass

Shop: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/AbbathOutstrider

Links:
www.facebook.com/abbathband
www.abbath.net
www.instagram.com/abbath_official

Interview with Hulder – Belgian/American One Woman Black Metal.

In case you’ve been asleep at the wheel the last 2 years Hulder has been on a mission to take the metal underground by storm, over the span of a mix of DIY releases and a full length on Iron Bonehead Productions she’s succeeding. We caught up with her this week to find out what she is all about – read on!

  • So are you from Belgium and moved to the USA right? What’s the story here?
    I was born in Duffel, and spent the majority of my formative years in Mechelen, Belgium. I moved to the USA a little over ten years ago. After spending time all over California I relocated to Oregon and have been enjoying the many splendors of its mountain ranges and vast forests.
  • If from Belgium now living here what bought you here? the music scene? family?
    The move was purely circumstantial. Not a decision I would have made at that time, but seeing as I was quite young, I did not have a say in the matter. That being said, I am quite pleased with where I have nested for the time being.

  • What has been the biggest cultural difference living in the USA vs Europe?
    Besides many political differences I do not care to discuss.. I would have to say the unnecessary abundance of everything. I’m fairly certain the bigger and better mentality is not something I will ever get used to. There is also a lack of ritual through home cooking, and time spent at a table as opposed to in front of electronics. These examples may have struck me as stark differences due to the fact I grew up in rural farm surroundings.

The fact that it is dreary most of the year

  • What are your favorite things about living in Oregon?
    It’s dense woods and grey coast. The fact that it is dreary most of the year, and there are plenty of shady hideaways along glacier runoff on the off-day when it gets too warm. The city is currently very accessible if the urge strikes, but I plan to make my return to more rural settings when the time is right.

My passion only grows.

  • How did you get into Black metal? What was your “gateway” band so to speak?
    I was introduced to bands like Satyricon, Summoning, Darkthrone, Burzum, Moonsorrow, and Dissection in my early teenage years. Someone quite a few years my senior left me with some cassettes and an old CD binder, enough study material for a few years at least. It was my first passion, and I knew fairly shortly thereafter it would stick with me forever. I eventually worked my way backwards to a lot of first wave bands and other extreme metal. My passion only grows.

  • Were you playing any instruments before you got into Black metal?
    I have been playing guitar since I was 10. I played in multiple punk bands in my youth, and always had solo projects simultaneously, though never made public.
  • How did your deal with iron Bonehead come about? Are you happy with the promotion they have done so far?
    IBP reached out to me shortly after the first run of the “Embraced..” EP was out. So far I am very pleased with our collaboration, and look forward to what the future holds.

I am only concerned with furthering the consciousness of the self.

  • If I am not mistaken Hulder is the name of mother of Odin – are you an Odinist at all? If not what faith do you practice/follow?
    I am not aware of any mythology referring to Hulder as the mother of Odin nor do I practice a faith of any kind. I am only concerned with furthering the consciousness of the self.
  • Have you played live before and if so how was it for you?
    HULDER has made one live appearance. It was a satisfactory experience, but only a small glimpse into what is to come for those who got to witness it.

  • Are there any plans to play live?
    I absolutely plan on live performances. Things are quite uncertain at this point due to the plague of our time, but hopefully circumstance will allow for a tour within the next year or so.
  • What can we expect from Hulder in 2020 and beyond?
    A full length, some unspoken announcements to accompany said release, and of course more Dark Medieval Black Metal at full force.
  • Any final words?
    Your questions and interest are much appreciated. Gezondheid to you and anyone reading this.

More Info:

Hulder Bandcamp

Hulder Merch

Hulder Instagram

Heilung release new music video

HEILUNG are now releasing a brand new video for the track ‘Norupo’, taken from the band’s latest album ‘Futha’. The video was shot at the ‘Les Menhirs de Monteneuf’ site in France. The stunning video can be viewed here:
The band comments: “Norupo is composed around the ancient runic poem with the name ”The Norwegian Rune Poem”. The poem was preserved in a 17th-century copy of a now lost 13th-century manuscript and gives a complete description of all sixteen runes of the younger Futhark.”
‘Norupo’ is taken from HEILUNG‘s latest album ‘Futha’, which was released on June 28, 2019. The cover artwork and album details of ‘Futha’ can be viewed below. 

On the meaning of the album title, HEILUNG comment: “The majority of full rune set inscriptions start with ‘Futha’, and is known to us as the first four letters in all runic alphabets. It is considered that our forefathers saw magic potential in engraving the full rune line, but there is also great significance in the beginnings. Science has no key for the meaning of only engraving the first couple of letters yet, but there is, of course, a surplus of theories. One of the theories we found inspiration in, is that ‘Futha’ holds the meaning of fertility and female gender. As ‘Ofnir’ focused on war and masculine notions, the great healing power of female wild strength is evoked in Futha. Those who have been present at a birth or have seen lionesses hunting know the spirit, and we welcome and embrace it in the sounds that were born during the creation of ‘Futha’.“
Track-list
Galgaldr (10:22)
Norupo (4:18)
Othan  (10:19)
Traust (9:49)
Vapnatak (4:03)
Svanrand (3:36)
Elivagar (8:45)
Elddansurin (8:05)
Hamrer Hippyer (14:17)
Total playing time: 1:13:34
“Ofnir” was a very masculine album. To create it, HEILUNG took a big part of the lyrics from preserved rune inscriptions on weapons and armour. “Futha” is the counterpart, the balance point, the feminine side. Here, the lyrics originate from old Icelandic poetry, in which the holy women chant magic spells and offer their blessings. Hence, female voices are more prominent on “Futha”.

HEILUNG means “healing” in the German language and this also describes the core of the band’s sound. The listener is supposed to be left at ease and in a relaxed state after a magical musical journey that is at times turbulent.

HEILUNG reach far back in time to the Northern European iron age and Viking period to create their sound experience. The band utilises many means in their songs: from running water via human bones, reconstructed swords and shields up to ancient frame drums as well as bronze rings.

When HEILUNG self-released ‘Ofnir’ in 2015, the Danish band could hardly have anticipated the breakthrough success of their debut album. Spectacular live shows, strong critical acclaim, and a massive underground buzz added to the constantly high demand for this full-length are the reason why their new label Season of Mist did not hesitate to re-issue ‘Ofnir’ in several collector’s edition formats. HEILUNG‘s live album, ‘LIFA’ (2017) was released in parallel.

The word “Futha” is taken from an artefact, that is still controversially discussed. Big names in runology like Düwel and Heizmann can agree neither on the deciphering nor the meaning of the description.…The word is engraved in a gold bracteate from Skåne (SE), which was produced around 500-530 AD. It was discovered in 1831 and these medals or coins were divided into different categories by the Swedish archaeologist Oscar Montelius. The bracteate in question is a so-called C-bracteate named Schonen II-C (Schonen is the German Name of Skåne) with a horse and a face. The rune inscription is between the hind-legs of the horse. Interesting to mention here is the fact that the majority of full rune set inscriptions start with “futh“, which also is the first three letters in all runic alphabets. It is considered that our forefathers saw magic potential in engraving the full rune line, but there is also great significance in the beginnings. Science has no key for the meaning of only engraving the first couple of letters yet, but there is a surplus of theories. This brings us to a runic staff found in Bergen, which was given the rather unpoetic archaeological classification B011. It carries the inscription: “felleg er fuþ sin bylli Fuþorglbasm”, which means: “Lovely is the cunt, may the cock fill it up”. Also interesting is that the Högstena amulet, which we use in the song “Galgaldr”, has an alternative deciphering of the word “futh“, which in this context means “cunt”. All this leaves us with two hints: magic potential and the female genitalia. The great healing power of the female wild strength is evoked in “Futha”. Those who have been present at a birth or seen a lioness hunting, know the spirit. The spirit of the “wilde Weiber” (German), the wild wise women. “Futha” endeavours to connect to a time before the female was degraded to a birth-machine and carrier of eternal inherited guilt. 

“Futha” was three years in the making and was finished for production and print at midwinter, the very darkest day of the solar year, the 21st in the 12th month at 21:00.

Any attempt to link the band with or bring their music into a modern political or religious context is pointless, since HEILUNG try to connect their listeners with a time before the coming of Christianity and modern political ideologies. 

Line-up
Kai Uwe Faust 
Christopher Juul
Maria Franz

www.facebook.com/amplifiedhistory

BLACK ALTAR and KIRKEBRANN to release split album via ODIUM, reveal first video and preorder

Today, Odium Records announces June 30th as the international release date for Deus Inversus, a special split album between Black Altar and Kirkebrann. The album will be released on digipack CD and vinyl LP formats.

Featuring two veterans of the black metal underground, Deus Inversus will include seven total compositions, all new and exclusive to this release. For Black Altar‘s half, such esteemed musicians as Lars Broddesson (Funeral Mist, ex-Marduk), Mauser (ex-Vader), and Alexandros (Macabre Omen) took part in the recording session – led, of course, by Black Altar founder Shadow.
Kirkebrann
Kirkebrann
Mauser was also responsible for Black Altar‘s production, while Kirkebrann‘s production was handled by Morfeus (ex-Limbonic Art). See & hear a prelude to Black Altar‘s track “Deus Inversus,” with drums by Lars Broddesson here:
Preorder info for the digipack CD and two vinyl versions (black limited to 250 copies / diehard marble, with patch & sticker, limited to 50 copies) can be found HERE.
Cover art, by Nestor Avalos, and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Black Altar & Kirkebrann’s Deus Inversus –
Black Altar- 1. Deus Inversus
2. Ancient Warlust
3. Outro

  -Kirkebrann-
4. BegrensaBevissthet
5. Faux Pas
6. Et Nederlag
7. UfødteKlarhet

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/blackaltar
www.facebook.com/kirkebrann
www.odiumrex.com
www.facebook.com/odiumrex

EXPUNGED reveal new video – includes members of ICE WAR+++

Today, Canadian death metal juggernaut Expunged reveal the brand-new video “Dark Age Crusade.” The track hails from the band’s highly anticipated debut mini-album, Expunged, set for international release on April 24th via Hells Headbangers.
See & hear Expunged‘s “Dark Age Crusade” video in its entirety here:
Expunged is the brainchild of death metal master W.D., who’s previously handled the axe in Dead Soul Alliance and Evolution Fail stretching as far back as the mid ’90s. W.D. is the songwriter and K.F. drums (from old-school death metallers Töteblut), while J.S. (AKA Jo “Steel” Capitalicide from Ice War) is on vocal and lyrical duties as well as handling the bass, with the latter showing how versatile his singing abilities can somehow be. Formed in the spring of 2019, this Canadian power-trio is ready to take on the world with their own brand of downtuned HM-2-style death metal.

Exquisitely filthy, utterly crushing, and immediately memorable, Expunged‘s opening strike is death metal classicism of a rich yet never regressionist vintage. Mastering was handled by death/grindcore guru Topin Das (of Fuck The Facts fame) at his seminal Apartment Two Studio. Swift and satisfying, Expunged is a five-song/23-minute plunge into the depths of darkness and doom – expect to hear the name of Expunged resonate in the underground soon enough!

Hear the previously revealed “Disposed in Chaos and War” HERE at Hells Headbangers‘ Bandcamp, where the record can also be preordered.
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Expunged’s Expunged
1. Disposed in Chaos and War
2. Melting Flesh
3. Putrefying Mind
4. Dark Age Crusade
5. Your Demise
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/expungedinfilth
www.expunged.bandcamp.com
www.hellsheadbangers.com
www.facebook.com/hellsheadbangers 

AKOLYTH set release date for AMOR FATI debut

Today, Amor Fati Productions sets May 29th as the international release date for Akolyth‘s striking debut album, Akolyth, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

Fierce, sombre, ritualistic: Akolyth‘s self-titled debut full-length is nothing less than a taped pledge to the entity which dwells beyond. Drawing inspiration from the aggressiveness and coldness of early ’90s black metal, Akolyth combines pounding drumming with harsh guitars and a hopeless-yet-ritualistic atmosphere. The twisted, invoking vocals chant of forbidden rites, devotion, and self-sacrifice to open pathways to the Beyond and truly become one with the Nightside.

Recorded, mixed, and mastered at Opus Magnum Studios in Brussels, Akolyth‘s production is forceful and vibrant, but still raw and untamed – a call into a hidden realm between the realities.

Open your pathway with the opening track “A Work Of Ages”
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Akolyth’s Akolyth
1. A Work Of Ages [9:01] 2. The Night, The Fog [9:09]
3. What Dwells Between Fractured Worlds [9:19]
4. To Become His Doorway [9:18]
www.amor-fati-productions.de 
www.amorfatiproductions.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/amorfatiprod

BLAZE OF SORROW reveal new video from forthcoming EISENWALD album

Today, Italian black metal vanguard Blaze of Sorrow reveal the new video “Sonno d’eterno.” The track hails from the band’s highly anticipated sixth album, Absentia, set for North American release on April 24th via Eisenwald. See & hear Blaze of Sorrow‘s new video for “Sonno d’eterno” here:
Since 2007, Blaze of Sorrow have been a veritable institution of Italian black metal, a scene and style too long overlooked. Blaze of Sorrow both embody and defy the Italian idiom: medieval in its melancholy, nearly “romantic” in the literary sense of the word, but always revealing (and expanding upon) new shapes that keep their aesthetic surprising and ever singular. And that canon keeps growing through the years, with each new release a poignant piece in Blaze of Sorrow‘s breathtaking mosaic.

Although initially begun as a solo endeavor of multi-instrumentalist Peter, with a number of drummers coming and going over the years, it could be argued that Blaze of Sorrow hit their first peak of creativity with 2012’s Echi. This third album revealed a more autumnal sound – the sonic approximation of flickering fires and the wind wisping through fallen leaves, the chill that creeps into the air prior to wintertime hibernation – harkening to overseas progenitors Agalloch, but adding to that hallowed headspace rather than merely aping it. With that album, drummer N. became a constant and the Blaze of Sorrow lineup was mostly solid for the next number of years, culminating in 2017’s masterful Astri for Eisenwald.

Now, with new guitarist A.S. and bassist V. joining the fold, Blaze of Sorrow are set to release their most fully realized work to date: Absentia. Comprising seven songs in a taut ‘n’ tight 44 minutes, Absentia bursts into being with a brilliance that’s blanching to behold. Undeniably emotional as ever, it’s immediately apparent, however, that Blaze of Sorrow are operating on a different wavelength on Absentia. Their windswept, cascading black metal is undoubtedly melancholic at heart – their moniker was well chosen, after all – but the range of textures and sensations across this sixth album encompass a far broader spectrum than most usually associated with “black metal.” Laced within the deepest heart of Absentia is an aching nostalgia, a bittersweet wistfulness, and even rays of hope: doomed they may be, but delivered with an indeed-blazing passion that puts Blaze of Sorrow into a rarefied field. Which is to say nothing of the utterly cathartic lead work here, buttressed by frequent detours into plaintive acoustic territory; shredded and shredding, these leads are immediately memorable and long-lasting, well after the final notes of Absentia have rung out across the soul…

Put more directly, Blaze of Sorrow aptly describe their inspirations as thus: “Day, Night, Darkness, Light. With music, we try to reach the highest peak of our feelings playing what we we’re supposed to play. Our notes are captured from sadness, nature’s beauty, water, fire, earth and wind. Let the shades embrace you thoughts, let the abyss caress your soul. We’re what we are: a fire’s breath in the infinity of the Sun.” Behold the full glory of Blaze of Sorrow and submerge thyself into total Absentia!

Begin submerging thyself with the previously revealed “Notturna” HERE at Eisenwald‘s official YouTube channel.
Ordering info can be found at Eisenwald‘s North American webstore HERE.
Cover artwork, courtesy of Erbograph, and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Blaze of Sorrow’s Absentia
1. Settimo requiem
2. Furia
3. Sonno d’eterno
4. Notturna
5. Hybris
6. Cupio dissolvi
7. Morte di un immortale
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/blazeofsorrow
www.eisenton.de
www.facebook.com/eisenwaldofficial www.youtube.com/eisenwaldofficial www.twitter.com/EisenwaldHammer www.soundcloud.com/eisenwald
www.instagram.com/eisenwald.official
www.open.spotify.com/user/eisenwald_official

Midwest death metal royalty Kurnugia premiere new track

Today, Midwest death metal royalty Kurnugia premiere the new track “Pervert the Pious”. The track hails from the band’s highly anticipated debut album, Forlorn and Forsaken, set for international release on April 27th via Memento Mori. Hear Kurnugia‘s “Pervert the Pious” in its entirety here:
Hailing from the rustbelt metal hotbed of Cleveland, Ohio, Kurnugia was founded by ex-members of Decrepit, Nunslaughter, Embalmer, December Wolves, and Delusion. Not surprisingly, this assembly of seasoned underground veterans is heavily influenced by the classic death metal of the early ’90s, and that’s exactly what Kurnugia aim for: to go back right to the roots of the genre and pay homage to the deeds of old, unaware of gimmicks, trends, and mindless experimentation – no more, and definitely no less!

Kurnugia delivered their debut EP, Tribulations of the Abyss, in 2013 and then followed it with another EP, Condemned to Obscurity, in 2016. All too teasing have been these short-length assaults, but at last arrives Kurnugia‘s debut album. Aptly titled, Forlorn and Forsaken is ancient aural debauchery, delivered with evil intent, rotting and heinous. Fittingly, this full-length encapsulates everything Kurnugia have stood for to date – crushing riffery, divebombing solos, tight tank-treads of rhythm, all delivered with swift simplicity of design – but upratcheting the production to a clear ‘n’ cutting devastation. Well-produced but not too “well-produced,” Forlorn and Forsaken still seeps with a primordial heaviness rooted in classic death metal songcraft, nodding to (but not ripping off) the seminal works of Immolation, Grave, Incantation, Autopsy, Entombed, Cianide, Morbid Angel, Dismember, Death, Unleashed, Deicide, and Benediction. And of course, this classicism is reflected in Mark Cooper’s attention-grabbing cover art.

You can’t teach old dogs new tricks, the cliche goes, but you CAN let those dogs do what they do best: proudly stick to the early ’90s traditions of death metal. That’s been Memento Mori‘s MO since day one, and they hereby welcome you into Kurnugia‘s netherworld with Forlorn and Forsaken!

The steps into that netherworld can be taken with the previously revealed “Eroded Faith” exclusively HERE, courtesy of IndyMetalVault.com, and the previously revealed “To the Cursed Depths” HERE at Memento Mori‘s official YouTube channel.

Aforementioned cover art and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Kurnugia (U.S.)’s Forlorn and Forsaken 1. Intro
2. To the Cursed Depths
3. Crown of Suffer
4. Shroud of Damnation
5. Pervert the Pious
6. Eroded Faith
7. Thy Sanguine Altar
8. All Consuming Grief
9. Decaying Serenades
10. When the Moment of Death Arrives
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/Kurnugia
www.reverbnation.com/kurnugia
www.memento-mori.es
www.facebook.com/memento.mori.label