FRONT BEAST to release new mini-album on HELLDPROD, reveal first track

Today, Helldprod Records sets November 15th as the international release date for a special mini-album from underground legends Front Beast titled Shadows on cassette tape format.

Since the late ’90s, this German entity has been lurking in the darkest corners of the black metal underground and accrued a cult status to kill for. Helmed by mainman Avenger – whose resume includes a dozen other bands/projects, most notably Nocturnal but also including the likes of Szarlem, Angel of Damnation, Black Priest of Satan, The Fog, and Exorcism among many others – Front Beast have stayed committed to a pure ‘n’ proud vision, honoring the ancient ways with a supremely prolific stream of demos and split releases.

Ever restless, it’s surprisingly been a quiet couple of years for Front Beast since their last fuller-length recording, the album Third Scourge From Darkness. A split 7″ with Mournful Winter came in 2018 courtesy of Avenger’s long-running Deathstrike label, but otherwise, the faithful have had to wait for a longer Front Beast recording. At last, it arrives with the simply titled Shadows, and no finer a distillation of the man’s aesthetic you will find. Recorded nice ‘n’ raw like a classic rehearsal but no less rich ‘n’ robust, Shadows perfectly encapsulates the Front Beast experience in a tidy 21 minutes: damp dungeon atmosphere, crude-yet-commanding execution, thirsty ‘n’ miserable vocals, an aura of hideousness and unhealth, and an unselfconscious obeisance of time-honored heavy metal values. More so, there’s definitely an old-school sinister thrash aura in Front Beast‘s musical approach that surpasses today’s black metal aesthetics due to the influences of such bands as Celtic Frost, Iron Angel, and Destruction – along with, naturally, early Bathory. So, Shadows is a true metal attack from the past!

Some 20 years later, Front Beast is still proudly producing trend-free black metal of an ancient, mystical hue. Feel the flames of Hell – again, or for the very first time – and beware of Shadows! Beware of the brand-new track “Morbid Visions,” which can be heard here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Front Beast’s Shadows
1. Satan
2. TakenToThe Abyss
3. Circle Of Dancing Shadows
4. Morbid Visions
5. Wolfs Howl
6. A Life Beyond
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/frontbeastofficial

ÖRNATORPET reveal first track from new NORDVIS album

Today, dungeon synth sorcerer Örnatorpet reveals the new track “Nykr.” The track is the first to be revealed from the artist’s highly anticipated fifth album, Vid Himinsenda,  set for international release on November 1st via Nordvis Produktion.Hear Örnatorpet‘s “Nykr” across all major digital platforms here:
Thus far, it is rare for Nordvis to work with a dungeon synth artist. As the genre has experienced remarkable growth the last five-plus years, so, too, has its overall quality been inversely affected. Among that glut, however, Sweden’s Örnatorpet stands tall: cold and alone, gleaming and glimmering myriad shades of mystery all emanating from the richest obsidian. So smitten with the artist’s work that Nordvis welcomed Örnatorpet into its family with last year’s Bergtagen, followed by Hymner Från Snökulla earlier this year.
  Paradoxically, for music so glacial, Örnatorpet works at a feverish pace, and now arrives the artist’s second album this year, Vid Himinsenda. As ever, the magick ‘n’ mysticism of the mid ’90s is invoked once again, recalling the long-lost sounds of such originators as Mortiis, Fata Morgana, and Trolltjern. Despite working exclusively with synths, there is nature worship aplenty across the recording – one need only view the cover art for cues – thus making Örnatorpet a perfect spiritual fit for the Nordvis collective. However, the spare ‘n’ plaintive textures, motifs, and general atmosphere Örnatorpet employ here suggest something far, far more ancient; like the best dungeon synth, one could confidently qualify Vid Himinsenda as “medieval.”
  However you can classify the album, there’s no denying that Örnatorpet‘s Vid Himinsenda works a majestic, mesmerizing spell. Truly, this is a portal to a forgotten realm, an arcane age whisked into the present if only to be witnessed within the mind’s eye. Don’t blink and miss it…

Preorder info can be found HERE. 
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Örnatorpet’s Vid Himinsenda
1. Vættr
2. Friggjarstjarna
3. Útgarðr
4. Myrkriður
5. Nykr
6. Hræsvelgr
7. Níðhöggr
www.facebook.com/ornatorpet
www.ornatorpet.bandcamp.com

ÚLFARR set release date for new PURITY THROUGH FIRE album, reveal first track

Today, Purity Through Fire sets October 31st as the international release date for Úlfarr‘s highly anticipated debut album, Hate & Terror – The Rise Of Pure Evil, on regular jewelcase CD and A5 digipack limited to 100 copies.

Since 2011, Úlfarr have stood for uncompromising, antisocial UK black metal – or, under their own banner of Cumbrian Black Metal. Helmed by Dominus, AKA Hrafn, who counts the equally prolific Thy Dying Light amongst his activities, Úlfarr released a couple demos its first few years and then a split album with comrades Hrafnblóð. Another demo followed in 2014, followed by, uniquely, two live albums.

Time has festered for five years as well as Hrafn’s hate, and at last comes Hate & Terror – The Rise Of Pure Evil, Úlfarr‘s debut album. Although released earlier by the cult Worship Tapes in an extremely limited edition, the fire burning through Úlfarr‘s first full-length statement has lost none of its potency. In fact, those flames are even more devouring: unapologetically traditional black metal in the vein of classic Craft, Darkthrone, Mayhem, One Head One Tail, and Death Cult. As ever, Úlfarr are inspired by the desolate landscapes of their homeland, the unrelenting dismal climate, and a shared disdain towards humanity in the overpopulated wastelands of modern Britain. You don’t so much as listen to this album as FEEL it – and it hates you, too.

DIY as always, Hate & Terror – The Rise Of Pure Evil was recorded entirely by Dominus, with drums programmed by Skoth and mixing & mastering by Azrael. No hope, and NO CONTACT! Úlfarr plays CUMBRIAN BLACK METAL exclusively!

Begin feeling that hate & terror with the new track “Hate & Terror – The Rise of Pure Evil – Part I” here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Úlfarr’s Hate & Terror – The Rise of Pure Evil
1. Part I
2. Part II
3. Part III
4. Part IV
5. Part V
6. Part VI
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/ulfarr666
www.purity-through-fire.com

HORROCIUS reveal first track from OSMOSE debut

Today, Turkish black metal cult Horrocious reveal the new track “Perceived Integrity of Lord.” The track hails from the band’s highly anticipated debut album, Depleted Light and the Death of Uniqueness, set for international release on October 25th via Osmose Productions.

Inexorable hatred occurred with the coming together of Godslaying Hellblast, Sarinvomit, and Persecutory members in early 2015. Horrocious started as a two-man black metal band to spread the infernal sounds that symbolize the destruction of the universe under the infinite chaos and eternal dominance of diabolic nothingness, and in this way, they recorded a four-track debut EP, Obscure Dominance Of Nothingness, which was released as limited-edition cassette in 2015 and CD edition in 2016. Later, three new members (C.G. on guitars, E.K. on bass, Alexey on drums) were added to the lineup to record an eight-track debut full-length in the first quarter of 2018.

On this debut full-length, Depleted Light and the Death of Uniqueness, Horrocious points the egoism and ambition of the divinity and his spatial prison in the thearchia light of his orders when he wanted to be respected, and prepares the ground for an endless struggle. True power of the Lucipherian energy above the spiritual light and embraces infinite sinfulness by rebelling against the incomprehensible secret uniqueness trapped in sanctity. Would it be forgotten that the war of freedom given by the falling angels and the wrath of sealed old evil spirits? From the creation to the scarcity of information, the salvation of humiliated existence will be realized by the destruction of all the things mentioned as goodness, so the control of the worlds was only an embarrassing force, and the irresistible principles and authorities destroyed endless dissatisfaction and the system was designed in stages and the system of interdependence was inevitable. Because this was rebellious son Lucifer’s eternal war against the integrity of all worlds…

In the meantime, hear the new track “Perceived Integrity of Lord” here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Horrocious’ Depleted Light and the Death of Uniqueness
1. Light Belongs to Our Heresy
2. Upon the Fallen Worlds
3. Corruption of Existential Structure
4. Inevitable Vortex.. Swallowed Divinity
5. Perceived Integrity of Lord
6. Hidden in Infinite Chaos
7. Everlasting Fractal Luminiscence
8. Reborn from Energy.. Sublime Demons
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/horrocious666
www.osmoseproductions.com
www.facebook.com/Osmose-Productions-192865300755575

ENSNARED reveal first track from new INVICTUS / DARK DESCENT album due next year

Today, Swedish death metal elite Ensnared reveal the new track “Disciples of the Whip.” The track is the first to be revealed from the band’s highly anticipated second album, Inimicus Generis Humani, which is set for international release on February 14th, 2020 via Invictus Productions in conspiracy with Dark Descent Records.
  Following on stylistically from 2017’s critically acclaimed Dysangelium debut, Inimicus Generis Humani is a dark, dense, uncomfortable, and intense listen over its 40-minute duration. It’s undeniably Ensnared, but undeniably more.

Cover and tracklisting for Ensnared‘s Inimicus Generis Humani to be revealed shortly. In meantime, hear the brand-new track “Disciples of the Whip” here:
For more info, consult the links below
www.facebook.com/nsnrdgbg
www.invictusproductions.net
www.facebook.com/invictusproductions

HEGEMONY reveal first track from HELLS HEADBANGERS debut – also cover and tracklisting

Today, uprising American black/death cult Hegemony reveal the new track “Rise in Turmoil.” The track hails from the band’s forthcoming debut album, Enthroned by Persecution, which will be released by Hells Headbangers during the first quarter of 2020 on CD and vinyl LP formats. Hear Hegemony‘s brand-new “Rise in Turmoil” in its entirety HERE at Hells Headbangers‘ official YouTube channel.

Hailing from Alabama, the four members of Hegemony – drummer Ruination Wielder, bassist Primordial Dominator, guitarist Barbaric Progenitor, and vocalist Fanatical Deathtitan – formed in 2015 and released their first demo a year later. Although a then-brand-new entity, the members of Hegemony possess a wealth of experience in other southern US bands, and that experience for sure showed on Demo MMXVI: a foul explosion of filth, bestial metal savagery executed with exacting cruelty. Not surprising that its three component songs are titled “No Throne Left to Topple,” “Driven by Hedonistic Vice,” and “Fist of Heretical Triumph.”

With those latter two songs reprised for their debut album, Enthroned by Persecution, Hegemony nevertheless strike upon newer, uglier territory here. Still unrepentantly and punishingly physical, here Hegemony move away from the more familiar bestial metal tropes as proffered by such bands as Bestial Raids and earlier Demonomancy and instead drive deeply into the idiom’s most viscous underbelly, bringing to the fore their latent death metal muscle and dragging everything down into caverns most doomed, dire, and disgusting. Arguably more world-eating than before, Hegemony’s ripped ‘n’ roiling attack is now more reminiscent of such overlooked bestial touchstones as Finland’s Belial and Mythos, Incantation’s earliest work, and especially ’90s Demoncy. As such, alongside labelmates Abysmal Lord‘s recent Exaltation of the Infernal Cabal, with Enthroned by Persecution are Hegemony standing at the forefront of the American South’s rising bestial metal vanguard.

South of Heaven, below Hell, become Enthroned by Persecution with Hegemony! Release date and preorder info to be announce shortly. In the meantime, hear the new brand-new track “Rise in Turmoil” here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Hegemony (USA)’s Enthroned by Persecution
1. Exalted March to Decimation
2. Rise in Turmoil
3. Halter of Bloodlines
4. Driven By Hedonistic Vice
5. Strength and Impurity
6. Fist of Heretical Triumph
7. Desecration Paradigm
8. Ruination Sacrifice
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/hegemonicdeath
www.hellsheadbangers.com
www.facebook.com/hellsheadbangers 

GRYLLE to release expanded vinyl edition of ANTIQ debut album

On November 20th, Antiq is proud to present Grylle‘s striking debut album, Les Grandes Compagnies, on vinyl LP format.

With their first demo, 2014’s Monstres et Merveilles, Grylle brought to life a new metal genre: simply, let’s call this medieval black metal. Not that the genre did not exist thematically or musically from a technical point of view; surely, plenty recordings past and present could be qualified as “medieval black metal,” but within quotation marks. But so far, by contrast, Grylle is the first and only to play black metal without the use of a single distorted guitar – only medieval instruments, truly making their Medieval Black Metal appellation authentic in every sense of the word.

Unfortunately, that first Grylle demo suffered from quiet sound and a messy production and mix, and while imposing the style, it lacked some rhythmics and variations. Although another demo came a year later, Les Nuits Sur Les Monts in 2015, all that is now in the past with the band’s modern-classic full-length, Les Grandes Compagnies, grandly receiving a new double-LP vinyl version courtesy of the Antiq stronghold.
Led by frontman Hyvermor, here with Les Grandes Compagnies do Grylle present a new kind of epic & raw medieval music mixed with black metal and rock. No more happy instruments, no more Renaissance Faires; only sadness and bitter anger remain, boiled with a passion and vision beyond compare. In a manner most idiosyncratic and devilishly anachronistic, the album’s lyrics are historically based in the present times but turned in a medieval way, mixing personal memories, experiences, and deeds. The imagery is not left aside, with a great gatefold made to remind one of the beginning of mass printing, and now including two vinyl-exclusive (and surprising!) bonus tracks. To say there is a totality here on this 75-minute monument is an understatement to end all understatements.

Hark, for Grylle‘s expanded-vinyl Les Grandes Compagnies is the first and FINAL word on medieval black metal!

Antiq is a label dedicated to the fully coherent concept of making music through sound, image, video, and attitude. They have been putting their entire existence into it since 2009. Over the years, Antiq have been identified as producers of not only perfectly coherent lyrics and themes through music, but also conceptual art and, of course, the manufacturing of beautiful objects. The label tries as much as it can to work with French creators, and if possible, with the smallest and most serious structures.
  In the meantime, stream the entirety of the original CD version Les Grandes Compagnies, released earlier this spring here:
Cover and tracklisting for the new vinyl version are as follows: 
Tracklisting for Grylle’s Les Grandes Compagnies
A1. En la Forest dennuyeuse tristesse
A2. Les Dernières Fées de France
A3. France qui te veult mal
B1. Gothique Anjevin
B2. Hommaje a la Pomme de Pin
B3. Loz en Croissant
C1. Que chacun sonje a se pourvoir!
C2. Les Guerres Picrocholines
C3. Quand je bois du vin clairet
D1. Le Pacte des Villes
D2. Wir Zogen in das Feld
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/grylleofficiel
www.antiqrecords.com
www.facebook.com/antiq.label 
www.antiqofficial.bandcamp.com 

ÖRNATORPET sets release date for new NORDVIS album

Today, Nordvis Produktion announces November 1st as the international release date for Örnatorpet‘s highly anticipated fifth album, Vid Himinsenda, on digipack CD and vinyl LP formats.
  Thus far, it is rare for Nordvis to work with a dungeon synth artist. As the genre has experienced remarkable growth the last five-plus years, so, too, has its overall quality been inversely affected. Among that glut, however, Sweden’s Örnatorpet stands tall: cold and alone, gleaming and glimmering myriad shades of mystery all emanating from the richest obsidian. So smitten with the artist’s work that Nordvis welcomed Örnatorpet into its family with last year’s Bergtagen, followed by Hymner Från Snökulla earlier this year.
  Paradoxically, for music so glacial, Örnatorpet works at a feverish pace, and now arrives the artist’s second album this year, Vid Himinsenda. As ever, the magick ‘n’ mysticism of the mid ’90s is invoked once again, recalling the long-lost sounds of such originators as Mortiis, Fata Morgana, and Trolltjern. Despite working exclusively with synths, there is nature worship aplenty across the recording – one need only view the cover art for cues – thus making Örnatorpet a perfect spiritual fit for the Nordvis collective. However, the spare ‘n’ plaintive textures, motifs, and general atmosphere Örnatorpet employ here suggest something far, far more ancient; like the best dungeon synth, one could confidently qualify Vid Himinsenda as “medieval.”
  However you can classify the album, there’s no denying that Örnatorpet‘s Vid Himinsenda works a majestic, mesmerizing spell. Truly, this is a portal to a forgotten realm, an arcane age whisked into the present if only to be witnessed within the mind’s eye. Don’t blink and miss it…
First track premiere to be revealed shortly.

Preorder info can be found HERE. 

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Örnatorpet’s Vid Himinsenda
1. Vættr
2. Friggjarstjarna
3. Útgarðr
4. Myrkriður
5. Nykr
6. Hræsvelgr
7. Níðhöggr 
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/ornatorpet
www.ornatorpet.bandcamp.com

NATTVERD sign with OSMOSE, set release date for new album

Norwegian black metallers Nattverd have inked a deal with Osmose Productions for the release of the band’s second album. Titled Styggdom, it is the follow-up to 2017’s debut album Vi Vet gud Er En Løgner and is set to hit the streets on the January, 31st 2020. Work on the album has been completed, and more details will follow. When Nattverd first announced their existence two years ago, they were absolutely adamant that they should be judged purely on their music, and not on any former, current, or future bands or releases the members may be involved with. And this is a philosophy Nattverd adhere to today, with the only additional information being a slight change in lineup, with original members Ormr still on vocals and guitars whilst Atyr concentrates on guitars and hands over bass duties to new member Sveinr, whilst former session drummer Serpentr takes on vocals and AntiChristian (Tsjuder et. al.) takes his place as session drummer. So what exactly does the music itself reveal about Nattverd? Most obvious is the fact that this is a band that plays black metal in the traditional way: cold and nasty and filled with fury and hate, with the occasional foray into more atmospheric and melodic realms, keeping the whole thing interesting and original. The other thing that stood out about Nattverd from the debut album was the confidence and musical skill demonstrated by its members, marking the individuals out as extremely experienced and talented musicians, and definitely not fledglings dipping their toes into the black metal pool for the first time. More Nattverd news – including cover art, tracklisting, and preorder for Styggdom – to be revealed shortly.

For more info, consult the links below.
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/nattverdofficial
www.osmoseproductions.com
www.facebook.com/Osmose-Productions-192865300755575

BLOSSE to have debut album released with bonus through DE TENEBRARUM PRINCIPIO / ATMF

Today, De Tenebrarum Principio – a division of Aeternitas Tenebrarum Music Foundation (ATMF) – sets November 29th as the international release date for Blosse‘s striking debut album, Nocturne, on widespread CD format following its initial digital-only release.

Hailing from the ever-fertile black metal scene of Quebec, Blosse began in early 2018 with the release of the Le Dernier Crépuscule demo, moving from a primitive form of lo-fi black metal and involving some dark ambient elements, too. As time passed, the hypnotic, visionary, and transcendental substance grew as a key part in the Blosse creative process. Time is suddenly distorted, and your body feels heavy.

References may be found to projects like Lunar Aurora, Paysage d’Hiver, Trist, and The Ruins of Beverast. As Noctis, the artist behind Blosse, explains, “The term ‘Lovecraftian’ being used to describe any kind of metal that’s a little bit cosmic-sounding and weird is insanely overused, and often I don’t think it’s accurate. Not all cosmic horror has to come from something 7000 feet tall and so great we cannot comprehend it. In this sense, this is why Blosse‘s music sounds more earthly. I didn’t want to fall into the stereotypes.”

This new CD edition of Blosse‘s Nocturne includes the Era Noire EP as a bonus. That EP shows the more meditative and synth-inspired side of Blosse. While with Nocturne, the space synths/choirs are still there, the abrasive guitars are way more center-stage, contributing to Blosse‘s comprehensive manifestation. Era Noire is definitely to be considered a more experimental side of the project: a guitar wall of sound and loop, then adding the synths and merging them with distortion to create a deranged sound.

Cover artwork is drawn by Erskine Designs, and artwork finalized by Francesco Gemelli (Darkspace, Abigor).
Preorder info can be found HERE.
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Blosse’s Nocturne
1. Sous la lune moribonde [20:45]
2. La vallée maudite [19:09]
3. Eternité [16:00]
4. Destruction [14:16]
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/Blosse-2149890738556425