Finnish black metal elite Malum stream the entirety of their new album

Today, Finnish black metal elite Malum stream the entirety of their highly anticipated third album,Legion. Set for international release on May 31st via Purity Through Fire, hear Malum‘s Legion in its entirety here:
An ever-growing force in the forever-fertile Finnish black metal underground, Malum have become a Satanic power in their own right since their formation in 2013. From there, the band have committed a prolific stream of atrocities, including two celebrated albums – 2015’s Crowned with the Serpent Sun and 2017’s Night of the Luciferian Light – three EPs, and three split recordings, alongside such comrades as Lathspell, Insane Vesper, Sacrificium Carmen, and Sarkrista. The latter two bands joined with Malum for the spiritually aligned split LP Trinity of Luciferian Illumination, which was released by Purity Through Fire in late 2018.

Now joining the esteemed ranks of Purity Through Fire following the preview Terror Rehearsal earlier this year, Malum are prepared to make their grandest statement yet with Legion. Titularly elegant in its simplicity, Legion storms forward from its very first seconds with that paradigmatic “freezing fire” so crucial to classic Finnish black metal. But whereas so many past but especially present have sought to dilute or “diversify” the intrinsic power of that idiom – and FAILED, obviously – Malum proudly hold high the torch of traditional black metal values, striding to the head of the flagging pack to lead Finnish black metal back to its former glory.

However, labor under no assumption that such is shorthand for rehashed ideas and general go-nowhere inertia. Naturally, Malum‘s Finnishness is immediately felt, but within those chosen boundaries do the band conjure new spells, new manners of communication, keeping the magick and language alive by imaginatively working within those proud parameters. What results is a deceptively anthemic 38 minutes that show Malum can move dynamically from spiraling speed to ominous march, always exhibiting a passion that’s blanching (and inspiring) to behold. Also witness the band move into more mystical realms with such tracks as “Luciferian Legion.”

Adorned with unforgettable artwork courtesy of R. Ärling, Malum have truly arrived with Legion!
Aforementioned cover art and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Malum’s Legion
1. The Sun Devouring Dragon / Manifest Malum
2. Sexual Demon
3. Days of Slaughter and Destruction
4. Blessed by the Devil’s Blood
5. Luciferian Legion
6. Ajattoman Viisauden Loisteessa
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/malumfinland

EXCUSE set release date for SHADOW KINGDOM debut album

Today, Shadow Kingdom Records sets August 2nd as the international release date for the highly anticipated debut album of Finland’s Excuse, Prophets From the Occultic Cosmos, on CD and vinyl LP formats. 

One of Finland’s hottest newcomers, Excuse began to make a name for themselves with their EP Goddess Injustice. Released to critical acclaim in 2016 by Shadow Kingdom, Goddess Injustice largely introduced the fierce foursome to the international metal underground – with a nuclear-powered bang! A finely honed missile of speed metal majesty, Excuse‘s sound on that EP in many ways recalled the classic Canadian gods Sacrifice and Razor, but there were hints of greater glories to come. And at last, they’ve arrived with the presciently titled Prophets From the Occultic Cosmos.

Whereas Goddess Injustice suggested some darkly melodic leanings, Excuse‘s first full-length expands that arsenal considerably. Here, the six songs comprising Prophets From the Occultic Cosmos stretch out to epic lengths – one even hitting double digits, the climactic 10-minute closer “Watchtower of the Trans-Dimensional Pathway” – and take the listener on a wild, winding ride. The evil ‘n’ sleazy surge on which Excuse made their name still exists, but has now been finessed into a wholly more dynamic beast, able to reflect haunting moodiness and spacey horror alike. Suitably, co-guitarist Oskar Lindström’s vocals have a conspicuous amount of echo placed upon them, suggesting the inter-dimensional struggles of a narrator literally lost in space. Likewise, fellow guitarist Anselmi Ahopalo’s leads take center stage here and weave an almost storytelling aspect, much in the way that classic heavy metal songwriting should, evoking both triumph and tragedy but remaining equally hummable throughout. Completing the totality is album’s production, which locates the perfect balance between grit and gleam.

So many young bands blow their proverbial wad during the demo/EP days and peter out by the time their debut album comes. Not so for Excuse, who have been able to transform their earlier youthful energy into enviably advanced maturity with Prophets From the Occultic Cosmos. Behold these Prophets‘ coming!

The first herald of that coming is  “Sworn to the Crimson Oath”

Covert art and tracklisting below:

Tracklisting for Excuse (Finland)’s Prophets From the Occultic Cosmos
1. Black Crystal Visions
2. Blade of Antichrist
3. Prophets From the Occultic Cosmos
4. Goddess Injustice
5. Sworn to the Crimson Oath
6. Watchtower of the Trans-Dimensional Pathway
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/excuseofficial

KULL: Awaited debut album ‘Exile’ by the members of the legendary Bal-Sagoth out now

KULL rose from the ashes of symphonic black metal prodigy Bal-Sagoth. The Sheffield based horde is comprised of four of five Bal-Sagoth members, except the vocalist Byron Roberts who was replaced by Dyscaphia’s guitarist and composer Tarkan. Epic symphonic black metallers KULL strongly follow the musical tradition already established by the Maudling brothers during their tenure in Bal-Sagoth.

Debut album, Exile, presents us a memorable journey through intrinsic melodies and obscure atmosphere, all orchestrated by Chris Maudling and Jonny Maudling with sharp production, mixed and mastered at Wayland’s Forge. Originally planned as the 7th Bal-Sagoth album, Exile’s music not only inherits all the greatness from the members’ former glories, but also injects new blood into the mix with the addition of new soldier, elevating the music to yet a higher level.

The band express: “‘Exile’ is a bombastic, dark and  heavy march into war, with songs that will astound, lift and arouse a horde; both beautiful and vile in the same breath.”

The listeners of Bal-Sagoth can finally put an end to their over a decade longing with the KULL‘s debut, Exile, which is out today (May 24th) via Black Lion Records. 
“… it’s a work that’s more than worth the agonizing wait.” (4.5/5) — Angry Metal Guy

“Sonically immaculate but nasty as hell” (8/10) – Metal Hammer 

“… same strain of deathened symphonic black metal that carried the earlier band through 2006’s The Chthonic Chronicles.” –– Decibel Magazine 

“An unmitigated success on every count.” — Sentinel Daily 

“A new chapter opened. Utterly, stunningly, brilliant.” (9/10) — Ave Noctum

“It’s one of the most unique albums that I have heard this year so far.”  (9.5/10) — Metal Temple

“… and its fucking great.” — Teeth of the Divine

“…the whole disc which takes me on a nostalgic journey back to Bal-Sagoths best album “Starfire Burning Upon The Ice-Veiled Throne Of Ultima Thule”. — Scream Magazine 

Order:
https://kullblacklion.bandcamp.com/album/exile 
https://www.indiemerchstore.com/b/black-lion-records 
 
For More Info:
https://www.facebook.com/Kullmetal
https://www.facebook.com/blacklionrecordsswe 
https://twitter.com/Blacklionrecswe 

TRISTENGRAV set release date for new CALIGARI demo, reveal first track

Today, Caligari Records sets June 22nd as the international release date for Tristengrav‘s striking second demo, II – Nychavge, on cassette tape format.

Tristengrav hail from Patras, Greece and released their first demo, Incendiarism of Nous, in 2018. Now, roughly a year later comes Nychavge, a four-track (plus one outro) recording featuring their unique blend of black metal with gothic rock. Imagine GISM crossed with Rozz Williams-era Christian Death or later Anti-Cimex covering Mighty Sphincter and you have some glimpse into the ever-growing madness that is Tristengrav…

“We’ve been a band almost two years now,” the band explain. “All songs were written during a very misty period of time, where the only goal was to dive headfirst into a pulpit of negative/dark visions and coming back with the results and the metamorphosis at hand. Serious introspection is required, and the inwards and backwards motto is of utter importance as one of the main aspects that the lyrics lean towards is the process of becoming – a revelation and exaltation of bestial self, a primordial state that overcomes the omnipresent sinister side, yet without denying it, but embracing its fertile scourge.”

Indeed do Tristengrav experience a sort of “becoming” on Nychavge – is a compound word that means the radiance of the night – whereby the grisly, greasy heart of very ancient black metal (we’re talking the first three Bathory albums here) is ripped asunder and suffused with chaotically chorused lead guitars, emitting a sinister and spectral aspect intrinsic to classic ’80s goth and deathrock. While that latter aspect certainly renders Tristengrav‘s creations more melodic than they have any right to be, they likewise render them utterly crazed and delirious, whipping forth a D-beating maelstrom straight into the grave…or the batcave.

“We chose to compose the songs in a more punkish way than the first EP,” the band elaborates, “as we like to bastardize the genre in a way that it is more interesting to us. We’d like to have a more personal sound in black metal, but not getting away from its roots.”

Sonically iconoclastic Nychavge may be, Tristengrav‘s heart still pumps the blackest blood: “Satan is also the Dionysian glorification of flesh, desire, ecstasy. Our way of saying that, aside from our opposition to the modern world of mundane trivialities and lack of spiritualism, there is this eternal symbol that feeds our primal flame, leaving us without an option of accepting defeat but with a proud struggle against the katechon.”

Struggle no more and simply submit to Tristengrav‘s salacious and super-stylish onslaught. And they’re only getting started with II – Nychavge! Get started with the aptly titled new track “Becoming” here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Tristengrav’s II – Nychavge
1. Inwards and Backwards
2. Becoming
3. Tower of Silence
4. Νυχαυγή
5. Pitch Black Catacombs


MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/Tristengrav-566377280386803

Gaahls Wyrd stream entire new album ‘GastiR – Ghosts Invited’

Norwegian extreme metal formation GAAHLS WYRD are now streaming their entire new album ‘GastiR – Ghosts Invited’ . The band’s debut full length will be out on all digital platforms tomorrow, Friday May 24th and the physical release will be out on May 31st, worldwide. Listen to the entire record here.
GAAHLS WYRD have previously announced a European tour with MAYHEM and GOST in October and November 2019
GAAHLS WYRD – Festival dates
23 Jun 19 Varnai (LT) Kilkim Zaibu Festival
25 Jul 19 Tolmin (SL) Metaldays Tolmin
16 Aug 19 St Nolff (FR) Motocultor Festival
17 Aug 19 Dinkelsbuhl (DE) Summer Breeze Open Air

GAAHLS WYRD
With MAYHEM and GOST
31 Oct 19 Nijmegen (NL) Doornroosje
01 Nov 19 Leiden (NL) Gebr de Nobel
02 Nov 19 Leeds (UK) Damnation Festival
05 Nov 19 Paris (FR) La Machine Du Moulin Rouge
06 Nov 19 Rennes (FR) L’etage
07 Nov 19 Toulouse (FR) Metronum
10 Nov 19 Lyon (FR) CCO
12 Nov 19 Milan (IT) Magazzini Generali
14 Nov 19 Vienna (AT) Szene
15 Nov 19 Prague (CZ) Meet Factory
16 Nov 19 Berlin (DE) Astrat
17 Nov 19 France (FR) Tyrant Fest
19 Nov 19 Kassel (DE) Musik Theater 130 BPM
21 Nov 19 Mannheim (DE) MS Connextion Complex
22 Nov 19 Vosselaar (BE) Biebob
23 Nov 19 Oberhausen (DE) Turbinehalle
24 Nov 19 Copenhagen (DK) Pumpehuset
26 Nov 19 Tampere (FI) Pakkahuone
27 Nov 19 Helsinki (FI) Tavastia
29 Nov 19 Stockholm (SE) Fryshuset Klubben
30 Nov 19 Gothenburg (SE) Pustervik

The cover artwork and tracklist of ‘GastiR – Ghosts Invited’ can be found below.
Tracklist:
1. Ek Erilar (05:34)
2. From The Spear (04:37)
3. Ghosts Invited (04:23)
4. Carving The Voices (07:26)
5. Veiztu Hve (06:41)
6. The Speech And The Self (05:02)
7. Through And Past And Past  (02:59)
8. Within The Voice Of Existence (05:25)
Total: 0:42:07
Since rising to prominence with his first band Trelldom, legendary singer, front man, artist and composer, Gaahl, has been one of Norway’s most talked about and respected extreme metal musicians. His work with Trelldom, Gorgoroth and God Seed has been widely regarded as some of the best the black metal scene has had to offer.

Gaahls passion and dedication to his art has earned him followers far and beyond the realms of the metal community, becoming a household name in the art scene and a he has become a well-respected alternative thinker.

In 2015 the charismatic singer assembled some of Norway’s finest metal musicians under the new moniker Gaahls WYRD. The band consisted of Ole Walaunet (The Batallion, God Seed, Grimfist), Frode Kilvik (Krakow, Aeternus), Sir (Trelldom, Djerv, God Seed) and Bård Kolstad (Leprous, Borknagar).

The band’s first show was an appearance at the one-off festival BlekkMetal, held in Bergen, Norway the same year. The show was recorded for the live EP “Nov. 15”, released by the band in 2017. The EP was celebrated during the bands two European runs “Vardøger 2017” and “Vardøger” 2018. Bård Kolstad was replaced by Kevin Kvåle (Horizon Ablaze) in the 2nd half of 2017 and Kårstad stepped out of the band after the first leg of the “Vardøger” tour.

In mid 2018 the band teamed up with producer Iver Sandøy (Enslaved, Emmerhoff & the Melancholy Babies) to record their first full-length album “GastiR – Ghosts Invited”, set to be released by Season of Mist (World) and Indie Recordings (Norway) on May 31st.  

The highly anticipated debut album from Gaahls WYRD will see the band chart territories within the extreme metal genre no one has ever walked before.
http://gaahlswyrd.com
https://www.facebook.com/gaahlswyrd
https://www.instagram.com/gaahlswyrd

Tour artwork / merch design: Vatavu Victor 

Line-up
Gaahl (Kristian Espedal)  – vocals
Lust Kilman (Ole Walaunet) – guitars
Eld (Frode Kilvik) – Bass
Spektre (Kevin Kvåle) – Drums

DEATHSPELL OMEGA set release date for new NOEVDIA album – reveal special video

Today, Norma Evangelium Diaboli announces May 24th as the international release date for Deathspell Omega‘s highly anticipated seventh album, The Furnaces of Palingenesia.

The Furnaces of Palingenesia is Janus in the midst of the 9th circle of Hell; a prophetic abomination recorded on gear ante anno 1984 vomiting 2084 in the shadows of the horns.

A special video for “Ad Arma! Ad Arma!” can be seen & heard here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Deathspell Omega’s The Furnaces of Palingenesia
1. Neither Meaning nor Justice
2. The Fires of Frustration
3. Ad Arma! Ad Arma!
4. Splinters from Your Mother’s Spine
5. Imitatio Dei
6. 1523
7. Sacrificial Theopathy
8. Standing on the Work of Slaves
9. Renegade Ashes
10. Absolutist Regeneration
11. You Cannot Even Find the Ruins…
MORE INFO:
www.deathspellomega.bandcamp.com

VORUM is dead! CONCRETE WINDS is deadly! First track from SEPULCHRAL VOICE debut revealed – also cover, tracklisting

After their highly acclaimed debut album, Poisoned Void, and the outstanding mini-album Current Mouth, many shows and two European tours, Finland’s Vorum ceased to exist. But the dead cannot die, for they are still hungry…

Up from the ashes, a new phoenix arises: Concrete Winds is about to release one of the most bestial recordings ever erupting from the far north by the name Primitive Force, through Sepulchral Voice Records, which the label will release on July 12th internationally on CD and vinyl LP formats.

The album opens up a maelstrom to the deepest pits of death metal. This is beyond a journey; this is a fucking rush, starting as ripping as it ends, without a single warning. Wildest fury and blackest wrath are the godfathers of Primitive Force. A total of 25 minutes of pure blasphemy, sadism, and dystopia crash through the listener and leave either earbleeding disgust and horror or divine fulfillment and broken furniture.

Primitive Force is an epitome of violence and a prime example of how far extreme metal can be driven without losing its musical aspects. In today’s scene, the ignorance towards most musical principles and dramaturgic elements became a virtue/policy while exploring the most extreme. But all too often, it drifts into droning noise and chokes the power & magick of rhythm and riffing. It is different with Concrete Winds. In spite of the utmost shredding, thundering, and screaming, this album still has musical ambitions.

Primitive Force is evil speed metal riffing and death metal heaviness combined with a black metal performance & attitude. Where Current Mouth ended, Primitive Force starts and drives every audial aspect to the maximum. On the other hand, this release keeps every layout aspect to a minimum. Concrete Winds reduce everything to a lo-fi, cut & paste undergroundish presentation. They set a statement and raise a  middle finger to a distraction shot from what is relevant.

Simply, Concrete Winds‘ Primitive Force is the pure magick of a death metal sound and gospel. Mersus of the Underworld Studios (Degial, Destroyer 666, Gospel of the Horns) draws responsibility for the intense recording: a professional production intentionally held rough, unfiltered, and everything but polished.

Some want to see the world burning – Concrete Winds serves them a primitive torch. Get burned by the first torch of “Infant Gallow,” which can be heard here:

Cover and Tracklisting as follows:

Tracklisting for Concrete Winds’ Primitive Force
1. Infant Gallow
2. Sulphuric Upheaval
3. White Cut Manifest
4. Primitive Force
5. Tyrant Pulse
6. Dissident Mutilator
7. Volcanic Turmoil
8. Angelic Laceration
9. Death Transmission
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/aggressivenoisetorment

Italian obtuse metallers Barbarian premiere new track

Today, Italian obtuse metallers Barbarian premiere the new track “Hope Annihilator”. The track hails from the band’s highly anticipated fourth album, To No God Shall I Kneel, set for international release on June 7th via Hells Headbangers.

Hear Barbarian‘s “Hope Annihilator” in its entirety here:
Since signing with Hells Headbangers in 2016, Barbarian have truly hit their stride. First came their third album, Cult of the Empty Grave, which found the power-trio in fiery form, taking all the rudiments of their first two albums and exploding the band out of the underground. Then, a year later, came a self-titled 7″, which offered an even rowdier take on their now-trademark blackened traditional metal. It also saw them touring the United States for the first time, spreading their dark gospel to untouched heathen shores.

Now arrives the ever-aptly-titled To No God Shall I Kneel, arguably the grandest distillation of the Barbarian aesthetic yet. Still deadly committed to the eternal riddle of steel, Barbarian‘s sound continues to find a unique balance between the ancient and the fresh, but without once ever stinking of falseness or modernity. Timeless to the very end, To No God Shall I Kneel takes that characteristically sweat-drenched symbiosis of early Running Wild and ’80s Manowar, grinds it through the gravel of classic Celtic Frost, and finishes it off the panache of likewise-classic Venom. If the critically acclaimed Cult of the Empty Grave eclipsed such a hypothesis, then To No God Shall I Kneel goes further into the realms of ballsy boisterousness, unapologetically OTT and Alpha at every turn, and simply takes no prisoners nor offers any safe spaces. Cult of the Empty Grave spelled it out with the track “Absolute Metal”; here, Barbarian tell you in no uncertain terms that you’re now dealing with “Obtuse Metal.” Wanna pose? Leave the hall!

With cover art courtesy of Acid Witch‘s Shagrat, Barbarian continue to hail & kill, because To No God Shall I Kneel! Bow before their hailing & killing majesty with the new track “Hope Annihilator” here:

Cover art and tracklisting :

Tracklisting for Barbarian (Italy)’s To No God Shall I Kneel
1. Obtuse Metal
2. Birth and Death of Rish’ah
3. Hope Annihilator
4. Sheep Shall Obey
5. The Beast is Unleashed
6. The Old Worship of Pain
7. To No God Shall I Kneel
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/barbarianmetal

Italy’s TEMPTRESS set release date for DYING VICTIMS debut EP, reveal first track

Today, Dying Victims Productions announces July 8th as the international release date for the recorded debut of Italy’s Temptress, The Orb, on 7′ vinyl format.

Although a brand-new entity, Temptress are a veritable blast from the past. Moodily melodic and draped in the cloak of night, Temptress create effortlessly cruising mid-tempo heavy metal of a most early ’80s vintage. Even down to their production style, the power-trio have this style down COLD, and it emits a nostalgic fire that’s somehow fresh across these two equally strong tracks. A new twist on the old NWOBHM comes courtesy of Italy – gaze deeply into Temptress‘ The Orb!

The first gaze can be found with The Orb‘s title track here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Temptress (Italy)’s The Orb
1. The Orb
2. Woman
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/temptresshm

THE NIGHT ETERNAL set release date for DYING VICTIMS debut EP, reveal first track

Today, Dying Victims Productions announces July 8th as the international release date for The Night Eternal‘s striking debut EP, The Night Eternal, on 12″ vinyl and cassette tape formats.

Although The Night Eternal‘s first public recording, already, these Germans are evincing the mastery of veterans. Across their three original compositions and a reverentially poignant cover of Judas Priest’s “(Take These) Chains,” the quintet concoct a supremely powerful and stirringly moody sort of heavy metal, both traditionally pure-steel in their dynamics yet also brimming with epicness and a sort of forlorn heroism. In fact, early ’80s Judas Priest is an apt reference for The Night Eternal‘s night-prowling style, all gleaming chrome and classy, but bespeaking an ever-present darkness beneath that alluring exterior. Of course, hooks are massive as are the commanding vocals of frontman Ricardo, but it’s the chemistry among all five members of The Night Eternal that puts this beyond most other debut recordings: truly, their fire and fluidity are magick to behold!

Behold the first magick with the new track “Eternal Night”
Appropriately moody cover art courtesy of Brouemaster Visual Decay as well as tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for The Night Eternal’s The Night Eternal
1. Eternal Night
2. Mark Of Kain
3. Vindicta
4. (Take These) Chains [Judas Priest cover]
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/thenighteternal