Today, Shadow Kingdom Records sets May 10th as the international release date for Bewitcher‘s highly anticipated second album, Under the Witching Cross, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.
As presaged by their Too Fast for the Flames 7″ on Shadow Kingdom in early 2019, Bewitcher are leaner and especially meaner than ever! The power-trio built their name in the underground on the back of three cult demos and especially their self-titled debut album in 2016, and now arrives Under the Witching Cross to present the band in their crudest ‘n’ rudest form: Rough ‘n’ rowdy speed metal of a most classic ’80s aspect, with a touch of good, old-fashioned EVIL the way Venom and early Razor did it way back in the day.
In fact, one could say Bewitcher are a veritable time-machine of enviable, unbelievable proportions – except you look at the calendar and realize you’re living in the present! But Bewitcher don’t give a fuck, and proceed to pulverize you with POUNDING METAL, one anthem after another, on the eight-anthem/33-minute Under the Witching Cross. We can also mention Celtic Frost, early Sodom, Exciter, and even a touch of Dissection as ever-honorable influences here, so you know Bewitcher are the absolute Real Deal! But the band’s also highly recommended for maniacs of Midnight, BAT, Pounder, Chainbreaker, and Italy’s Barbarian.
Watch out, because the night’s about to get HOT when Bewitcher takes you Under the Witching Cross! Get hot with the previously revealed video for “Too Fast for the Flames” here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Bewitcher’s Under the Witching
Cross 1. Savage Lands
of Satan 2. Hexenkrieg 3. Under the Witching Cross 4. Heathen
Woman 5. Too Fast for the Flames 6. In the Sign of the Goat 7. Rome is
on Fire 8. Frost Moon Ritual
Today, atmospheric black metal elite Ellende premiere the new track “Der Blick wird leer”. The track hails from the band’s highly anticipated third album, Lebensnehmer, set for international release on March 29th via AOP Records. The album will be released on CD, vinyl LP, and boxset formats, with both the vinyl and boxset editions featuring an exclusive bonus track. Hear Ellende’s “Der Blick wird leer” in its entirety HERE.
Founded in 2011 by multi-instrumentalist L.G., Ellende has always strived for the melancholy, anger, and beauty that is buried in our mere existence and misanthropy. Deeply rooted in black metal, the project didn’t fear wisely selected instrumentation in order to achieve a unique atmosphere and songwriting style. This mainly includes strings, brass, and other classical instruments, as well as L.G. doing most of the studio work and all artwork and design himself. After the independent release of Rückzug in die Innerlichkeit by L.G. in 2012, Ellende became a live band with session musicians and three releases, and some successful European tours followed.
The attention for Ellende peaked with their second album, Todbringer, in 2017, which was hailed as one of the most outstanding atmospheric/post-black metal albums of the year by many critics and audiences, hitting nearly a half-million views on YouTube in a few months and successively selling out its initial physical pressing.
Patiently taking two years to perfect the songwriting, Ellende’s third full-length (and fifth release overall),
Lebensnehmer is now finished. Featuring live musician P.F. on drums like on previous records, Lebensnehmer vividly displays all the sturm und drang of the trademark Ellende sound, now more breathtaking than ever. Taking a more adventurous approach to dynamics as well as exhibiting a clarity of focus previously untouched, Lebensnehmer moves like a literal emotional rollercoaster – hitting the highest of highs, and especially the lowest of lows – spellbinding the listener at every skyscraping turn. As ever, the stirring melodicism of L.G. takes center stage, weaving emotive ecstasy even while a torrent of blastbeats from P.F. booms all around here. Elsewhere, suitably splendorous atmosphere is evoked through frequent stretched-out instrumental passages, allowing both drama and tension to wage war within the listener’s heart and head. And of course, only the most sterling production standards were sought by L.G, with recording & mixing at Audioriotrecordings Austria and mastering by Iguana Studios Germany.
As the mainman enthuses, “I am truly grateful how this record turned out. As the title already implies, Lebensnehmer – or ‘life taker,’ in English – has a very strong connotation coming about two years after its sister album Todbringer, which is ‘death bringer’ in English. Going through rough times, it fills me with a sense of well-being when another selection of music has been made into a full-length result of anger, melancholy, and beauty. Being surrounded by very gifted musicians and sound engineers, you can expect another milestone from Ellende.”
No truer words spoken. Ellende’s atmospheric black metal dominance continues with Lebensnehmer! The album’s release will be promptly followed by a five-date tour featuring AOP Records labelmates Firtan, Spiral Skies, and
Groza (dates after the jump).
In the meantime, hear the new track “Der Blick wird leer” in its entirety exclusively HERE
Also hear the previously revealed “Du wärst eine schöne Leiche” HERE
Cover art, by L.G., and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Ellende’s
Lebensnehmer 1. Intro 2.
Augenblick 3. Die Wege 4. Ein Stück Verzweiflung 5. Der Blick wird
leer 6. Liebkosung des Eiswinds 7. Du wärst eine schöne Leiche 8.
Atemzug 9. Die Welt brennt und ich lieg hier nur (bonus track on limited
vinyl and boxset only)
Lebensnehmer
Tour with Firtan, Spiral Skies, and Groza 27.3.2019 Erfurt –
From Hell [EVENT INFO] 28.3.2019 Nürnberg –
Der Cult [EVENT INFO] 29.3.2019 Mörlenbach
(near Mannheim) – Live Music Hall Weiher [EVENT INFO] 30.3.2019 Oberhausen
– Helvete [EVENT INFO] 31.3.2019 Arnhem –
Willemeen [EVENT INFO]
Today, fast-rising Swedish black metal cult Malakhim stream the entirety of their highly anticipated new mini-album, II. Set for international release on March 8th via Iron Bonehead Productions, hear Malakhim’s II in its entirety HERE:
One of the most electric newcomers Iron Bonehead has come across in recent years, Malakhim originally self-released their debut recording, Demo I, on cassette during the autumn of 2017, and it sold out within a day. Not surprising, that, if you listen to the three songs comprising their opening salvo: patiently unfolding vortexes of orthodox black metal with more than a bit of death metalled muscle, all in obeisance to the powers of The Beyond, and coalescing into a fever-dreaming fury of hellish hysteria. Iron Bonehead released Demo I on CD at the beginning of 2018 and then on 12″ vinyl five months later, such was the demand.
Now, Malakhim continue that upward/abyss-ward trajectory with their second recording, a four-song/21-minute mini-album fittingly titled II. Taking all the same rudiments of their debut recording and fleshing them out in bolder, more Beyond-pushing shapes, II takes the listener deep into a slipstreaming black (w)hole of malignant majesty. Simultaneously timeless and modern, Malakhim here breathe a confidence that’s blanching to behold, exhibiting a dexterity of songcraft and poise of execution that takes most other bands years to achieve, if ever. That should be no surprise, given the wealth of experience within the ranks of the band; names could be dropped, but all five members believe – quite rightly – that Malakhim should stand on its own merits. And with II, that claim is more justified than ever.
Yet another foretaste of the ominous doom and dread ahead, with II do Malakhim tease what their imminent debut album for Iron Bonehead will manifest…beware, and bow down now! Bow fully before II exclusively HERE:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Malakhim’s
II 1. In the Rays of
a New Sun 2. Triumphant Spears 3. He Who Devours 4. Sworn to Satan’s
Fire
Today, black metal mystics Ringarë stream the entirety of their highly anticipated debut album, Under Pale Moon. Set for international release on March 8th via Iron Bonehead Productions, hear Ringarë’s Under Pale Moon in its entirety HERE:
Originally going by the moniker Ringar, Ringarë was forged in early winter anno MMIV as pure worship of synth-ridden black metal of the early ’90s. Hours of material was composed and recorded, including a debut full-length that later would be torn apart for Chaos Moon’s Languor into Echoes, Beyond while the remainder of the never-released Ringarë debut slept in shadow for nearly 14 years. Early 2018 saw the rediscovery of these missing pieces, now with refined vision and execution.
Indeed, true to mainman Esoterica’s word, Ringarë’s Under Pale Moon is a refined and exceptionally executed slice of synth-drenched black metal classicism. Under the moon in the Scorpio does this second-wave mysticism lay, beholding the sad realm of the stars while waiting entree into a grand psychotic castle. But, for however ’90s-entrenched Ringarë’s ruminations may be, there’s a keenly nuanced and, above all, wholly authentic aura to this mysticism that ably adds to black metal’s rich ancient language rather than merely paying lip service to it. Its four songs drown the listener in an impossibly foggy, deliriously velveteen experience that renders the 40-minute journey one that’s paradoxically longer, so engaging and bewitching is its moonlit magick.
The past is forever alive, and the journey with Ringarë begins Under Pale Moon. Experience that journey in its entirety HERE:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Ringarë’s Under Pale
Moon 1. Under Pale
Moon [10:16] 2. Sorrow Under Starry Sky [6:48] 3. In Nocturnal Agony
[3:55] 4. Through Forest and Fog [18:12]
Season of Mist are proud to announce the signing of the
French black metal outfit REGARDE LES HOMMES
TOMBER. The band will enter the studio in July, for the recording of
their third full length album.
Regarding the signing, the French black
metallers state the following: “The time has come to reveal the secrets that lay
hidden behind the veil. We will enter the studio in July to record our next
album. It will be the third part of our triptych, and we are very proud to
collaborate with Season of Mist for this new chapter. The force of will is
unstoppable!”
Listen to the band’s previous record ‘Exile’ HERE !
France’s REGARDE LES HOMMES TOMBER rose from the shadow in 2013 with a massive self-titled album released through Les Acteurs De L’Ombre Productions. The band instantly imprinted its vision in metal community: an epic blend of atmospheric black metal, sludge and death metal spreading out a dark universe inspired by the sacred scriptures. In 2015 “Exile” came out and intensified the quintet music, bringing in more extreme influences and developing a dramatic sense of narration through cunningly balanced songs.
REGARDE LES HOMMES TOMBER earned respect from metal community with intense and ritualistic lives shows, its mystic aura thrilled audience from Hellfest, Roadburn Festival, Dour Festival and multiple clubs across Europe playing alongside Der Weg Einer Freiheit, Yob, Enslaved, Amenra..
Today REGARDE LES HOMMES TOMBER joins force with Season of Mist to release the third part of their triptych set, further away from light, closer to the depths. <!–[endif]–>
PHILIP H. ANSELMO &
THE ILLEGALS have an extensive tour in Europe this summer. The tour
includes performances at European festivals such as Graspop Metal Meeting,
Hellfest Open Air, Roskilde, Metaldays, as well as club shows in Germany, The
United Kingdom, Austria and more. Find the full list of tour dates
below.
PHILIP H. ANSELMO AND THE
ILLEGALS Australian tour with KING PARROT 21 Mar 19 Canberra (AU)
The Basement 22 Mar 19 Melbourne (AU) Max Watts 24 Mar 19 Adelaide (AU)
The Governor 26 Mar 19 Wellington (NZ) San FRan 27 Mar 19 Auckland (NZ)
Galatos 29 Mar 19 Brisbane (AU) The Back Room 30 Mar 19 Sydney (AU) The
Factory 31 Mar 19 Newcastle (AU) The Cambridge
PHILIP H.
ANSELMO AND THE ILLEGALS European shows dates 20 Jun 19 Dessel
(BE) Graspop Metal Meeting 2019 23 Jun 19 Clisson (FR) Hellfest 2019 25
Jun 19 London (UK) Underworld 26 Jun 19 Manchester (UK) Gorilla 27 Jun 19
Bristol (UK) The Fleece 28 Jun 19 Birmingham (UK) The Mill 29 Jun 19
London (UK) Underworld 01 Jul 19 Frankfurt (DE) Nachtleben 02 Jul 19
Leipzig (DE) Hellraiser 03 Jul 19 Munich (DE) Backstage 05 Jul 19 Novi Sad
(RS) Exit Festival 2019 07 Jul 19 Villafranca di Verona (IT) Rock The
Castle 10 Jul 19 Zurich (CH) Dynamo 11 Jul 19 Salzburg (AT)
Rockhouse 12 Jul 19 Vienna (AT) Szene 13 Jul 19 Balaton (HU) Rock Marathon
2019 14 Jul 19 Warsaw (PL) Progresja 16 Jul 19 Prague (CZ) Futurum 17
Jul 19 Hamburg (DE) Logo 19 Jul 19 Gelfe (SE) Gelfe Metal fest 20 Jul 19
Eindhoven (NL) Dynamo metal fest 22 Jul 19 Essen (DE) Turock 23 Jul 19
Stuttgart (DE) LKA Longhorn 24 Jul 19 Tolmin (SI) Metal Days
2019
Artwork and album details of
‘Choosing Mental Illness As A Virtue’ can be viewed below.
Track-list 1.
Little Fucking Heroes 2. Utopian 3. Choosing Mental Illness 4. The
Ignorant Point 5. Individual 6. Delinquent 7. Photographic Taunts 8.
Finger Me 9. Invalid Colubrine Frauds 10. Mixed Lunatic
Results
PHILIP H.
ANSELMO is an iconic artist – maybe a little bruised, scarred, singed,
and somewhat battered by time, himself, and others. But the Texan remains
proudly standing, unbent, and still angry. Loved and hated, attacked and
praised, Phil is not ready to go down into the archives of musical history
without a fight.
His new cooperation with the band that Phil himself
created, THE ILLEGALS, is as brutal, kicking, lashing, and
fury-filled as one could expect from this artist and PHILIP H. ANSELMO
& THE ILLEGALS‘ debut ‘Walk Through Exits Only’ (2013). Their
sophomore album, ‘Choosing Mental Illness As A Virtue’ is a much the
metaphorical fist in the face and display of force as his adherents could wish
for.
‘Choosing Mental Illness As A Virtue’ is not a simple repeat of the
past – as tempting as that might sound, considering that no other artist left a
deeper mark on metal in the 90’s than PANTERA. Raging, roaring, and bulldozing
their way through the metal scene, the Texans have left a lasting legacy. At
their front stood anger and hostility personified, PHILIP H.
ANSELMO. What followed for example with DOWN and SUPERJOINT RITUAL has
further cemented the singer’s reputation as a living legend. As an artist in his
own right, Phil finally emancipated onto a solo-path with ‘Walk Through Exits
Only’, which enabled him to do exactly as he pleased – with no need to
compromise on anything.
Now, ‘Choosing Mental Illness As A Virtue’
follows along the path that PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE
ILLEGALS‘ debut has carved, but takes the mega-heavy, angry monster
born out of mating the visceral aggression and power of PANTERA with the
devastating thrash and Southern sludge that Phil and the New Orleans scene
pioneered.
PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS are
back and about to mercilessly install ‘Choosing Mental Illness As A Virtue’ as a
new benchmark for extreme heaviness.
Three-piece extreme metal
formation VLTIMAS are premiering a video for the new song
“Monolilith”
The track is taken from the forthcoming debut album ‘Something Wicked Marches
In’. The band, consisting of David Vincent (ex-MORBID ANGEL), Rune Blasphemer
Eriksen (ex-MAYHEM, AURA NOIR) and Flo Mounier (CRYPTOPSY), will release their
brand new offering on March 29, 2019 via Season of
Mist.
Guitarist and founder Rune
comments: “She is the screeching owl, the seductress of the night, the
irresistable incarnation of lust and desire. She is Lilith; the icon, the
Demoness.”
“Monolilith is the 4th and final single from “Something Wicked
Marches In” and shows a slightly different side to VLTIMAS. With its more
melodic take, this track serves as a response to the more cold and brutal
moments on the record. But don’t let yourself be fooled: The dark is deep and
utterly captivating.”
VLTIMAS have
previously revealed the cover of ‘Something Wicked Marches In’ which has been
created by renowned Polish artist Zbigniew M. Bielak (GHOST, PARADISE LOST, BÖLZER,
ZHRINE) and can be viewed together with the track-list
below.
Track-list 1.
Something Wicked Marches In (4:28) 2. Praevalidus (3:39) 3. Total Destroy! (2:57) 4. Monolilith (5:25) 5. Truth And Consequence (3:42) 6.
Last Ones Alive Win Nothing (5:29) 7. Everlasting (3:40) 8. Diabolus Est Sanguis (3:27) 9. Marching On
(5:34) Total: 0:38:21
VLTIMAS
live 21
Jun 19 London (UK) The Underworld 23 Jun 19 Clisson (FR) Hellfest 2019 25
Jun 19 Krakow (PL) Mystic Festival 2019 (Exact date TBA) 26 Jun 19 Leiden
(NL) Gebr. de Nobel 28 Jun 19 Oslo (NO) Tons of Rock 2019 (Exact date
TBA) 02 Aug 19 Wacken (DE) Wacken Open Air 2019 (Exact date
TBA)
After some years of absence from the black metal scene, guitarist Rune Eriksen (AURA NOIR, EARTH ELECTRIC, ex-MAYHEM), decides to venture back into the aural landscapes he’s widely known for. Having played with one of Norway’s leading extreme metal bands for years, Eriksen seeks to coalesce classic, cold Scandinavian riffing with an air of darkness and the signature force of death metal.
Combining strengths, Eriksen brings in veterans of the extreme, David Vincent of legendary death metal formation MORBID ANGEL, as well as acclaimed drummer Flo Mounier from CRYPTOPSY. The three-piece have completed the work on their debut album, which is slated for release early 2019 via Season of Mist. The new death metal powerhouse will be known under the moniker of VLTIMAS.
The foundation for VLTIMAS was laid when Rune, after collecting a handful of riffs, presented drummer Flo Mounier with the idea of forming a band together. For the two musicians, having composed and recorded numerous songs together in the past, the musical chemistry was already tried and tested. However, one thing was still missing. This extraordinary musical project needed an extraordinary voice and Eriksen got in touch with David Vincent, with whom he had been in contact for years, to finalize the line-up.
Vincent had just exited Morbid Angel and was ready for a new chapter in his long spanning career. Everything fell into place, and VLTIMAS came into being.
During the Noize Factory sessions (Georgetown, USA), the musicians started writing a substantial amount of music. The sessions proved to be a fruitful endeavor and the first ideas and song skeletons were later fleshed out by Rune at his home studio in Portugal, then finalized when Flo Mounier and Eriksen returned to Texas, in order to put the final touches to the material at David’s home studio. In a more controlled surrounding the songs started to unveil themselves and the studio was booked.
The band entered Orgone Studios in Woburn, England in May 2018 with producer Jaime Gomez Arellano. Here, the three-piece recorded nine crushing tracks that will appear on the full-length debut album.
The new record offers a vast array of influences, but most notably the distinguished symbioses of these three respected and talented musicians. A dark and sinister ambiance meets a majestic and a commanding death metal energy.
Today, Norwegian black metallers Nordjevel reveal the new video “Amen Whores.” The track hails from the band’s highly anticipated second album, Necrogenesis, set for international release on March 29th via Osmose Productions. See & hear Nordjevel’s “Amen Whores” video in its entirety HERE:
Nordjevel, whose self-titled debut album was released on Osmose Productions to great critical acclaim three years ago, are back with a vengeance with Necrogenesis, an album which sees the band’s core of founder and vocalist Doedsadmiral (Svartelder, Doedsvangr, Enepsigos) and bassist DzeptiCunt (ex-Ragnarok), being joined by Destruchtor (Myrkskog, ex-Morbid Angel) on guitars and backing vocals and Dominator (ex-Dark Funeral) on drums.
The new arrivals have enabled Nordjevel to expand its musical horizons and produce an album that promises to be more ferocious than its predecessor, as Doedsadmiral explains: “With the addition of Destruchtor and Dominator to the band’s lineup, Nordjevel has never been so strong. Necrogenesis is a much darker and violent album. It is also more varied and mature, both musically and lyrically. We definitely did not want to get stuck in a rut and churn out an identikit version of our debut, and fortunately, we all felt that we wanted to go in the same direction, so we were all able to work together extremely well on the new songs. Having said that, Necrogenesis was a hard bastard of an album to complete, and at times, we felt that the universe was conspiring against us, so it became a very personal album for all of us.”
To give fans a taste of what they can expect from Necrogenesis, Nordjevel have just released a new video for the track “Amen Whores,” which can be seen in its entirety HERE at Osmose Productions‘ official YouTube channel. Also see the previously revealed video for opening track “Sunset Glow” HERE, also at Osmose‘s official YouTube channel. “Sunset Glow” has also been released as a single, and can be streamed or downloaded HERE at Osmose‘s Bandcamp.
Necrogenesis is set to hit the streets on Osmose Productions on March 29th in CD Jewel Case, Limited Edition CD Digipack (with bonus track), Limited Edition Double Gatefold Vinyl in Blood Red (with bonus track), Limited Edition Double Gatefold Vinyl in Black (with bonus track), Digital, and Limited Edition Audio Tape formats. Preorder info can be found HERE.
Recorded at Velvet Recording in Spydeberg, Norway, Necrogenesis was engineered by Nordjevel and Christer Krogh, and mixed and mastered by Patric Darkhyrys at his WSL Studios in France. With artwork and layout by Vincent Fouquet of Above Chaos.
Cover and tracklisting for Necrogenesis are as follows:
Tracklisting for Nordjevel’s
Necrogenesis 1. Sunset
Glow 2. Devilry 3. The Idea Of One-Ness 4. Black Lights From The
Void 5. Amen Whores 6. The Fevered Lands 7. Nazarene Necrophilia 8.
Apokalupsis Eschation 9. Panzerengel 10. Venom Of Serpents (Bonus Track
Vinyl, Digipack)
Today, Iron Bonehead Productions sets May 3rd as the international release date for a striking new mini-album from Sorgelig, Devoted to Nothingness, on 12″ vinyl format.
Released earlier this year on limited cassette, the aptly titled Devoted to Nothingness is a swift ‘n’ decisive blast of unapologetically grim, blown-out black metal. Sorgelig may hail from Greece, but they otherwise eschew their homeland’s classic paradigm for one that hearkens back just as far, to France’s notorious Black Legions. Thus, across Devoted to Nothingness will those of hardier constitutions find utterly tortured, hysteric bleariness that’s both malformed and melancholic, favorably suggesting the likes of Vlad Tepes, Mütiilation, and especially Belketre, but with an exquisitely rotten touch all Sorgelig‘s own.
This is black metal from ancient times, no more but certainly no less. No modernity, no progression, NO HOPE: truly, Sorgelig are Devoted to Nothingness. The first devotion can be found with the new track “Die in Vain” here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Sorgelig’s Devoted to
Nothingness A1. Light Fades
Away A2. Die In Vain A3. The Parasites of Existence A4.
H.E.M.E.O.T.S B1. Miden B2. Devoted to Nothingness B3. We Shall Be
Forever Blind B4. Eclipse
The godfathers of American doom
metal SAINT VITUS are now releasing the first brand new track
and album details of their forthcoming album ‘Saint Vitus’ which will be
released on May 17, 2019.
The new track ’12 Years in the Tomb’ is now
streaming
SAINT VITUS previously announced new European live dates for April and May 2019. A full list of confirmed shows for the ’40 F’N Years’ trek can be found below. The band will be supported by DOPELORD.
+Dopelord 03 Apr 19 Gothenburg (SE) Sticky Fingers 04 Apr 19 Stockholm (SE) Debaser Strand 06 Apr 19 Jyväskylä (FI) Lutakko 07 Apr 19 Helsinki (FI) On The Rocks 09 Apr 19 Oslo (NO) Bla 10 Apr 19 Copenhagen (DK) Pumpehuset 11 Apr 19 Berlin (DE) So36 12 Apr 19 Hamburg (DE) Headcrash 13 Apr 19 Bomal-Sur-Ourthe (BE) Durbuy Rock Festival 14 Apr 19 Dortmund (DE) Junkyard 15 Apr 19 Cologne (DE) Luxor 17 Apr 19 Birmingham (UK) Mama Roux 18 Apr 19 Leeds (UK) Brudenell 19 Apr 19 Glasgow (UK) Audio 20 Apr 19 London (UK) The Underworld 21 Apr 19 Paris (FR) Petit Bain 23 Apr 19 Nantes (FR) Le Ferrailleur 24 Apr 19 Toulouse (FR) Le Rex 25 Apr 19 Barcelona (ES) Boveda 26 Apr 19 Madrid (ES) Copernico 27 Apr 19 Barroselas (PT) Swr Metalfest 28 Apr 19 Bilbao (ES) Kafé Antzokia 30 Apr 19 Fribourg (CH) Fri-Son* 01 May 19 Milan (IT) Circolo Magnolia 02 May 19 Zürich (CH) Dynamo* 03 May 19 Karlsruhe (DE) Dudefest 04 May 19 Leipzig (DE) Utc Connewitz * No Dopelord
Cover artwork and album details of the new offering can be found below.
Track-list 1. Remains
(6:23) 2. A Prelude to… (3:20) 3. Bloodshed
(3:04) 4. 12 Years In The Tomb
(5:24) 5. Wormhole (5:22) 6. Hour Glass
(5:23) 7. City Park (4:01) 8. Last Breath
(6:38) 9. Useless (1:32) Total:
41:07
The already legendary story of SAINT VITUS began in the year 1978, when guitarist Dave Chandler, together with Armando Acosta on drums and bass player Mark Adams, started rehearsing. After trying out two other singers, the band finally settled for vocalist Scott Reagers under the designation TYRANT. In August 1979 the quartet played their first show and in 1980 their name was finally changed to SAINT VITUS. Reportedly this move was inspired by the BLACK SABBATH song “St. Vitus’ Dance”, taken from the “Volume 4” album (1972).
The eponymous debut album “Saint Vitus” had been released in the same year and was quickly followed by the second full-length “Hallow’s Victim” (1985) and an EP entitled “The Walking Dead” (1985). With Thrash Metal on a furious rise, the ultra-heavy sound of SAINT VITUS was mainly enjoyed by connoisseurs of Doom and a dedicated underground following. This might have been one of the reasons for Scott Reagers to part from the band in 1986. His unexpected move turned out to be hardly a problem for the band as they recruited Scott “Wino” Weinrich from THE OBSESSED, who is considered as the ultimate voice of SAINT VITUS by a clear majority of their adherents.
When Scott Reagers left, Dave Chandler had already written most of “Born Too Late” (1986). This album gained the Americans growing attention in the Metal underground especially overseas. The anthemic title track is considered be one of the great Doom hymns by many fans.
The EP “Thirsty and Miserable” (1987) followed, which featured a BLACK FLAG cover version of the same name, but “Mournful Cries” (1988) was still going to be the last album for SST Records. All this hard work during the previous years started to pay off. With their aptly named fifth full-length “V” (1989) now released on the famous German Doom label Hellhound Records and the live recording “Live” coming out a year later, interest started to grow considerably, although at first in continental Europe, but soon after in England as well. Just as the horizon was brightening for the Godfathers of Doom, Wino decided to leave SAINT VITUS and reform THE OBSESSED in 1990, which turned out to be a serious blow.
Wino was first replaced by Christian Lindersson from Swedish musical and spiritual brothers COUNT RAVEN. With him at the microphone SAINT VITUS recorded “C.O.D.” (1992), which was produced by Don Dokken and gained high critical acclaim. Despite the warm welcome received, the band remained largely inactive after this release.
Two years later, SAINT VITUS reunited with their original singer Scott Reagers. This led to the again much applauded album “Die Healing” (1995). It might have been the right time for the group to reap the harvest of all the amazing songs that they had sown, but due to severe health problems of Scott Reagers their European tour had to be prematurely ended and that seemed to be the end of the SAINT VITUS story for a long time, much to the dismay of their loyal and by then many followers.
At the time nobody could have foreseen that April 29th, 2009 in Stuttgart, Germany would mark Armando Acosta’s final performance with SAINT VITUS. After this last show in Europe the band returned to the States as planned. There Amando’s multiple serious health issues were continuing to take their toll on him, and with great sadness on November 25th, 2010 SAINT VITUS received the painful news that their longtime friend and band mate had passed away.
When SAINT VITUS played their massive show at Hellfest in France, the crowd witnessed a new member on the drum stool. Henry Vasquez, who had already joined Dave Chandler on his project DEBRIS INC. made his debut there and remained with the band from that day on.
In 2012, SAINT VITUS signed to Season of Mist, who proudly released “Lillie: F-65” in April. Seventeen years after their previous album and nine years after their reunion, SAINT VITUS were returning with a masterpiece that cemented their status as true icons of Doom. “Lillie: F-65” includes the trademark song writing style so beloved by SAINT VITUS fans: there is the cataclysmic and unmistakable guitar sound of co-founder Dave Chandler full of reverbs, feedbacks, flanger and apocalyptic distortion leading to amazing and magical solos. “Lillie: F-65” is furthermore graced with the deeply resonant vocals of Scott “Wino” Weinrich who had rejoined the fold to record an album with the band for the first time since the glorious “V” (1989) and whom many consider to be the classic SAINT VITUS vocalist.
From the very first guitar chords, that unmistakable frying, sizzling, and wailing signature sound of Dave Chandler, any adherent of classic doom metal will immediately know: this is SAINT VITUS. The godfathers of American Doom Metal will soon embark on an extensive European tour in celebration of their 40th band anniversary. At first glance a bold statement such as “godfathers of American Doom Metal” might appear to be weighing as heavy as this band sounds. Nonetheless this is simply the truth in this case. www.facebook.com/saintvitusofficial
Line-up Dave Chandler: guitar Henry Vasquez: drums Scott Reagers: vocals Pat Bruders: bass
