Following the recent reissue campaign, Nuclear War Now! Productions is honored to present the first official release of a rarely heard 1989 rehearsal recording, Blood Upon the Soundspace.
This crude open-air mic recording captures the unvarnished vigor of Blasphemy in a way that the contemporaneous studio recordings cannot. The rehearsal took place in Blasphemy’s practice space sometime following the release of the Blood Upon the Altar demo as the Desecraters were writing material that would later appear on the 1990 debut LP, Fallen Angel of Doom. Four of the five tracks feature songs that would be recorded for the album, with “War Command” being the only exception.
The live performance of these tracks in the band’s rehearsal space is devastating and showcases a side of Blasphemy that many have never previously heard. The unified front of the instrumentation—the blunt force of Black Winds’ bass assault, the wicked precision of Black Priest’s rhythm guitar, Black Hearts’ furious drumming—is undeniably powerful. Black Winds’ raw vocals, raspier than on the studio recordings, drive the intensity of the performance, while Caller’s renegade solos are characteristically unhinged and frantic.
The band only produced a handful of these rehearsal tapes for distribution to close associates. This version of the recording is taken from a tape Black Winds sent to Metalion (Slayer Magazine) in May of 1989—one of the only known extant copies—and is newly mastered by James Plotkin to enhance the audio where possible. (Note that the first track, “Darkness Prevails,” is noticeably more distorted than the rest of the recording.) To maintain the authenticity of this release, the cover features original artwork created in 1988 by Black Priest and screenshots taken from a video recording at the Blasphemy rehearsal space during the same era
This November, Prophecy Productions invites fans to attend the inaugural Prophecy Fest USA, presented by Stardust NYC and Invisible Oranges. Taking place in Brooklyn, NY at Knitting Factory on November 2nd & 3rd, the Fest will showcase the label’s recent North American signings, as well as special guests and the triumphant return of French blackgaze legends, Alcest, playing Kodama in its entirety – possibly for the last time. Today, the label has revealed the complete lineup and set times for the festival, as found below.
In conjunction with Prophecy Fest USA, the label will be distributing a free 2018 2CD compilation to ticket holders upon entry to the festival. The compilation is limited edition, unavailable to stream or purchase, and features a wide array of artists (worldwide) seasoned and newly signed from the label’s roster.
Additionally, Prophecy Productions has created a special digital compilation, Dusk In America 2018, that showcases the label’s North American based acts. It’s available to stream for free via Bandcamp and/or to purchase at your own price. Check it out now at https://prophecy-de.bandcamp.com/album/dusk-in-america.
SÓLSTAFIR are about to kick off their Australian tour in support of ENSLAVED tonight at the Rosemount Hotel in Perth. The band will perform 3 more shows in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. A full list of confirmed shows can be found below.
In previous news, SÓLSTAFIR have added more dates to their already announced European tour in support of their latest release ‘Berdreyminn’ this December. Their massive road-trip will kick off at Poland’s B90 in Gdansk on November 20, and run through 17 more countries before the final curtain falls at the Voodoo Lounge in Dublin, Ireland on the 22nd of December.
SÓLSTAFIR Australian tour
+ENSLAVED
29 Aug 18 Perth (AU) Rosemount Hotel
30 Aug 18 Sydney (AU) Factory Theatre
31 Aug 18 Brisbane (AU) The Zoo
01 Sep 18 Melbourne (AU) Max Watts
SÓLSTAFIR European tour
20 Nov 18 Gdansk (PL) B90
21 Nov 18 Warsaw (PL) Progresja
22 Nov 18 Vilnius (LT) Loftas
23 Nov 18 Riga (LV) Melna Vilnius
24 Nov 18 Tallinn (EE) Tapper
29 Nov 18 Gothenburg (SE) Sticky Fingers
30 Nov 18 Oslo (NO) Vulkan Arena
01 Dec 18 Copenhagen (DK) Lille Vega
02 Dec 18 Leipzig (DE) Taubchenthal
03 Dec 18 Stuttgart (DE) Im Wizeman
04 Dec 18 Winterthur (CH) Salzhaus
05 Dec 18 Marseille (FR) Jas Rod
06 Dec 18 Biarritz (FR) Atabal
07 Dec 18 Madrid (ES) Madrid Is The Dark Festival
08 Dec 18 Lisbon (PT) Under The Doom
09 Dec 18 Porto (PT) Hard Club
11 Dec 18 Cognac (FR) West Rock
12 Dec 18 Audincourt (FR) Le Moloco
13 Dec 18 Lille (FR) Aeronef
14 Dec 18 Eindhoven (NL) Eindhoven Metal Meeting
15 Dec 18 Istanbul (TR) Garajistanbul
16 Dec 18 Athens (GR) Fuzz Club
SÓLSTAFIR UK/Ireland tour
17 Dec 18 Bristol (UK) The Fleece
18 Dec 18 Birmingham (UK) Hare & Hounds
19 Dec 18 Manchester (UK) Deaf Institute
20 Dec 18 Glasgow (UK) Classic Grand
21 Dec 18 Belfast (UK) Limelight 2
22 Dec 18 Dublin (IR) Voodoo Lounge
The band will be touring in support of the Icelander’s latest album, ‘Berdreyminn’ which is streaming in full here.
Artwork and further information can be found below.
Music will always be inspired by the environment in which it is created. With its incredible array of highly diverse landscapes ranging from white glaciers via volcanic bizarreness, moss-green bubble-fields, deep fjords, and frost-cracked mountains to black beaches, Iceland has shaped a host of astonishingly original and fiercely individual bands such as SIGUR RÓS, BJÖRK, and SÓLSTAFIR.
SÓLSTAFIR embody the ever-turning wheel of seasons with their shifting light, darkness, and colours, extreme Northern climate, the stark contrasts, the closeness of beauty and deadly forces of nature, the impressive sceneries that have the bones of ancient gods enshrined in them like hardly any other band in every aspect of their existence.
SÓLSTAFIR are not like any other band. Their latest album, ‘Berdreyminn’ underscores this statement. As its title “a dreamer of forthcoming events” aptly describes, the four Icelanders have taken their already impressive evolution one step further. The band has continued to amalgamate haunting melodies, psychedelic phases, as well as strong undercurrents of classic rock and hard rock with echoes of their metal past. Yet SÓLSTAFIR’s focus is not on style but pure emotion. ‘Berdreyminn’ is eclectic by a conscious choice to make feelings audible and transform taste as well as texture to sound. Genre borders are not broken but simply ignored. Musical influences are gathered from a wide range of sources, re-arranged, and woven into new patterns. Melancholy, longing, anger, joy, pleasure, pain, and other emotions are fulling this album.
Despite leaning clearly towards an expression that can be described as rock today, SÓLSTAFIR have their roots in metal as their debut full-length ‘Í Blóði og Anda’ (2002), which translates as “In Blood and Spirit” still witnesses. Instead of today’s Icelandic gravel throated siren chants, frontman Aðalbjörn Tryggvason spat forth vitriolic crusty vocals and all strings were forged with black metal. Already their next albums ‘Masterpiece of Bitterness’ (2005) and ‘Köld’ (2009) marked stations of a continuous evolution. SÓLSTAFIR went further along their solitary path and obviously left any categorising box with the ground-breaking follow-ups ‘Svartir Sandar’ (2011) and ‘Ótta’ (2014), which received high critical acclaim and attracted new fans in equal measure, while managing the difficult feat of keeping most of their earlier following too.
SÓLSTAFIR have set sails to new horizons with ‘Berdreyminn’. Yet the Icelanders brought their home with them and the silhouette of their vessels remains easily recognisable. Welcome aboard on a new adventurous musical journey into uncharted territories.
BEYOND CREATION are now premiering the second crushing track, in the form of a lyric video, taken from their forthcoming new album ‘Algorythm’! The album is slated for release on October 12th, 2018.
The Canadian masters of progressive technical death metal are streaming the title track “Algorythm”
BEYOND CREATION comment: “This song really offers a powerful and unique vibe. Mixing tapping, overlapping rhythmics, epic solos and heavy voices. The progressive / fusion approach through the middle section really shows how textured and dynamic this whole album is!”
BEYOND CREATION have previously announced a European tour with GOROD, ENTHEOS and BROUGHT BY PAIN this November. A full list of confirmed dates can be found below.
BEYOND CREATION
With GOROD, ENTHEOS and BROUGHT BY PAIN
02 Nov 18 Hamburg (DE) Headcrash
03 Nov 18 Hannover (DE) Faust
04 Nov 18 Berlin (DE) Musik & Frieden
05 Nov 18 Prague (CZ) Nova Chmelnice
06 Nov 18 Vienna (AT) Viper Room
07 Nov 18 Munich (DE) Feierwerk
08 Nov 18 Ljubljana (SL) Orto Bar
09 Nov 18 Retorbido (IT) Dagda Club
10 Nov 18 Venice (IT) Revolver
11 Nov 18 Kiff (CH) Aarau
12 Nov 18 Grenoble (FR) L’Amperage
13 Nov 18 Barcelona (ES) Upload Club
14 Nov 18 Madrid (ES) Caracol
15 Nov 18 Porto (PT) Hard Club
16 Nov 18 Donosti (ES) CC Larratxo
17 Nov 18 Angouleme (FR) La Nef
18 Nov 18 Paris (FR) Petit Bain
19 Nov 18 Manchester (UK) Satan’s Hollow
20 Nov 18 Glasgow (UK) Audio
21 Nov 18 Dublin (IE) Voodoo Lounge
22 Nov 18 London (UK) Underworld
23 Nov 18 Birmingham (UK) Asylum2
24 Nov 18 Drachten (NL) Iduna
25 Nov 18 Oberhausen (DE) Kulttempel
BEYOND CREATION have previously revealed the artwork for ‘Algorythm’, which can be viewed together with the album details below.
Track-list
1. Disenthrall (1:44)
2. Entre Suffrage Et Mirage (4:20)
3. Surface’s Echoes (6:54)
4. Ethereal Kingdom (5:19)
5. Algorythm (7:40)
6. À Travers Le Temps Et L’Oubli (1:48)
7. In Adversity (3:19)
8. The Inversion (7:26)
9. Binomial Structures (6:32)
10. The Afterlife (5:37)
Bonus tracks
11. Surface’s Echoes (Instr) (6:53)
12. The Afterlife (Instr) (5:37)
Total playing time: 1:03:09
Feel the onrush of sweeping arpeggios, crushing waves of fretless bass, complex rhythmical patterns and erupting scales peppered with jazzy feeling and masterful execution under the mark of ‘Algorythm’, which names the third full-length of BEYOND CREATION.
The French part of Canada is home to a vibrant culture of technical Death Metal fostered by outstanding acts such as GORGUTS, CRYPTOPSY, MARTYR, and NEURAXIS. This illustrious family tree has produced many sprouts in the past, yet none of them are as brilliant as Quebec’s amazing scion: BEYOND CREATION!
BEYOND CREATION saw the light of day in 2005 in Montreal, Canada but it wasn’t until 2010 that the band was ready to hit the stage with their original line-up consisting of Simon Girard, Kevin Chatré, Guyot Bégin-Benoît and Dominic ‘Forest’ Lapointe. A year later, the band self-released their debut full-length album ‘The Aura’ (2011), which quickly became a highlight in the genre. Since then, BEYOND CREATION has been known as the progressive, innovative and exciting new metal sound of their homeland, Quebec.
In late 2012, the band had Philippe Boucher (Ex-FIRST FRAGMENT, INCADESCENSE, CHTHE’ILIST, DÉCOMBRES) take Guyot’s place on drums and things started moving at a faster pace in 2013, when they joined Season of Mist, re-releasing ‘The Aura’ and touring North America and Japan. In 2014, BEYOND CREATION released their second masterpiece ‘Earthborn Evolution’.
After the addition of Hugo Doyon-Karout (BROUGHT BY PAIN, EQUIPOISE, CONFLUX) on bass, the band focused on touring as much as possible on the ‘Earthborn Evolution’ album cycle compiling 3 North American tours, 3 European tours, countless shows in Canada, appearances in Mexico, Colombia and Dubaï, sharing the stage with heavy weights like ARCH ENEMY, HATE ETERNAL, MISERY INDEX, DYING FETUS, PSYCROPTIC and OBSCURA. They also took part in multiple large-scale music festivals such as Hellfest (FR), 70 000 Tons of Metal (US), UK Tech-Fest, Montebello Rockfest (CA), Heavy MTL (CA) and Damnation Fest (UK).
In 2018, BEYOND CREATION recorded their highly-anticipated third album ‘Algorythm’ at The Grid Studio in home land Canada, which is set for release on October 12th, 2018. With the new album, BEYOND CREATION delivers a ferocious blend of technicality, melody, and brutality aided by fang-filled growls, which is interwoven with beautiful progressive interludes. Prepare for the lightning evolution of the progressive technical death metal revolution!
Current line-up
Simon Girard: Vocals & Guitars
Kevin Chartré: Guitars & Back Vocals
Hugo Doyon-Karout: Bass
Philippe Boucher: Drums
Impious Swedish black metal force BLOOD OF SERPENTS are less than a month away from unveiling their sophomore full length, aptly entitled “Sulphur Sovereign”. The album is scheduled for release via Dutch label Non Serviam Records on September 25, 2018.
As the second excerpt from the album, the band have released the track “In Darkness, Brotherhood” on all major digital outlets.
The band offers the following statement on this track:
“”In Darkness, Brotherhood” is an anthemic track about finding strength through unity against a theistic creed. While not strictly satanic, the track decries all organized religion and calls for an anti-theistic world where men rule without make-belief gods. Non Serviam!”
The advance streaming of the second single “In Darkness, Brotherhood”, can be heard here:
Forged in 2012 by the guitarists Fredrik Nilsson and Kristian Roupe, black metal force BLOOD OF SERPENTS hail from the deep forests of Småland, Sweden. Spawning two mini releases and one critically acclaimed full length within the six years of existence, BLOOD OF SERPENTS are proud to present their second album, “Sulphur Sovereign”, after years of writing, line-up changes and adversity.
“Sulphur Sovereign” is the first offering to feature the drummer Christoffer Andersson and the vocalist Thomas Clifford (Throne of Heresy, Abscession). With the newly recruited assets, the band has taken a decided step into a supreme black metal direction, going at full speed with forceful vocals that rip and roar with equal measure. Mixed with dark melodic guitar works and crushing riffs, Sulphur Sovereign is a full on black metal attack interspersed with atmospheric pieces and haunting melodic parts.
Containing ten tracks of genuine Swedish black metal, Blood of Serpents are finally ready to set free the beast — known as Sulphur Sovereign — upon the world. This is a defining moment for the band who has found their true sound in the sphere of accursed black metal.
The album is produced by Lars Broddesson (ex-Marduk) and mixed and mastered by Magnus Devo Andersson (Marduk). Amazing Gustave Doré inspired artwork was executed by Khaos Diktator.
“Sulphur Sovereign” will be out worldwide on September 25, 2018 through NON SERVIAM RECORDS on digipak CD and digital format.
Today, black speed metalpunks Bonehunter premiere the new track “Sex Messiah Android”. The track hails from the band’s highly anticipated third album, Children of the Atom, set for international release on September 28th via Hells Headbangers.
Hear Bonehunter’s “Sex Messiah Android” in its entirety exclusively HERE.
If Bonehunter’s debut album, Evil Triumphs Again, became the first and last word on how to do Bathory worship – and becoming something of a mini-classic in the process, especially after their much-talked-about performance at Hells Headbangers’ Hells Headbash 2 in 2015 – and last year’s Sexual Panic Human Machine became the shocking sound of the band asserting their own identity with equally compelling results, then Children of the Atom is Bonehunter hitting a fucking fever pitch. It would not be untruthful to say that Children of the Atom is the perfect synthesis of Bonehunter’s first two albums: the dungeon-bred grit of the debut meeting the streamlined cruise of LP#2, without the faintest hint of self-consciousness nor repetitiousness. But – and this is absolutely crucial – the devilish charisma and unfuckwithable confidence with which the band roll out each anthem after another here bespeaks something else together. Simply, Children of the Atom is the new (and very now) sound of Bonehunter breaking into the bigtime.
After the stage-setting “Initiate the Sequence” intro, Children of the Atom literally EXPLODES from the speakers. Charging hard like the veritable post-apocalyptic Road Warriors that they are, Bonehunter truly make their self-proclaimed “Devil Metal Punk” a subgenre unto itself here. It’s one of those sounds that’s immediately familiar – again, earliest Bathory will always loom large – but with a wealth of era- and globe-spanning influences all freely fed into their engine, from ’80s Japanese metalpunk to the deepest South American blackthrash, what emerges on Children of the Atom is indeed a mutation like no other. And it’s absolutely ADDICTING: hooks upon hooks are doled out effortlessly, inciting possessed headbanging and air-guitaring, and all with a breathless abandon that’s a wild wonder to behold. Additionally, Bonehunter’s rhythmic arsenal has kicked it up a notch or five, as well, hitting speeds previously unapproachable for the band but here delivered with authority and elan. Not to mention that the production’s been roughened up again, bloody raw but belying a clarity of intent.
Featuring unforgettable cover art courtesy of the master Joe Petagno, Children of the Atom is the ultimate nuclear assault from Bonehunter! A statement from the band reads: “We envisioned an album that sounded like songs written by the synthetically-revived cadavers of Chris Witchhunter, HIDE, and Petrus Steele after blasting Sacrilege, Atomkraft, and Immortal in a military bunker through the heart of a nuclear winter. Läjä Äijälä, frontman of the infamous hardcore act Terveet Kädet, gave birth to the intro track ‘Initiate the Sequence.’ The only man who could be trusted to handle the album cover for Children of the Atom was the legendary artist behind Motörhead’s Snaggletooth, Joe Petagno. Hails to Hells Headbangers for helping to spread our noise, filth, and fury and to Läjä and Joe for their contributions! This is the ultimate Bonehunter album – turn up the evil!”
Continue turning up the evil with the new track “Sex Messiah Android” exclusively HERE, courtesy of Revolver, North America’s premier rock & metal authority. Begin turning up the evil with the previously revealed “The Reek of Reaper’s Scythe” HERE at Hells Headbangers’ Bandcamp, where the album can also be preordered. Additionally, Bonehunter will be joining labelmates Midnight on a North American tour later this year, in support of Children of the Atom; dates will be revealed in due time.
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Bonehunter’s Children of the Atom
1. Initiate the Sequence
2. Demonic Nuclear Armament
3. Sex Messiah Android
4. Children of the Atom
5. The Reek of Reaper’s Scythe
6. Black Star Carcass
7. Spider’s Grave
8. Cybernetic Vampirism
9. Man of Steel
10. Devil Signal Burst
‘NON SERVIAM: THE OFFICIAL STORY OF ROTTING CHRIST’ is A full-length book created by front-man Sakis Tolis and Dayal Patterson (author of ‘Black Metal: Evolution Of The Cult’, ‘The Cult Never Dies Vol. One’ and ‘Into The Abyss’), and will be released via Cult Never Dies in late November 2018.
The book will contain extensive interviews with Themis Tolis, Jim Mutilator, Morbid, George Tolias, George Emmanuel and members of bands including Watain, Mayhem, Enslaved, Moonspell, Blasphemy, Mystifier, Septicflesh, Behemoth, Macabre Omen, Immolation and more.
Pre-orders of the book and more info can be found here
ROTTING CHRIST have previously announced new European tour dates in support of the mighty WATAIN this November.
Front-man Sakis Tolis comments: “Hey there brothers! On behalf of Rotting Christ, I would like to announce our very last ‘Rituals’ worldwide tour. A Special 20 shows rampage, with two of the most Unholy Black Metal Hordes out there! See you at the Gates of Hell together with Watain & Profanatica and we promise nothing less than a hell-of-a-show with a very special set-list!”
See below for an updated list of all confirmed shows.
ROTTING CHRIST
+WATAIN +PROFANATICA
02 Nov 18 Copenhagen (DK) Byhaven Pumpehuset
03 Nov 18 Leipzig (DE) Hellraiser
04 Nov 18 Warsaw (PL) Progresja
06 Nov 18 Prague (CZ) MeetFactory
07 Nov 18 Budapest (HU) Barba Negra Music Club
09 Nov 18 Munich (DE) Backstage
10 Nov 18 Zug (CH) Chollerhalle
11 Nov 18 Trezzo sull ‘Adda (IT) Live Club
12 Nov 18 Colmar (DE) Le Grillen
14 Nov 18 Barcelona (ES) Razzmatazz 2
15 Nov 18 Madrid (ES) Chango
16 Nov 18 Limoges (FR) Centre Culturel John Lennon
17 Nov 18 Paris (FR) La Trabendo
18 Nov 18 Bucharest (RO) Metal Gates
20 Nov 18 Saarbrücken (DE) Garage
21 Nov 18 Mannheim (DE) MS Connexion Complex
22 Nov 18 Berlin (DE) Astra Kulturhaus
23 Nov 18 Antwerpen (BE) TRIX
24 Nov 18 Bochum (DE) Matrix
25 Nov 18 Nijmegen (NL) Doornroosje
ROTTING CHRIST will be playing in support of their latest release ‘Their Greatest Spells’. Artwork, track-list, and album details can be viewed below.
Track-list
CD 1
1. The Sign of Prime Creation (3:21)
2. Athanati Este (5:39)
3. Non Serviam (5:11)
4. King of a Stellar War (6:14)
5. Nemecic (4:15)
6. Grandis Spiritus Diavolos (5:51)
7. Art of Sin (5:17)
8. Dying (4:49)
9. Archon (4:09)
10. Serve In Heaven (3:52)
11. Astral Embodiment (5:29)
12. After Dark I Feel (4:32)
13. Sorrowfull Farewell (4:51)
14. In Yumen-Xibalba (6:24)
15. Elthe Kyrie (4:49)
16. Cold Colours (3:36)
Total: 1:18:19
CD 2
1. The Sign of Evil Existence (1:59)
2. Fgmenth Thy Gift (4:28)
3. Ze Nigmar (4:42)
4. Phobo’s Synagogue (4:30)
5. Demonon Vrosis (4:54)
6. …Pir Threontai (4:47)
7. Kata Ton Daimona Eaytoy (4:53)
8. Among Two Storms (4:09)
9. Semigod (4:39)
10. Welcome to Hel (4:26)
11. A Dynasty from the Ice (4:28)
12. Shadows Follow (4:33)
13. Forest of N’gai (5:49)
14. Feast of the Grand Whore (3:16)
15. Exiled Archangels (5:06)
16. Saturn Unlock Avey’s Son (6:21)
17. I Will Not Serve (3:55)
Total: 1:16:55
ROTTING CHRIST have reached another peak in their long career that now spans over more than three decades. The Greeks have literally stood the test of time. With a steady core line-up and their well-honed live delivery, ROTTING CHRIST are filling concert halls and reap enthusiastic crowd reactions wherever they go. This demonstration of love from their followers is not just driven by nostalgia as the band has managed to evolve and grow, while staying relevant beyond the classics with their highly acclaimed latest albums such as ‘Aealo’ (2010), ‘Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτού’ (2013), and ‘Rituals’ (2016).
With more than 30 years, 12 studio albums, a dozen EPs, singles and split releases, as well as more than 1.250 shows under their belt, it is about high time to take a retrospective look at this band’s fascinating musical development by picking a select choice of key tracks covering the many facets of ROTTING CHRIST that have sparkled over the years. With such a massive catalogue such an undertaking will always lead to controversy about certain additions as well as omissions from the final list, but the involvement of frontman Sakis Tolis in this extremely difficult task ensures that the result is at least relevant.
ROTTING CHRIST were founded by Sakis Tolis and his brother Themis in the year 1987. Starting out on a basis of death and grind, the Greeks had already embarked on a darker musical journey by the time their debut full-length ‘Thy Mighty Contract’ (1993) was revealed. On the following seven albums covering a ten-year period from ‘Non Serviam’ (1994) to ‘Sanctus Diavolos’ (2004), ROTTING CHRIST steadily defined their own distinct style by experimenting with elements from death, heavy, and gothic metal without betraying their black roots. At the same time, the band went from underground heroes to headliner status. With the highly acclaimed ninth album, ‘Theogonia’ (2007), the Greek stalwarts added an unmistakable native element to their sound, which has remained with them as a signature trademark ever since. Exploring the mythical legacy of cultures around the globe let to ROTTING CHRIST’s massively successful latest release, ‘Rituals’. With ‘Their Greatest Spells’, the Greek metal icons musically revisit their exciting legacy and even contribute a brand new track entitled “I Will Not Serve” to connect their past with the present.
Today, Iron Bonehead Productions sets November 1st as the international release date for Abyssous’ long-awaited new recording, Mesa, on CD and 12″ vinyl formats. This new mini-album shall be released on November 1st, in conjunction with the Iron Bonehead / Nuclear War Now!-curated Never Surrender Festival set to take place in Berlin on November 1-3. Abyssous will be giving an exclusive performance at this fest.
It’s been six long years since the original release of Abyssous’ debut recording, …Smouldering. What was first a demo soon became something of a debut album, aided by two newly recorded tracks and a cavernously 3D mastering job by P. Engel at Temple of Disharmony: Iron Bonehead was so impressed by this fresh take on a rotten sound that it released …Smouldering on vinyl LP in 2013. Anchored in the ancient ways of the Metal of Death yet exuding a bold, flowing flair for songcraft, here Abyssous compositionally ran the gamut from teeth-gnashing, tempting-the-corners-of-chaos violence to slowly simmering, doomed-out dementia, taking the listener on a journey to eldritch depths…and beyond, and back. Not for nothing was it titled …Smouldering.
Then came silence, but during that interim, Abyssous have been patiently perfecting their craft. It finds full bloom on the aptly titled Mesa, which presents ten tracks across a surprisingly expansive 35 minutes. With such a setup, one would think a record of quick-hitting constructions; instead, Mesa is more like five proper songs buttressed by just as many no-less-crucial interludes. As such, Abyssous weave a more mind-melting tapestry than before, painting a fever dream in more gangrenous hues of ancient death metal and dizzying tension. It all very much sounds like the band who left us …Smouldering, but whipped into a delirium of fractured angularity and even-more-fractured sanity. Mesa is no less rotten, but paradoxically more regal. Even the language the power-trio is using here – “Fissurge,” “Aerosoils,” “Perlurkural,” “Vesspense,” and especially the climactic “Congealed Lores” among them – suggest that they’re indeed operating on a mesa all their own.
Or, one could simply gaze deeply into the cover art of Mesa and see where Abyssous are going now, and where they’re arriving. Will you step beyond The Beyond? Dare to find out with the new track “Ocaeon” HERE
Today, W.T.C. Productions sets October 31st as the international release date for Trollheims Grott’s long-awaited third album, Aligned with the True Death.
Hailing from Finland and forming in 1997, Trollheims Grott are unsung pioneers of industrial black metal. The band’s first two albums, 2001’s Bizarre Troll Technology and 2003’s Bloodsoaked and Ill-Fated, served as benchmarks for the idiom, pushing forth a sleek and psychotic sound executed with the utmost cruelty.
Now, some 15 years later, the time has arrived for Trollheims Grott to unleash their carefully prepared third bloodthirsty beast from their Syndicate Laboratory. Tellingly titled Aligned with the True Death, the album shall lay terror around the world with unforeseen force.
In these times of unskilled copycat newcomers staggering around the scene babbling about their “primitive” approach, it’s about fucking time to put true talent and vision back into black metal again. Aligned with the True Death is true black metal executed with the exceptionally deadly skill and precision for which Trollheims Grott became renown in the underground, and further fueled by these true Luciferian visionaries’ fiery prophecies and perception of this decaying world.
Losing not one step since their early 2000s heyday, Trollheims Grott unload a furious whirlwind of shock-force drums and razor-caked riffs, with mechanized industrial elements providing no-less-devastating support fire, all conveying the sensation of war-machines of the Apocalypse razing the last remnants of this doomed millennium. Gloomy corpse-stenched commandments and divinations drive the mind of the listener to the place where Earth faces its last stand and all things living will be aligned with the true Death.
Truly, Trollheims Grott are more deadly than before. No time has been lost; if anything, it has been erased. Here, stand Aligned with the True Death or prepare for utter annihilation.
Begin preparing with the new track “Holy Black Sun,” of which a teaser video can be seen & heard HERE
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Trollheims Grott’s Aligned with the True Death
1. Aligned With The True Death
2. Deathless Form
3. Omega Angel
4. Holy Black Sun
5. Twilight
6. LXFR
7. Earth’s Last Stand
In anticipation of the imminent release of Aligned with the True Death, Trollheims Grott will be playing two special shows with esteemed comrades …And Oceans and Thyrane. To prepare the crowds for the returning onslaught, Thyrane rose early in 2015 to pump their blend of satanic symphonic black metal origins thickened with industrial veins back into the black metal scene. As the cogs in the industrial black metal core of Finland began to turn once again, the final band to play each evening was not content to lay idle. For the first time in over a decade …And Oceans will reassemble onstage to lay waste to any unworthy survivors. Dates, venues, and event information are as follows:
Milwaukee black metal group PREZIR have released a lyric video for the title track from forthcoming album As Rats Devour Lions. Check it out at:
PREZIR will release As Rats Devour Lions on September 17 through Godz ov War Productions. Pre-orders are available now at this location.
The follow up to 2017 debut EP Contempt, As Rats Devour Lions delivers a scornful blow to the wasteland of safe metal modernity. A contemptuous rebuke of all extremist ideologies, both present and historical, PREZIR epitomizes black metal ferocity (DESTROYER 666, DAWN, EMPEROR) laden with thrash (MEGADETH, SLAYER) and death metal (MORBID ANGEL, IMMOLATION, DEICIDE) influences. This record is a faster, more melodic, and heavier auditory assault than their previous effort.
A black metal cyclone, PREZIR features guitarists Rory Heikkila (SHROUD OF DESPONDENCY) and Tyler Okrzesik (SHROUD OF DESPONDENCY), vocalist and lyricist Luka Djordjevic (KHAZADDUM), drummer Brian Serzynski (PIGS BLOOD), and bassist Jerry Hauppa (ARA/NORTHLESS)
As Rats Devour Lions was skillfully recorded and mixed by Shane Hochstetler at Howl Street Recordings. Bass recorded by J.Hauppa; artwork and layout by L.Djordjevic; and photography by David Warner.
Track List
1. As Rats Devour Lions
2. Ideologue Alchemy
3. Janičari
4. Dar al-Harb
5. Serpents in the House of Ra
6. Hamatsa Death Ritual
7. Plagiarized Infamy
8. Oedipus Context
“Another great sounding recording from Prezir. If you are a fan of fast and melodic black metal with elements of death and thrash metal, you should check out this album.”
– Occult Black Metal Zine
