Today, Nuclear War Now! Productions sets August 1st as the international release date for Moenen of Xezbeth’s highly anticipated debut album, Ancient Spells of Darkness…. The CD version shall be released earlier on July 1st.
Conjuring the sinister spirits of yesteryear, Moenen of Xezbeth rises to deliver its first full incantation of mid-paced black metal, Ancient Spells of Darkness…, with its seven arcane invocations primed to unleash their plague on all who bear witness. Captured with the same approach and under the same austere conditions as its preceding demo and EP, Ancient Spells of Darkness… thus realizes the same unearthly effect, yet it is even more sinister and oppressive. These foreboding hymns serve as a conduit for the return of the original black flame, which was first sparked by Moenen of Xezbeth’s revered forbearers, has since nurtured itself in the underworld, and is now emboldened to return in its dark glory.
Hear for yourself with the new tracks “Into the Black Mist” and “Ancient Spells of Darkness,” as well as the album’s haunting intro, HERE.
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Moenen of Xezbeth’s Ancient Spells of Darkness…
1. Intro
2. Into the Black Mist
3. Oath of Malignancy
4. Pandemonial Curse
5. Ancient Spells of Darkness
6. Interlude
7. Obscured by Lunar Rites
Southern California-based blackened sludge SIXES has premiered a sadistic new video for the band’s third and final single, “Fogbreather,” via Decibel. In addition, the band kicks off their debut U.S. tour tonight (5/23) in Los Angeles.
Watch the twisted video for “Fogbreather”
With a twisted blend of black metal, sludge and stoner doom, SIXES is carving their own niche within an already vast subgenre. Recorded by Brent Wisdom and mastered by Brad Boatright, Methistopheles was recorded in one of the harshest California winters in decades. The album’s artwork was designed by Ryan Bartlett.
Kicking off their own U.S. tour tonight (5/23), SIXES will be performing at several festivals this summer, including Austin Terror Fest and Chicago Doomed & Stoned Festival.
SIXES is:
Stephen Cummings – Vocals, Guitar
Hannes Bogacs – Guitar
Zander Reddis – Bass
Dustin Daniels – Drums
Tour Dates:
5/23 – Los Angeles, CA @ 5 Star Bar
5/24 – Oakland, CA @ The Golden Bull
5/25 – Eugene, OR @ Old Nick’s Pub
5/26 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon (Funhouse Seattle)
5/27 – Boise, ID @ The Shredder
5/28 – Salt Lake City, UT @ TBA *contact SIXES directly if you can help out with a new venue: sixesdoom(at)gmail(dot)com
5/29 – Denver, CO @ Streets of London Pub
5/30 – Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room
5/31 – Des Moines, IA @ Lefty’s Live Music
6/02 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Doomed and Stoned Festival
6/04 – Indianapolis, IN @ Indiana City Brewing Company
6/05 – Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place
6/06 – Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
6/07 – Providence, RI @ Alchemy
6/08 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Kingsland
6/09 – Spartanburg, SC @ GroundZero
6/10 – Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits
6/11 – Orlando, FL @ Will’s Pub
6/13 – Metairie, LA @ The Twist of Lime
6/14 – Houston, TX @ Satellite Bar
6/15 – Austin, TX @ Austin Terror Fest
6/18 – Corpus Christi, TX @ Boozerz Rock Bar
6/19 – San Antonio, TX @ Fitzgerald’s Bar & Live Music
6/20 – El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse Bar & Grill
6/21 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
6/22 – Tempe, AZ @ Tempe Tavern
6/23 – San Diego, CA @ Til-Two Club
6/24 – Fullerton, CA @ The Slidebar Rock N Roll Kitchen ***FREE show!!!***
Today, Signal Rex sets July 27th as the international release date for Black Howling’s highly anticipated sixth album, Return of Primordial Stillness, on CD, vinyl LP formats, and cassette tape formats.
One of the oldest and most prolific bands in the Portuguese black metal underground, Black Howling have built up a staggering body of work of unparalleled anguish and misery. By no means strictly “depressive suicidal black metal,” the duo’s aesthetic often runs parallel to DSBM but fortunately evades all the usual cliches of such. More importantly, Black Howling’s commitment to an unapologetically raw soundfield yet suffusing that misery ‘n’ anguish with a remarkably accomplished melodicism has largely shaped the modern Portuguese black metal paradigm that has received so much international fervor in recent years.
Now, after three years of silence, Black Howling return with Return of Primordial Stillness, a compact-yet-massive distillation of their enduring aesthetic. Comprising four tracks in an epic 40 minutes, Return of Primordial Stillness indeed sounds primordial and indeed invokes a crypt-like stillness, but there’s so much more going on here. The record is bookended by two mostly instrumental tracks, with the two central compositions – “Celestial Syntropy” and “Celestial Entropy,” which are 14 minutes and 16 minutes, respectively – canvassing a wide sonic landscape, howling and desperate and yet strangely triumphant and even perversely soothing, such is their catharsis sought. However, this is all BLACK METAL through and through, undiluted and uncompromising; it’s just that Black Howling possess a profound understanding of it and are thusly able to shape it in dazzling(ly malodorous) ways. Simply put, if you aren’t mesmerized by the conjurings contained within, then perhaps black metal isn’t for you…
Though their output has slowed in recent years, each Black Howling recording is a stained treasure unto itself. When their next recording shall reveal itself, no one knows but then, but hereby witness their Return of Primordial Stillness.
In the meantime, hear an edit of the aforementioned “Celestial Syntropy” HERE
Cover and tracklisting are
Tracklisting for Black Howling’s Return of Primordial Stillness
1. Iberia
2. Celestial Syntropy
3. Celestial Entropy
4. Cosmic Oblivion
Iron Bonehead Productions sets July 21st as the international release date for Aparthiva Raktadhara’s debut demo, Agyat Ishvar, on 7″ vinyl format.
Hailing from Kalikshetra, from the rising Indian black/death scene that’s spawned fellow Iron Bonehead noise terrorists Tetragrammacide, Aparthiva Raktadhara create an ultra-violent whirlwind of dread frequencies that somehow manages to sound hallucinatory. In a swift 13 minutes, the power-trio’s opening salvo blasts and twists and swirls with feral, frightening intent; just its sheer, Spartan overload of violence alone is stultifying enough. But within that maelstrom, Aparthiva Raktadhara have carefully cultivated a sort of order from chaos, with occult mathematics seemingly employed to elevate each messy-on-the-surface angularity into a stridently martial attack. And Agyat Ishvar is just the first detonation…a new EP for Iron Bonehead is being prepared.
In the meantime, hear the new track “Proclamations of the Empty” HERE.
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Aparthiva Raktadhara’s Agyat Ishvar
1. Blood Oblation to Ista-devata (Intro: Aprachalita Raktabalidan)
2. Dismal Anahata Transmissions
3. Proclamations of the Empty
DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT are kicked off their European festival touring cycle this week. The fast rising German black metal innovators have furthermore updated their festival appearances, including Japanese tour dates together with DOWNFALL OF GAIA.
A list of all currently confirmed shows can be found below.
DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT festival appearance
21 Jun 18 Würzburg (DE) Umsonst & Draußen
30 Jun 18 Münster (DE) Vainstream Rockfest
16 Aug 18 Alba Iulia (RO) Dark Bombastic Evening
17 Nov 18 Oignies (FR) Tyrant Fest
28 Apr 19 Oslo (NO) Inferno Metal Festival
DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT
+DOWNFALL OF GAIA
21 Sep 18 Osaka Shinsaibashi (JP) Shovel
22 Sep 18 Tokyo Daikanyama (JP) Space ODD
DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT will be touring in support of their latest album.
Please find artwork, track-list, and further information below.
1. Aufbruch (9:49)
2. Ein letzter Tanz (13:49)
3. Skepsis Part I (5:05)
4. Skepsis Part II (5:36)
5. Finisterre (11:13)
The musical puzzle that adds up to become DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT turns into something more complex – yet also clearer defined on the band’s fourth studio album, ‘Finisterre’. The original pieces are still in play: the aggressive German directness akin to ENDSTILLE and a penchant for brooding melancholy as embodied by IMPERIUM DEKADENZ. Spiralling psychedelic moments comparable to DEAFHEAVEN and WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM also find their place – as well as a knack for majestic melodies that shows parallels in Swedish black metal spearheaded by MARDUK and DARK FUNERAL.
Yet while DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT are clearly progressing along the lines laid out by their previous acclaimed effort, ‘Stellar’, the band has found a way to make these pieces fit more seamlessly. ‘Finisterre’ flows together into a coherent picture that stresses the Germans’ unique approach and sound. This album marks the point where DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT turn their various influences into a work entirely of their own expression despite never trying to cover up their roots. This impressive maturity has been reached through several stages.
Founded in 2009 by guitarist Nikita Kamprad and vocalist Tobias Jaschinsky,DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT garnered early attention with their self-released debut ‘Der Weg einer Freiheit’ (2009), which quickly sold out and was re-issued with new drum tracks a year later. Following the ‘Agonie’ EP (2011), their second album ‘Unstille’ (2012) already cored international acclaim. In the aftermath of this record, co-founding member Tobias left and main songwriter Nikita Kamprad took over his vocal duties.
The frontman was first heard on third full-length ‘Stellar’ (2015), which sawDER WEG EINER FREIHEIT gaining traction across the pond as well as expanding their European base. Having performed along such diverse acts as WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, NEAERA, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, AMENRA, CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX, and DOWNFALL OF GAIA as well as playing prestigious festivals such as Graspop, Hellfest, Resurrection, Roadburn, Summer Breeze, and Wacken has honed the band’s songwriting skills to razor-sharp precision.
‘Finisterre’ clearly stands at the apex (for now) of the steep climb that DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT have taken. This German star is finally shining in full black.
Today, Helldprod Records sets June 27th as the international release date for Satan My Master’s debut EP, The King of Hell Arrives, on cassette tape format.
Hatred is spewed, the flames punish your flesh, and your sanctity is drawn from your soul: such is the sound of Satan My Master’s The King of Hell Arrives. Indeed, The King of Hell Arrives is aptly titled, for black is thy formula and filth is their powerful sickle. Into the abyss these new Portuguese miscreants dive, and across the six swift ‘n’ salacious tracks on this tape, they summon forth where aggression leads to violation. D-beating rhythms, divebombing solos, production that’s clear yet crushing, and a total obeisance to devilish catchiness – after 24 malevolent minutes, you’ll soon know Satan My Master stands for veneration! Beware, for The King of Hell Arrives and He’s not leaving anytime soon!
Hear His arrival with the new track “Warbrothers of Darkness” HERE .
Tracklisting for Satan My Master’s The King of Hell Arrives
1. Tormenting the Nazarene Swine
2. Warbrothers of Darkness
3. Servant of Hell
4. Scepter of Doom
5. Nuclear Abomination
6. Son of a Whore
ALKALOID are now unleashing their complete new forthcoming album which will hit stores tomorrow May 18th, 2018.
The German and Dutch progressive extremists are streaming “Liquid Anatomy” in full
ALKALOID comment: “After three intense years of writing and producing music we are thrilled to finally show our new album to the world. The amount of work we had put into it was mind-boggling. Second albums are typically the hardest ones to make in any band’s history. Why is that? Well, usually the second album creates controversy among fans who already have certain expectations that need to be full-filled. On the other hand at that point a band is still in an early stage, so the process of formulating its own sound is fundamentally tied to how their second album will be (re)viewed. Luckily ALKALOID is a band founded by musicians who have a clear vision. Our main idea is constant evolution of sound. From day one we planned to take the listener on a musical journey, taking detours into beautiful landscapes but also to very dark places and thus to create a unique listening experience. ‘Liquid Anatomy’ has become exactly that album, a wild ride through most diverse musical territories. We simply love it! I hope you will do too.”
ALKALOID have previously revealed the artwork of ‘Liquid Anatomy’, which has been created by Christian Martin Weiss, and can be viewed together with the album details below.
Track-list
1. Kernel Panic (5:42)
2. As Decreed by Laws Unwritten (8:09)
3. Azagthoth (5:38)
4. Liquid Anatomy (5:14)
5. In Turmoil’s Swirling Reaches (6:38)
6. Interstellar Boredom (5:07)
7. Chaos Theory and Practice (8:31)
8. Rise of the Cephalopods (19:42)
Total playing time: 1:04:40
Hissing, creeping, crawling, sending forth a multitude of sonic tentacles, swirling in dissonant chaos, and holding on to moments of sane clarity – ALKALOID take their musical references to H. P. Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos seriously on their sophomore full-length, ‘Liquid Anatomy’.
Taking its name from a class of chemical compounds that are often used for pharmacological ends and sometimes even possess psychotropic capabilities, ALKALOID is defined through the field of tension created between various musical opposites. The band merges extreme metal and other genres of music into a unique progressive style that the listener might somehow find familiar but has not heard its exact like yet.
Drummer Hannes Grossmann (OBSCURA, NECROPHAGIST, BLOTTED SCIENCE) and vocalist / guitarist Morean (DARK FORTRESS, NONEUCLID) founded ALKALOID in 2013. Their expressed goal was to extend the dynamic range used in metal to its extreme limits. A full line-up came together quickly with the addition of Christian Muenzner (OBSCURA, NECROPHAGIST, SPAWN OF POSSESSION) and Danny Tunker (ABORTED, GOD DETHRONED) on guitars, and Linus Klausenitzer (OBSCURA) on bass.
This collective of friends started to work on their debut album ‘The Malkuth Grimoire’, which was successfully crowdfunded and self-released in March 2015. After playing shows across Europe and a special gig in Cairo, Egypt which included a video shooting for their song “Cthulhu”, ALKALOID are now demonstrating insanely rapid musical progression with their second album.
‘Liquid Anatomy’ combines the maturity to be expected from veterans in the field of extreme metal with the fresh approach of a band eager to explore new paths.
Recorded, produced & mixed: Hannes Grossmann at Mordor Sounds Studio
Mastering: Alan Douches
Additional recordings
Aftermath Institute o.o.s.r., The Netherlands
Studio 201 / Matthias Landes, The Netherlands
Grayskull Studios, The Netherlands
Linus Klausenitzer Studio, Germany
Line-up
Morean: vocals, guitars
Christian Muenzner: guitars
Danny Tunker: guitars, backing vocals
Linus Klausenitzer: bass
Hannes Grossmann: drums
Guest musician
Emilio Saura: additional percussion on “Azagthoth”
KONTINUUM are revealing the second amazing song taken from their forthcoming new album, ‘No Need to Reason’, which will hit stores on July 6th, 2018.
The Icelandic wave influenced ambient rockers are now streaming “Two Moons”
KONTINUUM comment: “This song came to us and from the start, it was quite vulnerable. It struck a nerve with us. We tried to honestly channel it and find our own connection points. Conceptually it touches the aspects of natural and social systems, feelings of conformity, existing in and accepting an earth with only one moon.”
KONTINUUM have previously released the cover art of ‘No Need to Reason’, which has been created by Saga Sig and can be viewed together with the album details below.
Track-list
1. Shivers (4:20)
2. Lifelust (5:58)
3. Warm Blood (2:29)
4. Neuron (5:08)
5. No Need to Reason (4:14)
6. Low Road (5:02)
7. Erotica (3:43)
8. Stargaze (5:19)
9. Two Moons (5:44)
10. Black Feather (5:05)
Total playing time: 47:02
KONTINUUM have the rare ability to create dark music that at the same time comes with an embracing warmth and emotional appeal. The Icelanders’ forthcoming third album, ‘No Need to Reason’ continues the thread spun on previous full-length ‘Kyrr’, but expands the possibilities and range of the band’s musical horizon.
Ambient, rock, wave influences and other stylistic sources of inspiration melt into a melancholic yet glittering masterpiece. Like the blue ice, black beaches and other spectacular landscapes of their North Atlantic home, ‘No Need to Reason’ keeps changing and shifting, while KONTINUUM seem to keep an underlying epic and mythical theme.
KONTINUUM were conceived with the declared aim to create hypnotic and spiritual musical noise in Reykjavik, Iceland in the year 2010. After sending demo tracks of their debut album ‘Earth Blood Magic’ to a few labels, a first deal was quickly struck. KONTINUUM wasted no time and entered SIGUR RÓS’ Sundlaugin Studio in the town of Mosfellsbær close to the Icelandic capital to record their first full-length, which was released in 2012.
‘Earth Blood Magic’ received rave reviews across the board and was voted rock album of the year in Morgunblaðið, Iceland. KONTINUUM followed up on their quick success and played numerous shows in 2013, which established their reputation as a powerful live band.
KONTINUUM released the first single of their next album, entitled “I Huldusal”, in 2014. This led to substantial radio play in Iceland and even topping the charts of the island’s largest alternative rock radio station.
Their sophomore full-length, ‘Kyrr’ hit the stores in April 2015 alongside new single, “Breathe”. Following the release of their second album, KONTINUUM embarked on two tours in Germany and performed at several festivals including the prestigious Roadburn Festival and Eurosonic Festival in the Netherlands, Germany’s Summer Breeze, Icelandic Airwaves and Eistnaflug Festival at home as well as Lithuania’s Devilstone Festival.
Now the Icelanders return with their amazing third album and the world firmly in their sight. ‘No Need to Reason’ is bound to turn KONTINUUM into a household name for friends of intelligent dark music. Press play, lean back, and enjoy!
NOCTURNAL GRAVES are unleashing their complete forthcoming new album, ‘Titan’, which will hit the stores on May 18, 2018. The Australian extremists are now streaming “Titan” in full
NOCTURNAL GRAVES have previously revealed the cover and details of ‘Titan’, which can be viewed below.
Track-list
1. Resistance (6:44)
2. Roar of the Wild (3:41)
3. Ecdysis, Shedding Weak Flesh (6:13)
4. Souls Tribulation (3:42)
5. And Hell Followed Them (4:15)
6. Bow before None (6:07)
7. Silence the Martyrs (3:34)
8. Titan (5:27)
Total playing time: 39:43
Remember the famous blues legend about aspiring musicians meeting the devil at the crossroads, who offers artistic greatness in return for the souls of the eager seekers of fame? Well, a similar story can probably be told about NOCTURNAL GRAVES. Just exchange “fame” with “true old school spirit” and re-locate the fateful meeting to the very point where black, death, and thrash metal grow in and out of each other – with each of these sub-genres being expressed in their earlier incarnations.
At exactly those crossroads you will find ‘Titan’. The third full-length of the Australian veterans unashamedly celebrates the testosterone-driven raw aggression of the darker side of the ‘80s metal scene. Each riff hits home hard with as much passion as precision. NOCTURNAL GRAVES obviously love what they are doing and this shines through every brutal note. Song by song this band keep the flame burning and their uncompromising conviction as well as execution sets ‘Titan’ apart from random nostalgia and makes the album fully relevant within the contemporary metal setting.
NOCTURNAL GRAVES were originally formed in Melbourne, Australia in 2004. Two well received demos, ‘Profanation of Innocence’ and ‘Deathstorm’ followed in the same year. Quickly scoring a record deal, the band officially released the ‘Necromancer’ 7″ vinyl in 2006 before unleashing their cult debut full-length, ‘Satan’s Cross’ the following year, which was re-issued with the stunning cover art by renowned painter Paolo Girardi (INQUISITION, MANILLA ROAD, HIEROPHANT) in 2017.
When the Australians first hit Europe in 2009, they celebrated the event with ‘The Gravespirit Sessions’ split. Former DESTRÖYER 666 and RAZOR OF OCCAM guitarist Shrapnel, as well as drummer L.W., joined in 2012.
NOCTURNAL GRAVES widely extended their international fanbase with the release of sophomore album ‘…From the Bloodline of Cain’ (2014), which resulted in an invitation to the 2016 edition of Maryland Deathfest and more shows in the US. The band supported the tour with a limited 7″ EP ‘Sharpen the Knives / Lead us to the Endless Fire’.
Now, NOCTURNAL GRAVES are getting ready to conquer the world with their highly anticipated forthcoming third full-length. ‘Titan’ is in every sense as big as the album’s name implies. Prepare for impact!
Production: Nocturnal Graves
Engineer: Jarro Raphael at I-HQ Recordings, Australia
Mix: Jarro Raphael
Mastering: Tony “Jack the Bear” Mantz and Tom Beard at Deluxe Mastering
Recording line-up
Decaylust: lead guitars, vocals
Shrapnel: lead guitars
J.R.: drums, rhythm guitars, bass, lead vocals
Current line-up
R. Prain: bass, vocals
Shrapnel: guitars
Decaylust: guitars
J.R.: drums
CRAFT are unleashing the second crushing track taken from their forthcoming new album, ‘White Noise and Black Metal’, which will hit stores on June 22nd, 2018.
CRAFT have previously released the amazing cover of ”White Noise and Black Metal”, which has been created by renowned Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak and can be viewed together with the album details below.
Track-list
1. The Cosmic Sphere Falls (4:56)
2. Again (4:15)
3. Undone (6:39)
4. Tragedy of Pointless Games (6:27)
5. Darkness Falls (4:50)
6. Crimson (4:49)
7. Shadow (5:40)
8. White Noise (4:42)
Total: 42:18
By dry definition, white noise denotes a random signal having equal intensity at different frequencies, giving it a constant power spectral density. It has been commonly employed in electronic music and denotes for instance the sound of a non-existent radio station, while searching through the spectrum for a signal. For black metal it denotes the yin to the yang of the will to shape forms and patterns of melodies and rhythms and as such has a constant presence.
CRAFT have chosen their title as a perfect description of this symbiotic relationship into which the seeming contrast and contradiction of black and white enters. With ‘White Noise and Black Metal’, the Swedes return to strength after a long hiatus following the release of previous full-length, ‘Void’ (2011). The forthcoming album combines the vitriolic virtues of ‘Terror Propaganda’ (2002) with an updated songwriting that is as mature and intelligent as it is razor-sharp. The fast and furious of extreme metal contrasts with dark and depressive passages with added undertones of black ‘n’ roll.
CRAFT embodies the black metal virtue of raw spiritual energy expressed through violent, ripping guitar-work and unholy rhythms enhanced by demonic vocals. The Swedes have long enjoyed a massive cult status within underground circles, yet also gained strong acclaim and recognition by mainstream metal media and critics.
CRAFT were spawned by guitarist Joakim, who was joined by a friend on drums in late 1994. Lead guitarist John was added to the roster in 1996 but left in 1998 only to return about a year later. A demo entitled ‘Total Eclipse’ hit the world in 1999, which led to a first record deal. During the recording of their crushing debut ‘Total Soul Rape’ (2000), the Swedes were reinforced by vocalist Nox. This misanthropic album captured the ear of SHINING’s Niklas Kvarforth, who released sophomore opus ‘Terror Propaganda’ in 2002 on his own label. With their extremely dark music the group gained much acclaim by critics and fans alike. CRAFT continued to build and expand their typical hateful and destructive style by adding ‘Fuck the Universe’ (2005) and ‘Void’ (2011) to the list of their albums. Meanwhile bass player Alex had joined and with their completed line-up the band finally became a live entity in September 2014.
Now CRAFT are ready to take a giant step in their career with the extremely strong, ‘White Noise and Black Metal’. This is misanthropic Swedish black metal honed to perfection.
