FUNERAL STORM stream new HELLS HEADBANGERS album

Today, Greek black metallers Funeral Storm stream the entirety of their highly anticipated second album, Chthonic Invocations. Set for international release on May 10th via Hells Headbangers, hear Funeral Storm‘s Chthonic Invocations in its entirety here:

It was but 2019 when Funeral Storm made their grand entrance onto the international metal stage with their acclaimed debut album, Arcane Mysteries, courtesy of Hells Headbangers. While their history goes back to 2001, activities didn’t begin in earnest until 2012, and hard graft became their watchword. But it was Arcane Mysteries that majestically consolidated all of Funeral Storm‘s considerable promise into one grand statement of classic Greek black metal in an authentically early ’90s style. It certainly didn’t hurt that that debut album featured Varathron founder Necroabyssious on vocals. Two years came a split 7″ with Greek comrades Synteleia, appropriately titled The Ancient Calling, also courtesy of Hells Headbangers.

That split featured a scaled-back lineup of Necroabyssious and guitarist Arcania and founding guitarist / bassist / drum-programmer Wampyrion, and thus fortified does Funeral Storm‘s second full-length follow. Likewise appropriately titled, Chthonic Invocations further explores the steadfast theme of the Cthulhu mythos. More specifically, Funeral Storm‘s second album in general focuses on death, in every form, for Arcania and Wampyrion were totally isolated during the lockdown and Necroabyssious was heavily infected with Covid-19 to a point where the band didn’t know what would happen. However, after he was healed, Necroabyssious delivered an exceptionally aggressive performance, suiting to his bandmates’ more surging yet more mystical music. Truly, Chthonic Invocations sounds like Funeral Storm 666%, and harkens even further into the ancient past: to say that the album could’ve been released in 1993 on Unisound is an understatement to end all understatements. But again, just like its full-length predecessor, Chthonic Invocations easily avoids lazy “throwback” status on both the strength of its songwriting and its era-authentic synths, handled by both Arcania and Wampyrion.

Featuring another awe-inspiring cover courtesy of Markus Vesper (Denial of God, Manilla Road, Attic), with Chthonic Invocations do Funeral Storm once again triumphantly revive atmospheric tartaric black metal in the vein of the old Hellenic scene. The old ones have been summoned!

Preorder info can be found HERE. Aforementioned cover artwork and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Funeral Storm’s Chthonic Invocations
1. Whispers From The Beyond
2. Behold The Dark
3. The Void
4. Funeral Pyre
5. The Epitaph Of The Dead
6. The Covenant Of Old
7. Mistress Of The Night (The Gathering Begins)
8. The Calling Of The Father

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/funeralstorm666

www.hellsheadbangers.com
www.facebook.com/hellsheadbangers 

DESOLUS stream HELLS HEADBANGERS debut at New Wave of Old School Thrash Metal

Today, DMV thrashers Desolus stream the entirety of their highly anticipated debut album, System Shock. Set for international release on May 10th via Hells Headbangers, hear Desolus‘ System Shock in its entirety here:

Hailing from the Mid-Atlantic United States, Desolus formed in 2019 at the beginning of the pandemic. Inspired by Sodom, Kreator, and Dark Angel, Jimmy Frost (guitars and vocals) and Vivek Rangarajan (bass and vocals) wrote songs as an outlet for the feeling of what seemed to be the end of times. As time went by and the dust settled, they traveled north to Baltimore, where they recorded a series of demos with Sebastian Phillips (Exhumed / Noisem / Castle Freak). Phillips engineered and tracked drums on these demos in hopes to release it for the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia) metal scene. While recording these songs, they met Travis Stone (percussion), a former member of Noisem and current member of Pig Destroyer. Stone heard the songs and was on board as soon as the first riff played. Soon after, he began rehearsing with the band day in and day out until they were ready to take their music to the streets. Desolus gained traction within the DMV music scene over the span of a few years and began traveling across the United States to spread their love of old-school thrash.Now, at long last is Desolus‘ imminent debut album ready. Titled System Shock, the power-trio’s first full-length consists of nine ripping songs featuring themes of horrors beyond this world, Satanic science fiction, and a dystopian future that is seemingly within arm’s reach. While there’s no shortage of bands still thrashing like the 1980s never ended, Desolus immediately and irrevocably prove that they’re indeed the Real Deal: System Shock pumps adrenaline and stirs bloodlust with an energy and elan that are impossible to ignore – and even more impossible to deny. But beyond the band’s energy overload is a deeply ingrained understanding of what made those aforementioned legends of Sodom, Kreator, and Dark Angel so vital: strong songwriting, and the razor-sharp execution to back it up. Each member here is superlative with his given instrument, locating that elusive middle point between ultra-tight and ultraviolent, and the trade-off vocals between Rangarajan and Frost in particular impart a madman’s touch to this already overflowing buffet of high-speed metal. Add to this an absolutely devastating production courtesy of Phillips and System Shock becomes mandatory listening for those who fly high the flag of hate and still feel persecution mania. Desolus are here to reanimate the graves of the old gods!. Preorder info can be found HERE. Full list of current tour dates follows after the jump. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Desolus’ System Shock
1. System Shock
2. From Man to Machine
3. Curse Of The Technomancer
4. Metal Fetishist
5. The Arrival
6. The Invasion Begins
7. Interlude (Hidden Track)
8. Sea Of Fire
9. The Sigilite
10. Panopticon

5/24 Fri – Brooklyn, NY – Saint Vitus
5/25 Sat – Cambridge, MA – Middle East / Upstairs
5/26 Sun Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar 
5/28 Tue Ottawa, ON @ Dominion Tavern 
5/29 Wed Toronto, ON @ Bar Orwell
5/30 Thu – Cleveland, OH @ No Class 
5/31 Fri – Detroit, MI @ Outer Limits Lounge 
6/1 Sat – Chicago, IL @ Reggies / Music Joint 
6/2 Sun – Milwaukee, WI @ X-Ray Arcade 
6/3 Mon – Davenport, IA @ Raccoon Motel 
6/5 Wed – Denver, CO @ Hi-Dive 
6/6 Thu – Salt Lake City, UT @ Aces High Saloon 
6/7 Fri – Boise, ID @ The Shredder 
6/8 Sat – Portland, OR @ The High Water Mark
6/9 Sun – Vancouver, BC @ The Cobalt 
6/10 Mon – Seattle, WA @ Belltown Yacht Club 
6/11 Tue – Olympia, WA @ Cryptatropa Bar 
6/12 Wed – Eureka, CA @ Savage Henry Comedy Club 
6/13 Thu – Oakland, CA @ Stork Club 
6/14 Fri – Los Angeles, CA @ Knucklehead Bar 
6/15 Sat – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
6/16 Sun – Las Vegas, NV @ The Griffin 
6/17 Mon – Tempe, AZ @ The Beast 
6/19 Wed – El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse 
6/20 Thu – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger 
6/21 Fri – Austin, TX @ The Lost Well 
6/22 Sat – Dallas, TX @ Double Wide 
6/23 Sun – Tulsa, OK @ Whittier Bar
6/25 Tue – St Louis, MO @ The Sinkhole
6/26 Wed – Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle 
6/27 Thu – Pittsburgh, PA @ Shred Shed
6/28 Fri – Washington, D.C. @ Pie Shop 
6/29 Sat – Philadelphia, PA @ PhilaMOCA

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/DesolusDM
www.instagram.com/desolus_dmv

www.hellsheadbangers.com
www.facebook.com/hellsheadbangers 

NOX premiere new video – features members of HEMELBESTORMER, ROPE SECT, LHAÄD+++

Today, pan-international darkwave duo Nox premiere the new video “Once Now Gone”. The track is the second to be revealed from the band’s highly anticipated debut album, Entity, set for international release on June 7th via Neuropa Records. See & hear Nox‘s “Once Now Gone” video in its entirety here:

Nox is a brand-new project between Inmesher (Rope Sect) and Lykaios (Hemelbestormer, Lhaäd, Rituals of the Dead Hand). While both men are known for post-punk and metal, respectively, Nox sees them taking their first steps into the wider electro scene, wielding a similar-yet-different darkness to their more-renown bands. Elements of synthwave, industrial, and dubstep are chopped & screwed to their (DARK) design.

Entity is the duo’s debut album, comprising eight songs across 43 minutes of shimmering, mysterious energy. With pulsing but never-overpowering beats, in service of atmosphere as much as songwriting, Nox dive headlong into a mirror world of subtly torched tones – some scavenging among the gravel, even despite being electronic, while others ascend into the ether on wings of mesmerizing melody – where the listener is guided through moonlit back streets, crumbling edifices of modernity, and a strange sense of futurism that feels apocalyptic and enticing in equal measure. Atop it all are the hauntingly soothing vocals of Inmesher, narrating that listener’s journey (or perhaps narrating the hitherto-unexplored regions of his soul) and creating a unique disconnect that separates Nox from so many treading the hard-electro boards; Entity definitely isn’t the usual retrowave / outrun worship. Underlining this crucial link to humanity is the duo’s cover of Placebo’s “The Bitter End,” which is dubstep in form but something sublime in content.

Trainspotters will already know of Neuropa’s work with the scene stalwarts Carpenter Brut, which serves as a handy reference here, but Nox is equally recommended to fans of Crystal Castles, ADULT., Kavinsky, Sixth June, Kontravoid, or even Nine Inch Nails. Entity is but their first steps on this path…where will it end?

Hear the previously revealed track “Black Nebula” exclusively HERE, courtesy of VeilOfSound.com. Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Nox (Germany/Belgium)’s Entity
1. Black Nebula
2. Once Now Gone
3. Flesh and Bones
4. Escape the Light
5. Seven Days of Rain
6. The Bitter End (Dream Mix)
7. Broken Circle
8. The Triple Goddess

MORE INFO:
thenoxentity.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/thenoxentity

www.neuroparecords.com
www.facebook.com/neuroparecords 

Sweden’s DESULTORY to release new demos compilation thru DARKNESS SHALL RISE – streaming in full now

For the first time ever, Darkness Shall Rise Productions releases a compilation gathering the three demos from Swedish melodic death metal pioneers Desultory. Titled Darkness Falls (The Early Years), the compilation will be released on CD and three-tape box on June 6th while the vinyl version will be released on July 4th.

Commonly cited and appreciated as one of the trailblazers of melodic death metal, Desultory‘s roots are deeply buried in thrash metal. Wearing their influences on their sleeves, their first demo From Beyond features songs in the vein of Kreator, Testament, and Merciless. Apart from Klas Morberg’s every howling, which bear semblance with early Tiamat and the fact that the demo was recorded in the legendary Sunlight Studios in 1990, From Beyond is basically a thrash metal demo, albeit a very enjoyable and strikingly well-played one.

It was with Death Unfolds from 1991, the rabid pack’s second demo, that Desultory really came into their own as far as style and sound are concerned. Again recorded by Tomas Skogsberg in his renowned Sunlight Studios, the demo showcases most of the band’s typical trademarks they would go on to be admired for. Bangers like “Passed Away” and “The Chill Within,” both of which would end up being re-recorded for Desultory‘s debut album, are top-tier Swedish death metal with downtuned guitar riffs in abundance and a particular sensitivity for melody.

Simply titled Visions, the third demo again recorded in Sunlight Studios in 1992, logically continues Desultory‘s trajectory. Building on the fundament laid out on Death Unfolds, some of the ingredients only hinted at previously are extended and fine-tuned on tracks like “Forever Gone” and “Depression.” Aided by the strongest production of their demos, giving the songs that certain extra punch, this demo is victorious on all fronts and a must-listen for anyone into Swedish death metal of the highest order.

A long interview with Klas Morberg was specially conducted for this demo compilation.

In the meantime, stream Darkness Falls (The Early Years) in its entirety here:

Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Desultory (Sweden)’s Darkness Falls (The Early Years)

1. Eternal Darkness (1990 ‘From Beyond’)
2. The Awakening (1990 ‘From Beyond’)
3. Cease To Exist (1990 ‘From Beyond’)
4. Insanity (1990 ‘From Beyond’)
5. Passed Away (1991 ‘Death Unfolds’)
6. The Chill Within (1991 ‘Death Unfolds’)
7. Death Unfolds (1991 ‘Death Unfolds’)
8. Forever Gone (1992 ‘Visions’)
09. Depression (1992 ‘Visions’)
10. Visions (1992 ‘Visions’)

www.darknessshallrise.de
www.facebook.com/darknessshallriseproductions 
www.darknessshallriseproductions.bandcamp.com 

INERTH set release date for new ABSTRACT EMOTIONS mini-album, reveal first track – features ex-members of LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER+++

On July 5th internationally, Abstract Emotions is proud to present Inerth‘s highly anticipated new mini-album, Hybris, on 12″ vinyl format.

Inerth was born in Madrid in early 2019 just after the dissolution of their previous band, the acclaimed grindcore act Looking For An Answer. Formed by veteran musicians with 25 years of touring and recording experience, Inerth‘s main idea was to create an amalgam of harsh-but-pondering music designed to reflect a lifelong passion for sounds ranging from death metal to sludge as well as incorporating doomed and industrial soundscapes.
After a self-titled EP debut, Inerth released their debut album, Void, in 2022 through Abstract Emotions, receiving great reviews worldwide and being included on the best albums list at such outlets like Mondo Sonoro, Rock Zone, Aversionline, Ritvual and Metalitalia among others. Taking inspiration from such bands as Godflesh, Napalm Death, Neurosis, Celtic Frost, Amebix, and Killing Joke, on their first full-length did Inerth reclaim the spirit of the 1990s’ most extreme & transgressive sounds.

With Hybris, Inerth show an evolutionary leap for the band. Unafraid of experimentation and going beyond boundaries, the four new songs here are full of strength and spirit. Inerth are clearly influenced by Godflesh, a band with which they recently toured, but Hybris equally shows their own idiosyncratic style in even-more-powerful form.

In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “Midlife Wasteland” 

Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Inerth’s Hybris
1. Midlife Wasteland [3:33]
2. Oblivion [6:05]
3. Fentanyl [3:16]
4. A.I. [5:25]

MORE INFO:
www.inerth.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/INERTHband

www.abstractemotions.com
www.facebook.com/abstractemotions1995

1349 Unleash a Black Metal Onslaught on “Ash of Ages” 🔥

In the grand tradition of black metal supremacy, 1349 returns with a searing standalone single, Ash of Ages, paving the desolate path to their much-anticipated North American tour later this May. Echoing the grim roots of black metal’s full-throated cry, Ash of Ages ascends from the band’s profound depths to scorch the earth with its presence.

1349 have been the unrelenting force of Norwegian black metal since their rise from the realm of Alvheim in 1997. Their journey throughout the years has been relentless, an endless pursuit to refine their dark craft. With each release, they’ve etched their mark deeper into the annuls of the genre, and Ash of Ages is nothing less than a continuation of this furious legacy.

Listen to the new single Ash of Ages here:

The Norwegian black metal titans are set to unleash their blistering storm across Eastern Canada and the U.S. this May, commencing with a thunderous roar at Dark Lord Day Festival in Munster, IN.

Along for this malevolent crusade are the enigmatic Canadian occultists Spectral Wound, the ferocious Antichrist Siege Machine from Richmond, and the spellbinding Spirit Possession hailing from Oregon.

1349 will be bringing along the new singleon 12″ vinyl – lucky souls attending one of the 11 hellish rituals will get the chance to get the first new music since 1349‘s critically-acclaimed 2019 album The Infernal Pathway.

2024 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES:

May 18: Munster, IN @ Dark Lord Day Festival (w/ Abbath, High on Fire & more)

May 20: Toronto, ON @ Lee’s Palace
May 21: Montreal, QC @ Le Studio TD
May 22: Cambridge, MA @ Middle East / Downstairs
May 23: Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows
May 24: Baltimore, MD @ Maryland Deathfest* (1349 and Spectral Wound only)
May 25: Greensboro, NC @ Hangar 1819
May 26: Atlanta, GA @ Boggs Social & Supply** (no Spirit Possession)
May 28: Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop
May 29: Cincinnati, OH @ Legends Bar & Venue
May 30: Grand Rapids, MI @ Pyramid Scheme

Tracklist
1. Ash of Ages (Standalone Single) (5:27)

1349 is AURAL HELLFIRE. That has been, and continues to be, the primary concept since the band first rose from the ashes of Alvheim in 1997. Conceived around the founding members – vocalist and former drummer Ravn, guitarist Tjalve, and Seidemann on bass – 1349 completed their line-up with the addition of guitarist Archaon in 1999 and SATYRICON drum-legend Frost in 2001.

When their debut Liberation was unleashed in 2003, the Norwegians took the world by storm with their intense blend of old school black metal soundscapes and ultra-fast aggression. Further assaults followed in rapid succession. Beyond the Apocalypse (2004) and Hellfire (2005) cemented the band’s reputation as one of the strongest acts in the scene.

Upon the departure of founding member Tjalve, who decided to focus on his band PANTHEON I, 1349 have since continued as a four-piece – occasionally adding guest guitarists. Extensive touring aided the growth of their now massive following when the four piece opened for reunited metal legends CELTIC FROST in North America in 2006.

Impressively demonstrating that holding true to the principles of the genre do not mean nostalgia and stagnation, 1349 widened their sonic palette with Revelations of the Black Flame (2009), which was co-mixed by CELTIC FROST mastermind Tom Gabriel “Warrior” Fischer. This inspired a newfound ambient darkness from the band, which was further explored on Demonoir (2010).

Massive Cauldron of Chaos (2013) was the next milestone in the Norwegians merciless advance, scoring excellent reviews and a nomination for a Norwegian Grammy (Spellemannprisen). The release sparked more festival shows as well as extensive touring, bringing 1349 to Australia and New Zealand. In 2018, the Munch Museum and Innovation Norway chose 1349 as one of four bands to create a song based on the paintings of Edvard Munch. As a result, the single Dødskamp was released earlier this year.

After performing a fiery show at Norway’s Inferno festival this year, 1349 started recording in Amper Tone studios and Studio Nyhagen with engineer Jarrett Pritchard. Thus, The Infernal Pathway was born, a sonic parallel to summoning and unleashing the beast of the abyss in all its fearsome, ferocious and powerful splendor.

Now, in 2024, the Norwegian black metal titans 1349 are readying themselves to bring AURAL HELLFIRE across the US in May & EU in October. With these rituals, they bring the fiery Ash of Ages, marking new things to come…
Line-up
Archaon – Guitars
Frost – Drums
Ravn – Vocals
Seidemann – Bass

Recording Studio
Amper Tone (Oslo, Norway) & NEW CONSTELLATION R.M.P. (Orlando, USA)

Production Credits
Produced by Jarrett Prichard & Ravn
Mixed by Jaerrett Prichard & Ravn at NEW CONSTELLATION R.M.P.
Mastered by Jaerrett Prichard at NEW CONSTELLATION R.M.P.

Biography
J. Bennett

Cover Art
Jordan Barlow

Stream: https://orcd.co/1349ashofages

Links/Follow Artist:
Official Website: http://www.legion1349.com/
Bandcamp: http://1349som.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1349official
Instagram: http://instagram.com/1349official
Twitter: http://twitter.com/1349official
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/1349auralhellfire
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/150xbiJGnTy1tSBZ9EFKnT
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/10673
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/1349/79664050
TIDAL: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/22185
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/1349/e/B001LHI2SI/

Reanimated horror metallers The Lurking Corspes premiere the new track “Satan is Real”

Today, reanimated horror metallers The Lurking Corspes premiere the new track “Satan is Real”. The track is the second to be revealed from the band’s highly anticipated fifth album, Lurking After Midnight, set for international release on May 24th via Hells Headbangers on CD format; the vinyl LP will follow later.  Hear The Lurking Corspes‘ “Satan is Real” in its entirety:

For nearly 25 years now, The Lurking Corspes have been perfecting their patented “Horror Metal” – a singular and potent blend of dark, Misfits/Samhain-style punk rock, blistering thrash, and classic, hook-laden heavy metal – and deliver it with theatrics and panache, masked and becloaked in the best Halloween tradition. However, these Indiana ghouls’ albums hit hard no matter the season, and they’ve risen from the grave after a whole decade with Lurking After Midnight.

Featuring a mostly new lineup, led as ever by demon-crooning frontman Lord Vladimir Von Ghoul and bassist The Nameless Horror returning, The Lurking Corspes sound absolutely reinvigorated on Lurking After Midnight, their first album since the Hells Headbangers-released Workin’ For the Devil. Sure to fulfill every horror geek’s wet dream, the quintet unload a wide variety of styles across the album’s 15 songs, ranging from doo-wop to surf to punk to death metal, but always with addicting energy and straightforward heaviness to spare. Of course, it wouldn’t be The Lurking Corspes without their tongue-in-cheek mix of sex, violence, and good, old-fashioned horror-flick gore, and you get a maximum overdrive of all across the 49 minutes of Lurking After Midnight. 

Sure to leave you singing along and banging your head like there’s no tomorrow, The Lurking Corspes put the “fun” back in funeral with Lurking After Midnight!

Hear the previously revealed “Murder Sweet Murder” HERE at Hells Headbangers‘ official YouTube channel. Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for The Lurking Corpses’ Lurking After Midnight
1. Lurking After Midnight
2. Boglin Lips
3. Burned Alive
4. When You’re Dead
5. Funeral Home
6. Black Dahlia
7. A Gruesome Find
8. Lost In Shadows
9. Murder Sweet Murder
10. Baby Hold On
11. Satan Is Real
12. This Night With You
13. The Begotten
14. Heartbreak
15. My Sweet Lenore

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lurking-Corpses/199078861463

www.hellsheadbangers.com
www.facebook.com/hellsheadbangers 

AZKETEM set release date for new DARKNESS SHALL RISE album – streaming in full now

Darkness Shall Rise Productions is proud to present Azketem‘s highly anticipated second album, self-titled Azketem, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats. The CD and tape versions shall be released on June 6th while the vinyl version shall be released on July 4th.

Devotees of black metal with a penchant for etherial, melancholic atmospheres, take heed. Hailing from Germany and founded by the band’s sole member Azken in 2018, this self-titled second full-length of Azketem showcases eight remarkably well-written songs drenched in bittersweet bleakness.

A display of sheer talent, these predominantly mid-paced tracks – soothingly introspective, enchantingly otherworldly – take the attentive listener places. The majority of the album’s tracks aren’t shorter than seven minutes, allowing the compositions to fully unfold their meditative trance. The whole album is deeply imbued with a sense of escapist yearning, not least because of Azken’s extraordinary, mostly clean vocals. This – coupled with addictive, repetitive riffs, great bass-lines, and the occasional use of keyboards to amplify the overall atmosphere – make for an outstanding album not to be missed by anyone into ingeniously crafted melancholic metal.

In the meantime, stream Azketem in its entirety here:

Preorder info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Azketem’s Azketem

1. Azketem – Intro
2. Schwarze Schwäne
3. Nordtor
4. Azketem – Prelude
5. Azetik
6. Maere
7. Tôtval
8. Fallen Crescent

MORE INFO:
facebook.com/pages/category/Band/Azketem-106447687781002

www.darknessshallrise.de
www.facebook.com/darknessshallriseproductions 
www.darknessshallriseproductions.bandcamp.com 

TEMPLE OF THE BEAST stream IRON BONEHEAD debut mini-album – features members of THORNSPAWN+++

On May 3rd internationally, Iron Bonehead Productions will release Temple of the Beast‘s highly anticipated debut mini-album, Geminian Arcana, on CD and 12″ vinyl formats. Hear Temple of the Beast‘s Geminian Arcana in its entirety here:

Temple of the Beast is the work of one DarkWvlf, well known in the black metal scene as Blackthorn, founding vocalist / drummer of the long-running Thornspawn. But those expecting a blitzed assault of classic Norsecore will be in for a surprise with Temple of the Beast: oft-lumbering ritualism that slithers its way into hammering primitivism, recalling the earliest works of Samael, Mystifier, Demoncy, and Drawing Down the Moon-era Beherit but exuding its own strange, ethereal identity.  

Preceded by a demo and a single, Temple of the Beast now arrive with a 30-minute-long mini-album, Geminian Arcana. Due to its generous length – five monolithic hymns are contained herein – the band’s full potential is displayed in diabolic, Dionysian splendor. Indeed, Temple of the Beast‘s central themes are arcane magick and bacchanalian bloodletting, ancient lore and mysteries only found in the innermost catacombs. Sonically, DarkWvlf illustrates this with tones that are tar-thick yet somehow atmospheric, layering the patient pulse with ritual bells and cosmic synths; likewise, his vocal tones go far deeper than his characteristic screech in Thornspawn. 

As such, Temple of the Beast in general and Geminian Arcana in particular are equally recommended to maniacs of the early Greek black metal scene as well as the aforementioned legends. Debauch under the full moon!

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Temple of the Beast’s Geminian Arcana
1. Temple I: Through the Trees
2. Temple II: The Initiation
3. Temple III: Reborn into Darkness
4. Temple IV: The Key & the Gate (Sitra Achra)
5. Temple V: Exalted Invocation of the Blood Moon

MORE INFO:
www.templeofthebeast.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions

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

Today, Purity ThroughFire sets June 21st as the international release date for Aussichtslos‘ highly anticipated third album, Schicksalstotschlag, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

It was but March 2021 when Austria’s Aussichtslos burst from the void, fully formed, with their Völlig Aussichtslos debut album. Remarkably assured, classically inclined, the power-trio presented grim, harsh, but oft-hard-rocking black metal that favorably recalled the post-Strength & Honour landscape of Finland as well as ancient-days Germania ala Luror, Wolfsmond, and Hellfucked. Six months later, Aussichtslos amazingly released another full-length, Einsicht. While it was chronologically their second album, Einsicht was actually recorded in 2020, before the release of Völlig Aussichtslos took place. Either way, between the two records did Aussichtslos show themselves as new contenders in austere black metal classicism, capable of tradition but also thought-provoking lyrics reflecting upon inner struggles so universal to the human experience.

And so it goes with Schicksalstotschlag, arguably Aussichtslos‘ most desperate record yet. While it may’ve been quiet on the Austrian front the past few years, that does nothing to dim the fire of their third full-length: Schicksalstotschlag is at once urgent and reserved, violently passionate but poised and stoic – and of course, as anthemic as ever. Not for nothing is Purity ThroughFire known as the stronghold of Teutonic steel, its sword-wielders capable of a catchiness as wild and windswept as any biergarten, and Aussichtslos keep apace on Schicksalstotschlag, keeping the riffs rocking as ever and the heart enflamed with emotion. Their production, as always, is on the palatable side of “polished,” crisp and clean and gleaming with steely-eyed pride, making these nine songs the penultimate in battle-charging bombast and ballast. Credit new drummer Kartharziss (who also provides tasteful synths) with that proud pulse, although vocalist / lyricist Norsk (unchain his heart!) and fellow six-stringer Garst hold their own and help make the closing nine-minute epic “Hochverrat” the band’s best track to date. Black metalsmiths of destiny, unite again for Schicksalstotschlag!

Raise that sword and don that chainmail with the brand-new track “Verwoben” here:

Cover artwork, courtesy of Irrwisch, and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Aussichtslos’ Schicksalstotschlag
1. Am hohen Ross
2. Verwoben
3. Im Schützengraben
4. Brachland
5. Schicksalstotschlag
6. Infektion
7. Ein Stück
8. Gotteswahn
9. Hochverrat

MORE INFO
www.aussichtslos.bandcamp.com

www.purity-through-fire.com