Black Metal

ROTTING CHRIST Herald the Last Stand of Pagans on The Apostate

ROTTING CHRIST proudly present The Apostate, the latest single from the unparalleled masters of blackened ‘hellenic’ metal. This track is a vehement storm conjured from the depths of the band’s upcoming monumental release, Pro Xristou — a sonorous odyssey that not only celebrates the indomitable spirit of paganism but also challenges the encroaching shadows of conformity.

For over three decades, ROTTING CHRIST, led by the visionary Sakis & Themis Tolis, has carved a path of resistance, blending the raw energy of black metal with lyrical narratives that defy the sands of time. Their journey has been one of rebellion, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the essence of metal. Now, with Pro Xristou, they are set to redefine the legacy of Hellenic Black Metal once more.

The Apostate tells the story of resistance against the tide of religious conversion. It is a tribute to those who stood unbowed, of Flavius Claudius Julianus, safeguarding ancient knowledge and values against the onslaught of oblivion. The track is an intricate weave of mesmerizing choirs, neo-classical arrangements, and the band’s signature blackened atmosphere. On The Apostate, ROTTING CHRIST encapsulate their relentless exploration of musical and thematic boundaries.

The video for The Apostate is out now – check the video here:

Pro Xristou comes out May 24 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/RottingChristProXristou

Pre-save:https://orcd.co/proxtristoupresave

Early praise for Pro Xristou

“Their brand of blackened metal has changed a lot over years, mostly to being melodic, a little Gothic, and even having a tribal feel to some of their songs. “Pro Xristou” embraces these same components but presents them in a much more catchy way…” – Metal Temple (9/10)

“Pro Xristou” is not an album that will surprise us; on the contrary, it will seem familiar. Yet, the album is poised to be a memorable entry in Rotting Christ’s distinguished career.” – Metal War (9/10)

“One thing is for sure after all this: ROTTING CHRIST will never let us down!” – The Gallery (8/10)

Track-list

1. Pro Xristou (Προ Χριστού) (1:29)
2. The Apostate (5:01) [WATCH]
3. Like Father, Like Son (4:35) [WATCH]
 4. The Sixth Day (3:56)
5. La Lettera Del Diavolo (4:01)
6. The Farewell (6:15)
7. Pix Lax Dax (4:33)
8. Pretty World, Pretty Dies (4:51)
9. Yggdrasil (5:04)
10. Saoirse (6:17) [WATCH]
11. Primal Resurrection (Bonus Track) (5:32) – Only Deluxe Editions!
12. All For One (Bonus Track) (3:37) – Only Deluxe Editions!
Total runtime: 55:17

In the dimly lit catacombs of extreme metal, one name stands as a monolith: ROTTING CHRIST. Sakis Tholis and his brother Themis started this band together back in 1987. In the three decades since, these Greek titans have left their blackened imprint all over the metal world. They’ve released 13 studio albums and played more than 1,300 concerts around the globe.  Underneath all this hard work, Rotting Christ have but one vision – an urge to not only push the boundaries of extreme metal, but to keep reinventing themselves along the way.

Rotting Christ’s evolution has unfolded across several distinct chapters. After starting out closer to the barely controlled chaos of grindcore, they went on to establish the iconic sound of Hellenic black metal. Their albums often embrace refined gothic soundscapes, only to plunge back into the depths of blasphemous fervour. Each chapter marked another, further exploration, and an unwavering commitment to push boundaries.

But the real turning point came in 2007, when Rotting Christ signed a pact with Season of Mist. They unleashed a series of albums for the French label that defied any and all expectations. From the piercing Theogonia and the symphonic grandeur of Aelo to the ritualistic intensity of Κατά Τον Δαίμονα Εαυτού, the cinematic experiences created by Rotting Christ became a spectacle of bombastic atmospheres, mesmerizing choirs, and neo-classical arrangements. The unexpected is their modus operandi, with the use of various languages (Latin, Arabic, Greek,  English) as well as the extensive use of famous poetry woven into their music, like Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Raven’ on The Heretics.

In 2019, Rotting Christ’s epic journey continued with The Apocryphal Spell compilation, which offers fans an intimate glimpse into unreleased and rare material. This allowed them to gather strength, preparing for the release of their next, highly anticipated, 14th full-length studio album: Pro Xristou.

Pro Xristou (‘Before Christ’ in Greek), serves as a fervent tribute to the last Pagan kings who resisted the onslaught of Christianity, guarding their ancient values and knowledge. In this thematic odyssey, intricately woven through tracks such as ‘The Apostate’ and ‘Ygdrassil’, Rotting Christ delves into the legacies of historical figures such as Flavius Claudius Julianus and Nordic mythological kings, embodying the might of Pagan wisdom in the face of Christian adversity. The album encapsulates the essence of Rotting Christ’s signature style – melodic, yet harsh at times – reinventing themselves yet again, while remaining rooted in their 35-year legacy.

Line-up
Sakis Tolis – Guitar, Vocals
Themis Tolis – Drums
Kostas “Spades” Heliotis – Bass
Kostis Fouk – Guitar

Guest Musicians
Amdroniki Skoula – Vocals (on ‘La Letra Del Diavolo’)
Nikos Kerkiras – Keyboard
Christina Alexiou – Choir
Maria Tsironi – Choir
Alexandros Loyziotis – Choir
Vasilis Karatzas- Choir

Andrew Liles – Narration (on ‘The Apostate’, ‘Pretty World, Pretty Dies’)
Kim Diaz Holm – Narration (on ‘Ygdrassil’)

Recording Studio
Deva Sounds Studios (Athens, Greece)

Producer
Sakis TolisSound Engineer
Fotis Bernando
Aggelos Karatzas

Mixing
Jens Borgen at Fascination Street Studios (Örebro, Sweden)

Mastering
Tony Lidgren at Fascination Street Studios (Örebro, Sweden)

Artwork Artists
Thomas Cole – Artwork
Adrien Bousson – Digital Processing

Biography
Sébastien J. Gamez

Links:
Official Website: https://www.rotting-christ.com/en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rottingchristofficial/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rottingchristofficial/
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/athanatoieste
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RottingChristOfficia
Bandcamp: https://rottingchristofficial.bandcamp.com/
Apple Music: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/rotting-christ/id28441629
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7FhkwcO8Jd7BRWdllBpXBJ

Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
CD Clamshell Box – Deluxe Digipak w/ Gold Foil + 2 Bonus
Tracks & Extras
12″ Vinyl Gatefold – Black
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Crystal Clear
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Crystal Clear, Red & Blue Mixed
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Green
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Turquoise
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Yellow
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Blue
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – silver & Black Marbled
Limited Box Set Vinyl – 12″ Gold & Black Marbled w/ Gold Foil + 2 Bonus Tracks & Extras
Cassette

SPITER set release date for new HELLS HEADBANGERS mini-album, reveal first track – also to tour next month

Today, Hells Headbangers announces May 24th as the international release date for a brand-new mini-album from Spiter, Enter the Gates of Fucking Hell, on CD and cassette tape formats; the 12″ vinyl version will be released on July 26th. In lieu of this announcement, the band reveal the brand-new title track “Enter the Gates of Fucking Hell.” Hear Spiter‘s in its entirety here:

Additionally, Spiter will embark upon a month-long North American tour with new labelmates Desolus starting in late May. Full list of confirmed dates & venues as well as tour poster are as follows:

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

It was but the summer of 2022 when Spiter burst from the fucking grave with their debut album for Hells Headbangers, Bathe the Babe in Bats’ Blood. Featuring members of labelmates Shitfucker and Devil Master, the power-trio made plain – and vulgar – their infernal & infectious True Vampyric Metal Punk: a raw-yet-anthemic blend of cult blackthrash, obscure hardcore punk, and even the wildest deathrock. The album sowed its seeds of sanguine depravity and Spiter took their madness on the road, cementing their cult status immediately.

Now, the deviants of Spiter return with a ripping new mini-album, Enter the Gates of Fucking Hell. This six-song / 26-minute recording sees the lineup scaled back to vocalist / guitarist / songwriter Richard Spider (Daemon Bitch of Shitfucker) and drummer Snake (Disjawn) – they continue to be a trio for live purposes – and remarkably shows even more fire and focus than that not-inconsiderable debut album. Somehow, those six(-six-six) songs sound shorter and more epic simultaneously, with Spider showing his songwriting chops between wild & winding mania and ghoulish catchiness. The production, in kind, is colder and harsher but clearer and heavier, assaulting the listener with arguably more undead energy than said debut. And then, over before it began, you’re again possessed to press “play” and enter those fucking gates over and over…again, until it fucking hurts.

Spiter will be touring with new labelmates Desolus this May, so no better time to Enter the Gates of Fucking Hell!

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

Tracklisting for Spiter’s Enter the Gates of Fucking Hell
1. Enter The Gates Of Fucking Hell
2. Drowning In Darkness
3. Tears Of Blood
4. The Creeping Serpent Psychosis
5. 666 On The Crucifix
6. Reflection Of The Vampire

MORE INFO:
spiter.bandcamp.com

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

Norway’s UNHOLY CRAFT set release date for new PURITY THROUGH FIRE album, reveal first track – features members of SOLUS GRIEF, KVAD, HJEMSØKT+++

Today, Purity ThroughFire announces June 21st as the international release date for the highly anticipated third album of Norway’s Unholy Craft, Saa Mørkt, Saa Mektig, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

Despite only forming in 2023, Norway’s Unholy Craft have already released two full-lengths as well as a split with Vorgfang – all in their first year. Such feverish activity, however, is not all that surprising when it comes to Peregrinus, who also numbers such concurrent cults (and labelmates) Solus Grief, Kvad, Hjemsøkt, and most recently Heraldic Blaze among his many endeavors. As always with Unholy Craft, the intention is to play super-traditional Scandinavian black metal as it was performed (“exclusively”) during the glorious 1990s.

And so, unsurprisingly (thankfully!), that is what one gets with Unholy Craft‘s third full-length, Saa Mørkt, Saa Mektig…or is it? A relatively unique entry in Unholy Craft‘s canon, Saa Mørkt, Saa Mektig features more fleshed-out songwriting transposed onto the band’s rawest soundfield to date. Indeed, where their previous records featured that cold & clipped style of production endemic to Norway in the mid ’90s, Saa Mørkt, Saa Mektig maintains a muffled, daresay warmer style of recording which helps elevate these more anguished & yearning compositions far beyond those treading the “raw black metal” Bandcamp boards. Deft shifts in tempo further help these eight new tracks hit harder, and when a simultaneously ascending / descending riff yawns forth from that void, the sum effect is stultifying. Thus, all told, while Unholy Craft continue to add to the hallowed tradition of Darkthrone’s Peaceville trilogy, Hat-fronted Gorgoroth, and the first Ancient album – or, going deeper, the very cult likes of Kvist, Sorhin, and Fimbulwinter – Peregrinus and company are taking subtly bolder strides into their own mythical snow with Saa Mørkt, Saa Mektig.

“So cold and full of splendor retracing steps to that which once was. Across frozen ground. Towards That which beckons and pulses in darkness. Swayed by that which befell all. Those that dwell beyond the reach of light. Night skies conquering, looming, over bleeding daylight.”

In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “Into the Cold Winter Night”  here:

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Unholy Craft (Norway)’sSaa Mørkt, Saa Mektig
1. Into the Cold Winter night
2. Saa Mørkt, Saa Mektig
3. Jærtegn
4. Evig Er Nattehimmelen
5. Betrayal, Wrath, Judgement
6. Den Siste Lange Sorg
7. La Asken Regne
8. The Nighttime Spear Piercing

MORE INFO:
www.1unholycraft.bandcamp.com 

www.purity-through-fire.com

NOX: new release from NEUROPA – features members of HEMELBESTORMER, ROPE SECT, LHAÄD+++

On June 7th internationally, Neuropa Records will release the striking debut album of pan-international duo Nox, Entity, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

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?

In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “Black Nebula” here:

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 

SELBST release “Despondency Chord Progressions”

“After so long I have discovered that some doors are not meant to be opened,
with all this suffering that I could have avoided in sight,
but I concurrently longed…” (‘Chant Of Self-Confrontation‘)

Since 2010, Latin American multi-instrumentalist and composer N. has been meticulously forging tumultuous and alienated Black Metal as SELBST. Following an initial demo tape and various splits/EPs, the band released two remarkable albums: “Selbst” (2017) and DMP-debut “Relatos de angustia” (2020). Now with the release of magnificent third opus, “Despondency Chord Progressions“, SELBST delve deeper still, refining and assertively navigating the complex currents of their already intricate sound.
Stream the album in its entirety through DMP‘s YouTube channel:

SELBST still rain down tumultuous hammer blows – their trademark ‘dissonant’ Black Metal intensity remains – but these now share equal space with elevated songwriting, assured vocal work, richly intricate musicality and mellifluous leads of the highest quality, glued together by a pristine drum performance from Jonathan Heredia (AVERSIO HUMANITATIS, ETERNAL STORM).

Mastermind N. comments on the release:

“I believe that previously my music was a bit more ‘linear.’ Now there is more presence of elements like clean vocals, there’s a track sung entirely in Spanish by myself (something that my first vocalist had done before), and I even dared to make a completely acoustic track (something that I had been considering for a long time). Recording this album was very interesting, and besides what I mentioned earlier, each song represented a different challenge, and the mood for each one was very special. Every release a band makes should be an experience to explore new elements and push their boundaries, in my opinion.“

SELBST‘s third album, “Despondency Chord Progressions,” is released on CD, vinyl, tape, and digital. A new t-shirt design accompanies the launch. Orders are possible through the label’s EU, US (no merch), and Bandcamp stores.

SELBST was formed 2010 in Venezuela by multi-instrumentalist/lyricist N and vocalist Frozen, releasing their initial demo “Veritas Filia Temporis” shortly afterwards. In 2016 N moved to Chile to search out new collaborators and opportunities. The resultant self-titled full-length, featuring vocals by N. Onfray of ANIMUS MORTIS, was released in 2017 to great underground acclaim.In 2018 N became SELBST‘s lead vocalist and the project turned into a fully-fledged live band, taking to the stage for the first time as the next step of their evolution. The band unleashed second album, “Relatos de Angustia“, in 2020 – a universally praised, deep and challenging record which rewarded repeat listens.SELBST subsequently honed their artistry and the band’s evolution into a formidable live act was marked by the 2023 digital release of live album, “Vortex Of Anguish And Death“.As SELBST reaches its 14th year, visionary N is now poised to reveal the band’s third and most compelling album yet. Titled “Despondency Chord Progressions,” this landmark release will emerge on April 19th through Debemur Morti Productions and further refines the intricate, shadowy depths of their already sophisticated sound.

|| Debemur Morti Productions ||

Website | EU shop | US shop

Facebook | Bandcamp | Youtube | Instagram

WINTER ETERNAL set release date for new HELLS HEADBANGERS album

Today, Hells Headbangers announces June 28th as the international release date for Winter Eternal‘s highly anticipated fourth album, Echoes of Primordial Gnosis, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.

It was but the dawn of summer 2021 when Winter Eternal released their breakthrough album, Land of Darkness. The band’s third album overall and first with Hells Headbangers, Land of Darkness truly launched the name Winter Eternal onto the worldwide metal map with their absolutely authentic synthesis of 1997-vintage melodicism and mysticism. “Melodic black metal” before it became a dirty word, mainman Soulreaper proved that his heart pumped the blood of the ancients, recalling both ’90s Swedish and Hellenic scenes (the band originally formed in Greece, but later relocated to Scotland) but now with charisma and personality to spare. Above all, Land of Darkness bristled with stellar songwriting and impassioned playing – timeless black metal songcraft that can stacked alongside those old, hallowed tomes rather than simply drawing influence from them.

Now, two years later, Winter Eternal return with their boldest record yet: Echoes of Primordial Gnosis. While immediately recognizable as the same Winter Eternal that delivered the preceding modern classic, Echoes of Primordial Gnosis just-as-prominently displays a greater usage of dynamics, particularly those revolving around acoustic and clean-stringed instruments such as cello. Similarly, the still-impassioned playing has been giving an uptick in intensity and analog spirit through session drums by V. Nuctemeron (Sacral Rage, Chainsaw), lending warmth – nay, burning desire! – to the band’s ever-characteristic attack. Soulreaper, for his part, gives a masterclass in spiraling, twilit melodicism: hammering and mesmerizing at first, but his riffs become rippling layers of majesty and mayhem that seemingly echo back on each other, proving that there’s indeed complexity in simplicity of design. Add to this his anguished & emotive vocals, with guest clean vocals courtesy of Macabre Omen mainman Alexandros and Hildr Valkyrie, and the album’s overall concept fully comes into focus: calling forth the spirits of ancient gods and legendary heroes around the world, paying tribute to their timeless powers, with each song thematically focused on one such god or hero. Form meeting content, in every sense – and likewise for Mars Triumph’s symbolic cover artwork.

No longer the black metal underground’s best-kept secret, Winter Eternal step fully into the halls of greatness with Echoes of Primordial Wisdom.

In the meantime, hear the recently revealed track “The Serpent’s Curse” here:

Also hear the previously revealed “Two Heavens as One” HERE, also at Hells Headbangers‘ official YouTube channel. Preorder info can be found HERE. Aforementioned cover artwork and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Winter Eternal’s Echoes of Primordial Wisdom
1. Echoes of Primordial Wisdom (Goddess Athena – Greece)
2. Two Heavens as One (Miyamoto Musashi – Japan)
3. Battle Cry (William Wallace – Scotland)
4. The Serpent’s Curse (God Bida – Uganda)
5. Voices (instrumental)
6. Bending the Fabric of Reality (Common Human)
7. Sacrifice for Glory (Iphigenia – Greece)
8. The Keeper of Sorrows (Goddess Oizys – Greece)

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/WinterEternalBand

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

CULT OF ERINYES set release date for new AMOR FATI album

Today, Amor Fati Productions announces May 24th as the international release date for Cult of Erinyes‘ highly anticipated fifth album, Metempsychosis, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

Cult of Erinyes comes back with Metempsychosis, an album to set the band as a main force of inspired and unique black metal. As a conceptual album based on the delirum and the introspection one can live in front of Death, Metempsychosis contains only two pieces, but together clock to more than 43 minutes of relentless darkness.

The Cult makes a statement that will resonate throughout the older generations, but newer ones, as well: vicious leads; perfect dissonance; blastbeats by the beast himself, Ahephaïm from Sabathan; and one of (if not) the best vocal performances from Belgian madman Déhà. Corvus, once again, shows his genius in complex compositions, from violent black metal to “noir ambient,” that will bring you to the brink of Death.

Cult of Erinyes is not just one black metal band amongst others; it is a true force to be reckoned with. And Metempsychosis hammers the nails down. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Cult of Erinyes’ Metempsychosis

1. Death and the Voyage [22:23]
2. Eternity in a Second [21:09]


MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/cult.erinyes

www.amor-fati-productions.de 
www.amorfatiproductions.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/amorfatiprod

Mystical black metallers Magistraal stream the entirety of their highly anticipated debut EP

Today, mystical black metallers Magistraal stream the entirety of their highly anticipated debut EP, Fantoom van de Deemsterburcht. To be digitally self-released on April 16th – the EP will also be available through Zwaertgevegt on vinyl format as one half of a split release – hear Magistraal‘s Fantoom van de Deemsterburcht in its entirety  here:

Magistraal: a jet-black concoction sprung from the depths of the Shadow Mountains, fashioned in the gruesome sight of the eight hateful eyes of Shelob and beautified by the enchanting fingers of Fëanor, maestro of architecture. Cultivated by two opposing, ancient powers: she is mistress of the cold, dark, drizzly existence and embittered by a lonely exile, cast into a darkness where her shrill voice was banished for an eternity; he was a powerful designer of splendor, an inventor of works of art and a superior preserver of light, a perfectionist whose work proved to be a refuge for the apostate.

In reality, the duo – originating from the Netherlands – do not want to reveal much about themselves, comparing a presence in the scene to an enigmatic and mystical existence of black metal in the ’90s, reawakened in 2023. Magistraal is an expression of fantasy, dreamscapes, the power of imagination, emotion and kinship, audible in hidden lyrics underpinned by an atmospheric-yet-raw approach to workings in dark music.

The duo’s first expression is the EP Fantoom van de Deemsterburcht, penned and crafted in 2023. Here, Magistraal cultivate a wide arsenal of tempo, rhythm, and instrumental styles for the listener – where the title track “Fantoom van de Deemsterburcht” and the eruption of “Waar leed zich eeuwig voedt” are presented with overwhelming violence, the centerpiece of this allotment of music is a constructive opus of 11 minutes of growing madness in the form of “Mijn branded licht.” Dutch evil produced in three depraved episodes, each embracing its own godless theme, but which merge into a creeping, lugubrious muck.

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Magistraal’s Fantoom van de Deemsterburcht
1. Waar leed zich eeuwig voedt [5:21]
2. Mijn brandend licht [11:29]
3. Fantoom van de Deemsterburcht [4:37]

MORE INFO:
www.magistraal.bandcamp.com

TORTURERS’ LOBBY premiere new track

Today, nasty metallers Torturers’ Lobby premiere the new track “Reptilian Hide”. The track is the second to be revealed from the band’s highly anticipated debut album, Deadened Nerves, which is now set for international release on June 14th: Caligari Records will release the CD and cassette tape versions while Ixiol Productions will release the vinyl version. Hear Torturers’ Lobby‘s “Reptilian Hide” in its entirety here:

Hailing from Tampa, Torturers’ Lobby began as a three-piece band with Tim Anderson on drums, Ryan Conway on bass, and Evan Dawson, on guitar/vocals. After the Again debut demo in 2021, Adam Shaw joined as a dedicated vocalist. With this lineup, the band recorded the Crisis of Faith Rehearsal, which was released later in 2021. The following year, the 7″ EP Man in Zwugzang was released, and Anderson left the band after the subsequent Kinetic Disapproval rehearsal, which featured some early versions of songs that would be on Torturers’ Lobby‘s eventual debut album, Deadened Nerves. Dwane Nihiser replaced him, and that debut album is the first release with him playing drums.

Now at last here and their lineup firm, Deadened Nerves announces Torturers’ Lobby‘s arrival with devastating punctuation. A metal record for metal people, the band’s first full-length doesn’t kowtow to genre conventions – death metal, black metal, thrash, and even juiced-up traditional metal all get diced and sliced into their cranky cauldron – nor does it get overly “clever” and pay lazy lip service to a please-everybody middle ground. No, Torturers’ Lobby simply go for the throat quickly and without compunction, rushing forth with an urgency of approach and physicality that’s tangible – truly, this is a whole band playing together instead of punched-in parts – but soon twist the knife in myriad ways. And that’s perhaps the trump card of Deadened Nerves: violent and off the rails it might often be, but there’s a diabolic logic to the angular shapes Torturers’ Lobby throw, a strive to elevate songwriting to something at once palpitating and mind-bending, careening and in control. RIFFS are aplenty, and the production’s thick and scuzzy yet fully pro, and Shaw’s vocals keep apace with acerbic annunciation. 

“Truly, we just wanted to create unique music we haven’t heard, yet want to listen to,” state the band. “It’s very difficult to nail down what we play, and we like it that way. We worship no specific style, as the greats have already done it, so there is no sense in recreating some watered-down parody of it. We just wanted to be different and pursue something new, a different direction in violent ‘underground’ music. We have jokingly referred to our sound as ‘Florida shitkicker.'”

Still, there’s no joking around on Deadened Nerves. The lyrics match the severity of its music, focusing on actual events and societal ails. “We do not write silly songs about juvenile notions of ‘evil,’ the ‘occult,’ or fictitious gore,” the band continue. “We strive to turn humanity to face its grotesque reflection and reconcile with its own evil and misguided obsession with cruelty, morbidity, and lack of independent thought. This is a real reflection of the decaying world around us, though we are not seeking to advocate for it.”

Nasty, authentically underground, but not bogged down by too-cool borders, Torturers’ Lobby shitkick past, present, and future with Deadened Nerves.

Also hear the previously revealed “Reaper’s Impunity” HERE at Caligari‘s Bandcamp, where the CD and tape versions can also be preordered. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Torturers’ Lobby’s Deadened Nerves
1. Dawning
2. Barbaric Alchemy
3. Chromosomal Devastation
4. Captured Pieces
5. Reaper’s Impunity
6. Hypnotic Seeds Sown
7. Humanity’s Husk
8. Re-education
9. Enduring Spirit
10. Reptilian Hide

MORE INFO:
www.torturerslobby.bandcamp.com

www.caligarirecords.com
www.facebook.com/caligarirecords
www.caligarirecords.bandcamp.com 

www.ixiol.com 

ANCIENT GUARD set release date for IRON BONEHEAD debut mini-album, reveal first track – features RUNESPELL member

Today, Iron Bonehead Productions announces June 14th as the international release date for Ancient Guard‘s striking debut mini-album, Nightfall Enthroned, on CD and 12″ vinyl formats.

Ancient Guard is a new creation of Nightwolf, renown for pagan black metal vanguard Runespell. As expected, his unmistakable mastery is all across Nightfall Enthroned, Ancient Guard‘s first public work. A surprisingly vast mini-album at four songs in 31 minutes, Nightfall Enthroned is immersive to the extreme and almost soothing in its continually cresting swell of sumptuous black metal mysticism. While Runespell‘s no-less-grandiose sound is oft given to bouts of bloodlust and battle rage, Ancient Guard is pure magisterial march & might as can be expected of such a moniker. And Nighttwolf’s knack for mesmerizing melodicism holds true here, as well, but if one could make distinctions in this regard, it’s that Nightfall Enthroned swirls about to a spacious-yet-thick foundation that’s equal parts stargazing wonder and weight-of-the-universe terror – an infinitely compelling canvas equally suited to adrift dreamers and austere realists alike. Followed by the acoustic lament “Eld,” the synth-heavy epic “A Moonscape Abyss” says exactly everything it needs to about Ancient Guard: awaken to Nightfall Enthroned!

In the meantime, hear the brand-new track “A Moonscape Abyss”  here:

Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Ancient Guard’s Nightfall Enthroned
1. Dominion of Primordial Darkness [11:40]
2. Sepulchral Damnation [9:04]
3. A Moonscape Abyss [7:29]
4. Eld [2:45]

www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions