European tour

1349 Co-Headline with Kampfar on 2024 EU Tour

Norwegian Black Metal Titans 1349 Team Up with Folk-Black Vanguard Kampfar for a Tour That Promises to Ignite the European Underground.

In a union that promises to reshape the contours of black metal, Norwegian titans 1349 are joining forces with the revered Kampfar for the highly anticipated 1349 & Kampfar – 2024 EU Co-Headline Tour. A ceremonial gathering of black metal’s most fervent apostles, ready to spread the gospel of Aural Hellfire and pagan might across Europe.

1349, known for their unwavering dedication to the essence of black metal, have continually evolved while respecting the genre’s roots. From their formation in the ashes of Alvheim in 1997 to their groundbreaking releases like ‘Hellfire’ and ‘Massive Cauldron of Chaos,’ 1349 have cemented their status as a powerhouse of Norwegian black metal. Their journey has been one of relentless touring, including memorable stints opening for metal legends CELTIC FROST, and achieving milestones such as scoring a nomination for a Norwegian Grammy. Their sonic evolution, marked by ventures into ambient darkness and collaborations with icons like CELTIC FROST’s Tom Gabriel “Warrior” Fischer, exhibits an innovative spirit that refuses to stagnate. In 2018, the band’s creative prowess was further recognized when they were chosen to set Edvard Munch’s paintings to music, resulting in the eerie masterpiece Dødskamp.

As 1349 continues to summon the beast of the abyss with their ferocious live performances, this tour marks a new pinnacle in their relentless advance. Alongside the equally formidable Kampfar, this co-headline venture is set to be a beacon for fans of true, unadulterated black metal. They’ll be bringing along special guests Afksy across all 23 EU dates.

1349 & Kampfar Co-Headline – 2024 EU Tour:

01 October: Leipzig, DE @ Anker
02 October: Berlin, DE @ SO36
03 October: Aarhus, DK @ Voxhall
04 October: Gothenburg, SE @ Filmstudion
05 October: Stockholm, SE @ Kolletkivet Livet
07 October: Helsinki, FI @ Aaniwalli
08 October: Tallinn, EE @ Helitehas
09 October: Riga, LV @ Melna Piektdiena
10 October: Warsaw, PL @ Proxima
11 October: Kraków, PL @ Kamienna 12
12 October: Vienna, AT @ Vienna Metal Meeting
13 October: Budapest, HU @ Barba Negra
15 October: Prague, CZ @ Futurum
16 October: Munich, DE @ Backstage
17 October: Milano, IT @ Slaughter Club
18 October: Colmar, FR @ Le Grillen
19 October: Aarburg, CH @ Musigburg
20 October: Oignies, FR @ Tyrant Fest
22 October: Weiher, DE @ Live Music Hall
23 October: Paris, FR @ Le Petit Bain
24 October: Bochum, DE @ Zeche
25 October: Amstelveen, NL @ P60
26 October: Maastricht, NL @ Samhain Festival

Tickets are on sale now: http://linktr.ee/1349official

1349 States: ““Little did we know, more than four years ago, that by the time we would again go on tour in Europe, the continent was to be hit by a pandemic and a war. We have entered a time where grim realities have already become manifest, and a still deeper darkness hangs over us and has started its descent. To lend from our own songtitles, Pandemonium War Bells chime in the distance, threatening to become louder. It has become imminent to understand and take in the gravity and let the darkness sink in, and 1349 might just be the perfect soundtrack. Especially now, as we are about to release a particularly sinister and eerie album. We look forward to travel out to the Continent again and feel how the new songs work live in all their demonic splendour, as well as performing songs from our history and share their energies with both old fans and new. We are also pleased to be sharing the stage with fellow Norsemen Kampfar and our Danish brothers in Afsky who will join us on our journey southwards.“

Before embarking on this colossal tour, 1349 ascended new heights of darkness with their seventh studio album, The Infernal Pathway.

Emblazoned with the audacious tagline, “AURAL HELLFIRE,” the album maps a descent into darkness and chaos, marking the band’s continued dedication to bridging the old school with the avant-garde. The layered intensity of tracks such as Dødskamp or Striding the Chasm bespeak the band’s ability to create expansive soundscapes that echo with ultra-fast aggression and chilling ambients.

Current plans envision a brand new release to descend upon the black metal realm later in 2024. Stay tuned for the next chapter in the 1349 saga, where the AURAL HELLFIRE we experience, grows deeper and darker.

Norwegian black metal titans 1349 have returned with their long awaited seventh full-length: The Infernal Pathway. The album promises a journey through chaos and madness, darkness and peril, terror, and annihilation.

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 splendour.

Lineup
Ravn – Vocals
Archaon – Guitar
Frost – Drums
Seidemann – Bass

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

Order The Infernal Pathway: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/1349InfernalPathway

SPITER to tour Europe in October – features members of DEVIL MASTER and SHITFUCKER

Today, True Vampyric Metal Punks Spiter announce a headlining European tour set for this October. Titled “Satanik Overdose of Bats’ Blood European Tour 2023,” the tour is in support of the band’s celebrated debut album, Bathe the Babe in Bats’ Blood, released last summer by Hells Headbangers. Joining Spiter on the tour will be Satan Worship.

Says frontman/guitarist Richard Spider, “Spiter is eager to embark on our journey through oceans of time to the old world to perform our mystical rites of the True Vampyric Metal Punk. Bloody black magic and nocturnal debauchery shall be set in motion as the Acid Vampire Lords lead our conquest through Europe, carving our names on the tombstone of historic onslaught, unleashing the relentless Satanic Sonic Assault upon the masses.” Full list of confirmed dates as well as poster art are as follows:

05.10 OrwoHaus / Berlin (GER)
06.10 Escape Metal Corner / Vienna (AU)
07.10 Officina Amaranta / Fano (IT)
11.10 Freak Out / Bolonha (IT)
12.10 MC Apache / Fontaine L’Eveque (BE)
13.10 Musicon / Haia (NL)
14.10 Walrus / Groningen (NL)
15.10 Ragnarok Live Club / Bree (BE)
16.10 Le Club / Paris (FR)
17.10 Cafe De La Musique / Tours (FR)
18.10 Elpee / Deinze (BE)
19.10 Göppingen, Gaststatte Zille (GER)
20.10 Hydrozagadca / Varsovia (PO)
21.10 Fararova Sluj / Mlada Boleslav (CZ)
22.10 Parlamento / Plzen (CZ)

Featuring members of labelmates Shitfucker and Devil Master, Spiter made their recorded debut during the spring of 2021 with the Draconian Death Curse EP. Although it’d be semi-accurate to see the EP as a sonic union between Shitfucker and Devil Master, already Spiter exerted their own identity, ripping forth with a raw-yet-anthemic blend of cult blackthrash, obscure hardcore punk, and even the wildest deathrock. Immediately, the short-length garnered the band a great deal of attention.

The band picks up the tale: “Much like Dracula leaving Transylvania hell-bent on conquest, Richard Spider (Daemon Bitch of Shitfucker) moved to Philadelphia with the sole intent of forming Spiter. Alongside fellow magician Bat (Darkest Prince of Devil Master), and Philly punk drummer Snake (Disjawn), who was magically uncovered in a destined meeting, the lineup was complete. Following the path forged by the infernal and immortal Dragon, creating the True Vampyric Metal Punk in the name of our God and Father, Satan!” 

Now armed with Hells Headbangers, Spiter’s first full-length fully displays the band’s considerable powers. More ripping, more anthemic, wilder and weirder and laded with a crisp-yet-crushing production, Bathe the Babe in Bats’ Blood will put the name Spiter on the tongues of all who worship the dark and depraved. The album features 10 songs in 36 minutes, swiftly and salaciously possessing the listener in a sanguine fury like few others. Each and every second literally explodes with electricity and excitement, Spiter frothing with blood – both others’ and their own – and seemingly drunk on their own undead energy. And each track is as immediately memorable as the last yet offering variety across that whirlwind landscape, commanding that listener to press “play” over and over…until it fucking hurts.

“Spiter has an unquenchable thirst for blood and glory,” sagely state the band – and on evidence of Bathe the Babe in Bats’ Blood, those black-leather wings will enwrap the world soon enough! Order info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Spiter’s Bathe the Babe in Bats’ Blood
1. Suicidal Blood Fucker
2. Phan
9. Spider Bitertoms
3. Tortured Soul
4. Transylvanian Night
5. Foreshadow
6. Living Nightmare
7. Full Satanic Power
8. Cursed Eternal
10. Debauchery

MORE INFO:
www.spiter.bandcamp.com

www.hellsheadbangers.com

BENIGHTED announce ‘Obscene Repressed’ European tour

Extreme French band BENIGHTED are now announcing the new and updated ‘Obscene Repressed’tour dates which will kick off this in October 2020. The band were, like many others, forced to cancel their previously announced tourdates, including athe Hellfest Warm-up tour which would take place this month. A full list of updated and confirmed shows can be found below!

Vocalist Julien Truchan comments: “After the huge frustration about ccancelation of our “Hellfest Warm Up Tour” and all these great summer festivals being cancelled, we are now happy to announce the new “Obscene Repressed Tour”. If this fucking Covid allows it, we will soon have the occasion to party together twice as hard and show you how the tracks of our new album sounds live. We are so impatient to spill our guts on stage and see you all. France, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Portugal, Norway… Stay fucking sick with brutal live music!”
BENIGHTED 2020
03 Oct 20 Vallet (FR) Le Champilambart (Muscadeath Fest)
04 Oct 20 Toulouse (FR) Connecion Live
06 Oct 20 Orléans (FR) Dropkick Bar
07 Oct 20 Leusden (NL) Fort 33
08 Oct 20 Fontaine-L’évêque BE (FR) MCP Apache
09 Oct 20 Mannheim (DE) MS Connexicon Complex
10 Oct 20 Vienna (AT) Escape Metalcorner
11 Oct 20 Salzburg (AT) Rockhouse Bar
13 Oct 20 Martigny (CH) Sunset Bar
14 Oct 20 Lyon (FR) Ninkasi Café
15 Oct 20 Colmar (FR) Le Grillen
16 Oct 20 Paris (FR) Le Petit Bain
17 Oct 20 Genève (CH) PTR
24 Oct 20 Montpellier (FR) Rockstore
06 Nov 20 Epinal (FR) La Souris Verte
07 Nov 20 Murs Erigné (FR) Omega Festival
05 Dec 20 Niort (FR) Le Camji (Rise & Fall Fest)
12 Dec 20 Nantes (FR) Warehouse (Warm Up Hellfest)

BENIGHTED 2021
23 Jan 21 Lisbon (PT) XXXAPADA na Tromba Festival
02 Apr 21 Oslo (NO) Inferno Festival
31 Jul 21 Steenwijk (NL) Stonehenge Festival
Drummer Kévin Paradis recently released a brand new play-through video for the track ‘Muzzle’, taken from the new full length “Obscene Repressed”.
Kevin Paradis comments on the video: “On Benighted’s new album “Obscene Repressed”, I’ve done my best to mix all my influences together to create the best drum beats and fills possible for the guitar riffing. ‘Muzzle’ is an example of what I’ve tried to do, from the jazzy “chabada” to blast beats, you’ll find many different drumming in just one song. Hope you’ll enjoy”

The album can still be ordered HERE.
Line-up:
Julien Truchan: Vocals
Emmanuel Dalle: Guitars
Fabien Desgardins: Guitars
Pierre Arnoux: Bass
Kévin Paradis: Drums

Recording studio: Kohlekeller Studio (Seeheim-Jugenheim, Germany)
Producer/Mixing: Kristian Bonifer
Mastering: Tom Porcell

Guest musicians:
Sebastian Grihm (CYTOTOXIN) on ‘The Starving Beast’
Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED) on ‘Implore The Negative’
Karsten Jäger (DISBELIEF) on ‘Mom, I Love You The Wrong Way’

Heilung announce European tour

HEILUNG have announced a European tour in October and November this year. The tour will kick off on October 22nd in Warsaw (PL) and will end about a month later in Paris (FR). HEILUNG will be touring in support of their upcoming release, ‘Futha’,which is set for worldwide release via Season of Mist in June. Find the full list of tour dates below.
HEILUNG
European tour
22 Oct 19 Palladium (PL) Warschau
24 Oct 19 Berlin (DE) Admiralspalast
26 Oct 19 Essen (DE) Colosseum Theater
28 Oct 19 Munich (DE) Circus Krone
30 Oct 19 Prague (CZ) Hybernia
01 Nov 19 Halle (DE) Händelhalle
03 Nov 19 Vienna (AT) Der Globe
05 Nov 19 Zurich (CH) Volkshaus
07 Nov 19 Kiel (DE) Kieler Schloss
10 Nov 19 London (UK) Roundhouse
17 Nov 19 Brussels (BE) AB
20 Nov 19 Paris (FR) Elysée Montmartre

HEILUNG performances 2019
11 Apr 19 Tilburg (NL) Roadburn Festival
17 Apr 19 St. Petersburg (RU) Aurora
19 Apr 19 Moscow (RU) Arbat Hall
20 Jun 19 Copenhagen (DK) Copenhell Festival 2019 (Exact date TBA)
29 Jun 19 Helsinki (FI) Tuska 2019 (Exact date TBA)
18 Aug 19 Borre (NO) Midgardsblot 2019 (Exact date TBA)
07 Sep 19 Selb (DE) Mediaval Festival 2019 (Exact date TBA)
19 Oct 19 Hameln (DE) Autumn Moon Festival 2019 (Exact date TBA)

HEILUNG comment on the meaning of the album title ‘Futha’: “The majority of full rune set inscriptions start with ‘Futha’, and is known to us as the first four letters in all runic alphabets. It is considered that our forefathers saw magic potential in engraving the full rune line, but there is also great significance in the beginnings. Science has no key for the meaning of only engraving the first couple of letters yet, but there is, of course, a surplus of theories. One of the theories we found inspiration in, is that ‘Futha’ holds the meaning of fertility and female gender. As ‘Ofnir’ focused on war and masculine notions, the great healing power of female wild strength is evoked in Futha. Those who have been present at a birth or have seen lionesses hunting know the spirit, and we welcome and embrace it in the sounds that were born during the creation of ‘Futha’.”

HEILUNG latest debut full-length, ‘Ofnir’ (2015) was recently re-released by Season of Mist. Cover artwork and album details of ‘Ofnir’ can be viewed below.
Track-list
 
1. Alfadhirhaiti (6:48)
2. Krigsgaldr (8:58)
3. Hakkerskaldyr (2:10)
4. Schlammschlacht (5:50)
5. Carpathian Forest (2:34)
6. Fylgija Ear (8:34)
7. Futhorck (10:45)
8. In Maidjan (12:32)
9. Afhomon (13:41)
 
Total playing time: 1:11:52
When HEILUNG self-released ‘Ofnir’ in 2015, the Danish band could hardly have anticipated the breakthrough success of their debut album. Spectacular live shows, strong critical acclaim, and a massive underground buzz added to the constantly high demand for this full-length are the reason why their new label Season of Mist does not hesitate to re-issue ‘Ofnir’ in several collector’s edition formats.

HEILUNG means “healing” in the German language and this also describes the core of the band’s sound. The listener is supposed to be left at ease and in a relaxed state after a magical musical journey that is at times turbulent.

HEILUNG reach far back in time to the Northern European iron age and Viking period to create their sound experience. The band utilises many means in their songs: from running water via human bones, reconstructed swords and shields up to ancient frame drums as well as bronze rings.

HEILUNG‘s lyrics contain original texts from rune stones, preserved spear shafts, amulets, and other ancient artefacts. Furthermore, the band uses poems, which either deal with historical events or are translations and interpretations of the original texts.

Any attempt to link the band with or bring their music into a modern political or religious context is pointless, since HEILUNG try to connect their listeners with a time before the coming of Christianity and modern political ideologies. 

Line-up
Kai Uwe Faust 
Christopher Juul
Maria Franz

www.facebook.com/amplifiedhistory

Portuguese Ambient Doom Rock Band Sinistro announce European tour in support of Paradise Lost and Pallbearer

SINISTRO are announcing a string of European shows in support of PARADISE LOST and PALLBEARER. For the fascinating Portuguese, the tour will kick off at the Kulturfabrik in Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg on September 27th and continue through 13 more European countries before coming to a close at the Columbia Theater in Germany’s capital Berlin on the 9th of November.

Singer Patricia Andrade comments on behalf of the band: “We are very pleased to be touring with PARADISE LOST. It is not everyday, we are able to share the stage with a legendary band that was an important part of our adolescence and gives this tour a special feeling. We are also very much looking forward to be on the road such a great band as PALLBEARER. It is hardly surprising that we are very much looking forward to this tour. See you there!”

SINISTRO
+PARADISE LOST +PALLBEARER
27 Sep 17 Esch-Sur-Alzette (LU) Kulturfabrik
28 Sep 17 Herford (DE) X
29 Sep 17 København (DK) Pumpehuset
01 Oct 17 Oslo (NO) John Dee
03 Oct 17 Helsinki (FI) Nosturi
07 Oct 17 Aarhus (DK) Voxhall
10 Oct 17 Brno (CZ) Fleda
11 Oct 17 Bratislava (SK) Randal
13 Oct 17 Belgrade (RS) Dom Omladine
14 Oct 17 Zagreb (HR) Boogaloo
15 Oct 17 Budapest (HU) Dürer Kert
18 Oct 17 Nürnberg (DE) Hirsch
19 Oct 17 Frankfurt (DE) Batschkapp
20 Oct 17 Saarbrücken (DE) Garage
21 Oct 17 Genève (CH) L‘Usine
28 Oct 17 Fontaneto D’Agogna (IT) Phenomenon
29 Oct 17 München (DE) Theaterfabrik
30 Oct 17 Pratteln (CH) Z7
03 Nov 17 London (UK) Electric Ballroom
06 Nov 17 Utrecht (NL) Pandora
07 Nov 17 Tilburg (NL) 013
08 Nov 17 Köln (DE) Live Music Hall
09 Nov 17 Berlin (DE) Columbia Theater

SINISTRO Festivals
02 Jun 17 Leipzig (DE) Wave Gotik Treffen
16 Jun 17 Dessel (BE) Graspop Metal Meeting 2017
05 Jul 17 Neskaupstaður (IS) Eistnaflug

SINISTRO are currently preparing for their sophomore album, which means that you can expect to hear brand new material as well as songs from their critically acclaimed dark melancholic masterpiece, ‘Semente’.

Artwork and tracklist of ‘Semente’ can be viewed below

Tracklisting
1. Partida
2. Estrada
3. Corpo Presente
4. Semente
5. Relíquia
6. A Visita
7. Fragmento

Portugal is well known for its fascination with the morbid. Death is part of daily conversation. Its national chant, Fado, is the musical incarnation of melancholy and painful longing called “saudade”. And the country’s capital Lisbon only wakes up in the darkness of night.

From this unlikely location, SINISTRO emerged as an embodiment of both lush and devastating musical landscapes driven by five individuals from distinct art circles. Their new album ‘Semente’ (“Seed”) is a fascinating exercise in amalgamating this national legacy into dark and fascinating sound. This unique music is quite hard to easily tag and file into a drawer. The mind tries tricks and attempts constructions like LANA DEL REY meets MY DYING BRIDE – only to drop the idea a minute later.

Looking for points of reference, SINISTRO might at any moment give reason for comparison with MASSIVE ATTACK, ENNIO MORRICONE, BOARDS OF CANADA, HOWARD SHORE, RADIOHEAD, FAITH NO MORE, ANGELO BADALAMENTI, DAVID BOWIE, SWANS, UNWOUND, MOGWAI, and CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX. Yet none of these names dropped here will make sense at another sequence. It is very much up to each listener to determine their own points of reference.

SINISTRO have been cultivating such sonic exploration since writing their self-titled debut album, which was released in 2012 and delivered elegant doom rock combined with a soundtrack like approach that harvested praise from both public and critics alike.

SINISTRO’s following effort ‘Cidade’ (2013) welcomed singer Patrícia Andrade on board and went on to explore a massive wall of guitars combined with gritty keyboard layers and an emotional vocal performance. Backed by unanimous critical acclaim, ‘Cidade’ established SINISTRO as an essential name in the Portuguese music scene.

SINISTRO began composing ‘Semente’ in 2014. The band added a second guitarist to the fold, who helped push their unique style another step further. Keeping a cinematic feeling in the background, the Portuguese vary from abrasive musical thickness to a perfect sense of stillness, which portrays the urban landscapes of their homeland and its legacy with a strong visual presence. SINISTRO created seven brand new tracks that are bound to appeal to music fans of various genres. Now we shall leave you and kindly ask you to listen carefully to form your own opinion…

Line-up
Patricia Andrade – vocals
Y – guitar
F – bass, keys
R – guitar
P – drums
www.sinistroband.com
www.facebook.com/projectosinistro

Canadian masters of progressive technical death metal Beyond Creation announce European summer shows

BEYOND CREATION are announcing a string of European dates for this summer. The Canadian masters of progressive technical death metal will be supported by Swiss brothers in spirit, VIRVUM. The tour kicks off with a show at the prestigious Hellfest in Clisson France on June 18th and continues through 11 countries on the continent before its grand finale at the UK Tech Fest at the Newark Showground in Winthorpe on the 9th of July.

Please see below for a list of all confirmed dates.

BEYOND CREATION
18 Jun 17 Clisson (FR) Hellfest

BEYOND CREATION
+Virvum
20 Jun 17 Aarau (CH) Kiff
21 Jun 17 Bologna (IT) Alchemica Music Club
22 Jun 17 Ljubljana (SI) Orto Bar
24 Jun 17 Tuzla (BA) Club Palma
25 Jun 17 Sofia (BG) Live & Loud
26 Jun 17 Cluj (RO) Napoca The Shelter
27 Jun 17 Kosice (SK) Colloseum
28 Jun 17 Budapest (HU) Dürer Kert
29 Jun 17 Wien (AT) Viper Room
30 Jun 17 München (DE) Feierwerk
02 Jul 17 Utrecht (NL) dB’s

BEYOND CREATION
09 Jul 17 Winthorpe (UK) Newark Showground (UK Tech Fest 2017)

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 ‘Earthborn Evolution’, which names the sophomore 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 new amazing scion: BEYOND CREATION! Founded in the Olympic city of Montreal in the year 2005, the band worked hard to gain technical expertise before putting out their only demo in 2010. The immediate buzz resonated within and beyond technical Death Metal circles and was followed up by a self-release of “The Aura” (2011), which was re-issued by Season of Mist in 2013. With their debut album, BEYOND CREATION delivered a ferocious blend of technicality, melody, and brutality aided by fang-filled growls, which was interwoven with beautiful progressive interludes. Yet this was just the beginning as ‘Earthborn Evolution’ proves beyond doubt. Their next step now catapults the Canadians into the top league of their genre, right among such giants as ATHEIST, DEATH or early CYNIC. Prepare for the lightning evolution of the progressive technical death metal revolution!

Line-up
Simon Girard: vocals, 8-string guitars
Kevin Chartré: 8-string guitars
Dominic ‘Forest’ Lapointe: 6-string fretless bass
Philippe Boucher: drums

www.facebook.com/beyondcreationofficial

UK Psychedelic Doom Rockers CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX announce European Tour Dates

CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX have announced a string of European festival and headlining performances for summer 2017. The eclectic British rockers will kick off their road rage at the prestigious Hellfest in Clisson, France on June 18th. This is followed by more shows in Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland in June, July, and August.

Mastermind Justin Greaves comments: “Hello rockers! We are stoked to bring a fine selection of our songs to you this summer. Make sure to catch our shows this time round; we are not the most touring band. See you in the sun!”

CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX
18 Jun 17 Clisson (FR) Hellfest
19 Jun 17 Liege (BE) La Zone (+Trap Them)
20 Jun 17 Wiesbaden (DE) Schlachthof (+Trap Them)
21 Jun 17 Segrate (IT) SoloMacello Fest
23 Jun 17 Aarau (CH) Kiff (+Trap Them +Ghost Bath)
24 Jun 17 München (DE) Saint Helena Festival
14 Jul 17 Sankt Goarshausen (DE) Night of the Prog
04 Aug 17 Raversbeuren (DE) Lott-Festival

CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX have previously released a clip for the track “Scared and Alone”, which has been created by renowned Romanian artist Costin Chioreanu. The animation revolves around the illness of depression, which is represented in song and visuals by the metaphorical “black dog” – a slang term expressing this severe and dangerous medical condition. You can watch the video here:

CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX will be touring in support of their latest album ‘Bronze’, which is still available in various formats through the Season of Mist shop.

Artwork and track-list of ‘Bronze’ are shown below.

01. Dead Imperial Bastard
02. Deviant Burials
03. No Fun
04. Rotten Memories
05. Champions Of Disturbance (Pt 1 & 2)
06. Goodbye Then
07. Turn To Stone
08. Scared And Alone
09. Winning A Losing Battle
10. We Are The Darkeners

Bronze consists primarily of copper, but it is the inclusion of other metals and non-metals that gives this alloy its specific characteristics. Ever since mankind discovered the secret of its making thousands of years ago, the golden and shining bronze has changed the course of history, spawned destruction and war, yet also been crafted into desired objects of extreme beauty.

You will find each of these traits inherent in the sixth studio album of CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX, which is aptly taking its title from this fateful alloy. Instead of copper, dark rock forms the base ingredient in this musical amalgamation process, but it is the addition of metal, progressive influences, gothic, wave, even pop, and many other elements as well as a changing cast of musicians that result in each song shining with its own individual hue and tone. Yet a deep sense of anguish, despair, longing, loss, melancholy, and nostalgia forms a binding force that holds ‘Bronze’ together and formulates an encompassing theme.

This musical darkness is reflected in the lyrical themes dominating the record, which partly revolve around battling inner demons and resisting oppression. The constant struggle comes as no surprise when taking into account that poetic mastermind Justin Greaves has recently gone public about his personal fight against severe depression. For him, not letting the “black dog” devour you is a big message mixed within his songs.

CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX have always confounded critics trying to pin their style down ever since multi-instrumentalist Justin Greaves recorded his first ideas in 2004 – which earned them tagging attempts ranging from “stoner prog” to “freak folk” to “psychedelic doom”. Despite the wide range of musical leanings within their albums, there are a unifying dark streak and sombre melancholy running through the songs. Founder Justin Greaves had already made himself a name as drummer for IRON MONKEY and ELECTRIC WIZARD among others. When the multi-instrumentalist finally decided to stand on his own musical feet, CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX was born as a project. This involves a changing cast of musicians and live set-ups, which mirror the ever ongoing evolution of the band and the fact that the songs were mostly not composed with their live performance on mind.

Between 2007 and 2014, CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX released a string of five critically highly acclaimed studio albums – from ‘A Love of Shared Disasters’ (2007), via ‘The Resurrectionists’ (2009), ‘Night Raider’ (2009), ‘(Mankind) The Crafty Ape’ (2012), until ‘White Light Generator’ (2014). This was complemented by EPs ‘I, Vigilante’ (2010), ‘No Sadness or Farewell’ (2012), and ‘Oh’ Ech-oes’ (2015), the live recording ‘Live Poznan’ (2013), and the ‘200 Tons of Bad Luck’ compilation (2009). Their ‘New Dark Age Tour EP 2015 A.D.’ was the band’s first release on Season of Mist that came with an extensive homage to PINK FLOYD. The strong influence of the UK rock giants can still be felt on ‘Bronze’, yet while CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX never denied their roots, this outstanding act has long created their own sonic cosmos and now takes it a dimension further. Be warned that ‘Bronze’ will infect you with a most deep fascination. Shine on…

‘Bronze’ was recorded at Chapel Studio and mixed with Karl Daniel Lidén.

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www.crippledblackphoenix.co.uk

US Doom Legends Saint Vitus kick off European tour tonight

Following their shows at both Desertfest editions in Berlin and London, SAINT VITUS are now ready to kick off their European tour at the Helvete Metal Club in Oberhausen Germany tomorrow, 2nd of May. The godfathers of American doom metal will be supported by Norwegian brothers in spirit, TOMBSTONES. The final curtain will fall at the Pokalen in Oslo, Norway on May 13th, but SAINT VITUS will return for a performance at the French Fall of Summer Festival in Torcy (close to Disneyland Paris) on the 8th of September.

SAINT VITUS tour
+TOMBSTONES
02 May 17 Oberhausen (DE) Helvete Metal Club
03 May 17 Wiesbaden (DE) Schlachthof
04 May 17 München (DE) Backstage
05 May 17 Schaffhausen (CH) Kammgarn
06 May 17 Tilburg (NL) Little Devil
07 May 17 Haarlem (NL) Patronaat
09 May 17 Osnabrück (DE) Bastard Club
10 May 17 Hamburg (DE) Hafenklang
11 May 17 Aarhus (DK) VoxHall
12 May 17 Karlstad (SW) Club Pebbles
13 May 17 Oslo (NO) Pokalen

SAINT VITUS Fall of Summer
08 Sep 17 Torcy (FR) Fall of Summer

Formed in 1979, SAINT VITUS were largely influenced by BLACK SABBATH, whose song “Saint Vitus Dance” obviously inspired the moniker. Since their debut album ‘Saint Vitus’ came out in 1984, the Americans have released seven more full-lengths and two EPs that are summarily considered to be classics of their genre.

‘Live Vol. 2’ will also be released as a special digipak edition containing a digisleeve as well as a triple gatefold vinyl, which are both strictly limited and will contain ‘Marbles in the Moshpit’. This live recording from Ontario, Canada in December 1984 was previously available as a bootleg and on limited vinyl, and features the line-up Dave Chandler, Mark Adams, original singer Scott Reagers, and late drummer Armando Acosta, who sadly passed away in 2010.

If you feel like you were born too late, are thirsty and miserable, and dying inside, then just look behind you, lean back and ride those white stallions on ‘Live Vol. 2’! SAINT VITUS will never be a waste of time!

www.facebook.com/saintvitusofficial

Horror Metal Band Necrophagia announce European tour

NECROPHAGIA have announced a European tour in support of legendary MORBID ANGEL fronter David Vincent’s I AM MORBID. The American cult death metal pioneers will embark on their hellish road-trip at the Rudeboy in Bielsko-Biala, Poland on May 17th and continue to celebrate their horror shows throughout seven more countries before a final curtain at the Hellraiser in Oberhausen, Germany on the 12th of June.

Killjoy comments: “Europe are you ready for some horror and gore? We are very excited to come back and spread the sickness with l AM MORBID!”


NECROPHAGIA will be touring in support of their latest masterpiece ‘WhiteWorm Cathedral’, which is fully streaming at the link below.

https://necrophagia.bandcamp.com/album/whiteworm-cathedral

Muahaha! NECROPHAGIA are back to haunt you! The masters of death metal horror invite you to bang to the Sabbath on a coffin night, when the evil priest and the rat witch raise the dead among us! Once again Killjoy DeSade has taken his time to compose and record ‘WhiteWorm Cathedral’, but the result was well worth the wait. NECROPHAGIA have generally taken another step back to a more straightforward approach. Although their latest full-length ‘Deathtrip 69’ (2011) was generally met with roaring applause, there has been some criticism levelled at the album. Killjoy DeSade seems to have drawn the same conclusions and reduced the atmospheric samples to the necessary, while focusing on songwriting and catchiness. Now NECROPHAGIA deliver more old school death metal with a blasphemous groove and killing hooks. The band was formed in late 1983 by the Godfather of Gore Metal, Killjoy and their debut recording ‘Season of the Dead’ was unleashed in February 1987. In the same year the Americans split despite their tremendous impact in the underground death metal scene, which they helped founding. In the middle of the 1990’s horror fan Philip Anselmo (DOWN, ex-PANTERA) convinced Killjoy to resurrect NECROPHAGIA and joined for the next three releases including their second album ‘Holocausto de la Morte’ (1998). The band released two more albums including ‘The Divine Art of Torture’ (2003) and several EPs despite undergoing continued line-up changes. NECROPHAGIA’s fourth full length ‘Harvest Ritual Vol. 1’ (2005) saw some experimentation, while their next eerie incarnation ‘Deathtrip 69’ featured more evil movie samples adding to the beloved vintage horror feeling. Yet the time has come to light those black candles, chant the incantations and watch the ‘WhiteWorm Cathedral’ rise! Amen, Brother Killjoy!

Line-up
Killjoy DeSade: vocals
Abigail Lee Nero: guitar
Scrimm: guitar
Damien Mathews: bass
Shawn Slusarek: drums

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