Today, Purity ThroughFire sets April 30th as the international release date for the the striking debut album of Germany’s Slagmark, Purging Sacred Soils, on CD, A5 digipak, and cassette tape formats. The vinyl LP version will follow at a later date.
Although a brand-new entity, Slagmark feature members of Sarkrista and Totenwache. As such, the brand play pure and proud BLACK METAL of the old ‘n’ cold variety. Trace elements of classic Finnish-style black metal run rampant across Purging Sacred Soils – a cryogenic fire, steeped in filth and fury as it is hateful – which is not surprising given the Sarkrista connection, they a band of transplanted Finns. Indeed, Slagmark add new fuel to the fire that stokes the classic Finnish/German alliance, tearing through six songs in a swift half-hour of raw ‘n’ righteous splendor. Familiar it may be, but “returning to misery and comfort,” as Sargeist once put it, is a quintessentially black metal activity…
Nasty melodicism, dangerous execution, a total disregard for modernity and “progression”…begin Purging Sacred Soils with Slagmark!
The first purging can be found with the brand-new track “As Cathedrals Drowned in Flames” here:
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting
for Slagmark (Germany)’s Purging Sacred
Soils
1.
Hexenhammer
2. Feeding the
Urge to Destroy 3. Purging Sacred Soils 4. Built on Bone Hills 5.
Eradication of all Terrestrial Ulcer 6. As Cathedrals Drowned in Flames 7.
Unleash our Brutish Wrath
Today, Nordvis Produktion releases a special re-recording of Waldgeflüster’s first demo, Stimmen im Wind 2020, on vinyl LP format. Hear Waldgeflüster’s Stimmen im Wind 2020 in its entirety here:
Founded fittingly in autumn 2005, Waldgeflüster have steadily perfected an individual mix of melancholic and nature-bound topics, rendering homage to black metal and its complexity with every note and every word of their lyrical songs. Began as a solo project of German multi-instrumentalist Winterherz, Waldgeflüster released its first demo, Stimmen im Wind, during the summer of the following year. In 2009 came the band’s debut album, Herbstklagen. The sound of Waldgeflüster was able to capture the recondite might of nature by harmonic but also overwhelming melodies, while the lyrics underlined the projected thoughts and feelings and therefore perfected the record. With his brother P., Winterherz created the concept record Femundsmarka – eine Reise in drei Kapitel in 2011. After the release of the follow-up Meine Fesseln, as of August 2014, Waldgeflüster transformed from a solo endeavor into a full band, with live musicians Arvagr, Domi, Markus, and Thomas finally joining the band as full members.
Thereafter, in 2016 did Waldgeflüster join the close-knit Nordvis family and released their first split with their brothers Panopticon, shortly followed by the highly praised album Ruinen that same year. In 2019, the successor record, Mondscheinsonaten, was released by Nordvis to yet more acclaim, further exploring the trademarks of Waldgeflüster but always reaching for new territories.
Since 2007, in addition to their steady stream of studio recordings, Waldgeflüster have become a prolific live force, playing many shows throughout Europe and the world, including such highlights as the Summer Breeze and Ragnarök festivals, a festival organized by Hammerheart Brewing Company in the US, and a full European tour during spring 2018 with Angantyr and Ereb Altor.
However, it was that fateful first demo of Stimmen im Wind which began the Waldgeflüster saga, and now Nordvis is proud to present a special re-recording on vinyl on the 15th anniversary of the band’s birth. Bringing the past into the present, the re-recorded Stimmen im Wind 2020 truly sounds like it could’ve come at any point in Waldgeflüster’s storied career – or, most especially, in this very present day – so consistently compelling is their muse. Included with this vinyl-only release is a free CD (in cardboard sleeve) with the original demo. Stimmen im Wind 2020 is a chance for the growing legions of Waldgeflüster to nostalgically dwell into wistful early days of the band. The past is indeed alive!
Order info can be found HERE. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Waldgeflüster’s Stimmen im Wind 2020 1. Morgendämmerung 2. Waldgeflüster 3. Vintersjäl 4. Wotan sang 5. Wenn die Bäume 6. Abenddämmerung
Today, German black metal sorcerors Reign in Blood stream their long-awaited comeback album, Missa Pro Defunctis, . Set for international release on August 16th via Iron Bonehead Productions, hear Reign in Blood‘s Missa Pro Defunctis in its entirety here.
Staunchly German, Reign in Blood formed in Saxony in the dark days of 2004. Largely steered by founding vocalist/guitarist Demon Raise and drummer Athanasius, the band soon assaulted the black metal underground with a demo, a split, and an EP, all between 2006-2007. Then, in 2009, came Reign in Blood‘s cult debut album, Diabolical Katharsis, and they then seemingly receded into the shadows, as violently as they originally burst forth from them.
Athanassius and bassist Asuras left Reign in Blood to focus on their own projects, and Demon Raise was unable to celebrate the band like in the early days because of personality reasons. Demon Raise and fellow guitarist Deus made a decision to put the band on ice for an indefinite time – but the impulse to create music again never died. And so, at the end of 2016, Reign in Blood began rehearsing again. In short time, it was clear that a new album must be made.
Alas, longtime fans Iron Bonehead are honored to hoist the banners of Reign in Blood‘s surprise comeback with the LONG-awaited second album, Missa Pro Defunctis. Truly “old-soul black metal,” there is nothing trendy nor nice about Reign in Blood‘s attack here: featuring both ultraviolence and melody, hammering primitivism and fleet-footed complexity, haunting atmospheres and dizzying delirium, Missa Pro Defunctis is an album of stark contrasts that somehow is threaded together with the most elusive ‘n’ sulfurous magick.
Fittingly recorded at Old Spirit Studio with mixing & mastering courtesy of the esteemed Patrick Engel at Temple of Disharmony, Reign in Blood‘s return also elusively locates a soundfield that’s both rudely raw and clear, cutting, and nuanced in a disarmingly professional manner – again, further underlining how elusive and sulfurous these Germans’ magick is. Indeed, this is defiant German black metal that could’ve been released at the dawn of the new millennium, when the BM underground was still a dangerous entity, and here are Reign in Blood to regain their rightful throne. All hail!
Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Reign in Blood’s Missa Pro Defunctis 1. Invoke The Shapeless Ones 2. Dawn Of A Dying Soul 3. Black Hole 4. Metamorphose With The Universe 5. Missa Pro Defunctis 6. Domus Mortuorum 7. Anima 8. Wolfhour 9. Into Nothingness
current REIGN IN BLOOD lineup Demon Raise – vocals / strings Malus Deus – lead strings / bass
DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT are now revealing details of their forthcoming fourth album. The new masterpiece of the German rising black stars is entitled ‘Finisterre’, and will be in stores on August 25th.
The band furthermore release the cover art by Max Löffler and track-list of ‘Finisterre’, which can both be viewed below.
DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT explaining the album’s details in a first studio report where the band talks about the drum and stdio recording process. The video can be viewed here:
DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT comment: “This album and its production process was one of the biggest challenges of our lives so far. Due to the fact that we took the whole production in our own hands, we had full control over everything but of course it was also hard work to achieve our vision and the sound we were looking for. However, now we’re very proud of what we’ve created and happy to share these insights from the recording sessions with you! The first part covers the drum recordings and shows the life in the studio.”
Tracklist
1. Aufbruch
2. Ein letzter Tanz
3. Skepsis Part I
4. Skepsis Part II
5. Finisterre
DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT previously announced a European headlining tour supported by French brothers in spirit, REGARDE LES HOMMES TOMBER and the recently added INTER ARMA.
Vocalist Nikita Kamprad comments: “We’re stoked to have INTER ARMA as another special guest joining our album release tour this fall. All the way from the US they will enrich each night with their unique soundscape and thus complete this killer package. We can’t wait, do not miss it!”
DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT Festivals
29 Jul 17 Albi Carmaux (FR) Xtreme Fest
09 Aug 17 Fortress Josefov (CZ) Brutal Assault Open Air
16 Aug 17 Dinkelsbühl (DE) Summer Breeze Open Air
22 Sep 17 Hamburg (DE) Hamburg Metal Dayz
DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT
+IINTER ARMA +REGARDE LES HOMMES TOMBER
21 Sep 17 Münster (DE) Gleis 22
23 Sep 17 Köln (DE) Underground
24 Sep 17 Rotterdam (NL) Baroeg
25 Sep 17 Nijmegen (NL) Merleyn
26 Sep 17 Esch-sur-Alzette (LU) Kulturfabrik
27 Sep 17 Wiesbaden (DE) Schlachthof
28 Sep 17 Stuttgart (DE) Keller Klub
29 Sep 17 Puget Sur Argens (FR) Le Rat’s
30 Sep 17 Barcelona (ES) Razzmatazz 3
01 Oct 17 Madrid (ES) Sala Caracol
02 Oct 17 Nantes (FR) Le Ferrailleur
03 Oct 17 Paris (FR) Le Petit Bain
04 Oct 17 Strasbourg (FR) La Laiterie
05 Oct 17 Lyon (FR) O’Totem
06 Oct 17 Zürich (CH) Werk 21
07 Oct 17 München (DE) Kranhalle
08 Oct 17 Salzburg (AT) Rockhouse
10 Oct 17 Budapest (HU) Dürer Kert
11 Oct 17 Wien (AT) Arena
12 Oct 17 Ceské Budejovice (CZ) MC Fabrika
13 Oct 17 Leipzig (DE) UT Connewitz
14 Oct 17 Berlin (DE) Lido
The musical puzzle that adds up to become DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT turns into something more complex – yet also clearer defined on the band’s fourth studio album, ‘Finisterre’. The original pieces are still in play: the aggressive German directness akin to ENDSTILLE and a penchant for brooding melancholy as embodied by IMPERIUM DEKADENZ. Spiralling psychedelic moments comparable to DEAFHEAVEN and WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM also find their place – as well as a knack for majestic melodies that shows parallels in Swedish black metal spearheaded by MARDUK and DARK FUNERAL.
Yet while DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT are clearly progressing along the lines laid out by their previous acclaimed effort, ‘Stellar’, the band has found a way to make these pieces fit more seamlessly. ‘Finisterre’ flows together into a coherent picture that stresses the Germans’ unique approach and sound. This album marks the point where DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT turn their various influences into a work entirely of their own expression despite never trying to cover up their roots. This impressive maturity has been reached through several stages.
Founded in 2009 by guitarist Nikita Kamprad and vocalist Tobias Jaschinsky, DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT garnered early attention with their self-released debut ‘Der Weg einer Freiheit’ (2009), which quickly sold out and was re-issued with new drum tracks a year later. Following the ‘Agonie’ EP (2011), their second album ‘Unstille’ (2012) already cored international acclaim. In the aftermath of this record, co-founding member Tobias left and main songwriter Nikita Kamprad took over his vocal duties.
The frontman was first heard on third full-length ‘Stellar’ (2015), which saw DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT gaining traction across the pond as well as expanding their European base. Having performed along such diverse acts as WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, NEAERA, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, AMENRA, CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX, and DOWNFALL OF GAIA as well as playing prestigious festivals such as Graspop, Hellfest, Resurrection, Roadburn, Summer Breeze, and Wacken has honed the band’s songwriting skills to razor-sharp precision.
‘Finisterre’ clearly stands at the apex (for now) of the steep climb that the DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT have taken. This German star is finally shining in full black.
