#30-Inside the darkness
#30 of Trve MetalZine New issue (#30) of Inside the Darkness/MetalZine. Exclusive interviews: Frost. Interview with Frost M. Feri p.12 Spit on your Grave. Interview with Marlene Munoz p.16 Liminal Animal. Interview with C p.18 Luciferian Rites. Interview with Count Shadow p.22 Dark Oath. Interview with Joel Martins p.26 Shavalyoth. Interview with Archon Marchosias p.28 Hysteria. Interview with Xavier Chautard p.32 Uralt. Interview with Hurin p.36 Immortal Sun. Interview with Khaled p.40 Strigampire. Interview with Steve De Cotret p.42 Inverne. Interview with Karolina and Vary p.46 Nameless Gods. Interview with Juan Azevedo p.50 Perro en Misa. Interview with Saia p.52 Analogy Of Apathos. Interview with Juan p.54 Korkvak. Interview with R’lyeh p.58 Semjaza. Interview with Rebellion p.62 Vanwa. Interview with Morquendi p.66
#30 of Trve MetalZine
New issue (#30) of Inside the Darkness/MetalZine.
Exclusive interviews:
Frost. Interview with Frost M. Feri p.12
Spit on your Grave. Interview with Marlene Munoz p.16
Liminal Animal. Interview with C p.18
Luciferian Rites. Interview with Count Shadow p.22
Dark Oath. Interview with Joel Martins p.26
Shavalyoth. Interview with Archon Marchosias p.28
Hysteria. Interview with Xavier Chautard p.32
Uralt. Interview with Hurin p.36
Immortal Sun. Interview with Khaled p.40
Strigampire. Interview with Steve De Cotret p.42
Inverne. Interview with Karolina and Vary p.46
Nameless Gods. Interview with Juan Azevedo p.50
Perro en Misa. Interview with Saia p.52
Analogy Of Apathos. Interview with Juan p.54
Korkvak. Interview with R’lyeh p.58
Semjaza. Interview with Rebellion p.62
Vanwa. Interview with Morquendi p.66
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Edition for true metalfans
s 30 of Trve MetalZine s
#30†29.02.2024
News•Reviews•Interviews•Exclusive
1
CREW
CONTENT
News from hell......................................8
Evgeny-Destroyer
Editor-in-chief,
design
https://www.facebook.com/
evgeny.dubovskoy
Mail: destroyerr78@mail.ru
Olga «Blackie» Schneider
Editor, interviewer,
text corrector, reviewer
https://www.facebook.com/
olga.metalheart
Mail: olgaschneider.1997@gmail.com
Inst: https://www.instagram.com/blackie_metalheart/
Andrew Stanton
Editor, interviewer,
text corrector, reviewer
https://www.facebook.com/
andrew.stanton.71216
WhatsApp: 0044 07527 362762
Frost. Interview with Frost M. Feri.............................................12
Spit on your Grave. Interview with Marlene Munoz.......................16
Liminal Animal. Interview with C......................................................18
Luciferian Rites. Interview with Count Shadow..........................................22
Dark Oath. Interview with Joel Martins.............................26
Shavalyoth. Interview with Archon Marchosias..............p.28
Hysteria. Interview with Xavier Chautard...........32
Uralt. Interview with Hurin.............................................36
Immortal Sun. Interview with Khaled.............................40
Strigampire. Interview with Steve De Cotret.................42
Inverne. Interview with Karolina and Vary..............46
Nameless Gods. Interview with Juan Azevedo........................50
Perro en Misa. Interview with Saia.......................................52
Analogy Of Apathos. Interview with Juan....................54
Korkvak. Interview with R’lyeh..................................58
Semjaza. Interview with Rebellion..............................62
Vanwa. Interview with Morquendi................................66
Best Metal releases..............70
2
Jay Parker - Editor, Interviewer, Reviewer
Debra Simaloi - Interviewer
Richard Keenahan - Interviewer// Húrin - Reviewer
https://destroyerr78.wixsite.com/insidethedarkness
https://www.facebook.com/insidethedarknesstruemetalzine
https://www.instagram.com/inside_the_darkness_webzine
https://vk.com/insidethedarknessmetalwebzine
https://twitter.com/metal_webzine
Editor’s brief
Hails to everyone who's reading this!
2024 has barely started, but it's already full of new killer stuff
released by both Extremely Metal titans and less known, but not
less talented younger bands. That's why we're using this chance to
remind our readers that's we're constantly on search for new bands
to work with. We're still on fire, so... Let's just keep it this way all
together!
In Metal,
Olga Schneider, editor
A special thanks to...
Helmuth Lehner (Belphegor) for his
TOTAL support
...and especially to these people
for the interviews
Frost M. Feri (Frost)
Marlene Munoz (Spit on your Grave)
C. (Liminal Animal)
Count Shadow (Luciferian Rites)
Joel Martins (Dark Oath)
Archon Marchosias (Shavalyoth)
Xavier Chautard (Hysteria)
Hurin (Uralt)
Khaled (Immortal Sun)
Steve De Cotret (Strigampire)
Karolina and Vary (Inverne)
Juan Azevedo (Nameless Gods)
Saia (Perro en Misa)
Juan (Analogy Of Apathos)
R’lyeh (Korkvak)
Rebellion (Semjaza)
Morquendi (Vanwa)
Stories about Metal bands....................112
Inside The Darkness reviews..............130
Metalheads are waiting for it...............138
3
Inside the Darkness issues
Inside the Darkness issues
4
5
Inside the Darkness issues
Inside the Darkness issues
6
7
World Metal News
Norway’s legendary Inferno Metal Festival returns on March 28th-31st this year.
Inferno Metal Festival is being held four days at Rockefeller Music Halls’ two stages
Rockefeller and John Dee as well as many smaller clubs around Oslo.
.
8
Bucharest DeathFest
2024
Quantic, Bucharest,
Romania
Saturday 2 March
2024
Benighted - Brutal Death, Grind
Hate - Black Metal
Casus - Brutal Death Metal
Crimena - Violent Groove Metal
Devangelic - Brutal Death Metal
Necrovile - Brutal Death Metal
Riket - Death metal
Skaphos - Black/Death Metal
Past Redemption - Old School Death Metal
8 9
Line-up
At the Gates
Cattle Decapitation
Finntroll
Candlemass
Sólstafir
Carpathian Forest
Borknagar
Signs of the Swarm
Winterfylleth
Keep of Kalessin
Crypta
Saor
200 Stab Wounds
Misþyrming
Extermination Dismemberment
Konvent
Nordjevel
Vltimas
Khold
Vomit Forth
Koldbrann
Orm
In Twilight's Embrace
Imbalance
Tilintetgjort
Phantom fire
Nakkeknækker
Umbra Conscientia
Horrifier
9
World Metal News
Dark Easter Metal
Meeting 2024
Saturday 30 March
> Sunday 31 March
2024
Backstage München,
Munich, Germany
Line-up
30. March 2024:
Tiamat + Kampfar +
Taake + Bewitched +
Hellbutcher + Psychonaut
4 + Mork + Gand Cadaver
+ Nordjevel + Nocte
Obducta + Theotoxin +
Deathrite + Dymna Lotva
+ Asphagor + Angstskríg
+ Jesajah
31. March 2024:
Sodom + Benediction +
Cult of Fire + Mortem +
Endstille + Sylvaine + Thy
Catafalque + Chapel of
Disease + Abysmal Grief
+ Eis + Perchta + Imha
Tarikat + Phantom Winter
+ Sur Austru + Ciemra +
Fair of the Forgotten
Ragnarok Festival 2024
Thursday 4 April > Saturday 6 April 2024
Bands' List
Finntroll (Pagan Metal), Marduk (Black Metal), Calarook (Folk Metal), Cruachan
(Folk Metal), Ellereve (Dark Rock), Fen (Atmospheric Black Metal), Firn (Pagan Metal),
Gasbrand (Black Metal), Grima (Atmospheric Black Metal), Heretoir (Post-Black Metal),
Horn (Pagan Black Metal), Imperium Dekadenz (Black Metal), Istapp (Melodic Black Metal),
Kampfar (Black Metal, Kanonenfieber (Black/Death Metal), Non Est Deus (Melodic Black
Metal), Nordjevel (Black Metal), Perchta (Atmospheric Black Metal), Primordial (Dark
Metal), Robse (Heavy Metal), Saor (Atmospheric Folk Black Metal), The Vision Bleak
(Horror Metal), Theotoxin (Black Metal), Ultar (Post Black Metal), Vanaheim (Folk /
Pagan Metal), Vansind (Folk Metal), Varg (Pagan Metal), Vredehammer (Viking Metal),
Winterfylleth (Black Metal).
10
10 11
11
Frost - Black Metal from Hungary
Hello and welcome to
Inside the Darkness.
- Can you tell our
readers a bit about
your history, please?
Welcome to you and
the readers of Inside The
darkness!
I founded Frost
with Krisztian
Bekei
(bass) and
Gabor Devenyi
(guitars/voc
a l s )
in May
1996. We
got out from the Prophecy
death/black style
Interview by Andrew Stanton
band, because our interest
was completely directed towards
Black Metal style and
we wanted to continue this
line of music.
The band went through
all the stages from
Music and style are changing, but
fortunately, not only the bands that represent
innovation can prevail, but also, those that
carry on the old flame. Time will decide
which bands can stay afloat in the long run.
demos to
concerts and albums. Unfortunately,
there were a lot of
Interview with Frost M. Feri
member changes during the
band's life, which hindered
progress to a great extent.
In 2018, the band ceased
to exist for a short time, but
the following year I wrote
the "Deathtree
Mystery"
album,
on which
Tamas Deak
undertook
the vocals.
The album
was released
by Metal
Or Die Records,
with whom we have been
working together ever since.
After that, around 2020,
a very good band membership
was formed, with
whom we can work really
well and effectively.
Under the 28 years so far,
we have released a total of
six albums and a few EPs.
We have worked together
several times with
US and Slovak record
labels, but from 2019 -
as I mentioned - we are
working with the Hungarian
Metal Or Die Records.
Currently, Frost is considered
one of the oldest
Black Metal band in
Hungary.
- Who are the members
of Frost now?
Tamas Deak/ vocals,
Gyorgy Komlo/guitars,
Bence Kohler/guitars,
vocals, keyboards,
Andras Balazs/ drums
and me Ferenc Mocsnik/
bass
- What is the Hungarian
scene like?
When the subject of
Black Metal comes up
somewhere, people almost
always think primarily
of bands from the
Scandinavian countries,
even though there are
many good bands in other
parts of Europe and in
many parts of the world.
I think that the Hungarian
scene is quite strong, there
are many high-quality Black
Metal bands, several bands are
successful not only in the
Hungarian scene, but also
abroad or are on major record
labels.
In addition, it can also
be said that all aspects of
Black Metal are represented by
great Hungarian
bands.
- What other
Hungarian
bands should
our readers
check out?
Tormentor,
Sear Bliss,
Ahriman,
Bornholm
are unavoidable
names
among the old
bands...
I think those
who are
more serious
about
the Black
metal style
may not be
foreign these names.
Among the newer bands
there are also many outstanding
ones, such as DV-
VAD, Denever or Aornos
consisting of ex-Frost and
ex-Sear Bliss members.
These bands all represent
different trends of Black
Metal in an absolutely authentic
and professional
way.
12 13
Frost - Black Metal from Hungary
But many more quality
bands from the Hungarian
scene could be mentioned.
- Do you think
the attitude of Black
Metal bands have
changed in recent
years? What does
Consecratus ad Mortem
mean?
I don't usually
deal with other
bands' stuff.
Everyone does
what they want
from me. I'm
just focusing on
Frost, that's all
that's important
to me.
Music and style
are changing, but
fortunately, not
only the bands
that represent
innovation can
prevail, but also,
those that carry
on the old flame. Time
will decide which bands
can stay afloat in the long
run.
"Consecratus Ad Mortem"
literally means "Consecrated
to death".
The sacrament of birth
gives life, but from that
moment also you start
on the road to death. No
one can avoid this.
This is a duality that we
approached from a theistic
point of view, especially
on the album cover and
in some of the lyrics.
- What can fans expect
from your new album?
"Consecratus Ad Mortem"
continues the musical and
atmospheric world of our
previous album "Winterblood".
For those who liked
"Winterblood", I think
the new album will not
disappoint.
Aggressive themes
mix with epic melodies,
I think this album is also
very diverse. This is an interesting,
atmospheric and
generally melodic black
metal album, which also
has the necessary aggressiveness.
In addition to the music, we
also paid attention to the vocal
themes, Bence supports the
main vocals with his extreme
vocals in many places.
The feedback on the new album
has been very good so far,
but we don't feel we can sit
back.
- What is ‘The Thirteenth
of Them’ about?
I don't usually explain the
lyrics, because by doing so I
create a boundary that limits
the listener's
own imagination in relation
to the given song or lyrics.
When I am asked to analyze a
song, I always only talk about
the technical or structural
structure of the song, so that
the mystical content of the
music is preserved for the listener,
which he can take in as
he likes.
- Do you meet older fans
who were fans from the
old prophecy days? Are
you playing any summer
festivals?
Yes of course. Fortunately,
I am in touch with
many people from the
old days. Many old faces
also come to concerts,
most of them follow the
band. But I'm also very
good with the ex-Frost
members, as well as with
the members of our old
band Prophecy (1994-
1996).
As for the summer festivals,
there are no scheduled
dates yet.
But anyway, it is not
typical for us to appear at
summer festivals.
- Do you have a message
for our readers?
Find and listen to the
Frost albums!
Support your favorite
bands so they can carry on
the torch!
In addition, I wish everyone
strength and endurance
in this fucking world!
Thank you for your
time.
14 15
Spit on your Grave - Death Metal from Mexico
Spit on your Grave are
a Brutal Death Metal
band from Mexico.
Andrew Stanton talked
to Marlene Muñoz
about their new album.
- Can you tell our readers
a little about your
story, please?
“Well,
Spit on
your Grave
was founded
in 2012,
since then
we have
tried to
do the best
we can to share our music
with the world.”
Interview by Andrew Stanton
- What bands did
you like growing up?
“I remember as a kid
watching MTV and VH1
all day, some of my favorite
bands were
Queen and Pantera.”
I think some people think
that Death Metal has silly or
meaningless lyrics and don't take
the time to pay attention to it.
Interview with Marlene Muñoz
- What
are your lyrics about?
“The lyrics of this new album
were like a mental
detox, it talks about an internal
struggle to restore
your inner self, where your
demon’s surface and everything
you believed in is
questioned,
that moment
when you
realize that
for years you
have followed
someone
else's
example...
You've had
enough and decide
to leave it all behind.”
- How different is your
real life to your lyrics?
“Well, the lyrics are inspired
by past feelings
and experiences, so I'd
say they're pretty
similar.”
- What can
you tell us
about your
new album?
“The creation
process was a
very fun and
exhausting experience,
and
that is why we
can assure you
that at least one
song will make
you headbang!”
- Do you think
Death Metal
has a bad
reputation
for its lyrics?
“Maybe, I
think some people
think that
Death Metal has
silly or meaningless
lyrics
and don't take
the time to pay
attention to it.”
- What is
the Mexican
scene like?
“Wild, there is
a very big scene
here and people
are passionate
about it.”
Have you
played shows
outside of Mexico yet?
“Yes, last year we went
to the United States.”
- Do you have a message
for our readers?
“Support your local
metal bands!”
Thanks for
your time.
“Thank you
for giving
us the space
to talk about
our project!”
16 17
Liminal Animal - Black Doom Metal from the United Kingdom
Hi, this is Jay reporting for
Inside the Darkness zine.
Today, I’m lucky enough
to be talking to Liminal
Animal from Scotland.
Hi man, thanks for taking
the time to talk to
our readers.
No worries,
thanks for
giving me the
chance to talk
to them.
Interview by Jay Parker
I enjoy the natural beauty of the land
and no doubt the time spent with the
hills, burns and glens has inspired me
and seeped into the music I make.
1-
Tell us about
LIMINALANIMAL...
when where and
why did you decide
to form the band?
I started forming the ideas that
became Liminalanimal around
a year or so before I started
the first recordings.
I've
been making music for quite a
few years both in solo projects
and with others, I'd reached a
Interview with C.
point where I was able to give
the ideas the attention they
needed and got to work on the
first demo and then the debut
album. I
wanted to
craft a sound
that blended
some of my
favourite elements
from
doom and
black metal
and put my
own stamp on it.
2- You’ve released 2 albums
so far - Run us through
them and let our readers know
where they can get them.
The first album is 'Punished
for Existing'. Musically
the album has a lot of
very distorted, melancholic
melodies paired with harsh
vocals. The pace is slow and
doomy throughout most of
the album and the lyrics
are a study of the human
condition through a Lense
of pessimistic misanthropy.
On the second album, 'The
Furies and Futility', I aimed
for a slightly heavier sound,
more compact and dense
with a bit less reverb and
a bit more bass. There's
still a lot of doom but there
are a few parts with a faster
pace (including some blast
beats). The lyrics cover
themes of conflict - fitting for
the times I suppose - and futility,
as the title suggests.
You can find both albums as
digital download and vinyl
via my bandcamp page, you
can also find 'Punished for
Existing' tapes there
https://liminalanimal.bandcamp.com
A limited CD-r release
of 'Punished for Existing'
is available from Depressive
Illusions
https://depressiveillusions.com/items/
cd-r/black-metal-pagan-metal-blackgaze/liminalanimal-punished-existing
Masters of Kaos has 'Punished
for Existing' on tape,
vinyl and a very limited
picture disc version of the
vinyl https://mastersofkaos.bandcamp.com/album/liminalanimal-scot-
land-punished-for-existing/ as
well as vinyl and the CD
release of 'The Furies and
Futility' https://mastersofkaos.
bandcamp.com/album/liminalanimal-scotland-the-furies-and-futility/
with the CD including 2 bonus
tracks taken from the
original demo (available for
the first time on CD). A tape
release should follow soon.
Vinyl of 'Punished for existing
is also available via
few other distros such as
Coldspring https://coldspring.
co.uk/index.php?route=product/
product&product_id=11035/
and Vita Detestabilis
https://vitadetestabilisrecords.bandcamp.com/album/punished-for-existing/
You can also find a very
limited tape release of
the original demo here
https://myrfipproductions.bandcamp.com/album/m-y-r-f-i-p-011
3- The new album, The Furies
and Futility is an absolute
monster, I’ve heard
great reviews…I am curious
to know what the follow
up will be like... Do
you think you can beat it?
Tell us about the new material
you’re recording…
The new material's shaping
up well, I don't want to say too
much in case I decide to change
things but so far it looks likely
to be slower-paced than
'The Furies and Futility' for
the most part. I'd like to think
it takes the best of both albums
and builds on those elements. The
title, themes and artwork are mostly
decided but I'll be taking care
to ensure the music is what I
want it to be before releasing it.
4- Tell us about your Scottish
roots and how they have
influenced your music…
My first thought was that being
from Scotland doesn't really have
much of an influence since I haven't
tried to include a lot of Celtic
melodies or instruments but
I grew up around a lot of music
including traditional Celtic
music so I'm sure it's had
some kind of influence on
the way I approach things.
Beyond that I enjoy the natural
beauty of the land and no doubt
the time spent with the hills,
burns and glens has inspired me
and seeped into the music I make.
5- When did you start
playing music? And what was
your first instrument?
I started playing music
very young, since I'm from
quite a musical family on my
father's side I've been surrounded
by music and instruments
since I was born. Most of my
uncles playing guitar and some
other instruments; one is a bit
of an expert in bagpipes and
uilleann pipes and another is
handy with the banjo. The first
instrument would have been
the guitar, probably starting
around 6 or 7. From about 10
years old I took to the drums and
that was probably my main
focus through my teen years.
18 19
Liminal Animal - Black Doom Metal from the United Kingdom
6- Do you have any other
side projects apart
from Liminalanimal?
I've been involved
in a few other projects
over the years but
no active side projects
at the moment.
7- Tell us about
the extreme metal
scene in Scotland.
Since this is a one-man
project, I'm pretty
detached from any
wider scene. I think
I prefer it that way.
8- What are
your top 5 albums
of all time?
Tough question.
I'll limit it to metal;
I listen to a lot
of other stuff but
this is a metal zine
after all! I'd also
say the answer
could be different
if you ask me
tomorrow but for now,
I'll go with Anathema -
Serenades, Katatonia - Tonight's
Decision/The Great
Cold Distance (cheating here
but those albums are a tie
for me), Opeth - Blackwater
Park, Akercocke - The Goat
of Mendes, Emperor - In the
Nightside Eclipse. These
are all albums that had a
profound influence on me,
have stood the test of time and
which I still revisit.
There are a lot of newer
albums by bands like Mgła,
Misþyrming, Asagraum
and Scáth Na Déithe that
I'm spending a lot of time
with and which I'd be tempted
to include but might be a
bit early to say if they'll make
it into a top 5 of all time.
9- If you could play
with any musician, live or
dead, who would it be?
Another tough question…I'll
go with Mikael Åkerfeldt, he's
versatile.
10- As a part of
the ever-growing
post-pandemic wave
of young, talented artists,
how do you see the
scene developing over
the next few years?
Split albums. No idea if
that's how the scene will develop
but it's the way I'd like
to see things go. There are a
lot of talented bands/projects
out there from all over
the world. I think there's a lot
of scope for likeminded people to
join forces and reach a wider audience
by putting out split releases.
11- What do you think
are the main differences between
the ‘old school’ and
the so called ‘new school’ of
extreme music?
I think the main difference
would be that the 'new school' are
more likely to experiment with
new sounds/blending genres etc.
Generalising of course but that's
the way I see it. I think there can
be room for bands maintaining
traditional extreme metal
sounds as well as bands
who push the boundaries.
12- Where would
you like to take Liminalanimal?
Do
you have future
plans to play live?
I haven't ruled out
playing live but it isn't
a priority at the moment,
maybe by the time
I've finished recording
the next album it'll be something
I consider more seriously
but at the moment the focus
is fully on the recording.
13- Would you like to add
anything for our readers?
Thanks for reading the interview,
please check out my music
and support it if you enjoy it.
A massive thanks
to Liminalanimal.
Thanks for your time
and we’re eagerly anticipating
your new material.
Hails!
Subscribe to our facebook
https://www.facebook.com/insidethedarknesstruemetalzine
20 21
Luciferian Rites - Black Metal from Mexico
- Can you tell our
readers a bit about
your history.
Luciferian Rites was
born in 2006, originally
created by Shadow and
Abomination,
as the days
went by, Anthicrist
would
join the path
of this project,
the lineup had 2
bassists at
that time,
but only
Sepulchral was in charge
of recording what It was
our first album, shortly
Interview by Andrew Stanton
We are people who really
enjoy the music we make,
but we have diverse tastes
inside and outside of metal.
after recording the album this
bassist left the project, and the
band largely remained a threepiece
band for everything,
from songwriting
to live
events, shortly after recording
our 2 album Serpentor
appeared with us and joined
Interview with Count Shadow
LR, but a few months later
Anthicrist left the band due to
delicate personal issues that he
was carrying with him at that
time, in that
stage prior to
our 2nd studio
album and
ready to be
released, he
joins us XIII,
with which
we recorded
2 Splits Albums
and created the
basis of what is now Oath of
Midnight Ashes, unfortunately
he could not record due to
important work issues as well
as the global situation that
impacted us, did not allow
us to have a meeting to carry
out the work to record,
unfortunately like other
members he had to leave the
band due to commitments
that go beyond the work
aspect, and Pagan Hate
enters as a session member
with whom we already had
a previous friendship, and
at the end of
recording this
3 album and
get out of the
global situation,
we had
our first presentation
in
2022 and we
started looking
for our second
guitarist
and we found
Thanatos,
who is now
our rhythm
guitar, now
we are in
the way to
presents this
new album
with this line-up.
- What band do you like?
We are people who really
enjoy the music we
make, but we have diverse
tastes inside and outside
of metal. If we talk about
just Black Metal, these
bands would be a mix of
what the 4 members have
heard the most recently:
Noenum, Arkha Sva, Mortifera,
Hakuja, Horna, Infernal
War, Sad, Enthroned,
Bessat, Behexen, Nyctalgia,
ABSU, Grand Belial's
Key, Angelcorpse, Inquisition,
Nightbringer, etc.
- Who are the members
of Luciferian Rites?
The Three Pillar Members:
Shadow (Voice),
Abomination (Guitar),
Serpentor (Bass).
Session Members: Pagan
Hate (Drums), Thanatos
(Rhythm Guitar).
- What are your
lyrics about?
Our lyrics and their titles
are always cold and dark,
from what is related to death,
not only physically but spiritually,
the dark sides of the mind
and being, to certain passages
of ancient texts, you could
say LR lyrics speak from
everything negative, emotional,
mental and spiritual.
- What is on the cover of
Oath of Midnight Ashes?
On this cover you can see a
negative entity absorbing a human-shaped
body, not to destroy
or eradicate, but to transform
into something new,
it is a pact of transmutation,
destroying
the old and being
something new,
an agreement with
the dark with the
negative, leaving
behind all that old
trace of unnecessary
vestiges of what we
once were, and also
in which it is possible
to observe a
book or contract
(that decision is
up to each individual
to decide).
- What Does
Oath of Midnight
Ashes mean?
Personal: it is an album that
took us our years to finish due
to various reasons, work, family
and psychological that we
have at this time, it is an album
with a lot of meaning for all the
path we traveled to finish it, and
confinement helped us to take up
this album in more detail and
give it what we feel necessary.
22 23
Luciferian Rites - Black Metal from Mexico
Musical: It is a work in
which we made more arrangements
in the
songs, from intros,
and guitar arrangements,
it is an album that
we decided to implement
new rhythms and
melodies in all the instruments,
that in the
past we would not have
dared to implement, it
is an album that took
a while to make was
worth the wait for us.
Group (line-up): it is
the first job in which
we are involved, in a
more intimate way at
the time of recording it,
from correcting, moving
panels, arranging
microphones,
going out,
asking who
would be
willing to
record us,
instrument
by instrument,
and
Learn to use
the program
that recorded
us, to be able to
give the voice
effects and
distortions
that
we use, the mix was done
by us, Serpentor was the
one who knows the most
about that, but we were
all involved in every aspect,
every detail, every
song, for us it was a pleasant
and frustrating experience
at the same time.
- How did the Luciferian
Projection come about?
This work is a compilation
of our split albums, and was
made by the Mexican label,
Caligo Arcanum Prod. It is a
digipack with 2 intros and 6
original LR themes, the finish
of the CD and art are excellent,
these were made by the
owner of the label and supervised
by us, he is a professional
and honest person.
- Are you playing any
festivals this year?
This 2024 we have certain
proposals to perform in certain
parts of Mexico and outside of
it, there are still no Festivals on
the horizon at the moment, but
perhaps in 2025 it can happen.
- What is the next for you?
Specify our next presentations,
rehearse and in the
process finish songs that we
have in mind for possible future
work, now with a new
guitarist we have a broader
path that we can explore.
- Do you have a message
for our Readers?
Thank you for the space and
the interview you gave us and
to all the readers, we hope
you enjoy the interview, greetings
from Mexico to all of you.
Thank you for your time!
24 25
Dark Oath - Melodic Death Metal from Portugal
Dark Oath are a very cool
Viking Metal band from
Portugal… Yes Portugal.
Andrew Stanton talk
to guitarist Joel Martins
about their new album.
- Can you tell
our readers
a bit about
your history,
please?
“I started the
band in 2009
Interview by Andrew Stanton
Our new album is about the history
of mankind as told by ancient poet
Hesiod through what he called Ages
of Man, which he named the Gold,
Silver, Bronze, Heroic and Iron ages.”.
with two
friends.
Since then
the band's line-up has
changed quite a bit, we've
released two EP's, our debut
album in 2016, and now after
8 long years our second album.”
- What is the Portuguese
scene like?
“Although Portugal
is a
small country, the scene is
quite vibrant. There's lots of
bands from a wide variety of
Interview with Joel Martins
sub-genres of metal, as well as
regular shows and festivals. If
you're a fan of music, it's easy
to find a show somewhere every
weekend.”
- Why is a
band from
Portugal creating
Viking
Metal?
“Our intention
was
never to play
Viking Metal.
We wanted to explore
different civilization/mythologies
each album, enabling us to
explore different soundscapes
and keep each album fresh.
Our debut album was
about Norse mythology, and
now our latest
album is
about Greek
Mythology,
specifically
about the history
of mankind
as told
by ancient
poet Hesiod.”
- What kind
of reaction
have you got
from 'Ages
of Man'?
“So far it
has been
great! We
weren't quite
sure how people
would react to the
change of theme,
since it's the first
shift so far, but
people seem to be
enjoying it, lots of
support and appreciation.”
- Why are the
songs all named
after metals?
“The album is
about the history
of mankind
as told by ancient
poet Hesiod
through what
he called Ages of
Man, which he
named the Gold,
Silver, Bronze,
Heroic and Iron ages.”
- Do Portuguese bands find
it easier to get success in Brazil?
“Although we share history and
our language, the
two countries are
so far apart that I
wouldn't say
that's the case.”
- Are you
planning a tour anywhere?
“We are indeed
planning a small
tour through Europe,
but nothing
is set in
stone as of now.
- Do you
have a message
for our
readers?
“We hope you
guys enjoy our latest
album "Ages of
Man", and we'll see
you on the road!”
26 27
Shaval yoth - Black Metal from Greece
Hi this is Jay reporting
for Inside the
Darkness magazine.
Today I’m lucky
enough to be talking to
Shavalyoth from Greece…
1 - Tell us
about Shavalyoth…
when where
and why did
you
decide
to form the
band?
The band
was formed in 2018 by
Archon Marchosias
and Elder in Rhodes,
Interview by Jay Parker
Dodecanese. We wanted to
form a band based on our
influences but also adding
our own inspirations
in our music.
Wanting to go in the extreme
genre I found Black and Death
metal or as I always say with my
best friend Black Metal found us.
Also, being
influenced by the most famous
band from our island
Macabre Omen we call our
Interview with Archon Marchosias
music Rhodian black metal.
Our lyrical themes are centered
around Greek mythology
and occultism.
2 - You’ve
released 2
eps and a
full length
so far…
- Run us
through
t h e m
and let
our readers
know where
they can get them.
The first three releases
can only be found on Youtube
and on our bandcamp.
There are only digital
versions of them but we’re
planning on releasing a
compilation album with
specific songs from each
release that will be included
on it. The new EP is
available on CD from
Masters Of Kaos
Records.
3 - The new Ep
is an absolute
monster; I’ve
heard great reviews…I
am curious
to know
what the follow
up will be like…
Do you think
you can beat it?
Tell us about
the new material
you’re recording…
In Shavalyoth
and my other
projects I really
try to beat every
former release.
But my main focus
is for each release to
have something unique
that the other didn't.
4 - What were your
musical influences
growing up?
I started my search for
music discovering rock
music and then I dived
into the nu metal genre.
Afterwards, wanting to
go in the extreme genre
I found black and death
metal or as I always
say with my best friend
black metal found us.
5 - When did you start
playing music? And what
was your first instrument?
I started playing music in
the age of 16 and my first
instrument was the
electric guitar.
6 - Do you have any
other side projects
apart from Shavalyoth?
Besides Shavalyoth I have
a band with my foresaid
best friend named Reapers
Crypt (black/thrash metal)
and a solo project Portal
to oblivion (Black metal).
7 - Tell us about the extreme
metal scene in Greece…
The extreme metal scene in
Greece is developing ceaselessly
with new bands emerging
every time. Some follow
the same path of the first extreme
metal bands of Greece
and others keep that and
add new elements to their
music thus having
a variety of different
genres to listen
from the Greek extreme
metal scene.
8 - What are
your top 5 albums
of all time?
Slipknot - Iowa.
Mayhem - De
mysteries dom
sathanas.
Dissection -
Storm of the
lights bane.
Rotting Christ
- Thy mighty
contract.
Amon Amarth
- Twilight
of the thunder
god.
9 - If you could play with
any musician, live or
dead, who would it be?
Freaking many artists
but since you put it
that way, I'll try mentioning
some of them.
Jeff Hanneman.
Per Yngve Pelle
Ohlin (Dead).
Mick Thomson.
Jon Nodtveidt.
Abbath.
28 29
Shaval yoth - Black Metal from Greece
10 - As a part of the evergrowing
post-pandemic
wave of young,
talented artists,
how do you see the
scene developing over
the next few years?
The extreme
metal scene
and generally
the metal
from my perspective
will
be always
expanding. I
have seen so
many beautiful
blends of
other genres
combined
with metal that
I'm afraid I will
always have
something
new to listen
to.
11 - What
do you think
are the main
differences
between the
‘old school’
and the so
called ‘new school’
of extreme music?
Personally, even the new
extreme music will always
have a debt to pay to the
first bands so I don't
see many differences
with the old school
scene. Besides some new
additions to the new ex-
treme scene in terms of
adding different styles
I think the production
has changed massively.
This is not something bad
at all but there are genres
like death metal which
in my opinion keeping
the old sound at some
levels is crucial. Way to
modern approach to this
sound is something very
hard for me to dig except
if it so good. In comparison
with black metal
and other genres of metal
I don't mind the modern
production at all. But
of course, in some degree.
12 - Where would you
like to take Shavalyoth?
Do you have future
plans to play live?
Playing live is something
I really look forward
to but in
Rhodes is very
difficult because
nobody listens
to this genre.
But of course, I
have some plans
in places that
could be done
like Athens and
other regions of
Greece.
13 - Would
you like to add
anything for
our readers?
Never be afraid
to put some new
sounds in your
music and find
your own identity
as a band but always
honour the
path that was set
from the founders
of each genre.
Thanks, Shavalyoth!
Ave 666
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you.
30 31
Hysteria - Melodic Black Death Metal from France
1. First of all, guys,
we just want to mention
that we’re extremely
happy to
see you featuring this
issue after such a killer
release. How
are the
things going
for you now
and how did
the year start
for the entire
band, besides
the
new LP?
Things are going really
well; we've worked
hard, fine-tuning every
Interview by Olga Schneider
I think our longevity is
the result of a friendship
that has lasted for almost
three decades now.
detail for the release of this
LP. From the cover to the
compositions, merchandising,
promotion... we haven't
left anything
to
chance, and it has paid off,
as the feedback from the
media, fans... is more than en-
Interview with Xavier Chautard
couraging. The release and
the subsequent release party
were resounding successes.
We're eager to see what
comes next.
2. Hysteria
has got a
long enough
history
since 1996
and primary
you started
as a Brutal
Death
Metal project, but
time brought some more
melodicism to your music.
What were the main reasons
of these changes?
This evolution didn't
happen overnight. We've
been around for almost 30
years, and over that time,
our musical tastes have
changed. In our early days,
we listened almost exclusively
to Death Metal,
but over the years, we've
opened up to other styles
of music that have influenced
our
compositions.
We've
evolved,
but we've
kept our
identity intact,
which
is dear to
us. The
band hasn't
radically
changed;
we've just
followed
a gradual,
instinctive
change that wasn't
calculated at all. If you
listen to all the albums,
you'll notice that none
of them really resemble
each other.
3. Are you planning
any further experiments
with sound anytime
in the future? Or have
you found yourself as a
Blackened Death band
as you do now?
As for what's next, we
don't know; nothing is
planned in advance. We
move forward based on
how we feel things. We
don't limit ourselves to
anything. Right now, we're
not thinking about it yet;
we're digesting the release
of our latest endeavor,
enjoying the present moment
without projecting
too much into the future.
Our goal is to promote
this album as much as
possible through live
performances.
4. You grew up a lot
extremely quickly in
fact, and 2022 was a
year when you already
started sharing the stage
with much bigger and
better known (at that
point of time) bands like
Dissection, Mortician
etc. What in your opinion
helped you succeed in such
a short term and what were
the biggest lessons (probably
also the hardest ones)
you got from this experience
back then?
An organization for concert
organization in
Lyon called Hammer o f
Gones has helped us a lot in the
past by booking us as the opening
act for all these big names.
The best memory
we have
is undoubtedly
opening
for Dissection.
It was
the band's
comeback,
and being a
fan of Dissection,
it
was an honor
to share
the stage
with them.
As for giving
advice
or lessons learned from our
ascent, we have none. We're
proud of the journey we've
taken, and I think our longevity
is the result of a
friendship that has lasted for
almost three decades now.
5. You were one of those
bands who actually started
building and developing
Death Metal traditions in
France. How did it feel like
to be one of the pioneers and
what was your strongest
support in all this stuff?
32 33
Hysteria - Melodic Black Death Metal from France
We've been around
for a long time, and
the scene has changed
a lot since then; there
are more and more bands,
making it difficult for a
band of our status to stand
out. You have to know how
to create a network of people
who can help you grow
and promote you. Our biggest
support comes from our
label Adipocère Record,
which we've known for
over 20 years now, and of
course, it's thanks to the
fans that we're still here
today.
6. What
bands were
your best
teachers and
the strongest
inspiration
when you
started your
own things?
Suffocation,
Morbid Angel,
At the Gates,
Dark Tranquility,
Krisiun,
Deicide,
Death, Satyricon,
Dissection,
Watain,
Marduk,
Rotting
Christ, Behemoth,
Slayer,
M e d i -
co Peste,
Kampfar, Enslaved…
7. Actually,
France has a lot
to do with Black
Metal and an extremely
huge list
of great underground
Black Metal
bands, and also such
a union as Les Légions
Noires. What
is your point about
this phenomenon and
how did this aspect
of French Metal history
impact you?
We're fans of French bands
like Svart Crown, Diluvian,
Bliss of Flesh, Aorlhac, Regarde
les hommes tomber,
Arkhon Infaustus, Himinbjorg...
I wasn't familiar
with this Black Metal
movement "les légions
noires," but considering the
bands that are part of it, we
can clearly say that they
haven't influenced HYS-
TERIA in any way.
8. 2017 was a year connected
with some lineup
changes for you, and
you affirm that this gave
the band some kind of
new breath. What aspects
do you mean first
and most of all?
Exactly, this lineup
change has given the
band a second life. We
had reached the end of
a cycle with Thibault.
Adrien has been with us
for almost 6 years now;
we've already released 1
EP + 1 LP in his presence.
His dedication to the
group is unwavering, and
he has contributed immensely
to the
realization of
HERETIC...
9. You were
one of those
bands who had
to cancel lots of
massive plans
because of CV-
2019, but nevertheless,
you’re
here, and returned
extremely
strong. What
are your further
plans for the nearest
future?
We just
organized a
release party
where we
performed
our new album
in its
entirety. It
was a huge
night. We're
playing at the famous
Lions Metal Festival
in June alongside Benighted,
Harakiri for
the Sky, Wolfheart,
Hideous Divinity... and
we're waiting for confirmation
of our presence
at a major festival
this summer as the
opening act for a legendary
band. We're
keeping our fingers
crossed for it to happen.
10. In the end
of the interview,
what would you like to say to
our readers & crew?
Support the underground
metal scene, get off your
couches. There are plenty
of dates, and we need you
to exist! Come listen to
our latest endeavor, come
discover HYSTERIA, WE
NEED YOU! SUPPORT
THE UNDERGROUND,
SUPPORT YOUR LO-
CAL METAL SCENE.
34 35
Uralt - Black Metal from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Hi, this is Jay reporting for
Inside the Darkness zine.
Today, I’m lucky
enough to be talking
to Uralt from Srepska
republic, Bosnia.
Hi man, thanks
for taking the
time to talk to
our readers..
1- T e l l
us about
URALT…
w h e n
where and
why did you decide to
form the band?
Uralt was formed in
Interview by Jay Parker
November of 2023, as an answer
to the great feedback
to my debut EP by Húrin
“The Night of The Futile”.
As Húrin
I mostly stick to the roots and don’t really
go into the avant-garde side of Black Metal,
but I support the effort of those bands
and showing their creativity to the world.
continues
its destined path of
Melodic Black metal and
leaves behind the raw BM
Interview with Húrin
beginnings, Uralt continues
the raw sound of the
first EP by Húrin.
2- You’ve released an
EP, Winterflame
so
far, and a
new album
is due soon
I understand
- Run
us through
them and
let our readers
know where
they can get them.
Both Winterflame and the
Self-Titled album can be
bought in physical copies.
Currently only on one of
the greatest record labels
I got the chance to work
with, Masters Of Kaos.
MOK will be selling
CDs both for the album
and EP, any other news
about physical copies
like cassette tapes can
be found on my Instagram
page.
3- The new debut
EP is an absolute
monster, I’ve
heard great reviews…I
am curious
to know what
the follow up will
be like… Do you
think you can beat
it? Tell us about
the new material
you’re recording…
At this right moment
I can say that
the album is 95%
finished. I think
that the self-titled
album will complete
the whole
picture and sound,
featuring the two
songs from Winterflame
and five more songs that
are yet to be heard. I’ve
made the decision to continue
working with Uralt
while the first full length
album for Húrin will
wait some time.
4- Tell us about your
Bosnian roots and how
they have influenced
your music…
Well, I share roots from
all the three people of
ex-Yugoslavia. So, I lived
through three similar but
still different cultures.
South Slavic folklore,
mythology and poetry
shaped my way of creating
music and Uralt will
probably see a Pagan
Black metal sound on
the second album. The
name Uralt meaning “ancient”
on German, I can already
say that the second
album will carry the name
like “Prastar” or “Drevan”
meaning “ancient”
in South Slavic languages.
5- When did you start
playing music? And what was
your first instrument?
I started playing guitar
when I was really young,
like 7 or 8. But soon I gave
up the guitar until a few
years back when I started to
play guitar again and taught
myself the fundamental
knowledge of music
and guitar, by now I
can say that my skills
are better than ever.
I also play the bass
guitar and occasionally
play the drums,
for a short period
I played drums in
a old school heavy
metal band from my
local scene.
6- Do you have any
other side projects
apart from Uralt?
Many of my fans
know me by my
first project Húrin,
but some of the locals
know me by
my Death/Sludge
metal band called
Monolith where I play guitar
and sing. I already said
about the plan with Húrin,
but Monolith will deliver
its first EP this year, I hope!
7- Tell us about
the extreme metal
scene in Bosnia.
The extreme metal
scene in Bosnia was always
a bit silent.
36 37
Uralt - Black Metal from Bosnia and Herzegovina
There was a short period
between 2009 and 2013
when there were extreme
metal bands
like Odium Mallum,
Sahrana, Monument,
My Last Suicide
that come from my
city. As of now musicians
in Bosnia
are now taking a
more Doom and
Stoner metal
approach.
8- W h a t
are your top 5
albums of all
time?
My top five
would probably
be “Witchcult
Today” by
Electric Wizard,
“Warlocks
Grim
and Withered
Hags”
by Hellripper,
“Reinkaos”
by Dissection,
“Nachzehrer” by
Satanic Warmaster and
“Storm Of The Lights Bane”
also by Dissecton. Electric
Wizard is on this list
for having a big impact
on my taste and getting
me more into metal as
I was really young when
I first heard that album
while other albums are
self-explained because
they impacted my way
of making music.
9- If you could play with
any musician, live or dead,
who would it be?
Jon Nödtveidt
from
Dissection or
Muhammed Suiçmez
from Necrophagist.
10- As a part of the ever-growing
post-pandemic
wave of young, talented
artists, how do you see
the scene developing over
the next few years?
I think that there is a wave
of Black Metal that is coming
back to its roots, as well there
is a wave of bands with experimental
and more “avant-garde”
approach to their music.
I mostly stick to the roots
and don’t really go into
the avant-garde
side
of Black
Metal,
but I support
the
effort of
those bands
and showing
their
creativity
to the world.
11- What
do you think
are the main
differences between
the ‘old
school’ and the
so called ‘new
school’ of extreme
music?
Well, a good friend
of mine says; the
first thing in Black
Metal is its production.
I think that this
genre holds a special
place for a bit more
simple and raw production and
that it really creates an atmosphere
to the listener. Most of
the ‘new school’ bands have is
really advanced production
that is mostly used for genres
like Technical Death Metal.
Other things that differ
from old school is that
those new bands tend to
add elements from other
non-metal genres, like the
new genre “Blackgaze”
featuring shoegaze in its
sound. I don’t really like
that because Black metal
is a bit of an isolated
subgenre so mixing it
with other genres like
shoegaze kind of contradicts
itself. But
still people should be
open to experimenting
and maybe we
can get something
game changing and
new, who knows!
12- W h e r e
would you like
to take Uralt?
Do you have
future plans to
play live?
Well, Uralt
will stay as a
solo project,
I don’t think
that Uralt
will ever play live. But
I can promise that Húrin
will see its part of the
stage some day!
13- Would you
like to add anything
for our readers?
My dear readers if you
love the music that you
listen, contribute to the
music scene. Pick up an
instrument, practice, record
and release. And
with time you will see
progress and success.
Thank you all and I hope
I hear from you
soon!
A
massive thanks
to Uralt.
1
Thanks for your time and
we’re eagerly anticipating
your new material.
Hails!
1
38 39
Immortal Sun- Melodic Black Metal from Egypt
1-Tell us about the roots
of IMMORTAL SUN.
When, where and why
did you decide to
form the band?
The roots go back to the
eighties of the last century,
where my father was the singer
and guitarist for a band called
Serpents, and
when my father
found
that we had a
talent for playing
and
singing,
he decided
to form
Immortal Sun despite
our young age.
Interview by Jay Parker
In the coming period,
African bands will have a
great influence and spread.
2 - You’re about to release
your debut album,
EGYPTIAN SPELLS - Run
us through it and let our
readers know where
they can g e t a c o p y.
Digital/Physical (CD)
album available
here:
https://mastersofkaos.bandcamp.com
Interview with Khaled 666
3 - I know you’re also working
on a follow-up EP… what
will the follow up be like? Tell
us about the new material
you’re recording…
We are not restricted in
any way or type, as all artistic
options are
available and
depend on the
extent of their
impact.
4 - What
were your
musical
influences
growing?
We were influenced by
hard rock music, specifically
black sabbath band, then
we started leaning toward
death metal, and finally we
are a black metal band.
5 - When did you start
playing music? And
what was your
first instrument?
We all started playing
guitar as kids.
6 - Do you have
any other side projects
apart from
Immortal Sun?
No.
7 -Tell us about
the extreme metal
scene in Egypt…
Metal music
has a large audience
in Egypt.
8 - What are
your top 5 albums
of all time?
We love all Black
Sabbath albums.
9 - If you could
play with any musician,
live or dead,
who would it be?
DIO.
10 - As a part of
the ever-growing
post-pandemic
wave of young, talented
artists, how
do you see the scene
developing over the
next few years?
In the coming period,
African bands will have
a great influence and spread.
11 - What do you think
are the main differences
between the ‘old school’
and the so called ‘new
school’ of extreme music?
The difference between the
two schools is due to the depth
of the old school compared to
the new school, which is sometimes
characterized by superficiality
and foolishness.
12 - Where would you like to take
Immortal Sun? Do you have
future plans to play live?
Sure, we will
play live very soon.
13 - Would you
like to add anything
for our readers?
We are happy with this
meeting and promise you
a hearty musical meal
in the near future.
40 41
Strigampire- Melodic Death Metal from Can a da
- Can you tell our readers
a bit about your
history, please?
Strigampire was
founded in 2001 by two
15-year-olds, Johnny and
myself. The previous year,
we had discovered symphonic
black metal bands like Cradle
Of Filth and
Dimmu Bor-
Interview by Andrew Stanton
gir, as well as
the Swedish
death metal
scene with
pioneers
such as At
The Gates. Already
passionate about
music at the time, we decided
to form Strigampire. For
a few years, we played without
really knowing how to break
into the local scene. We came
from a small village in
Quebec, in the French
part of Canada, and at
that time,
By working intelligently in a field
that we are passionate about and
by keeping focused on our goals, it is
possible to achieve many things.
access to underground
music was not as
easy as it is today. Discovering
Interview with Steve De Cotret 666
a new band was an event for
us. We recorded cassettes and
burned CD-Rs to share the
music we loved. I believe that
as teenagers, we were attracted
to this scene on the fringes
of society and the mainstream,
and
we wanted to
be part of it.
In 2007, we
started recording
our
material.
We released
two demos
before professionally
launching our
first album, "Where Torments
Drown," in 2009.
This first step towards the
professional music scene
allowed us to open for notorious
bands such as Dark
Tranquility and Cannibal
Corpse. The lineup
was solid from 2005
to 2009, but there
were departures
and several changes
of members that
eventually led to the
band's dissolution.
In 2012, we decided
to take a break and
focus on other projects.
We came back
in 2016 and released
an album in 2018,
but we still faced obstacles,
including the
2019 pandemic. Nevertheless,
we took advantage
of this forced
break to compose the
album we recently released
in December.
Last year, we won
an international competition
that allowed us to
play at Wacken Open Air
in August. This event
brought us more visibility
than ever before.
- What bands did you
like growing up?
Music has been a part of
our lives from a very young
age. As children, we listened
to a lot of old rock
like Guns'N Roses, Bryan
Adams, Motley Crue, Aerosmith,
and Bon Jovi. Then
came a punk phase with
bands like Nofx, Lag Wagon,
Rancid, and Millencolin.
But the bands that opened
the doors to metal for us
were At The Gates, Cradle
Of Filth, Hecate Enthroned,
Dimmu Borgir,
Quo Vadis, Children Of
Bodom, and Immortal.
Ultimately, we were
greatly influenced by
European metal bands.
- What are your lyrics about?
I often draw inspiration
from my own life experiences.
Having a life similar to others,
I believe I address subjects that
anyone can relate to based on
their own experiences. It's a lot of
introspection. My themes are often
varied, often melancholic but
generally imbued with hope.
The subjects are often dark,
but I strive to end with a positive
moral.
- The cover of
All To Dominate makes
you look like a Satanic
band. Is there a
hidden message?
With the cover of 'All
To Dominate,' we wanted
to present ourselves
as a band conveying a
message of empowerment
and liberation.
The artwork depicts
Stan, our mascot, urging
people to break
free from oppression
and take control of
their lives. This message
aligns with the album's
title, which can
be interpreted as
a call to collective
action or as an acknowledgment
of the resources
available to achieve self-domination,
overcoming one's own
limitations or circumstances.
In Satanism, the self is often
considered divine, which indeed
creates a certain parallel
with the album's message
of empowerment. Our
intention is to inspire individuals
to assert their own power
and strive for self-determination.
While my religious knowledge is
not very deep, I do enjoy using
the imagery that comes with it.
42 43
Strigampire- Melodic Death Metal from Can a da
However, if Satanists live for
the present moment and are
drawn to debauchery,
there is certainly
a part of Satanism in
that band! Hahaha!
- Why did you split
up in 2012 and what
was the reason for
reforming again?
The reason for our split
in 2012
was a lack
of motivation
from
two of
the members.
The
drummer,
who had
already left
the band in
2010, returned
after
a year. We
then recorded
the small EP "The
Merry-Go-Round" to
show our fans that we
were still active. Two of us
wanted to do this professionally
while two other members
were less motivated. It didn't
take a year for it to be felt...
When Strigampire split in
2012, Johnny and I were still
very motivated, but since we
had trouble finding another
drummer to replace the
one who had just let us
down for the second time,
we said to ourselves, let's
start a band but this time
with a more heavy rock
tendency. Songs that shake
but with a solid drum beat
without it necessarily having
to be played by an Olympic
drummer! We started
The Authority. In the end,
we didn't release anything
under that name. Johnny and
I joined other bands separately
with whom we played for a
few years. In 2016, the band
Ordoxe in which I played
disbanded. As I always
felt that Strigampire was
worth existing and that I
knew its dissolution was
due to other members
than Johnny and me, I
contacted Johnny again,
and we found Willy and
Myrdynn, with whom we
were already friends.As I always
felt that Strigampire
was worth existing and that
I knew its dissolution was
due to other members than
Johnny and me, I contacted
Johnny and we found Willy
and Myrdynn, with whom we
were already friends. Later on,
Xander joined the ranks as a
bassist to complete the lineup.
- When you reform, is it hard
to keep the same sound?
Actually, until the composition
of "All To Dominate,"
all the music was composed by
Johnny and me, and I wrote the
lyrics. When
we reformed
in 2016, the
majority of
the songs from
"One Fix Nine
Clouds & Six
Feet Deep"
were already
composed.
Willy added
some solos,
but otherwise,
the songs
were already
written by the same guys who
had been composing since
the beginning of the band.
However, from that time on,
we started to integrate the
more Heavy Rock side that
we wanted to present with
The Authority. In fact, the
songs "Stand & Resist" and
"Dead Of Night" are songs
originally written for The Authority.
You can feel this more
rock vibe, which we also kept
for some parts of "All To Dominate".
For example, the song
"Sold Our Soul" has some
pretty Heavy/Rock parts.
Moreover, since our return
in 2016, we started
to qualify our style as
Extreme Rock. I believe
that's what defines us best.
For the latest album, Willy
participated in composing
the songs. Playing with us
for already 8 years, he absorbed
our old style, which
was more focused
on melodic
death metal,
but also added
to his compositions
some rock
touches and
heavy riffs.
- What is
‘Brave the
Tempest’
about?
In "Brave
The Tempest,"
I express my
opinion on the
importance
of being attentive to external
signs that indicate
a need for change in order
to be well internally.
I encourage people to
step out of their comfort
zones, face difficulties,
and make changes in their
behavior and perception
of life to find inner peace.
It's similar to what I was
saying about the themes I
addressed. I'm not singing
about butterflies
and rainbows, but I still
try to bring something
positive to the listener.
- Why are Metal magazines
so obsessed with
the Californian scene?
You're not asking this question
to the right person, unfortunately!
I wouldn't know
exactly what to answer, to
be honest! If I think about
it, it's true that this scene is
the origin of many influential
metal bands and
movements over the
years. California bands,
especially in genres like
thrash metal, death metal,
and metalcore, have
had a significant impact on
the global metal scene.
- Do you have a message
for our readers?
I would like to thank all
those who support the metal
scene, as well as the readers of
your magazine who have an
interest in this interview and
our band. A big thank you to you as
well. I would like to tell your readers
that they are lucky to have
dedicated people like you
who do all this out of passion
for the scene. It's a lot of work!
Speaking of work, I would
like to tell all those reading
these lines that by working intelligently
in a field that we are
passionate about
and by keeping
focused on
our goals, it
is possible to
achieve many
things. We
could have
closed our
amps a long
time ago because
our
sound didn't
have the reach
we dreamed
of when
we were
young! But today, Strigampire's
Extreme Rock
sound has reached other
frontiers, and we will continue
to ensure that the world
hears us on a global scale!
Let yourself be guided by
your passions, strive to improve
every time you practice
them, and most importantly,
have fun! You might be surprised
where it all leads you!
Thank you!
Thank you for your time.
44 45
Inverne - Melodic Gothic Death Metal from Poland
Inverne create some
very cool Gothic Metal.
Andrew Stanton
caught up with the Polish
band to talk about
their upcoming album
- Can you
tell our readers
a bit about
your history,
please?
“We formed
our band in
2018, together
with the second guitarist
Mateusz and bassist Michał.
At the beginning, we
Interview by Andrew Stanton
weren't sure what kind of Metal
we wanted to play. We fiddled
and experimented a lot. But
only when the first vocalist
Karolina and
Inverne may be associated
with inversion, so the reversal of
some pre-existing order, a surprise,
something completely new.
the drummer
Łukasz joined the band,
did a specific vision take form.
It was supposed to be Melodic
Interview with Karolina and Vary
Gothic Metal, which would refer
to such big names as Tristania,
Tiamat, and the like in its
mood. We wanted to add something
of ours
to it, a little
bit more harmonic
riffs,
more diverse
melodies, and
sometimes
even a little
dark folk.
And that
way, slowly and unhurriedly
in 2020 we released
our first album, "The Gathering",
in which we wanted
to embody all of those ideas.
Unfortunately, later Covid
came along, and all activities
came to a standstill. The
band suspended its activity
and in 2022 the vocalist as
well as the drummer officially
left the band. A few
months later, after an arduous
search, a new frontwoman,
also named Karolina,
joined our band and we
caught the wave again. Not
long afterward,
we were
joined by a
new drummer,
Kryspin,
and we could
start working
on new material
as well as
start playing
concerts. Our
style changed.
Old pieces
got slightly
rearranged
and together
with the
newly created
songs many
elements associated
with
really good quality playing
appeared in our music.
Karolina's screams became
our trademark, the guitars
got faster, they started to
break the metre, and the
musical inserts became
more of a background.
Characteristic decelerations
and breaking of the
tension appeared in our
arrangements, something
we got the inspiration for
from the "Blackwater Park"
album by Opeth. That mix
of Death, progression and
gothic let us release two singles,
Rise and Fall, and The
Slave of My Flesh, which announce
our upcoming album.”
- What does Inverne mean?
“There's actually a funny story
connected with the origins
of our name. When
we came up with it, we associated
it first and foremost
with the works of Andrzej
Sapkowski, the author of
The Witcher, where "inverne"
meant "winter" and
the moment of solstice. You
know, something along the
lines of marking a new beginning,
a new chapter, and that soon it's
gonna get great. Apart from
that, Inverne may be associated
with inversion, so the
reversal of some pre-existing
order, a surprise, something
completely new. It never
crossed our minds, however, when
we were releasing our first album
"The Gathering", the lyrics of
which swarm with witchcraft,
spectres, witches,
and general
wondrousness,
that our name
would be linked
with Inverness,
a town in Scotland,
which
actually hosts
the gatherings
of witches and
people keenly
interested in
witchcraft
and an amazing
atmosphere
of the
place. Such
an amusing,
and completely
unintended
coincidence.”
- What are your
lyrics about?
“As we mentioned before,
the lyrics from our first album
revolve around wondrous
stories, eeriness and
the other side of the mirror,
you know, like "Tales
from the Crypt", haha.
46 47
Inverne - Melodic Gothic Death Metal from Poland
So there you have the
trapped Egyptian souls
that cannot cross to
the other side, the
witches' sabbaths, to
which various dark creatures
are called, deceitful
sprites leading travellers
to marshlands,
but also an alter ego
like Mr. Hyde or the
portrait
of Dorian
Gray, and
finally
the bloodthirsty
countess
Bathory
or Torquemada's
apparition.
All of that
is also supplemented
with stories
of remorse,
attempts to
forgive and
the passing
of time.”
“Now the
lyrics reflect my emotions,
feelings, and the problems
I directly encounter or observe,
serving as inspiration
for me. While writing the
lyrics for the album, which
was initially meant to be
an EP, my intention was
to create a kind of 'imprisonment.'
For example, in
'Rise and Fall,' it is im-
prisonment as a metaphor
for living in falsehood,
a deceptive world, etc. I
wanted to present various
situations within this metaphor.
However, this idea is
still evolving as the songs
for the album are still in
the process of being created.”
- What is the Polish
scene like?
“In Poland we boast
about internationally
acclaimed bands such
as Behemoth and Vader,
spanning various subgenres.
Additionally, our country
hosts notable festivals such
as Pol’and’Rock or Mystic
Festival. We also have a significant
underground scene
with a dedicated fan base. “
- What is 'The Slave
of My Flesh' about?
“The text tells the story
of an internal struggle and
identity conflict, where the
protagonist hides from external
threats while trying to
battle inner demons symbolized
by a serpent and
a slave.The concluding part
adopts a pessimistic tone,
hinting that
gazing into a
mirror could
unveil continuously
tormenting
demons.”
- What is on
the cover?
“The Slave of
My Flesh cover
represents a
woman standing
in front
of the mirror
and does not
see herself
but some kind
of a creature,
which refers
to the lyrics.
The cover of “Rise and
Fall” depicts a woman rising
above the ground, symbolizing
the desire to elevate
oneself above the pervasive
falsehood and hypocrisy in
the world which also has a
close reference to the lyrics.
Two slightly otherworldly/
eerie figures are anonymous,
or shall I say, universal.
The fact that we don't see
their faces lets us imagine
ourselves in the same position.
The situation in which
not only the lyrics but also
the graphics are kind of a
depiction of our understanding
of
the piece.”
- What can
fans expect
from your
new album?
“We’d like
them to receive
many strong
and varied harmonic
guitar
riffs, the old
school of In
Flames kind, in
which we could
surprise the
listeners with
rhythmic progression
or interesting
scales.
Our record will
definitely not
slow down, but
there will be some moments
of deceleration
and atmospheric mood.
I think we will be able
to catch people off-balance
with "classic" inserts,
which absolutely no one
expects. We can't reveal
more, you will find out for
yourselves in due time.”
- Will 'The Slave of My
Flesh' and 'Rise and Fall'
be on your new album?
“Definitely! These songs
set the musical path we
want to follow now, so
we cannot imagine them
not being included on
the upcoming album.”
- Are you planning a
tour anywhere?
“In the first half of the
year, we will perform several
concerts in the biggest
Polish cities, such as
Kraków, Warszawa or Katowice.
Then we will focus on
finishing the album so that
we can embark on a tour
promoting the latest material
in the autumn/winter.”
- Do you have a message
for our readers?
“We hope that they will fancy
listening to what we play and that
they will give us their comments
and support, and obviously
that we will be able to
meet at many of our concerts
to which they are cordially
invited.
We
can't wait
to see
them! :)”
48 49
Nameless Gods - Death Metal from Brazil
Nameless Gods are
new Death Metal band
from Brazil. Andrew
Stanton talked to
bass player Juan Azevedo
about their up coming
new album...
Juan Azevedo: Hello and thank
you for the opportunity to talk
to the Inside
the Darkness
readers.
- Can you tell
our readers a
bit about
your history,
please?
Juan Azevedo:
Nameless Gods came
together in 2022 with the
Interview by Andrew Stanton
desire to make a sound that was
a little more focused on Doom
Metal but adding the aggressiveness
of Death Metal. All
the members of the band
have experience in other
styles that are faster
and more
Nameless Gods refers to all
the dreadful and inexplicable
occult that surround us and
sometimes governs our lives.
intense (from
HC to Black Metal to Brutal
Death) and the idea of a sound
Interview with Juan Azevedo
that was a little more paced
seemed like an interesting
challenge that everyone was
excited to take on. We’ve released
our first single in January
this year and will release
our first album in the first
semester of
2024.
- What
bands did you
like growing
up?
Juan Azevedo:
Well,
personally
I was into the
classics: Iron Maiden, Metallica,
Mercyful Fate,
Black Sabbath, Sepultura.
At the end of my teen
years, I started adding
some more extreme bands
to this repertoire such as:
Cannibal Corpse, Emperor,
Dark Funeral and so on.
- What does Nameless
Gods refer to?
Juan Azevedo: It refers to all
the dreadful and inexplicable
occult that surround us and
sometimes governs our lives.
- What are
your lyrics about?
Juan Azevedo: Mainly
about the inner fears and
challenges faced by humankind
but “enveloped”
in an occult and supernatural
aesthetics.
- Why is it so hard
for new bands?
Juan Azevedo: That’s a really
complex question! We
could talk about the industry
or the methods of distribution
or even the way
that social media grinds
and spits all the bands, but
I think it’s possible to sum it all
in three “lacks”: lack of money,
lack of time, lack of space.
- What can you tell us
about your new album 'And
that Sigil Meant Death'?
Juan Azevedo: It will be released
in the first semester,
and we couldn’t be happier with
the results! The production is
clear without compromising
the “heaviness” of the music and
the melodies are extremely
captivating. It’s a blend of
death and doom metal that
we believe will sit really well
with the lovers of both genres.
- What is 'Sunken
Horror' about?
Juan Azevedo: “Sunken Horror”,
our first single, dwell into
the depths of the Lovecraftian
cosmic horror and present our
interpretation of the sunken
city of R’lyeh and its
most famous inhabitant.
- Do you have a message
for our readers?
Juan Azevedo: Stay alert this
semester for the release of “And
that Sigil Meant Death”. I am
sure you’re going to like it!
Thank you for your time.
Juan Azevedo: Thanks a lot
for the space!
50 51
en Misa - Doom Metal from Ecuador
Perro
Perro en Misa are a
very cool new Doom Metal
band from Ecuador.
Andrew Stanton talked
to singer Saia about
their new album.
- Can you tell our readers
a bit about your history,
please?
“Founded
in 2021, The
Clergy initially
embarked
on their
musical
journey
traversing
a diverse array of
bands, from Alice in
Interview by Andrew Stanton
Chains to Black Sabbath,
before forging their own
identity and distinctive sonic
imprint. By 2022, they had
already solidified their
presence in the music
Perro en Misa, originates from a
local colloquialism referring to stray dogs
often found unattended during Catholic
masses in South American churches.
scene, characterized by
their elegant
and unsettling
attire. In particular,
they revitalized the DIY
Interview with Saia
scene through "Euthanasia,"
a series of festivals featuring
bands of various genres to an
increasingly large audience.
The burgeoning reputation
of The Clergy peaked that
same year as they were part
of Ecuador's
most significant
event,
"Quitofest,"
sharing the
stage with
Venom, the
pioneering
British Extreme
Metal band.
Currently, the band is diligently
working on their debut
studio release.”
- Who are the members
of Perro en Misa?
“Perro en Misa consists of
Saia on vocals, Sebastián
on lead guitar, Gabriel
on clarinet and death
whistles, Felipe on bass,
and Mateo on drums.”
- What bands did you
like growing up?
“The musical ethos of The
Clergy is inspired by bands
famous for their dark and
ominous aura, such as the
iconic Black Sabbath and
contemporary groups like
Gojira. Additionally, influences
from various genres
like hardcore, death, and
Progressive Metal (for example,
Slayer, Death, Mayhem,
Tool) contribute to shaping
their distinctive sound.”
- What does Perro
en Misa mean?
The band's nickname, Perro
en Misa, originates from
a local colloquialism referring
to stray dogs often
found unattended during
Catholic masses in South
American churches. Symbolically,
the name embodies
both the religious aesthetic
pursued by The Clergy
and serves as a memorable
and playful identifier.”
- How do you describe
your music?
“Perro en Misa's sonic
landscape defies easy categorization
within a specific
subgenre of Metal but is characterized
by its "evil," "aggressive,"
and occasionally
"orchestral" elements.”
- What is the Ecuadorian
scene like?
“In Quito, Ecuador, the
hometown of The Clergy, the
music scene reflects a fusion of
various styles and genres.
Metal predominates, with
internationally acclaimed acts
like Minipony, Descomunal,
and Madbrain,
whom we have proudly
shared the stage with.”
- What are your lyrics about?
“All lyrics are written by
Niebla (Saia), contributing to
the thematic depth and artistic
expression of the band.
The clergy will provide more information
about the lyrics with
the official release.”
- What can fans expect
from your new album?
“The Clergy is currently in
the midst of planning several
significant endeavors for the
coming year, including the
official release of their eponymous
debut album, promising
exciting developments for
their growing fan base.”
- Do you have a message
for our readers?
“The Clergy appreciates
the opportunity
to participate in this
interview. They express
sincere gratitude to the readers,
acknowledging their fundamental
role in championing
metal bands and ensuring their
recognition in mainstream
media. They eagerly look
forward to the possibility of
meeting their followers in
person and encourage staying
tuned to emerging bands
from their region and beyond.
52 53
Analogy Of Apathos - Death Metal from Colombia
Interview by Andrew Stanton
It’s amazing the amount much for the invitation.”
of great bands coming - What bands did
out of Bogota, Colombia.
Analogy Of Apathos
are another great
Death Metal band new
on the scene. Andrew Stanton
talked to bass player Juan.
you like growing up?
“Well, I think I began listening
to rock & roll and
metal with the usual great
bands like Black Sabbath,
Metallica,
Hello and
welcome to
Inside the
Darkness.
“Hello, this
is Juan.
B a s s -
ist and
songwriter
at Analogy of Apathos.
Thank you very
Analogy of Apathos is the closest
description we have found to talk about
the contemporary nihilism in which we are
overcome by apathy and fail to develop
relationships for the common good.
Interview with Juan
Megadeth,
Pantera, System of a Down.
But at a certain point, I discovered
other Extreme Metal
bands that represented a before
and after in the experience
of making music like Death,
Children of Bodom or even
Dissection in Black Metal.”
- Why do you call yourselves
a
'Modern Metal'
band?
“I know it
might sound
a bit pretentious,
but this
term came
up when we
were talking about
our artistic identity with the
guitarist and co-founder of
the band, Mauricio Forero.
We agreed that the most important
characteristic of our
compositional process is the
experimentation in the construction
of riffs, melodies,
solos or even the general
form of the songs. This is
in addition to
the wide spectrum
of influences,
ranging
from death,
black, groove
and progressive
metal to
even jazz, soul
and Colombian
regional
rhythms. So,
we found in
this mixture
of sounds a
modern way
to approach
this music
that we love
to play and
hope to bring
some more
live to the scene.”
- What does Analogy Of
Apathos mean?
“This term comes from the
Greek word Pathos, which
refers to the ability to be affected
in mood or to arouse
emotions. The letter "A" as a
prefix of Pathos implies the
negation of this idea of emotion.
Analogy of Apathos is
the closest description we
have found to talk about the
contemporary nihilism in
which we are overcome by
apathy and fail to develop
relationships for the common
good. This is why we
have reached a critical point
regarding public health, the
state of the environment, the
wars still being fought in the
world, and so on.”
- What are
your lyrics about?
“Starting from the premise
of the band's name,
we have explored several
themes such as power, desire,
the oppression that state institutions
impose on vulnerable
populations, and
other perhaps more existential
themes such as the inevitability
of change and death.”
- Are you associated with
any other bands around Bogota?
“Right now we don't have a
relationship with other bands
with whom we have the goal
of producing shows, touring
or recording together. However,
we have made friends
within the Bogota
scene with
whom we know
we could collaborate
in the
near future.”
- Do you
consider
your music
as Death
Metal or
Thrash Metal?
“We are
definitely
much closer
to Death
Metal. Maybe
some of
our biggest
influences
have been
bands like Obscura, The Faceless
or Rivers of Nihil. However,
we also can't deny that
some passages in our songs
can be influenced by sounds
close to Thrash Metal.”
- Do you have a date
for your album yet?
“We don't have a date yet,
but we're working hard to
hopefully release our first fulllength
album this year.”
- How have audiences reacted
to your shows?
54 55
Analogy Of Apathos - Death Metal from Colombia
“I think the audience has
reacted very well to our
music. Perhaps the
remarkable mix of all
our influences has surprised
our listeners, but it
has even made the public
more interested in
the upcoming
projects.”
- Do you
have a message
for
our readers?
“I just want
to tell you
that a few
months ago
we released
our first single
Cólera, produced
by our
friend and
very talented
Juan Arévalo;
a song that
talks about
the violence
of repression
against ideas
and bodies. So, we hope you
will give a new Latin American
band a chance and get
ready for a lot more music!”
Thank you for your time.
“Thank you for inviting us.”
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56 57
Korkvak - Black Metal from Colombia
Today I am lucky to be
talking with R’lyeh de
Korkvak from Colombia.
Good afternoon
brother! Thank you
for taking the time
to talk to our readers.
1 - Tell us about the roots of
KORKVAK,
when, where
and why did
you decide to
form the band?
KorkvaK
was born
on October
31, 2012, in the
city of Bogota, Colombia.
Under hermetic and occult
Interview by Jay Parker
ideals we have developed our
own and forceful sound, through
which the Rebellion and the
purest cosmogony are present.
And more than a decision
korkvak is created under
a need. which is to attend
to the call of
Colombia has always been a land
of war and death and that makes it a
tireless source of gangs, it is an aggressive
and violent scene with exponents who
have left their mark worldwide.
nature and its
mysticism, to claim the hidden
knowledge of the being and to
Interview with R’lyeh
rediscover that connection with
nature and the cosmos that opens
the way to the supremacy of the
being in its maximum autonomy.
2 - Tell us about your discography
and let our readers
know where they can get
copies.
We have participated
in
a couple of
Splits, such
as the "Alianza
Impia del
Sur" of which
some copies
still exist and
"Conciencias Divididas" a
limited edition Colombian
Black metal compilation.
And right now, we are
promoting Our EP "Angeli
Descensus" which
is a Collection piece.
3 - I understand that you
are about to release a new
album in 2024, what will
it be like? Do
you think you
can surpass
previous releases?
Tell
us about the
new material
you're recording...
Our New Album
will exceed
any expectations
we
have had before,
we have
managed to
achieve an impeccable
and
forceful work,
9 songs will be
Rebelled that
from beginning to end
are a mystical journey to
cold and dark paths in the
middle of funereal beings.
Its name will be "The fall
Of The Gods" and it will
have 9 tracks that will undoubtedly
accompany the
struggle with their own
self, of each listener.
Songs like "Renacer" or
"Corpus Mistycum" are
songs that show our years
of work and it will really
be from another plane
where you can perceive
Korkvak in essence.
I can only say that we are
more than proud of the result
and we hope that it reaches
the most intimate and sensitive
fibers of our listeners.
4 - What were your
musical influences
growing up?
Definitely the old
school was always accompanying
us.
There were more bands
that, over time, guided
our spectrum and objectives.
How they were. Windir,
Cor Scorpii, Angantyr or
the masters of Lord Belial
but when we talk about influence,
we refer to an endless
number of sounds that psychedelia
and music include
have slowly guided us to what we
recognize today as Korkvak.
5 - When did you start
playing music? And what
was your first instrument?
I started around the age of
12 or 13 and although over
time I learned to
play various instruments,
there
is no doubt that
the guitar is my
greatest ally
on this path,
it is where all
my musical
experience
lies and with
which I am
most able to
express so
much. unimaginable
emotions that
range from
the strident
and
chaotic to
beautiful classical passages
that become soundtracks
of perverse feelings.
6 - Do you have any other
side projects apart
from KORKVAK?
I am currently a guitarist
for Unchained, a very
captivating band thanks
to the technicality with
which it is handled, I also
play winds, choirs and keyboards
with them. We
currently have an album
titled "The Calling".
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Korkvak - Black Metal from Colombia
7 - Tell us about the extreme
metal scene in
COLOMBIA...
Colombia has always
been a land of
war and death and that
makes it a tireless source
of gangs, it is an aggressive
and violent scene
with exponents who
have left their mark
worldwide.
8 - What are
your 5 best albums
of all time?
It is a very difficult
question
since everything
has been a chain
of contributions
from many bands
since the beginning
and you cannot
talk about one
without referring
to the union it has
with another and
I think that is the
magic of all this
But I will name a
few that I know we
consider in Korkvak
and they would be
1- Reinkaos - Dissection.
2-The
Black
Curse - Lord Belial
3 Dreamquest – Evol
4- A blaze in The North in
sky - Darktrhone
Neme-
5-Divine
sis - Satyricon
9 - If you could play with
any musician, living or
dead, who would it be?
I would play "the Devil's
Trill" with Giuseppe Tartini
10 - As part of the growing
wave of young and talented
artists, how do you
see the scene developing
in the coming years?
I believe that new bands are
growing exponentially and
that over the years the sound
that we inherit to new generations
will be what
they will later take as
a basis or influence to
make their own and hence
the importance of having
solid material in composition,
in arrangements in
production but above all
it is Chaos and destruction,
so that feeling of anger
will prevail in the new ranks
and will continue to spread
the dark fog of Black Metal.
11 - What do you think
are the main differences
between the 'old school'
and the so-called 'new
school' of extreme music?
-The soul with which
things were made. And the
coherence of the procedure.
12 - Where would you like
to take KORKVAK? Do
you have future plans
to play live in Europe?
First of all, we seek
to reach listeners who
agree with our sound
and take Korkvak
around the world, feeding
those minds that
find peace in chaos.
Europe would be an
excellent opportunity;
we still do not have an
event there but we will
surely look for alliances
to be able to take our
presentations somewhere
on the old continent.
13 - Would you
like to add something
for our readers?
Thank Jay for this interview
and invite all his readers to
purchase our Ep and soon Our
album "The fall Of The Gods".
Thank you!
Many thanks to
R’LYEH! Thank you!
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60 61
Semjaza - Black
Metal from Mexico
Today I am lucky to be
talking with Rebellion from
Semjaza from Mexico...
Good afternoon, guys!
Thank you for taking the
time to talk to our readers.
1 - Tell us about Semjaza's
roots, when, where and why
did you decide
to form the
band?
Rebellion.
- Thank you
dear Master
of Kaos
Prods, first
of all, we appreciate
the time and attention
you give us in your
Interview by Jay Parker
valuable space to get to know us
better and thereby build a bridge
between us and the readers.
Semjaza is formed in the city
of Durango capital in the
year 2022, I consider a
kind of synthesis between
two projects
In the last seven years or so, our
country has been a point of investment
and opening for a large number
of concerts that obviously favor
support for the scene and its growth.
Interview with Rebellion
that I have
led, so accentuating certain
characteristics of both I decide
to form Semjaza.
2 - Tell us about your discography
and let our readers know
where they can get copies.
Rebellion. - The Fire That
Burn Within is our Debut
Demo Ep, and you can
proudly purchase
it both
physically on
CD and on
all Master of
Kaos Prods
digital platforms.
3 - I understand
that
you are about to release
a new album in 2024,
what will it be like?
Do you think you can surpass
previous releases? Tell
us about the new material
you're recording...
Rebellion. - The Fire That
Burned Within is the foundation
of what we are
working on, our Debut
Ep is the catapult for what
is to come and anticipating
something of what it will be
like, we can inform you that
it will have more strength
and more darkness, a direct
and clear message, no
We seek to indoctrinate
or boast of having otherworldly
knowledge that
only the Initiates know. No,
we precisely opt for a Black
Metal that goes against it,
being the backbone of following
the path of precisely
how the movement emerged.
4- What were your musical
influences growing up?
Rebellion. - The family context
greatly delimits these
influences, my older brothers
to this day continue
listening to rock and roll
from the 70s and its crossover
with disco music, obviously
that guides us to
search for an identity finding
Heavy Metal and from
there we don't We finished
continuing to look for proposals
until today.
5 - When did you start
playing music? And what
was your first instrument?
Rebellion. - The drums were
our first and only instrument,
between the last year
of high school and the transition
to high school we met
a friend who had his band and
we were lucky that he invited
us to a rehearsal, with this we
began to explore and practice
giving guideline to form
my first Black Metal Band.
6 - Do you have any other
side projects apart
from Semjaza?
Rebellion. - Yes, the first is
Ars Inferi which debuted live
in 2004 and is active today 2024.
· “Signa Animorum
Inferi" (2005) Demo.
· “I am one with night"
(2007) Full Length.
· “Sarcophagia"
(2011) Full Length.
· “Negative Utopia"
(2015) Full Length.
Official Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/ars.inferi
The second project is I.N.R.I.
(In Necis Renascor Integer)
is a band dedicated
to the wisdom of
the dead, following a
tradition in which Gnosis
is derived from the
transition to the afterlife,
which implies a cult
of death and Necromancy.
· "Azoth" (2020) Debut Ep.
· "Walking the path
of no return" Official
Live Session (Bra)
Official Facebook Page:
www.facebook.com/inri.mx/
7 - Tell us about the extreme
metal scene in Mexico...
Rebellion. - From my perspective,
in the last seven
years or so, our country has
been a point of investment
and opening for a large number
of concerts that obviously
favor support for the scene
and its growth, as well as many
Mexican groups have transcended
borders working in a better
way. and placing national music
at a good level.
8 - What are your 5 best
albums of all time?
Rebellion. – This is a complex
question, so I will change
the angle and tell you the 5
albums that marked something
in my perspective of listening,
enjoying and trying to
create something of my own.
KISS, Alive! (1975). Motley
Crue, Shout at the Devil (1983)
Slayer, Reign in Blood (1986)
Judas Priest, Painkiller
(1990)
Darkthrone, Soulside
journey (1991)
9 - If you could play with
any musician, living or
dead, who would it be?
Rebellion. - Jimmy Page from
Led Zeppelin, Steve Harris
from Iron Maiden, Ray Manzarek
from The Doors, Billy
Gibbons from ZZ Top, David
Gilmour from Pink Floyd.
10 - As part of the growing
wave of young and talented
artists, how do you see
the scene developing in
the coming years?
62 63
Semjaza - Black
Metal from Mexico
Rebellion. – Previously we
mentioned that the scene is
developing well and
we consider that this
trend will continue,
we hope that it crystallizes
and does not
end with a great
wave of albums by
hollow and empty
artists or remakes
because this is
also abundant.
11 - What do
you think are
the main differences
between
the 'old school'
and the so-called
'new school' of
extreme music?
Rebellion. - We
had a time when
extreme music releases
and their
ideological-musical
sieve, although
they belonged to
a genre, their essence
was different,
they sounded different.
Today they
emulate, clone, what
they like and that cannot
be. Black Metal
has always been about
expressing something
personal, values,
principles, traditions,
whatever you like
to call it, are the foundations
and roots. Our banner.
12 - Where would you
like to take Semjaza? Do
you have future plans
to play live in Europe?
Rebellion. – First, we will
continue working on our
musical ideological consolidation,
a full-length album
with the quality that it really
entails in body and soul,
perhaps some live performances,
but without a doubt
it is hierarchy to raise the level
to show an optimal degree
whether in Europe or any side.
13 - Would you like to add
something for our readers?
Rebellion. - Thank
them and invite them
to light their internal
Flame, and remind
them “…remain faithful
to the earth and do not
believe those who speak
to you about unearthly
hopes! …They despise
life, they are dying and
they, too, are poisoned,
the earth is tired of
them: I hope they disappear!"
(Nietzsche, F).
Many thanks to
Semjaza! Thank you!
Thanks for your
time, guys, and we're
eagerly awaiting
your new material.
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64 65
Vanwa - Black Metal from Germany
Today I’m lucky enough
to ne talking to Morquendi,
the genius behind the new
German band, Vanwa.
Guten abend! It’s a
real pleasure to be talking
with you, danke.
1 - Tell us about Vanwa,
when/where/
why was the
band formed?
The band was
formed 2 years
ago when
I had written
the first
two songs, “oh
dark son of night” and “the
depth of the misty woods.”
Interview by Jay Parker
I decided to put them out on a
record and therefore I formed
the band as a solo project.
2 - Run us through your stunning
debut album, undeniably
one of the best
debut albums in many
years…
The Black Metal and
Heavy Metal shows are the
most visited underground
metal genres in Germany.
The first
track of the album starts
with a long synth intro which
Interview with Morquendi
I originally want to put out
as a separate song. I tried
some different versions and
decided that it really connect
with the first song. The song
starts slow but becomes
a more and more aggressive,
demonic
but atmospheric
song.
The second
song is a very
straight song
and is for
me personally
made in
one session and goes
from one simple riff idea.
It is the first song I have
written for Vanwa.
Fortress of the cold east became
more aggressive than
I thought in the first plays.
Very Windir inspired and
an homage to Elizabeth Bathory
in the lyrics
and the song from
Tomentor. I’m just
a to big fan, haha. I
tried that you could
hear a cold castle
somewhere in the
nowhere of the east.
Through forest and
mountains would be
my personal homage
to Quorthon and
Bathory.
I was more into
first wave black metal
and particularly
the more Nordic and
folk stuff. I think
you can hear it.
Scarborough fair
was an idea I had
for a long time and I
decided to make my
own version of this
beautiful melody which always
keeps the spirit of nature
for me. You can see it
as a Bonus track.
3 - What are the inspirations
behind the lyrics?
I mentioned some things
before. Oh, dark son of night
would be some demonic worship,
like an arising antichrist.
All my lyrics have
always fantasy with in it.
The depth of the misty
woods will follow with
more depressive lyrics, like
trapped in your own mind as
an endless whirl of thoughts.
Through forest and mountains
tells a story of a questing
knight on a quest for
becoming a brave hero.
Further on his road he
will understand that it’s
not the path he really
wants to go on and finally
he finds the place where he
belongs. The beautiful nature
without any stuff that
can bothering him.
4 - What were your musical
influences growing up and
what do you listen to now?
I grew up with some classy
heavy metal. Metallica and the
The Number of the beast. I
was only 6 years old but for
many years i just listened to
them! It starts with 14 when
I searched for more
and more music. It
took me some years to
get to my music interests
of today. My biggest
influences are Windir,
Dissection and Bathory.
The songwriting, the
melodies and atmosphere
of Windir is
just incredible! Nodtveids
performance
and riffs had a big impact
on me! And Bathory
is just Bathory.
5 - What was the
process recording
the album?
The tracks are all
very well-orchestrated
and well written,
where was it
recorded? Who did
the production?
I wrote and recorded the
songs within two years and
on my own. The drums are
programmed because my
drums skills were not good
enough. So, it is a solo project
where I did all on my own.
6 - What are your plans
for the future? I understand
you’re planning to play some
live shows with Vanwa at
some point? That would certainly
be a powerful force
on the live stage…
66 67
Vanwa - Black Metal from Germany
Yeah, my plan is to play
live. There is not a show
announced right now
but I’m getting some
live musicians together.
And of course, the vinyl
and cd release will
be great!
7 - What is
your opinion of
the post-pandemic
Black
Metal scene,
and how do
you see it developing
over
the next 5 or
10 years?
So, the pandemic
was bad
for the live situation
in Germany.
We lost some locations.
But now
its really much
the same than
before the pandemic.
The Black
metal and heavy
metal shows are
the most visited
underground metal
genres in Germany, and
I think it will be like that or
even better in the future.
8 - If you could play or
record with any musician
live or dead, who
would it be and why?
It obviously will be one of
the guys that I mentioned as
inspiration. I guess Valfar
would be my choice. That
would be an honour.
9 - What is your local
scene like there in
Germany? Recommend
some new bands for our
readers to explore…
There are so many bands in
Germany. I would recommend
Zwielicht and
a band called Myrkgrav
from Norway I kept enjoying
a lot. Not new bands but
I explore them last year.
10 - What are your top 5
albums of all time?
1. Ride the Lightning
2. Number of the Beast
3. Axioma Ethica Odini
4. Arntor
5. Opus Eponymous
11 - Do you have any side
projects apart from Vanwa?
Tell us about them…
I have a Melodic Deathmetal
project, and it called “The
Dark Believing”.
I am right now recording
a new fulllength
album.
12 - What advice
would you give to
any up-and-coming
musicians looking
to follow in your
footsteps?
The advice would
be to put your stuff
out and don’t waste
your time. A songwriting
advice
would be to filter
your ideas until your
proud or completely
fine with any simple
or little idea. Nower
days it’s so easy to
create music and
record it but I have
the feeling that it
has a complicity of
quantity instead of quality.
13 - Is there anything you’d
like to add for our readers?
Thank you for checking
out, Vanwa and Master
of Kaos Records !
Metal Hails from Germany!
Vielen Dank Morquendi.
Hails
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68 69
Latest releases
70
70
Diabolic
Pagan Black Metal band
Death Metal band from
the United States released
the seventh Full-length
album Blastmasters Twisted
Metal on January 1, 2024.
DIABOLIC formed January
1997 with the intent to
become extreme metal
elite!
Crushing Tampa, Florida
Death Metal!!! From
the masterminds
behind the
classic war-machine,
D I A B O L I C ,
comes this studio
project of bonecrunching,
blasting drumming,
shredding guitar onslaughts and
the most demonic vocals ever
conjured from the pits of Hell!!!
Recorded in D.O.W. Studios by
Juan Punchy Gonzalez (Morbid
Angel, Terrorizer), this recording
has remained in the shadows
until now. Finally unleashed by
Deathgasm Records, Twisted Metal
will bring chaos, damnation and
death to fans of Diabolic, Monstrosity,
Morbid Angel and Hate Eternal.
Tracklist
1. Catastrophic System Failure
2. Shellfire and Tombstones
3. We the Treacherous
4. Altricial Meta-Genesis
5. Implemented Digital Control
6. The Beheadings
7. Putrid Future
8. La fin du monde
9. Shock Wave Undertow
10. Twisted Metal
Panzerwar
Black Metal band from Norway
released the fifth Full-length
album Pale Whispers of a
Writhing Moon on January 1,
2024.
Panzerwar is a Black Metal band
formed by “Gautaz” in Sarpsborg,
Østfold, Norway in MMXVII &
now hails from Calgary, Alberta,
Canada.
“Pale Whispers Of A Writhing
Moon” is the first studio
album from Panzerwar since
the Summer of MMXXI. This
album was written and recorded
between October - December of
MMXXIV.
Tracklist
1. Carnal Lycanthropic Lust
2. Haunting Memories of
War
3. Solomon's Blood
4. Cold Steel Splits Warm
Skin
5. Flesh Burnt Black
6. Glorious Death
7. Ritual of Suffering
8. Monumental Decay
9. Path of Ruin
10. Ashen
Imperator
Lineup
Gautaz -
Everything
71
71
Latest releases
72
Meridion
Death Metal band from Chile
released the second Full-length
album Caverns on January 1,
2024.
The album marks a significant
evolution in the band’s distinctive
style, which blends dark, fast, and
technical death metal with
themes of ancient aboriginal
culture, magic, occultism,
and death.
Formed in 2017, Meridion
quickly established themselves
in the metal scene with their
debut work »Rise From The South«,
released in 2022. This first
album introduced listeners
to their unique austral death
metal sound, rich in the
mythology and history of
southern Chile, and garnered
numerous positive reviews.
Caverns represents a logical
progression in Meridion’s musical
journey, offering a balance of
atmospheric elements and fastpaced
sections. The album’s
sound is described as a fusion of
Morbid Angel and Portal, promising
to captivate fans of the genre.
Tracklist
1. Empty Altars
2. Darkness Unleashed
3. Calafate
4. Cold Primitive Land
5. Consecration
6. The Curse of
Maquehua
7. Behold Man from
Monteverde
8. Hidden Chant
Lineup
SouthernCurse - Vocals, Guitars, Synths,
Horns
BoneFucker - Bass
Shoort Dagon - Drums
Condanatore - Keyboards
Narbeleth
Black Metal band from Cuba
released the sixth Full-length
album A Pale Crown on January
5, 2024.
Narbeleth, fromed in Cuba in
2008, stride forward in the spirit
of classic Scandinavian extremes,
and that's what you can expect
from their 6th full length A PALE
CROWN:
Black Metal. Nothing more -
nothing less.
Lyrically, the album explores
the necessity of the human being
to be in contact with its
primordial essence
and the more
obscure elements of
nature.
Tracklist
1. Pathways to Occult
2. A Pale Crown
3. To Step Beyond the Veil
4. On the Sight of Dusk
5. Of Moonlight and Spirits
6. Witness and Provider
7. Their Ethereal Dance Through
Mist and Starlight
8. The King of the Shadowthrone
(Satyricon cover)
Lineup
Dakkar - All instruments,
Vocals
Vindok - Drums
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Domination
Campaign
Death Metal band from
Australia released the second
Full-length album A Storm
of Steel on January 12, 2024.
Domination Campaign is
an offshoot from Tasmanian
death metal titans Psycroptic
- and they’ve just inked a
deal with Prosthetic Records.
Formed by Psycroptic vocalist
Jason Peppiatt, Domination
Campaign started out
as a solo project, but
soon evolved to include
bandmate Joe Haley on
drums, as well as handling
engineering duties.
It seems death metal in the
traditional way is very much
alive and strong at the
moment!
Lyrically the album is
inspired by tales of war,
but unlike other warthemed
albums out there,
Domination Campaign
don’t seek to glorify battle.
Instead they depict the
atrocities experienced - both
on a grand scale and the
more personal, intimate terror of
conflict.
Tracklist
1. Time to Die
2. The Iron Beast
3. Winds of Death
4. D-Day
5. Storm the Lines
6. Pit of Disease
7. 141 Days of Terror
8. Death Landing
Lineup
Joe Haley - Drums
Jason Peppiatt - Vocals,
Guitars, Bass
Mourning Dawn
Black/Doom Metal band from
France released the sixth Fulllength
album The Foam of
Despair on January 12, 2024.
Originally born as a oneman
band, Mourning Dawn
established a full line-up since
October 2005.
This new album has all
the benchmark qualities of
MOURNING DAWN – the
blackened doom pacing, the
anguished vocals and the
captivating songwriting – but
with any great album there needs
to be a creative alchemy, the Je ne
sais quoi that brings everything
together. “The Foam Of Despair”
certainly has that, with this new
material elevated beyond that
heard before from this now
established line-up.
This album takes their blackened
depressive doomed music to
new levels – with the freedom
to explore new territories and
industrial overtones - and
solidifies their position as one of
the most important bands of the
genre.
Tracklist
1. Tomber du temps
2. Blue Pain
3. Borrowed Skin
4. Apex
5. Suzerain
6. The Color of Waves
7. Midnight Sun
Lineup
Laurent
"Pokemonslaughter" -
Guitars, Vocals
Vincent "Toxine" - Bass
Nicolas Joyeux - Drums
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Iron Front
Death Metal band from
the United States released
the second Full-length
album Hooked on January
12, 2024.
Iron Front is a Death Metal
band from the San Francisco
East Bay area. Their music
takes inspiration from
old school Death Metal
as well as NYHC to
create crushing hardcore
adjacent slam, with both
new and old bands serving
as inspiration including 200
Stab Wounds, Bodybox,
Internal Bleeding, and
Suffocation.
They have enjoyed play on
independent radio stations,
including Possessed vocalist
Jeff Becerra’s Gimme Metal
show and were interviewed on
Rampage Radio. IRON FRONT
has performed all over the greater
Bay Area and have toured across the
Western U.S.
Tracklist
1. Dissolved In Resin
2. Slug Rounds
3. Burned By A Crack Pipe
4. Pig Splitter
5. Hooked
6. Intestinal Siphon
7. Slam of '87
Linup
Dmitri Castillo Russel - Bass
Max Mahmood - Drums
Jesse Dicrutattalo - Guitars
Cruz Garcia - Guitars
Topey Plourde - Vocals
Abigor
Black Metal band from Austria
released the fourteenth Fulllength
album Taphonomia
Aeternitatis - Gesänge im
Leichenlicht der Welt on January
18, 2024.
Black metal band from Austria
formed in 1993 by P.K. and T.T..
Considered back then one of the
few competitive answers to the
(back then) leading scandinavian
black metal movement
Taphonomia Aeternitatis -
Gesänge im Leichenlicht der
Welt, truly a masterpiece and a
more than worthy release for the
band's 30th anniversary.
Tracklist
1. Halt the Wheel of Timeless
Change
2. Soldaten Satans
3. Feasting on the Prophet’s
Blood
4. Extermination Angel
5. Cult of Elder Chaos
6. Burning Hell
7. Forniotrs Weltenreise
8. Morning Star Anthropophagia
Lineup
Silenius -
Vocals
T.T. - Bass,
Guitars, Drums
P.K. - Guitars, Bass
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Drakon
Black Metal band from
Russia released the second
Full-length album Светопреставление
(Thunderdome) on
January 18, 2024.
Black Metal from the Southern
Urals, imbued with the
endlessness of mountain
forests, the coldness of lakes
and the greatness of the
human spirit.
On the day of Indra the
Thunderer, the slayer of
the black serpent, the band
presented their new conceptual
album. This is their own
interpretation of the myth of
the End of the World in
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the traditional Russian epic style,
their own view of what is Light and
Darkness, what is Good and Evil and
what is the Earthly Truth.
The bulding appearing in the
Cover Art, is an edited version
from the old train station of city of
Cuautitlán, which figures among the
most emblematic locations of the
municipality, hometown of the band.
Tracklist
1. Злато
2. Скверна
3. Кривда
4. Мерзость запустения
5. Соль и кровь
6. Гог и Магог
7. Лик Агни
8. Вечность
Lineup
Veleyar Firebringer - Guitars, Vocals
(choirs)
Demetr Grail - Vocals, Lyrics
Vladimir Kalmazan - Bass
Simeon Luzin - Drums
Vemod
Black Metal band from Norway
released the second Full-length
album The Deepening on January
19, 2024.
VEMOD are by no means an
average band. The Norwegians
exist in the liminal spaces and the
crossroads of places. The trio has
chiselled their sophomore fulllength
"The Deepening" from
the same sonic granite that its
predecessor "Venter på stormene"
came from over a decade ago.
This bedrock is found in Namsos,
where VEMOD were conceived
as a lifelong passion project at
the turn of the century by then
12-year-old Jan Even Åsli.
"The Deepening" arrives with
a different production, which
resulted in a changed overall tone
compared to earlier works and
the Norwegians also reached out
and tapped into
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stylistic strata adding further
elements to their sound. Even the
lyrical themes running through
"The Deepening" tell of change,
transience, transformation, and
growth. "The Deepening" offers an
opportunity to look past long held
beliefs and comforting illusions.
At the crossroads of VEMOD's
second album at this point in
space and time waits a deepening
understanding of their
musical world.
Tracklist
1. Mot oss, en ild
2. Der guder dør
3. True North Beckons
4. Fra drømmenes bok I
5. Inn i lysende natt
6. The Deepening
Lineup
E. Kalstad - Bass
J.E. Åsli - Guitars, Bass
E. Blix - Vocals, Drums (studio),
Guitars (live)
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Master
Death/Thrash Metal band from
the United States released the
fifteenth Full-length album Saints
Dispelled on January 19, 2024.
Founded in 1983 and originally
based in Chicago, Illinois, Master
is one of the earliest bands in the
world labeled as Death Metal!
Master, a.k.a. the Motorhead of
Death Metal, give us another
viscous Death Metal offering
in 2024. They have mastered what
it means to produce high octane,
ear drum bursting, unrelenting
Death Metal once again. With a
discography one can not count on
two hands, they have rarely skipped
a beat in producing the fast
paced brutality we all so love and enjoy,
and “Saints Dispelled is no exception,
maybe we would rate it among their
better albums (time will tell). This clearly
is not the kind of album you can listen
to listen to while reading a nice book
and drinking some warm tea. Between
the pounding drums, merciless riffing,
and, of course, Speckmann’s
wonderfully hideous vocals, “Saints Dispelled”
does nothing short of furiously, punishing your
mind. Start to finish, the album consistently
splits your spine and breaks your neck with the
mightiness of Master's perfect idea of what old
school Death Metal means.
“Saints Dispelled” will, figuratively and literally,
rip your face off, sew it back on, and rip it off
again. As this is clearly a competent and highly
professional act that knows what they’re doing,
this is nicely displayed here with an album that
has a lot to like about it, which makes this a
wholehearted recommendation not only for
fans of the band but all those who enjoy this
ravenous style of old-school Death/Thrash
metal.
Upon Stone
Melodic Death Metal band
from the United States released
the first Full-length album Dead
Mother Moon on January 19,
2024.
UPON STONE delivers a
uniquely visceral unfiltered
energy and fuses it with a passion
for the earliest and rawest
melodeath influences including
the likes of At The Gates, In
Flames and Dissection!
UPON STONE delivers with
a ferocity that could only come
from a band fueled by the scenespanning
influence of At The
Gates’ landmark Slaughter of the
Soul while growing up in the
shadow of fellow Californians,
Nails. For melodic death
metal, this isn’t a revival. It’s
a rebirth.
Tracklist
1. Dead Mother Moon
2. Onyx Through the Heart
3. My Destiny; A Weapon
4. Dusk Sang Fairest
5. Paradise Failed
6. Nocturnalism
7. To Seek and Follow the Call of
Lions
8. The Lantern
9. Dig Up Her Bones (Misfits
cover)
Lineup
Wyatt - Drums
Ronny - Guitars
Xavier - Vocals, Bass
Gage - Guitars
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Prognan
Melodic Black Metal band from Croatia
released the second Full-length album
Sjene nad Balkanom on January
24, 2024.
Decades after "Naši Životi Više
Ne Postoje" and the massive war
that hit the country, the situation is
no better. After so many deaths of
the people - scoundrels and rascals
came to power.
On the territory of the Balkans there
are many nations that are "united"
under the flag of the former
Kingdom of SHS - now in
1930's Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
Three friends - a Serb, a Croat
and German - meet at school and
upon finishing it, great friendship is
born between them. One of them
even becomes an investigator
and escort to a senior police
inspector in Belgrade.
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The first case he attends will suddenly
throw him into the web of espionage and
make him question his own identity.
The journey itself and the search for the
truth will take him from Belgrade to
Zagreb, as well as Vienna.
The unspeakable crimes that happened
in the past are once again given voice of
the present and what he discovers will
shake him to his core.
Three friends, their search for truth and their
own identities in these turbulent times as the
shadows of a possible war loom over the country
and over themselves...will their friendship
withstand a potential new great war?"
"Sjene Nad Balkanom" (Shadows Over the
Balkans), band's second album, is a direct
continuation of the debut "Naši Životi Više Ne
Postoje" and talks about the gloomy period of
the Balkan states between 1934 and 1941.
Lineup
Kob - Vocals, Bass, Guitars, Songwriting,
Lyrics
Basher - Drums
Vitriol
Death Metal band from the
United States released the second
Full-length album Suffer &
Become on January 26, 2024.
In their latest release, "Suffer &
Become," Portland's VITRIOL
persists in their resolute pursuit
to both refine and redefine the
very essence of modern death
metal. Expertly recorded by
the band's visionary frontman,
Kyle Rassmussen, and skillfully
mixed by Dave Otero (known
for his work with Archspire and
Cattle Decapitation), VITRIOL's
second full-length album
wholeheartedly embraces mindbending
technical intricacies
and unadulterated ferocity,
leaving long-time fans
who've witnessed their stagedemolishing
prowess alongside
acts like Morbid Angel and Cattle
Decapitation
utterly
stunned. Tracks like "Shame and
Its Afterbirth" and "Weaponized
Loss" offer unadulterated forays
into a world of intense sonic
exploration, drenched in dense,
blackened sonics. VITRIOL's
impact is nothing short of
paradigm-shifting, obliterating
barriers and establishing new
standards, and "Suffer & Become"
stands as an unequivocal
masterpiece of contemporary
extremity.
Tracklist
1. Shame and Its
Afterbirth
2. The Flowers of
Sadism
3. Nursing from the Mother
Wound
4. The Isolating Lie of Learning
Another
5. Survival’s Careening
Inertia
6. Weaponized Loss
7. Flood of Predation
8. Locked in Thine Frothing
Wisdom
9. I Am Every Enemy
10. He Will Fight Savagely
Lineup
Adam Roethlisberger -
Bass, Vocals
Kyle Rasmussen -
Guitars, Vocals
Matt Kilner - Drums
Stephen Ellis - Guitars
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Hiraes
Melodic Death Metal band
from Germany released the
second Full-length album
Dormant on January 26,
2024.
Compared to their lauded
2021 debut, Solitary, it's
immediately evident that
HIRAES did not only grow
within their sound due to
countless live appearances, but
have invested more time and
energy into developing their
sophisticated songwriting
and production, leaning
further into their own unique
sound profile. Due to the use of
varying keys and sonic elements,
Dormant is undoubtedly fresh
without sacrificing the nuances
that caused their first album to
connect so successfully with
fans.
With their very first offering, HIRAES
already created an exciting new
melodic death emergence, built upon
a brutalized vocal attack, intense
melodies and aggressive guitars. On
Dormant, HIRAES flexes their own
trademarks in an intensified way,
ranging from versatile drumming,
catchy riffs and hymn-like melodies
to enthralling soundscapes and an
impressive vocal onslaught by singer
Britta.
From the epic intro of album opener
""Through The Storm"" - which bursts into
a thunderous melodic death metal assault
- to fast-paced ragers like ""We Owe No
One"", HIRAES delivers a truly versatile
album performance! The record’s lyrical
themes explore the struggles and resilience
of society amid modern challenges, and
inspires listeners to find calmness and
strength by focusing within themselves -
ultimately culminating in the monumental
title track ""Dormant"".
Lineup
Christian Wösten - Bass
Mathias Blässe - Drums
Oliver Kirchner - Guitars
Lukas Kerk - Guitars
Britta Görtz - Vocals
Blood Red Throne
Death Metal band from Norway
released the eleventh Full-length
album Nonagon on January 26,
2024.
Blood Red Throne celebrate 26
years in the scene and are still
going strong with their 11th and
strongest release so far, entitled
"Nonagon".
The band was started by still
remaining member, Daniel
"Død" Olaisen (guitar), when
playing in Satyricon in the 90's.
Original drummer, Freddy "the
Shred" Bolsø, returned in 2013
and Ivan "Meathook" Gujic
(guitar) have been in the team
since 2010. Stian "Clammy
Hackett" Gundersen (bass)
joined in 2018. Finally, Sindre
Wathne Johnsen took over the
vocals in 2023.
Band founder / guitarist Daniel
"Død" Olaisen
comments: "Blood Red Throne
has always been a combination
of groove and brutality. While
keeping true to the BRT sound
and feel, 'Nonagon' feels fresh
and new. The lyrics for the album
are loosely based on the nine
concentric circles of torment
described in 'Inferno' by Dante.
The album has nine songs and it
would be fitting to conceptualize
around that. That being said,
every lyric is up for interpretation
and I encourage people to find
their own meaning and themes
based on it."
Tracklist
1. Epitaph Inscribed
2. Ode to the
Obscene
3. Seeking to Pierce
4. Tempest Sculptor
5. Every Silent Plea
6. Nonagon
7. Split Tongue
Sermon
8. Blade Eulogy
9. Fleshrend
Lineup
Freddy Bolsø - Drums
Daniel "Død" Olaisen -
Guitars
Ivan Gujić - Guitars
Stian Gundersen - Bass
Sindre Wathne Johnsen -
Vocals
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Luciferian Rites
Black Metal band from Mexico
released the fourth Full-length
album Oath of Midnight Ashes
on January 26, 2024.
Formed in 2009 in the darkest
shadows of the Black Metal
underground, LUCIFERIAN
RITES released their debut
album “Evangelion of the Black
Misanthropy” in 2011.
Luciferian Rites now return
with one of the most anticipated
Black Metal albums of the
year and their career defining
work “Oath of Midnight Ashes“!
Containing 11 spiritual hymns
of Satanic devotion, the album
heralds the classic Finnish
Black Metal sound which has made
Sargeist, Horna, and Behexen hell-hold
names. Through their praises of crimson
wisdom, astral decay, and sacraments of
grief and torment for the Devil's Cross,
Luciferian Rites takes you through the
last abyss to swear your Oath to the
Midnight Ashes!
Tracklist
1. Intro
2. Oath of Midnight Ashes
3. Omnia Oscura
4. Bats of Crimson Wisdom
5. Behind the Leviathan Storm
6. Under the Devil's Cross
7. Astral Decay of an Old Melancholy
8. Lord of the Last Abyss
9. Void Arcane
10. By Sacrament of Grief and Pain
11. Spell of the November Whispers
Lineup
Serpentor - Bass, Chorus
Abomination - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Count Shadow - Vocals
Pagan Hate - Drums
Nemesis
Melodic Death Metal band from
Serbia released the second Fulllength
album Embrace Reality on
January 26, 2024.
Nemesis is an only all-female
melodic death metal band in
Serbia.
The band was formed in late
2013. influenced by Arch Enemy.
They played many gigs in clubs
and at festivals in ex-Yugoslavia
region and across Eastern and
Central Europe. They released
debut album "The War is On"
in 2020 and are released a new
album "Embrace Reality" on 26th
January 2024.
Tracklist
1. New Babylon
2. Circle of Death
3. Embrace Reality
4. Burn
5. Guilt and Grief
6. Here to Stay
7. Hades
8. The Scales of Fate
Lineup
Selena Simić - Drums
Aleksandra Petrović -
Guitars
Sanja Drča - Vocals
Tijana Milivojević - Guitars
Biljana Sovilj - Bass
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Hysteria
Melodic Blackened Death
Metal band from France
released the fourth Full-length
album Heretic, Sadistic and Sexual
Ecstasy... on January 31, 2024.
Hysteria plays a musical style
that takes Melodic Black
Metal and mixes it with
Brutal Death Metal to create
a sound of their own.
Tracklist
1. In Perdition (A Path Through
Nothingness)
2. Vortex of Confusion
3. Heretic, Sadistic, and Sexual
Ecstasy
4. My Carnal Desire
5. She who Spits the Venom
6. My Demonic Quest
7. Thelema
8. Armageddon must Come
9. Blashematical Scriptures
Lineup
Xavier Chautard - Drums
Jérôme Christophe - Guitars
Sylvain Ostengo - Vocals, Guitars
Adrien Desmonceaux - Bass
Hail Conjurer
Black Metal band from Finland
released the eighth Full-length
album Satanic Phenomenology
on February 1, 2024.
Satanic Phenomenology
stretches the concept of black
metal even further than the
previous Hail Conjurer albums.
The album, presented as an occult
and ritualistic study of nine steps
into the demonic realm and the
tremendous and disillusioned
essence of satanic reality, consists
of both the most traditional
and melodic black metal songs
Hail Conjurer has done to date,
but also the abstract and
experimental collages of
subtle sounds and noise,
escaping the definitions of
metal music.
Tracklist
1. Power. Will. Hail
2. Demonic Cover of Earth
3. Numinous
4. Cipher
5. Nox
6. Katharsis
7. Käärmeen ylistys
8. Fiery Serpent
9. Ritus Paganus
Lineup
Hail Conjurer - Everything
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HollowWoods
Black Metal band from
Finland released the second
Full-length album Like
Twisted Bones of Fallen Giants
on February 2, 2024.
In many ways, Like Twisted
Bones of Fallen Giants is a natural
continuation of Hollow Woods'
debut album, Cold Winds
Cleave the Earth, from 2021.
Familiar elements - pure
& proud BLACK METAL,
done with personality and
charisma - are recast in more
varied ways. The production
across the album is a bit more
airy compared to that debut,
but still far from overly
polished. Likewise, overt
aggression is dialed down
a bit to make room for
more epic passages, where
acoustic guitar gives support
to powerful clean vocals. As no
doubt presaged by the album's
title, lyrical themes here
deal with nature mysticism,
atavism, and specifically
slash-and-burn as a metaphor of
personal growth unburdened by
the past. For the first time, select
passages of lyrics are published as
ciphers for the song's themes.
Tracklist
1. Ancient Graves
2. Beneath the Dying Tower
3. Night Burns Through
4. Halls of Idle Breath
5. Interlude: Among Ruins
6. Burial Fires
7. Like Twisted Bones of Fallen Giants
Lineup
V - Bass
L - Drums
J - Guitars
A - Guitars
H - Vocals
Necrowretch
Death/Black Metal band from
France released the fifth Fulllength
album Swords of Dajjal on
February 2, 2024.
There's black metal, there's
death metal. Then you have
NECROWRETCH, a band which
combines the best of both worlds
into music made straight from
the depths of hell.
The band may be coming from
France, their debut ‘Putrid Death
Sorcery’ spawned right out of the
inferno. So far, they've released
two classic blackened death
albums.
Now, NECROWRETCH
are back with ‘Swords of
Dajjal’, an album that is quite
literally the manifestation
of the antichrist. There
are no messiahs, only
NECROWRETCH who,
with this brutal
portrayal, breaks open the gates
of heaven, ripping out its chains
– that's going to be a pricy
expense for the Lord!
Expect brutal blast beats,
maximum riffage and deafening
bass tones.
Tracklist
1. Ksar Al-Kufar
2. The Fifth Door
3. Dii Mauri
4. Swords of Dajjal
5. Numidian Knowledge
6. Vae Victis
7. Daeva
8. Total Obliteration
Lineup
Vlad - Vocals, Guitars
W. Cadaver - Guitars (lead),
Bass
N. Destroyer - Drums
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Litosth
Melodic Black/Death Metal
band from Brazil released
the third Full-length album
Cesariana on February 2, 2024.
Litosth is the physical
manifestation of the visions of
Brazilian multi-instrumentalist
Maicon Ristow and bassist
Wendel Siota. Founded
in 2016, Litosth channel
a torrent of feelings and
life principles in the form of
music, which definitely does
not respect any type of barrier
or limitation.
Armed with absolutely topnotch
production, Cesariana
sees the duo go even deeper in
their quest, delivering a mix of almost
unthinkable influences. The basis is
melodic black metal of a most '90s
vintage, but threading inside and
out this visceral work are everything
from dark pop from the '80s, epic
classical music, and a wide swath of
other metals - doom and dark metal,
especially. Cesariana is thus a work
that feels boundless and brave, all
the while exhibiting a focus that's
exceptionally concise given that
breadth.
Tracklist
1. In Waves
2. Whipping Bottles
3. Time Doesn?t Heal
4. The Clay Messiah
5. A Ofensa
6. The Argonaut
7. Caesarean
8. The Vaccum Extractor Paradigm
Lineup
Wendel Siota - Lyrics
Maicon Ristow - All instruments, Vocals
Fullmoon Rite
Black Metal band from
Germany released the first Fulllength
album Draped in the
Shade of Luciferian Light on
February 2, 2024.
Fullmoon Rite founded in the
fall of 2022... is a one-man project
from the lower franconian forests
in Bavaria.
The intention behind this
project is to resurrect the spirit
and tradition of the glory days of
Black Metal back in the mid-90s.
No ingratiation to trends, no
modern influences, just simple
and primitive old-styled black
metal, which comes straight
from the bottom of heart.
Tracklist
1. Nocturne No.1 (Apertio)
2. In the Shade of Luciferian
Light
3. Fullmoon Rite - Invocation of
the Beast
4. Embraced by Wings of
Sorrow
5. Burning
6. Nocturne No. 2
(Interludium)
7. Through the Gates of
Desolation
8. Let Darkness Forever
Shall Be
9. Into the Silence of Death
Lineup
Patrick Gajda - All instruments,
Vocals
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Dark Haven
Melodic Death Metal
band from the United
States released the third
Full-length album IV on
February 4, 2024.
Dark Haven, formed in 2004, is
an influential melodic death
metal band known for its
blend of aggressive riffs
and melodic harmonies.
Hailing from the United
States, the band made
a name for itself in
the metal community
with its unique sound
that balances brutality
with musicality. Their
lyrics often delve into
themes of existentialism, human
struggles, and philosophical
introspection.
Tracklist
1. Shadows & Dust
2. The Deceiver
3. Echoes
4. Into the Dark
5. Black Matter
6. Praise the Sun
7. Rise
8 .
Revelations of Time
9. Unbroken
10. Evil in You
Lineup
Nate Falzon - Drums
Brennan Kilpatrick - Guitars, Vocals
Brandon McLaughlin - Vocals (lead),
Bass
Romuvos
Epic Folk/Viking Metal band
from Lithuania released the third
Full-length album Spirits on
February 9, 2024.
Baltic folk metal with clean
vocals, distorted riffs and
traditional instruments that will
have you raise your horns and
join in the battle cry.
With anthems of pagan wars
against Christian invaders and
traditional Baltic songs, Romuvos
brings the ancient practices and
traditions of the Baltic people
back to life, giving their fans
exactly what they need.
Romuvos new album “Spirits”
is a top album that seriously
combines Heiling/Wardruna
vibes with Dark Metal riffs! You
need to hear it to believe it.
Tracklist
1. Snake Dance
2. Sun and the Morning Star
3. World Tree
4. Become as One
5. Garden of the Sun
6. Spirits of the Oak
7. Fire
8. Crescent Moon
Lineup
Velnias - Vocals,
Guitars (electric, acoustic),
Percussion, Keyboards,
Melodica
Morax - Drums
Monarch Erhelbeta - Guitars
Bendor Blackwolf - Guitars
Ažuolas - Bass
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Black Hate
Black/Death Metal band
from Mexico released the
sixth Full-length album Via
Pvrgativa: Qui Spiritu Diaboli
Aguntur Hi Filii Satanae Sunt on
February 11, 2024.
Founded in 2006 as a B.G. Ikanunna
solo project, Black Hate has
been split-up between 2009
and 2010. From 2012 the
project shifted into a real
band with mainman B.G.
Ikanunna as vocalist and
guitarist.
This new era of Black
Hate bursts from the inner
flame of metaphysics and
mysticism . While drinking
from the rennaisance
and baroque spanish
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m ys ticis m , we strive to
com m unica te the delig ht and
horror tha t d wells within the
a bs tra ction of Divinity. Via
Purg a tiva : qui spirituDia boli
a g untur hi filii Sa ta nae
s unt is but the beg inning of
a new journey. A voya g e into
the depths of des pa ir and the
s ecrets of the Nig ht. A s the sun
s ets , a phos phoric Lig ht burns
a new. Those who know, k now.
Tracklist
1. To the Firmament
2. Trembling Hands of Sorror
3. Luminous Ruins of Death
4. Tempestad (O de la
transubstanciacion)
5. Ascension of a Burning
Soul
6. Diasparagmos (O del sacrificio)
7. Dark Night of the Soul
Lineup
B.G. Ikanunna - Vocals, Guitars
Satoshi Lira - Drums
J. Ambriz - Guitars (rhythm)
Jonathan V. Matus - Bass
Mørk Fangorn - Drums
Eternal Storm
Melodic Death Metal band from
Spain released the second Fulllength
album A Giant Bound to
Fall on February 16, 2024.
On 'A Giant Bound to Fall',
shattering the apprehensions,
they've actually taken the sound
further ahead; it's far more
nuanced, multifaceted and even
feels darker. The emotions are
just as palpable as before but
are rawer, more piercing, and
the heightened extreme parts
are not at the expense of their
immersive atmospheric ones.
The painstaking recording
process ensured that and for the
sound to remain organic and
tangible. It's a giant
step ahead in the
logical direction,
for them, for the
entire style. There
is little doubt that
this hugely ambitious and more
importantly still passionate and
heartfelt album will go down as
another towering landmark in the
genre. With music so pristine, it
becomes a salve for the soul.
For fans of: Be'lakor, Dyssebeia,
Insomnium, Dark Tranquillity, In
Mourning, At the Gates.
Tracklist
1. An Abyss of
Unreason
2. A Dim Illusion
3. There was a Wall
4. Last Refuge
5. Eclipse
6. Lone Tree Domain
7. The Sleepers
8. The Void
9. A Giant Bound to Fall
Lineup
Daniel Maganto - Bass, Guitars
(additional), Vocals (additional)
Jaime Torres - Bass, Guitars,
Keyboards, Vocals
Daniel R. Flys - Bass,
Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
(lead)
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Latest releases
Vanir
Melodic Death Metal band
from Denmark released the
seventh Full-length album
Epitome on February 16, 2024.
From the Sagas of old to the
halls of kings and the bloody
battlefields, Vanir’s music
has been put together,
without compromise,
with a fascination with
Scandinavian common
origins, and the blood spilled
throughout history.
The “Epitome” album cover is
a depiction of the Danish queen
Sorte Grethe (Black Greta). In
her own time, Margaret had a
reputation as a competent and
enlightened regent. Regent Margaret
was faced with the unresolved
conflict between the crown and the
archbishop. The song “Sorte Grethe”,
on the album, is about a bloody battle
where 12.000 men were killed to
protect her sons’ right to the crown.
Tracklist
1. Twisting the Knife
2. One Man Army
3. Wood Iron and Will
4. Sanguis et Aurum
5. Sorte Grethe
6. Call to Arms
7. Fall of Arkona
8. Blood Eagle
9. Kings Will Fall
Lineup
Martin Holmsgaard Håkan - Drums,
Vocals (backing), Vocals (lead)
Kirk Backarach - Guitars (lead)
Stefan Dujardin - Keyboards
Mikael Christensen - Bass
Jon Elmquist - Drums
Michael Lundquist - Guitars
Darkspace
Atmospheric Black Metal band
from Switzerland released the
fifth Full-length album Dark
Space -II on February 16, 2024.
DARKSPACE establishes
contact with the earthlings
yet again - an extensive aural
manifestation materializes.
Seemingly emerging out of the
depths of a stellar-mass black
hole, an otherworldly journey
through the cosmos presents
itself. With an icy-cold embrace
and psychedelic conductance,
the mysterious figures present
‘Dark Space -II’, a
singular album of
atmospheric black
metal beyond
human comprehension.
Fractal electronic
samples slice
through layers of
extraterrestrial
drones, manifesting an immersive
experience defying the boundaries
of the conventional black metal
genre. Vocal transmissions, like
whispers from the outer reaches,
seamlessly interwoven in the
chilling mix, add a haunting
dimension to the celestial
configuration.
Humans, prepare to embark
on a voyage beyond the known
realms. DARKSPACE invites you
to submerge into the enigmatic
voids of ‘Dark Space -II’, where the
frontiers of reality dissolve,
and the otherworldly
traces of black metal resonate
with unparalleled intensity.
Tracklist
1. Dark -2.-2
Lineup
Wroth - Guitars, Vocals
Yhs - Guitars, Vocals
Zhaaral - Bass, Vocals
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Latest releases
Farsot
Black Metal band from
Germany released the
fourth Full-length album Life
Promised Death on February
16, 2024.
The world of FARSOT is a bleak
and harsh place. This pitch
black realm is ruled by warring
kings that are named Death,
Fear, Grief, and Hatred. The
Germans' signature musical
handwriting has always been
reflecting these dark avatars
and their fourth album "Life
Promised Death" is no exception.
"Life Promised Death" is the true
heir of all that FARSOT have
done so far. What makes this
album different is a higher density
of sound and harsh riffing as well
as surprisingly captivating songs
that even border on being catchy.
According to the band, this is due to
Grunge having been a major source
of inspiration for "Life Promised
Death". What seems unlikely at a first
superficial listening becomes audible
at a more intense engagement with
the album.
Lyrically, FARSOT are spinning a
suitably dark yarn that runs as a
thematic thread throughout "Life
Promised Death". The album revolves
around life slipping out of hand.
Tracklist
1. Nausea
2. Buoyant Flames
3. Into Vertigo
4. Chimera
5. Stray Dogs
6. Descent
7. Lost Momentum
Borknagar
Viking/Folk/Black Metal band
from Norway released the
twelfth Full-length album Fall on
February 23, 2024.
Norway’s pioneers of
avantgarde/progressive Black
Metal BORKNAGAR return with
their monumental 12th studio
album entitled “Fall”, which
includes 8 majestic tracks across
54 epic minutes of playing time,
once again brilliantly mixed by
Jens Bogren / Fascination Street
Studios (Opeth, Amon Amarth,
Kreator). “Fall” is the follow-up
to the widely acclaimed “True
North” studio
album from 2019,
and comes with
stunning album
cover artwork by
Eliran Kantor
(Testament, My
Dying Bride,
Sodom). “Fall” into
BORKNAGAR, share the grand
struggle against the wild in all of
us...
Tracklist
1. Summits
2. Nordic Anthem
3. Afar
4. Moon
5. Stars Ablaze
6. Unraveling
7. The Wild Lingers
8. Northward
Lineup
Øystein G. Brun - Guitars
ICS Vortex - Bass, Vocals
(harsh, clean, choirs)
Lars A. Nedland - Keyboards,
Vocals (clean, choirs)
Bjørn Dugstad Rønnow -
Drums
Jostein Thomassen - Guitars
(lead)
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Latest releases
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Dust Bolt
Thrash Metal band from
Germany released the fifth
Full-length album Sound &
Fury on February 23, 2024.
Dust Bolt will return in 2024,
armed with the finest album
they have ever made, and a
newfound sense of purpose.
The making of Sound & Fury
has clearly given the German
four-piece a new lease of
life, and subtly enhanced
ambitions for the future.
While most bands are content
to be tethered to the usual music
biz cycles, Dust Bolt have freed
themselves and delivered a
potential game-changing
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chunk of music. Still metal diehard
to the bone, they have simply found
a better and more life-affirming way
to gets head banging. On this form,
there will be no stopping them.
Tracklist
1. Leave Nothing Behind
2. I Witness
3. I Am the One
4. New Flame
5. Burning Pieces
6. Sound and Fury
7. Love & Reality
8. Bluedeep
9. Disco Nnection
10. You Make Me Feel (Nothing)
11. Feel the Storm
12. Little Stone
Lineup
Nico R. - Drums
Flo D. - Guitars
Lenny B. - Vocals, Guitars
Tom Liebing - Bass
Charlotte the Harlot
Melodic Death Metal band from
Japan released the EP Unchained
on February 29, 2024.
The band's name is taken from
the Iron Maiden song.
This act surprisingly did not
play heavy metal. It was founded
in 2016. The man/band shows a
fascination with dolls.
Intangible black emotions and
stories surround you from all
directions.
The ever-changing Heavy
/ Black Metal that they
presented on their
first album can't be
restricted. This album
also blends the
unique Black
& Death Metal
sound with
orthodox Heavy Metal.
Surrender yourself to the sounds
of the one and
o n l y
Charlotte the Harlot.
Tracklist
1. Endless Resentment (Intro)
2. Story Collector
3. Hypericum
4. Futakuchi Woman
5. Death Whistle
6. Close Your Eyes (Outro)
Lineup
Kazuma Kobayashi -
Vocals, Guitars, Bass
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Gothony
Melodic Death Metal band
from Finland released the first
Full-length album Gothony on
January 12, 2024.
Tracklist
1. Hologram
2. Patient 2442
3. Ants
4. In the Shadow of the
Moon
5. My Pain
6. Crystal Dream Apophis
7. Disarm the Gods
8. Rapacity
Lineup
Väiski Syväoja - Bass
Mikko Toivonen - Drums
Miika Peräkangas - Guitars
Mika Uusitalo - Guitars
Wuohi S. Koski - Vocals
Latest releases
Nightwalker
Black Metal band from Germany
released the first Full-length album
Grimoire Tenebrarum on January 12,
2024.
Tracklist
1. La messe noire
2. The Downfall of Lucifer
3. Abyssus Abyssum Invocat
4. Oh Satan, Prince of Darkness
5. Seventh Key to the Realm of
Shadows
6. Thou Art the Sword of Truth
Lineup
Noxathra - All instruments, Vocals
Hellish
Black/Death Metal band from
Türkiye released the first Full-length
album Cannibalistic Madness on
January 12, 2024.
Tracklist
1. Cannibalism in the Name of
Satan
2. I Can't Stay Still
3. Let the Blood Flow
4. Declaration
5. Last Bite
6. You Deserve to be Devoured
7. A Sadistic Dance of Cannibalistic
Art
Lineup
Graveyard Slut - Vocals, Guitars,
Bass, Drum programming
Ungoliath
Black Metal band from Germany
released the first Full-length
album Whispers of the Gale on
January 12, 2024.
Tracklist
1. Embers Descend
2. Whispers of the Gale
3. Ephemeral Earth
4. Echoes Unveiled
5. Frostveiled Nocturne
6. Beyond the Cold Forests
7. The Obsidian Tower Rises
Lineup
Bane - Vocals, Guitars, Bass,
Drums, Keyboards
Sardonic Witchery
Black Metal band from Portugal
released the fourth Full-length
album Barbaric Evil Power on
January 15, 2024.
Tracklist
1. Poder Barbaro Infernal
(Intro)
2. Sacrificial Storm Ritual
3. Sofrimento Da Ordem Do
Tempo (Disciplina)
4. Lusitanian Wolf
(VIRIATHUS)
5. Barbaric Bastards Of Mass
Destruction
6. Horizons End
7. Merciless Warrior Of Steel
8. Nocturnal Wanderer (Goddess
Of Desire)
Lineup
King Demogorgon - All
instruments, Vocals
Abhoria
Black Metal band from the
United States released the second
Full-length album Depths on
January 19, 2024.
Aggressive US black metal,
with modern production
and no politics. For fans of
Immortal, Dark Funeral
and Emperor. Featuring
members of Ashen Horde,
In the Company of Serpents and
Vimana.
Tracklist
1. Emergence
2. The Inexorable
Earth
3. The Well
4. Within Our
Dominion
5. They Hunt at Night
6. Devour
7. The Foundling
8. Ghosts in the Smoke
9. Winter’s Embrace
Lineup
Koszmar - Bass
Vor - Guitars
Walthrax - Vocals
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Incult
Death Metal band from
Belgium released the first Fulllength
album The Burnt Offering
on January 19, 2024.
Founded in 1983 and originally
based in Chicago, Illinois
Tracklist
1. Pogrom
2. Takfir
3. Nanking Massacre
4. Black Ritual
5. Darkened idea of
Existence
6. Dead end Deviation
7. Block 10
8. The Quenched Menorah
Lineup
Wouter Viepie - Drums
Niels Beirinckx - Guitars
Carsten Geerts - Guitars
Dylan Elsermans - Vocals
Latest releases
Mephitic Grave
Death Metal band from Hungary
released the second Full-length
album Dreadful Seizures on January
22, 2024.
Out from the cosmic terror, Mephitic
Grave has come to summon the
unspeakable horror of audial disgust.
Tracklist
1. Intro
2. Catacomb Mind
3. House of the Necromancer
4. Corpsepowder
5. Dreadful Seizures
6. Tremadora Ritual
7. Secret of the Vermins
8. Becoming the Shape of the
Restless Shades
9. Coffin Levitation
Lineup
Adam - Bass, Vocals
Balazs - Drums
Knot -
Guitars
Zoltan S.
- Guitars
Osculum Serpentis
Raw Black Metal band from France
released the second Full-length
album Miseria on January 23, 2024.
French one-man black metal band
formed in 2022.
Man wears a shell which contains
the eternal notions of emptiness
and perdition. Centuries of
experience and knowledge have
not been enough to cure the illness
that gnaws at him, this infinite and
uncontrollable melancholy that
burns his insides and makes him
hate his peers. Man is doomed to
death, the only true reason to live
and the foundation of all philosophy
because without it nothing has any
flavor.
Lineup
Vipera - Everything
Ad Unum Omnes
Black Metal band from Germany
released the second Full-length
album Shattering Bones on
January 26, 2024.
Tracklist
1. Empty Souls
2. Constant Misery
3. Bloodlust
4. Sturmtief
5. Wither and Fall
6. Tristesse
7. Shattering Bones
8. Satan's Evil Hunger
9. Downfall
Lineup
Arne Benzing - Bass
Aram Geraets - Drums
David Pawlowski - Guitars (lead)
Sascha Piontek - Vocals, Guitars
(rhythm)
Svitogor
Epic Black Metal band from
Croatia released the first Fulllength
album The Howling Void
on January 26, 2024.
Under the veil of night, the
resurgent force known as Svitogor
emerges, crafting new hymns
that usher in an eternal demise
to the break of day, casting forth
an everlasting dusk. Awakened
from a two-decade slumber, the
relentless hunter sets its sights on
humanity, viewing the folly and
arrogance of bipedal parasites as
perennial prey for the city of the
gods.
Tracklist
1. Frequencies
2. Delusion
3. Times
4. The Great Deceiver
5. Without the Sun
6. Spider Knows Its Craft
7. Ascending the Astral
Nightmares
8. Before the Dawn
9. Deor
10. The Existence
Lineup
Insanus - Vocals, All instruments,
Songwriting, Lyrics
Astral Fortress
Atmospheric Black Metal
band from the United States
released the second Full-length
album In My Final Days... on
February 1, 2024.
Astral Fortress has been
working non-stop to supply
cold, crushing black metal,
and the band don't plan on
stopping anytime soon!
Tracklist
1. The Desolate Stream of
Thoughts and Sadness
2. Dissonant Voices from a
Tormented Past
3. I Wear This Shroud of
Pain And Misery
4. Cursed to Live a Hollow
Existence
5. In My Final Days...
6. Tears of the Blood Moon
(Remastered)
Lineup
Richard DeBerry - Everything
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Hatskrømt
Black Metal band from
Norway released the fourth
Full-length album Riddergrav
on February 1, 2024.
Riddergrav is Hatskrømt's first
foray into atmospheric black metal.
Riddergrav introduces some
experimental techniques, while
still keeping the tradition alive.
Tracklist
1. Einstøing
2. Prins
3. I en drøm
4. De stolte fjell
5. Hellig blod
6. Mørket faller
7. Min død
8. Der du lå
Lineup
Hatskrømt - All instruments,
Vocals
Latest releases
Eagle of Woes
Melodic Death Metal band from
the United Kingdom released the
first Full-length album Revelation
on February 1, 2024.
Tracklist
1. Seven Churches
2. Seven Seals
3. First Trumpets
4. The Woes
5. Cast Down
6. Don't Follow the Beast
7. Die in the Lord
8. Divine Wrath
9. The Great is Fallen
10. The Second Coming
11. Heaven's Fire
12. Amen
Lineup
Rich "Tricky" Hudson - Guitars
Nocturnal Sorcery
Black Metal band from Finland
released the second Full-length
album Captive in the Breath of Life
on February 9, 2024.
Tracklist
1. The Dark Secret
2. Oath at Mt. Hermon
3. Cry of the Wounded Heaven
4. Captive in the Breath of Life
5. Spectral Force
6. Beyond Salvation
7. Joyless Dance in the Shadow
8. Redemption at Daybreak
9. Damned by the Law of the Stars
10. Lucifer's Shade
11. Along the Path of Fire
Lineup
Maledictus Vult - Bass, Vocals
Epäluoma - Drums
Vorr - Guitars
Genius of Perversions - Guitars
Torchia
Melodic Death Metal band from
Finland released the third Fulllength
album Arcane Magicae on
February 9, 2024.
Tracklist
1. There's a Witch Among Us
2. My Dearest Friend
3. La Magra
4. Rat Shaman
5. Serpent Icon
6. The Messenger
7. Red Luna Ceremony
8. Silver Horns
9. Arcane Magicae
Lineup
Ville Virtanen - Drums
Henri Heikkinen - Guitars
Ville Riitamaa - Guitars (lead),
Vocals
Edward Torchia - Vocals
Eetu Tingander - Bass
Morphine
Depressive Black Metal band
from the United Kingdom
released the fourth Full-length
album Dysphoria II on February
14, 2024.
The end of the Transition trilogy
which began with Dysphoria, was
continued with Visibility, and now
ends with Dysphoria II.
Tracklist
1. Gender
2. HRT
3. Never Passing
4. Life in Loathing
5. Dysphoria
6. Mortality
7. Not Alone
Lineup
The Patient - Everything
Immortal Sun
Melodic Black/Death Metal
band from Egypt released the first
Full-length album Egyptian
Spells on February 21, 2024.
The debut full length from
Immortal Sun...
A collaboration uniting
Egypt and Colombia in
eternal hellfire...
Tracklist
1. A Spell of Anubis (Intro)
2. The Last Words from the Great
Sphinx
3. When the Earth
Roars
4. The Secrets of Set
5. Osiris Ouroboros
6. ...to Wander the Void
Eternal
7. A Spell from the Book of the
Dead (Interlude)
8. Black Magick
9. Dunkelheit
10. Ora Pro Nubis Lucifer
11. Freezing Moon
12. The Black Goddess
Rises
13. A Spell for Set (Outro)
Lineup
Khaled Yaseen - Bass
Ahmad Khaled - Guitars (lead)
Murad Khaled - Guitars
(lead)
A Ghost - Vocals
Medhat Nabiel - Drums
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Vircolac
Death Metal band from Ireland
released the second Full-length
album Veneration on February
23, 2024.
The word Vircolac means
"werewolf " in Romanian.
Tracklist
1. The Lament (I Am Calling
You)
2. Veneration
3. Unrepentant
4. Our Burden of Stone on Bone
5. All Comes to Pass, Nothing
Shall Remain
6. Reflection
7. She is Calling Me (I. War II.
Death III. Redemption)
Lineup
NH - Drums
Laoghaire - Vocals
BMC - Guitars
Latest releases
Stiriah
Black Metal band from Germany
released the fourth Full-length
album Portal on February 23, 2024.
Tracklist
1. Sterbend im Nebel
2. Portal 06:41
3. In der Nacht
4. Schwarzes Nass
5. Ein ewiger Kerker
6. Brennendes Licht
7. Die letzte Ebene
8. Tempus
Lineup
Ortok - Drums
Cryst - Guitars (lead), Bass, Vocals
(backing), Keyboards
Tyrann - Guitars (rhythm), Vocals
(lead)
Skuggor
Atmospheric Black Metal band from
Sweden released the second Fulllength
album Whispers of Ancient
Spells on February 23, 2024.
With "Whispers of Ancient Spells"
Swedish-based one-man project
Skuggor invites listeners to traverse
realms of darkness, mist and myth.
Guided by the hypnotic melodies
that echo through the corridors
of ancient forests, each track is a
chapter in exploring shadows of the
past.
Tracklist
1. Whispers of Ancient Spells
2. As Fog Reveals the Path to
Despair
3. Silent Cry of the Forests Embrace
4. Shadows Echoing Through Time
5. A Forgotten Past
Lineup
Matthew Bell - Everything
Lilla Veneda
Death/Black Metal band from
Poland released the third
Full-length album Primordial
Movements on February 29, 2024.
Primordial Movements is a
wild, primal force enclosed in a
progressive form. It’s a geometric
sound roller revealing a whole
palette of hitherto unknown
emotions.
Tracklist
1. Fury Dimension
2. Sleeping Knight's Sky
3. Biomechanic Algorithm
4. Iron-Black Pestilence
5. Scratched Crown
6. Colossi
7. Immortal Vision of Chaos
8. Primordial Movements
9. Pytasz co w moim życiu
Lineup
Boro - Bass
Antris - Guitars (rhythm)
Virian - Vocals
Andrew - Drums
Marcin Frąckowiak - Guitars
Goat Kommander
Death/Black Metal band from
Brazil released the first Fulllength
album Warfare Dynasty on
February 29, 2024.
Goat Kommander strikes again
with a raw and aggressive album
dedicated to the old and rotting
sound from the past. Some of the
tracks are out of time on purpose,
to sound even more crude.
Tracklist
1. Fading Ember: A Cosmic
Requiem
2. Gods of a Stellar War
3. Cosmic Abyss
4. Wanderer from Distant
Lands
5. Kadaver
6. Ancient Moon
7. Echoes of Anihilation
Lineup
Sir Nattens - All instruments,
Vocals
Тиран
Thrash/Death Metal band
from Russia released Demo
Witchfukker on February 29,
2024.
English translation of the
band's name: Tiran, Tyrant.
Tracklist
1. To Hell and Back
2. Wicthfukker
3. Ain't Born Soldiers
4. Bees and Flowers
Lineup
Tiran - Guitars, Vocals
Father - Bass
Kate - Drums
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We would like to tell you about
musicians and bands not so well
known around the world. This
is the story of Cemetery Of
Scream - Atmospheric Doom/
Gothic Metal band from
Poland.
Band Links
https://www.facebook.com/cemeteryofscream
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0W8QHkPjO1VVeOkDwtJTbN
Cemetery Of Scream is one of the leading pioneers of atmospheric
doom metal in Poland. Formed in 1992, this band has so far
recorded eight studio releases and played plenty of big and
small concerts, all of which have always received favourable
responses from audiences and music critics alike - both in
Poland and abroad.
Cemetery of Scream in their works deal with issues such as
the apocalypse, depression, melancholy or sadness. Their latest
album "Oceans" was released November 3, 2023 by Sleaszy Rider
Records and its concept musically combines the best elements of
gothic and doom metal together. CD you can buy at Bandcamp
and webstore as well as directly from the band.
Line-up:
Katarzyna Rutkowska - keyboard
Marcin Piwowarczyk - guitar
Grzegorz Królik - bass
Olaf Różański - vocals
Pawel Golarczyk - guitars
Tomasz Rutkowski - drums
& guitar
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We would like to tell you about musicians
and bands not so well known around the
world. This is the story of Paracrona -
Blackened Death Metal band from
Norway.
Band Links
https://www.facebook.com/Paracrona
https://paracrona.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/paracrona
https://open.spotify.com/artist/51vPJuEsVUsm02Nsh4ND3m
"Sun God", the debut release from prog death metallers Paracrona,
is an abrasive and dark album but one with a fresh perspective
on death metal. The dark and blackened music is straightforward
in its desire to fry the senses but unpredictable in the approach it
takes; each song offers something different, adding up to a twisted
but worthwhile journey. The album has been brought to life mixing
and mastering by the legendary Fredrik Nordstrom, who produced
albums from the original Gothenburg death metal scene, among many,
many others!
Paracrona was formed by Ringo Christiaan Van Droffelaar and
Oystein Hansen, from the Netherlands and Norway, respectively. After
meeting at the 2007 edition of Wacken Open Air, the two formed a
musical bond and began recording "Sun God" in 2016. After many
delays, including the pandemic and Ringo’s battle with cancer,
lead to the album being released this year.
"Sun God" explores themes of ancient, old belief systems
with
the idea that the "Sun God" is within you. Fighting
against the powers of greed, ego, pseudo science and
misinformation, the album is about breaking free
from these dark, even Satanic, forces and finding
the strength within oneself.
FFO: Behemoth, Mayhem, Dark Funeral.
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We would like to tell you about
musicians and bands not so well
known around the world. This
is the story of Frost - Black
Metal band from Hungary.
Band Links
https://www.facebook.com/FrostHungaryOfficial
https://frosthungary.bandcamp.com
https://www.youtube.com/FrostOfficialchannel
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The band Frost was founded in 1996 in Kazincbarcika, Hungary.
Horda initially represented the rawer Black Metal style, later
the songs became more complex and melodic, but all within the
boundaries of Black Metal. Among the founding members, only
Ferenc Mocsnik is in the ranks of the band, who is also the leader
of Frost. After initial demos and EPs, the first album "Extreme
Loneliness-fragments" was released in 2002. The album was very
well received and further increased the band's popularity both in
Hungary and abroad. In 2004, the EP "Voices From Beyond The
Gates" followed, which was released in vinyl and CD format, and in
2007, the second album, the "Black Shining". The next album had
to wait until 2014, when "... From The Dark" was released. A big
problem in the life of Frost was the many member changes, which
hindered the band. Among other things, this resulted in the band
breaking up in 2018. The break didn't last long, Feri Mocsnik
and Tamas Deak (singer of Frost) made the album "Deathtree
Mystery", which will be released in 2019. The current membership
was born in 2020: Tamas Deak - demonic vocals, Ferenc Mocsnik
- bass guitar, Komló György - guitars, Bence Kohler - guitars,
vocals, keyboards, Andras Balazs - drums. This membership can
work together absolutely efficiently, Frost has entered the path
of development in all aspects. The initial step of this is the vinyl
EP "The Way Of Condemnation", released in 2020, for which a
professional video was also made (a first in the band's history).
Then came the albums "Winterblood" (2021) and "Consecratus Ad
Mortem" (2023)...
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We would like to tell you about
musicians and bands not so well
known around the world. This is
the story of Primordial Black -
Blackened Death Metal band
from Tunisia.
Band Links
https://www.facebook.com/primordial.black.band
https://primordialblackband.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/primordial_black_official
From the creative depths of Tunisia emerges Primordial Black, a
blistering quartet wielding the dark arts of Blackened Death Metal.
Spearheaded by the mastermind guitarist and songwriter Yasser
Mahammedi Bouzina, this infernal ensemble promises to shake the
foundations of metal's underworld.
When Bouzina summoned the creative spirits, Mohamed Ben Hadida—
an esteemed drummer with an accolade-studded track record—answered
the call. Later fortified by the arrivals of Walid Chaaben (Lead Guitar)
and Dalii Ghalselaouii (Bass Guitar), the band solidified its sonic
arsenal.
Primordial Black isn't merely about riffs and beats; they aim to
craft a disconcerting, hypnotic, and addictively dark ambiance. Their
lyrical arsenal delves into realms inspired by the chilling tales of
Hp Lovecraft, John Milton, and Clive Barker, setting the stage for a
harrowing sonic journey.
Prepare your ears for the impending onslaught as Primordial Black
readies their debut EP, "MONAS HIEROGLYPHICA", slated for release
on January 12th, 2024, courtesy of M&O Music.
For those uninitiated into the abyss, brace yourself for an otherworldly
experience. Stay tuned for the unveiling of their EP, destined to
transport listeners to the very depths of sonic madness.
Primordial Black's debut EP announcement sends shivers down the
spine in anticipation of what promises to be a darkly enchanting
journey. With influences from literary legends and a penchant for
crafting atmospheres that beckon the macabre, this EP might just be
the key to unlocking a new
realm of metal intensity.
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We would like to tell you about
musicians and bands not so well
known around the world. This
is the story of Strigampire -
Melodic Death Metal band from
Canada.
Band Links
https://www.facebook.com/Strigampire
https://strigampire.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/strigampire
Created in 2001 in Quebec, Canada, Strigampire has been recognized
over the years for its eloquence and the energy coming out from
each of its frantic live performances. Over two decades of hard work
culminated last year when they entered the studio with producer
Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy) to record their highly anticipated
third full-length album “All To Dominate”.
Earlier this year, after 3 years of no performances and adding
new members, the band made a triumphant return to the stage and
emerged Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2023 Champions garnering a
spot at the legendary festival Wacken Open Air.
The future looks incredibly promising for Strigampire, and the
world can expect a musical explosion that will push all boundaries.
Get ready to be transported into a whirlwind of raw energy and
incendiary riffs because the best is yet to come for this exceptional
band.
“All To Dominate” features 10 tracks, including 9 new original
songs and one cover. Strigampire didn’t have a surplus of additional
songs to include on the album, so they selected the ones with the
most potential and worked diligently to complete
them. The result is an album that is
melancholic, unique, and powerful.
It is recommended for fans of Dark
Tranquillity, Children Of Bodom,
Arch Enemy, and At The Gates.
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We would like to tell you about
musicians and bands not so well
known around the world. This is
the story of Svitogor - Epic
Black Metal band from Croatia.
Band Links
https://www.facebook.com/svitogor.official
https://www.instagram.com/svitogorofficial
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0QhhLM3BRcCCM3rFWiCOJh
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Insanus, a revered figure in the Croatian Black Metal scene and the
creative force behind influential bands like Castrum, Zvijer, Suton,
Black Cult, Unholy Inquisition, and others, has breathed new life into
his long-neglected project, Svitogor.
The saga of Svitogor unfolded at the turn of the millennium when
the visionary notion sparked in Insanus’ mind to forge Black Metal
unbounded by constraints. Two demos, crafted in 2002 and 2003, bear
witness to this creative surge. Yet, the flame dimmed as a result of
waning interest and pressing commitments to other musical ventures.
Fast forward two decades, and the time has arrived for the mountain
of gods to reverberate once more, resuming the journey it embarked
upon. In the intervening years, Insanus meticulously amassed an arsenal
of riffs and ideas, cultivating them until the summer of 2023, when he
breathed life into the debut album titled “The Howling Void.”
Musically, Svitogor defies easy categorisation, embodying an avantgarde
black metal essence. Lyrically, the band passionately opposes
entrenched dogmatic beliefs that grip a society, reduced to pathetic
prostration before false idols crafted from the clay of deceit.
Themes of misanthropy, alienation, anti- humanism and selfspirituality
intertwine, propelling
the relentless energy within
Svitogor’s compositions. The
hunger embedded in their songs
is insatiable, poised to confront
the world’s abominations, tainted
by the foolish thoughts and
deeds of mortals. Svitogor stands
ready, a sonic force challenging
the norms and confronting
the shadows cast by humanity’s
misguided pursuits.
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We would like to tell you about
musicians and bands not so well
known around the world. This
is the story of Vorus - Death
Metal band from Romania.
Band Links
https://www.facebook.com/vorusdeath
https://vorus.bandcamp.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRMDir2TLoIvorHbBUYe8GQ
Established in 2017 as a solo project of the American death metal musician
Uriel (Morbicus, Necrorite, Reveler, Putred, ex-Gutwrench, ex-Cryptic Realms
etc) active since 1989 and relocated to Romania back in 2014. Vorus first
release “Chamber of Laments” demo tape as solo formula was released by the
fall, 2017.
Uriel‘s wife, Corina (ex-Deimos, ex-Atys, Reveler, Putred etc.) joined the band
in September, 2017 on the bass guitar.
As a duo, Vorus recorded their debut full-length album “The Wretched Path” in
December 2017, released on CD and tape in April. 2018 also the split with the
band Necrorite in May 2018, then in October 2018 the “Inflicted Sufferance”
EP was released in both formats as well. In April 2019 following a 4 way split
with Rotheads, Engrossed and Eruptive released in both formats.
In August 2019, Doru (Malpraxis, Evergreed, ex-Necrovile, etc) drummer from
Cluj-Napoca joined the band permanently, 2020 is the year that marks the live
debut of Vorus band on a mini tour in Transylvania with the bands Oncology
and Left Hand Path.
In May 2021, the band released their second full-length album entitled
“Traversing the Non-Existence“. Shortly after the album, Vorus welcomed a
new member, Filip (Necrotum, Demoted, Putred, etc) a very young guitarist
from Brasov joined the band on the rhythm guitar position. With this formula,
“The Crypt of Shadows” EP was recorded in October, 2021 on tape only. In
2022, Vorus performed in a mini tour with Malpraxis, Invader and Omnitrocy
in several towns around the country, then the band participated in Death
Madness Fest 1 (Sibiu) and a few more concerts.
In 2023 Vorus participated in Bucharest
Death Fest. Currently the band is working
on the songs for the third full-length
album entitled “Desolate Eternities” will
be released on March 1, 2024 by the record
label Loud Rage Music from Romania on
CD format.
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Band Links
https://www.facebook.com/LuciferianMex
https://luciferianrites.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/luciferianrites
https://open.spotify.com/artist/00tnF0ggRKPFneghfgqKrO
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We would like to tell you about
musicians and bands not so well
known around the world. This is
the story of Luciferian Rites -
Black Metal band from Mexico.
Luciferian Rites is a Black Metal project created in mid-2006,
started by Shadow (Vocal) and Abomination (Lead Guitar), with
the intention of creating their contribution to this genre, as the
weeks went by, Antichrist joined as the first drummer of the band,
w i t h whom the band was established as a 3-member band, this first lineup
lasted a few years until being able to record what was the first demo titled The
Kingdom of the Black Moon, limited to just 50 copies in 2009. During the same year
the band added Sepulchral to the lineup as the first official bassist and began a
new stage now as a 4-member band, having a more complete live sound.
At the beginning of 2010, we began recording our first album, which is titled
“Evangelion of the Black Misanthropy” and the album did not come out until the
end of 2011. Shortly after recording our first album, Sepulchral left the band.
It was not until 2014 that we began recording what was our second full album
“When the Light Dies”.
During the release period, Serpentor joined the lineup as the new bassist and
shortly after, due to very delicate personal reasons, Antichrist left the band,
and shortly after XIII took his place as the new drummer, being this the longest
and solid lineup for many years. The band had presentations in several cities in
Mexico, and also outside the country, managing to be active for a very long time
in the following years, and recording what was our first Split album “Luciferian
Abominations from Kur-Nu-Gi-A” with one of the most recognized bands in our
country, “Ereshkigal” from Mexico City. A couple of years later, at the end of 2019
more precisely, our second Split album “Astral Projection of the Anti-Existence”
with Colombian band “Necrario” was recorded and ready to be released in 2020
but this was stopped for a long time due to the pandemic, and so the band had
a break, being inactive for many months, in which they finished polishing and
reconstructing new and old songs. In that pandemic era, XIII left the band due to
work and family reasons.
At the end of 2022 and beginning of 2023 the band began to record what is the
current third album “Oath of Midnight Ashes”. With this new album the band
decided to integrate a second guitarist to the lineup, “Thanatos”, with this new
lineup LR has an even more solid and stronger sound, which has pleased locals
and strangers, it is a new stage for the group and we are ready for the upcoming
events and presentations.
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Band Links
https://www.facebook.com/homicidedeath
https://www.instagram.com/homicide_death_metal
https://homicidebd.bandcamp.com
We would like to tell you about
musicians and bands not so well
known around the world. This
is the story of Homicide -
Technical Death Metal band
from Bangladesh.
Homicide is a Bangladeshi death metal band formed in 2008. The band
has gained recognition for their intense and brutal musical technique.
Known for their aggressive guitar riffs, lightning-fast drumming, and
guttural vocals, Homicide delivers a relentless onslaught of extreme
metal. Their lyrics often delve into dark and macabre themes, exploring
topics such as violence, death, and the human condition & mythology.
With their technical proficiency and uncompromising sound, Homicide
has established themselves as a prominent force in the Bangladeshi
death metal scene. Their live performances are known for their high
energy and chaotic atmosphere, leaving audiences in awe of their sheer
intensity. Homicide's dedication to their craft and their commitment
to pushing the boundaries of extreme music make them a standout act
in the genre.
Current lineup-
Vocal & Lyrics- Istiaque Ahmed
Drummer- Sarrowar Hossain Seam
Bassist- Ayman Shimul
Guitarist- Rumman Sharier
Compilation Appearances -
- "Reign of Spartacus" on "Diabolus Newcomer Extreme Sampler Volume
2" Digital 2012 (Radio Diabolus)
- "Hades" on "Riotous 14" Compilation CD 2015
(G-Series)
- "Master of Olympus" on "War Journal" CD
2020 (G-Series)
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Sadism - Obscurans.
Quite a few years ago I remember
saying Chile has a great old school
Death Metal scene. Sadism are a
part of it.
So far it
reminds me
of the newer
Napalm Death
stuff. In fact, if
I wasn’t told,
I might have
thought
it was Napalm
Death, or
at least
thought it was
Barney. Even the
lyrics are very
Napalm Death
(in English).
Good growls,
good guitars,
good drums.
Maybe I’m a
bit biased, but
this is
just my
kind of music.
It’s just
good, stomping
fun. Not as
extreme as Napalm Death, but it’s
far from light weight. Not like
Korn or Limp Bizkit that passes for
Metal these days, this is the real
thing. The more he sings, the closer
I come to wetting myself. No clean
vocals, or not yet at least.
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It’s just one of those Death Metal
dream albums. It’s pretty perfect really.
Basically, if you like Metal, just buy it.
Impossible not to love.
Liminalanimal - The Furies and
Futilities.
This is some slow doomy Black
Metal from Scotland. It’s quite a
moody album with a bit of a ghostly
feel to it. It gets a
bit Folky at times
as well. It’s quite
interesting.
Nature and
Paganism play
a big influence
here. A bit too
slow for me
personally,
but I am
enjoying this.
It’s quite a
relaxing, chilled
out Black
Metal album.
It never
gets chaotic.
The songs
aren’t great.
It’s one of those
albums you have
to listen to in
full to really
enjoy it. Don’t
just listen to
the odd track.
Even with the blast beats and the
distortion, it’s still a nice listen.
The right kind of Metalhead will
definitely find it hard to fault. It’s
an album combining all the nicer
parts of Black Metal - Folk,
Doom, Melodic. All the least
‘Thrasier’ parts.
If you like your Black Metal a bit
relaxed and without the extremeness,
then this is for you.
Band’s links: https://www.facebook.com/sadismofficial https://hammerheart.bandcamp.com/album/obscurans https://www.instagram.com/sadism_official Band’s link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091928062651 https://liminalanimal.bandcamp.com/album/the-furies-and-futility https://www.instagram.com/liminalanimal69
Deimler - Immortalized.
Some sci-fi inspired Death Metal
from Spain. It’s quite good. It
sounds more like Incantation than
Nocturnus. I always love it
when
Death Metal
bands move
away from
the gore and
Satanism
themes and try
something
different.
The sound is
like a more
technical version
of Incantation.
It’s a bit old
school this
one. The growls
are low and
the guitars
are quite high
a lot of the
time. If I’m
honest,
I think
they’re more
fun than
Incantation.
Growling
about aliens and robots is just
cool. I admit I’m not too
familiar with Spanish bands,
but I’m enjoying this a bit. Not as
good as Nocturnus and a lot slower
gutterals. But they’re a band I can
instantly respect.
Sometimes they remind me of a more
old school version of Nile.
So there you have it, Death Metal songs
about aliens and robots. Some will love
it and some will hate it, but for me
personally, I think these guys are very,
very cool. If they went on tour with
Nocturnus, it would be so cool.
Panzerwar - Pale Whispers of
a Writhing Moon
Once again Panzerwar released its long-awaited LP
“Pale Whispers Of A Writhing Moon”. I remember listening
to Panzerwar for the first time when their EP “Warlord”
was released back in 2020
and then followed by an
amazing full-length album
“Ragnarök”. Since then I
wasn’t active in the releases
of Panzerwar. But when the
new album came out it caught
my attention and I listened to
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Band’s links: https://www.facebook.com/DeimlerDeathMetal . https://deimler.bandcamp.com/album/immortalized-2 https://www.instagram.com/deimler_deathmetal
it not long after
the release and the
whole album was kind
of a shock for me.
Starting off with a soothing
synth and sounds that can
only be explained like growls
of starving wolves.
“Carnal Lycanthropic
Lust“ is a song that fits the
role of 'the first song of
the album', starting
explosively right after the
growls of wolves stop,
dynamic drumming where
blast beats mostly dominate
but also has some unusual
and experimental riffs.
This song sets a doomy
atmosphere for the whole album, most of the riffs are
followed by either a synth or choir. Third song of the album
“Solomon’s Blood” is the most unique song showing the true
atmospheric domain of the album and experimental elements
but still keeping that doom n’ gloom. “FleshBurnt Black”
and “Glorious Death” are war hymns compared to
the rest of the album that is more focused on
atmosphere rather than aggression and in my opinion “Glorious
Death” is the best track on the album. With cold and aggressive
riffs, drums with dynamic changes that were really appealing
and epic choir midst the thrashy riffs and growls, a true
masterpiece of a song carrying the cult sound of true black
metal which is really improved my overall opinion on the album.
But nonetheless “Glorious Death” and “FleshBurnt Black” are
the only songs that are actually catchy and unique, on the
contrast to the rest of the songs that are mostly similar by
structures and riffs while only way to differ one from the
other are by the drums, which are amazing in every track. I
have noticed that as you listen further into the album that the
Band’s link: https://panzerwar.bandcamp.com/album/pale-whispers-of-a-writhing-moon https://open.spotify.com/album/3KUl2BExw992gpvi6M3oJD
songs grow more aggressive and darker but the ascend of
aggressiveness stop with the song “Monumental Decay”,
which was actually an amazing song and a surprise for
my ears with the Darkthronesque mid-tempo riffs and
punk/thrash drum beats too. With that song we come to
the decline of the
aggression valley and
songs “Path of Ruin” and
“Ashen Imperator” weren’t
as good as I expected them to
be, thinking maybe they
were either epic and melodic
or heavy tracks that
served as the epilogue of the
album but in the end they were
mediocre, not bad songs
and they deserve a listen but
still a bit of a disappointment.
Overall, the album has a
lot to give and show
and the songwriting was
really impressive and
detailed. Even though that
this album can be seen as
a mostly atmospheric black
metal album it still has
elements from
o t h e r
subgenres like
the doomy atmosphere,
melodic parts, thrashy
riffs and of course elements of
old school black metal. The
production is also something to mention, as I enjoyed
every second of it and the sound is perfect and it
should serve as an example of good black metal
sound production. That’s it for this album and make sure to
give it a listen if you enjoy good atmospheric black metal.
Rating: 7.8/10
Luciferian Rites - Oath of
Midnight Ashes.
Some Black Metal from Mexico. As
someone who follows the Mexican
scene, I admit I have never
heard
of this band -
sorry guys.
Beautiful intro
on this on, but
when it begins
properly, it’s
not an easy
listen. It’s very
over the top
and wild. If
you follow the
Mexican Black
Metal scene,
you will know,
this is kind of
what they
all sound like.
Definitely NOT
for beginners.
Even the clean
vocals
are not
an easy listen.
If you’re not
familiar with
Mexican
bands, they don’t sound like
Norwegian bands. Definitely
much faster. Ambience doesn’t
really play a part here (or not very
well). To be honest, I quite like it.
Good energy and VERY raw. If you hate
Black Metal, this will make you
hate it even more. But it is good though.
Just by with caution.
If you want to introduce yourself to some
Mexican Black Metal, and I do recommend
it, maybe try Luciferian Rites. Maybe
‘fun’ isn’t the right word, but it’s never
dull. The energy stays full on. Just press
‘play’ and brace yourself… Enjoy guys.
Hysteria - Heretic, Sadistic And
Sexual Ecstasy.
Hysteria is a band from France
founded in 1996, and January
31, 2024 was the day when they
presented their
fresh full-length
album which is
intitled "Heretic,
Sadistic And
Sexual Ecstasy".
The members
label their own
music as
Brutal Death
Metal. But
in practice,
there's actually
something way
larger. The music
of these dudes
is far from
being limited of
one particular
genre. That's
a killer mix of
brutality and
melodism where
the best aspects
of Death Metal
and Black Metal
are taken and
mixed together.
The beginning of the album is
quite dramatic and I'd even say
melancholic in some way, but with
each track it gets harsher and colder,
some tracks content brief torture
samples that create an
extremely authentic atmosphere in
combination with vocals which are a mix
of Death Metal growls and Black Metal
screams. The lyrics dive deep into the
topics of blasphemy, occultism and
Armageddon.
The pace of the parts is constantly
changing, and that's one of the main
factors that are keeping the listener in
constant tension and even sending us to
some other dimension for a while.
So Hysteria is one of those bands who truly
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Band’s links: https://www.facebook.com/LuciferianMex https://luciferianrites.bandcamp.com https://www.instagram.com/luciferianrites Band’s link: http://www.hiraes.com https://www.facebook.com/hiraes.official https://hiraes.bandcamp.com/album/dormant
managed to create another killer
mix of the two old good genres and
made it sound in their own unique
way, so the only thing we can do is
simply wishing them to develop this
tencency
further!
Chovu / The Witch - Uchawi (split).
Two very different Black Metal
bands across the waters. Chovu
from Keyna and The Witch from
Colombia. Both great bands
to be
fair. Chovu
I’m especially
interested in
because they
write songs
about different
things
like African
mythology. The
Witch are
more Doomy and
a bit creepy.
Even though
it’s not DSBM,
I think DSBM
fans should
definitely
check this
out. This
album actually
covers
a few
different
areas of Black
Metal. Chovu’s
‘Kithitu Walk’
is such a great song. Both of these
bands are usually very different,
but on this album, they don’t seem
to be. Chovu seem to have chosen
some of their slower songs. Some of
this is so beautiful, some is so perfect,
some is just plain intriguing.
If you’re one of those people who just
likes Norwegian bands, then it’s your
loss as far as I’m concerned. This is a
good chance to introduce yourself to two
great bands.
Narbeleth - A Pale Crown.
A bestial entity roaming the lands of Spain
called “Narbeleth” made an LP release
quite significant for the modern black metal
world called “A Pale Crown”. Amidst the two
different fronts regarding the “third wave
of black metal”, one side
featuring pure rawness and
the other side expressing the
experimental part of the
third wave; this release is a
refreshment from the two
conflicting sides of the third
wave.
This release features old
school black metal with
all its beauty and grotesque
elements.
The album starts with a
boom, directly attacking
the listener with a fast
blast beat and a melodic
riff that resembles the old
wind of Swedish bands from
the 90s. It continues with
aggressive riffs and drums,
occasionally changing beats
but the structure of the song
is well recognized; melodic
to aggressive and so forth.
We go on to the second song which is the selftitled
song. The song gave me a déjà vu for a
moment, as if I heard this before and I figured
out that this sound can be easily compared to
the North American band “Stormkeep” and it
brought me a nice wave of nostalgia from
the day I first heard that amazing band. The
whole song, “A Pale Crown”, is a journey of its
own with amazing vocals and choir like
segments and melancholic riffs that really fit the
name of the song.
I have to especially mention the song “On The Sight
of Dusk”, a song that really blew my mind. Melodic,
yet aggressive; Melancholic and cold, yet a spirit
raising hymn, its black metal in its true form. The
acoustic transition is a charming moment before
a double pedal blast takes over aggressively and
finishing with a mid-tempo thrashy riff.
There are obvious references that early Immortal
was one of their main inspirations, which is a
superb choice of sound and it really shows that
they took up this task of producing a good sound
for their album. When it comes to production,
I can’t find any big errors production wise; the
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Band’s links: https://www.facebook.com/Chovuband https://www.facebook.com/The-Witch-108091774126489 https://mastersofkaos.bandcamp.com Band’s link: https://www.facebook.com/Narbeleth.BlackMetal https://narbeleth.bandcamp.com/album/a-pale-crown https://www.instagram.com/narbeleth_official
sound is amazing, it fits the atmosphere of
the riffs, drums, vocals and song structure
perfectly and is a great example of a good
production and master.
If I had to find a flaw to this album it would
be the drum dynamics which in
my opinion isn’t a
big problem but should be
brought up. Most of their
songs feature semi-monotone
drum tracks with the same
beat structures throughout
all the songs which
is a quality more found in
raw black metal and not in
this type of black metal
featuring everything I already
talked about. Also, I expected
more vocal range throughout
the album but that was
just my expectation when
I was getting into the
album but the vocalist did
his job here and showed
us the old school sound of
vocals.
In conclusion, this
is one AMAZING
album worth listening. I
enjoyed every moment of
this album and it holds everything what black
metal should have, a pure masterpiece by
this band I have heard of for the first time
with this album but I will make sure
I analyze their work thoroughly. I hope
the band goes on with this flame it showed
us with this magnum opus and I hope for the
best for them!
Rating: 9/10
Upcoming albums
Since their unholy inception
in 1995, death metal miscreants
ABORTED have been one of
the pioneers of the genre and
have annihilated friend and foe
with relentless intensity and an
uncompromising mix of flawless
technicality and raw emotion.
With each of these 10 new tracks,
ABORTED dives deep into the
vaults of VHS cassettes and stories
that have been haunting us all for
decades. Each song pays tribute
to a horror cult classic and ranges
from obligatory cuts such as ‘The
Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ (to
be found on “Death Cult”) or
‘Halloween’ (‘The Shape Of Hate’)
to the more recent ‘The Mist’ to be
discovered on ‘Malevolent Haze’.
True to themselves, it wouldn’t be
an Aborted reference without an
odious homage to none other than
shit daemon ‘The Golgothan’ (sadly
defeated by Silent Bob through the
use of deodorant, cheeky bastard!).
«Vault of Horrors» will be
released on March 15, 2024.
With over thirty years of active,
nefarious service under their spikes
and bulletbelts, Necrophobic are
undisputed legends of the death and
black metal scene. Formed in 1989
by drummer Joakim Sterner, the
Stockholm blackhearts propagated a
singular and fearless vision from the
very start. Necrophobic established a
bold and vivid identity of their own,
conjuring a densely melodic, but
endlessly wicked take on macabre
extreme metal that countless lesser
bands have since emulated.
With their 10th studio album, "In
the Twilight Grey", the Swedish
blackened death metal masters are
taking an even deeper plunge into
pitch black shadows.
"In the Twilight Grey" doesn't only
offer classic Necrophobic treasures
such as "Stormcrow" or the title
track, but also solemn journeys
into somberness like the captivating
"Nordanvind".
In the Twilight Grey will be released
on March 15,, 2024.
VLTIMAS have been legends since
the dawn of metal. Flo Mounier
has been drumming for Cryptopsy
since their earliest exhumations of
the Canadian underground. Rune
Eriksen took hold of axe-wielding
duties for the second coming of
Mayhem. And who could forget
David Vincent, the larger-than-life
vocalist for Morbid Angel.
With new album ‘Epic’, VLTIMAS
ascend to even greater Satanic heights.
“Miserere” howls across a blackened
sky, blistered by tremolo picking that’s
more piercing than a siren’s call. True
to its name, “Scorcher” is primed for
face-melting, with blasts that blaze
than a forest fire. “Undefeated, we are
sure to remain”, Vincent bellows with
ghoulish bravado over the constantly
building “Invictus”.
You already know their names, but
with ‘Epic’, VLTIMAS are mightier
than ever.
Epicwill be released on March 15,
2024.
"A Mortal Binding", the muchanticipated
follow-up to 2019's
"The Ghost Of Orion", finds the
Yorkshire-based quintet delighting in
anxiety, loss, and toil to resplendent
effect. From the raw distress of "Her
Dominion" and twisted horror of
"Thornwyck Hymn" to the funerary
violins of the 11-minute monolith
"The Apocalyptist" and the classicfeeling
"The 2nd Of Three Bells",
"A Mortal Binding" is pinnacle
MY DYING BRIDE. If "Songs Of
Darkness, Words Of Light" (2004)
elevated the band to new heights
and "A Map Of All Our Failures"
(2012) expanded upon the group's
mid-tens grandeur, then "A Mortal
Binding" stages MY DYING BRIDE's
next exultant phase of elegiac misery.
For over three decades, MY DYING
BRIDE has been the voice of the
hopeless and broken, combining
haunting sounds with crushing
misery and melancholy. With their
signature sound they've shaped the
doom metal scene like barely any
other act and integrated both soft
violin melodies and violent death
metal growls into their music,
while always staying strictly loyal to
themselves.
‘A Mortal Binding’ will be
released on April 19, 2024.
KAWIR formed in the Greek black
metal scene of the 90s and have
been exploring Greek mythology,
literature, and mysteries for 30 years -
and no other band really captures the
essence of those stories and times the
same way.
With ‘Kydoimos’ KAWIR has
reached an ambitious point they've
been working towards for a couple of
records now.
An essential album for fans of Rotting
Christ, Necromantia, Varathron, etc!
The name of the new album derives
from one of the Makhai Ancient
Greek daemons (personifications/
spirits) of war. Kydoimos in particular
refers to the personification of the
cacophony and bedlam of battle.
“Kydoimos” sees KAWIR achieve
new heights in both unrelenting
heaviness and epic atmosphere!
Kydoimos will be released on April
19, 2024.
When you talk about Satanic
Death Metal, you can't get past
Glen Benton and Deicide.
6 years have passed since
the last album, Overtures of
Blasphemy 2018, but in 2024
Deicide want to do it again.
Death metal legends Deicide
mark their devilish return with
their new album, Banished by
Sin.
Produced by Deicide and
engineered by Kling and
Nordberg between November
2022 and May 2023, the album
was tracked with the 1990s
in mind but imbued with a
present-day auditory aesthetic.
Deicide wanted a live, ballsto-the-wall
sound and got there
by recruiting famed mixing
and mastering guru Josh
Wilbur (Gojira, Lamb of God).
Benton's multi-headed vocals,
Quirion and Taylor Nordberg's
wicked riffs/wild solos, and
Asheim's earsplitting drums
jump out of the speakers
violently
“Banished by Sin” will be
released on April 26, 2024.
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Releases of
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