January 31, 2012
Illinois-based Viking Thrashers THE HORDE have released a video for the song ‘Odin’s Blood’ off their latest release, "Thy Blackened Reign"; out now on Stormspell Records. To check out the video visit this location.
Illinois-based Viking Thrashers THE HORDE have released a video for the song ‘Odin’s Blood’ off their latest release, "Thy Blackened Reign"; out now on Stormspell Records. To check out the video visit this location.
Poland’s Black / Deathers STILLBORN have published a video for the song ‘Stillborn II’ from their last album "Los Asesinos Del Sur" at this location. It was recorded in winter 2011 / 2012, written and directed by Ataman Tolovy, the band’s bassist, while in the lead role you can see Killer, the band’s vocalist and guitarist. More info at www.stillborn.pl
In March Vic Records will release the entire DARKIFIED discography, re-mastered by Dan Swanö. Besides the demo "Dark" and EP "Sleep Forever" this album, entitled "Cthulhu Riseth – The Complete Works of Darkified", contains four life tracks (Live in Gothenburg 1991 including a BATHORY cover) and a rare rehearsal track. The booklet contains massive liner notes from all 4 band members and by insiders / key figures in the early Swedish Death Metal scene: Uffe Cederlund (MORBID / NIHILIST / ENTOMBED), Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, Unisound) and Niklas Sundin (DARK TRANQUILLITY). Artwork was supplied by Erik Danielsson (WATAIN). www.facebook.com/pages/Darkified-Sweden/184372048257750
By the end of 1994 LEUKEMIA entered Unisound Studio (OPETH, KATATONIA, EDGE OF SANITY) with Dan Swanö to record their third album "Love". After the recordings the band members went on with different bands and projects and didn’t shop around for a record deal for this fully recorded and mixed album. When Vic Records signed THE PROJECT HATE in 2006, Lord K. mentioned this album, which was very special to him and he would love to see it finally being released. The deal was easily signed and Dan Swanö mastered the album 13 years after it was recorded. The cover and booklet art was supplied by Marko Saarelainen (PESTILENCE, THE PROJECT HATE). www.facebook.com/pages/Leukemia-Sweden/186633471397396
"The Kult Of The Pneumatic Killrod" is the brand new 5th studio album by Sweden’s old school Death Metallers RIBSPREADER. To celebrate RIBSPREADER’s 10th anniversary the album comes as a double CD with a massive amount of bonus tracks "Vicar Mortis" (2006) and "The Monolith" (2007) and the never released mini album "Serenity In Obscenity" (recorded in 2005). Disk II contains the RIBSPREADER debut album "Bolted To The Cross" and the second album "Congerating The Sick". Both featuring Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, NIGHTINGALE) on drums (debut only) and lead guitar and both albums are remastered by Rogga Johansson. The booklet contains massive liner notes form Rogga Johansson about the history of RIBSPREADER and the story behind all releases on this double album. The coverart and booklet was created by Spanish artist Juanjo Castellano (VOMITORY, NOMINON, WEAPONS TO HUNT, INCANTATION). www.facebook.com/pages/Ribspreader/148182408532846
TERRORIZER will release their third album “Hordes Of Zombies” on February 24, 2012 (February 28, 2012 in North America). Here’s the complete tracklist: ‘Intro’, ‘Hordes Of Zombies’, ‘Ignorance And Apathy’, ‘Subterfuge’, ‘Evolving Era’, ‘Radiation Syndrome’, ‘Flesh To Dust’, ‘Generation Chaos’, ‘Broken Mirrors’, ‘Prospect Of Oblivion’, ‘Malevolent Ghosts’, ‘Forward To Annihilation’, ‘State Of Mind’ and ‘A Dying Breed’. “Hordes Of Zombies” is already available for pre-order as a CD digipak, gatefold LP and as merchandise (t-shirt and hoodie) through Season of Mist’s e-shop http://e-shop.season-of-mist.com/en.
WATAIN will join the first edition of the Decibel Magazine tour. This tour begins in April and sees WATAIN team up with BEHEMOTH, THE DEVIL’S BLOOD and IN SOLITUDE. “It is a joint force of artistic adversity and sinister creativity,” assures WATAIN frontman Erik Danielsson, “which makes me think of the glorious days when bands like VENOM, METALLICA, EXODUS and SLAYER toured together like a great middle finger raised towards their sheep-minded contemporaries.” Fifteen premium packages will be available in each city that include your ticket to the show, a tour t-shirt, a tour poster and a super-exclusive “Skip the Line” pass to move you to the front when doors open. The price of this package is less than you would spend on a ticket and a tour shirt at the show. More details, including tour dates, venues and ticket info can be found at www.decibelmagazinetour.com. Every ticket purchased through Top Spin will come with a commemorative laminate, and all fans that purchase their ticket through Top Spin will be entered to win an ESP guitar.
UNLEASHED just announced the title of their upcoming album: “Odalheim”. The band commented: “And Yggdrasil did tremble… and during the three years of everlasting cold and darkness called the Fimbulwinter, Mother Nature took back what was rightfully hers. And life as we knew it was never the same again. It was Ragnarök, liberator and death. From the ashes of the old world, a new one began to take form. Here is where the story of Odalheim begins…” “Odalheim” was recorded at the Chrome Studio in Sweden, produced by UNLEASHED guitar player Fredrik. The new album will be released on April 20, 2012 via Nuclear Blast.
OVERKILL have announced their next full length entitled “The Electric Age” due out on Nuclear Blast March 30, 2012. “The Electric Age” was recorded and mixed at Gain Studios in New Jersey, owned and operated by bassist D.D. Verni.
EXUMER have posted a trailer for their upcoming new album "Fire & Damnation" at this location. The album will be released on April 06, 2012 (EU) and April 10, 2012 (North America) through Metal Blade Records and was produced by Waldemar Sorychta. "Fire & Damnation" is the band’s first album in 25 years and the follow up to 1987’s "Rising From The Sea". Original vocalist / bassist Mem V. Stein had the following comments about the trailer:"We are very excited for our fans to hear and see a taste of things to come and what they can expect from "Fire And Damnation". We intentionally worked with Cyphers-X to keep the trailer short and to the point, which is a perfect representation of the album. Fans can expect nothing short of some of the most pure, uncompromising and undiluted Thrash Metal they have heard in a long while."
The ninth full-length from Belgium’s ENTHRONED, "Obsidium", will be released on March 20, 2012 in Europe and on April 10, 2012 in North America as a noble digipak CD and 12-inch heavy black vinyl. A special limited coloured vinyl edition (100 copies) will be available via the Agonia Records webshop exclusively. The album was recorded and mixed at ENTHRONED’s own studio, Blackout Multimedia. For all further info check out www.facebook.com/pages/ENTHRONED/126142654307?sk=wall
SVARTSYN’s out of print 1996 debut album "The True Legend" will be re-released on March 20, 2012 in Europe and April 10, 2012 in North America through Agonia Records. It was remastered at Clintworks Studio, Hamburg by Dennis Israel, the re-release has been partly re-recorded and comes with a new layout and cover by US artist Chadwick St John. The album will be available as a CD and – for the first time – on vinyl. There will be a standard 12-inch black vinyl edition and limited to 100 copies colored vinyl edition (the latter available through the Agonia Records Webshop exclusively). SVARTSYN have released six albums to date. Their last one, "Wrath Upon The Earth", came out in 2011. www.facebook.com/pages/Svartsyn/102465529861216
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions will release a split 7-inch record from PA Black Metal blasphemers THE BEYOND, and Indiana’s Death Metal / Punk beasts THE LURKING CORPSES,, entitled “Gross Encounters Of The Sacrificial Rite”, on February 14, 2012. You can reserve your copy at this location.
Italian Death Metallers HUMANGLED, have recently completed recording a four-song follow up to their 2010 full-length “Fractal”, entitled “Odd Ethics”. The EP is set to be released in early / mid 2012 through Abyss Records and was tracked at Italy’s Mel-1 Studios. The production was handled by Dan Swanö (Unisound Studios), the cover art was designed by Marko Somero. Here’s the tracklist: ‘Needles Of The Blind’, ‘Skinned, To Feel All’, ‘Smells Acrid’ and ‘Deny Your Creed’. More info at www.facebook.com/pages/Humangled/50430188818?sk=info
The long-defunct Swedish Death Metallers ALTAR, will release a compilation CD, entitled “Dark Domains”, that will feature 17 tracks that were recorded during their six-year existence from 1989 – 1995 through Pulverised Records in co-operation with Konqueror Records. The whole material was re-mastered by Dan Swanö at Unisound Studio, Sweden and a brand new exclusive album cover artwork and layout was created by Kontamination Design, Poland. The CD will also feature rare and never before seen band photos, carefully hand-picked by the band. Here’s the complete tracklist: ‘Nothing Human’, ‘Lifeless Passion’, ‘Daymare / A Message From The Grave’, ‘Decapitated’ and ‘Ex Oblivione’ (from the 1992 split with CARTILAGE), ‘Instrumental’ (from a 1995 demo), ‘Violent Acts’ and ‘Days Forever Grey’ (from the 1994 promo demo), ‘Sleeping Prophet’, ‘Floodgates Of Emotions’ and ‘Darklight’ (from the 1993 promo demo) and ‘Severed On The Attic’, ‘Decapitated’, ‘Hallucinations’ and ‘No Flesh…’ (from the 1991 "No Flesh Shall Be Spared" demo).
"Misanthropy", the fourth full length album by Poland’s PANDEMONIUM, will be released on March 10, 2012 through Pagan Records. The album was recorded at Viriam Art Studio with Piotr Tyszkiewicz, who is also responsible for the mix and mastering. "Misanthropy" also features guest vocals by Androniki Skoula (CHAOSTAR), who formerly has already worked with SEPTIC FLESH and ROTTING CHRIST. The whole graphic design was realized by PANDEMONIUM vocalist Paul. Here’s the complete tracklist: ‘The Black Forest’, ‘God Delusion’, ‘Necro Judas’, ‘Stones Are Eternal’, ‘Avant – Garde Underground’, ‘Everlasting Opposition’, ‘Only the Dead Will See the End of War’ and ‘Misanthropy’. The song ‘Stones Are Eternal’ can already be checked out at this location. More info at www.pandemonium.metal.pl
Apochs.net, is now streaming both songs off "Manifestation Of Black", the recently released 7" from Swedish NOMINON, at this location. The EP features the songs ‘Manifestation Of Black’ and ‘Burnt Human Offering’ and serves to tide fans over until the band releases the follow up to 2010’s "Monumentomb". The as-of-yet untitled album is expected to be released sometime in 2012. Every 7" purchase comes with a free digital download and the first 300 orders will receive red vinyl. For ordering information go to www.deathgasm.com
REIGN OF VENGEANCE will soon team up with TURBID NORTH for the "The Arctic Brutality And Bloodshed" mini tour, which is set to take place during the last part of January. ETHNIC DE GENERATION will serve as direct support for the tour, with local openers at each stop.
MORGOTH have announced to be returning to North American ground by appearing at Baltimore’s Maryland Deathfest on May 27, 2012. Furthermore the band will also perform at Neurotic Deathfest (The Netherlands), Brutal Assault (Czech Republic) as well as the following events in Germany: Winternachtstraum (Arnsberg), Walpurgis Metal Dayz (Passau), Rock Harz (Ballenstedt) and Summer Breeze (Dinkelsbühl). MORGOTH are currently working on their first-ever live release, which is being mixed in Sweden right now by Dan Swanö at Unisound Studio (OPETH, DISSECTION, BLOODBATH, etc.). An international release date is expected for the summer of 2012 via Century Media Records. The band commented this as follows: "The "Cursed" Anniversary festivals 2011 have been an awesome experience for our fans and us! And that’s why we’ve decided to continue with MORGOTH and some more cool festivals in Germany as well as also in other countries in 2012. We are also very happy to announce that we are right now in the middle of the production process of our very first live album / DVD and expect to release it before the summer. We have listened to the first audio mixes already and it sounds very, very heavy! We are very pleased that we could get Dan Swanö on board for this project and he is doing an incredible job! See you at one of the coming shows…" MORGOTH’s 2011 live setlist consisted of songs from the "Cursed" album as well as some cuts from the classic 1989 / 1990 EP’s "Resurrection Absurd" and "The Eternal Fall" as well as a couple of selected songs off "Odium".
"Incurso", the first release for Swedish SPAWN OF POSSESSION under the banner Relapse Records, will be released in North America on March 13th. The band features current and former members of NECROPHAGIST and OBSCURA. SPAWN OF POSSESSION have already confirmed a massive European tour this March and April alongside OBSCURA, GOROD and EXIVIOUS. More info at www.myspace.com/spawnofpossession or www.facebook.com/SpawnofPossession
CANNIBAL CORPSE will unleash their twelfth studio offering "Torture" this March via Metal Blade Records. The album was again produced by HATE ETERNAL’s Erik Rutan at his own Mana Recording Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida as well as Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, and features cover art by longtime CANNIBAL CORPSE artist, Vincent Locke. Adds bassist Alex Webster on the outcome of the record: "We’re extremely happy with how "Torture" turned out. Erik Rutan did an amazing job with the production, and the songwriting and performances may be our strongest yet. We can’t wait until our fans get to hear the whole thing!" Here’s the complete tracklisting: ‘Demented Aggression’, ‘Sarcophagic Frenzy’, ‘Scourge Of Iron’, ‘Encased In Concrete’, ‘As Deep As the Knife Will Go’, ‘Intestinal Crank’, ‘Followed Home Then Killed’, ‘The Strangulation Chair’, ‘Caged…Contorted’, ‘Crucifier Avenged’, ‘Rabid’ and ‘Torn Through’. As a precursor to the release, CANNIBAL CORPSE will perform a special one-off show at the Culture Room in West Palm Beach, Florida on January 22, 2012 then head to the seas to take part in this year’s edition of the 70,000 Tons Of Metal Cruise. The band will get a short break before a near month-long march through Europe on the Full Of Hate 2012 tour with labelmates BEHEMOTH. "Torture" will be released in North America on March 13, 2012. www.facebook.com/cannibalcorpse
HOODED MENACE have entered the studio to record their new album (and first for Relapse Records), entitled "Effigies Of Evil". It is being self-recorded by the band at their very own Horrisound Studios, while the drums are being tracked at SF Sound. The band plans to complete recording in mid February for a Summer 2012 release. Guitarist Lasse Pyykko commented on the new recordings: "This album is the catchiest stuff we’ve done so far. On average it’s slightly faster (read: more mid-tempos) and a bit more melodic than the previous records but as always there’s still an unhealthy dose of down-tempo horror hammering. It’s crushingly heavy, dark and graceful music in all its gory glory!" www.facebook.com/HoodedMenace
BORKNAGAR‘s new studio album "Urd" will be released on March 26, 2012 in Europe as well as March 27, 2012 in North America via Century Media Records. The album’s artwork was designed by Brazilian artist Marcelo Vasco, who has not only already worked on the band’s previous "Universal" release but also with artists such as SOULFLY, BELPHEGOR, EINHERJER or KEEP OF KALESSIN. BORKNAGAR’s mastermind Øystein G. Brun comments on the artwork as follows: "The cover and design for "Urd" is spot on when it comes to portraying the very core of the band. This time around we wanted an earthly expression through our cover and general design to support and empower the main themes on the album. You can almost smell and feel the texture of the old Norse wooden carvings – still there is a sophisticated and eclectic approach to the expression that entwines perfectly into the music. Marcelo Vasco enhanced our ideas into brilliance, he painted the face of the beast that is about to be unleashed…" BORKNAGAR have recently finalized mixing duties for the album with Jens Bogren at Sweden’s Fascination Street Studios (OPETH, PARADISE LOST, KATATONIA, etc.). The tracklisting for the album will read as follows: ‘Epochalypse’, ‘Roots’, ‘The Beauty Of Dead Cities’, ‘The Earthling’, ‘The Plains Of Memories’, ‘Mount Regency’, ‘Frostrite’, ‘The Winter Eclipse’ and ‘In A Deeper World’. www.borknagar.com
Ordo MCM have just released MOURNFUL CONGREGATION‘s "Weeping / An Epic Dream Of Desire" on gatefold double heavy vinyl and IMPIOUS BAPTISM‘s "V.A.N.D.V.A." 7" (+ insert). More info at www.ordomcm.com
Hellthrasher Productions will release the new PUTRIFIED album "Neurotic Necrotic" in February. It was recorded at Mind The Gap Studios in November – December 2010, with additional recordings in January – February 2011. Here’s the complete tracklist: ‘Neurotic Necrotic’, ‘They Speak’, ‘Behold The Butchered’, ‘Havoc’, ‘A Chamber Beneath’, ‘The Flesh Of God’, ‘Temple Of Vomit’, ‘Await The Slaughter’, ‘The Arrival’, ‘Monolith’, ‘The Land Of The Pharaohs’, ‘These Forsaken Lands’ and ‘The Return Of Ashes’. PUTRIFIED’s mastermind A. Death commented on "Neurotic Necrotic" like this: "The album is something as pretentious as a concept album in the sense that the lyrics tells a story rather than just the regular gore stuff that the lyrics dealt with on the first album "Spawn Of The Dead". No worries though, it ain’t a rockopera, the music is PUTRIFIED’s form of Necrotic Metal Of Death & Decay as always. Anyway, the story tells of a man who starts to hear voices he cannot see. They tell him things and he can’t make them stop and starts to dig up graves from where the voices come. In an attempt to make the voices stop he injects the dead with various fluids that make them come alive. Hence the title "Neurotic Necrotic", then the dead starts to walk and try to make their way home to the land of the pharoes etc. The story is very loosely based on the HP Lovecraft stories "Herbert West – Reanimator" and "Under The Pyramids". Even if the story is something that has been worked on it really is the music and songs that are the most important thing. I think these songs are much stronger as an album than "Spawn Of The Dead", the songs form a strong entity. PUTRIFIED’s sound has expanded and new things are incorporated, this material is more focused on groove and catchy riffs than the first one.” More info at www.myspace.com/putrifiedswe
Greek Black Metallers ENSHADOWED have been signed by Pulverised Records. The band’s third full-length album "Magic Chaos Psychedelia" will be released sometime in 2012. Tracklisting: ‘Stary Throne Of It’, ‘Is Venit Ex Abyssus’, ‘Black Holes, Death Planets’, ‘The Scenario’, ‘Surrealistic Shade Of Color Black’, ‘Dethroned’, ‘Inner Psy-Trip’, ‘The Dual Hypostasis Of Nihil’ and ‘Magic Chaos Psychedelia’. Commented ENSHADOWED guitar-player N.e.c.r.o: "This is the right step for us! “Magic Chaos Psychedelia” is the most important step of the band until today. It’s an honour that ENSHADOWED is the new member of Pulverised Records. I knew that they work professionally and I was totally satisfied with my other band’s cooperation BURIAL HORDES with them. This album is a very personal situation for us. We re-made the songs again and again without any time pressure and therefore, the result was totally creative and powerful. Fotis Benardo of SEPTIC FLESH was behind the sound engineering. We spent many hours to manage the best sound quality for the recording and the mix. Now Pulverised Records is ready to spread our sick spiritual creations. Give yourself the chance to taste the blood of chaos and a magical psy-trip…" www.facebook.com/EnshadowedOfficial
Israeli epic Black Metallers ETERNAL DECAY will embark on a 16-date tour of North America, beginning in Toronto on Valentine’s Day. After releasing a couple of demos in 2001 and 2002, ETERNAL DECAY released a full length album in 2010 called "Beyond The Ties Of Flesh". More info at www.eternaldecay.com
In October of last year, Swedish Death Metallers UNCANNY entered the studio to record two new songs for a 7" to be released in late January through Dark Descent Records. The first of these songs, ‘The Path Of Flesh’ is now streaming online at this location. These two tracks are the first new material from UNCANNY since 1994’s "Splenium For Nyktophobia" album. More UNCANNY at www.facebook.com/uncanny666
Barely a month after its release, VORE‘s latest album "Gravehammer" reached # 4 on Amazon.com’s Death Metal download charts. "Gravehammer" was mastered by Colin Davis of Imperial Mastering and is available from www.vore.org and Amazon.com.
Polish Death Metallers SPHERE will be releasing their second album "Homo Hereticus" through Masterful Records on February 10th, this year. The album is limited to 666 copies and was recorded in ZED Studio by Tomek ‘Zed’ Zalewski in summer 2010. The artwork was created by the band’s vocalist in cooperation with Kaos who had also worked for THRONEUM, CHRIST AGONY and REVELATION OF DOOM. All samples and intros were recorded by Andy Blakk (CONQUEST ICON, EMPHERIS) exclusively. You can check out two of the newest tracks here and here. The album’s complete track list reads like this: ‘Forever Sworn To Blasphemy’, ‘Godless Profanity’, ‘Third Scent Carcass’, ‘Sadistfucktion’, ‘Homo Hereticus’, ‘Holistic Paralysis’, ‘Psalm To The Dark One’, ‘Grave’s Cold Darkness’, ‘Vengeance’s Core’, ‘Devils’ Reunion’, ‘Beyond Madness Of Gods’ and ‘War. For all further info check out www.myspace.com/sphereband, www.facebook.com/damnedSphere
Spanish crossover Thrashers BADFARE STATE have finished recording their first 4 song EP entitled "Socially Dead. The band is currently searching for a record label to release it and a bassist and second guitarist to complete the line-up. You can contact them through badfarestate@gmail.com or www.myspace.com/badfarestate for more info and music.
Century Media Records has signed Swedish old school Deathers EVOCATION. EVOCATION’s guitar player Marko Palmén comments: "It’s time to kick in the year of the apocalypse with the writing of a new chapter and a new era in EVOCATION’s history. We are very pleased to announce that we have signed a new worldwide recording agreement with Century Media Records. The label feels for us as a natural choice and a perfect partner due to their long experience and commitment with the Death Metal scene. To become a part of the CM family feels for us as coming home. Huge thanx to Jens Prüter, Philipp Schulte, Stefan Franke and CM for making this happen!" EVOCATION will shortly enter the studio to record the follow-up of the highly acclaimed 2010 album "Apocalyptic" which is planned to be released in autumn 2012. Besides a new studio album Century Media will also release a compilation of the band’s entire demo discography plus additional footage, comments, liner notes, exclusive artwork and unreleased songs. This yet untitled compilation will be released in summer 2012. EVOCATION online: www.evocation.se
UK-based Deathcrust Metallers WINDS OF GENOCIDE has announced the upcoming debut full-length album as "Usurping The Throne Of Disease". Rough sketches of the artwork can be found at the official Mark Riddick Facebook page. In related news, the band recently underwent a line-up adjustment. The new WINDS OF GENOCIDE drummer is Matthew Henderson and Linus Girdland Flink will be the second guitarist. In an official statement released by the band: "This is the new line-up that will be writing material for and recording the debut full-length album "Usurping The Throne Of Disease". Matthew is a great young versatile drummer (still only in his teens, he is currently 17 years old, nearly 18) and he also drums in a local Death Metal band called PLAGUE RIDER. He can switch from D-Beats, Swebeats and blast beats, which is all we need in a drummer! He has picked up most of the songs we have written so far very quickly and learnt the current setlist with impressive ease. We are very happy to have him in the band and onboard for the full length album. Linus, who played drums on our first two recordings and the tracks for the upcoming split with ABIGAIL (Japan), has now moved on to second guitar due to him moving to London so we needed to find a drummer who could rehearse and work on new material regularly." www.myspace.com/windsofgenocide
Vocalist Beer Reebs of Texas Death Metal maniacs HOD has issued the following update on the band’s upcoming activities: "Due to numerous line-up changes (4 total) in the past 1 1/2 – 2 years and lack of finances, our sophmore album "Book Of Worms" was inevitably pushed back, and pushed back. During this time I spoke with Big Bald Brian from Ossuary Industries, who has been a long time friend and supporter to HOD. I told him we couldn’t commit to a full length album due to our obligations / loyalty to Ibex Moon Records but we could commit to a split of some sorts. He mentioned the upcoming Limbsplitter 2 compilation he was putting together. Needing to release something to appease the masses we agreed to jump on that. He even let us pick another group of our choosing to join in on the chaos. We chose our comrades in the Black / Death group LOCUSTA to accompany us alongside DEMONAICAL GENUFLECTION, INGURGITATE and INIQUITOUS respectively. I forget who’s doing the mastering but the artwork was done by the very twistedly sick Jon Zig. We recorded our three tracks with Dennis Munoz of SOLSTICE fame. Our three slabs of hate are titled: ‘Awakening Blasphemous Abominations’, ‘And The Smoke Will Rise’ and ‘To Call Forth The Deep Ones’. These tracks were recorded as a 4 piece and are the last recorded tracks with founding member Dennis Sanders on drums. The disc will hopefully be available at the Gathering of the Bestial Legion V fest being held in L.A. Sat Jan 14th where we (HOD) share the stage with Death Metal titans AUTOPSY, INCANTATION, ACHERON, DIVINE EVE and more. When we get back home we’ll play a "local" show the 21st with some fellow TX Black and Death Metal bands while awaiting our March 26th show opening for the mighty ONSLAUGHT and M:PIRE OF EVIL. Recording of our 2nd album will be getting finished during this time as well. Till then, get your limbs split by Ossuary Industries with the Limbsplitter 2 disc. Fuckin’ Metal!" The band has posted a stream of the track ‘To Call Forth The Deep Ones’ at this location. "Book Of Worms" will be out on Ibex Moon Records later this year. www.myspace.com/hodtheband
After a solid week of intensive recording at Pyramid Sound with producer Alex Perialas, BIRTH A.D. is close to the finish line with their debut album, "I Blame You". Bassist / vocalist Jeff Tandy was quoted as saying, "Everything sounds great so far. Alex has pushed us to get the best performances of our careers, and even the raw tracks sound unbelievable. This record is going to blast a hole in all the laptop studio junk that gluts the market. We’re doing it the old way and the right way – the sound everyone has been missing is alive again!" Production for "I Blame You" will wrap on January 16. BIRTH AD is actively seeking label support for the release. More info at www.birthad.com
Norwegian experimental Black Metal band, MESOPOTAMIA (www.facebook.com/mesopotamiaofficial) has recently signed to Abyss Records. The band is currently at work on their debut, which is set to be released later this year. In the meantime, MESOPOTAMIA has posted the track ‘The Cult Of Ninurta’ online at this location. In other MESOPOTAMIA news, the band is scheduled to make their live debut this weekend when at the Flytten Pub in Haugesund, Norway as direct support for SUSPERIA. ENCHANTING DARKNESS is also slated to perform. For more info visit the show’s event page at www.facebook.com/events/264864963556635
German old school Death Metal horde OBSCURE INFINITY just finished the recordings for the second full-length "Putrefying Illusions". At this time the album is in the mixing process, the mastering will be done in the well-respected Swedish Necromorbus Studios. "Putrefying Illusions" will be released early summer 2012 via Obscure Domain Productions. The cover artwork is already revealed and can be seen here.
Germany’s Black / Thrashers DESASTER have finished the recordings for their upcoming new album "The Arts Of Destruction", to be released February 24, 2012 in Germany / Austria / Switzerland, February 27, 2012 the rest of Europe / UK and February 28, 2012 in North America. Pre-order links as well as the brand new song ‘Queens Of Sodomy’ can be found at www.metalblade.com/desaster. Comments the band: "’The Arts Of Destruction’… 100% DESASTER, 100% Metal, 100% Hell, 100% Non-commercial! We still spit on trends, hail the cult of Metal and send a big FUCK YOU to all who don’t believe in Metal music! We don’t want to say so much about the album…only… pure Metal, full of Darkness and Blasphemy, no compromise, no innovation… In our eyes our best sounding and most brutal album so far! Check it out and create your own view. Bang or be banged!" The tracklisting reads like this: ‘Intro’, ‘The Arts Of Destruction’, ‘Lacerate With Hands Of Doom’, ‘Splendour Of The Idols’, ‘Phantom Funeral’, ‘Queens Of Sodomy’, ‘At Hell’s Horizon’, ‘Troops Of Heathens – Graves Of Saints’, ‘Possessed And Defiled’, ‘Beyond Your Grace’ and ‘Outro’. There will be a limited first edition available including a bonus-DVD. More details on the bonus-DVD will be revealed shortly. www.total-desaster.com
HEADHUNTER D.C. have published an official teaser for their upcoming new album "…In Unholy Mourning…" at this location.
DENIAL OF GOD will enter Berno Studio in Sweden once again to record their 2nd album "Death And The Beyond" at the end of February. The album will have a playing time of about an hour and is lyrically based around death and spiritism this time. The album will be out later this year on CD and double LP through Hell’s Headbangers. DENIAL OF GOD will finally start playing live again in April. The exact dates and places will be announced soon. More info at www.denialofgod.net
F.D.A. Records will release "Death Strike", the new full-length album from Dutch MASSIVE ASSAULT in the Spring of 2012. The tracklist reads like this: ‘Driven Towards Death’, ‘Cycle Of Violence’, ‘Operation Anthropoid’, ‘Finished Sympathy’, ‘Turning Tides’, ‘Pride’, ‘Dismal Life’, ‘Aggressive Depression’, ‘Chained’ and ‘Plead Not Guilty’. For all further info go to www.facebook.com/massiveassault
A previously unreleased "metallized" cover version of the THIN LIZZY classic ‘Cold Sweat’ from English Metallers ATOMKRAFT, formed and led by vocalist / bassist Tony "Demolition" Dolan (VENOM), will be made available on a new limited edition 7" single and mini CD this summer via W.A.R. Productions. The 7" is limited to 200 copies and comes in blue vinyl, while the MCD is limited to 1000 copies and features two bonus tracks and a video clip. According to Joe Matera, who makes a guest appearance on lead guitar on ‘Cold Sweat’, "This is a recording that was done around 2005 (I remember laying down my guitar solo around that time). It was going to be released back then but due to circumstances at the time, it got shelved." THIN LIZZY’s Scott Gorham commented on the track like this: "I actually really liked this version of ‘Cold Sweat’ a lot. Cool solo also. I also liked the way ATOMKRAFT made the song their own with the arrangement and production. Very cool." More at www.myspace.com/atomkraft, www.youtube.com/atomkraftband
"Sadistic Inquisition", the new studio album by Michigan Thrashers NOCTURNAL FEAR, will be released later this year through Moribund Productions. The band’s fourth album for the label (and sixth overall) will feature the following tracks: ‘Invincible Warlord’, ‘Seal Team 666’, ‘Bite The Curb’, ‘Code Name – Trinity’, ‘Blood On The Battle Field’, ‘Cold As Death (Life Of Crime)’ and ‘Invade To Conquer Pt. 2.’ Guitarist / songwriter Rev. Chris Slavehunter PhD promises that the album "will be our heaviest, fastest, and most militant release yet! It will be a surge in which we will burn all bridges behind us, further distancing ourselves in a bid for isolation as America’s War Metal Assassins – indeed, War Metal skinheads! This ain’t BLASPHEMY, this ain’t REVENGE, and this ain’t Canada. This is NOCTURNAL FEAR, this is Detroit, and this is the real shit! Reviewers won’t be happy, but true fucking bangers who want their faces ripped off and fed to our pack of Rottweilers won’t be let down." For all further info check out www.reverbnation.com/nocturnalfearwarmetal
The re-releases of the PROTECTOR albums are currently in the works and if everything goes well they will be ready for print at the end of the month, so expect a release around mid March. There will be regular versions and a special edition, that contains all 3 plus a bonus 7” EP of 2 newly recorded DEATH ATTACK tracks with Martin Missy on vocals.
To The Death will release the third album by Norrköping’s TERRORAMA. Expect an August 2012 release on limited LP, LP and CD. You can listen to the demo version of ‘Cerebral Oviposition’ (from the band’s promo demo "Crimes Against Humanity") here.
As you may have read "Doom Of The Occult" by NECROS CHRISTOS became album of the year in our Voices From The Darkside "Best Of 2011" poll. The band was very honoured by that and sent in the following statement: “We would like to send our sincere regards to all of you out there, who let "Doom Of The Occult" became the album of the year 2011 at Voices From The Darkside. We`re absolutely amazed by that decision while being more than thankful for all the great support we got according to the album. In further news, we`ll start rehearsing new songs this year for the 3rd and final NECROS CHRISTOS album entitled "Domedon Doxomedon", released in years to come. Also, we shall perform some excellent shows this year, so we hope to see as much of you out there as possible. The grand NECROS CHRISTOS bestoweth its blessings unto you, stay tuned to the Metal of Death!” – Mors Dalos Ra
The upcoming re-release of the classic MEGA SLAUGHTER album "Calls From The Beyond" will be delayed. The album was just about to go to printing when suddenly some forgotten pictures and new material from the old days were found. This was considered too important not to be featured in the booklet of the album whereas the release was immediately brought back to be reworked. The booklet will now feature over 40 pages of material from the band. As the booklet will contain more than 40 pages it can no longer fit into a normal jewel case, therefore the release will become a double digipak with a massive booklet. If everything goes well, the album will hopefully be out in February or March, further info about a release date will be posted on www.cryptorium.se when the time comes.
"The Chills", the debut full-length from HORRENDOUS, is now available through Dark Descent Records. To commemorate the release Dark Descent Records and BrooklynVegan.com have posted a full-album stream at this location. "The Chills" was rRecorded, mixed and mastered by HORRENDOUS guitarist / vocalist Damian Herring (FATHER BEFOULED, UNDEAD CREEP, CORPSESSED, etc) at Subterranean Watchtower Studios and features cover art from Raul Gonzalez Gonzalez (DECEASED, MORBUS CHRON, ATARAXY, etc.). Here’s the complete tracklist: ‘The Womb’, ‘Ripped To Shreds’, ‘Altars’, ‘The Somber (Desolate Winds)’, ‘The Chills’, ‘Fleshrot’, ‘The Ritual’, ‘Fatal Dreams’, ‘Sleep Sickness’ and ‘The Eye Of Madness’. More info at www.myspace.com/horrendousdeathmetal