» News Archive December 2015
2015 is almost over, so as every year it’s about time now to look back on the best releases of the year. If you’d like to participate in our BEST OF 2015 poll, please go here and send us a list of your 10 favorite releases of 2015 (no matter if it’s a demo, EP, mini album or full length) until December 30, 2015. We will publish the results in early 2016.
"Celestial Decadence", the debut full length from Finnish Death / Black Metallers ILLUSIONS DEAD, will be released on February 08, 2016. The following tracks will appear on the album: ‘Incursion’, ‘Devoured By Hatred’, ‘Shadow And Flame’, ‘Hour Of The Raven’, ‘Revolution (Celestial Spheres)’, ‘Tormentor Of The Weak’, ‘The Way Of The Deceiver’ and ‘Illusions Dead’. The album’s opening track ‘Incursion’ is already streaming at this location. "Celestial Decadence" will be available digitally and as a limited edition CD (200 copies) through the group’s Bandcamp page. The cover art was created by Moonrot Photography. For all further information on the band check out www.facebook.com/illusionsdeadofficial
Danish Death Metallers DEUS OTIOSUS have just finished writing all music for their upcoming (as of yet still untitled) fourth album. The band will enter the studio in Spring 2016 for the recordings, with a release scheduled sometime in 2016. The track ‘Greater Horror’ (which was already released on this year’s "Sis Mortuus Mondo" EP) will be re-recorded for the album. You can check out a video for it at this location. More about DEUS OTIOSUS at www.facebook.com/deusotiosus.dk
Austrian Black Metallers NOCTURNE will release their self-titled debut album on January 15, 2016 via Unlight Productions (a division of Drakkar Productions). It will feature the following tracks: ‘Return To Chaos’, ‘Eleven’, ‘Into The Great Below’, ‘Udinbak’, ‘Nocturne’, ‘Ama Lilith’, ‘He Before Whom The Sky Shakes’, ‘Son Of Darkness’ and ‘Sign Of The Dark’ (a cover of DE INFERNALI, composed by Jon Nödtveidt, feat. Dan Swanö on vocals). A pomotional teaser of the album can be found here, a video for the song ‘Into The Great Below’ here. More band info at www.nocturne.at or www.facebook.com/shrineovnocturne
Spanish Death Metallers AVULSED have just announced 35 years old Dutchman Arjan Van Der Wijst as their new drummer. He already relocated to Madrid (Spain) in 2005 and also plays in the Black / Death Metal band FROZEN DAWN who released their second album through Xtreem Music in March 2014. More about AVULSED at www.facebook.com/1991avulsed
American Death Metallers SURGIKILL (featuring Stevo from IMPETIGO) have been signed by F.D.A. Records for the release of their debut full length "Sanguinary Revelations“. The album will also include ‘Planet Of The Vampires’, the final song that IMPETIGO ever worked on, but never recorded. "Sanguinary Revelations“ will be released on March 18, 2016 as CD, limited digipak and digitally. More SURGIKILL info at www.facebook.com/surgikill
Italian Thrash Metallers EVERSIN will release a strictly limited edition single (‘Flagellum Dei’) from their third album "Trinity: The Annihilation" on January 29, 2016. It additionally includes a cover version of SEPULTURA’s ‘Refuse / Resist’, which features Mick Montaguti from ELECTROCUTION. For all addtional info check out www.facebook.com/eversinmetal
Swedish Black Metallers RIMFROST have been signed by Non Serviam Records. The band’s new album "Rimfrost" was recorded at MRG Production and Freezing World Studios in Sweden and will be released in Spring 2016. The artwork was created by Istvan Konya. More info at www.facebook.com/pages/rimfrost/117263444197
"In Dwarven Halls", the debut EP from Milwaukee based Death Metallers KHAZADDUM, is streaming in its entirety at this location now. An official video for the track ‘Thorin Oakenshield’ is additionally playing here. The EP was recorded at Bell City Sound by Chris Wisco (ex – JUNGLE ROT) in late 2014 and the band’s line-up consists of guitarist Alex Rausa (ex – DEVOLVING MESSIAH), drummer Pete Kissane (BURIAL RITUAL), vocalist Luka Djordjevic (ex – PROMETHEAN PARALLAX / ex – CARNAL BEFOULMENT) and bassist Tony Cannizzaro (ex – SPLATTERED CADAVRE / ex – DEMENTED TOURMENT). More info at www.facebook.com/khazaddumband
"Portal Do Inferno", the debut full length from Brazilian Black Metallers PROFANE CREATION, will be released later this year via Hammer Of Damnation Records. A promotional trailer for the album can be found at this location, a sound sample over here. More band information at www.facebook.com/bandaprofanecreation
East German Death Metallers ROGASH will release their second album "Malevolence" on Februar 26, 2016 via War Anthem Records. It was recorded at Eisensound Studio with Fabian Hildebrandt (DESERTED FEAR) and mixed / mastered by Dan Swanö at Unisound Studio. The artwork was created by Roberto Toderico. Here’s the complete tracklist: ‘Intro’, ‘To The End’, ‘Daily Hate’, ‘None Shall Prevail’, ‘Fortunes Fangs’, ‘Dreams And The Flesh’, ‘Feed’, ‘Buried In Oblivion’, ‘Nightmares’, ‘Rogan Deathtrip’ and ‘Refuse / Resist’. More ROGASH information at www.facebook.com/rogashmetal
TRENCHROT‘s ‘Hell Pilot’s Call’, a song from the upcoming "4 Doors To Death" split with ECTOVOID, CEMETERY FILTH and SABBATORY, is streaming at this location now. "4 Doors To Death" will be released on February 19, 2016 via Unspeakable Axe Records. More about TRENCHROT at www.facebook.com/trenchrotdeathmetal. For pre-order or all further information go to www.unspeakableaxerecords.com
American Death Metallers ATROCIOUS ABNORMALITY will release their second full length "Formed In Disgust" via Comatose Music on March 04, 2016. You can already check out a lyric video for the album track ‘Exterminate The Apostles’ over here. Jay Barnes from LUST OF DECAY and Rob Emery from COFFIN SYRUP have contributed some guest vocals to the album and the cover artwork was created by Marco Hasmann. More band information you’ll find at www.facebook.com/atrociousabnormality
Spanish brutal Death Metallers REINCARNATION have just released their very first official video for the track ‘The Streets Never Sleep’ at this location. The song is taken from their new full length "The Beginning Of The End" which has been released via Xtreem Music earlier this month. The album is currently streaming in its entirety at www.xtreemmusic.bandcamp.com. More about REINCARNATION at www.facebook.com/reincarnation.deathmetal
The new URGEHAL album "Aeons In Sodom" will be released via Season Of Mist on February 12, 2016. You can already check out the song ‘The Sulphur Black Haze’ (featuring TAAKE vocalist Hoest) at this location. The album will feature the following tracks: ‘Dødsrite’, ‘The Iron Children’, ‘Blood Of The Legion’, ‘The Sulphur Black Haze’, ‘Lord Of Horns’, ‘Norwegian Blood And Crystal Lakes’, ‘Thy Daemon Incarnate’, ‘Endetid’, ‘Psychedelic Evil’, ‘Woe’, ‘Funeral Rites’ (SEPULTURA cover) and ‘Twisted Mass Of Burnt Decay’ (AUTOPSY cover). Next to TAAKE’s Hoest "Aeons In Sodom" also features guest contributions from the following musicians: Nocturno Culto (DARKTHRONE), M. Shax (ENDEZZMA), Byron Braidwood (MONUMENTOMB), Mannevond (KOLDBRANN), Malphas (ENDEZZMA / HAGL), Niklas Kvarforth (SHINING), Sorath Northgrove (BEASTCRAFT / VULTURE LORD), Nattefrost (CARPATHIAN FOREST), Skyggen (TORTORUM), Nag (TSJUDER), Diabolus (VULTURE LORD), L.F.F (ANGST SKVADRON / TUSMØRKE), Rick and Bay Cortez (SADISTIC INTENT), and R.M (ANGST SKVADRON). More information at www.facebook.com/nefas.official
"Experiment Of Existence", the second album from Chilean Death Thrashers RIPPER, will be released on March 04, 2016 via Unspeakable Axe Records (CD) and Dark Descent Records (vinyl). The artwork was created by Paolo Girardi (CRAVEN IDOL, POWER TRIP, BLASPHEMOPHAGHER) and the complete tracklist reads as follows: ‘Magnetic Solar Storms’, ‘Anthropophagic Life’, ‘Experiment Of Existence’, ‘Anatomy Of The Galaxies’, ‘Stellar Evolution’, ‘The Alpha Orionis’, ‘Rotten Dreams’, ‘Chromatic Fantasy’, ‘Neuronal Unity’, ‘Spherical Energy’ and ‘Humanity Was Wrong’. The song ‘Neuronal Unity’ is already streaming at this location. More about RIPPER at www.facebook.com/ripperchileoficial
Almost all shows for the upcoming NECROWRETCH European tour with Singapore’s INFERNAL EXECRATOR in February / March 2016 are booked now. The bands are still looking for a show on March 11, 2016, in the west area of Germany though. Any interested booking agent who can help out should contact the band at necrowretch@gmail.com for all further details.
MASTER have just released a video for ‘Face Your Fear’ at this location. The song will appear on the band’s upcoming new album "An Epiphany Of Hate" which will be released on January 29, 2016 via F.D.A. Records. "An Epiphany Of Hate" was recorded at Shaark Studios in the Czech Republic and the coverartwork comes courtesy of Mark Cooper. More information about MASTER at www.master-speckmetal.net or www.facebook.com/pages/master/18521536017
Belgian Death Metallers FRACTURED INSANITY will release their third album "Man Made Hell" in early 2016 via Xtreem Music. It was mixed and mastered at Polish Hertz Studios. The two songs from the band’s 2015 promo demo can still be checked out here and here. More about FRACTURED INSANITY at www.facebook.com/fractured-insanity-323059162201
Dutch old school Death Metallers FUNERAL WHORE have signed a deal with F.D.A. Records for the release of their upcoming new album "Phantasm", which will be out on March 18, 2016. The following tracks will appear on the album: ‘Phantasm’, ‘Evil Manifestation’, ‘Reanimated’, ‘The Tall Man’, ‘Population None’, ‘The Graveyard Silence’, ‘When Life Turns To Ashes’, ‘Down The Abyss’, ‘Morningside Cemetery’, ‘Only The Coffins Remain’ and ‘The Mortuary At Night’. More FUNERAL WHORE at www.facebook.com/fw.oldschooldeathmetal
ABBATH are streaming another new song from their upcoming self-titled debut full length at this location now. The album will be released on January 22, 2016 via Season Of Mist. More about ABBATH at www.abbath.net or www.facebook.com/abbathband
Norwegian Black Metallers RAGNAROK have completed work on their eighth full-length album "Psychopathology", which will be released in early 2016 via Agonia Records. It was recorded, mixed and mastered at Endarker Studio in Sweden by MARDUK’s Devo. "Psychopathology" will be the first RAGNAROK album that doesn’t feature founder Jontho on drums. Since he became the band’s frontman, his place behind the drum kit is taken by DAUDEN drummer Malignant, who joined RAGNAROK in 2014. For all additional information check out www.facebook.com/ragnarokofficial
"Eat ‘Em Raw", the one and only full length album from New York City’s Speed / Thrash Metallers SAVAGE THRUST, has just been re-issued on CD for the very first time. It was originally released in 1990 on vinyl and tape via Avanzada Metálica. The re-issue has been remastered and includes all the lyrics, new pictures and a new design. For ordering details contact rebornrcds@gmail.com. More about SAVAGE THRUST at www.savagethrust.com
Ukranian Death / Thrashers HELL:ON have released another track of their fifth full-length "Once Upon A Chaos…" at this location. Guitarist Alex Pasko issued the following statement: "In this track we have combined the speed and aggression of Thrash Metal and gloomy, oppressive atmosphere of Death Metal. This song is imbued with the spirit of madness. In the context of: what if sometimes madness is the path to true, hidden from the eyes, reality?" More info at www.hell-on.net or www.facebook.com/hellonofficial
German Death Metallers ARCHAIC THORN will release their debut EP "In Desolate Magnificence" on December 25, 2015 via Unholy Prophecies. The band itself sums up their intentions as follows: "We spread the words of Messorem, as life is a beautiful lie and death the painful truth". For all additional ARCHAIC THORN information check out www.archaicthorn.de
The cover artwork for the upcoming fifth DESTRÖYER 666 full-length, "Wildfire", has been created by Polish artist Zbigniew M. Bielak (GHOST, MAYHEM, WATAIN). The album will be released on February 26, 2016 via Season Of Mist. DESTRÖYER 666 are currently working on a South American tour in early 2016 with some Australian dates to follow soon after. The band has already announced a show at Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore, Maryland (US) at the end of May 2016. More about DESTRÖYER 666 at www.destroyer666.uk or www.facebook.com/destroyer666page
Sweden’s TEMISTO have been signed by Pulverised Records. The band was previously known as CHAPEL and features Robert Andersson (of the now defunct MORBUS CHRON) on vocals. The band’s self-titled debut album was produced by Elias Scharmer (ex – ABDUCTION, ex – MUTILATE) and mastered by Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio (WATAIN, DESULTORY, REPUGNANT etc). The artwork / layout of "Temisto" comes courtesy of Obssessed By Cruelty (WOLFBRIGADE, ENFORCER, AGENT STEEL, SABBAT etc) and the tracklist reads as follows: ‘Above Sacred Ground’, ‘Descent Into Madness’, ‘Abyssal Depths’, ‘Medusa’, ‘The Ritual’, ‘Succubus’, ‘Demiurge’, ‘Bestial Visions’, ‘Temple Of The Damned’ and ‘Seance’. One of the tracks (‘Above Sacred Ground’) is already available for streaming at this location. The album will be released on February 26, 2016. For more information and updates check out www.facebook.com/pulverisedrecords
French blackened Death Metallers MITHRIDATIC will release their debut full-length during the first quarter of 2016 via Kaotoxin Records. The band’s 2014 demo, "The Hunt Is On", is still available at this location. More about MITHRIDATIC at www.facebook.com/mithridatic
The new INGURGITATING OBLIVION album will be released via Willowtip Records in 2016. The band went through massive line-up changes and the new material will include tons of unexpected elements such as piano, vibraphones, jazz guitars etc. Florian Engelke is the only remaining original band member nowadays and responsible for all the rhythm and lead guitar work, as well as vocals on the upcoming 2016 release. Other featured musicians are Lille Gruber (DEFEATED SANITY) and Paul Wielan (TRIOPUS), both on session drums, arrrdXUL (NEITHAN) on bass / vocals / synths, Jan Ferdinand (GASTON) on session solo guitars and Maren Poelman on vibraphones. A teaser trailer can already be checked out here. For more band info check out www.ingurgitating-oblivion.com
The debut demo of French brutal Death / Thrashers SKULLDOG is available for free download now at this location. More about SKULLDOG at http://skulldogmetal.com
On December 25, 2015 Canometal Records will release a split CD from DEMONIC RAGE (Chile) and FETID ZOMBIE (USA) entitled "Profane Rites Of Death". It will be limited to 500 copies and the cover artwork comes courtesy of Mark Riddick. For all further information check out www.canometal.cl or www.facebook.com/canometal
On December 12, 2015 Old Temple Records (www.oldtemple.com) will release a 20 tracks DEMONIC RAGE compilation CD entitled "Omen Of Doom". It will feature the following material: "The Occult Formulas To Desecrate Souls" (EP 2011), "Studio Rehearsal" (June 2011), "Sulphuric Congregation Towards The Holocaust Of All Sacred And Holy" (Demo 2010), "The Anguish’s Doomaelstrom" (Demo 2008), "Demo # 2" (2006), "Demo Rehearsal" (April 2004), "Advance Demo" (May 05, 2003), "Promo 2007" and "Live 2001" (March 01, 2001). More DEMONIC RAGE info at www.facebook.com/demonic-rage-166132640124492
Dutch Grindcore / Thrash Metallers COLLISION will release their fourth album "Satanic Surgery" via Hammerheart Records in February 2016. You can already check out the song ‘Cripple The Cross’ at this location. More about COLLISION at www.collisiongrind.nl or www.facebook.com/collisiongrind
French Black / Death Metallers VORKREIST will release their new EP "Sacrifice" on January 29, 2016 via Agonia Records. It was mixed at Vamacara Studio and the cover artwork was created by Brianvdp (COFFINS, GRAVE MIASMA, ANTAEUS). The EP will feature two exclusive tracks. One of them (‘Losing Sanity Key’) can already be checked out here. More VORKREIST info at www.facebook.com/vorkreist
‘Ascension To My Holy Tomb’, a new SABBATORY song from the upcoming Unspeakable Axe Records split "4 Doors To Death" is now streaming at this location. Please note that the release date of the split has been pushed back to February 19, 2016. More information and pre-order details at www.unspeakableaxerecords.com or www.facebook.com/unspeakableaxerecords
"Die… Hard", the upcoming official demo collection from SARCOFAGO, is now streaming in its entirety at this location. It will be released on December 11, 2015 via Greyhaze Records and comes as a 6-panel digipak CD including a 16 pages booklet. More info at https://greyhazerecords.bandcamp.com or www.greyhazerecords.com
Raleigh, North Carolina based Death Thrashers SUPPRESSIVE FIRE have just released a song from their upcoming debut full length "Bedlam". You can check out ‘Ironsights’ right here. The band’s new single ‘The Hellwraith’ is furthermore streaming at this location. "Bedlam" was mixed and mastered by Joel Grind (TOXIC HOLOCAUST) and features art by Par Olofsson (EXODUS, ABYSMAL DAWN). The complete tracklist reads like this: ‘Ceasefire’, ‘The Hellwraith’, ‘Coup D’état’, ‘Thy Flesh Consumed’, ‘Bayonet Penetration’, ‘Nazi Face Melter’, ‘Pyrophoric Blood’, ‘Ironsights’, ‘Crucify The Kings’, ‘Holy Masochism’ and ‘Bedlam’. The album will be self-released by the band on January 14, 2016. More SUPPRESSIVE FIRE information at www.facebook.com/suppressivefire or https://suppressivefire.bandcamp.com
On January 15, 2016 Metal Blade Records will release a 30th anniversary boxset from Bay Area Heavy / Thrash Metallers HEXX. It will be entitled “Under The Spell” and includes the band’s "Under The Spell" and "No Escape" albums, as well as the "Under The Spell" 9 song demo from 1985, the "Paradox" 3 song demo from 1983, six new songs from 2013 / 2014 and five live bonus tracks. All songs have been remastered by Achim Koehler (PRIMAL FEAR, BRAINSTORM, KAMELOT etc.). Also included will be a four hour bonus DVD that features full shows and / or excerpts from Headbangers Open Air (2015), Keep It True (2014), Omni Oakland (December 1986), American Victorian Museum Nevada City CA (March 1986), The Stone San Francisco CA (May 1989), "Quest For Sanity" record release party at the Omni Oakland (October 1988), Chatterbox San Francisco CA (March 1990), Omni Oakland (February 1990 and March 1990) and a 56 pages “History” book which includes lots of stories and revelations from the legendary Bay Area scene. The book also features tons of unreleased photos and special liner notes for each album. For all additional HEXX info check out www.facebook.com/officialhexx
German Thrashers PROTECTOR will release their new album "Cursed And Coronated" on February 26, 2016 via High Roller Records on CD and limited edition vinyl LP. Three of the songs already appeared on demos and split singles between 2011 and 2013 while seven of the songs are brand new. Vocalist Martin Missy just issued the following statement: "I think that fans who liked "Reanimated Homunculus" will like "Cursed And Coronated" as well. "That’s a safe guess, as the band stay true to themselves with evil, fast, cutting and slicing old school Thrash in the true PROTECTOR vein". "Cursed And Coronated" was recorded in May 2015 at Sunlight Studio in Sweden with producer is Tomas Skogsberg. The mastering was done by Patrick W. Engel and the cover artwork has once again been created by Kristian Wåhlin. All further PROTECTOR info at www.facebook.com/protector.666not777
On December 17, 2015 Sweden’s Shadow Records will re-release SORHIN "Apokalypsens Ängel" album from 2000 on 12" vinyl. It will be strictly limited to 500 handnumbered copies, including a 7" etched EP with rare recordings, a woven patch, postcard and poster. For ordering information check out www.shadowrecords.se or contact info@shadowrecords.se
The celebrate their 25th band anniversary MARDUK will release two 7" EPs with rare live material from 1991 (one of their first shows) and 1992 and two 12" LPs with live recordings from the "Panzer Division Tour" in 1999 (Hamburg) and 1993 (Norrköping). All releases are limited to 500 hand numbered copies each and can be ordered from blooddawnproductions@gmail.com. For more info check out www.facebook.com/blooddawnproductions.
German Death Metallers PURGATORY have just finished recording their 8th full length "Omega Void Tribunal". Patrick W. Engel will take care of the mix and mastering now. The album will be released in Spring 2016 via War Anthem Records. All further PURGATORY information at www.purgatory666.de or www.facebook.com/purgatory666