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All those of you who still prefer to read non-digital fanzines are adviced to check out ARGYOPE # 2. I wouldn’t necessarily call this a real fanzine, it’s actually more of a newsletter type thing with only a handful of interviews in it, but since it’s almost for free (you just gotta check the individual postage costs with editor Saul), there’s nothing to complain about. On 16 half-sized, xeroxed pages you get features on DERKETA, ACHERON, INHUMATE, LUCIFERA and LELAHELL that are mostly written in English (strangely with a couple of French parts included as well). More details from sauldaniel666@yahoo.fr
For a limited period of time DEIPHAGO offer an exclusive stream of their brand-new album "Satan Alpha Omega" at Zero Tolerance magazine’s website. The album is out now through Hells Headbangers.
Here’s a statement from Swedish Death Metallers DEMONICAL: "We are proud to announce our confirmation of a headlining tour through Russia this coming October. Our Swedish comrades in SPASMODIC will join as support making this "Death Infernal Russia" crusade a lethal Death Metal firestorm. The tour will include concerts in Velikiye Luki, Izhevsk, Ekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, Samara, Nizhny Novgorod and various other cities. Exact dates and details to be announced within the nearest days. We can also reveal that last weekend was spent at the DEMONICAL headquarter rehearsing new material and making preparations for the pre-production phase of the next album. Five tunes were nailed and completed, deadly material that is still good old Death Metal (which we all worship) but with some new perspectives and varied influences. The recordings of the next full-length will take place at Necromorbus Studios on and off between mid-November and late January with a tentative release date in April / May 2013." More info at www.demonical.net
As a preview of what is to come with the next full-length "Almighty Arcanum", Hells Headbangers will soon release a new DENOUNCEMENT PYRE 7” EP entitled "Darkness Manifest". The EP will feature one album track plus an additional track that is exclusive to this release. Both songs were recorded during different sessions to those for the album, so they are unique to this release and will be released in a limited pressing. The band commented on the release: "Darkness Manifest should be considered as more of a pathway to, rather than a direct preview of, what can be expected with the next full-length. The title track (‘Darkness Manifest’) has been re-recorded during the album recording sessions, so we offer it here as a raw and unhinged version that will provide some insight into the newer material and the direction we are heading. Meanwhile, the B-side (‘Eleven Gates’) is the most obscure track that we have ever recorded with DENOUNCEMENT PYRE and one we felt worthy of inclusion for this release. Before we plunge with full force into the "Almighty Arcanum", we must set the tone with "Darkness Manifest". Beware the shadows… more to be revealed soon!" In related DENOUNCEMENT PYRE news, the recording of "Almighty Arcanum" is now complete, and the tracks have recently been mastered at Endarker Studios in Sweden. The follow-up to 2010’s "World Cremation" is scheduled for release on CD and LP in January 2013, again through Hells Headbangers. For more info and updates go to www.facebook.com/denouncementpyre
US Death Metallers ABYSME (featuring former FUNERUS member Brad Heiple) will release the CD version of their first full-length album "Strange Rites" on September 24, 2012 via Hellthrasher Productions. The vinyl edition will be released later this year via Blood Harvest Records. "Strange Rites" features cover artwork by Putrid Matt and has the following tracklist: ‘Scribbled In Dust’, ‘Beyond The Seventh Door’, ‘Formless’, ‘Annihilated Memory’, ‘Gift To The Gods’, ‘We Shall Sleep’, ‘Terminal Delirium’, ‘The Third Day’, ‘Fallen Colossus’ and ‘Remarkable Conqueror’. The opening track ‘Scribbled In Dust’ is available for streaming at this location.
The MORGION compilation "God Of Death & Disease" is now available via www.darkdescentrecords.com. A full album stream was posted at DarkDescentRecords.bandcamp.com. In related news, MORGION has been announced for 2013’s edition of the Maryland Death Fest. Originally slated to appear at this year’s fest, MORGION was forced to bow out due to circumstances beyond their control. Check www.marylanddeathfest.com and www.morgion.com for updates and information.
Denver Thrashers SILENCER have teamed-up with PureGrainAudio.com for a free download of the song ‘I Am Thunder!’ from their forthcoming third full-length, "The Great Bear". It is available for stream and download at this location. "The Great Bear" is due out on September 25, 2012 via SILENCER and Vanity Music Group and will be available in stores, iTunes and Amazon MP3. Available physical formats are CD and limited edition 180-gram vinyl. SILENCER will be performing on selected warm-up dates and are in the planning stages for tours following the album’s release. More info at www.silencer.cc
‘Blood Of Saints’, the premiere track from RAGNAROK‘s new album"Malediction", can now be streamed here. The album will be out on October 30, 2012 in Europe and November 06, 2012 in North America via Agonia Records. It will be available as a jewelcase CD (limited to the first press), digital download and limited vinyl with an exclusive bonus track. The first 100 copies will be available on a handnumbered brown vinyl. The album can be pre-ordered at this location. All further info at www.facebook.com/ragnarokofficial
On November 06, 2012 Shadow Kingdom Records will reissue MANILLA ROAD‘s 1980 album "Invasion". It features the following tracks: ‘The Dream Goes On’, ‘Cat And Mouse’, ‘Far Side Of The Sun’, ‘Street Jammer’, ‘Centurian War Games’ and ‘The Empire’. "Invasion" can be purchased from the Shadow Kingdom Records store at this location or at www.shadowkingdomrecords.bandcamp.com. In related news MANILLA ROAD has been confirmed for Maryland Death Fest XI, which will take place May 23 – 26, 2013 in Baltimore, MD. For for information and updates visit www.marylanddeathfest.com. More MANILLA ROAD info you will find at www.manillaroad.net
Help needed! As most of you probably know by now, there will be a book edition of Voices From The Darkside in the not too distant future… for that we’re looking for people who still own issue # 2 und issue # 4 and who can deliver high quality scans of the pages… Half of issue # 2 has already been scanned, but the more people are able to help the quicker we can get it done… please get in touch and feel free to pass this one on to those who might be able to help. Thanks!!!
The new KARNARIUM full-length album "Otapamo Pralaja" is out now through Nuclear Winter Records. The LP version comes with an insert and is limited to 500 copies.
Also out on Nuclear Winter Records is the ANTEDILUVIAN / TEMPLE NIGHTSIDE split 7” EP. It features exclusive tracks by both bands, comes with a two-sided mini poster and is limited to 500 copies. More info at www.nuclearwinterrecords.com
Finnish DESOLATE SHRINE has signed with Dark Descent Records for the release of their next album "The Sanctum Of Human Darkness". The new album will be released before the end of the year. An eight minute preview video which features artwork from the band’s own L.L. can be checked out at this location.
Also Finnish acts MAVETH and LANTERN will both release full-length albums before the end of the year through Dark Descent Records, with SWALLOWED and KRYPTS to follow in early 2013. Additionally, CORPSESSED is also in the writing process for their debut full-length. Visit darkdescentrecords.bandcamp.com to stream albums from UNCANNY, FATHER BEFOULED, BINAH, COFFIN TEXTS, ANHEDONIST and many more. All further info at www.darkdescentrecords.com
"Growing Seeds Of Decay", the debut by Italy’s brutal Death Metallers SEPTYCAL GORGE, will be re-released through Comatose Music on September 25, 2012. It will be available as a digipak containing the original release in its entirety and three bonus tracks taken from the band’s 2008 split, "Da Vinci Death Code". Here’s the tracklist: ‘Intro’, ‘Unidentified Corpse’, ‘Abominated Hierarchy’, ‘Waltz Of Desperation’, ‘Ultima Lucida Follia’, ‘Growing Seeds Of Decay’, ‘Poisoned Human Flesh’, ‘Infected Dreams’, ‘Vacuous Retaliation’, ‘Forgotten Face Of Human Prism’, ‘Psychotic Redemption’ and ‘Deformed Heretic Impalement’. More info at www.comatosemusic.com
Colorado’s EXECRATION will release their second full-length "The Acceptance Of Zero Existence" via Comatose Music on September 25, 2012 as well. The tracklist reads like this: ‘Through The Portal’, ‘Awake The Darkened’, ‘The Acceptance Of Zero Existence’, ‘Infernal Rites Of Exsanguination’, ‘Serpentine Changeling’, ‘The Stars Will Make Known My Rage’, ‘Further Through The Portal’, ‘Queen Amongst The Wolves’, ‘The Great Fall’, ‘Falling Through The Portal’ and ‘The First Death’. For all further info check out www.facebook.com/pages/Execration/152144791470734
Italy’s Death / Thrashers AMORPHEAD have released an official video for the song ‘Chaos Expression’ at this location. It is taken from their upcoming album "Homonymous", to be released in March 2013. More info at www.facebook.com/amorphead
On October 09, 2012 Spanish Black / Death Metallers TSAR BOMB will release their debut album "Neowarfare" via BadGod Music. The album can be streamed in its entirety here and here. The tracklist reads like this: ‘Intro’, ‘Tsar Bomb’, ‘Victorious Death’, ‘Nuclear Feast’, ‘Neowarfare’, ‘Ashes Of My Enemies’, ‘Zyklon-B For The Human Race’, ‘Tupolev TU-95’ and ‘Nammu’. More info at www.facebook.com/pages/Tsar-Bomb-Official/202758706448757
Shadow Kingdom Records will officially release PAGAN ALTAR‘s "The Time Lord" EP on CD and digital formats. The EP consists of remastered material from 1978 and can be ordered from the Shadow Kingdom Records store. In other news, PAGAN ALTAR has been confirmed for Maryland Death Fest XI, which will take place May 23 – 26, 2013 in Baltimore, MD. For for information and updates visit www.marylanddeathfest.com or visit the band’s official websites www.paganaltar.com or www.facebook.com/paganaltar
"Malediction", the new album from Norwegian Black Metallers RAGNAROK, will be released on October 30, 2012 in Europe and on November 06, 2012 in North America. It was recorded, mixed and mastered by Devo of MARDUK’s fame at Endarker Studios and will be available as a jewelcase CD, digital download and limited vinyl with exclusive bonus track. The first 100 copies will be available on a handnumbered brown vinyl. Here’s the complete tracklist: ‘Blood Of Saints’, ‘Demon In My View’, ‘Necromantic Summoning Ritual’, ‘Divide Et Impera’, ‘(Dolce Et Decorum Est) Pro Patria Mori’, ‘Dystocratic’, ‘Iron Cross – Posthumous’, ‘The Elevenfold Seal’, ‘Fade Into Obscurity’ and ‘Sword Of Damocles’. ‘Retribution’ will be the exclusive vinyl bonus track. The album can be pre-ordered at this location. Full European, US and South American tours are planned for late 2012 and early 2013, including festival appearances. The band has already been confirmed to play at Metal Legacy Festival on October 27, 2012 in Stromstad, Sweden and to headline Messe des Morts Festival on November 24, 2012 in Montreal, Canada (the band’s first North American appearance. More info at www.facebook.com/ragnarokofficial
ZOMBIFIED from Västervik / Sweden have signed a deal with Cyclone Empire Records. Their second album "Carnage Slaughter And Death" is scheduled for a release in the fall of 2012 on CD and LP. More info at www.facebook.com/zombifiedswe
HIRAX will release a new single, entitled "La Boca De La Bestia (The Mouth Of The Beast)" on December 14, 2012 through iTunes and other digital retailers worldwide. It was recorded, produced and mastered by Bill Metoyer at Skull Seven Productions. A very special limited edition 12" vinyl version with bonus tracks is also planned for a December release on Black Devil Records. The single will be included on the as of yet untitled new full-length album tentatively scheduled for a spring 2013 release. A promotional video that includes the song and a photo slideshow can be found at this location. All further info at www.hirax.org
"…And Don’t Deliver Us From Evil", the sixth full-length album from Italy’s FORGOTTEN TOMB, will be released on October 30, 2012 in Europe and on November 06, 2012 in North America via Agonia Records. The album was recorded in Elfo Studio (Italy) by Daniele Mandelli and mastered at Finnvox Studios. It will be available as a regular jewelcase CD, limited to 1000 copies digipak CD with exclusive bonus track, digital download and double 12" LP with an alternative bonus track. The first 66 copies will be available on a multicolour splatter vinyl. Here’s the tracklist: ‘Deprived’, ‘…And Don’t Deliver Us From Evil…’, ‘Cold Summer’, ‘Let’s Torture Each Other’, ‘Love Me Like You’d Love The Death’, ‘Adrift’, ‘Nullifying Tomorrow’, ‘Transmission’ (JOY DIVISION cover – exclusive digipak CD bonus track) and ‘Sore’ (BUZZOV•EN cover – exclusive vinyl bonus track). The album can be pre-ordered at this location. Prior to release of the new album, a new 7" EP entitled "Deprived" will be released on September 25, 2012. This EP will be limited to 300 copies (100 green, 100 white, 100 red) only. It can be pre-ordered here. You can check out soundsamples at www.reverbnation.com/artist/artist_songs/1451977, all further info you’ll find at www.facebook.com/official.forgotten.tomb
MELENCOLIA ESTATICA‘s "Hel" and KOLP‘s "The Outside" will both be released on November 12, 2012 through Swedish Temple Of Torturous Records. More info at www.templeoftorturous.com
BELPHEGOR have announced a special shows for their 20th band anniversary in 2013. Helmuth comments: "20 years full of chaos and diabolical musick. Yes… seemingly unreal! After fighting for ten months to get my life back, it feels amazing to be able to create the new sound collages coming to you next March! Next year we are planning some of our most crushing stage rituals to appease the demons worldwide. Really looking forward to these special anniversary shows in 2013. We’re on fire. An honour – this horror!"
TESTAMENT have announced a European tour in support of their new album "Dark Roots Of Earth" in November. Commented guitarist Alex Skolnick: "Our last run in Europe was a blast, with people responding to the new songs as though they’re classics. It will be great to return and play a few places we haven’t been in a while, such as Austria, Poland and the UK."
Abyss Records have signed Swedish Black Metallers ASTROPHOBOS for the release of the band’s forthcoming debut full-length. The band will enter the studio this month with producer Erik Nilsson to record the album, with a release date scheduled for winter. ASTROPHOBOS have teamed-up with Fredrik Widigs (DEMONICAL, THE UGLY) as a session drummer for the recordings. The band has already posted a pre-production teaser of the as-of-yet-untitled album here. Abyss Records is currently selling copies of the band’s self-financed 2010 EP, "Arcane Secrets", via the label’s webstore at www.officialabyssrecords.com. For all further info check out www.astrophobos.com or www.facebook.com/astrophobos.