February 10, 2011
"777 – Sect(s)", BLUT AUS NORD‘s follow-up of "Memoria Vetusta II: Dialogue With The Stars" album from 2009 will be released via Debemur Morti Productions on April 18, 2011. www.blutausnord.com
"777 – Sect(s)", BLUT AUS NORD‘s follow-up of "Memoria Vetusta II: Dialogue With The Stars" album from 2009 will be released via Debemur Morti Productions on April 18, 2011. www.blutausnord.com
Australia’s Black / Thrashers ASSAULTER have just completed their second full-length "Boundless", the follow-up to 2008’s "Salvation Like Destruction". Here’s the complete tracklist: ‘Entrance’, ‘Outshine’, ‘Into Submission’, ‘Slave To King’, ‘The Perpetual War’, ‘Exalt The Master’, ‘Dying Day’ and ‘The Great Subterfuge’. The album will be released as a digipak CD on Alan Nemtheanga’s Poison Tongue Records through Metal Blade Records on March 11, 2011 in Europe. More info at www.myspace.com/burningfront, www.foadrecords.it
MASTER will be on a U.S. headlining tour next month, starting on March 01 in Fredrick, Maryland and coming to a close on April 03 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The band will be joined by Los Angeles Black Metallers Lightning Swords Of Death and Ohio Thrashers Mobile Deathcamp. Paul Speckmann commented the tour like this: "Looking forward to bringing MASTER Metal back to the USA and sharing a few new tracks from "The Human Machine" as well as playing the classics once again for you! MASTER guitarist Alex Nejezchleba and Peter Bajci from the Czech Republic will be joining me on the American trek. MASTER your own Destiny." MASTER released their tenth studio album, "The Human Machine", last May via Singapore’s Pulverised Records.
Around 1984 / 1985 an Italian Black / Thrash band called GHOSTRIDER released some demos and split-up shortly after. Out of their ashes NECRODEATH was born… Now, beginning of 2011, GHOSTRIDER have returned to the scene. 11 new studio songs, including revisited versions of their 1984 classics ‘The Exorcist’, ‘Curse Of Valle Christi’, ‘Doomed To Serve The Devil’, ‘Victims Of Necromancy’, as well as some brand new tracks and a cover of ONSLAUGHT’s classic ‘Power From Hell’ were recorded for their debut full-length album "The Return Of The Ghost" which was just released through F.O.A.D. Records. Musically GHOSTRIDER is supposed to be for fans of VENOM, HELLHAMMER, early BATHORY, early SODOM, early KREATOR or early NECRODEATH. A promotional video can be watched here. For all further information go to February 06, 2011MASTER will be on a U.S. headlining tour next month, starting on March 01 in Fredrick, Maryland and coming to a close on April 03 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The band will be joined by Los Angeles Black Metallers Lightning Swords Of Death and Ohio Thrashers Mobile Deathcamp. Paul Speckmann commented the tour like this: "Looking forward to bringing MASTER Metal back to the USA and sharing a few new tracks from "The Human Machine" as well as playing the classics once again for you! MASTER guitarist Alex Nejezchleba and Peter Bajci from the Czech Republic will be joining me on the American trek. MASTER your own Destiny." MASTER released their tenth studio album, "The Human Machine", last May via Singapore’s Pulverised Records.
Peaceville Records will re-release some classic albums in early 2011, including GEHENNA‘s "WW" (+ 3 bonus tracks) on February 28, DARKTHRONE‘s "Total Death" (plus bonus track and extra commentary disc) on March 14, DODHEIMSGARD (DHG)‘s "666 International" and the split album THORNS V EMPEROR (+ bonus tracks) on March 21 as well as BEHEMOTH‘s "Demigod" album as a CD / DVD with deluxe packaging on March 28.
On April 29 & 30, 2011 the NEUROTIC DEATHFEST will once again take place at Tilburg’s 013 club. Earlier on the organisation already confirmed heavyweights such as AT THE GATES, AUTOPSY, ATHEIST, EXHUMED, HATE ETERNAL, MISERY INDEX and DECAPITATED. This time another seven names are confirmed, including OBITUARY, MASTER and AEON. Other newly confirmed bands are AEON, BENEATH, CEREBRAL BORE, SOUTHWICKED and VISCERA TRAIL. There will be a total of 42 bands set to appear, meaning there are still 9 bands to be announced, which will happen very soon. Keep checking www.neuroticdeathfest.com and www.013.nl for program updates as well as other updates.
This March, Dark Descent Records will release an LP featuring newly recorded ADVERSARIAL material along with the original "Thralls" demo material (released by Blood Harvest in 2008). This LP / CD will be titled "Prophetic Plain Of Abyssal Revelation" and will contain the three "Thralls" demo tracks in their original recorded state, two unreleased tracks and two cover songs. The two cover tracks are INCANTATION’s ‘A Once Holy Throne’ and ARCHGOAT’s ‘The Light Devouring Darkness’, which can be heard by visiting this location. The full tracklisting reads like this: ‘Scourge Of A World Ablaze’, ‘A Hatred Tempered And Trialed’, ‘Thralls’, ‘Prophetic Plain Of Abyssal Revelation’, ‘Impending Eternal Blackness’, The Light Devouring Darkness’ (ARCHGOAT cover) and ‘A Once Holy Throne’ (INCANTATION cover). More info at www.myspace.com/adversarialmusic
Holland’s PENTACLE and LA, California’s SADISTIC INTENT will both record brand new material for an upcoming split release on Iron Pegasus Records, to be released sometime in 2011.
Finnish old school Thrashers BLOODRIDE are going to release their debut album titled "Crowned In Hell" through Violent Journey Records on March 23, 2011. The album was recorded and mixed at D-Studios by Tonmi Lillman and the cover art was done by Jan "Örkki" Yrlund from Darkgrove Design. Tapio Wilska (SURVIVORS ZERO, ex – FINTROLL) lended his voice to couple of tracks. More info and sound samples at www.myspace.com/bloodride666
The fourth full-length album, "The Van Murders", by Sweden’s old school Death Metal machine RIBSPREADER will be released on April 25, 2011 through Vic Records. Band leader Rogga expressed it as: "Dirty simple old school Death Metal, no frills and lots of chills." RIBSPREADER is one of Rogga Johansson longest lasting bands and "The Van Murders" is a concept album about two killers named The Cleaner and Mr Filth. The cover art was done by Turkka Rantanen (THE GROTESQUERY, DEMILECH, DEMIURG) and the album was mixed / mastered by Patrick Bruss (IMPETIGO, DETERIOROT) at the Filth Chamber in Denver, Colorado, USA, who also performed lead guitars on this album. One of the new songs, ‘Cadaver Disposal’, can already be checked out at RIBSPREADER’s official MySpace page www.myspace.com/ribspreaderofficial.
"Death Meditations", the third full-length album by Swedish Black / Death Metallers TORCHBEARER will also be released by Vic Records on April 25, 2011. The bad was formed by Christian Älvestam (ex – Scar Symmetry) in 2003 and released two albums so far (on Metal Blade and Regain Records). "Death Meditations" was produced by Plec Johansson (WATAIN, SCAR SYMMETRY, SOLUTION .45, MISERATION), the album’s artwork was done by Pär Olofsson (IMMORTAL, IMMOLATION, MALEVOLENT CREATION). Here’s a statement from Christian Älvestam: "For me "Death Meditations" represents everything that is TORCHBEARER – Speed! Power! Melody! Aggression! All wrapped up in a striking production and marked by the philosophy of Hagakure! To me "Death Meditations" is the ultimate TORCHBEARER experience – so far!" "Death Meditations" is a concept album based on the philosophy of Hagakure – the way of the samurai. It’s not about samurai warriors though. It’s about the thoughts and ideas portrayed in the book Hagakure. A true philosophy of life. ‘Coffin-Shaped Heart’ – a brand new song, from the album can be heard exclusively at the band’s Facebook page.
Serbian blackened Death Metallers BANE have announced that they will be joining SVART CROWN for the ‘Black The Balkans’ European tour this March in support of their full-length debut "Chaos, Darkness, Emptiness". The tour includes two dates with Bulgarian Black Metal outfit DIMHOLT. The band will be announcing a new line-up in the near future. You find the dates here. "Chaos, Darkness, Emptiness" will be released on digi-CD this month via Abyss Records. Guest appearances include Jb of Svart Crown, Deimoz of The Revenge Project and Nocturnal of Shadowdream. The Abyss Records version will also feature a cover of DARK FUNERAL’s ‘The Dawn No More Rises’. www.myspace.com/baneband
US Black Metallers SHROUD OF DESPONDENCY have made the 11+ minute song ‘To Glisten In All The Colors Of Distress’ available for streaming at this location. It is taken from their upcoming new album "Dark Meditations In Monastic Seclusion", to be released on February 12, 2011. The band’s musical influences include King Crimson, Death In June, Emperor, Darkthrone, Kate Bush, Immolation, Agalloch, Dawn, Neurosis, Morbid Angel and many others. More info at www.myspace.com/shroudofdespondency
INCANTATION have been announced for The Underground Unleashed 2011 Festival, which is set to take place September 30 – October 02, 2011 in Darjeeling, India. INCANTATION founder / guitarist / vocalist, John McEntee had the following to say about the fest: "The rest of INCANTATION and I are all excited beyond words about playing this year’s Underground Unleashed Festival. This will be the band’s first trip to India so we’re really looking forward to bringing our brutality to the hordes of fans over there. Heads will bang and skulls will split when Incantation invades India!!" McEntee’s label, Ibex Moon Records, will be an official sponsor of the festival. In other INCANTATION news, McEntee recently hooked up with guitarist Alex Bouks (GOREAPHOBIA) and bassist Chuck Sherwood to plant the seeds for what will become the band’s highly-anticipated next album. Drummer Kyle Severn will join the fray in the coming weeks to contribute to the writing process. Though in its earliest stages, the new material promises to be the heaviest and sickest of the band’s storied career. More info at www.incantation.com
Bassist Terry Butler (SIX FEET UNDER, OBITUARY, DEATH, MASSACRE) has released the following statement to Blabbermouth.net: "I would just like to put it out there that Greg Gall (drums) and I have parted ways with SIX FEET UNDER. As many of you know, I have been helping OBITUARY out on bass over the past year and now will be officially joining them as a permanent band member. Being in SIX FEET UNDER for 16 years, I have had the pleasure of meeting a lot of our dedicated fans and have made many friends along the way. I hope to see you out there! I wish nothing but the best for Chris Barnes (vocals) and Steve Swanson (guitar) in their future with SIX FEET UNDER." SIX FEET UNDER’s "Wake The Night! Live In Germany" DVD was released on January 31 in Europe (three days earlier in Germany) and will be released today, February 01, in North America via Metal Blade Records. The set consists footage of the band’s August 8, 2009 performance at the Party.San Open Air festival in Bad Berka, Germany. The gig was filmed by Roax Films with nine cameras and recorded in 5.1 Surround Sound, picture size 16:9. To make the purchase even more attractive, the initial European pressing includes the digipak version of the latest SIX FEET UNDER covers album, "Graveyard Classics III". The DVD is being released on mid-price and the bonus CD does not cost a penny extra! This release and the attached price strategy is a big thank you from Barnes and his gang to all their loyal fans.
Swedish old school Death Metallers MIASMAL have revealed the artwork for their self-titled full-length debut. The album will be released on CD by Dark Descent Records and given the vinyl treatment by Detest Records and Me Saco Un Ojo. The CD version will contain eight brand new tracks as well as six bonus tunes taken from the band’s sold-out demo recording and 7" EP. MIASMAL is currently wrapping things up in the studio and are planning for an April 2011 release. In other MIASMAL news, the band is currently gearing up for their first US tour, set to kick off this May. Appearances at Maryland Death Fest and Chaos In Tejas (which runs June 02 – June 05 in Austin, TX) are already confirmed. More tour dates coming soon. www.myspace.com/miasmalband
Finnish Black Metal band SATANIC WARMASTER have been removed from the French Hellfest Festival (held in Clisson, France in July 2011) because of pressure from other artists performing at the festival. The band has made the following statement due to the decision of the Hellfest organizers: "It has been brought to my attention, that the organizers of the festival cannot hold on to our agreement to have SATANIC WARMASTER perform at the 2011 Hellfest. This was because of pressure put to the organizers by other artists booked on the festival. It is a disappointment (despite being totally expected) to see such mentality still present in the ‘individualist’ and ‘free-thinking’ Metal community that any musical act can still be boycotted because of false preconceptions and arbitrary political motivations of other, ‘bigger’ artists. It is also more than amusing to see that the censorship and boycott some of the French authorities tried to push on the festival earlier are now excercised by the festival organization itself. Obviously because I have never upheld any modern taboos or lived my life as an apologetic dabbler, it makes me also a target for politically motivated artists to keep us from playing because of their self-righteous reasons. Any artist can be put on a mock trial by taking words out of their context without thinking of the actual message, and SATANIC WARMASTER once again hangs crucified by hysterics driven by the love for a world and values I feel no oneness with. Everyone who has even slightest interest in this musical style knows what Black Metal is about, and in that light only a moralist or someone with a very extreme double standard can say that SATANIC WARMASTER is in some manner different from other artists of the genre. It makes me want to puke for making a statement like this, which is almost something that a politician would do, but to clear some things, it was mandatory to bite the bullet this time. Just to make sure everyone has their labels right, SATANIC WARMASTER’s ideology is Satanism and music style Black Metal. Whoever claims otherwise does so only because of personal feelings and/or resentment."
AURORA BOREALIS have published an 11 minute preview of their new album "Timeline: The Beginning And End Of Everything" at this location. It marks the recording debut of drummer Mark Green and was recorded at Nightsky Studios, produced by the band’s guitarist / vocalist Ron Vento. It will consist of nine tracks and two narratives. The album is a conceptual effort that starts from the beginning of all existence and continues through until the very end of universe and the eventual retraction and rebirth of it all. It comes with a 12 page full color booklet featuring artwork by Ron Miller (production designer for the movie "Dune"). There will only be one pressing so pre-orders are being taken now. "Timeline: The Beginning And End Of Everything" will be released in mid February and will only be available through the band by paypal nrthfromhere@aol.com or by sending check or money order to Ron Vento 3432 Rockefeller CT Waldorf MD 20602 USA. There will also be a free download at www.auroraborealis.org. Here’s the full tracklist: ‘Our Legacy’, ‘Crucible Of Creation’, ‘Formation’, ‘Stygian Depths’, ‘A Creature Called Human (Among Other Things)’, ‘The Evolution After Evolution’, ‘The Only Space Race That Matters’, ‘Beyond The Oort Cloud’, ‘Tearing Holes In The Fabric Of Time’, ‘Prelude To Cessation’ and ‘The Rebirth’.
After eight long years Chicago’s MACABRE have finally finished a new album entitled "Grim Scary Tales".This time the band has cleverly devised a "story book of murder", as "Grim Scary Tales" traces some of the most infamous serial killers and mass murderers, including Locusta, Vlad Tepes, Gilles Garnier, Elizabeth Bathory, Mary Ann Cotton, the Bender Family, Lizzie Borden, Karl Grossmann and more. Recorded and mixed at The Ensomberoom by Geoff Montgomery (The Chasm, Coffinworm, Shub Niggurath, Couldron), the album also bears original artwork and layout crafted by Scott Jackson of Monsterman Graphics and Rock N Roll Comics notoriety, perfectly visualizing the album’s gory nature. As always, also "Grim Scary Tales" will be released on the band’s own label Decomposed Records and directly licensed for a North American release on February 08 via Willowtip Records and in Europe on January 31 via Hammerheart Records. Here’s the complete track listing: ‘Locusta’, ‘Nero’s Inferno’, ‘The Black Knight’, ‘Dracula’, ‘The Big Bad Wolf’, ‘Countess Bathory’ (VENOM cover), ‘Burke And Hare’, ‘Mary Ann’, ‘The Bloody Benders’, ‘Lizzie Borden’, ‘The Ripper Tramp From France’, ‘Bella The Butcher’, ‘The Kiss Of Death’ and ‘The Sweet Tender Meat Vendor’.
Swedish cult act MORBID have teamed up with Century Media Records to release "Year Of The Goat", a 100% official vinyl and CD offering covering the seminal band’s first demo "December Moon", live and rehearsal recordings on April 04, 2011 in Europe."Year Of The Goat" will be available as ultra deluxe triple-gatefold LP with three 180g vinyls, printed inner sleeves and slipcase as well as deluxe kingsize 2CD mediabook in a slipcase packaging. All material has been collected and compiled by Dr. Schitz in cooperation with Napoleon Pukes, Drutten, Klacke, TG as well as Dead’s brothers Anders and Daniel Ohlin. It also features liner notes by Daniel Ekeroth (author of "Swedish Death Metal") along with an in-depth interview by Metalion (taken from the final issue of Slayer Magazine). Rounded off with cover artwork and entire layout being done by Erik Danielsson (WATAIN), "Year Of The Goat" is the first comprehensive MORBID release that truly honors the band’s musical legacy and memory of legendary vocalist Dead – also renowned for his time in Norwegian black metal act MAYHEM – who committed suicide on April 08, 1991. Dr Schitz states in his interview with Metalion (Slayer Mag): "I would have been quite content if MORBID would have remained in utter obscurity, but the Norns wanted otherwise and who am I to argue with them? Seeing all the bootlegs (over 35 last time I counted, and they keep coming) and interest in MORBID we decided that it would be proper to bring some closure to it all by doing a final, ultimate release. Not to cash in; on the contrary as we have decided to not make any profit but rather donate the proceeds to worthy causes. Of course, also to pay respect to our fans, to the memory of Dead, and to whatever we shared back then. I am very pleased and proud that just about all the old members have actively been involved in the production, without a trace of ego-bullshit. We have spared no efforts in making the very best we could. It should prove to be utterly essential to any fan of MORBID (and Dead)!" The complete tack-listing reads like this: CD / LP 1: ‘My Dark Subconscious’, ‘Wings Of Funeral’, ‘From The Dark’, ‘Disgusting Semla’ (all taken from the "December Moon" Demo 1986), ‘My Dark Subconscious’, ‘Wings Of Funeral’, ‘Tragic Dream / From The Dark’, ‘Deathexecution’ and ‘Disgusting Semla’ (all rehearsal tracks). CD 2 (or LP 2 and 3) features the following live tracks: ‘Intro’, ‘My Dark Subconscious’, ‘Deathexecution’, ‘Wings Of Funeral’, ‘Citythrasher (Schnabelkäse)’, ‘Necrodead’, ‘Tragic Dream’, ‘Disgusting Semla’, ‘From The Dark’ (recorded live at Birkagården, Stockholm, October 23, 1987), ‘Wings Of Funeral’, ‘Deathexecution’, ‘Necrodead’, ‘Disgusting Semla’ (recorded live at Ultrahuset, Stockholm, April 26, 1987), ‘Wings Of Funeral’, ‘Citythrasher / Deathexecution’, ‘My Dark Subconscious’ and ‘Necrodead’ (recorded live at Ultrahuset, November 23, 1987). For more info check out www.centurymedia.com