Sons Of Aeon: Sons Of Aeon – new album

“[SONS OF AEON's guitarist Wille Naukkarinen puts it thusly:] With a few exceptions, I’m personally not interested in today's extreme metal. I like my metal with nuances and soul. Math-based, vacuum-packed bursts of anger just don’t do the trick for me. I like when the drums are played by a musician and not a computer and [I like] albums that sound like they are a result of team work, instead of just being solo efforts of five different musicians. Technical abilities or robot-like preciseness are not a synonyms for quality in my books. And off the record, having famous guest-musicians in your album just for the sake of selling a few more copies is just lame. Why I am writing this is because on some strange spiritual level, I find similarities between some of the nineties [death metal] groups and SONS OF AEON. Just like with these bands, there is something “adventurous” and child-like innocence in us. It’s hard to explain the heart and soul of SOA in few sentences because I feel that the core idea lies more in constant sense of change and exploring, rather than just being a part of a certain genre and settling in. I think that once you hear the album, my words start to make sense. There is everything from old school death metal to chilled out melancholia and from dark hardcore to mid-tempo metal and they’re all equally important parts of what this band is about.”

‘Sons Of Aeon’, the album, is due January 18th/21st, 2013 in Europe and January 22nd in North America, courtesy Lifeforce Records. The band's, which consist of current and former members of GHOST BRIGADE, SWALLOW THE SUN, CODE FOR SILENCE and ENDSTAND, debut LP awaits you here as digital download here, in its physical form (Lifeforce Records here) and on iTunes and Amazon.

SONS OF AEON features: Tapio Vartiainen – guitar, Wille Naukkarinen – guitar, Pasi Pasanen – drums, Tony Kaikkonen – vocals and Tommi Kiviniemi - bass

Winterhorde: Wreckage Ghost – new video & Underwatermoon – full album stream

 

I usually squirm in my seat when my countrymen/women release metal videos, but WINTERHORDE and Romanian artist Costin Chioreanu who directed the clip, did just fine. ‘Wreckage Ghost’ comes off WINTERHORDE's second full-length album ‘Underwatermoon’, released in 2010 via German label Twilight-Vertrieb and available in full for your listening pleasure and purchase here (BandCamp) and below, as well as on the heels of a true winter storm that battered these shores this past week enough for the band to justify their wintery name. ‘Underwatermoon’ was recorded with producer V. Sentura, and its art was created by Gustavo Sazes. In related news, WINTERHORDE are currently looking for a lead guitarist; if interested visit their Facebook page here for details:

“It wouldn’t be wrong to say that WINTERHORDE do what symphonic black metal band CARACH ANGREN did on their sophomore album, ‘Death Came Through A Phantom Ship’, only do it much better. Unlike the prior, the band is adept at keeping the story-concept serious in its representation on ‘Underwatermoon’, while making sure that the clean vocal sections, female and/or male, don’t disrupt the album's excellent flow. This is a vital point, as what makes the album work as well as it does is found in how its contents seamlessly work together throughout its length, all to come to a triumphant and satisfying close with the light, delicate acoustics of finale ‘Farewell’,” [wrote Sputnik Music reviewer – read more here:]

 

 

Formed in 1999 in Nahariya, Israel, WINTERHORDE searched for their identity for a while under the name “Autumn Palace”. As WINTERHORDE they recorded a  4-track demo called ‘In Traditions Of Winter’ which they released in 2004 through SRG Productions. Encouraged by positive feedback, they signed a deal with Greek label Burning Star Records in 2006. Combining melodic black metal with elements of death and progressive metal, WINTERHORDE's debut LP, ‘Nebula’, came through in 2006:

 

WINTERHORDE features: Horeph – vocals, Lex – guitar, Celestial – bass, Morgenrot – synthesizer and Hesperus – drums

 

 

Full Album Stream: Denouncement Pyre: Almighty Arcanum– new album

 

“Few metal bands of the world truly frighten. Whether it’s songs of Satan, ancient fjords, circumcised babies, or dismembered women (far more common than dismembered men, mind you), metal bands have covered it all ad nauseam. And we, as metal acolytes, have become accustomed to that which would normally repulse or scare. But, there are times when bands do project danger, a sense of uncertainty, an unbridled noise that scorches the cockles of our clearly corrupt hearts. Case in point: DENOUNCEMENT PYRE,” [dramatically improved my mood Chris D. of Decibel magazine fame where, incidentally, DENOUNCEMENT PYRE's brand new album is being currently streamed in its unstoppable entirety (also because the people there uploaded the entire album as one track)]

So, after long daring only to whisper about DENOUNCEMENT PYRE's “ascent from ten years of underground darkness up the throne of Luciferian supremacy”, ‘Almighty Arcanum’ has arrived and awaits your pre-orders here (Hells Headbangers). The fierce Aussies' second LP was mastered at Endarker Studios in Sweden, while its artwork was created by Andrei Bouzikov. ‘Almighty Arcanum’ is due January 22nd, 2013 on Hells Headbangers Records, who comment:

“ ‘Almighty Arcanum’ is a veritable abyss of fiery, blackened death metal, but now sharper and more focused than ever. Total Darkness. Total Death. The unification of all that was, is, and will be: await ‘Almighty Arcanum’ :”

 

 

According to trusted source (Encyclopedia Metallum), DENOUNCEMENT PYRE released a couple of demos between 2004/2005 as formless entities. Gathering up some sort of form in form of guitarist/bassist and vocalist Decaylust, guitarist Eradicator and drummer Chris Volcano, they have turned up, of all places, in Melbourne, Australia where they issued an 7” EP called ‘Under The Aegis Of Damnation’, followed by ‘Hells Infantry’ EP in 2006, followed by a split with DIOCLETIAN, ‘Chaos Rising’, and another 7” EP, ‘Circle Of The Black Flame’, in 2008. The same trusted source lists Decaylust as the only perpetrator at the time DENOUNCMENT PYRE's first full-length appeared via Hells Headbangers Records; ‘World Cremation’ was released in 2010.

 

DENOUNCEMENT PYRE these days features artist known only as:  D. – guitar, bass and vocals, R. – bass and L. – drums

 

HateSphere: Smell Of Death – new video

What a week this turned out to be for one very creative Mircea Gabriel Efemie, the person behind the new HATESPHERE video ‘Smell Of Death’, and, of course, the guitarist of MNEMIC fame. ‘Smell Of Death’ comes off HATESPHERE's seventh album ‘The Great Bludgeoning’, issued through Napalm Records in 2011, and produced, mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen at his Antfarm Studios in Denmark. HATESPHERE's latest recording entered the official Danish National Music chart at number 40, while their 2009's ‘To The Nines’ managed position number 36, and 2007's album, ‘Serpent Smiles And Killer Eyes’, debuted at number 26. ‘The Great Bludgeoning’, whose art was created by the aforementioned Mr. Efemie as well, awaits you here (Impericon), here (Napalm Records) and here (Supreme Chaos Records), whilst the band's first video released in promotion of the record, Søren Dybdal Jensen and Claus Reinhold-directed ‘Resurrect With A Vengeance’, awaits you below:

“[Explained HATESPHERE:] The cover, the title and the lyrics speaks for themselves. We are an angry-sounding metal band, and we have no intention of denying that. That’s why the cover is more back-to-the-roots and the lyrics are again about aggressions, drinking and hate. The things that HATESPHERE has always been about. Expect brutality, melody and groove in just the right dose. We have had one hell of a time writing and recording it, and we cant wait to present the album to all of you before long!”

Formed in 1998 by high school friends led by guitarist Peter “Pepe” Hansen in Aarhus, Denmark, HATESPHERE underwent quite a few line-up changes and different monikers before the release of their eponymous debut album in 2000 via Italy's Scarlet Records. On 2002's ‘Bloodred Hatred’, the band replaced drummer Jesper Moesgaard first with Morten Toft Hansen and then with Anders Gyldenøhr. Next, they substituted guitarist Niels Peter “Ziggy” Siegfredsen with Henrik Jacobsen before 2004's ‘Ballet Of The Brute’ was issued:

“Really two halves of a conceptual sonic whole, the opening pairing of instrumental ‘The Beginning And The End’ and the aptly titled ‘Deathtrip’ (both clocking in under two minutes in length) is positively lethal in its intensity, introducing listeners to the band's tightly spliced guitar-riffing and drum-pounding acrobatics, as well as the gargled death croak (bordering on hardcore) of vocalist Jacob Bredahl,” [commented the Century Media-released album Eduardo Rivadavia, AllMusic – read more here]

In 2005, HATESPHERE signed with SPV Records and engaged the services of a team of established Danish producers Tommy Hansen, Jacob Hansen and Tue Madsen for their next release, ‘The Sickness Within’:

“Next to industrial metal acts, HATESPHERE is probably the most metallic sounding band out there - the beginning of ‘The Fallen Shall Rise In A River Of Blood’ sounds akin to machinery in a factory sputtering out of control (or coming back from the dead, to teach its mean operators a thing or two),” [was impressed Greg Prato, AllMusic – more here]

Before recording their fifth album, the band had managed to make history by being the first Danish band to tour China. Their 2007's ‘Serpent Smiles And Killer Eyes’ broke onto the Danish National Music Charts, peaking at position number 26. Long-time vocalist Jacob “Dr. J” Bredahl left HATESPHERE soon after the release and was replaced with new frontman Jonathan “Joller” Albrechtsen, with whom Peter Hansen (guitar), Mixen Lindberg (bass), Dennis Buhl (drums) and Jakob Nyholm (lead guitar) recorded ‘To The Nines’. The LP was produced by Tue Madsen and released in 2009 via Napalm Records. Vocalist Albrechtsen parted ways with the band in 2010, followed by bassist Lindberg. Esben “Esse” Hansen (AS WE FIGHT) and Jimmy Nedergaard (GOB SQUAD) took over the vocal duties and the four strings in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

Full Album Stream: Wallachia: Shunya – new album

North Americans will be finally able to get their hands on Lars Stavdal's WALLACHIA third full-length offering, ‘Shunya’, tomorrow, January 8th, 2013, courtesy Debemur Morti Productions. The album, recorded, mixed and mastered at Soundtempel Studios with musician, engineer and producer Stefan Traunmüller, is an introspective and personal record for its creator, yet it is also instantly-accessible here (BandCamp) where it is being streamed in full. ‘Shunya’, its artwork crafted by Romanian artist Laura Sava, features Lars Stavdal on lead guitar, bass and vocals, Thomas Kocher on drums, Stefan Traunmüller on vocals, Dr. Caroline Oblasser on cello and Anna Oklejewicz on violin and viola, with Paal André Sandnesmo taking care of orchestrations. Listen to 'Shunya' here (BandCamp) or below, and buy the album here (Debemur Morti store):

“The cult of WALLACHIA returns with stunning third full-length, ‘Shunya’, comprising eight exhibits of melancholic black metal with a catchy, symphonic touch. ‘Shunya’ is an introspective, instantly-accessible metal album that stays faithful to the epic-sounding natural rawness that has been WALLACHIA's trademark since the mid-90s. The rich harvest of one man's expansive vision, this inimitable album represents a personal, emotional voyage of discovery, based on experiences of loss and displacement, driven by the spirit to overcome all obstacles. A theme of emptiness permeates the music - as it does the outside world. The term “shunya” is borrowed from the Sanskrit language and means “empty” or “void” as well as resembling the number zero from Indian numerology. WALLACHIA's latest and most ambitious work identifies the nothingness that exists in everything when modern technology takes hold and the essential spiritual value of ancient art(s) is forever lost:”

WALLACHIA started out in 1992 as a project for Norwegian musician Lars Stavdal. In 1995, with the inclusion of guitarist Eystein Garberg, he recorded WALLACHIA's debut demo, ‘Demo 1996’, which was self-released on tape in 1996, and re-issued by French label Velvet Music International on CD format. In 1997, WALLACIA released self-titled MCD and started to work on a full-length album. ‘From Behind The Light’ followed in 1999, only few weeks before the label, VMI, went out of business. In 2005, U.S. label Dark Horizon re-released ‘From Behind The Light’, and the following year, WALLACHIA recorded an instrumental pre-production for the entire second album which caught the attention of Austrian musician and producer Stefan Traunmüller who offered his help to produce and record the band's sophomore effort. ‘Ceremony Of Ascension’ was released in 2009 on German label Twilight Vertrieb.

Royal Thunder: Blue – new video & CVI – full album stream

 

A day that starts with ROYAL THUNDER is bound to be a good day; ‘Blue’ comes off the band's highly praised debut full length ‘CVI’, issued through Relapse Records in May 2012. The absolute must-have for fans of the Atlanta and Savannah metal and hard rock scene, recorded at Aria Recording Studio in Marietta, Georgia, awaits you here (Relapse Records). Described as “a psych/prog/metal fan's dream come true, a triumphant display of crescendo-ing riffs, sultry vocals and propulsive grooves, way way more than just a brilliant metal album, a sultry southern hard rock thinker of an album that appeals to both the SKYNYRD and the NEUROSIS sides of the brain” awaits to gratify your senses in full here (BandCamp) or below:

“We poured all of our hard work and passion into this 10-song LP,” [explained vocalist and bass player Mlny Parsonz] We saw highs and lows along the way, but in the end we made it. We made something we are so proud of. We look back on our past efforts and take with us the good, and strive to keep going and growing. We can’t wait to see what the future holds and we hope this new album is an inspiration and light in the lives of everyone who listens to it.”

“…Atlanta's ROYAL THUNDER represent a new generation of bands - and the fertile Georgia music scene, in particular - capable of looking beyond those prejudices, and finding new ways to mix and match both styles [alternative rock and heavy metal], along with numerous musical antecedents and later developments, into curious new aural shapes. As a result, the quartet's debut full-length, CVI (literally the Roman numerals for 106, which apparently has cryptic importance to the group), frequently sounds like some ungodly jam session between LED ZAPPELIN, BLACK SABBATH and HUSKER DU! … ROYAL THUNDER ultimately sound like no one but themselves. Obviously, that’s no mean feat nowadays, but apparently that’s what can happen when musical foes are forced to reconcile. Who knew?” [Read the rest of ‘CVI’ review written by Eduardo Rivadavia, AllMusic, here:]

 

Atlanta-based four-piece, progressive rock/metal, alternative band ROYAL THUNDER, was founded by lead guitarist Josh Weaver in 2006. Vocalist and bassist Mlny Parsonz joined the group in 2007, bringing along with her drummer Lee Smith. Rhythm guitarist Josh Coleman was soon added to the fold. ROYAL THUNDER self-recorded and released a seven song EP in late 2009, before signing with Relapse Records. The label re-issued the EP in 2010. Listen to it below and buy the ‘Royal Thunder’ here (Relapse store) or here (BandCamp):

 

ROYAL THUNDER features: Mlny Parsonz – vocals and bass, Josh Weaver – guitar, Josh Coleman – guitar and Evan Diprima – drums

 

Fuck The Facts: Drift – new video & Die Miserable – full album stream

 

Canadian grinders, FUCK THE FACTS, have once again inspired director, editor and sometimes animator Michael Panduro; ‘Drift’ comes off the band's ninth album ‘Die Miserable’, released in October 2011 on Relapse Records. Listen to the full album, recorded by the band at their own home studio, mixed by Craig Boychuk and mastered by Alan Douches here (BandCamp) and shop for its CD and LP editions via Relapse Records here. ‘Die Miserable’ artwork was created by the band's vocalist Melanie Mongeon:

“On ‘A Coward's Existence’ I feel like we really were able to make it all work together. The song is from the point of view of someone who doesn’t take any chances in life, because of fear of failure, ridicule… Someone that just waits and hopes for fate to make things happen for them, and before they know it, their time is up and they never got to do all things they wish they had. This is pretty much the basis of the album title ‘Die Miserable’. If we spend all our time worrying about money, what other people will do or think, if we’re good enough to accomplish the things we want to do, that eventually it ends with regret and a void that was never filled because we were to afraid to live the life was always wanted to,” [explained  guitarist Topon Das]

 

“ ‘Die Miserable’ continues the band's growth and may actually be the most complete, beginning to end, feeling album the band has done. The addition of new, permanent members since the last full length has really pushed the song-writing in FUCK THE FACTS for the better. As usual, Topon Das has come through with some incredible riffs though this time they have a little more old school death metal feel with maybe a hint at some classic rock love as well. I’ve always been a big fan of Mel Mongeon's vocals, I’m constantly amazed by both the power and passion of her voice. It’s easy to feel like she’s standing in front of you yelling at you while beating you over the head to make sure you understand,” [wrote, impressed, Jason Wellwood, Hellbound.ca – read the rest here:]

 

Before assuming their provocative name, FUCK THE FACTS was originally a nameless studio project conceived by guitarist and vocalist Topon Das in 1997 in Quebec, Canada. Releasing a self-titled full-length cassette in 1999, followed by another full-length cassette entitled ‘Vagina Dancer’ in 2000, Das released his first proper CD, ‘Discoing The Dead’, in 2001. All three efforts were recorded at his home studio and released via his own label/s. Encouraged by positive feedback, Das enlisted drummer Matt Connell, guitarist Tim Audette, vocalist Brent Christoff and bassist Shomir Das who left the newly established band days after recording 2001's EP ‘Four0ninE’. A four-piece now, FUCK THE FACTS released a 37-track 35-minutes long full-length ‘Mullet Fever’ in 2001. Vocalist Christoff was replaced by Mel Mongeon before FTF's next full-length, ‘Backstabber Etiquette’, came out on Grind It! Records in 2002. Touring which took the group across Canada and the U.S. proved too much for guitarist Audette. FTF continued releasing numerous splits as a three-piece after his departure in 2003 until, eventually, completely exhausting the drummer. Tim Olsen was brought in as Connell's replacement, joined by guitarist Dave Menard and bassist Marc-André Mongeon. As quintet, the band took off touring which this time claimed the newcomers, Marc and Dave. Before they left though, they recorded the 2005's EP ‘Legacy Of Hopelessness’. Guitarist Mathieu Vilandré and bassist Steve Chartier (also known as Esteve Decalisse) joined in just in time for FTF's next tour, after which drummer Olsen was “asked to leave”. Consequently, Vilandré would find himself behind the drum kit at the time Relapse Records had sought out the group for a three-album deal. FUCK THE FACTS' seventh full-length, ‘Stigmata High-Five’, was released in 2006 under the fatherly guidance of their new label:

“Ottawa's grind/metal powerhouse FUCK THE FACTS impacts with the subtlety of an atom bomb on their Relapse debut,” [stated the label] “Good old-fashioned grindcore is the name of the game here, and the Canadian group plays by the rules throughout - metronome-precision drumming and riffing abound, as well as vocal screams and growls. No ballads here, folks,” [added Greg Prato, AllMusic – more here:]

 

After a year long tour that followed the release, FTF parted ways with bassist Steve Chartier “for reasons that aren’t that uncommon”. Yet the group braved on, releasing their eight album, ‘Disgorge Mexico’ in 2008:

“The dreamily, darkly beautiful guitar solo on ‘Dead End’ is as much a part of the arsenal as the power metal pomp-into-neo-thrash rampage on the opening ‘Borders’ but it’s all still Topon Das and company once more. Mel Mongeon's singing remains crucial throughout the album, with showcase moments like her turn on the cascading midsong break on ‘As Empires Expand And Collapse’ being well-deserved attention getters,” [commented Ned Raggett, AllMusic – more here:]

 

 

In 2009, FUCK THE FACTS embarked on their first ever European tour by the end of which touring bassist Marc Bourgon would become full-time member. In 2010, the group released their fourth EP entitled ‘Unnamed EP’ followed by their first video offering ‘Disgorge Mexico: The DVD’:

 

 

Not known for their laziness, FTF recorded and self-released their fifth EP, ‘Misery’, in 2011; the recording featured guest vocalists Jesse Mathewson  and Elliot Desgagnes and guitar noise by Leigh Newton:

 

 

FUCK THE FACTS features: Topon Das – guitar, Melanie Mongeon – vocals, Mathieu “Vil” Vilandré – drums, Marc “Chops” Bourgon – bass and Johnny “Beige” Ibay – guitar

 

Loathe: Bucketlove – new video & free song & Desponded By Design – full album stream

 

Well, from the true land of honey, Malta (derived from Greek word “melite” meaning honey-sweet), come LOATHE a.k.a. Malta's premier metal band. They have recently unleashed upon this world their Cedric Vella-directed video for the first single from their upcoming EP, ‘Lambs To The Slaughter’, which they are giving away for free here (BandCamp). And while there, take time to acquaint yourselves with lyrics that accompany the music composed by a band not known for mincing their words.

 

Formed in 2001 and operating out of Marsa, Malta, LOATHE had released three EPs and a full length album entitled ‘Despondent By Design’ over the past decade. In 2003, they independently issued their debut EP ‘Abort/Retry/Fail’, followed by ‘Up Close And Personal’ in 2005 and ‘Darkest Night Of The Soul’ in 2007. LOATHE's debut LP came through UK label Casket Music in 2010. Mixed and mastered by David Vella in Temple Studios in Malta, ‘Despondent By Design’ was received positively by fans and critics alike. Listen to the full album here (BandCamp) or below:

 

LOATHE features: David Fenech - vocals, Karl Cachia - gutar, Kurt Pace - guitar, Mark Debono – bass and Max Vassallo – drums

 

Scum Of The Earth: The Devil Made Me Do It – new video

 

 

Lovingly referred to as “the vile and despicable mob of macabre”, SCUM OF THE EARTH, have released a new (at least new for those of us living outside the USA) video; ‘The Devil Made Me Do It’ was directed by Tim King and produced by Splashdown Media. Your new favourite horror & dance metal record was released in the USA in August 2012 on Goomba Music and distributed through eOne, and finally brought over to this side of the Atlantic by SPV in November 2012. ‘The Devil Made Me Do It’ was produced by SCUM OF THE EARTH leader Riggs and producer and programmer VolkStoker, and recorded at “Scum HQ” in Branson, Missouri. Furthermore, remixes of some of SCUM OF THE EARTH songs done by EXAGEIST and VolkStroker will become available for digital download on iTunes and other digital outlets on January 15, 2013. You are welcome to check out the official remix teaser below.

 

Named after a song from ROB ZOMBIE 2001's album ‘Sinister Urge’, SCUM OF THE EARTH was founded by former Rob Zombie guitarist as well as singer, songwriter and producer in his own right Mike Riggs, along with guitarist Mike Tempesta (also known for his contributions to POWERMAN 5000, an underground electro-metal band helmed by Rob Zombie's younger brother Michael Cummings). With Zombie primarily focusing on his films at the time, the duo of guitarists, along with drummer John Tempesta (Mike's older brother as well as Rob Zombie's drummer) and bassist Clay Campbell, had put their experience to a good use and released ‘Blah...Blah...Blah... Love Songs For The New Millennium’ in 2004 (Eclipse Records):

“… Notice that certain words keep coming up when Zombie and Riggs are discussed - words like humorous, fun and entertaining. Riggs, like Zombie, realizes that in a post '80s, post ‘Nevermind’ [album by NIRVANA] rock world, humor and campy fun are not illegal; there is no law stating that post '80s rock has to be ultra-serious-minded 100 percent of the time. ‘Blah…Blah…Blah’ doesn’t point alternative metal in any new directions, but in terms of infectiousness and sheer entertainment value, SCUM OF THE EARTH's first album is a success,” [noticed Alex Henderson, AllMusic – read the rest here]

In 2004, SCUM OF THE EARTH, featuring almost an entirely new lineup made up of Riggs, bassist Clay Others, guitarist Skyla Talon (MODELSAINT) and former WHITE ZOMBIE drummer Ivan de Prume, issued ‘Sleaze Freak’ which reportedly spotlighted a certain red-light district vibe, “one which emanated from Riggs' personal experience in and around houses of fleshly sin and ill repute, particularly those in Hamburg, Germany”.

SCUM OF THE EARTH features: Mike Riggs – vocals & guitar, Brandon Workman – bass, Eddie Travis – drums and Nick Mason – guitar

 

 

My Dying Bride: The Poorest Waltz – new video

According to highly reliable sources, MY DYING BRIDE's new video, ‘The Poorest Waltz’, tells the story of “a midnight tryst between two young village men and a dorm of blind girls locked in a sanatorium, who dance the night away to elegant music and home made wine”. The tune itself comes from the death & doom crew's eleventh studio album, ‘A Map Of All Our Failures’, recorded and mixed at Futureworks Studios in Manchester, U.K. with production maestro Mags. ‘A Map Of All Our Failures’, released in October 2012 on Peaceville Records, can be ordered from here, including limited edition of the album featuring a bonus track and a 70-minute documentary DVD. While you admire the album's artwork created by Rhett Podersoo, visit Decibel Magazine here and listen to four new MDB songs/half of ‘A Map Of All Our Failures’:

“In short, [‘A Map Of All Our Failures’] is a breathtakingly beautiful record, full of achingly heavy but melodic riffs and melancholic orchestrations weaving in and out of funereal march rhythms that are sparse, yet insistent. Every note and every beat matters, but it’s the spaces in between that best convey the tragedy and inherent heartbreak so characteristic of MY DYING BRIDE,” [wrote Marcus Jervis, About.com – read more here]

“MY DYING BRIDE's distinctively sumptuous dual guitar melodies effortlessly flood into juggernaut doom metal riffs, with the vocals of Aaron Stainthorpe weaving a rich tapestry of tragic tales into the accompanying soundscapes. ‘A Map Of All Our Failures’ is perhaps best and most effectively summarized by guitarist Andrew Craighan, who describes the album as “a controlled demolition of all your hopes,” [added the press release]

Formed in 1990 in one time capital of the world wool trade, Bradford, England, MY DYING BRIDE released a demo called ‘Towards The Sinister’ within six moths following the band's inception and continued with the release of a 7” single ‘God Is Alone’. “Causing eager whispers in the underground”, it brought them to the attention of Peaceville Records. An EP ‘Symphonaire Infernus Et Spera Empyrium’ was shortly followed by the band's first proper album, 1992's ‘As The Flower Withers’. MDB forged ahead with the release of their second EP ‘The Thrash Of Naked Limbs’, after which the band recruited long time session musician classically trained violin and piano player Martin Powell as a full-time member. Reportedly, with their second album ‘Turn Loose The Swans’, released in 1993, MY DYING BRIDE had taken sorrow to new extremes:

“The gothic strains and pure depression of the band are in peak form on this recording. … Averaging a cool eight minutes apiece, each of this record's seven songs is dripping with treachery and pain, as the band's lyrical fascination with deceit and transgressions of every variety are apparent in every line,” [summed the album up Jason Anderson, AllMusic – read more here]

‘I Am The Bloody Earth’ EP came next in 1994, and the six sinister, yet epic tracks averaging around nine minutes each that made up MDB's third longplayer, ‘The Angel And The Dark River’, followed in 1995 and was succeeded by ‘Like Gods Of The Sun’ in 1996. Original drummer Rick Miah, who contracted a debilitating illness, had been replaced by Bill Law on the band's experimental album 1998's ‘34.788% Complete’. Shaun Steels took up the drumming duties on 1999's ‘The Light At The End Of The World’ which also introduced guitarist Andrew Craighan. Shortly after the album was recorded, the band enlisted second guitarist Hamish Glencross. ‘The Light At The End Of The World’ was met with much praise by critics and fans alike and, emboldened, in 2001 MY DYING BRIDE recorded yet more angst and relentless misery they named ‘The Dreadful Hours’:

“True to MY DYING BRIDE's trademark, ‘The Dreadful Hours’ makes for a dreary, somber listening experience, but keeping that in mind, it’s also an really well-done and inspired album,” [complimented William York, AllMusic – read more here]

In 2003, MDB turned to producer Mags once again and their eight LP, ‘Songs Of Darkness Words Of Light’, followed in 2004. The recording that introduced keyboardist Sarah Stanton was described as “beautiful, just beautiful” by Thom Yurek, AllMusic. Preferring not to rest on their laurels, MDB continued to catalog yet more gloom and sorrow with compilation album and DVD they unleashed in 2005, while a three-track EP, ‘Deeper Down’, preceded their ninth album 2006's ‘A Line Of Deathless Kings’, with John Bennett handling the drums. Not to stray from tradition, the band issued a live recording in 2008, featuring their current bassist Lena Abé, who replaced Adrian Jackson, as well as new drummer Dan Mullins, with whom MDB recorded their tenth studio album ‘For Lies I Sire’. Introducing also new keyboardist Katie Stone, the album was depicted as “brilliant work” by Thom Yurek, AllMusic (more here). The band's longtime fans were treated with a series of symphonic and orchestral-based compositions in 2011, to “commemorate” MDB's 20th anniversary. Later that same year MY DYING BRIDE released an epic 27-minutes long track entitled ‘The Barghest O’ Whitby’, the first recording to feature violinist and keyboardist Shaun Macgowan. 

MY DYING BRIDE features: Aaron Stainthorpe – vocals, Andrew Craighan – guitar, Hamish Glencross – guitar, Lena Abé – bass and Shaun MacGowan – violin & keyboards