Djevel: Besatt Av Maane Og Natt – new album

 

DJEVEL, starring bandmembers of NETTLECARRIER, KVELERTAK and KOLDBRANN, have a new album out; available digitally on iTtunes, Amazon, Spotify, Deezer and eMusic since June 3rd, 2013, ‘Besatt Av Maane Og Natt’ has become obtainable in its physical form (as vinyl and as CD) on June 14th, 2013 via Aftermath Music. “True believers” should therefore shop here (Aftermath store). Featuring founder and guitarist, songwriter and lyricist T. Ciekals (ex-LJÅ), vocalist Erlend Hjelvik, drummer Dirge Rep and bassist Mannevond, DJEVEL recorded their second LP this past winter at Caliban Studios in Oslo, Norway. ‘Besatt Av Maane Og Natt’s (Norwegian for being obsessed by the moon and night – see picture) cover art was created by T. Ciekals and Truls Espedal:

“ ‘Besatt Av Maane Og Natt’ is a triumph of an album – it is as ambitious as it is nostalgic. Without a doubt, I would recommend this album to anyone even slightly interested in natural, Norwegian black metal,” [commented CVLT Nation's reviewer – more here]

“ ‘Besatt Av Maane Og Natt’ is 45 minutes of sheer brilliance. The darkness is ever present on all eight of the eerily haunting and hypnotizing tracks summoned here. The intensity, and at times very fast paced riffs, threatens to subdue and take over the listener completely,” [added Norskmetal reviewer who calls himself VempireChrist and for that alone we shall trust in him – more here]

 

Formed in 2009 by T. Ciekals in Oslo, Norway, DJEVEL (you’ve guessed it - it’s Norwegian for dybbuk) was initially a one-man project. Slowly but surely growing into a band, DJEVEL, made up of grim vocalist Erlend Hjelvik, aggressive drummer Dirge Rep - while Mannevond just plays bass, released their debut album, ‘Dødssanger’, in 2012 through Aftermath Music, followed by a very limited 7” vinyl single called ‘Besatt Av Maane Og Natt’.

DJEVEL features: T. Ciekals – guitar, Erlend Hjelvik – vocals, Dirge Rep – drums and Mannevond – bass

 

 

Full Album Stream: White Wizzard: The Devil's Cut – new album

Well, it turns out WHITE WIZZARD's new album has become available in Europe on June 3rd, 2013 through Earache Records and it is streaming in all its wizardly entirety below, courtesy the label. ‘The Devil's Cut’ will be released in North America on June 25th, 2013 through Earache and Century Media. WHITE WIZZARD's third full-length and the first to feature vocalist Joseph Michael, also features artwork created by Cameron Davis whom quite a few among you probably know as the lead character designer and illustrator for the “Guitar Hero” video game series. Now, equipped with all the necessary knowledge, shop for ‘The Devil's Cut’ here (Earache store Europe) and here (Earache U.S. store) or on iTunes/BandCamp:

Bassist Jon Leon formed WHITE WIZZARD in Los Angeles in 2007, “tired of the down-tuned screamo metal that seemed to be everywhere”. In 2008, WHITE WIZZARD, comprised of vocalist James Paul Luna, guitarist James LaRue, drummer Tyler Meahl, and Jon Leon, released their self-titled EP, showcasing cover art designed by none other than IRON MAIDEN artist Derek Riggs. Tensions which developed within the group after the second EP, 2009's ‘High Speed GTO’, was released, caused Leon to record the band's first full-length, ‘Over The Top’, with completely new line-up, since the rest of the group went on to form not-unsimilar-in-style, HOLY GRAIL. Leon reportedly discovered vocalist Wyatt “Screamin' Demon” Anderson through a MySpace search, guitarist Erik Kluiber apparently sold everything that wouldn’t fit in his truck and simply left with his guitars, some clothing and toiletries in order to live out his dream, and guitarist Chad Yasuhara and drummer Jesse Applehans allegedly sacrificed their homes, jobs, family and women because they were fully committed to spreading the cause of WHITE WIZZARD and traditional heavy metal all over the world. Expanding on the band's traditional heavy metal blueprint, the band's second LP followed through Earache Records in 2011, featuring Anderson on vocals, Leon on bass, Giovanni Durst on drums, and guitarists Cory Nagatoshi and Jake Dreyer:

“Everything with me, with the writing of WHITE WIZZARD, has been pretty much a natural flow, and it’s been exactly what I’ve been feeling at the time and what’s come out of me - none of it’s contrived. I’m just pretty much a RUSH geek and an IRON MAIDEN geek that loves music, that finally got sick of compromising being in different bands and just decided to form this band not caring if ten people showed up, and I still write like that,” [explained Jon Leon, WHITE WIZZARD mastermind]

WHITE WIZZARD features: Joseph Michael – vocals, Jon Leon – guitar and bass, Jake Dreyer – guitar, Will Wallner – guitar and Giovanni Durst - drums

From The Vastland: Kamarikan – new album

 

“We all know that there is a lot of great music out there, in countries where people are not able to express themselves freely and to live out their visions and lifestyles as they please. One of these examples is Sina from Iran, with his band FROM THE VASTLAND.”

Envisioned in 2010 by Sina, after “one night hearing his soul calling, influenced by the great ancient history of Persia”, FROM THE VASTLAND's debut album entitled ‘Darkness vs. Light’ saw its release in 2011 through Ukrainian label Arx Production. Again recording all tracks by himself, the new album ‘Kamarikan’, along with art created by Marcelo Vasco, was released in March 2013 on Indie Recordings supported by the “Freedom of Speech – Music Builds bridges” foundation. Yet, ‘Kamarikan’ was sold exclusively during this year's Inferno Festival (occurring annually in Norway) where Sina was invited to perform. And, backed by MORBID ANGEL's Thor Anders Myhren on guitar, PANTHEON I's André Kvebek on bass and KEEP OF KALESSIN's Vegard Larsen on drums, he performed indeed. Due to a popular demand, Indie Recordings wisely decided to give the album a worldwide release which occurred yesterday, June 12th, 2013. ‘Kamarikan’ is available here (Plastic Head UK), here (EMP) and through Indie Recordings download store here (see top right corner). The musician concurs:

“Now, I found my way and I want to continue walking through this dark misty path into eternity... Close your eyes, open your mind, hear the sounds calling from beyond... Come and accompany me into the other side of cosmos - to feel and know the unknown...”

 

Amorphis: The Wanderer – new video

‘The Wanderer’, directed by Patrick Ullaeus, comes off AMORPHIS' latest album ‘Circle’, released in April 2013 on Nuclear Blast Records. Mildly hot - yet rich in flavour (made of apples, chipotle and bourbon, like their new bourbon sauce), ‘Circle’ was recorded at Petrax Studio in Hollala, Finland and at 5K Studios in Helsinki, Finland and produced and mixed by Peter Tägtgren (of HYPOCRISY and PAIN). AMORPHIS have conquered their home country's, Finland, charts with their eleventh album, which peaked at number 13 in Germany and Hungary, at number 14 in the UK (Rock Chart), and at number 33 in Sweden where it entered Rock/Metal Chart at number 3. In the United States, ‘Circle’ debuted at number 11 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers. ‘Circle’s art was created by Tom Bates and the first video released in its promotion, ‘Hopeless Days’, directed by Patrick Ullaeus. Theme-wise:

“The protagonist has been dealt a bad hand at birth. He’s always felt himself an outsider with strong potential to become marginalized. Through an accident, after a crisis, he finds a connection with his inner powers. A guide is sent to him, from another time and place. He gets a chance to take hold of his own life and change his destiny. From the past of Carelian Finland he finds his own spiritual tribe and the power to turn the course of his doomed life. This is a story of survival,” [summarized AMORPHIS' lyricist Pekka Kainulainen]

So, unless you have already helped AMORPHIS climb up the aforementioned charts, discover the said protagonist's fate and find the answer to the burning question: if in fact, back in the days, when there was something special to talk about, wise men used to sit in a circle - here (Nuclear Blast Europe) or here (Nuclear Blast USA), through AMORPHIS' webshop here, or via iTunes and Amazon/Amazon MP3.

Formed in Helsinki, Finland back in 1990 by lead guitarist Esa Holopainen and drummer Jan Rechberger who soon recruited vocalist and guitarist Tomi Koivusaari and bassist Olli-Pekka Laine to their worthy cause, AMORPHIS, “determined to follow no vision but their own”, recorded their first and only demo in 1991 which caught the ear of Relapse Records. The label issued the band's debut full-length, ‘The Karelian Isthmus’ (“one of the best early-'90s European death metal debuts” according to Jason Anderson, AllMusic – more here), the year that followed. Released in 1993 in Europe through Nuclear Blast Records, the successful debut was succeeded by AMORPHIS' first concept album based on the Finnish national epic the “Kalevala”, 1994' ‘Tales From The Thousand Lakes’, featured Kasper Mårtenson on keyboards and vocalist Ville Tuomi. Strenuous tours that ensued proved too much for Rechberger and Mårtenson; they were replaced by drummer Pekka Kasari and keyboardist Kim Rantala. In addition, AMORPHIS recruited a sixth member, singer Pasi Koskinen, just before the recording of their third album, 1996's ‘Elegy’, had begun. ‘Elegy’ was described as “a powerful release” and “an inspired leap forward” by AllMusic's Ned Raggett (more here). Relentless touring that followed this time claimed keyboardist Rantala. Without his “lush synthesizer arabesques”, AMORPHIS put forth their fourth longplayer, “a mellow guitar album”, 1999's ‘Tuonela’. Listen to the tune off it,‘The Way’, here (BandCamp). After ten years of doing it their way, AMORPHIS saw fit to issue a celebratory album called ‘Story: 10th Anniversary’. Defying expectations once again, the band next recorded a progressive, rock-leaning ‘Am Universum’, with it introducing keyboardist Santeri Kallio and bassist Niclas Etelävuori to the public. 2001's record peaked at position number 4 on Finnish Albums Chart and was described by Jason Hundey, AllMusic, as “AMORPHIS' crown jewel for creative composition” (read more here while you listen to the opening track ‘Alone’ here). Founding member drummer Jan Rechberger rejoined AMORPHIS on their heavier, folk-oriented journey deep into Turkish and Persian territories, 2003/2004's ‘Far From The Sun’, which eventually proved to be the last recorded with singer Pasi Koskinen. His replacement was found in Tomi Joutsen, himself an AMORPHIS fan since their early days. Reviving those very days, the band's next effort, 2006's ‘Eclipse’, proved a critical and commercial success; it went straight to the top of the Finnish charts, where it was certified Gold, selling over 15,000 units. AMORPHIS continued on the proven path in 2007, with their eight studio album ‘Silent Waters’, which also received Gold certification in the band's home country. After “the sheer energy” of ‘Eclipse’ and “the sensitivity” of ‘Silent Waters’, AMORPHIS released their “excellent” ‘Skyforger’ in 2009, which not only conquered their home country charts again, but also entered the Austrian, Swiss and American charts. Negotiating “the realms of death, folk, progressive, electronic, and psychedelic rock and metal for over 20 years, turning yet again to their trusty “Kalevala” for a story cycle (courtesy Eduardo Rivadavia, AllMusic – more here)”, AMORPHIS issued their tenth record, ‘The Beginning Of Time’ in 2011. The “soundtrack for both cozy summer nights as well as the following fall and winter season” featured guest vocalists Savotta Choir and Netta Dahlberg.  

AMORPHIS features: Tomi Joutsen – vocals, Esa Holopainen – guitar, Niclas Etelävuori – bass, Jan Rechberger – drums,  Tomi Koivusaari – guitar and Santeri Kallio – keyboards

Full Album Stream: Scale The Summit: The Migration – new album

Instrumental metal mavericks', SCALE THE SUMMIT, new album ‘The Migration’ is out today, June 11th, 2013 on Prosthetic Records. Released digitally only outside of North America, the album can be downloaded from iTunes UK and iTunes Germany. In North America, ‘The Migration’ is available on iTunes, on BandCamp here, or as CD or LP here (Prosthetic web store). Recorded with Jamie King at Basement Studios in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the album features cover art by illustrator Duncan Storr and ten thrilling, adventurous soundscapes we can all enjoy below, courtesy Prosthetic Records:

Guitarists Chris Letchford and Travis LeVrier formed SCALE THE SUMMIT in 2004 after they have met as students at the Los Angeles Musicians Institute. SCALE THE SUMMIT's lineup was completed when fellow student and drummer Pat Skeffington and bassist Jordan Eberhardt joined up. A couple of years later, the band relocated to Houston, Texas and released a self-financed debut album in 2007, ‘Monument’, collecting accolades from some of the world's most respected heavy metal magazines as a result. Next, SCALE THE SUMMIT signed with Prosthetic Records and released their sophomore album, ‘Carving Desert Canyons’, in 2009, described as “fresh, sound-out-of-time experience” by Eduardo Rivadavia, AllMusic (more here). In 2011, they issued a Mark Lewis-produced ‘The Collective’:

“They’re much more about two-guitar interplay, and even expressive rhythm section work, than about mere showboating. This is a crucial strategy that permits their albums - not only ‘The Collective’, but its predecessor ‘Carving Desert Canyons’, too - to be listened to from front to back without the listener growing weary. A piece like ‘Drifting Figures’ lives up to its title: it’s a multifaceted composition, starting out as a spacy ballad with repetitive figures from one guitar balancing long notes from another, as the bass performs jazz fusion-ish loops beneath and the drummer goes tastefully wild, but then picks up speed and becomes more rockin' - and that’s typical of SCALE THE SUMMIT, not only the complexity and multi-stage writing, but the smooth transitions between sections and between tracks,” [commented Phil Freeman, AllMusic – more here:]

SCALE THE SUMMIT features: Chris Letchford – eight-string guitar, Travis LeVrier – seven-string guitar, Mark Michell – six-string bass and Pat Skeffington - drums

Darkthrone: Lesser Men – new video

Off one of this year's best records so far, DARKTHRONE's ‘Underground Resistance’, comes ‘Lesser Men’ – now also available in its video form. I agree, there’s not much to see, but then again these two, Fenriz and Nocturno Culto, have always been a bit special. Returning from the free-spirited metallic lands just in time to to deliver some masterful riffing (in a broad range of styles - from classic metal to thrash, from speed to black metal, not forgetting to add a pinch of punk) in February 2013, ‘The Underground Resistance’ should be sought out through Peaceville Records store here. Undoubtedly DARKTHRONE's strongest outing of late, ‘The Underground Resistance’ was written and recorded by guitarist, bassist, vocalist and lyricist Nocturno Culto (Ted Skjellum) and drummer, guitarist, bassist, vocalist and lyricist Fenriz (Gylve Fenris Nagell) at Necrohell 2 studios and mastered by Jack Control at Enormous Door in Texas, USA. The album's art was created by the iconic artist Jim Fitzpatrick.

Astonishingly, those who came to be known as “black metal's most reliable driving force” later on, started out as a death metal band known as “Black Death” – back in 1986, in Kolbotn, Norway. Or in Fenriz's own words:

“That means, we really couldn’t play, so any direction was a future hope, ha ha ha… In 1987, after the summer holidays I moved from Kolbotn to Vinterbro where I was kinda secluded because of necro public transportation. I delved furthermore into the magic abyss of 80's metal underground, and had no [choice but to] ditch members from my band and to get new ones.”

Becoming DARKTHRONE, the band independently released four demo tapes and was eventually signed by Peaceville Records. In 1991, Fenriz, Nocturno Culto, Dag Nilsen and Zephyrous (Ivar Enger) saw the release of the first DARKTHRONE full-length, ‘Soulside Journey’, reissued by Peaceville in 2003. The band's first black metal recording, these days considered a classic within the genre, ‘A Blaze In The Northern Sky’, followed in 1992:

“The legend has it that [Peaceville Records] thought this was a joke; such was the inexplicably crude violence perpetrated by its sometimes epic-length black metal odes to all things wicked and obscure. But once they discovered that the album's lo-fi standards were in fact entirely planned (and after much acrimonious haggling between both parties), the album was duly released against the label's better judgment… But instead, ‘Blaze’ became a turning point, philosophically and literally, for both DARKTHRONE and the entire black metal genre, which it helped to reignite,” [commemorated the moment Eduardo Rivadavia, AllMusic – more here]

After 1993's ‘Under A Funeral Moon’, qualified as “an historic example of anti-production” by Mr. Rivadavia (more here), Zephirous vanished and DARKTHRONE would remain a duo from then onwards. Loud in their ignorance and associating themselves with convicted murderer Varg Vikernes, the pair proceeded to record ‘Transilvanian Hunger’, issued in 1994, which, we are told by Eduardo Rivadavia, AllMusic, we should permit “to enjoy its deservedly high cult status despite this stain on its makers' reputations” (more here). Confronted with criticism, the band explained:

“We wish to state that ‘Transylvanian Hunger’ is beyond criticism, and any man who attempts to do so should be thoroughly patronized for his obviously Jewish behaviour.”

They tried to explain themselves again, stating that in Norwegian, the word “Jewish” simply means “idiot” and that the statement was not intended as racial insult. Not as amused as I am right now, DARKTHRONE was dropped by Peaceville Records. They released ‘Panzerfaust’ in 1995 through Moonfog Productions and The End Records. 1997's ‘Goatlord’ was followed by two tribute albums in 1998 and 1999, when DARKTHRONE's seventh album, ‘Ravishing Grimness’, appeared. 2001's ‘Plaguewielder’ marked the return to dirtier, blackened sounds, and the 2003's ‘Hate Them’ had, the once notorious duo,  “come face to face with their inescapable musical and emotional adulthood” (courtesy Eduardo Rivadavia, AllMusic – more here). On their eleventh album, and their last released on Moonfog, 2004's ‘Sardonic Wrath’, DARKTHRONE first embraced punk and rock influences. In 2005, they re-joined forces with Peaceville Records. In 2006, they released ‘The Cult Is Alive’, which caused AllMusic's Steward Mason to describe DARKTHRONE as “the ROLLING STONES of death metal” (more here). Their next album, called ‘Fuck Off & Die’, released in 2007, was followed by ‘Dark Thrones And Black Flags’ in 2008 and ‘Circle Of Wagons’ came next in 2010:

“Black metal bands, by definition, are essentially born out of a desire to challenge society with uncompromising music and shocking behavior, and they’re hardly averse to flying in the face of their own fan base's expectations, either, if instructed to do so by their dark muse. … In sum, while ‘Circle The Wagons’ is sure to appease some of the band's irate fans with its return to more conventionally metallic musical environs, don’t think for a minute that DARKTHRONE's members did this for anyone but themselves. If you haven't figured this out already, DARKTHRONE simply doesn't give a f**k about anyone else,” [was being smart again Eduardo Rivadavia, AllMusic – more here]

DARKTHRONE features: Fenriz – drums, guitar, bass, vocals and lyrics and Nocturno Culto - guitars, bass, vocals and lyrics

 

Children Of Bodom: Halo Of Blood – new album

 

They are partially responsible for this blog's ridiculous web address, they are CHILDREN OF BODOM. Their new and eight album, ‘Halo Of Blood’, is out now, June 7th, 2013, in Europe on Nuclear Blast Records; it will be released on June 10th in UK and on June 11th in North America. Described as “technically dazzling” by New York Times and “phenomenal” by Decibel Magazine, ‘Halo Of Blood’ was recorded at the band's Danger Johnny Studios in (“a top secret, undisclosed location in Helsinki”,)Finland with recording engineer Mikko Karmila and with Swedish producer Peter Tägtgren (of HYPOCRISY and PAIN) who oversaw production of both vocals and keyboards. The album was mixed at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki and its art created by Sami Saramaki. For behind the scenes stuff visit YouTube here, here and here, do watch COB's new video ‘Transference’ below, where you’ll find highly enjoyable title-track as well, and buy the record here (Nuclear Blast Europe), here (Nuclear Blast USA), on Amazon or on iTunes:

[Having been himself through quite a lot lately, CHILDREN OF BODOM's mastermind Alexi Laiho cautiously stated:] “Believe it or not, but we’ve managed to keep it fresh and new while still maintaining the elements that make COB's sound recognizable. Lyric-wise, ‘Halo Of Blood’ comprises topics we’ve never dealt with before. Whether you enjoy it with a beer or a glass of water, I’m sure you’ll have a blast!”

 

Formed in Espoo, Finland in 1993 by guitarist Alexi Laiho, also known as “Wildchild”, and drummer Jaska Raatikainen, CHILDREN OF BODOM's name relates to one of Finland's greatest and yet unsolved murder mysteries - the murders at the Lake Bodom. (In 1960s four teenagers went camping at the lake and three of them got butchered by axe-murderer and thrown into the lake.) With the lineup straightened with guitarist Alexander Kuoppala (whom Raatikainen reportedly met while playing French horn at a local big band where Kuoppala played a trumpet) and bassist Henkka “Blacksmith” Seppälä, CHILDREN OF BODOM recorded three demos, none of which allegedly made much of an impression. Undeterred, the band recorded an independent, self-financed album ‘Something Wild’ with keyboardist (and jazz pianist) Janne “Warman” Wirman. 1997's ‘Something Wild’ brought about the attention of Spinefarm Records as well as listeners and critics who marveled at the bandmembers' technical abilities. Following the band's grueling European tour, they next recorded 1999's ‘Hatebreeder’ and 2000's ‘Follow The Reaper’ (whom they seem to be following still, thirteen years later). In 2003, CHILDREN OF BODOM issued their fourth LP ‘Hate Crew Deathroll’, they were named Finnish Band of the Year at the Finnish Music Awards, and they embarked on their first world tour which resulted in Kuoppala's unexpected departure from the band. ‘Are You Dead Yet?’ arrived in 2005, “showing the quintet plowing full steam ahead, as the venom continues to bubble to the surface throughout” (Greg Prato, AllMusic – more here), pawing way for 2008's ‘Blooddrunk’ which apparently went Gold in Finland based on anticipation alone (“Boy, whoever thought that technical metal was dead as a doornail during the mid- to late '90s has been proven dead wrong,” wrote Greg Prato, AllMusic – more here). COB's seventh album ‘Relentless Reckless Forever’ came next in 2011, conquering the Finnish Albums Chart, entering the Germany's Album Chart at position number 20, and peaking at position number 42 on the Billboard Top 200:

“Ask heavy metal detractors what rubs them the wrong way the most about the genre, and one possible reason could be that, more often than not, metallists take themselves way too seriously. But that can’t be said about CHILDREN OF BODOM who have shown their lighter side when it comes to their knack for selecting cover tunes over the years (Britney Spears, Kenny Rogers, etc.) …  Throughout the album, you’ll endure a blitzkrieg of vicious yet tricky guitar riffs and solos, while “singer” Alexi Laiho knows only two ways to deliver a vocal line - growl and/or shout. But it’s not all pedal to the metal from beginning to end, at least from a musical standpoint - for every ferocious rocker (the album-opening ‘Not My Funeral’) there is a breather (‘Roundtrip To Hell And Back’) … Front to back, ‘Relentless Reckless Forever’ is probably the most consistent CHILDREN OF BODOM release yet,” [wrote Greg Prato, AllMusic – more here]

CHILDREN OF BODOM features: Jaska Raatikainen - drums, Alexi Laiho - vocals and guitar, Roope Latvala - guitar, Janne Wirman - keyboards and Henkka Seppälä on bass

 

 

Full Album Stream: Necronomicon: Rise Of The Elder Ones - new album

Inspired by life, death, the cycle of reincarnation and subsequent immortality (and I would venture to add H. P. Lovecraft to the list), Montreal, Canada's NECRONOMICON (a.k.a. “the hunters of the shadows”) are back with their fourth album ‘Rise Of The Elder Ones’, provided in its precise entirety below, courtesy the generous French label Season Of Mist. Now, I’m not as familiar with H. P. Lovecraft's work – if at all – as I suppose I should be, and I was greatly astonished to discover that (the people of “K'n-yan”, sometimes referred to as the) “Old Ones/Elder Ones” actually reside beneath Oklahoma, USA according to the revered author. Nevertheless, we live to learn. ‘Rise Of The Elder Ones’, NECRONOMICON's darkest, meanest album created for one purpose only:  to conquer everything from darkness onto the light, is out now in Europe, June 7th, 2013, and will be released in North America on June 11th, on Season Of Mist. Enjoy the album and help NECRONOMICON in their conquest/buy it here (Season Of Mist e-shop) or download it from iTunes:

“NECRONOMICON conjure epic images of forbidden sights and dark madness with their fourth full-length ‘Rise Of The Elder Ones’. The Canadians fuse the relentless onslaught of DEICIDE and SUFFOCATION with the massive dramatic sense of BEHEMOTH and DIMMU BORGIR, while adding a sinister and heavy melodic approach associated with the Stockholm school of death metal into their own crushing sound. ‘Rise Of The Elder Ones’ witnesses NECRONOMICON fine-tuning their style to perfection,” [the press release instructs:]

NECRONOMICON began in 1988, founded by guitarist and singer Rob “The Witch” Tremblay in the northern part of Canadian province Quebec, called the “Fjord of Saguenay”. Putting quality before quantity, NECRONOMICON took their time. The first physical sign of their unholy activity was put forth in 1992 in form of a demo entitled ‘Morbid Ritual’, followed by ‘The Silver Key’ EP in 1996. Already established on national level, NECRONOMICON's eagerly awaited debut album, 1999's ‘Pharaoh Of Gods’, “became a modern classic over the years; its eerie amalgamation of brutal dark metal and ambient atmospheres was ahead of its time”. NECRONOMICON followed up with a concept album, 2003's ‘The Sacred Medicines’, based on American Native myth – even featuring the “Red Bull” singers from Western Canada's Cree Nation on the title track. After relocating to Montréal and after “thoroughly conquering their homeland”, NECRONOMICON recorded their first international release, 2010's ‘Return Of The Witch’. And the world responded.

NECRONOMICON features: Rob “The Witch” – vocals and guitar, Armaros – bass and Rick – drums

Full Album Stream: Behexen: Rituale Satanum – reissue

After delivering a powerful exercise in orthodox black metal in 2012 with ‘Nightside Emanations’, BEHEXEN's debut album ‘Rituale Satanum’ is out now, restored and replenished, in Europe, June 7th, 2013. The “quintessential explosion of unadulterated blasphemy”, a true necessity in any self-respecting black metal disciple's library will be released through Debemur Morti Productions in North America on June 25th, 2013. The new ‘Rituale Satanum’ comes reinforced with enhanced artwork based on the original cover, created by Babalon Graphics' Helgorth. Legitimately acquire ‘Rituale Satanum’ here (Debemur Morti store), here (Season Of Mist e-shop), via iTunes and, in due time, here (BandCamp):

Black metal emissaries, BEHEXEN, first encountered the Evil One in 1994, somewhere between Hämeenlinna and Tampere, Finland. The brute awarded Torog with song, Horns with rhyme and Reaper with a violin. The un/happy procession of three soon became procession of two, spewing demos (‘Reality Is In Evil...’, ‘Eternal Realm’ and ‘Blessed Be The Darkness’) along the way. With Reaper gone playing his violin elsewhere, guitarist Gargantum and bassist Lunatic pledged to perform live rituals. This malefic conglomerate, in a pact with Sinister Figure, birthed ‘Rituale Satanum’ in 2000. During the years the congregation spent waiting for the affiliation with Sinister Figure to expire, BEHEXEN had become richer for second guitarist Veilroth with whom they recorded their second communion ‘By The Blessing Of Satan’, set free through environment friendly  Woodcut Records, followed by ‘My Soul For His Glory’ in 2008 (Hammer Of Hate). Inking the heinous deal in blood, Debemur Morti Productions and the band first reissued BEHEXEN and HORNA split:

[Debemur Morti had a field day in September 2012:] “Ushering the dawn of a new age of darkness, BEHEXEN stirs from its solitary slumber with ‘Nightside Emanations’, invoking chaos, heralding the decay of the (self)righteous, celebrating the ominous, all-consuming onset of Death - embracing that eternal, perpetual, unflinching reality that awaits us all. These ten new incantations to the ancient ones are imbued with an organic, evil sound; blessed/cursed/inspired by forces from the nether realm. The serpent of black fire is summoned to set the world aflame, mankind and his impetitude razed and cleansed by the unforgiving tendrils of serpentine flame. A ritual reawakening, a call to demons, ‘Nightside Emanations’ traverses abyssic dungeons, diffusing irresistible energies from the temple of silent curses. As all around you crumbles to dust, bow beneath the black star of Lucifer. Acknowledge the horned master in all his forms; recognize and revere his many faces:”

BEHEXEN features: Hoath Torog – vocals, Horns – drumms, ShatrauG – guitar, Wraath – guitar and Sargofagian – bass (live)

Beyond All Recognition: Martyrs – new single & video

 

 

And to finish this disco evening off in style, here comes the new video from Swedish dubcore pioneers, BEYOND ALL RECOGNITION. Supported by Austrian label Napalm Records, these young Swedes claim to have the ability to “crash your party, to invade your metal world with bad ass dubstep tunes that will make you spill your beer”. They can also “scare your hipster girlfriend with some death metal riffs from hell”- so beware. BEYOND ALL RECOGNITION issued their debut, genre-defining album ingeniously called ‘Drop=Dead’ back in September 2012. The above tune though is an exclusive, previously unreleased track (available in five different versions). Shop BEYOND ALL RECOGNITION here (Napalm Records store).

 

Hailing from Västerås, Sweden, BEYOND ALL RECOGNITION features: David Söhr – vocals, David Eriksen – guitar, Paul Gidlöf – guitar, Pontus Bergström Warren – bass, Edwin Jansson – drums and DJ Fredrik “Alexius” Eklund