Primal Rock Rebellion: Awoken Broken – new album

Out in Europe since yesterday, February 27th, 2012, and due in the USA on April 17th, 2012 on Spinefarm Records, PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION's debut album is entitled ‘Awoken Broken’. Featuring IRON MAIDEN's guitarist Adrian Smith and SIKTH vocalist Mikee Goodman (as well as session drummer Dan “Loord” Foord, also SIKTH, and singer Tarin Kerry), the superpair coming out album was co-produced by the accomplished couple and mixed by Simon Hanhart. The album's artwork was created by Meats Meier. Listen to the track samples of the whole album via player below, where you’ll also find their brand new video ‘No Place Like Home’ and download the song ‘I See No Lights’ for free here. ‘Awoken Broken’ can be found in your favorite local record store, and if not, check out Amazon for orders/pre-orders, buy the deluxe gatefold marbled purple & red 2LP set here (What Records), or make use of iTunes.

“In essence, PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION is the meeting of different minds, different mentalities and different musical backgrounds, but the end result is very much a cohesive, self-produced whole… albeit one that reflects the individual talents of the musicians involved: Adrian provides the guitars, the bass and the advanced song-writing skills - the sense of drama, of light and shade, of music designed to stir the senses, all of them. Right from the start, it’s been very much a labour of love…

Elaborates Adrian Smith: “It was great working at my own pace and in my own studio with no time constraints. I think during the making of this album I went around the world twice with MAIDEN, working on the project in between. In the process, it allowed for a bit more of an experimental approach.” Adds Mikee Goodman: “Adrian inspired me in many ways. I learnt the importance and the power of choruses in songs. Adrian also gave me a lot more belief in myself melodically. I think we pulled each other out of our comfort zones, creating something fresh and exciting along the way. We co-produced the album together, and the whole recording process was very relaxed - no deadlines, just honing the songs naturally as we recorded them, a new experience for both of us.” [Find more information about PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION here]

Awoken Broken - A Preview – courtesy of PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION

 

Woods Of Ypres: Woods 5: Grey Skies And Electric Light – new album

‘Woods 5: Grey Skies & Electric Light’, the final album recorded by WOODS OF YPRESS before the tragic death of the band's founder David Gold in December last year, is out now in Europe (February 27th, 2012). The album was recorded at Beach Road Studios in Ontario, Canada with producer Siegfried Meier and was mixed by UK producer John Fryer. ‘Woods 5’ comes available as CD, as well as limited edition coloured vinyl LP with an extra 7” featuring a bonus mix as a B-side. European fans can buy the album here (Earache Europe), and North American supporters can pre-order it here (Earache U.S.). ‘Woods 5: Grey Skies & Electric Light’ is due to be released in North America on April 24th, 2012. Listen to two promotional tracks from the album, ‘Career Suicide (Is Not Real Suicide)’ and ‘Kiss My Ashes (Goodbye)’, below where you’ll find WOODS OF YPRESS' video directed by David Hall of Handshake Inc for their most beautiful though sad tune ‘I Was Buried In Mount Pleasant Cemetery’ taken from ‘Woods 4: The Green Album’, released in 2009 on Practical Art Records and reissued by Earache Records in March 2011.

“Though once a black metal unit, WOODS has slowly moved into a more doom-centric space and ‘Woods 5’ is morose doom rock with only faint black metal inflections remaining. The sound is much closer to that of SENTENCED, CEMETARY, CHARON and TYPE O NEGATIVE and seems like a logical progression from 2009′s ‘Woods 4’. The songs are mostly downcast, depressing examinations of emotional isolation, personal loss and coming to terms with death. Many of them are painstakingly poignant and raw, even heartbreaking. The realization that this is the last we’ll hear from WOODS OF YPRESS as we know them, and that the fate of the band is in limbo without Gold, is unpleasant to be sure. Thankfully, this is an outstanding release and a fitting  close to a chapter, come what may,” [wrote Steel Druhm, Angry Metal Guy – read the rest here]

WOODS OF YPRES was formed in 2002 in Toronto, Canada, by vocalist and guitarist David Gold, bassist and vocalist Aaron Palmer and guitarist and vocalist Brian McManus. The only album featuring Brian McManus and Aaron Palmer was their debut full-length, ‘Against The Seasons: Cold Winter Songs From The Dead Summer Heat’, released in 2002 on Gold's own label Krankenhaus Records as would be its followers 2004's ‘Pursuit Of The Sun & Allure Of The Earth’ and 2007's ‘Woods III: Deepest Roots & Darkest Blues’. Gold, drummer Evan Madden, bassist Shane Madden and lead guitarist Joel Violette released ‘Woods 4: The Green Album’ in 2009:

“Over 16 tracks and nearly 80 minutes of music and story, ‘Woods 4: The Green Album’ covers almost more emotional and temporal ground than reasonably fits into a single album,” [wrote Laura Taylor for Exclaim!] “If there’s polish, it’s not in the harsh tones or production but in the songwriting and performance, especially the vocals - from the wealth of clean melodies to contrasting visceral growls. The shifts shape and support ‘The Green Album’s emotional atmosphere: dark, depressing and honest, but not completely willing to take itself seriously. This mix of honesty and irony, climaxing in the epic ‘I Was Buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery’, is the album's strongest appeal, a compelling record of where the band have been and a marker of where they might go next.” [Read more here]

 

 

 

Hellsaw: Trist – new album

Out since February 24th, 2012 in Europe on Napalm Records, HELLSAW's ‘Trist’ is set for March 6th, 2012 release in the U.S. The  Austrian black metal institution have a new video out as well, produced and directed by angst-im-wald and available for viewing below. Listen and/or download the album's closing track ‘Silence’ here, courtesy Napalm Records, and buy the CD here. ‘Trist’s artwork was created by Brazilian designer Marcelo Vasco.

“HELLSAW's characteristic sound runs rampant through each of the new tracks, in which furious blast beats and infernal guitar riffs are crowned by frontman Aries' unmistakable and charismatic vocals lines. The songwriting unites the musicians' maturity with an unrestrained passion for black metal, thus creating an authentic atmosphere seldom experienced within the genre. From its very inception it was obvious that HELLSAW was never going to be one of the run-of-the-mill bands that abound on the black metal scene.  The use of instantly recognizable melodies coupled with a respect and understanding of what it really takes to make a good black metal band, sets HELLSAW ahead of the pack,” [offers the press release]

Vocalist Aries and drummer Svart formed HELLSAW in 2002 in the Austrian region of Styria. With Aries on vocals, bass and guitar, the duo's first recording, which drew inspiration from the black metal bands of the early '90's, came in form of 2003's demo ‘Sins Of Might’, followed by their debut full-length, 2005's ‘Spiritual Twilight’, issued on German label Black Attakk:

Awakening Orgy – courtesy of HELLSAW

 Might and Hate – courtesy of HELLSAW

With their debut out in the open, HELLSAW felt the need to expand their horizons; extensive European tour ensued, appearances at festivals followed, and the band joined INQUISITION on their “Flesh For Satan Tour” in 2007. Somewhere along the road HELLSAW's second album was written, recorded and released.  ‘Phantasm’ was issued on Folter Records in 2007:

Silent Landscape – courtesy of HELLSAW

The Inner Revenge of Nature – courtesy of HELLSAW

In Memory – courtesy of HELLSAW

After European tour with SHINING and SKITLIV, guitarists Malthus and Isiul and bassist Desderoth were added to the lineup on a permanent basis. Securing a deal with Napalm Records, HELLSAW began to work on their third full-length (under the supervision of DARK FORTRESS' V Santura); ‘Cold’ was released in 2009:

A Suicide Journey – courtesy of HELLSAW

Cold Aeon – courtesy of HELLSAW

Ache – courtesy of HELLSAW

HELLSAW features: Aries – vocals, Isiul – guitar, Malthus – guitars, Desderoth – bass and Neuroticon – drums

 

Full Album Stream: Asphyx: Deathhammer – new album

Update: Listen to ‘Deathhammer’ by ASHPHIX in its entirety here at Decibel Magazine.

Dutch doom/death metallers ASPHYX are about to release their newest album ‘Deathhammer’ via Century Media Records between February 24th, 2012 and March 2nd, 2012. Recorded at The Mörser Studio and Harrow Studio with engineer Harry Wijering, and mixed and mastered in Sweden by Dan Swanö, with artwork provided by Axel Hermann, the album comes in the following different formats: as limited edition mediabook double CD with special bonus disc, as standard jewelcase CD, as digital download and as LP (in black, red, red & black marbled, clear or grey). Pre-order ‘Deathhammer’ here. ‘Deathhammer’, the video clip, directed by Maurice Swinkels of Younique Film and of LEGION OF THE DAMNED fame can be viewed here (YouTube) or below.

Among the first death metal bands in the Netherlands, ASPHYX was formed in 1987 by drummer Bob Bagchus and guitarist Tonny Brookhuis (“under the morbid influence of such infernal genre forefathers as VENOM, HELLHAMMER/CELTIC FROST, SLAUGHTER and DEATH”). They released a good number of demos before inking a deal with Century Media Records, through which vocalist and bassist Martin Van Drunen, guitarist Eric Daniels and drummer Bob Bagchus proceeded to release ASPHYX's debut album ‘The Rack’ in 1991. ‘Crush The Cenotaph’ (1992), was followed by second full-length ‘Last One On Earth’ (1992) after which Van Drunen and Bagchus left the band, to be replaced by Ron van der Pol (bass and vocals) and Sander van Hoof (drums). Daniels remained with ASPHYX long enough to record the band's third eponymous album, issued by Century Media in 1994. With the band's future in question, their faithful label issued ‘Embrace The Death’, an album recorded by ASPHYX in 1990 but never released until 1996. Theo Loomans (vocals and bass) and Bob Bagchus re-formed ASPHYX in 1995 and recorded the group's fourth full-length, 1996's ‘God Cries’, with guitarist Ronny Van Der Wey. After the death of Theo Loomans in 1998, Baghus and Eric Daniels, along with bassist and singer Wannes Gubbels, released an album titled ‘Feeding On Angels’ under the name of SOULBURN, followed by 2000's ‘On The Wings Of Inferno’, only this time the band was known as ASPHYX once again. Nevertheless, they disbanded shortly after issuing their sixth full-length. Following the successful reunion concert in 2007, ASPHYX reassembled anew with Martin Van Drunen on lead vocals, Paul Baayens on guitar, Bob Bagchus on drums and Wannes Gubbels on bass and backing vocals. This lineup recorded 2009's ‘Death… The Brutal Way’, with double live album accompanied by DVD titled ‘Live Death Doom’ coming next in 2010.

ASPHYX features: Martin Van Drunen – vocals, Paul Baayens – guitar, Alwin Zuur – bass and Bob Bagchus – drums

ASPHYX – courtesy of Century Media Records

 

Stam1na: Nocebo – new album

With their latest album, ‘Nocebo’, already conquering the Finnish Album Chart and already achieving Gold status in Finland (having sold in excess of 10,000 copies), it’s high time to notice STAM1NA. Their fifth album, released on February 8th, 2012 on Sakara Records, was produced by Joe Barresi. Watch STAM1NA's latest video, ‘Valtiaan Uudet Vaateet’, on YouTube.

Formed in 1996, STAM1NA kept releasing demos and performing their speed metal riffs, progressive arrangements, and deranged approach to pop-smart melodies for quite a while, before they were picked by Sakara Records, owned by STAM1NA's brothers in arms MOKOMA. STAM1NA released their self-titled debut full-length in 2005, with it entering the Finnish charts (where the album remained for eight full weeks). Their second album, 2006's ‘Uudet Kymmenen Käskyä’, continued STAM1NA's upward climb on their home soil charts, peaking at number 3 on the Finnish Album Chart, and remaining among the top 40 best sellers for 17 consecutive weeks. ‘Uudet Kymmenen Käskyä’ won the Emma Award (the Finnish Grammy) in Metal Album of the Year category. STAM1NA's third album ‘Raja’ came out in 2008, shooting straight to top position on Finnish Album Chart upon its release, selling over 15,000 copies. Their 13-year celebration DVD, released the following year, topped Finnish DVD sales charts, as expected. In 2010, STAM1NA released their fourth album, ‘Viimeinen Atlantis’, which yet again entered the Finnish charts at number 1, and won the band additional Emma Awards for The Metal Album of the Year and The Band of The Year.

STAM1NA features: Antti “Hyrde” Hyyrynen – vocals and guitar, Pekka “Pexi” Olkkonen – guitar, Teppo “Kake” Velin – drums, Kai-Pekka “Kaikka” Kangasmäki – bass and Emil “Hippi” Lähteenmäki – keyboards

Pilgrim: Misery Wizard – new album

Already out in Europe since late January 2012, PILGRIM's debut album, ‘Misery Wizard’, has become available in North America yesterday, February 14th, 2012 via Metal Blade Records. The album was recorded and mixed at Emandee Studios in Brooklyn, New York, produced and mixed by Henry Yuan (and co-mixed by Mark Ospovat and PILGRIM's The Wizard), engineered by Mark Ospovat and mastered by Jamie Gomez at Orgone Studios. The album's artwork was created by  Paul McCarol for Unginged Art. Download yourselves the tune ‘Astaroth’ free of charge here after you listen to it below, where you'll find its companion, the title-track, as well and visit Brooklyn Vegan here, to hear the album's third track ‘Quest’.

“ ‘Misery Wizard’ is a sonic journey through a strange and mystical legend. Hidden within are the twisted tales of the evil demons, ancient aliens and powerful sorcerers that once inhabited the dark realms of our fable. We wanted to make a record that harnessed the foreboding sounds of classic doom metal and mesh it with our tales of high-fantasy. We’re influenced by dark, heavy music, BLACK SABBATH, SAINT VITUS, REVEREND BIZZARE, DARKTHRONE, BURZUM and the like. Unlike a lot of modern musicians, we wanted to pay tribute to these bands without being them, so to speak. I think originality and individuality is a staple of this record. No two songs are too similar. Each is a unique gem revealing an unsung tale of old. Each song is a portal into a different scene of the overarching mythos that is PILGRIM,” [stated PILGRIM]:

PILGRIM: Astaroth – courtesy of Metal Blade Records

PILGRIM: Misery Wizard – courtesy of brooklynvegan

Depending on your perception of things, you can either think of PILGRIM as a three-piece doom metal band from Rhode Island, USA, or believe them to be “an ancient fellowship from the hallowed halls of ancient tombs/shimmering slopes of frozen mountain peaks” who reportedly long ago “harvested the power of sonic amplification through arcane wizardry and dark bargainings with powerful demons” which they used to create a band (of all things!), in the year of wonders 2010.

PILGRIM features: Krolg, Slayer of Men – drums, Count Elric the Soothsayer – bass and The Wizard - guitar and vocals

Dawn Of Ashes: Farewell To The Flesh – new EP

American melodic black metal warriors DAWN OF ASHES have just released an EP entitled ‘Farewell To The Flesh’ which can be purchased digitally via iTunes, courtesy Metal Blade Records. The EP features three new tracks, ‘Farewell To The Flesh’, ‘Torture Device Part 2’, and ‘Blood-Shed With The 3rd Eye' (Instrumental)’. The additional five songs featured are remixes of songs from the band's previous album ‘Genocide Chapters’. (A very DAWN OF ASHES-esque album preview video is available for your discrete viewing on the band's YouTube channel here.) The eight tracks were recorded and mixed between Patrick Mundy, Volkar Kael, and Kristof Bathory at the home studios of Ross Robinson, Volkar Kael, and Kristof Bathory. Without further ado, join the vile and sacrifice yourself to DAWN OF ASHES via iTunes.

“In the darkest form of incubated evil, a symbol has been born to strike immense fear into the hearts of mortal weakness. Kristof Bathory, Volkar Kael, Bahemoth and Othuum, four vile forms that control a new era where nightmares become reality and where the sounds of the macabre shall emerge from a catastrophic symphony, have resurrected the sounds and visions of horror, hatred, and suffering that is spewed forth in the form of extreme horror metal that is DAWN OF ASHES; a name that was created to reflect upon the birth of death and failure. Now the plague has come to corrupt the flesh of man.”

DAWN OF ASHES: Farewell To The Flesh – courtesy of Metal Blade Records

DAWN OF ASHES, also known as the darkest form of incubated evil, has been formed in Los Angeles, California, in 2001. They first manifested their horrific intentions through 2005's ‘Sacred Fever’ demo, followed by two industrial music efforts ‘In The Acts Of Violence’ (2005) and ‘The Crypt Injection’ (2008), issued on COP International. In 2009, the abominable act signed a worldwide deal with Metal Blade and recorded their proper melodic black metal debut with producer Fred Archambault. The band, whose life ambition is to dominate the music scene with a sonic force so vile and evil the listener will be both entranced and terrorized by the sheer ferocity, has delivered its first blow through ‘Genocide Chapters’ in 2010. (Their bloody disgusting video for ‘Transformation Within Fictional Mutation’, directed by David H. Greathouse, can be found here):

DAWN OF ASHES: Transformation Within Fictional Mutation – courtesy of Metal Blade

DAWN OF ASHES features: Kristof Bathory – screams (& violent voices ov the Abyss) and (blood stained) keys, Volkar Kael - (hard-string bludgeoning) guitar, Othuum - (pulsating holocaust) bass and Bahemoth (butchery-symphony) - keyboards

Unearth: Watch It Burn – new video

 

    

 

Metalcore enthusiasts  rejoice: UNEARTH have unveiled new video for ‘Burn’, the track from their July 2011 release ‘Darkness In The Light’. Exclusively premiered on Metal Injection, this “dark and disturbing video to match the equally bleak lyrics of the song” was directed by Scott Hansen. The 11-tracks appearing on ‘Darkness In The Light’ were recorded at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts with producer Adam Dutkiewicz and mixed at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida, by Mark Lewis. Sitting in on drums during the recording was Justin Foley (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and BLOOD HAS BEEN SHED). The album which peaked at position number 72 on Billboard 200 and at number 45 on Canadian Album Chart can be bought here (Metal Blade).

“ ‘Darkness In The Light’ is a maelstrom of melodic riffs, screamy shouts and enough noodling to keep “Guitar Hero” nerds happy. But it’s not chasing maidens and slaying dragons; UNEARTH have enough of the '90s straight-edge hardcore scene still left in their blood to give the lyrics an impassioned warrior cry against corrupt politics and wavering faith. See the words to opener ‘Watch It Burn’, which also features an honest-to-goodness open-E-chord breakdown. In 2011! Best of all, they don’t overdo their mighty breakdowns, which bogged down previous albums,” [reads Alternative Press' review – click here for the rest]

Formed in 1998 in Massachusetts, UNEARTH released their first EP, ‘Above The Fall Of Man’, through Endless Fight Records in 1999, and signed to Eulogy Recordings for the release of two albums, 2001's ‘The Stings Of Conscience’ (“The result brings about the most blissfully indulgent, entrancing, and overall greatest hardcore release ever,” wrote Jason Hundey, AllMusic) and 2002's ‘Endless’, described by Eduardo Rivadavia, AllMusic as “a pretty flawless release, and a fitting farewell to the first phase of UNEARTH's career”. And Metal Blade Records took notice: “If UNEARTH wanted to cover a classic Dean Martin hit, the logical choice would be 1960's ‘Ain't That A Kick In The Head’ - not because ‘The Oncoming Storm’ sounds anything at all like the late Rat Pack crooner, but because UNEARTH does, in fact, feel like a kick in the head. Mercy is not a high priority on this 2004 release, which demonstrates just how nasty, punishing, and downright vicious the metalcore style can be,” observed Alex Henderson (AllMusic). UNEARTH's Metal Blade debut, 2004's ‘The Oncoming Storm’ went on to sell in excess of 160,000 copies in the U.S. alone:

UNEARTH: The Great Dividers – courtesy of Metal Blade Records

The group's commercial breakthrough, Terry Date-produced ‘III: In The Eyes Of Fire’, entered the American albums chart Billboard 200 at number 35. Released in 2006, the album had sold in excess of 105,000 copies in the U.S. to date:

UNEARTH: Giles – courtesy of Metal Blade Records

UNEARTH returned to producer Adam Dutkiewicz for the third time with their fourth album, ‘The March’. Released in 2008, the album debuted at number 45 on the Billboard Top 200, with first week sales of just under 11,000 copies.

“… and the results are as hard-hitting and gloriously metallic as ever before. And as evidenced by tracks such as ‘Grave Of Opportunity’, UNEARTH have pretty much perfected their hardcore-meets-IRON MAIDEN style/approach by this point. ‘The March’ proves that all the early accolades were well worth it: UNEARTH have grown into one of metal's leading outfits,” [commented Greg Prato, AllMusic – more here]:

UNEARTH: My Will Be Done – courtesy of Metal Blade Records

UNEARTH features: Trevor Phipps – vocals, Ken Susi – guitars, Buz McGrath – guitars, John Maggard – bass and Nick Pierce drums

Full Album Stream: Les Discrets: Ariettes Oubliées… – new album

‘Ariettes Oubliées…’, the successor to the much praised LES DISCRETS debut album ‘Septembre Et Ses Dernières Pensées’ was released on February 10th, 2012 via Prophecy Productions. You can listen to the album in its bittersweet entirety here (Prophecy YouTube channel) or below. LES DISCRETS has recently posted a promotional video for their new song ‘Ariettes Oubliées I : Je devine à travers un murmure…’, directed by the band's vocalist and lyricist Audrey Hadorn you can also find below. And if you find LES DISCRETS (bittersweet) melancholy and almost painful yearning to your liking, buy the album here. Furthermore, Fursy Teyssier's book of album cover artwork has become available; “Collected Works 2006 – 2011” features most of his cover arts, yet unpublished drafts and exclusive artworks he has done for EMPYRIUM, ALCEST, AGALLOCH, and MORBID ANGEL among others and is accompanied by the artist's comments and background information. You can pre-view some of his works here and buy the book here.

“On their second album, ‘Ariettes Oubliées…’, LES DISCRETS appear significantly matured in many aspects. Teyssier's artistic vision is clearer than ever, and his vocal performance shows a big progression in comparison to past recordings. Winterhalter [drummer] contributes arguably the best and most diverse drum performance of his career, and the sensitive, poetic lyrics of Audrey Hadorn add a further dimension to the album. The album's tenor is more severe, yet the bittersweet melancholy and almost painful yearning - both characteristic of the debut album, ‘Septembre Et Ses Dernières Pensées’ - here they are more moving than before. ‘Ariettes…’ is an elegiac and sublime album of enraptured beauty that develops LES DISCRETS' characteristic style in the hybridization of post-rock, doom metal, and shoegaze convincingly in every element, to every extent, and which will cement the band's status as a cornerstone of a new, thrilling music genre,” [accredits the press release]

Artist, musician and animated film director Fursy Teyssier created LES DISCRETS in 2003 in order to express through his music and art his fears and thoughts related to death and love. Teyssier's - who was previously involved with ALCEST and AMESOEURS as an artist and as a musician - LES DISCRETS released their debut album, ‘Septembre Et Ses Dernières Pensées’ in 2010 through Prophecy Productions.

LES DISCRETS features: Audrey Hadorn – vocals & lyrics, Winterhalter – drums and Fursy Teyssier - guitars, bass, vocals and visuals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Full Album Stream: Chimp Spanner: All Roads Lead Here – new EP

Already out in Europe, UK and Australia (February 6th, 2012) and just about to be released in North America (February 14th, 2012) on Basick Records, ‘All Roads Lead Here’, progressive metal multi-instrumentalists' Paul Antonio Ortiz (also known as CHIMP SPANNER) new EP features six new tracks you can enjoy here (Basick Records) and via player available below. In addition to the CD and digital formats, a strictly limited edition clear transparent vinyl version is available, with the exclusive extension of the ‘Supereroremix’ EP (fan-made remixes of tracks from ‘At The Dreams Edge’). Buy CHIMP SPANNER's new creation here (Basick Records):

“ ‘All Roads Lead Here’ features six new tracks, which in true CHIMP style, range from the luscious and beautiful to the twisted and sinister, with the stunning three-part centrepiece ‘Mӧbius’ showing off his immense talent for gripping arrangements. And as expected, the EP flows like a groove driven atmospheric sci-fi soundtrack,” [adds the press release]:

 

CHIMP SPANNER: All Roads Lead Here

 

Originally a solo recording project created by multi-instrumentalist Paul Ortiz in Essex, UK, CHIMP SPANNER independently released his debut album, ‘Imeprium Vortago’, in 2005, followed by, again, self-financed and produced ‘At The Dream's Edge’ in 2009, which was reissued in 2010 on Basick Records. In 2010, the project also took to the stage, appearing alongside the likes of TESSERACT, TEXTURES and MNEMIC.

CHIMP SPANNER features: Paul Ortiz on everything! / Live lineup: Paul Ortiz – guitar, Jim Hughes – guitar, Adam Swan – bass and Boris Le Gal - drums

Emmure: Drug Dealer Friend – new video

Warning: This is EMMURE and viewer discretion is advised!

 

 

“It’s a respect issue; growing up in Queens, New York you either have to kill or be killed,” [state EMMURE uncompromisingly; then they go on explaining how, instead of taking out their aggressions in negative ways,] “EMMURE channel their collective angst into their music to create a propulsive blend of unabashed aggression and intensity that the youth across the world embrace with open arms.” [What a relief!]

‘Drug Dealer Friend’ comes off EMMURE's fourth album ‘Speaker Of The Dead’, which was released in February 2011 on Victory Records. The hard-hitting (mainly) deathcore release, produced by Joey Sturgis, debuted at position 68 on the Billboard 200, and at number 18 on the Rock Albums chart, to mention but a couple of American charts EMMURE succeeded to enter. Scroll down to watch two additional videos released by the group, ‘Children Of Cybertron’ and ‘Solar Flare Homicide’, directed by Frankie Nasso.

Originally from Connecticut, USA, now based in Queens, New York, EMMURE was formed in 2003 by Ben and Joe Lionetti and Frankie Palmeri. The three then jointly decided upon the band's name they deemed proper (“emmure” derives from “immurement”, a French torture technique where a person is walled up within a building and left to die from starvation or dehydration). In 2007, the group (vocalist Frankie Palmeri, guitarists Jesse Ketive and Ben Lionetti, bassist Mark Davis and drummer Joe Lionetti) released their Zeuss (Chris Harris)-produced brutal and unpredictable sounding debut full-length ‘Goodbye To The Gallows’, which was followed by 2008's ‘The Respect Issue’, again produced by Zeuss. EMMURE's second album entered American chart Billboard 200 at number 141; it also turned out to be the last recorded with founding members Ben and Joe Lionetti who left before EMMURE's next album was issued in 2009. ‘Felony’ featured new members guitarist Mike Mulohlland and drummer and Michael Kaabe and has debuted at number 60 on the Billboard 200:

“EMMURE's third outing comes fully stocked with enough anger, regret, violence, and deceit to satisfy even the most hard-line nihilist. … While lyrical clichés run wild, the band's musicality is never in question, offering up punishing riffs and brutal breakdowns like grocery store wine from an overzealous priest at Communion, pausing only to allow lead singer Frank Palmeri the occasional breather from a full-on death metal wail,” [observed James Christopher Monger, Allmusic – more here]

“Everyone has demons and dark sides to their lives, but this group shows that everyone deals with these types of issues and that there are productive ways to let it all out. EMMURE have gained the loyalty of the metal community and legions of rabid fans, but make no mistake - if you disrespect them, you will be left sleeping with the fishes,” [doesn’t exactly reassure the press release] “You’re either with them or against them.”

EMMURE features: Mark Davis – bass, Jesse Ketive – guitar, Frankie Palmeri – vocals, Mike Mulholland – guitar and Mark Castillo - drums

 

Darkest Era: An Ancient Fire Burns – new video

 

 

Ireland's DARKEST ERA have released new video for ‘An Ancient Fire Burns’, the song from their debut album ‘The Last Caress Of Light’, out since February 2011 on Metal Blade Records. The video which “features a grim story with a surprise ending and is as melancholy and emotional as the band's music” was directed by Kieran Majury with Fastville Productions. The album which “stands out from all else as a record of intense emotional power and honesty; holding the listener within a dark heavy metal storm and not letting go until the last chords have rung out” was recorded at Foel Studios in Wales with producer Chris Fielding. Download the song ‘The Morrigan’ free of charge here (Metal Blade) and buy their stuff here.

“[Guitarist Ade Mulgrew commented on the video]: ‘An Ancient Fire Burns’ is a song about primal instincts and desire; and in this video we used a narrative that we really hope will grip people. It’s an old school buried-alive-in-coffin concept that compliments the themes in the song. We also shot the band's performance by torchlight in a 1000 year old monastery, once plundered by Vikings. It was a great setting and really adds to the atmosphere in the video.”

DARKEST ERA used to be known as “Nemesis” in 2005 when the band was formed. According to the legend, they wrote their first song, ‘Battle Of Cul Dreimne’ at their first practice; the song happened to had an unintentional Celtic leaning which was to pervade the band's writing from then on. Their self-titled demo, ‘Nemesis’, was released in 2006. The following year the band changed their name to DARKEST ERA, as doom, black, and pagan metal influences gradually crept their way into the band's music. In late 2008, DARKEST ERA released a 4-song debut EP ‘The Journey Through Damnation’ through German label Eyes Like Snow. In 2010, the band self-released a digipack entitled ‘The Oaks Sessions’ and  signed a worldwide deal with Metal Blade Records

DARKEST ERA features: Krum – vocals, Ade Mulgrew – guitar, Sarah Wieghell – guitar, David Lindsay – bass and Lisa Howe – drums

DARKEST ERA: The Morrigan – courtesy of Metal Blade Records

Puscifer: Telling Ghosts – new video

 

 

Maynard James Keenan is an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, winemaker, actor, and former soldier. He is probably best known as the lead singer of the multi-platinum bands TOOL and A PERFECT CIRCLE. In 2003 he created PUSCIFER, a side project and “a playground for the various voices in [his] head, a space with no clear or discernible goals, [and] where [his] Id, Ego, and Anima all come together to exchange cookie recipes”. (I used to knows guys who knew just such places well, but they didn’t end up releasing either records or videos, heh) The above video though, was filmed by Tim Cadiente (Barton Perreira) and Meats Meier (3D Art Space). ‘Telling Ghost’ comes from PUSCIFER's second studio album ‘Conditions Of My Parole’, which was released on Puscifer Entertainment in October 2011. Below you’ll find videos ‘Man Overboard’, animated by Meats Meier, and ‘Conditions Of My Parole’, co-directed by Mike King (Flea Circus Films) and PUSCIFER. Both tunes are taken from the 2011 full-length, produced by Mat Mitchell and PUSCIFER, mixed by Mat Mitchell and Josh Eustis, and mastered by Bob Ludwig and Bernie Gardner.

“A departure from the angst of TOOL and the esoteric darkness of A PERFECT CIRCLE, the synth-heavy album has a more autumnal feeling about it, combining layers of electronic ambience and programmed drums with the singer's yearning vocals to create a kind of cold loneliness. It’s this isolated sound that Keenan thrives in, with his trademark vocals adding just the right amount of drama to the mix and acting as the glue that manages to hold everything together when the mood strikes him to drift into more aggressive territory on songs like ‘Toma’ and ‘Conditions Of My Parole,” commented Gregory Heaney, Allmusic – read the rest here]

 

 

Psycroptic: The Inherited Repression – new album

Tasmanian devils' (as they are known in some predictable circles) new album will be released on February 7th, 2012 in North America and on February 10th, 2012 in Europe, but by all means do listen to PSYCROPTIC fifth studio album, ‘The Inherited Repression’,  before its release in its full technical death metal glory here, at Guitar World. (The stream has since ended.) The album was produced, engineered and mixed by one of the band's founders guitarist Joe Haley, while Alan Douches handled mastering duties. Pre-order the album here (Nuclear Blast USA) and here (Nuclear Blast Europe), on iTunes and Amazon.

“ ‘The Inherited Repression’ is far and away my favorite PSYCROPTIC album thus far - all of us in the band think this. It’s the age-old cliché from bands when they talk about their current album as being the best of their career, blah, blah, but I have to say it because it’s true. We wouldn’t think there is a point of going on if we couldn’t outdo each album prior. We are certainly not playing music for anything else than the love of creating it and performing it. ‘The Inherited Repression’ is quite different from anything we have done in terms of song writing and structure, and we spent a lot longer writing and demoing the songs before we recorded it, which you can tell. It’s a very dynamic album - the fast elements faster, the slow elements slower, and a lot of light and dark binding it together. It’s a very catchy album as well - you can tap your foot, bang your head or anything else you want. Basically it has a lot of groove on it from start to finish,” [commented guitarist Joe Haley]:

PSYCROPTIC: Carriers Of The Plague – courtesy of Nuclear Blast Records

PSYCROPTIC was formed in 1999 by brothers Dave and Joe Haley in Hobart, Australia. With vocalist Matthew Chalk and bassist Cameron Grant, the brothers self-released PSYCROPTIC debut full-length, ‘The Isle Of Disenchantment’, in 2001, which was followed by ‘The Scepter Of The Ancients’ in 2003 (Unique Leader Records). In 2004, with their star on the rise, the group embarked on their first Australian tour as well as European tour with their Swedish brothers in arms DISMEMBER and ANATA. PSYCROPTIC lost vocalist Matthew Chalk upon their return to Tasmania, whom they replaced with Jason Peppiatt before issuing their third studio album, ‘Symbols Of Failure’, in 2006 (Neurotic Records/Willowtip Records/Stomp). With it PSYCROPTIC impressed Nuclear Blast Records, who offered the band an international recording contract. Logan Mader-mixed and mastered fourth full-length ‘Ob(Servant)’ was released in 2008:

“PSYCROPTIC usually go for the jugular, and they take great pleasure in kicking, stomping, and pummeling the listener into submission. … But never let it be said that bands like PSYCROPTIC lack chops or can’t play their instruments. Musicianship, in fact, is a crucial part of the equation on ‘Ob(Servant)’. These Aussies favor a complex blend of technical death metal and technical metalcore; technical is definitely the operative word where PSYCROPTIC are concerned, and the fact is that you need good chops to play music that is so unapologetically technical,” [was unapologetically perceptive Alex Henderson, Allmusic – more here]

PSYCROPTIC features: Jason Peppiatt – vocals, Joe Haley – guitar, Cameron Grant – bass and Dave Haley – drums

 

Landmine Marathon: Beaten And Left Behind – new video

 

 

‘Beaten And Left Behind’ comes from LANDMINE MARATHON's most recent album ‘Gallows’, released in September 2011 in North America and finally out across Europe this week. The video was directed by Raul Varela. ‘Gallows’ was recorded by LANDMINE MARATHON guitarist Ryan Butler at Arcane Digital Recording Studio and mastered by Dave Shirk at Sonorous Mastering. It features the debut of the band's new drummer Andy York. The ‘Gallows’ cover art was created by UK artist and DEVIATED INSTINCT guitarist Rob “Mid” Middleton, known for his artwork for NAPALM DEATH, EXTREME NOISE TERROR and others. Listen to another new track, ‘Cutting Flesh And Bone’, below, and buy LANDMINE MARATHON stuff here (Prosthetic Records):

LANDMINE MARATHON: Cutting Flesh And Bone

 

Formed in 2004 in Phoenix, Arizona, LANDMINE MARATHON released their first demo of grindcore/death metal/hardcore/thrash in 2005, followed by debut full-length, ‘Wounded’, in 2006 (Level Plane Records). Their second album, ‘Rusted Eyes Awake’, came out in 2008 and was re-released a year later by Prosthetic Records:

“For their second long-player, the group seemingly sought to explore the very moment when thrash became death, given the improbable velocity with which they attack corrosive headbangers like ‘Certain Death’, ‘Bled To Death’ and ‘Heroin Swine’ - to the point that one wonders whether such near-blastbeat velocity would have even been achievable some 30 years earlier. Others, like the two-faced ‘Xenocide’, alternate a crawling first-half grind with a more typical flurry in its second half, all topped with words condemning American insularity (we think) with stellar results, and several more also indulge in the blood & guts lyrics typical of many genre-defining death metal bands. Finally worth mentioning is that LANDMINE MARATHON's vocal Armageddon is carried out by a charming young lady by the name of Grace Perry, whose crust-layered grunts and vicious shrieks leave nothing to be desired when compared to the boys' club that dominates the scene,” [expressed himself cleverly Eduardo Rivadavia, Allmusic – more here]

2010's “scorched, desolate and angry as hell” third album and LANDMINE MARATHON's debut on Prosthetic Records, ‘Sovereign Descent’, was recorded at guitarist Ryan Butler's Arcane Digital Recording Studios, mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music and has featured the artwork by acclaimed artist Dan Seagrave:

“Even at 40 minutes, it’s punishing and something of an endurance test. Those who like their metal relentless and punky will find much to bang their heads to, though,” [added Phil Freeman, Allmusic – more here]

LANDMINE MARATHON features: Grace Perry – vocals, Dylan Thomas – guitar, Ryan Butler – guitar, Matt Martinez – bass and vocals and Andy York - drums

Full Album Stream: Nephelium: Coils Of Entropy – new album

Listen to Toronto's NEPHELIUM debut album, ‘Coils Of Entropy’, in its vehement death metal entirety here (BandCamp) or below; NEPHELIUM's debut full-length will be officially self-released on February 7th, 2012. ‘Coils Of Entropy’ was recorded at Rouge Valley Studios in Toronto, produced, engineered and mixed by Darius Szcepaniak and mastered by Steve Benford. The album's artwork was created by Juanjo Castellano. Support NEPHELIUM via their Bandcamp page:

 

NEPHELIUM: Coils Of Entropy

 

Formed in 1990 by guitarist Alex Zubair and drummer Alan Madhavan in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, NEPHELIUM re-established themselves in Toronto, Canada over 10 years ago. Releasing debut demo ‘Archaic Malevolent Sorcery’ in 2002, followed by ‘Ignite The Wrath Of Silence’ EP in 2003, it took the band a long while to complete their debut full-length. NEPHELIUM co-founder Alan Madhavan explains:

“From the scorching heat of the Arabian deserts to the blistering cold of what we now call home, this debut album has literally and figuratively come a long way. The aged yet modern style of death metal with a subtle integration of Middle Eastern melodies is a perfect musical collaboration of our minds and souls. A ferocious ride with concepts and lyrical themes written around the observations of an entity witnessing the world and its demise through different eras and music that creeps up the caverns of your brain, be ready for a hybrid onslaught of technical mastery and bloodcurdling brutality. We firmly believe that it was well worth the wait but don’t take our word for it, give it a spin and determine that for yourselves. However, don’t cry when your speakers demolish your insides… you were warned…”

NEPHELIUM features: Devlin Anderson – vocals, Alex Zubair – guitar, James Sawyer – guitar, Flo Ravet – bass and Alan Madhavan - drums