#11 Inside the darkness by Inside The Darkness

Edition for true metalfans

#11†31.07.2020

News•Reviews•Interviews•Exclusive

CREW

Evgeny-Destroyer Editor-in-chief, design https://www.facebook.com/ evgeny.dubovskoy Mail: destroyerr78@mail.ru WhatsApp: +79180242178

Olga «Blackie» Schneider Editor, interviewer, text corrector https://www.facebook.com/ olga.metalheart Mail: olgaschneider.1997@gmail.com Inst:https://www.instagram.com/blackie_metalheart/

https://destroyerr78.wixsite.com/insidethedarkness https://www.facebook.com/InsideTheDarknessMetalZine https://www.instagram.com/inside_the_darkness_webzine https://vk.com/insidethedarknessmetalwebzine https://twitter.com/metal_webzine

Andrew Editor, interviewer, text corrector https://www.facebook.com/ andrew.stanton.71216 WhatsApp: 0044 07527 362762

A special thanks to...

Julian Pinzon (Colonia Records) for Suffocation’s photo for Cover Karya Kelleci for CD reviews Helmuth Lehner (Belphegor) for Hails to everyone, earthlings! his TOTAL support Normal life is getting back little by little, and, even if the quantity of people at very first concerts and festivals after ...and especially to these people for the interviews all this pandemic madness is strongly limited, this is a really big step forward. Also that means that our section Live on Terrance Hobbs (Suffocation) Lord Koder (Bishop of Hexen) Stage will be back in the next issue. Heathen Beast (Heathen Beast) We hope that all of you are in safety now, and first of all Chernotur (Raven Throne) mentally. Social media have been running wild for the last Oguz(Desecrate) half year, and the most important thing was not to get out of Mephisto (AlNamrood) your own mind. Asaf Meiden (Deathsiege) Get ready for the concert season and, traditionally, enjoy! Ilias (The Crucifier) Olga Schneider, editor Justin (Mrkill) Danielle and Serge (Automb) Luna (Nihilistium) Cristian Bertrand (Dreams In Darkness)

Editor’s brief

News from hell..........................................4

Suffocation Interview with Terrance Hobbs............................6 Bishop of Hexen Interview with Lord Koder..................................10 Heathen Beast Interview with Heathen Beast............................14 Raven Throne Interview with Chernotur...............................16 Desecrate Interview with Oguz........................................18

AlNamrood Interview with Mephisto ............22 Deathsiege Interview with Asaf Meiden ...............24 The Crucifier Interview with Ilias ............26 Mrkill Interview with Justin.............30 Automb Interview with Danielle and Serge ...........34 Nihilistium Interview with Luna................................38 Dreams In Darkness Interview with Cristian Bertrand.............................42

Best Metal releases..............43

Stories about Metal bands..............66

Inside The Darkness reviews............88

Metalheads are waiting for it............98

World Metal News

THREE NEW CEREMONIES ADDED TO THE “DEATH MAGICK OVER EUROPE 2020” TOUR! Diabolical Death Metal troop BELPHEGOR will headline European territory in November. The Totenrituals will kick off on 4th November in Oslo, Norway at Parkteatret and conclude in Graz, Austria at Explosiv Club, 29th November. Helmuth comments: «We can’t wait to go out on tour again and will announce our new live line-up within the next few days. The true essence of BELPHEGOR is found while on stage.» In other news, the band is still working on the new album, which is to be released early 2021. More on this soon.

BENEDICTION are without a doubt one of the few remaining originals in the death metal scene and have achieved legendary status through various albums over the years. After more than 30 years in the business and 12 years after their last album «Killing Music», BENEDICTION are now back with one of their best releases and play once again in the Death Metal Champions League. The new album «Scriptures» sounds 100% like BENEDICTION: they blend death metal with a «fuck-off punk rock attitude», heavy metal riffing and a groove that hardly any other band can perform like this. Dave Ingram’s «signature-growls» and powerful lyrics enhance the tonal framework so that you can hear after a few notes that you are listening to BENEDICTION. As usual the tracks vary from slow and heavy to fast and intense, from shorter «in your face» numbers to epic masterpieces. All in all, «Scriptures» is an album from scratch, where everything is just as it should be. A jewel in the catalogue of a band that has been present from the very beginning and - freely based on one of their most popular songs «We bow to None» - has always remained true to themselves and their fans.

BELPHEGOR – NEW ALBUM DELAYED UNTIL EARLY 2021! Helmuth states: «Because of the global pandemic, we must push the release of the still-untitled to early

LP 2021.

back

have been

composing this new album since what feels like forever.

Drums have already been recorded Fascination Street Studios in Sweden.

February this year at Since mid-March. Serpenth and I have kept busy by tracking guitars and bass for the new album.» BELPHEGOR will report to you with news on the progress of this album, so keep an eye out! before the outbreak in

Suffocation • Brutal\Technical DeathMetal from United States

Interview with Terrance Hobbs

Interview by Olga Schneider

- First of all, we’d like to say thank you for the opportunity to do this interview. So

Well for the most part I tend to stay home as much as possible and work on writing in

ters from my house so can see them and not feel so alienated during these times!! -

You never know what will happen at a Suffocation show. the first and the most logical question is what do you do to avoid getting out of mind during this world hysteria? 6

my home studio and mixing bands as much as possible from a distance, it’s also nice to have my family within 2 kilome-

Are you currently composing any new stuff using the time when touring is temporarily not available?

Well of course right now we

have some new material on the table, we also like to go to the past to rehearse older songs we never play live and add them to our live set, believe it or not all suffocations compositions really need to have a few weeks of practice before we can bring the pain live, so things take a lot of time and right now we have a lot of it... - What was your loudest show before the pandemy, in your opinion? Well we have had a few great ones over the course of time and of course Moscow was a real ripper, on the tour right after Russia we went directly to Europe and we had some great gigs in Romania,

Bulgaria, and Greece!! To be quite honest all those places really showed us some love and energy, so it would be really hard to pick one over the other... they all had great crowds!! - How do you feel the difference between American and European audience? Since your music needs strong feedback while you play it life, which audience, in your opinion, is more hungry, aggressive and most convenient for you? Well I feel the difference between Europe and far eastern countries is pretty dramatic...a lot of people in your part of the world are loving a lot of black metal melodic metal as well as a lot of party and folk styles music, especially in the festival times of year! here in the U.S.A. we don’t have very big festivals like a Wacken, or a Summer Breeze as here things are very strict with large metal and hard rock shows...I mean even Woodstock we can’t have annually because of the chaos that

ensues people are very starved here and it shows... - You’ve been a member of the band from the very beginning, so at the moment you’re the only original member. Do you feel like Suffocation are going through the best times with current lineup? And what can you say about it generally? For me things have been a real bumpy road thru the years, this band has had a lot of lineup changes, illness’s and just real life situations making it harder as we got older to have a stable career in music...right now I feel I have a fantastic line up, Derek my bassist has been with me and this band for 15 years or so and we have a pretty good formula together.

Suffocation • Brutal\Technical DeathMetal from United States

I also feel with the addition of Eric Mortti and Charlie Errigo whom are fantastic energetic players. that the new music is some of the best as a full band… we have no real dead limb players here and everyone is driven to create... - A part of your current members is way younger than you. Doesn’t it create any special difficulties in creative process, on the road etc? Actually no the younger guys are pretty driven and practice a lot, they are decently behaved and you know it’s a lot of fun with all the guys on the even if they are a bit 8

younger then myself it’s not like they are high school kids hahaha!! Nowadays, you’re one of the strongest bands of your genre. However, what bands influenced you back in the days and what bands still inspire you? There are so many bands that I like and guitarist that inspire me from older hard rock and metal like Dio, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Yngwie Malmsteen, Ozzy and Randy Rhodes, as far as newer bands there just so many to list from Ripping Corpse, to Cannibal Corpse, Meshuggah, Morbid Angel to Immortal, even Tosin Abasi and Animals as leaders are highly inspirational to me ...there really are some great musicians out there and that stuff keeps me motivated…

- What’s the craziest accident that has ever happened during your live shows? Broken bones, crushed areas, any sudden murders? We have had some crazy situations happen, from people brought to hospitals getting knocked out, to crazy fans coming thru the gigs with axes, were had shows where tear gas was used, to straight out brawls...hahaha you never know what will happen at a Suffocation show.

- Do you feel like the breakdown back in the days was kinda useful for the band? And what, in your opinion, would happen to it nowadays if this breakdown wouldn’t happen? Well now at my age I wouldn’t persue this band and name again if it were to completely disband ...in the past the breakup in this band was needed as I don’t think it was a very good time or healthy attitude to stick things thru at that time... people were still growing in life on their own... in past lineups and I think that if the real life issues didn’t come to some of the other older members the band, it would yet again be very different and honestly I don’t know if Suffocation would have survived. What’s your musthave for a perfect tour?

For everyone to get along and actually have a working bus... - What countries are you gonna visit first when corona hysteria is over? If Suffocation has the chance we will try to do every place that has a met-

al scene Europe far eastern countries like India and Japan and china were on the bucket list, suffo would really like to finish off all the places we couldn’t finish due to the virus!! - Last and traditional question. What would you like to say to those who are reading this interview now and to our editorial board in the end of this interview? To all of you metal supporters out there, thank you for the years of support stay brutal my friends and last but not least, we will see you on the road count on it !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bishop of Hexen • Symphonic Black Metal from Israel

Interview with Lord Koder

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Andrew Stanton had a chat with Lord Koder about the new Bishop of Hexen album. - Hello and welcome to Inside the Darkness. Greetings, Thanks for your interest in our band. - Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please? I can tell you that from 2015 onwards we were toiling on completing our latest album “The Death Masquerade”. This required

a lot of patience and coordination between moving pieces, such as

you like growing up? I can only speak for myself growing up I listened and was inspired by a wide variety of bands and musical genres. From progressive Rock such as Camel, Heavy Metal such as Iron Maiden, to early Death Metal bands and finally to almost all the Black Metal bands that were present at the time.

ls with a s r a e h e r d n a b d a h e W heads. r u o r e v o g in ly f s e il s mis producers, guest artists and even multiple records labels! Finally, on June 19th of 2020, we decide it’s time to unleash our album onto the world. What bands did

We were very active right from the beginning of the scene - and listened to any cassette or record we could lay our hands-on. This includes hundreds of bands. - Is it very difficult for Black Metal bands in religious countries? Does it ever get dangerous? Nope. No one really bothers in Israel in regards to music creation. However, growing up in Israel a country with occasional religious conflicts - entails dealing and living through wars. This is unavoidable when your neighbouring countries are practically addicted to extreme religious concepts which make them very belligerent.

We even had band rehearsals with missiles flying over our heads. So...yeah. - How do you describe your music? Symphonic Black Metal very straight forward. This is fancy enough, there’s no need for further embellishments. - Today was the first time I ever heard you, and I really liked it. At times you remind me of old school Arcturus. Were they a big influence? Arcturus are in the same age group as we are and from the same “Metal era” - so naturally, they were a huge inspiration on the Black Metal scene at the time. Including ourselves. But, we never tried to create their kind of music.

- When you see bands like Cradle of Filth selling out, do you think it’s too easy to do? I think it’s incredibly hard to stay artistically prolific as they are. It’s very hard to create new albums - year after year - and still remain the same band and act. You get bored very easily if you stay in the same spot. I don’t think they sold out - they are having fun as long as they can. - What do you think of Cradle of Filth’s remarks that the Norwegian scene is just pretentious crap? To each his own. I don’t think it’s true. Most of the Norwegian scene is very sincere and “true”. 11

Bishop of Hexen • Symphonic Black Metal from Israel

some interesting acts - and legendary bands such as Absu - they were never the `tone setters` for the BM scene. The US was

There are some “poser” bands in every scene. - What is the theme of Bishop of Hexen? In a nutshell - Our last two albums were about the internal struggle between god and men. Between the mundane and the so-called “divine”. - Why do you think magazines ignore Black Metal? Not enough crowds. It’s not a big market - and doesn’t have huge sales potential in the states where most audiences tend to listen to different metals genres. - Is the American Metal scene still important? I don’t think it was ever important in terms of Black Metal. Although they had 12

always more into Death and Thrash Metal. It fits their culture more than the gloomy stuff. - Is Metal and Rock music the same things to you? Nope. Not even in the same neighbourhood. Black Metal ignites the soul in a way that no other music is capable of. - Do you have a message for our readers? Black Metal is somewhat of a dying genre. At this point, it reminds me of a fenced wildlife reservation. In regards to

the fact that there is no “cross contamination” between BM and other genres. The good news is that whilst within this reservation - you enjoy the seclusion from the rest of the bullshit that constantly surrounds us, which enables you to create Extreme Music freely. A bit of paradox - but this is what keeps it unique

amongst other forms of music. Remember that what you create today - will live on forever - so make the most of it. - Thank you for your time. Thank you for this interview - Much obliged.

First album after 14 years ! The Israeli Symphonic Black Metallers honour us again with a new album after such a long time. The band makes use of their old strengths, namely to mix raging Black Metal with melodies and not to sound too overloaded. Fans of old DIMMU BORGIR, LIMBONIC ART or generally melodic Black Metal will have their fun with the new power work of THE BISHOP OF HEXEN.

Heathen Beast - Atheistic Black Metal from India

Interview with Heathen Beast

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Hello, and welcome to Inside the Darkness. - Can you give our readers a brief history of your band please? HB: Hailz from Heathen Beast. We started in the year 2010. We have 7 releases to our name and we’re ready to drop our fulllength album now. Our history isn’t much of public knowledge but we can say that we’ve grown and evolved over the years from just being a band to being a collective of like minded musicians. - Is it more difficult for Black Metal bands in India? HB: In India it’s pretty much the same for most bands, there are some separate underground scenes but they are not so big on their own. It’s still a small scene

compared to rest of the world. There are some black metal bands that are quite popular. Especially bands from Mumbai and Bangalore like Cosmic Infusion, Stark Denial, Dark Desolation, Arihant etc are all well known across India. - Do local religious groups give you a hard time? HB: We don’t play live so we don’t really know but most of the time in India religious groups are not interested in small things like the metal scene. They only are interested if it’s Bollywood or some big famous

from people online, mostly when you post political things against the ruling government which is a right wing facist government. They have an online army of trolls and if they even find 1 post which is public they can flood you with hate comments. We got quite a bit for one of our songs but most of the time it doesn’t get attention. Of course there are also some facist right wing metalheads who we have to deal with from time to time. - What bands did you listen to growing up? We grew up listening to lots of classic rock and metal like Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath but later on lots of the death and black metal bands from the 90s were our inspiration. Also we evolved from just a band to multiple musicians

Since we are anonymous we never play live.

personality and they can get good PR from attacking them. We have faced some issues

with many various influences ranging from jazz to world music even so we keep an open mind. - Your lyrics seem very antireligion. Were Deicide a big influence? Yes we definitely are big fans of Decide and Norwegian black metal but they focus mainly on Christianity. For us we realized in India Christians are actually the minority and are often persecuted by the Hindus, especially the Brahmin class which is considered the upper caste. Christians, Muslims and Dalits (a lower class of Hindus) are the ones targeted here. It just didn’t make sense for us to follow what those bands sang about when we have our own issues which need to be spoken about. But yes we hate all religions and we were very clear about having an atheistic stand in our music. - Can you tell us a bit about the Indian Metal scene please? We are not much involved in the scene beyond what we do, we sometimes go for shows as individuals and enjoy the music our scene has to offer but it’s a small scene and it keeps growing. Lots of Indian bands like Kryptos, Gutslit and Demonic Resurrection regularly tour outside India and play festivals in

Europe. Recently Bloodywood is a band that has become an international sensation, they grew from a Youtube channel and there is also a band called Skyharbor which is very popular. Hopefully with time more people will take notice of the music coming out of India. Kolkata’s Tetragrammacide are ridiculously over the top. Is this because Indian bands

feel they have to try harder than Western bands? We have no idea about them, we only just discovered them thanks to your interview. Indian bands have a lot more

to do just to get noticed. Also being from India makes it much harder to break into the global market. So maybe yes they definitely do try very hard and that’s not a bad thing. - What can our readers expect from your new album? A storm. It’s a lot of emotion and a lot of anger. We can definitely say this was one of the hardest albums to write. We’ve watched our countrymen die, we’ve watched propaganda corrupt seemingly normal people, we’ve seen hate mongering from political leaders like never before, we saw mass protests across the country and we were in the middle of it, we saw students and police brutality and we’ve seen the media just whitewash everything. We are pissed off and it’s going to be heard in this album. - How many people roughly attend your shows? Since we are anonymous we never play live. - Is there anything you would like to say to our readers or writing team? Give this album a listen, don’t be silent, speak up for those who are oppressed and don’t let hate win! Thank you for your time.

Raven Throne - Atmospheric Black Metal from Belarus

Interview with Chernotur

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Hello and welcome to Inside the Darkness. Hello! - Can you tell our readers a bit about your bands history please? Raven Throne was formed in 2004 in a small town in the north of Belarus. We were passionate about Black Metal and extreme music in general. Then the usual path of the “musical bang” followed; rehearsals, recordings, gigs. The result of this can be observed now :) - Can you tell us about the Belarus scene? Traditionally, Belarus has always had a very strong Black, Doom and pagan scene since the

90’s. Currently we can see metal bands from Belarus presenting high-quality material and performing on stages throughout Europe. If you mean Black Metal specifically, then I would say there are few bands in this genre, which is natural. -

- What do you listen to apart from Metal? A very wide range of different music, really; folk, ambient, classic rock, stoner, classical composers, electronic music, blues... A varied set of completely different music. - What are your themes and lyrics about? It’s always difficult to answer this question :) but I will try. In the lyrics of Raven Throne there are a lot of metaphors, allegories, and symbols. Sometimes, it is a stream of consciousness that functions as a literary device. Nature and Winter are the eternal sources of my inspiration. I pass this through myself. On the new album, some texts are purposely simplified in structure, like mantras or incantations.

ou are y o h w t e g r o f r e v Ne from. e m o c u o y e r e h w and What bands did you listen to when you were growing up? Metallica, Slayer and other classic stuff. Later on, Black Metal from the iconic Norwegian wave; many Black Metal bands from the Ukrainian scene; many Doom and Death Metal bands.

Quoting Dovlatov, “this is the history of the human heart”. - When a lot of bands start getting bigger, mainstream magazines expect bands to become very critical of their local scene. Is this something only coward bands start doing? I don’t quite understand your question. If we’re talking about the attitude to the local scene, then my answer will always be: never forget who you are and where you come from. This is the simple and only true way for me :) - What can our readers expect from your new album? This will be a diverse album; traditional and experimental things, which is always the case in every album. An album with a very strong atmosphere and energy, absolutely non-commercial in spirit. - How important is imagery in Black Metal? I think that imagery is important in art as well as in principle. - Where did you get the name Raven Throne? This name appeared in my mind in 2004, during the very first rehearsals. I couldn’t even understand how this happened, but since that moment the band’s name has not been up for discussion. Over time, I began to discover new facets of this name. - What do you think of comedy Black Metal bands like Notre Dame, who don’t take it very seriously?

I don’t know anything about Listen to yourself, go your own this band, though I can assume way, find answers, appreciate that this is not the direction I every day. might like :) - Thank you for your time. - Is there anything you would Thank you for great interview. like to say to our readers? Follow the Raven! 17

Desecrate - Melodic Death/Metal from Turkey

Interview with Oguz

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Hello and welcome to Inside the Darkness. - Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please? In 2003, Akcan and Oguz previously played in another band. After leaving that group in 2005, we founded DESECRATE. The first demo was released ‘’Gods Are Crying’’ in 2006. In 2009, E.P. published as same name. Then we released 3 sin-

gles and then the album Schizophrenia on 2018. We performed concerts in various cities of

and release it all over the world on digital and cd format. Also the album released in Japanese edition via Wormholdeath Japan. - What is it like making Metal in Turkey? Does religion ever get in the way? During the 90’s, wearing black, or having a long hair or earring or tattoos

ce a e p ld r o w t r o p We sup ffect a ’t n s e o d t a h t t bu . our songwriting Turkey. This year, we signed an agreement with the Wormholedeath Records for the Kingdom album

were not appreciated by the poeple. the philosophy of metal music were not understood and the media published news about metalheads beeing satanists. Nowadays, everything has changed and prejudice agains metal is gone, but now the interest to metal music is on a descent. Now the current status of the Turkish economy is making difficulties for musicians to buy the equipement they needed also it is hard for the concert organisers to invite foreign bands to play in festivals in Turkey. We are called Desecrate, as band members we are not very religious, and alcohool for both band members and for people in Turkey is not a problem because we live in a ‘Laic’ country.

For example our manager is an unfaithful Christian. - What bands inspire you? We are mostly inspired by the pioneers of melodic death metal bands such as Amon Amarth, In Flames, Arch Enemy, Rot-

ting Christ. - How do bands make decisions on what to write lyrics about? We are mostly inspired by the effects of the system on people, we combine ancient wars and the inner conflict of the man while writing our lyrics. - Y o u r lyrics seem to be very much anti-war and anti-violence. Do you see yourselves as a White Metal band, or Christian Metal? As we mention on the p r e v i o u s question, we have lyrics about war but that doesn’t make us warmonger. We support world peace but that doesn’t affect our songwriting. - Why do you think some magazines prefer bands who sell out? Nowadays everything is 19

Desecrate - Melodic Death/Metal from Turkey 20

on the internet and social media. So the magazines prefers bands on their news that will bring more ‘likes’ to their acccounts. That seems normal for the magazines if we think economically, but this affects deeply the underground bands. - What do you think when you see bands sucking up to mainstream magazines? D i s g u s t i n g . - People say it’s easier for underground bands because record labels expect less from you. Underground bands rarely get dropped from record labels. What have your experiences been like? When we released ‘Schizophrenia’ we had a contract offer from an American underground label. This offer was made for an upcoming album, so this showed us that we took the attention of the big label companies which leaded us to sign with wormholedeath Records for the release of ‘Kingdom’. - What can our readers expect from your new album? We think that we have an album which keeps the tempo, and the track listing is arranged so well that you will want to listen it

again and again. - Do you have a message for our readers? Listen it! Share it! Support it! Support metal bands all around the world. Thank you. Thank you for your time.

Join us! Inside the Darkness is always looking for new writers. We want people to review albums and interview bands. Work from home at your own pace. No experience needed. Any language is fine, but English is required. We will give you jobs to do in any language. Help us to make Metal HUGE. 21

AlNamrood - Black//Folk Metal from Saudi Arabia

Interview with Mephisto

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Andrew Stanton talked to Al Namrood front man Mephisto. - Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please? Al Nam-

rood started in 2008 as an Arabian Black Metal band, the main goal was to create a blasphemous voice from the core of religious land,

us, o e s u a n s u akes m n o i g i l e r er k if c i s s u ake m m s i t o i r pat

and also to articulate the reality that we live in and what we experience in daily life. The name AlNamrood is referred to the Babylon king Nimrod, who defied god on Abrahamic religions. The reason behind choosing that name is the reflection of our situation and how it fits our message. The band so extremely active, so far we released 11 records (7 LPs, 3 EPs and 1 split). - What bands did you like when growing up? We listened to many bands, but the ones who influenced as were Black Metal bands such Darkthorne, Venom, Hellhammer and Bathory, also we got influenced by punk (which we in our later album showed this influences) such as G.B.H, Discharge, Oi Polloi Dyglo Abortion, UkChaos, Broken Bones, The Exploited, And many other Anarcho, hardcore, crust Punk and old school Thrash bands such as Sodom and also band like Doom. - Is it very difficult making Black Metal in a Muslim country? Absolutely!! You can never imagine.

- When I first heard ‘Wala’at’, I found the vocals were very over the top. Do you think you went a bit too far with it? Well we intentionally rise up the vocals, it just the way we like it. However, we realize our sound production is not top notch due to our limited equipment and sound production knowledge, hopefully in the future we can record in a studio somewhere in the western world. - Does European Black Folk appeal to people in the

Midd l e

East? Oh yes, they are role models. - Do you like a lot of local Folk artists? Absolutely, Folk artists influenced us. - What are your lyrics about? What does ‘Wala’at’ mean? The word ‘walaat’ refers to “loyalties” this album articulate the phenomena of utter loyalty, whether a loyalty for an ideology,

concept or people, loyalty is the main driver for tyranny followers actions, it need to be researched why such a thing exist. This album highlight the events and cause and effect of loyalty. - A lot of people believe music is forbidden in Islam. Is it true? Yes, well if we to go to Quran concept it is mentioned that music divert people from prayers and worshiping god. Source: Surah Luqman [31:6] interpreted as reference for songs as per “Ibn Kathir”. - People always think Folk Metal bands are very patriotic and are very proud of their heritage. Are you? We disagree, we like the Folk instruments, but we detest patriotism (or nationalism), if religion makes us nauseous, patriotism make us sicker. History isinteresting and can describe our current life and possible future but we never view it as reference of any kind of pride. - Are you able to play live in Saudi Arabia? Not a chance, it is a suicide for us. - Do you have any message for our readers? Thou shalt do what thou wilt - Aleister Crowley

Deathsiege - Black/Death/Metal from Israel

Interview with Asaf Meiden

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Andrew Stanton had destruction and standing local tattoo artist, Jesa chat with Deathsiege against traditional dogma. sica Astral Odyssey. drummer A.M. - Can you tell us about - How do you describe - Can you tell our read- the ‘Uny o u r ers a bit about your hismusic? tory, please? I would e s to oppo l o o t t a e r g a Deathsiege d escribe is Satanism s d r a was founded by our mut tow p m e t n o c m r o f r A.M in 2019, J.S and pe as ma sic g o d l a n io it d joined shortly s o m e a r t gious or after on vocals any reli kind of s. and additional Blackrules our realitie t a h t guitars while reened Death Metcording the first worthy Adversary’ al, or just Extreme Metdemo. Our intention is album cover, please? al. It’s hard to describe to create Extreme Death Sure, the artwork for the music without limMetal that delivers a co- ‘Unworthy Adversary’ iting or boxing it into herent message of war, created by a brilliant a generic point of view.

- Why do you choose quick blasts as songs? Are 10-minute epic songs too much? First of all, I’m a drummer, most of my ideas come from the drums and most of the songwriting begins with it. After we write guitars to the drum parts some of the structure of the song may change. I don’t feel that these songs need to be longer, I mean, it is what it is, sometimes going around for another chorus or a part can take the intensity out of it, and if this is what the song is asking for, that’s what we do. I would prefer that listeners experience several short attacks rather than get lost in a 10-minute song. Having said that, we are trying to create longer songs that capture the same energy. - Will your songs always be very short? I really can’t say, it depends on the way we approach each song. I assume that future material will be a mix of short songs and some longer ones. - What bands did you like growing up? A lot of American Death Metal, 80’ and 90’ bands. Of course Deicide, Morbid Angel, Malevolent Creation. Thrash Met-

al/ first wave of 80 Black Metal is a strong influence as well, bands such as Sodom, Bathory and others. - Can you tell us about the Israeli scene, please? Does Metal get played on local radio there? There is maybe one radio station that plays Metal from time to time, the rest is total mainstream horrible Pop shit. The Metal scene here is quite small, and most of it is modern Metal crap influenced by mainstream metal bands. The underground is VERY small but very active, with original bands creating dark, extreme music for their own unique crowd, with their own 100% underground shows. - When I reviewed your album, I said fans of The Dead Kennedy’s and Cro-Mags will love it. Do you agree? Honestly I can’t hear it in our music, maybe the production may take the listener to the raw Punk sound and that is definitely not a bad thing. - Does the Jewish community make it hard for Satanic bands? I don’t know how many of the bands are “Satanic”, but in general, there has never been any problem for the local Metal scene

from the Jewish aspect of the country. You can wear, play, do whatever. Israel as a country has quite a few issues with religious conservatism and corruption, but Metal has never been even close to big enough to get on anyone’s radar. Additionally, the whole idea of Satanism in Metal is very much derived from the culture of Christian countries, in accordance with the Christian dogma of a binary clash between good and evil. Judaism is quite different than that and so heresy here isn’t really represented as a counter culture to religion in the way that Satanism is in Christian countries. Heresy here tends to be more secular than Satanic. We are not theistic Satanists, neither practicing any type of Satanism. But, for me, Satanism is a great tool to oppose and perform contempt towards any religious or traditional dogma that rules our realities. - Do you have a message for our readers? Thanks to anyone who supports Deathsiege. Support your underground!

The Crucifier - Thrash/Metal from Greece

Interview with Ilias

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Hello and welcome to Inside the Darkness. Greetings there from Athens, Greece from Thanatoid and hello to inside the darkness and to all your readers!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please? Well back at the year of 1995 me with my bigger cousin Heorge Kiriazis were created The Crucifier. The name of the band was influenced of a lot of beers and a lot heavy

metal, we wanted a very im- band members who fit musically posing and evil name from our and humanely with the crucifier. band. The band founded at the - What bands did you listen to year of 1995 before the crucifigrowing up? Our major influences are old school T h r a s h Death Metal bands and hard core bands from the first period of The Crucier I have not played with other fier we inspired from Exodus, bands, years later I play in other old Sodom, Running Wild, old underground bands or projects Slayer old Sepultura, Kreator, it is very hard to find suitable Nuclear Assault, D.R.I, Cro

good y l l a e r g n i h omet nical h We want s c e t d n a e atur m t s a f g n o r back. st e m o c e h t r ol fo and old scho

Mags, Cryptic Slaughter, Dark Angel, Suicidal Tendencies, Wehrmaght and Razor. - All the Greek bands I know are Black Metal bands. What is it like making Metal outside the Black scene? ‘Merciless conviction’ is our first full album. That album is illtreated but have a lot of old school passion...we haven’t been working for a long time, just only 4 or 5 months we recorded at Kakofonix studio, a real underground studio. We were very happy and we started to trade our material with other bands Punk Metal and Grindcore bands well cursed cross album was every raw filth fast aggressive thrash and

I really love it we combine Canadian Thrash Metal with a lot of crossover the recordings are super we have been working for a long time 14 or 16 months we are really want to play old school music with old school sound...I love that period. At the year of 2012 The Crucifier were splitted up...because we have communication problems and several changes to our line up... by the year of 2015 we were resurrected and we recorded a new album called voices in my head at the year of 2016 recorded the album voices and released by punishment 18 records at the year of 2017 in cd format we have been working for a lot of time

for the songs because we want something really good strong fast mature and technical and old school for the come back. - What is Greece’s attitude towards Metal? Do you get played on local radio? Greeks are listening commercial music and trendy bulllshits and of course fucking Greek traditional music aarghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I send them a message. (fuck off and die) but in Metal scene we have the traditional Metalheads the vinyl maniacs and people who like old school we are the few!!!!! And a lot of Metalheads who listen to new and Melodic Metal and commercial bands... We had played in local metal radios. - Because of your name and logo, do people often confuse you with a Black Metal band? We are The Crucifier from Greece a Thrash Metal band the others are Crucifier from USA, a very good Black Metal band... at the year of 2008 we change our name to The Crucifier we put “’The “ so I don’t believe that people confuse by the name. - Are Greek fans very supportive of local bands? A few Greeks support their local bands the others prefer to support the more commercial bands than the underground scene. I believe the same story all over the world. - What do you think of the more mainstream Thrash bands like Metallica and Megadeth? 27

The Crucifier - Thrash/Metal from Greece 28

I love the first period of Metallica and Megadeth and I respect them very big bands legions... I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like them now. I like Metallica until 1991 and Megadeth until 1995. I respect them...but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t follow their music. How personal are your lyrics? Do you write songs about things in your personal life? In many songs I wrote the lyrics and the others wrote the music, but all of us together we create songs the lyrics about society, world peace liberty and freedom and daily madness violence, daily struggles, aggression, socio - political and anti-religion all religions wants the human afraid the unknown afraid the god... and pray like a lamb a lamb to the slaughter to an altar called religion..........SO FUCK THEM BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. - The Crucifier have been around since 1995. Do older fans become harder to please?

If someone likes old school, I hope that they should listen to our music... Some of them like all our albums others like some and others donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like the new albums I respect them all and I will appreciate them for their support all those years. - Do you have a message for our readers? Metal on Metal to your readers and Thrash 4 life. - Thank you for your time. Greetings.

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Mrkill - Melodic Death/Metal from Australia

Interview with Justin

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Andrew Stanton had a talk with Justin from Mrkill. - Hello and welcome to Inside the Darkness. Thank you for having us! - Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please? Thank you for having us! Well, Mr.Kill began around 2010 in Leeds, U K when I (Justin) went to Uni there. In 2007 went past a shop in Leeds down-

town and bought an electric guitar, the rest was history. The first Mr.Kill song “Hatred” from the new EP

in Melbourne, Australia which is now my home. Due to work related issues I was unable to dedicate time and attention to music until 2017 when I formed the band with a few other people. Since 2017 we’ve been in the process of actively writing music, playing live and released singles.

oduct, r p d o o g ve a of if you ha y t n e l p e are seas. r then ther e v o s e i t i portun touring op in its initial form was written in 2010 in Leeds. Since then I pursued my career in engineering, ended up here

- What is the Metal scene like in Australia? There are a lot of bands here; some of them are really cool. From memory Melbourne was voted the live music capital of the world. Prior to the corona, there was something on every weekend starting from Fri to Sun. I think we’re a lucky country. Here much like in the UK, people seem to have the resources to buy decent amps and guitars. Where I grew up this wasn’t the case, at least not in the

early 2000’s. Here a lot of people had a go at “being in a band”. You wouldn’t be too far off assuming most people who bought an instrument gave it a shot at being in a band. This creates a very saturated and competitive music scene. There are so many bands here that you wouldn’t know where to start looking. There are some really cool bands worth checking out, my personal favorites are Witchgrinder, In The Burial, Orhpeus Omega, Our Last Enemy, Blackhelm, Nazxul. What bands did you like growing up? We all started somewhere. In highschool it was Korn, Metallica, Rammstein, etc. In Uni it was Paradise Lost, Dimmu Borgir, In Flames, Kataklysm, Dark Tranquility, Meshuggah, Hypocrisy, Napalm Death, Arch Enemy, there is a long list here. - What are your lyrics about? We see the band as a

separate entity to who we are. Mr.Kill is an idea/concept of an evil guy who does evil things. We really don’t like associating our photos with the band concept as such. When we formed the band, the name came along and we started writing music, the idea was to make the lyrics evil and nasty. In our debut EP “The Day Of Reckoning” the whole EP focuses around an apocalyptic theme of the end of the world situation where the songs explore different states and scenarios of abuse of power, darkness, turmoil, malice and ignorance.

Mrkill - Melodic Death/Metal from Australia 32

In the core Mr.Kill is a dude who does whatever he wants when he wants it, hence you see a dude on the EP cover who’s just brought down a city. He could be described as someone you wouldn’t want to mess with. Mr.Kill and the whole EP can also be interpreted as symbolic representation of evil ideas and events, instead of a physical person running around and destroying places. If people can see more than one meaning in our music & lyrics, then we definitely got it right, but only time will tell. In-

cidentally, with this whole EP you could draw parallels with current world events in the lyrical themes, however at the time of writing the material (2019 and prior) we had no idea what would eventuate in 2020. We thought an apocalyptic theme would be cool, inspired by the Terminator and Elysium movies. - Do you put yourselves in the same league as In Flames and Amon Amarth? Most definitely not! Those guys are pioneers and what they have done at the time they have done it is remarkable, considering how very few bands were out there at the time. We look up to them more than anything. We look to take the band in a different direction to those guys and create a thing of our own. - Do Australian bands often feel isolated from the rest of the Metal scene?

I wouldn’t say so; however I can’t speak for everyone here. My understanding is that if you have a good product, then there are plenty of touring opportunities overseas. I see local bands touring Japan, Indonesia, and quite a few bands go to Europe. We were asked a few times if we are interested in applying for European tours. There is also so much going on here that it certainly does not feel like we’re isolated.

- How does Melodic Death Metal fair against real Death Metal in your opinion? This is a very hard question to answer and not something we’re too worried about. There are plenty of bands we love in both genres and nowadays a lot of bands tend to mix genres all over the shop. - What do you think of Marilyn Manson’s pompous attempt at Metal? We wish him all the best, he can do what he wants. Some of his stuff sounds pretty OK. What can our readers expect from your new EP? Expect a journey through a destruction of the worlds, heavy riffs and sweet melodies with a few surprises here and there. The core of our sound is heavy guitars combined with drums that offer enough versatility to switch around from heaviness to grooviness to headbanging etc. In this EP we endeavoured to create a story of an apocalypse themed inspired by terminator, Elysium as well as many other movies. The EP begins with a chilling intro. It then goes to the first metal track titled

“Annihilation” which revolves around the dawn of destruction, tyranny and turmoil of the world. Followed by “Hatred” and “Valiant Amusement” We also had the privilege to collaborate with an amazing opera singer from the UK in our track “Oblivion” which is the last metal track of the EP and revolves around destruction leading to lies, deceit and confusion during an apocalypse. Our final track of the EP “Elegy” is an instrumental outro composition to complement the other tracks as sort “calm after the storm” That is it in a nutshell. - Why do you think some fans jump on every Metal trend that comes along? To be honest it is not something we thought about too much. In our opinion a good product is the key to a fan listening to anyone’s music. This would suggest fans will follow good music above trends. - Do you have a message for our readers? I hope you guys are doing well over there in these tough times. I had some of the best years of my life in your wonderful country and I hope to play one day in front of a UK crowd. Parts of

our EP were definitely inspired by things that took place in the UK. I hope you enjoy our creativity! We worked a fair bit on it, and we will look to do even better on the next one. Thank you for your time. Many thanks for anyone who has checked us out! Stay safe and stay Metal!

Automb - Black/Death/Metal from United States

Interview with Danielle and Serge

Interview by Andrew Stanton

ion t a n i b m o c s a a w e m a n The Tomb. d n a Autumn of

A n d r e w Stanton had a chat with Danielle and Serge about the new Automb album.Can you tell our Danielle Evans readers a bit a b o u t by Serge Streltsov. your history, please? and Both: “Sure, we were It was a way for us to creformed in Fall of 2017 ate together and a way

for Serge to record the riffs that were too “Black M e t a l ” for Necrophagia, which he was playing in at the time.” - Where did you get the name Automb? Both: “The name was

a combination of Autumn and Tomb. Basically representing the Death cycle in Nature.” - Do you think Marilyn Manson and Korn made it very hard for people to take American Metal bands s e r i o u s ? Danielle: “I think in some ways it did, but we are a very different genre of Metal than those two bands are. That is a major differentiation that separates is from the lack of seriousness that is associated with those types of groups.” Serge: “Depends what US Metal scenes people follow. I think the US mainstream scene is the problem like the bands you mentioned. The underground here has great bands they just don’t get enough attention.”

Metal in high school.” Serge: “I grew up on bands like Ozzy, Queen, KISS, Rammstein, Rob Zombie, 70s/80s hard rock. Then once I became a teenager I got into the more extreme sides of metal.” - What is the Black Metal scene like in the US, or at least in Pittsburgh? Danielle: “I think the Black Metal scene in the U.S is growing. There a lot of great bands and there are a lot of not so great bands. The best USBM bands are heavily influenced by European bands and continue that sound. The Black Metal scene in Pittsburgh is virtually non-existent.” up and then progressed Serge: “It’s very small and to Metal in middle school there aren’t many bands and then Black and Death but there are definitely What bands did you like growing up? Danielle: “I liked a lot of classic rock like AC/ DC when I was growing

Automb - Black/Death/Metal from United States 36

some great bands from here. Everyone in the US is more f o c u s e d on playing Death Metal. Most people here in the Metal scene do not understand the Black Metal aesthetic. Probably because it is more European.” - Do two-piece bands generally think certain instruments aren’t very important? “I don’t think that’s the case. All instruments are very important; it just eliminates having more members if certain people in the band can play more than one instrument. For example, we have a live or studio drummer, and then Serge plays guitar and Danielle plays bass and does vocals.

It’s the same musically as a four piece.” - How do you describe your music? Both: “We describe our music as intriguing, dark, enlightening and brutal.”

- What do you think of White Metal or Christian Metal? Does Black Metal have to be dark and Satanic? Danielle: “I don’t think Christian ideology should have a place in Black Metal, at least in the sense of it being worshipped. That is not what Black Metal is about. However, Black Metal definitely does not have to be “dark” or “Satanic”. I don’t think Black Metal is synonymous with “dark”, especially not when you think about pagan Black Metal bands which we relate to.” Serge: “I think White/Christian Metal is a joke and a contradiction. Black Metal was born in opposition to Christianity and what they have done to Europe. Satanic or Pagan, it doesn’t matter,

any anti-Christian standpoint is utmost important in Black Metal. I think black metal of course has to have a dark side to it. Rather it is Satanic or from a Pagan stand point like us. It has to represent the Chaos path. The endless void where all came from.” - What do you think of sell-out bands who pander to mainstream magazines? Danielle: “I think it is good for some Black Metal bands to find popularity that gets them on mainstream magazines (Behemoth, for example), as long as they still stay true and keep their original essence.” Serge: “A lot of that is usually pretty annoying. I really don’t pay attention much.” - Have you toured much around the USA? What were the best and worst places to p l a y ? Danielle: “Yes, we have done two tours in the US. I’m not sure if there’s real-

ly a “worst” place because it depends on the venue within the city and the crowd that makes the show good or not, but I think my favorite place to play is in Cincinnati. Top notch promoter, fans, and venue.” Serge: “The best places that we played are definitely Cincinnati, Raleigh, New York City, Long Island, Rochester and so

on. There were definitely some bad ones I’d rather not mention.” What can our readers expect from your new album? Danielle: “You can expect ‘Chaosophy’ to be faster, darker, and more intense than ‘Esoterica’. You can also expect it to sound more mature and improved.” Serge: “It’s definitely a more mature album and it’s way more aggressive and more complex song writing. Expect nothing but brutality.” - Do you have a message for our readers? We still have some merch available on our big cartel! Please feel free to check out ‘Chaosophy’ and buy some merch if you dig it.

Nihilistium - Depressive Black/Metal from United Kingdom

Interview with Lina

Interview by Andrew Stanton

So basically, I was sitting watching sumo wrestling when a Welsh girl sent me a message saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would love to be interviewed for your magazine.â&#x20AC;?

just

goes

show it really is all about putting yourself out there and not being afraid to ask. Andrew Stanton had a chat with this Welsh girl.

of m r o f a as M es B u S s D s i l e a s t u n I me y m h in t i w s g n e n i p l p a a e d hat h t t i h s and real life.

Hello and welcome to Inside the Darkness. Hey. - Can you tell our readers a bit about you and your history, please? Hi there. I am Lina (better known as Mörtemiis), the founder and sole member of Nihilistium, my Black Metal project. I started the project in the spring of 2019 when I was 15 years old, creating Depressive Black Metal. Growing up wasn’t easy for me, as I was almost killed by my biological father, born int a life of loneliness and abuse, as well as having been in several toxic, abusive relationships in the past. Let me just say, I’m extremely thankful that Metal (as well as Black Metal) exists, otherwise I would not have lived to this day to create my music and my legacy. - What bands did you like growing up?

I think I was pretty much raised on rock. I loved The Bangles, ZZ Top, The Rolling Stones, Ray Charles and stuff like that. While all the other girls in school were

obsessing over shit like One Direction, I was obsessing over Paramore, Judas Priest and Blondie. My mother showed me some old vinyl records she has in her collection, and I gotta admit, I was impressed. Outside of Metal and rock, I’m a huge fan of Lady Gaga.

- Why did you decide to change from DSBM to Raw Black Metal? I use DSBM as a form of dealing with my mental issues and shit that happens in real life. Emotionally, 2020 has been pretty good for me, nothing depressing has happened to me so far so I thought I’d have a go at showing my more ‘aggressive’ side in the music. - When you changed the style, your lyrics stayed the same. Is depression something that interests you? That’s where you’re wrong. My lyrics aren’t the same these days. And depression is in NO fucking way an interest. It is something I have to deal with and that’s how my depressive lyrics are written. My previous lyrics are about personal feelings and how the pain has affected me, but i choose to cope with it in a way that I don’t have to harm myself. 39

Nihilistium - Depressive Black/Metal from United Kingdom 40

Also, if any other fans of DSBM have been through shit like me, I want them to know that I too have felt their pain. - Living in a small village in Wales, do you feel very isolated from the rest of the Black Metal scene? It’s very quiet where I live, but I actually like living in an isolated, rural area. I have tall hills and secluded forests, y’know. It’s perfect for a Black Metaller who enjoys hiking regularly like me. - Who is Lina Mörtemiis and who is Nihilistium? Do you think the two names are confusing for the fans? I am Mörtemiis, that’s my pseudonym. Lina is my real name. Nihilistium is the name of the project. I don’t think

it’s confusing for the fans Metal project Valefor. because I suppose every- - A few weeks ago I inone deserves to know terviewed a Belgian solo what our real names are, Black Metal artist called Ande. He said working solo you avoid arguments regarding songwriting and creativity, but it’s also less fun. Did you experience the same things? Yes. In a way, being alone is easy for me as I don’t have any siblings and also as an artist, so I don’t get into any sort of fights with others. But I do want to form a full band one day and maybe play live somewhere. - How do you find the time to churn out I mean, like Frost, the so much material and drummer of Satyricon imagination so often? and 1349, his real name I try to be as busy as possiis Kjetil, then there’s ble, I don’t like being stuck Sargathus of the Turk- around all fucking day ish Depressive Black doing virtually nothing.

I go hiking regularly and I really love the peaceful atmosphere of the forest. A lot of the time, I will be reading a book on the ancient practices of sorcery and occult philosophies, and sometimes I will suddenly get inspiration for a song. If I’m not reading, if I’m not playing Call of Duty, I’m probably playing my guitar. - What can fans expect from your new album? The album titled ‘Punishment In The Abyss of Self Hate’ is just another typical DSBM album that i started to record in early April and didn’t finish ‘til August, so the fans can expect just another album full of emotion. After that, ‘Evocation of The Reap-

er’s Bane’ will be released. problem with it. And The listener is in for a Hail Odin! surprise. Not much sad- Thank you for ness going on there, just your time. talk of demonAye, you’re most o l o g y certainly welcome.

a n d incantations. - Do you have a message for our readers? Stay true to yourselves. Fuck everyone else if they have a bloody 41

Dreams In Darkness - Gothic Black/Metal from Argentina

Interview with Cristian Bertrand

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Now this is interesting, and an album I’m quite looking forward to. A Doom Metal band turned Black Metal band. It’s hard to be a Metalhead and not be intrigued. Andrew Stanton had a chat with guitarist Cristian Bertrand about this big change. - Hello and welcome to Inside the Darkness Hey! How are you, Andrew? - Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please? Well, Dreams In Darkness is a Gothic Black Metal band from

Tucumán, Argentina. The band started as a solo project by our keyboardist and singer, Martin Tenebris. In 2016 was released the self-debut album. All the material was

out b a e t a We crearn nd a e l . we o t n e t s i l what we recorded and performed by Martin. In 2017 joined Giselle Stoker as the main vocalist and lyricist In 2018 they recorded

“Dark Silence”. This album is more Doom oriented with a lot of gloomy and dark atmospheres. In the mid of 2018 joined Cristian Bertrand as a guitarist and also doing drums. In September they played for the first time in a radio show called Headbanger in the most popular local radio station, Rock & Pop Tucumán. That radio show was owned by Tincho Sánchez Ance, a local broadcaster of Heavy Metal in the north of Argentina. In December of 2018 joined Gabriel Nonasco as bassist. In Febru-

what about

ary of 2019 the band played the first gig as a four members band. And around September of 2019 we started to write and record the third album called “The Souls Pit”. For this time we had the support of the American label Shadows Of Death Records The album will be released in August of 2020. What is the Metal scene like in Argentina? Well, here we have a lot of great bands, but the scene is small. One of the main reasons is because there are not many places to have gigs. And the other problem is that most of the band, like 98%, are independent bands. And you have to pay to play and as you can imagine, if you play, you just lost money. - A lot of South American bands are themed around voodoo magic and the day of the dead. Is Argentina the same? Argentina is completely different. Most of the band are focused in social issues, historical events and description of the place where we live. Of course there is a lot of band that write about paganism, personal issues and things like that, but the main theme is the social issues. - Why did you decide to change from Doom Metal to Black Metal? It was due to the influential differences. Black Metal was the common factor in the four members. Giselle listens a lot of experimental music and ambient music. From Nina Hagen to Burzum. Martin is more into Doom, Gothic and Black Metal. From Lacrimosa to Dimmu Borgir. I am into

old school Death Metal, Thrash and Black Metal. From Sepultura to Impaled Nazarene. And Gabriel listens to more classical rock and modern Metal. From Queen to post Hardcore. - Why did you decide to keep your lyrics Doom based instead of Satanism or paganism? Well, that’s about the feelings of Giselle (pagan) and Martin (Christian). They prefer to write about personal experiences beyond the religious beliefs. - Are you afraid older fans will be disappointed? To be honest, no. I guess people who like Dreams In Darkness enjoy different subgenres than Doom, and we believe they will appreciate our personal change. - And if the new album is not big, then you go back to the Doom scene? I don’t know, we create about what we learn and about what we listen to. We don’t consider the band inside one absolute genre. Even some keyboard passages in the new album remind me of Tango music. - What can fans expect from the new album? Is different from the last two albums but keeps the style. Is much more extreme. Also there is a musical growing. One of the main reasons is because it was written as a band and because of the difficult time we had to experience. Is touring Europe a big dream of yours? Absolutely YES! We would

love to tour outside Argentina, and especially in Europe. - According to Metal Archives you couldn’t prove you were a real band. What proof is required? Metal Archives thought we weren’t a real band because there is no info about our two previous albums. But if you do a research you will find our albums are present on Discogs, the most believable site to prove your records are real. We sold one or two previous albums only in physical copies. But you can listen to both on YouTube. - What did you think when My Dying Bride and Paradise Lost change from growls to clean vocals? Did it get boring? I guess they changed because everything changed. Probably they felt better with clean vocals and that’s great. The only constant in life is change. - Do you have a message for our readers? We invite all the readers of Inside The Darkness to listen to our music. It was hard work for us and we hope you enjoy it as we enjoy playing music. - Thank you for your time Thanks to you and all the personnel of Inside The Darkness for the support and broadcasting of the new band. Cheers from Argentina

Latest releases

Valdrin Melodic Black Metal band from United States released the third Full-length album Effigy of Nightmares on June 12, 2020. Effigy of Nightmares emits a far greater sense of space and spaciousness, inviting the listener to drown in its deep-purple depths and become possessed by the spectral sorrows lurking within. In fact, it’s the album’s balance of

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contrasts - searing aggression vs. Tracklist: atmospheric repose, bewitching 1. Gates of Hospice melodicism vs. brute force, 2. Exsanguination Tunnels epic overall construction vs. 3. Red Burning Candles of direct component parts - Hatred that puts VALDRIN in even 4. Serpentine Bloodhalls more masterful territory. 5. Basilisk of Light Along with the quartet’s more 6. Down the Oubliette of Maelstrom pronounced usage of acoustic embellishments, the sum effect Lineup is altogether not unlike the James Lewis - Bass pivotal works of such ‘90s giants Ryan Maurmeier - Drums as Vinterland, Sacramentum, Carter Hicks - Vocals, Guitars, and Sweden’s Dawn. Keyboards Colton Deem - Guitars

The Bishop of Hexen Symphonic Black Metal band from Israel released the third Full-length album The Death Masquerade on June 19, 2020. First album after 14 years !! The Israeli Symphonic Black Metallers honour us again with a new album after such a long time. The band makes use of their old strengths, namely to mix raging Black Metal with melodies and not to sound too overloaded. The first single «Death Masks» gives the right direction very well. Fans of old DIMMU BORGIR, LIMBONIC ART or generally melodic Black Metal will have their fun with the new power work of THE BISHOP OF HEXEN. Formed in late 1994 in Israel, the band has released one of the most appreciated atmospheric black metal album to d at e

«Archives Of An Enchanted Philosophy», now after 14 years since their latest album the band has released their return from the darkest depths to unleash: The death Masquerade. This new set of songs is a deep and introspecting journey, from orchestral black metal vibes to theatrical and monumental atmospheres. The Bishop of Hexen literally chases you through your nightmares. Sometimes you are driven through the undergrowth with nasty boards in panic of breathlessness…This new album is a true masterpiece of symphonic-black metal with many unexpected twists, a never-ending tension, and all of this is presented in a playful top form.

Tracklist 1. Catacumba Essentia 2. A Witch King Reborn 3. Of Shuttering Harps & Shadow Hounds 4. Death Masks 5. All Sins Lead to Glory 6. The Jester’s Demise 7. A Thousand Shades of Slaughter 8. Sine Nomine Lineup Ariel Eshcar - Guitars (lead) Avicious - Guitars (rhythm), Bass Dimrost - Keyboards Lord Koder - Vocals, Drums, Percussion

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AlNamrood Black/Folk Metal band from Saudi Arabia released the seventh Fulllength album Wala’at on June 22, 2020. AlNamrood translates to «the non-believer» and comes from an ancient historical autocratic character. He ruled the world maliciously and stated «I am the God of all creation». This work is didcated to those who can see utter loyality to ideology, concept or icons is the root cause for herd leading system.

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AlNamrood is a Saudi Arabian black metal band whose name refers to “Nimrod”, a Babylonian king. The name was chosen as a form of defiance against religion. The members are anonymous since their identification could lead to punishment of death from Saudi Arabian authorities.

Tracklist 1. Al Hirah 2. Sahra Yaesa 3. Tabqia 4. Kali Be Mekialain 5. Al Shareef Al Muhan 6. Fasique 7. Aar Al Estibad 8. Alhallaj 9. Wahum Althaat 10. Alqaum Lineup Mephisto - Guitars, Bass Ostron - Arabian Instruments Humbaba - Vocals

Carach Angren Symphonic Black Metal band from Netherlands released the sixth Full-length album Franckensteina Strataemontanus on June 26, 2020. The Dutch masters of horror are back with their most flamboyant album so far. On ‘Franckensteina Strataemontanus’, CARACH ANGREN resurrect the gruesome story of troubled soul Conrad Dippel the inspiration of Mary Shelley’s novel ‘Frankenstein’. CARACH ANGREN have extended all the sonic colours on their established palette to dazzling effect. Their trademark whipping guitars weave

harsh melodies and sinister soundscapes, which are beautifully contrasted by opulent keyboards and majestic orchestrations. With ‘Franckensteina Strataemontanus’, the Dutch push their unashamedly theatrical style to a new intense height. Tracklist 1. Here in German Woodland 2. Scourged Ghoul Undead 3. Franckensteina Strataemontanus 4. The Necromancer 5. Sewn for Solitude 6. Operation Compass 7. Monster 8. Der Vampir von Nurnberg 9. Skull with a Forked Tongue

10. Like a Conscious Parasite I Roam 11. Frederick’s Experiments Lineup Seregor - Guitars, Vocals Ardek - Keyboards, Piano, Orchestrations, Vocals (backing) Namtar - Drums, Percussion

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Acherontas Black Metal band from Greece released the eighth Full-length album Psychic Death - The Shattering of Perceptions on June 26, 2020. Mysticism, magic, occult arts and rituals, all of which are driving factors behind ACHERONTAS, are also the most adequate words that can be used to describe the band’s image, sound and lyrics. The band is considered as one of the leading representatives of the New Wave of Greek Black Metal, heavily

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influenced by the original Hellenic metal scene, retro rock (especially the 70’s rock) and eastern philosophy. Tracklist 1. Paradigms of Nyx 2. Kiss the Blood 3. The Brazen Experimentalist 4. Psychic Death «The Shattering of Perceptions» 5. Coiled Splendor 6. The Offering of Hemlock 7. Sermons of the Psyche 8. Μαγεια των καθρεφτων (Magick of Mirrors)

Lineup V.Priest - Vocals, Guitars Saevus H. - Guitars Hierophant - Bass Dothur - Drums Indra - Guitars

Enshadowed Black Metal band from Greece released the fourth Full-length album Stare into the Abyss on June 30, 2020. Enshadowed was born back in 1998. The vision of the band was to create underground black metal art at a unique level. Enshadowed took a part in many live shows, supporting also great bands like Mayhem, Dodheimsgard, Impaled Nazarene, Dark Funeral, Nargaroth and more. Old and very respected Greek band Enshadowed returns with their 4th album entitled ÂŤStare Into the AbyssÂť. You can expect a perfect mix of

Hellenic Black Metal Art with Scandinavian influences. On Stare into the Abyss Enshadowed plays very fast, raw, melodic, aggressive and traditional Black Metal. The lyrics cover death, chaos, nihilism, misanthropy and antireligion themes. It is time to stare into the Abyss... into the Darkness... into the pure Death.

Tracklist 1. An Aspect of Chaos 2. The Great Animist 3. Beyond the Knowledge of Truth 4. Blackend Mouth of Despair 5. Divided You Fall 6. A Form of Agony 7. Entropy of Men Lineup N.e.c.r.o - Guitars Golgotha - Bass Serpent - Vocals

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Latest releases

The Funeral Orchestra Funeral Doom Metal band from Sweden released the third Full-length album Negative Evocation Rites on July 1, 2020. This new album, “Negative Evocation Rites,” was recorded in early 2020 in Studio Trauma and Abysmal Noise Studio in Sweden, with additional recording at an undisclosed location in Colorado. Those already acquainted with “Feeding the Abyss” will be certain to find that the band’s approach has not varied significantly from its original formula. That said, “Negative Evocation Rites” has somehow managed to

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present an even darker atmosphere than its predecessor, and one that appropriately reflects the bleak outlook for humanity in these uncertain times. Tracklist Negative Evocations 2. Flesh Infiltrations 3. Negations I 4. Negations II Lineup: Priest II - Bass, Vocals (additional) Priest III - Drums Priest I - Guitars, Vocals, Vocals (additional

Black Funeral Black Metal band from United States released the tenth Full-length album Scourge of Lamashtu on July 3, 2020. One of the very first American black metal bands, Black Funeral h```ave been long led by the magickal hand of Michael Ford AKA Akhtya Nachttoter, who has concurrently garnered international respect as a leading author on Luciferianism and occultism. Now arrives Scourge of Lamashtu, a Black Magickial sonic invocation of the Seven Udug-hul, Vampyric Deities and Lil-demons of ancient Babylonia. May our kis (witchcraft) call forth acasual and abyss-dreaming powers and the pandemonium of Lamashtu, Pazuzu, Nergal, lilu, lilitu, kiskilili and vampyric demonic dead, the emmu.

Black Funeral aligns in a underworldly wave of cacophonic disharmony uniting cold black metal with dark ambient soundscapes composed from sounds of desert winds, sands, wilderness, mountains, storms, owls, wolves, and ravens to authentically represent the demons, deities, and ghostly dead within this album. Lineup Akhtya Nachttoter - Vocals, Bass, Electronics Azgorh Drakenhof - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards

Tracklist 1. KassaptuLemuttu 2. The Vampyric Rabisu at the Threshold 3. Nergal (Lord who Prowls by Night) 4. Seven Udug-Hul 5. Scourge of Lamashtu (She who Strangles the Lamb) 6. Gidim Hul (Bloodthirst of the Demonic Dead) 7. Pazuzu King of the LiluDemons

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Soul Grinder Old-school Death Metal band from Germany released the first Full-length album Chronicles of Decay on July 3, 2020. Founded in Bremen in January 2018, Soul Grinder have been committed to old-school death metal since they played their very first note together. After a successful run with the EP «Sadistic Parasite» released in the same year, the band is now back with their debut full-length «Chronicles of Decay» to prove

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that they can live up to the expectations created around their previous effort. «Chronicles of Decay» features 11 new tracks of the finest death metal, from blast speed attacks to groovy steamrollers and mystical hymns. Keeping it as brutal as one can ask for, the band offers a strong range of influences with their debut.

Tracklist: 1. Infernal Suffering 2. Flesh Defiler 3. Ruins of Existence 4. My Unwilling Giver 5. Morbid Masquerade 6. The Sun And the Serpent 7. The Delusionist 8. Signs of Decline 9. March of the Dead 10. The Withering 11. Hymn of Death Lineup Mathias Junge - Bass, Vocals Balrogh - Drums Jan Resmer - Guitars, Vocals (backing)

Convocation Funeral Doom/Death Metal band from Finland released the second Fulllength album Ashes Coalesce on July 3, 2020. Formed 4 years ago in Helsinki, Finland, Convocation started as a death metal project that later developed more close to darker doomish soundscapes, an outlet for really heavy and slow music with the will to experiment including synths, organs etc.  Lyrically focused on hatred towards homo sapiens and

apocalyptic scenarios, «Scars Across» was written in two different timespans and roughly a year between those sessions till everything clicked and finally spawning 4 apocalyptic anthem 2 years later Convocation are back with “Ashes Coalesce”, an aural study of concepts encircling death: Grief, rage and defiance, melancholy, acceptance and fear and anxiety of the unknown. The grandeur of the almost spiritual experience of melancholy, the humbleness t o w a r d s o n e ’s

mortality or fragility and the all-engulfing blackness. For fans of Skepticism, Thergothon, Esoteric and Disembowelment! Lineup LL - All instruments, Songwriting MN - Vocals, Lyrics Tracklist 1. Martyrise 2. The Absence Grief 3. Misery Form 4. Portal Closed

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Myridian Melodic Doom/Death Metal band from Australia released the third Full-length album Light in the Abyss on July 3, 2020. Combining the melodies of epic Scandinavian metal with haunting doom passages, the band recently released their sophomore album ‘We, the Forlorn’ in April 2015. Carrying the dark energy of its predecessor

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to new heights, ‘Forlorn’ further refines the band’s signature mixture of atmosphere, sorrow and introspection.

Tracklist 1. Light Is Lost 2. Nidellavir 3. Babylon 4. The Poet 5. The Roots, the Rats and the Raven 6. Black WInd 7. One with the Abyss Lineup Felix Lane - Vocals, Bass Zebådee Scott - Drums Ian Mather - Guitars Dan Liston - Keyboards Jeremy Landry - Guitars

Decrepid Death Metal band from United Kingdom released third Fulllength album Endless Sea of Graves on July 7, 2020. Formed in 2005 by Danny Price and Tommy Atkins, Decrepid initially started out as a thrash metal act. After a year or so of line-up changes, the band was put on hold until 2008, after which they started playing death metal. Decrepid plays a traditional style of old school Death Metal with raw sound where brutality and morbid mid tempos are combined in a natural way with influences in the vein of MORBID ANGEL, ASPHYX, MASSACRE, PURTENANCE, DEICIDE...

Tracklist 1. Fields of Flesh 2. Phobos Descent 3. Armoured Apocalypse 4. Plagued by Mortality 5. Per Maleficium 6. Endless Sea of Graves Lineup Steve Brennan - Guitars Danny Price - Guitars Cris Bassan Vocals Tom Foran Drums Alex H. Studholme - Bass

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Latest releases

Dethlehem Epic Melodic Death Metal band from United States released the fourth Full-length album Maelstrom of the Emerald Dragon on July 17, 2020. The warriors of Dethlehem have travelled through time and space to do battle against dragons, wizards, warlocks, leviathans, shapeshifters, and a shit ton of other things that needed to die.

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There are two versions of the album, Story Mode and Music Only. Lineup Overlord Brom - Drums Bovice - Guitars Brutalitus the BloodBeard Vocals Grimshaw Longfellow - Bass

Tracklist: 1. Prelude - As

Fate Would Have It 2. A Tale That Time Forgot 3. Interlude I - Cloud Megalopolis 4. Return to the Halls of Madness 5. Mind Flayer 6. Interlude II - Task for the Bog Witch 7. Escape from Wolf Mountain 8. Beware the Mimic 9. Interlude III - A Ravenous Storm 10. On the Backs of Giants 11. Gelatinous Cube Labyrinth 12. Interlude IV - Welcome to Your Doom 13. The Emerald Dragon

The Lightbringer Atmospheric Melodic Black Metal band from Canada released EP From the Void to Existence on July 17, 2020. Following the majestic and complex Heptanity album released in 2017, where the greatness of the 7 primordial deities was honored, the band is about to present a new conceptual album. This time, a way darker, profound, and mysterious dimension is explored: the Void. From the Void to Existence tells the tale of cosmogony, of a fantastic universe from an immemorial time, where the spirits have awakened from the eternal abyss. This dark epic work that is delivered through a harmonic and progressive atmosphere, is well-suited for fans of fantasy and melodic black metal.

Tracklist Lineup 1. From the Void Auraeon Guitars, 2. The First Flickers of Drums, Songwriting, Lyrics Thought Sol-Orcus - Vocals 3. Sparks of Will Celestheia - Vocals (female) 4. The Awakening Archan - Bass 5. Desecration of the Void 6. The Seal of Annihilation 7. Enchantment 8. Crystallization 9. To Existence 10. Caravansary (Kitaro cover)

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Monotonic Negativel Depressive Black Metal band from Russia released the second Fulllength album Scarface on June 2, 2020. The dead sometimes come back! It has been just over 10 years of silence for Monotonic Negativel. Part of this demo album was recorded in 2010 (except for ambient tracks 2 and 5 recorded in 2019) And remastered the album in 2020. Lineup Aarsland All instruments, Vocals Tracklist 1. Ideology of SelfDestruction 2. Buried Alive 3. Scarface 4. The Aesthetic Aura of Suicide 5. Shadow of the Mentally Ill

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Sadism Death Metal band from Chile released the ninth Full-length album The Sadistic Key Elements on June 5, 2020. SADISM was born during 1988 founded by the current members Juan Pablo Donoso and Ricardo Roberts. Tracklist 1. Darkness Descends 2. Light of the End 3. Ravenous Medicine 4. Flag of Hate 5. Pain Killer 6. From the Past Comes the Storm 7. Eternal Ban 8. Skeletons in the Closet 9. Abstract War 10. Desecration of Souls Lineup Juan Pablo Donoso - Drums Ricardo Roberts - Vocals Juan Edo Moore - Bass Gabriel Hidalgo - Guitars

KULT MOGIŁ Death Metal band from Poland released the second Full-length album Torn Away the Remains of Dasein on June 6, 2020. Kult mogił is Polish for cult of graves. The band comment: «This album is 100% devoid of the desire to be avant-garde or experimental. We are destroying the previously developed formula so that we can on its ruins pay homage to the classics of the genre.» Tracklist 1. Hunger of Pride 2. White Death Implosion 3. Torment of Dasein 4. Idols in Blood 5. A Wax Reverie 6. Fountain of Affliction Lineup The Rays - Drums Deimos - Vocals, Bass Rzulty - Guitars Thisworld Outof - Guitars

Throneum Black/Death Metal band from Poland released the tenth Full-length album Oh Death... Oh Death... Determinate, Preach and Lead Us Astray... on June 8, 2020. THRONEUM was formed in the deepest dungeons of Hell back in 1996. Influenced by thousands of ‘80s and early ‘90s death and black metal, THRONEUM is pure underground band to hail from Poland. Morbid and Nightmarish Death Metal is the band’s signature of rabid and righteous filth. Tracklist 1.Alpha: Soulside-SpaceStream 2. Beta: AGLA-onTetragrammaton 3. Gamma: Agla-ONTetragrammaton 4. Delta: Self-AppointedGrandeur 5. Epsilon: Agla-onTETRAGRAMMATON 6. Zeta: ArchangelLucifer-God Lineup Armagog - Bass The Great Executor Guitars, Vocals Diabolizer - Drums

Casket Grinder Death Metal band from Colombia released the first Full-length album Fall into Dementia on June 6, 2020. Formed in 2010, Casket Grinder creates Death Metal from the depths of South America for maniacs from maniacs. Their first fulllength, “Fall into Dementia,” is an unforgettable plunge into South America’s Old School Death Metal scene. Get ready for one hell of a psychological joy drive. Tracklist 1. Re-Sonator 2. The Portal 3. What Lies Across 4. Behold the Abominations 5. Partially Digested 6. Impending Lust 7. Buzzing Frenzy 8. Hunger in the Morgue 9. The Final Summoning 10. Fall into Dementia Lineup Jeisson Gallego - Drums Christian Quintero - Guitars Daniel Pineda - Vocals, Guitars Juan Diego Acevedo - Bass

Obscene Death Metal band from United States released the first Full-length album The Inhabitable Dark on June 12, 2020. After impressing with their 2018 demo, ‘Sermon to the Snake’, Obscene make their LP debut with a renewed sense of ruthless aggression in ‘The Inhabitable Dark’. Tracklist 1. Without Honor and Humanity 2. Bless the Giver of Oblivion 3. All Innocence Burns Here 4. They Delight in Extinction 5. Black Hole of Calcutta 6. Isolated Dumping Grounds 7. This Is He Who Kills 8. The Inhabitable Dark Lineup Roy Hayes - Bass Brandon Howe - Drums Michael Morgan Guitars Kyle Shaw - Vocals

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Fornicus Black/Death Metal band from United States released the third Full-length album Sulphuric Omnipotence on June 15, 2020. Tracklist 1.Perditionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guiding Wings 2. Sulphuric Omnipotence 3. The Abhorrent Path 4. Vitriolic Proclamation 5. One Mass Grave 6. Stormwolves 7. Inexorable Pantheon of Death 8. Tempetuous Flames 9. Usurping the Throne Lineup Chris Carver - Bass, Guitars Scott Briggs - Guitars, Drums, Vocals

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Desecrate Melodic Death Metal band from Turkey released the second Full-length album Kingdom on June 17, 2020. Desecrate founded in Istanbul,2005, by Oguz Bulgurlular and Akcan Ergin. Tracklist 1. Narcissus 2. Chaos 3. FTS 4. Loneliness Is the Kingdom 5. Warchant 6. Cold of Death 7. Shadows Witch 8. My Darkness Lineup Akcan Ergin - Drums OÄ&#x;uz Bulgurlular Guitars Oktay Demirci - Vocals Vahit Tanik - Bass Batuhan Bulgurlular Guitars

Dearth Black/Death Metal band from United States released the first Full-length album To Crown All Befoulment on June 19, 2020. Nihilistic beyond comprehension and sonically devastating, on the crushing debut LP Dearth explore incomprehensible thresholds of disgust and abjection through a sonic arsenal forged deep into in the most tormented circles of hell, unleashing a cataclysm of dark death metal horror that will leave the listener scarred and ravaged. Tracklist 1. Writhing in Cellophane Cages 2. Autoasphyxia 3. The Reverence of Swine 4. Death Sown in Polluted Soil 5. Anthropocene through Burial Mounds 6. Blight Lineup Justin Divver - Drums Zack Gilliam - Vocals, Bass Connor Allen - Vocals, Guitars, Drums

3xperimental Symphonic Black/Death Metal band from Germany released the second Fulllength album Symphony of Elements on June 20, 2020. «Symphony of Elements», is an ode to the forces of Nature, against human arrogance. Each song/ element represents the ending of a world, and perhaps the beginning of something new. The album combines metal music from different styles: from black to doom to progressive, mixed with symphonic and atmospheric elements.

Nordicwinter Atmospheric Black Metal band from Canada released the third Full-length album Desolation on June 20, 2020. Laden with haunting melodies and cryptic vocals, Nordicwinter sets out to drive back into the wombs from whence they came from, those false souls who today haunt the black metals scene like paint by numbers specters. There, within their bloody sepulchers, they will die; screaming silent screams that none will deign to hear.

Heathen Beast Atheistic Black Metal band from India released the first Full-length album The Revolution Will Not Be Televised but It Will Be Heard on June 21, 2020. Heathen Beast is the formation of three. Carvaka who believes religion was invented and made up by men, having no divine authority. Samkhya who denies the existence of God. Mimamsa who rejects the notion of God and says that human action itself Tracklist is enough to create the 1. Forest of Despair necessary circumstances 2. A Shadow’s Veil for the enjoyment of its fruits. 3. In Solitude Tracklist Tracklist 4. Fall to Ruin 1. Fuck C.A.A 1. Essentia Existentiae 5. All That Remains 2. Fuck N.P.R & N.R.C 2. Earth 6. Tomb of Silence 3. Fuck Modi-Shah 3. Water 7. Last Rites 4. Fuck the B.J.P 4. Wind 5. Fuck Your Self 5. Fire Lineup Proclaimed Godmen 6. At the End of the Evillair Vocals, All 6. Fuck Your Police Brutality World instruments, Drum 7. Fuck the R.S.S 7. Visions programming 8. Fuck You Godi Media 9. Fuck Your Whatsapp University Lineup 10. Fuck Your Hindu Rashtra JB Vincent - Everything 11. Fuck the Economy 12. Fuck the Congress Lineup Carvaka - Vocals, Guitars Samkhya - Bass Mimamsa - Drums

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Latest releases

Purtenance Death Metal band from Finland released the fourth Full-length album Buried Incarnation on June 23, 2020. 4th album by one of the oldest and most respected finnish Death Metal bands. Tracklist 1. Into the Arctic Gloom 2. Shrouded Vision of Afterlife 3. Under the Pyre of Enlightenment 4. The Malicious Moon 5. Lifeless Profoundity 6. Deathbed Confession 7. Wrapped in Lamentation 8. Dark Womb of Nothingness 9. Burial Secrecy Lineup Harri Salo - Drums Juha Rannikko - Guitars Tero Aalto - Guitars Aabeg Gautam - Vocals, Bass

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Cryfemal Black Metal band from Spain released the eighth Full-length album Eterna oscuridad on June 26, 2020. CRYFEMAL was created by Ebola in 1996, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Cryfemal means “Scream of Sickness” and stands for the concept of playing Necro Black Metal, worshipping the dead and their cemetaries. Tracklist 1. Capilla Ardiente 2. Necra Exequia 3. Insepulto 4. El Retorn 5. Reencarnacion 6. Lapida Condenada 7. Culto A La Muerte 8. Crematorio 9. Eternidad Lineup Ebola - All instruments, Vocals Bornyhake Ormenos - Drums

Velkhanos Melodic Death Metal band from Spain released the first Full-length album The Wrath on June 26, 2020. Tracklist 1. In Absentia Dei 2. Bring Me the Fire 3. Black Omen 4. Dagon 5. The Wrath 6. Vulcano 7. The Last Day 8. Moloch 9. The Eye of God 10. Capricho Árabe Lineup Ángel Lucas - Bass José Antonio Montiel - Drums Pablo Ato - Guitars Miriam Ortiz - Vocals Fernando Salmerón - Guitars

Sinira Melodic Black Metal band from United States released the first Full-length album The Everlorn on June 26, 2020. Sinira is a melodic black metal entity that is inspired by acts such as Dissection, Vinterland and Sacramentum. Having only one member, Sinira does take some time releasing music. After two years of releasing the Dawnless Twilight demo, Sinira returns with its first full length album: The Everlorn. Characterized by soaring melodies, sunken and sorrowful vocals, and whirlwind invoking tempos; The Everlorn is a homage and tribute to the Swedish titans who reigned proud and whose flames still burn bright. Tracklist 1. Where Starlight Does Not Shine 2. Gardens of Pestilence 3. The Everlorn 4. Souls of the Flame 5. Tear Ladened Skies 6. Our Final Nightfall 7. Dawnless Twilight 8. Omega XI Lineup Knell - All instruments, Vocals

Sickening Horror Technical Death Metal band from Greece released the fourth Full-length album Chaos Revamped on June 29, 2020. Sickening Horror was created on January 2002 in Athens, Greece. The band’s style is primarily technical Death Metal but combined with many progressive elements and melodic textures. With each album, the purpose is always to push limits and explore new territories and sounds. The lyrical themes deal with personal issues, introspection, self-transcendence usually presented in a metaphorical or surreal way. Tracklist 1. Outburst 2. Fragments of Time 3. Transmutation 4. Cubical Void 5. Monarch 6. Chaos Revamped 7. Dawn of the Sick 8. Glacial Warfare 9. Loophole 10. Fire Imploded Lineup Ilias Daras - Bass George Antipatis - Guitars, Vocals Andreas Karayiannis Guitars Vasilis Antipatis - Drums

Apricitas Depressive Suicidal Black Metal band from United States released the first Full-length album Dirge for My Former Life on July 3, 2020. Cover Art: And Bound Him a Thousand Years (1899) by Odilon Redon Tracklist 1. Intro 2. The Morning After 3. Born with a Void 4. Haunt Me Forever 5. She Looked to Me and Said, «I Don’t Want You to Do That» 6. Dirge for My Former Life 7. They Laugh like God 8. Exulansis 9. Tu Me Manques 10. Little Space Cat 11. Until the Winds Disperse My Bones 12. Fragments of My Mind Pour Out into the Limitless Universe Where I Become Whole 13. Outro Lineup Espi Kvlt - Vocals and Lyrics Mike Snow - Music and Production

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Ayr Black Metal band from United States released the first Fulllength album The Dark on July 24, 2020. Unexpected and long awaited, North Carolina’s elusive black metal duo returns after 8 years of silence. Tracklist 1. Origins in Descent 2. Where All Light Dies 3. Worship the Dark 4. Swallowed 5. Return to the Void 6. Sever the Golden Chain Lineup Rick Contes - Guitars, Vocals, Keyboards Randall Flagg - Drums

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Gaerea Black Metal band from Portugal released the second Full-length album Limbo on July 24, 2020. Portugal’s Gaerea challenges the archetype of black metal, coloring outside of the genre’s lines with melancholy texture and deep emotion. ‘Limbo’ devours the listener with misanthropic catharsis and cinematic agony, delivering palpable emotion for 52 uninterrupted minutes. Prepare to lose yourself in the nihilistic abyss with this devastating offering. Tracklist 1. To Ain 2. Null 3. Glare 4. Conspiranoia 5. Urge 6. Mare

Buried Realm Melodic Death Metal band from United States released the fourth Full-length album Embodiment of the Divine on July 24, 2020. Tracklist 1. The Burning Remnants 2. Overlord 3. Master Psychosis 4. Scales of Queen Dragon 5. Silver Tongue 6. In the Shallow Light 7. Embodiment of the Divine 8. Infinite Mutation 9. The Wonder and Terror of Fortune Lineup Josh Dummer - Everything Guest performances Andy Gillion Benjamin Ellis Bob Katsionis Dean Arnold Lee McKinney Peter Wichers Rafael Trujillo Ryan Strain

Fides Inversa Black Metal band from Italy released the third Full-length album Historia Nocturna on July 21, 2020. Venturing further down their dark path of inspiration and chaos, Fides Inversa give life to a new album, hereby titled Historia Nocturna, through the vessels of the very same personalities that sealed the pact on their previous EP effort. Working on the material for years, they are now delivering an aggressive yet dynamic record that might be their finest to this day. Tracklist 1. Intro 2. A Wanderer’s Call and Orison 3. Transcendental Lawlessness 4. The Visit 5. I Glance You with a Touch, I Touch You with a Gaze 6. Syzygy 7. I Am the Iconoclasm Lineup Omega A.D. - Drums, Vocals Void A.D. - Guitars, Bass Wraath - Vocals

Martyrium Black/Death Metal band from Netherlands released the second Full-length album Abandon Hope on July 24, 2020. The long awaited new album! Tracklist 1. Hail to the Slaughter 2. Rites for False Gods 3. Abandon Hope 4. Painless Death 5. Hate Is Mine 6. Age of Wolves 7. Untamed Devastation 8. Heretic Hell Hordes 9. Ashes of Mankind 10. Forgotten Shadows 11. Falling into Despair Lineup Job van de Graaf - Drums Geert Rijs - Guitars Sander Stappers - Bass Ron Classen - Vocals

Draghkar Death Metal band from United States released the first Full-length album At the Crossroads of Infinity on July 27, 2020. At the Crossroads of Infinity is an album that falls somewhere between “a death metal album written purely with traditional heavy metal influences” and “a death metal album with a big focus on melody. Tracklist 1. The First Death 2. Beyond Despair, the Dawn of Rebirth 3. An Erosion of the Eternal Soul 4. Seeking Oblivion 5. Pursued by Black Forms 6. At the Crossroads of Infinity Lineup Brandon Corsair Guitars (rhythm), vocals (clean) Cameron Fisher - Bass Phil Segitho - Drums K.S. Kuciemba Guitars (lead) Daniel Butler - Vocals

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Band Links https://www.facebook.com/mrkillband https://mrkillofficial.bandcamp.com/releases https://www.instagram.com/mrkillband https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/mrkill

We present to you our new experience. We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of MrKill - Melodic Death Metal band from Australia.

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Formed in 2017 in Melbourne, Australia, by Justin Ks, the band combines a range of musical styles however is focused predominantly around melodic death metal and cover the lyrical themes of turmoil, darkness, ignorance and despotism. From deep chugs, sonic high notes, shredding and dark drawn moments, MrKill captures a wide range of energy to be experienced. The heavy guitar riffing and incredible drumming remains at the forefront, together with the vocals, MrKill always knows how to get the balance right. They stick to a melodic concept and pound their way through an emotional backdrop. MrKill is set to release their debut EP The Day of Reckoning on 31 July 2020. Line up : Justin Ks - Rhythm guitars, vocals, programming & song-writing Scott Henderson - Lead guitars Baltion Radi - Bass Xines - Drums

Band Links https://www.facebook.com/orebzarak https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCca_bL4NvAYmkaKvpkJXjuQ

We present to you our new experience. We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Oreb Zarak - Blackened Death/ Thrash Metal band from Colombia. Andrew Stanton

Metal Magazine Oreb Zarak Yet another great band from Colombia. Oreb Zarak are a Blackened Death Thrash band who formed in April 2017. The vocals are often very harsh, but the rhythm guitars give it a real kick. Influenced by Astarte, Opera IX, Watain and Belphegor. Oreb Zarak call themselves Blackened Death Metal, but the Thrash element is pretty hard not to spot. This is a band I expect big things from, because so far, they have done everything right. Their theme is very much occult based. Lyrics about death and the afterlife, mythology and very much anti-Christian. Oreb Zarak have now signed to Black Widow Records and are preparing for their first album this year. This will be a very exciting band. Line up : Angiel Romero - vocals Ruben Restrepo - guitars Juan Correa - bass

Band Links https://www.facebook.com/raventhrone.by https://raventhrone.bandcamp.com https://www.instagram.com/raventhroneofficial https://vk.com/club3888769

We present to you our new experience. We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Raven Throne - Atmospheric Black metal band from Belarus.

Raven Throne is the atmospheric black metal act formed in the northern part of Belarus in the faint year of 2004. Over time, through searches and discoveries, achievements and losses Raven Throne is looking for invisible trails to the mysteries of Non-being. Inspired by the beauty of eternal Winter as before, he continues the endless falling into the Abyss. Line up: Chernotur - Guitars War Head - Bass, Vocals, Programming Discography 2005 - Великая тень Чернобога 2008 - Тенью сквозь смерть 2010 - Вечный, тёмный (Eternal, Dark) 2014 - Доктрина ненависти 2016 - Šliacham zabytych 2018 - I miortvym snicca zołak...

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Band Links https://www.facebook.com/fedrafemaleblackmetaloficial https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9WifP-UEunpWiQMYrvY-eQ https://twitter.com/FEDRABLACKMETAL

We present to you our new experience. We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Fedra - Black metal band from Colombia.

Andrew Stanton

Officially, the queens of all Metal. It’s impossible to ignore the facts. The only allfemale band in any genre to headline music festivals. Even though they’re only one album old, they have a history as long as your arm. With countless line-up changes and backstage fights. Their attitude has made them legendary in South America. Formed in 2006, they played the underground scene until they released their first demo ‘The Queen of Darkness’ in 2008. They quickly reached cult status. A few line-up changes and they lost their corpsepaint. In 2015 they signed to Viuda Negra Music and released their debut album entitled ‘The Gates of Hell’. Fedra were heavily criticised in Colombia for being an all-female band, but with their ‘fuck off’ attitude they stood defiant. They have headlined quite a few festivals around South America. These days, Fedra are one of the most hated bands on the South American scene. And beyond any shadow of a doubt, the most important all-female band anywhere in the world, in all music genres. And also, one of the greatest Black Metal bands on the planet. Absolute living legends. Line up : Aghori - vocals/guitar Agramon - guitar Yathur-ea - drums

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We present to you our new experience. We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Ritum Tenebriis - Raw Black metal band from Ecuador. Band Link https://www.facebook.com/ritumtenebriis

Andrew Stanton

Ritum Tenebriis is Latin for ‘black ritual’, and also the name of a really cool band from Quito, Ecuador. Featuring the original singer of Fedra, Darksuccubbi, their sound is extremely raw with fast vocals. Influenced by Hellhammer and Darkthrone, this is a band with everything going for them. They formed in 2017 and have already opened for the likes of Opeth, Vital Remains and Nargaroth. Expect big things from Ritum Tenebriis, because in the near future I have a feeling they will be very hard to ignore. Because of the lockdown, Ritum Tenebriis have been put on hold, but plan to release their first album ‘Left Hand Path’ independently in December. Line up : Darksuccubbi - vocals Neferhor - lead guitar Abigor - second guitar Suizid - drums Seth - bass

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Band Link https://www.facebook.com/StrangaLumigado https://vk.com/strangalumigado https://www.instagram.com/strangalumigado

We present to you our new experience. We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Stranga Lumigado Raw Black metal band from Russia.

Andrew Stanton

Stranga Lumigado Formed in 2004 in St Petersburg, Russia, under the name Sargatanas, this is one of the most unusual sounds. Combining Raw Black Metal with Power Metal. They quickly gained cult status around Russia. The style was so unusual, it was hard for people to ignore. Influenced by Emperor and oddly Helloween, and a love for Classical music, all the influences are fully heard throughout. They released their debut album ‘Greatness of Rot’ in 2011. Very entertaining and very easy to listen to. In 2018, they changed their name to Stranga Lumigado (Esperanto for ‘Strange Lighting’) because the list of bands called ‘Sargatanas’ was way too long. They plan to release their new album this year or early next year on BG Records. This time they plan to experiment even more… Just when you thought you’d heard it all before. One of the greatest and most unique Black Metal bands on the planet. Line up Maria - vocals/drums Xenia - guitar Alex F - bass

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Band Link https://www.facebook.com/necro.cruz.56 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvEoeg0G0iyEEULtKyfEfNg https://soundcloud.com/necrocruzbandcol

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We present to you our new experience. We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Necrocruz - Black metal band from Colombia.

Andrew Stanton

Necrocruz Necrocruz started in 2005 in Riosucio, Caldas, Colombia. This Raw Black Metal band have a very unique sound. Influenced by Typhon, Occultus and Maleficarum, and many local sounds and themes. They released a number of demos before releasing their first album ‘La Antorcha De Lucifer’ in 2014 on Chivo Negro Records. Their music is Black Metal, but you will hear many other things going on in there. For the most part, they keep it simple, but then they throw in a few surprises to keep the listener interested. Probably one of the most underrated bands around. The lyrics are Satanic and anti-religion. The lyrics are all in Spanish, but that’s to be expected for Colombian bands. The Colombian Metal scene has really captured the world’s attention in recent years. Down to earth bands creating some of the easiest Black Metal to listen to. Necrocruz are another band waiting to be heard, waiting to be enjoyed, waiting to be called underrated, and waiting for the rest of the world to see what Colombians can do. Line up Dark Cosmos - vocals/bass Abiggor - guitars Balam - drums

Band Links https://www.facebook.com/nihilistiumdsbm https://nihilistiumdsbm.bandcamp.com/releases https://www.instagram.com/linamortemiis

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We present to you our new experience. We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Nihilistium - Depressive Black Metal band from United Kingdom.

Andrew Stanton

Nihilistium One woman solo project, Nihilistium, is based in the small village of Kerry, Wales, United Kingdom. She started out in the summer of 2019 with the demo ‘Melancholic Delusions’. She started out in the DSBM scene, but later tried her hands at Raw Black Metal. Influenced by Depressive Years and Satanic Warmaster, you can hear the sound change from slow to fast. In December, she released a split CD with Romanian solo artist Naamah called ‘A Path Through Misery and Darkness’. In April 2020, she released her self-titled full length album. On this album she shows her Raw side, including a cover of Darkthrone’s ‘Transilvanian Hunger’. Even though the sole member, Mortemiis is newly discovered on the scene, she aims high and plans to form a band in the future. She hasn’t really stopped, and has been creating Black Metal pretty much constantly. May it be a long career.

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Band Links https://www.facebook.com/Dreams-In-Darkness-143123726132494 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9D3KfDd_j6sdA-dZDm0n8A

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We present to you our new experience. We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Dreams in Darkness - Gothic Black Metal band from Argentina.

Andrew Stanton

Dreams in Darkness Discography 2016 - Dreams in Darkness 2018 - Dark Silence 2020 - The Souls Pit Line up Giselle Stoker - vocals Martin Tenebris - keyboards Cristian Bertrand - guitar Gabriel Nonasco - bass

Dreams in Darkness Argentinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dreams in Darkness started as a solo project by keyboard player Martin Tenebris in 2016 before singer Giselle Stoker joined the project. Influenced by My Dying Bride, Draconian, Tristania and Opeth, but later on became more like Emperor, Burzum and Borknagar. They changed styles because they got bored of the whole Doom scene. Even though the sound got faster, the lyrics stayed the same, loneliness, depression and death. Of course, really charming stuff. In August they plan to release their third album. This time going for a more Raw Black Metal approach. They have zero percent fears of losing older fans with their new release, and will create Raw Black noise with total pride.

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We present to you our new experience. We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of AUTOMB - Black/Death Metal band from United States. Band Links https://www.facebook.com/autombmetal https://automb.bandcamp.com https://www.instagram.com/autombmetal

Andrew

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Stanton

AUTOMB Hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this boyfriend and girlfriend duo create Blackened Death Metal about the occult and Paganism. Influenced by Morbid Angel, Belphegor, Behemoth and Watain, but I also hear some quite slow Doomy parts and also some very melodic guitar pieces. Featuring exmembers of Havok and Necrophagia, they show that American Metal is still a force to be reckoned with. Formed in 2017, they played the underground scene opening for the likes of Belphegor, Suffocation and Horna. In 2018 they released their first album ‘Esoterica’ on Satanath Records. The album didn’t receive great reviews, but they got the following they were looking for. In 2020 they signed to Witching Hour Productions and released their follow up album ‘Chaosophy’. Even though still relevantly new, Automb wants to put America back on the Metal map after Marilyn Manson and Limp Bizkit making a total mockery of the American scene. And let’s be honest, it can only really get better. Line up Danielle Evans - vocals / bass Serge Streltsov - guitar Scott Fuller - drums

Band Links https://www.facebook.com/LEGIOINFERI https://soundcloud.com/user-357939225 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCypqpzamx_agQfmsmT_Tt4w

We present to you our new experience. We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Legio Inferi - Black Metal band from Colombia.

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Legio Inferi. Legio Inferi is a Black metal band from Bogota, Colombia formed in 2013, during its career it has performed on stages across the country, it has also played alongside international bands like Horna, Sargeist, Cult of Fire and Goat Semen among other well known national bands. The Black Host EP debut was released in 2017 in digipack format containing four songs of fast and hateful Black metal. The band has two professional video clips and are currently recording its second in studio production and working on new material. Line up Beleth - Guitars Leyroth - Leading vocals Antichristian Goat - Bass and backing vocals Belzeth - Guitars and backing vocals Sander Bermudez - Drums Discography: 2017 - The Black Host (EP) 2018 - Lvciferian Ritvals (Split)

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https://www.facebook.com/andeblackmetal

Review by Andrew Stanton Belgium’s Ande is a Dark Ambient Black Metal solo project. I admit, this is my first time hearing any Belgium Metal. I’m gonna have to give Jim Christiaens a bit of respect where due considering he plays everything on the album. The album starts off with an almost space/ sci-fi sound, then the blast beats kick in. The energy is good here. The vocals are very good. It’s an album that has a good mix of beautiful parts and

high energy, vicious parts. At times, it almost reminds me of Mayhem. I have no idea of lyrical themes, but so what? The songs are great, with good dark energy. Jim Christiaens is someone who understands Black Metal song writing and musical arrangement. It’s an album that has some seriously ear bleeding parts. This is VERY heavy in some parts. ‘Vossenkuil’ deserves to be HUGE. This is my own introduction to Belgium Metal, and I must say, I’m interested to know what I have been missing for years. Jim

Christiaens is a bit of a genius in my eyes. For one man on his own, he knows how to make some serious fucking noise. I think we have found a man in Belgium who can really hold his own against the Norwegian Black Metal kings. And one more thing for Jim Christiaens, if you quit music, I will never forgive you. All hail Ande

from me, this is the only ever Black Folk Album I Review by Andrew Stanton didn’t like. This is my favourite s u b ge n re. Maybe I just personally. The vocals are almost rambling. don’t understand the The vocals are really culture, I don’t know. all over the place. Our If I was marking it out editor, Evgeny, really of 5, I would give it a likes this album. Maybe 3. But only because he’s just picked the the music is very wrong guy to review it. special. If you’re a fan I’m just being honest. of this band, I fully But in all seriousness, understand why, but this album will take a maybe I’m just way to bit of getting used to. square. And especially coming

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https://www.facebook.com/alnamroodofficial

Saudi Arabia’s Al Namrood are very odd. The music is great on this album, it’s pretty amazing. The vocals however, take some getting used to. It has a very tribal sound. They are very unusual. Maybe I’m just missing the point. Who knows? But as I said, the music is pretty amazing. This is my first time hearing Middle Eastern Black Folk. Sometimes I hear a strong Black Thrash influence. I can understand why a lot of people love this band, but for me, as a big fan of Black Folk, I am finding it very hard to listen to. The music plays deep and fast. Very heavy in parts, while I also hear a lot of melodic stuff. The Folk parts with the traditional instruments, I really like. But the vocals kill it for me

https://www.facebook.com/Bishopofhexen

sinister sound. Out of all the Symphonic Black Metal I have heard, I think Bishop of Hexen really take the crown. It’s a shame most people will ignore this album, mainly because they’re not from Norway. But for the people who care about music, and especially the old Acturus fans, you really can’t go wrong here. As a fan of the Review by Andrew Stanton more rougher side of Black Metal, I’m highly recommending this to Israel’s Bishop of I’m really enjoying you. They understand Hexen have been listening to this. It’s Black Metal, they going strong since very entertaining. understand Classical 1996. ‘The Death Symphonic Black Metal music, they understand Masquerade’ is never has the same entertainment, they their third studio ‘rough around the edges’ understand dark energy. album. The sound feel like other Black ‘The Death Masquerade’ sometimes reminds Metal subgenres. But is not to be missed. me of Arcturus’ with Bishop of Hexen, ‘La Masquerade it doesn’t seem to Infernale’. There are matter. The sound stays some very fancy perfect throughout. As Classical parts in someone who doesn’t this. Thesound really approve of this stays as Symphonic style, I’m really gonna Black Metal stick my devil horns up without ever getting for this band. They have too pretentious. a strange, ghoulish,

Review by Karya Kelleci The Death Metal touch really gives it that ultra heavy feel and brings it all together to create this extraordinary air. The track ‘Martyrise’ has really caught on me and is in no doubt one of the best pieces of music I have heard in Funeral Doom. I adore the female vocals included in the track ‘Misery Form’.

Sometimes when bands attempt to use female vocals in their songs it seems to not work very well, but these vocals have worked perfectly in this song. I have relished every single track on this album to the very last second, and I encourage you to heed this album, especially the Funeral Doom fans.

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https://www.facebook.com/ConvocationDoom

Convocation - Ashes Coalesce. Finnish band C o n v o c a t i o n released their second studio album, Ashes Coalesce, and it is the perfect blend of Funeral Doom and Death Metal. Formed in 2013 by the members of Desolate Shrine and Dark Buddha Rising, this band has managed to construct a sound that leaves the listener spellbound. The varied and c r e a t i v e elements in this album leave the listener entranced and hooked. This is the perfect album for any Funeral Doom fan. Its gloomy aura makes you feel as though you are walking through the pits of hell. The demonic vocals and the creative riffs work exquisitely together and create a unique harmony.

https://www.facebook.com/Kirkebrann https://www.facebook.com/blackaltar

Review by Andrew Stanton Black Altar / Kirkebrann split CD Deus Inversus The first three tracks are by Poland’s Black Altar. They have an interesting sound. Very t h r a s hy guitars with harsh vocals. Track one is more fancy than track two. Almost sounds like two different bands. The opera singing

on the first song is a nice touch. The second song has a more raw style. The next four songs are by N o r w a y ’s Kirkebrann. This is a much heavier b a n d . Track two by this band (track 5), is amazing. Good energy, good thrashy guitars. Very similar to Black Altar, the songs sound like different bands.

The last track is a short acoustic. It’s got a very Folk feel to it. This is my first time hearing any of these bands. When I hear both these bands, I hear a lot of Death Metal influences. But the Raw Black Metal energy is constant throughout. The blast beats are pretty intense with both bands. Above all, I quite liked it. The good songs are great, and the okay songs at least have good energy if nothing else. Fans of Raw Black Metal and Blackened Death Metal will really enjoy this release. It’s worth being on the lookout for.

very quickly start getting Review by Andrew Stanton political saying “it’s a religious country”, but inside the been waiting for for here at years. Not everyone has Darkness, we know our the patience for epic 10 readers aren’t really sad minute songs. Japan’s enough to give a fuck Reek of Unzen Gas about this shit. And I’m Fumes has the right idea. gonna say it again, holy shit, this is awesome. Just short, fast blasts. This is only the second They won’t be unsigned Israelie band I have heard, much longer. and I must say it’s a Metal scene I’m becoming quickly interested in. Most magazines will

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https://www.facebook.com/deathsiegeband

D e at hs i e ge - Unworthy Adversary Holy shit, this is awesome. If you wanna hear 1 and 2 minute Black Metal classics, then Israel’s Deathsiege are the band to check out. Very much in the vein of Mayhem’s l e g e n d a r y ‘ D e a t h c t u s h ’, the energy explodes. Quick blasts. Fucking yeah. Even though Satanic Bl a cke n e d Death Metal, fans of old Minor Threat, Cro-Mags, The Dead Kennedys, and maybe Napalm Death’s ‘Scum’ will more than likely wet themselves with this release…. All 11 minutes of it. If you’re one of those people who thinks Black Metal goes on a bit too much, then this is what you have

https://www.facebook.com/velkhanosmetal

Review by Karya Kelleci Velkhanos The Wrath. “The Wrath” is the first studio album created by Velkhanos, a Melodic Death Metal band from Spain that was formed in 2018. With Melodeath it is often difficult to create a distinct and good sound, so I was very intrigued to listen to this band. As someone who often dislikes female vocals in metal, I must say that this band has one

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of the best ones I’ve heard and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would have never guessed it was a female vo c a list. The track “Black

Omen” really called out to me, and I would say it is the best track in the album by far. It contains a lot more variation and atmosphere which I

wish was also included in the other songs. The rest of the tracks felt a little dull and tedious to me, however I do see a lot of talent in the musicians themselves and I believe this band has a lot of potential to stand out. This band uses a lot of choir and opera vocals, which I usually dislike, but it seemed to work extremely well in their music. I do wish the guitar work included a bit more variation in tone, Melodeath usually works really well with ambient effects and slowed down parts. Overall, I liked certain components within their music and believe this band has a lot of potential, but also a lot of areas to improve on.

https://www.facebook.com/carachangren

Carach Angren Personally I think this band have overused the classical part. It’s almost like a Disney version of Emperor’s ‘Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk’. Or like Notre Dame but without the funny parts ( at least I don’t think it’s meant to be funny ). It has a very cartoony, childish quality to it. It’s almost like Nightwish re-writing Black Metal. To be fair to Carach Angren, there are some good beats on this, and some of the growled vocal parts are cool, and also some interesting parts. It just seems to be the everything else that kills it. The clean vocals are cringey. I can understand little kids loving this band. They seem to concentrate too much on the theatrical side of their act, instead of concentrating on the Metal side. If I’m honest,

Angren have clearly got the talent to be amazing, and I pray one day they will understand this. If they wanted to, they could have made this album scary as fuck, but instead they insist on the cartoon style horror. I can understand this style isn’t gonna bother everyone, and some people might think it’s amazing. But for me personally, it needs to be a bit more adult.

Review by Andrew Stanton some parts of this start to become amazing, and then it gets quickly ruined by stupid parts… Very quickly. Upon hearing this, I thought it was a concept album, but I’m only guessing. The theme tends to be about scary ghost stories for kids. Some of the classical parts are very beautiful to listen to, and at times very powerful. Notre Dame fans are gonna love this. Carach

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https://www.facebook.com/Mortis.Mutilati.Official

Review by Karya Kelleci Mortis Mutilati - The Fate Of Flight 800. French Black Metal band Mortis Mutilati will be releasing their album “The Fate O f Flight 800” on September 11 th 2020. Formed in 2011, they have already released four other albums. “The Fate Of Flight 800” is an album that has a very solid sound and it is kept throughout every

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song in the album. I must say, the drums are superb and the guitars are soulful, however the vocals aren’t that appealing to me, but I

believe m a n y people would really appreciate them. Certain songs didn’t really have much layering and I couldn’t feel fully

i m m e r s e d , however rest of them seemed to be much more complex and atmospheric. The title track “The Fate Of Flight 800” really spoke to me and the guitar tones in this track are divine. “Ashes” included some really beautiful melodies and I was especially attracted to the use of choir vocals. Some bands really overdo it when it comes to choir vocals and make them either too loud or not in the right places, but everything was perfect in this song. The only thing I feel is missing from the songs is a bit more creativity with the guitar techniques, other than that I feel as though this album is diabolical and hyptonic and definitely is worth a listen. If you like simplistic but also effective Black Metal, this album is for you.

https://apricitas.bandcamp.com

Apricitas - Dirge For My Former Life. Apricitas, a Depressive/PostBlack Metal band in the United States, was formed in 2019 and released their first album “Dirge For My Former Life” on the 3 rd of July 2020. I have a lot of mixed feelings about this album, and will start of by talking about the vocals. The vocals are absolutely b e a u t i f u l , unique, and work really well with everything else. The guitar riffs are perfect and atmospheric just as they should be, but they need a bit more variation in tone. The drums are moderate, they didn’t stand out much for me, but maybe it was because of the next point I have to make. A lot of bands try to achieve the ‘trve’

t h e audio Review by Karya Kelleci w a s a bit better this band would be absolutely brutal sound by decreasing the sound quality in songs, and and mesmerizing. I did it doesn’t work most of the really like the fact that time because they cannot there were a lot of songs get the right balance. I am and they were quite short, in no way saying that low it felt like a difference sound quality is bad, in from the other albums I fact I think it’s what makes have listened to. Black Metal so good. This I think it deserves a listen band has overdone it a bit, for sure, especially if you and I had a lot of trouble enjoy low quality sound concentrating on what’s and high-pitched screams. actually being played. If

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Upcoming albums

Orbit Culture will release their third full-length studio album Nija in CD and digital format on August 7th, 2020. A vinyl version of the album will be released at a later date. Vocalist/guitarist Nikas Karlsson says, “as much as we love metal, we love other music, too. We love a good hard-hitting song as much as the next guy, but we’ve always found that blending and mixing genres seems more fun for us at least, rather than deciding on a specific genre to write within the metal scene. It really helps us to be creative and motivated. I’m guessing that is something that we’ll always do.” Line-up: Niklas Karlsson - Vocals, Guitars Fredrik Lennartsson - Bass Richard Hansson Guitars (lead) Christopher Wallerstedt - Drums

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After three long years, Entartung finally returns from the ominous shadows to which they silently retreated after the release of their prior opus, “Baptised into the Faith of Lust”. It is fitting that, in a new age of plague and pestilence, their newest album “Maleficae Artes” (Lat. “Dark Arts”) is unleashed upon the world. The elaborate compositions on “Maleficae Artes” are deeply and firmly rooted in the early 90’s atmosphere and remain true to the original spirit of black metal. Brooding, sinister, violent and menacing themes presented by the trademark icy riffing of Lykormas and the militaristic and deadly precise battery assault of Haistulf manifest themselves in a dynamic interaction with acoustic and martial touches of melancholy and gloom. Line-up: Lykormas - Guitars Vulfolaic - Vocals, Bass, Keyboards Haistulf - Drums «Maleficae Artes» will be released on August 7th, 2020.

Death metal pioneers INCANTATION return with their highly anticipated new album, Sect of Vile Divinities. For over 30 years INCANTATION has consistently remained one of the underground’s most influential and respected artists in the genre. True to form, Sect of Vile Divinities sees the legendary band adhering to the ways of the old school, unleashing twisted, mangled, and utterly disgusting Death Metal once again. A pitch-black mix of unrelenting Death Metal and imposing Funeral Doom, each track on Sect of Vile Divinities is a dirge dedicated to different ancient evils across various cultures. At a point where the world’s most vile converge, tracks such as «Propriation» see the band’s driving riffs and pummeling drums crush the very foundations of religious zealotry, while standouts such as «Entrails of the Hag Queen» and «Fury’s Manifesto» champion no-frills Death Metal in its purest form. Line-up: Sonny Lombardozzi - Guitars (lead) John McEntee - Guitars, Vocals Kyle Severn - Drums Chuck Sherwood - Bass Sect of Vile Divinities will be released on August 21st, 2020.

After two years of dreamless sleep, ARS MAGNA UMBRAE reemerges with another cathartic offering to the blood-drinking Witchmother of Astral Crossroads. Once again, calling upon the subterranean currents that flow through arteries of heaven and earth - to banish the old, invoke the new and transform. APOTHEOSIS takes the listener on a journey across the shores of Plutonian night - through starless aeons and oneiric fields, to later plunge him into the depths of boundless devotion and joyous madness. A fusion of dream and reality, emboding a descent into the blighted pits of the divine, serving as an integral initiation into the ancient art and craft of Chthonic worship. «Entwining subterranean daemon worship with a distinct other-worldly cosmic exaltation, ARS MAGNA UMBRAE furthermore seems to revere those archetypes which are specifically female, as evidenced by the soul-devouring apparition goddess adorning the cover art (Dhomth), and multiple tracks that specifically address the female dark divine.» Lineup: Kthunae Mortifer - All instruments. “Ars Magna Umbrae” will be released on August 21st, 2020.

Mortis Mutilati is a French black metal band created by Macabre in 2011. After two albums released via Naturmacht Productions, the band started touring a bit everywhere in their home country then self released ‘’The Stench Of Death’’ in 2018, allowing the band to reach european countries and Mexico. Mortis Mutilati is now about to release their 4th album ‘’The Fate Of Flight 800’’, recorded by Devo (ex-Marduk) at Endarker Studios, Sweden. Lineup Macabre - Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Cello, Synths Asphodel - Vocals (female) Rokdhan - Guitars Aryth - Drums The Fate of Flight 800 will be released on September 11th, 2020.

Thundering with newly fueled power from the shadows and dust of humanity’s crumbling existence, KATAKLYSM return triumphant with their 14th full length studio album: UNCONQUERED. For almost 3 decades, the French-Canadian melodeath metal syndicate has delivered unapologetic waves of powerful sound across the entire globe. As of late, that globe has suffered tremendously, forcing the inspiration of many artists to extinguish, but for KATAKLYSM, the pressure caused a creative spring to burst forth with furious energy. “With everything that’s going on in the world, we couldn’t have chosen a better title,” explains vocalist Maurizio Iacono. “This album is a rebirth of aggression for KATAKLYSM. No one planned this to happen the way it did, but the name of this album makes total sense right now. It’s an aggressive album, yes, but a positive aggression.” Lineup Maurizio Iacono - Vocals Jean-François Dagenais - Guitars Stéphane Barbe - Bass Olivier Beaudoin - Drums Unconquered will be released on September 25th, 2020.

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