#15 Inside the darkness

Edition for true metalfans

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#15†30.03.2021

Nordjevel

photo by

DarkShadow PhotoLive.

rve MetalZines

News•Reviews•Interviews•Exclusive

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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

Editor’s brief

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

A special thanks to...

Helmuth Lehner (Belphegor) for his TOTAL support.

DarkShadow PhotoLive for the cover pic of Nordjevel.

...and especially to these people Hails to everyone who’s reading this! for the interviews Just as we expected, the beginning of this year is already DezeptiCunt (Nordjevel). full of absolutely killer Extreme Metal releases from everywhere. It has also had a strong impact on us and Magnus Carlsson (Ablaze My Sorrow). our activity, we’ve got lots of offers for collaborations, Hakan Stuvemark (Wombbath). and we’re eternally grateful for your attention, support Adeptus U.:È.:Œ.: (Anguis Dei).

PVIII (Thron). and endless wish to create something together so to say.

We also expect that soon the year is gonna be full of live Satyajit Gargori(Dead Exaltation). concerts as well, we all miss them for sure and of course Vespasian (Imperium Dekadenz).

Andreas Moschopoulos every person has the own point regarding this situation, (Blessed by Perversion). but as for our crew, we’re always keeping optimistic.

All band (Volniir).

Now words traditionally go to hell. Stay strong and Nige and Dylan (Hecate Enthroned). enjoy the new issue.

Nuntius Mortis (Fovitron).

In Metal, 145188 (Vanhelga).

Olga Schneider, editor Selfgod (Serge Streltsov).

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CONTENT Nordjevel Interview with DezeptiCunt.......8 Ablaze My Sorrow Interview with Magnus Carlsson........12 Wombbath Interview with Hakan Stuvemark.................14 Anguis Dei Interview with Adeptus U.:È.:Œ.:......16 Thron Interview with PVIII.......................18 Dead Exaltation Interview with Satyajit Gargori...........20

News from hell..........................................6

Imperium Dekadenz Interview with Vespasian..........22 Blessed by Perversion Interview with Andreas Moschopoulos.....26 Volniir Interview with S.V., Azrael, Tubal-Qayin and Skogen.......30 Hecate Enthroned Interview with Nige Dennan.............34 Fovitron Interview with Nuntius Mortis..........38 Vanhelga Interview with 145188.....40 Selfgod Interview with Serge Streltsov............42

Best Metal releases..............44

Thanatomass, Morgenstern, Todestriebe live in Moscow 22.02.2021....p.74

Stories about Metal bands..............76

Inside The Darkness reviews............94 Metalheads are waiting for it............118

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realized that we need more people to our board.

We’re

looking for an editor for reviews, active

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bands and lots of new killer

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Inside the Darkness issues

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World Metal News

Two of Europe’s most revered metal bands are set to combine forces to bring their ‘European Siege 2021’ tour to the old continent in Autumn 2021. Sweden’s ARCH ENEMY and Poland’s BEHEMOTH are joining together for a handful of dates, bringing their longtime friends and metal legends CARCASS in the special guest slot. Opening the evening’s thunderous proceedings will be hotly-tipped gothic metal newcomers, UNTO OTHERS (formerly known as Idle Hands).

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ARCH ENEMY live 2021 2021-09-28 – Dublin, Olympia Theatre (IE) 2021-09-30 – Glasgow, O2 Academy Glasgow (UK) 2021-10-01 – Manchester, O2 Academy Manchester (UK) 2021-10-02 – Birmingham, O2 Academy Birmingham (UK) 2021-10-03 – London, O2 Academy Brixton (UK) 2021-10-05 – Paris, Le Zenith (FR) 2021-10-06 – Toulouse, Le Bikini (FR) 2021-10-08 – Lisbon, Sala Tejo (PT) 2021-10-09 – Madrid, Palacio Vistalegre (ES) 2021-10-10 – Barcelona, Palau Sant Jordi (ES) 2021-10-12 – Lyon, Le Radiant (FR) 2021-10-13 – Milano, Alcatraz (IT) 2021-10-15 – Berlin, Columbiahalle (DE) 2021-10-16 – Prague, Tipsport Arena (CZ) 2021-10-17 – Katowice, MCK (PL) 2021-10-19 – Budapest, Barba Negra (HU) 2021-10-20 – Vienna, Gasometer (AT) 2021-10-22 – Ludwigsburg, MHP Arena (DE) 2021-10-23 – Den Bosch, Mainstage Brabanthallen (NL) 2021-10-24 – Brussels, Forest National (BE) 2021-10-26 – Zurich, Samsung Hall (CH) 2021-10-27 – Frankfurt, Jahrhunderthalle (DE) 2021-10-29 – Munich, Zenith (DE) 2021-10-30 – Dusseldorf, Mitsubishi Electric Halle (DE) 2021-10-31 – Hamburg, edeloptics.de Arena (DE) 2021-11-01 – Gothenburg, Partille Arena (SE) 2021-11-03 – Helsinki, Ice Hall (FI) 2021-11-05 – Stockholm, Annexet (SE) 2021-11-06 – Copenhagen, Forum (DK)

Black Hole Fest 2 rescheduled from 30.04.2021 - 01.05.2021 to 01.10.2021 - 02.10.2021.

Lineup: Dark Funeral Afsky Bergrizen Totenwache Antzaat Corpus Christi Krater Darkmoon Warrior Grabak Moribund Oblivion Stormcrow Causam

The dates for Inferno Metal Festival 2022 are 14th – 17th of April.

Thursday 14 April Triumph of Death, Ihsahn, Kampfar, Cadaver, Djerv, Bolzer, Sylvaine, 1914, Regarde Les Hommes Tomber Friday 15 April Venom, Gorgoroth, Ved Buens Ende, Uada, Hamferd, Benighted, The Great Old Ones, Asagraum, Solbrud Saturday 16 April Mayhem, Marduk, Vreid, Asphyx, Dark Fortress, Tulus, Valkyrja, Xenoblight, Gnida Sunday 17 April Kreator, Taake, Myrkskog, Oranssi Pazuzu, Whoredom Rife, Dyscarnate, Nyrst, Eridu

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Nordjevel - Black/Metal from Norway

Interview with DezeptiCunt

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Interview by Olga Schneider

1.

Nordjevel was founded actually not that long ago, in 2015, but you have already reached such a great success among Black Metal supporters around the world. In your opinion, what helped you to become so popular in such a short time?

We have reached far and wide because of the quality of music and the hard work we put into the band I would say. The feedback was that our debut album “Nordjevel” was

like a breath from the 90`s, doing something new with the feeling of the 90`s. In my humble opinion I don`t think this album was ground-

injection thus bringing back the vitality that the Norwegian black metal scene had lacked for years.

2.

How did your and your dudes’ participation in your other and previous projects influenced Nordjevel?

Do you try to use any principles from those projects in this one or do you rather avoid it?

Music wise we have all brought a piece of ourselves from previous influences and bands, I guess all musicians have that signature that makes

rrying a c f o t r a p or sure f s i l e v etal e j m d r k c a No l b n a i Norweg r o f h c r o f old. t o t i r i the p s e h t lighting e r , s y a d e s the breaking at all, we didn`t invent anything new for the black metal scene. However, it had that x-factor that sounded like we had a vitamin

the way of writing or expressing yourself unique, like a part of who you are as a musician.

When it comes to running the band, I have brought all the knowledge and experience I had from before.

T h i s has been the biggest part of Nordjevel`s success, running the band as a business.

Understanding what to do and when, utilizing all tools available.

3. N o r wegian Black Metal has such a long and breathtaking history, but nowadays it feels like some bands who made this genre popular (you definitely understand who I’m talking about) are splitting up little by little nowadays. So I see bands like Nordjevel as some kind of chance to re-animate Norwegian Black Metal scene.

What do you think about it?

There`s a time for everything, and everybody. The bands from the 90`s are getting old, priorities change and perhaps

some of them feel like they did like it. I know some bands are trywhat was right at the time, that ing hard to sound like this or that, time has now passed. Nordjevel but in the end, is for sure part of caryou come off as a rying copycat. Nordjevel aren`t trying to avoid having a particular sound, but then again, we`re not trying to sound like anything in specific either. If we like the music we compose, we are happy about it. If someone else likes it, that`s just a big bonus.

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Just like any t h e Metal band of such level in this torch for Nor- world, you lost lots of shows in wegian black metal these 2021, but you didn’t lose your days, re-lighting the spir- time and now you’re about to it of old. New bands will release your new EP named Fenarise and carry on our legacy. riir. What inspired you not to 4.

Your sound truly re- give up in such a fucked-up time? minds about good old TNBM, Our EP “FENIIR” was created but it’s like some kind of re- because of this fucked-up time. freshed version, with way bet- We were unable to enter the stuter sound and of course made dio as planned so we decided to use by people who do have this some older material we had laying spirit and attitude. Do you around and wrote the title track agree with this kinda theory “Fenriir”. We also had “Rovdyr” or do you prefer to avoid any laying around but to make things kind of impact from the past? more interesting “Gnawing the To be honest we don`t think Bones” was added. We will re-reabout it at all, we try to do our cord “Gnawing…” for our next althing and hopefully people will bum with minor changes. To make 9

Nordjevel - Black/Metal from Norway 10

the EP more interesting for the fans we decided to pay homage to our tour mates Possessed, making a cover from “Fallen Angel”. We also added a live track from our show at Brutal Assault 2019, it was a great concert and we decided to include “Det Ror og Ror”.

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The most expected question for sure, but still... Tell us in a couple of words: what should we expect from the new EP? This EP will be like a mix of both our albums, some like the epic parts with Norse melodies, others prefers the fast and aggressive parts. You will have both!

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The tracklist of Fenrir also includes one of Possessed songs cover [Fallen Angel]. Why have you chosen

this one? Does it have any special personal meaning for you?

Possessed has been a big inspiration not only to us, but to the extreme metal scene in general. After touring with them and getting to know them on a personal level we found ourselves admiring not only what they have done for the scene, but also for what they still are doing as a band. They are still hardworking, more than most bands these days. Nothing comes for free and the old timers are still grinding it like it was 1985, they deserve all good things coming their way. Forever respect!

8.

What was the most memorable/the most crazy of the tours you had for all this time before all this shit with

Covid-19 started? What bands ended up to be the most killer to share the stage with?

From all the tours I`ve been on, my first tour was the most crazy. We went to Russia in February combining the tour with driving a van and taking the train in Siberia. The audience was beyond expectations though, one of the best audiences I have performed in front of.

From all the band we have toured with I would say Suffocation is the most killer band of all time. The best live band I have ever seen! But I still want to put other bands up there as well, Marduk, Belphegor, Possessed and Morbid Angel were also great bands to tour with.

9. Most of your lyrics are made in Norwegian. Is there any goal to popularize the language a little bit or it’s rather done just for creating the atmosphere?

We are not trying to push an agenda by writing in Norwegian. Sometimes it is easier to express feelings and emotions in Norwegian, simply because English doesn`t cut it. When writing in Norwegian we get the sense of seriousness, whereas English can sound dull at times. It is easy to fall into the cliché way of writing, specially using the English language.

10. So what’s the future of Norwegian Black Metal scene, in your opinion? Is there any chance to keep the traditions, or, while the society is changing, and Metal community as well, it’s rather about building new traditions based on old ones? Or about completely destroying the old ones?

I`m not worried about the traditions at all, what`s the point of re-creating something that was already made. It is difficult to find your own path but if you don`t, you end up being boring and sounding like an echo.

The French scene has totally taken over, they have a different way of thinking and that makes it more interesting that listening to just another Darkthrone rip off from Norway.

11. In the conditions of changing world and society, what still keeps people so much interested in Black Metal, especially old one?

Black metal will forever stand as its own genre, and the turmoil in the world is for sure pushing

people in the direction of black metal. It is like a safe haven for like-minded metalheads, a place to sort your thoughts and get a break from all the shit around you. Black metal puts words on your darkest emotions, like a soundtrack to your life.

The old bands were groundbreaking, so I have no problem understand why the old albums are still standing strong.

They represent something new, something that became impossible to re-create, “de gamle er fortsatt eldst” as I would say in Norwegian. Whenever

I listen to some of the old albums I go back in time, back to the atmosphere I felt when I first heard that album. That feeling will never go away.

12. What’s gonna be the first thing you’ll do in the end of all this story with Covid-19?

First of all, I`m sure there will be shitloads of concert, everywhere. All the time.

I will for sure attend some gigs but my main focus will be planning my own gigs with Nordjevel and Nattverd, but the marked will be over flooding so we have to plan carefully.

On a personal level this situation doesn`t make much of a difference to me, except for working with my bands I prefer to stay at home. Having a beer at home if I must and listen to my new vinyl from Borgne.

13. In the end of the interview, I just want to wish you really good luck with everything and keep your hearts on fire. What would you like to say to our readers and crew?

Keep your eyes open for the upcoming EP from Nordjevel and also the new album with Nattverd. Thanks for supporting us, you are the ones keeping us going!

-DzeptiCunt

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Ablaze My Sorrow • Melodic Death Metal from Sweden

Interview with Magnus Carlsson

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Interview by Olga Schneider

1. Ablaze My Sorrow has been on board since 1993, but in 2006 you had to split up till 2013. What was the main reason for such a long pause and what made you reunite again?

I think there was many reasons for the split up.

First of all a think that it was me that had come to a point in life that made me choose other priorities. I just felt that there was no longer that fun to play and create music anymore. In that opinion I think I’m speaking for the others in the band to. A few years before

that I became a father to a son which took the most of the time.

Another thing was that we had almost a new record

you need a pause from any music related activities in general?

As I sad before I was tired of everything related to music.

I didn’t even listen to other music under that period.

3. Your band was formed at the time when Swedish Melodic Death Metal was so actively developing, and even now we can hear strong impact of Gothenburg MDM school in your music.

s it was a ig b s a t o n is M D M unch b a it u q e r a e r e h t t u B . before strong. g in o g l il t s t a h t s d n a b of coming after “anger” and somehow we did not manage to finish it. At that moment we all felt that we were done with AMS. 2. Did you have any attempts to create any kind of side projects during this pause? Or did

Were there any bands you were and still are specially inspired of, or it’s just a mark of that time generally?

I think we have kept the style of MDM throughout all of our records. Of cause bands like In Flames, Dissection and At The Gates was a huge source of inspiration to us and still are. I think you can hear that when you listen to Among ashes and monoliths. Dissection is by far the best band ever btw ;) 4. At the same time, on your new album named Among Ashes and Monoliths we can also notice some modern tendencies impact. Don’t you deny it and what do you think about it?

It was never planned to use sting sessions, female vocals or digital sounds when I started to wright music for AAAM. And I don’t think it is so much of that either. When the preproduction was done and we started to record the album it just came up. I mean we have been really consistence whit our music through all these years and it is just natural to try something new for us.

5. What can you tell about the current situation with Swedish MDM generally? In your opinion, is it splitting up little by little or does it have any chances to get reborn?

For sure MDM is not as big as it was before. But there are quit a bunch of bands that still going strong. What will happen in the future I have no idea. All I now is that we will continue playing MDM.

I have already started to do some new songs and it will be no big difference to AAAM. 6. The cover of your third album Anger, Hate and Fury featured artwork by Niklas Sundin. Tell us a bit more about this collaboration. Have you ever had any thoughts about collaborating with him as with a musician as well?

No he was never on our thoughts for this record. You know that nowadays you have to pay almost everything by yourself and I can imagine

that his artwork is to expensive. Lucky for us is that today there are so many skilled persons with a computer that can create something cool for almost nothing. I think Mustpha Design did a really nice work with AAAM. But if our record-label will spill some money over us in the future we shall definitely ask Niklas again.

7. Do you plan any tours to promote the new album when all this shit with CV ends? If you do, will you concentrate on solo concerts or rather on festivals?

Yea of cause we will play live again when all this is over. It would be nice to do something with the other awesome bands on Black Lion rec. A mini tour or something would be great and festivals are always welcome to ask us.

We just have to wait and see.

8. Thank you for taking your time for this interview! In the end, what would you like to say to our readers and crew?

Thanx for this interview and for supporting us! “If Jesus made wine out of water, then I’ll make wolves out of sheep”

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Wombbath - Old School Death Metal from Sweden/

Interview with Hakan Stuvemark

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Interview by Andrew Stanton

Hello, and welcome to Inside and in October perhaps after that. But I returned the Darkness.

That same Year we with the beast later with the - Can you tell our readers recorded the Internal Downfall Rising release and a bit about your history, Caustic Torments album. here we are today. And now please?

Top notch. We played here finishing the next album.

Good one.

Well, we and there. Not too many More solid than before!!’ started out in like August gigs though.

- Where did you get the 1990 when I was 14. 1994 at the time the scene name Wombbath?

Shortly we wrote our first It was a friend of y slang The ours coming up ld School is wa with Grave which The True Sweden O it. We had a ld o n r e d can be heard name, till end of o n the m a h t d ie r a v e r o m on our recent 91, Seizure, and . s e r e l e a s e discovered a band im t y n chool ma “Tales of s named Seizure DC Madness”. and we wanted to change.

30 years’ anniversary. 1.5 was in an identical change Our friend proposed years later in January 1992 we were as well. Made a womb + bath. Wombbath. we recorded the Brutal promo tape that turned Sounded good and I made Mights demo which gave out be released by Napalm decent logo for it. us a record deal. Later that Records as the “Lavatory” - When you’re such an old year in June we recorded EP. They insisted to. band, do you find it weird the 7” ep “Several shapes” Long story short, we lost seeing musical sounds and for Infest/Thrash records motivation and inspiration attitudes changing?

Hm... I think...no I actually hate when people talks about Sweden Old School Death Metal that can sound like this or that since it’s not true but Hey! The so called True Sweden Old School is way more varied than the modern old school many times.

Think again please! The attitudes sucks. As I think No as we think, - Do your thing!

No one is charge of your composing.

It’s All about you!

- What can our readers expect from your new album?

If we’re talking “Tales of Madness” it’s a sense of the old times and new. Re-record of old Songs made between 1999 and 1994 and two new that shows some about where we are now and more of that to come on the next album we are working on now.

- Some magazines refuse to talk about bands unless they

sell out. Where do you stand on this?

Then they aren’t much of a good helping hand.

- How does you have the

time to play in so many different bands?

Doesn’t takes too much time of mine. We’re all working quite fast. I have pretty much the same pace whatever I write. Maximum one hour per song. The recent consumption album I did everything from Scratch in 12,5 hours in total except drums and mix (which was made by Ronnie Bjornstrom).

I like to watch TV and movies too. Needs time for that.

- What bands did you listen

to when you were growing up?

Kiss, Dio, John Norum, Carcass, Malevolent Creation, Napalm Death (HC), Testament, Entombed, Edge of Sanity Top list.

- In the 80’s and 90’s, America pretty much dominated the Death Metal scene, but for the last 20 years, Scandinavia has stolen the crown.

Do you think the Norwegian Black Metal scene was responsible for this?

I haven’t given that any thoughts at all things changes all time but maybe it’s a possibility.

- What do you think of the Norwegian scene?

Not my cup of tea!

- Do you have a message for our readers?

Check our 30 years’ anniversary release “Tales Of Madness” and keep your eyes open the upcoming release this year!

Thank you for your time.

And thank You!

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Anguis Dei -Symphonic Black Metal from Japan

Interview with Adeptus U.:È.:Œ.:

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Hello and welcome to Inside the neys into the malign realms of Sa- ly unleashed in January MMXXI A. B., Darkness. tanik Magick. by the French kult pandaemonium Drak- Can you tell our readers a bit The initial formation of the sect kar Productions, featuring eight dark about your history, please? consisted of the four, and in Novem- sonic prophecies in the form of Hellish Agios O Satanas. bre MMXVII A. B, the first EP “Ad Orchestral Black Metal Melancholia.

The sect of Anguis Dei was estab- Portas Serpentium” was unleashed The present devotees of the sect are: lished in MMXIV Anno Bastardi, by by Svart Records Finland, featur- Adeptus Juno (Juno Bloodlust), Adepadapting esoteric revelations, and in ing three dark sonic tus Summum Alorder to propagate dark prophecies (Adversam, ess gor l s k o o l m channeled and mediated Juno Bloodlust, anis t a S f o y through Satanik EvocaNatassievila, etc) on of the t i s a The hegem , s tions and Enchantments. and Adeptus e d deca r t e s t o f a m l s Anguis Dei represents U.:È.:Œ.: (Atman a u ooks l glorio , y t i n a i the extremity of Hellish Drei, Avsolut chris Orchestral Black Mettized… , Ahpdeopponent, . n al, based on Satanism, gma, Arkha Sva e h t nothing Daemonology and the etc) , in the name of Satan.

True Primordial Black prophecies.

- What bands did you like growing up?

Metal tradition, in order to provide After numerous rites held among They must be whatever you can quote sonic separandum affecting on your the voices from the under, the first from the memories of your shares nightstill-invisible dimension beyond the full-length entitled “Angeist” was mares and/ or whatever you can hear by Gates and taking you on dark jour- attentively engraved, and was final- the Voices.

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- Your sound seems very influenced by Arcturus. Were they a big influence on you?

If you find any similarity in between Anguis Dei and them in your recognition, the similarity can be labeled as “influence” in your point of view.

From the ordinary point of view of Anguis Dei, and/ or A.:A.:A.:A.:, the influence on the sect has been and shall keep being the Voices, Vnra, Daemons and Satan.

- Is Angeist a concept album? What is it about?

The consistency of all the hymnes on Angeist are the dark prophecies, channeled and mediated through Satanik Evocations and Enchantments, just as mentioned above.

- Do you ever think one day you could take Sigh’s crown?

They should have their own domain based on their own legends, and the same should go with Anguis Dei. Those domains have looked and shall keep looking completely different from each other and logically no particular cannibalisation shall arise in between.

- What kind of respect do Black Metal bands get in Japan? Do you get played on the radio?

It seems like there has not been any particular billow of Black Metal in Japan so far.

In that land of the rising sun, black magick is rather common in the dark-

er side of the people’s lives. music categorised “metal” in general is passable, however, the Lord Satan, the sworn enemy of the son of god, seems just one of the puissant daemons in the nightshade, just because the land has never owned such a son nor god.

Accordingly, a hymne to the Lord Satan is scarcely on-aired on the radio so far, although there always have been and shall keep being tenacious swarms of modest but diehard Black Metal Heads in the shades.

- Can you tell us about the most interesting Black Metal bands from Japan in your opinion?

You know what you have in mind, and/ or even you know you have already referred to some so far.

- Are your lyrics in English?

Quite large part of them must be in English.

- Why is Black Metal ignored by so many Metal fans?

Black magick is the minority in magick, as it ordinarily tends to be a thorny path with its dangerousness

and uncontrollability.

The hegemony of Satanism looks less glorious after decades, as it of the opponent, christianity, looks almost nothing then.

What can be provided by Black Metal should be re-defined in the proceeding decade.

- What is the Angeist album cover of?

As you can see they have been and shall keep being quanta.

They have been and shall be able to be the Gates, the Wings, the Baphomet, anything you want.

- Do you have a message for our readers?

Penetrate the muddy white light everywhere, discover yourself in the dark, by hearing the Voices calling you.

Et longue vie à vous et votre Inside the Darkness.

Agios O Satanas.

Thank you for your time.

Agios o Satanas.

Fr. Adeptus U.:È.:Œ.: @ A.:A.:A.:A.: http://ordo-aaaa.org 17

Thron - Melodic Black Metal from Germany

Interview with PVIII

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Interview by Andrew Stanton

Thron are a very cool Melodic Black Metal band from Germany. Andrew Stanton talked to guitarist PVIII about their new album.

Hello and welcome to Inside the Darkness.

Hello to you, thanks for doing the interview!

Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please?

I founded Thron in 2015 with my old friend Samca (Voc.). I wrote some songs in my home

studio and sent them to him, to ask what he thinks about it.

full band, so we played our first live show in 2017.

- What bands influenced you?

I started my first Death-Thrash Band in 1990, and since then I have played in Metal Bands. I grew up with classic metal like Iron Maiden or Judas Priest, got obsessed with the Death Metal wave around 1990 and after that I got into Black Metal. So all the classic bands of the genres had a huge impact on me and influenced

but , d r o c e r d goo a s a w l a ied r a v e r Abysm o ch m u m s i tion. c u d o Pilgrim r p ter t e b a s and ha Then he asked if he can sing to it, and so our first self-titled album was born. We asked some friends from the local metal scene, if they wanna join us to form a

my way of writing songs and playing guitar. Around 1994/95 bands like Dissection, Vinterland, Unanimated etc. developed the sound into something new by combining the cold vicious fury of bands like Darkthrone and Mayhem and the sophisticated musical skills of classic Heavy Metal. This was a big influence for me, next to bands like Death, Morbid Angel, Edge of Sanity, Tiamat and many more.

- What are your lyrics about?

Our lyrics deal with philosophical questions about human nature, individualism, religion and ancient history.

- Why do you think some countries are more famous for creating Metal than others?

There’s no simple answer to that. There are a lot of factors.

Some countries have a more developed infrastructure for rock music. People in many 3rd world countries have other problems than to play in a privileged Metal band. It seems, that the more “liberal” a country is, the stronger is their music scene. Historical factors may play a role as well.

- What will your new album be like?

It takes us to a

new level, musical wise. Abysmal was a good record, but Pilgrim is much more varied and has a better production.

We show a lot of different influences, beyond the “Swedish Melodic Black Metal’’ grid.

- Why do you sing in English?

It’s a very good language to scream and growl, ha-ha. It’s very common around the world.

We could try German lyrics, but English comforts us more.

- When I heard your new album, I thought I heard some space ambient.

Was that intentional?

Next to extreme Metal, I’m a big Progressive Rock lover, mainly stuff from the 70s.

It was just a question of time until this influence found a way into the sound of Thron. It wasn’t a forced decision by any means, to incorporate these elements.

I just followed my creative flow.

- Is Black Metal here forever?

Sure, it is!

What other great German bands should our readers check out?

We’re living on the border to Switzerland, so I will mention Swiss bands as well, cause they are part of the local scene. I recommend to check out local bands like ColdCell (Swi), Schammasch (Swi), Bölzer (Swi), Ashtar (Swi), Zatokrev (Swi), Firtan (Ger), Mightiest (Ger), Pessimist (Ger), Convictors (Ger), and a ton more which I forgot now...

- Do you have a message for our readers?

Thanks for your massive support, check out our new album “Pilgrim”. We hope to see you on the road, when this shit is over!

Thank you for your time.

Thank you too.

19

Dead Exaltation- Technical/Progressive Death Metal from India

Interview with Satyajit Gargori

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Hello and welcome to Inside the Darkness.

- Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please?

Our Journey started as college kids who had immense love towards music in general. Our brother ‘Mradul Singhal’ and our drummer ‘Aditya Oke’ used to jam on progressive rock music until Aditya met other band members who were apparently searching for a drummer to jam with. So Aditya Oke, Sourjo Mukherjee, Anish Polouse and Mradul Singhal started jamming on Sourjo’s compositions while

Mradul was composing for future songs. This was a death metal line up with some prog influences. We then we found Satyajit Gargori who joined the band as a vocalist and also conceptualized the theme of the music. This is how it all began, as

but not rapidly. In our college times, the crowd was crazy about metal acts or bands performing at their college fests.

The vibe has changed, but metal is still growing in some form or the other with bands trying to do pull off tours.

However, because of the pandemic, things have been very slow lately.

What Indian bands should our readers check out?

There are few bands from the country we look forward to like Gutslit, Godless, Killkount, Dirge, Pacifist and many more.

, creed e c a r t u o b a e r a c Metal does not out b a e r a c ly n o s e o or religion but it d ns. r o h d n a s ll u k s d our unite

20

a college kids band.

- What is the Metal scene like in India?

Metal scene in India is somewhat growing as we can see

- What are your lyrics about?

The album is based on a concept about a privately run prison which has a psychotic warden and guards.

Innocent people are picked up from the streets and are held captive in the prisonwhere they face much horror, hunger and pain. The album is divided into three sections, the first one talks about the horrifying incidents that happen in the prison, the second section talks about the psychology of the warden and how he transforms into such a maniac and the last section talks about how a prisoner escapes from the prison only to be found by the guards and killed.

But he does ends up leaving clues which helps the detectives find the prison only to be found in the middle of the guards and warden. While some of them are killed and eaten, a few of the detectives are prisoned there and that’s when they realize that there is no escape from this.

What bands did you like growing up?

As we talked earlier, Mradul and Aditya had influences coming from Dream

Theater, Rush while our other Ex members had influences like Nile, Death etc. Satyajit came up with Cryptopsy, Suffocation. So together we look up to bands like Dying Fetus, Cattle Decapitation, Beyond creation, Obscura etc.

- Does local culture and religion ever interfere with the Indian Metal scene?

In our opinion metal does not care about race, creed or religion but it does only care about our united skulls and horns.

There are few incidents happening here and there. But metal shows in India mostly happen underground.

They happen in peace, harmony and brotherhood.

- Have bands like Na-

palm Death or Deicide ever played live in India?

Napalm Death had played once in our country’s only heavy metal festival ‘Bangalore Open Air’ few years ago.

What will your new album be like?

We are already working on that. Let’s see how it goes.

- Do you have a message for our readers?

Our readers: You guys are diamonds for us. We are glad that you are here to check us out.

If you like our Debut album and want to extend your support, order some of our merchandise. Head on to the links given with this article.

Thank you for your time.

21

Imperium Dekadenz - Black/Metal from Germany

Interview with Vespasian

22

Interview by Olga Schneider

1. First of all, I’d like to say thank you for finding time to do this interview!

How have you been doing so far during this weird time?

Ave! I have to thank YOU to give us the opportunity to be featured in your magazine!

You are absolutely right… we all live in strange and w e i r d times at the moment but, I’m doing fine. It is very important to have masterplan about

how to spend your time in a meaningful way. I’m writing songs, getting band-business done, and I am doing more sport

festival you were supposed to take part in were postponed till 2022. Do you have any plans for this year? Probably you’re gonna try to play some local shows w h i c h are way smaller?

We are confirmed for some events, but at the moment nobody is really able to say if these dates are gonna happen. Be sure, we really miss the live-shows. Hope-

urselves o e is r p r u s o ant t ’t want We always w n o d e W . s m albu twice. with the new s g n o s e m a he s to record t than ever before. Besides, I am trying to reach a level when it comes to my cooking abilities.

2. We know that some

fully some shows will happen this year. Meanwhile, our main plan at the moment is to dive deep in our new material and create the best songs possible.

3. Your latest album was released in 2019. Since now is probably the best time to work on something new, probably you’re actively using this chance at the moment, and we’re gonna hear some new material from you soon?

Yes, as already mentioned we spend a lot of time with songwriting and doing pre-productions. Horaz and me, we are very creative at the moment. We are collecting many ideas and we curious about the results. As you might know we are very obsessed with details, so there is still a long way to go. A new album can be expected for 2022.

4. German underground Black Metal scene is actively developing at the moment, meanwhile it’s kinda going downhill in Scandinavia where it was popularized years ago. What is your point about it? Is Germany gonna be the country

when best Black Metal traditions are gonna be reborn?

What I like about the German scene is the fact, that nearly every band has its own sound. So, it is always thrilling to witness new releases from bands we knew for a long time and also

new bands. It is also fantastic to see how many good albums are released by Canadian bands and also bands from eastern Europe. In my opinion the extreme metal scene is very vital at the moment.

Without a doubt Scandinavian bands have released eternal classics over the years, but maybe you are right…

Scandinavia is not the hotspot for challenging and mind-blowing releases these days. But we all know… situations like that can change very quickly.

5. What, in your opinion, was the reason of such an active development of underground Extreme Metal in Germany that has been happening lately?

First of all, we love extreme art, hehe! Germany has always been a “metal-country”. We have a very good infrastructure when it comes to labels, festivals, magazines etc. From time to time, I think we have to much of everything, which results in people getting a little bit lazy and tired.

But yeah, bands and fans here are always hungry for metal in general. What I also like to mention is the fact, that we have very good studios here, like Iguana Studios, Klangschmiede E, etc. Very passionate guys there who are working their asses off for interesting and professional releases. It’ s also good to see that the younger generation is still attracted by handmade music. So, in summary we have a very comfortable and exciting situation here.

6. Since 2010, you started taking part in world’s biggest Metal festivals in particular.

What was your best experience ever when it’s about real23

Imperium Dekadenz - Black/Metal from Germany 24

ly massive festivals and why?

Oh, tons of memories come into my mind here. We had a great performance at the Metaldays Festival back in 2011. A stage placed in the woods, a majestic night under a starry sky. It was magic! I also remember our first appearance the Summer Breeze Festival (2011). It was about 4 o’ clock in the morning (!) when we entered the stage. We expected a tired and wasted crowd… but from the first note on, we felt that hellraising atmosphere on and in front of the stage. It was unbelievable. I will also never forget the great time we had in Belarus. We played a show in Minsk, and the people were so thankful and enthusiastic.

Hopefully we can return in the near future. When it comes to stagecrews, I will always remember the crew of the Party.San Festival. They were so professional and affable. It can’t get any better! The best lightshow ever we had in Slovakia at the Gothoom Festival. What a fantastic festival. They know exactly what they are doing!

7. What’s the strongest aspect of Imperium Deka-

denz and what aspects would you like to develop through your upcoming creations?

The main heading is and will always be the friendship between Horaz and me. We are surely very challenging and different characters, but we always manage to achieve professional and passion-driven results. This is exactly what we

have in mind for upcoming releases. Besides, we always want to surprise ourselves with the new albums. We don’t want to record the same songs twice. So, it’s important for us to be open for new influences, sounds, etc.

You can imagine that is not that easy from time to time, as it takes a lot to make us satisfied.

We are our hardest detractors.

8. You permanent-

ly use several languages in your lyrics. What does it mean for you personally?

What does using one or another language depend on?

Language for us is a kind of an instrument. German sound harsh, English surely has more “flow”, Latin has something mysterious… We are simply trying to give the song what it needs. The chosen language underlines the atmosphere, so to say.

9.

Our traditional question.

W h a t would you like to say to our readers and crew at the end of this interview?

We want to thank each and everyone of you for your passion! It’s not self-evident to receive that great amount of support from nearly all over the world.

Hopefully we can manage some shows in Russia someday.

That would be a great experience! Bookers, get in touch!

Subscribe to our channel

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25

Blessed by Perversionl - Death/Metal from Greece

Interview with Andreas Moschopoulos

26

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Hello and welcome to Inside the Darkness.

- Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please?

Hello ‘Inside The Darkness’ and thank you for this interview. We are Blessed by Perversion from Athens Greece and we were created in mid2010. In 2012 we independently released our first EP called ‘Destroy the Image of God’. After many gigs and the addition of a new member we released in 2016 our first full length album called ‘Between Roots and Darkness’ via ‘Razed Soul Productions’

and received great reviews from metal sites and magazines from around the world. With a new drummer and with more consistency than ever we also released in December 2020 our second complete studio album called ‘Remnants of Existence’ via the Mexican label Iron,

The band consists of: Andreas Moschopoulos at the vocals, Kostas Foutris at the lead guitar, Manolis Kouelo at the rhythm guitar, Vaggelis Nanos at the Bass and Vasilis Nanos at the Drums. Kostas and Manolis where both members of the black metal band Nipenthis at guitars and bass. Vaggelis played in the past bass for the thrash m e t a l band Chronosphere and Vasilis is currently playing with his other band Cerberus.

What bands did you like growing up?

ands b t s r i f e h t e of n o s i e d i c i e we D n e h w g n i n e e list r e w e w t a h lm. t a e r l a t e m e trem x e e h t d e r e t en Blood and Death Corporation.

- Who are your band members? What other bands have they played with?

Well, the bands we liked (and still like), while we were growing up, are from different genres of metal. We started listening to the classic stuff, you know, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Slayer, Exodus, Iced Earth, Manowar, Helloween, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and while the years were passing, we went to more extreme genres, like death & black metal. We used to listen to bands like Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Deicide, Death, Obituary, Opeth, Dying Fetus, Darkthrone, Mayhem, Burzum, Gorgoroth, Cradle of Filth & Dimmu Borgir.

Is anti-Chris-

tian and Satanism two different things?

No, it’s not the same thing.

Actually there’s a huge difference between anti-Christianity and Satanism. The main difference, is that if you consider yourself as “anti-Christian” then you actually mean that you are opposed to a specific religion, that is Christianity, in this case. But, if you say you’re a “Satanist”, obviously you mean that you believe in another religion, Satanism. The only connection between these two terms, are that as a Satanist, for example, logically you are opposed to Christianity, due to the differ-

ent opinions and perspectives of these two religions.

- What do you think of Greek Black Metal?

Greek black metal or more known as Hellenic Black metal is one of the biggest scenes of the genre, at least back in the day. Band like Rotting Christ, Varathron, Necromantia, Tatir are the pioneers of this particular style of playing and a great influence for other great bands, old and new ones.

Today Greece still has a big black metal scene with bands developing their own sound over the years and set a new era for the Hellenic style of black metal and the whole genre in general.

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Blessed by Perversionl - Death/Metal from Greece 28

- What other Greek Death Metal bands should our readers check out?

Well, there are many great bands from Greece, that are worth listening to. Some of them (with random order) are Mortal Torment, In Utero Cannibalism, Terrordrome, Bloody Donation, Sadistic Purification, Murder Made God, Vemringod, Blastery Caveat, Extreme Violence, Mass Infection, Inveracity, Obsecration, Birth of Depravity, Head Cleaner, Plague and many more that I can’t remember right now.

What can fans expect from your new album?

Our new album is a step forward from our previous ones in every aspect. It’s our interpretation of the music we love playing and listening. Being faithful to our sound of the previous records, we have created a more mature and consistent

album with a classic death metal tone and a new lyrical theme compared to the past.

- Some of your songs reminded me of the slower Deicide songs. Are Deicide a big influence on you?

Fuck yeah! Especially me

coming to Salonika for a gig.

All of us found something to say as an excuse, in order to run away from our duties and see them live, haha!

- Do you have a message for our readers?

Thanks for reading this in-

(Andreas) and the two guitarists of the band (Kostas & Manolis) are huge fans of Deicide. As I said before, Deicide is one of the first bands that we were listening when we entered the extreme metal realm. I remember back to 2013, when we were split all over Greece for studies and army and Deicide were

terview, thanks for supporting us, especially in these hard days and be patient because these days are going to pass and then great gigs are following! Take care guys!

Thank you for your time.

Sludgework is the lovingly crafted graphic design project by Megan.

Megan about her work: «I started my Sludgework freelance graphic design project in August 2018 to fulfil my passion for art, and to connect with other like-minded individuals. I am a pen and ink artist specialising in black and white gothic, heavy music and horror/alternative themes.

I am available for work via http://sludgework.com Or through email via Sludgeworkmeg@gmail.com» If

you would like to have your own posters, logos, album artwork and t-shirts just

contacted with

Megan and she will help you.

Check http://sludgework.com and you’ll see amazing works of talented artist.

29 29

Volniir - Black/Metal from United Kingdom

Interview with S.V., Azrael, Tubal-Qayin and Skogen.

30

Interview by Andrew Stanton

- Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please?

S.V.: Volniir was formed in 2016 as a one-man project.

After spending time writing and recording demos, I got some session members together to play live & collaborate recording a E.P. In 2017 we released “The Enigma’’ and we played live quite extensively. Once the cycle of “The Enigma’’ was complete, I took some time to reflect and after

a short hiatus, Volniir came back with a new line up and as a fully forged four piece.

Since this rebirth we have become stronger in every way.

- What bands did you listen to growing up?

my parents music collection, so lots of Queen, Whitesnake, Bee Gees, Def Leppard, Guns n’ Roses and Electric Light Orchestra. I frequently still listen to these bands to this day.

I then later branched out into Grunge and Metal once I started exploring music by myself.

T u b al - Qayin: As with the others; my music came from my parents, but none of it could be considered “metal”.

ene c s r o ry t n u o c ers, k n y i t s Ever & ns w . o l n c o s e t v i o s m a h nd a m e h t ignore S.V.: I really got into music at around age 12 and I listened mostly to

They would often listen to records by bands such as ZZ Top, The Moody Blues, Queen, Imagination, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, Crash Test Dummies and a whole lot of rock and soul stuff. This was when I was a kid of around five or six, so as I got older; my taste and intrigue turned towards rock n’ roll and metal, most notably thanks to the release of Iron Maiden’s fantastic “Brave New World” album. It all started from there and I eventually got into Metallica, Black Sabbath, Slayer, Pantera and Guns n’ Roses et al before my path turned right and became truly dark.

Azrael: My dad always had a hugely impressive album collection, and I was incredibly young when I started listening to all his albums in succession, as a result of this, as a kid I was massively into Metallica, Guns n’ Roses, Frank Zappa, Iron Maiden, AC/DC and Black Sabbath. From there I started branching out and finding heavier and heavier music back when my hometown still had a plethora of music shops where

you could go in with an idea and come out with a sack full of new albums to try out. I listened to a ton of Nu Metal during my more formative years but mostly just Slipknot and Korn on rotation.

When I started playing music myself I started to branch out and start listening to everything I possibly and that’s when I found my love in the even heavier more extreme kinds of metal.

Skogen: I mainly listened to my parent’s music collections when I was younger which was mainly 70’s/80’s with an eclectic (and possibly bizarre) mix of music from other genres and eras thrown in. The band I have to give the most credit to though for shaping me as a person and musician today though is Black Sabbath, a band I absolutely adored growing up and still adore to this

day. It’s safe to say I wouldn’t have picked up a guitar and then a bass if it wasn’t for them.

- What are your lyrics about?

Tubal - Qayin: Total liberty, enlightenment and violent spiritual awakening through Death Worship, LCFR and the Dark Night of the Soul. Ride the scales of Ananta!

- Have Cradle of Filth made it very hard for UK bands to be taken seriously?

S.V.: I wouldn’t say so. It would seem that people’s opinions of Cradle of Filth are somewhat divided, on one hand many fans of the genre don’t consider Cradle of Filth to be Black Metal at all and just pay them no mind, whereas others will judge and sometimes even dismiss an entire country based off of one band. If the latter is your way of thinking, then it’s your own problem. Your music should stand on its own two feet and shouldn’t need to lean on the scene it comes from to add value to it. For example, your music isn’t automatically good just because it’s Black Metal from Norway. Every country or scene has its clowns & stinkers, ignore them and move on.

31

Volniir - Black/Metal from United Kingdom 32

Tubal - Qayin: Yes and no. It doesn’t help that they’re the most well-known of extreme metal bands from here and their theatrics and gimmickry have escalated to the point where they’re basically extras from a Tim Burton film, but I also don’t think enough U.K bands take themselves seriously enough as it is anyway in some capacity or another and it seems to be mostly deliberate: they’re all either singing about crabs or violating someone with a maritime device and it’s pathetic.

Then again; I’ve always said that the truly devout will wade through all of the shit to get to the good stuff and there’s certainly a lot of wading to do, in my opinion. People from abroad may go “Cradle of Filth are from the U.K and I don’t like them” but they may also go “but I’ll see what else is from there” and discover new, exciting and overall good underground bands without the vampires, evil carnivals or pirate shipse.

One thing that’s for sure in Cradle’s case is that they certainly did help to put black/extreme metal on the British map, so we can thank them for that.

- What does Volniir mean?

S.V.: “To break apart and conquer”.

- What is the Black Metal scene like in Manchester? Are there any bands our readers should check out?

S.V.: The Black Metal scene

in Manchester is quite small.

I think when you talk about the Black Metal scene you have to group the UK together as a singular collective, as it’s quite small in comparison to other countries. With that being said; it seems the UK scene is very much quality over quantity. I’d recommend bands such as; Abduction, Necronautical & Devastator.

Tubal Qayin: Inconcessus Lux Lucis.

Azrael: It’s a tough answer, as I feel as though the black metal scene can’t be pinned down in any one single location, as the UK-wide BM scene is fairly small but you reach a point when you pretty much know everybody in the scene, no matter where you’re based in the country and every time you turn up for a gig you feel like Norm from ‘Cheers’ except you’re wearing a ton of face paint.

Skogen: I play in a Manchester-based black metal band myself, Deus Mori. Like throughout the rest of the UK it is small but tight-knit and quality over quantity. In addition to my own shameless self-promotion, I’d also recommend Argesk for those who are fans of the more melodic and symphonic styles of black metal and Burial for those more inclined to the old school, both of whom put out great albums last year.

- Is Manchester still heavily dominated by its Indie scene?

S.V.: I can’t comment on the Indie scene as I’m not familiar with it. But from what I can see, I’d say Slam and Brutal Death Metal seems to be the dominant Genre in Manchester at the moment.

- Does coming from a certain city make things difficult for Black Metal bands? Do people expect you to change because of your local scene?

S.V.: No. - Why do UK magazines ignore UK Black Metal bands?

Do they want to see them fail?

Tubal - Qayin: I haven’t read any U.K publications for years so I don’t really know or care what they cover these days, but I know there it isn’t necessarily an agenda against us.

In the case of Völniir; I’m not particularly bothered if they think we’re “good enough” or whatever to be featured in their magazine or not. They’d probably miss the point anyway.

- What can fans expect from your new album?

Tubal Qayin: Forty-five minutes of powerful, straightforward and, above all: honest black metal.

- Do you have a message for our readers?

Tubal Qayin: Hail Lars-Göran Petrov.

Thank you for your time.

Subscribe to our channel

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33

Hecate Enthroned - Melodic Black/Death/Metal from United Kingdom

Interview with Nige and Dylan

34

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Hecate Enthroned have been around the Black Metal scene for quite a while now.

Andrew Stanton talked to guitarist Nige and bass player Dylan about their new album.

- Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please?

Nige: With a 25-year history that is difficult to sum up into a short

statement but basically Hecate Enthroned evolved

we officially became HE in 1995 & were based in Wrexham, N o r t h W a l e s .

We have 6 full length albums & 2 EP’s. If your readers want a more in depth bio the feel free to visit us at www. hecateenthroned.com.

- What bands did you listen to growing up?

e v i l l l i w ople l a t e M Blackas long as pteo it. for it and listen play from the remnants of my previous bands from the early 90’s (Amethyst & Daemonum),

Dylan: My music education in metal started off with the early 80s NWOBHM and bands like Motorhead, Black Sabbath and a lot of the hard rock acts from the 70s. It developed through bands like Iron Maiden then Slayer and the early thrash scene; Annihilator, Nuclear Assault, Kreator along with the Death scene; Deicide, Obituary, Carcass, At The Gates and up to the first Black Metal bands, Bathory, Venom. I always leaned to the heavier, more extreme stuff but always keep my love of

the early forerunners of rock...Led Zeppelin, Blue Cheer, Vanilla Fudge.

Nige: Similar story to Dylan really with the addition of Queen & Rainbow who I would to listen to constantly as a kid, I wouldn’t listen to anything else! Then I discovered Iron Maiden in the 80’ & from there my musical taste broadened massively with the explosion of metal bands...

Wasp, Motley Crue, Warlock to start with then onto the heavier side of metal in general.

- Why are British music magazines so critical of British Black Metal?

Dylan: Metal magazines have their favourites; it’s always been the same.

They push them and try to detract from others, the reasons behind this can be varied, I suppose it’s scene politics. This isn’t new, it’s happened from the very early days of rock press, Led Zeppelin were disliked and slated by the British press and went on to be the biggest band in the world. British music press tend to enjoy putting down their own while pushing US bands or preferring them, to be honest it’s the mentality of British journalism in general, look at sport.

35

Hecate Enthroned - Melodic Black/Death/Metal from United Kingdom 36

- Can British Black Metal live forever without the support of magazines?

Dylan: BM will live for as long as people play it and listen to it. If it goes back to being completely underground then it will and with online media now its very easy for bands, labels, management and agencies to self-promote.

- What can fans expect from your new album?

Nige: Writing hasn’t started yet for the new album because of the covid restrictions but we have plenty of ideas in our minds which once we are allowed to travel again, we will get together & start shaping the new material. Expect ambience, euphoria, anger & energy!

I have never been a fan of sticking with a particular style when writing music, it works for some people but it quickly becomes repetitive & stale for me. I prefer to give the listener a journey with each track, something that connects on several levels.

Dylan: We have another album contracted for our label

M-Theory Audio and once the lockdown restrictions are over we will continue with the writing process and reassess our material.

You can be confident it will be Heavy, Fast and Epic.

What are your lyrics about?

Dylan: The overall theme is Satanic, the way in which it is expressed has varied from album to al-

bum. It was more acute on the early 3 releases then took a more anti-christian approach for the middle releases then coming back to a more personal Hecate/Satanic vision with Virulent Rapture. The last album Embrace of the Godless Aeon is a series of stories told from the writers perspective, some give warnings of what could be or are lessons to heed (or not) others are a personal introspective from the storyteller.

- What do you think of political Black Metal bands like Divahar or Anaal Nathrakh?

Dylan: I like the music, they are good bands, I don’t see them as political but I haven’t read any of their lyrics so I can’t comment there. The important thing is bands use the themes they believe in, it’s a very personal thing and after all music is a wonderful form of expression a n d should remain f r e e .

- Do you just shrug off bad reviews and bad comments? Is it just another day at the office?

Nige: Everyone is entitled to their opinion & it does annoy me from time to time when it’s obvious the reviewer is just being narrow minded & doesn’t see or want to understand the bigger picture but in general we just have to shrug this stuff off. We are a very open minded band, we do what we believe is

right with no compromise.

Dylan: Yes, it’s just one person’s view on that album or track, it doesn’t affect us. If a review i s honest, genuine and informed then it’s a good review

that supports us, to put it bluntly without you we could not do what we do! Hopefully once the dust settles & shows start to happen again we will see you on the road.

I think I am safe in saying everyone (fans, bands, organisers etc) cannot wait to get out there again & start enjoying live music once again. Stay safe everyone \m/ Dylan: Keep safe, look after each other and keep the faith.... we will s e e you a l l on the other side.

regardless if they hate it or love it.

Do you have a message for our readers?

Nige: Thanks to Andrew & Inside the Darkness for the interview & massive thanks to everyone 37

Fovitron - Symphonic Black/Death Metal from Greece

Interview with Nuntius Mortis

38

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Hello and welcome to Inside the Darkness.

- Can you tell our readers a bit about your story, please?

We were formed in 2014. The initial members were Fovitrus on guitars, Nuntius Mortis on vocals and Sovereign on bass. Magni (keyboards) j o i n e d in early 2015 and D a m i e n (drums) joined in late 2017. We have released a self-titled EP and a

full-length album so far.

Our full-length album was released on April 15th, 2020 by Alcyone Records and it’s called Altar of Whispers.

- What bands did you like grow-

that we liked when we were growing up. Venom, Celtic Frost, Judas Priest, Machine Head, Dark Funeral, Emperor, Limbonic Art, Cradle of Filth, Bal Sagoth, Moonsorrow, Rotting Christ, K a w i r , Zemial, Agalloch, Haggard, Paradise Lost and Draconian are all bands that have influenced us.

What are your lyrics about?

Our lyrics are about the

ing k a m t u o b ta o n s i l he a t e Black M lack Metal is about ctus. money. B that’s our sole fo music and ing up?

We aren’t all in the same age group so there’s a variety of bands

inner turmoil that human beings often experience. They are meant to follow and reflect the atmosphere and the melancholy of our music.

- How big are Rotting Christ in Greece? Are they legends?

Yeah, Rotting Christ are definitely legends in the Greek m e t al scene.

T h e y were ins t r u m e n tal in creating and popularizing the Hellenic Black Metal sound and that has influenced a lot of bands in our country.

- Can mainstream magazines ever be forgiven for ignoring Black Metal for so long?

The goal of mainstream magazines is to make money.

Black Metal is not about making money. Black Metal is about the music and that’s our sole focus.

- Why do magazines want bands to sell out before they talk about them?

Because their goal is to make money and it’s easier to do that when you

in the Greek script) which means “the one that instills fear”.

- Do you have a message for our readers?

Our message to your readers is to hang in there. We realize that this situation with the pandemic is tough for everybody but we are going to get through i t

p r o m o t e something that is already popular.

- What can fans expect from your new album? t i m e .

They can expect a melodic offering of Symphonic Black Metal with Death Metal elements.

- What does Fovitron mean?

The name comes from the word fovitro (φόβητρο

event u a l l y .

Thank you for y o u r

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Vanhelga - Black Metal from Sweden

Interview with 145188

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Interview by Andrew Stanton

Hello and welcome to Inside the Darkness.

- Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please?

145188: Vanhelga started as a one-man project much like Burzum or Arckanum, for example.

There were some topics and themes that I wanted to explore, in particular the darker sides of reality. During the years of being creative in new ways, I

realized that the band became like an independent entity, much like a living organism.

The band is ever changing and constantly

cess because that would only limit everything, eventually leading to stagnation and the death of Vanhelga. We don’t have a history simply because only the present exists.

What bands influence you?

145188: We are never consciously influenced by anything.

Everything comes to us in mysterious ways that can’t be explained in words.

guided e r a e w e reativ c do e r o a t e g n w i h n t e o h W has n t i , n o i t ning. a o r s i a p e s r n i r o y b inking h t l a n o i t with ra evolving.

There are no rules and subsequently no genres or styles involved in the creative pro-

Whatever reaches us unconsciously is a different matter though and it is hard to say what impact it has had on the music.

- Why did your lyrics change from Satanism to personal issues? Will you ever go back to being a Satanic band?

145188: We will never go back to being a Satanic band on purpose. It’s not up to us to decide the direction of the band. There never was a decision from the members of the band to be Satanic or to write about personal issues. When we are creative we are guided by inspiration, it has nothing to do with rational thinking or reasoning. It’s more like a feeling.

- What do you think of Sweden’s Melodic Death Metal scene? Do you ever want to be a part of it?

145188: We never wanted to be part of any scene. Any categorization concerning Vanhelga is made by people outside the band, never by its

members. I don’t know much about the Melodic Death Metal scene in Sweden. My general opinion, as a person living in Sweden, is that there seem to be a lot of confused people who pretend to enjoy metal simply to find somewhere to ‘fit in’. I guess there are many

bands that are copies of each other as well. There’s usually one person who dares to try something new and if it succeeds, in the eyes of the public, other bands will follow and imitate that style.

Originality is uncommon.

- What can fans expect from your new album?

145188: They can expect positive music for positive people.

- How does Swedish Black Metal compare to Nor-

wegian Black Metal?

145188: From what I have experienced it seems like Swedish bands are more open to mix styles and deviate, in certain ways, from what is considered to be ‘pure’ within the definition of Black Metal. Norwegian bands seem to be more traditional in some sense.

- Why do so many people find Black Metal hard to discover or listen to?

145188: Some people, or should I say most people, lack the ability to enjoy it. No matter how hard they try, it will never make sense to them. In some cases it is like drinking whiskey, not many people enjoy it the first time but when they get experienced with it enough, they start to notice and appreciate the complexity.

- Can Black Metal live forever without any support from magazines?

145188: Everything lives on forever in the void.

- Do you have a message for our readers?

145188: Stay positive.

Thank you for your time.

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Selfgod - Death Metal from United States

Interview with Serge Streltsov

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Interview by Andrew Stanton

Automb are no more, but guitarist Serge Streltsov has decided to go it alone.

Andrew Stanton decided to find out more.

- What can Automb fans expect from Selfgod? Will it be very different?

Is it Black M e t a l ?

The fans can expect my usual song writing plus more. It will be a total Black Death Metal assault. It will defi-

nitely be a bit different. I’m doing vocals myself this time and I’m using a couple guitar tunings on the album. I’m also in-

er than before. It definitely will still have black metal roots but it’s going more into death metal territory.

- Is the band just you alone?

Yes. I will be the only official member.

I’m recruiting my friend Scott Fuller from Morbid Angel on drums once again and I will have a live line up for when I do shows.

e v i t i s o p d n a e f a s Stay keep supporlt! ing and rground meta unde corporating the material I wrote for Necrophagia.

The sound overall will be heavi-

- What was the main reason Automb split up?

Me and Danielle were dating and decided to break up. It was something that was brewing for a long time. It made the most sense to continue under a new name.

- What will the lyrics and themes be about?

The lyrical themes will be mostly on Slavic paganism and self spirituality. I’m still in the process of writing the lyrics but I know for sure that’s the theme I’m going with. It’s similar to some of the lyrics I wrote on Automb’s Esoterica.

- How far are you off your debut album or EP? I’m about 80% percent done with the debut album. I have one more song to complete musically and I’m halfway through on lyrics. I’m aiming for a 2021 release.

- I think a lot of people will be amazed how quickly you left Automb and got Selfgod up and running.

Was it planned ahead?

Well no it wasn’t planned I was going to use all this material for the 3rd Automb album originally.

Once we decided that Automb was done I just basically continued under a new name and decided that I wanted to do every-

thing myself except drums.

- What bands have influenced Selfgod?

There’s too many to name but I’ll name a few. Behemoth, Belphegor, Morbid Angel, Hate, Nile, Death, Dissection and others.

- Do you have a message for our readers?

Be on the lookout for the

debut Selfgod album. It’ll be out this year. Stay safe and positive and keep supporting underground metal!

Thank you for your time and good luck with the future.

Thank you so much for this opportunity! Cheers

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Latest releases

Caedes Cruenta Black Metal band from Greece released the third Full-length album Of Ritual Necrophagia and Mysterious Ghoul Cults on February 1, 2020.

Formed in 2003, Caedes Cruenta are the foremost torchbearers for the classic Greek black metal sound. For them, the early Hellenic flame of the “Big Three” – Rotting Christ, Varathron, and Necromantia – never died, nor did the contemporaneous flames of early Thou Art Lord and Zemial among others.

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“Greek black metal” may have changed shapes and styles over the past 30 years, but for the members of Caedes Cruenta, the ancient days of the early ‘90s burns stronger than ever. Like its full-length predecessor and the EPs right before and right after, one could be forgiven for thinking CAEDES CRUENTA have transported the listener back in time with Of Ritual Necrophagia and Mysterious Ghoul Cults, so authentic and invigorating is their Hellenic classicism. Thus, with this album do CAEDES CRUENTA rightfully deserve to be mentioned among the Greek gods.

Tracklist: 1. Of Ritual Necrophagia and Mysterious Ghoul Cults 2. Aura of Immortal Souls 3. Into the Ashes of the Unforgotten Woods (L’Inferno) 4. From the Darkest Paths of Golgotha 5. The Mystical Ritual of the Dark Priests 6. Recitation of Abyssic Necropsalms 7. The Wizard of Yaddith 8. Under the Shadow of Death

Korpiklaani Folk Metal band from Finland released the eleventh Full-length album Jylhä on February 5, 2020.

Here and now, Korpiklaani’s fearless journey continues on – and this time, the journey is powered by rather serious subject matter.

Their eleventh full-length studio record «Jylhä» (which has no direct translation but can be described as majestic, or wild and rugged in a beautiful way) brings all the well-known and essential ingredients to the table: heavy-duty guitar riffing, rhythmic folk melodies and more.

Tracklist 1. Verikoira 2. Niemi 3. Leväluhta 4. Mylly 5. Tuuleton 6. Sanaton maa 7. Kiuru 8. Miero 9. Pohja 10. Huolettomat 11. Anolan aukeat 12. Pidot 13. Juuret

Lineup Cane - Guitars, Vocals (backing) Jonne Järvelä - Vocals, Guitars, Mandolin, Hurdy gurdy, Violafon, Shaman drum, Djembe, Flute Jarkko Aaltonen - Bass Tuomas Rounakari Violin Sami Perttula Accordion Samuli Mikkonen - Drums

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Latest releases

Feskarn Viking/Folk Metal band from Sweden released the third Full-length album Ravens Way on February 5, 2020.

With a all new (studio gear, Ibanez guitar, soundcard and upgraded software), «Raven’s Way» have higher quality delivering a lot of viking elements with troat singing, choirs, shaman drums and mouth harps.

14 tracks featuring experimental folk elements with

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m o s t l y black metal and more balanced sound quality.

Lineup Feskarn Vocals, Drums, Guitars, Bass, Mouth harp

Tracklist 1. Ravens Way 2. Broken World 3. Sigur 4. Vägen framåt 5. Parasite 6. War 7. Relics from the Past 8. Livets tid 9. Golden Age 10. Strong from Nature 11. Destroyed 12. Yggdrasil 13. The Frost of the Fallen 14. Ein bier

Dead Exaltation Technical/Progressive Death Metal band from India released the first Fulllength album Despondent on February 5, 2020.

Dead Exaltation began in 2015, drawing inspiration from a variety of bands, including Cryptopsy, Cattle Decapitation, Gorod, Spawn of Possession, and Cynic. Throughout their existence, the band has focused on creating thought-provoking, concept-based lyrics and song structures adorned with complex rhythms and melodies, as well as an old school sensibility.

Lyrically the band chooses to add a bit of spice to the usual death metal fare by creating

a conceptual story that continues with every song. It revolves around a psychopath warden who runs a prison holding innocent people picked up from the streets. The guards of prison are cannibal psychopaths who do not refrain themselves from torturing, killing, and eating people. Like every good tale, this story is divided into three acts: the incidents, the psychology of the warden, and an investigation leading to a brutal and bloody end of the story.

4. The Conversation 5. The Psychology 6. The Transformation 7. Omnia Mors Aequat 8. In Pursuit of 9. Despondent Lineup Aditya Oke - Drums Satyajit Gargori Vocals Mradul Singhal (R.I.P. 2020) - Guitars, Bass

Tracklist 1. Gloom 2. Involuntary Emasculation 3. Coerced Sewer Ingest

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Latest releases

Ablaze My Sorrow After four years of incubation, Ablaze My Sorrow announce their triumphant return with a new album. The fifth full length, entitled Among Ashes and Monoliths, introduce new vocalist Jonas Udd, whose aggressive rasp fits the passionate band to perfection. The other four members return intact from prior releases. Still fresh sounding in 2020, the band present us with an opus of impassioned self-reflection, tackling

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themes of depression and selfworth. Across twelve tracks, the band speak catharsis from experience, and the truth of their words is evident.

Including speed/thrash metal energy, the veteran group, this time, brought more dynamism into their crafts. An underrated gem, the Falkenberg quintet once again let their emotional style of Melodic Death Metal do the talking for them.

Tracklist 1. My Sorrow 2.

Among Ashes and Monoliths

3. Black Waters 4. Grit 5. Her Cold Embrace 6. At the Graves of Giants 7. Dark Chasms 8. The Cavernous Deep 9. Nonexistence 10. March of the Eldricht Spawn 11. The Day I Die 12. Frihet Framför Feghet Lineup Vocals – Jonas Udd Guitars – Magnus Karlsson Guitars – Dennie Linden Bass – Anders Brorsson Drums – Alex Kribensten

Kjeld Black Metal band from Netherlands released the second Full-length album Ôfstân on February 15, 2020.

The album was written over the course of 2017, 2018, and 2019. It is an extension and an evolution of their previous works that raises the bar set in the past, with nine insanely strong songs.

Ever since their early beginnings, the band has had one vision: to combine aggression and atmosphere in black metal.

The band draws inspiration from Frisian nature, myths and sagas, and the darkness of man, combining these to create their own unique

sound. Kjeld plays fast paced black metal without forsaking melody and dynamics. This album is crafted with impressive songwriting and a monolithic sound, with total attention for pure genius melodies, fueled with the most ferocious and aggressive drumming The Netherlands has to offer. This album is pure creative mastery, with their trademark sound and riffs combined to create their own unique sound. As always, the songs are soaked in the rich and ancient Frisian history, and solely chanted in Frisian, a minority Germanic language most closely related to English.

Tracklist 1. Betsjoend 2. De iensume widner 3. Wylde rixt 4. Ôfstân 5. Asbran 6. Wite fokel 7. Falske doop 8. Skaad 9. Konfrontaasje

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Latest releases

Harakiri for the Sky Post-Black Metal band from Austria released the fifth Full-length album Mære on February 19, 2020.

Mӕre - a malicious folkloristic entity creeping on sleeping people’s chest during the night and causing breathlessness and anxiety. It’s exactly this state of diffuse terror and paralysis that has been enshrined in HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY’s music ever since their debut album.

As pioneers of the post movement, mixing haunting black metal with post rock moments, the Austrians have, ever since their conception in 2011, drawn fans and

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critics deeper and deeper into their maelstrom of melancholy, self hate and anger, and even reached #29 of the German charts with their previous release «Arson».

And once again, several friends of the band entered the intoxicated world of HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY to guest on «Mӕre»: While Alcest’s front man Neige brings a haunting flair to ‘Sing For The Damage We’ve Done’, before the anonymous voice of Gaerea joins in on ‘Silver Needle // Golden Dawn’.

As session drummer, the band one again commited none less than

Kerim „Krimh“ Lechner (Septicflesh, live Behemoth) in the studio and the atmospheric artwork was designed by Art of Maquenda.

Tracklist 1. I, Pallbearer 2. Sing for the Damage We’ve Done 3. Us Against December Skies 4. I’m All About the Dusk 5. Three Empty Words 6. Once upon a Winter 7. And Oceans Between Us 8. Silver Needle // Golden Dawn 9. Time Is a Ghost 10. Song to Say Goodbye (Placebo cover) Lineup M.S. - All instruments J.J. - Vocals

Thron Black Metal band from Germany released the third Full-length album Pilgrim on February 19, 2020.

Formed in 2015 as a project of experienced, devoted musicians from German bands in the Black Forest region, THRON’s initial goals were to play authentic black/ death in the spirit of the early to mid ‘90s. The band delve even further into the musical territory they flirted with as on their debut and reinforce all foundations on ‘Pilgrim’, with more emphasis on slashing wicked fluid melodies infused with energetic, triumphant classic heavy metal swagger. THRON never loses an opportunity to furiously enhance the catchiness of each

composition with a greatly balanced and coherent old school feel. Utterly brutalising and masterfully composed, the end result is truly spellbinding.

Tracklist 1. The Prophet 2. To Dusk 3. Nothingness 4. Hosanna in the Highest 5. Epitome 6. The Reverence 7. The Valley of the Blind 8. Den of Iniquity 9. Gaia 10. Into Disarray Lineup SXIII - Bass ZIV - Drums PVIII - Guitars TVII - Guitars SAMCA - Vocals

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Latest releases

Einherjer Viking Metal band from Norway released the eighth Full-length album North Star on February 26, 2021.

With North Star, Viking Metal pioneers EINHERJER proving their status as the pioneers of blending Nordic Black Metal and Folk Metal genres once again.

The Norwegian metal outfit remains musically true to themselves and reinforces their exceptional position.

North Star is

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EINHERJER’s musical mission towards something bigger - the search for guidance by the North Star in a constantly changing world that is searching for stability.

Founded in Norway in 1993, the band has significantly influenced the way of Viking Metal in the following years with Dragons Of The North - 25 years later, EINHERJER are stronger than ever and are bursting with energy on North Star!

Tracklist: 1. The Blood and the Iron 2. Stars 3. West Coast Groove 4. Ascension 5. Higher Fire 6. Echoes in Blood 7. Listen to the Graves 8. Chasing the Serpent Lineup Ulvar - Drums, Keyboards Grimar - Vocals, Bass Ole Sønstabø - Guitars (lead) Tom Enge - Guitars

Gorr Black Metal band from Norway released the second Full-length album Kvit som snoen, kald i blikket on March 1, 2021.

Kvit Som Snøen, Kald i Blikket, literally «White as snow, cold stare» draws a line from the present time to a distant past and thus points at the timelessness experienced in our immediate surroundings.

The duality in relying on nature for survival and the very clear sense of doom that follows closely is reflected through this

album. Life and death, combat and construction, noble goals and meaningless losses. This is Kvit Som Snøen, Kald i Blikket.

Lineup Skuggimaðr Vocals, Drums, Guitars Hateful Wind - Guitars, Bass, Drums

Tracklist 1. Innleiing 2. Bitande kaldt 3. Mørkt føre, mørke bak 4. Kvit som snøen, kald i blikket 5.

Ditt uendelege raseri 6. Kom ut i mitt mørke

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Latest releases

Zaratus Black Metal band from Greece released the first Fulllength album In the Days of Whore on March 4, 2021.

Zaratus were formed in 2018 by Bill Zobolas (Soulskinner, Thou Art Lord e.t.c) and Stefan Necroabyssius (Varathron, Katavasia e.t.c). The idea behind the creation of the band was the unity of forces of 2 members with history in the creation of the Greek scene of the 90s, where they will offer a fresh idea of how black metal should sound today. Based

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on the deep roots of authentic black metal, but with many elements of epic, majestic and beyond the limits, Zaratus create a unique identity in both style and sound, which makes them stand out.

Based on and with respect to their black metal roots, ZARATUS broke the bonds of the limits of the genre and passed to other dimensions, touching lyricism, epicism, classical periods, but also sometimes giving redemption to the listener through simplicity.

Tracklist 1. Ceremonies Before Light’s Existence 2. Darkness and Decay 3. In the Days of Whore 4. The Haunted Palace 5. Chaos and Blood 6. Heritage of Fire 7. Zoroastrian Priests Lineup Bill El - All instruments Stefan Necroabyssious - Vocals

Mork Black Metal band from Norway released the fifth Full-length album Katedralen on March 5, 2021.

Following on mercilessly from 2020’s aptly titled ‘Pesta’ EP, Norwegian act Mork resumes its ascension through the ranks of the Scandinavian black metal scene with the fifth chapter, ‘Katedralen’, venturing ever further from the more primal early Darkthrone-based foundations, while still fundamentally keeping the grim flame of the old school in its DNA. ’Katedralen’ is undoubtedly Mork’s most accomplished work to date, pushing n e w

creative frontiers with a more dynamic approach to the song composition and an expanded breadth to the riffs and melodies, weaving a new masterpiece of groove, harshness, grandiosity, sadness, beauty and power in the process.

Including guest Appearances from members of Darkthrone,

Kampfar & Skepticism.

Tracklist 1. Dodsmarsjen 2. Svartmalt 3. Arv 4.

Evig Intens Smerte 5. Det siste gode i meg 6. Fodt til a herske 7. Lysbaereren 8. De fortapte sjelers katedral Lineup T h o m a s Eriksen Everything

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Latest releases

Wolfheart Melodic Death Metal band from Finland released the EP Skull Soldiers on March 5, 2021.

Finnish death metal unit WOLFHEART continue their heroic battle with the Skull Soldiers EP, which includes two frostbitten new singles and two special rarities. The new studio singles “Skull Soldiers” and “Hereditary” both explore new territory while maintaining the

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WOLFHEART trademark sound – searing through the mountainous ice with colossal, guttural vocals, driving blastbeats and rhythms. The tracks tell awe-inspiring tales of a small, special warfare unit of powerful Finnish soldiers who painted skulls and skeletons onto their helmets during the Winter War, continuing on the battle theme of Wolves of Karelia.

Tracklist: 1. Skull Soldiers 2. Hereditary 3. Aeon of Cold version) 4. Reaper (Live)

(Acoustic

Lineup Tuomas Saukkonen Vocals, Guitars Lauri Silvonen - Bass, Vocals (backing) Joonas Kauppinen - Drums Vagelis Karzis - Guitars

Baest Death Metal band from Denmark released the third Fulllength album Necro Sapiens on March 5, 2021.

BAEST come from Aarhus in Denmark and have successfully established themselves as one of the country’s most promising metal acts in recent years. While deeply rooted in straight-forward classic death metal inspired by genre legends like Dismember, Entombed, Morbid Angel, Death, and Bolt Thrower, the 2015 formed band evolved from a Danish underground phenomenon to an internationally touring act.

«Necro Sapiens» truly drops their most anticipated and most important album so far.

Tracklist Lineup 1. The Forge Mattias Melchiorsen 2. Genesis Bass 3. Necro Sapiens Sebastian Abildsten - Drums 4. Czar Lasse Revsbech - Guitars 5. Abattoir Svend Karlsson - Guitars 6. Goregasm Simon Olsen - Vocals 7. Towers of Suffocation 8.

Purification Through Mutilation 9.

Meathook Massacre 10. Sea of Vomit

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Latest releases

Dead Sun Death Metal band from Sweden released the sixth Full-length album Night Terrors on March 16, 2021.

DEAD SUN is one of the first bands created

by Swedish mastermind Rogga Johansson ( PAG A N I Z E R , P U T R E VO R E , REVOLTING, THE G R O T E S Q U E R Y, RIBSPREADER and dozens more...) back in the year ‘96, having released 4 demos until 2005, but it wasn’t until 2013 that he released his first album,

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and since then he has released 5 albums and one EP. «Night Terrors» has been mixed and mastered by Hakan Stuvemark (WOMBBATH), and it contains some guitar solos made by himself on this album. The cover art has been done by Roberto Toderico.

Lineup Rogga Johansson - Bass, Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals Matthias Fiebig - Drums

Tracklist 1. Like Rain 2. Kingdom of the Mad 3. Night Terrors 4. Worlds 5. Nectar of the Gods 6. Vortex Dance 7. The Lunatics 8.

The Doomed

Taake /

Helheim Black Metal bands from Norway released the Split Henholdsvis on March 19, 2021.

For «Henholdsvis» TAAKE has recorded two new tracks, «Brotne Bein og Mannefall» and «Ein Baat i Foss», whose lyrics are based on poems by the famed Norwegian writer Arne Garborg (1851-1924). With these new tracks, the band has produced the kind of Black Metal fans crave - dark, cold and gritty.

HELHEIM, on the other hand, will present two covers. The first is a re-mastered version of EMPEROR’s “Heksesabbat / Witches Sabbath”, which originally appeared on the tribute album “A Tribute to Emperor – In Honour of

Icon E” in 2012, and which has now been totally remastered.

For the second of the two covers HELHEIM have chosen to go down a very interesting path by recording a very different, and original, version of “Orkan”, from TAAKE’s «Noregs Vaapen»album.

Tracklist Side A 1. Taake - Brotne Bein og Mannefall 2. Taake - Ein Baat i Foss

Side B 3. Helheim - Orkan 4. Helheim - Heksesabbat

Lineup Taake Hoest - All instruments, Vocals Helheim Hrymr - Drums, Percussion, Keyboards, Piano, Programming, Guitars (acoustic), Mouth harp, Vocals (choirs) V’gandr - Vocals, Bass H’grimnir - Vocals, Guitars (rhythm) Reichborn - Guitars (lead)

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Latest releases

Batushka Atmospheric Black Metal band from Poland released the EP Царю Небесный / Carju Niebiesnyj on March 19, 2021.

In December 2018, both Христофор and Барфоломей claimed they kicked the other one out of Batushka and are continuing the band separately. For now, there are two versions of the band: Христофор’s

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Батюшка and Барфоломей’s Batushka.

Lineup Paluch - Bass Paweł Jaroszewicz - Drums P. - Guitars) Барфоломей - Vocals Błażej Kasprzak - Vocals (backing) Jaca - Vocals (backing)

Tracklist 1. Письмо I / Pismo I 2. Письмо II/ Pismo II 3. Письмо III / Pismo III 4. Письмо IV / Pismo IV 5. Письмо V / Pismo V 6. Письмо VI / Pismo VI

Martyrium Melodic Black Metal band from Malta released the fifth Full-length album Lamia Satanica on March 19, 2021.

MartYriuM is an Extreme Metal band from Malta (EU), formed by Count Mortem in 1999 with the spawn of the second wave of Black Metal. This band is a unique blend of Black and Death Metal with a specific sound design introducing Sinister Orchestrations and Industrial Elements to the style. MartYriuM’s performances are both aggressive and theatrical, full of dark acts and occult imagery that will unleash infernal chaos from within your wretched soul.

The live shows are particular in their rituals

which can include anything from ripping pages from the Black Book of Baalzebub and spreading his plague of Darkness into the world, to calling Asmodeus while desecrating the stage with blood or graveyard dirt.

Martyrium’s new blasphemic masterpiece «Lamia Satanica», presenting to the world their new growler Sandra Misanthrope. This band is a unique blend of Black and Death Metal with a specific sound design introducing Sinister Orchestrations and Industrial Elements to the style.

Tracklist 1. Intro - In Somnium Mortuum Filii 2. Sacred Book of Baal 3. Starless Opacity 4. End of My Realm 5. Emanation of Souls 6. Curse of Salvation 7. Order of the Fly 8. A Stain on Hera’s Throne 9. Venom Divine 10.

Betrothed to Damnation Lineup Count Mortem - Guitars Úmarth - Keyboards Sandmist - Bass Sherath - Guitars Pandemonia - Vocals (backing) S a n d r a Misanthrope - Vocals Vulcanus Drums Guitars

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Latest releases

Sarkrista Black Metal band from Germany released the third Full-length album Sworn to Profound Heresy on March 21, 2021.

The band’s name «Sarkrista» comes from the German word «Sakristan» and the Latin word «Sacrista» - both of which have the meaning «church-servant» (or «verger»).

Since their fiery formation in 2011, Germany’s SARKRISTA have upheld the banner of pure ‘n’ proud black metal in a most paradigmatic

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Finnish fashion - which is not surprising, given that the band consists of transplanted Finns.

Now, together they cut their flesh for Satan with the longawaited release of Sworn to Profound Heresy. Immediately recognizable as classic, characteristic SARKRISTA, Sworn to Profound Heresy makes good on its titular promise: you can literally FEEL the band bleed through every ripping note and ripped vocal chord.

Tracklist 1. Intro 2. Sworn to Profound Heresy 3. Lair of Cursed Remains 4. Ablazing Ritual Torches 5. The Chosen Ones of Satan 6. Conjuring the Profane Fury 7. Destroyer of the Sun 8. The Beast Reborn 9. A Whisper from Forgotten Coffins

The Stone Black Metal band from Serbia released the ninth Full-length album Kosturnice on March 26, 2021.

The Stone is back with their 9th full length album «Kosturnice», 3 years after their previous album “Teatar Apsurda”.

Their new opus is a straight path towards unholy worshipping of demonic soundscapes filled with thunder roaming atmosphere.

Throat grasping, devil preaching, hateful black metal is what you can expect on «Kosturnice».

Unbelievable musicianship has been forged into this album and it’s without a doubt the band’s most outstanding output to date.

Not to forget to mention that besides «Kosturnice» is a hell of a masterpiece, the band also celebrates their 20-year anniversary under their current name “The Stone” and 25 years of existence in general.

They are without a doubt one of the leading pioneers of Eastern European Black Metal.

Tracklist 1. Pramaglina 2. Okamenjen 3. Kosturnice 4. Tremors Beneath the Ground of the Charnel House

5. Ime koje su razvejali vetrovi 6. Engulfed by the Abyss 7. Omnicid 8. Jebes pero, dodaj mac Lineup Kozeljnik - Guitars Glad - Vocals Vrag - Bass Demonetras - Guitars (rhythm) Honza Kapák - Drums

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Latest releases

Wampyric Rites Raw Black Metal band from Ecuador released the first Full-length album The Eternal Melancholy of the Wampyre on February 1, 2020.

Tracklist 1.Ancient Specters of the Forlorn Forest 2. As Light is Absorbed by Darkness 3. Tyrant’s Blood 4. The Eternal Melancholy of the Wampyre 5. Grim Funeral Inside the Dusty Dungeons of Time 6. Under an Amethyst Sky Lineup Eblis Destructor - Drums Vrolok - Guitars, Bass Strigoi - Vocals

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Ulvegr Black Metal band from Ukraine released the sixth Full-length album Isblod on February 1, 2020.

Corpse Worship Death Metal band from Russia released the first Full-length album Horror Chronicles on February 1, 2020.

Tracklist New Old School Swedish Death 1. Jotuntre Metal project from cold and dark 2. Dodt Morke Russia named Corpse Worship 3. Vargold Founded by Anatoly Chebotar (ex 4. Isblod Barbarity, Mortifer) with some 5. Dunkelstorm members (Trigger) Artem Mozhaev 6. Askevind and Ramin Dragar!

Tracklist Lineup 1. Doom Bell (First Chapter) Odalv - Drums 2. Monastery Ruins Helg - Vocals, Guitars, Bass, 3. City of Eternal Gloom Keyboards 4. Misanthropy Astargh - lead guitars (Guest) 5. Cadaver Fanaticism Recorded in Vitermusic Studio, 6. Cemetery Angel Kharkiv, Ukraine, June - September 7. Mortification 2020 8. Chorus of the Damned (Last Mixed and mastered in Vitermusic Chapter) Studio, September - October 2020.

Lineup Anatoly Chebotar - Drums Artem Mozhaev - Guitars Ramin Dragar - Vocals

Pitkan Matkan Viking Metal band from France released the second Full-length album From Despair to Rebirth on February 5, 2020.

Tracklist 1. Uudestisyntyminen 2. The Old Boozer Man 3. Stay Viking 4. Taste of Beer 5. Important Help 6. The Forest of the Ancient Druids 7. Betrayal 8. Battle Is Near 9. Magical Lake 10. Black Birds Escape 11. From Despair to Rebirth Lineup Crom - Bass Ragnar - Drums Moefletroll - Guitars Einherjar - Guitars Heimdall - Vocals

Beleriand Atmospheric Black Metal band from Norway released the second Full-length album February on February 8, 2020.

Beleriand started in 2019 as a one-man band (Víðarr - voices and music).

Project inspired by J.R.R Tolkien and beauty of the Nature’s forces.

Tracklist 1. In My Castle of Despair 2. All Hope Abandon Ye Who Enter Here 3. Black Knight of Autumn 4. Cold 5. February Funeral 6. Eyes That Fire and Sword Have Seen 7. Beyond All Towers Strong and High 8. Where Now the Horse and the Rider

Hogstul Symphonic Black Metal band from Norway released the first Full-length album Ominous Fragmenta Tuptdalr on February 12, 2020.

Hogstul is a solo project by Kjetil Ytterhus (Profane Burial).

Hogstul is a collection of memories from real life experiences transformed into music.

Tracklist 1. The Beast 2. Tomb 3. A Nightmare at 40 Fathoms Lineup Kjetil Ytterhus - Everything

Lineup Víðarr - All instruments, Vocals

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Latest releases

Tragedy in Hope Symphonic Black Metal band from Russia released the first Full-length album Sleep Paralysis on February 12, 2020.

It is the story of fighting with yourself. It’s the story about how strong you can get once you accept yourself as you are.

The story starts when the protagonist wakes up in a dream and goes to the mirror where he sees a twisted image of himself, the phantom monster of sleep paralysis.

He escapes the place, he found himself in, trying to run away from the bleak reality.

He flies among white clouds trying to find a rainbow, but falls to the ground when thunderclouds and a storm come.

Tracklist 1.Lucid Dream 2. The Celebration of Despair and Woe 3. Fighting with the Rain 4. Winter Wedding Ceremony 5. The Mistress of Dark Art 6. Nightmare Lullaby 7. Insomnious Autumnal Night 8. Sleep Paralysis

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Enemy Awake Melodic Death/Thrash Metal band from Sweden released the second Full-length album Fallen World on February 14, 2020.

Enemy Awake created in 2017 by Ivan Castro and Melinn Törne.

Now with Rebecca Holm as the new singer since July 2020.

«Fallen World» is the follow-up to their 2019 debut “The Enemy”, for which Enemy Awake reached out to legendary Tomas Skogsberg from Sunlight Studio to get the classic sound from the Swedish death metal scene.

Tracklist 1. Fallen World 2. Hate 3. Cryonation 4. The Vampire 5. The Visitor 6. Dead Soul 7. Devil Inside 8. No More Lineup Ivan - Guitars Rebecca Holm - vocals

Ancient Spheres Black Metal band from Costa Rica released the third Full-length album Prayers of the Black Flame on February 15, 2020.

The band is founded in 2010. The band was called “Ancient sphereS”, name inspired in the mystic ancient stone spheres found southern of Costa Rica.

Tracklst 1. The Burning Palace 2. Unholy Kvlt of Death 3. My Name Is Misfortune 4. Rise of the Ancient One 5. Sacrificing Myself 6. Towering of the Three Heads 7. Hall of the Illusions 8. Cruelty and Lust 9. Devotion of the Eternal Black Flame 10. Ancient Spheres Lineup Adolfo Bejarano - Guitars, Bass Christian Taylor - Vocals

Malice Divine Melodic Black/Death Metal band from Canada released the first Full-length album Malice Divine on February 19, 2021.

Toronto, Canada’s Malice Divine is a solo project contrived by Ric Galvez who had always had the dream of entire creative control.

He wanted to expand beyond being known as just as a lead guitarist. Ric Galvez has played in local bands previously and was a contestant on Banger TV’s Shredders of Metal Seasons 1 & 2.

What people can expect from seeing Malice Divine live is highly aggressive black and death metal inspired music with shreddy and virtuosic guitar solos adding a melodic layer that isn’t common in the genre.

For fans of: Dissection, Death, Immortal, Skeletonwitch, Watain, Revocation, Obscura, Wintersun, Behemoth.

Tracklist 1. Somnium Lucidus 2. Quantum Manifestation 3. Malicious Divinity 4. Triumphant Return 5. Into Subconscious Depths 6. Ancient Visions 7. In Time 8. Intuitive Realization 9. The Transcendence Of Isolation

Morte Sacra Black Metal band from Portugal released the first Full-length album Ruina Humana Pestis on February 20, 2021.

Sometimes evil grows silently and with fervour in unexpected places...

From the rural area of Alhadas (Portugal), the entity Morte Sacra has existed in one form or another already for about 20 years. Indeed a brute diamond, yet with no need of any kind of polishing whatsoever, the album “Ruina Humana Pestis” was actually recorded around 2012, under barren conditions, with no fancy equipment at hand and far away from professional studios. Another living proof that authentic Black Metal breeds perfectly in desolate milieus, where the smell of earth and burned wood intertwines with that of noxious black molds…

This timeless and fucking raw material will definitely appeal to fans of Ofermod, Watain, Nefandus, Acrimonious and REAL Black Metal in general!

Tracklist 1. Entranhas Demoniacas 2. Tempestade Sangrenta 3. Morte Sacra 4. Peste Negra 5. Phungus Aeternus 6. Arrepios Lineup Phobus Espiritus Malignus everything

Lavizan Jangal Black Metal band from Iran released the fourth Full-length album ‫و یکیرات‬ ‫ گرم‬on February 23, 2021.

Formed during the summer of 2010

by Lord Aghdas. The name Lavizan Jangal is a parody of Carpathian Forest and refers to Lavizān Forest Park (located on the outskirts of Tehran) where there are many gangs.

Tracklist 1.

Legions Heading for Eternity 2. Worshipping the Terror of Madness 3. Sepulchlar Maniac 4. Twilight of Divine Purgatory?

5. The Falling Majesty of Abomination 6. Forward to the Abyss of Misanthropy 7. The Altars Fall Lineup Leszek Makowiecki - Guitars Mścisław - Bass, Guitars Vizun - Drums Kuba Brewczyński - Vocals

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Latest releases

Xeper Black Metal band from Italy released the fourth Full-length album Ad Numen Satanae on February 26, 2021.

«Ad Numen Satanae» XEPER’s striking new and fourth full-length album full of power, grandeur & passion! XEPER was formed in 2007 in Treviso, Italy by guitarist Guh. Lu, best known as former member of international bands such as Setherial, Impiety and currently bass player in the Norwegian Black Metal band Gorgoroth.

Tracklist 1. Fiat Interitus 2. The Hidden Genesis 3. Under The Will Of Satan 4. Riding The Spiral Of Lilith 5. Purity And Death 6. Snake That Brought The Flame 7. Ad Numen Satanae

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Los Males del Mundo Black Metal band from Argentina released the first Full-length album Descent Towards Death on February 26, 2021.

Los Males Del Mundo combines today’s modern Black Metal sound and late 90’s melodic Black Metal with lyrics deeply influenced

by Friedrich Nietzsche, Emil Cioran and A. Schopenhauer.

“Descent Towards Death,” containing 5 tracks of 40 minutes length, is an invitation to a conceptual journey, dragging the listener into the darkest and remotest places of the human soul.

Tracklist 1. Falling Into Nothing 2. The Silent Agony 3. Eternal Circle Of Vain Efforts 4. Nothing But A Lie 5. The Heavy Burden

Plague Weaver Black Metal band from Canada released the first Full-length album Ascendant Blasphemy on February 26, 2021.

The band was birthed in 2018 as a solo project by RM. Joined in 2020 with the addition of new vocalist JC taking care of lyrics and vocal arrangments, Plague Weaver started its next chapter as a duo and quickly began work on creating punishing, grim, riff-driven black metal for the next assault entitled ‘Ascendant Blasphemy’.

Tracklist 1. Nothing Is Sacred 2. Lay Fire 3. Blood Runs Not 4. Seek To Betray 5. Upheaval and Arson 6. Of Quivering Doves 7. Deicidal Usurper 8. In Exitium Caeli

Vox Mortis Death Metal band from Indonesia released the first Full-length album Avignam Jagat Samagram on February 26, 2021.

Indonesian death metal Vox Mortis unleashed its debut album “Avignam Jagat Samagram” on Feb, 26th 2021. The album which means «May the universe be saved» contains 13 tracks to deliver death metal explosions that travel fast with no remorse and pity.

As they were formed, the band focused to raise awareness about animal welfare and the preservation of the environment through their album.

Tracklist 1. Sadisfaction 2. Forever No to Dog Meat 3. Avignam Jagat Samagram 4. Bayar Dendam Balas Hantam 5. Primata Durjana 6. Mati! Mati! Mati!

7. Tetes Darah Pecundang 8. Torture 365 9. Ronta Semesta 10. Di Atas Altar Tradisi 11. Friends Not Food 12.

Ode Untuk Sang Jenderal 13.

Chapel of Ghouls/ Immortal Rites (Tribute to Morbid Angel)

Verwilderd Black/Death Metal band from Belgium released the EP Homo Homini Lupus Est on February 28, 2021.

Verwilderd, the up and coming blackened death metal band from Belgium, meshes a multitude of genres together to form a cohesive and thrashing debut release. From the coldness of black metal to the hard-hitting riffs of death metal, Verwilderd alternates between rage, emotion and mere insanity from start to finish. After launching their first single ‘Eyes Sewn Shut’ in July of last year, they finally released their debut EP ‘Homo Homini Lupus Est’.

For fans of Behemoth, Belphegor, Marduk.

Tracklist 1. No Life for the Weak 2. Wolves and Thorns 3. Eyes Sewn Shut 4. Tasting the Soil 5. Hollowed Souls

Gravecarver Old-School Death Metal band from United States released the first Full-length album Spectral Carnage on March 4, 2021.

Mixed and mastered

by Dan Swanö at Unisound Studio in Örebro, Sweden.

Tracklist 1. Savagery 2. Tomb Master 3. Trench Crawler 4. Wretched 5. Decimation 6. Legion 7. Unchained 8. Aftermath 9. Morbid Dominion 10. Obscure Torture Lineup Nick Cowan - Bass Brian Miller - Drums Ryan Daily - Guitars Luis Ferre - Vocals

Lineup Bram Janssens - Bass Siebe Hermans - Drums Brent Peeters - Vocals, Guitars

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Latest releases

Κραυγή Old-school Depressive Black Metal band from Greece/Brazil released the EP Κραυγή on March 10, 2021. Κραυγή (Scream) is an international band from Brazil/Greece. It was created in the beginning of 2021, in order to create a more chaotic atmosphere and deal with lyrical theme that are rather philosophical. They examine the life as nothing more than a sin, that they usually present it as a tree.

Tracklist 1. Το Δέντρο Της Ζωής 2. Κραυγή 3. Το Θαύμα Της Ζωής 4. Το Φαράγγι Όπου Έκρυψα Την Ψυχή Μου 5. Μνήμες Lineup Enrih Strange - All instruments Grito - Vocals

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Marianas Rest Melancholic Death Metal band from Finland released the third Full-length album Fata Morgana on March 12, 2021.

Marianas Rest is a death metal band originating from Kotka, Finland. Their music comes heavy and without a hurry. The overall dark mood is topped with doom and black metal influences and finally the whole package is crusted with melancholic melodies. With Marianas Rest, it’s all about the mood.

Tracklist 1. Sacrificial 2. Glow from the Edge 3. Pointless Tale 4. The Weight 5. Horrokseen 6. Fata Morgana 7. Advent of Nihilism 8. South of Vostok

Mara Melodic Death Metal band from Sweden released the first Full-length album Djävulstoner on March 12, 2021.

Tracklist 1. The Pinetrees Wail Her Name 2.

Under a Bleeding Moon 3. Heaven Shall Burn 4. Unconquered Prince 5. Rået 6. Skärseldens Stråkar 7. Born to Die 8. Blessed Shores 9. Djävulstoner 10. Violence Is My Heir 11. Märkliga Musa Lineup Tony McWilliams - Bass Anton Holm - Guitars Dennis Olsson-Yaouzis Guitars, Vocals Erik Blechingberg - Drums

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Wesenwille Black Metal band from Netherlands released the second Full-length album II: A Material God on March 12, 2021.

II: A Material God brings a strong mix of unrelenting and dissonant black metal with ample room for groove, atmosphere and experimentation.

Compared to the debut I: Wesenwille, everything has been taken a notch further. Aggressive bursts are even more unrelenting, and atmospheric passages have been given more room to develop. With the incorporation of even more diverse musical influences, this record truly shows what Wesenwille is capable of delivering.

This time around full production was in the hands of JB van der Wal, whose signature sound is unmistakably heard on II: A Material God. Tracklist 1. The Descent 2. Opulent Black Smog 3. Burial ad Sanctos 4. Inertia 5. Ritual 6. A Material God 7. Ruin 8. The Introversion of Sacrifice

Stortregn Melodic Black/Death Metal band from Switzerland released the fifth Full-length album Impermanence on March 12, 2021.

«Störtregn» means «downpour» in Swedish.

Initially influenced by the Nordic Black Metal scene, Stortregn have expanded their vision and sound into a more contemporary era. They are greatly appreciated for their music and even more so for their live shows. With a relentless energy, they deliver a mix of charging riffs, blast beats and brutality that leaves the audience with a lasting impression and begging for more.

After many years of touring, including live appearances at Wacken (Germany) and Metal Days (Slovenia), Stortregn has become inevitable in the Blackened Death metal scene.

Melodic Death Metal band from Finland released the first Full-length album Symphony Of The Night on March 19, 2021.

Ulthima was originally formed in Monterrey Mexico in 2010. The songwriter and lead guitarist Ricardo Escobar and the bassist Antonio Valdés later moved to Finland to chase their dream of making metal music in the country where many of their musical influences came from.

Symphony of the Night is the first studio album of Ulthima and it’s a collection of songs from the 10-year history of the band. Thematically the album is rather versatile with subjects of the songs ranging from contemplating death to resisting tyranny. Even though the subjects vary, Ultima’s songs are mostly arranged in a story like format and the lyrics often contain elements from fiction and fantasy.

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Latest releases

Krabathor Death Metal band from Czechia released the seventh Full-length album Demonizer / Mortal Memories II on March 19, 2021.

Krabathor was founded by Petr «Christopher» Kryštof in 1984. The name of the band is inspired by Krabat, the main character of German fairy tale The Satanic Mill.

Tracklist 1. Intro 2. Šílenec 3. Imperátor 4. Flašinet 5. Krutý déšť 6. Poslední zvon 7. Podřezaný pes 8. Diverzní jednotka 9. Zákeřný válečník 10. Tajemství hřbitova Lineup Bruno - Bass, Vocals Petr «Christopher» Kryštof Vocals, Guitars Petr «Pegas» Hlaváč - Drums

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Demenzia Mortis Blackened Death Metal band from Belgium released the first Fulllength album Anti Kult on March 19, 2021.

The band was created in Belgium by the end of 2014 by Asmodeus (bass), who was joined by Ax Hell (drums).

Grabak Hellfire (ex-Nemesis Irae) joins the band by the end of that year, and composition starts.

Since May 2015, Naberus joins the band as vocalist.

Tracklist 1. Dies Irae 2. Code 666 3. AntiKult 4. Triste Paysage 5. Dark resolution (Legion’s march) 6. Exultation of Pain 7. Be Your Slave & Be Your Master 8. Above & Beyond 9. Tranquility And Silence 10. My Blood Runs Black 11. Blood Ritual 12. Memento Mori

Mare Cognitum Atmospheric Black Metal band from United States released the fifth Fulllength album Solar Paroxysm on March 19, 2021.

From the depths of the outer rim to solid footing of green earth, “Solar Paroxysm”, cosmic black metal entity MARE COGNITUM’s fifth album proper, finds itself moving from the impossible to the familiar. Now occupying himself with the failures of humankind over the past epoch, Jacob Buczarski’s frustrations with humankind and politics find a new voice through five aggressive, metallic songs.

Tracklist 1. Antaresian 2. Frozen Star Divinization 3. Terra Requiem 4. Luminous Accretion 5. Ataraxia Tunnels Lineup Jacob Buczarski - Everything

Hereditary Melodic Death Metal band from Germany released the second Fulllength album Disease on March 19, 2021.

Recorded and mixed by Florian Heinen in 2020.

Mastered by Dan Swanö at Unisound in 2021.

Tracklist 1. The Path 2. Obsession 3. Mistress of Murder 4. Prey 5. Tides of Blood 6. Rigor Mortis 7. Coroner Lineup Marcel Pinger - Bass Stefan Manroth - Drums Jesco Michels - Guitars Florian Heinen - Guitars Nils Raschke - Vocals

Baalberith Death/Black Metal band from Poland released the first Fulllength album Manhunt on March 25, 2021.

Tracklist 1. 22 2. I Know Your Future 3. Son of Sam 4. Your Last Step 5. Day’s Covered Eyes 6. Bones and Teeth 7. Tons of Mud Lineup Killem - Bass Silentstorm - Guitars Left - Vocals Wraith - Drums Scub - Guitars

Asenheim Black/Pagan Metal band from Germany released the sixth Full-length album Heimweh on March 27, 2021.

The ghost of war prepared himself for the next strife called «Heimweh»!

Tracklist 1. Gedanke und Erinnerung 2. Das schlafende Auge 3. Desiderium Patriae 4. Heimweh 5. Söhne des Feuers 6. Knochenpanzer 7. Des Hexenmeysters Spiegelbild Lineup Tiwaz - Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keyboards Valfor - Drums, Vocals, Keyboards

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† Hellfest † Wacken Open Air † Tuska † Brutal Assault † Summer Breeze † Rock Fest † Rock Am Ring † Rockest † Download Festival † Resurrection Fest †

Live on stage Reviews

Thanatomass, Morgenstern, Todestriebe live at Izi club, Moscow, Russia. 22 February 2021.

Review and photos by Olga Schneider

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Little by little, it gets more and more intense Metal events here in Moscow, and the end of February turned out kinda specially intense. 22.02.2021 was the evening that united three of the strongest representatives of Russian underground Black Metal. First of all, I must mention that RITUAL BOOKING agency has been working with really solid underground Black

Metal bands around the world, and they always do a truly great work, so this time wasn’t an exception.

The band that opened the festival was Thanatomass [Moscow]. Quite young band that, however, managed to release a demo in 2018 and a full-length album in 2019, nowadays these dudes have started

lots of concert activities and seems like they try to keep it as much as possible and gain their own audience, and they’re actually worthy of checking out.

Just blackers who are trying to keep closer to old school, w i t h o u t any modern influences, and it’s highly appreciated.

No special live show and stuff like that, all short and sweet.

Morgenstern from St. Petersburg continued this evening and brought some underworld, and at the same time cosmic atmosphere as soon as they took the stage. Raw riffs, screaming and howling vocals and some s y n t h elements for creating the a u t h e n t i c atmosphere.

And, finally, the headliner n a m e d Todestriebe.

The oldest and the most experienced one, active

Reviews

since 2007 and lots of experience of sharing the stage with some underground Extreme Metal titans.

They always turn their live performances into some kind of rituals, with sheep heads on stage and true blood that gets poured into the audience.

Old school on top that always turns out into a true act of madness.

Must be honest, that festival made me feel alive again, and despite the fact that the club wasn’t even adapted for such events/music and the sound was truly awful, everything passed simply brilliant. This is what I really missed during really lots of time.

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Band Links https://www.facebook.com/eoblackmetal https://espirituoculto.bandcamp.com

We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Espiritu Oculto Black Metal band from Colombia.

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Espiritu Oculto Formed in 2005, Espiritu Oculto wanted to preserve the t raditional Black Metal sound.

Later in 2006 they independently released their f i r s t 4 track EP entitled Soledad Melancolica. A few d a y s later, drummer Darkcaronte died in an accident.

This held Espiritu Oculto back for a long time.

Fans waited forever for them to return, and in 2013 they signed to Wolf Krieg Records and released a split album with Pagan Blood called Under the Light of the Dark Moon. Their sound is certainly very fast and raw and not very nice. Throughout their time they have shared the stage with such bands as Pagan Blood and Asbel.

Discography: 2006 - Soledad Melancolica (Demo) 2013 - Under the Light of the Dark Moon (Split with Pagan Blood)

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Band Links https://www.facebook.com/deadexaltation https://www.instagram.com/deadexaltation https://www.youtube.com/c/DeadExaltation

We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Dead Exaltation Technical/Progressive Death Metal band from India.

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Dead Exaltation is a technical/progressive death metal band from Pune, India. They began in 2015, drawing inspiration from a variety of bands, including Cryptopsy, Cattle Decapitation, Gorod, Spawn of Possession, and Cynic. Throughout their existence, the band has focused on creating thought-provoking, concept-based lyrics and song structures adorned with complex rhythms and melodies, as well as an old school sensibility. Over the years, despite the ups and downs, Dead Exaltation has carved up a ferocious reputation for themselves in the Indian extreme metal scene.

Lyrically the band chooses to add a bit of spice to the usual death metal fare by creating a conceptual story that continues with every song. It revolves around a psychopath warden who runs a prison holding innocent people picked up from the streets. The guards of prison are cannibal psychopaths who do not refrain themselves from torturing, killing, and eating people. Like every good tale, this story is divided into three acts: the incidents, the psychology of the warden, and an investigation leading to a brutal and bloody end of the story.

With their album Despondent, released on February 5, Dead Exaltation is all set to introduce the world to their sonic craft.

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Band Links https://www.facebook.com/anguisdei https://anguisdei.bandcamp.com https://www.instagram.com/anguisdei https://twitter.com/anguisdei

We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Anguis Dei Symphonic Black Metal band from Japan.

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Anguis Dei represents the extremity of Hellish Orchestral Black Metal, based on Satanism, Daemonology and the True Primordial Black Metal tradition.

The sect was established in MMXIV Anno Bastardi, by adapting esoteric revelations, and in order to propagate dark prophecies channeled and mediated through Satanik Evocations and Enchantments.

Anguis Dei represents rather an audible form of Black Magick for Satan and Satanists, than other flooding commercialised music products, by providing sonic separandum affecting on your stillinvisible dimension beyond the Gates and taking you on dark journeys into the malign realms of Satanik Magick.

The sect currently consists of the following: Adeptus Juno: Strings & Darkestrations Adeptus Summum Algor: Blasting Rituals Adeptus U.:È.:Œ.: : Séance & Magitation Henceforward, further Satanik Evocations and Enchantments shall be set in progress, and even-darker sonic prophecies shall be channeled and captured within the Baphomets, in the name of Satan. Agios O Satanas.

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Band Links https://www.facebook.com/Slavetosirens https://www.instagram.com/slavetosirensband https://twitter.com/sirensto

We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Slave to Sirens - Thrash/Death Metal band from Lebanon.

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Slave to Sirens formed in Lebanon when their two guitarists met at a riot in Beirut in 2015. The band quickly made headline news on the BBC of all places as being the first all female Metal band from the Middle East. They have remained unsigned since day one.

In 2018 they released their first EP entitled Terminal Leeches. Their debut got such good feedback and praise. The media were still hot on their tail looking for a story.

Their sound is very much a Death/Thrash crossover. They played Wacken twice in 2018 and again in 2019. They went on to play at Glastonbury in 2019. Not many Metal bands have made this kind of impact in such a short space of time. Slave to Sirens are now busy working on their debut album and where they go from there is anyone’s guess. Expect their new album to be huge.

Lineup Alma Doumani - Bass Tatyana Boughaba - Drums Maya S. Khairallah - Vocals Shery Bechara - Guitars (lead) Lilas Mayassi - Guitars (rhythm)

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Band Links https://www.facebook.com/StormgreyOfficial https://stormgrey.bandcamp.com

We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Stormgrey - Old School Death Metal band from Lithuania.

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STORMGREY was formed in 2011 when three ex-members of old school (90’s) Lithuanian Death Metal band DISSECTION - Raimondas Kieras (guitars), Liudas Remeika (Bass) and Laurynas Sadauskas (vocals) joined forces with Arūnas Mikolajūnas (guitars) (ex-DAHMER, ex-MISOPSYCHIA) and drummer Viktoras Mogilo-Žano. Just a few months after formation the band already has opened for VOIVOD with brand new material.

The great start was hindered by unexpected leave of Laurynas, but soon he was replaced by another character from Lithuanian scene - Rimtautas Piskarskas (ex-GROL, BURYING PLACE). With a strong line-up established the band started to write songs inspired by true spirit of old school Death/Thrash bands like SEPULTURA (old), OBITUARY, NAPALM DEATH (Death Metal period), DEATH (old), BENEDICTION, POSSESSED and SLAYER. Frequently playing local gigs STORMGREY soon established a rabid fanbase and honed 10 songs. Those were recorded in Muzlab studio (Vilnius), mixed and mastered by Dan Swano (Unisound) and became the debut album «Pray.Crawl.Suffer». Upon it’s release by Vic Records in September 2015 the band played a couple gigs in Holland with DEAD END. The album got great reviews from the media and fans were headbanging like crazy.

Now with the most solid line up of their existence in the span of one year STORGMGREY has hammered down 9 brand new tracks brimming with much more brutal and angrier approach. The 2nd album is called «DNA of Chaos» and is a killer soundtrack for the currently fucked up world performed in the true form of old school Death Metal by the longest survining Lithuanian Death Metal players from the 90’s scene.

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Band Link https://fovitron.com https://www.facebook.com/fovitron https://www.instagram.com/fovitron.official

We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Fovitron Symphonic Black/Death Metal band from Greece.

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Formed by Fovitrus on guitars, Nuntius Mortis (ex-Typh??) on vocals and Sovereign on bass in 2014.

Magni (ex-Silent Winter) on keyboards joined a few months later in early 2015 as a main full-time member and with the help of Yngve (drums) as a session drummer they recorded their first e.p. titled «Fovitron» in April 2016.

Damien (Inner Fear project, Funeral Storm) on drums joined as a full-time member late 2017 and the band started performing live in Athens.

The main influences of the band include Bal Sagoth, Dark Funeral, Cradle of Filth, Septic Flesh, Limbonic Art, Dark Lunacy, and many more.

During August 2019 - January 2020 they recorded, mixed, and produced their first full-length album at Made in Hell studios.

The album is titled «Altar of Whispers» and the artwork was made

by Ioanna Athanasopoulou.

The band signed a contract with Alcyone records and the album was released on the 15th of April 2020.

Line up: Nuntius mortis - vocals Fovitrus - guitars Sovereign - bass Magni - symphonic atmospheric keys Damien - drums & percussions

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Band Link https://www.facebook.com/Ischemic https://ischemic.bandcamp.com https://www.instagram.com/ischemiccanada

We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Ischemic - Black/ Death Metal Band from Canada.

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Ischemic formed in 2012 through the unholy power of Kijiji, where both Isabelle Tazbir (vocals/lyrics) and Adam Korchok (guitar) were searching for fellow ghouls to play some sort of doomy, monolithic Death metal. They linked up and began to pull together people from their respective friend groups to play in the band. It wasn’t long before the lineup was solidified and Ischemic could begin churning out filthy, crushing metal from the void.

Ischemic works collaboratively, riff skeletons are brought to the rest of the members, then cursed with flesh. This cohesiveness has resulted in 4 recordings: “Frigid Descent” (2013); “All Paths Lead Nowhere” (2016); “Stagnation & Woe” (2018); and “Ischemic” (2021). The earlier records resonate with filthy, hellish, death/doom sounds that give way to experimentations in melodic black metal with “Stagnation & Woe”, and a revisit to the past in the most recent album.

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Band Links https://www.facebook.com/blessedbyperversion https://blessedbyperversion.bandcamp.com https://www.instagram.com/blessedbyperversion

We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Blessed by Perversion - Death Metal band from Greece.

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Blessed By Perversion was created in mid 2010 inspired by death metal and extreme music. The band independently released their first EP called «Destroy the Image of God», in 2012. After many gigs and the addition of a new member, Blessed By Perversion was ready to record their first full length album «Between Roots and Darkness», which is an old school feeling death metal album with a lot of melodic parts. The album was released in 2016 via «Razed Soul Productions» and received great reviews from metal sites and magazines from around the world. With a new drummer and with more consistency than ever, Blessed By Perversion released i n December 2020 their second complete studio album called «Remnants of Existence» via the Mexican label «Iron, Blood and Death Corporation». Faithfull to their original sound, the band delivers a heavier and more mature work with great potential for the future.

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Band Link https://www.facebook.com/spellofdarkofficial https://spellofdark.bandcamp.com https://www.instagram.com/spell_of_dark_official https://open.spotify.com/artist/2z9kPeiIogJla9xZPoQqFO

We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Spell Of Dark - Atmospheric Black Metal band from Russia.

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Spell Of Dark was born December night in 2009 as the music of winter and loneliness. After a long search for like-minded people, failures in joint rehearsals and recordings, V T came to the conclusion that he would not have any composition. Increasingly inspired by the activities of Burzum, Bathory, Ildjarn, V T realized that the most comfortable and productive for him is to do everything himself.

Egor Letov also played a small role in this (when he recorded albums alone).

Thus, V T got ahead of the direction of the project as one-man band.

After a long search and experiments with sound, V T realized that he was most able to express emotions, feelings, thoughts precisely through Atmospheric Black Metal.

The first Full-length album «Black Sorrow» was released in 2014.

The second album «Ashes Of Forgotten Dreams» released in 2015.

The third Full-length album «The Vastness» released in 2019. And this year the band released the fourth album «Ghost From the Past» (released on February 26th, 2021).

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https://www.facebook.com/ablazemysorrowswe

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Review by Olga Schneider Ablaze My Sorrow - Among Ashes and Monoliths.

Ablaze My Sorrow is one of those Swedish Melodic Death Metal bands which has been on board since 90s when this genre was so actively developing, so it’s not surprising that on their new album named Among Ashes and Monoliths you can notice strong influence of this period.

Actually you won’t find anything specially new in the

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sound, it’s just the classic Gothenburg sound, these are the same cold and melodic riffs which sound like a hit in your face in combination with almost hysterical extreme vocals. Most of tracks are brief and brutal, you listen to them simply in one breath and kinda recall old At The Gates, D a r k

Tranquillity etc.

From time to time, this hurricane pace slows down what creates more sedative effect and strong contrast to the main mood so to say, and sometimes you can hear some clean vocals, but I’d rather say they just emphasize the strength of the main pace and extreme vocals even more.

On some tracks you can also find some modern influences, but in general this album is a great reason for some nostalgia for experienced MDM fans... What is always great, in my opinion.

https://www.facebook.com/anguisdei

Anguis Dei - Angeist.

Japanese Black Metal is definitely the easiest kind of Black Metal to get into. This album starts off very much like Arcturus before the Black Metal kicks in properly. Sometimes these guys remind me of Absu while at other times it’s very much like Bishop of Hexen.

Maybe more arty than Absu. The influence of Arcturus is very obvious with this band. Fellow Japanese Black Metal bands like Sigh, Gallhammer, Tyrant and Reek of Unzen Gas Fumes will be proud to have these guys among t h e m .

It’s very good. The blast beats create a good energy, and the weirdness is almost always great. Having followed the Japanese scene for a while, I’m surprised I never came across this band

Review by Andrew Stanton before. But now I have, I’m glad I found them. If you love Sigh, you will love this band. I wouldn’t really call it ‘symphonic’, but you will hear elements of it on here.

Unlike

C a r a c h Angren, Anguis Dei are definitely a Metal band first. Not as much messing

about as Carach Angren.

The deep growled parts are awesome on this. The opera parts would have been better without the screams. Perhaps the only real fault here.

It’s all very theatrical.

By and large, this is a very entertaining album.

They seem to concentrate on the entertaining part of the album. I love it.

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https://www.facebook.com/deadexaltation

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Review by Andrew Stanton Dead Exaltation Despondent Very cool. Very much the Indian Deicide. It’s very much just Death Metal.

They haven’t bothered with any ethnic influences.

As soon as it started it reminded me of Deicide, Massacre, Incantation and Morbid Angel.

This band have been around since 2015 and this is their first album. Who knows what they were up to. The musicianship is mostly great

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with good songs. Good growls.

According to my resources, this is a gore band, but nothing obvious. Nothing I can work out. It is all in English though.

About half way through the album we are treated to a beautiful little guitar piece, just

randomly placed at the end of the song ‘The Psychology’.

Not exactly sure why, but it’s very nice. Once the song finishes, it’s straight back to normal. I actually know quite a few Indian bands, and they have mostly been really good.

Maybe Tetragrammacide was too heavy for me, but I’m glad they exist. It’s one Metal scene I’m surprised isn’t bigger. This album mostly stays good.

It never gets too extreme, it just stays enjoyable and I really like it.

Review by Olga Schneider N o modern tendencies, the whole album sounds more as some kind of Death’n’Roll.

Really tight riffs and moderate, sometimes even slow pace are constantly reminding of old school Death Metal.

And most of all I’d like to concentrate the attention on the vocals.

It’s female growl voice which doesn’t even

sound like female one.

It’s really smooth and guttural at the same time, what actually makes this old school atmosphere even stronger.

Unfortunately we don’t know that much about the band, but anyway, we wish these guys good luck and hope they’re going to develop their g r e a t potential.

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https://www.facebook.com/Enemyawakesweden

Enemy Awake is a Melodic Death Metal band from Sweden.

A really young one, formed in Stockholm in 2017 and consisting of two members, but they already seem to be really active, and in February 2021, they released their new full-length album which is the second one for all the time of their existence/ activity.

The album is named Fallen World.

Honestly, before checking out the band, I was a bit skeptical, cause all of you know what means a new Melodic Death Metal band nowadays. But even after checking out the single named The Vampire, I realized that my skepticism was in vain and I was completely w r o n d in this case!

https://www.facebook.com/THRONKvlt

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Review by Andrew Stanton Thron - Pilgrim Some very enjoyable, easy to get into Black Metal from Germany. You really can’t go wrong. Sometimes I hear a bit of deep space ambient stuff. Very melodic and just great songs. Almost like the ‘Black’ version of In Flames.

Even though it’s all in English, I’m not really sure what these songs are about. Already this year I have reviewed some pretty amazing and perfect albums. This is another one. It’s not intense energy like Emperor or Mayhem,

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you can sit back and relax to this one. It’s all very good. As far as Black Metal goes, they don’t really remind me of anyone. But definitely a darker version of In Flames or Instorm. I love this album. I’m not really

finding

a

lot of faults

here. If you wanna step into Black Metal waters, this is a perfect place to start. Germany has been quite a successful country as far as Black Metal goes. It’s very much Emperor meets In Flames. The album goes on a bit as just shy of an hour, but the songs aren’t boring. And It’s a lot of fun. It’s not just senseless noise. They have really taken the time to write some good songs for you.

Just buy it.

music is very beautiful.

Review by Andrew Stanton The Greek Black Metal scene has always remained g o o d . The blast b e a t s v e r y important to the c r e a t e s o m e g r e a t world. energy and a With pioneers such as lot of t h e Rotting Christ, Astarte and Septic Flesh, Caedes Cruenta are another good addition. I wouldn’t exactly call it ‘easy to listen to’ Black Metal, but it’s definitely not shit by any means.

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https://www.facebook.com/Caedes-Cruenta-112443672198855

Caedes Cruenta - Of Ritual Necrophagia and Mysterious Ghoul Cults.

Even though this is good and interesting, the songs go on a bit.

The shortest song is just over 5 minutes.

But the sound is okay.

A lot of different sounds come through, especially with the vocal ranges. Sometimes it’s like Absu, Inquisition, Sigh, Carcass, Six Feet Under, Emperor. My main issue is their need to drag songs out. I think this is all in English, but I have no idea what any of this is about. Some of this I love to bits, but I still crave shorter songs. They get quite experimental at times that we can all appreciate. Even though it’s long (just over an hour), it never gets boring. It stays very

https://www.facebook.com/Feskarn-Official-229312910457661

Review by Andrew Stanton Feskarn - Ravens Way. Sweden’s Feskarn is certainly very talented.

This is some very melodic Viking Metal with some fairly unusual parts. It never really reminds me of Enslaved or Ensiferum, it’s very much its own thing.

The more I listen

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the more I find it very hard to believe it’s just one person. It’s very, very impressive.

All kinds of instruments and vocal ranges on here. The songs are never completely extreme, but just enjoyable.

S ome

of the music reminds me of Ko r p i k l a a n i , but with Ensiferum growls. I think the little jingles here and there and the throat singing will make this very much an album you either love or hate. Fans of Folk Metal in general will probably love this.

Pretty much toe tapping anthems with some very relaxing parts.

If you’re looking for something just crazy, over the top, don’t even bother with this one. But if you want just good songs, it’s fairly perfect.

If you’re a Folk Metal fan who hates this, I would be very confused. It’s Folk Metal/Black Folk with all the trademarks.

Personally I think it’s great.

https://www.facebook.com/Ulvegr

Ulvegr Isblod.

Some fairly ordinary Raw Black Metal from the Ukraine. The blast beats start and don’t bother stopping.

The growls are okay. The energy keeps up for the most part, but faster vocals would have been better. At times they remind me of Endezzma, but definitely not as good. But what do I know? I couldn’t even guess what these songs are about, nor tell the language. When my editor first sent me this, I actually thought it was Ulver.

The songs here range from 2 minutes to 8 minutes. One thing this does have going for it is it’s length. Even with an 8 minute track, the entire album is only 29

It’s not terrible. I probably will never listen to it again after today, but it’s c o o l to hear it once. It’s mostly not my thing or at least not fast enough for me, but it’s okay. There are so many albums worse than this (I probably own a few). They need to experiment a bit more I think.

Review by Andrew Stanton minutes. So it quickly passes.

The songs just get on with it. The album finishes with a

strangely eerie instrumental song (best part of the album as far as I’m concerned).

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https://www.facebook.com/malicedivineband

Review by Andrew Stanton Malice Divine Malice Divine.

Some quite long songs on this one. This is the debut album from Ric Galvez (ex-Astaroth Incarnate). My main issue so far is it’s length, but it’s not bad. The energy and blast beats are quite good. Some of the melodic guitars get quite uplifting at times.

At certain moments it

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starts to remind me of other bands, but not for long. It quickly goes back to doing its own thing. It’s quite an easy listen for the Black Metal beginners.

Thanks to Spectral Wound, Canadian Black Metal started to get a bit of respect a few years ago, but quickly became forgotten again. The Canadian Black Metal scene needs more great bands to stop people forgetting about

its scene. The Canadian Black Metal scene has never had it easy from the critics.

This album is absolutely not shit, but it doesn’t half go on. Needs shorter songs next time. The songs range from about 5 minutes way up to 9.46 minutes (yes, 9.46). Some people get the idea this is very normal for this genre, but it shouldn’t be. Let’s be honest, would people hate this if it had little 2 and 3 minute songs? I know I wouldn’t. But as I said, this isn’t all bad. I actually quite like it. Many will be put off by its epicness, but it’s okay.

no idea what any of these songs are about, but who cares?

J u s t enjoy it. I know it’s only March, but this is already one of the best Death Metal releases of the year. For genuine Metalheads, this is impossible to hate. I loved it and so will you.

Start the year on a high note. Awesome.

Review by Andrew Stanton Basically, just not long enough to ever get dull.

It’s pretty perfect. The album actually finished while I’m still typing.

I have

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https://www.facebook.com/Proudhon-102374505259785

Proudhon The Damaged Bodies.

My first time hearing some old school Death Metal from France.

My first impression is it’s like a kind of cross between Morbid Angel and Cancer.

Very good, very cool, very short songs.

Just done properly.

From what I can work out, there seems to be a few different languages on this (including English). I’m about halfway through and I’m not bored yet. If anyone is old enough to remember a band called Warp Spasm, they sound similar to them. I think it’s the shortness of the songs that make this EP. We’re talking around the 1 minute range.

https://www.facebook.com/Masochist-Death-Metal-1596177017192495

Review by Andrew Stanton Masochist - Chaos of Possession.

Some super deep growls here. This is a reissue EP that came out back in 2019.

The sound is very good.

Good rhythm guitars and blast beats.

Sometimes they remind me of Deicide, a little bit.

The energy is very good on this

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album. Featuring exmembers of Decay and Stormfront. Definitely not boring. Very old school and very cool.

No idea what the songs are about and I can’t make out a single

word, but I love it anyway.

I love the growls in this.

It’s mostly just good fun (sort of ).

I have to admit, I don’t actually remember this being released in 2019, but I clearly missed out. But to be fair, there’s a lot of bands in America called Masochist, so they’re maybe easy to miss.

But definitely worth making the effort to find. Another great Death Metal EP released this month.

If like me, you have been listening to Death Metal noise forever and never got bored of it, this is an EP for you. It’s short, it’s got great energy, the growls are almost as deep as Six Feet Under, it’s very brutal, just proper Metal really.

https://www.facebook.com/gorrbm

Gorr - Kvit som snoen, kald i blikket.

Some quite slow Black Metal here.

No real clue of what any of this is about, and no real information about this band.

Way too slow for me personally.

At times it reminds me of Gehenna’s First Spell without the ambience.

The album falls short; just under 30 minutes. I hate it personally, but you can make your own minds up. The album just fails completely, even at just 25 minutes. Faster songs are seriously needed here. I just find it dull (not DSBM).

From what I can work out (and i t ’s very little), this is one of the international bands. With b a n d members coming from all corners of the globe

Review by Andrew Stanton (well, America and Norway anyway). Not a single word i n

E n g l i s h . Boring Metal is a mistake I’m surprised so

many bands keep making.

When they’re recording this in the studio, they must know it’s dull and needs to be faster. Bear in mind, they’re catering for Metalheads here. At 25 minutes I still think it’s too long. A complete lack of energy. I’m not really sure what kind of fan base these guys have, but if it’s big I would be shocked.

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https://www.facebook.com/LosMalesDelMundo

Review by Andrew Stanton Los Males del Mundo Descent Towards Death.

Some truly epic Black Metal from Argentina. Epic, epic and then more endless songs.

Wouldn’t bother me so much if the songs were much faster, but they’re not. The album just goes on and on and on. It’s like they don’t know when to stop. Opening with a 12 minute song (and actually seeming like 12 minutes).

If the vocals were faster, with faster guitars and blast beats, I don’t think I would

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really complain at all. Even though it’s only 5 songs, it very quickly outstays its welcome. Just endless.

The vocals remain pretty much mid to slow screams. The song ‘Eternal Circle of Vain Efforts’ has a very beautiful guitar solo. Not only endless, but way too laid back.

Of course, epic songs doesn’t bother everyone, and by all

means, buy it if I’m making this sound good to you. If you’re gonna be truly epic, do it with faster everything.

As someone who follows the South American Metal scene very closely, I’m just disappointed. My main issue is just the whole album.

Just dragging on and hoping listeners won’t get bored.

Well good luck with that. I always try to be very open minded about the albums I’m given to review, and more especially Latin American bands. But if you want my advice, either cut your songs down to just 2 minutes or speed everything up.

https://www.facebook.com/einherjerofficial

Einherjer - North Star. ​I’m always excited when asked to review a Black Folk album.

Especially an old band that I’ve never heard of before.

Good songs on this one, but should be to be expected. How many bad Black Folk albums have you heard? My first time hearing this and I’m already singing along to it. They really have taken the effort to write some great songs here. Very entertaining.

Instead of crazy energy, they have chosen to write big anthems ( and done it well ). Definitely more Ensiferum than Enslaved. Not a very heavy album, but so what? Some nice guitar work on this. I’m about halfway through it now and no bad songs so far.

Mostly all growled.

I love this band ( or

Review by Andrew Stanton this album at least ).

Definitely gonna listen to their older albums soon.

They have really relied on their ability to write good songs, and that’s rare in modern Metal. If

it. If you’re one of those people who hates Black Metal with a passion, this band might very quickly change your mind about it. Einherjer fucking rule and you deserve to hear them… Buy it now.

you’re like me you love this genre, you WILL love

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https://www.facebook.com/zaratusblackmetal

Review by Andrew Stanton Zaratus - In the Days of Whore.

Some fairly posh Metal here.

A kind of cross between Symphonic Black Metal and Blackened Death Metal. Even though the songs go on a bit, it’s not boring. Good energy.

Great bass lines on this one.

The vocals have all the Black Metal trademarks, but some Death Metalheads might find it enjoyable as well.

A Greek band that I have never heard of, who released a short EP a few years ago.

This is their first

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full-length release. The songs do get a bit epic at times, but it’s a cool listen. Not really sure about lyrics or themes, but I am a bit of a retard at times. But it does appear to be all in English. No idea what the cover is of; a sort of dead woman lying next to a dead bull.

Who knows what it means, b u t as I

said, I am a retard to be fair.

They don’t remind me of one single band, but if I was to pick out sounds, I would list a lot.

Apparently this band is just two guys. One singing and the other playing all the instruments, so it’s very impressive if I’m to give it respect where due. All the instruments are played very well.

Some people say Greece comes in second after Norway, I disagree personally, but I do like some Greek Black Metal. Very, very cool and fun.

Review by Andrew Stanton fans WILL love it. But it’s definitely all Black Metal and nothing else. It’s a hard sound not to quickly get into. A lot of these songs sort of sound the same, but I am enjoying t h i s

album. Mostly just for it’s spookiness I think. The spookiness IS the album.

There’s not much else. Like Carach Angren without the stupid parts. Relaxing Black Metal doesn’t seem to be a thing, but trust me, get this and Gehenna’s First Spell and you will be happy (sort of). Most of the guitars and drums all seem alike here, but it is good. Let’s all hail Russian ghostly Black Metal.

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https://www.facebook.com/spellofdarkofficial

Spell of Dark - Ghost from the Past.

Some quite spooky, ghostly Black Metal from Russia.

This tends to be something Russia is quite good at. The sound is almost like the early years of Norway’s Gehenna.

It sounds almost lost between DSBM and Post Black Metal and something else. Very atmospheric, quite relaxing and I would say quite an easy listen. All in English and tends to go on a bit, but it’s worth it. The songs range from around 6 and 7 minutes, but the ghostliness makes it very enjoyable. Almost like a whispered growl. Some Doom and Goth heads would love this.

Undersmile

https://www.facebook.com/MORKOFFICIAL

The fifth full-length album by the Norwegian Black Metal band Mork was released in March 2021. The band has been keeping really active lately, and especially last year since all this shit with the pandemy started. As some of you remember, we recently had an interview with the dudes, and now we discovered that the new album had been presented in the online concert format, and we simply couldn’t ignore that.

Actually the online stream format will never be even close to live shows. Its only difference from just watching youtube is the fact that everything’s happening right at the moment while you’re watching, and no, it doesn’t create any presence effect (as many people tell about it). And - no, that’s not anything bad to say about musicians who use this format, especially making it free for their audience. This is all about the fact that this absolutely useless lockdown is simply depriving us of the opportunity to get lots of REAL experiences which are always priceless.

As for the album itself, Mork are just keeping what they are and developing their own traditions. The sound is a little bit «polished», the

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Review by Olga Schneider band isn’t even trying to sound raw or stuff like that, but it still has the elements of classical Black Metal, we can feel a really strong influence of old Norwegian Black Metal. It sounds majestically cold, we can even hear some clean vocal parts on the album.

Of course that’s a

question to discuss,

and some part of the audience will like it, while the other one will say it’s breaking all the traditions and stuff. But there’s no point in judging about some tendencies «in general», it always depends on the case, we always need to check out.

Also a massive respect for the lyrics made in Norwegian. We can’t deny the fact that less popular languages always make the atmosphere special.

And actually, knowing that such bands still exist, there is a hope that all these good old Extreme Metal traditions won’t go downhill in the near future.

The Stone - Kosturnice.

The Stone is a Black Metal band founded in 1996 in Belgrade, Serbia. These dudes have already been mentioned in our edition and took part in one of the first issues, and now they have returned with their new full-length album named Kosturnice, just as lots of bands nowadays.

One of the most special moments of the whole creation is the fact that

the biggest part of the lyrics is made in Serbian. As for a listener that speaks a slavic language as well, that really sounds a bit special, cause it feels like I understand everything, but at the same moment like I understand nothing. That’s really stange and hard to describe, but there’s something really charming in that. For European listeners as well I guess, cause the fact that you understand nothing in fact makes the music the only thing able to convey everything the authors

wanted to tell.

As for the music part, in general it sounds like traditional Black Metal, the dudes are simply keeping who they are and staying loyal to their style. The same intense guitar riffs, the same anti-life moods and cold atmosphere. The typical good old hectic drumming and vocals without any excesses that feels like cold wind... Moderation and cold severity - this is how I can describe the whole album.

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https://www.facebook.com/thestonehorde

Review by Olga Schneider

https://rjdeadsun.bandcamp.com/releases

Review by Andrew Stanton Dead Sun - Night Terrors.

Sweden has become very successful with its Death Metal, and Dead Sun are another great band.

Very hard not to love. Some old school Death Metal with deep growled vocals. What more do you want?

This is a two piece band, but Rogga Johannsen holds a lot of the cards. The

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songs remain short (or short enough). It’s all very perfectly done.

Every time he sings

I’m reminded of some horrible gutter growl bands. The energy stays

good, but some of the guitar solos get a bit slow and melodic.

I absolutely love it.

Even though it’s all in English, I have no idea what it’s about.

Doesn’t seem to be Satanic or gorebased. They have been around since 1997 apparently.

I’m not sure how I missed them. To a Death Metal fan my age, this is pretty faultless. The songs remain very simple.

They never try to be clever (not on this album at least). I will never know how many albums I have sold through my reviews, but I like to think it’s millions. Just buy it, stop deciding and do it.

https://www.facebook.com/xeperofficial

Xeper - Ad N u m e n Satanae.

From Italy. I might call it old school Satanic Black Metal. Some of the clean vocals parts are a bit weird (or weird to me at least). Fairly ordinary really. A bit like Satanic Warmaster.

I wouldn’t exactly call it amazing, but it’s short which I like. ‘Riding the Spiral of Lilith’ goes on a bit at 9.30 minutes, but the rest stays short. I will say it’s an album only for the Black Metalheads.

Some great drum lines on this album.

According to my sources, this is a Norwegian band who moved to Italy. It’s all in English from what I can tell. Definitely not an easy listen.

Review by Andrew Stanton Some of this I really like, but they definitely don’t like to experiment. It is very much just a Black Metal album. If I had more time to hear it a few times I might even change my mind about it.

It definitely borderlines on Raw Black Metal, it might even be Raw Black Metal to your ears.

Some of it reminds me of early Burzum. If you’re

a fan of Raw Black Metal, you probably can’t go wrong. If you hate Black Metal, you WILL hate this. This will do nothing to change your mind.

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https://www.facebook.com/DemenziaMortis

far. The energy is very good on Review by Andrew Stanton the parts where the album kicks off and it’s quite often. The blast beats Demenzia Mortis - Anti done well. They remind me of are good, but not constant. As a lot of different bands, in a I said earlier, the songs speed Kult.

Pretty much, just more few different genres - Carcass, up and slow down. But the awesome Metal from Belphegor, Exodus, Morbid slow parts are still good. Maybe Belgium. Very fast, quick Angel, Frightmare. Apparently without the slower parts, the album would just blow up and vicious vocals. into chaos. Who knows? I None of this slow, don’t know what they put in angry shit that passes the water in Belgium, but for Metal these days.

I think I need to find out.

Very brutal Blackened All in all, it’s pretty amazing. I Death Metal. I’m not really would be nitpicking to find a finding a lot of faults here. lot of faults, so I won’t bother.

The songs stay around it’s Satanic, but the 4 and 5 minute mark.

All in English ( I think ). we’ll just have to take their The songs seem to speed word for it, because I haven’t up and slow down, but it’s understood a single word so

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called this ‘perfect’.

Definitely a band Review by Andrew Stanton that I’m dying to hear their next offering. Since I’ve But even with epic songs, I’m been working for not finding it dull at all. The Inside the Darkness, this songs aren’t exactly easy to has been only the second get into, not exactly simple Belgium album I have been songwriting. It probably all asked to review, and I loved depends on whether you can them both. It’s definitely a appreciate these deep growls Metal scene I need to pay (which I love). The songs are more attention to and so slowish. Not trailblazing, do you really. Pretty much but as I said easier, it does awesome. have a doomy sound. With shorter songs I might have

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https://www.facebook.com/VERWILDERDMUSIC

Verwilderd Homo Homini Lupus Est. Some Blackened Death Metal from Belgium. Way too epic for my liking, but it is good though. Good, deep growled vocals.

Almost like Bolt Thrower goes Black Metal.

It often has a bit of a doomy feel to it.

But way too epic as I said. It’s all in English, but without a lyric sheet I can’t really comment.

I have to admit, I’m not exactly educated with Belgium Metal, but listening to this, I want to start being. This is their debut album. They released two singles previously and they both appear on this. It’s a hard album to fault other than the length of its songs.

https://www.facebook.com/saprobiontic

Saprobiontic - Apocalyptic Retribution.

The album starts off with a short instrumental song before it begins properly.

Some fairly horrible Death Metal from Germany. The growls are very deep and mid paced.

Very much in the style of Incantation. A bit faster than Bolt Thrower. According to Metal Archives, this band has quite a vast array of topics. Kind of just everything ( or everything horrible anyway ). This is a twopiece band, even though the picture shows three

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Review by Andrew Stanton people. I’m guessing I was given some wrong information, but I will carry on anyway. The blast beats don’t half explode at times on this album. Even though I’m enjoying this album, I feel it needs more added into it. Maybe a second singer with a different style. It would stop the sound getting stale, but it’s not crap. It just has the sound that stays

similar, but it’s okay. It’s an album for the Death Metalhead. I think other people might not be allowed to buy this. At 44 minutes, I do wish they added another singer.

The blast beats and the rhythm guitar are what keeps this album together in my opinion. By and large, it’s a horrible album for horrible people ( no offence ).

Coming up to the last two tracks, it’s still horrible really.

They haven’t felt the need to change anything yet. It’s pretty much just ‘roar, rooooaaaaar, roooooaaaar’. That’s kind of it really. If that sounds like your cup of tea then buy it.

Vox Mortis - Avignam Jagat Samagram.

Some animal rights rebellion from Indonesia. This is quite energetic Death Metal with good growls. The songs remain short, around the 4 minute mark. Not much in English here, but the odd track. But you get their message. Their sound reminds me of a lot of different bands Deicide, Carcass, Incantation, Infiltration, Reek of

Unzen Gas Fumes, Napalm Death. It almost sounds like a cross between old school and Slam if that makes sense. This is a new band and they’re very good. I think the shortness of the songs that makes this great. They don’t drag stuff out. As far as I’m aware, there is only one subject of matter here. But that’s fine, and I doubt anyone will complain. I have to admit, I don’t know much about Indonesia nor it’s Metal scene, but I know great Metal when I hear it

(or at least I like to think I do). Maybe I’m being a bit biased to it’s topic, but I don’t really care if I’m honest. This is one band I hope releases a second album and a third album, and I hope they become HUGE. To the right sort of listener, it’s impossible not to love. And luckily enough, they asked me to review it and I’m saying ‘buy it’.

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https://www.facebook.com/voxmortis.id

Review by Andrew Stanton

Upcoming albums

Comprised of eleven tracks, Violence Unimagined is state of the art death metal played with passion and breathless precision, making for another flawless addition to what is inarguably one of the premier catalogues the genre has thrown up.

While they continue to do what they do with aplomb, the one substantial change to Cannibal Corpse is the addition of guitarist Erik Rutan to their ranks, joining Webster, founding drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz, guitarist Rob Barrett and vocalist George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher.

Already well known for the level of extreme technicality they bring to every record, on Violence Unimagined, Cannibal Corpse have further upped their game, particularly in Mazurkiewicz’s drumming.

«Violence Unimagined» will be released on April 16, 2021.

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Old Forest return in 2021 with their 6th full-length album Mournfall.

Mournfall continues the path forged on their last opus by further developing their own individual mix of early 90s style Black Metal with epic Doom riffs.

Owing as much to the early works of Paradise Lost or Candlemass as to that of Emperor or Darkthrone, the resulting epicly mournful and ambient take on Black Metal is perhaps not unsurprising.

Accompanied by melancholic lyrics weaving tales of misery and woe, it is perhaps not to be understated how dark the 8 songs can get over the 41 minutes.

Additional bonus CD material is taken from the minidisc master of 2001’s unreleased demo Sussex Hell Hound.

In 2021, the band release their new album ‘Mournfall’, which further explores the mixing of Early 90s Black Metal and Early 90s Doom.

Mournfall will be released on April 23, 2021.

From its tumultuous inception, the Norwegian metal scene has always been about pioneering. While embracing the illustrious black metal history as part of their musical heritage, the many iconic bands have now evolved in various directions.

Leading the black ‘n roll movement in Norway, VREID are the perfect example of that. The band arose in 2004 from the ashes of WINDIR after the tragic perishing of Terje ‘Valfar’ Bakken. The Sognametal legends declared the mission of exploring new musical paths, which they have pushed to even greater heights on their new record ‘Wild North West’. The ninth record is not just a collection of songs, but a concept album that developed alongside an entire movie. Throughout eight chapters you will be taken on a journey deep into the mountains, to a dark place where the borders between reality and fantasy fade and where death is only one step behind you: The Wild North West.

In 2021, VREID will once more invite the fans to their dark, cold, and wild universe but tread carefully as from these haunted mountains, no man can descend. Welcome to the Wild North West.

Wild North West will be released on April 30th, 2021.

Black metal agitators Nordjevel will return with a new EP this year entitled Fenriir.

“Fenriir” is an EP that shows all sides of Nordjevel, from the very beginning, right up to where band are now. Nordjevel had a few extra tracks which they decided early on in the recording process didn`t fit our upcoming album, so the band decided to include two tracks, the title track “Fenriir”, along with “Rovdyr”, and make them exclusively available for this EP. Tracklist 1. Fenriir 2. Gnawing the Bones 3. Rovdyr 4. Fallen Angel (Possessed cover) 5. Det Ror og Ror (Live at Brutal Assault 2019) Lineup DezeptiCunt - Bass Doedsadmiral - Vocals Dominator - Drums Destructhor - Guitars Valla - Guitars EP «Fenriir» will be released on May 7, 2021.

A new era, the third if you’d like, is here. Ten years ago, Djevel burst into the Black Metal scene with the debut «Dodssanger». With a fierce, raw energy and a breathtaking, ominous melodic touch, the trademark sound of the band had been placed. Now ten years into the story, the band have kept the sound and spirit, but evolved through three stages of new musicians being added to the signature riffs of main composer Ciekals, developing the music to new heights, while still maintaining the sonic outlet that identifies Djevel.So here we enter the third era, where Ciekals and Faust (exEmperor, Blood Tsunami) have been joined by new vocalist/bassist Kvitrim (Vemod). This new constellation of the band have built the bands 7th album «Tanker Som Rir Natten», an album surpassing all what they’ve done before, and opening some new ideas within both production and composition.

The raw feeling is still intact, and the acoustic elements have returned. But the eerie, haunting atmosphere have grown stronger, making it the most varied output from the band thus far.

“Tanker som rir natten” will be available worldwide on May 14 2021.

On the threshold of the coming Ragnarok, Graveland comes to you armed with a new full-length album, with music that was created from the ashes of past battles.

The new songs that revived like a phoenix from legends and myths and the most epic Graveland works such as «Thousand Swords» are a continuation of this style of the band. Epic Pagan Metal!

Here’s the music to prepare you for Ragnarok! Music from the beginning of the history of Graveland, when it was recorded in a full line-up!

A sword, arrow and spear held in a strong hand, hardened in sweat, blood and battle. “Hour of Ragnarok” was forged by a threeperson line-up.

It took a long time to compose and record the symphonic back tracks that makes up the epic background in music. This is a development of an idea that you could have already heared on the album «1050 Years of Pagan Cult».

Hour of Ragnarok will be released on Spring – Summer 2021.

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Inside the Darkness crew is always open for any collaborations with bands and labels, including upcoming albums text reviews and video reviews in particular. If you have any questions or enquiries, feel free to contact us.

Inside

Darkness crew is always open for any collaborations with bands and labels, including upcoming albums text reviews and video reviews in particular. If you have any questions or enquiries, feel free to contact us. the

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