GROND RELEASE "THE TEMPLE"

 

PRESS RELEASE:

GROND – THE TEMPLE

LABEL: XTREEM MUSIC

RELEASE DATE: APRIL 30th 2026

“Neither age nor submersion has corroded the pristine grandeur of this awful fane—for fane indeed it must be—and today after thousands of years it rests untarnished and inviolate in the endless night and silence of an ocean chasm.”

-The Temple – H.P. Lovecraft

Titanic Russian death metal force, Grond, have returned and are ready, once again, to take us down to the depths of the ocean, beyond the reach of light. An ambitious and imaginative concept album entwining the story of decorated First World War German U-boat commander, Otto Eduard Weddigen, with H.P. Lovecraft’s chilling tale of subaquatic madness from which the album takes its name, The Temple is a heavyweight masterpiece of atmosphere and devastating death metal. It’s been ten long years since the last Grond album, Worship The Kraken’, with only the 2019 split release with Graceless – Endless Spiral Of Terror – to break the silence of a decade; but The Temple has been more than worth the wait and will have fans welcoming the band home like the proverbial prodigal sons.

‘Rotten Himmel’ begins the process of submersion, immediately drawing the listener into the darkness beneath the waves and introducing the superb lead guitar work which plays such a pivotal role throughout the album to come. From this opening sequence Grond’s grip upon us is unbreakable and there is no turning back, no escape until the final desolate tones of ‘Dark Solitude Of The Sea’. Everything about this album feels huge – from the towering riffs to the earthshaking drums and the bass infused with the weight of worlds. And then there is the colossal voice of founder member, Kist; each reverberating roar seeming to emit from the throat of an ancient monstrosity of staggering scale. Between the gargantuan vocal exhortations and the intimidating riffs the lead guitar works its magic, conjuring claustrophobic horror in ‘Pour Le Merite’, bringing a haunting madness to ‘U29’ with its strange, liquid melodies and screaming through the smoke and fire of ‘Dreadnought’… The Temple just gets better and better as it progresses, with ‘Radiant Fury’ bringing you to your knees before the power of ancient gods, helpless before their grotesque majesty, as elemental, vertiginous chaos resolves into irresistible, utterly satisfying riffs and chord sequences. Title track, ‘The Temple’, is a sanity destroying, lurching monstrosity – both regal and shockingly violent – while ‘Dark Solitude Of The Sea’ is a superb conclusion, bringing together all the dark secrets, howling madness, desperation and death that has come before in great, seething riffs, enticing melodies and an atmosphere to drown in…

Xtreem Music will release The Temple on April 30th, on CD and digital formats, featuring stunning artwork created by Daemorph (Aborted Fetus, Avulsed, Holycide etc). Follow Grond into the black, to discover the unseen mysteries that lie in the stygian gloom of the ocean floor.

Line-up:

Void - Guitar

Kist - Vocals

Sarghas - Bass

Kadath - Drums

Genre: Death Metal

For fans of: Bolt Thrower | Morbid Angel | Asphyx | Sulphur Aeon

Further Information:

https://www.facebook.com/grondrus

https://www.xtreemmusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/xtreemmusic666

http://grond.bandcamp.com/

ABANDON AGONY RELEASE NEW SINGLE "WRITING ON THE WALL"

 

PRESS RELEASE:

Swedish melodic death metal band ABANDON AGONY have set May 22, 2026, as the international release date for their highly anticipated debut full-length album Endbringer. Following the release of their debut EP “Dark Matter” in 2024, now reissued as part of their ongoing cycle, all tracks from the EP will also appear on the upcoming album.

"Endbringer is a reflection of everything we’ve built as a band so far – darker, heavier, and more focused. The album moves through themes of inner conflict, collapse, transformation and rebirth, both on a personal level and in a broader sense.

We all come from slightly different musical backgrounds, which naturally shapes the way we write and approach our sound. While melodic death metal is the closest way to describe it, we’ve never aimed to stay within strict boundaries – it’s more about capturing a certain intensity and atmosphere than fitting into a specific genre." - says the band

The first single from the album, “Writing on the Wall”, is now available alongside a music video, marking a new chapter for the band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iygyTbW3XN4

Band comments on the single:

"Writing on the Wall represents the core of our sound – melodic but aggressive, with a strong sense of urgency and atmosphere. It was one of the tracks where everything really clicked in terms of direction.

Lyrically, it revolves around inevitability and being forced to confront something you can’t escape. Musically, it balances melody and intensity in a way that feels very natural for us, and it became a defining track for how the album came together."

The band will follow up with the next single, “Polar Shift”, scheduled for release on April 24.

TRACKLIST

1. The Truth

2. Dissolved

3. Blind Intentions

4. Entropy

5. Sunrise

6. Lunarstorm

7. Rise from the Ashes

8. Writing on the Wall

9. Polar Shift

10. My Redemption

Recorded at Eternal Studios, Vänersborg (March 29 – May 6, 2025)

Mixed and mastered by Robin Leijon

Emerging from the Swedish west coast, Abandon Agony is quickly establishing itself as a rising force within melodic death metal. Formed in 2023, the band delivers a powerful blend of aggressive riffs, melodic hooks and high-energy performances rooted in the legacy of the Gothenburg sound.

Drawing inspiration from bands such as In Flames, Dark Tranquillity and Arch Enemy, Abandon Agony combines classic Swedish melodic death metal with a modern edge, creating a sound that is both familiar and forward-driving.

With growing momentum and an expanding audience, Abandon Agony continues to make an impact both online and on stage. The band is confirmed to perform at Sweden Rock Festival this summer, bringing their sound to one of Europe’s most recognized rock and metal festivals.

Known for their intense live shows and tight musicianship, Abandon Agony delivers a raw and energetic experience that resonates with fans of modern melodic death metal.

Meet the Band:

Johan Hedström – Vocals

Tobias Järvelä – Guitar

Jonathan Wagerland – Bass

Robin Toresson – Drums

For fans of melodic death metal with a strong Swedish identity and modern production, Abandon Agony is a band to watch in 2026.

For more info:

https://abandonagony.com/

https://www.facebook.com/abandonagony

https://www.instagram.com/abandonagony/