Today Vulture Lord unveil the second single and video to be taken from their Desecration Rite album - the first full length album that the band have released in eighteen years. 'Stillborn Messiah' is a pitiless attack of violent riffs and blood freezing atmosphere that was written by Trondr Nefas back in 2005. The choice of song and date of its release are both in honour of the much missed Nefas, who would have turned 44 on this day. His songs and his spirit remain integral to the entity that is Vulture Lord. The artwork for the single was originally intended to be the cover of the Desecration Rite album, before it was replaced by the stunning work of Jorge Vemendy. You can see the video for 'Stillborn Messiah' now at the Odium Records YouTube channel...
Desecration Rite will be released in June and is available to pre-order on CD, Vinyl and a deluxe wooden box edition, limited to just 66 copies, along with accompanying t-shirts and longsleeves - all from Odium Records at:
Decennium Ruinae, the new EP from the incomparable UNFATHOMABLE RUINATION, is out now on Willowtip Records and streaming in its entirety on Bandcamp. The band has also released the official video for "A Withered Embrace," available at youtu.be/XOa5iB045FI
Decennium Ruinae is available on CD Digipak, vinyl LP, and digital formats. Purchase the EP at the links that follow.
To celebrate their tenth year of existence, UNFATHOMABLE RUINATION are not only unleashing three brand new tracks, each yet again delving into the experimental diversity that they have become renowned for, but also a revitalized and re-recorded version of one of their most successful early releases, “Suspended in Entropic Dissipation.”
Since 2010 the band has gone from strength to strength. With each line-up a new skin was shed, revealing a fresh new insight into perfecting the ultimate death metal experience. With the band producing top tier death metal with every release an evolution from its predecessor, Decennium Ruinae is no different. Presenting three tracks of eclectic, intricate and downright fierce technical death, UNFATHOMABLE RUINATION raise the bar once again. Not only has the music taken another exciting turn, lyrically the release has taken a step away from Enraged and Unbound and takes you to a dark, infectious and callous alternate reality. Three scriptures written from the perspective of a vile, wretched cult sworn to infect and eliminate anything pure set the scene for a thematic journey into Ruination.
Decennium Ruinae was recorded, mixed and mastered by Samuel Turbitt @ Ritual Studios, with Daniel Herrera and Ross Piazza. Album artwork by Cristian Alias (Instragram - @srjalapenyo). Layout by Ross Piazza. All music and lyrics written and performed by UNFATHOMABLE RUINATION.
Bulgaria’s Storm is releasing a new single “Here I Am”, their third one following Angel (2019) and Sulza (2020). It is a sleek speed metal offering characterized with melodic vocal lines presented often in harmonies, laid against swift tempo and heavy riffs.
According to the band, “Here I Am” is a look inward, where Mihail Bonev (bass, vocals) reflects on coping with personal problems. Compared to the other singles, which are more melodic and slow, this one is, as the band remarks, more sophisticated and accurate. They continue to explain the track:
“We are evolving in playing as well as in producing, which is great. 'Here I Am' is the clearest example so far of what kind of a band we are, in the sense of music. This song best reveals the essence of our music - both the lyric side and the powerful side. We really believe that it will be much liked, we already see our fans enjoying the songs very much. It’s trying to give them the full joy of real original music in the respective genres, not banal cliches or latest modern tunes.”
Initially, Storm was trying to appeal to the commercial side of music, but has now moved past that and is fully embracing the heavier music their audience knows them best for. “Here I Am” is one of the band’s favourites and they are ecstatic to finally be releasing it.
Galvanized by ambition and a desire to pave their own way, Alexander Mladenov (drums, vocals), Mihail Bonev (bass, vocals) started Storm after leaving Atlantic in 2018, they recruited Nikolay Mihaylov (guitar). Fans can expect at least three brand new original songs coming down the pipe, along with two covers of Atlantic songs.
With its promising intro and inspiring riffs, the powerful “Here I Am” is recommended for fans of Helloween, Blind Guardian, and Angra.
“Here I Am” is now available as of May 28, 2021 and can be heard on the following platforms:
American power metallers Helion Prime have just released a new version of their song "The Drake Equation", which first appeared on the band's 2016 self-titled debut album. The re-recorded single is to celebrate the new custom "Drake Series" guitars made by Helion Prime fan Eddie Julian for founding guitarist Jason Ashcraft as well as to showcase the band in its current line-up.
Guitarist Jason Ashcraft had this to say:
"I'm very excited to finally have these new guitars in my hand. Each guitar is completely handmade from scratch. Both modeled after the Les Paul and Explorer body shape, but with tweaks to meet my specifications. The explorer is thicker and both headstocks are reinforced to prevent them from snapping. When Eddie Julian made these, I asked if we could take the inspiration from the custom designs that Gibson uses, but that we of course make them our own and something that will compliment my playing style. Both are great for those heavy riffs I like to play! Each guitar has a 12th fret inlay of my other band Dire Peril's emblem and both have an engraving of my band Helion Prime's emblem. The explorer has the Seymour Duncan Nazgul & Sentient Humbucker Pickup Set while the Les Paul is packed with Bare Knuckle Painkiller pickups. When it came time to paint them, The Drake Equation kept coming to my mind, and just felt like it would really pop on these guitars and it really did! That also lead to the idea to re-record the track. Re-Recording some old songs with our current line-up is something we've talked about in the past and this felt like a great opportunity to do it and let me show off these new guitars!"
This re-recording of "The Drake Equation" is just the first of new things to come from Helion Prime this year! Stay tuned as they will have more to announce.
"The Drake Equation" can be heard via Jason Ashcraft's playthrough showcasing the "Drake Series" guitars at the following link: https://youtu.be/83DnEXDrino
Helion Prime latest full-length "Question Everything" was released this past October for North America and Europe via the band's label Saibot Reigns along with a Japanese edition via Ward Records that featured two exclusive bonus tracks "Prof (Demo)" and "Rain (Trivium Cover)". This is Helion Prime's first album with new vocalist Mary Zimmer, who has also accompanied the band on two separate tours of the United States. It also sees the band's original singer, Heather Michele, returning in a writing capacity and contributing all lyrics and melodies. Heather Michele also along with other former Helion Prime vocalist Sozos Michael and with John Yelland (Judicator/Dire Peril) add their guest vocals on the full length.
Album order for Japan / Asian market available HERE.
Album order for North America/EU available at Helionprimemetal.com (CD), Apple Music, and Spotify.
"Question Everything" was produced by Jason Ashcraft and Alex Nasla. Mixing was done by Chris Collier and mastered by Brett Caldas-Lima along with additional mixing/drum edits/reamping plus writing and performance of keyboard arrangements by Alex Nasla of Gear Gods Studio. Guitar/Bass edits by Michael Goodrich and cover art by Marc Whisnant.
The third record is a concept album, with each song revolving around different figures throughout human history that had the courage to question the status quo of their respective worlds/societies, in some cases even dealing with harsh persecution as a result. Those Helion Prime chose to write about faced prejudice, mockery, ex-communication, and persecution - yet through it all, they held true to their beliefs and ideas. Time would be their greatest ally as their ideas and identities were eventually validated, oftentimes not until after their passing. They serve as an inspiration for all minds to continue thinking outside the box and staying true to themselves.
Established progressive/technical death metal outfit Burial In The Sky is excited to announce the upcoming release of their third album, The Consumed Self. Out August 13th via Rising Nemesis Records. It is the follow-up to the group's well-received 2018 sophomore album, Creatio et Hominus.
Acclaimed visual artist Justin Abraham (Equipoise, Dessiderium, Inanimate Existence) was tapped to create the epic cover art for The Consumed Self. The album was produced, engineered, and mastered by Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland at Atrium Audio known for their work with Rivers of Nihil, August Burns Red, and Black Crown Initiate.
Active since 2013, the Philadelphia-based group has kept a steady pace on record and live over the years. With each new release, refining and expanding their wide-ranging take on progressive/technical death metal. This time around, the addition of new second guitarist Brad Hettinger, further contributions around from several members, and an impressive array of eclectic guest musician spots help elevate The Consumed Self into the group's finest hour yet.
The Consumed Self continues Burial In The Sky’s signature brand of atmospheric and often ethereal brand of technical/progressive death metal while pushing both their aggressive and cerebral centers of focus toward dazzling new heights. Making for an album that delivers on multiple fronts and has something to offer something for almost any death metal fan's tastes. Burial In The Sky - The Consumed Self is sure to be counted among the best albums of the year for progressive death metal.
The album will strongly appeal to fans of bands such as Black Crown Initiate, Fallujah, Rivers Of Nihil, Alustrium, and Virvum.
Burial In The Sky Band Statement Regarding The Consumed Self
“The Consumed Self is inspired by some of the great dystopian fantasies of the past. We wanted to create a world that felt real and tangible. With that, the music had to be digestible and convey a wide array of emotions. This took a lot of growth for us to accomplish. We had to become better musicians and storytellers to create The Consumed Self.”
Burial In The Sky - The Consumed Self Tracklist
1. The Soft Violet Light
2. An Orphaned City
3. On Wings Of Providence
4. Amaurosis Shroud
5. Wayfarer
6. Mechanisms of Loneliness
7. Mountains Pt.1: To Ascend
8. Mountains Pt.2: Empathy
9. Caught In The Azure Cradle
10. Anatomy Of Us
Burial In The Sky - The Consumed Self Line-Up
Sam Stewart - Drums, Aux Percussion, Synth
Zach Strouse - Bass, Saxophone, Vocals (Sax for Rivers of Nihil)
Jorel Hart - Vocals (ex-Cognitive)
James Tomedi - Guitars, Mandolin, Accordion, Synth, Vocals
Electric Valley Records presents Crypt Monarch’s debut LP, entitled The Necronaut; due out July 23rd digitally and on different variants of vinyl: Neon Green Splatter Black, Neon Pink, and Ultra LTD “Necro Edition”.
Invoked in mid-2020 by the members from Age of the Wolf and VoidOath, Crypt Monarch hails from San José, Costa Rica. The power trio’s self-labeled “necromantik stoner doom” style is replete with malevolent riffs in crushing intensity, groove-oozing atmosphere, and psychedelic pathways.
The debut album, The Necronaut, was recorded and produced by the band in a cabin in the woods during March/April 2021. A 36 minute, 3 song monolith of séance infused riffage and fuzz-fueled grooves, this record chronicles the voyage of a dishonored king brought back from the dead to destroy its warlock’s enemies.
The eerie lair has been disturbed, the doomed ruler is now awake and chained to slaughter.
New Haven (CT) - U.S. Heavy Metal band ENTIERRO have partnered with The Obelisk for the premiere of the lyric video for new single "The Past." The track is taken from forthcoming EP El Camazotz. Click the link below to check out the premiere!
On June 18 ENTTIERRO will release the long awaited follow-up to their 2018 self-titled full-length. Entitled El Camazotz, after the Mayan bat god associated with night, death and sacrifice, the five-song EP represents a new chapter in the story of the band.
Recorded just prior to the pandemic at Studio Wormwood in Northeastern Connecticut under the engineering mastery of Dave Kaminsky, the songs of El Camazotz harken back to the NWOBHM and traditional heavy metal bands that they grew up listening to.
This also marks the first truly collaborative effort with former Fates Warning guitarist Victor Arduini, who had joined the band just prior to the recording of their 2018 full length. On this release, he was an integral part of the writing process working alongside vocalist/bassist Christopher Beaudette (Jasta, NightBitch,) drummer Dave Parmelee (One Master) and second guitarist Chris Begnal making it a much more definitive presentation of their creative vision. Together, ENTIERRO is solidifying their ability to create songs that manifest the crushing sound they hope metalheads can continually find inspiration in.
Track Listing
1. The Penance
2. The Tower
3. The Past
4. El Camazotz
5. Call for the Priest [Judas Priest cover]
Album Credits:
Mixed and Engineered by Dave Kaminsky at Wormwood Studios, Mansfield, CT
All songs by Entierro, except “Call For the Priest” written by R. Halford, G. Tipton and K. Downing
Album Artwork by Maxwell Aston Art
Mastered by Nick Zampiello of New Alliance East Mastering
Oliver Palmquist (singer of the Death Metal band PHIDION)) teamed up with guitarist Nino Vukovik (guitarist of Technical Speed Metal bands IMMACULATE and TYRANEX) and after two years of development, they produced their debut EP, released on their own record label Liminal Spaces Distribution.
"Ectogenesis" takes you on a sonic journey through a dark, dystopian Science Fiction world where technology eventually overtakes humanity and nature once again claim its throne in the life cycle. Musically the album takes you back to the heavy and dark Prog Metal, that swept the world in the mid-'00s with bands like NEVERMORE, COMMUNIC and STRAPPING YOUNG LAD.
Swedish progressive metal band Terravoid also adds a layer of eerie atmosphere and keyboard passages, much like JOHN CARPENTER and LUSTMORD.
Legendary German thrash metal powerhouse DESTRUCTION cements its signing with Napalm Records by smashing an all devastating, neck-breaking Live Attack onto the masses! The BluRay/CD live event, including some pre- and after-show bonus content, will be released on August 13, 2021. It follows their latest record, Born To Perish (#26 GER album charts), recalling a nearly two hour live stream attack the heavy steamroller unleashed in January this year.
Dive deep into DESTRUCTION’s history with the first crushing single and energetic live video for “Mad Butcher”, originally released in 1983 as one of the first songs the band ever wrote.
SCHMIER states:
“‘Mad Butcher’ is one of the first songs we ever wrote, such a classic! I still love to perform it live, it is in my DNA meanwhile, I guess! There are a lot of memories that come along with this track and the history of the band.
We brought back the double-lead section from the EP version into the solo part; many fans have reacted at that during the live shows, which is really cool! But this DVD will also have some nice surprises, some songs we have not played live in decades…!”
Founded back in 1982 and since their first demo, followed by debut EP, Sentence Of Death (1984) and first full-length, Infernal Overkill (1985), the German foursome DESTRUCTION has turned heads and broken necks with their incredibly honest and uncompromising thrash metal power. Now, 39 years into their unstoppable rampage of a career, DESTRUCTION bring the power of hard-hitting drums, speedy riffs and punishing vocals to the comfort of your home on the new BluRay & 2 Audio CD’s, Live Attack!
DESTRUCTION on their first release with Napalm Records:
“This show at our fave club, the Z7 in Switzerland, was a really special one in the middle of this dreadful pandemic! When we recorded it as a live stream on the 1st of January, it gave us hope back and connected us with the fans worldwide! Many supporters demanded to release it in physical form, so we had to make it happen. The setlist reflects four decades of DESTRUCTION with an almost two hour best-of setlist, which includes some really rare live tracks! It was for sure a night to remember… we hope you all enjoy it as much as we did!"
When the music world was forced to shut down venues and cancel tours for an indefinite period of time, DESTRUCTION came through to deliver their outstanding power via live stream to their loyal fans at home – now available for you to enjoy on high-definition BluRay! Witness DESTRUCTION ripping through their live set of 22 songs, including beloved classics like “Mad Butcher”, “Thrash Till Death”, “Born To Perish” and many more! Filmed and recorded at the legendary Z7 venue in Pratteln (Switzerland), DESTRUCTION spare no expense or effort to bring you a live show experience that will make you bang your head like you’re in the front row at the show, getting your ear drums penetrated by rumbling double-bass grooves! The BluRay is filled with exclusive pre- and aftershow insights and behind the scenes footage from DESTRUCTION’s live show – a must-have for fans of true thrash metal!
Live Attack BluRay bonus content:
Pre-Show
After Show
Tracklist:
1. Born to Perish
2. Death Trap
3. Nailed to the Cross
4. Armageddonizer
5. Tormentor
6. Rotten
7. Mad Butcher
8. Reject Emotions
9. Thrash Till Death
10. Betrayal
11. Sign of Fear
12. Damir’s Shred
13. Inspired by Death
14. Release from Agony
15. Life without Sense
16. Antichrist
17. Invincible Force
18. Under Attack
19. Bestial Invasion
20. The Butcher Strikes Back
21. Curse the Gods
22. Total Desaster
Live Attack will be available in the following formats:
- 8 Page Digipack BluRay & 2 Audio CD´s bundled with a DESTRUCTION t-shirt
- 8 Page Digipack BluRay & 2 Audio CD´s
-3LP Gatefold Marbled GOLD/BLACK - 200 copies with Etching
- 3LP Gatefold Marbled BLUE/BLACK - 300 copies with Etching
- 3LP Gatefold BLACK with Etching
- Full digital album
8 Page Digipack BluRay & 2 Audio CD´s bundled with a DESTRUCTION t-shirt
Robert Meadows (A Life Once Lost, Mindpower, Left To Vanish) lends his vocal expertise to Chicago's Beneath The Hollow for a seething new single titled “Carrion”.
The band lays down a ferocious groove reminiscent of Pantera/Sepultura while Robert and BTH Front man Jewell Yocum hone in on a symbiotic fusion of their contrasting vocal styles.
The song finds the vocal styling of Robert Meadows and BTH front man Jewell Yocum to be only what one can describe as haunting to as hard as it gets. Starting out smacking you in the face with Robert taking duties first, the song leads you into a groove-filled experience with the band laying down an incredible musical effort that lends credibility to having such great vocals on this track.
