Taking their name from the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin (Rattenfänger von Hameln), RATTENFÄNGER’s lineup of Thurios on guitars, Krechet on bass, Vlad on drums, and keyboards, and Roman on guitars and vocals, are soon to release “Geisslerlieder”, a sophomore full-length album that is more ambient, but heavier and more aggressive than their critically acclaimed debut full-length “Epistolae Obscurorum Virorum”.
With its release set for the 6th December, Dark Essence Records are treating fans to a second glimpse of what the Ukranian Death Metal legends will have to offer with their the long-awaited second full-length album, by releasing a second single from “Geisslerlieder”
Since it draws its lineup from musicians from bands such as DRUDKH, BLOOD OF KINGU, HATE FOREST and DARK AGES, it is inevitable that RATTENFÄNGER would be the epitome of old-school Death Metal, however, the band has a sound that is distinctively, and devastatingly, its own. A sound that is pitch black and bone crushingly brutal.
With lyrics written entirely in Latin, in the style of medieval poets, thinkers and troubadours/minstrels, track listing for “Geisslerlieder” is as follows:
De Laude Flagellorum
Materia Prima
Pestarzt
Les Bons Hommes
Sella Stercoraria
De Blasphemia In Latina Vulgaris
Funis Coronat Opus
“Geisslerlieder”, will be available in CD and Digital formats and is now available to pre-order from the following:
Today’s reveal of a new video and single taken from “Thin The Veil”, the upcoming sixth full-length album from Total Occultic Mechanical Blasphemers T.O.M.B , shows that Dark Essence Records are off to a flying start in 2020.
The video for the single “Decapitation of the Gods”, by Carl Eek Torgersen of Necrolust Productions, gives the listener a glimpse into the brutal, blasphemous savagery present throughout the new album, and highlights T.O.M.B.’s next phase of collaborative work with MAYHEM’s legendary drummer Hellhammer, along with Norwegian musician Andy Winter, from the band WINDS, on bass.
As well as Hellhammer and Andy Winter, “Thin The Veil” features collaborations with musicians such as Craig Smilowski (Ex-IMMOLATION) and Duncan McLaren of VENOM WOLF, as well as spoken necromancy spells recited by Maurice De Jong (“Mories” of GNAW THEIR TONGUES).
Mastered by Tore Stjerna of the Necromorbus Studios in Sweden, and with artwork by the underground occult artist Paul Barton, “Thin The Veil” is set for release on the 24th January, in CD and Vinyl editions, and is now available to pre-order from the following:
Over the twenty plus years of their existence T.O.M.B have skilfully crafted their own avant-garde style, which is characterised by an eclectic mix of Ambient, Doom, Industrial, Noise and traditional Black Metal. It is a style that has earned the band a well-deserved place as one of the top innovators of modern day Black Metal.
Drawing their initial inspiration from bands such as ABRUPTUM, HAVOHEJ, SAMAEL and SUNNO))), musicians No-One, B. Zimimay, Tyler B and Samantha Viola formed T.O.M.B in 1998, and they have, since then, gone on to release numerous LPs, EPs, compilations and splits. Releases imbued with T.O.M.B’s trademark sound that is both horrific, and, at the same time, hypnotically spell-binding, and which deals with subject matters such as death, paranormal activity and occult practices.
T.O.M.B will hit the road during January and February 2020, supporting MORTIIS on his North American tour. Routing as follows:
24 Jan: The Whiskey Junction, Minneapolis (MN)
25 Jan: Reggies, Chicago (IL)
26 Jan: Civic Music Hall, Toledo (OH)
27 Jan: The Masquerade (Purgatory), Atlanta (GA)
28 Jan: The Orpheum, Tampa (FL)
30 Jan: White Oak Music Hall, Houston (TX)
31 Jan: Come and Take it Live!, Austin (TX)
01 Feb: Gas Monkey Bar & Grill, Dallas (TX)
02 Feb: The Riot Room, Kansas City (MO)
03 Feb: Oriental Theatre, Denver (CO)
05 Feb: Club Red, Meza (AZ)
06 Feb: Brick by brick, San Diego (CA)
07 Feb: Catch One (Underground), Los Angeles (CA)
08 Feb: DNA Lounge, San Francisco (CA
Dark Essence Records announced today that they have inked a deal with the UK’s CODE and will release the band’s fifth full-length album in 2020, on a date as yet to be announced.
Formed in London in 2002, CODE have, since then, adroitly eschewed any attempts to categorise them or place them into a particular genre, preferring to forge, as the band puts it, their own “low path”. Starting from the black ruminations of Aort’s early project, SEASONAL CODE, the band drew a creative line that led through a series of full-length studio albums starting from the brittle avant-garde of 2005’s “Nouveau Gloaming”, to 2009’s Spellemann-nominated “Resplendent Grotesque”, then on to the mad theatre of 2013’s “Augur Nox”, and the bleak, anaesthetic wash of 2015’s “mut”.
A savage live tour recording also appeared in 2015, and, in 2017, CODE released two EP’s – “Lost Signal”, which was largely a live re-forging of the material from a new perspective, and “Under the Subgleam” which served as a hint at what was to come.
CODE’s lineup of Aort and Andras on Guitars, Lordt on Drums, Syhr on Bass and Wacian on Vocals, have carved out a stark new shape in modern music and, having kept in touch with Dark Essence Records over the past decade, both band and label had no hesitation about working together.
As CODE explained:
Our first contact with Dark Essence was way back in 2009 when we were honoured to be asked to play at their festival in Bergen. We have been keeping in touch ever since and are delighted to now officially be a part of the Dark Essence family. As a culmination of our varied musical past, Dark Essence feel like the perfect home for the metallic blackness we have been busy concocting over the last two years.
We are very excited to be working with a label that firmly believes in CODE and we are keen to bear the blackened fruit of this alliance in 2020. The harvest of this communion will be our forthcoming fifth album which promises to be a return to CODE at our sharpest, most dynamic and blackest best.
After a seven-year wait since the release of RATTENFÄNGER ‘s debut album, Dark Essence Records have today revealed details of the long-awaited second album from the Ukranian Death Metal legends. Titled ” Geisslerlieder” the seven-track album is set for release on the 6th December in CD and Digital formats.
In the meantime, fans can get a taste of things to come because Dark Essence Records have today released a single from the album. Titled “Materia Prima”, the track can be streamed and downloaded at the following: https://darkessencerecords.fanlink.to/Rattenfanger_Materia_Prima
With a lineup comprised of musicians from bands such as DRUDKH, BLOOD OF KINGU, HATE FOREST and DARK AGES, RATTENFÄNGER are the epitome of old-school Death Metal, with a sound that is distinctively, and devastatingly, their own – pitch black and bone crushingly brutal.
With “Geisslerlieder” RATTENFÄNGER’s lineup of Thurios on guitars, Krechet on bass, Vlad on drums, and keyboards, and Roman on guitars and vocals, have come up with an album that is more ambient, but heavier and more aggressive than their critically acclaimed debut full-length “Epistolae Obscurorum Virorum”. And, as with its predecessor, all the lyrics for “Geisslerlieder” are written entirely in Latin, in the style of medieval poets, thinkers and troubadours/minstrels.
Tracklisting for “Geisslerlieder” is as follows:
De Laude Flagellorum
Materia Prima
Pestarzt
Les Bons Hommes
Sella Stercoraria
De Blasphemia In Latina Vulgaris
Funis Coronat Opus
“Geisslerlieder” is now available to pre-order from the following:
For those who are new to RATTENFÄNGER, the band took its name from the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin (Rattenfänger von Hameln), who was hired by the townsfolk of Hameln, Germany, to rid the town of the rats that had overrun it. Unfortunately he is deceived and cheated of his payment, and he exacts a terrible revenge on the citizens.
Good news for fans of TAAKE who have long been clamouring for the re-release of the long-sold out vinyl versions of 2008’s “Taake” and 2017’s “Kong Vinter” albums, because, as of the 22nd November, they will be available on Dark Essence Records.
Featuring Hoest on vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass guitar and drums, TAAKE’s self-titled album was recorded at the Conclave and Earshot Studio by Bjornar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR), back in the dog days of 2008 and has, since then, become a Black Metal classic. Following on from the iconic trilogy of “Nattestid…”, “…Bjoergvin…” and “…Doedskvad”, the album heralded new start, with TAAKE becoming more active as a live entity.
Originally released on CD, “Taake” was given a limited vinyl release in 2009, and, other than as a part of 2018’s career spanning picture disc box set “7 Fjell”, it has never since been available on vinyl. With the original pressing currently selling for astronomical prices on the secondary market, fans have actively sought to persuade Dark Essence to make it available once again, and the label has listened to their pleas.
“Taake” will be released in gatefold format, with the bonus track that appeared on the original vinyl having been removed. To differentiate it from the 2009 release”Taake” will come with an alternative cover, using a photo from the original photo shoot, and will be available in three different versions. Aside from the regular black version, there will also be white vinyl version, which will be limited to 500 copies, and a 250 copies, strictly limited, clear vinyl version which will only be available exclusively through the Dark Essence Records Webshop.
Tracklisting as follows:
Taake Vinyl Edition 2019
Atternatt
Umenneske
Lukt til Helvete
Doedsjarl
Motpol
September omsider
Velg bort Livet
TAAKE’s “Kong Vinter” once again saw Hoest playing all the instruments on an album that rose like a Black Metal beacon from the gloom of the rugged, rain-swept coastline of Bjoergvin. Traditional in spirit, “Kong Vinter” provides a soundscape underscored by a nasty groove, that at times can appear deceptively playful. It is familiar to the ear, and yet it has a freshness that is so often found lacking in the genre, demonstrating Hoest’s unnerring ability to develop TAAKE’s sound in such a way that keeps it relevant and up to date, whilst retaining the intensity that fans have come to admire in the genre.
“Kong Vinter” will be available in a regular sleeve in a black vinyl version. Once again a new photo from the original photo shoot has been used for the cover, and the bonus track from the original vinyl version has been removed.
Kong Vinter Vinyl Edition 2019
Sverdets Vei
Inntrenger
Huset i Havet
Havet i Huset
Jernhaand
Maanebrent
Fra Bjoergegrend mot Glemselen
Both “Taake” and “Kong Vinter” re-releases are now available to pre-order from the following:
Dark Essence Records have inked a deal with Total Occultic Mechanical Blasphemers T.O.M.B, and are set to release “Thin The Veil”, the latest album from the US band on a date as yet to be confirmed.
Drawing their initial inspiration from bands such as ABRUPTUM, HAVOHEJ, SAMAEL and SUNNO))), musicians No-One, B. Zimimay, Tyler B and Samantha Viola formed T.O.M.B in 1998, and they have, since then, gone on to release numerous LPs, EPs, compilations and splits. Releases imbued with T.O.M.B’s trademark sound that is both horrific, and, at the same time, hypnotically spell-binding, and which deal with subject matters such as death, paranormal activity and occult practices.
Over the twenty plus years of their existence T.O.M.B have skilfully crafted their own avant-garde style, which is characterised by an eclectic mix of Ambient, Doom, Industrial, Noise and traditional Black Metal. It is a style that has earned the band a well-deserved place as one of the top innovators of modern day Black Metal.
Commenting on their collaboration with Dark Essence Records, T.O.M.B had this to say:
It is with great admiration and honor we announce our addition to the Dark Essence artist roster. Our latest album “Thin The Veil” marks another milestone of continuous progression for T.O.M.B. and we look forward to the release being represented under the banner of Norway’s most extreme, cutting edge record label in black metal!
Whilst not yet wanting to reveal too many details of the upcoming release, both band and label have, however, offered a tantalising glimpse into “Thin The Veil”, which will feature MAYHEM’s Hellhammer on drums, alongside collaborations with musicians such as Craig Smilowski (Ex-IMMOLATION), Andy Winter of WINDS, Duncan McLaren of VENOM WOLF, and with spoken necromancy spells recited by Maurice De Jong (“Mories” of GNAW THEIR TONGUES). All in all fans can expect “T.O.M.B’s unique harsh atmospheric death-industrial style to be combined with a relentless, fierce and primitive form of musicianship reminiscent of the old glory days of 2nd Wave Black Metal”
On the 6th September MADDER MORTEM will be celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their debut full-length album “Mercury” with its re-release on Dark Essence Records. A re-release that includes five new tracks, especially recorded by the band, three of which are from the original album, but which have been re-imagined and re-arranged in a more contemporary manner, and two of which are brand new songs composed using old, Mercury-era, riffs.
And, as part of that celebration, the band has, for the very first time, opened its doors to a documentary film team who will explore MADDER MORTEM’s musical lives, and their unique creative process, to discover what beats at the heart of one of Norway’s most culturally relevant, but underrated rock bands.
The documentary was filmed on Location in Nord-Odal, Hedmark County, Norway, and Dresden, Germany, and, as a taste of what’s to come, Dark Essence Records have released a music video by the documentary’s director Randy M. Salo of FREQS / Stewis Media.
The video, for “Vigil”, one of the bonus tracks on “Mercury” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/Cq1fY3el5sg
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Salo says of the video for “Vigil”:
When I first began filming the project, the band was in the rehearsal room putting the last touches on the bonus tracks for the Mercury re-release. When they began to play “Vigil”, I immediately saw the music video playing out in my mind. Experiencing the 20 years of history between the first album and that moment, I saw a mini-version of the documentary that would combine images of the hauntingly beautiful landscape of Hedmark county in winter, with the band rehearsing and recording the bonus tracks. To give the fans a more intimate look at their journey we included many archival photos from their storied career. I hope this video will help tide over the fans until the release of the feature length film!
About the music itself, the band the band had this to say:
“Vigil” is quite a special song. As one of the bonus tracks for our Mercury re-release, the main riff was written in the early 90s by Christian Ruud, our then guitar player. We were never able to forget this idea, so when we started thinking of bonus tracks for this re-release, that riff was immediately on our minds. Madder Mortem anno 2019 worked on it and added to it in the rehearsal room, and the result is a fragile and beautiful landscape of music that we are very proud of. The lyrics are very direct and honest, and balance right on that razor’s edge between despair and hope that is a Madder Mortem trademark.
First released on Misanthropy Records back in 1999, and unavailable for many years, “Mercury” has been re-mastered by Peter In de Betou, and its original mix of prog, gothic and doom metal sounds as fresh and original today as it did 20 years ago. Track listing on “Mercury” is as follows:
Undertow
Under Another Moon
He Who Longed For The Stars
These Mortal Sins
The Grinding Silence
Loss
Remnants
Misty Sleep
Convertion Bonus tracks:
He Who Longed For The Stars (2019 re-recording)
The Grinding Silence (2019 re-recording)
Remnants (2019 re-recording)
Shadows Coming Home
Vigil
With stunning new artwork by the renowned Romanian artist, and Dark Essence label-mate Costin Chiorieanu, “Mercury” will be available in CD, Digital and Vinyl formats, and the Vinyl edition will come as a package which will include the full CD. It is available to pre-order from the following:
MADDER MORTEM have also planned a very special Anniversary show which is set to take place the day after the album’s release, at the Parkteatret in Oslo, Norway, on the 7th September. As the band recently explained:
We are bringing the former members of Madder Mortem back to the stage, to share the different eras with you all, as well as some surprise guests. We’ve chosen a set list that includes some fan favourites and some very rarely heard songs, as well as some of the bonus tracks from the re-release. The outstanding Costin Chioreanu is creating original paintings for songs from the set, and the filmed creation of those paintings will add a stunning visual element to the show. Costin will also exhibit his original paintings at the show, to give you a close look at his visual interpretation of the Madder music. And there might be more surprises along the way.
Dark Essence Records have announced details of the much-anticipated album “Afterlife Romance” from Romanian artist COSTIN CHIOREANU and Greek singer SOFIA SARRI, as well as releasing a new single and video for a track from the album.
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Through his art and video productions, COSTIN CHIOREANU has a long history of collaboration with many of the Dark Essence Records bands, as well as bands and artists like Rune Eriksen of MAYHEM, AURA NOIR and EARTH ELECTRIC, AT THE GATES, GHOST, SIGH and VULTURE INDUSTRIES. But many fans may not have known, until now, that this devotee of avant-garde is also a talented musician who uses a wide range of effects to create never-before heard sounds with his guitar.
Also a fan of metal and avant-garde, SOFIA SARRI is a vocalist with a breadth of artistic vision and talent that frees her from any kind of genre-imposed shackles. Having recorded with artists associated with free jazz, improvisation and polyphonic choirs, her 2017 solo album “Euphoria” allowed her to fully utilise her wide-ranging, unearthly, vocals that move with ease from graceful fragility, to wild, and powerful abandon.
Cleverly crafted to mimic a Lo-fi production that makes use of the tension and the eeriness of horror movie soundtracks of the ’70s or ’80s, “Afterlife Romance” is an album that defies any categorisation and is something between a cult peculiarity and a romantic enchanted experiment.
Tracklisting for “Afterlife Romance” is as follows:
The original artwork by Chioreanu for “Afterlife Romance” will be exhibited in various historical locations, art galleries and music festivals during 2019 and 2020.
First released on Misanthropy Records back in 1999, and unavailable for many years, MADDER MORTEM’s debut full-length album “Mercury” is getting a brand new lease of life via Dark Essence Records, who will be releasing a re-vamped version to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of its release.
However, since neither MADDER MORTEM nor Dark Essence Records have been known to do things by halves, this will not simply be a straight forward re-release, but will include five new tracks, especially recorded by the band, three of which are from the original album, but which have been re-imagined and re-arranged in a more contemporary manner, and two of which are brand new songs composed using old, Mercury-era, riffs.
The album, with its highly original mix of prog, gothic and doom metal has been re-mastered by Peter In de Betou . Unlike many of its contemporary releases, “Mercury” sounds as fresh and original today as it did 20 years ago, and, to give the legion of MADDER MORTEM fans a taste of what to expect, Dark Essence Records have released a first single from the album.
With stunning new artwork by the renowned Romanian artist and Dark Essence label-mate Costin Chiorieanu, “Mercury” will hit the streets on the 6th September in CD, Digital and Vinyl formats, and the Vinyl edition will come as a package which will include the full CD. “Mercury” is now available to pre-order from the following:
And, if all that were not enough, the Madders have also planned a very special Anniversary show which is set to take place the day after the album’s release, at the Parkteatret in Oslo, Norway, on the 7th September. As the band recently explained:
We are bringing the former members of Madder Mortem back to the stage, to share the different eras with you all, as well as some surprise guests. We’ve chosen a set list that includes some fan favourites and some very rarely heard songs, as well as some of the bonus tracks from the re-release. The outstanding Costin Chioreanu is creating original paintings for songs from the set, and the filmed creation of those paintings will add a stunning visual element to the show. Costin will also exhibit his original paintings at the show, to give you a close look at his visual interpretation of the Madder music. And there might be more surprises along the way.
A video by Costin Chioreanu for the track “Far From Home”, from MADDER MORTEM’s 2019 album “Marrow”, can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/8DIDksyQJUk
With “Spiritual Resonance”, the fourth full-length album from Italian Extreme Rituallers DARKEND, set for release on the 13th September, Dark Essence Records have today debuted a track from the album in both single and video format.
The track that has been chosen as a first taste of what fans can expect from the album is “With Everburning Sulphur Unconsumed”, which features guest vocals from WARDRUNA’s Lindy-Fay Hella, and the video, by vocalist Animae, can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/OPht1dQl-_M
According to the band, “Spiritual Resonance” is the most mystical and ritualistic album that DARKEND has made to date . Everything having been cathartically planned to take the listener through an esoteric journey. As Animæ says “These are paths to my world beyond. Carrying the seeds of change”.
With original artwork by Jean Delville, which has been re-worked by Animæ, tracklisting for “Spiritual Resonance” is as follows:
The Three Ghouls Buried At Golgotha
Scorpio Astraea High Coronation
With Everburning Sulphur Unconsumed
Vessel Underneath
Hereafter, Somewhere
The Seven Spectres Haunting Gethsemane
DARKEND was formed in 2006 by drummer, and only remaining original member, Valentz, who describes the fledgling band as “young guys wanting to let our energy out. And black metal was the only way – the left hand path we all aimed for”. Having undergone the inevitable round of member changes, Valentz has today found the ideal lineup of like-minded spirits with Animæ on Vocals, Antarktica on Grand Piano/Ambience, Ashes and Nothingness on Lead Guitars, and Vinterskog on Bass.
Together they create music that is best described as Extreme Ritual Art. “Arcane symphonies exalting ancient ceremonial chants lost in nocturnal remembrances, sulphur riffs engraved on black metal patterns and progressive freedom. Lying at the border between magic and spirituality, where cults and rituals can wander free in the wisdom of infinity, at the crossroads between life and death. Swallowed by the energy of the ceremony, engulfed by the dense smoke of incense, for DARKEND there’s no difference between good and evil, dream and reality”.
“Spiritual Resonance” will be released in CD and Digital formats, as well as in a Limited Edition vinyl version with alternative cover art.
“Spiritual Resonance” is now available to pre-order from:
PATRICIA THOMAS BAND MANAGEMENT 