With their latest album “…And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth” receiving high praise from reviewers, Norwegian Dark Metallers AETERNUS are streaming a second track from what is their seventh full-length album on their SoundCloud page. The track “Spurcitias” can be heard on the player above and at http://soundcloud.com/aeternusnorway/aeternus-spurcitias
“…And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth” was released earlier this year on Dark Essence Records, and was produced by Bjornar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) at the Conclave and Earshot studios in Bergen. All music for the album is by AETERNUS, whilst the concept and lyrics are by the band’s former bassist V’gandr (TAAKE, HELHEIM). Artwork for the ten-track album is by Timo Ketola, known for his work with bands such as for DEATHSPELL OMEGA, ASPHYX, DISSECTION MARDUK, WATAIN and OPETH amongst others. The first pressing includes AETERNUS’ 1995 “Dark Sorcery” EP as a bonus and is available directly from the label at http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/artist/aeternus.
AETERNUS was one of the original pioneers of what these days is called Dark Metal, and which, in AETERNUS’s case, combines features from both Black and Death Metal, together with occasional melodic interludes and superlative guitar playing. The band’s current line up includes guitarist and frontman Ares, who originally founded the band in 1993, Specter (ex-GRAVDAL) on guitars, Eld (KRAKOW) on bass and Phobos (GRAVDAL, MALSAIN) on drums. More information about AETNERNUS can be found on the band’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Aeternusofficial
With SARKOM’s new album “Doomsday Elite” out today, Monday October 14, DARK ESSENCE RECORDS are streaming a second track from the album on the label’s SoundCloud page. “Doomsday Elite”, which is SARKOM’s third full-length album, features guest appearances from Psy Coma (THE KOVENANT), Haan (SVARTTJERN), Nachtgarm (NEGATOR), Thrawn (PARADIGMA, ex DØDHEIMSGARD, ex NOCTURNAL BREED) and V. Larsen. The track “Predators in Disguise” can be heard on the player above, and at http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records/sarkom-predators-in-disguise
The lineup on “Doomsday Elite” includes the band’s two core members – founder and frontman Unsgaard (SO MUCH FOR NOTHING) on vocals and Sgt V (SVARTTJERN) on bass. URGEHAL’s Uruz performs drums for the album, whilst guitars are handled by former members Sagstad and Strönen. Former drummer and co-founder Renton is on effects. “Doomsday Elite” is mastered by Tom Kvålsvoll at Strype Audio and artwork is by MK. “Perv”. Tracklisting for the eight-track album, as follows:
1. Doomsday Elite
2. I Utakt Med Gud
3. No Loose Ends
4. Inside a Haunted Chapel
5. Predators in Disguise
6. Solemn Disorder ‘til Human Extinction
7. Cosmic Intellect
8. Stigma
With just over a week to go before the release of “Løyndom”, the debut album from Norway’s SLEGEST, the band has released a music video for the opening track of the album “Ho Som Haustar Aleine”. The video, produced by Håvard Nesbø and Ørjan Talle, features the band’s newly formed live-lineup, which includes founder Ese (ex-VREID) on Vocals and Rhythm Guitars, Sør (BÄÄÄV, VONBRÅTEN) on Lead Guitars, Hövard (BOMBEKLÜCHTER) on Bass and Fjøsne on Drums. The video is being debuted by Metal Hammer Norway and can be seen at http://metal-hammer.no/premiere-slegest-video/2950/
SLEGEST, formed in 2010 by former VREID guitarist Ese originally as a solo studio project, plays a mix of classic Heavy Rock combined with old-school black metal vocals. The band’s first release, a self-titled EP, appeared in 2012, after which SLEGEST inked a deal with Dark Essence Records for the release of the debut full-length album. “Løyndom” was recorded partly in Ese’s own Systrond Studio and partly at the Conclave and Earshot Studio with producer Bjørnar E. Nilsen and was mastered by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen. The artwork for “Løyndom” includes drawings by Jan Magne Vigdal and design by Tom Korsvold. Tracklisting for “Løyndom”, which is set to hit the streets on the 7th October as follows:
1. Ho Som Haustar Aleine
2. Rooted In Knowledge
3. I Slike Stunder
4. Løgna Sin Fiende
5. The Path Of No Return
6. Faceless Queen
7. Dirt Life Death
8. Past Burden Strength
With a release date for SLEGEST’s debut full-length album “Løyndom” set for the 7th October, Dark Essence Records has today previewed a track from what will be the debut album from former VREID guitarist Ese. “Ho Som Haustar Aleine” is the opening track from “Løyndom” and can be heard below and at http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records/slegest-ho-som-haustar-aleine
Recorded partly in Ese’s own Systrond Studio and partly at the Conclave and Earshot Studio with producer Bjørnar E. Nilsen, and mastered by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen, “Løyndom” (Secret), is a mix of classic heavy rock and old school black metal that has an distinctly down and dirty, and addictively catchy, groove running through it. Track listing for “Løyndom” as follows:
1. Ho Som Haustar Aleine
2. Rooted In Knowledge
3. I Slike Stunder
4. Løgna Sin Fiende
5. The Path Of No Return
6. Faceless Queen
7. Dirt Life Death
8. Past Burden Strength
When Ese formed SLEGEST in 2010 following his departure from VREID, where he played on four albums, his original intention was that it should be a solo project, and, indeed, apart from a guest solo by former VREID band-mate Sture, Ese plays all the instruments himself on “Løyndom”. However, it soon became clear to everyone who heard the album that SLEGEST was a live band waiting to happen, and a live line-up has now been put together, which, apart from Ese on Vocals and Rhythm Guitars, consists of Sør (BÄÄÄV, VONBRÅTEN) on Lead Guitars, Hövard (BOMBEKLÜCHTER) on Bass and Fjøsne on Drums.
SLEGEST is also busy putting the finishing touches to a music video for “Ho Som Haustar Aleine”. Produced by Håvard Nesbø and Ørjan Talle, the video will premiere before the release of “Løyndom”.
Having signed with Dark Essence Records for a further two albums, Norwegian Black-Folk Metallers GALAR have been ensconced in Bergen’s Conclave and Earshot Studios with Producer Bjørnar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) working on the bands third full-length album which will be titled “De Gjenlevende” (The Bereaved) and which is set for release in early 2014. Drummer Phobos (AETERNUS, GRAVDAL, MALSAIN) has now finished laying down the drum tracks and the band will take a short break from the studio until October. A video from the drum sessions can be seen below and on GALAR’s YouTube channel at http://youtu.be/bbNDHGFtoiY
A follow up to 2010’s “Til Alle Heimsens Endar”, the lineup on the album will once again include GALAR’s two core members of M. Kristiansen on screams, guitars and bass and A. B. Lauritzen on clean vocals, bassoon and grand piano, with Phobos on drums. They will be joined by a series of session musicians that include both a string quintet and a horn quartet in keeping with the epic material the band has produced for the album both musically and lyrically. Consisting of six tracks, one of which will be an instrumental, “De Gjenlevende” is a concept album and, according to GALAR, the songs will be longer, and more epic, than previously. Written entirely in Norwegian, “De Gjenlevende” will come with an explanatory booklet.
Jorge Scholz, the band’s lyricist, recently briefly explained the concept behind the album, which draws its inspiration from Pan-European folklore, ontology, and elegies. “Its five contemplative texts tell of the utter dreadfulness that haunts both the human mind and body when the season of winter holds every living thing in its grasp. Winter is the time of utter gloom, enfeeblement and inescapable death, which challenges mankind, beasts and plants equally. Yet, as long as there is life, there is hope, and eventually a new era of the Sun will bring to an end the seemingly eternal darkness of winter. With the arrival of spring hope and life will flourish once more. It is a portrayal of this cyclical process of transformation that is as old as the history of mankind itself”.
Fan-filmed footage of GALAR performing the track “Ingen Siger Vart Vunnin” at the Phantoms of Pilsen Festival in 2011can be seen below and at http://youtu.be/sETwf9PwNlc
Sweden’s SHINING is set to headline the “Razors Across Europe 2013 Tour” (a nod in the direction of the band’s 2007 tour “Razors Across Europe” with URGHEAL) which will take place over 17 dates during November and December of this year. Norwegian Black Metallers CREST OF DARKNESS, who, like management roster-mates SHINING, will be touring with a new album, and Swedish Thrashers STERBHAUS, are set to support the tour which is presented by Catapult Promotion. Routing confirmed so far for the “Razors Over Europe 2013 Tour” as follows:
NOVEMBER
22 – Tiyatrom, Berlin, Germany
23 – Skullcrusher, Dresden, Germany
24 – Viper Room, Vienna, Austria
25 – Gala Hala, Ljubljana, Slovenia
26 – Freak Out Club, Bologna, Italy
27 – TBA, Switzerland
28 – Ninkasi Kao, Lyon, France
29 – Secret Place, Montpellier, France
30 – Nouveau Casino, Paris, France
DECEMBER
01 – Effenaar, Eindhoven
02 – Magasin 4, Brussels, Belgium
03 – Electrowerkz, London, England
04 – Lomax, Liverpool, England
05 – Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton, England
06 – Voodoo Lounge, Dublin, Eire
07 – TBA, UK
08 – Ivory Blacks, Glasgow, Scotland
SHINING is a band that needs no introduction, particularly to fans of Black Metal and DSBM, for whom NIKLAS KVARFORTH’s unruly child has been a yardstick for superb musicianship, skilled writing, and a complete disregard for the artificial rules placed on the genres by a generation of fans who only became aware of Black Metal long after the band was formed back in 1996. Never a band to stick to a repetitive formula when playing live, SHINING’s performances are emotionally charged and “of the moment”, with audiences always wondering what to expect next from one of the scene’s most dynamic frontmen. SHINING has a new full-length album, “8 ½ – Feberdrömmar I Vaket Tillstånd”, due out on Dark Essence Records on the 23rd September, which features guest vocals from some of the elite of Black Metal including ATTILA CSIHAR (MAYHEM, TORMENTOR), MANIAC (SKITLIV, EX MAYHEM), GAAHL (GOD SEED, WARDRUNA, TRELLDOM, EX GORGOROTH), FAMINE (PESTE NOIRE) and PEHR LARSSON (ALFAHANNE), a track from which can be heard at http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records/shining-selvdestruktivitetens . More information about SHINING can be found at www.shiningasylum.com
The official video for the track “Tillsammans Är Vi Allt” from SHINING’s album “VII / Född Förlorare” can be seen below and at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iULz19Cc7yw
CREST OF DARKNESS
CREST of DARKNESS is another band with a long history behind it – 18 years to be precise. With six full-length albums under their belts, CREST OF DARKNESS this year saw Kickass Metal webzine place two of those albums in first and second positions in their “Norwegian Heavy Metal Albums of All Time” feature. Combining elements from both Black and Death Metal together with founder Ingar Amlien’s interest in Vampirism and Satanic ideology and his passion for sonic brutality, CREST OF DARKNESS’ sound has grown in power and intensity over the years and the recent addition of a young new guitarist has breathed a renewed sense of enthusiasm and a fresh outlook to the band. CREST OF DARKNESS’ sixth-full length album “In the Presence of Death” was released on My Kingdom Music earlier this year. More information about CREST OF DARKNESS can be found at https://www.facebook.com/crestofdarknessofficial
The Official video of “Demon Child” from CREST OF DARKNESS’ “In the Presence of Death” can be seen below and at http://youtu.be/3-sNJCviSGY
STERBHAUS
Formed in 2007 in Stockholm, STERBHAUS is a four-piece thrash/death combo that set out to prove that quality Metal combined with a neatly weighed dose of humour can blend perfectly. Having completely revitalized itself STERBHAUS now brings to the stage humour with sarcastic tongue-in-cheek wit and verbal slaughter that is hell-bent on earning the band a smirk or two. STERBHAUS is all about waging sonic warfare against trends and stereotyping. What you see is what you get, and what you get is music founded on the four cornerstones of Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, Death Metal and Black Metal. “Angels For Breakfast…And God For Lunch”, the debut album from STERBHAUS was released on Killhead Productions in 2012. More information about STERBHAUS can be found at http://www.sterbhaus.com
The official video of “Insecticide” from the STERBHAUS album “Angels For Breakfast…And God For Lunch” can be seen below and at http://youtu.be/d5f5eg16TDI
PRESS NOTE
All the bands are available for interview throughout the tour. For SHINING and CREST OF DARKNESS please contact patriciathomas@btinternet.com to arrange. For STERBHAUS Please contact sterbmail@sterbhaus.com to arrange.
With a new album about to be released, SLEGEST founder and frontman Ese has put together a live lineup to take what was initially a solo project onto the stage. “As soon as the album was announced I was being asked if the band would ever play live” says the former VREID guitarist, “and, as it happens, the time felt right to take the next step in SLEGEST’s development. Once I had everyone on board, the thought of playing live again felt really good. It’s one of the greatest satisfactions there is when you play music, and honestly we can’t wait to get up there on stage”. Aside from Ese on Vocals and Rhythm Guitars, SLEGEST’s live line up includes Sør (BÄÄÄV, VONBRÅTEN) on Lead Guitars, Hövard (BOMBEKLÜCHTER) on Bass and Fjøsne on Drums.
SLEGEST are also working on a music video for “Ho Som Haustar Aleine” the opening track on the band’s upcoming album “Løyndom”. The video is being produced by Håvard Nesbø and Ørjan Talle, and, according to Ese, the budget is 1 case of Hansa beer and 1 litre of Mackmyra Brukswhisky! The video will premiere in September.
“Løyndom” (Secret) will be the band’s debut full-length album, and is set for release on Dark Essence records in the autumn. Mastered by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen and recorded partly in Ese’s own Systrond Studio and partly at the Conclave and Earshot Studio with producer Bjørnar E. Nilsen, the artwork for “Løyndom” includes drawings by Jan Magne Vigdal and design by Tom Korsvold. Track listing on the 8-track album, which is a perfect showcase for Ese’s special blend of classic heavy rock and old-school black metal, is as follows:
1. Ho Som Haustar Aleine
2. Rooted In Knowledge
3. I Slike Stunder
4. Løgna Sin Fiende
5. The Path Of No Return
6. Faceless Queen
7. Dirt Life Death
8. Past Burden Strength
DARK ESSENCE RECORDS has announced that it has inked a deal with Swedish rockers ALFAHANNE – a considerable achievement for the relatively young band as it takes its place amongst the well established, and in some cases legendary names that feature in the Norwegian label’s roster. All the more so when you consider that ALFAHANNE have been able to attract the services of TAAKE’s Hoest, SHINING’s Niklas Kvarforth, and HELHEIM’s V’gandr as guest artist on what will be the band’s debut full-length album which is set to hit the streets in January of next year.
Formed in 2010, ALFAHANNE’s debut release came in 2013 with the appearance of the “Grym” split 7” with Sweden’s SHINING. Playing what the band calls “Alfapocalyptic Rock”, which mixes Black Metal with Classic Rock and Punk, and topped off with some Goth influences, ALFAHANNE has created a style of music that is powerful and beautiful, yet ugly at the same time, and about which the band says: “When you are into it you don´t feel pleasure and you don´t feel pain but you definitely FEEL”.
Although ALFAHANNE itself might be a fairly new name to a lot of people, the band’s members, which include Pehr Skioldhammer on Vocals and Guitar, Fredrik Sööberg on Guitars, Niklas Åström on Drums and Jimmy Wiberg on Bass, have been around the Black Metal scene since the early ‘90’s, playing in bands like VINTERLAND and early MAZE OF TORMENT. Skioldhammer in fact is one of the featured guest vocalists on the upcoming release from Niklas Kvarforth’s SHINING “8 ½ – Feberdrömmar I Vaket Tillstånd”, which will be released on Dark Essence Records on the 23 September.
Commenting on the upcoming album and their collaboration with Dark Essence Records ALFAHANNE said: “The Mayan’s got it wrong about 2012, but we’re pretty sure we’ll be proved right when we say that the “Alfapocalypse” will happen in 2014 when the new album hits the streets. With ALFHANNE there is one way in and no way out”.
”Dödsmaskinen” an original demo track from ALFAHANNE and featuring Niklas Kvarforth can be heard on the player at the top of this article, and on the band’s SoundCloud page at http://soundcloud.com/alfahanne
Dark Essence Records has revealed more details about the debut album from SLEGEST, the solo project of former VREID guitarist Ese. Set for release later this year, the eight-track album will be titled “Løyndom” (Secret) and was recorded partly in Ese’s own Systrond Studio and partly at the Conclave and Earshot Studio with producer Bjørnar E. Nilsen. The album is mastered by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen. Track listing for “Løyndom” as follows:
1. Ho Som Haustar Aleine
2. Rooted In Knowledge
3. I Slike Stunder
4. Løgna Sin Fiende
5. The Path Of No Return
6. Faceless Queen
7. Dirt Life Death
8. Past Burden Strength
SLEGEST was born in 2010, following Ese’s departure from VREID, where he played guitar on four of the iconic band’s albums. Drawing his inspiration from BLACK SABBATH, Ese’s use of harsh vocals to create a special blend of classic heavy rock and old-school black metal was used to great effect on the band’s first release, the self-titled SLEGEST EP which appeared in 2012. One year later Ese has developed SLEGEST’s sound further, honing it to achieve a result that is both dark and sinister, whilst at the same time losing none of the dirtiness that can be heard in the unmistakable catchy groove that weaves its way through the music.
Whilst SLEGEST started life as solo project, with Ese handling vocals and playing all the instruments on “Løyndom”, apart from a guest solo by former VREID band-mate Sture, it became apparent very quickly to everyone who heard the album that the potential for taking SLEGEST further and turning it into a live band was unmistakable and to ignore it would be insanity. As a result a live line-up has been put together and will be seen at festivals in the near future.
Dark Essence Records have inked a two-album deal with Black Metallers SARKOM and are expected to release the band’s third full length album, titled “Doomsday Elite”, later this year. Track listing for “Doomsday Elite” as follows:
1. Doomsday Elite
2. I Utakt Med Gud
3. No Loose Ends
4. Inside a Haunted Chapel
5. Predators in Disguise
6. Solemn Disorder ‘til Human Extinction
7. Cosmic Intellect
8. Stigma
Formed in 2003 in Oslo, Norway, by frontman Erik Unsgaard (SO MUCH FOR NOTHING) and then-drummer Eirik Renton (ex-URGEHAL), SARKOM, whose core members comprise Unsgaard on vocals and Sgt. V. (SVARTTJERN) on bass, will shortly present a new live lineup, ready for the release of “Doomsday Elite”, something Unsgaard is feeling very positive about. “Regarding our collaboration with Dark Essence Records”, the frontman said, “we are very much looking forward to working with everyone at the label. I’ve heard a lot of positive things, and hopefully they are in the right position to take SARKOM one step further on this journey of ours!”
Commenting on the new album and SARKOM’s place in the Black Metal scene, Unsgaard went on to say: “It is said that black metal is about individuality and not following trends. I am not saying that SARKOM is a Black Metal band, but it sure is extreme enough and most likely that is how we will be categorised. Personally I don’t mind what label people tag us with, but with this album I can say that we have gone beyond the borders of what is accepted within the “scene”, at least the scene as defined by those who see themselves as “true”. According to the trend nowadays, which has absolutely nothing to do with what Black Metal is actually about, we should probably have played either old school heavy/prog or occult trash/black metal to gain maximum publicity. But fuck that. We do what we want and that’s exactly how it should be. We also have no intention of repeating ourselves and it is my hope, and intention, that SARKOM will keep developing in the future, in one way or the other. I am sure that some SARKOM fans are expecting another “Bestial Supremacy” and they will be surprised by “Doomsday Elite”. With four songwriters from different backgrounds this is, and is meant to be, an album without boundaries. Hopefully you will like it, but if not, you can always listen to Skyforger or something”.
PATRICIA THOMAS BAND MANAGEMENT 