After three years of silence and much speculation Norwegian Black Metallers SLAGMAUR are back in the studio and are currently putting the finishing touches to the follow up to 2009’s “Von Rov Shelter”.  The new six-track full-length album, which the band has been working on for three years,  will have the title of “Thill Smitts Terror” and is expected to be completed in the spring for release later this year. A label is currently being sought.  A pre-production version of the “Drummer of Tedworth”, a track from the album can be heard on the band’s SoundCloud page at http://soundcloud.com/slagmaur/slagmaur-the-drummer-of

“Thill Smitts Terror” will continue where “Von Rov Shelter” left off, delving more and more deeply into the  disturbing world that SLAGMAUR conjures up by combining modern and classical instruments  with children’s nursery rhymes and fairy tales.  It is a world where classically constructed melodies blend seamlessly with aggressive black metal to create a nightmare scenario straight from the pit of hell.

All artwork for the album is by the band’s founder General Gribbsphiiser (guitars, bass, cello, keys) and, according to the band’s manager, art, as well as music, is an integral part of the whole that is SLAGMAUR.  Each individual part of the artwork that will be used on the album will also be available separately as limited editions stand-alone pieces of art, samples of which can be seen on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/slagmaurofficial.  Anyone wishing for more information about the artwork should contact kriger88@hotmail.com

Mysterious and secretive, SLAGMAUR was formed in the remote reaches of North Western Norway, in 2006.  The band have never revealed their true identities, always appearing heavily costumed and disguised.  Nor have they ever revealed how they create the sinister music that invades the listeners mind with layer upon layer of sound, revealing a different facet each time depending on the listener’s current mood.  “Thill Smitts Terror” sees Gribbsphiiser himself take on vocal vocal duties following the death of Steingrim and the departure of Åtselgribb.  Wardr (drums, keys) has also left the band to pursue other projects, but remains an honorary member, and is replaced by Dominaus Kracker who hails from the band’s home island of Fosen, and had previously contributed to “Von Rov Shelter” and worked on the production side of MARE.  Guest appearances by musicians from Fosen and Nidaros will also be featured.

The Official video for the track “Klokker Tramp” from SLAGMAUR’s album “Von Rov Shelter”, which includes an especially composed tribute to Steingrim, can be seen below or at http://youtu.be/F49BG4AvgyI

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/slagmaurofficial
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/slagmaur
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/slagmaur
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/slagmaur
Management: https://patriciathomasmanagement.com/
Contact: patriciathomas@btinternet.com

After 18 years, one EP and five full-length albums which have placed CREST OF DARKNESS firmly at the top of the Extreme Metal genre, the Norwegian masters are back with their most complete, extreme and intense release so far. The ten-track album, titled “In the Presence of Death”, is the band’s sixth full-length release and amply demonstrates that CREST OF DARKNESS are masters of the genre both in terms of writing and musicianship.  It is, in fact, an album that has been described by many as the very essence of Extreme Metal.

Track listing for “In the Presence of Death”, which is set for release on My Kingdom Music on the 25th February is as follows:

1. Intro
2. In The Presence Of Death
3. Demon Child
4. Redemption
5. The Priest From Hell
6. Welcome To My Funeral
7. Womb Of The Wolf
8. Vampire Dreams
9. From The Dead
10. The Day Before She Died

Formed in the mid-nineties by frontman Ingar Amlien, CREST OF DARKNESS is a totally different beast from his former band CONCEPTION, which at that time was at the peak of its popularity.  Whilst CONCEPTION tended towards the Progressive side of Power Metal, CREST OF DARKNESS allowed Amlien to indulge his passion for sonic brutality and his interest in vampirism and Satanic ideology, both of which are reflected in the band’s lyrics.   Aside from Amlien on bass and vocals CREST OF DARKNESS’ lineup includes  Rebo on guitars, Kjetil Hektoen on drums and the recently recruited DJEVELKULT guitarist Jan Fredrik Solheim.   More information about CREST OF DARKNESS can be found on the band’s website at http://www.crestofdarkness.com/

The Official video for the track “Druj Nasu” from the CREST OF DARKNESS album “Give Us The Power To Do Your Evil” can be seen below or at http://youtu.be/_vYJcNXs55A

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Website:  http://www.crestofdarkness.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/crestofdarknessofficial
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/crest-of-darkness
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/CRESTOFDARKNESSOFFIC
MySpace:  http://www.myspace.com/crestofdarkness
My Kingdom Music:  info@mykingdommusic.net
http://www.mykingdommusic.net/
Band Contact and Booking: contact@crestofdarkness.com
Management and Booking:  patriciathomas@btinternet.com
https://patriciathomasmanagement.com/

Progressive Black Metallers FEN have debuted a track from their upcoming album “Dustwalker”.  Set for release on Code666 on the 21st of January, “Dustwalker” will be the third full-length album from the three-piece whose line up comprises The Watcher (guitars and vocals), Grungyn (bass and vocals) and Derwydd (drums).  “Consequence”, the opening track from the album, can be heard on the player above or on the band’s SoundCloud page at http://soundcloud.com/fen-uk/fen-consequence

FEN’s music fits into the Black Metal genre, but the exact categorisation is hard to define, having been variously described as “progressive”, “atmospheric”, “post-rock” and “shoegaze”.  Drawing their name and inspiration from the desolate, windswept, other-worldly  Fen region of the UK from whence founder members The Watcher and Grungyn hail, there is no doubt that the band’s music fits into all the afore-mentioned categories, and more besides, to form a unique sound that is hauntingly and unmistakeably FEN.   As the Watcher recently commented about the new album: “If “Epoch” embodies a lonely walk into the deepening twilight of the fens in Autumn, then “Dustwalker” represents the cold, sharp greys of a bleak winter’s dawn.  An expression of isolation, abandonment and a gradual detachment from the material realm, this album is a starker, more direct representation of the Fen sound.”

FEN have previously released two albums on Code666 – their debut full length album “The Malediction Fields” in 2009 and the follow up “Epoch” in 2011, and the band recently announced that they had re-signed with the label for the release of a further three albums following the release of “Dustwalker”.  “Dustwalker” will be available in both CD format, and as a limited edition Clambox which will feature a bonus track and include a pendant with the band’s distinctive logo, which is currently available to pre-order.  Artwork for the album is by Grungyn.  Track listing for “Dustwalker” as follows:

I. Consequence
II. Hands of Dust
III. Spectre
IV. Reflections
V. Wolf Sun
VI. The Black Sound
VII. Walking the Crowpath
VIII. Epilogue (special edition bonus track)

More information about FEN can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fenofficial

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fenofficial
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/fenband
Webshop: http://fenmerchandise.bigcartel.com/
Band Contact & Booking: fenbanduk@gmail.com
Management & Booking: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Aural Music/Code666: http://www.auralmusic.com
Promos: promotion@auralmusic.com

Having started the band way back in 1993, main man Hoest will celebrate 20 years of staying true to his musical identity by releasing a 20-song, 2 CD collection of TAAKE rarities.  The anniversary album will be released on Dark Essence Records on the 1st of March in Norway and the 4th of March world-wide to coincide with a planned European tour which will herald the start of a year celebrating TAAKE’s unique contribution to Norwegian Black Metal.

Titled “Gravkamre, Kroner og Troner” (Tombs, Crowns and Thrones), the release  will not only feature exclusive new tracks, but also rare and previously unreleased material as well as alternative versions and recordings that have, until now, only been available on vinyl.  “Et Pust av Oeyne”, a track from the album, has been debuted on the TAAKE SoundCloud page and can be heard on the player at the top of th is article or at http://soundcloud.com/taake-official/taake-et-pust-av-oeyne

Track listing for “Gravkamre, Kroner og Troner” as follows:

DISC 1:

1. Et Pust av Oeyne
2. Hov var Stein (Exclusive new track)
3. Nordbundet (Featuring Niklas Kvarforth & Nocturno Culto)
4. Motpol
5. Hordalands Doedskvad 1
6. Over Bjoergvin Graater Himmerik 4
7. Nattestid ser Porten vid 1 (“Kveld” 12″ EP 2011)
8. I am The Black Wizards (“Noregs Vaapen” LP bonus track 2011)
9. Die When You Die (“Swine of Hades” MCD 2011)
10. A lost forgotten Sad Spirit (“Taake” LP Bonus track 2009)

DISC 2:
11. Voldtekt
12. Eismalsott
13. Tykjes Fele
14. Over Fjell og gjennom Torner (“Svartekunst”  7″ EP 2007)
15. Voldtekt
16. Death Trap (“Dra til Helvete” 10″ EP 2006)
17. Lamb (“A Norwegian HAIL to VON”  7″ EP 2005)
18. Hennes kalde Skamlepper (“Lagnonector” 10″ EP 2005)
19. Der Todesking (“Nordens Doedsengel” 10″ EP 2004)
20. Nattestid ser Porten vid 1 (Pre-mix 1997)

More information about TAAKE can be found on the band’s website at http://taake.svartekunst.no/

The official video for the track “Nordbundet” from the TAAKE album “Noreg’s Vaapen” can be seen below or at http://youtu.be/OAIIbnrYC7Q

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Dark Essence Records: http://www.darkessencerecords.no
Promos and Information: post@karismarecords.no
Taake Website: http://taake.svartekunst.no/
Taake on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taakeofficial
Taake on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/taakeofficial
Taake WebShop: http://svartekunst.bigcartel.com/
Svartekunst Produksjoner: http://svartekunst.no
Taake Management & Booking: Propulsion Music http://www.propulsionmusic.no/
email: bjornar.erevik.nilsen@gmail.com

Norway’s KARISMA RECORDS have announced the signing of the Prog Rock band SEVEN IMPALE.  The first release from the band will be a five-track digital EP entitled “Beginning/Relieve” which will appear in February 2013.  The title track from “Beginning/Relieve” has been debuted on the label’s SoundCloud page and can be heard at http://soundcloud.com/karisma-records/seven-impale-begining-relieve

Track listing for “Beginning/Relieve” as follows:
1. Mind Riot
2. Blind to All
3. Beginning/Relieve
4. Measure 15
5. What am I Sane For?

SEVEN IMPALE was formed in Bergen, Norway, in 2010 and the six-man, relatively young lineup consists of  Stian Økland on vocals and guitars, Fredrik Mekki Widerøe on drums, Benjamin Mekki Widerøe on sax, Tormod Fosso on bass, Erlend Vottvik Olsen on guitar and Håkon Vinje on keyboards.   With all the members coming from a range of disciplines including classical orchestra, big band, metal, jazz, rock and electronic music, recording the EP has been a long process for the band, as they have sought to combine all their experiences and influences and refine them into a unique, mesmerizing and exciting sound.

SEVEN IMPALE will enter the Duper Studio in Bergen in early 2013 to begin recording their debut full-length album with Iver Sandøy who produced KRAKOW’s “diin” and co-produced ENSLAVED’s “Riitiir”.  More information about the band can be found at https://www.facebook.com/sevenimpale

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Promo and other information: post@karismarecords.no
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sevenimpale
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/sevenimpale
NRK: http://www.nrk.no/urort/Artist/SevenImpale/default.aspx

 

Andre’ Kvebek, frontman of Norwegian Extreme Metallers PANTHEON I, will host a video Question and Answer sessions for fans (and enemies) of the band.  Anyone with a question for the band is invited to post it either on the wall, or as a message, on the PANTHEON I Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pantheoni  and, according to Kvebek, who is known not only for his sense of humour, but also for his outspokenness, no subject is out of bounds, and he will answer all the questions.   Once enough questions have been received, a video of Kvebek reading out the questions and answering them will be available on the band’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/tjalve1349

Aside from Kvebek, PANTHEON I’s line up includes former ABSU guitarist Aethyris McKay on guitars and clean vocals, cellist LiveJulianne, Sagstad (TROLLFEST, SARKOM) on guitars,  T.R.S. (1349, DEN SAAKALDTE) on bass and Mads G (THE ALL SEEING I, ZEENON)  on drums.   The band recently began recording their fourth full-length album “Adversus Religionem” at the Skansen Lydstudio in Trondheim with Vegar “Vyl” Larsen (KEEP OF KALESSIN, CHTON, live session drums for GORGOROTH) behind the kit in place of drummer Mads who is currently unwell.  A video of the drum recording session can be seen below or at http://youtu.be/P2BySgv3uaU

 

The official video the track “Serpent Christ” from the PANTHEON I album “Worlds I Create” can be seen below or at http://youtu.be/1KoshSuARDw

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Website: http://www.pantheon-i.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pantheoni
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/pantheoni
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/pantheon-i
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/pantheoni
Band Contact & Booking: pantheon@hotmail.com
Management & Booking: patriciathomas@btinternet.com

“Gâst”, the fourth full-length album from the veteran Danish Black Metallers BLODARV will be released at precisely 12:12 pm CET on the twelfth of December 2012 – the last time in the 21st Century that the time, date, month and year all correspond.  Released on Self Mutilation Services in both a regular CD format and a limited edition A5 format with different artwork, “Gâst” is accompanied by a 16 page booklet, which includes lyrics.  Limited edition merchandise including a T-Shirt, patch and pin will also be available.  Track listing for “Gâst”, which runs for 45 minutes, is as follows:

1. Indelukket
2. A Snowy Night In November
3. I Blaek Og Blod
4. Korset Paa Baalet
5. The Heart Of Art
6. Lonely Journey
7. Surrounded By Dust
8. Into The Halls Of Orion

Whilst BLODARV’s line up has just been expanded with the addition of FJORGYNN on drums and live is session member HUUL, the lineup on “Gâst” comprises BLODARV core members HUGIN on vocals, bass, guitars and effects, SATINAE MA on female vocals and PESTILENS on lead guitar.  Session studio drums are by YNLEBORGAZ .  All artwork relating to “Gâst” is by BLODARV founder and frontman Hugin, who is also responsible for the recording, mixing and engineering, which were carried out at his Hammer Art and studios on his home island of Bornholm.

As with previous BLODARV releases “Gâst” contains a mix of tracks in both Danish and English, and allows a glimpse into the mind of Hugin through his music and his poetry.  Influenced by the rich history and traditions of Bornholm, an island filled with myths and legends and beautiful, eerily evocative landscapes, Hugin leads the listeners through a world filled with powerful demons, haunted souls, tragic destinies and chilling dreams.  The title itself, in the island dialect of Bornholmsk (Burgundian), refers to a “Gâst” – a type of a ghost demon or energy with the ability to possess mortals and inspire them in much the same way as a muse, with visions, stories, smells, sounds, emotions and pictures.  More information about BLODARV can be found on the band’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/blodarvofficial

A promo video for “Gâst” can be seen below or at  http://youtu.be/tfxUedBQK_w

The official video for the “I Blaek Og Blod” track from “Gâst”, can be seen below or on the BLODARV YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSWjAaKuHlk

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
BLODARV Store: www.blodarvshop.bigcartel.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/blodarvofficial
Myspace: www.myspace.com/blodarv
Youtube: www.youtube.com/huginofblodarv
Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/blodarv
Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/blodarv
Twitter: www.twitter.com/blodarv
Management: www.patriciathomasmanagement.com
SELF MUTILATION SERVICES: www.selfmutilationservices.com
For Interviews & booking, contact
BLODARV: stafahugin@hotmail.com
Or PATRICIA THOMAS BAND MANAGEMENT: patriciathomas@btinternet.com

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Norwegian Black Metallers ENDEZZMA have debuted their first official video.  The video, for “Junkyard Oblivion”, the opening track from the “Erotik Nekrosis” album and featuring guest appearances by URGEHAL’s Enzifer and BEASTRAFT’s Sorath Northgrove, was produced by the Effektor film company and was directed by ENDEZZMA frontman Morten Shax and R.M.  Camera and editing are by R.M.   Dedicated to the late ENDEZZMA guitarist and URGEHAL frontman Trondr Nefas, the video can be seen at http://youtu.be/NZtQ9xPZF5U

Formed back in 1992 by Morten Shax under the original name of DIM NAGEL, Shax changed the name to ENDEZZMA in 2007 after recruiting Trondr Nefas and transforming the band into what it is today.   ENDEZZMA’s first release, the “Alone” MCD, appeared five years ago, and the 2012 release of  the full length album “Erotik Nekrosis” on Agonia Records on the 28th November in Europe (5th February in the USA), was delayed by a series of setbacks, culminating in the tragic and untimely death of Nefas earlier this year.  The line up on the album includes Morten Shax on vocals, Trondr Nefas (URGEHAL, BEASTCRAFT, VULTURE LORD) and Thomas Myrvold (VULTURE LORD) on guitars, Sregroth (URGEHAL, ÅSMEGIN) on bass,  Jarle Uruz Byberg  (URGEHAL, ex SHINING) on drums and  L.F.Frøislie (WOBBLER, IN LINGUA MORTUA) on synth. With its cold atmosphere straight out of the original Norwegian Black Metal scene, and its eerie, seductive compositions, “Erotik Nekrosis” is a tribute to Nefas whose contribution to the scene cannot be underestimated.

More information about ENDEZZMA can be found at http://www.facebook.com/endezzma

The Official video for “Junkyard Oblivion” can be seen below or on ENDEZZMA’s YouTube channel at  http://youtu.be/NZtQ9xPZF5U

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/endezzma
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/endezzma-official
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/endezzma
Band Contact & Booking: endezzma@online.no
Management & Booking: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
https://patriciathomasmanagement.com/
Agonia Records: promotion@agoniarecords.com
http://agoniarecords.com/

 

Norway’s Avant-garde Metallers VIRUS have posted a new song online from their upcoming mini-CD “Oblivion Clock”, whose release is set to coincide with their upcoming European tour alongside VULTURE INDUSTRIES, KRAKOW and MONDVOLLAND in December.   The track “Inverted Escape” can be streamed both on the band’s website at http://virusnorway.com/discography.htm or on their BandCamp page at http://virusnorway.bandcamp.com

New dates have been added to the “And Now For Something Completely Different Tour” and the revised routing is now as follows:

Fri 07 Dec:  Willemeen , Arnhem (NL)
Sat 08 Dec: Ferrailleur,  Nantes (FR)
Sun 09 Dec: Glazart,  Paris (FR)
Mon 10 Dec: TBA
Tue 11 Dec:  The Underworld,  London (UK)
Wed 12 Dec: Exhaus, Trier (DE)
Thu 13 Dec: Orto Bar,  Ljubljana (SLO)
Fri 14 Dec: Gaswerk Kulturzentrum, Winterthur (CH)
Sat 15 Dec: Decadance, Gent (BE)

Formed in 2000 by guitarist and front man Carl-Michael “Czral” Eide (AURA NOIR, former / founder member of ULVER, SATYRICON, DØDHEIMSGARD, CADAVER etc., along with bass player Petter “Plenum” Berntsen (AUDIOPAIN) and drummer Einar “Einz” Sjursø (LAMENTED SOULS, INFERNÖ, ex BEYOND DAWN), VIRUS takes the original elements of Czral’s former avant-garde black metal band VED BUENS ENDE and channels them towards a weirder and less metal direction. Czral’s unique dissonant guitar style and song writing has ensnared listeners the world-over.  Listeners  who have found themselves at times times puzzled, but always fascinated, by the band’s  three critically acclaimed albums and live performances (as a five-piece).  More information about VIRUS can be found on the band’s website at http://virusnorway.com/

The promotional video for the upcoming “And Now For Something Completely Different Tour” can be seen below or at http://youtu.be/k3GxthILf_4


 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Tour presented by Propulsion Music and the Mythology Agency
Propulsion Music: http://www.propulsionmusic.no/
Mythology Agency: http://www.mythology-live.com/
Tour Contact:  Bjornar Nilsen at Propulsion Music: bjornar@propulsionmusic.no
Virus:  http://virusnorway.com/
Vulture Industries: http://www.vulture-industries.net/

 

 

CREST OF DARKNESS founder and frontman Ingar Amlien together with drummer Kjetil Hektoen will join members of LEGIONES, ENTHRAL and THE EMBRACED in a specially formed band called SYTHANAGON WINGED to perform five songs by the late Thomas “Quorthon” Forsberg, founder of BATHORY and one of the pioneers of the first wave of Black and Pagan/Viking Metal.  The event, which is billed as “Blood, Fire and Death – In Memory of Quorthon”, will take place on Saturday 17 November at the Fru Lundgreen in Trondheim, Norway, and as well as SYTHANAGON WINGED, other bands taking part include CHTON, CLEAVER, LAW OF THE HORSEMEN and A SORCERY WRITTEN IN BLOOD.

Commenting on the Quorthon Tribute event, Amlien, who started his musical career with the progressive band CONCEPTION before forming CREST OF DARKNESS, a vehicle that allows him to explore the more vampiric and satanic elements that interest him, said: “It’s a huge honour to be part of a tribute to an incredible musician. One who has influenced and inspired, and will continue to influence and inspire, generations of other musicians.  It’s no exaggeration to say that many of today’s bands would probably not be around without him.  Kjetil and I have been rehearsing hard with the rest of the guys and we are ready and very much looking forward to performing the BATHORY songs and do them the justice they deserve”.

“In the Presence of Death”, CREST OF DARKNESS’ sixth full-length album is set for release on My Kingdom Music on the 11th February, and according to Amlien it will be “the most complete, extreme and dark album the band has ever recorded”.  Aside from Amlien himself on bass and vocals,  the band’s lineup includes Rebo on guitars, Kjetil Hektoen on drums and the recently recruited DJEVELKULT guitarist Jan Fredrik Solheim.   More information about CREST OF DARKNESS can be found at http://www.crestofdarkness.com/

The official video for the track “Dru Nasu” from CREST OF DARKNESS’ album “Give Us the Power to Do Your Evil” can be seen below or at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfMmS-EHM1s

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Website:  http://www.crestofdarkness.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/crestofdarknessofficial
MySpace:  http://www.myspace.com/crestofdarkness
Band Contact and Booking: contact@crestofdarkness.com
Management and Booking:  patriciathomas@btinternet.com
https://patriciathomasmanagement.com/
My Kingdom Music:  info@mykingdommusic.net
http://www.mykingdommusic.net/