Norwegian Extreme Metallers PANTHEON I, have entered the Skansen Lydstudio in Trondheim to begin recording their fourth full-length album.   The drum tracks have already been laid down,  with Vegar “Vyl” Larsen (KEEP OF KALESSIN, CHTON, live session drums for GORGOROTH) behind the kit in place of the band’s drummer Mads G (THE ALL SEEING I, ZEENON) who is currently unwell.  At the end are a couple of photos of Vyl taken during the recording session.

PANTHEON I have always been known for their fast aggressive sound, which is combined with interludes of sweeping melodies.   The new album, which will be called “Adversus”, is set to signpost the future direction of the band with a fuller, more complex sound.  It was, in fact, in pre-production for some time, with the band deciding to re-work the original tracks so that they would better suit the arrival of former ABSU guitarist Aethyris McKay, who not only contributes on the writing side, but also adds clean vocals that act as a perfect foil to frontman Andre Kvebek’s raw style.  As well as Kvebek and McKay, PANTHEON I’s lineup includes cellist LiveJulianne, Sagstad (TROLLFEST, SARKOM) on guitars and T.R.S. (1349, DEN SAAKALDTE) on bass.  It is anticipated that drummer Mads G will continue with the band, and will only be absent for the recording of the new album.

PANTHEON I recently went “Old School” and released a tape version of their very first album “Atrocity Divine” through Silent Scream Records.  Limited to 150 copies, artwork for the tape was by the Norwegian artist Kjell Åge Meland who has worked with the band on all their releases.   The next live appearance by PANTHEON I will be on the 19th October at Seb’s Hotel in Hamar, Norway, supported by DJEVELKULT.  More information about PANTHEON I can be found at http://www.facebook.com/pantheoni

The official video for the track “Serpent Christ” from the PANTHEON I album “Worlds I Create” can be seen below or at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=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

Norwegian Thrashers DEAD TROOPER have this week released a 12” vinyl version of their “live” album “No Tan En Vivo En Mexico” through Hellish Records.  The title, which translated means “Not So Live in Mexico” refers to the band’s appearance at the Wild Metal Festival in Mexico which was rained off after only one and a half songs into DEAD TROOPER’s set, and is a “thank you” for the hospitality and welcome the band received when, together with local musicians and some prominent guests, they played an impromptu set at a local bikers bar where festival goers had gone to shelter from the rain.  Artwork for the eight-track album, which was released digitally in 2011, is by Danny Larsen, and was recorded live in the studio during rehearsals and forms the entire set that the band would have played at the festival.  “No Tan En Vivo En Mexico” will hit the streets on the 13th October and will be available direct from the band at http://deadtrooper.bigcartel.com/product/dead-trooper-no-tan-en-vivo-en-mexico-vinyl

Track listing for “No Tan En Vivo En Mexico” as follows:
1) Reaping Of Your Cries
2) Awakening The Awe
3) Death Casts A Shadow
4) Inner Riot
5) Spiritual Funeral
6) Ten Ton Hammer (MACHINE HEAD cover)
7) Guns N’ Neuroses
8) Kiss Of The Kannibal

Describing their music as “groovy, aggressive thrash metal”, DEAD TROOPER’s line up consists of frontman and guitarist Morten Müller (DEATH INJECTOR, METAL MILITIA, ex-GRIMFIST), Kim Andreassen (SLOGSTORM) on guitars and backing vocals,  Andreas Stenvoll (BLODSPOR) on bass  and Jon Eirik Bokn (ZEROZONIC, BREED, AUTUMN INSPIRATION) on drums.  The band will launch the album on the 13th October with a concert and signing session at the Da Vinci Rock Bar in Oslo, which also marks the opening of the bar itself as a music venue.  Various festivities and events are also set to take place throughout the evening to celebrate the venue’s opening.

Work on DEAD TROOPER’s sophomore full-length album, which includes guest appearances by some of Norway’s extreme metal elite has now been completed and the band is looking for a label for its release.  The band is also confirmed to support SAHG at Musikkflekken in Sandvika, Norway on the 24 November. More information about DEAD TROOOPER can be found at http://www.deadtrooper.com/

A video of  DEAD TROOPER performing ”Spiritual Funeral and Ten Ton Hammer”  live can be seen below or on the band’s YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQ3lejdFcCc

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/deadtrooper
Website: http://www.deadtrooper.com/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/DeadTrooperOfNorway
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/deadtrooper
WebShop: http://deadtrooper.bigcartel.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/deadtroopermetal
Band Contact & Booking: band@deadtrooper.com
Management & Booking: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Hellish Records: http://www.hellishrecords.no/

Artwork and details of the upcoming release from Norwegian Black Metallers ENDEZZMA have been revealed. The seven-track album, which will be the band’s debut full length and a follow up to 2008’s MCD “Alone”, is to be titled “Erotik Nekrosis” and will appear on Agonia Records on the 28th November in Europe and the 5th of February in the USA.  “Erotik Nekrosis” has a line up of musicians who between them can lay claim to decades of experience garnered in the earlier and darker recesses of the Norwegian Black Metal scene and which includes Morten Shax on vocals, the late Trondr Nefas (URGEHAL, BEASTCRAFT, VULTURE LORD) and Mattis Malphas (BEASTCRAFT) on guitars, Sregroth (URGEHAL, ÅSMEGIN) on bass and Carl Balam (NATTEFROST, ASTAROTH, ex INFERNAL) on drums.  It was recorded at the Slaughterhaus Studio in Oslo and crafted by the Hollywood producer Robert Blix.  Artwork is by the Kazakhstani artist Alexandr Balinets.  Track listing for “Erotik Nekrosis” as follows:

1) Junkyard Oblivion
2) Enigma of the Sullen
3) Against Them All
4) Swansong of a Giant
5) Hollow
6) Krossing Rubikon
7) Soulcleansing

ENDEZZMA offers up the cold atmosphere that permeated the sounds that came out of the original Norwegian Black Metal scene and combines them with eerie, seductive compositions to form the epitome of nekro requiems.  The ENDEZZMA of today can trace its roots back to 1992 with frontman Morten Shax’s band DIM NAGEL, which, as is often the case with bands, went through the usual vicissitudes of bankrupt labels and states of hibernation. It wasn’t until 2006 that Shax decided the time was right to start playing again and, recruiting URGEHAL’s Trondr Nefas, set about transforming his old band.  On the way to their first festival gig in 2007 Shax changed the name of the band to ENDEZZMA, and the transformation was well and truly under way.

Commenting on “Erotik Nekrosis” and the delays that dogged the album, including the tragic and untimely death of Trondr Nefas, founder and frontman Shax had this to say: “After delays that almost seem to have been a series of malicious and morbid curses conspiring against us, it is with understandable relief that we can finally get “Erotik Nekrosis” out there. The reasons for the delay are legion, and it is probably best just to say that the path of darkness is a troubled and mysterious journey through life and there’s an intensity to the sickness that accompanies it which can only be dealt with over short periods of time.  Sadly, too, it is impossible to predict the season that Death will gather its harvest, and we lost Trondr Nefas – our close friend, our brother and our guitarist, under tragic circumstances.   It’s been 5 years since we released “Alone” so it’s definitely time for ENDEZZMA to turn the page on what went before and move forward.   I know many people have been waiting and waiting for this album, and some probably gave up along the way, but I hope we will not let down all of the patient morbid souls.  This album is for all of the individuals that stayed true to the band, all of you who never stopped waiting.  “Erotik Nekrosis” is dedicated to Death and to you Trondr!”

More information about ENDEZZMA can be found on the band’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/endezzma

“Erotik Nekrosis” is available to pre-order from Agonia Records at http://www.agoniarecords.home.pl/index.php?pos=shop&lang=en&section=search&what=erotik+nekrosis&x=0&y=0

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/

UK Progressive Black Metallers FEN have not only just finished work on their third full-length album, they have also renewed their contract with Code666 Records for the release of a further three albums.  Formed initially as a studio project in 2006, FEN draws its inspiration from the windswept, desolate landscape of England’s Fen region after which the band was named.  By fusing the cold rage of Black Metal with more reflective influences, FEN succeeds in creating a deeply intense, atmospheric, almost otherworldly sound, redolent of loss and melancholic yearning.

More information about FEN’s third full-length album, which is titled “Dustwalker” and is a follow up to “The Malediction Fields” which appeared in 2009 and “Epoch” released in 2011, will be available shortly.   FEN frontman The Watcher had this to say about the new contract: “We have been happy with the way we’ve been treated by Code666 in respect of the first three albums, and were impressed by the enthusiasm that the label has always shown for FEN and the faith they have placed in us, so it was logical for us to continue a relationship that was obviously working well”.

FEN is set to appear at the three-day Winter is Coming Festival in New London, Connecticut on the 13th October, marking the band’s first appearance in the USA.  Their next European appearance will be at the Aurora Infernalis Festival in Arnhem, Netherlands on the 27 October.  More information about FEN can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fenofficial

“As Buried Spirits Stir” from FEN’s “Malediction Fields” album can be heard below or at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMFDW46rsn0

 

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

U.K. Progressive Black Metallers FEN will play their first ever date in North America on the 13th October when they appear at the three-day Winter is Coming Festival which is taking place between the 12th and 14th October in New London, Connecticut.   EVOKEN, VITAL REMAINS, AGALLOCH and SIG:AR:TYR are amongst the 23 bands who will play at the festival, which this year is dedicated to the memory of WOODS OF YPRES frontman David Gold.

Formed in 2006 as a studio project by Grungyn, Theutus and The Watcher, and inspired by the windswept, desolate landscape of England’s Fen region, the band set out to fuse the cold rage of Black Metal with more reflective influences, creating a deeply intense and atmospheric sound which speaks of loss and melancholic yearning.  Quickly realising that a studio project would be too restricting, FEN soon started to perform live, and an offer from Northern Silence Productions resulted in the release of the “Ancient Sorrow” EP in 2007.

A three-album deal with Code666 Records followed and FEN’s debut full-length album “The Malediction Fields” appeared in 2009, followed by the sophomore full-length “Epoch” in 2011. With today’s line up of The Watcher on vocals and guitars, Grungyn on vocals and bass and newest member Derwydd on drums, the band is currently putting the finishing touches to their new album.   FEN’s next European appearance will be at the Aurora Infernalis Festival in Arnhem, Netherlands on the 27 October.  More information about FEN can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fenofficial

“Exile’s Journey” from FEN’s “Malediction Fields” album can be heard below or at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5BpEMKGPSQ code:

 

 

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

Like so many bands in the extreme genre SO MUCH FOR NOTHING started out in 2007 pretty much as a solo project for SARKOM frontman Erik Unsgaard who chose it as a vehicle to give voice to the decadence that has subtly invaded society; something that he achieved with the use of dark melodies tinged with brooding Black Metal.  With eight songs written, Unsgaard brought in URGEHAL drummer Uruz in 2009, and an offer from My Kingdom Music resulted in the release of the band’s debut full length album “Livsgnist, which in Norwegian means “Spark of Life”, in both CD and LP versions in January 2012.

“Livsgnist” includes a plethora of special guests that bear witness to Unsgaard’s standing in the Scandinavian Metal scene, and include, amongst others, SHINING’s Niklas Kvarforth and Peter Huss, PANTHEON I’s Live Julianne Kostøl and “Aethyris” McKay (ex-ABSU), Ingvild Sareeta Kaare  (formerly of RAM-ZET), Seidemann (1349), and the late Trondr Nefas (URGEHAL, ENDEZZMA, ANGST SKVADRON , BEASTCRAFT, VULTURE LORD).  It was the reception that “Livsgnist” received from both critics and fans alike that convinced Unsgaard that SO MUCH FOR NOTHING was ready to become not just a studio project, but a fully functioning live band, and he set about recruiting musicians from the prolific Norwegian Black/Extreme Metal scene.

Aside from Unsgaard on vocals and Uruz on drums, SO MUCH FOR NOTHING’s lineup now includes guitarists Malphas (ENDEZZMA) and R.M. (ANGST SKVADRON), and Dvuralek (ANGST SKVADRON) on bass.  Commenting on the new line up Unsgaard said “Of course it helps that we’ve all been familiar with each other’s work a long time through our various musical incarnations and we’ve been rehearsing regularly, and intensively, and I can say without any reservations that I couldn’t have found better musicians for SO MUCH FOR NOTHING, not only in terms of skill but also in terms of commitment.  We’re all more than ready to take the band live and we’re very much looking forward to getting on stage together in front of an audience”.     More information about SO MUCH FOR NOTHING, can be found on the band’s website at http://www.somuchfornothing.com/

The track “Suffer in Silence” from “Livsgnist”, which includes guest vocals by Niklas Kvarforth can be heard below or at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LV2gtmI33mY

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
So Much For Nothing on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/somuchfornothing
So Much For Nothing on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/somuchfornothing
So Much For Nothing on SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/somuchfornothing
Band Contact: e.unsgaard@gmail.com
Management & PR: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
https://patriciathomasmanagement.com/
My Kingdom Music:  http://www.mykingdommusic.net
Promo: info@mykingdommusic.net

Norwegian Black Metallers CREST OF DARKNESS have today announced a change in lineup that sees the departure of  Kjell Arne Hubred after seven years with the band, and the arrival of DJEVELKULT guitarist Jan Fredrik Solheim to replace him.  “It’s sad to be saying goodbye to Kjell Arne after all this time” said founder and front man Ingar Amlien, “but he has a young family and with CREST OF DARKNESS intending to work harder than ever, it was too difficult for him to devote the amount of time to the band that would be needed, and that’s something we understand.  We’ve been very lucky in finding Jan Fredrik to replace him.  He’s young, talented, highly motivated and has plenty of ambition.  We’ve rehearsed with him several times and it was obvious that he knew CREST OF DARKNESS’ music long before he joined us.  With the release of our new album imminent, he has brought a renewed sense of enthusiasm and purpose to the band, and as far as I’m concerned we’re sounding better and stronger than ever”.

Formed in the mid-nineties by 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 and Solheim on guitars, CREST OF DARKNESS’ current lineup includes Rebo on guitars and Kjetil Hektoen on drums.  Having so far released five full-length albums, the band is set to release their sixth, titled “In the Presence of Death”, on My Kingdom Music shortly.  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 “Dru Nasu” from CREST OF DARKNESS’ album “Give Us the Power to Do Your Evil” can be seen below and 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/

 

Norwegian Progressive Extreme Metallers VULTURE INDUSTRIES entered the Conclave and Earshot Studios in Bergen early last week to begin work on their third full-length album which is set for release on Season of Mist next year.   The band plan to issue studio updates at regular intervals on their Facebook page at http://www.vulture-industries.net/ so that fans can follow the progress of the album.

So far the drums have been recorded, and frontman Bjornar Nilsen, who is also producing the album, commented that the band set out to aim for a much more organic and dynamic sound this time around, and that so far he is very pleased with the result.  Once the album has been recorded, mixing will be carried out at the Fascination Street Studios in Orebro,  Sweden, by Jens Brogen who is known for his work with OPETH, PARADISE LOST, DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, ENSLAVED and IHSAHN, amongst others.

Based in Bergen, and with two critically acclaimed releases already under their belts, VULTURE INDUSTRIES’ line up is composed of Bjornar Nilsen (BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) on vocals, keys and programming,   Øyvind Madsen (SULPHUR, ex-ENSLAVED) and Eivind Huse (SULPHUR) on guitars, Kyrre Teigen on bass and Tor Helge Gjengedal (ex-TAAKE) on drums.   Nilsen, who is himself one of Norway’s leading producers, is known for his highly theatrical on-stage performances that earn VULTURE INDUSTRIES a myriad of new fans wherever they play.

VULTURE INDUSTRIES next live appearance will be at the Phantoms of Pilsen Festival in the Czech Republic on the 6th October. More information about VULTURE INDUSTRIES can be found on the band’s website at http://www.vulture-industries.net

VULTURE INDUSTRIES INFO:
Band Contact: bjornar@vulture-industries.net
Management & Booking: Propulsion Music:  http://www.propulsionmusic.no/
Vulture Industries Website: http://www.vulture-industries.net
Vulture Industries on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/vultureindustries
Vulture Industries on SoundCloud:  http://soundcloud.com/vulture-industries
Vulture Industries WebShop: http://vultureindustries.bigcartel.com/
Vulture Industries on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/vultureindustries
Vulture Industries on ReverbNation:  http://www.reverbnation.com/vultureindustries

With the release of their seventh full-length album  “Malediction” imminent, Norwegian Black Metallers RAGNAROK have inked a deal with the UK-based MYTHOLOGY AGENCY to handle all the band’s European booking.  “Mythology is very excited about joining forces with a Norwegian Black Metal band of the standing and reputation of RAGNAROK” commended Mythologies’ Jake Gill who will be overseeing the bookings, “I have myself been a fan of the band for longer than I can remember, so it’s a double pleasure for me to be working with these guys”.

RAGNAROK founder and drummer Jontho had this to say about the collaboration “When we set about planning RAGNAROK’s future several months ago, one of the big priorities for us was to set up a solid team to work alongside the band.  An unholy trinity if you like who understood what RAGNAROK was all about, and would be willing to put as much of themselves into the band as we do ourselves.  Mythology has some extraordinary bands on their roster, and they have an in-depth understanding of the genre and with them alongside our Manager Patricia Thomas, and our label Agonia Records, the final piece is now in place, and we are ready to take RAGNAROK all the way.”

Details of “Malediction”, which was recorded, mixed and mastered by MARDUK’S Devo at his Endarker Studios in Sweden, and produced by RAGNAROK and Devo, were revealed recently.  The album will appear in three formats – Jewel Case CD, Digital Download and Limited Edition Vinyl which will come with an exclusive bonus track, with the first 100 copies available on brown vinyl and hand numbered.  “Malediction is set for release on the 30th October in Europe and the 6th November in North America.  “Blood of Saints” a track from “Malediction” was debuted earlier this week by Agonia Records, and can now be heard on the band’s SoundCloud page at http://soundcloud.com/ragnarokofficial/ragnarok-blood-of-saints

Later this year, RAGNAROK will play their first show in North America, when they headline the three day Messe des Mortes Festival in Montreal, Canada, on the 24th November.  Commented Jontho: “It’s tremendously exciting to be able to play in North America after all these years, and we hope that this will be the first of many visits. We are also aiming to return to South America, where we have always received such a tremendous welcome from the fans”.  RAGNAROK will also appear at the Metal Legacy Festival in Stromstad, Sweden on the 27th October, whilst Kings of Black Metal in Germany is the first show to have been announced in 2013, with more festival appearances and promotional tours planned.  More information about RAGNAROK can be found on the band’s website at http://www.ragnarokhorde.com/

RAGNAROK’s “Collectors of the King” video can be seen below and on the bands YouTube channel at at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdRPw1tPl5E

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ragnarokofficial
Website: http://www.ragnarokhorde.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/RagnarokNorway
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/ragnarokofficial
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ragnarok
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/ragnarokhorde
European Booking: jake@mythology-live.com Management: https://patriciathomasmanagement.com/
Management Contact: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Label: http://www.agoniarecords.com
For promo copies: info@agoniarecords.com

 

Details of the latest release from Norwegian Black Metallers RAGNAROK have been revealed today.  Titled “Malediction”, the album, which  was recorded, mixed and mastered by Devo (MARDUK) at his Endarker Studios in Sweden and produced by RAGNAROK and Devo, will be the band’s seventh full-length and it is set for release on Agonia Records on the 30th October in Europe and the 6th November in North America.  “Malediction” will be available in three formats – Jewel Case CD, Digital Download and Limited Edition Vinyl which will come with an exclusive bonus track, with the first 100 copies available on brown vinyl and hand numbered.  Artwork for “Malediction” is by Perversor and All band photos shot and edited by Jon Løvstad.

Track listing for “Malediction” as follows:
1. Blood of Saints
2. Demon in My View
3. Necromantic Summoning Ritual
4. Divide et Impera
5. (Dolce et Decorum Est) Pro Patria Mori
6. Dystocratic
7. Iron Cross – Posthumous
8. The Elevenfold Seal
9. Fade Into Obscurity
10. Sword of Damocles
11. Retribution (exclusive vinyl bonus track)

Formed in 1994 by drummer Jontho and then-bassist Jerv, RAGNAROK’s current lineup includes Jontho on drums, Hans Fyrst on vocals, DezeptiCunt on Bass and Bolverk on guitars.  RAGNAROK will make their first live appearance in North America when they headline the Messe des Mortes Festival in Montreal, Canada, on the 24th November.  Next European appearance will be at the Metal Legacy festival in Stromstad, Sweden, on the 27th October. More information about RAGNAROK can be found on the band’s website at http://www.ragnarokhorde.com

RAGNAROK’s “Collectors of the King” video can be seen below:

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ragnarokofficial
Website: http://www.ragnarokhorde.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/RagnarokNorway
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/ragnarokofficial
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/ragnarok
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/ragnarokhorde
Management: https://patriciathomasmanagement.com/
Management Contact: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Label: http://www.agoniarecords.com
For promo copies: info@agoniarecords.com