It’s almost five years now since AETERNUS released their last album “…and the seventh his soul detesteth” on Dark Essence Records, but fans of the veteran Norwegian Dark Metallers will have something to look forward to next year as the band has just announced that they plan to begin recording their new album in early January. Not only will this be the band’s eighth full-length album, it will also serve to celebrate AETERNUS’ 25th Anniversary.
As with its predecessor, the new album will be recorded at Bergen’s Conclave & Earshot studios, and will be produced by Herbrand Larsen, who previously co-produced AETERNUS’ “Shadow of Old” and “Ascension of Terror” albums. The album will be released on Dark Essence Records in 2018.
One of the pioneers for the “Dark Metal” genre, AETERNUS was formed in 1993 by guitarist and frontman Ares. Aside from Ares, today’s lineup includes Phobos (GRAVDAL) on drums and KRAKOW’s Eld on bass. The band’s sound is one that combines features from both Black Metal and Death Metal, interspersed with haunting, melodic interludes, all topped off with skilled musicianship.
Commenting on what will be their 25th Anniversary release, the band had this to say: ” We`ve been working on new material for four years now, so it feels very good to know that we are finally ready to get the best of it recorded and released the same year that we mark our 25 year anniversary! So expect only the best! And before you know it we’ll also be back on stage performing the songs live as well!”
Whilst it has become fairly standard these for bands to release promo videos that feature excerpts of tracks from their upcoming releases, Norwegian Black Metallers the 3RD ATTEMPT have approached the whole thing in a slightly different way. Not only does the video give fans an insight into the sound of the album, but it also features a voice-over by frontman and lyricist Ødemark himself, describing to fans the concept behind each track.
The video, produced by Ødemark, and featuring snippets of the first four tracks from “Egocidal Path”, will be the first of two, with the second one, featuring the remainder of the tracks, appearing before the December 1st release of the album on Dark Essence Records. It can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/MnPPn74G1iU
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“Egocidal Path” will be the second full length album from the band formed by former CARPATHIAN FOREST guitarists Tchort (GREEN CARNATION) and BloodPervertor (OPUS FORGOTTEN) and whose lineup also includes Ødemark on vocals and Tybalt (FORTID, DEN SAAKALDTE) on drums. It will, as Tchort recently explained, be an album that more clearly defines the band’s sound:
“With “Egocidal Path” we take a huge leap towards the true sound and identity of the 3RD ATTEMPT. While our debut album “Born in Thorns” represented the CARPATHIAN FOREST era of our song writing, “Egocidal Path” is a newly written album that is more aggressive, tighter and in-your-face. It also showcases the fantastic drumming skills of Tybalt (FORTID, DEN SAAKALDTE) and the vocal range and creativity of Ødemark, allowing the listener to slip into his personal universe of wrath, ego, human spite and the glory of suicide”.
With artwork by the Brazilian artist Rafael Tavares, tracklisting for “Egocidal Path” is as follows:
Blood, Dope and Black N Roll
Into the Light
Reflections about Knives
Egocide
I’ll do it now
The Disciples
Black Metal Alchemist
The Oath
The 3RD ATTEMPT also recently gave fans a first taste of what to expect by releasing a video of a track from “Egocidal Path”. The video, by Lukas Jaszak , for the track “I’ll Do It Now” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/Ca0WwsIq0cs
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“Egocidal Path” will be released in CD, Digital and LP formats, is now available to pre-order from the following:
With the release of TAAKE’s “Kong Vinter” less than three weeks away, Dark Essence Records have today debuted a track from what will be the seventh full-length album from one of Norway’s Black Metal elite. The track ” Inntrenger” can be heard below as well as at the following:
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You could never mistake “Kong Vinter” for anyone’s work other than that of founder and frontman Hoest, whose body of work, which spans over two decades, coupled with his magnetic stage presence, has made him into an icon for Black Metal fans the world-over. As is usual with TAAKE, there has been a three year break between albums, and, once again playing all the instruments himself, Hoest has produced an album which, whilst losing none of the atmosphere that makes TAAKE so recognizable, still manages to surprise with its underlying nasty groove that can, at times, have an almost devilish playfulness about it. It is deceptively familiar to the ear, yet it is unpredictable. It is progressive, and yet straight forward. And of course there are always some elements of rock’n’roll, the Devil’s music itself.
Set for release on Dark Essence Records on the 24th November, “Kong Vinter” was recorded and produced by Bjornar Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES) at his Conclave and Earshot Studios in Bergen. With a running time of 55 minutes and with photography by Christopher Zibell and artwork by Tom Korsvold of Coverart, track listing is as follows:
Sverdets Vei
Inntrenger
Huset i Havet
Havet i Huset
Jernhaand
Maanebrent
Fra Bjoergegrend mot Glemselen
On Top (De Press cover, bonus track on the vinyl edition)
TAAKE will be appearing at the “Kong Vinter” Release Party at the John Dee in Oslo, Norway, on the 1st December. Also appearing will be Dark Essence Records label-mates HELHEIM, along with ASAGRAUM.
“Kong Vinter” will be released in Digipak CD, Digital and Vinyl formats, with the Vinyl available in black, transparent and white versions. All are double 180 gram LPs in gatefold cover. Transparent and white are limited to 1000 each. “Kong Vinter” is now available to pre-order from the following:
With over two decades of Black Metal under their belts, RAGNAROK are no strangers to live appearances, and both they, and their fans, are always ready for more. And to this end, the veteran Norwegians have inked a European booking deal with Massive Music.
“Live shows, and the opportunity they give us to connect directly with our fans, is something we all really enjoy, and it adds a whole new dimension to the music”, commented RAGNAROK’s founder Jontho Panthera. “We are therefore delighted to be able to announce that we will joining forces with Massive Music as regards European booking. Massive have a huge amount of experience, and some formidable bands on their roster, and we are very excited about the possibilities this cooperation could bring. We very much look forward to working together, and to bringing RAGNAROK to a stage near you!”
A video for the track ” Dominance and Submission” from RAGNAROK’s eighth full-length album “Psychopathology” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/KGGck_iqy3E
With the release of their second full-length album, “Egocidal Path” on Dark Essence Records, a month away, the 3RD ATTEMPT have given fans a first taste of what to expect by releasing a video of a track from the album. The video, by Lukas Jaszak , for the track “I’ll Do It Now” can be seen at https://youtu.be/Ca0WwsIq0cs
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Commenting on the track itself, guitarist/bassist Tchort had this to say:
“Musically this song differs from anything we did on the first album, or, indeed, on “Egocidal Path” itself for that matter. It’s melodic but old school, and contains some breaks that are perhaps a bit untraditional as regards Black Metal as I know it. And knowing that the lyrics are actually very deep emotions and personal experience made flesh, so to speak, the impact this has on the melody and the depth of feeling expressed in the vocals is that much stronger”.
It is the strength of the emotions expressed in the lyrics that surprised video maker Jaszak and affected the way in which he approached the making of the video, as he explains:
“I like to work at night, but that proved impossible with this particular song with its seemingly simple, self-explanatory lyrics. But they grow on you without you realizing and before you know it, you’re thinking about ending it all. I know it sounds naive, but try listening to this on repeat, at night, with the words flashing on the screen – on and on.
“I tried to make this video as simple as the message itself, whilst portraying the feelings of chaos and desperation that consume the main character. We definitely did not want to get too literal with the subject here, and we chose to ignore the blood and razors and all the usual worn out clichés, and focus instead on emotional chaos. Although suicide may seem like an easy way out for most, I feel instead that it is a horrifying vortex of tangled emotions, and both the song and the video show this”.
Given the intensity that both Tchort and Jaszak picked up on in both Ødemark’s lyrics and his performance, the vocalist reveals the anguish behind the song:
“When I first heard the music for “I’ll Do It Now” played in the studio, I felt that the atmosphere surrounding it was the perfect environment in which to talk about how, at the age of 12, I made a serious attempt at killing myself for the second time. I could have just described the scene and been obvious about it, but the music awakened something in me and I decided instead to write about what went on in my head, without resorting to any poetic artifice, artistic pretensions or judgment whatsoever. I therefore chose to regress to that particular moment in my life, something which, incidentally, was much harder to do than I had expected, and write the lyrics using the thoughts exactly as they went through my mind.
” I had to open myself up to being as vulnerable as possible in order to once again become that child who had decided to take his own life, and to write down his thoughts with total honesty. Some of it might sound clichéd, or even naive and childish, but I needed to keep the truth undistorted in order to create the purest, most honest piece of art possible, and align that honesty with my vision of what Black Metal should be”
Formed by former CARPATHIAN FOREST guitarists Tchort (GREEN CARNATION) and BloodPervertor (OPUS FORGOTTEN), the duo recruited Ødemark on vocals and Tybalt (FORTID, DEN SAAKALDTE) on drums, and released the band’s debut album “Born in Thorns” on Dark Essence Records in 2015. As Tchort recently explained, that album still had some of the remnants of the CARPATHIAN FOREST era, whilst “Egocidal Path”, on the other hand, was written with a fresh approach, resulting in an in-your-face album that is much tighter and much more aggressive, with Ødemark’s lyrics and vocal range dragging the listener kicking and screaming into his own skewed universe.
With artwork by the Brazilian artist Rafael Tavares, tracklisting for “Egocidal Path” is as follows:
Blood, Dope and Black N Roll
Into the Light
Reflections about Knives
Egocide
I’ll do it now
The Disciples
Black Metal Alchemist
The Oath
Set for release on Dark Essence Records on the 1st December in CD, Digital and LP formats, “Egocidal Path” is now available to pre-order from the following:
Black Metallers CREST OF DARKNESS, whose founder and frontman Ingar Amlien is an acknowledged expert on Vampirism and the Occult, and who is often called upon by the Norwegian media to comment on such matters, are celebrating Halloween with the release of a lyric video for the track “The Noble Art”.
The video, directed and edited by Goffredo Passi for EstremArte videoproduzioni, features the extraordinary zombie foetus sculptures created by the Italian artist Andrea Falaschi can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/mzwd_AWw8jY
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Released in December 2016 on My Kingdom Music, “Welcome the Dead” is the perfect illustration of the kind of wide-ranging appeal that CREST OF DARKNESS has built for itself over the years, with a sound that encompasses the Black, Death and Metal genres. It is, according to Amlien, an album that has special significance for him personally, having put a lot of himself and his deepest emotions into creating an album that reflects the kind of ritualistic atmosphere that pervades the band’s live performances.
CREST OF DARKNESS’ lineup of Ingar Amlien (CONCEPTION, ROQUEFIRE, AMLIEN’s INFERNO) on bass and vocals, Rebo on guitars, Bernhard (ex- PALE FOREST) on drums are now working on what will be their eighth full-length album, and more information about the band can be found at http://www.facebook.com/crestofdarknessofficial
“Welcome the Dead” was released on My Kingdom Music in both CD and Digital and a double LP, which will feature a special bonus track, will be released shortly in collaboration with Metal Age Productions, Kristallblut Records and Supreme Music Creations. It is available from all the usual retailers as well as direct from My Kingdom Music at http://smarturl.it/DEAD-CD in CD and 2LP formats and in digital format at http://smarturl.it/WELCOME-THE-DEAD.
Leaving a long-established, and very successful, band in order to scratch the creative itch and get out of a rut is always a gamble, but it’s a gamble that veteran musicians and former CARPATHIAN FOREST guitarists Tchort (GREEN CARNATION) and BloodPervertor (OPUS FORGOTTEN) had no qualms in taking, and, with the second album from the 3RD ATTEMPT, they have proved that they were right to do so.
Titled “Egocidal Path”, and set for release on Dark Essence Records on the 1st December, the 3RD ATTEMPT’s sophomore offering not only builds on the foundation laid by its predecessor, it also leaves it far behind. There’s still Thrash, there’s still Black’n’Roll, and there’s no doubting the presence of that Black Metal vibe. But there’s a whole lot more besides, because “Egocidal Path” exudes the confidence that comes from a band whose members have gelled and know that they have succeeded in creating something loud, energetic and brash, intermingled with subtle touches that surprise. It has a variety that keeps it fresh and interesting, and showcases the undoubted skills and experience of each and every one of its members.
Talking about the album, Tchort had this to say:
“With “Egocidal Path” we take a huge leap towards the true sound and identity of the 3RD ATTEMPT. While our debut album “Born in Thorns” represented the CARPATHIAN FOREST era of our song writing, “Egocidal Path” is a newly written album that is more aggressive, tighter and in-your-face. It also showcases the fantastic drumming skills of Tybalt (FORTID, DEN SAAKALDTE) and the vocal range and creativity of Ødemark, allowing the listener to slip into his personal universe of wrath, ego, human spite and the glory of self-destruction.
“Let us accompany you on the path to Hell!”
With artwork by the Brazilian artist Rafael Tavares, “Egocidal Path” will be available in CD, Digital and LP formats. Tracklisting as follows:
Blood, Dope and Black N Roll
Into the Light
Reflections about Knives
Egocide
I’ll do it now
The Diciples
Black Metal Alchemist
The Oath
Fans will also be able to see much more of the 3RD ATTEMPT live on stage as the band has just signed an exclusive UK and European booking deal with the UK’s Eradication Booking Agency.
The official lyric video for the track “Sons of Winter” from the 3rd ATTEMPT’s debut full-length album “Born in Thorns” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/7gi324EJa6M
First released in Digital and Digipak CD formats on Avantgarde Music in 2015, SELVANS’ “Clangores Plenilunio” MCD is now available for the first time as a Limited Edition 12″ Picture LP via Vendetta Records.
Following the demise of DRAUGR , SELVANS was formed by frontman Haruspex, with the idea of bringing back to life the mysticism and the folklore that the different ethnic inhabitants of Italy left behind them over the ages. Something that the band has been able to do very successfully, not only through their music and lyrics, both in the studio and live on stage, but also aesthetically.
Sadly, SELVANS’ first drummer, Jonny, was killed in a motorbike accident shortly after finishing recording the drums and part of the vocals for “Clangores Plenilunio”. The vocals and lyrics were completed by Haruspex, and the MCD was released as a tribute to Jonny.
With artwork conceived by Haruspex and actualized by Eba Art , and with the addition of the previously unpublished lyrics for the tracks “Lupecale” and “Clangores Plenilunio”, track listing on the Picture LP is as follows:
A special video, which was made as a tribute to Jonny, for the track “Lupercale” from “Clangores Plenilunio”, can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/AJDfmpYFa4Q
To celebrate the release of their sophomore full-length album “Mausoleum”, Norwegian Metallers DEVAR are streaming the album in its entirety. It can be heard below,
Formed in 2002 by Devar, it was originally intended that the band should be a solo project, but, recognising the limitations that this imposed on his vision, the frontman decided to put together a full lineup that today consists of Devar on vocals, Obdsaija on Drums and Percussion, Aadland on Guitars and Ottoegil on Bass and Keys. It is with this lineup that DEVAR has developed and grown into a much more reflective band, with a stronger focus on the more varied and progressive aspects of their music.
“Mausoleum” itself is the perfect demonstration of DEVAR’s unconventional approach to music, drawing its influences not only from the Extreme and Black Metal genres, but also from Avant-garde Metal and 70’s Prog. Matched with a lyrical concept that takes listeners on a journey down the paths of fear, insanity, darkness and death in order to explore the decline of man, the resultant sound is one that is both original and unique.
Recorded by Bjørnar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, TAAKE, HELHEIM) at the Conclave & Earshot Studios in Bergen, along with Devar at the Alternate End Studios, and Ottoegil at Internasjonalt Farvann, “Mausoleum” is mixed and mastered by Herbrand Larsen (ENSLAVED) at the Conclave & Earshot Studios.
“Mausoleum” hits the streets on the 29th September on Gymnocal Industries in Digipak CD, Gatefold DLP and Digital formats. Artwork is by Tom Korsvold, photography is by Ronny A. Sangolt and tracklisting is as follows:
1. Mausoleum
2. House of Bones
3. Dead End Moon
4. Shadow Straggler
5. Cold black Rain
6. Narcissa Oriane
7. Ashes
8. Dead Wounds
Nestled within the looming embrace of seven mountains, the rugged, rain-swept coastline of Bjoergvin has spawned many extreme bands and musicians over the years, but none quite as iconic as TAAKE and its formidable founder Hoest, who is now back with a seventh full-length album. Titled “Kong Vinter” (King Winter), the album is set for release on Dark Essence Records on the 24th November in Digipak CD, Digital and Vinyl formats, with the Vinyl available in black, transparent and white versions. All are double 180 gram LPs in gatefold cover. Transparent and white are limited to 1000 each.
Over the years Hoest has steered his creation with unerring accuracy through the mire of Black Metal. He has avoided the pitfalls of either stagnation or over-experimentation, and remained true to the spirit of the traditional Black Metal genre, whilst at the same time breathing fresh life into it.
True to form Hoest has spent three years working on “Kong Vinter”, ensuring that the album is imbued with the unique Taake sound, whilst at the same time taking it even further. It is deceptively familiar to the ear, yet it is unpredictable as it winds its way sinuously through a soundscape that only a mother could love. A soundscape underscored by a nasty groove, that at times can seem devilishly playful.
The result is an album that is both progressive and straight forward, with a touch of the devil’s own music – rock’n’roll , making it unmistakably Taake. It is, in fact, an illustration as to why, for over two decades, Hoest has succeeded in remaining relevant and at the forefront of the genre.
“Kong Vinter”, on which Hoest plays all the instruments himself, was recorded and produced by Bjornar Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES) at his Conclave and Earshot Studios in Bergen. With a running time of 55 minutes, photography by Christopher Zibell and artwork by Tom Korsvold of Coverart, track listing is as follows:
Sverdets Vei
Inntrenger
Huset i Havet
Havet i Huset
Jernhaand
Maanebrent
Fra Bjoergegrend mot Glemselen
On Top (De Press cover, bonus track on the vinyl edition)
PATRICIA THOMAS BAND MANAGEMENT 