It should always be the case that an album stands, or falls, on the quality of its music alone, but rarely does that happen because so many other aspects fall under consideration, not least the musicians who form the band, and their past history in terms of style, releases and their presence in other bands. But NATTVERD comes to us with a clean sheet. The only things anyone knows about the band is that it is a three piece consisting of Atyr of guitars and bass, Ormr on Vocals and session drummer Serpentor, that they hail from Norway, and that they play Black Metal. And that, according to NATTVERD, is all you really need to know, because the music will tell you the rest.
But what is it exactly about NATTVERD that has earned them a recording contract before they have barely left the starting line, and sets them apart from the plethora of other Black Metal bands who are all vying for a label deal? Well, they play Black Metal in the traditional way, without any attempts to add any touches from any other genres or tag themselves onto the latest trends in sub-genres. But the Black Metal they play is played with a confidence that belies the newness of the band and must surely point to some very experienced musicians.
Nor are they are they a one-trick pony. Far from it. NATTVERD’s music ranges from the downright cold and nasty, filled with fury and hate, to the melodic and atmospheric, and at times is even tinged with melancholy. NATTVERD provide evil-aplenty to satisfy the most discerning Black Metal fan, and more than enough variations and emotions to keep their sound fresh and interesting.
Having inked a deal with the German label Darker Than Black Records, NATTVERD are set to release their debut full-length album “Vi Vet gud Er En Løgner” (We Know God is a Liar) on the 30th September in CD and Digital formats. With artwork by Misanthropic Art, tracklisting for “Vi Vet gud Er En Løgner” is as follows:
1. Der Tronen Blender, Vender Vi Oss Mot Mørket
2. Nattverd
3. Du Gudfryktige Orm
4. Stille Stom Stein…
5. Lucifers Blod
6. Sjelen I Brann
7. Vi Vet gud Er Ne Løgner
8. Hill Satan
Two tracks from “Vi Vet gud Er En Løgner” can be heard below and at https://nattverdofficial.bandcamp.com where the digital version of the album is also available to pre-order, whilst the CD version is available from http://bit.ly/2xI2DiH
Having spent the last year or so using session bass players for their live appearances, Norwegian Black Metal veterans RAGNAROK have today announced that and bassist Rammr (JORDSKIPSTYRANN and ELVARHØI) has joined the band on a full-time, permanent basis.
“Originally it was our intention to use a session bassist going forward,” explains founder and frontman Jontho Panthera, one of Norway’s most iconic Black Metal drummers, who recently switched roles to become the band’s vocalist. “However, during the shows he did with us, Rammr’s dedication to his craft, and to RAGNAROK itself, became very evident to everyone. He fits in perfectly with the rest of the band, which includes Bolverk on guitars and drummer Daniel Minge (DAUDEN), not only on stage, but also on a personal level.
“Most importantly he understands our ideology, and what RAGNAROK expects of its members, and after yet another incredible performance from him at Kaltenbach Open Air recently I thought it was right to make him a full member of the horde!”
RAGNAROK are set to hit the road in September, for a thirteen-date tour of Latin America, where the band has a considerable following. Routing for RAGNAROK’s Psychopathology Latin American Tour is as follows, and includes links to the specific Facebook events where fans will be able to get all the necessary details:
A video for the track ” Dominance and Submission” from RAGNAROK’s full-length album “Psychopathology” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/KGGck_iqy3E
Following on from the recent announcement by SKITLIV and former MAYHEM frontman Maniac that after thirty years he would be resurrecting Damage Inc, the date of September the 1st has been set for the re-launch of what was one the original Fanzines.
Created and published by Maniac in 1985, Damage Inc. had to be put to one side after only two issues, due to the rapidly burgeoning Norwegian Black Metal scene, and the subsequent demands placed on the vocalist by his role in MAYHEM and the various other musical projects he was working on at the time. Recently, however, the iconic frontman has found the time to return to what has always been one of his primary interests – writing: and this has led him back to “Damage Inc.” a project that has always remained close to his heart.
Eschewing the idea that zines nowadays have to either be “online”, or appear as glossy publications that sacrifice content in order to appeal to advertisers, Maniac has remained resolute in his vision that Damage Inc. will lose none of its “Old School” attributes, and will remain true to the rough and ready Fanzine concept of cut and paste and, according to him, will be much more rough than the first two issues, and contain “just darkness and good music”.
The comeback issue of “Damage Inc.” will follow on from the first two issues and will effectively be issue three. In keeping with his decision to ensure that the fanzine stays true to its original concept, it will only be available in selected shops in Oslo, Finland and Japan, or directly from Maniac himself from the 1st September via email at godintheschizoidmind@gmail.com (pre-orders will not be taken).
However, since the original issues of “Damage Inc.” have now become much-sought after, and virtually impossible-to-find, collector’s items, Maniac has teamed up with The Cult Never Dies, the UK-based publishing company, to create the book “Ultra Damaged: Damage Inc. Zine Anthology 1985/2017”. The 118 page Anthology will be printed in large format (A4) on high quality paper with a 350gsm card cover. All copies will be signed by Maniac.
As well as containing the two original issues from 1986 and 1987, “Ultra Damaged…” will also contain the new 2017 comeback issue, which includes interviews with TEITANBLOOD, CLANDESTINE BLAZE, DÖRAID, BIRTH RITUAL and DARKTHRONE, amongst others, as well as a long and exclusive interview with Maniac himself.
Musically too Maniac has not been entirely inactive, just more low key, having collaborated both live and in the studio with artists like Niklas Kvarforth and SHINING, and Andrew Liles (NURSE WITH WOUND), as well as having taken up his former mantle of frontman for a couple of MAYHEM performances. Most recently he has recorded guest vocals on the upcoming album from Norway’s WITCHFACE.
Whilst going through his archives Maniac found what he calls a “piece of X-ray adultery”, which had been made at around the time of the release of SKITLIV’s “Skandinavisk Misantropi”, and never made public. Filmed by renowned sculptor and SUCHTHAUS bassist Spacebrain, the video for the title track from “Skandinavisk Misantropi” can now be seen on YouTube at https://youtu.be/fnrKGTazWQw
After a lengthy hiatus Norwegian Metallers DEVAR are back with “Mausoleum”, a brand new full-length album that showcases to perfection the band’s unconventional approach to writing and performing, drawing their influence from genres as far apart as Extreme, Black and Avantgarde Metal with a smattering of 70’s Prog Rock. It’s an eccentric mix, but a highly successful one according to the press, who variously hailed DEVAR’s 2009 debut album “Alternate Endings” as being “daring”, “original” and packed with “well-crafted songs”.
Originally formed as a solo project by Devar in 2002, it quickly became apparent to him that a full band was needed to fulfil his vision, eventually resulting in today’s lineup, formed of Devar on vocals, Obdsaija on Drums and Percussion, Aadland on Guitars and Ottoegil on Bass and Keys
DEVAR’s return to the studio, and the resulting “Mausoleum”, shows a much more mature and reflective band, whose songs are more focused and perhaps have a more progressive edge. It is an album that takes as its concept the feeling of someone standing on the edge of the end, whilst images of their lifetime flashes through their fractured and declining mind.
“Mausoleum” was recorded by Bjørnar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, TAAKE, HELHEIM) at the Conclave & Earshot Studios, by Devar at the Alternate End Studios, and by Ottoegil at Internasjonalt Farvann. It and was mixed and mastered by Herbrand Larsen (ENSLAVED) also at the Conclave & Earshot Studios.
With artwork by Tom Korsvold and photography by Ronny A. Sangolt, “Mausoleum” is set for release on the 29th September on Gymnocal Industries in Digipak CD, Gatefold DLP and Digital formats. Tracklisting for “Mausoleum 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
A single for the track “House of Bones” from the upcoming album “Mausoleum” was recently released digitally and can be heard below and at http://devar.bandcamp.com/track/house-of-bones
Dark Essence Records have set the 22nd September as the release date for “Over Phlegethon”, the debut full-length album from FIVE THE HIEROPHANT, who recently signed to the Norwegian label, known for its uncanny ability to sniff out promising new talent to add to its roster of established and iconic bands.
With “Over Phlegethon”, the UK Trio have brought the full weight of their ritualistic soundscapes to bear. It is a dark and devastating album, imbued with Psychedelic Black Metal, Jazz, Post Metal and Ambient, all of which, combined with the band’s trademark heavy riffs, drone-like atmospheres and a Black Metal intensity, reveal a sound and atmosphere that is unique to FIVE THE HIEROPHANT.
This uniqueness if further emphasized by the unusual array of instruments used by the band, whose lineup is composed of Chris on drums, temple bells, djembe, shakers and gong, Mitch on bass and effects, and महाकाली on guitars, bowed guitars, rag-dung, violin and grand piano noise.
“Over Phlegethon” was recorded and mixed at Scream Studios in London. The cover art for the album is a painting entitled “Dust Lickers” by Odd Nerdrum. Track listing is as follows:
1. Queen over Phlegethon
2. Vampire
3. Seafarer
4. Der Geist der stets Verneint
5. Sepulchre
6. Omen Tree
Sweden’s SHINING have finished recording their tenth studio album, ‘X – Varg Utan Flock’ (“Wolf Without a Pack”), which will be released on Season of Mist.
SHINING’s founder and frontman Niklas Kvarforth commented:
“It has been an ordeal of gigantic proportions, but I am pleased to announce that the recording of our tenth album have now come to an end, and I am currently working on the final visual details before this aural nightmare can be sent off to our label and fuck up your lives.
‘X – Varg Utan Flock’ is the direct follow up to our fifth album, but, as usual it does contain a few unexpected twists and turns that will send cold shivers down your spines. It was an honour to serve for two decades as the grand puppet-master and bringer of chaos.
SHINING releases and merchandise, including exclusive limited edition items not available elsewhere, can be found at http://www.shininglegions.com
The official video for the track “Vilja & Drömfrom” SHINING’s album “IX – Everyone, Everything, Everywhere, Ends” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/QO1JZ0qTSuE
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SHINING’s ninth full-length album can be heard below
With their debut full-length album “Plague of Plagues” having been released at the beginning of the year on Drakkar Productions, and with work progressing steadily on the follow up, Black Metallers ENEPSIGOS have inked a two -album deal with Osmose Productions.
ENEPSIGOS was formed in the summer of 2016 by V.I.T.H.R, otherwise known as Doedsadmiral, the founder and frontman of NORDJEVEL, SVARTELDER and DOEDSVANGR, who, like ENEPSIGOS, are all relatively new bands, but whose lineups are composed of hugely experienced musicians, drawn from some of the best known exponents of Black Metal. For ENEPSIGOS, V.I.T.H.R has been able to call on the services of former SARKOM guitarist Straff and drummer Thorns, known for his work with BLUT AUS NORD, DEATHROW, FIDES INVERSA, FROSTMOON ECLISPE and DARVAZA amongst others.
With its roots firmly entrenched in the traditions of early Black Metal, ENEPSIGOS’ music is dark and brutal, with ritualistic undertones, and has been described in the press as having a “vicious intensity”. The, as yet to be titled, follow up to “Plague of Plagues”, whose drums have already been recorded, promises more of the same darkness.
Commenting on the decision to sign with Osmose, V.I.T.H.R had this to say: “It was a natural progression to a bigger label who could take us further along the road. I already knew how Osmose worked, because NORDJEVEL is signed with them, and it has been a close collaboration, with everyone having an input and exchanging ideas. It’s a very productive way to work as far as I’m concerned”.
With their debut album “Born in Thorns” having hit the streets on Dark Essence Records in the Autumn of 2015, Norwegian Black Metallers THE 3rd ATTEMPT entered the Strand Studio in Oslo on the 26th May to begin work on their sophomore full-length album, with a view to it being released towards the end of the year.
Tybalt
THE 3rd ATTEMPT was formed by former CARPATHIAN FOREST guitarists Tchort (GREEN CARNATION, ex-CARPATHIAN FOREST, ex EMPEROR, ex BLOOD RED THRONE) and BloodPervertor (APOSTASY, ex-CARPATHIAN FOREST, ex NEONGOD), who, feeling they had become stale in their roles, quit the iconic band and decided to form a project that would once again ignite their enthusiasm and creativity. Vocalist Ødemark (ex-MIDNATTSVREDE, ex-NECROCAVE) joined the lineup following online auditions that saw him beat a plethora of both experienced and new vocalists from all over the world for the role. Drummer Tybalt (FORTID, DEN SAAKALDTE) whose performance as a live session drummer for THE 3rd ATTEMPT impressed everyone, was quickly added to the lineup on a permanent basis.
BloodPervertor, Tybalt, Tchort
Ten songs for the new album have been completed, and the drum tracks have already been recorded by Tybalt, who had this to say about what fans could expect from the new material: ” There’s a lot more going on than on the last album, and it’s much faster. We are definitely beginning to forge something that is truly our own. It’s dark, it’s filthy and it’s mofo rock n roll”.
Tybalt
Ødemark, who writes the lyrics for the band gave, an insight into the subject matter: “The new album is about self destruction from an introspective point of view (inside-out), and is not so much about suicide as it is about the need to seek pain, both mental and emotional, in order to develop as a person. Song by song, a new destructive facet of life is seen, systematically deconstructing each aspect of the human ego. It’s about evolving through real suffering, and accepting the fact that you are insignificant. Basically it illustrates how little I care about you. So, in a nutshell, it’s just about the truth”
Norse Black Metallers HELHEIM are set to join Dark Essence Records label-mates TAAKE for a number of dates on the iconic band’s upcoming North American tour. Whilst HELHEIM will not be joining the tour until the 27th May, GosT is set to be the main support on all but three of the dates.
Routing as follows:
20 May: El Corazon, Seattle, WA (not Helheim)
21 May: Star Theater, Portland, OR (not Helheim)
23 May: The Independent, San Francisco, CA (not Helheim)
24 May: The Regent, Los Angeles, CA (not Helheim)
26 May: Brick by Brick, San Diego, CA (not Helheim or GosT)
27 May: Club Red, Mesa, AZ (not GosT)
28 May: Sister Bar, Albuquerque, NM (not GosT)
29 May: The Roxy, Denver, CO
31 May: Triple Rock, Minneapolis, MN
01 June: Reggies, Chicago, IL
02 June: Agora, Cleveland, OH
03 June: The Loving Touch, Ferndale, MI
04 June: Velvet Underground. Toronto, ON
05 June: Mavericks, Ottawa, ON
06 June: L’Anti Bar & Spectacles, Quebec City, QC
07 June: Théâtre Fairmount, Montreal, QC
08 June: The Middle East, Boston, MA
09 June: The Foundry, Philadelphia, PA
10 June: Le Poisson Rouge, New York, NY
With his exciting stage presence and formidable writing skills, founder and frontman Hoest has made sure that, whilst remaining true to TAAKE’s Black Metal roots, he has never allowed the band to become formulaic or mired in the past. His approach has always been to bring something new and original, and, at times, totally unexpected, to TAAKE’s signature Helnorsk Svartmetall sound. Which has led the band, and Hoest himself, to be regarded as one of the most respected bands and artists in the Norwegian Black Metal scene.
The official video for the track “Nordbundet” from the TAAKE album “Noregs Vaapen” can be seen below and at http://youtu.be/OAIIbnrYC7Q
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Dark Essence Records label-mates HELHEIM, whose vocalist/bassist V’gandr also happens to play in TAAKE, has been acknowledged for over two decades as a Norse Black Metal band in the truest sense, eschewing the “comic book” aspects that plague so many of the bands claiming to belong in that genre. Through their music and lyrics HELHEIM explore the darker aspects of the North-European pre-Christian culture, and bring a modern interpretation that captures the spirit of the Norse heritage in ways that have eluded both to researchers and archaeologists. The band’s ninth full-length album “landawarijaR” was released at the beginning of the year, once again to considerable critical acclaim.
The official video for the track “Baklengs mot intet” from HELHEIM’s 2017 album “landawarijaR” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/kRiimctYXiQ
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The USA’s GOST, is, in founder Baalberith’s own words “Directed and commanded by another power. The power of darkness, which many people do not believe exists. The power of the Devil. The power of Satan. The power of Baalberith”. LIttle is known about mask-wearing Baalberith, but his music, which has been described by the zine Spin as “bridging extreme metal with the more synthetic tones of darkwave, dance, and classic horror soundtracks”, makes an interesting addition to the lineup. GOST’s sophomore full-length “Sans Paradisi” was released on Blood Music in 2016
Following on from their successful joint tour in October of last year, Norwegian veterans RAGNAROK have once again teamed up with Slovenia’s CVINGER for part two of the “Psychopathology” Tour, which this time ranges further East through Europe to bring fans a Black Metal package that also includes France’s INFINITYUM and Ireland’s AETERNUM VALE . Routing for the “Psychopathology” Tour, named after RAGNAROK’s eight full-length album which was released on Agonia Records last year, is as follows:
19.05: Skullcrusher, Dresden (DE)
20.05: Red & Black, Chorzow (PL)
21.05: Hydrozagadka , Warsaw (PL)
23.05: Blue Hell, Budapest (HU)
24.05: Majestic Music Club, Bratislava (SK)
25.05: Nova Chmelnice, Prague (CZ)
26.05: From Hell, Erfurt (DE)
27.05: Backstage, Munich (DE)
28.05: Blackland, Berlin (DE)
There is currently an open spot for an opening band on the tour, and anyone interested is welcome to contact s.j@infamous-thrones.si or bruchsteinrec@aol.com for more information.
With well over two decades on the Black Metal scene, RAGNAROK has undergone its fair share of lineup changes, with the one constant being Jontho, the band’s founder, and one of Norway’s most recognisable and iconic drummers. So it was with some surprise when Jontho traded in his drumsticks for a mic and took over as the band’s vocalist. A change that has been greeted with much support and approval from RAGNAROK’s army of fans. Aside from Jontho on vocals, the band’s lineup includes long-standing guitarist Bolverk (IMAGES AT TWILIGHT) and drummer Daniel Minge (DAUDEN), with session bassists Viti (IMAGES AT TWILIGHT, HINSIDIG) and Rammr (JORDSKIPSTYRANN), who will be joining the band for this tour, alternating duties.
PRESS ACCREDITATIONS:JOURNALISTS INTERESTED IN COVERING RAGNAROK‘S SHOWS / ARRANGING AN INTERVIEW WITH THE BAND, PLEASE CONTACT: promotion@agoniarecords.com
A video for the track ” Dominance and Submission” from RAGNAROK’s full-length album “Psychopathology” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/KGGck_iqy3E
PATRICIA THOMAS BAND MANAGEMENT 