Black Metallers ENEPSIGOS, have debuted a track from their upcoming album “Plague of Plagues” which is expected to be out on Drakkar Productions around January of 2017. The track, “Manifestvm” is streaming exclusively on Metal Hammer Norway, and can be heard at http://www.metalhammer.no/?p=6711p
ENEPSIGOS was created earlier this year by V.I.T.H.R, otherwise known as Doedsadmiral, the mysterious Norwegian artist behind bands such as NORDJEVEL, SVARTELDER and DOEDSVANGR. All bands that have caused a stir amongst fans, with their illustrious lineups, whose members are drawn from some of the best known Black and Extreme Metal bands on the scene.
For ENEPSIGOS, the frontman has managed to snare the talents of fellow countryman and former SARKOM guitarist Straff, along with Italian drummer Thorns, known for his work with BLUT AUS NORD, DEATHROW, FIDES INVERSA, FROSTMOON ECLISPE and DARVAZA, to name but a few. Together the trio have created a band with its roots firmly embedded in the traditions of early Black Metal to produce music that is dark and brutal, and with more than a touch of the ritualistic about it.
My Kingdom Music has revealed details of “Welcome the Dead”, the seventh full-length album from Norwegian Black Metallers CREST OF DARKNESS, which is set to hit the streets on the 2nd December in both CD and Digital formats, as well as a double LP format which will feature a special bonus track.
Recorded at the at MLP Studio by Nils H. Mæhlum, and mastered at the Kvålsonic Lab by Tom Kvålsvoll, the nine-track album promises to be the heaviest, darkest and most introspective album in the band’s twenty plus year history.
The artwork for “Welcome the Dead” features the extraordinary Zombie Foetus sculptures created by the Italian artist Andrea Falaschi. Tracklisting as follows:
1. Welcome The Dead
2. Chosen By The Devil
3. Scourged And Crucified
4. My Black Bride
5. Borrowed Life
6. The Almighty
7. Memento Mori
8. The Noble Art
9. Katharsis
CREST OF DARKNESS’ lineup, includes founder and frontman Ingar Amlien (ROQUEFIRE, CONCEPTION, AMLIEN’s INFERNO) on bass and vocals, Rebo on guitars, Bernhard (ex- PALE FOREST) on drums, and Kristian Wentzel on keyboards. Earlier this year Amlien admitted that he sees “Welcome the Dead” as having a special significance for him personally: ” I’ve put a hell of a lot of myself and my emotions into this album, even more so than usual. I’ve always felt that when we are on stage, we create a sort of magic, and this time we have been able to transfer that magic to the recordings. You could say this is my personal Black Mass”.
The Official video of the track “Demon Child” from CREST OF DARKNESS’ 2013 album “In the Presence of Death” can be seen below and at http://youtu.be/3-sNJCviSGY
Having recently announced that they would be renewing their long-standing, and very successful, relationship with Agonia Records, veteran Norwegian Black Metallers RAGNAROK have now announced the full schedule for their upcoming headlining European tour which will take place in October of this year. Joining them on the eleven date tour are Slovenian Black Metallers CVINGER and Norwegian Death Metallers MECALIMB
Routing for the “Psychopathology” tour is as follows:
16 Oct: Bambi Galore, Hamburg (DE)
17 Oct: Little Devil, Tillburg (NL)
18.Oct: Music City, Antwerp (BE)
19 Oct: Backstage to the Mill, Paris (FR)
20 Oct: Blue Rose Saloon, Milan (IT)
21 Oct: Rockfabrik, Ludwigsburg (DE)
22 Oct: Bowlers Bar & Lounge, Apolda (DE)
23 Oct: Barrak, Ostrava (CZ)
24 Oct: Melodka, Brno (CZ)
25 Oct: Blackland, Berlin (DE)
26 Oct: Roxy, Flensburg (DE)
Additionally, RAGNAROK will appear at Mörkaste Småland, Hultsferd, Sweden, on the 24th September.
Formed in 1994 RAGNAROK’s history spans well over two decades. As with any band that has lasted this long, there have been changes in the lineup along the way, not least of which was the decision by Jontho, one of the most recognisable and respected drummers on the Norwegian Black Metal scene, to expand his performing repertoire by laying down his drumsticks and taking over as vocalist. Aside from Jontho on vocals, the band’s lineup includes long-standing guitarist Bolverk (IMAGES AT TWILIGHT), drummer Daniel Minge (DAUDEN) and session bassist Viti (IMAGES AT TWILIGHT, HINSIDIG).
Press Accreditations: Journalists interested in covering RAGNAROK‘s shows / arranging an interview with the band, please contact: promotion@agoniarecords.com
Having set the 4th November as the release date, Dark Essence Records have revealed the details of “Vidsyn”, the much-anticipated second full-length album from SLEGEST. Recorded at the Conclave & Earshot and Systrond Studios, “Vidsyn” was jointly produced by the band’s founder and frontman Ese, and Bjørnar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR), who also mixed the album. Mastering is by Herbrand Larsen (ENSLAVED). Guesting on the album is Grutle Kjellson (ENSLAVED).
The cover of “Vidsyn” once again has its roots in the art of Nikolai Astrup. Design is by Tom Korsvold and drawing is by Lars Hellebø. Tracklisting as follows
1. I fortida sitt lys
2. Som i eit endelikt
3. Du
4. komfortabelt nommen midtvekes
5. Wolf
6. The Reanimator
7. Inn i uvissao
8. Tenn den gamle varde
SLEGEST was formed in 2010 by former VREID guitarist ESE, whose original intention was to play BLACK SABBATH inspired music paired with harsh vocals. Whilst SLEGEST undoubtedly owes much to Black Metal, there is a distinct metal swagger to the band’s music, with superb guitar riffing and plenty of melody, rather than an excess of speed.
“Vidsyn” sees SLEGEST confidently building on the sound they developed on their debut full-length “Løyndom”. As Ese explained recently:
“We will pick up where we left off with “Løyndom” – mid-paced heaviness in all its glory and filth. I have read blackened doom applied as a description to our music. But really you need to add a good dose of rock and then you might get the idea of what we are all about. There is so much to explore in our world of heavy rock and we are proud of our new songs which, to our ears – and, after all, we are the blueprint – sounds bloody brilliant. The album will of course deal with death, and, since I write all the music and spend plenty of time thinking about death, I guess it is safe to say that we are most likely onto something”.
SLEGEST will hit the road in December of this year , joining SHINING’s 20th Anniversary tour, which also features Dark Essence label mates TAAKE, with whom the band has previously toured. The prospect of sharing a stage with Niklas Kvarforth and Hoest, widely acknowledged to be two of the most accomplished and exciting front men in extreme metal, would seem daunting to most bands, but judging from the reviews SLEGEST has received for its live performances, and from the number of fans the lineup of Ese on Vocals and Rhythm Guitars, Sør (BÄÄÄV, VONBRÅTEN) on Lead Guitars, Hövard (BOMBEKLÜCHTER) on Bass and Fjøsne on Drums, has picked up following those performances, this is a band that is more than able to hold its own against the two titans.
Before the start of the tour SLEGEST will launch the new album with a show at Krøsset in Oslo, where they will be joined by ALFAHANNE, and, given the dynamism and sheer entertainment value of the two bands, this will be an evening to remember.
Routing for the tour with SHINING and TAAKE as follows:
02 Dec: NUKE, Berlin, DE
03 Dec: Into Darkness Festival, Neushoom, Leeuwarden, NL
04 Dec: Underworld, London, UK
05 Dec: Petit Bain, Paris, FR
06 Dec: UBU, Rennes, FR
07 Dec: De verlichte Geest, Roeselare, BE
08 Dec: Kulturfabrik, Esch – sur -Alzette, LU
09 Dec: Matrix, Bochum, DE
10 Dec: Backstage, Munich, DE
11 Dec: Circolo Colony, Brescia, IT
The final routing for the joint SHINING/TAAKE European tour set to take place this winter has been confirmed, with four additional dates being added. The tour is part of a series of live appearances to mark the 20th Anniversary of NIKLAS KVARFORTH’s SHINING. Joining these two titans of the stage on the tour will be TAAKE’s Dark Essence Records label-mates SLEGEST.
Routing as follows:
02 Dec: NUKE, Berlin, DE
03 Dec: Into Darkness Festival, Neushoom, Leeuwarden, NL
04 Dec: Underworld, London, UK
05 Dec: Petit Bain, Paris, FR
06 Dec: UBU, Rennes, FR
07 Dec: De verlichte Geest, Roeselare, BE
08 Dec: Kulturfabrik, Esch – sur -Alzette, LU
09 Dec: Matrix, Bochum, DE
10 Dec: Backstage, Munich, DE
11 Dec: Circolo Colony, Brescia, IT
The pairing of two such iconic bands will provide an interesting mix for fans, with SHINING’s DSBM roots matched with TAAKE’s Norwegian Black Metal roots. Over the years both bands have taken the basic premises of their respective genres, and, whilst remaining true to them, have consistently kept them fresh by expanded and experimenting, sometimes taking them in directions that have surprised fans, but always maintaining the highest quality in terms of writing and musicianship. Both Kvarforth and Hoest are, in fact, acknowledged to be two of the most dynamic live performers today.
Whilst the name SLEGEST is perhaps not as familiar to fans as SHINING and TAAKE, the band has been earning rave reviews both for their studio output and for their live performances, earning them an ever-increasing fan base. In the wake of his departure from VREID, where he played guitar on four of the iconic band’s albums, Ese formed SLEGEST in 2010, and the band has since then perfected a special blend of classic heavy rock and old-school black metal that is both dark and sinister, whilst being propelled along by a down and dirty groove that is immediate and catchy. The band’s second full-length album will be released in November on Dark Essence Records.
The official video for the track “Vilja & Dröm”, from SHINING’s “IX / Everyone, Everything, Everywhere, Ends” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/QO1JZ0qTSuE
Norway’s RAGNAROK have signed a new three album deal with Agonia Records, continuing the relationship that has so far seen the release of the Norwegian Black Metal veterans’ seventh and eighth full-length albums, “Malediction” in 2012 and “Psychopathology” in 2016 respectively, as well as the special edition retrospective “Chaos and Insanity Between 1994-2004“, which traces the first decade of the band’s history.
Founder and iconic drummer Jontho, had this to say about the decision to stick with the label:
“We looked at several other offers when our contract with Agonia expired, but one of the most important things for us was the kind of relationship we could have with a label. We know that with Agonia we can have open and honest discussions and exchanges of ideas, which always result in something productive for both parties. It’s not just about releases for them, it’s also about all the other the other things that go into making a band successful”.
Agonia Records Commented:
“RAGNAROK is in a class of its own for delivering more than two decades of truly intensive music. And that’s a heck of a time. One could say a band is burnt out after so many years of artistic expression, but this isn’t the case with RAGNAROK. If anything’s burning, it’s their enthusiasm, that’s being well channelized with experience. We are happy to re-new the deal and we are thrilled and looking forward to working on the upcoming releases!”
Formed in 1994 RAGNAROK’s history spans well over two decades. As with any band that has lasted this long, there have been changes in the lineup along the way, not least of which was the decision by Jontho, one of the most recognisable and respected drummers on the Norwegian Black Metal scene, to expand his performing repertoire by laying down his drumsticks and taking over as vocalist. Aside from Jontho on vocals, the band’s lineup includes long-standing guitarist Bolverk (IMAGES AT TWILIGHT), drummer Daniel Minge (DAUDEN) and session bassist Viti (IMAGES AT TWILIGHT, HINSIDIG).
Having appeared at various festivals over the summer, RAGNAROK is set to play at Mörkaste Småland in Sweden, before hitting the road headlining a series of dates in Europe in the autumn. Upcoming shows as follows:
24 Sep: Mörkaste Småland, Hultsferd, Sweden
16 Oct: Bambi Galore, Hamburg (DE)
17 Oct – Little Devil, Tillburg (Nl)
18.10 – TBA (DE)
19.10 – Backstage to the Mill, Paris (FR)
20.10 – TBA (Ch)
21.10 – Rockfabrik, Ludwigsburg (DE)
22.10 – Bowlers Bar & Lounge, Apolda (DE)
23.10 – Barrak, Ostrava (CZ)
24.10 – Melodka, Brno (CZ)
25.10 – Blackland, Berlin (DE)
26.10 – Roxy, Flensburg (DE)
The official video for the title track from RAGNAROK’s seventh full-length album “Collectors of the King” can be seen below and at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdRPw1tPl5E
With the vinyl version long-sold out and much in demand from fans, Dark Essence Records are set to re-release TAAKE’s “…Doedskvad” in LP format. The cover art for the LP differs from the original Dark Essence release, and is the one that was used for the limited edition splatter vinyl that was available on Perverted Taste, and which also sold out and is no longer available.
First released in 2005, and acknowledged by many to be a Black Metal masterpiece, “…Doedskvad” forms the final part of TAAKE’s classic Trilogy, which includes the “Nattestid” and “Bjoergvin” albums. It was recorded at the legendary Grieghallen Studios, with guest appearances from Nattefrost (CARPATHIAN FOREST), NORDAVIND (ex-CARPATHIAN FOREST) and Taipan (ORCUSTUS).
Founded by Hoest, one of the most the most respected frontment in the genre, TAAKE’s Helnorsk Svartmetall sound remains true to the traditions of Norwegian Black Metal, but never allows itself to become stale, introducing fresh, and often musically controversial , ideas with each album. The use of a banjo on the track “Myr” on the band’s 2011 album “Noregs Vaapen, for example, initially caused consternation amongst some of the diehard Black Metal fans, but is now acknowledged as an eccentric stroke of genius, and is one of the most anticipated songs at TAAKE concerts.
Following a string of festival appearances this summer, and with two North American tours behind them, TAAKE will hit the road in Europe during December for a series of dates with Niklas Kvarforth’s SHINING. With these two dynamic and high profile frontmen taking to the stage on the same bill, the tour is understandably much anticipated by fans. Dates will be announced shortly.
Nobody knows who the Norwegian vocalist behind some of the most talked about new Black and Extreme Metal bands to emerge over the last year is, but one thing is sure, he has an uncanny knack of being able to bring together talented musicians from well known, established bands, and give them the impetus to create new projects. Projects that have allowed the individual musicians to bring their experience and different disciplines together to form bands that, whilst helmed by the same individual, are totally different one from the other. Furthermore, in a saturated market, they are bands that get snapped up by labels in very short order.
With NORDJEVEL and SVARTELDER having already released critically acclaimed albums on Osmose Productions and Dusktone respectively, and with DOEDSVANGR currently considering various recording offers, ENEPSIGOS, the latest project of this shadowy individual, has attracted interest from labels purely on the strength of two raw demo tracks, and the band has just agreed a deal with the French label Drakkar Productions for the release of their debut album.
Having eschewed his stage name of Doedsadmiral, in favour of V.I.T.H.R, for his work with ENEPSIGOS, the mysterious vocalist has called upon the talents of fellow countryman and former SARKOM guitarist Straff and Italian drummer Thorns known for his work with BLUT AUS NORD, DEATHROW, FIDES INVERSA, FROSTMOON ECLISPE and DARVAZA, to name but a few. Together they have created a band that is dark and brutal, and whose roots in the traditions of early Black Metal are unmistakable.
Because it’s easy to talk about what a band is going to sound like, but in reality it’s impossible for fans to form any kind of idea about a band without actually hearing any music, ENEPSIGOS have uploaded a ROUGH STUDIO MIX of the title track from their upcoming album “Plague of Plagues” and it can be heard below and at https://soundcloud.com/enepsigos-official/plague-of-plagues
Straddling the line that divides Black Metal from DSBM, Sweden’s VANHELGA are set to release their fourth full-length album this Autumn. Titled “Ode & Elegy” the eleven track album will hit the streets on Talheim Records on the 1st October . “Förstörd”, a track from the album, can be heard below and on YouTube at https://youtu.be/0vCdEPWEJNY
Artwork for “Ode & Elegy” is by Gedeminas Kiauné of Manum Diaboli Art. Tracklisting as follows:
01. Utan Mening
02. Det Som Aldrig Fans
03. Förstörd
04. Du Finns Dȃr För Mig
05. Jag Återkommer
06. Abstinensens Dystra Tongång
07. Dödförklarad – Ånstad
08. Disharmoni
09. Status – Handlinsförlamad
10. Harmonisk Reflektion
11. Introspektion
VANHELGA’s next live appearance will be at the November’s Doom Festival to be held at Live & Loud in Sofia, Bulgaria on the 25-26 November. Running order to be confirmed.
The official video for the track ” Där Evigheten Inväntar Mig “, from VANHELGA’s 2014 full-length album ” Längtan “, can be seen below and at http://youtu.be/N1fiCNTUi3I
Fans of Norway’s CREST OF DARKNESS will have seen a short teaser video appear on Facebook this week showing frontman and founder Ingar Amlien signing what appears to be a contract, and today Italian label My Kingdom Music confirmed that it was indeed a new recording contract, and that the veteran Norwegian Extreme Metallers would be continuing their collaboration with the label for the release of their next album. Commenting on the renewal of their long-standing relationship, which started thirteen years ago, My Kingdom Music had this to say:
“We are absolutely delighted to be able to continue with, and build on, the strong relationship we have always had with CREST OF DARKNESS. We first started working together back in 2003, and we have watched the band develop its style and sound over the years, and we are very excited to be releasing their seventh full-length album towards the end of this year. We have no doubts whatsoever that the new album will push the borders of their take on extreme metal to new limits. CREST OF DARKNESS’ personal mix of Black, Thrash and Heavy Metal promises to make this the most mature and powerful album the band has ever released”.
Amlien himself gave some hints at what fans could expect from the album, as well as echoing the label’s sentiments about their working relationship: ” Over the years CREST OF DARKNESS and My Kingdom Music seem to have grown side by side, so I’m very happy to be able to continue working with a label that understands both our music and our vision, and with whom we have always been able to have an open and constructive dialogue. Particularly as the new album is especially important to me as I’ve put a hell of a lot of myself and my emotions into it. I’ve always felt that when we are on stage, we create a sort of magic, and this time we have been able to transfer that magic to the recordings. You could say this is my personal Black Mass.
“We are not going to reveal too much about the album at this stage except to say that it is currently being recorded at the MLP Studio with Nils Harald Mæhlum at the helm. We worked with Mæhlum on our first albums, and we recently got together again when we recorded last year’s “Evil Messiah” EP, and it felt natural so we decided to stick with him for the new album, and it’s proven to be a very good decision”.
The teaser video of Ingar Amlien signing the contract can be seen below and on the band’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/vSv164A-v4Q
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CREST OF DARKNESS’ current lineup, includes founder and frontman Ingar Amlien (ROQUEFIRE, CONCEPTION, AMLIEN’s INFERNO) on bass and vocals, Rebo on guitars, Bernhard (ex- PALE FOREST) on drums, and Kristian Wentzel on keyboards. More information about CREST OF DARKNESS can be found on the band’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/crestofdarknessofficial
The Official video of the track “Demon Child” from CREST OF DARKNESS’ 2013 album “In the Presence of Death” can be seen below and at http://youtu.be/3-sNJCviSGY
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The official CREST OF DARKNESS playlist, which includes the band’s entire catalogue can be heard on Spotify HERE
PATRICIA THOMAS BAND MANAGEMENT 