On vinyl for the first time, Katatonia’s classic 1997 EP Sounds of Decay was recorded at Stockhom’s Sunlight Studios and featured Opeth’s Mikael Åkerfeldt on vocals.
Sounds of Decay was seen as a perfect companion piece to the band’s sublime 1996 breakthrough album, Brave Murder Day (a masterpiece of hypnotic, melodic Doom Metal melancholy).
The EP is presented on 10″ 100gm vinyl, includes the bonus track Untrue, and new liner notes from guitarist/founder member Anders Nystrom.
The dark progressive/power metal project EPYSODE returns with its sophomore album Fantasmagoria on October 11th.
The successor to “Obsessions” (2011) was mixed and mastered by JacobHansen at Hansen studio in Denmark (Volbeat, Pretty Maids, Amaranthe a.m.m.)
Beside band leader Samuel Arkan, the following vocalists and musicians contributed to “Fantasmagoria”:
Tom S. Englund (Evergrey)
Henning Basse (Melium, Uli Jon Roth)
Ida Haukland (Triosphere)
Matt Marinelli (Borealis)
Tezzi Persson (Between The Silence)
Mike LePond (Symphony X)
Léo Margarit (Pain Of Salvation)
Julien Spreutels (Ethernity)
Simone Mularoni (DGM)
The quite unusual thing is that all these guests came to the Noise Factory studio (Belgium) to track down their parts. Nobody recorded his/her parts at home, like with some many other projects.
“I wanted the whole thing to get a real “band” feeling”, Arkan says. “Therefore having all vocalists and musicians here was very important to me. We got to know each other better and better while spending time together. The new material sounds very fresh, dark, heavy, modern and “true” with “straight in the face” guitar riffs, intense voices and melodies, massive work on progressive atmospheres and orchestral parts. All the artists who participated in this album gave their soul to it, gave their best, they travelled deeper into sensitivity and sincerity. That’s probably the best words which define “Fantasmagoria”… sincerity & spontaneity ! This album comes from the heart of each musician and vocalist who worked on it, and you can feel it when you listen to this new EPYSODE album.”
Italian grind brutalists EXHUMER will release their second full-length album, Degraded by Sepsis, on October 15th via Comatose Music.
Ruthless and calculating, Degraded by Sepsismarks the first recorded output from one of Italy’s sickest Death Metal exports since their 2008 full-length debut, Bloodcurdling Tool of Digestion. This new release displays rabid skills of technical brutality, inhuman speed and supreme aggression while leaving a trail of blood-soaked anguish in the unavoidable aftermath. Artwork by Zig.
Next month, EXHUMER will join forces with PSYCROPTIC, HOUR OF PENANCE and DYSCARNATE for The Inherited Sedition European Tour. The tour kicks off on September 20th in Aarshot, Belguim. Dates are as follows:
September, 20 – Aarshot, Belgium @ JC De Klinker
September, 21 – Essen, Germany @ Turock
September, 22 – London UK @ Electrowerkz
September, 23 – Dublin, Ireland @ The Pint
September, 24 – Glasgow, UK @ Ivory Blacks
September, 25 – Cardiff, UK @ Bogiez Rock Club
September, 26 – Margate, UK @ Westcoast
September, 27 – Paris, France @ Glazart
September, 28 – Lausanne, Switzerland @ Metal Assault Festival
Genre-collapsing noiseniks, OvO, are pleased to announce the release of their new album, Abisso, on November 4th via the vessel of all things Italian and loud, Supernatual Cat.
The duo, made up of Bruno Dorella on a stripped back drum kit and Stefania Pedretti handling vocals and guitars, are entering their thirteenth year together, and are showing no signs of relenting in their sonic exploration.
OvO’s live repertoire has seen them play everywhere; from Europe to Mexico to Israel and everywhere in between, alongside a host of sound-benders including Nadja, KK Null, Thurston Moore, Jim O’Rourke, Rollerball, Thrones, SubArachnoidSpace, Zenigeva, Lightning Bolt, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Estradasphere, Steve Mc Kay, Trencher, Ludicra, Bill Horist, USA Is a Monster, White Mice, Bastard Noise, Zu, Larsen, Jarboe, and A Hawk and a Hacksaw. Having truly mastered the art of crafting sharp and incredibly loud dynamic noise, OvO’s sound veers from bellyache sludge to simmering and shimmering compositions that ooze rock ‘n’ roll from punk-stained pores.
Stay tuned for further OvO details in the coming weeks.
Nuclear Blast is proud to announce the signing of New York City-based thrashers GENERATION KILL, headed by EXODUS frontman Rob Dukes.
Together with Rob Moschetti (ex-PRO-PAIN / M.O.D.) on bass & backing vocals, dual lead guitarists Jason Trenzcer (ex-MUTILATION) & Jason Velez, and James DeMaria (ex- MERAUDER) on drums, GENERATION KILL has completed work with producer Zeuss (HATEBREED, AGNOSTIC FRONT, MUNICIPAL WASTE) on their second studio album (and follow-up to 2011’s Red, White And Blood) to be released later this year.
Culling the band name from the title of the 2004 book (also a HBO mini-series) written by Rolling Stone journalist Evan Wright, GENERATION KILL vocalist Rob Dukes comments on the band’s time in the studio & the recent worldwide signing:
“We all reached down and made a good record. Zeuss really helped us bring out things in all of us we didn’t know we had. We fought, we argued, and in the end, each of us rose up to the challenge and wrote good fucking songs. I want to thank everyone at Nuclear Blast for having GENERATION KILL become part of the greatest metal family.”
ROB DUKES
Producer Zeuss adds: “This album is not an EXODUS clone. This is an album of music where five guys got together and explored our own roots of music, the records we grew up listening to and [then] wrote songs paying homage to what we love.”
Nuclear Blast A&R Manager Jaap Wagemaker weighs in on GENERATIONKILL & their addition to the label roster:
“With the release of their debut, Red, White And Blood, we knew that something special was brewing in New York! The band is playing a different kind of thrash metal – not just straight in-your-face but also elements from hardcore and alternative are used, not only in the music, but also in the vocals. Rob is mostly known for his aggressive vocal style in EXODUS; you will be very surprised to hear a different side from him. Two months ago, we had the chance to see the band play as support for HEATHEN. We were blown away by the sheer live power of this outfit. All members have a lot of experience playing in New York and are longtime friends. They really know their music and it shows. We at Nuclear Blast are very impressed by the new tracks and are very pleased to welcome GENERATION KILL as new members to the Nuclear family. GENERATION KILL are here to destroy and leave no prisoners behind!”
CLUELESS RULER – This Heavy Rockin’ band calls Vancouver, Canada home and are seeing their debut, S/T EP release on August 29th. You can purchase the digital download of CLUELESS RULER and instantly receive a single download of Your Time Is Up. For 6 songs, the price is a mere $5. Not too shabby, by any Rockin’ standards!
I’ve already listened to Your Time Is Up and it’s a 100% worthy Hard Rock song; a song that truly has impressed me a great deal! I look forward to hearing much more from CLUELESS RULER and will most likely blab away about these up and coming Canadian Rockers in the future! Metal be thy name.
If you like your rock with a jagged edge, you’ll love Clueless Ruler!
Founded in 2013 and based out of Vancouver, Canada, Clueless Ruler features twin guitar rhythms, driving beats, throbbing bass and gritty vocals which come together in compelling songs with an edge. Clueless Ruler’s debut EP explores themes of forgiveness, disenchantment, conformity and freedom.
Influenced and inspired by Alice In Chains, System of a Down, KiLLeR DWaRfS, Ozzy (particularly Randy Rhoads era), pre-Napster Metallica, Soundgarden, Guns n’ Roses, Nazareth, Staind and Judas Priest, Clueless Ruler carves out a sound all their own.
Rock is Back.
Get. F’n. Ready!
Recorded and mixed at the famous Warehouse Studios in Vancouver, Canada with help from Supreme Tracks in NYC (drums), the album was mixed by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Studios, Portland, Maine.
The 25th Anniversary Tour celebrating the iconic DANZIG will be spreading mayhem across the U.S. this October; DOYLE, Butcher Babies, Texas HippieCoalition and A Pale Horse Named Death will be the unbelievable support!!
This looks to be one Hell of a tour! Holy shit and Metal be thy name.
OCTOBER – 2013 TOUR DATES:
Tue/Oct-08 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL Revolution
Wed/Oct-09 – Tampa, FL Cuban Club
Fri/Oct-11 – Nashville, TN Marathan Music Works
Sat/Oct-12 – Atlanta, GA Center Stage
Sun/Oct-13 – Charlotte, NC Fillmore
Tue/Oct-15 – Norfolk, VA The Norva
Thu/Oct-17 – Niagara Falls, NY Rapids Theater
Fri/Oct-18 – New York, NY Roseland
Sat/Oct-19 – Worcester, MA Palladium/Rock and Shock
DIMMU BORGIR – Black Metal/Symphonic Black Metal legends DIMMUBORGIR will be headlining the Inferno Metal Festival in Norway 2014, this coming April! Metal be thy name!
_____________________________________________
As Reported On the Facebook page of Inferno Metal Festival Norway:
It’s now time to get ready to let all hell break loose for the 14th edition of INFERNO METAL FESTIVAL. We hereby proudly present the first five bands for the next year. This time the Norwegian giants DIMMU BORGIR with their majestic symphonic black metal will headline. The Japanese avantgarde extreme metal band SIGH will also pay us a visit. One of the most aggressive and blasphemous bands out there will show up to blow your heads off; BLACK WITCHERY. We also got the Norwegian cult legends TULUS with their grim old school black metal. And all the way from Singapore IMPIETY will be with us to destroy Oslo.
For MORE Info, click on those kick-ass links below! Whoa!
Dallas Death Metal battalion CLERIC will crush the weak with their disparaging debut LP, Gratum Inferno, through their local cohorts at independent waxmongers Tofu Carnage Records this fall; the label now confirming the street date for the record as September 26th.
Formed by members of Kill the Client, Baring Teeth, and Tyrannosorceress, CLERIC fuses their old-school Death Metal aggressive tendencies here into a relentless attack, which their Gratum Inferno LP attempts to capture in full-force. Recorded by Garry Brents (Kill The Client, Phobia, Noisear) and mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege (From Ashes Rise, Nails, Sleep), Gratum Inferno boasts nearly a half-hour of grating, Stockholm-bred but Americanized death through seven hymns of debauchery, bizarre, haunting and horror-soundtrack elements permeating from deep within its hellish core.
The platter is being pressed on 200-gram, translucent yellow wax with blood-red and milky clear splatter and features heavyweight spot-varnish printed jackets, gold foil-stamped inner-sleeve graphics, was mastered at 45rpm for superior sound quality, and bears insane cover art masterminded by JasonBarnett (Noothgrush, etc.).
Unload Gratum Inferno in its entirety at Cvlt Nation RIGHT HERE:
Stay tuned for the band’s hellfire-strewn first video to be released shortly. Additionally, CLERIC has locked down new live actions across Texas over the coming months with more being confirmed all the time. looking forward towards the turn of the year, they’ll infiltrate audiences beyond the region with more extensive tour plans… stay tuned.
Featuring members of various other collectives including Made Out Of Babies, Thursday, Red Sparowes, Pigs, United Nations, Goes Cube, Mussels and Kiss It Goodbye, STRANGELIGHT was forged in a small basement studio. While their past and current bands share little in common, STRANGELIGHT – Brendan Tobin, Cooper, Kenneth Appel, John Niccoli and Geoff Rickly – share an adoration for all things angular, discordant, rhythmic and driving.
Drawing heavily upon DC visionaries, Amphetamine Reptile destroyers and Touch & Go noisemakers and named in honor of a track off Fugazi’s last record, The Argument, STRANGELIGHT offers up all the signature makings of an early ’90s Dischord band: Drums and bass rumble along like a tornado. The guitars stab their way out of the mix like broken glass. The fact that they’re not distorted only makes them heavier. The vocals, mumble, shout, indict and accuse. Anyone with a deep record collection will understand that STRANGELIGHT aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel, just taking the dust jackets off the old classics and melting the vinyl down for fun.
STRANGELIGHT will release their debut EP, 9 Days, on October 1, 2013 via Brooklyn-based Sacrament Music. Written and recorded at Tobin’s own Ice Cream Audio in Brooklyn, New, York in just nine days (hence the title), 9 Days is an honest and simple name for a simple, honest record.
BAT Stats: Primitive Metal Punk power trio featuring Ryan Waste from Municipal Waste on bass and vocals, Nick Poulos from Volture on lead guitar and Felix Griffin from D.R.I on skins.
“Crushing all barriers between Heavy Metal and Hardcore Punk”
With its official physical release upon us, Decibel Magazine is currently streaming Intermediate Level Hard-Core, the latest covers EP from splatterthrash death dealers GHOUL, in its entirety!
Featuring five tracks of gristly hardcore/punk reverence, Intermediate Level Hard-Coreoffers GHOULified versions of tunes from GWAR, Fearless Iranians From Hell, Willful Neglect, N.O.T.A, and Dayglo Abortions. Said Decibel of the tunes on deck, “Intermediate Level Hard-Core makes us want to run through a cemetery, skateboard in hand, climb a fence, and rage the curb blocks on the other side.” Adds Speaker Creatures, “…don’t be an idiot and miss out on this EP. I’ve already listened to it 94 times in two days and will continue to till someone makes me listen to something else.”
The CD edition of Intermediate Level Hard-Corewill be released on August 20, 2013 via Tankcrimes Records. The EP is currently available digitally for three stinkin’ bucks. Order yours now at:
Additionally, the Creepsylvanian masked miscreants will terrorize Oakland next month alongside Fang at Eli’s Mile High Club five-year-anniversary party. Oakland residents, bring a raincoat and a shovel! Can’t make it to Eli’s? Check out below, the debauchery at the band’s last show in Portland headlining the Northwest Black Circle Fest:
GHOUL Live Actions:
9/7/2013 – Eli’s Mile High Club – Oakland, CA w/ Fang
RIOT: Chapter 5, Back for the Attack! Extensive press release coming soon as well as info and samples for the 2014 release on SPV/ Steamhammer (US, Euro) and Avalon/ Marquee (Asia)! Thank you FANS for your support! Thank You Mark, this is for YOU and dedicated to YOU! Shine on Metal Warrior!
SCORPION CHILD will embark on their headlining tour of North America this September! With impressive guests: KADAVAR, GYPSYHAWK, WILSON and MOTHERSHIP, this tour is destined to kick countless Heavy Rock fans in the ass! Metal be thy name.
SCORPION CHILD HEADLINING TOUR with KADAVAR, GYPSYHAWK, WILSON, MOTHERSHIP
09/14/2013: Snowboard On The Block – Denver, CO
09/16/2013: Cobra Lounge – Chicago, IL
09/17/2013: Skyway Theater – Minneapolis, MN
09/20/2013: The Astoria – Vancouver, B.C.
09/21/2013: Neumos – Seattle, WA
09/23/2013: Slim’s – San Francisco, CA
09/24/2013: Roxy Theatre – West Hollywood, CA
09/25/2013: Rocky Point Cantina – Tempe, AZ
09/27/2013: Red 7 – Austin, TX
09/28/2013: Tom Cats – Dallas, TX
09/29/2013: Fitzgerald’s – Houston, TX
10/01/2013: The Firebird – St. Louis, MO
10/02/2013: Peabody’s – Cleveland, OH
10/03/2013: Hard Luck Bar – Toronto, ON
10/04/2013: II Motore – Montreal, QC
10/05/2013: Saint Vitus – Brooklyn, NY
BELOW, LISTEN TO AND WATCH THE OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO FOR LIQUOR, FROM THE MIGHTY… SCORPION CHILD. WHOA.
Aryn Jonathan Black – Vocals
Shaun Diettrick Avants – Bass
Christopher Jay Cowart – Lead Guitar
Shawn Paul Alvear – Percussion
Tom “The Mole” Frank – Rhythm Guitar
SCORPION CHILD’S self-titled album was released on June 21st (EU), 24th (UK) and 25th (NA) via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. Yes, this SCORPIONCHILD album will hit you off the head like a runaway, Heavy Rockin’ boomerang. Go buy it now, if y’all already haven’t. ‘Nuff said.
CARCASS – Surgical Steel, the band’s first studio release since their 1996 LP Swan song, was produced by Colin Richardson (NAPALM DEATH, BOLT THROWER, GOREFEST, CANNIBAL CORPSE, SINISTER, RODRIGO Y GABRIELA) and mixed/mastered by Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, ACCEPT, EXODUS, TESTAMENT).
“We went back to working with Ian Tilton, who is an iconic English photographer famous for working with THE STONE ROSES,” stated frontman Jeff Walker, regarding the cover artwork. “He actually did the front cover for Necroticism… as well. We’ve deliberately tried to evoke the feeling of that album and Heartwork.”
Joining guitarist Bill Steer and bassist/vocalist Jeff Walker in the band’s current incarnation are new drummer Dan Wilding (ABORTED, TRIGGER THE BLOODSHED) and guitarist Ben Ash (PIG IRON, DESOLATION, LIQUEFIED SKELETON). Expect some guest vocals from original sticksman Ken Owen as well, when Surgical Steel is finally released this Fall.
Pre-order Surgical Steel via iTunes now and get `Captive Bolt Pistol´ as an instant grat single right away: http://bit.ly/carcasscbp
RELEASE DATES:
CARCASS Surgical Steel will be released on September 16 (UK), September 13 (Rest of Europe) and September 17 (North America), via Nuclear BlastRecords.
BELOW, LISTEN TO AND WATCH CAPTIVE BOLT PISTOL:
BELOW, LISTEN TO AND WATCH THE OFFICIAL TEASER FOR CARCASS SURGICAL STEEL:
TYGERS OF PAN TANG – The ever legendary and NWOBHM pioneers, TYGERS OF PAN TANG, will be on tour beginning September 28th in Belgium! Take a look below for their tour dates and check out the link for a FREE mp3 download that’s still available from TYGERS OF PAN TANG… Metal be thy name!
TYGERS OF PAN TANG – Tour Dates:
TYGERS OF PAN TANG – AMBUSH IS OUT NOW!
FOR A FREE MP3 DOWNLOAD OF SPEED, FEATURED ON AMBUSH, CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW! WHOA!!
AMBUSH was released back in September, 2012, in North America, via Rocksector Records. Ambush was directed and engineered by the also legendary Chris Tsangarides.
Floridian psychedelic noise weavers, ORBWEAVER, recently dropped their brain-fraying Strange Transmissions from the NeuralnomiconEP upon unsuspecting masses. Christened “twitchy, trippy tech death” by Invisible Oranges, the five-track Strange Transmissions from the Neuralnomicon is a harrowing, multifaceted sound voyage through modulating realities recorded at Miami’s Pinecrust Studios with Jonathan Nunez of Torche and mixed/mastered with Brian Elliot at Mana Recording Studios (Hate Eternal, Cannibal Corpse, Goatwhore, Exhumed).
ORBWEAVER spiral’s through the realms of psychedelia, noise, and a warped interpretation of Death Metal. Shifting between these erratic, trance-like elements, the foursome produce cosmic pandemonium reminiscent of a Zappa-esque brand of controlled chaos. Strange Transmissions from the Neuralnomicon was released earlier this month in alimited run of 100 cassette tapes via Primitive Violence Records:
Also available on CD direct through the band. The record is also available digitally via their official BandCamp page where you can twist your cranium to Strange Transmissions from the Neuralnomicon in full. Point your browser here:
ORBWEAVER was forged n 2010 by guitarist/vocalist Randy Piro (ex-Hate Eternal, Gigan) and drummer Mike Pena. Together they recorded a self-titled, three-song demo. Shortly after, lead guitarist Sally Gates (ex-Gigan) and bassist Jason Ledgard joined the fold. Mike Pena parted ways with the group in 2013, and was replaced by drummer/percussionist ScottSpasiano.
The band will continue their stampede through the Sunshine State with another round of live takeovers. Additional shows to be announced in the coming weeks. Can’t make it to Florida? Peep the band’s new tripped out video for “Tragic Orbit: A Doomed Cosmic Star Ship” below:
“…off-the-wall structureless noise tech that borders on the type of irreverence built by instrumental group Behold The Arctopus with insane space atmospherics.” – HeavyBlogIsHeavy
“Their uniqueness is engaging, but the fortitude of it is what really grasps you. With how immense and bizarre their spacey effects are, you will find yourself dumbfounded by the intensity of it. ” – The Age Of Metal
“…deranged, psychedelic death metal hurdling through space at speeds that make The Millennium Falcon look like your little sister’s moped.” — Orlandooom.com
Venom are currently in the studio adding the final touches to their new album. The album is being scheduled for release through UMG [Spinefarm Records] in early 2014. [ we will bring more information and album / song titles soon ]
Dante commented: “The new songs are sounding amazing, the whole album has a great feel. I’d say the strength of this band comes from our determination to create great music, and that comes from forward thinking, new ideas and fresh challenges”.
Cronos continued: “I believe this is Venom at it’s best, the song writing keeps getting better, and the live shows are tighter and heavier than ever. It’s clear to me now that all of the line up changes this band has been through over the years, has been an inspiring journey to find the right band of warriors. Venom continue to keep growing stronger, and unstoppable”.
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.