Yes, GWAR were magnificent live! GWAR invaded Bogart’s in Cincinnati Ohio, back on November 11th. I took the live photos you see on this post with my iPhone; thus I’m admittedly no professional photographer (hahaha).
I bought quite a bunch at the merch table; one item is this GWAR stamped metal pin. Whoa!
There was a HUGE pit and everyone attending this show were lit in one manner or another. It was Metal euphoria and I drank plenty of PBR while there. I went to this GWAR show with my buddy Troy; it was his birthday as well. Good Metal times! At this concert, GWAR didn’t spray down the fans with any goo or monster secretions; not from my vantage point anyways.
I’m going to post more concert photos of GWAR with more merch I bought, in the coming days. I did buy a GWAR keychain that I gave to a coworker of mine. One last thought: it was raining like hell on our drive down to Cincinnati that night. Troy drove his car and (as usual) was a superhero behind the wheel; getting us there fast and safe.
If you’ve never seen GWAR live, I strongly encourage you to do so. If you’re not interested in GWAR, then drink a gallon of prune juice and listen to your ABBA records. Metal be thy name! – Stone
L-R – Oscar Rangel – Bass, JJ Tartaglia – Vocals, Drums, Keys, Jonny Nesta – Guitars Photo Credit – Rae Chatten
Debut Album “Fire It Up” Out Feb 25, 2022 via Boonsdale Records
March 2022 European Tour w/ Traveler, Toledo Steel
Thunderor is a relatively new band, just having started up in the midst of the pandemic when JJ Tartaglia (Skull Fist) felt a calling to develop his singing and front his own band. He was joined by Skull Fist bandmate Jonny Nesta and Oscar Rangel (Operus, ex-Annihilator) creating a heavy 80’s influenced power trio that knows how to rock fans. They are releasing their debut album “Fire It Up” early next year with the first single being “How We Roll”, which Tartaglia explains:
“How We Roll just felt like the right choice as the first single to come out with. It’s a catchy tune, with a big emphasis on the song-writing, and that’s the main thing with Thunderor. It’s got that anthem-like singalong chorus, feels like freedom and good times. It’s a song about friends, road trips, and not wanting to go home when it’s time to go home haha.”
The album is a fresh take on NWOTHM, with 80s synths, piano, and gong hits. Lyrically it’s an adventure, complete with motorcycles, romance, and danger. It inspires you to go after your life and to never give up. The video for the groovy, catchy single features shots of the band cruising on bikes; JJ Tartaglia is indeed an avid motorcycle rider and has been featured a couple of times in Adventure Bike Rider.
Tartaglia expects that the album will be a hit with Skull Fist fans who will find some familiarity in the music, and also will intrigue new listeners who will be drawn in by the originality and catchy hooks. He cites that being a singing drummer definitely adds a unique twist and will allow for a creative setup when they hit the stage. He sums up the album:
“I think we’ve created a truly original album with Fire It Up. It was a blast writing these songs and putting my personality into the lyrics for the first time. The songs on the album are meant to inspire a life journey – an adventure with friends, motorcycles, romance, danger, and victory. I hope it will be a soundtrack for your adventures.”
The 80s-infused heavy metal is recommended for fans of Skull Fist, Saxon, and Judas Priest.
The music video for “How We Roll”can be viewed via its premiere on Bravewords HERE.
Track Listing: 1. Fire It Up (5:12) 2. How We Roll (4:14) 3. All or Nothing (4:31) 4. Dangerous Times (5:24) 5. Thunderor (4:32) 6. On the Run (4:04) 7. Into the Storm (1:34) 8. We Can Make It (4:21) 9. Cold Tears (5:17) Album Length: 39:09
Dreamlike and longing but still vicious and punishing – Nordic black metal saturated in that characteristically wild and unbound organic spirit associated with many of the Nordvis bands. Perhaps somewhere in-between Murg and Panphage, but with an atmosphere rooted in folkloric mysticism. Blodtår’s primary strength is the masterful use of contrast in mood and music, showcasing both acoustic interludes and a youthful fire that brings early Dissection to mind.
Tracklist: 1. Djävulskap 2. Svartsejd 3. Besatt 4. Aldrig Mer
“Return To Earth”, the new single from heavy psych doom metal space project, THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON will be released on all streaming platforms on December 10th. Landing ahead of their upcoming album in Spring 2022, the dynamic collective of seasoned musicians, powerhouse vocal talent and a visual Sci Fi stage show has seen the project take off into orbit.
“We are incredibly excited to release the first single off our new Album. Return To Earth is the perfect song to showcase our new sound. After wood shedding through the worst of the pandemic we are very proud of the work we have accomplished. This song is the first of many new exciting adventures. Climb aboard and strap yourself in. We are about to blast off!”
With wide appeal in Comic Con culture, THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON not only perform epic sounds and live shows, they are busy with famed horror artist Rick Lara as the band’s art director and artist involved in rebooting the band’s comic book. “Return To Earth” delivers soaring instrumentation, ethereal lead vocals and a haunting choral backing. The soundscape is an expanse of powerful chord progressions, along with heavy grooves from the guitars and bass that bring a delicious sludge edge. All of the elements combine to produce a theatrical mood with added effects in the form of narrative clips.
THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON use their music to transport to other worlds. Their cosmic sound is a fantastic combination of genre mixing and sheer creativity. Take trip out into the galaxy and beyond safe in knowledge that with THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON you’ll “Return To Earth”.
THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON IS:
Luna Nemesis- Lead Vocals The General Shane Thirteen- Guitar and Vocals R. Benjamin Black- Lead Guitar and Vocals Zakkatron- Bass Adryon Alin- Drums Nova 1001001- Vocals
Metal Tour of the Year takes the front cover of this week’s Pollstar Magazine. Check out the full story behind this summer’s run with Megadeth, Lamb of God, Trivium and Hatebreed, now up at pollstar.com
An outfit created in the midst of chaos, erected from an earth in mourning and the universal struggle to reclaim our humanity… Uncertainty of the collective future remains, but even in darkness there is light. A new challenge emerges from the shadows and a new hope begins to dissipate the pain. A powerful connection that binds us to the universe and a deep desire for spiritual illumination exists within us. We introduce to you, SEVENTH STORM.
Five musicians from Portugal who aspire to play music full of emotion and character, the members of SEVENTH STORM are fighters seeking a new path in life. Comments drummer and band leader Mike Gaspar (ex-Moonspell), “We come together with one goal: to stay strong so that there may be a chance of freedom to come, to never give up even in the most troubling times. Our crusade starts now. May our paths cross; may we one day visit the seven continents and navigate through the seven seas, in the hope of creating the perfect storm: the SEVENTH STORM. May the light and fire return to this forgotten art. Let the horns be heard once more. Join us.”
Atomic Fire Records is proud to announce the signing of this promising dark metal outfit who are working on their debut album, slated for release in August 2022.
“SEVENTH STORM signing to Atomic Fire Records is the best thing that could have happened to us,” says Gaspar. “We are so proud to be a part of this amazing team that truly believes in metal. Together, our mission is to set fire to your hearts once more. Get ready for the best label ever because we are here to stay.”
Adds Atomic Fire Records co-CEO and founder Markus Wosgien, “Our common friend Esa Holopainen of Amorphis introduced us and there was magic in the air right away. Within twenty-four hours, it was clear that we would experience this adventure together. The group’s demo songs, brimming over with inspiration and all their emotions, really touched us. Our whole team fell in love, and we are fully convinced that this STORM will become nothing but a hurricane.”
SEVENTH STORM emerged from Gaspar’s strong desire to continue making music after his departure from Moonspell in 2020. “I was at a crossroad in my life, feeling a bit lost and unsure of my artistic future,” notes Gaspar, who was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts and moved to Portugal in 1988. “Then a good friend of mine got me together with musicians that he thought could fulfill my vision.”
Initially, he was just eager to get back to drumming with a band and to feel inspired by music again, but after SEVENTH STORM’s first rehearsal, he realized how powerful their connection was. “Most of the members had a more hard rock background and not such an extreme metal underground influence like mine, but this diversity in musical styles is what made the energy in the rehearsal room so magical. Some of the first riffs we played reminded me of early Darkthrone and Emperor. It almost felt like I had gone back in time and was reliving my youth, but with thirty years of experience! The driving force was to save and honor my past and being able to share that with a new metal family – to hopefully make epic, meaningful music full of soul and emotion.”
Don’t miss out on SEVENTH STORM’s journey. Expect further travel details to be revealed in the weeks to come.
SEVENTH STORM: Mike Gaspar – drums, Rez – vocals, Ben Stockwell – lead guitar, Josh Riot – guitar, Butch Cid – bass guitar
Connecticut symphonic death metal band VIRUS OF IDEALS have released a stunning cover of the classic CRADLEOF FILTH track “Nymphetamine Fix”. The song is available on all digital streaming outlets including Spotify and Bandcamp.
The band comments:
” ‘Nymphetamine Fix’ is obviously a classic, but the main reason we chose to cover this song is because it fits our style perfectly: it has a balanced mix of screaming and clean vocals with strong keyboards and orchestrations. This song was a challenge to record because there are way more layers of vocals, orchestrations, and guitars than we are used to. Fortunately, our drummer Brian (Westbrook (Lich King)) is also a producer with a fantastic ear; we were able to stay very faithful to the original due largely to his direction. We know our debut album is long overdue (our EP is 5 years old), but we are still making progress despite numerous setbacks over the years. We were planning to cover this song anyways, but we thought it would make the wait a bit easier for our fans to have something new to listen to in the meantime.”
Earlier this week, reunited German black/death metallers MYSTIC CIRCLE announced their signing to Atomic Fire Records. Today, the duo unveils a video for “Letters From The Devil,” the first single off their highly-anticipated, eponymous comeback, set for release on February 4th, 2022.
Elaborates the band of the track, “This song tells the true story of a possessed nun who reportedly received messages from Satan at night back in 1676. They were of a language that can’t be decoded to this day. Myths like these are always worthy of becoming a song within the MYSTIC CIRCLE universe, of course. Musically, we kept it diabolical but still infectiously melodic. That diabolicalness has greatly been staged in our new music video. Get seduced…!”
“Letters From The Devil” is part of a trilogy written by the band’s own A. Blackwar.
View the video, filmed and edited by Alen Ljubic and Nils Lesser, at THIS LOCATION.
Following the musical path where Infernal Satanic Verses — the final MYSTIC CIRCLE record featuring both reunion members — had left off in 1999, Mystic Circle was produced by the band and Nils Lesser at Vaultroom Productions while its artwork was designed by Brazilian artist Rafael Tavares.
Preorder Mystic Circle in various formats (box set, CD-digipak, black/red marbled vinyl), presave it, or preorder the album digitally to receive “Letters From The Devil” instantly and order the group’s new Letters From The Devil 7″ black vinyl single, which includes the exclusive, non-album B-side track “The Godsmasher,” limited to 666 copies and available now at THIS LOCATION.
Mystic Circle Track Listing:
1. Belial Is My Name, 2. Seven Headed Dragon, 3. Hell Demons Rising, 4. Letters From The Devil, 5. Darkness In Flames, 6. The Arrival Of Baphomet, 7. Curse Of The Wolf Demon, 8. Satanic Mistress, 9. Death Metal (Possessed Cover) * * CD-digipak only bonus track
Letters From The Devil 7” Track Listing:
Side A: Letters From The Devil
Side B: The Godsmasher
With seven studio albums and many tours alongside black metal heavyweights Marduk, Gorgoroth, and Dimmu Borgir under their belt, it wasn’t just a little history that German black/death metal legends MYSTIC CIRCLE left behind when they decided to call it quits in 2007. But alas, 14 years of silence are over as MYSTIC CIRCLE – consisting of Beelzebub and A. Blackwar who had actually left the group in 1999 – have risen from their graves to renew their deal with the Dark Lord.
Madison (WI) – Midwest Death Machine CASKETROBBERY have officially released their newest single, “Bone Mother.” The song is now available on Spotify and all other streaming platforms.
“Bone Mother” is dedicated to the memory of Eric Orvold, father of CASKET ROBBERY vocalist Megan Orvold.
CASKET ROBBERY recently released a video for “Bone Mother.” HorrorPatch.com called the video “a claymation masterpiece of darkness and horror that you’re going to want to check out.”
The video was directed and created by Shayne Minott of Budget Blood Productions. “Bone Mother” was produced and engineered by Troy Powell at Unintended Studios, and mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson.
Emerging from the darkest and most desolate areas of the Midwest, CASKET ROBBERY creates its own signature style of death metal by infusing horror and occult themes. Their trademark huge riffs and unstoppable grooves create the unrelenting, brutally catchy, and eerie sound that only CASKET ROBBERY is known for. Death metal with a wink.
CASKET ROBBERY’s intense, high energy shows have quickly surfaced a die hard following. They continue to show a relentless work ethic and dedication to their fanbase. After the release of their debut album CASKET ROBBERY has toured the United States continually, hitting large festivals like Full Terror Assault and Milwaukee Summerfest. CASKET ROBBERY has shared the stage with Cannibal Corpse, Jungle Rot, Psycroptic, Immolation and more.
Your unrelenting nightmare has just begun.
Casket Robbery is: Megan Orvold – VocalsCory Scheider – GuitarsTroy Powell – GuitarsEli Pete – Bass
Sponsors: Dean Markley Strings, Vader Cabinets, Pig Hog Cables, Dirtbag Clothing, Gravewitch Goods, Grindcore Coffee
North America, We heard you and now it’s your turn… MERCYFUL FATE are headlining this year’s Psycho Las Vegas in August, this will be our only appearance in North America this year. Get your tickets now at vivapsycho.com | The curse of the pharaoh awaits…
Feb. 26 – Anaheim CA – House of Blues
Feb. 27 – San Francisco CA – Slims
Feb. 28 – Las Vegas NV – House of Blues
Feb. 29 – San Diego CA – House of Blues
Mar. 01 – Phoenix AZ – Crescent Ballroom
Mar. 02 – Albuquerque NM – Sunshine Theater
Mar. 04 – San Antonio TX – Aztec
Mar. 05 – Corpus Christi TX – House of Rock
Mar. 06 – Houston TX – Warehouse
Mar. 07 – Dallas TX – Gas Monkey
Mar. 08 – New Orleans LA – House of Blues
Mar. 09 – Tampa FL – The Ritz
Mar. 10 – Orlando FL – House of Blues
Mar. 11 – Atlanta GA – Buckhead
Mar. 12 – Charlotte NC – Underground @ The Fillmore
Mar. 13 – Silver Springs MD – The Fillmore
Mar. 14 – Montclair NJ – Wellmont Theater *
* with M.O.D. featuring Billy Milano and DEMOLITION HAMMER
5.05 – Sudbury, ON @ The Asylum*
5.06 – Ottawa, ON @ The Brass Monkey*
5.07 – London, ON @ Call The Office*
5.08 – Chesterfield, MI @ Diesel Concert Lounge w/Jungle Rot
5.09 – Toledo, OH @ Toledo Deathfest w/Jungle Rot
5.10 – Youngstown, OH @ Westside Bowl
5.11 – Cincinnati, OH @ Mad Frog
5.12 – Dayton, OH @ Turnbuckles
5.13 – Kansas City, MO @ Davey’s Uptown Ramblers Club
5.14 – Fort Worth, TX @ The Rail Club Live
5.15 – Houston, TX @ Acadia Bar & Grill
5.16 – Gulfport, MS @ Gulf Coast Beer & Metal Fest
5.17 – Tallahassee, FL @ The Warrior On The River
5.18 – New Port Richey, FL @ The Verona
5.19 – Orlando, FL @ Soundbar
5.20 – Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
5.21 – Chesapeake, VA @ Riffhouse Pub
5.22 – Turtle Creek, PA @ Sub Alpine Society**
5.23 – Battle Creek, MI @ The Music Factory**
* – No Blood Of Angels
** – No Filth
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW for our REVELATIONS OF THE ANCIENTS North American Tour! Joining us are our friends in Pestilence (official) and The Black Moriah. We hope to see you on the road!
With All Hallows’ Eve and the Day of the Dead fast approaching, the L.A.-based thrash/death/shred quartet EXMORTUS has unveiled a visualizer for the title track for their just-released horror-themed EP Legions of the Undead. Check out the clip – which was designed by Wayne Joyner (Dream Theater, Devin Townsend). Watch it HERE or below:
Says guitarist Jadran “Conan” Gonzalez, “Just in time for Halloween, enjoy this video of the new EP title track, ‘Legions of the Undead,’ inspired by the darker themes in Tolkien & Lovecraft lore. We are extremely excited to perform the new songs on Death Angel’s North American Humanicide Tour this November and December. See you on the road, Legions!”
As Gonzalez acknowledged, the song “Legions of the Dead” nods to the Dead Men of Dunharrow in “Lord Of The Rings.” It is joined on the new EP by one other new original track – the “Evil Dead”-inspired “Swallow Your Soul” – as well as three instrumental covers: renditions of Danny Elfman’s “Beetlejuice” theme and Bernard Hermann’s theme from Alfred Hitchcock’s horror classic “Psycho,” as well as a neoclassical shred take on 19th Century Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky’s haunting “Night On Bald Mountain.”
Recorded earlier this year with longtime producer Zack Ohren (Machine Head, Immolation) at Oakland’s Sharkbite Studios, “Legions Of The Undead” – the cover art for which was designed by Toha “AHOT” Mashudi – is now available via the band’s own Exmortus Music in cooperation with M-Theory Audio. Physical copies can be ordered on CD and limited-edition green slime-colored vinyl HERE.
“Legions Of The Undead” marks the first EXMORTUS release featuring the lineup – founding guitarist/vocalist Gonzalez, guitarist Chase Becker (also of Warbringer), bassist Cody Nunez and drummer Adrian Aguilar – that has logged numerous miles on the road together over the past two years with the likes of Obituary, Venom Inc., Sabaton, Kreator, Havok, Allegaeon, Hatchet, Homewrecker and The Absence. The group – whose most recent performance was alongside Exodus at the legendary thrash group’s sold-out “Bonded By Con” concert during San Diego’s recent Comic-Con – will support another iconic Bay Area act this fall, when they team up with Death Angel for a five-week tour across the U.S. and Canada. See below for the complete itinerary.
Founded by Gonzalez when he was just 12 years old, EXMORTUS released their debut album, “In Hatred’s Flame,” via Heavy Artillery in 2008. After gaining additional acclaim with their 2011 sophomore effort “Beyond The Fall Of Time,” the group signed a three-album deal with Prosthetic Records in 2013. In support of that acclaimed trilogy of releases (2014’s “Slave To The Sword,” 2016’s “Ride Forth” and 2018’s “The Sound Of Steel”), the band toured alongside some of metal’s biggest names, including Amon Amarth, Children of Bodom, Abbath, Dark Tranquillity and Marty Friedman, earning extensive praise along the way for their live power, prowess and proficiency.
EXMORTUS on tour with Death Angel:
Nov 13 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst (EXMORTUS only)
Nov 14 – Chico, CA – Metal Shop (EXMORTUS ONLY)
Nov 15 – Bend, OR – Third St. Pub (EXMORTUS only)
Nov 16 – Seattle, WA – Club Sur
Nov 17 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater
Nov 18 – Vancouver, BC – The Rickshaw Theater
Nov 19 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite
Nov 20 – Calgary, AB – Dickens
Nov 21 – Regina, SK – The Exchange
Nov 22 – Winnipeg, MB – Pyramids
Nov 23 – St. Paul, MN – The Amsterdam
Nov 25 – London, ON – London Music Hall
Nov 26 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
Nov 27 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar
Nov 28 – Ottawa, ON – Brass Monkey
Nov 29 – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti Bar & Spectacles
Nov 30 – Brooklyn, NY – Saint Vitus
Dec 1 – New Bedford, MA – Vault @ Greasy Luck
Dec 2 – Waterford, NY – Chrome (EXMORTUS only)
Dec 3 – Lancaster, PA – Chameleon
Dec 4 – Baltimore, MD – Otto Bar
Dec 5 – Richmond, VA – Canal Club
Dec 6 – Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club
Dec 7 – Tampa, FL – Brass Mug
Dec 8 – Orlando, FL – The Haven
Dec 9 – Mobile, AL – Alabama Music Box (EXMORTUS only)
Creator-Destructor Records this week unleashes Once Forsaken, the lead single from Ohio death metal act DISMEMBERMENT‘s impending second album, Arc Of Ancients. The song has been set loose upon the public as the devastating new LP nears release later this month. Preorders for the record have also been issued with the new track.
In a time fueled by instant gratification and over-saturation, DISMEMBERMENT has chosen to avoid the common path. Since the band’s formation in the winter of 2010, the band has forged their own way, fueled by fierce determination and perseverance. Over recent years, DISMEMBERMENT has continued to grow into a well-oiled machine, booking their own shows, traveling, and recording and releasing albums on their own finances, while continually pushing themselves and their unique brand of metal to new heights. Their catalog includes two EPs – The Condemned (2011) and Denied Salvation (2012) and their 2014-released debut LP, Embrace The Dark.
DISMEMBERMENT has taken their unique blitzkrieg black-thrash attack across the nation many times over, including touring with greats such as Master and Solstice, and having shared the stage with the likes of Mayhem, Immolation, Morbid Angel, Gorguts, Incantation, Death Angel, and countless more.
It is only now, with the impending release of their second LP, Arc Of Ancients, that the truly destructive nature of DISMEMBERMENT‘s sound is fully apparent. Completed in recent days, the album further expands on the band’s sound from the prior album, Embrace The Dark, yet reinforces their sound with the ferocity of their earlier recordings. Arc Of Ancients was recorded and mixed by the band, mastered by Dan Randall at Mammoth Sound Mastering, and as with prior releases, the album artwork was handled by renowned artist Andrei Bouzikov.
States the band with the release of the “Once Forsaken” single, “Here at last! A new ripper hot off the press. Turn it up and bang your head!”
Stream DISMEMBERMENT’s savage “Once Forsaken” atTHIS LOCATION or below:
Arc Of Ancients will be released on LP, CD, and digital platforms through Creator-Destructor on October 18th. Find preorders at the label webshop HERE and via Bandcamp HERE.
Watch for additional audio samples, and more on Arc Of Ancients to be issued in the days ahead, with tour dates to also be posted throughout the coming months.
Infected Dead made a grand impression with their Lovecraftian cosmic horror debut Archaic Malevolence and have left fans salivating for more ever since. Today the band proudly reveal a blistering new single and video to sate those in wait, a track entitled ‘The Rache’ out now via Hostile Media.
The video was shot in the woods of Heathfield, Sussex UK earlier this summer with Loki Films. Vocalist Lou Ede elaborates: “The song is loosely based on the lesser known Lovecraft short story ‘The Hound’ so the main concept we had in mind was to give the allusion of the band being stalked by the titular monster, I think the director did a great job of getting that across.”
“We are delighted to finally be unleashing our first fresh track since Archaic Malevolence. It was great to be back working with Wynter Prior (producer) and work is well underway on our debut album, we’re really excited to share the first glimpse of what we’ve been up to over the past year.”
‘The Rache’ was produced by Wynter Prior, while Inner Sound overseen mixing and mastering. Luciferium War Graphics manned the helm once again for the epic artwork.
Catch Infected Dead Live in UK with Bloodshot Dawn next month!
Oakland death metal outfit VASTUM is preparing for the release of their gnarled fourth album, Orificial Purge. Ahead of the album’s public unveiling through 20 Buck Spin at the end of October, the new single “I On The Knife (Second Wound)” has been issued.
With lead vocalist Daniel Butler, guitarist/vocalist Leila Abdul-Rauf, guitarist Shelby Lermo, bassist Luca Indrio, and drummer Chad Gailey, Ryan Honaker provides guest strings on VASTUM‘s Orificial Purge, and Honaker and Abdul-Rauf also help shape the album with elements of ambience. Recorded with Greg Wilkinson (Necrot, Nightfell, Ulthar) at Earhammer Studios and visually represented by the brooding abstraction of San Francisco artist Laina Terpstra, VASTUM’s Orificial Purge is one of the year’s most vicious and hypnotic LPs. Fans of Bolt Thrower, Undergang, Autopsy, Necrot, Asphyx, Mortuous, Tomb Mold, and Scorched are orificially summoned to take note.
Vocalist Daniel Butler exposes of the track’s lyrical content, “‘I On The Knife’ is about psychophysical self-mutilation under the command of a thing, an it, which is gradually symbolized as an object (e.g. father, knife) that in turn reveals the self as a wound. Basically, it’s about how you’re a wound and nothing else.”
Guitarist/vocalist Leila Abdul-Rauf offers, “We felt this song – along with initial single, ‘Reveries In Autophagia’ – was the most representative of the classic VASTUM sound.”
Hear VASTUM’s “I On The Knife (Second Wound) at THIS LOCATION or below:
20 Buck Spin will issue Orificial Purge on CD, LP, cassette, and all digital platforms on October 25th. Preorders go live this week at the label webshop HERE and at Bandcamp where “Reveries In Autophagia” is now streaming HERE.
Guitar World just ran a feature on the 25 Best Metal Guitar Tones Of All Time where VASTUM‘s Leila Abdul-Rauf was featured alongside the likes of Black Sabbath, Slayer, Metallica, Entombed, Meshuggah, Danzig, Sunn O))), and more. See the piece HERE.
Having just made their return to Killtown Death Fest 2019 in Copenhagen alongside Grave, Coffins, Abhorrence, Tomb Mold, and many others in September, VASTUM has also been confirmed to play the inaugural Shadow Frost Music & Arts Festival taking over Frederick, Maryland February 21st and 22nd, 2020. The band joins The Chasm, Primitive Man, Thantifaxath, and labelmates Magic Circle as one of the event’s main headliners, and guitarist/vocalist Leila Abdul-Rauf will also perform a set from her solo/ambient project at the fest as well.
VASTUM Live:
2/21-22/2020 Shadow Frost Music & Arts Festival – Frederick, MD [info]
After four years of near silence, Oakland death metal outfit VASTUM returns with Orificial Purge, the anxiously awaited follow-up to their acclaimed Hole Below. With its members playing in Acephalix, Necrot, Ulthar, Mortuous, Ionophore, Cardinal Wyrm, and others, the band’s dedication to their craft is showcased throughout the underground. After three standout albums over the course of the last eight years, the effect of VASTUM‘s influence has by now seeped into the wider death metal scene, leaving an indelible mark due to their singular amalgam of aural primitivism and aesthetic originality. Their most markedly refined and tortured oblation to date, Orificial Purge represents the dominant return of VASTUM, a death-doom band driven by the horrors of psychic and corporeal life.
VASTUM‘s Orificial Purge offers a distinctive blend of sinister atmosphere, punishing brutality, and an unparalleled lyrical and visual imagery that traces connections between perversion, mortification, and “an abyssal mysticism of sin.” Elements from previous albums are preserved on Orificial Purge, but they are evolved and devolved at once. The usual mid-paced dirge and cave-dwelling riffs are intertwined with slicing melodic dissonance and a celestial frenzy in the solos and the leads, all of which is set against the background of a bulldozing rhythm section. The dual vocal and lyrical exorcisms of Daniel Butler and Leila Abdul-Rauf combine to deliver unsettling, dichotomous meditations on “abjection as life, life as tragedy, and tragedy as an eviscerating, eroticized rapture through which an evil and useless humanity comes into being.
Finnish melodic metal group PHOENIX TITAN have released their powerful debut album AVATAR OF FIRE. The album is available as CD and listenable on online streaming services.
Phoenix Titan is a five-piece group from Finland playing tight melodic metal. The history of the band began 2014 and all the band members have around 20 years experience of recording and playing live on several different bands.
The debut album ”Avatar of Fire” is released on September 27th 2019 via Inverse Records. The recording of the album began on summer 2017 and the final studio tracks were recorded early 2019. The album is recorded and produced by Aksu Hanttu (S-Tool, Tuoni, Entwine) and mastered by Svante Forsbäck at Chartmakers. Common denominator on all of the album tracks is catchy riffs and melodies combined to fierce energy.
Phoenix Titan – Avatar Of Fire – Track List:
Torment Of Vanity
Metal Shark
Accused
Ride For Vengeance
Will I Ever Find My Peace?
Napalm Phoenix
(In)Sanity
The Game
Chosen One
Line-up:
Harri Ahola – vocals
Santtu Rautiainen – guitar
Topi Vuorela – guitar
Tatu Rautiainen – drums
Juhana ”Jusa” Ovaska – Bass
Band comments on the recording process:
“We wanted to put effort to the quality of the recording on every production phase. Even as it took a lot more time, nerves and bad humor than we expected. The professional work can be seen and heard on the record. We are really satisfied with the album and we are looking forward the live shows to come.”
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"
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