Pagan Records and Monomaniax will release the English-language edition of “From Hades to Valhalla… BATHORY – The Epic Story”, the unofficial but definitive biography of one of the most influential metal bands of all time. Written by renowned metal journalist José Luis Cano Barron, this comprehensive tome delves into the band’s illustrious career, offering an uncensored and carefully researched account of its groundbreaking music and enduring legacy.
“From Hades to Valhalla… BATHORY – The Epic Story” will be available from 29 May 2024, and can be pre-ordered via Pagan Records here: https://tinyurl.com/24puj3ft
Originally published in Spanish, “From Hades to Valhalla… BATHORY – The Epic Story” has been translated into English, making this essential work accessible to a wider audience. With 156 vibrant pages packed with rare photographs, illustrations, and reproductions, the book chronicles Bathory’s journey from their early black metal roots to their Viking metal mastery, painting a vivid portrait of a band that defied categorisation and shaped the very sound of black and extreme metal.
“From Hades to Valhalla… BATHORY – The Epic Story” goes beyond mere biography, offering a deep analysis of Bathory’s music and its impact on the metal scene. Cano Barron draws upon his extensive knowledge and insider access to provide insights into the creative genius of Bathory’s enigmatic leader, Quorthon.
“From Hades to Valhalla… BATHORY – The Epic Story” is an essential addition to the library of any metal fan. With its captivating narrative, wealth of historical detail, and stunning visuals, this book offers a unique and immersive exploration of one of metal’s most revered bands.
Book Details:
Title: From Hades to Valhalla… BATHORY – The Epic Story
New Album ‘It Beckons Us All’ Released Tomorrow, Friday April 26
Ahead of the eagerly awaited new album It Beckons Us All from Darkthrone, the band give fans a final tease of what is awaiting them with the release of the official video for “The Bird People Of Nordland”. Video created by Matthew Vickerstaff .
Whilst freely admitting the concept for the song “Not a very metal subject, sorry!” Fenriz explains “ it’s about the EIDER bird and Nordland. Many years ago I saw a Norwegian documentary with the symbiotic relationship the coast people of Nordland had with the bird. They watched over the nests and in return could pick the eider for pillows clothing, warmth etc. So that is what the lyrics are about.” But, he continues “again, this is Ted’s song so a bit hard for me to comment on it musically but I will tell you all what I think when I hear it:
First of we have a typical grim Ted riff for the verse, then he surprises with a catchy riff for the refrain AND THEN comes my fave part of the album; the post-refrain riff which sounds like Queensryche 1984 style and you can also hear how much we enjoy to play it! EXACTLY where I want to be! Could have played that riff for 8 minutes straight, haha! This loops again with the refrain again without singing and then back to Queensryche ’84. Then first riff again with my added harmony guitar playing on it, what our studio man Ole Øvstedal called “the Corleone part.
A break arrives and then things are sped up (not faster than Yardbirds in 64, we are not an extreme metal band, more like MODERAT EPIC) which corresponds with a slower heavy metal riff where we also brought out the mellotrone if I remember correctly.
Then Ted bombs you with a final part, primitive d-beat thrash with a riff that sounds like Tom G Warrior made it and I also ordered Ted to lay on some hellish guitars. Anyway, I LIVE for that queensryche 84 riff, Ted!”
photo courtesy of Peer Olav Kittilsen
Humble as ever Nocturno Culto states“Well, AGAIN, talking about our music really blows or is very difficult, at least for me. Personally, music is a floating thing, and I am having a hard time to try to break it down. It´s metal, a bit of heavy/doom/black/thrash, that is Darkthrone now, mixing genres has been something we have done since A Blaze, and especially since 2005. And I am just looking forward on new material, new riffs and ideas.”
Just one more sleep until It Beckons Us All, Darkthrone’s new masterpiece, is unleashed in full!
Limited Edition Deluxe boxed edition: includes It Beckons Us All on CD, an exclusive corona vinyl LP & cassette and art prints all housed in a heavy duty lift off lid box
Limited edition ‘Fenriz’ edition LP on blue marble coloured vinyl– exclusively available through the Peaceville stores – VERY FEW COPIES LEFT!!
Limited edition ‘Nocturno Culto’ edition LP on grey marble coloured vinyl–available through the Peaceville stores
Plus other limited edition coloured vinyl LPs are available in stores across the world – cream white, crystal clear, petrol and .. a collectors dream .. if you can find them!
Brace yourself for a chilling journey through an album that tells the harrowing story of demonic possession and mind control.
Tales of Woe, the album from Dutch black metal band CODEX MORTIS, tells about an evil spirit that tortures a man through demonic possession and mind control. With horrific visions of its previous victims, the evil spirit tries to turn the man into a murderer. The man escapes its hold by taking his own life, as a desperate attempt to end the circle of terror…
CODEX MORTIS has unveiled part of this chilling narrative with the album’s first single, “Capricious Disembodied Villain.” Watch the lyric video at youtu.be/gI4nDC1Y3F8?si=ESTXiu81IwZr6GSq
Black Lion Records will release Tales of Woe on June 21. Pre-order/pre-save the album at snd.click/Codexmortis
In Tales of Woe, a harrowing history filled with injustice, agony, violence, and death unfolds as a tortured soul, the antagonist of the story, finds itself in an undying state, compelled to inflict suffering and death upon others trying to undo its own misery. It describes the troubles of its latest victim, the protagonist, as he is possessed and haunted by horrid visions.
Track-list:
Forsaken
Capricious Disembodied Villain
Chosen
Trenched in Blood
Fire Screams and Death
It Dies with Me
The album was mixed and mastered by Björnström Ljud & Produktion. Artwork by Vladimir ‘Smerdulak’ Chebakov.
CODEX MORTIS; Vocals by Dirk Willems Lyrics by Jos Schilder Drums by Michiel van der Plicht Guitars by Arjan van Dune Bass by Mathieu Westerveld
CODEX MORTIS is a Dutch Black Death Metal band with explosive and hypnotic skull-crushing music that will haunt you into the afterlife. Incorporating the influences of the 90s, CODEX MORTIS crafts a sonic landscape characterized by ferocious speed and an abyssal depth, with each arrangement a relentless devouring sound.
Formed in 2017, DEVASTATOR is a four-piece Black Thrash band from the county of Derbyshire in the United Kingdom . They released their debut album ‘Baptised in Blasphemy’ in 2019 on UK label Clobber records. The album was reissued remixed and remastered with 8 bonus tracks in November 2023 on Listenable. DEVASTATOR will release their brand new album ‘Conjurers of Cruelty’ on the 1st of March, 2024.
Expanding on the raucous Black ‘n’ Roll attitude of the band’s debut and turning up the Black Metal to cacophonous levels, DEVASTATOR‘s sophomore release ‘Conjurers of Cruelty’ differs in many aspects without losing the spirit and power of the band’s debut, harnessing other avenues in Extreme Metal and presenting a multilayered and expansive record which explores both Black Metal and Death Metal, whilst still delivering the furious Thrash Metal assault and NWOBHM drenched force that the band has become known for.
Ritual Abuse (Evil Never Dies) – Official Lyric Video watch HERE
The band comments on the new single : ‘Ritual Abuse (Evil Never Dies)’:
“We are proud to present the first offering from our long awaited new album ‘Conjurers of Cruelty’, when writing the material for this record we wanted to not only expand on the formula of our previous effort but also implement a stronger contemporary Black Metal approach which the first album only merely touched upon. This quickly became very natural to us and added to the new album’s overall themes of ritual sacrifice and ceremonial conjurations. ‘Ritual Abuse (Evil Never Dies)’ is a perfect example of our influences in complete and total display, from straight forward-no nonsense-Teutonic-styled Thrash, to pure Celtic Frost worship, topped off with a grim Black Metal outro”.
DEVASTATOR ’s new album ‘ Conjurers of Cruelty’ was recorded at Godhand Studios in Derbyshire with producer Ben ‘Audiomage’ Gaines who also remixed and remastered ‘Baptised in Blasphemy’.
DEVASTATOR – Conjurers of Cruelty’ Album track-listing: 1) Beyond the Gate. 1:06 2) Conjurers of Cruelty 5:01 3) Black Witchery. 5:02 4) Ritual Abuse (Evil Never Dies) 4:51 5) Walpurgisnacht 4:17 6) Necromantic Lust 3:13 7) Deathspell Defloration 5:58 8) Bestial Rites. 2:46 9) Sharpen the Blade. 4:10 10) Rabid Morbid Death 7:50 11) Liar in Wait 3:52 * 12) Death Forever 3:14 * (*CD bonus tracks )
DEVASTATOR: T. Nachtghul – Bass Guitar & Lead Vocals R. Amun – Lead Guitar C. W. Wolfgang – Rhythm Guitar J. Scarlett – Drums
Italian black metal unit STORMCROW will release their third album, “Path to Ascension”, sometime in 2024 via Time To Kill Records.
The band shares a new single from the new album. Stream “Dark Existence” at THIS LOCATION.
The video of the previous single “Vulgus Vult Decipi” is also available HERE.
The band started out in northen Italy in 1997 and is no secret to genre connoisseurs thanks to a couple of well-received albums and European tours with Dark Funeral, Enthroned, Shining and many more. But now their big moment in the spotlight has come – STORMCROW are ready for the final breakthrough with the new album “Path to Ascension”.
STORMCROW have kept the black flame burning for 20+ years simply out of adoration and their respect for the genre. Undoubtedly they share some of the same DNA of iconic black metal bands that have gone before them, and whilst their technical abilities add a more than impressive flourish, they operate on a ‘don’t overcomplicate for the sake of overcomplicating’ rule. Keeping theatrics to a minimum has yielded a lean, sharp album that embodies the blueprint of old school black metal and embraces both melody and an epic narrative.
Watch for more details on the new album release, new tour updates, and more news on other upcoming STORMCROW activities to be posted shortly.
Hauntologist, a new project established by black metal stalwarts The Fall and Darkside, will release its debut album on 2 February via No Solace on CD and digital formats. To get a taste of the upcoming album, the band has released the first single “Ozymandian”.
Although the material is only about to be released now, the roots of the project go back many years and due to the band members’ busy schedules, they were waiting for the right time to unleash their creativity. The Fall – known for his work with Owls Woods Graves, Over the Voids… and as a live bassist for Mgła – and Darkside – known as the Mgła and Kriegsmaschine drummer – decided to venture further than the typical and conventional boundaries of black metal in their musical exploration.
Over the years, the band has undergone numerous clinical deaths and reanimations but eventually recorded their debut “Hollow” in 2023. Deeply rooted in negative metal music, it leans toward other genres and forms of expression to seek musical analogies of sleepless nights and surreal, anxiety-provoking hallucinations.
“Hollow” could be described as a field recording of a feverish nightmare. Despite its metal foundations, the music on “Hollow” constantly turns into side streets of other, often difficult to term and locate, music genres. It is an album built on the foundation of rubble and debris of visions that developed and died back throughout the years. The documentation of spirit decay and life slipping through the fingers.
Hauntologist – Hollow artwork
“Hollow” – tracklist:
Ozymandian
Golem
Waves of Concrete
Deathdreamer
Hollow
Autonomy
Gardermoen
Car Kruków
Hauntologist are: The Fall – Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keys Darkside – Drums
Cosmic black metal duo LIGHTLORN has posted the official lyric video for “Of Longing Spirit and Infinite Solitude.” The song marks the newest single off their upcoming full-length debut, “At One with the Night Sky.”
Black Lion Records will release “At One with the Night Sky” on October 27. Pre-order or pre-save the album at: snd.click/Lightlorn_ATOWTNS
Brimming with dark, melancholy passages and wistful bridges interspersed with soaring crescendos and uplifting melodies, At One with the Night Sky is a post-black metal tour de force. From the opener “Amongst Stellar Remnants” to the closing track “Earthbound,” the album takes the listener on a sublime journey through the inner depths of the human psyche to the outer reaches of the cosmos.
If you enjoy contrasting song structures and the interplay between light and dark, between stirring and gloomy, and between serene and aggressive, then “At One with the Night Sky” is an album you need to hear.
TrackList: 1) Amongst Stellar Remnants 2) A Tragedy in Starlight 3) Dimensionless Blackness 4) Ghostly Soliloquies 5) Of Longing Spirit and Infinite Solitude 6) Spiral Arms Like Swirling Rivers 7) Earthbound
LIGHTLORN is: Renwar – All instruments and vocals Riaan – Drums and programming
Baltimore, Maryland black metal quintet NIXIL has shared a guitar playthrough for “Collapsing The Poles,” taken from the band’s second full-length, From The Wound Spilled Forth Fire, recently released via Prosthetic Records. The playthrough comes in conjunction with NIXIL’s US tour set to begin tonight, September 29th, in Youngstown, Ohio and run through October 6th in New York City.
Speaking on the guitar playthrough, Shane Gardner comments, “My number one ‘BuZzy’ is a partscaster — a fender body and neck — that I purchased for $200 and added a Seymour Duncan Hot Rail Humbucker and a killswitch, no toggle. For the playthrough I overdubbed my track using an SM57 through a Marshall CODE 50 Practice amp into Adobe Audition.
“I use the inverted triad on a lot of our songs. ‘Collapsing…’ has them throughout the verse sections. I think they add texture to a simple chord structure, and it adds a hypnotic effect with the addition of Alden’s guitar note bend. It’s all in the hands I guess.”
Of their upcoming tour, the band adds, “We leave this Friday, September 29th, for eight dates in the Northeastern US to celebrate the release of From The Wound Spilled Forth Fire. This album — like all of our music — is best experienced live and loud; bring your rage, your aching heart, your unquenchable thirst for catharsis, and join us.”
Watch NIXIL’s guitar playthrough for “Collapsing The Poles” at THIS LOCATION.
Watch NIXIL’s previously released video for “Abyss Unto Abyss” HERE, “In Thrall” HERE, and “Collapsing The Poles” HERE.
From The Wound Spilled Forth Fire is available CD, LP, and digitally. For orders, visit THIS LOCATION.
NIXIL Live: 9/29/2023 Westside Bowl – Youngstown, OH 9/30/2023 Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA 10/1/2023 Ralph’s Rock Diner – Worcester, MA 10/2/2023 Cherry Street Station – Wallingford, CT 10/3/2023 Windsor Exchange – Windsor, VT 10/4/2023 Geno’s Rock Club – Portland, ME 10/5/2023 Dusk – Providence, RI 10/6/2023 El Bunker del Diablo – New York, NY
After solidifying their lineup in its current form, with the arrival of guitarist/backing vocalist Alden, NIXIL opted to record From The Wound Spilled Forth Fire live at Magpie Cage Recording Studio with J. Robbins. The resulting six songs seethe with a frenzied despair, whilst more ominous passages breathe with a disquieting existential terror in every percussive and rhythmically meditative trance, exactly as the band intended to capture before handing mastering duties to James Plotkin.
Scheduled for a 22 September 2023 release, “Zephyrean Hymns” breathes new life into the black metal scene and promises to place the band among the greats of the Greek black metal scene.
“A quest through space and time, an ascension to something greater… Zephyrean Hymns lead our cause,” this is how the band describes the new album.
“Zephyrean Hymns” consists of eight songs that create a unique atmosphere. Sometimes the listener is assaulted by raging riffs and eerie screams and at other times engrossed in seductive vocals travelling with dreamy melodies.
Hailing from Trikala, Greece, Melan Selas formed in 2015 and have so far released two EPs and one full-length album, “Φάος”. The band consists of D.K. (Riffobia, Katavasia) who handles all instruments and Astraea (Oletir) on vocals and lyrics.
Melan Selas‘ music genre can be defined as black metal with epic and atmospheric elements, as well as some black/thrash metal sections. The lyrical themes of the project vary between nature, ancient times and philosophy. In 2016 they released their debut work, a self-titled EP. “ῬΕΟΝ” followed in 2018, released in vinyl format and in 2019 they released their full-length album “ΦΑΟΣ”. Currently, Melan Selas are on the way for the release of their new album “Zephyrean Hymns”, which is to be out in September 2023 via The Circle Music.
“Zephyrean Hymns” is available to pre-order via The Circle Music.
Features brand new interviews with Necromantia, Arcturus, Immortal, Agalloch, Destruction, Mystifier, and Winterfylleth plus extended interviews with Rotting Christ, Behemoth, Sigh, Mayhem and many more
The Restored, Expanded & Definitive Edition” to consist of 130,000 words of new content, 25 new chapters with over 70 new interviews and improved cover art and design
The book release marks 10 years of Cult Never Dies
UK-based publishing house Cult Never Dies will mark its 10th anniversary this November with the release of Dayal Patterson’s “Black Metal:Evolution of the Cult – The Restored, Expanded &Definitive Edition”. Pre-orders are available now via Cult Never Dies (UK & ROW store / EU store). North American orders can be placed via Decibel Books.
With the original version of the book no longer available in print, Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult is hailed as the most acclaimed book on the history of black metal, and the only one endorsed by those involved in creating the genre.
The book will be approximately 340,000 words long, including 130,000 words of new content, 25 new chapters and 48 extended and updated chapters. This will include over 150 exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in the genre, including: Venom, Mercyful Fate, Bathory, Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, Blasphemy, Darkthrone, Behemoth, Rotting Christ, Mayhem and many more. The author also included over 70 brand new or previously unpublished interviews with the likes of Necromantia, Arcturus, Immortal, Agalloch, Destruction, Mystifier, and Winterfylleth.
Evolution of the Cult will also have hugely improved cover art and layout by longtime Cult Never Dies artist David Thiérrée (Behemoth, Gorgoroth, Mortiis), and will include almost 600 photos, many previously unseen, including an 80-page colour/gloss section.
Silenoz of Dimmu Borgir commended the book: “You don’t have to read between the lines anymore ‘cause it’s all there, straight from the source,” while Sakis Tolis of Rotting Christ called it “a valuable educational piece of dark writing.”
Vorph of Samael added: “This is a very insightful work: Without doubt the ultimate book on the subject, a testimony of black metal and a good introduction for neophytes.”
Hvall of Windir and Vreid said: “A brilliantly written book – mandatory if you have any interest in the genre, or want to explore a new world.”
Photo credit: Ester Segarra
Dayal Patterson, book author, Cult Never Dies owner and longtime music journalist, said: “I cannot express how good it feels now that Cult Never Dies finally owns the rights to this book and are able to release it – along with Decibel in the US – in this massively improved form. The limitations placed on the original in terms of word count meant that so many chapters and parts I originally envisioned simply couldn’t be included or were not even worth completing due to a lack of space. What turned into a fairly straightforward restoration job led to about a year of 14-hour days, not only overhauling the existing chapters and layout (something we had always been unhappy with) of the book, but doing a huge number of new interviews and working with a wealth of new bands and artists. Finally, there are proper chapters celebrating bands such as Vinterland, Satyricon, Immortal, Arcturus, Mystifier and Profanatica, as well as greater explorations of black metal in Brazil, the US, the UK, Sweden, Greece, and, of course, Norway.”
For a full list of the 150 interviewees, visit Cult Never Dies.
Black metal outfit MORBIKON, the creative effort of guitarist/bassist Phil “Land Phil” Hall (Municipal Waste, Cannabis Corpse, Iron Reagan), with drummer Dave Witte (Municipal Waste, Discordance Axis), and vocalist Mathias “Vreth”Lillmåns (Finntroll, …And Oceans), has announced their first ever live appearances!
MORBIKON released their debut full-length, OvMournful Twilight, last year via Tankcrimes. The project is guided by the second wave of Scandinavia’s black metal and melodic death metal scenes of the ‘90s.
Issues Hall, “MORBIKON was started as a passion project between myself and my writing partner Quotidius in 2020 to express our love of early ‘90s black metal while simultaneously blowing off some steam trapped in a quarantine. Getting Dave Witte involved pushed the music to a new level, then an awesome opportunity came to work with the outstanding vocalist Mathias Lillmåns from the Finnish band Finntroll. We completed the album Ov Mournful Twilightin the middle of the pandemic not considering any live show prospects. Now, three years after the inception of the band, we finally have the opportunity to play the music live. Unfortunately, the logistics of bringing Mathias Lillmåns all the way from Finland has proved to be infeasible. Stepping into the role of vocalist will be original lyricist Quotidius. We are also welcoming guitarists Toby Swope (Psychosomatic) and Adam Guilliams (Cannabis Corpse). Drums will be handled by Dave Witte. We are looking forward to playing live and bringing these awesome tunes to everyone soon!”
MORBIKON Live: 9/07/2023 Black Circle – Indianapolis, IN w/ Exhumed 9/08/2023 Wake Brewing Anniversary – Rock Island, IL 9/09/2023 Full Terror Assault Fest – Cave Rock, IL 12/01/2023 Decibel Metal And Beer Fest @ Summit – Denver, CO
Purchase Ov Mournful Twilight on CD or LP via Tankcrimes at the label webshop HERE and digitally at Bandcamp HERE. Watch the video for “Universal Funeral” HERE and “Borne Of Phantom Vessel” HERE.
Cosmic black metal duo LIGHTLORN has unleashed “Dimensionless Blackness,” the newest single from their upcoming full-length debut: At One with the Night Sky.
The third track on the album, “Dimensionless Blackness” is full of contrasting elements. From the bright guitar picking in the intro, which belies the energetic, groove-infested opening riff that follows, to the ups and downs in the song structure, “Dimensionless Blackness” is highly representative of the sound LIGHTLORN has become known for. The lead guitar carries captivating melodies, while a foreboding piano section and an outro replete with strings and brass infuse the song with atmosphere and emotion. The lyrics are sung from the perspective of a supermassive black hole in the center of a galaxy. How it holds the galaxy together while slowly devouring the matter around it.
Atmospheric post-black metal band EAVE presents their third full-length album, Fervor. Complex and powerful, Fervor offers seven new songs that show a more aggressive march across the bleak, depressive soundscape the band created on 2020’s Phantoms Made Permanent.
Tracklist: 1) Past Pulses 2) Chance is a Spectre 3) Mirroring 4) Stale Ash 5) Bending the Light 6) Shards 7) Into Perdition
A lot has happened since the release of EAVE’s Phantoms Made Permanent via Bindrune Recordings. The world has seemingly flipped upside down and in the case of this forward-thinking quartet, change isn’t always a bad thing.
After a band migration back to their home state of Connecticut and a period of tireless effort, EAVE emerges with a formidable selection of songs that see the band demonstrating a fiery new approach to their unique brand of atmospheric metal. Bristling with energy and venom amidst passages of ethereal and shadowed melodies, the duly titled Fervor exhibits an air of urgency, disillusionment, and resiliency. Heavily incorporating elements from a myriad of musical genres and applying a broad tone of experimentalism to their soaring style of New England black metal, Fervor marks a new period of focus for the band, as they press upon new territory that feels wholly their own.
Recorded by the band in Connecticut, and re-amped, mixed, and mastered by Colin Marston in Queens, New York, Fervor sheds stunning light on the beauty and darkness that forever exists in mankind and its relationship to the natural world.
EAVE is: Brian Tenison – Bass, Vocals Caleb Porter – Drums Ian Stoller – Guitars Gabriel Shara – Guitars, Vocals
Black metal horde PROGENITOR will unleash its debut album, titled Eldritch Supremacy, this summer. The band has launched an early assault with the album’s first single, “Beast of Gevaudan.”
Tracklist: 1) Intro 2) Eldritch Supremacy 3) Crows of Winter 4) Prophets Belial 5) Beast of Gevaudan 6) Treasures of Perversion 7) Binding of the Corpse God
Eldritch Supremacy was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Chris Manino. Artwork by Jasmine Howsmon.
PROGENITOR, an unrelenting force in the realm of black metal, emerged from the depths of darkness to unleash their sonic fury upon the world. Formed in 2008 in Tacoma, WA. PROGENITOR has risen as a formidable entity within the black metal scene.
Drawing inspiration from the ancient, occult, and primordial forces that shape the universe, PROGENITOR‘s music serves as a vessel for dark and introspective exploration. Their sound is characterized by a relentless onslaught of atmospheric riffs, blistering tremolo-picked melodies, thunderous blast beats, and hauntingly rasped vocals. By seamlessly blending atmospheric elements with ferocious aggression, PROGENITOR creates an immersive and evocative auditory experience that transports listeners to otherworldly realms of despair and transcendence.
PROGENITOR is: JoeErz – vocals Fletcher Lane – lead guitar Ben Kettel – rhythm guitar Brian Sprouse– bass guitar and vocals Alex Shaw – drums
Due to originally announced headliners OCEANO along with VCTMS and INCITE unable to perform at this year’s 2023 TOLEDO DEATH FEST, the festival is proud to announce their replacements will be SIGNS OF THE SWARM as the new headliner along with CASKET ROBBERY and SUMMONER’S CIRCLE.
The festival organizer Keith Wampler issued the following statement:
“We have good news and we have bad news. The bad news is that Oceano and VCTMS are no longer able to perform at TOLEDO DEATHFEST 2023, This was very unexpected and is something that is out of our control. We ask that you please respect the Bands, Organizers, and Venue and understand that we are all still working to bring you a great day of heavy music. That being said, We do have some good news… We were able to get two amazing artists to replace Oceano and VCTMS at this year’s event! They are Signs of the Swarm and Casket Robbery. We really appreciate these bands jumping in on such short notice and are looking forward to seeing them perform! Thank you to everyone who has supported Toledo Deathfest and we will see you all June 3rd!”
Along with a statement from OCEANO:
“We deeply regret to inform you that we will be unable to perform at Toledo Deathfest. The band is currently undergoing personal and internal changes that have unfortunately hindered our ability to proceed with our plans. However, we are pleased to announce that the festival organizers have secured another exceptional band to take our place. We encourage you to continue supporting your local music scene and show your enthusiasm for all the talented bands performing. The lineup promises to be outstanding! We apologize for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding. We hope to connect with you again in the near future!”
SIGNS OF THE SWARM
TOLEDO DEATH FEST will be stirring up the most extreme mosh pit to ever tornado Ohio and its surrounding states. This year’s event is being hosted on June 3rd in Toledo at Mainstreet Bar and will feature headliners, Signs of the Swarm alongside The Convalescence, Casket Robbery, Summoner’s Circle, and many more (full lineup below).
CASKET ROBBERY
Since its inception in 2009 by Keith Wampler, the frontman of The Convalescence and owner of The Legend Agency, the festival has showcased the talents of some of the American Midwest’s best up-and-coming metal bands. Past editions have seen past support from well-known artists such as Jungle Rot, Malevolent Creation, and The Breathing Process among many more. The festival has been an extreme metal pilgrimage for fans living in the surrounding states of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and West Virginia.
THE CONVALESCENCE
“I am very happy to be able to bring Toledo Deathfest back in 2023 with one of the most insane lineups we’ve ever had. This festival has come from being local bands at small venues to a two-stage festival featuring bands from around the country thanks to the incredible support of everyone who attends each year. Thank you to everyone who has supported Toledo Deathfest and I look forward to seeing everyone again on June 3rd!” adds Keith Wampler.
Highlights of the confirmed bands include headliners Signs of the Swarm with their slamming brutal chugs, to black metal-tinged frenzies and groove-driven downtempo bursts of aggression, the band cohesively captures a vile sound spreading across the genre’s various styles. The Convalescence is one of the USA’s unstoppable tour de force, touring Europe in 2022 with Chelsea Grin, and Carnifex plus an upcoming tour in Japan in 2023 with Exhumed and Defiled along with their latest single “No Survivors” ft. Scott Ian Lewis of Carnifex, that has fans demanding more and more.
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. Summoner’sCircle, hailing from Dandridge, TN, is a six-piece theatrical metal band that blends elements of doom, death, black and progressive metal into what they refer to as simply Epic Metal.
Toledo Death Fest 2023 Full Lineup: Signs of the Swarm (Pittsburgh, PA) The Convalescence (Toledo, OH) Casket Robbery (Madison, WI) Summoner’s Circle (Dandridge, TN) Hive (Chicago, IL) Carrion Vael (Richmond, IN) WoR (Raleigh, NC) Within Chaos (Fort Worth, TX) The D.O.O.D (Sarasota, FL) Squidhammer (Watertown, WI) Filth Spewer (South Bend, IN) Ignominious (Norwalk, OH) Cephlic (Toledo, OH) Death Hex (Toledo, OH) Pharohound (Fort Wayne, IN) Extinction Agenda (Ohio)
2022 proved to be another stellar year for Metal album releases. I’ve paired down my list to the 10 Metal albums that bestowed upon my Metal soul the best of Metal euphoria. What are your favorite Metal albums of 2022?
It’s never a perfect science in making a “best of” list and my deliberations are genuinely thought out over and over. I thank each band below for their incredible Metal creations. Feel free to comment! Happy Holidays and… Metal Be Thy Name! -Stone
1. DARKTHRONE – Astral Fortress2. QUEENSRYCHE – Digital Noise Alliance3. STRYPER – The Final Battle4. CORPSEGRINDER – S/T5. VENOM INC. – There’s Only Black6. INCITE – Wake Up Dead7. GOATWHORE – Angels Hung From the Arches ofHeaven8. HAMMERFALL – Hammer Of Dawn9. IRON KINGDOM – The Blood Of Creation10. DEMIRICOUS – III: Chaotic Lethal
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions are set to release the new split album between Sweden’s Satanic Black Metal beasts Pagan Rites and the Netherlands’ Black/Speed Metal Maniacs VulcanTyrant. This release is up now for pre-order and will be released December 30th on CD and Digital formats along with merch.
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions presents an unholy alliance of Black/Thrash blasphemy! Pagan Rites make their long-awaited HPGD debut, showcasing two tracks of signature Satanic Black Metal madness. Formed way back in 1992, Pagan Rites are among the most sinister acts to have ever been exported from Sweden, and their material on this split is sure to please diehards and maniacs worldwide. Vulcan Tyrant returns to HPGD once again, unleashing two brand new tracks of infernal Blackened Speed/Thrash straight from the Netherlands. No one is safe from the primal hellfire that will slash through your speakers with raw punishment… fuck off and die posers!
For fans of Abigail, Bathory, Deströyer 666, Destruction, Morbid, Nifelheim, early Slayer, Toxic Holocaust and Venom
Wacken Metal Battle Canada announces its return in 2023 to cities across the country. Hosting battles from coast to coast since 2013, Wacken Metal Battle Canadaselects one unsigned Canadian band to perform on one of the world’s most prestigious stages and largest metal festival Wacken Open Air, with over 80,000 people in attendance, held in Wacken, Germany for over 30 years.
WMBC has been on pause since 2019, due to the Covid pandemic, and has hosted battles across Canada from 2013 until 2019, with one skip year in 2017.
Band submissions will open on November 29th at 6 AM PST and close on December 19th at 11:59 PM PST.
Battles will be hosted in the following cities:
Vancouver, BC, Edmonton, AB, Calgary, AB, Toronto, ON, Hamilton, ON, Ottawa, ON, Montreal, QC, and Quebec City, QC.
All bands will be performing in front of experienced music industry professionals who will be making judgments at each qualifying round based on various categories of professionalism and musicianship.
The National Final will be hosted in Toronto, ON in May 2023 (full date to be determined).
WMBC organizer JJ Tartaglia adds:
“Very stoked to be getting this going again after a long 3-year break. Our team is back together and excitement is in the air. Really curious to know what bands have been up to during this time, which new bands have formed, I know there are some hidden gems out there and hope to see them emerge for the Metal Battle.”
Wacken Metal Battle Canada is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance of winning their spot among 29 other countries’ champions, and represent Canada in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air. The battles have been hosted at the festival for over a decade giving independent bands the opportunity to showcase their talents to an international audience along with the chance to win multiple prizes.
How it works: Participating cities will host qualifying rounds plus a city final organized by a local city concert promoter where one band will move forward to the Canadian national final (date and city to be determined). The winner of the national final will move on to perform at the Wacken Open Air 2023 and compete against the winners of 29 other countries in a final global battle. All bands will be judged during battle rounds by respected local music industry representatives.
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.