peaceville

Initial Descent: May 26 – June 1, 2019

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more darkthrone

Do you still get that rush when you find a new band that just does it for you? Or how about a new album from an old favorite that does the same? Each week these lists offer chances to experience that and this one is no different so let’s get the ball rollin’.

Darkthrone chose to let the fans hear new album Old Star, in its entirety, before anyone so Friday is the day to hear what will surely be the next chapter of black n’ punk that we’ve come to expect, love, and crank as loud as possible. Italian death metallers Fulci return with their second full length Tropical Sun, which is based around the movie Zombi 2, and it’s freaking great and nasty and vile but most of all it’s just wicked good death metal – family fun in the tropical sun. Speaking of wicked good death metal, Nekroí Theoí gets all up in the brutal side of the genre on debut Dead Gods but expect many surprises well beyond just sheer brutality – that’s all I’m giving up, go check it out. And rounding out the top slots this week is Gloryhammer with Legends From Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex which continues their forward march of damn near single handedly taking power metal to a whole new level.

There you have it but way more awaits immediately below so go find that rush. Continue reading →

Profile: Thomas Eriksen of Norwegian Black Metallers Mork

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Mork

How long has it been since a band really conjured thoughts of their home, the dark mythos steeped within, and the genuine innovation of its scene? In Mork’s case, it happens on every album since their 2004 inception and their fourth full length, Det Svarte Juv, is no exception. And even though the barbed wire and razor blade approach is dialed back a bit here, they still are a looking glass into the past as they mold their black metal into something completely their own. The band’s creativity shines the brightest here, and it’s in these particular moments (no spoilers, sorry not sorry) that this effort will stand above the rest. Ahead of Det Svarte Juv we had the chance to ask founder and sole member (studio) Thomas Eriksen our set of Profile questions so head below to see how it all went down. Continue reading →

Initial Descent: April 14 – 20, 2019

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Dead To A Dying World
Dead To A Dying World – photo courtesy of Kathleen Kennedy

Didn’t we just do this? Just confirmed and it has indeed been a week. Anyway, much metals to tend to this week and since I can’t manage to figure out where the hell a week went let’s just get to it.

You know, I haven’t had an album completely captivate me as much as Dead To A Dying World’s third full length Elegy has, it’s like listening to GY!BE In one ear and blackened doom in the other but as the minutes tick off it transports your mind to some decaying world that’s all too familiar. And that production, hoooo boy – get this in your ears. Moving on to a pair of albums that excite and charge me; the first is Mork’s Det Svarte Juv which brings the early Norwegian black metal strain roaring back to life in a way that is as cold and chaotic as it is warm and vibrant, yea I know that may be impossible to understand but once you hear it, you will. The second of these is Finnish black metal vets Förgjord who lay down a viciously scalding 41 minutes on their fourth effort Ilmestykset – why do these excite me? Mostly due to this pair being what I want to hear when I want to hear black metal, period. All this leads us to Allegaeon’s fifth outing of technically busy, progressively minded, melodically leaning, and best may I add, Apoptosis. They shed some of their shell here but add so much more depth, Charles has the run down so click the full review link when you get there.

So much more to go and I’m just surprised another week hasn’t gone by already… Continue reading →

CANTO: Darkthrone, Cryptopsy, Enthroned, and Amon Amarth

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darkthrone

Silver needle, golden nail. It’s a song.

  • We obviously have to start with the big update from Darkthrone. The next studio album from Fenriz and Nocturno Culto, titled Old Star, will be out on May 31st through Peaceville. So much good news there.
  • Cyptopsy are about to hit the road with Aborted, which is enough news on its own. But there’s an extra layer to this one… if you plan on attending one of the show dates and feel like bringing a couple local brews with you to share with vocalist Matt Mcgachy, you could get in for free! Fuck, I want to do that so badly! I love beer AND death metal!
  • Updates from Enthroned, which is a name I definitely haven’t mentioned in awhile. The Belgian black metal group is set to release their next studio album, titled Cold Black Suns, on June 7th. You can check out a new song called “Silent Redemption” right now.
  •  Amon Amarth have released details behind their next album, and coupled it with a new video for a song called “Raven’s Flight”. Berserker will be out on May 3rd via Metal Blade… soon!

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

CANTO: Katatonia, Helms Alee, Meadows End, and More

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Katatoniaband

Making this quick because I have things to do.

  • Katatonia is no longer on a hiatus! Wonderful news! Night Is The New Day turns ten this year, and to celebrate they are touring the album in full (if you’re lucky enough to be in Europe) and there will be a reissue as well.
  • I’m become quite fond of Helms Alee in recent years. So I’m happy to present you with a new track called “Interachnid”. It’s sludgy and melodic and wonderful. Even better news? They have a new album coming out on April 26th called Noctiluca.
  • How about a tour? September Mourning cruising around the United States with Smile Empty Soul. Dates mostly in March, if you’re into that kinda thing.
  • Here’s a music video from Meadows End for “Svept i Sorgepläd”. I found it in the inbox and rather like it, so now I’m sharing it with you. It involves hiking and the wilderness and whatnot… so I get it.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb