News
Unholy Domain Records to release Larvae's new EP: "...a 13 minutes slab of the most disgusting and twisted Death Metal you’ll hear in your life"
February 9, 2025
Unholy Domain Records proudly presents Larvae’s latest offering, ‘Arousal of the Crawling Creature’, a 13 minutes slab of the most disgusting and twisted Death Metal you’ll hear in your life, coming into putrid flesh both in Cassette and CD format, the latter featuring the previous EP ‘Acid Horror Cult’ as a bonus.
Larvae has established itself as a prominent force in the most obscure, unfashionable underground since it has raised its ugly head, taking in parts in some prestigious UG metal gatherings such as Old Grave Fest, Obscure Selections vol.1 (opening for Beherit and more), Finnish Fucking Death Metal Maniacs, and the upcoming edition of Obscene Extreme.
Their North Italian debut is set for Saturday 19th April at Black Inside, Lonate Ceppino, as national guests of the only Italian appearence of US Death/Doom force Excarnated Entity and Copenhagen’s Ascendency – a Necrotheism Prod. event.
More info: Larvae [ITA]; Unholy Domain Records;Drummer Olog-Hai leaves Grabunhold, search for new drummer started: "For many years I beat the war drums for Grabunhold, now it's over!"
February 9, 2025
Grabunhold posted the following statement:
We regret to inform you that our longtime drummer, Olog-Hai, will be leaving his post behind the drums. We look back at many successful years together and several releases that would not have been possible without his help and cooperation. Apart from the instrument, he has been responsible for all recording, mixing, and mastering duties with his studio, Klangdolch, since the EP “Under the Banner of the Dead”. We wish him all the best for the future! He will be heard on the upcoming release, so stay tuned!
Attached are a few lines from himself:
“Drums… Drumming in the deep. Faded away. Storyteller. Silence. But do not be deceived: they are coming! They are coming!…
For many years I beat the war drums for Grabunhold, now it’s over!
I thank everyone who has been a part of this journey and continues to faithfully support Grabunhold. I know that this is not an end but a beginning, from which Grabunhold will rise even more powerful and proud than it was before.
I wish only the best to my fellow travelers, Irrwycht, Morgoth, and Morgul.
With sadness, joy, and esteem in my heart,
Olog Shark – the fallen one”
We are looking for a new drummer from now on.
More info: Grabunhold;Nortt is back with a new album released by Avantgarde Music: "...time has only deepened the artist’s dedication to sonic misery"
February 9, 2025
After a decade of silence, Danish Black Funeral Doom artist Nortt returns with ‘Dødssang’, a new full-length album set for release through Avantgarde Music on March 28th, 2025.
‘Dødssang’, Danish for death song, marks Nortt’s first release since 2017’s ‘Endeligt’, yet time has only deepened the artist’s dedication to sonic misery. With its suffocating atmosphere and unrelenting gloom, the album reaffirms Nortt’s place at the forefront of Funeral Doom’s bleakest expressions.
More info: Nortt; Avantgarde Music;Redefining Darkness Records will re-release Ashen's debut full-length: "Drawing inspiration from both Swedish and American Death Metal traditions, Ashen delivers a sound that is unapologetically heavy yet meticulously crafted"
February 8, 2025
Originally released 2 years ago on now defunct Aussie label, Bitter Loss Records, we are excited to announce the re-issue of Australia’s up-and-coming heavyweight contenders, Ashen, and their monstrous debut album, ‘Ritual of Ash’, for the first time worldwide!
While harkening back to Death Metal’s heralded past, ‘Ritual of Ash’ sees these fine blokes conjuring an infectious combination of Swede-inspired tone with pummeling groove and sonic superiority courtesy of mixing/mastering engineer, Marko Tervonen of Studio-MT (The Crown). The album rolls along like a bulldozer at a mid-paced dirge, highlighted by moments of rolling double bass, blastbeats and melodic passages that would satisfy any extreme metalhead. Critics have previously praised the album for its dynamic compositions and the band’s ability to infuse traditional Death Metal with a fresh, modern edge.
Drawing inspiration from both Swedish and American Death Metal traditions, Ashen delivers a sound that is unapologetically heavy yet meticulously crafted. Their music is characterized by relentless energy, intricate guitar work, and a rhythm section that drives each track with precision. As they continue to evolve, Ashen remains committed to pushing the boundaries of Death Metal while honoring its rich legacy. Ashen and ‘Ritual of Ash’ is for fans of Bolt Thrower, Frozen Soul, Helslave, Graceless and Baest.
More info: Ashen; Redefining Darkness Records;Amor Fati Productions presents Osgraef's debut album: "All-consuming, all-liberating, above all and below all: 'Reveries of the Arcane Eye' is truly titled!"
February 7, 2025
Amor Fati Productions is proud to present Osgraef’s striking debut album, ‘Reveries of the Arcane Eye’, on CD and vinyl LP formats.
Osgraef’s debut full-length, ‘Reveries of the Arcane Eye’, showcases an unbridled Black/Death metal assault yet firmly rooted in the tradition of the genre’s parameters sonically, aesthetically, and philosophically – in the spirit of Teitanblood, Archgoat, and the Black metal essence of Armagedda. Focusing on Luciferianism, ‘Reveries of the Arcane Eye’ stands as a testament to unholy veneration and worship of the mighty destroyer and liberator. Composed over the course of several years, Osgraef have honed in on their craft and created this monument to the occult in its purest form, creating a world-eating torrent of sound as flawlessly executed as it is barbarically performed. All-consuming, all-liberating, above all and below all: ‘Reveries of the Arcane Eye’ is truly titled!
A true covenant of evil by these veterans of the Devil’s métier, Osgraef stand alone as a singular force of Black/Death gnostic Black magick. Hail Lucifier and blind thyself to the ‘Reveries of the Arcane Eye’!
More info: Osgraef; Amor Fati Productions;Grave Infestation to unleash new album via Invictus Productions and Dark Descent Records: "... the fast parts are faster, the slow parts are slower, and everything is just plain nastier"
February 7, 2025
Invictus Productions and Dark Descent Records are proud to present Grave Infestation’s highly anticipated second album, ‘Carnage Gathers’. Invictus will handle the album’s release in Europe and the Uk while Dark Descent will handle North America.
Grave Infestation pulled themselves out of the Pacific Northwest’s primordial decay in 2018 with the release of their first offering, ‘Infesticide’, with Invictus Productions and Parasitic Records. Originally formed as a three-piece, the band expanded to a four-piece with the release of their follow-up ‘Infestation of Rotting Death’. Since then, Grave Infestation have spread their relentless aural filth and toured throughout Canada, Usa, Mexico, Japan, and Europe.
Having released their debut full-length ‘Persecution of the Living’ in 2022 once again with Invictus and two additional split 7″”s with Me Saco Un Ojo and Carbonized Records, the band is poised to unleash their sophomore full-length, ‘Carnage Gathers’, Returning to work with Invictus for this release and teaming up this time with Dark Descent, the album was recorded and mixed with engineer Greg Wilkinson at the infamous Earhammer Studios, producing a vile record that is a sonic push forward. Eight tracks and 40 minutes of violent, unrelenting Death Metal: the fast parts are faster, the slow parts are slower, and everything is just plain nastier. Grave Infestation continue to pull influences from the likes of Autopsy, Grave, Nihilist, Repulsion, and Finland’s Abhorrence and mold them into a sound that is their own. Combined with Misanthropic Art Illustration’s ominous artwork, this release will be sure to stay glued to your turntable.
2025 will see Grave Infestation tour Europe for the first time with fellow Canadians, Quebec City’s Sedimentum – a strong recommendation that you don’t miss either band when they pass through your hallowed grounds. Live, the band delivers an unrelenting set with no reprieve between songs and a disgusting display of primitive death.
More info: Grave Infestation; Dark Descent Records; Invictus Productions;Wombbath announces new album to be released by Pulverised Records: "...it’s the most aggressive and bad-ass album we’ve ever done!”
February 6, 2025
Cult Swedish maestros Wombbath return both with album number 7 ‘Beyond The Abyss’ and Pulverised Records ten years after first working together.
Back in 2015, when it was announced that a recently reformed Wombbath had signed to Pulverised Records and would soon release their first album twenty-two years, fans weren’t sure what to expect. After all, after their cult 1993 debut on Thrash Records, the band last sign of life until then was the ill-fated Death n’Roll inspired and ill-received ‘Lavatory’ EP and only main songwriter and guitarist Håkan Stuvemark remained from the original line-up. Little did they know that the aforementioned ‘reunion album’ ‘Downfall Rising’ was to be such a roller-coaster. With then Syn:drom / Skineater and future Massacre Jonny Pattersson in their ranks on vocals, Wombbath 2.0 proved to be a meaner, faster and far more menacing entity. Fast forward a decade: Four more extra full-length later and armed with a recently revamped line-up, the Swedes (plus one Brit, mind you) are back on Pulverised Records with what Stuvemark himself simply describes as the “first album since ‘Downfall Rising’ we’ve been welded together this good musically. It’s just there!”
After a digital EP in profit of the UNHCR (‘The Weight Of Reality’) in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, work began in the spring of 2022, a little over six months after the mammoth that was the sixteen tracks, 72 minutes that was their last album to date ‘Agma’ had been released. “I had a bunch of songs written and so did Jonny, and Thomas (van Wachenfeldt, who joined on guitar in 2018) was about to. But our then drummer Jon Rudin decision to leave the band after one last show at the Symbolic Open Air Festival in Czech Republic forced us to change our plans. It’s only once we found his replacement, former Dead Shape Figure Antti Silventoinen, that we resumed our course.”
After ‘Agma’ onslaught, it’s back to a more reasonable length as ‘Beyond The Abyss’ includes ten tracks, former Amon Amarth and close comrade Anders Biazzi once again helping them out with the final sequencing. Four songs were written by Håkan and three by Jonny and Thomas each. Three studios were used, mainly Jonny’s own Studio Unbound (vocals, drums, mixing and mastering) but also Thomas’ Bowstead studios and Stuvemark’s Necrotic Audio Productions, with now four out five members living in Sweden. “The sound and vibe on this album followed from ‘Agma’ yet it turned out more evil and angrier, although I reckon this wasn’t exactly planned. Often when creating the output depends on where you are in life at the moment… We all knew how good this album would be but I don’t think any of us actually understood that until we heard the final mix with everything on it. It was a ‘cowabunga moment’! Every time I listen to it, it puts a smile on my face and I have butterflies in my belly. Death Metal happiness!”
Although both he and Pettersson may be the busiest men in Scandinavian metal with a dozen projects/bands each (Consumption, Heads For The Dead, Reek, Rotpit etc.), for the guitar player there’s definitively only one Wombbath. “I would say the foundations were laid with ‘Downfall Rising’ and we’ve been building upon it ever since. My main inspirations remain Carcass, Entombed, Dismember and Edge Of Sanity but there’s always nice additions being made, like harmonies, odd notes, violin etc. In a way, each album is an extension from the previous one and ‘Beyond The Abyss’ is no exception but as I’ve said already, it’s the most aggressive and bad-ass album we’ve ever done!” Besides contributing guitars, von Wachenfeldt once again peppers few of the songs with his violin, a big plus according to Pettersson. “The symphonic element started off on ‘Agma’. Since Thomas is one of the foremost violin players in the folk music scene, he was able to bring those elements alive, as we didn’t want it to sound like another keyboard driven metal band.”
Yet the most surprising element will probably the presence of Rotpit and Left Hand Solution drummer Erik Barthold, guesting here on the track ‘Malevolent’ on… Saxophone and even Stuvermark wasn’t exactly ready for it at first. “It’s one of Jonny’ songs and it was his idea and vision. I’ve never been a huge fan of the instrument yet it turned out great, the one part where the sax comes in is one of my favorites on the album actually.” For Pettersson, it’s just the proof that they’re well aware of what their roots are, yet without forgetting we’re not living in 1993 anymore: “with this album, we wanted to push the progressive elements first displayed on ‘Agma’, but at the same time make the album our most old school since the early days of Wombbath. Where ‘Agma’ was fairly clean, ‘Beyond The Abyss’ is dark, filthy and, in a way, more organic. With one foot in the early days of Death Metal and one foot in the future, ‘Beyond The Abyss’ is the sound of us bringing our legacy forward.”
More info: Wombbath; Pulverised Records;Ventr ready to release debut album via Signal Rex: "...grim & ghastly intensity, haunting lead-lines, cobwebbed atmosphere..."
February 4, 2025
Signal Rex is proud to present Ventr’s highly anticipated debut album, ‘Ubique Diaboli Voluntas’, on CD and vinyl LP formats.
Ventr hail from Portugal, the reigning hotbed of raw Black Metal. However, with their ‘Numinous Negativity’ debut mini-album in 2020, the mysterious entity soundly proved their strident Black Metal was of a palatably professional constitution: fully formed, expertly executed, “orthodox” in the classic sense, and emitting a bewitching melodicism that hauntingly recalled the mid ’90s.
Now Ventr unveil the full fathom of their powers with ‘Ubique Diaboli Voluntas’, their long-awaited first full-length. Released in conjunction with their live performance at this year’s Howls of Winter fest, ‘Ubique Diaboli Voluntas’ retains the noble foundation of its shorter-length predecessor – grim & ghastly intensity, haunting lead-lines, cobwebbed atmosphere – but the duo step up their songwriting to an even-higher plateau. Across the album’s six-song / 42-minute duration, Ventr build upon forward momentum, everything always moving but nothing ever staying static; with those medieval / malodorous melodies painting a poignant picture in the foreground, underneath the rumble roils a rhythm attack that’s incredibly nuanced but never overbearingly so. It’s only when one focuses on the details of ‘Ubique Diaboli Voluntas’ does Ventr’s sheer songwriting mastery come into stark relief…and only when the listener has become acclimated to the album’s alternately ancient / fresh stench, which should be the central focus anyway. Fancy words or none, Ventr have truly arrived from the darkest past!
More info: Ventr; Signal Rex;Sammath and WolfKult Religion reveal details for new EP: "Expect nothing but an all-annihilating sonic war machine..."
February 3, 2025
Into It Records and Misanthrophia Discos work together to re-release Disfigure's demo 'The Desecration Of Tombs': "...if you dig Autopsy influenced Death Metal you will for sure like this piece of brutality"
January 28, 2025
Disfigure was a band that came from the south-west of the Netherlands. They started out in 1989 and released only one demo during their existence. Perhaps they’re most known for their contribution to the infamous DSFA sampler ‘Where Is Your God Now…?’ where they were featured among some of the bigger Dutch Death Metal bands of those days like Gorefest, Sinister, Acrostichon and Dead Head.
‘The Desecration Of Tombs’ demo was recorded in the picturesque coastal town of Vrouwenpolder in the Ron Konings Studio. I can imagine this name doesn’t mean much to most but what if I tell you that in that same studio a certain masterpiece called ‘False’ was recorded a year later! Now bells must be ringing!
A big thank you goes out to the former owner of the studio for helping out to digitize the original recordings directly from the mastertapes.
So, if you dig Autopsy influenced Death Metal you will for sure like this piece of brutality! And good news for the wax-lovers cause Misanthrophia Discos from Germany will do a limited run on viny.
More info: Disfigure; Into It Records; Misanthrophia Discos;