News

Skelethal ready with new album: "...over the past decade, the quartet have finessed that style of Death Metal into one that feels classic rather than simply "old""

May 28, 2024

Hells Headbangers is proud to present Skelethal’s highly anticipated third album, ‘Within Corrosive Continuums’, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.

Formed in 2012, Skelethal have been at the forefront of the now-fertile French Death Metal scene. While many of the band’s primary influences have been Swedish – Entombed, Carnage, and Dismember – over the past decade, the quartet have finessed that style of Death Metal into one that feels classic rather than simply “old”. Call it intrinsically understanding what makes Death Metal DEATH METAL or simply possessing the songwriting nous to add to such a hallowed canon rather than merely milking, but Skelethal have proven to be contenders to the throne. First full-length evidence was 2017’s ‘Of the Depths…’, followed by 2020’s ‘Unveiling the Threshold’, which saw a lineup change and bold steps beyond Swedeath (and both released by Hells Headbangers), and now arrives LP#3 to all but assure that ascent to the throne.

Tellingly titled ‘Within Corrosive Continuums’, Skelethal’s third album equally encapsulates their past and builds upon it in noble ways. While it’s predecessor saw a slight uptick in clarity, here do Skelethal carry forward that clarity with a conspicuous dirtying-up of tone. The production’s as powerful as ever, so it could be argued that that rediscovered grit & grime come more in the band’s execution – or, more accurately, the songwriting itself. ‘Within Corrosive Continuums’ immediately sounds like the same band who unleashed those prior two (celebrated) LPs, but Skelethal flex a bit differently here, opening up a number of (still-Death Metal) influences and transforming them into riffs and rhythms that ever so slightly more adventurous, all without (crucially) losing their characteristic directness. As such, the bulk of these largely-five-minute-long songs feel twice as fast, so feverish is the band’s intensity, but dread-draped hooks and crushing heaviness still rule the day. Put another way, Skelethal take on textures that are more personal and somber, but keep the expression resolutely Death Metal. Simply witness the 13-minute closing juggernaut, appropriately enough the title track: hearing is believing, and Skelethal will make believers out of even the crankiest “old school” diehards.

Third albums are always a gamble when it comes to Death Metal; you either sell out, or get stuck in inertia for the rest of your days. Skelethal defy this convention and continue to push their limits, culminating in a deep trip ‘Within Corrosive Continuums’.

More info: Skelethal; Hells Headbangers Records;

Goat Semen to release new EP: "...here's nothing to hide behind here; there's simply no escape from 'Fuck Christ'."

May 27, 2024

Hells Headbangers is proud to present a brand-new EP from Goat Semen, ‘Fuck Christ’, on CD, 12″ vinyl, and cassette tape formats.

At ground zero of the rebirth and resurgence of South American black/death at the dawn of the new millennium, Goat Semen delivered one of the most classic demos ever with their self-titled 2002 demo, which has seen countless re-editions in the past two decades. As their legendry grew to enviable levels, so, too, did the anticipation for these Peruvian devils’ debut album. But alas, time passed and the fervor ‘n’ anticipation for that first full-length reached critical mass in the metal underground, taking on almost mythical status (not unlike Sadistic Intent’s long-promised debut LP). Finally, it saw the unlight of day in 2015 as ‘Ego Svm Satana’: the ultimate Goat Semen statement, in the making for literally a decade, the album became something of a veritable travelogue across the history of South American metal barbarity the prior three decades. The very end, and also the beginning, ‘Ego Svm Satana’ was suitably CLASSIC, as expected.

But, Goat Semen are never one for half measures, and much like that full-length took at least a decade before it emerged from hellfire fully formed, they’ve only released live albums and a couple splits since then – nothing as substantial as a fully-new recording. Now, nearly a decade after that momentous debut album, Goat Semen return with a comparatively quick-hitting EP in ‘Fuck Christ’. Much like its unapologetic & unadorned title, the Peruvian devils waste no time, kicking in immediately with a swirlingly sulfurous maelstrom of classic Goat Semen proportions.

For a record that comprises five stout songs in 19 electric minutes, ‘Fuck Christ’ feels simultaneously longer and quicker than that runtime suggests, so respectively satisfying and urgent is that hammering barbarity. Naturally, it wouldn’t be Goat Semen if everything wasn’t attacking from every angle all at once, the feeling of imminent implosion lurking around every dark ‘n’ diseased corner; compared to ‘Ego Svm Satana’, ‘Fuck Christ’ exacerbates that mania to an almost overwhelming degree even when the intensity dips down to a doomed trudge. But perhaps the most unique element on this new record is how relatively clean and clear its recording is, with each and every instrument sounding sharp and powerful – nothing “muddy” about Goat Semen fucking Christ here – which in turn makes the band’s inherent grit & grime sound stranger and more depraved. Put another way, there’s nothing to hide behind here; there’s simply no escape from ‘Fuck Christ’.

For those who still hail the old gods of equally early Sarcofago, Krisiun, Hadez, Sextrash, and Mystifier, no matter when their records arrive, you can always count on Goat Semen to ‘Fuck Christ’!

More info: Goat Semen; Hells Headbangers Records;

Memento Mori and Krypticy to release new album: "...the quartet seek an evolution towards a more unique personality whilst retaining the classic edge that always defined Krypticy's approach to the genre"

May 23, 2024

In their endless quest to push and support current underground acts that perpetuate the odor of vintage Death Metal, on July 22nd internationally, Memento Mori is proud to present Krypticy’s highly anticipated second album, ‘The Non-Return’, on CD format.

Krypticy was founded by main composer Alex Guerrero (vocals/guitar) in Málaga, Spain, back in 2013. The band’s debut EP, “Necronomicon”, captured their fondness for old-school Death Metal, most specially of the Floridian kind (Morbid Angel, Obituary, Death, Cancer). By the time they released their debut full-length, ‘Hideous Being’, a few years later, the band was already exhibiting a larger range of influences (Suffocation, Malevolent Creation, Deicide, Decapitated) and had begun to play live, sharing the stage with bands such as Lapidated, Avulsed, Wormed, Aposento, and Necrophiliac, among others.

With the band solidifying their lineup by the end of 2022 – Guerrero alongside Pancho Vázquez (drums), Thomas Schenk (bass/backing vocals), and Sergio Álvarez (guitar) – Krypticy signed with Memento Mori for their sophomore full-length. And now it arrives, bearing the ominous title ‘The Non-Return’. As forecasted by its stark cover artwork (courtesy of Cardaver Art) and cryptic nomenclature, ‘The Non-Return’ sees Krypticy aiming to push the limits their already consolidated sound. Undoubtedly still tried & true Death Metal, there’s nevertheless a strive for something more spiritual here, as the quartet seek an evolution towards a more unique personality whilst retaining the classic edge that always defined Krypticy’s approach to the genre.

Mind you, this isn’t doublespeak for going all-out “prog” or leaving behind Death Metal altogether (and still calling it such); rather, the band have begun to more fluently speak different dialects within the same language, producing a multilingual approach that can only but strengthen the sum effect. So, while the traditional tropes of late ’80s thrashing and early ’90s grinding are well and accounted for, there’s a markedly angular aspect to Krypticy’s songwriting on ‘The Non-Return’, which works up a fever & fury when riffs and riffs and riffs attack, one mercilessly after the other, the rhythm section surging and staying linear and ultimately producing a memorability that easily evades verse/chorus structures.

So, for those who willingly have their minds warped by such unfussy sleepers as Suffocation’s ‘Pierced From Within’, Malevolent Creation’s ‘Stillborn’, Decapitated’s ‘The Negation’, and Diabolic’s ‘Infinity Through Purification’, prepare to arrive at your destination with Krypticy’s ‘The Non-Return’!

More info: Krypticy; Memento Mori;

Intolerance ready with second full-length: "Still a Death Metal record for Death Metal maniacs, by Death Metal maniacs, but somewhere a crucifix is being turned upside down!"

May 20, 2024

In their endless quest to push and support current underground acts that perpetuate the odor of vintage Death Metal, on July 22nd internationally, Memento Mori in conspiracy with Godz ov War Productions are proud to present the highly anticipated second album of Spain’s Intolerance, ‘Waking Nightmares of an Endless Void’. Memento Mori will release the CD version while Godz ov War will release the vinyl and tape versions.

The Death Metal mongrels collectively known as Intolerance hail from Zaragoza, the same city that Ataraxy are natives of. Spawned back in 2015, this quartet’s intent is to pay homage to timeless Death Metal and the fetid stench that exuded from the malicious tones of the bands that populated the scene and helped define the genre back in the late ’80s and the early ’90s. Nothing fancy or wimpy here: only demise and putrefaction to be found when you creep in Intolerance’s mortuary.

After a demo in 2016 and an EP in 2020, Intolerance made good on their massive potential in 2022 with the celebrated debut album ‘Dark Paths of Humanity’. Aligned again with Memento Mori, the Spaniards continue to honor the old ways of Death Metal whilst adding their own gutted & grimy personality to it with the follow-up ‘Waking Nightmares of an Endless Void’. If their debut album was in the wheelhouse of 1991, then Intolerance’s second album is perhaps time-stamped 1992 or even ’93. Which is to say, while their noble foundation is as firm as ever – classic Bolt Thrower, Grave, Asphyx, Morgoth, Entombed, Convulse, Obituary, and Unleashed – there’s daresay a bit more groove or at least swagger to their streamlined surge here. Whereas those Dark Paths crushed bones underneath tank treads, these Waking Nightmares gallop and grind with a catchiness that cannot be denied. Granted, Intolerance were subtly nuanced and surprisingly dynamic already, but the ever-darker hues and almost-evil melodicism they touch upon here puts them closer to the likes of classic Unanimated, Dismember, Hypocrisy, Desultory, and earliest Necrophobic. Still a Death Metal record for Death Metal maniacs, by Death Metal maniacs, but somewhere a crucifix is being turned upside down!

Once again graced with haunting cover art, this time courtesy of Juan Alberto Hernandez, and yet another devastating production, Intolerance continue their masterful march with ‘Waking Nightmares of an Endless Void’ – and find themselves in the embrace of evil!

More info: Intolerance [ESP]; Godz Ov War Productions; Memento Mori;

Hyperdontia set to release new album 'Harvest of Malevolene': "Although they are inarguably merciless and intense, there is such dynamic strength on this new record..."

May 18, 2024

Danish / Turkish Death Metallers Hyperdontia are back with their third album. As one of the forerunners in keeping old-school extremity alive, this promises to be a savage listen.

Firing on all cylinders from the get-go, their relentless brand of pulverizing guitars and punishing drums with intricate bass lines cut only by monstrous vocals spew forth. Monolithically mixed to grant us the most viscerally lacerating blows of Death Metal might, those who salivate for true morbidity will revel in the ecstatic putridity that immediately grips you. From the gut-wrenching rhythmic torment to the phenomenal soloing, aside from sheer brutality, Hyperdontia have technical abilities that far surpass most of their contemporaries while never feeling obnoxious with their utilization. Some utterly mad bass guitar moments or ripping solos show a band who clearly know their way around a fretboard while the consistently savage drumming doesn’t let the rhythmic battery relent. As we heard on their prior works; Hyperdontia are a confident and unforgiving entity and that continues here.

Although they are inarguably merciless and intense, there is such dynamic strength on this new record from the maelstroms of grooves to the more otherworldly sections, all tied together to plunge headlong into abhorrent chaos. Barbaric and yet precise, each blow lands with ferocity and yet a cleverness to every moment is present too. If you value Death Metal being of the highest quality but without sacrificing the true macabre spirit of old, Hyperdontia is the perfect middle ground and their new album showcases that formidably. Promising a harvest of malevolence and ultimately delivering much more, Hyperdontia decimate all in their pathway with some of their most violently intense and cyclonic Death Metal to date.

More info: Hyperdontia; Dark Descent Records; Me Saco un Ojo Records;

Darkness Shall Rise Productions ready to release the Desultory's demos: "a must listen for anyone into Swedish Death Metal of the highest order".

May 16, 2024

For the first time ever, Darkness Shall Rise Productions releases a compilation, ‘Darkness Falls (The Early Years)’, on LP/CD/3-MC box and digital gathering the three demos from melodic Death Metal pioneers Desultory.

Commonly cited and appreciated as one of the trailblazers of melodic Death Metal, Swedish Desultory`s roots are deeply buried in Thrash Metal. Wearing their influences on their sleeves, their first demo From Beyond features songs in the vein of Kreator, Testament or Merciless.

Apart from Klas Morberg`s eery howlings which bear semblance with early Tiamat and the fact that the demo was recorded in legendary Sunlight Studios in 1990, ‘From Beyond’ is basically a Thrash Metal demo, albeit a very enjoyable and strikingly well-played one.

It was with ‘Death Unfolds’ from 1991, the rabid pack`s second demo, that Desultory really came into their own as far as style and sound are concerned.

Again recorded by Tomas Skogsberg in his renowned Sunlight Studios, the demo showcases most of the band`s typical trademarks they would go on to be admired for. Bangers like ‘Passed Away’ and ‘The Chill Within’ both of which would end up being re-recorded for Desultory`s debut album are top-tier swedish Death Metal with downtuned guitar riffs in abundance and a particular sensitivity for melody.

Simply titled ‘Visions’, the 3rd demo again recorded in Sunlight Studios in 1992 logically continues Desultory`s trajectory.

Building on the fundament laid out on ‘Death Unfolds’ some of the ingredients only hinted at previously are extended and fine-tuned on tracks like ‘Forever Gone’ and ‘Depression’. Aided by the strongest production of their demos giving the songs that certain extra punch this demo is victorious on all fronts and a must listen for anyone into Swedish Death Metal of the highest order.

Mastered from the original master tapes by Patrick W. Engel at Temple of Disharmony in February 2024. A long interview with Klas Morberg was specially conducted for this demo compilation.

Available as limited vinyl in 3 different colors, jewel-case CD, 3-MC tape box, merchandise and digital.

More info: Desultory; Darkness Shall Rise Productions;

Pestilence cassette box to be released by Into It Records: "This is Dutch Metal history captured on tape"

May 6, 2024

Into It Records is very excited to announce this awesome release of which is set in June.

The 1987 demos, ‘Dysentery’ and ‘The Penance’ from Dutch plaguelords Pestilence, presented in a double cassette box with o-sleeve, special artwork and remastered audio.

On these demos Pestilence did in no way sound like they would on the groundbreaking ‘Consuming Impulse’. It’s full on Thrash influenced by Slayer, Sodom and some Possessed and old Sepultura. On the 2nd demo mastergrowler Martin van Drunen joined although his voice still had to develop into the iconic throat he’s known for nowadays!

This is Dutch Metal history captured on tape!

More info: Pestilence; Into It Records;

Aussichtslos ready to release third album via Purity Through Fire: "'Schicksalstotschlag' is at once urgent and reserved, violently passionate but poised and stoic - and of course, as anthemic as ever"

April 30, 2024

Purity Through Fire is proud to present Aussichtslos’ highly anticipated third album, ‘Schicksalstotschlag’, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

It was but March 2021 when Austria’s Aussichtslos burst from the void, fully formed, with their Völlig Aussichtslos debut album. Remarkably assured, classically inclined, the power-trio presented grim, harsh, but oft-hard-rocking Black Metal that favorably recalled the post-Strength & Honour landscape of Finland as well as ancient-days Germania ala Luror, Wolfsmond, and Hellfucked. Six months later, Aussichtslos amazingly released another full-length, Einsicht. While it was chronologically their second album, Einsicht was actually recorded in 2020, before the release of Völlig Aussichtslos took place. Either way, between the two records did Aussichtslos show themselves as new contenders in austere Black Metal classicism, capable of tradition but also thought-provoking lyrics reflecting upon inner struggles so universal to the human experience.

And so it goes with ‘Schicksalstotschlag’, arguably Aussichtslos’ most desperate record yet. While it may’ve been quiet on the Austrian front the past few years, that does nothing to dim the fire of their third full-length: ‘Schicksalstotschlag’ is at once urgent and reserved, violently passionate but poised and stoic – and of course, as anthemic as ever. Not for nothing is Purity Through Fire known as the stronghold of Teutonic steel, its sword-wielders capable of a catchiness as wild and windswept as any biergarten, and Aussichtslos keep apace on ‘Schicksalstotschlag’, keeping the riffs rocking as ever and the heart enflamed with emotion. Their production, as always, is on the palatable side of “polished,” crisp and clean and gleaming with steely-eyed pride, making these nine songs the penultimate in battle-charging bombast and ballast. Credit new drummer Kartharziss (who also provides tasteful synths) with that proud pulse, although vocalist / lyricist Norsk (unchain his heart!) and fellow six-stringer Garst hold their own and help make the closing nine-minute epic ‘Hochverrat’ the band’s best track to date. Black metalsmiths of destiny, unite again for ‘Schicksalstotschlag’!

More info: Aussichtslos; Purity Through Fire;

Iron Bonehead Productions ready to release Ancient Guard's debut release: "While Runespell's no-less-grandiose sound is oft given to bouts of bloodlust and battle rage, Ancient Guard is pure magisterial march & might as can be expected of such a moniker."

April 16, 2024

Iron Bonehead Productions is proud to present Ancient Guard’s striking debut mini-album, ‘Nightfall Enthroned’, on CD and 12″ vinyl formats.

Ancient Guard is a new creation of Nightwolf, renown for pagan Black Metal vanguard Runespell. As expected, his unmistakable mastery is all across ‘Nightfall Enthroned’, Ancient Guard’s first public work. A surprisingly vast mini-album at four songs in 31 minutes, ‘Nightfall Enthroned’ is immersive to the extreme and almost soothing in its continually cresting swell of sumptuous Black Metal mysticism. While Runespell’s no-less-grandiose sound is oft given to bouts of bloodlust and battle rage, Ancient Guard is pure magisterial march & might as can be expected of such a moniker.

And Nighttwolf’s knack for mesmerizing melodicism holds true here, as well, but if one could make distinctions in this regard, it’s that ‘Nightfall Enthroned’ swirls about to a spacious-yet-thick foundation that’s equal parts stargazing wonder and weight-of-the-universe terror – an infinitely compelling canvas equally suited to adrift dreamers and austere realists alike. Followed by the acoustic lament “Eld,” the synth-heavy epic “A Moonscape Abyss” says exactly everything it needs to about Ancient Guard: awaken to ‘Nightfall Enthroned’!

More info: Ancient Guard; Iron Bonehead Productions;

Adversarial back with new album through Dark Descent Records: "The entity known as Adversarial has opened the portal to a timeless realm of suffocation and agony once more."

March 29, 2024

Canada’s blistering, serpentine three-piece Adversarial has announced its forthcoming third album, ‘Solitude with the Eternal’. The band’s first album in nearly 10 years will be out May 31 on CD, vinyl, cassette, and digital formats via Dark Descent Records.

Razor sharp. Slithering. Dual chasms yawn. A Janus-faced entity blinks, looking back and forward through the uncanny gloom. Dual tongues chase each other, slithering past cavities in the broken teeth. Licking against the neck, pulling more offal toward the trough. Each face has a black hole in the iris of each eye. As photons evaporate against the retina on the other side of the event horizon, memory fades. A new knowledge, imbued from the excrement of microorganisms trickles through the throaty slough. Yes, we’ve been here before. Yes, we’ll be here again.

The entity known as Adversarial has opened the portal to a timeless realm of suffocation and agony once more. As Leviathan doubles back on itself, sulfur rises from the point of crossing, a bouquet of putrid yolk. This foul chemical will sustain nigredo, as metal black as midnight is tempered under atom smashing might.

More info: Adversarial; Dark Descent Records;