News

Nordjevel on hold: "And It`s with deep regret we have taken the difficult decision to cancel all scheduled touring..."

January 15, 2025

Nordjevel stated the following on their official social media channels:

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, we regret to inform you that Nordjevel is on an indefinite hiatus. And It`s with deep regret we have taken the difficult decision to cancel all scheduled touring, and other activities for 2025. We thank you for your support and understanding, and look forward to seeing you on the road again in the future.”

More info: Nordjevel;

Raw Skull Recordz set to re-release Polluted Inheritance's discography: "..highly innovative technical Death Metal, influenced by the great Florida tech-pioneers..."

January 15, 2025

Raw Skull Recordz is extremely proud to announce that in 2025 we’ll be rereleasing the complete back catalog for Dutch Death Metal innovators Polluted Inheritance!

Polluted Inheritance was formed in 1989 in the South West of the Netherlands. A region in the country not known for having many bands but the once that were active were among the best in the genre, think Gorefest and Burial.

Having released the ‘Afterlife’ demo in 1991 they were signed by West Virginia Records and recorded their debut album ‘Ecocide’ with well known producer Andy Klassen behind the knobs. This album perfectly showed what Polluted was all about; highly innovative technical Death Metal, influenced by the great Florida tech-pioneers, most notably the band that basically set the blueprint for the genre; Death.

On the follow-up albums ‘Betrayed’ and ‘Into Darkness’ the style was further developed, following an ever increasing progressive path although never loosing the Death Metal extremes.

All albums will come with special bonustracks, such as rehearsals and unreleased songs and the Afterlife demo will see it’s first ever release on cd.

More info: Polluted Inheritance; Raw Skull Recordz;

Darkness Shall Rise Productions will re-release Hell Militia's debut album: "...an assemblage of the vilest and most depraved individuals the French underground has spawned..."

January 3, 2025

Hell Militia, an assemblage of the vilest and most depraved individuals the French underground has spawned who have earned themselves a bad reputation by participating in among others Mütiilation, Arkhon Infaustus and Temple of Baal burst onto the scene with their first full-length in 2005.

Preceded only by an appearance on a split 7 inch and a demo, the aptly titled ‘Canonisation of the Foul Spirit’ was unleashed to wreak havoc and soil anything pure and holy in utter contempt. The album comprises 10 tracks (Psalms) with a professional but not too clean studio production allowing for each instrument to be easily distinguished from one another without resulting in sounding polished or sterile. The riffs which are not too far removed from what one can hear on some of the albums the members have had a hand in and the quality of the songwriting disclose the fact that Hell Militia are anything but newcomers.

The demented vocals that grace jolly carols like ‘Burning Human Pigs’, ‘Prophecy from the Mutilated Children’ or ‘Black Fucking Cancer’ are cantillated by none other than Meyhnach from Mütiilation. Listening to him preaching the false gospel and spewing foul bile in his characteristic, unmistakable way of madness is certainly one of the highlights of ‘Canonisation of the Foul Spirit’.

More info: Hell Militia; Darkness Shall Rise Productions;

Malacath ready to release 5th album via Eternal Death: "Forged in dedication to the old ways of Black Metal..."

December 18, 2024

Eternal Death is proud to present Malacath’s highly anticipated fifth album, ‘Eternal Roar of the Thunder and Rain’, on ​CD format.

Born to recapture the mysticism found in listening to Black Metal in isolation, New Hampshire’s Malacath was formed in November of 2011 as the solo project of multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Lykos. As a two-piece, having enlisted drummer Hiraeth for the band’s second album, ‘No Sense in Self Worth’, Malacath’s musical composition style grew to draw inspiration from Black Metal’s outer corners, culminating in the impending fifth full-length, ‘Eternal Roar of the Thunder and Rain’.

Composed around four monolithic tracks across 54 minutes, ‘Eternal Roar of the Thunder and Rain’ brings the listener through an arduous journey of triumph and tragedy. Malacath’s sound hasn’t so much changed over that timespan as has Lykos’ ambition; sticking to a signature style is one thing, but subtly expanding it or tastefully embellishing it is another. Indeed, Eternal Roar roars with a dreary-yet-emotive power, canvassing a large swathe of sonic terrain whilst remaining focused on a central theme: from spacious, imperial funeral doom to mossy pagan Black Metal, murderous surges of speed to momentous grandiosity, bittersweet melody to mystical atmosphere, everything epic and a seemingly stretched-out catharsis after another – truly, Thunder and Rain. And the plaintive acoustic “Eleusis” is simply the quiet-yet-assertive closer to a journey worth returning to time and again.

Forged in dedication to the old ways of Black Metal, the undeniable strength of ‘Eternal Roar of the Thunder and Rain’ will ensure that the flames of Malacath burn beyond the New England underground.

 

More info: Malacath; Eternal Death;

Irae and Signal Rex announces new EP: "...'Promiscuous Fire' is simply 23 minutes of timeless, medieval darkness..."

December 13, 2024

Signal Rex is proud to present a brand-new EP from Portugal’s Irae, ‘Promiscuous Fire’, on CD and cassette tape formats.

By now, Irae should require little introduction. Since the dawn of this cursed millennium, mainman Vulturius has prolifically pursued a singular vision of Black Metal that includes a vast discography. As such, Irae have almost singlehandedly invigorated Portugal’s Black Metal scene, particularly the rawer iteration of it. And since the band’s blood pact with Signal Rex deepened in 2020 with the release of the landmark Lurking in the Depths LP that summer, five short-lengths followed in rapid succession as well as the full-length anniversary record Assim na Terra como no Inferno most recently.

And there’s no sign of Irae’s black flame being extinguished anytime soon. To wit: the four-song ‘Promiscuous Fire’ EP, which precludes the band’s first European tour, alongside the legendary Marduk. For those who think Irae is “just” a raw Black Metal band, ‘Promiscuous Fire’ will prove to be quite a reckoning. While by no means “polished” per se, there’s a decidedly refined amalgamation of cleaner tones and classic Black Metal songwriting in a Second Wave style.

Here, Vulturius is joined by drummer J Goat (and Obskuritatem’s O on two tracks), and together they whip forth freezing fire that’s seemingly timestamped 1995. Perhaps it’s due to their tourmates, or perhaps it’s a strive back to the darkest past for Irae, but there’s no disputing the band’s deep rotes nor authenticity; if anyone could (or should) deliver a record of transplanted Scandinavian tropes, it’s them – and they get mangled in an ugly manner only Irae can manage. Taken another way, ‘Promiscuous Fire’ is simply 23 minutes of timeless, medieval darkness: Irae are about to bring their torches to European soil and set fire to every city!

More info: Irae; Signal Rex;

Aedes to release debut EP via Blood Harvest Records: "Trainspotters might also reference the angularity of '90s Immolation or the "refined barbarity" of Peru's Mortem or especially the truer-than-true Sadistic Intent..."

December 8, 2024

Blood Harvest Records is proud to present a worldwide edition of Aedes’ debut mini-album, ‘Odious Imprecation’, on CD, 12″ vinyl, and cassette tape formats.

Formed in 2023, Finland’s Aedes immediately made their name known in the Death Metal underground with their debut mini-album, ‘Odius Imprecation’, self-released later that very year. The quintet’s resume is quite varied – Verge, Foreseen, Rivette, Initiated, and Force Kill are but a few – but with Aedes, the focus is firmly within the wider ’90s Death Metal pantheon. It’s not unjust to suggest that the spectre of Morbid Angel looms large over ‘Odious Imprecation’; from murky, almost-in-reverse riffing to cyclonic descents into the abyss to leads that are melodic yet mind-melted, the altars are indeed full of madness and the sick are dutifully blessed.

Still, this deep understanding of the elder gods extends more to songwriting and texture rather than replication of someone else’s glories – and Aedes stir their cauldron with the poise and intention of adepts. Trainspotters might also reference the angularity of ’90s Immolation or the “refined barbarity” of Peru’s Mortem or especially the truer-than-true Sadistic Intent, but the four songs comprising the 24-minute ‘Odious Imprecation’ lay out plenty of diabolic terrain on which to tread. And tread further Aedes soon will, for the band are currently preparing their debut album for Blood Harvest!

More info: Aedes; Blood Harvest;

Invictus Productions and The Ajna Offensive present new Necromaniac album: "Necromaniac's first full-length is everything its weighty title promises...and more!"

December 7, 2024

Invictus Productions in conspiracy with The Ajna Offensive are proud to present Necromaniac’s long-awaited debut album, ‘Sciomancy, Malediction & Rites Abominable’, on CD and vinyl LP formats. Invictus will handle the album’s release for Europe while Ajna will handle its North American release. The CD version is scheduled for release on January 13th, 2025 to coincide with the Wolf Moon, while the LP version will be released at a later date.

Forged in heretical fire while lurking in the darkest shadows of the underground for the past 13 years, this London-based (UK) band formed by Swedish, Spanish, Greek, and Polish musicians has crafted a debut album that’s guaranteed to send cold shivers down your spine. A truly sinister musical journey containing 9 forbidden rites steeped in witchcraft, necromancy, and an overall occult atmosphere, Necromaniac’s first full-length is everything its weighty title promises…and more!

Those who were possessed by their 2015 demo tape and 2018 7″ EP don’t need to worry, as the Necromaniac sound of old is reanimated here. Only now it’s given delirious flight on demon wings of ecstasy: blacker, more metal, more epic, more atmospheric, more “mature,” more of MORE. Joining these morbid ghouls on their devilish quest are guests A.A. Nemtheanga of Primordial, Negative Plane’s Nameless Void, and one A Corpse Without a Soul, whose signature throat should not be unknown to astute underground dwellers. The sum effect of ‘Sciomancy, Malediction & Rites Abominable’ is a sonic bacchanalia informed by the ageless wisdom of Hell’s Heavy Metal.

No mercy, no forgiveness, no salvation, no return…MORBID METAL TO THE DEATH!

More info: Necromaniac; Invictus Productions; The Ajna Offensive;

WolfKult Religion to release Salacious Gods’ 30th Anniversary album: "...a veritable anthology from the band's now three-decade-long career"

December 3, 2024

To add extra lustre to the 30th anniversary of Dutch Black Metal band Salacious Gods, the band and the also Dutch WolfKult Religion label have joined forces. The result is ‘A Chrestomathy of Blasphemous Supremacy’, a veritable anthology from the band’s now three-decade-long career. Release is due for December 20th 2024.

The album consists of songs recorded live in Winschoten (2024), Rotterdam (2023) and Groningen (1999), covering all four of the band’s full-length albums. From the 1999 released ‘Askengris’ debut (ColdBlood Industries) to the most recent ‘Oalevluuk’ (2023) released by HammerHeart Records. And, to cover the band’s entire history, two slightly refreshed tracks from their 1998 demo and 2002 promo have been added.

WolfKult Religion proudly releases this latest work on both CD and cassette tape, both of which have a slightly different tracklist. The booklet is adorned with dozens of photos from the band’s deep archives and liner-notes by Henri Sattler (God Dethroned and chief of ColdBlood Industries), among others.

More info: Salacious Gods; WolfKult Religion;

Balefire's debut EP will be released by Iron Bonehead Productions: "Aesthetic signposts include Sadistic Intent, '90s Vader, Peru's Mortem, Finland's Belial, Mexico's Cenotaph, and even earliest Incantation themselves"

November 30, 2024

Iron Bonehead Productions is proud to present Balefire’s striking debut mini-album, self-titled ‘Balefire’, on 12″ vinyl format.

Balefire is a new project of Chuck Sherwood, longtime bassist of Incantation and former bassist of Blood Storm. Fittingly, with Balefire do Sherwood and crew stoke the fires of ancient-style Satanic Death Metal. Comprising six songs in 15 minutes, the band’s self-titled first statement surges & churns with malevolent intent, retaining a sooty sound that’s old-school but never belabored. Aesthetic signposts include Sadistic Intent, ’90s Vader, Peru’s Mortem, Finland’s Belial, Mexico’s Cenotaph, and even earliest Incantation themselves. Familiar yet fiery in its execution, songwriting straightforward but subtly atmospheric, Balefire is an understated triumph of timeless, trend-free values.

More info: Balefire; Iron Bonehead Productions;

Hesperia returns with new album released by Hammerheart Records: "...accompanied by Medieval Black Metal with significant ‘90s influences (Immortal and Satyricon in particular)..."

November 26, 2024

The Italic spirit returns… Winter Medieval Black Metal from the Mounts of Sibylla!

Hesperia is a one-man concept band focused on Italian culture and history. Hesperia is the ancient and obscure name of the Italic lands ruled by the mythological sovereign Hesperus.

After exploring the pre-Roman era with a tetralogy based on the Roman poem Aeneid and the Roman era with two volumes about Rome, it’s now time for the Medieval Italic age: ‘Fra Li Monti Sibillini (Black Medieval Winter Over The Sibylline Mounts)’ is a Medieval journey through the Sibylline Mounts, located in central-eastern Italy (Marche region, the region of Hesperus), filled with obscure legends and a truly dark history: heretics, witches, alchemists, necromants, goat fairies, the Inquisition, hidden villages/mountains/gorges, and… the sorceress Sibylla.

Legend and history intertwine, real places and real stakes, legendary characters and real people, accompanied by Medieval Black Metal with significant ‘90s influences (Immortal and Satyricon in particular), with elements of authentic medieval music and ambient parts that will truly transport the listener to these obscure places. This album is your ultimate key and path to the subterranean realm beneath the Mounts of Sibylla.

More info: Hesperia; Hammerheart Records;