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After releasing landmark full length albums in the same year in 2018, Swedish Death Metal titans and label mates Feral and Crawl join forces for this exciting split release containing all new songs to mark their return. Feral are masters of their craft and having honed their hefty sound to perfection, they showcase their knack for writing excellent song structures and deliver them with even more force than before. Crawl meld Death Metal and crust effortlessly to create a violent and compelling form of music that invariably induces a whiplashing effect on your body. Even with music that is stylistically similar, the bands have their own individuality which makes this split special. It’s the perfect precursor to full length albums that are nearing completion from both the bands in the foreseeable future.

Iron Bonehead Productions is proud to present The Rite’s highly anticipated second album, ‘The Astral Gloom’, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

The Rite was formed in autumn 2017 when A.th (Black Oath) and Ustumallagam (Denial of God) joined forces to create a band that exclusively plays morbid Black Metal, praising complete and utmost darkness. Their influences range from iconic bands such as Mercyful Fate, Death SS, Celtic Frost, Samael, Goatlord, Ripper, and others, as well as occult literature. The music walks a fine line between slow and dreary parts and fast and merciless attacks, but by and large, it falls into the Black/Doom category.

The recording of The Rite’s five-track mini-album, ‘The Brocken Fires’, was finished in August 2018 and originally released on tape by Unholy Domain Records in October 2018. In August 2019, the mini-album was then released on CD and 12″ vinyl formats by Iron Bonehead and successively received a great response from the underground scene.

In July 2019, The Rite performed their debut show at Denmark’s Metal Magic Festival. In the autumn of that year, the band performed their second show, this time in Italy. Around the same time, The Rite entered the studio again to record their debut album, ‘Liturgy of the Black’, which contained 10 tracks of morbid Black Metal, including a cover of Ripper. The album was released in June 2020 by Iron Bonehead, showing The Rite creating an atmosphere of darkness and the occult rather than focusing on speed or technicality. The music, written by A.th, this time incorporated both guitar solos and keyboards while staying true to The Rite’s original path of mainly slow and heavy Black Metal. The lyrics, penned by Ustumallagam, covered various intriguing subjects such as pure devil worship, devotion to the dark, strange rituals, and the afterlife, and the man’s characteristically creepy annunciation brought those subjects to undead life with drama and intensity.

Around the turn of 2020 to 2021, The Rite returned to the studio to record new tracks for two upcoming releases. Some of the tracks were included on a split CD with Coven of Impurity, released by Cursed Recordings (A.th’s label), and one track was featured on a split 7″ EP with Bezwering, released on Headkick Music (Ustumallagam’s label) in May 2022, after facing cursed delays. The split CD with Coven of Impurity sold out quickly, and most of the copies of the split 7″ with Bezwering were sold within a few days.

In 2022, The Rite’s lineup underwent some changes. The original drummer, P. Guts, was replaced by someone else who the band parted ways with just days before their third show at Winter Metal Magic in Denmark. War D. (Morbus Grave) stepped in at the last moment and saved the day, and has been with the band ever since. A second guitar player was found in M. Desecrator (VomitVulva, Funest), making The Rite a five-piece band, even stronger in their live performances.

Despite being busy with both Denial of God and Black Oath, The Rite began working intensely on the follow-up to Liturgy of the Black. After some initial rehearsals, their second album was recorded in December 2022. Titled ‘The Astral Gloom’, The Rite’s new album contains another 10 tracks, proving as dark and dynamic as ever, with creepier excursions into quieter territory and an even more heightened atmospheric element without losing any heaviness – thus, the title ‘The Astral Gloom’ is more than fitting. That heaviness is provocatively played to the hilt with this two-guitar lineup, and the lead parts evoke a macabre majesty only hinted at before. Once again, The Rite choose a unique cover – this time, the Lollipops’ “Naked When You Come,” an eerie psychedelic pop song from 1966 – and they truly make it their own.

With this new lineup bolstered and better than ever, The Rite seek to take their morbid metal to the stage more often and promote ‘The Astral Gloom’ as fully as possible. The black bells toll more ominously than ever, the veil between worlds begins to open…step forth into The Astral Gloom!

Iron Bonehead Productions is proud to present Runespell’s highly anticipated fifth album, ‘Shores of Nastrond’, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

By now, Runespell should require little introduction. Since this Australian entity’s public unveiling in 2017 with the ‘Aeons of Ancient Blood’ demo – released by Iron Bonehead, as well as all successive recordings – Runespell has sharpened its sword and quickly, with three albums arriving like clockwork every year: ‘Unhallowed Blood Oath’ (2017), ‘Order of Vengeance’ (2018), and ‘Voice of Opprobrium’ (2019). Although 2020 didn’t see the release of a full-length, a split album with the reanimated Forest Mysticism tided over the bloodthirsty until the arrival of fourth LP ‘Verses in Regicide’ in 2021, arguably Runespell’s best-produced and -executed album to date.

That is, until the arrival of ‘Shores of Nastrond’: Runespell’s fifth full-length, and first as a full lineup. While last year’s ‘Sentinels of Time’ mini-album spiritually concluded the first era of Runespell, it’s readily apparent that that ‘Shores of Nastrond’ marks a distinct second era, although one thankfully not too far removed from the iron and blood that came before. Joining founder Nightwolf here are drum titan Basilysk – whose vast resume includes the likes of Nazxul, Temple Nightside, and Pestilential Shadows among many others – and keyboardist Irrwycht, who concurrently numbers such bands as Grabunhold and Baxaxaxa.

Together, the trio conjure that same mystical & mesmerizing soundworld that’s made the Runespell name such a force in the underground, but there’s a concerted clarity here – be it songwriting or sound, texture figuring more prominently in both – that makes the album’s six component epics hit HARD, even with the solemnity of Sentinels of Time continuing here. Indeed, that supremely epic mini-album served as a bridge between the band’s two eras: not just with said solemnity explored further on ‘Shores of Nastrond’, but also the stirring acoustic segments, which are more generously integrated into the whole of Runespell’s sound.

Simply put, this is pagan Black Metal perfection, from an entity that seemingly already perfected it. These ‘Shores of Nastrond’ crest and crash with blood-fire-death!

Hädangången, translating to “passing away” in English, is a deeper aspect of the Scandinavian forest/old-school Black Metal. Vindsval, founder of the renowned Swedish Black Metal band Mara, takes us on a unique musical exploration through his connections to the primitive Scandinavian landscape.

The EP, “Likfärd,” meaning “death traveling,” is a compilation of raw emotions encapsulated in Black Metal. Drawing upon themes of frustration, death, nature, rebirth, pride, honor, desolation, and emptiness, this work is the true embodiment of atmospheric and raw Black Metal.

This self-released EP, with its immersive and melancholic tones, will be available in digital format across all major streaming platforms. Additionally, an exclusive run of 100 CDs, hand-numbered for authenticity, will be released for collectors and enthusiasts.

Vindsval’s stirring performance was captured in the winter of 2023. The vocals, ethereal yet powerful, were recorded in the woods of Gothenburg, creating a genuine connection with nature. Vindsval’s impeccable craftsmanship is further highlighted through his handling of all instruments and recording aspects. The EP was mixed and mastered at Oblivion Studio, ensuring a high-quality auditory experience.

For those who find solace in the sounds of Nargaroth, Drudkh, Bathory, Angantyr, Isengard, and Darkthrone, “Likfärd” promises to be a captivating experience.

Welcome… to the elder ruins again!

On the 10th of August, 2023, it has been precisely 30 years since the passing of a soul whose unique visions and mindset have inspired us in our own work for over three decades already. It is time to commemorate that.

We are beyond pleased to announce that on that very day, The Sinister Flame will release a limited one-pressing-only tribute LP to Euronymous called ‘A Sinister Hail to the King’.

Instead of putting together a mishmash of random tracks, we have chosen to cover the entire ‘De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas’ from start to finish, because, as we all know, this album was the ultimate culmination and demonstration of Euronymous’ unparalleled musical genius and sinister spirit. Eight The Sinister Flame bands will perform the eight legendary songs.

Front cover photo courtesy of Finn Håkon Rødland who has been of crucial help with this release.

”There comes a time, thief, when the jewels cease to sparkle, when the gold loses its luster, when the throne room becomes a prison…”

The time has come for Solothus to sheathe the bloodied sword and enter the slumber of ages. We stand extremely proud of all the deeds we have accomplished and the path we have travelled, but there truly is a time for everything and now we see that Solothus has ran its course. There is no drama or any of that nonsense behind the decision, just the fact that now is time to concentrate on different things, musically and in personal life. We would like to thank all those who have walked with us all these years, all of those with whom we have played and all those who have supported us. Our deepest gratitude for you all.

There will be two chances in the future to see us live. Our last show in Finland will take place at Tuska 2023 and Brutal Assault will mark the last live performance by Solothus ever. After that, it is the end and the lumbering beast will be done. The split with our brothers in Temple of Void will be our swansong, there you will have the last song by Solothus.

Fear not, the fire will keep burning stronger than ever in the bands surrounding Solothus. Keep your eyes, ears and tendrils out for Sepulchral Curse (Kari & Aleksi), Gorephilia (Tami), Cataleptic (Juha & Tami) and Tormentor Tyrant (Juha)! We will continue our work with them stronger than ever.

No King Reigns Eternal. Hail Solothus.

In our endless quest to push and support current underground acts that perpetuate the odor of vintage Death Metal, we’re extremely thrilled to announce a new signing: Ecocide, from The Netherlands.

Ecocide was formed in Haarlem by Sten Govers, Bas Gijzen and Rick Stikkelorum back in 2012, with Dennis Bikker joining in 2014. Their self-titled 2012 demo was basically Thrash Metal with a pinch of Death Metal thrown in for good measure and lyrical themes based on H.P. Lovecraft, 80’s horror and sci-fi movies.

Their 2013 debut album, titled ‘Eye of Wicked Sight’, saw the band shift their initial Thrash Metal sound into old school Death Metal, taking the Floridian brand of Death, Obituary and Massacre, adding some Swedish inspiration in the vein of Entombed, Grave and Unleashed, pouring some Bolt Thrower heaviness, some Pestilence greatness, and throwing in an additional touch of Thrash Metal à la Slayer for a real homage to the golden days of yore, when Death Metal was memorable and riff-oriented to the hilt.

The release of the album quickly attracted a bigger, international following and the band started playing dozens of shows within and around the Netherlands. During these shows they shared the stage with bands like Malevolent Creation, Sinister, Gorguts and the legendary Bolt Thrower.
After two lineup changes the band called it quits in 2015, returning briefly in 2017 to release a single titled ‘The Godhand’, and then again in 2020 to release another single, titled ‘Sleeper’. After releasing those two songs, the band remained dormant until 2023, when they announced their comeback and started working for the second full-length album.

Memento Mori will unleash the CD version of their sophomore full-length on October 23rd, 2023. Further details to follow in the coming months.

2 very cool cassettes on the way!

What happens when a couple of teens, growing up in the turmoil of late ’80s Colombia decide to form a band? You’ll get some of the most chaotic and brutal Death Metal ever!

We’re extremely proud to reissue the first 2 studio-demos (‘Colombia… imperio del terror’ (1989) & ‘Cáncer de nuestros días’ (1990)) for the legendary Masacre! 34 years after releasing the first demo these South Americans are still going strong, having just finished a successful European tour.

Cassettes will be released in June, both with a very cool, new and improved lay-out. BRUTALES MASACRES!

Me Saco Un Ojo Records and Dark Descent Records are proud to present a brand-new mini-album from Ascendency, ‘A Manifest of Imperious Destiny’, on 12″ vinyl and CD formats, respectively.

Prepare for the ultimate Black/Death Metal assault by Denmark’s Ascendency… Following a punishing demo in 2019 and their equally merciless 2020 MLP, they now return with another tome of destruction. Four new tracks span an unforgiving half hour of desecration.

While Denmark has offered some of the best contemporary Death Metal in the last decade or so, Ascendency are quite a unique beast within this. Their much darker, venomous Black Metal influences create disquiet with uncomfortable atmospherics that still retain that brutality, just with a much more unhinged twist. These new pieces showcase what the band has incubated in the last three years, which is feral and harrowing musical extremity with a sepulchral atmosphere and tremendous musicianship to boot. Reverberate howls and guitars send a chill through the ossuary while drums hammer through remaining skulls with ease.

While Ascendency clearly revel in delivering punishment, they do so with intricate and carefully constructed songs that contain more than enough nuance to really sink your teeth into. Melodic yet bestial riffs charge atop devastating percussion with demonic vocals while never straying too far from the cacophony of fury the remains the heart of this untamed sound. The subtleties tie in with bludgeoning violence effortlessly and leave us with a truly potent, memorable and distinguished record. Atmosphere and malice when they coexist in such a manner become an unstoppable beast, so prepare for annihilation if you seek out this mystical yet malignant gem of underground might. Delve into oblivion with these new offerings of unfaltering triumph and might.

Founder and vocalist Acerbus of Ondskapt released the following statement:

“Instead of writing a long and drawn out explanation I will just announce that Ondskapt is over. I want to thank all of our fans for this incredible journey and all the support thought the years.”

In 2020 Ondskapt released their fourth and last album ‘Grimoire Ordo Devus’, which we described as: “This album is everything that you already love about Ondskapt and some more in the form of the melodic and ambient sound. Trust me; you do not want to miss it”