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Seltsame Erden's debut album is set to emerge from Chaos Records: "Seltsame Erden prove with that 'Gedankentempeln' that Black Metal's "second reckoning" at the dawn of the new millennium was not lost upon newer generations."

December 13, 2023

Chaos Records is proud to present Seltsame Erden’s highly anticipated debut album, ‘Gedankentempeln’, on CD format.

Seltsame Erden hail from the medieval town of Marburg, Germany. The band was founded in 2019 by vocalist / guitarist L (concurrently of morbid Death Metallers Nekus), and soon the lineup was completed by fellow comrades G and J (Into Coffin, Putridarium). Their first release, the ‘Turmfall’ EP, followed in 2021 as well as a few hand-picked live performances. Sticking to the Teutonic Black Metal template of being steadfastly traditional and low-profile (or at least no-frills or unassuming), Seltsame Erden surely honored their native idiom with a stout, surging style of Black Metal that’s now fully blossomed on their debut album.

Titlted ‘Gedankentempeln’, Seltsame Erden’s first full-length was once again recorded in their remote bunker, deep in Hessian woods. As such, the austere and heavily hypnotic swarm of sound Seltsame Erden present here strikes against modernity and other prevailing trends in the “Black Metal” scene. While the authentically ’90s-rooted atmosphere touches upon the medieval, more so do the power-trio push their onrush of crush toward the minimal-is-maximal splendor of earliest Inquisition, Ondskapt, and even Maniac Butcher: movements of subtlety, detail, and plainly stated POWER. However, the production itself – all recorded, mixed, and mastered by (((CYPHX-AUDIO))) – elevates Seltsame Erden to their own plateau populated by few, so mysteriously ethereal yet palpably physical is ‘Gedankentempeln’. The cover artwork by Belial NecroArts vividly illustrates this unique dichotomy.

Perversely “progressive” in its red-eyed regression, Seltsame Erden prove with that ‘Gedankentempeln’ that Black Metal’s “second reckoning” at the dawn of the new millennium was not lost upon newer generations. The next thousand years are theirs!

More info: Seltsame Erden; Chaos Records;

Throat's debut EP is poised for release by Primitive Reaction: "the 'Blood Exaltation' collection stands as a terrifying testament to Throat's eldritch Black Metal horror..."

December 12, 2023

On February 9th, 2024 internationally, Primitive Reaction is proud to present a special collection from Poland’s Throat, ‘Blood Exaltation’, on CD format.

Hailing from the always-vibrant Polish Black Metal scene, Throat are miasmic morbidity personified. While so many of their domestic contemporaries honor the paradigmatic sounds of the Temple of the Fullmoon, Throat instead mine a wider, wilder style of Black Metal that looks both east and south. Theirs is a clanging, crunching sound that variously nods to Necromantia, Mortuary Drape, Hungary’s Tormentor, early Samael, and fellow Polish iconoclasts Cultes des Ghoules: catacombed, ancient, unsettling.

To date, Throat released the debut demo ‘New Flesh Nectar’ in 2020 on the esteemed Fallen Temple label, and now conspire with Primitive Reaction to add that portentous recording with a new EP titled ‘Blood Exaltation’. Totaling four tracks in 33 minutes, the ‘Blood Exaltation’ collection stands as a terrifying testament to Throat’s eldritch Black Metal horror: a bridge from the past to the present, scorched by fires unknown but reeking of delirium-inducing sulfur all the same. The potency of the two-song ‘Blood Exaltation’ EP presents the trio in their current sonic incarnation, more gutted and (s-l-o-w-l-y) grinding, a protracted spelunk among shapeshifting landscapes whereby throat, strings, and skin chafe together in a vulgar manner. The earlier ‘New Flesh Nectar’ demo displays Throat at their most atmospheric; partially due to the distant recording, partially due to more wide-open spaces they were sowing, the two songs on this introductory recording nevertheless retain a palpitating creepiness, particularly when they drop the tempo down to a tribal trudge – an element they’d explore further on this collection’s namesake recording. Shed thy skin for this Blood Exaltation!

More info: Throat; Primitive Reaction;

Massacre inks deal with Agonia Records : "In my opinion this is a refreshing reminder that you can remain true to the spirit of underground metal music and not rely on catering to trends in be relevant."

December 8, 2023

American Death Metal legends Massacre (established in 1984) have signed a record deal with Agonia Records for the release of the band’s 5th studio album, which is currently being worked on by frontman/vocalist Kam Lee (ex-Mantas, ex-Death, Bone Gnawer, The Grotesquery), original bassist Mike Borders, returning guitarists Rogga Johansson (Paganizer, Rib Spreader, Megascavanger) & Jonny Pettersson (Wombbath, Heads for The Dead) and new drummer Jon Rudin (Just Before Dawn, Heads for The Dead, Dehumanaut).

Massacre mastermind Kam Lee commented: “I have to say it’s pretty cool to be signing with Agonia Records. The same label that bands like Pestilence, Rebaelliun, Demonical, Pathology, plus so many other killer Death and Black Metal bands call home. Looking at their roster you can see this is a label that’s dedicated to keeping to the core of pure underground metal bands and acts. In my opinion this is a refreshing reminder that you can remain true to the spirit of underground metal music and not rely on catering to trends in be relevant. This opinion is one that also resonates in my own philosophy about Massacre, one that keeps me on point at keeping the band focused on remaining true to the style and sound that is pure old school Death Metal, and I personally think that Agonia Records is the perfect choice of a label that shall allow Massacre a place to maintain that status. I look forward to the future together, and I am excited for the fans to be able to look forwards to the upcoming new album to be released by the label.”

Formed in 1984, Massacre started out as a heavy/power metal band, but changed its style to Death Metal with the joining of Allen West and Kam Lee; the latter is often credited for inventing the ‘death growl’ – first heard on the band’s 1986 demo ‘Aggressive Tyrant’ – and is considered an influential pioneer as far as the Death Metal genre is concerned. The group went through several personnel shifts and disbandments over the years, with its early line-up toggling between Massacre, Mantas (early Death) and Death. Their 1991 debut album ‘From Beyond’ was recorded at the famed Morrisound Studio and featured amongst ‘The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time’ by Rock Hard Magazine in 2005.

Massacre recorded three more albums to date, including 1996’s ‘Promise’, 2014’s ‘Back From Beyond’ and – most recently – their 2021’s triumphant return album, aptly named ‘Resurgence’. They were released on Earache, Century Media and Nuclear Blast records, respectively. The band continued their comeback with the follow-up ‘Mythos’ EP, their self released collection album ‘Corpus Umbra’ (consisting of previously self released single tracks), and the unavoidable digital-only release of live tracks called ‘Submergence: Live Beyond 2019’.

The present-day line-up features original starting members Kam Lee and Mike Borders, alongside previously mentioned Rogga Johansson, Jonny Pettersson and Jon Rudin; jointly considered by Kam as the recording line-up, who is directly creating and writing new material. The band also features a separate session line-up (for live performances only), which consists of Carlos Gonzalez (Grim Reality) on guitars, Elden Santos (Druid Lord) on drums and, until recently, Tony Blakk (Druid Lord) on bass. ‘I refuse to be pigeon holed into what some people may perceive a band to be. As long as the members are productive musicians willing to do their part and perform their duties then I am fine with having revolving door line ups.’ – Kam has been noted saying.

Kam is once again working together with his writing partners to bring new Massacre material to the forefront of the band for an all new album and new releases to come.

More info: Massacre; Agonia Records;

Merrimack and Season of Mist to unite again to unleash new album: "...an aural journey where grotesque assemblies of roosters and goats languish at the foot of heavens"

December 7, 2023

Merrimack are back with their new release, “Of Grace of Gravity”. The 3rd release on Season of Mist, after the re-print of their long sold-out debut “Ashes of Purification” and the sizeable impact that “Omegaphilia” left of the Black Metal scene.

Merrimack can be categorized as extreme traditionalists that are driven by a burning desire to hone their skills and striving to bring their art to perfection. The band was founded by guitarist Perversifier a.k.a. Amfortas in 1994 with a clear vision to keep the Black Metal flame burning as an act of aesthetic terrorism – as adamantly based in the underground as opposed to any attempts to co-opt, commercialize or turn the style into a self-parody. Introduced by a number of demo recordings (‘Prologue’ – 1995, ‘Act 1’ – 1995, ‘Horns Defeat Thorns’ – 2001) and split releases (with Hirilorn in 1998 and Sargeist in 2002), the French gained respect in the scene by remaining true to their words.

Although Merrimack decided to reach out to a larger audience with the release of their first full-length ‘Ashes of Purification’, the Parisians did not sever their roots with the underground at any time. With the following albums, ‘Of Entropy and Life Denial’ (2006) and ‘Grey Rigorism’ (2009), Merrimack closed ranks with the most influential, active, and authentic acts of the French Black Metal scene. Their classic combination of harsh sound with epic structures appealed to critics and fans alike and put the band on their celebrated first US tour with Marduk and Nachtmystium in 2009.

After recording ‘The Acausal Mass’ (2012) in the legendary Necromorbus Studio (Watain, Deströyer 666) again, Merrimack embarked on a European tour with Norwegian icons Mayhem and accepted invitations to prestigious festivals such as Hellfest in their native France, Germany’s Party-San Open Air and Summer Breeze as well as Montreal’s Messe des Morts in Canada. With their latest album, ‘Omegaphilia’, Merrimack were breathing fresh life into an exhausted genre. While ignoring epithets such as progressive, post-, and avant-garde, the French focused on razor-sharp songwriting, captivating melodies, and close to perfect arrangements.

The ensemble now presents their latest album ‘Of Grace and Gravity’, an aural journey where grotesque assemblies of roosters and goats languish at the foot of heavens. Wallowing guitars and hypnotized passages of blasting drums collide with gravity-bound atoms in oblivious occlusion. Merrimack, in their enigmatic mastery, expose the futility of belief in occult ministries and slashes at the mask of the sky. The listener, questioned in their faith of the shadows and occult idols. Dare believe in the sulfurous whispers echoing through this blackened masterpiece.

More info: Merrimack; Season of Mist Underground Activists;

Kvlt is primed to unveil Nocturnal Sorcery's second album: "'Captive in the Breath of Life' is about as authentically mid '90s Black Metal as you'll currently find in that clogged underground."

December 4, 2023

On February 9th, 2024 internationally, Kvlt is proud to present Nocturnal Sorcery’s highly anticipated second album, ‘Captive in the Breath of Life’, on CD format.

Despite forming in 2011, it wasn’t until August 2022 when Nocturnal Sorcery made their full-length debut. Fittingly titled ‘The Holy Law in Total Ruin’, Nocturnal Sorcery’s debut album in no uncertain terms laid forth a fiery-yet-freezing path for these Finns: paradigmatic Finnish BLACK METAL, but harkening to the ancient fires of the ’90s rather than more millennial expressions of such. Granted, the band by then were hardly “new” – prior, they’d done two demos and a split – but ‘The Holy Law in Total Ruin’ scorched Nocturnal Sorcery’s name into the Black Metal underground.

Now, a year and a half later, Nocturnal Sorcery return to torch that path once again with ‘Captive in the Breath of Life’. As doubtlessly presaged by its throwback cover artwork, ‘Captive in the Breath of Life’ is about as authentically mid ’90s Black Metal as you’ll currently find in that clogged underground. The rudiments are largely the same – because, after all, Black Metal doesn’t need to “be” anything other than what it already is – but here do Nocturnal Sorcery dial back the melodicism for a quicker-hitting blast of ice-cold, hateful hypnosis. As such, the song lengths aren’t as epic as its predecessor and the ripped-raw execution is even more palpitating, but the sum effect is utterly stultifying: arguably more so than ‘The Holy Law in Total Ruin’, ‘Captive in the Breath of Life’ fully sounds like some unearthed gem from 1995, cryogenic and rotting but boundlessly potent.

Nostalgic ears will paradoxically be warmed by ‘Captive in the Breath of Life’, while all others will cower when faced with these filthier spells of Nocturnal Sorcery. The line in the snow has been drawn, deeper than ever! To celebrate this reckoning, the band will perform an album-release show on February 10th in Vantaa, Finland with Poland’s Arkona and fellow Finns Black Beast and White Death.

More info: Nocturnal Sorcery; Kvlt;

Invictus Productions proudly announces the impending arrival of Hasturian Vigil's debut album: "A veritable bounty of Black Metal, the Riddle of Steel draped in sensuous obsidian."

December 3, 2023

Invictus Productions is proud to present Hasturian Vigil’s striking debut album, ‘Unveiling the Brac’thal’, on CD and vinyl LP formats on the 24th of february 2024.

Formed in the Dimension of Chains, with cosmic chaos and deathmagick, Hasturian Vigil seek to relinquish mortal ignorance with their brand of Black Metal, inspired by Mortuary Drape, Absu, Mercyful Fate, Negative Plane, and Zemial as well as a dose of classic Heavy Metal. Both familiar and foreign, the resultant four-song ‘Unveiling the Brac’thal’ debut album comprises 33 minutes of epic, archaic splendor – labyrinths of majesty & malice that scourge the mind and body with equal relish. You want riffs? There are RIFFS. You want leads? There are LEADS. What about mystery and mysticism? Tons. A veritable bounty of Black Metal, the Riddle of Steel draped in sensuous obsidian.

Indeed, the Irish two-piece walk their own path across ‘Unveiling the Brac’thal’, conceptualizing an entirely original mythos, inspired by authors such as Lovecraft, Machen, Lord Dunsany, and Yeats. This “Yith-Melle” mythos is embraced with their fascination for cosmic dread, deranged pantheons, and unspeakable curses! Thus, the power-duo of Cxaathesz and Shygthoth strike both as guides and teachers, torches ablaze with illumination almost incomprehensible to mere mortals. Prepare for the preachings of Hasturian Vigil!

In the scriptures of mortal men, there exists a pallet of stars and flesh…
Yith-Melle, the dimension of chains…
Where the resonance of deathmagick spurted the cosmic architect, decorated in a million eyes and teeth…
The creator of plague and torment…
A crack in the world has opened…
To unveil the Brac’thal…

More info: Hasturian Vigil; Invictus Productions;

Purity Through Fire ready to release debut album of Úlfarr: "In effect, 'Orlegsceaft' undeniably sounds OLD(e), like a long-lost recording from 1995 given undead life through ghostly means."

November 28, 2023

Purity Through Fire is proud to present Úlfarr’s highly anticipated debut album, ‘Orlegsceaft’, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

Since 2011, Úlfarr have stood for uncompromising, antisocial UK black metal – or, under their own banner of Cumbrian Black Metal. Helmed by Dominus, AKA Hrafn – who counts the equally prolific Thy Dying Light amongst his activities, as well as fellow labelmates Nefarious Dusk and Morte Lune – Úlfarr released a handful of demos, a couple splits, and most uniquely, a couple live albums before their debut mini-album, ‘Hate & Terror – The Rise of Pure Evil’, in 2019 and then another mini-album, ‘The Ruins of Human Failure’, two years later. Most recently, they released a split album with fellow UK horde Malfeitor. Across these caustic recordings, Úlfarr stoked the fires of old – namely, classic Craft, Darkthrone, Mayhem, One Head One Tail, and Death Cult.

Now Úlfarr return with a revamped lineup and a revamped sound on their long-awaited debut album, ‘Orlegsceaft’. Joining Dominus here are erstwhile Exvoidxist / Forvitnast vocalist Játvarðr, Helvellyn’s Burns on bass, and Malfeitor maiman Nosdrahcir on drums. As no doubt forecasted by its title, ‘Orlegsceaft’ is written almost entirely in Old English, and most suitably do Úlfarr shift gears toward a grim & ancient style of black metal. Whereas their sound of yore spit forth a hateful primitivism both punkish and headbanging, this older & bolder Úlfarr take that hate toward more desolate and hypnotic ends; atmosphere is heightened, ghoulish and GRIM in aspect. In effect, ‘Orlegsceaft’ undeniably sounds OLD(e), like a long-lost recording from 1995 given undead life through ghostly means. It’s still recognizably Úlfarr, but their attack cruises more cooly here and the vocals of Játvarðr raise the hackles with full-throated terror. And fucking RIFFS forever!

Against the modern world, more than ever, Úlfarr take UKBM back to the dark ages with ‘Orlegsceaft’.

More info: Úlfarr; Purity Through Fire;

Unaussprechlichen Kulten finishes 6th album, Iron Bonehead Productions ready to release 'Häxan Sabaoth': "For however "pure" and primordial Unaussprechlichen Kulten's Death Metal is, there's' daresay a newfound grace across 'Häxan Sabaoth'..."

November 27, 2023

Iron Bonehead Productions is proud to present Unaussprechlichen Kulten’s highly anticipated sixth album, ‘Häxan Sabaoth’, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

By now, Unaussprechlichen Kulten require little introduction. For nearly 25 years, this Chilean cult have built a commanding canon of eldritch Death Metal DARKNESS. From their early demos to later splits and especially their preceding five full-lengths – not least of which, 2014’s ‘Baphomet Pan Shub-Niggurath’, 2017’s ‘Keziah Lilith Medea (Chapter X)’, and 2019’s ‘Teufelsbücher’, all released by Iron Bonehead to widespread critical acclaim – Unaussprechlichen Kulten have explored the furthest reaches of primordial dread and ancient mysticism, all through pure ‘n’ authentic Metal of Death. That their vision has only become more intense and mesmerizing, after so many years (and when so many bands sputter to obsolescence), is some strange magick indeed…

Witness ‘Häxan Sabaoth’. Both a culmination of their characteristic aesthetic and a whole new, supernatural twist upon it, ‘Häxan Sabaoth’ sees Unaussprechlichen Kulten fusing clanging angularity with haunting atmospherics, delirious chaos with eerie melodicism, epic narrative with primal crush – essentially, an extrapolation (and intensification) of seemingly polar opposites. And yet, through that same strange magick, the Chileans conjure a tableau that’s undeniably their vastest and most violent to date. Riffs and rhythms pound and mutate with hypnotic ease, breaking down the listener’s will; momentum becomes slipstreaming, with dread sounds bubbling up from every crevasse of this abyss; motifs then flicker with frightening clarity before disintegrating into something equally dread-inducing. For however “pure” and primordial Unaussprechlichen Kulten’s Death Metal is, there’s’ daresay a newfound grace across ‘Häxan Sabaoth’ – malodorous and miasmic, yes, but it effectively lends an airiness to what’s already an exceptionally dense & dissonant foundation. Likewise, the considerably cleaner production ably intensifies the atmosphere with no sacrifice in physicality. That the cover art manages to capture this whole dichotomy is surely no accident.

Many words could (and should) be written about this accomplishment, but the short of it is that Unaussprechlichen Kulten here have daringly raised an impossibly high bar. ‘Häxan Sabaoth’ is their grandest achievement yet, and guaranteed to be one of this decade’s defining Death Metal tomes.

More info: Unaussprechlichen Kulten; Iron Bonehead Productions;

Memento Mori eager to release new Necrotum album: "...undeniably fierce and punishing, but technical in a creepy and oft-slimy way."

November 25, 2023

In their endless quest to push and support current underground acts that perpetuate the odor of vintage Death Metal, on January 22nd, 2024 internationally, Memento Mori is proud to present Necrotum’s highly anticipated third album, ‘Defleshed Exhumation’, on CD format.

Hailing from Romania, the rancid entity known as Necrotum was initiated by mainman Filip Garlonta (Putred, Demoted, Vorus) in Brasov, back in 2019. Despite the fact that the band has only been around for four years, Necrotum have already produced an impressive output, including two albums and a number of shorter releases, getting tighter, danker, heavier, and more macabre over time, drawing inspiration from the likes of early Cannibal Corpse, Incantation, Wombbath, Broken Hope, and Grave among others, with the sole intention of perpetuating ghastly, downtuned, no-frills DEATH fuckin’ METAL.

While it would be expected (and celebrated) if Necrotum stuck to those rancid guns, on their forthcoming third album, ‘Defleshed Exhumation’, do they become slicker and yet more twisted – tighter but also wilder, and perhaps more “evolved”….very relatively speaking! Because make no mistake, Necrotum are staunchly (and sickly!) Death Metal of a most ’90s vintage, but whereas their preceding full-lengths could be slotted within the pantheon of early ’90s Death Metal, ‘Defleshed Exhumation’ takes a concerted path toward mid or even late ’90s Death Metal. Think the likes of Monstrosity, Broken Hope, Mortal Decay, and especially Deeds of Flesh and pre-breakup Suffocation: undeniably fierce and punishing, but technical in a creepy and oft-slimy way. Not for nothing is the cover art created by Slimeweaver! Of especial note is the production on ‘Defleshed Exhumation’: this is about as slick and clean as you can get whilst retaining the core darkness and horror of classic Death MetaL; if anything, those superlatively sharp edges only make that darkness & horror hit harder. Stomp in the slime and twist down into its depths with Necrotum!

More info: Necrotum; Memento Mori;

Cryptworm are back with second album: "Packing a punch of putrescence, Cryptworm's annihilating grooves and offal-drenched soundscapes fit the nastiest niches of Death Metal’s darkest depths."

November 11, 2023

On December 15th internationally, Me Saco Un Ojo Records – in conspiracy with Pulverised Records and Extremely Rotten Productions – is proud to present Cryptworm’s highly anticipated second album, ‘Oozing Radioactive Vomition’. Me Saco Un Ojo will handle the vinyl release, Pulverised the CD version, and Extremely Rotten the cassette tape.

Following the huge success of their debut album last year, Cryptworm are back with its follow-up, promising to be another rancid affair of true Death Metal abhorrence…

Packing a punch of putrescence, Cryptworm’s annihilating grooves and offal-drenched soundscapes fit the nastiest niches of Death Metal’s darkest depths. Their new record instantly picks up where the previous left off, with the fetid filth spraying forth from every element. The riffs bounce like a corpse being molested in the dead of night while the pulverizing drums punish with equally sadistic force. Gruesome vocals spew atop these instrumental violations, and altogether, the sound on ‘Oozing Radioactive Vomition’ contort into the most hostile and hideous vision from the band to date.

Each mangled moment will have you feeling quite unwell with the disgusting delivery as unrelenting as you should already expect, being that any real Death Metal lover will already be engrossed in the grotesque sounds of Cryptworm by now. Their new offering injects even more fury and unpleasantries into the already crushing sound they had carefully built, taking things even further into the abyssal murk of the underground for all real maniacs to revel in the molten rot on display. If the song titles such as ‘Miasmatic Foetid Odour’ and ‘Engulfed by Gurgling’ don’t already give you an idea of what to expect, then allow your ears to fall victim to the sonic suppuration of Cryptworm’s most malformed release to date…

More info: Cryptworm; Extremely Rotten Productions; Me Saco un Ojo Records; Pulverised Records;