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

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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.

 

Irae and Signal Rex announces new EP: “…’Promiscuous Fire’ is simply 23 minutes of timeless, medieval darkness…”

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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!

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…”

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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!

Invictus Productions and The Ajna Offensive present new Necromaniac album: “Necromaniac’s first full-length is everything its weighty title promises…and more!”

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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!

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

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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.

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”

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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.

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

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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.

Mavorim recorded their fifth album and is ready for release: “…’In Omnia Paratus’ sees a stridently cleaner, more martial Mavorim.”

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Purity Through Fire is proud to present Mavorim’s highly anticipated fifth album, ‘In Omnia Paratus’, on CD, A5 digipack, double-LP vinyl, and cassette tape formats.

By now, the name Mavorim should be more than familiar to those who follow the crimes of Purity Through Fire. Since the band’s formation in 2014, mainman Baptist has restlessly and relentlessly pursued his stark, austere style of Black Metal, resulting in four full-lengths and seven other shorter-length works. In just a decade, Mavorim have come to define – and influence – the new breed of German Black Metal that hearkens back to the old guard: Teutonic to the bone, harsh and harrowing yet heralding triumph.

Following a busy 2023 – the release of fourth album ‘Ab Amitia Pulsae’, plus Purity Through Fire unearthed four full-length demos dating back to 2017, all of which directly preceded their ‘Silent Leges Inter Arma’ debut album – Mavorim return with ‘In Omnia Paratus’. Picking up where its predecessor left off – Baptist’s subtle-yet-concerted integration of keyboards and other synth sounds, which altogether added an exceptionally dynamic contour to otherwise-straightforward aggression – ‘In Omnia Paratus’ sees a stridently cleaner, more martial Mavorim.

It’s a tradeoff that works in spades: the usually quick-galloping pace feels even more breathless and bravado-laden, and the synths swirl with even-more-magickal mysticism, still very much a secondary element but a crucial one nevertheless. As such, Baptist’s riffing feels fierier and airier simultaneously, a paradoxically ice-cold swoosh of heated hatred; the sharp ‘n’ taut drumming underpinning it all keeps a comparable clarity, making this one of the nastiest “clean” Black Metal records around. Which is all to say that Mavorim’s content is consistent, righteously and remarkably so, even if the form becomes more refined. And it all comes to a dramatic climax in ten-minute closer “der letzten Sonne Untergang,” which is not to be missed. Bavaria über alles!

Purity Through Fire ready to release Vspolokh’s third album: “Their alternately surging / swaying attack is more muscular than ever, with that physicality taking on a nearly world-eating aspect at times.”

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Purity Through Fire is proud to present a worldwide edition of Vspolokh’s third album, ‘Mertvozem / Мрьтвоземъ’, on CD and A5 digipack formats.

Formed back in 2004, what Vspolokh lack in quantity of recordings, they ably make up for in quality of vision. In the ever-vast field of Russian Black Metal, Vspolokh stand strong, maintaining the triumphant-yet-tragic element so endemic to the best quarters of that scene whilst just as equally evincing a patiently plied style of songcraft that’s consistent with their judiciously spare discography.

Purity Through Fire released Vspolokh’s debut album, ‘Печаль о прошлом’, in 2010 and then two well-regarded splits in 2013 and 2014, respectively. Alas, silence ensued until 2020, with the release of ‘Помре’. Thankfully, no great changes were made to their rigorous aesthetic – strident physicality but never overly exerted, a subtly hummable melodicism that never wanders near the saccharine, a view toward epic constructions without any bloat – and now they continue that still-extended trajectory with their third album, ‘Mertvozem / Мрьтвоземъ’.

Originally released in the Russian market this November, ‘Mertvozem / Мрьтвоземъ’ is arguably Vspolokh’s strongest work to date. Their alternately surging / swaying attack is more muscular than ever, with that physicality taking on a nearly world-eating aspect at times. Those moments of aggression are strategically deployed, delivering sweet release – or vice versa – after the spiraling segments of bittersweet beauty, betraying all the bloody tragedy spilled on Russian soil over so many centuries. Everything moves with almost monk-like patience, but that slow-burn movement is mesmerizing no matter the tempo. Laid upon a framework of utterly huge production, ‘Mertvozem / Мрьтвоземъ’ irrevocably recasts Vspolokh as a unique sort of pagan Black Metal that’s somehow modern – and plausibly, powerfully so.

Sixth album of Membaris to be released by W.T.C. Productions: “Tellingly titled, ‘Black Plasma Armour’ is a fever-dreaming screed of kaleidoscopic aggression.”

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On January 21st, 2025 internationally, W.T.C. Productions is proud to present Membaris’ highly anticipated sixth album, ‘Black Plasma Armour’, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

Forming in the dark, fateful days of 1999, Membaris have long been a lingering force within Germany’s oft-overlooked Black Metal underground. From the band’s very first demo in 2002 onward, Membaris have kept their feet firmly rooted in Black Metal’s foundational second wave, but always with an eye to expand upon that noble firmament. Reverence is key, as is passion, and the seamless, unselfconscious combination of both has become a hallmark of Membaris.

In that cursed year of 2020, Membaris emerged from the shadows after eight years with ‘Misanthrosophie’. Despite the darkness of the times, founding members Obscurus and Kraal unleashed a torrent of Technicolor Black Metal majesty – at the time, Membaris’ strongest full-length work to date…until now, with ‘Black Plasma Armour’.

Tellingly titled, ‘Black Plasma Armour’ is a fever-dreaming screed of kaleidoscopic aggression. Membaris waste no time kicking into the album, with the title track leading off proceedings – surging, spiraling, askew – before dazzling shapes outside the mien of Black Metal begin to come into recognition. Always shifting, forever churning, breathlessly passionate, the six stout tracks comprising the 44-minute record go many, MANY places as themes and textures flow into and out of each other. Each one is as memorable as the last, often hanging upon a yearning / desperate hook or crest of beautiful annihilation; it’s almost as if each climax is not enough, that another is right over the brink. Membaris’ execution – searingly tight and yet recognizably human – lifts these creations higher / deeper, penetrating body and soul with a power that’s blanching. As the slipstream of ‘Black Plasma Armour’ continues, it’s almost alarmingly easy to lose sight that this is, in fact, a Black Metal record: no compromise, but no boundaries. And as the closer ‘Onwards to the Last Blink of Reason’ races to its cathartic conclusion, it’s a fitting summation of the journey just experienced and the next to begin, ad infinitum.