CONQUEST ICON COUNTRY: POLAND
GENRE: BLACKENED DEATH METAL
NeKronos Promotion is Proud to present the band of the NeKroWeek CONQUEST
ICON (Polish Blackened Death Metal), they are another impressive band for
adepts of an old fashioned death black metal combo. Demolishing and powerful
their sound is causing already impact in local metal scene!
Show your support and share this info to all your metal brotherhood if you like what you have heard!
Conquest Icon was found in late 2009 by Andy Blakk (ex-Pyorrhoea,
Suicide Circle) and Empherion (Empheris, Hellish).
Band, supported by Imp from Saltus, started to work on debut album
in November 2009 and in April 2010 “Hellspire” was finished. Album was
mixed and produced by Andy Blakk (drums and vocals were recorded in
KPD Studio; guitars and bass were recorded in ABH Studio).
Music on “Hellspire” is an old school blackened death metal.
Album was released by 16th of July 2010. CDs are available through band's site
http://conquesticon.org/
After releasing debut album "Hellspire", band takes no rest. In August
2010 the lineup was completed and band started to work on the material for the
split "We Are The Ancients" (split is shared with Empheris, Wraith,
Necroist and Purifier). Split is soon to be released.
In May 2012 co-founder and band's vocalist, Empherion, decided to leave
the band due to personal reasons. He was replaced by Ronve. Current
lineup is following.
NOCTEM COUNTRY:
SPAIN
GENRE: BLACKENED DEATH METAL
NOCTEM RELEASE THEIR OWN BEER ENTITLED "A CRUCE SALUS"!
[2017.07.26]
Spain most extreme band,
NOCTEMhave just released their own been by the title of "A Cruce
Salus". A hell brewed blonde ale. High fermentation, visually appealing
characterized by 3 different kinds of Malt and 2 different kinds of hop plant
elaborated in HELL!
So what are you waiting for? Buy it through the bands Big Cartel with
Worldwide Shipping!!!
NeKronos Promotion is Proud to present the band of the NeKroWeek, they are
BLACK ALTAR, a killer Polish Terrorizing Black Metal band, respected and
worshiped on the underground of darkest metal forms! One of the best Polish examples of Black Metal and a reference in the genre!
Show your support and share this info to all your metal brotherhood if you like what you have heard!
In the darkest abyss of chaos where time and space are impenetrable, Black
Altar came into existence. It took its earthly shape during blasphemous
Sabbath in the Night of Walpurgia Anno Bastardi 1996, when it was summoned by
the voice of Shadow. He, as the first guardian of Black Altar,
have started an unholy crusade, thus awaking fear and pain among the
hypocritical and hideous christian lambs.
The first stroke into their rotten system of values was a demo entitled "Na
Uroczysku..." which gained a special recognition among several groups of
listeners. It was recorded by Shadow in 1997 at Selani Studio with the
help of Doc, Vader's drummer, in the role of a music engineer and drums
programming. Released under Shadow's own label - Odium Rec., the
first issue of 500 copies was sold out rapidly, making the name of Black
Altar very popular in Poland and in other countries as well.
Where were many musicians involved, however none of them stayed long because
they could not meet Shadow's high musical and ideological requirements.
The turning-point came in the end of 1999 when two new musicians, who just like
Shadow had shown boundless devotion to the Black Metal Art, joined the
band.
In December 2000 a new, long-awaited EP entitled "Wrath ov the Gods" was
recorded. Although all the compositions included were rather old, this record
presented a new and more full-fledged face of the band. The EP was released in
2002, once again, by Odium Rec., this time as a limited to 666 copies
hand-numbered with blood split CD with promising band Vesania. In 2003
Odium Rec. re-released "Wrath of the Gods" in the form of limited to
500 copies, hand-numbered with corpse blood, 7" EP.
In September 2003 at Selani Studio Black Altar recorded their debut album
entitled "Black Altar". It was a great improvement in the development of
the band. All the compositions show an enormous potential of Black Altar.
The new hymns are still more extreme and more technical. They reveal the unknown
regions of Black Metal - an Art destined for the privileged. "Black
Altar" was mixed and mastered at Studio X. For the track "Fire
ov Immortal Self" a professional video was recorded. In April 2004 the
material is released in the form of CD and a gate-fold LP by the German
Christhunt Productions. Odium Rec. releases a limited to 666 copies
hand-numbered with corpse blood cassette version of "Black Altar".
After releasing the debut album Shadow parts with his musicians and as of
that moment Black Altar became a one-man band.
In 2006 WarKult Prod from Peru released remastered version of Black
Altar "Wrath ov the Gods" (with 4 bonus tracks) as split,slip case cd, with
Nebular Mystic (Nor).
In October 2006 Black Altar finished, at very good Studio X, record
session of their second album called "Death Fanaticism". It's a killer
Black Metal Holocaust! This unholy Masterpiece ov Black Art was unleashed as cd
in March 2008 under the wings of Odium Rex and as gatefold Lp version by
Antichristian Front Rec from Spain.
In July 2010 Black Altar recorded tracks for mini album “Suicidal
Salvation” and for split Black Altar/Varathron/Thornspawn.
In January 2013 Black Altar / Varathron / Thornspawn split was finally
unleashed by Odium Records as jewel case cd version, as a deluxe gatefold
vinyl limited to 350 copies on black and to 150 copies on clear vinyl by
Floga Rec/Hellsfire Rec from Greece. Moreover digi book A5 version will be
released about February via Black Saw Prod (Mex) and BlackDeath Coven (USA)
and tape version, limited to 140 copies in cardboard box via RawBlackKult
Prod from Bolivia! There are 3 new tracks of Black Altar +intro and
outro.
In October mini album "Suicidal Salvation" was unleashed by German
Darker than Black as a digi pack and Lp (in 2014). The album includes songs
originally intended for the split with Shining
Next release of Black Altar will be a split with Beastcraft (Nor)
HATE TO RELEASE
"LORD IS AVENGER" CLASSIC ON VINYL! [2017.07.19]
Polish extreme metallers
HATE's old school gem "Lord Is Avenger" will be released on
Vinyl!!!
Recorded in November 1997, originally released in 1998 by Novum Vox Mortis.
Now remastered version with a fresh layout by Piotr Kurek. More details
to be announced soon!
BELPHEGOR
COUNTRY: AUSTRIA GENRE: DIABOLICAL DEATH BLACK METAL ART
BELPHEGOR REVEAL REMAINING EUROPEAN TOUR DATES FOR THE »TOTENRITUAL« CRUSADE
2017! [2017.07.21]
Diabolical Death/ Black Metal troop BELPHEGOR have just
revealed their remaining European Tour dates for the "TOTENRITUAL" Crusade!
Supporting bands on this festival tour will be a billing of dangerous acts from
the current Death/ Black Metal scene such as ENTHRONED, DESTRÖYER 666,
NERVOCHAOS and NORDJEVEL. The raid will kick off September 28th in
Copenhagen, Denmark at Pumpehuset and conclude October 21st in
Vienna, Austria at Szene. Join us!!
28.09.2017 - DEN - Copenhagen, Pumpehuset 29.09.2017 - GER - Dresden, Puschkin 30.09.2017 - NL - Amstelveen, P60 01.10..2017 - NL - Apeldoorn, Gigant 03.10..2017 - GER - Erfurt, From Hell 04.10..2017 - GER - Berlin, SO36 05.10..2017 - GER - Oberhausen, Helvete 06.10.2017 - BEL - Bruges, Het Entrepot 07.10.2017 - BEL - Marbehan, Bois-Des-Isles 08.10.2017 - UK - London, The Dome 10.10.2017 - UK - Glasgow, Audio 11.10.2017 - UK - Newcastle, The Riverside 12.10.2017 - IRE - Belfast, Limelight 2 13.10.2017 - IRE - Dublin, Voodoo Lounge 15.10.2017 - FR - Paris, Gibus Live 16.10.2017 - FR - Grenoble, L'ilyade 17.10.2017 - FR - Marseille, Jas' Rod 18.10.2017 - CH - Lucerne, Konzerthaus Schüür 19.10.2017 - IT - Brescia, Circolo Colony 20.10.2017 - AUT - Graz, Explosiv 21.10.2017 - AUT - Vienna, Szene
BELPHEGOR RELEASE DIGITAL SINGLE AND
LYRIC VIDEO!!
Couple days ago diabolical death tyrants BELPHEGOR have
released their debut new single entitled 'BAPHOMET'. Push play and crank
your speakers to the max:
https://youtu.be/ugX0T2yi20s
'BAPHOMET' is a track off the upcoming, highly-anticipated eleventh BELPHEGOR record
entitled »TOTENRITUAL«, which will be released on 15th September,
worldwide!
XXXICKEN
PARTY - DEATH / GRIND FEST 2017 Dias 21 a 23 de Julho 2017 - Sexta-Feira a Domingo -
Local: Rex Club - Cantanhede - Portugal
BANDAS // BANDS:
CEPHALIC CARNAGE [USA] + SCD [FR] + INHUME [NL] + DEAD [DE] + MILKING THE
GOATMACHINE [DE] + CRANIOTOMY [SK] + GRUESOME STUFF RELISH [ES] + SERRABULHO
[PT] + NECROVILE [RO] + CUMBEAST [FI] + SLAMENTATION [DE] + MIXOMATOSIS [ES]
+ SBS [IT] + RAW DECIMATING BRUTALITY [PT] + BASEMENT TORTURE KILLINGS [UK]
+ DEAD MEAT [PT] + PLACENTA POWERFIST [DE] + RABID DOGS [IT] + BRAINCASKET [NL]
+ UNDERSAVE [PT] + VAI- TE FODER [PT] + SHORYUKEN [PT] + SODOMIZED CADAVER [UK]
+ SADISTIC EMERGENCY [DE] + ASS DEEP TONGUED [FR] + REINCARNATION [ES] +
CXBXFXIXHXFXLXFXRXE [UK] + RECTAL DEPRAVITY [CH] + NIHILITY [PT] + BURNED
BLOOD [PT]
CASAINHOS FEST
2017 Dia 26 de Agosto 2017 - Sábado -
Local: Campo Futebol S.C. Casaínhos - Loures - Portugal
BANDAS // BANDS: DEVIL IN ME + DUST BOLT (ALE) + BLOWFUSE (PT) + SWITCHTENSE (PT) + FOR
THE GLORY (PT) + GRANKAPO (PT) + DESTROYERS OF ALL (PT) + LEGACY OF CYNTHIA
(PT) + BURNED BLOOD (PT) + SOUL OF ANUBIS (PT) + NOT ENOUGH (PT)
4 e 30 de NOVEMBRO E 1 e 2 de dezembro 2017
OESTE UNDERGROUND FEST 2017 Dia 4 de Novembro 2017 - Sábado -
Local: Pavilhão Multiusos da Malveira - Malveira - Portugal
BANDAS // BANDS: ACRANIUS [GER] + RAW DECIMATING BRUTALITY "RDB" [POR] + SACRED SIN [POR]
+ DEAD MEAT [POR] + BLEEDING DISPLAY [POR] + LAPIDATED [SPA] + ENZEPHALITIS
[CH] + REVOLUTION WITHIN [POR] + STEAL YOUR CROWN [POR] + HUMANART [POR] +
RAVENSIRE [POR] + TREPID ELUCIDATION [POR] + KONAD [POR] + YAR [UKR/PT]
UNDER THE DOOM V - FESTIVAL
Dia 30 de Novembro (Dia 0) - Quinta-Feira
- Local: RCA Club -
Alvalade - Lisboa
Dia 01 de Dezembro - Sexta-Feira
- Local: Lisboa ao Vivo -
Lisboa
Dias 02 de Dezembro - Sábado
- Local: RCA Club -
Alvalade - Lisboa BANDAS // BANDS:
DAY 0 : EARTH ELECTRIC (PT) + PAINTED BLACK (PT) + WHEN NOTHING REMAINS (SWE) +
MOURNING SUN (CHI)
DAY 1: LACUNA COIL (ITA) + LIV KRISTINE (NOR) + GREEN CARNATION (NOR) + THE
FORESHADOWING (ITA) + CELLAR DARLING (CH) + INHUMAN (POR)
DAY 2: IN THE WOODS (NOR) + AHAB (GER) + NOVEMBERS DOOM (USA) + ACHERONTAS (GRE/GER)
+ GOLD (HOL) + FUNERALIUM (FRA)
FESTIVAIS DE METAL 2018
[inclui - warm-ups]
XXXAPADA NA
TROMBA - FREAK N' GRIND FEST 2018 Dias 19 a 20 de Janeiro 2018 - Sexta e Sábado - Local:
RCA Club - Alvalade - Lisboa
BANDAS // BANDS:
KATALEPSY [RUS] + EXTERMINATION DISMEMBERMENT [BLR] + GUTALAX [CZ] + GROG [PT]
+ ANALEPSY [PT] + KORPSE [HOL] + OMNIPOTENT HYSTERIA [UK] + SERRABULHO [PT]
+ BLEEDING DISPLAY [PT] + GUINEAPIG [IT] + HO CHI MINH [PT] + KALIYUGA [FR/TN]
+ BESTA [PT] + DEAD MEAT [PT] + EMBRACE YOUR PUNISHMENT [FR] + THE VOYNICH
CODE [PT] + TREPID ELUCIDATION [PT] + SHORYUKEN [PT] + BURNED BLOOD [PT]
CONCERTOS 2017
ConcertoS 2 de Setembro + 13 e 14 outubro 2017
CHAOSPHERE
FEST
HOLOCAUSTO CANIBAL + DECAYED + SACRED SIN + DISAFFECTED + SYSTEMIK VIOLENCE
Dia 2 de Setembro 2017 - Sábado - Local: RCA Club -
Alvalade - Lisboa
SKYFORGER (LET) +
GWYDION* + Guests
Dia 13 de Outubro 2017 - Sexta-Feira - Local: Cave 45 - Porto
Dia 14 de Outubro 2017 - Sábado - Local: RCA Club -
Alvalade - Lisboa
CONCERTOS 2018
Concerto 18 fevereiro 2018
THE HAUNTED - Concerto em Lisboa! RCA Club - 18 Fevereiro 2018
Os Suécos The Haunted regressam a Portugal no próximo ano.
A banda tem data confirmada para o RCA Club em Lisboa, no dia 18 Fevereiro
de 2018.
Mais informações em breve...
Notredame Productions
BELPHEGOR COUNTRY: AUSTRIA
GENRE: DIABOLICAL DEATH BLACK METAL ART
NeKronos Promotion is Proud to present the band of the NeKroWeek, they are BELPHEGOR (Diabolical Death Black Metal Art), one of the most extreme brutal bands
ever to come from Austrian lands. One of the most respected bands in their genre
and a reference of excellence in extreme metal itself!
Show your support and share this info to all your metal brotherhood if you like what you have heard!
BELPHEGOR emerges as one of the most extreme line ups to ever come out of
the death black metal scene. The band members themselves describe their hellride
as "Supreme Death/ Black Metal Art”
SEYN TODT IN SCHWARTZ
1993: The now legendary demo on Maxi Cd format, BLOODBATH IN PARADISE,
is circulated within the underground and earns BELPHEGOR the reputation
of an unrepentant, blasting war machine. 1995: The first studio album,
THE LAST SUPPER, is released on Lethal Records and is a welcomed
collection of infernal hymns for their growing fan base. Following their own
path of sin and befitting their ever-evolving anti-religious, anti-life
attitude, BELPHEGOR’s logo gets revamped to incorporate two inverted
crosses completely surrounded by blood representing the slaughter of Christians
and martyrs. 1997: Last Episode Records releases BLUTSABBATH. BELPHEGOR’s
sinister reputation continues to gain momentum.
MUSICA INFERNALIA
2000: Stagnation means death! The band spreads their disease once again
via NECRODAEMON TERRORSATHAN, logging yet another volume of blasphemy
added to The Vatican Library. 2002:BELPHEGOR celebrates their
10th anniversary by capturing a live set with songs played even faster than
their original studio recordings on INFERNAL LIVE ORGASM
(released on their own label, Phallelujah Productions).
DIE TOTEN REITEN SCHNELL
2003: Produced at Mastersound Studios, BELPHEGOR cram their
high-speed murderous brutality into the 8-track release of LUCIFER INCESTUS,
and then tour again throughout Europe. 2005: The band opts to once again
to work with Alex Krull at Mastersound to create the morbid
GOATREICH - FLESHCULT, and later shredding Europe with the infamous
X-Mass Festival and an eighteen dates headliner tour. “We don’t give a fuck
about anything and don’t let anyone talk us into doing anything. Only the music
counts!”
PEST TEUFEL APOKALYPSE
Produced, mixed, and mastered by Andy Classen at Stage One Studio
in Kassel, Germany, and featuring artwork by Seth Siro Anton
PESTAPOKALYPSE VI is, on the one hand, a concept album based on The Devil,
Pestilence, and The Apocalypse, and on the other, a lesson in infernology.
Incorporating unconventional harmonies with dynamic execution and monumentally
aggressive vocal work, its multi-language approach (the German verses in
“Bluhtsturm Erotika” are taken from the works of Marquis de Sade &
Goethe; “Sanctus Perversum” defiles the church’s monopoly on Latin)
accurately represents the infernal musical landscape BELPHEGOR
comfortably inhabits.
Accept it: our world is necessarily haunted by evil, and when the armies of the
dead return with their pestilence to annihilate the living, there will be no
better guides while traveling down the fiery road to the endless abyss of Hell
than BELPHEGOR.
BONDAGE GOAT ZOMBIE: BDSM & SATHAN 2008
With their seventh Album, suitably titled BONDAGE GOAT ZOMBIE, the Death/
Black Metal institution crushes all their previous releases! A real massacre of
pounding Death Metal and majestic, hyper fast Black Metal spread out over nine
killer songs full of diabolical possession, and pure darkness! BONDAGE GOAT
ZOMBIE is their most mature effort up to day, this time BELPHEGOR
have managed to melt ultra blastbeats and heaviness to one union.
The Fleischwerk was once again recorded in three sessions form November 2007 to
January 2008 with Andy Classen in the famous Stage One Studios in
Kassel/Germany – guarantying a smashing and powerful production.
The concept of the album is inspired by the infamous Marquis De Sade
(1740 – 1814), giving the lyrics of the album a blessed touch of Evil. As on the
last album, the vocals are held in English, German and Latin. BONDAGE GOAT ZOMBIE is once again a lesson in violence and a true
offering when it comes to crushing Metal with the extra punch in the face.
BELPHEGOR continue to keep the fucking devil and demonic spirit in Metal
music alive...
BELPHEGOR
COUNTRY: AUSTRIA GENRE: DIABOLICAL DEATH BLACK METAL ART
BELPHEGOR RELEASE DIGITAL SINGLE AND LYRIC VIDEO!! [2017.07.14]
Today, diabolical Death/ Black Metal troop BELPHEGOR have
released their debut new single entitled 'BAPHOMET' just in time for the
»TOTENRITUAL« pre-order launch. The track can be heard and watched in the
form of a lyric video over on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/ugX0T2yi20s
'BAPHOMET' is a track off the upcoming, highly-anticipated eleventh BELPHEGOR record
entitled »TOTENRITUAL«, which will be released on 15th September,
worldwide!
Helmuth comments: "This LP is the most brutally heavy offering we have
consecrated thus far, everything pushes the limits of anything we have done
before. It is highly appreciated when people enjoy our legacy, the possession,
the magick surrounding and within BELPHEGOR! 'BAPHOMET', is a
brutal neck-breaking hellride. Push play and crank your speakers to the max!!"
DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS COUNTRY: POLAND
GENRE: BLACK DEATH METAL
DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS: 1ST
TEASER FOR NEW ALBUM “THE I” AVAILABLE!
[2017.07.12]
Hailing from Poland, the epic black / death metallers of DEVILISH
IMPRESSIONS will release their new album, “The I” on September
22nd, 2017 via Lifeforce
Records. The album will be available as CD digipak, limited vinyl LP and
digital download.
Recorded at various studios, including
Dobra 12 Studio (drums) and Icaros Studio (guitars) the disc was
mixed and mastered at
Impressive-Art Studio by Przemyslaw Nowak who also handled vocals
recording sessions and guitars’ re-amping. The album’s artwork, design and
layout were created by
Infected Minds. Photo session by Robert Zembrzycki and Pawel
Kowalski of
BandPhoto
The album features special guest appearances by
MERCYFUL FATE /
KING DIAMOND’s guitarist Mike
Wead and by Norway’s dark metal masters
AETERNUS’ vocalist / guitarist Ares. Other artists who also
contributed to the record are shamanic ritual meditative experimental act
BÖN and
Impressive-Art Studio’s owner PRZEMYSLAW NOWAK who came up with
interludes, additional background tunes and effects.
“It’s been a really long way to be finally able to wrap it all up, countless
nights spent on writing the music and lyrics first, then working on the album’s
pre-production, followed by what seemed to be never-ending, proper recording
sessions, and tones of work that had to be done for the band afterwards. We
really wanted this new album to become something really special and therefore,
to avoid any haphazard decisions, we let them come out of us smoothly, without
putting ourselves under any external tension and stuff. Did it pay off? Well,
we’ll see… We surely worked our asses off, pushed things back and forth to get
the best out of it. As a result we’ve got something we are damn proud of,
something that we believe surpasses on all possible levels everything we’ve done
in the past. I simply believe we’d outdone ourselves and recorded something that
will cause your hearts beat faster…” – comments Quazarre, the band’s
composer, vocalist and guitarist.
The title chosen, “The I”, for the record is not only a phonetic acronym
of the band’s name, but above all it reflects the manifesto they stand for since
the Horde’s inception in the year 2000 – the notion of freedom of choice and
will. A supremacy of an individual over any external factors being imposed on us
by others, with special emphasis on religion and its convictions, dogmas and
paradigms. “The I” is a rebellious manifesto targeted against all those
who stand opposed to anything that drives us towards individual perfection.
CD digipak tracklisting:
01. The I 02. The Dove and the Serpent 03. Eosphoros 04. Blood Imprinted Stigma 05. Ipse philosophvs, daemon, Devs et omnia 06. Czern i Biel 07. The Fatal Messiah
Vinyl tracklisting:
01. The I 02. The Dove and the Serpent 03. Blood Imprinted Stigma 04. Eosphoros 05. Ipse philosophvs, daemon, Devs et omnia 06. The Fatal Messiah
NOCTEM COUNTRY:
SPAIN
GENRE: BLACKENED DEATH METAL
NOCTEM CONQUERING RESURRECTION FEST!
[2017.07.06]
Spain most extreme band,
NOCTEMhave done an impressive performance on the last 6th of July over
Resurrection Fest
one of the biggest metal festivals in Spain.
BELPHEGOR
COUNTRY: AUSTRIA GENRE: SUPREME DEATH BLACK METAL ART
BELPHEGOR REVEAL COVER ARTWORK OF »TOTENRITUAL«!! [2017.07.11]
On September 15th, European diabolical death/ black titansBELPHEGOR will unleash
new full-length album »TOTENRITUAL«, bringing once again “Diabolical
Death/ Black Metal“ into the world. Today, the band have revealed the cover
design. The artwork was created by Greek artist Seth
Siro Anton.
THIS FRIDAY BELPHEGOR UNVEIL LYRICAL VIDEO FOR THE FIRST SINGLE „BAPHOMET“!! Friday, 14th July BELPHEGOR unveil the
first brutal Death/ Black Metal track off the new album »TOTENRITUAL«
entitled, „BAPHOMET“. Also pre-odering will start this Friday.
Support BELPHEGOR. Share, like,
comment, spread the word!!
ZORNHEYM COUNTRY:
SWEDEN GENRE: SYMPHONIC EXTREME METAL Cover Artwork: Pedro Sena Lordigan
ZORNHEYM - "WHERE
HATRED DWELLS AND DARKNESS REIGNS"
- CD - 2017
1. The Opposed 2. Subjugation of the Cellist 3. A Silent God 4. Prologue to a Hypnosis 5. Trifecta of Horrors 6. ...and the Darkness Came Swiftly 7. Whom the Night Brings… 8. Decessit Vita Patris 9. Hestia Total Playing time: 38:00
GUESTS: Clean & oriental vocals on “A Silent God” -
Cain Cressall Guest vocals as “The Monster” on “Trifecta of Horrors" - Jonas Magnusson Boy vocals as “The Son” on “Decessit Vita Patris” - Algot Jacobson
Zornheym's Chorus Tenebris recorded and conducted by Scucca: Lars Palmqvist, Dick Lundberg, Jesper Karlsson, Adrian Lundberg, Marco Baas,
Alan McCahey, Magnus Eriksson, Christina Sand, Ingrid Lundin, Hanna Magnusson,
Margareta Odenma, Helena Widén, Frida Eurenius, Eva Eriksson.
Strings performed byDies Iona
Ensembly with konzertmeister, Petter Möller.
RECORDING/MIXING/MASTERING: Wing Studios
by Sverker Widgren [2015 – 2017] Layout and band photo by
Jens
Rydén | Comic illustrations by
Anu Bring | Zornheym logo by
Christophe Szpajdel ZORNHEYM -
Where Hatred Dwells and Darkness Reigns - 2017 -
Non Serviam
Records Genre:
Symphonic Extreme Metal
"Our darkness is learned. It is bred through an existence of hatred. But
we can fix you. Give yourself into our care. Submission is key..." ZORNHEYM
THE BAND AND THE DEBUT ALBUM: Symphonic Extreme Metal has been reborn in the cold dark lands of Sweden!
"Where hatred dwells and darkness reigns" is the name of the both ambitious
and impressive debut conceptual album of Zornheym, a band founded by the
genius mind and multi-instrumental songwriter Zorn (ex-Dark Funeral, ex-Devian, etc.)
who quickly harvest for the remaining souls to fulfil his horrid creations,
fiends like Bendler (Facebreaker,
Engulfing Rage, etc.) a singer that owns some outstanding and dynamic vocals
that can go from black/death metal vociferations/growls to clean heavy metal vocals, Angst
(Diabolical) a top quality experienced extreme metal
drummer and finally Scucca (Encrowned, etc.) a damn talented guitarist as
well as a great music composer! The plot of this conceptual masterpiece has its final destination at
Zornheim, an asylum for the criminally insane! Each of the stories to be
told on this release deals with one of the many inmates incarcerated at this
devilish place! With such a background you can easily imagine that this debut
album is allot more than just musical piece of art as it embraces a whole
new horror story concept from visual to musical experience, an impressively detailed
dramatic piece with 9 songs, *book with all comic strips (* on limited edition)
and detailed journal/clinical files from each of the Zornheim asylum
inmates which tales are to be told on this poetic horror story!
THE BAND SOUND: I can only say that
Zornheym are to extreme metal the way King Diamond
is to heavy metal. This symphonic extreme metal opera explores a wide variety of
styles within both black and death metal and the final result is beyond
impressive, an exquisite blend of scorching riffs, addictive and ear-catching
dark melodies, dramatic orchestrations and an authentic theatrical experience on
each story to be told, in all, a true delight to all our senses! Zornheym
musical experience will probably please adepts of bands as distinct as Dimmu
Borgir, Dissection, Emperor, Behemoth or even the master of horror King Diamond!
"Where hatred dwells and darkness reigns" is the final result of an
exhaustive work polished to perfection. The whole symphonic extreme metal
experience is a proof of that, something I personally long waited for and in no
way disappointed me! The whole album composition is so rich in details, so
technical and melodically addictive within its dynamic symphonic extreme metal
combination. In this camp the Chorus Tenebris choirs combined with the Dies Iona
Ensembly string orchestra conducted by Petter Möller
and ultimately the band members’ talent taken to its peak makes all the
difference! Such a colossal piece of art deserved the best audio expert to make it all come
alive, none better than the Swedish extreme metal guru Sverker Widgren of
Wing
Studios (Demonical, Diabolical, October
Tide, Etc.) to create one of his most demanding and epic productions. THE STORIES TO BE TOLD: Zornheym theatrical creations go far beyond the extreme music they play!
"Where
hatred dwells and darkness reigns" has been enriched with six gruesome
horror stories told through the nine tracks of this album, they have also been magnificently
illustrated by Anu Bring(Märvel, Evil-lÿn, Satan’s fall) who brought
Zornheym creations to light in form of comic book strips. Let me go deeper into this horrid scenario...
Zornheim is an asylum for
the criminally insane; the epicentre of all Zornheym narrative, here is
where the sinister Dr. Bettelheim operates and admits the new asylum
inmates. Well, since I don't want to become a "spoiler" I will let you go deeper on each
of the horror tales on your own, yet and to spice things up I let you know what deranged
critters you will find on each of the songs: -
"The Opposed"
and "Subjugation of the Cellist":
The gates of
Zornheim open with the
tale of a diprosopus cellist with suicidal tendencies. - "A Silent God": Tells you the tale of
an Orphanage
janitor who killed and disposed the institution orphans in a very macabre way. - "Prologue to a Hypnosis" and "Trifecta of Horrors": Tells you
a
tale of a split
personality orphan raised by a paedophile priest. - "...and the Darkness Came Swiftly" and "Whom the Night Brings…":
Tells
you the tale of
a devoted church
cantor and her haunting dreams at night. - "Decessit Vita Patris": Tells you the tale of
an alcoholic father
who tried reassemble his dead son back to life using several other children as a
vessel for his means. - "Hestia":
To finish
this graphic novel we have the tale of an unknown woman victim of a mob burning
with a damn aggressive behaviour! ... And with it, the gates of Zornheim
close till new horrid tales are to be told!
DEEPER INTO THE ALBUM: "Where
hatred dwells and darkness reigns" is allot more than just a musical
experience, it's in fact a whole new "horror meets metal" experience that will
make you jaw drop and yearn for more... and more! Musically this album is quite impressive, having several musical layers all put
together in this grandiose piece of symphonic extreme metal art, the more you
listen to it the more enriching details you will find! The whore structure with
songs, intros and outros shall keep you captive to the whole piece, making you go
deeper into the horror scenario painted in each song. The melodies are superb
with such outstanding solos, choirs and orchestrations! Such delightful morbid
creations that easily captivates you! My own personal
favourite songs are "The Opposed"
(the powerful videoclip track), "A Silent God", "Trifecta of Horrors", "Whom the Night Brings…"
and "Decessit Vita Patris", their strength, catchiness and melody
are something else! The
virtuous guitar solos and demonical riffs by Zorn and Scucca, the
amazing vocal reach of Bendler, his variants from clean vocals to extreme
vociferations are quite outstanding, the technical percussion by Angst and the ear catching choirs
and orchestrations are beyond
impressive forcing you to listen to this songs and album again and again, yet
it's an easy task since I still I can't find one bad song on this whole piece.
THE CONCLUSION: The debut album of
Zornheym is part of a long time ambitious and colossal work crafted by extreme dedication and
devotion by all the band members and guests! Zornheym brings Symphonic extreme metal into a
whole new horror cinematic concept, a work of true excellence! In fact, this has
been the whole master-plan growing inside Zorn's mind once he departed from
Dark
Funeral at a time his genius was eager to embrace a more demanding metal
experience who could satisfy properly his creative mind! The final result is without any doubt a whole
new and fresh experience to ones senses! Just check... together with each song we a comic book strip and detailed medical
journal with the whole story behind each demented inmate of Zornheim
asylum! What more can we ask for in such times where extreme metal music
industry is so damn saturated and monotonous!? In my opinion this is the best and most addicting symphonic extreme metal album
I heard in years!
In all "Where
hatred dwells and darkness reigns" will shake traditional extreme metal
grounds, making you eager for future endeavours of this band! This is the
rebirth of Symphonic extreme metal... without a doubt, the best 2017 album of the genre!
"... In the end of each listening you might feel as if you are already part of
this horror scenario! You might ask yourself if you are still sane!? Or are you
already ravaging your way into Zornheim asylum?"
