BLACK ALTAR - Reveal music video for "Sacrilegious Congregation"! Pre-Orders Start!

BLACK ALTAR
COUNTRY: POLAND
GENRE: BLACK METAL


[Photo by Artur Tarczewski]

BLACK ALTAR REVEAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR  "SACRILEGIOUS CONGREGATION"! PRE-ORDERS START!
[2021.11.23]

Black Metal demonical force BLACK ALTAR have just released their new music video for "Sacrilegious Congregation" from the upcoming split with mighty VULTURE LORD to be released by Odium Records in January 2022.

The band comments: "This song is a tribute to old Black Metal scene. Share it like a Plague!"

Check "Sacrilegious Congregation" music video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eboQyLH0wKs





"Deathiah Manifesto" Tracklist:
1. Black Altar - Intro
2. Black Altar - Sacrilegious Congregation
3. Black Altar - Nyx
4. Black Altar - Outro
5. Vulture Lord - Dominios of Death
6. Vulture Lord - Hark! The Hymns of War
7. Vulture Lord - Bloodstained Ritualknives
8. Vulture Lord - Usurper, Thy Name is Death

"DEATHIAH MANIFESTO" PRE-ORDERS:
Also pre orders have started. You can pre order de luxe 11 panels digi pack in the shape of inverted cross and Lp versions of the album at:
www.odiumrex.com/webshop and www.odiumrecords.bandcamp.com

Musicians of Vader, Mork and Enshadowed has taken part in BLACK ALTAR part of the split. Cover art was done by Jenglot Hitam.

It will be released around January 2022 as an LP and digipack cd. Split contains 8 songs, including intros done by Ludo “Evil” Lejeune. One song from VULTURE LORD is still with vocals recorded by Nefas.




MORE ABOUT BLACK ALTAR AT:
OFFICIAL SITE: HTTPS://WWW.BLACK-ALTAR-HORDE.COM/
FACEBOOK PROFILE: http://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BLACKALTAR

BOOKING / CONTACT: SHADOW666@INTERIA.PL 

LABEL:
WWW.ODIUMREX.COM
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ODIUMREX
WWW.ODIUMRECORDS.BANDCAMP.COM
WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/ODIUMREC

Band of the NeKroWEEK - BLACK ALTAR - Poland - Black Metal

BLACK ALTAR
COUNTRY: POLAND
GENRE: BLACK METAL



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!


The videoclip for "Sacrilegious Congregation" from the new split with Vulture Lord (NOR) entitled "Dethiah Manifesto"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eboQyLH0wKs




MORE ABOUT THE BAND @ THIS LINKS:
OFFICIAL SITE: HTTP://WWW.BLACK-ALTAR-HORDE.COM 
FACEBOOK PROFILE: http://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BLACKALTAR

BOOKING / CONTACT: SHADOW666@INTERIA.PL 


UPCOMING RELEASE:



"DEATHIAH MANIFESTO" DETAILS!

Black Metal demonical force BLACK ALTAR together with their label Odium Records announces a split with the Norwegian black/thrash masters VULTURE LORD - “Deathiah Manifesto”.

It will be released around October as an LP and digipack cd. Split contains 8 songs, including intros done by Ludo “Evil” Lejeune. One song from VULTURE LORD is still with vocals recorded by Nefas.



Musicians of Vader, Mork and Enshadowed has taken part in BLACK ALTAR part of the split. Cover art was done by Jenglot Hitam Artwork.


[Shadow photo by Artur Tarczewski - 2021]

The band comments: "You can expect nothing less but pure hate, bestiality and devotion to old black metal ideals from these black metal veterans."

PRE-ORDER:

Soon over: www.odiumrex.com/webshop

BLACK ALTAR BIOGRAPHY

Anno Bastardi 1996
​
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.

1997
​
The first stroke into their rotten system of values was a demo entitled "Na Uroczysku..." (On a secret place..) which gained a recognition among several groups of listeners. It was recorded by Shadow in 1997 at Selani Studio with the help of Doc (RIP), Vader's drummer, in the role of a music engineer. Released under Shadow's own label - Odium Rec., the first issue of 500 copies was sold out rapidly, making the name of Black Altar popular in Poland and in other countries as well.

2003/2004
​
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. The new hymns are still more extreme and more technical. "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 released a limited to 666 copies hand-numbered with corpse blood cassette version of "Black Altar".

2006
​
After releasing the debut album Shadow parts with his musicians and as of that moment Black Altar became temporarily 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 record session of their second album called "Death Fanaticism".

2008
​
2nd album “Death Fanaticism” was released on cd by Odium Records.

2009
​
On 2009 Antichristian Front Rec (Spa) released “Death Fanaticism” on vinyl, limited to 500 copies.

Night Birds Records (Ukr) released „Death Fanaticism” tape version limited to 300 copies and Propaganda Records (Ukr) pro tape limited to 666 copies.

​​On October 2009 7 Gates Rec (Pol) released digi pack A5 version of „Death Fanaticism” album, limited to 500 copies. First 100 with a t-shirt.

2010
​
On July 2010 Black Altar recorded tracks for mini album "Suicidal Salvation" and for the split Black Altar/Varathron/Thornspawn during the same session.

2013
​
On January 2013 Black Altar / Varathron / Thornspawn “Emissaries of the Darkened Call” split was finally unleashed by Odium Records as a jewel case cd version and 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, the A5 digipack was released via Black Saw Prod (Mex) and BlackDeath Coven (USA) and a tape version limited to 140 copies in cardboard box via RawBlackKult Prod from Bolivia. There were 3 new tracks of Black Altar + intro and outro.
​
Also mini album “Suicidal Salvation” was released by Darker Than Black Records on digipack cd.

2017
​
Gefandi Ör Andlät and Daemonum Subeunt, both from Ondskapt, joined Black Altar.

Split with Beastcraft was released by Odium Records on digipack cd, Lp, wooden box (limit to 50) and by Blackwood Prod (Uk) on tape limited to 100 copies. Videoclip for “Tophet” song was shot with the participation of James Stewart (Vader), Acerbus (Ondskapt), V. Priest (Acherontas) and Sorath Northgrove (Beastcraft).

2018
​
Gefandi Ör Andlät and Daemonum Subeunt left Black Altar.

2019
​
Compilation of “Suicidal Salvation” mini album and Black Altar songs taken from the split with Varathron / Thornspawn was released by Odium Records as digipack, Lp and wooden box. Also Legions ov Darkness (UK) unleashed cdr wooden box limited to 66 copies and tape limited to 100.

Re-edition of the debut album “Black Altar” was released by Odium Records on digipack and Wooden Box (limited to 20 copies) with new mastering and layout.

​2 songs for the split wth Kirkebrann was recorded.

2020
​
Black Altar is preparing for the first concerts in it’s history.

THE WAR GOES ON...

HATE - Rugia - [2021] - Album Review by NPH - Rate 10/10

HATE
COUNTRY: POLAND
GENRE: DEATH BLACK METAL
ALBUM REVIEW: RUGIA [2021]
LABEL: METAL BLADE RECORDS



HATE - "RUGIA" - 2021 | Tracklist:
1. Rugia
2. The Wolf Queen
3. Exiles of Pantheon
4. Saturnus
5. Awakening the Gods Within
6. Resurgence
7. Velesian Guard
8. Sun of Extinction
9. Sacred Dnieper
[Release Date: 2021-10-22]

ORDER "RUGIA":
www.metalblade.com/hate

RECORDING LINEUP:
ATF Sinner – vocals, guitars
Domin – guitars
Nar-Sil – drums
Tiermes – bass

Guest Musicians:
Michal Staczkun - Ambient Elements

---

PRODUCTION/RECORDING:
"Rugia" was recorded, mixed and mastered by the Wieslaski Brothers (Behemoth, Decapitated) over the Hertz Studios.

---

ART DETAILS:

Daniel Rusilowicz : Artwork and Photos



HATE - RUGIA - 2021 - Metal Blade Records
Genre: Death Black Metal

"(...) “Drink from the source
From the fountain of grace
Drink from the vein
From the fountain of silence!
A warning sent as thunder from beyond
To smite the mortals' golden hubris
Cything through the land of morbid ones
Crushing all the race
As you ram your sword through their guts” (...)"  | HATE | Rugia | "Rugia"

RUGIA = An island of northeast Germany in the Baltic Sea. Separated from the mainland by a narrow channel, it was seized by Denmark in 1168, passed to Pomerania in 1325 and to Sweden in 1648, and became part of Prussia in 1815.

THE BAND AND NEW ALBUM:

Mighty Polish blackened death cultists HATE has released their twelfth full-length album entitled "Rugia", one of the best and most addictive creations made by the band to the date! Barbaric, ritualistic and full of mysticism, "Rugia" is an authentic roaring thunder of ancient glory.
Once again, the band has been inspired by ancient Slavic myths and legends and brought forth one of their most solid, mature and detailed death black metal pieces ever done the date. With "Rugia" HATE have created a very own primordial and ritualistic music experience that transcends the typical death meets black metal approach, providing its adepts one of the best listening experiences of its kind!

HATE are one of those bands that never disappoint their loyal fans, combining death and black metal elements in a perfect symbiosis, a proof of countless years of experience and perseverance! Not to forget that HATE are true extreme metal veterans which been one of the biggest influences over the forming of Polish metal scene back in the nineties. The band founded by the vocalist, guitarist and mastermind ATF Sinner has brought to us death black metal classics such as "Awakening of the Liar", "Anaclasis", "Erebos", "Solarflesh", etc. and still, to this date, they can't stop blowing our minds with authentic extreme metal masterpieces one after the other, notoriously HATE are a band at its peak and don't stop surprising us, the listeners, with their music. HATE are without a doubt on a level of their own!

"Rugia" takes the band one step forwards from the already amazing "Auric Gates of Veles" album, which had been one of their most aggressive and ruthless pieces ever created. Never satisfied, two years since the last album release the band has returned with an even more impressive and grandiose creation, a true shamanic ritual of epic proportions created by the genius of ATF Sinner, Domin who has proven to be an essential and inventive member in the core of the band, contributing with amazing guitar leads and riffage in general. The incursion of new blood was the main source of vitality that has enriched the forging of this new album sound and essence. Tiermes who is a great bass player has earned his permanent member status on the band and Daniel "Nar-Sil" Rutkowski has conquered the drum-kit throne after the departure of Pavulon due to medical issues. "Nar-Sil" known to be one of the most talented and creative Polish young metal drummers has been highly responsible for a huge step forward on the new album sound, he has done a brilliant and elite level work here. "Rugia" brings the band allot closer to their classical death metal roots, with it HATE have recovered allot of their traditional death metal sound and aggression which was now once again combined with some ritualistic black metal elements which enhance the band creations to an absolute new level!

Ruthless and straight forwards, "Rugia" combines once again the darkest aspects of the Slavonic folklore within all its arcane mysticism and blends it together with some of the most scorching and demolishing death black metal sound we have heard in years! Listening to this album feels like a thunderous hammer smashing down in an ancient anvil of everlasting creation! The gods of nature's primordial elements have been summoned!

HATE are one of those bands that refuse stagnation, within each new album the band elevates their standards and take their sound into the next level, this is what happened once again with "Rugia". Proving that HATE are without a doubt one of the highest and most innovative representations of extreme metal of these days! The band has gone deeper into the dark side of Slavic lore, both musically and lyrically and brought forwards one of the best death black metal albums ever created, in all aspects this new album is another step forwards in their already long career! 
"Rugia" is one of those albums that get you hooked since the very first listening, expect no softness; this new album will surely please the old fans of the band and set another milestone on the bands already glorious legacy! Expect no other than a deep mystic darkness in a ritualistic atmosphere associated with an authentic devastation of epic proportions, all of this in a perfected recipe of hate, chaos and sonic destruction!

Once again, the recordings and production has taken place in the famous at Hertz Studio (Behemoth, Vader, Decapitated, etc) by Wieslawski brothers together with the band and the outcome couldn't be better in any aspect. "Rugia" sounds impressively organic and dynamic defining the band sound at it's possible best, no wonder the band decided to work again in the same studio with the same people, the outcome is simply outstanding, jaw-breaking and brilliant in all possible aspects. Another milestone for the Hertz Studio, because death black metal can't sound much better than this amazing piece of art!

"Rugia" cover art, photos and artwork done by Daniel Rusilowicz take you to the dark side of Slavonic mysticism, a greatly achieved art creation full of symbolism, deeply attached to the roots and beliefs of the ancient Slavic culture. An awesome art-work to match the grandiosity of the album itself!

TRACK-BY-TRACK:

"Rugia" is a monumental piece of death black metal, organic and deep into the Slavic myths and legends. HATE have once again been inspired by the enriching mystical roots of their own country ancient culture; an essence born within themselves as Polish! Savagely aggressive this relentless album has no lesser stunning tracks. Intense in all its length, this is an elite extreme metal piece of art!

Out from the misty roots of Slavonic darkness the opening title track "Rugia" introduces the listeners to HATE renewed demolishing sound, like a hammer striking metal in a forging anvil this thunderous track ignites the heathen flames and keeps the wheel of life turning. Aggressive and brutal this track comes down as an ancient roaring thunder. The power inducted by the mystic blackness is beyond amazing, it takes you deep into the rituals that took place in that sacred island (Rugia/Rügen) for the Slavic pagans. "Rugia" is without a doubt one of the best tracks of this amazingly intense piece of extreme metal,

"The Wolf Queen" is one of the most brutal tracks of the new album. This is a highly addictive short but intense classical death black metal track, straight forwards a frenetic. A delight to any adept of this genre!
Once again, the vicious guitar leads are piercing deep into the already tortured ears!

"Exiles of Pantheon" is another fast track where you can easily associate with the many faces of the traditional Polish death black metal art, deep and obscure but in the same way brutal and fierce! By listening to this song, you should feel a higher might of mystical pagan roots in a clear display of extreme metal supremacy, death black metal can't sound much better and more intense than this!

"Saturnus" is a sinister and slower but in no way less intense song, its pounding rhythm makes this track to become a true "head-banger"! "Saturnus" is another harsh death metal classic where gut slashing aggressiveness takes over the lurking blackest atmosphere!

All hell breaks loose once again, the "Awakening the Gods Within" is another straight forward flammable song charged with a deep dark essence! Another scorching delight for the true adepts of this musical genre!

"Resurgence" is a timeless epic hymn that combines the best of both worlds, the fierce and demolishing death metal sound with the most ritualistic black metal essence. An ode to Slavic pagan religious beliefs, myths and rituals in a resurgence of that ancient wisdom! Impossible to be indifferent to the might and mystic charge over this ritualistic song which is in my opinion one of the best among this distinctive and exceptional album!

"Velesian Guard" is another addictive and classic "head-banging" death black metal anthem, straight forwards and brutally fast! A sign of clear perseverance and prosperity after all these years in the field, like every good wine, the older the better and HATE are still at their peak of creation and the proof lays on each track of this album!

"Sun of Extinction" is another slower track that goes deeper into the roots of their heathen origins. A ritual of life and death as the wheel keeps on turning on this constantly changing world. Sinister and decadent, this song reveals a darker side of HATE creations in a clear sign of the constant sound evolution which allows the band to venture into limitless fields of creation without losing their quintessence.

"Sacred Dnieper" is another unceasingly intense dynamic track that ends up this destructive journey across this sonic Armageddon! It's amazing how the band keeps such intensity and creative freshness after all these years. Harsh and frostbitten darkness takes over as the album ends, leaving no one indifferent to this clear display of death black metal dominance!

THE CONCLUSION:

"Rugia" is in all aspects a devastating piece of fierce death black metal art from the beginning to its end, without a doubt one of the best offers of its kind ever created.
It's amazing how the band continues to make such exceptional creations at this stage of their already long career, at this point, the majority of the bands are living of their names, more than being able to bring anything solid out. Instead of being dull and redundant HATE keep their creative geniality fresh in a constant whirlwind of inventive recreation, undoubtedly the new album "Rugia" is a master-class of death black metal that reinforces, once again, that Poland is without a doubt one of the leading countries on this extreme metal field!
After 30 years of existence HATE are still able to deliver one of their most Intense and addictive death black metal creations to the date, a clear sign of perseverance and geniality of ATF Sinner who is without any doubts a true legend in the Polish extreme metal scene, responsible for keeping the band alive and well through all this years (the good and the bad). Where others might have quit, he kept the flame burning and never stop developing HATE sounds in a constant evolution.
The band might be living the peak of their long career with this new album "Rugia", proving with it that death black metal can't get much better than this colossal creation... or can it?! With HATE we never know what may come next!
For now, we wait and see... meanwhile, let's listen again and again to this outstanding piece of extreme metal masterpiece in all its glory! Sit down and enjoy the one which is in our opinion the best death black metal album of 2021!

HATE IS THE LAW!


RüPä - NeKronos Promotion HELL

RATE: 10/10


VIDEOS:

"Exiles of Pantheon" : Music Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCjOzrrcIag



"Resurgence" : Music Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvHPGPSbq5I



"Rugia": Audio Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UhhoJ5-k24




MORE INFO ON HATE OVER THE FOLLOWING LINKS:
OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PROFILE: HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/HATEOFFICIAL 
INSTAGRAM: HTTP://WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/HATEOFFICIAL
TWITTER: HTTP://WWW.TWITTER.COM/HATEBAND
YOUTUBE CHANNEL: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/HATEPOLAND 

BOOKING / CONTACT:
THE FLAMING ARTS AGENCY
info@theflamingarts.eu

OFFICIAL MERCH STORE:
https://hate.animate-records.com/

Band of the NeKroWEEK - NIRNAETH - France - Black Death Metal

NIRNAETH
COUNTRY: FRANCE
GENRE: BLACK DEATH METAL



NeKronos Promotion is Proud to present the band of the NeKroWeek, they are NIRNAETH. An awesome band born in 2001 on French soils who combine black and death metal with all the right dose of darkness and aggression! Their music is organic, morbid and intense!
Show your support and share this info to all your metal brotherhood if you like what you have heard!

The new videoclip for "The Crater" from the latest album "From Shadow to Flesh" :
https://youtu.be/og4HfMa9r0o

Artwork done by Vincent Fouquet / Above Chaos

"From Shadow to Flesh" tracklist
1. Dying of the Day
2. Been There Before
3. The Crater
4. Cursed
5. In Nomine Ego
6. Nihil in Me
7. Once a Shadow
8. Possession
9. Forgotten and Chained

ORDER NOW:
ORDER THE CD AT THIS LINK: HERE :
DIGITAL: https://malpermesita.bandcamp.com/album/from-shadow-to-flesh


MORE ABOUT NIRNAETH AT THIS LINKS:
OFFICIAL SITE: HTTP://WWW.NIRNAETH.COM
FACEBOOK PROFILE: HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/OFFICIALNIRNAETH
YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/c/NirnaethOfficial
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/nirnaethofficial/ 
BOOKING / CONTACT : MUTILL@NIRNAETH.COM 

NIRNAETH BIOGRAPHY

2001 : I Am Nothing But A Cry In A Chaotic Torment
Mutill (guitars) and Malaria (bass) decided to create a Metal band with their most extreme influences : Morbid Angel, Immortal, Lord Belial, Dissection, etc.

2002 : I Become Flesh
Yamaël (drums) joined the band, followed by Zig (screams) a few time later. The band choose the name ‘Nirnaeth’ for its epic and poetic dimensions : ‘Nirnaeth Arnoediad’ is the name of a battle in Tolkien’s universe and means ‘eternal tears’.

2004 : Nothing But Ashes
After some first gigs 'Nothing But Ashes' emerged. This self produced demo contains 4 titles which already carry with them what characterizes the music of Nirnaeth : an organic structure articulated around devastating riffs with dark melodies and themes dealing with pain and madness.

2006 : May Their Martyrs Suffer Once And For All
‘Thrown Athwart The Darkness’ has been released on label Great Dane Records. Recorded at Midnight Studio, this first album exposed the horde to the extreme metal scene. The album title was taken from a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley.

2008 : The Horns Resound
Laboga Amps endorsed Mutill, alongside musicians from bands like Motorhead, Behemoth, Annihilator, Hate Eternal, etc.

2009 : It Lieth, Gazing On Midnight’s Sky
‘Splendour Of The Abyss’ was released on label Great Dane Records. Recorded once more at Midnight Studio, this album met very good reviews and allowed the band to multiply gigs.

2015 : Fire Gave Me A New Face
Vagorn replaced Yamaël on drums. The year ended with a participation at the second edition of the Gohelle Fest (Obituary, Rotting Christ, ...).

2016 : None Can Control It
The label Kaotoxin released 'Dramatis Personae', a split 7"EP with bands Azziard and Nirnaeth. A video clip produced by BullDogProd has been made for 'Nihil In Me'.

2017 : None Can Possess It
Marbas joined the band as second guitar player, allowing the band to explore new ways of creation. The third album, entitled 'From Shadow To Flesh', was produced in 3 studios : drums were recorded at Psykron studio by Phil Reinhalter, guitars and screams at Aeternal Studio by Mutill and finally mixing and mastering were done by Deha at Forbidden Frequencies Studio.

2018 : From Shadow To Flesh
A deal is signed with Malpermesita Records. 'From Shadow To Flesh' will be released in september 7th 2018. It's a concept album dealing with possession, from 2 perspectives. Cover was made by Above Chaos. First 500 copies are limited hand numbered digipack.
 

Band of the NeKroWEEK - HATE - Poland - Death Black Metal

HATE
COUNTRY: POLAND
GENRE: DEATH BLACK METAL



NeKronos Promotion is Proud to present the band of the NeKroWeek, they are HATE (Death Black Metal), without a doubt one of the best expressions within their musical genre! This band had a tremendous influence over forming Polish metal scene in the nineties!
Show your support and share this info to all your metal brotherhood if you like what you have heard!

Check the videoclip "Exiles of Pantheon" from the new album "Rugia" out now via Metal Blade Records: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCjOzrrcIag




MORE ABOUT HATE AT THIS LINKS:
OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PROFILE: HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/HATEOFFICIAL 
INSTAGRAM: HTTP://WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/HATEOFFICIAL
TWITTER: HTTP://WWW.TWITTER.COM/HATEBAND
YOUTUBE CHANNEL: HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/HATEPOLAND 

BOOKING / CONTACT:
THE FLAMING ARTS AGENCY
info@theflamingarts.eu

OFFICIAL MERCH STORE:
https://hate.animate-records.com/


"RUGIA" DETAILS:


[Album artwork by: Daniel Rusilowicz]

Rugia track-listing
1. Rugia
2. The Wolf Queen
3. Exiles of Pantheon
4. Saturnus
5. Awakening the Gods Within
6. Resurgence
7. Velesian Guard
8. Sun of Extinction
9. Sacred Dnieper

ORDER "RUGIA":
www.metalblade.com/hate

FORMATS:
- digipak-CD
- 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
- white / black burst vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 300 copies)
- red / black splatter vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 200 copies)
- blood splatter vinyl (EMP exclusive – limited to 200 copies)
- silver / black splatter vinyl (EU exclusive – limited to 200 copies)
- silver / black marbled vinyl (US exclusive)



No one combines death and black metal quite like Poland’s HATE. With unflinching viciousness and a sense of atmosphere unique to the band, on Rugia, their twelfth full-length, they push the boundaries of their craft even further. “It was clear to me that it should build upon and evolve from our previous record, ‘Auric Gates Of Veles’ (2019), both musically and lyrically. However, every Hate record stands as a separate journey, and never twice to the same place. You never know exactly where it will lead you,” states vocalist/guitarist ATF Sinner, who has led the band since 1991. Fresh blood in the band’s line-up also helped contribute to Rugia‘s unique sound. Pavulon (drums), who had played with the band since 2014, was forced to step down from the band due to serious health issues. The band tapped Nar-Sil (Neolith, Virgin Snatch, Embrional) to take his place. “Working with a new drummer this time around was a fascinating experience for me. Nar-Sil’s technique and presence are quite different from Pavulon’s, and that definitely comes across. I believe we managed to construct a refreshing new chapter to our discography, composing nine truly sinister onslaughts of pure rage.”

The band elected to once again track the album in the Hertz Recording Studio in Poland, and it was recorded, mixed and mastered by the Wiesłaski Brothers (Behemoth, Decapitated). Everything was laid down over about two to three weeks, with longtime collaborator Michał Staczkun providing the ambient elements of the band’s sound. The only struggle came about at the mixing stage, where the final character of the record emerges. “Here we encountered many problems, contradictory visions too. The producers had their own idea for the overall sound, which differed from what I had in mind, so we were trying to find a good compromise and it took us a few months.” Given how strongly the personality of the record shines through, it is safe to say that the compromise reached was definitely in its best interest, standing as perhaps the best sounding record in the band’s long career. Hate is also celebrating thirty years of activity with Rugia, Sinner affirming he is as driven as ever. “Well, the fire is still burning! I’m proud that I have built a band with such strong energy, that’s lasted for a long time in spite of numerous line-up changes and obstacles in our way. We are still here and we create with ever growing consciousness and dedication. The energy speaks through us. Honestly, I think of the band as something much bigger and more profound than the individual people involved in it over any given period of time. I believe we create a channel for energies that surpass us.”




HATE BIOGRAPHY

No one combines death and black metal quite like Poland's Hate. With unflinching viciousness and a sense of atmosphere unique to the band, on Rugia, their twelfth full-length, they push the boundaries of their craft even further. "It was clear to me that it should build upon and evolve from our previous record 'Auric Gates Of Veles' (2019) both musically and lyrically. However, every Hate record stands as a separate journey, and never twice to the same place. You never know exactly where it will lead you" states vocalist/guitarist ATF Sinner, who has led the band since 1991. Fresh blood in the band's lineup also helped contribute to Rugia's unique sound. Pavulon (drums), who had played with the band since 2014, was forced to step down from the band due to serious health issues. The band tapped Nar-Sil (Neolith, Virgin Snatch, Embrional) to take his place. "Working with a new drummer this time around was a fascinating experience for me. Nar-Sil's technique and presence are quite different from Pavulon's and that definitely comes across. I believe we managed to construct a refreshing new chapter to our discography, composing nine truly sinister onslaughts of pure rage."

Writing for Rugia commenced shortly after Auric Gates of Veles was released. However, Hate soon began to tour extensively in support of their then new opus, and the production of new music was put on the back burner. But come 2020 and the COVID pandemic, the band's touring plans with Belphegor and Suffocation were abruptly cut short. With this unexpected infusion of free time, the band decided to buckle down and finish writing the material they were working on.

Sinner and Nar-Sil were joined by Domin on lead guitar and Tiermes on bass, who played with the band live since 2018, to complete the lineup. "Although I wrote the riffs, main arrangements and lyrics, we all worked on what you hear on Rugia. We put the pieces together and re-arranged fragments as a team. Our albums are always a collective effort and Rugia was no different," asserts Sinner. Sound-wise, they were mainly inspired by nineties extreme metal, both black and death, and they wanted to keep their sound as organic as possible. Warts and all. "It sounds quite harsh, very dynamic and unrestrained. It also has a strong ambient element to it that emphasizes the material's tone and dark atmosphere. The rhythm section is more death metal influenced this time around, which harkens back to our roots. You could say that most of the songs on this album are 'pagan death metal' - a combination of epic riffs and ferocious blasting rhythms." One thing that might come as a surprise to fans is the manner in which Sinner uses his voice, which is a lot more sophisticated than on previous records. "I tried to make my voice sound at three different timbres, or even different people behind the microphone. Sometimes the voices are combined together, sometimes they are more like separate vocal lines. I wanted to build this enriched narrative, and at our shows, I think Tiermes will help me with some of the vocal lines to bring that effect to a live surrounding."

Lyrically, the album sees the band continue to delve into the depths of Slavonic mysticism. "Generally, all the songs on the album are dedicated to the ancient Slavic world - great migrations, wars, battles, and the struggle for survival. But there is also a philosophical level to it, which is very important. Slavic mythology is a collection of universal stories touching upon fundamental issues that we all encounter in our lives. Therefore it is a frame that allows me to write about contemporary problems that I encounter myself from a different perspective. Along the way, I discovered my pagan soul and I encourage people to do the same. I think everybody has this deeper, more profound identity based on understanding our unity with nature, something that goes beyond all the civilizations we have built." The album title is taken from the archaic name of a German island on the Baltic Sea now called Rügen. In ancient times, Rügen or Rugia, was a site of holy pilgrimage to the pagan Slavic people. It was the very heart of the western Slavic faith, housing the fabled stronghold of Arkona. The album is at its core a tribute to Rugia and its tribes and the culture they created.

The band elected to once again track the album in the Hertz Recording Studio in Poland, and it was recorded, mixed and mastered by the Wiesłaski Brothers (Behemoth, Decapitated). Everything was laid down over about two to three weeks, with longtime collaborator Michał Staczkun providing the ambient elements of the band's sound. The only struggle came about at the mixing stage, where the final character of the record emerges. "Here we encountered many problems, contradictory visions too. The producers had their own idea for the overall sound, which differed from what I had in mind, so we were trying to find a good compromise and it took us a few months." Given how strongly the personality of the record shines through it is safe to say that the compromise reached was definitely in its best interest, standing as perhaps the best sounding record in the band's long career. Hate is also celebrating thirty years of activity with Rugia, Sinner affirming he is as driven as ever. "Well, the fire is still burning! I'm proud that I have built a band with such strong energy, that's lasted for a long time in spite of numerous lineup changes and obstacles in our way. We are still here and we create with ever growing consciousness and dedication. The energy speaks through us. Honestly, I think of the band as something much bigger and more profound than the individual people involved in it over any given period of time. I believe we create a channel for energies that surpass us."


Photo credit: Daniel Rusilowicz

Hate line-up:
ATF Sinner – vocals, guitars
Domin – guitars
Nar-Sil – drums
Tiermes – bass


COMPLETE DISCOGRAPHY

ALBUMS:
Deamon Qui Fecit Terram, 1996
Lord is Avenger, 1998
Cain's Way, 2001
Awakening of the Liar, 2003
Anaclasis – A Haunting Gospel of Malice & Hatred, 2005
Morphosis, 2008
Erebos, 2010
Solarflesh – A Gospel of Radiant Divinity, 2013
Crusade:Zero, 2015
Tremendum, 2017
Auric Gates of Veles, 2019
Rugia, 2021


VIDEO ALBUM:
the Litanies of Satan, 2004


COMPILATIONS:
Evil Decade of Hate, 2000
Gateways To Hell: Tribute To Slayer, 2000
Holy Dead Trinity, 2001


DEMOS:
Abhorrence, 1992
Evil Art, 1994
The Unwritten Law, 1995


EPS:
Victims, 1999

ZORNHEYM - The Zornheim Sleep Experiment - [2021] - Album Review by NPH - Rate 10+1/10

ZORNHEYM
COUNTRY: SWEDEN
GENRE: SYMPHONIC EXTREME METAL
ALBUM REVIEW: THE ZORNHEIM SLEEP EXPERIMENT [2021]
LABEL: NOBLE DEMON RECORDS



ZORNHEYM - "THE ZORNHEIM SLEEP EXPERIMENT" - 2021 | Tracklist:
01. Corpus Vile
02. An Evil Within
03. Dead Silence
04. Keep The Devil Away
05. Slumber Comes In Time
06. Black Nine
07. The Veiling Of Bettelheims Eye
08. The Revelation
09. Keep Cutting
10. The Madness That Lurks Within (Epilogue)
[Release Date: 2021-10-22]

ORDER CD, LP & MERCH:
HTTPS://ZORNHEYM.BANDCAMP.COM/
https://music.nobledemon.com/zornheym

RECORDING LINEUP:
Zorn - Guitars
Scucca - Guitars and Backing Vocals
Bendler- Vocals
Steve Pygmalion - Drums

The Zornheym String Quartet:
Karin Liljenberg Månsson - Violin
Matilda Brunström - Viola
Monika Gango - Cello
Alan McCahey - Double bass

Zornheym’s Chorus Tenebris recorded and conducted by Scucca and Bendler:
Richard Andersson, Alan McCahey, Lars Palmqvist, Anette Gunnarsson, Frida Matsdotter, Karin Edstrand and Eva Eriksson

All bass on this album was written and performed by Zorn.
Synths and samples by Zorn and Scucca

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PRODUCTION/RECORDING:
Recorded, mixed and mastered at Wing Studios by Sverker Widgren with Zorn between 2019-2021

Produced by Sverker Widgren and Zorn

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ART DETAILS:

Cover art by Pedro Sena - Lordigan
Cover concept by Bendler and Zorn
Photos, layout and booklet design by: Jens Rydén
Zornheym’s logo by Christophe Szpajdel



ZORNHEYM - The Zornheim Sleep Experiment - 2021 - Noble Demon Records
Genre: Symphonic Extreme Metal

"(...) “Welcome to the depths below,
Settle in to your new home,
Such sights to show you…
Bring them in, let’s begin, seal the door!
No sleep! You’ll remain awake;
That’s the aim of the experiment
Endure this for 30 days
You will have prevailed” (...)"  | ZORNHEYM | The Zornheim Sleep Experiment | "Corpus Vile"

THE BAND AND THE NEW ALBUM:

Swedish Symphonic Extreme Metallers Zornheym have returned, 4 years after the release of the brilliant debut album "Where Hatred Dwells... and Darkness Reigns", the wait sure was more than worthy, as the band has surely outdone themselves and brought forth their new conceptual album and horror story to be told over the "The Zornheim Sleep Experiment". This is an absolute magnum opus of its kind, an authentic maelstrom of terror combined with the most creative and grandiose symphonic extreme metal experience you might have heard, ever! I dare to say that "The Zornheim Sleep Experiment" is the best and most ambitious album of its kind I've ever heard; I know it's a bold statement but this horror meets symphonic extreme metal grandiose conceptual and theatrical masterpiece deserves all the credit and recognition. Why? Because it is That Good and Unique!

Zornheym is Stockholm (Sweden) based symphonic extreme metal band that has been founded and led by the multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Zorn who is known for his previous work with bands such as Devian, Dark Funeral (live), etc. after parting ways with the last one, he decided to revolutionize the traditional "Metal-meets-Symphony" standards and take them to the next level, an ambitious idea that grown into an outstanding and dramatic musical experience to its listeners, combining both musical and visual creations in an absolute new level with their cinematic music videos and terrorizing comic books which enhance the whole narrative driven concept of horror over this wicked asylum called Zornheim and its sick and twisted inmates, doctors, experiments... and beyond!
Four years passed since the gates of this mental institution and it's prisoners where imagined until the first album "Where Hatred Dwells and Darkness Reigns" [2017] was released via Non Serviam Records. The gates of Zornheim have been opened and the horrors revealed, a terrifying experience exploring the most horrendous characters who are incarcerated within this institution for the clinically insane! Ever since, the band been developing this cinematic and strong horrific identity which has reach its peak (so far) over the new conceptual and terrorizing experience "The Zornheim Sleep Experiment" which occurs at the depths of this asylum. Imagine an adrenaline increasing gas inducted sleep deprivation experiment with 9 guinea-pigs... ehrm mean Zornheim patients, which shall need to endure 30 days without sleeping. Some of these inmates have a range of aggressive personalities and violent history others a control group of calmer patients, all incarcerated in a high-security hermetic sealed chamber with only one observatory and intercom allowing this experience to be observed by the wicked asylum doctors! Expect no other than true mayhem, carnage and chaos... but will not spoil the fun with too much details by now!

THE BAND SOUND:
Zornheym have once again overcome any expectations and present a very own strong sound wall using a real choir and string quartet which creates the essential atmosphere to bring this horror story to life in the most vivid way! Symphonic extreme metal can't simply sound better than this majestic creation where black and death metal elements combine in perfection with the traditional heavy metal vocals and melodies, the omnipresent symphonic elements are beyond amazing and take you deep into the action of this horrid scenario. A delicacy to one's senses which elevates this piece of art to an absolute new level of symphonic and extreme metal.
"The Zornheim Sleep Experiment" is without a doubt proof of the musician's top-quality skills and inborn talent. The symphonic monumental elements combined with exquisite ear sticking melodies and extravagant guitar solos performed by Zorn and Scucca are virtuous expressions of grandiose proportions, in the same way impressive is the whole vocal performance by Bendler (ex-Scar Symmetry, ex-Facebreaker, etc.), putting him in the pantheon of metal singers, from clean vocals to vicious growls and vociferations, this singer can do about everything in the most perfected way. Long since I follow his work and here, I can only say he sure outdone himself. A big hail to Zorn (Tomas Nilsson) who is the founder and mastermind of this whole band for materializing his long-time master plan. No words can describe this creation well enough; you need to listen to the music while reading the horror story attached to witness the true power of this colossal and theatrical symphonic extreme metal creation!
Once again, the band used the Wing Studios and the extreme metal guru producer Sverker Widgren (Diabolical, October Tide, Demonical, etc.) for the new album recordings and production, I can only say that this hard task of recording and combining all the endless channels of music couldn't be handled by a better and more experienced producer than Sverker, he also has outdone himself on this grandiose epic music creation!

THE STORY TO BE TOLD:
Zornheym bring forth an absolute new theatrical horror meets metal experience! Their debut album "Where Hatred Dwells... and Darkness Reigns" presented and introduced the listeners to the tale of some of Zornheim asylum inmates who were incarcerated on this dark sinister place. Now the new album pretty much starts where the previous one ended and the connecting link of both is Angelika Engel, the patient that was visited by demonic figures on her dreams ("Whom the night brings" - song from the debut album). She claimed that while dreaming these demons were slowly possessing her and making her leave her humanity behind, succumbing in this way to our prime evil essence! Curious about this and in search for the fundament of "why we humans needs to sleep?" and also why we lose a third of our lives sleeping, the wicked Dr. Bettelheim and Dr. Gutzmann decided to conduct the infamous "Zornheim Sleep Experiment".
This 30 days sleep deprivation experiment  (so it was planned) pretty much consisted in incarcerating nine patients, some with known aggressive behaviour and a control group of calmer individuals all locked in a hermetically sealed "Chamber" in Zornheim basement, this hermetically sealed room only had one round observatory and an inner intercom allowing the subjects to be monitored by the doctors while applying increasing doses of an adrenaline raising gas called Adrenochrome, which reduced the patients need to sleep.
The first days where quite calm. Patients where using writing material, reading books and talking to each other's, this seemed to keep everybody busy at the time, but as the first sleepless days where passing things got silent, too silent... but when the inner demons of the experiment subjects (Z-SES) finally caught control, all hell broke loose in a bloody gore spectacle caused by the increasing gas addiction and sleep deprivation effects, reminding us all that our primal hidden instincts can be exposed once we are tested to the limits and deprived of our most natural needs!
The essence of this whole frightening scenario was remarkably recreated over the album cover art done by the Portuguese raising art genius Pedro Sena "Lordigan".
But well... since I don't want to spoil you fun, you must buy and listen to the whole album and read the comic book/horror tale to experience this most addicting piece of art in all its splendour and most monumental form! 

DEEPER INTO THE ALBUM:
"The Zornheim Sleep Experiment" is one of those extraordinary albums where I can't find one lesser good track, the whole compositions for the main songs, intros and outro fit on each other in such an astonishing way that you can't stop listening this cohesive symphonic extreme metal masterpiece on repeat as I did once I first got the chance to witness the full brilliance of the new Zornheym opus! Jaw dropping tracks one after the other with a very strong connection bonding them all, with this, the band creates an increasing tension and an easy-to-follow narrative that shall give you Goosebumps just by listening to it. Each new listening shall get you more and more addicted and take you deeper into the outstanding details of this whole horrid scenario!

"Corpus Vile" song introduces us to the new tale to be told, unveiling the details of this mischievous experiment, an outstanding symphonic piece of art, combining in perfection the extreme metal aggression with the traditional heavy metal melody and outstanding clean vocals, all without losing any heaviness to the whole sound and majesty of the symphonic elements. The choruses, guitar leads and solos are about brilliant... love the Latin sung ending chorus together with the whole melodic essence of this song, so powerful and absolutely jaw dropping!

"An Evil Within" introduces one of the best and most compelling songs of this masterpiece, "Dead Silence" is one of those tracks that shall hook you since the very first listening, fast and vicious this song is absolutely amazing. The chorus shall be haunting your brain and force you to listen to this delicacy on repeat! The main solo is a true mind-blowing delight to the tortured ears, what elegance in a neo-classical inspired piece. The combination of fast and absolutely demented moments on this song express this album dynamics at best...
While silence reigns in "the chamber" of horrors to come, something wicked grows inside of our subjects minds, fear rises as the demons inside are yearning to be unchained!

The first reactions to sleepless nights and anxiety are being revealed as the patients are trying to "Keep the Devil Away", gathering in a circle and grabbing the gas masks in a sort of revering, seems the gas is taking over their minds!
"Keep the Devil Away" is in my opinion one of the best tracks ever created by the band. Hard to categorize such brilliance and amazing combination of melody and deranged vocalizations. The classic music driven guitar solos are proof of the virtuous talent of both guitarists, love at first listening, I say! This stunning musical blend should be driving you insane already by now... no wonder you might be caught singing along with main chorus in the most addictive way... this album is simply mind-blowing! No words can describe the feeling!

The ritual worship of the gas... masks continues over "Slumber comes in Time", Z-SES tormenting whispers are confusing the impatient doctors, should it be an emerging plot or pure paranoid behaviour? This is yet another outstanding epic track with highly addictive choruses (some sung in Swedish) and orchestrations, this time with the aid of some folk elements. This is without a doubt another of my personal favourite songs of this whole piece, a sing along majestic and melodious piece of art!

"The Black Nine" was the infamous name to honour the ninth disastrous day of the experiment. Lunacy rises, screams invade the chamber and all hell is breaking loose in this blackest day where "The observatory" was all covered up in the most disgusting way! An eerie chorus haunts this whole song and gives you shivers just by listening, a frightening powerful track of epic proportions that takes you deeper into the horrors of this cinematic masterpiece! Sinister, bleak and disturbing... this is one of the darkest tracks of this album combining symphonic black and death metal elements in the ghostliest way!

The "The Veiling Of Bettelheims Eye" (observatory) introduces one of the heaviest Zornheym tracks entitled "The Revelation". Deep and obscure, it's the perfect track to unveil the macabre spectacle that was found by the asylum guards and doctors once they entered the "the chamber". The food was untouched by the patients but yet they fed (wonder of what?), a spectacle of gore not for the faint-hearted. "Stay away, don't want to be Free" was the chant repeated by the patients that shall torment you just by listening to it! These deprived and addicted assailants have requested that the gas was turned back on, meanwhile they were attacking violently the guards.
This is undoubtedly an amazing and mesmerizing theme of horror of the most epic proportions that shall drag you deeper into this chamber of horrors.

"Keep Cutting" is another frenetic masterpiece of pure dementia, a mirror to the chaos that is reigning over the whole Zornheim Sleep Experiment. The doctors are trying to save the mutilated patients at all costs as they're slowly losing conscience and dying instantly, those who remain conscient begged to remain awake by any means necessary, so... "keep cutting" some said with a psychotic smile on their lips!
Absolutely amazing how the band combines such aggressive and fast sound with the most melodious elements like the marvellous solo and the psychotic driven insane vocals by Bendler, who undoubtedly gives his best vocal performance ever on this album, particularly on this track!

"The Madness That Lurks Within" is the epilogue for such imaginative conceptual piece of art, another smashing symphonic instrumental song that ends this masterpiece and terminates "The Zornheim Sleep Experiment" and the horrors that it has been revealed! At the end of this monumental carnage, we understand what we may yet become under sleep deprivation. We should fear the awaking of our deepest animal instincts and in this way becoming the frightening beast we so often fear at night. This was the conclusion the Zornheim doctors might have reached after shutting down this chamber where the savage and primal instincts of man have been revealed in such a horrid experiment!

THE CONCLUSION:
Zornheym "The Zornheim Sleep Experiment" is without a doubt one of the best and most addicting albums of 2021! In my opinion it's one of the best symphonic extreme metal creations ever done!
"The Zornheim Sleep Experiment" is an ambitious work of excellence that goes beyond the realms of music, this disturbing conceptual masterpiece of theatrical art takes you deep into Zornheim asylum horrific sleep deprivation experience conducted by its mischievous doctors. This is a perfect marriage of symphonic extreme metal and terror/horror tales. This is a whole new elaborate experience born from the genius minds of its creators! Zorn long-time master-plan has reached epic proportions with this new Magnum Opus. This is one of those theatrical/cinematic conceptual works that takes the bands creations to a new level in a class of its own!
From time to time an extraordinary piece of art is created, so unique that becomes impossible to qualify in a regular basis, "The Zornheim Sleep Experiment" is one of those creations that shall leave no one indifferent. That is why I given the rate of 10+1/10, simply an album better than anything I heard in a long, long time. A grandiose and extraordinary piece of art in all aspects!

Embrace the realms of human madness inducted by sleep deprivation, discover the most primal beast locked within us all, awaken from slumber from our mind's deepest abyss!


RüPä - NeKronos Promotion HELL

RATE: 10+1/10 +


VIDEOS:

"Keep the Devil Away" : Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdrH6rw6qKE

 

"Slumber Comes In Time" : Lyric Video : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFuc-nDAY



"The Revelation" : Lyric Video :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_YVTJhQxsE



For more info on the label visit:
http://nobledemon.com
https://www.youtube.com/c/NobleDemon?sub_confirmation=1
https://www.instagram.com/nobledemonrecords/
https://www.twitter.com/nobledemonrec/
https://snd.click/nobledemon
https://nobledemon.bandcamp.com/
https://www.tiktok.com/@nobledemonrecords
https://sptfy.com/4Oow


MORE INFO ON ZORNHEYM ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS:
OFFICIAL SITE/STORE: HTTPS://ZORNHEYM.BANDCAMP.COM/
FACEBOOK: HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ZORNHEYM
TWITTER: HTTP://WWW.TWITTER.COM/ZORNHEYM
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