News from this week

From russian ARKONA:

We can proudly announce, that the work on our new album "Yav" is finished and master CD was sent to Napalm rec. few minutes ago! Those 70 minutes of music took a lot of nerves, time and power, and now we finally can say: "Yes, we made it!". All musicians, who took part in album recording, showed the highest level of their musical skills. Sometimes we had to go back and learn how to play an instrument again, but now, when the whole work is behind, we can tell, that it is new step in our art and this 3-years long path is finished!

Listen to a teaser of 'Yav' here.

---

From the true MAYHEM (taken from Metal Hammer website):

Seven long years after they dropped their malevolent and murky masterpiece, Ordo Ad Chao, black metal’s most notorious band and the true originals of Norwegian desecration, Mayhem, are back with a new, as-yet-untitled album due out at the end of May.

Thanks to the hardy folk at Season Of Mist Records, we can exclusively reveal the warning shot that is the band’s new single, Psywar, taken from the forthcoming missive, and comes complete with a bleak but visionary new lyric video courtesy of revered artist Costin Chioreanu (Spiritual Beggars, Oranssi Pazuzu, Vulture Industries and a host of Roadburn posters all showcasing his unique woodcut-on-LSD style) that recasts the notion of ‘industrial wasteland’ in brain-warping new forms.

Less overtly avant garde than Ordo Ad Chao, Psywar is still saturated with the kind of Stygian atmosphere and radioactive filth that Mayhem have made their own. Epic, defiling and utterly affecting it finds Attila Csihar, Necrobutcher, Hellhammer and new member Teloch primed to reopen black metal’s oldest and most putrid wounds and still drag the genre into its unruly slipstream. All hail, and unveil!

Listen to the track here.

---

From greek NECROMANTIA:

Expected in April: NECROMANTIA - "NEKROMANTEION - A collection of arcane hexes" double cd
 
NEKROMANTEION is the sacred place where the art of NECROMANTIA (necromancy) is performed. A dark haven, hidden from the common eyes where the necromancer practice and evolves his magnum arcanum. Likewise this double cd compilation is a collection of almost all our works which are not included in our official albums, meaning demos, promos, splits, compilations, early works , covers e.t.c. It is the first time that all these rare gems are gathered in a double volume. NECROMANTIA was always a band who followed its own dark path music wise. We created, not followed . We influenced and gave shape to the musical directions of younger bands and musicians. With NEKROMANTEION we offer you a full view of our wanderings through the Abyss since our profane birth in 1989....Be not afraid to look into the Erevos, although you must know that Erevos will look back at you....rejoice"
The Magus 2014

This document will come with extensive booklet and will consist of the full recordings of: -Family of Dog (The Feast of Ghouls) 1990 -De Magia Veterum (The Dawn of Utter Darkness) 1990 -Faceless Gods 1990 -Evil Prayers 1990 -Lycanthropia 1990 -La Mort 1990 -Lord of the Abyss 1991 -The Feast of Ghouls 1991 -Evil Prayers 1991 -Lycanthropia 1991 -Spiritforms of The Psychomancer 1997 - My World, Your Hell 2001 - Death Rider (Omen cover) 2001 - The Number of the Beast (Iron Maiden cover) 2001 - The Demon's Whip (Manowar cover) 2001 - Mordor (Running Wild cover) 2001
NECROMANCY (Pre-Necromantia) - Visons of Lunacy demo 1989 -Thrashifixion - Shattered Bodies -Outbreak of Evil (Sodom cover) - Forbidden Rites -Nocturnal Cry

Listen to band's music here.

---

Polish folk metal band RADOGOST announce that they were left by a singer Marcin 'Velesar' Wieczorek. Marcin thanks his ex-mates from the band for three intensive years with them, all the fans and bands' that Radogost was touring with.
The band announced also that the upcoming album will be something like 'back to the roots', sung by the old vocalist (and guitarist) Łukasz 'Mussi' again in polish language. More info about it - in nearest future.

Watch clip to 'Watra' from their last album (here). 

---

Russian pagan folk metal band Руян (Ruyan) from Naberezhnye Chelny is ready to release its second full-length album “Лебедь Белая“. The new album will be released by the Russian label SoundAge Productions, but the exact released date isn’t announced yet. Руян were formed in 2009, presenting a harmonious combination of metal and folk music: gloomy and folksy guitar riffs, clean and growling female vocals by Daria “Rodonitsa” and traditional instruments. The band released its debut full-length album “Наследие – Heritage” in 2010. Their new album title “Лебедь Белая” translates to “White Swan” and the band has already unveiled its great cover artwork and the tracklist.

Listen to band's music here.
---

The long-awaited debut album by uprising Dutch folk metal band Alvenrad will be released via the German label Trollmusic on April 4th in Europe and April 15th in the US. It is entitled “Habitat” and it contains nine powerful tunes, which combine the archaic charm of wooden folk & black metal with the enthusiasm of classic bands like Uriah Heep, Iron Maiden or Judas Priest. The album has been mastered by Markus Stock (Empyrium / Studio E) and will be published as noble digipak including a booklet with all lyrics, translations & liner notes by the musicians. Alvenrad have unveiled the cover artwork, the album tracklist, as well as their first official video for the song “Woudakoestiek” that you can watch below and get a first taste of their music.

Hailing from the mythic heart of the Veluwe, the Dutch duo Alvenrad offers a fresh blend of folk-influenced heavy metal. The nine lively tunes on its debut album “Habitat” root deeply in various traditions and like branches of a mighty tree they spread towards the sun, encouraging the listeners to follow them on an adventurous voyage on pathways untrodden by most contemporary bands. Alvenrad is a free Dutch translation of a kenning for the sun used in the Edda, approximately wheel of the elves. With the passionate help of brilliant guest musicians, Jasper Strik and Mark Kwint created a debut album reflecting the strong burning love for their “Habitat” – a home which is described through landscapes, literature, paintings, classical music and the wild mixture of them all. “Habitat” is for all music lovers who enjoy enthusiastic & powerful folk metal, especially fans of Vintersorg, Myrkgrav, Skyclad, Jethro Tull, Empyrium, Windir, Forefather and Borknagar should give this band a listen!


Watch an official clip here.
---

Romanian barbarian folk metallers from Iasi GOD – The Barbarian Horde celebrate 20 years of existence. Given this occasion, the band will soon release an EP entitled “Zal Mox“, which will comprise 5 songs. It will serve as a preview for their upcoming new full-length conceptual album “Forefathers: A Spiritual Heritage“, scheduled for release towards the end of 2014! With the release of the EP, GOD has made plans for 2 tours. The first one is scheduled to run sometimes around April in the eastern and south-eastern cities, while the second is meant to cover some of the cities in the country’s center and western regions. The band has revealed “Zal Mox” cover artwork and tracklist and you can already listen to the song “Greuceanul” in their Bandcamp page below.

Listen to band's music here.

---

Three last news via Metal Soundscapes

News from this week

From polish folk rockers - ALNE:
'We are working on our new album! The drums have already been recorded and this month we are recording the guitars. The new line-up is:

Kasia – vocals
Klimorh – guitar
Horizon – guitar
Góral – bass
A.S. – drums
Agnieszka – cello

Well, the line-up is not the only new thing, our songs are totally different. Just listen to the drums from one of the new songs…(here - Vlad.)
As with our debut album, this time the themes of the lyrics are inspired by the native faith, the spirituality of the land ALNE comes from, the spiritual traditions of Slavonic and old Prussian people. Three texts were prepared by Alne, but the rest of the lyrics were written by contemporary “pagan” poets – Wojciech Mytnik and Piołun… More details about the lyrics available soon.

We have prepared 9 songs, including the cover version of ,,A Mask in the Mirror” by Ved Buens Ende.

Some graphics have already been prepared by Black Forest Forge.'

Check out band's music here.

---

From norwegian progressive band IN VAIN:
'IN VAIN JOIN NIFLHEIM FESTIVAL TOUR AS SPECIAL GUESTS

We will join Niflheim Festival Tour 2014, March 7 - 15, together with Borknagar, Månegarm, Ereb Altor and Shade Empire.

Johnar Håland (In Vain) comments: “After the great reception of our latest release ‘Ænigma’, we are delighted to be back on tour in March. We are joining as special guests on the Niflheim Festival, which will be headlined by the Norwegian legends Borknagar, who are making a long awaited comeback as a touring band. The package is also including Månegarm, Ereb Altor and Shade Empire. See you on the road!”

07.03 - ERFURT, FROM HELL (DE)
08.03 - OBERHAUSEN, HELVETE (DE)
09.03 - WROCLAW, ALIBI (PL)
10.03 - BERLIN, K17 (DE)
11.03 - BUDAPEST, DÜRER KERT (HU)
12.03 - MONTECCHIO MAGGIORE, E20 UNDERGROUND (IT)
13.03 - ROME, TRAFFIC (IT)
14.03 - ROMAGNANO SESIA, ROCK’N'ROLL ARENA (IT)
15.03 - ZÜRICH, DYNAMO (CH)'

Listen to band's music here.

---

SLAVOGORJE, croatian project which plays a mixture of metal, folk and neofolk is returning after five years break. The upcoming full-lenght album is announced to be released in this year via Werewolf Promotions. More info - soon.

Check out band's music here.

---

Since 25th of February you can order a second full-lenght album of AGAEL, entitled 'Trost'. It's a one-men project from Germany, playing black metal with dark ambient influences. The whole stuff will be released via Naturmacht Productions on CD.

Check band's music here.

---

Italian progressive post black metal aesthetes JANVS have re-arranged and completely re-recorded their debut demo tape “Nigredo” from 2004. The band took this decision after constant demand from the public, due to the success of their two albums “Fvlgvres” in 2007 and “Vega” in 2008. The revernissage of their classic “tape” will include as bonus track a cover of Enslaved “793” with ‘the man’ Ivar Bjornson as special guest on lead guitar. Italian talented designer Francesco Gemelli took care of the album’s new artwork! ”Nigredo” will be released by Avantgarde Music in deluxe 4-panel digipak with 12-page booklet in the end of February 2014 and is available since today in the label’s Bandcamp page.

Check out their music here.

---

American atmospheric black metallers WAYFARER from Denver, Colorado has revealed the first details of their debut full-length album “Children of the Iron Age“, scheduled for release in digital and physical form the summer of 2014. The band has released so far a demo in 2012 with incomplete line-up, so “Children of the Iron Age” is actually the first complete work of the band, having a running time of 68 minutes. It was recorded at Flatline Audio in Westminster, Colorado with Shane Howard (Martriden), mixed and mastered in the same studio by Dave Otero (Cobalt, Primitive Man, Nightbringer). Wayfarer have unveiled the beautiful cover artwork by the fantastic Stigma: Sam Nelson’s Art, as well as the album tracklist. In the Bandcamp page you can listen to the song “Forests Ash by Dawn” from the upcoming album and get a taste of their music.

Check band's music here.

Tyr - 'Valkyrja' (2013)

Tyr

'Valkyrja'

Metal Blade Recs.

2013

What is Tyr - propably everbody who likes folk metal (or even metal in general) knows. This faroese band is quite long on a scene, and 'Valkyrja' is their (let me just count...) album number seven.
I was very dissapointed by the previous longplay'The Lay of Thrym'. It had continued the more heavy-metal course that was initiated on 'By the Light of the Northern Star', but at the same time it was totally mediocre. Boredom, in one word, potentiated by the fact that Tyr plays music in very similar style on every album. So I was kinda sceptical about the new release, but happily the guys decided to record this time something with a soul. I have also a feeling that it's even more purely heavy-metal than 'By the Light...' and 'The Lay...'. Maybe it's just my imagination, but listen for example to such 'Blood of Heroes' or 'Into the Sky' - isn't it obviously inspired by Iron Maiden and other NWoBHM masters? Mostly the tracks have quite a big power - they are melodic, catchy and pugnacious so that the head after some time automatically starts to bang. Maybe the music is not very aggressive, it's calmer than two last longplays, but it has defenitely a soul.
There are also two tracks that should remind you older albums - 'Grindavísan' and 'Fánar Burtur Brandaljóð'. Sung in the national tongue of Faroe Islands, inspired by the folk music of that region. Well, as always it sounds good - those are one of my favourite songs. To be honest I prefered Tyr playing that more folk-oriented music, but I understand that they had to put some new elements into their music. So let's say that it's quite OK for me. There is also one novelty here - 'The Lay of Our Love', with guest vocals by Liv Kristine. To be honest it's just a tearful ballad, played completely in rock way. It's good that the guys at last tried to compose something different, but it doesn't make a bigger impression on me. It's not bad though, and one such song on the whole album is a nice ornament.
So as you can see - the whole album could be written in one sentence. 'Tyr recorded music in the same style again - and this time it's good". Some of the old fans will propably gruble that Tyr stands in the same point, bringing them more or less the same music as on 'By the Light...'. Others will say that this is good, just not very revolutionery. And of course there are younger/new fans, who will be very excited because everything that they need to be happy are vikings and pugnacious music. In which category you are - you'll decide. Personally for me the album is really OK, but I am not sure if it is solid enough to defend itself in the future. Time will tell.

Rate: 7+/10

Check out a video-clip for the track 'Blood of Heroes':

Tracklist:

1. Blood of Heroes

2. Mare of My Night

3. Hel Hath No Fury

4. The Lay of Our Love

5. Nation

6. Another Fallen Brother

7. Grindavísan 

8. Into The Sky

9. Fánar Burtur Brandaljóð 

10. Lady of the Slain

11. Valkyrja

12. Where Eagles Dare (Iron Maiden cover)

13. Cemetery Gates (Pantera cover)

Total time: 59:35

News from this week

From TRIPTYKON:
'Triptykon's second album, Melana Chasmata (rough translation: "black, deep depressions/valleys") will be released on April 14 (Europe) and April 15 (North America), 2014, through Century Media Records/Prowling Death Records Ltd.

Like its predecessor Eparistera Daimones, the album was produced by Triptykon's singer/guitarist Tom Gabriel Warrior and guitarist V. Santura and recorded and mixed at V. Santura's own Woodshed Studio in southern Germany as well as at Triptykon's rehearsal facilities in Zurich, Switzerland, in 2013 and 2014. Those who have already heard Melana Chasmata have described it as "atmospheric, dark, diabolical, and dramatic", "diverse, epic, and doomy, but on an entirely different level", "a fierce boulder of abhorrence", or "very heavy and yet very aesthetic at the same time".
 
Melana Chasmata will feature nine songs, at a playing time of around 67 minutes.'

Check out band's music here.

---

From DORNENREICH:
'Dearest friends and companions,

We are approaching the finishing touches on the visual side of "Freiheit" (Freedom), Dornenreich's eighth studio album which will be entrusted to you this spring – in the 18th year of our band history.

Soon we will present first samples!

As the cover art suggests, "Freiheit" is an album of thresholds, of transitions, of transformations; an album that makes a bold move towards the whole range of human emotion, thought, and being. This album is dedicated to the depth, diversity, and elemental beauty of being.
In my own personal view, "Freiheit" is an album of a great, encompassing power that unfolds itself as a whole and that makes me grateful and free as an artist and as a human being. Many things come full circle on this very album.

At the same time, "Freiheit" feels like a parting right now.
And as much as I feel that we will never stop to create artistically, and as much as it may be possible that this album will be seen as just a departure from a certain artistic evaluation or orientation, there are a lot of indications at this moment that "Freiheit" is going to be Dornenreich's last studio album for quite some time.

Dornenreich, as I have stressed time and again, is obliged to life. And I am convinced that our expression, in its musical and lyrical essence, is timeless and develops its emotional urgency especially within a live context – thus, we will return to the stages for very special performances in the next years.

So this is by no means an absolute farewell. It is merely the end of a long journey, a homecoming, a discovery - that one day may be the starting point of another journey, another transformation ... life will tell.

And now join us in anticipation of this year, of this eighth Dornenreich album which is so valuable to us, and of the spring tour when we all shall meet again!

With gratitude, love, and respect

Eviga'

---

French Celtic medieval band Stille Volk from Pyrénées has announced the release of its sixth full-length studio album “La Pèira Negra“. The new album will be out in May 2014 by Holly Records, 20 (!) years after the band’s birth and 5 years after their previous work “Nueit de Sabbat“. “La Pèira Negra” will have 9 songs, including a cover on Mercyful Fate’s “Come to the Sabbath“. Several guest musicians participated (Barbarian Pipe Band, Gae Bolg and Didier Bignalet) that have provided exemplary work to make this new album a real orgy-mineral, exploring all the intricacies of pagan and primal music: epic, tortured melodic declamation, hypnotic, powerful mystic… Stille Volk have revealed the album tracklist and a video teaser that you can watch here.

---

German acoustic dark folk band NEBELUNG has announced the release of its second full-length album “Palingenesis” via Temple of Torturous. The album will be released in 3 different editions: CD in a 3-panel digifile with hot-foil embossing, double black LP in a Gatefold sleeve with printed inner sleeves, limited to 400 copies and double clear LP limited to 100 copies. CD edition will be out on February 18th and both vinyl editions on March 18th, 2014. The band has already revealed the cover artwork by Sphæra Satvrni Art, the album tracklist and the official video for the song “Mittwinter” that you can watch below.

Derived from the Greek words for ‘birth’ (genesis) and ‘again’ (palin), the term Palingenesis refers to a variety of concepts of rebirth and recreation, ranging from the stoic idea of the continuing recreation of the cosmos, the christian belief in spiritual regeneration through baptism, or the originally Pythagorean concept of the souls’ transmigration into a new body. Nebelung take up the energy behind these concepts, using them as archetypal images for mans’ eternal strive for spiritual perfection in a meditation on death and decay, transformation and renewal.

More than two years on the making, the release of “Palingenesis” defines a new era for Nebelung. Where it's predecessors had been singing the hymn of autumn and night by the means of simply structured melancholic folk songs, “Palingenesis” takes on a different approach, transcending the boundaries of lyrics and song, sparing light and reason, and letting the music take on a direct and unaltered way to the depths of the subconscious. “Palingenesis” is a deep and transforming listen, with tracks built up like Mantras, tucking the listener into a dense and detailed tapestry of subtly woven, intertwining melodies and drones, rich in detail and structure, and incorporating such a variety of acoustic instruments as both classical and steel stringed guitars, cello, accordion, Indian harmonium, hammered dulcimer, glass harp, percussion and voice.

Check out band's music here.

---

Since now you can order a split of RAUS! and PERUNWIT, entitled 'Under the Sign of The Black Sun'. Raus! is a new project of Shadow from Black Altar, while Perunwit is one of the oldest pagan metal hordes in Poland. The album was released via Odium Recs.

Watch a promo video here:

News from this week (part I)

First part:

WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM announced that they are going to release new album - 'Celestite', without using the drums and vocals. The whole news is quite long, so you can read it here.

---

From MOROWE (or rather their label - Witching Hour):
'In the middle of January 2014 MOROWE will release long-awaited new album, entitled enigmatically “S”. The recordings are already finished, the album is now being mixed by Nihil.
“S” will be released as CD and limited LP. Morowe will promote the upcoming release on February tour “Bewitching The Polonia 2014” together with THAW and MORD’A’STIGMATA.

All bands will visit 7 cities:
14.02 Lublin
15.02.Warszawa
21.02 Poznań
22.02 Gdańsk
28.02 Kraków
01.03 Wrocław
tba   Katowice

More info coming soon!'

---

From VINDENSANG:
'With only eight days left until the release of our second full-length album "Alpha", we wanted to remind you all that we are still taking pre-orders via Bandcamp, and two tracks from the album are streaming on the page as well.

http://vindensang.bandcamp.com/

We're very much looking forward to unveiling the entire album for all of you very soon! If you haven't already, continue to let us know what you think of our new tracks!'

---

Viking/folk metallers from FESKARN released their second album 'Ostra Aros' on 1st February via Pesttanz Klangschmiede. The album contains 12 new tracks.

Listen to band's music here.

---

Polish death/black/folk metallers from THY WORSHIPER presents another track, which you will find on their upcoming new album 'Czarna Dzika Czerwień'. The album will be released 18th February via Pagan Records.

Check out the new track here.

---

News from METSATOLL:

'On March 7 Metsatöll will release its sixth studio album “Karjajuht” (“Pack Leader”). The record includes 12 tracks, of which “Lööme mesti” has already  been playing in radios.
On its new album Metsatöll has employed a new approach towards its traditional ideas and notions of folk metal. The average pace and tardy epics  of its latest studio albums are now things of the past, while new tracks are energetic, melodic and seductive. Naturally, Metsatöll’s entire park of folk instruments from zithers to bagpipes is engaged as well.
Today a second single reached the radio stations. A track called “Tõrrede kõhtudes” is dedicated to the making of a very important Estonian beverage. Metsatöll leaves it for the listeners to decide which beverage it is, although the mentioned ingredients do not leave much room for guessing.
The album will be released in the form of a CD, limited moving digipak CD and vinyl.
The album was produced by Metsatöll and Samuel Ruotsalainen. The tracks were recorded and mixed by Keijo Koppel and Marko Atso at the RoundSound Studios in Tallinn in September and October 2013. The album was released in cooperation with Spinefarm Records, an affiliate of Universal Music.
The author of the album’s front cover is traditionally a recognized Estonian artist Jüri Arrak. While the previous two albums of Metsatöll included the  artist’s earlier creations, then this time the painting was created especially for the album “Pack Leader”.
The album will be available in Europe as of March 7, in UK as of March 9. The exact release date in USA will be published as soon as possible.
The album “Pack Leader” can be pre-ordered as of today from the band’s e-shop at http://pood.metsatoll.ee/'

The whole news - here.

Check out band's music here.