Author: Huldufolk

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FAITHXTRACTOR reveal first track and set release date for new album, Proverbial Lambs to the Ultimate Slaughter

FAITHXTRACTOR reveal first track and set release date for new album, Proverbial Lambs to the Ultimate Slaughter

Today, Hells Headbangers sets July 27th as the international release date for Faithxtractor‘s highly anticipated third album, Proverbial Lambs to the Ultimate Slaughter, on CD and vinyl LP formats.

Faithxtractor are a dark death metal band from Cincinnati, Ohio. Formed in 2005, the band initially existed as a studio project between brothers Ash and Marquis Thomas. In this form, Faithxtractor released a number of demos/EPs as well as two full-length albums. In late 2013, a live lineup was finally assembled. After some personnel changes, the lineup was solidified with Zdenka Prado (Estuary lead vocalist) on bass, Cody Knarr (Unkured) on guitar, and Ash handling drums and lead vocals; Ash is also active in such Hells Headbangersbands as Shed the Skin, The Vladimirs, Crucified Mortals, and Surgikill. Through this incarnation, the existing catalog was finally unleashed upon live audiences. By gigging/touring regularly during 2014 and 2015, Faithxtractor has gained great appeal and respect throughout the metal underground.

In late 2015, the band’s most recent EP, Total Death Illumination, was released, showcasing the advancement of a band fully committed to their death metal cause. Initially released on cassette and CD formats, Total Death Illumination also received the proper vinyl treatment via Austenitized Records as a limited 7″ in late 2016. However, it is with Proverbial Lambs to the Ultimate Slaughter where Faithxtractor truly come into their own. Recorded at the band’s own Frequenscream Studios, Faithxtractor‘s third album is the grand culmination of all that’s come before in their catalog as well as pointing the way forward for underground dominance. With an almost alchemical ease, Proverbial Lambs to the Ultimate Slaughter is pure and total death metal in songwriting and utterly black metal in its overall atmosphere. Grandiose ‘n’ gutted riffing collides with serpentine structures that twist and turn in a most diabolical manner. The massive ‘n’ molten recording ably amplifies the dizzying depths Faithxtractor here plumb, with Ash’s absolutely blood-sick vocals spitting venom atop. Unconcerned with scene schemes and useless labeling tags, simply put, is a great METAL record – just that it’s heavy metal of the darkest and most deathly order.

Long one of modern metal’s best-kept secrets, with Proverbial Lambs to the Ultimate Slaughter will Faithxtractor achieve the acclaim they so rightly deserve. Step forward for slaughter… The first step can be taken with the new track “Damned to Return” HERE at Hells Headbangers‘ Bandcamp, where the album can also be preordered. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:


Tracklisting for Faithxtractor’s Proverbial Lambs to the Ultimate Slaughter
1. Culling Rites
2. Death Deserving
3. Rules On Rebellion
4. The Slaughter Ultimate
5. Spiritual Fog Dissolve
6. Forsworn Then Burned
7. Scathe of Scythe
8. Assailing Phantoms
9. Human Debris
10. Nothing Crusades
11. Claws of Seraphim
12. Damned To Return

Current Line-up

Ash Thomas Guitars, Vocals
See also: Crucified Mortals, Estuary, Machinations of Fate, Shed the Skin, Surgikill, ex-Estuary of Calamity, ex-Necrolatry, Vladimirs, ex-Acheron, ex-Elusive Travel (live), ex-Thorns of the Carrion, ex-Garden of Shadows (live)
Marquis Thomas Vocals (backing), Guitars
See also: Vladimirs, ex-Thorns of the Carrion
Zdenka Prado Bass
See also: Estuary, Surgikill, ex-Forty Days Longing, ex-Garden of Shadows
Cody Knarr Guitars
See also: Estuary (live), ex-Unkured
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Spectral reveal a new single from Neural Correlates of Hate

Romanian Progressive Technical Death Metal act Spectral reveal a new single from their recently released debut album, Neural Correlates of Hate, the track Nihilist, with guest guitar solos by Christian Muenzner (Alkaloid, Eternity’s End, Spawn of Possession, ex Necrophagist, Defeated Sanity)

The band’s first opus was released March 12th in collaboration with Loud Rage Music and is already making big waves among fans of Technical Progressive Death Metal and specialized media outlets.

Neural Correlates of Hate is now available for orders here:

– jewel-case CD: http://shop.loudragemusic.com/spectral-neural-correlates-of-hate
– digital: http://www.spectralmetal.ro/#/merch

The album was recorded in the following formula: 
Andrei Calmuc (vocals – CodeRed, ex Indian Fall)
Ciprian Martin (guitars and bass)
Romain Goulon (Benighted, ex Necrophagist, Disavowed)

 

Spectral
https://www.facebook.com/SpectralOfficial
https://spectral-official.bandcamp.com/ 
https://www.youtube.com/user/SpectralOfficialRo

Loud Rage Music
www.loudragemusic.com
loudragemusic.bandcamp.com

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ABHOR (Italy) Premiere New Track

 

Today, Italian black metal pillars Abhor premiere the new track “Demons Forged From the Smoke” at Decibel magazine’s website. The track hails from the band’s highly anticipated seventh album, Occulta religiO, set for international release on May 25th via Iron Bonehead Productions. Hear Abhor‘s “Demons Forged From the Smoke” in its entirety exclusively HERE.

Abhor are a veritable institution of Italian black metal. Formed in 1995 in the northeast of Italy, the band began with a passion for black metal music and the study of esoteric arts. Less like a band and more like a congregation, Abhor represent a form of global art that embraces musical art, visual art, and literal art. Their first musical manifestation came in 1998, with the first demo tape In Tuo Honori Preparatum. From there, Abhor were off and running, subsequently releasing six albums with a variety of labels, doing honorable underground work. Within their ranks came many musicians, including members of compatriots Evol.

Throughout their sizable and uniformly high-quality discography, Abhor have come to define post-millennial Italian black metal, driving deeply into a self-styled sound of Esoteric Horror Black Metal. Their last two albums, in particular – 2011’s Ab Luna Lucenti, ab Noctua Protecti and 2015’s Ritualia Stramonium, both critically acclaimed – proved that the band have only become more masterful at this more mature stage, and they carry forward that blazing-purple torch with Occulta religiO.

A work of bewitching mysticism and beyond-the-veil secrecy, Occulta religiO is black metal of an unmistakably ancient vintage. Neither regressive nor progressive, Abhor simply conjure a now-trademark sound that ably balances doomed-out traditionalism, sinister textural layering, and impassioned playing. It all reaches a fever pitch on Occulta religiO, where the concepts of occultism, esotericism, alchemy, witchcraft, Satanism, and dark folklore are given flight on leathery wings. Spooky and spelunking, Abhor here create seven spells in a compact 40 minutes, entrancing the listener with seamless ease, indeed vividly capturing the medieval sensations running through such songs as “Black Bat Recalls,” “Engraved Formulas,” “Demons Forged From the Smoke,” and the all-too-telltale opener “Elemental Conjuring.”

Buried by time and dust, Abhor are not. Some spirits just linger through every epoch, and there you will find Occulta religiO. Witness the next spell from Occulta religiO exclusively HERE, courtesy of Decibel, North America’s only monthly metal magazine. The first spell, “Fons Malorum,” can be witnessed HERE at Iron Bonehead‘s Soundcloud. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Abhor – Occulta religiO
1. Elemental Conjuring
2. Fons Malorum
3. Engraved Formulas
4. Demons Forged from the Smoke
5. Exemplum Satanicus
6. Black Bat Recalls
7. Occulta religiO

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VESSEL OF LIGHT – Son of Man single release (with video)

Last year we caught wind that Nathan Opposition of Ancient VVisdom (and formerly of Integrity) would be working with Dan Lorenzo of Non-Fiction and Hades. We were then pleasantly surprised with their first release, the self titled Vessel of Light EP in November. (click link to check out)

Now we hear there is going to be a new album called Woodshed. 

This is their first single for it, which can be purchased by CLICKING HERE

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FINIS set release date for IRON BONEHEAD debut

Iron Bonehead Productions has set July 6th as the international release date for Finis‘ striking debut EP, Visions of Doom, on CD and 12″ vinyl format. The CD version shall include the band’s sold-out debut demo, At One With Nothing, as bonus tracks.

An otherwise-mysterious trio from Germany, Finis are aptly monikered: their ghostly and gangrenous creations lead to the very literal END. As such, Visions of Doom is also aptly titled. Finis‘ ably flex no small amount of death metalled muscle, and yet it’s somehow stretched apart in a most desiccated manner, hauntingly revealing black metalled tissue within. Their compositions patiently build, swirling about the listener in an entrancing haze, and then layers fall off while others are built back upon, creating further trance – and even more tension. It’s subtly bewitching, and more so uniquely done when placed within the wider context of the modern black/death underground. Atmosphere undoubtedly is a primary tool, but it’s not the ultimate end, nor is it a mere smokescreen for lack of actual songwriting. No, Finis indeed are skilled craftsmen, the three weighty songs comprising Visions of Doom all exuding a wealth of texture, dynamics, and nuance in addition to paramount evil and grim aggression.

As a first, longer-length statement, Visions of Doom announces Finis‘ arrival with absolute authority and almost-certain DOOM. Do you hear the bells tolling the end? Hear the first bell-toll HERE at Iron Bonehead‘s Soundcloud with the new track “11 Temple Stones.” Cover and track-listing are as follows:

FINIS – Visions of Doom

1. 11 Temple Stones
2. Visions of Doom
3. Fosforos

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DJEVELKULT Reveal First Track for new album Når Avgrunnen Åpnes

Yesterday, Saturnal Records sets May 25th as the international release date for Djevelkult‘s highly anticipated second album, Når Avgrunnen Åpnes. A work of traditional black metal savagery that nevertheless retains a timeless freshness, Når Avgrunnen Åpnes ushers forth Djevelkult‘s long-awaited return after their bold ‘n’ brash debut album, 2014’s I Djevelens Tegn.

Hailing from Gjøvik, Djevelkult is a Norwegian black metal cult brought out of void in 2009 by Dødsherre Xarim, with a vision of darkness and chaos, and to spread a message of blasphemy against man and God. Xarim first started with a different set of members than the current lineup, but due to differences, imprisonments, and other situations, the lineup for the first year went into oblivion. Xarim then got together with the drummer Ond of Liktjern in 2010, and thus work of the evil chants started.

With Xarim and Ond as the primary lineup, Djevelkult recorded and released the demo Skapt av Helvetesild in the summer of 2011. At the same time, Beleth joined in band, and shortly after, Skabb did, as well. With the lineup now a four-piece, Djevelkult then wrote and recorded their debut album, I Djevelens Tegn, which was subsequently released by Morbid Shrine Productions in September 2014.

Ond left the cult in the summer 2014 due personal reasons and T.K. joined in as a live session drummer for the upcoming tour together with Kirkebrann. The next year was focused on playing at various festivals and concerts before Djevelkult entered a studio again. Xarim, Skabb, and Beleth started the recording of the guitars of the second full-length in the winter of 2014/15 at Gravkors Studios, and during the summer, the guitars and bass were completed. The year passed by and the studio sessions were set on a short break, for the band to focus on the IXXI tour of 2016 and festivals around the summer.

Former drummer Ond then decided to return to the band again, and Djevelkult bid farewell to their session drummer T.K. in the late summer of 2016. Then the band started to record the drums at the beginning of 2017 in the Kirkebrann studio, followed up by the recording of the vocals. Thus titled Når Avgrunnen Åpnes (“As the Abyss Opens” in English), recording for the second album was completed in the summer of 2017. Kark of Dødsengel handled the album’s mixing and mastering the album.

Built upon a foundation of cold ‘n’ filthy riffing laced with an atmosphere that’s both desperate and triumphant, Djevelkult‘s Når Avgrunnen Åpnes is some of the purest Norwegian black metal you will be able to find in modern times. The passion bleeds through every performance here; the ensuing songs stick in the listener’s head without relying on saccharine catchiness. But as with everything in the band’s restless ways, Djevelkult here chose to shape the new album with additional inspiration from guest artists: Draug of Kirkebrann sang and wrote the lyrics of “Vredeskvad”; Invisius of Blodhemn played the drums and sang and wrote the lyrics of “An Evil Unheard Of”; Ånneland played the second solo on “Apocalypse (Hellspawn)”; and Kleven plays additional guitar on “En Ny Tid.”

With more touring and live performances slated for later in the year, Når Avgrunnen Åpnes marks a momentous moment for Djevelkult. True Norwegian black metal is undead! Hear for yourself with the aforementioned new track “Apocalypse (Hellspawn)” HERE at Saturnal‘s official YouTube channel, as well as at Djevelkult‘s Bandcamp HERE. Preorder info to be announced shortly. Cover art, courtesy of Jose Gabriel Sabogal (Inferno, Whoredom Rife), and tracklisting are as follows:

1. Atomic Holocaust
2. Condemned Into Eternal Void
3. Når Avgrunnen Åpnes
4. En Ny Tid
5. Døpt I Helvetesild
6. An Evil Unheard Of
7. Apocalypse (Hellspawn)
8. Vredeskvad

DJEVELKULT lineup 2018
Dødsherre Xarim – guitar/vocal
Skabb – bass/vocal
Ond – drums
Beleth – guitar

 

 

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HAMMR – Unholy Destruction


BAND: HAMMR
ALBUM:UNHOLY DESTRUCTION
LABEL: HELL’S HEADBANGERS
GENRE: Black/Speed Metal/Punk
RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 23, 2018
FORMAT: CD, LP, TAPE BUY HERE

 

Formed in Cleveland, Ohio by J. Hammer in 2013 as Schizoid Hammer (2013-2015) as a strictly solo endeavor, Hammr has released a 5 track EP,  Hammr EP in 2015, and a one song demo titled “Into the Pentagram”. Into the Pentagram would later make it’s second appearance on this beastly full-length…Unholy Destruction!

The album opens with a some-what groovy doom-esque intro, however this is not what you should expect the rest of the album to be. Filled with attitude, aggression, speed and enough D-Beats to make any early Bathory or Discharge pleased as punch. The riffs are just plain punch you in the throat speed metal with flowing solos contributed by Shaun “Commandor Vanik” Vanek of Midnight. The title of this album really says it all…it’s truly an Unholy Destruction. It’s in your face satanic speed metal/punk that doesn’t let up…

I recommend for fans of: Bathory, Discharge, Wolfbrigade, and Midnight.

HAMMR is J. Hammer

FUN NOTES: The mixing was done by Commandor Vanik and mastering by Toxic Holocaust mainman Joel Grind.

TRACK LISTING
1. Intro
2. Satanic Raid
3. Under Black Command
4. Eternal Prey
5. Desecrator
6. Sadistic Poison
7. Death Reign
8. Unholy Destruction
9. Demonic Rites
10. Into the Pentagram
11. Final Sacrifice

4.5 of 5 Metal Horns
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DRUID LORD – Grotesque Offerings

 

BAND: DRUID LORD
ALBUM:GROTESQUE OFFERINGS
LABEL: Hell’s Hedbangers

FORMAT: CD/Digital/Vinyl BUY HERE!
TRACK LISTING:
1. House of Dripping Gore
2. Night Gallery
3. Spells of the Necromancer
4. Evil That Haunts This Ground
5. Black Candle Seance
6. Creature Feature
7. Into the Crypts
8. Murderous Mr. Hyde
9. Last Drop if Blood
10. Final Resting Place

 

 

Convinced that there may be no such thing as a bad death metal band from Florida, Druid Lord helps retain my perception. Formed in 2010 by former Acheron members Pete Slate and Tony Blakk, Druid Lord has came a long way in the past eight years and I would most definitely predict bigger things to come from this band, as well as a massive cult following.

What good is a decent Doomy Death album without the swelling of an organ at the intro almost as an invitation to everything that’s in store? (No, not that kind of an organ swell.) Well..it’s there on House of Dripping Gore. Although I feel this is the weakest track on the album, it certainly has it’s own personality and it builds. All the songs do actually.

Now I feel this album certainly paints a great picture for any fans of horror as there are obvious hints throughout, even a few sound clips (listen to see if you can guess  the origins) This album has what I personally feel is a great sludge guitar tone but definitely not overly muddy. The bass is a little hard to hear on a few of the songs. As for the vocals, I couldn’t imagine any other vocals fitting better than Blakk’s performance on this record.

A hint of the Floridian Old School Death vibe can shine through some of the songs, but ultimately this is fucking Druid Lord. I recommend for any fans of Autopsy, Acid Witch, Hooded Menace (Older).

All in all this album is not too shabby at all. I like it and it will likely remain in my shuffle for some time. I give it…

Four and a half pairs of metal horns
(I really am a sucker for doom)

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BALMOG – Vacvvm

BAND: Balmog
ALBUM: Vacvvm
RELEASE DATE:
March 16th, 2018 (DIGITAL) PRE-ORDER
March 23rd, 2018 (CD) PRE-ORDER
LABEL: War Anthem Records

TRACK LISTING:
1. Qui immolatus iam non moritur…
2. Eating The Descendant
3. Hodegetria
4. Vigil of the Blinds
5. Inde Deus Abest
6. Come to the Pulpit
7. Gignesthai
8. …sed semper vivit occisus

Returning with their first full length album since 2015 (Svmma Fide), Balmog comes in swinging full-force with intense violence, rhythmic guitar riffage, and ominous vibes.

The atmosphere of this album is intense yet balanced. They don’t over do it! This is great news for anyone who is put off by the term “atmosphere”. There are plenty of parts that have this touch (such as the segue Inde Deus Abest) however, when it’s brutal..it’s fucking brutal.

I realize this review is rather short, and most of our reviews will be. The reason is we would like to encourage you to go explore and support the artists. We simply want to give you a taste of what to expect. This album certainly does not let down, I would suggest it for any fans of Andhord, Deathspell Omega, and possibly even Watain

BALMOG is
Morg: Bass
Virus: Drums
Balc: Vocals, Guitar

 

4 1/2 Metal Horns out of 5