Posted on by

Invocation Spell sets release date for fourth album, Spread Cruelty in the Abyss

Invocation Spell sets release date for fourth album

 

On Friday, Hells Headbangers sets July 27th as the international release date for Invocation Spells‘ highly anticipated fourth album, Spread Cruelty in the Abyss, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.

There’s simply no stopping Invocation Spells. One of the hottest bands in the shit-hot Chilean black/death scene, this diabolical duo continues to unleash one punishing slab of filth ‘n’ fury after another, each one more concise and crushing than the next. Spread Cruelty in the Abyss follows hot on the heels of the critically acclaimed The Flame of Hate, released internationally last year by Hells Headbangers. Like that predecessor, Spread Cruelty in the Abyss wastes absolutely no time in igniting a sulfurous conflagration from the first few notes…except this time, it’s more quickly apparent how daresay catchy Invocation Spells have become.

Lest anyone accuse the band of softening or selling out, be aware that Spread Cruelty in the Abyssis simply and 100% Invocation Spells through and through: no compromise, and no quarter. Like The Flame of Hate before it and Descendent the Black Throne before that, Spreads Cruelty in the Abyss possesses a special magick that eludes easy “blackthrash” categorization – namely, through an acute balance between the bestial and more classically speed metal tropes – but the molten, even martial pulse the duo develop further here turns these more deliberately hypnotic spells of possession into veritable anthems of minimalism, spilling poison and black blood in equal measure, and even more endlessly headbanging than before. And with this unselfconscious, even-more-pronounced emphasis on “catchiness” comes an even swifter and stricter sense of economy: Spread Cruelty in the Abyss clangs ‘n’ bangs with absolute authority in a mere 26 minutes. Get in, get out, get fucked.

And just like they have with their songwriting nous, Invocation Spells have all about perfected their production style, once again locating that ever-so-sweet middle-ground between fuck-off raw and clear/cutting, with each incensed-yet-impassioned note ringing out through the humid haze before mangling the mind with quintessentially Chilean diabolism. And now, North America will be able to witness that diabolism in the flesh, as Invocation Spells will be heading out on an 11-date tour alongside fellow Hells Headbangers speed metallers Outline; the CD and tape versions of Spread Cruelty in the Abyss will be available for early sale during the tour (dates after the jump). This summer’s gonna be a hot one, then, so no better time to Spread Cruelty in the Abyss!

Hear for yourself with the album’s opening track, “Ruins of Cemetery,”

Check out Hells Headbangers‘ Bandcamp, where the album can be preordered. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

 

 

1. Ruins Of Cemetery
2. Rotting Sacrifice
3. Victims Of Doom
4. Torment Of Obssessor
5. Old Rites
6. Spread Cruelty
7. Obscure And Evil
8. From The Graves

 

 


INVOCATION SPELLS / OUTLINE USA tour 2018
June 22 – San Diego, CA
June 23 – Los Angeles, CA – L.A. StrikeFest @ Regent Theatre
June 24 – San Francisco, CA
June 25 – Reno, NV @ Shea’s Tavern
June 28 – Cleveland, OH @ Now That’s Class
June 29 – Baltimore, MD @ Wheaton Lounge
June 30 – Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
July 4 – New York, NY @ Pista Bandas Unidas
July 6 – Houston, TX @ The Concert Pub North
July 7 – San Antonio, TX
July 8 – New Orleans, LA @ Santos Bar

Posted on by — 2 Comments

Zeal and Ardor to Release Sophomore Effort June 8th

Image result for zeal and ardor logo

 

Zeal and Ardor is an experimental metal act fronted by Manuel Gagneux. The project brings a fusion of blues, Gospel, and spiritual melodies together with scathingly dark metal overtones to create a murky, soulful, harsh, headbanging new sound. Zeal and Ardor achieved critical acclaim with the first album release “Devil is Fine” in 2016, and what began as a joke brought about by the suggestion of 4chan users to mesh spiritual melodies and black metal became an international act.

 

Now Zeal and Ardor returns with sophomore effort promising to be more poignant, more precise, and more diverse. “Strange Fruit” is set for release on June 8, 2018 via MVKA. Can Zeal and Ardor top “Devil Is Fine” with their new creation?

 

With the first single, “Gravedigger’s Chant”, Gagneux delivers a dark, inviting, burial ode. His vocals are nothing short of perfect crooning over the bluesy piano chords and thunderous beat. The first track succeeds at grabbing attention indeed.

 

“Waste” is unrelenting with heavily distorted tremolo riffing, blast beats, and maniacal howls hearkening to the glory of Norwegian black metal. The raw, violent brutality of the music contrasts strikingly against Gagnuex’s  melodic vocals, it’s very provoking; downright spellbinding even the way Gagneux can bring together such starkly different sounds into a cohesive metal monolith. “Built on Ashes” builds on heavily distorted guitar and somber piano chords drawing again on that wonderful contrast between bluesy southern spiritual and maniacally dark metal.


I was very excited to see “Don’t You Dare” on the tracklist. This is probably my personal favorite Zeal and Ardor song. The song features well crafted blues licks and flawless execution of damningly heavy black metal-esque riffing paired against harsh, tortured vocal shrieks. The heaviness of the song builds up into a wall of black that hits you head on and knocks you on your ass just to spit you back out into the cool delta blues before launching another vicious attack.

 

I’m certainly looking forward to giving the rest of the album a listen when it drops on June 8. I anticipate more enchanting things to come based on what I’ve heard so far, and I’m curious to see what the rest of the Trve Kvlt Community thinks. (By the way if you haven’t checked out “Devil is Fine” I strongly encourage you to give that a shot.)


[masterslider id=”1″]

Posted on by

Moenen of Xezbeth reveal first tracks from upcoming Ancient Spells of Darkness

Moenen of Xezbeth reveal first tracks from upcoming Ancient Spells of Darkness

Today, Nuclear War Now! Productions sets August 1st as the international release date for Moenen of Xezbeth‘s highly anticipated debut album, Ancient Spells of Darkness…. The CD version shall be released earlier on July 1st.Conjuring the sinister spirits of yesteryear, Moenen of Xezbeth rises to deliver its first full incantation of mid-paced black metal, Ancient Spells of Darkness…, with its seven arcane invocations primed to unleash their plague on all who bear witness. Captured with the same approach and under the same austere conditions as its preceding demo and EP, Ancient Spells of Darkness… thus realizes the same unearthly effect, yet it is even more sinister and oppressive. These foreboding hymns serve as a conduit for the return of the original black flame, which was first sparked by Moenen of Xezbeth’s revered forbearers, has since nurtured itself in the underworld, and is now emboldened to return in its dark glory.

Hear for yourself with the new tracks “Into the Black Mist” and “Ancient Spells of Darkness,” as well as the album’s haunting intro, HERE at Nuclear War Now!‘s Bandcamp. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:


Tracklisting for Moenen of Xezbeth’s Ancient Spells of Darkness…
1. Intro
2. Into the Black Mist
3. Oath of Malignancy
4. Pandemonial Curse
5. Ancient Spells of Darkness
6. Interlude
7. Obscured by Lunar Rites
Posted on by

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
Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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