August 2008
Despise the Sun Records have just released the debut fullength Bloodcurdling tool of digestion by the seriously brutal death metallers Exhumer. Listen to a track on the band site.
The prominent Aussie grindcore label No Escape Records will re-release the two albums by the Spanish goregrinders Gruesome Stuff Relish in September. Both Horror Rises From the Tomb and Teenage Giallo Grind will contain bonus material, so be on the lookout!
Sakatat's split 7" with Archagathus is out now through To Live A Lie Records, Don't Fear The Night Cassettes and Corrupted Harmony Musick. Expect nothing but pure old school grindcore, Turkey vs. Canada.
The Turkish death metallers Nettlethrone have called it quits, as of today (August 21st). The reason is simple; musical differences. You can read the official statement at their MySpace site.
Mondongo Canibale Records have just released the new album Embrace by the Czech old school death metallers Mortifilia. The label promises a sure album for fans of Dismember, Unleashed, Centinex, Entombed and the likes.
The Swedish crustcore peddlers D-Takt & Råpunk Records have got tons of new releases out. Warvictims - Bellum Se Ipsum Alet 7", Mareridt - ...här börjar helvetet 7", Discover / Anger Burning 7", Dissober - Outcasts Of Sobriety 7", Skitslakt - Victim... 7", Besthöven / Warvictims 7" and the 2xCD edition of Mob 47's Back to Attack discography. Expect nothing but distorted d-beat.
After two years of searching for the perfect acts, Necroterror Records have finally released the compilation CD The Wine of Satan vol. II. 666 handnumbered CDs, with a a 333 LP edition to be released, with artwork by the talented Mr. Chris Moyen. Contains exclusive, unreleased or otherwise hard-to-find tracks by Bestial Mockery, Code, Funeral Winds, Furze, Hell Militia, Irreverent, Root and The One.
The Spanish grindcore unit Glut are looking for a label to release their third LP, currently in the recording process.
The Swedish defenders of d-beat Discover have decided to call it quits. They're currently looking for a label to release their final recording. Check out a couple of the tunes at their site.
The Swedish hardcorepunk outfit The Bristles are back after 23 years of silence. The Japanese label MCR Company have just released a 2xCD called No future in the past - the best & the rest of the Bristles. Check out the band's site for gig dates.
Dark Funeral will enter the studio Monday the 18th to start with the pre-production for their yet untitled upcoming fullength. Every weekend they'll also report their progress.
Fromtheashes, the Swedish grindcore outfit, have decided to call it quits. According to the official statement there are no hard feelings.
The Swedish Viking death metallers Wulfgar have just signed a two album deal with Trollzorn. Check out the band's MySpace site and listen to some tracks.
The Russian label Stygian Crypt Productions have recently reveled in folk/Viking metal with two new releases; the acoustic Songs of yore album by the international project Folkearth and the debut Shield brothers of Valhalla by Hildr Valkyrie. Plus they've also landed an exclusive distribution deal for another international act's debut; the Odes from the past album by Folkodia.
The Swedish crust label Halvfabrikat Records have just released the discography of the legendary anarchopunk act Operation. Entitled Så länge du inte gör motstånd stöder du systemet 1996-1999 it contains their Civil olydnad MCD, Frihet? LP and Destruktiv utveckling LP. Absolutely essential. Halvfabrikat have also just released the Industrilandskap 7" by the hardcore crusties M:40.
The Ukrainian death metallers Fleshgore have gotten an endorsement by the German company 666strings.
Not Enough Records have finally released the long-delayed We are forever album by the punkrockers Disco Volante.
July 2008
It's sad, sad news that the American label Profane Existence have decided to call it quits. The label that brought us awesome releases with State of Fear, Counterblast, Doom, Another Oppressive System, Hellshock, Iskra (etc, I could basically go on and on) is dead. Fortunately they'll continue their magazine. But I won't dwell further into the subject, if you want to know more then just read the official statement by Dan down below.
"The End of an Era.
Today I am sad to announce that Profane Existence Records will immediately stop production on all upcoming releases not currently in the manufacturing process. This decision was a long time in the making and was the result of several years of struggling to make ends meet. Increased pressing, printing and shipping costs — combined with a recent sharp decline in sales — have made it all but impossible for Profane Existence Records to maintain financial self-sufficiency and independence. With no signs of improvement in sight, and all our financial resources exhausted, there is really no choice but to pull the plug once and for all.
As of this announcement, the plan is to continue with the release of all projects currently in a state of being manufactured (i.e. where cash money has been laid down, contracts signed, purchase orders sent). These include the following releases that will be out in July and August.:
IMPERIAL LEATHER "Do You Know Where Your Children Are" LP
IMPERIAL LEATHER "Do You Know Where Your Children Are" 2x7"
MASSMORD / SHADES OF GREY split LP
RESISTANT CULTURE "Welcome to Reality" LP
WARTORN Tainting Tomorrow with the Blood of Yesterday LP/CD
COOTERS / HAPPY BASTARDS split 7"
APPALACHIAN TERROR UNIT Greenwash LP/CD
ALL OTHER SCHEDULED RELEASES WILL BE CONSIDERED CANCELLED and any pre-orders received for other titles will be cancelled and/or refunded. Current subscribers to the CDs of PE subscription are given the choice of having their remaining subscription balances refunded, converted to magazine subscriptions or applied to cooperative memberships membership. The publication of Profane Existence Magazine will not be affected by the record label shutting down and PE Distribution will continue to operation into the foreseeable future.
Profane Existence will NOT be putting out back catalog up for sale nor do we plan to sell the rights or licenses to any of our releases. As far as we're concerned the bands are the proper owners of their music and retain all further reproduction rights so long as the following conditions apply: 1) We have sold out of our existing stocks and (2) they do not owe Profane Existence any outstanding recording or production costs. Profane Existence will further make available, at cost, any leftover parts (vinyl, covers, inserts, etc.) to bands who wish to manufacture further copies of their own releases or license them to other labels. If this affects you please get in touch soon, because it costs us money to store materials and we will not do so indefinitely.
My sincerest apologies to all of the bands that this decision negatively impacts and whose projects will now be much more difficult to realize. PE is having its 19th anniversary party this year at the Triple Rock Social Club on October 25th and I hope that many of you will feel up to playing or may otherwise attend.
Thanks for your support and understanding,
Dan"
The Spanish label Temple of Darkness Records are currently reveling in Finnish death metal, as they have three releases coming up soon; Lie in Ruins' debut MCD Architecture of the dead, Psychopathic Terror's new album 230204 and the re-release of Dances from left by Mordicus.
The Macedonian label Darzamadicus Records and the Singapore based label Vrykoblast Production have co-released the Supreme Brutal Legion vol. 3; a 4-way split between the Macedonian band Formless Terror, Stillbirth from Germany, Infected Flesh from Spain and Genocide from Mexico.
The Swedish masters of sludgy doom Abandon have finally finished their new album. Titled The Dead End they hope to get this opus of 106 minutes released as a double CD and triple LP as soon as a label offers them a decent deal. You can listen to some of the new material on their MySpace site.
I happened to stumble upon these German lads' MySpace site, and listened to a few songs. And let me tell you, Lifeless delivers some seriously killer old school death metal. Do yourself a favor and order their album Beyond the threshold of death now!
The Swedish melodic death metallers Zonaria recently signed a deal with Century Media Records for their next album. The band's in the studio right now recording it, and the album is planned for a release later this year.
The Impetigo live album Live total zombie gore holocaust has just been released by the American label Epitomite Productions. "Class is in session, so take notes as Impetigo shows all the new-school how the old-school does it."
The extremely arse-kicking Finnish death metal act Kataplexia have got a new album out through Xtreem Music. And from the little I've heard it looks as Supreme authority is just as brutal as their previous releases.
This might not classify as being "scene news", but I thought it was an important issue to write here. Emil Koverot of the Swedish black metal act Blodsrit (one of my favourite bands, to be honest) recently lost his job as a school teacher just for being a member of the band. The whole thing is just ridiculous. One of the reasons the principal named was that other teachers were members of Pingstkyrkan (a Christian association) and they might get offended... As I said; ridiculous. If you understand Swedish then please read this article at Aftonbladet about it, as well as watch an excerpt from the news at YouTube. Unfortunately it's all in Swedish, but there's not much I can do about that. I just felt the need to comment on the issue. Fucking outrageous!
Deity Down Records have just released the debut album Destined to burn by the Dutch metalcore band Dark Intentions. Samples available on the band's site.
Let Them Come Productions e-mailed me with some news about their latest release:Let Them Come Productions proudly presents its new release which is Crawling Death's New murder art. Almost 30 minutes of what is the best in death metal should satisfy all the maniax. What you've got here is speed, killing slowdowns, extreme vocals and a lot of melody in solos. You can listen to the samples on www.myspace.com/crawlingdeath. The cost of the CD is 4 Euro + shipping. More on www.ltc.musicinside.pl. Zines, magazines, webzines and distributors are welcome. You will find the contact on the label's site.
Razorback Records have uploaded a brand new tune from the upcoming Crypticus album, They call me mad, to their MySpace site. The album is due this summer. And while you're waiting for it you might as well take advantage of the annual summer sale the label's having. 15% off for orders over $50, and free shipping worldwide.
Stef from Psychofagist had this to say:
Thousandswilldie / Psychofagist [Nothing Positive Records]
This split cd delivers ruthless, agressive grindcore with some experimental twist from Thousandswilldie against progressive, feral grind from estabilished European act, Psychofagist.
May 2008
Halvfabrikat Records have, through their sublabel Halvkass Produktion, got two new crustcore releases out, and both limited to about 200 copies; Demo 2008 by Dodeskaden and the self-titled demo by Passiv Dödshjälp. Sadly enough this might be the two last releases through Halvkass Produktion, because they want to put more focus on Halvfabrikat.
American Line Productions have just released the second album, entitled Sinister creation, by the Mexican death metallers Rapture.
Two new limited LPs is out through Apathic View Productions; the self-titled LP of the French grinders Gronibard (limited to 400 copies, plus 73 extra limited copies including a pink cotton bag), and the Lyden Na 2xLP by the Aussie grinders Blöod Düster (limited to 500 copies).
The Infernal Execrator MCD Antichrist Execration is out now through Pulverised Records. Limited to 1000 copies, and the label promises "6 tracks of Christexecrating Blackmetal Chaos".
The Spanish black metallers Foscor have just completed a video for the song I Tornà de les Cendres. Check it out here.
EBM Records have just released the debut fullength Genocídio Urbano by Pátria Armada, a Brazilian hardcorepunk band that's been around since 1987.
Turkish grinders Sakatat have just completed six songs for a split 7" with German Slaughter of the Innocents, to be released soon by the new Italian label Angernoise Records.
April 2008
Diaboliswear have finally opened their gates. It's been delayed for ages now, but from now on this is the home for your official Dark Funeral merchandise.
Ashen Productions wants help to set up a European tour with Horna, Glorior Belli and Stormnatt. The dates in question can be found below (the countries are just suggestions, and can be changed):
31.08. Sun - Germany
01.09. Mon - Netherlands
02.09. Tue - UK/Belgium/Germany/France
03.09. Wed - France (Paris would be best)
04.09. Thu - France (Toulouse would be best)
05.09. Fri - France (Lyon would be best)
07.09. Sun - Slovenia/Salzburg
Zorny Maroz is the title of the debut album by the Belarusian ambient black metal band Vietah, just released by Stygian Crypt.
Solitude Productions have released the debut album Lost Lifeless Light by the Latvian doom/death band Frailty, and promises an original and fresh sound. The first 200 copies comes with a bonus DVD containing the band's performance at the “Shadow Doom Fest” in Moscow.
The Macedonian death metallers Embryotomy have just released their debut album Disassemble the Dethroned through the new label Darzamadicus Records.
Ashen Productions have re-released the 2002 demo Gevatter Hein, by Descending Darkness, as a CD. And the label promises it to be some of the ugliest and dirtiest black metal to emerge from Austria, a mixture of old Gorgoroth, Ildjarn, Von and Profanatica that will be hated by many. If it sounds intriguing then you can check out a sample on the label's site.
The Czech label Mutilated Records have announced that they've signed the American death metallers Eternal Ruin for an MCD. To be unleashed this summer.
Devian, Swedish black/thrash/death newcomers, will soon start their European tour together with death metal legends Vader, and they've also just released their first video from their debut album Ninewinged Serpent, check it out here. For tour dates please check Devian's site.
The two labels Be-Part.Records and Tofu Guerilla have just released the LP version of End of All's second album The Art of Decadence; a massive display of powerful, dark crustcore. The band is also currently on a small European tour, check out the dates on their site.
Have you ever been ripped off by someone in the metal community? Well, then check out the new site Metal Rip Off, set up and maintained by the people of Stygian Crypt, and add it to the database.
It's been announced that Macabre will headline this years edition of the Obscene Extreme festival in the Czech Republic. The festival also celebrates 10 years of noise, and between the 10th and 12th of July you can witness acts such as Extreme Noise Terror, Regurgitate, Agathocles, Impaled Nazarene, Putrid Pile, Cock and Ball Torture, Dead, Splitter, Pisschrïst, Pulmonary Fibrosis, Desecration, Mesrine (etc) defile the city of Trutnov. check out the full line-up at obsceneextreme.cz. And you can check out the poster here.
The funeral doom masters Worship will embark on a tour to celebrate ten years of existance, and to support their latest release Dooom. They can be seen in Germany, Russia, Czech Republic, Holland, Japan and Norway, but they're looking for more dates. For more info on the matter, and if you think you can help, please visit Endzeit Elegies.
On April the 28th, the Swedish suicide squadron Shining will hit the studio to record their upcoming album Tillbaka På Ruta Ett; six songs with six different vocalists.
Dark Funeral have renewed their contract with Regain Records, and they've started to write new material for their next album, hopefully to be released in early 2009.
Thyrfing have entered the studio, for the first time with their new line-up, and will be busy til June, recording their new album. The album is planned for an October release through Regain Records.
Comatose Music have got two new brutal death metal releases out; Prion's Impressions and Supreme Pain's Cadaver Pleasures.
The American death metal label Epitomite Productions have got a major sale going on in April. Buy three CD's and get three CD's for free, and since all CD's only cost $10 it's a great opportunity to fill up on brutal music, especially with the record-low American currency!