POWERWOLF Tells the Story of the "Werewolf of Bedburg" in "1589"

 

POWERWOLF has released the first single, "1589," from their upcoming album *Wake Up The Wicked*, set to launch on July 26, 2024, via Napalm Records. The song narrates the story of Peter Stump, the "Werewolf of Bedburg," who was executed in 1589 after confessing to multiple murders under torture. The music video, filmed in England's dark woods, is the band's most elaborate production, featuring numerous actors, crew members, and impressive special effects, providing a cinematic preview of the new album.

HELLISH TORMENT release new album

 

American Black Metal band HELLISH TORMENT has released their new self-titled album, which was recorded, mixed, and mastered by CJ Gardineer at Red Wolf Michigan Studios. Formed in 2016 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the band consists of Tom "The Soulbutcher" Gillis (vocals/guitars), Patrick "Dragginballs" McCarty (guitars), and Mike "Evil" Oehmen (drums). They debuted with the demo "Unholy Isolation" in 2020 and have since been performing live in Michigan.

CRYSTAL VIPER release new music video, new album out in June on Listenable Records

 

Marta Gabriel, band leader of CRYSTAL VIPER, describes their new single "The Silver Key" as one of the most epic tracks on their latest album, drawing inspiration from metal legends like Ronnie James Dio, Tony Martin-era BLACK SABBATH, and MANOWAR. The song’s video features studio footage and clips from their performances at the Full Metal Cruise festival. The album's lyrics are inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, continuing themes from their 2021 release "The Cult." Although initially titled “The Cult II,” "The Silver Key" stands out with its unique identity, being heavier, faster, darker, yet more melodic and epic than previous works. The band has shifted fully to pure Heavy Metal, paying homage to classic acts like IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST while incorporating elements from various metal subgenres. Produced and mastered by Bart Gabriel and recorded by Rafal Kossakowski, the album features cover art by Guatemalan artist Mario Lopez. Despite the "female-fronted" label, CRYSTAL VIPER remains true to their serious, traditional Metal roots.

Wade Black’s Astronomica release their new video for the song “Protectors of the Realm”!

 

The track is taken from the band’s new album "The Awakening" that is released on March 8, 2024 as Digipack CD, Curacao Transparent Vinyl limited to 300 copies worldwide and digital streaming/download format.

NORTHERN KRIG release debut album

 

Norwegian Black Metal band NORTHERN KRIG has released their debut album, "Concept Of A Suicidal Journey," on Rat Covenant Records. The album was recorded and mixed at Icelandic Fire Records by Erik Lund and mastered at Totenklang Studios. Northern Krig was formed in Oslo, Norway, in 2021 by former members of Skyrsdag: Morfran (vocals), Erik Lund (guitars), Mikkel Stein (bass), and Jonar Gunnarson (drums). Their debut demo EP, "Myrk Blóðfórn," was released in 2022.

ELVELLON Unleashes New Single “The Aftermath Of Life”

 

German symphonic metal band ELVELLON has announced their new single, "The Aftermath Of Life," from their upcoming album *Ascending in Synergy*, set for release on May 17, 2024. Accompanied by an official music video, this single promises an immersive auditory experience. ELVELLON, praised as “heroes of tomorrow” by Metal Hammer Germany, previously garnered acclaim with their 2018 album *Until Dawn*. Their track "Born From Hope" achieved over 1.3 million views and 2.5 million streams. Since their formation in 2010, ELVELLON has performed at notable festivals such as RockHarz Festival, M’era Luna, and Rock Fest Barcelona. "The Aftermath Of Life" blends heavy guitar riffs, dark keyboard sounds, and catchy choruses, exploring themes of aging and making peace with life's inevitable decay. Pre-orders for the album are now available.

REVIEW: ROTTING CHRIST, The Heretics (2019)

 

ROTTING CHRIST, The Heretics (2019)

Season of Mist

Αιρετικός δίσκος.

Η ναυαρχίδα στο στολίσκο της ελληνικής σκηνής, ειδικότερα της Extreme Metal πλευράς, στο τελευταίο κατά κυκλοφορία άλμπουμ μέχρι στιγμής (έρχεται το επόμενο φέτος,  σε μερικές βδομάδες!) βρίσκει το συγκρότημα να συνεχίζει στο πιο mainstream metal μονοπάτι που έχει χαράξει τη τελευταία δεκαετία. Όχι το συγκεκριμένο άλμπουμ δεν διεκδικεί δάφνες της πάλαι ποτέ Mediterranean Black Metal ομάδας στην οποία ξεκίνησε η ιστορία τους το '89. Μιλάμε για μοντέρνο Metal με σκοτεινό υπόβαθρο αλλά σίγουρα πολύ πιο εύπεπτο και κλασικότροπο κιθαριστικά  περιεχόμενο περισσότερο ακόμη κι απ' τη δεύτερη εποχή τους μετά το 2001! Το μόνο που θυμίζει το μαύρο παρελθόν του σχήματος του Σάκη Τόλη (κιθάρα κι φωνή) είναι το αρχικό λογότυπο της μπάντας που έκανε διακοπή στη χρήση του μόνο τρία χρόνια (τα πιο "Gorh" άλμπουμ τους A Dead Poem 1997 , Sleep of the Angels 1999 και Khronos 2000 δεν το φέρουν στο εξώφυλλο) και που θυμίζει το ακραίο παρελθόν τους απομένει. Μας χαλάει αυτό; Αν ναι κρίμα. Αν όχι εδώ έχουμε έναν δίσκο που που ακόμη μία φορά μας δείχνει τί μπορεί να κάνει αυτό το γκρουπ βετεράνων της χώρας μας. In the Name of God , Ветры злые (άνεμοι του κακού στα ρωσικά!), Heaven and Hell and Fire, Hallowed Be  Thy Name (όχι δεν είναι διασκευή στους Maiden), Dies Irae, Πιστεύω (για όσους λένε ότι δεν έχουμε στοιχεία απ' τη γλώσσα μας στιχουργικά), Fire God And Fear, The Voice of the Universe, The New Messiah The Raven είναι οι τίτλοι των κομματιών.

English Text:

Heretical disc.

The flagship of the Greek scene's fleet, particularly the Extreme Metal side, in its latest album release so far (the next one is coming next year, in a few weeks!) finds the band continuing on the more mainstream metal path they have carved over the last decade. No, this specific album does not claim the laurels of the once Mediterranean Black Metal group in which their history began in '89. We are talking about modern Metal with a dark background but certainly much more digestible and classically-influenced guitar content, even more so than their second era after 2001! The only thing that reminds us of the black past of Sakis Tolis' (guitar and vocals) band is the original logo of the band, which was only discontinued for three years (their more "Goth" albums A Dead Poem 1997, Sleep of the Angels 1999, and Khronos 2000 do not feature it on the cover) and which recalls their extreme past. Does this bother us? If yes, that's a shame. If not, here we have a record that once again shows us what this group of veterans from our country can do. "In the Name of God," "Ветры злые" (Winds of Evil in Russian!), "Heaven and Hell and Fire," "Hallowed Be Thy Name" (no, it's not a Maiden cover), "Dies Irae," "Πιστεύω" (for those who say we don't have elements of our language in the lyrics), "Fire God and Fear," "The Voice of the Universe," "The New Messiah," "The Raven" are the track titles.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης