“Looking back, I should have croaked hundreds of times, but I didn’t. I never imagined I’d reach 40.” (Ozzy Osbourne)
As new addition to its list of programs, THE PIT VOD platform presents ‘God Bless Ozzy Osbourne’, a documentary telling the story of Ozzy’s career from the founding of Black Sabbath through to solo stardom and his wider fame beyond.
“These were the wild days of his prodigious drug and alcohol intake, of biting the head from a dove at a record company meeting and biting into a bat on stage but also of the tragic death of Randy Rhoads and the reality TV show The Osbournes.”
The film follows Ozzy’s torturous and emotionally fraught journey from excess to sobriety, which Ozzy regards as his greatest accomplishment. Featuring never before seen footage, new interviews with Ozzy himself, his brothers and sisters, his children, his bandmates in Black Sabbath and those who both inspired him and were inspired by him, this is the first film to take viewers inside the mind and psyche of this legendary figure.
*** For reminder, THE PIT is and available right now through the following link and your best ISP.
SETH are the harbinger of a sound that’s steeped in the clandestine narratives of Parisian lore and rebellion. Today, the French black metal band are releasing “Dans le Cœur un Poignard”, from their upcoming album La France des Maudits. Their latest single is a dark ode to those who bear the mark of betrayal and suffering within their hearts.
The haunting melody of “Dans le Cœur un Poignard” weaves through a labyrinth of Parisian despair, illuminating the darkest corners of a wounded heart. Lyrically, the track is a poignant narrative of anguish and defiance, serving as a siren call to those who navigate the treacherous waters of existence with a dagger sheathed within their soul. Seth, with their meticulous craftsmanship, etch a tale of sorrow and resilience, emboldened by the ethereal whispers of a love lost to the voracious appetite of betrayal.
“Dans mon cœur ce poignard. Toujours souffrir, Jusqu’à la mort!”, Saint Vincent echoes. It’s a stark reminder of the perpetual battle against the specters of our past, encapsulating the essence of human struggle, a relentless journey punctuated by moments of exquisite pain and sublime liberation.
Alongside the haunting melodies of “Dans le Cœur un Poignard”, Seth has commissioned a visually arresting music video, bringing the song’s themes of betrayal, anguish, and defiance to life with heart-piercing imagery. Helmed by the visionary Pierre Reynard, the video is a striking piece of art that beautifully accompanies the song’s melancholy.
Cover Art by Andy Julia
Tracklist 1. Paris des Maléfices (5:09) 2. Et Que Vive le Diable ! (5:35) [WATCH] 3. La Destruction des Reliques (5:51) 4. Dans le Cœur un Poignard (5:30) [WATCH] 5. Marianne (2:59) 6. Ivre du Sang des Saints (5:37) 7. Insurrection (7:33) 8. Le Vin du Condamné (8:06) 9. Initials B.B. (Serge Gainsbourg Cover) (Bonus Track) (3:49) Total runtime: 46:22
In the solemn shadows of a lyrically resurrected Paris, where the whispers of revolution still haunt the cobblestones and the phantom caress of the guillotine’s blade lingers in the air, stands a band – not merely of musicians, but of modern Marats, Robespierres in leather and lace, anointed with the spirit of insurrection. SETH, the harbingers of a dark yet fervidly awaited dawn, are poised once more to unleash a tempest upon the sanctified silence of the contemporary music scene with their newest auditory uprising, La France des Maudits.
The history of black metal formation Seth and Season of Mist spans back to the early days of the French metal scene. The band’s debut Les Blessures de L’Ame (1998) was one of the first releases on the label. This album is now regarded as a cornerstone in French black metal, pioneering the usage of their native tongue on a black metal record.
The release of Les Blessures de L’Ame quickly gained international attention and Seth built a solid fanbase. The French blasphemers signed a two-release deal with Osmose Productions and participated on the MAYHEM cult tribute album Originators of the Northern Darkness alongside IMMORTAL and BEHEMOTH. The second full-length The Excellence came out in 2000 and featured a contribution from none other than Fenriz (DARKTHRONE), who wrote the lyrics for the song Let Me Be The Salt In Your Wound.
Shortly after, the group recorded their third album Divine-X (2002) at the Excess Studios in Rotterdam (EPICA, AFTER FOREVER, SINISTER). This record demonstrated the ability of the band to mix gloomy and violent atmospheres and received extensive coverage from the international metal press at the time.
Returning to the Netherlands to record the fourth album Era-Decay (2004), two new members joined the ranks of Seth: vocalist Black Messiah and guitarist Cyriex. Afterwards, the band was invited to play at the prestigious Inferno festival in Norway in 2005.
A long hiatus followed, until the band returned in 2011 to play an exclusive show in Germany with the German cult act BETHLEHEM. The band re-joined the ranks of Season of Mist, eventually releasing The Howling Spirit (2013) and embarking on a European tour with PESTILENCE. Several appearances at major festivals followed, including Hellfest and Graspop Metal Meeting, concluded by a Canadian headliner tour with new vocalist Saint Vincent (BLACKLODGE).
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Les Blessures de L’Ame in 2018, Seth exclusively performed the entire album at festivals in Switzerland, Canada (Messe de Morts) and Belgium (Thronefest). The French label Les Acteurs de l’Ombre productions released a live recording of these shows, called 20 ans de Blasphème. The band’s new line-up features members of LOUDBLAST, ARKHON INFAUSTUS and MELTED SPACE.
In the twilight year of 2021, within Paris’ shadow-ridden crypt, Studio Sainte Marthe, an album was birthed from Seth’s tumultuous revelation, christened, La Morsure du Christ. Earning plaudits of wonder, it was no mere collection of hymns, but a solitary harbinger of deconstruction, a cataclysm of unseen proportions. Inspiration seeped from Notre-Dame de Paris—her skeletal frame ablaze in a 2019’s firestorm—an emblem of decaying faith for a godforsaken era. As heavy as the iron heart of a guillotine, La Morsure du Christ echoed through the chambers of 2021, reigning supreme in a multitude of international & French metal charts, as well as its inclusion on premier streaming platform playlists. Bold symphonies interwoven with razor-sharp lyricism and a sophisticated conceptual resonance that dared to envision black metal through a revolutionary lens.
Rooted deeply in the soil that once drank deeply of royal and commoner blood alike during the tumultuous fervour of the French Revolution, Seth presents their latest opus – a black metal gospel according to the damned and the outcast. An intricate tapestry of shadows and defiance emerges from the darkness of history’s recesses, swirling with the mists of apocalyptic visions and the ashes of fallen angels. La France des Maudits is a declaration of war, a call to arms for the souls still smouldering beneath the veneer of a world too long gripped in the cold hands of a moribund orthodoxy.
With the fractured bones of dead gods beneath their boots, Seth voyages through the forbidden and the occult, tracing the lines of ancient prophecies and the decadent whispers of La Grande Catin Écarlate, the scarlet woman of the apocalypse. Their songs, from Paris des Maléfices to Insurrection, resonate with the echoes of a Paris besieged not by armies, but by souls clamouring for liberation – a city where each stone tells a tale of defiance, where every shadow harbours the spirit of revolt.
Lyrically, La France des Maudits is dripping with the wine of condemned men and the blood of saints, narrating the epic saga of rebellion from the ashes of a fallen Notre-Dame. This is not the Paris of light, but of enlightening darkness, where the façades of grandeur crumble to reveal the raw flesh of true humanity, writhing in its eternal struggle against divine oppression. Here, in the very heart of darkness, Seth finds its muse among the cacophony of broken chains and shattered dogmas.Prepare to march beneath the banner unfurled by Seth, in the grand tradition of those unyielding souls who once stormed the Bastille and dared to dream of a world remade. La France des Maudits beckons – not to the gallows, but to glory.
Line-up Saint Vincent – Vocals (Blacklodge) Heimoth – Guitar (Sinsaenum) Drakhian – Guitar (ex-Loudblast, Griffar) Pierre Le Pape – Keys (Melted Space) EsX – Bass (Arkhon Infaustus, ex-Merrimack) Alsvid – Drums (ex-Enthroned, ex-Ad Patres)
Recording Studio Sainte Marthe Studio
Production Credits Mixed, produced & mastered by Francis Caste
Greek progressive metal act FADING ECHOES has signed a deal with Wormholedeath for the CD release of their album “Shadow of Another”. More info is coming soon!
The band stated: Fading Echoes is proud to announce our partnership with Wormholedeath Records for the physical release of our highly anticipated debut album, “Shadow of Another.”
This collaboration signifies a new chapter in our musical journey, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to join forces with Wormholedeath Records, a label known for its unwavering commitment to supporting emerging artists and fostering creativity.
“Shadow of Another” is more than just an album to us; it’s a reflection of our collective passion and dedication to crafting music that resonates deeply with our audience. With Wormholedeath Records by our side, we are confident that our music will reach new heights and connect with listeners on a profound level. Stay tuned for updates on the release dates of “Shadow of Another.” We are immensely grateful for the support of our fans and cannot wait to share this musical journey with you all.
Fading Echoes is a progressive metal band from Volos, Greece, formed in 2019. The band members include Dimitris Stratikis (vocals and bass guitar), Vasilis Sarou (piano and keyboards), and Petros Printezis (guitars), with session musicians Jim Politis (guitars) and Nick Vell (drums). Their music is a fusion of intricate melodies, complex rhythms, and atmospheric textures, inspired by progressive metal greats like Savatage, Evergrey, Anathema, Katatonia, Opeth, and Soen.
Their debut album, “Shadow of Another,” is a melancholic and gloomy journey. Five of the eight songs form the haunting pentalogy “The Stages of Grief,” with each step being “Denial”, “Anger”, “Bargaining”, “Depression”, and “Acceptance”. This five-part composition delves deep into the complexities of loss, exploring the spectrum of emotions one may encounter while navigating the tumultuous terrain of grief. Each movement of this pentalogy is a sonic exploration of a different stage of grief, from the initial shock and denial to the eventual acceptance and resolution. Through haunting melodies, poignant harmonies, and evocative instrumentation, Fading Echoes captures the essence of each stage with remarkable depth and sensitivity.
The album features Zak Stevens (Savatage / TSO) on the song “Acceptance” and was mixed and mastered by George Constantine Kratsas.
1. The Stages of Grief, Pt.1 – Denial 2. The Stages of Grief, Pt.2 – Anger 3. The Stages of Grief, Pt.3 – Bargaining 4. The Stages of Grief, Pt.4 – Depression 5. The Stages of Grief, Pt.5 – Acceptance (ft Zak Stevens) 6. The First Step Forward 7. Rumination 8. The Final Act
Watch the official lyric video of “Acceptance” featuring the legendary Zak Stevens here:
The album promises to deliver a unique and immersive musical experience, inviting listeners to delve into the depths of emotion through the artistry of Fading Echoes.
Following last years surprise announcement that they would be getting back together, Swedish progressive rockers Beardfish are pleased to announce they have re-signed with InsideOutMusic for the release of their first new music since breaking up in 2016.
The band comments: “These are super exciting times for Beardfish with us being back together as a band. We’re just finishing up our first new album in nine years and we’re working with Inside Out again, our favourite record label on the planet!
We’re also really happy that ‘Destined Solitaire’, one of my personal favourites in the Beardfish catalogue, is turning 15 years old this year and that it’s finally gonna be available on some hot wax! It’s been remastered for vinyl, has lengthy liner notes from yours truly (rambling on!) and it looks and sounds fantastic!”
First though, the band are pleased to announce a special 15th anniversary vinyl release of their fifth studio album ‘Destined Solitaire’ – its first time ever on wax. Newly remastered, and featuring a fold-out 6-page LP-booklet with the full cover artwork, this Gatefold 2LP release will come out on the 19th July 2024 to coincide with the bands appearance at the last ever Night Of The Prog Festival in Germany. The release also includes brand new liner notes.
Beardfish originally formed back in 2001, and today are made up of Rikard Sjöblom, David Zackrisson, Magnus Östgren and Robert Hansen. They released eight studios albums up until their disbandment in 2016, and their forthcoming ninth album will see the light of day later in 2024. Outside of Night Of The Prog Festival, the band will also headline We Låve Rock in Oslo, Norway at the end of May, as well as already being confirmed for 2025’s edition of Cruise To The Edge.
Look out for more information in the coming months!
Photo Credit: Photo1 by Franz Schepers – Combichrist_Andy_2024
Pioneers of industrial metal Combichrist return with their new album, “CMBCRST,” a masterful blend of relentless energy and undiluted aggression. This fifth album continues to burn the boundaries of genres with Andy LaPlegua’s signature fusion of electronic and metal elements. “CMBCRST” is an exorcism of the mundane, a rebirth in the fires of industrial metal. With every note, Combichrist declares that their music is forever unyielding, forever defiant, and, as always, immortal.
“CMBCRST” delivers a hellish soundscape of screeching guitars and brutal electronic beats, proving that only death is immortal. Songs like “Only Death Is Immortal” and “D for Demonic” encapsulate the raw, visceral sound that has defined the band’s journey. Andy LaPlegua, maintaining the core electronic backdrop, ventures boldly into new musical territories, reaffirming their position at the forefront of the industrial metal scene. Every track on “CMBCRST” is a demonstration to the band’s roots and a bold step into the future as it dials up the intensity to show that Combichrist is not just surviving in this industry; they are setting it ablaze. “Children of Violence” and “Wolves Eating Wolves” explore themes of survival and betrayal with pulse-pounding rhythms and haunting lyrics. “Violence Solves Everything PTI and PTII” closes the album on a climactic note, challenging listeners with its provocative title and explosive soundscapes.
The new album “CMBCRST” is now available after an extensive US headline tour, which was climaxing at the Sick New World festival in Las Vegas. Listen, get it now here: https://combichrist.lnk.to/CMBCRST
Tracklist
Children Of Violence
D For Demonic
Heads Off
Only Death Is Immortal
Compliance
Northern Path
Through The Ravens Eyes
Wolves Eating Wolves
Not My Enemy
Modern Demon
Planet Doom
Sonic Witch
Violence Solves Everything PTI
Violence Solves Everything PTII (The end of a dream)
About Combichrist: Formed by Norwegian vocalist Andy LaPlegua, Combichrist has dominated the industrial metal scene with their aggressive sound and energetic live performances. From their inception, Combichrist has continually pushed the limits of the genre, ensuring that their musical legacy will be felt for years to come.
5 years exactly after “Fera”, ULTIO is back with yet another relentless slab of pure, abrasive Black Metal.
This new full length album is an emotionally shattering experience crafted with the intent of re-evoking a time when Black Metal was simply Black Metal – dark, menacing, uncomplicated and extreme.
ULTIO is a project by Giorgio Barroccu (DERHEAD) and “Cor” can be considered like the twistedly demented brother of “The Grey Zone Phobia”, DERHEAD’s latest album released back in March 2023.
Another side of the same, dark coin – ULTIO shares DERHEAD’s very same dramatic tension and despair, however showcasing here a magnificently unrestrained and raw soul: behind a gloomy wall of freezingly cold riffs and shrieking screams ULTIO ascends maniacally, building a sense of impending peril and oppression – dissonance after dissonance.
Similarly to the previous release, the writing and recording process of the new full lenght album “Cor” was also very instinctive and took place in the space of only a few weeks: the result is something furious and unhinged, raw and visceral – and yet, somehow, grandiose and triumphant in all its bestial savagery.
FFO: Marduk, Funeral Mist, Gorgoroth.
Tracklist:
1 – Spikes (04:21) 2 – The Grey Inferno (05:14) 3 – Wretchedness (04:43) 4 – A Thousand Times More (05:16) 5 – Looking For Eyes (05:19) 6 – Cor (06:02)
Credits:
Written and performed by Giorgio Barroccu Recorded, mixed and mastered by Giorgio Barroccu Artwork by Giorgio Barroccu Layout and artistic supervision by Evokaos (Brucia Records)
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 