Obsidian Mantra is a Polish death metal band founded in 2014. Their music combines groove-centric, technical riffs with blurred black metal motifs. Avoiding catchy choruses and easy melodies, the band remains faithful to old-school death metal, but does not try to revive a bygone era.
The band’s lyrics focus on man, exploring existentialism, skepticism, individualism and the dark aspects of human nature, such as suffering, addictions, internal conflicts and self-destruction.
Obsidian Mantra is about persistence, consistency and searching for one’s own identity, regardless of momentary trends. The band has gained a reputation for its ability to play in all conditions, always delivering the same powerful load of weight and energy, which they have proven on stages alongside bands such as Vltimas and Suffocation.
Music for upcoming studio album was recorded between March and May 2024. Whole tracks were mixed and mastered by Filip Hałucha at Heinrich House Studio (Hate, Behemoth, Entropia, Masachist) with additional editing by Mateusz Łukasiewicz. Cover artwork and booklet arts by Pilar Martínez. CD layout and band logo by Marcin “Lycan” Smolarek. Band photography by Jakub Tomczak.
New album “As We All Will” will be released digitally and as jewelcase CD, September 27, 2024 in cooperation with Polish music label Via Nocturna. Pre-order is available at webstore.
Tracklist:
1. What Is Not, Is Not 4:09 2. Cult of Depression 3:51 3. Slave Without a Master 3:03 4. Who Will Become a Murderer 4:22 5. Condemned to Oppression 2:56 6. Chaos Will Consume Us All 3:42 7. Sowers of Discord 4:35 8. Weavers of Misery 3:57
Band comments their newest song: “Cult of Depression takes on the contemporary image of mental illness. The song criticizes the romanticization of depression and its presence in (social) media as a trend, where instead of real support and awareness, it’s often just about gaining attention. The lyrics delve into issues of self-isolation, treating mental illness as part of one’s identity, and the false sense of community that comes from a shared void.“
Video to the song “Cult of Depression” at Death Metal Promotion
Indianapolis-based melodic death-doom purveyors MOTHER OF GRAVES have officially announced the release of their sophomore full-length album, titled “The Periapt of Absence”, which has been slated for release on October 18 via Profound Lore Records. With the track “Upon Burdened Hands” the band has unleashed the first single today.
Listen to the track here:
VocalistBrandon Howe about the track: “‘Upon Burdened Hands’ is a tale of severance and longing. Perseverance in the midst of uncertainty. Being separated from the one thing tethering you to this earth, but somewhere – still connected. It is one of our more melodic and hooky songs on the record, which I love, while holding an equal amount of heaviness and grit. I think we found a really nice balance of those things here. Included before the last half of the song is a reading of ‘The Dream’ by Theodore Roethke, a favorite poet of mine. His work among select others solaced me through difficult times, and I thought this one in particular was a fitting piece for this song. Sink into the melancholic romance and let it take you where it may.“
Tracklist:
Gallows
Shatter the Visage
A Scarlet Threnody
Apparition
The Periapt of Absence
As the Earth Fell Silent
Upon Burdened Hands
Like Darkness to a Dying Flame
After the success and lasting impact of their debut 2022 full-length, “Where the Shadows Adorn”, MOTHER OF GRAVES return to the surface with a new and prolific dose of melancholy. “The Periapt of Absence” serves as a testament to the band’s evolutionary journey and steadfast dedication to crafting their profoundly personal and enthralling rendition of death-doom metal.
Highlighted by Brandon Howe’s soul crushing and poetic vocals, this offering transcends boundaries, delving even deeper into realms of melancholy and introspection than their past offerings. The album expands on MOTHER OF GRAVES‘ engrossing atmospheres, crushing passages that shine light on their death metal roots, monumental hooks, and melodies that will resonate for years to come. The crushing production, provided by the band’s Ben Sandman with dynamic mastering by the legend Dan Swanö, amplifies the monumental rhythm section anchored by Don Curtis on drums and Corey Clark on bass, while illuminating the intricate guitar harmonies skillfully woven by guitarists Sandman and Chris Morrison.
“This album marks a new chapter for Mother of Graves, and we couldn’t be more excited to release it through our new label. It’s a thrill to finally share these songs with the world“, guitaristChris Morrison states. “Ben’s production, combined with Dan Swanö’s mastering, has given the album a rich, thick sound that still maintains clarity even with the lush atmosphere. The songs remain steeped in melancholy, reflecting themes of loss and heartache, yet there are moments that offer a glimmer of hope. That is important to us because despite the anger and pain that comes with loss, we’re still here, still breathing, and we must move forward. We can’t wait for everyone to hear both the single and the album, and we hope it resonates with listeners in a profound way.“
“The Periapt of Absence” is without a doubt their most in depth and significant material to date. Each song provides a poignant exploration of the human experience, where moments of despair are illuminated by glimmers of hope and fleeting beauty. Through eight cathartic tales of heartache, love, and loss, MOTHER OF GRAVES beckons you to delve deep into the recesses of their dark and gloomy world.
“The Periapt of Absence” will be out on October 18 via Profound Lore Records and is now available for pre-order at THIS LOCATION
MOTHER OF GRAVES are: Brandon Howe – Vocals Ben Sandman – Guitars Chris Morrison – Guitars Corey Clark – Bass Don Curtis – Drums
Defiled have long since mastered the vile art of old-school death metal. Ever since they first erupted with wrath out of the Tokyo underground at the tail-end of the ’90s, Yusuke Sumita and his band of bloodthirsty samurai have left nothing but inevitable ruin in their wake. They’ve toured with fellow legends like Mayhem, Incantation, Morbid Angel and Cannibal Corpse, leading crowds from as far away as Milwaukee Metal Festival to lose their sanity.
After their last album, it’s understandable if metalheads believed that Defiled had reached the highest level. But now, just one year later, the Japanese legends have topped themselves once again with their upcoming eighth album. Horror Beyond Horror is the kind of good ol’ fashioned ass-kicking that only a true master can deliver. As demonstrated by its flying and furious title track, the band’s reign of total dominance is endless thanks to their bottomless arsenal of finishing moves.
After 30 years of slicing and dicing, Defiled know where to stick the blade. The band’s new title tracks shreds through the psychological horrors of mind control with riffs that are honed from their sharp influence of ’80s thrash and hardcore. “The time has come”, frontman Shinichiro Hamada spits at his captors with utter disgust. “Death strikes you with derision”.
With three albums now under their belts in the past four years, Defiled certainly don’t have the patience to suffer any fools. Halfway through its brutal punishment, “Horror Beyond Horror” is whipped along by a squealing whammy bar and blast beats that are more piercing and precise than a firing squad.
But the band aren’t afraid to crack open people’s skulls, either. “What sets Defiled’s old-school approach apart from the plethora of modern imitators is a refined sense of songcraft”, says Lambgoat. It still cuts to the raw truth, but “Horror Beyond Horror” is also thick with stomach-churning tempo twists. Just as they seem to settle into a skull-crushing groove, the band fly off the rails with more fret-ripping madness. And yet – amidst the song’s deranged lunacy, Defiled never fail to lure you back into the pit.
“Waiting for the slaughter” Hamada growls in hungry anticipation of the raw, chopping breakdown.
“We are very excited to play songs off Horror Beyond Horror for fans in our home country”, says guitarist Yusuke Sumita. “If you’re in the area, be sure to join us. See you on the road”.
The video for “Horror Beyond Horror” was filmed in March 2024. It was filmed and edited by Seaside 99 Works. Special thanks to Hirohisa Saco at Studio Tranbanero.
Cover Art by Wes Benscoter
Tracklist1. Smoke and Mirrors (2:35) [WATCH] 2. Horror Beyond Horror (4:01) [WATCH] 3. Syndicate (3:59) 4. The Alchemy (2:47) 5. Demagogue (2:13) 6. The Terminal Phase (2:18) 7. Trojan Horse (2:35) 8. Spectrum of Fear (2:30) 9. The Crook and Flail (3:08) 10. Replicator Dynamics (2:42) 11. Equinox (3:04) 12. The Chains (3:16) 13. Psychopomp (3:14) 14. To See Behind The Wall (2:45) [WATCH]
In customary fashion, this fall, Defiled are welcoming Horror Beyond Horror with a tour of Japan. Watch these legends shred through “Horror Beyond Horror”, “Smoke and Mirrors”, “To See Beyond the Wall” and other nasty rippers off their new album for the very first time.
The band also have two very special shows planned for later this year. In November, they’ll bang heads with fans in Bangkok alongside Batushka and Malevolent Creation. Then, to cap off what’s already shaping up to be another gloriously hellish year in their 30-year history, Defiled will share the stage with Hellchild and Satanic Hell Slaughter in a joint celebration of Japan’s historic death metal scene.
“As a Japanese death metal band, we wanted to reflect on where our scene started”, says Yusuke Sumita, who’s been Defiled’s guitarist since the band started in 1992. “Hellchild and Satanic Hell Slaughter are legends who built the Japanese death metal scene in the early ’90s. We are honored to have them return to share the stage with us. We want the young Japanese metalheads to come to this show. Don’t miss it”.
Horror Beyond Horror Japanese Tour 2024 September 13 – Okayama @ Digvuilt September 14 – Hiroshima @ Leo September 15 – Karatsu @ Yggdrasil September 16 – Fukuoka @ reflex September 20 – Osaka @ Hokage September 21 – Hikone @ Benihana September 22 – Nagoya @ Studio 246 September 23 – Tokyo @ Earthdom September 24 – Yokohama @ El Puente September 25 – Fussa @ Chicken Shack September 26 – Utsunomiya @ Beat Club September 27 – Nagano @ Rosebery Cafe September 28 – Niigata @ Rocka September 29 – Sendai @ Solfa September 30 – Fukushima @ 559 October 25 – Kofu @ Kazoo Hall October 26 – Tokyo @ Earthdom October 27 – Matsudo @ Dugout 2
Defiled Live in Bangkok with Batushka + Malevolent Creation November 29 – Bangkok, Thailand @ Mr. Fox Livehouse
Defiled Live in Tokyo with Hellchild + Satanic Hell Slaughter December 8 – Tokyo, Japan @ Earthdom
From the depths of Tokyo’s darkest alleys, Defiled have emerged once again, claws sharpened, eyes bloodshot, ready to unleash a fresh dose of unadulterated savagery with their latest full-length studio album, Horror Beyond Horror. Marrying the grotesque with technical prowess, these samurais of sickness are poised to carve another notch into the archives of death metal’s sordid history.
Since crawling from the primordial soup of the underground scene in the early ’90s, Defiled have forged a path littered with broken souls. Their journey of destruction first sank its teeth into the international jugular with Erupted Wrath, mixed by the masterful Jim Morris in Tampa, Florida. This brutal assault opened gates to a global bloodletting, from leveling stages in South Korea to crushing skulls at the Milwaukee Metalfest, and not even the November to Dismember fest could foresee the carnage they’d bring.
Commandeering the technical tightrope between anarchy and precision, Defiled evolved, much like an aberrant spawn isolated on the Galapagos, grotesque yet ultimately superior. Their subsequent onslaughts — Ugliness Revealed, Divination, and the sheer violence of In Crisis — built a monument to atrocity that ascends to new heights with Horror Beyond Horror.
Taking no prisoners in their three-decades-long campaign of terror, Defiled have become the indestructible behemoth of Asia’s death metal scene, powered by the relentless engine of their oldschool roots and the twisted wreckage of technical thrash and progressive rock innovation.
But enough with the history lesson, you came here for the carnage, didn’t you? Horror Beyond Horror is a 14-track massacre, riddled with riffs sharp enough to slit your throat and a rhythmic onslaught that’ll pulverize your pathetic bones. Each track, from the visceral “Smoke and Mirrors” to the haunting “To See Behind the Wall”, is a calculated strike, precision-engineered to leave no survivors. Let’s not forget the eponymous “Horror Beyond Horror”, a track that cements Defiled’s legacy as harbingers of the apocalypse.
With a sound as raw as exposed nerve endings and as unrefined as a mass grave, Defiled stands defiantly apart from the polished poseurs and shameless sellouts. They don’t peddle in cheap gimmickry or nostalgia; they deal in the currency of pure, unfiltered destruction. As they look out upon the charred landscape of the genre they’ve helped to define, Defiled is not content to rest on their laurels. Horror Beyond Horror sees them, once again, ascending to the blood-soaked throne of death metal sovereignty.
Production Credits Sound Engineers – Shinichiro Hamada & Keisuke Hamada Produced by Yusuke Sumita Mixed & Mastered by Kenji Kikuchi at Studio Nest, Chiba, Japan
In the ever-turning wheel of life, where seasons merge as effortlessly as emotions, VESTIGE emerge with their latest single, “Automne Pt. 1” from their debut album Janis.
Led by the soul-stirring voice of Théodore Rondeau, Vestige craft a narrative that is as intimate as it is universal. With “Automne Pt. 1”, the French four-piece invite you to traverse through tender melancholy and profound hope that saturates their vision of modern metal. The song opens with a gentle guitar melody, before smashing into blast beats and a full-on wall of blackgaze. As they build into a powerful crescendo, the band leave you breathless and wanting more.
“Automne Pt. 1” is a pivotal moment in the landscape of modern metal that is Janis. The song embodies an autumnal drift, capturing the serene yet sorrow-laden sway between despair and redemption. Thomas Petit’s guitar weaves between intricate, tremolo picking and chugging riffs, while bassist Pierre-André Krauzer’s pulses with palpable heartache amidst the internal tempest of Quentin Regnault’s drums.
Keep your ears to the ground for the second part of “Automne”, which features a very special guest and fellow friend of the French metal scene.
The visualizer for “Automne Pt. 1” was created by Killian d’Angelo.
Cover art by Kilian d’Angelo & Justine Dorin
Tracklist1. Différent (2:47) 2. Deviens la Nuit (5:29) [WATCH] 3. Démence de l’Âme (6:25) 4. Océan (5:27) 5. Automne Part 1 (5:50) [WATCH] 6. Automne Part 2 feat Neige (Alcest) (4:54) 7. Appel de l’Âme (4:15) 8. Corrosion (5:16) [WATCH] 9. Stigmates du Temps (4:34) 10. Envol de l’Âme (5:40) 11. Avant la Fin(7:15) Total runtime:57:53
Théodore Rondeau, the creative initiator behind VESTIGE, embarked on a journey of forming the band during a turbulent phase in his life. Emerged as a creative vessel for a complicated emotional journey, the band transcends the boundaries of individual therapy into a collaborative force that hopefully resonates with the feelings that may be all too common for the human experience.
With a profound connection to their craft, VESTIGE pour their souls into their debut album, infusing it with a captivating blend of melancholy, desperation, and catharsis. The music serves not only as an expression of their turmoil, but as a conduit for listeners to navigate the complexities of their own emotions. Through this process, VESTIGE becomes a project with the potential to connect with people on a profound level, forging a collective experience through the universal language of music.
The formation of VESTIGE’s lineup reads like a musical destiny unfolding: Pierre-André Krauzer on the bass, Quentin Regnault on drums, and Théodore on vocals and guitar. They first crossed paths during their tenure in Naraka, a band that shared stages with icons like Cradle of Filth and Alcest. This initial connection laid the groundwork for the formation of the band. Not long after, the addition of Thomas Petit on the second guitar solidified the lineup, bringing a sense of completeness to the ensemble. The band’s sonic identity now established; VESTIGE was ready to share this experience with the world.
The signing with Season of Mist brings the band’s first milestone, allowing VESTIGE to share their journey in the form of their debut album, Janis. Poised for release in late 2024, the album is a culmination of their collective efforts and a statement of the band’s arrival in the heavy music scene. Weaving through atmospheric shoegaze textures, melodic landscapes and intense, tormented moments that reflects the emotional spectrum of the human experience, the band established a foothold into the genre of modern metal.
Beyond the studio, VESTIGE is gearing up for a series of live performance in 2024, setting the stage for an introspective musical experience that brings raw and authentic energy. A cathartic release that pulls in the listener into the emotional depths the band has to bring.
Line-up Théodore Rondeau – Vocals, Guitar Pierre-André Krauzer – Bass Quentin Regnault – Drums Thomas Petit – Guitar
Recording Studio Théodore’s Home Studio, Quentin’s Home Studio (For Drums), Pierre-André Krauzer’s Home Studio (For Bass)
Production Credits Mixed by Geoffrey Bonnifet at his Home Studio Mastered by Acle Khaney at 4D Sounds, Oxfordshire, UK
Italian black-thrash metal trailblazers NECRODEATH have today announced their intention to break up after one final album and a farewell tour in 2025.
Throughout the next 18 months the band will celebrate 40 years of existence by releasing a new full-length album via Time To Kill Records and by heading out on a tour that’s purported to be their last one ever.
Frontman Flegias commented: “Following a prolific career and hundreds of concerts, we decided to stop here to make room for new up and coming acts and enjoy a well-deserved rest. We are aware that we are delivering bad news to our most loyal fans, but this should also please those who always said we should have broken up after the first demo tape. We will say goodbye with one last album and a series of concerts that will last from January to December 2025”.
Drummer Peso added: “We don’t last forever! I’m sure that we said everything we had to say, for better or for worse. For 40 years we lived the underground without compromising with anything or anyone, although at times it would perhaps have been appropriate to be more accommodating in order to get more visibility. But this is the story of my Necrodeath, a group of friends who have always played with passion, coherence and dignity. See you around for one last time”.
Watch for more details on the new album release, new tour updates, and more news on other upcoming NECRODEATH activities to be posted shortly.
Biography:
The moment you hear it, you know it’s NECRODEATH. Formed back in 1984, the Italian act is one of the real iconic black-thrash metal bands. With a career of 40 years, the band has helped to shape the Italian metal scene and the international underground as it is today. In 1985 NECRODEATH released a cult-demo tape titled “The Shining Pentagram” and obtained an incredible success in the underground. The demo is still considered a real gem in the thrash and black metal history. Tons of tributes in major magazines, fanzines and other underground outlets highlighted the release of the first two legendary albums “Into The Macabre” (1987) and “Fragments Of Insanity” (1989). New records and international and national tours followed one another non-stop until 2020. Like many other acts, the band was forced to interrupt a workaholic path in the underground metal scene. During that period the band reached out to Time to Kill Records for the release of the last two albums, starting with “Singin’ in the Pain” in 2023. One final record will kick off a farewell tour which will conclude at the end of 2025.
Instrumental heavy psych trio Kanaan have joined forces with neo-folk trio Ævestaden, in a heady collaboration combining two of Norway’s most lauded young groups.
This week Kanaan & Ævestaden have announced their beautiful album project Langt, Langt Vekk, due 11th October via Jansen Records.
In celebration, the new group have also released their new single ‘Fiskaren’.
Courageous, meditative, and progressive, the album is an exciting new jewel in the crowns of these two award-winning bands.
With Langt, Langt Vekk (translated as far, far away) the two bands have created a singular album. Traditional Norwegian folk music and rock has been combined several times before, but nothing sounds like this. Kanaan contributes its members’ jazz/psych background, rooted in improvisation and jamming. Ævestaden’s modern folktronica utilizes several ancient traditional instruments, in addition to the incorporation of traditional Swedish folk music. The result is something truly groundbreaking, in where both bands’ identities shines through.
Langt, Langt Vekk serves up reworked old traditionals and psalms along with grand new compositions. The album is impressively coherent, given the two band’s wildly different musical backgrounds. Fiddles, cow’s horn, kravik lyre, mouth harp, synths, harmonies, heavy guitars and a thundering rhythm section: Musically, it is impressively versatile, as well as consistently tasteful.
It’s the first new material from Kanaan since their 2023 record Diversions Vol. 2: Enter the Astral Plane (Jansen Records) – their eighth studio album since forming in 2018.
The trio came to prominence with psychedelic, jazz-inspired rock, but have gradually moved in a heavier direction, where their latest studio efforts have been labelled stoner rock. The band, consisting of Eskild Myrvoll (bass, synths), Ask Vatn Strøm (guitars) and Ingvald André Vassbø (drums, speed Farfisa), won the Spellemann award (Norwegian Grammy) in the rock category in 2021.
Ævestaden are a neo-traditional folk trio, who combine ancient instruments and folk songs with electronic music in a cutting-edge and idiosyncratic sound. The band consists of Norwegian Eir Vatn Strøm (the sister of Kanaan‘s Ask Vatn Strøm) and Kenneth Lien, along with the Swedish Levina Storåkern. They have received several awards for the albums Jag är sen igjen (a collaboration with Benedikt) and Solen var bättre där.
Tracklisting:
1. Ganglåt bortåt 2. Habbor og Signe 3. Fiskaren 4. Langt, langt vekk 5. Farvel 6. Vallåt efter C.G. Färje 7. Hva har min Jesus gjort for meg 8. Dalebu Jonsson 9. Vardtjenn
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
Ads
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 ) 