French drone-ambient entity EVENTIDE, featuring members of acclaimed progressive death-doom metal act EPITAPHE, are about to celebrate the official release of their debut album “Waterline”, due out April 11th 2024 via Aesthetic Death.
Today, Everything Is Noise is hosting the album’s premiere at THIS LOCATION.
EVENTIDE and “Waterline” are both somewhat spontaneous and unplanned, both borne into existence out of a necessity to find an outlet for a diversifying creative flow.
Consisting of members of the French progressive death metal act, EPITAPHE, it is easy to see how EVENTIDE has become a continuation and flow of their sounds and directionality, a creative space and capacity for their desire to evolve all the many different sounds and ideas which overspill from that which they do with EPITAPHE.
In fact, it was during the EPITAPHE recording sessions of “II” that the band had such a wealth of ideas for their tracks that EVENTIDE was spontaneously created to bring those ideas to life. How intrinsically linked both bands are becomes apparent in the opening track, which starts with a chord progression that was developed during the recording sessions for the track “Melancholia” from “II”.
As an album itself “Waterline” is a beautiful meandering journey. The album grew out of long improvised rehearsals, mixing modular synthesizers, analog and digital effects, saxophone and guitar. EVENTIDE were able to draw on their love of jazz, drone, ambient and electronic music, and then using shapes, textures and timbres to craft and carve streams of constantly morphing atmosphere.
The music feels seamless – but still covers much ground, with the listener often unaware of these morphing shifts, just blissfully taking the flow of the album as it evolves, unfolds and cycles through eerie and ethereal sonorities. “Waterline” was recorded live (except for the title track and very few overdubs) and the band have had the opportunity to develop and express these ideas live through their involvement with the Collectif Eptagon in Grenoble.
For the physical edition of “Waterline” the band have gathered the great help of Stefan Thanneur for the visuals, it was recorded and mixed at Mémoire Mécanique Studio (France) by Mathieu Gaud (recording) & James Leonard (additional recording & mixing), and the album was mastered by Greg Chandler at Priory Recording Studios (UK).
Source influences include Sunn O))), Ulver, Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze and Portico Quartet.
Charismatic Dutch singer/songwriter CHARLOTTE WESSELS is set to release her new studio album on September 20, 2024 via Napalm Records! The striking first single, “The Exorcism”, will be released on May 16, 2024. Wessels’ album promises a cohesive exploration of fear and liberation, as well as spellbinding melancholia and dark, catchy elements meeting progressive and heavier soundscapes. Wessels and her band will bring this story to the stage on October 4, 2024 at Utrecht’s TivoliVredenburg. Grab your tickets HERE!
The former DELAIN vocalist’s earlier solo endeavors Tales From Six Feet Under (2021) and Tales From Six Feet Under Vol II (2022) already gained Wessels a remarkable number of devotees, but for the upcoming release, Wessels is raising the bar significantly. While still writing and producing the songs in her Six Feet Under basement home studio and sharing their first incarnations with her patrons, now she’s taking the songs to the next level with a band of her fellow ex-DELAIN cohorts Timo Somers (guitars, additional arrangements), Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (bass) and Joey Marin de Boer (drums) as well as Sophia Vernikov (piano/hammond), contributing to the new heavier sound. The album also features arrangements by Vikram Shankar (Silent Skies, Pain of Salvation), cello by Elianne Anemaat, was mixed by Guido Aalbers (Muse, Coldplay, The Gathering) and mastered by Andy VanDette (Porcupine Tree, VOLA, Dream Theater).
Stay tuned for more information to be announced soon!
CHARLOTTE WESSELS states:
“This album is significant, for on the one hand, telling such a deeply personal journey – through its unintended theme of fear and obsessive thoughts – and at the same time, representing the joy of finding the song’s true forms with everyone involved in the making of this record. There were moments in the studio with the band that truly reminded me of why I love making music in the first place, and I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited about music going out into the world. This is the album I want to re-introduce myself with, and I’m so glad to do it with this amazing team.”
It’s a very special day for NECHT, the avowed followers of the B’ahn cult that originated in the prehistoric Enkari culture. And in many respects, as on this day, the idiosyncratic outsiders will join the many North Americans and their astrologically interested visitors in keeping their eyes fixed to the sky, beholding a partial to total solar eclipse.
For Zenith Maharg (prayers) and his Ascendants Vlasfimos (prayer drums), Zhargor (high frequencies) and Aemoh (low frequencies), it is a day of highest ambivalence, on which, according to ancient belief, the dragon Karnifor, bringer of the apocalypse, takes away the furious presence of their sun god B’ahn. Those born into the eternal warrior caste throw themselves against this spell with a befitting anthem – Into Bondage Born: “BRETHREN! Today is a total solar eclipse. To the ancient Enkari, this would have been a divine portent of the coming Apocalypse, as the shadow of Karnifor appeared to overcome the wrath of B’ahn’s light. A day to despair, or a day to rejoice. Today is therefore an auspicious day to release this Sermon, in which we recall the generations of Lashmiri citizens who were born into a lifetime of constant warfare in service of the Cult of B’ahn. GLORY TO THE SUN!”
Into Bondage Born from the long meditation The Prophecy of Karnifor (which will be released on May 17th, 2024) is now available in digital form throughout many audio-sacrificial platforms. The sermon comes across just as ambivalent as the cosmic event to which NECHT have dedicated it, humming out of that eerie grey area between black metal solemnity and the deep-seated melancholy that a normalized war has burned into the cultural soul of the Enkari.
A prologue to Into Bondage Born and the public ritual of this sermon can be observed here only by the bravest of inquisitive prehistorians:
The story of NECHT began in the pandemic year 2022 with a Canadian black metal trio that grew into a quartet as it progressed. Now, in 2024, Zenith Maharg and his Ascendants Vlasfimos, Zhargor and Aemoh step out of the shadows of the past to spread the word of their soon-to-be-released long meditation The Prophecy of Karnifor. The weird cultists themselves give us a little insight into what has secretly happened at the advent of the Temple of NECHT: “Zenith Maharg and Ascendant Vlasfimos are long-standing collaborators, already dead-set on starting a black metal project. In a second-hand bookshop in Calgary, Zenith Maharg then came across a copy of the obscure and controversial history Translating the Enkari-B’ahn Scrolls: Words from the People of the End Times, written by Dr. Birgitta Olsson, based on the discoveries that the German explorer and philosopher Dr. Karl von Mecklenburg made in the middle of the 19th century, and published in 2015. As he read and learned more about the fascinating and largely unknown history of the Enkari, he became determined to establish the Temple that is NECHT to do homage to our most ancient ancestors. Since then, we have been performing public rituals with rapidly growing numbers of participants, in which – enlightened by our multifaceted sermons – more and more people have been joining the Cult of B’ahn, our sun god.” One of the central themes in the history of the Enkari was the social division into two city-states, Lashmir and Ishpan, which were engaged in a perpetual war until the end of the records. B’ahn was the god of the city warriors of Lashmir, to whom NECHT also associate themselves. Now, for the first time, the descendants of the Lashmirs are performing selected sermons from the meditation The Prophecy of Karnifor, which will be made available in full on May 17th, 2024 – some of them as part of visual revelations, such as For Violence Was Wrought Upon Me and Into Bondage Born.
Meditation through repetition: Put Into Bondage Born on your alt prehistorical playlist now as an offering to B’ahn: https://linktr.ee/nechtblackmetal
The full length meditation The Prophecy Of Karnifor will be revealed on May 17, 2024. Disciples of the cult and those willing to become one can pre-order it here at any given time: https://necht.bandcamp.com/album/the-prophecy-of-karnifor
Black Tusk are debuting their new single “Breath of Life” with Decibel Magazine. The video was produced by Alexandra Petrovich. “Breath of Life” comes ahead of the band’s new album, The Way Forward, which is out April 26 on Season of Mist.
“‘Breath of Life’ was a fun one to work on”, says Chris “Scary” Adams. In addition to playing guitar and contributing vocals, Scary also produced and mixed The Way Forward at his studio Hidden Audio. “There were a few iterations as we were riffing alone, but once we all got together it really took shape. That’s my favorite part about writing collaboratively. It really does come to life when everyone contributes”.
“‘Breath of Life’ is a bludgeoning track that showcases the new versatility of having a second guitarist”, says bassist and vocalist Derek Lynch, who makes his debut as a member of Black Tusk on The Way Forward. “We decided to bookend the chaos with some experimental synth parts that I feel set the tone for what’s to come”.
Don’t miss the chance to see the band’s new four-piece lineup on April 26, when they ring in album number seven at their free hometown record release show! Joining the party are special guests Bronco and fellow Savannahians The Maxines.
Black Tusk will then hit the road for more shows with their fans down south.
The Way Forward Record Release Show April 26 – Savannah, Georgia @ Congress St. Social Club [Free Show]
Black Tusk 2024 May Tour Dates May 23 – Atlanta, GA @ Boggs Social & Supply [TICKETS] May 24 – Orlando, FL @ Will’s Pub [TICKETS] May 25 – Stuart, FL @ East Ocean Pub [TICKETS] May 26 – Jacksonville, FL @ Rain Dogs [TICKETS]
Cover artwork by Brian Mercer
Tracklist 1. Out Of Grasp – 2:47 2. Brushfire – 2:22 [LISTEN] 3. Harness (The Alchemist) – 2:35 4. Lessons Through Deception – 2:14 5. Breath Of Life – 5:12 [WATCH] 6. Dance On Your Grave – 2:54 [WATCH] 7. Against The Undertow – 3:06 8. Lift Yourself – 3:31 9. Ocean Of Obsidian – 2:50 10. Flee From Dawn – 3:38 11. The Way Forward – 4:40 Total runtime: 35:54
“The big theme of this record is putting your life back together.” That’s Black Tusk guitarist/vocalist Andrew Fidler talking about the band’s new album, The Way Forward. “When everything seems like it’s against you, put your head down and push through. Take those bad things that are happening and use them to help create.”
The Way Forward might be the Savannah swamp metal crew’s seventh album, but it marks many firsts for Black Tusk. It’s their first with their new lineup, which sees guitarist Chris “Scary” Adams and bassist Derek Lynch joining Fidler and drummer James May. Which also makes it Black Tusk’s first record with a two-guitar lineup. “We were able to add leads and harmonies and all kinds of stuff on the new record that we haven’t done in the past,” Fidler says. “As far as our records go, this one has the most guitar work.”
You can hear it in the squealing solo of “Dance on Your Grave,” the killer harmonies on ripper “Harness (The Alchemist),” and the glorious dual guitar interplay of the powerful title track.
“‘The Way Forward’ is my favorite song on the record,” Fidler says. “It’s based on a personal experience that everyone can probably relate to. I got divorced in 2020, and I kinda felt like my entire world was collapsing when that happened. But I pulled myself out of it. I realized that this one thing ending in my life isn’t the end of everything. I’m gonna find a way forward. I’m gonna figure out how to live my life and create and be happy and make new relationships. Which is what I’ve done.”
In true Black Tusk fashion, the new lineup has expanded their triple-vocal approach to quadruple. “Everyone is doing vocals,” Fidler says. “That’s always been a thing in Black Tusk. Derek said he’d never done heavy vocals before, so I was like, ‘Well, here’s the mic. Here’s some words. Yell at it and see if you like it.’ I was blown away the first time he did it. It sounded good as fuck.”
That’s Lynch on lead single “Brushfire,” a song for which he wrote the main riffs and lyrical concept. “That was my first real contribution to the band,” the bassist says. “Thematically, I wanted the aggressiveness of the lyrics to keep with the idea of pushing forward even when the world is trying to drag you down. The mood of the lyrics needed to match the pulverizing tempo of the song.”
The lyrics for second single “Dance on Your Grave” were written by May, who moved from Savannah to Athens, GA, in the time since Black Tusk’s last album. “It’s about his struggles through Covid and what this lifestyle can do to people,” Fidler says. “It’s about getting past the party lifestyle and continuing to do things that are creative.”
Meanwhile, “Breath of Life” distills Black Tusk’s lyrical philosophy into a righteous five-minute pummeling. “Scary came up with the main riff of this song, and it’s one of my favorite riffs on the record,” Fidler says. “I wrote the lyrics, and it’s just about darkness crushing everything. The world is a fucked-up place that we have to navigate through. That’s what a lot of Black Tusk songs are about.”
Black Tusk recorded The Way Forward at Adams’ own Hidden Audio studio just outside of Savannah. Adams engineered the album and the whole band produced. “I actually helped him build the studio in the detached garage next to his house,” Fidler explains. “Me and my carpentry company went out there to do it, and Scary helped.”
“We had about 90% of the riffs and song structures going into the studio, while still experimenting with ideas and inspirations,” Adams explains. “Sometimes we completely reworked parts, which made all the difference. For example, early versions of ‘Breath of Life’ and ‘The Way Forward’ are quite different than the record, and I love where they ended up. Though we did use a few effects and synths here and there for texture and space, to me this record still feels raw and powerful. It captures the feeling of being at a Black Tusk show.”
The cover art for The Way Forward was done by Brian Mercer, who also created the sleeve for Black Tusk’s 2018 album, T.C.B.T. “T.C.B.T. had a dark cover because it was a dark time for the band,” Fidler says, referring to the period immediately after the passing of their longtime friend and bassist Jonathan Athon. “This time, it’s full blown, full-color Black Tusk. Brian Mercer and James collaborated on the concept, and Brian really knocked it out of the park.”
“The title is kind of a double play,” Fidler says. “It’s the first record with the new lineup, and this is the direction we’re taking the band in. We’ve been doing Black Tusk for 19 years now, and we still love it. That’s why we called it The Way Forward.”
Line-up:
Andrew Fidler: guitar, vocals James May: drums, vocals Derek Lynch: bass, vocals Chris “Scary” Adams: guitar, vocals
Recording Studio Hidden Audio
Producer/sound engineer Chris “Scary” Adams
Mixing studio and engineer Chris “Scary” Adams
Mastering studio and engineer Brad Boatright at Audiosiege
Orthodox vampire priests CAINITES will release the debut album “Revenant” on the 21st of June through Scarlet Records.
Cainites is the name of the new melodic death metal duo risen from the ashes of the Italian gothic-doom masters Motus Tenebrae and founded by Andrea Falaschi aka Frater Orion (Deathless Legacy), on vocals, drums and keyboards, and Daniele Ciranna, on guitar and bass.
Through their dark, gloomy melodic death metal – heavily influenced by the British and Scandinavian masters with a creepy Mediterranean twist too – Cainites create their own mystique, portraying the bloody mark they have to carry.
“Revenant” is a concept album about an old Orthodox priest who became a vampire against his will. A controversial, cruel and yet fascinating character, oscillating between a sense of abandonment by the divine and the manifestation of a faith that is still present, with continuous pleas to God to stop him from his relentless bloodshed – yearning for a redemption that cannot be reached.
“Revenant” will be released in the following formats:
jewel case CD
digital
“Revenant” tracklist: 1 Darkness Awaits 2 Theotokos 3 Vampire God 4 God’s Wrath 5 We Lost Our Sanctity 6 Forgive Our Sins 7 Cainites 8 Embrace 9 Forsaken 10 Redemption
Cainites: Andrea Falaschi (aka Frater Orion) – vocals, drums, keyboards Daniele Ciranna – guitar, bass
Time To Kill Records is pleased to announce the addition of Finnish death metal squad CRYPTIC HATRED to its evergrowing and varied roster. The band will release their second full-length album, “Internal Torment”, later this year.
Stay tuned for more details, the first single and pre-orders, which will launch soon!
CRYPTIC HATRED emerged from the depths of the Finnish underground death metal scene in 2020, with their debut demo titled “Free From The Grave”. Founded in 2019 by a group of four school friends driven by their passion for extreme music, the band quickly gained recognition for their intense and visceral old school sound.
Initially drawing inspiration from the old-school Florida death metal scene, CRYPTIC HATRED embarked on a journey of sonic exploration, pushing the boundaries of their genre and forging their own unique path. With a relentless dedication to their craft, the band honed their skills and evolved their sound, blending elements of death metal with haunting melodies and cryptic atmospheres. As CRYPTIC HATRED continued to refine their sound, they gained a reputation for their mesmerizing live performances, where the raw energy of their music collided with an aura of mystique and darkness.
In 2022, CRYPTIC HATRED released their debut album, “Nocturnal Sickness” which received critical acclaim for its unrelenting intensity and haunting melodies. The album showcased the band’s ability to seamlessly weave together brutality and their cryptic harmonies, leaving a lasting impression on listeners.
Now, as they prepare to unleash their sophomore album, “Internal Torment”, upon the world in the summer of 2024, CRYPTIC HATRED stands poised to solidify their place as pioneers of their cryptic metal take on death metal. With each track crafted to evoke a sense of inner thoughts and existential dread, “Internal Torment” promises to be a journey all the way from Florida Death Metal bomb blast beats, to melancholic Finnish death metal atmospheres.
Driven by a relentless passion for their art and an unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of extreme music, CRYPTIC HATRED continues to defy expectations and redefine what it means to create truly mesmerizing and cryptic metal. With their sophomore release on the horizon, the band’s enigmatic allure shows no signs of fading, ensuring that their legacy will endure long into the future.
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
