Dutch death metal pioneers PESTILENCE announce new cover artwork for their re-recorded best-of album “Levels of Perception”, set to be released on Agonia Records on April 26th. The reasons behind the band’s decision have been laid out in a statement by frontman Patrick Mameli, and pertain to the partial use of artificial intelligence technology in creating the original artwork.

“First off, let me be absolutely clear about the fact that both band and record company still love the initial cover. Also, the artist that created the art, did not let the computer generate the picture. He used multiple methods to come to this result. So it’s not just AI in the real sense.

But the point I’m getting at, is this: I will not risk all the work we have put into this release, just to push the cover. We care a lot about our fans and we do not want this product to become unsuccessful just because we want to push our ideas regarding AI. We have always stood at the forefront of game, changing events within the death metal scene, whether it’s music or in this case, a cover.

Maybe the timing is not right just now, so we chose the middle way. This should make people more open to this monster of a release we have planned for y’all.

Peace,
Patrick”

The debut single for “Levels of Perception” will be released shortly.

Patrick Mameli – whose signature vocal, guitar and songwriting skills constitute the hallmark of PESTILENCE – finds “Levels of Perception” to be a testament to the band’s role in death metal’s progression. “I’ve always wanted to do a best-of album, because it would mean that I’ve achieved something in the past; something that still has its value today,” Mameli reflects. “To be able to choose from songs that I composed in the distant past, transporting them into the now, with the line-up of the recordings that consisted of Michiel van der Plicht (drums), Rutger van Noordenburg (guitar) and Joost van der Graaf (bass) – I found this to be of great value and sheer awesomeness.”

Re-recording of the tracks has not only managed to breathe new life into them – half thanks to new line-up, and other half by implementing subtle changes which reflect Mameli‘s matured vision and refined with years of experience aesthetic – but also sets them apart from cheap, unimaginative compilations, by unifying the album’s sound as befits a full-length release. “The album’s title is Levels of Perception. Why? Because this is what has happened with the songs,” Mameli explains. “Performed by different musicians, with their own views, musical abilities and interpretations, shining a new light on them. So here we are with new Levels of Perception.”

The drums for “Levels of Perception” were recorded by Michiel van der Plicht in 2021, during a live stream held in T Paard (The Hague, NL). “These recorded drum tracks were so awesome that we just had to use them, fine-tuning the guitars and bass,” Mameli comments. These and other re-recordings were done with Reaper behind the console at van der Plicht‘s own studio On Duty in Mijdrecht, NL. The latter engineered, mixed and mastered the album. “I’ve started to realize, after recording Exitivm, that when you can engineer, mix and master by yourself, the control over your own product is way bigger, through the honesty and passion for your own compositions; rather than hiring an engineer that has no feel for your music,” PESTILENCE’s frontman wraps up.

PESTILENCE was established in the Netherlands in 1986 and is considered to be a progressive death metal phenom, labeled on the same genre-defying scale as Death, Cynic and Atheist. The group is led by founder, guitarist and mastermind Patrick Mameli, who’s been the band’s binding factor through two breakups and reunions. Both a reinvention and a confirmation of everything the band has been standing for since 1986, PESTILENCE is more than ever breaking new grounds and exploring the further outposts of extreme metal on “Exitivm” (2021) – the last album, which landed on several Billboard charts (most notably including Billboard 200). In 2023, the band remastered & reissued its classic catalog, and announced “Portals” to be the title of its next studio album, which is currently in the works. 

Tracklisting:
01. Horror Detox (Re-recording) 
02. Mvlti Dimensional (Re-recording)
03. Mobvs Propagationem (Re-recording)
04. Sinister (Re-recording)
05. Dehydrated (Re-recording)
06. Dominatvi Svbmissa (Re-recording)
07. Land of Tears (Re-recording)
08. Necromorph (Re-recording)
09. Deificvs (Re-recording)
10. Twisted Truth (Re-recording)
11. Sempiternvs (Re-recording)
12. Ovt of the Body (Re-recording)

Tour dates:
23.03. NL – Kampen, Ukien
31.03. NL – Nijverdal, Cult Art
—
Black Death Over Europe 2024
Pestilence + Carnation + Bodyfarm
03.04. DE – Munich, Backstage
04.04. DE – Trier, Mergener Hof
05.04. DE – Berlin, Orwo Haus
06.04. PL – Krakow, Kamienna 12
07.04. CZ – Jaromer, Narodak
08.04. CZ – Ostrava, Barrak
09.04. SK – Kosice, Collosseum
10.04. AT – Vienna, Viper Room
11.04. HU – Budapest, A38
12.04. IT – San Donà di Piave, Revolver
13.04. 1T – Milan, Legend
14.04. FR- Marseille, Jas Rod
15.04. ES – Barcelona, Sala Boveda
16.04. ES – Madrid, Revi Live
17.04. PT – Lisbon, RCA Club
18.04. PT – Porto, Hard Club
19.04. ES – Zaragoza, Sala Lo Intento
20.04. FR – Limoges, C.C.J. Lennon
21.04. BE – Antwerp, Zappa
—
25.05. SK – Surany, Songs Of Hate Festival
21.06. DE – Protzen, Protzen Open Air
22.06. BE – Dessel, Graspop
27.07. BG – Sofia, Sofia Metalfest
28.07. GR – Athens, Release Festival
10.08. CZ – Brutal Assault
26.10. NL – Sneek, Bolwerk

“Levels Of Perception” recordings musicians:
Patrick Mameli – vocals and lead guitars 
Michiel van der Plicht – drums
Rutger van Noordenburg – lead guitars
Joost van der Graaf – bass 

Pre-order “Levels of Perception”: https://pestilence.store/levels-of-perception/

PESTILENCE on-line:
Website: http://www.pestilence.nl
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pestilenceofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pestilenceofficial/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6JcFn4PlXFuXmhRXpOpsan

Genre-defying Dutch death metal legends PESTILENCE have singled-out and re-recorded twelve emblematic anthems from across their 38-year career into “Levels of Perception”; the album is set for release on April 26th via Agonia Records. The release will be preceded by a three-week long headlining tour of Europe, which kicks off on April 3rd.

Patrick Mameli – whose signature vocal, guitar and songwriting skills constitute the hallmark of PESTILENCE – finds “Levels of Perception” to be a testament to the band’s role in death metal’s progression. “I’ve always wanted to do a best-of album, because it would mean that I’ve achieved something in the past; something that still has its value today,” Mameli reflects. “To be able to choose from songs that I composed in the distant past, transporting them into the now, with the line-up of the recordings that consisted of Michiel van der Plicht (drums), Rutger van Noordenburg (guitar) and Joost van der Graaf (bass) – I found this to be of great value and sheer awesomeness.”

Re-recording of the tracks has not only managed to breathe new life into them – half thanks to new line-up, and other half by implementing subtle changes which reflect Mameli‘s matured vision and refined with years of experience aesthetic – but also sets them apart from cheap, unimaginative compilations, by unifying the album’s sound as befits a full-length release. “The album’s title is Levels of Perception. Why? Because this is what has happened with the songs,” Mameli explains. “Performed by different musicians, with their own views, musical abilities and interpretations, shining a new light on them. So here we are with new Levels of Perception.”

The drums for “Levels of Perception” were recorded by Michiel van der Plicht in 2021, during a live stream held in T Paard (The Hague, NL). “These recorded drum tracks were so awesome that we just had to use them, fine-tuning the guitars and bass,” Mameli comments. These and other re-recordings were done with Reaper behind the console at van der Plicht‘s own studio On Duty in Mijdrecht, NL. The latter engineered, mixed and mastered the album. “I’ve started to realize, after recording Exitivm, that when you can engineer, mix and master by yourself, the control over your own product is way bigger, through the honesty and passion for your own compositions; rather than hiring an engineer that has no feel for your music,” PESTILENCE’s frontman wraps up

Tracklisting:
01. Horror Detox (Re-recording) 
02. Mvlti Dimensional (Re-recording)
03. Mobvs Propagationem (Re-recording)
04. Sinister (Re-recording)
05. Dehydrated (Re-recording)
06. Dominatvi Svbmissa (Re-recording)
07. Land of Tears (Re-recording)
08. Necromorph (Re-recording)
09. Deificvs (Re-recording)
10. Twisted Truth (Re-recording)
11. Sempiternvs (Re-recording)
12. Ovt of the Body (Re-recording)

PESTILENCE was established in the Netherlands in 1986 and is considered to be a progressive death metal phenom, labeled on the same genre-defying scale as Death, Cynic and Atheist. The group is led by founder, guitarist and mastermind Patrick Mameli, who’s been the band’s binding factor through two breakups and reunions. Both a reinvention and a confirmation of everything the band has been standing for since 1986, PESTILENCE is more than ever breaking new grounds and exploring the further outposts of extreme metal on “Exitivm” (2021) – the last album, which landed on several Billboard charts; most notably including the top 200 best selling albums. In 2023, the band remastered & reissued its classic catalog, and announced “Portals” to be the title of its next studio album, which is currently in the works. PESTILENCE shows no signs of slowing down, starting 2024 off with a spring tour and a long-sought best-of album, “Levels of Perception” – both of which will roll out this April.

Tour dates:
23.03. NL – Kampen, Ukien
31.03. NL – Nijverdal, Cult Art

Black Death Over Europe 2024
Pestilence + Carnation + Bodyfarm
03.04. DE – Munich, Backstage
04.04. DE – Trier, Mergener Hof
05.04. DE – Berlin, Orwo Haus
06.04. PL – Krakow, Kamienna 12
07.04. CZ – Jaromer, Narodak
08.04. CZ – Ostrava, Barrak
09.04. SK – Kosice, Collosseum
10.04. AT – Vienna, Viper Room
11.04. HU – Budapest, A38
12.04. IT – San Donà di Piave, Revolver
13.04. 1T – Milan, Legend
14.04. FR- Marseille, Jas Rod
15.04. ES – Barcelona, Sala Boveda
16.04. ES – Madrid, Revi Live
17.04. PT – Lisbon, RCA Club
18.04. PT – Porto, Hard Club
19.04. ES – Zaragoza, Sala Lo Intento
20.04. FR – Limoges, C.C.J. Lennon
21.04. BE – Antwerp, Zappa
—
25.05. SK – Surany, Songs Of Hate Festival
21.06. DE – Protzen, Protzen Open Air
22.06. BE – Dessel, Graspop
27.07. BG – Sofia, Sofia Metalfest
28.07. GR – Athens, Release Festival
10.08. CZ – Brutal Assault
26.10. NL – Sneek, Bolwerk

“Levels Of Perception” recordings musicians:
Patrick Mameli – vocals and lead guitars
Michiel van der Plicht – drums
Rutger van Noordenburg – lead guitars
Joost van der Graaf – bass

Pre-order “Levels of Perception”: https://pestilence.store/levels-of-perception/

Roel Käller has joined Dutch death metal legends PESTILENCE as their new bassist, replacing Joost van der Graaf, who played with the band from 2019 to 2023, and recorded one album – 2021’s “Exitivim”. Prior to joining PESTILENCE, Käller is best known for his work with symphonic death metallers Mayan.

PESTILENCE‘s mastermind Patrizio Mameli commented: “Roel Käller will be taking over the bass duties from Joost van der Graaf 🤘 We did a practice with him and he proved to be more than capable to fill in the spot. Further, he is the nicest guy, well spoken, loves the same music styles and passed conservatory. I’d like to thank all the bass player participants for their interest, time and effort.”

Roel Käller added: “Hi everyone! I’ve known Pestilence since my teenage years, so joining these guys is something I wouldn’t have dreamed of back then! I feel honored to be taking part of this awesome band’s legacy! The guys in the band have welcomed me in the nicest way, and the musical chemistry already feels great! I can’t wait to get on stage with them and meet you all!! 🤘🤘”

“Exitivm”, the ninth studio album from PESTILENCE, has landed on several Billboard charts, including the top 200 best selling albums. The album charted at #188 on Billboard 200, #23 on Current Hard Music Albums, and #37 on New Artist Albums, in its first week of release.

In 2023, PESTILENCE reissued its early, classic catalog, via Agonia Records. “Malleus Maleficarum” (1988), “Consuming Impulse” (1989), “Testimony of the Ancients” (1991) and “Spheres” (1993) were remastered from scratch at Satanic Audio (Behemoth, Azarath) to significantly improve on overall sound quality, by engaging present-day studio equipment. The newly remastered albums are available in an ample variety of physical formats and on streaming platforms.

2023 line-up:
Patrizio Mameli – vocals, lead guitars
Rvtger van Noordenbvrg – lead guitars
Roel Käller – bass
Michiel van der Plicht – drvms

The re-releases: http://pestilence.store/fatal-rereleases/

PESTILENCE on-line:
Website: http://www.pestilence.nl
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Pestilenceofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pestilenceofficial/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6JcFn4PlXFuXmhRXpOpsan

Newly remastered versions of classic PESTILENCE albums from the 80’s and 90’s are coming to an ample variety of physical formats on June 30th and to streaming platforms from February 24th. The Dutch progressive/technical death metal pioneers will have them re-issued on Agonia Records, who previously released the band’s last album, “Exitivm” (2021).  

The re-release pertains to first four PESTILENCE albums, that had been remastered from scratch at Satanic Audio (Behemoth, Azarath) to significantly improve on overall sound quality, by engaging present-day studio equipment.

The album selection was influenced by the idea to provide a looking glass into the early days of death metal (as far as PESTILENCE‘s input is concerned) and into the dawning of a legendary group, who was essential in crafting and expanding technical death metal, alongside Death, Atheist and Cynic.

Pre-orders: http://pestilence.store/fatal-rereleases/

A new listening experience will entail:

1. “Malleus Maleficarum” (1988) – a monument of early-day death metal heavily mixed with thrash, whose release precedes Death‘s “Leprosy” by a month. Debut album with Martin van Drunen (Apshyx) on vocals.

2. “Consuming Impulse” (1989) – the beginning of all things great for PESTILENCE. Introduced into Decibel Magazine’s hall of fame in 2013, the album marked a shift to heavier, more haunting and then-buzzing death metal. It also boosted PESTILENCE into international recognition and placed them at the forefront of the scene of the time with Death, Obituary, Sepultura and Morbid Angel.

3. “Testimony of the Ancients” (1991) – first album to assume Patrick Mameli‘s double role (guitarist/vocalist) and first to establish a trademark ingredient of PESTILENCE’s core sound formula. Recorded at the legendary Morrissound Studios (USA) and regarded as a progressive death metal classic.

4. “Spheres” (1993) – the album broke the mold at a time the metal scene wasn’t ready to appreciate its uniqueness or recognize its future impact. Underestimated at first, the bold conjunction of jazz fusion and progressive/technical death metal had eventually been lauded as a move ahead of its time, and had influenced a lot of bands, including Gorguts, Necrophaigst and Obscura.

For tracklisting go to www.pestilence.store/fatal-rereleases (bottom of the page).

Formats:
– Jewelcase CD
– Tape
– Black LP
– Limited LP (11 different patterns)
– Digital

Clothing:
– T-shirt and zipped hoodie

2023 line-up:
Patrizio Mameli – vocals, lead guitars
Rvtger van Noordenbvrg – lead guitars
Joost van der Graaf – bass
Michiel van der Plicht – drums