British Death Metal mongers RAVENS CREED have inked a deal with Spanish record label Xtreem Music for the release of their upcoming album which is currently being recorded at Tenko Studios in Nottingham and will be entitled “Ravens Krieg”.
RAVENS CREED was formed back in 2006 by Steve Watson (ex-Iron Monkey & Cerebral Fix) and Jay Graham (ex-Skyclad, Return To The Sabbat and Iommi) being joined by Frazer Craske (ex-Sabbat) and Ben Ward (Orange Goblin) who later left the band during some of the various line-up changed the band suffered, nowadays completed by Al Osta (Cerebral Fix) and Rod Boston.
The discography of RAVENS CREED is compounded by four EP’s and two albums, these two through Czech label Doomentia: “Albion Thunder” (’09) and “The Power” (’12) where the band has been developing their very own style of old fashioned Death Metal with a Crusty edge inspired by the sound of bands like MASTER, VENOM and HELLHAMMER.
There’s still no release date for “Ravens Krieg” as recordings and artwork haven’t been finished yet, but as soon as all is done, we’ll reveal both cover art, advance track and definite release date, which should happen during this summer. In the meantime, check out RAVENS CREED‘s Facebook profile (www.facebook.com/pages/Ravens-Creed-Official/264464176902353) and you can listen to their two albums at Doomentia’s Bandcamp site on the following links: https://doomentiarecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-power https://doomentiarecords.bandcamp.com/album/albion-thunder
Persian progressive death metallers AZOOMA were formed in 2004 in Iran. Guitarist Ahmad Tokallou and bassist Farid Shariat were looking to create something new – a metal band, but one that was influenced by their Persian culture. Farid‘s brother Saaed joined as drummer and the line-up was completed with the addition of vocalist Shahin Vaqfipour.
Due to the laws on metal music in Iran, the band cannot play shows there, but did perform at the 2013 Persian Metal Festival which took place in the Republic of Georgia,Tbilisi. AZOOMA worked on material for their album throughout 2012 and ’13, which then resulted in the birth of “A Hymn Of The Vicious Monster”. The album is a concept one and was mixed and mastered by Ehsan Imani and released via Spanish label Xtreem Music. Now let’s talk about the music!
“A Hymn Of The Vicious Monster” you might think at first glance is a short EP with only four main tracks, but actually they are all longer than average, resulting in a 36 minute epic offering, which definitely does not miss any substance.
The introduction to the album or ‘Preface’ begins in a soft and gentle style, with some classical style acoustic guitar along with Persian influences, leading you to what you know will come, then all of a sudden BOOM! We’re into the first full track, ‘Chapter I: Self Inflected’. Beginning with speedy riffing guitar, then the full on growling vocals kick in like a punch in the guts. The first thing I noticed is how tight and professional sounding the band are, with extremely proficient technical playing – solid fast drumming backing up the guitars, with their complex changes and solos, full of intensity and a nice sharp finish!
‘Chapter II: Eridanus Supervoid’ is a full mental onslaught from the first second, conjuring up a picture in my mind of a sea of crowd surfing and moshing fans. Shahin’s vocals are top class killer growls, blending perfectly with the music and yet more technical guitar work is demonstrated, especially in the middle section of the song, which turns very progressive and slows down before changing pace entirely. I particularly enjoyed the guitar solo on this track and the clean vocals by Ahmad are a great addition. This album is no average one, it has many different layers throughout and I discover new elements during each listen.
Starting by clearly demonstrating Saeed’s skills hammering away on the twin bass pedal, next track ‘Chapter III: Encapsulated Delusion’ builds into yet another song full of metal energy, these guys take new twists and turns regularly to keep the listener on their toes. The precision of Ahmad’s fretwork along with Farid’s killer bass riffs, combined with the already mentioned drumming and vocals, result in the ultimate death metal listening experience.
The longest track on the EP at 10.37, ‘Chapter IV: Gyrocompass’ is the last but most definitely not least full song on the album. The progressive elements are prevalent here, adding to the overall atmosphere of the song, which as in all the other tracks really demonstrates how cohesive AZOOMA are as a unit. Again a surprise with a slower change in pace three quarters of the way through the song, with some additional Middle Eastern sounds, complimenting the heaviness extremely well.
And so to the end with ‘Appendix’. A very fitting close to the album; this time with spoken vocals and again the softness of the music with Persian tones. I love the ending, turning the page to close the story, or maybe just this chapter and I really look forward to the next one.
To sum up, if you haven’t yet heard AZOOMA‘s music, and you’re a fan of death metal that has lots to offer, these guys are a must in your collection. The band are extremely professional musicians which shines through on “A Hymn Of The Vicious Monster”. They deserve much success with this first EP and I look forward to seeing AZOOMA moving onwards and upwards in the metal music world.
Hungarian death metallers COFFINBORN have recently inked a deal with Spanish record label Xtreem Music. The band is formed in late 2012 by members of bands like GRAVECRUSHER (Disguster) and MÖRBID CARNAGE (Blasphemy, Churchburner & also Disguster).
COFFINBORN‘s debut will come in form of a 4-song mini CD entitled “Beneath the Cemetery” which was written and recorded during 2013 and early 2014. Cover artwork for this EP has been made by Mark Riddick. The album is set to be released on July 15th.
Tracklist for “Beneath the Cemetery” is as follows:
1. Enter the Nightmares of Horror
2. Beneath the Cemetery
3. Putrid Stench of Death
4. Corpse Collector
Iranian Death Metal warriors AZOOMA have recently signed a worldwide contract with Spanish label XTREEM MUSIC. As a result the band will be releasing an EP, entitled “A Hymn Of The Vicious Monster” in both Digital and CD formats soon.
Guitarist Ahmad Tokallou commented: “This is what we have been waiting for and it is not only because of our hard work, but also the help from some great and kind friends, who are invisible to others but shared their mighty energy and kindness with us…. Xtreem Music is a great company, and this encourages us and give us more hope to go forward … you will hear more from Azooma!“
“It’s one of the best things that can happen for an artist to co-operate with a good and reliable company such as Xtreem Music,” drummer Saeed Shariat says. “I have a good feeling about it and we hope to satisfy metal heads more… Just wait for our EP, it will make necks ache!“
Dave Rotten, XTREEM MUSIC president and main man of legendary AVULSED stated the following: “The very first time I heard AZOOMA, I was extremely surprised by their combination of sheer brutality and technical skills at the same time as their EP sounds really heavy with a great production. I’m running the label since 1990 and this is the very first band from Middle East that I decided to sign. They have the right attitude and overall… they sound fucking great!! Hopefully AZOOMA will help to break barriers for other good bands in these countries where extreme Metal isn’t that popular“.
AZOOMA have paid tribute to legendary MORBID ANGEL by covering their “Dawn Of Angry” song. The video was launched online and surprisingly posted by MORBID ANGEL themselves on their official Facebook page. Check out the video here:
Spanish black Metallers WRONG inked an agreement with XTREEM MUSIC for the imminent release of their second album that will be entitled “Pessimistic Outcomes” and will include five tracks with a total length of 47 minutes.
“Pessimistic Outcomes” was entirely produced by the band themselves at their own Delta314 Sound Studio and means a logical progression to the atmospheric and oppressive musical style adopted in their previous album “Memories of Sorrow” but this time, going one step further, with more mature and progressive compositions, highlighting its powerful and defined production.
The track listing for the album is as follows:
1. Thru the Grey Path to Nowhere (08:53)
2. His Hatred Breathes (08:19)
3. Pessimistic Outcomes (07:48)
4. Dragging my Soul Until the Sunset (11:25)
5. I Thought I’d Woken (09:38)
Release date for “Pessimistic Outcomes” is scheduled for 22nd of April and an advance track of the album’s title track can be heard below:
Transcending Obscurity, the Indian record label and online magazine have joined forces with Spanish metal label Xtreem Music. Transcending Obscurity stated:
“Transcending Obscurity is happy to join forces with one of the most respected and long-standing labels run by Dave Rotten, formerly of Drowned Productions (1990-1994) and Repulse Records (1994-2002) and an integral part of the worldwide scene and in bands like Avulsed, Putrevore and Christ Denied.”
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