Dracena (review by MMB)

Dracena

Cursed to the Night

release date: October 30th, 2017

label: Infernö Records

Dracena’s music, which could be described as fast and melodic black thrash with a solid production, will, I hope, impress any metal supporter that wants, above all, headbanging songs. Comprised of eight songs, and clocking in just under 40 minutes, Dracena’s mastermind Mia Larsson apparently is just as impatient as anyone else, and she decided that the album must, absolutely must, be on point, must waste no time, get to the headbanging metal quickly, and when the song is finished, end it, and move on. There is no weirdo experimentation, no spoken-word passages, no ambient meditation segments, no big political declarations about the environment or politicians or whatever; there is one minute of quiet intro, and then it’s off to the races until the end, and then there are thirty seconds of outro, and it’s all over, and it’s time play it again.

Dracena is traditional extreme metal with the songwriting spirit of traditional heavy metal and thrash, along the lines of fast and headbanging black thrash. By the same token, if you already know that traditional heavy metal, classic-style thrash and traditional black metal are genres that you enjoy, then Dracena will be of interest if you’d like to hear a combination of these elements together as a coherent sound aimed straight at everyone into loud and proud metal music.

The riffs are based on ideas about what headbanging metal the Dracena way should be, which is an already established sound due to the fact that it was more than 20 years ago that Dracena started in Sweden. Many things have changed since the old days, people have come and gone, times of inactivity, but along the way the identity consolidated around an emphasis on speed, high energy and fast melody. If you are new to Dracena, but you are looking for an album that can draw you in as a participant, not a spectator, then consider this work. What does this mean, participant, not spectator? Dracena is not here to try to fool you and make you supposedly marvel at the so-called amazing talent. It’s not talent, like some sort of gift from nature. It’s sweat, skill and hard work. You, too, can learn to play metal like this, as long as you have this stubborn singlemindedness of purpose to do it for years and years. The difference is that Dracena has been sharpening the tools of the trade for a long time and the execution of the ideas is very good. It takes time to arrive at this sound and do it well. Dracena’s sound did not just show up out of the blue.

You can understand this music. You can hear the riffs, the drums and the vocals. You can do air guitar or real guitar to the solos. There is no mystery here: hard work in the art of the mighty metal riff. You can dedicate your attention to the album knowing that Mia and friends (Jocke on drums and Unleashed’s Fred on solos) understand people who listen to metal to bang their heads. This is Dracena metal.

facebook.com/Dracena.SE/

Arkona (Russia) issues end-of-year update

Folk metal veterans Arkona have announced a new album for 2018. See the information below.

OFFICIAL: 2017 was very productive for us, we played so many shows and visited many countries such as: Finland, Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Poland, Serbia, Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Romania, USA and Canada, and did a big tour all across our homeland. Also, 2017 was a year, when we recorded our new album, titled "Khram", which will be released early next year, 19th January 2018. This is a really huge and important event for Arkona, since the previous album "Yav", which was released almost 4 years ago.

For us, the New Year has already come with a new solar cycle, with the birth of the "Young Sun", on the day of the Winter Solstice. But for those for whom the New Year comes from December 31 to January 1, we would like to wish all the best! To spend time together with family and friends, to leave everything bad behing in 2017 and take all the good things with you to 2018! We wish you to meet the New Year with wonderful impressions and the full baggage of joyful gifts that you got from 2017.

Good luck and see you in 2018!

Biography: The beginnings of ARKONA date back to 2002, when members of local pagan community "Vyatichi", Masha "Scream" Arhipova and Alexander "Warlock" Korolyov, decided to form a band that mirrored their individual philosophy and musical tastes. The band, at the time still known as Hyperborea, comprised Masha "Scream" Arhipova (vocals), Eugene Knyazev (guitar), Eugene Borzov (bass), Ilya Bogatyryov (guitar), Alexander "Warlock" Korolyov (drums), and Olga Loginova (keyboard), but it wasn’t until February 2002 that ARKONA surfaced from the depths of Russia’s underground scene.

ARKONA soon decided to record several of their pagan/folk songs for their first demo. The recording took place at CDM-Records Studio in December 2002. The demo included 3 tracks – "Kolyada", "Solntsevorot” (Solstice)" & "Rus'” (Russia). These tracks were later included as a bonus on the live album "Zhizn' vo slavu” (Live for the Great) released in 2006.

ARKONA began performing live in early 2003. Many concert-goers experienced the band for the first time at the Yazycheskaya Rus" Festival. By the summer of 2003, ARKONA was ready to record their debut, but disinterest in the band by some of its members saw the band disappear from the scene as quickly as it had arrived. Yet Masha’s perseverance would not subside. Continuing on her own, and with the help of the members of Nargathrond, she proceeded to compose new material. Her fellow musicians readied their instruments, read through the partitions, and without ever looking back, recorded their debut album "Vozrozhdenie” (Revival) in March 2004.

"Vozrozhdenie” (Revival) quickly became one of the most successful Slavic pagan metal albums of all time. As soon as the studio work was completed, Masha dedicated herself to the creation of new songs and by the end of summer 2004, the material for the second album "Lepta” (The Contribution) was completed. With the support of the same line-up, the band finished the recordings in autumn. “Lepta” was released in December 2004 and presented the listener with a darker and gloomier style. ARKONA was also supported by poet and vocalist Les’yar (Nevid', ex-Butterfly Temple), who not only performed, but also wrote the lyrics for "Zarnitsy Nashei.Svobody".

The album’s release placed ARKONA back on the scene as a contending force. With a complete line-up, ARKONA returned to the stages in the beginning of 2005.

An ever-espousing fountain of creativity, Masha continued writing new material and by the summer of 2005, ARKONA was recording their next album. "Vo Slavu Velikim” (For the Glory of Great) proved to be the most complicated and varied album thus far, as the band withdrew from the use of synthesized sounds, replacing them with authentic folk instruments. As such, the list of guest musicians grew considerably including the renowned folk musician Vladimir Cherepovskiy (Mervent, ex- Voinstvo Sidov, Veter Vody, Trio Mario), as well as members of Svarga and Alkonost.

Though the arrangements for each song at times exceeded 100 recorded tracks, ARKONA was able to finally piece together the album and “Vo Slavu Velikim!” (For the Glory of Great) was finally released in September 2005. During the touring that followed in support of the album’s release, ARKONA recorded their performance for the purpose of releasing a DVD and the live album "Zhizn’ vo Slavu". Fueled by their outstanding achievements, ARKONA opted not to rest on its laurels and made sure to return with a new album as soon as possible. Fans heard a preview of “Ot Serdca K Nebu" (From the Heart to the Sky) at the 2008 Ragnarok Festival. In addition, the band embarked on a 30-day tour throughout Europe with Brutal Assault being just one of the highlights.

Back at home, ARKONA decided not to take a break, but to immediately begin working on their fifth album. In order to top their previous effort, the band aimed to create something unique. While working on “Goi, Rode, Goi!”, the band also planned their second DVD. “Noch Velesova” was released via Napalm Records in May 2009. ARKONA also performed at the German festival Winternoise, taking a well-deserved break from the arduous recording process. Upon their return, ARKONA continued to work on the new album, completing the recordings in June 2009. It was quite an enterprise, as over 40 musicians were involved in the making of “Goi, Rode, Goi!”. The band described the process as the most labor-intensive and time-consuming work in its history. ARKONA made use of a full-fledged chorus and string quintet for the first time in their career. The heart of the album is undoubtedly the 15-minute saga 'Na Moey Zemle' that relates the adventures of a Slav in European countries. This epic features the voices of members of Manegarm, Menhir, and Heidevolk, among others. Vladimir Cherepovsky and Vladimir “Volk!, who has recently become a full-time member of ARKONA, are responsible for the traditional instruments on the album. The artwork was again the work of the legendary Kris Verwimp. He delivered a series of conceptual illustrations for each song on the album.

The result was worth the hard work, as “Goi, Rode, Goi!“ proved to be the next logical step in the band’s journey. Fans would experience the live power of the new material at numerous live performances. ARKONA also produced video clips to the title track, the anthem “Yarilo”, as well as the melancholic “Liki Bessmertnykh Bogov“. The band played numerous shows in support of the new album and also released an EP in the summer of 2011 to ease the fans’ anticipatory wait for the upcoming album.

The members of Arkona have already managed to make a name for themselves within the pagan metal scene that extends way beyond the borders of their native Russia. Their new album "Slovo" acknowledges their well-earned reputation with outstanding tracks. The band revolving around lead warrior Masha Scream has managed to outshine all past efforts. "Slovo" bundles Arkona's strengths and catapults the band to new musical heights. The foundation of blast beats, double bass attacks, and heavy riffs remain, yet it is the attention to detail that rounds off Arkona's multi-faceted sound. Folk melodies, complex vocal lines and choruses, clean vocals and growls, orchestral passages, and authentic instruments (violins, flutes, etc.) serve to embellish "Slovo". The diversified end result features epic ballads and heavy folk-oriented tracks bound for certain glory at upcoming live performances. Masha's Russian lyrics add a hardened, yet melancholic touch to this latest work. Once again, Arkona has chosen master illustrator Kris Verwimp (Vintersorg, Månegarm, Thyrfing, etc.) to design the album's artwork. "Slovo" is an album full of highlights destined for yet another impressive victory on the pagan metal battlefield.

Right after the release of the album "Slovo", Arkona was participated in the Heidenfest tour 2011 across 11 countries in Europe. After that, the band discovered the North American continent : Arkona played 36 concerts in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. February 11th, 2012, in Moscow, the band was celebrated 10th anniversary with the biggest show history: a concert with the academic choir and string quartet . This performance was recorded and published a year later on a CD titled "Decade of Glory". Arkona was played a long concert tour, dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the band , in Russia , Europe, North America (USA , Canada, Mexico ) and South America (Argentina and Brazil) , and also participated in many festivals , including 70,000 Tons of Metal. Anniversary tour included more than 100 performances.

After returning from PaganFest tour in early 2013, Arkona started to prepare 7th studio album called "YAV". Until June, musicians were in studio, working on the album. Recording was appointed for the end of month, but after performance at the festival "MetalFest" in Poland 22.06 Vlad «Artist» decided to leave the band. The group asked him to record the part of the material , which he learned before his decision and play with Arkona all upcoming concerts. The other songs were recorded by famous Russian musician Andrey Ishchenko. Later he became a permanent member of Arkona.

"YAV" got the highest category of complexity of all recorded Arkona albums. Masha decided to not use choir and strings, and concentrate on her own vocal line and guitar parts. The album got a completely conceptual character and, unlike previous works, all the songs sounds in a dark and epic vein.

In October 2013 Arkona took a break with the work on the album to go to the biggest tour in band's history: first headlining tour in North America, headlining tour in South America, and finished with 11 European countries, touring as a special guest participant on tour with Therion.

facebook.com/arkonarussia/

Hexengeist show in Seattle

Friends in Seattle,

Remember this show with Hexengeist coming up!

JAN 6 Hexengeist//Voidthrone//They Rise We Die

facebook.com/Hexengeistband

WildeStarr (review by MMB)

WildeStarr

Beyond the Rain

label: Scarlet Records

release date: 8 December 2017

WildeStarr is high, elegant singing, and songs that hit all the buttons: the guitar melodies, the solos, the fast rockers, the midtempo tracks, and the result is music that should be a pleasant surprise to audiences seeking a band that rocks in the traditional heavy metal way, whether that means the glories of the classics of yesteryear or the modern sounds of the genre. The singing will be most interesting to those listeners that are looking for melodic vocals. There is no growling, there is only singing that is rather high, but that goes for the super high/air raid siren tones in some parts, too. The most interesting issue could be a personal one: the listener's individual reaction to this melodic singing that comes from the heritage of classic and traditional metal music (By the way, this is not the soprano/symphonic metal style of singing). On the other hand, the guitar work brings out the hooks and the solos, while the rhythms are true to the expectations of heavy rock: solid, friendly to the ear, and rocking.

Overall, the album maintains a good, smooth level of energy, and it transitions well from song to song, without going through abrupt changes in energy that could interrupt the general vibe. The album works as something to be heard from start to finish, and all the songs represent dedication, with the idea that there is a certain standard of quality, seriousness and skill that the devoted supporters of melodic and traditional heavy metal expect, and WildeStarr understands it, given their experience and years of making music, as you can see below.

If you would like more details about the personnel, read this official information.

OFFICIAL: WildeStarr is the combined talents of 3 of the most dynamic musicians in heavy metal today: Dave Starr (Vicious Rumors, Chastain) on all guitars & bass, London Wilde on vocals (who many regard as highly as Rob Halford, Dio, and Geoff Tate), and power house Josh Foster on drums. Through 3 studio albums, (‘Arrival’, 2010, ‘A Tell Tale Heart’, 2012, and now with ‘Beyond The Rain’, 2017) WildeStarr has established themselves as the masters of their craft with melodic and aggressive metal full of drama, and conveyed via a huge wall of sound. Husband and wife team Dave Starr and London Wilde have been friends for 30 years, and married for over 15 now. This makes their songwriting and chemistry very special and unique in the world of heavy metal. WildeStarr's new album ‘Beyond The Rain’ takes the listener on a harrowing ride and emotional roller coaster. Some might think its a concept album, but its actually much more than that. The songs are London Wilde's lyrical expression of pain, torment, hope, and love based on the real life tragic suicide of her brother Gary in 2012. Gary was a gifted musician who suffered the sad pitfalls of many others who pickup the guitar and dream of success in the music biz. After his death, Gary essentially became a not so silent 4th member of the band, and his presence and spirit was deeply felt throughout the songwriting and recording process. ‘Beyond The Rain’ contains 10 tracks of classic heavy metal in the vein of Judas Priest, Queensrÿche, and Dio, complete with Dave Starr's soaring guitar harmonies, pounding bass and drums, and out of this world vocal melodies and lyrics by London.

facebook.com/wildestarrband/

Washington state's Mysticism Black in Central America

Mysticism Black has confirmed to perform at FESTIVAL BLACK MOON SHOWS XVI for the first time ever in Guatemala and El Salvador!

Guatemala - March 24th

El Salvador - March 25th

More dates to announced.

facebook.com/Mysticism-Black-699008400184468/

Italy's Necrodeath announces new album for 2018

Long-running thrashers Necrodeath have announced a new album for 2018. See the official announcement below.

OFFICIAL: Legendary Thrash/Black Metal powerforce Necrodeath have released the details of their upcoming album ‘The Age Of Dead Christ’, which will be available starting from March 9th on Scarlet Records on CD version and on Terror From Hell Records on LP version. The tracklisting is as follows:

1. The Whore Of Salem

2. The Master Of Mayhem

3. The Order Of Baphomet

4. The Kings Of Rome

5. The Triumph Of Pain

6. The Return Of The Undead

7. The Crypt Of Nyarlathotep

8. The Revenge Of The Witches

9. The Age Of Dead Christ

‘The Age Of Dead Christ’ is Necrodeath’s 11th album, 33 years after their inception into the scene, when the now legendary demo tape ‘The Shining Pentagram’ was released. 33 as the age of Christ, the dead Christ, as the title of the album says. Necrodeath go back to their roots releasing one of the fastest, most violent and brutal chapters in their deadly musical path. The cover resembles the typical artwork of the Eighties demo tapes and features the band’s old logo.

‘The Age Of Dead Christ’ includes the song ‘The Return Of The Undead’, a new version of the band’s classic ‘The Undead’ (originally included in the 1987 debut album ‘Into The Macabre’), featuring yet another extreme metal legend on vocals, the mighty A.C. Wild of Bulldozer.

Here’s how drummer Peso comments: “Back to our black origins with thrashing brutality! ‘The Age Of Dead Christ’ is a violent, loud punch in your blood thirsty mouth! Beware! Necrodeath are back to kick your asses and tear your bloody guts off!”

Biography: Formed back in 1984 and influenced by Slayer, Possessed, Kreator, Celtic Frost and Bathory, Necrodeath released a cult-demo tape titled ‘The Shining Pentagram’ and obtained an incredible success through the underground. This first demo-release is still considered a real “piece of thrash/black history”! Tons of tributes in major magazines, fanzines and other underground features highlighted the release of the first two legendary albums ‘Into The Macabre’ (1987) and ‘Fragments Of Insanity’ (1989). Necrodeath is one of the most important and outrageous names in extreme metal, a distinctive influence on several modern extreme acts, who spotted Necrodeath as one of the absolute fave acts in their interviews! Unfortunately after the mentioned second release several line-up problems and the unprofessional attitude of the old record label forced the band guys to suspend their activity.

Peso (drums) started a band called Necrosadist, now well known as Sadist, and recorded ‘Above The Light’ and ‘Tribe’ albums, leaving straight afterwards for personal and musical reasons. But rumors about a Necrodeath return started to float around…

Finally, in 1998, Peso and Claudio raised-up from the ashes the first and only black/thrash legend from Italy! The band signed immediately a deal with Scarlet, reissued the first album ‘Into The Macabre’ on CD and started working on new material…

A year passed since their rebirth and the Italian black/thrash legend returned with their most frightening and extreme album ever! Recorded at Underground Studios, Sweden (Carnal Forge, Ebony Tears, Lost Souls, Killing Machine…) during September 1999, ‘Mater Of All Evil’ showed an astonishing killer-production and highly talented technical performances! Bloody-fast, ultra-aggressive and supported by the evil-nightmarish vocals of the new singer Flegias, ‘Mater Of All Evil’ was the third Necrodeath album to come out after 10 years of silence…

Always leaded by the old-times composers Claudio (guitars) and Peso (drums), the band, stronger than ever, was ready to bring new fresh-blood to the extreme-metal scene… Pure, violent and malignant, ‘Mater Of All Evil’ proved to be the essence of what we loved in the past: Slayer, Possessed, Kreator, Destruction, Sodom, Bathory, Dark Angel… thrash/black metal at its best! The response from both media and public was simply amazing! Necrodeath set the world on fire with some “devastating” live performances, including appearances at No Mercy Festival and Gods Of Metal! After a few months of break and heavy reharsals, the band came out with new killer songs and an astonishing enthusiasm towards their music, celebrated with the home video ‘From Hate To Scorn’ (April 2001), a sort of tribute to the fans that supported the band for all these years. The long voyage to hell never stops and Necrodeath started planning the new album… the 4th of their career! ‘Black As Pitch’ contains the most violent attitude the Italian black-thrashers ever displayed before. The recording-session took place again at the Underground studios in Sweden with the producer Pelle Saether. Critically acclaimed as the natural evolution of ‘Mater Of All Evil’, the 4th album 'Black As Pitch' confirmed once again the leadership in the Italian scene and it turned out to be the most acclaimed Necrodeath album in America and Asia. The band took also part at the Tattoo The Planet Festival in Milan, Italy, with Slayer, Soulfly, Children Of Bodom and Moonspell among others. A videoclip for the song 'Process Of Violation' was also filmed and a new album started to be conceived…

Ton(e)s Of Hate’ arrived in September 2003. This time the band decided to spend more time in the studio and they choose one of the best in Italy, Outer Sound (Novembre, Stormlord, Rosae Crucis, DGM), with producer Giuseppe Orlando (also drummer in Novembre). Mastering took place at Mastering Room in Sweden with Goran Finnberg (Soilwork, In Flames). The result was a complex and experimental album, still keeping fully bleeding the extreme razorblade approach of the last two albums 'Mater Of All Evil' and 'Black As Pitch'. The album also featured 'The Flag', a new version of the song originally included in the debut masterpiece 'Into The Macabre' and titled 'The Flag Of The Inverted Cross'.

2006 saw Necrodeath releasing the sixth studio album of their long career, album that followed the highly acclaimed greatest-hits (‘Years Of Noise 1985-2005’ celebrated the band’s 20-years anniversary) and started a new era for the band, despite the fact that former guitarist Claudio stepped out in the same perdiod for personal reasons. Necrodeath started working on the new album with talented young guitarist Andy, but straight after it was recorded (with recording sessions taking place again at Outer Sound studios), he was replaced by Labyrinth’s Pier Gonella. ‘100% Hell’, the highly-anticipated new album, was described as the most diverse Necrodeath album so far, containing 10 furious tracks spanning from the fast thrashing assault of the mid-eighties to the groove-oriented sonic holocaust displayed with the latest efforts. The band was proud to announce a very special guest-appearance coming from mighty Cronos (Venom), universally described as the Godfather of black metal. An european tour with black metal masters Marduk followed.

‘Draculea’, Necrodeath’s seventh album, released in October 2007, is an intriguing concept on the King Of Darkness Vlad Tepes’ life, with a wide range of new influences performed by a band on top of its game. Artwork duties were once again handled by renowed artist/director Chad Michael Ward (who previously worked with Marilyn Manson, Fear Factory, Billy Idol, Allhelluja among others) and Peter In De Betou (Marduk, Meshuggah) mastered the album at his Taylor Made studios in Sweden. A stunning videoclip for the song ‘Smell Of Blood’ was also released.

But it’s now time for the new, eight studio-album of the legendary act. ‘Phylogenesis’ is the title of the new effort, a concept on the origin of the species, 9 killer tracks about the past, the present and the future of the world population. The new line-up, consisting of bassist GL (replacing former bassist John) and guitarist Pier Gonella, alongside former members Peso and Flegias, is tight as never before and the result of their cooperation is one of the band’s heaviest and most inspired albums ever! The album was once again recorded at Outer Sound Studios in Rome, Italy, with Giuseppe Orlando (Novembre) handling the mixing duties. Mastering was done at renowned Fear Studio in Ravenna, Italy. The amazing artwork came from Nerve Design (Nile, Threshold, Legion Of The Damned, Vision Divine, Exilia). Necrodeath embarks on an heavy touring schedule to promote the new effort.

Several high-profile gigs followed, and with 2009 marking a bludgeoning 25th anniversary for the band, Necrodeath started celebrating in style with the vinyl re-releases of groundbreaking “Into the Macabre'” debut album and a 10" EP version of the infamous “The Shing Pentagram” original demo tape, both on very limited edition pressings.

The band re-entered the studio (this time their own Quake Sound Studios facilities) to push the envelope a little further and properly celebrate those 25 years of noise no less. The result is ''Old Skull”, not just another cover album but a faithful revisitation of Necrodeath' rust-free oldschool roots, recorded, packaged and released in true underground style. Including appearances by ex-Necrodeath, ex-Schizo and Bulldozer members, "Old Skull" is strength, cult and ritual consistency from beginning to end.

Twenty-five years of insanity & macabre, and still thrashing black. Rise up from the flames and do celebrate the horror with them. NECRODEATH.

Out in may 2011 "the age of fear" on Scarlet records, featruring songs from their entire back catalogue, starting with 1987's legendary debut album 'Into The Macabre' until their latest 'Old Skull', 'The Age Of Fear' captures the entire essence of the band to this day whilst awaiting their next new album, to be released in the fall of 2011 on Scarlet Records. 'The Age of Fear' features 15 classic tracks including the previously unreleased "onyric" version of the song 'Queen Of Desire', featuring guest appearances by Giorgia Gueglio (Mastercastle) on vocals and Botys Beezard (Godyva) on piano, the stunning cover version of Slayer’s ‘Black Magic’ and the live version of the band’s own ‘The Theory’. The beautiful artwork was made by French artist Pierre-Alain D. at 3mmi Design.

facebook.com/necrodeath.official/

Nervochaos (Brazil) issues end-of-year update

Below is veteran metal stalwarts NervoChaos' update about the year 2017 for the band.

What an intense and probably the most challenging year 2017 was for us....We've released a new album "Nyctophilia" and toured around the world doing 129 gigs in Asia, Europe, Russia and Latin America.

Terrible news struck us in December with the death of our beloved guitarist Cherry....her legacy is eternal and we'll keep honoring her memory on stage.

We're completely focused on the band and many activities are planned for 2018. Also, very soon we'll announce our new line-up. We would like to send out a BIG thanks to our crew, all the promoters & agencies that have booked us, all bands we've toured and shared the stage with and last but NOT least a HUGE thanks goes out to all our fans, you are the best and without you we're nothing.

No surrender, no regrets! For passion NOT fashion! To the death!

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2017 foi um ano intenso e provavelmente o mais desafiador para nós...Lançamos um novo álbum "Nyctophilia" e fizemos turnês ao redor do mundo fazendo 129 shows pela Ásia, Europa, Rússia e América Latina.

Notícia terrível nos surpreenderam em Dezembro com a morte de nossa querida guitarrista Cherry...seu legado é eterno e continuaremos honrando a sua memória no palco.

Estamos completamente focados na banda e muitas atividades estão planejadas para 2018. Tambem muito em breve iremos anunciar a nossa nova formação.

Gostaríamos de mandar um GRANDE agradecimentos à nossa equipe, a todos os promotores e agências que nos agendaram, a todas as bandas que fizemos turnê e que dividimos o palco e, por fim mas NÃO menos importante, um agradecimento ENORME a todos os nossos fãs, você são os melhores e sem vocês não somos nada.

Nenhuma rendição, nem arrependimentos! For passion NOT fashion! To the death!

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Qué año tan intenso y probablemente el más desafiante fue 2017 para nosotros....Hemos lanzado un nuevo álbum "Nyctophilia" y viajamos alrededor del mundo haciendo 129 conciertos en Asia, Europa, Rusia y Latinoamérica.

Noticia terrible nos golpeo en Diciembre con la muerte de nuestra querida guitarrista Cherry...su legado es eterno y seguiremos honrando su memoria en el escenario.

Estamos completamente enfocados en la banda y muchas actividades están planificadas para 2018. Además, muy pronto anunciaremos nuestra nueva alineación.

Nos gustaría enviar un GRAN agradecimiento a nuestro crew, a todos los promotores y agencias que nos han hecho conciertos, a todas las bandas con las que hemos viajado y compartido el escenario, y por último, pero NO MENOS importante, un ENORME agradecimiento a todos nuestros fanáticos, ustedes son los mejores y sin ti no somos nada.

¡Sin rendición, sin arrepentimientos! ¡For passion NOT fashion! ¡To the death!

nervochaos.bandcamp.com

facebook.com/NervoChaos

Seattle's black metal Blood Etchings announces 2018 album

OFFICIAL: With this year coming to an end I would like to thank my bandmates in Blood Etchings. I have had to put the band in a holding pattern for live shows and the release of our new album so I could focus on the responsibilities of running our business. It has been a profitable year that as self-employed people we could not pass up. I especially want to thank them for keeping the project going forward with the recording of the album. As I listen to the tracks I am very impressed with the dark magic that has been conjured. Thanks to my Brother in Blood Phil for everything he has done in this band as a brother and a friend. We will be releasing this blasphemy mid-2018 with live shows to follow.

IN BLOOD,

Seraph

Biography: Hailing from the decrepit metropolis of Seattle, Washington, BLOOD ETCHINGS exalts the Hand of Lucifer through their sinister songs of darkness and demise. After a Night of Unholy conjuring the project was summoned into existence in the early months of 2010, by Seraph, band founder and chief practitioner of the Dark Arts. Many nights of seclusion and rehearsal brought forth a distinctive form of Baroque Black Metal. Blending infernal tones, beats and melodies with an ornate ritual stage show, BLOOD ETCHINGS spreads the Plague of Truth throughout a world of lies…

BLOOD ETCHINGS is an assemblage of Blood, Death, and Perversion… SERAPH, a Blood Master and speaker through both tongues and strings, beckons a horde of destruction upon the unworthy… IMPERATOR, a blood thirsty demon of ill repute, plays upon the rotting sinews of his countless victims… Together as Spawns of Satan they shall destroy all…

The year of 2011 included a self titled demo drenched in blood, as well as four live rituals. Starting with the HELL ON EARTH shows in Sacramento, California and Portland, Oregon, BLOOD ETCHINGS began spreading their plague along the west coast… Returning to Seattle they next presented the BLOOD MASS IN BALLARD ritual. This show resulted in a full length DVD featuring BE, Sacrament Ov Impurity and Baal Beryth performing their black metal arts under the deathly light of the full Moon… Lastly, the gruesome SEVEN HEADS OF THE DEAD which manifested the many facets of Death and impaled the head of the lamb upon the face of the earth…

The early months of the 2014 finds BLOOD ETCHINGS deep in the pits of hell rehearsing and writing for a new series of rituals… followed by the recording of a full length album…

IN BLOOD!

facebook.com/bloodetchings

metal show in Bellingham, WA!

Friends in Bellingham, Washington.

Remember this show!

"Hi! Remember us? We’re GHOSTBLOOD! It’s almost 2018! Which means it’s almost January 6, 2018! Which means it’s almost time for us to perform a music recital at The Shakedown with our NWTC pals in Kömmand and Oxygen Destroyer, as well as Noceur! Be safe out there!"

JAN 6 Pygottapalooza 2.5: Ghostblood, Noceur, Oxygen Destroyer, Kömmand

facebook.com/ghostbloodmetal

metal show in Arlington, WA!

Friends in Arlington, Washington.

Remember this show!

JAN 5. Blood and Thunder / ReEvolution / ApHelion / Oxygen Destroyer

facebook.com/bloodandthunderband

Seattle's Metal Shop top albums countdown tonight, Saturday night

Friends into countdowns,

The crazy Slayer-and-Pantera-loving dudes at Seattle's Metal Shop have announced that tonight, Saturday night, is the album countdown:

"Counting down the Top 30 Metal Albums of 2017 starting at 10pm tonight!"

facebook.com/kiswmetalshop/

twitter.com/MetalShopKISW?lang=en

right now, Friday night, Excuse All the Blood is on

Listen to the live broadcast right now, Friday night:

radiofreeamerica.com/station/kaos

Excuse All the Blood is a metal music show from the state of Washington, U.S. The show features black metal, heavy metal, death metal and other metal genres, too. The show is on Friday nights, but it is also available any time here: www.radiofreeamerica.com/dj/seamus-o-reilly

Friday night, 10pm to 1am Pacific Time (Seattle), listen to Excuse All the Blood metal music, out of Olympia, Washington state, U.S.

www.kaosradio.org

www.twitter.com/EATBRadio?lang=en

Seattle and Washington concert calendar, updated December 28, 2017

Friends in the state of Washington,

Is there a metal music show in your area that is not listed in this calendar? Does your local metal band have a show coming up and is not listed here? Is your band's name spelled incorrectly? Are the dates wrong? If you have information about shows/updates/cancellations, please get in contact with Metal Bulletin Zine.

Seattle and Washington concert calendar, updated December 28, 2017

December 29 Zoso - The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience at Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA

December 29 Metal Dj Night at The Shakedown, Bellingham, WA

December 29 Queensryche at Snoqualmie Casino, Snoqualmie, WA

December 31 Hell's Belles (AC/DC tribute), Belles Bent for Leather (Hell's Belles' Judas Priest tribute) at El Corazón, Seattle, WA

January 1 Monsters among Gods, Rue the Day, Chronic Trigger, Daughters of Nyx at Funhouse, Seattle, WA

January 2 Vicious Rumors at Studio Seven, Seattle, WA

January 2 Countless the Dead, Divide Paths, Darkness Stole the Sky at Rhythm and Rye, Olympia, WA

January 5 Fates Warning, Coven, Killian Mahaffey at Studio Seven, Seattle, WA

January 5 Blood and Thunder, ReEvolution, ApHelion, Oxygen Destroyer at The Mirkwood Public House, Arlington, WA

January 6 Hexengeist, Voidthrone, They Rise We Die at Black Lodge, Seattle, WA

January 6 Ghostblood, Noceur, Oxygen Destroyer, Kömmand at The Shakedown, Bellingham, WA

January 6 Monsters, others among Gods at The Charleston, Bremerton, WA

January 12 Voidthrone, others at McCoys, Olympia, WA

January 13 Unhailoed, Massacre at the Opera, Kill Closet, Chamber 6, Salem Knights at Louie G's Pizza, Fife, WA

January 18 Acephalix, Scolex, Fetid, Mortiferum at Highline, Seattle, WA

January 19 Hell's Belles (AC/DC tribute), Elephant Gun Riot at Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA

January 20 Violent Hallucinations, Dilapidation, Ironwood, others in Kelso, WA

January 20 Vesuvian, Bleed the Stone, Simulation Theory, Scourged at Lucky Liquor, Tukwila, WA

January 20 Aethereus, Xoth, Kömmand, Ghostblood at The Valley, Tacoma, WA

January 24 Meshuggah at Showbox, Seattle, WA

January 26 Kömmand, Isenordal, others at The Kraken, Seattle, WA

February 5 Wastewalker, Whythre at Funhouse, Seattle, WA

February 13 Kreator, Sabaton at Showbox, Seattle, WA

February 15 Yob at Chop Suey, Seattle, WA

February 16 Keep Metal Alive III at The Charleston, Bremerton, WA

February 17 Anthrax, Killswitch Engage at at Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA

February 19 Black Label Society, Corrosion of Conformity, Eyehategod at Showbox SoDo, Seattle, WA

February 24 Jesus Wears Armani, Siren's Rain, Massacre at the Opera, After the Fallout, Ironwood, Chamber 6, Out the Hate, Salem Knights at Louie G's Pizza, Fife, WA

February 27 Septicflesh, Dark Funeral, Thy Antichrist at Studio Seven, Seattle, WA

March 5 Iced Earth at El Corazón, Seattle, WA

March 6 Enslaved, Wolves in the Throne Room, Myrkhur, Khemmis at El Corazón, Seattle, WA

March 7 Machine Head at Showbox, Seattle, WA

March 9 After the Fallout, others at The Charleston, Bremerton, WA

Msrch 9 and 10 Northwest Metal Fest at El Corazón/Funhouse, Seattle, WA: Skelator, Substratum, others

March 10 Skelator, others at El Corazón, Seattle, WA

March 13 Watain, Destroyer 666 at Studio Seven, Seattle, WA

March 19 Udo Dirkschneider, Zero Down, Children of Seraph at El Corazón, Seattle, WA

March 21 Whipstriker, Negative Vortex, Oxygen Destroyer, Kömmand at Highline, Seattle, WA

March 22 Michael Schenker at Neptune Theatre, Seattle, WA

March 24 The War Within at Tony V's, Everett, WA

April 6 Nightwish at Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA

April 15 Uli Jon Roth, Killian Mahaffey at Studio Seven, Seattle, WA

April 15 Judas Priest, Saxon, Black Star Riders at ShoWare Center, Kent, WA

April 20 Second Sting (Scorpions tribute) at Tulalip Casino, Marysville, WA

April 27/28 The Tony V's Hybrid Festival: Jesus Wears Armani, The War Within, Silent Theory, Massacre at the Opera, Casualty of God, After the Fallout, Noctium, Chamber 6, others at Tony V's, Everett, WA

April 28 Second Sting (Scorpions tribute) at Emerald Downs, Auburn, WA

May 13 Soulfly, Nile, After the Fallout, Devilation at Studio Seven, Seattle, WA

June 2 Insomnium at El Corazón, Seattle, WA

June 10 HammerFall, Flotsam and Jetsam, Skelator at El Corazón, Seattle, WA

November 2 Second Sting (Scorpions tribute) at Tulalip Casino, Marysville, WA

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metalbulletin.blogspot.com

Metal Bulletin Zine

P.O. Box 1339

Lake Stevens WA 98258 USA

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contact Metal Bulletin Zine

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Metal Bulletin Zine

P.O. Box 1339

Lake Stevens WA 98258 USA

the new album by Vale of Amonition is finally, finally, finally arrived

Lock up the unbelief far away from incredulity of the cynicism of pessimism, for the moment of Vale of Amonition's return with a new album is now the reality that all the ghosts will have to face. It has taken a long time and Vale of Amonition was reluctant to reveal the wings of implementation. It will be ready when it's ready, that was the story. No more! The doom has taken shape and the whole album, the entire new work is there now on Bandcamp to be experienced from start to end. It's going to get strange, it's going to be a trip, and that's the way of the Vale of Amonition, somewhere beyond nowhere and near the distance closest betwixt and between.

Those of Tartarean Ancestry is the name of the new album, and this is the way the doom flies into the Vale of Amonition in order to arrive to you where you are, those of the metal afar where the corner is the whole plane necessary.

The Vale of Amonition will show you when we meet.

OFFICIAL: The VALE OF AMONITION or "Valley of Ammunition" is a home to things of a tragic persuasion. A sanctuary for warmakers, a province for mages, an abode for ancient tribal lords and their possibly doomed descendants and a whole world of creatures divine and devious.

Surrounding the Vale is the Abyss which is now inhabited by the most ancient of beasts. Light does not flow into the Abyss and its creatures never venture into the Vale. But a storm is brewing and events shall soon unfold in a harrowing and dramatic fashion.

We are the band that speaks of the Vale of Amonition to Earth. We tell of its glorious history, its troubles and triumphs and of the heavy hand of doom that refuses to abandon it.

Musically, Black Sabbath and Mercyful Fate are our most important influences but rather than remain rigid, our aim from the beginning has always been to evolve as much as we can within the heavy metal context.

Therefore, "progressive" is a term of significance for us and tells of our collective spirit as musicians. Our willingness to grow, our love for dynamism and intricacy and our purpose to create and to imagine INFINITELY!

Doom is our ultimate governor and the principle by which we play.

Hail Dagory!

valeofamonition.bandcamp.com/releases

facebook.com/valeofamonitionwebcult/

the meat grinder goes by the name of Dreddmaster

The Dreddmaster recognize no authority but the Dreddmaster itselves and that's the rules of the road out here where the music is called "blackened grindcore," but don't ask for a definition because there is none, only the rage of the fury of the alienation of the extreme sounds for beyond the ears and through the years somewhere in the infernal heat of Arizona, the Dreddmaster take to the extreme like the fish to the waters of the salt. Believe it, or don't believe it, it's all the same difference to the Dreddmaster incarnations, this is the Dreddmaster and the "blackened grindcore" is for smash, smash, smash!

The Dreddmaster will show you when we meet.

Biography: Dreddmaster was started in September of 2000 by Dredd. Dreddmaster is an Blackened Grindcore Band that now calls Glendale, Arizona home. From Dreddmaster's inception the band toured continually until 2012, before taking a much needed break from the scene. Dreddmaster has shared the stage with such great International Bands as Dimmu Borgir, Cannibal Corpse, Cephalic Carnage, Deicide, Suicide Silence, Hate Eternal, Cattle Decapitation, Suffocation, Body Count, Suicidal Tendencies, Mortician, Napalm Death, Nile, and many others. Dreddmaster continues to experiment with various Black Metal, Death Metal, Folk, Rock, Gothic, Jazz, Classical, and Funk styles, and puts them together in a very original way!

dreddmaster.bandcamp.com/album/the-hardest-brother

facebook.com//DREDDMASTER/

Amaseffer

Amaseffer is a prog band from Israel that in 2016 worked with fellow compatriots Orphaned Land on a collaboration album named Kna'an. Find out more about them below.

Biography: Amaseffer is an Israeli progressive metal band which was formed in 2004 in Tel Aviv, Israel by drummer and percussionist Erez Yohanan, and guitarist Yuval Kramer. A year later, a second guitarist Hanan Avramovich joined and the band got its structure. This is also when the band got its name "Amaseffer" - from Hebrew "Am Ha'Sefer" (עם הספר) - People of the (holy) book; a name from the Old Testament for the Israelites and later for the Jewish People. The band's music genre is considered progressive metal, but it contains a mixture of rock, metal, world music and Middle Eastern touches.

Kna'an

Orphaned Land / Amaseffer

Type: Collaboration

Release date: August 28th, 2016

Label: Century Media Records

Metal Archives describes the album, in part, as: "In the end, this record is first of all the soundtrack for a theater play about Abraham's journey to Canaan and it serves its purpose by building up an epic atmosphere somewhere between neofolk, new age and classical music. Especially the last tracks including the heavier and dramatic ''Akeda'', the melancholic and mysterious ''Fruits from Different Trees - Ishma'el and Itzhak'' and the harmonious and reconciliatory closer ''Prisoners of the Past'' where all vocalists harmonize perfectly are great compositions that develop a majestic atmosphere. While the instrumental level is diversified yet distinct and never overwhelming, the vocal parts sound a little bit too forced in the more vivid passages throughout the record. What we get is an entertaining soundtrack that will open up to those interested in the concept itself and not necessarily in the original bands. Those who are expecting heavier sounds and more progressive song structures as on the band's regular outputs might be disappointed."

1. The Holy Land of Kna'an 01:52

2. The Angel of the Lord 03:34

3. Naked - Sarah and Abraham 02:14

4. The Burning Garden - Sarah and Hagar 03:34

5. Naked - Abraham 04:40

6. A Tree Without No Fruit - Sarah 02:35

7. There Is No God for Ishma'el 03:14

8. The Vision 02:26

9. A Dove Without Her Wings - Hagar 01:41

10. The Loneliness of Itzhak 01:03

11. Akeda 04:48

12. Fruits from Different Trees - Ishma'el and Itzhak 04:09

13. Prisoners of the Past 02:36

total time 38:26

Orphaned Land & Amaseffer: Angel of the Lord

facebook.com/OfficialAmaseffer/

name-your-price DIY black metal Geshrai

There is not much information handy about Geshrai, but the Israeli entity is do-it-yourself homemade black metal. Hear the music on Bandcamp, where the music is available as a name-your-price work.

Geshrai

A Himmel Geshrai

release date: December 15th, 2017

label: independent

1. Aleph 04:48

2. Beith 09:16

3. Gimmel 08:25

4. Daleth 11:36

totalt time 34:05

geshrai.bandcamp.com/releases

Dark Funeral coming to Seattle with Septicflesh and Thy Antichrist in February

OFFICIAL: It's been 5 years since we last toured the US. Alot of things have happened since then, but most importantly. We have released a new and absolutely killer album entitled "Where Shadows Forever Reign" (©2016 Century Media Records/ Sony Music Entertainment)! Along with our friends in SEPTICFLESH-official-- & THY ANTICHRIST it's going to be nothing but EPIC to bring this co-headlining tour throughout the US. The tickets are going fast, so make sure to secure yours now before they're sold out! Tag friends & please share! Thanks for your support & we'll see you soon!

Lord Ahriman / DARK FUNERAL

SEPTICFLESH + DARK FUNERAL + Thy Antichrist

North America 2018

Biography: 1993 was the year it all began, Lord Ahriman and Blackmoon [1993-1996] founded the infernal war machine we now know as Dark Funeral, one of the most intense Black Metal acts ever! In January 1994 the legendary, self-titled and self-financed debut mini album were recorded at Dan Swanös Uni-Sound Studio. It was released upon the un-expecting masses on May 4th the same year. The band quickly established themselves as a band to watch. Since then a lot of things has happened. The line-up has changed, several amazing albums has been released and Dark Funeral has toured no less than 45 different countries with acts as Dimmu Borgir, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, Immortal and many more.

The album "Diabolis Interium" was nominated as best metal album at P3 Guld awards and in Oct 2002 the band played Singapore as the first foreign band in ten years (Metallica played there in the early 90s).

Their highly acclaimed live album "De Profundis Clamavi ad te Domine" was released in Europe by Regain Records and licensed to several other countries. On January 20th 2005, Dark Funeral signed a new record deal with Regain Records and in late May the band entered Dug Out Studios together with producer Daniel Bergstrand (Meshuggah, In Flames, Strapping Young Lad, Behemoth a.s.o.) and c/o producer Örjan Örnkloo (Misery Loves CO) to begin the work and recording of their new, long awaited Satanic Symphony. Roughly delayed the band finally completed their recording session on July 15th, 2005. On Aug 8th, the band returned to Dug Out Studios to lay down the final vocal parts and do the final mixing of the album. Finally, on August the 18th, 2005 Dark Funerals new Masterpiece "Attera Totus Sanctus" was completed! It was released on October 24th, 2005. Upon the release the album climbed straight up on the Swedish Metal chart as NR #3.

And the success continues. After touring the world in support of their latest and highly acclaimed “Attera Totus Sanctus” album , they finally released their first ever DVD (2-disc´s)"Attera Orbis Terrarum-part 1 on October 15th". The DVD landed impressively as Nr 5 on the Swedish Music DVD chart. This is the first DVD in a series of two which the band has planned to release from their world touring for Attera Totus Sanctus.

Dark Funeral begin 2008 by announcing a release date for their second DVD set, "Attera Orbis Terrarum - Part 2". The 2-disc DVD was released on October 20 through Regain Records. This is the second in a series of two DVDs featuring outstanding, killer material that was recorded during the band's worldwide touring for "Attera Totus Sanctus.". While Part 1 focuses on European shows, part two focuses on South American shows, where the band has a fanatical following.

2009: Besides playing some festivals over Europe the band decide to focus on writing material for a new full-length album. In July the band entered the Abyss Studio together with producer Peter Tägtgren to record their long awaited new full-length album, entitled "Angelus Exuro pro Eternus". After four years of silence, Dark Funeral returned big and with their most powerful, technical and varied album to date. And while still being true to their roots, they have taken a great step forward in the evolution of their brand of fine Swedish black metal. “Angelus Exuro pro Eternus” is, from the very beginning to the end, a hell ride you simply don’t want to miss! Once again the band prove that they still without doubt are Sweden’s biggest black metal export of all times. The amazing cover artwork was once again created by Morbid (Daniel Valeriani). While the band are gathered in the studio they decide to shoot a video for one of their new tracks "My Funeral", which was shot in and outside an old and abandoned Mental hospital. It was produced by Standard Film, Umeå, Sweden. After only three days MySpace decide to remove it, while the success on YouTube was a fact.

2010: coming soon...

2011: Lord Ahriman continues to wave the flag of Swedish Black Metal with the Dark Funeral crusade. Where many would have, and do fail, Ahriman and Dark Funeral continue to prevail.

2013: Make sure to keep tuned in to one of our websites on regular basis to keep yourself fully updated on news, tourdates among many other things!

To be updated shortly!!!

facebook.com/darkfuneral/

Thy Antichrist signs Worldwide Deal With Napalm Records. "Wrath Of The Beast" Coming Soon.

OFFICIAL: Hailing from Colombia, South America and recognized as a prominent band in the Latin American metal scene. Thy Antichrist is an existentialist black metal band showcasing extreme elements that’s been making tidal waves in the underground metal community since 1998. Thy Antichrist has taken to the masses with notable festival appearances with some of metals biggest names.

In 2016, Thy Antichrist found a home with the reputable Extreme Management Group, Inc., as well as joined the roster of well-known booking agency, Continental Concerts USA. With a stout history and commanding presence, Thy Antichrist has tremendous potential for further growth going into 2017 with the worldwide signing with Napalm Records!

Andres Vargas on the signing with Napalm Records: "Someone from the past told me that dreams can come true if you work hard for them every day. If you fight for the candle of your dreams, someday they can turn into incandescent fire! It's an honor to be the first Latin American band formed in Colombia to be part of the prestigious Napalm Records roster. I want to express a sincere gratitude to my brothers in the band, Robert, Ben and Chris also to our manager Mark Müller, Extreme Management Group and J-F Dagenais, but mainly to our FANS and friends around the world for supporting Thy Antichrist throughout the years. You are our reason to be! I'm accepting with humility the opportunity to be part of the Napalm Records family. A new journey just starts and we are working hard to deliver the best of our wicked art! Cuernos Arriba!”

The band has created a first teaser as well. Don’t miss out on it HERE: https://youtu.be/0KofM30Zm6s - Video by David Letelier A brand new full-length album titled “Wrath of the Beast” is already scheduled for an early 2018 release. Napalm Records is proud to welcome Thy Antichrist as such a hardworking, ambitious and promising band to the roster!

The band has taken huge initiatives in branding their sound as well as successfully being heard on many continents with a giant worldwide following. Thy Antichrist has without a doubt connected with fans and created a loyal fan base eager to see what’s coming next. And so are we!

THY ANTICHRIST Line Up:

Andres Vargas "Antichrist 666" - Vocals

Robert Coronado "Abyssus" – Guitars

Benjamin Shanks "Frost Giant" - Bass

Christopher Stropoli – Drums

facebook.com/THYANTICHRIST

Inquisition issues new official video; European tour announced for 2018

The Seattle-based black metal duo Inquisition has released a new video for "From Chaos They Came" from the band's most recent album Bloodshed Across the Empyrean Altar Beyond the Celestial Zenith. In addition, black metal supporters in Europe will have a chance to witness Inquisition, as shown in the flyer below.

Inquisition fanatics will be interested to know that Bardo Methodology conducted an interview with the band on a variety of topics. Here are some excerpts from it, but check out more information about it on the band's Facebook page: "Our stated goal for this album was to reinforce INQUISITION as a classic black metal band under the same standards and unwritten rules as the old guard. Its intent is to guide the listener into an atmosphere of depth, darkness, majesty, and beauty – all in one, while paying tribute to anything within the context of the occult."

"Musically, the old school was also about minimalism, which is something I tried to preserve on this album. We also sought to capture a bit more feeling compared to previous INQUISITION albums. More dynamics, greater contrast between songs."

"Though not immediately obvious in our visual theme, the essence of Satanism is as present on this album as ones of yesteryear. INQUISITION explores the origins of mankind, the forces which brought us here. We hail this energy through our music on “Bloodshed Across the Empyrean Altar …”.

Biography:The band Inquisition was formed in 1988 in Cali, Colombia by Dagon. The band started as a thrash metal act, and in 1994 evolved into raw black metal.

In 1996, Dagon left Colombia and moved back to the United States to continue Inquisition and search for a new drummer. That same year Dagon met Incubus, who joined the band on drums and the creation of their debut full length album began. This line-up has remained stable for more than fifteen years and is now seen as the classic Inquisition line-up.

INQUISITION style of black metal involves slow, deep and dark riffing combined with sudden tempo changes to faster sections based around blast beats and high-speed riffing; at times adding melodic solos. The classic Inquisition sound incorporates a combination of early era thrash metal-influenced riffing with darker and more chaotic black metal, primarily involving fast, tremolo picked minor-key guitar riffs, thus creating the trademark "Inquisition sound".

Inquisition - From Chaos They Came (official music video)

facebook.com/inquisition.official

interview: the atmospheric DIY black metal of Nelecc

Nelecc is a one-person atmospheric do-it-yourself black metal project that in 2018 hopes to release the debut full-length album. So far there is a bit of music, for instance, the single “Amidst the Midst” on Bandcamp, that you can hear to get an idea of where Nelecc is headed. It is for fans into the atmospheric and the do-it-yourself work ethic of those individuals that take matters into their own hands and cultivate their own personal version of homemade black metal. Nelecc is called “Kenyan atmospheric black metal” because the Chicago-area-based musician responsible for Nelecc grew up in Kenya, where he used to be in the band Irony Destroyed, which, by the way, is a band that this publication has covered in the past. Now, however, as is revealed in this interview, Nelecc is getting closer and closer to showing the fans of atmospheric DIY metal the range of sounds that the project encompasses. Get to know the objectives of Nelecc through this interview.

Hi. This is Metal Bulletin zine in the Seattle area. How is life for Nelecc?

Hello. Thanks for having me. Life for Nelecc in 2017 has been challenging, but also great in some aspects. But that's just how life is. That's why I'm looking forward to 2018. Exciting things are about to take place. New releases, new events, new atmosphere.

The Stars is the name of the album, right? Do you record all your music at home? You are based in Chicago, correct?

Correct. The Stars is the title of the upcoming album. And yes, I record my music in what most would refer to as a bedroom studio. I was initially in Chicago for about two years when I got to the States in 2014. I moved to Carbondale (6 hours away) when I transferred to University, where I'm a junior in Architectural Studies.

How long have you been playing music and how many instruments do you play?

I have been playing music since 2012, and I play the keyboard, guitar, and bass.

Given that you work on your music by yourself, how has the process of learning to record your own music been for you? Have you watched YouTube videos to learn?

The process of learning how to produce my own music has been rather gradual. I learn something new every day and that is what makes it more exciting. Indeed I've had to watch YouTube videos for the steps of composing good music. But more importantly, I received tons of advice from Mike Lamb, who has helped me refine the sound of my music and the result when I took his advice was incredibly astonishing. I owe him a great deal for sharing his advice.

What is the relation between Kenya and Chicago for you? Did you come to the U.S. for university studies?

I was born in the States, and left when I was about 2 years old (my opinion in the matter was voiced and we came to an agreement, haha. JK JK). Kenya is my home, it's where I grew up, and it's the reason that I am the person I am today. There really wouldn't be a Nelecc if I hadn't grown up there as it is where I draw most of my inspiration from. And yes, I came here for University studies.

I have not yet seen the track list for The Stars. Have you published it yet? Is there a specific date set for the release of the album?

I posted the track list for The Stars about two weeks ago. It is as such:

1. The Stars

2. A Thousand Suns

3. Here - Pillars of Life

4. Forest of Gloom

5. There - Epitome of Gaiety

6. Amidst the Mist

I am hoping to release it sometime in March but to be completely honest, it depends on how crazy the spring semester drives me. The fall was rather bearable, and that is why I was able to work on “Amidst the Midst” for a while. Any opening I can find during the school year, I use it to work, and write more music. It can be quite taxing, but the results make it worth it.

Have you met other people at school who are interested in the same music as you?

Three people that I've met in University so far are into the same kind of music that I make. Composing music in Nelecc on my own is a thrill in itself. It's like a drug. Every time an idea rings in my head and I'm close to my recording gear, I quickly make a rough recording and save it so I can work on it later when I get the time. It is fun. However, my friends and I in the School of Architecture are forming a band where we'll be playing softer music. Something in the likes of Chon, Toe, Animals as Leaders, Intervals, and so forth. So writing music with them so far has been fun as well.

Your music is atmospheric black metal with an emphasis on themes of nature. How does living in a big city like Chicago affect the themes of your music?

Living in Chicago is great. I have a wonderful family here, and I've met some really awesome people. However, it would have been nice to venture into nature while I was there without having to drive a good ways to get to it. Living there has however not affected the themes of my music at all. That's why it's also great living in Carbondale, which is south of Chicago. There's nature all around (and it's not as cold).

This publication, Metal Bulletin zine, has reported on Irony Destroyed from Nairobi before. You began Irony Destroyed, but you are no longer a member of the band. Are you still in contact with Irony Destroyed?

Yes, I talk to them from time to time and I can't really say how proud I am to see how far they've come in such a short amount of time. I listen to their music, and also bought their 'Strife to Legacy' EP when I visited Kenya back in June.

Do you plan to stay in the U.S. or do you plan to return to Kenya once you finish school? How difficult has it been for you as a Kenyan to adjust to life in the U.S.? How strange does the U.S. seem to you? Maybe it is not so strange: both Nairobi and Chicago are big cities! Have you met other Kenyans at the university?

I plan on working here, and once I'm well established I'll take my work back to Kenya. That is just an overview of the plan so far. As a good friend I met today said, I'll have to plan what I'm going to do tomorrow before I can start planning what I'm going to do in a couple of years. It hasn’t been that hard adapting to the life here for me. The culture here was rather strange when I got here. A lot of things that I can’t even mention puzzled me. The question I found asking myself very often is “they can do that?”; I didn’t grow up in the city. I’m from a small town called Mwingi, and some things even in Nairobi were new to me when I first got there (city life). So getting to the States, I was twice as shocked. I haven’t met any other Kenyans here. Just Ghanians and Nigerians. I’m hoping to run into some next semester though, by joining the African Student Council.

Have you a chance to enjoy the metal scene in Chicago? Lots of major concert tours go through Chicago because of its central location.

My first metal show to attend here was at Reggies Rock Club in Chicago last year when Ne Obliviscaris were touring the U.S. with Black Crown Initiate. It was absolutely incredible. The best show I’ve been to up to date. Other than that, I haven’t been to a lot of other shows due to lack of time. I missed an Eluveitie concert right across the bridge (Chicago river) from my college last year. I was torn. Slowly recovering though, haha.

Nelecc already has music posted at Bandcamp. For someone like yourself who works alone, what keeps you motivated to continue making music, given that you are the person who creates the music?

Nature, and growth of the Kenyan Metal scene has been a huge motivation to keep writing music. Posting the music online has definitely helped as it lets people hear the message I’m trying to send, and by them sharing it, even more people hear it and so forth. The positive feedback that I’ve received so far has pushed me further as well, so it has overall been a good experience.

Do you have any other news about Nelecc? How can people keep up with your musical activities?

Nelecc will be redoing the old epic/orchestral tracks and reposting them on YouTube from time to time. Otherwise, keep an eye out for The Stars. Best way to stay updated would be through these links:

Facebook (like): facebook.com/Nelecc

YouTube (subscribe): youtube.com/channel/UCpiMTb5mvFaFsWzB-ZMXhoA

Bandcamp (follow): nelecc.bandcamp.com/

Thanks for your time!

My pleasure.

Seattle and Washington concert calendar, updated December 22, 2017

Friends in the state of Washington,

Is there a metal music show in your area that is not listed in this calendar? Does your local metal band have a show coming up and is not listed here? Is your band's name spelled incorrectly? Are the dates wrong? If you have information about shows/updates/cancellations, please get in contact with Metal Bulletin Zine.

Seattle and Washington concert calendar, updated December 22, 2017

December 23 Potbelly, Hexengeist, The War Within, Wet Temple at Mirkwood Public House, Arlington, WA

December 27 Army of Dagon, others at Funhouse, Seattle, WA

December 29 Zoso - The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience at Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA

December 29 Queensryche at Snoqualmie Casino, Snoqualmie, WA

December 31 Hell's Belles at El Corazón, Seattle, WA

January 1 Monsters among Gods, Rue the Day, Chronic Trigger, Daughters of Nyx at Funhouse, Seattle, WA

January 2 Vicious Rumors at Studio Seven, Seattle, WA

January 2 Countless the Dead, Divide Paths, Darkness Stole the Sky at Rhythm and Rye, Olympia, WA

January 5 Fates Warning, Coven, Killian Mahaffey at Studio Seven, Seattle, WA

January 5 Blood and Thunder, ReEvolution, ApHelion, Oxygen Destroyer at The Mirkwood Public House, Arlington, WA

January 6 Hexengeist, Voidthrone, They Rise We Die at Black Lodge, Seattle, WA

January 6 Ghostblood, Noceur, Oxygen Destroyer, Kömmand at The Shakedown, Bellingham, WA

January 6 Monsters, others among Gods at The Charleston, Bremerton, WA

January 13 Unhailoed, Massacre at the Opera, Kill Closet, Chamber 6, Salem Knights at Louie G's Pizza, Fife, WA

January 18 Acephalix, Scolex, Fetid, Mortiferum at Highline, Seattle, WA

January 19 Hell's Belles (AC/DC tribute), Elephant Gun Riot at Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA

January 20 Violent Hallucinations, Dilapidation, Ironwood, others in Kelso, WA

January 20 Vesuvian, Bleed the Stone, Simulation Theory, Scourged at Lucky Liquor, Tukwila, WA

January 20 Aethereus, Xoth, Kömmand, Ghostblood at The Valley, Tacoma, WA

January 24 Meshuggah at Showbox, Seattle, WA

January 26 Kömmand, Isenordal, others at The Kraken, Seattle, WA

February 5 Wastewalker, Whythre at Funhouse, Seattle, WA

February 13 Kreator, Sabaton at Showbox, Seattle, WA

February 15 Yob at Chop Suey, Seattle, WA

February 16 Keep Metal Alive III at The Charleston, Bremerton, WA

February 17 Anthrax, Killswitch Engage at at Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA

February 19 Black Label Society, Corrosion of Conformity, Eyehategod at Showbox SoDo, Seattle, WA

February 24 Jesus Wears Armani, Siren's Rain, Massacre at the Opera, After the Fallout, Ironwood, Chamber 6, Out the Hate, Salem Knights at Louie G's Pizza, Fife, WA

February 27 Septicflesh, Dark Funeral, Thy Antichrist at Studio Seven, Seattle, WA

March 5 Iced Earth at El Corazón, Seattle, WA

March 6 Enslaved, Wolves in the Throne Room, Myrkhur, Khemmis at El Corazón, Seattle, WA

March 7 Machine Head at Showbox, Seattle, WA

March 9 After the Fallout, others at The Charleston, Bremerton, WA

Msrch 9 and 10 Northwest Metal Fest at El Corazón/Funhouse, Seattle, WA: Skelator, Substratum, others

March 10 Skelator, others at El Corazón, Seattle, WA

March 13 Watain, Destroyer 666 at Studio Seven, Seattle, WA

March 19 Udo Dirkschneider, Zero Down, Children of Seraph at El Corazón, Seattle, WA

March 21 Whipstriker, Negative Vortex, Oxygen Destroyer, Kömmand at Highline, Seattle, WA

March 22 Michael Schenker at Neptune Theatre, Seattle, WA

March 24 The War Within at Tony V's, Everett, WA

April 6 Nightwish at Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA

April 15 Uli Jon Roth, Killian Mahaffey at Studio Seven, Seattle, WA

April 15 Judas Priest, Saxon, Black Star Riders at ShoWare Center, Kent, WA

April 27/28 The Tony V's Hybrid Festival: Jesus Wears Armani, The War Within, Silent Theory, Massacre at the Opera, Casualty of God, After the Fallout, Noctium, Chamber 6, others at Tony V's, Everett, WA

May 13 Soulfly, Nile, After the Fallout, Devilation at Studio Seven, Seattle, WA

June 2 Insomnium at El Corazón, Seattle, WA

June 10 HammerFall, Flotsam and Jetsam, Skelator at El Corazón, Seattle, WA

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