review: Black Sun (Ecuador): power metal with guest vocalists

Black Sun

Silent Enemy

Rockshots Records

4 September 2020

The traditional, melodic band Black Sun’s debut album is from 2005, and their second one from 2011 and the third one from 2017. The band says that while working on this new recording they parted ways with the singer. As a solution to their dilemma they have a whole bunch of guests to finish the job: “Guests include Finnish metal legends and talents like Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica), Lordi, Noora Louhimo (Battle Beast), Pasi Rantanen (Thunderstone), Elias Viljanen (Sonata Arctica), Netta Laurenne (Smackbound), Jukka Pelkonen (Omnium Gatherum), Asim Searah (Winter-sun/Damnation Plan), Topias Kupiainen (Arion), Henning Basse (Firewind), Petri Lindroos (Ensiferum / Norther) and JF Aguirre (JF Aguirre Project).”

The EP is seven tracks (21 minutes), out of which only four are actual songs (three with vocals and one instrumental) but what an EP this is. The instrumental music itself is fun and uptempo in a rocking way that heavy/power and hard/classic rock fans know. Of course, the vocals hit it out of the park. With all those different voices, it is a festival of heavy metal singing. So much fun and so good! If the idea of a mini opera with super catchy songs appeals to you, this recording should be a little gem in 2020. As already stated, the band now has no singer right now. We’ll need to wait before finding out what this Ecuadorian band decides for the next step. In the meantime, enjoy this mini opera of power metal.

facebook.com/blacksunec/

Last Year's Tragedy (Kenya) posts studio work update

Melodic metal band Last Year's Tragedy has very recently posted on Facebook an update on the studio work that they have been doing for their upcoming album. To watch it, go their Facebook page and you'll see it. It's like the second post when you scroll down. Here is some information about them and a new song of theirs.

Biography: Last Year’s Tragedy is a band from Nairobi, Kenya. The gang met in university and were brought together by their common musical interests. In a country where there are very few rock bands, not to mention heavy ones, it was initially difficult for the band to break through. LYT kept practicing and playing in various small shows and band battles, and in the end inspired other heavy bands to form and join the scene. The movement is growing, not just in Kenya, but across East Africa, and it won’t be long before LYT is sharing stages with other bands from across Africa and the world...

Pounds for flesh by Last Year's Tragedy

facebook.com/LastYearsTragedy/

review: Evaporated Sores

Evaporated Sores

Ulcerous Dimensions

Sentient Ruin Laboratories

September 3 2020

The slow growl music of death doom often tends to sound accessible because it is easy-going heaviness that encourages listeners to relax with some totally tubular tunes in slow motion, sometimes with some faster segments, while the doom customers kick back and enjoy a glass of ice-cold orange juice, a spicy tomato drink or a chill Shirley Temple. Death doom was working out very well at the party and everybody at this restaurant was happy in a nice depressive kind of way, until these here malcontents showed up and messed up everybody’s menu. Death doom, to the fans, can often be a nice, contemplative listen, but that now has come to a screeching halt as this entity is here to make death doom repugnant.

This recording is death doom in the same way that pizza covered with spiders, cockroaches, bats and worms is also still pizza. So there you were at Giordano’s or Vito and Nick’s hoping for “your regular” order, and this pizza called Evaporated Sores showed up and now it’s on the table and you’re staring at it and wondering where did you go wrong in life. You did not go wrong in life. This is life now. Evaporated Sores. What is it? There is death doom and there are some blasting segments. That’s the part we all understand. There is also some dissonant guitars, tortured, cyborg-alien growling, and computer-machine sounds. Sometimes this is something like when the car alarm comes on really loud upsetting everyone around and people standing there on 8433 South Pulaski Road, yelling, “Hey! Turn off your car alarm, man!”

Evaporated Sores is here to turn death doom into a hideous creature. The last minute of “Eternal Inflation” is like the robots are having a meltdown. “Infinite Remission” is already all disgusting by itself and then the last minute kicks in and it sounds like the cyborgs are doing yoga. Perhaps the last track “Cosmic Indifference” is the best synthesis of the idea of the album. The die-hard fans of ugly power electronics and horrendous industrial music are going to think this entity does not go far enough in integrating the electronic-industrial chaos, but to many fans of death doom this will be rather jarring. Surely things are going to get a lot more jarring in the future after this debut. For now, this will do. This is plenty to get started. What a pizza.

Ulcerous Dimensions by Evaporated Sores

Void Rot (U.S.): U.S. death doomsters streaming three songs from upcoming September debut album Descending Pillars

Void Rot

Descending Pillars

Sentient Ruin Laboratories

September 11 2020

ABOUT: American death-doom titans Void Rot return with their colossal debut full-length LP "Descending Pillars", an imposing sonic monolith of obsidian slow death metal and dismal atmospherics that encases the listener into a monstrous sarcophagus of sound. In its immense forty minutes "Descending Pillars" conjures visions of otherworldly finality and of absurd forms of death and demise taking shape at the edge of a formless and implacable dark cosmos. With influences ranging from Grave, to Disembowelment, Incantation and Bolt Thrower, on "Descending Pillars" the Minnesota quartet re-establishes itself as visionary new act with an unparalleled sound and aesthetic of dismally towering proportions, cementing their reputation as one of contemporary death-doom's most promising and visionary prospects along the ranks of entities like Krypts, Spectral Voice, and Vastum.

Descending Pillars by Void Rot

Vacant Eyes (U.S.): beautiful elegant melodic death doomsters streaming two songs now

Fans of well-done death doom with big melodies, abundant melancholy, and a variety of moods (not just slow-motion heaviness) should be very impressed by the near-75-minute work of excellence by the American band. Check out these two songs that they are streaming now. If you love death doom with melodies, then it is going to be almost impossible not to be impressed. In fact, do not be surprised if melodic death doom fans begin to declare this album a "masterpiece" or "album of the year" or things like that. Once you hear the two songs, much less the entire album, you are going to find that it is impossible to argue against this album. Remember: You are going to receive almost 75 minutes of this type of music.

The gold standard of 2020 in death doom is called Vacant Eyes.

ABOUT: "A collection of thoughts and perspective for those who share the dream of an alternate ending to existence." – A Somber Preclusion of Being, as envisioned by Josh Moran, Vacant Eyes' lyricist and main songwriter.

With their 2020 debut studio full length album, Vacant Eyes aims to be a catalyst to explore our most sorrowful moments and contemplate our deepest and most personal questions. Expanding upon the melodic funeral death/doom metal sound of 2014’s The Dim Light of Introversion EP, the band moves ever forward, arriving at a sound that is more progressive, creating even more dynamic and varied arrangements, though not losing sight of its roots.

The new release was mastered by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Dark Tranquillity, et al.) at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden, and recorded and with sound engineer Brian Westbrook at Sonic Titan Studios in the band’s home state of Massachusetts, USA. The new Vacant Eyes album finds the extreme metal outfit dedicating themselves to boundlessly crafting their own brand of heavy music, cloaked in themes of non-existence, despair, loss, and seeking truths often left unspoken. "I find a certain beauty in depression and darkness. It’s as real as it gets, and I have the utmost respect for it," Moran explained.

Their aim is always to evolve, always to be free in their songwriting, to look into the ether, and to capture the essence of anguish. releases September 4, 2020.

Biography: Longing to discover what lies beyond, through the pain, misery, and beauty that are universal to human existence. It is eventually essential to face one's own thoughts and emotions directly.

Vacant Eyes, with their forthcoming studio album, A Somber Preclusion of Being, aim to be a catalyst to explore our most sorrowful moments and contemplate our deepest and most personal questions. Expanding upon the melodic funeral death/doom metal sound of 2014's The Dim Light of Introversion EP, the band moves ever forward, arriving at a sound that is more progressive, creating even more dynamic and varied arrangements, though not losing site of its roots.

Originally founded in 2011 by Josh Moran (Guitar / Vocals) as a solo project, the desire to take the music into a live setting led to a full band being formed in 2013. The current line-up includes Moran along with Alex Smith (Guitar/Backing Vocals), Grim Riley (Bass), Chris Kudukey (Drums), and Mark Richardson (Keyboard), all of whom contribute to the creative processes.

Mastered by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Dark Tranquillity, et al.) at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden and recorded and with sound engineer Brian Westbrook at Sonic Titan Studios in the band's home state of Massachusetts, USA, the new Vacant Eyes album finds the extreme metal outfit dedicating themselves to boundlessly crafting their own brand of heavy music, cloaked in themes of non-existence, despair, loss, and seeking truths often left unspoken. "I find a certain beauty in depression and darkness. It's as real as it gets, and I have the utmost respect for it." Moran, the band's lyricist and main songwriter, explained.

A Somber Preclusion of Being opens with the vast, nearly 17-minute track "A Colorless Eternity", which sets the tone for the album with its heavy, driving rhythm, melancholic and introspective lead guitar lines, choral keyboards, and pounding, often mid-tempo drums. The album leads the listener through a diverse sequence of passages, which seamlessly shift in range from the delicateness of heartbreaking solo piano to full on metal bore with growled death vocals and distorted guitars, all with a palpable emotional grip. It closes with the funeral doom-laden "Into an Empty Dream", ending with a tinge of resolution, utilizing three guitars to form a strong melody, counter-part harmony, and decimating rhythm to elicit a somber feeling of intensity, perhaps alluding to finding the will to accept and make peace with embracing the unknown of what is to come.

In regards to the band, Dead Rhetoric said "Vacant Eyes as a unit understand that you can still be engaging at a plodding pace, and keep building the arrangements in elegance, grace, and sophistication through subtle magnification.", and describes the band's scope as spanning "From slow, sorrowful melodies drenched with emotion, to heavier, more up-tempo movements...". Metal Injection has featured the band in their Funeral Doom Friday series, and described the band as having “all the hallmarks of funeral doom-type bands like Clouds and Swallow The Sun, yet the melodic sensibilities of bands like Insomnium.”

Having performed at a host of venues around New England, including festival appearances at Anticosmic Music, multiple iterations of RPM Fest, and Stoned to Death, Vacant Eyes are quite accustomed to playing in a live setting. The group always takes the stage with the full band in addition to a third guitarist so as to faithfully recreate the musical vision of their recorded work. Their performances, while sometimes conjuring a visceral, physical reaction from those in attendance, often evoke an air of reverence and introspection, sometimes moving those taking in the music to tears. The band hope to tour following the release of the album.

Meanwhile, amidst preparing for this release, Vacant Eyes have already begun work on their next songs. Their goal is always to evolve, always to be free in their songwriting, to look into the ether, and to capture the essence of anguish.

A Somber Preclusion of Being by Vacant Eyes

Self Deconstruction: grindcore from Japan

Biography: Their sound is called “FREESTYLE GRIND/POWER VIOLENCE”. It is like insanely hybrid hardcore sound. They mixed hyper-technical and seminal guitar, cross between scream and piercing noise of female vocal, and anomalistic beat drums like carpet bombing.

They actively played many shows through Japan. On November, they will play collabolation gig with Japanese noise legend, MERZBOW at Obscene Extreme Asia 2015.

They keep releasing many recordings.Several Split with Agathocles, Archagathus,Richardbarker etc, and many V.A.s. 1st MCD “Superfcial” is released on 2012, and 2nd Demo”Virtue” is released on 2014. They are plan to release 2nd album on 2016. In June 2019, kubine left the band. A new vocalist is welcomed and we are preparing for the next level.

「FREESTYLE GRIND/POWER VIOLENCE」と呼ばれる彼らのサウンドは、 超絶テクニカルでありながら独創性あふれるギター、咆哮とも奇声ともつかぬ音をぶちまける女性ヴォーカル、絨毯爆撃の如く変則的なビートを叩き出すドラムが一体となり繰り広げられる、狂気のハイブリッド・ハードコア。

首都圏を中心として、日本各地でアクティブにライブ活動を繰り広げている。 2015年11月のObscene Extreme Asiaでは、ジャパニーズ・ノイズの伝説、MERZBOWとのコラボレーション・ライブを行う。

リリースに関しても精力的であり、2012年に1st　MCD”Superficial”,2014年には2nd Demo”Virtue”をリリース。 さらに、Agathocles,Archagathus,Richardbarkerなどの海外バンドとのスプリットリリースや、国内外のV.A.にも多数参加している。 2016年には2nd Albumをリリース。

EP by self deconstruction

Wounds by self deconstruction

SELF DECONSTRUCTION

SELF DECONSTRUCTION Live At OBSCENE EXTREME 2018!!!

Frostvore -- old-school death metal from Japan

Tokyo based Oldschool Death Metal Band Frostvore are coming at you with their debut album „Drowned by Blood“, out August 28th via Testimony Records! The Band self-released their first EP „Scavenger of human Dignity“ in 2012 under the name Frostbite. After a hiatus between 2014 – 2019 the Band picked up the pieces, went though some line-up changes and started working on their first album short after.

And the band’s aim and vision was clear: writing an aggressive and dark HM-2 driven Full Length Death Metal album! „Drowned by Blood“ was recorded, mixed and mastered in february 2020 by the Band itself. Artwork-duties were put in the hands of Kenro Imamura from Japan. Don't hesitate...and get drowned by blood!

Frostvore • Drowned by Blood

facebook.com/frostvorejapan/

Prophets of Yahweh -- Indian band's 2019 album Oronodromozro

Oronodromozro by Prophets Of Yahweh

Hollow Point -- new extreme metal from India

ABOUT: Hollow Point is a metal band based in India. The band features members of GUTSLIT, GODLESS & Devoid - India

Downfall by Hollow Point

FUBAR by Hollow Point

facebook.com/hollowpointindia/

Nita Strauss

Biography: Los Angeles born guitarist Nita Strauss has become a force to be reckoned with in the music world, dazzling audiences across the US, UK, Europe, Asia and Africa, and sharing the stage with a diverse range of artists including legendary R&B star Jermaine Jackson, deathcore heavy hitters As Blood Runs Black, early MTV darlings Femme Fatale, video game supergroup Critical Hit and popular tribute band The Iron Maidens. Her skill, exuberant stage presence and love for all things about her instrument have earned her a stellar reputation and endorsements from many top companies. Nita has been featured in many worldwide print ads and on dozens of albums, trailers, and soundtracks, most recently Heroes Of The Storm (Blizzard) and Grammy-nominated Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (Konami/ Platinum Games), and is the author of the Premier Guitar column "Drop Dead Shred". She was ranked #1 of Guitar World's "10 Female Guitar Players You Should Know", and has been featured in Revolver Magazine's annual "Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock" issue and calendar for the last 2 years. She is currently on tour with Alice Cooper.

NITA STRAUSS - Our Most Desperate Hour (Official Music Video)

NITA STRAUSS - Pandemonium (Official Video)

Alice Cooper Nita Strauss Poison Birmingham 5-2-17

facebook.com/NitaStrauss/

Nili Brosh

Biography: Nili Brosh is among a new generation of world-class guitarists. Whether it’s her solo material, performing as a feature character in Cirque du Soleil, backing up virtuosos such as Tony MacAlpine or jazz-fusion legends like Alphonso Johnson, Nili has the ability to adapt to any situation while combining the best of the old and new school guitar mentalities.

Nili was born in Israel and moved to Boston with her family at the age of 12. She attended Berklee College of Music, graduated Summa Cum Laude, and subsequently became one of the youngest Berklee Summer Guitar Sessions instructors. She released her debut album, “Through The Looking Glass” in 2010 and her second record “A Matter of Perception” in 2014. Nili has performed with The Iron Maidens, Guthrie Govan, Andy Timmons, The Aristocrats, Jeff Loomis, Stu Hamm, and many others. She was a member of Tony MacAlpine’s band from 2011 to 2014, and still found time to perform her own music, write a lesson column for Premier Guitar magazine, teach, run clinics, and play in Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report, Santana)’s band. Nili is currently the guitarist/Muse character for Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas.

Nili Brosh // Estranged - NEW OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

Nili Brosh // Primal Feels - OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

The Iron Maidens "Powerslave" featuring Nili Brosh.

facebook.com/NiliBroshMusic/

Larry Mitchell -- throwback to guitarist's 1990 self-titled album

ABOUT: Larry Mitchell is a Grammy award-winning producer, engineer and performer who has toured the world playing guitar with well-known artists including Tracy Chapman, Billy Squier, Ric Ocasek and Miguel Bosé. In his original compositions, Larry skillfully weaves guitar textures that showcase his virtuosity as a solo artist and ensemble player.

As an artist, he has released 9 solo records and won a San Diego Music Award for best pop jazz artist.

As a producer-engineer, Larry has won 26 New Mexico Music Awards in various categories from pop, adult contemporary, rap, rock, country and Native American. He won a Grammy Award for producing, engineering and performing on “Totemic Flute Chants” by artist Johnny Whitehorse, who is better known as Robert Mirabal of Taos Pueblo.

Larry is currently touring with his own trio as well as with Native artists Shelley Morningsong, Dawn Avery, Joy Harjo and Robert Mirabal.

He has many long-standing endorsements and relationships with companies such as D’Adarrio Strings, D’Marzio Pickups, Tech 21 NYC, Dava Picks, Majik Box, Fractal Audio, Composite Acoustics, Hotone, Samson, Keeley Electronics and now with Knaggs Guitars and Godin Acoustic Guitars.

DISCOGRAPHY: Larry Mitchell (1990); Mind Body Soul (1994); Escape (1995); Temptation (1997); Insatiable (1998); Sonic Temple (2005); Rhythm of Life (2013); The Traveler (2016); DeJa Vu (2018).

Larry Mitchell 1990 Self Titled Full Album HQ One of the Best Instrumental Rock Album

Larry Mitchell - The Traveler (Official Video)

facebook.com/larrymitchellmusicOfficial/

Spectral Realm (South Africa) -- streaming 2020 album Spectral Witch Of The Hex River

Biography: Spectral Realm was formed as a full 6 piece band in June / July 2010. The Idea started back in 2006 by Lord Onyr (Ryno) (Lead Guitarist and Composer) as his own solo project. Vocalist and brother of Lord Onyr, Septic Sceptre, was the first member to join the band in pushing the theme of the band even further into the spectral and ghastly. After auditioning several members, a solid line up was established and the band played several shows around Gauteng. The original line up consisted of Lord Onyr – Lead Guitars; Septic Sceptre – Vocals; Maelanthe – Keyboards; Marco – Rhythm Guitars; Gareth Anderson – Bass; ThaneAcheron - Drums.

In 2011 Jacey Polaritus joined the ranks replacing Marco for a brief 6 months and due to a terrifying accident in July 2012, we have lost Jacey (RIP 1982 - 2012). His memory will live long in the Spectral Realm.

Ethorius join the band as of November 2012 and still remains the rhythm guitarist In 2014 both ThaneAcheron and Gareth left the band due to personal reasons and was soon replaced by Andromeda (Bass) and Calvyn (Drums) and has been in the band since. In 2018 Maelanthe left the band and Neville Cameron Shield was recruited on keyboards Complete current line up: Lord Onyr – Lead Guitar; Septic Sceptre – Vocals; Ethorius – Rhythm Guitars; Andromeda – Bass; Calvyn – Drums; Neville Cameron Shield – Keyboards.

A mix of melodic death metal, symphonic black metal, with thrash metal and elements of technicality is the bands special blend of music. Spectral Realm has played many events since its 'inception' and got selected to play the Wacken Battle final in 2013 and 2017. Nominated for best black metal band in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 by SAMMA. Played alongside the mighty Italian Metallers FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE and opened up for the brutal ABORTED!! Also played alongside Italian band PULVIS ET UMBRA and NERVO CHAOS from Brazil. The band has been featured on Polish Radio Station Radio Revolta and other Stations over the world.

The band's name Spectral Realm was inspired by the after life, the unexplored. Originally the concept of Spectral Realm was found in the game called Soul Reaver.

Spectral Witch Of The Hex River by Spectral Realm

Abaddon (South Africa) -- "blackened thrashers" reveal artwork for new October 2020 album Rise of Terror

Rise of Terror will follow up 2018's debut album The Fractured Race, available at Bandcamp.

The Fractured Race by Abaddon

Filth (U.S.) -- streaming "Fear" now

The U.S. downtempocore band Filth recently announced on Facebook a new song called "Fear" streaming on YouTube.

Biography: It isn't very often in today's heavy music scene that the listener can dive right into a band knowing exactly what they're in for. With names that are designed to grab the listener's interest--but often music that fails to do the same--checking out new bands is a gamble, or, was a gamble. With North Carolina's latest addition to the downtempo deathcore scene, Filth give the listener a picture-perfect premonition of their sound before they can even press play. Murkier than a tar pit and harsher than a jackhammer burying into the listener's ears, this sinister Shelby quartet are here for one thing, and one thing only: to inflict the most damage to the listener in the shortest amount of time possible, and they do it with unbelievable efficacy.

Born in 2015 as a side project for guitarist David Gantt, bassist Nathan Pittman and vocalist Dustin Mitchell's main band, InVoker, Filth quickly took on a life of its own, with the purpose of spreading soul-smothering heaviness to the heads of heavy music enthusiast around the country. Erupting out of sheer nothingness with the release of their debut EP, Tales from the Gutter, Filth began like a ball of mud rolling down a steep hill of trash and grime--picking up mass and speed with each passing second. The group played as regional support for heavy music's heaviest hitters before embarking on a co-headlining nationwide tour with InVoker and Vessels, titled the "Tune Down for What? Tour." With one immensely successful stretch of live performances under their belt, and a critically acclaimed display of hyper-dissonant heaviness in the form of their debut EP to match, in fall of 2015, the band took off on their second co-headlining and EP support tour with U.S. Heavyweight legends A Legacy Unwritten--titled "Tales from the Guttour." Meeting with continued success in every venture, the band's intense work ethic and overwhelmingly aggressive style of ultra-heavy deathcore earned them a spot on True Initiative Management's roster--one already packed with enormous talent.

With most of 2015 in the rear view mirror, and a wide-open 2016 ahead of them, this Filthy quartet are poised to continue their dominion over the world of downtempo deathcore, be it with tours, terrifying new tunes or both. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears pressed to the ground--because before you know it, both will be flooded with Filth.

FILTH - FEAR (Feat. Jamie Hanks of I Declare War)

[These are some previous videos.]

FILTH - GUTTER (Official Music Video)

FILTH - SEVENTH SEAL (Official Video)

facebook.com/filthnc/

Overthrust (Botswana) -- new single "Demon Grave"

Biography: The band was formed in October, 2008 and became active in January, 2010 by Tshomarelo Mosaka aka Vulture Thrust, Shalton Monnawadikgang aka Spencer Thrust, Gakeitse Botlhalentwa aka Suicide Torment and former member Balatedi Folai aka Bist Thunder.Overthrust is an old school death metal band based in Ghanzi-Botswana. The band realesed its single track "Freedom in the dark" at StuxDaemon Studio in April 2011.The band started as 3 piece band but as time goes on the band added new members to make it a full piece...Lepololang Malepa aka Godfather joined Overthrust in June, 2011 as a rhythm guitarist, Tshepho Kaisara aka Dawg Thrust in 2013 as a guitarist and bassist, so the lead vocalist Tshomarelo Mosaka aka Vulture Thrust concentrated on the vocals.The theme of Overthrust songs is about dirty deeds, reality of life and death. We criticize people claiming/pretending and faking to be Angels and by doing so judging people who are not believers.The long awaited new full album (Desecrated Deeds To Decease) will be released in April 2014.

Demon Grave by Overthrust

Suicide Torment by Overthrust

facebook.com/Overthrust-Deathmetal-band-111341558893743/

Ēōs (Washington state, U.S.A.)

Ēōs was (is?) funeral doom in Washington.

third demo by ēōs

Envisionist (Washington state, U.S.A.)

Envisionist is (was?) prog from Bonney Lake, Washington.

Dystopian Sequence by Envisionist

Enterprise Earth (Washington state, U.S.A.)

Biography: While death metal is one of the darkest subgenres of music ever created, steeped in macabre imagery of blood and gore and delivered with guttural bellows and piercing squeals, it is not without its guiding lights or impassioned empowerment.

ENTERPRISE EARTH, a band committed to the brutal audio onslaught and proficient excellence, carves out personal meaning from the darkness. They conjure self-determination and iconoclastic independence, from within the bowels of extremity.

The band’s authentic death metal precision and technical might is unquestionable, as evidenced in clubs, theaters, and festivals on tour, as ENTERPRISE EARTH has teamed with contemporaries like Dying Fetus, Whitechapel, Chelsea Grin, Thy Art Is Murder, Carnifex, Oceano, and Winds Of Plague, and joined the Summer Slaughter Tour with iconic genre trailblazers like Cannibal Corpse, Nile, and Suffocation.

In just a few short years of existence, the Spokane, Washington based outfit has churned out an impressive discography of diverse sounds, from the early deathcore rumblings of the XXIII EP (2014) and the astonishingly savage debut full-length, Patient Ø (2015), to the adventurous, cerebrally-thematic Embodiment (2017). Now partnered with eOne Music and Good Fight, ENTERPRISE EARTH has crafted their definitive work, Luciferous, produced and mixed by the highly acclaimed Jason Suecof, an album of epic proportions firmly establishing them among metal’s elite.

Foundation of Bones by Enterprise Earth

Foundation Of Bones was a spur of the moment idea that quickly came to fruition. After returning home from our canceled tours and allowing a little time for the dust to settle, we immediately began writing and finishing up new material. While listening back to some new demos and being stoked on the quality of the mixes, we thought, "Fuck it, Let's give self-production a go and release an impromptu EP!". Dan tracked vocals at home in Indianapolis. Brandon recorded drums with our good friend/sound engineer, Chris Ghazel, in LA. I did guitars, bass, production, and handled mixing/mastering duties in my tiny home trailer studio rig in Taos, NM. After several days of tweaking, we had a mix that we were all very stoked on and felt comfortable moving forward with our first self produced release. The covers were something that we had in mind for some time, and the opportunity to do this EP prompted us to take action. Lamb of God and Necrophagist are two huge inspirations on us (perhaps you can find hints of these influences throughout our last release, Luciferous), so covering these tunes was a no-brainer. We experienced a ton of electric energy tracking these as they are songs that we've loved since we were kids; hopefully, we did them justice! The acoustic version of There Is No Tomorrow was somewhat of a cathartic experience. It was strongly inspired by bands that have done incredible acoustic renditions of their heavy tunes, namely Alice In Chains, The Contortionist, and I See Stars. Now You've Got Something To Die For originally by Lamb Of God Fermented Offal Discharge originally by Necrophagist

Endorphins Lost (Washington state, U.S.A.)

ABOUT: Endorphins Lost is a loud, fast, and pissed off band band that plays short songs based out of Seattle, WA. Endorphins Lost is a concept band. Our lyrical focus is directly on the human psyche and the understanding of reality, the illusions of manipulation and the medical anomalies that walk among us along with the oddities we harbor inside ourselves. We try to write music that best fits the theme so it usually always transposes to primal, pissed and manic music that is over in under a minute.

Seclusions by Endorphins Lost

End Status (Washington state, U.S.A.)

End Status is "groove/prog/nu metal" from Auburn, Washington.

ABOUT: End Status is a 4-piece band that enjoys putting together awesome compositions that just touch all the right buttons. But they didn’t want to stop at just writing songs, no, they’ve begun to adopt personas that allow them to dive into a world that only exists on stage. A world in which they continue to shape around it’s lead Pro-An-tagonist... The Butcher. As the story goes, the Butcher is a simple man, with very simple tastes. He enjoys his time running his little shop on the corner of Woodish St. and Sunshine Dr. Everyday he’d wake-up

Cicero Building Light Fixtures for stage performances And meander to the Butcher shop, throw on his apron and get to work. At first it brought him great happiness, it provided purpose, it took his mind off of all the small things that bothered him in life. The smiles he’d get as he’d fill customers orders day-in and day-out would fill his heart with joy... His life was perfect... on the outside. Inside is mind is a maze of dark corners, repentant children clinging to men in white robes, chariots ablaze screaming through a field of shattered glass, driven by pure chaos. It’s almost too much for one man to bare. “Ding Ding” an old door bell would chime. His favorite customer, “Mr. Junkyard himself” he’d say. As he’d stroll through the door. Loud and animated, he’d bellow out “MEAT!” as he’d rush the counter, lean in close and whisper foolhardy tales to tantalize him. Always looking to rope the Butcher into every caper imaginable.

BJ Schrieb during an iteration of the music video "November" As tempting as his offers and stories of reckless enjoyment seem, he stays the path. There was always something that would pull him back to reality. A whisper from the past, a time when he was a boy. The men in white robes. They’d keep him, and many others like him, locked away. Forced into a community of devout slaves. No move, no sound, no thought occurred without their watchful presence. It was here that he would learn discipline, respect, torture. He’d shake his head quickly to shake loose the thoughts of punishment. For every impure thought would bring about phantom pain, it was this pain which kept him in order.

Mako practicing the bassline for "Wretched Me" All members of the band are embodiments of the Butcher. His body (Derrick), his rage and chaotic thought nature (Cicero), temptation and reckless behavior (BJ Schrieb), and his memories of rebuke (Mako). The stories told only through a combination of stage performance and music, meant to provoke ones imagination. Join them, as they continue to journey through the chronicle that is the Butcher.

All but the first song...

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Endless Descent (Washington state, U.S.A.)

Endless Descent was 1990s death metal band in Washington state, according to Metal Archives, which says that they did two recordings: Mirage of Hate Demo 1994 and Dreams of Darkness Demo 1996. At this moment this publication has not located this band's music.

Empyrean (Seattle, Washington state, U.S.A.)

Empyrean (2014-2017) was metalcore in the Seattle area, Washington state, U.S.A.

A 6 piece progressive metal band with influences of metalcore and djent from Seattle WA. Empyrean is a band striving to bring new elements to a scene that is constantly growing and changing. With their first single Subsist featuring Jared Dines, and their new single Judges they have been pushing the boundaries of metalcore and are pushing into the progressive metal scene. With unique vocals, strong rhythms, groovy riffs, and heavy breakdowns this band is pushing to reach new sounds and make music among many genres and musical tastes. For fans of: After the Burial, Silent Planet, Northlane, Periphery, Architects, Structures, Invent Animate, Betraying the Martyrs, and more.

Glassed by Empyrean

Empyrean (Bellingham, Washington state, U.S.A.)

Empyrean (Bellingham, Washington) was active 2017-2018. Members of this band later formed Gallows Hymn.

Empyrean by Empyrean

Emanon (Washington state, U.S.A.)

This publication at this moment has not found music online for Emanon.

ABOUT: "We’re a rock/nu-metal band from Lake Stevens, Washington."

facebook.com/Emanon.band/

Eigenlicht (Washington state, U.S.A.)

Eigenlicht (Washington state, U.S.A.)

SELF​-​ANNIHILATING CONSCIOUSNESS by Eigenlicht-Metal

Goatswarth (U.S.A.) -- atmospheric black metal

Goatswarth (U.S.A.) is a one-person solo project of atmospheric extreme metal.

Goatswarth - Ancestral Forest

Goatswarth - Many rivers to cross

facebook.com/6goat6swarth6/

Born an Abomination (2012-2018) -- U.S. depressive extreme metal

Born an Abomination was depressive extreme metal in the state of Illinois, U.S.A. Apparently, they are no longer active.

Fires in the night hour​.​.​. by Born an Abomination

Seasonal Depression by Born an Abomination

Volatile Ways -- new brutal extreme metal from Newcastle, Australia

Condemned To Life, Burdened To Death by Volatile Ways

facebook.com/volatilewaysband/

Kayla Dixon (audio interview) -- Discusses Vocal Technique, Balancing a Multi-Faceted Career - BTS Ep. 13

ABOUT: "Kayla is a well rounded metal vocalist, actor and dancer and vocal coach, trained in Classical, Jazz and Musical Theatre vocals as well as Rock/Metal. She is a trained actor of Stanislavski and Meisner techniques and understands the importance of storytelling on stage. She has worked on several professional theatre productions and made an appearance in the Sundance award winning Netflix movie " I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore" in addition to appearances on the television shows Portlandia and Grimm. She continues to expand her creative endeavors in all directions and provides vocals for Dress the Dead and Witch Mountain."

Biography: WITCH MOUNTAIN BIO 2020:

When venerable UK metal magazine Kerrang announced a long-awaited US edition in 2018, the very first band featured in its inaugural Sounds of the Underground series was Witch Mountain, who they called, “one of the longest rocking, most important Doom Metal bands in the United States.”

This article and dozens like it ran all over America and Europe in response to the latest chapter in the bands’ storied saga: the release of its self-titled fifth album.

Witch Mountain (Svart, 2018) was the first full-length to feature vocalist Kayla Dixon, who NPR called, “…a rarity in doom-metal, a singer with soul, dynamism, drama, control and poise.”

The musical partnership of Rob Wrong (guitars) and Nate Carson (drums) began in 1997 with the founding of Portland, Oregon’s first doom metal band. The intervening years saw the band bloom into an international entity with a series of acclaimed albums (issued stateside by Profound Lore) and a hearty tour schedule that included festivals like Roadburn, Hellfest, Desertfests (London and Berlin), Scion Rock Fest, and Hopscotch.

By early 2015 bassist Justin Brown and vocalist Kayla Dixon solidified the band’s greatest lineup and helped to produce new music that rocked fans both new and old. Tours followed with Enslaved, YOB, Danzig, Superjoint, Saint Vitus, and a triumphant appearance at Psycho Las Vegas.

A new composition, “Midnight” was released as part of the 2017 Adult Swim Singles Series in anticipation of the following year’s full-length. In addition to another original single, “Burn You Down”, and a cover of Black Sabbath’s “Sleeping Village” on a Cleopatra Records tribute album, Decibel premiered a lyric video for the brand new track “Priceless Pain” to coincide with the band’s 2019 tour with Corrosion of Conformity.

2020 sees the band writing new music in guitarist Rob’s Wrong Way Recording studio, and preparing to hit the road for a series of tours in the US and Europe, where fans will get another heavy dose of the band’s patented and ever-unfurling traditional American doom/blues.

Witch Mountain still maintains total artistic control. The band is self-managed, self-booked, and owns its entire back catalog.

We are proud to be over twenty years in, having never peaked along the way.

Biography: DRESS THE DEAD: When Craig Locicero saw vocalist Kayla Dixon perform in San Francisco, he knew she had a promising future as a frontwoman. What he didn’t know then was that their musical paths would interweave not far down the road in his new band Dress The Dead. Together, the pair - alongside bassist James Walker, guitarist Michael Rowan and drummer Mark Hernandez - have created metal that is anthemic and soulful, as well as accessible. The early track “1969” - which has already notched 150k YouTube views as of writing, has multiple twists and turns. Dixon’s voice is front and center as it should be but the music allows it the space and dynamics it needs to breathe, from the driving riff that opens the song to the unanticipated ambient interlude two minutes in. “There Goes The Sun” is bluesy and soulful and showcases Dixon’s fierce death growl as well as her dynamic upper register. One of the defining characteristics of all of the DtD music is the willingness to let songs unravel and build around a voice that adds depth and resonance to everything it touches.

Kayla Dixon Discusses Vocal Technique, Balancing a Multi-Faceted Career - BTS Ep. 13

Witch Mountain by Witch Mountain

Dress the Dead 'Circus Fleas' / 'Wailing Wall' Live @ Whisky a Go Go Hollywood CA 03.03.2020

Kayla Dixon - Katatonia - "Onward Into Battle" ( Vocal Cover)

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