new song from Luminator (Tacoma, WA)

Washington state power metal magicians Iron and Steel have a new song called "Iron and Steel." Check it out below, where you will also find some previous songs.

Iron and Steel by Luminator

Silver Leaves (Remastered) by Luminator

rophecy by Luminator

Pharaoh -- long-running melodic, traditional heavy metal from USA

Pharaoh

The Powers That Be

Cruz Del Sur Music

18 June 2021

Pharaoh features the voice of Tim Aymar, with whom Death founder Chuck Schuldiner (1967-2001) teamed up for the melodic band Control Denied. They have guitarist Matt Johnsen, who an older generation of magazine readers might remember from his days at Metal Maniacs. On drums it is Chris Black, who also wrote for Metal Maniacs and who is something like a music workaholic for his numerous projects and bands in which he does guitars, bass, keyboards, vocals and who knows what else. On bass they have Chris Kerns, who in the past has worked with Black on Dawnbringer. Their discography shows the following albums: After the Fire (2003); The Longest Night (2006); Be Gone (2008); Tribute to Coroner (split) (2010); Ten Years (EP) (2011); Bury the Light (2012); The Powers That Be (2021).

Over the course of the discography, Pharaoh has established a reputation for contemporary, mature, traditional heavy metal with singing (no growling), good guitar playing and skillful songwriting, with a good rhythm section and production. While not a prog band, they have an air of thoughtfully crafted compositions. Perhaps stimulated by their background as music critics, this U.S. act seems like a band that has cut out the weaknesses: bad lyrics, show-off high yelling (an irritation), weak singing, retro treading, so on and so forth. In short, Pharaoh is all about quality, again, perhaps due to the fact that these musicians themselves are very critical as listeners and composers. To their credit, this is headbanging music, not meandering prog. It is nine lean, focused songs in some 44 minutes. There must have been a reason that when Chuck Schuldiner heard Tim Aymar's singing Chuck was so impressed. That singing voice is as distinctive and unique as ever. It is also a strong voice, with no annoying qualities. The guitar work shows a certain level of effort and skill that listeners will not take long to notice. Reading over the lyrics, and hearing the songs, there appears to be no cursing at all, which makes the album even better as a mature, quality work. Unfortunately, at this rate, the next Pharaoh will not be complete until 2030. That gives us all more than plenty of time to dive into this work.

The Powers That Be by Pharaoh

https://www.facebook.com/PharaohOfficial

Roots of Tragedy -- new single from groove entity from Norway

Roots of Tragedy is the solo project of David Sandvik (Norway). In 2021 there is a new single called "Memento Mori." The music leans in the direction of djent and groove, more or less. Bandcamp happens lots of the music, in case listeners want to hear more from this project, which seems to be active since 2006. -Metal Bulletin Zine

Memento Mori ft. Jason Wisdom by Roots of Tragedy

Horrified and static

Left alone in panic

Lifeline has ended

Never to be mended

Thougts running through your head

As you lay there in your bed

Darkness closing in on you

Nothing more that you can do

Death has come to collect your soul

Destiny

The path of the broken

Kept away

From the life that was spoken

Who's to blame

The wolf or the shepherd

Either way

Their lifelife in severed

Asleep in the light

As darkness consumes

Now is the time

To rise again

I am the resurrection and life

Whoever believes in me, even in death - he shall live.

and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe? Do you believe?

He will wipe away my tears

and death shall be no more

No-more mourning, pain or crying

former things has passed away

Behold, I am making things new

Come and drink from the water of life

I will be your God, and you will be my precious son

Doctrines - Deluxe Edition by Roots of Tragedy

https://www.facebook.com/rootsoftragedy/

Draemora -- new music from Washington state groove band

Below are two songs from the upcoming recording called Death Rectangle by Washington state groovedjentcore specialists Draemora. Fans of contemporary groove sounds should find something to like in this heaviness in the strings and in the growling, in the energy of it all, and there is also singing, which adds a melodic element to the toughness of their style. Here in Washington state, their name is getting some traction. Maybe the simplicity of the heaviness connects with listeners, perhaps is the core music stylings, too. Listen for yourself, and see. FYI: The title of the recording seems to be inspiring some jokes on YouTube. It looks like the geometry jokes practically write themselves, but the band appears to be taking in stride. -Metal Bulletin Zine

BIOGRAPHY: Draemora was formed in November 2019 in the Seattle, USA area by Terry Jenkins (vocals/guitar) after his separation from his previous band Odyssian. Seeing it as an opportunity to take a chance and try something different, he wrote a handful of songs with lyrics and demoed them out at his house. These demos attracted the attention of soon to be bandmate, ex-Jesus Wears Armani drummer Jared Conelie and ex-Odyssian vocalist Taylor Wood. After fleshing out the demos with their own personal touches on the songs, Jenkins found local guitar player Max Taylor and set out to record the 5 song EP “Awakening” that was debut during June 2020. The EP was nothing short of heavy, melodic metal infused with honest and heartfelt lyrics. This combination worked perfectly with the band’s mission to evoke an intense emotional and spiritual experience that brings out the raw emotions that are suppressed all day in normal day-to-day lives. With a slight pause in the band’s plans due to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Draemora has just completed their follow-up full-length "Death Rectangle" planned for release on June 18, 2021, a full year since unleashing their introductory EP "Awakening".

Album Title: Death Rectangle

Release Date: June 18, 2021

Track Listing:

1. The Cleansing (6:06)

2. Slaves Until Death (4:44)

3. Death Rectangle (4:19)

4. Requiem (3:23)

5. What You've Become (5:00)

6. Gouge Out My Eyes (3:57)

7. Blood Moon (3:34)

8. Screaming Into the Void (3:56)

9. Metacognitive (4:08)

10. Victorious (3:36)

Album Length: 42:46

Album Recording Credits:

• All songs written by: Terry Paulson

• Produced by: Terry Paulson

• Mixed by: Terry Paulson

• Mastered by: Terry Paulson

• Album Artwork by: Bre Diaz

Album / Live Band Line Up:

Terry Paulson: Guitar/Vocals

Jared Conellie: Drums

Ricy Bjorklund: Bass

Taylor Wood: Vocals

Discography:

2021 - Death Rectangle - LP

2020 - Omerta (single)

2020 - Let Go (single - Chimaira cover)

2020 - Minerva (single - Deftones cover)

2020 - Awakening EP

Draemora - Death Rectangle

DRAEMORA // VICTORIOUS

https://www.facebook.com/Draemoramusic/

Gorgon -- new album from veteran black metal entity from France

The black metal Gorgon (France), with three albums in the 1990s, is ready to follow 2019's album The Veil of Darkness with a new one out now called Traditio Satanae. This is album number 6 and it is traditional, classic-style black metal, as is the style of Gorgon. Check out the entire album already on YouTube. -Metal Bulletin Zine

GORGON -Traditio Satanae (Full album 2021)

https://www.facebook.com/Gorgon.blackmetal.fr/

death brutes BORN WITHOUT BLOOD giving away things you like, love and want to have and to hold

Washington state death metal fried chicken experts BORN WITHOUT BLOOD are giving away merchandise (and possibly hamburgers, too, it's not exactly clear).

"Alrighty folks! We are going to do a merch giveaway! Once we get to 1000 likes we will give away 3 merch bundles to random people. We have shirts, patches, CDs and stickers ready to be sent to those 3 random people. So tell your friends about us and tell them to give us a like and you might win one of these awesome bundles!" https://www.facebook.com/Bornwithoutbloodmetal

EP by Born Without Blood

announcement from Sorcia (Washington state, USA)

announcement from Sorcia (Washington state, USA)

Our brand new EP ‘Death By Design’ is now available for CD/digital pre-order via Desert Records! CD comes with an exclusive bonus track, a stripped down acoustic version of our song ‘Dusty’. Get your copy now!

👉 sorcia.bandcamp.com/album/death-by-design. Cheers! 🤘🤘

FREE show this Saturday in South Seattle

FREE show this Saturday in South Seattle! Cystic, Deconsecration and Noroth! Noroth - https://noroth.bandcamp.com Deconsecration - https://deconsecration.bandcamp.com Cystic - https://cystic666.bandcamp.com/album/incineration-rites

Overwrought (Washington state, USA) -- 2021 album .​.​.​and the Abyss Stares Back

The melodic black metal band Overwrought, here in the state of Washington, first came to the attention of people in this region of the United States with the recording called Demo 2018. They followed things up with the 2019 recording called Volatility. By that time, it was becoming more obvious that their brand of melodic black metal also had some traditional heavy metal stylings or melodies, and if not that, then at least, some more traditional vibes that seemed present in some ways. At any rate, it was a bit of unique take on extreme metal. Now in 2021 they have the full-length album ... and the Abyss Stares Back. The album establishes the type of sound already described: a melodic form of extreme metal in which black metal is a component (the vocals, the melodies, riffs and certain speeds) together with some traditional heavy metal present throughout, in subtle ways. It is also the type of music is close to the early sounds of melodic death metal, before it became a polished genre, when those then-young bands became more commercially viable.

Unfortunately, Overwrought seems to have run into some problems during the pandemic, and now they have decided to part ways. Overwrought is no more, but they leave behind an album as their last testament. It’s sad news for sure. It seemed like they were just getting started, and some of us had been looking forward to this album. We were not looking forward for the band to end, but Overwrought’s name is officially in the book of heavy metal.

And the Abyss Stares Back by Overwrought

Throwback Thursday: Suffocation's 1991 Effigy of the Forgotten

New York, U.S. death metal band Suffocation issued its demo Reincremated in 1990 and the EP Human Waste in 1991, and that same year the debut full-length album Effigy of the Forgotten. The rest is history, as they say. Metal Archives says that the latest album is 2017's ...of the Dark Light.

Infecting the Crypts

Suffocatio̲n̲ - Effig̲y̲ Of The Forgotte̲n̲ (1991)

Eremit streaming two super long songs from new album Bearer of Many Names

Eremit is now treating listeners to two gigantic songs from the new album called Bearer of Many Names. The two towers are "Enshrined in Indissoluble Chains and Enlightened Darkness" (29:22) and "Secret Powers Entrenched in an Ancient Artefact" (18:36). Eremit is blackened sludge, and they might surprise audiences expecting pure doom or pure sludge when the German trio launches into the black metal-inspired segments, and when they also bring it all down to quiet, pleasant passages. It seems like a lot to understand, and it is, but Eremit allows plenty of space for things develop. One thing is for sure, this type of doom is not monotonous, and for many listeners it could be a welcomed change of pace to hear this type of music go at different moods and provide some much needed variety. -Metal Bulletin Zine

Eremit

Bearer of Many Names

Transcending Obscurity Records

June 11th, 2021

BIOGRAPHY: German sludge/doom overlords Eremit return after releasing a fantastic EP in last year's 'Desert of Ghouls' which acted as a bridge between the band's earth-shatteringly heavy debut full length and the follow-up album which is definitely a progression. The band doesn't shy away from writing epic songs averaging 20 minutes, with the longest one being almost half an hour long but that's where they excel - they're masters of meticulous songwriting and this genre provides them with the framework they need to narrate their mythical tales around which each album is designed. There's a pronounced blackened touch on this one which adds diversity to their deafeningly heavy sludge/doom sound and there are many twists and turns that one will realize upon immersing oneself into the world of Eremit. Everything has a meaning, a purpose. Not a single riff is out of place. It should be evident from Eremit's subsequent releases that the band is only going from strength to strength and evolving where it deems necessary, and the listener is always in for a fascinating, heart-pounding experience.

1. Enshrined in Indissoluble Chains and Enlightened Darkness 29:22

2. Secret Powers Entrenched in an Ancient Artefact 18:36

3. Unmapped Territories of Clans without Names 18:27

total time 01:06:25

Bearer of Many Names (Sludge​/​Doom Metal) by EREMIT (Germany)

Witch Cross - Phoenix Fire (music video)

Long-running melodic band Witch Cross, which Metal Archives shows active 1979-1982, 1982-1986, and 2011-present, has a video for the song "Phoenix Fire" from the new album Angel of Death. The new music continues their brand of classic-rock based melodies and catchy tunes in the old-fashioned style. In their old age the band focuses on a type of midtempo rocking that relies mainly on songs that the listener can remember, without using speed or any other props, and just letting the songs speak for themselves. Fans of melodic, traditional sounds are going to be the most interested demographic. Some listeners will notice that at this point Witch Cross music sounds a bit like a cousin of Saxon, if not an outright sibling.

WITCH CROSS - "Angel of Death"

High Roller Records

11.06.2021

BIOGRAPHY: Along with the legendary Mercyful Fate and some considerably more obscure acts such as Alien Force, Randy and Crystal Knight, Copenhagen's own WITCH CROSS must rate as one of the best Danish heavy metal bands ever. The band's 1984 album »Fit For Fight« is surely one of the Top 5 albums in the history of Danish heavy metal. After a long pause, »Fit For Fight« was followed by the second album »Axe To Grind« in 2013. The line-up of WITCH CROSS has been constant for the last five years and it was band founder and guitarist Mike Koch who recorded the brand new studio album »Angel Of Death« together with Jan "little John" Normark on bass, Kevin Moore on vocals, Paul Martin on guitar and Jesper Haugaard on the drums. “As with the previous album, »Angel Of Death« was produced by myself and recorded at different location in London, Denmark and Sweden”, explains Mike Koch. “We started writing the songs straight after the 2013 release »Axe To Grind« and we finally had all the material ready in 2017 and then started the recording process which took a lot longer than we had planned. Finally the album was ready to be mixed at the end of 2019 and Mike Exeter (Judas Priest, Black Sabbath and Cradle Of Filth) mixed the album during the first part of 2020, then the mastering was done by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat and Pretty Maids).” “»Axe To Grind« was definitely much more a link to the past than this album is,” continues the guitarist. “The album had a much stronger connection to traditional Scandinavian metal. We have become a more dynamic band live and this new album reflects the live sound but it is also more dark and powerful than previous albums. We also wanted to make a few more epic songs to be included on »Angel Of Death« and we are very excited to hear what people think of the new material once it's out.” With songs like “Phoenix Fire” there are also some hints towards the band's Viking heritage on »Angel Of Death«, as Mike Koch explains: “For some reason we always end up writing at least one or two songs about the sea and warriors but I don't think we deliberately set out to write about Vikings.”

1. Tempus Mori Est 01:27

2. Angel of Death 04:09

3. Marauders 05:03

4. Evil Eye 03:47

5. The Chosen One 05:52

6. Phoenix Fire 03:48

7. Siren's Song 05:58

8. Eye of the Storm 04:19

9. Last Rites 04:54

10. Warrior 04:58

total time 44:15

Witch Cross - Phoenix Fire

https://www.facebook.com/WitchCross/

Fit For Fight by WITCH CROSS

Axe to Grind by WITCH CROSS