CD

Grim black metal

Since their formation in 2007, MINENWERFER have pursued a proud 'n' pure vision of black metal idiosyncratically focused on World War I - idiosyncratic, in the sense that the band hail from America but mostly sing in German. What has resulted is a startlingly accomplished canon that has quietly built itself into prolific proportions, with their first album arriving in 2010, followed by albums in 2012 and 2019, and a slew of split releases and EPs in the interim.

Of those many short-length releases, Kriegserklärung can conveniently be seen as a companion to an album release – in this case, 2012's thick-yet-throttling Nihilistischen. And yet, where that album saw MINENWERFER inching closer to a palatable professionalism, the 24-minute Kriegserklärung fully bursts through those doors with a startling clarity, setting the stage for the band's grand 2019 full-length, Alpenpäesse.

A 2023 official release of the cult classic primitive Norwegian black metal recorded in 1992, featuring Dimmu Borgir’s Shagrath. 

The sole release by Fimbulwinter, this edition includes additional tracks and presented on CD format including 16 page booklet.

Fimbulwinter, though short-lived, created a sole cult release in the form of 1994’s ‘Servants of Sorcery’, which emerged as the “second wave” of Norwegian black metal was truly taking hold. The band was formed in Oslo 1992, led by the notable figure of Shagrath, becoming most known afterwards as mainman for the phenomenon that was Dimmu Borgir. A more raw affair than the symphonic majesty of Dimmu Borgir, Fimbulwinter demonstrated a primal and fierce black metal attack, and concocted a perfect example of the early-90s style, with an extra injection of praise to bands of the 80s.

Even though ‘Servants of Sorcery’ as a release didn’t see the light of day until 1994, the tracks themselves were recorded back in the winter of 1992, and so stand as an essential and influential early example of what was to form a whole new chapter in metal history. Joining Shagrath was Skoll (Ved Buens Ende, Ulver, Arcturus) on bass, with the line-up completed by Necronos & Orbweaver.

This edition of ‘Servants of Sorcery’ - a title consistently requested by fans for a proper reissue for many years - notably includes material plus additional songs sourced and transferred from the band’s own tape collection (with work overseen by Shagrath himself), to present this most complete and comprehensive edition of Fimbulwinter’s work and legacy. Alongside Fimbulwinter’s own original material of spellbinding lo-fi grim chaos are storming cover versions of ‘Morbid Tales’ by Celtic Frost (which featured on the original ‘Servants of Sorcery’ release), plus ‘The Watchtower’ by Darkthrone, which is now included for the first time.

High Roller Records, booklet, slipcase, poster, mastered by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY

Whilst admiration of the US American masters is unquestionable, Ageless Summoning display a jaw-dropping level of originality in their approach to the sub-genre. “Our goal has never been to just imitate what has come before, but we’re not trying to hide our influences either. We include plenty of deliberate references, but we’re also trying to develop our sound and continue the exploration of vast and desolate otherworlds.”

Featuring members of such long-running U.K. acts as Of Spire & Throne, Haar, Úir, Scordatura, and Abyssal, the band has several combined decades of desecration under their belts. Wrapped in one of the most stunning and sinister Paolo Girardi artworks in recent memory, Corrupting The Entempled Plane is not to be missed.

Compilation of both demos, vinyl coming later in conspiracy with URTOD VOID.

All demonstration material recorded at the Apocalyptic Sunrise Family Bunker in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.

Jewelcase CD.

Recent output has seen OCTOBER TIDE tone down on the doom particle, and throw the listener in a colder embrace of a melodic death metal rainstorm. This trend remains consistent on "The Cancer Pledge", and overlaps with the direction spearheaded by guitarist Fredrik Norrman (ex-Katatonia, ex-Trees Of Eternity, Thenighttimeproject), keen on rejuvenating OCTOBER TIDE with a touch of the past. "It's a direct continuation of the previous album," states Norrman. "Less doom and more death metal, yet melodic and with more layers. I’ve searched for inspiration in records I listened to in the 80’s and 90’s when I grew up. But it still sounds like October Tide."

The sound of OCTOBER TIDE, aside from being doom intertwined melodeath, is fronted by emotionally compelling guitarwork, known to subside into melancholic and introspective tones. Even though the band has shapeshifted over the years - starting off as a duo of Katatonia fame musicians, Fredrik Norrman and Jonas Renske, back in 1994 - it has retained and evolved its trademark formula. The present-day line-up, intact since 2016, features said guitarist & founder Fredrik Norrman, second guitarist & Fredrik's brother Mattias Norrman (ex-Katatonia), vocalist Alexander Högbom (ex-Demonical), bassist Johan Jönsegård (Letters From The Colony) and drummer Jonas Sköld (Letters From The Colony / Thenighttimeproject).

"The Cancer Pledge" was recorded and produced in 2023 by OCTOBER TIDE and Karl Daniel Lidén (Bloodbath, Katatonia). The latter mixed and master the album, whose cover artwork was designed by Albin Högbom.

Comes in a 4-panel digipack w/ a 20-page booklet. First batch comes in black polycarbonate CD.

SÜHNOPFER, hailing from France, return with their most fully realised release to-date of blasting, emotive, edge-of-seat Baroque Black Metal.

"Nous sommes d'Hier", the band's 4th full length since formation in 2001, finds sole member and multi-instrumentalist Ardraos continuing to explore a medieval universe in his quest to restore the tarnished glory of the Bourbons - marching between the Middle Ages and the modern era to weave compulsive tales of dark times, remembered legends and places that resonate with the death of an age.