Valdur Play Oakland Black/Death Fest in March + Live Footage from July '10 Show @ Union Pool

Mammoth Lakes, California blackened death horde Valdur, who released their Raven God Amongst Us full-length upon unsuspecting masses this past summer are already working on new tunes. The band will bring their infernal rumblings to the live arena for a very special show at the Oakland Black/Death Fest at the Metro Operahouse on Saturday March 12th. Valdur will be joined by headliners Dispirit, Necrite and Mutilation Rites among others.

Commented drummer Sxuperion on the live shows and upcoming new tunes: “We always look forward to the live event, as we very much appreciate and respect the energy and effort that is required to provide VALDUR’s music immediately! Otherwise, VALDUR has basically kept our determination focused upon the writing of many new songs that will see themselves appear on a new full-length release. We are buried in ten to 20 feet of snow in town which is very conducive to writing and creating. The new songs are faster and more intense than anything that VALDUR has released thus far. This new full-length will be finished and out when we say so.”

“Valdur are the best black metal band in the United States that you’ve probably never heard of.” — About.com



Links:
Valdur

Hypnos - "Halfway to Hell" CD EP Review (Crystal Productions)

DOWNLOAD: Hypnos - "Burning Again" (from "Halfway to Hell")
(track hosted on band's website)

After spending a couple years apart Czech death metal band band Hypnos released a new six-song EP, "Halfway to Hell", last July on the Crystal Productions label. The liner notes on the disc say "Big Sleep is Over * Monster Is Awaken And Gently Crawling Back!" Gentle isn't a word that I would use to describe this disc as it is a solid slab of melodic, blackened death metal. "Halfway to Hell" features the core duo of Bruno (guitar/bass/vocals) and Pegaz (drums/backing vocals) and this is the band's first new disc since 2005's Rabble Manifesto.

In celebration of this release, Hypnos played a comeback show at the Czech metal festival Brutal Assault alongside bands like Cannibal Corpse, Hypocrisy and Napalm Death.



The disc's six tracks go by in just under thirty minute and Hypnos taps on all of the strengths of the black metal genre without succumbing to any of the excesses. Hypnos' music is heavy but has an underlying sense of melody that doesn't detract from the heaviness. Clear production brings out the tension and texture of the music and there are elements of symphonic black metal running throughout the disc. Adding to this, there is also enough musical variation across the songs to keep them individually distinctive and memorable. (There is none of the mindless growl-n-chug sound that some bands utilize where you can't tell one song from another after the disc has played through). One example is "Symphony V - La Resurrezione Ferale", which is a symphonic instrumental that serves as a lead-in to the chugging riffs of "Burning Again". Another is "Where The Rooks Fly to Cry", which starts out as an epic instrumental that builds up to a crescendo where Bruno adds to the tension with growled vocals.

Hypnos announced on their MySpace page that more shows are planned and that the recording of their fourth full-length CD should take place around autumn of 2011.

Links:
Hypnos

The Secret - Solve et Coagule CD Review (Southern Lord)

One of the latest releases from Southern Lord is the third disc, Solve et Coagula, from Italian black metalers The Secret. The disc wallows in darkness, filth and aggressive rage and its twelve tracks of cavernous, atonal cacophony blast by in about 35 minutes. The band describes this disc as their sonic interpretation of a total loss of faith in social system, religion, personal redemption and every institution.

The disc starts with one of the longer tracks, “Cross Builder”, which is an atmospheric drone piece with creepy, whispered vocals buried beneath the music. Based on this first track, I mistakenly assumed that The Secret were heading down an ambient black metal path similar to musicians like Xasthur. The unearthly shrieking vocals, blast beats and pummeling de-tuned, grindcore riffs kick in on track two and don’t let up until the end of the disc. Unlike Xasthur, who seems to like lurking in the darkness, the demons that The Secret are channeling have no interest in hiding and come running toward you like a full-on freight train.

In a recent interview with Brooklyn Vegan, guitarist Michael Bertoldini described the songs as “Fast, dark, straightforward heavy songs”. This quote doesn’t quite do the songs on Solve et Coagula justice – comparing The Secret to bands like Emtombed, Botch or Converge should provide a better frame of reference for anyone not familiar with the band.

The new disc was produced by Kurt Ballou at his Godcity Studio in Salem, MA and features cover art by art by Justin Bartlett (VBERKVLT).

The Secret had originally planned to tour the States late in the year with Early Graves but the tour was canceled after Early Graves’ vocalist Makh Daniels’ death in August. The Secret is now planning on touring the States in early ’11.

Links:
The Secret

Watain: North American Tour Kicks off Saturday // Show at Santos Party House on Dec. 2nd

After having stormed through Europe for five weeks leaving their cursed mark on many a sold-out hall, Watain now have their sights set on North America. The wild ride will begin in Pittsburgh, on Saturday, November 6, and sweep through 24 cities before drawing to a close on December 4 in Toronto. Support will come from Goatwhore and Black Anvil.

This will mark Watain's first time touring North America as a five-piece. Commented vocalist E: "Getting the whole band into the U.S. has always been a somewhat problematic issue, due to criminal records and related nonsense. This time we've at least managed to get five people in, although we had to find a temporary replacement for our brother Set, who is still denied entrance into the 'Land of the Free.' Instead we've invited SL from The Devil's Blood to handle the second guitar on this tour. The past month in Europe has nourished the fires of our Temple indeed, and it is with increased power and victory in our hearts that we leave the European shores in flames and set our sails towards the west. Beware..."

Added Set on being denied Stateside entry: "It is with great disappointment -- but with little surprise -- that I am once again denied entry into the States. That's one of the small prices to pay being a sworn enemy of their world. It feels wrong to not be able to join this tour, even more so after just returning from the most intense five weeks of our Reaping Death tour with Destroyer 666. On the other hand, I honestly couldn't ask for a better replacement in this (or any other) situation than SL, whose talent and vision within the sinister musical Craft is undeniable. America, I'll see you soon enough...FTW!"

The official lineup for the Lawless Darkness Tour will thus be: E - Vocals, P - Guitar, H - Drums, A - Bass and SL - Guitar.



Watain: Lawless Darkness North American Tour 2010
w/ Goatwhore, Black Anvil

11/06/2010 Mr. Smalls - Pittsburgh, PA
11/07/2010 Reggie's - Chicago, IL
11/08/2010 Station 4 - St. Paul, MN
11/10/2010 Marquis Theatre - Denver, CO
11/11/2010 Club Vegas - Salt Lake City, UT
11/12/2010 Branx (Loveland) - Portland, OR
11/13/2010 Studio Seven - Seattle, WA
11/16/2010 Boardwalk - Orangevale, CA
11/17/2010 DNA Lounge - San Francisco, CA
11/18/2010 The Ruby Room - San Diego, CA
11/19/2010 The Whiskey - Hollywood, CA
11/20/2010 Clubhouse - Tempe, AZ
11/22/2010 The Loft - Dallas, TX
11/23/2010 Emo’s - Austin, TX
11/24/2010 Numbers - Houston, TX
11/27/2010 Back Booth - Orlando, FL
11/29/2010 Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
11/30/2010 Sonar - Baltimore, MD
12/01/2010 Peabody’s - Cleveland, OH
12/02/2010 Santo’s New York, NY
12/03/2010 Le Fou Founes - Montreal, QC
12/04/2010 Opera House - Toronto, ON

Tickets for the show at Santos Party House are $16 in advance. This show is all ages and doors are at 7PM.

Links:
Watain
Season of Mist

Armagedda - "I Am" CD EP Review (Nordvis Produktion)

Armagedda's “new” EP, "I Am", contains four previously unreleased tracks from the now defunct Swedish kvlt black metal band.

Armagedda played raw, churning black metal that rises and falls beneath hoarse, snarled vocals. Moderate tempos and five+ minute songs let the grimness and atmosphere of the music build and these four tracks run for 24 minutes. Lo-fi production adds to the overall darkness of the album but there are hints of melodies within these songs (but no trace of light). The four tracks on “I Am” were recorded circa 2002 and the title track was previously performed during the Marching Towards Christian Extermination tour in 2002.

Vocalist / guitarist Graav and guitarist / bassist A called a halt to Armgedda in 2004 after the release of their third LP Ond Spiritism: Diaefvulens Skalder and the band members eventually resurfaced in the folk-metal band Lönndom.

Links:
Armagedda

Windfaerer: NJ Folk Metal Band Post Two New Songs on their MySpace Page

DOWNLOAD: Windfaerer - "Glorybound" Demo

New Jersey folk metal horde Windfaerer -- M. Gonçalves [Vocals, Guitars, Bass], JP Andrade [Percussion] and Valèek [Violin] -- recently posted two new tracks to their official MySpace page.

"These Walls (Frozen In Time)" and "This Beautiful Death" (which features bagpipe work by Sevan Kirder, formerly of Eluveitie) come off the trio's debut full-length, Tribus. Tribus was recorded and mixed at Frightbox Recording (Clifton, NJ) by Bobby Torres and follows the band's two-song demo "Glorybound", released last year to mass underground accolades.

Said main songwriter Goncalves of the new tunes: "Tribus is in essence a collection of everyday themes set in a time of Iberian legend. The songs touch upon rebellion against Romans in ancient Hispania and Lusitania, expansion to new lands, as well as voyaging into the unknown. I'm excited about the way everything sounds and how it all came together. I've had this vision for a while and it's almost euphoric to be able to finally realize it!"

Links:
Windfaerer

Order of Ennead - Video Interview with Guitarist Kevin Quirion // New Shows w/ Hate Eternal and Cannabis Corpse

Florida extreme metallers, Order of Ennead will be joining Hate Eternal and Cannabis Corpse for a limited run of the east coast this summer. Joining Order of Ennead on lead guitar at all dates will be the talented Shannon Hamm (Death, Control Denied).

Here are the dates:
6/12 Tampa, FL Brass Mug -- (no Hate Eternal, Cannabis Corpse)
** Note: Show features both John Li and Shannon on guitar
8/24 Atlanta, GA -- The Masquerade
8/25 Spartanburg, SC -- Ground Zero
8/26 Raleigh, NC Volume -- 11 Tavern
8/27 W. Springfield, VA -- Jaxx
8/28 Philadelphia, PA -- Polaris, Hostile City Death Fest (no Cannabis Corpse)

Order of Ennead is touring behind their second CD, An Examination of Being, which came out in April on Earache Records. The new disc was recorded at Audio Hammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Mark Lewis (Trivium, Chimaira, All That Remains).

I had the opportunity to catch up with vocalist/guitarist Kevin Quirion when he was in town earlier in this spring to talk about the new album and this upcoming tour.



Links:
Order of Ennead

Order of Ennead - Interview with Guitarist John Li (Earache Records)

Florida black metal band Order of Ennead released their sophomore disc, An Examination of Being, today on Earache Records. This new nine-track disc has been getting great reviews and one of the noted highlights is guitarist John Li's melodic shredding.

Last month, I had the chance to catch with John when he and Kevin (Quirion) were visiting Earache Records. We talked about the new disc, John's former guitar teacher (Ralph Santolla), John's side project Mandragora, tour plans and more.



Order of Ennead are playing a few one-off dates this summer and are planning a full US tour late in the year.

Upcoming Tour Dates:

June 12, 2010 -- TBA, Gainesville, Florida
June 13, 2010 -- The Brass Mug,Tampa, Florida
August 28, 2010 -- Hostile City Fest @ Polaris, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Links:
Order of Ennead

Dimentianon To Open for Marduk in NYC on Dec 16th (Black Metal)

DOWNLOAD: Dimentianon - "Undying Bliss" (Live)
DOWNLOAD: Dimentianon - "Breathe Deep" (Live)

Long Island black metalers Dimentianon have been tapped as the opening act for Marduk's NYC show at Gramercy Theater on December 16th.

The show features Nachtmystium, Mantic Ritual, Merrimack and Black Anvil (in addition to Marduk) and tickets are $20.

Dimentianon has had some recent line-up changes and remaining members Greg L.(Guitar) and M.(vocals) are now joined by Zoltan V. (Lead Guitar), Maureen M.(Bass), and Pete C.(Drums). The band is currently finishing writing the material for their next full-length on a to-be-determined label. Songs set to appear on the album include: "A Credit to Dementia", "The Forgotten", "Undying Bliss", "Breathe Deep", "A Dirge to the Death ov Life", "Love and Hope", "Gamma Velurum" and "Collapse the Void".

Tracks from Dimentianon's previous full-length Hossanas Novus Ordo Seclurum as well as a self-released live CD-R from 2008 are available as free downloads from Dimentianon's website.

Lightning Swords of Death Play Lit Lounge in August / Added to the Soundtrack for the PlayStation Game "Undead Knights"

California black metalers Lightning Swords of Death are playing Precious Metal night at Lit Lounge on August 17th. Sharing the bill is Bastard Sapling (Richmond, VA black metal) and Agrath (NYC black metal).

Cover is $6.00

In other news, Lightning Swords of Death were recently invited to take part in the soundtrack to Undead Knights, a new PlayStation game from video game publisher TECMO. This sounds like the perfect game for a black metal soundtrack as this is one of the first games that I've ever heard of where you get to play the anti-hero.

“Undead Knights follows a being from hell as he destroys his enemies and turns them into undead soldier-slaves for his army,” reiterated LSOD vocalist Autarch excitedly. “Once the premise of the game was presented to us, it was clear that this rare opportunity provided yet another form of media that could be used to spread our message, without sacrificing the principles and ideology of the band. We also take delight in the idea of children all over the world receiving the glory of our hymns while enslaving the dead.”

Undead Knights will be released this Fall.

Lightning Swords of Death are playing a few shows cross-country on this current tour:
8/09/2009 Java Lounge - Sacramento, CA
8/11/2009 Club Expose - Salt Lake City, UT
8/14/2009 Kansas City Power Metal Festival with Manilla Road @ The Riot Room - Kansas City, MO
8/17/2009 Lit Lounge/Precious Metal Night - New York
8/21/2009 Viaduct Theatre - Chicago, IL

Links:
Lightning Swords of Death's MySpace Profile

Emperor Returns to NYC on June 1st

Emperor is returning to the US this summer for three shows, including one at BB King's in Times Square on June 1st. The band sold out two shows last year at BB King's so tickets should go quickly for this show.

Last year, Samoth did not play with the band as he had visa trouble and couldn't get into the US. This year the band states that "all visas are in order and the band will appear in its full command."

Other dates on this mini-tour are:
May 30 - The Metro - Chicago, IL
Jun. 03 - Key Club - West Hollywood, CA

About.com has a review of last year's show on its site.