CD

With 12 studio albums, a dozen EPs, singles and split releases, as well as more than 1.250 shows under their belts so far, it is high time ROTTING CHRIST get a proper compilation spanning their 30+ years career. The 2-CD set 'Their Greatest Spells' takes a retrospective look at the cult Greek band's fascinating musical development by picking a select choice of key tracks covering the many facets of ROTTING CHRIST. With such a massive catalogue, a "best of" compilation will always lead to controversy about certain additions as well as omissions from the final list, but the involvement of frontman Sakis Tolis himself in this difficult task ensures that the result is at least relevant.

Describing his ideas behind "F(OUR) WARD", EdleyODowd notices that the combination of sound and visuals were “essential to delivering a message”- points out Edley talking about his foray into new territory.
“I wanted to create something of nightmares and bliss” explains EdleyODowd when asked to discuss the combination of visuals and sound presented on his latest solo release "F(OUR) WARD".

ODowd, a long-time veteran of various musical scenes, has collaborated and performed with many musical luminaries (Genesis P-Orridge, Deborah Harry, LeneLovich, Tony Conrad, Shilpa Ray), as well as being a member of Toilet Boys, Psychic TV, Kylesa and his brand-new death rock band Scorpion Tea.

Initially released as an ultra-limited cassette release via Flesh Prison/DeathBed Tapes, "F(OUR) WARD" is coming out in the rest of the world via 13, as an extended version featuring three bonus tracks and expanded artwork by ODowd. “I am proud to present what I consider to be the complete version of this art and music”, stresses Edley, talking about the unity of two inseparable components of his creativity. “The video clips that accompany these songs are designed to be trance-induced launchpads for the audio and vice-versa” – admits ODowd: “A world within our own, in which we can see and hear new and exciting things”. The videos accompanying the release of "F(OUR) WARD" were shot on various locations in Mexico and Colombia, ODowd’s goal was to present a visual environment one could listen to the music within.

Five years ago, back in September 2016, Stefano Gentile published a photographic book entitled IL SILENZIO DEI TUOI PASSI (The Silence of Your Steps), which collected a series of 56 pictures, both in b/w and colour, dedicated to the nights in Venice. The book was a journey through the most remote "calli" and "campi" (streets, alleys and squares, as they're called in Venice) in search of the true 'breath' of the city, far away from the hordes of tourists who 'attack' it every day during daylight hours.
On such occasion, renowned musician Gigi Masin composed a 30 minutes epic ambient track entitled VENEZIA 2016 which was the perfect soundtrack to the images included in the book. The track was published on CD and released bounded with the book itself in a limited edition of 480 copies only, and has been unavailable for years now.
In 2021 Gigi Masin returned to that great piece of music and to its timeless sounds. Finally, Silentes can now offer PLAYS VENEZIA, Masin's latest work contanining a re-edited version of that 'pearl', accompanied by two unreleased tracks composed and recorded in the same period.
Once again inspired by the city, Masin created an enduring and wonderful ambient masterpiece, a sort of return to the origins, to his home. Adding to the intrinsic quality of the originals, the tracks were beautifully mastered by Brandenburg Mastering in Amsterdam.
PLAYS VENEZIA is simply an unmissable release and one of Masin's greatest accomplishment in a long carrier that never ceases to amaze us.
 

Format: Jewel Case CD with 16 pages booklet.

Belgian speed metallers Bütcher have exploded onto the scene and have been making a name for themselves internationally. Their music caters to the blackened souls who love old school speed, thrash, heavy and black metal. Cuts such as Iron Bitch, 45 RPM Metal and 666 Goats Carry My Chariot are now part of the canon of the old school metal community.

After an avalanche of successful shows and festivals throughout Europe they are proud to present their 3th LP “ON FOWL OF TYRANT WING”. After the rabid debut “BESTIAL FÜKKIN' WARMACHINE” (Babylon Doom Cult Records, 2017) and the heralded sophomore album “666 GOATS CARRY MY CHARIOT” (Osmose Productions, 2020), they delve deep into their specific mixture of the golden 80's and extreme 90's.

BÜTCHER have always mixed ancient speed and thrash metal with NWOBHM, classic hard rock and black metal. On side A of the new album, they continue their very own legacy. On side B they double down on that premise. It's a concept side with an overarching unique story (written by R Hellshrieker) and a fully composed tour de force (by KK Ripper) where tempo changes, interwoven melodies, sitars, organs and various percussion instruments create an unexpected musical journey.

Heavy, death and black metal counter the speed metal and nobody will see it coming. Both progressive and very traditional, this album is sure to opiate fans and critics alike

Jewel-case CD, 12-page booklet

Cult Black Metal from Czech Republic

Three essential albums – „Ritual“, „Jilemnický okultista“ and „Vracejte konve na místo“, will be reissued on vinyl and jewel-case CD in mid-November.

Their preparation required several months of work:
The band found the original production tape from 1991 fir „Ritual“ and achieved a result that sonically surpasses the original release.
„Jilemnický okultista“ and „Vracejte konve na místo“, underwent new, more sensitive re-mastering.
All titles will be released as gatefold double vinyls and jewel-case CDs.The new artwork includes original, some previously unpublished illustrations and photographs reproduced in the highest quality. The inserted double sheets of the vinyls contain not only lyrics and archival documents but also current interviews with František Štorm.

The high priests of sinister doom return with “Evil Remains”, their sixth album and first for Hammerheart Records!

“Evil Remains” is a hook-laden Heavy Metal thrill-ride into Nosferatu nights! Back after a six year break with the black magic fully recharged, Castle has delivered a juggernaut of riffery in a hook laden mix of doom and psychedelictinged classic metal. Adding to the atmosphere of majestic doom, Elizabeth Blackwell’s haunted, full-blooded vocals are electric witch hymns of death and madness; ‘Hear my warning, heed my call’ indeed.

Recorded at Raincity Recorders in Vancouver B.C. by producer Jesse Gander (Anciients, 3 Inches Of Blood, Brutus) “Evil Remains” sonically balances the warm and fuzzy with the bombastic power of an alternate universe stadium rock band. Bassist/vocalist Elizabeth Blackwell and guitarist/vocalist Mat Davis bring their unique female and male vocal attack and scorching, serpentine riffs to dizzying new heights. Rounded out by drummer Mike Cotton’s thunderous precision, “Evil Remains” delivers a metallic knock out punch from the first to the last note of its eight pummeling tracks.

Written over a five year period - beginning in Castle’s then home town of Joshua Tree, California after a year-long tour for their previous album, “Deal Thy Fate” - the songwriting culminated this past year with pre-production sessions taking place in the band’s new twin home bases of San Francisco and Vancouver. Since storming out of San Francisco with their 2011 debut, “In Witch Order”, Castle has toured relentlessly, playing close to 700 shows on three continents. The live ritual resumes this September across Europe with North American dates to follow.