Vinyl

Burning Winds is a highly productive solo Black Metal concern of one Necrodan, owner of Necromantic Productions. Burning Winds rose from the ashes of First of the Fallen in 1997 and released their demo tape in 1999 limited to only 66 copies. Influences include Kreator, Sodom, Venom, Bathory, Hellhammer, Beherit, Blasphemy, Necrovore, Profanatica. Altar of the Goat demo was released in 2001 recorded in 2 days on Necromantic Productions limited to 100 copies, Blessed by Hell demo was released in 2002 on Satan’s Millennium Records from the Netherlands limited to 200 copies recorded 10/13-31/01. Nocturnal Evil split 7″ EP from 2010 on Baphometal Productions limited to 300 copies is the only Burning Winds release that was recorded with 2 session members one being Nunrapist (Wind of the Black Mountains, Masochist) on drums and Lord Klopek (Vladislas) backing vocals. The Misanthropy/Burning Winds/Kerberos – Where Darkness Reigns 3 way Split pro-printed booklet & on-CD printing. Co-released by Goat Productions, Necromantic Productions & Satan’s Millennium Productions limited to 333 copies released in 2003. All releases are recorded using 1 microphone on a analog 4-track recorder using cassette tapes to keep the sound raw and underground the way Black Metal was meant to be.

200x 180g, White vinyl edition with an innersleeve and a gatefold jacket.

A newcomer hailing from Norway, SOLUS GRIEF is the work of one Peregrinus, who handles all instruments, vocals, and mixing & mastering. And where so many "one-man black metal bands" sound as much (or worse), SOLUS GRIEF buck that trend with a righteously robust sound and fully in-the-moment style of execution. In other words, Peregrinus sounds more like an actual band than many "bands" do.

With a Last Exhale is the evocatively titled debut of SOLUS GRIEF, self-released digitally late last year - and so entranced by its rigid-yet-unique style of black metal, PURITY THROUGH FIRE is now rightfully releasing the album on two physical formats. It would not be incorrect to assume a four-song/41-minute black metal record recorded by one man would be of the depressive/suicidal variety, and to some degree, both those appellations could be applied to SOLUS GRIEF. However, as Peregrinus soon displays, With a Last Exhale moves many, MANY places - and many of them quite surprising, despite remaining steadfastly within BLACK METAL - and with a jaw-dropping fluidity; this is NOT one-riff minimalism/"hypnosis" nor an expression living/dying on "atmosphere" alone. Indeed, with plenty of atmosphere to spare, Peregrinus' compositional skills astoundingly span the full reach of extreme metal, subtly (and tastefully) touching such boundaries as '90s melodic death metal, '80s epic doom, or even just proper heavy metal...but the expression is resolutely a black metal one, the emotions intense and inward, as befitting a title like With a Last Exhale. And the bass guitar here is something that must be experienced.

Hailing from the oft-overlooked UK black metal scene, WRITTEN IN TORMENT have been patiently perfecting their craft for nearly 20 years now. A demo and EP followed in quick succession in 2006, followed by a hiatus until 2013, when the debut album Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes was released. WRITTEN IN TORMENT, as ever, is helmed by mainman Leviathan, and he kept apace with a split in 2014, a demo in 2015, and then two full-lengths, Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum and Maledictus Dies Illa, in 2017 and 2019, respectively.

And now, at long last, WRITTEN IN TORMENT deliver their masterwork: Black Command. Presciently titled, Black Command finds Leviathan hitting a fever pitch of creativity, recasting old ghosts of '90s epic/melodic black metal - Throne of Ahaz, Abyssos, Midvinter, Prophanity, and Amsvartner among others - into dazzling new shapes. Rest assured, in word and deed is Black Command BLACK METAL to the hilt, but by no means does it strident traditionalism hinder it in the least. Ripping chops and deft textural layering take center stage across the album's six-song/41-minute runtime, creating a compact canvas that's somehow vast, which is to say nothing of the well-timed incorporation of acoustic guitars and cinematic synths. All this is filtered into a thematic framework focusing on the life and crimes of Jonathan Martin, the infamous arsonist of the Minster Cathedral in York. Joining Leviathan here - and no doubt adding further fuel to the fire - are Prometheus on lead guitars and keyboards and drummer Storm (Blasphemer, ex-Bal-Sagoth, ex-My Dying Bride).

Fourth press, Black vinyl, gatefold cover

New press, 2022 edition, Black Vinyl

The Demo Collection “Beyond Redemption – Demos & EPs 1989-1992” finally aggregates Afflicted’s (previously known as Afflicted Convulsion) historically significant pre-album demos, promos, and EPs into single must-own multi-disc package. Remastered by ace Patrick W. Engel (Corrosion of Conformity, Destruction) at Temple of Disharmony Studios, “Toxic Existence” (1989), “Psychedelic Grindcore” (1990), “Beyond Redemption” (1990), “Promo Tape” (1990), “Ingrained” (1990), “The Odious Reflection” (1990), and “Wanderland” (1990) have their original states carefully preserved and meticulously enhanced for all eternity. Re-discover Afflicted’s ascent from fledging brutes to world-class death metal innovators. “Beyond Redemption – Demos & EPs 1989-1992” will be released as Gatefold 180g 3LP with LP booklet, Ltd. 2CD Jewelcase in slipcase and digital album via Century Media Records.

RÄUM was founded in 2020 in Liège - Belgium. The project emerged during the pandemic and offers a journey through the hopes, vices, fears and the decadence of human kind.
It reveals the vacuity and the auto-destructive nature of the human soul, leading to an endless movement of rise and fall. Like a demon, it needs to burn our world to the ground to reborn again.
Expressing a raw and multi-influenced Post Black Metal, the band creates desolate and melancolic atmospheres through oppresive and sometimes chaotic sonic wave.

Emerging Pagan black metal project Unfelled (ft. members of WOODS OF DESOLATION, DRUDKH, AUSTERE) is rising from the underground to release its debut full-length, ‘Pall of Endless Perdition.’ Designed by the same mastermind behind Woods of Desolation, the project serves as a vicious and violent counterpart to its elegant and melodic predecessor, showcasing multi-instrumentalist D.’s impressive musical duality. Musically weaving together fury and triumph with aggression and melody, the lyrics predominately centre on bloodshed, war and death – the threefold cloak beneath which lies eternal darkness.

Project of Lord Vrăjitor (Warmoon Lord, Old sorcery)

Gone are the days of high adventure, but there are portals and webways that cross paths with our mundane lives. Prepare your journey to the war-torn, magical and baroque world of Argenthorns!

A new, mysterious, symphonic black metal project from the land of the thousand lakes will take you on an epic cloak and dagger adventure. Argenthorns is the solo endeavor of Mason Rofocale, multi-instrumentalist and narrator of our tale, who will recount unspeakable perils and obscure enemies. A quest was laid, and The Ravening marks the first chapter of Mason Rofocale’s occult chronicle through lands unknown!

A black metal tale told the way it used in the ‘90s, with piercing screams, fascinating keyboards and icy cold riffs, for fans of (early) Dimmu Borgir, Bal-Sagoth, Odium and Limbonic Art.