Vinyl

2025 REISSUE WHITE VINYL

Essential reissue for an essential album

AMID, the third album of Berlin based AZKETEM whilst continuing their style known from previous releases, first and foremost, represents a sonically new chapter. Besides keeping with the tradition of christening his albums with a single word starting with the letter a, AMID is also proof that AZKETEM’s mastermind and sole member Azken is still driven to craft melancholic and densely atmospheric Metal.

Yet, while the bleak atmosphere the latest offering’s six tracks wallow in remains pretty much the same, the means by which these are being evoked rather strongly differ from previous efforts. Most strikingly, there’s various elements to be found on the album that are reminiscent of bands like TYPE O NEGATIVE, KATATONIA or even FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM.

Rearing its head out of the seemingly endless darkness of the north, Sweden based NATTRADIO are a rather recent born, obscure entity with so far only one full length album to their name. If the strength of their second album The Longest Night is anything to go by NATTRADIO’s obscurity should be over soon, though.

The album is characterised by a sombre and pervasive sense of melancholy that splendidly encapsulates themes of isolation and emotional struggle. Preferably listened to during the night’s darkest hours The Longest Night is a record that gently envelops you.

One of the band’s members by writing the following regarding NATTRADIO’s motives and sound perfectly characterizes the band:
“NATTRADIO was born out of sleepless nights. Every song is written and recorded between 01:00 and 05:00. The songs move through a nocturnal landscape we call Doom Noir – drawing from ’90s Gothic Doom, Darkwave, Ambient and at times, Noir Jazz. The goal is to capture night-time themes. These are stories from the hours after midnight, with grief as the central emotion.”

Despite drawing inspiration from various sources NATTRADIO’s soundscape has certainly most in common with KATATONIA’s era beginning with Discouraged Ones. Especially the singer’s voice sounds strikingly similar to Jonas Renkse. So much so that one can only wonder if it’s actually the KATATONIA singer’s characteristic melancholic voice singing to the sound noir.
The Longest Night stands as an evocative journey through the labyrinth of melancholy, offering listeners a soundscape both immersive and introspective.

Appearing right in time to accompany you on endless strolls during the most melancholic season, we heartily encourage you to do yourself a favour and obtain a copy of this marvellous album!

NATTRADIO is Niklas and Martin, known for collaborations with Anders Fridén (IN FLAMES) & Jonas Renkse (KATATONIA).

"Neverland", the fourteenth studio album by ULVER is the sound of an escape. A journey into undiscovered lands.

Following three albums – "The Assassination of Julius Caesar" (2017), "Flowers of Evil" (2020), and "Liminal Animals" (2024) – rooted in more traditional song and production structures, "Neverland" marks a new chapter in the revered Oslo band's history.

"With 'Neverland' we embraced a more 'punk' spirit – more dreaming, less discipline – freer, quite simply", the band comments on the creative process behind the album.

Bursts of daybreak synths and whooshes of sound set the atmosphere, before the wolves start digging into the dynamics of ambient calm and anarchic mysticism. Dreamy and transportive textures develop into trippy percussive energies, and as the album unfolds, a lush and vibrant, and at times exotic space opens.

Apart from a few recurring distant voices and vocal chops, "Neverland" is a largely instrumental record, reminiscent of the mood and structure of that place where late '90s IDM sounds met the meandering structures of post-rock.

The ghost of premillennial sample culture surely haunts "Neverland", and some might even hear echoes from earlier acclaimed works like "Perdition City" (2000), or the "Silence" EPs (2001), or more recently "ATGCLVLSSCAP" (2016).

Still, "Neverland" sounds and feels like something else, something fresh in ULVER's continuous journey of perennial reinvention. Pop music from in-between worlds? A sonic hallucination? Or better: a collage of dreams. It's up to you.

Malefic Throne is guitarist Gene Palubicki (Angelcorpse, Perdition Temple), vocalist & bassist Steve Tucker (Morbid Angel) and drummer John Longstreth (Origin, Hate Eternal, ex-Angelcorpse). “The Conquering Darkness” marks their debut album due out November 28th on Agonia Records in physical & digital formats.

Cruz Del Sur, black vinyl, A2 poster, 8-page booklet, ltd 500

ASTAROTH was formed in Rome, Italy.
During its first two years the band played gigs and recorded their first demo tape, which lead to numerous interviews by Italian radio stations, including the Official Italian Network, RAI.
The following year (1985), Astaroth entered into a contractual agreement with the independent Dutch label, RAVE ON Records. Four songs were recorded at Stone Sound Studio, and one song was included in the “Rave On Hits Hard” compilation which also featured Mercyful Fate. Two months later the EP “The Long Loud Silence” was released.
Following the release of “The Long Loud Silence” a promotional tour began through Italy, Switzerland, Holland and Belgium; the European audience was shocked by the band’s unique and powerful style, as well as the tour’s concept. The band’s show is based on the “Ancient Roman” image, electrified to present day times. It features columns, temples and many changes of costume and atmosphere.
Many well-known magazines such as Kerrang” (England), Metal Hammer (Germany), Burnn (Japan), Enfer (France), Aardshok (Holland), Aardshok American (USA), Rockerilla, HM, Metal Shock, Ciao 2001, Tuttifrutti (Italy) gave Astaroth good reviews, and dubbed the band’s style of music “Centurion Metal”.
The EP “The Long Loud Silence” climbed to the top 20 charts of radio stations worldwide. Unfortunately the support of an independent label was too weak to boost the records up the selling charts. Astaroth’s own strong organization made some advancements however, twice performing on Italian television in programs such as “Discoring”, a kind of “Solid Gold” episode seen by million views, as well as opening for the English band Motorhead.
While Italy is famous in the word for pizza, spaghetti and the Coliseum, it is not so famous for its rock music industry. With no real metal market existing, Italian labels are reluctant to produce rock bands. For these reasons, Astaroth left Rave On Records, heading directly to Los Angeles, California.
Along with their earth-shattering sound, Astaroth has brought with them their Roman culture, their intense emotions, and the stamina of the gladiators hoping to find some “heavy” marble to build their new temples!