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Jonathan comments: The working title for this song was “90's movie soundtrack” and somehow I still think that says a lot about the atmosphere of the track. The instrumentation features a classic singer-songwriter setup, blending a blues and rock-infused vocal-style with a vintage electric piano. Midway through the track, drums and bass inspired by oldschool hip hop beats, a choir and a screeching organ join in, adding layers of depth and rhythm to the otherwise minimalistic approach. While some things seem to be so durable and unwavering that it will last forever, even the most steadfast things could end sooner than expected and without warning. The pain many of us feel at some point in our lives—experiencing the finality of existence through loss and instability—can be disheartening, sometimes even robbing us of confidence and hope. Nothing escapes the transience of all things and the relentless flow of the river of time. “Riverflame” is the little flame inside our chest that ever burns with the fervor of inspiration through the tides of time and space, nurtured by the very same realization that everything will end all too soon. Yet, rather than drawing a somber conclusion, the fire urges you to release your soul—dance, express yourself, and live fully while you still can, alive and full of dreams. May we all find peace with the impermanence of all things.

The legendary "Memoria Vetusta I - Fathers Of The Icy Age" captures BLUT AUS NORD in the remarkable embryonic phase of an evolutionary process that would culminate in one of Black Metal's great enigmas.

Finally available again on CD with its original front cover, "Memoria Vetusta I - Fathers Of The Icy Age" is canonical primeval Black Metal from another age. Essential.

Comes in a 4-panel digipack. 

Pressed on black/silver galaxy effect heavy vinyl. Comes with an A2 poster and a download card. Colors on final record may vary to a degree from the mockup.

"Nahab" - the second part of the Disharmonium cycle - finds BLUT AUS NORD returning, as if by compulsion, to the Weird nightmarish otherworlds of H.P. Lovecraft to reflect them through a new mirror of terrifying Black Metal lunacy.

In the dead-eyed trance of one demonically summoned, the band has once again channelled esoteric folklore and modern violence into another phenomenal slice of outsider art which befits its own Mythos and monstrosity. A Crowning Horror indeed.

Impressionante nuovo album per Svart, band italiana.

Riffing chitarristico decisamente sopra la media e atmosfere ora glaciali, ora molto calde rendo questo album apprezzabile sia da amanti del classico atmospheric / mid tempo black metal che da i maniaci di raw black metal.

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THE VISION BLEAK return in grand style: The German duo's seventh full-length "Weird Tales" constitutes a monumental tribute to the eponymous American pulp magazine and other tales of mystery and dark imagination. The album consists of a single track that is divided into internal chapters, which are each inspired by weird tales, poems, and other literature of horror and the macabre. On "Weird Tales", THE VISION BLEAK are referring to eminent writers of the legendary magazine such as H. P. Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith, but also allude to authors that were never featured in the magazine, for example Edgar Allen Poe and Lafcadio Hearn, whose "Fantastics and Other Fancies" was very influential for this album. THE VISION BLEAK are pulling every register of their enormous musical prowess. The chapters range stylistically from flamboyant gothic rock via dark doom to harsh black and death metal parts – and about everything in between. All the thrilling elements that the following of the duo has come to expect and love is present on this record: the dramatic and theatrical, the harsh and heavy, the melancholic and eerie, and also catchy and symphonic moments. All of this is woven into a dense sonic tapestry, which is held together by a recurring ebb and flow that is reminiscent of classical composition. THE VISION BLEAK were born out of the friendship between guitarist, bass-player and harsh vocalist Markus Stock aka Ulf Theodor Schwadorf and drummer and singer Tobias Schönemann alias Allen B. Konstanz. After first experimenting with a more gothic rock formula, THE VISION BLEAK shaped up when the duo began to involve their mutual love for the horror genre. Already their debut album, "The Deathship Has a New Captain" (2004) became an instant success in both gothic and metal circles and is by now regarded as a classic. As the debut album's theme was based on classical horror movies, the Germans aptly dubbed their style: horror metal. With the following albums, THE VISION BLEAK cemented their reputation as purveyors of classy and quality music. Each full-length revolves around themes from the horror genre that can easily be deduced from their respective titles. "Carpathia" (2005) was followed by "The Wolves Go Hunt Their Prey (2007) and "Set Sail to Mystery (2010), "Witching Hour" (2013), and "The Unknown" (2016). THE VISION BLEAK, the masters of horror metal, are finally ready to gift the world their most ambitious song so far: "Weird Tales" is a beautiful and heartfelt homage to a poetic golden age of horror and mystery literature. Listen with care, but always be wary of the eldritch and forbidding sounds that lurk within this song!

TRELLDOM are the brainchild of Kristian Eivind Espedal, who is better known under his artist's name Gaahl. The Norwegian became one of the leading figures of the Nordic black metal scene after joining the notorious Bergen outfit GORGOROTH in 1998. For many years, the vocalist was pigeonholed for his extreme vocals and attracted many, often dark rumours about his person. If any notion is true about Espedal, it is to always expect the unexpected. TRELLDOM have already written black metal history. The band founded by Gaahl in Sunnfjord, Vestland in 1992 released their debut album "Til evighet..." (1995) to great acclaim in underground black metal circles. Having changed the line-up to include guitarist Valgard and Stian "Sir" Kårstad on bass, TRELLDOM unleashed their sophomore full-length "Til et annet..." (1999) to already much attention of mainstream metal media. This album was produced by the legendary sound engineer Pytten at Grieghallen Studios in Bergen. Pytten also recorded the third milestone "Til minne..." (2007), which became highly regarded both by critics and fans. One of the key aspects of TRELLDOM's first trilogy has always been that in his own band Gaahl was free of the strict limitations under which GORGOROTH operated, and therefore able to explore his voice at will. With "...by the shadows..." the Norwegian artist breaks free from another mould. Returning after many years of dormancy, in which the musicians involved went on to work with several other projects, there is both continuity and change. The crucial collaboration with Stian Kårstad remains at the musical heart of the band. The by far the largest part of all songs on "...by the shadows..." has been created by Sir, who has also taken over all guitar duties. Yet Espedal has changed other aspects of TRELLDOM, which created fascinating effects. Now the renowned percussionist Kenneth Kapstad sits on the drum-stool,who was formerly of MOTORPSYCHO and is also driving the beats in SPIDERGAWD, MØSTER!, and THORNS. Kapstad also brought the internationally acclaimed jazz musician and saxophone player Kjetil Møster (MØSTER!, RÖYKSOPP, THE END) into the fold. The inclusion of Møster's unorthodox saxophone sounds can already be taken as an indication that TRELLDOM are no longer shackled by the narrowest definition of black metal. The music on "...by the shadows..." does remain dark and fierce. It is also clearly still growing out of its roots in the black past. Yet Espedal has willed his band into becoming a far more layered beast and set it free to roam in an avant-garde dimension – with the dissonant sound at times even turning towards the experimental. TRELLDOM have awakened from their slumber and "...by the shadows..." is a spirited manifesto for artistic freedom as well as a grand declaration of war against nostalgic stagnation. This album poses a challenge that states: love it or leave it!

The title of SATURNUS' fifth album, "The Storm Within" is hinting at both, the tempest of the natural world and turmoil that can rage inside the mind. It is also quite obvious that the long time it took the Danes to create this full-length and the personal reasons behind the hiatus very much contributed and inspired its artistic expression. SATURNUS have outdone themselves with "The Storm Within". The musical themes of the seas, rain, and stormy waters are a subtle presence and guiding thread throughout the songs that reflect anger, loss, melancholy, and pain in equal measure. The fully matured craftsmanship on this album is sublime and extremely dynamic, ranging from moments of calm to brutal outbursts. Working again with producer Flemming Rasmussen, the legendary Danish producer of METALLICA's classic albums, also ensured that the sound of "The Storm Within" matches its outstanding musical quality. SATURNUS came into being when singer Thomas A.G. Jensen started looking for fellow musicians in the area of Denmark's capital Copenhagen to form a death metal act in 1991. Following a number of changes during the next few years, the name was finally switched to SATURNUS in 1993. The band released their first album "Paradise Belongs to You" in January 1997 and were immediately invited to perform at the famous Roskilde Festival the same year. The show was recorded by Norwegian Radio (NRK) and ended up being broadcast all over Scandinavia, which firmly established the band as a death doom household name in Northern Europe. Following their sophomore album "Martyre" (2000) and the iconic third studio full-length "Veronika Decides to Die" as well as constant touring throughout Europe and increasingly beyond, "Saturn in Ascension" was released in 2012, which was once again produced by Flemming Rasmussen. Celebrating their 20th anniversary, SATURNUS got back on the roads of Europe and also performed at prestigious festivals such as Brutal Assault (CZ), Copenhell (DK), and ArtMania (RO) among many others. The Danes continued touring with occasional breaks from 2014 until 2017, which got them as far as Russia and to the Middle East. After several notable changes in the line-up, SATURNUS were joined by guitarists Indee Rehal-Sagoo (formerly CLOUDS and EYE OF SOLITUDE) and Julio Fernandez from AUTUMNAL in 2020. Despite more obstacles created by the pandemic, the band finally started working on their next album and also continued their collaboration with Flemming Rasmussen. "The Storm Within" took a long time in its creation and along the way demanded painful sacrifices from SATURNUS. All the blood, pain, and sweat have left their marks on this record. Yet in the end, the brutal honesty and the baring of the soul emanating from each note is what makes "The Storm Within" such a brilliant piece of music.

Standard CD edition 

With icy melodies, haunted screams and an atmosphere as thick as the winter snows, LUSTRE returns. "The Ashes of Light" continues Nachtzeit's legacy with majestic splendour; its enthralling atmospheric black metal searching for lost secrets in the woods, among the stars.

Otherworldly keyboards and epic, long melody lines stretching across galaxies soothe the soul with their mysterious echoes of ancient truths. The dreamlike ambience is hypnotic and mesmerizing. Escape your daily woes and the modern noise by stepping into the grand, ethereal halls of LUSTRE.

From the remote reaches of Haparanda, Sweden, Häxkapell presents a black metal masterpiece that resonates with the eternal rhythms of nature and the cyclical dance of life and death.

“Om jordens blod och urgravens grepp” (‘Of earth’s blood and the grave’s grasp’) is a powerful blend of black metal, folk, and atmospheric darkness, interwoven with classical and progressive influences. Traditional instruments such as the violin, viola, willow flute, and hand drum infuse the music with ancient, primal energy. The lyrics, crafted through subconscious writing, serve as a conduit to the mystical and otherworldly.

The album was engineered, produced, and mixed by Oraklet. Drums were recorded at Nordvis Ljudstudio, with the remaining tracks laid down at Studio HMH. Mastering was handled by Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio.

Founded in 2015 in the northernmost part of Scandinavia, Häxkapell is the creation of Oraklet, who embarked on an inward journey to explore the philosophical, spiritual, and mystical aspects of existence. Following the 2016 demo “Om sanningen,” Häxkapell released their debut album, “Eldhymner”, in 2021.

On “Om jordens blod och urgravens grepp”, Häxkapell’s music evolves much like the earth itself: slowly, imperceptibly, yet ever-changing. It reflects the cycle of birth and bereavement, with death and life beginning anew as earthen folk melodies murmur ancient slumbers into dawn. Oraklet channels these profound truths into lyrics and music.

Having grown out of the Norwegian Death Metal band MORTEM, ARCTURUS emerged under the irresistible influence of Oslo's creatively bursting and fast rising underground black metal scene officially with the two-track 7" "My Angel" (1991). With then-guitarist and formidable keyboard player Sverd and MAYHEM drum-beast Hellhammer at its core, vocals were first contributed by Marius Vold, who also sang on the legendary THORNS demo "The Thule Tape". While still very much influenced by death metal, the addition of doom-laden slowness and eerie keyboards already pointed into a far blacker cosmos. On the four tracks of the original 1994 "Constellation" EP, ULVER's Garm had taken over the vocal duties and Samoth from EMPEROR had joined the band on guitar. Yet, ARCTURUS already went off the (in reality quite wide-ranged) black metal norms mainly due to Sverd's keyboard arrangements that were pre-shadowing the trademark theatrical or circus-like style the Norwegians adopted on their following albums.
 

Following their early EPs "My Angel" (1991) and "Constellation" (1994), ARCTURUS finally released their debut album "Aspera Hiems Symfonia" in 1996. The Norwegians derived their name from the brightest star of the Northern hemisphere and were obviously influenced by the massively expanding black metal scene of their homeland. Already featuring such well-known protagonists as ULVER's Garm and MAYHEM's Hellhammer, the line-up on "Aspera Hiems Symfonia" saw Samoth replaced by excellent guitarist Carl August Tidemann and outstanding ULVER bass player Hugh "Skoll" Mingay also joining the band. Despite their audible black roots, ARCTURUS clearly begged to differ by daring to experiment and adding an avant-garde twist with strange sonorous vocals complementing those piercing shrieks, Sverd's cinematic keyboards, the technical guitar solos, and more elements that to this day mark the band from Oslo as progressive innovators.

Forndom was born as a reflection of bygone days – of the forests and open landscapes of central Sweden, as well as its historical heritage. Similarly, coinciding with the project’s nine-year anniversary, Ludvig Swärd muses over his own musical past.

Following the enthusiastic reception of “Och med vinden ack de gunga” – Ludvig’s re-envisioning of his droning masterpiece “Jag vet ett tempel stå" - comes “Alster”, a piano work of contemporary classical with a distinct Scandinavian atmosphere. Six Forndom compositions in brand new interpretations alongside "Aska", a fresh take on an old unreleased song.