Cerridwen is a symphonic ethereal folk metal band from Bellingham, USA that will release its debut EP “Aconitum” via Cascadian Alliance on September 16th, 2014. The physical edition of “Aconitum” that was initially released digitally on October 2013, will be out with all-new album art, and a slightly refined mix/master. The project began in 2005 known as Aconitum, fashioned by John and Jenn, keyboards and drums, respectively. Over the next five years, three other members joined, Genevieve on vocals, Cavan on guitars and Josh on bass. After their line-up was finalized, they decided to change their name to Cerridwen. According to legend, Cerridwen was an enchantress who had the ability to grant poetic inspiration. She also was Read more →

German melodic Viking death metallers Strydegor from Schwerin have revealed the first details of their upcoming third full-length album “Enraged“, which is scheduled for release in September 2014. Strydegor were formed in 2007 and in 2008 released their first demo album ”Legends of Midgard” and the demo EP ”Midwinter ‘s Eve”. They have also released two full-length albums so far, both via CCP Records: “Back on Ancient Traces” in 2009 and “In the Shadow of Remembrance” in 2012. The new album’s lyrical concept is about how humanity looses itself in hatred and rage! Strydegor have revealed the album tracklist and unveiled the cover artwork, designed by Ingo Tauer. More news will be available soon.

Tracklist:
1. Preludium
2. Final Judgement Day                      Read more →

Pagan folk metal band Грай (Grai) from the Republic of Tatarstan of eastern Russia will release its third studio album “Млада – Mlada” on the 19th of September 2014 via Noizgate Records. At the same time, Grai together with SatanaKozel, will also begin their “Folk Metal Crusade Tour”, whose first dates are already confirmed and you can check in the band’s official pages. “Mlada” includes 11 songs with the band’s typical mix of delicate folk sounds and punchy metal. Ruzel “Ruzveld”, guitarist and mastermind of Grai, has to say about the album: “Mlada is complex and varied, with songs full of life, dance, action and rhythm, but also some slower parts that provoke thought. It is a great album, on which we were once again able to further develop Read more →

Symphonic black metallers Anthelion from Taipei, Taiwan have recently released their second full-length album “黑羽 Obsidian Plume” via ULoud Music. Formed back in 2001, the band released the EP “血染日輪 Bloodstained Anthelion” in 2004, its debut full-length album “沐血再臨 Bloodshed Rebefallen” in 2007 and a second EP “曼珠沙華 Mañjusaka” in 2010. Anthelion is known for drawing out and combining the darkness and the brightness of many themes in dramatic ways. As well as having the impact of traditional heavy metal, their music unites sadly beautiful piano melodies with magnificent orchestral elements. The symbolic artwork of “Obsidian Plume” depicts a raven, a bird that has been taken as a bad omen since ancient times. Something not Read more →

Petrychor is an American one-man atmospheric folk black metal band from California, the personal project of Tad Piecka. The band has just released its second album “Makrokosmos” on July 10th 2014, three years after its debut full-length and one year after the split with Frozen Ocean. This release is bittersweet for Tad, as it was originally going to be released by Wilhelm of Khrysanthoney Records, who recently passed away. Having prepped and delayed the album a number of times, Tad carefully weighed how best to release it considering the circumstances and have decided to forego a physical release in order to make it available now digitally via Bandcamp. “Makrokosmos” is the result of combining Read more →