Russia’s leading pagan folk metal band Аркона (Arkona) has unveiled the first details of their upcoming eighth studio album “Храм“, set to be released on January 19th 2018 via Napalm Records! Храм (khram), is the Russian word for temple. A Храм is a temple shrouded in natural mysticism slumbering behind nocturnal treetops, yet open to everyone. The sincerity and depth that binds all five band members together resonates in the sumptuously dark cover artwork and leading lady Masha’s lyrics that are written in her own blood (which is also part of the artwork)! Аркона may have used sound samples in their early days, but nowadays cellos, brass parts, wind instruments and throat singing are recorded live meticulously and flow naturally Read more →

Austrian legendary epic atmospheric Tolkien black metallers Summoning have revealed the first details of their upcoming 8th full-length album “With Doom We Come“, scheduled for release on January 5th, 2018 via Napalm Records. Ever since the release of their debut album “Lugburz” in 1995, Summoning have proven themselves to be the true guardians of Middle Earth! What started out as a project deeply rooted in traditional black metal took an epic turn in the following years – evergreens like “Dol Guldur” in 1996 and “Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame” in 2001, bear witness to a continuously refined soundscape. Five years after “Old Mornings Dawn“, Protector and Silenius have turned over a new leaf in their bottomless saga. Over eight tracks, “With Doom We Come” indulges all things sublime and majestic, while grandiose Read more →

Australia’s Claim the Throne have just released their epic fourth full-length album “On Desolate Plains“. Ripping apart folk metal with a merciless assault, finally a band is delivering an extreme take on melodies that fans of pagan and melodeath alike have been raging for. An epic slab of heavy folk-influenced melodic death metal that sees the band at the peak of their 10 year raid. The killer artwork design is by Michael Salas, capturing a journey of desolation through the harsh Australian desert. A man is lured into the deep nothingness, dehydrated and hallucinating, grasping for a stream that he can never reach, and feasted upon by the bird who lured him there. Claim the Throne have ruthlessly torn up stages around the world, leaving their mark as a top quality band who Read more →

Russian pagan folk metallers Грай (Grai) from Tatarstan will release their 4th full-length album “Ashes” on December 1st, 2017 via Noizgate Records on CD, LP and in digital format. In eleven brand new songs, the folk metal sextet from the Republic of Tartary in the east of Russia is combining classic metal elements like heavy e-guitar riffing, massive drums and harsh growls with traditional, folkloristic instruments and melodies and clear, polyphonic female vocals. The Russian lyrics deal with the memory of the past, tragic stories about (missing) love and life in general. “Ashes” is an album full of heart and passion: Just the right soundtrack to brighten gloomy winter days! To get you into the mood, Грай let you take a glimpse at the beautiful cover artwork and the album tracklist.

Tracklist:
1. Haze
2. Song of Dead Water            Read more →

American atmospheric black metal band Ovnev from Spring, Texas will release its second full-length album “Incalescence” via Naturmacht Productions on November 25, 2017. Ovnev is the personal project of ‘West’, who aims to channel the essence of the wilderness, heavily inspired by the scenic regions of rural America and harsh environments of the north. The band released a demo in 2015 and its debut full-length album “Cycle of Survival” in 2016. “Incalescence” is an expedition transitioning through multiple environments by using the power of atmospheric black metal. The concept of the album transfers the listener on a journey to Antarctica, where a subterranean passage is discovered that leads to a lush, thriving ecosystem untainted by human life. An entirely separate atmosphere and climate Read more →