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The Gates of Slumber return with a new album out in November on Svart Records

“I never intended to pick up with The Gates of Slumber ever again in 2014. While I did start the band and wrote most of the first album it was never intended to be a one man show.” -Karl Simon, 2024

Indiana’s True Doom Metal legends The Gates of Slumber return with their sixth album out in November via Svart Records. The self-titled album is the band’s first full length offering since The Wretch from 2011.

The Gates of Slumber was formed by Karl Simon in 1998. Various people were in and out of the group between 1998 and 2001, when the Blood Encrusted Deth Axe demo was recorded with Jamie Walters aka Dr. Phibes/Athenar (Boulder, Midnight) on drums and bass. In 2003 Jason McCash took over the bass duties and was a long-time member of the band until his untimely demise in 2014, after which Simon decided it was time to call it quits. That was until 2019 when the renowned metal festival Hell Over Hammaburg wanted to bring the band back on stage to perform at the festival’s 2020 edition. Simon reformed the band with its original member Chuck Brown on drums and Steve Janiak on bass and got back to work. “We’d been asked several times to play Hell Over Hammaburg. But there was no “we” to play. The germ of the idea started. We started re-learning songs from the first LP. It wasn’t too long into the rehearsals that we started coming up with new songs.”, states Simon.

After a reunion tour was finished, Covid kicked in to slow down the process. Half of the album was already written but the remaining half took its time, and the songs were left to stew in their juices. With bastard heavy songs honoring the Doom Metal greats Saint Vitus and Penance, straight forward bangers, lyrics inspired by the Black Death and John Carpenter’s The Fog, The Gates of Slumber is a truly crushing album and a must listen to any Doom Metal fanatic.

Having toured with Pentagram, Reverend Bizarre, Cathedral, Slough Feg, Earthride, and Weedeater in addition to getting praised by Decibel Magazine such as “The Gates of Slumber have quietly gone about the business of becoming one of the best heavy metal bands in the world.”, it’s safe to say The Gates of Slumber play some of the heaviest metal on this planet.

Demon Head releases the new album ‘Through Holes Shine the Stars’ in September 2024 via Svart Records

Demon Head is proud to announce the release of Through Holes Shine the Stars on Svart Records. The album is the fifth full-length from the band that celebrated their first 10 years of existence last year, and it is undoubtedly another milestone on their tireless – and very own – path through the wilderness. It is a deeper, darker well of tones and melodies than before, while being significantly more extroverted than their last releases. All in the seemingly effortless, strangely catchy, and unique manner that Demon Head have become known for.

The eight songs were written collectively during several concentrated sessions from 2019–2022 and recorded entirely by the band themselves from October 2022 to March 2023 in their own studios in Copenhagen and the west coast of Ireland. Guitarist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist producer, Birk Gjerlufsen Nielsen expands on the process: “This long and careful process has allowed us to reach a balance between structural precision and artistic expansion, melodic simplicity, and compositional depth. It feels like we’ve uncovered every possibility within each of these songs without losing track of the original nerve.”

In continuation of previous collaborations, Demon Head have mixed the album with the legendary engineer and producer Flemming Rasmussen (Metallica, Morbid Angel, Ensiferum, etc.) in Sweet Silence Studios. Vocalist and recording engineer Marcus Ferreira Larsen remarks: “Like any true master Flemming has created a direct and hard-hitting, transparent mix that does nothing but enhance what is already communicated in the compositions and the performance. He helped us place everything in the landscape that we've carved through recording everything ourselves once again.”

With a running time of 47 minutes, this is Demon Heads most extensive work to date. Birk Gjerlufsen Nielsen comments on one of the songs: “The Chalice opens with a discordant anthem that unbelievably enough combines the qualities of late Scott Walker with Europe’s The Final Countdown. It’s a good introduction to how Marcus and I have worked closely together on complimenting each other’s voices. It’s consistent that we sing together throughout the whole record. Between the two of us there’s a balance of equal parts raw charm and melodic desperation”.

Cynic's vinyl reissues including bonus material to be released via Svart Records in February 2025

American progressive metal band Cynic's 2014 album Kindly Bent to Free Us 10 year anniversary edition out in February!

Cynic was formed in Miami, Florida by Paul Masvidal in 1987, incorporating elements of progressive rock, alternative, and metal. Their third full length offering Kindly Bent to Free Us is the final Cynic album to feature original drummer Sean Reinert and long time member Sean Malone on bass, who both passed away in 2020. Originally released on a 2LP version and mastered at 45rpm, Svart Records in co-operation with Cynic now proudly present the single LP edition of the album including a bonus track Earth Is My Witness for the first time on vinyl and a booklet with linter notes by Martin Popoff, lyrics, notation to the song Kindly Bent to Free Us, and more.

Paul Masvidal comments the reissue: “Kindly Bent to Free Us is reborn on vinyl for its 10th anniversary. This record holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. First, the songs and the journey they take, exploring inner realms as represented by the cover art. Then, there are the arrangements—raw and explosive—which R. Walt Vincent was so good at capturing the live energy we shared as a trio in the rehearsal room when these ideas were developed. There’s also something poignant about this being the last record the three of us would make together. It’s exciting to finally see The Earth is My Witness, which was previously only a bonus track on the box set, brought into this format for the first time.”

"If I'm giving anyone a heart-shaped box this year, that thing will have a copy of the freshly purchased Cynic album, Kindly Bent to Free Us in it. I personally feel like this is a much more grand gesture of love than any other." -Daniel Cordova, Metal Injection, 2014

The monolithically heavy, uniquely mercurial UK quartet Sugar Horse are proud to announce their new album Grand Scheme Of Things, to be released 4th October via Pelagic Records. Darting wildly between dark/light, pain/bliss and sacred/profane, the band originating from Bristol offers a different perspective on Post Metal! On Grand Scheme Of Things, Sugar Horse comment: "This album was intended to be a sideways step. A move away from the kind of thing that is expected of us_ if anything is at all. What I mean by that, is the songs are more direct. They take a much shorter amount of time to "get to the point". We also wanted to make this one noticeably "less Metal". While we love being a bit boneheaded and confrontational, we definitely wanted to explore the more melodic, song-based side of the band's sound. Normally you'd see shortened song structures and more singing and think "Oh these guys are going for gold_.they wanna get on the radio and make millions of bloodstained pounds." Well_you're very much entitled to think that if you wish, but it felt like more of a songwriting challenge than anything else to be honest. We've done the whole drawn out, endless Space Rock thing a good few times now and it would've been easy to rest on those laurels. Do something we're comfortable with. Alas, that is not really the point of this band. We'd much prefer to make it difficult and take the long route."

New album from Connecticut metal/hardcore outfit Boundaries via 3dot Recordings, the label owned and ran by iconic progressive metal band Periphery.

'Death Is Little More' is the band's fourth studio album - their most aggressive and complete body of work to date, including featured guest vocals by giants of the global contemporary heavy rock scene - Lochie Keogh from Alpha Wolf (au), Marcus Vik from Aviana (se) and Matt Honeycutt from Kublai Khan TX (us).

The unique post progressive metal act Mother of Millions is finally back with their new album "Magna Mater", which is the follow up to 2019's acclaimed album "Artifacts". The album has a significantly heavier approach than it's predecessors, without losing an inch of the emotional nerve, which has become synonymous with the band and can make even the most cold-hearted people burst into tears during Mother of Millions' intense live performances. The album offers nine brand new tracks that takes the listener on a musical, lyrical and emotional roller-coaster. Mother of Millions about the album: "Magna Mater is without a doubt our heaviest and most intense album so far, both conceptually and musically. It's a record in which all emotions become unexplored lands, become rituals before we accept them as our own. Magna Mater is an album about loss, but it is ultimately about life. It's a big part of who we are, and we hope you'll enjoy the ride."

Along the years, Vimur evolved into a full live-performing band, releasing three studio full-length albums, one EP and one live record. 2024 marks thecollaboration between the Georgia-based band with long-standing Italian label Avantgarde Music to release the band’s fourth album, The TimelessEverpresent.We asked the band to introduce the album in their own words. This is what seeped through the cracks of Vimur lair. “Forms change but ideas areeternal. Vimur is black metal totality and a conduit to the truth that lies hidden beyond the stars. The Timeless Everpresent is a revelation of vitalenergy and power. It is a soundtrack to the grand cosmic war that has existed since the beginning of time. No stone is left unturned. The vanguardknows that the war is fought on the physical, mental, and spiritual planes.This is reflected in the multi-dimensional sound achieved on The Timeless Everpresent. There are passages that reflect the blood, steel, and sweat ofphysical battle and others that are undeniably ascendent, making the listener aware of truths beyond material existence. The TimelessEverpresent is a collection of war hymns to destroy all illusion. Vimur reclaims the fire to light the mysteries. Flaming spears and swords in handaimed at the heavens, nothing will stop Vimur from reaching the Sun behind the Sun whether the enemy be man or divine." 01 - Resacralization02 - Fire, Glory, and Thinking03 - Sons Of Another Light04 - Wound Window05 - The Cold Only We Know06 - Fortress of a New Faith07 - The Embrace of Merciless Indifference08 - Astride the Centuries

Helter Skelter Productions (distributed & marketed by Regain Records) announces a partnership with cult kings Beastmaker for an extensive reissue campaign of the band's many (and crucial) EP releases. In lieu of this announcement, Beastmaker also confirm that they have returned from their self-imposed hiatus and will be recording new music and playing shows again - as always, on their own terms.Formed in 2014, Beastmaker began with a flurry of activity and only intensified that activity over the next five years. Following two demos and an EP, the power-trio then released two albums - Lusus Naturae (2016) and Inside the Skull (2017) - through Lee Dorrian's esteemed Rise Above Records. Naturally, that pairing proved fruitful, for Beastmaker were indeed cut from a doomed cloth, but Beastmaker founder Trevor Church (who'd soon form the equally prolific Haunt) showed he had so much more to his vision than sticking within scene boundaries. Thereafter, between 2017 and 2019, the band released a staggering 11 EPs before breaking up, with another EP - Body and Soul - released posthumously in 2020.Now, longtime fans Helter Skelter Productions step forward to reissue this goldmine of Beastmaker godliness. The reissue campaign will include Body and Soul joined with the bonus material on the Who Is This? compilation, thereby making it a full-length, and which will be released on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats. Then, EP. 1 and EP. 2 will be joined together on CD and tape formats, followed by the pairings of EP. 3 and EP. 4, EP. 5 and EP. 6, EP. 7 and EP. 8, and finally EP. 9 and EP. 10: thus, full-length releases for all, and each on vinyl and tape formats. All ten of these EPs will also be available on a special 5xCD boxset. This reissue campaign is tentatively slated to start in April and then conclude by November; release dates and preorder info to be revealed in time.A statement from Church reads as follows: "I'm very excited to announce that the EP collection from Beastmaker will see a new pressing from Helter Skelter / Regain Records. This collection of work shows the artistic vision of horror I had writing in my home studio during 2015-2018. I was watching so many old horror movies during these times to inspire the song craftsmanship. Mario Bava always a huge inspiration in my music. The imagery of poster lobby cards also played a part of the writing process during these times. I've booked a festival for 2024, and Beastmaker will rise from the coffin once again. Thanks to all the fans that have supported us during our hiatus. We are not gone! Rather, we have descended further underground waiting for the right time." 1. Body and Soul2. Global Domination3. Ritual4. Lady of the Water5. Night of the Devil6. Who is This7. Why Can´t you See8. Cataclysm9. Fortune Thief10. Time Wizard

Ars Veneficium, one of Belgium’s most prominent black metal acts is back with their 3rd full length album “The Lurking Shadow of Death”, 4 years after the release of their 2nd full length album “Usurpation of the Seven”. With their new album The Lurking Shadow of Death it is clear that Ars Veneficium has not taken the song writing for granted and managed to overthrow their previous work once more with delivering only the best of their best on this record. From the compositions to the production to the artwork, one can undoubtedly say that this is their best work thus so far. The lead guitars by Ronarg deliver some amazing melodies variated with some aggressive chords where the bass guitar (once again) plays some beautiful underlaying solo notes to create that extra atmosphere which is more or less the Ars Veneficium signature by now. The drum work has been delivered by no one else than Flo Musil (Theotoxin) who blasts his way throughout the album with some outstanding, highly skilled details giving the extra punch that this album absolutely deserves. The vocals by S. are more furious than before and deliver a much wider range and diversity which lifts the whole album to a new level. With The Lurking Shadow of Death, Ars Veneficium has delivered an absolute beast of a black metal album that every fan of old school, satanic or melodic black metal would appreciate! Raging black metal filled with atmosphere, melodies and pumping energy! A must have! 1. Death is Light2. Eye to Eye with the Devil 3. De Glorie van Dood 4. One with the Cosmos5. Into the Void 6. My Tomb Under the Stars7. Pale Image of I