Ereb Altor’s magnus opus yet, “Ulfven”! Bathory, but also hidden Swedish folk melodies, remain the band’s largest influence, which is quite evident with the adventurous pacing, crunchy riffs and frequent epic clean vocals. The album mixes between heavy handed segments of galloping riffs and crashing percussion, and more nuanced melodies driven forth by a wall of keyboard notes. It’s that essence of balance that makes this album work so well, backed up by a very powerful production. The clean vocal melodies sound stronger and more confident this time around and the harsh and raspy roars are more furious and raging. The band leans on the airy keyboard passages a little more than before, but it adds a more melodic flare to the slower passages. The majority of the album focuses on Quorthon inspired riffing, with its thick power chords and thundering percussion mixed with an airy keyboard backdrop that brings to mind “Hammerheart” and “Twilight of the Gods”.

Cryptoriana – The Seductiveness of Decay is the twelfth studio album by the British extreme metal band Cradle of Filth. It is currently set for release on September 22, 2017 through Nuclear Blast Records. This marks the first time in the band's career where the same lineup since the previous album stayed as the Hammer of the Witches lineup continued on. Dani Filth said the album, "is deeply infused with Victorian gothic horror and thus the title is a reflection of that. 'Cryptoriana' implies the Victorians' infatuation with the supernatural, the grave and the ghoulish. And the subtitle, 'The Seductiveness of Decay', further cements this attraction to death and the glittering lengthy process of self-annihilation."

Ereb Altor’s magnus opus yet, “Ulfven”! Bathory, but also hidden Swedish folk melodies, remain the band’s largest influence, which is quite evident with the adventurous pacing, crunchy riffs and frequent epic clean vocals. The album mixes between heavy handed segments of galloping riffs and crashing percussion, and more nuanced melodies driven forth by a wall of keyboard notes. It’s that essence of balance that makes this album work so well, backed up by a very powerful production.

Released in 1987, only now can people understand just how far ahead of its time this album was. Not only did it have maniacal rhythms, but introduced electronica into extreme metal. On every level, it was a remarkable record, full of visionary ideas and ideals. This release includes alternate versions of tracks from the album and a cover of Dean Martin! The concept and art direction of the release was done by the man behind Celtic Frost, Tom G. Warrior. Both the LP and CD versions include new sleevenotes and extensive booklets.

Much has happened in 2014. Founding members Sandra Van Eldik and Andreas Völkl decided to leave the band. New members are Dom R. Crey and Jen Majura. Also, guitarist, composer and lyricist René Berthiaume spent almost four years working on the new album "Erdentempel". The outcome is a very emotional and above all very personal album, that leads back to the roots of the band, without neglecting the bombast of the previous two records. Melodic Metal, powerful yet playful, heavy but emotional, inspired but independent. Smartly crossing genre borders and diving into geniously brave experiments of an exotic nature, just seem to happen and make this album even more interesting.

In winter 2010 the new album „Rekreatur“ was recorded together with new vocalist Robse. „Rekreatur“ showcases once again what this band is able to do. Although original singer Helge Stang had left the band earlier that year, the album doesn’t have any weak moment to it. The new man on the mic fits perfectly and helps the band to step up to even higher levels with his voices diversity and powerful presence. If it comes to the music itself, EQUILIBRIUM stick to what they know: thunderous metal, an epic vibe, hymns and that special battlefield-feeling at its best. Being extremely smart at crossing genres and experimenting with exotic elementsmakes “Rekreatur” stand out even more.

Released in 1985, the band's second album had an ominous pall of doom and gloom, enmeshed in a sound both primitive yet also Wagnerian in its vast scope. Many claim this was a massive inspiration for black metal bands later in the decade. In truth, though, none matched what was here. This release includes the 'Emperor's Return' EP as well as a remix of Visual Aggression, and the concept and art direction of the release was done by the man behind Celtic Frost, Tom G. Warrior. Both the LP and CD versions include new sleevenotes and extensive booklets.

The debut album from the band was released in 1984, and was quickly recognised as the work of agitated and agitating talents. This album was a huge influence on the burgeoning death and thrash scenes at the time. A masterclass of riff tirades and unholy sentiments. This reissue includes rehearsals from 1984 and the concept and art direction of the release was done by the man behind Celtic Frost, Tom G. Warrior. Both the LP and CD versions include new sleevenotes and extensive booklets.

Not satisfied with the work of its old record company, the band signed a contract with Nuclear Blast Records in order to reach the next level. With their effort "Sagas" this shouldn't be an unreachable aim. The music and production has evolved – only hits, no fillers at all. The style still varies between happiness and sorrow, heavy and soft, melodic and grim. For this record, the band decided to only use German lyrics on the new album, which gives EQUILIBRIUM uniqueness in the Folk/Pagan Metal scene!

In 2001, a band was formed in Bavaria, Germany. First, only for one gig, but after the audience was left stunned and begging, the band decided to continue. They chose the name EQUILIBRIUM and released a Demo in 2003. This Demo not only sold like hell but also brought the band a deal with Black Attakk. The collabaration resulted in the amazing debut album "Turis Fratyr", combining Folk Metal with a blend of Pagan and Black Metal. After the release of the album and the good response of fans and the media likewise, the band played several tours and festival gigs (Summer Breeze, Wacken), establishing a huge fanbase all around europe – even though all of the lyrics were in German!

There is no country more famous for its Black Metal than Norway. Yet it's sad that so often when thinking of this legacy, people dwell on the leviathans of the genre, often overlooking the lesser known bands who are no less competent. And one such underrated band is RAGNAROK, who are back this year with their eighth full-length album “Psychopathology”, four years after its predecessor “Malediction”…

It was a tricky question; How would Swedish duo Vintersorg continue after 2014`s intruiging Naturbål? Shunning repitition, vocalist and mastermind Andreas "Vintersorg“ Hedlund did the unthinkable and composed a sequel to his groundbreaking 1998 album with Till Fjälls del II! This means no scientific lyrical concept, no progressive trickery, but a heartfelt return to snowcapped mountains, pure nature-inspired mysticism, Nordic folklore and black metal with a captivating epic streak. Vintersorg share a vision of equally harsh and melodic soundscapes that melt the raging extremes of the late 90s with the focus of 2017. To the mountains…

Heroes of the extreme metal scene, there has always been so much more to Celtic Frost’s music. From ‘Morbid Tales’, through ‘To Mega Therion’, onwards to ‘Into The Pandemonium’ and finally ‘Vanity/Nemesis’, this is a band who refused to conform or follow any specific musical direction. They experimented, took risks and in the process have left behind a remarkable catalogue which is timeless and extraordinary. When you hear these albums, you’ll appreciate why succeeding generations of diehard fans and cutting edge bands are so heavily inspired and influenced by Celtic Frost. Timeless music, timely albums. This best of release includes new sleevenotes, an extensive booklet and the art direction of the release was done by the man behind Celtic Frost, Tom G. Warrior.

Candlelight Records have confirmed details of the fifth album by SHADE EMPIRE; Poetry of the Ill-Minded will be unleashed on June 30, 2017. Hailing from Kuopio, Finland, and already in their eighteenth year as a band, SHADE EMPIRE work unspeakably brutal guitar patterns, multi-layered and yet beautiful synth walls into ingenious arrangements. Throw in mind-bending electronics, devastating drum parts, complex bass assaults and the unique vocals, and you have something coming straight from the deep pits of hell!

Debut album from EX EYE, the instrumental post-metal quartet led by saxophonist Colin Stetson and featuring the otherworldly drumming of Greg Fox.