A track called “Pale Horse” from the new album can be heard below:

naglfar.net
facebook.com/naglfarofficial

No strangers to the Asian metal scene, Absence of the Sacred have been carving a name for themselves ever since the release [...]]]> Singapore Death Metal forerunners ABSENCE OF THE SACRED have signed an album deal with Sonic Blast Media to release their latest album, COME HITHER O HERALD OF DEATH, worldwide on 1st March 2012.

No strangers to the Asian metal scene, Absence of the Sacred have been carving a name for themselves ever since the release of their debut album “Atrocities That Birthed Abominations” in 2006 to numerous positive reviews and accolades. The band quickly followed the success of their debut album with “Era of the Apostate”, ABSENCE OF THE SACRED’s sophomore album, released in 2009.

Just like its predecessor, “Era of the Apostate” proved to be a lesson in executing Melodic Death Metal with an uncompromising attitude. ABSENCE OF THE SACRED’s latest and third album, COME HITHER O HERALD OF DEATH, is probably a great testimony to the band’s ability to evolve and sustain executing Death Metal with a melodic progressive touch. The album also features the much-sought after Kevin Talley of DAATH, SIX FEET UNDER & MISERY INDEX behind the skins.

Mike Priest has described COME HITHER O HERALD OF DEATH as being the musical epitome of what ABSENCE OF THE SACRED has done in the course of their seven-year existence:

“The music in this album is best described as being raw and aggressive Death Metal honed with progressive touches and technical melodic sensibilities. We did not want the production of this album to be polished and sterile like most modern releases as we want to keep the sense of a musical record being a musical record, not a Pro-Tools generated record where everything sounds too perfect and straight-forward. We can safely say that “Come Hither O Herald Of Death” is the heaviest release and has a more mature songwriting approach in comparison to our last two records.”

The album release will be followed by a series of shows in support of the album.

COME HITHER O HERALD OF DEATH will be released worldwide through SONIC BLAST MEDIA. The album will be available in Singapore at the following distributors: HMV, INOKII Records and ROXY Records; and also available online at sonicblastmedia.com and other digital download sites.

ABSENCE OF THE SACRED are:
Mike Priest – Guitars/ Vocals
Darren C. – Guitars
Mike Kalember – Bass
Kevin Talley – Drums

Track Listing:
1. Enslave Fire
2. Quandary of flesh
3. Oracle
4. Veneration Unorthodox
5. Perpetual Decline
6. The Necropolitan
7. Recesses of the Hollow
8. Enlightenment Despised
9. Dawn of a dead aeon

facebook.com/absenceofthesacred
absenceofthesacred.bandcamp.com

The following message was posted on the band’s official Facebook page:

Okay, the official release date for “Stormwinds of Ages” is 04/24/2012 through The Path Less Traveled Records. All of us are [...]]]> Vesperian Sorrow have revealed the release date for their forthcoming album, “Stormwinds of Ages” (click here to read my review).

The following message was posted on the band’s official Facebook page:

Okay, the official release date for “Stormwinds of Ages” is 04/24/2012 through The Path Less Traveled Records. All of us are very happy to be working with TPLT Records and will have distribution here in the states through RED distro, and Code7 PlasticHead distribution in Europe. The European release date will be released very soon, but we were told it will be very close to the U.S. release date. Things are starting to look up in the VS camp!

You can also now pledge money to help the band with the costs of manufacturing the new album. This following message was, once again, posted on Facebook (isn’t Facebook great!?):

We are asking all our VS friends, fans, and family to have a look at our new Kickstarter Campaign. As most of you know, we recently inked a deal with The Path Less Traveled Records for distribution, however we are responsible for all costs of the production of the physical CD. If your interested in getting a early copy of the new album or any VS merch, please check out the link below and help us get this Monster Released! Thanks Guys-Vesperian Sorrow

Click here to visit the band’s Kickstarter page to find out more.

vesperiansorrow.net
facebook.com/vesperian
reverbnation.com/vesperiansorrow
myspace.com/vesperian
twitter.com/vesperiansorrow

ICED EARTH were [...]]]> Metal titans ICED EARTH and thrash icons SEPULTURA are the latest additions to BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2012, joining an already stellar line up that includes headline sets from ALICE COOPER and BEHEMOTH, as well as exclusive appearances from WATAIN, special guests DIMMU BORGIR, HATEBREED, BLACK DAHLIA MURDER & many more.

ICED EARTH were born in 1985, formed by Jon Schaffer – a determined, street-tough kid with the drive to create a band to make his heroes Judas Priest, KISS, and Iron Maiden proud. The band released its riff-heavy self-titled debut album in 1990 and never looked back. Nine studio albums – considered masterpieces of metal – cemented the band’s reputation for crafting exceptionally well-made music, the centerpiece of which being Schaffer’s trademark rhythm guitar style and powerful, in-your-face lyrics that often combine themes of self reliance, a healthy distrust of authority, history, and science fiction. He says:

“We are looking forward to returning to Bloodstock in 2012, our second time after 2008. The UK shows we played on our World Dystopia Tour last fall were some of the best on the tour and we cannot wait to bang our heads with the UK minions again!”

Over the years, Schaffer has surrounded himself with some of the finest musicians in the world – including famed vocalists Matt Barlow, Tim Owens, and now Stu Block – to help bring his musical visions to life. This summer Schaffer brings this vision to BLOODSTOCK once more, for their only UK show of 2012, and one of the highlights of the metal festival calendar.

SEPULTURA is one of the major names in metal history. From their humble beginnings 27 years ago, these Brazilians went on to create a legacy, influencing a whole generation of younger bands and becoming a true institution. Despite rough times due to significant line-up changes, nomadic relationships with record labels and various changes in the overall musical environment, SEPULTURA have never backed down, continuously following their path, always re-emerging stronger than ever before.

At their only UK show of 2012, SEPULTURA will remind the BLOODSTOCK crowd why they are South America’s biggest metal export, with a classic set featuring timeless anthems such as “Arise”, “Beneath The Remains”, “Troops Of Doom” “Refuse/Resist”, “Territory” and many many more.

With tickets selling faster than ever before, BLOODSTOCK 2012 is destined for a sell-out this year. Over 100 bands – the majority of which are exclusive appearances – and a ticket price of only £115 for four days of metal magic INCLUDING camping – BLOODSTOCK offers metalheads the most attractive ticket in the UK. Get yours now from bloodstock.uk.com

BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR 2012 takes place at Catton Hall August 9th – 12th.

Line Up So Far:

RONNIE JAMES DIO STAGE:
ALICE COOPER
BEHEMOTH

ANVIL – WATAIN – PARADISE LOST – DIMMU BORGIR – HATEBREED – CORROSION OF CONFORMITY – SANCTUARY – GRAND MAGUS – THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER – DEICIDE – NILE – MAYHEM – ICED EARTH – SEPULTURA

SOPHIE LANCASTER STAGE:
ORANGE GOBLIN – ANAAL NATHRAKH -

bloodstock.uk.com

The video below showcases the fantastic “The Three Beggars”:

Pre-order the new Secrets Of The [...]]]> Yesterday we reported that Secrets of the Moon’s forthcoming album, “Seven Bells”, is now available for pre-order… and today we’re happy to announce that the first of seven previews of the album is now online.

The video below showcases the fantastic “The Three Beggars”:

Pre-order the new Secrets Of The Moon album “Seven Bells” now by clicking here.

secretsofthemoon.org
facebook.com/sotm777

Frontman Heavyharms commented:

“We have had a great time playing with Alkolust over the years and we wish him the best with his other projects. And to [...]]]> In a statement issued by the band today, Norwegian Blackened Metallers BYFROST have announced that they have parted ways with “Alkolust”, their drummer since 2008.

Frontman Heavyharms commented:

“We have had a great time playing with Alkolust over the years and we wish him the best with his other projects. And to all our fans out there, this is not the end, but very much a new beginning. Horns to the Sky!”

Formed in Bergen, the heartland of Norwegian extreme metal, in 2007 by Heavy Harms and Ripmeister, BYFROST released their debut album “Black Earth” on Painkiller records in early 2010, and, on the strength of this release, were quickly picked up by Germany’s AFM records. The band’s second full-length album, “Of Death”, which was once again produced by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen, who also guested on the album, was released in June 2011 to much critical acclaim.

BYFROST, whose trademark dark, heavy riffs, with a menacing touch of iciness, make it almost impossible to listen to the band without wanting to bang your head, will use session drummers both for live performances and recording going forward, and do not anticipate any break in activity.

Below you can see fan-filmed footage of BYFROST performing “Horns to the Sky” live at Bloodstock in 2011.

Five tracks from BYFROST can be heard on the band’s SoundCloud Player below:

BYFROST by BYFROST

facebook.com/BYFROST
myspace.com/byfrostmetal
soundcloud.com/byfrost
twitter.com/byfrostmetal
reverbnation.com/byfrost

“Seven Bells” CD: The budget edition of Secrets Of The Moon’s fifth album [...]]]> Occult Black Metal band Secrets of the Moon have announced that their forthcoming album, “Seven Bells”, is now available for pre-order. The album is set for release on 16th March 2012. This all makes Lou very happy!

“Seven Bells” CD: The budget edition of Secrets Of The Moon’s fifth album in jewel case format. Prophecy online shop price: 9.99 Euro incl. worldwide shipping.

Jewel-case CD and LP cover

“Seven Bells” Digipak CD: Digipak with extended 20-page booklet and die-cut front cover. Prophecy online shop price: 14.99 Euro incl. worldwide shipping.

Digipak CD Cover

“Seven Bells” ltd. collector’s box: Box set with alternative cover, incl 80-page hardcover book with additional artwork and liner notes, bonus DVD with “Nyx” videoclip, and pendant on a rosary; limited to 1,000 copies. Prophecy online shop price: 34.99 Euro incl. worldwide shipping.

Collector's Box Cover

“Seven Bells” ltd. gatefold 2LP: Vinyl edition in gatefold cover incl. poster; limited to 500 copies. Prophecy online shop price: 20.99 Euro incl. worldwide shipping.

Click here to view all of the pre-order options.

secretsofthemoon.org
facebook.com/sotm777

We are now in the final stages of recording the album. All drums, electric guitars, bass and keys have been recorded and we are in the middle [...]]]> British Black Metal band Old Corpse Road are in the midsts of recording their new album. The following message has been posted on the band’s official website:

We are now in the final stages of recording the album. All drums, electric guitars, bass and keys have been recorded and we are in the middle of recording the acoustic guitars.

We have recorded 5 brand new Old Corpse Road songs which follow as a natural progression from “The Bones of this Land…” combined with the atmosphere of our demo. We have also recorded a selection of ambient and instrumental interludes which complement the theme of the album.

One song to be featured on the album is ‘The Crier of Claiffe’ which some of you may have seen us play live recently. You can read about the tale here.

The track also features some traditional Lakeland poetry by Thomas Harrison.

You can listen to some of the band’s previous work by checking out the Reverbnation widget below:

oldcorpseroad.co.uk
facebook.com/pages/Old-Corpse-Road/22944789821
reverbnation.com/oldcorpseroad

In Poland the [...]]]> The new, long-awaited album “Stairs to Nowhere” by Transgressive Post-Metal band Asgaard is set to be released in Poland on the 21st March 2012. The record will come out as 3-winged digipack along with 16-pages booklet with amazing artworks created by Michal ‘Xaay’ Loranc (Nile, Kamelot, Vader, Behemoth, Necorphagist etc.).

In Poland the album is going to be distributed by Metal Mind Productions. The album will also be available on Icaros Records Webstore, also in pre-sale as special pack including the band’s additional limited merchandise and/or the CDs out of the band’s back catalogue.

Soon the band (which includes Devilish Impressions’ Quazarre on vocals) will be searching out for other label to release their new records worldwide.

Check back soon for more news.

asgaard.pl
facebook.com/AsgaardOfficial