Buscar:metal on metal

Black Screen Records once again teams up with composer Chris Christodoulou and Hopoo Games for a vinyl repress of the classic original soundtrack to Risk of Rain 2. At the request of Christodoulou, the new edition of the triple vinyl comes on heavy 180g black wax, the way he enjoys the format the most. The set is housed in a beautiful trifold sleeve with the original artwork illustrated by Italian artist Daniele Giardini. All 20 songs have been carefully remastered by Christian Bethge (Risk of Rain, Deadbolt, Divinity: Original Sin II, A Plague Tale) for the vinyl format. With Risk of Rain 2 the classic multiplayer rogue-like returns with an extra dimension and more challenging action. No run will ever be the same with randomized stages, enemies, bosses, and items. Play solo, or team up with up to four friends to fight your way through hordes of monsters, unlock new loot, and find a way to escape the planet. In his third collaboration with Hopoo Games, Chris Christodoulou returns to the Risk of Rain franchise adding another dimension to the game's music-verse. This two-hour-long genre-bending release spans from foreboding electronica to pounding progressive metal and features all music from the game and then some.

In Arc, Yorkshire-born artist Kirk Barley explores alternative tunings and off-grid sequencing to shape fluid rhythmic and melodic systems that unfold into rich harmonic forms. Kirk’s fourth album under his own name and debut for Marionette continues his exploration of just intonation through a sparse but finely detailed palette of organic atmospheres, metallic shimmer and off-kilter rhythms. Across the record, glassy pads, gamelan metallophones, clarinet and guitar dissolve into fluid, dreamlike forms, suggesting vast coastal landscapes, charged air and the stillness that follows turbulence.

Drawing on the feel of sample-based hip-hop, the minimalism of Terry Riley and Jon Hassell, as well as dub techno and post-rock, Kirk brings together a range of influences in a sound that feels both intimate and expansive. After first hearing Terry Riley’s Shri Camel as a teenager, he became captivated by just intonation and microtuning, inspirations that have shaped his work ever since, from his earliest Bambooman releases to the present solo works and as on half of Church Andrews & Matt Davies. Arc is his first record to be fully rooted in alternative tunings from start to finish. Longtime friend and collaborator Matt Davies appears on Ion, Sundry, Ecstatic and Fret (Haar), where his finely detailed, ASMR-like muted percussion deepens the dialogue between tactile acoustic sound and Kirk’s luminous electronic palette.

Liam Sinigoi returns for the second edition of nonsono Records. A four-track dance floor geared EP, somewhere between the busy pitter-patter of UK clubland and lengthy studio sessions in solitude.

On the A1 'Orbiting Voices’, Sinigoi sparks the release with a seductive main room rocket. With a bass line and set of synths reaching for devilery, it has spirited its way into the dark rooms of London’s Fabric and beyond. This track speaks the language of well-seasoned techno journeys.

A remix sits on the A2, with Barcelona artist Ildec twisting out a driving jacking tool. A clean interpretation, nodding to its original with grit and punch to match.

In a groove-soaked minimal B1 track titled ‘Stretch’, suspense and atmosphere are toyed with as label boss Liam presents the identity of the label perfectly. A dapper lunge into deeper territories, with crunched percussion and metallic bells.

Written using the aftertaste of memorable mornings underneath trees in forest parties and global festivals, Sinigoi closes off the record with B2 ‘Darling’. The track emits a scent of cross-genre magic, progressing with fluidity throughout.

2026 Repress

Polygonia & MTRL - Division / Taris EP incl. Remixes by Claudio PRC and Mary Yuzovskaya

A1. Polygonia - Division
Right from the start the listener is cast into orbit with driving percussion and abstract sound effects. Soon they are followed with a morphing bass sound and cymbals which lock the groove into place, cranking the drive to the max. As the track progresses the landscape of sound reveals its nature with metallic quality, like schrapnel from a barren city. Truly a Deep Techno banger which will without a doubt fill a dance floor.

A2. MTRL - Taris
The listener is slowly submerged into the waves of percussive bass sounds and menacing sweeps of noise which remind of a storm in a desert, the horizon only slightly glimmering behind the veil of sand. Soon the listener is introduced with a pounding kick drum, almost making the landscape seem even more ruthless as the track progresses.
Quality, heady Deep Techno.

B1. Polygonia - Division Claudio PRC Remix
The hypnotic Techno maestro Claudio PRC twists the idea of the original track into a mind explorative voyage with a triplet feel. The remix is shrouded in melancholy with distant pad sounds, which add a nice tension to the track. As usual, a brilliant remix from Claudio PRC.

B2. MTRL - Taris Mary Yuzovskaya Remix
On the remix the Berlin based producer is molding the source material into a driving and psychedelic track, functional yet synapse tingling. Now the bass has a bit more liquid-like quality and the overall soundscape is more abstract. Hallucinatory effects of noise are filling the spaces between the sounds, almost like being surrounded with faint whispers. Driving and psychedelic Deep Techno done with finesse.

Words by Latmos

ABOUT WORLD WITHOUT GOD: Alongside the band's early '90's counterparts 'World Without God', Convulse's first proper full-length, helped pave the way for a new generation of death-metal extremity. ABOUT CONVULSE REISSUES 2026: Finland's CONVULSE present the official 2026 Remastered, Reissues of their classic titles "World Without God", "Reflections" & the new demo compilation "From Resuscitation to Reincarnation - The Early Years" All three remastered titles are streaming now & pre-orders are out July 31, 2026 on LP/CD/CS formats. Convulse original member Rami Jämsä comments on the reissues: "I am very grateful for the Relapse Records from all these three classy Convulse reissues. "World without God" (1991) is our best known debut album with full of rotten old school death metal notes. But don't miss our hidden gem "Reflections" (1994), which is our second album and will be released first time ever on vinyl format. Death 'n roll album "Reflections" comes to home on Relapse Records after 30 years with a brand new layout and a brilliant remastered sound. Third release will be "From Resuscitation to Reincarnation" which presents Convulse's transformation from the straightforward death metal band to more diverse death&rock band. It includes our first demotape "Resuscitation of Evilness" (1990) and "Lost Equilibrium" EP (1992)." All 3 Convulse titles were Remastered by Jaakko Viitalähde/Virtalähde Mastering (Oranssi Pazuzu, Havukruunu).

About From Resuscitation to Reincarnation - The Early Years: "From Resuscitation to Reincarnation - The Early Years" presents Convulse's transformation from the straightforward death metal band to the more diverse death & rock band. It includes CONVULSE's first demotape "Resuscitation of Evilness" (1990) and the "Lost Equilibrium" EP (1992). ABOUT CONVULSE REISSUES 2026: Finland's CONVULSE present the official 2026 Remastered, Reissues of their classic titles "World Without God", "Reflections" & the new demo compilation "From Resuscitation to Reincarnation - The Early Years" All three remastered titles are streaming now & pre-orders are out July 31, 2026 on LP/CD/CS formats. Convulse original member Rami Jämsä comments on the reissues: "I am very grateful for the Relapse Records from all these three classy Convulse reissues. "World without God" (1991) is our best known debut album with full of rotten old school death metal notes. But don't miss our hidden gem "Reflections" (1994), which is our second album and will be released first time ever on vinyl format. Death 'n roll album "Reflections" comes to home on Relapse Records after 30 years with a brand new layout and a brilliant remastered sound. Third release will be "From Resuscitation to Reincarnation" which presents Convulse's transformation from the straightforward death metal band to more diverse death&rock band. It includes our first demotape "Resuscitation of Evilness" (1990) and "Lost Equilibrium" EP (1992)." All 3 Convulse titles were Remastered by Jaakko Viitalähde/Virtalähde Mastering (Oranssi Pazuzu, Havukruunu).

New 2026 edtion in beer coloured vinyl! It's hard to believe fresh-faced pogo punks Teenage Bottlerocket (or TBR as the kids call them) celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2025. Since their inception way back in 2000, there has been one word best suited to describe them: Rad. Teenage Bottlerocket is the epitome of rad. Stay Rad! shows a slightly different side of Teenage Bottlerocket, putting their songwriting progression and personal growth on full display, while remaining a quintessential TBR album -complete with enthralling melodies, perfect harmonies, and their trademark breakneck down strumming. As with every Teenage Bottlerocket record, Stay Rad! has a good mix of silly and serious, but the overriding sentiment is one that echoes its title. From the incredibly catchy and clever "I Wanna Be a Dog" to the heartfelt hit "Everything to Me," Stay Rad! checks all the boxes of classic TBR. At the same time the band manages to stretch their boundaries on the riffy ode to Norwegian black metal "Creature from The Black Metal Lagoon" and the hardcore influenced "The First Time That I Did Acid Was the Last Time That I Did Acid." Top to bottom Stay Rad! meets expectations and shatters them with plenty of new twists for the legions of TBR faithful. Beer color vinyl & gatefold with Silver foiled sleeve art Produced by Andrew Berlin at the Blasting Room (Rise Against, Descendents) Features hit singles "I Wanna Be A Dog" and "Everything To Me" For fans of Ramones, Screeching Weasel, Descendents, The Queers, The Lillingtons

Feel the poison in your veins… “The Venom In The Mouth Of God” is Combichrist at their most expansive and most honest, a record that tears open the gap between who we are and who we perform ourselves to be, and leaves it bleeding. Andy LaPlegua has been one of industrial metal's defining forces since the early 2000s, fusing EBM brutality with hard rock muscle in a way few acts have managed to replicate. This new album plays like a descent and a reckoning in one. The opening run from "ODR" through "Born Deströyer" lands like a controlled demolition: dense, mechanized, merciless. Mid-album the mood shifts and stretches, with "Each Scar A Vision" and "The Way We Want To Be Seen" pulling at something more psychological - the masks we wear, the versions of ourselves we construct for others. "Demons Wanna Be Summoned" features King 810, the Michigan-bred rap-metal outfit known for their confrontational intensity - a collaboration that fits the album's relentless atmosphere like a blade in a wound.

Feel the poison in your veins… “The Venom In The Mouth Of God” is Combichrist at their most expansive and most honest, a record that tears open the gap between who we are and who we perform ourselves to be, and leaves it bleeding. Andy LaPlegua has been one of industrial metal's defining forces since the early 2000s, fusing EBM brutality with hard rock muscle in a way few acts have managed to replicate. This new album plays like a descent and a reckoning in one. The opening run from "ODR" through "Born Deströyer" lands like a controlled demolition: dense, mechanized, merciless. Mid-album the mood shifts and stretches, with "Each Scar A Vision" and "The Way We Want To Be Seen" pulling at something more psychological - the masks we wear, the versions of ourselves we construct for others. "Demons Wanna Be Summoned" features King 810, the Michigan-bred rap-metal outfit known for their confrontational intensity - a collaboration that fits the album's relentless atmosphere like a blade in a wound.

Die Firma GAMA aus Kirchheim/Teck galt in den Achtzigern nach Noise Records und Steamhammer als wichtiges Label für eine neue Szene in Deutschland: Heavy Metal! Zusammen mit Companieswie Earthshaker, Wishbone oder Mausoleum sorgte man für die etwas kleineren Brötchen in diesem Segment und konnte sich auch bei der Presse nie so durchsetzen wie die Großen. Trotzdem sind Namen wie Stormwitch, Darkness oder SDI auch heute noch ein Begriff – oder: Gerade heute wieder! Viel hat sich getan, seit GAMA und ihre Labels Scratch, SL-Records, Sri Lanca, Hot Blood, Wave, Camel, Scratchcore, Peak und Tales Of Thrash ca. 1990 von der
Bildfläche verschwanden und die folgenden Jahre von Budgetfirmen wie WZ und Laserlight Digital ausgeschlachtet wurden, was den Ruf einiger Bands zunächst geschadet hat. Doch eine neue Metalszene feiert den Oldschool-Sound der Achtziger und hat schon Anfang der 2000er das Repertoire der Kultfirma aus Kirchheim/Teck für sich entdeckt.

Platten, die man noch zuvor für zwei DM in der Wühlkiste fand, stiegen auf einmal im Preis und wurden zu Raritäten. Bands wie SDI, Stormwitch oder Necronomicon rocken wieder die Bühnen und treffen auf eine neue Generation Fans. In Südamerika und Osteuropa gibt es regelrechte GAMA-Fanclubs. Kein Wunder, dass in Brasilien ein Buch über die längst verblichene Firma veröffentlicht wurde („Cry Out For Metal“). Es gibt zahllose Beweise, dass der B-Klasse-Ruf von GAMA in den meisten Fällen falsch, aber auf alle Fälle überholt ist. Das beweist auch die 3er VINYLBOX „GAMA Records – The Vinyl Boxset“. Zwei Bands sind im GAMAUniversum keine Unbekannten: VETO und TOX. SCHLOSS hingegen sind ein heute rarer Geheimtipp des Labels. Sowohl eine GAMACompilation (2CD), als auch viele einzelne Titel als remasterte Editionen auf Golden Core/ZYX, konnten nicht nur gute Kritiken und erfreute Fans erzeugen, sondern auch ordentliche Verkäufe. Nun gibt es drei dieser Klassiker in einer Box!

Prison hits the road album, riding two massive jams across altered routes of consciousness a la the allegorical and literal heavy traffic of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, visible from the windows of the studio in which Big Rigs on the BQE was recorded! The requisite Prison gear, guitars, bass and drums plus synth & FX, coughs out exhaust flavoured with Groundhogs/Velvets/Hampton"s/Pink Fairies/Magic Band/Good Rats/Can. An improvised rock and roll tapestry, gas "n guitar pedal on down to the metal.

2026 Repress

New colour cover (fluorescent and metallic) and new ‘Crystal Red Method’ colour for the vinyl.

Recut from the Silver Sonyare masters in November 2008 at Chicago Mastering Service, features a new blue cover , BLUE VINYL, and comes with a free MP3 download of the album.


racks 1-8 are from the first Minor Threat 7". Tracks 9-12 are from the "In My Eyes" 7 Inch. The Digital version of this record includes the song "Stand Up," from the Flex Your Head compilation. All songs are available on CD.

Recorded: April & August 1981
Released on 12": June 1984

Ian MacKaye vocals
Lyle Preslar guitar
Brian Baker bass
Jeff Nelson drums

Futurismo are proud to present the iconic 1982 debut album, Only Theatre of Pain, by gothic legends CHRISTIAN DEATH. Available on deluxe 2xLP, CD digipak.

Hailed as a masterpiece of it’s genre, and considered by many as ground zero for Deathrock, Only Theatre of Pain is a seminal work of unholy power and pitch black emotion. Whilst this record may have it’s roots in punk - the origins of this true original version of Christian Death took place in Southern California during the early 80’s hardcore explosion - it cannot be overstated how important this record was in shaping the subsequent landscape. Emerging like an adrenaline shot into the heart of darkness, this unrestrained and mysterious recording still remains unclassifiable.

Featuring the late visionary Rozz Williams (then only in his teens) alongside punk luminary Rikk Agnew (guiding light in the Adolescents), James McGearty and George Belanger, Only Theatre of Pain’s musical exploration is adorned with psychosexual lyricism and an innate struggle with faith. Rozz’s vocals creep and possess, demonic and haunting, against the captivating, unmistakable guitar work of trailblazer Agnew. It’s a performance, but also a truth, perhaps Only Theatre of Pain is an art show, as much as it is an era defining record.
Aside from their spellbinding sound, it may have also been the lore of Christian Death that set them apart from other LA goth bands of the time. A near-nude Rozz Williams nailed to a cross at the Whiskey a Go Go may have played a part, but what it is apparent when you listen to the unhallowed musical stages on Only Theatre Of Pain is a depth of vision and orchestration that goes beyond the simple stance of brooding many of their contemporaries emulated, delving into the realms of pure unadulterated catharsis. The result is an eradefining statement that remains as unsettling, innovative, and resonant today as it was over four decades ago.

Only Theatre Of Pain is presented here in a new remastered deluxe pressing with a second disk containing early demo’s and rare material, further demonstrating why Christian Death stood alone in their sound and approach. This journey of religious depravity, recorded by the legendary producer Thom Wilson in a matter of days, harnesses the huge concepts of band projecting older than their years. Ahead of the curve in sonic artistry and visual aesthetics, this slab of sacrilegious American punk is nothing short of essential listening for the gothic inclined. A must for fans of The Misfits, Bauhaus and The Cramps.

This classic LP comes in deluxe super limited edition ‘California Hell’ coloured vinyl and contains a second disk of bonus material. It is packaged in a gloss laminated sleeve with metallic ink, containing printed inner sleeves, a large fold out poster, redux artwork featuring the photography of Edward Colver, and liner notes by Lisa Fancher of Frontier. Also available as CD digipak

When ELEH's debut "Floating Frequencies/Intuitive Synthesis I" was originally released it was praised as a powerful piece of new electronic minimalism. Twenty years later the artist's legacy has grown while ELEH continues to hypnotize new listeners with time stopping music. Critics, fans and neurologists have praised the music of ELEH as aiding attention and focus while seeming to slow time. Eleh's slow change drones are a state of flow hypnotizing listeners into meditative focus.

From the original packaging, "Pure Sound. Pure Volume. Pure Analog. Dedicated To La Monte Young"

ELEH began in 1999 as an exploration of analog synthesis, emphasizing low frequency difference tones and other resonant acoustic phenomena. ELEH highlights the physical presence of sound as it has been inspired by the physical world. There is also something ‘cathedral-like’ and cosmos-inducing in the sound constructed by ELEH.

This audiophile quality presentation of ELEH's debut album was mastered by Tom Eaton at Sounds And Substance and manufactured at Optimal in Germany for the lowest possible noise floor and the highest analog resolution. Packaged using a 5th color metallic shimmer ink on solid black board stock.

"Nuances of sound turn symphonic." New York Times

“ELEH’s sounds move by stealth and are sculpted from the world rather than from ego. Eleh is not a personality; Eleh is an idea about sound. ELEH forces you to contemplate the cosmos and your place in it. “ Gramophone

"ELEH demonstrates how a single amplified gesture delivered just so can reveal the inner workings of an entire cosmos." Tony Herrington/Wire

“Floating Frequencies/Intuitive Synthesis more than lives up to the mythic status that ELEH has ascended to. “ Brainwashed

"ELEH's music electrifies whatever space it engages. With the flip of a switch, it exposes the ways in which all space is, potentially, electric." ~ Frieze

Rigid box. The Complete Island Recordings includes 11 albums (12 LPs) packaged in a rigid card box with lift top lid, and wrapped in silver paper that simulates the brushed metal finish of a zippo lighter. The box includes all nine Bob Marley & The Wailers studio albums recorded for Island Records, featuring their most celebrated releases, including Catch A Fire, their 1973 label debut, and Rastaman Vibration, their 1976 breakthrough album in the United States, along with two live albums Live! and Babylon By Bus. Bob Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer, song writer, musician, and guitarist who achieved international fame and acclaim. His music in the 70s established his worldwide reputation and produced his status as one of the world's best-selling artists of all time, with sales of more than 75 million records.

Superhero? Supervillain? Super WHAT? CZARFACE & MF DOOM's newest team-up record Super What? is, much like the Avengers' arch-enemy Thanos...inevitable (and all-powerful!).

The icon MF DOOM unleashes his wizardry and wordplay throughout the record, while CZARFACE (bolstered by the legendary Wu-Tang Clan's Inspectah Deck and Esoteric) slash through each of the Czar-Keys' produced tracks as the team raises the bar on their previous LP, Czarface meets Metalface (2018). Featuring golden-age superhero DMC (of RUN-DMC) and Hieroglyphics' leader Del The Funky Homosapien, with art by longtime CZARFACE co-creator Lamour Supreme, this album will bring all
the thrills of a cosmic summer blockbuster.

Recorded and slated for an early 2020 release, and paused while COVID raged, this collaboration of masked men is finally finding its way to you on all formats.

This special collector's edition is available in a strictly limited run of only 250 copies. The vinyl version is pressed on transparent vinyl and features metallic paper packaging along with a printed inner sleeve made from dyed paper stock. The entire release was designed by the exceptionally creative graphic designer Weronika Lipniewska, resulting in an edition that is as captivating visually as it is musically.

EY AY (Deluxe Slay Jazz) is the second album by Piotr Checki - an artist who, following the intimate, home-recorded debut PE, returns with something radically different: a living, spontaneous work captured in real time. If PE was a personal document of moments enclosed within a controlled studio environment, EY AY is its opposite - a sonic organism that breathes, pulses, and unfolds in the here and now.
The album was created in just two weeks during a period of intense inspiration. Ch?cki developed a series of compositional sketches which were then expanded together with drummer Tymek Papior and pianist Marcel Balinski during a single six-hour recording session. Crucially, the entire album was recorded as one-take performances. No overdubs, no edits, no second attempts. It is a document of pure presence - a moment that can never be repeated.
The subtitle Deluxe Slay Jazz carries an additional personal layer of meaning. It serves as a subtle yet significant nod to one of Checki's greatest passions: ski jumping. The initials "DSJ" may also evoke the cult classic ski-jumping computer game released in 1999, beloved by an entire generation of players.
With EY AY, Checki redefines his approach to music-making. Instead of constructing rigid structures, he places trust in the process. Instead of production, interaction. Instead of perfection, authenticity. This is music that does not strive to be finished - it simply exists.

New York’s Ma Sha brings wigged-out rhythms to Nerve Collect with an explosive, future-facing new EP. The six tracks prove she is bound by no rules but knows exactly how to energise the club.

Ma Sha deals in sounds that operate outside the usual boundaries and demand full-bodied, physical reactions. She has become a driving force in the New York underground with Kindergarten, which is both a much-loved party and a much hyped label. Though built on global techno foundations, Sha’s grooves range from peak-time brain melters to more twisted and rugged, always at high tempo and with plenty of invention on labels like Steel City Dance Discs and Rhythm Section International.

‘Salpa’ opens with a clipped rhythm drenched in neon and psychedelic swirls as oversized bass cocoons from below with glitchy vocal fragments and hard but bouncy techno momentum. ‘Gillz’ swallows you in waves of bass and rubber kicks while screwy synths spray across the mix while a syncopated broken beat brings irresistible funk to a post-human world. ‘Shots’, a collab track with Hodge, works in overdrive with rising tones and liquid metal textures that trap you in a hall of mirrors. Intense club pressure builds with pristine percussion and hyperreal vocals.

‘Spinmachine’ is a freaky sound world of fuzzy synths, cantering drums and static electricity that is full of threat and never lets go. ‘Total Energy’ locks into rolling drums and hyping swing with descending leads and a sense of future rave chaos designed for sheer dance floor release.

Ma Sha’s sound designs feel beamed back from the future to rewire familiar rhythms that tickle the brain as they make their way through your entire body.

High Roller Records, reissue 2022, black vinyl, ltd 250, lyric sheet, poster, mastered for vinyl by Patrick W. Engel/ Temple of Disharmony
“Urm the Mad” was Protector’s sophomore album, recorded in the summer of 1989 at the Phönix Studio in Bochum, where the four-piece from Wolfsburg had already recorded their killer full-length debut “Golem”. Urm the Mad” was to become the last album before the split in 2003 that features Martin Missy; he should be replaced by Olly Wiebel in December 1989. Protector did not change too much about their style – genre-defining early thrash/death – but one of the most notable things about “Urm the Mad” was the sound: The album is famous for its heavy, noisy, dirty sound, for its raw production that makes the music all the more evil and menacing, with guitars in the front and Martin’s unmistakeable vocals lying on the riffs like poisonous mould. “Urm the Mad” is thrash metal walking the path of death. Protector’s special blend of thrash and death metal has always set them apart from their compatriots and even inspired German metal tabloid Rock Hard to declare Protector to be “Germany’s hardest band” – and this in 1989, the year both Kreator’s “Extreme Aggression” and Sodom’s “Agent Orange” were released! Protector, too, play fast and energetic thrash, but the overall feel of the album is that of creeping, lurking evil – crawling along on frequently slowed down, heavy riffs and Martin Missy’s sick death-like growls which seem to come straight from the charnel house. “Urm the Mad” does not sport that “positive” aggression usually found in 80’s thrash; on the contrary, the album is grim, dark and desperate, but nonetheless brutal and extreme. Back in the days, Protector’s contribution to the then-proliferating Teutonic thrash was mainly recognized within the underground scene, and the metal press played its own part in keeping Protector a bit below the radar: “We got pretty much the same response as we got for ‘Golem’: Good, positive feedback from our fans and ‘ok’-reviews from the bigger metal magazines.” Time to make up for that.

DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present the much-needed reissue of BAPTHOMET’S BLOOD’s third album, Metal Damnation, on vinyl LP and – for the first time – CD formats. Originally released in 2009, BAPHOMET’S BLOOD continues their roughneck approach to real underground heavy and speed metal. Their Italian Steel may not be sharp, but nonetheless hard hitting. 8 tracks + a cover of Belgian heavy metal cult act Killer can be found on this record.

DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present the highly anticipated debut album of Poland’s TORPOR, Ɖungeon Ɖescent, on CD and vinyl LP formats. TORPOR were formed in Warsaw by three school friends and music fans under the huge influence of Bathory. While recording their first release, Burning Realms / Behold the Spell of Black Fortress, in dusk of 2017, the band were laying their music foundations inspired by the epic side of black and the haunted / melancholic side of early ‘80s heavy metal. Since their last release – 2021’s The Ancient Tales EP, which was actually recorded in 2019 – TORPOR parted ways with their drummer, who alongside Mike Magister I.V. and Franciszek Archont, was a founding member of the trio. Upon the arrival of a new drummer and long-time friend, Bloodhammer, they recorded their debut album. It marks the result of their work and path undertaken. "We knew it was our direction to follow and polish, so now, after some time, we can happily present our debut album, Ɖungeon Ɖescent,” the band state. “It is our first real record that pictures our vision exactly how we liked to. After years of wandering around basement rehearsal rooms and two self-released demos, we are finally coming out of our lairs with this LP under the banners of DYING VICTIMS." Their past connections with fellow labelmates ARMAGH and FUKKIN’ VENGEANCE somewhat explains TORPOR’s link to the idiosyncratic side of ancient heavy metal, which has taken far more prominence on Ɖungeon Ɖescent over the first-wave black metal side – but that’s only part of the picture. Some might call it “cleaning up,” others might liken it to a harnessing of feral energies, but TORPOR’s emphatic-yet-stoic strut conveys equal amounts of energy and mystery, finesse and fine-tuning. Of course, the power-trio can kick into high gear when they want to, be it heroic gallop or even hypnotic blast, but their sense of movement from one moody segment to the next imparts a narrative flow that’s part and parcel of their lyrical imagery. Or, perhaps it’s true swords & sorcery metal without belaboring the point – no “COOL IMAGERY DUDE” without the music & atmosphere to back it up, more specifically – that harkens to a glorious, sadly bygone era. However you approach this Ɖungeon Ɖescent, TORPOR have surely delivered a cult classic in the making. Passion, authenticity, the reverberating ring of truth…ancient powers arise from time immemorial

Australian black metal force, Faustian, have been referred to as a super group of the Antipodean extreme metal scene; the members of this formidable three-piece having set their demons loose with the likes of Werewolves, The Berzerker, The Amenta, The Antichrist Imperium, Psycroptic, Abramelin and more. However, when confronted with the atmospheric, majestic inferno that is the sound of Faustian, whatever else its creators may have achieved is inconsequential - nothing else matters beyond experiencing the firestorm they unleash in this particular incarnation to its fullest enticing, exhilarating, unnerving extent. With a new deal signed with Apocalyptic Witchcraft, the band are now prepared to unveil their latest collection of unholy hymns. Following in the scorched earth wake of 2023s We Come As Angels, Faustian present Parable Of The Sewer_ From the first, breathless assault of 'I Curse You', with its storm torn atmosphere, dramatic darkness and furious speed, to the warped denouement of 'The Rot Shall Inherit The Earth', a sickly melodious foretelling of putrefaction and degradation, Parable Of The Sewer careers through fear-filled twilight and tenebrous realms of profane secrets. A combination of powerfully evocative lyrics and soul scarring music creates an unequivocal, yet irresistible invitation to damnation. From the indefatigable velocity of the wicked 'Cephalophore' to the precision guitar patterns and chanted revelations of 'Immaculate', the cruel, haunting and surely damned 'We Do Not Use Names Here' to the cold menace of 'Tenements (Only The Wicked Walk In Circles), steeped in the sweat and stench of terror, every moment of Parable Of The Sewer is a masterful expression of black metal art. Sinister and insidious, overwhelming and darkly glorious, walking the edge of a sacrificial blade between repulsion and temptation, Parable Of The Sewer is music at its most potent and dangerous.

Having made their back catalog available to a wider public via High Roller Records, Mexican speed and thrash metal force Phantom will release their third full-length assault „Not Midnight Yet“ via the label. Recorded and mixed once again with Héctor “Northen” Ibarra at Nehtron Studios in Guadalajara and mastered by Patrick W. Engel at Temple Of Disharmony in Germany, this new album captures the band at their most technical and dynamic. “I am never fully satisfied with my records and I try to push forward and expand our boundaries with every new material—without changing the soul and core of what Phantom stands for: Old School Heavy Metal,“ explains mastermind J.C. García. „This record puts together very well everything that we are. Because of that, I think this is a juggernaut of an album.” Tracks such as ‘Hordes Of Bats’ deliver relentless speed and riff-driven aggression, while ‘Dracula’s Curse’ and the title track lean into powerful midtempo dynamics and complex structures. ‘The Pale Remains Of Time’ stands out as one of the album’s most ambitious moments, combining melodic vocals, clean guitar interludes and subtle progressive touches. “I try to break the established formula and add more textures and layers while keeping the old school spirit,” J.C. states. “It’s a very personal record and a work I’m very proud of. I think this is the most solid Phantom record to date.” With “Not Midnight Yet”, Phantom sharpen their identity and deliver a powerful, atmospheric statement—proof that the night is far from over.

Gulp Joachim Nordwall’s queasiest, most curdled synth tones on this supremely detuned co-op with Athens’ Stellage crew = 45 minutes of pure nasal-drip tang and gungy pulses tipped FFO Connor Camburn, Wolf Eyes, Conrad Schnitzler, Ilpo Väisänen’s Liima alltimers.

Joachim Nordwall’s 1st solo jaunt since capping the ‘Healing Music’ series in ’23 finds the DIY linchpin and serial collaborator coaxing potently psychoactive tones from an undisclosed set up. It appears to be one of his most intently focussed jags in recent memory, concentrated on juicing a paucity of ingredients for optimal flavour. Nothing that new then? Well, aye, but when he really gets into it, with an effect that really probes parts of the psyche untouched by anything we’ve heard from him before, he produces synaesthetic sounds that frankly makes our ears salivate.

A starting exercise in plucky pulse-work recalling Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe initiates a real descent into the nether regions of Nordwall’s imagination, pulling into sepulchral drone on ‘Trance Recording’ and Droog wet dream material on ‘Abandoned Test Site’, while allowing for some levity in the lacquer-crackling pulse poem ‘Expand Your Mind’. However, he soon pitches back into resonant, metallic sonorities with durational conviction on a ‘Some Skies Overlap’ bringing to mind Connor Camburn works, but with an icier edge, and his title track spews molten drums in a rumbling, spark-spitting torrent.

Proper filth. Snorkel it!

2026 Repress

SHDW's label Mutual Rytm rounds out another year with 'Symbiosis' - an excellent split EP from Greek artists ANNE & Sera J, featuring six fresh cuts and four digital bonuses.

The release title comes from the Greek word 'Symbiosis', which means living closely together for a significant period and can be used to speak of a mutually beneficial interaction between individuals. And that is precisely what can be said of ANNE and Sera J, who have grown through life as partners and, more recently, as musical peers. This split EP is their first release alongside one another, and one that presents the story of their innermost feelings, with their full label debut following fine contributions to the label's 'Federation Of Rytm II' compilation back in March.

ANNE has had a busy few years making her mark with potent techno on labels such as Soma, Hardgroove, and Life In Patterns, while Sera J is just as revered for his tunes on the likes of Out Of Place, DifferentSound and more.

ANNE takes the A-side, firstly with the fiery diva vocals and thumping techno drums of 'Heal My Soul' and then the more physical and banging drum programming of 'Turn Back Time'. It's a big, metallic cut with rumbling bass and sleek synths peeling off the groove, while her final track 'Zephyrus' has plenty of infectious bounce and eerie pads to keep dancers on their toes.

On the flip, Sera J kicks off with the electrifying synth stabs and cantering techno power of 'Blue Dancers' and then offers up 'Common People' as twisted leads and slamming drums all run through with alien sound effects and bright stabs. To close, 'Delusion' is a psychedelic cut with roaming leads that bring plenty of cosmic energy to the unrelenting kicks.

In addition, each artist serves up a pair of digital bonuses: ANNE with the hurried funk of 'Serene' and loopy intensity of 'Victor', and Sera J with the liquid, dubby dynamics of the hard-hitting 'Intensity' and monstrous energy of 'Bodies Don't Lie.'

One of the biggest “re-discoveries” of obscure eighties US Metal/Hard Rock are Ashbury from Tuscon in Arizona. The band, led by brothers Randy and Rob Davis, did originally record two very hard to find albums: »Endless Skies« in 1983 and the (belated) follow-up »Something Funny Going On« (issued in 2010). However, the roots of the band go way back to the late 1970s, when multi-instrumentalist Randy Davis formed his very first band (called Ashbury South) in Southern Oklahoma in late 1977. The original vinyl edition of »Endless Skies« came out in 1983 (with a circulation of 1,000 copies). ”It was a complete indie project all the way,” states Rob Davis. “We worked mostly on a budget of $ 5,000 for the entire project. Our distribution was through Tower Records in the western United States.” Ashbury's sound has sometimes been compared to Jethro Tull and the Davis brothers are indeed not too unhappy about this comparison: ”We both have a big smile on our face with that question,” they explain. “Yes, we are proud to be compared with Jethro Tull.” Ashbury's first album does feature an iconic artwork. Who was responsible for it and what does the cover signify? ”The cover signifies Creation, and the choices we all make,” elaborate Rob and Randy. “The cover obviously coincides with the opening song 'The Warning', about the Prophet who warns against bad choices, evil and greed. The final touch was a 'fantasy' setting, a look just off from any real world appearance.” Randy and Rob Davis are playing as brothers in Ashbury, they have always been the core of the band: ”We would not continue performing as Ashbury without both being involved. We write independently, and also together, therefore the very creation of the music would be different if one of us left the band. We also both sing lead vocals, so the sound of the band would be altered. I might refer to a recent tour concerning Styx - touring without Dennis DeYoung - therefore it's NOT Styx.”

DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present JORDSJØ’s highly anticipated new album, Pestkrønikene, on CD and vinyl LP formats. JORDSJØ released their first tape in 2015. With the fourth tape, 2017’s Jord, the band got a wider audience outside their native Norway and subsequently released full-lengths on such labels as Karisma, Pancromatic, and Apollon. The band works as a duo in the studio, but for the last eight years, they have played live as a quintet. JORDSJØ are led by multi-instrumentalist Håkon Oftung, who has been a part of Oslo’s psychedelic, progressive, and heavy rock undergrounds for many years, and has played in Black Magic, Tusmørke, The Chronicles of Father Robin, Wobbler, Zenon, and labelmates FLIGHT to mention but a few. He’s joined by longtime companion and childhood friend Kristian Frøland, who plays drums and percussion, and also produced and mixed Pestkrønikene. Pestkrønikene is a part of JORDSJØ’s 10-year anniversary, and their ninth release overall. The record started out as a compilation of studio outtakes from 2020-2025, but then took on a form of its own, with the songs linked together thematically. Lyrically, those themes reflect war, upheaval, the fall of kings and the rise of a new dawn, and cults and sects. Sonically, Pestkrønikene encapsulates the JORDSJØ experience as well as extends beyond it. Mythical and magickal, the album honors the band’s background in hard rock and heavy metal, and combines this with their own analog and organic blend of progressive / psychedelic folk rock.

The Carburetors are back and louder than ever! Their brand-new album, "We Ride At Night", is set to tear through speakers and shake venues to their foundations. Packed with the ferocious riffs and raw attitude that fans have come to love, this is the band firing on all cylinders-no brakes, no apologies. "We Ride At Night" is a statement that The Carburetors are still one of the most dangerous rock'n'roll bands on the planet. The Carburetors are a hard-hitting rock band hailing from Oslo, Norway, known for their electrifying blend of rock'n'roll, hard rock, and heavy metal. Formed in 2001, the band has carved out a reputation for delivering fast-paced, high-energy music that channels the raw spirit of Chuck Berry and the relentless power of Motörhead. Their signature sound-often described as "Fast Forward Rock'n'Roll"-combines driving riffs, thunderous drums, and an unapologetic attitude that's made them a staple of the Norwegian rock scene. Over the years, The Carburetors have released a string of acclaimed albums, including their debut "Pain Is Temporary, Glory Is Forever" (2004), "Loud Enough to Raise the Dead" (2006), "Rock'n'Roll Forever" (2008/2010), and "Laughing in the Face of Death" (2015). Their latest release, "Drinkin' from the Skull of Our Enemies," continues their tradition of raw, energetic rock, capturing the band's dynamic stage presence and relentless drive. The band has also contributed to tribute albums for legends like Kiss and The Ramones, and in 2012, they made it to the Grand Final of Norway's Melodi Grand Prix with their song "Don't Touch the Flame." With a career spanning over two decades, sold-out shows, and a loyal fanbase, The Carburetors continue to embody the spirit of rock'n'roll-loud, fast, and forever.

“Leviathan’s Desire” was Protector’s first release with Olly Wiebel as the new man on the microphone, and he brought in a new and different style, one no less gruff and aggressive than that of his predecessor. With the “Leviathan’s Desire” EP, Protector left the musically mid-paced path they had followed on “Urm the Mad”, turning back to their key skills and delivering a short but sweet-and-extreme thrash metal attack. The EP contains a revised and extended version of “Kain and Abel” that fits in perfectly with the new tracks, which are full to the brim with raging riffs and violent hooks, relentlessly delivered by a band that’s fully aware of its great skills and abilities both with regard to song-writing and performance – rhythm changes, breaks and bridges are all thoroughly worked out and excellently delivered. But do not fear! There are no signs of giving in to any ideas of embracing the “progressive” side of Protector. This is still pure Teutonic Thrash to the bone. “Leviathan’s Desire” was recorded in the Phoenix Studio Bochum in 1990 and originally released by German label Atom H (based in Witten, North Rhine-Westphalia) in the same year. Ralph Hubert of Mekong Delta fame took over production duties of the record. Olly is very glad to see the vinyl re-release of “Leviathan’s Desire”, which has been mastered for vinyl by old comrade Patrick W. Engel at Temple of Disharmony. Protector also opened up their dusty cabinets to present us with a selection of previously unreleased pictures from those still good old days, which will be gracing the High Roller edition of “Leviathan’s Desire”.

DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present the long-awaited debut album of Italy’s INTO DARKNESS, Route to the Other Side, on CD and vinyl LP formats. Italy's INTODARKNESS have been a work in progress since their formation in 2011. Led by vocalist / guitarist Doomed Warrior from the very beginning, the band released a handful of demos, a couple splits, and a couple EPs during their first decade of existence. While all short-lengths, they certainly did not lack in quality. As time (and lineups) went on, INTO DARKNESS’ primary influences – equally early Asphyx and Soulburn, Pentacle, Sinister, Gorefest, Dead Head, Phlebotomized, Acrostichon, and Thanatos among others – came more sharply into focus, aligning reverently within old-school Dutch death metal in style but with a unique lyrical focus: divulgative astronomy. Not astrology, not sci-fi, no Lovecraft – only and specifically divulgative astronomy, maybe poetically but definitely realistically. Now, at long last, INTO DARKNESS are prepared to unleash their debut album. Tellingly titled Route to the Outer Side, the Italians’ first full-length is a concept record about the outer solar system, which still considers Pluto as a planet and also includes Halley’s Comet.

"3..2..1..Go! The prompt begins and ends the latest Dorio production, starring Agent Friday & the Perfect Angel. Motion-blurred scenes coalesce in an imagined spy thriller soundtrack, cutting across club pop, neo-acoustic, and textured electronica. In eleven jet-setting tracks, the Texas duo reconfigures classic pop sensibilities and cocktail lounge idioms into a thoroughly modern work. The project’s newest LP marks a confident development in Chad Doriocourt and Rachel Rascoe’s co-songwriting and CD-age experimentation. Dorio’s mission starts now.

Fuzz guitars, monophonic synthesizers, and bouncy drum breaks fuel a tale of covert operations on Agent Friday & the Perfect Angel. The album’s propulsive production cuts across a pristine millennium palette, from Madonna’s 1998 Ray of Light all the way to Gorillaz’s 2010 Plastic Beach. Rising to meet the energy of live audiences, Doriocourt’s dance-oriented production amps up Rascoe’s singsong melodies. It’s music readymade for both recreational and listening formats.

“An upbeat form of bubblegum-pop and hip-hop percussion that recalls the recent neo-psych output of Stones Throw Records.” – Flood Magazine

“Recalling the nostalgic majesty of bands like Wishy, Tennis, and Hovvdy, the skittering hi-hat feels like rain drops hitting the metal roof of an old car, the production insular while somehow vivid and full of imagination… Whatever the instrument, Dorio know how to make quite an impression.” – Consequence

“Summery psych-pop that often infuses their dreamy melodies, kaleidoscopic hooks, and breezy vocals with nostalgic millennium-tinted breakbeats.” – KEXP"

Als eine der prägendsten und einflussreichsten Künstlerinnen unserer Zeit vereint die mehrfache Grammy- und BRIT-Award-Gewinnerin Charli xcx Musik, Mode und Film wie keine andere. Ihr mit Spannung erwartetes neues Album „Music, Fashion, Film“ erscheint am Freitag, den 24. Juli, und führt ihren visionären Mix aus Mainstream und innovativem Underground perfekt fort. Das Meisterwerk enthält bereits gefeierte Tracks wie „SS26“ und „Rock Music“ und besticht durch ein ikonisches Cover von Aidan Zamiri, auf dem Legenden wie John Cale, Marc Jacobs und Martin Scorsese zu sehen sind.

Als eine der prägendsten und einflussreichsten Künstlerinnen unserer Zeit vereint die mehrfache Grammy- und BRIT-Award-Gewinnerin Charli xcx Musik, Mode und Film wie keine andere. Ihr mit Spannung erwartetes neues Album „Music, Fashion, Film“ erscheint am Freitag, den 24. Juli, und führt ihren visionären Mix aus Mainstream und innovativem Underground perfekt fort. Das Meisterwerk enthält bereits gefeierte Tracks wie „SS26“ und „Rock Music“ und besticht durch ein ikonisches Cover von Aidan Zamiri, auf dem Legenden wie John Cale, Marc Jacobs und Martin Scorsese zu sehen sind.

The name RUTHLESS in itself means “without mercy.” Since the early 1980’s, lead by vocalist Sammy DeJohn, the band has stayed true to its style of metal, from the classic first EP “Metal Without Mercy” (1984) and the debut cult album “Discipline Of Steel” (1986), to the later albums “They Rise” (2015)” and “Evil Within” (2019), they’ve never wavered on the power of bands like JUDAS PRIEST, ACCEPT and BLACK SABBATH, always staying true to their roots.

Their latest album “The Fallen” was released in January 2024 on their new label Fireflash Records (WOLF, HOLY MOSES a.o.), followed by a European tour as support act for their fellow believers JAG PANZER, cementing their reputation as a magnificent live band. Now, RUTHLESS are proud to announce the release of their next studio album “Curse Of The Beast”. The band has created an album full of power and passion, combined with the classic 80s metal sound, ready to become a future classic and a must-have for anyone who loves traditional heavy metal like METAL CHURCH, JUDAS PRIEST, EXCITER, and others. “Curse Of The Beast” was recorded along with producer Ron Sandoval (KERRY KING a.o.), who also did the final mix and mastering. The album will be released on July 17th, 2026. “We can't wait for you all to hear it. We have a couple of surprises on this one and it's going to destroy,” reveals vocalist Sammy. Immediately afterwards, the band will play selected shows in Europe, along with MINDWARS as well as THE TROOPS OF DOOM, including the legendary “Headbangers Open Air.”

London based, Heavy Metal Records signees IMPERIUM deliver a powerful debut that captures the essence of modern thrash through razor sharp riffs, precision grooves and commanding vocals, rooted in the intensity of classic heavy metal. The band have built strong momentum through UK touring, international performances and a breakout appearance at Bloodstock Festival after winning Metal 2 the Masses, establishing themselves as one of the most promising emerging acts in the UK scene. Their growing profile is further reinforced by endorsements from Gibson and Kramer.



The debut album, Exodus Unknown is available on heavyweight black vinyl using Direct Metal Mastering, alongside a black polycarbonate vinyl effect CD and digital formats, offering strong appeal for collectors and dedicated metal audiences alike. For fans of modern thrash and classic 80s metal, IMPERIUM represent a new generation delivering the genre with authenticity, power and no compromise.

Joseph Tholl is widely known as a Swedish multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter. He gained international recognition as a founding member and guitarist for the speed metal band Enforcer (officially leaving in 2019). Following his time with Enforcer, he formed Black Trip (later Vojd) and is currently playing guitar for Tribulation. Following 2019’s »Devil’s Drum«, »It Might Be Art« is his second solo album (and the second for High Roller Records). It was recorded and mixed at Humbucker Studio, which he co-owns with Robert Pehrsson (who’s also on High Roller Records). On »It Might Be Art« Joseph Tholl is singing, playing guitar and most of the bass, he also handles piano and synthesizer parts. Robert Eriksson (The Hellacopters) and Jakob Ljungberg (Second Sun) share drum duties on this album. Besides that, there’s a few guest appearances by musicians such as Johannes Andersson (Tribulation), Tobias Lindkvist (Tyrann), Pia Stjärnvind (Serpent Omega), Adam Zaars (Tribulation) and Robert Pehrsson (Dundertåget, Robert Pehrsson’s Humbucker). Joseph Tholl thinks that despite its broad variety »It Might Be Art« is still suitable for heavy metal fans: “I couldn’t see why not. I mean it’s not heavy metal. But I hope people will like it for what it is, a very honest and well-crafted melodic rock album.” “»It Might Be Art« is both darker and brighter than »Devil’s Drum«,” compares the Swede both his solo albums. “Musically it probably sounds a little brighter and poppy overall. But then there’s songs like ”I’m In A Darkness” or ‘The Burial’, which are very dark.” At times, influences of Sisters Of Mercy, The Cure, New Model Army and Midnight Oil can be detected on »It Might Be Art«, leading Joseph Tholl to ponder: “It’s incredibly hard to name a few bands as influences, there’s just too many. Besides those bands you mentioned, there’s a mix of grunge, heavy metal, Swedish pop/rock, AOR etc., that I mold into my own kind of rock n roll.”

Sacred Leather is a traditional heavy metal band from the heart of Indianapolis, consisting of Dee Wrathchild (vocals), Lynn St. Michaels (lead guitar), Cvon Owens (rhythm guitar), Magnus Legrand (bass) and Don Diamond (drums). Following a privately manufactured live cassette, 2018’s debut album »Ultimate Force« and numerous (digital) singles, the new »Keep The Fire Burning« is the band’s most definite statement yet. Produced by the legendary Arthur Rizk (Eternal Champion, Power Trip), every track on the record is a call to arms. High-octane compositions such as “Spitfire At Night”, “Phantom Highways” or “Malevolent Eyes” show that Sacred Leather are true defenders of the faith. All songs breathe the raw power of classic 80s metal. Bassist Magnus Legrand comments: “Judas Priest has been a massive influence on us - not just aesthetically or stylistically, but in their ability to cover a wide range of sounds while always remaining unmistakably themselves. That balance is something we actively strive for: to explore every facet of heavy metal without ever losing our identity. The same can be said for KISS, Scorpions, and Queensrÿche - bands that can rock, rip, soar, go epic, or strip it down to something tender, all while keeping their signature intact. That versatility, anchored by a strong sense of self, is the standard we hold ourselves to.” According to Magnus Legrand, »Keep The Fire Burning« is a clear progression from the debut album »Ultimate Force«: “It’s sharper in its songwriting, stronger in its musicianship, and more focused in its execution. Where »Ultimate Force« laid the foundation, this record pushes further into those same territories with greater intent and refinement. It builds on what we established before, expanding the scope while tightening the strike. As a whole, »Keep The Fire Burning« is a relentless ride through the heart of traditional heavy metal - familiar in spirit, but undeniably Sacred Leather in execution.“

"Beyond HEAVY METAL": the deluxe edition is a special 2LP zoetrope vinyl featuring live recordings from arena shows in the UK, US, and Japan, along with “from me to u (feat. Poppy)” Major Lazer Remix and “from me to u (feat. Poppy)” Jordan Fish Remix

Having celebrated its 15th anniversary last year, BABYMETAL presents a new style of heavy metal album created in collaboration with a new generation of friends encountered across the globe. A powerful statement of who the band is today, this album pushes toward what lies "beyond HEAVY METAL" and aims to change the course of history.

Available to own on special edition zoetrope vinyl. Limited quantities, available while stocks last!

If you have kept a keen eye on what is going on in German thrash these days, you cannot have missed the comeback of Protector, legendary thrash/death outfit from Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony. Formed in 1986, Protector first called it a day in 2003, only to return in 2011 and releasing their “Reanimated Homunculus” on High Roller Records in 2013. Protector are widely regarded as one of the most underrated outfits from the prolific German thrash/death scene of the Eighties. Their debut-EP “Misanthropy” from 1987 is a thorny gem of uncompromising thrash metal, raw and fast, and with a strong feel of evil blackness. This first official release laid the base for Protector's reputation as “Germany’s most brutal band”, as some people called them. Protector? Really? Some band from some far out place in Lower Saxony? It’s true, Protector never rose to the same heights of fame as Kreator, Sodom and the likes, but back in the days, they made a name for themselves by playing not only fierce and sharp thrash metal, but always being extremely harsh, brutal and very very evil. “Misanthropy” is a perfect testimony for this: In its six-tracks-brevity, Protector’s debut-EP is a violent attack on the listener, giving you six razor sharp cuts and leaving you behind, crushed and bleeding. “Misanthropy” was recorded in the summer of 1987 at the White Lines Studio in Braunschweig. While the band's main influences at that time were Slayer’s “Reign in Blood”, Possessed’s “Seven Churches” and Exodus' “Bonded by Blood”, “Misanthropy” actually sounds like none of these albums – but very unique; In part this is due to Martin Missy's extraordinary extreme vocal performance, which always bordered on the verge of death metal growls and thus added a lot to Protector’s very own way of evil. The reactions to “Misanthropy” were mixed: Fans and the underground media celebrated the release, while the bigger magazines were sceptical about Protector's brutal and aggressive style and sound. Anyway: “Misanthropy” made people aware of this four-piece who lived in the shadow of the then still intact German Wall, far away from the Ruhr-Area, the heart of Teutonic thrash. For the High Roller re-release, nothing will be changed about the sound, which makes total sense, given that “Misanthropy” is great just as it is. Instead, “Misanthropy” comes with a very special feature: To make the release as complete as possible, High Roller includes the two songs from the demo from 1986, “Protector of Death” and “Apocalyptic Revolution”, something Martin Missy totally appreciates: “I think this is a great thing to do. That way the fans get an idea about what Protector sounded like before the EP was recorded.” One thing is already clear: Protector never got any more aggressive, sharp and shattering than on „Misanthropy”.

With bloated souls and skeletal bodies the three mad kings of the end times walk among us, with empty eyes and insatiable hunger. Innocence thieves, blood collectors, bastard children of archaic dynasties built upon the broken bones of the weak. Their consorts are the rotten and the dead, their champions soulless, empty vessels gasping for validation as they bathe in the nectar of inflicted pain. They lead us not into temptation, but into degradation and the all-consuming fire. Born in the heat and shadows of the Australian underground, in Brisbane in 2014, Graveir have carved out a stronghold for themselves in their homeland's black metal scene. Bleak, violent and uncompromising, their music possesses a powerful individuality that sees them following their own path, lone wolves in a world of people searching frantically for a voice to tell them how to think and what to believe. After their powerful 2016 debut, Iconostasis and its critically acclaimed successor, King Of The Silent World, hailed as 'captivatingly hypnotic' by Metal Bite, Graveir are poised to unleash their third set of black prophecies - The Festering Triad. The Festering Triad begins with the sinister 'Lords Of Misrule', rising from the silence with guitars like an insect swarm before a lugubrious, dolorous shift into life and movement. The song holds you on the edge of oblivion, a constant aura of threat radiating from its broken beauty. There's a powerful underlying melody too, but it's corrupted and riddled with disease. And while this unsettling and disorientating introduction to The Festering Triad is still crawling through your veins, 'A Futile Exhortation' bursts into flame - as implacable and unstoppable as the passage of time, formed from the seething darkness on the edge of chaos and touched by something ancient and primal. You are now in the heart of darkness, jagged riffs circling like atavistic, feral presences, hammering blast beats disrupting natural rhythms. Nothing is as it should be. Nothing stays within the expected boundaries. This is a malicious attack on the laws that govern reality. 'A Thief In The Heart Of Man' flies at you in a howl of rage and bloodlust; you can feel its desperate need to tear you apart and the inherent danger is exhilarating. Title track, 'The Festering Triad' arrives swathed in an aura of decaying majesty, a triumvirate of wickedness wreathed in flame, marching onwards, entwined in black briars of unease - on into twisted soundscapes of fear and dizzying anxiety, through boiling malignancy and relentless intensity to the finale of 'The Rite Of Degradation', where portentous grandeur and bestial hunger combine in bewildering, schizophrenic fury. This album is fuelled by a determination to leave you broken, beaten and humbled - and it succeeds, absolutely.