Ihsahn is a true living musical legend who helped shaped the modern symphonic sound of Black Metal with his work across the four albums Emperor produced between 1994 and 2001, particularly with their debut In The Nightside Eclipse which is perhaps the quintessential release of the genre. And although Emperor are still of course touring and Ihsahn has in the 2000’s released music with his Thou Shalt Suffer and Peccatum projects, the focus for the Norwegian musician has undoubtedly been on developing his solo career.
As the dying sun casts its orange glow over the forest, darkness begins to swiftly envelop the lofty trees. Gently at first, but soon wrapping itself around the dense woodland in a tighter, black embrace. The distant mountains, which only moments ago watched over the trees with such benevolence, now take on a different, more sinister character. Soon, the chirping of birds ceases and animals briskly return to their homes as the clouds above drift slowly apart, revealing the moon at its fullest, it’s colour a deep and vivid blood red, casting its devilish hue onto the mountaintops below.Continue reading →
Post-metal greats The Ocean have announced their new double album, their 8th, later this year from their own imprint Pelagic Records. Phanerozoic will come in two parts, over the next two years, and will be the follow up to 2013’s epic Pelagial. The band has stated that their recently reissued 2007 Precambrian is the reference point for the new music. Continue reading →
Arch Enemy is planning for a busy fall, 2018 and beyond. On the heels of announcing their new album, Will To Power, due out on 8th September via Century Media Records, and a co-headline tour of the USA with Trivium, the band has announced additional headline tour dates in Europe for early next year. Details can be found below:Continue reading →
Progressive black metal legends Enslaved have entered the studio in their home of Norway to begin writing album #14! They have entered Duper & Solslottet Studios in Bergen and plan to work throughout April. The album will then be mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios. Artwork for the album will be once again created by renowned designer and painter Truls Espedal (In Times, RIITR). More details below: Continue reading →
Shredding power metal kings DragonForce have detailed the release of their next album, Reaching Into Infinity will be released via Metal Blade Records (USA) and earMUSIC (Europe) on May 19th. Continue reading →
For some, January is seen as the most depressing month of the year. And in fairness, especially here in the UK, it’s pretty easy to understand why. The Christmas and New Year festivities are already naught but a pleasant but fading memory, the bright sparkly decorations have been begrudgingly taken down and packed away in dull brown boxes, and the all too quick return to regular routine looms like an ominous black cloud overhead.Continue reading →
German thrash masters Kreator have offered another behind the scenes video for their upcoming new album Gods Of Violence, releasing on January 26th via Nuclear Blast. Hear frontman Mille Petrozza talk about the working with producer Jens Bogren, the featured guests and the album’s production below: Continue reading →
The old adage is that there is no true substitute for experience. While for the young and easily impressionable tend to view that sentiment as trite, it rings mightily true for Katatonia on their 10th studio album, The Fall of Hearts (Peaceville). Over twenty years of masterful work are on display over the course of 12 new compositions in which hardly a moment feels out-of-place or without purpose.
All of the familiar elements from Katatonia’s previous works are present, ranging from the doom/death of songs like ‘Serac’ and ‘Sanction’ to numbers dripping with weariness and melancholy such as in ‘Old Heart Falls.’ Take note young musicians, you don’t have to always aim to reshape the genre. Sometimes just a strongly honed craft and sound songwriting chops are all that is needed.
Need an example on how to appreciate these Swedes’ proficiency? Check out how Jonas Renkse’s dusky vocals interplay so well with the serpentine guitar work on ‘Takeover.’ And notice how said flowing guitars work their way seamlessly right into ‘Serein.’ Much praise to veteran guitarist and producer Anders Nyström and recently added Tiamat axeman Roger Öjersson for their precise and lush fretwork.
But it’s not just a guitar showcase and subtle elements such as new drummer Daniel Moilanen’s slight yet echoing cymbal and footwork add much more dimension to ‘The Night Subscriber’ and ‘Passer.’ Mixing and mastering were of course handled by veteran engineer Jens Bogren to ensure maximum aural richness and clarity.
The Fall of Hearts’ greatest strength is in its precision and economy of song. Lesser outfits would have buckled under the weight of gothic miasma or overindulgence. Author Malcolm Gladwell argues that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to achieve mastery in a field. Katatonia have obviously put in their time.
Symphonic technical death metal leaders Fleshgod Apocalypse are releasing their new album, King, (Nuclear Blast) this winter. The band is streaming their new single, the first from King entitled ‘The Fool’. You can stream ‘The Fool’ at this link or below:
‘The Fool’ will be available for purchase on January 1st, along with pre-orders of King as well. The band has commented on the single:
“‘The Fool’ is one of the craziest songs of the album and we felt like it was a perfect way to let people approach our new work. It’s a song without compromises and because of the character it is about, we had the chance to get into a profound matter that concerns us all.”
Recorded at Kick Recording and 16th Cellar studios in Rome, King was mixed and mastered Jens Bogren (Amon Amarth, At The Gates, Arch Enemy) at Fascination Street studio in Sweden. Artwork was created by acclaimed album artist Eliran Kantor (Testament, Iced Earth, Kataklysm, Hatebreed). The band has also booked a tour of North America for this winter.
King tracklisting: 01. Marche Royale 02. In Aeternum 03. Healing Through War 04. The Fool 05. Cold As Perfection 06. Mitra 07. Paramour (Die Leidenschaft bringt Leiden) 08. And The Vulture Beholds 09. Gravity 10. A Million Deaths 11. Syphilis 12. King
Bonus Orchestral CD (digipak only): 01. Marche Royale 02. In Aeternum 03. Healing Through War 04. The Fool 05. Cold As Perfection 06. Mitra 07. And The Vulture Beholds 08. Gravity 09. A Million Deaths 10. Syphilis
Formats for King: Digipak (incl. bonus orchestral CD) CD
