Black Metal

Astral Spectre was founded in 2020 by Tenebros as a solo project. It is a blend of harsh 1st wave Black Metal vocals and guitar riffs that evoke the unique feeling of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Inspired by classic rock of the 70s, a hammond organ is also included into the soundscape.

The first three songs were written and recorded during 2020, while the mixing and mastering was done in 2021, leading to the release of the demo „The Oath is Broken“ on two limited runs of self produced cassette tapes.

Black Metal

When the first volumes of Steven Erikson’s “Malazan Book of the Fallen” were published it became clear that the term “Epic Fantasy” had just been redefined. Even the works of J.R.R. Tolkien or G.R.R. Martin did not share the sheer size and complexity of the world Erikson had created. “Echoes of Battle” is the debut album of this newcomer band from Utah/USA, and their songs are the Epic Black Metal interpretation of Erikson’s Malazan books, not unlike what a certain band from Austria created for Tolkien’s Middle Earth. In fact, when you listen to “Echoes of Battle” for the first time you might think you’re listening to the new album of that certain band from Austria, simply because Summoning defined this very style, let’s keep calling it Epic Black Metal, 17 years ago on their “Minas Morgul” album and since then no other band has managed to reach the pinnacle of perfection Summoning held ever since. Until now. What distinguishes Caladan Brood from a mere copycat is their ability to take what worked for Summoning and then add their own trademarks to it, such as clean male vocals and choirs or actual guitar solos, and forging all of this into something truly majestic, thus redefining the term Epic Black Metal in their own unique way, just like Erikson redefined Epic Fantasy with his books. And while it’s obvious that Summoning have been a tremendous influence for Caladan Brood, for those of you who, like myself, were waiting in vain for a new Summoning album and by now are ready to welcome an heir to the throne, for you “Echoes of Battle” may well turn into a 71 (!) min eargasm because it simply can’t get any better than this. Everything on this release, the fantastic music, the great vocals, the massive sound, the attention to detail, the beautiful artwork by Albert Bierstadt, the poetic lyrics, everything works in tandem to create an album that will be enjoyed by fans of this style for years to come, and may even end up in many all-time faves lists. It really is that good! Now, if your head is spinning from all the superlatives I’m throwing at you, consider the fact that we’re talking about a band’s debut album here, two youngsters that appeared out of nowhere, without a demo or any previous sign of life. Realize the level of perfection.

Black Metal / Dungeon Synth

Depressive Silence was founded by RAL & B.S. from Mightiest in 1994. The band is one of the cult acts and forerunners of the Dungeon Synth genre alongside Mortiis and Jim Kirkwood.

Back then, the genre wasn’t even called Dungeon Synth yet, and only later got that monicker, probably named after Mortiis’ label Dark Dungeon Music. At first it was just Dark Ambient. Nonetheless it was already something special in that it combined elements from Black Metal (more visually and thematically rather than musically) and fantasy into a new style that appealed to some Black Metal fans as well as those who preferred keyboard music and role playing games. Once the name Dungeon Synth had been established the appeal to (Black) Metal fans became much greater and the genre really took off, with Depressive Silence as one of the most beloved and well known bands of this rapidly growing genre.

Black Metal / Dungeon Synth

Depressive Silence was founded by RAL & B.S. from Mightiest in 1994. The band is one of the cult acts and forerunners of the Dungeon Synth genre alongside Mortiis and Jim Kirkwood.

Back then, the genre wasn’t even called Dungeon Synth yet, and only later got that monicker, probably named after Mortiis’ label Dark Dungeon Music. At first it was just Dark Ambient. Nonetheless it was already something special in that it combined elements from Black Metal (more visually and thematically rather than musically) and fantasy into a new style that appealed to some Black Metal fans as well as those who preferred keyboard music and role playing games. Once the name Dungeon Synth had been established the appeal to (Black) Metal fans became much greater and the genre really took off, with Depressive Silence as one of the most beloved and well known bands of this rapidly growing genre.

Black Metal / Dungeon Synth

Depressive Silence was founded by RAL & B.S. from Mightiest in 1994. The band is one of the cult acts and forerunners of the Dungeon Synth genre alongside Mortiis and Jim Kirkwood.

Back then, the genre wasn’t even called Dungeon Synth yet, and only later got that monicker, probably named after Mortiis’ label Dark Dungeon Music. At first it was just Dark Ambient. Nonetheless it was already something special in that it combined elements from Black Metal (more visually and thematically rather than musically) and fantasy into a new style that appealed to some Black Metal fans as well as those who preferred keyboard music and role playing games. Once the name Dungeon Synth had been established the appeal to (Black) Metal fans became much greater and the genre really took off, with Depressive Silence as one of the most beloved and well known bands of this rapidly growing genre.

Black Metal

A full decade after their last album “Nemesis Noctura”, during which the band remained active on stage but went through several line-up changes and did not record any new material, Eminenz return with their much-anticipated 7th full length album “Diabolical Warfare”.

Embellished by the magnificent artwork of Northem Art (Northem also being the current Eminenz drummer), the new release features eight songs in the classic Eminenz style with traditional Black and Death Metal riffing, atmospheric synth layers and interwoven melodic guitar leads, that will be sure to captivate old and new fans alike.

Black Metal

“Afar Angathfark”, Emyn Muil’s third and most magnificent album to date, is inspired by the character of Fëanor and his war against Morgoth to claim back his Silmarils. A dark story of oaths and fratricide, and about an epic journey. Fans of bands like Summoning or Caladan Brood will find much to enjoy on this monumental release, and we highly recommend it to them!

As usual, mastermind Nartum also created all graphics for the album artwork and layout himself, resulting in a stunning 8-panel digipack for the limited CD edition (first press with black polycarbonate disc), a great looking album shirt as well as a beautiful gatefold cover with printed innersleeves, coloured vinyl and A2 poster for the limited DLP.

Black Metal

Since its first release in 2010, “Ashen Eidolon” has become one of the top faves of many Atmospheric Black Metal fans.

With the release sold out since several years on both CD and vinyl formats and fetching incredibly high prices among collectors, it was high time for a proper reissue.

The LP comes in gatefold cover, with printed innersleeve, huge 24″ x 24″ poster of the cover art.