Black Metal

Named after the promethean angels that sinned against God in the Apocrypha, GRIGORIEN was originally conceived in 2006 by Spedalsk and Benedictus as a tool for uncompromising hate propaganda and a call to violence against religion and in particular the Abrahamitic three. Starting in 2007, a demo was released every three years, and then, in 2015, came a split with Danish comrades Ligfaerd. Thereafter, silence…until now.

At long last, GRIGORIEN are set to release their full-length debut, Magtens Evangelium. With a lineup that presently includes vocals by Spedalsk (who also lends his voice to Witchcult), guitars and bass by Benedictus (who also plays bass in Witchcult and Ligfaerd), and drums by Geistaz (who has the solo project GEISTAZ’IKA), GRIGORIEN hereby encompass past, present, and future with their vintage black metal ultraviolence.

Black Metal

GRYMMSTALT is a new cross-continental project between two of black metal’s busiest men: Wampyric Strigoi (WAMPYRIC RITES, DUNGEON STEEL, AURAE LUNAE et. al.) and Lord Valtgryftåke (RÜNDGARD, Pyreficativm, Gryftigæn, 13th Temple, Mánþiel et. al.). While both also helm WINTERSTORM, GRYMMSTALT foregoes that band’s more medieval ruminations toward the trance-inducing melancholy of Burzum circa Filosofem – or perhaps more concretely, grim disciples like early Forgotten Woods, I Shalt Become, and Wigrid. Their first recording under this banner, Athems of Mournful Despondency is accurately titled: five time-expanding/halting tracks across 45 haunting minutes, shimmering with a strangely full rawness that only heightens (or deepens) the despairing abyss you’ll be inexorably drawn toward.

Black Metal

After 2019’s well-received Endless Trails demo via SIGNAL REX, HOLLOW WOODS strike with a full-length debut fittingly titled Cold Winds Cleave the Earth. While hailing from Finland, this mysterious entity largely eschew their homeland’s reigning black metal idiom, instead taking influence from Ukraine (Roman Saenko’s projects), Norway (early Ulver, equally early Gorgoroth), and especially Russia (the Blazebirth Hall collective). In other words, pure & proud BLACK METAL, nevertheless done with personality and charisma.

Black Metal

By now, IRAE should require little introduction. Since the dawn of this cursed millennium, mainman Vulturius has prolifically pursued a singular vision of RAW BLACK METAL that includes five full-lengths and countless split releases with likeminded comrades. As such, IRAE have almost singlehandedly invigorated Portugal’s black metal scene, particularly the rawer iteration of it. And since the band’s blood pact with SIGNAL REX deepened in 2020 with the release of the landmark Lurking in the Depths LP last summer and followed the next year with the EPs Korona Winter Rehearsal of Darkness & Evil and Dangerovs Magick Zpells from the Mesziah of Death and a split LP with comrades ORDEM SATÂNICA and WØMB most recently, there’s no sign of IRAE’s black flame being extinguished anytime soon.

Black Metal

For those who know and truly understand actual underground black metal, Mons Veneris require no introduction. For over 20 years now, this shadowy and insanely prolific Portuguese cabal have pursued a uniquely vile vision with an unquenchable thirst. From hammering primitivism to medieval melancholy, volcanic drone to chaotic oblivion, nods to the French Black Legions to frequencies far outside of metal, there’s never any guarantee of how Mons Veneris’ vision will manifest itself – only that they’ll explore a darkness few have the constitution to tread.

Black Metal

New EP from this underground Black Metal horde.

Hand-numbered.

Black Metal

Ultimate black metal attack, from decades too long to recall.

12″ (140g) GOLD vinyl with 1/0 K labels in a black poly-lined innerbag

SLEEVE: simple pocket, (1/1 K/K – black flood inside) on 350gsm uncoated (matte) w-w stock,

3mm spine, all assembled in a PVC overbag (vinyl aside of the sleeve)

Black Metal

An uncompromising and otterworldly black metal manifestation, again from decades too long to recall.

12″ (140g) glow in the dark vinyl with 4/0 K labels in a black poly-lined innerbag

SLEEVE: simple pocket, (4/4k – yellow flood inside) on 350gsm uncoated (matte) w-w stock,

3mm spine, all assembled in a PVC overbag (vinyl aside of the sleeve)