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

The 1996 demo available on LP.

Black Metal

With the first two albums Cân Bardd already managed to enthrall a lot of fans in the Atmospheric Black Metal community, and with “Devoured by the Oak” the band set their sights even higher. The goal was to create a perfect blend of the strengths of the first two albums ‐ the ambience, textures and atmosphere of the debut, and the composition and quality of the sophomore album, culminating in a more mature sound and a more intense experience for the listener.

Black Metal

The 2016 album available again. Raw atmospheric Black Metal from beyond.

White 12″ LP, comes with an A4 insert.

Black Metal

CANDELABRUM hail from Portugal, renown in the past decade for its polarizing raw black metal scene. The nameless mainman behind the band has been involved within that scene for many years, and even before his native scene found worldwide recognition. And even within that scene/idiom, CANDELABRUM stands alone, enigmatic and electric: his works are slavishly reverential of ancient black metal whilst simultaneously unorthodox. The band’s two albums to date, 2016’s Necrotelepathy and 2018’s Portals, are equally astounding modern classics which emit a strangely shimmering quality amongst an explosion of emotive rawness. Both albums are immersive and mesmerizing experiences unto themselves.

Wisely prizing quality over quantity, CANDELABRUM only emerge from the shadows when a new experience is fully formed and ready to curse/haunt/liberate the listener: at long last, Nocturnal Trance. Truly titled, this third album is a strident synthesis of its monolithic predecessors as well as form meeting content. Conceptually, Nocturnal Trance deals with the same theme of Necrotelepathy and Portals: death and the passage to a different plane, beyond. On those previous CANDELABRUM records, the figure on the front cover is always “moving” – crossing the passage, as it were – but this time, the mainman chose to clearly portray the passage from absolute darkness to an ominous monochromaticism: both a blinding light and a complete lack of it, going beyond darkness and back around to an absence of literally everything.

Black Metal

Altare is proud to present Candelabrum’s new album, entitled “Transmutations”. Presented with a clearer and tighter sound compared with its predecessors, “Transmutations” retains the musical and conceptual essence of Candelabrum, taking it a step further. Combining its raw atmospheric Black Metal with a ghostly and unsettling mood, Candelabrum delves deep into the human mind stuck between two planes of existence, struggling between dreams and nightmares, the physical world and the paranormal, sanity and madness…

Black 12″ LP comes with an insert, A2 poster and download code.

Black Metal

2020 repress on red vinyl, comes with an insert and A2 poster.

Black metal

The Gathering compiles the 3 Candelabrum demo tapes previously released by Satanic Supremacy.

Expect raw majestic Black Metal, channeled from otherworldly entities.

3 sided DLP, hand numbered.

Black Metal

Four new tracks of pure black metal drag the listeners to the most sinister graves of early 90’s black metal, heralding the invocation of a most ominous spell. From the opening sounds of “Sectes”, it is clear that Cantique Lépreux is a band with intense focus, immediately grabbing listeners’ attention with their utterly putrid sound.