GRAVDAL TO DEBUT NEW BASS PLAYER AT HOLE IN THE SKY
Classically trained musician Christina Sandsengen is set to make her debut appearance on bass for Norwegian Black Metallers GRAVDAL when the band plays at this year’s HITS for KIDZ at Bergen’s Hole in the Sky festival on the 28th August. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Guitar from the Norwegian Academy of Music and the Conservatorio "Manuell Castillo" Superior de Musica in Seville, Christina is no stranger to the world of metal, having previously played with IMMUNE and LUCID, and she is a current member of bands such as BLEED THE FREAK. It is anticipated that for the time being at least, Oslo-based Christina will take on the role of live session bass player.
Due to the very strictly enforced age limits in clubs and venues, HITS for KIDZ is one of the rare opportunities for the younger Norwegian metal fans to attend a live concert. With no age limit, HITS for KIDZ, which is being held at the Garage venue, has become an extremely popular part of Hole in the Sky, attracting audiences of all ages. Aside from GRAVDAL, this year’s event will also feature sets from Norway’s HELLISH OUTCAST and Germany’s SECRETS OF THE MOON.


Formed in 2005 by drummer Taakesjel (BIZARREKULT) and guitarist Phobos, who is usually behind the drum kit for AETERNUS, MALSAIN and GALAR, and who will later this year join SULPHUR as live session drummer on the upcoming Dark Essence Records Tour, GRAVDAL’s line up is completed by Galge on vocals and Specter (AETERNUS) on guitars. Part of Bergen’s legendary music scene, GRAVDAL’s second-full length album “Torturmantra” was released on Unexploded Records earlier this year. Produced by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen, and recorded by Larsen, Bjørnar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) and Arve Isdal (ENSLAVED, AUDREY HORNE) at their Conclave and Earshot studios in Bergen, “Torturmantra” includes a guest appearance by SHINING’s Niklas Kvarforth.

More information about GRAVDAL can be found on the band’s MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/gravdal.

Below you can see fan-filmed footage of GRAVDAL performing the track "Eg E Ditt Helvete" from the album “Torturmantra” during their recent European Tour with GORGOROTH and KEEP OF KALESSIN.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/gravdal
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gravdalofficial
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/gravdal
Band Contact: info@gravdalsadist.com
Management – Patricia Thomas Band Management: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Booking: info@gravdalsadist.com or patriciathomas@btinternet.com

THE BATALLION REVEALS ALBUM DETAILS AND STREAMS TWO NEW TRACKS


Dark Essence Records is set to release the sophomore album from Norwegian metallers THE BATALLION on the the 27th September. Titled “Head Up High”, the 11 track album is the follow up to the 2008 debut “Stronghold of Men”, which was also released on Dark Essence Records. “Head Up High” was recorded at the Conclave and Earshot Studio, the central Bergen studio owned by VULTURE INDUSTRIES’ Bjørnar E. Nilsen and ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larssen and Arve Isdal, and is once again produced by Bart Schlagermeister (Bjørnar E. Nilsen). The title track from “Head Up High”, together with the track “Each Man For Himself”, are streaming on the THE BATALLION’s MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/thebatallion666
Track listing for “Head Up High” as follows:
1. Mind My Step
2. Head Up High
3. When Death Becomes Dangerous
4. Within the Frame of the Graveyard
5. Thick Skinned and Weatherbitten
6. Each Man For Himself
7. Undertakers
8. Paces
9. Where There Is Smoke There Is Fire
10. The Roaring Grandfather,
11. Bring Out Your Dead
Formed in Bergen, in the summer of 2006, THE BATALLION’s hugely experienced musicians hail from some of the most legendary bands in Norway; bands like OLD FUNERAL, GRIMFIST, TAAKE, BORKNAGAR, ST. SATAN, DEATHCON and BOMBERS. The members’ shared love of traditional metal drew them together to form a band that epitomises the spirit and feel of the genre; from the choice of stage names - with Stud Bronson on Guitar and vocals, Lust Kilman on Guitar, Colt Kane on Bass and Morden on Drums, to the authentic sound of their music and their head banging live performances.
THE BATALLION will appear at this year’s Southern Discomfort Festival in Kristiansand on the 18th September and will have a Release Party for “Head Up High” at Inside Rock Cafe’, Bergen, on the 15th October.
Below you can see fan-filmed video of THE BATALLION playing “Smoke ‘Em Out” live at Festung Open Air, Germany.

Additional Information:
The Batallion on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thebatallion666
Dark Essence Records: http://www.darkessencerecords.no
Contact & Information: post@karismarecords.no
Advance Orders from: http://www.platekompaniet.no/Musikk.aspx/Artist/The_Batallion/?id=00071387
http://cdon.no/musikk/the_batallion/head_up_high-11361028

PAINKILLER RECORDS RELEASES NEW ALBUM FROM POWER METALLERS WOLFCRY

“Glorious” the fourth album from Greek Power Metallers WOLFCRY has been released on the Netherlands based Painkiller Records label. Recorded at the “Devasoundz Studio” in Athens, and mixed by by Fotis Benardo (SEPTIC FLESH, ex-NIGHTRAGE), the nine-track album was also produced by Benardo, together with WOLFCRY, and mastered at the Jailhouse Studio by Tommy Hansen (HELLOWEEN, PRETTY MAIDS, STORMWARRIOR, amongst others). Track listing for “Glorious” as follows:

1. God of Deception
2. Fadin’ Visions
3. Holocaust of Nothing
4. Consequence of Ignorance
5. The Golden Era
6. Payback Time
7. Vile Mind
8. Face the Fear
9. I, the Sinner

Formed in 1992 by Andreas “The Wizard”, WOLFCRY was the successor to Andreas’ original band VANGUARD, which had been forced to change for legal reasons. Following personal and line up problems, the band remained static for four years until 1996 when WOLFCRY once again became active. After recording a couple of demos and some intense rehearsing and songwriting, the band signed with the Black Lotus label and released three albums between 2001 and 2005. It was these releases, coupled with some dynamic live appearances, which drove WOLFCRY to the forefront of the Greek Power Metal scene. Some more member changes were to occur before the band settled with the current lineup of Andreas “The Wizard” on Drums, Costas Hatzigeorgiou on Vocals, Nikos Hortis on Bass, Elias Koskoris on Guitars, and Gus Dibelas on Keyboards.

More information regarding WOLFCRY can be found on the band’s MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/wolfcryband

Below you can see the official video for the track “God of Deception” from the “Glorious” album.



ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Website: http://www.wolfcrymusic.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/wolfcryband
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wolfcryband
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/wolfcryband
Band Contact: wolfcry@hol.gr or wolfcrymetal@hotmail.com
Painkiller Records Website: http://www.apollonrecords.nl/
Painkiller Records Contact: info@painkillerrecords.nl

MISANTROF ANTIRECORDS RELEASES SOPHOMORE ALBUM FROM AVSTAND
“Motstanderen” the new album from Norwegian Black Metallers AVSTAND has been released on Misantrof ANTIRecords.





Preferring to see itself as an “anti” label, and headed by its founder, CARPATHIAN FOREST bass player Daniel Vrangsinn, Misantrof’s aim is to offer an alternative to mainstream labels. Beyond covering its usually very minimal expenses, Misantrof ensures that it takes no profits and that the artists themselves retain complete control of every aspect of their releases and benefit from all the revenue generated by sales, something that is virtually unheard of with usual labels. Having previously restricted itself to releases available via free download only, AVSTAND’s “Motstanderen” is the first Misantrof release to also be available to buy in CD format. More information about the album can be found at http://avstand.misantrof.net/ . Track listing for “Motstanderen”, which is currently limited to 100 copies, is as follows:
1. Intro, Begravelse
2. Open the Gate
3. The Beginning
4. Reveal Yourself To Me
5. Walk With Me And Open Your Eyes
6. Hand Me My Spear
7. Essence of Negativity, The Beginning
AVSTAND was formed as a solo project in 2005 by Antiminister (FRAMFERD), as a means of expressing thoughts and feelings that he couldn’t express in any other artistic medium. The name, which means “distance” in English, was chosen because it best expressed Anti’s way of writing music and lyrics. In 2006, the first tracks, which were recorded on a BOSS 8 track, appeared on the internet and it was not long before AVSTAND hit controversy with the song “Muhammed” which garnered massive support from some quarters and death threats from others. “Guess What’s Burning”, the first full-length album from AVSTAND was released in 2009 on Forces of Satan Records.
AVSTAND then returned to the studio to begin work on the next album, and, after seeing a performance by Death Metallers ZAREPTHRA, Antiminister approached drummer Krutt with a view to him playing drums on the album, a cooperation that turned out so well that Krutt became a permanent member of the band. Daniel Vrangsinn, who had heard AVSTAND’s previous work, had always kept the band at the back of his mind, and by chance contacted the band in late 2009. After hearing an unmastered track, he offered AVSTAND a contract with Misantrof, and also agreed to master the album, as well as designing the cover artwork and producing a promo video.
More information about AVSTAND can be found on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/avstand

Below you can see the promo video for the track “Hand Me My Spear” from AVSTAND’s “Motstanderen”


AVSTAND - HAND ME MY SPEAR (promo clip)

VRANGSINN | MySpace Music Videos

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
“Motstanderen” is available for review either by streaming or downloading at http://avstand.misantrof.net/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/avstand
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/avstand
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Avstand/340664774413?v=wall&ref=ts
Band Contact: avstandmusic@gmail.com
Misantrof ANTIRecords: http://www.misantrof.net
Misantrof Contact: vrangsinn@misantrof.net

MURMUR’s (USA) debut album "Mainling the Lugubrious" has been collecting dust underneath piles of empty beer cans, dirty needles, and cigarette butts for over 2 years. Now finally is to be released upon the world. This debut represents the starting point for a band which has been mutating and festering over the last few years. This beginning draws heavy influence from bands such as Lurker of Chalice, and Ved Buens Ende. Available June 2010 through Inferna Profundus Records. CD released as a regular jewel case with 8 pages booklet with UV spot varnish.

Murmur - "Mainlining the Lugubrious"

1. Intro
2. Injektion - Präparat/Ritual
3. The Fall
4. Murmux
5. Laudanum
6. Die Endlösung

Samples can be found here: http://www.myspace.com/murmurbm
www.inferna-profundus.net
www.myspace.com/infernaprofundusrecords
info@inferna-profundus.net

WORK COMPLETED ON NEW ALBUM FROM GERMAN EPIC METALLERS CROM

Work has been completed on “Of Love and Death”, the new album from the German Epic Metal band CROM. Formed in 1997 by former DARK FORTRESS guitarist Walter “Crom” Grosse, the new album will be CROM’s sixth release and a follow up to 2008’s critically acclaimed “Vengeance”. Produced by Grosse himself, and engineered by Victor Bullok at the latter’s At The Crypt Studios, the line up on the album comprises Crom on vocals, guitars, bass and choirs, Seraph (DARK FORTRESS, NONEUCLID, REVAMP) on drums and V. Santura (DARK FORTRESS, TRIPTYCON, CELTIC FROST) on additional guitars and choirs. Artwork for the album will once again be by the noted artist Kris Verwimp, a long-time friend of Grosse’s. Two tracks from the new album can be heard on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/cromsrevenge


Whilst “Vengeance” dealt with love and loss in the heroic settings of legendary kings and warriors, “Of Love and Death” still features Grosse’s soaring vocals and epic melodies, but this time the same themes are dealt with on a much more personal and intimate level. “Vengeance was the album that really defined CROM’s sound in terms of melody and vocals” explained Grosse, “and I was always drawn to the subject of the doomed hero, weary and disillusioned with fighting, but knowing that he has to go on until his death, because it’s the honourable thing to do. However, many people interpreted that album as being either “Pagan” or “Viking”, which was never my intention musically. CROM’s music is very definitely “Crom” and hopefully the new album will not have to have such a narrow definition attached to it”.

“Of Love and Death” includes a completely re-arranged and re-recorded version of “The Fallen Beauty” a song that has become something of a signature for CROM, and is included as a bonus track on the nine-track album. A label is currently being sought for the release of “Of Love and Death”, and a live line up is being put together after a hiatus in live performances. Track listing as follows:

1. Reason to Live
2. Lifetime - The Fallen Beauty Part II
3. Just One Blink
4. The Oceans Wide
5. My Song For All The Broken Hearts
6. My Destiny
7. This Dying World
8. Eternal Dreaming
9. The Fallen Beauty 2010 (Bonus Track)

Below you can see video of CROM performing “Wings of Fire” from the “Vengeance” album live at the Altekaserne in Landshut, Germany.



Additional Information:
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/cromsrevenge
Website: http://www.croms-revenge.de
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cromofficial
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/crom
Management: http://www.myspace.com/viewfromthebacksofmirrors
Contact: patriciathomas@btinternet.com or crom@gmx.com

NORWEGIAN BLACK METALLERS TROLL ANNOUNCE WINNING SONG FOR NEXT VIDEO
Norwegian Black Metallers TROLL, who recently gave fans the opportunity to vote for which track from the ten-track album “Neo-Satanic Supremacy” should be used on the new video, have announced the winning song. According to founder and front man NAGASH (THE KOVENTANT, ex-DIMMU BORGIR), the song “Burn The Witch” was the overwhelming favourite with the fans. “Originally we were going to run the vote until the end of May, but we got so many replies, we had to close it early as our email was getting swamped, but there was absolutely no doubt from day one which track was going to win it. We all had our own ideas as to which track it would be, and “Burn The Witch” was one of the ones we thought would be popular, but , interestingly enough, the fans really got involved in the overall concept, and took into consideration not only the music, but also what track they thought would inspire the best visuals”.
Following the release of three full-length albums and one EP between the band’s formation in 1996 and 2001, TROLL took an “extended break” until the band’s bassist VOLD (BLODSPOR) persuaded NAGASH and drummer YGG (WHIP) to reform the band in 2007. Guitarist TLALOC (MAKT, FATAL DEMEANOR) and EXILIS on keyboards, were added to the line up in 2008. “Neo-Satanic Supremacy”, which was released on Napalm Records at the start of this year, is the band’s fourth full-length album, and is very much a return to the more traditional atmospheric Norwegian Black Metal that made TROLL’s 1996 release “Drep De Krisnte” one of the classic Black Metal releases.
The band is currently working on the story concept for “Burn The Witch, with video producers TENNERS GNISSEL, who made the original video teaser for “Neo Satanic Supremacy” which showed the band playing live at the 2009 Inferno Festival, in Oslo, Norway. TROLL are scheduled to play two gigs in Norway in August. Details as follows:
Fri 20 August, Arronesrocken Festival, Alta, NO
Sat 21 August, Redrum, Hammerfest, NO
More information about TROLL can be found on the band’s MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/troll
Below you can see the video by TENNERS GNISSELL of TROLL performing “Neo-Satanic Supremacy” at Inferno Festival.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Band Contact and Management: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/troll
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/trollofficial
ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.con/trollofficial
Management: http://www.myspace.com/viewfromthebacksofmirrors
Tenners Gnissel (Video Production): http://www.myspace.com/tennersgnissel
Napalm Records: http://www.napalmrecords.com

TAAKE, BYFROST & SULPHUR TO LAUNCH TERRORIZER’S GRINDHOUSE VENTURE IN NORWAY

Undoubtedly one of the pioneers in bringing metal to the masses, Terrorizer Magazine is putting actions where before there were only written words, by launching Terrorizer Grindhouse, a concept aimed at lifting extreme underground music off the pages, and bringing it directly to local venues. Steered by Terrorizer’s Dean Moran and Miranda Yardley, the aim is to have around 12 venues scattered throughout the UK, where local promoters will run Terrorizer Grindhouse nights on a monthly basis (3 nights per week country-wide).

Extending the idea even further, Terrorizer Grindhouse has joined forces with Norwegian drummer Mads Lilletvedt (HELLISH OUTCAST, BYFROST) to expand this groundbreaking venture into the cradle of the extremest of Extreme Metal – Norway. Lillevedt will be responsible for setting up and arranging the Terrorizer Grindhouse concept in Norway, starting with shows on a monthly basis, and arranging tours for bands that deserve more exposure throughout Norway and Scandinavia, as well as giving bands from the Scandinavian metal scene a chance to navigate the murky waters of the UK Underground.

Kicking off the Norwegian venture are three Bergen based extreme bands, specifically chosen because they illustrate perfectly the cold and dark atmosphere that the legendary Bergen Scene is universally noted for, and which is unmatched elsewhere. But what these three bands also demonstrate is that in order to create a certain atmosphere, it is not a requirement for all bands to sound alike. In fact, these three bands couldn’t be more different, both on and off stage, and yet the end result from all three is the same – devastating. Therefore, it is with great pride that Terrorizer Grindhouse Norway presents TRUE CULT BLACK METAL with TAAKE, BYFROST and SULPHUR on the 22nd of May.

TAAKE – http://www.myspace.com/taakeofficial
To many within the music scene, fans and professionals alike, TAAKE is the epitome of what a Black Metal band should be: controversial, individualistic, and with a healthy disregard for the opinion of others. Headed by Hoest, who is unquestionably one of the most mesmerising live performers you are ever likely to see, and with a live line up of experienced and skilled musicians, any one of whom most bands would kill to have in their ranks, it is clear to see why fans are constantly clamouring for the chance to see TAAKE play live. Since this is likely to be the only chance to see TAAKE live in Bergen this year, this is not an opportunity to miss.

BYFROST - http://www.myspace.com/byfrostmetal
Formed in 2007, BYFROST is a perfect example of the talent that profliferates within the Bergen scene. With a lineup that features HeavyHarms on vocals and guitars, R.I.P Meister on five-string bass, and Alkolust (HELLISH OUTCAST) on drums, BYFROST merges cold, dark riffs with a touch of the melodic, and more than a substantial amount of pure energy. BYFROST’s debut album “Black Earth”, was released in April of this year on Painkiller Records and features a guest appearance by ENSLAVED/AUDREY HORNE guitarist Arve Isdal and was produced by Herbrand Larsen (ENSLAVED) and Bjørnar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR). If you don’t feel like banging your head to this band you are more than likely to be either deaf or dead!

SULPHUR - http://www.myspace.com/sulphur666
Intent on following a path that lay between death and black metal, with a liberal sprinkling of progressive mindset, SULPHUR rose from the ashes of the nineties Black Metal outfit TAAKERIKET at the turn of the millennium. Comprising current and former members of bands such as GORGOROTH, AETERNUS, ENSLAVED and VULTURE INDUSTRIES, the SULPHUR of today is fiercer and more challenging then ever before. The musical landscapes that the band is willing to explore are limitless and the resulting album, “Thorns In Existence”, released in March of this year on Dark Essence Records, is not afraid to challenge, thrill and destroy the listener. Transfer this to a live setting, and the results promise to be mind blowing.

BLACK FOLK METALLERS GALAR STREAM NEW TRACK TO MARK GERMAN RELEASE OF ALBUM

To mark the release of "Til Alle Heimsens Endar" in Germany, Norwegian Black-Folk Metallers GALAR are streaming a new track from the album on MySpace. Although "Til Alle Heimsens Endar" was released world-wide on the 1st of March on Dark Essence Records, the German release was unavoidably delayed until the 23 April due to technical reasons. The track, “Paa frossen mark”, can be heard at http://www.myspace.com/galarmetal.
"Til Alle Heimsens Endar" is the second full-length release from the Bergen based band, who unusually works with a variety of musicians and instruments you would not necessarily find on extreme metal albums. For "Til Alle Heimsens Endar", M. Kristiansen (screams, guitars and bass) and A. B. Lauritzen (clean vocals, bassoon and grand piano) have drafted in the likes of Phobos (GRAVDAL, AETERNUS, MALSAIN) on drums, Ricardo Odriozola on first and second violins, Hans Gunnar Hagen on viola, Siri Hilmen on cello, Morten Nome on double bass, and Cecile Langlie on female vox. It is this eclectic mix that allows the band to create music that straddles both the Traditional Folk and Black Metal genres to great effect.


The album itself, whose title means "until the ends of all worlds", is based on Snorri Sturluson's "Heimskringla”. Originally written around 1230 in Old Norse, "Heimskringla” is the best known of all the sagas that recount the history of Norways’s ancient kings. The lyrics for "Til Alle Heimsens Endar" are written by Jorge "Blutaar" Scholz, and are all in Norwegian, with introductory notes and an explanation of each track in English being provided. Artwork for the album is by Norwegian artist Robert Høyem.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
GALAR on MySpace: www.myspace.com/galarmetal
GALAR on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Galar/161537332115
Dark Essence Records: www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darkessencerecords
Dark Essence on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/darkessencerecords
For further information please contact post@karismarecords.no

NORWEGIAN BLACK METALLERS TROLL INVITE FANS TO CHOOSE TRACK FOR NEXT VIDEO
Norwegian Black Metallers TROLL, whose fourth full-length album “Neo-Satanic Supremacy” was released on Napalm Records at the start of this year, have decided to let their fans choose a track from the album to be used for the band’s next video. The video will be made by TENNERS GNISSEL, the company that made the “Neo-Satanic” video teaser for the new album, which shows TROLL performing live at the 2009 Inferno Festival.
“Neo-Satanic Supremacy” heralds a return to the more traditional atmospheric Norwegian Black Metal of the band’s earlier “Drep De Kristne”, which is regarded as one of the classic Black Metal releases. The exact subject matter of the video won’t be decided until the track has been chosen, and nine out of the ten tracks on “Neo-Satanic Supremacy” are in the running, with the title track itself being excluded as it is already on a previous video. Fans will have until the end of May to be able to vote for their favourite track either by sending a message through the band’s MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/troll, or by sending their choice of track via email to killthechristians@gmail.com. Track listing of “Neo-Satanic Supremacy” as follows:
01 - Til Helvete Med Alt
02 - Alt For Satan
03 - Gå Til Krig
04 - Burn The witch
05 - Mørkets Skoger
06 - Hvor Tåken Ligger Så Trist Og Grå
(07 - Neo-Satanic Supremacy - not eligible for the video choice)
08 - At The Gates Of Hell
09 - Smertens Rike
10 - The Age of Satan



Formed in 1992 by NAGASH (THE KOVENTANT, ex-DIMMU BORGIR), TROLL released three full length albums and an EP between 1995 and 2001, and then remained largely dormant until 2007 when bassist VOLD (BLODSPOR) persuaded NAGASH and drummer YGG (WHIP) to reform the band. TLALOC (MAKT, FATAL DEMEANOUR) and EXILIS were added to the line up in 2008 on guitars and keyboards respectively. 2009 saw TROLL begin work on the new album and sign with Nuclear Blast Records; whilst early 2010 saw the band sign with UK based manager Patricia Thomas. Plans for a tour later in the year are being considered.
Commenting on the decision to involve the fans, front man NAGASH said: “TROLL has been around a long time, and we were very encouraged to find that most of the fans had remained loyal during our hiatus. Their response to “Neo-Satanic Supremacy” was overwhelmingly positive, as it was to the video we released of the title track. When we were discussing the possibility of making a video for another track from the album it, occurred to us to involve those people who have supported us for so long, as well all the new fans that are discovering the band for the first time. It’s going to be a fascinating experience finding out which track from the album is the most popular. We all have our own theories, and now we can put them to the test”.
More information about TROLL can be found at http://www.myspace.com/troll
Below you can see the video of TROLL performing “New-Satanic Supremacy” at the Inferno Festival, Oslo, 2009.