Focus on Metal Network: Dark Descent Records

www.facebook.com/tyrannyfuneraldoom

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Review - Horrendous "ECDYSIS" (Dark Descent Records)

Hailing from the East Coast of America, Horrendous are a death metal band that make records like they used to make them. In fact, sophomore album, Ecdysis, would have you swear you were listening to something from 1994 as opposed to 2014. With lowbrow production values, organic drumming and treble-heavy guitar sound, this is a disc that wears its influences on its sleeve: so old-school, you’ll be scribbling on your jotter as you spin it.

Opening track, The Stranger, is a beast of a thing setting the tone perfectly for the rest of the album. The guitars are down-tuned, distortion-heavy; an almost black metal-esque wall of noise were it not for those sweeping leads washing over the top. And then you’ve got Damien Herring’s vocals piercing through the mix; not so much a growl as a beer-soaked drawl. Blackie Lawless eat your heart out.

The Weeping Relic picks up the pace even more, pounding drums and speed riffing driving us hard.

Things are taken back a notch with 5^th track, The Vermillion, an acoustic instrumental with more than a little Spanish Castle Magic (to quote the great Yngwie). Ninth track, Pavor Nocturnus, brings those black nuances back, even throwing in a little doom, with its minor-keyed guitar and reverbed vocal. But it’s on tenth track, Titan, where this album peaks; an emotionally charged crescendo with sweeping guitar and painfully melancholic vocals. You’ll be knocked off your feet.

Ecdysis is an album built for the metal fan whose denim jacket is littered with Entombed and Carnage (and maybe even WASP) patches; the kind of metaller who shakes their fist at death metal with monikers such as ‘technical’ or ‘melodic’ and reaches for the off switch at the first sign of triggered drumming. Dig in.

Horrendous website: https://www.facebook.com/HorrendousDeathMetal

Label: Dark Descent (http://www.darkdescentrecords.com)

Release date: October 14 2014

Reviewer: Wayne Simmons (www.waynesimmons.org)

Saturday, April 12, 2014

TYRANNY Sign With Dark Descent Records

Finnish Funeral Doom Metal band TYRANNY have signed with Dark Descent Records for the release of the band's long-awaited follow up to 2005's Tides of Awakening. The as-of-yet-untitled album is scheduled for release later this year.

The band comments:

"Stirrings in the xenobathyal abyss, a star has shifted in the black gulfs of space, tectonic grinding releases another upheaval to foreshadow the third emanation of Tyranny - last performances before the release will be witnessed at Roadburn 2014"

TYRANNY will make an appearance at Roadburn Festival 2014, taking place this week (April 10 - 13) in Tilburg, The Netherlands. For more details, visit www.roadburn.com.

(Photo by Peter Troest - troest.nu)

Monday, March 31, 2014

ZOLDIER NOIZ: "Regression Process" Coming May 27 via Unspeakable Axe Records

Outlaw thrash extremists ZOLDIER NOIZ will release their second full-length, Regression Process, on May 27 through Unspeakable Axe Records, with distribution from Dark Descent Records.

Their name evokes warfare, loud sounds, and primitivism, which are all good things to have in mind when preparing for the onslaught of French thrashers ZOLDIER NOIZ. A ferocious blend of Motorhead, earliest Voivod, crust punk, death metal and more, ZOLDIER NOIZ have been around for over a decade now, churning out demos as well as a previous studio album Schizoid Reject. That effort landed them a coveted spot as Fenriz's Band of the Week back in 2010. Now they are back to follow that up with their second album Regression Process.

The art is stark and evocative of punk and grindcore with its cut-and-paste aesthetics and overtones of social commentary. There's definitely a strong punk vibe to the music as well, but at its core, Regression Process is metal in one of its earliest and most molten forms - speed metal blurring over into death; thrash without the technical window dressing. Songs are vicious and to the point, and the rough and raw vocals suggest Lemmy if he tried to fill in at the mic for Bolt Thrower.

1. Grave Crawler

2. Random Justice

3. Tomorrow Is Today

4. Regression Process

5. Thirty Nine Forty Five

6. Dread Relieves

7. Vacant Worlds

8. Ebola Syndrome

9. Filthy Few

10. Life Under Will

Definitively Love-it-or-Puke-it Old-School Metal the way it should be. No triggers, no expensive studio, no video games covers, no PC moral lessons, no costumes and a careless, FTW attitude. Throughout the years the band has shared stages in France, Spain and Italy with bands like Children Of Technology, Korgull The Exterminator, Charnier, Graveyard, Nunslaughter, Loculo, Necro, Insulters, Grave Desecrator.

www.facebook.com/pages/Zoldier-noiz/174709189294827

www.unspeakableaxerecords.com

www.facebook.com/UnspeakableAxeRecords

Saturday, February 15, 2014

GRAVEHILL to Release "Death Curse" April 1 on Dark Descent Records

California death horde GRAVEHILL and Dark Descent Records have announced April 1 as the release date for the band's highly-anticipated third full-length, Death Curse, on CD and digital formats with vinyl treatment coming soon.

Death Curse features over 35 minutes of powerful death metal in the old-school vein and includes guest appearances from some of the biggest legends of death metal. Chris Reifert and Eric Cutler of Autopsy and Kam Lee (Massacre, Death and Bone Gnawer) all made contributions to what threatens to be one of 2014's most skin-grating albums. Death Curse features artwork by Christopher Moyen (Incantation, Blasphemy and more).

Vocalist Mike Abominator had this to say about Death Curse, "We have some filthy fucking death metal terror here with "Death Curse".These are the things of nightmares, the stench that makes you puke. This is what this album will make you do when you hear it. We are going with the raw, putrid and dismal live sound this time, to try and capture the feel of one of our live show performances, of which we feel hasn't been represented with our releases so far. Expect the same rotten and old school death metal from us. Fuck triggers! Fuck trends! Fuck technical bullshit! Fuck progress! AND FUCK YOU!"

Gates of Hell

Death Curse

At Hell's Command

Open Their Throats

Fear the Reaper

Unending Lust for Evil

Black Blood Rising

Crucified

The Ascending Fire

www.gravehill666.com

www.facebook.com/gravehill

www.facebook.com/Lvcifyre

Saturday, January 11, 2014

LVCIFYRE: "Svn Eater" streaming in full at InvisibleOranges.com

InvisibleOranges.com and Dark Descent Record present Svn Eater, the brand new full-length from London blackened death metal act LVCIFYRE, in its entirety. Follow the link below for the full-album stream of Svn Eater ahead of its January 21 release.

Svn Eater is available on CD, red vinyl and black vinyl. Two different t-shirt designs are also being offered to commemorate the album's release. To order, visit www.darkdescentrecords.com.

Check out the InviibleOranges.com exclusive debut of Svn Eater at this location.

Artwork for Svn Eater - pictured below - comes courtesy of Timo Ketola (tentacula.org). The album was recorded and mixed at Blackout Multimedia Studio in Belgium.

"With their 2nd full-length album, Svn Eater, England's Lvcifyre have sent a blistering statement in the form of 9 crushing death anthems, convoluted by a minor black metal atmosphere sonically and augmented further by a pure darkness and endlessly tormented intensity that laps at the heavens with vengeful flames." - Worm Gear 'Zine

"This might be the darkest, most oppressive piece of Death Metal barbarity to be unleashed upon this world in 2014!" - Voices from the Darkside

LVCIFYRE is a flesh of Liberation in Honour of the Ancient...

Friday, December 27, 2013

LIE IN RUINS: "Toward Divine Death" Coming in February on Dark Descent Records

Finnish death metal legion LIE IN RUINS will release their newest burnt offering, Toward Divine Death, on February 4 via Dark Descent Records.

Toward Divine Death the anticipated follow-up to 2009's Swallowed by the Void - released on Spinefarm Records. Finland's Lie in Ruins make no missteps in delivering a 70-minute opus of pure death metal. Spanning 10 tracks, Towards the Divine Death, displays a much more mature band and vision. While you will hear typical LIE IN RUINS moments on this album, make no mistake, this is a nastier and grittier album that will leave you hoping the band doesn't go five more years before assaulting us with another album. Hail supreme Finnish death! Hail the divine death!

Pre-orders are being taken now at www.darkdescentrecords.com.

Lie in Ruins was formed initially at the golden season of Death Metal in the early 90's, but was buried in the background for several years. In 2002, the beast dug up again from his tomb to spread the seed of evil now when the time was ready. After the first demo Monuments was released, the need for a second guitarist was met. This unholy trinity began working on new material. After the next demo Statues, it was time to take the next step, and start spreading the musical propaganda at live. So it was time to get some new members again, and this time Lie in Ruins grew into five.

Meanwhile, the Spanish label Temple Of Darkness released a mini-cd from Lie in Ruins, called Architecture Of The Dead, which was compilation of the Monuments and Statues demos. Next came the split 7-inch with Deathevokation, called "Allegiance in death", published by the Imperium Productions.

In 2009, drummer decided to left from the band before the recording of the new album. Continuing without him, band entered the studio and recorded ten desecrating songs for the full-length album called Swallowed By The Void, which represents Lie in Ruins as gloomier and darker than ever before. Now, war beside Satan will continue by proclaiming hymns for Lucifer as live with the new full line-up. The full power of this beast will be felt with Toward Divine Death. Hail Satan, Hail Death!

www.facebook.com/lieinruins

www.facebook.com/Lvcifyre

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

LVCIFYRE: "Svn Eater" Available for Pre-order via Dark Descent Records

Svn Eater, the second full-length album from London blackened death metallers LVCIFYRE is now available for pre-orders through Dark Descent Records. Set for a January 21 release, Svn Eater on CD, red vinyl and black vinyl. Two different t-shirt designs are also being offered to commemorate the album's release. Check out the title track at this location.

To order, visit www.darkdescentrecords.com.

Artwork for Svn Eater - pictured below - comes courtesy of Timo Ketola (tentacula.org). The album was recorded and mixed at Blackout Multimedia Studio in Belgium.

www.facebook.com/CryptSermon

Friday, November 1, 2013

CRYPT SERMON Announce Debut Release on Dark Descent Records

Epic doom metal scions CRYPT SERMON have announced the forthcoming release of their 2013 debut, "DEMO MMXIII" in the form of a limited edition cassette tape via Dark Descent Records. The tape, exclusively limited to 300 copies, is slated for a worldwide release on December 17.

"DEMO MMXII" is streaming in full at cryptsermon.bandcamp.com.

"DEMO MMXIII" Track list:

1.) Temple Doors

2.) Belly of the Whale

3.) Whore of Babylon

Founded on the principles of unwavering epic doom metal, Philadelphia's CRYPT SERMON exist as a vehicle to drive out the current trends that are choking the underground scene. Devoid of contemporary doom conventions, "DEMO MMXIII" showcases three tracks of carefully crafted old-school doom metal that carries the torch for stalwarts such as CANDLEMASS and SOLITUDE AETERNUS.

Regarding the forthcoming release, the band said: "CRYPT SERMON is thrilled to see our demo finally unearthed. We'd like to thank Dark Descent Records for their support, and look forward to creating new music for the underground. We are currently hard at work writing our full length debut, and look forward to hitting the road in the near future."

For updated CRYPT SERMON news and tour dates, please visit the CRYPT SERMON Facebook page, and the Dark Descent Records website.

www.facebook.com/Lvcifyre

Sunday, October 27, 2013

LVCIFYRE To Release 'Svn Eater' January 21 on Dark Descent Records

London blackened death metallers LVCIFYRE will release their second full-length album, entitled Svn Eater, on January 21 via Dark Descent Records.

LVCIFYRE signed with Dark Descent last year for the release of Svn Eater on vinyl, CD and digital formats. The album's title track is now streaming at this location.

Artwork for Svn Eater - pictured below - comes courtesy of Timo Ketola (tentacula.org).

LVCIFYRE is a flesh of Liberation in Honour of the Ancient...

T.Kaos - guitars/vocals

Menthor - drums and percussion

A. Dictator - guitar

Cultus - bass

www.facebook.com/pages/Craven-Idol/158945044134965

Friday, October 4, 2013

CRAVEN IDOL: Decibel Magazine Post Exclusive Full-Album Stream of 'Towards Eschaton'

UK-based coven CRAVEN IDOL and Dark Descent Records have joined

forces with Decibel Magazine for an exclusive full-album stream of the

band's forthcoming debut, Towards Eschaton. Available worldwide

through Dark Descent on digital, CD and vinyl formats on October 15,

Towards Eschaton can be previewed now at this location.

Exploring the depths of the subterranean caverns in which they dwell,

CRAVEN IDOL have reached beyond their blackened thrash roots by

incorporating elements of doom, traditional heavy metal and classic death.

The result is eight incantations of extreme metal as it was known in the days

before the subgenre pigeonholing and trend-fucking allegiance to scenes.

Towards Eschaton, which features artwork by Paolo Girardi, represents

the culmination of CRAVEN IDOL's dark visions to date. A coalescing of

the band's new and older material results in a mercurial assault, but one

whose constituent parts each read from the same bloodied hymn sheet.

Thematically the album deals primarily with the rotten fabric of religion and

the depraved notions birthed upon its gilded altars. Musically the record owes

fealty to the maligned era in which black and death metal juddered into

unlife, born dead in cemeteries haunted by relentless riffs and the screams

of the hellbound. The beasts of Bathory, Possessed, Venom, Absu,

Candlemass, Sarcofago, Belial, Manilla Road, Gospel Of The Horns,

Mercyful Fate, Hobbs Angel Of Death, Inquisition, Samael and Autopsy

have all left their mark on Towards Eschaton.

Pre-order info is available at www.darkdescentrecords.com.

Spawned in the pits of London, CRAVEN IDOL creates ritual offerings in the

earliest traditions of black and thrash metal. In 2006 a self-released

demo tape materialized, and its original fifty incarnations were quickly

devoured. Starlight Temple Society then fanned this early flame with a

tape re-release. 2010 saw the release of the Ethereal Altars EP on MCD

and vinyl via Vengeful Attakk / Hammer of Hate. In early 2013 Craven Idol

signed with Dark Descent Records for the release of their debut album,

Towards Eschaton, on CD and vinyl. CRAVEN IDOL features members of

Scythian, Sepulchral Temple, Solstice and Deceptor. For the recording of

Towards Eschaton, CRAVEN IDOL enlisted the percussive skills of

Polish metal veteran Volgard.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Dark Descent Records Holding Showcase This Weekend; Label Launches Fourth Anniversary Sale

Dark Descent Records, in association with Parasitic Records and Ash St.

PDX, are hosting a two-day showcase festival taking place this weekend

(October 4 - 5) at the Ash St. Saloon in Portland, OR. Tickets for the

showcase are $13 for Friday's show, $15 for Saturday's show and $26

for both days.

They can be purchased at darkdescentfest.brownpapertickets.com.

This October also sees Dark Descent Records reach the four-year mark

as a label. To celebrate, the label is holding a sale that runs from today

through Saturday, Oct. 5. Dark Descent Records founder and

owner Matt Calvert comments,

"October marks the four year anniversary of Dark Descent Records.

Having founded the label in 2009, I never envisioned we would be

where we are today in this short of a timespan. This weekend (Oct. 4 -5)

we will be holding the label's first showcase event in Portland, Oregon

at the Ash St. Saloon. To mark this monumental event and the four year

anniversary of the label, we will be running a four day sale in the web

store from October 2 and culminating with the final day of the showcase

on October 5. This is our way of saying thank you for your support for

the bands and the label.

So, come out to the showcase if at all possible. If not, celebrate with us

by enjoying the great items at even further discounted prices from

October 2 - 5. Thanks once again and we look forward to many

more years of providing you with some of the best metal the

underground has to offer!"

To check out the sale, visit www.darkdescentrecords.com.

For updates and details regarding the showcase,

visit the Facebook Event Page.

Check out streams and live footage of all of the acts slated to play

the showcase festival, courtesy of Decibel Magazine, at this location.

Dark Descent Records Showcase lineup:

Friday, Oct 4th:

Horrendous

Anhedonist

Ritual Necromancy

Sempiternal Dusk

Saturday, Oct 5th:

Mitochondrion

Gravehill

Weregoat

Dire Omen

www.facebook.com/pages/Craven-Idol/158945044134965

Friday, September 13, 2013

CRAVEN IDOL To Release 'Towards Eschaton' October 15th on Dark Descent Records

UK-based coven CRAVEN IDOL will unleash their debut full-length,

Towards Eschaton, on October 15th through Dark Descent Records.

The album will be made available on digital, CD and vinyl formats.

Exploring the depths of the subterranean caverns in which they dwell,

CRAVEN IDOL have reached beyond their blackened thrash roots by

incorporating elements of doom, traditional heavy metal and classic death.

The result is eight incantations of extreme metal as it was known in the days

before the subgenre pigeonholing and trend-fucking allegiance to scenes.

Towards Eschaton, which features artwork by Paolo Girardi, represents the

culmination of CRAVEN IDOL's dark visions to date. A coalescing of the

band's new and older material results in a mercurial assault, but one whose

constituent parts each read from the same bloodied hymn sheet. Thematically

the album deals primarily with the rotten fabric of religion and the depraved

notions birthed upon its gilded altars. Musically the record owes fealty to the

maligned era in which black and death metal juddered into unlife, born dead

in cemeteries haunted by relentless riffs and the screams of the hellbound.

The beasts of Bathory, Possessed, Venom, Absu, Candlemass, Sarcofago,

Belial, Manilla Road, Gospel Of The Horns, Mercyful Fate,

Hobbs Angel Of Death, Inquisition, Samael and Autopsy have all left

their mark on Towards Eschaton.

Album track "To Summon Mayrion" is currently streaming at this location.

Spawned in the pits of London, CRAVEN IDOL creates ritual offerings in the

earliest traditions of black and thrash metal. In 2006 a self-released demo tape

materialized, and its original fifty incarnations were quickly devoured.

Starlight Temple Society then fanned this early flame with a tape re-release.

2010 saw the release of the Ethereal Altars EP on MCD and vinyl via

Vengeful Attakk / Hammer of Hate. In early 2013 Craven Idol signed with

Dark Descent Records for the release of their debut album, Towards Eschaton,

on CD and vinyl. CRAVEN IDOL features members of Scythian,

Sepulchral Temple, Solstice and Deceptor. For the recording of

Towards Eschaton, CRAVEN IDOL enlisted the percussive skills of

Polish metal veteran Volgard.

Monday, August 5, 2013

Dark Descent Records Holding Showcase Festival in October

Dark Descent Records, in association with Parasitic Records and Ash St. PDX, have announced a two-day showcase festival taking place on October 4th and 5th at the Ash St. Saloon in Portland, OR.

The line-up, much like the label's roster, is comprised of some of the best today's underground death metal scene has to offer. Tickets for the showcase are $13 for Friday's show, $15 for Saturday's show and $26 for both and can be purchased at this location.

For updates and details, visit the Facebook Event Page.

Check out streams and live footage of all nine many of the acts slated to play, courtesy of Decibel Magazine, at this location.

Dark Descent Records Showcase lineup:

Mitochondrion

Anhedonist

Gravehill

Weregoat

Dire Omen

Insanity

Horrendous

Vassafor

Ritual Necromancy

Sempiternal Dusk

www.facebook.com/pages/Craven-Idol/158945044134965

Thursday, July 11, 2013

CRAVEN IDOL: London-Born Blackened Thrashers To Release Debut On Dark Descent Records

The black/thrash bastards in CRAVEN IDOL, who signed with Dark

Descent Records earlier this year, are set to release their full-length

debut, Towards Eschaton, on digital, CD and vinyl formats this fall.

For the debut, CRAVEN IDOL have completed eight new offerings

of ripping black metal, channeled with a vitriol akin to Nifelheim and

Absu, with further allegiances to the dark arts of Inquisition and Samael.

Musically the release is an assault on those who neglect the potent

legacy of the 1980s, while thematically it attacks all proponents of

unfounded spiritual dogma.

Album track "To Summon Mayrion" is currently streaming at this location.

To Summon Mayrion

Sworn Upon the Styx

Golgotha Wounds

Craven Atonement

Codex of Seven Dooms

Aura of Undeath

Left to Die

Orgies

Spawned in the pits of London, Craven Idol creates ritual offerings in

the earliest traditions of black and thrash metal. In 2006 a self-released

demo tape materialized, and its original fifty incarnations were quickly

devoured. Starlight Temple Society then fanned this early flame with

a tape re-release. 2010 saw the release of the 'Ethereal Altars' EP on

MCD and vinyl via Vengeful Attakk / Hammer of Hate. In early 2013

Craven Idol signed with Dark Descent Records for the release of their

debut album, on CD and vinyl. The oath endures...

Vrath - Vocals, Guitars, Scourger - Guitar, Suspiral - Bass, Volgard - Drums

www.facebook.com/lantern666

Friday, March 1, 2013

Dark Descent Records To Release Debut From Finnish Death Occultists LANTERN

Finnish morbid death metallers LANTERN have completed work on their debut album, Below, which will be released this spring through Dark Descent Records on CD and vinyl formats. Since forming in 2007, Lantern have continued to evolve their unique take on ancient death and Below is a definitive statement by a band in top form. Thirty-eight minutes of pure stench, Below is an album that demonstrates that death's not dead.

And to the uninitiated who have yet to experience the murky depths where LANTERN dwells, Dark Descent Records has posted a promo video of the song "Revenant." Check it out at this location.

"LANTERN is music for the all of sick minds of the world to rejoice to the beat of the death march." - Cvlt Nation

www.lantern.dy.fi