 More than thirty years on from their "Melancholy" debut album, Spain’s premier exponents of gargantuan, emotive, melodic doom / death metal are still forging ahead, redefining their style and creating albums of remarkable power, passion and depth. After the resounding triumph of 2024's "Spreading The Wings Of Hope", the band’s onward and upward trajectory shows no signs of slowing as they are already set to release their new, seventh full length album – "Hubris". Far from a carbon copy of its illustrious predecessor, Hubris is made of rawer, darker stuff. Drawing on the personal struggles and intimate tragedies of everyday lives Hubris is unflinching in its presentation. The past is gone and the band have described Hubris as ‘a very important chapter that truly reflects who we are today’… Beginning with the first single, ‘A Simple Life’, Hubris opens the floodgates of emotion and after a fragile vocal introduction the weight of despair crashes down upon the listener. The melodic chorus leads you with deceptive beauty into a deeper darkness and this desolate journey begins in earnest. ‘The Weight Of The Weak’ lifts the tempo, driving onwards with passages of genuine pace and some quality lead guitar work – something that also lights up the oppressive gloom of ‘Broken Toy’ and ‘Too Late’ – while ‘Blind’ is breath-taking in its overwhelming power, a majestic procession of sorrow. Before the emotionally punishing conclusion of ‘Intolerance’, we find one of Hubris’ many highlights in the atmospheric form of ‘Fire In The Shadows’. This song enfolds you in its black wings, encloses you in surging walls of emotion, sealing you away from the world, isolating you within its austere judgement. Hubris will accept nothing but total honesty and will offer the same in return. There are no flights of fantasy here, just a courageous confrontation with the reality of the world and the reality of our own failings. As the band puts it – “These are not fictional stories, but fragments of real life turned into music”.  To find the ‘rawer, more direct’ sound that they were looking for, to bring out the rugged textures of Hubris, Golgotha turned to producer Davide Billia (Antropofagus, Beheaded, Posthuman Abomination etc) – and together they have sculpted the unique sonic character that this album demanded. A brave album, a demanding album and an ultimately rewarding album, Hubris will emerge from the shadows under the banner of Abstract Emotions on April 24th. Be prepared to lay your heart before its gaze. Follow Golgotha on Facebook Visit Abstract Emotions here Follow Abstract Emotions on Facebook
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 Band photo by Tom Hens, edit by Kristien Cools, background by Aaron Bonogofsky© Belgian Atmospheric Black / Doom Metal band Splendidula presents 'Kilte', the second single from their upcoming album "Absentia", set for release on April 3 2026, via Argonauta Records. Following the emotionally charged first single 'Echoes Of Quiet Remain', Kilte stands as the album’s most intense and searing moment. Tormented screams, relentless energy and hauntingly atmospheric passages ultimately unfold into a lingering climax, carrying the listener through a frozen landscape of grief, isolation and inner torment. Pre-orders for Absentia are now live at Argonauta Records and Bandcamp Written in the aftermath of several personal tragedies, Absentia opens a new and vulnerable chapter for Splendidula. The album was created during a period marked by the passing of loved ones, including bassist Peter Chromiak. Musically, the band blends black metal and doom with fragile atmospheric passages, creating a sound drenched in sorrow, tension and introspection. Watch the lyric video for Kilte: https://youtu.be/qaVqOM5BbrY Listen to the single Kilte on all streaming services: https://song.link/splendidula_kilte Vocalist Kristien comments: “The lyrics for Kilte (Dutch for Coldness) were written in the immediate aftermath of personal loss, born in tears and carrying an unbearable weight. Choosing our native language allowed the emotions to surface without filters. Grief, emptiness, and inner struggle are woven deeply into the song, with the music reflecting a journey through sorrow, isolation, and vulnerability. It has become the track we feel most intensely when performing live, and at first, singing it was almost too heavy to bear. We hope that same emotional intensity reaches the listener just as deeply.” Bandcamp YouTube Spotify https://www.argonautarecords.com/  Formed in 2012, in Tbilisi, Georgia, by David Unsaved and Serge Shengelia, Ennui have become a revered force in the funeral doom genre. The band, now expanded and completed by the addition of Alexander Gongliashvili, Andre Azatyan and Kakhi Kiknadze, have carved out a place for themselves in the annals of the doomed with their supremely heavy and emotively melodic music and their considered lyrical explorations of life, death and the other fundamental concerns of human existence. Over the course of four unique albums, each demonstrating a continual musical and philosophical evolution, Ennui have garnered plaudits from critics around the globe, with even writers who would customarily avoid the slow, harrowing sounds of funeral doom being drawn under their spell. Now, as this new year dawns, Ennui are poised to unveil their most powerful and effecting release to date – "Qroba". Beginning with the colossal ‘Antinatalism’, Qroba – the meaning of which the band describe as “a fading of presence. The moment when light withdraws and leaves space for something colder, heavier, and final” – is simply stunning in its depth and gravity. The fantasies and fripperies of an unconsidered life crumble into dust beneath the ineffable force of the guitars, leaving behind a scouring clarity of vision, a simple understanding of existence, unclouded by false hope. An impossibly deep voice, like a rumbling in the Earth’s crust, forms as much of a bedrock to the music as the monolithic drum beats and bass notes. It’s difficult to express just how heavy Ennui are and yet their music is about far more than just immeasurable weight and power. The sound of the panduri, a traditional Georgian lute, weaves its way through several of the songs on Qroba, bringing a unique flavour and atmosphere to the Ennui sound. The ringing, crystalline notes, carved from ice, that usher in ‘Becoming Void’ send a chill through the skin, cooling the blood and slowing the heart. The passage of mesmerising resonance that begins the heart-rending conclusion that is ‘Mokvda Mze’ are as special and vital as the unparalleled bleak power to be found beneath the pitiless gaze of ‘Down To The Stars’. Sitting in the eye of Qroba’s slow moving storm, ‘Decima’ brings all the elements of Ennui’s shattering sound together perfectly; the relentless and emotive, the spirit crushing and the beautiful. Together, these five sprawling songs form a work of breath-taking import and accomplishment. 
Mixed and mastered by Esoteric’s Greg Chandler (Officium Triste, My Silent Wake, Pantheist etc), Qroba has exactly the sonic palette it needs to deliver its message with the maximum impact, with every nuance and detail given its space within the tumultuous waves of sound. With the package completed by the expressive and wonderfully realised artwork of Ben J ‘Winterkeep’ (Ofnus), Qroba is the definitive expression of Ennui’s overwhelming music. Meuse Music Records will send Qroba forth on February 27th…look for the darkening of the sky… http://www.facebook.com/bandEnnui Follow Comatose Music on Facebook  Irish post metal sludge doomsters Raum Kingdom, after their critically acclaimed debut “Everything & Nothing”, announce full details of their sophomore album entitled “Monarch”. Grateful and humbled by the inundation of positive reviews and attention from music critics, webzines and fans from across the globe, haunting, fearful, Raum Kingdom continue to create hype in the community by doing what they passionately enjoy doing. Raum Kingdom started out in late 2013 on the east coast of Ireland when singer Dave Lee and guitarist Andrew Colohan set out to create a soul crushing experience of sonics. When long time friends, bassist Ronan Connor and drummer Mark Gilchrist joined the line up, the project was ready to express itself. Exploring their collective passion for all heavy genres of music, the four-piece began to channel that energy into what would turn out to be Raum Kingdom’s first, self-titled five track EP, self-released in April 2014. Taken unawares by the instant and positive critical response, Raum Kingdom‘s ability to resound with their audience comes from their heart for turning negativity into positivity and the ethos of having a blast doing what they have a passion for. To date, the band has completed numerous shows on the Euro circuit, and released an EP, a split EP with Belgian group All We Expected, and their much acclaimed debut album ‘Everything & Nothing’, a one hour sonic journey of redemption and hope. After the sudden and sad passing of bass player Ronan Connor in March 2021, Raum Kingdom wanted to release their last recordings and writings in respect for Ronan’s memory.
Their new effort is something beyond everything: emotive, melodic, atmospheric and hypnotizing. A musical journey for our deep senses. "Monarch" will be released on January 27th by Argonauta Records. The first single and video “Red Admiral” is out now and streaming here: https://youtu.be/6SIyhMLRYAU Watch out for many more news to follow soon! Raum Kingdom are:
https://www.facebook.com/Raum.Kingdom.ie https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords  Irish dark metal band Darkest Era have released their emotive new single 'Wither On The Vine'. It's the third track to be taken from their stunning new album, Wither On The Vine, which is out now via Candlelight Records.
Guitarist Ade Mulgrew comments: "The song 'Wither On The Vine' pulls together many of the thematic threads across the album. It is inspired by the antithetical feeling of, on one hand, overwhelming despair at the social, political, and environmental realities of today, whilst simultaneously looking into the innocent eyes of childhood and wanting to maintain the illusion that there is only beauty in the world for as long as possible." Eight years have passed since Darkest Era’s last album, 2014’s Severance. In that time, the Northern Irish-centred band have undergone personal and personnel changes, while the world itself has entered its own new dark era. Now, they return with critically acclaimed third album, Wither On The Vine. Recorded at Wales’ legendary Foel Studios with producer Chris Fielding (Electric Wizard, Primordial, Winterfylleth, Witchsorrow), it finds the band exploring their shadowy take on the traditional heavy metal sounds of Iron Maiden and Thin Lizzy, whilst incorporating elements of doom, black metal, blackgaze and anything else that casts a musical shadow. Expanding their horizons as to where their sound could go on Wither On The Vine, guitarist Ade Mulgrew says it could best be described as simply “dark metal”. Speaking on the album, Ade adds: "The album presents a bleak reflection of the world as it stands today; politically, socially, environmentally. Among themes of human tragedy and personal introspection, there are also songs touching on pagan spirituality, the Dionysian perspective and even gothic romance. Stylistically the album mixes black metal and doom metal elements with an almost classic rock sense of tone. We hope the album resonates with listeners seeking music with genuine power and emotional weight, pulling them into its dark visions." After a long absence, far from withering away, Darkest Era have returned as experts in their craft, and made a definitive dark metal statement. Darkest Era are: Krum – Vocals Ade Mulgrew – Guitar Sarah Wieghell – Guitar Daniel O’Toole – Bass Cameron Åhslund–Glass – Drums Darkest Era online: Facebook || Twitter || Instagram || Youtube Candlelight Records online: Website || Facebook || Twitter || Instagram || Youtube  The new maxi-single from Scottish doom metal Group MisophoniA is entitled "Sorrows Of Yesterday" and it’s essentially a metaphoric musical coin. Sorrows Of Yesterday Pt. I is a despairing piano driven dirge, laden with dark orchestral undertones which serves as the prelude to the guitar driven bombast that is Sorrows Of Yesterday Pt. II. As a whole this is an emotional piece written from both the depths of depression and the highs of breaking free from its shackles. Sorrows Of Yesterday Pt. II is the catharsis and release you feel when you have overcome your demons. This is a complete reversal in pace and tone from what came before. Part II is a high energy guitar driven piece that punches you in the face from the off and is very much a middle finger to all the negatives in life.
As a whole Sorrows Of Yesterday is here to remind us how powerful music can be and how it can build bridges and mend the soul when life beats you down. MisophoniA are:
Band links: Facebook | Youtube | Instagram | On Sliptrick Swedish metal vets At The Gates announce the return of founding member and guitarist Anders Björler6/10/2022  Photo Credit: Ester Segarra While Swedish melodic death metal pioneers At The Gates continue to promote their acclaimed latest studio album, The Nightmare Of Being, they have now checked in after a North American tour as well as an intense run of Summer festivals across Europe and in Japan with the news that founding member and guitarist Anders Björler is returning to the band’s line-up after a handful of years of absence. At The Gates vocalist Tomas Lindberg Redant comments the news: “It is with great pleasure we welcome Anders Björler, one of the founding members, back into the band. We are excited to tell you that we are already starting the work on the follow up to The Nightmare of Being, with the same line up that wrote Terminal Spirit Disease, Slaughter of the Soul, and At War with Reality. Anders' first show back in the band will be Damnation Fest in the UK, and he will join us on the European tour together with In Flames later this year. Great times! It really feels like a second rebirth of the band, and we are looking forward to this new chapter!" Anders Björler added the following comment: “It feels like coming home for sure. I have been missing the guys of course, but also playing the guitar, writing music and the artistic creativity in general. I've been watching from the side-lines for a number of years, and I've been very proud of what they have created in my absence. I am really looking forward to writing a new album and getting back to playing live shows again."  Tomas Lindberg Redant added the following comment about the upcoming tour with In Flames: “We are very excited about finally being able to play in front of our European fans in support of our latest album The Nightmare Of Being. This time we will hit the road with our long-time friends In Flames. It’s such a weird fact that we have actually never toured together, although we are from the same town! So this will be a great opportunity to experience “The Gothenburg sound”, and it is awesome to be part of such a strong package. We can't wait to get out there again!” At The Gates’ latest studio album, The Nightmare Of Being, was released last Summer via Century Media Records and scored impressive chart entries worldwide upon initial release in July as follows: Germany: # 8, Austria: # 18, Switzerland: # 12, Sweden: # 20, Sweden (Physical): # 1, Sweden (Vinyl): # 1, Sweden (Hardrock/Metal): # 2, The Netherlands: # 77, Belgium: # 84, Finland: # 21, Finland (Physical): # 5, UK (Rock): # 3, USA (Current Hard Music Albums): #1, USA (Current Rock Albums): #4, USA (Current Album Sales): #14. USA (Album Sales): #28. AT THE GATES - 'Garden of Cyrus' Band Members: Tomas Lindberg Redant - Vocals Martin Larsson - Guitars Anders Björler - Guitars Adrian Erlandsson - Drums Jonas Björler - Bass Website || Facebook || Instagram || Twitter  Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy®-winning singer and songwriter Ozzy Osbourne has topped his previous chart entries with record-breaking numbers around the world for his critically acclaimed new album Patient Number 9. Released September 9 and marking Ozzy’s 13th solo studio album, it triumphantly sets new career highs for Ozzy. In the U.S., the album debuted at #1 on multiple charts: Top Album Sales (Ozzy’s first #1 ever on this chart), Top Current Album Sales (another first), Top Rock & Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums, Top Hard Rock Albums, Top Vinyl Albums and Tastemaker Albums charts; and at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart. Globally, the album charted at #1 in Canada (Ozzy’s first-ever #1 there); career high #2 entries in the UK, Australia, Finland and Italy; #6 in the Netherlands and New Zealand; #8 in Belgium; and #14 France. Other highlights include #2 Austria, Germany and Sweden; #3 in Switzerland; and #4 in Norway. Working with producer Andrew Watt for the second time, Ozzy welcomed a dynamic A-list featured guests on the album. For the first time ever, Black Sabbath co-founder, guitarist, and riff-master Tony Iommi appears on an Ozzy solo album. The record also boasts guitarists Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, and longstanding righthand man and six-string beast Zakk Wylde who plays on the majority of the tracks. For the bulk of the album, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers held down drums, while the late Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters appears on three songs. Old friend and one-time Ozzy band member Robert Trujillo of Metallica plays bass on most of the album’s tracks, with Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses and Chris Chaney supplying bass on a few songs. Website Spotify  The debut full-length studio album by Israeli doom metal project Defiled Embrace is out now. "Whispers Of The Forest" is an eight song album that present the similarities between the human suffering and the death of different nature elements, alongside songs about love and loss. The album contains slow and heavy songs, with soft and clean melodies, colliding with brutal riffs and growls, giving it a strong Death Metal vibe. Recommended for fans of Swallow The Sun, Clouds, Ahab, Doom:VS, Mourning Beloveth, Novembers Doom, Remembrance, Shape Of Despair, The Sins Of Thy Beloved, Trees Of Eternity, and more.
Defiled Embrace is a one-man-project formed in Israel in 2021 by local musician Matan Kedar. The project started as a collection of different Doom Metal songs, written by Matan over the course of 11 years. Some songs were originally written for another projects, but eventually they all came together under the name Defiled Embrace. During 2021, Matan decided to record the songs using session musicians he works with in other bands, and the debut album “Whispers Of The Forest” was recorded during 2021-2022. On July 2022, Defiled Embrace singed a deal with Metal Scrap Records Inc. Three videos were shot for three Singles of the forthcoming release: “In Her Sullen Reflection”, “Autumn” and “Whispers Of The Forest”. September 9 became as an official release date of “Whispers Of The Forest” album through Another Side Records, a division of Metal Scrap Records Inc. Currently, the project is in a process of becoming a full band, and a second album is already composed and about to be recorded. https://www.facebook.com/DefiledEmbrace Lord of darkness Ozzy Osbourne confirms new album "Patient Number 9" will be released 9th September26/6/2022  Photo credit: Ross Halfin Ozzy is back. Mark September 9 on your calendar as the release date for "Patient Number 9", Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy®-winning singer and songwriter Ozzy Osbourne’s new album and the first since his critically acclaimed, worldwide, chart-topping 2020 "Ordinary Man" release. The album’s self-titled first single and video have today (Friday, June 24) been released worldwide. Listen to “Patient Number 9” here and watch the video Grammy winner and multiple Grammy nominee Todd McFarlane-directed here. “Having worked with Ozzy in the past, I jumped at another opportunity to do so again…especially on the music side this time,” Todd McFarlane says. “In the harsh business called the music industry, any creative person who’s sustained a multi-decades career has shown the skill, talent and tenacity that will always garner my admiration. Ozzy has shown many of us creative folks that it’s indeed possible to make a living doing what you love for nearly an entire lifetime. Go, Ozzy!” Produced by Andrew Watt (who handled the same duties on Ordinary Man) and set for release on Epic, the new album marks Osbourne’s 13th solo studio album. It’s heavy, it’s hard-hitting, it’s historic--it’s everything you’d want from an Ozzy Osbourne record and maybe more. “Patient Number 9” was written by Ozzy, Watt, Robert Trujillo, Chad Smith and Ali Tamposi and features a riveting solo from legendary guitarist Jeff Beck (one of the notable guest stars on the album, additional details below). The video marks the first collaboration from the project with Emmy-and Grammy-winning director/producer Todd McFarlane. It is highlighted by McFarlane’s signature illustrations interspersed with live Ozzy vignettes in the role of “Patient Number 9,” which the revolutionary creative force in the world of comics and toys also filmed. In addition, this is the first-ever video to incorporate Ozzy’s artwork: his hand-drawn demons were animated and can be seen during the Jeff Beck solo in the song. Working with producer Watt for the second time, Ozzy welcomed a dynamic A-list supporting cast. The record boasts guitarists Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, and longstanding righthand man and six-string beast Zakk Wylde who plays on the majority of the tracks. For the bulk of the album, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers held down drums, while the late Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters made an appearance. Old friend and one-time Ozzy band member Robert Trujillo of Metallica plays bass on most of the album’s tracks, with Duff McKagan of Guns N’ Roses and Chris Chaney of Jane’s Addiction supplying bass on a few songs. For the first time ever, Black Sabbath co-founder, guitarist, and riff-lord Tony Iommi appears on an Ozzy solo album. An exclusive version of "Patient Number 9" with a limited-edition special McFarlane-designed comic book will be available for pre-order; a limited-edition comic with foil cover is also available with a special deluxe box. Both can be pre-ordered here. Pre-order PATIENT NUMBER 9 here.
OZZY OSBOURNE ON ‘PATIENT NUMBER 9’ Q: This is your first album to be released after the pandemic. What was going through your mind during the early days of the pandemic and are any of those feelings reflected in these songs? OZZY: “Well, I was vaccinated and boosted and I still caught Covid in the end. My last album (Ordinary Man) was released just a few weeks before the pandemic started, and I was just about getting ready to go into the studio to work on this new one when the world shut down. It’s no secret that the last four years have been very difficult for me but making this album took my mind off of my problems.” Q: The album features some players with whom have history. What was it like to be reunited with Tony Iommi musically? OZZY: “It was really great working with Tony. He’s the riff master. No one can touch him in that respect. I only wish we had these songs for Black Sabbath’s 13 album.” Q: Zakk contributes a lot on this album--how was the decision made to have him play since he didn’t play on the last album? OZZY: “Zakk is part of my family and always will be. The album needed that weight that his playing provides. He just came in and really sorted things out.” Q: Tell us about the first single, “Patient Number 9,” which features Jeff Beck. What do you feel he has contributed to the song? OZZY: “The song is about a mental institution. Having someone like Jeff Beck play on my album is just incredible, a total honuor. There’s no other guitar player that plays like him and his solo on ‘Patient Number 9’ is just jaw-dropping.” |
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