Formed in the bylanes of Bassein, Mumbai in 2017, the Indian five-piece thrashers Sabotage channel the cut-throat boldness and the unceasing exuberance of the Bay Area thrash metal. The group has already made a remarkable impression nationally by becoming two-time finalists of Wacken Metal Battle – India. With high velocity live assaults and dynamic song-structures, SABOTAGE is surely a great addition to the fast-growing Indian underground metal.

The quintet’s first ever release, The Order of Genocide, comes out on CD and digital format on August 3rd. The EP contains four frenzied and ruthless tracks, strictly following the scripture of old school thrash metal. The subjects of the song rotate from failed judicial systems, anti-political norms to serial killers.


As the first preview of the EP, the band release the title track, debuted at Germany's Legacy Magazine

The band comment:-

     "The title track of this EP is loosely based on power hungry hounds who will ensure they stoop to any level to retain the authority. The most valid innuendo would be politicians who would orchestrate division in the name of religion, caste and win their vote banks to be the central powerhouse just to chew the common man and spit 'em out! The song is our way of telling these hounds to fuck off!"   

https://sabotageindia.bandcamp.com/album/the-order-of-genocide-ep
 
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Spawned in 2011, Serpents Athirst manifest warfare, damnation, theistic Satanism and death through their venomous, violent form of black metal. They made their mark in the Asian underground with their demo Prevail, and then gained recognition from different corners of the world with their 2014 EP, titled Heralding Ceremonial Mass Obliteration.

The Sri Lankan terror invoking black metal horde are joined by their compatriots Genocide Shrines and New Zealand’s malignant entities Heresiarch and Trepanation for a deadly four-way split, slated for release on July 26th via CYCLOPEAN EYE PRODUCTIONS. This four-track split, titled Scorn Coalescence, offers one brand new and exclusive number from each unit. These four punishing segments of the split together demonstrate the destructive nature of the human beings by alluding to the absolute of the individual in terms of conquest and survival as well as the futility of the situation in the grander scheme; it's the fulfilment and rejection of "fate" at the same time.

No Clean Singing is exclusively streaming Serpents Athirst's track "Poisoning the Seven", and the band offer the following comment-

     "The noble thought of eliminating a reigning parasite is an essence of the reptilian brain. Polished with agony with the will to kill, 'Poisoning the Seven‘ is a concrete decimation anthem eyeing the death of those who are The Pious and The Righteous, The Political and The Correct, The Blinded and the Brainwashed, The Squared and The Circular, The Vague and The Vogue and creating a universe of orchestrated terror by poisoning the Undying transcontinental ray of human lunacy.

     "'Scorn Coalescence contains the latest offering by the vile serpent among three other grand decimators of the extreme metal dimension. Carefully Selected and Well Organized, the Coalescent artillery is gunned by the 4 masters of unforgiving colossal decimation brought together by obscure ordinance.

"~The Ordinance of Strike is an endowment."

Stream "Poisoning the Seven" at No Clean Singing RIGHT HERE

Pre-Order Scorn Coalescence: 

https://cyclopeaneyeproductions.bandcamp.com/album/scorn-coalescence-split

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Finnish speed metal cult Excuse premiere the new track "Blade of Antichrist" at Decibel magazine's website. The track hails from the band's highly anticipated debut album, Prophets From the Occultic Cosmos, set for international release on August 2nd via Shadow Kingdom Records. Hear Excuse's "Blade of Antichrist" in its entirety exclusively HERE.

One of Finland's hottest newcomers, Excuse began to make a name for themselves with their EP  Goddess Injustice. Released to critical acclaim in 2016 by Shadow Kingdom, Goddess Injustice  largely introduced the fierce foursome to the international metal underground - with a nuclear-powered bang! A finely honed missile of speed metal majesty, Excuse's sound on that EP in many ways recalled the classic Canadian gods Sacrifice and Razor, but there were hints of greater glories to come. And at last, they've arrived with the presciently titled Prophets From the Occultic Cosmos.

Whereas Goddess Injustice suggested some darkly melodic leanings, Excuse's first full-length expands that arsenal considerably. Here, the six songs comprising Prophets From the Occultic Cosmos stretch out to epic lengths - one even hitting double digits, the climactic 10-minute closer "Watchtower of the Trans-Dimensional Pathway" - and take the listener on a wild, winding ride. The evil 'n' sleazy surge on which Excuse made their name still exists, but has now been finesse into a wholly more dynamic beast, able to reflect haunting moodiness and spacey horror alike. Suitably, co-guitarist Oskar Lindström's vocals have a conspicuous amount of echo placed upon them, suggesting the inter-dimensional struggles of a narrator literally lost in space. Likewise, fellow guitarist Anselmi Ahopalo's leads take centre stage here and weave an almost storytelling aspect, much in the way that classic heavy metal songwriting should, evoking both triumph and tragedy but remaining equally hummable throughout. Completing the totality is album's production, which locates the perfect balance between grit and gleam.

So many young bands blow their proverbial wad during the demo/EP days and peter out by the time their debut album comes. Not so for Excuse, who have been able to transform their earlier youthful energy into enviably advanced maturity with Prophets From the Occultic Cosmos. Behold these Prophets' coming!

The next herald of that coming can be heard with the new track "Blade of Antichrist" exclusively HERE, courtesy of Decibel, North America's only monthly metal magazine. The first herald of that coming is the previously revealed video for "Sworn to the Crimson Oath" HERE. Also hear that track HERE at Shadow Kingdom's Bandcamp, where the album can also be pre-ordered.

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Chilean traditional metallers Hemisferio premiere the new track "Hasta Encontrarte" at Legacy magazine's website. The track hails from the band's highly anticipated debut album, Anacronía, set for international release on July 8th via Dying Victims Productions. Hear Hemisferio's "Hasta Encontrarte" in its entirety exclusively HERE.

Hailing from the cult metal hotbed of Chile, Hemisferio have been prodigiously perfecting their iron-clad craft since 2015. A couple singles kicked off their heavy metal march, soon followed by a split tape with Chilean comrades Asedio in 2016. With momentum building, those early singles found their way onto 7" vinyl format, that same year, and then capped off by rough 'n' rowdy live album. Afterwards, vocalist Pedro Antonio departed and was replaced by Carlos Contador.

With that lineup firmly in place, Hemisferio make their grand entrance onto the worldwide stage with Anacronía. Suitably, this debut album encapsulates all the magic, mystery, and might of their aesthetic thus far, except rendered in rich, era-authentic analog. Indeed, Hemisferio create a truly ancient sound that encompasses many early '80s metals: the NWOBHM taking creative flight, the first rustic rumblings of the contemporaneous US power metal scene, Teutonic metal burning brightly in the night before revving into thrash overdrive, and even Scandinavia's oft-overlooked contribution to the heavy metal lexicon during this era. However, even in their native tongue, Hemisferio's passion pours forth across each of these nine anthems in the making, with moody-yet-majestic solos flying fast and free, underpinned by a subtle yet no less dynamic rhythm section. And as prefaced by the preceding single from last year, Carlos Contador proves to be a commanding frontman, his tone and delivery bleeding the hard-fought/wrought pathos intrinsic to early, working-class metal.

Gaze into the crystal ball, raise thy sword, and rev that motorcycle, for Hemisferio have arrived with Anacronía! Hear the next sound of that arrival with the new track  "Hasta Encontrarte" exclusively HERE, courtesy of Legacy, Germany's defenders of the true. And hear the first sound of that arrival with the previously revealed "Tres Sombras" HERE at Dying Victims' official YouTube channel.

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Teutonic metal defenders Spiker premiere the new track "Kommando" at the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal (NWOTHM) YouTube channel. The track hails from the band's brand-new EP, Heavy Metal Macht, set for international release on July 8th via Dying Victims Productions. Hear Spiker's "Kommando" in its entirety exclusively HERE.

Ever aptly titled, Heavy Metal Macht is indeed pure German metal THUNDER! No thrash, no speed, just simple (and simply stunning) HEAVY METAL brewed in the cauldrons of old, all delivered in Spiker's mother tongue, as a nod to the old GDR metal bands that also sang in German. Classy and cruising whilst emitting a touch of rowdiness that's intrinsic to the Teutonic rivethead ethos, here on Heavy Metal Macht do this young quartet of old souls charge into the night with gusto and panache, armed to the teeth with anthems of indelible steel. Granted, Spiker can certainly kick up the pace when they want to, but their thrust isn't strictly speed metal per se, but rather a hook-intensive sort somewhere between early Living Death and classic Tank, Germany's Warrant and Strong Arm of the Law-era Saxon. You've been warned about their Heavy Metal Macht!

The next warning comes in the form of the new track "Kommando," which can be heard exclusively HERE, courtesy of the NWOTHM YouTube channel. The first warning comes in the form of the previously revealed "Der Rock der's bringt" HERE at Dying Victims' official YouTube channel.

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The sad news of frontwoman Seraina leaving Burning Witches has been circulating the internet over the last week, highlighting that sometimes there are things beyond your control that you don't see coming... Continuing in their relentless pursuit of bringing heavy metal magic to the masses, the band are delighted to welcome new witch Laura from the Netherlands into the fold. The band are introducing Laura to their fans in the form of a new track. Check out 'Wings Of Steel' (available digitally from July 19) over on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Jr0hcJw8km8

Seraina states about her departure:-

     "Dear friends, for personal reasons and after much deliberation I've decided to fully dedicate myself to my band Dead Venus and to leave the band Burning Witches. For the last four years I have had an incredible journey but I feel now that is the time to explore the challenge my own project is offering me. I would like to thank my family, friends and of course the fans for the incredible support. I also thank the band, the label and the management for all their help. There are a lot of beautiful experiences I’ll keep with me forever. My debut album for Dead Venus titled Bird Of Paradise will be released later this year. So my life remains exciting! I wish the Witches all the best and good luck for the future!"


Band leader Romana continues:-

     "This is of course a very sad moment for all of us. We have been very close for the last few years and have achieved a lot together. It's with great sadness we have to accept that Seraina wants to move on and we wish her the best of luck for that! Your time with the Witches will never be forgotten! For us as a band it is important now to look to the new challenges ahead and the new record - the show must go on! Yes we are super thrilled that we have found Laura so quickly via our Dutch connection Sonia. We know it is impossible to replace a great voice in exactly the same way, that is why Laura is the perfect choice for us. She will bring her own strength and personality into the Witches! We will not change the identity of the band, we will continue playing the music we love! Laura is an experienced and crisp vocalist with a wide range and a crazy enough personality to be one of US! Please give her a warm welcome – she has already won many metal hearts at our first show with her at Sweden Rock Festival! We will continue to spread the magic of the witches - thanks for all the support over the years!"


New witch Laura states:-

     "Dear Burning Witches fans of the world, I am really excited and know that I have big shoes to fill! I want to thank you that you've given me this opportunity and also the Burning Witches for their trust and the warm welcome they've given me into their sisterhood! Being able to play the music I love with great people, performing at those amazing shows and festivals, and being supported by a fantastic team is a dream that has come true for me. I can't really wish for more! We are working our asses off at the moment to bring the magic to you all! Keep the fire burning! See you soon on the road and thanks for the support!"

Hexenhammer is available for order on a variety of different formats:

All formats: nuclearblast.com/bw-hexenhammer
Limited Digipack CD: nblast.de/BurningWitchesCD
Limited Edition Double Gatefold Black Vinyl: nblast.de/BurningWitchesVinyl
Digital album: nblast.de/BWHexenhammerIT

Polish extreme metal veterans Vader are releasing their new EP titled "Thy Messenger". Also, the band have revealed a new lyric video for the single 'Steeler'. 

Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvpidgZYb00

The band states:-

     "We are so happy to give You all Vader’s new EP 'Thy Messenger'. We recorded those five songs in January when we were supposed to record a full-length album. However, we changed some plans and dates, which delayed the LP till December 2019. Since we already had several songs ready, we decided to travel to Hertz Studio again and record as an independent release. We added a re-make of a title track from album 'Litany', which was recorded 20 years ago. This one became one of favourites among our fans and we plan to perform the whole album as part of live-set in Autumn this year. The other song is our version of 'Steeler' from the legendary Judas Priest 'British Steel' record and is our huge respect for their heritage in the metal scene. In the meantime, we’re working on the new album in Grindstone Studio in UK with Scott Atkins as producer and there is only some vocals and leads left to finish. We will visit many festivals and our own shows in Summer and Autumn and we will bring songs from 'Thy Messenger' on stage too. See ya soon and… STAY VADERIZED \m/".

Order the EP now: http://nuclearblast.com/vader-thymessenger

You can also check out the video for the recently released single 'Grand Deceiver', here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a2zpFGUm-M

'Thy Messenger' was recorded over a week-long period in January and February at Hertz Studio in Białystok, Poland under the supervision of the Wiesławski Brothers. The cover art was painted by  Wes Benscoter, who previously worked with Vader on the 'De Profundis' LP and has collaborated with such bands as Slayer, Kreator and Sinister.

A new full Vader album will be recorded later this year for a tentative autumn release.

Vader have one UK show currently scheduled for 2019 as follows :

June 29th – Hop Fest, Black Prince, Northampton

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Italian obtuse metallers Barbarian premiere the new track "Hope Annihilator" at heavily trafficked web-portal NoCleanSinging.com. The track hails from the band's highly anticipated fourth album, To No God Shall I Kneel, set for international release on June 7th via Hells Headbangers. Hear Barbarian's "Hope Annihilator" in its entirety exclusively HERE.

Since signing with Hells Headbangers in 2016, Barbarian have truly hit their stride. First came their third album, Cult of the Empty Grave, which found the power-trio in fiery form, taking all the rudiments of their first two albums and exploding the band out of the underground. Then, a year later, came a self-titled 7", which offered an even rowdier take on their now-trademark blackened traditional metal. It also saw them touring the United States for the first time, spreading their dark gospel to untouched heathen shores.

Now arrives the ever-aptly-titled To No God Shall I Kneel, arguably the grandest distillation of the Barbarian aesthetic yet. Still deadly committed to the eternal riddle of steel, Barbarian's sound continues to find a unique balance between the ancient and the fresh, but without once ever stinking of falseness or modernity. Timeless to the very end, To No God Shall I Kneel takes that characteristically sweat-drenched symbiosis of early Running Wild and '80s Manowar, grinds it through the gravel of classic Celtic Frost, and finishes it off the panache of likewise-classic Venom. If the critically acclaimed Cult of the Empty Grave eclipsed such a hypothesis, then To No God Shall I Kneel goes further into the realms of ballsy boisterousness, unapologetically OTT and Alpha at every turn, and simply takes no prisoners nor offers any safe spaces. Cult of the Empty Grave spelled it out with the track "Absolute Metal"; here, Barbarian tell you in no uncertain terms that you're now dealing with "Obtuse Metal." Wanna pose? Leave the hall!

With cover art courtesy of Acid Witch's Shagrat, Barbarian continue to hail & kill, because To No God Shall I Kneel! Bow before their hailing & killing majesty with the new track "Hope Annihilator" exclusively HERE, courtesy of NoCleanSinging.com. Also hail & kill with the previously revealed track "Birth and Death of Rish'ah" HERE at Hells Headbangers' Bandcamp, where the album can also be pre-ordered.

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Greek black metal vanguard Funeral Storm premiere the new track "Funeral Storm" at heavily trafficked web-portal NoCleanSinging.com. The track hails from the band's highly anticipated debut album, Arcane Mysteries, set for international release on May 31st via Hells Headbangers for the CD format; the vinyl LP version will follow later this year. Featuring members from Hellenic scene legends Varathron, Funeral Storm deliver truly ancient - and truly authentic - Greek black metal in the most classic early '90s style, full of mysticism and might. Hear Funeral Storm's "Funeral Storm" in its entirety exclusively HERE.

Funeral Storm was formed in 2001 by Wampyrion Markhor Necrowolf under the name Raven Throne as a one-man-project. The name was later changed for legal reasons, and after several changes, the moniker Funeral Storm was chosen. Lyrical themes were set early on, and are heavily inspired by occultism, legends, myths, evil, mysteries, horror, and the Cthulhu mythos.

After several line-up changes and one live show, Wampyrion decided to stop any activities concerning the band until 2012, where he released a digital split with Mortuus Sum and a six-way split on tape format with Human Serpent, Thaer Os Valael, Opus Magorum, Silent Dominion, and Varg Order a year later under his label Abyssic Black Cult Records.

Funeral Storm were active again with the addition of members of Serpent Path. In 2016, Mercyful Hell Productions released a compilation with songs that cover most of the years of Funeral Storm that were never actually released. In the meantime, Wampyrion decided to change the sound of the band, now fully inspired by '90s Greek black metal.

Nick Christogiannis of Deviser and Necroabyssious of Varathron/Katavasia/Zaratus then joined as fulltime members. With this lineup, Funeral Storm released a split in early 2017 with Celestial Rite entitled Funeral Rite with Eskarth of Agatus performing acoustic guitars and a solo on the song "Martyr Of The Lake." Reaping international acclaim, Funeral Rite was released on 12" vinyl and CD formats by Iron Bonehead, while Mercyful Hell released the tape format.

Since signing with Hells Headbangers, Funeral Storm added Arcania (Aherusia) on guitars while Christogiannis departed, and the band promptly set to work on their first full-length record. Ever aptly titled Arcane Mysteries, the album proudly and poignantly delivers 43 minutes of atmospheric tartaric black metal in the vein of the old Hellenic scene, inspired by sorcery, magic, and myths. Indeed, Funeral Storm are ancient souls, eschewing the nowadays trends of dissonant non-songwriting and cavernous obfuscation in favor of traditionally epic and dynamic songcraft, reverent to the old Hellenic gods whilst forging terrain all their own, all wrapped in a robust production that powerfully captures the trio's overt physicality - and indeed, THAT classic pulse. Arcane Mysteries is truly a record that brims with a timeless atmosphere - truly, one of arcane mysteries - and safely avoids lazy "throwback status" due to the inclusion of scene veteran Necroabyssious on vocals and the era-authentic, ever-mystical synths, handled by both Wampyrion and Arcania. In short, it's an album more than worthy of the legendary early '90s wave of Greek black metal.

To further underline those classic ties, Arcane Mysteries features two special guests: Eskarth of fellow Hells Headbangers labelmates Agatus performed the solo and acoustic guitars on "Martyr of the Lake," and The Magus of Necromantia / Prinicipality Of Hell composed, recorded, mixed, and mastered "Wandering Through The Abyss." Completed by awe-inspiring cover artwork courtesy of Markus Vesper (Denial of God, Manilla Road, Attic), Funeral Storm triumphantly prove that the past is alive...in fact, more than ever!

Delve into the past in the present with the new track "Funeral Storm" in its entirety exclusively HERE, courtesy of NoCleanSinging.com. Delve deeper into that present past with the previously revealed track "Origins of Utter Darkness" HERE at Hells Headbangers' Bandcamp, where the album can also be pre-ordered.

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Krakow's resident Doom Lords Monasterium have released a new song from forthcoming album Church of Bones. Stream "Liber Loagaeth" HERE.

Monasterium are set to release their sophomore opus Church of Bones May 6 on Nine Records. Expect nothing less than superb traditional doom metal that rumbles and burns, whilst crushing all under the weight of the band's mighty riffs!

In case you missed it, check out Monasterium's new lyric video for album-closer "The Last Templar," which features guest vocals from Forsaken's Leo Stivala.

"The Last Templar" (Lyric Video) - youtu.be/NOTsNmGBO_o

Monasterium is a Polish band founded in 2014 and dedicated to epic heavy/doom metal. All members of the brotherhood are experienced musicians sharing passion, common vision and belief in the power of traditional metal. These virtues brought them to their eponymous first full length album released in May 2016 by No Remorse Records.

'Monasterium' won critical acclaim of the metal underground and was promoted live at the highly esteemed European metal festivals: Hammer Of Doom, Up The Hammers, Malta Doom Metal Festival, Doom over Vienna and Seeds of Doom.

MONASTERIUM is:

Michał Strzelecki - Vocals
Tomasz Gurgul - Guitars
Filip Malinowski - Bass
Maciej Berniak - Drums

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