Austria’s Irdorath were formed about eight years ago and shortly after the recording of the demo Erwachen, the band signed to Black Lava Records. Soon Irdorath (after a couple of line-up changes) and this label released the debut full album Götterdämmerung. Then things went relatively silent and except for some live performances, nothing happened (except for another change in line-up) - until 2012.
I honestly had never heard of FŌR before (even though there uses to be a full length, called Kundaz), but ‘they’ do really surprise me with the vinyl-record Blakaz Askǭ Hertô (and as from now on I am searching for that debut!). The concept deals with the witch Gullveig and the Ulfhamir, the bloodline of wolves and the whole spiritual histories behind it. No, it’s not original anymore, but it does fit once again!
Deadend In Venice were formed in 2008. After two demos, which were pretty well received in, especially, their home country Germany (in that period, the band performed live on stage in support of acts like Finntroll and Tristania, which strengthened their upcoming ‘popularity’), the band was able to record their debut full length with Disillusion’s Andy Schmidt (Kick The Flame Studio) (title: See You On The Ground; label: Casket Music).
Three years after the debut full album Perpetual Decline, Portuguese trio Scarificare (Njord-d, Inverno-b, and Quetzalcoatl-g/v) return with the sophomore album Postulado (which means something like ‘principle’, if I’m not mistaken), available in a limited edition of 500 copies only.
Putrefact are a Mexican death commando with current, former, live and session musicians from bands like Hacavitz, Disgorge, Morbosidad, Impiety, Raped God 666 etc. (i.e. bassist / vocalist Hugoreincarnation, and the Garcia-brothers Exxxecutioner and Necrodekapitator, resp. drummer and guitarist / vocalist).
This compilation supports the local scene of the Baden region. The project started with Rise Of The Griffin in 2008, and now continues with a second sampler, called Flight Of The Griffin. Two additions: 1) a griffin is a heraldic beast, symbol for the Baden region (amongst others), and 2) the compilation’s subtitle is taken from the eighties Metal band Griffin.
Belgium’s Marche Funèbre were formed more than six years ago with the intention to pay tribute to the Old School Doom-Death scene. Both the EP Norizon (2009) and the full length To Drown (2010) (also released via Shiver) proved that this band indeed did pay honour to the earliest years with grandeur and conviction. Of course the Lowlands (i.e.
Finally! I have always been ‘into’ Inferno’s Black Metal (the one from the Czech Republic), and the last effort this act did, called Black Devotion, was released in 2009; indeed, it took way too long! Shame on you, guys! But since I am a big boy, I did not cry (yet), for I was ignorantly craving for more… And now there is more to come!
There are so many re-releases lately, from (especially) Death-stuff from the Old Times. There’s nothing wrong with that for a couple of reasons. More than once, the re-issue comes with bonus material which is previously unreleased, or extremely hard to find (limited vinyl recordings, for example, live material from unprofessional yet rememberable gigs, or demo tapes). Sometimes the re-release is sold out for a long time and therefor very welcome. However, there are re-releases that add nothing at all, and it’s only interesting for those who do not have that specific material at all.
I was thinking and philosophising about a decent, honest introduction to this album. How would I introduce this legendary KULT act? How could I introduce this new epos? Would it be fair to refer to the glorious past? Should it be opportune to focus on this band’s unique, and more-than-interesting history? And how would I express my gratitude? Carcass just are ultimate protagonists of Extreme Music, and without this band, the current scene certainly would not be what it has become nowadays…
