Tag Archives: against pr

Doom Metal act REFLECTION return after 8 years!


Pitch Black Records is thrilled to announce its 50th album release with the signing of legendary Greek Epic/Doom Metal act REFLECTION!

REFLECTION, the driving force of Hellenic Epic/Doom Metal, will be celebrating their 25th anniversary next year and they are now back, with their fourth album, “Bleed Babylon Bleed”! It’s been eight years since the band’s last offering, making this an eagerly awaited release; and with a new vocalist in their ranks this becomes an even more anticipated release!

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As this is quite a special release, label founder, Phivos Papadopoulos, felt the need to briefly comment:

“Our 50th release just had to be special. And this is as special as it could get, for a number of reasons! I remember discovering REFLECTION in the early ‘90s and receiving their demo tape after writing to them and how I was blown away by their music. Even more importantly though, since the day we first made contact, a truly unique bond has been formed between myself and the band’s founder and guitarist, Stathis Pavlantis.

A bond that has certainly stood the test of time and has grown more and more throughout the years; we are not just friends, we are family now and the emotions associated with releasing this on my own record label, twenty-something years after we first “met”, cannot easily be put into words. I agreed to sign REFLECTION without even listening to their new album (which I haven’t regretted one tiny bit of course)! Here’s another fine example of that something that makes metal so magical and special I guess!”

With nine track of pure solid epic doom heavy metal, “Bleed Babylon Bleed” has all the elements that have defined REFLECTION’s superb musicianship throughout the years. The band has matured since a long time ago, yet their sound is even more refined now and full-bodied, still incorporating their signature fast to mid and low tempo song ranges. “Bleed Babylon Bleed” is just oozing with atmosphere, epic melodies and powerful emotions as it deals mainly with the Pontic Genocide (as well as genocides in general). The final track marks the album’s culmination as it features a Pontian lyra (masterfully played by Pavlantis) that takes a lead role, beautifully mixed with the rest of the instruments, for an utterly bone-chilling effect.

Special mention should be made to the guest appearance of Mats Leven of CANDLEMASS. Besides his majestic input on this album, this is also of particular importance since CANDLEMASS have always been a primary influence for REFLECTION. Other noteable guest appearances include Albert Bell (FORSAKEN) and Kostas Tokas (RELOAD).

“Bleed Babylon Bleed”, is out on April 7th worldwide on CD and Digital. Pre-orders are up at http://store.pitchblackrecords.com and http://pitchblackrecords.bandcamp.com. A track is now available for streaming and free download at http://www.pitchblackrecords.com.

REFLECTION lineup:
George Thomaidis – Vocals
Stathis Pavlantis – Guitars
George Pavlantis – Drums
John Litinakis – Bass
Iraklis Loukakis – Keyboards/Backing Vocals

#darkartconspiracy #metal #news

YAYLA Releases “Pas.to.rale” via Merdümgiriz Records


YAYLA is back with its fifth full-length “Pas.to.rale”, the first release from this ambient black metal act in four years.

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Released by Merdümgiriz Records on February 5th, 2017, the project from multi-instrumentalist Emir Toğrul presents a heavy fusion of ambient and metal, and after the departure from the monotonous sound of the now cult trilogy, “Pas.to.rale” sees YAYLA sounding more dynamic, oppressive and hypnotic than ever before, and while there are countless influences from different styles and techniques, this album is surprisingly tight and unified.

YAYLA’s Emir Toğrul comments: «”Pas.to.rale” takes many forms with lengthy instrumental tracks, from synth driven string ensemble ambiences to psychedelic guitar tracks, to “traditional” black and death metal songs with very unconventional structures fused with synths. The YAYLA concept is at its pinnacle in “Pas.to.rale”, with the name of the band and our whole concept of nature based metal music coming to an alchemical home as we delve back into our roots after all these years of adventures as VIRANESIR and BLIGHTED in an ironic existential absurdity. It’s a tale of dungeon style atmosphere, relentless black metal, nostalgic overdose and musical hypnosis.»

As with all his work on Merdümgiriz Records, each copy of “Pas.to.rale” CD, Tape, t-shirt and patch will be handmade in the artisanal style. Emir paints the discs, cuts and inserts the prints for the jewel case and jacket, making all non-machined parts from scratch. All current and upcoming merch comes to fans directly from the hand of the creator himself.

“Pas.to.rale” is available for streaming and full download at this location:

1. Altars In Temple Sewers
2. Everyday Is Death For Us
3. Pandora
4. Funeral
5. Steadfast Chaos
6. Endless Regrets
7. Mantras Of Separation
8. Rats
9. Pastorale
10. They Are Losing You From Me

#darkartconspiracy #metal #news

REVIEW: Cyclocosmia – “Immure EP”


Cyclocosmia – “Immure EP”

Review by Carina Lawrence / Dark Art Conspiracy

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Cyclocosmia is a progressive doom metal project from London, UK comprised of Aliki Katriou (vocals) and multi-talented James Scott (songwriter/producer) who plays all the instruments throughout. The duo also collaborate with guest musicians all over the world. Their debut album ‘Deadwood’ received critical acclaim and now they are looking to equally impress with their latest offering, new EP, ‘Immured’. The EP has a concept and doesn’t follow the norm, as you are meant to listen to it as a continuous 17 minute song, rather than individual tracks. It follows the story of a Roman Vestal Virgin who is condemned to live burial for breaking her vows. The bleak story certainly helps feed their impressive and unique symphonic doom…

Immured Part I’ opens on an ethereal, alluring yet alarming note, simply setting the scene for what lies ahead…’Part II’ kicks right off in symphonic glory with beautiful and dark clean vocals from Aliki Katriou, with savage screams in contrast from James Scott, but the balance is just right, and the results are both shocking and stunning.
Part III is on the angelic side initially before the heavy guitars accompany and showcase some solid and resonant tones, giving the song a lot of depth. The vocal variations offer even more diversity and give it a slightly deranged sound in the greatest sense. There is a lot going on here but it still manages to remain coherent and float seamlessly along in harmony. It is a very captivating and immersive sound that will surely lure you in…

The final chapter in this dark story, ‘IV’ starts with an eerie and delightful acoustic guitar section which complements Aliki’s high pitched and sorrowful vocals perfectly. James displays his impressive guitar capabilities further, amongst the epic drawn out doom symphonies with demonic growls laced throughout. It is cleverly structured and layered, making it a must hear. It offers tranquillity and angst all in one offering, something which the EP displays wonderfully throughout its dark emotional and thought provoking endeavour.

Score: 4/5

INFO:
 Label:  self-released
 Release Date:  January 27th, 2017
 Genre:  symphonic/doom metal
 Country:  UK

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TRACKLIST

1. Immured Part I
2. Immured Part II
4. Immured Part III
5. Immured Part IV
#darkartconspiracy #metal #news

SPITEFUEL Announce their new release “Second To None”


The upcoming SpiteFuel album “Second To None” will be released on MDD Records on April 7th. The band also publishes the cover art for which Travis Smith (Nevermore, Iced Earth, Opeth) is responsible. The album will contain 11 songs of high-class Heavy Rock with a total playing time of over 45 minutes and will be available in a noble DigiPak.

Recorded and produced was the debut album in the Troisdorf-based Gernhart Studio (Tankard, Destruction, SuidAkra) under the direction of Martin Buchwalter.
A first pre-taste for the long awaited album is already available with the single “Sleeping With Wolves” released in December, which is available with some bonus content as download for only 2 Euro on the Bandcamp page of the Quintet.
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#darkartconspiracy #metal #news #mddrecords #againstpr #spitefuel

REVIEW: Kladovest – Ignitiate


REVIEW: Kladovest – Ignitiate 

Review by Ekaterina K./ Dark Art Conspiracy 

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Tracklist:
1. Hermit Dungeons
2. Beneath The Reaper Shadow
3. Shore Of Ancient Moons
4. Carved In Scars…
Line-up:
Dmitriy K. – music, all instruments
Gjenfard – vocals
Vintrald – lyrics
Kladovest is a Slavic Neopagan concept signifying the “well of knowledge” that can be compared to the Akashic records in theosophy and related esoteric schools.
From the first note it lugs away into the deeps of melancholic canvas.

Imagination immediately creates the branches of the trees that have their leaves long lost. Dirty guitars vary with atmospheric clean ones, and sharp and fast riffs – changed by slow and stringy like a spider web, ones.

As “Shore of Ancient Moons” clean guitar parts are beaded on a lackluster thread of main black-metal riff. Embittered, collapsing on the verge vocal, gives the impression that the voice, reaching the edge, falls into the deep and disappears from the musical cloth. But it throws and shouts words till the end.

There is nothing original or new that Kladovest came up with, but together it turned out to be magical in its own desperation.

Score: 5/5 definitely.

”Ignitiate” is available via No Colors Records.

#darkartconspiracy #metal #review

DESTROYERS OF ALL Debuts “Tormento” Music Video


Portuguese progressive death metallers DESTROYERS OF ALL proudly presents their brand new video for the track “Tormento“, a song that represents a fearless combination of Metal with unique elements from the Portuguese culture like Fado de Coimbra.

The video – which was directed by Guilherme Henriques, known for his work with Belphegor -,

 

 

“Tormento” is the second single extracted from the album “Bleak Fragments”, released on early 2016 by Mosher Records.
LINKS
http://www.destroyersofall.com

https://www.facebook.com/DestroyersofAll/

#againstpr #darkartconspiracy #metal #news