Her songs are enchanting and disturbing. Her lyrics and poetic writings are dark, metaphoric and personal, and one never knows if she is talking about dreams or reality. Her visuals are dark and sensual (and alarmed American Mental Health workers who claimed a patient got psychotic after watching one of her videos!), yet her social-critical and esoteric writings are very insightful and highly acclaimed... Nebelhexë is an artist and writer who runs her own show. She is often referred to as being one of the most intriguing personalities of the subculture... and many don't quite get her. Indeed often attacked for being "too complex" (by the not too smart ones obviously!), yet she simply remains true to her heart, and she has come pretty far by doing just that. Obs; her music is not metal! We prefer to call it 'Alternative'. Yet once the architect behind ex-projects Aghast and Hagalaz' Runedance she is still at home in the Metal scene and thus still signed to Metal labels... However she does not want to fall into any specific genre. She describes Dead Waters as: "very own, very dark, very organic, very strange? Dead Waters certainly turned out to be more organic, kind of like a mix of dreamy ambient, tribal, and a darker form of country... or something like that... maybe it was the influence of that Texas snake beer we were drinking in the studio (cool stuff!) and the hot weather... :-) " "The songs as usual, embrace many of my deep and dark thoughts, dreams... and recent experiences... I have a talent for ending up in unusual, interesting and weird situations... always kinda stressy when it happens... but they always makes the best and entertaining stories afterwards... The lyrics are explained, (not in detail though, I keep some thing's for your imagination!) on my website www.nebelhexe.com"

» Order "Dead Waters" here
» Nebelhexe on itunes
» Nebelhexe MySpace

Reunited Oakland, California thrashers Defiance have issued the following update:

"As of yesterday, Defiance has finished tracking the new album for Candlelight Records! Candlelight is looking at a September release date for first album from Defiance since 1992's 'Beyond Recognition', released by Roadrunner Records.

"We finished up at Trident Studios on Sunday with Jim [Adams; guitar] and Mike [Kaufmann; bass] completing the last of their parts, and Steev [Esquivel; also of Skinlab] came down to help arrange some last-minute additions to the lead sections with Jim on a couple of songs. Snake came by in the afternoon to deliver all the completed vocals he recorded at his studio in Berkeley, Greendot Studios.

"All we have left is to get Glen's [Alvelais; Forbidden, Tenet, Testament] solos and to have Juan [Urteaga, producer] finish mixing and mastering the album!

"Defiance is working with Travis Smith on the album cover artwork and concept.

"Once the album is released Defiance will be looking to support the effort in Europe and perhaps the U.S., if the right opportunity arises."

» Defiance MySpace

October File: New Album Update

We have been busy writing the new album, our third. We are nearly done and it shall be unleashed upon this earth on 19th October 2009 and entitled “Our Souls To You”. We are currently talking to various producers about producing it – well obviously. We can promise you it will be worth the wait. My personal fave so far is “Dredge” coming in at a shirt 9 minutes, it’s a journey of personal misery which we cant wait let you enjoy to brighten your day.

We are also planning some shows, a one off in London is soon…..

October File – Our Souls To You – 19-10-09 – Candlelight Records.

» October File on itunes
» October File MySpace

The metal juggernaut known as Blood Tsunami returns with "Grand Feast For Vultures", the follow up to the highly acclaimed 2007 NAP/Candlelight debut, "Thrash Metal". The new album consists of seven songs, which are both faster, darker and heavier than before, but still maintaining the epic, brutal and yet melodic edge. Blood Tsunami has now really captured what they are all about; relentless thrash metal. With monstrous riffs, red hot leads and rapid drums topped with vicious shrieks and thunderous growls, this ferocious titan of metal will attack with snapping jaws and razor sharp claws. Pulling influences from a deep well of 80's thrash, death and NWOBHM, Blood Tsunami has created their own wicked mixture of noise that brings the listener down an already familiar path, but also taking you to places unknown. Once again recorded in Lion Heart Studios, Oslo, the soundscape is dark and brutal, dynamic and rough. Engineered by Øyvind Voldmo Larsen and produced by the band, "Grand Feast For Vultures" is not to be missed upon its release: 27th of April

» Launch Blood Tsunami ecard here
» Blood Tsunami on itunes
» Blood Tsunami MySpace

1349: 'Revelations Of The Black Flame' E-Card Available

Norway's 1349 return with their brand new album Revelations of the Black Flame a blackened journey that encompasses black metal, dark ambient, noise, industrial and the soundtrack to a twisted David Lynch film. This album sees the band toning back on the balls to the wall blasting speed of previous albums and trying something crawling, darker and altogether more mature. With this album the band have realized that to truly capture the aural essence of evil you need contrast and time for the musical soundscapes to lull you into a false sense of security so when the black metal does kick in you're dragged bodily into what can only be described as a nightmare. The new album was produced by legendary Tom G Warrior of Celtic Frost fame and will be released on three formats - the standard CD, special edition double CD that includes a bonus live disc recorded in Stockholm and the deluxe 180 gram blood red collector's vinyl.

» An e-card for "Revelations Of The Black Flame", is available at this location
» 1349 Website
» 1349 MySpace

Susperia: On tour in the UK next month

Susperia may have their roots in Norway’s black metal scene, but that is merely a starting point for a band that describes their music as “extreme metal with melodic twists”. Their simple philosophy of “no boundaries” – as reflected on the album ‘Attitude’ – demonstrates how Susperia have no hesitation in embracing and exploring a variety of musical avenues with ease. They feel that originality is the essence of surviving the music industry today and their willingness to experiment has seen development and progression over their career, to a point where they are managing to carve out their own identity within the metal genre.

May
18 - (UK) The Palladium, Bideford
19 - (UK) Mr Kyps, Poole
20 - (UK) Academy, Bristol
21 - (UK) Academy, Birmingham
22 - (UK) O2 Academy Islington, London
23 - (UK) Corporation, Sheffield
24 - (UK) O2 Academy, Liverpool
25 - (UK) O2 Academy, Newcastle
26 - (UK) Cat House, Glasgow
27 - (UK) Rio’s, Leeds
28 - (UK) Rock City, Nottingham

» Launch Susperia Ecard
» Susperia MySpace

Xerath: E-Card Available

U.K.-based experimental/progressive extreme metallers Xerath will release their debut album, "Xerath I", on May 25 via Candlelight Records. The CD was mixed in France by Brett Caldas-Lima (Cynic).

According to a press release, Xerath is "a new, cutting-edge band combining crushing Meshuggah-style riffs with epic orchestral composition. Their sound can be described as taking influence from Strapping Young Lad, Meshuggah and Dimmu Borgir to create a distinctive sound they call 'orchestral groove metal' (or chug-score!)."

The band was formed in 2007 by guitarist Andy Phillips, drummer Michael Pitman and bassist Owain Williams, and was later joined by Richard Thomson on vocals.

Originally started as an experiment to combine film-score scounds with syncopated guitar rhythms, Xerath evolved into a full-fledged gigging band with a clear direction.

» An e-card for the album is available at this location.
» Xerath MySpace

Anaal Nathrakh: Two New Songs Available For Streaming

England's extreme metal duo Anaal Nathrakh will release its new album, "In The Constellation Of The Black Widow", on June 29 via Candlelight Records. A digital single entitled "More Of Fire Than Blood" will precede the full-length CD via iTunes on June 6.

"More Of Fire Than Blood" and "The Lucifer Effect" are now available for streaming on the band's Myspace

Anaal Nathrakh vocalist V.I.T.R.I.O.L. previously stated about the band's new material, "'Constellation' will be faster, more insidious, more ominous, more musically dextrous and wilder than ever before. The album will feature a curve ball guest appearance from Zeitgeist Memento of Mexican extremists Republika."

» Anaal Nathrakh on itunes
» Anaal Nathrakh MySpace

Emperor Live Inferno Boxset Out Now

Candlelight Records confirms the completion of the final recordings from black metal legends Emperor. Titled Live Inferno, the special live series features various releases recorded/filmed during the band’s sold out 2005-2007 reunion performances. Several formats will be available including a 2cd/slip case with 16-page booklet, a limited edition box featuring 2 cds & dvd with an enhanced 24 page booklet, a single dvd, and two limited edition double-vinyl gatefold sets. April 20th is set as the European release date for the series. The audio aspect of the Live Inferno series features exclusive recordings from the band’s headlining performances at Norway’s Inferno Festival and Germany’s Wacken Open Air Festival. Each recording will be pressed as individual double-vinyl sets; the first pressing limited to 1000 on black vinyl with any additional pressings in varied colors selected by the band. A special gold-vinyl seven-inch limited to 2000 titled Thus Spake the Nightspirit (featuring a live rendition of the band’s famed song from the album Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk with a live recording of “Inno A Satana” from the album band’s popular In the Nightside Eclipse album on the b-side) will be pressed and released via the label’s official webstores beginning February 16.

The video portion, titled Live at Wacken Open Air 2006 - A Night of Emperial Wrath, has a running time of 70-minutes and includes footage professionally filmed at the Wacken Open Air Festival with additional on-stage and exclusive backstage footage filmed and compiled by the band. “It looks like these releases will be the final nail in the coffin for Emperor,” says guitarist Samoth. “They are a testimony of the live reunion that took Emperor to even new heights; unique events like Wacken where Emperor headlined in front of 60 000 people. We had a great run of shows and feel lucky that we were able to come back even bigger and perform songs from our complete catalogue for a lot of dedicated fans old and new. There will be several cool formats and limited editions coming that should be a nice treat for the fans and a worthy representation of the Emperor legacy. Emperor is dead, long live the Emperor!”

DVD 1. Infinity Burning (medley) 2. Cosmic Keys to my Creations & Times 3. Thus Spake the Nightspirit 4. An Elegy of Icaros 5. Curse you all Men! 6. With Strength I Burn 7. Towards the Pantheon 8. The Majesty of the Nightsky 9. The Loss and Curse of Reverence 10. In the Wordless Chamber 11. I am the Black Wizards 12. Inno a Satana Running time: approx 70 min. Bonus material: A selection of on and off stage bootleg material.

DISC 1 Inferno: Infinity Burning (medley), Cosmic Keys to My Creations & Times, Thus Spake the Nightspirit, An Elegy of Icaros, Curse you all Men!, Wrath of the Tyrant, With Strength I Burn, Towards the Pantheon, The Majesty of the Nightsky, The Loss and Curse of Reverence, In the Wordless Chamber, Inno a Satana, I am the Black Wizards, Ye Entrancemperium, Opus a Satana.

DISC 2 Wacken: Infinity Burning (medley), Cosmic Keys to My Creations & Times, Thus Spake the Nightspirit, An Elegy of Icaros, Curse you all Men!, With Strength I Burn, Towards the Pantheon, The Majesty of the Nightsky, The Loss and Curse of Reverence, In the Wordless Chamber, I am the Black Wizards, Inno a Satana.

Order Emperor - Live Inferno here

» Launch Emperor ecard here
» Emperor on itunes
» Emperor MySpace

Source: Plastic Head Music