CALLING IT A DAY/NIGHT/YEAR/LIFETIME

Well it’s been grand, and I was honored to take over the “Dirt Culture” moniker from its former print editor and turn it into this here wonderful blog back in 2008, but I’ve decided to move on to bigger and better things. No, I have not stopped writing, and I never, EVER will! I have joined forces with Forbidden Magazine (www.forbidden-magazine.com) an AWESOME print and webzine, and have never been happier. The other guys are all very dedicated, reputable, and know their stuff and we are also working on some releases, including the entire March Into The Sea discography on CD! I highly encourage all of you to check out Forbidden’s site at the URL above and also “Like” Forbidden Magazine on Facebook (oh come on, you’re on there 25 hours a day anyway!). So, in conclusion, I’m neither dead nor dying (yet), and if you want to add me on Facebook, it’s “Michael Mahyar Hojjatie” or my personal email is hailthehodge@gmail.com. Thanks, and have a great rest of 2010!

LONG LIVE THE KVLT!

We have ton of stuff happening to update you all on this time around…

On the live front the Nihilistic Terror Across Florida dates will take place on May 21 and 23. It’s been four years since we last played the Culture Room, a venue we’ve always considered home. So with that being said we are pleased to say that the first show will take place there in our hometown of Fort Lauderdale, FL on Friday, May 21. We will be filming the set in its entirety and will include it on the DVD being released later in the year through Arctic Music. On Sunday, May 23 we will storm the Brass Mug in Tampa, FL. The last time we were in Tampa was on the Hellstorm Of Unholy Legions 2005 tour so we are looking forward to playing the Brass Mug again this time with songs from the new album in our arsenal. The only other booked appearance for the year will be at the Michigan Deathfest. The date has been moved from Saturday, July 17 to Saturday, August 21. On this date we will headline the main stage on day two of this event.

On the release front this year we have many things being released. First up is a “best of” CD titled Desecrations: A Decade of Defiling the Cross. In the next few days we will announce and notify the winner of the contest we ran who will receive 2 signed copies of the release. After that we will be releasing the still untitled live DVD that will span the years 1999-2010. This will include two full concerts along with other shot footage from over the years. We are also working on re-releasing the very obscure mCD Order of The Fly. Since there has been a lot of inquiries as where to find this the time has come to re-issue the recording. The original was released to only 250 in 1999 and has been out of print since 2000. The re-issue will have bonus tracks these being the Of Evil and Hatred session aka our portion of the Kult ov Azazel/Krieg split along with some unreleased recordings. Negativity Records will be releasing the split 7” with Teratism titled In League With Satan, a tribute to Venom, which will be out at some point during the year. Finally, we will begin pre-production for the new album in July which will be named Violators of the Covenant.

There’s also some new merchandise available. A new exclusive t-shirt design obtainable only through Relapse Records is available in all sizes at www.relapse.com . We also now have embroidered logo patches for sale that can be seen on the website, wwww.kultovazazel.com, under the merchandise section. They are also available through Metal Negro at www.metalnegro.com.

UNDER THE SIGN OF HECK

GORGOROTH - QUANTOS POSSUNT AD SATANITATEM TRAHUNT
I'm a little late on this one, been traveling. Well it's out and say what you will, I dig it. They haven't gone the direction of awful as their Norwegian peers have, and while it's not quite the same sound they had once upon it time, it's still dark, emotional, There is a a huge Judas Priest influence I can sense this time around, a good mix of traditional heavy metal and black metal vocals. I have heard others say they hate their current direction, but that's just silly. They haven't lost their edge one bit. Don't be scared! (FA)
REGAIN RECORDS
www.regainrecords.com, info@regainrecords.com, www.gorgoroth.info, infernus.gorgoroth@gmail.com, www.myspace.com/gorgoroth

IMMORTAL RITES

IMMORTAL - ALL SHALL FALL
Well the eagle has landed. One of the most anticipated releases of the year is finally upon us. Whether their "break-up" stunt of several years ago was just that, a stunt, to generate further interest in the band is something I've always wondered. Then again, in the YouTube and MySpace and Guitar Hero age, nothing is left undiscovered for long as is. Continuing down their path of more traditional heavy metal with black metal vocals since "At the Heart of Winter" many moons ago, Immortal have yet to disappointed this bitter and jaded metal veteran, especially in the way many of their Norwegian countrymates (who shall remained unnamed simply because I'm downright tired of saying them) have in the name of SELLING OUT. Yes, I said that, because that's the straight reality of it. Anyway, sure, I worried when I heard Immortal was signing to Nuclear Blast with their previous "Sons of Northern Darkness", and with good reason. Thankfully, that turned out to be unfounded. That album did not lack in ANY way, shape, or form. Now flash-forward to seven years and an alleged "break-up" later, and we have more of the same. Cold, emotional, and dark black metal with plenty of older traditional metal use, for all the better. Semi-long songs that don't bore or drift off into oblivion. Expect nothing but absolute Immortal in their finest form. The wait was well worth it! (FA)
NUCLEAR BLAST
www.nuclearblastusa.com, www.immortalofficial.com, www.myspace.com/immortalofficial

LETHAL WEAPON

WEAPON - DRAKONIAN PARADIGN
Once hailing from Bangladesh, Weapon relocated to Canada to pursue their black metal dreams and weave them into your nightmares. Slow and mid-paced and ever so creeeeeeeeeepy, Weapon also mix killer elements of the darkest death metal brew and even some acoustics to make pigeon-holing their style even all the more difficult. Far from cookie-cutter is perhaps the best way to describe this black metal concoction. Oh don't fret, there's more than enough vileness to keep you coming back for more! Nothing short of catchy, nothing shy of hateful. Choose your Weapon without any hesitation! (FA)
THE AJNA OFFENSIVE
www.theajnaoffensive.com, ajna@theajnaoffensive.com, www.weaponchakra.com, www.myspace.com/theweaponchakra

MERRIMACK-GO-ROUND

French black metal institution and MORIBUND recording artists MERRIMACK are confirmed as support for the "U.S. Plague Tour 2009," which will feature headliners MARDUK and also NACHTMYSTIUM, MANTIC RITUAL, and on select dates BLACK ANVIL. This tour will be MERRIMACK's first (and highly anticipated) performances on American soil, all in support of new album Grey Rigorism, recently released in North America by MORIBUND. Says founding guitarist Perversifier, "We're very happy to finally hit American soil and spread the disease of Grey Rigorism there." Grey Rigorism is being hailed by critics as one of the year's very best black metal albums, with the well-respected Decibel even calling it a "hollow-horned masterpiece...with a cold, communicable bitterness few modern-day BM hordes have the ability to convincingly convey."

MERRIMACK have also added a new date in Salt Lake City, Utah on December 9th. Here are the rest of the confirmed dates/venues:

Nov 19 Allentown, PA @ The Sterling Hotel*
Nov 20 Worcester, MA @ The Palladium*
Nov 21 Montreal, QC @ Les Foufounes Electriques*
Nov 22 Toronto, ON @ Wreck Room *
Nov 23 Baltimore, MD @ Sonar
Nov 24 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
Nov 25 Tampa, FL @ Brass Mug
Nov 27 New Orleans, LA @ The Bar
Nov 28 Austin, TX @ Red 7
Nov 29 Ft Worth, TX @ Ridglea Theater
Nov 30 Tulsa, OK @ The Marquee
Dec 2 Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad
Dec 3 Tempe, AZ @ The Clubhouse
Dec 4 Hollywood, CA @ The Key Club*
Dec 5 San Marcos, CA @ The Jumping Turtle*
Dec 6 San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge*
Dec 7 Portland, OR @ Satyricon
Dec 8 Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
Dec 9 Salt Lake City, UT @ Club Vegas
Dec 10 Denver, CO @ Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
Dec 11 Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room
Dec 12 Chicago, IL @ Reggie's Rock Club
Dec 13 St Paul, MN @ Station 4
Dec 14 Detroit, MI @ Blondie's
Dec 15 Cleveland, OH @ Peabody's
Dec 16 New York, NY @ Gramercy Theater*
* = to feature BLACK ANVIL

For more info, consult www.moribundcult.com, www.myspace.com/merrimackofficial, and www.thunderdometouring.com.

WHORWOROTH

GORGOROTH To Release Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahunt

The unleashing of Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahunt, the ninth studio album from Norwegian black metal legion GORGOROTH, is drawing near. Recorded at drummer Tomas Asklund's Monolith Studio and mastered at the Cutting Room in Stockholm, Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahunt is the first recording featuring the band's official new lineup of guitarist/founder Infernus, former vocalist Pest, former guitarist Tormentor, bassist Frank Watkins (Obituary) and Asklund (Dissection, Dark Funeral et al). The record was produced by Infernus and co-produced/engineered by Asklund. Said Infernus of the nine new tracks: "[they are] mature. The record is indeed harder and more sinister than anything we have ever done before. It is an album I can be proud to say I am standing a 100% behind."

View the cover art here:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=451309518&blogId=507265917

GORGOROTH - Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahunt track-listing:
1. "Aneuthanasia"
2. "Prayer"
3. "Rebirth"
4. "Building a Man"
5. "New Breed"
6. "Cleansing Fire"
7. "Human Sacrifice"
8. "Satan-Prometheus"
9. "Introibo ad Alatare Satanas"

Check out an excerpt of "Prayer" on Regain's MySpace Page: http://www.myspace.com/regainrecords

In related news, Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahunt will receive a limited-edition picture disc vinyl release on Infernus' own label, Forces Of Satan Records.
Check the official website for further updates: http://www.forcesofsatan.com.

GORGOROTH will perform at the sold-out Hole In The Sky Sky festival in Bergen, Norway this weekend. This will mark the band's first live appearance in nearly two years.

Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahunt will be released in the US on October 27, 2009.

http://www.gorgoroth.info/
http://www.myspace.com/gorgoroth

IA MARDUK ONCE AGAIN!

MARDUK Announce North American Headlining Tour

Following three very special U.S. appearances earlier this month in Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York (effectively breaking their streak of visa issues), Swedish black metal battalion MARDUK will return for a full North American headlining tour this November. The band will be joined by Nachtmystium, Mantic Ritual, Merrimack and Black Anvil (on select dates).

Dubbed U.S. Plague Tour 2009, the trek will kick off on November 20th at the Palladium in Worcester, MA and run through 21 more dates before coming to a close in New York City on December 16th at the Gramercy Theater, where the band recently played to an overwhelming crowd response. Said Phil Freeman from The Village Voice of the performance, "MARDUK's sound was a room-filling roar, with Mortuus' vocals chewing through the mix like a rabid bear."

U.S. PLAGUE TOUR 2009
11/20/2009 The Palladium - Worcester, MA w/ Black Anvil
11/21/2009 Les Foufounes Electriques - Montreal, QC w/ Black Anvil
11/22/2009 Wreck Room - Toronto, ON w/ Black Anvil
11/23/2009 Sonar - Baltimore, MD
11/24/2009 The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
11/25/2009 Brass Mug - Tampa, FL
11/28/2009 Red 7 - Austin, TX
11/29/2009 Ridglea Theater - Ft Worth, TX
11/30/2009 The Marquee - Tulsa, OK
12/02/2009 Launchpad - Albuquerque, NM
12/03/2009 The Sets - Tempe, AZ
12/04/2009 The Key Club - Hollywood, CA
12/05/2009 The Jumping Turtle - San Marcos, CA
12/06/2009 DNA Lounge - San Francisco, CA
12/07/2009 Satyricon - Portland, OR
12/08/2009 Studio Seven - Seattle, WA
12/10/2009 Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom - Denver, CO
12/11/2009 Riot Room - Kansas City, MO
12/12/2009 Reggie's Rock Club - Chicago, IL
12/13/2009 Station 4 - St Paul, MN
12/14/2009 Blondie's - Detroit, MI
12/15/2009 Peabody's - Cleveland, OH
12/16/2009 Gramercy Theater - New York, NY w/ Black Anvil

Check out the U.S. Plague Tour Poster here:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=451309518&blogId=507325807

MARDUK's eleventh studio album, Wormwood, will be unleashed in the U.S. on October 13, 2009.

BEWARE THE NAZXUL!

Legendary Australian black metal band NAZXUL have been confirmed for the 2010 installment of the Maryland Death Fest. This will be the band's first performance ever on North American soil, and it will be in support of newest album Iconoclast, the band's first full-length since 1995's classic Totem debut. Released in North America by MORIBUND on July 28th, NAZXUL's Iconoclast is the culmination of almost a decade of chaos magick and gnosis, and is already reaping critical acclaim worldwide.

NAZXUL's performances in Europe and even in their native Australia are few and far between, but have now become the stuff of legend. The band is currently putting together a full North American tour to coincide with their performance at next year's Maryland Death Fest. Comments guitarist/bassist Adrian Henderson, "2010 shall see the rise of the antipodean cult Nazxul! The black wings of death shall spread across America in a whirlwind of terror and madness. Nazxul is dead - all hail Nazxul!"
For more info, consult www.moribundcult.com and www.myspace.com/nazxul

LIGHT FUNERAL

DARK FUNERAL: New Album Title Revealed

Swedish black metal legion DARK FUNERAL have set Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus as the title of their upcoming new full-length scheduled for release in the US this November. Said guitarist Lord Ahriman in a MySpace update earlier today: "Peter Tägtgren [Hypocrisy, Pain] is currently mixing our new album at his Abyss Studios. Once we have approved the final mix, Jonas Kjellgren [Scar Symmetry] will be mastering it. By listening to the rough-mix, the final production will kill totally, no doubt! Can’t wait to blast the final result in the stereo! We decided to go for a bit rawer sound this time, and not as crystal clear and perhaps polished as our last album [Attera Totus Sanctus], but no worries. The production still holds the high quality that you would come to expect from us. We haven’t pulled 'a Metallica' so to speak!

DARK FUNERAL shot a video for "My Funeral," one of the new tracks off Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus, in August. Said Ahriman, "The video was shot in and outside an old and closed mental hospital. The environment was just killer and suited the video theme perfect! The video is currently being edited by Standard Film Team and within the next 2-3 weeks should be ready for world premiere. Due to the graphic violence and somewhat gory nature of the video, I would assume that we will be forced to edit two versions, one soft and one hardcore version. Exactly how and where we’ll release them is yet to be decided.

View photos from the video shoot here: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=11713147&albumId=3054398

http://www.darkfuneral.se
http://www.myspace.com/darkfuneral
http://www.regainrecords.com

IA MARDUK!

MARDUK: More Wormwood Details Revealed + Tour Update

Swedish black metallers MARDUK are currently holed up in Endarker Studios in Norrköping, Sweden mixing their 11th studio album, Wormwood. The album will contain 10 tracks. View the cover art here:

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=451309518&blogId=502451407

Said guitarist Morgan Håkansson from the studio, "Greetings, we are just working out the final details for the upcoming album set to be released in September [via Regain Records]. The recordings are coming along just fine. The studio work is being [split] with rehearsals for the upcoming festivals and the US dates coming up in August. Be prepared for the great day of wrath! More news to be unveiled within the coming days!"

Wormwood Track Listing
1. "Nowhere, No-One, Nothing"
2. "Funeral Dawn"
3. "This Fleshly Void"
4. "Unclosing The Curse"
5. "Into Utter Madness"
6. "Phosphorous Redeemer"
7. "To Redirect Perdition"
8. "Whorecrown"
9. "Chorus Of Cracking Necks"
10. "As A Garment"

Following a last minute visa issue that forced the band to sit out Blackenedfest, MARDUK, have scheduled the following US tour dates with support from Withered and Black Anvil. “We are excited to finally be over in the states and do these shows after all the problems with the visas," said Håkansson. "The three shows in August are just the start. We are preparing for a full tour in the winter that will cover all the areas we missed on Blackenedfest. Please join us as we raise the Banner Of The Wolf!”

MARDUK Confirmed Dates:
8/12/2009 Sonar - Baltimore, MD
8/13/2009 Johnny Brenda's - Philadelphia, PA
8/15/2009 Gramercy Threatre - New York, NY also w/Tombs

http://www.marduk.nu
http://www.myspace.com/truemarduk
http://www.regainrecords.com

WANNA DO ANAAL?

ANAAL NATHRAKH: New Record In Stores July 28th!

New ANAAL NATHRAKH long player, In The Constellation Of The Black Widow, hits North American record shelves on July 28th! The record is being released via Candlelight Records.

In The Constellation Of The Black Widow track listing:
1. "In The Constellation Of The Black Widow"
2. "I Am The Wrath Of Gods And The Desolation Of The Earth Music"
3. "More Of Fire Than Blood"
4. "The Unbearable Filth Of The Soul"
5. "Terror In The Mind Of God"
6. "So Be It"
7. "The Lucifer Effect"
8. "Oil Upon The Sores Of Lepers"
9. "Satanarchrist"
10. "Blood Eagles Carved On The Backs Of Innocents"

Commented ANAAL NATHRAKH vocalist V.I.T.R.I.O.L. on the new material: "Constellation is faster, more insidious, more ominous, more musically dextrous and wilder than ever before. The album features a curve ball guest appearance from Zeitgeist Memento of Mexican extremists REPUBLIKA."

Formed in 1998, ANAAL NATHRAKH have recorded five full-length albums. Based in Birmingham, the band fuses traditional black metal with elements of industrial, grindcore and early-day death metal resulting in a one-of-a-kind soundscape that has earned it high acclaim from media and fans around the globe.

What press folks are saying:

"In The Constellation Of The Black Widow is another crushing example of why this two-man band accomplishes much more than most fully equipped metal stalwarts. ANAAL NATHRAKH are more like great weavers of music and ideas than just a band in that they bring together some really inventive views on structure and dynamics but then hide them underneath this aural assault that can only be likened to being run over by a 16 wheeler with spikes on its treads, on fire, while acid leaks from the bottom." -- Crave.

"Their sound is a weapon... music of mass destruction. Hell, if these Brits get any heavier the music will cross over into pure white noise, the kind that would tear at the very fabric of reality as we know it." -- The Metal Observer

"ANAAL NATHRAKH's latest is a return to bestial form, full of impossibly fast blast beats, black/death-grind hybrid riffs, and ridiculously tortured vocals. Though not the band’s best, In the Constellation of the Black Widow is a stern reminder of why ANAAL NATHRAKH are often mentioned in the same breath as today’s most notable black metallers." -- Metal Sucks

http://www.myspace.com/anaalnathrakh
http://www.anaal-nathrakh.tk/
http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com/
http://www.myspace.com/candlelightrecordsusa

IN NOMINE SATHANAS.

Unearthly Evil Productions

U.S. black / death metal masters SATHANAS will be releasing the follow up to 2009’s Pagan Records release Nightrealm Apocalypse through Unearthly Evil Productions in the United States. Sathanas are currently seeking labels to partake in equal partnership in the international release and distribution of the album. Sathanas guitarist/vocalist Paul Tucker reports the release to be the bands most aggressive and best release to date. Sathanas are seeking labels from the following regions, Europe, Asia, and South America, with North America being handled by Sathanas and Unearthly Evil Productions.

For information contact Paul – sathanaspaul@hotmail.com or Ed – ed@unearthlyevil.com

www.sathanas.net / www.unearthlyevil.com

SUSPERIA SINGER UPDATE

SUSPERIA: Singer's Operation A Success Despite Further Complications

Oslo, Norway -- Despite further complications SUSPERIA singer Athera (Pal Mathiesen) successfully underwent open heart surgery on Monday March 16th 2009 at Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. Originally scheduled to have a triple bypass operation, surgeons discovered further problems which resulted in the vocalist also having a main artery - which previously ran to his lungs -connected directly to his heart. Athera will remain in hospital to recuperate and has been advised by doctors that full recovery will take between three and five months.

Still in some agony from his ordeal and in reflective mood, Athera said: "Wow - Well what happened there?! It looks like this time my name wasn't on the guest list at the pearly gates or the other place down below. I got through the surgery and I'm now back in the regional hospital after five days at the specialist heart clinic. Here in my hospital bed I'm contemplating the enormity of what happened - the what ifs and the what might have been. I'm in agony but the strong medication helps. It was a heavy operation having my body parts re-arranged - If a musician ever needed a "TUNE UP," I hope this was it. There are some tough times ahead but I will get there in the end."

Commenting further on the messages of support and with an eye on the future he added: "I'm truly amazed at people's humanity at times like this, with all the goodwill messages I've been getting from friends and strangers. Once again the metal community comes through with flying colors, putting their prejudices aside to come together as one. Respect to those who took the time to send messages of support. It's heart-warming to get messages from metalheads who don't have the time of day for my band yet still find the time to send a message.You all helped me get through this, and strengthened my metal heart! .I will be out of the game for a while till my chest bones completely heal and I can sing fully again. I wish my boys a good trip round the UK in May on the tour, and am confident they will bring along a singer that will make the show worth while for you. I wish I could be there, "

As previously reported, SUSPERIA have confirmed the postponement of Norwegian dates, which were set for April 09. Their UK tour in May with Breed 77 will go ahead at the insistence of Athera himself, having urged the band not to let their UK fans down and to look at finding a replacement vocalist.

The release of SUSPERIA's next studio album is set for early summer as planned, through Candlelight Records. Full details will be announced shortly.

http://www.susperia.net
http://www.myspace.com/susperiafans
http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com

'SCUSE ME WHILE I KISS THE AVSKY (300TH POST!)

Swedish black metal cult AVSKY are currently recording their third album (and second for MORIBUND RECORDS), to be titled Scorn. Reports guitarist/bassist AE, "We're extremely satisfied with the result so far. The material is much better and more complex than before, and we will have Nox from CRAFT make a guest appearance on one of the tracks." Scorn is slated for release during the second half of 2009. AVSKY's previous album, Malignant, was released last year by MORIBUND to rave reviews internationally. For more info, consult www.moribundcult.com, www.avsky.tk and www.myspace.com/avskyband.

GO ANAAL

CANDLELIGHT RECORDS SIGNS ANAAL NATHRAKH

Candlelight Records today confirms the worldwide signing of England’s Anaal Nathrakh. The popular extreme metal duo are currently in the studio working on their label debut titled In The Constellation Of The Black Widow. The album is expected for a summertime release. Vocalist V.I.T.R.I.O.L. says, “Candlelight have shown a strong belief in Anaal Nathrakh and looking at some of the acts on their roster both past and present it seems they are capable of backing up their good intentions. With their help we hope we can finally get the planet cracked in half.”

Formed in 1998, Anaal Nathrakh have recorded five full-length albums, their most recent Hell Is Empty and All The Devils Are Here released in 2007 via Feto Records (co-owned by member Mick Kenney and Napalm Death’s Shane Embury). Based in Birmingham, the band sonically fuse traditional black metal with elements of industrial, grindcore, and early-day death metal resulting in a one-of-a-kind soundscape that has earned them high acclaim from media and fans around the globe. Reviewing 2005’s album Eschaton Blabbermouth called the band, “the best at marrying drum machine grind, speed riffing death, and bombastic black metal grandeur to a depraved, filthy and overdriven musical framework. Malevolence oozes from every note, brooding insanity in every scream, and a mastery of just what makes extreme metal such a dark and difficult pleasure. Sick, ugly, essential.”

Commenting on the new album, V.I.T.R.I.O.L. reveals, “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.”

According to the band’s official website, Anaal Nathrakh was created for one purpose - to be the soundtrack for Armageddon and the true spirit of necro taken to its musical extremes. The band have collaborated with such legendary figures as Attila Csihar (Mayhem), Shane Embury and Danny Herrera (Napalm Death), Nick Barker (Testament, Dimmu Borgir), Joe Horvath (Circle of Dead Children), Sethlans Teitan (Watain) and more. The band have appeared on BBC’s Radio 1 (per the behest of icon John Peel), headlined a stage at the annual Inferno Festival in Norway, and have found themselves included among countless ‘Best Album of the Year’ polls around the world. Anaal Nathrakh’s status as one of the leading lights in extreme metal is undeniable.

For more information contact EarsplitPR (earsplitpr@aol.com or earsplitpr2@aol.com) or Paula Hogan (paula@candlelightrecordsusa.com).
European media contact Darren Toms (d.toms@plastichead.com).

http://www.anaal-nathrakh.tk/
http://www.myspace.com/anaalnathrakh

http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
http://www.myspace.com/candlelightrecordsusa

UPCOMING AJNA

:AJNA: updates

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FUNERAL MIST
Maranatha


FUNERAL MIST manifests rarely but when it does, it is in exceptional glory. While the taint of the pandemonium that was Salvation is never to disappear, for it undeniably set new standards within Black Metal and beyond in terms of musical violence, chaos and the channeling of ominous spiritual energies, Maranatha materializes like the unadulterated omen of the end of times, like a glowing pitch black pit whose appeal to jump within nothing can resist. The violence and the musically bizarre are still there, displayed with a rare mastery but a thorough work on atmospheres and structures and the addition of complex layers of ill sounds make this new album by FUNERAL MIST a renewed challenging experience, as perilous for your mind’s sanity as it is for your soul’s deliverance. Unique, unmistakable when set alongside anything else, FUNERAL MIST stands with splendor as the epitome of extremism. It is only way beyond one’s limits that an encounter with the dimension summoned by Maranatha is made possible, an encounter as perilous as this work is cruel.



The mastermind of FUNERAL MIST is none but Arioch/Mortuus also vocalist of MARDUK. The massive and iron-hard production is courtesy of the well-known Endarker Studios, Sweden (run by Devo of MARDUK). Funeral Mist is one of the most respected and acclaimed Swedish Black Metal entities within purist circles… one of the very few bands actually revolutionizing extreme music with an incredibly unique approach to song-writing and conceptual matters.



http://www.myspace.com/thefuneralmist



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DEATHSPELL OMEGA
Veritas Diaboli Manet in Aeternum : Chaining the Katechon MCD

Chaining the Katechon is a 22-minute long eschatological journey exploring the primeval fracture, the Summa Divisio, the corruption inherent to reality. The Katechon being the last rampart, preventing the Son of Perdition from manifesting himself. This recording paints quite a versatile range of sonic landscapes, from the sheer summoning of chaotic violence, not unlike the precedent full-length Fas - Ite, Maledicti, in Ignem Aeternum, to elegiac moments leaving room for melodic layers to develop and grow.

http://www.deathspellomega.com

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OFERMOD
Tiamtü

Returning with the original line-up, the infamous, Swedish kult act OFERMOD are more sublime than ever!. On Tiamtü - their debut full-length release from these savages - they unleash their Kliphotic incantations in utter sinister black metal perfection. Only Death is Sacred! Tiamtü available for review; interviews available via email communication now.

http://www.myspace.com/ofermodofficial

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Other new releases in the works from :AJNA: for 2009 include the new Acrimonious, Weapon and Nighbringer albums. More news to be unleashed soon....

http://www.theajnaoffensive.com
http://www.myspace.com/theajnaoffensive

ARCHGOAT!!!

The title, artwork and full tracklisting of ARCHGOAT's forthcoming second album are finally disclosed. Revelling in pure, untrammelled hatred and blasphemy, “The Light-Devouring Darkness” is uncompromising in its devotion to the barbaric traditions of the primitive Black Metal underground.

Tracklisting is as follows:
1. Intro: 3rd Invocation
2. Apotheosis of Lucifer
3. Tribulation of the King of Worms
4. Goat and the Moon
5. Sodomator of the Doomed Venus
6. The Light-Devouring Darkness
7. Blessed in Beast´s Blood
8. Worms born of Martyrdom
9. Fornicated Messiah
10. The Dawn of the Antichrist

The song "Apotheosis of Lucifer" is available on the band's Myspace.
To be released early February via Blasphemous Underground Productions.

Furthermore, as Blasphemous Underground Productions will cease its activities after the release/promotion of “The Light-Devouring Darkness”, an unholy alliance has been forged between Finnish Black Crusaders ARCHGOAT and French label Debemur Morti Productions. The infernal pact will commence after the release of the new album via Blasphemous Underground Productions.


Small cover : http://www.blasphemous-underground.com/img/bup_23_archgoat_tldd_small.jpg
Big cover : http://www.blasphemous-underground.com/img/bup_23_archgoat_tldd.jpg
Tracks : http://www.myspace.com/104017504

THE KULT IS ALIVE!

The release date for Destroying The Sacred has been delayed until June. We were informed from Arctic Music that the North American distributor has refused to distribute the album due to the cover art. This is the not the first time we have encountered problems likes this with our releases be it the graphic or lyrical content. We have already remedied the situation with a slip insert that will go over the cover art and the only real setback is that the original release date has been pushed back.

The good news however is we have streamed another new track on the Kult ov Azazel Myspace page. The song is Storm The Gates and is track 4 on the forthcoming album. We have also confirmed participation on a Venom tribute split with Teratism. This split vinyl release will be titled In League With Satan and released through Negativity Records with a limited run of 666 copies. We are also working on putting together a CD/DVD release to be released later in the year through Arctic Music.

We are now taking offers from labels interested in working with us now that our contract with Arctic Music is done. Labels interested in working with Kult ov Azazel can contact the band by email at triplesixmanagement@kultovazazel.com.

Magazines, radio programs and web based publications which are interested in interviews and other media/press related requests can contact the band at press@kultovazazel.com.

WHO'S AFRAID OF THE BIG BAD WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM?

In February Southern Lord will proudly release the vinyl only version of the new Wolves In The Throne Room EP entitled Malevolent Grain, featuring two brand new tracks from the Pacific Northwest organic black metallers. Conspiracy Records will offer a limited edition picture disc of the 12" for Europe, while Southern Lord will release a black 180-gram version worldwide. Additionally the band will press a limited CD version for tour purposes only. The EP features the band's newly designed logo crafted by renowned artist Christophe Szpajdel, designer of black metal band logos for Kult Ov Azazel, Emperor, Moonspell and other international acts.

The third WITTR full-length Black Cascade will follow, to be released on March 31st on Southern Lord Records. More info will follow soon on this wholly organic black-drone masterwork. Both the EP and the full-length were recorded to 2-inch tape by Randall Dunn and Mell Dettmer in Seattle this Winter. The new recordings are the first to feature their new guitar player Will Lindsay (Middian) who had previously served as the band's touring bass player, in addition to longtime members, brothers Nathan and Aaron Weaver.

The band will tour Europe beginning in late January, along with three select US dates. More extensive touring through 2009 is also imminent. In addition to the new EP, other new merch for this tour includes a Live At Roadburn 2008 12" record, which also includes a DVD and is being released by Burning World Records.

1/16/2009 The Underground Events Center (benefit for victims of the Green Scare) - Seattle, WA
1/17/2009 The Big Room - Olympia, WA w/Mt. Eerie
1/22/2009 Vera Groningen (Net)
1/23/2009 Jaz Rostock (Ger)
1/24/2009 Loppen Copenhagen (Den)
1/25/2009 Cassiopeia Berlin (Ger)
1/27/2009 Dna Brussels (Bel)
1/28/2009 Underworld London (Uk)
1/29/2009 The Croft Bristol (Uk)
1/30/2009 Busk Birmingham (Uk)
2/02/2009 Engine Rooms Brighton (Uk)
2/03/2009 Boule Noir Paris (Fra)
2/04/2009 Heretic Club Bordeaux (Fra)
2/05/2009 El Balcon De La Lola Bilbao (Spa)
2/06/2009 Sala Whippoorwill Oviedo (Spa)
2/07/2009 Porto-rio Porto (Por)
2/08/2009 Ritmo Y Compas Madrid (Spa)
2/11/2009 Magnolia Milan (Ita)
2/12/2009 Circolo Degli Artisti Rome (Ita)
2/13/2009 Cage Club Livorno (Ita)
2/15/2009 Kunstverein Nurnberg (Ger)
2/16/2009 Klub 007 Prague (Cze)
2/17/2009 Arena Vienna (Aus)
2/18/2009 Beatpol Dresden (Ger)
2/19/2009 Scheldapen Antwerp (Bel)
2/20/2009 W2 Den Bosch (Net)
2/21/2009 Festung Bitterfeld (Ger)
2/28/2009 Masquerade @ Atlanta Metal Festival - Atlanta, GA

http://www.wittr.com
http://www.myspace.com/wolvesinthethroneroom
http://www.southernlord.com
http://blog.southernlord.com
http://www.myspace.com/southernlordrecordings