I could have done this forever. This is maybe the fifth band photo I’ve reviewed, and looking back they are not getting any less dumb. But this is my final review because, honestly, most people dealing with band photos are damned from the beginning.

Would you rather be burnt or taken by the sun? Does “taken” in this case mean kidnapped, raped or simply treated to a matinee showing of Pixels? 

Hell’s Headbangers is regifting us with Cianide’s 1997 album Death, Doom and Destruction.  The album was already a threatening slab of primitive extremity, and the reissue has extended the dread by appending a set of five demos (Rage War) and a 7″ (The Truth) that includes a Master cover of the same name.

M
One Last Bitter Retreat
dB Rating: 8/10

French tech-death destroyers Gorod are primed to release their fifth album, A Maze of Recycled Creeds, this fall. We have the exclusive premiere of “Celestial Nature” below

It’s taken UK apocalyptic funeral-black metallers Lychgate two years to follow-up lauded debut Lychgate. In the years between the Brits have delved into the darkest recesses of funeral doom and black metal’s psyche, employing church organs in full effect to turn what is traditionally a Christian instrument against itself. Furthermore, Lychgate have gotten stranger, more decadent. The progressive underpinnings of Lychgate recall vintage Genesis, but don’t let the reference sway you in any direction. This is evil, uncompromising and uncomfortable music, the likes of which normally emanate in strange waves from Norway. This time it’s from the bowels of historic London. To make matters worse (or better) Esoteric’s Greg Chandler is on vocals.

Featuring members of Red Death and Disciples of Chris, D.C. death metal maniacs Genocide Pact are set to release their Forged Through Domination 12-inch on A389. 

Well, guys, it’s that time again, as I’m home from my whirlwind press tour, and boy are my wings tired. Here’s all the new releases that are fit (or not) to print.

“When you grow up Middle East, war is not another fantasy movie – but a reality,” says Hammercult to Decibel. “A reality driven by greed, economical, and political agendas, powered by a religious leaders to blind the masses. It doesn’t matter in which country you live in – your government wants you to fear, obey, follow blindly and swallow their lies – so that they could collect the Spoils Of War while you remain blind, deaf and dumb. Fight it back! Let’s take back our spoils of war. Our rights! Our freedom! This is the only war worth fighting for!”

Not every magazine can make a special request for an original song from a legendary band. But Decibel did just that, and gothic death/doom institution My Dying Bride graciously lent their considerable talents to our Flexi Series.