Lucifer I
New partner, same dance, better result
dB Rating: 9/10

In life, that which doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Back in 2013, Blaze of Perdition were traveling through Austria and were involved in a major car accident that left members severely injured and bassist Wojciech “Ikaroz” Janus dead. Uncertain whether to carry on, Blaze of Perdition invoked the power of the Elder Gods—both benign and malign—and asked them one question: should Blaze of Perdition continue to sing the praises of “Luciferian Illumination”? The weak-minded would’ve come away from the confrontation confused and bereft. Not Blaze of Perdition. They respectfully mourned the loss of Janus and vowed, with ensorcelled swords and overflowing blood chalices held high, to return to the lands of the blackest metal, spiritually and physically rejuvenated.

Seventeen years after they foretold The Shape of Punk to Come, Refused have delivered just that in the form of Freedom. The Swedish post-hardcore legends are back with a vengeance, and Decibel has the inside story on their unlikely reformation.

 Today we bring you not only a stream of this bad boy, but some helpful exposition courtesy of frontman Travis Ryan.

Last week the world lost Sir Christopher Lee, a ridiculous badass on and off screen, who also had a late-late career legit heavy metal detour which Fangoria Editor-in-Chief Chris Alexander aptly describes as “one of the most fascinating 11th hour career turns in pop culture history.” To honor our fallen fellow metal militiaman Decibel convened an all-star horror-metal panel to discuss Lee’s ascent from untouchable horror icon to extreme music frontman…

The dog days of summer don’t have to bite, thanks to your friends at Decibel. If you subscribe right now, we’ll send you five classic flexi discs for FREE.

While metal may be Decibel’s bread ‘n’ butter ‘n’ focus, there’s no doubt we love ourselves some hardcore punk. Especially when it’s super-pissed off and sounds like a pack of rabid wolves developed opposable thumbs, invented a time machine and set the coordinates for somewhere smack dab in the middle of the mid-80s NYC, D.C. and Boston scenes.

Ia Pazuzu (out July 7 on Code666) is Diabolicum’s first full-length in 14 years, and “Silent Spring” is your first taste of new savagery.

New Hampshire’s Vattnet Viskar aren’t your typical black metal act. Actually, they’re not black metal at all, but they’re rather informed by the genre that pivots on darkness and evil. Listen to the riffs on debut album Sky Swallower and tell us you don’t hear shades of Burzum or Emperor. Listen to the repetition on new album Settler and tell us you don’t hear vintage Enslaved or Wolves in the Throne Room. Certainly, Vattnet Viskar revolve around a different, non-Satanic set of principles, the deepest of which can be heard and felt on Settler, with its hope-filled (but the light of inspiration dies) cover art. Let’s dig deep with Vattnet Viskar!

All Out War’s Dying Gods EP features covers of Carnivore and crust legends Amebix. We’ve got the premiere of AOW tackling the title track from the latter’s 1985 epic Arise!