Archive for January, 2013

Album of the day: Valborg – Nekrodepression

Posted on Thursday, January 31st, 2013

Lovingly pinched from Last Rites: German (and Central European) metal has always contained a notable strain of off-kilter innovators. Sure, the careers of Destruction, Kreator, and Sodom have been staked on aggressive but mostly straightforward thrash, but one also must account for the not-quite-right-ness of Coroner (who are Swiss, but perhaps honorary Germans for the sake of this argument) or Mekong Delta. Even in some of the more recent development of German black metal, you’ve had the odd, stately turns of bands like Secrets of the Moon or Dark Fortress.

In case the argument isn’t clear: Valborg falls directly in line with this tradition of strange, compelling German music, and Nekrodepression may just be the band’s most focused album to date.

Now, in any discussion of Valborg’s dark sort-of-doom, sort-of-goth, sort-of-death metal, the shadow that looms largest is Celtic Frost. Also not German, of course, but pretty close, both geographically and temperamentally, particularly when considering Tom Warrior & Co.’s recent third act. There are two key elements to Valborg’s music: the band’s general minimalist approach, and a gloominess that still feels tongue-in-cheek. (On that latter count, fans of Woods Of Ypres might feel a certain kinship.)

But more crucially, Valborg’s is a patient, measured aggression. That’s not to say that Nekrodepression is a frolic through the tulips: The one-two punch of ‘Under the Cross’ and ‘Massaker in St. Urstein’ hits harder than just about anything else in the band’s catalog, defying the listener not to crack a devilish grin.

Continue reading: Review of Valborg – Nekrodepression – Last Rites

Tags: Album of the day, Dan Obstkrieg, Last Rites, Nekrodepression, Valborg, Zeitgeistermusic
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Victor Griffin’s In~Graved: Album Cover Artwork; Release Date Revealed

Posted on Thursday, January 31st, 2013

In~Graved, the new band led by former Pentagram and Place of Skulls guitarist Victor Griffin, will release their self-titled debut album in Europe and the U.K. on Friday, March 22 via Finnish label Svart Records and in the U.S. on Tuesday, March 26 via Veritas Records. The debut self-tilted album ...read more

Hills Cancels Roadburn Appearance; Holland’s Monomyth Steps In As Replacement

Posted on Thursday, January 31st, 2013

We regret to report that Hills will not be playing the 2013 edition of Roadburn due to logistics issues. This is a loss for Roadburn, and we hope that the band will be part of the 2014 edition of the festival. At the same time, however, we are excited to ...read more

Track Premiere: Anciients, “Raise the Sun”

Posted on Thursday, January 31st, 2013

Roadburn is pleased to unveil the first track, ‘Raise the Sun’, from Anciients forthcoming debut album, Heart of Oak.  America’s leading metal magazine, Decibel, has deemed Anciients‘ debut one of the  25 Most Anticipated Records of 2013. These Vancouver juggernauts have written a truly devastating record that is sure to ...read more

Stream Yob Performing Catharsis Live at Roadburn 2012

Posted on Thursday, January 31st, 2013

Listen to the audio stream for Yob performing Catharsis in its entirety at Roadburn Festival 2012 via the media player below, courtesy of Vpro 3voor12, Holland’s major media network. Producers: Marcel van de Vondervoort (Astrosoniq, Spacejam Records, Torture Garden Studio) Robert de Lorijn (Astrosoniq, Spacejam Records)

Dread Sovereign (ft. Primordial Members) To Play First Ever Live Assault at Roadburn 2013.

Posted on Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

Dread Sovereign is the born dead brain child of Nemtheanga from Primordial. Years of string hacking and slashing on guitar have finally come to realization as backed by Dubh SOL (Primordial) on drums and Bones (Zom / Wizards) on guitar they have forged a new band. The blueprint is rough, ...read more

Album of the day: Bloody Hammers – Bloody Hammers

Posted on Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

Lovingly pinched from Meatmeadmetal: We’ve covered / complained about certain sub-genres of metal swelling up to the point of gruesomeness and having to search extra hard to find the good bands because there are so effing many of them. We kind of said that last week when discussing grindcore and ...read more

Black Magician Bring The Devil’s Church To Roadburn 2013

Posted on Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

We are thrilled to announce that UK Doomers Black Magician have been confirmed as a replacement for The Devil’s Blood and will bring their sinister take on Heavy Doom to the Roadburn Festival on Saturday, April 20th at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Holland which will also mark the band’s ...read more

Roadburn 2013 Afterburner Updates

Posted on Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

Japan’s SIGH will be playing the Main Stage instead of the Green Room at the 2013 Roadburn Afterburner on Sunday, 21 April. It’s not every day they are in Europe, so we want to make the most of this opportunity. Also, the demise of The Devil’s Blood means that we will ...read more

YOB: Audio Stream For Catharsis Live at Roadburn 2012 On Line

Posted on Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

Listen to the audio stream for Yob performing Catharsis in its entirety at Roadburn Festival 2012 via the media player below, courtesy of Vpro 3voor12, Holland’s major media network. Producers: Marcel van de Vondervoort (Astrosoniq, Spacejam Records, Torture Garden Studio) Robert de Lorijn (Astrosoniq, Spacejam Records)