The Sword - Cloak of Feathers (Music Video)

In conjunction with their forthcoming tour supporting Clutch (starting this Wednesday May 1st in Richmond, VA), The Sword today release their new video, "Cloak Of Feathers." The video, directed by Rich Ragsdale, is the second clip from The Sword’s fourth album, Apocryphon (Razor & Tie).

Interview: Ancient VVisdom

Formed around the core of vocalist and songwriter Nathan Opposition, Michael Jochum (electric guitar) and Justin “Ribs” Mason (acoustic guitar), Ancient VVisdom conjures hypnotically heavy neo-folk music that combines a myriad of musical and artistic influences while maintaining an intensity that harkens to the bandmembers’ hardcore roots. Joined by bassist TA and adding dedicated percussionist Mitchel K. Morris on their latest release, “Deathlike,” Ancient VVisdom’s sound is simultaneously spare and full of surprising instrumentation—stand-up bass, standing percussion emphasized with chains and machetes and even cigar-box guitar find their way onto the band’s recordings. 2012 found Ancient VVisdom appearing at Roadburn and touring in support of Ghost on their “13 Days of Doom” shows, evangelizing the release of their debut LP “A Godlike Inferno.” Those who caught Ancient VVisdom on Enslaved’s epic trek across North America this winter were shown what Nathan Opposition calls “a whole new machine”—a seasoned group of musicians with a signature sound and a unique and mesmerizing stage presence. Occult Rock caught up with the band after their final performance on this tour to talk about channeling the creative spirit, the ritual nature of live music and their infamous split record with Charles Manson.

Fans of your former bands like Integrity and Iron Age might be surprised by the strong apocalyptic folk (Death in June, Nature and Organization, etc.) sound of Ancient VVisdom’s music. Do you think there’s much crossover between the fan-base of your hardcore/metal bands and Ancient VVisdom?

Nathan: I’d say it’s about half and half—there are definitely people who know us from other bands that appreciate what we’re doing now. And then there’s a ton of new people we’ve met doing shows and being out there with the crowd and hanging out.

Review: Blood Ceremony "The Eldritch Dark"

Blood Ceremony graced our FALL 2012 issue for good reason… they are simply the coolest fucking band ever. Now they have emerged from the studio yet again to bring us their 3rd album and a true rock masterpiece! No wait… A GOD DAMN TRUE  ROCK MASTERPIECE! I would underline that 666 times if I could.

When I put this album on I expected to like it but FUCK, it’s even better than I expected! “Witchwood” delivers cool organ and guitar riffs one after the other. The hair on my arms looks like I sprayed them with aqua net… standing straight up through this whole song. It swaggers along as loose as a truck stop hooker and the first two words sung are “Black Magic…”, I can’t get past this song. This is a fucking brilliant track and on top of the awesome musical grooves, vocalist (and organ/flute) Alia O'Brien delivers an excellent melody that stays glued to your brain for hours afterwards.

BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE, WAY MORE! ... We’re just getting started! Here comes “Goodbye Gemini” and I’m just shaking my head… I can’t believe it. The flute work at the opening is sick but this thing just explodes into a catchy hook rich rock and roll face ripper! This will be their encore number for years to come.

Next up we have the Wicker Man tribute and bong-reacher “Lord Summerisle”. Just puff and let this track take over. It will certainly make the crops grow. “Ballad of the Weird Sisters” captures some of the best flute work from Alia I’ve heard. She is the Hendrix of flute players. Never has a flute been played with so much soul. There is so much soul and groove from all the players on this album. Everything is perfect… stars aligned… Magic!

The title track, "The Eldritch Dark" shows why Sean Kennedy should go on the list of the top all-time riff masters. He is just stellar throughout this record and Lucas Gadke has achieved at capturing one of the best bass sounds ever recorded. Furthermore, this is some of the best bass guitar work I have heard on any record so far this year. Anyway, back to The Eldritch Dark… yeah this song has some sharp teeth and is sure to be a favorite.

“Drawing Down the Moon” happens and I can’t believe there have been so many great songs in a row. All killer, no filler. The closest this album gets to any filler might be the instrumental track, “Faunus” but it rocks too, I just like songs with vocals so… and it’s only a couple minutes anyway.

The last track is the ambitious 8 minute epic “The Magician”. I don’t remember hearing Alia play organ this well before. It seems she has really been putting in some hours on the Hammond because she’s ripping here. A great choice for an album closer.

This record will propel Blood Ceremony into major rock star status. I feel bad for whatever band has to play after them live. I would not want to have to follow this material. I would fake a belly-ache and go home.

So stop what you are doing and order this album now. I hope Rise Above/Metal Blade printed a ton of copies because this is going to fly!  5/5 Stars

Legendary Horror Rockers Goblin to Perform Live Score of Dario Argento's 1977 Masterpiece "Suspiria"

It’s exactly six months before horror and metal collide in Central Texas at the inaugural Housecore Horror Film Festival – the ultimate 3-day, underground fan event celebrating the twisted line where horror films and heavy metal meet. Today, festival creators – legendary metal frontman Philip H. Anselmo and best-selling true crime author Corey Mitchell – announce that influential Italian progressive rock band Goblin will be performing their iconic score to Dario Argento’s 1977 horror masterpiece, Suspiria, live at Housecore Horror Film Festival.

Marking their first-ever performance in North America, Goblin’s horror rock maestros Maurizio Guarini and Claudio Simonetti will fulfill fans’ dreams and nightmares as they perform their notably eerie soundtrack for Suspiria live during a screening of the classic and revered horror masterpiece.

Says Anselmo of the epic performance, “Goblin is, in my view, one of the ultimate horror bands in the history of the genre. I still listen to them often, especially on tour. To have Goblin play the Housecore Horror Film Festival is like I'm living in a strange, dark dream, where nothing is quite geometrically correct, but I want to keep delving further while Goblin dirges onward underneath the bleak imagery.”

Formed in the early 1970s, the progressive rock group is best known for creating the suspenseful and tense soundtracks for horror movie classics including Joe D'Amato's Buried Alive (aka Beyond Darkness), George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead, and Dario Argento’s Deep Red and Suspiria.

"We are beyond excited to bring the sounds of Goblin and Suspiria to the United States for the very first time! And to be able to perform the score before a live audience while they watch Dario Argento's masterpiece on the big screen is incredible,” says Maurizio Guarini of Goblin’s involvement. “We are thrilled that Philip Anselmo has asked us to come perform at the Housecore Horror Film Festival. It will certainly be an event for everyone to remember."

With Suspiria, Argento was able to create a new level of terror by playing with the viewers’ imaginations via his use of screaming, vibrant colors and the horrifying, heavy sounds created by Goblin.  The release of the horror classic was a watershed moment for artistic direction in horror films. Rarely before had a horror directorleveraged such stylistic flair to expose the depths of our darkest thoughts.

"There are few bands more technically adept at creating an actual atmosphere of tension, occult speculation, or delicate knife-twisting suspense, than Goblin. Their use of sonic keyboards and electronic soundscapes is beyond unique,” says Anselmo.

“All hail the mighty Masters of The Macabre timbres!" he adds.

The Goblin/Suspira screening joins an already heavy list of festival performances, screenings and special events that have been announced to date, including concerts from Down, Crowbar, Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals, EyeHateGod, and Warbeast; special guest appearances by noted and notorious filmmakers Coffin Joe, Jörg Buttgereit, and Jim VanBebber; and Void ov Voices – another one time only, metal-meets-horror event with extreme metal vocalist Attila Csihar (best known from iconic black metal band Mayhem) using sonic manipulations to create a live soundtrack for The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.

Many more bands, special guests, films, and special events to be announced over the next few months.

Jex Thoth Announce New Album, "Blood Moon Rise"

After much anticipation, JEX THOTH present their second full-length album: BLOOD MOON RISE. Heavy and thick in the spirit of Black Sabbath, brewed with the soul of Sabbath contemporaries like Amon Düül II, Pink Floyd, Heart and Blue Öyster Cult.

Well worth the wait, BLOOD MOON RISE delivers not only a collection of catchy doom ballads, but a flowing tapestry of cursed, psychedelic heavy metal. The album reflects JEX THOTH's expanded vision, while incorpora- ting celebrated elements from the band's self-titled debut.

BLOOD MOON RISE constructs an entire realm, one where past and future exist simultaneously, where the lines of sleep and awake are forever blurred, available to all those willing to let go their minds. A dark, winding road filled with ear warming, soul crushing tunes; an evocative journey guided by the unmistakable voice of the band's visionary namesake.

Mixing shamanistic and futuristic sounds with harsh and more subtle tones, BLOOD MOON RISE, cradles and sways, dooms and dances, shivers and quakes. Some tracks send you floating away, while others bind you firmly to the earth. BLOOD MOON RISE stretches from classically fuzzed out and slow n' heavy, to strong and epic, to tranquil and ominous. Reverent while maintaining an original sound, JEX THOTH embrace all that is good from the past and shuttle it defiantly into the future. Intrepid, bone-shaking rock 'n roll, Produced by Randall Dunn (Earth, Sunn O))), Black Mountain).
The classic song craft, weaving melodies, rich tones, and crushing drums on BLOOD MOON RISE will have even the most sober of listeners comple- tely transfixed. Addictive, timeless rock.

JEX THOTH have completed four successful European Tours along with a number of notable European festivals: Tuska, Roadburn, Rock Hard, Hell’s Pleasure, Doom Shall Rise VII, Hammer of Doom, Hammer Open Air, Heavy Days In Doomtown, and Stoned From The Underground.

ORCHID - Wizard Of War (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Scorpion Child Reveal Cover Art And Track-list

Austin based, hard rock sensation, SCORPION CHILD have revealed the artwork and tracklist from their forthcoming self-titled debut studio album.

'Scorpion Child' will be released June 24th, 2013 via Nuclear Blast. Produced and arranged by Chris “Frenchie” Smith (THE ANSWER, ...AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD, THE TOADIES, DAX RIGGS), the self-titled album was recorded using analog recording technology.

Interview: Sabbath Assembly

by Kate Hutchinson

With its black-cloaked adherents, Satanic imagery and apocalyptic teachings, the Process Church of the Last Judgment was in many ways a counterpoint to the optimism and inclusiveness of the hippie movement. Their controversial theology put Christ and Jehovah on equal footing with Satan and Lucifer, finding admirable qualities in Gods both dark and light. Practitioners followed a strict code of conduct bordering on the monastic, the goal of which was individual spiritual evolution. Drawing its congregation from the youth counterculture of the 1960s and early 1970s, the Process employed psychedelic graphic design and folk rock-infused anthems in order to appeal to new recruits.

The liturgical music of the Process has been resurrected by Sabbath Assembly, a musical project established in 2009 and named after the Church’s most holy rite. Formed by drummer Dave Nuss, Sabbath Assembly performs music originally written by Process Church members to celebrate its innermost mysteries. Sabbath Assembly’s second album, “Ye Are Gods,” finds vocalist Jamie Myers joining the fold after the departure of Jex Thoth. Dave Nuss spoke to Occult Rock Magazine about what it’s like to bring the devotional music of this controversial religious group to a contemporary audience.

OR: How did you initially become interested in the Process Church?

DN: After many years of hearing only whisperings about the Church, I was absolutely inspired by the lyrics and sheet music printed in the LOVE SEX FEAR DEATH book by former Proccesean Timothy Wyllie – in particular a tune called, “Christ and Satan Joined in Unity.”

ORCHID - The Mouths Of Madness (NEW SINGLE)

The Devil's Blood to release final album: "III: Tabula Rasa or Death and the Seven Pillars"

The Devil's Blood announced at the beginning of 2013 that they have "returned to nothingness." At the same time, they announced that plans had already been put into motion to release new material. The new seven song album, III: Tabula Rasa or Death and the Seven Pillars, will serve as the band's final full-length release. A new track, White Storm of Teeth, has been made available for streaming at metalblade.com/thedevilsblood, where fans can also pre-order the album, and view the art, which was done by Manuel Tinnemans. III: Tabula Rasa or Death and the Seven Pillars will be available for purchase on iTunes April 30th, via all other digital outlets (Google Play, Amazon MP3, etc.) on May 28th, and on CD and vinyl June 11th.

 SL comments on the release: "Prior to our disbanding on the 22nd of January 2013 we had been active with the pre-production of what was to be our third album. 7 songs, the complete outline of the album, had been, in humble form, recorded in my home recording studio and these demos were supposed to be the template for our studio recordings. Obviously we would never make it that far and the initial shock of that fact saddened us greatly. After but a few days we listened to this material again and decided that even though the audio quality might not be what people have come to expect from a The Devil's Blood release, the song material was and is the best we have ever done. We came to the conclusion that these songs deserve to become a part of The Canon and that we would release them as is.

 "I spent a few days gathering all the demo material together, made a very simple mix and gave the material to our friend and mentor Pieter G. Kloos to master in his studio. Here we present you with the titles of the material and the artwork which was done by Manuel Tinnemans.

 "The song we have chosen to release now is "White Storm of Teeth". More so than the other material this song speaks to the completion and transubstantiation that always follows an Occult path. Not the end of a journey but the start of a completely new one. Built around thirteen stanzas in the first part and thirteen stanzas in the second part the process of inner enlightenment through confusion and entropy and the initiation through the Death of the lower self is illustrated. This theme is rampant throughout the record and its lyrics but here it culminates and completely devours itself. After this work no words are needed and, on the album, none are offered.

 "The Devil's Blood has always been an entity that defied any fealty or thankfulness towards any earthly influence. But we as people need not hold to this paradigm any longer. We therefore wish to express our sincere thankfulness to all those who have supported this weird quest and have made the earthly woes to not work against us. You most definitely know who you are."

 "The record will be released by Ván Records in Europe and the rest of the World and by Metal Blade in North America. It will be available as digital download, CD and LP starting the 30th of April in Europe and a date soon to be announced in the USA/CAN. With thankfulness and a glad heart filled with the pride of a work well done, SL/…/AO"

 Fans can also order the last remaining vinyl copies of The Thousandfold Epicentre. The gatefold double vinyl deluxe edition is limited to 1,000 copies worldwide and includes a full color 12 page 12"x12" insert. Preview the beautiful packaging at indiemerch.com/metalbladerecords.

 III: Tabula Rasa or Death and the Seven Pillars track listing:
 1. I was Promised a Hunt
 - Part III - …and the holy cunt spewed forth abomination…
 - Part II - …wielding the hammer of the dead…
 - Part I - …upon the aimless path…
 2. The Lullaby of the Burning Boy
 3. …If not a Vessel?
 4. In the loving Arms of Lunacy's secret Demons
 5. Dance of the Elements
 6. White Storm of Teeth
 7. Tabula Rasa

DEMON LUNG Full-Length Debut To Be Released June 4

Candlelight Records today confirms June 4th as the North American release date for The Hundredth Name, the full-length debut from Las Vegas-based epic doom band DEMON LUNG. The eight-song album was recorded with Adam Myatt and Billy Anderson (Neurosis, The Melvins, Sleep) and features artwork by English illustrator Tom Bates (Vision of Disorder, Amorphis).

The Hundredth Name is a conceptual album as previously confirmed by drummer Jeremy Brenton. Its story line follows, “The long-begotten son of Satan, who’s been sent to earth to assemble the three parts of the devil’s bible so that we can speak the name of God in reverse and undo creation.” Songstress Shanda Fredrick adds, “We have had the concept idea for the album for a few years. We have just been waiting until we signed to a proper label to finish writing it. Working with Billy was a dream come true for us. He has been like a fifth member of the band, a mentor, and just an all-around awesome friend. He helped us craft something that we are very proud of."

Formed in 2011, DEMON LUNG features guitarist Phil Burns and bassist Patrick Warren, with Fredrick and Brenton. The band has a singular EP, Pareidolia (Bandcamp 2012), currently available. The recording was favorably received by international media. “Earthy-yet-horror-themed doom metal a-la Candlemass,” said Metal Hammer. “Their hazy atmosphere and unorthodox way of playing guitar in a doom metal band is an interesting approach that doom fans should immediately check out,” noted Metal Archives.

Interview with Mlny from Royal Thunder

Atlanta’s Royal Thunder burst onto the heavy rock scene in 2012, with a non-stop touring
schedule supporting their debut “CVI,” a record that landed on many critics’ Best of 2012 lists. Their bluesy, riff-driven guitar rock is complemented by Mlny Parsonz’s unforgettable, rough-edged vocals. Mlny and her husband, guitarist Josh Weaver, formed what would become the four-piece Royal Thunder (rounded out by Josh Coleman and Evan Diprima) back in 2004, so their “overnight success story” has been years in the making. After some setbacks in mid-2012, including illness and vocal stress, the band got right back on the road, with 2013 finding them once again on a cross-country tour, this time supporting Norwegian metal giants Enslaved. Mlny took time out of her hectic schedule of writing, creating and playing with the band to discuss her lifelong love of music as well as what the future may hold for Royal Thunder.

How do you plan to spend last month of 2012?

Ah, I can't wait to get back in the van and hit the road. We've been practicing and working hard
to get ready for these next few shows. The last month of 2012, it's a very intense month. We
have a lot of planning being done for 2013--I'm not a planner, so my head is spinning.

INTERVIEW WITH GEOF O'KEEFE FROM BEDEMON

With a history that stretches over four decades, Bedemon was born out of the same cauldron of creative force that birthed the legendary Pentagram. Founded by guitarist Randy Palmer, Bedemon explored Palmer’s loves of heavy riffing and horror movies. The band recorded several tracks in the 70s and 80s, and after a lengthy hiatus, returned to the studio in 2002 to record fresh material. Tragically, Palmer was killed in a car crash in 2003, putting an indefinite hold on the band as surviving members decided how best to preserve and continue with their friend’s legacy. In late 2005, the band released their 2002 master recordings under the title “Child of Darkness.” The record received enthusiastic reviews and prompted the group to create their official debut album, an LP that has been thirty years in the making: 2012’s “Symphony of Shadows.” Founding member Geof O’Keefe took the time to discuss Bedemon’s role in the early years of the American Doom scene and what it’s like to be back in the spotlight.

Cathedral - Tower Of Silence [Music Video]

Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats Announce Mind Control Release Date

Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats, one of the most talked about rock bands currently in existence, and an enigma in the international underground scene, are preparing to release their third full length album. Mind Control is set for release on April 15th via Rise Above Records in Europe and May 14th via Metal Blade Records in North America, following their two debut London sell-out concerts at The Garage. Within its blood soaked grooves you will hear shocking tales of bizarre desert ceremonies, religious brainwashing and drug inspired mass slaughter! Fans can order the album and listen to Poison Apple now at metalblade.com/uncleacid.

Imagine the original Alice Cooper band jamming in a cell with early Black Sabbath and the Stooges, whilst sitting on murder charges and you may get a glimpse into their fuzzed up world of exploding tube amps and cymbal smashing mayhem. However, this enticing act of musical manipulation is merely the icing upon a very sick cake.

 Mind Control is a concept album with a theme that makes the acts and intentions of the likes of Charles Manson and Jim Jones seem like petty crimes. What makes Mind Control scarier than most albums is that it doesn't seem as sinister on the surface as it really is deep down, within the core of its black acid-drenched world of pain and torture.

Recorded at the legendary Chapel Studios over an autumnal full moon using the finest western electrical technology, engineer Jim Spencer (Bert Jansch, Robert Wyatt) has captured perfectly the bands live sound of saturated fuzz, mind-bending riffs and 60s vocal harmonies.

MORTALS Sign To Relapse Records

Relapse Records is extremely excited to announce the signing of Brooklyn, NY blackened sludge trio Mortals!  Formed in 2010, Mortals (Elizabeth Cline, guitar & vocals; Lesley Wolf, bass & vocals; Caryn Havlik, drums) have quickly built a reputation for their  harrowing concoction of black metal, stoner-swamp-sludge and doom metal, being described by MSN’s Headbang blog as an “engrossing and devastating version of modern metal.” and by Meat Mead Metal as “massive and crushing.”
The band will be entering the studio this summer to record their Relapse Records full-length debut and follow up to their critically acclaimed, self-released EP Death Ritual.  Listen to the title track from the EP here.

 The group commented on the signing: “It’s unbelievable that we now have the support and backing of a label like Relapse whose roster of incredible talent is one we've long followed. We’re so excited that this label is offering us the opportunity to share what we’re doing with the world.  Pass the whiskey!”

Additionally, the band will be hitting the road for a string of east coast shows starting May 3rd in Philadelphia, PA including dates with Mutilation Rites, East of the Wall, Woe & Fuck The Facts.  A complete listing of dates is included below. 

Mortals Tour Dates:
May 03         Philadelphia, PA        The Brown House w/ Casket & Cauldron
May 04         Ithaca NY        Big Day In Fest #8 @ The Haunt w/ Fuck the Facts, East of the Wall & more
May 10         Brooklyn NY         The Acheron w/Woe and Mutilation Rites

HEXVESSEL premiere new track, prepare "Iron Marsh" for release

Today, HEXVESSEL premiere the new track "Woman of Salem" on the Roadburn Festival's official website. Fresh from a victorious run at the SXSW festival in America late last month, "the rising stars of psychedelic folk in Europe" are preparing to release a new EP entitled Iron Marsh through SVART RECORDS on May 10th, which is intended to be the companion record to last year's critically acclaimed No Holier Temple opus. In preparation for a European tour with labelmates SABBATH ASSEMBLY starting next week, you can hear HEXVESSEL's "Woman of Salem" in its entirety here: http://www.roadburn.com/2013/04/hexvessel-woman-of-salem-track-premiere/

"Woman of Salem" is a Yoko Ono cover song, from the Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band album Feeling The Space, which was released back in 1973. Mat from HEXVESSEL comments that the idea behind covering the track is "in tribute to Ono, who is as remarkable as a producer/songwriter as she is an activist and artist. She used her creativity to awaken generations to the concept of world peace in an age where activism on environment and social issues was considered radical, extreme, and dangerous. Her music is underrated genius, and her influence on John Lennon's inspirational music is not regarded highly enough. Her art continues to influence HEXVESSEL, and this track is a tip of the hat to her."

The track features guest lead vocals by Rosie from Purson, who HEXVESSEL consider a kindred spirit as pioneers of progressing the vintage revival sound. "Purson are one of the bands in the scene today that I'd be really proud to be associated with," says Mat. "They're not about rehashing Sabbath occult doom. I haven't heard an band as eclectic since Queen with their surreal old English psych and Lewis Carroll charm. They're doing their own thing and Rosie's a tough female artist holding her own, like Ono, so her contribution is fitting. I hope people get off on this song as much as we did making it."


Hexvessel European tour
05.04. Tallinn, Estonia @ Tallinn Music Week, Sinilind
11.04. Helsinki, Finland @ Kuudes Linja - with Sabbath Assembly
12.04. Oulu, Finland @ Nuclear Nightclub - with Sabbath Assembly
13.04. Jyväskylä, Finland @ Lutakko - with Sabbath Assembly
15.04. Warsaw, Poland @ Harenda - with Sabbath Assembly
16.04. Poznań, Poland @ Pod Minogą - with Sabbath Assembly
17.04. Hamburg, Germany @ Hafenklang - with Sabbath Assembly
18.04. Berlin, Germany @ Cassiopeia - with Sabbath Assembly
19.04. Roadburn Festival - Tilburg, Netherlands
02.05. Heavy Days in Doomtown - Copenhagen, Denmark
5-7.07 TBC Kuudes Aisti Festival - Helsinki, FIN
14.07. Ilosaarirock - Joensuu, Finland