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Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Z2 Comics partners with heavy metal legend King Diamond for the graphic novel adaptation of 'Abigail'


 Z2 Comics, the leading publisher of music-inspired graphic novels, reveals this fall's jewel in the crown of the "king" of heavy metal himself: the first-ever comic written by the one and only King Diamond. White Noise Studios scribe Dan Watters and October Faction artist Damien Worm team with The King himself for a chilling new version of the story of Miriam Natias and Jonathan LaFey and an inheritance far more terrifying than even the haunted mansion in which it's discovered.

To celebrate this unprecedented pairing, Z2 Comics will offer an exclusive brand new Abigail graphic novel picture disc edition of this incredible album, featuring the front cover of the graphic novel, and on the back side, you will find both the original Abigail cover and an alternate cover painting by artist Torbjörn Jörgensen, available only with the deluxe and super deluxe graphic novel package, exclusively through the Z2 website, and available for pre-order now: z2comics.com/kingdiamond

"A graphic novel based on one of my stories is a dream come true for me. Working with a company like Z2 and the writer Dan Watters, and the graphic artist Damien Worm, is making this project the highest class one could wish for. Not just our own fans, but any fan of the horror genre, will enjoy the darkness and creepiness of this project. I simply can't wait to personally be able to present this to you once we get closer to Halloween. Abigail has risen again."

The haunting saga of King Diamond's Abigail brought to stunning and horrific life by Dan Watters, Damien Worm, and King Diamond himself! Adapting the storyline of one of heavy metal's most celebrated concept albums, this new graphic novel will reward both longtime fans and horror hounds alike with a story made even more chilling in comic book form!

Publisher Josh Frankel says, "King Diamond is as his name would imply, heavy metal royalty, and we are all his servants. I couldn't be more honored to reward fans of comics and heavy music with what will most likely be one of the highlights of the year, and a high watermark for Z2's direct artist collaborations overall."

With 12 albums released as King Diamond, millions of albums sold worldwide, with over 175,000 of 1987's Abigail in the US alone. The second album under the King Diamond banner, Abigail, is an undisputed classic and considered his true breakout release, setting the stage for over three decades of devoted fandom. With the new album announced, 2022 will truly mark "the return of the king."

King Diamond's Abigail graphic novel will be released in standard softcover and hardcover editions in comic shops and bookstores alike just in time for Halloween in October 2021, with special deluxe and super deluxe editions available for pre-order now only through the Z2 website (z2comics.com/kingdiamond), which include a special exclusive one-time variant cover vinyl edition in a strictly limited edition of 3,000 copies!

A very unique and sinister piece of dark art will be made available for pre-order, as a companion to the graphic novel on King Diamond's personal request. Details will be available on the Z2 website: z2comics.com/kingdiamond

About Z2 Comics:
Z2 Comics is the premier destination for official music-related graphic novels, created in partnership with top-tier artists, musicians, directors and pop-culture icons. Distributed globally via Simon & Schuster, Z2 has collaborated with such diverse artists as Blondie, Elvis Presley, Gorillaz, Machine Gun Kelly, Sublime, Yungblud, Cypress Hill, Babymetal, Major Lazer, Rico Nasty and Paul Oakenfold, as well as debut comic works by Grammy-nominated artists Sturgill Simpson, Poppy and Anthrax. Additionally, the company has tapped top talent for the official graphic biographies of such pop-culture legends as The Grateful Dead, Beethoven and Charlie "Bird" Parker. In 2021, Z2 will publish graphic novel tie-ins to essential albums by The Doors, Ronnie James Dio, All Time Low, with many more to be announced in the coming months.

About King Diamond:
King Diamond is quite possibly the most recognizable and prolific personality ever in heavy metal. Twice Grammy nominated and revered by icons as big as Metallica and Pantera. King Diamond, the man and the band, have left an indelible mark on the history, and now again, the future of heavy metal; video game appearances, to festival and touring appearances have helped vault the living legend into the spotlight and in front of new throngs of metal fans. King Diamond's 30+ year musical career is one of the most storied in the history of heavy metal, and the tale is not over yet.

King Diamond online:
https://www.kingdiamondcoven.com
https://twitter.com/kingdiamond
https://www.youtube.com/realkingdiamond
https://www.facebook.com/kingdiamond
https://store.kingdiamondcoven.com

Friday, April 23, 2021

DIY Chaotic Creatives 'Worm Hero' and 'Lure In' Join Forces For A Split Record


 

In 2020 Worm Hero & Lure In made their marks in the United Kingdom's underground Metal & Hardcore scenes - with Worm Hero’s mix of mathy avant-grind punk, as seen on releases such as “Eat It Up”, and Lure In’s constant genre-blending going from metalcore to ambient to drum & bass, all the way to shoegaze and post rock, as seen on releases such as “Subdued” and “Cynic / Agnostic”, and now in 2021 they’ve come together to create a split record. Both bands share one thing in mind, embrace chaotic creativity and reject genre normalities. This release is two bands throwing ideas and songs at a wall, to which you’d be hard-pressed to find anything similar in the UK’s current heavy music scene.

 

The Worm Hero side of the split is heavily influenced by bands such as Some Girls, The Locust, and An Albatross. They take the noisy synth elements of bands such as Man is the Bastard and Holy Molar, added with sassy yells and cookie-monster growls, and put their own twist on it. The guitars are equal parts mathcore, such as SikTh, and grindcore - whereas the lyrical content at this time is taking a sometimes much more personal route on songs such as "Two Moons" and "The Sublime Art of Scissoring" whilst still evoking the surreal nature of the first LP.

 

The Lure In side has influences from many different artists and styles ranging from the ambient stylings of Brian Eno for the opening track “Sustenance”, to then drop you right into the punishing lead single “Blue”, which is an intense mix of nu-metal akin to bands like Slipknot, The new school metalcore riffing of bands like Knocked Loose, the vocal deliveries of bands such as Daughters & The Dillinger Escape Plan, with an intense production that includes a sample from the late hyperpop artist Sophie. The next track “Alive” plays in the same ballpark as “Blue” but with the more nu-metal stylings brought down to introduce more shoegaze stylings of bands such as My Bloody Valentine & Deafheaven. The last song, which is a reprise of their last release “Agnostic” is a reimagined take of the song that's part movie score and part video game ost.

 

The future plan after this release for both bands is to do a UK tour alongside the Bristol-based mathcore band Vicarage in early October, to which the tour is currently being self-booked by members of Lure In & Vicarage, as well as both bands working towards their next releases.

 WORM HERO | LURE IN

Hammerheart Records news: Ereb Altor presents "Eldens Boning" from their upcoming EP!


Ereb Altor presents “Eldens Boning”, a classic vinyl only 12” Mini-LP featuring 4 four new Scandanavian Metal songs full of pagan epicness! 

Listen to title track here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAVqxfTn8gI


Pre-order here:
https://bit.ly/3oFX0ZK


Ereb Altor always promises one thing with each release: Epic, Folk-blended Metal inspired by the Norse legends. “Eldens Boning” keeps any fan satisfied with a true and sincere Pagan theme in its lyrics and art. Each song delivers in full and features some of the best work from the band yet.



The opening track “The Twilight Ship” builds the atmosphere before exploding into a classic Ereb Altor, a True Heavy Pagan Metal song focused on epicness. Sharp Heavy Metal riffs, Nordic melodies, catchy choruses and pounding drums, an enrichement to the bands future live-set. Followed up by “Fenrisulven” which sees Ereb Altor tread new paths, that of an all acoustic song, that really leaves an appetite for more of this. Very atmospheric, calm as a Swedish lake in the morning it features great violin parts, skaldic in feel, a great addition to the Metal songs! The title track is the third song on this EP and it is classic Ereb Altor, blending in their Blackened roots, full speed ahead with the grim rasping vocals taking the lead. Never losing the focus on epicness, and graced with killer guitar solo-work. A raging song for sure. Closing song “Sacrifice 2.0” might refer to the “Sacrifice” song on the “Fire Meets Ice” album, but this new song is a much swifter and tighter, that is once more the mix of epicness and Ereb Altor’s blacker roots.

Ereb Altor’s songwriting style is their biggest strength, they write killer songs, memorable songs. When they break away and get into some real shredding they even add to the incredible strong atmosphere. Just like on their last album “Järtecken” from 2019 Ereb Altor incorporates keyboards to even build up their strengths some more. Ereb Altor succeeds in blending Viking/Pagan themed Epic Metal with the more dark roots of Swedish Black Metal, resulting in an EP (20 minutes playing time) that is classic Ereb Altor.

For fans of: classic Bathory, Grand Magus, Primordial, Enslaved, Wardruna, Isole, Falkenbach




Ereb Altor - Eldens Boning
MLP (Clear vinyl)
Ereb Altor - Eldens Boning
MLP (Black vinyl)
Ereb Altor - Eldens Boning
MLP (Orange vinyl)

 

 

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OTARGOS "20 Years of Human Termination" [Blackened Death Metal - FR] - XENOKORP Release: 14 May 2021


 

Overview

While putting the finishing touches to new album that'll be released sometimes during the second half of this year, legendary French industrialized blackened Death Metal, or somplier put "Dark Extreme Metal", band OTARGOS are celebrating their 20th anniversay with the raw and brutal "20 Years of Human Termination" live recorded at then-label KAOTOXIN 2015 festival "KaotoxinFest#II" marking OTARGOS' then new album "Xeno Kaos" release.

Line Up

  • Ulrich "Dagoth" Wegrich - Guitars & Vocals
  • Hindrik A.S. - Guitars
  • M. Pliszke - Bass
  • John A. - Drums

Credits

Enter ABIGAIL’S CRYPT With DEADLINE (South Africa's Finest Old School Metal Band)


 
The new EP of B-sides and rarities is out now from New Wave of Old School Heavy Metal Giants DEADLINE is a tribute to the bands and songs that keep them and their live shows going (whilst you wait for part 3 of the DEADLINE Lady Blitzkrieg Black Wolf City Saga)!

ABIGAIL'S CRYPT is only available online and consists of 3 covers and 2 classic DEADLINE tunes from previous releases (all spiced up with an acoustic and even a Darkwave/Synthwave/Retrowave treatment)!

1. Square Hammer (Ghost Cover)
2. 
Rebel Yell (Billy Idol Cover)
3. 
Break The Silence (Nothing Else Matters Version)
4. 
Holy Diver (Dio Cover)
5. 
High-Tops & Bullet Belts (Cyber-Tops & Synth-Belts Mix)

This EP is not only a tribute, but a call to arms, as DEADLINE is not prepared to be boxed in by genres! They also recently lost two stalwarts (Raven Chaos and Baz Steel), so this EP will usher in DEADLINE Mk4 with Damian Dread added to the new lineup.




Vocalist and Frontman Extraordinaire, Jessy Switchblade, shares insight into “Abigail’s Crypt”

The main reason we decided to put out this EP was due to the fact that we waited too long between our debut album “Black Wolf City” and sophomore album “Cathedral Point”. We aimed to release “Cathedral Point” sooner, but life does not always pan out the way we want it to. Add to that the fact that so many of our fans have asked for recorded versions of some of the covers we play, we decided to release this stopgap EP of B-sides and rarities. It really just is another excuse to get content to our fans whilst the wait for part 3 in the DEADLINE Lady Blitzkrieg Black Wolf City Saga!

For all of those people who felt the magic of a DEADLINE show, you will know that we always throw in a cover or two to get the crowd going, so I suppose it was high time that we paid tribute to the bands and songs that keep us and our live shows going. The EP in total consists of 5 songs, 3 covers and 2 of our own tunes, which are off previous releases we decided to spice up. The covers are 'Holy Diver' by Dio, a staple from our live set since our very first show on 7 March 2015. We hardly play a set without including this gargantuan metal anthem. We also covered Billy Idol's 'Rebel Yell', yet another staple from our set as well as Ghost's 'Square Hammer'. We've given the Billy Idol and Ghost tunes the real DEADLINE touch, so expect fast and energetic renditions of both!

For long we've wanted to do an acoustic track, but never knew whether we should write one from scratch or simply transpose an older one and so we decided to do an acoustic stripped down version of 'Break The Silence', a song that's off our debut album that we wrote against child abuse. I really think the acoustic version does this song justice and believe that our fans will love this. We also decided to do a Darkwave/Synthwave/Retrowave version of 'High-Tops & Bullet Belts', a song off our second album. That is by far the bravest of the lot, but we consider ourselves dynamic enough to keep pushing the envelope.

This EP is therefore not only a tribute to our hero's and to the songs that made us, but it's a call to arms too. Even though we are a metal band, we are not prepared to be boxed in by genres or boundaries and are happy to rework our songs into our genres cause why the hell not. The album title follows the story, to those of you that night “Cathedral Point”, you would have read on the inside sleeve the story about Abigail Calaway, who was murdered inside the Cathedral, and we continue with the theme as we visit “Abigail's Crypt” for all these hidden B-sides and rarities. 

We also recently lost two band stalwarts in Raven Chaos and Baz Steel. The Casual Doctor (Damian Buys Dread) has been added to our line up, so I guess the last reason for this EP is to usher in the new line-up, DEADLINE Mk4. This EP will only be available for online consumption and we will not be printing physical copies. The fans are in for quite surprise!




DEAD-LINEUP
..................................................................................

Deadline by Baz Steel Mailer.jpg
The Skullprit (Guitar) Damian Dread (Bass) Judge Mental (Guitar) Jessy Switchblade (Vocals) Dizzy Styxx (Drums)
Photo Baz Steel


Formed in September 2014, DEADLINE are Jessy Switchblade (Vocals), Skullprit (Guitars), Judge Mental (Guitars), Damian Buys (Bass) and Dizzy Styxx (Drums).

DEADLINE are on the forefront of the New Wave of South African Heavy Metal (NWOSAHM) and mix elements of traditional heavy metal, thrash metal, power metal and hard rock in their music. DEADLINE are known for their passionate, energetic stage shows and have a loyal fan base all over South Africa known as the DEADLINE Heavy Metal Crew (DLHMC).

The DEADLINE debut album, "Black Wolf City" was released worldwide on 14 October 2017. Their subsequent single "Before I Die" was released on 19 June 2020, followed by the release of their sophomore album "Cathedral Point" on 26 June 2020.

Best Newcomer - South African Metal Music Awards 2016
Best Live Band - South African Metal Music Awards 2017
Best Old School Metal - South African Metal Music Awards 2017
Best Old School Metal - South African Metal Music Awards 2018
Best Old School Metal - South African Metal Music Awards 2019

We are metal! We are fire! We are legacy! We are energy! We are power! We are Deadline!




Thursday, April 22, 2021

Cannibal Corpse launches video for "Necrogenic Resurrection"


 Cannibal Corpse launches video for "Necrogenic Resurrection"

Album art by: Vincent Locke

Last week, Cannibal Corpse released their fifteenth studio album, Violence Unimagined, via Metal Blade Records. For a preview of Violence Unimagined, a video for the new single, "Necrogenic Resurrection" (directed by David Brodsky // mgenyc.com), can be viewed at: 

youtu.be/lxrmQZUFf3Q

Purchase and stream Violence Unimagined in its entirety now at: metalblade.com/cannibalcorpse - where the record is available in the following formats:

- digipak-CD
- deluxe edition artbook (48-page hardcover book includes: CD, crimson red marbled vinyl, flag, patch, and sticker) - SOLD OUT
- coke bottle clear / swamp green color in color vinyl (Decibel exclusive) - LIMITED COPIES REMAINING
- bone / red color in color vinyl (US exclusive)
- white / olive green melt vinyl (US exclusive - available at local record shops)
- beer w/ red splatter vinyl (US exclusive) - LIMITED COPIES REMAINING - kr-m.co/cannibalcorpse
- 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
- pot-green mushroom marbled vinyl (EU exclusive)
- bloodred marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 1000 copies)
- golden ochre marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 500 copies)
- silver-gray blue marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 300 copies)
- dark olive marbled vinyl (PIAS exclusive - limited to 300 copies)
- bloody skin marbled vinyl (UK exclusive - limited to 200 copies) - SOLD OUT
- clear w/ red, silver, and black splatter vinyl (Kings Road exclusive - limited to 200 copies) - SOLD OUT
- silver / white melt w/ red splatter vinyl (Kings Road exclusive - limited to 100 copies) - SOLD OUT
- burnt skin marbled vinyl (Napalm exclusive - limited to 200 copies) - SOLD OUT
- swamp green marbled vinyl (Nuclear Blast exclusive - limited to 200 copies) - SOLD OUT
- khaki olive marbled vinyl (EMP exclusive - limited to 200 copies) - SOLD OUT
- dark burgundy red vinyl (EMP exclusive - limited to 200 copies) - SOLD OUT

Fans can read an exclusive interview with Cannibal Corpse about Violence Unimagined and more in the May 2021 issue of Decibel Magazine, which features the band on the cover. To purchase your copy online now, please visit: store.decibelmagazine.com - or pick up an issue at newsstands starting April 7th! An exclusive Decibel Magazine vinyl edition of Violence Unimagined can also be pre-ordered here: store.decibelmagazine.com

Comprised of eleven tracks, Violence Unimagined is state of the art death metal played with passion and breathless precision, making for another flawless addition to what is inarguably one of the premier catalogues the genre has thrown up. "It really follows the path we've been going down for a few years now," states bassist and founding member Alex Webster. "I think we approach the writing in a similar way most every time: each of us try to write the heaviest, most memorable songs we can. We want each song to have its own identifiable character. Showing my age, I like to say you can 'drop the needle' on any point of one of our albums and quickly tell which song you're listening to."

While they continue to do what they do with aplomb, the one substantial change to Cannibal Corpse is the addition of guitarist Erik Rutan to their ranks, joining Webster, founding drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz, guitarist Rob Barrett and vocalist George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher. Known for his roles in Morbid Angel, Ripping Corpse and most notably fronting the mighty Hate Eternal, Rutan has long established himself as one of the most dynamic forces in contemporary death metal. Simultaneously, he has built up a reputation as one of the most in demand producers in metal, having previously produced four Cannibal Corpse albums (in addition to Violence Unimagined), alongside the likes of Goatwhore, Soilent Green and Belphegor. Filling in live on guitar since 2019, in 2020 he became a full member, contributing to the writing process. "I think the most noticeable difference on this record will be the addition of Erik to the band. He wrote three full songs for the record, music and lyrics, and his song writing and guitar playing have added something new, and I think his musical style integrated into ours very well," Webster enthuses. This is not all that he brings to the band. "He's a great friend of ours, so on a personal level, he's been a perfect fit, as we knew he would be. Beyond that, he's one of the hardest working people I know, in music or otherwise, and he maintains a high energy, positive demeanor in challenging situations where other people might go in a negative direction. This energy and great attitude rubs off on the rest of us as well. That's really a perfect situation to have when you add someone to a band, or any kind of team: someone who's great at what they do, and also inspires the people around them."

Already well known for the level of extreme technicality they bring to every record, on Violence Unimagined, Cannibal Corpse have further upped their game, particularly in Mazurkiewicz's drumming. "I think we all pushed ourselves a bit technically on this one, with Paul probably pushing the hardest. This album is probably the most drum-intense album we've done yet. Part of that could be a result of Erik joining the band. His song writing style often features technically challenging drumming, probably owing to his years of experience in high speed death metal." And with typically dark and warped lyrical content, Mazurkiewicz came up with the fitting title of the record, "summing up what the band is about in every facet, and taking violence to another level of extremity."

Violence Unimagined track-listing
1. Murderous Rampage
2. Necrogenic Resurrection
3. Inhumane Harvest
4. Condemnation Contagion
5. Surround, Kill, Devour
6. Ritual Annihilation
7. Follow the Blood
8. Bound and Burned
9. Slowly Sawn
10. Overtorture
11. Cerements of the Flayed

Photo credit: Alex Morgan

Cannibal Corpse line-up:
Alex Webster - bass
Paul Mazurkiewicz - drums
George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher - vocals
Rob Barrett - guitar
Erik Rutan - guitar

Cannibal Corpse online:
http://cannibalcorpse.net
https://www.facebook.com/cannibalcorpse
https://twitter.com/CorpseOfficial
https://www.youtube.com/user/cannibalcorpse


Happy Birthday David Vincent (Morbid Angel )