BATHORY´ZINE

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Australia's doom heavyweights ATOLAH announce Comeback with Double EP Release!

Formed in 2007 in Perth, Western Australia, heavy stoner and doom act ATOLAH burst into the scene with their first acclaimed, instrumental EP “Relics” via PsycheDOOMelic Records in 2009, followed by extensive touring schedules all over Australia. After a longtime break, ATOLAH finally announced their return with the release of the Post, Cross and Yoke EP through Sleeping Church Records!

Back in 2010, the band relocated to The Netherlands and two new members were recruited, while they also added vocals for the first time in ATOLAH’s history. A year later, they entered the Void Studio, ran by Pieder Kloos (The Blood Ceremony, Peter Pan Speedrock ) and recorded Post, Cross and Yoke, which was never released properly due to the band going on hiatus shortly after. Fast forward to 2020 and Pierre, the band’s founding member and main songwriter, resuscitated ATOLAH in Melbourne, Australia. It is only in 2021 that new members were found: Clint (Hand of Doom Radio/Thaw) on guitar and Tim (Clagg). Finally, and almost 10 years after recording this beast of an EP, November 12, 2021 will see French underground powerhouse label Sleeping Church Records release Post, Cross and Yoke for the first time ever on CD and as a double EP bundle!

"Atolah is back, continuing with a new Melbourne line-up." Bassist / vocalist Pierre comments. "We are really excited to be back on the Aussie doom landscape after all these years and cannot wait to play shows with so many quality bands. This "half release, half re-release" will enable us to play our old songs, some of which have never been played live outside of Europe. The past is alive so to speak, however, we will soon be working on new material and hopefuly reach a new audience."

[Cover artwork by JB Maglia]

Tracklist:
01. Dead Leg
02. Relics
03. Down It Or Leave It
04. Weedy Gonzales
05. El Duce
06. Post, Cross And Yoke
07. Mood Brewer
08. Focke-Wulfe

Watch out for many more news about ATOLAH’s upcoming release – highly recommended for fans of SLEEP, ELECTRIC WIZARD, BONGRIPPER and ACID KING – to follow in the weeks ahead!

For More Info Visit:
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
SLEEPING CHURCH RECORDS

PR Contact:

Mona Miluski

ALL NOIR

info@all-noir.com

SPLIT HEAVEN – ELECTRIC SPELL (Review by Varg The Migthy)

Today’s review is of Mexican Heavy Metal band Split Heaven’s upcoming new album, out on October 29^th.

Lingering in the dimmed border between Heavy Metal and Power Metal, the band adopt a style similar to the late 80s when this transition was most confuse. While some songs may sound as pure Power Metal in the likes of Helloween, there are also epic Iron Maiden-like melodies, kickass Judas Priest hints and overall notable Queensrÿche vibes around each track.

Completed with sweet solos and nice choruses, the album is a straightforward piece of NWOTHM that may appeal to any kind of Heavy Metal fan, and while no special sort of innovation is apparent, it’s a good old-school worship, tinted with Mexican touches. My personal highlights are “Sacred Fire” and “Hellion’s Night”.

I recommend this album to fans of Heavy Metal and Power Metal. My rating is of 8,5/10.

VARG THE MIGHTY

Single "Blackwolf" from the album "Rise of the Beast" Premiere October 22 on Brutal Records Youtube channel

CONFUSION MASTER: German Doom Metal Outfit Prepares To Release Haunted LP Through Exile On Mainstream In November; New Teaser And Preorders Posted

German doom/sludge metal quartet CONFUSION MASTER will release their crushing second LP, Haunted, through Exile On Mainstream in November, the label this week posting a new teaser for the record alongside preorders and more.

Uniting four musicians drawn together from across varied punk and metal circuits, unified through their shared love for sound, misanthropy, DIY values, and vintage gear, the members of CONFUSION MASTER have earned merits in underground stalwart outfits such as Cyness, Wojczech, Bad Luck Rides On Wheels, and Aequatorkaelte. Their debut album, Awaken, was released through Exile On Mainstream in 2018, and having earned raving feedback from the international doom and stoner rock crowd, the group proved itself as a veritable touring machine. They provided support for Like Rats, Dopethrone, Crowskin, Bongzilla, Beehoover, and labelmates Black Shape Of Nexus, while conquering the 2019 edition of the mighty Roadburn Festival, all in one strike. Now it’s time for the next chapter.

After excessive touring on their debut album, CONFUSION MASTER again exchanged daylight for practice room jams exhaustingly and crafted four new tracks rooted in thundering groove, odd percussion breaks, and psychedelic swing. The Baltic Sea-based quartet once again delivers a crushing blow with forty-one minutes of raging intensity for your turntable, reminding you that the dead cannot die while they are still hungry.

Recorded during the comprehensive Winter desolation of 2020, Haunted was captured by Lutz Baumann at various live sessions in multiple rooms and practice studios, after which it was mastered by James Plotkin (Khanate, Sunn O))), Pelican). Clearly not to be mistaken for a love and peace affair but channeling hardcore anger in its purity, the result is a bonafide gain in horror cosmic doom with a strong Lovecraftian existential swirl, as reflected in the stunning cover illustration by Antonio Ilievsky/Pig Hands.

Fans of Sleep, Ufomammut, Electric Wizard, Yob, Goatsnake, and Black Shape Of Nexus should not miss CONFUSION MASTER.

Watch a new teaser for CONFUSION MASTER’s Haunted at THIS LOCATION.

Haunted will see release through Exile On Mainstream on November 19th through all digital services as well as 12” vinyl, with a bundled CD which features one bonus track not on the vinyl. Additionally, two limited fan editions of the album will also be released, each including with special pressing/packaging attributes, additional bonus material and merch, and a cassette release, Live At Fusion Festival.

Find preorders for all physical editions of CONFUSION MASTER’s Haunted RIGHT HERE.

CONFUSION MASTER has also just announced record release tour dates planned in conjunction with the release of Haunted, with five shows across Germany between November 12th and 27th. See all confirmed shows below and watch for additional live updates, audio and video previews of the LP, and more to be issued over the weeks ahead.

CONFUSION MASTER Record Release Tour:

11/12/2021 Tiefgrund – Berlin, DE w/ Treedeon, Ursular

11/18/2021 MS Stubnitz – Hamburg, DE w/ Bad Luck Rides On Wheels

11/19/2021 Bunker – Rostock, DE w/ Bad Luck Rides On Wheels

11/2012021 Klex – Greifswald, DE w/ Bad Luck Rides On Wheels

11/27/2021 Huenermanhattan - Halle/Saale, DE w/ Bad Luck Rides On Wheels, Wheel

Review copies of Haunted will be issued in the days ahead. For coverage of CONFUSION MASTER in The Americas contact dave@earsplitcompound.com and in Europe contact exile@mainstreamrecords.de.

https://www.facebook.com/confusionmasterdoom

http://www.mainstreamrecords.de

CONFUSION MASTER - Haunted album teaser 2

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Earsplit PR | David Brenner | www.earsplitcompound.com

IN APHELION premiere new track at Black Metal Promotion - features members of NECROPHOBIC

Today, Swedish black/death upstarts In Aphelion premiere the new track "Draugr" at the Black Metal Promotion YouTube channel. The track is the first to be revealed highly anticipated debut EP, Luciferian Age, set for international release on November 5th via Edged Circle Productions on CD format; the 12" vinyl version will follow in February 2022. Hear In Aphelion's "Draugr" in its entirety exclusively HERE.

A veritable treasure trove of Swedish black/death royalty, In Aphelion are a power-trio originally formed in 2020 by longtime Necrophobic guitarist Sebastian Ramstedt on vocals, guitar, and bass with prolific drummer Marco Prij. In 2021, with the advent of their debut demo, fellow Necrophobic guitarist Johan Bergebäck joined, making the unholy trinity complete. An impossibly auspicious first start, In Aphelion's first demo - despite being limited to a mere 50 copies - landed the band a deal with Edged Circle, now resulting in a teaser-length first EP and a grandiose hour-long debut album, set for March 2022.

Indeed, while the spectre of classic blackened death metal for which Sweden is known looms large over In Aphelion, it must be stressed that these gentlemen are THE grand architects of that incredibly influential and ever-enduring sound. And not ones to rest on their laurels, with In Aphelion do both Ramstedt and Bergebäck unfurl new vistas of the imagination whilst respectably remaining within that noble tradition. Simply put, this is timeless HEAVY METAL might painted in purple-blue hues but beaming with brilliant colors beyond.

Point proof is In Aphelion's first official EP, Luciferian Age. Here, two tracks - opener "Draugr" and the title track - are carried over from their forthcoming full-length, Moribund, and joined by the exclusive tracks "Wrath of a False God" and a cover of Kreator's "Pleasure to Kill." Totaling 23 minutes, Luciferian Age is a swift-yet-expansive sojourn into the In Aphelion soundworld. "Draugr" storms with a martial grandiosity, rallying the righteous before a darkly beautiful finale. The successive title track weaves a sinister march rife with devastating dynamics and an anthemic, arena-ready nature. The exclusive "Wrath of a False God" is a speedy yet shape-shifting gem of oldest obsidian, taking the listener on a climactic journey that's worth the price alone. And proudly displaying In Aphelion's roots is the closing cover of Kreator's classic "Pleasure to Kill," reverential and ripping. The icing on the cake is the grippingly powerful mix & mastering by Unleashed's Frederik Folkare.

Indeed, even being "merely" an EP makes Luciferian Age so much mightier than most other nowadays records: In Aphelion are prepared for a triumphant takeover with their forthcoming Moribund!

In the meantime, hear the brand-new track "Draugr" exclusively HERE, courtesy of the Black Metal Promotion YouTube channel. Also see & hear the previously revealed teaser video for Luciferian Age HERE at Edged Circle's official YouTube channel. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for In Aphelion's Luciferian Age
1. Draugr [7:50]
2. Luciferian Age [4:40]
3. Wrath of a False God [6:28]
4. Pleasure to Kill (Kreator cover) [3:56]

IN APHELION lineup
Sebastian Ramstedt - vocals & lead guitars
Johan Bergebäck - rhythm guitars
Marco Prij - drums

MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/inaphelion

MORE INFO:
www.edgedcircleproductions.com
www.facebook.com/edgedcircleproductions

AD