Triptykon Announce Album Detail For 'Melana Chasmata'

Triptykon's second album, Melana Chasmata (rough translation: "black, deep depressions/valleys") will be released on April 14 (Europe) and April 15 (North America), 2014, through Century Media Records/Prowling Death Records Ltd.

Like its predecessor Eparistera Daimones, the album was produced by Triptykon's singer/guitarist Tom Gabriel Warrior and guitarist V. Santura and recorded and mixed at V. Santura's own Woodshed Studio in southern Germany as well as at Triptykon's rehearsal facilities in Zurich, Switzerland, in 2013 and 2014. Those who have already heard Melana Chasmata have described it as "atmospheric, dark, diabolical, and dramatic", "diverse, epic, and doomy, but on an entirely different level", "a fierce boulder of abhorrence", or "very heavy and yet very aesthetic at the same time".

Melana Chasmata will feature the following nine songs, at a playing time of around 67 minutes:

1. Tree Of Suffocating Souls
2. Boleskine House
3. Altar Of Deceit
4. Breathing
5. Aurorae
6. Demon Pact
7. In The Sleep Of Death
8. Black Snow
9. Waiting

Further new Triptykon music has been recorded, to be released as an EP or mini album later in 2014 or early in 2015.

Among other formats, the album will be released as a 32-page Mediabook (with lyrics and liner notes to every song, and with a special fold out poster), as a gatefold vinyl double album (with posters and large-format booklet), and for digital download. Additionally, Century Media is scheduled to issue a special box set, limited to 2000 copies. The box set will include the album, a Triptykon silver pendant, a poster, postcards, a Triptykon tote bag, and a cap.

To commemorate the unveiling of Melana Chasmata, Century Media will release a collector's gatefold 7" vinyl single, featuring the songs Breathing andBoleskine House. The single will be available on March 17, 2014, and be limited to a pressing 1000 (of which 200 will be in red vinyl). Breathing andBoleskine House will also be available as a digital single (including the option for a digital booklet), and they will be streamed on YouTube and Soundcloud.

Melana Chasmata will be further distinguished by featuring, for the second time for Triptykon, the extraordinary art of legendary Swiss surrealist HR Giger. Following Eparistera Daimones, the group began to make arrangements for an entirely different cover for the second album. Completely unexpectedly, HR Giger approached Tom Gabriel Warrior in October of 2011 to express his appreciation of how Triptykon had used his art on the first album and to propose a continuation of the artistic collaboration. This development thus marks the first time any musical artist has worked with HR Giger on three albums (Celtic Frost's To Mega Therion, and Triptykon's Eparistera Daimones and Melana Chasmata), and it commemorates a collaboration that has now lasted for 30 years.

Melana Chasmata features Giger's dramatically mysterious Mordor VII (work no. 283, 100 x 70 cm, acrylic on wood, 1975) as a front cover and Giger'sLandschaft XVI [Landscape XVI] (work no. 209, 100 x 70 cm, acrylic on paper on wood, 1972) as gatefold art.

After a lengthy hiatus, Triptykon will return to the stage this year to promote Melana Chasmata. Among the concerts so far scheduled are appearances at the celebrated Roadburn Festival, at Rock Hard Festival, and, pending the issuance of the proper visas by US authorities, Triptykon's return to the United States for an exclusive appearance at Maryland Death Fest.

Triptykon consists of V. Santura (guitar, vocals), Norman Lonhard (drums, percussion), Vanja Slajh (bass, vocals), and Tom Gabriel Warrior (voice, guitars).

Triptykon Live:
21.02.2014 Bergen (Norway) - Blastfest
13.04.2014 Tilburg (The Netherlands) - 013 / Roadburn - Afterburner
20.04.2014 Munich (Germany) - Backstage / Dark Easter Metal Meeting
22.05.2014 Baltimore (USA) - Maryland Deathfest
06.-08.06.2014 Gelsenkirchen (Germany) - Rock Hard Festival
27.-29.06.2014 Dessel (Belgium) - Graspop Metal Meeting
30.08.2014 Wörrstadt (Germany) - Neuborn Open Air Festival

Trigant - Wolves EP (CD Review)

01.Wolves
02.Reflection
03.Disembodied
04.Breaking

Peter Czerniak (Vocals/Bass)
Benjamin Rechner (Guitar)
Robin Rechner (Guitar)
Daniel Rodenbucher (Drums)

German band formed around 2008, went through various line up changes until settling on the current line up in 2010.
In 2011 they released their first EP "The Legendary Demotape" and began to build a solid following.

Far from being over the top modern thrash these four tracks have a definate 'groove metal' vibe running through them, lots of solid chord structures keep it thrashy but the lead guitar work adds some nice melodic touches leaving the bass and drums to provide the backbone and groove.

The vocals are a little harsh, reminescent of early Tom Warrior with a little Jamey Jasta thrown in for good measure.

Rating 7/10
For Fans Of : Evile, Lamb Of God, Slayer, Anthrax, Hatebreed

FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/TRIGANTofficial

Words Of Farewell - The Black Wild Yonder (CD Review)

01.Continuum Shift
02.Telltale Notion
03.In Kingdoms Of Rain
04.Damaged Beyond Repair
05.Beauty In Passing
06.Outer Rim
07.Temporary Loss Of Reason
08.Antibiosis
09.Luminary Ghost
10.Riven

Alexander Otto (Vocals)
Erik Gabmus (Guitar)
Henrik Tschierschky (Guitar)
Konstantin Vobhoff (Bass)
Leo Wichmann (Keyboards)
Tristan Wegner (Drums)

German progressive/death metal style band formed in 2007.
Opening with 'Continuum Shift' we are treated to some quality modern prog sounds before it moves into more traditional death metal stylings.However the musicianship is top rate, the keyboards and melodic guitar work well with the gruff vocal.

This continues track after track, perfectly balanced between the 2 opposing genre's, what really catches my ear time and again is the keyboard work, far superior to anything in the traditional euro fare of 'Power Metal'.

The songs 'Outer Rim' and 'Riven' are some of the best here, with stunning keyboard work reminescent of 70's masters Tangerine Dream, the guitar work is perfect and every other element from ambient sounds to the drums is just faultless.

Rating : 9/10

For fans of: Dark Tranquillity, Insomnium, Scar Symmetry

Steampunk Doncaster 2 day event information for June 21st & 22nd

This june 21st & 22nd will see the return of the 'Steampunk Doncaster' weekend event.
Planned for this years 'Tiffin in the park' are a Trade Show; Litarium; Photographic workshops; Fashion show: Art Exhibition; Film Show; War Gaming; Music; Competitions and Prize Draws; Refreshments and Entertainments.

For all the information on how to book tickets (or if you wish to have a stall) can be found here:
http://www.steampunkdoncaster.org

If you are on Facebook you can join the event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/231410597032282

For regular updates and general chit chat and pics you can also join the official page:
https://www.facebook.com/SteampunkDoncaster

Indian - From All Purity (CD Review)

01.Rape

02.The Impetus Bleeds

03.Directional

04.Rhetoric Of No

05.Clarify

06.Disambiguation

Dylan O'Toole (Guitar/Vocals)

Will Lindsay (Guitar/Vocals)

Ron DeFries (Bass)

Bill Bumgardner (Drums) 

The Chicago band formed in 2003, the band's debut EP, God Slave, was a self-released mission statement, welcoming the band into the world like young, kicking, screaming giants. Following this release, Indian’s first three records – The Unquiet Sky, Slights and Abuse, and The Sycophant, respectively – were all issued through Portland, OR based metal label Seventh Rule Recordings. Each of these releases found the band gaining momentum and attracting followers, as well as performing shows with bands such as Wolves in the Throne Room.

   

After being signed to Relapse Records in 2010, Indian began to work on their third full-length, knowing that, this time around, all eyes were on them. Not only did the band live up to their fans’ lofty expectations, but they also achieved a massive critical breakthrough. Guiltless was released in 2011 to rave reviews. They described the album as “a musical journey into the mouth of teeth-rattling metal madness”.

'Rape' may start off with a fairly typical doom sounding riff, but then it decends into this over distorted mess of screaming, feedback, noise all wrapped up in anti music noise - AND I FUCKING LOVE IT!!!

Possibley the fastest noise set to the slowest chords ever laid down? reminds me of 'Dissimulate' era Beserker on downers.

The same sounds are prevelant on 'The Impetus Bleeds' but their are brief moments of musical clarity thrown, this is also true of 'Directional' as well.

The pace picks up a bit with a more upbeat drum pattern very similar to Hellhammer from far too many years now back.Half way through it turns into this sludgefest and then the noise element returns, speaker destroying stuff!

Talking of speaker destroying stuff the beginning of 'Clarify' nearly blew the player and my head off with a high pitched sonic blast and a vocal to match and thats all you get for 4 minutes, evil very fucking evil, right up my street!

Finally some funeral doom with 'Disambiguation' slow with some nice (yes i use the word nice here) little guitar riffs, highly atmospheric and the occasional high speed triggered drum thrown in.

Rating 10/10

For Fans Of : Sunn0))), Tryptikon, Anaal Nathrakh, Electric Wizard

Best Of 2013

So it has been a good year for music, lots of great albums and ep's even some pretty professional demos have come my way.

But eventually i managed to get it down to a top 20......

1 TO 5 (Cathedral, Purson, Windhand, Ministry, Blood Ceremony)

6 TO 10 (Motorhead, Legend, Monster Magnet, Red Jester, Tank)

11 TO 15 (Hamerex, Kemakil, Satyricon, Age Of Taurus, Moss)

16 TO 20 (Rob Zombie, Kvelertak, Symphony Of Pain, Wolvserpent, Bloody Hammers)

Selim Lemouchi & His Enemies - Earth, Air, Spirit, Fire, Water (CD Review)

01.Chiaroscuro
02.Next Stop Universe B
03.The Ghost Of Valentine
04.The Deep Dark Waters
05.Molasses


Selim Lemouchi (Various)
Ries Doms(Drums)
Micha Haring (Drums)
Hans van de Perre (Drums)
Hansz Deijnen (Drums)
Job van de Zande (Bass)
Milko Bogaard (Vocals/Mini Moog/Mellotron)
Robby Geerings (FX/Drum-Synth/Guitar)
Oeds Beydals (Guitar)
Farida Lemouchi (Vocals)

“For what is Art if not the manipulation of Reality into what the Artist wills it to be. What is Art if not Magic?"

Since the demise of The Devil's Blood, Selim Lemouchi, has been on a journey of musical and self discovery; the results of which have been poured into this five track album. Unrestricted by traditional band or song structures, Earth Air Spirit Fire Water is a genre-defying creation.

Earth Air Spirit Fire Water was brought into being  with four drummers, a handful of guitar players, a few synthesizer players, several vocalists, a great cover-artist and many, many hours that were filled with laughter, tears, anger and spiritual communion.

The Devil's Blood were a band steeped in late 60's early 70's occult psych/rock, clearly since parting Selim has taken a different approach, from the opening of the first track we get treated to a sermon delivered with venom then the song starts and actually has quite a psychedelic feel, not unlike old style Hawkwind.In fact this style remains for the second song as well.

When 'The Ghost Of Valentine' hits the speakers we get more of what i expected, a simple ambient piece of electronica, beautiful synth playing with long sweeping notes running throughout.

The ghost of early Pink Floyd can be heard in 'The Deep Dark Waters' with some Bauhaus thrown in for good measure and it all ends with some great guitar work.

Ending with 'Molasses' and massive prog rock workout at 13 minutes, laden with piercing synths, guitar riffs, haunting vocals and even jazz elements.

Rating 8/10
For fans Of : Hawkwind, Tangerine Dream, Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, Can