Metal, dark ambient, neoclassical and books.

Arktos’ Christmas sale has been extended until Wednesday, 11 January, after which it will be ended. Take advantage now!

• Arktos Christmas Sale

My one true love is death metal and that can never be taken away from me.

Nielsen Symphonies Nos 1 & 6, the second release in Sir Colin Davis’s acclaimed Nielsen Symphony Cycle, is now available to pre-order on our website for only £7.99. Pre-orders will be sent out a week early on 30 January 2012. Official release date is 6 February 2012.

• Nielsen “Symphonies 1 & 6” pre-order

From the mailbag:

I just had a rather unfortunate epiphany: after watching a few episodes of Spawn: The Animated Series, which allowed my sensibilities to become firmly engulfed by early/mid-90s aesthetic grimness, I decided, naturally, to continue along the same path and give Cause of Death a listen, followed by Spiritual Healing. Something about the nostalgia, or rather the temporary transportation to another time, in which everything from the music to the imagery (in regard to both lyrics and album artwork), rang true and made the experience that much more impactful, as a result of not only the sonic brilliance, but the context in which it was conceived. Feeling myself begin to weep for the state of modern metal (a lament to which I’m sure you’re no stranger), I then put on Epitome of Darkness, as it, in my mind, represents a genuine return to Swedeath form in the age of inconsequential copycat and/or hybrid genres, and typically provides at least temporary relief from the subcultural nihilism. Yet it did very little for me, especially when compared to the transformative genius of Death and Obituary, as it lacked that sense of earnest vision found within the aforementioned albums. So I was wondering if there are any relatively new bands and/or emerging styles or scenes that you find genuinely original? And, more importantly, do you think metal, mainstream or underground, has any place, aside from a parade of pitiful sentimentality, in today’s culture?

This was my response:

Let me take these questions in backward order.

Is underground metal or metal in general still relevant? — yes, mainly because it expresses an eternal idea, which is the importance of power/beauty of a situation over individual drama. Metal is anti-individualist, as reality itself is; hence our celebration of death, destruction and other factors bigger than the individual. The problem with metal’s relevance is that many of the newer listeners have grown up on state-, media- and commerce-supported propaganda and so have no idea of a world outside the self. They are perfect consumers and little egomaniacs.

Emerging styles, scenes or new bands of inspiration? — there are some newer bands of note, but not too many; most of the ones on the list (http://www.examiner.com/metal-music-in-houston/best-metal-of-2011) are older bands brought back in new form. I think that some have found new ways to take the old ideas, for example Beherit or Blaspherian. My thought is that good music out there exists in potential form, but musicians have no idea how to form a movement, express ideas, or even what ideas to choose. Metal is either stranded in imitating the past or in imitating indie, and neither is a new direction so it confuses musicians. Further, the preponderance of bad metal getting good press is driving away talented musicians. When you see all the magazines in a genre praising utter crap, you hit the road, because you know that your best efforts would be ignored in that genre.

Originality. — I’m not sure this is important. Coming from the world of classical music, nothing seems original; it takes known techniques and develops along those lines to the point of exclusivity. For example, syncopation and pentatonic scales have never been unknown to classical, but were seen as appropriate only at particular times in larger pieces. Is it original to use them to exclusivity? In the same way, Plato touches on every topic of philosophy in his writings. When we tackle any one of those, in depth, we’re not being original but getting more in depth. What matters more than originality, then, is truthfulness meaning “does this represent useful ways of understanding the world.” To my mind, the best of death metal helps us perceive this world more clearly and to construct a spirit for enjoying it as it is. I’m thinking of Demigod here, but the first few albums from Death or Obituary would work as well.

I like your observations on the state of metal and hope you take them further. We need more people to point out that the Emperor has no new clothes, and that we need instead to put our focus on quality and intensity so that newer metal of power can grow out of the community.

***

Discussion:

There are two views of history; one is the linear view (we evolve steadily toward higher levels) and the other is the cyclic view, which states that similar approaches in evolution beget similar results, and that individuals and populations tend to go through “cycles” as they discover these truths, until they stick and no longer need discovery. This approximates learning itself, in my view.

In the linear view of history, metal is evolving toward a higher state.

In the cyclic view of history, metal has lost a higher state and is stumbling through error until it rediscovers the value of a higher state and starts making moves in that direction.

Which is it?

Dynamic crossover killers Birth A.D. will enter Pyramid Sound on January 3rd to record the highly anticipated full-length follow up to their critically acclaimed ‘Stillbirth Of A Nation’ EP. Titled ‘I Blame You’, the album will be engineered and produced by Alex Perialas (SOD, Testament, Overkill, Carnivore, Nuclear Assault).

“We chose Alex not only because he presided over many releases that allowed Birth A.D. to exist,” explains vocalist/bassist Jeff Tandy, “but also he is still a commando producer of the highest order. He is very hands-on, and sometimes his enthusiasm exceeds our own. With his direction the new album will be amazing no matter what!” The album will be recorded, mixed and mastered in the space of 12 days. ‘I Blame You’ will also feature a guest appearance by Rotting Christ front man Saki Tolis. “Sakis has already been a strong supporter of the band,” says Tandy. “The fact that he offered to appear on the new album is a huge honor. He knows his metal, so we couldn’t ask for a better endorsement.” Birth A.D. is currently seeking label support so they can cause problems worldwide! – Pure Grain Audio

For more information, please visit the Birth A.D. Facehugger page.

THIS IS A PRE-ORDER. ALL ITEMS ORDERED WITH THIS ITEM WILL SHIP ON/AROUND FEBRUARY 1, 2012.

Timeghoul – Complete Discography CD

For the first time ever on CD Dark Descent Records proudly presents the complete discography from the legendary Science Fiction / Fantasy Death Metal TIMEGHOUL (USA). Born in the Midwest United States in 1987, Doom’s Lyre remained relatively quiet, recording no material before changing their name. In 1991, Doom’s Lyre, now renamed Timeghoul, set out by releasing two demos; 1992’s Tumultuous Travelings and 1994’s Panaramic Twilight.

Largely ignored and mostly forgotten, these recordings did not receive the recognition they deserved until years later. Timeghoul’s eclectic and complex style of US death metal started to gain momentum within the underground as overlooked and classic material.

Prepare for one of the most unique and complex death metal offerings the early 90’s had to offer.

Mark Riddick’s fantastic original tri-panel artwork covers this fitting six-panel digipak with matte finish. Additionally, this digipak comes with a six-page folder with lyrics and additional notes. This is a one-time limited edition pressing. Get your copy before it’s too late!

ALSO, AVAILABLE AND SHIPPING JAN 2, 2012:

Horrendous – The Chills CD

Horrendous’ 2010 demo titled “Sweet Blasphemies” was merely a brief showcasing of this band’s tremendous potential. In addition to the CD-r version of the demo, two separate 200 copy pro tape pressings were made and sold; first via a cooperation with Dark Descent and Skeleton Plague then later through Dark Descent Records.

Horrendous’ debut full-length titled “The Chills” is a full-on assault of the aural senses. Horrendous mixes HM-2 sound with unique melody and solos creating memorable and terrific song-writing . This is no “retro” band but a band that has clearly created a nine-song death metal masterpiece which ends with the epic nine-minute closer “The Eye of Madness.”

Do not mistake this band for a clone of Entombed, Autopsy or Incantation. Doing this would be a great disservice to a masterful album and you would obviously miss out on what will be one of 2012’s best death metal albums, hands down.

Cover art by Raul Gonzalez (Morbus Chron, Deceased, etc.) adorns this eight page booklet.

DISTRO UPDATES:

Cianide – Hell’s Rebirth Digipak CD
Cultes Des Ghoules – Spectres over Transylvania CD (Restock)
Decrepitaph – Conjuring Chaos MCD (Restock)
Fidei Defensor – Cognoscenti CD
Galdr – Galdr CD
Omision – In the Shadow of the Cross CD
Shemhamforash – Spintriam Satyriazis (Phallus Prestige) CD
Shemhamforash- Luciferi Omnis Ysighda…CD
Spectral Mortuary – Total Depravity CD (Restock)
The Cleansing – Feeding the Inevitable CD (Restock)
Turbocharged – AntiXtian CD
Warfield – Trivmvirat CD
Weltmacht – The Call to Battle CD

Dead To This World- First Strike for Spiritual Renewance (Color)
Hacavitz – Hacavitz 7″ EP
Mpire of Evil – Creatures of the Black LP
Sabbat – Sabbatrinity LP

Questions – darkdescentrecords@gmaiil.com

www.darkdescentrecords.com

Thanks!
Matt

Dark Descent Records
PO Box 18056
Colorado Springs, CO 80935
USA

Timeghoul – Complete Discography Digipak CD
$11.00

From Gorguts: “This is still all the news we have. Patience.”

Reactivated Quebec, Canada-based technical death metal band GORGUTS recently entered the studio to begin pre-production on their new album for a tentative late 2011 release via an as-yet-undetermined record label. The group’s current lineup features genre heavyweights John Longstreth (drums; DIM MAK, ORIGIN, THE RED CHORD, SKINLESS, POSSESSION, ANGELCORPSE), Colin Marston (bass; DYSRHYTHMIA, BEHOLD… THE ARCTOPUS, BYLA, KRALLICE, INDRICOTHERE) and Kevin Hufnagel (guitar; DYSRHYTHMIA, WHILE HEAVEN WEPT, BYLA, EUCLID STREET, THE FIFTH SEASON, GREY DIVISION BLUE) alongside guitarist/vocalist Luc Lemay.

“Just a few words to let you know where we are with the songwriting of the new album. We got together at the end of January to finish up the last songs to complete the album. Colin and Kevin have contributed to the album with a song each. Amazingly well composed, their songs suit the GORGUTS aesthetic wonderfully.

“The album will have a total of nine songs, including one instrumental piece for string orchestra composed by me. [It] is going to be over one hour long. It still very brutal but darkly, ambient and progressive as well.

“The album main concept is going to be a musical journey that will talk about the wonders of Tibet as well as the dramatic fate they’ve been going through for over 50 years now. – BlabberMouth

This band still has no idea why people liked them in the first place.

Obscura was death metal with a progressive flair without leaving death metal behind.

The newer stuff tries too hard to be current; there are too many “modern metal” influences.

What made Gorguts great was never the style, but the content, which expressed a beauty in darkness.

This new stuff expresses a desire to free-form jam as trapped in a post-hardcore style. It is far from bad, but it is also a work about itself. Old Gorguts was a work about life.

Throw in the towel and just make an all-out progressive rock album. There’s no need to hold on to metal after it has run out on you.