Sunday, 28 March 2010

SCULPTOR SPACEBRAIN DESIGNS STAGE SET FOR MAYHEM’S INFERNO FESTIVAL APPEARANCE


Sculptor SPACEBRAIN (René M. Hamel) has once again teamed up with legendary Black Metallers MAYHEM, this time to design the stage set that the band will use for its appearance at his year’s Inferno Festival, in Oslo, Norway, on the Friday 2nd April. SPACEBRAIN first worked with MAYHEM several years ago, designing the startling and aggressive sets that were such an integral part of the band’s live image, and, according to the sculptor, the set for Inferno will be “A crazy mixture of steel, blood and flesh. Think along the lines of Hellraiser, and you might get some sort of idea of what I have in mind”.

Aside from his work as a sculptor, SPACEBRAIN branched out into music in early 2007 when he took up the bass and joined SKITLIV, the blackened doom project of former MAYHEM front man MANIAC. It was his set design for SKITLIV that caused a stir at Inferno in 2008 when the curtains opened to show the band playing in a seemingly safe and cosy parlour setting, which contrasted sharply with the doom-laden riffs and unpredictable nature of the music and the musicians themselves.

Although his collaboration with MANIAC continues, with SPACEBRAIN applying his talents as an artist to work with the front man on a new video for the SKITLIV, the sculptor is no longer a part of the band, having left to concentrate on his own musical project, SUCHTHAUS, a band whose musical direction veers more towards an industrial sound, but which encompasses aspects from many genres. SUCHTHAUS’ line up includes DIE STIMMEN on vocals, SICK BARRETT on guitars and DJ FLASHBACK on “electric Lucifer”. SKITLIV guitarist Ingvar Magnusson has been known to make a guest appearance, and David Tibet (CURRENT 93) allowed the use of some of his work on the track “Indian Run” which can also be heard on SUCHTHAUS’ MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/suchthaus

German born SPACEBRAIN is now permanently based in Oslo and works from a large studio in the city, part of which has been turned into a venue knows as the Spacebunker, where some of his extraordinary sculptures and unique items from past stage sets, including some from the famous MAYHEM sets, are on display.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Spacebrain: http://www.myspace.com/spacebrainartfromhell

Suchthaus: http://www.myspace.com/suchthaus

Spacebrain: http://www.myspace.com/spacebrainartfromhell

The Spacebunker: http://www.myspace.com/spacebunker

Höllen Engel: http://www.myspace.com/putsatanachia

Spacebrain Contact: trash.spacebrain@werket.com

Consultant – Patricia Thomas Band Management: http://www.myspace.com/viewfromthebacksofmirrors
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GRAVDAL DEBUTS TWO TRACKS FROM "TORTURMANTRA" WITH GUEST VOCALS FROM SHINING'S NIKLAS KVARFORTH


“Hydrestund I Helvete” and “Mishandlet”, two tracks from the forthcoming “Torturmantra” album from Norwegian Black Metallers GRAVDAL, are being debuted on the band’s MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/gravdal. Both tracks illustrate the new directions taken by the band that, without losing the distinctive GRAVDAL sound, has added new depth and variety to the original “in your face “Black Metal of the first album” Sadist. “Mishandlet”, is, in fact, the first time the band has written and performed a much slower track, which in this case deals with the pain of abuse. SHINING front man Niklas Kvarforth performs guest vocals on the track and delivers an intense and disturbing performance.

Part of the prolific Bergen music scene, GRAVDAL was formed in 2005 by guitarist Phobos (AETERNUS, MALSAIN, GALAR) and drummer Taakesjel (BIZARREKULT), and now includes Galge on vocals and Specter on guitars. “Torturmantra”, the band’s sophomore album, was produced by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen, and recorded by Larsen, Bjørnar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) and Arve Isdal (ENSLAVED, AUDREY HORNE) at their Conclave and Earshot studios in Bergen. "Mishandlet" was recorded in Sweden at the Erebus Odora studios and produced by Peter Bjärgö. Artwork on the nine-track album is by the Norwegian artist Robert Høyem, who has worked with bands like SLAGMAUR and GALAR. “Torturmantra” is due for release on Unexploded Records within the next few weeks. Track listing as follows:

1. Hydrestund I Helvete
2. Slave
3. Eg E Ditt Helvete
4. Mishandlet
5.
6. Torturmantra
7. Pulsen Vakler
8. Klastrert På Ambolt
9. Slutt

GRAVDAL will be joined on bass by Dreggen (BLACK HOLE GENERATOR, AETERNUS, SWORN, ex-TAAKE), for the band’s appearance at the Inferno Festival in Oslo on the 31st March, at the Garage venue, and for the European tour with GORGOROTH and KEEP OF KALESSIN during April. Dates as follow:

Fri 09 - Belgium, Vosselaar @ Biebob
Sat 10 - Holland, Rotterdam @ Baroeg
Sun 11 - France, Paris @ Trabendo
Mon 12 - Germany, Hamburg @ Marx
Tue 13 - Germany, Cologne @ Essigfabrik
Wed 14 - Germany, Ludwigsburg @ Rockfabrik
Thur 15 - Italy, Milan @ Magazzini Generali
Fri 16 - Germany, Osnabrück @ N8
Sat 17 - Germany, Glauchau @ Alte Spinnerei

More information about GRAVDAL can be found on the band’s MySpace page, which has been redesigned by “Torturmantra” cover artist Robert Høyem, athttp://www.myspace.com/gravdal.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Band Contact: info@gravdalsadist.com
Management: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Booking: info@gravdalsadist.com or patriciathomas@btinternet.com
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DEBUT ALBUM FROM MANIAC’S DARKWAVE SEHNSUCHT PROJECT RELEASED ON COLD SPRING RECORDS


“Wüste”, the debut album from SEHNSUCHT, the noise/darkwave/ambient project from Maniac (SKTILIV, MANIAC/LILES/CZRAL, BOMBEROS, VOLUSPA, SEPTIC CUNTS, TOTENKOPF, VERNICHTUNG, STATUS FATAL, ex MAYEHM) hit the streets on the 8th March, on Cold Spring Records. Recorded in Oslo, Tokyo and Heptonstall, “Wüste” was engineered and mixed by Maniac and Andrew Liles (NURSE WITH WOUND, CURRENT 93), with final mix and postproduction also by Liles. Released in a 6-panel digipak format, track listing on “Wüste” is as follows.

1: Sult
2: Cunt Queen
3: South of Cincinnati
4: Wüste
5: Tarn of Guilt
6: Good Morning Great Moloch
7: Stadt Der Engel Der Vernichtung
8: Tokyo Daymare
9: Hanging in English Gardens

One of the early pioneers of the Black Metal genre, and one of its most instantly recognisable vocalists for over 20 years, Maniac has, since quitting MAYHEM, concentrated on moving away from the genre for which he is most noted, so that he can develop and explore other musical avenues. Whilst his blackened doom band SKITLIV retains some vestiges of his Black Metal vocal style, SEHNSUCHT is a complete departure, forging as it does, a much more experimental path. Aside from Maniac himself on vocals, guitars, loops, electronics and field recordings, SEHNSUCHT includes in its line up experimentalist Andrew Liles on FX, electronics and sound-design, Vivian Slaughter (GALLHAMMER) on bass, alto sax, FX, vocals and backing vocals, and SKITLIV guitarist Ingvar Magnusson.

Continuing the collaboration between Maniac and Cold Spring Records, also released on the same day is “Bloodletting”, a limited edition three-track 10” picture disc from SKTILIV. Side A, which is illustrated by part of a painting by David Tibet, features the track “Slow Pain Coming” (Cold Spring Mix) and opens with the intro “Who Will Deliver Us From Gold And Planets”, which is the piece of music usually used by SKITLIV as an introduction to live performances. “Who Will Deliver Us…” was created and recorded by David Tibet and Andrew Liles at the request Maniac, and is described as “an introductory collage destruct”. Side B is illustrated with a painting by the Norwegian artist Munch and features the extremely hard to find demo version of the track “A Valley Below”. The disc is strictly limited to 777 copies and will not be reprinted again.

More information about SEHNSUCHT can be found on the band’s MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/sehnsuchtofficial

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Sehnsucht on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/sehnsuchtofficial
Sehnsucht on ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/sehnsucht
Skitliv on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/skitliv777
Skitliv on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/skitlivofficial
Skitliv on ReverbNation: http://www.reverbnation.com/skitliv
Maniac/Liles/Czral on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/maniaclilesczralofficial
Maniac Management & Booking: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Cold Spring: http://www.coldspring.co.uk email: info@coldspring.co.uk
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Monday, 8 March 2010

NEW RELEASES FROM COR SCORPII, GALAR & SULPHUR ON DARK ESSENCE RECORDS


The 1st March sees three new releases from the Dark Essence Record label. “Monument” from Extreme Metallers COR SCORPII and “Til Alle Heimsens Endar” from Black-Folk Metallers GALAR, whilst SULPHUR’s “Thorns in Existence”, which first appeared in Norway in November of last year, gets its worldwide release.

COR SCORPII was formed in late 2004 by former WINDIR/ULCUS keyboard player Gaute Refsnes, who, following the tragic death of Terje "Valfar" Bakken, and the subsequent WINDIR farewell concert, felt that the time was right to focus some of his own musical ideas into a new band. COR SCORPII, as the band came to be called, plays music that blends melody with aggression, and the first demo, "Attergangar", was recorded in 2005 and was an immediate success. "Attergangar” has been re-mastered by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen at the Conclave and Earshot Studios in Bergen, and has been included in “Monument” as a bonus, making the entire album twelve tracks in total - twelve tracks that are played with skill and emotion. The first edition of “Monument” comes in a limited slip case format.

GALAR comprises a permanent two-man line up with M. Kristiansen on screams, guitars and bass and A. B. Lauritzen on clean vocals, bassoon and grand piano. For “Til Alle Heimsens Endar” they have called upon a set of contributors for that draws on notable artists from a variety of musical disciplines including Phobos (GRAVDAL, AETERNUS, MALSAIN) on drums, Ricardo Odriozola on first and second violins, Hans Gunnar Hagen on viola, Siri Hilmen on cello, Morten Nome on double bass, and Cecile Langlie on female vox. It is GALAR’s ability to mix blast beats and grim vocals, with haunting melodies played on a-typical instruments that enables the band to create an atmosphere with their music that is redolent of both traditional folk and the extremes of black metal. The first edition of “Til Alle Heimsens Endar” comes in a limited slip case format.

SULPHUR rose from the ashes of the nineties Black Metal outfit TAAKERIKET at the turn of the millennium, intent on following a path that lay between death and black metal, with a liberal sprinkling of progressive mindset. Comprising current and former members of bands such as GORGOROTH, AETERNUS, ENSLAVED and VULTURE INDUSTRIES, is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with. The SULPHUR of today is fiercer and more challenging then ever before. The musical landscapes that the band is willing to explore are limitless and the resulting album, “Thorns In Existence”, is an album with touches of avant-garde that is willing to challenge, thrill and destroy the listener. Production by Bjørnar Erevik Nilsen at the Conclave & Earshot Studios (HELHEIM, TAAKE, THE BATALLION etc.) ensures that the album has the powerful sound the music deserves.

The above releases can all be bought from the Dark Essence Records Web Shop at http://karismarecords.no/catalog/

DARK ESSENCE RECORDS
Dark Essence contact: post@karismarecords.no
Dark Essence Records: www.darkessencerecords.no

COR SCORPII

GALAR

SULPHUR

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CARPATHIAN FOREST’S VRANGSINN RELEASES “PHOBIA” MULTI-MEDIA PROJECT


“PHOBIA” the new multi-media project from CARPATHIAN FOREST bass player Vrangsinn (VRANGSINN, SECHT, NATTEFROST, A WASTE OF TALENT), was released today on Misantrof ANTIRecords, and is available both via free download, and as a DVD with free audio CD, for purchase. The DVD is produced in batches of 100 copies, with each individual batch of 100 varying slightly from the others in terms of artwork. The entire project comprises a DVD (which is a multi-angle feature where Angle 1 is the main video and Angle 2 is the booklet), CD, Mp3 audio, and Mp4 (Multi-angle H264/AVC and a portable edition). In the case of the free download, Misantrof also offers fans the option of a free CD/DVD burning application, so that anyone downloading the album can burn their own DVD should they wish to. More information can be found at http://phobia.misantrof.net/

“PHOBIA” was debuted at the "Do What Thou Wilt Shall Be The Key To The World" exhibition at the Kurant Art Gallery All in Tromso at the end of last year, and music, instruments, vocals, lyrics, video, animation on “PHOBIA” were written, performed, produced & engineered by Daniel Vrangsinn, with friends and fellow musicians lending a hand here and there. The whole project was thirteen months in the making, with the booklet animation taking up almost two thirds of that time. 40's style animation techniques were used, and Vrangsinn animating all the lyrics, word for word, using ink and paper and a photo camera. The DVD also contains multiple audio tracks including one with the music without vocals, which, according to Vrangsinn, gives you an instant karaoke machine that was included as a joke, since he believes his voice is somewhat unusual and takes some getting used to and that if people “don’t fucking like it, they have the option to turn it off”.

As founder and head of Misantrof ANTIRecords, the self-styled “anti” label that believes in making all its releases available for free download, regardless of whether they are also available for purchase from Misantrof, Vrangsinn has always been interested in the need to revolutionise the record industry as it stands today, and which many people now accept is in its death throes. His intention with “PHOBIA” was to try and find ways to overcome some of the issues that plague digital music downloading, including a way to replace the missing booklets and artwork. He also wanted to move away from the CD format, which does not allow for a higher resolution than 16 bit at a sample rate of 44100, and, given that the typical studio sound is 32 bit at sample rates ranging from 44.100 - 96.000, a CD is not the best way to get quality in sound. The only format he found that allowed to release the music in a higher audio quality was DVD and Blue Ray. Hence the DVD approach to “PHOBIA”.

The greatest source of satisfaction for Vrangsinn though, was the fact that he has been able to create and release something that the average label would not be able to produce for their artists. And moreso for the fact the he was able to do it for virtually no cost at all, using the "use whatever you have and make the best out of it" principle, coupled with the "Excuse me - can you hold this camera while I sing a song?" principle. According to Vrangsinn: “The only real cost to Misantrof was the cost of printing the DVDs, which is unavoidable, since nobody has a printing plant in their living room, but I did have to learn a whole new set of skills involving video and animation. Hopefully other bands and artists will see what can be done given a bit of time and effort, and be encouraged to try it for themselves”.
Additional information about Vrangsinn can be found on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/officialvrangsinn

VRANGSINN INFORMATION
Misantrof ANTIRecords: www.misantrof.net
“PHOBIA” Press Info & Download: http://antirecords.org/media/vrangsinn/PHOBIA/

BAND CONTACT
Management: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
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NORWEGIAN BLACK METALLERS GRAVDAL REVEAL ALBUM DETAILS AND ARTWORK


Norwegian Black Metallers GRAVDAL have revealed the artwork and track list details for their upcoming album “Torturmantra”, which is due for release on Unexploded Records in the spring. The nine-track “Torturmantra” is a follow up to 2008’s “Sadist”, and will be the band’s second full-length album. Artwork on “Torturmantra” is by the Norwegian artist Robert Høyem who has worked with bands like SLAGMAUR and GALAR. Track listing as follows:

1. Hydrestund I Helvete
2. Slave
3. Eg E Ditt Helvete
4. Mishandlet
5.
6. Torturmantra
7. Pulsen Vakler
8. Klastrert På Ambolt
9. Slutt

According to GRAVDAL, "Torturmantra" represents a massive step forward in the band’s approach to music, adding depth and variety to the trademark “in your face” black metal in terms of both sound and concept. Making a guest appearance on vocals for the track “Mishandlet” is SHINING founder and front man Niklas Kvarforth, who delivers an atmospheric performance perfectly suited to the subject of abuse that this slower track explores lyrically. "Torturmantra” is produced by ENSLAVED’s Herbrand Larsen, and recorded by Larsen, Bjørnar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) and Arve Isdal (ENSLAVED, AUDREY HORNE) at their Earshot and Conclave studios in Bergen.

GRAVDAL, whose line up includes Galge on vocals, guitarists Specter and Phobos (AETERNUS, MALSAIN, GALAR), and Taakesjel (BIZARREKULT) on drums, will be joined on bass by Dreggen (BLACK HOLE GENERATOR, AETERNUS, SWORN, ex-TAAKE) for the band’s appearance at the Inferno Festival in Oslo on the 31st March at the Garage, and for the European tour with GORGOROTH and KEEP OF KALESSIN which will take place during April on the following dates:

09.04.2010 - Belgium, Vosselaar @ Biebob
10.04.2010 - Holland, Rotterdam @ Baroeg
11.04.2010 - France, Paris @ Trabendo
12.04.2010 - Germany, Hamburg @ Marx
13.04.2010 - Germany, Cologne @ Essigfabrik
14.04.2010 - Germany, Ludwigsburg @ Rockfabrik
15.04.2010 - Italy, Milan @ Magazzini Generali
16.04.2010 - Germany, Osnabrück @ N8
17.04.2010 - Germany, Glauchau @ Alte Spinnerei

More information about GRAVDAL can be found on the band’s MySpace page at http://www.myspace.com/gravdal

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Band Contact: info@gravdalsadist.com
Management: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Booking: info@gravdalsadist.com or patriciathomas@btinternet.com
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