Hell Bent For Metal Zine

27/01/2021

Unreserved support for the epic bards of Brittany!

HERZEL - LE DERNIER REMPART Available in Compact Disc, Vinyl, DigitalRelease Date: March 19,2021CD PRE-ORDER: https://tinyurl.com/y65qg4bxLP PRE-ORDER: https...

02/09/2020

Ravensire draws to a close as paths diverge, but more music from all involved to come soon.

After almost 10 years of activity, the split-single with our friends Silver Machine to be released by Rafchild Records very soon, will be the last release from Ravensire!
Recently, Rick decided it was time to move on (no drama exit here, no swords drawn in anger... we're still friends, sorry haha) so, as the remaining original member, I had to make a decision. Truth is since F left a few years ago, I felt that Ravensire had lost a big part of its original soul and identity. Nothing to do with music or performance, but those little details that make a deep impact on the very fabric of a band. Now, with the departure of Rick, Ravensire would end up changing even more, obviously.
I think that to keep going like this, would be a shameful cash-in on whatever little impact we had on the scene. It would be a comfortable way of continuing activities with an already established base, but it would also be very unfair to our fans and to the other guys in the band, including, most of all, the future vocalist.
So, instead of going the easy way, we prefer to do it the hard way. But that way ensures that we all will be starting a common project in equal terms, without any historical baggage!
So, although Ravensire will end, a new entity will soon be born featuring Nuno, Mário, Alex and a new vocalist. A Defiant Oath will be sworn!
Nuno

27/07/2020

Well said, Soldier of Hell. The 'Road have a vast and diverse back catalogue ripe for a spin every day, from the unsure beginnings of Invasion and Metal, to the "golden run" from "Crystal Logic" to "Courts of Chaos", as well as the 2000s return to recorded output starting at "Atlantis Rising" and "Spiral Castle", and onward.

If today serves as a reminder or encouragement to pick one of the 17 MR records, do it. To be played loud!

2 years ago, Mark Shelton found the Cage of Mirrors. Gone but never forgotten

10/07/2020

The pens are busy at work, and the new tome is steadily shaping up.

For now, we unveil the cover of TOME 4, "The Innermost Light", chiseled from a rough vision then perfected and stunningly delivered by Anaïs Mulgrew Art, and a perfect fit for the content being prepared...

Champion your upcoming artists. Our thanks to Anaïs for a smooth collaboration and her enthusiasm in bringing this piece to life.

13/06/2020

One of the most important US compilations of arcane heavy metal shall surface again soon at the hand of Buried By Time And Dust. Be prepared!

ENCHANTER- "DEFENDERS OF THE REALM" LP

Formed in Jackson Michigan in 1984 Enchanter had numerous line up changes until firming up the Shellberg/Copeland/Osbourne and Kidder team that would go onto record from 1987 through 1990. The first demo that appeared in 87/88 was the Defenders of the Realm Demo followed by the Time Gone Past Nevermore in 1989 and culminating with the Ethereal Quarter single in 1990. Listening back to the material, it is hard to believe these are demo's. An effortless and perfectly executed style that touches on Fates Warning, Queensryche, Iron Maiden and Manowar. Flowing between ultra heavy riffing, elegant soloing. piercing vocals and more arcane passages this is the definition of the unsung underground. Presented here for the first time on vinyl. Gatefold Cover,Lyrics and mastering from Temple of Disharmony. Coming soon!!!

"THOR"

https://youtu.be/Zpi2DEerVQs

"DEFENDERS OF THE REALM"

https://youtu.be/kct_vi7BjvQ

04/06/2020

Total support for this initiative. Supporting a worthy cause while grabbing yourself some quality tunes.

11/05/2020

Dark Quarterer may be quarantined, but they have not been idle...

10/05/2020

With III, Dexter Ward have truly come into their own version of pure, uncompromising, muscled heavy metal, to the ears of the Inquisitorial Bureau of these pages. On heavy rotation here in the depths of the Pit.
The proof lies in giving it a listen:

8 track album

09/05/2020

While Litany and Wrathblade prepare to ride forth and conquer once again, either live or on record, this collaboration between N. Varsamis and american comrades steps up to fill the gap!

2 track album

06/05/2020

For not only of music should your brains live...
Desecration have given proof threefold of the sharpness of their inquisitorial prowess already.
Their upcoming number will delve into proggier, psychedelic(er?) realms than our usual arcane steel, but it is bound to be worth a read! Excellent in-house visuals as usual too.

Long time no see.
Finally, the issue n°4 dedicated to Prog will be printed when quarantine will be over (that...may take some time again). But it's all set and ready! A special version, besides the regular one, will include a unique hand-ornamented folder (with an exclusive artwork).

PM us if you want to pre-order that special version of it! It will be limited.

More infos soon.

06/05/2020

Until the 13th May, a great collection of live cuts from Black Oath is available for next to nothing on bandcamp. IKEA/underground enthusiasts will also cherish the offering of digital layout files for printing and assembling at home to provide additional entertainment during the ending of these confined times...

5 track album

02/03/2020

Taken from DARK FOREST "Oak, Ash & Thorn" Release Date: 24, Aril, 2020 ORDER: LP: https://tinyurl.com/vpq5dl5 BLACK VINYL, A2 POSTER, INSERT & DOWNLOAD CARD ...

18/02/2020

Hark now, the Fozz's horn!

New album from Dark Forest landing April 24, likely to be a year highlight!

BY OAK AND ASH AND THORN
OLD ENGLAND IS REBORN
WITHIN THE ISLE OF GRAMARYE
YOUR CHILDREN HAVE RETURNED TO THEE

Dark Forest (UK) "Oak, Ash & Thorn", out on April 24!

Amazing artwork by Duncan Storr!

15/06/2019

The inquisitorial bureau is not idling, and news on the next issue may be coming soon... But in the meanwhile, we will be drawing your attention to what is already a vintage year for uncompromising heavy metal releases. First up, RAVENSIRE, whose third album is now available for listening below and out via Cruz del Sur!

Band: Ravensire Album: A Stone Engraved in Red Country: Portugal Label: Cruz del Sur Music Tracklist: 1. Carnage at Karnag 2. Thieves of Pleasure 3. Gabriel ...

03/05/2019

Sad to see the stage deprived of Michael's stellar guitar work, but this means he will be all the freer for you legions to pay tribute in beer to at the bar!
Share the madness, the fury and the might - always!

»Alles hat ein Ende, auch diese Welt …«

Kodex-Korybanten,

leider werden sich die Wege des Kodex und seines langjährigen Leadgitarristen Michael Koch trennen. Wie nur die wenigsten wissen, hat Koch aufgrund massiver Gelenkschmerzen seine letzten Auftritte nur nach Einnahme von Schmerzmitteln spielen können. Die Reisen, besonders zu internationalen Shows, sowie die Gigs selber waren für ihn stets mit enormen Schmerzen verbunden. Dennoch hat er über zehn Jahre lang gekämpft, nie geklagt und auf der Bühne 100% gegeben.
Nun allerdings, mit dem neuen Album, zahlreichen Shows, vielen Reisen und den damit verbundenen Strapazen am Horizont, haben wir gemeinsam beschlossen, einen Schlussstrich zu ziehen.
Koch wird weiter Teil der Kodex-Familie bleiben. Also: Wenn Ihr ihn bei einem Festival trefft, bedankt Euch bei ihm für all die geilen Shows und kauft ihm gefälligst ein Bier! Und bei Kodex-Shows in (Süd-)Deutschland stehen die Chancen nicht schlecht, dass er ab und zu für ein, zwei Songs mit uns auf der Bühne steht.

Wir haben bereits mit der schwierigen Suche nach einem passenden Nachfolger für Michi begonnen. Die angekündigten Shows und der Album-Release bleiben von alldem unberührt.

_______

Kodex-Korybantes,

we're afraid that the shared path of the KODEX and our long-time lead guitar player Michael Koch has come to an end. As only a few of you know, Michi has been dealing with massive pain in his joints for a long time and needed painkillers to play his last few shows. Traveling to the shows and performing live always meant a huge stress for his body. Yet he fought on for more than ten years, never whined and always gave 100%.
Yet now, with the new album and lots of live shows (and traveling) on the horizon, we mutually decided to part ways. Koch will remain a part of the Kodex-family. So if you meet him at a festival, buy him a beer and say thank you for the great time we all had in the past ten years. When playing in (southern) Germany chances are good, he'll come on stage with us for a song or two.

The difficult search for a replacement has already begun. The announced shows and the album release will happen as planned.

Hail and Koch!

25/02/2019

Approved!

Following the acclaimed EPs "Call to Arms" and Chapitre II, Chevalier - FIN returns with their debut full-length "Destiny Calls" via Gatesofhellrecords. The ...

07/01/2019

One of the best demos of last year has been repressed again, so if you like your Doom heavy and charismatic, nab Dionysiaque's demo on tape or on bandcamp!
https://dionysiaque.bandcamp.com/

Like a candle in the wine! May this piece of sonic frenzy be thine.

The second press of the Dionysiaque eponymous cassette is finally here and only available through our label's lair.

http://shop.volumebrutal.com/fr/k7/1095-dionysiaque-st-k7.html

19/12/2018

Talk about inspirational albums... Doomsword's debut remains a colossus, where the polish of latter albums was very much freshly, and roughly hewn from a vein of purest grade Epic Metal ore. An album that does not feel 19 (!) years old, but timeless.

20/11/2018

Saperlipopette! Merci a In Extremis.
Review of the latest MOTP issue in In Extremis #63.

19/10/2018

3 weeks until Manchester flies to war and death on wings of no return, with support from local heroes Eliminator and southern musketeers Toledo Steel!
https://www.facebook.com/events/2198500536891638/

Buy Here: http://www.metalblade.com/ram RAM video "On Wings of No Return" from the album "Rod". Directed by: Martin Högdahl and Johan Lundborg Photo: Johan L...

17/10/2018

Remembering a legendary guitar player today, Savatage's Criss Oliva.

05/09/2018

SACRAL RAGE are back from the interdimensional void with a ripping advance track, 'Necropia'!

8 track album

26/05/2018

Total support!

Delivering the goods.
Ask for yours or die!

Thanks to :

Procession, Holocaustowarmetaloficial, Be***al Holocaust, Hell Trepanner, Mandragora, Reino Ermitaño, Infamovs, Slaughtbbath and Bafomet.

10/04/2018

With wind fully behind their sails, Eliminator are back. Welcome back, gents.

Band: Eliminator Album: Last Horizon Country: UK Label: Dissonance Productions Tracklist: 1. 2019 2. The Last Horizon 3. Echoes 4. Procession of Witches 5. E...

01/03/2018

RAM, Portrait and Trial walk into a bar...

18/02/2018

Hear ye!

SOLSTICE – “White Horse Hill” LP

1. III
2. TO SOL A THANE
3. BEHELD, A MAN OF STRAW
4. WHITE HORSE HILL
5. FOR ALL DAYS, & FOR NONE
6. UNDER WAVES LIE OUR DEAD
7. GALLOW FEN

Recorded at Vibrations Studios, Huddersfield, England.
Mixed & Produced by Richard Whittaker at FX Studios, London, England

Statement : READ CAREFULLY!

After issuing two vinyl only mini albums on our own WHITE HORSE label in 2014 and 2016 respectively (“DEATH’S CROWN IS VICTORY”, and a limited promotional version of early demo tracks from this album entitled “TO SOL A THANE”) the resulting impetus has bought us around to completing the musical work that is “WHITE HORSE HILL”.

The album is intended to work musically in conjunction with both the lyrics (rooted firmly in the English oral folk tradition), and artwork (by US artist Chris Smith), both of which we place in equal value as being part of the finished piece. It is worth mentioning also that “WHITE HORSE HILL” was not written for the CD/Download market either, but rather written for that purest and most noble of formats; a 33rpm vinyl LP. This is of course why the albums run time is 46 minutes and no more. We believe that the days of bands releasing 70 minute plus albums for the CD market should be long forgotten, because they represented the notion that quantity should always supplant quality. If an album doesn’t fit onto a single side of a C-90, it’s too long!

Nor was “WHITE HORSE HILL” produced with the intention of being listened to upon PC speakers or cell phones with a homogenous Disney-metal production. We prefer real raw power from Marshall amp gain, not overpriced boutique distortion pedals and digital effects, and real analogue drums played by a real drummer, not sampled computer programmes. This album is intended to be listened to LOUD, on real speakers.

Musically we continue to draw inspiration (inspiration, not influence, because there is a world of difference!) from the same well of leftfield 80’s Epic & Doom metal as we did in the Mid 90’s when we began to forge our own path. For it was not intended that we should voyage far from our roots, and nor will we ever.

And so, as we continue releasing records we believe in 100%; and that don’t particularly sound like anything else that anyone else is doing stylistically (Though in recent years numerous younger bands have admitted our influence upon their own output, for which we are humbled by the acknowledgement), we would be grateful if you would take the time to listen to “WHITE HORSE HILL” on Wednesday when we put it up on bandcamp.

Thank you for your patience, and support

We now turn our idle hands to our next record for 2019, “THE PLOUGH & THE FORGE”

Solstice, February 2018

Pressing information

US Vinyl version – DARK DESCENT RECORDS (DDR 198 LP) – 850 gsm tip on (case wrapped) jacket with artwork variation and 4 page full colour insert – Limited edition transparent blue vinyl with artcards.
US CD Version – DARK DESCENT RECORDS (DDR 198 CD) – Jewel case with 12 page booklet & bonus track.
US Tape Version – DARK DESCENT RECORDS – TBA with different bonus tracks.

European Vinyl Version – IRON BONEHEAD PRODUCTIONS (IBP 385) – Trifold 350 gsm reverse board jacket with artwork variation and UV Spot varnish – Limited edition transparent green vinyl with A2 poster.
European CD Version – INVICTUS PRODUCTIONS (IP 127) – Gatefold heavy card sleeve with UV Spot varnish and 4 page full colour insert.
European Tape Version – INVICTUS PRODUCTIONS (IP 127) – TBA with different bonus tracks

Physical release dates are April TBC