Inhumate And Dropdead Playing Obscene Extreme

Get your gore grind banana suit ready, put on your gas mask or your most comfortable stage diving costume, and get psyched for a wide selection of underground acts, because Obscene Extreme Festival is coming to Canada August 20 - 23rd.

Obscene Extreme America is proud to announce that Providence, RI hardcore band Dropdead and French grindcore band Inhumate are now confirmed to perform at this year's fest taking place in Montreal, QC this coming August. The organizers comment:

"Dropdead is band that has influenced so many others with fast thrashy crust in your face hardcore tornado. The set will be one of the most intensive live to see at Obscene Extreme America plus Inhumate, well-known for a DIY attitude that will smack you down with true grind hell!"

An additional 20 bands are projected for the weekend, with more details on the festival available at this location.

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...And Justice For Art Presents: Look-Alike Covers

While the online community And Justice For Art prepares for the imminent release next month of their long-awaited book Stories About Heavy Metal Album Covers, they keep delighting Metal Underground readers with their series "Look-alike Covers." This time the focus is on Swedish Dark Rock/Metallers, Ghost BC (aka Ghost).

By now, it's well now the Swedish band's affinity for creating album covers based on iconic movie posters. This episode of And Justice For Art's Look-Alike-Covers explores these artworks and its origins.

Opus Eponymous

The cover art for the Swedish band's acclaimed debut album is attributed to a design entity known as Basilevs 254. The overall composition and ominous atmosphere is partly based on the classic poster for the Stephen King's vampire TV mini-series "Salem's Lot," which was also edited as a theatrical feature film.

The artwork substitutes the iconic image of the menacing vampire for the likeness of frontman, Papa Emeritus. The eerie Marsten House of the mini-series was also substituted by a church reminiscent of Sweden's Uppsala Cathedral.

Infestissumam

The artwork for their sophomore full-length recording was unashamedly based on the iconic promotional poster for the 1984, Oscar-winning film, Amadeus. However, the image is not a vile rip-off. It incorporates dramatically contrasting bright colors, Vatican City's St. Peter's Square, Papa Emeritus II and the figure of a baby that morbidly suggests the presence of evil.

Ghost B.C. commissioned Polish artist, Zbigniew Bielak for the creation of this artwork and inner illustrations. He confirms that indeed, "the band came up with the idea of using Amadeus poster as main reference for the cover." Outstanding re-imagining, indeed.

If You Have Ghost (EP)

Ghost used the talents of renewed illustrator M. Frisk for the creation of this particular art. He admits that the image is directly based on an iconic still taken from the highly influential 1922 silent horror film "Nosferatu." On Frisk's rendition, Papa Emeritus II substitutes the iconic vampire while he is standing on a ship.

"Ghost had a clear concept and a plan for everything so this was also their idea," Frisk recalls. "The images from Nosferatu are iconic and therefore great to use as a reference. The commission was quite clear from the beginning; my job was to make their idea work."

The EP's back sleeve also features another image featuring the silhouette mythical vampire. Frisk admits that "that was my idea to put the shadow in there to make the back of the EP a bit more interesting."

To find out more about everything happening visually-wise in the world of Metal, check out the official And Justice For Art Community.

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Valve Streaming New Track

Paris-based, hardcore / sludge outfit Valve just revealed the first track "Lapsit Ex Illis" off upcoming album "Apnee," which is due out in March.

You can hear the track below, or over at the Valve Bandcamp page. "Apnee" is due out on vinyl, tape, and digital formats via Poutrage Records & OTB Records (France), Wooaaargh & Dingleberry Records (Germany), Itai Itai Records (Hungary), Fall Into Void Records (Austria), Opposing Music (Russia), and Dwyer Records (Canada).

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Slaughtered Remains Releases New EP

Slaughtered Remains originally started in 2004 as a side project with original vocalist James Roberts and Adam "The Slaughterman" Garrow on guitars, bass, and drum programing. After a few demos getting some online following and with the loss of James on vocals, Adam decided to keep pursuing Slaughtered Remains.

After the groups first EPs "Human Sawed Sludge" and "The Attack Of Sick E. Von Brutal" in 2007, Slaughtered Remains released "Hog Bitch Massacre" in 2009. In 2010 Adam caught the ear of Sevared Records, resulting in a CD release of all previous EP material delightfully called "Three For One, Slaughter For Fun."

Now the band's new concept EP "Parasitic Cannibalistic Infestation" was just released via Twin Town Tyrant Records. Check out the title track below. More...

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Skull Fist Releases New Video

Skull Fist has a new video out now from the band's second (and Juno-nominated) album "Chasing The Dream," released in 2014 via NoiseArt Records. Check out "Bad For Good" in the YouTube player available below. The album's track listing is:

1. Hour To Live
2. Bad For Good
3. Chasing The Dream
4. Call Of The Wild
5. Sign Of The Warrior
6. You're Gonna Pay
7. Don't Stop The Fight
8. Shred´s Not Dead
9. Mean Street Ride More...

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Risen Prophecy Signs To Metal On Metal

Metal On Metal Records has just announced the signing of U.K. thrash / power metal band Risen Prophecy.

The band's 2nd full-length album, titled "Into the Valley of Hinnom," is scheduled for an April release. A trailer is available below, and Metal On Metal Records also comments:

"This relatively young band from Newcastle area contacted us last year, sending their just recorded album 'Into the Valley of Hinnom,' and had all what it takes. It's really pretty simple: if we press 'play' over and over again, and additionally, if the band is active and also looks the part, chances are big we'll contact them. More...

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Dark Quarterer Inks Record Deal

The Italian metal veterans from Dark Quarterer have signed with Metal On Metal Records for the release of 6th full-length album "Ithaca." Vocalist / basssit Gianni Nepi comments:

"We've known Simone and Jowita for years. They often came to our concerts, and there's always been a great, friendly relationship between us. Oftentimes Jowita would take photos at our shows and share them with us. We've had the chance to see the quality of their releases, and when we needed a new label, it seemed natural to consider their involvement. We met several times before finalizing the terms of the agreement and we believe it's a great opportunity to keep on releasing our albums in the best way possible."

Jowita Kaminska-Peruzzi, Metal on Metal Records CEO, added: "My first meeting with Dark Quarterer and their unique music was in 2004, at the Keep It True festival in Germany. I had not heard any song of that band before, and I was enchanted on the spot. We've kept in touch ever since and by now we've seen the band live over a dozen of times... and each time they sounded incredible, no matter if they played on a big stage or in a small club or a biker bar. A spotless performance is a guarantee with his band. Such level of talent and professionalism is rare these days indeed. It's an honour for us to be working with this legendary band that also happens to be comprised of true gentlemen."

More info about the band, including detailed biography, discography, photos and links, can be found at this location.

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Sleep Inertia Releasing Debut EP

Sleep Inertia is set to release a debut 5-track EP, titled "Growth Decay Transformation," on March 20th, 2015.

The new band consists of The Dead Lay Waiting ex-members Ben Connett (lead guitar), Steve Franklin (rhythm guitar), Sam Sara (bass guitar) and Tom Shrimpton (drums) plus new front man Jamie Harrison.

Steve Franklin comments: “The new sound we've achieved is a massive improvement from what we were doing as The Dead Lay Waiting. Not only is the production level a huge step up but we've matured immensely as musicians and we’re really pleased with the end product. We’ve already finished some newer material which we’ll be playing on our forthcoming tour.”

The new EP's track listing is:

1. Growth
2. Nor’Easter
3. Decay
4. Dark Passenger
5. Transformation

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Somnia Releases Debut EP

Symphonic female-fronted outfit Somnia just dropped debut EP "Shadow," which can be streamed in full below or picked up at Bandcamp here. The track listing is as follows:

1. Tantibus 04:01
2. Shards - Pt I: Birds 04:43
3. Shards - Pt II: Shadow 04:04
4. Shards - Pt III: Gravity 04:21

Somnia consists of:

Noa Gruman - vocals
Yadin Moyal - guitar
Yanai Avnet - bass guitar
Yoav Steel Weinberg - drums
Lior Goldberg - keyboards
Orr Didi - conductor and musical guidance More...

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Yaga Posts "Insane" Clip

Gdansk, Poland-based metal outfit Yaga just dropped a rehearsal room music video for the track "Insane," which can be seen below. Yaga consists of:

Marek Mat - vocals
Jaroslaw Grzeslak - guitars
Amon - guitars
Piotr Serafinski - bass
Wojtek Hauer - drums More...

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Sunday Old School: BMHM Part 3 - Marduk

Black Metal History Month has returned for a fourth installment! This year will see our special time analyze some of the roots of the genre, as well as some of the bleakest and obscene bands to fly the flag of darkness.

Sweden is perhaps best known in the extreme music world for their contribution to death metal, having been the birthplace of such bands as In Flames, Entombed, At The Gates and Katatonia, but they have also made a good contribution to black metal, perhaps most notably thanks to Bathory, one of the earliest influences on the genre. However, one of the more controversial names in the field (which is saying something when talking black metal, believe me) would be a band from the city of Norrköping which go by the name of Marduk.

Marduk was formed by guitarist Morgan Steinmeyer Håkansson, with the intention of creating the most blasphemous and offensive band in the world. They began by fusing death metal with black to create a very extreme sound. They unleashed their sound in 1991 with the release of the demo, "Fuck Me Jesus," before releasing their first full length album, "Dark Endless" the next year. It was well received and the band took to the road to perform across Sweden, expanding their fan base along the way. More...

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Obituary Live Video Footage Of Barcelona Concert

Friedhof Magazine has uploaded video footage of Obituary's January 27 performance in Barcelona, Spain. The band has been touring Europe this January with their latest album titled "Inked In Blood".

Check out the live clip now below.

Speaking to Full Metal Jackie, Obituary drummer Donald Tardy stated about "Inked In Blood": More...

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Corpore Posts New Album Trailer

Electronic modern metal band Corpore has released a teaser video for upcoming new album "She Came Like A Hurricane." Check out the Alex Magnieto-created clip below.

"She Came Like A Hurricane" is due out March 2nd in Spain and May 4th in the rest of Europe. Pre-orders are available now via Art Gates Records here.

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Retrace The Line Posts Full Album Online

Retrace The Line's "Handmade Crown" is due to drop April 16th, 2015 via Art Gates Records, but today the full album has been made available for advance streaming in the player below. The track listing is as follows:

01. Fearless
02. Survivors
03. Aimless
04. Ignorance & Prejudice
05. Portraits
06. Part of me
07. The difference
08. Handmade Crown
09. Footsteps
10. Horizons
11. Part of me (Acoustic) More...

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Axemaster Unveils The "Overture To Madness"

Axemaster is back - the release date for new album "Overture To Madness" is set to March 6th, 2015 via Pure Steel Records. The label comments:

"The banner Axemaster still might be familiar to many genre-lovers. In 1987 ('Blessing In The Skies,' Azra Records) and 1990 ('Death Before Dishonor'), the power metal group from Ohio has released two very underrated, cult albums.

"After 25 years, the guys are back with 'Overture To Madness;' released through Pure Steel Records. Old trademarks, known from the band for decades, also will be presented. Nevertheless, the band has arrived in the brave new world, but they still deliver their old passion without any compromises. On all twelve tracks partly aggressive, classical metal is joining forces with a modern, bright, but also authentic production. Some thrash influences and the rough, deeper vocals of the new, talented front man Geoff McGraw also fit perfect to the whole concept."

The track listing is:

1. Entering Madness
2. Sanity's Requiem
3. Forsaken
4. Dream or Nightmare
5. Thirty Pieces of Silver
6. Crimson Haze
7. Peeling Skin
8. Sinister
9. Statute of Liberty
10. Ashes
11. Chylde
12. Dark Souls
13. Epic More...

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Solitary Sabred Signs With No Remorse

No Remorse Records has issued the following announcement about inking a record deal with Solitary Sabred:

"Solitary Sabred from Cyprus released a few months ago a second album under the title 'Redemption Through Force.' Having received great reviews everywhere, No Remorse Records signed them for the next album that is already on the works.

"Since 'Redemption Through Force' is being hailed as one of the best power metal albums of the last many years, and it was pressed in only a few copies already sold-out by the band, it will be also re-released in the coming days by No Remorse Records." More...

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