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Sigh Haunts The Oslo In Hackney

Black metal is a genre whose reputation precedes it. Most metal historians will tell you that it started in the eighties with Venom, Hellhammer, Bathory and Mercyful Fate, but the notorious Norwegian scene of the early nineties built not only a legacy, but tropes which continue to nip at the genre's heels to this day. A little bit of digging will prove that it's so much more than what people think it is however, it's a global phenomenon. Case in point, shortly before his death, Mayhem founder Euronymous was in the process of signing a band to his Deathlike Silence label from Japan, one who has gone on to become one of the greatest and most experimental groups from their homeland; Sigh. Having released their first album, "Scorn Defeat" in 1993 through said label, they've been able to channel their influences into something original and highly respectable ever since. Thirty one years on from their debut, the band are as strong as ever and spending a Summer in Europe, including four nights in the United Kingdom, beginning with a show in London at a rather pleasant bar named Oslo, located in Hackney.

Opening festivities tonight was English black metal outfit The Infernal Sea, and "outfit" is definitely a key word. Clad in robes, masks and hoods, the band are immediately very striking via their appearance, not unlike Batushka. Fortunately for those in the crowd who had never actually listened to them before, their clothing is only a part of their performance and the music is really good. While many black metal bands tend to take themselves a bit too seriously, The Infernal Sea understands that they're putting on a show, not a ritual or a black mass or whatever other pretentious name such bands like to use for their gigs, and they put on a damn good show.

The Infernal Sea kicked off their set with, "Lord Abhorrent," the first track from their latest album, "Hellfenlic," which was released at the beginning of the year through Candlelight Records. As one might expect from a band with a new record to promote, it featured quite prominently in the setlist, with "Shadow Of the Beast" and "Witchfinder" also given an airing, as was "Bastard Of The East," which was saved for the finale. They got through six songs in total, with "Agents Of Satan" and "Way Of The Wolf" being the other two numbers blasted towards the crowd, who were up for every second of it. The Infernal Sea gets mentioned a lot in the British underground and based on tonight's showing, I can see why. They're like a good roller coaster, in that they're so thrilling you immediately want to experience them again. A great representation of British black metal. More...

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PeelingFlesh Premiere New Music Video

PeelingFlesh premiere an official music video for their track “Perc 3000,” featuring a guest appearance from DJ MRD of LIE. This track is taken from their upcoming debut album, The G Code, which is scheduled for release on September 6th through Unique Leader Records.

The band will also be headlining ‘The Get Rich Die Hard Tour,’ with support from Snuffed On Sight, Corpse Pile, Two-Piece, Bashed In, and Slime NW. The tour dates are as follows: More...

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