DEAD METAL

If you would like to win the two CDs pictured above, just head over to  the Dead Metal Facebook page  and comment on the post about this giveaway there. It's open to anyone worldwide, but you do need to have 'liked' the Facebook page to qualify. The competition closes at midnight (GMT) this Thursday (1st March). A winner will then be chosen at random, and notified on Facebook.

If you aren't familiar with Solothus, see here first. This interview is with Kari Kankaanpää, the band's vocalist. 1. No King Reigns Eternal was one of the best albums of 2016, how was the response? The response was immensely positive. Seemed to garner a lot of good feedback from media and listeners alike. It will be released on vinyl early this year too.  2. How would you describe the transition from 2013's Summoned From The Void, to No King Reigns Eternal? Summoned From The Void had some older songs on it. With No King Reigns Eternal we only had new material, with which we more or less found our sound. I think our vision for Solothus was crystallised on our last album, and that it will evolve on our third album. 3. It’s a clichéd question, but who are your main influences (if indeed you feel you have influences)? I would say that our influences are from doom and death metal - bands such as Candlemass, Black Sabbath, Cathedral, Bolt Thrower, Autopsy e...

If you don't know Morta Skuld, you can find out about them (and pick up their releases)  here . You really should know them, though - assuming that you're into death metal at least. Guitarist and vocalist (and founding member) Dave Gregor kindly took the time... 1. Your debut album, Dying Remains (1993), is a death metal masterpiece. Do you have fond memories of recording and releasing it? Just being in the studio was a very important time for us, as we were about to record our first album and didn't know what would come of it. I was going through some rough times and a divorce, but despite that I was still excited to create this album. I also thank you for your words about this album, which is still my favourite. 2. The following year (1994) you released As Humanity Fades, which is also a masterpiece. Could you tell us some of your memories of recording and releasing that one? The band and myself had some disagreements, and they went their way ...

More suggested listening, for anyone that is new to the genre. Sepultura - Beneath the Remains ( R/C, 1989 ): Slayer - World Painted Blood ( American, 2009 ): Kreator - Extreme Aggression ( Noise International, 1989 ): Kreator - Enemy of God ( Steamhammer, 2005 ): Kreator - Gods of Violence ( Nuclear Blast, 2017 ): Megadeth - Countdown to Extinction ( Capitol, 1992 ): Anthrax - Among the Living ( Island/Megaforce, 1987 ): Metallica - Kill 'Em All ( Megaforce, 1983 ):

Solothus are from Finland; and they play epic, atmospheric death-doom. Haunting lyrics, powerful vocals, tight percussion, rumbling bass, crushing riffs, melodic leads... The band's debut, Summoned From The Void , was released by Memento Mori in 2013. A track from that is below: 2016 saw the release of a second album,  No King Reigns Eternal , on Doomentia Records. A track from that can be found below: Both CDs are well worth picking up. And downloading 2011's Ritual of the Horned Skull demo is also advisable.

Agretator were from Sweden, and this was their only full-length. Released by Crypta in 1994, and reissued by Dark Symphonies in 2016, Delusions is a thrashy death metal gem. Hints of Death, Pestilence, and other better-known bands; but this is original stuff. Clever time signature changes, tight drum and guitar work, and some interesting musical twists. The opening track can be heard below, and you can grab a copy  here .

This is a split CD, from Finland's Maveth and Greece's Embrace of Thorns. Released by Dark Descent in 2014, the two 'sides' of the release compliment each other very well. Four crushing tracks from each band here, totalling around 37 minutes. A Plague Through The Heavens is blackened death metal at its best. You can listen to it below, and buy it here .

If you would like to win the two CDs pictured above, just head over to  the Dead Metal Facebook page  and comment on the post about this giveaway there. It's open to anyone worldwide, but you do need to have 'liked' the Facebook page to qualify. The competition closes at midnight (GMT) this Saturday (24th February). A winner will then be chosen at random, and notified on Facebook.

This Chicago band only recorded one album, in 1993, called Promises Impure. Originally released by Pavement Music, it was resurrected by Repulsive Echo in 2016. Progressive thrashy death metal, with some similarities to  Obliveon . It's a great listen from beginning to end, an obscure classic. You can hear it below, and pick up a copy here .

AhnenHammer are a black metal duo from Austria. Seelenwinter is their first release, and so far it's only been made available on cassette (by Belgian label Iron Scourge). This is a lengthy demo - ten tracks, clocking in at around 43 minutes. It's raw stuff, but the songwriting is strong enough to shine through; and to catch your ear, even if you aren't a particular a fan of black metal. Evocative of Burzum, amongst other second wave bands. You can stream it below, and buy the tape  here .

A post about Ataraxy's previous releases is  here ; and a recent interview is  here . These guys are rising stars of the death-doom scene, and unlike many of their contemporaries they aren't afraid to bring melody into the equation. Where All Hope Fades is even more atmospheric than its predecessor; and it's more progressive and epic too, reflected by the fact that this album is slightly longer while having fewer tracks. It's no less heavy, though; or full of anguish. You can listen to a track from it below, and order a copy from Dark Descent  or  Me Saco Un Ojo .

Charnel Passages is English band Cruciamentum's only album to date. Released by Profound Lore in 2015, and then on vinyl by Me Saco Un Ojo in 2016, this is imaginative stuff. Powerful and bludgeoning, but with plenty of eerie doom-laden melody and atmospherics. Hints of Entombed, Bolt Thrower and Morbid Angel; among others. You can listen to it below, and buy it here .

If you would like to win the three CDs pictured above, just head over to  the Dead Metal Facebook page  and comment on the post about this giveaway there. It's open to anyone worldwide, but you do need to have 'liked' the Facebook page to qualify. The competition closes at midnight (GMT) this Saturday (17th February). A winner will then be chosen at random, and notified on Facebook.

If you don't know Memoriam, see here first. This interview is with legendary drummer Andy Whale, who played in  Bolt Thrower  from 1986 until 1994. 1. For the Fallen was was one of the best death albums of 2017, how has the response been? If we are honest it took us by surprise really.  Yes, we have a been in successful bands over the years, but we decided to do something new with Memoriam.  We knew the songs were good, but that means nothing really, it's what the people who buy the record think that really matters.  We were totally surprised when people put it in their best albums of 2017. 2. With the bar set so high, did you feel a lot of pressure going into this one? I would be lying if I said no.  For me recording and releasing a new album is a bit stressful.  You try and make the best album you can, it's something very personal in a way. Then you put it out there for people to either like it or criticise it. 3. It’s out on 2...

Entombed - Left Hand Path   (Earache, 1990)  - Entombed's debut is an undeniable classic of the genre, and is probably the definitive Swedish death metal album. Detuned buzzsaw guitar excellence. Monstrosity - Millenium   (Conquest, 1996)  - This Florida band's second album, produced by the legendary Scott Burns, was the last to feature Cannibal Corpse singer George 'Corpsegrinder' Fisher. It's technical, but not too technical; brutal, but not too abrasive; some of their finest work. Incubus (aka Opprobrium) - Beyond the Unknown   (Nuclear Blast, 1990)  - Incubus hail from Louisiana, and this was their second album. It was also their last, before taking a ten year break and then returning as Opprobrium (in order to avoid any confusion with Incubus the rock band). Brutal, thrashy, Christian death metal. Fleshcrawl - Descend Into the Absurd   (Black Mark, 1992)  - The debut full-length from Germany's Fleshcrawl is essential list...

Memoriam rose from the ashes of the mighty Bolt Thrower . The band features two former members of Bolt Thrower, to be specific - vocalist Karl Willetts, and drummer Andy Whale. It also features two former members of Benediction, on guitar and bass. They released their debut full-length, 'For the Fallen', on Nuclear Blast last year. A track from which can be found below: On 23rd March 2018, almost exactly a year later, they are releasing a second album - 'The Silent Vigil'. A teaser track from that was uploaded earlier today: You can buy 'For the Fallen', and/or pre-order 'The Silent Vigil',  here .