Black Metal

AVRÆ LVNÆ are a power-trio hailing from the still-rising Ecuadorian black metal scene. Fronted by Wampyric Strigoi – mainman of WAMPYRIC RITES, who’ve had a huge hand in shaping that scene, as well as GRYMMSTALT, WINTERSTORM, and DUNGEON STEEL among many others – AVRÆ LVNÆ also feature erstwhile WAMPYRIC RITES / DUNGEON STEEL drummer Eblis Destructor and one Geist der Natur on guitar and bass. Uniquely, the band brand their black metal “neon metal,” which isn’t as garish as it sounds; rather, they draw to the fore the shimmering, stained-glass textures of mystical black metal, making for a mesmerizing (and MELODIC) display of psychedelic obsidian.

Black Metal

AUSTERE are back. The Australians return with their third album – and they are as laconic and without any pretensions as when they went into extended hibernation after the release of their sophomore full-length “To Lay like Old Ashes” in 2009. Entitled “Corrosion of Hearts”, the new tracks stay true to the path that AUSTERE have carved for themselves out of solid black metal bedrock. The multi-layered and harsh yet often dreamlike guitar tapestries woven by Mitchell Keepin are complemented by the emotive drumming of Tim Yatras, who also contributes keyboard splashes and cinematic soundscapes. In the typical manner of these Australians, their songs are still meandering, flowing streams of musical thought of epic proportions. On “Corrosion of Hearts”, AUSTERE’s brand of black metal has evolved into a more mature and defined form of expression, which is hardly surprising as both musicians were active in other bands during their hiatus. The duo also took more time to craft their new songs into exactly what they were supposed to sound like than before. With greater experience comes more determination.

Black Metal

Cult Black Metal from Mexico, orginally released in 1996.

Taking the original art of their 1st full length album that was realized on CD edition by Storm production and Brujo Recs in 1996 (Mèxico City), now on vinyl 12″ for the first time after 24 long years, with a spectacular production in gold and black vinyl contains 6 songs and an EP 7″ with 2 bonus tracks in live “Screams of Darkness” and “Avzhia”.

Black Metal

The 1999 full-length available again on LP.

Black Metal

Finnish Black Metal cult available again on LP.

Black Metal

Formed in that fateful year of 1992, AZAZEL are among the first black metal bands to hail from Finland – and undoubtedly, one of the most cult. The band released a demo in 1993 and a mini-album in ’96, but then receded into the shadows and misery for many years.