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Atmospheric Black/Epic Doom Metal Act Divine Sovereign Unveils Lyric Video for “The Absolution”
Emerging atmospheric black/epic doom metal solo project Divine Sovereign has unleashed the lyric video for “The Absolution”, the latest track from the upcoming album Autaxia Chronicles: Dawn of a New Age, set for release on May 9, 2025, via Wormholedeath.
Watch “The Absolution” (Lyric Video):
The history of Autaxia is etched with suffering. We prayed to the heavens, but the skies remained silent. We served our masters, though they stripped us of hope. Centuries of torment have taught us a harsh truth: to believe in no one but yourself.
“The Absolution” is the third track from Autaxia Chronicles: Dawn of a New Age and delves into the theme of resistance driven by religious fervor. It tells the tale of a species enslaved for generations, only to rise through the creation of a new faith—a faith that unites them against their oppressors. However, this newfound zeal comes with a stark warning: while fanaticism can unify, it often becomes the first chapter of a new kind of servitude.
Divine Sovereign’s immersive compositions bring this gripping concept to life, fusing atmospheric black metal, epic doom, and blackgaze elements into a cinematic soundscape of despair, rebellion, and awakening.
Founded in 2023 by multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Cezary Rochnowski, Divine Sovereign draws inspiration from the likes of Ethereal Shroud, Panopticon, and Atlantean Kodex. The project crafts epic, narrative-driven compositions set in the world of Autaxia, a planet where advanced beings unearth the remnants of a once-thriving civilization. Through intricate songwriting and atmospheric intensity, Divine Sovereign explores the duality of faith—its power to liberate and its potential to enslave.
ABYSMAL RITES Unveil Official Video for “The Secret of Pure Grief”
| Finnish heavy sludge force ABYSMAL RITES presents the official music video for their blistering new track, “The Secret of Pure Grief.” This dark and immersive single is taken from the band’s highly anticipated upcoming album, Restoring The Primordial Order, which is set for release on May 9, 2025, via Wormholedeath. The track—a suffocating plunge into despair and existential fury—is accompanied by a visceral visual experience crafted by RAW•ART Creations, amplifying the song’s raw essence and primal intensity. |
| Watch “The Secret of Pure Grief”: |
Formed in the Tampere area of Finland, Abysmal Rites are known for their primitive and brutal sound—a unique, heavy sludge approach created using only bass, drums, and vocals. The band’s powerful, minimalistic approach delivers an unmistakable intensity that leaves an impact long after the music stops.
BYZANTINE announce new album
Charleston, West Virginia metal veterans BYZANTINE will release their long-awaited new full-length, Harbingers, on June 13th via Metal Blade Records.
Produced by Peter Wichers (Soilwork, All That Remains, Nevermore), Harbingers delivers nine tracks totaling forty-five minutes of deep lyrical wisdom alongside equally hefty riffs delivered seamlessly by one of the most commanding and unsung lineups to emerge from the New Wave Of American Heavy Metal movement in the early 2000s. Now a five-piece for the first time ever featuring Ojeda, alongside former guitarist Tony Rohrbough, bassist Ryan Postlethwait, veteran guitarist Brian Henderson, and drummer Matt Bowles, with Harbingers, BYZANTINE offers the crown jewel in their impressive seven-album discography. Notes founding frontman Chris “OJ” Ojeda, “After twenty-five years of riding the struggle bus, we‘re ready to show the rock and metal world what we‘re truly about.”
The album cover, designed by mixed-media artist Ashley Hoey, beautifully depicts Irene of Athens — the mother of Emperor Constantine and the first female empress of the Byzantine Empire. This focus on a maternal ruler eloquently ties into the album‘s title, Harbingers, which means “ones who usher in great change.”
The record‘s first single, “Floating Chrysanthema,” envisions a bleak dystopian future where artificial intelligence becomes sentient and overpowers mankind, essentially enslaving us all. “Our bassist Ryan brought this song to the band,” says Ojeda, “and we thought it hit like a sledgehammer making it the perfect introduction to our new music. Peter Wichers had a big hand in helping craft this song into its final iteration.”
Watch BYZANTINE‘s video for “Floating Chrysanthema” HERE
It has taken years of ups and downs for BYZANTINE to reach the point of creating Harbingers. Discovered early on by Lamb Of God‘s Chris Adler, the band quickly released their debut full-length, The Fundamental Component, in 2004. The record boasted a raw fusion of Bay Area thrash and Southern-tinged groove metal and set the tone for their future sound. Their 2005-released …And They Shall Take Up Serpents offering marked an even more blistering evolution. However, turmoil ultimately led to BYZANTINE‘s breakup, announced just one day after the release of their third album, 2007‘s prophetic Oblivion Beckons.
Reforming to release the independent albums Byzantine (2013) and To Release Is To Resolve (2015), the band saw the latter dominate SiriusXM‘s Hard Attack Devil‘s Dozen for weeks, also earning them the #1 spot on CMJ‘s Loud Rock Chart. Notably, BYZANTINE became only the second independent band to achieve this feat following Clutch‘s indie release, Earth Rocker.
In 2017, BYZANTINE made their Metal Blade debut with The Cicada Tree, faultlessly merging multiple genres into their progressive groove sound, a signature blend now synonymous with the band. With Harbingers raising the stakes and a revitalized lineup in place, Ojeda confidently states, “If you‘ve slept on BYZANTINE for the past twenty-five years, Harbingers will awaken you.”
New York Thrash QUEMASANTOS Releases ‘Under The Moonlight’ Lyric Video
Thrash metal duo Quemasantos has released the lyric video for their new track, “Under The Moonlight”. As always, Quemasantos has meticulously crafted every aspect of the track. Nelson Diaz designed the lyrics and concepts, while Ignacio Orellana, at the renowned Oily Sound Studios, handled the music production, recording, mixing, and mastering. This track showcases the band’s remarkable dynamic range and exceptional musicianship. Blistering guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and powerful, gritty vocals create an intense and captivating soundscape.
Nelson Diaz comments:
“Under the moonlight, it’s a reflection of a feeling of horror and despair, feeling like you could transform into a wild animal, losing your mind and endangering those you love. It’s similar to moments of uncontrolled anger that cause some people to make mistakes they’ll pay for the rest of their lives.”
“We are thrilled to share ‘Under The Moonlight’ with our fans,” expressed [Ignacio Orellana]. “This track embodies the raw intensity and passion that drives our music, and we can’t wait for everyone to experience it. It’s a true honor to have Sebastian Osorio back on board, as he played a pivotal role in our early days in 2012, contributing to the solo of ‘Somos Legion. ’ His presence here, working with us once again, is a pure privilege.”
Quemasantos has been a formidable force since its formation in [2012], consistently pushing the boundaries with their aggressive sound. The band continues to build on its legacy with this latest release, promising an unforgettable auditory experience.
This release marks a pivotal moment in Quemasantos’ musical journey, signifying a bold new chapter in their artistic evolution. The track skillfully merges their signature thrash metal style with innovative musical elements, showcasing the band’s remarkable growth as artists. Notably, we had the privilege of collaborating with our esteemed friend Sebastian Osorio (Reigning) to contribute to the solo sections of the song.
Edited by Promusicvideo, you can watch and listen to the lyric video for “Under The Moonlight” featuring a guest solo from Sebastian Osorio (Reigning)
TRIPTYKON PROUDLY ANNOUNCE A ’DARK SHROUD OVER LONDON‘ EVENTS AND VINYL REISSUES
Avant-garde extreme metal act Triptykon, the group fronted by singer/guitarist Tom Gabriel Warrior (Celtic Frost / Hellhammer / Triumph Of Death) will host a series of events in London‘s, Camden Town to coincide with their headlining performance at the iconic Roundhouse as part of the annual, Incineration Festival on Saturday 3rd May. Upon request by the festival, the set will be a UK exclusive of Celtic Frost‘s music, a gesture of reverence for what has shaped the path and a morbid recognition of the present.
Tom G Warrior – “Celtic Frost‘s path would have been a very different – likely far more subdued – one if it hadn‘t been for the then largely London-based UK music press from the mid-1980‘s on. This, along with uncounted crucial musical influences in my youth, was the basis of a life-long bond between the UK and all of my musical endeavors. It is thus with utmost pleasure that we in Triptykon will perform a very distinct Celtic Frost-based concert at the iconic Roundhouse.”
On Friday 2nd May long overdue vinyl re-press versions of the legendary first two Triptykon albums “Eparistera Daimones” (2010) and “Melana Chasmata” (2014) via Prowling Death Records / Century Media Records will be released. Proven to be genre-redefining, modern milestones and more than ever relevant for the extreme Metal movement, the new Triptykon vinyl versions will be available in their original packaging with cover art by H.R. Giger, as Gatefold 2LP editions on exclusive coloured 180g vinyl.
To celebrate Triptykon‘s headlining performance at Incineration Festival and the reissue of these seminal albums, there will be a number of events taking place in Camden across the weekend to mark the occasion. Tickets for Incineration are available here https://incinerationfest.com/
· Raven Records, London‘s premier heavy metal record store, will host a Triptykon signing session with the band from 2pm on Saturday 3rd May and is open to all. Advance preorders of the vinyl reissues at Raven are now live and come with an exclusive ’Necromaniac Union‘ enamel badge, while stocks last. Preorders can be collected for the signing on the day. For information visit their website https://ravenrecordshop.com/raven-records-events/
· A pop-up exhibition of Tom G Warrior‘s death masks and related artworks will be hosted in the Lucifer Lounge at Raven Records across the weekend of the festival. This is a rare opportunity to view a selection of these unique artifacts in person. Entry is free and exclusive merchandise items will be available in store.
· The Black Heart will be hosting a special edition of their award-winning vegan menu in collaboration with Triptykon over the festival weekend with a limited-edition new recipe of their renowned vegan wings. Saint Monday brewery will also provide ’Triptykon – Aurorae‘ cold IPA on tap. A crisp and refreshing IPA that is fermented at cold temperature with Swiss lager yeast. https://www.ourblackheart.com
Photo by Roland Moeck / Arkana PhotoArt
From The Ashes – 13/04/2025
PLAYLIST:
The Bronx Casket Company – Motorcrypt
Children of Bodom – Children of Decadence
The Cult – Fire Woman
Overkill – Wish You Were Dead
Rainbow – Long Live Rock n Roll
Guns N Roses – Paradise City
Candlemass – Corpernicus
Trivium – Until The World Goes Cold
Sabaton – Resist & Bite
All That Remains – 2 Weeks
Breaking Benjamin – Torn In Two
Machine Head – Wipe The Tears
Anvil – Metal On Metal
Virgin Steele – Children of the Storm
Venom – Raise The Dead
Architects – Meteor
Autumn Kings – Livin’ La Vida Loca
Dimmu Borgir – The Sinister Awakening
Full Nothing – Nocturnal Eyes
Syrkander – Evangelion
Revenge of Insanity – Darkness Creeps All Over
Black Sabbath – Devil & Daughter
Lucifer Star Machine – Dwell In Misery
Of Mice and Men – Unbreakable
Stiltskin – Inside
Rockshots Records – DYING AWKWARD ANGEL Release New Single “Music Kills”
Italian melodic death metal act Dying Awkward Angel unleash their brand-new single “Music Kills”, a powerful mid-tempo composition that highlights the band’s continued evolution while remaining firmly rooted in the legacy of Scandinavian death metal.
Characterized by a raw and uncompromising sound, “Music Kills” draws inspiration from the early ‘90s Swedish scene—specifically, bands such as Dismember and Entombed—and channels the iconic HM-2 guitar tone into a modern, groove-driven framework. The result is a track that is both punishing and memorable, blending brutal riffs, visceral vocals, and an ominous atmosphere.
Lyrically, the song delves into the ambivalent nature of music itself, exploring its potential to both uplift and consume. This thematic depth adds an introspective dimension to the band’s sonic aggression, further establishing their unique voice within the international melodic death metal landscape.
Following their critically praised 2018 full-length “Absence of Light”, “Music Kills” marks a significant step forward for Dying Awkward Angel. While known for their fast-paced and relentless songwriting, the band now embraces a darker, more deliberate approach—one that prioritizes atmosphere and weight without sacrificing intensity.
The release of “Music Kills” also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. In the coming weeks, the band will unveil further details surrounding their upcoming full-length album, which promises to expand on the themes and sonic direction explored in this latest track.
For fans of Dismember, Entombed, At The Gates, and all those drawn to the raw edge of melodic death metal, “Music Kills” stands as a compelling statement of intent.
LISTEN to “Music Kills”:
Formed in 1998, Dying Awkward Angel draws inspiration from the ’90s extreme metal scene of Gothenburg, the UK, and the USA, with influences from bands like In Flames, At the Gates, Carcass, Slayer, Death, Pantera, and Metallica. The band’s early releases, “Dying Awkward Angel” and “Ghost at the Spine,” received excellent critical acclaim. After some line-up changes, the band stabilized in 2013 and recorded the full-length album “Waiting for Punishment”.
In 2015, the EP “Madness Rising” showcased a more mature and modern songwriting mixing old-school brutality with melodic incursions. In 2017, with the addition of Michele Spallieri (Kenos) as the vocalist, the band released the album “Absence Of Light” in 2018 (Extreme Metal Music / Rockshots Records), distributed across Europe, the USA, and Japan. Over the years, the band has shared the stage with renowned names such as Impaled Nazarene, **enos, Decapitated, Necronomicon, Forgotten Tomb, and many others.
DREAM EVIL release “Thunder In the Night” EP
Gothenburg‘s DREAM EVIL, the authors of “The Book Of Heavy Metal”, returned loud and strong to the spotlight last year with their seventh studio album “Metal Gods”. Including 10 new songs of pure steel, “Metal Gods” was a first release in 7 long years since the previous “SIX” album and continued the band‘s tradition of classic Heavy Metal madness.
DREAM EVIL are now pleased to launch 4 additional and completing songs from the “Metal Gods” sessions via the Digital EP “Thunder In The Night”, including lead guest guitar appearances by Andy LaRocque (King Diamond) on the title-track and Pontus Norgren (Hammerfall) on “Fight For Glory” (Previously a Japanese CD bonus-track). Here is the tracklisting for the release out today:
DREAM EVIL – “Thunder In The Night” EP (15:28 min.)
1. Thunder In The Night (04:10)
2. Calm In The Storm (04:11)
3. Fight For Glory (03:32)
4. Criminal (03:31)
DREAM EVIL bass-player Peter Stålfors checked in with the following comment about the “Thunder In The Night” EP: “It‘s so much fun recording a new album, but sometimes it can be a little bit too much fun… and you record too many songs to fit on one album! That was the case when we released ’Metal Gods‘ last summer. But now the time has come to finally release the remaining four songs from ’Metal Gods‘ sessions on this brand-new EP entitled ’Thunder in the Night‘. Watch out for the guest guitar soloists, Andy LaRocque (King Diamond) on the title-track ’Thunder in the Night‘ and Pontus Norgren (Hammerfall) on ’Fight for Glory‘. It‘s not just Heavy Metal, it‘s also ’Thunder in the Night‘!”
Check out the “Thunder In The Night” EP here: https://dreamevil.lnk.to/ThunderInTheNight
Once again featuring recording/mixing duties by DREAM EVIL guitarist Fredrik Nordström at his legendary Studio Fredman (In Flames, At The Gates, HammerFall, Arch Enemy, Bring Me The Horizon, etc.), the “Metal Gods” album and the “Thunder In The Night” EP also feature cover artwork by Seth Siro Anton (Paradise Lost, Exodus, Rotting Christ, etc.).
Metal Planet Media 