METAL HAVEN (US) Store/Mailorder Closed down! #2

In the mid 1990's, Chicago only had one metal record shop, it was called "Nightfall Records". As a young headbanger I would make a weekly pilgrimage from(where I lived while in school) my parents house about 40 miles outside of Chicago to spend all of my money on the music I craved. Around 1999, I learned that Nightfall would be closing it's doors.This was terrible news to me because I had learned so much about metal and found so many great bands from my years browsing the racks there. Just before they closed, I heard that a new metal shop was opening, and it was called Metal Haven.
When Nightfall closed, I begrudgingly made my way to Metal Haven, feeling like a traitor since I had spent my youth at Nightfall. My mind quickly changed as soon as I stepped foot in Metal Haven. Floor to ceiling, wall to wall, this place was BLEEDING metal.
Within a few short visits, I got on a first name basis with owner Mark Weglarz. I eagerly handed over most of my paycheck to him each week in return for massive quantities of LP's, CD's and t-shirts week after week, year after year at his location near Chicago's Lakefront and joined him while he stared at the women walking past the store in their summer attire ! In 2005, I moved into Chicago itself, and this made the trip to Metal Haven much more easy, thus saving me money on gasoline and allowing me more to spend on metal !
Around this time, due to growing inventory and a growing customer base (and all the late night parties on the weekends ), Mark decided he need to move to a larger location. His new location a few miles away was even closer to my home, so I was very happy ! The new location was bigger and better, and allowed Mark to expand his selection and accomodate his customers, many of which became personal friends with him and each other.
Metal Haven was much more that just a record shop. It was a meeting place. Common ground, where we could retreat from the hostile stares of strangers who can't understand our obsession with this powerful music. It was a hub for the organizing and promoting of Chicago metal and various concerts. If your show or band didn't have a flyer up at Metal Haven, NO ONE came to see you play.
Mark also needs to be commended for his never ending commitment to metal and his uncompromising position on what he would stock and what he would not. He REFUSED to stock 'nu-metal' and other such garbage, even though he knew that he could make a lot of money selling it to the posers that wandered into the shop asking for it every day. That takes guts, and a hell of a lot of character.
The last few months were filled with friday night parties bigger than usual, with people fighting over what to play over the stereo as we drank away our sorrows about the stores impending demise. When the final party came, it was filled without about 20 die hard Chicago metal fans/band members and supporters of the store, and some posers that wanted to be 'cool' by being at the store...but we payed them no attention and kept our horns raised high and our minds filled with the great memories we had of the store and the last 10 years.
Mark's selection was second to none in Chicago, and from what I've seen and heard, the entire United States. He would always order you anything you want, even if he knew he may not make much money on the transaction. He was also quick to understand individual customer/friends taste, and recommend stuff they would like. The Farewell Show on May 1st 2010 was packed with great bands and great friends of Mark and Metal Haven, and was truely a night to remember.
There will never be another shop quite like it. It was Chicago's own little slice of Hell !!

By the mighty Blodhemn! (Horns up for your contribution bro!/Mario C.)

SKELETON PLAGUE RECORDS (US) in alliance with DARK DESCENT RECORDS (US) presents three new releases!

THE WAKEDEAD GATHERING "Tenements of Ephemera" PRO TAPE: For many, The Wakedead Gathering needs no introduction. After a highly successful and now sold-out demo, Wakedead barrels forward in full force on their first full-length release. Originally issued earlier this year as a pro CDr by the band in limited quantities, SPR and DDR present the definitive pro tape version. Expect nothing less than thunderous metal of death from the USA. Layout and original art by Eric Musall. This version restores the original blue tint of the cover which was lacking on the CDr version and is much more visually striking.
DECAPITATION "Undead Carnage" PRO TAPE: Relative new-comers to the scene, DECAPITATION hales from Sweden and strikes in full force on their debut demo. Evil metal of death with a touch of the old ways, and a touch of the new. I won't make an endless list of comparisons, suffice it to say that this is one you don't want to miss!
HORRENDOUS "Sweet Blasphemies" PRO TAPE: HORRENDOUS blazes new trails on their debut demo. Fast-paced death metal riffs combine with a hint of thrash and dripping vocals to bring you an experience unlike any you've heard so far. Easily a selection for any best demos of 2010 list. Each release had an initial pressing of 200 copies on professional cassettes and come sealed in shrinkwrap. All three releases can be purchased through the Skeleton Plague Records STORE or from the Dark Descent Records STORE.

By Mario C.

METAL HAVEN (US) Store/Mailorder Closed down! #1

R.I.P. METAL HAVEN: An “Armageddon Sale” isn’t a good promotion for any record store, even one that specializes in grim, foreboding heavy metal. But the end hath arrived for METAL HAVEN (US). Save new releases, everything at 2003 W. Montrose was on sale. Discounts increased randomly throughout March and April, and owner Mark Weglarz closed ‘er down for good by June 1st. “I let the [customers] dictate the closing of the store,” Weglarz explains. “As long as enough people came in to pay the bills then I would stay open. When I couldn’t pay the bills anymore, then I would close.” Explanation? Weglarz can’t afford electricity if we can’t afford the new Destroyer 666. The Skulleted One first noticed declining numbers in 2004 and admits worrying the store wouldn’t even last the length of the three-year lease he signed when Metal Haven moved from Lakeview to its current North Center home in 2007. Surprisingly, Weglarz isn’t bitter. Though maybe he thinks it, he never once mentions MP3s, downloading, pirating, or the motherfucking iPod. And in truth, downloading and pirating didn’t kill Metal Haven. Did they have an effect? Sure, the guy sitting at home stealing Peaceville’s entire catalog helped pound a nail into the store’s coffin, but most folks shopping at Metal Haven aren’t the kind to buy Autopsy’s Severed Survival anniversary reissue through iTunes. They wouldn’t even know how . . . and that’s meant as a compliment. “The store is not directed at the casual fan,” Weglarz says proudly. “It’s for the die-hard fan, and what comes with die-hard fans is a loyal customer base.” “It doesn’t take much to combine $3 cans of shitty beer with your collection of Southern Lord releases and put on a ‘Metal Night’ at some lame bar,” says Chris Black, Superchrist frontman and a former Metal Haven employee. “To open and operate a niche music retail store takes incredible persistence and dedication, not just to the music itself but to the fans. The fact that the store endured as long as it did is in turn a credit to the fans who supported it.”For more than a decade, Metal Haven was a place honest-to-goodness heavy- metal fans could fraternize. A place where they, not we, are different. A place where you didn’t get the grow-the-fuck-up look from the Pitchfork-worshipping clerk for asking where Entombed is. A place that always had a stocked Manowar section. A place that dedicated shelf space exclusively to “brutal shit,” yet sold Celine Dion cassettes. A place you showed off like you owned the joint to out-of-town friends.

Taken from: http://illinoisentertainer.com/2010/03/caught-in-a-mosh-march-2010/

By Mario C.

New Releases from SATANIC SKINHEAD PROPAGANDA (US) out now!

PSEUDOGOD (RUS) "Illusion of Salvation" 1 sided 12" LP with jacket, inner sleeve and 24x36 desecration poster. Limited to 500 copies. Re-release of the first PSEUDOGOD demo which presented to the world the most Extreme Satanic BlackDeath chaos imaginable. Remastered for this release by Mgła for the most crushing and pummeling sound. There is also a MLP / DVD COMBO DEAL
Buy the "Illusion of Salvation" 12" LP along with the PSEUDGOD "Two Nights of Supremacy and Witchcraft" DVD for a reduced price. All inquiries send to satanicskinhead666@yahoo.com or check the label site HERE.

By Mario C.

New Releases from NEGATIVITY RECORDS (US) out now!

TERATISM (ITA) "Via Negativa" CD with 12-page booklet and Slipcover. T-Shirt available in sizes S-4X, with album artwork on front and two-color Teratism sigil on back. The long-awaited fourth full-length album of blistering, hateful black metal from this rising US black metal cult is finally here! Ten tracks of satanism and vitriol, over forty minutes of music! FAUST (ITA) "From Glory to Infinity" Picture Disc LP with Exlusive Artwork. Melodic death metal from Italian band featuring an all-star lineup which includes Aleister from ANCIENT (NOR) and Steve DiGiorgio (Death). Limited to 666 copies. Check the label website for more info HERE.

By Mario C.

GRAVE (SWE) updates on their upcoming album!

Greetings! After many months of silence we are rapidly approaching the release of the new album "Burial Ground". Recorded, mixed and mastered in our own Studio Soulless under a hectic six weeks it features 9 tracks of sheer darkness, heaviness and brutality. If you haven't checked out the preview excerpts and the full track "Liberation" do it now to get a dose of what's to hit you on monday June 14:th. Cover artwork and layout by Costin Chioreanu at Twillight13 media. Thanx for your support, You are deformed! Metal! Ola & GRAVE (SWE). Check their official website HERE for more info.

By Mario C.

MARDUK to storm Central America on July/August 2010!

MARDUK (SWE) have included Costa Rica in their CENTRAL AMERICAN DEATH MARCH TOUR 2010, the complete dates are the following:

July 29 San Jose, Costa Rica (Pepper Disco Club)
July 30 Guatemala City, Guatemala (TBA)
July 31 San Pedro Sula, Honduras (Museo de Antropologia e Historia)
August 01, San Salvador, El Salvador (TBA)

Some of the venues remain unconfirmed according to the band official site as of now but we hope everybody down here will get their share of Black Metal darkness! Check the add for additional info including ticket raffles.

By Mario C.

ADVENT OF BEDLAM - Behold the Chaos on PRESALE now!

ADVENT OF BEDLAM (CRI) new album entitled Behold The Chaos is set to be released on July 30th 2010, you can order one of their PRESALE packages including T-Shirt, Guitar Picks, Sticker plus the album on jewel case CD for just $20. Not sure if that includes the shipping and handling costs overseas but you can contact them and find that out HERE.

By Mario C.

Hellish Crossfire - Bloodrust Scythe - I Hate Records - 42:46min

Arrrrrgggghhhhh! Hell fucking yeah! A new album from this Teutonic Thrash Machine is always a motive of joy to me, and “Bloodrust Scythe” just came out in the right moment to bring me a rest after listening a pile of crap in the past three weeks!
The album makes a fair continuation of their debut “Slaves of the Burning Pentagram” but with some slight improvements, well, that depends of the beholders eye of course. I say it so, because the new album was recorded with the idea to make it sound a bit rawer than their first record, however, the sound is perfect, very much in the likes of the mid 80’s kind of analogue recordings and I guess that was their intention, making it sound aged I mean. Don’t misunderstand me here, the album sounds clear and has a very good production behind it, but its texture is much more natural and let say “organic”. Just pay attention to the drum kit and the whole string instrumentation and you’ll get my point. As about the song writing, they bet for a bit longer songs, therefore, much more varied in their dynamic and adding a bit more of passages across each song. Most of them have a play time rounding the 6 minutes, so you know what I mean.
Well, not much to tell really. If you liked their previous album as much as I did, then go ahead with eyes closed and spend some bucks in your copy. You won’t regret it at all! As soon as the opener song “Night of the Possessed” starts spinning, you’ll get possessed in a head banging experience able to let your body headless! HAILS TO HELLISH FUCKING CROSSFIRE! Contact the band HERE.

By U.Xerxes.H

Destruktor (Aust) - Nailed - Hell's Headbangers - 45:24min

I’ll be honest with you all, to me, listening to this accurate album from this Aussie based commando has been my first experience with their sound. Yeah, I know they’ve been involved in the underground since long way back and how it is possible that this mother fucker hasn’t heard anything from them before. Well, be it because of conceived prejudices result of read reviews of doubted qualified fanzines, the truth is that I never saw myself in the necessity to take a listen onto them. This, of course, came to change once HELLS HEADBANGERS sent me their new album “Nailed”. And fuck, what a killer band I was missing to!
For my neophyte ears, DESTRUKTOR comes and hits me in the guts with an unmerciful dose of brutal Death Thrash metal with shades of Black Metal that might remind you to their country mates NOCTURNAL GRAVES and DESTROYER 666, plus a pinch of “controlled” chaos (if such thing could happen!) in the style of BESTIAL WARLUST, but, with an impeccable sound production that, although it evidences a tendency on the raw edge quite much related to the analogue sound of late 80’s productions, it is professional and rotten enough to please my putrid senses eager for aged metal!
As a whole, in “Nailed” you’ll find 10 tracks straight to the bone, without more pretentions than shaking you from feet to head like an air missile bombing strike would explode inside your brain! Add to all this sonic assault a delicious executive production in the hands of HELLS HEADBANGERS where the logo of the band comes in silver relieve decorated with a cover artwork crafted in the hands of USA based artist Mark Riddick. If you are an addict of Aussie metal onslaught you shouldn’t let this album pass by unnoticed because for sure once you get into it, it won’t stop spinning in your stereo for a while. For those who are looking for a musical paradigm-breaker band, well, you should definitely listen to DESTRUKTOR too although they hardly will please you in those “demanding” fields of creativity, because certainly, it will contribute for a 45 minutes of unchaining mosh pit carnage no matter how sophisticated your taste might be! Contact the band HERE.

By U.Xerxes.H

Demorian (Swe) - Back To The Glorious Past - Salute Rec. / Azermedoth Rec. - 32:35min

The fact is that from these two labels I haven’t listened anything worthy for my ear up till the present date. And Swedish DEMORIA comes across to accumulate itself into that same basket.
The aspect that makes their Pagan Melodic Black Metal so uninspiring and insipid is the so sterile drum programming and the lack of ideas of the vocalist at the time of his interpretation, which is one-dimensional all across the record. The song writing in itself isn’t bad, but it needs to be polished in the studio a bit more, to give the right bombastic epic input into it and make it great! The guys have a set of ideas already a trademark in the likes of the more epic BATHORY records, and it might sound cool, there’s not doubt about it, but they certainly must take care a bit more the details in the studio before releasing an album with an evident scent of demo quality. And please, find yourselves a drummer instead that annoying drum machine.
Twelve songs in total with a bonus track. Contact the band HERE.

By U.Xerxes.H

Archgoat (Fin) - The Light-Devouring Darkness - Blasphemous Underground - 29:57min

When reading the name of the band I’m about to review, those already familiar with the way I perceive most of the Bestial Black Death Metal trend that’s been polluting the scene for almost 6 years now - mostly in the South America extreme metal spectrum – will probably be guessing that I’m just about to destroy Finnish ARCHGOAT new album, right? Well, let me tell you that you are fucking wrong in this case because “The Light-Devouring Darkness” has been spinning on my turn table for almost one month since I purchased it.
I must be totally honest with you, I have never been a fan from these guys and besides this album I only got to know their previous “Whore of Bethlehem”, album which strangely enough, didn’t cause the major effect on me in spite in “The Light…” they keep their style completely intact. When noticing that, I push my ass up to get a new listen to their previous record to see what the fuck happened to me at the time I heard it since I don’t understand why the new album is so addictive to me now. And surprise! I know now what the aspect was that didn’t bewitch me so much. Everybody knows these mayhem purveyors are famous to drive their song writing in a very minimalist way based in fat dense chords that dives from really fast drum beats through mid tempos and really suffocating slow-doom-like breaks. Well to me, the aspect that didn’t fit quite well in their previous album is the whole fucking production which according to my point of view it didn’t provide the right mood for the pestilence to propagate in the right way. To me, the new sound of the band is denser proper of a Death Metal record in the likes of NECROS CHRISTOS (not so clean anyway, but it is similar keeping it slightly rawer) and utterly evil suits them best than ever. For instance, the sound accomplishes to bring the slow parts a ritualistic mood plus the cavernous effect and slight cleaner production in the vocals make the whole thing to accentuate a really grim skin, making it sounding solidly into the Black Metal camps still. Few are the bands able to provide to their simplistic dynamic in riffs a curtain of inspiring feeling, and certainly, ARCHGOAT is one of them. Now that I checked “Whores…” album, I guess if that one would have the same level of sound production as “The Light…” has, it might be a more appealing record to me. As about the songs, well, they compiled 9 new blasphemies which for me the best are: “Goat and the Moon” (check out the subtle keyboards at the background with some church-like chants, that sort of details made the song to have a whole outstanding dimension! It kind of reminds me to “Drawing down the Moon” slow songs), “Sodomator of the Doomed Venus” and “Fornicated Messiah”.
The Lp comes sort of austere to me, depicting the classical Chris Moyen artwork at the front cover plus jacket insert with lyrics + pictures. Nevertheless, the Lp sounds fucking killer! Contact the band HERE.

By U.Xerxes.H

Ancestor (Cub) - Hell Fuckin' Metal - Selfreleased - 35:00min

Okay, let’s see…humm…how many times have I faced myself with bands from Cuban lands? Well, if I put myself in the situation to remind someone, I guess right now only the names of ANCESTOR and back in the mid 90’s another one named MEDIUM pops into my head. But well, it is accurate to say that at least ANCESTOR would be my first contact with an exponent of the most fierce and well decorated Black Metal coming out from that Island.
In this record, which is their debut album, they engrave quite clear the main dorsal spine of influences they are inspiring by, influences that comes from very diverse styles but keeping a line traced in the footsteps of Swedish Black Metal bands in the likes of MARDUK (“Those of the Unlight” era), DISSECTION (“The Somberlain” era), NAGLFAR (“Vittra” album) and DARK FUNERAL (their first MCD). Thus means, that melodic leads, heavy Death Metal breaks, subtle keyboard passages, blast beats and neck-breaking German influenced thrash metal segments – and even subtle Heavy Metal ones – are all merged to give shape to the spectrum of sound these guys purvey, always keeping it all integrated into the curtain of power and darkness which make them a worthy exponent of well structured Black Death Metal.
If I should point outstanding remarks in the whole compositional base, I must say their singer gets a very good performance, really diabolical and at the same time filled with utter hate, which doesn’t get out of context even in the very melodic parts. Other guy who excels pretty well, is the guitarist Lord Dakkar, his playing is tight and has really good ideas at the time to unify different styles into one solid own delivering. And perhaps, the aspect I should remark admirably is the sound quality of the whole recording. Contrary to the common thought, seems to be that Cuba, in fact, has very descent studios because the whole thing sounds massive and clear. ANCESTOR isn’t framed into a raw shitty production, they instead, bet for a worthy sound to make clear what their intentions are and to show how good musicians they are. In spite of that, I guess the biggest flaw is the sound of the drums. I say it so because it makes me think they programmed the whole kit because it sounds so thin, so plastic and too clean at times, that is what gives that kind of sensation. Perhaps, I don’t know, they exceeded themselves in the use of “triggers”? Who knows! That only the band can tell. But that’s the element that may not fit in the whole production of the rest of the instrumentation.
In any case, although ANCESTOR does not re-invent absolutely nothing in their musical line, they, at least, have accomplished to provide each one of their songs with enough personality, at sometimes, even better than their mentors, since each song has particular hook ups that are able to seduce you in just matter of seconds, even the short cuts of barely 2 minutes and half are very well structured in shades. The best of these 8 scythes undoubtedly are “Vlad the Impaler”, “Refuse to Denounce” and “The Christian Hunt”.
If ANCESTOR keeps itself working the way they have been doing it up till now and taking care of recording details in the future, it is possible for them to surpass more frontiers. Contact HERE.

By U.Xerxes.H

DEADHEAD FANZINE #5 coming out on May 2010!

Asia’s only conservative underground Metal scripture DEADHEAD FANZINE returns with issue #5. To celebrate their 13 years of existence, you will find 14 exclusive; some are very in-depth and new interviews with: EXUMER (Germany), NAUSEANT (Sweden), BEHERIT (Finland), EVIL ANGEL (Finland), REPULSION (USA), MARTYVORE (USA), NATE WILSON (USA), RATOR (Malaysia), D’ZAI (Malaysia), SHACKLES (Australia), EMBALMED SOULS (Brazil), CHAINSAW (Chile), EMBRACE OF THORNS (Greece), BAPHOMETAL FANZINE/RECORDS (Argentina).Thick and H.E.A.V.Y issue!!! More than 80 pages, small fonts, A4-sized+hard cover, English written. Pre-order your copy at wansyamsul@yahoo.com (PAYPAL accepted).
By Mario C.

NIGHT OF THE VINYL DEAD RECORDS new release available now!

NIGHT OF THE VINYL DEAD has just released the DARK TRANQUILLITY - Of Chaos and Eternal Night 1995 MCD for the first time EVER on vinyl! Autumn brown etched vinyl plus shaped folded backing card and serigraphied outer sleeve! This release has always been marked as a milestone in the Swedish Melodic Death Metal scene as well as the band's career! Only 500 hand-numbered copies worldwide and still few left after preorders. Do not miss your chance to put your greedy hands on this jewel!
By Mario C.

NECROMANCER RECORDS new release available now!

NECROMANCER RECORDS from Germany has just released a GRAVE DESECRATOR/CATACUMBA SPLIT 7EP entitled “Tombs On Fire”. It comes in a gatefold jacket, red vinyl, limited to only 500 handnumered copies and containing 1 track from each band! For those interested in these leading Brazilian Black/Death Metal bands make sure to contact the label or bands to get your copy now!
By Mario C.

DEBEUR MORTI PRODUCTIONS new release available now!

After countless delays due to manufacturing issues, DEBEUR MORTI PRODUCTIONS is truly pleased to announce the ARCHGOAT anniversary release, "The Aeon Of The Angelslaying Darkness", is now available in its 2xCD and 2x12" LP version. The SLIPCASE 2xCD+2x12" LP version is unfortunately still a bit delayed. Eager to purchase your own copy ? You can place your order through their WEBSHOP. As a reminder, "The Aeon Of The Angelslaying Darkness" assembles 40 despicable incantations spanning the entire recording career of Finland's most blasphemous spawn! See tracklisting HERE. Last but not least, the release date of TENEBRAE IN PERPETUUM / KROHM, OCTOBER FALLS and HELL MILITIA albums has been postponed to May 21th.
By Mario C.

Count Raven (SWE) - Mammons War - I Hate Records - 01:08:40min

What can we expect after a 13 years hiatus? Well, at least most of us would have said "hope they don't fuck it up" right? COUNT RAVEN is back and I can safely say they still deliver the goods and what a way to do that in their new testament in the Doom pantheon!
Ever since "The Poltergeist" kicks in you get the feel this is going to be addictive as heroin to a junkie. This band has been always one of the very few BLACK SABBATH impersonators that are actually worth spending a penny for.
It is really amusing to listen this new set of tracks and confirm their skillset to create one of the most enjoyable blend of wisely constructed Doom -meets-old fashioned Heavy Metal have not changed after all these years. Everything you knew them for in their earlier works is still latent now, reformulated, still defying & repackaged but all in all a welcomed addition to your collection.
It is kind of non-sense to dive on a track by track examination because this is to be enjoyed in its entirety. So, get this, dim the lights, grab a drink and something to smoke (your choice! jejeje) and enjoy this brilliant album. Get it HERE.
By Mario C.