Furious & Melodic French Black Metal From Lille.

In the isolated silence of 2020's confinement, Alkhemia was birthed from the introspective vision of James Spar, recently joined by seasoned musicians from bands such as Azziard, The Negation, Malcuidant and En Finir. Alkhemia's lyrical influences strive from the magic innate to all living beings and the loss of one's humanity against technology. Delivering both mid-tempo melodic eloquence and blast-beat ferocity, a sound that reverberates through their live performances. Alkhemia has been touring relentlessly since its creation, alongside bands like Gorgon (FR), Noctem (SP), Vorga (DE), Virgil (FR), Hudic (NL), Versatile (CH)
etc.

The first opus, "ABRAXAS" (2023), delves into the dichotomy of human nature, portrayed through an aggressive and melodic Black Metal. This album, laced with extended, impactful compositions and enriched with atmospheric synths, beckons the listener to the philosophical depths of James Spar's musings - a world where purity and vices collide, articulated through Spar's prose and Le Prince’s intricate compositions.

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Ancient is an extreme metal band formed in 1992 in Bergen, Norway. Originally a solo project of guitarist Zel (pka: Aphazel ) which quickly
developed into a full band. Together with drummer/ vocalist Grimm, the cult demotape “ Eerily Howling Winds” was released in 1993, and the 7” entitled “ Det Glemte Riket” followed in 1994.
Ancient was one of the bands that defined the sound of the original “Norwegian black metal” and quickly built an underground fanbase with
their own dark and atmospheric style of black metal. Loyal fans claim Ancient has a special sound and feeling that makes the band stick out intheir genre.


Among others, Listenable Records / Osmose noticed the potential of Ancient and released the debut album “ Svartalvheim” in December 1994, today considered a classic album in extreme metal. The mini album “Trolltaar” followed in late 1995 and ended up being the last release with Grimm.


Ancient moved on to sign a 5 album contract with Metal Blade Records, and Zel relocated to the USA for 3 years, establishing a new line-up, until deciding to return to Europe again, and settle down in Italy in 1999.


The band has embarked on several tours in Europe, USA, South America and elsewhere over the years, produced 5 videos and have established a strong underground fan base.

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Antrisch is a blend of different styles of Black Metal mingled with portions of Doom, Djent and Dark Ambient. Founded in 2020, Antrisch is exploring the inner world that is the wide range of expressions bred by the human mind and inner life as well as the outer world by treating substantially the vast landscapes and forces of natur experienced through bygone ventures to the world's most extreme sceneries.

This project is a musical & lyrical expedition to the heights of the world and the depths of man.

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Autumn Nostalgie was formed back in 2010, from the ashes of the then defunct dark ambient project called Fekete Erdo. Autumn Nostalgie had not released anything for ten years. The debut album Esse Est Percipi was released in 2020 by Zero Dimensional Records, and then Northern Silence Productions took over the publishing. The band tried to save the ambient elements from the previous project, so more atmospheric themes rather than fast and tight motifs are present. Regarding its text, it tries to grasp the whole of reality in metaphysical and philosophical dimensions and tries to present its tragedy or even joy musically in a specific style.

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Décembre Noir is a Death/Doom Metal Band from Germany that was founded in Erfurt/Thuringia in 2008. Starting as a project, Décembre Noir became a full working band in 2011. After several concerts had been played, various demo tapes had been recorded and some lineup changes have taken place the first album “A Discouraged Believer” was produced by Project Mayhem (Alexander Dietz – Heaven Shall Burn und Eike Freese – Dark Age) and finally released by F.D.A. Records in 2014. Then the first music video for the title track “A Discouraged Believer” was shot. And after several club shows and small festivals videos for “The Forsaken Earth”, “Resurrection” and “Décembre Noir” were made. In summer 2015 the pre-production of the second studio album “Forsaken Earth” was finished and was once more produced by Alexander Dietz und Eike Freese and released in late summer 2016 by F.D.A. Records. This second album was much more successful than the first one and was met with very positive reviews from the critics. Music videos for “Small. Town. Depression” and “In This Greenhouse Of Loneliness And Clouds” were turned into a music video. A lot more live concerts both in clubs and on festivals were played while already working on their third album. “Autumn Kings” – the third and current album was once again produced by Project Mayhem but this time released by Lifeforce Records in 2018. Videos for the singles “Barricades” and “Dress.Code.Black” f

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Rabid Devilry - the Fury of Death

FFO: Lunar Aurora, Abigor, Katharsis, Nagelfar

Location: Bavarian Forest / Lower Bavaria

In 2013 Drudensang crawled out from the depths of Bavarian Forest, the
border triangle of Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. It emerged
from the band Ravnsvart, which was founded in 2009 by Krámpn.
Drudensang represents the devil worship in combination with the ancient
devilish myths and traditions of bavaria and austria. The focus is on the
Krampus- and Perchtencult, witchcraft and the evil spirits of the twelve
nights between the years (Rauhnächte).
The name Drudensang is made up of the words “Drude”, a witch creature
from the Bavarian Forest, a kind of night alb, and “Sang”, an old german
word for curse, today used as “chant” and “death wail“.
In 2013, the first demo "Rehearsal 1 – Dunkle Tradition" was released.
Further releases (demos, live albums, EPs and splits) followed at regular
intervals.
The first demos were still characterised by a very raw style, which over
the years was refined further and further into the sound that is currently
typical for Drudensang – pure furious Black Metal with an raging old
school style and atmospheric fragments as the perfect soundtrack to the
wild doings and wild hunts of Krampen and Perchten during the
Rauhnächten.
After almost 10 years in 2022, on Walpurgis Night, Drudensang unleashed
their first morbid f

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The eternal duality of vision and tradition...
Six passionate souls from Würzburg have made it their mission to clothe this ancient and existential contrast in a musical garment. Bold steps to new shores versus preserving proven structures - to keep this fine balance, no: to forge it into an alliance that is more powerful than its individual parts, that is the musical essence of DVALIN.
Giving form to traditionally orchestrated folk and pagan metal with bagpipes, interweaving it with brute melodic death metal riffing and visionary progressiveness in order to open up fertile new territory - that is the credo of the Franconian sextet.
Be prepared - because DVALIN take no prisoners!

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WHO DO WE THINK WE ARE?
A band is an idea. It can exist as a vision in the architect’s mind- but never complete. It is when this vision reaches its audience, it turns into something more and greater than the sum of its parts. An artist can reach his audience through images, stories and crafts. Our art comes from a spoken culture – a musical culture – and it is from the stage it shall be conveyed.

OUR HISTORY
We were there when Norwegian extreme metal grew forth and took shape as an enormous cultural export. We played far and wide. At home and abroad. We were part of something new. Something special and innovative. We were there when Norwegian metal gathered and inspired thousands. We were there and swung the hammer when Viking metal was forged as a unique expression that later inspired countless bands, worldwide. Now the horns of war sound again. And Einherjer is there. Behind us we have an array of albums – some of which stand as milestones in a genre of explosive growth.

OUR HERITAGE – OUR VISION
Our Norse heritage is a phenomenon that reaches far beyond what one can hear alone. It is an amalgamation of the mystique and sagas of old, of songs and poems, of woodcutting and sword grinding and the vikings merciless way of life. It’s a cultural patchwork that fills the consciousness with the brutal majesty of the Nordic nature, the elemental strain, of mighty longships plowing the black seas to reach unknown shores. The wisdom of the gods and

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The Black Forest – marked by mystical landscapes, its spirit rules the southwestern German souls. Its wealth of brute power and mightiness led a dark horde to the decision to embody the beauty of the Black Forest in a musical way, back in 2004.

Hitting the stages in 2007, a decent public attention was attracted and after the publication of the debut EP "Wiege der Finsternis" and the debut album "Weltenkraft", the horde found a new home at the German record label Einheit Produktionen.

The second studio album "...zum Tode hin" was introduced to the public in early 2009 and could deeply satisfy a wide range of different
musical preferences.

It`s the year 2012 – to date, a frightening large amount of knuckles of pork along with a greatly exaggerated quantity of Schnaps was consumed and countless breathtaking concerts were performed. With a new singer at the front and a third fully produced studio album, the band signed a contract with the Austrian label Napalm Records. "Rastlos" represents the new status of Finsterforst and exceeds everything that has been done before.

The era of Black Forest Metal has begun! With "Mach Dich Frei" Finsterforst has released their fourth full length album.



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As you all know, patience is rewarded the more, the more long one can bear the waiting.
As well as here: apparently endlessly long lasted it until these studious Thuringian Pagan Metal heros had placed its new album spectacle ~Weltenbrand~ such brilliant ready. Yet the truly breathtaking gigantic musical goodness of this terrific epic grand masterpiece compensates even the most impatients among the fans of the East German horde in amply manner!

As to expect, Gernotshagen have developed powerfully forwards and that immediately in all conceivable creative concerns: therefore the participants fortunately did lift their output generally and so these new songs are their very best until now at all. Superficial critics, who reproach the heathen heavy metal scene again and again gladly, that Pagan Metal became degenerated to a bloodless and empty genre, get by means of ~Weltenbrand~ such an extent fat and delicious feast pressed into the ears that it persistently deeply intoxicates the eardrums.

With the help of a really bombastically sounding top production, these frenetic heathen power songs are all too easily able to raise the swirled up senses of the listeners into highest appreciative heights. Actually the conviction-culprits Gernotshagen produced its new compositions such completed and such convexed arranged, that this fantastic album advances with a big blow quickly to an classic of German Pagan Metal.

The heathen heros around the shockingly express

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GRAVEWORM is back with their ninth studio album!

It took eight long years, but the wait has been worth it: the South Tyrolean extreme metal institution GRAVEWORM is finally returning with a new album! And "Killing Innocence" compensates for everything. Their very own blend of thrash, gothic and death metal is as powerful as ever, showing that Graveworm has not lost any of their hardness and energy over the years. The ten new songs on "Killing Innocence" are characterized by dark atmospheres, powerful riffs and driving drums that captivate the listener. The album is a tribute to the band's roots, yet produced in a contemporary and fresh way - an absolute must-buy for fans of dark but captivating metal. With "Killing Innocence", GRAVEWORM impressively proves that they belong to the best representatives of the genre and can still surprise in the year 2023.

The band, founded in 1992 by Stefano Fiori (vocals) and Stefan Unterpertinger (guitar), was inspired by bands such as Cradle of Filth, Hypocrisy, Dimmu Borgir. Already with their debut album "When Daylight's Gone", GRAVEWORM set standards. The album was highly praised by critics and was a great success in the underground metal scene.

In the following years, the band released further epic albums and created a loyal fan base with their powerful music. The band toured intensively and played shows throughout Europe, gaining international attention. Further tours followed with bands such as Kataklysm, Amon A

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Gwydion's journey started in 1995, a project founded by a group of friends that shared the same passion for metal and interest in Celtic
culture. During these first stages of the band, three demos were presented to the Portuguese metal scene and dozens of gigs were
performed throughout Portugal.
In 2007, Gwydion prepared to record their first full-length album "Ynys Mön". Their originality and effort triggered the interest of the
German label TROLLZORN, which offered a contract to release the album. With Ynys Mön, Gwydion finally started to draw some
international attention and ultimately received an invitation to make an European tour in October 2008 with top bands TYR,
HOLLENTHON, ALESTORM, and SVARTSOT: the RAGNAROK AASKEREIA'S TOUR.
During 2009, Gwydion played in nearly all major metal Portuguese metal festivals, delivering a distinct sound and attitude, and received
continuously great feedback. At the end of the year, Gwydion finished the recordings and production of their second album "Horn
Triskelion". "Horn Triskelion" truly represented fifteen years of accumulated experience and ideas. The readers of Portugal's biggest metal
magazine LOUD magazine have chosen GWYDION to be the 2nd best band over 2010 + their album "Horn Triskelion" was considered
the 3rd best album of 2010!
In 2013, Gwydion presents "VETERAN". Fans will experience a slightly different musical-style, as the music is much more epic and
"metal" than folk compared

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Jord (Swedish for “Earth”) performs Swedish Atmospheric Black Metal with ear-catching melodies. For fans of Enslaved, Vintersorg and Borknagar!

Jord is an atmospheric Black Metal band with Blackgaze and post rock influences founded in 2020 as a one-man project by Jurg. Based in Sweden the inspiration came from northern nature, folk lore, mysticism, a man’s relation to this part of the earth and bands like Alcest, Enslaved, Anathema and Russian Circles. Two albums were released by Northern Silence Productions, “Sol” in 2021 and “Måne” 2022. Jord transformed into a trio in late 2022 and the new demo songs got attention from Hammerheart Records. A few months later a full studio recording of the third album ”Tundra”, in this new band setting, was done.

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Midnight Odyssey was officially formed in early 2007. Originally from Ipswich, west of Brisbane, Australia, Dis Pater began writing black metal oriented music in 1999, and home recorded many songs between the years 2001 and 2007. They led to a creative output that would eventually cement itself as the atmospheric and cosmic entity Midnight Odyssey.

Dis Pater has taken influences from a wide range of music, from black metal, doom metal, neo-classical and dark ambient music, electronic music, classical/early music and folk. Mixed with themes of cosmic destruction, xenoarchaeology, and classical mythology, Midnight Odyssey has become a vessel that explores the outer reaches of humanity’s obsessions with space and death.

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Founded in 2018 in Greifswald, Pomerania, the band was first joined by singer 'Nihiluz' and drummer 'Onkl Maiär'.
Having been friends for a long time, the project was only supposed to be a reappraisal of events. But things turned out differently.
In 2019, a familiar face joined the band and took over the guitar position: Anubis.
In anticipation of musical fireworks, the band still needed support and 'ZarusNasforth' and 'E.z.E.' joined in 2020.

In May 2022, the music group released their first album '1993' via 'TeufelszeugRecords'. Intended as a tribute to the black metal of the second wave.

In October 2023, 'Norest' was back at 'Irsins Sound' to record the second album.
This album will be played in combination with the first one at the DarkTroll Festival.

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On a misty day of September 2014 NORNIR´s roots were anchored by Lethian (guitars, vocals), MG (bass) and a befriended drummer. During winter of the same year three songs were recorded. After Angrist joined the alliance NORNIR signed a label contract and started recording four more creations in the following winter. Due to severe complications with the former label the EP had to rest until March 2017. It was not until Northern Silence Productions decided to support NORNIR that ›URD‹ could be released. In the meantime, Farliath started beating NORNIR´s war drums and in 2018 Reineke (bass) entered into the circle. The recordings of ›VERDANDI‹ began in summer 2018. It was as well released via Northern Silence Productions on 22th February 2019.

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The new era begins: Robse returns with epic power and a debut album

After quitting with the epic metal band Equilibrium, the long-time frontman and party guarantor is back with a new band and a veritable firework display of energy and bombastic songs. Behind the Brandenburg giant, Robert-Martin Dahn, better known as Robse, lies not only his new band of the same name, but also a huge vision.

The band "ROBSE" will present their debut album as early as August 2024: "Harlequin and Warrior" marks the group's first own album and at the same time the impressive milestone as Robse's 30th work in his discography.

The fact that the singer is not retiring came as no surprise to his loyal fans worldwide. He has been a tireless musician since 1994, expressing his passion for metal with brute vocals. His stage presence and career have taken him to countless concerts in America, Mexico, China, Japan, Colombia and all over Europe and to festivals such as the world-famous Wacken Open Air, Hellfest, Graspop Festival and Summerbreeze. With a total of over 20 chart entries in Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as 18 guest vocal appearances for bands such as Hämatom, Lord of the Lost, Atrocity and Crematory, Robse has proven to be an indispensable singer in the scene.

When choosing his companions for "ROBSE", the same careful selection process was applied as when deciding on his record company Reaper Entertainment - only the best and most loyal of the scene were

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Sagenbringer are four skalds who came together at the end of 2021. Musically, they take their cue from early folk metal bands as well as current greats and wrap these sounds in their own garb. With the release of their debut album in April 2022, which bears their own name, the journey to carry their stories and legends into the worlds began. In 2023, Sagenbringer accompanied the bands Varg and Nachtblut on the Wolfsest Tour through Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

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SAXORIOR was founded in 1994, with Matthias Eschrich (vocals, guitars) and Kai-Uwe Schneider (vocals, guitars) being the only founding members. The name stands for Saxon Warrior. In the same year they produced their first demo tape "The First Fight". At the end of 1995 they released their 1st album "Return From The Dark Side". Life and death, the universe, creation and decay are the themes of the lyrics. The CD was presented on "Energy" radio in December. With the new keyboarder Frank Nitzsche (who is still with the band today), concerts followed with Eminenz, Benediction and Iced Earth, among others. In August and September 1996, the songs for the MCD "Beyond Conceptions" were again recorded as an in-house production. The CD release party in Altenberg/Erzgebirge in October 1996 was very well received.
October 1996.
The years 1997 and 1998 were reserved for concerts, among others with Eisregen, Dunkelgrafen and Enslaved. New song material was also collected. 1999 was to be the most productive year to date, culminating in many live gigs at the
Bischofswerda Open Air. In the same year, the album "Portent of Eternity" was released on the underground label G.U.C.. On it you can hear what is still the typical SAXORIOR style today.

A quote from "Legacy" 03/99: "They offer an absolutely successful mix of black and pagan metal. Aggressive high-speed parts are interrupted by sustained instrumental passages with slightly medieval sounds, and the keyboard subtly underli

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Danish black metal band Sunken have been active on the European scene since 2012 and will be unfolding their dark, melancholic and depressive soundscapes and ethereal melodies at this year's Dark Troll Fest.


From the debut EP "The Crackling of Embers" released in 2013, through the long-awaited debut full-length record "Departure" from 2017, Sunken have continuously expanded and developed their sound culminating in the bands' most intense, thorough, and honest album to date; “Livslede” from 2020 released through Berlin-based Vendetta Records. The record unfolds a beautiful, sorrowful and extremely personal universe; an emotional journey through anxiety, self-hatred and hopelessness.


Besides having played shows with acclaimed bands suchs as Ultha (DE), Deafheaven (US), Wolves In The Throne Room (US), Gaahls Wyrd (NO), Winterfylleth (UK), Saor (UK) and Afsky (DK) among others, the band have toured Europe extensively and is a staple headliner in Denmark.

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Female fronted Pagan/Folk Metal

Based on death & black metal with folky sounds of bagpipes and viola, the seven norns of Tales of Ratatösk push the known genre boundaries.

Driving guitars, shouts and growls provide the necessary heaviness. The folk department provides danceable and epic melodies, so that the listener is thrown fluidly back and forth between the battlefield and the subsequent victory celebration.

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With the intention of creating supreme black metal art, this quintet ascended from the catacombs of Vienna, Austria in 2016 and consists of experienced individuals exclusively. The brand new 2022 album "Fragment : Totenruhe" will be their second strike under the banner of AOP records and a worthy successor to the 2020 album "Fragment : Erhabenheit". Marking a total number of four releases since the founding days, Theotoxin stands for longevity, continuity and ongoing advancement.
Theotoxin is a guarantor for intense live performances and delivers an unprecedented show with deep yet aggressive atmosphere. With plenty of live appearances and a tour through Europe accomplished so far, the band is eager to spread their black chants even further.

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THORONDIR is a Pagan Metal band that was founded in 2007. In 2008, the band signed a record deal with CCP-Records. One year later, in 2009, they released their debut album titled "Düsterwald." Their second album, titled "Aus jenen Tagen," was recorded and released in 2011 at Woodshed Studio by V. Santura (known for Tryptikon).

In 2017, the band switched to TrollZorn Records and released their third album, "Des Wandrers Mär," in 2019. THORONDIR is known for their energetic and captivating live shows accompanied by their diverse music. With their musical works and impressive stage performances, they have secured a solid place in the Pagan Metal scene.

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Vanir plays a Melodic/Pagan Death Metal. The themes of the band’s lyrics are found amongst Norse mythology as well as historical interpretations of events around the Viking Age and the Dark Ages. From the halls of Valhalla to the Germanic battlefields with their bloody battles and fierce warriors, kings and Queens, the band’s music have been put together with a fascination with our common origins, and the blood spilled throughout history. Vanir will release their 7th Studio album in 2024 to follow up the critically acclaimed Sagas from 2022.

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VERMILIA is a female artist, coming from Finland.
Her music is a mix of Epic Scandinavian Pagan Metal and sweet, raw and melancholic vocal harmonies with lyrics in her native language.

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US Black Metal masters Wolves in the Throne Room create melancholic atmospheres that are an ode to rain storms, wood smoke and the wild energies of the Pacific Northwest. In October 2023 they unleashed CRYPT OF ANCESTRAL KNOWLEDGE. This EP contains two Epic Metal tracks as well as two Atmospheric Industrial Journeys that push the band’s sound into invigorating new directions. The Wolves will be assaulting European shores with support from GAEREA and SYLVAINE in Spring 2024!

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