On April 24th, 2020, graveyard-crawling death metal act XPUS will launch the second full-length record, "In Umbra Mortis Sedent" via Transcending Obscurity Records, but today we're proud to present the frightening and dense, dark energy from the new single 'Into the Sphere of Madness'.

Pardon me for not being aware of XPUS earlier, and I can't blame anyone that may be unfortunate too, but you really can't keep track of them all especially in these modern times. Think Kommandant and Goatpenis bonded and merged into one compound, perhaps not the best example but somewhere along the lines. The end result, an intimidating, heavyweight type of death and black metal. "In Umbra Mortis Sedent" is the band's second full length record since 2015 with an EP prior to their debut, but now the band finds itself dusting-off the debris of its lengthy slumber and stretching its arms before carrying-on with their duties. Pick any song and it could be the highlight of "In Umbra Mortis Sedent"; full throttle, no-nonsense drumming, a discharge of fervent riffs and hulking vocals as though you got this guys order of pepperoni pizza wrong; mama mia! These gentlemen don't need a handout from any band/s; even though they appear derivative of a select few.

The list of derivatives/'influences don't end with Goatpenis, Wargoat comes to mind when listening to the like of 'Into the Spheres of Madness' and 'Righteous Hands of Molestation' that appear slightly idiosyncratic to 'Unapproachable Laws of the Abyss' in terms of song construct. Bringing me to the riffing and drumming on "In Umbra Mortis Sedent", you'd discover they sync rather nicely and under circumspect examination, the drums seem to replicate the guitar patterns note for note which is quite the feat if you consider how technical at times the music could appear. Even the vocalist chimes in sometimes as an aid to the synchronized technics of drummer Ulviros and guitarist Mornak, thereby giving the album a unified feel. With this brotherly and expert exhibition of a three-piece black/death metal band ongoing, In Umbra Mortis Sedent's outlook persists above the common and forgettable associations within the ambit.

Full review of the XPUS's new album, "In Umbra Mortis Sedent" can be found here.

XPUS is:

Mornak - funeral guitars
Aren - morbid voices/plaguer bass
Ulviros - AK-47 drums

MORE INFO AND PRE-ORDERS:

https://www.facebook.com/xpus666
https://xpus.bandcamp.com/
https://tometal.com/
https://www.facebook.com/transcendingobscurityrecords

HEXENBRETT is back with the debut record "Zweite Beschwörung: Ein Kind Zu Töten" that is set for release through Dying Victims Productions on May 22nd, 2020. Following hot on the heels of the vinyl release of "Erste Beschwörung", the first full-length of the new force of occult metal takes the same line as its predecessor.

Josto Feratu and Scarlettina Bolétte, the duo behind HEXENBRETT, capture the atmosphere of horror and combine it with a many-sided musical formula, including unorthodox black metal, deathrock and a massive dose of pathological insanity. The artists don't shy away from opulent, almost bombastic moments, they connect solemn parts with the cruel voice of the charismatic lead vocalist, and they like to give full speed whenever it suits the material.

I know, roughly 35 years ago, Martin Eric Ain was still living (R.I.P.) and Tom G. Warrior was asking "are you morbid?", but don't confuse the Hellhammerian morbidity with that of HEXENBRETT. The Swiss cult sent greetings from the sulphurous pits of hell, while here the protagonists emerge as true kings of subtle horror. You sit comfortably in your wing chair, the best place of your cleared living room? Well, this status will change quickly, because the feeling of fear will come crawling in and will take possession of you. The output's relatively warm sound was just produced to keep the listener in a false sense of security. Thus, it's better to leave your living room. Don't listen alone to this work, do it together with someone else. The best partners for this listening session are the grim reaper, the corona virus or a sadistic mother-in-law with a stable frying pan she likes to shatter on your head.

Full review of HEXENBRETT's new album "Zweite Beschwörung: Ein Kind Zu Töten" can be found here.

HEXENBRETT is:

Josto Feratu
Scarlettina Bolétte

MORE INFO AND PRE-ORDERS:

https://hexenbrett.bandcamp.com/
https://www.dying-victims.de/
https://www.facebook.com/dyingvictimsproductions
https://dyingvictimsproductions.bandcamp.com

The Dutch masters of horror, CARACH ANGREN are back with their most flamboyant record so far, Dance and Laugh Amongst the Rotten. New album was released by Season Of Mist on June 16th, 2017 and you can watch the first video for 'Charles Francis Coghlan' below.

Band comments: "After months of incredible hard work, we are extremely proud to present our official horror video for 'Charles Francis Coghlan'. Together with director Rick Jacops, we have relentlessly pushed all creative limits to transport the viewer into another terrifying dimension. Everything you see is real and produced as well as co-directed by us. Prepare to be obsessed and possessed!"

Carach Angren - Dance And Laugh Amongst The Rotten
	1. Opening 2. Charlie 3. Blood Queen 4. Charles Francis Coghlan 5. Song For The Dead 6. In De Naam Van De Duivel 7. Pitch Black Box 8. The Possession Process 9. Three Times Thunder Strikes

It's a very rare thing these days to stumble across a black metal band that is honest with themselves and about their music. Far too often the image painted by many 'black metal musicians' exceeds that off their mental and musical limits. However; in Auckland New Zealand, WINTER DELUGE sets themselves apart from the fake with their latest EP "Degradation Renewal" set for worldwide release on April 24th, 2020 via Osmose Productions. Not claiming to be an innovative offering, this EP displays a sense of confidence among members in doing what WINTER DELUGE does best, Black Metal. With the premiere of the upcoming EP, guitarist Arzryth (Aaron Baylis) sacrificed some time to answers MetalBite's questions about the "Degradation Renewal" and other topics.

It's been 4 long years since "Devolution - Decay", what prompted the absence?

Nothing really, just the natural cycle of shifting our focus back to writing new material. Just living our day to day lives, listening to music, rehearsing once a week, hanging out, drinking/smoking together you know… the usual shit. A few shows were had in that time but not many, mainly just shows that we wanted to play. You will stagnate the live atmosphere for your band if you play here too often or if you just play with any old band for the sake of it.

There are too many bands in metal and black metal specifically, what does Winter Deluge bring to the table that other black metal bands don't?

I don't know… we just follow our own instinct. I'm not gonna sit here and tell you that we are 100% "original" or that we do "this" or "that" better than others because we have no desire to try and sell ourselves in that way. We create music the way we want to hear it and if there's a part that happens to remind us of a certain riff or bands who have inspired us, then so be it. Without a doubt everyone should seek originality within their creations, but primal instinct always brings you back to what you were raised on and I can't see why I would have any desire to reject that. The bands before you (classical, blues, rock n roll, heavy, thrash, black, death metal or whatever) are already engrained in you therefore there should be no need to compare yourself to other bands around and certainly not just to "black metal" bands. People can take it or leave it.

Thus, what aspects about the current black metal scene bother Winter Deluge?

I wouldn't say "bother" but what tends to give us the "Fuck that" observation, is cunts going on stage dressed like fuckwits pretending to play black metal. Trendy short haircuts, caps, shorts, sneakers the lot… and if not that… they look like they've come straight to the gig from there cozy desk job. It's a bloody joke! haha I think they call it post black metal or something crazy like that…None the less, it's shit and it is not convincing. It just tells me that they've probably never listened or been into any good heavy metal or rock n roll. Fuck that.

Why release new Winter Deluge material now? World events, mankind's decline, any factor/s in general that may have triggered it?

Just a coincidence mate, the EP was recorded a year ago and Osmose set the release date back in January. No doubt it's a pain in the arse logistically around this time, but ironically I think the times are very fitting to the EP's theme, wouldn't you agree?

Full interview can be found here.

WINTER DELUGE is:

Aaron Baylis - Guitars
Nathan Baylis - Drums
Mort - Guitars
Thomas Meissner - Vocals
Tommy Gibson - Bass

MORE INFO AND PRE-ORDERS:

https://www.facebook.com/WINTERDELUGE
https://winterdeluge.bandcamp.com/
https://osmoseproductions-label.com/
https://www.facebook.com/osmoseproductions/
https://osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com/