Tag Archive: Century Media Records

Asphyx – Deathhammer

Filed Under: Reviews

Feb.28, 2012

Asphyx

Deathhammer

01. Into The Timewastes
02. Deathhammer
03. Minefield
04. Of Days When Blades Turned Blunt
05. Der Landser
06. Reign Of The Brute
07. The Flood
08. We Doom You To Death
09. Vespa Crabro
10. As The Magma Mammoth Rises

[02/28/12]
[Century Media Records]

Death metal isn’t exactly what you would call my forte as a metal fan. It’s always been the most difficult genre for me to delve into for reasons that I find hard to vocalize. I like all of the individual parts that make up death metal, but often times I find the music to be too dysfunctional and less cohesive than I would like, which really brings down the listening experience. Asphyx’s Deathhammer is not like that at all. Everything is concise, powerful, and brutal — or brootz as I will refer to it from now on – which makes sense; Deathhammer is the eighth studio album from these Dutch heavy metallers, and their second since their reformation a few years ago; these guys have had a long career and it’s clear they have had the time to iron out the problems in their sound, and to get the precise method of madness that suits them. Deathhammer is another powerful release from a band who are comfortable and competent in their given field, and an experience I truly enjoyed, despite it being a death metal album.

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Tags: Amon Amarth, Asphyx, Century Media Records, Deathhammer

Architects Announce New Album Daybreaker

Filed Under: General News, Upcoming releases

Feb.28, 2012

I fell in love with Architects back in 2009′s Hollow Crown. It had the rough and technical mathcore-ish sound of Dillinger Escape Plan with progressive song structure and passionate clean singing that didn’t overstay its welcome. Two years later I fell out of love with Architects for 2011′s The Here And Now that seemed like a phoned in grasp at accessibility and had clean singing that definitely overstayed its welcome. Chris thought the album was alright, but I disagree in that I thought it was nearly dreadful. Bring Me The Horizon ended up putting out a better album, which is a day I thought I’d never see. Such is life.

I am hopeful for Architects’ new album Daybreaker, however. Rocksound recently got in touch with frontman Sam Carter, where he put the fears from fans of old to rest:

“We want to get back to being Architects again,” he explains. “On the last record it felt as though we lost a lot of the energy that was there before. This time we’ve made a conscious decision to put the balls back into the music. It’s definitely the heaviest we’ve ever sounded.”

Brilliant! If that’s the case, then count me in. The album art (above) looks like Hollow Crown, but filthier. Hopefully, that’s what it will sound like as well. Daybreaker is due out May 28th in Europe and June 5th in North America on Century Media Records.

- JR

Tags: Architects, bring me the horizon, Century Media Records, Daybreaker

Entry-Level Black Metal Enthusiasts Rejoyce! New Nachtmystium Album Silencing Machine Out This Summer!

Filed Under: General News, Upcoming releases

Feb.27, 2012

Let it be known first off that the headline wasn’t meant to be inflammatory or in any detriment to the band. In fact, I quite enjoy them and I wouldn’t really consider myself a fan of the genre. The band’s previous effort Addicts is an excellent gateway into the genre, so if you’re looking for an excuse to blacken your taste buds, that would be a great place to start.

Looking forward, I’m excited about the new Nachtmystium record, Silencing Machine. According to the band, they’re currently in the studio right now working on it, but decided to share the news before it was complete:

Nachtmystium is in the studio! We’re in the middle of our fifth day of tracking. Just completing the drums today for our new full-length album, “Silencing Machine”, to be released on Century Media Records worldwide on Tuesday, July 31st, 2012. (It will be available on CD / LP / digital) More details about the release as we draw nearer to the release date. We will also be announcing the official tour dates for our upcoming U.S. midwest mini-tour with KRIEG and MURMUR beginning on July 25th. We will be headlining the first of two nights at the annual underground black metal festival, The Gathering Of Shadows, out in Colorado. The festival dates are July 27th and July 28th. We will headline the night of the 27th, and then we will be playing a headlining show in Denver with the full tour package + local support on Sunday, July 29th. Venue and ticketing details will be announced when we release the details for the entire tour sometime next week.

So keep an eye out for more information, which is sure to come out in the coming weeks as the recording process wraps up! Silencing Machine is expected out July 31st on Century Media.

- JR

Tags: Century Media Records, Nachtmystium, Silencing Machine

Get Lost in the New Real With Arjen Lucassen’s Solo Album

Filed Under: General News, Upcoming releases

Feb.24, 2012

I’ve already touched briefly on Arjen Lucassen’s (Ayreon, Star One, Guilt Machine, Ambeon) upcoming solo release, but it seems like some real news is finally trickling down the pipeline – and boy is it something! Just the other day Mr. L himself posted a video via his official Facebook page that outlined several ideas behind the new album, giving the fans a better mental image of what to expect when this thing drops in April.

Lucassen says the album is suppose to be reminiscent of old science fiction B-movies, as is the art — which was done by Claudio Bergamin. I gotta say, if they were truly going for cheesy, as he said he was, this certainly fits and it’s wonderful!

Along with this announcement, the fans were recently made aware of the album’s narrator, Rutger Hauer. Before announcing who the narrator was, Lucassen teased his fans with the Facebook message:

“OH YEAH! One of my favorite actors of one of my favorite (sci-fi) movies ever has agreed to do the voice-over for my solo album! I’m so honored…this is a dream come true. Sorry for the secrecy, more later. Oh…and of course an amazing 2012 for you all!”

The identity of the narrator was eventually made known via a fan contest. Mr. Hauer is notable for his several high profile roles, but he was asked to contribute to Lucassen’s album because of his infatuation with the classic science fiction movie Blade Runner; a movie from which Lucassen has drawn inspiration in the pas t.

Arjen Lucassen’s Lost in the New Real is out April 23rd(Eur), and May 8th(USA) on Century Media Records. I am unbelievably stoked!

- EC

Tags: Ambeon, Arjen Lucassen, Ayreon, Century Media Records, Claudio Bergamin, Guilt Machine, Lost In the New Real, Star One

Stream The New Track From 7 Horns 7 Eyes, “Divine Amnesty”

Filed Under: New music, Upcoming releases

Feb.24, 2012

It seems, at least to me, that 2012 will be the year of the debut. Every few weeks I learn about a new band that are rearing up to release a debut album, and so far I haven’t been disappointed; Pallbearer, The Omega Experient, The Safety Fire and many more are currently dominating my playlists, and now I can add 7 Horns 7 Eyes. I wasn’t too aware of these fellows until Metalsucks started running their Albums That Will Fuck Your Face Off series, but I’m definitely glad Vince decided to mention them. As he put it:

“7 Horns 7 Eyes are like Nevermore 2k12, an updated version of that band for the modern era.”

I have to agree. Of course, there’s a lot more going on than just that simple description, but it is a fitting one.

Anyways, Metalsucks are currently streaming an exclusive track from 7 Horns 7 Eyes’ debut album Throes of Absolution, and it does in deed “Fuck Faces Off”. The song is called ‘Divine Amnesty‘ and it’s the opening track from the album. It sets a heavy precedent for the band, and with it I’m more than eager to experience the full force of this album. Throes of Absolution is out April 23rd through Century Media or Basick Records, depending on your region. Also, if you haven’t done so, go check out the band’s teaser for the upcoming album. Here’s to a great a debut, guys!

- EC

Tags: 7 Horns 7 Eyes, Basick Records, Century Media Records, Divine Amnesty, Pallbearer, The Omega Experiment, The Safety Fire, Throes of Absolution

Paradise Lost Prepare To ‘Crucify‘

Filed Under: New music, Upcoming releases

Feb.21, 2012

I don’t have a lot to say here (I should be getting ready for school) but I felt like this was worth a post. Below you can stream the new song, ‘Crucify‘, from Paradise Lost‘s upcoming 13th studio album Tragic Idol. This release will be out 23 April 2012 in Europe and 24 April 2012 in North America on Century Media Records. It’s going to be some cool stuff!

- EC

Tags: Century Media Records, Crucify, Paradise Lost, Tragic Idol

7 Horns 7 Eyes Update On Upcoming Album Throes Of Absolution

Filed Under: Upcoming releases, Video

Feb.17, 2012

A few weeks ago Seattle progressive metal outfit 7 Horns 7 Eyes finally announced the release date for their new album Throes Of Absolution to be April 23rd – which is a lot sooner than you might think – and now we have the artwork and tracklisting! Peep it:

01. Divine Amnesty
02. Phumis: The Falsehood of Affliction
03. The Hill Difficulty
04. Cycle of Self
05. Delusions
06. A Finite Grasp of Infinite Disillusion
07. Vindicator
08. The Winnowing
09. Regeneration

These guys are pretty hotly tipped for this year, and I’ve got to admit it’s sounding pretty good so far. Ex-Nevermore legend Jeff Loomis is also making an cameo appearance

Protip: the artwork is by none other than Travis Smith, who has done most if not all of Opeth‘s artwork as well as the beautiful cover for Devin Townsend‘s Ghost (as well as Addicted! and Ziltoid, amongst others).

Here’s the teaser we got a few months back to remind you of how awesome this is going to be:

So yeah, keep your eyes peeled on April 23rd from Century Media and Basick Records!

- CG

Tags: 7 Horns 7 Eyes, Basick Records, Century Media Records, Devin Townsend, Jeff Loomis, Nevermore, Throes of Absolution, Travis Smith

Hey! Listen to Oddland!

Filed Under: Audio, Listen To This!, New music, Upcoming releases

Feb.16, 2012

When this video popped in my feed from Century Media, I assumed Oddland were a power metal band, like a lot of other bands that pop up in the Century Youtube channel. I decided to give it a go, because it was a band that I had never heard of before. And I was very pleasantly surprised. Turns out that Oddland are a progressive metal band from Finland. Their debut album The Treachery of Senses, which will be out on Century on April 30th (EU) or May 8th (US) is where this song is from. It’s called ‘Above and Beyond’. Here you go:

This sounds pretty awesome! It reminds me of Pain of Salvation, but with old Meshuggah style of rhythmic sections. The voice of singer/guitarist Sakari Ojanen is what carries most of the song, but the instrumentation is very catchy and groovy too. If this is the direction the entire album will go in, I’m sold!

P.S: For the funnies, when I asked editor Disinformasiya what he thought of the song, he said: “I call it blarghargharghargh.” Presumably he was just being British and drunk, like he always is.

- NT

Tags: Century Media Records, Meshuggah, Oddland, Pain of Salvation, the treachery of senses

Borknagar Go Back To Their ‘Roots‘ On Urd

Filed Under: New music, Upcoming releases

Feb.13, 2012

Norwegian progressive black metal giants Borknagar never fail to impress. Looking at the lineup, they have Vintersorg and ICS Vortex of Arcturus/Dimmu Borgir on vocals, and a killer back catalogue, so it shouldn’t be surprising that their forthcoming new album Urd is sounding great already.

Metal Hammer Germany have premiered a track called ‘Roots’ on their website, which features the majestic voices of both aforementioned singers. The song is proggy and black as all hell, and although it’s not the most exciting song ever, it’s fairly solid and has served its purpose of getting me excited for the album. Exactly why we have teasers like this, no?

Urd is due out March 26th on Century Media Records. Hail Borknagar!

- NT

Tags: Arcturus, Borknagar, Century Media Records, Dimmu Borgir, ICS Vortex, Roots, Urd, Vintersorg

Arjen Lucassen Announces Release Date(s) For Upcoming Solo Record

Filed Under: Upcoming releases

Feb.10, 2012

Yesterdays morning the highly acclaimed artist behind several of the best prog albums of the last decade updated his official Facebook page with the above message.

For those who don’t know, Arjen Lucassen is the mastermind behind such acts Ayreon, Star One, Guilt Machine, and Ambeon. While Mr. L wrote ninety-nine percent of all the music on those various projects, this upcoming release will be his first official ‘solo’ album under the Lucassen name. The difference being that along with writing and recording all the instrumentation, this is the first time that Lucassen will contribute all of the vocals, as opposed to rounding up a selection of high profile artist like he has done with his other projects.

News about this release have been slow going, so I really cannot emphasize enough just how excited I am for this. I’m calling it now, I think this will end up being my album of the year. Arjen’s last two releases—2009′s On This Perfect Day, and 2010′s Victims of the Modern Age—were easily my favorite albums in their respective year. So yeah, this is going to be great.

- EC

Tags: Ambeon, Arjen Lucassen, Ayreon, Century Media Records, Guilt Machine, InsideOut, Star One