Prophecy Productions/Top of the shop

Prophecy - Club 25,00 €

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 12:07:57 +0200

Throughout the years, we received numerous requests from you regarding Prophecy Club. We have now expanded our range according to your suggestions. While members are still not going to miss any of our releases, you will enjoy more advantages depending on which tier you choose. As of now, we are offering two “Supporter” tiers for everybody willing to support us beyond the purely material counter-value of physical products in a sustainable way. This was one of the concerns you addressed to us; we hereby like to thank all our friends who have supported us so far and helped us along with their constructive suggestions.

Prophecy Club
• 15% discount in Prophecy Webshop on every article from the labels Prophecy Productions, Auerbach Tonträger and Lupus Lounge (except concert tickets, print on demand and price-maintained books).
• A free digital download of every new release from Prophecy, Lupus Lounge and Auerbach on release day (except from box sets).
• Membership fee for Prophecy Club is 25.00 € per calendar year (until December 31).
• To subscribe, simply order your membership in our shop.
• Membership starts on the day of your order and automatically ends on December 31.
• Once we have activated the exclusive conditions, we will send you an membership confirmation via email.
• Digital downloads of our releases are available only with the start of your membership.

CD Grand Supporter
• Membership fee for CD Grand Supporters is 75.00 € per month.
• To subscribe, simply order your membership HERE.
• 15% discount in Prophecy Webshop on every article from the labels Prophecy Productions, Auerbach Tonträger and Lupus Lounge (except concert tickets, print on demand and price-maintained books).
• We automatically send you the most lavish edition of all new CD releases (e.g. artbook, hybrid LP/CD box sets).
• Shipping fees worldwide are included.
• Shipping takes place every two months. Thus you receive some titles prior to their regular release date, others later.
• A free digital download of every new release from Prophecy, Lupus Lounge and Auerbach on release day.
• Free admission to Prophecy Productions events such as Prophecy Fest.
• A private video conference with Prophecy founder Martin Koller once a year to discuss current and future label plans.
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Vinyl Grand Supporter
• Membership fee for Vinyl Grand Supporters is 150.00 € per month.
• To subscribe, simply order your membership HERE.
• 15% discount in Prophecy Webshop on every article (except concert tickets, print on demand and price-maintained books).
• We automatically send you the most lavish edition of all new vinyl releases (e.g. hybrid LP/CD box sets).
• One test pressing with each shipping.
• Shipping fees worldwide are included.
• Shipping takes place every two months. Thus you receive some titles prior to their regular release date, others later.
• A free digital download of every new release from Prophecy, Lupus Lounge and Auerbach on release day.
• Free admission to Prophecy Productions events such as Prophecy Fest.
• A private video conference with Prophecy founder Martin Koller once a year to discuss current and future label plans.
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Vemod - The Deepening from 9,98 €

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 01:50:09 +0200

VEMOD are by no means an average band. The Norwegians exist in the liminal spaces and the crossroads of places. The trio has chiselled their sophomore full-length "The Deepening" from the same sonic granite that its predecessor "Venter på stormene" came from over a decade ago. This bedrock is found in Namsos, where VEMOD were conceived as a lifelong passion project at the turn of the century by then 12-year old Jan Even Åsli. The nearest big city is Trondheim where the fiercely individual local Nidrosian black metal scene, which refers to the city's original name, provided VEMOD with its first point of musical reference as embodied by the first demo "Kringom fjell og skog" (2004).

When the Norwegians reemerged seven years later with both the track "Moestæ Qverelæ" on a split-single and the demo "Vinterilden" in 2011, they had considerably changed. The trio had taken a step outside by strengthening elements that have already been present before: a sprinkle of the majesty reminding of early IN THE WOODS..., a dash of melancholia, and a knife tip of introvert contemplation among a wide range of emotional and vivid sonic imagery. VEMOD's musical transition finds comparable parallels in the development of French brothers-in-spirit ALCEST even though there was no direct influence flowing either way. In hindsight, the Norwegians also pioneered such currently popular styles such as blackgaze and post-black metal, although they never subscribed to either. With their debut full-length "Venter på stormene" just a year later in 2012, VEMOD opened their music to new places: A mind-blowing performance at the prestigious Beyond the Gates festival in 2013 and the legendary special show within the national treasure of the Vigeland Mausoleum at Oslo's Inferno Festival 2014 cemented VEMOD's excellent reputation even across the Atlantic.

Now, "The Deepening" arrives with a different production, which resulted in a changed overall tone compared to earlier works and the Norwegians also reached out and tapped into new stylistic strata adding further elements to their sound. Even the lyrical themes running through "The Deepening" tell of change, transience, transformation, and growth. "The Deepening" offers an opportunity to look past long held beliefs and comforting illusions. At the crossroads of VEMOD's second album at this point in space and time waits a deepening understanding of their musical world.

Tracklist:
1. Mot oss, en ild
2. Der guder dør
3. True North Beckons
4. Fra drømmenes bok I
5. Inn i lysande natt
6. The Deepening

Bonus track (artbook only):
1. Tiders tunge taler

Alcest - Les Voyages De L'Âme from 9,98 €

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 12:08:35 +0200

The quintessence of Alcest

"Les voyages de l'âme" ("The Journeys of the Soul") is Alcest's third album and contains the quintessence of the group's creative work to date. While "Le secret," the debut EP from 2005, was the key to the world of Alcest, "Les voyages ..." unites everything that characterises Alcest in terms of concept and music. While an epic composition such as "Là où naissent les couleurs nouvelles" would have found its place also on "Écailles de lune," "Beings of Light" with its blazing character reminds of the ground-breaking "Le secret." On the other hand, "Autre temps" – the album's first single to which there is also an impressive and visually stunning video clip – is a prime example for the melodic and catchy side of Alcest that initially came to the fore on the band's debut album "Souvenirs d'un autre monde." Something that is common to all of the songs, however, is the predominant feeling of euphoria and bliss, always subtly overshadowed by melancholia and yearning.

Tracklist:
01. Autre Temps
02. Là Où Naissent Les Couleurs Nouvelles
03. Les Voyages De L' me
04. Nous Sommes L'Emeraude
05. Beings Of Light
06. Faiseurs De Mondes
07. Havens
08. Summer's Glory

Bonus tracks (book edition only):
09. Autre Temps (live at Hellfest 2022)
10. Là Où Naissent Les Couleurs Nouvelles (live in Lyon 2018)

Tenhi - Valkama from 9,98 €

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 14:42:56 +0200

When night falls onto the sub-arctic landscapes of the Land of the Thousand Lakes, in the twilight of forest and swamps, the veils between our reality and the otherworld grow thin. It is at those times that stories such as 'the fairy tale that never was' leak into the lyrics and music of TENHI. On their sixth album, "Valkama", which translates as 'harbour' or 'shelter' among other meanings, the Finns originally began telling of a journey that was meant as a fairy tale in a burning, war-torn village and the crossing over dark waters to an island of the dead. The island is called Verisurma ('the place for those who have suffered blood-death') in Finnish folklore, where those dwell that died in war or were killed with a blade, and who shed blood on its shore forever. Yet, during the ten years that TENHI were working on the album, our reality started to bleed into the otherworld with its own terrors and wars. Year after year, the musicians felt their story becoming more and more real until the point was reached that the band decided to change course. Although echoes of the original work are still audible in the final music and visible in the artwork, the album now feels more harmonious and comforting, even brighter. TENHI could hardly have picked a more suitable band-name. This old Finnish word means a person that is an 'elder' or 'shaman'. And while the shamans of the ancient nomadic Finns are the guardians against but also the mediators between their communities and the spirit world, TENHI are their musical equivalent as a liminal force between dark folk, folk rock, and even reaching out into the normally electrified world of metal. The latter invites comparison with WARDRUNA and HEILUNG, although in a spiritual meaning and certainly not by way of a stylistic comparison. TENHI were conceived by guitarist and vocalist Tyko Saarikko in 1996. Ilmari Issakainen joined the band a few years later. Together they form the creative core of the group. After self-releasing the demo "Kertomuksia" (1997) and the MCD "Hallavedet" (1998), the Finns immediately hit a nerve with their debut full-length "Kauan" in 1999. TENHI started into the new millennium with another MCD entitled "Airut:ciwi" (2000), which was followed by a string of albums from "Väre" (2002) via "Maaäet" (2006) and "Airut:aamujen" (2006) to "Saivo" (2011). With each new album, the Finns continued to grow a dedicated following that is coming from different musical directions. From the start, TENHI have combined acoustic instrumentation and a traditional vibe with structures based on contemporary rock music. While their previous full-length "Saivo" tilted more towards an ambient-style and panoramic soundtrack feeling, "Valkama" returns to a more song-oriented approach – even though the tracks retain an epic and meandering format. "Valkama" comes with the trademark Finnish longing and melancholia, but despite its audible darkness, TENHI offer a musical outlet from the horrors of the modern world. In the twilight world of the North, "Valkama" is the silver-lining on the horizon promising shelter and peace.

Tracklist:
01. Saattue
02. Kesävihanta
03. Valkama
04. Rintamaan
05. Rannankukka
06. Laineinen
07. Hele
08. Ulapoi
09. Elokuun linnut
10. Sydämes on tiel
11. Veden elein
12. Aina sininen aina

Bonus CD (artbook only)
01. Veresi säe
02. Vuoteen
03. Verna

Silencer - Death, Pierce Me from 9,98 €

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 22:20:03 +0200

SILENCER SUPPORTS YOUR DEATH!

SILENCER's merciless emotional firestorm "Death - Pierce Me" is one of the few albums truly deserving the designation 'cult' as it climbed from humble beginnings of basically circulating only across the extreme underground to a widely acclaimed masterpiece with a massive following.
In celebration of the album's 20th anniversary, Lupus Lounge will reissue this musical milestone in lavish editions that finally do justice to this pioneering depressive metal masterpiece. "Death - Pierce Me" will become available as a 48-page hardcover CD-book edition with bonus track that will also be included in the complete box set with a gatefold vinyl album plus a 12" version of SILENCER's 1998 demo as well as other bonus materials.
When SILENCER released their one and only album "Death - Pierce Me", they had chosen the same title as their 1998 demo. In hindsight, it seems that the time was ripe for an emotionally challenging type of black metal that incorporated elements from doom and basically aimed for expressing the most bleak emotions of bereavement, loneliness, and utter despair. It is only logical that this subgenre of a subgenre became dubbed 'depressive black metal' – or gets sometimes even branded somewhat excessively as 'depressive suicidal black metal'.
Around 1998 this new scene began to coalesce around two Swedish bands, SILENCER and SHINING as well as the Quebecois MALVERY and US band XASTHUR, among others. The general template of this rising dark sound had been moulded earlier by such bands as Norwegians STRID and to some extent BETHLEHEM from Germany.
SILENCER even more than their peers, also quite openly demonstrate a massive influence of BURZUM as particularly the vocals could have been lifted straight from the Norwegians' earlier iconic "Hvis lyset tar oss" release.
Yet, while SHINING steadily rose to notorious fame on their course of self-destruction and flirting with death and mental breakdowns, SILENCER at first seemed to vanish into obscurity and all that remained were obscure rumours and legends. Only one interview in a German magazine had ever been consigned to history, no live shows were ever performed, nor has there been any sign of another album. Purely by word of mouth, the merits of "Death - Pierce Me" as an influential pioneering work have spread, resulting in continued steady sales that received an IMPALA Silver Award for the verified sales of 20,000 copies across Europe (excluding US and other territories' sales) in 2021.

The Vision Bleak - Weird Tales from 9,98 €

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:30:21 +0200

THE VISION BLEAK return in grand style: The German duo's seventh full-length "Weird Tales" constitutes a monumental tribute to the eponymous American pulp magazine and other tales of mystery and dark imagination. The album consists of a single track that is divided into internal chapters, which are each inspired by weird tales, poems, and other literature of horror and the macabre. On "Weird Tales", THE VISION BLEAK are referring to eminent writers of the legendary magazine such as H. P. Lovecraft and Clark Ashton Smith, but also allude to authors that were never featured in the magazine, for example Edgar Allen Poe and Lafcadio Hearn, whose "Fantastics and Other Fancies" was very influential for this album. THE VISION BLEAK are pulling every register of their enormous musical prowess. The chapters range stylistically from flamboyant gothic rock via dark doom to harsh black and death metal parts – and about everything in between. All the thrilling elements that the following of the duo has come to expect and love is present on this record: the dramatic and theatrical, the harsh and heavy, the melancholic and eerie, and also catchy and symphonic moments. All of this is woven into a dense sonic tapestry, which is held together by a recurring ebb and flow that is reminiscent of classical composition. THE VISION BLEAK were born out of the friendship between guitarist, bass-player and harsh vocalist Markus Stock aka Ulf Theodor Schwadorf and drummer and singer Tobias Schönemann alias Allen B. Konstanz. After first experimenting with a more gothic rock formula, THE VISION BLEAK shaped up when the duo began to involve their mutual love for the horror genre. Already their debut album, "The Deathship Has a New Captain" (2004) became an instant success in both gothic and metal circles and is by now regarded as a classic. As the debut album's theme was based on classical horror movies, the Germans aptly dubbed their style: horror metal. With the following albums, THE VISION BLEAK cemented their reputation as purveyors of classy and quality music. Each full-length revolves around themes from the horror genre that can easily be deduced from their respective titles. "Carpathia" (2005) was followed by "The Wolves Go Hunt Their Prey (2007) and "Set Sail to Mystery (2010), "Witching Hour" (2013), and "The Unknown" (2016). THE VISION BLEAK, the masters of horror metal, are finally ready to gift the world their most ambitious song so far: "Weird Tales" is a beautiful and heartfelt homage to a poetic golden age of horror and mystery literature. Listen with care, but always be wary of the eldritch and forbidding sounds that lurk within this song!

Tracklist:
1. Weird Tales
- Chapter I: Introduction
- Chapter II: In Rue d'Auseil
- Chapter III: In Gardens Red, Satanical
- Chapter IV: Once I was a Flower
- Chapter V: The Premature Burial
- Chapter VI: Mother of Toads
- Chapter VII: The Graveyard by Nyght in a Thunderstorm
- Chapter VIII: The Undying One
- Chapter IX: Evil Dreams Run Deep
- Chapter X: The Witch with Eyes of Amber
- Chapter XI: Canticle
- Chapter XII: To Drink from Lethe

Darkher - The Buried Storm from 9,98 €

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 22:30:05 +0200

The sinister yet beguiling images that DARKHER aka Jayn Maiven paints with her ethereal vocals, guitars, and added strings conjure iridescent cinematic scenes in which it becomes hard to tell whether there lies beauty in darkness or if it is the other way around. With her sophomore full-length "The Buried Storm", the guitarist, composer, lyricist, and producer has clearly succeeded to even improve the beloved alchemic musical formula that was firmly established on DARKHER's debut album "Realms" in 2016. DARKHER were conceived as the sole brainchild and solo-project of Northern English singer and guitarist Jayn Maiven in 2012. The dark and melancholic yet also massively heavy sound on the self-titled debut EP "Darkher" 2013) combined with the distinct vocals of the shy pre-Raphaelite beauty caused an audible buzz – particularly in the doom scene and led to the following EP "The Kingdom Field" (2014) appearing via Prophecy Productions. Despite not even having an album out, DARKHER were invited to prestigious festivals such as Roadburn in Tilburg, The Netherlands and Prophecy Fest in the Cave of Balve. In 2016, the debut full-length "Realms" was released to much praise from critics and fans alike. Press compared DARKHER's music with a wide range of highly individual acts such as CHELSEA WOLFE, ESBEN AND THE WITCH, SÓLSTAFIR, LOREENA MCKENNITT, and PORTISHEAD. "The Buried Storm" gives shape to the darkness lurking at the edge of consciousness, hidden from plain sight but patiently biding its time to strike out at the heart.

Tracklist
1. Sirens Nocturne
2. Lowly Weep
3. Unbound
4. Where the Devil Waits
5. Love's Sudden Death
6. The Seas
7. Immortals
8. Fear Not, My King

Bonus CD (Artbook only)
1. Lowly Weep (acoustic)
2. Unbound (acoustic)
3. Love’s Sudden Death (acoustic)

Austere - Corrosion Of Hearts from 9,98 €

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 16:38:20 +0200

AUSTERE are back. The Australians return with their third album – and they are as laconic and without any pretensions as when they went into extended hibernation after the release of their sophomore full-length "To Lay like Old Ashes" in 2009. Entitled "Corrosion of Hearts", the new tracks stay true to the path that AUSTERE have carved for themselves out of solid black metal bedrock. The multi-layered and harsh yet often dreamlike guitar tapestries woven by Mitchell Keepin are complemented by the emotive drumming of Tim Yatras, who also contributes keyboard splashes and cinematic soundscapes. In the typical manner of these Australians, their songs are still meandering, flowing streams of musical thought of epic proportions. On "Corrosion of Hearts", AUSTERE's brand of black metal has evolved into a more mature and defined form of expression, which is hardly surprising as both musicians were active in other bands during their hiatus. The duo also took more time to craft their new songs into exactly what they were supposed to sound like than before. With greater experience comes more determination. AUSTERE grew out of an existing solo-project of multi-instrumentalist and singer Desolate alias Mitchell Keepin who joined forces with drummer, keyboarder, and vocalist Sorrow aka Tim Yatras in 2005. Although the Australians had quickly attracted an equally loyal and substantial following during their first few years, AUSTERE decided to go on a prolonged hiatus before resuming activities in 2021. As a first sign of their rebirth, the band released a compilation of their earlier material as an artbook edition entitled “Towards the Great Unknown” via Lupus Lounge. With rekindled passion and a clear vision, AUSTERE are finally ready to release their eagerly and long-awaited third full-length "Corrosion of Hearts". Beautiful yet proudly grim, a fierce black storm rises from Down Under.

Tracklist:
1. Sullen
2. A Ravenous Oblivion
3. The Poisoned Core
4. Pale

Bonus track (artbook only):
5. Burnt Flowers Fallen

Gràb - Kremess from 9,98 €

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 22:10:04 +0200

GRÀB offer both, continuity and change, on their sophomore full-length "Kremess". The Bavarian black metal project founded by vocalist Grànt continues to revolve lyrically around tales and traditions narrated in the local dialect of Germany's southernmost Alpine state: Bavaria. "Kremess" means 'funeral feast' in that language and death plays a leading role on this album. Musically, GRÀB still feature a prominent traditional instrument of their region, the hammered dulcimer. This gets combined with particularly Norwegian strands of black metal such as early GEHENNA, ULVER, and DARKTHRONE as well as taking inspiration from German pioneers of the genre namely NAGELFAR and LUNAR AURORA. Adding to the local sonic colours are many fresh ideas and sounds that came with English guitarist Gnàst, who has replaced previous main songwriter Grain in the meantime. A host of guest musicians including members of EMPYRIUM, TRIPTYKON, and DARK FORTRESS among others has further enhanced the musical spectrum. GRÀB, meaning "old and grey" in the local dialect, were conceived by former DARK FORTRESS frontman Grànt who wanted to bring a particularly Bavarian expression to black metal. The earlier collaboration between Grànt and guitarist Grain resulted in the release of the debut full-length "Zeitlang" in 2021, which channelled the black metal spirit of the early 90s much to the delight of both critics and fans. With "Kremess", GRÀB are infusing Bavarian black metal with new power that is bound to expand their growing empire far beyond the borders of their homeland.

Tracklist:
CD 1
1. Waidler
2. Kremess
3. Kerkermoasta
4. Im Hexnhoiz
5. Vom Gråb im Moos
6. Deifeszeig
7. Waldeinsamkeit
8. Dà letzte Winter

CD 2 (Artbook only)
1. Waidler (gschmeidig)
2. Schaug’ de Himmesdechta
3. Leere

Arcturus - Aspera Hiems Symfonia from 9,98 €

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 12:07:57 +0200

After releasing their early EPs, My Angel (1991) and Constellation (1994), Norwegian avant-garde metal pioneers Arcturus unveiled their debut full-length album, Aspera Hiems Symfonia, in 1996. The band, named after the brightest star in the Northern Hemisphere, emerged from Norway’s explosive black metal scene but quickly set themselves apart with their bold, experimental vision.

The lineup for Aspera Hiems Symfonia featured prominent figures from the Norwegian extreme metal underground, including Garm (vocals, also of Ulver), Hellhammer (drums, known from Mayhem), and new additions Carl August Tidemann (guitar) and Hugh "Skoll" Mingay (bass, also of Ulver), replacing Samoth from the earlier EPs. This talented ensemble blended the raw intensity of black metal with progressive and avant-garde elements, creating a sound that was both haunting and innovative.

Aspera Hiems Symfonia stands out for its daring departure from traditional black metal. Piercing vocal shrieks coexist with eerie, operatic melodies, while Sverd’s cinematic keyboards weave atmospheric tapestries. Tidemann’s technical guitar solos add a layer of sophistication, and the rhythm section, driven by Hellhammer’s relentless precision and Skoll’s dynamic basslines, provides a solid yet adventurous foundation. This fusion of aggressive roots with progressive experimentation—marked by unconventional song structures and a theatrical flair—established Arcturus as trailblazers in the Oslo metal scene and beyond, cementing their legacy as progressive innovators.

Tracklist:
1. To Thou Who Dwellest In The Night
2. Wintry Grey
3. Whence & Whither Goest The Wind
4. Raudt Og Svart
5. The Bodkin & The Quietus (...To Reach The Stars)
6. Du Nordavind
7. Fall Of Man
8. Naar Kulda Tar

Dold Vorde Ens Navn - Mørkere from 10,98 €

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 17:30:08 +0200

DOLD VORDE ENS NAVN have been born out of friendship. Although the band consists of veterans of Norway's black metal scene that have been or are still members of such important names as DØDHEIMSGARD, ULVER, SATYRICON, VED BUENS ENDE, and STRID that has never been their point or an end in itself. Instead their focus lies entirely on creating the music that they love and want to play. The Norwegians' debut full-length, "Mørkere" (“Darker”) is a case in point. The perspective of this album has, in the true spirit of black metal, expanded into something that is bound to its roots yet at the same time reaches beyond them. DOLD VORDE ENS NAVN started from the simplest of propositions: two old friends, Haavard Jørgensen and Kai S. 'Cerberus' Halvorsen, getting together over drinks and deciding to record a track together for fun. Both had deep histories in Norway's second wave of black metal that came to infamous fruition in the early 90s. Haavard had played in the death metal band, ECZEMA, that went on to become SATYRICON, before joining a then-nascent ULVER in 1993. Kai had been a sound engineer at the S.R.F. Studio in Oslo that hosted bands such as DIMMU BORGIR, AURA NOIR, VED BUENS ENDE, and DØDHEIMSGARD, briefly joining the latter on drums for early rehearsals, before returning as bassist on their 1998 EP, "Satanic Art". Initially for the lyrics, the founding duo turned to Cerberus' old friend, former bandmate and colleague at S.R.F., DØDHEIMSGARD frontman, Yusaf 'Vicotnik' Parvez – an artist whose continued presence in the black metal scene has proved transformational. Both the band he’d fronted since 1994 and the band he joined the same year, VED BUENS ENDE, had morphed into volatile, avant-garde entities that wrote a strand of rogue code that still lies embedded in the movement's DNA. Joined by latest DØDHEIMSGARD recruit, NIDINGR drummer Øyvind Myrvoll, DOLD VORDE ENS NAVN set about recording the debut EP, 2019's "Gjengangere I Hjertets Mørke". It was in part a testimony to the scene that had defined their youth. This is also true for the debut full-length. Yet although the sound of "Mørkere" is rooted in 90s black metal, it veers off new sonic terrain. The range of dynamics and textures throughout this album – the dramatic escalations and the discipline with which they hold to a beat; the utilising of mid-paced grooves made gripping by the conviction driving them on; and the shifts in tone proving as unforced and holistic as a weather front – are not just the mark of a band in full control of their art but break new ground. There is no fake nostalgia to be had from DOLD VORDE ENS NAVN. "Mørkere" is a contemporary Norwegian black metal album with a proud heritage that stands on its own and is more than ready to take the test of time.

Tracklist:
1. Jeg vil ha det mørkere
2. Løgnens abstinenser
3. Det falt et lys i min mørke krok
4. Determinismens paradoks
5. Ensomhetens rytter
6. Arvesynden
7. Er det måneskinn
8. Syke hjerter

Bonus track (artbook only):
9. Doubt be in us still

Dool - The Shape Of Fluidity from 9,98 €

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:30:21 +0200

Everything flows, nothing ever stays the same. The same can be said about the third studio album of the fast-rising Dutch rock band DOOL. Aptly entitled "The Shape of Fluidity" there is not just musical innovation but the full-length revolves around themes of personal change, physical change, psychological change, and the ever-changing world around us. DOOL and particularly singer and guitarist Raven van Dorst ask questions: How does change affect us? How do we keep being ourselves in a world that is so incredibly demanding and aggressive towards the individual? We must be as fluid as water to navigate ourselves through this ocean of possibilities and uncertainties – and make peace with chaos and impermanence. Musically, DOOL continue on the path laid out on the two previous studio recordings of heartfelt rock music with added metal elements, while displaying a maturity and focus in songwriting that has grown out of experience. "The Shape of Fluidity" exhibits an eclectic yet seamless amalgamation of progressive and post-rock as well as doom and heavy metal in combination with an inherent catchiness and a dynamic backdrop. It is hardly surprising that the theme of the album that pitches the concept of identity against the backdrop of a world in constant flux connects the album's lyrics to the biography of lead vocalist Raven. Born intersex, doctors at the time assumed that they could surgically determine which kind of life the infant should lead and decided that the child should be a girl. This has led to a life full of soul searching, fighting taboos and breaking boundaries, until recently Raven decided to reclaim that which others have tried so hard to take away from them, and finally embrace their hermaphroditic nature. The band derived the name DOOL from the Dutch word for 'wandering'. When their debut album "Here Now, There Then" was released in 2017, it became an instant success. Their fresh and wild rock and metal sound received "Album of the Month" titles in the renowned German magazines Metal Hammer and Rock Hard as well as the "Best Debut Album 2017" award from the former, while Vice (US), Aardschok (NL), and De Volkskrant (NL) happily chimed in with heaping praise on the young Dutch band. With their sophomore full-length "Summerland" released in 2020, DOOL successfully exceeded the already sky-high expectations and scored even more "Album of the Month" awards in German Rock Hard (10/10) and Sonic Seducer magazines as well as #2 soundcheck positions in Metal.de, Metal Hammer (DE) and another #1 in the Polish edition – with a pile glowing reviews on both sides of the Atlantic. With "The Shape of Fluidity", DOOL offer so much more than just damn cool music. These extra dimensions of depth and meaning are all part of their unique appeal and come out clearly on the new album. May all those who wander gather under the fluid flag of DOOL!

Tracklist:
1. Venus in Flames
2. Self-Dissect
3. The Shape of Fluidity
4. Currents
5. Evil in You
6. House of a Thousand Dreams
7. Hermagorgon
8. Hymn for a Memory Lost
9. The Hand of Creation

Alcest - Écailles De Lune from 9,98 €

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 13:30:06 +0200

ALCEST took an audible step towards their black metal roots with their sophomore full-length “Écailles de Lune” ("Moon Scales") without losing any of the trademarks that had evolved on their debut album “Souvenirs d’un Autre Monde”. The French post-black metal pioneers created a sound of lucent, dreamlike quality and otherworldly beauty that has equally defined them and been refined by them ever since.

In musical terms, ALCEST amalgamate calm, semi-acoustic passages, repetitive, hypnotic patterns, and captivating melodies with outbursts of harsh riffing and aggressive drumming. The same contrasting and complementing effect is used by band founder and guitarist Neige for his vocals. Clean singing that is morphing back and forth between a warm and darker tone and a gentle higher pitch occasionally gets swept aside by despairing shrieks and furious black voices – only to flowingly return like an unstoppable tide.

"For this album, I was especially inspired by the sea, the energy, and the exaltation that you can feel when you sit in front of the ocean at night," Neige explained about “Écailles de Lune”. "The sea appears terribly fascinating, full of secrets, beautiful and frightening at the same time."

ALCEST‘s music has received many labels over the years including post-black metal, post-rock, shoegaze, and blackgaze to name some of the more commonly found terms. Yet whatever the band originally from Avignon and now based with Neige in Paris is called, their sound has always remained unique. Another typical element of their albums is a concept or theme that runs through the songs. On “Écailles de Lune” it is a tale of transformation. “This album’s story is not a metaphor for death as it might appear to be”, says Neige. “To me, it is about a man who decides to literally leave one world for another. It can rather be seen as a passage to another reality or another state of existence.”

For those, who want to follow in those footsteps and journey to another place, ALCEST offer a key. Just close your eyes and listen to “Écailles de Lune” and you will be taken far away to a world of musical wonders and haunting beauty – but beware, even roses of the otherworld have thorns.

Arcturus - La Masquerade Infernale from 9,98 €

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:30:32 +0200

On their sophomore album, La Masquerade Infernale (1997), ARCTURUS pushed the boundaries of musical experimentation to audacious new heights. The Norwegian avant-garde metal pioneers crafted a devilish concept inspired by the archetypal figures of Faust and Mephistopheles, weaving it into a surreal tapestry of eclectic sounds. This groundbreaking release is now widely regarded as a cornerstone of avant-garde metal.

Blending operatic paraphrases of Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry, delivered by the enigmatic Garm (ULVER), with the soaring vocal flourishes of I.C.S. Vortex (BORKNAGAR), the album fuses spaced-out electronic samples, classical instrumentation, and psychedelic guitar riffs with black and death metal roots. The result is a daring, cohesive soundscape that defies convention. The arrival of guitarist Knut Magne Valle, replacing Carl August Tideman, brought newfound stability to the band’s lineup, bolstering their creative vision.

With La Masquerade Infernale, ARCTURUS aimed for the stars, masterfully uniting disparate elements into a wildly captivating, over-the-top listening experience. Decades later, this timeless masterpiece continues to resonate as a landmark in experimental metal.

Tracklist:
1. Master Of Disguise
2. Ad Astra
3. The Chaos Path
4. La Masquerade Infernale
5. Alone
6. The Throne Of Tragedy
7. Painting My Horror
8. Of Nails And Sinners

Saturnus - Veronika Decides To Die from 29,99 €

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 19:10:05 +0200

Saturnus' modern Doom Metal classic re-issued by Prophecy Productions.

Tracklist:
1. I Long
2. Pretend
3. Decending
4. Rain Wash Me
5. All Alone
6. Embraced By Darkness
7. To The Dreams
8. Murky Waters

Bonus (artbook only):
1. I Long (Demo)
2. To The Dreams (Demo)
3. Embraced By Darkness (Demo)
4. All Alone (Demo)
5. Rain Wash Me (Demo)

Haavard - Haavard from 9,98 €

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:50:09 +0200

If anybody else were to release an album that sounded as remarkably close as "Haavard" to ULVER's magical acoustic masterpiece "Kveldssanger", which stunned the Norwegians' followers with its radiant beauty in 1996 and that also contained a track entitled 'Kveldssang II' – that musician would be accused of blatant plagiarism. Yet guitarist and vocalist Håvard Jørgensen is the musical mastermind behind both, "Kveldssanger" and "Haavard", which means that his debut album as a solo-artist is in part a legitimate follow-up to ULVER's folkish excursion into acoustic sounds that he realised with the help of many excellent guest musicians – including vocals by Kristoffer "Garm" Rygg. Under the banner of HAAVARD, the Norwegian continues his unique artistic approach that unveils the epic and sublime melodies, which are deeply rooted in his native land's folklore. Through its acoustic and largely instrumental translation, Jørgensen lays bare the spectacular layers of cinematic beauty that hide underneath Norwegian black metal. Throughout the 90s, Jørgensen was an integral part of Oslo's fast rising black metal scene. After joining ECZEMA and continuing when the trio turned towards black metal with a new singer under the new name SATYRICON, Jørgensen also became a part of the black scene's progressive spearheads ULVER. Although feeling somewhat disenchanted with black metal for a while, Jørgensen continued to appear in various formations and for example contributed acoustic guitars to MYRKUR's "M" (2015) and live album "Mausoleum" (2016). In 2019, the guitarist founded new Oslo black metal act DOLD VORDE ENSD NAVN together with three current and former members of DØDHEIMSGARD. With his passion for the darker side of music re-kindled, Jørgensen decided to pick up the loose ends of the beautiful musical thread that "Kveldssanger" had left behind with his self-named solo-project HAAVARD. Audibly adding many years of experience, "Haavard" again invites us on an acoustic journey into the beating melodic heart of dark Nordic music.

Tracklist:
01. Printemps
02. Heartwood
03. Oberon
04. The Chase
05. Snøhetta
06. Emmanuelle
07. Eastwood
08. Niende Mars
09. Kveldssang Ii
10. Sørgemarsj
11. Mot Soleglad (Feat. Kris/Ulver)
12. Myrull
13. Athena

Bonus-CD (artbook only)
01. Athena (Demo)
02. They Came In Swarms (Sketch)
03. Trollskogen (2016 Revisit)

Saturnus - The Storm Within from 9,98 €

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 11:40:08 +0200

The title of SATURNUS' fifth album, "The Storm Within" is hinting at both, the tempest of the natural world and turmoil that can rage inside the mind. It is also quite obvious that the long time it took the Danes to create this full-length and the personal reasons behind the hiatus very much contributed and inspired its artistic expression. SATURNUS have outdone themselves with "The Storm Within". The musical themes of the seas, rain, and stormy waters are a subtle presence and guiding thread throughout the songs that reflect anger, loss, melancholy, and pain in equal measure. The fully matured craftsmanship on this album is sublime and extremely dynamic, ranging from moments of calm to brutal outbursts. Working again with producer Flemming Rasmussen, the legendary Danish producer of METALLICA's classic albums, also ensured that the sound of "The Storm Within" matches its outstanding musical quality. SATURNUS came into being when singer Thomas A.G. Jensen started looking for fellow musicians in the area of Denmark's capital Copenhagen to form a death metal act in 1991. Following a number of changes during the next few years, the name was finally switched to SATURNUS in 1993. The band released their first album "Paradise Belongs to You" in January 1997 and were immediately invited to perform at the famous Roskilde Festival the same year. The show was recorded by Norwegian Radio (NRK) and ended up being broadcast all over Scandinavia, which firmly established the band as a death doom household name in Northern Europe. Following their sophomore album "Martyre" (2000) and the iconic third studio full-length "Veronika Decides to Die" as well as constant touring throughout Europe and increasingly beyond, "Saturn in Ascension" was released in 2012, which was once again produced by Flemming Rasmussen. Celebrating their 20th anniversary, SATURNUS got back on the roads of Europe and also performed at prestigious festivals such as Brutal Assault (CZ), Copenhell (DK), and ArtMania (RO) among many others. The Danes continued touring with occasional breaks from 2014 until 2017, which got them as far as Russia and to the Middle East. After several notable changes in the line-up, SATURNUS were joined by guitarists Indee Rehal-Sagoo (formerly CLOUDS and EYE OF SOLITUDE) and Julio Fernandez from AUTUMNAL in 2020. Despite more obstacles created by the pandemic, the band finally started working on their next album and also continued their collaboration with Flemming Rasmussen. "The Storm Within" took a long time in its creation and along the way demanded painful sacrifices from SATURNUS. All the blood, pain, and sweat have left their marks on this record. Yet in the end, the brutal honesty and the baring of the soul emanating from each note is what makes "The Storm Within" such a brilliant piece of music.

Tracklist:
1. The Storm Within
2. Chasing Ghosts
3. The Calling
4. Even Tide
5. Closing The Circle
6. Breathe New Life
7. Truth

Arcturus - The Sham Mirrors from 9,98 €

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:30:54 +0200

Following the kaleidoscopic brilliance of their 1997 sophomore album, La Masquerade Infernale, Arcturus faced the daunting task of crafting a worthy successor. The Norwegian avant-garde metal pioneers rose to the challenge with their third full-length, The Sham Mirrors, released in 2002. While less flamboyantly theatrical than its predecessor, The Sham Mirrors retains Arcturus’ experimental spirit, striking a balance between accessibility and their signature progressive complexity.

Garm (also of Ulver) delivers a vocal performance that soars to new heights, blending operatic grandeur with emotive versatility, from haunting cleans to commanding crescendos. Steinar "Sverd" Johnsen’s keyboards remain a cornerstone, weaving cinematic textures and classic prog-rock flourishes that evoke the likes of Pink Floyd and King Crimson. However, The Sham Mirrors sees the guitars, led by Knut Magne Valle, adopting a more conventional metal edge, grounding the album’s sound in a way that complements its avant-garde aspirations.

Far from a retreat, this shift toward tighter compositions showcases Arcturus’ evolution. The album’s sonic elements—layered atmospheres, intricate rhythms courtesy of Hellhammer’s precise drumming, and subtle electronic flourishes—serve the songs’ cohesive narratives rather than vying for attention. Tracks like “Kinetic” and “Nightmare Heaven” exemplify this refined approach, blending cosmic grandeur with introspective depth. The Sham Mirrors solidifies Arcturus’ reputation as innovators, proving they could streamline their vision without sacrificing the boundary-pushing creativity that defines them.

Tracklist:
1 Kinetic
2 Nightmare Heaven
3 Ad Absurdum
4 Collapse Generation
5 Star Crossed
6 Radical Cut
7 For To Yet End Again

Alcest - Souvenirs D'un Autre Monde from 9,98 €

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 12:08:35 +0200

Released in 2007, Alcest's debut album, "Souvenirs d'un autre monde", marks the starting point of the band's extraordinary career.

With the release of "Souvenirs d'un autre monde", Alcest mastermind Neige forged a luminous new sound that floats on the fringes of metal, yet incorporates emotions of euphoria, bliss and nostalgia. The singer and multi-instrumentalist dedicated the album to his childhood memories of experiences in a spiritual otherworld; personal themes that would become conceptual cornerstones of subsequent Alcest albums.

"Souvenirs..." became known as one of the fundamental releases of the Blackgaze / Post-Black Metal genre, a record that continually influences countless other bands in its wake, and was selected by Pitchfork as one of its "50 Best Shoegaze Albums of All Time".

ARÐ - Take Up My Bones from 9,98 €

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 20:50:11 +0200

ARÐ are of Northumbria. The band’s name is taken from an Old English word meaning "native land” in the dialect of the Anglian Kingdom of Northumbria. The concept behind the debut album „Take Up My Bones“ from this insular doom metal solo project created by composer and musician Mark Deeks revolves around the legendary relics of the famous Northumbrian saint Cuthbert (634–687) and their long journey. ARÐ built their artistic quest for heritage and identity upon a solid doom foundation. The early medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria that inspired ARÐ was far larger than the historic English county Northumberland implies. Before the Germanic warriors arrived, at first as a part of the Roman armies and later as conquerors, the Romans had subjugated the local population of Brittonic Votadini, speakers of a Celtic language. The Roman Empire had left a religious legacy that firmly took root in neighbouring Ireland and soon began to affect the new Germanic rulers of these northern lands as well as ultimately inspiring the tale of "Take Up My Bones": Christianity. The early medieval coastal monasteries of Whithorn in the west and Lindisfarne to the east bear witness to this transition. It is in Lindisfarne on Holy Island in the time after the devastating Viking attack from across the sea in the year 793 where the story of the remains of St. Cuthbert begins: a 200-year journey that saw the saint's remains finally reburied in the cathedral of Durham. The legends and mystery of the translation of the saint's relics such as the refusal of his coffin to be moved or the lack of corruption upon his corpse after decades shape the core of this conceptual musical tale. With crushing glacial-paced doom, monastic sounding chants and choirs, and sorrowful yet epic melodies, ARÐ have found the perfect musical expression to tell a tale of their homelands.

Mark Deeks, who earned his PhD in Philosophy on the topic of "National Identity in Northern and Eastern European Heavy Metal", is also a member of leading UK black metal stalwarts WINTERFYLLETH and keeps himself busy as a musical director, arranger, piano coach, and conductor as well as a best selling author. On "Take Up My Bones", Mark is supported by WOLCENSMEN mastermind Dan Capp on guitars and backing vocals. He is also joined by ATAVIST drummer Callum Cox, and a spellbinding performance from cellist Jo Quail (MY DYING BRIDE et al.) delivers the coup de grace.

Tracklist:
1. Burden Foretold
2. Take Up My Bones
3. Raise then the Incorrupt Body
4. Boughs of Trees
5. Banner of the Saint
6. Only Three Shall Know

Bonus tracks (artbook only):
1. Geonde Arð
2. Raise Then The Incorrupt Body (Hymn Version)
3. Only Three Shall Know (Hymn Version)