Formed in 2010, it was the intention of Ese to create Black Sabbath inspired music with harsh vocals. An idea he took further, developing SLEGEST into the entity it is today with its rock-orientated sound distinguished by a distinctive Black Metal edge. SLEGEST’s first release was the self-titled 2012 EP, which appeared as both a digital release and as a 7” vinyl on Ese’s own label Systrond Recordings. Work on writing new material for the as yet untitled debut full-length album began in 2012, and the drum tracks have already been laid down at the Conclave and Earshot Studios in Bergen, Norway.

Whilst many maintain that solo projects can be limiting, Ese sees things very differently. As SLEGEST’s man (and only) man explains: “When you have to play every instrument yourself it does impose certain limitations on what you can, and cannot, do. But I have always had a very definite vision as to how I want SLEGEST to sound, and these limitations are very positive for the fulfilment of that vision”.

More information about SLEGEST can be found at http://www.slegest.no/

Five tracks from SLEGEST can be heard on the band’s SoundCloud page here:
Slegest – Slegest (EP) by Slegest

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Slegest Photos by Ørjan Talle and Håvard Nesbø
Slegest Contact: slegest@slegest.no
Slegest Website: http://www.slegest.no/
Slegest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slegest
Slegest SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/slegest

Opening night of the festival, which is effectively the club night, sees four of the bands appearing at Blå. Post Rockers KRAKOW (http://www.krakowofficial.com/), whose critically acclaimed sophomore album “diin” was release in Autumn of last year, kick off the evening at 21:00, followed by Melodic Extreme Metallers COR SCORPII (http://www.corscorpii.net/), who are currently working on their next album. Third band on will be VULTURE INDUSTRIES (http://www.vulture-industries.net/ ), a band whose skilled interpretation of avant-garde extreme metal, coupled with the highly theatrical and manic performance of frontman Bjornar Nilsen, makes for a fascinating live show. Topping the bill will be HELHEIM (http://helheim.com/ ) one of the original Norwegian Viking Metal bands who celebrate their historical roots both in their music and in the visual effects used in their live performances, and who have been together for over twenty years. Information about how to get to Blå can be found at http://www.blaaoslo.no/

Thursday 28th sees another band celebrate its twentieth anniversary when TAAKE headlines on the Rockefeller stage at 23:00. TAAKE frontman HOEST will also be holding a signing session at 15:00 in the Shadowland record store (http://www.shadowland.no/), Torggata 36 (200 meters from the Rockefeller). Formed in 1993, TAAKE’s contribution to the Norwegian Black Metal Scene has been considerable; with founder Hoest remaining true to his Black Metal roots, whilst still being able to breathe life and originality into the genre even after twenty years. The band recently released “Gravkamre, Kroner og Troner” (Tombs, Crowns and Thrones), a double Anniversary CD which feature exclusive new tracks as well as rare and previously unreleased material, alternative versions of previously released tracks and recordings that have, until now, only been available on vinyl. More information about TAAKE at http://taake.svartekunst.no/

AETERNUS will hit the Rockeffeler stage on Friday 29th at 19:45, a few days in advance of the release of “…And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth”, the band’s seventh full-length album. Founded in 1993 by guitarist and frontman Ares, AETERNUS has re-emerged seven years after the release of their last album “Hexaeon” with a new line up that comprises Ares on guitars and vocals, Phobos (GRAVDAL, MALSAIN) on drums and Specter on guitars. One of the pioneers of what the band calls “Dark Metal”, AETERNUS’ sound combines features from both Black Metal and Death Metal with superlative guitar playing and occasional haunting, melodic interludes. More information about AETERNUS can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Aeternusofficial

Saturday 30th, the last day of the festival, also sees the last of the DARK ESSENCE RECORDS bands to appear. HADES ALMIGHTY will play on the Rockefeller Stage at 19:45, and incidentally they were one of the bands who performed at the very first Inferno Festival in 2001. Apart from the occasional live appearance from the trio of Janto on Bass and Lead Vocals, Jorn on Guitars and Synth and Remi on Drums and vocals, things have been relatively quiet since the re-release in 2004 of their 2001 classic “The Pulse of Decay”, but the band has been busy behind the scenes working on the next album. More information about HADES ALMIGHTY can be found at http://www.hades-almighty.com/

Tracks from all the releases of the above bands on DARK ESSENCE RECORDS can be heard on SoundCloud at http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records/sets/dark-essence-records-bands-at or embedded using the following code:

DARK ESSENCE RECORDS BANDS AT INFERNO FESTIVAL 2013 by DARK ESSENCE RECORDS

Formed in Bergen, Norway in 2010, SEVEN IMPALE’s relatively young lineup consists of Stian Økland on vocals and guitars, Fredrik Mekki Widerøe on drums, Benjamin Mekki Widerøe on sax, Tormod Fosso on bass, Erlend Vottvik Olsen on guitar and Håkon Vinje on keyboards. What sets the band apart from many of the new arrivals on the scene is the diversity of musical disciplines that the members bring with them. From classical orchestra to big band, metal to jazz and rock to electronic, SEVEN IMPALE have fused all their experience and influences and created a sound that is uniquely theirs. From the hard-hitting “Blind To All” to the progressive and jazzy “What Am I Sane For?” and the softer “Measure 15″, “Beginning/Relieve” shows some of the many sides of the band and is the perfect introduction for the great things fans can expect from them.

Track listing for “Beginning/Relieve” as follows:
1. Mind Riot
2. Blind to All
3. Beginning/Relieve
4. Measure 15
5. What am I Sane For?

More information about SEVEN IMPALE can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sevenimpale

Tracks from Karisma Records releases, including SEVEN IMPALE’s “Beginning/Relieve” can be heard at https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records

“De Gjenlevende” will consist of six songs, one of which will be an instrumental, which promise to be even longer, and more epic, than GALAR’s previous material. As well as the band’s two core members of M. Kristiansen on screams, guitars and bass and A. B. Lauritzen on clean vocals, bassoon and grand piano, the line up on the album will once again include Phobos (GRAVDAL, AETERNUS, MALSAIN) on drums, and will feature a series of session musicians that include both a string quintet and a horn quartet in keeping with the epic material. Plans are in place to enter the Conclave and Earshot studios in the autumn with producer Bjørnar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) at the helm.

Jorge Scholz, the band’s lyricist, explains the idea behind the album: “De Gjenlevende” will be, once again, a thoroughly crafted concept album. Its five contemplative texts tell of the utter dreadfulness that haunts both the human mind and body when the season of winter holds every living thing in its grasp. Winter is the time of utter gloom, enfeeblement and inescapable death, which challenges mankind, beasts and plants equally. Yet, as long as there is life, there is hope and eventually a new era of the Sun will bring to an end the seemingly eternal darkness of winter. With the arrival of spring hope and life will flourish once more. In its portrayal of this cyclical process of transformation, which is as old as the history of mankind itself, “De Gjenlevende” draws its ideas and inspiration from Pan-European folklore, ontology, and elegies”.

More information about GALAR can be found on the band’s website at http://www.galar.no/

Four tracks from GALAR can be heard at http://soundcloud.com/galarofficial/sets/til-alle-heimsens-endar

Fan-filmed footage of GALAR performing the track “Ingen Siger Vart Vunnin” at the Phantoms of Pilsen Festival in 2012 can be seen at http://youtu.be/sETwf9PwNlc or here:

ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Website: http://www.galar.no/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/galarofficial
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/galarofficial
MySpace: www.myspace.com/galarmetal
Band Contact & Booking: galarmetal@gmail.com

“…And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth”, which will be the band’s seventh full-length release, was produced by Bjornar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) at the Conclave and Earshot studios in Bergen. All music is by AETERNUS, concept and lyrics by HELHEIM’s V’gandr. The first pressing will include AETERNUS’ 1995 “Dark Sorcery” EP as a bonus. Track listing for “…And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth” as follows:

1: There Will Be None
2: …And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth
3: Spurcitias
4: Ruin And Resurrect
5: The Confusion Of Tongues
6: Hubris
7: Reap What You Saw
8: Saligia
9: The Hand That Severs The Bonds Of Creation
10: The Spirit Of Illumination

AETERNUS’ line up is formed of guitarist and frontman Ares, who originally founded the band in Bergen in 1993, and Phobos (GRAVDAL, MALSAIN) on drums and Specter on guitars. One of the pioneers of what the band calls “Dark Metal”, AETERNUS’ sound combines features from both Black Metal and Death Metal with superlative guitar playing and occasional haunting, melodic interludes.

AETERNUS’ next live appearance will be at this year’s Inferno Festival in Oslo on the 29th March. More information about AETERNUS can be found on the band’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Aeternusofficial

The DARK ESSENCE RECORDS SoundCloud player contains tracks from all the label’s releases, including the newly debuted AETERNUS track. It can be found here:

DARK ESSENCE RECORDS by DARK ESSENCE RECORDS

Twelve tracks from AETERNUS and can be heard on the band’s SoundCloud page at http://soundcloud.com/aeternusnorway/sets/aeternus or embedded using the following code:
AETERNUS by AeternusNorway

Fan-filmed footage of AETERNUS at the Hub & Huey Festival in May 2012 can be seen here:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Aeternusofficial
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/AeternusNorway
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/aeternusnorway
Band Contact and Booking: areslives@hotmail.com

Formed in Bergen, Norway in 1993 by guitarist and frontman Ares, AETERNUS has re-emerged seven years after the release of their last album “Hexaeon” with a new line up that comprises Ares on guitars and vocals, Phobos (GRAVDAL, MALSAIN) on drums and Specter on guitars. One of the pioneers of what the band calls “Dark Metal”, AETERNUS’ sound combines features from both Black Metal and Death Metal with superlative guitar playing and occasional haunting, melodic interludes.

“…And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth” was produced by Bjornar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) at the Conclave and Earshot studios in Bergen. All music is by AETERNUS, concept and lyrics by HELHEIM’s V’gandr. Artwork is by Timo Ketola, known for his work with bands such as for DEATHSPELL OMEGA, ASPHYX, DISSECTION MARDUK, WATAIN and OPETH amongst others, band photos by Christine Ristesund. The bonus EP, “Dark Sorcery”, was recorded, mixed and mastered by Cato Langnes at Hindu Lyd in 1995 and produced by Aeternus. Lineup on “Dark Sorcery” is Ares on guitars and vocals, Erik (Vrolok) on drums and Ørjan on bass. All music and lyrics by Ares.

Track listing for “…And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth” as follows:

1: There Will Be None
2: …And The Seventh His Soul Detesteth
3: Spurcitias
4: Ruin And Resurrect
5: The Confusion Of Tongues
6: Hubris
7: Reap What You Saw
8: Saligia
9: The Hand That Severs The Bonds Of Creation
10: The Spirit Of Illumination

“Dark Sorcery” (Bonus)
1. Black Dust
2. Victory
3. Raven and Blood
4. Nordlys (Instrumental)

More information about AETERNUS can be found on the band’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Aeternusofficial

Twelve tracks from AETERNUS and can be heard on the band’s SoundCloud page at http://soundcloud.com/aeternusnorway/sets/aeternus or embedded using the following code:

AETERNUS by AeternusNorway

Fan-filmed footage of AETERNUS at the Hub & Huey Festival in May 2012 can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QO4gc7CLpy0 or embedded using the following code:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Aeternusofficial
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/AeternusNorway
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/aeternusnorway
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/aeternusnor

Titled “Gravkamre, Kroner og Troner” (Burial Chambers, Crowns and Thrones), the release will not only feature exclusive new tracks, but also rare and previously unreleased material as well as alternative versions and recordings that have, until now, only been available on vinyl. “Et Pust av Oeyne”, a track from the album, has been debuted on the TAAKE SoundCloud page and can be heard at http://soundcloud.com/taake-official/taake-et-pust-av-oeyne

Track listing for “Gravkamre, Kroner og Troner” as follows:

DISC 1:
1. Et Pust av Oeyne
2. Hov var Stein (Exclusive new track)
3. Nordbundet (Featuring Niklas Kvarforth & Nocturno Culto)
4. Motpol
5. Hordalands Doedskvad 1
6. Over Bjoergvin Graater Himmerik 4
7. Nattestid ser Porten vid 1 (“Kveld” 12″ EP 2011)
8. I am The Black Wizards (“Noregs Vaapen” LP bonus track 2011)
9. Die When You Die (“Swine of Hades” MCD 2011)
10. A lost forgotten Sad Spirit (“Taake” LP Bonus track 2009)

DISC 2:
11. Voldtekt
12. Eismalsott
13. Tykjes Fele
14. Over Fjell og gjennom Torner (“Svartekunst” 7″ EP 2007)
15. Voldtekt
16. Death Trap (“Dra til Helvete” 10″ EP 2006)
17. Lamb (“A Norwegian HAIL to VON” 7″ EP 2005)
18. Hennes kalde Skamlepper (“Lagnonector” 10″ EP 2005)
19. Der Todesking (“Nordens Doedsengel” 10″ EP 2004)
20. Nattestid ser Porten vid 1 (Pre-mix 1997)

More information about TAAKE can be found on the band’s website at http://taake.svartekunst.no/

Six tracks from TAAKE, including “Et Pust av Oeyne” from “Gravkamre, Kroner og Troner” can be heard at http://soundcloud.com/taake-official/taake-et-pust-av-oeyne or embedded using the following code:
TAAKE – Et Pust av Oeyne by TAAKE (OFFICIAL)

The official video for the track “Nordbundet” from the TAAKE album “Noreg’s Vaapen” can be seen at http://youtu.be/OAIIbnrYC7Q or embedded using the following code:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Taake Website: http://taake.svartekunst.no/
Taake on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taakeofficial
Taake Management & Booking: Propulsion Music http://www.propulsionmusic.no/
email: bjornar.erevik.nilsen@gmail.com

Track listing for “Beginning/Relieve” as follows:
1. Mind Riot
2. Blind to All
3. Beginning/Relieve
4. Measure 15
5. What am I Sane For?

SEVEN IMPALE was formed in Bergen, Norway, in 2010 and the six-man, relatively young lineup consists of Stian Økland on vocals and guitars, Fredrik Mekki Widerøe on drums, Benjamin Mekki Widerøe on sax, Tormod Fosso on bass, Erlend Vottvik Olsen on guitar and Håkon Vinje on keyboards. With all the members coming from a range of disciplines including classical orchestra, big band, metal, jazz, rock and electronic music, recording the EP has been a long process for the band, as they have sought to combine all their experiences and influences and refine them into a unique, mesmerizing and exciting sound.

SEVEN IMPALE will enter the Duper Studio in Bergen in early 2013 to begin recording their debut full-length album with Iver Sandøy who produced KRAKOW’s “diin” and co-produced ENSLAVED’s “Riitiir”. More information about the band can be found at https://www.facebook.com/sevenimpale

The title track from “Beginning/Relieve” can be heard at http://soundcloud.com/karisma-records/seven-impale-begining-relieve or here:
SEVEN IMPALE – Beginning/Relieve by Karisma Records

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sevenimpale
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/sevenimpale
NRK: http://www.nrk.no/urort/Artist/SevenImpale/default.aspx

You can check out the complete lists here.

An interview was also conducted with the band:

Also, the band got a mention in the magazine’s “Band’s to watch in 2013″ article, where Metal Hammer Norway suggests that Krakow’s sound would fit the National Opera House in Oslo. Well, to see Krakow play there, would be totally mindblowing!!

Thanks again for this Metal Hammer Norway, and we do hope that other magazines has some of the same sentiments towards Krakow and their album “diin”!

Get your copy of “diin” here!

The band is a new project from the musicians behind cult acts like Drudkh, Old Silver Key, Blood of Kingu, Dark Ages and more, but Rattenfänger is a different beast entirely.

The debut album, entitled “Epistolae Obscurorum Virorum”, is a masterpiece of old-school death metal. Rattenfänger’s sound is pitch black and bone crushingly brutal. It is Death Metal in its original form – and it is devastating. Inevitably there will be nuances from the members other projects, and comparisons can also be made with bands such as Celtic Frost, early Darkthrone, Asphyx, Winter, Bolt Thrower and Nihilist amongst others, but Rattenfänger, is the epitome of old-school death metal and the album has its own, very distinctive, sound.

The name Rattenfänger is taken from the legend of the Pied Piper of Hamelin (Rattenfänger von Hameln), who was hired by the townsfolk of Hameln, Germany, to rid the town of the rats that had overrun it. Unfortunately he is deceived and cheated of his payment, and he exacts a dreadful revenge on the citizens. The lyrics are in Latin, written in style of medieval poets, thinkers and troubadours/minstrels.

So far, the reviews has been very good:
Rock Hard:
RATTENFÄNGER
Epistolae Obscurorum Virorum
Dark Essence/Soulfood (42:00)
Keine Angst! RATTENFÄNGER ist kein neues Mittelalterprojekt sondern steht für infernalischen Old School (Doom) Death Metal à la Winter oder den langsamen Stücken von Asphyx mit durchgehend lateinischen (!) Texten. Zwar nerven die eintönigen Growls und die zu simplen Schlagzeugarrangements mit der Zeit ein wenig, aber grundsätzlich ist das Debüt des ukrainische Allstarprojekts (aus u. a. Musikern von Drudkh) ein blutiges Leckerli für alle Death Metal Zombies, die den Blast Beat-Holocaust der letzten beiden Jahrzehnte überlebt haben. Alle, die ihren Death Metal primitiv, roh und vor allem auch atmosphärisch wollen, können hier nichts falsch machen. Und auch so mancher Funeral Doom-Fans wird an RATTENFÄNGER Gefallen finden. Reinhören!
8 Punkte, Bruder Cle

83/100 – Zware Metalen
12/15 – Twilight Magazin
8/10 – Metal Glory
8/10 – Metal.tm
8/10 – Xtreem Music
4/5 – Muziek.nl

Get your copy here!