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THE ABSENCE To Reissue Metal Blade Titles
Limited-Edition Colored Vinyl Versions Out May 17th; Pre-Order Now.
Florida’s The Absence came onto the scene in 2005 with their crushing Metal Blade Records’ debut, ‘From Your Grave.’ The album, and its two successive follow-ups, 2007’s ‘Riders of the Plague’ and 2010’s ‘Enemy Unbound,’ showcased the perfect mixture of heart-wrenching melodies and skull-pounding aggression truly making them one of the premiere bands of the US melodic death metal scene. For the first time on vinyl, rediscover the group’s early work with a reissue campaign seeing these three earlier efforts for the first time on vinyl. Long requested by the band and fans alike May 17th marks their availability via M-Theory Audio’s licensing arrangement with Metal Blade Records. Pre-order now HERE
“Revisiting these albums has been pretty fantastic. It's more than about time they receive a vinyl release, and what better way to listen!!!” states singer Jamie Stewart. “Cheers to Marco and crew for finally pulling this off! We hope you all enjoy spinning these records as much as we have!!”
FROM YOUR GRAVE – the crushing debut, produced and mixed by Erik Rutan (Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal) and mastered by Alan Douches (All That Remains, Cattle Decapitation, Cryptopsy). On 300 limited sapphire colored vinyl.
RIDERS OF THE PLAGUE – the classic sophomore album produced by Jonas Kjellgren (Immortal, Overkill, Dark Funeral) at Mana Studios and featuring a myriad of guest guitarists - Per Nilsson (Scar Symmetry), Santiago Dobles (Cynic, Pestilence), James Murphy (Death, Obituary, Cancer) and Jonas Granvik (Without Grief). Includes a cover of Testament’s “Into the Pit.” On 300 limited tiger’s eye colored vinyl.
ENEMY UNBOUND – the band’s third album, produced by then guitarists Patrick Pintavalle and Peter Joseph with tracking/editing assistance from Brian Elliot (Dying Fetus, Paths of Possession), and mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren at Sweden’s Black Lounge Studios. On 300 limited poltergeist colored vinyl.
These three records, all with revamped layouts by Sonatheria Media’s Marc Lopes (Metal Church, Ross The Boss, Let Us Prey), showcase the first half of the band’s career and the early talents of members drummer Jeramie Kling (later of Inhuman Condition, Venom Inc, Ex Deo), bassist Mike Leon (later of Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy, Havok) and singer Jeramie Stewart (also of Hot Graves). The Absence returned in 2016 and have been toured and released three more albums since including the M-Theory collaborations – 2018’s ‘A Gift For The Obsessed’ and 2021’s ‘Coffinized,’ and more recently the band’s self-released and self-titled sixth album this past March.
MYTHRAEUM Release New Black Metal Opus ‘Oblivion Aeternam’ 6/6/24
Pre-Order CD and Limited-Edition Colored Vinyl Now
Three weeks ago San Diego-based Black Metal aggregate MYTHRAEUM gave us the first glimpse into their new magnum opus with lead single “Skies Torn Asunder”
"This track will definitely be a favorite for fans of epic metal,” boldly claimed MYTHRAEUM. “It takes the melodic, fast-paced riffing style of acts such as Wintersun and Kalmah and gives it a darker, more aggressive edge.”
Today MYTHRAEUM reveal the cover artwork for ‘Oblivion Aeternam’ and a release date, 6/6/24 for digital, Digipak CD and limited-edition blue jean colored vinyl. The vinyl is even more special as this 2LP set includes the band’s previous ‘Halls of Mythras’ EP as bonus tracks on side 4 (previously only released digitally).
‘Oblivion Aeternam’ was produced by the band and Ethan Stouder, and mixed/mastered by J.F. Dagenais (Kataklym, Misery Index, Exodus). Pre-Order now HERE
Last year we introduced you to MYTHRAEUM via the EP release, ‘Halls of Mythras.’ The band won us over after beating out over 140 other artists vying to win the Wacken Metal Battle, competing at the prestigious German festival and showing obvious potential.
That potential while hinted to on the EP, is now becoming clearly defined as heard on the new single from the group’s forthcoming new full-length. “Skies Torn Asunder” steps up from what was heard previously and further previews the barbarity, yet musical majesty that the quintet possesses sure to please fans new and old of harsh, cold and extreme music.
“Skies Torn Asunder” can be heard on all digital streaming/download platforms or watch the video HERE
Formed a few years back, MYTHRAEUM spawned from the mind of guitarist Wraith (Alonzo Larios) who assembled some of San Diego’s finest metal musicians who shared the same spark of mysticism and misanthropic musings which befell the black metal scene in Scandinavia several decades earlier. These young musicians had ambitions of crafting a brand of black metal that dared to push the musical boundaries by blending crushing heaviness with harrowing technicality, and ethereal melodies in an alchemical process which weaved esoteric myths of nature, gods, love, hate, death, and rebirth.
Wraith alongside Hagalaz (Ben Wilson) on drums, Spectre (Nicholas Lepisto) on bass, Algiz (Zach Simsay) on guitar, and Plague (Anthony Vivoli) on vocals combined into a new energetic and driving force playing shows including the Wacken Metal Battle victory and the EP release, ‘Halls of Mythras,’ featuring the songs “Where Roots Refuse To Cling” and the live clip “Terrestrial Despair” shot at Wacken Open Air
Upcoming Live Shows –
5/3 - Solaris Brewing & Blending - Menifee, CA
6/7 – Record Release Show - Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA
FINLAND’S SHADE OF SORROW TO RELEASE DEBUT JUNE 28th
‘Upon the Fields of Grief’ Pre-Order Available Now
Anticipated by many after the 3 promising singles self-released by the band, Finland’s SHADE OF SORROW finally announce the street date of the forthcoming debut with M-Theory Audio.
June 28th marks the release of ‘Upon the Fields of Grief.’ Featuring striking cover art by Gogo Melone (Kamelot, Ablaze My Sorrow, Mariana’s Rest) the album, available on CD and limited edition (300 onyx marble) colored vinyl, is available for preorder now HERE
SHADE OF SORROW started in 2017 when founder Mika Kankainen, former drummer of Soul Terror and Warceremony, was writing material and playing all the instruments himself, including drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, while also handling vocals thus showcasing his immense talent and virtuosity. These songs started to catch the attention of other musicians and producers who in 2020 encouraged Mika to deliver on his promise and he began to record the material to share with the world. A year later digital singles and accompanying music videos started to premiere, each self-released, including “No Return” and “Fabricated Hope,” followed by “Meteor” in 2022 which gained further attention including that of M-Theory Audio, who signed SHADE OF SORROW in 2023.
