Moonspell returns to the scene with what might be the most important album ever to be released by this legendary Portuguese metal band. With a renewed focus, they have risen to a new level so as to reclaim their throne as the leading European dark metal band. “Alpha Noir” is a nine-track outburst that shows us a much more incendiary band than in the past. With an avalanche of memorable guitar work, deeply rooted in the thrash metal of legends, Moonspell perfectly combines it with their own brand of Southern black metal, which they have been crafting since their groundbreaking debut offering: “Wolfheart”. The special edition will also include a second CD, “Alpha Noir’s” remarkable counterpart “Omega White”. It follows a more atmospheric path, delivering epic and catchy songs in the vein of gothic rock icons, such as Sisters of Mercy and Type o Negative.

Gothic metal band Leaves’ Eyes was born out of the romantic relationship between singer Liv Kristine Espenæs and guitarist Alexander Krull, who met whilst she was fronting Norway’s Theatre of Tragedy and he Germany’s Atrocity. The pair eventually married and announced their musical union in 2003, with Espenæs quitting Theatre of Tragedy to join Krull and the rest of Atrocity’s lineup (guitarists Thorsten Bauer and Mathias Roderer, bassist Christian Lukhaup, and drummer Nick Barker) to found Leaves’ Eyes and record their 2004 debut album, Lovelorn. Along with its next-year successor, Vinland Saga, the record confirmed the new group’s affinity for theatrical, symphonic goth-metal, as the leading couple living out the ‘beauty and the beast’ vocal roles.

One of Germany’s most successful metal bands, is one of the most experimental and diverse musical acts in the history of metal. They have always found the courage to explore uncharted territories, while delivering top-notch productions. One such production was their full-length release, “Werk 80 II”, which entered the top 20 of the German Media Control Charts.

Crafting a wide variety of European influences, Withering Soul seeks to evoke a sound completely of it’s own, that is both fierce and majestic. Anything from bludgeoning riffs, brutally catchy rhythms, to ghastly yet mysterious melodies, are what will warm the ears of anyone that listens. Painted atop a diverse arrangement of musical passages, is the specter of both melodic singing and sinister screams. The veritable result is an orchestrated seance of dueling guitars, pummeling percussion, and unearthly keyboards. The lyrical content echoes of themes connected to the subconsciousness, horror, and the supernatural. Ultimately, the band strives to create a sound that will stare into the unknown, break apart the many sub genres of Metal, and challenge the limitations of an overpopulated music scene.

Ascent to Madness: https://youtu.be/OZKxtMHz62I

Hour of Obstinacy: https://youtu.be/Kf7BQd6rrLU