For today’s Song of the Day, let us revisit one of the greatest underground metal bands of all time, ARCTURUS. Back in 1994, the band released the Constellation EP via guitarist Samoth‘s Nocturnal Art Productions. Simply a groundbreaking piece of Norwegian symphonic black metal. Absolutely mandatory.
Here is the original recording of “Du Nordavind“:
After making a strong debut with Ominous, Norway’s THE WRETCHED END easily proved their worth. Now, with Inroads, the band have honed and focused their sophisticated, multi-dimensional style of extreme metal to a blacker, more desolate place. Everything from the classic album artwork to the atmospheres and overall sound possesses a distinctly Norwegian black metal undercurrent. However, this is not a rehashing of past victories. This is the band’s modern expression of Norwegian black metal fused with the other elements of their sound. The thrash elements of their sound make less of an appearance this time around.
Soon after Inroads begins, it’s clear that THE WRETCHED END have further defined their style with new sounds, vibes, and dynamics. Lead guitars are effectively, succinctly, and frequently used to add color. Norwegian black metal dissonance is utilized in riffs such as in “Tyrant of the Mountain” and “Deathtopian Society.” “Death by Nature” and “The Haunting Ground” have killer grooves. “Cold Iron Soul” constantly shifts tempos with the subtle, contrasting riffs that flow well together. THE WRETCHED END deliver the sense of ominous urgency with the run away train feel of “Fear Propaganda.”
In addition to the subtle complex song arrangements and sounds, the sheer spirit of Inroads is very reminiscent of the mighty EMPEROR. Indeed, THE WRETCHED END reach new heights as shown on the absolutely invincible, decadent melodies at the end of “Blackthorn Winter,” the powerful emotion of “Hunger,” and the total domination of closer “Throne Renowned of Old.”
While all the various dimensions of Inroads may not be readily discernible nor fully appreciated at first, it all comes out over time.
In an ever crowded and formulaic extreme metal scene, THE WRETCHED END easily distinguish themselves as one of the best. (Nocturnal Art Productions/Candlelight Records)
THE WRETCHED END‘s new video for “Death By Nature” has been posted online. The song comes off the band’s new album, Inroads, which is scheduled for an April 23, 2012 release via Nocturnal Art Productions/Candlelight Records.
THE WRETCHED END, featuring guitarist Samoth (ZYKLON, EMPEROR), have posted a video of the guitar recording sessions for their upcoming album, Inroads.
Check it out:
THE WRETCHED END, formed in 2008 as a creative collaboration between Samoth (EMPEROR/ZYKLON) and Cosmo (MINDGRINDER), are currently heading into Strand Studio, Oslo, to record the drum tracks for the follow up to last years debut album Ominous. Once again it is Swedish skinbasher Nils Fjellström (aka Dominator from DARK FUNERAL, AEON and IN BATTLE) who’s behind the kit.
The new album is tentatively entitled Inroads and confirmed song titles include: “Death by Nature,” “Cold Iron Soul,” “Blackthorn Winter,” “Fear Propaganda,” “Hunger,” “Throne Renowned of Old,” “Tyrant of the Mountain,” “Deathtopian Society” and “The Haunting Ground.”
The album recording is scheduled to be completed by the end 2011 and is tentatively scheduled for release in the first half of 2012 through Nocturnal Art Productions/Candlelight Records.
Join THE WRETCHED END on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thewretchedend
Norwegian extreme metal super group, THE WRETCHED END, have just posted a video of the 2009 recording sessions for the band’s debut album, Ominous [read our review here]. The video focuses on drummer Nils Fjellström (IN BATTLE) with some footage of guitarist Samoth (EMPEROR, ZYKLON, SCUM) and vocalist/guitarist Cosmo (MINDGRINDER, SCUM, SOURCE OF TIDE) laying down some lead guitars.
It’s been a long four years since we last heard new music from ZYKLON leader/guitarist Samoth. Regrouping anew with MINDGRINDER/SCUM vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Cosmo and Swedish drum beast Nils Fjellström (IN BATTLE, AEON, DARK FUNERAL), THE WRETCHED END prove to be cutting edge extreme metal.
Ominous embodies the qualities that (extreme) metal should possess: fierceness, technical prowess, great riffs, and a fist in the face delivery. The record is well balanced as brutality, a variety of tempos and riffing styles, black metal, death metal, thrash metal, melody, and dissonance all find their place. It’s logical that the next step in Samoth’s musical evolution bears similarities to ZYKLON’s swansong, Disintegrate. However, the distinguishing characteristics of THE WRETCHED END include more of his unique melodic style, a larger dose of brutal thrash sounds (i.e. classic SLAYER, SEPULTURA), and a more brooding, apocalyptic tone overall.
There are plenty of great tracks to be found on Ominous that make a strong impact. The first two songs, “Intro” and “Red Forest Alienation,” drop like a bomb as the band announce their arrival with a multi-armed tour de force. Songs like “The Armaggedonist” proudly update Norwegian black metal for 2010. “Numbered Days” is ominous as hell with its desolate feel and sinister horns. “Fleshbomb” and “Human Corporation” are just killer tracks with an unrelenting pace and nonstop catchy riffs.
Last but not least, the lyrics on Ominous are not to be ignored. Based on current events and looking at the world and society from a more global standpoint, there are plenty of impending crises that mankind would be smart to take heed of.
THE WRETCHED END’s Ominous is a strong and ambitious debut that aims at being the best metal album that it can possibly be. With a strong foundation laid, the future is theirs. (Nocturnal Art Productions/Candlelight Records)
Samoth (THE WRETCHED END, ZYKLON, EMPEROR) will guest DJ The Bunker at Hard Luck Bar in Toronto, Canada on October 9th. On his playlist for the night will be THE WRETCHED END‘s upcoming debut album, Ominous. It will mark its North American debut, which is set for an October 25th release date via Candlelight Records USA.
THE WRETCHED END, the new Scandinavian group comprised of Samoth (ZYKLON, EMPEROR, SCUM), Cosmo (MINDGRINDER, SCUM, SOURCE OF TIDE), and Nils Fjellström (IN BATTLE, AEON), have posted an e-card promoting their debut album, Ominous. Check it out here.
Ominous is scheduled for release on October 25th worldwide through Nocturnal Art Productions/Candlelight Records. The official iTunes EP will be available October 4th.
THE WRETCHED END, the new band featuring Samoth (ZYKLON, EMPEROR, SCUM), Cosmo (MINDGRINDER, SCUM), and Nils Fjellström (IN BATTLE, DARK FUNERAL, AEON), have announced their signing to Nocturnal Art Productions/Candlelight Records.
THE WRETCHED END was formed in 2008 as creative collaboration between Samoth and Cosmo. Samoth and Cosmo have previously worked together on the infamous deathpunk project SCUM. Cosmo has also played with ZYKLON on bass when the band toured Europe as special guest for MORBID ANGEL in 2001. The two have long spoken about collaborating on an extreme metal project. Most of the material for the debut album was composed throughout 2008, and by spring 2009 a full pre-production consisting of 11 tracks was recorded.
In the summer of 2009, Swede Nils Fjellström was confirmed as the drummer. The drums were successfully recorded in Strand Studio, Oslo, September 2009. The album recording continued through the end of 2009 and was completed in the first half of 2010. The recording line-up consists of Samoth on lead and rhythm guitar, Cosmo on lead and rhythm guitar, bass and vocals and Nils Fjellström on drums.
The debut album, tentatively entitled Ominous, will be released through Samoth’s own imprint label, Nocturnal Art Productions and marketed and distributed worldwide by Candlelight Records. Album tracks include “Zoo Human Syndrome,” “Red Forest Alienation,” “Residing in Limbo,” “Human Corporation,” “Numbered Days,” “Of Men and Wolves,” “The Juggernaut Theory,” “Fleshbomb,” “The Armageddonist,” “With Ravenous Hunger” and “Last Judgement.” The album is scheduled for release fall 2010.
THE WRETCHED END can musically best be described as a “Deathrash,” taking elements from both Death Metal and Thrash Metal. Many of the songs are quite groove orientated, and also offer a melodic side. Influences range from old-school to a more modern Death/Thrash metal sound.