ASHES OF M.

THULCANDRA

Don’t fear the reaper — fear the majestic blackened death metal might of THULCANDRA!

THULCANDRA’s rise to power ignited when the Germany-based outfit unleashed their debut album, Fallen Angel’s Dominion, upon metaldom in 2010.

The group, fronted by founding member and visionary Steffen Kummerer (also of Obscura fame), have tightened their hibernal grip on blackened death metal since.

The desolate melodic emanations in follow-up studio records Under a Frozen Sun (2011), Ascension Lost (2015), and the chart-topping 2021 album A Dying Wish, dedicated to the late bassist Chris Kratzer, solidified THULCANDRA as a superior force, expertly thrusting the magic and mystery of mid-’90s melodic black-death metal into the modern era.

Their fifth attack, entitled Hail the Abyss, sees THULCANDRA prove yet again why they’re atop death metal’s malefic vedette.

Fierce tracks such as “As I Walk Through The Gateway” and the uber-brutal “Blood Of Slaves” showcase the band’s affinity for dark, aggressive and mellifluous metal, while the album’s title track and the epic, mid-tempo rager “On The Wings Of Cosmic Fire” rip and terrorize with the intensity of hell.

As always, THULCANDRA’s about a vibe — there’s a distinct feel to the band’s latest album that’s distinctly old-school, but without the tired trappings of it.

Hotly anticipated, Hail the Abyss was released on May 19, 2023, via Napalm Records.

Cooperation with renowned producer Dan Swanö (Dissection, Opeth, Katatonia), who handled the crushing album mix, was compulsory, as was the re-invitation to cover-master Lochner.

Don’t fear the reaper — fear the majestic might of THULCANDRA, as Hail the Abyss sees them ultimately rise to full power!

Thulcandra was founded in 2003 by Steffen Kummerer and Juergen Zintz. Inspired by the music of Dissection and Unanimated, the founding members followed the path first explored by the Swedish masters of blackened death metal. By 2004, the band's first demo was recorded and the preparations for the first studio album were in full swing.

But dark days fell upon Thulcandra. In early 2005, Juergen Zintz, plagued by years of battling his personal demons, committed suicide. The tragic incident naturally brought the band to an abrupt halt. As time passed, however, remaining member Steffen Kummerer reworked the material and began writing new songs for the highly anticipated debut.

Yet it wasn't until a couple of years later when the evil twins Tobias and Sebastian Ludwig (known for their guitar and bass duties in the German pagan metal band Helfahrt) joined forces with Kummerer that Thulcandra was truly revived. With Seraph of the mighty Dark Fortress stepping in as a session drummer, Thulcandra could finally move forward to record "Fallen Angel's Dominion".

Thulcandra's debut unleashes a merciless winter storm upon the masses complete with freezing temperatures and endless darkness. "Fallen Angel's Dominion" creates a frigid atmosphere of icy compositions arousing the spirit of the early nineties. Guitarists Steffen Kummerer and Sebastian Ludwig weave a web of raging riffs, emphasized by infernal blastbeats, and crowned by black-as-night vocals. The black/death metal tracks deliver an uncompromising heaviness without ever sacrificing melody.

"Fallen Angel's Dominion" has acquired its sonic dominance at Woodshed Studios, at the hands of V. Santura (Obscura, Tryptykon, Dark Fortress) and Steffen Kummerer. Kristian Wåhlin (a.k.a. Necrolord), also known for his artistic expertise on classic releases from Dissection, Emperor, and Dark Funeral, is responsible for the artwork.

'Fallen Angel's Dominion' will see the light of darkness in June via Napalm Records. all photos by Ruth Gräbeldinger for Alpha Photograpy

A massive comeback from the duet, which developed and pioneered the underground scene back in the day.

Jim AKA Mutilator was the first bassist and a founding member of the Greek black metal band Rotting Christ.

He was also the first bassist in Varathron. He appears on both Rotting Christ’s Thy Mighty Contract and Varathron’s His Majesty at the Swamp, two of Hellenic black metal’s most recognised and defining albums.

He also participated in the most impoportant black metal tour back in the day, which included Blasphemy, Immortal and Rotting Christ. He left Varathron in 1993, shortly after their full-length debut.

He did two more albums with Rotting Christ, Non Serviam and Triarchy of the Lost Lovers before leaving in 1996. However, he contributed lyrics to Rotting Christ all the way up until the Sleep of the Angels album.

In 1985, at the age of 14, he started a band called Black Church with the Tolis brothers. Two years later the trio went on to form Rotting Christ. George AKA Magus Wampyr Daoloth , The Magus or Morbid is a Greek musician and producer, mostly known for his work in the Greek black and death metal scenes.

His mostly known for his collaboration with bands such as Necromantia, Rotting Christ, Thou Art Lord and many more. He is credited for shaping the ”Hellenic sound” of black & death metal.

George Emmanuel, owner of Pentagram studios adds his talent with a 6-string majestic performance and his experience as an ex member of Rotting Christ. Fasten your seatbelts, the time has come, prepare yourself for the purest of Metal, the darkest of Magic and a hell of our Freedom.

Charting a course into the void since 2016.

Vorgas mission, to capture the feelings of both awe and utter hopelessness when staring up into the night sky.

With members from the UK, Bulgaria, and Germany, the multinational outfit released their first EP, 'Radiant Gloom' in 2019.

After release, they quickly caught the attention of Transcending Obscurity Records, who the band were immediately signed to.

Following up their debut EP, Vorga returned with an absolutely scintillating full length titled ‘Striving Toward Oblivion’ in 2022, which expanded upon the music of their debut and took it to new heights, more powerful and streamlined than before.

On release, the record surpassed all expectations, receiving widespread critical acclaim and making many year-end ‘best of’ lists.

In 2024, 'Beyond the Palest Star' was released. With more nuanced and emotive songwriting and garnering even higher praise than the previous record, Vorga continue to scale astronimical heights and forge new paths for modern, melodic black metal.

Aside from the music, the band has made a name for themselves on stage with their striking depiction of futuristic, dystopian black metal. Adorned in UV corpsepaint and with an atmospheric and compelling light show, the band always leaves a lasting impression on those who see them.