Pirate metal is no laughing matter but this new song from The Dread Crew of Oddwood might be. Calling their music “heavy mahogany,” the group of ruffians play acoustic folk metal-influenced tunes about life on the high seas. With new album Rust & Glory on the way, The Dread Crew of Oddwood are singing tunes of their travels so that their names become commonplace in the pirate history books. New song “Leather Ship” is a mighty important tale, as The Dread crew tell Decibel: “After years of abuse and neglect, our mighty sea vessel was in dire need of repairs. Wood is cool and ..read more

It’s exhilarating when you get to hear a band execute a style perfectly. Hand of Kalliach delivers folk-infused melodic death metal in the absolute best way possible. The band brings heavy and rich guitar tones and weaves them with a mix of harsh and melodic vocals, topped off with infectious rhythms and traditional instrumentation. It’s a fascinating combination of aggression and atmosphere — a balancing act between power and mystery that draws you into the band’s sonic realm. Decibel is therefore pleased to present the band’s new video for the song “Fell Reigns,” from their upcoming album Co ..read more

Spoiler alert: Patterns in Mythology, the new album from Portland, ME’s Falls of Rauros, is one of the best albums of 2019. From the album’s first seconds to its grand closing, Patterns in Mythology is intensely focused; the end result is sprawling, atmospheric, melodic and the best Falls of Rauros release yet. Take third track “New Inertia” as an example. The reflective introduction morphs seamlessly into blast beats, tremolo picking, emotive shrieks and melancholic harmonies. “’New Inertia’ is in many ways about the lingering prevalence of myth in the modern world,” expla ..read more

It’s fitting that Vermilia release a video for “Ruska” at this time of year. After all, the Finnish word “ruska” represents autumn colors and foliage. Here in the northeastern United States, the time has come for that season to set in, and I imagine it’s nearing it’s peak in Finland as I write this. The song is the title track for Vermilia’s fantastic second album, released in 2022. The song is one of the album’s more anthemic tracks, playing like the soundtrack to an ancient pagan ritual long lost to the waves and buried leaves of time. Commenting on the video, Vermilia says that “The Ruska t ..read more

From the first galloping notes of “Ljósið,” it is obvious that Skálmöld have embraced an epic, fun spirit on Sorgir, the Icelandic Viking/folk metal group’s new album. Chock full of thrashing riffs, large melodies, gruff vocals and an epic atmosphere, Sorgir takes the listener fully into Skálmöld’s cold, powerful world. Sorgir follows Skálmöld’s 2017 split with melodic death metal outfit Omnium Gatherum. Sorgir is out October 12 on Napalm, but you can indulge below. The post Full Album Stream: Skálmöld – “Sorgir” appeared first on Decibel Maga ..read more

Dark metal legends Agalloch are giving their 1999 debut album Pale Folklore the ultra deluxe 2xLP reissue treatment via Eisenwald Records, and Decibel is enchanted to have our hands on an exclusive variant on Orange vinyl, limited to just 100 copies! Featuring deluxe triple gatefold packaging with golden printing throughout, plus a 12-page LP-sized booklet, our exclusive Decibel edition comes with 2 LPs packed in black poly-lined inner-sleeves on vinyl as orange as the embers [that] dress the sky! Raise your melancholy spirit and order pre-order your copy of this clas ..read more

Decibel is pleased to present a new live video from Romania’s Dordedeh, taken from the live CD/DVD that comes with the band’s latest album, Har (if you get the deluxe artbook edition). The video features the band playing “Pandarul,” from their 2012 debut album Dar de duh. According to the band: “Probably no other song captures the essence of our debut album Dar de duh better than “Pândarul” does. This track links our black metal roots with the more progressive character of our new music. The flute in the playful fairy-tale part also connects the composition with the traditional aspect of our s ..read more

American death metal clan Helsott have been active for the better part of a decade now, combining bits of thrash, folk and even symphonic metal into their sound. Their new album, Slaves and Gods, fuses the various sounds without venturing into corny folk metal territory, instead recalling Amon Amarth and bands of that ilk. We have the title track streaming below—check it out and pre-order through M-Theory Audio if you like what you hear. Slaves and Gods is out on October 12. “We are proud to present the first video and single for the self titled track off of our new album ..read more

Seven years have raced by since blackened folk metal rogues Finntroll last released a studio album. Before their Blodsvept record, no more than three years passed between LPs. I’m not a troll expert, but I’ve consumed enough fantasy media to know it’s entirely possible trolls require an occasional hibernation period to recharge their creative forces. Crawling from the wreckage of a pandemic, Finntroll’s members have emerged from their mossy caverns to release their seventh LP, Vredesvävd. Translated from Swedish, the title means “Wrath-woven,” so you know they’re going to bring the fury. Finnt ..read more

As if restless and beckoned by deep-seated callings, the English black metal musician known as The Watcher once again answered; this time with Fellwarden. Some two or three years after forming, with the release of their debut album Oathbearer in 2017, a new, lush inversion of black metal was welcomed into the world. Black metal, but reclaimed by nature. Harsh and incisive riffs now bound in blooming vines of that slow, eventual triumph. In keeping with their relentless nature, The Watcher began working on Fellwarden’s follow-up soon after Oathbearer’s release. As the artist himself explains i ..read more