NEWS: Rabid Bitch of the North to unleash vinyl edition of scorching release Nothing But A Bitter Taste

"Well here it is! We promised vinyl and we have delivered!" So say Rabid Bitch of the North

THE new Rabid Bitch album 'Nothing But A Bitter Taste' will be arriving on 140 gram Green Vinyl via Hostile Media in 2018! But snoozing will mean losing as the closing date for orders is February 28th, 2018.

To make things even more special RBOTN  have made up 50 awesome pre-order packs that include some more exclusives for you!

This is a pre-order for a limited edition hand numbered Green Vinyl edition of the RBOTN album "Nothing But A Bitter Taste" (2017 Hostile Media).

These are the first edition prints. This pack will include a Free "Demon Mind" exclusive shirt design + Free album download code + Free RBOTN logo pin badge + Free band signed artwork poster + Free artwork beer mat + Free mini bottle of Cloven Hoof Rum.

Download codes and link will be emailed on payment. Shirt size to be requested with your order.

Your Pre-order vinyl pack will be shipped well before release date in June. As soon as Hostile Media recieves the vinyl you will recieve yours.

Orders will not be shipped any earlier than June.

Official release date is 6th of July 2018 (due to pressing plant demands)

These are sure to sell out fast so don't hesitate to order now and get the exclusive vinyl colour and free merch!! PM the band with any queries.

These packages are £25. Order here.

And, to read what we think of 'Nothing But A Bitter Taste' here's the review when it was released.

EP REVIEW: Drakonis development continues apace with the epic tales on The Great Miasma

LEAVING aside the definition of miasma regarding odours, the remaining definition refers to a dark, oppressive atmosphere and that is a worthy ambition for any black metal act to strive for.

To title their EP 'The Geat Miasma' is an ambitious thing for Drakonis to take on - the sound must echo the sense...

Thankfully they achieve that on this three-track release. The ambitious promise of 'As They Rot' is surpassed with better arrangements, execution and darkness.

The seven-minute plus track 'Queen Of Sorrows' feels like their best track so far from Drakonis, brimming with oppressiveness allied with some sublime playing.

But to isolate this song is to do the EP a disservice. Despite the fact that there is a mere three songs this is a story driven collection. Even from a musical sense all the tracks are bound together.

Sucking up their influences and absorbing them into an attitude that draws from the past and brings a (dark) refreshing twist.

The band promise to reveal much more of the story of ancient gods and sacrifice as each accompanying video is released but the sense of coherence on each track.

While stylistically bound together the songs are well constructed individually but fit together. Opener 'The Great Miasma' is atmospheric and brooding before 'Let Us Pray' (see below) kicks the listener in between the eyes at the same time that it rolls around the inside of your skull.

As mentioned the closer is an outstanding conglomeration of ideas and will be a treat to hear on stage. There are clever elements, but not overblown or musically verbose.

In resisting the temptation to release an album Drakonis have managed to showcase their development and their ambition. Given the fact that this is their third EP and their ongoing development 2018 is a year to look forward for the band.

Review by Jonathan Traynor

The Great Miasma is released on 1st December on Hostile Media

ALBUM REVIEW: Overoth rise to new heights on The Forgotten Tome

FOR some time now Overoth have been one of the leading exponents of the extreme end of metal's spectrum, but have largely been plying their wares on stage since their début album 'Kingdom of Shadows' was released.

The atmospheric, intense live performances have all had a hallmarks of a band confident of their abilities, but c'mon we need new product! And, thus after an extended period of thinking about how to take their sound to the next level the band will release 'The Forgotten Tome' on September 22nd.

And, when you wrap your warped lugholes around this album you will agree that the wait has been more than worthwhile.

It is nine tracks (plus the orchestral opener) that have a purity of malice amidst the astonishing arrangements. The addition of more and more elements can sometimes overwhelm a band's sound Overoth have manage to incorporate them all in a consolidated vision.

From the insistent riffing of 'Winter of Iniquity' and Andy's primal roars throughout you'll find subtleties aplenty on multiple listens. Whether it be the piano outro of 'Sigil of the Empty Throne' or a sudden discovery of a violin this is an album demanding your attention.

Some of the passages on the title track are astonishingly good, 'Harbinger Of The End Times' will snap necks and 'Leviathan Swallowed The Sun' is so achingly good, from the Gregorian chanting intro to the menace of the tracks multi-instrumental passage.

To segue into 'Mar The Gates' is a shock to the senses, something well considered on the album's overall scheme.

It was a risky manoeuvre to try to add so many elements - including obscure instruments such as the ney flute - but the result is that 'The Forgotten Tome' is a well rounded release.

It is not disparate in its deathly approach, and Joe Thompson's production and Mike Hourihan's mix manage that delicate balance between a wall of sound and sufficient separation.

Fantastical, allegorical references abound in the lyrics; and like all good fantasy works they are the vehicle to ponder the frailty and failings of humanity and the evil and good that can emerge.

Complimented by Will Simpson's impressive artwork this is a release that will live long in the memory and is deserved of repeated plays.

That it only clocks in at 40 minutes is the only disappointment - a few more tracks would have been welcome, but after the wait for this we can forgive Overoth.

Review by Jonathan Traynor

The Forgotten Tome is released on Hostile Media on September 22nd