Shadow Kingdom Records Store
Latest Additions
 | OUT OF STOCK HOODED PRIEST - Devil Worship Reckoning (2010) CD Digipack Emanes Metal $13.00 Doom Metal from The Netherlands. http://www.myspace.com/hoodedpriestdoom 7 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart GANG - V (2010) CD Emanes Metal $13.00 80's styled French Heavy / Thrash Metal. http://www.myspace.com/gang51 10 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart REVELATION - Never Comes Silence (1992) CD Shadow Kingdom $12.00 Please read the Shadow Kingdom label page for a description. 18 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart CRISIS - Armed To The Teeth / Kick It Out (1984) Double CD Shadow Kingdom $14.00 Please read the Shadow Kingdom label page for a description. 27 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart CHRISTIAN MISTRESS - Agony & Opium (2010) CD 20 Buck Spin $9.00 Traditional Heavy Metal with female vocals from the US. http://www.20buckspin.com/site/releases/spin038-christian-mistress-agony-opium-lp-cd/ 6 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart CHRISTIAN MISTRESS - Agony & Opium (2010) Vinyl 20 Buck Spin $14.00 Traditional Heavy Metal with female vocals from the US. 6 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart SNAKEPIT - Issue 1 (1997) Magazine + bonus 7" Shadow Kingdom $9.00 SNAKEPIT - Issue 1 includes a bonus 7" record of DESTRUCTOR Live in 2008 doing "Pounding Evil" and "Overdose" EXCITER, THE RODS, HEAVY LOAD, DESTRUCTOR, RIGOR MORTIS, NASTY SAVAGE, ARMORED SAINT, TYGERS OF PAN TANG, and much more. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart PRELLUDE - Máquina Do Tempo (2007) CD Area Death $13.00 2nd album + Great War Demo http://www.myspace.com/prellude 13 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart PRELLUDE - A Estrada Do Rock (1998) CD Area Death $13.00 80's sounding heavy metal from Brazil. This includes the "Raising From The Dead" EP http://www.myspace.com/prellude 16 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart MIDIAN - Thrashology (1990) CD Area Death $15.00 US early 90's Thrash. http://www.myspace.com/midianthrashnj 29 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart ANIHILATED - Path To Destruction (1985) CD Area Death $13.00 Includes the Speedwell Demo + Path To Destruction EP + Live songs. http://www.myspace.com/anihilated 12 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart DEVASTATION (HRV) - Devastation Complete 1987 - 1989 (1987) CD Area Death $13.00 80's Thrash Metal from Croatia. http://www.myspace.com/devastationcro 21 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart SACRIFICE - The Ones I Condemn (2010) CD Digipack Cyclone Empire $13.00 5th studio album. 11 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart CAUCHEMAR - La Vierge Noire (2010) Vinyl 12" MLP Nuclear War Now $13.00 Feeding the Canadian metal flame, CAUCHEMAR plays haunted doomy metal with French vocals and a heavy occult vibe. Their first release, “La vierge noire” MLP, includes 5 songs of ancient metal darkness. The warm, unpolished production and the eerie atmosphere will transport you to the darkest parts of antique cemeteries. Pounding rhythmic percussion, earthy guitar tones, mystical female vocals and intricate changes in textures in this record open a new passageway to the soul of pure metal. http://www.myspace.com/cauchemarmetal 5 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart SCALD - Will Of The Great Gods Is Power (1996) CD Wroth Emitter $13.00 Essential and amazing Epic / Viking Metal from Russia. 8 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart BLOOD FARMERS - S/T (1995) CD Leafhound $14.00 1st full length. 10 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart BAPHOMET'S BLOOD - Metal Damnation Black (2009) Vinyl High Roller $18.00 3rd full-length 8 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart TROUBLE - The Skull (1985) Vinyl Cyclone Empire $18.00 2nd album on Blue Vinyl 7 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart TROUBLE - Psalm 9 (1984) Vinyl Cyclone Empire $18.00 Classic 80's Doom Metal from the USA now on Red Vinyl 8 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart ARTILLERY - B.A.C.K. (1999) CD Cyclone Empire $13.00 4th full-length. 10 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart DEMONS GATE - S/T (2006) Vinyl MLP Iron Bonehead $15.00 Doomed / Heavy Metal from Australia. New album coming on Shadow Kingdom hopefully in 2010. I have some bent corner copies for $3 cheaper. 5 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart DEEP SWITCH - Nine Inches Of God (1986) Double CD Shadow Kingdom $14.00 Please read the Shadow Kingdom label page for a description. You can pre-order this CD early here, but the actual release date that's set to hit the streets and other mail order distros on 9/14/2010 17 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart SALEM - In The Beginning... (1980) Double CD Pure Steel $15.00 Classic N.W.O.B.H.M. on double CD http://www.myspace.com/salem.uk 17 tracks. | |
 | OUT OF STOCK CALVARIO - IXOYE (1993) CD Blood & Iron $13.00 First official reissue on CD of this classic Brazilian album of pure 'n' true epic Heavy doom Metal (considered the first ever Christian Metal album recorded in Brazil) evoking the spirits of Cirith Ungol, Dark Quarterer and Omen! Recorded back in 1993, but sounding totally 80's, this is a lost treasure from the underground now made available again! Remastered with 3 bonus tracks, plus one video clip, this is a mandatory cult Metal release! http://www.myspace.com/calvariowhitemetal 11 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart JAMESON RAID - Just As The Dust Had Settled (1980) Vinyl + 7" Shadow Kingdom / High Roller $22.00 HRR 141/ SKR, limited to 1000 copies, bonus 7" + p/s, gatefold cover, tour book reprint, 4 page insert, 200 x coloured vinyl + promo photo $2 extra for color. http://www.myspace.com/jamesonraidnwobhm 14 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart WHIPLASH - Insult To Injury (1990) CD Displeased $13.00 3rd studio album re-issue with a live gig from 1986. 17 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart HEAVEN - Knockin' On Heavens Door (1985) CD Old Metal $12.00 80's Australian Hard Rock. 15 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart ICED EARTH - S/T (1990) CD Century Media $12.00 Re-mixed and re-mastered of this classic 90's Heavy Metal. New cover art. 8 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart HIRAX - Noise Chaos War (2000) CD Thrash Corner $12.00 This release collects three Hirax EPs on one disc. Features 2000's 'Barrage of Noise' and the 2007 EPs 'Chaos and Brutality' and 'Assassins of War.' 17 songs in all, plus an enhanced feature, "Bombs of Death live in Japan in 2009. 17 tracks. | |
 | OUT OF STOCK CITIES - Annihilation Absolute (1986) CD Lost N Found $12.00 US 80's Metal originally on the Metal Blade label. 9 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart HALLOWEEN - Don't Metal With Evil (1985) CD Pure Steel $13.00 80's Classic/Traditional JUDAS PRIEST meets KING DIAMOND. Re-Issue http://www.myspace.com/halloween1031 14 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart HALLOWEEN - Victims Of The Night (1997) CD Pure Steel $13.00 3rd full length re-issue. http://www.myspace.com/halloween1031 13 tracks. | |
 | OUT OF STOCK UNHOLY, THE - As Below So Above (1998) CD Private $9.00 Rare 90's US Doom / Heavy Metal. This is almost like a MOTORHEAD meets VITUS and SABBATH. Check this out if you can find a sample. 16 tracks. | |
 | OUT OF STOCK UNHOLY, THE - Ash Wedensday (1999) CD Private $9.00 3rd full length. 10 tracks. | |
 | OUT OF STOCK SALEM - In The Beginning... (1980) Vinyl High Roller $26.00 Salem was founded in late 1979 by two former members from the "Metal for Muthas" stars Ethel The Frog, namely Paul Tognola (vocals and guitar) and Paul Conyers (drums). Adrian Jenkinson was drafted as the bass player and the first band meeting with Paul Macnamara (lead guitar) was January 2nd 1980 in The Red Lion pub in Anlaby, Hull, Yorkshire. I asked lead guitarist Paul Macnamara in how far Salem was a direct follow-up to Ethel The Frog? "Ethel The Frog was directed musically (as far as I can make out) by lead singer/guitarist Doug Sheppard and bass guitarist/singer Terry Hopkinson. On that basis, only 'Fool's Gold' (written for Salem by Terry) really followed on from Ethel The Frog. The music on the first demo was composed by me and Paul Tognola (who'd been more the 'rhythm guitarist' in Ethel The Frog) so I would say that it represented a change of direction." The aboved mentioned line-up - after a period of song writing and rehearsal - began gigging in Hull and district, and recorded the first demo on January 4th 1981 at Fairview Studios in Willerby, Hull. Simon Saxby (vocals) joined Salem following Paul Tognola's departure for The Crack in March 1981 and the band continued to perform. However, the Salem sound was founded on two guitars and twin-lead melodies so Mark Allison joined to add that depth. This line-up gigged regularly and released its own double A-side single "Cold As Steel/Reach To Eternity" in 1982, recorded on April 4th 1982 at Fairview Studios. Paul Macnamara was interviewed by Kerrang! - soon to become the world's biggest selling weekly rock magazine - in May 1982 (issue No. 15) and copies of the single were sold globally. Paul thinks that the Kerrang! article did the band a lot of good: "We were very fortunate to get that interview. I was at the University of Hull at the time (just to make things more complicated) and had become a friend of student colleague Steve (forgotten his surname - sorry) who helped to arrange an interview with a friend of his, Neil Jefferies, who had just started writing for Kerrang! The timing was very good as we were able to promote the 7" single - as a result we sold quite a few by post across the globe. Also, the number of people at the gigs increased. I remember that we played a gig, shortly after the Kerrang! article, in Darlington (quite a long way from 'home') and the turnout was awesome - a brilliant gig!" How many copies of the mentioned single came with a sleeve? Paul: "This is interesting. We had 500 singles pressed and sold most. About this time, we had a number of posters printed with just the 'demonic' image and Salem logo so leaving the lower section blank for us to write - by hand - and advertise the upcoming gig(s). All the singles we issued had plain, white sleeves. However, I think that we must have sent out a few singles also wrapped in copies of the 'blank' posters." At least for me, the "Cold As Steel/Reach To Eternity" single was a lot heavier than most of Salem's N.W.O.B.H.M. contemporaries of the early '80's. Paul comments: "I had composed the music to 'Reach To Eternity' and 'Cold As Steel' before joining Salem, and so I would suggest that these pieces stem from earlier '70's rock (Purple/Rainbow, Sabbath, Lizzy, etc), rather than the N.W.O.B.H.M. period itself. My passion was (and still is) for POWERFUL MUSIC. I love strong melodies with harmony (Salem's were simple at first but developed well - the end section of 'Reach to Eternity' still works very well) and an interesting chord structure (what other 'Metal' bands would use minor 7ths - and certainly not major 7ths - listen to 'Keeper of the Keys (Parts I and III)' and 'Fighting for the Cause'). Whether this makes the music 'heavier musically', I'm not really sure." Eventually, Paul Conyers had to leave due to other professional commitments and Paul "Animal" Mendham took up the drum stool. This final Salem line-up continued to gig prolifically in the North and North East of England with a hardcore of fans. They soon recorded another demo at Adda Studios in east Hull, for the first time capturing the fans' favourite "The Keeper of the Keys". This raw session caught the passion of the live performances. As a result of Salem winning a "battle of the bands" contest at Huddersfield Polytechnic, Salem recorded the last demo at September Sound, Huddersfield, in March 1983 which best demonstrated the maturing song writing of the band. Although a number of record companies gave the music the green light, the band imploded and played their last, sell-out gig in Hull on the 31st of May 1983. When Salem was still around, was there ever a prospect of a further 7" single or maybe even an album? Paul Macnamara has the following to say: "The third demo (from March 23rd 1983) was a good representation of the direction I wanted to take Salem ['epic" melodies and powerful harmonies - see 'Other Side of Hel', 'Hangman's Noose' and 'The King, Trilogy III'"> - although it also showed the diverse influences on our music [Mark Allison was seriously into the US rock, and Ade Jenkinson was still heavily Led Zep influenced">. I did my best to hawk this final demo around the London record companies. However, there seemed to be little appetite for this music - heavy, but sort-of 'musical' and a bit different - so we got a number of polite comments along the the lines of 'it's good, but not quite what we're looking for, thank you.' After the 1983 demo, we had really high hopes - and when we didn't secure a record deal the enthusiasm waned. We were certainly the biggest rock band in the area and had great potential to progress - but that was because we were a band, not just a collection of musicians - when the different individual aspirations came to a head after the disappointment Salem collapsed." However, the end of Salem was not the end of being part of the rock biz for most of the former members of Salem, as Paul explains: "We have all carried on playing and being involved in the music biz one way or another. After Salem, Ade and Simon formed Kashmir and then Mayfair. Paul Tognola owned and managed The Welly Club (a music venue in Hull) for many years. Paul Mendham has played in many bands (incl. supporting Michael Schenker and WASP) is now in Innersylum. I've played in a couple of 'party' bands" - and composed and recorded my own music over the years. I'm now looking for a gig again!" In 2009, High Roller Records decided to put out a limited vinyl edition of some of the best Salem demo material, as lead guitarist Paul Macnamara explains: "I have always played guitar and recently started some recording at home. At the suggestion of my brother Phil, I uploaded some of my music to MySpace - then also at his suggestion I also uploaded some of our Salem recordings. I was surprised that very soon people were listening to this music and subsequently I was contacted by a number of these, including High Roller Records. There seemed to be an opportunity to release the Salem recordings - and I was advised by a number of people (including Mario Corbella and Sascha of Hellion) that High Roller Records would seem to be a good fit - so I contacted Steffen, who seemed very interested." Matthias Mader $2 extra for color http://www.myspace.com/salem.uk 17 tracks. | |
 | OUT OF STOCK APOCALYPSE - Abandon Hope (1981) Vinyl High Roller $18.00 Some people have accused Apocalypse of writing overwhelmingly negative lyrics. However, Steve Grainger does not agree: "Our lyrics were not all doom and gloom, but we did like the image of post-apocalyptic themes. Death and destruction, nuclear wars etc, whilst they are terrible in their own right, they do have a certain beauty about them, don't you think? We also had many a message in some of our songs. 'Chosen Few' for example was quite political. Aside from the pictoral feel of the song, almost like a short film. It is about the way that it it seems that wars are started and controlled by the big boys while the soldiers and fighters are left to pay the price. In 'Chosen Few' the returning army of a handful of men come back to see that all they ever treasured and what they had been fighting for had been blown away. All was gone except for the very people who had controlled the war in the first place (i.e. the chosen few). But, rather than a hero's welcome they are shot and killed. It doesn't seem so unlikely, does it? My case rests." There was talk of an Apocalypse album but eventually the band changed their name to Omega: "We were aware of one other band in the UK called Apocalypse, they were completely non-apocalyptic if you ask me. More of a pop band. But they were under the guide of a major player on the UK music business so we felt that we would change our name. I was always against this. I thought, f**k them, let them change but hey, I was overruled . We did get a fair bit of music press coverage during the argument though, so it was not all bad news. As for all the others, we had no idea that there were more at the time. Looking back, it doesn't surprise me." The Apocalypse longplayer finally came out as "The Prophet" by Omega: "Omega was absolutely the follow on of Apocalypse. We were the same band until my brother left the band and was replaced by Graham on drums. I suppose we were always a bit adventurous musically, progressive? I don't know. They are just words. We didn't even have N.W.O.B.H.M. as a genre in those days, we just did what we wanted to do. Bands like us were not Punk bands or New Wave bands, we were good old British rock bands ignoring all the poncey '80's trends. In fact, we were slated in the music press for being old fashioned. Just goes to show, doesn't it? Anyway, wasn't it Neal Kay who managed to coin the phrase N.W.O.B.H.M. Looking back, it seems a logical description but at the time no-one could see it (except Neal of course)." Steve talks some more about "The Prophet": 'The Prophet' was a worldwide release on vinyl only, by Rock Machine, who were basically Razor Records in London. A Punk label that wanted to get into a few rock acts. It was official. It was new re-released. I now see that it is out on CD. This has to be a pirate. Nick and I own the rights to it and we have no idea how this release has taken place and who is behind it, ... we are still looking into it!" Apocalypse, not Omega, had a very brief comeback in the late '80's: "When we got it back together with Marc, my brother, on drums, it seemed that it was logical to call the band Apocalypse again. After all, anyone who knew us referred to us as Apocalypse anyway, even when we were called Omega. Marc had left the band Omega before we recorded 'The Prophet' and as such didn't feel part of that band per se. And what with Nick not knowing where he was going with or without the band, Apocalypse just re-grew as it were. As years have gone on and our position has been gratefully elevated to where we are now, I have taken to tagging a small N.W.O.B.H.M. tag to the Apocalypse logo, just so that people know exactly who we are. Knowing now how many bands of the same name might have been in existence over the years it seemed sensible. We never made a great song and dance about reforming as such. I suppose it just evolved." Which brings us to the album "Abandon Hope", which has just been released as a strictly limited vinyl edition on High Roller Records. Steve explains: " 'Abandon Hope' is basically the material that did not go on to 'The Prophet'. Tracks that were never released except as demos that we later recorded over the years. There is no new material. It is a record of what we did. In a word, if you put it next to 'The Prophet', you will have 90% of our catalogue. One track, 'Midnight Train', was to have been the A-side to the single, had we not gone for 'Stormchild'. All the recordings will not have been released before. 'Chosen Few' is a bit more adventurous in this recording. 'Killing Man' has a 'guest' appearance on bass by Dave 'Mex' Higgen, writer of the song, founder member of Apocalypse, who left after a very short while but nevertheless can be credited with coming up with the name in the first place. The title track uses the original intro soundtrack that we used as our entrance on stage. There is a bit of live recording in 'In the Heat of the Night' which prior to this was only ever released as a studio demo on the Omega 'Alpha' cassette, my copy of which you can barely hear above the hiss of the tape!" Matthias Mader (Iron Pages) $2 extra for color. 9 tracks. | |
 | OUT OF STOCK RAM - Forced Entry (2005) Vinyl High Roller $18.00 Along with the new album "Lightbringer" High Roller Records is also proud to release "Forced Entry" on vinyl. Finally! There have been rumors about a possible vinyl release of "Forced Entry" for years, so some people begand to doubt that it would ever happen. Ram's singer Oscar Carlquist explains why the publication took so long: "Because we could not agree with our partly owned label 'Black Path Metal Recordings'. Forces within that label did not want to press it on vinyl for economic reasons and not sell the rights to it either. We always wanted a vinyl release since we are vinyl fanatics. This time it worked out, thanks to AFM and High Roller." So where is the main difference between "Forced Entry" and "Lightbringer"? Oscar: "'Lightbringer' has some different dimensions to it that 'Forced Entry' did not have. It shows more facets of the sound. We try to do something different for every album and work with new concepts for every new song we make. I love both albums and I can't say that one is better than the other. I am just happy to be part of a band with such talented songwriters and musicians." Ram being such a busy live act, of all the bands they have played with, which one did they like most? Oscar reflects: "I suppose you mean which bands Ram have shared stages with. That's a hard question, but Raven really blew me away when we played with them in Holland. I also loved the most recent shows we did with U.D.O, when they played 'Midnight Mover' at the soundcheck in Gävle. It gave me the goosebumbs so bad that I started to cry. U.D.O still has it, no doubt." One of Ram's longterm aims is being able to live off their music: "Absolutley, we have no intention of making this some ultra underground cellar project. Don't get me wrong: I love the underground, being part of the underground means that the people who really love Metal music are your fans. But I love playing music too much to just be doing it part time, I want to be able to truly dedicate my life to Heavy Metal." So as they have just signed a new deal with German AFM label, they might have come one step closer to their dream. Oscar has high hopes: "I certainly hope they can push us up a level. We have a good deal with AFM that gives us a lot of freedom. They are not putting their noses in our business." Al least, that's always a good start ... Matthias Mader $2 extra for color. http://www.myspace.com/rammetal 10 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart RAZOR - Open Hostility (1991) Vinyl High Roller $18.00 7th studio album. 12 tracks. | |
 | OUT OF STOCK RAZOR - Shotgun Justice (1990) Vinyl High Roller $18.00 6th studio album. 14 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart TROUBLE - Simple Mind Condition (2007) Vinyl High Roller $18.00 For the follow-up album to "Plastic Green Head" Trouble fans had to wait for more than a decade. I can't judge what kind of company Bullet Proof was (an offshoot of the German Intercord label I reckon) but one thing is for sure: They raised the status of Trouble in Europe. Trouble guitarist Bruce Franklin reflects: "I really don't know. We are an American band and at the time Europe was the secondary market to us. I think at that time we had never been bigger in Europe. So Bullet Proof must have helped to some degree." As mentioned, it took twelve long years for "Simple Mind Condition" to see the light of day. It was originally released only on CD in 2007 (via Escapi Music). Guitarist Bruce Franklin explains what had happened after "Plastic Green Head": "Trouble called it quits in 1996 just a few months after 'Plastic Green Head' was released in the U.S.There were too many problems and some of us really needed to do other recording projects to enjoy music again." The mid-90's were a difficult for Metal bands in general. Grunge was all the rage. Bruce Franklin: "The mid-90's weren't good in America. Grunge had taken over and Metal had become out of style. Europe is different. New fads aren't as important. If people like a band, they continue to support them in Europe." However, Bruce Franklin does dig a few Grunge bands: "I do like Soundgarden and Alice In Chains, but don't really like any other so called Grunge bands. The music to 'Going Home', 'Pictures Of Life', 'Simple Mind Condition' and 'If I Only Had a Reason' were all written before the 'Plastic Green Head' album in '92 and '93." Which means Trouble had influenced the Grunge movement (if it could be called that) and not the other way round! As mentioned earlier, there was a gap of twelve long years between "Plastic Green Head" and "Simple Mind Condition", so how would Bruce compare the two albums? "I think most of us in the band prefer 'Simple Mind Condition' over 'Plastic Green Head '. That includes Eric", is his honest answer. For some fans, "Simple Mind Condition" was the hardest Trouble album to get into. Bruce Franklin, however, begs to differ: "No, I wouldn't agree at all. I think 'Run To The Light' is by far the hardest album to get into and judging by record sales the fans agree. I think 'Simple Mind Condition' is either our third or fourth best record, depending on what style you like more." It might come as a surprise that "Plastic Green Head" did include two cover versions and "Simple Mind Condition" one. Three cover tunes on the last two studio album. Is there a specific reason behind this strategy? Bruce Franklin does not think so: "The covers for 'Plastic Green Head' were 'The Porpoise Song', a psychedelic 60' song by The Monkees, and 'Tomorrow Never Knows', a psychedelic 60's song by The Beatles.The cover song on 'Simple Mind Condition' was 'Ride The Sky' which was a heavy proto Metal early 70's song by Lucifer's Friend." Matthias Mader $2 extra for color. 11 tracks. | |
 | OUT OF STOCK WITCHGRAVE - The Devils Night (2010) Vinyl MLP High Roller $15.00 Insiders will know that there is a certain connection between the band Antichrist and Witchgrave. However, drummer Sven does not think it's fair to call Witchgrave a mere side project of Antichrist: "No, Witchgrave shouldn't really be seen as a side project of Antichrist. Jocke, who started Witchgrave, is not a member of Antichrist and has never been. Back in the beginning he played everything himself and he wrote everything himself. When it comes to musical inspiration I guess there is a lot of bands that have influenced both Antichrist and Witchgrave such as Motörhead, Venom, Bulldozer, Iron Maiden, Mercyful Fate and so on. Both bands are influenced by heavy metal and early speed metal but the difference is that while Witchgrave is influenced by a lot of punk, Antichrist is not so much and while Antichrist is influenced by a lot of thrash metal, Witchgrave is not so much influenced by thrash metal." Which brings us to the history of Witchgrave: "As I said before it all started with Jocke sitting at home playing some guitar (probably while listening to Venom and drinking beer) and he ended up writing some songs. This was sometime in 2008. He asked me to join the band and I gladly accepted the offer. Then, in 2009, we recorded four songs which soon will be released on High Roller as a mini album. After this Gabbe joined the band as a full time member. He had already done some guitar solos on the recording of 'The Devil's Night' and since we all play together in Eviscerated we knew each other from before and we knew that Gabbe would fit great in the band. Anyway, Gabbe joined the band and we started to write new songs which will be featured on a full-length. We will record it sometime later this year." As mentioned before, "The Devil's Night" is the title of Witchgrave's debut mini album for High Roller: "Well, like I said before we recorded the songs sometime in 2009 (don't know exactly when) and then we got in contact with a label called Problem Child Records. They wanted to realese a Mini-LP with our new songs and we accepted the offer. But then Melle at High Roller Records heard the songs and he really liked them so he asked us if High Roller Records could release it. At this point nobody really knew what would happen and who would release the Mini-LP but in the end releasing it on High Roller Records turned out to be the best thing for all parties involved, including PCR. That is why High Roller Records will release 'The Devil's Night'. The songs on the album were recorded in our rehearsal place with a simple portable studio but the sound turned out great! Jocke recorded and mixed everything himself but we got some help from a friend called David with the mastering. The mini album will consist of four songs all written by Jocke. The lyrics are written by both Jocke and me and they mostly deal with the occult, black magic and other dreadful things. Besides being inspired by a lot of good music we are also very much inspired by old horror movies. Mostly from the 70's but also from the 60's and 80's." Somebody once described to me that Witchgrave sounds like Mercyful Fate with Cronos on vocals. Does Sven think that is a fair description? He answers: "Hehe, I don't know about that but we will take it as a compliment since both bands are amazing. Personally I think we are much closer to Venom than to Mercyful Fate though, not only when it comes to the vocals but also the music in it self. Maybe if you mix Venom and Mercyful Fate it would sound something like Witchgrave We've got the speed and rawness from Venom and some melody from Mercyful Fate but I don't want to compare us with them since they are way out of our league." Sven, by the way, has appeared at last year's Muskelrock festival, but not with Witchgrave: "Antichrist and Eviscerated played at Muskelrock last year and let me tell everyone who wasn't there that it is the best festival I know of. Anyway, Witchgrave did not play and to this point we haven't done a single gig. This is mostly because it was only me and Jocke for a long time and we saw it more like a project while we spend most of our time on other bands. We still spend a lot of time on other bands but Witchgrave have become more important and I think the reason for this is all the positive things we have heard from people who have listened to the new songs. That's why we decided to get a new member (Tobbe) who will play one of the guitars live. We will see if he in the future will become more than just a live member but that's something we have not discussed." Witchgrave stem from Växjö, the same city the mighty Bullet come from. So it seems to be a good breeding place for Metal bands. Sven does not think so entirely: "I wouldn't say the scene is very big here in Växjö (where is it huh?) but I think there is an unusual big amount of people living here that listen to Metal. Considering it's a small town (only 60,000 inhabitants) that is. Some bands besides Antichrist and Witchgrave are Eviscerated and Bullet. Eviscerated is another band that all three members of Witchgrave are in. Eviscerated have only released one demo (in 2006 I think it was) so far and things have been a little so so for some time but the band is still alive and we will record and release some stuff in 2010. Eviscerated plays dirty yet haunting death metal like they did in the late 80's. Bullet is a heavy metal band inspired by heavy metal music from the 70's and 80's and bands like Judas Priest, AC/DC, Accept and so on. I'm sure a lot of people who read this already know of them since they are popular both in Sweden and Germany among people who like classic heavy metal. Besides those bands there aren't really that many bands that play the kind of Metal I like." We have already briefly touched upon Witchgrave's musical influences. But Sven cites more bands: "Hmm, there are many bands that we are influenced by to make us sound like we do but I can mention a few. Of course there is Venom and Mercyful Fate which are two bands that really matter a lot to us! Then we have a whole lot of bands from the N.W.O.B.H.M. era like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Angel Witch, Holocaust, Traitors Gate and so on. And besides that there loads of other bands like Bulldozer, Bathory, Sarcofago, Misfits, Motörhead, Black Uniforms, Hellhammer and many, many more! And don't forget that good horror movies always have played a big part in all our bands!" Matthias Mader http://www.myspace.com/witchgrave 4 tracks. | |
 | OUT OF STOCK TANKARD - Disco Destroyer (1998) Vinyl High Roller $18.00 High Roller Records is extremely proud to announce a complete set of five Tankard vinyl re-releases. Originally only released on CD, “Kings Of Beer”, “B-Day”, “Beast Of Bourbon”, “The Beauty And The Beast” and “Disco Destroyer” will get the full High Roller vinyl treatment. “We heard a lot of good things about the high-quality vinyl releases of High Roller”, says Gerre, singer of German Thrash legend Tankard. “We are very happy about the fact that those albums will see the light of day on vinyl and will help as much as we could.” “Disco Destroyer” is the first Tankard album to be released on vinyl via High Roller Records. The record was originally put out by Century Media as a compact disc in 1998. Gerre nods: “Yes, ‘Disco Destroyer’ was released in the year 1998. However, it was not our first album for Century Media. In 1996, they had issued ‘Himbeergeist zum Frühstück’ which was the second Tankwart album. So ‘Disco Destroyer’ was, technically speaking, our second release for Century Media.” Talking of Tankwart, Tankard’s German Schlager side project, does Gerre think that Tankwart somehow overshadowed the career of Tankard in those days? Andreas Geremia, that’s his full name, does not take long to answer: “No, I would not think so at all. It was a side project, a fun thing, but Tankard always was our main priority. We only ever played a couple of Tankwart shows in those days but integrated one or two Tankwart songs into regular Tankard gigs.” How did the switch from Noise Records to Century Media come about for the band? Gerre knows: “Very simple. Our old contract with Noise was coming to an end and we wanted to try out something new. If I remember correctly, we had self-financed the second Tankwart album and offered it to different companies. In the end we went with Century Media.” “Two-faced” was Tankard’s try to get “serious” and move away a bit from their fun-image. Did the fans accept the “new face of Tankard”? Die-hard Eintracht Frankfurt supporter Gerre muses: “We did choose a more ‘serious’ album title to get rid of our fun image, that is true up to a certain point. However, the fans did not really buy into that. That is why we are sort of making fun of our own image today. Nevertheless, musically speaking ‘Two-faced’ was a really strong album.” So let’s talk about “Disco Destroyer” then. Gerre explains: “Whereas ‘The Tankard’ was one of our most melodic albums, ‘Disco Destroyer’ was going back to the roots. It also was the last album of our guitarist Andy Bulgaropulos. At this point in time, we did not know what would happen with Tankard after Andy. We did not have a replacement for him when we recorded the album. We worked with Harris Johns again, as we had over the last twelve years. With ‘Death By Whips’ we had re-recorded an old Tankard demo song for the very first time. That was a lot of fun, especially for me, as the original lyrics were totally useless. The title track was composed right there in the studio, another first for Tankard as a band. It was a joke song. I recorded the vocals for ‘Disco Destroyer’ right at the end and can still vividly remember how I was giving it my very best, full throttle. There are a couple of really good songs on the album, ‘Serial Killer’ and ‘’Queen of Hearts’ for example. But all in all it’s not one of the absolute best Tankard records to be honest, especially the sound should have been a little bit better!” Can the fans expect any extras on the High Roller edition of “Disco Destroyer”? Gerre confirms: “There will be a cover version of Manowar’s ‘Fast Taker’ on there (as was the case on the CD re-release via AFM). I will also supply exclusive photo material.” So “Disco Destroyer” is the first Tankard vinyl release after “The Tankard” album from 1995, can that be true? That seems to be the case, says Gerre: “Yes, that’s true. But I don’t know how many copies of it were pressed back in the day. ‘Disco Destroyer’ was never released on vinyl back then. Not a lot of companies produced vinyl in the late ‘90’s. That’s why I am happy that the Tankard back catalogue will be re-released on vinyl now. We as a band don’t hold the rights but I don’t forsee any problems with the companies, or their legal successors, who do hold the rights.” Matthias Mader 14 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart ZUUL - Out Of Time (2010) Vinyl DIE HARD + 7" bonus High Roller $24.00 If you ask High Roller boss Steffen, then Züül's longplayer will be the album to top in 2010. It's gonna be the 100th release on the label. And it is a very special one. Guitarist Mike "The Butcher" Bushur is proud to be number 100 in the finest catalogue of Heavy Metal vinyl on this planet. And he knows what makes his band so special: "To put it simply, it's Brett, our vocalist. He doesn't sound like a lot of the European bands' vocalists do, and therefore has a rougher, heavier voice. That and I don't really think anyone else sounds like we do. We're not concerned with what anyone else sounds like. We play what we want to hear." This sounds indeed unique and very, very interesting. As does the groups's name. What a strange name Züül is for a Metal band. Mike explains: "Bob remembered the name from 'Ghostbusters'. We have nothing to do with this movie I'd like to add. It's short and simple and turned out great for a logo." As for example High Spirits the musicians in Züül also partly use pseudonyms. Does that mean some guys are playing in bigger bands and wish to remain anonymous? Mike denies: "No, just having a little fun. Though Jared has been known as Hateful Jared for years due to his old band, The Hateful Dead." But, after all, is there a connection between High Spirits and Züül? "Yes, there is", finds the guitarist. "Interstate 57 North." And continues: "We don't really promote ourselves well. Word of mouth usually works best anyway, eh? I hate it when bands force themselves down people's throats. We let the music do the talking. Band histories are usually boring and ours is as well." Before the album on High Roller Züül had already put out a self-financed 7" single: "It has two tracks, our own 'Air Raid', and our cover of Crucifixion's 'On The Run'." I got a tape nine years ago or so from an internet friend compiled of tracks from his favourite lesser known bands of the N.W.O.B.H.M. Era. On it was the Crucifixion song and I fell in love with it then. When we started the band we decided on a bunch of covers to do and of course it was one that had to be done. 'Air Raid' is an original and it will be on the album as well, though slightly different. There is a bunch of different versions of the 7" which people probably don't know. No music changes, just different covers. Planet Metal released covers with no border and individual band pics and ours are silk screened and have a border and ended up with two different colours, a beige and white, both with black borders and a band photo. Planet Metal's versions are hand-numbered and some of ours are too but we didn't get all the covers at one time so due to laziness and forgetfulness we've stopped. There are 1,000 copies made." With the album in the bag, does Mike see Züül as a real, long-lasting band? "Hard to say, I'm surprised we've lasted this long and considering we have I think it's safe to say we will do this for a while. After next year things will get hard for us I think and live shows will go down but I can assume that we will be recording for some time. We have the desire at least." However, their home country America will probably not be the key market for Züül's music: "I doubt it. America is fascinated with reality TV and 'Amercian Idol' and whatever crap is played on the radio. In the underground there may be some interest but probably not much really. I think we have a lot to offer anyway. But it's not really something we are interested in having. I'll be happy if we just get rid of these damn 7"s!" So, my dear Metal friends, after you have bought the album, buy the single. It might end up being worth a fortune ... So as High Roller has just reached its 100th release what are Mike's Top 5 releases on the label? "1) Portait's album: High class stuff to these ears and one of the few bands going in this Heavy Metal renaissance that give me something. 2) Bashful Alley LP: They were featured on the afore mentioned N.W.O.B.H.M. tape and I love their 'Running Blind' single. 3) Sonic Ritual split and 'Mother Hearse' 12": Great new band mixing a bunch of styles, I really like what they are doing. 4) The In Solitude LP package is amazing. Musically, I think they are OK, reminds me of King Diamond and Desolation Angels. 5) I think the Quicksand Dream LP will be one of his finest releases, I fucking love that album and High Spirits rules but I already have that on LP. Not familiar with what's on a lot of the others to be honest" Matthias Mader DIE HARD EDITION with bonus 7" and patch. 11 tracks total on both records. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart BERLYN - This One Bites (1983) Vinyl High Roller $18.00 There is one name closely associated with the history of Berlyn: Maurice Coyne. His claim to fame is the fact that he played alongside Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith in Urchin (who released two incredibly rare singles on DJM in 1977 and 1978 respectively). After the demise of Urchin in late 1980, Maurice Coyne joined Berlyn full-time (for a time he was playing in both bands, Urchin and Berlyn). The guitarist solves the mystery behind the band's rather strange name: "Berlyn was formed in 1979 by Trevor Walker. The guitarist was a German guy named Tony Schaeffer who, apparently, played with The Scorpions for a short while in their early days. I think that the band name may have come about as Tony was German but I'm not entirely sure." Berlyn were playing fairly regularly at the Green Gate pub in Bethnal Green, London. From doing the rounds of the London pub circuit, the band got a few prestigious gigs, such as the Hitchin Regal, where they were headlining (next week a band called Thin Lizzy played there as well). As a result, a local radio station was giving the demo massive airplay. Line up problems troubled Berlyn throughout their career (Trevor Walker and Maurice Coyne always forming the core of the band), in early 1982 the bass player left and Maurice Coyne called an old acquaintance: Alan Levett of Urchin fame. After having recorded a demo in mid-1982, musical differences started to rear their ugly heads and the band did fall apart in March 1983. According to Maurice Coyne it was a terrible waste of talent: "I think Berlyn were capable of great things in my view but we never gave ourselves a chance to show the world. We had four songwriters in the band, so new material was never a problem and some of those songs were, I think, very strong." Thanks to High Roller Records, you can now judge for yourself. In 2005, the band released their self-titled debut album (HRR 002) with songs like "Streetfights", "Meet You In Hell", "Maniac" or "Judas". The material originates from the band's 1982 demo plus a live-recording from the Green Gate public house (from the same year). Only 275 handnumbered copies of the album were pressed, making it a collector's item straight away. High Roller Records followed this release with another Berlyn album in 2006 (HRR 004), which was called "This One Bites" (it comes complete with a free full-colour poster). It features eight additional original compositions by the band, again recorded at the Green Gate (in 1983). Numbers like "Tell It", "Saturday Night" or "See You Later" are the living proof that Berlyn would indeed have had a chance to become one of the better N.W.O.B.H.M. outfits, if they had stayed together. There is still enough material in the band's archives worthy to be released, plans for another album on High Roller are being discussed at the moment ... Matthias Mader (Iron Pages) 9 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart AXE BATTLER - The Wrath Of My Steel (2010) CD Metalmania $10.00 Traditional Heavy Metal from Chile. http://www.myspace.com/axebattler 5 tracks, last song a Witch Cross cover. | |
 | OUT OF STOCK WIZAR'D, THE - Pathways Into Darkness (2010) CD Barbarian Wrath $13.00 2nd studio album. http://www.myspace.com/infernalwizardry 7 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart HEATHENDOM - S/T (2005) Vinyl Pariah Child $18.00 Greek Epic / Power / Doom demo re-issued onto VINYL. Limited to 500. http://www.myspace.com/heathendom 6 tracks. | |
 | OUT OF STOCK INNSMOUTH - The Departure Of Shub-Niggurath (2009) Cassette Abysmal Sounds $6.00 Australian Death Metal. 4 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart ARMOURED ANGEL - Baptism In Blood (1985) Cassette Abysmal Sounds $6.00 1985 Demo re-release. Presented in the rawest form, capturing the sound and presentation of the original demo release. Booklet / Insert includes many old photos of the original band line-up, taken at the time of this very rare demo recording. 6 Tracks of mayhem without mercy from Australia's profound Iron Legions...Black Sabbath, Tank, Venom, Iron Maiden and Robert E. Howard inspired Sinister Heavy Metal! http://www.myspace.com/armouredangelofficial 6 tracks. | |
 | IN STOCK - Add to cart EMERALD - Iron On Iron (1985) CD Iron Glory $13.00 Absolutely AMAZING 80's Heavy Metal. Definitely the best band out of The Netherlands. Killer and essential. http://www.myspace.com/emeraldnl 10 tracks. |
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