Dying Victims Productions is proud to announce the following new Pre-orders:
DVP 293 Lucifuge – Hexensabbat LP/CD
DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present the highly anticipated sxith album of Germany’s LUCIFUGE, Hexensabbat, on CD and vinyl LP formats.
Since 2016, LUCIFUGE have been steadily perfect an addicting style of blackened speed metalpunk, all guided by the iron fist of mainman Equinox. Come 2021’s fourth full-length Infernal Power, Equinox expanded LUCIFUGE to a full lineup, and it paid off in spades: the band’s first album under the banner of DYING VICTIMS capped this signature sound with power and aplomb, exuding a new professionalism that somehow sounded dirtier than ever.
However, it was 2023’s Monoliths of Wrath where LUCIFUGE further spit-shined their sound and took it in a newer but no-less-parallel direction: classic, ripping-FAST thrash of ‘80s gods Sodom, Kreator, Exodus, and of course Slayer. Thankfully, LUCIFUGE keep that sonic shift going with their sixth full-length, Hexensabbat. Ditching more its predecessor’s complex song structures, Hexensabbat heaves toward the gates of Hell with a greasy gallop that brings back a bit of the black while honoring the nether-realms of still-stuck-in-the-‘80s thrash and speed metal. True, those aforementioned gods still hold a place in LUCIFUGE’s current sound, but more so can one detect the likes of Exciter, Razor, Iron Angel, and even later ‘80s Gang Green, the Exploited, and Crumbsuckers. Put another way, if Monoliths of Wrath was spiritually akin to a Combat Records release, then Hexensabbat would definitely come out on Combat Core, so straightforward and rancorous is its all-pistons-pumping surge. Plus, more than a bit of LUCIFUGE’s old-school grit is back in full force, which makes the album’s slightly melodic-yet-malevolent riffing sound majestic – and, most importantly, not render Hexensabbat a total retro retread.
Leaner, meaner, and keeping the 1987 faith alive, LUCIFUGE command you to honor the Hexansabbat!
– Regular edition on black vinyl, with noble cover sleeve with metallic copper ink and uv spot varnish, insert, poster, sticker, post card and download code.
– Special edition on ultra clear vinyl, with noble cover sleeve with metallic copper ink and uv spot varnish, insert, poster, sticker, post card, download code and patch.
– CD edition with sticker and obi.
Out 24th May
DVP 294 Hextar – Doomsayer LP/CD
DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present HEXTAR’s highly anticipated debut album, Doomsayer, on CD and vinyl LP formats.
Hailing from the trad-metal hotbed of Italy, HEXTAR were formed in November 2018 by the hands of Marco Scattolin (guitar), Emiliano Zinà (bass, then also backing vocals), and Andrea Feltrin (drums). Shortly after, Edoardo Loreggian joined and sang on the self-titled debut EP, released in April 2020 amidst the first Covid Lockdowns. Edoardo left during the summer of 2020 due to stylistic differences, and with Emiliano now on vocals, the band released the single “Keep Our Flame Alive” during February of 2021. The title would prove prescient, as HEXTAR the band kept working on writing their first full-length, the then-to-be-titled Doomsayer, which would begin production during September 2022. Shortly after the drum recordings, the band had to part ways with Andrea due to personal issues. They then decided to keep working on the album behind the scenes while looking for a replacement, which came in the form of Amedeo Paolini, who joined in March 2023. The production of the album finally came to a close in October 2023, when HEXTAR were also joined by a long-sought second guitarist, Niccolò Giacometti.
At last here, Doomsayer is a big & boisterous blast of classic metal heroism. Ever since their inception, HEXTAR aimed at writing a style of power metal reminiscent of the genre’s early days. From early Helloween to likewise-early Blind Guardian, the inspirations can be heard aplenty across Doomsayer, but HEXTAR are nothing if not true heavy metal maniacs, and thus will one find plenty more traditional metal-oriented elements across the album. For those whose hearts similarly beat true, this debut album will tread some familiar territory, but territory that’s explored with power and personality, charisma and catchiness. Influences aside, which can’t be cataloged as easily as naming a couple foundational names of the genre, HEXTAR’s ultimate goal is to craft songs which can be simultaneously anthemic and laced with just enough complexity, pushing and pounding forward to song structures that are unexpected and varied but never nonsensical. Similarly, Zinà’s vocals display a wide range of note choices and timbres whilst remaining focused on heavy metal heroism; indeed, a great deal of the magic and machismo of Doomsayer comes down to his going-for-it throat. Nevertheless, HEXTAR are truly a full unit here, playing their hearts out together like a band of brothers, a brigade of warriors who wield fantastical guitar solos like dread swords.
A veritable blast from the past that’s thankfully set to slay the present, HEXTAR arrive on a plume of dragon fire with Doomsayer!
– Regular edition on black vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, post card and download code.
– Special edition on orange vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, post card, download code and patch.
– CD edition with sticker and obi.
Out 24th May
DVP 295 Critical Defiance – The Search Won’t Fall LP
DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present Critical Defiance’s highly anticipated third album, The Search Won’t Fall… , on vinyl LP format. Unspeakable Axe Records is taking care of the CD edition.
The Chilean metal force known as Critical Defiance has something for every thrash fan out there. Not in the sense of being homogenized and generic, but in their alchemical and nearly magical melding of blitzkrieg tempos, dizzying technicality, aggressive shouts and gang vocals, and–rarest of all for a post-1990 thrash act–a healthy dose of actual, memorable melody. Now about to drop their third full-length like a bomb from a warplane, they have added a new element to the mix: just a taste of the eerie melancholy and harsh melodrama of black metal.
Their release schedule has been nearly as fast as their music, with the debut (Misconception) coming in 2019, and its follow-up (No Life Forms) in 2022. They have let even less time elapse from then until this new platter’s arrival, taking line-up changes in stride and pushing forward relentlessly regardless. The addition of Mauricio Toledo on guitar (just prior to their previous album) has pushed their music in new directions. That black metal aspect–some tremelo riffing, some blastbeats, bits of a distinctly new melodic sensibility–lends the album an updated feeling that sets it apart from its predecessors, while by no means abandoning the thrash foundation that has served them so well. All of this ambition is well-served by a terrific production job that balances just the right amount of rawness and polish. Three albums in, Critical Defiance are poised to deliver their most ferocious work yet. Angry yet uplifting, full of the spirit of true metal both old and new, it’s a record that only these guys could make.
– Regular edition on black vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, post card and download code.
– Special edition on bone colored vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, post card, download code and patch.
Out 24th May
DVP 296 Vulture – Sentinels MC
DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present VULTURE’s fourth album, Sentinels, on music cassette format. Licensed from Metal Blade.
The German five piece is back with a new full length, filled to the brim with raging speed metal anthems. At this point VULTURE will sound like VULTURE, but at the same time they keep refining their song material to be even more catchy, fast and wild.
– MC edition with sticker and button
Out 26th April