pre-order: Ritvs, Freeways, Bunker 66, Firmament/Midnight Prey, Drifter

Dying Victims Productions is proud to announce the following new Pre-orders:

DVP 275 Ritvs – Der Tag Naht LP/CD/MC

DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present RITVS’ striking debut album, Der Tag Naht, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.

RITVS may be new in name, but their history starts earlier. Under the preceding band name Vvlva, the band released a couple albums and a couple EPs of studiously vintage early hard rock / proto-metal. And the German quintet continue this backwards-looking path with the new moniker RITVS as a “new” old approach: exquisitely rustic late ‘70s sounds spanning hard rock, prog, AOR, and even late-days krautrock.

This exciting new chapter begins with Der Tag Naht, RITVS’ debut under that moniker. This time, the Aschaffenburg band decided to only sing in their native German, which both pushes their lyrical boundaries and has a significant impact on their sound. The mostly narrative lyrics take the listener into dark and abysmal worlds that sometimes remind us more of our own world than what we wish for, much like so many great works of ‘70s science fiction did. Dazzling and dynamic in equal measure, the roaring Hammond organ shapes RITVS’ characteristic sound, which equally rocks and rolls (and even ripples). In interaction with the warm, mossy guitar – both in sound and style – numerous licks and solo sequences are created, which are carried by a groovy rhythm section. During the album’s songwriting, the band put special emphasis on combining catchiness with progressive elements, marrying heft and heaviness with poignant and emotive passages. Truly, across the entirety of Der Tag Naht is it clearly audible that all five members took their time to find the right (rustic) sounds, always reminding of the great late 70’s without sounding dusty or tired. In fact, if there’s one way to characterize the album, it’s alive.

Earthdogs who thrill to the likes of late ‘70s Rainbow, Blue Öyster Cult, and Yes or even contemporaneous Kansas and Prof Wolfff, prepare to time-travel with RITVS’ Der Tag Naht!

Regular edition on black vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, post card and download code.
– Special edition on yellow/purple splatter vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, post card, download code and patch.
CD edition with sticker and obi.
– MC edition with sticker, button, download code.

Out 15th December

DVP 276 Freeways – True Bearing LP/CD/MC

DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present the highly demanded repress of True Bearings, the debut album by Canadian FREEWAYS, on CD, 12” vinyl and music cassette formats.

CANADIAN HEAVY ROCK…WITH A NWOBHM VIBE! Indeed, Freeways are a breath of fresh, northern air. Honoring the mystical undercurrents of so much classic Canadian rock of the past, the quartet’s foundation is firm upon the hot-rockin’ dynamics of ’70s giants like UFO, Thin Lizzy, and April Wine along with the idiosyncratic twists of the unsung heroes of the NWOBHM and pub rock eras. It’s a sound that’s immediately familiar but also immediately engaging, so richly rendered are these soul-stirring odes to wanderlust, melancholia, and “Survival” itself.

Originally released in 2020 on Canadian Temple of Mystery Records, the album quickly sold out and together with their many great live performances, cemented FREEWAYS as one of the most exciting acts in the contemporary heavy rock scene. 

True Bearings roves wild terrain, its push ‘n’ pull stirs the spirit, but never belabors the point; each of these seven streamlined songs is anchored to a plaintive, poignant hook, tastefully embellished with subtly delicate touches that proves Freeways as masters of mood. The quartet’s interplay is untouchable here, given that their chosen idiom is the more-or-less hard(er) end of rock, exhibiting class and poise every step of the way, but perhaps no better evinced than on the near-seven-minute vamp of “Time is No Excuse.” Thus, space and shade AND rocking hard and free coexist in the Freeways world, and the 37-minute True Bearings is a highway worth cruising time and time again.

Regular edition on black vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, post card and download code.
– Special edition on cyan blue vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, post card, download code and patch.
CD edition with sticker and obi.
– MC edition with sticker, button, download code.
– Metal Pin

Out 15th December.

DVP 277 Bunker 66 – Portraits of Dismay CD

DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present Portraits of Dismay, a special singles compilation by Italian BUNKER 66, on CD format.

The Italian three-piece is known as a prolific work horse, clocking in at currently 4 full length albums. It is however their many split releases with infamous underground hordes that showcase their addiction and dedication to the underground. Graced with an incredible artwork by Claudio Scialabba, Bunker 66’s direction is made clear from the get go. Evil and raw blackened speed/thrash is what listeners can expect from them.

Since most of these 7” and 12” splits have been available on vinyl only until now, this 18 songs and 12 years spanning CD compilation has been inevitable.

CD edition with sticker and obi.

Out 15th December.

DVP 278 Firmament / Midnight Prey – Gathered Under Open Skies MLP/MCD

DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present Gathered Under Open Skies, a special split mini-album between Germany’s FIRMAMENT and MIDNIGHT PREY, on CD and 12” vinyl formats.

Gathered Under Open Skies is indeed a special gathering, bringing together two forces that have become something like flagship bands for DYING VICTIMS: old “newcomers” FIRMAMENT and the reunited MIDNIGHT PREY. This special mini-album includes two brand-new tracks from both bands, totaling 23 minutes of vintage rock/metal moodiness.

FIRMAMENT continue their ascent following their widely acclaimed We Don’t Rise, We Just Fall debut earlier this year, having largely risen from the ashes of speed metallers Tension but bringing a different approach with them. Here, with new vocalist Marco, the five-piece further flesh out that velvety vision, taking turn-of-the-‘80s hard rock (and even a touch of equally early deathrock) down roads much more melancholic and emotive. You might even shed a tear while rocking out to their two fistbangers here; wherever you wanna go, FIRMAMENT will take you there. And tears may’ve been shed when MIDNIGHT PREY initially called it a day in 2020, but as of last year, the power-trio are back in action and, this summer, released a two-song tape to pick up right where they left off with their modern-classic Uncertain Times LP. Those two songs are provocatively titled – “Black Cat” and “Sword and Shield” – and between them, MIDNIGHT PREY keep that clean-yet-dirty surge that’s equal parts punk, rock, and metal but totally unique. And considering the epic lengths these two tracks go to, the future suggests more splendors to come…

Graced with gorgeous cover art, Gathered Under Open Skies is a borderless realm where hard rockers, punks, metalheads, and general weirdoes can all roam. FIRMAMENT and MIDNIGHT PREY care nothing for genre limitations, and together invite you into their idyll.

Regular edition on black vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, post card and download code.
– Special edition on red blue vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, post card, download code and two woven patches.
MCD edition with sticker and obi.

Out 15th December.

DVP 271 Drifter – Beggars Ransom 7″

DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present Beggars Ransom, a new two-track 7” by DRIFTER from the USA.

ATTENTION PANHANDLERS…!

Just when you thought the dust had settled, Drifter return, whipping the very horse they rode in on. And this time, they’re fit to drink the whole well dry.

Best return the other horses to the stable… Or better yet, just put ‘em down.

Yes, Drifter plays for keeps with their new 7’’ single entitled Beggars Ransom, featuring two classy cuts sure to leave you dead in your tracks. Think what you want about today’s musical landscape, but Drifter are one of the few bands playing with a full deck.

With no fixed address, Drifter are staking claim from the US territories – which may come as a surprise upon listening. Not many bands are so capably selling NWOBHM by the pound, but Drifter seems to have, for whatever reason, gotten the best exchange rate. Not a pale imitation neither – true fans of the genre will hear right away.

black vinyl, with insert, sticker and download code.
– Shirt

Out 15th December.