After signing Officium Triste, which is another very long-running band with a legendary status, we’re thrilled to have Brazilian greats Mythological Cold Towers on board for their new full length album. Their brand of doom is highly emotive and atmospheric in its own way, and has a special warm touch which seems to be a typical trait of the band all along.
Transcending Obscurity owner Kunal Choksi states, “I’ve been listening to Mythological Cold Towers since years if not decades, and it’s a dream come true to work with this legendary band with regards to their upcoming full length album. Alan’s a thorough gentleman and it’s been great so far. I must thank Pim Blankenstein of Officium Triste for helping me out getting this band on board. Expect stunning and emotionally-rich doom/death metal from this long-running Brazilian band.”
Alan Lima of Mythological Cold Towers adds, “We’re more than excited about our signing to Transcending Obscurity. Kunal is really a hard-working guy and I’m sure he is going to do an excellent work for all signed bands. Moreover his goals as a record label owner are equally clear and logical. Serious promotion and distribution are focused by him and that’s all we are looking for. Thanks Kunal, we’re really pleased to be part of Transcending Obscurity team!!!!”
One of India’s leading bands, Plague Throat, are on the verge of releasing their much awaited full length titled ‘The Human Paradox’ through Transcending Obscurity India (sub-label). They join the ranks of bands like Gutslit, Chaos, The Minerva Conduct, Albatross, Primitiv, Against Evil and others. The album artwork and track listing of the album is as follows –
PLAGUE THROAT The Human paradox (2017)
1. Inherited Failure 2. Dominion Breach 3. Fallible Transgression 4. Human Paradox (instrumental) 5. Hour of Darkness 6. Corporeal Sentients 7. Truth In Silence 8. Conception Subjection 9. Conflict Resolution 10. Ma Nga
Transcending Obscurity owner Kunal Choksi states, “It’s an honour to work with one of the best death metal bands in the country as of now. Having already conquered this region with a series of live shows almost incessantly, Plague Throat are set to step into the international market with their debut full length album. Evidently, the guys have worked extremely hard and it’s my duty to spread the word across the world. I’m thankful to Nangsan for his lucid communication and easy cooperation and I hope to do justice to this much-awaited release. I’m sure it will go down as one the country’s strongest metal albums.”
Nangsan Lyngwa of Plague Throat adds, “We are glad to announce the worldwide release of our debut album entitled ‘The Human Paradox’ through the record label Transcending Obscurity India (sub-label) which has served as a good platform and distributor for many international as well as Indian bands in the past and we are confident about and looking forward to working together. Special thanks to our supporters for believing in us and making it happen. Thanks also to Incanned Productions for having nurtured us these past few years.”
At Transcending Obscurity Records, we’re looking for bands that are trying to do something innovative and from Spain, Gloom are onto something special. They don’t just play standard death metal but are exploring the extreme end of it, playing something close to brutal death metal one can say but also merging influences of black metal unlike any other. The overall mix is hard-hitting as well as stimulating, and that rarely happens nowadays. Gloom are a great addition to an already diverse band roster.
Transcending Obscurity Records owner Kunal Choksi states, “It’s hard to come across a band that blends in diverse influences without compromising on the heaviness as well as Gloom. Unlike others, they’re merging elements of brutal death metal and even grind with black metal and the result is astonishing. This should serve as a welcome relief from the clones out there. Gloom are here to create a new expression and I’m sure their new album will turn heads all over the world.”
Gloom comment, “When Transcending Obscurity records proposed us to sign with them we did not hesitate for a single second, it was a golden opportunity to take a step further with a record label that frightens the underground extreme metal and that supports bands from all over the world. Some of them are now well known bands and we are really proud to be a part of this roster.
Our next album, the first album with Transcending Obscurity records, will be an evolution in the music of Gloom, the first album with a single guitar and in which we bet for heavier and cruder guitar riffs, greater importance of the bass lines, and with the same rage and power of drums and vocals. There is no doubt that we are very excited about this new stage and that our followers will find in this new album the essence of Gloom with more anger and hatred than ever.”
At a time when we are busy putting together the latest label sampler, we’re thrilled to have Arkheth come aboard our eclectic roster. Australia has proved to be a great hunting ground so to speak and we’re certain we’ll be able to elevate the scene there to an extent. You all will be able to check out the fresh tunes of this band in the upcoming label sampler, due for release this Christmas.
Transcending Obscurity Records owner Kunal Choksi, “I was aware of this band but nothing could’ve prepared me for their new material which is absolutely batshit insane. Every song is different from the other, or at least it has really diverse influences, and that’s the way I like it. This is something unexpected, moving towards their own unique sound and identity and I’m thrilled to get into a multiple album deal with the talented band Arkheth from Australia. They will fit along snugly next to Norse. Check out their new song on the label sampler this Christmas.”
Arkheth state, “We are excited to announce that Arkhethhave signed with Transcending Obscurity for the release of our third album ’12 Winter Moons Comes The Witches Brew’. Kunal and Transcending have stood out in the international underground scene as being a highly passionate and dedicated organisation aiming at promoting up and coming metal bands to a wider audience around the globe. We could not be more proud to be apart of this movement.
Arkhethoriginate from a cold remote area of Australia called Orange. Orange sits in the shadow of an 13 million year old dormant volcano called Mount Canobolas. This ancient mountain and its surrounding forests have been the main aesthetic source of inspiration for the band since its inception in 2001. The artwork for the first two albums have been designed with eh pictures of the mountain and its forests as well as all promo pictures. In past years many urban legends have sprung forth from this ancient land such as the practice of witchcraft, satanic cults as well as many documented murders and suicides. However Arkheth‘s connection to the mountain is a more spiritual one that has inspired music dealing the philosophical and metaphysical aspects of nature and the cosmos.
Our most recent offering incorporates the inspiration of the occult and witchcraft tied in with the Hermetic teachings of Hermes Trismegistus’ spiritual alchemy. The music in this third offering is a direct reflection of these inspirations which is coloured with sounds of traditional black metal darkness and symphonic atmosphere with a strange and haunting new twist that takes the band in a completely new direction.”
After working several Australian bands, it made sense to also look into New Zealand, and having worked with Exordium Mors for promotional purposes, it was imperative to reach out and have our first band in the black/thrash style. Their ferocity coupled with their superior songwriting skills make them a band to watch out for.
Kunal Choksi states, “I’m a sucker for black/thrash like early Destroyer 666 but just when I thought those days were gone, I came across Exordium Mors from New Zealand and was astonished not only at their potency but also their progressive leanings. They manage to weave together excellent song structures without diminishing the intensity. The awesome attitude doesn’t hurt either. I’m thrilled to work with this band, my first from New Zealand, for their upcoming full length which promises to be a gnarly affair. One of their songs will also be part of the 2016 label sampler.”
Exordium Mors comment, “We are very pleased to be on Transcending Obscurity Records’ roster, who in our opinion, represents what underground metal should be about. No bullshit, no compromises – just passion for the music and spreading the noise like a virulent disease!
Our debut with Transcending Obscurity Records will be our second full-length, and although it will have the same foundation of frenetic guitar-work, ripping basslines, destructive war-drums and manic vocals; the sound has progressed to a more triumphant and epic sound akin to a great warrior’s death march.
Long time followers of the band will hear new things musically, vocally and lyrically in this album. Simply put, we are very excited for our followers to witness our death-hymns, and believe Transcending Obscurity is the right label for this piece of black art to manifest into physical form. Hail Kunal! Hail Transcending Obscurity! Hail Death!”
Following a recent visit to Australia, or the way things have panned out, we seem to be partial to the Australian bands but that’s hardly a surprise considering the immense talent found over there and very passionate and easygoing people to deal with. It started with The Dead and Norse, but along the way we’ve signed up bands like The Furor, The Slow Death, Illimitable Dolor, and now Somnium Nox.
Transcending Obscurity Records owner Kunal Choksi says, “I’ve been in touch with SomniumNox members since a few years now and they’re among the most talented bunch of individuals I know. What’s more, they now have Robin Stone of Norse (another band signed to Transcending Obscurity) as their drummer. I’m certain the band’s new material will be outstanding in the realm of atmospheric black metal and it’s great to finally get a chance to work with SomniumNox. They’re sheer professionals and sticklers for quality and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Expect the new album, their first, to be out some time in 2017.”
Somnium Nox member Nocturnal adds, “We are thrilled to announce that the next Somnium Nox album will be released through Transcending Obscurity in early 2017. Label owner Kunal Choksi has been investing a lot into Australian metal this year and we are very excited to be a part of this. More updates coming soon.”
Here’s a very interesting one. I thought Soothsayer (Ireland) and Altar of Betelgeuze (Finland) were remarkably unique (not to mention Drug Honkey), but Mindkult are inducing a different kind of nostalgia and vibe, merging elements of doom, stoner and even shoegaze. The music has a refreshing quality to it and also irresistible repeat value. We’re glad to be putting out the band’s upcoming full length which is scheduled for release in mid-2017.
Transcending Obscurity Records owner Kunal Choksi says, “Mindkult wrote to me regarding a review and upon checking out their music, I found it to have a very special quality to it. It’s got this irrepressible charm and an honest old school appeal that extremely hard to come by. It’s oozing with passion and seems to the heart in the right place. Since its inception, Transcending Obscurity has always been about diversity and I’m thrilled to have Mindkult on the label, playing their special brand of doom.”
Mindkult’s founder Fowst comments, “Mindkult’s main purpose is to release heartfelt, evil doom rock with a touch of shoegaze and heavy metal. There’s nothing complicated about it. When the songs come to me in the middle of the night, I pour glasses of whiskey and beer and get straight to work. Signing with Transcending Obscurity is an amazing opportunity to share Mindkult to a broader audience. Mindkult’s debut full length album picks up where my basement tape (‘Witch’s Oath’) left off, but with even more doom, gloom, and accessible Satanic bliss.”
We don't have to agree on everything. Finding common ground has led to a lot of great things. Let's put our differences aside and explore some more underground metalcore, shall we?
Follow FlightOfIcarus into another live show, this time featuring the crown jewel of New Zealand metal. Arguably one of the most technical metal bands out there takes the stage along with a few new favorites. Hear about the venue and acts, check out pictures, and listen to streams.
