Features brand new interviews with Necromantia, Arcturus, Immortal, Agalloch, Destruction, Mystifier, and Winterfylleth plus extended interviews with Rotting Christ, Behemoth, Sigh, Mayhem and many more
“The Restored, Expanded & Definitive Edition” consists of 140,000 words of new content, 23 new chapters with over 70 new interviews and improved cover art and design, plus hard covers and rewritten and updated original chapters.
Exclusive excerpts now available to read via The Quietus (British black metal) and Rock Hard Greece (Greek black metal - in Greek)
The book release marks 10 years of Cult Never Dies
UK-based publishing house Cult Never Dies marks its 10th anniversary with the release of Dayal Patterson’s “Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult - The Restored, Expanded & Definitive Edition”.
Demand for the new book has exceeded expectations and all of the 2023 delivery from the factory is now pre-sold. Cult Never Dies will be receiving the rest of the order in early 2024 and is available for pre-order for delivery in January or February (more information to be confirmed via Cult Never Dies channels). The pre-order price of £35 remains and will increase after January/February.
Pre-order your copy now via Cult Never Dies (UK & ROW store / EU store). North American pre-orders can be placed via Decibel Books.
For those looking for a copy of the book more urgently, it is currently available from Van Records, Darkness Shall Rise, Napalm Records, Black City Records, Consouling, Katakomben, Vrijheid Records (China), as well as the likes of Amazon and Waterstones.
A limited number of the Decibel version is now also available to order via Cult Never Dies.
With the original version of the book no longer available in print, Black Metal: Evolution of the Cult is hailed as the most acclaimed book on the history of black metal, and the only one endorsed by those involved in creating the genre.
The book is approximately 340,000 words long, including 140,000 words of new content, 23 new chapters and 50 extended and updated chapters. This includes over 150 exclusive interviews with some of the biggest names in the genre, including: Venom, Mercyful Fate, Bathory, Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, Blasphemy, Darkthrone, Behemoth, Rotting Christ, Mayhem and many more. The author also included over 70 brand new or previously unpublished interviews with the likes of Necromantia, Arcturus, Immortal, Agalloch, Destruction, Mystifier, Profanatica and Winterfylleth.
Evolution of the Cult also has hugely improved cover art and layout by longtime Cult Never Dies artist David Thiérrée (Behemoth, Gorgoroth, Mortiis), and will include 650 images, many previously unseen, including an 80-page colour/gloss photo gallery.
Check out an exclusive excerpt on British black metal via The Quietus and on Greek black metal (in Greek) via Rock Hard Greece.
Silenoz of Dimmu Borgir commended the book: “You don’t have to read between the lines anymore ‘cause it’s all there, straight from the source.” At the same time, Sakis Tolis of Rotting Christ praised it as “a valuable educational piece of dark writing.”
Ryan Förster of Blasphemy/Conqueror added: “Finally a book that covers black metal in a well-informed manner and gives credit where it’s due. This is by far the best book I’ve read on black metal and I can recommend this to anyone that is interested in a good read on our diverse genre.”
The Watcher of Fen said: “Free from sensationalist hyperbole and with a dizzying array of detail, anecdotes, photographs and contextualisation of the landmark artists within the genre - all delivered with Dayal’s fluid prose and dry wit. A huge undertaking that oozes passion, the definitive book on the black metal genre.”
The Magus of Necromantia fame said: “A testament for future generations, compiled with sincerity of effort and high-class aesthetics.”
Dayal Patterson, book author, Cult Never Dies owner and longtime music journalist, said: “I cannot express how good it feels now that Cult Never Dies finally owns the rights to this book and are able to release it – along with Decibel in the US - in this massively improved form. The limitations placed on the original in terms of word count meant that so many chapters and parts I originally envisioned simply couldn’t be included or were not even worth completing due to a lack of space. What turned into a fairly straightforward restoration job led to about a year of 14-hour days, not only overhauling the existing chapters and layout (something we had always been unhappy with) of the book, but doing a huge number of new interviews and working with a wealth of new bands and artists. Finally, there are proper chapters celebrating bands such as Vinterland, Satyricon, Immortal, Arcturus, Mystifier and Profanatica, as well as greater explorations of black metal in Brazil, the US, the UK, Sweden, Greece, and, of course, Norway.”
Bands featured include: VENOM • MERCYFUL FATE • BATHORY • HELLHAMMER • CELTIC FROST • SODOM • DESTRUCTION • SEPULTURA • VULCANO • HOLOCAUSTO • MYSTIFIER • BLASPHEMY • SAMAEL • ROTTING CHRIST • NECROMANTIA • DEVISER • TORMENTOR • MASTER’S HAMMER • VON • MAYHEM • THORNS • DARKTHRONE • BURZUM • IMMORTAL • EMPEROR • GEHENNA • GORGOROTH • TRELLDOM • BEHERIT • IMPALED NAZARENE • CRADLE OF FILTH • DIMMU BORGIR • LES LEGIONS NOIRE • MARDUK • DISSECTION • VINTERLAND • THE BLACK • WATAIN • SHINING • STRID • FORGOTTEN WOODS • BETHLEHEM • SILENCER • FORGOTTEN TOMB • LIFELOVER • GRAVELAND • INFERNUM • BEHEMOTH • HADES • HELHEIM • ISENGARD/STORM • KAMPFAR • WINDIR • PRIMORDIAL • OCTOBER FALLS • ENSLAVED • SATYRICON • ULVER • MORTEM • ARCTURUS • FLEURETY • IN THE WOODS… • MANES • VED BUENS ENDE • DØDHEIMSGARD • SIGH • DEATHSPELL OMEGA • MYSTICUM • ABORYM • BLACKLODGE • BLACK WITCHERY • HECATE ENTHRONED • WINTERFYLLETH • FEN • AGALLOCH • ABSU • PROFANATICA and more
For a full list of the 150 interviewees, visit Cult Never Dies.
“An absolute must-read… It serves as a reference work, evening entertainment and a vehicle for nostalgia, and its new edition is also visually appealing. Even those who have already read the original publication will still be able to get a lot of new information from the book, with almost twice as many words. Dayal Patterson has essentially written the (satanic) bible of the black metal scene, in which it should be noted that its author has invested decades of research, work and passion.” - metal.de
“There is stuff that I had no knowledge of prior to reading this book, despite that I have been an avid follower of black metal since Bathory did their massive albums in the 80s. So, it goes without saying that this is by far the best approach to the story and evolution of black metal that you've ever read… the layout is gold for sore eyes. The readability is excellent, and the photos and flyers are well-planned out on each page… If you are into black metal and would like to know more about the evolution of the genre(s), you don't have to look elsewhere. Dayal Patterson's book is, as previously stated, the Bible of black metal.” - Imhotep Zine
“I’m not trying to sell the book. I am sure many of our readers will be aware of it and plenty will have pre-ordered. What I will say is that you will not be disappointed. Your arms may however ache, you may need a bigger bookcase and your postman will be huffing, puffing and cursing when he gets it into your eager hands. This is an essential book for lovers of all music and even if I wanted to, there’s nothing negative I can think of to say.” - Ave Noctum
“Personally speaking, having a deep respect for Patterson's work, I found the new, revised edition of "Evolution Of The Cult" vastly superior to the original as a book that illuminates several (but not all) aspects of the scene, while also sparking the curiosity of the readership to raise questions and decide for themselves how they perceive such a multifaceted idiom.” - Rocking.Gr
Cult Never Dies Online:
Website: https://www.cultneverdies.com/
UK & ROW Webstore: https://cultneverdies.myshopify.com/
EU Webstore: https://cultneverdies-eu.travelling-merchant.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CultNeverDies/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultneverdies/
SYMPHONY X, AVATAR, LACUNA COIL, DESTRUCTION, BLEED FROM WITHIN, ETERNAL CHAMPION, DEVOURMENT, PROFANATICA, NIGHT DEMON, MARTYR AD, UADA, VISIGOTH, NECROFIER, CENOTAPH, CLOAK, ALLUVIAL, VIOGRESSION, BEYOND THRESHOLD & AMERIKAN OVERDOSE have now joined the lineup! More bands TBA!
The legendary festival that was successfully resurrected in 2023 is set to return May 16 - 19, 2024 at The Rave/Eagles Club!
After a successful return of Milwaukee Metal Festival in 2023, the iconic midwestern, multi-day event is now revealing 19 more bands and daily schedules for the highly anticipated 2024 edition, with more TBA! To celebrate this absolutely stacked lineup, Milwaukee Metal Fest is extending early bird tickets through December 11, 2023!
Co-organizer and Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta comments, "This year’s line up is growing fast & we’re extremely excited to have some of the best bands in the world headed to Milwaukee in May of 2024.”
Co-organizer Tim Borror adds, "This is already an incredible line up and we still aren’t finished. We are committed to this music and making this the best party in metal. Don’t miss Milwaukee Metal Fest 2024”
The daily lineup is now as follows:
Friday, May 17:
Blind Guardian
Kamelot
Symphony X
Destruction
Marduk
Metal Church
Incantation
Profanatica
Eternal Champion
Visigoth
UADA
Night Demon
Necrofier
Silva
Ancient Entities
Saturday, May 18:
Mr. Bungle
Hatebreed
Katatonia
Death To All (Performing Two Unique Sets)
Deicide
Possessed
The Red Chord
Skinless
Martyr AD
Heathen
Devourment
Internal Bleeding
Cenotaph
Cloak
Embryonic Autopsy
Eyes of the Living
Sunday, May 19:
Slaughter to Prevail
Avatar
In Flames
Death To All (Performing Two Unique Sets)
Lacuna Coil
Bleed From Within
Alluvial
Viogression
Beyond Threshold
The festivities will kick off with a pre-party on May 16 while the main festival will run May 17 - 19 at The Rave/Eagles Club in Milwaukee, WI and is promised to have bigger headliners, more food, vendors, live podcasts and other surprises!
The festival returned to prominence in 2023 under the watchful eye of Hatebreed frontman and podcaster Jamey Jasta and Sound Talent Group's Tim Borror, as well as the team at The Rave / Eagles Club, where so many of the original festivals took place.
Early bird tickets are on sale now and available for a limited time! 1, 2 & 3 day options with zero interest payment plans available at Etix.com.
Fans can visit the official Milwaukee Metal Fest site and sign up for the mailing list for first access to information and exclusive content HERE.
More details will soon be announced! Stay tuned...!
Follow Milwaukee Metal Fest:
Season of Mist is partnering with the musicians of Savage Lands. Through this partnership, we'll bang our heads together with members of Megadeath, Sepultura, Obituary and other legends of metal to support forests in Costa Rica. This is the first time a record label will be partnering & releasing the music of a non-profit organization.
*Listening to Savage Lands is already donating directly to this forest preservation effort.*
Watch the video for "The Last Howl": https://youtu.be/yrnm6pNdBFI
After seeing first-hand how deforestation threatens Costa Rica's ecosystem, two angry metal-heads started their own non-profit organization. Named after their joint passion for savage heavy metal and wildlife preservation, SAVAGE LANDS was founded in 2022 by Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren and musician-turned-activist Sylvain Demercastel, who's a Costa Rica resident.
"Hearing the chainsaw on a daily basis, because of a recent real estate fever destroying Costa Rica's ecosystem, we thought it was time to start a new type of action", says Sylvain. "We are reaching out to this great active community of metal-heads."
Today, SAVAGE LANDS are debuting their first single. "The Last Howl" features Andres Kisser (Sepultura) and John Tardy (Obituary). 100% of the song's royalties will go toward protecting threatened lands from deforestation.
Listening is already donating directly to the forest preservation effort. An extra step can always be taken by directly donating to the cause through: https://savagelands.org/donation/
The revamped versions of the highly successful guided tours with Pytten, Tore Bratseth and Finn Håkon Rødland are on sale now! Hear the stories about how black metal classics were recorded in the revered Grieghallen studios, visit famous locations in Norwegian Black Metal lore and get a chance to get the in-depth story behind the world famous Fantoft Stave Church.
The epic four-day metal event will take place once again in the heart of Bergen (NO) from July 31 - August 3, 2024 with performances by Behemoth, Satyricon, Watain, Venom, Trelldom (first concert ever!) + more!
The experience details are as follows:
Black Metal Landmarks with Tore Bratseth
Metal legend and storyteller bar none, Tore Bratseth (Old Funeral, The Batallion, Bömbers) will take you on a trip to the outskirts of Bergen to show visitors a series of key locations in the Norwegian black metal lore. The trip includes stops at the Lysekloster ruins, where a series of legendary photo and video shoots have taken place, as well as the bunker where Euronymous was photographed for the “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas” promo cycle. Another stop on the trek is the location of the original Os Rock Club where Mayhem rehearsed before the recording “DMDS” in Grieghallen, and also regular rehearsal place for Old Funeral and Amputation.
This trip will go by bus from outside of Grieghallen (Nygårdsgaten).
If you want to get an in-depth look at how some of the most renowned black metal classics from the 90s came together, look no further! Legendary producer Pytten has offered to take the Beyond the Gates audience on a guided tour of Grieghallen, where he recorded seminal albums such as Enslaved’s Vikingligr Veldi, Frost and Eld, the first two Emperor albums, In the Nightside Eclipse and Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, Gorgoroth’s Pentagram and Antichrist, Mayhem’s De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, and Immortal’s Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism, Battles in the North. Without a doubt, all of these records were instrumental in shaping what became the sound of the inimitable Norwegian Black Metal scene in the 90’s.
In an effort to make this an intimate experience for all attendees, there will only be a very limited number of tickets available for each group.
Fantoft Stave Church Tour with Finn Håkon Rødland
Any self-respecting black metal aficionado knows the dark story of the genre's origins, which includes the infamous Fantoft Stave Church arson that took place on June 6, 1992. Now rebuilt exactly as it was before the fire, fans can get a personal tour of this legendary site with black metal historian Finn Håkon Rødland.
Beyond the Gates Festival is now revealing the first wave of bands who will grace the 2024 lineup! The lineup consists of a mixture of legendary artists and purveyors of the true cult underground, which can be found below! The epic four-day metal event will take place once again in the heart of Bergen (NO) from July 31 - August 3, 2024!
Current Beyond the Gates 2024 lineup:
Behemoth
Satyricon
Watain
Venom
Trelldom (First concert ever)
Vreid (Celebrating 30 years!)
Djevel
Cult of Fire
Dødheimsgard
Darkspace
Manbryne
Beyond the Gates previously commented,
"We are incredibly proud to announce the first batch of bands for Beyond the Gates 2024. We say this every time, but we do promise that next year is going to be something you’ve never experienced before. On the back of that statement, please welcome the juggernaut that is Behemoth. The band hasn’t played in Bergen since 2012, so their return is much welcomed. We’re also very excited to be able to present Satyricon, who is releasing a new album next spring, and will return to the live scene for the first time in five years!
"Founders and innovators Venom and Watain will also grace Beyond the Gates with a visit next year with their spectacular and energetic live shows.
"Moving on, Trelldom, featuring the iconic singer Gaahl, who will do their first live appearance ever since their formation in the early 90s. Vreid will celebrate 30 years of Sognametal, while Norwegian black metalers Djevel and Dødheimsgard will grant us with exclusive sets.
"Completing the first round of names are the Czech’s Cult of Fire with their massive live show, the mysterious Darkspace from Switzerland and Polish Manbryne, who will do their first concert outside of their home country.
"As always, the festival will be stacked with numerus activities you can experience in addition to the live concerts: Guided tours, fairs, market and so forth."
“As a festival, Beyond the Gates is immediately lovable. Bergen is intrinsically part of that embrace… Sure, Norway’s expensive, but seeing the best bands out there, taking in a Tolkienesque fjord or two, pilgrimaging to Fantoft church, hitting up Gaahl’s art gallery (Galleri Fjalar) nestled in the quaint houses at Bryggen while Freyr gleefully and continually pisses rain on you from the heavens? All worth its weight in hordes of kroner.” - Decibel Maga zine, December 2022 issue
Since the inception of the Beyond the Gates festival, fans have been coming to Bergen to see performances of their favorite Norwegian artists in their home environment. As most visitors know, nature and local culture has always been a poignant source of inspiration for the bands emerging from the Bergen scene. Yet again, Beyond the Gates will give all of the traveling fans the opportunity to get an unique insight into all aspects of the Norwegian Metal scene and the local culture in general. In that regard, we’re putting together a series of events before and during the festival so that all of you can discover what inspired – and still does - the Norwegian metal scene.
More special events will be announced, including exclusive listening parties, music and culture panels, in-depth live interviews, and a wealth of of events and activities that will give you a Beyond the Gates Experience that will last for a lifetime. Stay tuned for more...
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