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Antifascist Steel

YT channel for heavy metal, doom, speed, prog, standing against any oppression. ABMN's sister.

31/03/2025

Starspell - Ritual Oakenform Pt. II (single, 2024) - Epic Heavy Metal/Power

Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHpCdw5LHr4

We return today with the first song by a new project, Starspell from USA, from the musician behind Moss Knight, a dungeon synth project that belongs in The Hearthen Ring collective, who has also started an antifascist black metal project recently called Lucerne Hammer. Inspired by listening to Eternal Champion and Hallas, this 7 minute song shows great promise. Lyrical, epic heavy metal with guitar playing that is quite "busy", giving a bit of a power metal feeling, and a idiosyncratic, expressive melodic voice that is perhaps the high point, as it is hits the right notes and feels. There's also a bit of black metal influence as seen by the blastbeat in the middle part and the riff in the ending part of the song. We expect a full length at some point with great interest, as Starspell shows a lot of talent and an unique approach in the field of epic heavy metal.

16/01/2025

Legendarium - For Eternal Glory (full length, 2024) | Power Metal, Death Metal

Listen here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsz1M6cdGAM

We return again tonight with the fourth full length album of Legendarium, a band with two members from Netherlands and Italy and its original mix of epic power metal and melodic death metal. Yes, you heard well, Legendarium execute a combination of subgenres not attempted too many times even among the very bastardized (and that's a good thing) landscape of the modern metal scene. It would be best to describe Legendarium's sound as belonging closer to the older trad styles of heavy metal and power metal, with soaring leads and synths often accompanying the riffs, but the majority of their vocals are growls, although not quite of the typical low pitched death metal fashion, but like a more barbaric growl that is very fitting to the battle-ready feel of the music. There are also a lot of clean/melodic vocals that are not really operatic, but serving a similar aesthetic. Lyrically, we can find classic fantasy themes that pertain mostly to war and fighting, but instead of glorifying it, most songs offer an ambivalent perspective, which invites the listener to think if and when it's worth it. If you like the sound of old battle-hardy power metal like Running Wild and Grave Digger turned up a notch in brutality with a bit of death metal, then Legendarium is for you.

25/09/2024

Hagstone - Demo '24 (2024) | Hard rock

Listen here -> https://youtu.be/0mCtDhoHYEs

In recent years we've seen a resurgence of classic heavy metal, so why not reach further and go back to the days of hard rock? This was the assumption made by the Richmond, Virginia-based Hagstone members. Anyway, the musical DNA of this newly formed group is very diverse, from the classics of hard rock precisely, through NWOBHM or even anarcho-punk rock, and thus comes the D.I.Y. ethos of the band. However, we are absolutely not dealing here with retro one-to-one playing like in the past. It is, of course, hard rock: a wall of guitar riffs that are cool and catchy, a rumbling bass driving the songs forward, rock-solid drums and the mellow and melodic voice of singer and bassist Alisson, but played in the band's own way.

You can hear joy and pure enthusiasm coming from Hagstone's music. The band members themselves admit that they are surprised by the chemistry that has emerged in rehearsals. The musicians are already after their first gig, and they are playing another one soon.

We like debuts like this, we also like the fact that classic hard rock can be played fresh, on D.I.Y's principles, and we like it even more if the band ended their interview with the call “Free Palestine”!

If you like Thin Lizzy, Hawkwind, Judas Priest, Girlschool or AC/DC, and you want to listen to something in that vibe but without the misogyny, sexism or all the stardom and commercialism accompanying the dinosaurs of the 70s, then Hagstone's demo is perfect for that. The material, though short, accompanied me for a few days and I will certainly return to it again.

Looking forward to the full album and wish the band a lot of fun playing together and for you a lot of joy from listening to them!

04/09/2024

Τέλμα/Telma - Ανθρωποβόρος (full length, 2024) | Doom metal

Listen here -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iriwdTyhEE

When it comes to debut albums that come out smashing seemingly out of nowhere, you won't easily find a stronger one in recent years than Telma's "Ανθρωποβόρος". The greek band has been slowly forging their album since 2017, when their track "Ξίφη Στραμμένα στο Φοίνικα" appeared in the "Art Against Censorship" compilation, definitely turning some heads with their combination of old school doom metal married with epic heavy metal elements. The expectations were undoubtedly high, also knowing the background of the members in bands that have done essential contributions to the underground scene, such as antifascist black metal duo Voak, Bohemian Grove, and Extremity Obsession. So it is no real surprise that "Ανθρωποβόρος" absolutely delivers.

Sung entirely in Greek, "Ανθρωποβόρος", meaning man-eater, presents a 47 minute voyage through heavy, dark and epic soundscapes. The production and mixing is really strong and clean and paves the way for the band's compositions to spread out. The expressive vocals of singer Vangelis are a focal point; instead of the usual "tenor" approach of doom metal singer, his delivery is passionate and theatrical, betraying a variety of influences and emotions. On the string department, the crushing guitar riffs are often combined with guitar leads, playing melodies that contribute to the epic heavy metal side we mentioned. The compositions themselves sound sculpted into maturity from the passing of time. Without diverting stylistically much from each other, each song sounds unique and they all complement each other into making a record that flows effortlessly from beginning to end.

The band's lyrics also deserve to be mentioned, although not accessible to anyone that doesn't speak greek. In a style of writing that perhaps seems closer to literature than poetry and using some folklore elements here and there, they weave tales about overcoming oppression, finding hope and self-determination, and ultimately coming to terms with the end (as the band name itself refers to). It's great writing and we all know that it's when meaning and music get together that metal truly fulfills its promise.

"Ανθρωποβόρος" definitely takes aim to place itself among the best doom metal albums of the year. Listen to it then, cause it might be a while until we get something from this band again, and yet we're pretty sure that it'll be at least as good.

02/09/2024

Grendels Syster - 'Katabasis into the Abaton'/'Abstieg in die Traumkammer' (2024) | Epic Metal

Listen here -> https://youtu.be/Nv46RVuOCxQ

The long-awaited debut full-length album from Grendels Syster is finally here and we’re beyond proud to present it to you. After two fantastic EPs that build up anticipation in the epic heavy metal scene, the three-member band from Stuttgart reminded us to “love metal and hate fascism” (a statement that needs to be heard strongly again in Germany these days with the shocking constant rise of the far right) present us with Katabasis into the Abaton/Abstieg in die Traumkammer an album that is again bilingually presented, in English and German sung versions. It certainly must be admired that vocalist Caro goes into the trouble of recording each album twice, a choice that allows us to appreciate the musical qualities of both languages and it has to be said that she does both as great.

Katabasis into the Abaton is translated from Greek as descending into Άβατον, the holy place in a church that is not allowed for the faithful to walk upon, therefore we could say that the title prepares us for the element of transcendence of imposed limits. The lyrical content is undoubtedly one of the great strengths of the band, with pagan wisdom emanating through the pages of the album, which is filled with references to Greek and Germanic mythology. But where epic metal is often solely expressed with the language of the triumph of power, Grendel’s Sÿster also has a lot of questions that come with it. What is glory, who gets the spoils.

They present the follies of kings and sorcerers, and what happens when the “golden key does not fit”. The band’s simple and effective melodic epic metal style (with some doom and folk elements) hasn’t changed and perfectly serves the poetry, centered around supporting the voice. This less-is-more approach proves to be rewarding again as they sound the strongest that they’re ever been, focusing on delivering the essentials of a good melody and allowing the songwriting to shine.

Katabasis into the Abaton is as we expected an excellent album from a band that clearly puts a lot of effort into making heavy metal music that will stand the passing of time. Congrats to them!

20/08/2024

Cipó Fogo - 'Born Enslaved' (Full album, 2024) | Crossover

Listen here -> https://youtu.be/H7372lZfEWA

After having an exciting peak at their latest work (although it was already uploaded by the band at that moment in full to listen) with the 'Distopia' single featured at ABMN early this month, today we are happy to also present the rest of this mini album comprised of 5 songs by the crossover thrash ensemble CIPÓ FOGO (Fire Vine).

With a swooping strength and a clear array of influences put to work into their unique blend of metallic hardcore, the Brazillian / Uruguayan band drops their bomb in the shape of a sometimes groovier, sometimes faster sound (or directly as the exposed beating heart of hardcore punk, like in 'Fail' to close the EP), staying mostly within the crossover thrash frame but kicking outside occasionally with five anthems against the modern-day oppressions, in both Portuguese and Spanish, as well as English. 'Distopia' landed a sharp and emotional view on catastrophes like the current ethnic cleansing happening in Gaza at the hands of Israel and the current settler colonialism they practice since the seed of Zionism was planted in Palestine. All and all, Born Enslaved will visit a wide angle of topics, more personal and close to the artists and their background too there in Brazil, citing them and the many reasons that drew them together to write what they label "Música indignada" (outraged music), as a channelling way in response to rising homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexist violence and most essentialist bigoted discrimination still deeply rooted in their land as anywhere. This burst of raw nonconformity naturally made for the proper probe to add all musical ingredients, ready to ignite with a spark in every listener! A short blast that will knock out your day 🔥

04/08/2024

The Dirty Looks - "Second Guessing" demo & two live extracts| Proto-punk

Listen here -> https://youtu.be/o8lYvwLMXGk

Manchester has recently welcomed a new proto-punk project devised by five femmes: THE DIRTY LOOKS.

In May they released their most recent demo, and we have been meaning to introduce you all to them ever since. The day has come, and we thought to bring not only 'Second Guessing', the above-mentioned one-single demo, but also a couple of short live shows extracts of previous singles.

Organ-like keyboards, a very active base, a rhythm section that keeps your attention dancing, easy-going but sort of atmospheric guitars, and melodic but punkish vocals. The perfect combination to keep your feet moving, and your fun going.

While we look forward to new material by The Dirty Looks, make sure to check their next live shows if you are in the area, they sound like a great time out!

25/06/2024

Ragum - 'Beyouv' (Full album, 2024) | Grindcore

Listen here -> https://youtu.be/ohgEQH-KvjY

Ah, grindcore! It's always refreshing to have a barrage of short songs and barked vocals after some of our more usual long-form black metal menus. Today's piece, however, is even more welcome than usual, for RAGUM, our guests for this "beautiful" Monday, are a band from the city of Haifa in occupied Palestine/"Israel", and outright state in their press release that these are songs "about military occupation, state-sponsored racism, and the erasure of Arab-Jewish identity". Our stance as a Network is already quite explicit for all to see (but just in case: free Palestine from the river to the sea, end the genocide, f**k Zionism and antideutsche and Genocide Joe and their other allies, down with antisemitism), but we're particularly proud to be able to bring bands local to one of the most important struggles in the history of the oppressed and exploited like we did with Zalaam a few years ago (check them if you haven't!). "Beyouv", Ragum's first album, is grindcore plus death metal plus some surprisingly thrashy riffs and is as simple and straightforward and energetic and mosh-inducing as you probably expect. Crank the volume up, open some space, wear a keffiyeh, and get ready to fight to tear down the modern apartheid!

20/06/2024

In Ashes - 'Burned & Disposed' (EP, 2024) | Doom

Listen here -> https://youtu.be/nCSZ1P5cKXA

Contrary to what Hollywood seems to think, Mexico is NOT a place where everything is yellow desert, rather far from it - to mention just one example, its capital was THE largest city in the world for decades. And today's upload, the first EP from Guadalajara's IN ASHES, reaffirms that, since it does have a very much "urban" feel to it, from lyrics dealing with homelessness to the music that blends every slowish metal genre... doom, sludge, stoner, some traditional heavy metal, all take turns in the music to create an atmosphere of hopelessness and failure. "Burned & Disposed" is a very interesting take on these genres, but also a mostly "light" one, more reminiscent of Candlemass and Warning (especially on the vocals) than of, say, Paradise Lost or Ahab. This is not to say it's bad or that there's not a lot of weight, quite the opposite - it's there's a more contemplative thing than pure, relentless desperation (see the mid-section of "Day One" for an example), at times surprisingly almost post-rockish. This is impressively developed for a band that started just last year, and a more than welcome addition to our forces!

09/06/2024

repost from

Due to the fact that the organisers of Antifascist Black Metal Gathering chose to book bands like Afsky, who have consistently exhibited ignorance, arrogance and conflicting stances on antifascism and issues like the ongoing genocide in Palestine, work with Israeli apartheid apologists like Misanthropic Art, in general mostly neglected to book bands with actual militant antifascist presence in a fest labeled as "Antifascist" and have proven themselves unreliable, incapable of accepting criticism and unwilling to work with other leftists if it meant sacrificing ties to the mainstream black metal cesspool, we need to make something clear. ABMN did not, does not and will not be involved with the International Antifascist Black Metal Gathering and any mention or tag you see of us has been done without our knowledge and consent. It saddens us to see such behaviours in the antifascist black metal sphere but it is not something we didn't foresee, the opposite in fact, this was expected, as long as parts of said sphere were unwilling to shed the commercialist trappings of the music industry and saw antifascism as a "product" to be sold to an audience that lead to popularity contests that do not reflect ones activism and devotion and focus on ones mass appeal instead. It was painful but expected and we choose not let it bring us down but to see it as another learning experience and we encourage you to do the same. Kill your idols, move onwards, and lest we forget, free Palestine, refugees are welcome, pride was a riot.

**knazis 🇵🇸 🇵🇸

03/06/2024

Pr3miering in 5'! Ammonoid - "Pierce The Veil" (Official animated video, 2024) | Doom metal

One of our main functions at AFS and ABMN is to help foster, nurture and reveal new bands under our specific musical purviews that take a stand on the battle against opression and exploitation. And it is a great pleasure when one of these is of such high quality as today's feature, the US project , which melds doom, progressive and some old-school heavy sensibilities to bring us an experience that, as they state themselves on their BCs, is not quite like any other. The instrumental is bass-heavy and sludgey, not quite crushing but instead rather trippy, which is actually very good in this case as it combines very well with the impressive voicework of singer Emily P***n; the resulting effect is something like Anneke van Giersbergen singing for a jam between Blue Oyster Cult and Khemmis, or Jess and the Ancient Ones with a small, tasteful dose of what Dream Theater does when they're good. By which we mean, this song is VERY GOOD. It comes enveloped in a very nice, dream-like cover art by Joanna Barnum which the band turned into a simple, yet mesmerizing animated video which fits the music very well. Nothing here is overtly complicated or extremely new; the parts themselves are simple, what is innovative is the particular configuration in which they are arranged, and that, folks, makes all the difference!

29/05/2024

Dreamslain - "Braving The Storm" (Official video clip, 2024) | Epic progressive metal

Listen here -> https://youtu.be/ouazb3cdB9I

We welcome Dreamslain back into Antifascist Steel, the band from Norway with members from Norway, Switzerland and Russia who is about to release their second album entitled "Forge of Rebellion" after 2021' debut "Tales of Knights and Distant Worlds" on June 14, and so they sent us a video clip from one of the already released songs of the album which we are happy to premiere today. Called "Braving the Storm", the song lyrically deals with the epic journey of a ship, but instead of a theme about conquest and war according to the typical heavy metal trope, Dreamslain sings about a ship of refugees trying to survive who are facing the hostility and racism of the authorities ("grey ships") who are trying to push them back. However, the refugees are saved by sailors who know that you "never turn your back on a ship in need", proving that not all is hopeless, and reflecting the very real contemporary situation in the borders of European (and not only) countries. The video, apart from offering us a sight of the beautiful wintry Norwegian shores and the band, specifically calls out the European Union's cooperation with Frontex on these push-back practices and the criminalization of rescuers and solidarity by states, providing a political message that does not restrict itself to lyrics. Musically, Dreamslain continue the evolution of their brand of epic heavy metal influenced by folk metal and with some extreme and prog influences and we're excited to hear the entirety of the record soon. Congrats and support to them for this very important message!

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