AGALLOCH



Portland Oregon’s Agalloch have been revered for the right reasons. Not only are they one of North America’s premier acts within the scene, but here is a band who have sealed their own identity by creating a whole new genre of their own within the extreme metal and neo-folk scenes. By combining references to subterranean melodic black metal, traditional metal, ambient, and folk, the sound in which Agalloch have unearthed is one that mirrors the majesty and serenity of a wondrous vast landscape. With only two full-length albums (and a collection of demos, EP’s, and b-sides) that encapsulate their repertoire, said albums (Pale Folklore and The Mantle, on The End Records) are testaments to the power of nature and myth, portraying an epically drawn-out vision of cold, claustrophobic odes that are at the same time, lush, and exquisite.

Agalloch Profound Lore Discography:
*The Mantle Double LP (2005)

DEAD OF WINTER



The Canadian black metal scene has always been synonymous with spawning some of the most violent and unique artists in the genre. Continuing in the tradition of fury and violence purported by enigmas such as Conqueror, Revenge, Axis Of Advance, Lust, and the legendary Blasphemy, the raw atmospheric dementia of Kitchener Ontario’s Dead Of Winter manifests itself in a form of extreme black metal whose aim is to “mesh severe despondency with violent hatred, starting with the intent to simply create music that was as forlorn and depraved as possible…” This fairly new prospect spawned from dementia was formed in 2000 by Schizoid (vocals) and Abyssious (drums) after their discontent with their previous band’s inability to reach new extremes, Dead Of Winter would then see the inclusion of Typhon (guitars), the group forging on as a three-piece until the recent inclusion of Kaehl (bass) who joined in 2004. From the remnants of their 2004 Abandon All Hope bootleg rehearsal sessions, Dead Of Winter have finally unleashed their debut album, At The Helm Of The Abyss, an album which is guaranteed to spread plague and disease amongst the Canadian underground extreme metal community. At The Helm Of The Abyss is an artistic, self-reflecting experience of barbaric and violent repetitious hypnosis presented through the band’s raw and overwhelming wall of sound. Alongside their insane and much-talked about live show, Dead Of Winter have already garnered much attention within Ontario’s underground metal community, and with At The Helm Of The Abyss, Dead Of Winter are destined to make an impact, through filth, pillage, and war, on the North American black metal scene.
Dead Of Winter Profound Lore Discography:
*At The Helm Of The Abyss CD (2005)

DIABOLICAL MASQUERADE



When Katatonia was put on a slight hiatus in the mid-nineties, mastermind Blackheim (a.k.a. Anders Nystrom) decided to delve within the netherworld and unleash a beast that showed another side of his creative apex. Creating a new world of horror and fantasy, the debut Diabolical Masquerade album Ravendusk In My Heart was a horrific journey into a world where Blackheim called his own. By combining traits of black metal, symphonic metal, and traditional metal, all with the Blackheim touch, Diabolical Masquerade became one of the most invigorating solo projects ever unleashed. Said traits would continue to flourish in the following chapters of Diabolical Masquerade, them being The Phantom Lodge, Nightwork, and Death’s Design Prior to the Ravendusk In My Heart LP release, Blackheim decided to lay Diabolical Masquerade to rest, but said LP’s release was a final cry from the grave by this luminous act.

Diabolical Masquerade Profound Lore Discography:
*Ravendusk In My Heart LP (2005)

GREEN CARNATION



Coming form a long history that correlates with bands such as Emperor and In The Woods, GREEN CARNATION have blossomed so to speak as one of Norway’s most prominent progressive hard rock bands. Known for their reputation for releasing the monumental “Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness” album and exploring new avenues in different and tasteful musical realms, it looks as if things are coming full circle with this ensemble of exceptional musicians. The release done in collaboration with Profound Lore, “The Burden Is Mine… Alone” limited edition acoustic EP, a forewarning what will come with their full-length acoustic album, sees Profound Lore exploring softer, quieter, and more delicate edges within their apocalyptic-like roster.

Green Carnation Profound Lore Discography:
*The Burden Is Mine… Alone EP 2005

LEVIATHAN



Leviathan sole-proprietor Wrest is considered to be one of the most prolific and most creative beings within the black metal scene. Already holding an extensive repertoire to his modus-operandi, from his countless demos (which include the monstrous Verrater release) and other unearthly creations, ever since the Moribund Cult released the Leviathan official debut album, The Tenth Sublevel Of Suicide, Wrest has indeed spearheaded Leviathan as one of the most dominant forces in the extreme music scene, this solidified with the genre defying Tentacles Of Whorror release. While maintaining black metal’s true spirit, and at the same time, throwing the rule book out the window, the musical spectrum that Leviathan covers goes much beyond the typical and standard black metal paradigm. Sure the inherent influences are coherent, but by adding more layers and substance to Leviathan’s music, Wrest conjures up a chilling and malevolent aura akin to the likes of such other acts like The Swans, Fields Of The Nephihim, Tangerine Dream, The Cure (‘Pornography’ era), and that feeling one gets when listening to obscure ‘70s prog. The vision that Wrest (black metal’s answer to Robert Fripp) has created with Leviathan is immense to say the least. One that is worthy of total worship…

Leviathan Profound Lore Discography:
*Tentacles Of Whorror Double LP (2004)
*Xasthur/Leviathan Split LP (2004)
*A Silhouette In Splinters LP (2005)

MELECHESH



Along with bands like Absu, Melechesh (who originally hailed from Israel) are seen as one of the most original acts that dwell within the confines of black and thrash metal. By creating an exotic and mythological musical picture, where triumphant black thrash is combined with stunning Middle-Eastern sounds and rhythms, along with excellent and mystical lyrics, Melechesh spearheaded their journey with their As Jerusalem Burns debut, and have made quite a name for themselves with their Osmose Productions releases Djinn, and their genre defining Sphynx album. They are indeed recognized as a very unique and special act, one whose creative peak continues to rise, making them one of the most important bands within the extreme metal underground today.

Melechesh Profound Lore Discography:
*The Zigurrat Scrolls 10” (2004)

ORPHANED LAND



With a cult following like no other, Israel’s Orphaned Land have been quite a gem within the underground metal scene since the mid-‘90s. By conjuring up a sound that brings like likes of death metal, progressive metal, middle-eastern and oriental music, choral music, and indie rock, no other band can muster up such an ambitious sound, with ambitious themes and concepts, and actually make it work and not have the overall vision and presentation seem contrite and pretentious. Orphaned Land would rather present their works in a tasteful accompanying manner, while at the same time, provoke and challenge the listener as well.

Orphaned Land Profound Lore Discography:
*Mabool double LP 2005
*Ararat 10” EP 2005

PORTAL



There is no death metal band on the face of the planet that can even match the aesthetic power that Australia’s Portal emit. Easily one of the most original and unique death metal acts that have ever existed, the world of horror that Portal create holds a power that such films like Fritz Lang’s M, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, Murnau’s Nosferatu, and Salvador Dali’s Un Chien Andalou possess. Picture a more twisted, subterranean, and warped Immolation with the catacombic power of Disembowelment, and the unforgiving rawness of Beherit, and this is just a glimpse of where Portal dwell on a musical level. Also known to put on a devastating and surreal live show, one that mirrors the music that the band create, Portal’s surreal and twisted cinematic vision is why they are considered to be the future of death metal. A band that will take the death metal genre, invert it, twist it inside-out, skinning its layers, creating a monster of utter devastation.

Portal Profound Lore Discography:
*Seepia CD re-release, in pocket-slip digipack (2005)

THRALLDOM



With their latest Black Sun Resistance: Six Strain Ceremony masterpiece, New York’s Thralldom have primed themselves up to site alongside the elite of the US black metal scene. With a powerful aesthetic at their disposal, it is through their music where Thralldom have written the soundtrack to America’s spiritual downfall. Almost like the black metal soundtrack of Martin Scorsese’s timeless film, Taxi Driver, Thralldom attack the heart of America’s allegiance, inevitable leading to the nation’s downfall as the realities that Thralldom create with their unforgiving hymns, grab the listener by the throat and suffocate them within a chamber of utter despair, while at the same time, succumbing the listener as they reflect upon a world of horror that just seems all to close to home.

Thralldom Profound Lore Discography:
*Black Sun Resistance: Six Strain Ceremony LP (2005)

ULVER


Such a band needeth no introduction, Norway’s most infamous and manipulative sound manipulators have always thrown curve balls left-right-and-center, along with constantly pulling rabbits out of hats ever since their inception in the early nineties. One of the proprietors of Norway’s second wave of black metal, throughout the years, Ulver have always been the wolves amongst the sheep. Spearheading their career with their first three albums, or what some would call La Trilogie, it wasn’t until the band’s “William Blake Album” when heads really began to turn and eyebrows began to rise. Since then Ulver have played around and experimented ad nauseum with their sound canvas, engaging in experimental musical chamber pieces, grand soundscape opuses, and even dabbling within the world of film scoring and soundtrack. Ulver’s latest, “Blood Inside”, in which Profound Lore has seeped blood by turning it into glorious wax, is an epoch of layered progressive sound and rockin’ megalomanic bravado.

Ulver Profound Lore Discography:
*Blood Inside LP 2005

WOLD



Consisting of Fortress Crookedjaw and Operationex, along with two 'others', Wold formed in 2000 and jammed at the infamous Crown Compound, located outside of Regina Saskatchewan, across from a steel factory on the desolate prairie. Following a brief hiatus the unit re-formed, minus Azure on drums, to record their debut self-titled release, which was mastered September 11, 2001. As with any extreme movement following the first strike membership must be evaluated and the true colours of individuals surface. So as it was with Wold and the unworthy member was ousted. Thus leaving a space open for the grim fucking mercenary known as Obey to reek his bruised string work. With a strong brotherhood established the recording process for Badb began in October 2002. The ideologically mythical Badb was conjured and captured in Regina and Moose Jaw until April 2003, mastered May 13,2003. Now Wold are set to unleash the L.O.T.M.P. A reflective pillage, a reflective ritual, an invocation to behold…



Wold Ideology:

• Wold embraces the Mytho Poetic; the communication is expressed through our music, and theoretical as well as practical work done through our Woldclan brotherhood and our lodge, the L.O.T.M.P.
• Wold venerate our ancestors and cultures through myth and existence, and remain open and reflective to other effective metaphors.
• Wold promote awareness
• Wold strive for honour and dignity above materialistic lies and novelty culture.
• Wold solemnly swear to adhere to the law of the Self.

Wold Profound Lore Discography:
*L.O.T.M.P. CD (2005)

XASTHUR



Alongside Leviathan, Xasthur are known as one of the most prolific and creative artists within the underground black metal scene. With Xasthur, main proprietor Malefic has created an unearthly vision where harsh, bleak, depressing, and sad soundscapes envelope the listener into a world of hatred, horror, and despair. With an extensive repertoire at his disposal, Malefic’s hymns are akin to one who holds a mirror at you, and within that mirror’s reflection, is a realm where suffering and plague reign supreme. As Malefic continues to constantly create, his creativity and artistic vision continues to strengthen…

Xasthur Profound Lore Discography:
*Xasthur/Leviathan Split LP (2005)