EPK – Black Pestilence
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
For fans of Midnight, Toxic Holocaust, Impaled Nazarene, Acidez
Facebook.com/blackpestilenceband | Instagram.com/blackpestilence | Youtube.com/blackpestilence
Blackpestilence.bandcamp.com | Spotify | Apple Music
L-R – Daniel Toews – Guitar, Valax – Bass & Vocals, Davey Hellfire – Drums
Photo Credit – Wikked Twist Media
In the winter of 2008, Black Pestilence was formed in Calgary, Canada by bassist/vocalist Valax. Initially, Black Pestilence started as a one-man studio project, but years afterward, it evolved into a three-piece band. Over time, Black Pestilence has become known for their sound by combining black metal, punk rock, and noise. To date, the band has released six full-length albums, two EPs, and performed in various parts of Canada and Europe.
Discography:
2023 – Chaotic Wisdom
2020 – Hail the Flesh
2018 – Urban Hell Rhythmics
2016 – Carry on the Black Flame (EP)
2015 – Outsiders
2014 – Cyber Disarray (Split)
2013 – In Defiance
2011 – Tradition is Obsolete
2009 – Vice
Shared Stage with: Soulfly, The Black Dahlia Murder, Toxic Holocaust, Wednesday 13, Skeletonwitch, Absu, Dayglo Abortions, Revenge, Wake
Tours and Festivals:
2022 – Pestilence and Pigs European Tour – Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovenia, Germany
2022 – War On Alberta – Edmonton, AB, Canada
2019 – Black Mourning Light Metal Festival – Edmonton, AB, Canada
2018 – Death Fest – 10 Year Anniversary – Bucharest, Romania
2018 – The Deep East of Europe Tour – Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria
2016 – Calgary Metal Fest – Calgary, AB, Canada
2016 – Eastern European Tour – Romania, Macedonia, Croatia, Serbia
2015 – Loud as Hell – Drumheller, AB, Canada
2011 – Noctis 4.20 – Calgary, AB, Canada
““Crushing” is indeed the first word that comes to mind when hearing the massive mauling tones of the riffs, like rock being excavated by some humongous machine. That machine drives forward with snapping punk beats, laced with a sinister yet glorious guitar melody. The music itself also becomes more vicious as the riffs start rapidly jabbing and then seething. But the music also channels darker and more despairing moods, before those two solos kick up the pulse and transform the music into an experience of evil ecstasy. The thing turns out to be a very catchy beast too.” – The Devil’s Connection (single) – No Clean Singing
“I seriously can’t get enough of this. It’s big, nasty, and as rough as a badger’s arse. The black energy it creates is like a massive middle finger to the world and it says – you don’t like me, you don’t like my music or all the things I stand for – go and fuck yourself! This is real and this is as honest as it gets. Fantastic – more, please! 9/10” – My Global Mind
“weave in some catchy hooks and melody especially on “Chaos of Carnality” and “The Devil’s Connection,” songs I can easily imagine crowds shouting along to.” – The Metal Crypt
“They get straight to the point on ‘Mortal Rift’ and I will say immediately that if you like Midnight, Venom and Hellripper then this will be right up your street. It’s loud, it’s vulgar, it’s fast, it’s filthy dirty and chaotic – give me more! Valax bangs his bass for the intro to ‘A Life Of Evil’ and is soon joined by the razor-sharp guitar of Daniel Toews and the powerhouse rhythms of Davey Hellfire. This is relentless and pummelling so much so that you can’t help banging your head. 9/10” – Jace Media Music
“These Canadian metallers have returned with their seventh full-length offering, executing a unique blend of chaotic black metal and punk rock with electronic samples and catchy, shorter song lengths. This album, the result of three years of work, presents seven satanic-esque anthems that push the boundaries of their signature sound. While retaining their fast and infectious style, Chaotic Wisdom, also experiments with dissonant tones, industrial electronics, and auxiliary percussion, taking Black Pestilence’s chaotic noise to the next level. The album, mixed and mastered by Sacha Laskow, features artwork by Juha Vuorma, making it a must-listen for black metal enthusiasts, particularly fans of Impaled Nazarene, Acidez, and Midnight.” – Metal Insider
“While speed or thrash metal to the core, there’s a bit of punk about Black Pestilence. The band dances the fine line between thrash and punk with a destructive ease. That thrash punk blend can be heard in “Infernal Might” featuring Mark Russell and closing track “Animus”. And before one knows it, Chaotic Wisdom is over. It clocks in at a mere twenty-four minutes. Get distracted and you might not hear the entire album and that would be quite a shame. As fast as it is, Chaotic Wisdom is quick, melodic, and a great listen. MUST LISTEN TRACKS: “The Devil’s Connection”, “Aspect of Darkness”, “Infernal Might”, “Animus”” – Amplify The Noise
Black Pestilence has its own approach to Black Metal, blending a raw, Punk-influenced base with strange futuristic elements. Chaotic Wisdom is very short, but provides a good overview of the band’s rage.” – Acta Infernalis
“Maintaining its Mad Max side, primitive and low-brow, Black Pestilence offers us a significantly more modern and exalted version of its furious mixture bathed in d-beat, Toxic Holocaust and Venom. Many new followers should easily join their cult.” – Eklektik Rock
“Blackened thrashy stuff with a little groove.” – Moshpit Radio 89.9 FM (Madison, WI)
“Black Pestilence has created another great record and it only takes about twenty-five minutes for you to fall in love with it as well.” – Abaddon Magazine
“Black Pestilence come from Canada, have a thriving record career behind them and today, confining their acid inspiration in just twenty five minutes, they hammer us until we lose consciousness with this ‘ Chaotic Wisdom ’. Their overbearing proposal – that combines thrash, punk and black metal – has caught our attention from the very first listening, accomplices a compositional liveliness and a muscular production that truly do justice to what musically gave birth to this interesting power trio.” – Loud And Proud
“The album is moving forward at an irreconcilable pace, and thanks to less traditional influences, among which we can further count the HCpunk singing of the guest Mark Russell ( Citizen Rage ), it becomes a devilishly baked stylish delicacy.” – Metal Forever
“they play a raw and devilish kind of punk metal which mixes d-beat destruction in the vein of BROKEN BONES and early DISCHARGE with a first wave black metal touch. If Satan’s into crust punk, he’d be into this bunch.” – Wormwood Chronicles
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“A recent discovery that has tickled the excitement nerves in my jaded and encrusted ear drums is Calgary’s Black Pestilence. Their take on black metal incorporates old-school thrash and punk and if you listen closely you can hear the smatterings of plain ol’ rock ‘n’ roll and swaths of noise and is a sound that has been explored and nurtured since the band formed as a one-man project in 2008. The band’s handlers claim those fans of Toxic Holocaust, Impaled Nazarene, Municipal Waste, Midnight and Cradle of Filth unconcerned with genre boundaries will enjoy Black Pestilence and we have to say the nail has certainly been hit on the head in that regard. Additionally, fans of image and theatrics will find value in the band’s aesthetic which owes to a collision of black metal, goth rock and Judas Priest’s wardrobe and fashion sense. ” – Decibel Magazine
“Hail the Flesh is a nice, quick, in and out style album. There’s no messing around, there’s no overly extended bridges or songs that overstay their welcome. This is a 9 track album that only spans 34 minutes of constant, hard hitting riffs, blasts, and downright aggressive and dominative vocals. Even the final track on the album, “Ephemeral”, which nearly reaches 7 minutes in play time feels fresh the whole way through. ” – Metal Injection
“an album that really has a surprisingly wide range within the black/thrash/punk style so if you love that sort of black and roll aggressive metal, then “Hail The Flesh” will be an album for you.” – The Rockpit
“Calgary, Canada’s Black Pestilence bring a fresh take to the sound, though. Hail The Flesh, the band’s sixth full-length album is a blackened crossover punk-thrash album. It sounds old school, yet very 2000s at the same time…. Municipal Waste, Impaled Nazarene, Toxic Holocaust fans take notice.” – Heavy Music Headquarters
“They really don’t have another gear beyond ‘top’ which makes for a splitting headache of heavy but one that satisfies. After all there are only 9 tracks and as Godless spits and snarls, Frauds to the Throne exudes filthy groove, My Will to Power rages hard and Ephemeral drags the suffering out, the over-riding thought is Black Pestilence have impressed.” 8/10 – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life
“Honestly, anyone with the remotest interest in Black ‘n’ Thrash, Black ’n’ Roll or even just plain old Thrash is going to love this album. It is a blisteringly addictive listen. The skilfully fluid ways that all these genres are melded is both brilliant and compelling as well as being lyrically inspiring.” – MetalTalk.net
“First things first, it’s not every day you hear black metal as fun as this! That is partly because of the exciting thrash and not-so-serious punk influences, but also because the songwriting is very strong. ” 4/ 5 – The Independent Voice
“dirty, punky Black/Thrash that occasionally makes feedback noises and consistently slaughters everything in its path.” 4/5 – The Metal Crypt
“Hail The Flesh fast heavy hit the pit punch you in the throat speed death metal madness.” – Ripple Music
“They can smash extremely well, and their blend of black metal aesthetic with punk attitude is a perfect fit ” – 4/5 – Deaf Sparrow
“a musical union of black / thrash & punk that just rock ROCK! I give 9 out of 10 Hellfire points” – Hellfire Magazin
“Bringing a sonic assault to listeners…..” – Permafrost Today
“The infusion of punk attitude into black and thrash metal seems almost natural at times, but few carry it off with such a sense of melody and catchiness as Black Pestilence. Their heady mix of 80s skate thrash, punk attitude and a black metal sheen allows ‘Hail the Flesh’ to be an album that you’ll still be humming in 6 months time. Superb” – The Killchain Blog
“This album just fucking rocks, it’s an absolute blast. The riffs are raging, loud, and in your face, the bass lines are groovy and lighting fast. The evil screamed vocals talk of Satanism and giving into life’s many vices with no shame. This is complete with sweet black metal blastbeats galore. If you’re looking to cut loose with a kickass metal record, absolutely throw this on.” Zax Record Reviews
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