Black Pestilence – Hail The Flesh (2020)
For fans of Toxic Holocaust, Impaled Nazarene, Municipal Waste, Midnight, Cradle of Filth
Release Date: May 1, 2020
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CD Baby
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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 the course of twelve years, Black Pestilence has been known for their unique sound by combining black metal, punk rock, and noise.
The band has released six full-length albums, two EPs, filmed multiple music videos, and performed all over Canada and Europe. They have also shared the stage with a number of notable bands including The Black Dahlia Murder, Toxic Holocaust, Absu, Skeletonwitch, and Wednesday 13.
Their latest studio album “Hail The Flesh” was released on May 1st, 2020 and consists of nine infectious and chaotic anthems.
L-R: Daniel Toews – Guitar, Valax – Bass & Vocals, Davey Hellfire – Drums
Photographer Credit: Belfry Photography
Canadian College Radio Loud Charts:
#12 – National Loud – Top 20 of 2020 (Earshot)
#1 on Top 10 – The National Loud Chart – For the Week Ending: Tuesday, June 23, 2020 (Earshot)
#1 on Top 10 – The National Loud Chart – For the Week Ending: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 (Earshot)
#2 on Top 10 – The National Loud Chart – For the Week Ending: Tuesday, June 9, 2020 (Earshot)
#1 on Top 10 – The National Loud Chart – For the Week Ending: Tuesday, June 2, 2020 (Earshot)
16 on Top 20 – May 2020 – National Loud Chart (Earshot)
#2 on Top 10 – The National Loud Chart – For the Week Ending: Tuesday, May 26, 2020 (Earshot)
“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
Album Title: Hail the Flesh
Release Date: May 1, 2020
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CD Baby
Track Listing:
1. Hail The Flesh (2:30)
2. Spurn All Gods (3:51)
3. Hellfire (3:29)
4. True To The Dark (2:38)
5. Cloven Division (3:46)
6. Godless (3:14)
7. Frauds To The Throne (4:28)
8. My Will To Power (3:29)
9. Ephemeral (6:41)
Album Length: 34:09
Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: Black Pestilence
• All songs written by: Valax except “Ephemeral” by Daniel Toews
• Produced by: Alan Sacha Laskow and Black Pestilence
• Mixed by: Alan Sacha Laskow
• Mastered by: Alan Sacha Laskow
• Album Artwork by: Juha Vuorma
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
Album Band Line Up:
Valax – Bass, Vocals, Samples
Daniel Toews – Guitar
Davey Hellfire – Drums
Live Band Line Up:
Valax – Bass, Vocals, Samples
Daniel Toews – Guitar
Davey Hellfire – Drums
Discography:
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
Tours and Festivals:
2019 – Black Mourning Light Metal Festival – Edmonton, AB
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
2016 – Eastern European Tour – Romania, Macedonia, Croatia, Serbia
2015 – Loud as Hell – Drumheller, AB
2011 – Noctis 4.20 – Calgary, AB
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