EPK – Black Pestilence – Chaotic Wisdom (2023)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
“We knew that following up “Hail the Flesh” would be a tall order. Fortunately, we think we delivered on this album and the fans will get the same infectious sound this band is known for but with a different style of production. For ‘Chaotic Wisdom’ we unleashed seven Satanic d-beat anthems. It is the result of three years of writing and recording and is the pinnacle of the Black Pestilence catalog. Similar to previous releases, this album is fast, infectious, and straight to the point. However, experimentation with dissonant tones, industrial electronics, and auxiliary percussion was emphasized to a greater degree on this album. “Chaotic Wisdom” is not a stylistic change from Black Pestilence, but represents an elevation to the next level of chaotic noise!” – Black Pestilence
For fans of Midnight, Toxic Holocaust, Impaled Nazarene, Acidez
Band Name: Black Pestilence
Album Title: Chaotic Wisdom
Release Date: September 8, 2023
Label: Self-Release
Facebook.com/blackpestilenceband | Instagram.com/blackpestilence | Youtube.com/blackpestilence
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““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
[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]
Band Name: Black Pestilence
Album Title: Chaotic Wisdom
Release Date: September 8, 2023
Label: Self-Release
Track Listing:
1. Mortal Rift (3:29)
2. A Life of Evil (3:06)
3. The Devil’s Connection (3:29)
4. Chaos and Carnality (3:18)
5. Aspect of Darkness (3:06)
6. Infernal Might (feat. Mark Russell) (2:35)
7. Animus (5:50)
Total Length: 24:53
Album Credits:
All songs performed by Black Pestilence
All music written by Valax except “Aspect of Darkness” by Daniel Toews
All lyrics written by Valax
Mixed and mastered by Sacha Laskow
Album artwork by Juha Vuorma
Member of SOCAN
Canadian Content – MAPL
Band Recording and Live Lineup:
Valax – Bass, Vocals, Samples
Daniel Toews – Guitar
Davey Hellfire – Drums
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The Album as a whole:
“Chaotic Wisdom” is Satanic d-beat. The music is formulated around typical punk rock song structures, while being projected through the playing style of black metal. Greater emphasis was placed on the samples used on this album in the form of additional percussion and cacophonous electronics. Many of the song lyrics touch base on various themes related to Satanic philosophy, societal stratification, and general debauchery.
Track by Track explained:
1. Mortal Rift addresses the stratification within society. The weight of the arrogant will ultimately bring all of society down. This song begins with a quick samples-only intro which eventually leads into a d-beat sonic assault.
2. A Life of Evil touches base upon the LaVeyan concept of non-conformity. Fear is the ultimate driver in order to overcome complacency. This song is exactly what you would expect to hear from Black Pestilence: fast, to the point, and catchy.
3. The Devil’s Connection addresses the advantages of having an open mind. As esoteric as some scenarios might be, it will allow one to adapt to any situation. This song is slower and creates a darker atmosphere compared to many of the other songs on the album. It is also the only one to feature bass and guitar solos.
4. Chaos and Carnality is a song which describes the lust for a particular lady who shares the same values of a rebellious nature. Sonically, this song is driven heavily by palm-muted guitars and auxiliary percussion.
5. Aspect of Darkness focuses on the ironic progression of Christianity over the years. What once started as a vision of man has now taken on a life of its own. This is the only song written by Daniel Toews on the album. It features much more intricate instrumentation compared to the other songs.
6. Infernal Might reflects on the concept of a third side to all situations. It’s never one side or the other. There is always a third side. This song specifically addresses the obvious division we have seen in society in regards to a multitude of issues that have arisen in the last couple of years. It also features a guest vocalist, Mark Russell from Citizen Rage. Valax and Mark’s vocals offer a nice contrast throughout the song to give it the perfect vocal blend of black metal and punk rock.
7. Animus speaks about the idea that someone or something can be a motivating factor in order to achieve one’s own personal pinnacle. This is the longest song on the album and utilizes a plethora of electronic samples including modulated synths and auxiliary percussion.
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Fun Facts – Story Angles:
1. On the very last show of The Deep East of Europe Tour 2018, we played at an anarchist punk bar in Vienna. The show was running late and everything seemed a bit unorganized. Just before it was our turn to play, we went backstage and proceeded to get ready as usual. Once it was time for us to proceed to the stage we realized the door to the backstage only opened from the outside. We were stuck backstage! Additionally, we had no reception either in there so we couldn’t even call our tour manager. We were in there for at least an extra 20 minutes before the sound guy opened the door and told us not to close the door. Thankfully there were no complaints about the delay and the crowd was super excited about our set. Someone even brought their dog into the pit!
2. Somewhere in the middle of the 2018 European tour, Daniel (guitarist), got food poisoning. This also happened right at the time when we had some long overnight drives. I remember when we arrived at our next show in Suceava, he was as pale as a ghost and could barely keep his head up. Just before it was our turn to play, I told him that he didn’t need to play and we would just do a bass, drums, and vocals set. He was in no condition to play at all. But despite my offer, he picked his head up and said, “I didn’t fly across the world to cancel now.” After which, he put on his mask and proceeded to the stage. Of course, he wasn’t energetic at all on stage that night, but he still played flawlessly.
3. In 2016 we toured Europe for the first time. It was done completely on our own with no managers or agency support, pure DIY. We had a few mishaps throughout the tour. On the second date of the tour, our vehicle was broken into. A bass, mask, and stage clothes were stolen. Fortunately, we were able to borrow a bass and make a cheap mask for the duration of the tour. It was definitely a learning experience. If the parking lot looks sketchy, it probably is!
4. During our 2016 tour of Europe, we were denied entry at the Croatian border. They gave us the run-around and simply tried to push us aside and made us wait in eternal limbo while they allowed other travelers entry into the country. After some deliberation, they decided to check our vehicle and claimed we were unable to enter because they thought we were going to sell our amps in the country. So we turned around and went back to the Serbian border and bribed a guard to hold our amps in his office. After this, the Croatian guards allowed us to enter the country. Once the show finished that night, we raced back to the Serbian border to grab our amps in hopes they didn’t sell them off. Fortunately, the amps were still there and all went as planned. Both of these mishaps are mentioned in our song, D.I.Y. 666.
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
Past Canadian College Radio 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)
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