LP Review: 'Darkness Died Today' by Sigiriya

With new label Candlelight Records, and new vocalist Matt Williams’ gruff welsh voice leading the line, Sigiriya’s second record packs an almighty punch of chugging riffs and powerful songwriting to continue the legacy of these heavy rocking Welshmen.

After UK stoner legends Acrimony called it a day, the members formed the original line up of Sigiriya and released the record Return To Earth in 2011, but with a change of vocalist, the band are intent on leaving the past at home and stepping into a new world of hard rock masterclasses. Opening with the ferocious ‘Dragging The Bones’, the album kicks off exactly how it means to go on, fast, heavy riffs with an organised songwriting style which welcomes rather than alienates. That could be said to a lot of the tracks here, whether it’s the husky vocals of Matt Williams or just the direction the band are looking to take, they have created a much more accessible and commercial sound which does take a few listens to fully understand, but it’s a courageous ride once you’re on board.

There are plenty of references to their old band Acrimony in the music on offer here as is evident on ‘Return To Earth’ with its doomy opening followed by trudging stoner bass lines and lyrics revolving around  atmosphere and meteors, it’s certainly the album’s most skull-crunching moment. Even the track ‘Godspeeder’ is basically sped up stoner riffs, which is as good as it sounds. The band have some truly cascading moments, In ‘Freedom Engines’ the vocals and guitars build so much it’s a surprise that the speakers don’t collapse in on themselves, and ‘Tribe Of The Old Oak’ is just a mirage of thick heavy waves of riffs that is a sheer joy to tackle.

When the past and line-up shifts have all been put to one side, Darkness Died Today proves itself to simply be just a great heavy rock record, full of riffs, mighty husky vocals and even the odd sing-along moment. The artwork is even done by fellow Welshman, and frontman of Hark, Jimbob Isaac!

 What’s not to love?

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Orange Goblin Signs to Candlelight Records

Orange Goblin has just released the following statement:

"Orange Goblin is very proud to announce a new era for the band with the signing to world renowned metal label, Candlelight Records. The number of vastly successful bands on the Candlelight roster is testament to the quality and the hard work that everyone involved in the label has shown us and we are very excited about settling down in a new home after the label problems we have encountered in the past few years. It’s an honor to be on such an esteemed label alongside bands that have inspired us since the bands inception. I believe that with the Candlelight team behind Orange Goblin, we can concentrate on writing the best material of our career and continue to tour as much as possible, hopefully reaching parts of the world that Orange Goblin is yet to plunder! We have already started writing new material for a release in 2009 and OG fans, in fact metal fans in general, are gonna love how the new stuff is sounding. It’s gonna be a huge combination of Sabbath-inspired doom, filthy biker blues and more of the familiar booze-ridden Goblin groove.........Hold tight!”
– Ben Ward 2008


Over the last ten years, since their formation in the late night drinking holes of London’s Soho, the band have risen to the very pinnacle of what they do and played a major role in inspiring a whole crop of today’s snotty upstarts such as Raging Speedhorn, Charger, 3 Inches of Blood, Viking Skull, Kylesa, Torche, Baroness, and more. The Orange Goblin reputation as an awesome live band has seen them share the stage all over the world with the likes of Alice Cooper, Heaven & Hell, Kreator, Queens of the Stone Age, Danzig, Monster Magnet, Nashville Pussy, Cathedral, Nebula, Unida, Alabama Thunderpussy, Dio, Grand Magus, Witchcraft, and many more. Over the years, Orange Goblin has gained great maturity, due, in part, to the grueling touring schedule that saw them conquering firstly the whole of Europe (a few times), and then headlining their hugely successful first U.S tour, alongside Alabama Thunderpussy, that saw them playing sold out shows in New York, Chicago, and the famous Troubadour in Los Angeles. There was also a successful trip to the far-east with three sold-out shows in Japan.


The band has always been able to work with their favorite producers in the studio, including Dave Chang, Scott Reeder of Kyuss fame, and the master of all things heavy, Billy Anderson. Each of these has been able to get the best from Orange Goblin and captured the weight and ferocity of the live onslaught. In 2004, Orange Goblin embarked on their biggest headlining world tour to date and proved to be a raging success everywhere they went. Again there were packed out shows at world famous venues like CBGB’s in New York, Chicago’s Double Door and the band headlined the notorious Emissions from the Monolith festival in Youngstown, Ohio for the second time.


After celebrating their ten year anniversary with a sold-out show at the Underworld in London, which received a 5K review in Kerrang!, the band headlined another U.S. tour with the mighty Scissorfight and began work on what would become their next album on new label Sanctuary Records. Healing Through Fire was another slab of Sabbathian-doom, punk-fuelled aggression and pure heavy metal thunder that earned rave reviews the world over and saw the band land a slot at the 2007 Download Festival at Castle Donington and support slots in Europe with Heaven & Hell. Orange Goblin also embarked on another headline tour of Northern Europe at the end of 2007, stole the show at the Damnation Festival as well as festivals all over the continent, recorded a coveted BBC session at the world famous Maida Vale studio (which was later aired on the BBC Radio 1 Rock Show), and ended the year with a sell-out show at the London Carling Academy..

www.orange-goblin.com
www.myspace.com/theorangegoblin

Candlelight Records Signs The Living Fields

Candlelight Records confirms the signing of multi-national progressive doom-death outfit The Living Fields. The trio, with members based in Chicago, London and Ottawa, has received early acclaim via their self-released 2004 and 2007 recordings. Now working on their Candlelight debut, currently titled Running Out of Daylight and planned for release in early 2009, the band looks to take the next step in their still developing career.

“Candlelight has been very successful working with bands that defy convention,” says guitarist Jason Muxlow regarding the band’s choice of label. “Their discography is filled with milestones. Their legacy undoubtedly speaks for itself and we`re thrilled to be part of their future.”


Originally formed in 2002 by Muxlow, The Living Fields have had their sound likened to that of My Dying Bride, November’s Doom, and others. But with a twist. Together with vocalist Jon Higgs (also of Monsterworks) and drummer Chad Walls (Brodequin, Enter Self), Muxlow and The Living Fields explore a wide range of sounds and styles utilizing a palette of guitar, drums, bass, strings, piano, and spine-chilling vocals that will amaze fans and critics worldwide. "True epic metal of a most norm-shattering aspect," says Terrorizer of the band’s self-titled debut. “Mandatory,” adds Metal Maniacs.


The Living Fields is the latest to join London-based Candlelight’s growing US roster, a strong concentration of artist development for the rising label. Home to all catalog from Emperor, Ihsahn, Zyklon, 1349, Insomnium, plus early recordings from Opeth and Burzum, Candlelight’s American roster now includes Obituary, Crowbar, Daylight Dies, Abigail Williams (new album this fall), Absu, Averse Sefira, Sothis, and Sourvein. The label is distributed exclusively in the United States via Caroline/EMI, PHD Canada for the northern country and Plastichead Music for Europe.


www.thelivingfields.com
www.myspace.com/thelivingfields
www.candlelightrecordsusa.com
www.myspace.com/candlelightrecordsusa

SOURVEIN Signs With CANDLELIGHT RECORDS

Candlelight Records has announced the signing of the North Carolina-based sludge/doom metal band SOURVEIN. The popular five-piece, which is on tour now through August 11, has recorded a special/limited-edition EP titled "Imperial Bastard" which will see domestic release on September 30. It will be followed by the band's Billy Anderson-produced full-length label debut, currently planned for release in early 2009.

Formed in 1993, SOURVEIN relocated to Cape Fear, North Carolina after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the band's New Orleans home base. Currently featuring vocalist T-Roy Medlin, former BUZZOV-EN drummer Ramzi, bassist Bonne Doom with guitarists Cool Clyde and Sleepy Doom, the band has issued two full-length albums — the self-titled (often referred to as "Salvation") debut, released in 2000 on Game Two Records; and "Will to Mangle", released in 2002 on Southern Lord. Numerous EPs and split recordings have kept the band in the eyes of their growing fanbase as well their commitment to consistent touring both in the U.S. and overseas.

SOURVEIN performing live in Charlotte, North Carolina - September 2007: