Dying Victims Productions is proud to announce the following new Pre-orders:
DVP 244 Megaton Sword – Might & Power LP/CD/MC
DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present MEGATON SWORD’s highly anticipated second album, Might & Power, on CD, music cassette and vinyl LP formats.
Since their auspicious birth in 2018, there’s been no stopping Switzerland’s MEGATON SWORD. As if their very moniker was a prescient stroke of genius – or, rather, a self-fulfilling prophecy – the once-quartet arrived fully formed with their glorious debut EP, Niralet, in 2019 via DYING VICTIMS. Here, virtually without warning, they evinced an ages-old sound that was wise (and wizened) well beyond their young years. Already, MEGATON SWORD knew the mystery of steel…and wielded it with a startling confidence. Which made their debut album the next year, Blood Hails Steel – Steel Hails Fire, all the more shocking: MEGATON SWORD somehow revealed new twists to that mystery of steel, and further evinced a charisma that was star-power writ large. Again released by DYING VICTIMS, it was no shock that Blood Hails Steel – Steel Hails Fire was hailed far and wide. And yet still, it seemed MEGATON SWORD were only getting started…
And they’re not finished – not by a long shot – as testified by their second album, Might & Power. Almost absurdly titled in its elegant simplicity, Might & Power might seem on the surface a reiteration of their true-as-steel HEAVY METAL, and to a large degree, that’s correct – MEGATON SWORD are still drunk on high fantasy and the enduring themes of conquest and valor, triumph and tragedy – but the deceptively expansive album sees the now-quintet stretching their sturdy sound in directions more dynamic and extreme. When was the last time you heard actual blastbeats on a true-metal album? Well, you’ll certainly find ‘em here on Might & Power and probably not bat an eyelash, for MEGATON SWORD wield all their weapons effortlessly. What about ‘70s singer-songwriter melodrama, plaintive piano and all? Same here: while far more subtle, the integration of softer, rock-oriented textures makes their metal all the more enduring – and exciting. For if there’s one guiding theme that earmarks Might & Power as MEGATON SWORD’s arguably greatest recording, it’s that the drama is windswept but undeniably human, in all its myriad hues; this may be heavy metal after all, but it’s not “only heavy metal.” Put another way, MEGATON SWORD so deeply understand that mystery of steel that they know when to sheath their (sonic) swords and offer a weathered hand, gently raising up their fallen comrades. Much credit goes to vocalist Uzzy Unchained, whose pipes poignantly narrate this evocative shift.
With no hyperbole intended, MEGATON SWORD are no longer on the march. They have truly reached the halls of greatness with Might & Power. Hearing is believing, but it just might bring you to tears.
– Regular gatefold edition on black vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, post card and download code.
– Special gatefold edition on golden vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, post card, download code and patch.
– Special gatefold edition on tricolor vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, post card, download code and patch.
– CD edition with sticker and obi.
– MC edition with sticker, button, download code.
Out 24th February
DVP 246 Iron Curtain – Metal Gladiator EP MLP/MCD
DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present a brand-new mini-album from IRON CURTAIN, Metal Gladiator, on CD and 12” vinyl formats.
For over 15 years now, Spanish metal inquisition IRON CURTAIN have been stalwart defenders of the faith. With a discography that includes four full-lengths and twice as many EPs, splits, and demos, IRON CURTAIN’s ever-sturdy sound was forged in the fires of the early ‘80s: largely nodding to the eternal Motörhead as well as Tank, but also Canadian gods like Exciter and Razor, to the Teutonic might of early Iron Angel and Grave Digger, to Scandinavian gods OZ and Heavy Load, to cult American icons Abattoir and Savage Grace. And with the DYING VICTIMS release of career highpoint Danger Zone in 2019, that sound’s become even more rocking than ever.
And IRON CURTAIN continue that trajectory with a quick-hitting and absolutely electric mini-album titled Metal Gladiator. A smorgasboard of old & new and special all the same, Metal Gladiator includes three new and exclusive tracks – “Crossing the Acheron,” “Burn in Hell,” and the title track “Metal Gladiator” – recorded at their own Gorgon Studios during the latter half of 2021, displaying perhaps their most perfect balance of grit and gleam…total anthems! Then there are three older songs that include special lead-guitar friends: “Rough Riders”with Noboru Jero Sakuma (Gorgon, Abigail, Metalucifer), “Stormbound”with Blumi (Metal Inquisitor, Midnight Rider), and “The Running Man” with Harry Granroth (RAM). And lastly is the brand-new song “Rattlesnake,” which will be on IRON CURTAIN’s forthcoming fifth full-length. Altogether, Metal Gladiator is a new start for the band and resounding reassurance for IRON CULT’s true-metal dominance during their third decade of existence!
– Regular edition on black vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, post card and download code.
– Special edition on ultra clear vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, post card, download code and patch.
– MCD edition with sticker and obi.
Out 24th February
DVP-R 010 Buzzard – Gambler LP/CD
RELICS FROM THE CRYPT, the sub-label of DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS dedicated to keeping the past alive, is proud to present a long-overdue reissue of the lone cult album of Belgium’s BUZZARD, Gambler, on vinyl LP and CD formats. The CD version also includes the band’s 1983 demo, A Strange Gang, as bonus tracks.
Hailing from Menen, West Flanders, Belgium’s BUZZARD initially began as early as 1979 when vocalist Hans Berten (Hanzie) and drummer Dirk Vanhee decided to start a band together. A search for a guitarist and bassist began in earnest, with guitarist Steve Deceuninck and Nick Debeuf (Riff) both joining midway through 1980. Since a bassist was not immediately found, Hans decided to take on bass guitar as well as vocals. The moniker BUZZARD was then chosen, as inspiration was drawn from the band Armageddon, whose 1975 album of the same name featured the song “Buzzard,” which Steve had learned to play on guitar. The band’s first gig took place in February 1981.
Lineup shuffles ensued, but BUZZARD eventually recorded the demo A Strange Gang in 1983, the only official demo they’d record. Their live reputation grew in kind, and the band came to the attention of Antler Records, who signed BUZZARD for a two-album deal. Perhaps not surprisingly, more lineup shuffles ensued two months before recording their debut album and even continued during its recording, but what a record they delivered.
Titled Gambler, BUZZARD’s first – and sadly, only – album is a poignant snapshot of heavy metal in 1984. Reprising three re-recorded songs from the preceding demo, Gambler bursts and bristles with a youthful energy that’s almost naïve, but endearingly and charmingly so. For BUZZARD were simply a HEAVY METAL band – not strictly speed metal, although they had their share of juiced-up rockers, nor did they have the pout & strut of so much hard rock-leaning metal of the time, and they definitely weren’t thrash, still very much in its nascent days – and one that nodded to both England and Germany, but never too often nor for too long. The album’s first two tracks perhaps spell it out best: “Stone-Hard and Loud” and “We Are Heavy Rockers,” as perfect of an opening combo as there is for the time. And the rest of the record is absolutely spellbinding in its verve and vivacity, with the recording just on the right side of rough.
Gambler was released at the end of October 1984, and the following week, disaster struck again: Steve was involved in a motorcycle accident and was in a coma for a week and a half, requiring three months of rehabilitation. When Steve was fit again, many gigs followed, including some concerts in France and in the Netherlands. Work then began on the second BUZZARD album, and although the writing process was progressing well and the record was already written, the band found that the fire was actually quietly dying out because of other interests, relationships etc. Thus, in February 1986, the band decided to pull the plug on BUZZARD.
Now, 38 years later, Gambler will see a well-deserved reissue – and, for the first time ever, on CD as well as vinyl. A BUZZARD reunion is out of the question because Steve has traded in his guitar for a drum kit over the years and also out of respect for Stephan Logie (Elly), who sadly left us in 2018. The former members still see each other regularly at local parties where old memories are made between pot and pint. BUZZARD created a band for life!
– Regular edition on black vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, post card and download code.
– Special edition on deep purple vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, post card, download code and patch.
– CD edition with sticker and obi.
Out 24th February
DVP 247 Iron Kobra / Atom Smasher – Malicious Magician / The Law 7″
DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present a split 7” EP between IRON KOBRA and ATOM SMASHER.
IRON KOBRA should be a familiar name to those who follow DYING VICTIMS, as the Germans have become something of a “flagship band” for the label after their two full-lengths, 2012’s Dungeon Masters and 2015’s Might & Magic. And just as those two albums’ titles (and covers!) display, IRON KOBRA are true-as-steel HEAVY METAL time-locked in 1984! And while it’s been quite quiet on the recorded front since that second full-length (except for the 2017 “Kerker & Drachen” 7”), the bikers from Hell return with a brand-new track here, “Malicious Magician,” that’s a glorious return to form – and shows they’re ready for a gleaming-black new chapter, swords strapped to their iron steeds. On the flip is fellow Germans ATOM SMASHER: despite forming in 2010, it wasn’t until a decade later when they delivered their first EP. And while a four-way split followed the next year, the duo’s spare discography suggests quality over quantity – and that’s what you get with their track here, “The Law,” which is a moody & mysterious epic of equally archaic metal. Bright days ahead for ATOM SMASHER, and DYING VICTIMS is stoked to get their name out there with the ever-reliable IRON KOBRA.
– 7″ with sticker, download code.
Out 24th February