Dying Victims Productions is proud to announce the following new Pre-orders:
DVP 172 Significant Point – Into the Storm LP/CD
DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present SIGNIFICANT POINT’s highly anticipated debut album, Into the Storm, on CD and vinyl LP formats.
Hailing from Japan, SIGNIFICANT POINT was formed by guitarists Kazuki Kuwagaki and Gou Takeuchi in March 2011. Holding high the banner of old-school speed/heavy metal, they started playing live shows in Tokyo. Through a lot of member changes, SIGNIFICANT POINT released their first demo, Attacker!, in 2014 and the Live at Tokyo CD in 2017. In 2018, the two-song EP Attacker was released on 7” vinyl by France’s Inferno Records, and it received a good reaction in the underground scene.
Itormentor (drums) and Kazuhiro Watanabe (bass) joined in 2016 and 2018, respectively, and the current lineup of SIGNIFICANT POINT was at last finalized. In 2019, they started recording their first album. With great help from George Itoh (Risingfall / Military Shadow), it was completed in September 2020 after a year and a half of effort.
Fittingly bearing the title Into the Storm, SIGNIFICANT POINT’s debut album is indeed a monsoon of heavy metal mayhem, spanning traditional and epic styles to speed metal and even early power metal. The band live and breathe heavy metal in all its classicist forms, and the quintet know the intrinsic power of hooks and especially variety, both of which are found bountifully across Into the Storm. With enviable ease, SIGNIFICANT POINT marry masterful execution to high drama whilst never losing the importance of actual songs – in other words, no style over substance here. Truly, you will NOT be able to get any of these 10 anthems outta your head, and large credit is due to the poetic dual-guitar interplay of Kuwagaki and Takeuchi; dazzling to say the very least, their leads and solos are almost another singing voice. Which is to take nothing away from the rest of the band, who bring together melodic bass-work, tastefully propulsive drumming, and the high-pitched metal-warrior vocals of George Itoh to create a veritable orchestra of sound.
While the bulk of the lyrics are in English, the unique tonal qualities of Japanese lend Into the Storm comparisons to Loudness’ early, proto-epic metal albums like Devil Soldier and The Law of Devil’s Land. But casting one’s metallic gaze further across continents (and decades), SIGNIFICANT POINT significantly point to myriad elements of such legends as Grim Reaper, Metal Church, Sinner, Cloven Hoof, and Omen on to the culter likes of Shok Paris, Liege Lord, Sortilege, Agent Steel, and Savage Grace, all with a firm grounding in the classics of Scorpions, Rainbow, Judas Priest, UFO, and Iron Maiden. Any way you slice it, the katana of SIGNIFICANT POINT is deadly, so prepare to go Into the Storm!
Regular edition on black vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, postcard and download code.
Special edition on blue vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, postcard, download code and woven patch.
CD edition with sticker.
Out 26th February
DVP 173 Sandstorm – Desert Warrior MLP/MCD/MC
DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present a brand-new mini-album from Canada’s SANDSTORM, Desert Warrior, on CD, 12” vinyl and cassette formats.
It was but the spring of 2020 when DYING VICTIMS unleashed SANDSTORM’s debut album, Time to Strike, onto the worldwide metal scene. Prior to that, the Vancouver-based band had self-released the album in early 2019, and while the initial run sold out quickly, it remained a diamond in the rough. But indeed, diamonds shine regardless, and soon enough did Time to Strike’s gleam reach all corners of the globe: here was glorious (and gloriously scrappy) pre-speed/thrash HEAVY METAL in the literally ancient, sword-wielding style so favored in the early ‘80s, rendered in such authentic (and authentically over-the-top) style, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this was some unearthed relic from the era. Word spread, and rightly, that SANDSTORM were the Real Deal.
And now, with the imminent release of Desert Warrior, SANDSTORM prove loudly that they are the REAL fucking DEAL! A swift-yet-generous record at 21 minutes, the four songs comprising Desert Warrior are thematically unified by classic late ‘60s / early ‘70s sci-fi tropes, and the power-trio suitably keep the focus squarely on riffs and atmosphere. Those riffs retain the same feeling as the full-length predecessor – nothing overdriven, everything moving at a hot-rockin’ pace – and where medieval magick ran riot across a strongly rock ‘n’ roll backbone, here do SANDSTORM evoke a strong sense of the epic and tragic. That Desert Warrior’s atmosphere is noticeably more moody takes nothing away from the metallic heights they reach; if anything, one could liken the mini-album to ghostly NWOBHM bordering on lonerist AOR, but still with a propensity to kick out the jams when needed. For proof, see the aptly titled “Evil Wins” and note the specter of Mercyful Fate floating nearby. Plus, the band aren’t monikered SANDSTORM for nothing: it was about damn time they did a record called Desert Warrior and made a musical mini-movie of sorts!
Still obscure and old-school as ever, SANDSTORM etch out an even more undeniable identity with Desert Warrior. Will you enter the wasteland with them?
Regular edition on black vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, postcard and download code.
Special edition on white vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, postcard, download code and woven patch.
MCD edition with sticker.
MC edition with sticker, button and download code.
Out 26th February
DVP 174 Night Prowler – No Escape LP
DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present NIGHT PROWLER’s stellar debut album, No Escape, on vinyl LP format.
Hailing from São Paulo, Brazil, NIGHT PROWLER was formed in 2017 by guitarist Luke D. Couto. Since the beginning, the band was influenced by the iron-clad likes of Saxon, Dokken, Iron Maiden, Running Wild, and Demon among many others: essentially, traditional heavy metal in excelsis.
In early 2017, Couto began working on new compositions for a possible solo material, due to the hiatus of his other bands. The initial idea was to release an EP with five tracks, which were composed in the first half of 2017. However, he needed musicians for the recordings and shows, so the idea of solo album was discarded, and he recruited musicians for the project.
The original lineup of NIGHT PROWLER consisted of Fernando Donasi (vocals), Luke D. Couto (guitar), Igor Senna (guitar), Gabriel Teixeira (bass), and Victor Oliveira (drums). After finishing the songs, the band signed with Kill Again Records and, in 2018, released their debut album, No Escape. Like a lost relic from 1986 or thereabouts, NIGHT PROWLER’s debut album presents 10 tracks that are all unified in their fight for metal but each one as different as the next: pumping ‘n’ virile speed one song, velvety mysticism another; sun-drenched sleaze one song, moodily melodic in another; tough as nails from beginning to end, but unafraid to show a softer side now and again, especially with the spacey synths coating climactic closer “Stranger.” And like so many killer private-press metal records from the mid ‘80s, the production’s on the right side of raw, but thankfully never sacrifices any of the inherent heaviness nor earworming hooks. In other words, just like the moniker NIGHT PROWLER itself, No Escape equally evokes the splendors of life after dark as well as its aftermath.
Since then, NIGHT PROWLER have shared stages of clubs and festivals with such bands as Sweden’s Air Raid, Murdeath, Breakout, and Flagelador. In 2019, drummer Victor Oliveira left the band and was replaced with former Leather Faces drummer Cave Hoffmann. Since then, they’ve been working together on new songs and doing several shows promoting their debut album. In the meantime, No Escape is at last unleashed on the most perfect format for classic metal: VINYL!
Regular edition on black vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, postcard and download code.
Special edition on white vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, postcard, download code and woven patch.
Out 26th February
DVP 155 Midnight Priest – Aggressive Hauntings LP – 2nd Pressing
DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present MIDNIGHT PRIEST’s stellar third album, Aggressive Hauntings, on vinyl LP format. 2nd pressing!
By now a fixture on the true metal scene, Portugal’s MIDNIGHT PRIEST have been keeping it true for a dozen years now. With CD releases on such esteemed labels as Stormspell, Metal on Metal, and Slaney, this exceptionally monikered quintet – drummer War Tank, guitarists Iron Fist and Steel Bringer, vocalist Lex Thunder, and bassist Joe Dalton – consistently burn with a proud ‘n’ powerful sound that’s 1000% iron-clad HEAVY METAL.
Of their full-length releases, arguably, it is 2019’s Aggressive Hauntings which is their proudest and most powerful statement yet. No great changes made here – cruising-yet-crunchy metal between mid-tempo and speed, tracing a trajectory from classic Lizzy Borden to ‘80s King Diamond to Painkiller-era Judas Priest – but it’s the swagger and confidence MIDNIGHT PRIEST display across this third album that make it absolutely addicting. These are all ANTHEMS, brimming with bravado and drama and total ‘n’ utter POWER, each one draped in darkness but equally sheathed in steel most glimmering. It’s not titled Aggressive Hauntings for nothing!
Dedicated to the memory of metal legends Lemmy, Mark Shelton, and Terry Jones, MIDNIGHT PRIEST’s Aggressive Hauntings is at last unleashed on the most perfect format for classic metal: VINYL!
Regular edition on black vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, postcard.
Special edition on yellow vinyl, with insert, poster, sticker, postcard and woven patch (new design).
Out 26th February
DVP 167 Megaton Sword – Blood Hails Steel – Steel Hails Fire LP – 2nd Pressing
DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is proud to present MEGATON SWORD’s highly anticipated debut album, Blood Hails Steel – Steel Hails Fire, on CD, cassette and vinyl LP formats.
It was but November of last year when MEGATON SWORD unleashed their glorious debut EP, Niralet, via DYING VICTIMS. Arriving fully formed, virtually without warning – no prior demo recordings existed, at least not publicly – this Swiss quartet 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. And no one knew just how high they could fly, only that they were just getting started.
Now, with the arrival of their imminent debut album, Blood Hails Steel – Steel Hails Fire, MEGATON SWORD are marching into the halls of greatness, with no one to stop them. Retaining the same, well-named lineup – vocalist Uzzy Unchained, guitarist Chris the Axe, bassist Simon the Sorcerer, and drummer Dan Thundersteel – MEGATON SWORD maximize the strengths of the EP and then some, revealing new twists to that mystery of steel whilst retaining the charisma and crunch that endeared them to the true-metal underground the first time around. Indeed, Blood Hails Steel – Steel Hails Fire is aptly titled, almost ridiculously so: this is true-as-steel HEAVY METAL drunk on high fantasy and the enduring themes of conquest and valor, triumph and tragedy, but rendered in a form even bloodier and possessing more bravado. It’s also more dynamic, maximizing drama between notes and from one passage to the next, each movement a narrative crucial to their conquest. Those notes are suitably wrapped in a production that’s powerful in its clarity and pure in its intention, revealing MEGATON SWORD as both craftsmen and warriors, and never sacrificing grit on the altar of perfection (or vice versa).
Above all, Blood Hails Steel – Steel Hails Fire is comprised of legitimately awesome SONGS that stick in your head immediately, even when traveling upon a winding, suitably epic path. Each one of the eight contained herein feel far vaster than their succinct track times suggest; credit is thus due to MEGATON SWORD’s firing-on-all-cylinders songwriting. Or perhaps it’s the patient pacing they employ, which they first revealed on Niralet, allowing each bellow of bathos and push of pathos to ring out and as true as possible; perhaps it’s the passion and machismo dripping from every element, every drop of blood, sweat, and tears tangible and intense; or once again, perhaps it’s the band simultaneously sounding timeless and fresh, safely evading both rote “retro” throwback and over-modernity in kind, and doing it more effortlessly than ever. Either way, MEGATON SWORD have delivered an album both bold in its ambition yet urgent in its delivery – truly, the thing that classic debut LPs are made of.
With Niralet, we made references to ’80s Manowar, Warlord, and Manilla Road as well as early Running Wild and Nasty Savage, but with Blood Hails Steel – Steel Hails Fire, MEGATON SWORD truly sound like no one but themselves: the growth is palpable, but not once overextended. And graced again with unforgettable cover art courtesy of Adam Burke, one of the best debut albums of the year is ready to be wielded!
Regular gatefold edition on black vinyl, with poster, sticker, postcard and download code.
Special gatefold edition on blue/black/ultra clear splatter vinyl, with poster, sticker, postcard and woven patch (new design) and download code.
Out 26th February