ROTTEN SOUND are back and angrier than ever. Grindcore is not for the faint of heart and these Finns do not subscribe to the idea of compromise. ‘Abuse to Suffer’ remains true to the band’s resilient roots, while not falling into the traps of chewing endlessly on an old formula gone stale or not daring to add an element of surprise when fitting the style. What sets ROTTEN SOUND apart from other protagonists in the field is an obvious intelligence that shows in their to-the-point songwriting, arrangements, and subtle inclusion of choice death metal elements in their massive sound.   ROTTEN SOUND were conceived in the city of Vaasa, Finland by guitarist Mika Aalto in 1993, who was soon joined by vocalist Keijo Niinimaa. This duo remains in place as the only original members – yet drummer Sami Latva and Kristian Toivainen on bass have meanwhile been steady members for many years as well. The Finns can proudly look back at an impressive catalogue of six highly acclaimed studio albums, seven EPs, three split singles, a single and a live DVD. Furthermore ROTTEN SOUND hit the stages of major metal and hardcore oriented festivals and toured in regular intervals alongside such renowned acts as NASUM, Phobia, Disfear, Carcass, Municipal Waste, Exhumed, Napalm Death, and Pig Destroyer among many others.   With ‘Abuse to Suffer’, ROTTEN SOUND are hammering out an album that equally acknowledges the band’s celebrated past as well as breaking into some new harsh ground that keeps the fire burning.

MARTYRDÖD was formed in 2001 by Mikael Kjellman (guitar) and Jens Bäckelin (drums) in Stockholm. They quickly recruited friends Dawa (vocals) and Axel Gustavsson (bass). This line-up recorded the first self-titled album (2003) in studio Necromorbus. The sound was what today would be described as blackened crust. Shortly after the release Dawa left the band and Pontus joined on second guitar. For the second album “In Extremis” (2005), MARTYRDÖD signed a one-off record deal with American punk label Havoc Records enabling recording in the already legendary Studio Fredman. Mikael took over vocal duties, Axel left and Per Nilsson (Acursed) joined on bass. MARTYRDÖD had now established their trademark sound as a crossover between metal and crust hardcore. The third MARTYRDÖD album “Sekt” (2009) was recorded in a DIY-fashion on the band’s own expense and released through German DIY labels La Familia Releases as well as Farewell Records. In the period that followed, Anton Grönholm (Acursed, Get Up And Goers, Sunday Morning Einsteins) replaced Per on bass. After touring the US in 2011 with friends in the band No Statik, MARTYRDÖD signed a three-record deal with American label Southern Lord Records. Again Studio Fredman was chosen and the fourth album “Paranoia“ was released in 2012. In support of the album MARTYRDÖD joined Black Breath and other label-mates on the 2012 “Power of the Riff” Tour around the US. The writing process for the fifth MARTYRDÖD record started and a tour with Finnish grind act Rotten Sound over Europe was made in early 2013, as Anton sadly left the band. “Elddop” (2014) marked a new high point in regards to scene response for the band and solidified the trust in Studio Fredman as the band’s go-to production partner. Fredrik Reinedahl (producer/engineer for Sólstafir, Burst, Abandon, etc.) was recruited to fill in on bass. MARTYRDÖD toured Europe the same year as support for the legendary American metalcore act Converge. In 2015 MARTYRDÖD made a bunch of festival appearances including Maryland Deathfest US, Temples Fest UK, Obscene Extreme CZ or also Le Guess Who NL. “List” (2016), the final record of the Southern Lord contract took MARTYRDÖD even deeper into their own trademark sound and live shows were made on Iceland and in Russia. In 2017 MARTYRDÖD started looking around for a new record label partner. Fredrik left the band and was replaced by Tim Rosenqvist (Sister). Early 2018 Century Media Records and MARTYRDÖD signed a new three-album contract. Longtime member Pontus decided to leave the band, followed by a regrouping. Tim shifted to take Pontus place as guitarist and Daniel Ekeroth (Dellamorte, ex-Insision, ex-Diskonto, Iron Lamb, Usurpress) was recruited for the bass. “Hexhammaren” (2019) will be the seventh studio album from MARTYRDÖD. Recorded in Studio Fredman with a relentless mix of metal, raw hardcore punk and the unique touch of Nordic melodies that signifies the MARTYRDÖD sound. This release is sure to push the band’s continuum of crossover art even further.

Milwaukee hardcore/metal/punk crossover. The world is fucked and this is the soundtrack to it's demise.

Unholy fuck…stop whatever you are doing, and check out this gnarly band from Belgium called SEVERE. These filthy humans play blackened punk the way it’s supposed to be done: no holds barred rancid chaos from end to end! Every untitled song on this record has been stamped by the mark of the beast. SEVERE creates a violent atmosphere with their sound that has me hooked like it was the most addictive drug on the planet. More than anything, these guys are pretty epic songwriters, penning their tunes like subhuman gutter dwellers. Under all of the stench that their riffs kick up, your can’t escape their charbroiled melody. If I had to compare music to food, it would be burned vulture meat topped off with a unhealthy dose of maggots. Don’t get me wrong – if you like disturbed blackened punk, you’ll dig what this band is serving. What impresses me about this band is the way that at certain times it almost feels like you have entered a chamber of doom. The vocalist for this band has a demon tongue; his delivery is raw and uncut torment. I’m not sure what song I’ll choose, but I do know for sure SEVERE has earned a spot on the next volume of Blackened Everything