Ancient Bards - Artifex - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Melodic death metal duo Dawn of Existence joins Black Lion Records to re- their album, Ancient Arts. This ritualistic experience explores themes of the occult, cosmology, history, fantasy, and the paranormal, leading listeners through the unknown and revealing eldritch sights beyond the veil. The album is a testament to duality both viciously violent and elegantly melodic. Formed in 2017, Dawn of Existence debuted with the demo Pale Mythos in 2019, laying the groundwork for Ancient Arts. In 2023, they released their first single, InchMarble Garden,Inch which tells the tale of a lost golden age of civilization on the brink of destruction, when the lines between magic and science were blurred. With Black Lion Records, the re- of the album will be available physically worldwide for the first time. Album Tracks 1. Marble Garden 2. Toe Up 3. Satan Spacelord 4. Mystic Serpent 5. Skoda 14 6. The Hierophant 7. Tides 8. Meet Me at the Stake

Swedish/American supergroup Pre-Human Vaults was founded by guitarist Ronnie Björnström (Solution.45, ex-Aeon) in 2012. Initially intended to combine the thrashier side of bands, such as early Metallica, Testament and Machine Head, with a more straightforward death metal-oriented sound, it later progressed into something else, but with that first notion still as the starting point. Even the PHV logo was a direct result of that first notion. Four songs were initially written, but it wasn't until 2014, when Ronnie was visited by American drummer Michael Gomez (ex-Black Plague) in his studio Garageland Studios, that the foundation and sound of the band came together. Gomez's aggressive, yet groovy playing style suited the songs perfectly and a collaboration was started. Shortly afterwards, Peter Nordin (ex-Meshuggah, Calipash) came to the studio and recorded bass on the songs, and a solid foundation was created. Ronnie then mixed the 4-song demo and sent it to Christian Älvestam, who is known for his aggressive singing style in bands such as Solution.45, Scar Symmetry, Unmoored and many others. Guitarist Patrik Gardberg (Torchbearer, ex-Solution.45, ex-Ammotrack) was asked to record solos on the songs, and as of then the band was 100% complete, but would be put on hold for a short amount of time Album Tracks 1. Whirlwind Reaper 2. Close to All Next to Nothing 3. When the Trap Is Set 4. Shadow 44

Album Tracks 1. Before the Storm 2. Greater Purpose 3. Flaming Heart 4. Across This Life 5. In My Arms 6. Last Resort 7. Showdown 8. In the End 9. Spiriti Liberi 10. New Dawn Ending 11. In My Arms [*][Multimedia Track]