Antifascist Steel

Grendels Syster - 'Katabasis into the Abaton'/'Abstieg in die Traumkammer' (2024) | Epic Metal

Listen here -> https://youtu.be/Nv46RVuOCxQ

The long-awaited debut full-length album from Grendels Syster is finally here and we’re beyond proud to present it to you. After two fantastic EPs that build up anticipation in the epic heavy metal scene, the three-member band from Stuttgart reminded us to “love metal and hate fascism” (a statement that needs to be heard strongly again in Germany these days with the shocking constant rise of the far right) present us with Katabasis into the Abaton/Abstieg in die Traumkammer an album that is again bilingually presented, in English and German sung versions. It certainly must be admired that vocalist Caro goes into the trouble of recording each album twice, a choice that allows us to appreciate the musical qualities of both languages and it has to be said that she does both as great.

Katabasis into the Abaton is translated from Greek as descending into Άβατον, the holy place in a church that is not allowed for the faithful to walk upon, therefore we could say that the title prepares us for the element of transcendence of imposed limits. The lyrical content is undoubtedly one of the great strengths of the band, with pagan wisdom emanating through the pages of the album, which is filled with references to Greek and Germanic mythology. But where epic metal is often solely expressed with the language of the triumph of power, Grendel’s Sÿster also has a lot of questions that come with it. What is glory, who gets the spoils.

They present the follies of kings and sorcerers, and what happens when the “golden key does not fit”. The band’s simple and effective melodic epic metal style (with some doom and folk elements) hasn’t changed and perfectly serves the poetry, centered around supporting the voice. This less-is-more approach proves to be rewarding again as they sound the strongest that they’re ever been, focusing on delivering the essentials of a good melody and allowing the songwriting to shine.

Katabasis into the Abaton is as we expected an excellent album from a band that clearly puts a lot of effort into making heavy metal music that will stand the passing of time. Congrats to them!

Cipó Fogo - 'Born Enslaved' (Full album, 2024) | Crossover

Listen here -> https://youtu.be/H7372lZfEWA

After having an exciting peak at their latest work (although it was already uploaded by the band at that moment in full to listen) with the 'Distopia' single featured at ABMN early this month, today we are happy to also present the rest of this mini album comprised of 5 songs by the crossover thrash ensemble CIPÓ FOGO (Fire Vine).

With a swooping strength and a clear array of influences put to work into their unique blend of metallic hardcore, the Brazillian / Uruguayan band drops their bomb in the shape of a sometimes groovier, sometimes faster sound (or directly as the exposed beating heart of hardcore punk, like in 'Fail' to close the EP), staying mostly within the crossover thrash frame but kicking outside occasionally with five anthems against the modern-day oppressions, in both Portuguese and Spanish, as well as English. 'Distopia' landed a sharp and emotional view on catastrophes like the current ethnic cleansing happening in Gaza at the hands of Israel and the current settler colonialism they practice since the seed of Zionism was planted in Palestine. All and all, Born Enslaved will visit a wide angle of topics, more personal and close to the artists and their background too there in Brazil, citing them and the many reasons that drew them together to write what they label "Música indignada" (outraged music), as a channelling way in response to rising homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexist violence and most essentialist bigoted discrimination still deeply rooted in their land as anywhere. This burst of raw nonconformity naturally made for the proper probe to add all musical ingredients, ready to ignite with a spark in every listener! A short blast that will knock out your day 🔥

The Dirty Looks - "Second Guessing" demo & two live extracts| Proto-punk

Listen here -> https://youtu.be/o8lYvwLMXGk

Manchester has recently welcomed a new proto-punk project devised by five femmes: THE DIRTY LOOKS.

In May they released their most recent demo, and we have been meaning to introduce you all to them ever since. The day has come, and we thought to bring not only 'Second Guessing', the above-mentioned one-single demo, but also a couple of short live shows extracts of previous singles.

Organ-like keyboards, a very active base, a rhythm section that keeps your attention dancing, easy-going but sort of atmospheric guitars, and melodic but punkish vocals. The perfect combination to keep your feet moving, and your fun going.

While we look forward to new material by The Dirty Looks, make sure to check their next live shows if you are in the area, they sound like a great time out!

Ragum - 'Beyouv' (Full album, 2024) | Grindcore

Listen here -> https://youtu.be/ohgEQH-KvjY

Ah, grindcore! It's always refreshing to have a barrage of short songs and barked vocals after some of our more usual long-form black metal menus. Today's piece, however, is even more welcome than usual, for RAGUM, our guests for this "beautiful" Monday, are a band from the city of Haifa in occupied Palestine/"Israel", and outright state in their press release that these are songs "about military occupation, state-sponsored racism, and the erasure of Arab-Jewish identity". Our stance as a Network is already quite explicit for all to see (but just in case: free Palestine from the river to the sea, end the genocide, f**k Zionism and antideutsche and Genocide Joe and their other allies, down with antisemitism), but we're particularly proud to be able to bring bands local to one of the most important struggles in the history of the oppressed and exploited like we did with Zalaam a few years ago (check them if you haven't!). "Beyouv", Ragum's first album, is grindcore plus death metal plus some surprisingly thrashy riffs and is as simple and straightforward and energetic and mosh-inducing as you probably expect. Crank the volume up, open some space, wear a keffiyeh, and get ready to fight to tear down the modern apartheid!

Dreamslain - "Braving The Storm" (Official video clip, 2024) | Epic progressive metal

Listen here -> https://youtu.be/ouazb3cdB9I

We welcome Dreamslain back into Antifascist Steel, the band from Norway with members from Norway, Switzerland and Russia who is about to release their second album entitled "Forge of Rebellion" after 2021' debut "Tales of Knights and Distant Worlds" on June 14, and so they sent us a video clip from one of the already released songs of the album which we are happy to premiere today. Called "Braving the Storm", the song lyrically deals with the epic journey of a ship, but instead of a theme about conquest and war according to the typical heavy metal trope, Dreamslain sings about a ship of refugees trying to survive who are facing the hostility and racism of the authorities ("grey ships") who are trying to push them back. However, the refugees are saved by sailors who know that you "never turn your back on a ship in need", proving that not all is hopeless, and reflecting the very real contemporary situation in the borders of European (and not only) countries. The video, apart from offering us a sight of the beautiful wintry Norwegian shores and the band, specifically calls out the European Union's cooperation with Frontex on these push-back practices and the criminalization of rescuers and solidarity by states, providing a political message that does not restrict itself to lyrics. Musically, Dreamslain continue the evolution of their brand of epic heavy metal influenced by folk metal and with some extreme and prog influences and we're excited to hear the entirety of the record soon. Congrats and support to them for this very important message!