NOCTURNAL WITCH - Summoning Hell LP+7"EP

"Summoning Hell" by East German black/thrash band Nocturnal Witch was originally released in 2014 and is now being reissued on CD and vinyl by High Roller Records. The duo's punk-influenced and insidiously catchy debut album has become a sought-after underground classic, one that people enjoy listening to again or perhaps even for the first time. "It was recorded in our old rehearsal room, a former office complex in the middle of nowhere," recall singer/guitarist Tyrant and drummer Baphomet. "A dreary place, but precisely because of that, a good place to write music." The two write without any specific goals and rework the songs until they are satisfied with them. In fact, this approach hasn't changed on their follow-up, "A Thousand Pyres" (2019), and has remained the same to this day. With galloping highlights like "Among the Ruins of the Dead" and "Black Death," and its obvious nods to the genre's pioneers (Venom, early Bathory), "Summoning Hell" has definitely aged well. Meanwhile, Tyrant and Baphomet are hard at work on songs for their third album, which they will begin recording later this year. "Over time, musical influences and perspectives change and expand," they conclude. "We have much more experience now, both as musicians and songwriters. This allows us to incorporate a wider range of influences into our music. We don't sit down to write a typical black thrash song. It comes as it comes—and that's what makes it exciting for us."

"Summoning Hell" was recorded in 5 days at "Black Magic Studios" in Ilmenau September 2013. Engineered, mixed (at "HMSS Headquarters" December 2013) and mastered by Patrick W. Engel. "Into Dungeons" was recorded in late 2010. Mixed & mastered by Steffen from SOUNDBRIDGE.

Ltd. 250x black vinyl LP, 425gsm heavy cardboard cover, insert, bonus 4-track 7” "Into Dungeons" with p/s and insert.

High Roller 2025