Awakening Records

22/07/2026

The vinyl edition of "Psalms of Filth," the second album by Irish death metal veterans ZEALOT CULT, is underway! We've got some photos straight from the press plant—we're excited to share this special moment with you!

Did you get a chance to check out the first preview track we shared a few days ago? You'll find the link in the comments—it's worth a listen!

17/07/2026

Formed in 2019 in Uppsala, Sweden, GOLD SPIRE was created by brothers Erik Sundström and Påhl Sundström after the end of USURPRESS. What began as an outlet for ideas developed during the recording sessions for USURPRESS's final album, Interregnum, gradually evolved into a project drawing on progressive death metal, doom, progressive rock, and jazz-influenced arrangements.

Together with saxophonist Magnus Kjellstrand and bassist Petter Broman, the band developed a sound focused on atmosphere, contrast, and dynamics rather than strict genre boundaries. Heavy sections sit alongside slower, melodic passages, while saxophone, flute, and layered arrangements play a consistent role throughout the material.

On Steps into Shadow, GOLD SPIRE moves toward a darker, more direct approach while keeping the album's progressive and death metal foundation central. The material balances heavier riffs and dense arrangements with more restrained passages, allowing the album's atmosphere to build gradually throughout.

The album also marks the first release with vocalist Arvid Sjödin (FLOATING), who joined the band following the departure of former vocalist Heval Bozarslan. His vocal approach brings a distinct presence to the material while fitting naturally into the band's evolving sound.

Steps into Shadow was recorded between 2023 and 2026 at Studio Siborator by Erik Sundström, with mixing and mastering handled by Lawrence Mackrory. The artwork was created by Påhl Sundström.

Rather than moving further toward technical excess, GOLD SPIRE continues to focus on mood, pacing, and atmosphere, combining progressive structures with death metal weight and darker melodic elements without losing cohesion.

16/07/2026

Drawing influence from legendary acts such as Atheist, Hellwitch, Sadus, Cynic, and Nocturnus, INSCRIBED delivers a blistering mix of razor-sharp riffing, dizzying technicality, and progressive songwriting, firmly rooted in the spirit of early 90s Florida death metal. Despite the members' young ages, the band channels a level of musicianship and intensity that feels both classic and dangerously fresh.

Formed in 2021 by bassist Evie Austin and drummer/vocalist Lucas Moore, INSCRIBED quickly established themselves within the South Florida extreme metal underground with a 2022 demo and their 2024 debut EP In Silent Oblivion. After recruiting guitarist Mario Alvarez, the trio sharpened their sound through relentless live performances across Florida, evolving into a ferocious live unit prepared to raise the stakes with Upon the Twisted Throne.

The new album pushes the band's progressive death/thrash formula into even more extreme territory, blending intricate musicianship with raw aggression and memorable songwriting. A bass-driven compositional approach gives the record a unique identity, with Evie Austin's lightning-fast runs and powerful fingerstyle attack sitting front and center alongside Mario Alvarez's cutting riffs, Lucas Moore's relentless drumming, and savage vocal delivery.

"Upon the Twisted Throne acts as a bold step forward for Inscribed, continuing the progressive death-thrash style the band debuted with In Silent Oblivion into an even more intense direction," says the band. "The album sees the band showing off its usual range of death/thrash influences with even more technical aptitude and melodic breaks."

15/07/2026

Forged from the cold, uncompromising foundations of classic Scandinavian Death Metal and sharpened with a heavier, more technically ambitious edge, Devouring the Gods marks a significant step forward for the Stockholm-based band.

Since emerging in 2020 as a studio project founded by drummer and songwriter Nicke Olsson, ONE DAY IN PAIN has steadily evolved into a fully realized recording and touring outfit, earning attention for its relentless work ethic and dedication to releasing new material with almost machine-like consistency. What began with the independently driven debut Imperial Fires has now developed into a band operating with greater confidence, identity, and purpose than ever before.

With a thicker, more oppressive sound and a greater emphasis on atmosphere, groove, and low-end power, Devouring the Gods expands upon the band's previous material while retaining the aggression and intensity that have defined ONE DAY IN PAIN since day one.

The album was recorded at Studio Fluff in Västerås, with drums and bass tracked live, and was then mixed and mastered by Jimmy Lundberg at Studio Catacombs in Stockholm.

Across four albums in six years, ONE DAY IN PAIN have quietly built a reputation for consistency, authenticity, and sheer determination. Devouring the Gods feels like the sound of a band no longer searching for its identity, but fully embracing it.

14/07/2026

Formed in 2025, the international metal project CYCLOPIC features musicians from Kazakhstan, Russia, and Germany. The band's musical roots lie in old-school death and thrash metal inspired by bands such as OBITUARY, BENEDICTION, MORGOTH, SEPULTURA, and SENTIENT HORROR.

Featuring vocalist/composer Alexey Rumyantsev (DIG ME NO GRAVE, SINISTER VOID), guitarist/bassist Sergey Stepanenko (CRITICAL EXTRAVASATION, BLOOD POLLUTION), and studio drummer Jörg Uken (ADVERSVM, TEMPLE OF DREAD).

Recorded remotely, the album's 10 tracks draw their lyrical themes from fantasy novelist Michael Moorcock's tomes—most notably the "Swords Trilogy" and other "Eternal Champion" stories. The album opener, "Swords of Savage," and the title track possess mid-paced OSDM vibes, with groove-infused riffs and a relentless rhythmic thrust, while the ferocious "Lich Seed" features powerful vocals and memorable riffs. The AMON AMARTH-esque album closer "Doomed to Eternity" was composed years ago but finally sees the light of day here, proving to be the perfect ending to the 33-minute album.

13/07/2026

Romanian death metal dealers, Scythe, are steeped in OSDM influences in the vein of DEPRAVITY, RIPPING CO**SE, IMPETIGO, and BAPHOMET, combined with modern elements recalling similarities to contemporary bands such as MOLDER, CRYPTIVORE, and COFFIN ROT.

Formed in 2023, the rotten quartet—featuring drummer David Rolea, vocalist/bassist Andrei Constandache, and guitarists Mihai Panait and Andrei Oglan—released its debut demo the following year. On the band's debut full-length album, Boiled Alive (initially released as a digital-only independent release in February of 2026), the band included three previous tracks from the demo, which are now receiving an official label release from Awakening Records.

Across the album's eight savage tracks, SCYTHE delivers a plethora of death/thrash compositions, loaded with filthy, fleet-footed transitional riffs, a barrage of barbaric rhythms, and disgusting, inhuman guttural vocals. At a perfect 34-plus-minute album runtime, the replay factor is immediate.

Mixed by Cheyenne Brandt and mastered by John Braddock, "Boiled Alive" blends an old-school death metal aesthetic with modern studio techniques, giving the album a raw, rotten sonority.

12/07/2026

Formed in 2005 in Medellín, Colombia, WARTHRASH have gradually moved from their early thrash roots toward a heavier, darker sound, incorporating elements of classic death metal while keeping the speed and directness of thrash intact.

On No Light Shall Remain, the band works within that space without overcomplicating it. The material leans on fast, riff-driven structures, occasional blast beats, and mid-tempo sections that give the songs room to breathe. "Culebras Sin Honor" features blazing guitar riffs, grunted vocals, and quick blast beats, while "Oscura Condena" is equally intense, with relentless dynamics throughout. "Undefeated" and "Hand of Doom" have a majestic vibe and a galloping rhythmic groove, with "Hand of Doom" also bearing an INFERNAL MAJESTY-inspired feel.

Lyrically, the album moves through themes of power, decay, and confrontation, without focusing on a single concept. The atmosphere stays direct, matching the record's overall sound.

The album was recorded and mastered at Area 51 Studios in Medellín. The production remains clear but avoids over-polishing, maintaining a raw edge. The cover artwork by Felipe Mora follows the same direction and aligns with the band's identity.

11/07/2026

A few days ago, a large shipment of our releases arrived at Dark Descent Records' headquarters. Coincidentally, DDR is running its summer sale, making it a fantastic opportunity for US fans to get Awakening Records releases at great prices with reasonable US shipping rates! Don't wait—grab yours before they're all gone!

https://www.darkdescentrecords.com/shop/product-tag/awakening-records/

SUMMER SALE STARTS NOW!

Save 30% off most items using code SUMMER at checkout through July 14!

www.darkdescentrecords.com/shop

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11/07/2026

If you missed ZEALOT CULT's debut of their exciting new single, 'Sadist,' yesterday, don't worry — you can listen to it now! 'Sadist' is an incredible DEATH METAL track you'll love. It's from their upcoming second full-length album, 'Psalms of Filth,' set to release on September 25. Useful links are in the comments below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pmfo2h0X-gY

A savage introduction to the band's next chapter, 'Sadist' encapsulates everything that has earned ZEALOT CULT their reputation as one of Ireland's premier death metal acts.

Crushing riffs, relentless blast beats, and a suffocating atmosphere collide with the band's evolved songwriting, offering fans a devastating first glimpse of what awaits on 'Psalms of Filth'.

SADISTSadist feeding on the painPumping the blood through his ve...

10/07/2026

Tonight, Irish death metal veterans Zealot Cult's new single, "Sadist," from their highly anticipated second album, "Psalms of Filth," will air on Radio Nova 100's The Friday Night Rock Show. Thanks to Overdrive for making this happen.