Pre-Order to the new A Hill To Die Upon album...

Already on that vinyl!

Dang it really is all a Christmas album

I pre-ordered because this band is fantastic but... 'Hymn to Marduk' Unsure why we are including a song about a Babylonian deity who was the direct enemy of Yahweh.    I like Ancient Near Eastern history as much as the next guy, but this inclusion is a bit odd. I am sure there is some logical reasoning for it. Anyone read any interviews where it's explained?

Well, guess it's finally happened, AHTDU have gone full ChaoSatanicGnostoLuciferiBabylonioDemonoCult.

On a more serious note, I've enjoyed both songs so far, but it's not enough for me to decide if I want the whole album or not. Like, the idea of a holiday album is already a risky one, you have to put your absolute best foot forward to stand out in that oversaturated market. But these two songs are so different from each other, I'm left a bit confused. What will this album be, exactly? A mix of metal and acoustic? Different genre for every song?

...... They misspelled Sakis Tolis' name on the artwork!

nocturnaliridescence wrote:Well, guess it's finally happened, AHTDU have gone full ChaoSatanicGnostoLuciferiBabylonioDemonoCult.

...But these two songs are so different from each other, I'm left a bit confused...

I actually like the inclusion of American folk music...it's a brand of folk that is not often mixed with black metal so I'm all for it...but I'm still lost on the Marduk hymn...lol

I don't like Christmas albums. Such a weird choice after the long absence. Obviously, this isn't normal Christmas music but I'm not sure I'll pick this up. I was so excited for this band to return. I haven't given up on a purchase but I'll need to be convinced now.

Shoot, I wanted a real album, about the only Christmas albums I own are TSO.

I love Christmas music, but I doubt I’ll pick this up. 

And TSO rules.

Wanted to follow up on this. I had my questions about the 'Hymn to Marduk' answered during Pastor Bob's interview with Adam Cook earlier today. Basically, what I'm understanding is that this Christmas album is written from a narrative perspective of the three wise men as being followers of ancient religion and Adam said something along the lines of, sometimes we come from a place of error to find the truth (paraphrase). So I'm assuming the wise men sing a hymn to Marduk on their journeys but come to find Christ.

Looking forward to receiving this in the mail.

Habemus new album!

Check "The Black Nativity" here

I looked at the song titles and this one looks weird to me.

Song samples are mixed.  Ole Borud is on one track so I figure it can't be all bad.

Anyone know what they are going for here?

Its an interesting mix, its a short album really.

Half the songs are the folk like stuff of the first single, and then the other half are more like the death metal from the last album.

I still just think its a strange return after such a big stretch between albums. It makes me really want them to go full on like their first 3 albums. But I have a feeling it will grow on me, it may not be a constant player due to the Christmas theme, but its still got some solid songs

So far my favorites are:

As Deepfriar mentioned learn more about the album here

I wasn't sure about this one, but I'm coming around. It's certainly different.

I went ahead and bought the CD and the physical media is pretty disappointing. CD-R in a cheap digipak with no booklet. Priced too high at $12 + $4 shipping. I would think A Hill to Die Upon is big enough to justify a pro CD and a booklet (which is practically essential with their lyrical vision).

Son of Nun wrote:I wasn't sure about this one, but I'm coming around. It's certainly different.

I went ahead and bought the CD and the physical media is pretty disappointing. CD-R in a cheap digipak with no booklet. Priced too high at $12 + $4 shipping. I would think A Hill to Die Upon is big enough to justify a pro CD and a booklet (which is practically essential with their lyrical vision).

A number of albums have come out like this, like recent Sacrament reissues. It is really disappointing. If people want to directly support bands through physical merch, why give them junk to discourage them?

I agree on both counts with AHTDU and their status and lyrics. Rottweiler is no longer run by Shawn from Grave Robber and has become bare bones it seems.

This was a tough one to absorb at first, it being a Christmas album…I do enjoy it though….not happy with the cheap packaging…no lyrics, cd-r quality, digipak(Digicrap). But it’s AHTDU…so…I was gonna get it regardless.

Ammocas wrote:This was a tough one to absorb at first, it being a Christmas album…I do enjoy it though….not happy with the cheap packaging…no lyrics, cd-r quality, digipak(Digicrap). But it’s AHTDU…so…I was gonna get it regardless.

Rottweiller Records seems that losted the hand in make some good packages.

^Agreed

It’s 2023, and few buy physical media. It doesn't make sense for you to release an album on vinyl and on CD, it's a cdr and without the lyrics. It's something illogical, a real shot in the foot.

- - -

(also...)

The Christmas season is upon us!

In that same spirit of joy we want to share some great music with you all. Starting this week, some of our bands have created Yuletide songs for us all.

All songs will be available on Bandcamp the day of release. Streaming services will be carrying them as well.

Dec 13th - =AZWBI9t8IAfd_2ISd11JUF9yHnW20jQZ0PdMwHd8WUt2OCq_oSMUvSHzrf4jOUNoOIvpKJBt2Laa7HH22QIldOhfluB53sfd10a8_L3Eq_iQpttm-yuv1MpenpHfSCuwU4ZUx_LPCPf15Je0BvQ1vGLXe3Lcnk2vrVe1Z7ldmsy6juoytWf2QnCrZi68UCXYaTU&__tn__=-]K*F]I Am The Pendragon - All I Want For Christmas single

Dec 15th - =AZWBI9t8IAfd_2ISd11JUF9yHnW20jQZ0PdMwHd8WUt2OCq_oSMUvSHzrf4jOUNoOIvpKJBt2Laa7HH22QIldOhfluB53sfd10a8_L3Eq_iQpttm-yuv1MpenpHfSCuwU4ZUx_LPCPf15Je0BvQ1vGLXe3Lcnk2vrVe1Z7ldmsy6juoytWf2QnCrZi68UCXYaTU&__tn__=-]K*F]INRI Immortal - O’ Come All Ye Faithful single

Dec 18th - =AZWBI9t8IAfd_2ISd11JUF9yHnW20jQZ0PdMwHd8WUt2OCq_oSMUvSHzrf4jOUNoOIvpKJBt2Laa7HH22QIldOhfluB53sfd10a8_L3Eq_iQpttm-yuv1MpenpHfSCuwU4ZUx_LPCPf15Je0BvQ1vGLXe3Lcnk2vrVe1Z7ldmsy6juoytWf2QnCrZi68UCXYaTU&__tn__=-]K*F]Shamash - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen single

Dec 20th - =AZWBI9t8IAfd_2ISd11JUF9yHnW20jQZ0PdMwHd8WUt2OCq_oSMUvSHzrf4jOUNoOIvpKJBt2Laa7HH22QIldOhfluB53sfd10a8_L3Eq_iQpttm-yuv1MpenpHfSCuwU4ZUx_LPCPf15Je0BvQ1vGLXe3Lcnk2vrVe1Z7ldmsy6juoytWf2QnCrZi68UCXYaTU&__tn__=-]K*F]Diatheke- It Came Upon a Midnight Clear single

Dec 22nd - =AZWBI9t8IAfd_2ISd11JUF9yHnW20jQZ0PdMwHd8WUt2OCq_oSMUvSHzrf4jOUNoOIvpKJBt2Laa7HH22QIldOhfluB53sfd10a8_L3Eq_iQpttm-yuv1MpenpHfSCuwU4ZUx_LPCPf15Je0BvQ1vGLXe3Lcnk2vrVe1Z7ldmsy6juoytWf2QnCrZi68UCXYaTU&__tn__=-]K*F]Krig- That Christmas Night EP

Dec 22nd - =AZWBI9t8IAfd_2ISd11JUF9yHnW20jQZ0PdMwHd8WUt2OCq_oSMUvSHzrf4jOUNoOIvpKJBt2Laa7HH22QIldOhfluB53sfd10a8_L3Eq_iQpttm-yuv1MpenpHfSCuwU4ZUx_LPCPf15Je0BvQ1vGLXe3Lcnk2vrVe1Z7ldmsy6juoytWf2QnCrZi68UCXYaTU&__tn__=-]K*F]A Hill to Die Upon - Rocking Around The Christmas Tree single

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a blessed Yuletide 

I’m not feeling this one… I’ll wait til they do a proper album. 

I don’t get this “dark” Christmas theme. And the songs are not to my liking. 

I hope they eventually go back to their original heavy style again.