Description
DRAGHKAR emerged from the underbelly of the Los Angeles death metal scene in
2016 and quickly cemented themselves as a fixture of creative, unusual modern
death metal. After splits with hit bands OSSUARIUM and DESKRYPTOR and a series
of demos and EPs and drawing from diverse influences such as the depths of the
old-school Mediterranean black and death scenes, Finland’s ancient death metal
mania, and a variety of influences from classic heavy metal, their 2020 debut
album At the Crossroads of Infinity (co-released by UNSPEAKABLE AXE RECORDS and
A.V. of DEAD CONGREGATION’s own label NUCLEAR WINTER RECORDS) was unleashed to
mass critical acclaim, earning them a slot at NORTHWEST TERROR FEST once shows
opened again after the pandemic. This split sees the farewell salvo of
guitarist KELLY KUCIEMBA (DRAWN AND QUARTERED), the introduction of new member
ANDREW LEE (RIPPED TO SHREDS), and a spirited performance on guest bass from
ANTOINE DAIGNEAULT (CHTHE’ILIST) alongside BRANDON CORSAIR (DRAWN AND
QUARTERED, AZATH)’s continued melodic guitar songwriting and another furious
vocal performance from DANIEL BUTLER (VASTUM, ACEPHALIX).
HELCARAXË is a DEATH METAL band forged in the fires of Mount Doom, New Jersey
in 2003 by vocalist Jesse Traynor (OPEN GRAVE) and guitarist Bill Henderson
(OPEN GRAVE, THURSDAY), and later joined by guitarist Jon Tarella, drummer Mike
Donatelli, and bassist Pat Henry (SWASHBUCKLE, NORA). Known throughout the
underground for their ability to weave epic melody into the decidedly old
school death metal framework of the ancient Finnish and Swedish sounds,
HELCARAXË have unleashed 4 full lengths, and countless EPs and splits,
including with FATHER BEFOULED, ASCENDED (Fin) and DUMAL, and even participated
in a tribute to DARKTHRONE compilation. Notably, the band’s highly acclaimed
Tolkien-centric record, “RED DRAGON”, featured a guest appearance by Mikael
Stanne of DARK TRANQUILLITY. And their latest album, “THE LAST BATTLE”, found
the band gracing multiple critics’ year end ‘best’ lists. Consistently called
“The best unknown band in death metal”, HELCARAXË have remained stalwart
underground favorites for over 20 years, delighting fans of epic, melodic, old
school DEATH METAL, and they continue down that same uncompromising path of
destruction today!
