In January I posted about Nachtmystium’s new rhythm section — Wrest (Leviathan) on drums, Will Lindsay (Wolves In The Throne Room, Middian) on bass — and wondered where mainman Black Judd would take the band on the forthcoming Addicts: Black Meddle Pt. II. The new collection, the band’s fifth full-length, follows Assassins: Black Meddle Pt. I, a collection that ended up at no. 1 on my ’07 year-end list. This new one’s been in heavy rotation since I received a copy (i.e. it doesn’t disappoint). The bigger question, I guess — Is it really a Pt. II?

Assassins extended and upgraded the Pink Floyd vibes of Instinct: Decay. The moodier Worldfall EP included those Death In June and Goatsnake covers. Doomsday Derelicts offered more straight-up — albeit expansive — crusty, gonging black metal. Not surprising, Addicts goes somewhere a bit different. Judd’s been quoted a few times on the inspirations: “Our love for post rock and industrial (a la Ministry, Killing Joke, etc) is even more present this time around,” etc. You’ll here it in the great factory-line backup vocal chants (“bang, bang, bang,” etc.) Outside of that, there are a number of beautiful, spacious full-metal guitar riffs and solos (one via Pentagram). Or, last month I mentioned the third track “Nightfall” reminded me of Gang Of Four. (I wasn’t kidding.) “Nightfall” comes after the brief industrial-tinged opening “Intro,” which finds the band in extreme cheerleader mode (as they spell out “nothing hurts more than being born”), and the catchy Assassins-style psychedelic black metal anthem “High On Hate.” On first listen, “Nightfall” was unexpected, to say the least … It was also incredible. That unpredictable, exploratory vibe’s extended via the synth-lined “No Funeral,” another track that should make for some lively debates (and headbanging).

• Nachtmystium – “No Funeral”Download

Happy 4/20.

The tracks:

01 “Cry For Help”
02 “High on Hate”
03 “Nightfall”
04 “No Funeral”
05 “Then Fires”
06 “Addicts”
07 “The End Is Eternal”
08 “Blood Trance Fusion”
09 “Ruined Life Continuum”
10 “Every Last Drop”

Addicts: Black Meddle Pt. II is out 6/8 via Century Media. Jimmy Hubbard and Seldon Hunt did the artwork. Besides the new rhythm guys, it features guest vocals from Yakuza‘s Bruce Lamont and guitar solos by Pentragram’s Russ Strahan and Matt Johnson. Put it up there with Watain’s Lawless Darkness as far as major 2010 releases delivering on the anticipation … In addition to the CD version, there’s limited-edition double-gatefold vinyl with the excellent bonus track “Macrocosmic.” The heroin-laced teaser:

Also, this just in, Judd and the guys are stuck in Europe:

Nachtmystium have just completed our first full-European / UK headlining tour. The tour was amazing and we reached crowds everywhere in the UK, Scandinavia, the Baltic states and western Europe.  We’d like to thank all of our friends and fans who came out in support of our conquest across this continent.

After seven weeks of non-stop touring here in Europe (and 2 1/2 weeks prior to leaving for Europe in the United States with Kreator and Voivod), we are now stranded in the London-area of the United Kingdom, awaiting any word on when flights will resume in the wake of the volcanic eruption in Iceland.  While we are here, we are looking to pick up any gigs / show opportunities to help keep the group of us afloat while we’re stranded here in the coming week or so. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The band can be reached directly via myspace, or our booking agent can help,  Please email tony@firstcontactagency.com and message us on myspace if you can help.

No word on how this will effect the NE date, but it’s not looking good. They won’t make it to Worchester. Everything else — all those Eyehategod dates — should be in the clear:

4/23 - Worchester, MA @ New England Metal & Hardcore Fest
5/23 – Festung, Germany @ Festung Open Air
6/04 – Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero #
6/05 - Raleigh, NC @ Volume 11 !!
6/06 - Louisville, KY @ Headliners %
6/07 - St Louis, MO @ Fubar $
6/08 - Nashville, TN @ Muse #
6/09 - Richmond, VA @ Alley Katz ^^
6/10 - Frederick, MD @ Krug’s ^
6/11 - Philadelphia, PA @ Unitarian Church $$
6/12 - Brooklyn, NY @ Europa $$
6/13 - Providence, RI @ Club Hall %%
6/14 - Milford, CT @ Daniel St !
6/15 - Manchester, NH @ Rocko’s !
6/18 – Clisson, France @ Hellfest

# w/ Eyehategod, Withered
!! w/ Eyehategod, Withered, Black Tusk
% w/ Eyehategod, Black Tusk
$ w/ Eyehategod
^^ w/ Eyehategod, Black Tusk, Strong Intention
^ w/ Eyehategod, Brutal Truth, Strong Intention
$$ w/ Eyehategod, Brutal Truth, Black Anvil, Tombs
%% w/ Eyehategod, Brutal Truth, Black Anvil, Tombs, Howl
! w/ Eyehategod, Howl