Since their formation in 2014, Ukrainian blackened death/doom metal visionaries 1914 have told the gruesome tales of World War I, charting this inexorable path through history with their guiding debut album, Eschatology Of War (2015). After a digital re-release in April 2021 and due to high demand, the album will now appear in various exciting physical fan editions this year, including 2LP gatefold marbled crystal clear silver & black and 2LP splatter gold & black editions, out August 4 via Napalm Records.
Along with intense lyrics and a unique visual experience, 1914 takes their listener back into a cruel time of mankind, compelling them to face their own horrible past - never to be forgotten, while reflecting the present at the same time.
Watch the official video for “Frozen in Trenches (Christmas Truce)” below.
Inspired by the madness of war, Eschatology Of War faces various events from the past, such as the Battles of Gallipoli and Verdun, the gas attack at Ypres, the Brusilovsky breakthrough, the Christmas truce and the bombing of London, just to name a few. Eschatology Of War starts with the genuine intro “War In”, delivering tunes of an old military march, which was played for men going to war. “Frozen in Trenches (Christmas Truce)” presents a harmonious idyll to the melody of popular Christmas carol “Silent Night”, as the blaze of gunfire breaks in shortly after, while harsh vocals attack to transport nothing but death and decay. The album’s longest song, “Ottoman Rise”, stirs up the atmosphere even more with heavy guitar lines, thunderous black metal drumming and deep screams of despair. 1914’s uncompromising achievement of combining old school death and black metal, spiced with the approach of sludge and doom, can’t be pigeonholed.
Eschatology Of War will be available in the following formats:
2LP Gatefold Marbled Crystal Clear Silver & Black
2LP Gatefold Splatter Gold & Black
Album Cover Shirt & Digisleeve Bundle
6 PageDigisleeve CD Edition
2LP Gatefold in Black
Pre-order here.
Eschatology Of War tracklisting:
"War In"
"Gasmask"
"Frozen In Trenches (Christmas Truce)"
"Verdun"
"Caught In The Crossfire"
"Zeppelin Raids"
"Ottoman Rise"
"Arditi"
"Battlefield"
"War Out"
"Gasmask" (Eastern Front Remix By Solar Owl) / Bonus Track
"Zeppelin Raids" (Western front Remix By ✞ λ₴MѺÐ∆I ✞) / Bonus Track
"Frozen In Trenches (Christmas Truce)" video:
In addition to the reissues, 1914 has released a new Ukraine support “Onto Victory” shirt. The profits of the shirts will go to the band. Due to the current situation in Ukraine and as the band is currently not allowed to leave the country, 1914 had to cancel their All Quiet On The Western Front tour that was scheduled for April/May 2023.
1914 state: "You can help us to win this war. Every sold t-shirt will be converted into a donation. Every donation will be converted into vehicles, helmets, armored plates, medicine and drones for our defenders. Let's win this horrible war against dictatorship, fascism, tyranny and the cult of personality together!"
1914 is:
9. Westpreußisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 176, Hptm. Ditmar Kumarberg - vocals
The 51st Highland Division, 1/9th Bn. 2Lt. Liam Fessen - guitar
307th Infantry Regiment, Capt. Walter Wyhovsky - guitar
Le 151e Regiment d'Infanterie, Cne. Armin d'Harcourt - bass
K.K. Landwehr-Infanterieregiment Lemberg Nr.19, Obltn. Rostislaw Potoplacht - drums
(Photo - May Lee)
