Defenders of the Faith

Crypt Sermon playing shows; one in NYC w/ Visigoth also celebrates new photo book

Philly doomers Crypt Sermon are gearing up to release their anticipated sophomore album The Ruins of Fading Light on September 13 via Dark Descent, and they’ve scheduled two record release shows: one in NYC and one in Philly.

The NYC show is also the release party for photographer Peter Beste’s upcoming battle vest photobook, Defenders of the Faith: The Heavy Metal Photography of Peter Beste, which has a foreword by Saxon’s Bill Byford and comes out September 27 via Sacred Bones. It happens October 4 at Saint Vitus and it’s a full bill of modern bands who revive classic metal with headliners Visigoth, Crypt Sermon, Magic Circle, and Sanhedrin. Tickets go on sale Wednesday (7/31).

Crypt Sermon’s Philly release show is also with Sanhedrin, plus Eternal Champion and Plague Dogs. That one happens September 6 at PhilaMOCA (tickets).

Peter Beste’s new book also comes with an accompanying 7″ featuring new music by Norwegian bands Black Magic and Aura Noir. Hear the Aura Noir song here.

The rest of the bands on the Saint Vitus show also put out new releases this year. Visigoth dropped the Bells of Awakening EP, Magic Circle put out Departed Souls, and Sanhedrin put out The Poisoner. Listen to all of those releases, plus two songs off the upcoming Crypt Sermon album, below. Visigoth’s only other upcoming US show is Decibel Metal & Beer Fest in LA.

In one last bit of related news, Magic Circle singer Brendan Radigan is fronting legendary UK doom band Pagan Altar on their upcoming tour, which hits Saint Vitus in August.