Uncategorized : October 2008 – Dawn of Azazel

Featured band for October 2008:

Band: Dawn of Azazel
Genre: Death Metal
Origin: Auckland, New Zealand
Formed: 1997
Website: www.dawnofazazel.com
Myspace: www.myspace.com/dawnofazazel

Undoubtably the leaders in taking New Zealand metal to the world, New Zealands foremost extreme metal band are set Dawn of Azazel are set to raise the bar both here and abroad with the follow up to their brutal, violent and invovative second album “Sedition”.

Dawn of Azazel was formed in 1999 in Auckland, New Zealand, and spent the next few years playing shows throughout New Zealand, building a strong local fan base from what at the time was a near non-existant metal scene. The band quick rose to the forefront of what was quickly becoming a burgeoning local metal scene, and in 2001 became the first local metal band to cross the Tasman and tour Australia.

Meanwhile the bands demos had recieved acclaim and wide distribution throughout the international metal underground. This interest led to their first offical release, The “Bloodforged Abdication” 7″. Released in October 2002 by cult Italian vinyl-only label Hellflame Records. This release sold out of the limited 500 pressing on presales alone.The release attracted a myriad of offers from Underground labels world wide, and secured them the support slot for local tours with Pungent Stench and Incantation.

Following from this the band signed for their debut album release with Agonia records in Poland in November 2003. Despite being a raw, uncompromising extreme metal release the album went on to receive high praise in local mainstream music press,national news coverage and radio play. This was accompanied by their first taste of international success with strong coverage ininternational metal media, acclaim from respected metal press and their first European tour in June 2004, Accompanied tours throughout New Zealand and Australia.

However the bands plans were for more extensive touring were cut short, a mutual decision was reached that Tony and Phill should leave the band as they were unable to commit sufficient time to the bands schedule. The decision was made to continue as a 3 piece and drummer Martin Cavanagh was quickly recruited to replace Phill in the first days of 2005.

This line up immediately began intense rehersals, and them embarked on a 13 date New Zealand tour. Immediately upon returning the band entered the studio to record their second album, “Sedition” This album bore the fruits of a years hard work and marked a massive step up in the musicanship and profesionalism of Dawn of Azazel . The band signed with John Mcentee’s Ibex Moon records shortly after for the release of Sedition.

The album was released worldwide in March 2006 and was followed that same month by a 13 date tour through New Zealand, Australia, Thailand and Indonesia with Disgorge. The bands next step was playing to 6000 opening for Korn on their only New Zealand show in May . Later that month the band undertook their first US tour With Vital Remains and Incantation, encompasing 24 shows across the USA.

After a break to compose new material the band again hit the road in December as headline support for Deicide throughout their sold out tour of New Zealand and Australia. The band continued their inexorable advance through 2007, Supporting Suffocation in New Zealand and appearing at Australia’s Overcranked festival, followed by the longest tour ever undertaken by a New Zealand based band, 32 shows through Germany, France, The Netherlands, England, Ireland, Scotland, Belgium, Austria, Spain, Portugal. Denmark, Switzerland and the Czech Republic in Support of Immolation, Krisiun and Grave.

Following this up with supports in New Zealand and Australia for Motorhead and Behemoth, the band quickly realized that a line up change was necessary to move their career forward. In the last week of 2007 the band parted ways with Martin Cavanagh, and he was replaced by Jeremy Suckling formerly from Wellingtons Scoria. This line up was back on the road again shortly after supporting Kataklysm in Australia and headlining through New Zealand.

Upcoming gigs:

31st Oct 2008
Dawn of Azazel (NZ) @ Switch, Melbourne
w/ Embodied, Aphotic Dawn, Universum (SA), Anarchsphere and Eye of the Enemy
Tickets available at the door 8pm.

15th Nov 2008
Psycroptic (Aus) @ Oblivion, Auckland
w/ Dawn of Azazel and TBA
Tickets available at the door.

Discography:

The Law of the Strong
Agonia Records, 2004

Buy here: www.dawnofazazel.com/merch.htm

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Sedition
Ibex Moon Records, 2005

Buy here: www.dawnofazazel.com/merch.htm