Italy’s horror inspired extreme metal act STIGMA strikes again with its sophomore release "Concerto For The Undead".

Fusing staccato, spastic, guitar riffs with uncompromising breakdowns and lyrical themes deriving from the cult comic series Tales From The Crypt, "Concerto For The Undead" places the Italian quartet in a league of its own.

Founded in 2000 by frontman Stefano “Vlad” Ghersi and guitarist Morgan Ferrua, STIGMA began its conquest of the Italian metal scene immediately, releasing two critically acclaimed EPs and appearing at the Wacken Open Air and Metal Camp festivals.

STIGMA continued to terrorize clubs across Italy, sharing the stage with THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, NAPALM DEATH and CONVERGE among others.

After signing with USA-based record label Pivotal Rockordings, STIGMA recorded its debut effort "When Midnight Strikes!" in December 2007 with DISARMONIA MUNDI mainman Ettore Rigotti at DB Studios.

"When Midnight Strikes!" received critical acclaim from media worldwide, with special accolade from Metal Hammer, Rock Hard and Legacy Magazine, and airplay on IRON MAIDEN vocalist Bruce Dickinson’s radio show.

Following the release of "When Midnight Strikes!" STIGMA took its horror show on the road for seventy dates, conquering captivated audiences at festivals and clubs across Europe capped off with a stop at the legendary Belgian hardcore festival Ieperfest and two exclusive shows with BRING ME THE HORIZON and AUGUST BURNS RED in Italy.

STIGMA’s mission to supersede its breakthrough debut album and unleash another tasty lesson in horror yields "Concerto For The Undead", the band’s sophomore effort to be released worldwide through Pivotal Rockordings in April 2010.

Recorded at Fear Studio and produced by BRING ME THE HORIZON guitarist Jona Weinhofen and mixed and mastered by Scott Akins (BEHEMOTH, CRADLE OF FILTH, SYLOSIS) in December 2009, "Concerto For The Undead" presents listeners with a ferocious barrage of uncompromising, vertiginous riffing from beyond the grave complemented by infectious gang shout choruses, relentless blast driven drumming, and relentless, thundering bass lines.

The cover artwork, a stunning comic-esque tribute to all things Tales From The Crypt, was created by Andrea Berton of Corefolio Design and features comic illustrations that accompany STIGMA’s lyrical fright-fest. With additional guest appearances by Jamie Hope (ex-THE RED SHORE) and Jon Hunt (DEAD TO FALL), this is one Concerto not to be missed.

STIGMA's "The Undertaker" Music Video Premiered and Digital EP Now Available

"The Undertaker," the latest music video from Italian horror merchants STIGMA has premiered on BlankTV and can be viewed below.

"The Undertaker" was filmed by Salvatore Perrone (SUICIDE SILENCE, DEVILDRIVER, EVERGREEN TERRACE). The track comes off the band’s latest digital only EP of the same name released this week through Pivotal Rockordings.

The opening track "1,2,3,4 Dead!" is currently being streamed by Noisecreep.com at http://www.noisecreep.com/2011/01/10/stigma-1-2-3-4-dead-song-premiere/. The premiere also features an interview with vocalist and horror afficionado Stefano “Vlad” Ghersi.

The Undertaker EP can be purchased at the following locations:

• iTunes
• Amazon
• CD Baby

The Undertaker EP track listing:

1. 1,2,3,4 Dead!
2. We Are the Deceased
3. It's Bullet Time! (feat. Brandan Schieppati, BLEEDING THROUGH)
4. The Undertaker

The Undertaker EP was engineered by Italian producer Simone Mularoni and mixed/mastered by the Bombs of Death Productions duo of BLEEDING THROUGH singer Brandan Schieppati and ANAAL NATHRAKH mainman Mick Kenney; with the exception of the title track, "The Undertaker", which was produced at Fear Studio by ex-BLEEDING THROUGH and current BRING ME THE HORIZON guitarist Jona Weinhofen and mixed/mastered by Scott Atkins (BEHEMOTH, CRADLE OF FILTH, SYLOSIS). Artwork for the EP was created by Daniel McBride (BORN OF OSIRIS, VEIL OF MAYA, VIATROPHY).

STIGMA’s Concerto for the Undead was released in Europe, the UK, North America, Australia/New Zealand and Japan in Spring 2010. The album featured lyrics centered on the cult-classic comic book series Tales From the Crypt and includes guest vocal appearances by Jamie Hope (ex-THE RED SHORE) and Jon Hunt (ex-DEAD TO FALL).

• None Yet

STIGMA Unleashes New Song, Reveals Artwork and Tracklist of Digital-Only EP

Italy's horror-metal merchants STIGMA return with The Undertaker EP, which features 3 blistering new songs and the fan-favorite track "The Undertaker" taken from the group's sophomore effort Concerto for the Undead. The Undertaker EP will be released in January through Pivotal Rockordings and will only be available digitally through iTunes, Amazon MP3 among many other MP3 stores.

The track “1,2,3,4 Dead!” can be heard streamed at Stigma's MySpace Page

1. 1,2,3,4 Dead!
2. We Are the Deceased
3. It’s Bullet Time! (feat. Brendan Schieppati of BLEEDING THROUGH)
4. The Undertaker

The Undertaker EP was engineered by Italian producer Simone Mularoni and mixed/mastered by the Bombs of Death Productions duo of BLEEDING THROUGH singer Brendan Schieppati and ANAAL NATHRAKH main-man Mick Kenny; with the exception of the title track “The Undertaker” which was produced at Fear Studio by ex-BLEEDING THROUGH and current BRING ME THE HORIZON guitarist Jona Weinhofen and mixed/mastered by Scott Atkins (BEHEMOTH, CRADLE OF FILTH, SYLOSIS). Artwork for the EP was created by Daniel Mcbride (BORN OF OSIRIS, VEIL OF MAYA, VIATROPHY).

“The Undertaker” was filmed by Salvatore Perrone (SUICIDE SILENCE, DEVILDRIVER, EVERGREEN TERRACE). The track is also available on the band’s last full length Concerto for the Undead.

STIGMA’s Concerto for the Undead was released in Europe, the UK, North America, Australia/New Zealand and Japan in Spring 2010. The album featured lyrics centered on the cult-classic comic book series Tales From the Crypt and includes guest vocal appearances by Jamie Hope (ex-THE RED SHORE) and Jon Hunt (ex-DEAD TO FALL).

Updated Sunday, 29 May, 2011 12:17 PM