Enigmatic Nordic collective Heilung is now proudly announcing their collaboration with My.Games and Booming Tech for the new season of the Conquerer's Blade video game, VII: "Wolves Of Ragnarok. The newly launched trailer for the game, featuring the track "Galgaldr," can be seen below.

With lyrics recorded in Old Norse and inspired by Völuspá – a prophecy of Ragnarok from the Poetic Edda - Heilung’s atmospheric sound will immerse players in a dark new era for Conqueror’s Blade. Heilung will also see their name being eternalized in one of the new combat map locations, which is now officially called ‘Heilung Fjord,’ and serves as a place for healing. More info on the game can be found here.

Viking metal pioneers, Einherjer released their eighth studio album, North Star, on February 26th, proving their status as the pioneers of blending Nordic black metal and folk metal genres to pure Norse heavy metal once again. They have posted a guitar playthrough video for the single "The Blood And The Iron", which can be viewed below.

North Star marks the band’s return to Napalm Records after 25 years, and the release of their legendary Dragons Of The North album (1996), which will be re-released as a re-mastered version on February 26 as well.

To celebrate the double release, Einherjer just released the third single, “West Coast Groove”, together with an animated video. Old school heavy metal vibes meet dark Viking metal atmosphere - Einherjer are in top form and still prove their status as genre pioneers after more than 25 years.

Einherjer on “West Coast Groove”: “There is a massive portion of rock’n’roll spirit in most of the stuff we do these days. As we grow older I find it more natural to let our influences shine through as we see fit. 'West Coast Groove' is a solid fist in the air for the heavy metal we love, and to the place that's been an essential part of our inspiration since day one. A tribute to our hometurf!”

Frode Glesnes on the video and the collaboration with Costin Chioreanu: “We've worked with Costin Chioreanu for many years now, and he has become a dear friend. He's been to Haugesund several times. He knows where we're at and what we seek and I think he portrays this beautifully in this animated movie. My initial reaction was to laugh out loud while the hair stood up on the back of my neck. A rare combination!”

North Star was recorded in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic at the in-house Studio Borealis, owned by founding member and mastermind Frode Glesnes. The raw production ties in seamlessly with its predecessor Norrøne Spor and makes North Star probably the most powerful Einherjer album to date! North Star is Einherjer's musical mission towards something bigger - the search for guidance by the North Star in a constantly changing world that is searching for stability.

Einherjer on North Star: ”North Star is our 8th full length album, and follows in the (Norse) tracks of Norrøne Spor. The North Star is a symbol with numerous meanings. It can be guidance, or it can be a personal mission. Something to reach for. It's the Anchor of the Northern Sky. We need something steady in this rapidly shifting world we live in. The North Star album is us reaching for something greater. Developing ourselves through a musical journey in classic Einherjer style – no bullshit, just proper Norse Heavy Metal!”

North Star tracklisting:

"The Blood And The Iron"
"Stars"
"West Coast Groove"
"Ascension"
"Higher Fire"
"Echoes In Blood"
"Listen To The Graves"
"Chasing The Serpent"

"The Blood And The Iron" video:

"Stars" video:




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British rock singer, Chez Kane, has released an official video for "Better Than Love", the lead-off track on her new self-titled debut album, which is out now. Check it out below.

Produced by Danny Rexon of Crazy Lixx, Chez Kane is a melodic rock record that harkens back to the glory days of the '80s when the genre was known for having multiple incredible frontwomen playing the style.

A talented, young vocalist who fronts, with her two sisters, the band Kane'd, Chez was brought to the attention of the label after conversations with Danny Rexon of Crazy Lixx about the possibility of him scouting and producing some exciting new talent. Subsequently, Danny started working on some demos with Chez and the label did not pass up the opportunity to get involved with this incredible talent. Chez's debut solo album embraces the melodic rock style that both she and Danny so admire, while adding a new twist to the current takes on the genre.

“I feel so excited to have been asked to collaborate with Danny for a solo album. The second I heard the music, I instantly knew it was for me and I’m thrilled at the opportunity to launch my solo career this way. I am so humbled to have Frontiers on board. This is going to be killer and I can’t wait!” says Chez.

Producer Danny Rexon says, “Until now, I had only worked on the production of Crazy Lixx, but with this I can take a whole other role where I’m working on building up a brand new solo artist, which is quite refreshing....especially when we’re talking about creating something with a talented and hardworking singer like Chez.”

The concept behind the album started with a vision that Danny had in mind. “I’ve long felt that the contemporary melodic rock scene is missing an important piece of what I think made the genre, at least to some extent, so great in the late 80’s and early 90’s, and that is the quintessential female rocker. There are tons of bands in the melodic rock genre, but I feel like we’re missing that great female solo artist singing hard rock. A kind of Lee Aaron, Lita Ford, or Robin Beck for the new decade. So, the mission was clear to me from day one: Give the fans a female rocker that will remind them of the powerful rock anthems of the past. Having found Chez and discovering the potential in her voice, I have great faith in this endeavour and no doubt that this album will resonate well with fans both of my own band, Crazy Lixx and of the retro melodic rock genre at large.”

Chez adds that even “though I was born in the ‘90s, I have always had a major soft spot for that infectious ‘80s style, so from that aspect Danny’s songwriting fits me really well. We have the same vision, drive and passion to make this album an absolute belter!”

So what can listeners expect? “If you’re a fan of my stuff with Crazy Lixx, I bet you’ll enjoy the Chez Kane album too,” explains Danny. “I’ve written and arranged every song on the album, so it’s bound to have my signature style to it. However, this album will be a lot more radio friendly (at least if you go by what was considered radio friendly in 1989), a lot more keyboard oriented and of course, the fact that it’s a powerful female voice singing the songs will give the album a whole other dimension. And if you, like myself, are a fan of Lee Aaron, Vixen, Saraya, Chrissy Steele, Lita Ford, and similar artists and feel like the genre’s missing out this vital component, you’re going to love the debut album from Chez Kane!”

Tracklisting:

“Better Than Love”
“All Of It”
“Rocket On The Radio”
“Get It On”
“Too Late For Love”
“Defender Of The Heart”
“Ball N’ Chain”
“Midnight Rendezvous”
“Die In The Name Of Love”
“Dead End Street”

“Too Late For Love” video:




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Swedish melodic power metal force, Bloodbound, will release their new album, Creatures Of The Dark Realm, on May 28 via AFM Records. New video, "Creatures Of The Dark Realm", is streaming below. Preorder the new album here.

When Bloodbound surfaced in 2005 with their debut album, Nosferatu, it was an album that celebrated the band's admiration for metal icons like Iron Maiden, Helloween and Judas Priest, recorded on a small budget with no visions of grandeur behind it. With eight studio albums, a live record and an EP under their belts since then, Bloodbound have returned in 2021 with album #9, Creatures Of The Dark Realm, and a renewed drive to take the band even further.

Creatures Of The Dark Realm descends with scarcely two years gone since Rise Of The Dragon Empire was unleashed. The three-headed songwriting team of keyboardist Fredrik Bergh, guitarist Tomas Olsson and vocalist Patrik Selleby started from scratch, compiling song ideas they collected individually and finally ending up with 11 solid in-your-face tracks kicked off by a deceptive acoustic intro.

On paper, Creatures Of The Dark Realm satisfies all the requirements of what makes a power metal band, but the listening experience is one of epic proportions. Not a single ballad in sight, the new album is an-up-tempo assault through the songs "Eyes Come Alive", "The Gargoyles Gate", "Ever Burning Flame", "The Wicked And The Weak" and the title track. Bloodbound is not afraid to change things up, however, offering up a heavy groove anthem with "Kill Or Be Killed" and straight-ahead commercial metal on first single, "When Fate Is Calling", always keeping things fresh from one song to the next.

Tracklisting:

"The Creatures Preludium"
"Creatures Of The Dark Realm"
"When Fate is Calling"
"Ever Burning Flame"
"Eyes Come Alive"
"Death Will Lead The Way"
"Gathering Of Souls"
"Kill Or Be Killed"
"The Gargoyles Gate"
"March Into War"
"Face Of Evil"
"The Wicked And The Weak"

"Creatures Of The Dark Realm" video:

"When Fate Is Calling" lyric video:




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British singer and songwriter, Gary Hughes, has released his new solo album, Waterside, via Frontiers Music Srl. Today, he is streaming the new song "All At Once It Feels Like I Believe", which you can hear below.

Additionally, Ten/Gary Hughes have releases a double album best of collection, Decades, that encompasses three decades of his solo work in a newly remastered format. This double album offers some of the best Hughes' songs taken from his releases Precious Ones, Veritas, Once and Future King Parts I and II and his self-titled release, Gary Hughes. It also includes some rare tracks which were originally only released in Japan on the “In Your Eyes” EP. Decades is an album full of his influences and experiences and opens the door to the past while looking to his future at the same time.

Order Waterside here. Order Decades here.

"It is great to step back into solo mode again for a short while. The songs on my new Waterside album are filled with light and shade. Very much lighter than my heavier and deeper Ten material. We live in such testing times and I have tried to create a piece of Melodic AOR that might lift the spirits and allow for a little much needed escapism. There is definitely a positive feel good factor to this collection of songs and I truly hope the fans enjoy listening to it," enthuses Hughes The aforementioned feel good factor is never so prevalent as in the song and video for the title track 'Waterside'. Hughes explains, "The Waterside video is a very straight forward jacket, jeans and Fender Telecaster affair. A slice of Anglo-Americana. A nod back to the mid '80s and the golden age of laid back melodic rock. We enjoyed making this one immensely!"

Over the course of three decades in music, Gary Hughes has established himself as one of England's premiere Melodic Rock/Hard Rock singers and songwriters. With fourteen Ten studio albums, one rock opera (in two parts), and much more, the body of work that he has amassed during his career is truly impressive. Gary's work with his band Ten offers a hard rock sound which is rooted in the tradition of bands such as UFO, Whitesnake, and Rainbow. Historically, his solo material has offered a more melodic sound which has strong roots in the late 80’s AOR and Melodic Rock scene. The new solo album, Waterside, marks his long awaited return to Melodic Rock. This is also his first new solo album since his“Veritas" release well over a decade ago.

Musically, this is what you would expect from Gary as a follow up to his self-titled solo record and Precious Ones, but also it includes hints of early Ten (the more melodic moments of X and The Name of the Rose, as a reference point).

Assisting Gary in the creation of this new solo album are his Ten bandmates Dann Rosingana (guitars) and Darrel Treece-Birch (drums), with David Rosingana appearing on bass and Karen Fell and Scott Hughes helping on background vocals. If you like British Melodic Rock, then look no further, Waterside is an awesome example of how truly stunning the style can be!

Waterside tracklisting:

"All At Once It Feels Like I Believe"
"Electra-Glide"
"Lay Down"
"The Runaway Damned"
"Screaming In The Half Light"
"Waterside"
"Video Show"
"Save My Soul"
"Seduce Me"
"When Love Is Done"

"All At Once It Feels Like I Believe":

"Electra-Glide":

"Waterside" video:

Decades tracklisting:

CD1
"First Light"
"Wrecking Machine"
"Perfect Ten"
"In Your Eyes"
"Veritas"
"Dragon Island Cathedral"
"The Night The Love Died"
"This Thing Of Beauty"
"Seducer"
"Look At The Rain"
"It Must Be Love"
"We Walk With Angels"
"Heart Of A Woman"
"The Everlasting Light"
"Precious Ones"

CD2
"Blonde Angel 93’"
"I Won’t Break Your Heart"
"Give My Love A Try"
"The Colours Of My Life"
"Divided We Fall"
"All I Want Is You"
"Wide Awake In Dreamland"
"There By The Grace Of The Gods (Go I)"
"Lies"
"The Miracle Is You"
"Be My Fantasy Tonight"
"This Time"
"Synchronicity"
"All Fall Down"




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Sunstorm, a project created, overseen, and directed by President and A&R director of Frontiers Records Serafino Perugino, was originally designed to showcase a musical style similar to singer Joe Lynn Turner’s melodic rock/AOR roots. After five successful releases, Sunstorm is now a vehicle for one of the most impressive vocal talents to emerge in recent years in the form of Lords of Black and Rainbow singer Ronnie Romero.

Romero’s debut album with Sunstorm, Afterlife is out today. Order Afterlife on CD/LP/Color LP/Digital here, and watch a lyric video for the song "Stronger" below.

Tracklisting:

"Afterlife"
"One Step Closer"
"Swan Song"
"Born Again"
"Stronger"
"I Found A Way"
"Lost Forever"
"Far From Over"
"Here For You Tonight"
"Darkest Night"
"A Story That You Can Tell"

"Stronger" lyric video:

"Afterlife" video:

"Swan Song" video:

Lineup:

Ronnie Romero - Vocals
Simone Mularoni - Guitars
Alessandro Del Vecchio - Keyboards, backing vocals
Nik Mazzucconi - Bass
Michele Sanna - Drums




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The Crown have released their new album, Royal Destroyer, via Metal Blade Records. For a preview of Royal Destroyer, a lyric video for "Scandinavian Satan" can be viewed below.

Bassist Magnus Olsfelt comments: "'Scandinavian Satan'. The music inspired from the early days of extreme metal, first generation black metal, a raw kind of barbaric metal rock'n roll. Even though inspired by history and days gone by, this is not by any means 'retro', but takes its aim firmly set on the future. The lyrics are taken from the Völuspa, at least 1000 years old, but maybe still valid today and even more in the future of days? The epic cover art made by Christian Sloan Hall depicts the burning remains of a great tree, which is symbolic of the old Scandinavian worldview with its roots still intact, above this a golden crown is magically shining. In the distance, there is a great battle and an undead warrior appears, perhaps with the cut-off heads of the 3 norns, who represent what is, what has been past and what shall come to be. The undead warrior approaches the crown. The sky is shot with lightning. The axe is lifted with a piercing wail...What shall happen next?"

Having celebrated their thirtieth anniversary in 2020 [their first eight years spent as Crown Of Thorns], The Crown have proven themselves one of the most enduring forces in death metal. In 2021, they further up the ante with Royal Destroyer, a record that sets a new standard for the genre. "It is our album number ten, so now we are in the big boys club," says bassist Magnus Olsfelt. "I think it in some ways is our crowning achievement, and it encompasses our sound across all albums on one defining record. It's got it all - the early 90s death metal stuff, the haunting melodies, the thrash, the punk, the grind, the heavy metal and the more epic and doomy stuff."

With 2018's Cobra Speed Venom, the band reached the same lofty heights as their 2002 landmark release, Crowned In Terror, but they were primed and ready to write its successor. "It surely set the bar up high for a follow up," Olsfelt explains. "But it's more inspiring than daunting. We have a real good vibe in the band, so we know we are capable of creating great stuff if we all just put our hearts to it and work hard." Confident, they pushed ahead, with the idea of making a sequel to Cobra Speed Venom - a sequel meaning "more of everything".

Together with legendary producer Fredrik Nordström, the band tracked the resulting 10 songs at Gothenburg's Studio Fredman. "We push ourselves to the limit, really trying to make everything as good as it can get, trying to make every song as impactful as possible," Olsfelt states. While he believes that people need to hear the album themselves to be able to accurately describe it, Olsfelt also asserts that The Crown have achieved something that makes for a "continuous whole" - while being diverse. There are also some surprises in store for fans. "We have some of the most intense stuff ever, like one song is about one minute long, and we also have a ballad!"

The new album can be ordered here in the following formats:

- jewelcase-CD
- ltd. digipak-2CD (incl. 'Deathrace 13' bonus disc w/ 13 tracks)
- 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
- midnight blue marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 400 copies)
- red-hot orange marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies)
- golden clear w/ blue and white splatter spot vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies)
- clear w/ gold splatter vinyl (Kings Road exclusive - limited to 100 copies)
- viole(n)t blue marbled vinyl (US exclusive)

Royal Destroyer tracklisting:

"Baptized In Violence"
"Let The Hammering Begin!"
"Motordeath"
"Ultra Faust"
"Glorious Hades"
"Full Metal Justice"
"Scandinavian Satan"
"Devoid Of Light"
"We Drift On"
"Beyond The Frail"

"We Drift On" video:

"Motordeath" video:

The Crown lineup:

Johan Lindstrand - Vocals
Magnus Olsfelt - Bass
Marko Tervonen - Guitar
Robin Sörqvist - Lead guitar and backing vocals
Henrik Axelsson - Drums

(Photo - Ida Kucera)




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A new video of AVENGED SEVENFOLD drummer Brooks Wackerman laying down tracks for the band's upcoming album can be seen below. The clip was first shared via a livestream on the AVENGED SEVENFOLD Instagram, and was later uploaded by a fan to YouTube.

Last month, AVENGED SEVENFOLD singer M. Shadows told the Minneapolis, Minnesota radio station 93X that "70 percent" of the follow-up to 2016's "The Stage" album was "done." He said: "We're working on stuff. We have some things we can't finish right now 'cause of COVID — string players, et cetera. We know Andy [Wallace, AVENGED SEVENFOLD's longtime mixer] doesn't wanna travel, or his management doesn't want him to travel because of COVID. So there's just a lot of things going on."

As for when fans can expect to see the new AVENGED SEVENFOLD LP released, M. Shadows said: "It doesn't make sense for us right now to put out a record and not be able to tour it. The world has changed. Putting out a record on Spotify without touring for a rock band, it just doesn't make sense to us. So we're gonna wait till everything is back, then we'll come out with the record, finish it up, and all will be good."

Also in February, AVENGED SEVENFOLD guitarist Zacky Vengeance told Detroit's WRIF radio station that he and his bandmates have done "lots and lots of writing — at a lot slower pacer than usual" — during the coronavirus pandemic. "Now that we are a little bit older, we move around a little bit slower, but [we've done] tons of writing," he said. "We've gone to the studio. It was kind of a weird time to do anything in 2020, but that's when we felt like it was a good time to go out there and start tracking all the stuff that we had in us.

"But, like I said, we're doing it at a slow pace, so we're still in the process of recording," he explained. "We're taking it really, really slow, making sure everything is the way we like it. We're not in a big rush to get anything out, mainly 'cause we wanna get on the road, and we wanna be able to bring it to life. We wanna tour, we wanna travel, we wanna play songs that people wanna hear; we wanna expose them to some new stuff. 'Cause I just feel like rushing to put something out right now and letting it dissipate because of the void, while people are worried about where their next meal is coming from or the paycheck, the last thing in the world on people's minds is, 'AVENGED SEVENFOLD's gonna put out a new album, and that's gonna be the saving grace for us all.' And I feel like we'll take it slow, let the world get a little bit back to normal, and when people are ready, we'll know — we have a good sense of that. We'll slowly finish it up, and then unleash it when the world's ready."

Last December, M. Shadows told Kerrang! magazine about the musical direction of the new AVENGED material: "The [new] record sounds nothing like 'The Stage' — it's a completely new direction, and it sounds nothing like anything we've done. That's all I'll say about it: it's over the top, and it's very eclectic and wild."

AVENGED SEVENFOLD kept a low profile during 2019 and will likely not return to the road until the end of this year or early 2022. A blood blister on M. Shadows's vocal cords forced the band to cancel a summer 2018 tour with PROPHETS OF RAGE and THREE DAYS GRACE.

Asked if he is fully healed up now, M. Shadows told 93X: "I feel good, man. I'm just working on a new technique so that I can make sure I don't have any problems anymore. For the last year, that's what I've been doing — is switching up a lot of things, singing from a different place, and just making sure that when I hit the stage again, I don't resort back to old bad habits."

"The Stage" was surprise-released in October 2016. The release of the disc, which was announced the night it went on sale, earned the lowest sales of an AVENGED SEVENFOLD album in 11 years. It sold 76 thousand copies in its first week, 73 thousand of which were physical.

"The Stage", AVENGED's debut for Capitol, sold less than half as many copies in its first week as the group's two previous efforts, 2010's "Nightmare" and 2013's "Hail To The King".

As the world continues to mourn the loss of guitar icon Eddie Van Halen, California glam metal jokesters STEEL PANTHER decided to pay tribute to the legend the best way they know how — by going back to their cover-band beginnings. STEEL PANTHER has recorded its interpretation of the seminal tunes "Beautiful Girls" and "D.O.A." from the classic album "Van Halen II". The songs have been some of STEEL PANTHER's favorites to play live and that became the inspiration to actually record them after all these years.

STEEL PANTHER's versions of "Beautiful Girls" and "D.O.A." are available via all streaming and digital platforms, and the band filmed a quarantine-style music video for each track.

STEEL PANTHER said: "When we were playing weekly shows on the Sunset Strip, VAN HALEN music was essential to our set lists to keep the place rocking. The music of that band is what helped shape who STEEL PANTHER is today.

"The loss of Eddie Van Halen has affected each of us in the band and these covers are our tribute to him to say thank you for the joy VAN HALEN music has given us."

Last October, STEEL PANTHER guitarist Russ "Satchel" Parrish reflected on the passing of Eddie Van Halen, calling him "a great guitar player and a great songwriter." The legendary VAN HALEN axeman died on October 6 at the age of 65 after a long battle with cancer.

Satchel spoke about his admiration for Van Halen during an appearance on the "Talk Is Jericho" podcast. He said: "A lot of people know this, but [STEEL PANTHER singer] Michael [Starr] and I used to be in a VAN HALEN tribute band [ATOMIC PUNKS] for years. As far as tribute bands go, that band started in the early '90s, just as a way to make money, but also because we were huge VAN HALEN fans, and we all grew up learning to play rock on VAN HALEN. That's the first stuff I remember hearing on guitar that blew me away when I was, like, seven years old. Somebody played me 'Eruption'. I didn't even play guitar yet, but I just went, 'Uhhh… That's a guitar?' I didn't know that a guitar could make that sound. And, of course, I think that was part of what made me become a guitar player, looking back in retrospect.

"It's so weird, because I never even talked to Eddie, I never met him one time, but he's been such a huge part of my life, from the beginning of me playing music," he continued. "Because he wasn't just a great guitar player either. Throughout my guitar playing and my music, my learning of music, I realized that one of the reasons why I always put on VAN HALEN instead of Yngwie Malmsteen… Yngwie is a great guitar player, but Eddie wasn't just a great guitar player and a great lead guitar player, he was also a great songwriter and a great musician. You can listen to any VAN HALEN songs — he cared about all the parts and all the rhythms.

"Eddie in the early days, listening back to some of his live playing, there's no guitar player that's been better than that, in my opinion. He was so on fire, and he had so much attitude. And his tone was so clean. Most guys would never be able to play the kind of stuf he got away with, with so much aggression and just attitude. It was unbelievable. He was a technician, but he was also such a great performer as well. And he didn't have to concentrate. How many guitar players do you know who could smile like Eddie and make it look so easy, and actualy look totally at ease, 'cause he was at ease, and play the kind of shit he was doing. It was mind-boggling. It was like he was laughing at all of us — like, 'You'll never be able to do this.'"

Satchel went on to say that he was shocked to learn of Eddie's passing.

"We all knew that he was sick, and we all had talked about it for a while, but the longer he went, the more you just kind of go, 'Oh, well, maybe it's not gonna happen,'" Satchel said. "And then all of a sudden, it happens, and it's like a ton of bricks.

Starr, who fronted ATOMIC PUNKS in the 1990s and early 2000s under the stage name David Lee Ralph, told Rock Titan TV: "You don't realize how rooted in VAN HALEN one is until one heavy metal hero departs the world, and for me, that's what it's been like. I didn't even know what to post or say or do.

"I didn't realize how much [Eddie] was a part of my life — inspiration, music-wise. That band was everything for me. And I'm sure it's the same for a lot of people. I always wanted to David Lee Roth. I always wanted to be Eddie. I can't play guitar that good, but… And thankfully, I got to meet Dave several times, and I also got to meet Eddie a couple of times before he passed away. And I'm grateful. I only met him briefly, like, 'Hey, what's up?' I met him at a place called Staples, back before Gary Cherone joined [VAN HALEN]. It was him and [his son] Wolfie in the checkout. I'm, like, 'Hey, Eddie. I'm a big fan.' He's, like, 'I know your band. ATOMIC PUNKS. You guys are pretty good.' And I was, like, 'Holy shit! Eddie Van Halen knows our tribute band.' That was a huge deal. Then I went to [VAN HALEN's] dress rehearsal when they first rejoined with Wolfie at the Forum [in Los Angeles]. And I was walking in front of the stage, and I saw Eddie walk up, and I just walked to the stage and shook his hand and said hi, and that was the end of it. So, to me, I look at Eddie as this just complete rock god.

"VAN HALEN was everything for me," Starr, whose real name is Ralph Saenz, repeated. "I love SCORPIONS. I love MÖTLEY CRÜE, DEEP PURPLE, CHEAP TRICK, RATT, BON JOVI, WHITE LION… I love all that stuff, but to me, it all started with VAN HALEN. Everyone tried to copy Dave and Eddie."

The Japanese government has announced that X JAPAN's Yoshiki has been awarded the prestigious Medal Of Honor for his numerous charitable works, including his support and donations to frontline medical professionals during the COVID-19 crisis.

Yoshiki received the Medal with the Dark Blue Ribbon, which is awarded to individuals who have made exceptionally generous financial contributions to the national government, local governments, and public entities.

Yoshiki commented: "I am very honored to receive the Medal Of Honor. I hope to continue supporting these efforts in the future. I would be grateful if the circle of charity would expand further through these activities. Thank you very much."

Last April, Yoshiki donated 10 million yen (approximately $100,000) to Japan's National Center for Global Health and Medicine through his 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Yoshiki Foundation America. The Center researches infectious and autoimmune diseases, including COVID-19.

Yoshiki's swift action to support medical personnel fighting on the front lines inspired other celebrities, who moved to make their own donations to aid the collective national effort.

Yoshiki also donated $100,000 to the COVID-19 Relief Fund in the U.S. established by The Recording Academy/Grammys and its charitable foundation MusiCares to help music artists and professionals affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Also in 2020, Yoshiki donated 10 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross Society in commemoration of the ninth anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and donated a total of $24,000 to Meals on Wheels branches across Los Angeles for seniors affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

He has supported numerous other humanitarian causes around the world, including donating $100,000 to disaster relief for Hurricane Harvey victims in Texas in 2017.

In recognition of his active influence and philanthropy, he was selected as one of Forbes Asia's 30 Heroes of Philanthropy in 2

PHILIP H. ANSELMO AND THE ILLEGALS will return to the stage next month for a very special livestream event.

Dubbed "A Vulgar Display Of Pantera", the multi-camera shot, fully live performance will take place on Friday, April 9 and find the band celebrating the legacy of PANTERA with a set featuring select cuts from the band's five classic albums: "Cowboys From Hell", "Vulgar Display Of Power", "Far Beyond Driven", "The Great Southern Trendkill" and "Reinventing The Steel". The livestream will also include an opening set by Australian grindcore unit/Housecore recording artists KING PARROT.

Comments Anselmo: "It's always fun to get together with THE ILLEGALS and pay tribute to PANTERA with all the awesome fans jamming along with us. Let's do this!"

The festivities will commence at 7:00 p.m. EDT / 4:00 p.m. PDT on Friday, April 9 with PHILIP H. ANSELMO AND THE ILLEGALS taking the stage at 8:00 p.m. EDT / 5:00 p.m. PDT sharp. Video on demand will be available through Monday, April 12 at 11:59 p.m. EDT / 8:59 p.m. PDT.

Early bird tickets are $12.50 ($17.50 week of show). Find tickets and exclusive merch bundles at illegalslive.com.

PHILIP H. ANSELMO AND THE ILLEGALS' "A Vulgar Display Of Pantera Live" is presented in association with Danny Wimmer Presents.

PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS features Philip H. Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN, SUPERJOINT, SCOUR, EN MINOR) with guitarists Stephen Taylor (SUPERJOINT) and Mike DeLeon (FLESH HOARDER, BEING KILLED, ex-MOD), drummer José Manuel "Blue" Gonzalez (SUPERJOINT, WARBEAST), and bassist Derek Engemann (SCOUR, ex-CATTLE DECAPITATION). The band's most recent full-length, the critically acclaimed "Choosing Mental Illness As A Virtue", was released in 2018 via Anselmo's own Housecore Records.

In the summer of 2019, Anselmo spoke to Revolver about his decision to play a number of PANTERA songs during the latest tour with PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS.

"We were about a month out from touring [the second ILLEGALS album, 'Choosing Mental Illness As A Virtue'] when Vince Paul passed away and that was horrific and so unexpected," he said. "It was something that stopped me dead in my tracks. I was in my kitchen and I just dropped to the floor and just had to breathe for a little while. That's when the big plea for us to do more PANTERA songs became irresistible. The tribute had to be then. It had to be right. And I never thought it would be THE ILLEGALS. Clearly the mission for us was to be a sweaty hole-in-the wall death-metal band. I've got to say huge props to them for learning the PANTERA material. They didn't even flinch, man, and just went for it.

"The vibe from most of the shows have been so fucking great, man," he continued. "And what really tickles me is seeing the young bloods out in the audience, freaking out on the PANTERA stuff. And you know it's their parents who got them into PANTERA."

On the topic of whether his PANTERA tribute will continue into the future, or if it's something he is doing right now, Anselmo said: "I'd like it to be just for now. For me, PANTERA was PANTERA and there's no substitute. So playing those songs, I didn't mind doing it for a one-off thing here and there with a group of guys — we used to do it in 'Metal Masters', [with] Kerry King and the ANTHRAX guys. But I wasn't going to learn a set of PANTERA with another band. I didn't feel entitled to do that. It's not like I feel entitled now. I feel now it's necessary."

Up until his death in June 2018, Vinnie remained on non-speaking terms with Anselmo, whom the drummer indirectly blamed for the death of Dimebag, who was his brother.

Vinnie Paul and Dimebag co-founded PANTERA. When PANTERA broke up in 2003, they formed DAMAGEPLAN. On December 8, 2004, while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was shot and killed onstage by a troubled schizophrenic who believed that the members of PANTERA were stealing his thoughts.

Vinnie Paul died of dilated cardiomyopathy, an enlarged heart, as well as severe coronary artery disease. His death was the result of chronic weakening of the heart muscle — basically meaning his heart couldn't pump blood as well as a healthy heart.

Vinnie was buried on June 30, 2018 next to his brother and their mother, Carolyn, at Moore Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Arlington, Texas.

Photo by Joseph P. Dorignac IV
























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In a new interview with "Lamont & Tonelli" of San Francisco radio station 107.7 The Bone, KISS frontman Paul Stanley confirmed that the band will resume it farewell tour once the coronavirus pandemic has subsided. However, he cautioned that "rock concerts on the scale that we do — in arenas and stadiums — are a ways off. Anybody who thinks that they're going to be going to a big concert anytime soon, it's wishful thinking. But, yeah, the 'End Of The Road' tour will pick up whenever it becomes safe and whenever the legal restrictions are lifted."

In the meantime, Paul said he hopes his SOUL STATION project can hit the road in support of its debut album "because I think that there may be different requirements for auditoriums or clubs. So if that were the case, then our bags are packed and we're ready to go out," he said. "And when the time is right, then KISS will go out."

KISS's farewell trek was launched in January 2019 and was originally scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City but is now expected to last well into 2022.

Last December, bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons told the 95.5 KLOS radio station that KISS has "a hundred and fifty" shows left in its "End Of The Road" tour, including a stop at "the coldest place on earth."

KISS last performed this past New Year's Eve in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The concert broke Guinness world records for highest flame projection in a music concert and for most flame projections launched simultaneously in a music concert.

KISS's current lineup consists of original members Stanley and Simmons, alongside later band additions, guitarist Tommy Thayer (since 2002) and drummer Eric Singer (on and off since 1991).

Formed in 1973 by Stanley, Simmons, Peter Criss (drums) and Ace Frehley (guitar), KISS staged its first "farewell" tour in 2000, the last to feature the group's original lineup.

In its 48-year career, KISS has accumulated 23 gold and platinum albums — more than any other U.S. band.

SOUL STATION's debut LP will be released on March 19 via Universal Music Enterprises. A collection of nine classic soul covers and five original tracks, "Now And Then" will feature the band's acclaimed version of THE FIVE STAIRSTEPS' "O-o-h Child" as well as SOUL STATION's take on THE SPINNERS' "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love".

Ontario, Canada's Malacoda have released a visualizer for the new single "Deadlights", which will be available on streaming platforms Friday, March 12. "Deadlights" is featured on the band's upcoming Crawling Chaos EP. Watch the visualizer below.

“The song is based on the movie, It's one of the better horror movie remakes that’s come out recently. We really tried to capture the emotion from the film with this one.” - Lucas Di Mascio

Tracklisting:

“Crawling Chaos”
“Deadlights”
“From The Depths” (feat. James Delbridge)
“The Harsh Law”

“Deadlights” visualizer:

"Crawling Chaos" lyric video:

While looking for a drummer, the band recorded throughout 2019/2020 with friends behind the drum kit.

Lineup:

Lucas Di Mascio - Vocals & Keys
Wes MacDonald - Guitars
Zachary “Zak” Stulla - Bass




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Anthrax drummer, Charlie Benante, has released the video below, along with the following message:

"Here’s a reworked version of an Anthrax song “ Inside Out” that I did for IK Multimedia- I used Amplitube 5, AXE I/O and iLOUD mtm speakers."

Earlier this week, Benante released the video below, featuring a cover of the Stevie Nicks hit "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around". The track, featured on Nicks' 1981 album, Bella Donna, also features Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers.

Says Charlie: "Round two from the "Rhiannon" lineup. Here is our take on the Stevie Nicks classic (which also features Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) 'Stop Draggin' My Heart Around' (originally released by Stevie on her debut solo album Bella Donna in 1981). This was always a favorite of mine and it gives me a chance to play big thunderous fills, ala Stan Lynch. Alex N Skolnick (lead guitar) of Testament, Mark Menghi - Metal Allegiance, Jennifer Cella of Trans-Siberian Orchestra (vox), Randy McStine of McStine & Minnemann (vox and rhythm guitar) and myself had such a blast working on 'Rhiannon' that we wanted to continue the momentum. Harry Waters of McNally Waters on keyboards (getting that B3 Hammond Organ sound). Harry has also toured in his father's band. Frank Mitaritonna for mixing and Dima Levanchuk for the amazing video work."




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Tomorrow, Friday, March 12, internationally renowned Renaissance folk rock band, Blackmore’s Night, will release their new studio album, Nature’s Light. Watch a new EPK (Electronic Press Kit) below, and pre-order the album here.

Blackmore’s Night have crafted a 20+ year legacy of merging medieval melodies with rock elements. Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Candice Night seamlessly blends her ethereal vocals and lyrics, along with a command of numerous classic woodwinds. With Ritchie Blackmore traversing all matter of six-string instruments, from acoustic and electric guitar to mandola, hurdy-gurdy and nyckelharpa and their wonderful band of minstrels, the result is a truly unique listening experience.

The ten new tracks make for a quintessential Blackmore’s Night album. Once again, Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night successfully mix the tradition of Folk music and their love for the Renaissance era, inspired by the myths and legends of ancient times.

“The story of Nature’s Light is the story of nature being the true queen and the simplicity and magic of everyday miracles that happen right before your eyes”, says Candice Night. “If you feel stagnant or repressed in your surroundings, it is important to take a break from the mundane and go where your heart leads you. It allows you to recharge and begin again with fresh and renewed energy. For some it is the ocean, for some the woods, for some feeling the sun on your face. Our music is an escape from the stress and pressure of modern times. Journey back through time with us, to a simpler, magical time where music enters your heart and soul.”

Nature’s Light will be released on multiple formats via earMUSIC. Among these is a Strictly Limited 2CD Hardcover Mediabook Edition including a bonus CD featuring a carefully selected set of Blackmore’s Night’s masterpieces from their extensive back catalogue. Furthermore, the album will become available as a CD Digipak Edition, a Strictly Limited Heavyweight 1LP Gatefold Edition on Yellow Vinyl, a 180g 1LP Gatefold Edition on Black Vinyl as well as Digital.

Tracklisting:

"Once Upon December"
"Four Winds"
"Feather In The Wind"
"Darker Shade Of Black" (Instrumental)
"The Twisted Oak"
"Nature’s Light"
"Der Letzte Musketier" (Instrumental)
"Wish You Were Here" (2021)
"Going To The Faire"
"Second Element"

EPK:

Album preview:

"Nature’s Light" video:

"Four Winds" lyric video:

"Once Upon December" lyric video:




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DarWin first grabbed attention with the epic 17-track double album, Origin of Species, in 2019. It won over fans and critics alike with its mix of virtuoso playing, heavy guitars, and symphonic rock, co-produced by Simon Phillips. The punchy follow up album DarWin 2 : A Frozen War took the concept a stage further, adding musicians Billy Sheehan, Guthrie Govan, Greg Howe and Derek Sherinian to the mix.

Now comes DarWin 3: Unplugged, a collection of orchestral and stripped back versions of tracks from the first two albums. Highlights range from the sweeping instrumental takes of “Escape The Maze” and “The Last Chance” recorded at Abbey Road Studios, ”Nightmare of My Dreams” recorded in Iceland, to a poignant acapella version of “Another Year.”

The album, once again produced by Simon Phillips (Toto, The Who, Santana), features DarWin (guitars), Matt Bissonette (Elton John, Jeff Beck) on bass and vocals, The Chamber Orchestra of London, and The Reykjavik Quartet across its eight tracks. Phillips also adds his signature percussion and effects to the album.

The songs first appeared as a bonus addition to the limited edition DarWin 2 : A Frozen War double vinyl LP, and are now being given a stand-alone release in DarWin 3 on April 16.

DarWin says, “Upon completing our first and second albums, we quickly realized that completely different interpretations of the songs were possible by isolating the strings or acoustic instruments as much as possible. Indeed, they sounded like completely different songs, although the fundamental concepts and spirit of the songs remained intact. Simon went to work on doing new mixes with the exact same instruments and tracks from the recordings in the earlier albums to create these ‘unplugged’ versions of the songs. Matt Bissonette also recorded two new solo versions of ‘Slowly Melting’ and ‘One Horizon,’ with just his voice and bass.  Simple and pure. ‘Slowly Melting’ was recorded on a live take with the voice and bass parts simultaneously. Many of these songs were deeply emotional journeys, and that character tends to shine through in these unplugged versions.”

DarWin’s debut Origin Of Species was the first instalment in an epic saga that addresses the challenges of mankind in our coming era. It depicts the role of a changing planet, and the potential, as well as limitations, of technology to help solve mankind’s greatest challenges. A complex project that eschews the hollow immediacy of much contemporary art. A story that demands attention and imagination. With music sweeping in scope, at times evoking hard rock virtuoso shredding, alongside grand orchestral compositions, warm harmonies and soaring choruses. A project that is even more relevant in the strange times we live in.

DarWin 3: Unplugged tracklisting:

"Escape The Maze" (Orchestral)
"Nightmare Of My Dreams" (Orchestral)
"Slowly Melting" (Unplugged)
"Forever" (Orchestral):
"One Horizon" (Unplugged)
"Rise" (Orchestral)
"Last Chance" (Orchestral)
"Another Year" (Acapella)




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Canadian alt-metal / hard rock crossover stars, Sumo Cyco, recently announced the release of their upcoming full-length album, Initiation, out May 7 via Napalm Records. Interlaced with infectious heavy metal grooves, pop-perfected hooks, electronic undertones and a dose of punk flavor, Initiation breaks all the rules while delivering a cohesive yet purely unbridled sonic adventure.

Sumo Cyco's explosive first single/video, "Bystander", burst with attention upon its release in mid-February, garnering over 100,000 YouTube views in just four days. Now, the multi-faceted musical powerhouse has returned with another single - the chaotic, sauntering "No Surrender". Packing a punch with pop star-turned-rock frontwoman Skye “Sever” Sweetnam's dynamic vocal delivery and an impassioned, riffy chorus, the track coincides with an introspective music video.
 
Skye “Sever” Sweetnam says about “No Surrender” and its video: “'No Surrender' is about the struggle to be your authentic self, living your truth and battling inner demons. The music video depicts four characterized versions of myself representing different sides of my personality and how I see myself. They’re lurking in the darkness over my shoulder, always questioning each other’s decisions. The song is written from the perspective of the voice or voices in my head. Telling me to run one moment and another to hold my ground and another to fight back. In between some epic rocking out with the band, I wanted the viewers to visualize the colorful juxtaposition that goes on in my mind.”

Watch the intense new music video for “No Surrender”:

Initiation invites a mass of new followers into their warped, dystopian-like world of “Cyco City”! As with its predecessors Lost In Cyco City (2014), Opus Mar (2017) and countless singles, Initiation is based in the imaginative conceptual location of “Cyco City.” But unlike most concept albums, the lyrical content is inspired by the band’s real-time environment – featuring timely, personal themes of love, sacrifice, anxiety, empowerment and more that all listeners can relate to.

Sweetnam adds about the album: "The album’s title, Initiation, stems from wanting to invite the audience to be 'initiated' into our world. There are usually two congruent themes to each of our albums – one is real-world inspiration, and the other is 'Cyco City', a comic book-esque alternate universe where all our music videos take place. With Initiation, we introduce four gangs or clubs. Our music videos for Initiation all include a theme of these clubs – whether it’s gang vs. gang, a forbidden love between opposing sides, or the idea of having to choose where you belong."

"Outside of the story, the lyrics relate to the polarization of the world we live in now. We all have a longing to belong, but what makes one feel accepted or ostracized from a group? To be INITIATED, would you be willing to try to understand another point of view? I have always written lyrics about internal struggle, the war within oneself. Throughout the album, we bounce back and forth between struggle and overcoming. It reflects the times, and there are moments that seem a bit dark."

At the album’s start, Sumo Cyco lights a spark with the seductively hooked track “Love You Wrong”, connecting like a punch and setting the stage for the vigor to come. The blitz continues with standouts like lethal room-mover “Bystander” and electronic-infused, in-your-face rock anthem “Vertigo” – the latter standing tall with its airtight, gritty pop sensibility and featuring the production mastery of Juno Award-winning producer Kane Churko (Ozzy Osbourne, In This Moment, Papa Roach). Swiftly followed by erratic, addictive nod-to-the-times “Bad News” and heavy, creeping success “No Surrender”, Initiation proves not even halfway through that the band’s songwriting ability and the commanding performance prowess frontwoman Skye “Sever” Sweetnam, guitarist Matt “MD13” Drake, bassist Oscar Anesetti and drummer Matt "Trozzi" blend a recipe for greatness. The album continues winding through a mastery of heavy-meets-pop execution before ending with the full-throttle, sugar n’ salt packed album closer “This Dance Is Doomed” (while various editions cap off with sultry, confident “Awakened”).

By the end of Initiation, listeners will wonder just what exactly Sumo Cyco can’t do, proving them as a band on the rise, and that unconventionality always stands out from the pack.

Initiation will be available in North America in the following formats:

- Digital Album
- CD Digipak
- LP Gatefold Orange Vinyl
- Die Hard Limited Edition: LP Gatefold Purple/Yellow/Pink Inkspot Vinyl + 7” Orange Transparent Vinyl Single w/ Two Bonus Tracks + Signed Photo (Napalm Mailorder only – limited to 300 worldwide)

Initiation tracklisting:*

"Love You Wrong"
"Bystander"
"Vertigo"
"Bad News"
"No Surrender"
"M.I.A."
"Cyclone"
"Run With The Giants"
"Overdrive"
"Power & Control"
"This Dance Is Doomed"
"Awakened" (not available on standard digital version)

*Various new tracks, such as “New Jive” and “We Are The Nation” are available in different groupings on various formats of Initiation (i.e. Die Hard Limited Edition).

"Bystander" video:

(Photo by Francesca Ludikar)




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Greek modern metal five-piece, Scar Of The Sun, is poised to reach the next level with the release of their otherworldly third full-length, Inertia, out May 14 via Napalm Records. The album delivers a fresh take on melodic, atmospheric, often progressively-influenced metal while forging a unique path, and acts as a follow up to their self-titled demo (2005), debut full-length A Series Of Unfortunate Concurrencies (2011) and sophomore offering In Flood (2016).

After sharing the stage with outstanding acts such as Dark Tranquillity and Insomnium, as well as compatriots Rotting Christ, Scar Of The Sun has made a name for themselves with the very special ability to merge modern metal sound with atmospheric soundscapes and dynamic riffs. Inertia's first offering, “I Am The Circle”, along with a captivating, dynamic official music video, serves as an exciting taste of lies ahead: Razor-sharp riffs kick off this energetic modern metal smasher, altering between fast-paced and atmospheric moments as frontman Terry Nikas presents his full vocal ability, from aggressive growls to clear singing.

Vocalist Terry Nikas on the first single: “New, heavier and groovier Scar Of The Sun, but always catchy! Years of fighting compressed our anger in a few minutes shape!”

Watch the official music video for “I Am The Circle” (shot & directed by Achilleas Gatsopoulos) below.

"’I Am The Circle’ is the first video from our upcoming album Inertia. It acts as a dynamic and direct introduction to our sound and band presence. The video was directed by Achilleas Gatsopoulos who has been responsible for the overall visual aesthetic of the band since the beginning. The look is a solid combination of raw performance and our distinct graphic design approach. We will explore the world of Inertia even deeper with the release of the next videos in the following months, leading to the release of the album in May.”

On Inertia, Scar Of The Sun utilizes scientific terminology to transmit their impassioned messages of difficult trials and social awareness lyrically, conveying an overarching theme that reflects one of society’s heaviest burdens – that financial gain has flourished at the expense of humanity and the livelihoods of everyday people.

Terry Nikas about the album: “Third strike, this album is our punch to the world disarray! The most aggressive album we’ve done so far indicates our current intentions! The main concept of Inertia deals with how financial interests act against the lives of everyday normal people, no matter where you come from, since profit knows no ethics and nationalities. We become lab rats and we struggle in our everyday life while at the same time that extreme minority that runs the financial interests see people like numbers and value our lives like ants. These are matters that concern and annoy me and I had to get them out of my chest.”

Instrumental intro “Hydrogen” stirs things up before kicking in with hard-hitting title track “Inertia”, evoking a truly thunderous verse and, propelled by blasting drums, leads into an undeniably catchy chorus, while the “Quantum Leap Zero”-trilogy conveys very intense and dramatic events that occured in Greece in 2015: Suppression, rise/revolution and huge defeat in the end. Beginning with “Quantum Leap Zero I: Torque Control”, Scar Of The Sun unveils a whole new instrumental facet of the record, splicing their soundscapes with distinctively desolate vibes. “Quantum Leap Zero II: Transition To Turbulence”, on the other hand, calls for an untamed storm to annihilate everything, followed by atmospheric “Oxygen”, smashing “The Fallible Experiment” and poignant trilogy-closer “Quantum Leap Zero III: Thrust”. Inertia ends with “Anastasis” (Greek for “resurrection”), an intense track about the terrible pain of losing someone you love. With this closer, Scar Of The Sun manages to put agony into words and turn this palpable despair into emotive music.

Inertia was recorded and mixed by singer and songwriting mastermind Terry Nikas at Zero Gravity Studios in Athens, Greece and mastered by the legendary Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Dimmu Borgir) at Fascination Street Studios, Sweden.

Inertia will be available in the following formats:

-1LP Gatefold Transparent Green + Black Marbled
-1LP Gatefold Black
-Shirt & Digpack Bundle
-CD Digipack
-Full Digital Album

Pre-order here.

Inertia tracklisting:

"Hydrogen"
"Inertia"
"I Am The Circle"
"Quantum Leap Zero I: Torque Control"
"Quantum Leap Zero II: Transition To Turbulence"
"Oxygen"
"The Fallible Experiment"
"Quantum Leap Zero III: Thrust"
"Singularity Collapse"
"Zenith To Minos"
"Anastasis"

"I Am The Circle" video:

Lineup:

Terry Nikas - vocals
Alexi Charalampous - guitars
Greg Eleftheriou- guitars
Panagiotis Gatsopoulos - bass
Thanos Pappas - drums
 
(Photo - Cristina Alossi)




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