Portuguese prog metallers, Sullen, have unveiled "The Mounder”, the final clip in a series of studio videos shot last summer. While the track appears on the band’s Post Human debut, released in 2015, it was captured live at Stone Sound Studio on August 9, 2020 after the Nodus Tollens - Act 1: Oblivion recording sessions and displays the band’s growth as performers.
Comments drummer Marcelo Aires of the track, "‘The Mounder’ tells the tale of a lost soul that has been consumed by darkness and toxicity, and its journey to be reborn again as a godlike figure, demolishing the old world in all its frailties and conventions, rebuilding it anew, becoming higher and stronger than all with a new sense of purpose.”
View the band’s previously released videos for “Memento”, “The Prodigal Sun”, and "Acheronta Movebo", below:
Sullen is a collective force of multiple personalities driven by a common search for new musical possibilities. Nodus Tollens – Act 1: Oblivion establishes a sonic evolution from the band’s 2015 Post-Human debut, while retaining the somber nature that characterizes their music. Layered textures of fierce vocals, guitars, drums, synths, and sound effects are intertwined with meditative passages, all permeated by the turmoil of changing time signatures and elusive chord progressions that make for an enticing listening experience, shaking listeners to their very core and inspiring meditation into the depths of the human soul. Embrace this journey with an open mind and heart and you’ll be taken to higher realms of existence and consciousness.
Nodus Tollens – Act 1: Oblivion is available digitally via Nuclear Blast’s digital subsidiary, Blood Blast Distribution, and on limited edition CD independently by the band.
Find digital orders here, where the record can be streamed in full. For physical orders, visit the Sullen Bandcamp page here.
Sullen lineup:
David Pais – vocals
André Ribeiro – guitars
Ricardo Pinto – bass
Marcelo Aires – drums, percussion, keys
Portland dark power metal group, Silver Talon, has unveiled the music video for “Kill All Kings”, the latest single from their forthcoming full-length debut album Decadence And Decay. The song showcases the guitar wizardry of Bryce VanHoosen (ex-Spellcaster) and soaring vocals of Wyatt Howell. The lyric video – which was produced by Ecliptic Visions and Sound, can be viewed below:
Decadence And Decay will be released on May 28. Pre-orders for digital, CD, cassette and limited-edition haze and smoke vinyl copies of the album are available here.
Decadence And Decay – the follow-up to the band’s 2018 debut EP, Becoming A Demon – builds upon the thrilling combination of heavy metal hooks and guitar-driven virtuosity displayed by the band on their earlier effort. Highlights include “Resistance 2029” – which features a guest appearance by guitarist Andy La Rocque (King Diamond, Death) – and the blistering leadoff track, “Deceiver, I Am”.
The complete tracklisting for Decadence And Decay – which features striking cover artwork from noted fantasy artist Gerald Brom (Doom, Diablo, Magic: The Gathering, World Of Warcraft) can be found below.
"Deceiver, I Am"
"Resistance 2029" (feat. Andy La Rocque)
"As The World Burns"
"Next To The Sun"
"Divine Fury"
"Kill All Kings"
"What Will Be"
"Touch The Void"
"As The World Burns" video:
"Deceiver, I Am" video:
With a virtuosic triple-guitar attack, a rumbling rhythm section and powerful vocals, Silver Talon was birthed in 2017 after rising from the ashes of the acclaimed Pacific Northwest metal group Spellcaster. Guitarist Bryce VanHoosen joined forces with fellow ex-Spellcaster member Sebastian Silva – who also plays in goth-rockers Unto Others (formerly Idle Hands) – in a shared mission to keep the heavy metal flame burning brightly. Bolstered by the soaring vocal attack of Wyatt Howell (Sanctifyre), Silver Talon began 2018 by unveiling two demo tracks, “Devil Machine” and “Warrior's End”, which showcased the group's ability to create fist-clenching, head-banging heavy metal through a combination of masterful hooks, lush melody and technical dexterity.
Silver Talon subsequently built on this foundation with their self-released debut EP, Becoming A Demon. The EP saw the band return to the studio to re-record their original demos with Zach Ohren (Exmortus, Fallujah, Machine Head) alongside three new originals and a cover of Sanctuary's “Battle Angels” featuring that group's former guitarist (and future Nevermore/Arch Enemy guitar hero) Jeff Loomis.
The group would further their reputation as masters of triumphant heavy metal with live performances alongside acts such as Exmortus, Unleash The Archers, Striker, The Absence, Powerglove and Hatchet, as well as a nationwide tour at the end of 2019 supporting Savage Master. VanHoosen's guitar prowess is also displayed through his YouTube channel, which is updated regularly with play-through videos, guitar covers and product reviews.
Frontiers Music Srl recently announced the signing of Big City, a melodic metal band from Norway, to a multi-album deal. Fans of bands such as Firewind, Queensryche, Magnus Karlsson's Free Fall, Europe, Fair Warning, and the like should look forward to being introduced to this exciting band.
The band's new album, Testify X, will be released on July 16. Fans can get their first taste of the new record via the single and video for the track "Testify", which can be found below. Pre-order/save Testify X here.
Of first single "Testify", guitarist Daniel Olaisen says it "is about confessing to things to get weight off of your conscience in order to have a better life...or keep them a secret and live a lie. This is the very first song I/we wrote for the album and it has it all. Melodic and acoustic intro, a real catchy hook line on the guitar, great vocal lines and a modulation at the end!"
"We have pretty different influences in the band. From jazz/fusion to extreme metal. The foundation however is our passion for melodic and nostalgic 80's metal/hard rock!" adds Olaisen.
Big City was originally put together by guitarist and songwriter Daniel Olaisen. His plan was to use a vast amount of song ideas and 80's metal influenced guitar riffs that he had stockpiled over the years for a batch of songs with the right players. Frank Ørland, who also played with Daniel in Scariot (prog/thrash/heavy band featuring Communic and Spiral Architect members), was an obvious choice to bring to Big City as the second guitarist. Frank Nordeng Røe (Withem, Maraton, session drummer for Circus Maximus and Leprous) was brought in on drums after being discovered by Daniel via some internet research. The band was then completed with Jan Le Brandt on vocals and Geir Inge Olsen, who was brought in as a session bass player.
The band's debut album, Wintersleep, was initially released in 2014 and later on re-released by the Greek label Rock of Angels in 2018 as part of a deluxe edition of their second album, Big City Life. Big City played their very first live shows the same month of the international release, including Norway Rock Festival and Rock the Boat with Miguel Pereira (Withem) joining the band as their new permanent bass player.
In 2019, the band started working on a new album and brought in a new singer, Jørgen Bergersen from Rock The Night (Europe cover band) and the new demos caught the interest of Frontiers who moved swiftly to sign the band.
"The new album will introduce our new singer. He's done an incredible job and there's more punch and heaviness in his voice. The songs are still varied, from super chill ballad to heavy and light-progressive tunes. Melodies are still in focus and there's plenty of that, as expected. It's simply the best Big City album so far!" says Daniel Olaisen.
Tracklisting:
"The Rush"
"Dark Rider"
"Testify"
"I Will Fall"
"Running Away"
"Conception"
"Winds Of The Road"
"Heart's Like A Lion"
"Graveyard Love"
"How Dark Does It Get"
"Testify" video:
Lineup:
Daniel Olaisen - Rhythm, lead and acoustic guitars
Frank Ørland - Lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars
Frank Nordeng Røe - Drums and percussion
Jørgen Bergersen- Vocals
Miguel Pereira - Bass guitar
German genrefluid visionaries, Lord Of The Lost, return with their seventh studio album, Judas, out July 2 via Napalm Records. A drum playthrough video for the single, "Priest", can be viewed below:
With this new offering, the five-piece cement their position as exceptional artists that can’t be pigeonholed once more, which their brand new harbinger and single “Priest” is already proof of. The very first song immediately unveils a leitmotif that runs through the whole record and serves as a uniting symbiosis for the double album, divided in two conceptual parts, Damnation and Salvation, with 24 songs in total.
Along with a highly sophisticated official video, the song draws the listener into a conflict that has lasted for thousands of centuries and is as old as mankind itself: The conflict between good and evil. On Judas, Lord Of The Lost tell of this conflict from the perception of the character of Judas Iscariot, known as highly diverse, and the so-called Gospel of Judas, a paper that's said to consist of conversations between Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot and casts a different light on religious history as it's told in the Bible's New Testament.
Lord Of The Lost on the new single and video: “With ‘Priest’, we dive deep into a visual world that is meant to convey the very core emotion of the upcoming album, Judas, to the viewer. This comes along with a story that leaves room for many means of interpretation while keeping the purpose of the album concept. The artist XELANAH shines as the protagonist here, symbolically representing the emotional tension of the figure of Judas Iscariot. That role will also appear and continue in further videos, just like you know it from, for example, AEROSMITH. The song itself manages to unite all the emotion and soundscape that makes up the album - a cinematic trailer for the ears. And even a deliberately placed GENESIS quote from the mouth of Judas himself is suddenly seen in a completely new light.”
Watch the official video for “Priest” , directed & edited by Matteo Vdiva Fabbiani & Chiara Cerami for VDPictures, below.
Part of the video for “Priest” was shot in the so-called Einhornhöhle (engl. unicorn cave) in Germany back in August 2020. Lord Of The Lost continue introducing their female protagonist and artwork model, a process that was already set free with the teaser video for “The Death Of All Colours”, and weaves the common thread of Judas visually as well. She represents the inner conflict of good and evil that can be interpreted in several ways.
Lord Of The Lost on Judas: “Don’t judge a book by its cover. This sentence could hardly apply any better to someone in theological history than to the figure of Judas Iscariot, who represents only one thing at first glance: Betrayal. If you take a closer look, almost endless possibilities of interpretation open up here: from "Judas the murderer" to "Judas the redeemer" and "Judas the actual martyr", who, if you believe in it, could only find room in hell for his salvific betrayal after dying for what he did, in complete contrast to Jesus Christ. This field of tension and the apocryphal writings of the "Gospel of Judas" are the basis for a double album that not only illuminates the dark and light side of history, but above all the grey areas in between, in which we move emotionally and ideologically throughout our lives and try to find our place.”
Judas sets off with atmospheric “Priest”, followed by “For They Know Not What They Do”, making clear right from the beginning that all the songs can be experienced the most organic and vivid way: A genuine, unique choir accompanies singer Chris Harms, whose multi-dimensional voice delivers the haunting lyrics straight into the listener’s mind more strongly than ever. Songs like “Your Star Has Led You Astray” or “Born With a Broken Heart” easily manage to keep the balance between harsh vocals, the distorted sound of fuzz guitars and an overall dark atmosphere that Lord Of The Lost is known for, whilst “Death Is Just a Kiss Away”, “My Constellation” and closing “Work of Salvation”, for example, put grand piano tunes, authentic strings and the sound of a massive organ recorded in a church in the most suitable focus.
Judas marks the successor of chart-breaking Thornstar (2018, #6 GER), and again breathes the innovative spirit of five musicians who are far away from setting boundaries into their very own unique art. Lord Of The Lost has never been that type of creative force that’s pinned to any specific genre and has succeeded in surprising fans and critics with their nonconformism repeatedly over the years. With their new album Judas, Lord Of The Lost manage to thematically blur the lines between good and evil and put the so called “salvific treason” into a harmonious soundscape unlike ever heard before - truly an magnum opus!
Judas will be available in the following formats:
- Deluxe Box (incl. 2-CD Mediabook, 1 CD The Sorrows Of The Young, 2 CD LOTL+, DVD Becoming Judas, Cover Alu Print) - strictly limited to 1500 copies worldwide
- 4 CD Earbook - strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide
- Double Music Cassette - strictly limited to 100 copies worldwide
- 2-CD Mediabook
- 2-CD Sleevepack
- Vinyl Box incl. 2x 2LP Recycled Black Vinyl Gatefold
- Digital Album
CD1: Damnation
"Priest"
"For They Know Not What They Do"
"Your Star Has Led You Astray"
"Born with a Broken Heart"
"The 13th"
"In the Field of Blood"
"2000 Years a Pyre"
"Death Is Just a Kiss Away"
"The Heart Is a Traitor"
"Euphoria"
"Be Still and Know"
"The Death of All Colours"
CD2: Salvation
"The Gospel of Judas"
"Viva Vendetta"
"Argent"
"The Heartbeat of the Devil"
"And it Was Night"
"My Constellation"
"The Ashes of Flowers"
"Iskarioth"
"A War Within"
"A World where We Belong"
"Apokatastasis"
"Work of Salvation"
"Priest" video:
Next to the 2-CD Judas Mediabook and a cover alu print, the strictly limited deluxe box includes the special CD, The Sorrows Of The Young, double extra CD LOTL+, as well as the six part behind the scenes documentary bonus DVD, Becoming Judas. The Sorrows Of The Young features ten unreleased songs, written by Chris Harms at the age of 18, that have now been re-recorded, whereas LOTL+ showcases 32 completely different interpretations in terms of vocals and lyrics on the original song “Viva Vendetta”, written and performed by artists like Megaherz, Equilibrium, Lacrimosa, Subway To Sally, Nachtblut, Unzucht and many more.
The Sorrows Of The Young tracklisting:
"Catharsis"
"Syringes in the Sand"
"Deus Absconditus"
"Die Without Your Love"
"This Piece of Art"
"The Last Saviour"
"All I Am Is The Void"
"Obscularum Infame"
"Infinity"
"Supernova"
LOTL+ tracklisting:
CD1:
"Living a Lie" feat. A Life Divided
"Consume Hate" feat. Aesthetic Perfection
"Vergissmeinnicht" feat. AnnA Lux
"Still Life to Die For" feat. Ben Christo (The Sisters Of Mercy / Diamond Black)
"The Darkest Hour" feat. Chemical Sweet Kid
"Into the Dawn" feat. Simon Moskon (Cryptex)
"The Warrior" feat. Daria Trusova
"Old-School Pagan Spirit" feat. Robse (Equilibrium)
"Entität" feat. Erdling
"Doomed Love" feat. Erk Aicrag (Hocico / Rabia Sorda)
"Crimson Masque" feat. Face Time Police
"Your Skeleton Grin" feat. Faderhead
"A Pain That I Know" feat. Florian Grey
"Ohne Zweifel" feat. Heldmaschine
"Sadly Ever After" feat. Hell Boulevard
"Stolen" feat. Jaani Peuhu (Mercury Circly, Swallow The Sun, Iconcrash)
CD2:
"Alles wird gut, aber…" feat. Lacrimosa
"Dein Blick" feat. Letzte Instanz
"Pale Rider" feat. Lolita KompleX
"Revenge" feat. MajorVoice
"Aus und Vorbei" feat. Megaherz
"Bloody Flower" feat. Nachtblut
"Abandon Ship" feat. Night Laser
"The Shadow and the Sun" feat. OH FYO!
"Digging Deeper" feat. Scarlet Dorn
"It Starts with a Crack" feat. Solar Fake
"Fake Gods" feat. Soulbound
"Träume zu Tränen" feat. Subway To Sally
"Die Flamme" feat. Sündenrausch
"Feuerrot" feat. Tanzwut
"Während die Welt in Flammen Steht" feat. Unzucht
"Today" feat. Saku Solin (Turmion Kätilöt / Fear Of Domination)
Lord Of The Lost are:
Chris Harms - vocals, guitar, cello
Pi Stoffers - guitar
Class Grenayde - bass
Gared Dirge - piano, synthesizer, percussion, guitar
Niklas Kahl - drums
On May 7, Artillery will release their tenth full-length, X, via Metal Blade Records. Watch an unboxing video below.
In the mid-1980s, Denmark's Artillery established themselves as being at the cutting edge of the thrash movement, and nearly forty years later, they continue to destroy. Returning with their tenth - and aptly titled - full-length X, they prove once again that they have not missed a step, delivering a record that's ruthlessly heavy, catchy and pure molten metal.
"We wanted to have the typical Artillery trademarks, like the riffs and hook lines in the usual combination together with aggression and melody. We always try to combine melodic thrash metal with elements from the heavy sounds of the 70s and the 80s, and this time with new elements in some of the songs," says guitarist Michael Stützer. "We don't have to push ourselves hard when we're writing a record because we love what we're doing."
Sadly, guitarist - and Stützer's brother - Morten Stützer passed in 2019, which understandably affected the band. Having played a big part in shaping Artillery's songs and appearing on every album up to 2018's riveting The Face Of Fear, his loss is a real blow. "It was tough, even if he did not play live with us since 2016, he was always supporting us. Morten was a unique musician and writer and a very humorous guy, and following his death was the first time ever I thought about stopping playing music. But, he always said that I had to go on with Artillery and continue playing if he was not there anymore. He will be missed so much." Admitting it was very strange entering into the writing process without him, the brothers typically playing off each other a lot, they still managed to pull things together, helped by the contributions of new guitarist Kræn Meier, who has been playing live with the band since 2017.
X was tracked in Medley Studio in Copenhagen, Denmark with producer Søren Andersen, who the band have worked with on every record since 2009's When Death Comes. As well as his production work, Andersen contributed some keyboards to "The Ghost Of Me", also adding some effects to a few other songs, and the band recruited their drivers/merch men to contribute some backing vocals on four tracks. With the record in the can, the band are able to start to look toward what is next, hoping the Coronavirus pandemic passes soon so that they can get back on the road, but now is also a good time for reflecting on what they have achieved at this point in their lengthy career. "It feels great and awesome to have been going for nearly forty years. I'm so glad, and I am so lucky that I can do what I love the most, making albums and touring for our awesome fans. If anyone had told me forty years ago that I would have made ten albums and played in over sixty different countries, I wouldn't have believed it."
The album can be pre-ordered here in the following formats:
- ltd. digipak-CD (incl. 2 bonus tracks)
- 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
- blood red / blue marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 300 copies)
- viole(n)t blue marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies)
- blue / red / white melt splatter vinyl (limited to 200 copies)
X tracklisting:
"The Devils Symphony"
"In Thrash We Trust"
"Turn Up The Rage"
"Silver Cross"
"In Your Mind"
"The Ghost Of Me"
"Force Of Indifference"
"Varg I Veum"
"Mors Ontologica"
"Eternal Night"
"Beggars In Black Suits"
"Turn Up The Rage" video:
"In Thrash We Trust":
Unboxing video:
Artillery lineup:
Michael Bastholm Dahl - vocals
Michael Stützer - guitars
Kræn Meier - guitars
Peter Thorslund - bass
Josua Madsen - drums
Canadian alt-metal / hard rock crossover stars, Sumo Cyco, will release their new full-length album, Initiation, on May 7 via Napalm Records. The band's final pre-album single - the eclectic, infectious "Bad News" - is another total winner, showing off their perfected multi-genre attack more potently than ever.
Frontwoman Skye “Sever” Sweetnam says about “Bad News”: "I'm sure many people can relate to feeling like everyday is 'Bad News' over and over again. There was a point in 2020 when I was so glued to the news and current events it felt like my personal identity was fading away into an abyss and replaced with a scrolling, media consuming robot. It made me miserable, but I felt like I had a responsibility to know what was going on. It took me a while to peel myself away from the constant barrage of negativity and find a balance."
Sweetnam adds about the video: "The music video was really fun to film. I'm so lucky to have band members who are willing to get pretty weird with me. Once the make-up and prosthetics were on, the guys and I came to life as our Cyco Terrornaut family. I included some obnoxious color combos that almost make you question your sanity when you watch the video."
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).
Zakk Wylde and Black Label Society have released a video for "House Of Doom", featured in the None More Black Box Set, available at NoneMoreBlackBoxSet.com. Watch the clip below:
The box set that the world has been waiting for. All twelve original Black Label Society studio recordings on gorgeous color vinyl. Remastered. Refurbished. Reupholstered. Recarpeted. Reassured. Remarried. Restored. Reissued. Relaunched. Reassembled. RE-EVERYTHING.
The None More Black Box Set comes with a hardcover 32-page photo book, chronicling Black Label Society's legendary career. Demolish all of life's menial tasks with the official Odin's Demolition Squad patch. Impress your friends and help open bottles for your loved ones that lack opposable thumbs with the None More Black Box Set bottle opener.
Arrives in an indestructible black on black embossed collection box. Includes The Song Remains Not The Same II: featuring reworked versions of the original songs.
All original studio albums:
Sonic Brew - black/white marble x2 LP
Stronger Than Death - black/apple marble x2 LP
1919 Eternal - black/brown marble x2 LP
The Blessed Hellride - black/silver marble LP
Hangover Music Vol. VI - black/canary marble x2LP
Mafia - black/neon coral marble x2LP
Shot To Hell - black/tangerine marble LP
Order Of The Black - black/grey marble LP
Catacombs Of The Black Vatican - black/tan marble LP
Grimmest Hits - black/olive marble LP
Two bonus albums:
The Song Remains Not The Same II - grey LP
Nuns and Roaches: Tasty Little Bastards - black/magenta LP
After releasing “Hammerschlag” as a first glimpse of what power metal up-and-comers Hammer King have to offer on their new album Hammer King (out June 11 via Napalm Records), today they reveal their anthem “Atlantis" (Epilogue). On “Atlantis" (Epilogue), Hammer King reveal their melodic side as singer and guitarist Titan Fox V shows off his incredible vocal range. Dynamic songwriting meets multi-faceted, virtuoso guitar solos.
Singer/guitarist Titan Fox V about the new single: “With great pride we are to announce the release of the second video single off our upcoming album Hammer King: ‘Atlantis' (Epilogue). Atlantis has been on everyone's list. It's an epic song actually written on the Lake Zürich. Its lyrics go back to some of the earliest hours in human history or mythology. It also serves as an epilogue to our nautical trilogy off the Poseidon Will Carry Us Home album. Some of our finest lead guitars meet big vocals and counterpoint singing. Carry us back home!”
Hammer King keeps it heavy with speedy riffs, energic grooves and fist-pumping choruses, devoting their existence to the one and only myth of the godly Hammer King. The new self-titled album starts off with blasting drums and brisk guitars on “Awaken The Thunder”, with frontman and guitarist Titan Fox V showing off his incredible vocal range, whereas tracks like “Atlantis” prove Hammer King’s ability to write catchy and memorable choruses. Hammer King tells the lore of the Hammer King himself, a wrathful and mighty war god, who is praised in tracks like anthemic “Baptized By The Hammer”, energetic and double-bass driven “In The Name Of The Hammer” and the hard-hitting “Hammerschlag”. Kneel before the king of kings, the Hammer King!
Hammer King will be available in the following formats:
- 1-CD Digipak
- 1-LP Gatefold Vinyl BLACK
- 1-LP Gatefold Vinyl RED TRANSPARENT (strictly limited to 100 copies)
- Deluxe Box (Flag, 4x Signed Cards, Keychain/Bottle Opener)
- 1-CD Digipak + Shirt Bundle
- Digital Album
"Awaken The Thunder"
"Baptized By The Hammer"
"Onward To Victory"
"Hammerschlag"
"Atlantis" (Epilogue)
"We Are The Kingdom"
"Into The Storm"
"Ashes To Ashes"
"In The Name Of The Hammer"
"Kings Of Kings"
"Holy" (Outro)
"Hammerschlag" (HK Version) Bonus Track (physical only)
"Hammerschlag" lyric video:
Hammer King are:
Titan Fox V - vocals/guitar
Gino Wilde - guitar
Gladius Thundersword - bass
Dolph Aidan Macallan - drums
Finnish Oulu-based female fronted hard rock band Lost Division is set to release their debut album Cuts And Scars on May 28th via Inverse Records. New single "No God" from the album is released today. Check out the official lyric video below.
The band comments:
"The third single from Cuts & Scars, 'No God', serves up proper rattling, rhythmic rock'n'roll. This is the most aggressive song of the album. You will want to listen to this to-the-point bulldozer of a song again and again. The heavy riffs, catchy chorus and a striking guitar solo definitely make 'No God' one of the stars of Cuts & Scars. The lyrics paint a dark version of what will wait for us all when our life ends on earth."
Lost Division was founded in Oulu, Finland back in 2015. Their first single release "Wish You Were Dead" was released in 2018 by Inverse Records. In 2019 they changed singers and started to compose material for the upcoming debut album, which was recorded in 2020. The album was recorded at Liiteri Sudios and mixed by Mika Lammassaari at Demolition Center Studios. Mastering was handled by Stefan Pommerin at Illusia Productions.
Tracklist:
"In Memoriam 2.0"
"Trapped"
"Stay"
"I'd Rather Die"
"No God"
"The Queen"
"The Killer"
"Lovely Day"
"Insanity"
"Mayhem"
Line-up:
Maija Väisänen - Vocals
Antti Ovaska - Rhythm Guitar
Jaakko Korpi - Lead Guitar
Mikael Luukela - Bass
Juha-Matti Sipola - Drums
On April 16th, German rockers Hartmann - featuring Avantasia guitarist Oliver Hartmann - performed a livestream show at the Colos-Saal in Aschaffenburg, Germany. They have shared another clip from the evening below.
Oliver: "One more Hartmann acoustic version of this 80's pop classic (by Jermaine Jackson & Pia Zadora) from our actual line up for the 15th (+1) Anniversary Acoustic Tour 2021 feat. Ina Morgan on vocals/guitar. And with all the little mistakes, the interaction, the synergy and everything else that makes true live music so unique and wonderful. We're looking forward to announcing new tour dates for late summer!"
Check out "Don't Want Back Down" and "Simple Man" from the livestream below, taken from Hartmann's Hands On The Wheel album, released in 2018.
Lyria vocalist Aline Happ has released a classical crossover version of Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson's solo single "Tears Of The Dragon". Check it out below.
"Tears Of The Dragon" is taken from Dickinson's 1994 solo album, Balls To Picasso. It was his second solo record, and the first album in Dickinson's solo career that was released after he had officially left Iron Maiden.
On May 4th, The Pretty Reckless appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Their segment featured a performance of "Rock And Roll Heaven" from the record-breaking album, Death By Rock And Roll.
Even with six #1 singles under her belt, Taylor Momsen still finds time to learn something new. During an interview with Kelly Clarkson, The Pretty Reckless frontwoman shares that she just discovered YouTube reaction videos of people hearing songs for the first time, stating that she finds it "very enjoyable" during the pandemic. She also opens up about the difficult but therapeutic process that gave birth to her #1 album, Death By Rock And Roll.
The Pretty Reckless are #1... again! The band's latest single, "And So It Went", landed at #1 on the rock radio charts. It's the second consecutive #1 single from the new album, Death By Rock And Roll, and is the band's sixth overall #1 single at the format.
Death By Rock And Roll arrived in February and topped multiple sales charts - including Billboard's Top Albums, Rock, Hard Music, and Digital Charts.
The Pretty Reckless have also been nominated for two iHeart Radio Music Awards. They have been nominated for "Rock Artist Of The Year", while the title track of Death By Rock And Roll is nominated for "Rock Song Of The Year". The iHeart Radio Music Awards are set to air on Fox on Thursday, May 27 at 8 PM, ET.
Those waiting to see The Pretty Reckless in concert will have to wait a little - actually quite a bit - longer. Vocalist Taylor Momsen has issued the following update:
"After much thought and very careful consideration to the ongoing Covid epidemic, we have made the difficult decision to postpone all touring until 2022. We absolutely cannot wait to come back and see you around the world in 2022… stay tuned for announcements coming this week!"
The Pretty Reckless released their fourth studio album, Death By Rock And Roll, in February 2021.
Tracklisting:
"Death By Rock And Roll"
"Only Love Can Save Me Now" (featuring Matt Cameron and Kim Thayil)
"And So It Went" (featuring Tom Morello)
"25"
"My Bones"
"Got So High"
"Broomsticks"
"Witches Burn"
"Standing At The Wall"
"Turning Gold"
"Rock And Roll Heaven"
"Harley Darling"
AIW Management artist King 810 has released their official music video for single "I Am The Enemy".
The band has also announced tour dates that begin on August 26 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at Crafthouse.
Dates:
August
26 – Pittsburgh, PA – Crafthouse
27 – Pipestream, WV – Metal In The Mountains Festival
28 – Louisville, KY – Diamonds Pub Concert Hall
31 – Joliet, IL – The Apollo Theatre
September
1 – Iowa City, IA – Gabe’s
2 – Des Moines, IA – Lefty’s
3 – Sioux Falls, SD – Bigs Bar
4 – Lincoln, NE – The Royal Grove
Cult Polish grindcore act Schismopathic is back on the map with their first full-length since its inception in 1988. With 12 new songs recorded with two original members, The Human Legacy is old-school grindcore frenzy at its best. Selfmadegod will issue The Human Legacy in late May, today issuing an official video for the track “Time Of History.”
Founded in 1987 under the name Schismopathic Torment, in 1988 the band changed its name to Schismopathic under the lineup of bassist Jacek B., guitarist Robert F., and vocalist/drummer Robert G. A year later, they released their debut demo, Kharkharamapathic Regurgitator, resulting in a plethora of shows throughout Poland with bands from the top tier of their country’s underground. In 1991, Schismopathic recorded their debut album, D.E.M.O.C.R.A.C.Y., which, due to the band's suspension, was released with the first demo and live recordings in 2013 on CD, and then a few years later on LP via Selfmadegod Records.
The band’s reactivation in 2020 was preceded by a split 7” EP with Antigama, also released through Selfmadegod. The band reactivated in the original lineup but without Robert G., who was replaced on drums by Janek (ex-Psychoneurosis, ex-Bottom) and new vocalist Adrian. With this lineup, Schismopathic composed and recorded material for the full album, The Human Legacy, which will now see release through Selfmadegod Records in May of 2021.
The Human Legacy was recorded and mixed at 125 Studio between May 2020 and March 2021, produced by Michal “Maly” Kwiecień. The record’s intro features Kwiecień and Artur “Janek” Jasiński, and the outro features Sebastian “Stecyk” Steć. The cover art and layout were handled by Jasiński and DIY Zrup Leprzy Prod. The track “Proof Of Ignorance” is a new version of the 1989 track “Construction Of Ignorance,” here re-recorded in a new arrangement with new lyrics.
Selfmadegod Records will release The Human Legacy on CD and digital formats on May 28. Find preorders at the Selfmadegod webshop.
Tracklisting:
“Intro – The Beginning Of The End”
“Faithful Slaves Of The System”
“Vote For Me”
“What Can You Say Then?”
“Technological Addiction”
“Deviated And Devoted”
“Proof Of Ignorance”
“Single-Use Existence”
“Landfill Site For Human Trash”
“Cut Their Ropes”
“Time Of History”
“Outro – The Human Legacy”
Amenra announce their Relapse Records full-length debut, De Doorn, coming June 25. Watch Amenra’s official “De Evenmens” music video, directed by Dehn Sora, below.
Amenra vocalist Colin H. van Eeckhout comments: “We are only here for a split second in history. This song is about finding the answer within the question, man's search for his place here on earth. A journey of sorrow with mere moments of beauty and happiness and this all in relation to his or her fellowman. To accept what is. Our brother Dehn Sora sculpted the digital world where Everman dwells, protected by its thorns, wounded by the others. Sacrificing blood of gold.”
De Doorn is out June 25 on Deluxe 2xLP/2xLP/CD/CS/Digital. Physical pre-orders via Relapse.com are available here. Digital Downloads/Streaming here. A super limited, one time press features gold foil stamping printed on jackets and are available exclusively through Relapse.com and at band live performances.
De Doorn tracklisting:
"Ogentroost"
"De Dood In Bloei"
"De Evenmens"
"Het Gloren"
"Voor Immer"
"De Evenmens" video:
Amenra’s first release for Relapse Records is at once a departure and a momentous act of deliverance. Stepping outside the run of albums titled Mass I-VI, De Doorn casts a 21-year journey from the heart of Belgium’s crusading hardcore scene to world-renowned, spiritually guided innovators in an enthralling new light.
Ritual, remembrance and hard-won rebirth have always been at the heart of Amenra’s colossal, soul-purging approach. Centered around frontman Colin H. Van Eeckhout, but marked out by a transcendent unity of purpose, their albums have acted as totemic, personal marker points, a means to process individual grief as a shared, cathartic experience. Their live shows are acts of incendiary, communal exorcism that reach a cusp of sublime, out-of-body experience. A closely knit collective, they transport you to a febrile state where confrontation of pain, transformation and true healing can occur.
Amenra have always been profoundly bound to their hometowns around Flanders, the weight of that area’s war-torn history. The sacrifice and sense of a larger purpose that bridges the fragility of humanity and the pull of an immaculate ideal is carried as an ever-present resonance. No more is this apparent than in the spectacular, commemorative events the band have performed in recent years – to mark ending of the First World War; the band’s 20th anniversary; and the departure of long-time band member Levy Seynaeve. At the SMAK Museum Of Contemporary Art in Ghent’s 19th-century, monument-strewn Citadelpark in May 2019, they offered a communal recognition of loss and letting go. Here, audience members were invited to make their own offerings, placing personal notes of acknowledgment in wooden structures created by Indonesian artist Toni Kanwa Adikusumah, before they were brought out into the park and set alight as an act of recognition and release – a forging of hope from the flames.
Written for the purpose of that rite, De Doorn (‘The Thorn’) occupies a place between Amenra’s recorded and live work, less a testimony to the band’s individual bereavements, more an invitation for others to come forward, and to pass through darkness into light. Where the Mass albums have taken the form of solitary struggles whose fearless honesty has aligned itself to the most intrinsically human of chords, the dynamics of De Doorn are as stricken by destiny as ever, but sonically looser. Guided to a lesser extent by the band’s characteristically immense, behind-the-beat traction, it’s more lush, immersive, steeped in sonorous, cathedral-echo ambiences amplified to the point of static-infected instability and carrying passages of deeply intimate spoken-word that feel like being drawn in to the most hallowed of confidences. Its themes of dialogue and the passing of knowledge are echoed in the combined vocals of Colin and Oathbreaker’s Caro Tanghe. Her spectral presence on the opening Ogentroost acts as both counterpoint and complement to Colin’s stricken howl as the song cycles between enervation and helplessly compelled momentum. Their whispered devotions in the following, vast, hallowed atmospheres of De Dood In Bloei leave you feeling as though you’re bearing witness to the most private of conversations.
The thorn is the most potent of symbols – in religious terms, a reclamation and an agony as a mark of transformation. It’s the nagging reminder of vulnerability and it’s the violent protector, without which beauty cannot thrive. For the cover of De Doorn, it’s been cast in bronze – a thing of value and a memorial, each band member given their own piece to symbolise their own pain and their belonging to the greater whole. In bronze, it is both nature and something else – a mark of singularity and a portal to a continuity that we all share. As Amenra have acknowledged once more, it’s one that hears our call, even when we feel we are at our most alone.
- Recorded by Tim De Gieter at Much Luv Studio, Lembeke BE
- Mastered by Frank Arkright, Abbey Road Studio, London UK
Amenra Is:
Colin H. van Eeckhout - Lead Vocals
Mathieu Vandekeckhove - Guitar
Bjorn J. Lebon - Percussion
Lennart Bossu - Guitar
Tim De Gieter - Guitar
Caro Tanghe - Backup Vocals
Prepare your air guitars and get the party started with the hottest metal tribute to The Bee Gees and beyond: Tragedy. The New York-based cover song reinventors are set to release a “best of” collection chock full of remastered favorites, Disco Balls To The Wall, on July 30 via Napalm Records.
It doesn’t matter at all if you love or hate disco or metal - you will unabashedly love Tragedy and their bombastic, crazy mix of disco, metal, glitter and revelry, highly enjoyable on their incomparable powerhouse version of “You’re the One That I Want”, out today. Tragedy already broke the internet back in 2015 with the viral video for their energetic take on the Grease soundtrack classic, but now it’s time to mosh on the dancefloor again to a new, remastered version of the song.
Tragedy say about “You’re the One That I Want”: “We found the inner-METAL spirit of Grease...and it runs deep. 1950's greasers, 1970's Travolta, 1980's metal and 1990's grunge, all come together in a new-millennium melting pot - creating a kick-ass high school for adults portraying teens. You better shape up!”
Watch the video for “You’re the One That I Want” below.
The band’s first offering with Napalm Records will include Tragedy’s unique twist on hits such as Abba’s “Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” and “Dancing Queen”, Toto’s “Africa”, Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” and Adele’s intense super-hymn ''Skyfall”, just to name a few. These fearsome brothers drop the perfect selection of all-time favorite disco, soft-rock and pop favorites - completely reimagining them as glorious, red-hot heavy metal treatments.
Tragedy add: "Disco Balls To The Wall is the biggest, sexiest, collection of hits we've ever released. It’s as if the Bee Gees turned into werewolves, ate some teens, then bred with the local dog population; thus creating the world's most beastly recordings of disco and soft-rock songs ever made. Sharing this album with your friends and lovers will make you 500% more desirable.”
Get your body shaking when Tragedy start to rock out with The Bee Gee’s “Stayin' Alive”, “How Deep Is Your Love” and “Tragedy”, and headbang to the tunes of Slayer’s heavy riffing thrash thunder “Raining Blood” combined with “It’s Raining Men” from American duo The Weather Girls in a way absolutely never heard before. Disco Balls To The Wall is finally topped by a smashing live version of Donna Summer’s fabulous “Hot Stuff”, featuring Alex Skolnick of Testament on lead guitar. What a ride! But the party won’t stop as long as there’s a repeat button to push heavily!
The concept, while subversive and humorous, goes well beyond what others have done in satirical music - Tragedy celebrates the soul of the original song, even while turning the soundscape on its head. The amps are cranked to eleven, but the emotion is not lost. You’ll discover new meaning in songs that have been a part of your life as long as you can remember. You’ll laugh and cry, dance and mosh, and feel newly connected to the disco-metal that was inside you all along.
Disco Balls To The Wall will be available in the following formats:
- 2-LP Gatefold (Orange transparent) - strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide
- 1-CD Digipack
- Digital Album
"Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)"
"You're The One That I Want"
"Evil / Baker Street"
"Stayin' Alive"
"Sweet Caroline"
"Raining Blood" / "It's Raining Men"
"How Deep Is Your Love"
"Aquarius" / "Let The Sunshine In"
"Africa"
"Total Eclipse Of The Heart"
"Tragedy"
"Dancing Queen"
"Skyfall"
"Hot Stuff"
"You're The One That I Want" video:
Tragedy is:
Disco Mountain Man - lead vocals, lead keyboards
Mo'Royce Peterson - lead vocals, lead guitar
Andy Gibbous Waning - lead bass, lead vocals
Garry Bibb - lead guitar, lead vocals
The Lord Gibbeth - lead drums
Lance - towel boy, complete idiot
Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania’s blues-rock power trio, Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen, have released its new single, “Broken”, worldwide on all digital platforms. Recorded at 8 Days a Week Studios in Northumberland, PA by revered engineer/ producer and former Badlees/Cellarbirds bassist, Paul Smith, the tune (the group’s first new music since 2018’s full length album, Break It Down) proves once and for all that the blues-rock genre is most definitely, alive and well.
Accompanying the song is DDEG’s video for “Broken”. The video is directed by award winning director, Jonathan Edwards and was shot in the band’s hometown in the historical Irem Temple Theatre. Currently a restoration project, the theatre was Wilkes-Barre’s primary performing arts venue in the early 1900’s and known for its Moorish Revival Architecture, towering minarets and stained-glass dome. “The fact this beautiful, ‘Broken’ theatre exists right in our backyard is amazing,” says Douglas. “There was no doubt this was the perfect location for this new video.”
“Broken” has all the classic Dustin Douglas and The Electric Gentlemen elements - sexy grooves, infectious rhythm, and Douglas’ soaring guitar work and unmistakable vocal. “‘Broken’ is a very good sonic explanation of who we are as a band,” says Douglas. “Classic rock with a modern twist. We do our best to carry the torch of our power trio forefathers. The spirit of “The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Cream, and Mountain runs deep in my veins.”
“Broken” has blasted Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen’s already soaring trajectory into a whole new level of success.
Frontiers Music Srl recently announced the June 18 release of the debut album, Kings In The North, from Crowne, a new Swedish melodic hard rock supergroup. The band is comprised of vocalist Alexander Strandell (Art Nation), guitarist/keyboardist/producer Jona Tee (H.E.A.T.), bassist John Levén (Europe) and drummer Christian Lundqvist (The Poodles).
The band's third single and second music video, "Perceval" is out today. Watch the clip below. Pre-order the CD and Limited Edition Color LP versions of the album and pre-save the digital version here.
Crowne is hands-down the most exciting, thrilling supergroup ever created out of the Swedish melodic hard rock scene. This stellar cast of some of the most outstanding musicians from the scene have been gathered together to create this absolute beast of a debut album, the title of which will be revealed in the coming weeks. Crowne's music is the result of these amazing talents coming together and realizing a musical vision under the passionate and watchful guidance of Serafino Perugino, President of Frontiers Records. This is a melodic hard rock barnburner with enormous melodies, delivering rock 'n' roll like there is no tomorrow. Quite simply, this is going to blow you away, so prepare yourself for what's to come.
Tracklisting:
"Kings In The North"
"Perceval"
"Sharoline"
"Unbreakable"
"Mad World"
"One In A Million"
"Sum Of All Fears"
"Set Me Free"
"Make A Stand"
"Cross To Bear"
"Save Me From Myself"
"Perceval" video:
"Sharoline" video:
"Mad World":
Lineup:
Alexander Strandell – Lead Vocals
Jona Tee – Guitar/Keyboards/Backing Vocals
John Levén - Bass
Christian “Kicken” Lundqvist – Drums
Vocalist / guitarist Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge, Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators) will release his second solo album, The Ides Of March, on May 14th via Napalm Records.
Check out the story behind the song "Get Along", and hear the first live performance from the legendary Fox Theater in Spokane, Washington.
Myles Kennedy will be hitting the road to promote his new album, The Ides Of March, on a socially distanced solo tour. Confirmed dates can be found below, tickets are on sale now.
June
23 - Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theater (Headline Show)
24 - Lincoln, Ne - Bourbon Theatre (Headline Show)
26 - Hoffman Estates, IL - Now Arena *
27 - Oshkosh, WI - Ford Festival Park *
* with Halestorm, Blackstone Cherry, Ayron Jones, From Ashes To New, Eva Under Fire
A message states: "These shows are the first of many we hope to roll out in the upcoming weeks so please be stay tuned!"
While Year Of The Tiger was more of an acoustic exploration through Myles’ mind, The Ides Of March finds him strapping on his electric guitar and pushing himself as a guitarist / songwriter. Tracks like “A Thousand Words”, “Wake Me When It’s Over”, and “Moonshot” showcase the diverse music arrangements that has garnered Myles fans globally across all of his projects.
The Ides Of March will be available in the following formats:
- Digital Album
- 1 CD Jewel Case
- 1 CD Digipack (Napalm mailorder, limited to 500 worldwide)
- 2 LP Gatefold Black Vinyl
- 2 LP Gatefold Grey Vinyl (RoW only)
- 2 LP Gatefold Bottle Green Transparent Vinyl (Napalm mailorder, limited to 400 worldwide)
- Die Hard Limited Edition: 2 LP Gatefold Clear Splatter Mint/Violet/White Vinyl + Aluminium Print (Napalm mailorder, limited to 300 worldwide)
- Limited Deluxe Box: Glow In The Dark Vinyl + Cover Artprint + 7” Glow In The Dark "A Thousand Words” Vinyl Demo Single + Pendant + Slipmat (Napalm mailorder, limited to 700 worldwide)
"Get Along"
"A Thousand Words"
"In Stride"
"The Ides Of March"
"Wake Me When It’s Over"
"Love Rain Down"
"Tell It Like It Is"
"Moonshot"
"Wanderlust Begins"
"Sifting Through The Fire"
"Worried Mind"
Blackened industrial doom collective, Culted, have released the official music video for their faithful cover of Godflesh's iconic song, "Crush My Soul". The video, which was created entirely by the band, can be found below.
The band comments, "We are longtime admirers of Godflesh's body of sound and have attempted to respectfully interpret and do justice to an incredible song. 'Crush My Soul' was the first music we recorded for the album Nous and in many ways laid the emotive foundation for its modus operandi."
"Lowest Class"
"Lifers"
"One Last Smoke"
"Ankle Deep"
"Black Bird"
"Opiate the Hounds"
"Maze"
"Crown of Lies"
"The Grid"
"Crush My Soul" (Godflesh cover)
Album stream:
"Culted" video:
"Black Bird" video:
Lineup:
Matthew Friesen - guitar, bass, keyboards, noise and percussion
Michael Klassen - guitar, bass keyboards, noise and percussion
Kevin Stevenson - drums and percussion
Daniel Jansson - vocals and noise
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