In August and September 2023, multi-national progressive rockers Big Big Train undertook their longest ever tour to date, performing 17 shows over 21 days across nine countries in the UK and Europe, and concluding with two triumphant concerts at London’s prestigious Cadogan Hall. Those two concerts are now immortalised as A Flare On The Lens, released on September 13 2024 via InsideOutMusic.
Today, the band are pleased to launch a live video for the track “Love Is The Light”, taken from their most recent studio album The Likes Of Us.
Bassist Gregory Spawton comments: “Before last year’s tour we had already recorded Love Is The Light in the studio and were confident that it would translate well to live performance. What we underestimated was just how well it would come across at our shows, despite being a song that no one had previously heard before the tour.”
Lead vocalist Alberto Bravin adds: “When I put forward Love Is The Light for The Likes Of Us studio album, I told the rest of the band that it was an intensely personal song about a challenging period in my life. I am so pleased about how the fans have embraced it and the way that it has connected with people – after all, the song’s message is universal.”
Drummer Nick D’Virgilio says: “I knew we were onto something significant when Alberto first shared his demo of Love Is The Light with the rest of the band. The song just seems to keep evolving and it’s super cool to have the audience participate acapella every night. It was one of the real high points of the show.”
This new concert film package includes every song performed by the band over those two evenings and is available as a Limited 3CD+Blu-ray media book, with the concert film audio mixed in 5.1 surround sound and stereo. A gatefold 180g 2LP vinyl version is also available, which features a carefully selected range of material from the Cadogan Hall shows.
Pre-order A Flare On The Lens and stream “A Boy In Darkness” & “Love Is The Light” here.
A Flare On The Lens features the band’s full show at Cadogan Hall from the second of their two nights there last year and also includes seven songs which were played only on the first night.
As such, the Blu-ray film runs to around 3 hours and contains no fewer than 17 songs, including both back catalogue favourites such as “East Coast Racer”, “Hedgerow”, “Folklore”, “Judas Unrepentant”, “Curator Of Butterflies” and “Victorian Brickwork”, live instrumental tour de force “Apollo” and future classics “Love Is The Light” and “Oblivion”, plus a 3 song acoustic medley. “Love Is The Light” and “Oblivion” have subsequently been available on the band’s acclaimed studio album, The Likes Of Us, released in March this year.
Tracklisting:
“Folklore”*
“The Connection Plan”*
“Curator Of Butterflies”*
“Summoned By Bells”*
“Drums & Brass 2023”*
“Love Is The Light”*
“A Boy In Darkness”*
“Apollo”*
“Acoustic Medley”
“East Coast Racer”*
“Victorian Brickwork”*
“Oblivion”
“Swan Hunter”
“Keeper Of Abbeys”
“Brooklands”
“Hedgerow”
“Telling The Bees”
“Judas Unrepentant”
*included on 2LP vinyl release
“Love Is The Light” video:
“A Boy In Darkness”:
A Flare On The Lens is the sight and sound of Big Big Train back on an upwards curve and re-establishing itself as one of the rock music scene’s most compelling live bands.
BBT will undertake their own headline tour in September and October, before returning to co-headline Cruise To The Edge in April next year.
Dates:
September
17 - Swindon, UK - Wyvern Theatre
18 - Newport, UK - The Riverfront
19 - Whitley Bay, UK - Playhouse Theatre
21 - Edinburgh, UK - Queens Hall
22 - Newark, UK - Palace Theatre
24 - Milton Keynes, UK - Stables Theatre
25 - Manchester, UK - The Stoller Hall
27 - Weinheim, Germany - Stadthalle
28 - Zoetermeer, Netherlands - Boerderij
29 - Zoetermeer, Netherlands - Boerderij
October
1 - Oslo, Norway - Cosmopolite
2 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Viften
5 - London, UK - Cadogan Hall
Swedish rockers Eclipse have shared a new single “Still My Hero”, taken from their new studio album Megalomanium II, set for release on September 20, 2024, via Frontiers Music Srl. The track is accompanied by a new music video, available below.
About the new single, lead singer Erik Mårtensson shared this:
"When I wrote this song I had the phrase 'still my hero' on my original scrap demo. The only hero I've ever had was my dad, so I made the whole song about him. He sadly passed away much too young in 2014. This is a tribute to a great man.”
Eclipse, the heavy rock powerhouse out of Stockholm, is renowned for its signature sound of massive hooks and stellar musicianship, quickly becoming one of Sweden's largest heavy rock bands with well over 100 million streams on streaming services.
Following on from the release of Megalomanium last September and, most recently, of the exclusive 7’’ vinyl “Apocalypse Blues” and the single “Falling To My Knees”, the band's trajectory to craft memorable anthems is bound to stay intact.
Erik commented on the upcoming release:
“If you thought the title of our previous record was proof of us suffering from delusions of grandeur, then you’re absolutely right. The only way we could top it was to make another one. Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you, Megalomanium II.”
Guitarist Magnus Henriksson continued:
“This band is on a continuous journey trying to find new avenues to explore. Having said that, 'Megalomanium II' is probably closer to what people mostly associate Eclipse with. It’s filled to the brim with large choruses, beautiful melodies, and some amazing guitar playing. I’m totally unbiased, by the way.”
After a sold-out headline tour across Europe at the end of 2023, the band continues to fill its busy live schedule in 2024. Following a successful run in Japan and South America, Eclipse is currently touring across Europe and will be headed to central Europe and the US after the summer. Additional dates will be added as the year moves on. For a full list of tour dates, head here.
"Apocalypse Blues"
"The Spark"
"Falling To My Knees"
"All I Want"
"Still My Hero"
"Dive Into You"
"Until The War Is Over"
"Divide & Conquer"
"Pieces"
"To Say Goodbye"
"One In A Million"
"Still My Hero":
"The Spark" video:
"Falling To My Knees" video:
Eclipse are:
Erik Martensson - vocals, guitar
Magnus Henriksson - guitar
Philip Crusner - drums
Victor Crusner - bass
Portland, Oregon's Unto Others have spent their seasons in the abyss and arise from the other side with their third full-length and Century Media debut Never, Neverland - incoming September 20, 2024.
The record is equally dreamy while never letting go of the energy and darkness that is Unto Others; one that owes as much to The Cure as it does to self-professed influences like The Sisters of Mercy and Iron Maiden. Simply put: this is the record where Unto Others prove themselves far more than just a one-trick, blackened steed, but instead, a band on the verge of something wickedly terrible and utterly timeless.
Today, the album's epic new single "Momma Likes The Door Closed" arrives alongside a cinematic music video by Brock Grossl.
Unto Others' Gabriel Franco comments, "Honestly surprised I wasn’t high when putting this together, cause it’s a weird one." He continues, "With elements of punk/thrash/hardcore/post punk/goth and metal, 'Momma Likes The Door Closed' is our attempt to recreate an ‘80s B-movie horror flick in musical format. Brock knocked it out of the park with the video, which must be watched with the song for the full experience. Shadows dance across the floor, don’t you ever open up the door!!"
When writing began for the record, Unto Others' Gabriel Franco & Co. were staggering away from two years of post-pandemic touring and personal hells. Not only did they survive that time, they also came back stronger and more resolute than ever. “My goal was to push this thing so hard that more people know us as Unto Others,” says Franco, alluding to the band’s moniker shift from Idle Hands. But hard work came with a price: “At the end of it, I was burnt out, full of anxiety and raw nerves," Franco relates. That ineffable pressure funnelled itself into what became the foundation for Never, Neverland. Signing with Century Media and hiring British producer Tom Dalgety (Ghost, The Cult), what began as an exaltation of exhaustion blossomed into the band’s most diverse and fulfilled work to date.
Never, Neverland, continues to not only mark Unto Other as the successors to Type O Negative or the Sisters of Mercy, but as a band on the verge of something unholy and massive.
Unto Other's third LP, following underground classics, Mana and Strength, it's the sound of harsh light breaking through the Portland quartet's darkened gothic and classic metal motifs. The band has teamed up with producer Tom Dalgety (Ghost, The Cult), taking the next step from dark sunglasses and chugging metallic riffs to the more melodious gloom of lead track, "Butterfly", the crunching, punkish abandon of "Suicide Today" or the grandiosity of "Angel Of The Night".
“Butterfly”
“Momma Likes The Door Closed”
“Angel Of The Night”
“Suicide Today”
“Sunshine”
“Glass Slippers”
“Fame”
“When The Kids Get Caught”
“Flatline”
“Time Goes On”
“Cold World”
“I Am The Light”
“Farwell”
“Raigeki 雷撃”
“Hoops”
“Never, Neverland”
“Pet Sematary” (Bonus cover version)
"Momma Likes The Door Closed":
"Angel Of The Night":
“Raigeki 雷撃” video:
See Unto Others on tour across the globe this summer and fall. Buy tickets here.
October
28 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater *
29 - Seattle, WA - Moore Theatre *
30 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre *
November
1 - Calgary, AB The Palace Theatre *
2 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory *
3 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory *
4 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot *
5 - Denver, CO - Paramount Theatre *
7 - Minneapolis, MN - The Fillmore *
8 - St Charles, IL - The Arcada Theatre *
10 - Detroit, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre *
11 - Toronto, ON - History *
13 - Montreal, QC - MTELUS *
14 - Quebec City, QC - Theatre Capitole *
15 - Boston, MA - Orpheum Theatre *
16 - New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom At Manhattan Center *
17 - Philadelphia, PA - Franklin Music Hall *
19 - Cleveland, OH - The Agora Theater *
20 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE *
21 - Stroudsburg, PA - The Sherman Theater *
22 - Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore *
23 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore *
24 - Orlando, FL - The Plaza Live *
26 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium *
27 - Atlanta, GA - The Eastern *
29 - Houston, TX - House Of Blues *
30 - San Antonio, TX - Aztec Theatre *
December
1 - Dallas, TX - The Factory in Deep Ellum *
3 - Little Rock, AR - The Hall *
4 - Wichita, KS - The Cotillion *
6 - Albuquerque, NM - REVEL *
7 - Tempe, AZ - The Marquee Theatre *
9 - Tucson, AZ - The Rialto Theatre *
10 - San Diego, CA - House Of Blues *
11 - Reno, NV - Grand Sierra Resort and Casino *
12 - Las Vegas, NV - Brooklyn Bowl
13 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield *
14 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Palladium *
* with W.A.S.P.
Unto Others lineup:
Gabriel Franco - Vocals, Guitars
Sebastian Silva - Guitars
Brandon Hill - Bass
Colin Vranizan - Drums
Eliminated is the latest full-length album by the ferocious beast of the north, Saber Tiger, which is their first full-length album since 2018's Obscure Diversity. Eliminated is due for release on September 25 via Walküre Records. Preorder at diskunion.net.
Music video for “斑の鳥” is streaming below.
Following the release of the 5th re-recording album series Paragraph V to commemorate their 40th anniversary, and live footage, this release is a new masterpiece that is a Saber Tiger style explosion with mainly Japanese lyrics.
The strongest twin lead of Kinoshita Akihito (Gt) & Tanaka Koji (Gt), the technical and ironclad rhythm section of hibiki (Ba) and Mizuno Yasuhiro (Ds), and the supreme singing of Japan's world-class singer Shimoyama Takenori (Vo) will shake the souls of all listeners. The DVD included with the deluxe edition contains a large amount of rare footage, including the completely unreleased music video "From The Past To Tomorrow" and interviews with all the members.
Tracklisting:
“斑の鳥”
“Resist The Pressure”
“昏い箱庭”
“孤独と霧の彼方”
“鮮やかな軌跡”
“鬼哭の亡霊”
“From The Past To Tomorrow”
“Malicious World”
“The Moonlight Shines”
“Power Of Silence”
“Strike Back”
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions are set to release the debut full length album from Rochester NY's blistering grindcore act, Sully. The self-titled album is up now for pre-order and will be released September 13 on CD and digital formats along with merch. Sully features members of Brutal Truth, Nuclear Assault, Sulaco and Psyopus.
A new music video for the first single, "DeadPan", can be viewed below.
Official description:
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions are proud to present the long awaited debut full length album from Sully! Formed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sully hail from Rochester New York and feature experienced metal veterans Erik Burke (Sulaco, Brutal Truth, Nuclear Assault), Adam Frappolli (Psyopus), Alex Perez on drums and Ed Jusko on bass. Following up on the well received debut The Tony Demo, "Sully" showcases 12 tracks of intense, blistering grindcore with hardcore elements, resulting in a distinctive and aggressive musical style that sets them apart from other acts. Despite the intensity of their music, Sully maintains a fun-loving approach to their craft, and their live performances are known for their high-energy delivery, which has been well-received by their growing fan base. For fans of Brutal Truth, Burnt By The Sun, Discordance Axis, Human Remains, Pig Destroyer, Psyopus, The Red Chord and Sulaco.
- Pre-order the CD for only $10 here.
- Pre-order the Digital Download for only $6.66 here.
- Pre-save this release on Spotify here.
- Pre-order the T-Shirt for only $15 here.
- Pre-order the T-Shirt + CD Bundle for only $23 here.
Tracklisting:
"DeadPan"
"Blanket"
"Judas Kiss"
"Dredge The Lake"
"Cowardly The Cat"
"King Of Terrors"
"He's An Asshole, But So Are You"
"Circle The Drain"
"Stool Pigeon"
"Three Hits"
"Bedlamite"
"Tinker's Dam"
Perth, Australia-based death metal purveyors, Crypt Crawler, have dropped another massive track from their upcoming album, The Immortal Realm, coming on September 13.
"Higher Society", featuring a guest solo from the legendary James Murphy (Death, Obituary, Testament, Disincarnate), tells the story of a group of wealthy individuals who welcome fresh blood, only to use them as sacrifices to extend their own lifespans. This song was inspired by Brian Yuzna's 1989 film Society with additional references to Clive Barker's Hellraiser (1987).
Stream/download the single here, and watch the music video below. Pre-order the new album here, or here.
The Immortal Realm tracklisting:
"The Immortal Realm"
"Summary Execution"
"Forced Metamorphosis"
"Maze To Insanity"
"Higher Society"
"Shrine Of Sacrifice"
"Abhorrent Abominations"
"Gateway Of Souls"
"Higher Society" video:
"The Immortal Realm" video:
"Shrine Of Sacrifice" video:
Conjuring an old school sound together with a modern approach, Crypt Crawler has been carving their path since forming in 2018. Unleashing a relentless assault of neck snapping riffs, blistering solos, technical drums and an undeniable sense of melody, they quickly cemented their place in the Australian extreme metal scene.
The release of their debut album, To The Grave, in 2019 showcased their mastery of the genre, incorporating elements of old school death metal with modern nuances. It was followed up in 2020 with the release of the Blood Sustenance EP which further showcased their ability to craft catchy hooks and merciless riffs. 2021’s offering, Future Usurper, showed the band's musical maturity and songwriting prowess, delving into more intricate and progressive arrangements, while maintaining their signature brand of death metal.
Now in 2024, Crypt Crawler are pushing the envelope even further with The Immortal Realm. Sharper riffs, heavier harmonies and a wall of sound that’s been sorely missing in modern death metal.
Crypt Crawler's blistering live performances have earned them opportunities to support acclaimed acts including US death metal kings Obituary, Gatecreeper and Skeletal Remains, as well as playing Hammersonic 2024, the biggest heavy music festival in Southeast Asia. This October sees them opening for US death metal titans Nile when they come through Perth. Get tickets here.
Tour dates:
September
20 - Marrickville Bowling Club - Sydney, Australia
21 - The Gasometer Hotel - Melbourne, Australia
October
5 - Electric Eye Heavy Fest - Fremantle, Australia
15 - Milk Bar - Perth, Australia #*
24 - Tomcat - Brisbane, Australia *
25 - Vinnies Dive - Gold Coast, Australia *
26 - Crown & Anchor - Adelaide, Australia *
The official music video for "Turn The Tide", the new single from long-running heavy metal titans SATAN, can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, "Songs In Crimson", which is due on September 13 via Metal Blade Records.
SATAN's history is storied, their albums and incendiary live shows iconic. The Newcastle, England-bred lineup may quip that their career has been "forty-four years of prolonged mayhem with a twenty-year lunch break" — forming in 1980, eventually pausing before reuniting in 2011 — but circa 2024 finds the band thriving, writing, recording, and touring at the top of their game.
Proof positive is their seventh studio album and third for Metal Blade, "Songs In Crimson". If 2022's "Earth Infernal" album was brutal, up-tempo and with loud guitars, guitarist Russ Tippins calls "Songs In Crimson" "concise. It's more to-the-point and gets there quicker. One of the reasons behind the album title is that this record is very 'song' focused. There's more punch this time around. Each chorus speaks for itself." With influences from KING CRIMSON to MERCYFUL FATE, SATAN's own stylings remain unique, the band's NWOBHM origins a springboard for musical and lyrical creativity, commentary, and nonconformity.
While "Songs In Crimson" features lyrics including "a once-great nation is going down" and "this is the end of an era," SATAN offers no quick fix. "There is always hope; solutions are not for us musicians to proclaim," Tippins believes. "Each song has its own different theme. While there is no title track as such, the song 'Deadly Crimson', which is an anti-capitalism narrative, is as close as it gets to that. As a concept, making money from money is fatally flawed in that it depends on constant growth," Tippins says. "But constant growth is obviously impossible; a conveyor belt of sacrificial lambs."
Tippins continues, "'Turn The Tide' is the classic 'King Canute' scenario — the deluded head of state who believes himself to be divine and sets out to prove it by standing in front of the sea and ordering the waves to retreat. They don't of course. We are kind of using that as an allegory to illustrate the ridiculous standpoint of certain Jingoistic Brits who believe that foreigners have no place in our country. It's the shortest song on the album. And also the fastest!"
"Songs In Crimson" was produced by the band and Dave Curle of First Avenue Studios who also engineered, mixed, and mastered the record.
"Songs In Crimson" will be released on jewel case CD (USA),digipak CD (EU),and digital formats as well as spined sleeve vinyl with insert, poster and download card.
"Songs In Crimson" track listing:
01. Frantic Zero
02. Era (The Day Will Come)
03. Whore Of Babylon
04. Sacramental Rites
05. Martyrdom
06. Turn The Tide
07. Captives
08. Curse In Disguise
09. Truth Bullet
10. Deadly Crimson
SATAN 2024 is:
Brian Ross - vocals
Russ Tippins - guitars
Steve Ramsey - guitars
Graeme English - bass
Sean Taylor - drums
Originating from Newcastle, England in 1980, SATAN is known as part of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal movement. Though generally obscure throughout their career, the band is considered influential for playing a form of proto-thrash metal that was fairly advanced by the standards of the early 1980s, influencing major acts like METALLICA, EXODUS and DEATH ANGEL.
The original "Court In The Act" lineup of SATAN got together for an exclusive "one-off" reunion show at Germany's Keep It True festival in 2011 in what marked their first performance together in 28 years. The band was somewhat overwhelmed with the response — 10 minutes into headliners CRIMSON GLORY's set, the crowd could still be heard chanting, "SATAN! SATAN!" The SATAN bandmembers immediately booked more shows in Germany, Holland, Belgium and London, and have since released four studio albums: "Life Sentence" (2013),"Atom By Atom" (2015),"Cruel Magic" (2018) and "Earth Infernal" (2022).
On August 17, German thrash legends, Sodom, performed at Summer Breeze 2024 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany. ARTE Concert has uploaded professionally-filmed video of the band's full set, which can be viewed below.
Sodom's setlist (as per Setlist.fm):
"Procession To Golgatha"
"S.O.D.O.M."
"Jabba The Hut"
"The Crippler"
"City Of God"
"The Saw Is The Law"
"Outbreak Of Evil"
"Agent Orange"
"Wachturm"
"Get What You Deserve"
"Remember The Fallen"
"Ausgebombt"
"Bombenhagel"
SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET, the new band led by SYSTEM OF A DOWN bassist Shavo Odadjian, will release its self-titled debut album on October 11 via the Sumerian Records imprint 1336 Records. Shavo is joined in the group by vocalist Taylor Barber (LEFT TO SUFFER),WINDS OF PLAGUE guitarist Michael Montoya (a.k.a. Morgoth Beatz, a producer and songwriter who has previously collaborated with Travis Barker, JuiceWrld, Lil Xan, Jonathan Davis, ISSUES and many more),guitarist/backing vocalist Alejandro Aranda (a.k.a. Scarypoolparty, "American Idol") and drummer Josh Johnson (WINDS OF PLAGUE).
The announcement of SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET's debut album comes alongside the release of the band's ethereal second single, "Radiance", which is available now on all major streaming platforms, accompanied by a visually stunning music video. It is the follow-up to SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET's debut single, "Paradise", which arrived in June.
Shavo comments: "This album is the culmination of years of creative exploration. With SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET I wanted to return to my roots in heavy music but also bring something entirely new to the table. 'Radiance' and its precursor, 'Paradise', are but a small glimpse of the intensity, musical diversity and emotion that run through this album. We can't wait for everyone to hear it in full and to bring these songs to life on stage at our first live performance at Mayhem Fest."
Shavo recently told RIFF Magazine about how SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET came about: "It was funny. My number's 22, so that's why I have the [cannabis] brand 22Red. So on February 22nd, 2022, we threw a party and the day of the party, I did a live radio show on KROQ here in Los Angeles. And that evening, we were throwing the party for 22Red, but I did that show before and I invited the host to the party. He asked me if he could bring a friend. I said, 'Sure.' He brought his friend. It was Morgoth Beatz who ended up being the producer and now my rhythm guitar player in the band and co-songwriter in some of them songs and stuff. So he and I decided we can write music that day together. So we exchanged numbers and we got together like a month later, wrote a song, and then we did another one a week later. And then it just became this thing where it was gonna be like one song we were going to sell to another artist, 'cause that's what he does; he writes a lot of music and he passes it on. But it became this thing. And he mentioned, he's, like, 'Man, why don't you do a Shavo record? Like something with all of the songs that you wrote instead of just one or two songs. These are coming out great.' And at that point, I wasn't really thinking about doing my own record like that, 'cause I've done so many other projects. And another thing is I've never done heavy music outside of SYSTEM. It's been heavy, but never the same genre. I've always tried to stay against the grain, and I've done EDM, I've done hip-hop, I've done rock-metal shit, but I haven't really just focused on that, which actually is my forte. I close my eyes and it just happens, which is how we did this."
Shavo continued: "So I was at his studio. I have my own studio. I gave him the key. I said, 'Come through. We're gonna start working on this record.' And a year and a half later, we have a full record, plus another half a record for album two. We have a full band. I started my own label and I signed it to Sumerian, who has worldwide distribution to Virgin, which is amazing for me. That's what I kind of wanted with the control. I've been doing this for 30 years, so I kind of knew how I wanted it, and I'm building it. And that's how it started. And that's where we're at right now. It started off as a passion project [and it] became my thing."
Regarding how the songwriting process for SYSTEM OF A DOWN was different from how he approached his previously projects, Shavo said: "Yeah, usually I'll write at home and then I'll bring it to the band. Or my other projects, I've just written at home and then brought it to the rest of the guys. This one, I would just have him play a beat that he made, or even just a 4/4, or even a loop or something, and then I just kind of… I mean, I just started strumming and the music just came out of me. So we just recorded everything I did. And whenever something was amazing, we knew it. I was, like, 'Okay, make that a thing.' So we highlighted that moment. And then afterwards I wrote a part that goes with that, and then kind of arranged it, wrote it all in the studio. So artistically it was really refreshing. There was no boundaries, no law, no rules. I just did it. It just came out so organically. Everything about it has been organic and not planned. And that's what the beauty of SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET."
On the topic of how he came up with the name of the SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET, Shavo said: "He [Morgoth Beatz] wanted to call it SHAV or SHAVO, so people know it's me, and I wrote 95 percent of it. But still, I always like a unit, I like a band. I think it's cooler. And plus he helped me a lot. These guys, they came in and did their part, and it just works perfectly. So I like the collaboration. I've never had the ego, where it's, like, 'me, me, me.' I've never done that. I've never said that. So I like it. It's us. And it became a band. And SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET, the acronym, is S.H.A.V. So that's cool. So they got what they wanted and I got what I wanted. I got a band, the cool name mysterious, but it also has a meaning, but I'm never gonna explain the meaning. It's kind of one of those things. There's many meanings you can think of what 'Violet' is — it could be a female, it could be a thing, the color, an event, it could be anything, and it's kind of cool. So there is some deep meaning to it and maybe one day we'll explain it, but at the moment, I like it where we are."
Shavo also talked about the first single from SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET, "Paradise", which was made available in June. The release marked the launch of Shavo's new joint label venture 1336 Records in partnership with Sumerian Music Group.
"That's one of the heaviest songs on the record," Odadjian said. "I have a few really heavy ones. But I wanted to release something brutal first, 'cause… I don't know… I just kind of like the heaviness of it, and I think the world needs to hear really heavy music from me right now. They've heard a lot, so I kind of wanted to drop that first. I feel like after that we can move into the other stuff, because it does have the melodic, it has the grooves, it has the heavy, heavy stuff."
Regarding the other members of SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET, Shavo said: "My singer, Taylor Barber, he comes from the world of deathcore and the growling. His voice is an instrument, and he's a wonder. He's like the new wonder of the world that no one knows yet that's there. He does have a following and he comes from another band called LEFT TO SUFFER, which is a grindcore band. But he sings like a canary as well. His range is so huge. He's the perfect member. He's the perfect singer that came in and can do all the parts. And then also we got Alejandro Aranda, who, he is just this musical genius who came in. He was the last member, and I didn't even know I needed that member, but, now it's, like, of course I needed him. Of course he fit perfectly. He does side vocals. He sings along with Taylor perfectly. So it's like a two-vocal band now, two-vocalist band. And we got Josh Johnson on the drums, and he's amazing. He hails from a band called WINDS OF PLAGUE; he used to play with them. So he's talented as hell. So, yeah, I'm honored and lucky to have these guys around me and for us to be able to do this music together."
SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET will make its live debut at this year's Mayhem festival, set to take place on October 12 at the Glen Helen Amphitheatre in San Bernardino. "And we are gonna do some shows around it, and then we do have some outside-of-the-U.S. stuff already planned," Shavo explained. "So, yeah, this will be a touring band. 'Cause that's kind of the purpose why I put the band together the way I did. The original idea was to make the music and then have like a DJ Khaled kind of album, but rock and metal, where I have features, guest vocalists coming on; each song has somebody else. But when the songs started developing, I was, like, 'This should be a tour. This should be a touring road band as well.' But you could never do that with guest vocals, so we needed someone to be the singer. So that's why we went ahead and searched for the singer. And that's how we got Taylor. So, yeah, we got the Mayhem coming up. That one's announced, but we are booking a little U.S. thing around it. 'Cause you don't wanna just do one show, but that would be the big one. We're on the main stage. I can't wait. And then we've got some outside-of-the-U.S. ideas too. So yes, more coming."
The music video for "Paradise" is a collaborative effort with creative direction being overseen by Shavo and Adam Mason, who also shot the video. Editing was handled by Arben and Kuj Durollari of BOND, who are also working with the band to design their creative assets.
When the universe aligns, magic happens. This was certainly the case when Odadjian, the legendary bass player of SYSTEM OF A DOWN, crossed paths with platinum-selling producer, songwriter and guitarist Morgoth at a party on 2.22.22. Their initial sessions were a spontaneous combustion of creativity, transforming from a potential solo venture into a full-fledged band. Shavo recalls: "We wrote a song right away. It wasn't like any writing session I had been part of before; riffs were just flowing out of me without me even having to try. Every time I felt like I couldn't write anything. Morgoth would hand me a guitar and say, 'Go, go, go'. I needed that, you know? I needed someone to push me when I wasn't pushing myself. "
As music continued to pour out in torrents, with Shavo writing and performing all the guitar and bass parts and Morgoth producing and providing the beats, atmospherics and FX, Morgoth suggested they turn it into a Shavo solo project. However, with his eye now firmly set on the live arena, Shavo decided to create a full band.
Finding the right vocal talent to complement the musical landscape created by Shavo and Morgoth was crucial. Morgoth's recommendation of Taylor Barber from LEFT TO SUFFER was a game changer. Shavo was blown away. "He was singing in falsetto one minute and growling the next — it was ridiculous," the bassist states. "He became the singer because he knocked every song out of the park."
With Shavo on bass and Morgoth on guitar, the band also brought in Morgoth's WINDS OF PLAGUE bandmate Josh Johnson on drums and Alejandro Aranda, known for his solo project SCARYPOOLPARTY and as runner-up on "American Idol", as lead guitarist and backing vocalist.
Once the new music was complete, mixed by Zach Jones and mastered by Maor Applebaum, Shavo partnered with Avildsen to create 1336 Records, with SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET being the first signing.
SEVEN HOURS AFTER VIOLET is:
Taylor Barber - Vocals
Morgoth - Guitar, Production
Shavo Odadjian - Bass
Alejandro Aranda - Guitar/Backing Vocals
Josh Johnson - Drums
In April 2023, Odadjian spoke to the 96.7 KCAL-FM program "Wired In The Empire" about his solo LP, saying: "I started this solo project with Morgoth Beatz; he's my producer and he's also the guitar player for the group. And it's heavy. I'm back to my roots — no hip-hop. I think it's the heaviest I've ever been, and it's just flowing out of me.
"We have a track with — I'm gonna say it — Jonathan Davis [of KORN]," Shavo revealed. "I'm working on that one right now. We have the choruses and the first verse, and I'm gonna do a little breakdown, and I think we've got one. That's 12 — number 12. So we're 12 songs into the solo record. I'm very excited about that."
Harpyie releases “Atreju”, the new single from the upcoming studio album “Voodoo” which will be released on 25th October on Metalville Records.
Who hasn’t heard of The Neverending Story? Mythical creatures, enchanted worlds of fantasy and an underprivileged boy who has to make every imaginable sacrifice to save them. Why him? Is he a tool? Is he self-determined or femd? In ‘Atreju’, Harpy sing a hymn to all the everyday heroes who sometimes ask themselves these questions and yet carry on and continue to carry the light across the river, even if nobody will probably remember them later…
Grammy Award-nominated act IN THIS MOMENT has released a cinematic second part to the visual story that is "Godmode", in a magnificent new music video for "Sanctify Me", directed by Jensen Noen. They also just announced an epic headlining tour across North America this fall, featuring special guests KIM DRACULA, NATHAN JAMES and MIKE'S DEAD. "The Godmode Tour Part 2", which continues the celebration of the release of their 2023 album of the same name, will see the band perform at arenas and amphitheaters across the country.
The upcoming trek is set to kick off November 8 at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Asheville, North Carolina and continue through a December 7 performance at SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire.
IN THIS MOMENT hit a career milestone in their evening-closing performance at Lollapalooza this summer, and is currently on the second leg of its co-headline "Kiss Of Death Tour" with ICE NINE KILLS, featuring special guests AVATAR and TX2. The band also makes a stop at Louder Than Life festival, as well as a performance alongside EVANESCENCE and HALESTORM at Soaring Eagle Casino on September 28.
IN THIS MOMENT's latest album, "Godmode", arrived back in October via BMG. The LP was produced by Kane Churko (ROB ZOMBIE, DISTURBED, PAPA ROACH) and Tyler Bates. Bates produced, wrote songs for, and played multiple instruments on albums by MARILYN MANSON, BUSH and ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell. He is best known, however, for scoring the box office smash "300", the Emmy Award-winning Showtime series "Californication", the "Guardians Of The Galaxy" and "John Wick" film franchises. IN THIS MOMENT's song "I Would Die For You" appeared on the soundtrack for "John Wick: Chapter 4", for which Bates wrote the score.
With a Grammy nomination ("The In-Between", 2021),platinum and gold record sales, multiple Top 25 entries on the Billboard Top 200 ("Black Widow" and "Ritual"),hits including "Whore", "Blood" and "Adrenalize" and career streams of more than 1.3 billion, you'd think IN THIS MOMENT might rest on their laurels. Instead, they've created "Godmode", 10 dynamic songs that mark a new high for the quintet, further cementing their legacy in the heavy music world. Proof positive is in "Godmode"'s first single, the industrial-heavy yet ultra-melodic "The Purge", and its darkly cinematic video directed by Jensen Noen (BRING ME THE HORIZON, DEMI LOVATO). From the portentous start of the '90s-tinged "Godmode" with Maria Brink's powerful primal scream to the pitch-perfect cover of Bjork's 1995 "Army Of Me" to the impassioned pain to partnership in "Everything Starts And Ends With You", "Godmode" is a cut above.
The L.A.-based band's eighth album finds vocalist Maria Brink and guitarist Chris Howorth writing the most powerful songs of their career.
"We're always striving for reinvention and growth. It's been 10 years since our 'Blood' album, and there's been a lot of transitions happening, this year particularly, but it all felt so meant to be," explains Brink. Top talent aided and abetted IN THIS MOMENT; Spencer Charnas from ICE NINE KILLS guests on the pointed and pained "Damaged", and several songs were co-written with Tyler Bates, the award-winning producer and composer of numerous film, television, and video game scores. In fact, the initial collaboration with Bates, the moody, haunting mid-tempo winner "I Would Die For You" ended up both on the "John Wick: Chapter 4" soundtrack and as the last cut on "Godmode".
IN THIS MOMENT, a touring juggernaut who've slayed stages worldwide at Ozzfest, Warped Tour, Download, Knotfest and Rocklahoma, put out "Mother" in 2020, during the pandemic, giving fans something to hold on in during that bleak time, and earning "The In-Between" the band's first Grammy nod. It was 2021 when Howorth and Brink first wrote with Bates on "I Would Die For You". Following that collaboration, the duo were writing organically, for pleasure, not focused on the next album. As the pandemic waxed and waned, Howorth learned programming, and created music around synthwave sounds, which Brink leaned into. Her lyrical ideas arose both from soul-searching and "humanity and so much crisis and so many heart-wrenching things in the world. That negativity and darkness is how songs like 'The Purge' came about," Brink explains.
The end result is that when IN THIS MOMENT went into the studio in January 2023, the easy flow had allowed them to compile the most songs they'd ever written at one time, songs the entire band loved. Longtime producer Kevin Churko helped shape ITM's sound starting in 2008, but for "Godmode", his son, Kane Churko, was at the helm.
"Kane's got all the strengths that his father taught him —everything, all the bells and whistles, but he's got some new tricks because he's a younger generation, he's hungry," says Brink.
Kane was the perfect match for IN THIS MOMENT's inspired songs.
"During the pandemic, just writing versus writing with a pressure that music has to be for an album, allowed us the freedom to make the record we made," says Howorth. "Godmode"'s songs gained even more strength in the studio, with Kane shaking up the band's usual m.o. even further.
"Having some songs by Tyler influenced us as well," Brink explains. "It was scary for the band, but it ended up flowing just so beautifully. We felt very experimental."
That flow gave the album its name and theme. "Godmode" isn't religious, rather it's an expression for a triumphant flow state where all comes together seamlessly, coalescing into an ultimate form. As Brink sings in "Godmode", "You got me feeling so high / You lift me off of my feet yeah / You got me feeling like, feeling like / I'm in Godmode." In video games — Howorth plays the game "Destiny" — "God mode" also refers to a code that makes a player invincible.
"There's a spontaneity in this album that you can hear. It's a little more visceral. And that we're not with Kevin, who has done all our albums except for our very first, fans will hear those differences too, which is really cool and exciting for us," Howorth says.
"We had all this built-up energy from the last three years, we felt angst, we felt we had a lot to release," furthers Brink. "And we were letting it loose organically, while also playing with different time signatures and interesting things like that." "We use an 8-string on the album, which we haven't done before," Howorth says. "We did some different tunings, and it can definitely be freeing from guitar standpoint, the way we did things this time. Working with Kane was different and more off the cuff, being in the studio, getting creative and just trying a bunch of different stuff on every song. It was a really good experience."
As fans of Brink's lyrics know, life in and around IN THIS MOMENT hasn't always been easy. As Brink recalls, "When I met Chris, I was just a starry-eyed girl with huge dreams. And he was in a PANTERA-like metal band!" She told Howorth she wanted a heavy lineup that could sell platinum and win Grammys. The band had an early manager who told them it would never happen. But his dismissiveness only fueled IN THIS MOMENT's fire, energy and fight. "We're just relentless," says Brink. "Anything's possible if you really put your mind and energy into it."
For "Godmode", that energy also went into the "The Purge" video, where director Noen brought his artistry and next-level talent to Brink's storyboard ideas. The larger-than-life video themes and sets have been translated into IN THIS MOMENT's live stage show, literally. And summer 2023 saw the band on its first arena co-headlining tour with full pyrotechnics.
"Our whole lives we've talked about being in an arena and having fire and a full show," Brink says. "And now we're doing it and it's just so beautiful."
IN THIS MOMENT certainly have nothing to prove, the lineup's authority assured live on record and onscreen. Yet, "Godmode"'s energy and scope is visceral.
"With our new ideas and excitement and Kane's energy of wanting to prove himself to everybody, we were able to show that we're heavy and just as impactful as every other new band coming out right now," says Howorth. "We can punch you right in the face, that energy is in there big, time. I think our fans are really gonna like this album, because it's taken us back a little bit where it began, but it's also more instinctive, and heavier than anything we've done a long time," concludes Howorth.
Brink, a private person, nonetheless gives and takes much strength from ITM's millions of fans. The healing is on both sides.
"It's amazing if my songs help people feel empowered. When humans share painful things that we went through and how we heal from it, we can help each other and pass that energy on," she says. "Honestly, the most beautiful thing about being in a band is being able to have that connection with strangers who become kindred spirits. Sure, I have urges to wear 'masks' and hide from everything and wear makeup, but I like to share and be honest and vulnerable. The sky's the limit," Brink concludes. "You just have to keep dreaming, keep expanding, keep pushing yourself to that next level. I feel like something is shifting right now in the band; this is such a special moment for us with 'Godmode'."
With everything they do, Swedish genre-blending rockers, Dampf, remain unique in their idiosyncrasy. It should therefore not come as a surprise for the band to release today, not one, but two brand new singles and videos.
“War With The World” and “Might As Well Have Died” juxtapose two tales, one of light and one of darkness. The two singles are taken from their sophomore album, No Angels Alive, out this Friday, August 23 via Silver Lining Music.
With Dampf there will always be contrasts and opposites, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, dreams and nightmares, comedy and tragedy… but through it all runs the common thread of theatre, of the grandiose, of the joys in the unpredictable, and an overwhelming confidence in embracing them all. Whether the gothic dungeon of “War With The World” or the snakes and misty forests of “Might As Well Have Died,” Dampf reigns supreme in telling stories of theatrical chaos and color.
The first song “War With The World” is a maritime singalong-flavored juggernaut. “Persuading people to go to war by using powerful words is obviously a complex subject. Take for example Napoleon. He made people go euphorically wild with his speeches and suddenly people were charging towards the ‘enemy’ with only pikes or other makeshift weapons even though they knew that the enemies were stronger and larger in numbers. They felt invincible thanks to those speeches: people just responding with flock mentality to those words, instead of taking a moment to think, ‘hold on, you’re going to fight that person for what?! A bottle of rum or whatever?’ Madness!” chuckles singer/songwriter A-Tron.
“The second song, ‘Might As Well Have Died,’ is probably Dampf's darkest yet,” A-Tron continues. “The lyrics are the dark thoughts you can sometimes have, for various reasons, when you can't sleep. ‘Why am I putting energy into all of this when it's done anyway?’ It can be a simple relationship that has ended, you think you have done everything that you can and it still goes to hell. Or you try to work or study for a better future, then a handful of dictators start wars in all corners of the world… threatening me with nuclear weapons when I just had a baby, what the hell? It’s a feeling of cold, empty hopelessness.”
Led by singer/songwriter A-Tron (Martin Erikson aka E-Type) and keyboardist/songwriter Beak, No Angels Alive is an all-in ten-song storytelling experience blending expansive yet tightly bound stylistic ingredients incorporating hard rock, thrash, melodic power metal, and electronic edges. Recorded at Yard Street Studios (Solna, Sweden) and produced by Jona Tee, be gloriously warned: Dampf’s second studio offering, No Angels Alive, is not - and never was - conceived to be for the faint of heart.
Completed by vocalist Bhéara aka Olivia Thörn, drummer Haderajja aka David Wallin (HammerFall), bassist Bahari aka Pontus Egberg (King Diamond, The Poodles), guitarists Skaeggyxa aka Love Magnusson (Dynazty) and Sha-Zam’s aka Sam Söderlindh, and growler Arkoūda aka Björn Åkesson, Dampf engages in a theatrical journey through the timeless historical corridors of human darkness and their opus, No Angels Alive, plays like a grand collective performance piece, with an innate sense of beautiful, catchy melody finding ample room and context alongside the overall brutality of Dampf.
Scary yet colorful, heavy yet catchy, listen to No Angels Alive with a genreless mind and an open heart; the rewards of this immense and unique album will be plentiful.
No Angels Alive will be released on CD digipak, 12” Gold And Black Splatter vinyl, digital formats, and special D2C products and bundles. Preorder here.
Tracklisting:
“No Angels Alive”
“Masquerade”
“Ghost”
“Might As Well Have Died”
“Heart Of Darkness”
“War With The World”
“Hellfire”
“Away”
“Mists Of Avalon (Don’t Wake Me Up)”
“Dark Side Of My Moon”
"No Angels Alive" video:
“Masquerade” video:
Dampf are:
Martin Erikson [A-Tron] - vocals
Olivia Thörn [Bhéara] - vocals
Beak - keys
David Wallin [Haderajja] - drums
Pontus Egberg [Bahari] - bass
Sam Söderlindh [Sha-Zam’s] - guitar
Love Magnusson [Skaeggyxa] - guitar
Björn Åkesson [Arkoūda] - growls
Ice cold Finnish modern metal band ARCTIS have announced their self-titled debut album, set for release via Napalm Records on November 1, 2024. Drawing inspiration from the mythical winters and mystical summers of the North, the Finnish metal minds of talented misfits ARCTIS fearlessly navigate their futuristic battleship through a treacherous ocean where ferocious waves of Metal clash against reefs of Rock and Pop, birthing a sonic assault of epic proportions. To celebrate the announcement of their debut album, the first single “I’ll Give You Hell” and their first official music video ever, has been released. The song explores the complexities of romance with their catchy anthem.
ARCTIS fuses nature and technology, inspired by Finland’s seasonal extremes, capturing the imagination of fans through storytelling that goes beyond the music itself. Led by the enigmatic Alva, the eternal Ice Queen Rebel Leader who shines with an ethereal presence, the band is rounded out by the formidable Björn the Captain, Michael the Magician, Mats the Rambler and Mika the Sage. ARCTIS creates a dynamic and captivating energy and elevates to new heights.
With their talent, the band will soon head out on a tour with Finnish symphonic metal masters Apocalyptica, and the band’s self-titled debut album will be released this fall. It was produced by Jimmy Westerlund (Sturm und Drang), mixed by Stefan Glaumann (Rammstein), and mastered by Svante Forsbäck (Rammstein). Join ARCTIS on a thrilling adventure that combines elements of both nature and technology!
ARCTIS comment on their new single:
“We’re excited to drop our debut track and music video, “I’ll Give You Hell,” a powerful anthem that was one of the first songs we ever wrote. This release marks the start of something big, and we can’t wait to share more of what we’ve been working on. Stay tuned—this is just the beginning!”
ARCTIS is led by the enigmatic Alva, the eternal Ice Queen Rebel Leader, whose mesmerizing voice and shining white battle suit give her an ethereal, almost otherworldly presence that captures the imagination of fans. The dark-clad, valiant men who move beside Alva include the formidable Björn the Captain, whose unwavering leadership skills inspire the band to greatness, Michael the Magician, whose mystical abilities and lightning-fast fingers leave audiences spellbound, Mats the Rambler, whose wild and untamed spirit infuses the band’s music with a sense of reckless abandon, and Mika the Sage, whose deep wisdom and profound insights elevate ARCTIS‘ message to new heights. Together, these legendary figures create a dynamic and captivating energy that defines ARCTIS‘ unique brand of metal and makes them exceptional.
Drawing inspiration on northern themes as metaphors, Arctis explores mental struggles and the internal battles within modern chaos. The strong opener, “I’ll Give You Hell”, delves into the complexities of romance, highlighting the inevitable downfall that arises from a relationship, where honesty and commitment are lacking. With its original version already amassing 5 million streams to date, Finnish modern metal act ARCTIS is set to add to the song’s impressive reception with the release of their own rendition of “Bimbo (Lambretta Cover)”! With a 2000s pop-rock vibe, “Remedy” addresses drug addiction and the steep price one is willing to pay for it. The mystical “Tell Me Why” paints a starry landscape of anger and self-deception while the enchanting “Frozen Swan” showcases personal musical talent while exploring the concept of self-freedom. This smoothly transitions into the upbeat “Fire”, which explores the risks of drug consumption, before flowing seamlessly into “When The Lights Go Out” lyrically exploring nocturnal metaphors through vivid passages. Closing the album, “Theatre Of Tragedy” features powerful guitar riffs, underscoring the limitations of personal human struggle.
Whether through music, artwork, or storytelling, ARCTIS creates a multi-dimensional world that fans can immerse themselves in and explore, transcending genre boundaries and offering a truly unique experience. Prepare for an onslaught of powerful riffs, epic melodies, and the raw energy that has never been seen before!
ARCTIS about their debut album:
“The moment we’ve been dreaming of is finally here, and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you all! It’s been a long road, filled with hard work, late nights, and an unbreakable passion for music, but we’re thrilled to announce that our first single is out, our debut album is on the way, and we’re hitting the road for our first tour!
Now, we’re ready to take on the world, bring our music to life on stage, and connect with each and every one of you. This is just the beginning, and we’re so happy to have you with us as we start this next chapter.
Get ready, because we’re coming in full force – and we can’t wait to see you on the road!”
Pre-Order Arctis HERE
Arctis tracklisting:
1. I’ll Give You Hell
2. Bimbo
3. Remedy
4. Tell Me Why
5. Frozen Swan
6. WWM
7. Fire
8. Child Of The Night
9. When The Lights Go Out
10. No Slave
11. Theatre Of Tragedy
Finnish classic rock band THE GRAMMERS traveled to Rockfield Studios in Wales to record their eighth album in the footsteps of mammoths. Now the album, named after the studio made famous by Queen and Rush, is previewed again with ‘DNA’ single and video. The music video was shot at Rockfield Studios Quadrangle yard – the same exact location Rush recorded ‘A Farewell to Kings’ – and in midst of the sessions by Petri Vilén.
The upcoming album was mainly recorded live and on analog in Monmouth, Wales, and many top international mixers and professionals eventually participated in its making. The second track of the upcoming album represents the heavier side of the album and is a brutal fast rocker with a melancholic, yet energetic vibe and groove. The song was mixed at Fascination Street in Sweden by Jens Bogren (Amorphis, Kreator, Dimmu Borger, Sepultura) and mastered by Justin Shturtz at Sterling Sound in Nashville.
The Grammers, founded in Säkylä, Finland in 1999, are the northern torchbearers of classic rock.The band is known as an extremely strict and uncompromising live act. The band’s strengths are based on the interpretation of Hannu Vainionpää – one of the most talented heavy rock vocalists in Finland, the highly refined and catchy composition work, and the virtuoso mastery of vintage instruments by its members.
Hannu commented on the recording process of the album as follows:
“Rockfield had a pretty magical atmosphere (even if it sounds cliché); a quiet enclosed yard, nice local people, the right kind of atmosphere that helped to focus on what was essential, i.e. making the record. It was nice to stay and watch the horses and cows in the pasture and play a little bit of billiards and table tennis on session breaks. All in all, the atmosphere was very homely. When I found out that I was going to sing to the same microphone that Ronnie James Dio sang – of course, it sent chills down my spine for a moment. That we are now part of a certain kind of great continuum. And I think you can hear it both on this first single and also on the whole album. It was a great time, a great session, good memories. And it really couldn’t have gone any better!”
Obsidian Mantra is a Polish death metal band founded in 2014. Their music combines groove-centric, technical riffs with blurred black metal motifs. Avoiding catchy choruses and easy melodies, the band remains faithful to old-school death metal, but does not try to revive a bygone era.
The band’s lyrics focus on man, exploring existentialism, skepticism, individualism and the dark aspects of human nature, such as suffering, addictions, internal conflicts and self-destruction.
Obsidian Mantra is about persistence, consistency and searching for one’s own identity, regardless of momentary trends. The band has gained a reputation for its ability to play in all conditions, always delivering the same powerful load of weight and energy, which they have proven on stages alongside bands such as Vltimas and Suffocation.
Music for upcoming studio album was recorded between March and May 2024. Whole tracks were mixed and mastered by Filip Hałucha at Heinrich House Studio (Hate, Behemoth, Entropia, Masachist) with additional editing by Mateusz Łukasiewicz. Cover artwork and booklet arts by Pilar Martínez. CD layout and band logo by Marcin “Lycan” Smolarek. Band photography by Jakub Tomczak.
New album “As We All Will” will be released digitally and as jewelcase CD, September 27, 2024 in cooperation with Polish music label Via Nocturna. Pre-order is available at webstore.
Tracklist:
1. What Is Not, Is Not 4:09
2. Cult of Depression 3:51
3. Slave Without a Master 3:03
4. Who Will Become a Murderer 4:22
5. Condemned to Oppression 2:56
6. Chaos Will Consume Us All 3:42
7. Sowers of Discord 4:35
8. Weavers of Misery 3:57
Band comments their newest song: “Cult of Depression takes on the contemporary image of mental illness. The song criticizes the romanticization of depression and its presence in (social) media as a trend, where instead of real support and awareness, it’s often just about gaining attention. The lyrics delve into issues of self-isolation, treating mental illness as part of one’s identity, and the false sense of community that comes from a shared void.“
Video to the song “Cult of Depression” at Death Metal Promotion
On August 16th, Delain performed at the 2024 edition of Germany's Summer Breeze festival in Dinkelsbühl. You can now watch professionally-filmed footage of the band's full set, courtesy of ARTE Concert.
Setlist:
"The Cold"
"Suckerpunch"
"Burning Bridges"
"The Quest and the Curse"
"Invidia"
"Get the Devil Out of Me"
"Army of Dolls"
"Queen of Shadow"
"The Gathering"
"Don't Let Go"
"Moth to a Flame"
"We Are the Others"
Delain continue to grace stages around the world in support of their latest opus, Dark Waters, out now via Napalm Records. The band is thrilled to announce their return to North American shores with a newly announced headline tour, set to take place in early 2025. The run will also feature support from special guests, symphonic metal patriots and label mates Xandria, who are touring in support of their latest album, The Wonders Still Awaiting.
Fans should expect to hear Delain and Xandria fan favorites, the latest hits, as well as brand new material from both bands during this tour, so don't miss out. Kicking off on March 7 in Phoenix, AZ, the tour will visit several major cities across North America, ending in Austin, TX on March 29. Tickets are on sale now, here.
Delain's Martijn Westerholt says: “After such a warm welcome & meeting so many amazing fans, performing new music and introducing our new members to the metal masses of North America last year, we are absolutely stoked to return to the United States and Canada to meet again! This time, we’re thrilled to share this experience with our special guests and good friends Xandria. Each night will be stunning for all - don’t miss this one!"
Marco Heubaum of Xandria adds:"We are delighted to come back to the USA and Canada, and even better, with our good friends Delain! We are super excited to bring this package to the North American fans! This is going to be amazing!"
Dates:
March
7 - Phoenix, AZ - The Nile
8 - Los Angeles, CA - Whisky A Go Go
9 - Sacramento, CA - Goldfield Trading Post
10 - Portland, OR - The Bossanova Ballroom
11 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
13 - Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Music Hall
14 - Denver, CO - The Oriental Theater
16 - Joliet, IL - The Forge
17 - Detroit, MI - The Token Lounge
19 - Columbus, OH - The King of Clubs
20 - Toronto, ON - Axis
21 - Montreal, QC - Fairmount Theatre
22 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East
23 - New York, NY - The Gramercy Theatre
24 - Baltimore, MD - Soundstage
25 - Jacksonville, NC - Hooligans
26 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade (Hell)
28 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theater
29 - Austin, TX - Come and Take It Live
SILVERA concludes their album run with the electrifying single and official video, “Show Me How to Live”. This track embodies one of Silvera’s trademarks: a catchy chorus that stays with you long after the song ends. The powerful vocal arrangements add depth and intensity, showcasing the band’s remarkable synergy and musical craftsmanship.
“Show Me How to Live” is poised to be a hit, with its radio-friendly appeal and widespread resonance among fans. It’s a definitive track that not only captures the essence of Silvera’s sound but also has the potential to reach an even broader audience, solidifying their mark in the music industry.