German heavy metal/power metal unit, Hammer King, are back with a brand-new bombastic full-length full of true headbanger hits. The new offering, entitled König und Kaiser, continues the storyline of the band paying homage to the mighty Hammer King, and is set for release on March 22 via Napalm Records.
Today, Hammer King unleash the first new album single, “Hailed By The Hammer”, together with an official music video.
Hammer King, led by ex-Ross The Boss vocalist Titan Fox, was formed in 2015 and has convinced the scene with their previous offerings and live performances at Summer Breeze Open Air and beyond, following their highly acclaimed 2022 release Kingdemonium. On König und Kaiser, the band is flanked by noteworthy guest features from the likes of The Tribune of label mates Warkings, with whom Hammer King is heading out on a huge European tour in spring 2024.
Hammer King on König und Kaiser: "Welcome to the era of König und Kaiser! 2024 will be a busy year for Hammer King as we are blessed to release our new album, König und Kaiser, at the very beginning of our first big tour. We will join the mighty Warkings for 14 shows through central European countries and will make sure we Hail as many new fans as possible with the King's mighty Hammer! Therefore, here it is, the kick-off single for the next chapter in the legend of the Hammer King: 'Hailed By The Hammer’. Thou all shalt be! See you on tour, God bless the King."
Watch the video for “Hailed By The Hammer” below.
Hammering, fast-running double kick drums meet speed riffing on the 10 new metal hymns, crowned by memorable sing-along choruses that are meant to be sung with a fist raised in the air. On König und Kaiser, Hammer King continue their collaboration with Charles Greywolf (of genre giants Powerwolf), who recorded the new album at Studio Greywolf and produced it together with singer Titan Fox. König und Kaiser was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, infamous for his work with bands such as Amaranthe, Arch Enemy and Volbeat, to name a few. The album artwork is once again created by Péter Sallai.
With König und Kaiser, Hammer King presents yet another powerful album that is sure to cement the band’s standing in the scene. Join Hammer King in worshiping the Hammer King!
König und Kaiser will be available in the following formats:
- 1 CD Digipak
- 1 LP Gatefold Vinyl
- Digipak + Shirt
- Digital Album
"Hailed By The Hammer"
"The Devil Will I Do"
"König und Kaiser" (feat. The Tribune)
"Future King"
"Kingdom Of Hammers And Kings"
"War Hammer"
"Divided We Shall Fall"
"Kings Of Arabia"
"I Want Chaos"
"Gates Of Atlantia"
Bonus tracks:
"The Last Of The 7 Wars"
"König und Kaiser – Titan"
"König und Kaiser – The Tribune" (feat. The Tribune)
"Hailed By The Hammer" video:
Hammer King are:
Titan Fox V - vocals/guitar
Gino Wilde - guitar
Günt von Schratenau - bass
Dolph Aidan Macallan - drums
Wade Black’s Astronomica have released the video for first single from their upcoming The Awakening album. Watch the clip for “Darkness Falls” below.
The band comments on the song: "'Darkness Falls' is dedicated to all those suffering from the mental illnesses that have plagued our world. Everyone goes through trials and tribulations in life. Unfortunately, you cannot fix everything all the time. Whatever your emotional downfall is, it slowly takes over and drains you of your essence. Our message is that human will is strong and, in the end, you always move forward and conquer your problems."
For three decades, Wade Black has triumphed and stayed metal recording and touring internationally in bands such as Crimson Glory, Leatherwolf, Seven Witches, Leash Law, and Chalice of Sin. Neither a stranger to change nor afraid of being a catalyst for it, Wade is announcing both changes and some very enticing teasers of things to come in 2024.
Born out of over a decade of writing, recording and touring together: After working closely for over a decade, Wade and guitarist Rich Marks have developed a song writing style that is out of this world and the reason, they chose the name Astronomica. They believe it’s the best way to describe their sound.
Looking to the Future: They are looking forward to bringing music that captures the heart, mind and imagination of their fans, taking them on a journey to far off places and inspiring them to be their best!
The Awakening will be released on March 8th as Digipack CD, Curacao transparent vinyl limited to 300 copies worldwide, and digital streaming/download format. Pre-order here, pre-save here.
Tracklist:
"Deceiver"
"Protectors of the Realm"
"Destiny"
"Monsters"
"Hellwalker"
"Darkness Falls"
"Fate or Faith"
"Chasing After"
"Letter From Hell"
"Sirens"
Lineup:
Wade Black - Vocals
Rich Marks - Guitars, Bass and Additional Keyboards
Patrick Johansson - Drums
James Fox - Rhythm Guitars, Additional Guitars and Keyboards
Touring lineup:
Wade Black - Vocals
Rich Marks - Lead Guitars
Ryan Bales - Rhythm Guitars
Kyle Sokol - Bass
Luca Caracciolo - Drums
The unofficial sound track music video for "Ain't No Rest in Rock N' Roll ('23)” was creatively crafted with clips from the cult 1994 movie Airheads starring Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi and Adam Sandler. This video is part of the Unofficial Sound Tracks series initiated by Danny Rexon, Crazy Lixx' lead singer and producer. In this series, Rexon reimagines Crazy Lixx' music as the perfect soundtrack for 1980s and 1990s movies.
Upcoming compilation, Two Shots At Glory, serves as a commemoration of Crazy Lixx' illustrious 20+ year career, featuring reimagined renditions of their iconic choruses, unforgettable hooks, and electrifying guitar solos, all while introducing some exciting new surprises. The album is due out February 16.
The compilation is introduced by reimagined classics from the band’s catalogue “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot”, “Lights Out!” and “Fire It Up” in the past few months. All accompanied by UST videos that draw inspiration from a wide range of films, from blockbuster hits of the 90s to lesser-known 80s B-movies. They've gained immense popularity with both new and longtime fans, amassing nearly 10 million views in the past year. Some of these videos have even gone viral and climbed the official YouTube rock music charts.
Consistently releasing one album after another, Crazy Lixx, the Swedish hard rock sensation, has solidified its position as the forefront in the resurgence of '80s hard rock in Scandinavia. With staggering views in the millions for well-loved videos such as "Wild Child" and "Hunter Of The Heart" on YouTube, remarkable streaming figures for hit tracks like "Blame It On Love," "Hell Raising Women," and "XIII," and the inclusion of "Wild Child" in the Nicolas Cage horror film Willy’s Wonderland, Crazy Lixx is unwaveringly advancing in their quest for global dominance.
"Two Shots At Glory"
"Fire It Up ('23)"
"Invincible"
"Lights Out! ('23)"
"Sword And Stone"
"Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ('23)"
"Ain't No Rest In Rock N' Roll ('23)"
"In The Night ('23)"
"Only The Dead Know ('23)"
"Sympathy ('23)"
"Church Of Rock ('23)"
"Sword And Stone" video:
"Fire It Up ('23)" video:
"Lights Out! ('23)" video:
"Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (’23)" video:
Crazy Lixx are:
Danny Rexon - Vocals
Jens Anderson - Bass
Joél Cirera - Drums
Chrisse Olsson - Guitar
Jens Lundgren - Guitar
Sweden's Secret Society have released their new single “The Serpent”, alongside an accompanying video.
“The Serpent” features an impressive array of guest artists, including vocalist Mark Boals (formerly of Yngwie Malmsteen, Ring Of Fire), keyboardist Joe Basketts (Shy/Tony Mills), and backing vocals by Emmy-winning singer/songwriter/producer/guitarist Paul Sabu
(Alice Cooper, David Bowie, Madonna). The single is mixed by Andy Larocque (King Diamond) at Sonic Train Studios and mastered by Thomas Plec Johansson at The Panic Room Studios. The video is crafted by Martin Wrigsjö MVS Visual.
A message states: "This single will blow you away with intelligent and positive lyrics written by Secret Society and Paul Sabu. It is the ultimate anthem for personal perseverance during life’s hardships and the current state of the world. The hard-driven chorus is beautiful and full of hope and illustrates the band’s ability to pack a punch while still delivering a positive message. Surrounded by blazing hell-fire and the Serpent, Mark Boals’ commanding melodic vocals urge you that the “Serpent is surrounding you, just lock up your heart and don’t let ’em through!” There’s an upbeat vibe with the tempo, the riffs are heavy, and the rhythms are intricate. It's been a pleasure to work with Mark Boals, Joe Basketts and Paul Sabu who co-wrote the song with us and and also always great with Andy Larocque who did the mix at Sonic Train Studios."
Norway's pioneers of avant-garde and progressive black metal, Borknagar, will release their monumental twelfth studio album, Fall, worldwide on February 23 via longtime record label partners, Century Media Records.
Today, the band release the video for "Nordic Anthem". The video was created by Marius Martinsen, Kenneth Williams and Lars A. Nedland via the production company High & Low.
"So many gods. So many beliefs. So much conflict," the band says about the track. "'Nordic Anthem' is about rejecting any kind of doctrine, religious or political. It's about going to your own nature, your inner core, and finding strength and freedom. Our perspective is a northern one — we're from the north, after all — but this is a firm stance that is universally applicable. It's about finding and trusting your own values, your own heritage, and standing up against gods and authorities trying to push doctrine to control you, or corrupt you. This is our collective anthem. We won't bend our knee to any god!"
Fall includes eight majestic tracks across 54 epic minutes of playing time, once again brilliantly mixed by Jens Bogren/ Fascination Street Studios (Opeth, Amon Amarth, Kreator) and featuring stunning album cover artwork by Eliran Kantor (Testament, My Dying Bride, Sodom).
Borknagar founder and mastermind Øystein G. Brun comments about Fall as follows, "We are extremely proud to present you all with our twelfth album entitled Fall, another chapter of our musical journey. In many ways, Fall represents a continuation of True North, but as always, we are pushing further and afar to seek even broader and more challenging horizons. Musically, we are loyal to our musical legacy, but we have most certainly walked through fire and ice to reach our highest peak yet. Although Fall represents a wide array of musical and lyrical ideas, the fundamental theme behind the album is based on the fascination and appreciation of the very outskirts of life. Those places, and those beings, in the vast periphery of our own existence that very few live to see or even learn to know about- but still are profoundly essential for our existence. With Fall, we seek to portray and cherish all that holds up and pushes boundaries - against the great fall."
Øystein G. Brun added the following words about the track, "From the day you are born, nature will do everything in its power to get you back into the ground. The lonesome struggle of being you or the mighty struggle of all life, will eventually tear you down from the inside - or from the outside. But for the short glimpse of time we endure, we all seek the ultimate heights of our very own existence. Our first single 'Summits,' from the upcoming album Fall, scopes in on this everlasting drama of life - where the drama unfolds - at the very outskirts of life."
Fall is the follow up to 2019's widely acclaimed True North studio album and will be available as limited first-pressing Digipak CD, Gatefold 2-LP on 180gr vinyl, and as Digital Album.
The vinyl edition of Fall will be available in the following variants:
- Gatefold black 2LP
- Ltd. Gatefold neon orange 2LP (300x copies, available from cmdistro.de + various other retailers)
- Ltd. Gatefold transp. bottle green 2LP (300x copies, available from EMP & Nuclear Blast)
British heavy metal legends SAXON will release their 24th studio album, "Hell, Fire And Damnation", on January 19, 2024 via Silver Lining Music.
The official music video for the LP's latest single, "There's Something In Roswell", can be seen below.
"Hell, Fire And Damnation" sees SAXON investigate all areas of history and mystery amidst ten of their most confident and thunderously powerful songs and "There's Something In Roswell" is a true treasure amidst the jewels, with the sort of expansive groove and embrace which deserves arenas. The track is about the enigmatic events surrounding the 1947 crash of an assumed Army weather balloon in Roswell New Mexico, referred to as "the Roswell incident".
"It's such a great story. It's been around for years and years, and it's just what the song says: there must be something in Roswell because there's too much hoorah about it still," SAXON lead singer Biff Byford explains. "I like the tune as well; I think it harks back to '80s SAXON musically, a really good bridge between the classic 'Dallas 1 PM' era and 'SAXON 2023.'"
"Hell, Fire And Damnation" is an album which sees SAXON investigate all areas of history and mystery amidst ten of their most confident and thunderously powerful songs yet. Biff delivers his richest vocals in years, Nigel Glockler and Nibbs Carter on drums and bass, respectively, lay down the rhythmic law with bombastic power, and the guitars of Doug Scarratt and Brian Tatler are fresh and fiery, a perfect complement to each other, carrying an overall energy and fury which will have fans salivating. Musically, SAXON bring it all to the table. There's a furious tribute to actual heavy metal in the denim-and-leather-coated super-sprint "Fire And Steel", a wonderful nod to the NWOBHM's birth in the electric mid-pace "Pirates Of The Airwaves", but maybe the true treasure amidst the jewels is "There's Something In Roswell", with the sort of expansive groove and embrace which deserves arenas.
Produced by Andy Sneap (JUDAS PRIEST, EXODUS, ACCEPT) and Byford, with Sneap mixing and mastering, "Hell, Fire And Damnation" strides the perfect line between confident, current power, and gloriously irreverent flexing of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal muscle which SAXON co-created.
"I think this album's one of the best he's done sound-wise, and he's done a lot of albums," Biff declared. "It has a really raw, vibrant sound... if you compress the total time making this album, it was four weeks tops… you can hear everything brilliantly, nothing's overcomplicated, nothing's over compressed. The guitar sounds are fucking immense, they're just great, raw guitar sounds. And we haven't done a lot of overdubbing on there, it's just playing. I really, really like it."
2024 promises to be a great year for SAXON, with the European tour alongside JUDAS PRIEST and URIAH HEEP kicking off in the U.K. in March, the arrival of the heavy metal masterpiece "Hell, Fire And Damnation" and the recently announced co-headline U.S. tour with URIAH HEEP titled "Hell, Fire & Chaos - The Best Of British Rock & Metal".
"Getting these shows in March 2024 with JUDAS PRIEST and URIAH HEEP meant it made sense to push and get the album made faster," says Biff, "so, we got on with it in haste and pulled it out of the bag. It was tricky, but I think it's safe to say we managed it well."
"Hell, Fire And Damnation" track listing:
01. The Prophecy
02. Hell, Fire And Damnation
03. Madame Guillotine
04. Fire And Steel
05. There's Something In Roswell
06. Kubla Khan And The Merchant Of Venice
07. Pirates Of The Airwaves
08. 1066
09. Witches Of Salem
10. Super Charger
The cover art was created by Péter Sallai and can be seen below.
Early last year, SAXON guitarist Paul Quinn announced that he was stepping back from touring with the band. As a result of his decision, SAXON canceled its April 2023 South American tour as well as the appearance at the Monsters Of Rock cruise. Quinn has since been replaced on the road by DIAMOND HEAD's Brian Tatler.
Brian has already joined fellow guitarist Doug Scarratt, drummer Nigel Glockler, bassist Tim "Nibbs" Carter and Byford for several European shows but will continue to be a member of DIAMOND HEAD.
Byford and Quinn are the sole remaining original members in SAXON's current lineup.
Originally from South Yorkshire, England, SAXON has gone on to sell about 23 million albums and has produced such classic songs as "Denim And Leather", "Princess Of The Night", "Wheels Of Steel" and "Power And Glory".
Scandinavian power quartet, Leach, is closing in for a kill with a masterpiece of – quite literally – punching thrash/death'n'roll. As a first harbinger of the upcoming album New Model Of Disbelief, the band has just delivered their brand new video single, "Gone To Waste".
Kicking it off with a crushing main riff and frantically aggressive vocals by singer/guitarist Markus Wikander, the single manages to move on to its rich, touching chorus in an almost seamless fashion.
However, the truly unexpected star of this blood fest is a very old-school melodic metal epilogue that can easily get you to indulge in awesome flashbacks – if you’ve been a metalhead for a while. Leach themselves describe this piece of northern perfection in much simpler words: “A good sum up of what we’re all about. Fast ‘in your face’ stuff blended with rock’n’roll grooves and melodies.”
The visuals presented in the music video are perfectly set to underline this ceremony of opposites: from the band’s sweaty, hard rockin’ performance amidst the eerie atmosphere of a midnight parking lot to the refined elegance of female movement looking for the perfect swing in a blood-soaked fight club setting, as presented by Swedish pro wrestlers Betty Rose and Sixt.
With three full length releases and one EP already under their belts, the guys have certainly established Leach in the Scandi music scene. They’ve redefined the internationally cherished Swedish sound by merging elements of the iconic Gothenburg scene with that special aggressiveness of northern hardcore, while mixing in a good measure of old-school Stockholm death. Defining attributes of their work are electrifying and exciting smash songs with groovy twists – picture a blood-thirsty, melody-hungry bastard child of Entombed and Exodus, two of the band’s biggest, long-lasting influences.
This gang – Markus Wikander on vocals and guitars, Robert Karlsson on guitars, Anders Nordlander (as well as his successor Tobias Oja) on bass and Joachim Dahlström on drums – knows exactly how to work their blend of styles, and many of the most relevant playlist editors around the world have proven them right numerous times over the years. The vocals bite, the riffs burst to mosh and the melodies open up to passionate, huge life questions. The tense thematic run between revolution, social injustice and inner struggles in the band’s lyrics offers a superbly dynamic pressure vent for piled up emotions of all sorts.
And the Swedes aren’t a slouch in the touring department either: Through their wide-ranging live history, Leach have shared the stage with prominent bands, such as Unearth, Misery Index, Belphegor and Kampfar. Over the recent years, this caused the gathering of an enthusiastic following around the band, as they describe by example of a typical Leach live experience: “Over the top energy – the crowd can feel that we give it all and give us energy back.” Touring preparations for 2024 have long begun and first Swedish shows as well as a few festival gigs have already been booked.
Leach's fourth album, New Model Of Disbelief, will be released digitally and as CD and LP on April 19. Christian Silver at Studiomega (Sepultura, Kreator, Soilwork), who already took great care of the band’s previous record Lovely Light Of Life, acted as the driving force in terms of recording, mixing and mastering once again.
Female-fronted symphonic power metal band, Maesün, has released their first official music video, for the song "Book Of The Dead". The clip can be viewed below.
This track is also the band's first single and is set to be part of their upcoming studio album, Remember To Die, which will be released on March 1.
Additionally, Maesün announces the second single from the album. This track is titled "Life In Chains" and features one of the most important voices in Romanian metal - Aura Danciulescu, none other than the vocalist of the band Scarlet Aura. The song will be available on January 24 on all streaming platforms, YouTube, and Bandcamp, and will also be included in the full-length album.
Lineup:
Andrada Hofmeister - Vocals
Brici Mihai Dan - Guitars
Florin Huluba - Guitars
Tarcea Dan - Bass
Mihai H - Drums
Arising Empire proudly welcomes Avralize to their roster. Fronted by vocalist Severin Sailer, with guitarist Philipp Tenberken, drummer Bastian Gölz, and bassist Valentin Noack, the band has shared the video for "Lotus". Watch below.
Many worlds come together. A mix of vibe, technique, and artistic creativity meets destructive breakdowns, provoking guitar riffs and catchy choruses. With finesse, the four guys from south Germany strike the perfect balance between the brutality and exciting grooves that you just want to dance to.
"We are thrilled to share the exciting news of our partnership with Arising Empire. With their support, we can now concentrate on realizing our vision for the band and immerse ourselves even more in what we love most: creating music," the band says.
"The essence of the song revolves around the profound theme of letting go of the past. This signifies a transformative process of shedding old burdens, relationships, or beliefs to make way for new growth and change. Change is often perceived as intimidating and frightening, yet for us, it became essential to break free from self-imposed limitations and embrace the freedom to pursue our true desires, regardless of external opinions. Authenticity lies in being true to oneself and removing anything that obstructs the expression of our genuine selves—a step that anyone is capable of taking," says vocalist Severin Sailer.
Having shared the stage with scene heavyweights like Ghostkid, Novelists, Paleface, and Of Virtue, the group quickly established a reputation for their energetic live show that turns their crowds into a giant party on a regular basis. Avralize have already performed at established festivals like Southside, Hurricane and RockXplosion.
“The biggest problem that art has nowadays is that it doesn’t hurt anymore,” says Ghøstkid vocalist and agent provocateur Sebastian “Sushi” Biesler. “Especially here in Germany, people are so afraid to push boundaries. To make art that makes you think and feel.”
By fall 2021, with the world shutdown seemingly over, Sushi wasn’t content to let his creative yen languish at home in Germany. “Even though we had made it through Covid, I was missing being able to play live, to really function as a band,” says Sushi. “It didn’t feel real to me. I became distanced from the music.” A six-week decampment to Los Angeles became the creative fuel for Ghøstkid’s next steps. The last vestiges of Hollywood sleaze, decaying glamour, personal temptation and the still-vibrant creative vibes of the city became the frontman’s “don’t-look-before-you-leap” inspiration for the gestating Hollywood Suicide.
The album is a perfect snapshot of an artist finding himself, crawling from his own personal wreckage against a crumbling, mythical Californian milieu. “That’s why ’Hollywood Suicide’ is the first track. If you really want to make it, you have to give a lot. You have to be willing to give up everything. It’s kind of like suicide to the person that you’ve been when you become an artist.”
The matching, lush and elaborate art adorning the album was created by Aly Wayne Gacy.
Pre-order / pre-save your copy now at this location. Hollwood Suicide will be out March 22nd, 2024 and available in the following formats:
Ltd. CD Digipak
Ltd. transp. red LP
Ltd. grey LP (300x) available from cmdistro.de & various other retailers
Ltd. white-black haze LP (500x) available from Ghøstkid
Ltd. translucent highlighter yellow LP (US version) available in the US
Today also marks the release of the video for Ghøstkid’s latest single, “FSU”.
“‘FSU’ describes the raw and aggressive lifestyle of not giving a sh*t about anything and just do whatever you want,” comments Biesler who directed and edited the video in cooperation with Nils Lesser (Vaultroom Production) and Benjamin Klose. “The track was inspired by the Joker from Batman and the pure chaos and anarchy that the character is representing. Even if the lyrics circle around self-destructive behavior, the song is more about the feeling of freedom by dismissing the rules. It’s a track about being a misfit and taking back your power, about being yourself, getting rid of labels and becoming independent - basically a big f*ck you…”
“Live is where it’s the most real, the most in the moment,” says Sushi. “There’s no sense of boundaries, no sense of gender. I wear what I like as long as it looks cool. Ghøstkid, for me, is how I express my art through the music and my persona. When it comes down to art, you should be free.” Ghøstkid will be bringing their melody and chaos to American stages for the first time in the spring of 2024 opening for Black Veil Brides following a European tour with labelmates Blind Channel.
Los Angeles quartet, Dead Poet Society, will drop their second album, Fission, on January 26 via Spinefarm. Pre-order here.
Today, the band has shared the official video for "My Condition". The semi-animated video was directed by The Moldy Peaches' Steven Mertens, who has lensed videos for Regina Spektor, Lil Peep, Duran Duran, and more.
Commenting on the track, frontman Jack Underkofler says, "This song took years to write and it’s one of our favorites. It's about knowing that nothing matters, so might as well go for what brings you fulfillment and do what you want."
DPS have also announced details of an exclusive and intimate record release show. Rock Night Out presents Dead Poet Society: The Fission Album Release Experience, sponsored by Spinefarm Records, is set for January 24 in Los Angeles at Pico Union Project. Stay tuned to the band's social properties for more information on this special show.
Fission tracklisting:
"- 5:29:45"
"Running In Circles"
"Hurt"
"How Could I Love You?"
"I hope you hate me."
"UTO"
"Tipping Point"
"LA Queen"
"Hard To Be God"
"81 Tonnes"
"My Condition"
"KOET"
"Black and Gold"
"Running In Circles" / "Hurt" video:
"How Could I Love You?" live video:
Dead Poet Society lineup:
Jack Underkofler - Vocals/Guitar
Jack Collins - Guitar
Will Goodroad - Drums
Dylan Brenner - Bass
Danish deathcore mob, Cabal, start off 2024 strong. After kicking off their The Great Decay European Tour a few days ago, the band from Copenhagen have dropped "Plague Bringer" (Inhuman Rework) today. Taken from the band's last album, Magno Interitus, German producer Inhuman has reshaped this crushing cut and added his own distinctive touch to "Plague Bringer".
Listen to the song here, and watch a visualizer below.
Singer Andreas Bjulver states: "If there is something we’ve always loved in Cabal, it’s collaboration and experimentation, so we decided to embrace both of those two things with this rework of 'Plague Bringer' by dark electronic wizard Inhuman. We are super excited that Inhuman managed to create a fresh and new take on our sound, and that we now get to share it with you all."
Inhuman adds: "Excited to announce my collaboration with Nuclear Blast and Cabal on the remix of their hit single, 'Plague Bringer.' This rendition is my most metal-inspired take, merging the potent force of electronic production with Cabal's relentless instrumentation and vocals. Brace yourself for an intense sonic blend, where metal meets electronica, inviting you to dive deep into the auditive plague. Get ready for an electrifying experience that hits hard and doesn't hold back."
"Plague Bringer" (Inhuman Rework) was taken from the band's latest album, Magno Interitus, that was released on October 21st via Nuclear Blast. The album is available as Digipack [limited edition], Black Single LP, Crystal Clear with Gold + Black Splatter Single LP [limited to 500 units, Mailorder + Wholesale exclusive], Crystal Clear with Red + Black Splatter Single LP [limited to 500 units, USA exclusive], Gold + Black Marble Single LP [limited to 300 units, bandshop exclusives] and on all streaming platforms.
Cabal is one of the most brutal and promising heavy acts hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark. The band aims to create a visceral and doom-laden atmosphere throughout both their music and visual expression. The production is crystal clear, whilst the songwriting draws inspiration from everything from black and death metal to djent and hardcore.
Since the release of their debut album Mark of Rot in 2018, the young band has managed to make a name for themselves in both Denmark and the rest of the world by playing renowned festivals like Copenhell, Roskilde Festival, Euroblast Festival and Complexity Fest as well as touring in Europe, Japan and North America.
Cabal released the sophomore album Drag Me Down in April 2020 - a dark descent into a personal hell brought to life by crushing instrumentals, an oppressive atmosphere and dark personal lyrics delivered with relentless intensity, while still leaving room for experimentation and expansion of Cabal’s signature sound. Add to this guest appearances from metal titans Trivium's Matt Heafy, rising metalcore stars Polaris’ Jamie Hails and Denmark’s Blackgaze darlings MØL’s Kim Song Sternkopf and there is no doubt that Cabal is a band with friends in every corner of the metal scene.
Cabal is:
Andreas Bjulver Paarup – Vocals
Christian Hammer Mattesen - Guitars
Chris Kreutzfeldt - Guitars
Lui Broch Larsen - Guitars
Dennis Hursid - Bass
Nikolaj Kaae Kirk - Drums
Formed in Vaxjo, Sweden in 2001, Bullet have a sound that can best be described as a modern mix of the three A's - AC/DC, Accept and Airborne.
Having released six critically acclaimed studio albums and a recent double live set, the band has carved out a name for itself on the European festival circuit and even caught the attention of Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson, who played their track "Turn It Up Loud" on his BBC radio show.
Led by the inimitable Dag “Hell” Hofer, the band will play three exclusive Australian shows, presented by Bleed Records in conjunction with Steamhammer Records. Tickets on sale now via Moshtix.com.au.
Dates:
April
26 - Simos Boat Cruise - Sydney, Australia
27 - The Bendigo hotel - Melbourne, Australia
28 - The Cherry Bar - Melbourne, Australia
Toronto Rockers, The Blues Emergency, have unveiled their latest track, “Quicksand”.
A gritty follow up to their successful 2023 release, “A Love Revolution”, this song weaves a dark tale of a person plagued by drug abuse stemming from childhood trauma that haunts and consumes them. They seek compassion and understanding from the world around them with little hope.
The band hopes that "Quicksand" will bring awareness to the issues of drug addiction, mental health issues, and homelessness that are plaguing our societies. The Blues Emergency believes that music can be a powerful tool for change and that this single will inspire people to take action and make a difference.
In the true style of The Blues Emergency, this song sounds unlike anything else they have released. While the gravel laden vocals bring a sense of familiarity, this tune is their heaviest yet. The thunderous rhythm and soaring guitar leads meet with choral harmonies to round out the sound and create a dynamic tune reminiscent of Rival Sons, Soundgarden, or Stone Temple Pilots.
Written, recorded, & produced by the band, it was mixed by 2x Juno Award Winning Engineer & Producer Kevin Dietz (The Glorious Sons, JJ Wilde), and mastered by Noah Mintz at Lacquer Channel. “Quicksand” is available on all digital streaming platforms, and the music video, by Toronto filmmaker Vincenzo Buggea and starring Goran Juko, can be viewed below:
About The Blues Emergency:
The Blues Emergency is a renegade band of misfits channeling original music that is stylistically and sonically fitting for the ears of your mama and her misbehaving posse. Their sound is hard, cranked up, blues-rock infused with the elements of stoner-rock and psychedelia.
Socially conscious lyrics, hard hitting guitar riffs, coupled with raspy vocals - the band packs a punch. The Toronto band consists of Andy Du Rego (vocals), Emir Halilovic (guitar), John Anthony Brand (bass), & Marshall Baglieri (drums).
2023 brought a new wave of creativity to the band. Their latest high-energy single, “A Love Revolution” has been featured on 94.9 The Rock’s Generation Next, placed #5 on the Top 100 Songs of 2023 on Pet Rock Radio and received great reviews on 102.1 The Edge, Spill Magazine, and other music review sites worldwide. It was accompanied by a music video by up-and-coming filmmaker Vincenzo Buggea, which has surpassed 15,000 streams on YouTube. The Blues Emergency was also awarded the Rising Sun Award at the 2023 Gussapolooza Music Festival, an award given to recognize a band who the judges felt would shape the future of the industry and inspire generations to come.
Their debut album, released in 2017 entitled, The Machine showcases 8 original songs and one Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers cover tune, "Good Enough". It contains tunes of epic proportion, with impressive guitar work, a super tight rhythm section, powerful vocals and sharp political messaging. It was recorded the old-school way, live off-the-floor and without the use of a click track. Shortly after recording, the band went on hiatus with each member pursuing new endeavours.
Though their debut album The Machine was not supported by any marketing or extensive promo, it gained fast traction in 2022 worldwide on YouTube. The album made a mark overseas in Europe and garnered a cult following. With some 50,000+ streams across various YouTube channels. A local radio station out of Hamilton, No Hope No Fear 93.3 FM, invited the band for an interview in March 2022. The support from the fans and their demand for the music, re-energized the band. With the introduction of a new drummer, The Blues Emergency is currently working on another album and is rehearsing for upcoming festival appearances.
2024 launches with a bang thanks to the announcement of "The Quantum Phase", the highly anticipated new record from supergroup THE END MACHINE, the collaborative project featuring former DOKKEN members, guitarist George Lynch and bassist Jeff Pilson. The announcement signals a notable change in personnel as well. Singer Robert Mason has officially parted ways with the group, paving the way for Girish Pradhan, the rising superstar vocalist known for his work under the moniker GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES and, more recently, with JOEL HOEKSTRA'S 13 and FIRSTBORNE. The addition of Pradhan to the band is a testament to the keen discernment of Serafino Perugino, president, and founder of Frontiers Music Srl. Perugino, who serves as the executive producer for THE END MACHINE, recognized the incredible talent and potential in Pradhan and brought him to the attention of the band.
To herald this fantastic change and new album, THE END MACHINE shares their first single off "The Quantum Phase", titled "Silent Winter". The track is accompanied by a new music video which can be seen below.
Pilson comments on the new track: "'Silent Winter' is a song about the bleak prospects for humanity if we keep on our current trajectory. 'Quantum Phase' — the album — deals with what we must do to change course."
"The Quantum Phase" will arrive on March 8.
Established in 2018, THE END MACHINE released its eponymous debut album, "The End Machine", in 2019, bringing early acclaim for not only contemporary production and a modern attitude, but also their perfectly crafted songs, paying homage to their roots and the music that they love. This attitude and talent was equally on display with their 2021 sophomore album, "Phase2".
In delivering 2024's "The Quantum Phase", THE END MACHINE has not only surpassed expectations but has penned the record of their lives. With each note and lyric, they have exceeded their own artistic aspirations, collectively crafting the album they always wished they had written. This monumental work stands as a testament to THE END MACHINE's evolution, showcasing not only their musical prowess but also their unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of their creative expression.
A little over a year ago, Lynch told MetalSucks about the upcoming THE END MACHINE album: "Girish Pradhan… is unbelievable. We loved Robert Mason [who sang on the first two THE END MACHINE albums], and he's an incredible singer, but we felt it was time for a little bit of a change. So, of all the records I'm working on — and there's a lot — I'm most excited about this next END MACHINE album. It's really powerful, and some of the tracks are downright scary good."
Asked what it is about the upcoming THE END MACHINE album that has him most excited, George said: "When me and Jeff get together, we're just a two-headed songwriting monster. It's crazy, but we finish each other's sentences and understand each other musically. I think that because we've been doing the same thing for so many decades, we know exactly what we're trying to do, but now we have a much better idea of how to get there than we used to. And when I work with other people — and I've worked with some great people — I don't have that connection with any other people like I do with Jeff. It's everything, from riffs, guitar sounds, and composition to putting that together. We're very attuned to each other, and our skill sets complement each other very well, so working on this record is an absolute joy, and it's got me very excited."
"The Quantum Phase" track listing:
01. Black Hole Extinction
02. Silent Winter
03. Killer Of The Night
04. Hell Or High Water
05. Stand Up
06. Burning Man
07. Shattered Glass Heart
08. Time
09. Hunted
10. Stranger In The Mirror
11. Into The Blazing Sun
Produced By: Jeff Pilson for Pilsound Music Inc.
Studio: Pilsound Studios, Santa Clarita, California
Recorded By: Jeff Pilson and Girish Pradhan
Additional engineering: Olivia Pilson
Mixed By: Alessandro Del Vecchio
Mastered By: Alessandro Del Vecchio
Band Members:
George Lynch – Gutar
Girish Pradhan – Vocals
Steve Brown – Drums
Jeff Pilson - Bass
The Grandmaster released their new album, Black Sun, on January 12. Following their explosive 2021 debut, Skywards, this remarkable band, led by German guitarist Jens Ludwig (co-founder of Edguy), is set to deliver a powerful fusion of power and melody with a distinctive Teutonic twist.
Check out the official video for new single, "Black Sun", below.
Keen to hit the road to promote further releases, Danish vocalist Peer Johansson has been welcomed into the fold for the recording of ‘Black Sun’, the group’s follow-up record. Celebrated for his contributions to bands such as Fate, Ureas and Pentakill, Johansson’s voice is characterised by its warmth and an impressive range that has seen him compared to fellow hard rock titans like Rob Halford, Jorn Lande and Udo Dirkschneider.
Musically exuding infectious grooves and again displaying the exceptional prowess of Ludwig with a series of rhythmic riffs and captivating solos, the stellar vocal performances delivered by one of the genre's hidden gems is the icing on the cake.
Ludwig was thrilled to get Peer on board for the follow-up: “I’ve actually been a fan of Peer’s for decades and own all the Fate albums he was involved in. The excitement was back for this second record and it was great to see the songs take shape from their original demo form and also see how Peer’s voice has developed over the years.”
For his part, Johansson describes Black Sun as “a fantastic collaboration from inception to completion. When I first heard Jens’ riffs, I was completely blown away. His guitar playing is absolutely mind-blowing and has left me with a sore neck from all the headbanging! He plays like a musical deity and I feel honoured to be part of this extraordinary project. I can't wait to share the stage with him during live shows and give it everything we've got.”
Guided by the ubiquitous Alessandro Del Vecchio, who plays bass and keyboards while also making a significant contribution to its superb production, Black Sun is a dynamic and captivating album that sees in 2024 with a massive metallic bang.
Tracklist:
"Black Sun
"Watching the End
"While the Sun Goes Down
"Learn to Forgive
"Heaven’s Calling
"Something More
"Fly, Icarus Fly
"I’m Alive
"What We Can Bear
"Soul Sacrifice
"Into the Dark
The Grandmaster line-up:
Peer Johansson - vocals
Jens Ludwig - guitars
Alessandro Del Vecchio - bass, keyboards
Brett Jones - keyboards
Mirko De Maio - drums
In the clip below, courtesy of the Ken Tamplin Music Academy, vocalist Gabbi Gun teams up with powerhouse musicians Rudy Sarzo, Alex Skolnick, Ken Mary, and Gary Schutt for a cover of the Whitesnake classic, "Still Of The Night".
Ken Tamplin: "Many Whitesnake fans would argue that 'Still Of The Night' was a major zenith and pinnacle of Whitesnake's hits and the crème de la crème of David Coverdale's powerful anthemic rock singing.
Interestingly, this song has been very intimidating for many male rock singers, and even more so for female rock vocalists. For this reason, we thought it would be a perfect fit for Gabriela to go head to head with David in his prime and see how we stacked up against one of the greatest rock vocalists in the world!
Also as a fun side note, we have Ken Mary on drums, Rudy Sarzo, one of the best bass players from Whitesnake, Alex Skolnick from Testament on guitar, and Gary Schutt on keyboards."
Sabaton guitarist / Majestica frontman Tommy Johansson has shared a cover of "No Easy Way Out", originally performed Robert Tepper, from the Rocky IV soundtrack released in 1985. Check it out below.
Internationally acclaimed heavy metallers, Sabaton, are gearing up for an epic celebration as they approach their 25-year milestone in the music industry.
Founded in Falun, Sweden, in 1999, Sabaton's journey has been nothing short of legendary. Their music industry adventures have been fuelled by powerful anthems, 10 studio albums, passionate historical storytelling, and explosive international shows and tours, not to mention out-of-the-box initiatives and projects, all of which wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of their dedicated fan base across the globe.
To mark this momentous milestone, Sabaton will embark on a year-long celebration. Fans around the world can look forward to a series of celebratory events and an abundance of surprises.
The band has shared a new video along with the following message:
"Get ready for an epic journey through time and sound as we celebrate 25 years of Sabaton in the best way possible! Join us for a night filled with thunderous riffs, powerful lyrics and the bombastic energy of our very first studio album, Primo Victoria! We'll be sharing our reactions, reminiscing about the making of the album, and exchanging stories that have shaped our legacy as a band. This is not just a celebration – it's a metal extravaganza that you won't want to miss! Grab your favourite beer, crank up the volume and join us on a musical adventure. Let the celebration begin!"
Each month of 2024 will be dedicated to an album from Sabaton’s discography, beginning with Primo Victoria and ending with The War To End All Wars. Special activities and insights will be provided to grant fans a better understanding of each studio album.
Highlights include album stories, song facts, and album listening parties during which band members will reminisce on and discuss their favorite tracks, while sharing never-heard-before experiences with Sabaton fans.
Other exciting initiatives include fun games, contests, and giveaways that will grant fans the chance to win unique prizes, as well as a limited edition 25-year anniversary merch, including some very exclusive items.
Frontman, Joakim Brodén, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming celebration, saying: "This is a massive milestone for us. Our fans have been with us every step of the way and we couldn't be more excited to celebrate this monumental occasion with them. We're planning some great things that we've never done before, and we're confident that 2024 will be one to remember, especially as we are heading to the studio at the beginning of next year to begin working on new music!"
Meanwhile, bassist and band manager, Pär Sundström, stated: “It’s hard to believe that a quarter of a century of us playing music and doing what we love the most has passed already. It’s been one hell of a journey, that’s for sure. We sing about history, but looking back we also wrote some history! Stay tuned!”
The 25th-anniversary celebrations will also include throwback photos, videos, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into Sabaton's incredible journey, taking fans on a nostalgic trip through the band's history.
Follow the band’s social media channels and website to keep up to date with the latest news and celebrations. Keep your eyes peeled. 2024 is going to be an interesting year!
In the meantime, check out this video message from Pär and Tommy:
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