Punishing noise levels are a natural force among metal’s various habitats. But after hearing the roar of chainsaws tear through Costa Rica’s rain forest, two angry metalheads are banging their heads together to protect our ecosystems.
Savage Lands is co-operated by Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren and musician-turned-activist Sylvain Demercastel. Since its founding in 2022, the U.S.-based 501 (c) (3) non-profit has preserved 100,000 square feet of Costa Rican forest using the money from their music. 100% of the royalties from the organization’s debut album, Army Of The Trees, support their ongoing preservation projects in Costa Rica and other countries.
Debut album, Army Of The Trees, comes out February 15 via Season of Mist. Pre-order/pre-save the album here.
As Savage Lands warn on their crushing new single with Lord Of The Lost and Chloe Trujillo, if we don’t act fast and protect our ecosystems, then pretty soon, we won’t just be out of time. We’ll be out of breath. Watch the "Out Of Breath" music video below:
Like the trees of the rain forest, Savage Lands are supported by many different branches.
On the ground, the organization partners with scientists, forest engineers, ecological parks, private businesses and other local non-profits. Their Green Alliance has led to more than 11,000 trees being planted in deforested areas along the Costa Rican coastline thanks to the help of 1,200 volunteers. They also partner with global conservation leaders like the Jane Goodall Institute.
“Nature is music. Trees are music”, said the world famous scientist, who is working together with the metal non-profit on preservation projects in Africa and France.
Collaboration also fuels Savage Lands’ creative drive. Army Of The Trees introduces several species of metalhead into the band’s natural environment. The album features Alissa White-Gluz, Lord Of The Lost and other movers and shakers from across the metal industry. While the title track boasts a wild ranging guest list, its anthemic energy comes from the organization’s earliest roots.
The foundation of Savage Lands was three decades in the making. Dirk and Sylvain first met in France during the late ’90s, when they both played in the socially conscious thrash metal band Artsonic. While Dirk went on to join Soilwork and Megadeth, the country has continued to support their joint conservation efforts. Hellfest pledged to donate 1 million Euro to Savage Lands after the band performed on the main stage at this year’s festival with familiar faces from Napalm Death, Biohazard, Body Count, The Gathering and their core members in French metalcore exploders Black Bomb A and Chicano crossover punks Loco Muerte.
“That’s one of the beautiful things about Savage Lands”, Sylvain says. “As a band, we’re not limited to just one genre. We can adapt to boost the strengths of whoever is joining us”.
Army Of The Trees packs more Francophone force. Eight pillars from the French metal scene join Savage Lands in the fight to protect the world’s ecosystems. Niko of Tagada Jones throws lyrical haymakers while Loco Muerte’s Steeven Corsini spins a blazing rap between drums that pound like the forces of the jungle. Auré Jäger (Akiavel), David Sidilarsen and the mighty Julien Truchan from Benighted flex their beastly growls. The ghostly video is a chilling reminder of what’s at stake, but the fiery guitar solos from Sylvain, Stéphane Buriez (Loudblast) and Viber (Sidilarsen) put more than enough bite behind Savage Lands’ fierce rallying cry. “Now is the time to take a stand“.
“Our goals are attainable,” Sylvain and Dirk say. “By converting the land that we purchase into nature sanctuaries, Savage Lands will help set a precedent for environmental activism. But we must work together and quickly. Ecosystems are still under attack. If we don’t, then there won’t be any wildlife left to save”.
Raise your horns and join the Army Of The Trees in support of the metal non-profit.
Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the upcoming release of legendary rock vocalist Robin McAuley's new solo album, Soulbound. This new album sees McAuley's voice continuing to defy time, sounding as inspired and powerful as ever. The new album is definitively more guitar-driven straight hard rock compared to his previous albums and is still wonderfully melodic, infectious, and fist-in-the-air uplifting.
McAuley comments on Soulbound: "I can't wait to share Record #3 with you all from Frontiers Music SRL. Soulbound is a much edgier, harder guitar-driven record than my previous two for the label. In addition, I'm working with a new producer from the Frontiers label, Aldo Lonobile, who brought these songs to life with his Kick-Ass production. PLAY IT LOUD !!!!! I think you're gonna Luv It!!!!"
Soulbound showcases the respected Irish rock singer's desire to make a strong musical statement in what is proving to be his most creative period. To kick the announcement off, McAuley is also sharing the album's first track, "'Til I Die", alongside a music video, available below.
About the single, McAuley shared this: "We had so much fun shooting this mini-movie with the great production team of Enzo Mazzeo and Eric Boadello. ''Til I Die' comes at you right out the gate with heavy drums and biting guitars as I race across the Western wasteland to escape the unknown demons and images haunting me and determined to track me down. It's a race for survival at all costs. Come join me and escape together!!!!"
After reemerging on the recording side of the music industry with guest spots on Michael Schenker Fest albums and tours in addition to fronting the hard rock supergroup Black Swan, McAuley was (and still is) feeling invigorated and ready to explore even more creative output to let the world see that his voice is still as powerful as ever.
Work for Soulbound began in early 2024, following an intense musical period in between tour dates and studio work. With a slightly different production approach compared to the previous album, Robin’s vocal performance here is simply outstanding. Truly an iconic voice of the genre, 'Soulbound' solidly delivers the more hard and heavy aspects of this respected artist.
Robin's backing band includes some of the previous artists who appeared with him on previous efforts, including guitarist Andrea Seveso, as well as some new talent such as guitarist Alessandro Mammola and drummer Alfonso Mocerino.
Soulbound is produced by Aldo Lonobile. Pre-order here.
Soulbound tracklisting:
"‘Til I Die"
"Soulbound"
"The Best Of Me"
"Crazy"
"Let It Go"
"Wonders Of The World"
"One Good Reason"
"Bloody Bruised And Beautiful"
"Paradise"
"Born To Die"
"There Was A Man"
"Crazy" (Alternative Mix) Bonus Track Japan
"‘Til I Die" video:
Credits:
Produced By: Aldo Lonobile
Studio: TMH Studio, Institute Of Noise LA
German thrash metal pioneers, Accuser, released their 13th studio album, Rebirthless, on November 21st via MDD Records. They have unleashed an official video for album opener, "Violent Vanity", which can be viewed below.
The band states that Rebirthless perfectly realizes the band's musical vision, thanks to powerful melodies, aggressive rhythms and profound lyrics that captivate listeners and make them think. The complete tracklist can be found below.
Souls Of Steel has shared the official music video for "No Man's Land", a track taken from the band's debut album, Songs Of Steel, released August 16, 2024 via WormHoleDeath.
"No Man's Land" is a powerful metaphor for humanity's internal and collective struggle against lies and the constraints imposed by society. It speaks of a world where people are trapped in a monotonous and deceptive existence, constantly judged while desperately seeking to break free from an invisible prison.
"We chose this track for the video because it captures our vision and essence — a combination of intense music and a narrative that invites reflection," said the band. "The lyrics and music reflect our own experiences, frustrations, and hopes, resonating with anyone who feels stuck in a metaphorical no man's land."
"The creative process was intense and highly collaborative. From the very first idea, we aimed to create a track with both emotional and sonic impact. The song's struct
Lebanese prog metal band, Turbulence, are excited to share their new video for “Ternary”, taken from their latest studio album, Binary Dream, released back in March via Frontiers Music Srl.
Keyboardist Mood Yassin describes the track by saying: "'Ternary' is the closing number of a 5-track epic song, a pivotal piece in a concept album that explores the fusion of human consciousness with artificial intelligence. The song offers a profound exploration of the threefold nature of human consciousness - of mind, of heart, and of soul - conveyed with evocative lyrics and immersive instrumentation. Each section represents a unique facet of existence: the mind's search for the rational and disillusionment, the heart's struggle with pride and vulnerability, and the soul's silent, transcendent essence, expressed throughout a haunting instrumental.”
“By weaving these elements together, 'Ternary' not only reflects the complexity of the human experience through the lens of a robot awakening, but also resonates with anyone seeking harmony within themselves. It's more than a song - it's an introspective journey that challenges you to connect with your deepest self”, he adds.
Acclaimed French metal band, Gojira, have unveiled the official music video for their Grammy-nominated single, "Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)", captured during their jaw-dropping performance at the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
“Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)” is currently nominated for "Best Metal Performance" at the upcoming 67th Annual Grammy Awards, marking the band’s fourth Grammy nomination to date.
Gojira made history as the first metal band ever to perform a
Swedish metallers SOILWORK have released an official live video for their latest single, "Spirit Of No Return". Check it out below.
Last month, SOILWORK vocalist Björn "Speed" Strid spoke to Germany's Moshpit Passion about "Spirit Of No Return", which came out in October. The track marks a significant milestone in the band's evolution, with longtime touring guitarist Simon Johansson recently officially joining the ranks of the band.
Asked if "Spirit Of No Return" is indicative of the musical direction of SOILWORK's next studio album, Strid said: "Well, hard to say. I mean, we decided to just approach things quite slowly this time around because we've been through a lot, as I'm sure you know. Simon joined the fold now and he's a great guy and a fantastic guitar player. He's been playing with us live for a pretty long time, but he contributed with this new song and it has a little bit of a thrashier side to it and kind of like more SOILWORK rootsy kind of feel, but also still blended with the more current elements that we're known for. So it's really hard to say exactly where we're gonna go, but I would say that the sound is gonna be slightly more metallic, whatever that means, but I also feel that we discovered so many amazing things through when we did [the 2020 EP] 'A Whisp Of The Atlantic', with 'Verkligheten' [2019] and with 'Övergivenheten' [2022], and those elements we wanna take with us. But I think there's also maybe old things that we want to revisit and bring back again. And I think this new one, it has more sort of like a metallic vibe over it, but we keep on evolving, and I never wanna fall into some kind of cliché or trying to rehash things. So I'm as curious as you are where we're gonna go. But I think this song is maybe giving you a little bit of a hint where we're going. But we always try to experiment as well. But it's too early to say if there's gonna be a full album anytime soon. I think we're approaching things slowly. We're getting close to start doing some songwriting. And it might happen on this tour. I have the guitars right here. So who knows what's gonna happen?!"
"Spirit Of No Return" showcases SOILWORK's signature blend of frenzied intensity, soaring melodies, epic arrangements, and a touch of progressive complexity — traits that have cemented their reputation over the last decades. Johansson's contribution to the songwriting channels the band's essence while bringing fresh energy to their unmistakable sound.
The "Spirit Of No Return" music video, which can be seen below, is equally captivating, featuring a stunning sequence where the iconic SOILWORK symbol is reforged, representing the band's resurgence and renewed strength. This visual narrative perfectly complements the song's theme of perseverance and transformation.
Strid previously stated about the song: "'Spirit Of No Return' is a fierce reminder of the past, but also an introduction of the new SOILWORK era, where we've taken the thrashier early days and dressed it in a new heavier suit. Lyrics are dealing with the urge of belonging and fitting in — and how it in the end can be disastrous as you abandon your true self."
In October, SOILWORK embarked on its biggest tour adventure yet, supporting IN FLAMES and ARCH ENEMY on a European arena tour.
SOILWORK's high-class creative consistency, which they have been delivering solidly throughout their career, is the virtue that probably best defines them. Founded at the end of 1995, SOILWORK released their debut album "Steelbath Suicide" in 1998, garnering a great early response. By 2001 SOILWORK had joined Nuclear Blast, and by 2003 they already had five records under their belt.
Continuing their tradition of high-quality musical output, 2022 saw their twelfth studio album "Övergivenheten", which represented the band in their growth and their current phase of life — marked by a time that probably no one on this planet will forget so quickly.
SOILWORK is:
Björn "Speed" Strid - vocals
Simon Johansson - guitars
Sven Karlsson - keyboards
Sylvain Coudret - guitars
Bastian Thusgaard - drums
Rasmus Ehrnborn – bass
“Welcome Year Zero!,” says Super7, announcing the addition of Ghost’s Papa Emeritus II to their new 7” scale deluxe figure world.
This articulated figure is inspired by the charismatic frontman’s onstage guise in the Infestissumam album era, features intricate sculpt and premium paint detailing, includes a soft goods robe and staff accessory with Grucifix detail, and comes packaged on a die cut card back. Available and shipping now from Super7.com.
Ghost recently announced their 2025 world tour. Details can be found here. Watch a video trailer below.
Tour dates:
April
15 - AO Arena - Manchester, United Kingdom
16 - OVO Hydro - Glasgow, United Kingdom
19 - The O2 - London, United Kingdom
20 - Utilita Arena Birmingham - Birmingham, United Kingdom
22 - Sportpaleis - Antwerpen, Belgium
23 - Festhalle - Frankfurt, Germany
2 - Olympiahalle - München, Germany
26 - LDLC Arena - Lyon, France
27 - Zénith de Toulouse - Toulouse, France
29 - MEO Arena - Lisboa, Portugal
30 - Palacio Vistalegre - Madrid, Spain
May
3 - Hallenstadion - Zürich, Switzerland
4 - Forum - Assago, Italy
7 - Uber Arena - Berlin, Germany
8 - Ziggo Dome - Amsterdam, Netherlands
10 - Atlas Arena - Łódź, Poland
11 - O2 Arena - Prague, Czech Republic
13 - Accorhotels Arena - Paris, France
14 - Rudolf Weber-ARENA - Oberhausen, Germany
15 - ZAG Arena - Hannover, Germany
17 - Royal Arena - Copenhagen, Denmark
20 - Tampereen monitoimiareena - Tampere, Finland
22 - Saab Arena - Linköping, Sweden
23 - Göransson Arena AB - Sandviken, Sweden
24 - Oslo Spektrum Arena - Oslo, Norway
July
9 - CFG Bank Arena - Baltimore, MD
11 - State Farm Arena - Atlanta, GA
12 - Amalie Arena - Tampa, FL
13 - Kaseya Center - Miami, FL
15 - Lenovo Center - Raleigh, NC
17 - Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse - Cleveland, OH
8 - PPG Paints Arena - Pittsburgh, PA
19 - Wells Fargo Center - Philadelphia, PA
21 - TD Garden - Boston, MA
22 - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
24 - Little Caesars Arena - Detroit, MI
25 - KFC Yum! Center - Louisville, KY
26 - Bridgestone Arena - Nashville, TN
Italian metallers, Labyrinth, have released "Out Of Place", the new single from their new album, In The Vanishing Echoes Of Goodbye, set for release on January 24 via Frontiers Music Srl. Watch a music video below, and pre-order the new album here.
Vocalist Roberto Tiranti describes the new single by saying: “The song essentially talks about my/our feeling of feeling alien and out of this historical period, in which we no longer recognize the world for what it was and sometimes we struggle to recognize ourselves. Everything has changed too quickly in these last five years to the point of taking our breath away. The only safe harbour was and is music, a fixed point in our lives.”
Labyrinth express their enthusiasm about the new album: “In The Vanishing Echoes Of Goodbye is our latest work. As the years go by, we feel increasingly free from formulas and stylistic boundaries that sometimes trap a band within a specific musical genre. With this album, we set out to achieve total freedom, allowing each of us to fully express ourselves."
“Perhaps for this reason, combined with the reality of living in increasingly dark times, this work has become our heaviest, fastest, and angriest album to date, while still making it to keep our typical melodic/melancholic touch. We are very proud of it, and today, that's what Labyrinth are”, they continue.
Labyrinth are considered as one of the leaders of the entire New Wave Of Italian Power Metal. Formed in the early 90’s, with the release of their 1998’s album Return To Heaven Denied, considered a milestone for the genre, they caught the attention of the entire European scene, gaining success and building their important career made of great albums and tours.
Together with acts like Rhapsody Of Fire, Lacuna Coil, they helped the entire Italian heavy metal scene to reach the next level globally.
Over the years the band went through difficult times and several lineup changes, taking a break from 2010 to 2017 and, in the spring of 2016, the band’s founding members Andrea Cantarelli and Olaf Thorsen received a call from Frontiers, asking them to discuss with singer Roberto Tiranti the possibility of a comeback for the band.
Now with In The Vanishing Echoes Of Goodbye, the third album for Frontiers Records, once again they delivered the goods, turning their music heavier than in the past but keeping the speedy power metal attitude with unforgettable hooks, epic prog infused metal songs, and some great melodic numbers, resulting in a record that is going to become another milestone for the Italian metal masters.
Starting with the opener “Welcome Twilight”, with its Epic Latin choruses, through songs like “Out Of Place”, “The Right Side Of This World”, you can find the band’s typical band’s trademark, with a stellar performance and a powerful production.
Alongside the original members Roberto Tiranti (vocals), Olaf Thorsen (guitars) and Andrea Cantarelli (guitars), the lineup is completed by Oleg Smirnoff (keys), Nik Mazzucconi (bass) and Mattia Peruzzi (drums).
Hailing from the UK, Sorceress Of Sin will release their new album, Ennea, on December 20th via Wormholedeath Records. An album teaser is available below.
"We are delving deep into the heart of Greek mythology, channelling the power and passion of the Olympian gods into our music. Expect a breathtaking fusion of epic storytelling and heavy metal, where gods and mortals collide in a symphony of sound."
Tracklist:
"Odyl"
"Reina"
"Poseidon"
"The Quest"
"Nymphet"
"Clarity of Confusion"
"Trickster"
"Destructive Descent"
"Artisan"
Canadian thrashers Triskelyon have a new music video, "Endgame Euphoria", in support of their third album, Shattered Elysium unveiled this past September via Moribund Records. Check it out below.
Band founder Geoff Waye comments:
"'Endgame Euphoria' is the final music video from Shattered Elysium. The track critiques both the media's fixation on 'bad' news and the audience's morbid fascination with watching disasters unfold, often with a mix of glee and dread. Whether the tragedies are natural or man-made, they dominate the headlines and can distort perceptions. A line from the song encapsulates this sentiment: 'Braindead salivating / Fixate on tragedy / Cheerlead downfall / Revel in the anarchy.' While staying informed is important, so too is knowing when to step away and enjoy life."
Shattered Elysium runs the gamut from pure '80s thrash and speed Metal to classic power Metal, and traditional metal, and even includes some brutal death-thrashers. It attains an impressive new milestone in classic thrash metal, with far-reaching appeal across all heavy metal sub-genres. “Shattered Elysium” truly resurrects the glory days of the 1980s, while maintaining a fresh and modern sound!
In keeping with Triskelyon's tradition of closing their albums with an iconic cover, this release delivers a thunderous metal rendition of Duran Duran's mega-hit “Hungry Like the Wolf.” This powerful transformation is destined to become a radio sensation and ignite a storm of social media buzz!
The album features a thrilling list of guest musicians that includes the vocal talents of Amanda Kiernan (Into Eternity, The Order of Chaos), Eric Forrest (E-Force, ex-VoiVod), Tiina Teal (Détente), Amanda Jackman (Category VI), Armin Kamal (Infrared), Dale Drew (Sea Dogs), Fíochmhar (Artach), and Des Mason & Pete Healey
From Las Vegas, Nevada, SpiritWorld presents new single "Western Stars & The Apocalypse."
A thrashing, 2-minute blitz of metallic hardcore, drenched in SpiritWorld's signature Old West occultism, "Western Stars & The Apocalypse" is the band's first new music to be revealed since the release of their acclaimed second album, Deathwestern, in 2022.
The song was engineered and mixed by longtime SpiritWorld producer Sam Pura and mastered by Alberto de Icaza (King Crimson, Clutch).
"I wrote 'Western Stars & The Apocalypse' right after Deathwestern came out, when we got home from touring Europe with Agnostic Front," states SpiritWorld founder/ frontman Stu Folsom. The New York hardcore influence is evident in the blistering song, but Folsom also gives credit to a more unlikely muse: "I was revisiting a lot of Bob Dylan in my bunk on that tour and there is a nod to his song 'Desolation Row' in the lyrics."
Directed by Rob Zombie collaborator Balázs Gróf, the official "Wester
German metal legends Blind Guardian have checked in with the following update:
"There’s no December without the catchy tune par excellence! We have put together a new music video for 'Merry Xmas Everybody' featuring previously unseen behind-the-scenes footage! Prepare yourself for a dose of glam rock metal!
'Merry Xmas Everybody' (originally by Slade) was recorded at Twilight Hall Studios, Germany & Sandlane Recording Facilities, The Netherlands, November 6 to November 16, 2020."
Somewhere Far Beyond Revisited, which was recorded in 2022 and 2023, is a refreshing and powerful tribute to one of the most influential albums in German metal history. It paved the way for Blind Guardian’s international career that is still going strong today and this re-recording impresses with all the class and quality these pioneers have been known and respected for since forming as Lucifer’s Heritage three decades ago.
Watch a live video for the revisited version of their most popular track, "The Bard's Song - In The Forest":
Somewhere Far Beyond Revisited is out now and can be listened to in full at any streaming service or purchased in physical form. Get it here
Tracklisting:
"Time What is Time" (Revisited)
"Journey Through the Dark" (Revisited)
"Black Chamber" (Revisited)
"Theatre of Pain" (Revisited)
"The Quest for Tanelorn" (Revisited)
"Ashes to Ashes" (Revisited)
"The Bard’s Song – In the Forest" (Revisited)
"The Bard’s Song – The Hobbit" (Revisited)
"The Piper’s Calling" (Revisited)
"Somewhere Far Beyond" (Revisited)
"Ashes To Ashes" live at Hellfest 2022 video:
About Somewhere Far Beyond Revisited:
Right on time with their show at 2024’s edition of Wacken Open Air, Blind Guardian proudly announced the release of Somewhere Far Beyond Revisited on August 2, which includes a complete re-recording of this classic as well as a live celebration of 1992’s Somewhere Far Beyond, a landmark record for Germany’s heavy metal titans. After three albums on No Remorse Records, it was the band’s major label debut via Virgin Records and opened the doors to the Japanese market resulting in a wider availability and presence on the global metal scene. After finding the right balance of speed, heaviness, melodies, drama, and irresistible choruses on 1990’s Tales From The Twilight World, Somewhere Far Beyond honed this approach to perfection, evolving further on a conceptual level and increasing Blind Guardian’s sonic range. On Somewhere Far Beyond the band experimented with keyboards, orchestrations, and folk elements, the latter manifesting in the group’s best-known song and live staple, "The Bard's Song (In The Forest)", whereas other tracks like "Ashes to Ashes", the rapid "Journey Through The Dark" or "The Quest For Tanelorn" connected well with previous mostly fast-paced albums yet offered an additional push in dynamics.
Fast forward 30 years! Prior to releasing the much lauded opus The God Machine in September 2022, Blind Guardian had been performing Somewhere Far Beyond in its entirety at Rock Hard Festival and Hellfest in Summer 2022 in front of tens of thousands of fans singing along to each track. Both shows were filmed and recorded professionally and aired via WDR and ARTE. For the limited triple-disc-edition of Somewhere Far Beyond Revisited the Hellfest material was newly edited by the ba
Today, Tarja releases Rocking Heels: Live At Hellfest via earMUSIC. In celebration, the official "No Bitter End" (Live At Hellfest) video is available for streaming below.
On June 19, 2016, Tarja delivered a captivating performance at Hellfest, one of Europe's largest and most prestigious metal festivals held in Clisson, France. Her powerful blend of operatic vocals and heavy metal instrumentation enthralled the audience, making her performance one of the festival's highlights. The setlist featured a carefully curated mix of her solo work and iconic Nightwish songs.
Opening with “No Bitter End” from her 2016 album, The Shadow Self, Tarja set the tone for an evening of intensity and emotion. Her dynamic stage presence and dramatic musical arrangements created an unforgettable experience, solidifying her status as one of metal's greatest female singers.
Experience the raw energy and powerful emotion of Tarja Turunen's unforgettable performance at Hellfest 2016. Rocking Heels: Live At Hellfest is available as a Ltd. 1LP Gatefold Vinyl Edition, CD Digip
The brand new German symphonic / epic metal band, Skytribe, have released their debut single, “Kingdom Of The Sky”, via Reaper Entertainment. It is accompanied by a spectacular and lavishly produced music video which can be viewed below.
The video for “Kingdom Of The Sky” was shot at the impressive Externsteine in the Teutoburg Forest (North Rhine-Westphalia). Produced by Ismael Meisingen and Jannis Krenke, it shows the band as an energetic unit in a unique setting.
The band comments: “The time has come: Skytribe is here! We are a female-fronted metal band that combines hard riffs with epic orchestral sounds. Our music is powerful, melodic and comes straight from the heart - carried by Dorothée Kahler's expressive voice.
Croatia’s finest folk metal powerhouse, Manntra, bring roaring hymns and swelling horns, announcing their 8th studio album Titans, set for release on February 21 via Napalm Records.
With seven albums already under their belts and a reputation forged on stages like the mighty Wacken Open Air and tours with legends like German folk mainstays In Extremo, Manntra has proven themselves as a tour de force in the metal world. Titans is another testament to their unstoppable momentum, blending ancient tradition with modern sounds to create something truly unforgettable.
Giving insight on their latest onslaught, today, Manntra release their first single, a tribute to YouTube phenomenon Miracle Of Sound, an explosive cover of “Skal”. This high-octane track is a resounding toast to unity, revelry, and the timeless power of music. With their signature fusion of raw metal riffs, traditional folk instrumentation, and industrial elements, Manntra delivers an electrifying rendition of this modern classic, turning it into a full-fledged anthem for warriors, dreamers, and partygoers alike. Rooted in the band’s unique soundscape, “Skal” is a riot of pounding drums, razor-sharp guitars, and soulful pipes, seamlessly blending raucous energy with melodic folk charm, showcasing Manntra’s ability to bridge worlds with their masterful songwriting. Whether you’re a metalhead, a folk enthusiast, or simply someone who loves a good party, this track will have you raising your glass and stomping your feet.
Manntra on the new single “Skal" (Miracle Of Sound Cover): “’Skal’ is the first single from our upcoming album Titans. We chose to cover this song by Miracle Of Sound because it captivated us from the first listen and already embodied the Manntra vibe. It felt like a song we could have written in a parallel reality. While we typically don’t do covers, this one perfectly aligns with the energy and themes of the album!”
Watch the video for “Skal" below.
Formed in 2012 around mastermind Marko Matijević Sekul, the band has proven to be extremely productive as Titans is already their eighth studio album. Over the years the quintet developed their trademark sound by combining raw metal riffs and hard-hitting industrial sounds with traditional folk instruments, unleashing a relentless storm of catchy metal hymns. Manntra’s high energy soundscape is skillfully built by supposed opposites: authentic folk instruments like pipes and mandolins interwoven with raspy male vocals and an uplifting industrial metal sound. With their newest masterpiece they clearly take no prisoners as the album sets off with the title track “Titans” delivering forceful rhythms and powerful drumming. This continues on tracks like “Higher” or “Riders In The Dawn” kicking off with strong intros. Like no other, Manntra manage effortlessly to transport the ancient tunes into modern times by combining its folk elements with synths like on “My Sandman” or the album closer “Nav” delivering massive melodies. But Manntra also stay true to their roots with "Teuta” telling the story of a legendary Illyrian queen who reigned in Croatia around 200 BC and “Unholy Water (Voda)” containing a catchy chorus and intense female folk vocals delivering a hymn like melody with lyrics partly in Croatian. The same can be witnessed on the extremely groovy and catchy “Heart Of The Storm”, while uplifting “Skal” is a song to get every folk party started. A clear highlight are the combined songs “Forgotten Pt.1” and “Forgotten Pt.2” which are true industrial metal masterpieces that seamlessly cross genres, heavily leaning towards electronic elements, while maintaining their very own soundscape.
Overall Titans convinces with an enormous hit-density and sets a clear mark, delivering proud hymns and in-your-face metal songs that are undeniable, proving that Manntra are on the very top of their game, ready to enter the next level of their promising journey!
Titans will be available in the following formats:
- 1 Vinyl Bundle (Tote Bag, Autograph Card, Drinking horn, Patch, Invitation Card "Online Meet & Greet" - Napalm Records mail order only - strictly limited to 300)
- 1 CD Bundle (Tote Bag, Autograph Card, Drinking horn, Patch, Invitation Card "Online Meet & Greet" - Napalm Records mail order only - strictly limited to 300)
- 1 LP Marbled Orange / Black - Napalm Records mail order only - strictly limited to 200
- 1 LP Black Vinyl
- 6p Digipak + Booklet
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