Harder Truths is the epic debut solo release from JOSEPH IZAYEA featuring some heavyweights of the metal world including the legendary Doc Coyle from BAD WOLVES & GOD FORBID, Kris Norris, formerly of DARKEST HOUR, Buz McGrath of UNEARTH, Chris Daniele, formerly of The ACACIA STRAIN, Tim MacMillar of PROTEST THE HERO, THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD’s Justin Longshore, as well as Josh Gilbert of AS I LAY DYING / WOVENWAR.
“I’m most pleased to announce that final mixing and mastering of this record is well underway and fast approaching completion on schedule. The fate of this endeavor couldn’t be in better hands than those at Chris Daniele Audio and I’m stoked beyond measure to have him at the helm in the control room on top of contributing nothing short of a barn burner to the collaboration. Final cover art has also been completed, courtesy of Meserve Designs. Matt did a stellar job bringing the concept and symbolism of this release to life in the span of one image, and I’m most enthused to see the work involved in putting this together finally bear fruit! Chenqui!”
JOSEPH has been producing songs and performing as a vocalist since 2007, and has released nine albums, numerous singles and covers of various genres. Currently the vocalist for FROM UNDER CONCRETE KINGS, SEEKING SIRENS, and SOUR TIMES, he’s shown no signs of slowing down. This collaboration album will be released under the umbrella of JOSEPH’s production company “Do Work” on the 26th November 2021.
Canadian heavy metal powerhouse STRIKER is back from the grave!
With rumours running rampant of the band calling it quits after they posted an image that was titled “RIP Striker 2007-2021” on their social media earlier this week, the award-winning shredders are excited to reveal that it was all just an ambiguous post that got fans speculating on the band’s future and was made to prepare them for the new music.
“We are finally ready to share our new single Deathwish. Inspired by 1980s AOR with a modern twist, Deathwish is a heavy metal banger we can’t wait to play live someday soon!” adds vocalist Dan Cleary.
The single is the first taste of new recordings since releasing their Juno award-winning album 2018’s “Play To Win” along with it being Striker‘s introductory track with new drummer Jonathan Webster and bassist Pete Klassen who join the band in 2019.
In additional news, Striker was scheduled to support Unleash The Archers on their upcoming European tour this November, which was just recently announced as canceled. The band does vow there will be live shows in the cards for them in 2022 with concert updates to be shared when confirmed.
Champions in blending classic heavy metal, hard rock, and 80’s hair metal, Striker have been making shredtacular anthems since 2007. The band has toured multiple times across Europe and North America along with festival appearances at 70,000 Tons of Metal, Bang Your Head Festival (Germany), and more to add to their almost 1000 shows performed in their decade-plus career.
The band has been honoured with multiple Best Album awards in their home country of Canada from the JUNO Awards, Western Canadian Music Awards, and the Edmonton Music Awards. Since their inception, Striker has released six studio albums: Eyes in the Night (2010, Iron Kodex), Armed to The Teeth (2012, Napalm), City of Gold (2014, Napalm), Stand in the Fire (2016, Record Breaking), Striker (2017, Record Breaking), and Play to Win (2018, Record Breaking).
The new single from Canadian death metal horror freaks VHS is ready to impale you like Vlad. “Horror of Dracula” is a bloody death ‘n’ roll basher featuring guest vocals from Trevor Strnad of THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER. The song was premiered exclusively at Decibel Magazine ahead of the December release of the band’s upcoming vampire-themed record I Heard They Suck… Blood. With songs based on vamp classics like The Lost Boys and Near Dark, the album will thrill death metal and horror fanatics alike.
Decibel Magazine writes:
“Fans of EXHUMED, IMPETIGO, CARCASS, MORTICIAN and fake blood will go nuts for “Horror of Dracula,” which hits all the pleasure spots in the brain: ominous riffs, fast-paced mosh parts, guttural grooves and a Simpsons sample. Strnad’s vocals add another layer of depth, in addition to a familiar voice.”
Austrian black metal band IN CRUCEM AGERE have released the title track from their upcoming album Calling the Void. The album will be released via code666 on October 22.
Originally formed in 2010, the project encompasses a narrative exploring the darkness inside man for whom there is no hope of salvation. Calling the Void sees the next chapter of this haunting concept unveiled.
L-R: Ravenous Current Line Up Skyler Mills (Guitar) | Dave Crnkovic (Drums) | R. A. Voltaire (Vocals) | Chris Valax (Bass) | Jake Wright (Guitar) Photo Credit – Monika Deviat
CD Release Show Oct 15th – Calgary, AB – Dickens
“Hubris” Out October 22nd via Feast Beast Records (NA/EU) / Spiritual Beast (Asia)
Album guests: Vincent ‘Jake’ Jones of Aether Realm, Heinrich Yoshio of Aether Realm, Mathias Blad of Falconer, Nina Osegueda of A Sound of Thunder, The Dread Crew of Oddwood (Full Band)
Canadian metallers Ravenous have partnered up with Calgary’s New Level Brewing for the release of a limited-edition beer, called ‘Speed Metal Blonde’. The beer is in celebration of “Hubris”, the upcoming second album by Ravenous, with the label designed by frontman R. A. Voltaire.
“We have had so many iconic bands and friends of ours release their own booze, it became a symbolic milestone for us! Luckily, with the support of New Level Brewing, we were able to make that milestone come to life – and it’s tasty!”
The beer is a smooth and crushable Blonde Ale for those in league with the craft beer devil, with a sophisticated and nuanced profile. Crisp, clean and refreshing, yet metal enough to be the crowd favorite at shows. Ingredients are water, yeast, barley, and hops, with oats added for a fuller body and additional sweetness.
‘Speed Metal Blonde’ is only available in Canadian markets and is limited to 1000 cans – available during all Ravenous show dates in Canada until they’re gone! The band’s next live performance will be in Calgary, AB on October 15th at Dicken for their “Hubris” album launch show. Details can be found on Ravenous‘ Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/RavenousE.H/events
Canada’s Ravenous will be unleashing their new album “Hubris” on October 22nd via Feast Beast Records for North America plus Europe and for Asia via Spiritual Beast with exclusive bonus tracks “Cakaw Te Partiro” and “一瞬千撃” for the Japanese version.
Ravenous currently have two singles out “Astral Elixir” and “Die 1000 Deaths” off “Hubris”, which can be heard at the following links:
Ravenous brings a full lineup of experienced musicians together, ones that have toured extensively and are fully dedicated to providing a high-energy, high-intensity live experience. They seek to inspire others to find that inner triumph and glory that drove them to form this project – whether that means starting their own band, or just finding the strength to make a change in their lives – they seek to empower their followers through every step of their journey.
Recommended for fans of Powerwolf, Sabaton, and Unleash the Archers, Ravenous is bringing you anthemic tunes from a time when metal was hungry.
“Hubris” was produced by Ravenous with mixing and mastering done by Fredrik Nordström (In Flames, Opeth, Firewind) along with album guests Vincent ‘Jake’ Jones of Aether Realm, Heinrich Yoshio of Aether Realm, Mathias Blad of Falconer, Nina Osegueda of A Sound of Thunder, The Dread Crew of Oddwood (Full Band).
From the twitter timeline of UFO: Rock The Castle in Verona, Italy, has today confirmed UFO for their Saturday line-up on 25th June 2022. Tickets will be available from ticketone.it/artist/rock-ca…
NEPTHISIS has unleashed their new single “Remnants of You” via Ghost Cult Magazine. The song is from their upcoming, chaos-driven album Spiral Hollow due out on January 21, 2022.
The artist comments:
“During the pandemic, I took a deep, dark dive and unleashed my true honest, chosen sound and identity in an album under the dark goddess name & brand NEPTHISIS. The music is dark and heart-wrenching, and pairs with cinematic visuals and storytelling. This is my dream, and it’s coming to fruition. It feels exciting and vulnerable, daring and aligned.”
Nepthisis is super excited to share our first single Remnants of You. It was created over the course of the past few years. And it is an honor to share it with you. May it impact you the way it’s our own.”
Spearheaded by multi-disciplined artist SheilaEden, Spiral Hollow comes from a place below the surface where the sleepless and sinister dwell. Heavily inspired by Egyptian mythology and the twin goddesses Nephthys and Isis – from which the outfit garners their name – Spiral Hollow is transformed by the darkest of dreams and the most primal desires. Musically, this exploration takes on gothic nuances while abandoning any hesitation in exchange for a more aggressive spirit unbound by genres.
NEPTHISIS dwells in the realm of modern female performers CHELSEAWOLFE and ZOLAJESUS – combining goth, industrial, electronic, and experimental rock. The musical influences are cross-genre with tonal qualities of hard-hitting 1990s groups DEFTONES, MASSIVE ATTACK, NINE INCH NAILS, MY BLOODY VALENTINE and HOW TO DESTROY ANGELS.
NEPTHISIS is a multi-faceted and dynamic musical discovery that will engulf fans in a shroud of the unknown. Walk the uncharted path with NEPTHISIS.
RAIBARD has released a music video along with a re-mix of their dynamic, progressive rock song “Forest of Song” off of their album, The Queen of the Night (2017). The 10-minute journey shows off the band’s exceptional musicianship and focuses “on the inner hidden dimension which holds all song and music. The universal mind of music.”
Based out of Boston, Massachusetts, the dynamic rock trio, RAIBARD, combine an array of genre influences and styles to produce an experimental, progressive sound. Their new album, Dark Realm of the Daylight, is no exception.
“We made this record for everyone who doesn’t fit inside a preconceived box. We don’t fit in either. ‘Dark Realm of the Daylight’ is about nonconformity. It’s about exploring who you are without any judgement; about letting go of rigid thought and antiquated visions. ‘Dark Realm’ is opening to experience the world as it truly is.”
The band was founded in December 2015 by DanielGil and they draw upon musical inspiration from rock and metal bands including LED ZEPPELIN, THE BEATLES, and OPETH. Daniel also brings in his interest as a modern mystic; someone who experiences hidden realities and studies ancient texts on mysticism. The title track on the new album is inspired by author and teacher Tony Buzan who teaches about mind mapping and the genius of every single human being, promoting the advancement of consciousness through inner awareness and compassionate living.
From the psychedelic soundscape of “Eternal Rise” through to the more heavily, distorted guitars in “Forever After”, Dark Realm of the Daylight is transcendent in nature. The album explores the light and the dark through progressive instrumentation, intricate composition, and meaningful lyrical themes. Become immersed in the dynamic atmosphere exploring a sense of the avant-garde.
Members: DanielGil – guitar, and voice PhilMacKay – drums, and percussion GregDellaria – bass guitar
Let’s finish what we started. Shall we?” – Maynard James Keenan
LOS ANGELES – TOOL have announced a mammoth 2022 tour, with the Los Angeles-based band spending 3 months traversing the U.S. followed by a month of European dates.
TOOL elected to kick off the highly-anticipated trek in Eugene, Ore. as a nod to the abrupt halt to their 2020 Fear Inoculum tour. Slated to play the Matthew Knight Arena on March 12, 2020, the show, along with the band’s remaining tour dates, was canceled as nationwide lockdowns began to take effect that evening.
It is with great pleasure I get to announce our return to the road,” said Danny Carey. “These past 18 months have been trying to say the least but from great trials come great lessons and great rewards. We are genuinely looking forward to sharing them with you.”
Tickets for all dates went on sale Friday, Oct. 1st at 10 am local time (UK and Irish dates went on-sale at 9 am local time).
Blonde Redhead opens on dates from Jan. 10 to Feb. 10. The Acid Helps opens from Feb. 19 to March 20.
FearInoculum arrived in August of 2019, following years of anticipation. The album debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200, shattering sales and radio records while also earning widespread critical praise. NPR said, “Fear Inoculum was worth the 13-year wait,” The Atlantic declared the release “precise and devastating,” Revolver dubbed the 10-track album “a masterpiece that will be dissected for years to come” and Consequence of Sound said Fear Inoculum finds “TOOL in peak performance.”
Photo credit: Travis Shinn
TOOL formed in 1990, releasing five studio albums: Undertow (1993), Ænima (1996), Lateralus (2001), 10,000 Days (2006), and Fear Inoculum (2019); two EPs: 72826 (1991) and Opiate (1992), and the limited-edition boxset Salival (2000). The band has won four GRAMMY Awards®: Best Metal Performance (1998, “Ænima”), Best Metal Performance (2002, “Schism”), Best Recording Package (2007, 10,000 Days) and Best Metal Performance (2020, “7empest”). TOOL is DannyCarey (drums), JustinChancellor (bass), AdamJones (guitar) and MaynardJamesKeenan (vocals).
Texas death bringers I AM will kick off 2022 supporting death metal veterans Nile on their Age Of Vile Divinities US Tour. The trek begins on February 3rd in Nashville, Tennessee and makes its way through over two dozen cities, coming to a close on March 12th in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Additional support will be provided by Incantation and Sanguisugabogg.
Comments the band: “We’re incredibly excited to smash over a month of dates with some monsters of bands. With new music hidden away, it’s swelled up and ready to burst. Be prepared to enter into our domain. See y’all in February!” See all confirmed dates below.
I AM have come to embody the subgenre known as “Texas death.” While the band takes influence from “The Big Four,” their homage to artists like Pantera, Power Trip, and Cro-Mags is undeniable. Their signature style of dive-bomb guitars and guitar-driven riffs has come to define the genre.
Formed by vocalist AndrewHileman in 2011, I AM quickly gained recognition in the great state of Texas as being a band meant for bigger things. After paying their proverbial dues and touring relentlessly, solidifying Texas death across North America on tour with bands like The Acacia Strain, For The Fallen Dreams, and Kublai Khan, I AM released their debut album, Life Through Torment, in February of 2017.
By 2018, the band began recording a new album with Randy Lebeouf at Graphic Nature Audio (Kublai Khan, Left Behind, Great American Ghost) with a vision of capturing their chaotic live performance and power they’d become known for. Hard 2 Kill was released in November of that year to serious critical acclaim. Decibel Magazine declared, “I AM know how to write songs that make you want to move,” Kerrang! noted, “Devoid of pretension and brimming with tangible anger, the band’s music is an angry headbanger’s dream.”
I AM will release their next full-length via MNRKHeavy with details to be unveiled in the months to come.
HorrorPainGoreDeathProductions are set to unleash the debut album from Italian terror Maestro DOLORE. L’Orrendo Spettacolo della Morte is up now for pre-order and will be released October 31st on CD and Digital formats.
The fuse is running short and Dolore is now lurking in the shadows… again! Horror Pain Gore Death Productions are proud to unleash the debut album from Italy’s soundtrack master of pain DOLORE, L’Orrendo Spettacolo della Morte! Originally released in 2019, L’Orrendo Spettacolo della Morte (Death’s Horrendous Show) is the first gruesomely morbid and horrific opus from Italian terror maestro DOLORE, available for the first time on CD format.
This album showcases DOLORE’s most gore-soaked tunes in true, uncompromising Fabio Frizzi fashion. Imagine a non-existing movie where all of your nightmares come real paired with the uncanny, obsessive sound of sinister synths and unearthly electronic beats drag you further down towards an unfathomable abyss of terror… pain is what you’ll gain! The icy hands of Death tighten the tourniquet around your neck, and creep into your soul! For fans of Antón García Abril, Buio Mondo, Carpenter Brut, Claudio Simonetti, Ennio Morricone, Fabio Frizzi, Goblin, Joel Grind, John Carpenter, Morte Macabre, Riz Ortolani, S U R V I V E, Tangerine Dream, Zombi and other masters of horror & giallo.
On October 8th 2021, rockers THREEFOURTHSFRANCIS released their debut album ElectricTelegraph. The band was formed by a bunch of guys who have been jamming together since they went to St. Francis of Assisi grade school in south St. Louis county. Although the line-up has undergone several changes and rotations over the years, at any given time 75% of the band has been composed of St. Francis of Assisi alumni, hence the name THREE FOURTHS FRANCIS. Their sound is reminiscent of rockers such as CHEAP TRICK, THE ROLLING STONES, THE WHO and ENUFF Z’ NUFF.
Track listing: 1) Something New 2) Tipper Failed 3) Hoffman’s Grove 4) Sunshine 5) Trailer Trash 6) Kings and Queens of Yesterday 7) Dead Flowers (Rolling Stones Cover)
Los Angeles born and guitar-driven heavy metal icons ALCATRAZZ today release their epic new single “Grace Of God.” The track is taken from the anticipated new full-length, V, set for release October 15th via Silver Lining Music.
The band celebrates the release of “Grace Of God” with a new video contrasting scenes of beautiful, breathtaking landscape with somber and evocative displays of raw emotion and battle. The track takes the listener on a monumental journey with vocalist Doogie White’s powerful soaring vocals, perfectly complimented by Joe Stump and Jimmy Waldo’s intricate weaving guitars and keys wizardry, bolstered by the thunderous and robust bass and drums from Gary Shea and Mark Benquechea.
“I love ‘Grace Of God,’” comments White, “it is a cracking tune with lots of intricate vocal parts; I love what everybody in the band has done on it, it has great energy and drive… It’s just magic!
“Lyrically, it is set in the Middle Ages,” White continues, “it is about the fear of being sent off to war to fight for your King, your Queen, or your country… to invade a land you’ve never heard of, to conquer people you know nothing about, to fight for a reason you’re not sure of, and the desperation in accepting such fate.”
“When I first heard ‘Grace Of God,’ I just couldn’t believe how perfectly well the melody and lyrics fit together: it’s hard to imagine anything else being better than that,” enthuses Waldo. “Doogie has the ability to write exactly what the melody of a track calls for and the result is very powerful.”
BlackDonutRecords is pleased to announce that they have signed avant-garde trio BOVINENIGHTMARES. The self-titled debut album is set to be released next year on CD, vinyl and digital formats. The band recently contributed a track to World Without End, An Underground Tribute To Samhain and will also be featured on the upcoming MELVINS tribute A Future of Bad Men, both of which are on Black Donut Records.
The band’s warped vision of dark riffs, maniacal crooning and growling, and time signature mayhem have carved out a unique sound that’s akin to a melding of THE MELVINS, FAITH NO MORE, and TOM WAITS. They’ve been blending experimental and familiar soundscapes and rejecting the boredom of formula and compromise since 2019.
Black Donut Records owner Morey Straus commented “I’ve been a huge fan since discovering the band on social media a couple of years ago. I am thrilled that they chose us to release their first full length record.”‘
WILDSTREET’s latest album III (1.6 million streams) was released via Golden Robot Records in June. It boasted some incredibly successful singles like ‘Mother’, ‘Set It Off’, ‘Still Love You’ and ‘Born To Be’. III gathered a huge amount of critical acclaim both with fans and press alike, and saw some amazing album reviews.
To follow on from the success of III,Wildstreet will bring their fans a real treat with their cover of The 69 EYES hit, ‘Mrs. Sleazy’. The single will be released digitally via Golden Robot Records on the 18th of October.
WIQLDSTREET recorded their cover of The 69 EYES ‘Mrs. Sleazy’ after Jyrki 69 responded to this question on Twitter in 2011: ‘Which songs & which bands would you want to record covers of your songs?’ Never playing the song as a band, they quickly demoed the song, and recruited drummer Dennis Leeflang (Bumblefoot) to guest on the final track. WILDSTREET intended to release the song in December 2012 as a free ‘Christmas gift’ for fans, but with an industry in transition and the band on the verge of breakup the cover was never properly released until now.
WILDSTREET’s ‘Mrs. Sleazy’ pays obvious tribute to the The 69 EYES. The band effortlessly captures the original song’s Helsinki punk-rock attitude, while not at all subtly (ie: guitar harmonies and a frantic two hand tapping guitar solo) reminding the listener that this is WILDSTREET.
Making friends and headlines, the band has spent most of 2021 touring in the USA. Their ‘Kings Of World Tour’ has included a stop at Rockfest WI in July & will take them to Europe in October to perform alongside label mates Hardcore Superstar at Swiss Rock Cruise. Their tour plans in Europe include shows in Switzerland, France & Belgium. 2022 will begin with tour dates in Mexico and Colombia with Crashdiet & HRH Spring Break in the United Kingdom.
American Southern Gothic Black Metal band THENOCTAMBULANT are pleased to announce that they have inked a deal with NonServiamRecords. The new album will be released in Autumn 2021as a physical CD Digipak and through all digital platforms.
The band comments: “We are extremely proud to sign with Non Serviam records. We know several of their bands already and we are now ready to form an alliance so powerful that only darkness can master.”
Non Serviam Records CEO Ricardo Gelok further comments:
“I knew when I heard the dark, melodic and evil tones of The Noctambulant that this is a band that I had to sign. Every time I listen to their music I feel like I’m experiencing a dark ritual. The band is a huge asset for the label, and we are really pleased to work with them”
Finland’s InbornTendency brings their particular brand of groove-oriented death metal to the world via TheCharonCollective. The trio’s new EP, “GodKiller,” features four songs exhibiting their fusion of punishing metal, hardcore principles, and splendid melody. Aside from delivering pummeling guitar riffs, you can expect lyrics that delve into matters of the heart like faith, life, and death.
You can buy Inborn Tendency’s “Godkiller” on CD or Digital now right here. It’s also available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and other streaming outlets.
You can get more info about Inborn Tendency on their Facebook page.
See what other bands and projects are available from The Charon Collective here.
Following her ethereal single “January Moon” in June, MORDIAN returns to haunt the Halloween season with her chilling rendition of “Sally’s Lament” from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Her voice is joined by the hypnotic crooning of David Dubenic (DISSONA) as Jack Skellington. Take a walk through the pumpkin patch as they serenade you with this classic tune from the iconic film.
“This cover is my tribute to a film that was a huge part of my childhood, with my own twist on it. Having David Dubenic portray Jack made everything come together perfectly. It was a lot of fun to create and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”
MORDIAN has been winning hearts since her debut album, Romance In Disguise (2019). With her alluring voice she has crafted a unique musical approach she calls “Gothic-Alternative For The Darkened Heart.” Fans of gothic, Victorian, and metal music alike will find irresistible charm in her songs.
Her voice is chillingly apt when applied to her own version of “Sally’s Lament”. Breathlessly, the listener is carried along on her sorrow, until it is joined by David Dubenic’s heartbreaking interpretation of Jack’s verses. Their voices then unite in a final goosebump-inducing outcry of longing, and pure Halloween charm.
We are beyond excited about this one guys! April 16th, 2021 we will be headlining Hyperspace MetalFestivalIII in Vancouver. It’s Canada’s premier melodic & power metal festival!
This will be our first ever Canadian date and we are thrilled to be premiering in a new country alongside so many amazing bands!
We will be breaking out a few surprises and once more unveiling our brand of dark melodic metal on the live stage. It feels so good to start to have tour dates coming up where we can share our music with you. April 16th is going to be a special one any way you slice it!
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
RT @The_Lovely_One_: Always thinking about the giant Power Station poster in Nightmare On Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge. 😛🤘🏾 #FreddyK… 1 hour ago
Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
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