Celebrating their 40th anniversary, icons of heavy metal, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, have announced a US headlining tour this Fall! The excursion kicks off on November 10th in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and runs through November 27th in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Support will be provided by Spirit Adrift and The Native Howl. See all confirmed dates below and purchase tickets HERE.
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY w/ Spirit Adrift, The Native Howl: 11/10/2022 Chelsea’s Live – Baton Rouge, LA 11/11/2022 Vinyl Music Hall – Pensacola, FL 11/12/2022 Snowblind Festival – Atlanta, GA 11/13/2022 Growlers – Memphis, TN 11/15/2022 Ace Of Cups – Columbus, OH 11/17/2022 Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC 11/18/2022 The Queen – Wilmington, DE 11/19/2022 Granite State Music Hall – Laconia, NH 11/20/2022 Reverb – Reading, PA 11/22/2022 The Machine Shop – Flint, MI 11/23/2022 The Forge – Joliet, IL 11/25/2022 Headliners Music Hall – Louisville, KY 11/26/2022 Mr. Small’s Theatre – Millvale, PA 11/27/2022 The Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI
Since forming in 1982, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY has woven their distinct riffs deep into the fabric of heavy metal for over four decades. Across ten landmark, critically acclaimed albums, the band has continued evolving. From the early days of thrash to their more recent, blues-infused metal, the band has managed to progress with each release keeping fans and critics alike guessing.
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY’s most recent full-length, No Cross No Crown, was released in 2018 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. Recorded with longtime producer John Custer, the record marks the first studio recording with vocalist/guitarist Pepper Keenan in over a decade and, earning the #67 spot on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, #12 on the Billboard Top Current Albums Chart, and #3 on the Top Hard Music Albums Chart upon its first week of release, is the highest charting album of the band’s career.
Finnish melancholic metal band Denigrate takes a selection of tour dates in Europe in October and offers a chance to hear their latest Blackguard album live at its entirety.
Denigrate is supporting Fleshgod Apocalypse as follows:
24.10.22 Czech Republic, Prague @ Futurum 26.10.22 Poland, Poznan @ U Bazyala 27.10.22 Poland, Warsaw @ Proxima 28.10.22 Lithuania, Vilnius @ Vakaris 29.10.22 Latvia, Riga @ Melna Piektdiena 30.10.22 Finland, Helsinki @ Ääniwalli
Latest Denigrate album Blackguard was released April 22nd 2022 via Inverse Records.
Swedish Epic Heavy Metal duo Sordid Blade will release full-length debut album Every Battle HasIts Glory October 14 on CD, vinyl LP, and digital formats via Gates of Hell Records.
The album’s first single, “Hidden Enthronement,” is available to stream at: youtu.be/CWW4gOuwiFs
“I view heavy metal as an art form.” It is this simple but impactful summation that spills into the music of multi-instrumentalist and Sordid Blade figurehead Niklas Holm. Formed in 2021 out of his desire to create an epic heavy metal band in the vein of Hammerheart-era Bathory, Manilla Road and Warlord, Holm issued Sordid Blade’s two-song MMXXI demo in 2021. It was an early indicator of Holm’s ability to meld heroic proto-metal with the style and persuasion of his primary influences. After a brief period of soliciting prospective labels, Sordid Blade found its rightful place on Gates of Hell Records for the release of their first full-length, Every Battle Has Its Glory.
Every Battle Has Its Glory was tracked over the course of a year with engineer Kim Ekwall Lattik, with drum recording provided by Magnus Jonsson at Milk Studio, who also mixed the album. The album marks the first appearance of drummer Micael Zetterberg, who joined Sordid Blade after the release of MMXXI. Together, Holm and Zetterberg tap into the broad, illustrious field of true, mid-paced anthemic metal, harnessing stout riffing and choice melodies to form a sound that remains faithful to the style’s storied past.
Line-up:
Niklas Holm: Vocals, Guitar, and Bass
Micael Zetterberg – Drums
Holm’s lyrics deal with existential themes and how the individual can gain strength by focusing on what’s really important in the world. His lyrics are driven by metaphor, developing a sort of “code” for the listener to decipher. Once they do, they will find a wealth of songs with deep, emotional subject matter that adds another layer of depth and intrigue to Sordid Blade. Even the instrumental “Kiolsvarf” is topical — it is a Swedish term to describe a family drowning at sea.
The Carl Larsson (1853-1919)-created cover art was the last piece to the Every Battle Has Its Glory puzzle. Zetterberg found one of Larsson’s paintings in a book and shared it with Holm. Holm knew the creation was the perfect choice — its dark style reflected the overall theme of the album.
It is by which this thoughtful depth and exploratory nature that Sordid Blade sets itself apart. The epic metal field is growing increasingly crowded, but for those in search of something with an emotional and personal atmosphere, there is no better choice circa 2022 than Sordid Blade.
Italian heavy metal band Crying Steel have announced that they have signed to Underground Symphony Records for the release of their upcoming album.
The 5th studio album is scheduled to be released in January 2023 in deluxe digital format. Further information will be revealed soon.
Underground Symphony is also based in Italy and is known to have released material from bands such as Sabaton, Labyrinth, Manilla Road, White Skull among others.
The band commented: “We are honoured to be joining Underground Symphony’s roster and have a feeling we will have a fruitful relationship. After being stuck at home during the pandemic lockdowns, we can’t wait to show you the new music we cooked up. Stay Steel!”
Crying Steel was formed in 1982 and is considered to be one of the very first heavy metal acts to come out of Italy. The band’s discography includes: Crying Steel (1985), On the Prowl (1987), The Steel is Back! (2007), Time Stands Steel (2013), Stay Steel (2018) and Steel Alive (2019).
Crying Steel will be performing at Boyler Fest, Bologna (17th September), Sheratan Live Club, Carpi (24th September), Metropolis Live Club, Frosinone (7 October) and Let it Beer, Rome (8 October) with more dates to be announced soon.
Progressive/symphonic power metal quintet INDUCTION will release their sophomore full length, Born From Fire, on November 25th via Atomic Fire Records.
Notes guitarist and band mastermind Tim Kanoa Hansen. “We tried to deliver a good mix of big hits, great melodies, emotions, brutal anger, intricate riffs, and arrangements as well as making it a ton of fun while listening. We are sure this album will convince old and new fans alike of what INDUCTION means. We sincerely hope that everyone finds themselves in some of the songs.”
The record, which boasts twelve metal anthems in fifty-eight minutes, was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen and is graced by the cover artwork of Peter Sallai (Sabaton, Jinjer, Powerwolf).
Born From Fire will be available on CD, 2xLP vinyl, and digitally. Find special preorder bundles at THIS LOCATION.
BornFromFire – Track Listing:
Born From Fire
Scorched
Fallen Angel
Go To Hell
Embers
Order & Chaos
The Beauty Of Monstrance
Queen Of Light
I Am Alive
Ghost Of Silence
Eternal Silence
Sacrifice (Bonus Track)
Keep up with INDUCTION’s upcoming European live dates at their official website HERE and stream the band’s previously released songs on the streaming platform of your choice HERE.
Originally founded in 2014, INDUCTION left their first mark with first single, “The Outwitted Consecration,” in 2016 before completely entering the metal world by releasing their eponymous debut album in 2019. Its enormously positive reception even paved them the way to touring across Europe alongside Brazilian power metallers Armored Dawn in November of the same year. It was a notable career start for the quintet that was unfortunately halted by the pandemic leading to a break (at least on the live front) that wasn’t only used by the band to work on their sophomore album but also to renew their power.
Conflictiong Opinions on Mold and bacteria is the new EP from Canadian synth rockers, King Bull and is out now on digital platforms via Riot Records.
Hell bent on making a record that would upset folks in the FM radio industry, King Bull haphazardly put together what is undoubtedly the best EP of 2022 which is titled Conflicting Opinions on Mold and Bacteria. Fancy recording studios and high budgets were scrapped in favour of a dank mildew filled basement with a tendency to flood when a hose happy French Canadian over waters spruce trees for no reason. If you’re sick of the highly polished overproduced rubbish that everyone’s putting out nowadays, you should give this a shot.
Listen to focus track ‘Scary’ (Feat. Ryan Kuly) HERE
King Bull began to really build a name for themselves globally with the release of their 2020 EP What Happened Here which was described as ‘’Sonically cohesive throughout, featuring snarling guitars, growling bass, thunderous drums and vocals that sound similar to a jet engine that isn’t working properly.’’ You get the drift. King Bull continue to develop their already sophisticated yet eclectic sound in 2022.
Listen to previous single ‘Never Seen You Smile’ HERE
Stream/buy Conflicting Opinions on Mold and BacteriaHERE
ABOUT KING BULL:
Hailing from Red Deer, Alberta which is not the most artistic of all Canadian communities, King Bull has been plying the trade for the last decade and a half.
They encompass 70’s rock and punk with an angsty vibe and some earthy streetwise riffs, powered by a punk-tinged, rock-ignited fuel. Fired up by intricate licks, buzz-cutter guitar tones and uniquely edgy vocals, they cover what is great about rock music.
This is a band for fans of The Who, Iggy Pop, Against Me, AC/DC, Queens of the Stone Age, David Bowie, The Drones, Neil Young etc, (anything with electric guitar that snarls a bit, really).
After recently releasing 3 remastered Led Zeppelin classics ‘Rock and Roll,’ ‘Immigrant Song’ and ‘Ramble On’ in the lead up, Vanilla Fudge will release the remastered album Vanilla Zeppelin digitally on 30th September via Golden Robot Records.
This is Led Zeppelin done ‘’Fudge’’ style and fully remastered. Vanilla Fudge roll these classics out in their own way, with some amazing and soaring organ interludes and adding their soul and funked up influence giving these songs a new life and identity of their own.
1. Rock and Roll 2. Immigrant Song 3. Ramble On 4. Dancing Days 5. Black Mountain Way 6. Your Time is Gonna Come 7. Dazed and Confused 8. Trampled Under Foot 9. Moby Dick 10. All of My Love 11. Babe I’m Gonna Leave You 12. Fool in the Rain
Vanilla Fudge was one of the first American groups to infuse psychedelia into a heavy rock sound to create “psychedelic symphonic rock” an eclectic genre which would, among its many off shoots, eventually morph into heavy metal.
Although, at first, the band did not record original material, they were best known for their dramatic heavy, slowed-down arrangements of contemporary pop songs which they developed into works of epic proportion.
Originally, Vanilla Fudge was a blue-eyed soul cover band called The Pigeons, formed in New Jersey in 1965 with organist, Mark Stein, bassist, Tim Bogert, drummer, Joey Brennan, and guitarist, vocalist and US Navy veteran, Vince Martell.
In the summer of 2006, the original Vanilla Fudge reunited to tour with The Doors of the 21st Century; it culminated in a VH-1 special, “Decades of Rock.”
Vanilla Fudge celebrated their 50th year Anniversary in 2017 and are still rocking the world in the current day with one of their greatest hits ‘You Keep Me Hanging On‘ featured in the Quentin Tarantinomovie ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.’
Maryland-based Crossover Thrash Metal quintet NINTH REALM will release their debut full-length album AFateUnbroken November 4 on Mercenary Press. The album is a perfect blend of of crossover thrash and traditional heavy metal that represents the band’s refined vision. “Plea to the Heavens,” the album’s first single, is streaming now at:
“Plea to the Heavens” is also streaming on Spotify.
A Fate Unbroken is a nine-track album that takes the influence of the widest range of heavy metal, 80s-toned thrash, death thrash, and hardcore that the decisive genres have to offer. Not only do the riffs, consistent guitar solos, and blackened vocals take the listener through a whirlwind of Slayer/Demolition Hammer era thrash metal, but the lyricism and quintessential raw fantasy style of their art and themes harken back to a Frank Frazetta/Ralph Bakshi age of pure Sword & Sorcery. A Fate Unbroken, for all intents and purposes, is a Maryland band’s attempt to bring a reunion of heavy metal and hardcore punk back to its raw, old-school roots.
Basing their lyricism and overall theme around the original fantasy realm of Tythorin, NINTH REALM delivers an electrifying synthesis of traditional heavy metal and hardcore punk for fans of both respective genres to enjoy.
Line-Up:
Joey Burke – Drums Ben Hageage – Vocals Jared Henry – Bass Liam McMahon – Lead Guitar Charles House – Rhythm Guitar
Pulling from a range of influences that span everything between blackened thrash to old-school death metal, the music of NINTHREALM rips and tears with a ferocity and cadence that perfectly encapsulates the epic scale and grisly atmosphere of grim-dark fantasy. Between the use of aggressive thrash d-beat and viscerally direct song structure of classic metal acts such as Celtic Frost, combined with the melodic riffage of classic bands like Testament/Mercyful Fate, and an added twist of Cro-Mags/Leewaystyle crossover, NINTH REALM wields what is perhaps one of the most poignant new sounds to emerge from the metal underground in recent memory.
FFO: Power Trip, Eternal Champion, High Command, Iron Age
BIO: Sharing a bond for all things heavy metal and high fantasy, college classmates Joey Burke (drummer) and Liam McMahon (lead guitarist) joined forces in the fall of 2018, writing and practicing every week to produce the 2019 demo, Gates of Tythorin. Later adding Jared Henry (bassist) and Ben Hageage (vocalist) to the mix, Ninth Realm solidified their sound with their succeeding 2020 EP, All Hail Treachery. In 2022, to offer a glimpse at what is to come with their debut LP, Ninth Realm released Ondreis MMXXII, a promo tape featuring two songs that both share a track space on the debut full-length record.
Big news coming from the Jasta front! We’ve just added Biohazard’s very own Bobby Hambel to the September 16th Jasta Jam in Orlando, Florida! Grab your tickets through the button below before they run out! Meet and greets are available for purchase at www.martyrstore.net
Progressive death metal outfit REVOCATION will kick off their North American headlining tour later this week. The trek begins on September 9th and runs through October 16th with support provided by Krisiun, Alluvial, and Inoculation. See all confirmed dates below.
REVOCATION w/ Krisiun, Alluvial, Inoculation: 9/09/2022 Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ON 9/10/2022 Les Foufounes Electriques – Montreal, QC 9/11/2022 La Source de la Martinière – Québec City, QC 9/13/2022 Elsewhere Brooklyn – Brooklyn, NY 9/14/2022 Middle East Restaurant & Nightclub – Cambridge, MA 9/15/2022 Lovedraft’s Brewing CO – Mechanicsburg, PA 9/16/2022 The Metro Gallery – Baltimore, MD 9/17/2022 Elevation 27 – Virginia Beach, VA 9/18/2022 The Blind Tiger – Greensboro, NC 9/19/2022 The Masquerade (Purgatory) – Atlanta, GA 9/20/2022 Brass Mug – Tampa, FL 9/21/2022 Respectable Street – West Palm Beach, FL 9/23/2022 Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX 9/24/2022 Amplified Live – Dallas, TX 9/25/2022 Rockhouse Bar & Grill – El Paso, TX 9/27/2022 Nile Theater – Mesa, AZ 9/28/2022 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA 9/29/2022 1720 – Los Angeles, CA 9/30/2022 Goldfield Trading Post – Roseville, CA
10/01/2022 Santa Cruz Vets Hall – Santa Cruz, CA 10/03/2022 Dante’s – Portland, OR 10/04/2022 El Corazon – Seattle, WA 10/06/2022 Metro Music Hall – Salt Lake City, UT 10/07/2022 Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO 10/08/2022 The Royal Grove – Lincoln, NE 10/09/2022 Bigs Bar – Sioux Falls, SD 10/11/2022 Turf Club – St. Paul, MN 10/12/2022 Reggie’s Rock Club – Chicago, IL 10/13/2022 The Sanctuary 2 – Hamtramck, MI 10/14/2022 No Class – Cleveland, OH 10/15/2022 Montage Music Hall – Rochester, NY 10/16/2022 Enclave – Pittsburgh, PA
The tour kick off coincides with REVOCATION‘s latest full-length, Netherheaven, set for release on September 9th via Metal Blade Records. Four years in the making, the Billboard-charting trio – Dave Davidson (vocals/guitars), Ash Pearson (drums), and Brett Bamberger (bass) – meticulously explore the allegorical and literal aspects of Hell as they dig deeper into the darker, more diabolical side of death metal.
In short, where the previous album, The Outer Ones (2018), jettisoned REVOCATION into the horrific maw of the cosmos, Netherheaven bores deftly through the nine rings of Hell to directly confront Lucifer and his multitudinous faces.
Heavy metal icons MERCYFULFATE today announce their first North American headlining tour in over two decades! The journey will commence on October 25th in Dallas, Texas and weave its way through fourteen cities, closing on November 16th in Atlanta, Georgia. The tour follows the band’s stunning headlining performance at this year’s edition of Psycho Las Vegas.
Vocalist King Diamond comments, “These will be the first MERCYFULFATE concerts in North American theaters in over twenty years. Memories of a lifetime. Your special chance to see MERCYFUL FATE with the full European festival production, but up close and personal. You cannot miss this… I hereby respectfully invite you to Come To The Sabbath by which you may free your soul and feast with us in the dark Of Night. Witches and Demons, you may come as you are! Satanic Regards – King Diamond 666.”
Support for MERCYFUL FATE will be provided by Kreator and labelmates, Midnight. Various presales are available throughout the week:
Citi Presale: Tuesday, September 6th @ 11:00am ET | Password: Citi BINs Mercyful Fate Fan Club Presale: Tuesday, September 6th @ 12:00pm ET | Password: EVIL Ticketmaster Presale: Wednesday, September 7th @ 10:00am ET | Password: MELISSA Live Nation Presale: Wednesday, September 7th @ 10:00am local time | Password: VENUE Blabbermouth Presale: Wednesday, September 7th @ 10:00am local time | Password: SABBATH Knotfest.com Presale: Wednesday, September 7th @ 10:00am local time | Password: OATH
All presales end Thursday, September 8th at 10:00pm local time. General onsale date is Friday, September 9th at 10:00am local time at mercyfulfatecoven.com. These shows will sell out! Don’t miss it!
Additionally, multiple limited VIP packages will be available which will include Meet & Greets, photo opps, private Q&As, exclusive merch, and more starting Wednesday, September 7th at mercyfulfatecoven.com. Secure yours today.
MERCYFUL FATE w/ Kreator, Midnight: 10/25/2022 Dallas, TX – The Factory 10/27/2022 Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre 10/29/2022 Inglewood, CA – Youtube Theater 10/30/2022 Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live Sacramento 11/01/2022 Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium 11/03/2022 Gary, IN – Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana 11/04/2022 Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J. Brady Music Center 11/05/2022 Detroit, MI – Masonic 11/08/2022 Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring 11/10/2022 Brooklyn, NY – Kings Theater 11/11/2022 Laval, QC – Place Bell 11/13/2022 Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall At Fenway 11/14/2022 Philadelphia, PA – The Fillmore Philadelphia 11/16/2022 Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
MERCYFUL FATE is currently working on a new album and recently gave fans a taste of the new material when they debuted a song called “The Jackal Of Salzburg” in Germany this past June as well as at Psycho Las Vegas. The band’s current lineup is King Diamond on vocals, Hank Shermann and Mike Wead on guitars, Bjarne T. Holm on drums and Joey Vera on bass.
MERCYFUL FATE was formed in early 1981 in Copenhagen, Denmark by vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann. They were later joined by guitarist Michael Denner and bassist Timi Hansen, and soon thereafter drummer Kim Ruzz would join to complete the band lineup. The band recorded two demos in 1981 and later signed with Rave On Records in Holland for the recording of their successful self-titled EP, released in November of 1982. The Mercyful Fate EP was soon in heavy rotation around core metal radio stations, launching a new breed of heavy metal with their unique sound.
The band joined Roadrunner Records in 1983 and their debut full-length, Melissa, was recorded and released that same year. The following year, MERCYFUL FATE returned to the studio to record their now legendary Don’t BreakThe Oath full-length, released in September of 1984.
MERCYFUL FATE embarked upon a two month US tour in support of the record, which took them across the States several times sharing the stage with the likes of Motörhead and Exciter. The shows had created a brush fire within the metal community. The band reaped recognition globally, closing the year with a five-date tour in Germany with Motörhead, Girlschool, Helix, and Talon.
MERCYFUL FATE’s first concert of 1985 was in their hometown of Copenhagen at an old movie theater with a large capacity. The show sold out and their stage show exhibited a new level of distinction. The night was a huge victory and a new highlight for the band.
By April of 1985 however, MERCYFUL FATE decided to part ways for each to pursue new challenges. The King Diamond band was born and reaped critical acclaim the following years with five studio albums on Roadrunner Records. King Diamond has since signed with Metal Blade Records and is going stronger than ever before.
In the Summer of 1992, MERCYFULFATE decided to reunite and penned a new deal with Brian Slagel and his label, Metal Blade Records. In The Shadows was released in 1993 and was an instant triumph furthered by a sold out US tour.
MERCYFUL FATE has gone on to release another five studio albums and have toured Europe, the US, and South America multiple times. The highlight of 1999 was their critically acclaimed album 9 which was followed by a European tour with Metallica, where King Diamond and Hank Shermann joined the band onstage several times for the medley “Mercyful Fate” which Metallica had recorded on their Garage Inc. double tribute album the year prior. Tours in the US and in South America followed, marking the band’s last live performances for over a decade. MERCYFULFATE then went on hiatus, but made a brief appearance when members joined Metallica onstage in 2011 for their 30th anniversary show in San Francisco, California.
Swedish metal titans MESHUGGAH will kick off their long-awaited US headlining tour this month! Set to commence on September 16th in Worcester, Massachusetts and run through October 16th in Atlanta, Georgia, the month-long trek includes a stop at this year’s editions of the Louder Than Life Festival in Louisville, Kentucky and Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, California. Support will be provided by Torche throughout the tour’s duration as well as special guests Converge from September 16th through September 30th and In Flames from October 2nd through the tour’s conclusion. Tickets are on sale now at meshuggah.net/tour. See all confirmed dates below.
MESHUGGAH will be touring in support of their critically lauded Immutable full-length, released earlier this year via Atomic Fire. Recorded at Sweetspot Studios in Halmstad, Sweden, mixed by Rickard Bengtsson and Staffan Karlsson, and mastered by multiple Grammy award winner Vlado Meller (Metallica, Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, System Of A Down), the band’s ninth studio album and follow-up to their Grammy-nominated full-length The Violent Sleep Of Reason showcases just how far ahead of the pack the band continues to be.
Full of surprises and yet instantly recognizable as the work of metal’s most idiosyncratic force, Immutable redefines and redesigns the MESHUGGAH sound across more than an hour of the most stimulating and engaging music the band has ever composed. Despite the challenges of the last few years, the progressive principles that have always cemented the band’s artistic efforts remain as steadfast as ever. As we spiral towards a dystopian MESHUGGAH still stands unique with Immutable, their most fearlessly creative studio album to date.
Immutable is available on CD, vinyl, cassette, and digital formats. Find ordering options and additional merchandise at THIS LOCATION.
View the band’s previously released videos for “The Abysmal Eye”HERE and “Broken Cog”HERE.
MESHUGGAH: Jens Kidman – vocals Mårten Hagström – guitars Dick Lövgren – bass Fredrik Thordendal – guitars Tomas Haake – drums
Autograph‘s new forthcoming release “Beyond”, was the last album to feature founding member and bassist Randy Rand. The album is due out on November 18, 2022 on Frontiers Music Srl, which the band has dedicated to Randy and in his memory.
“We tragically lost our brother, Randy Rand on April 26th 2022. His passing was untimely, as he had so much rockin’ left to do. We dedicate our upcoming album “Beyond” to our band mate and founding member of Autograph. His signature bass playing is a major part of the new record and his spirit is felt throughout.”
“The new album also serves as a catalyst for bringing Autograph into a new era of rock with it’s heavy-hitting and powerful sound. In the spirit of Randy’s love for the music, his excitement on the new release and eternal brotherhood, this one’s for you. Thank you Randy for keeping us connected, bringing people together from all walks of life and fueling the social bonds that music invites. Rest easy brother, we love you.”
Steve Unger from Metal Church has taken over the bass duties for the band as the legacy of Autograph continues on with a new album dedicated to Randy Rand and a busy schedule of touring.
Current Band Line Up: Simon Daniels – Lead vocals/guitar Jimi Bell – Lead guitar/vocals Marc Wieland – Drums Steve Unger – Bass/vocals
Since there is a green light for concerts all over the world again, SHAKRA also floods the social media with photos of huge open-air stages all over Europe, in front of thousands of people. And yet it seems that the five have skipped something compared to other bands – where is the new album? Since the big opening, the market has been literally overrun with new works created during the concert-empty period, only the Swiss seem to be once again taking different paths and immediately throwing themselves straight into the live arena. But who is familiar with the band, knows that with them actually nothing ever happens by pure accident.
After SHAKRA released their new album “Mad World” shortly before the pandemic hit the earth and wanted to go on tour with it, this had to be cancelled again immediately or partly postponed. Conscious of their duty, as the Swiss are, this was the first thing that was tackled when in spring 2022 it was finally said that the ring was open – they began to play the concerts, long awaited by the fans, more powerful and intense than ever.
Without anyone suspecting anything, now suddenly a new song appears! “The Way It Is” is the name of the track and the guys have also announced a clip for it, a week later. “The Way It Is” is available now: https://bfan.link/the-way-it-is?
On it will also be heard for the first time the successor of Dominik Pfister, Cyril Montavon, who is still affectionately called “the new guy” by the band, after two years of membership, on bass.
“I had this song idea that had been floating around in my head forever and it just had to come out,” says Thomas Muster, rhythm guitarist. “We thought the song was so awesome that we just had to record it!” adds Mark Fox, vocalist of SHAKRA.
When asked if there is even a whole album in the works, the band keeps a low profile. It is what it is – “The Way It Is”.
Progressive Death Metal quartet LAMENTATIONS will release sophomore full-length album Passion Of Depression on CD, double-vinyl LP, and digital formats November 11 via WillowtipRecords.
The album’s first single, “Prodigal,” is streaming now on: YouTube and Bandcamp.
LAMENTATIONS are back with their second full-length, following 2016 debut album, “Echoes in the Wind”. Frontman Danny “Jungle” Jacob is now working with members from the sister band Monotheist: Chris Stropoli (Drums), Prophet (Guitar); and Jose Figueroa (Bass).
“Passion Of Depression” is a cinematic concept album that portrays the pain, pleasure, joy and sorrow that encompass one’s life journey. Razor sharp, methodical riffs drive complex, serpentine compositions supported by a myriad of keyboards, and other classical instrumentation.
The music on the album is supported by various guest musicians, who add a sense of mysticism to an already otherworldly journey, including guitarists Jason Gobel (ex-Cynic), Santiago Dobles (ex-Cynic), Ole Borud (Extol), Ethan Mckenna (Black Crown Initiate), Max Phelps (ex-Cynic, Exist), which are sure to elevate the album’s already multi-layered, grandiose and emotional sound even further.
Los Angeles’ enigmatic songwriter and multi-instrumentalist DRAAGYN, known for her critically lauded, genre-bending blackened metal and cryptic persona, has revealed her first new music in 2 years in the form of a new EP titled “Bent Rib.” Out now, the 3 song record runs the gamut of musical design, incorporating experimental elements of black, doom and progressive metal among others that could be described as a turbulent orchestra of beauty and decay.
Commenting on the EP, Draagyn states:
“We all just want to belong. So we fool ourselves. We let others’ view of who we are become our purpose. We are convinced this hall of mirrors is the true path of souls. This cuts us off from life. The cosmos. The greater powers to which we are all connected. But there is a cord. We can find it and pull ourselves back or choose to watch it slowly strangle us. I wrote ‘Bent Rib’ as an incantation. To release myself from a world I do not belong. To weave the yarns of fate and call it my own. Man has no power over me. He does not determine me. Draagyn is the light, and is the dark. Draagyn is the good, and is the evil. Draagyn is world creator and its destroyer. It matters not whether you understand. What is important is that there is a purpose.”
DRAAGYN’s debut EP, “Bent Rib,” is an aural three-headed serpent of cacophony, “Appetite of Man,” “Beating Heart Cadaver” and “Bent Rib,” each with their own mystifying identity and slithering scales of sonic perplexity that lure you in with enchanting whispers then set you ablaze in an inferno of furious rage.
About DRAAGYN: From her previous releases, Draagyn has been coined a “genre-bending blackened tour de force” by Decibel and Brooklyn Vegan. As songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Draagyn’s sound straddles the spectrum of light and dark, bridging delicate emotions with the raw force of metal and rock in a truly singular style. Her songwriting guides other musical outliers into masochistic darkness, and yet, in stark contrast, just as quietly whispers to the wretched and heartbroken, offering refuge in her tender melodies. And while the foundations of Draagyn’s music remain rooted in rock, she does as she pleases. She may choke it with blast beats, crush it with proggy groove, or drown it in folky, pensive vocals. But the recipe works. The deep musicality of her approach is undeniable, and for those both patient and brave, her songs lure listeners to another world, free of expectations and genre constraint. Draagyn threatens us with her tumultuous vision of death and musical rebirth.
Sludge metal newcomers, GNASH, are preparing to unleash their debut EP, SharedNightmare, on September 22nd.
Josh Richter of GNASH comments:
“I’ve never done a concept record before so I wanted to try to tell a story in great detail over an entire record rather than just one song. As dark and gruesome as the concept is, the underlying theme is the feeling of carrying around emotional baggage and trauma your whole life and the effects it takes on someone. Life is a heavy burden sometimes.”
Formed this year in Columbus, Ohio, GNASH has already established a powerful and unique sound, drawing influence from the depth of death metal, the raw emotion of black metal, and heaviness of sludge metal, the band’s debut EP, Shared Nightmare, is a profound and thought-provoking insight into the darkest reaches of mental health issues.
Shared Nightmare tells a tale of conjoined twins, where one half of the pair dies. The remaining twin must continue on in life, carrying with him a corpse he can’t be rid of. The EP is an exploration of what it means to bear trauma and the toll it takes after a lifetime of being weighed down by such inescapable feelings.
Not for the faint of heart, prepare to be transported into a dark and chilling tale in GNASH’s debut EP, Shared Nightmare, coming September 22nd.
Heavy, cinematic gothic artist, THE EFFIGY has released a lyric video for their new single “One With My Enemy”. The single is also out today on all streaming platforms. Portraying a dark and profound narrative of emotional abuse, THEEFFIGY creates dynamic musical arrangements to convey the spiraling torment experienced by the track’s protagonist.
Influenced by the likes of GARBAGE, JOY DIVISION, EVANESCENCE, and KEANE, and thematically inspired by gothic and folk imagery, along with mythology, THEEFFIGY‘s music is a cinematic array of eclectic styles. Following their previous single “Cindersun”, which draws from Ancient Greek mythology, telling the tale of Icarus and the Sun who are framed as two lovers forever at odds, “One With My Enemy” exhibits another side to their music. Fusing delicate piano melodies, with heavy guitars and synths evoking a nod to the early noughties, a gothic through-line underpins the track. THEEFFIGY‘s vocals deliver both a soft intimate tone and powerful soaring lyrics that aptly reflect the intensifying mood of the song.
“One With My Enemy” once again showcases THEEFFIGY’s flair for catchy hooks and impressive compositions. The single conducts a compelling journey that gradually builds as the narrative progresses. Become enamored with THEEFFIGY’s striking sound.
Credits: EffyGold – Lyrics, Vocals, Composition
Other: Andrew Noe – Guitars, Production, Mixing Francesco Petrel – Mastering
Heavy trio RESIDUALSELF are conjuring a melting pot of heavy sounds in their new single “Witches”. Spellbinding solos, dynamic groove rhythms and devilish harsh vocals blend together in this enchanting release. The offering “Witches” will manifest on September 16th.
The band comments:
“RESIDUAL SELF created this song for the events 330 years ago taking place in Salem, Massachusetts. With the lyrical themes of revenge and retribution, the witches have returned, along with their magick. In New England, where RESIDUAL SELF is based, there is a huge jam band scene that both Rex and David have experience playing in. This song “Witches” draws on both our background experience, and our location close to Salem. It is the lengthiest song we’ve made so far with multiple guitar solos from Josh. This is our answer to a jam style song, but bringing the hard and heavy style RESIDUAL SELF is known for.”
“Witches” written by Rex Mazza
Initially created as a solo project by Rex Mazza, RESIDUALSELF soon grew into a three-piece and the outfit signed with SliptrickRecords in 2020 to release their first full length album Revenge. The single “Witches” is a concoction blending their heavier aggressive sound with the jam style. This is achieved by the band through the grunts and growls of Rex, Josh’s multiple lengthy guitar solos, and David’s prowess that keeps the steady drum groove going. With their stark sounds and somber lyrical themes based on lustful intent, greedy resolve, and wrathful decisions, RESIDUAL SELF aims to awaken the true primal nature and strike one’s soul to the bone, unveiling who you truly are; a monster? a devil? or something more?
Become bewitched and entranced by the compelling rhythms of RESIDUALSELF‘s heavy sound. Experience the folly and charm of their magic, but beware the devilry and dark side to their craft.
RESIDUAL SELF: Rex Mazza – Bass/Vocals Joshua Spaulding – Guitar David Sasso – Drums
Shadow Kingdom Records announces the signing of Cruel Force. The first fruit of this union shall be the band’s highly anticipated third album, which will see release next year. Additionally, reissues of the band’s cult two albums, 2010’s The Rise of Satanic Might and 2011’s Under the Sign of the Moon, will follow on Shadow Kingdom on all formats.
Truest of the true, Germany’s Cruel Force burst onto the scene in 2008 with the Into the Crypts… demo. While many have tried to emulate the ancient German (black)thrash sound, Cruel Force brimmed with an authenticity that could not be denied, as well as songwriting that added to that noble tradition rather than lazily picking at its corpse. Their two successive albums, 2010’s The Rise of Satanic Might and 2011’s Under the Sign of the Moon, made Cruel Force a certifiably CULT name in the international metal underground. Sadly, the band fell into a hiatus following that second album, but now are reinvigorated with the comeback 7″ EP Across the Styx and are ready to make up for lost time with their imminent new album with Shadow Kingdom.
Check out their latest single to give you a taste of what’s to come with the new album:
CRUEL FORCE – “Across The Styx” (Official Video)
A statement from the band as follows: “Today, we would like to announce that we have signed a deal with Shadow Kingdom Records for the release of our third album and for the re-release of our first two records. Signing with an American label was the right choice for us since we know that a big part of our fanbase is situated on the other side of the Atlantic, and we know that it was always a problem for you to get a hold of our releases, now even more than ever with the increase of postage costs. This way, we hope that access will get easier and more affordable for you folks.”
Concluding, the band says, “As for Europe and Germany in particular, everything will also be readily available through Shadow Kingdom‘s extensive distribution network and through our own BigCartel shop. We feel that this is the best decision for the band and the fans, and we are looking forward to spread the metallic mayhem through Shadow Kingdom Records in the future!
Further news about Cruel Force‘s third album will be announced in time.
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