Archive for April, 2015

INCANTATION – Iconic Death Metal Legion Continues To Brutalize The Masses On The Ongoing Dirges Of Elysium Tour

Posted in Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, rock music with tags , , , , on April 7, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Incantation - Classic Band Logo - #04082015IMO736

Additional Live Dates To Be Announced

Iconic Death Metal legion, INCANTATION, will continue to raze stages throughout North America in support of their Dirges Of Elysium full-length. The latest bout of live assaults will begin on April 17th in Hempstead, New York at El Relax Lounge. The following day, INCANTATION will head to Worcester, Massachusetts to play this year’s edition of the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival at the Palladium. From there, the band will bring their audio malevolence to stages in Pittsburgh, Brooklyn, Syracuse and Buffalo. The onstage abrasions continue the following month when INCANTATION ravages their way through seven more cities before bringing their brutality to the Maryland Death Fest Pre-Party on May 20th in Baltimore.

In June, INCANTATION will summon the dead at the Farmageddon Festival FOA in Vancouver and in August the band will take part in the Wolves Of Apocalypse Festival in Denver. The band’s latest bout of onstage obliteration follows their recent West Coast takeover and first ever performance in Hawaii this Winter with additional 2015 live devourement in the conspiring stages.

Incantation - Dirges Of Elysium - promo cover pic

INCANTATION released Dirges Of Elysium last year via Listenable Records. Crowned, “one of the most influential death metal bands of all time,” by Metal Injection, who further elaborated of the record, “With all the evil-sounding riffs, squealing pinch-harmonics and crushing dirges scattered throughout, this is the sound that made INCANTATION legends. This is some profoundly dark and creepy stuff,” the record continues to raise the brows of death metallers old and new. Sputnik Music dubbed Dirges Of Elysium, “a breath of fresh air for INCANTATION, and another fine addition to their discography, ” Metal Forces gushed, “It’s all ungodly but all so bloody brilliant, and with ‘Charnel Grounds’ smoldering from the stench of char-coaled flesh and the blustering bluster of ‘Dominant Ethos’ dragging us into the mud-clogged shredder that is ‘Elysium (Eternity Is Nigh),’ I hold up my severed stumps in surrender for another harangue of hate from one of death metal’s most criminally underrated bands,” while Exclaim added, “INCANTATION preserve their archetypal ominous atmosphere, while the production gives the band a more modern edge, making Dirges Of Elysium a consistent yet fresh release from the influential band.”

Comments the band in a collective statement: “The response to the Dirges Of Elysium album and tour has just been amazing! We still have a lot of touring left to go for this release. We are looking forward to seeing all you deathbangers on the road!”

INCANTATION large logo!

INCANTATION – Tour Dates:

4/17/2015 El Relax Lounge – Hempstead, NY
4/18/2015 New England Metal/Hardcore Festival – Worcester, MA
4/23/2015 Smiling Moose – Pittsburgh, PA w/ FaithXtractor
4/24/2015 Saint Vitus Bar – Brooklyn, NY w/ FaithXtractor
4/25/2015 Lost Horizon – Syracuse, NY w/ FaithXtractor
4/26/2015 Broadway Joes – Buffalo, NY
5/13/2015 The Foundry – Lakewood, OH w/ Funerus, FaithXtractor
5/14/2015 Madison Theater – Cincinnati, OH w/ Funerus, FaithXtractor
5/15/2015 Expo Five – Louisville, KY w/ Funerus
5/16/2015 The End – Nashville, TN w/ Funerus
5/17/2015 The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA w/ Funerus
5/18/2015 The Motlight – Asheville, NC w/ Funerus
5/19/2015 Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA w/ Funerus
5/20/2015 Maryland Death Fest Pre-Party – Baltimore MD
6/13/2015 Farmageddon Festival FOA – Vancouver, BC
8/15/2015 Wolves of Apocalypse Festival- Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO

New INCANTATION developments will be announced in the weeks to come. In the meantime, visit the INCANTATION merch store at THIS LOCATION. And if you missed it, check out the band’s video for “Impalement Of Divinity” at THIS LOCATION.

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Source: Earsplit PR

* For more info:

http://www.incantation.com

http://www.facebook.com/IncantationOfficial

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE INCANTATION.

LONG LIVE DEATH METAL.

Stone.

SKID ROW And Johnny Solinger Split – Tony Harnell Announced As New Lead Singer

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , on April 6, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Skid Row - large logo - red & black

As reported on the SKID ROW Facebook timeline:

New York, NY – After 14 years of touring and 4 releases, SKID ROW has released singer Johnny Solinger.

Founding member Snake Sabo said, “We had a lot of great times together and created a lot of great music. We wish him nothing but the best.”

“Sometimes things just end. People go in different directions and grow apart and you have to make a decision. He will always be our brother” adds co-founder Rachel Bolan.

The vacancy for a new front man has been filled by powerhouse vocalist Tony Harnell. This news comes hot of the heels of his departure from Norway based band, TNT. “Tony’s experience, power and undeniable range made our decision an easy one” commented guitarist Scotti Hill. Drummer Rob Hammersmith added, “I believe this will be a great year for SKID ROW. I’m looking forward for things to come.”

When asked about joining forces with SKID ROW Harnell said, “I’m so excited and honored to be a part of such a great band with an amazing legacy and legions of faithful fans! The guys and I have known each other for many years and this is such a natural fit. I look forward to getting out there and playing live together and being a part of making new music and creating our future together. It’s time to rock!”

The band will head into the studio to record the third chapter of the United World Rebellion trilogy this summer. They will also hit the road for another world tour in support.

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MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE SKID ROW.

LONG LIVE JOHNNY SOLINGER.

Stone.

FOREVER STILL – RELEASE NEW SINGLE “AWAKE THE FIRE” AND LET FANS PAY WHAT THEY WANT FOR IT

Posted in Hard Rock, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music with tags , , , on April 6, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Maja Schønning - Forever Still - Awake The Fire - promo banner - April 2 - 2015

Independent female fronted Rock band Forever Still have released a new single called “Awake the Fire”. The single is the first single from their upcoming EP “Save Me”. The “Save Me” EP is the part two of three digital EPs that will eventually end up as one physical full length album later in 2015. The single can be downloaded directly from the band’s website: www.foreverstill.dk where the band lets their fans pay what they want for it.

“We believe that music should be available to everyone – both those who are broke, and those who have a little extra to spare in support of the artists they love” Maja Schønning explains. We’ve put a lot of time and effort into this song, so if people want to give us some help for the time and effort, we are very grateful! But if they don’t have any money right now, they can take it, share it and if they love it, come back and kick in later.

The EP is recorded, mixed and mastered in Copenhagen by band member Mikkel Haastrup in the band’s own studio. Mikkel is a trained sound engineer by Flemming ‘Metallica’ Rasmussen. “We like our music and everything surrounding it to be 100% honest and we felt the only way we could achieve that was by doing everything ourselves” says Mikkel.

The upcoming EP is Part 2 of the band’s debut album which is a concept album about a  suppressed individual struggling through depression, anxiety, and worthlessness and getting stronger in the process. “The songs are all very raw, emotional and somewhat imperfect, because we wanted it to sound like someone falling apart and trying to put the pieces back together” says Maja.

Forever Still - The Open Wound Tour - April - May - 2015 - promo banner - band pic

The first EP in the series “Scars” has been welcomed with open arms by both fans and media:

“Scars is one of the most exciting new releases in the last 12 months and if there is justice in the music world, 2015 has to be the year of Forever Still. 5/5” – PlanetMosh

“The power in the vocals, the musicianship of every member and even the production is perfection(…)Scars’ is three tracks every rock fan should have. 5/5” – Genius Babble

“Frontwoman Maja Schønning is the driving force behind the band, bringing powerful vocals in abundance. If we were to place our faith in one female to successfully lead a band to the top of the metal scene, Maja would be it. 4/5” – HD Music Promotions

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Forever Still are from Copenhagen, Denmark.

Facebook: Forever Still

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE FOREVER STILL.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

Metal Bands Khaotika And Wormreich, Involved In Fatal I-85 Crash In Georgia

Posted in Metal, metal bands, metal music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , on April 6, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Khaotika - promo band logo - 2015 - #06KMO33

Wormreich - promo band logo - 2015 - #66WRMO

According to local authorities, three people passed away Monday when a van carrying members of two metal bands crashed in Northeast Georgia. The two Metal bands involved are: Khaotika and Wormreich. This tragic accident happened at around 7:00 A.M. EST, on the southbound side of I-85 in Jackson County, Georgia. It has been reported that a total of 12 people were in the van, at the time of the crash. Khaotika and Wormreich were on a mini tour together, heading towards Atlanta, Georgia.

No names of the deceased have been released as of this posting. Metal Odyssey will be keeping these two bands, their families and friends in our heaviest of thoughts. – Stone

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Contributor: Bill Chamberlain

MetalOdyssey

Stone.

CUT UP – Death Metal Supergroup Releasing Debut Studio Album Via Metal Blade Records

Posted in Death Metal, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music with tags , , , on April 6, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Cut Up - promo band pic - #0415CUMBMO0031

Cut Up - band logo - #2015MBMOCU8808

As reported by Metal Blade Records:

Everyone please welcome Cut Up to the Metal Blade roster! The band features Tobias Gustafsson and Erik Rundqvist of Vomitory fame, as well as Ander Bertilsson from Coldworker, and Andreas Björnson from Fetus Stench.

Fans can expect a violent, catchy, groovy album of pure Swedish death metal this summer!

Drummer Tobias Gustafsson comments: “I am very happy, proud, honoured and excited to team up with Metal Blade Records once again, this time with CUT UP! Can’t stay away from playing death metal, obviously, so it feels fantastic to have this murderous ensemble together so soon after putting Vomitory into eternal sleep. Cut Up is not just “another project”, but all four members’ new main band. We have made a debut album that we are tremendously satisfied with, both material and production-wise. We can’t wait to let you hear it! Cut Up aim to hit the stages as soon as the album is released, so we hope to see you all in the front row and in the pit!”

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Website: http://www.metalblade.com

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE CUT UP.

LONG LIVE DEATH METAL.

Stone.

On This Day In METAL History – April 6th… From California Jam To Sepultura

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, rock music with tags , , , , on April 6, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

California Jam - 1974 - promo concert poster - #0674CJMO00777

On April 6th, 1974 – The first California Jam was held at the Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California. This inaugural California Jam featured such music legends as: Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, The Eagles, Rare Earth, Earth Wind & Fire, Seals & Crofts and Black Oak Arkansas. Now that was a diverse Rock festival! Whoa, man!

The California Jam poster (above) was created by the world-class artist Drew Struzan.

Led Zeppelin - Chicago Stadium - April 6 - 1977 - Full Ticket Promo Pic - #06MOLZ77

On this day in 1977 – The great Led Zeppelin performed at Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Chicago Stadium opened in 1929 and closed in 1994. The above ticket to this Rock historic concert cost only… $9 in U.S. funds. Aw, man!!

Triumph - classic band logo - #3377MOTCRR0612

On April 6th, 2008 – In Calgary, Alberta, Canada,  Triumph was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame at the Juno Awards. Triumph also belongs inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Just Saying.

Sepultura - Classic Band Logo - #3370386SMO06

On this day in 2012 – The incredible Sepultura performed at Moskva Hall in Moscow, Russia. This was one of many concerts on their Eastern European & Baltic Tour 2012.

Black Sabbath - Iron Man - promo cover pic - #008777MOBSIM06

On April 6th, 2015 – The iconic Black Sabbath song, Iron Man, is the #1 best-selling Heavy Metal song on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Songs Chart. Whoa! This song is featured on the second studio album from Black Sabbath, released in 1970: Paranoid. 45 years old and going strong, this song is #1. Nothing short of remarkable. Metal be thy name!

Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train - 45rpm - promo pic - #100777OSMO06

On this day in 2015 – The legendary Ozzy Osbourne has his timeless hit, Crazy Train, ranked at #4 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Songs Chart. Whoa, again! This memorable song is featured on Ozzy Osbourne’s debut solo album from 1980: Blizzard Of Ozz.

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Stone - 2011 Photo #1

LONG LIVE METAL.

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.

NELSON “Peace Out” – New Studio Album Releases In May, Via Frontiers Music Srl

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Music, rock albums, rock music with tags , , , , on April 5, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Nelson - Peace Out - promo album cover pic - 2015 - #05NMOPO33

NELSON SOARS WITH PEACE OUT

New Studio Album Returns Band To Classic Melodic Rock Format.

To Be Released By Frontiers Music Srl May 15th in Europe, May 19th in North America.

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Pre-order on Amazon.com here: http://geni.us/PeaceOutAmazon

In their 25-year career as a musical duo, Matthew and Gunnar Nelson, collectively known simply as Nelson, have grown from pop music idols to seasoned songwriters and performers. Now, as the brothers celebrate a quarter century at the forefront of the international music scene, they return with Peace Out, their most ambitious studio album to date.

Set for release in Europe on May 15th and North America on May 19th by Frontiers Music Srl, PEACE OUT marks a return to the well crafted songs that put the band at the top of the Billboard charts in the 1990s. From the anthemic “Invincible” to the rollicking soon-to-be classic “Back In the Day”, PEACE OUT is quintessential Nelson from start to finish.

“We set a pretty high standard with our previous release with Frontiers – Lightning Strikes Twice. That record received by far the most critical acclaim of any Nelson record to date… Peace Out was expected to be even BETTER, so the goal was to push ourselves to very limit- past what we believed we could do,” says Gunnar Nelson. “We wanted to write and record the most exciting, authentic, uplifting, and rockin’ Nelson record ever made! The mission: to make a classic.”

The brothers have always had their work cut out for themselves, being the third generation in one of America’s most celebrated entertainment families, who came into US households every week from 1952 through 1966 on the ABC sitcom, The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet. Their grandfather, Ozzie Nelson, was a celebrated big band leader, whose orchestra featured their grandmother, Harriet; and their late father, Ricky, was one of Rock’n’Roll’s earliest superstars, a member of The Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, and generally credited with creating the country-rock format.

When the Nelson twins burst onto the music scene with their own Billboard #1 hit “(I Can’t Live Without Your) Love & Affection,” in 1990, they set a Guinness World Record by being the only family to have three generations of #1 hits on the charts!

Nelson has gone on to release a half-dozen Rock albums selling nearly 7 million records, beginning with the multi-platinum After The Rain. Peace Out marks their fourth release on Frontiers since 2010. Look for Nelson to embark on a world tour upon the new album’s release. “We’re putting the live show together as we speak… And it will incorporate the very best live songs from our career… Focusing heavily on the PEACE OUT album,” says Gunnar.

The Nelsons have worked in a number of musical styles including pop, hard rock and even country. Now, Peace Out takes them to the musical home they have known the best: harmony-driven pop rock whose melodies are as infectious as they are lasting.

Peace Out – Track Listing:

1. Hello Everybody
2. Back In The Day
3. Invincible
4. Let It Ride
5. I Wanna Stay Home
6. On The Bright Side
7. Rockstar
8. Autograph
9. What’s Not To Love?
10. You And Me
11. Bad For You
12. Leave The Light On For Me

For all things NELSON, please visit:

http://www.matthewandgunnarnelson.com

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Frontiers Music SRL - logo - #2014FM

Website: http://www.frontiers.it/

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE NELSON.

Stone.

TOTO “XIV” – New Studio Album Lands In Top 10 On The Charts In Nine Countries

Posted in classic rock, Music, rock albums, rock music with tags , , , , on April 5, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Toto - XIV - promo album cover pic - 2015 - #MOT777

As reported by Frontiers Music SRL:

From Toto:

“A HUGE Thank You to the fans for the first week success of TOTO XIV!

The album landed in the Top 10 on the charts in nine countries (Germany #4, Netherlands #2, Japan #2, Denmark #7, Czech Republic #10, Finland #5, Norway #6, Sweden #4 and Switzerland #3). TOTO XIV also became the first new studio album to chart in the US & UK since 1988’s The Seventh One.

“We’re pleasantly stunned at the response,” exclaimed David Paich. “We couldn’t be more pleased with this initial success! And we’re always blown away when a new TOTO album bursts onto the Charts. We owe it all to our friends and Fans!”

“I am happily shocked, thankful and surprised,” echoed Steve Lukather. “ I can’t begin to thank you all for the support of buying real music and the love and kindness you have all showed this band for 38 years. So much thanks to our team and Frontiers records and all the people that work with us and most of all to the fans and our friends. It means so much to us. This one is for Mike and Jeff and all the Porcaro’s!”

TOTO XIV was released on March 20th in Europe & March 24th in North America.

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Toto XIV - album logo - #09777TMO

Website: http://www.totoofficial.com/

Frontiers Music SRL - logo - #2014FM

Website: http://www.frontiers.it/

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE TOTO.

REST IN PEACE, JEFF & MIKE PORCARO.

Stone.

On This Day In METAL History – April 4th… The Album Charts – From NIGHTWISH To IRON MAIDEN

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , on April 4, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Nightwish - Endless Forms Most Beautiful - promo album cover pic - 2015 - #44008

On this day in 2015 – The new studio album (deluxe version) from Nightwish, Endless Forms Most Beautiful, sits at #1 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. The regular studio album release is at #3 on this same chart. Whoa!

Kamelot - Haven - promo studio album cover pic - 2015 - #KMO7709

On this day in 2015Kamelot’s new studio album, Haven (Deluxe Edition), is ranked at #13 on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. This studio album releases in North America on May 4th, 2015.

Thy Art Is Murder - Hate - promo album cover pic - 2015 - #220HMO

On this day in 2015 – The new album, Hate, from Thy Art Is Murder is ranked at #94, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. The album cover art above is freaking incredible and is what METAL is all about! Whoa!

Iron Maiden - Powerslave - 1984 - promo album cover pic - #IMMO3366

On this day in 2015 – The magnificent IRON MAIDEN have their incredible 1984 studio album, Powerslave, ranked at #27, on the iTunes Top 100 Heavy Metal Albums Chart. Yeah, man!

Toto - XIV - promo album cover pic - 2015 - #MOT777

On this day in 2015TOTO XIV debuts at #98 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. This new TOTO album was released on March 23rd, via Frontiers Music SRL. If this album was released 30 years ago, it would be sitting in the top ten of all albums charts. Seriously, it would. This is not an insult, it is a compliment to TOTO for they are musically superior to 100% of the Pop shit and watered down mainstream Country that is selling huge today. Metal be thy name.

Nickelback - No Fixed Address - promo album cover pic - 2014 - #99740

On this day in 2015Nickelback’s latest studio album, No Fixed Address, is hanging on by a thread, on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart! This album is now at… #200.

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Stone - 2011 Photo #1

LONG LIVE METAL.

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.

KRONOS – French Brutal Death Metal Veterans Join Unique Leader Records For The Release Of Their Fourth Full-Length This Summer

Posted in Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, rock music with tags , , , , on April 4, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Kronos - promo band pic - 2015 - #6659KMO

Extreme Metal powerhouse, Unique Leader Records, is very pleased to announce the addition of French Death Metal legion, KRONOS, to their expanding roster of mind-bending brutality.

Comments Unique Leader: “We are very proud to announce the multi album signing (of) France’s KRONOS. The band has been an influence on many acts over their extensive career and continue to push the envelope in the genre with their aggressive form of extreme metal madness.”

Adds the band:KRONOS is beyond stoked and proud to join Unique Leader Records… the perfect fit for the Titan’s awakening! Unique Leader Records is one of the best extreme metal labels and has many talented bands from the brutal/technical death metal scene on its roster. We’re absolutely pleased to be part of the UL family and eager to release our forthcoming new album very soon. Expect some real fury….the Titan is back!”

KRONOS - classic band logo - 2015 - #kMO96677301

A name derived from the Greek god of time, Cronos, father of Zeus, KRONOS was forged over fifteen years ago and quickly established a name for themselves based solely on their musical unity of harmony and violence. Featuring a continuous textual reference to the gods of ancient civilizations, KRONOS punctures ears with a heightened level of dynamics accomplished by only by a select number of bands.

It all began in a small town in the Northeastern province of Alsace-Lorraine. Following various lineup shifts and musical experimentation, the pandemonium squad recorded their first demo in 2000. One year later, KRONOS would unleash their Titan’s Awakening debut. Produced entirely by the band, the lethal creation lead to a union with French imprint Warpath Records (formerly known as Shockwave). By the end of 2001, Titan’s Awakening was expelled once again into the world, this time with a brand new cover designed by Deather (Gurkkhas, Vital Remains, Angel Corpse) as well as a visually disquieting booklet.

KRONOS later joined forces with Spanish label Xtreem Music run by Avulsed’s Dave Rotten, for the unleashing of their next two full-lengths. Second offering, Colossal Titan Strife was discharged in 2004 to the applause of underground critics in the proverbial know. Metal Crypt commended the band’s, “diversified guitar work… intricate drum patterns… wicked guitar solos and.. good number of catchy yet non-compromising hooks,” further insisting, “This French outfit is definitely worth checking out,” while Sputnik Music championed, “an impressive album that shows off the capabilities of death metal done right. KRONOS managed to pack a metric ton of creativity into each song and you will barely hear the same riff twice.”

Added Last Rites simply, “worth your time if you… need some solid, well-produced death metal.” Third offspring, The Hellenic Terror, emerged in April 2007 and served as an attestation of the band’s enormous capacity for skilled execution and originality. Said Metal Crypt in a near perfect review of the release, “The Hellenic Terror contains more melodic sections than Colossal Titan Strife, but still possesses almost as much brutality…. KRONOS is one of the few death metal bands that manage to be melodic, brutal and still remain catchy as hell in their riffs and solos. This is definitely a must-have for fans of death metal.”

Now that this Gallic Titan has blossomed into a powerful entity, they’re ready to vanquish and destroy the world with musical bloodlust and a new album to be released via Unique Leader Records this Summer. Further details to be unveiled in the coming weeks.

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Source: Earsplit PR

* For more info:

Facebook: KRONOS

Unique Leader Records - logo - B&W - 2013

http://www.uniqueleader.com

http://www.facebook.com/UniqueLeaderRecords

http://www.twitter.com/UniqueLeaderRec

http://www.youtube.com/uniqueleaderrecords

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE KRONOS.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

Euro-Melting Pot Strauss Announce Second EP “Luia”

Posted in Metal, Music, rock music with tags , , , , on April 3, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Strauss - Luia - EP cover promo pic  - 2015 - 3040215MOS77

London brings people together from all walks of life. So when a French guitarist met two Italians, a Spanish guitarist and a British bassist, it seemed destiny to make noise together as Strauss (a Germanic name of course). They’re now set to release their second EP Luia around late May. Drawing from common wells of Kylesa, Kyuss and Red Fang, the fuzz-charged grooves they conjure up on Luia are infectious and dirt-laden, so you may well catch something. Meanwhile vocalist Stef possesses both crooning tones and a manic bark to contrast, and even a rap-style vocal in the vein of Zack la Rocha (Rage Against The Machine) on final track ‘2015’.

Strauss started out with modest intentions: “met one day and decided to make some noise…that’s it really.” The group eventually centered around London as their stomping ground, and quickly got their heads together to create their début self-titled EP, which received high praise from reviewers around the ‘net. Building on this success, the band hit the road far and wide, even reaching Latvia’s Fontaine Festival and Sweden’s SandvikFest to bring their manic parties. Now, it’s time for round two of hitting the studio, and Luia has taken shape spectacularly. The UK fuzz scene has never been in healthier shape, and rarely with a more wicked sense of humor.

Strauss are:

Stef – vocals
Charles – guitars
Bill – bass
Luca Immovili – drums

FFO: Red Fang, Kylesa, Kruger

Digital release is set for late May.

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“This is a damn fine first release from Strauss and for fans of catchy stoner grooves with a dirty sludgier edge, this is essential listening.” – Heavy Planet

“A sound rooted somewhere between Kylesa and Red Fang with a nice progressive touch. All in all this EP is packed with some great tunes and worth checking out.” – Stonerobixxx

“Even though it’s got these familiar elements, this stew of tunes is quite unlike any sludge/metal/stoner acts I’ve heard before.” – Ride With The Devil

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Source: Dewar PR

Strauss – Online:

Facebook

Twitter

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE STRAUSS.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

IMMORTAL BIRD – Midwest Blackened Death Grind Ensemble Confirms Western Migration Tour

Posted in Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, rock music with tags , , , on April 3, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Immortal Bird - promo band photo - 2015 - #040315IBMO1

Band To Unleash New Full-Length This Summer + “New” Drummer Announced

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Midwest blackened death grind ensemble, IMMORTAL BIRD, will release a brand new full-length this Summer. Titled Empress/Abscess, the five track follow-up to 2013’s Akrasia EP, which Decibel Magazine dubbed, “dark and twisting,” and The Chicago Reader called, “…sick and greasy black metal that does an admirable job inventing the sound of a mind tearing itself apart,” was captured by Pete Grossmann (Weekend Nachos, Harm’s Way, Dead In The Dirt) at Bricktop Recording in Chicago, Illinois earlier this year and mixed and mastered by Colin Marston (Gorguts, Krallice, Nader Sadek, Atheist, Origin etc.) at Menegroth, The Thousand Caves in Queens, New York. Empress/Abscess includes a guest appearance by John Hoffman of Weekend Nachos and finds former drummer/vocalist, Rae Amitay, trading in her drum stool for a full-time position at the mic.

Elaborates Amitay: “I’ve stepped away from drumming duties and enlisted our live drummer, Garry Naples (Novembers Doom). Essentially, I had to set my ego aside and determine what was going to be the best for this music. [Guitarist] Evan [Berry] and I wrote some incredibly challenging material for Empress/Abscess, and Garry had been playing it live for months, whereas I’d been focusing a lot of my drumming energy on the newest Thrawsunblat album. My chops are in a very different place than they were when we recorded Akrasia and it would take me a week in the studio to do what Garry can accomplish in two days. Having him behind the kit saved us time, the finished product is stronger, and I was able to delve into the vocal performances and lyrics with my undivided attention. Will I play drums on future IMMORTAL BIRD albums? It’s entirely likely, but for Empress/Abscess, I passed the sticks over to the best person for the job.”

An official release date for Empress/Abscess is forthcoming, but expected to drop in late June. As a precursor to its official unveiling, the band will embark upon the Western Migration Tour 2015. Slated to kick off on April 27th in Louisville, Kentucky, IMMORTAL BIRD will traverse eleven states in over a dozen cities, with the journey coming to a close on May 14th in Madison, Wisconsin. In addition to a the West Coast trek, IMMORTAL BIRD recently confirmed appearances at Shadow Woods Metal Fest and Southwest Terror Fest with future live demolitions in their plotting stages.

“We’re really looking forward to hitting all new cities on this run of dates,” relays Amitay, “It’s time to bring Akrasia to the West Coast before we release the new record! We’ll be playing a bunch of previously unperformed material, and will again be enlisting the talents of guitarist Eric Kornfeind on this tour. Stoked to spend a few weeks playing for our friends in the West.”

IMMORTAL BIRD 2015 Western Migration Tour:

4/27/2015 Diamond Pub – Louisville, KY
4/28/2015 House Show – Nashville, TN
4/29/2015 Vino’s – Little Rock, AR
4/30/2015 Tomcats – Fort Worth, TX
5/02/2015 Lost Well – Austin, TX
5/03/2015 TBA – San Antonio, TX
5/04/2015 Sandbox – El Paso, TX
5/05/2015 The Cottage House – Flagstaff, AZ
5/06/2015 Yucca Tap Room – Tempe, AZ
5/07/2015 Katz Alley – Redlands, CA
5/08/2015 TBA – San Diego, CA
5/09/2015 TBA – Los Angeles, CA
5/10/2015 The Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM
5/11/2015 Flux Capacitor – Colorado Springs, CO
5/12/2015 TBA – Omaha, NE
5/14/2015 The Wisco – Madison, WI

IMMORTAL BIRD:

Evan Berry – guitars
Rae Amitay – vocals
Garry Naples – drums
John Picillo – bass

IMMORTAL BIRD - West Coast Tour - promo flyer - 2015 - #04MOIBE

Source: Earsplit PR

* For more info on IMMORAL BIRD:

http://www.facebook.com/immortalbirdband

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE IMMORTAL BIRD.

LONG LIVE THE MIDWEST.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

MARDUK – Latin America Tour Dates For April/May

Posted in Black Metal, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music with tags , , , on April 2, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Marduk - Latin America Tour Dates - 2015 - promo poster - #M663MO9339

Norrköping, Sweden’s Black Metal legends, MARDUK, will begin their Latin American tour, beginning this April 17th, in Santiago, Chile. MARDUK’s newly released album, Frontschwein, is available now! Metal be thy name. -Stone

Marduk - Frontschwein - promo album cover pic - #2015MMO10

Click these links below for more info:

Website: http://www.marduk.nu/

Facebook: Marduk Official

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MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE MARDUK.

LONG LIVE SWEDEN.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

Satyricon’s Frontman Satyr Gives Details On Upcoming “The Dawn Of A New Age” European Tour

Posted in Black Metal, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music with tags , , , , on April 2, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

satyricon.bandheader

As stated on the Satyricon Facebook timeline by Satyr:

Personal message from the bossman: We had our last rehearsal for the tour today and we’re ready. When preparing this, the most important thing for me has been to make this tour different from our last Euro tour in 2013. We tour less and less although we play together more often than ever before. So the few tours we do should all have an identity of their own and feel special to me also. We’ve divided the show into four acts and this less conventional format is interesting to work with. I also like playing songs we haven’t played in many years. Not just old stuff from the nineties. We do that too. Come on. It’s great playing songs from Volcano and Now, Diabolical that have not been touched in many years as well. I hear these songs with new ears now. Incorporating choral arrangements from “Live At The Opera” on some songs has also been a bit of a task. Keyboard and human voices are not the same, but we have found those parts that work really well and some songs get a whole new feel to them with these additions. I’m so heavily into working on new stuff these days, that I decided I want to show bits and pieces to the crowds as well. It does not matter to me if they are bits and pieces in progress – I want to play future Satyricon material for you and I know you’ll get it. We also invited fans who play classical instruments to join us in doing improvised jam sessions and I know that it will happen in at least a handful of the shows. I love the idea that fans will take part in our show, also on a musical level. We are working on a cover album project and on some shows we’ll show you some of that on stage as well. We’re bringing a treasure chest of visual effects, I think the show in Paris will be filmed for television and we are visiting many cities we have not played before.

The old touring format is dead. This is The Dawn Of A New Age. Join me. SW

The Dawn Of A New Age European Tour 2015 kicks off on Saturday in Nijmegen, Holland. We are doing this INSTEAD of a summer festival tour, and we hope to see you all in the coming weeks.

Satyricon - The Dawn Of A New Age - promo tour poster - April - 2015 - #663SWMOF

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* For more info on SATYRICON

Facebook: Satyricon

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE SATYRICON.

LONG LIVE NORWAY.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

ORDEN OGAN “Ravenhead” – A Metal Odyssey Album Review

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music with tags , , , , on April 1, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

Orden Ogan - Ravenhead - promo album cover pic - 2015 - #1123

5 Out Of 5 METAL Fists!

Metalfistredbckgrndsmall5

ORDEN OGAN – Arnsberg, Germany’s Power Metal warriors, ORDEN OGAN, released their new 11 song studio album, Ravenhead, this past February 3rd in North America, via AFM Records. Ravenhead is a tremendous follow-up to 2012’s To The End, in my Metal opinion.

With the fittingly titled Orden Ogan, a triumphant symphonic intro with haunting chants, this compelling Ravenhead album begins. The title track kicks in with all the aural power and atmospheric energy that Orden Ogan are so gifted at creating and playing; this experience does not subside throughout the album. I cannot help letting myself being carried away by the layered songs of Ravenhead, Orden Ogan have undoubtedly turned it up a few notches between albums.

Orden Ogan - promo band pic - 2015 - #011615OOMO

Orden Ogan is a band whose albums you must really listen to and absorb, in order to take in every sonic nuance. I swear I hear bagpipes on the song F.E.V.E.R. I believe I do. Plus, as a bonus, Ravenhead can be interpreted as a concept album, if one so chooses to do so. Evil Lies In Every Man has a creepy spoken word intro of what I perceive to be a female elder from the blackest of forests; in other words a witch to my ears? Creepy nonetheless and this song soars with its Power Metal intensity. Ravenhead flows along so very fine, with the last song, Too Soon, being of the rightly chosen, moderate tempo and mood to close the listening experience out with.

Orden Ogan - Ravenhead - back cover - promo pic - Andreas Marschall

Above: back cover artwork for Ravenhead

Vocalist Seeb is a wonderful listen with his clean vocals and he also plays guitar and keyboards as well. Tobi on lead guitar, Niels on bass and Dirk on drums round out this German Power Metal band that I feel so good writing about. I absolutely love the chorus throughout Ravenhead; this is what makes European Power Metal so incredibly moving!

Orden Ogan represent European Power Metal in such an abundant way; anyone unfamiliar with this genre can tag Orden Ogan as a bullseye for a starting point. There is not only the power behind Ordan Ogan’s impressive Metal on Ravenhead; fascinating bridges lead this listener to such a dynamic listen of vast Metal sounds. Speed, ambience, acoustical, flamenco and symphonic moments, with fist raising guitar solos, European Power Metal guitar tones, and a roof raising rhythm section are all in store for you within the songs on Ravenhead.

I highly recommend Orden Ogan’s Ravenhead to any fan of Power Metal and Metal for that matter; Orden Ogan has created so much to offer here on their new album. Metal be thy name. – Stone

Orden Ogan - promo band pic - 2015 - #00333OOMO0401

ORDEN OGAN:

SEEB – vocals, lead-guitar, keyboards

TOBI – lead-guitar

NIELS – bass

DIRK – drums

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* For more info on ORDEN OGAN:

Facebook: ORDEN OGAN

MetalOdyssey

LONG LIVE ORDEN OGAN.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

On This Day In METAL History – April 1st… From David Lee Roth To Iron Maiden

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, rock music with tags , , , , on April 1, 2015 by Metal Odyssey

David Lee Roth - Hit Parader Magazine - promo cover - April - 1984 - #0401DLRMO1

On April 1st, 1985David Lee Roth left Van Halen to begin a solo career. Yup. Shown above is the April, 1984 edition of Hit Parader, with Diamond Dave as the cover feature. Yup.

Cheap Trick - Promo Album Cover Pic!

On this day in 2008 – In the state of Illinois, this date marked the first Cheap Trick Day. This special day was decided upon, in June of 2007, in the state of Illinois. Whoa, man! Happy Cheap Trick Day, Illinois! Long live Cheap Trick!

IRON MAIDEN "The Number Of The Beast" large album pic!!

On April 1st, 2015IRON MAIDEN’s The Number Of The Beast is ranked at #33 on the iTunes Top 100 Metal Albums Chart. This iconic Metal album was released back in 1982 and is the third studio album from the legendary IRON MAIDEN. Whoa! Long live IRON MAIDEN!

Iron Maiden - Piece Of Mind - promo album cover pic - 1982 - #66IMMO0104

On this day in 2015IRON MAIDEN’s Piece Of Mind is ranked at #45 on the iTunes Top 100 Metal Albums Chart. Released back in 1983, this is the fourth studio album from the mighty IRON MAIDEN.

Iron Maiden - Brave New World - promo album cover pic - 2000 - #0401BDASMO

On April 1st, 2015IRON MAIDEN’s Brave New World is ranked at #53 on the iTunes Top 100 Metal Albums Chart. Released back in 2000, this is the twelfth studio album from the magnificent IRON MAIDEN. Brave New World also marked the return of vocalist Bruce Dickinson, after his successful solo career; guitarist Adrian Smith also marked his return on this fabulous album. Whoa!

Pantera - Vulgar Display Of Power - Promo Cover Pic!

On this day in 2015PANTERA’s Vulgar Display Of Power is ranked at #39 on the iTunes Top 100 Metal Albums Chart. Originally released back in 1992, this is the sixth studio album from the great PANTERA. Long live the legacy of PANTERA! RIP, Dimebag Darrell.

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METAL BE THY NAME!

Stone - 2011 Photo #1

LONG LIVE METAL.

LONG LIVE THE ROOTS & FAMILY TREE OF METAL.

Stone.