J.R. Tolkien-based Death Metallers KHAZADDUM have released the InDwarven Halls EP. Stream the EP in its entirety at: https://khazaddumband.bandcamp.com/
Check out the official video for EP cut “Thorin Oakenshield” at this location or below:
Established in Milwaukee, WI in 2014, the band’s goal was to create music that captured the epic feel and scope of storytelling comprising the immense Tolkien mythology. Drawing influences from Death Metal greats such as NILE, MORBID ANGEL, and BEHEMOTH, KHAZADDUM carries on the tradition of both a technical and melodic approach in their music.
Featuring guitarist Alex Rausa (ex-Devolving Messiah), drummer Pete Kissane (Burial Ritual), vocalist Luka Djordjevic (ex- Promethean Parallax /ex- Carnal Befoulment) , and bassist Tony Cannizzaro (ex- Splattered Cadavre/ ex- Demented Tourment), KHAZADDUM absolutely shine on the EP’s three stellar tracks.
Track Listing:
The Grey Thus Commands
Durin’s Bane
Thorin Oakenshield
The In Dwarven Halls EP was recorded at Bell City Sound by Chris Wisco (ex- Jungle Rot) in late 2014. Originally started as a recording project, KHAZADDUM finally decided to become a full-time live band in 2015 and released this beast of an EP.
Seattle Death Grinders, THEORIES, will kick off the New Year with a cross-country stage decimation supporting legendary Death Metal veterans Decapitated and hometown Death Metal quintet Black Breath. The Winter takeover begins January 27th in Denver, Colorado and will trample its way through eleven cities, coming to a close February 6th in Frederick, Maryland.
THEORIES w/ Decapitated, Black Breath:
1/27/2016 Marquis Theater – Denver, CO
1/28/2016 Leftys – Des Moines, IA
1/29/2016 Skyway Theatre – Minneapolis, MN
1/30/2016 Reggies – Chicago, IL
1/31/2016 Agora Ballroom – Cleveland, OH
2/01/2016 Mod Club – Toronto, ON
2/02/2016 Le Cercle – Quebec City, QC
2/03/2016 Fete Ballroom – Providence, RI
2/04/2016 Marlin Room at Webster Hall – New York, NY
2/05/2016 Voltage – Philadelphia, PA
2/06/12016 Café 611 – Frederick, MD
THEORIES – featuring within its ranks current and former members of Samothrace, Skarp, and Book Of Black Earth among others – continues to grind their way into diseased hearts with the ravaging sounds of their Regression full-length, released earlier this year via Metal Blade Records.
Tracked at The Red Room and The Boiler Room with producer/engineer Derek Moree (The Sword, Pelican, Minus The Bear, et al) with mixing and mastering conducted by Visceral Sound’s Scott Hull (Pig Destroyer, Agoraphobic Nosebleed), the record reaped the hails of critics both stateside and abroad. Heavy Blog Is Heavy notes, “THEORIES hits so many right notes on Regression that it would be easy to presume this was their third or fourth record.”
Metal Injection concurs, “Regression is a honed, utterly off-the-wall experience that is a blast to listen to from both a technical standpoint, and one that’s just looking to rage… Those into death metal or grindcore will find THEORIES much akin to bands like Misery Index, Cattle Decapitation and Pig Destroyer.” Last Rites issues, “THEORIES is a band that knows how to let an idea form, shape it, and then kill it in lieu of sewing odd parts together without envisioning what the final form will be,” further elaborating, “These are songs and grind at the same time, and that’s what puts this one on a pedestal amongst not only other grind bands at the current, but also their tech-ier, death-ier labelmates. Sleep on this at your own peril.”
No Clean Singing notes, “Regression is not only a superbly performed assault on your senses, but more importantly, one with more substance and memorable moments than you will find on most records within the genre.” Adds Cvlt Nation simply and accurately, “Get this fucking album.”
Experiment of Existence from Chilean Death Thrashers RIPPER will be released on March 4, 2016, on CD, from Unspeakable Axe Records; as well on LP from Dark Descent Records. New song “Neuronal Unity” is streaming now at this locationor below:
Some of Extreme Metal’s classic acts have had simple, one-word names that told you just what to expect from them: DISMEMBER. DEATH. SLAYER. Add to that list RIPPER whose debut album – released in 2014 and then swiftly reissued by Iron Pegasus in 2015 – was exactly as advertised: a destructive barrage of Thrash riffs and beats in the Teutonic and South American mold, with harsh vocals in the Mille Petrozza vein and ridiculously technical bass-playing a la Steve Di Georgio as bonuses.
Track Listing:
1. Magnetic Solar Storms
2. Anthropophagic Life
3. Experiment of Existence
4. Anatomy of the Galaxies (Instrumental)
5. Stellar Evolution
6. The Alpha Orionis
7. Rotten Dreams
8. Chromatic Fantasy (Bass Solo)
9. Neuronal Unity
10. Spherical Energy
11. Humanity was Wrong
__________________________
Now in 2016, this young band will follow it with their new full-length, Experiment of Existence. With more advanced songwriting and somehow even tighter playing, only without losing any of the aggression and speed, this is as good as Death/Thrash Metal gets.
Featuring 11 tracks total with amazing, detailed artwork by Paolo Girardi (Craven Idol, Power Trip, Blasphemophagher and others), Experiment of Existence is a likely best-of-2016 album for anyone who loves Thrash that is old school yet not “Retro” in quotation marks and capital letters, along with anyone who loves Thrash that skirts as close as possible to the edge of Death.
PAGANIZER happen to be Rogga Johansson‘s main and longest-running band. Yep, that’s the man responsible for the music of bands like Putrevore, Megascavenger, Swarming, Johansson and Speckmann, Down Among the Dead Men and Necrogod, among many others.
In Rogga Johansson’s own words: “We are very excited to release a mini CD with Kunal and Transcending Obscurity early in 2016. There will be four new songs which are some of the coolest stuff we’ve done in a long time, and as special bonus there will also be a full gig on the CD too, recorded last year in Stockholm, Sweden. So be prepared for 2016, to be ripped apart and devoured ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF HADES!”
Genre – Death Metal of the PUREST kind!
Release Date – Tentatively March-April 2016
Record Label – Transcending Obscurity Records (main label)
North Carolina Death Metal machine Atrocious Abnormality are poised to strike with their highly anticipated second full length CD, Formed in Disgust. The band has released a lyric video for album track Exterminate the Apostles. Check it out at: https://youtu.be/WjOk5gTiO2M or below:
A punishing follow-up to their 2007 debut release Echoes of the Rotting, this new offering is a brutal combination of throat ripping guttural vocals and bowel shredding guitar riffs, together with an onslaught of merciless drumming and a bass bombardment of deadly precision. Ranging from fast technical sections, to slower haunting passages, to pit crushing slam and groove breakdowns, this CD has something for everyone and will satisfy the ravenous hunger of the most discerning Death Metal cannibals.
In addition to this outbreak of sickness, there are also some respectable guest vocalist featured throughout the album to maximize the blasphemous carnage. Artwork for Formed in Disgust by Marco Hasmann.
Comatose Music will unleash Formed in Disgust on March 4th, 2016.
IRON MAIDEN – If you have a Metalhead, Hell Rat or Underground Cellar Dweller you need to shop for this holiday season, just click the link below for ALL the IRON MAIDEN merch that’s sure to solve your Metal gift giving needs! Metal Be Thy Name! – Stone
Texas Progressive/Melodic Death Metallers FALL will self-release The Insatiable Weakness on January 26th, 2016. Technically accomplished and musically magnificent, the album is a tour de force of dual-guitar firepower and unforgettable melodies. Chemistry is key and The Insatiable Weakness is truly greater than the sum of its parts.
Featuring the dynamic rhythm section of session drummer Dirk Verbeuren (SOILWORK) and bassist extraordinaire David Gutierrez, the guitar wizardry of Daniel Benavides, and the soaring vocals and colorful keys of Jessie Santos, The Insatiable Weakness is one of 2016’s first awe-inspiring journeys into the Progressive Metal realm.
Lyric videos for new songs “Soul Ignition” and “Harvester” can be consumed hereand here, respectively. Both songs can also be streamed on FALL’s Bandcamp page below:
The Insatiable Weakness was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Robert Beltran at Precision Studios. Check out The Insatiable Weakness album teaser video here or below:
It’s that time of year! Put up your hails horns \m/\m/ and get in the mosh pit spirit for Asher Media Relations‘ latest holiday sampler ‘Happy Metal Annihilation Vol. 5’ featuring over 50 tracks and just under four hours of headbanging tunes from bands they’ve had the honour of doing PR for in 2015.
1. Accursed Spawn – Clotheshanger Abortion
2. Adrenechrome – The Lead Elephant
3. Aggression – Cut Your Sins Off (Galy Records)
4. Arrival Of Autumn – Like Fire
5. BLEED – Hate March Kill
6. BornBroken – A Nation of Ignorance
7. Cryptic Hymn – Revel In Disgust
8. Defect Designer – Crusaders (Sleaszy Rider Records)
9. Display of Decay – Created To Kill
10. Elderoth – Black And Blue
11. Éohum – Equatorial Rains
12. [Evertrapped] – Palace of Injustice (Hellstorm Recordz)
13. Evilheart – Decimated Opposition (Test Your Metal Records)
14. Exes For Eyes – Done For Good feat Speed Strid of Soilwork
15. Fall City Fall – Love And Art
16. Fallen Angels – Nightmare (Cyberdyne Records)
17. False Flag – Nest Of Vipers
18. FUCK THE FACTS – Solitude (Noise Salvation)
19. Gomorrah – A Disaster’s Nightmare (Test Your Metal Records)
20. Haiduk – Syth
21. Helleborus – Coils
22. Hibria – Pain (Test Your Metal Records)
23. id. – Sagittarius A
24. Infalling- Distorted Visions
25. Inverted Serenity – Everscending
26. Keychain – Shock Rock City
27. Leave The Living – Word of a Whore
28. Meridius – Walk the Plank
29. MUTANK – Corporate Child
30. New Jacobin Club – Parade of Innocents (Manticore Music Group)
31. Odium – Return to Form
32. Psychostick – Obey The Beard
33. Puttin’ On The Foil – Giver To The Liver
34. Pyramids On Mars – Heaven’s Gate
35. Saints of Death – Blood Vendetta
36. Scissortooth – 10 30 (Galy Records)
37. Seven Year Storm – Dyatlov
38. Silent Line – Black and White
39. Striker – Too Late
40. The Apex – Glass Walls
41. The Order of Chaos – Apocalypse Moon
42. Them County Bastardz – No Easy Way
43. Titans Eve – War Path
44. Train Bigger Monkeys – Lack of Morality
45. Tylor Dory Trio – Time The Beholder
46. Van Halst – Save Me
47. Vantablack Warship – The Pit
48. Vesperia – The Western Tempests
49. WILT – Illusion of Hope (Bindrune Recordings)
50. Windy City Slaughter – A Grave For Two
51. XUL – Orbit of Nemesis
About:Asher Media Relations is a PR company based in Montreal, QC that aids bands both well-known and independent getting heard and read about in rock and metal media around the globe, for nearly a decade. For more info, please visit the following links.
Colombian doom-gothic metallers Charm Designer will release their sophomore album “Everlasting” on February 19th, 2016 via Inverse Records.
The follow-up to 2008′s “Blood Sounds” was recorded with legendary producer Waldemar Sorychta, known for his work with Samael, Tiamat, Lacuna Coil, Sentenced and Moonspell among others, being the first time for him to produce a Latin American band. The artwork was designed by Romanian artist Costin Chioreanu (At The Gates, Arcturus, Vulture Industries, Primordial, Arch Enemy, etc.).
The lyric video for the title track “Everlasting” which is the new album’s first single and was also done by Costin has been made available and can be seen here: https://youtu.be/TkYT9YnTHJk or below:
“We’re thrilled to finally have a release date set for our new album, since it’s been a while from when it was finished and it has been a painful task to hold our breath until now. But well, I guess that is the way it should have been in order to match the huge effort all this has meant to us. This is a work of pure and genuine determination” says Charm Designer’s founder and bassist Diego M. Giorgi.
“It has been a long and amazing ride for us seeking to reach this point, and well, to be able to work with Waldemar took the project of the album to a whole new level. Also, Costin did a brilliant job with the artwork for the album. We’re absolutely pleased with the outcome of all this.”
“Everlasting” track listing is as follows:
“Everlasting” track listing is as follows:
1. Everlasting
2. The Replicant
3. Never After
4. Disruption
5. Mentors
6. Inertial Drain
7. Endowar
8. By The Unmasked
9. Policy of Truth
CHARM DESIGNER:
Andrés Herrera – Vocals and guitars
Diego M. Giorgi – Bass
Diego A. Morales – Drums
Diego A. Hernández – Live guitars
Seattle’s RHINE are proud to announce their return in 2016 with their new album ‘An Outsider’ to follow-up 2011’s debut ‘Duality’, which was first a solo effort by band founder Gabriel Tachell (guitar and vocals). Now joined by Alex Smolin on guitar (ex-Metameric), James Porter on bass (Ideofone), and Carlos Delgado (Inferion, ex-Death Crowned King) to collaborate on this project, the band has posted a trailer video to give a glimpse of what’s to come from the 10 track full length when it’s unleashed on February 5, 2016.
Band founder Gabriel Tachell comments on the release:
“‘An Outsider’ is about the struggle that comes with being different, it’s a love/hate situation. You want to shine but you’re afraid of it at the same time. You want to create trends, not follow them, but it’s scary to be the first one. It also has to do with social struggles and always feeling like a stranger. This theme is primarily represented by the title track. Many of the songs have different themes that are not all closely related. The album is all over the map emotionally. Not just angry and dark, but sometimes totally ironic or sometimes very deep and inspiring. It mixes in emotions you wouldn’t typically hear on a Metal record like joy and nostalgia. The listening experience is a journey that won’t get you worn out on a single emotion, instead it is dynamic like we are as humans. We form strong bonds to the music we love because of all these things that it can convey, and we are attempting to create something people can feel the same way about.”
1. Dreaming of Death (11:46)
2. The Spell of Dark Water (6:20)
3. An Outsider (10:05)
4. Somewhere (3:59)
5. Paralyzed (10:50)
6. Dissolved in Fire (7:53)
7. P.R.E.Y. (5:31)
8. Into the Unknown (6:34)
9. Shipwrecked In Stasis (3:02)
10. Fragments (8:21)
_____________________
ABOUT RHINE:
Seattle’s Rhine are seamlessly connecting German Thrash Metal with Swedish Death Metal much like their namesake, the Rhine River. The founder of the group Gabriel Tachell named it such for its simplicity and as a metaphor for fluidity and change. The band started in 2011 with the release of their first album ‘Duality’ which was at first a solo effort by Tachell (guitar and vocals) and eventually led to a full band. He is now joined by Alex Smolin on guitar (ex-Metameric), James Porter on bass (Ideofone), and Carlos Delgado (Inferion, ex-Death Crowned King) to collaborate on this project.
Rhine are primarily producing epic, progressive songs and yet others flow to the mouth of the river where there is a culmination of Black, Death, and Thrash Metal, occasionally tinged with classical, folk and other styles. The band has a certain frantic unpredictability in terms of songwriting and structure while the moody vocals gently ride over the extreme precision of the guitar, drum, and bass.
The four-piece are experimental in their intentions, yet melodically and rhythmically catchy with their delivery. Tachell is the primary inspiration for the current material, referencing experiences in his life from emotional turmoil, health issues, fairy tales, to dreams of finding corpses floating in a swamp. Their interesting themes and energetic music has been evolving into a unique and distinctive sound.
Live, Rhine is an unbridled horse that emote a nervous uncertainty of what is next compositionally and emotionally. The band bases their performance on the backbone of the band – guitar, vocals, bass, and drums and they definitely don’t shy away from the challenges of playing music like this live without the help of backing tracks. Their latest release ‘An Outsider’ is slated for February 5, 2016 and while it may not be heavier than the previous release, it is certainly more advanced in terms of playing, songwriting, vocal performance and production. It includes tracks featuring german lyrics, completely improvised solos and an overall human-ness that is often lost amongst other high level Metal productions in this age of quantizing and autotuning. Rhine are one band that has grown into a machine that is not to be missed.
L to R : Will Tennant – Drums/Backing Vocals, Jamie Haffenden – Guitar/Lead Vocals, Myke Caouette- Bass/Backing Vocals
Photo Credit: Travis Tiernay
______________________________
Breaking free of the constricting chains of modern music, Orillia, ON’s LIKE ANIMALS are busy creating their own uninhibited style of spastic-Math-Metal graced with emotionally charged vocals. Like a wild animal each member maintains a sense of chaos through their arpeggio guitar and bass sections, unorthodox drums peppered with dynamic changes, and finally tempered by the wavering vocals soaring just slightly above the instrumentals both in tone and feeling.
Lyrics contend with themes such as: self-doubt, lack of self-worth, depression, anxiety, and the like. The beasts within the band each perform vocal duties a sound akin to a coyote-esque choir featuring Jamie Haffenden on guitar and lead vocals, Will Tennant on drums and Myke Caouette on bass.
Their name is synonymous with their song-writing and attitude, where they are part of a pack, but still remain hungry and solitary, like a stray animal. Their 400-show track record over the years reveals their dedication to their craft having shared the stage with such bands as Fuck The Facts, Dog Fashion Disco, Adrenechrome, Downtown Brown, Scale The Summit, Polkadot Cadaver, Teethmarks and many more.
With four animal-themed EPs in tow (‘Sweet Whispers, Plagued Ears, The Undertoad, The Wild) and their new release called ‘Feral’ due out on January 22nd, 2016, the band has teamed up with PureGrainAudio.com to not only premiere the title track, but offer it for FREE download.
“We felt that Feral is the perfect first glimpse into the new EP. It really shows fans new and old what we are all about and it is a benchmark for what’s to come on the rest of the EP. It has everything Like Animals is all about, rolled up into one song. A definitive LA song for sure.” comments bassist Myke Caouette.
NWOBHM trailblazers SAVAGE have released a new studio album 7 on Minus 2 Zebra. Included with the double-album is a live performance disc titled Live N Lethal. 7 features 12 blistering new tracks, which mix old with new. Many of the tracks are fast paced and hark back to the early days whilst tracks such as “Superspy’ and Empire Of Hate’ sound akin to something off a modern OZZY album or even METALLICA at their best!
Live N Lethal features 13 live tracks. Included is the entirety of classic 1983 debut album Loose N Lethal, which is given a fresh treatment in the form of a recently recorded gig in the band’s hometown of Mansfield (UK). The Loose n Lethal album is delivered at a furious pace, along with a few choice tracks from the band’s back catalogue.
SAVAGE, once credited for influencing METALLICA to play fast, the band has a strong history starting out in the 80s. Even though the band has often been linked to the NWOBHM movement, their roots are more in the vintage Classic Rock with a modern feel. Influences such as THIN LIZZY and DEEP PURPLE abound and yet with new material they sound incredibly contemporary and fresh. Their debut album, Loose n Lethal became a classic and was the biggest selling independent import in to USA in its day. The band have had a stop-start career but came back with a vengeance in 2012 with the epic Sons Of Malice. The band has been busy ever since on the live scene in the UK and Europe and most recently an Italian tour earlier this summer.
Disc 1: 7
1. I Am The Law
2. Lock N Load
3. Empire Of Hate
4. Super Spy
5. Circus Of Fools
6. Crazy Horse
7. Speed Freak
8. The Road To Avalon (Sins Of The Fathers)
9. Children Of The Night
10. Payback’s A Bitch
11. Shake The Tree
12. Heads Will Roll
Disc 2: Live N Lethal
1. A Prelude To Rage
2. The Rage Within
3. Black ‘n’ Blue
4. White Hot
5. The China Run
6. On The Rocks
7. Aint No Fit Place
8. Dirt Money
9. Berlin
10. Cry Wolf
11. Let It Loose
12. Smiling Assassin
13. We Got The Edge
___________________________
“Savage sound as vibrant as ever. Its 10 tracks hearken back to the band’s early roots while also capturing a contemporary sound.” – Brave Words
“7/Live n Lethal is a fantastic combination of the band’s classic era and its modern age sound in one signature set.” – Metalholic
“Continuing a renaissance that began about 20 years ago, England’s Savage keep their New Wave of British Heavy Metal rumbling along.” – Dangerdog Music Reviews
CANNIBAL CORPSE will kick off 2016 with one of the most bludgeoning Death Metal tour lineups of the year! The over month-long trek, presented by The Noise, will tear across North America beginning on February 12th and run through March 20th. The band will be joined by fellow Floridian Death Metal progenitors, Obituary, as direct support, followed by Canada’s Cryptopsy, and Los Angeles’ Abysmal Dawn. Tickets go on sale this Friday, December 11th, at 10:00am local time through all local and national ticket outlets.
___________________________
The Noise presents CANNIBAL CORPSE w/ Obituary, Cryptopsy, Abysmal Dawn:
2/12/2016 The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
2/13/2016 The Sea – Wilmington, NC
2/14/2016 Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, MD
2/15/2016 Theatre Of Living Arts – Philadelphia, PA
2/16/2016 Irving Plaza – New York, NY
2/18/2016 Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA
2/19/2016 Town Ballroom – Buffalo, NY
2/20/2016 Opera House – Toronto, ON
2/21/2016 St. Andrews Hall – Detroit, MI
2/23/2016 Turner Hall Ballroom – Milwaukee, WI
2/24/2016 The Ready Room – St. Louis, MO [tickets]
2/25/2016 The Granada Theater – Lawrence, KS
2/26/2016 Cabooze – Minneapolis, MN
2/27/2016 Metro – Chicago, IL [tickets]
2/29/2016 The Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO
3/01/2016 The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT
3/02/2016 Revolution Center – Boise, ID
3/03/2016 Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR
3/04/2016 Commodore Ballroom – Vancouver, BC
3/05/2016 El Corazon – Seattle, WA
3/07/2016 The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA
3/08/2016 Avalon Hollywood – Los Angeles, CA
3/09/2016 The Observatory – Santa Ana, CA
3/10/2016 House Of Blues – San Diego, CA
3/11/2016 Club Red – Phoenix, AZ
3/12/2016 Sunshine Theater – Albuquerque, NM
3/14/2016 The Aztec Theatre – San Antonio, TX
3/15/2016 Gas Monkey Live! – Dallas, TX
3/16/2016 House Of Blues – Houston, TX
3/17/2016 Varsity Theatre – Baton Rouge, LA
3/18/2016 The Side Bar Theatre – Tallahassee, FL
3/19/2016 The Ritz Ybor – Tampa, FL *no Obituary
3/20/2016 Revolution Live – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
___________________________
CANNIBAL CORPSE continues to tour in support of their A Skeletal Domain full-length, released last year via Metal Blade Records. The band’s thirteenth studio offering debuted at an astounding #32 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart upon its first week of release, making it the highest charting record in the band’s storied history! Produced by Mark Lewis (The Black Dahlia Murder, DevilDriver) at Audio Hammer Studios in Florida, the record boasts twelve ravenous tracks of confrontational, meticulously executed, ill-omened brutality, as only CANNIBAL CORPSE can deliver.
Kaotoxin Records has inked a deal with French oppressive blackened death metal wolfpack MITHRIDATIC, who will release their debut full-length during the first quarter of 2016.
Formed in 2007, MITHRIDATIC have released numerous demos and brutalized European stages over the course of their eight year existence. In 2013, the band recruited Svart Crown drummer Kevin Paradis and began work on material for their debut, which was recorded in May of this year.
Expect an unstoppable barrage of absolute heaviness, a psychotic Hell of tormented twistedness and an atrocious dose of full-on brutality somewhere along the lines of Ulcerate, Morbid Angel, Mayhem and Portal.
The band’s 2014 demo, The Hunt is On, is available at:
Helsinki-based Finnish groove/stoner band Black Blood will unleash their self-titled debut album internationally January 22nd, 2016. The album was recorded in D-Studio, Klaukkala. A preview of what’s to come can be heard on a new music video “Wolf Of Anger” here https://youtu.be/kddQmyzyX1Q or below:
Track List:
1. Clarity
2. Doomriders
3. Shrine Of Vanity
4. The Failure
5. Violence is golden
6. Running With Scissors
7. Stray Bullets
8. Route 66.6
9. Dopesmashed Jazz
10. Same Ol’
11. Wolf Of Anger
12. Transfusion
13. Speed Thrills & Roadkills
___________________________
Line-Up: Heikki Rautava – Vocals Jukka-Pekka Lappalainen – Guitar and Vocals Ilkka Huuhka – Drums Marko Korell – Bass
Chicago-based Band Just Dropped Their Second Track From Upcoming Concept Album: “Odyssey”
_____________________________
Chicago, IL – Rock outfit, New Mayans, just released their single, Jezebel, a bat out of hell anthem with grizzly guitar licks and a head-banging beat. With a rich and diverse palette, New Mayans takes us further down the rabbit hole that provides more insight of the mad world they’ve constructed in their upcoming concept album, Odyssey, due out later next year. “Jezebel” is now available to download on Bandcamp.
Following the success of their well-received debut single, “Universe,” New Mayans shift gears away from the softer seventies synth tones into a darker arrangement of heavy distorted guitar work and hooks echoing influences of seventies and nineties alternative rock. Lead singer, Swiggy, has described his musical style as “Mad Max meets Ziggy Stardust,” which makes sense with the release of their latest single, “Jezebel.” As “Universe” painted the first stroke a cosmic world that stylistically pays homage to the art rock of David Bowie and Morrissey, “Jezebel” hones in on the hard edge of distorted electric guitars that conjure imagery of a post-apocalyptic landscape. “Jezebel” is from the perspective of an unreliable narrator. “The concept of reality is all in the mind of the observer,” Swiggy comments. “The only person who knows the truth to these questions is an exotic dancer named Jezebel.”
victoriasandersphotography.com
To capture the varying inspirations that New Mayans weave together, they recruited producer Mario J. McNulty (David Bowie, Prince, Lou Reed, Nine Inch Nails.) The menacing guitar work in “Jezebel” fits comfortably next to the chops of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, though the entire sonic landscape New Mayans creates defies comparison. “Jezebel” was recorded at The Magic Shop, known for flagship albums such as David Bowie’s secret album The Next Day, Coldplay’s Viva La Vida, and Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs.
Hailing from St. Louis, Swiggy exhibited an insatiable thirst to play music as he began learning how to play a violin at the early age of eight years old and would continue to sift through studying saxophone, guitar and piano throughout his youth. Fusing inspiration from an avant-garde pool of bands like Radiohead, David Bowie and Pink Floyd with directors like David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick and David Cronenberg, the result is the surreal aural experience that is New Mayans.
The band’s full lineup was solidified in 2014 when Swiggy began collaborating with Nathan Gilberg on bass, Earl Slick assisting in studio guitar work (David Bowie, John Lennon, Keith Richards), and Sterling Campbell on drums (David Bowie, The B-52s, Duran Duran). Swiggy has played at House of Blues-Chicago, The Pageant, Off Broadway, and The Social while sharing the stage with acts such as The Ataris, The Von Bondies, InnerPartySystem, and Nico Vega.
Playing with symbolism both religious and otherworldly, New Mayans establish a world that is truly imaginative and boundless in their music. “Jezebel” indicates they are as capable of rocking out ruthlessly as they are of crafting a sound of reflective contemplation in “Universe.” With both ends of the spectrum in mind, the possibilities fans can expect from the band’s upcoming album, Odyssey, are endless. “Jezebel” is now available on Bandcamp. To learn more about the epic narrative New Mayans assemble in their eclectic indie rock, check out NewMayans.com!
_______________________________
Stone Says:
This song Jezebel by New Mayans has mesmerized me, man! I’m digging it! I’m digging it! I cannot shake it from my brain! The Jezebel vibe is freaking unreal! Yeah!!
Cruz Del Sur Music has revealed the cover art and track listing for The Cycle Never Ends from Portuguese Epic Metal Heroes RAVENSIRE. The album will be released in North America on February 12. Check out new song “Temple at the End of the World” (the final installment of The White Pillars trilogy) at this locationor below:
Formed in 2010, RAVENSIRE built a strong reputation in the European Underground Metal movement with their two previous albums Iron Will (2012) and We March Forward(2013). Given that RAVENSIRE’s sound is genuinely devoted to the likes of OMEN, old MANOWAR and BROCAS HELM, both albums were highly acclaimed by Epic Metal fans, fueling the band’s songwriting on The Cycle Never Ends. The album will be available on CD, vinyl and digital formats.
From the cover artwork (strongly recalling John Buscema’s black and white art for the “Savage Sword of Conan” 70s comic – an appropriate reading to get along with Ravensire’s music!) to each one of the eight songs, The Cycle Never Ends shows the band’s reaching maturity through an astonishingly intense performance.
Among more direct tracks such as the opener Cromlech Revelations and Crosshaven, the album’s highlight is definitely the “White Pillars” trilogy, “a monumental epic piece connected to the history of Sintra, famed city not far from Lisbon. At the coastline, archaeologists dig the ruins of a watchtower built in the 16th century. Contemporary manuscripts mention that ancient written stones had been found (Part I, “Eternal Sun”). Under the ruins, they find the remains of a Moorish settlement, once subdued by the invading army of King Sigurd of Norway in the beginning of the 12th century (Part II, “Blood and Gold”). Finally, among the stones of the Moorish walls, the archaeologists find Roman altars and stones belonging to an ancient temple dedicated to the Sun, the Moon and the Ocean (Part III, “Temple at the End of the World”).
Definitely recommended for fans of OMEN and old MANOWAR!
Track Listing:
1 – Cromlech Revelations
2 – Crosshaven
3 – Solitary Vagrant
4 – Procession
5 – Trapped in Dreams
6 – White Pillars Trilogy: Part I – Eternal Sun
7 – While Pillars Trilogy: Part II – Blood and Gold
8 – White Pillars Trilogy: Part III – Temple at the End of the World
On December 5th, 1932 – Rock ‘N Roll icon Little Richard was born in Macon, Georgia. Long live Little Richard!
On December 5th, 1965 – John Rzeznik was born in Buffalo, New York. John is the lead singer, guitarist and producer for the very famous: Goo Goo Dolls. Above photo credit: Goo Goo Dolls Facebook.
On December 5th, 1970 – Badfinger peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with their memorable hit: No Matter What. This was their second top ten single in the United States.
On December 5th, 1988 – The legendary SCORPIONS performed at Stadionsporthalle in Hanover, Germany. This was their Savage Amusement Tour. SCORPIONS FOREVER!
On December 5th, 1991 – The incredible SCORPIONS performed at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. This was a concert on the their Crazy World Tour. Whoa!
Scott Weiland, best known as the lead singer for Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, passed away in his sleep while on a tour stop in Bloomington, Minnesota, with his band The Wildabouts. At this time we ask that the privacy of Scott’s family be respected.
_____________________________
I first learned from twitter that Scott Weiland passed away. I read the news during the wee hours of Friday morning (December 4th). I couldn’t fall back to sleep for some time, due to many reasons. Firstly, I always loved the singing voice of Scott Weiland; his vocals I’ve found to be both haunting (Plush, Wicked Garden) and incredibly melodic (Interstate Love Song). Scott Weiland was also a smart lyricist; his words always made me stop to think for a moment.
I discovered the magic of Stone Temple Pilots when I first saw their music video for Wicked Garden, thanks to MTV’s Headbangers Ball. After that, I scrounged everywhere for spare change to buy the debut album from STP on cassette. This was back in 1992 and I was solidly broke, depressed and in need of music that could (and would) carry me through. Scott Weiland and STP’s Core album was a huge dose of diverse and fresh Heavy Metal that I embraced. STP was Grunge, my ass. I’ll go to my grave arguing that STP was not Grunge.
Fast forward to the present and I will admit it is difficult to accept that Scott Weiland is gone. Hell, Scott Weiland was only 48 years old. I could and never would bring up Scott Weiland’s substance abuse history due to the facts: I did not personally know him and who the hell am I? I’ll tell you who I am: a 49-year-old recovering alcoholic that made more incredibly stupid mistakes from drinking than I could ever count. That’s who I am. I’ve lived and thankfully learned, before it was too late.
I thank Scott Weiland for giving us all a brand new path towards how Heavy Metal can sound different. He was and still is one of the greatest voices in Rock History, due to his easily identifiable tones. Hopefully, Scott Weiland can find peace now and be proud of his many accomplishments, wherever he may be. Metal Be Thy Name. – Stone
Bloodlash was founded in late 2011. Formed in Morelia, México when the rule of thumb leaned towards thoughtless violence, and dedication and creativity marked the exception, Bloodlash began as an act of rebellion within that context. While Bloodlash’s music displays aggression, they try their hardest to make it a force for creation and to build awareness rather than for the mere purpose of aimless destruction.
One could describe Bloodlash as Progressive Post-Metal, but the label hardly does justice to the experiment. Their directive is to always challenge themselves as musicians and artists, trying to make well-crafted music that feels fresh. Playing in-your-face energetic live shows, the plan is to challenge indifference and inspire others in the same way that the bands and idols they grew up with inspired them.
Bloodlash feeds from the influence of bands like The Ocean, Mastodon, Lamb of God, Karnivool, A Perfect Circle, Tool, Opeth, Dog Fashion Disco, Intronaut, Ghost, Children of Bodom and various Soundtracks. Having received encouraging reviews from media outlets such as MetalSucks regarding the future of Bloodlash, and receiving comparisons to Between the Buried and Me, they have all the fire within and the dedication to their craft to get far.
Bloodlash continues cooperation with a Finnish label Inverse Records, having successfully released their debut EP “Drowning Amidst The Nebulae” in 2014. Rain EP is released digitally December 21st 2015. A brand new music video “Godsbreath” is available at this location: https://youtu.be/0__LIdOOaMM or below:
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!
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"
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.