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CORONATUS ‘Terra Incognita’ – 5 Reasons Why You Should Get Into This Gothic Metal Album

Posted in gothic metal, gothic metal bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, rock music, rock music news, symphonic metal with tags , , , , , , , , on January 11, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

CORONATUS – One of the best albums I’ve listened to from 2011 is Terra Incognita from Germany’s Gothic Metal Band: Coronatus. This is a band and album that can’t be overlooked by any diverse Metal fan. I would love to see Coronatus become a huge favorite among the Metal masses in North America, their entire sound and attention to detail with their music is impressive and lures me in song after song. Below are five reasons why you should consider adding Terra Incognita to your list of must have albums.

Reason #1: Coronatus is a band that obviously loves music, period. This is a Metal band, only Coronatus knows how to create music. They cross over many Metal genres with Terra Incognita. Yes, this band and album will appeal highly to Gothic Metal fans, yet Melodic, Symphonic and Traditional Metal fans can easily hear many elements on Terra Incognita that they can surely embrace.

Reason #2: On Terra Incognita, everything comes together so fine. The keyboard arrangements and orchestration belongs with and compliments so well the melodic guitar parts and heavy riffs. The union of melodic and heavy just sounds and feels incredibly genuine throughout this entire album.

Reason #3: Mareike Makosch (Alto Voice) and Lady Ada Flechtner (Rock Soprano) could easily steal the show on Terra Incognita, if not for the masterful totality of musicianship that this band excels with. However, I find my ears absorbing the vocals of these two beautiful voices and being left nearly spellbound. This is an album that I listen to time and again and still hear something new consistently.

Reason #4: The European sound and vibe from Coronatus is infectious. Regardless if the song is sung in German (Fernes Land) or English (Dead Man’s Tale), the end result is a definitive listen into just how passionate these two female vocalists are about the song. This passion for song that I hear is a universal language all its own.

Reason #5: There is never a moment where I want to skip over a song on Terra Incognita. The cumulative listen brings about a mood that is epic and a vibe that is celebratory. The cool aspect of listening to a band such as Coronatus and their newest gem Terra Incognita, is that I know I will hear a presentation that is all importantly memorable. Standing out and being original are qualities that this band easily bestows and conveys musically on Terra Incognita.

Yes, I highly recommend Terra Incognita. Coronatus receives a well deserved Metal bravo from me and I stand by this Metal sentiment.

* Terra Incognita is the fourth studio album from Coronatus, released via Massacre Records on November 18th, 2011.

Watch and listen to Fernes Land below! 

TERRA INCOGNITA – Track Listing:

01. Saint Slayer

02. Fernes Land

03. A Dead Man‘s Tale

04. Sie Steh’n Am Weg

05. Vor der Schlacht

06. Hateful Affection

07. In Signo Crucis Trilogy I: Der Kleriker

08. In Signo Crucis Trilogy II: Das Zweite Gesicht

09. In Signo Crucis Trilogy III: In Signo Crucis

10. Der Letzte Freund

11. Traumzeit

12. Terra Incognita

* Digipak Bonus Tracks:

13. Mein Herz (Live At Roehre Stuttgart 2011)

14. Kristallklares Wasser (Live Version) [* Japanese Edition]

* For more info on CORONATUS, click on the links below:

CORONATUS – Official Website

MASSACRE RECORDS

LONG LIVE CORONATUS.

Stone.

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AUTUMN – Stream “Truth Be Told (Exhale)” On mxdwn.com, “Cold Comfort” Available Worldwide Now!

Posted in gothic metal, gothic metal albums, gothic metal bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on January 9, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Today, online music destination mxdwn.com will be hosting the premiere of Truth Be Told (Exhale) from AUTUMN’s new album, Cold Comfort. The song is the 8th track on the record and contains some of the albums most poignant and moving melodies. The track can be heard now HERE.

Terrorizer Magazine describes Cold Comfort as “Haunting, lush gothic metal the Netherlands that drips with melody.” This is one that fans of Katatonia, The Gathering, etc. will not want to miss!

The title track, as well as the video for The Scarecrow, can be seen now at www.metalblade.com/autumn.

Cold Comfort is the band’s fifth full-length effort and their third for Metal Blade Records. It offers a collection of striking songs blended into a diverse and yet surprisingly compact album, one that AUTUMN considers to be their most personal and meaningful to date.

AUTUMN needed not look far for a man to put at the helm with the right pioneering philosophy for the band to begin taking leaps: Erik-Jan Dodd, AUTUMN’s live sound engineer since the My New Time era, envisioned a more vintage approach for Cold Comfort. An experiment the band was all too eager to embrace, explains guitarist Mats van der Valk. “If there’s anyone who knows what we’re all about and more importantly: what we could potentially be all about, it’s E-J.”

AUTUMN guitarist Mats van der Valk comments on the band’s upcoming shows in Germany: “We’re well pleased that we’ll be setting foot on German soil again this February, bringing Cold Comfort to Berlin, Köln and Hamburg. We’ve grown fond of these cities during previous tours, have always been welcomed with heartfelt smiles by awesome audiences. We’re very much looking forward to meeting up with fans and friends, old and new, as we hit the stage for the first German shows of the Cold Comfort campaign!”

AUTUMN – European Tour Dates 2012

01/27 Groningen, NL Vera

02/07 Berlin, DE K17

02/08 Koln, DE Luxor

02/09 Hamburg, DE Headcrash

02/10 Tilburg, NL 013

03/03 Aalten, NL Rock of Ages Festival

05/12 Emmen, NL Emmen Metal Festival

06/16 Oss, NL Groene Engel

(Source: Metal Blade Records News Update)

* For more info on AUTUMN, click on the links below:

http://www.autumn-band.com

http://www.facebook.com/AutumnBand

LONG LIVE AUTUMN.

Stone.

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Sarah Jezebel Deva – “The Corruption Of Mercy”: Atop The List Of Must Have Metal Albums For 2011

Posted in gothic metal, gothic metal bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news, symphonic metal with tags , , , , , , , , , on July 11, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Sarah Jezebel Deva – The sophomore studio release The Corruption Of Mercy, (June 27, 2011 via Listenable Records), from Sarah Jezebel Deva is an enormous leap forward for this strikingly talented front woman. The band assembled for this album is a driving Metal force behind it’s foreseeable success as well. Under her solo name, Sarah Jezebel Deva is a touring band and one that has created a Metal album that should be atop the list of must haves for 2011. Who exactly must have The Corruption Of Mercy? Anyone who cares about, admires and wants to hear solid song writing, excellent musicianship and exemplary vocals should wrap their eardrums around this album. While putting Metal genre tags aside for a moment, this new Sarah Jezebel Deva album is a complete listen into carefully crafted, dexterously layered and fabulously executed music.

(All band photo credits: Khyrian)

Sarah Jezebel Deva has a plethora of experience as a vocalist, her Metal resume can be considered undeniably impressive. Her association with too numerous bands, (of world class notoriety) to mention, resulting in appearing on over 35 albums is an exclamation point unto itself. Add the Metal fact, Sarah had spent 14 years as a backing singer for the legendary Cradle Of Filth, singing on every COF album with the exceptions of the first and latest of their albums, is Metal bragging rights. With Sarah’s second album under her name, her Metal career is taking on a whole new meaning. Shut the front door… cause Sarah Jezebel Deva has arrived as a premier front and center vocalist. The Corruption Of Mercy is unbelievable proof of the arrival of this top tier vocalist of Metal… and music.

Captivating, mesmerizing…hell, take your pick when it comes to describing the vocals of Sarah Jezebel Deva. Pretty With Effects is a ballad that takes over my surroundings with only delicate piano keys and the hypnotic vocals of Sarah. Whoa… it’s a trance like listen and I’m not kidding around here at all. Metal be thy name. The haunting orchestration of What Lies Before You is a dark and cavernous listen, bringing about a feeling of being lost in some god forbidden place and still I’m at ease with the vibes and chills that I take in from it’s chilling ambience.

The guitars of Dan Abela and Jonny Gray are not about taking over the song, instead their talents are used in bringing the listener along for the memorable Metal ride. Melody and speed are fused together to perfection as Dan and Jonny’s guitar licks are showcased in songs such as: The Eyes That Lie and The Corruption Of Mercy. Rhythmically, the attentiveness to keeping this album filled with passages that are mind gripping is real and so very good. No Paragon Of Virtue (in it’s entirety) and the closing moments to The Corruption Of Mercy are strong highlights to the powerful rhythm section of Ablaz on bass and Jamie Abela on drums.

It’s a difficult challenge for me to pinpoint which songs are my favorite on The Corruption Of Mercy. Okay, here are two very strong choices: The World Won’t Hold Your Hand and A Matter Of Convenience. I point out these two songs, based on the all inclusiveness of sound and power from the music, coupled with the effortless and ever impressive vocals of Sarah. I can’t stress more mightily, that the clean and pronounced vocals of Sarah are to be savored, Metal be thy name. Go ahead, one thorough listen into The Corruption Of Mercy and you hopefully will realize that Sarah Jezebel Deva believes in the ideal of the complete album of songs.

Yes, Gothic Metal and Symphonic Metal fans will delight in the swirls of dark and melodic vibes (respectively) that The Corruption Of Mercy has to offer, only this album transcends itself above and beyond the silliness of being genre specific. Who gives a crap about recommending Sarah Jezebel Deva’s new album to only a certain crowd or to desirable sub-groups of Metal fans? We’re unfortunately living in a mainstream world and my recommending The Corruption Of Mercy to all fans of quality Rock Music is my Metal mission.

No, Sarah Jezebel Deva is not mainstream (of course), yet this album is a kick-to-the-ass at all the mainstream record labels who think they have a clue about vocals and music that Rocks. A Metal kudos to Listenable Records. A vocalist such as Sarah Jezebel Deva and her band included, need to be heard and celebrated for an accomplishment of music that is: The Corruption Of Mercy.

Sarah Jezebel Deva is:

Dan Abela – guitars

Jonny Gray – guitars

Sarah Jezebel Deva – vocals

Ablaz – bass

Jamie Abela – drums

Pzy-Clone (guest) – programming/orchestration

Gian Pyres (guest) – guitar solos

The Corruption Of Mercy – Track Listing:

No Paragon Of Virtue

The World Won’t Hold Your Hand

A Matter Of Convenience

Silence Please

Zombie

Pretty With Effects

What Lies Before You

Sirens

The Eyes That Lie

The Corruption Of Mercy

* For more info on Sara Jezebel Deva, click on the links below:

SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA – Official Website

SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA – myspace music

Sarah Jezebel Deva – Official facebook

LISTENABLE RECORDS

LONG LIVE SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA.

Stone.

2 Comments »

AIDEN “RAIN IN HELL” EP – FEATURES MISFITS AND BILLY IDOL COVERS

Posted in alternative rock bands, alternative rock music, gothic metal bands, gothic metal music, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, hard rock music, horror punk, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, punk rock music, rock & roll, rock and roll, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 24, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

AIDEN – released the EP, Rain In Hell on October 31, 2006, on Victory Records. Rain In Hell is a CD/DVD, with 6 songs on the CD. I have always taken a liking to Aiden, they exhibit a menagerie of genres with their music… in essence, Aiden is a Heavy Alternative Rock Band, in my Metal opinion. When Rain In Hell was released, I was thrilled to see they covered a classic Misfits song – Die Die My Darling. Of course the original Misfits version of Die Die My Darling can never be topped, still Aiden does a respectable job at covering this song. The all encompassing Punk and raw sound, with attitude, is captured by Aiden, giving credibility to the reason they covered Die Die My Darling in the first place.

Aiden can take a Metal bow for their cover of White Wedding, the incredibly famous Post Punk meets New Wave song, written and recorded by the legendary Billy Idol. White Wedding first appeared on Billy Idol’s 1982 debut and self titled album. Aiden does not try to reinvent the Rock ‘N’ Roll wheel with their cover version of White Wedding, the tempo is stepped up a bit with Aiden’s trademark angst, otherwise it’s an alternate listen that won me over the very first time it invaded my ears.

I have to give Aiden credit for tackling both a Misfits and Billy Idol song to cover. To point at both of these cover songs as feature tracks on Rain In Hell is not a falsehood. WiL Francis on lead vocals comes across with Punk Rock legitimacy on the cover songs, making them all the more a credible listen.

There are four other songs on this Rain In Hell EP that are Aiden originals. A Candlelight (Intro) is a melancholy and flat out spooky song that runs as an instrumental for the first half of the song, with thunder and lightning atmospherics added in, a chilling theme it is… then WiL Francis steps in with Gothic illuminated vocals, with the lyrical theme about lighting candles and showing the world were all lined up to die, backed up with a Horror Punk chorus chant. Hey, this Aiden CD isn’t called Rain In Hell for nothing!

Silent Eyes is an acoustic song that visits the world of extreme depression and complete despair. If you are not familiar with this song, it is not one that you want to play loud, on your first date… you will probably scare away any potential long lasting or even short lasting relationship! Aw, heck, what am I saying? I’m the dude that adores Death Metal and Black Metal… this song lyrically is no stranger to my extreme listening ears. At the end of the Metal day, I like the acoustic guitar paired up with WiL Francis’s emotion filled and alternative laced vocals.

We Sleep Forever exemplifies the melodic side of Aiden, while being hard around the edges. The breakdown midway only seems to accentuate this songs lyrical theme of what I interpret as suicide… whether it’s emotional or physical. Aiden touches on the human side of emotion and despair, of a more extreme and delicate topic with We Sleep Forever.

The bonus DVD proves to be just that, with the following footage:

These songs were filmed live at House Of Blues in Chicago, IL, during the Never Sleep Again Tour in December of 2006: Knife Blood Nightmare, The Last Sunrise, Die Romantic, I Set My Friends On Fire, World By Storm.

Three music video’s included are: Knife Blood Nightmare, The Last Sunrise and Die Romantic. Four live video’s included are: The Last Sunrise, Die Romantic, Unbreakable and I Set My Friends On Fire.

Aiden, as they appeared on Rain In Hell:

WiL Francis – lead vocals, piano

Angel Ibarra – lead guitar, backing vocals

Nick Wiggins – bass, backing vocals

Jake Davison – drums & percussion

Jake Wambold – rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Stone.

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MORPHINE KILLER “NIGHTMARES” EP – UNLEASHES UNREAL METAL EXTREMITY!

Posted in Extreme Metal, extreme metal bands, extreme metal music, gothic metal bands, gothic metal music, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 23, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

MORPHINE KILLER – released their Nightmares EP back in October of 2009, on Final Breath Records. What makes this duo of Belle Roka, ( Vocals, Keyboards) and Eski, (Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Drums) stand out is their undying Extreme Metal delivery… which is all structured and written quite well on the five songs heard on this Nightmares EP. Morphine Killer has incorporated all the dark ambiance within their heavy riffs and cyclone guitar leads… just one listen to Clutching Defeat should make the non-believers fall to their weakened knees. Eski exhalts his no compromise Extreme vocals to a prolific level of Metal Grind purity.

With Eski and Belle sharing vocal duties, it’s soft harmony and a swift, crushing extreme blow to my Metal ears that keeps me coming back for more. Morphine Killer has incorporated a mix of Metal genres into their one-two Extreme thunder strike… with convincing and serious results. I have posted the song Pride Comes Before A Fall, on April 15, 2010, realizing that Belle’s luringly tender vocals sucks me into the Extreme Metal explosiveness that their music brandishes. Listening to this Morphine Killer – Nightmares EP is like entering valley of the Extreme Metal grooves, not one song replicates the other, each Metal corner turned seems to be better than the last.

One listen to Home and I can envision Morphine Killer opening for Kittie… and that would be a killer show of Metal proportions. Can I make a fair comparison of Belle Roka to Morgan Lander of Kittie? I certainly can, despite each being unique vocalists… this comparison is a compliment to both of these Metal divas. The influence nod to Classic Rock icon Heart is posted on Morphine Killer’s myspace music page… and I can understand why, each time I hear Belle sing. What is refreshing about Morphine Killer is that they apparently are climbing the Metal ladder the old school way, with their obvious musical talent guiding them each Extreme step of the way.

She’s Slipping Away opens up with a Traditional Metal approach, doom ridden riffs and thunderous drum beats are sewn with a quaking bass that only becomes more deliriously addicting once Belle begins to vocalize the lyrics. Oh, yes, you better watch your Metal back however, the semi-growling and sneering backing vocals are evident courtesy of Eski… dark, creepy and a necessary Metal musical additive. I’m a sucker for the emotions that a keyboard can bring to music. Belle adds just this to She’s Slipping Away, with melancholy atmospherics in the background.

In Silent Agony concludes this Nightmares EP and does so with an Extreme Metal exclamation point. Eski is showcased on vocals throughout In Silent Agony, jumping out from the onset like a catastrophic furnace blast… no warning… and I’m not running, just consumed with Extreme satisfaction, Metal be thy name.

We live on a planet where there are quite a few Metal bands doing their thing and going with the flow… Morphine Killer is doing their thing alright, only their sound and diversity pushes them out in front of the up and coming Metal pack. Anytime a young Metal band creates quality songs through musical talent, while embedding slivers of Old School, I’m going to Metal endorse them to the fullest. It should not take the Metal world too long to grasp with their ears what Morphine Killer is creating here, a Metal sound that encompasses the dark and the light… which makes this Metal fanatic Extremely pleased with their discovery.

* You can purchase Morphine Killer – Nightmares EP directly on the Morphine Killer website or at Amazon.com.

MORPHINE KILLER – Official Website

Stone.

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DEATHSTARS – “NIGHT ELECTRIC NIGHT” ILLUMINATES THE DARK SIDE OF HEAVY GOTHIC METAL

Posted in black metal music, gothic metal, gothic metal albums, gothic metal bands, hard rock music, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal music, metal music, Metal Reviews, Music, rock music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 14, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

DEATHSTARS – This Gothic/Industrial Metal band from Sweden has been stalking about the planet for several years now. Their first studio album Synthetic Generation had a 2003 European release. Termination Bliss followed in 2006 and now Night Electric Night has been available for your Metal listening enjoyment since January of 2009. Deathstars play and promote their Gothic and Industrial styles well, exhibiting their Black Metal influence and roots within their Metal.

Mark Of The Gun is my favorite track on Night Electric Night, it really grooves along with all of it’s ultra proficient Gothic and Industrial glory. Deathstars can deliver some heavy grooves within their Metal and that is one quality I like about this band. Lyrically, dark themes and topics are explored… of course. It’s very easy for me to embrace Deathstars affinity for melodic songs, as well as dynamic verses that keep their music interesting and far from boring.

Whiplasher Bernadotte on vocals makes the songs on Night Electric Night illuminate the dark qualities they encompass. It’s difficult for me to imagine any other vocal style attempting to sing these songs… this music was meant for Whiplasher to sing, undisputedly so. The Fuel Ignites is another standout song on Night Electric Night, seamlessly escalating a rhythmic flow, highlighted and enriched by very infectious keyboards.

The electronics/keyboards are incredibly necessary for Deathstars, adding a consistent, textured sound and feel that elevates each song to even darker majesty. Venus In Arms is standout song #3 for me, brandishing it’s stomping rhythm section, coinciding with the atmospherics, making for a semi-epic sound. Deathstars cohesiveness as a unit is their greatest strength. Your not going to hear riveting guitar solos, what you hear is guitar proficiency that melds within the layers of Deathstars Metal.

Gothic Metal, Industrial Metal and Extreme Metal fans surely know Deathstars by now… hopefully. If you are a fan of Metal Music and are looking for something new to order off the Metal menu, then Deathstars comes recommended by Metal Odyssey. Deathstars Night Electric Night is not an album you should listen to once and pass judgement on, there are just too many musical elements that need to be heard.

DEATHSTARS – as they appear on Night Electric Night:

Whiplasher Bernadotte – vocals

Nightmare Industries – guitars & electronics

Skinny Disco – bass

Cat Casino – guitars

Bone W. Machine – drums

* Night Electric Night was released on January 30, 2009, on Bieler Bros. Records.

* Night Electric Night was produced by Nightmare Industries.

Track Listing For Night Electric Night:

Chertograd

Night Electric Night

Death Dies Hard

Mark Of The Gun

Via The End

Blood Stains Blondes

Babylon

The Fuel Ignites

Arclight

Venus In Arms

Opium

Stone.

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lacrimas profundere – “AGAIN IT’S OVER” EP LENDS AS A GOTHIC METAL MIND STORM

Posted in 1990's gothic metal bands, 1990's metal bands, 1990's metal music, album covers, current gothic metal bands, gothic hard rock bands, gothic hard rock music, gothic metal, gothic metal albums, gothic metal bands, gothic metal music, gothic metal songs, hard rock music, heavy metal music, metal music, metal music albums, metal music ep's, metal odyssey, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 4, 2010 by Metal Odyssey

lacrimas profundere is a Gothic Metal Band hailing from Germany. They trace their Gothic Metal roots back to the early ’90’s, with nine studio albums and three EP’s under their Gothic belts. Their third EP, Again It’s Over, was released in 2006 on Napalm Records. Christopher on lead vocals is the focal point in this band’s Gothic sound. He extols the doom and gloom and at times sinister vocals with a commanding tone. Metal truth be told, I find it difficult not to be entertained by this Gothic Metal vocalist named Christopher. There are moments where the creep out meter begins to rise, due to Christopher’s vocals, especially on To Love Her On Knees. The melancholy and nightmarish keyboards played by Christian also assist in the creepy department as well, To Love Her On Knees makes for a foggy nights drive theme song.

Supreme Surrender is a non-album track, without hesitation is my favorite song on this EP. The Metal riffs are attention grabbers and Supreme Surrender is just a strong and heavy song… period. Again It’s Over is just as heavy and riff infested of a song as Supreme Surrender. This song has every dire and gray attribute necessary to be considered a Gothic Metal head turner, both lyrically and musically. Gallowsong, (non-album track), is the most Gothic saturated song on Again It’s Over. The backing vocals behind Christopher’s sullen vocals are what drives this down trodden song into the depths of Gothic despair… it’s a very good song indeed.

To Watch Her While She Wipes Her Eyes, (non album track), puts me in this semi-dark and misty, run down warehouse, where I feel surrounded by a bunch of lost and forgotten night dwellers, all dressed in black. Hey, I do refer to this EP as a Gothic Metal mind storm for a reason… certain music I listen to, makes my mind wander into strange and make believe worlds, Metal be damned… I just cannot help it.

In a Metal nutshell, I like the Gothic Hard Rock and Metal of lacrimas profundere. This band can be labeled as either Hard Rock or Metal, it just depends on the song, either way it makes no difference to me. Fans of Gothic music of any genre should take an easy liking to lacrimas profundere. For those of you who like to dabble into different genres of heavy music, lacrimas profundere is a Gothic Metal Band I have no problem in recommending. Again It’s Over EP is a fine starting point, to sneak into the Gothic Metal world of lacrimas profundere.

lacrimas profundere, as they appeared on Again It’s Over EP:

Christopher – lead vocals

Oliver Nikolas – lead & clean guitars

Christian – keyboards

Daniel – bass

Tony – guitars

Korl – drums

Track Listing For Again It’s Over EP:

Again It’s Over (single version)

Gallowsong (non-album track)

Supreme Surrender (non-album track)

Again It’s Over (album version)

To Watch Her While She Wipes Her Eyes (non-album track)

To Love Her On Knees (album version)


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