Italy’s ADVERSOR will release their new studio album “Portrait Of A Wasteland” February 24th 2023 via Time To Kill Records, today unveiling the record’s cover art, track listing and stunning first single.
Portrait Of A Wasteland” represents a journey through some of the darkest moments a person can ever experience: suffering, anxiety, grief, frustration, barren dreams, denied future without forgetting a ferocious critic to a rotten society, clearly drowning into a spiral of extremisms. Ten raging tracks of pure metal that define a new chapter for the band, displaying a more mature sound mixing Thrash, Death, Black and classic Heavy. Vitriolic lyrics, razor-sharp riffs, neckwrecking parts are what “Portrait Of A Wasteland” is made of.
Formed in 2015, ADVERSOR released a demo and two full-length albums, “Rise to Survive” and “The End of Mankind”, in quick succession. Both records allowed them to play everywhere in Italy and Europe alongside acts such as Exciter, Protector, Nifelheim, Gama Bomb and many others.
Discography:
Beware of the Soothsayer (demo) – 2016 Rise to Survive – 2016 The End of Mankind – 2018
Line-up:
Dado – Vocals/Guitar Phil – Guitar Ale – Bass Ja – Drums
When it comes to defending the core values of timeless power metal and combining them with fresh stylistic variations and exciting stories, Swedish power metallers Bloodbound have always been fighting at the forefront. With nine studio albums in 16 years under their belt, the six-piece has proven their versatility and inventiveness countless times. Following the much acclaimed, latest record Creatures Of TheDark Realm (2021, AFM Records), Bloodbound have announced the release of their upcoming masterpiece, entitled Tales From The North!
“‘Tales From The North’ is very much a concept album about the viking era. About the lives of our ancestors up here in the dark, cold and unfriendly environments of the north,” explains lead guitarist Tomas Olsson and summarizes the content of their eleven songs: “Different legends and myths intertwine during the course of the songs, leading up to the epic battle of 1066, which marks the end of the viking era.” Those who already know the sound of Bloodbound can imagine the metallic force the band employs to evoke this story. Tales From The Northwill be released on July 7, 2023 via AFM/Soulfood as a 2-CD digipak including a live CD. As a special treat, it will also be released as a strictly limited box set as well as coloured vinyl LPs.
Give ear, as today, the band shared a lyric video for their first album single “Odin’s Prayer”! “Odin’s Prayer is a real banger of a song”, Fredrik Bergh comments. “It represents the new album well and I think it’s a great first taste of the new record. On Tales From The North we have gone back to the roots of bloodbound a bit and I think the bloodheads will like what they hear!“
Watch the Official Lyric Video for Odin’s Prayer HERE
Bloodbound have not only improved in terms of content, but also musically. Says Olsson: “The songs are more fast-paced and closer to some of our earlier stuff like ’Moria’ and ’Nosferatu’, but have more complex arrangements. Compared to the predecessor ‘Creatures Of The Dark Realm’ there are heavier guitars and some deeper sounding keyboards. We have also incorporated some traditional nordic folk music instruments to fit the concept of the album. It’s still pure power metal but we’re trying to take it to the next level.”
Tales From The North was produced by Bloodbound, and was mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren (Amorphis, Overkill, Sabaton) at the Swedish ‘Black Lounge Studios’. The cover artwork was done by Péter Sallai (Hammerfall, Powerwolf & many more).
Tales From The North track listing: 01. Tales From The North 02. Drink With The Gods 03. Odin´s Prayer 04. The Raven´s Cry 05. Mimir`s Crystal Eye 06. Between The Enemy Lines 07. Land Of Heroes 08. Sail Among The Dead 09. Stake My Claims 10.Sword And Axe 11. 1066
BLOODBOUND: Tomas Olsson – lead guitar Fredrik Bergh – keyboards Patrik Selleby – vocals Henrik Olsson – rhythm guitar Anders Broman – bass Daniel Hansfeldt – drums
In support of their upcoming album, Bloodbound has announced an extensive headliner tour and to appear at several festivals such as Karmoygeddon, RockHarz, Masters of Rock, among others. Make sure to catch them live at the following dates this year:
04.02.2023 (SWE) MORA Lilla Helfvetet 28.02.2023 (GER) BERLIN Hole 44* 01.03.2023 (GER) MUNICH Backstage Halle* 02.03.2023 (CH) PRATTELN Z7* 03.03.2023 (FR) COLMAR Le Grillen* 04.03.2023 (BE) VORSELAAR De Dreef* 05.03.2023 (GER) NUREMBERG Hirsch* 06.03.2023 (GER) MANNHEIM 7er Club* 07.03.2023 (GER) ASCHAFFENBURG Colos-Saal* 08.03.2023 (GER) HAMBURG Bahnhof Pauli* 09.03.2023 GER SIEGBURG Kubana* 10.03.2023 (GER) ESSEN Turock* 11.03.2023 (NL) ENSCHEDE Metropool* 12.03.2023 (GER) KASSEL Goldgrube* 04.05.2023 (NOR) KOPERVIK Karmoygeddon Festival 08.07.2023 (GER) BALLENSTEDT RockHarz Festival 16.07.2023 (CZE) VIZOVICE Masters of Rock Festival
Swedish modern sci-fi metal outfit CURSE OFCAIN has joined the Atomic Fire Records roster! Forged in 2000 by ex-Follow The Cipher and ex-Ad Infinitum forward-thinking bassist Jonas Asplind, CURSE OF CAIN focuses on both musical and visual elements to create a futuristic dystopian world while simultaneously unfolding fascinating stories about strong characters such as Cain himself.
Comments the band, “We are beyond excited and really looking forward to this collaboration. Atomic Fire Records is the perfect partner for us, and we are happy to take this huge next step together with them.”
Adds Atomic Fire Records CEO Markus Wosgien, “We were all completely impressed by what CURSE OF CAIN presented to us with their debut album: a coherent, exciting concept and a multi-faceted album with numerous catchy tunes. In short, everything is right here and fantastic musicians come together who have created something unique. I’ve had a close friendship with Jonas Asplind since his time in Follow The Cipher, so I’m all the more pleased to be able to further promote his musical career and to be able to walk with him. CURSE OF CAIN is one of the most exciting newcomers of the hour. Look forward to something very special!”
Today, CURSE OF CAIN also gives a first taste of their music, which can be described as movie metal with a dark touch, with a video for first single, “Alive.”
“‘Alive’ is the natural song for us to start off with,” the band notes. “It’s catchy but dark at the same time; it really captures the movie metal feeling that is our signature.”
The video for “Alive” was produced and directed by George Grigoriadis and Jonas Asplind and filmed and edited by Grigoriadis. The story is by Grigoriadis and Victor Ganebrant.
The band’s debut album, Curse Of Cain, will see release in May 2023. Further details on the concept and the ordeal of Cain and his band of misfits will be revealed soon!
Veteran US heavy metallers JAG PANZER are finally back in full force! Today, the band is proud to announce their signing to Atomic Fire Records for the release of their twelfth full-length album, The Hallowed, which is due out next Spring.
Comments founding guitarist Mark Briody, “JAG PANZER is proud to announce that we have signed to Atomic Fire Records. Over the years, we have seen the incredible promotional work done by Markus, Flori, and their team. We felt that our music combined with their hard work could take JAG PANZER to the next level. We are very excited to bring The Hallowed to Atomic Fire Records.”
Adds Atomic Fire Records founder/A&R MarkusWosgien, “When we got the offer for a new JAG PANZER album, it was already a bit of a no-brainer to give them a deal. When we heard the album, it became a must-have. Honestly, this is one of the best albums they’ve ever done and they have an armada of classics in their discography. They sound hungry, inspired, and take all their trademarks to another level. We cannot wait to release their first singles and believe me; it wasn’t a hard choice to make. This is a future heavy metal classic to come!”
JAG PANZER came into being in 1981 in Colorado Springs and, over four decades later, has lost none of their rebellion and power. Inspired by the onslaught of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, Mark Briody and his comrades quickly became one of the most intriguing US power metal acts, releasing a glut of successful studio albums, including their debut album AmpleDestruction (1984), The Fourth Judgement (1997), Thane To The Throne (2000), TheScourge Of The Light (2011), and their latest effort, The DeviantChord (2017).
After facing several lineup changes and a hiatus, JAG PANZER are still holding sway as their forthcoming album The Hallowed proves.
Recently, JAG PANZER welcomed long-time touring guitarist Ken Rodarte as an official band member: Said Briody, “Ken’s done a great job on the last several tours. When he expressed interest in joining the band, we put him on an eight-week audition to see how he’d fit in with our creative process. Ken’s contribution to The Hallowed exceeded all our expectations. Harry, Rikard, John, and I are all excited to have Ken on board.”
JAG PANZER Live: 1/19/2023 Klub Remont – Warsaw, PL 1/21/2023 Hammer And Iron Festival – Essen, DE 1/22/2023 Baroeg – Rotterdam, NL 1/24/2023 Kyttaro Live Club – Athens, GR 1/25/2023 Eightball Club – Thessaloniki, GR 1/26/2023 Down Town Live – Nicosia, CY 7/27–29/2023 Headbangers Open Air Festival – Brande-Hörnerkirchen, DE 8/11–13/2023 Alcatraz Festival – Kortrijk, BE
JAG PANZER: Harry Conklin – vocals Mark Briody – guitars Ken Rodarte – guitars John Tetley – bass Rikard Stjernquist – drums
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s long-running traditional metal veterans ICARUSWITCH today drop a banger of a new single, “10,000 Light Years From Home,” as well as a captivating lyric video for the anthem. With this sci-fi-themed single, the band provides a glimpse into their futuristic folklore concept album slated for 2023 through Cleopatra Records.
UK’s Metal Hammer Magazine called ICARUSWITCH, “One of the best New Wave Of Traditional Metal Bands to carry the standard triumphantly into the future.” Today, the band is living up to that prediction as they unveil an animated video that takes place in a dystopian future, created in part with AI, set to an explosive trad metal track called “10,000 Light Years From Home.” This song was road-tested on festival stages around the world this year and showcases the first studio recording released by the band since 2018’s critically acclaimed LP, Goodbye Cruel World. The single marks another milestone for the band as it’s part of their first concept album, No Devil Lived On, which will be released next year.
Founding member Jason Myers sets the scene, “Though written at the height of the global pandemic, the messages in ‘10,000 Light Years From Home’ ring truer today than ever before. The lyrics are taken from the ship’s log of a crew on a doomed space voyage. The story takes place in the near future when an elite group of global government officials as well as several of the world’s wealthiest business leaders, and foreign royals take flight on a mission to escape the planet they helped decimate while seeking to colonize new worlds to satiate their egos and personal fortunes. Will these intergalactic robber barons accomplish their selfish cosmic agenda, or will the prophecy of Gaia’s mysterious occult council prevail? Tune in to find out.”
Featuring a guest spoken word section by Paul Messerle, the guitars and bass for “10,000 Light Years From Home” were recorded by Quinn Lukas at QL Audio, and the vocals and drums were recorded by Andrew D’Cagna at Sacred Sound Studio. The song was mixed and mastered by Brad Cox at Black Paw Studios. Aubrianna Myers handled the graphic design while Jason Myers produced the video using Midjourney AI illustrations animated by Emre Alan.
Watch ICARUS WITCH’s spellbinding “10,000 Light Years From Home” lyric video now at THIS LOCATION.
“10,000 Light Years From Home” is also available on all major streaming services today including Spotify HERE, Apple Music HERE, Amazon HERE, and more.
Watch for updates on ICARUS WITCH’s impending No Devil Lived On album to post in the months ahead.
ICARUS WITCH: Andrew D’Cagna – vocals Quinn Lukas – guitar Jason Myers – bass, synthesizer Noah Skiba – drums
York (PA) – Vintage proto-metal purveyors SPELLBOOK have released a lyric video for “Goddess,” a track from new album DeadlyCharms. You can check out the video at youtu.be/gZEUeAmb4_s or below:
Deadly Charms is available on CD, digital, and vinyl formats via Cruz Del Sur Music. See the links below for streaming and purchase options.
The follow-up to 2020’s Magick & Mischief was recorded in February at Developing Nations in Baltimore, Maryland, with producer/engineer Kevin Bernsten. The album also marks the SPELLBOOK recording debut of their two new guitarists, Les Yarde and Patrick “Patty” Benton.
“The material has new life injected into it while still maintaining the adventurous ’70s hard rock sound we strive for,” says drummer Nick Zinn. “It certainly helped Les and Patty love Magick & Mischief and its no-rules approach. Yet, at the same time, Deadly Charms does seem a bit more focused. We love how the overall vibe has a more anthemic feel.”
Line-Up:
Nate Tyson – Vocals Les Yarde – Guitar Patrick “Patty” Benton – Guitar Seibert Lowe Jr. – Bass Nick Zinn – Drums
According to Zinn, the lyrical themes on DeadlyCharms lean much heavier on horror and reality than the fantasy and fiction approach found in Magick & Mischief. The David Thiérrée (BEHEMOTH, MORTIIS, IHSAHN)-created artwork capably showcases these topics.
“The cover depicts an open spell book spewing forth witches, devils and other ghastly things,” notes Zinn. “These are all subject matters within Deadly Charms songs. We’ve been fortunate to work with so many great artists over the years on different albums dating back to our WITCH HAZEL days and enjoy the excitement of a new artist on each project we do.”
Magick & Mischief was released in the thick of the global pandemic. While it put a premature end to the band’s touring plans, it immediately cultivated a feverish critical following.
The world’s favorite hard rock monsters, LORDI, who are currently busy touring Europe, are gearing up for the next chapter of their spooky discography. Today, the horde is proud to announce their signing to Atomic Fire Records. While their current seven-CD(!) album box, Lordiversity, was released just one year ago, the famed Finnish group led by mastermind Mr. Lordi have fully seized their time at home during the pandemic to record a follow-up album that will see the light of day in Spring 2023.
LORDI comments, “We are damn proud to announce that LORDI are joining the impressive ranks of Atomic Fire Records! We’re quite psyched up to stir the pots with Markus Wosgien, Flori Milz, and their fantastic team. Leaving AFM Records (thanks a million, Jochen) was not an easy decision for us since the support there was always great! Stay tuned monster maniacs — the next era is all set and ready and awaiting just right around the corner…”
Atomic Fire Records label founder/A&R MarkusWosgien adds, “With LORDI, we are happy to welcome another heavyweight of the heavy metal scene to Atomic Fire Records. Twenty years ago, their fantastic debut Get Heavy was released and you simply had to love them! The combination of their monster image with traditional ’80s metal was a real joy on every single one of their albums and is always a guarantee for a true metal inferno live on stage. What Mr. Lordi and his monster clan recently created on the seven-CD package Lordversity still leaves me speechless and will probably never be seen again in this form. We are looking forward to the next chapter with some new monster anthems par excellence!”
New LORDI tunes will come your way soon. In the meantime, you can catch the band live on their European Lordiversitour currently underway and the newly announced The Tour To End All Tours run with Sabaton and Babymetal. See all confirmed dates below. Keep up with all LORDI live dates at THIS LOCATION.
LORDI:
11/23/2022 Der Hirsch – Nuremberg, DE w/ Almanac, Dymytry
11/24/2022 Eventhall Airport – Regensburg-Obertraubling, DE w/ Almanac, Dymytry
11/25/2022 Hole44 – Berlin, DE w/ Almanac, Dymytry
11/26/2022 Hellraiser – Leipzig, DE w/ Almanac, Dymytry
11/28/2022 Backstage (Werk) – Munich, DE w/ Almanac, Dymytry
11/29/2022 Essigfabrik – Cologne, DE w/ Almanac, Enemy Inside
11/30/2022 Garage – Saarbrucken, DE w/ Almanac, Enemy Inside
4th new song offered from the Power/Progressive Metal band’s upcoming new album
As Power/Progressive Metal band IMMORTAL GUARDIAN continues building their next opus, the group issues “Perfect Person” as the fourth sample of their new work. Recording independently and remotely the quartet is assembling the follow-up to 2021’s successful ‘Psychosomatic’ track-by-track and sharing the material as it completes, along with visually captivating music videos, that again the self-contained group produces themselves.
“Perfect Person” is available now for streaming/download at all digital platforms or watch the video at https://youtu.be/MRTrNHlC90A or below:
“I grew up in a very religious Mexican family. It was a big part of our lives, especially every Sunday morning when we went to church,” explains guitarist/keyboardist Gabriel Guardian. “But one day, our pastor had a heart attack while in the middle of a sexual act cheating on his wife and died right there in the church after-hours. It was absolutely bonkers and I remember it really stirred up the moral point-of-views in our tiny Texas town.We stopped going to church after that and really started questioning why we were there, to begin with.You see, some Christians had such a bad taste of the church that they left religion altogether and felt lied to and deceived, while others said the Christian thing to do would be to forgive him and move on and find another church. It was super interesting to grow up and watch both sides of this play out. This made a very interesting topic to write about and it definitely fueled the spark for ‘Perfect Person.’
At the end of the day, it is about NOT over-idolizing and over-glorifying religious figures, politicians, celebrities, even musicians, and the like. I wonder if that pastor had just lived his life and died a non-religious man, nobody would have been bothered, but because everyone sought this man’s advice every week, got baptized by him, got married by him, and put his words and lifestyle on a pedestal, it made it that much more devastating. Everyone can pin a local ‘icon’ in their minds as a perfect figure that could do no wrong and preach endless golden words when in fact, he is just a mortal man with mortal sin.”
Heavy topics are not unfamiliar to Immortal Guardian whose previous album focused on the Covid pandemic, likely the first full album to be thematically linked to the disease and its effect on the globe and its people. In the past year, Immortal Guardian has revealed three brand new songs — “Ozona,” “Echoes” and “Southern Rain” forming a basis for their next conceptual piece. The band will continue to share new material as the creative process proceeds to build up to a follow-up full-length traditional album planned for 2023. More info will be released by Immortal Guardian and M-Theory Audio in the weeks and months to follow, including new tour dates. https://www.facebook.com/igmetal/.
IMMORTAL GUARDIAN: Gabriel Guardian – guitars/keyboards Carlos Zema – vocals Justin Piedimonte – drums Joshua Lopez – bass
MUNROE’S THUNDER, fronted by renowned power-metal vocalist, Ronny Munroe, have released their new album The Black Watch today via RFL Records.
Ronny Munroe Comments:
MUNROE’S THUNDER, The Black Watch, is loosely based on my family heritage, as some of my ancestors were actually in the black watch who guarded Mary, Queen Of Scots. Finding that out intrigued me enough to do a concept record about my family heritage.
“After a very long wait, this record is finally finished and ready for you all to hear. I am very proud and elated by all the hard work that went into it, from the hours of research to the countless hours from DMP behind the board and all the remarkable talent that is on the album. Thank you so much to Jon and the team at RFL Records for having faith in our vision and for finally bringing MUNROE’S THUNDER to the masses.”
The Black Watch is a journey where melodic power metal tells the tale of darkness, betrayal and bravery during the reign of one of history’s most recognized Queens, Mary Queen Of Scots. Mary Queen of Scots, original name Mary Stuart or Mary Stewart, (born December 8, 1542, Linlithgow Palace, West Lothian, Scotland—died February 8, 1587, Fotheringhay Castle, Northamptonshire, England), queen of Scotland (1542–67) and queen consort of France (1559–60). Her unwise marital and political actions provoked rebellion among the Scottish nobles, forcing her to flee to England, where she was eventually beheaded as a Roman Catholic threat to the English throne. The story is one of history’s most recognized tales and Munroe, coincidentally, has ties to the legendary history of the Queen.
Sound effects and atmospheric textures set the mood of this album and its chilling tale, delivered, of course, in full-throttle power metal style. The title track unleashes Munroe’s soaring melodic vocals accompanied by epic guitar leads and riffs. The album also includes a number of ballad-style tracks: “Babbington Mary”, “Falkirk” and “Thirty Years War”. The shift in musical textures and pace adds further dimension to the dynamical journey of The Black Watch. “The Executioner” brings this royal story of bloodshed to a gruesome conclusion. Thunder and rain manifests alongside a sombre guitar melody before the track builds into the full heavy ensemble. An anthemic chorus, dark guitars and haunting lyrics tell of Mary’s execution and bring this chapter to a close.
About Ronny Munroe:
Ronny Munroe is an American singer, most noted as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band METAL CHURCH. Ronny recorded three albums with METAL CHURCH before the band decided to call it quits in 2009. His second tenure with the band lasted from 2012 when the group reunited until 2014, where he left to “pursue other interests.” In October 2011, Munroe joined the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, as a vocalist, which further defined his prominence as one of metals elite. In July of 2022, Munroe was announced as the new lead vocalist for the power metal titans, VICIOUS RUMORS.
Munroe has an extensive background as a lead singer and has fronted acts such as ZERODISCIPLINE, MADHOUSE, MOXI, the Seattle band PALADIN from 1986 to 1988 and also the band FARCRY in the early ’90’s.
MUNROE’S THUNDER meshes METAL CHURCH, SAVATAGE, VICIOUS RUMORS and IRON MAIDEN and there is something for every metal fan here. Munroe’s broad vocal range and power highlight the album and its easy to see that there is still plenty of fire left in the heart and voice of the talented rocker.
MUNROE’S THUNDER: Ronny Munroe – Vocals David Mark Pearce – Guitars, bass BJ Zampa – Drums Justin Zych – Guitar Oliver Wakeman-Keyboards
Track Listing:
1. Battle Cry 2. The Black Watch 3. Awaken The Fire 4. Gray Hall 5. Babbington Mary 6. Brace For The Night 7. Dead Man’s War 8. Falkirk 9. Thirty Years War 10. Echoes Of The Dead 11. The Executioner
Like a bat out of hell, thrash attack Gamerrai is coming at you hard and fast from Lafayette, Louisiana, USA. Their sound can be summed up as if Ghoul were written by doomsday preppers hopped up on PCP that listen to too much Revocation. They have a shiny new EP out that will scratch your thrash itch by filling your ears with tight riffs and speedy solos. “Couillon Death Squad” provides a twenty-minute thrash ride over three tracks that expand on the lore of the band. They explain the release:
“Over the years we have gotten a lot more intense and progressive musically and the vocal patterns and lyrics have gotten considerably more mature (not in content, but in quality). We’re pretty far forward from the sound people heard on “Detached from Reality” (2019). We hope that people will enjoy “Couillon Death Squad”. It is a big step up from our previously released material and we’re sure people will notice the difference.”
The EP features a varied collection of music, the first song and the last are polar opposites of each other. The opener “Couillon Death Squad” is fast and furious with a slower section in the middle and has a short runtime; the closer “Sugar Mill Headhunt” is slower, chunkier, and spaced out with a speedy section in the middle and a long runtime. The middle song “H.O.A.” has a Havok vibe to it, a good jam song for the classic thrash fans to sink their teeth into with a deadly solo. Gamerra definitely put a focus on holding the listener’s interest on this one.
“Couillon Death Squad” was produced by lead guitarist/vocalist Jacob Broussard and lead vocalist Jake Meche; it was mixed by Broussard, Meche, and guitarist Reece Benoit and mastered by Broussard. The EP art was done by Splezz.
Fast, weird, fun, and heavy, “Couillon Death Squad” is classic thrash suitable for any maniacs, especially those who enjoy Exodus, Death, and Warbringer.
Dallas Toler-Wade, was a long-standing 18-year member of the brilliantly Egyptian-themed metal band, Nile, where he composed the music for hit songs such as, “Execration Text”, “Permitting the Noble Dead to Descend to the Underworld”, and “Lashed to the Slave Stick”. Toler-Wade was also featured in Guitar World magazine alongside founding member and guitarist/vox/songwriter Karl Sanders. With his new band Narcotic Wasteland, he is pleased to announce the second single “The Best Times Have Passed” off the yet-to-be-titled new album coming in 2023.
Toler-Wade comments on the single:
When I was writing it I was at another big turning point in my life. I was feeling my own mortality. I was feeling beat down. As with me, I still manage to find good things within it all and pull myself out of it time and time again. I think we can all relate to the fact that that it’s not forever and we better make the best of things while we can.”
They expect good reception for the upcoming single, as a band, they have grown majorly and they sound focused, and mature through their writing, recording, and performing. They have released two albums, 2014’s self-titled and 2017’s “Delirium Tremens” with their third record due out in 2023.
Dallas worked once again with drummer, engineer, producer Erik Schultek, who is no stranger to the band having recorded drums, engineered and produced the debut album.
Inspired mostly by thrash metal and classic heavy metal, Narcotic Wasteland is becoming more thrash and speed and less death metal and getting better at writing material that is meaningful and powerful. They are recommended for fans of Vader, The Crown, and Nile.
In additional news, Narcotic Wasteland is currently hitting the road for USA tour dates supporting German heavy metal legends ACCEPT, during October (dates listed below). Those who attend will get to experience the full onslaught of Narcotic Wasteland. Always well rehearsed, they deliver a tight performance including dual guitars. From harmonies to counterpart melodies it gives the band some of that traditional metal style. They are also not afraid to challenge the audience with an array of styles from whiplash-inducing fast metal to infectious arena metal.
Tour Poster credit- Andrea Roberts of Ashley Talent International
Remaining Tour Dates:
10/21/2022 Providence, RI – Fete Music Hall *NW Only 10/22/2022 Brooklyn, NY – Lucky 13 Saloon *NW ONLY 10/24/2022 Wallingford, CT – Cherry St. Station *NW ONLY 10/25/2022 NYC – The Gramercy Theatre 10/26/2022 Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall 10/27/2022 Harrisburg, PA – XL Live 10/29/2022 Columbus, OH – The King of Clubs
Dallas Toler-Wade, long-standing 18-year member of the brilliantly Egyptian-themed metal band, Nile, composed the music for hit songssuch as, “Execration Text” (NILE – “Execration Text” (Official Music Video), which featured the band’s second video release on MTV Headbangers Ball and the Uranium channel. The video was well received and aired for several weeks. “Permitting the Noble Dead to Descend to the Underworld”, is also a fan favorite. The video release was long after the demise of Headbangers Ball. Dallas also composed music for many other hits like, “Lashed to the Slave Stick”, Evil to Cast Out Evil NILE – Evil To Cast Out Evil (OFFICIAL TRACK & LYRICS) ), “Wind of Horus”, “The Eye of Ra” and many others. Toler-Wade was also featured in Guitar World magazine alongside founding member and guitarist/vox/songwriter Karl Sanders.
Dallas Toler-Wade started Narcotic Wasteland while he was in between tours with Nile. He started writing music that was a little more similar to things he was doing in a previous band and since then he has completed writing for the third album and is currently finishing up the recording process. Ahead of that, they have released the single “Morality and the Wasp” and going on a US tour with German heavy metal legends Accept.
Toler-Wade shares his hope for the single’s reception:
“I think fans will really enjoy it. The band has grown majorly and this album sounds like a band that is focused on writing, recording, and performing the very best we can., but also I think I am getting better at just writing stuff that is meaningful and powerful.”
For Toler-Wade, who is the primary songwriter for the band, the main goal is to give the listener music and lyrics that are deeply emotionally charged. Anger, sadness, and triumph are put to music the best way he knows how. The new album has a lot to say about human behavior and unchecked egos as well as his own personal philosophies about life.
The tour with Accept consists of 18 dates across the US during October (dates listed below). Those who attend will get to experience the full onslaught of Narcotic Wasteland. Always well rehearsed, they deliver a tight performance including dual guitars. From harmonies to counterpart melodies it gives the band some of that traditional metal style. They are also not afraid to challenge the audience with an array of styles from whiplash-inducing fast metal to infectious arena metal.
Oct 20 – Jim Thorpe, PA – Penns Peak Oct 21 – Providence, RI – Fete Music Hall – NARCOTIC ONLY Oct 21 – Patchogue, NY – Stereo Garden * NO NARCOTIC Oct 22 – Peekskill, NY – Paramount Theater * NO NARCOTIC Oct 22 – Brooklyn, NY – Lucky 13 Saloon # Narcotic Wasteland Only Oct 23 – Teaneck, NJ – Debonair Music Hall * Oct 24 – Wallingford, CT Cherry St. Station # Narcotic Wasteland Only Oct 25 – New York City, NY – The Gramercy Oct 26 – Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall Oct 27 – Harrisburg, PA – XL Live Oct 29 – Columbus, OH – The King of Clubs
Iron Maiden will be bringing a new tour to Europe in the Summer of 2023 including arena shows in the UK & Ireland. The Future Past Tour will feature previously unperformed songs from the band’s most recent studio album, Senjutsu along with a focus on 1986’s iconic Somewhere InTime record, plus other classic cuts.
The first shows to be announced are as follows:
June 2023 13 Tauron Arena, Krakow, POLAND – (On sale Fri Oct 14) 19 Hallenstadion, Zurich, SWITZERLAND – (On sale Thu Oct 13) 24 3Arena, Dublin, IRELAND – (On sale Fri Oct 14) 26 Ovo Hydro, Glasgow, SCOTLAND – (On sale Fri Oct 14) 28 First Direct Arena, Leeds, ENGLAND – (On sale Fri Oct 14) 30 AO Arena, Manchester, ENGLAND – (On sale Fri Oct 14)
July 2023 03 Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, ENGLAND – (On sale Fri Oct 14) 04 Utilita Arena, Birmingham, ENGLAND – (On sale Fri Oct 14) 07 O2 Arena, London, ENGLAND – (On sale Fri Oct 14) 11 Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS – (On sale Thu Oct 13) 13 Sportpaleis, Antwerp, BELGIUM – (On sale Thu Oct 13) 15 The Return of the Gods Festival, Milan, ITALY – (On sale now)
Further European dates for The Future Past Tour will be announced later. Keep up to date here.
Fan Club Presales begin Tuesday 11th October. Details here. Support for The Future Past Tour will be announced at a later date. Trooper VIP will be available at selected UK and European dates.
Steve Harris says, “Following the release of our latest album, Senjutsu, we updated the current Legacy of the Beast Tour a little by opening the show with the first 3 songs from it, with the Japanese Palace stage set. As it doesn’t make a lot of sense to repeat this for a Senjutsu album tour, we thought about other options and we’ve decided to revisit Somewhere In Time as that tour didn’t feature in the various retrospective history tours we’ve played over the years. They were based on our 80’s concert videos and sadly we did not film that tour (blame the manager!!). We have had lots of requests from fans over the years for many tracks on it so we are now going to play them, plus of course a few others we know you will like! It will also be particularly satisfying to finally get to play some of the more epic tracks on Senjutsu, it’s been a long wait! 2023 is going to be an exciting time and we’re really looking forward to seeing everyone again in the UK, Ireland and around Europe”.
Manager, Rod Smallwood adds, “This combination of the two albums we feel is very exciting. We know fans want to hear those epic cuts on Senjutsu for the first time live and we think that by combining it with an iconic album like Somewhere In Time it will make for another really special tour for fans old and new! Of course, for a new album tour in Europe and the UK we will go back largely to the relative intimacy of arenas and we know fans will be very happy about that too!”
Heavy metal/speed metal veterans will serve as special guests to Metallica during a special concert paying tribute to the lives of Jon and Marsha Zazula. The performance will take place Sunday, November 6th at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
As founders of Megaforce Records, the Zazulas are widely credited for discovering and launching the careers of many of heavy metal’s most ground-breaking, influential, and now legendary artists. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated in Jon and Marsha’s name to MusiCares, a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs to musicians and industry professionals.
RAVEN is currently amid their Wiped Out 40th anniversary tour, treating their fans by playing the iconic album in full during each show. Support is being provide by Riot Act, the band formed by former Riot guitarist Rick Ventura, performing a Riot repertoire from their classic 1977-1982 era. See all confirmed dates below.
Additionally, RAVEN are also finalizing their next studio album, which will be their first for SilverLining Music, with details to be unveiled in the months to come.
RAVEN Wiped Out – 40th Anniversary Tour w/ Riot Act [remaining dates]
10/04/2022 Dante’s – Portland, OR 10/05/2022 Wise Hall – Vancouver, BC 10/06/2022 Alma – Tacoma, WA 10/08/2022 Aces High – Salt Lake City, UT 10/09/2022 The Coast – Ft. Collins, CO 10/10/2022 Reverb Lounge – Omaha, NE 10/11/2022 Reggie’s Rock Club – Chicago, IL 10/12/2022 Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI 10/13/2022 Photo City Music Hall – Rochester, NY 10/14/2022 Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ON 10/15/2022 Sanctuary – Detroit, MI 10/17/2022 No Class – Cleveland, OH 10/18/2022 Brass Monkey – Ottawa, ON 10/19/2022 Sonia – Boston, MA 10/20/2022 Geno’s – Portland, ME 10/21/2022 Market Hotel – Brooklyn, NY 10/22/2022 West York Inn – York, PA 10/23/2022 Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA 10/24/2022 Reggie’s 42nd Street Tavern – Raleigh, NC 10/25/2022 The Pour House Music Hall – Wilmington, NC 10/26/2022 Tribbles – Piedmont, SC 10/27/2022 Brickyard – Knoxville, TN 10/28/2022 The Southgate House Revival – Newport, KY 10/30/2022 Dingbatz – Clifton, NJ 10/31/2022 Westside Bowl – Youngstown, OH * RAVEN only 11/03/2022 Hi Tone Café – Memphis, TN 11/04/2022 Fractal Brewing Project – Huntsville, AL 11/05/2022 The Loft At Center Stage – Atlanta, GA 11/06/2022 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Atlanta, GA * RAVEN only w/ Metallica 11/07/2022 Nice Guys – Cape Coral, FL
RAVEN: John Gallagher – lead vocals, bass, 12-string bass Mark Gallagher – guitar, vocals Mike Heller – drums
Celebrating their 40th anniversary, icons of heavy metal, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, have announced a US headlining tour this Fall! The excursion kicks off on November 10th in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and runs through November 27th in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Support will be provided by Spirit Adrift and The Native Howl. See all confirmed dates below and purchase tickets HERE.
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY w/ Spirit Adrift, The Native Howl: 11/10/2022 Chelsea’s Live – Baton Rouge, LA 11/11/2022 Vinyl Music Hall – Pensacola, FL 11/12/2022 Snowblind Festival – Atlanta, GA 11/13/2022 Growlers – Memphis, TN 11/15/2022 Ace Of Cups – Columbus, OH 11/17/2022 Lincoln Theatre – Raleigh, NC 11/18/2022 The Queen – Wilmington, DE 11/19/2022 Granite State Music Hall – Laconia, NH 11/20/2022 Reverb – Reading, PA 11/22/2022 The Machine Shop – Flint, MI 11/23/2022 The Forge – Joliet, IL 11/25/2022 Headliners Music Hall – Louisville, KY 11/26/2022 Mr. Small’s Theatre – Millvale, PA 11/27/2022 The Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI
Since forming in 1982, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY has woven their distinct riffs deep into the fabric of heavy metal for over four decades. Across ten landmark, critically acclaimed albums, the band has continued evolving. From the early days of thrash to their more recent, blues-infused metal, the band has managed to progress with each release keeping fans and critics alike guessing.
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY’s most recent full-length, No Cross No Crown, was released in 2018 via Nuclear Blast Entertainment. Recorded with longtime producer John Custer, the record marks the first studio recording with vocalist/guitarist Pepper Keenan in over a decade and, earning the #67 spot on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, #12 on the Billboard Top Current Albums Chart, and #3 on the Top Hard Music Albums Chart upon its first week of release, is the highest charting album of the band’s career.
Swedish Epic Heavy Metal duo Sordid Blade will release full-length debut album Every Battle HasIts Glory October 14 on CD, vinyl LP, and digital formats via Gates of Hell Records.
The album’s first single, “Hidden Enthronement,” is available to stream at: youtu.be/CWW4gOuwiFs
“I view heavy metal as an art form.” It is this simple but impactful summation that spills into the music of multi-instrumentalist and Sordid Blade figurehead Niklas Holm. Formed in 2021 out of his desire to create an epic heavy metal band in the vein of Hammerheart-era Bathory, Manilla Road and Warlord, Holm issued Sordid Blade’s two-song MMXXI demo in 2021. It was an early indicator of Holm’s ability to meld heroic proto-metal with the style and persuasion of his primary influences. After a brief period of soliciting prospective labels, Sordid Blade found its rightful place on Gates of Hell Records for the release of their first full-length, Every Battle Has Its Glory.
Every Battle Has Its Glory was tracked over the course of a year with engineer Kim Ekwall Lattik, with drum recording provided by Magnus Jonsson at Milk Studio, who also mixed the album. The album marks the first appearance of drummer Micael Zetterberg, who joined Sordid Blade after the release of MMXXI. Together, Holm and Zetterberg tap into the broad, illustrious field of true, mid-paced anthemic metal, harnessing stout riffing and choice melodies to form a sound that remains faithful to the style’s storied past.
Line-up:
Niklas Holm: Vocals, Guitar, and Bass
Micael Zetterberg – Drums
Holm’s lyrics deal with existential themes and how the individual can gain strength by focusing on what’s really important in the world. His lyrics are driven by metaphor, developing a sort of “code” for the listener to decipher. Once they do, they will find a wealth of songs with deep, emotional subject matter that adds another layer of depth and intrigue to Sordid Blade. Even the instrumental “Kiolsvarf” is topical — it is a Swedish term to describe a family drowning at sea.
The Carl Larsson (1853-1919)-created cover art was the last piece to the Every Battle Has Its Glory puzzle. Zetterberg found one of Larsson’s paintings in a book and shared it with Holm. Holm knew the creation was the perfect choice — its dark style reflected the overall theme of the album.
It is by which this thoughtful depth and exploratory nature that Sordid Blade sets itself apart. The epic metal field is growing increasingly crowded, but for those in search of something with an emotional and personal atmosphere, there is no better choice circa 2022 than Sordid Blade.
Italian heavy metal band Crying Steel have announced that they have signed to Underground Symphony Records for the release of their upcoming album.
The 5th studio album is scheduled to be released in January 2023 in deluxe digital format. Further information will be revealed soon.
Underground Symphony is also based in Italy and is known to have released material from bands such as Sabaton, Labyrinth, Manilla Road, White Skull among others.
The band commented: “We are honoured to be joining Underground Symphony’s roster and have a feeling we will have a fruitful relationship. After being stuck at home during the pandemic lockdowns, we can’t wait to show you the new music we cooked up. Stay Steel!”
Crying Steel was formed in 1982 and is considered to be one of the very first heavy metal acts to come out of Italy. The band’s discography includes: Crying Steel (1985), On the Prowl (1987), The Steel is Back! (2007), Time Stands Steel (2013), Stay Steel (2018) and Steel Alive (2019).
Crying Steel will be performing at Boyler Fest, Bologna (17th September), Sheratan Live Club, Carpi (24th September), Metropolis Live Club, Frosinone (7 October) and Let it Beer, Rome (8 October) with more dates to be announced soon.
Progressive/symphonic power metal quintet INDUCTION will release their sophomore full length, Born From Fire, on November 25th via Atomic Fire Records.
Notes guitarist and band mastermind Tim Kanoa Hansen. “We tried to deliver a good mix of big hits, great melodies, emotions, brutal anger, intricate riffs, and arrangements as well as making it a ton of fun while listening. We are sure this album will convince old and new fans alike of what INDUCTION means. We sincerely hope that everyone finds themselves in some of the songs.”
The record, which boasts twelve metal anthems in fifty-eight minutes, was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen and is graced by the cover artwork of Peter Sallai (Sabaton, Jinjer, Powerwolf).
Born From Fire will be available on CD, 2xLP vinyl, and digitally. Find special preorder bundles at THIS LOCATION.
BornFromFire – Track Listing:
Born From Fire
Scorched
Fallen Angel
Go To Hell
Embers
Order & Chaos
The Beauty Of Monstrance
Queen Of Light
I Am Alive
Ghost Of Silence
Eternal Silence
Sacrifice (Bonus Track)
Keep up with INDUCTION’s upcoming European live dates at their official website HERE and stream the band’s previously released songs on the streaming platform of your choice HERE.
Originally founded in 2014, INDUCTION left their first mark with first single, “The Outwitted Consecration,” in 2016 before completely entering the metal world by releasing their eponymous debut album in 2019. Its enormously positive reception even paved them the way to touring across Europe alongside Brazilian power metallers Armored Dawn in November of the same year. It was a notable career start for the quintet that was unfortunately halted by the pandemic leading to a break (at least on the live front) that wasn’t only used by the band to work on their sophomore album but also to renew their power.
Sludge metal newcomers, GNASH, are preparing to unleash their debut EP, SharedNightmare, on September 22nd.
Josh Richter of GNASH comments:
“I’ve never done a concept record before so I wanted to try to tell a story in great detail over an entire record rather than just one song. As dark and gruesome as the concept is, the underlying theme is the feeling of carrying around emotional baggage and trauma your whole life and the effects it takes on someone. Life is a heavy burden sometimes.”
Formed this year in Columbus, Ohio, GNASH has already established a powerful and unique sound, drawing influence from the depth of death metal, the raw emotion of black metal, and heaviness of sludge metal, the band’s debut EP, Shared Nightmare, is a profound and thought-provoking insight into the darkest reaches of mental health issues.
Shared Nightmare tells a tale of conjoined twins, where one half of the pair dies. The remaining twin must continue on in life, carrying with him a corpse he can’t be rid of. The EP is an exploration of what it means to bear trauma and the toll it takes after a lifetime of being weighed down by such inescapable feelings.
Not for the faint of heart, prepare to be transported into a dark and chilling tale in GNASH’s debut EP, Shared Nightmare, coming September 22nd.
In a partnership that has been years in the making, GRAMMY® Award winning bassist David Ellefson and acclaimed metal vocalist Jeff Scott Soto have joined forces for an all-new collaboration, Ellefson-Soto. The band follows the tradition of successful individuals that joined forces to create memorable music: David Coverdale & Jimmy Page, Tony Iommi & Glenn Hughes, Tommy Shaw & Jack Blades, Michael Sweet & George Lynch to name a few examples. The metal duo is joined by Andy Martongelli on guitar and keys and Paulo Caridi on drums to unleash their debut album “VacationInTheUnderworld”. The album features eleven tracks and three bonus recordings that demonstrates why Ellefson-Soto are considered legends by many in the metal world.
From the fiery guitar lead of the album opener “Vacation In The Underworld” to the prog-metal fury of closer “Rise To Win,” Ellefson-Soto have created a debut that is sure to capture metal fans from all over the globe. Combining different styles of metal, songs like “Sharpen The Sword,” “The Revolution” and “Live To Die Another Day” showcase the various influences Ellefson-Soto have picked up over their four decades in music. Jade Etro from the Italian power metal band Frozen Crown makes a guest appearance on “The Day Before Tomorrow.” Steve Conley and Ken Mary from FlotsamandJetsam perform on the title track “Vacation In The Underworld.” “Vacation In The Underworld” ignites an inimitable hybrid of thrash firepower, rock swagger, and anthemic arena-ready thunder. Official Worldwide Release Date is Friday, October7, 2022.
TRACK LISTING:
Vacation In The Underworld
Like A Bullet
Sharpen The Sword
The Reason
S.T.N.
The Revolution
Celebrity Trash
Live To Die Another Day
The Day Before Tomorrow
Hercules
Rise To Win BONUS TRACKS [CD, Digital & Download Card]
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.