Archive for the heavy metal news Category

LILLIAN AXE ‘XI: The Days Before Tomorrow’ – Releases In North America February 14th, 2012! Introduces Brian Jones On Vocals

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on January 15, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

LILLIAN AXE – On February 14th (Valentines Day) 2012, XI: The Days Before Tomorrow will be released in North America via CME Records. This will be the first LILLIAN AXE album to feature new vocalist Brian Jones.

As stated by guitarist/songwriter Steve Blaze, on the Official LILLIAN AXE Website: ” This is an important album as it introduces Brian Jones on vocals. As I have been writing this record, there has been a feeling of creativity that is similar to that of when I wrote Psychoschizophrenia. The band has really done a great job so far. We can’t wait to get back out on the road to support it.”

As the band stated, (on their CD release/show info newsletter), regarding new vocalist Brian Jones: “The band sounds great and Brian hit it out of the park. Brian’s vocals are angelic yet they have a big set of balls to them. We know it has taken us a really long time to make this album. You, our fans will not be disappointed. We took our time to make an album that you would be proud of.”

* Produced by guitarist & songwriter Steve Blaze. Engineered by Rob Hovey and mixed by Sylvia Massey (Tool, Deftones, Johnny Cash, System of a Down, Prince, Black Crowes).

* XI: The Days Before Tomorrow will be released on February 13th, 2012, in Japan via Disk Union.

* XI: The Days Before Tomorrow will be released in Europe via AFM Records. The European version of the new album will contain a special bonus song called Angels Among Us. Also a special limited edition is being made that will also contain a Lillian Axe T-shirt. The European release date will be January 27. The single being worked in Europe is called Babylon. You can preview Babylon here.

* The single, Lava On My Tongue, hits Metal radio stations on January 16 and the single, Caged In, hits active Rock radio on February 13. Call your local radio stations and demand to hear new LILLIAN AXE.

XI: THE DAYS BEFORE TOMORROW – Track Listing:

Bablyon

Death Comes Tomorrow

Gather Up The Snow

The Great Divide

Take The Bullet

Bow Your Head

Caged In

Soul Disease

Lava On My Tongue

My Apologies

(Sources: Official LILLIAN AXE Website, CD release/show info newsletter)

* For more info on LILLIAN AXE, click on the link below:

http://www.lillianaxe.com

LONG LIVE LILLIAN AXE.

Stone.

VENOM – South America Festival News For 2012

Posted in Black Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , on January 15, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

As reported on The Official VENOM Website aka “The Official Website Of Black Metal”:

Venom’s Management have just announced that they are currently in negotiations with the 
Promoters of a fantastic new festival in Latin America called “Metal Open Air Brazil“.
The ‘M.O.A.’ Festival will be a 3 day event in Sao Luiz [Northern Brazil] and will take place between 20 to 22 April 2012.
The event is now attracting some big names including Venom who are looking to headline on Sunday 22 April 2012.

Also in South America, Chile are currently organising a festival called “The Metal Fest Chile” on 
28 April 2012. Venom have been invited to appear as ‘special guests’ to Anthrax.

More details, confirmations & other possible dates to follow soon.

* For more info on VENOM, click on the link below:

VENOM – Official Website

LONG LIVE VENOM.

Stone.

BIOHAZARD – Release Second Studio Trailer For ‘Reborn In Defiance’

Posted in hardcore, hardcore bands, hardcore metal, heavy metal news, metal music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on January 15, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

NYHC legends BIOHAZARD just released a (second) studio trailer for the bands upcoming comeback album Reborn In Defiance, which is set to be unleashed January 20, 2012.

Check it out at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbzLyV7uWxE

To get some first sonic impressions, surf to http://www.facebook.com/biohazarddfl and check Come Alive and Vengeance Is Mine.

Also don’t miss BIOHAZARD live on stage near you!

PERSISTENCE TOUR 2012:

20.01 Deinze – Brielpoort (BE)
21.01 Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle (GER)
22.01 Hamburg – Docks (GER)
23.01 Berlin – Astra (GER)
24.01 Munchen – Werk (GER)
25.01 Wien – Gasometer (AUT)
26.01 Stuttgart – LKA Longhorn (GER)
27.01 Saarbrucken – Garage (GER)
28.01 Dresden – Eventwerk (GER)
29.01 Tilburg – O13 (NL)
30.01 Paris – Bataclan (F)

IN YOUR F*CKING FACE UK TOUR:

31.01 Manchester – Club Academy (UK)
01.02 Glasgow – King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut (UK)
02.02 Birmingham – The Library at HMV Institute (UK)
03.02 Camden London – Underworld (UK)

(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

LONG LIVE BIOHAZARD.

Stone.

THE BLAME – Turkish Metal Band: Offers Free Download Of Their AMAZING Debut Album ‘BORN’

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on January 15, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

THE BLAME calls Istanbul, Turkey home and they’re a Metal band that wants to be heard. This young and talented band of Metallers, have made it possible for you to download their debut 11 song album Born – entirely free! As an option, you may also donate any amount of money to buy this album. The choice is up to you and The Blame doesn’t mind which way you choose!

Click here to be directed for your free download of Bornhttp://www.theblamemetal.com/

Stone Says:

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you download this debut album from The Blame as fast as you can! With Thrash, Power Metal and Traditional Metal influencing this band, their final product is a rich and refined sound of high-adrenaline Metal. The high-octane speed and power of the album’s opener  Made of Stone is just an amazing prelude of what’s to come from The Blame on Born. Whoa.

Sacred Souls is an instrumental that speaks volumes about this band’s musical maturity. This is a Metal instrumental that is both melodic and hypnotic with its guitar laden presentation. Deserted Nation is another Metal highlight amongst 11 Metal highlights. If it’s a guitar driven album of the utmost impressiveness, then Bahadır Sarp (lead guitar) and Kaan Afacan (rhythm guitar) provide an outstanding Metal listening experience. The guitar solos I hear in Beyond The Wind are sensational!

The rhythm section of Onur Altınay (bass/fretless bass) and Berca B. Kantarcıoğlu (drums) are fantastically tight and hold the beats solid every micro-second. Whoa. The overall sound and production is so clean and vibrant that Rick Rubin would be jealous. As for the clean and melodic vocals of Aykut Ozen, this (former) frontman of The Blame falls somewhere between Michael Kiske (Helloween, Avantasia) and Michael Vescera (Obsession, Loudness, Yngwie Malmsteen). Uh, huh… Aykut is that damn good.

Metal as my witness, The Blame cannot possibly be overlooked by any record label (major or independent). This band brings it all on their debut album Born. No fillers. No lousy moments to be heard. Memorable Metal songs of skillsubstance and structure are what awaits your ears and senses with Born. Originality with relevance aplenty, mixed with some old school Metal vibes are the Metal ingredients that makes this album dazzle. A record label talent scout who is looking for the next diamond in the Metal rough is being handed just that from Stone… they’re called THE BLAME.

BORN – Debut Album

THE BLAME:

Enver C. Yılmaz – vocalist (new)

Aykut Ozen – former vocalist (on entire Born album)

Bahadır Sarp – lead guitar

Kaan Afacan – rhythm guitar

Onur Altınay – bass / fretless bass

Berca B. Kantarcıoğlu – drums

* For more info on THE BLAME, click on the links below:

http://www.theblamemetal.com

http://www.youtube.com/user/theblamemeta…

LONG LIVE THE BLAME.

Stone.

GUN BARREL – Signs To Massacre Records

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 14, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Street credibility? Check. Uncompromising sound? Check. Pure enthusiasm? Check.

GUN BARREL don’t breathe new life into the great tradition of Heavy Metal, they inject it with high pressure. These guys combine old school, misfit Rock ‘n’ Roll and Metal attitude in an ingenious way. Being the representatives of this dirty Metal Rock ‘n’ Roll, they really let it rip during their legendary live performances.

You can feel the animal instinct and the heart and soul that make the band skyrocket on stage. If nothing else, this might be due to the fact that GUN BARREL are among the most frequent performers in Germany. Those, who survived the GUN BARREL live drumfire are totally thrilled and become serial offenders. This is unavoidable.

GUN BARREL are always good for a surprise. Acoustic show or full decibel attack; it is not unusual that guest stars such as Andy Brings appear on stage with them, that they contribute songs to several samplers, take a flight to Spanish island Mallorca by the order of Rock ‘n’ Roll or that they give the audience an understanding of their sound at legendary festivals such as Wacken Open Air or Slovenia’s Metalcamp.

GUN BARREL have gone through a lot during the last 10 years; so these dudes became a tough alliance. Rock star affectations? No way. Despite all the glamour, the band remains down-to-earth and continues to look forward – one is still up to much more!

GUN BARREL’s new album Brace For Impact will be released on March 23, 2012 via Massacre Records!

GUN BARREL:

Patrick Sühl – Vocals

Rolf Tanzius – Guitar

Toni Pinciroli – Drums

Tomcat Kintgen – Bass

(Source: Massacre Records)

* For more info on GUN BARREL, click on the links below:

http://www.gunbarrel.de

http://www.facebook.com/GunBarrel

http://www.massacre-records.com

LONG LIVE GUN BARREL.

Stone.

NIGHTWISH – Second Single From Gold Selling ‘Imaginaerum’ Releases On March 2nd!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news, symphonic metal with tags , , , , , , , on January 14, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

NIGHTWISH – The new, second single out of the successful gold-record Imaginaerum will be the rocking track The Crow, The Owl And The Dove, which will be released on March, 2nd.

Along with the title song, you will also get a previously unreleased song called The Heart Asks Pleasure First (theme from movie ‘The Piano’)! You will find the song in two different versions, including an instrumental one.

The Crow, The Owl And The Dove is featured in three versions: the radio-edit, album version and an instrumental.

You can order the single on CD, or as a vinyl in clear or blue colour, HERE!

(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

* For more info on NIGHTWISH, click on the link below:

www.nightwish.com

LONG LIVE NIGHTWISH.

Stone.

HULL – To Be Featured On TLC’s Cake Boss: The Next Great Baker, Airing Monday, January 16th

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, sludge metal with tags , , , , , , on January 14, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Brooklyn Sludge Rock ensemble HULL will ring in the New Year with an appearance on The Learning Channel’s Cake Boss: The Next Great Baker this Monday, January 16, 2012 at 9:00PM EST. The Cake Boss: The Next Great Baker is a TLC series hosted by Buddy Valastro, the star of his own reality series, Cake Boss. The show features contestants participating in challenges that test their baking and decorating skills.

Commented guitarist/vocalist N. Palmirotto: “We received this email from a production manager from the TV show, The Next Great Baker, a Cake Boss spin-off, asking us if we would like to perform on the show. It was during the time that the Big Four were in town, and Megadeth were originally asked to perform for Mauro’s birthday. Mauro Castano is the Cake Boss’ right-hand man and brother-in-law, as he was always a big Metalhead back in the day, but Megadeth couldn’t do it for whatever reason. HULL was mentioned at a board meeting, and low and behold, they contacted us. We showed up in Hoboken on a rainy afternoon to a huge production. They had us set up and perform on top of two box trucks while the contestants displayed their best attempts at metal-themed birthday cakes. It was truly a one of a kind experience, and we are very much looking forward to Episode 8, Headbanging Bakers, on January 16th.”

For more info on the show, point your browser to the official website HERE.

HULL recently unleashed their Beyond The Lightless Sky opus, which continues to earn critical praise from fans and media alike. Released via The End Records, Beyond The Lightless Sky was co-produced by Brett Romnes, mixed by Billy Anderson (Sleep, Neurosis, Melvins, et al).and features guest appearances by vocalist Jarboe, keys/ambiance by Fade Kainer (Batillus/Jarboe/Inswarm ) and cello by Joe Merolla with artwork by Tamara Waite-Santibanez.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

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

http://www.listn.to/HULL

http://www.hullorhighwater.com

LONG LIVE CAKE BOSS. 

LONG LIVE HULL.

Stone.

BATTLE BEAST – Entire Debut Album ‘Steel’ Available For Online Streaming!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 13, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Aspiring Finnish Heavy Metal newcomers BATTLE BEAST just made their debut album Steel available for free online streaming at the band’s own Facebook profil! Drop by, like it and ROCK!! Get your extra-dose of true 80s-like Heavy Metal now – freshly delivered by BATTLE BEAST! Steel will be released on January 27th via Nuclear Blast!

(Source: Nuclear Blast News)

LONG LIVE BATTLE BEAST.

Stone.

ZEBULON PIKE – Full Album Stream Of ‘Space Is The Corpse Of Time’ Available At The Obelisk

Posted in doom metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, instrumental metal, instrumental music, metal music, Music, progressive metal, progressive rock, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 13, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Minneapolis-based instrumental Prog/Doom goliaths ZEBULON PIKE unleashed their Space Is The Corpse Of Time full-length in 2011. Inspired in equal parts by heavy sounds of the ’70s (Mountain, Pentagram, Captain Beyond, early Judas Priest), Progressive Rock (King Crimson, Rush), and 20th century Classical (Bela Bartok, Arvo Part, and many others), the self-released, five-track offering is the band’s fourth and most ambitious work to date.

Dubbed “an epic feast of might and majesty” by Aquarius Records, ZEBULON PIKE churn an intriguing mixture of melodic melancholy, old-school guitar-isms, and Wagnerian dynamics that marks a mighty presence in the world of heavy music.



As a treat for those who’ve yet to witness the band’s unsung sonic sanctity, the fine folks at The Obelisk are currently streaming Space Is The Corpse Of Time in its entirety at THIS LOCATION.

(Source: Earsplit  PR)

* For more info on ZEBULON PIKE, click on the links below:

https://www.facebook.com/zebulonpike

http://www.zebulonpike.com

LONG LIVE ZEBULON PIKE.

Stone.

METALLICA ‘Beyond Magnetic’ – North American Release On CD Is January 31st… Some Metal Thoughts

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , , on January 13, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

METALLICA – Yes, being the “old school” dude that I am, I’ve been holding out on buying the 4 song EP Beyond Magnetic from Metallica until it’s release on CD. It is cool of Metallica to go old school with a CD release, especially since there are only 4 songs and this is the era of digital downloads. I’ll add that it is a very cool gesture on the part of Metallica, by releasing material to get our minds off of Lulu. Metal be thy name about that.

Any regular visitor to Metal Odyssey knows I have a diverse taste for Rock, Hard Rock and of course Metal. However, there are those times when I draw the Metal line and Lulu was not going to have me flagging down the “open your mind for something different bus”. Metal as my witness, I’m not that easy.

I’ve never lost my Metal faith with Metallica, it’s just that this band has veered off into bizarre directions creatively in the past and I’m not going to love everything they’ve ever done. At the end of my Metal day on January 31st, this CD EP will be added to my Metallica collection… minus Lulu and St. Anger of course.

As for the four songs on Beyond Magnetic, as stated by Metallica on their website: “As a refresher, these four songs are the rough mixes, unfinished to their original degree of mixing from March of 2008”.

BEYOND MAGNETIC – Track Listing:

Hate Train

Just A Bullet Away

Hell And Back

Rebel Of Babylon

* For more info on METALLICA, click on the link below:

METALLICA

LONG LIVE METALLICA.

Stone.

LYNCHMADA – To Support CAVALERA CONSPIRACY On Upcoming National Australian Tour!

Posted in Extreme Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 13, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Brisbane crushers LYNCHMADA will dominate stages across the country as main support on the Cavalera Conspiracy (Roadrunner Records) January Australian tour!

LYNCHMADA recently toured Australia in support of the band’s crushing new album To The Earth which was released through Truth Inc. Records. The album was produced by the mighty Zeuss (Hatebreed, Whitechapel, The Acacia Strain, more) and demonstrates the strength of what this country has to offer to not only its local audiences, but to the world.

The album and band’s live performance have been receiving outstanding reviews from across Australia, and the band now have the opportunity to show Australian audiences why LYNCHMADA are a devastating force to be reckoned with.

LYNCHMADA also recently unveiled another new song, “Blackout”, which is being premiered exclusively via Hails And Horns Magazine.  Listen to “Blackout” here: http://www.hailsandhorns.com/streaming-2/featured-stream-blackout-by-lynchmada-off-of-the-album-to-the-earth/.  Hails And Horns is your resource for all things heavy!

LYNCHMADA will be supporting CAVALERA CONSPIRACY on the following shows:
JAN 24 – Newcastle, AU @ Panthers
JAN 26 – Canberra, AU @ Anu Bar
JAN 28 – Sydney, AU @ Metro Theatre
FEB 01 – Melbourne, AU @ Billboard
FEB 06 – Brisbane, AU @ The Hi Fi

(Source: Team All About The Music – Publicity, Management, A&R)

* For more info on purchasing LYNCHMADA To The Earth, click on the link below:

www.truthincrecords.com

* For more info on CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, click on the link below:

CAVALERA CONSPIRACY – Official Website

LONG LIVE LYNCHMADA.

LONG LIVE CAVALERA CONSPIRACY.

Stone.

NEPHELIUM – Offer Free Download “Merciless Annihilation” From Upcoming Debut Album “Coils Of Entropy”

Posted in Death Metal, death metal bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 12, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Nephelium, one of the Middle East’s first Death Metal bands to be born out of Dubai and whom have now re-established themselves in Toronto, Canada for the last 10 years, are proud to be offering their first single “Merciless Annihilation” from their debut album “Coils of Entropy” for free download at the following link here.

Single Stream Link – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRE2UpktFdg

“Coils of Entropy” is set to be unleashed on February 7th, 2012 and is a self release by the band.

Samples from Nephelium’s six-track masterpiece that forges the perfect balance between technical death metal, old school metal and Arabian melodies are presently streaming on their Reverbnation page at the following link here.

CD Cover Design: Juanjo Castellano (JuanCastellano.com)
Logo Design: Christopher Horst

1. Burial Ground 05:04


2. Merciless Annihilation 06:18


3. Hellborne 05:02


4. Malediction 08:52


5. Halls of Judgment 05:56

(Source: Asher Media Relations)

* Stone Says: Get yours ears into this FREE download of Merciless Annihilation! Metal as my witness, the brutality of sound and fierce speed of this song summons up all that’s gilt-edged about Death Metal. Merciless Annihilation is exactly the audio assault my eardrums and senses were yearning for and NEPHELIUM has served me right. Metal be thy name.

LONG LIVE NEPHELIUM.

Stone.

RELENTLESS – As An Album Title, How Popular Or Overused Is This Word?

Posted in album covers, classic rock, Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 12, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

JackylRelentless (2002)

Long Live Jackyl.

RELENTLESSAny dictionary will reveal the meaning of Relentless for you as: that does not relent; unyieldingly severe, strict, or harsh; unrelenting: a relentless enemy. This is a strong word. In my opinion, relentless can make for a tough as nails Hard Rock or Heavy Metal album title. Comedians along with musicians and bands from other music genres have used relentless as an album title, only it does not come across as riveting or true to me outside of Heavy Music.

As I went deeper into researching relentless as an album title, I found too numerous examples to mention and/or list. If I did list all the albums I’ve found with the title of relentless, then that would be rather relentless on my part. What I have learned is relentless is easily one of the most popular album titles ever to be used! Metal be thy name! Is this a bad or good thing? Is relentless overused on album titles? I guess I’ll leave the answer for you to ponder, for I don’t want to pass on any relentless judgement on the popularity of this word.

Alright, I will add, before a comedian, musician or band uses such a forceful word such as relentless, they should seriously consider it’s true definition and make certain if “fits” with their persona and/or album content.

Here are 14 albums (including the Jackyl cover on top of post) that caught my attention while compiling this relentless album title research:

Bill HicksRelentless (1992)

This cover photo just doesn’t go with the definition of relentless. Nope.

Sharel CassityRelentless (2009)

Maybe Sharel is relentless with her saxophone playing? I just don’t know. I’ve never checked out her music… now I’m curious.

MORTIFICATIONRelentless (2003)

Relentless goes just fine here. These dudes are Christian Metal too. Long Live Mortification.

Jason Aldean Relentless (2007)

Jason looks too subdued here to be connected to relentless at all.

PENTAGRAMRelentless (1985)

Yup. Relentless fits quite well on this cover. Doom Metal Legends. Long Live PENTAGRAM.

Natalie GrantRelentless (2008)

Look at the PENTAGRAM album cover, then look at this Natalie Grant cover. Does relentless have multiple definitions that I’m now aware of?

YNGWIE MALMSTEENRelentless (2010)

Yes. Yngwie Malmsteen has been considered by many to be a relentless axe slinger. Long Live Yngwie Malmsteen.

Misty EdwardsRelentless (2008)

A Christian Music vocalist, Misty Edwards digs this title too. The album cover looks Heavy Metal to me though.

Walter Trout and the RadicalsRelentless (2003)

Walter Trout and the Radicals can have an album title of Relentless. It’s all good.

Here are three bands that actually take the word relentless and give it an F’n boost in their album titles. These three bands can get away with it too. You’ll see what I mean…

Asking AlexandriaReckless & Relentless (2011)

Long Live Asking Alexandria.

Children Of BodomRelentless Reckless Forever (2011)

Long Live Children Of Bodom.

Death AngelRelentless Retribution (2010)

Long Live Death Angel.

Lastly, here is a 1993 Pet Shop Boys album that goes by the title: Very. However, look a little closer at this album cover and you will see Relentless in the album title! It’s probably the one and only “hidden relentless” in the history of album cover titles! Whoa!

This concludes the list of Relentless Album Titles. As you witnessed, this popular word needs to be applied where it truly belongs. In conclusion, relentless isn’t just any word that can be slapped onto any album cover.

RELENTLESS FOREVER.

Stone.

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.

13 – Whiskey A Go Go Live Gig On January 28th, 2012: Here’s The Details!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, live rock music, metal music, Music, rock bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 11, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

13 – If you’re looking to experience a kick-ass evening of 100% New American Blue Collar Heavy In Your Face Rock… then seeing 13 live at L.A.’s world famous Whiskey A Go Go on January 28th is your Rockin’ ticket! All the details you need are right above… Metal be thy name.

* For more info on 13, click on the links below:

http://www.reverbnation.com/13rocks

13 – Metal You Must Hear, A Heavy Hittin’ Band You Must Know About!

LONG LIVE 13.

Stone.

ZERO DEGREE – Signs To Massacre Records

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 10, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

ZERO DEGREE was formed in 2006 by Pascal, Tobias and Thomas. Up to that, the three were part of other bands, but they decided to look for a new challenge. Their purpose was to create music in the style of In Flames, Dark Tranquillity and Iron Maiden.

To recreate their music and harmonized guitar sounds live, they consequently needed three guitarists. Over the course of the year André, Maik and Sebastian joined the band.

The now complete line-up played their first shows in 2007. 
Throughout their career the guys were able to share the stage with bands from different genres of metal. These included Eisregen, Maroon, Mercenary, Deadlock, Suidakra and Anima.

In 2007 the band produced their first demo “The Storm And The Silence” which was mainly used as promotion on MySpace and for concert promoters.

ZERO DEGREE’s debut album Surreal World is going to be released on March 23, 2012 via Massacre Records.

ZERO DEGREE:

Thomas – Vocals

Pascal – Guitar

Maik – Guitar

Tobias – Drums

André – Bass

Sebastian – Guitar

(Source: Massacre Records)

* For more info on ZERO DEGREE, click on the links below:

http://www.zerodegreemetal.com

http://www.facebook.com/zerodegreemeta

MASSACRE RECORDS

Stone.

BEAK – Debut Album, EYRIE, Set For April 3rd, 2012 Release

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, progressive metal, progressive rock, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 10, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Jan. 10, 2012, Chicago – Beak, the Post-Metal quartet formed by local Chicago luminaries Chris Eichenseer and Jason Goldberg previously of The Timeout Drawer, release Eyrie, the band’s debut album on Apr. 3 via Someoddpilot Records.

Recorded and mixed in late-2011 at Engine Studios by Neil Strauch (Sage Francis, Bonnie Prince Billy), the five-track release highlights the band’s adept combination of blistering heaviness and melodic prog-rock.

“Metal for the sake of it just doesn’t interest us. We need more than heavy riffage and the trappings of the genre,” expained Eichenseer. “I wish we could call it something else, because to me it’s more. We’re not afraid to carry influence from our roots in post to Punk Rock. We’re very aware of storytelling and depth. We’re not interested in skulls.”

Vocalist Jon Slusher discussed the conceptual aspect of the debut album: “Eyrie is the nest of a bird of prey built in a high, inaccessible place.  The album is conceptual.  It’s the path of ruin, the crumbling of empires and the marching of time. ”

Beak is Andy Bosnak (Guitar), Chris Eichenseer (Drums), Jason Goldberg (Bass, Vocals) and Jon Slusher (Guitar, Lead Vocals).

EYRIE – Track Listing:

Angry Mother of Bones

Hands Collide

Men at Arms

Billions of Eyes

The Weight & Time

* The band’s next performance is February 23rd, at Reggie’s (Chicago) with Anvil. An April tour will be announced shortly.

(Source: Speakeasy PR)

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

www.beakmusic.com/

www.facebook.com/pages/Beak/183159646995

Stone.

AC/DC – Stern Pinball Machine: AC/DC Pro You MUST Check Out!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, Music, pinball machines, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 10, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

AC/DC – Whoa. Check out this very, very cool AC/DC pinball machine manufactured and sold by Stern Pinball. The details on this AC/DC pinball machine are unreal! This new AC/DC pinball machine not only looks like it’s gonna be a thrill to play, it also looks like a piece of art! Metal be thy name. Yes, I’m an AC/DC fan… who isn’t? Or so it seems. Maybe if I start saving some money and buy less potato chips, I can maybe get this sensational AC/DC pinball machine… down the Metal road.

Stern Pinball has the company slogan: “The only maker of REAL pinball games on the planet!!”. From looking at this AC/DC pinball machine, they aren’t kidding.

Check out the specs for this amazing pinball machine below:

AC/DC Pro Model Features:

• 1 Ramp Mounted Magnetic Diverter For Cannon Loading

• High Definition Color Cabinet and Decal Artwork

• Motorized Rotating Ball Cannon, Player Controlled

• 3 “Thunderstruck” Standup Targets w/ Super Bright Flash Lamps

• 4 “ROCK” Standup Targets (on right)

• Lit Start/Fire Cannon Button w/ Laser Cut S/S Trim Plate

• Back Panel Jukebox Song Selector w/ Flashing Red Horns

• Posi-Lock Ball Ejector and Electric Top Gate

• 2 Molded Super Speed Ramps

• T.N.T. Explosion Butyrates In Key Locations

• 2 High Powered Slingshots

• 3 Super Bright LED Jet Bumpers

• 1 “Greased Lightning” Spinning Target

• Traditional Country-Specific Coin Door

• 8 Inch Cabinet Speaker with bold, enhanced sound quality

• QR Codes

• Molded “Hells Bell” Toy, Fixed, W/Standup Target

• Fixed T.N.T. Detonator

• Band Member Butyrate Display

• 5 AC/DC Standup Targets (on left)

• 3 T.N.T. Standup Targets (center)

• Black ABS Lower Arch

• “Latch” Lockdown Bar

* Thanks to Metal Buddy Dan, on the heads up for this story.

* For more info/visit Stern Pinball by clicking on the link below:

Stern Pinball

LONG LIVE AC/DC

LONG LIVE STERN PINBALL.

Stone

ALMAH – ‘Motion’: Brazilian Metal At Its Very, Very Finest and An Album To Absorb

Posted in album reviews, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 10, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

ALMAH – Releasing in North America on January 17th, via AFM Records, is the third studio album from Brazil’s fantastically talented Metal band: ALMAH. To say this is one Metal album to own in 2012 feels like a call of Metal duty on my part. Angra vocalist Edu Falaschi is paired with his Angra bandmate Felipe Andreoli on bass, with Marcelo Barbosa and Paulo Schroeber on guitars and Marcelo Moreira on drums. Whoa, can both Marcelo and Paulo play them guitars! Metal be thy name. This album boasts some unbelievable guitar driven moments, all which leaves my eyes bugging out of my head. Seriously.

Edu Falaschi has somewhat silently become a premier vocalist in the world of Metal. You may not see Edu’s name on many top-ten lists for vocalists, only make no mistake, he takes a backseat to not many of his peers, in my Metal opinion. As a band, ALMAH can play their Metal fast, heavy and melodic. The glowing appeal about ALMAH is their ability to mix-it-up on Motion. ALMAH does not fall into any tidy comfort zone when it comes to Metal.

Motion opens up with Hypnotized and ALMAH delivers some crunchy and steel reinforced Metal on this song. Add into the mix a muscular rhythm section, backing vocals that elevates the high vibe, with mouth-watering guitars spewing out unyielding riffs, leads and a killer solo and you have… Metal bliss. Late Night  In ’85 is mid-paced and still has the ability to psyche-out my senses. If I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again, Edu can sing and he soars on Late Night In ’85. This song also benefits from an amazing guitar solo at the 3/4 mark, bringing Late Night In ’85 to a glorious finish, simultaneously with Edu’s vocals.

Daydream Lucidity is a marvelous listening journey. This song showcases the melodic vocals of Edu and the guitars of Marcelo and Paulo. With illuminating guitar parts that are shredding and other parts melodic, Daydream Lucidity is a shining moment on Motion. When and Why is atmospheric from its opening note, with a tremendous help from tones created by some brilliant acoustic guitar. ALMAH created a ballad here with When and Why and it resonates emotion courtesy of Edu’s vocals. It makes for a cool and mellow way to close out Motion.

Lyrically smart and coming across so spontaneous are the songs on Motion. This is an ultra-talented band of musicians and ALMAH can take a bow for an album I’ve listened to many times over already. ALMAH has proven there is creativity in Metal without being straight-lined progressive and their new album Motion is not to be ignored… it’s to be absorbed.

MOTION – Track Listing:

Hypnotized

Living and Drifting

Days of the New

Bullets On the Altar

Zombies Dictator

Trace of Trait

Soul Alight

Late Night in ’85

Daydream Lucidity

When and Why

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

http://www.almah.com.br

http://www.facebook.com/official.almah

http://www.afm-records.de

LONG LIVE ALMAH.

Stone.

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.