Archive for the melodic metal Category

ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW “Dark Alliance” – 2 Song Digital-Only Single Releases February 8th!

Posted in Death Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, melodic death metal, melodic metal, Metal, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on February 5, 2013 by Metal Odyssey

Eternal Tears Of Sorrow - Dark Alliance - cover promo pic!

ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROWDark Alliance

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Finland’s ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW have just announced the first single off their upcoming album Saivon Lapsi.

They will release their digital 2-track single Dark Alliance worldwide (excl. Japan and Finland) on February 8th!

The following songs are featured on the single:

1. Dark Alliance
2. Baptized By The Blood Of Angels

Saivon Lapsi was recorded at the Tico-Tico Studio with Ahti Kortelainen and Janne Tolsa in spring 2012. It was mixed by Mikko Karmila and mastered by Mika Jussila. The album will be released on February 22nd via Massacre Records.

ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW @ Massacre Records MP3 Download Store:

http://tinyurl.com/EToSMRMP3Store

Eternal Tears Of Sorrow - Saivon Lapsi - promo cover pic

ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW – Saivon Lapsi

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Source:

Massacre Records - large logo! Red:black:white

For more info on ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW, click on the links below!

www.eternaltears.fi

www.facebook.com/etosofficial

http://www.massacre-records.com

Stone - Motorhead Tee  pic:small

LONG LIVE ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW.

Stone.

PRETTY MAIDS – Danish Dynamite Rockers PRETTY MAIDS To Release Their New Album “MOTHERLAND” On Frontiers Records In March!

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, Heavy Metal, melodic metal, Metal, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 16, 2013 by Metal Odyssey

Pretty Maids -Motherland - promo cover pic!

Frontiers Records is excited to announce the release of PRETTY MAIDS anticipated new album entitled Motherland on March 22nd in Europe and March 26th in North America.

After their successful and highly acclaimed 2010 album “Pandemonium”, Danish melodic Hard Rockers, Pretty Maids celebrated their 30th anniversary with their debut visual release “It Comes Alive (Maid in Switzerland)” in 2012. “Pandemonium” showed the world that Pretty Maids were in a creative spring again, with the band in their finest moment. The melodic approach brought a return to the “Future World / Red Hot and Heavy” era of the eighties, but with an updated sound and freshness that consolidated Pretty Maids as strong as ever.

In late spring 2012, the band gathered to finally write the follow-up album. Singer Ronnie Atkins tells: “We knew it was going to be a tough one to follow ! I remember back in the day when we had to follow-up albums like “Future World”, we tried more or less to copy the songs from the previous album to keep the same kind of balance. But this time we just wrote what came natural to us and that’s what became “Motherland”.

The band teamed up again with producer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Amaranthe) for the new album. Ronnie says:

Jacob was a natural choice since we had a great experience with him producing the “Pandemonium” album. The recordings went smooth to begin with, but then we had to start touring again during the weekends and this created some stress. Though I really feel strongly about “Motherland”. In my view it has all the ingredients of a good Pretty Maids album, maybe even more melodic than “Pandemonium” and absolutely, as far as I’m concerned a worthy follow-up”.

Pretty Maids - Group Promo Pic - 2013 - #1

Founded in early 1982 by guitarist Ken Hammer and singer Ronnie Atkins, Pretty Maids soon established themselves as a band to be taken seriously in the early eighties, having their breakthrough with the release – in April 1987 – of the album “Future World”. This record soon gathered a universal recognition as a “Classic”, which endures to date, and allowed the band to perform in front of large audiences thanks to their tour with Deep Purple and their appearances in the “Monsters of Rock” festival. The following album “Jump The Gun” kept the momentum for the band, particularly in Europe and Japan.

Throughout the nineties Pretty Maids continued to release albums, usually followed by European and Japanese tours with the band still maintaining a very high songwriting and production standards. The release of “Wake up to the Real World” in 2006 started the band’s relationship with Frontiers Records.

“Motherland”  will include the following tracks:

Mother Of All Lies; To Fool A Nation; Confession; The Iceman; Sad To See You Suffer; Hooligan; Infinity; Why So Serious; Motherland; I See Ghosts; Bullet For You; Who What Where When Why; Wasted.

Pretty Maids - Mother Of All Lies - single cover

The release of the new album will be preceded by the release of the single / video “Mother of All Lies” which will hit the streets on January 22nd 2013. A sample of the single can be heard following this link:

http://youtu.be/KuqCwrdojho

Pretty Maids will play numerous festivals this summer such as Wacken Open Air and Bang Your Head !!!, followed by an extensive world tour in support of “ Motherland”.

Pretty Maids are stronger than ever – don’t miss them on tour !!!

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PRETTY MAIDS:

Ronnie Atkins – vocals

Ken Hammer – guitars

Morten Sandager – keyboards

Allan Tschicaja – drums

Rene Shades – bass

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(Source: Frontiers Records)

For more info on PRETTY MAIDS, click on the links below!

http://www.prettymaids.dk

http://www.facebook.com/prettymaids

http://www.twitter.com/pmaids

http://www.youtube.com/prettymaidsdenmark

Stone - Motorhead Tee  pic:small

LONG LIVE PRETTY MAIDS.

Stone.

CATAMENIA “The Best Of Catamenia” – Digital-Only Release Available On February 8th, 2013 via Massacre Records

Posted in dark metal, Heavy Metal, melodic metal, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on January 5, 2013 by Metal Odyssey

Catamenia - The Best Of Catamenia - promo cover pic!

DIGITAL-ONLY RELEASE: CATAMENIA – The Best Of CATAMENIA

 (21-track-compilation including 1 track never before available for download until now)

Beginning February 8th, 2013, you can purchase the digital-only release of CATAMENIA – The Best Of CATAMENIA by clicking the link below!

http://massacre.musiclogistics.net/releases/20166?lang=en

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CATAMENIA – Band Bio:

Catamenia (FI) is a Melodic Dark Metal band, founded in ‘95 by their original members Riku Hopeakoski and Mika Tönning in Oulu, Finland. Their first two demos caught attention and lead to signing a contract in ‘97 with Massacre Records, with whom they are cooperating till today.

Catamenia - Group Promo Pic - 2012 - #1

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Source:

Massacre Records - large logo! Red:black:white

For more info on CATAMENIA, click on the links below!

http://www.catamenia.net

facebook: Catamenia

http://www.massacre-records.com

Stone - Motorhead Tee  pic:small

LONG LIVE CATAMENIA.

Stone.

Chicago’s Circle Of Fate Release Highly Anticipated New Single “The Other Side Of Me”

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, melodic metal, melodic rock, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on December 11, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Circle Of Fate - Group Promo Pic - #1 - 2012!

Dec. 11, 2012 – Chicago, IL – Much to the excitement of fans across the globe, Chicago melodic rock outfit Circle Of Fate released their new single The Other Side Of Me digitally on December 1, 2012. For the last 15 years Circle of Fate has been captivating audiences all over the world and now with their new single, fans of the band will not be disappointed! Lead vocalist and founding member Michele Caruso says, “The song is a punky song about different sides that a woman has to her. You never know what you are going to get. The songs, as always, are open to interpretation to the listener.”

Circle Of Fate features Michele Caruso on Lead Vocals. Michele has done jingle work for Chicago’s hit radio station B-96, and has also been an extra on a Bud Light commercial. On top of all that, Michele was on the Howard Stern show, singing one of her original songs. The show was also aired on live radio, CBS, and E-Entertainment. She has has performed jingles for Chicago’s rock station Q101 and Mancow’s Morning Madhouse where she sang the Gateway Chevrolet song live on the air.

Danny Charatin is feaured on Lead Guitar and Backing Vocals. Danny has been playing the guitar now for about 22 years. Danny’s past bands include Destiny, Moriah, Latent Fury and Ion Vein. Danny has also done some studio work in the past. He has played shows out-of-state to fill in for other bands and has a blues influence in his playing. He also enjoys playing classical pieces. Danny says, “My ideas and style fit perfect with Michele’s melodies and style. Together it’s the perfect combination for real music that comes from the soul”. Most recently the band acquired two new members; Lynn Parkinson on Drums – Lynn has been in the industry for many years and has played many styles of music. Bassist Jimi Swanson has also been in the music industry for a number of years and has been in many national acts such as Energy Vampires and Odette.

Michele describes Circle of Fate’s music as, “A break from the mundane. Our music has great melodies and it’s in your face rock. Our music tells a story and leaves you wanting more.” Andrew Dodge of Blog Critics touts, “This is quite simply driving metal that is done with lots of feeling and ability. If you are into good metal delivered well, then check this lot out soonest, you will be glad you did!” The band’s 2010 break-out release ‘Back To Life’ captured the attention of the music public at large and the response was no less than astounding. Described as “Pop rock with metal undertones”, Circle of Fate’s ‘Back To Life’ is an amalgamation of catchy melodies and hooky rhythms. Produced by Larry Sturm, who has worked with top music artists such as Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige and Disturbed, the CD garnered rave reviews worldwide.

Circle Of Fate - Group Promo Pic - #2 - 2012

Here’s what the press raved about Circle Of Fate’s ‘Back To Life ‘CD:

“As Circle Of Fate brings on their heavy repertoire, they may be one of the best bands blending classic hard rock sensibility with modern rock trends, and that in itself is quite an accomplishment. Recommended!” – Dangerdog Music Reviews

“Given a few spins, this one grows on you. It’s good tradesmen like performance highlighting Caruso’s vocal and Charatin’s rather tasty guitar playing. Keep an eye on this outfit for sure!” – Glory Daze Music Magazine

“Circle Of Fate will be the biggest band out of Chicago since the Smashing Pumpkins!” – Rocktober Magazine

In recent news, Circle Of Fate has been asked to perform on Chicago’s Late Night TV program ‘Seven On Ridge’. Danny explains, “We recently were asked to play for the ‘press release’ for the show ‘Seven On Ridge’, which is a new late night show in Chicago. We were booked for a slot on the show and they had to change the date due to extra taping they needed to do for producers in China. We will post the date we will be on once it’s announced. The host of the show is Michael Essany and he formerly had his own show on the E network.” You can see more on the show at http://www.sevenonridge.com

In the past year Circle of Fate has returned to the studio to record a new album, in which the new single “The Other Side Of Me” will be featured on “The new material we are recording will be our 5th CD for original members Danny and I,” explains Michele “With two new members on this CD we are very excited that this will give COF a fresh ‘edge’ in the music scene while keeping our own unique style. This extra ‘edge’ will keep Circle of Fate in the public eye and our fans wondering, ‘What will this band do next?’ This new CD will cross new thresholds for our band and will take us to the next level.” Adds Danny, “The new CD still contains much of Michele’s catchy melodies and strong lyrics, but the music has reformed to having a different edge to it than in the past. We started off on a lighter note on past CDs such as ‘Shades Of Gray’ and ‘Inner Sanctum’, which were more melodic. ‘Dawn Of A New Era’ was much heavier. The new album being put together contains a couple of strong ballads along with heavier faster paced songs such as ‘Too Much’, ‘What If’ and our new single ‘The Other Side Of Me’. We believe when the album is finished it will be a great listen from beginning to end with a nice flow from song to song, so when the CD is finished playing you are wanting more.”

Producer extraordinaire Eric Greedy, who has worked with such music legends as Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Steven Tyler, Brian Wilson, Rage Against The Machine, Guns & Roses (the list goes on and on), produced two songs on the new CD. Also, formerly from Slash’s Snakepit, Matt Laug played drums on the two tracks. Both cuts wre mastered by industry legend Big Bass Brian, who’s impressive list of clients include the likes of Alice Cooper, Black Eyed Peas, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Grateful Dead, Hall & Oates and Kiss, just to name a few.

In closing the band has this to impart to their fans and listeners, “We have been together for over 15 years now and truly appreciate all of the support of our fans and listeners. You mean everything to us. We work very hard to not only put out great studio albums but to put on great live performances as well. As always, please spread the word and Step into the Circle… You’ll be glad you did!”

To purchase Circle Of Fate’s “The Other Side Of Me” single: http://www.circleoffate.net/Circle_of_Fate/Store.html

More Circle Of Fate Info:

http://www.circleoffate.net

http://www.reverbnation.com/circleoffate

http://www.zazzle.com/circleoffateband*

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(Source: Glass Onyon PR)

Stone - Motorhead Tee  pic:small

LONG LIVE CIRCLE OF FATE.

Stone.

THE NEOLOGIST – Release: The Promise Of Eternal Separation – FOR FREE

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, melodic metal, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on September 23, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

The two-man Melodic Metal machine known as THE NEOLOGIST has just released their sophomore album The Promise of Eternal Separation. Following in the melodic footsteps of their debut album The 26 Letters of Your Universe, these guys certainly don’t disappoint in their latest offering. As with all their releases, The Promise of Eternal Separation is jam-packed with extras including a cover version of “Red Clouds” by DISARMONIA MUNDI, a dub-step remix of “A Call To Harms” by JESTER STRIKES, as well as two additional bonus tracks to be released on the bands Kazakhstan release and Vatican City release (both due in October 2012).

THE NEOLOGIST is known for their unique and fan friendly approach to releasing their music for free and their latest is no exception. The band previously released The 26 Letters of Your Universe for free, as well as an entire IN FLAMES cover album titled In Flames We Trust: Volume I and tracks from their continuing work in progress of an entire SOILWORK cover album titled Working the Soil. When asked about why they give all their music away for free, bassist Devin Walsh comments, “Would you rather have to pay for it?”

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The Promise of Eternal Separation – Track Listing:

01. Fall of An Empire

02. Innate Supremacy

03. Subterranean Creatures

04. Apollo’s Creed

05. In The Name Of…

06. Between the Fallen

07. A Call To Harms

08. My Angel Is A Demon

09. Lost Souls Of A Forgotten Science

10. Red Clouds (Disarmonia Mundi Cover)

11. A Call To Harms Remix – Jester Strikes (Bonus Track)

**12. With Blind Eyes – Vatican City Release Only (Bonus Track)

**13. The March of Sagittarius – Kazakhstan Release Only (Bonus Track)

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(Source: Devin Walsh)

For more info on THE NEOLOGIST, click on the links below!

www.theNeologist.net

www.youtube.com/theneologistofficial

www.theneologist.bandcamp.com

LONG LIVE THE NEOLOGIST.

Stone.

LOVE.MIGHT.KILL “XTC” (Official Video) – Stone’s METAL Pick Of The Day!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal videos, melodic metal, metal music, Music, music videos, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on August 16, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

LOVE.MIGHT.KILL2 Big 2 Fail, the sophomore album from LOVE.MIGHT.KILL, will be released this October 19th, via Massacre Records. The first music video for this album is XTC. Melodic Metal is played and celebrated in a very big way by LOVE.MIGHT.KILL, with big guitars, a big rhythm section, big keys and melodic vocals.

LOVE.MIGHT.KILL taps into a Melodic Metal atmosphere of sound; one that surrounds my senses and pumps up my Metal adrenaline! A power-packed song is XTC and it’s… Stone’s METAL Pick Of The Day! Metal be thy name.

You can hear it all for yourself by listening to and watching XTC below!

LOVE.MIGHT.KILL:

Jan Manenti – Vocals

Stefan Ellerhorst – Guitar

Christian Stöver – Guitar

Jogi Sweers – Bass

Michael Ehré – Drums

Sascha Onnen – Keyboards

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For more info on LOVE.MIGHT.KILL, click on the links below!

http://www.lovemightkill.com

http://www.massacre-records.com

LONG LIVE LOVE.MIGHT.KILL

Stone.

REBELLION – German Heavy Metal Legends Announce Tour Dates; Offers Free Song Download!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, melodic metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on July 24, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

REBELLION are currently busy recording their upcoming album, which is going to be released later this year.

If you want to listen to new songs, you’ll get the chance on July 27th at Jackson’s Open-Air Metal-Night (www.facebook.com/events/406835316035481) in Oranienbaum, Germany!

Here are the titles of the 4 new songs they’re going to play: “Breeding Hate”, Prince Of The Cheruscer”, “The Seeres Tower” and “Ala Germanica”.

The band also offers (Free) the brand new song “Aptrgangr” on their website (www.rebellion-metal.de) as well as a “making of” video clip (http://youtu.be/GuGCFBeUWwY).

If you can’t attend the gig on July 27th, you can maybe attend one of REBELLION’s gigs in November:

01.11.2012 DE Köln – Blue Shell – www.facebook.com/events/505114496171021

03.11.2012 DE Oberhausen – Helvete Metal Club – www.facebook.com/events/262901390478147

10.11.2012 DE Hamburg – Ballroom – www.facebook.com/events/133073520157672

16.11.2012 NL Kerkrade – The Rock Temple – www.facebook.com/events/116451865166196

17.11.2012 DE Bremen – Meisenfrei – www.facebook.com/events/218378118284755

24.11.2012 DE Primasens – Zur Schwemme – www.facebook.com/events/415403818511554

Listen to and get your copy of REBELLION’s albums here: http://massacre.musiclogistics.net/search?lang=en&search=Rebellion

Stone Says: Take the Metal time to check out German Heavy Metal Legends Rebellion! Big guitars, a muscular, booming rhythm section and hard as steel  vocals; all this wrapping together a melodic and heavy as all hell sound! Rebellion Rules! Metal be thy name.

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(Source: Massacre Records)

LONG LIVE REBELLION.

Stone.

SKY OF RAGE – Debut Album Releases In Europe On July 27th; Teaser Video For Album Online Now!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, melodic metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on July 8, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

SKY OF RAGE – Astral Doors guitar player Joachim Nordlund has a second band called Sky Of Rage. The debut album will be released all over Europe July 27th 2012, through Metalville. In the band you also find Astral Doors ex bass player Mika Itäranta, ex Thalamus guitarist Jan Cederlund, drummer Tomas Friberg and singer Stiff. Heavy riffing and melodic vocals is promised!

A teaser for the album is below! Check it out my Metal brethren! Metal be thy name.

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For more info on Sky Of Rage, click on the link below!

www.facebook.com/skyofrage

LONG LIVE SKY OF RAGE.

Stone.

ASYLUM PYRE – Sign To Massacre Records; New Album Releasing November 2012

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on June 21, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

From Massacre Records:

We are happy to announce the signing of the French Melodic Metal band ASYLUM PYRE!

From Speed Metal to Progressive, passing through lyrical or Ambient Metal, the band draws elements from multiple genres to create its own identity.

ASYLUM PYRE’s sound offers catchy melodies and rhythm changes as well es quiet moments and powerful parts. Their songs are both catchy and intensive, because the band’s strength lies in the messages of their songs.

ASYLUM PYRE’s debut album “Natural Instinct?” was released in 2009.

The band’s second album “Fifty Years Later” was recorded and mixed by Didier Chesneau and mastered by Elektra Mastering and is scheduled to be released on November 23, 2012 via Massacre Records!

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ASYLUM PYRE Line-up:

Julien Peuch – Bass

Tony Decaillon – Keyboard

Chaos Heidi – Vocals

Johann Cadot – Vocals, Guitar

Hervé Schiltz – Guitar

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* For more info on ASYLUM PYRE, click on the links below!

www.asylumpyre.com

www.myspace.com/asylumpyre

www.facebook.com/asylumpyre

www.twitter.com/AsylumPyre

http://www.massacre-records.com

LONG LIVE ASYLUM PYRE.

LONG LIVE MASSACRE RECORDS.

Stone.

LOVE.MIGHT.KILL – Studio Update For Forthcoming Album: “2 Big 2 Fail”

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

LOVE.MIGHT.KILL are currently working on their second album.

The album’s once again produced by Michael Ehré, while Markus Teske is responsible for the mix and the mastering in his Bazement-Studios.

The band has already announced the title of the record: “2 Big 2 Fail”.

Besides the title track, the album will feature song titles like “XTC”, “Burn The Night” and “The One”.

“2 Big 2 Fail” is set to be released in autumn 2012 via Massacre Records.

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(Source: Massacre Records)

For more info on LOVE.MIGHT.KILL, click on the links below!

http://www.lovemightkill.com

http://www.massacre-records.com

LONG LIVE LOVE.MIGHT.KILL

Stone.

HYSTERICA – ‘The Art Of Metal’ Is Out Now!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on April 1, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

HYSTERICA – This past March, the second studio album, The Art Of Metal, from Stockholm, Sweden’s HYSTERICA was released via Black Lodge. Get a Metal taste for what HYSTERICA sounds like below. Hopefully you’ll be impressed and will seek their new album out. I know I dig what I hear from this all-female Metal Band, hell and yeah. Metal be thy name.

As stated on the Black Lodge Records website:

Hysterica has toured Sweden, Europe and Russia playing both clubs and big festivals like Sweden Rock Festival and Hardrock Hell (UK). Hysterica has developed on all horizons since the release of the debut album and with Black Lodge – Sweden’s biggest Metal label – everything is there to make them as big as, for example, Sabaton and Bullet. “The Art Of Metal” is a real killer and is guaranteed to receive a lot of attention worldwide!

HYSTERICA:

Anni De Vil – vocals

Bitchie – guitar

Satanica – bass

Helln’ – drums

Marydeath – keyboard

The Art Of Metal – back cover with track listing

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For more info on HYSTERICA, click on the links below:

http://www.hysterica.se

BLACK LODGE RECORDS

LONG LIVE HYSTERICA.

Stone.

ENCHANTYA – Signs To Massacre Records

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, symphonic metal with tags , , , , , , on March 21, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

ENCHANTYA were formed back in 2004, when Rute Fevereiro decided to pause her musical career with Black Widows.

In the Summer of 2005 they recorded their first demo “Moonlighting The Dreamer” and despite line-up changes, the band kept going until the present days, leaving a nice trail of good reviews, earth-shattering concerts and a few TV appearances.

Immediately, the sound of ENCHANTYA was labeled and put in line with bands like Nightwish, Within Temptation and others.

In 2007, ENCHANTYA won the first place of the first edition of the “Bandas Procuram-se” competition in Portugal.

Watch out for the “Dark Rising”, which will be released later this year!

ENCHANTYA are:

Rute Fevereiro – Vocals

Nuno Seven – Guitar

MP – Bass

João Paulo Monteiro – Drums

Bruno Prates – Guitar

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(Source: Massacre Records)

For more info on ENCHANTYA, click on the links below:

www.enchantya.com

www.facebook.com/EnChanTya

www.youtube.com/user/enchantyaband

www.myspace.com/enchantya

http://www.massacre-records.com

LONG LIVE ENCHANTYA.

Stone.

FURYON – ‘Disappear Again’ (Official Video) – Debut Album ‘Gravitas’ Releases March 23rd, Via Frontiers Records

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock albums, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, heavy metal videos, melodic hard rock, melodic metal, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on March 10, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

FURYON – If you’re a fan of Hard Rock, Melodic Hard Rock and/or Melodic Heavy Metal, then do yourself a favor today and click on that FURYON video below. Disappear Again is sweltering with melodic guitars and vocals, along with more hooks than a fishing supply store on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. To say this song is an addictive listen (for me) is a gross understatement.

I wanted to hear an album or song this morning that would kickstart my Saturday into high Rockin’ gear, thus I turned to a band and album I’ve yet to check out until now. I am battling a stupid-ass cold and received a welcomed “lift” from a song that I wound up listening to at least 15 (or more) times while I slapped this post together. Disappear Again is that song. One damn vibrant rhythm section. Very cool guitar licks and the vocals of Matt Mitchell are stuff of 80’s Arena Rock jubilation.

The all-encompassing Melodic Hard Rockin’ vibe that FURYON delivers on this song has made my F’n day. Looks like FURYON has a nomination for Metal Odyssey’s Hard Rock song of 2012… signed, sealed and delivered. Metal be thy name.

The debut album from FURYON, Gravitas, will be released on March 23rd, 2012 in Europe and March 27th in North America. FURYON is signed to the ultra-Rockin’ Frontiers Records.

FURYON:

Matt Mitchell – Vocals

Chris Green – Guitars

Pat Heath – Guitars

Alex “Nickel” Bowen – Bass

Lee Farmery – Drums

Here’s the track listing for Gravitas:

Disappear Again

Stand Like Stone

Souvenirs

Don’t Follow

New Way of Living

Voodoo Me

Fear Alone

Wasted On You

Our Peace Someday

Desert Suicide

Bonus Tracks:

Voodoo Me (acoustic)

Souvenirs (acoustic)

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FURYON originate from Brighton.

Gravitas was produced by Rick Beato (Shinedown, Fozzy)

For more info on FURYON, click on the link below:

FRONTIERS RECORDS

LONG LIVE FURYON.

Stone.

Stéphan Forté ‘The Shadows Compendium’ – Guitar Virtuoso Creates An Instrumental Album Of Sensation

Posted in Guitar, guitarists, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news, symphonic metal with tags , , , , , , , , on February 25, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Stéphan Forté – This is an instrumental album from guitar virtuoso Stéphan Forté. A seasoned musician who is highly respected within the guitar world of the world-famous and novice alike, Stéphan will have his new album, The Shadows Compendium, released on February 28th, 2012, via Listenable Records.

Stéphan Forté is exceptionally known for being the founder and guitarist for the French Progressive Metal band – Adagio. This album features the meat and potatoes of  a rhythm section, while the keyboards play an extensive and exciting role within these songs. Symphonic, melodic and built on delectable speed, while guitar is the star, The Shadows Compendium is not an album to miss in 2012.

If you’ve never heard the guitar playing of Stéphan, Neoclassical is the key word here. In the event you are a casual fan or die-hard loyalist to Yngwie Malmsteen, then the guitar brilliance of Stéphan will ignite your senses into six and seven-string overdrive and send you into axe shredding bliss. As with his legendary peers, (to name a select few) the likes of Michael Schenker, Vinnie Moore and (of course) Yngwie Malmsteen, Stéphan plays his guitar with such unique emotion that it comes across as vocals.

The technical playing that is showcased by Stéphan is pure art that accentuates his aptitude for speed and melodies, while the never-ending illusion that something magical is happening will always drift into my senses as I listen to The Shadows Compendium. Not an imitator and original as one could wish for from a guitarist of Metal, there is no denying, that Stéphan has his very own alluring tonal identity with his Lag signature guitar.

Stéphan is within a world-class tier of Metal guitarists or guitarists of any genre for that matter. All 8 songs are rich with all the flamboyance of Stéphan’s fret mastery, while never caving in to any dull interludes, (the) ones that usually hinder any sense of musical elevation that’s already been established. Musically sound and stimulating on all grounds, The Shadows Compendium not only showcases a guitarist that has arrived to legendary status, this album reflects Stéphan’s respect for a song’s texture and most importantly its purpose.

___________________________________________________

The Shadows Compendium – Track Listing & Guest Musicians:

I – The Shadows Compendium (Guests: Jeff Loomis / Nevermore & Franck Hermanny/ Adagio)

II – De Praestigiis Daemonum (Guest Mattias IA Eklundh / Freak Kitchen)

III – Spiritual Bliss

IV – Duat (Guest: Glen Drover/ ex Megadeth)

V – Sorrowful Centruroides (Guest: Derek Taylor /Solo artist)

VI – Prophecies Of Loki XXI

VII – I think there’s someone in the kitchen (Guest: Daniele Gottardo/Solo Artist)

VIII – Improvisation on Sonata no. 14, c # minor – Op. 27 no 2

_____________________________________

For more info on Stéphan Forté, click on the links below:

http://www.stephanforte.org/

http://www.facebook.com/stephanforte

Long Live Stéphan Forté.

Stone.

NIGHTQUEEN ‘For Queen And Metal’ – An Indelible Debut Album Of Heavy Metal

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 February 24, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

NIGHTQUEEN – Releasing today, February 24th, via Massacre Records, is the debut album from Belgium’s Nightqueen. Fronted by the dynamic vocals of Keely Larreina, this is a band and album that shouldn’t get missed by fans of Symphonic, Epic, Melodic or Power Metal. What am I thinking? It’s all about Heavy Metal in the first place. This debut from Nightqueen begins fittingly with Into The Night, a symphonic intro that elevates the mood, setting the stage for what shall be a momentous and inspiring ride of Melodic Metal.

Nightfall follows, with Keely’s vocals showcasing her impressive range and capacity to sing Power Metal with conviction. Nightfall and Mystical Nights are two songs that truly get this debut album from Nightqueen propelling in the right direction. The Power Metal meets Symphonic Metal combination that Nightqueen executes, springs from the Metal gates rather impressively. Now the path has been paved and Nightqueen erupts with all the Power Metal goodness they can muster with the title track. For Queen And Metal is a fabulous listen into what this band can deliver! Whoa.

Lady Fantasy and Nocturnal Thoughts are sung with powerful eloquence by Keely and she is a voice to hear. Her ability to bring that added convincing emotion to the song is an asset in itself. Guitarists Rex Zeco and Alan Rawson complement one another, adding the muscular melodies with energized leads and solos, not only on these two aforementioned songs, they both execute brilliantly throughout this entire album.

Secret Of The Blind Man encompasses every standout attribute that I admire about Nightqueen. This song is Symphonic, it’s Power Metal and radiates with an epic ambience. I can’t help feeling inspired from this song’s instrumentation. Nightqueen never loses their flare for keeping it Metal on their debut. I hear slivers and shades of Traditional Metal, especially on Majesty. Riffs abound in Majesty and Keely sings as if she should be standing atop a mountain, looking down upon her minions, in an 80’s style music video. Grand stuff it is indeed.

Nightqueen is that band that impresses me from every corner, for if it’s not Keely’s vocals that are captivating me, then it’s the symphonic atmosphere or the masterly drumming of William Blodyn. The keyboards of Daniel Kells amplifies that ever expressive European vibe and flavor. Steven Steele stands tall on bass, giving these Nightqueen songs their booming beats that reveal themselves so plentifully. Then of course, as I’ve previously mentioned, Rex and Alan are an adept guitar duo that can easily steal the Metal show. If there is one complaint I have, it’s I wish Nightqueen was around twenty or so years ago.

For Queen And Metal is one enjoyable debut album to encounter from Nightqueen. This band has no problem in conveying their totality of talent to my ears. I was looking forward to this debut from Nightqueen for many months, now I realize why. If you like what I’ve stated about Nightqueen and their brand of Metal, then there should be no apprehension in the air you are currently breathing… for you are hereby dismissed to venture out and purchase this noble debut from Nightqueen. To me, this group has earned the right to have their name and Metal known across the seas. Hail to Nightqueen!

For Queen And Metal – Track Listing:

Into The Night

Nightfall

Mystical Night

For Queen And Metal

Lady Fantasy

Nocturnal Thoughts

Secret Of The Blind Man

Majesty

Rebel To Rebel

Screaming For Mercy

Dark Fairy

________________________________________

For more info on NIGHTQUEEN, click on the links below:

http://www.nightqueen.be/

NIGHTQUEEN – myspace

MASSACRE RECORDS

LONG LIVE NIGHTQUEEN.

Stone.

KITTIE – Trish Doan Returns As Bassist

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

The cat’s out of the bag!

After posting a few teasers on their facebook page about a big announcement regarding the band’s future, KITTIE have now announced the departure of their bassist Ivy Vujic and the return of Trish Doan!

In a statement on the band’s website Ivy wrote:

“After 4 amazing years of jamming with my crazy metal sisters of Kittie, I am officially resigning as their bass player.

I’ve had an incredible time touring the world with these ladies and I am very grateful for all the fun I’ve had and amazing things I’ve had the opportunity to experience.

My last appearances with Kittie will be our upcoming hometown shows in London (February 17th) and Toronto (February 18th), as well as the Soundwave festival in Australia immediately after (February 25th – March 5th). I wish the Kittie girls the best of luck in all of their future endeavours and I know they will continue to be successful in whatever they do.”

Trish comments:

“I am very happy to be reunited with the Kittie family. The girls and I have remained close friends over the last 7 years and I am excited to have this amazing opportunity. I am looking forward to seeing everyone when we go back on the road this spring. I wish Ivy all the best!”

Morgan Lander about Ivy’s departure and Trish’s return:

“Ivy has been friend and partner in crime for over 4 years, we love and respect her wishes to depart from the band and move onto another phase in her life.

Trish has been a member of our extended family since she joined the band in 2005 and we are welcoming her back into the band with open arms.  We are ecstatic that she will be returning to bass duties and are looking forward to the (US) tour this spring! We love both girls and are glad that we all remain friends, first and foremost.”

Welcome back, Trish!

(Source: Massacre Records)

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

KITTIE – Official Website

MASSACRE RECORDS

LONG LIVE KITTIE.

Stone.

IRON MASK: New Album ‘Black As Death’ To See February North American Release Via AFM Records

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, Power Metal, power metal bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on February 4, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Black As Death, the new album from Belgian Neo-Classical Power Metal masters IRON MASK, will be released stateside this February 14th, following its European release in December.

What started as a side project for Magic Kingdom guitar master Dushan Petrossi a decade ago, has taken on a life of its own, IRON MASK eventually becoming the more popular of the two outfits.

Following the release of 2009’s Shadow of the Red Baron, the blistering Black As Death is IRON MASK‘s fourth LP in a decade. Boasting over an hour of the band’s renowned talent through a diverse array of lightning-fast Metal, glorious ballads, dizzying neo-classical arrangements and straightforward Hard Rock thunder. Dushan Petrossi and his band merge exceptional musical prowess with epic accessibility, making Black As Death a must-hear for fans of Firewind, Dio, Iron Maiden, Yngwie Malmsteen and Rainbow.

BLACK AS DEATH – Track Listing:

From Light Into The Dark

Black As Death

Broken Hero

Feel The Fire

Genghis Khan

God Punishes, I Kill

Rebel Kid

Blizzard Of Doom

The Absence

Magic Sky Requiem

Nosferatu

When All Braves Fall

(Source: Earsplit PR)

IRON MASK – Lineup:

vocals – Mark Boals (Holy Force, The Codex, ex-Royal Hunt, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, etc.)

vocals – Roma Siadletski (Magic Kingdom)

guitars – Dushan Petrossi (Magic Kingdom)

bass – Vassili Moltchanov (Magic Kingdom)

drums – Ramy Ali (Evidence One, Justice)

keyboards – Mats Olausson (ex-Ark, ex-Yngwie J. Malmsteen, etc.)

* For more info on IRON MASK, click on the links below:

http://www.iron-mask.com

http://www.dushanpetrossi.com

http://www.afm-records.de

LONG LIVE IRON MASK.

Stone.

PHARAOH – ‘Bury The Light’ – Weaves Both Melodic and Epic Metal, While Keeping It Heavy

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 31, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

PHARAOH –  Returning with their new full-length, Bury The Light, Pennsylvania’s Pharaoh has weaved Melodic and Epic Metal together, with slivers of progressiveness, making for a marvelous listen. This being the fourth album from Pharaoh, it is a 10 song experience, guitar driven, rhythmically pumped and vocally solid. Tim Aymar is not just belting out Heavy Metal lyrics, he is singing songs of story-filled substance. The Helloweenish bass of Chris Kerns and stellar drumming of Chris Black are a potent and fun listen together, throughout this album.

Then there is the guitar playing of Matt Johnsen, where he embellishes that progressive tone on par with what I’ve grown accustomed to from the six-string wizards of Iron Maiden and Queensrÿche.   To a flirtatious degree, Matt exhibits the poignant tones of  Steve Howe’s eloquence. Matt isn’t all about tearing-it-up and piling-up the riffs, instead this is one polished guitarist who plays with a glorious respect for Melodic Metal.

If you’re unfamiliar with Pharaoh, Tim Aymar is a vocally muscular Dan McCafferty. Gritty, sandpapered vocal cords and still able to sing on a melodic level. I could no doubt deny that Tim Aymar could sing the entire No Mean City album from the legendary Nazareth and  blow my mind away in doing so. Regardless of my comparative silliness, Pharaoh is a paradigm for younger bands to hear and realize that Heavy Metal as music isn’t just about booze, fast women and overdosing to near death.

Castles In The Sky is the signature song on Bury The Light for my ears. Flowing with every nugget of Melodic Metal that Pharaoh can muster, while infusing synthetic vocals akin to that of ELO or Mr. Roboto, this band can turn a surprise progressive trick when they want to. The Year Of The Blizzard is the epic that you must hear, to understand fully just how authentic Pharaoh is as a group of musicians. Summoning up the twilight dreamscape of RUSH’s brilliance from 2112, Pharaoh has genuinely tapped into a progressive realm they can surely call their own on The Year Of The Blizzard.

Please excuse all the previous musical comparisons, only when an album this great can trigger my mind to recall works of art from Hard Rock and Metal of years long past, then said album may indeed one day be recalled a work of art itself. For now, Bury The Light is that honest and great album of Melodic Metal from skilled musicians, an album that doesn’t compromise on heaviness, nor shall it short change you on its dynamical presentation.

BURY THE LIGHT – Track Listing:

Leave Me Here To Dream

The Wolves

Castles In The Sky

The Year Of The Blizzard

The Spider’s Thread

Cry

Graveyard Of Empires

Burn With Me

In Your Hands

The Spider’s Thread (reprise)

Bury The Light will be released on March 6th, 2012, via Cruz Del Sur.

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

PHARAOH – Reverbnation

http://solarflight.net

http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com

LONG LIVE PHARAOH.

Stone.

NIGHTQUEEN – Brand New Track ‘Nightfall’ Streaming Online Now!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on January 25, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

NIGHTQUEEN – Releasing on February 24th, 2012, is the third full-length album from Belgium’s NIGHTQUEEN. For Queen And Metal will be released on Massacre Records. A brand new track from For Queen And Metal, titled Nightfall, is currently streaming now at: http://www.massacre-records.com.

I highly recommend you check out this new song from NIGHTQUEEN and crank it up LOUD! Metal be thy name…

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

http://www.nightqueen.be/

NIGHTQUEEN – myspace

MASSACRE RECORDS

LONG LIVE NIGHTQUEEN.

Stone.

PHARAOH – Premieres ‘Castles In The Sky’ From Their Forthcoming Album ‘Bury The Light’

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 21, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Cruz Del Sur Music officially presents the first track off of the upcoming PHARAOH album Bury the Light. The song, entitled  Castles In The Sky features Mike Wead of King Diamond fame on guitar. To stream Castles In The Sky, visit Cruz Del Sur Music here:  CRUZ DEL SUR MUSIC On SoundCloud. Bury the Light is PHARAOH’s fifth album and will be officially released in Europe on February 24th, 2012, and in North America on March 6th. Available formats include CD,  limited gatefold LP and digital. For more, visit http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com.

BURY THE LIGHT – Track Listing:

Leave me Here to Dream

The Wolves

Castles in the Sky

The Year of the Blizzard

The Spider’s Thread

Cry

Graveyard of Empires

Burn with Me

In Your Hands

The Spider’s Thread (reprise)

PHARAOH:

 Tim Aymar – vocals

 Matt Johnsen – guitars

 Chris Black – drums

 Chris Kerns – bass

* PHARAOH originates from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

(Source: ClawHammer PR)

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

PHARAOH – Reverbnation

http://solarflight.net

LONG LIVE PHARAOH.

Stone.