I’m 57 years old. I’ve been a metalhead since 8th grade. My thoughts below are based in fact. I lived the entire Metal movement. Call it The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, Texas Metal, American Metal, Thrash Metal, 80s Hair Metal or what have you; I’ve seen and lived the “waves”. I saw Metallica, Slayer and Motörhead in small clubs, End. Of. Story.
Below are my personal statements that are truth about Metal. If anyone disagrees then you never grew up during the beginning of the Metal years and you need to go back to your ABBA albums.
1. I don’t wanna ever hear again that Blue Cheer started Heavy Metal. That’s bullshit. Black Sabbath started Heavy Metal. Black Sabbath. End of story.
2. Van Halen was Heavy Metal before the DiverDown album. Deal with it.
3. Cinderella was NOT Hair Metal.
4. Def Leppard was NOT part of The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. Sorry, all you “Rock historians”.
5. Iron Maiden is better than Metallica.
6. Metal never needed MTV’s Headbangers Ball,
7. Grunge never killed Metal. The radio stations and record companies thumbed their noses at Metal. However, Metal was just fine during the 90’s. Just look up the discographies of Overkill, W.A.S.P., Motörhead, Megadeth, Black Sabbath and DIO to name a short list.
8. Metalheads tape traded, demos especially. There was no internet to receive instant music or Metal news; we were socially interacting in person with one another to share our Metal and its news.
9. Heavy Metal parking lot. ‘Nuff said.
10. VENOM. ‘Nuff said.
11. 70s KISS is better than any other decade of KISS.
12. Back then, Kerrang! magazine wasn’t a bullshit magazine that featured crap like Twenty One Pilots.
13. People that wore concert tees back in the day actually went to the concerts and listened to the bands albums.
Atomic Fire Records is proud to announce the signing of Swedish cult metal band CEMETARY, one of the most exciting bands of the ’90s, capable of merging death metal with gothic and doom flavors. CEMETARY‘s founding member and mastermind Mathias Lodmalm is back to remind us that true legends never die.
Lodmalm comments: “After several decades in the wilderness, CEMETARY finally arrives home at Atomic Fire Records. For better or for worse, I have always gone my own way and rolled the bones as they may. Roughly a decade ago, I started crafting a sound that came to be the upcoming album Come To Ruin. Working with a label was never a thought, quite the opposite. But when I heard the rumblings from Donzdorf, it pulled me in, and what I saw was the finest team in metal today.
“To finally be able to work with people as passionate as myself is a true blessing. I am forever grateful. Old titles will come back to life with the highest production values possible. Not only one, but two new albums are being prepared to usher in the apocalypse with a ferocity never before heard from the band. This has been a long time coming – plans are best laid. Thanks to all who patiently waited and kept CEMETARY alive by tuning into the sound.”
Atomic Fire Records co-founder/A&R MarkusWosgien adds, “It was in 1993 when I discovered CEMETARY with their second album, Godless Beauty, which guided me into another world, similar as Tiamat (Clouds) and Paradise Lost (Shades Of God) did the year before. But CEMETARY was different, even more intense with more ‘corners and edges.’ Songs like ‘And Julie Is No More’ and ‘By My Own Hand’ stuck in my head and I can repeat every second even three decades later.
“Some months ago,” he continues, “Lake Of Tears mastermind Daniel Brennare introduced me to Mathias Lodmalm and we started to talk about the past and future. That’s why we kick off our cooperation with beautiful reissues of their ’90s albums, starting with An Evil Shade Of Grey and my all-time favorite, Godless Beauty, including individual interviews and new graphics. Mathias is also in the final steps of a brand new CEMETARY album and the demos we heard took us back to the band’s origin and breathe the mood of those first two cult records.”
Over twenty years have passed but now is the time to break the silence – a new incarnation of CEMETARY springs to life. In celebration of their return is a limited exclusive T-shirt, designed by Lodmalm himself. Featuring CEMETARY‘s logo, this collector’s item is limited to only thirty-four pieces worldwide to celebrate thirty-four years of the band’s existence!
About Cemetary: Based in Borås, Sweden, Mathias Lodmalm and his comrades immediately reaped recognition unleashing a stunning debut album titled An Evil Shade Of Grey (1992), shortly followed by their Godless Beauty (1993) masterpiece and Black Vanity (1994). CEMETARY incessantly dominated the extreme metal scene releasing two more records (1996’s Sundown and 1997’s Last Confessions) and touring all over Europe.
Following the band’s split in 1997, Lodmalm released his swansong, Phantasma, in 2005. Continually active within the metal underground, he reemerged as CEMETARY 1213 to create the science fiction inspired concept album The Beast Divine, showing a much colder and harder edge than its predecessors.
May 5, 2023 will see heavy speed metal giants SAVAGE GRACE return with a brand new studio album, entitled “Sign Of The Cross”, through Massacre Records!
On their forthcoming album, SAVAGE GRACE are not only introducing their new vocalist GabrielColon – who is described as a blend of the early Rob Halford and the young Ian Gillian – but creating and moving into a new dimension of metal while keeping true to their authentic roots. Guitarist Christian Logue assembled the most incredible musicians from across the world to create the most devastating version of SAVAGE GRACE yet.
Get a sneak peak of their upcoming offering, as the band has just unleashed a music video for first single ‘Automoton’! According to Logue, “Automoton is inspired by Aldous Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’ and is very relevant to the events of the day.”
Forty years of metal experience went into crafting each of the new album songs into classics they will soon become. In addition, provocative, thought-inspiring lyrics and powerful topics weave their way through this mesmerizing collection of songs.
Christian Logue comments: “This album is my masterpiece and a grand addition to my legacy of universally acclaimed classic metal recordings. Every song on this album is powerful, there is not one weak track on this record.”
“Sign Of The Cross” was produced by Logue and was mixed and mastered by Roland Grapow at Grapow Studios. Slated for a release as CD, ltd. Vinyl LP and Digital formats on May 5, 2023 via Massacre Records, the pre-sale has just started at THIS LOCATION!
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
2022 proved to be another stellar year for Metal album releases. I’ve paired down my list to the 10 Metal albums that bestowed upon my Metal soul the best of Metal euphoria. What are your favorite Metal albums of 2022?
It’s never a perfect science in making a “best of” list and my deliberations are genuinely thought out over and over. I thank each band below for their incredible Metal creations. Feel free to comment! Happy Holidays and… Metal Be Thy Name! -Stone
1. DARKTHRONE – Astral Fortress2. QUEENSRYCHE – Digital Noise Alliance3. STRYPER – The Final Battle4. CORPSEGRINDER – S/T5. VENOM INC. – There’s Only Black6. INCITE – Wake Up Dead7. GOATWHORE – Angels Hung From the Arches ofHeaven8. HAMMERFALL – Hammer Of Dawn9. IRON KINGDOM – The Blood Of Creation10. DEMIRICOUS – III: Chaotic Lethal
Ronnie Romero has announced the upcoming release of ‘Raised On Heavy Radio’, a companion album of sorts to his first covers album, “Raised On Radio”, on January 27, 2023. This time out, Romero pays tribute to legendary artists from the metal world like Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Accept, Metallica, and more. Special guests on the album include Gus G. (Firewind, Ozzy Osbourne), Chris Caffery (Savatage, Spirits Of Fire), Roland Grapow (Masterplan, Helloween), and more.
Romero’s voice and prolific musical activity have brought him to the forefront of the hard rock/metal scene where he can be seen/heard with Lords of Black, The Ferrymen, Sunstorm, Rainbow, and the Michael Schenker Group. Through his work fronting these acts, it is no stretch to see how the artists covered on this album have influenced Romero and understand how his voice is well suited to give them a proper tribute.
Ambitious and driven as always, this record is another special treat for fans while Romero continues work on his proper debut solo album of original material. Romero’s first solo covers album, “Raised On Radio”, featured covers of classics that meant something special to Romero over the years and helped forge this talented singer’s musical style. Songs by legendary acts like Survivor, Bad Company, Foreigner, Queen, Led Zeppelin, and more were given Romero’s talented vocal treatment. These classic rock and AOR covers showcased a different side of Romero’s musical influences and were executed with passion, charisma, and power. Now, with this second installment of covers, “Raised On Metal Radio”, Romero showcases his love of metal music, for which he is more widely known.
Through Romero’s career thus far, he has performed killer renditions of several rock and metal classics as part of his shows fronting legendary acts like Rainbow and the Michael Schenker Group (MSG). He’s also covered classic songs by Journey, Queen, Rainbow, and more with Spanish metallers Lords Of Black. So, with trying his hand at covers by legendary artists being familiar territory already, both cover albums were waters that Romero was comfortable wading into.
“Raised On Metal Radio” Tracklisting: The Battle Rages On (Deep Purple cover) Metal Daze (Manowar cover) Turbo Lover (Feat. Nozomu Wakai) (Judas Priest cover) Hallowed Be Thy Name (Iron Maiden cover) Fast As A Shark (Accept cover) No More Tears (Feat. Gus G.) (Ozzy Osbourne cover) The Shining (Feat. Chris Caffery) (Black Sabbath cover) A Light In The Black (Rainbow cover) Kind Hearted Light (Feat. Roland Grapow) (Masterplan cover) You Don’t Remember, I’ll Never Forget (Yngwie Malmsteen) The Four Horsemen (Metallica) Turbo Lover (Alternate Solo Version) (Judas Priest cover) Digital Bonus Track
Total length: 00.45.56
Line-Up: Ronnie Romero – vocals Jose Rubio – guitars Javi Garcia – bass Andy C – drums Alessandro Del Vecchio – keyboards
Additional Musicians:
Alfredo Alonso – Guitar solo on ‘Metal Daze’ Nozomu Wakai – Guitar solo on ‘Turbo Lover’ Gus G. – Guitar solo on ‘No More Tears’ Chris Caffery – All guitars on ‘The Shining’ Roland Grapow – Rhythm & lead guitars on ‘Kind Hearted Light’ Corina Minda – Backing vocals on ‘Metal Daze’, ‘Fast As A Shark’, and spoken vocals on ‘No More Tears’
Produced by: Alessandro Del Vecchio Executive Producer/A&R: Serafino Perugino
GOATWHORE will kick off the new year with a short run of US headlining shows through the Gulf States. The trek begins January 5th in Pensacola, Florida and runs through January 14th in Long Beach, Mississippi. Support will be provided by Caveman Cult, Herakleion, and others on select dates. The band’s latest live run serves as a precursor to their month-long European tour with Revocation, Alluvial, and Creeping Death. Tickets are on sale now! See all confirmed dates below.
GOATWHORE: 1/05/2023 The Handlebar – Pensacola, FL w/ Herakleion 1/06/2023 The Orpheum – Tampa, FL w/ Caveman Cult, Herakleion 1/07/2023 Gramps – Miami, FL w/ Caveman Cult, Herakleion 1/08/2023 The Haven – Orlando, FL w/ Caveman Cult, Herakleion 1/12/2023 Freetown Boom Boom Room – Lafayette, LA w/ Golgothan, Herakleion 1/13/2023 Twist Of Lime – Metairie, LA w/ Skulldozer, Cranial Sledge, Vatic Decryption 1/14/2023 Trax Bar – Long Beach, MS – w/ Skulldozer, Killhammer, Herakleion w/ Revocation, Alluvial, Creeping Death: 1/19/2023 Kulturzentrum Schlachthof – Wiesbaden, DE 1/20/2023 Matrix Bochum – Bochum, DE 1/21/2023 Doornroosje – Nijmegen, NL 1/22/2023 Logo Musik & Bier GmbH Veranstaltungsservice – Hamburg, DE 1/23/2023 Nefertiti på Valand (Jazzföreningen) – Gothenburg, SE 1/24/2023 John Dee – Oslo, NO 1/25/2023 Pumpehuset – Copenhagen, DK 1/27/2023 SO36 – Berlin , DE 1/28/2023 AJZ – Chemnitz, DE 1/29/2023 Hirsch – Nürnberg, DE 1/30/2023 Futurum – Prague, CZ 1/31/2023 Akvárium Klub – Budapest, HU
2/01/2023 Viper Room – Vienna, AT 2/02/2023 Backstagen Halle – Munich, DE 2/03/2023 Kofmehl – Solothurn, CH 2/04/2023 Alchemica Music Club – Bologna, IT 2/05/2023 Le Rex De Toulous – Toulouse, FR 2/06/2023 Bóveda – Barcelona, ES 2/07/2023 Copernico – Badrid, ES 2/08/2023 Stage Live – Bilbao, ES 2/10/2023 Travbendo – Paris, FR 2/11/2023 The Black Lab – Lille, FR 2/12/2023 Islington Assembly Hall – London, GB 2/13/2023 Rebellion – Manchester, GB 2/14/2023 Whelan’s – Dublin, IE 2/15/2023 Asylum – Birmingham, GB 2/16/2023 The Fleece – Bristol, GB 2/17/2023 Zappa – Antwerp, BG 2/18/2023 Kulturzentrum Faust – Hannover, DE
GOATWHORE will be touring in support of their Angels Hung From The Arches Of Heaven full-length, released in October via Metal Blade Records. Unquestionably their fiercest, most accomplished album to date in sound, concept, and execution, the twelve-track offering earned the #9 position on Billboard’s Current Hard Music Albums chart upon its first week of release and stands among the most volatile and plainly dangerous records to come out of 2022.
Angels Hung From The Arches Of Heaven was produced by Jarrett Pritchard (Exhumed, 1349) and tracked primarily at Studio In The Country in Bogalusa, Louisiana under pandemic restrictions. Additionally, the band recruited acclaimed producer Kurt Ballou (Converge, High On Fire, Gatecreeper, Code Orange) to mix the record with final mastering duties handled by Grammy-award winning engineer Ted Jensen (Ghost, Gojira, Cult Of Luna). The record is tied together by the art of longtime collaborator Jordan Barlow whose cryptic use of sigils holds deeper meaning to the record’s totality.
Angels Hung From The Arches Of Heaven is available on CD, digitally, and LP on multiple color variants. Preview and purchase yours today at:http://metalblade.com/goatwhore.
View the band’s previously released videos for “Born Of Satan’s Flesh” at THIS LOCATION and the title track at THIS LOCATION.
GOATWHORE: Louis B. Falgoust II – vocals Sammy Duet – guitars, vocals Zack Simmons – drums Robert “TA” Coleman – bass
New studio album “72 Seasons” releases on April 14, 2023. Album package conceived and art directed by David Turner and his team. Source: Metallica.com
The complete track listing for 72 Seasons is:
72 Seasons Shadows Follow Screaming Suicide Sleepwalk My Life Away You Must Burn! Lux Æterna Crown of Barbed Wire Chasing Light If Darkness Had a Son Too Far Gone? Room of Mirrors Inamorata
Founded by bassist MatSinner and vocalist Ralf Scheepers, and completed by guitarist Tom Naumann and drummer Klaus Sperling, German metal commandos PRIMALFEAR began to pave their way to the top of the scene in 1997. They’ve released thirteen studio albums and have played countless shows around the globe with relentless passion over the last twenty-five years. The band hit #7 of the German album charts (PRIMAL FEAR’s highest entry in their home country so far) and more top positions in other countries with their most recent offering, 2020’s Metal Commando. And there’s no end in sight as the band is already working on material for their next album.
Before the group enters the studio again and in celebration of their twenty-five-year anniversary, PRIMALFEAR will release a deluxe version of their highly-praised self-titled debut album from 1998 — remastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, Denmark and featuring three bonus tracks as well as an extended booklet featuring liner notes and many photos from the band archives — on July 15th via AtomicFire.
As a first glimpse of the record’s refreshed sound, watch a brand-new lyric video for hit song “Chainbreaker” off PrimalFear, which was crafted by Gabriel Management, at THIS LOCATION. Stream and download the track HERE.
Preorder the album on CD, LP, and digitally at THIS LOCATION. Subscribe to Atomic Fire Records on YouTube and listen to “Chainbreaker” in the AFR New Releases playlist HERE.
The album, which contains guest appearances by Kai Hansen (guitars; Helloween, Gammy Ray etc.) and Frank Rössler (additional keyboards), was originally recorded at House Of Music Studios, produced by founding member Mat Sinner, supported by Tom Naumann and Ralf Scheepers, and engineered by Achim Köhler. The iconic artwork was designed by Stephan Lohrmann who also cooperated with PRIMAL FEAR for their latest studio album and other parts of their back catalog.
Primal Fear (Deluxe Edition; Remastered) Track Listing:
Primal Fear
Chainbreaker
Silver & Gold
Promised Land
Formula One
Dollars
Nine Lives
Tears Of Rage
Speedking
Battalions Of Hate
Running In The Dust
Thunderdome Bonus Tracks:
Breaker (Accept Cover)
Chainbreaker (live)
Running In The Dust (live)
View PRIMAL FEAR’s previously released videos for “I Will Be Gone” [feat. Tarja Turunen] HERE, “The Lost & The Forgotten” HERE, “Hear Me Calling” HERE, “I Am Alive” HERE, and “Along Came The Devil” HERE.
PRIMALFEAR: Ralf Scheepers – vocals Mat Sinner – bass, vocals Tom Naumann – guitars Alexander Beyrodt – guitars Magnus Karlsson – guitars Michael Ehré – drums
Long-running Ohio volume abusers, BENEATH OBLIVION, will cut the masses down with their amp-driven depression next month on a near three-week live takeover. Set to commence on May 4th in Cincinnati, the band will crumble the stages of nineteen cities along the Eastern Seaboard, with the trek drawing to a close on May 21st in Richmond, Virginia.
Forged in 2003, BENEATH OBLIVION is a working class funeral doom collective hailing from a dying city in the Ohio River Valley. Fusing traditional doom elements with extreme metal and punk, BENEATH OBLIVION‘s sound conjurings are cold, dismal, and introverted. In addition to a variety of new releases in the works — including a split seven-inch with St. Louis sludge trio, Fister and a ten-inch split with Before The Eyewall as well as plans to record a new full-length with Billy Anderson in the Fall — the band recently recorded two brand new hymns. Set for release in cassette format, the as-yet-untitled tracks will be limited to fifty copies and available throughout the tour.
BENEATH OBLIVION:
5/04/2015 Rake’s End – Cincinnati, OH
5/05/2015 The Smiling Moose – Pittsburgh, PA
5/06/2015 The Acheron – Brooklyn, NY
5/07/2015 Ralph’s – Worcester, MA
5/08/2015 O’Briens – Boston, MA
5/09/2015 Koto Lounge – Salem, MA
5/10/2015 Geno’s – Portland, ME
5/11/2015 Nectars – Burlington, VT
5/12/2015 Cherry Street Station – Wallingford, CT
5/13/2015 Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA
5/14/2015 The Pinch – Washington, DC
5/15/2015 The Milestone – Charlotte, NC
5/16/2015 Rain Dogs – Jacksonville, FL
5/17/2015 1982 Bar – Gainesville, FL
5/18/2015 Ashley Street Station – Valdosta, GA
5/19/2015 Atlanta Death Fest – Atlanta, GA
5/20/2015 Slim’s Downtown – Raleigh, NC
5/21/2015 25 Watt – Richmond, VA
The Age Of Nefarious will be released October 25, 2013. Coming as a 10” Vinyl in several colored versions, it will include the single track plus three live songs recorded at the Bloodstock Festival, 2013.
The bands current incarnation with Andy Sneap (guitar) and David Bower (vocals) joining original members Kev Bower (guitar and keys), TonySpeakman (bass) and Tim Bowler (drums) will release the follow-up to their highly acclaimed debut Human Remains(2011) on November 22nd 2013 via Nuclear Blast.
The track list of The Age Of Nefarious reads as follows:
Side A:
1. The Age Of Nefarious
Side B
1. On Earth As It Is In Hell (live)
2. Blasphemy And The Master (live)
3. The Oppressors (live)
Commented guitarist Kev Bower: “In a world dominated by conflict, disease, corruption, poverty, disaster and crime – much of which has religion at its source – this is truly the dawning of The Age Of Nefarious. The song was always going to be the perfect opener for the new Curse And Chapter album since it lays the foundation for everything which follows, but when we were approached by our friends at Nuclear Blast with the idea of producing a lead-off EP, we also decided that out of four possible EP album track candidates – this song should also be the one. It represents everything which HELL represents – it powers along in awe-inspiring majesty, but takes lots of unexpected twists and turns before reaching its inevitable conclusion. The artwork is once again the result of our collaboration with Dan Goldsworthy, and it shows just a tiny fraction of the artwork he has created for Curse AndChapter. With regard to the additional live tracks – where better to have recorded these than from the main stage at Bloodstock Open Air 2013 – the spiritual home of UK Metal, during one of the best shows we have ever played, and in front of 10,000 of the most dedicated Metal heads in the world. We are proud to be giving you a glimpse into the second Chapter……”
And don’t miss HELL on tour this fall along with label mates CARCASS and Swedish Death institution AMON AMARTH, invading Europe on the following dates:
Alright. Metal Odyssey hasn’t done a list in quite some time. What better time for a list, than on the very melancholy Friday the 13th? WARNING: This list contains LOTS of… METAL. This list has a theme and it’s not difficult to figure out; unless you’re an ABBA fan, that is.
MEGADETH – THIRTEEN
WEDNESDAY 13 – SPOOK & DESTROY
ANVIL – THIS IS THIRTEEN
THIRTEEN BLED PROMISES – HELIOPAUSE FLEETS
OVERKILL – KILLBOX 13
BLACK SABBATH – 13
WEDNESDAY 13 – CALLING ALL CORPSES
13 CANDLES – HAPPY DEATH DAY (Demo)
13 WINTERS – DARK PALACE OF WATERFALLS
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Feel free to add your 13 cents to this list with a comment! Thankyou for spending some quality METAL time, on this Friday the 13th, with Metal Odyssey.
Portland punk metal hellions, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, are pleased to unleash their most volatile offering to date. Titled Chemistry ofConsciousness, the devious new full-length spews forth eleven tracks of revved up, road-raging bestial devastation. Chemistry Of Consciousness was recorded by the band, mixed with Kurt Ballou (Converge) at his own GodCity Studio and mastered by Brad Boatright (Sleep, From Ashes Rise, Nails) at Audiosiege Engineering.
Chemistry of Consciousness is the sound of Discharge on speed, Slayer with a punk rock chip on its shoulder, The Exploited on a Metallica overdose. It is the perfect marriage of punk angst and metal guitar hooks. If there’s one thing the punks and the heshers will agree on in 2013, it’s that TOXIC HOLOCAUST’sChemistry of Consciousness is a rager of a record destined to top any worthwhile best of 2013 list. Recommended for devout followers of Municipal Waste, DRI, Sodom, Midnight, GBH etc.
Chemistry Of Consciousness will detonate in North America on October 29 (October 25 in Benelux/DE/Finland and October 28 in UK/World).
Further TOXIC happenings, including preorder packages and live takeovers, to be announced in the coming weeks.
Free Download Of New Track Available Now; Behind-The-Scenes Studio Footage Posted
Currently celebrating ten years of blackened Metal,SKELETONWITCH are proud to unveil details about their most venomous release yet — Serpents Unleashed. Set for release in North America on October 29 (October 28 EU/UK, October 25 Germany), the highly anticipated follow-up to 2011’s critical-lauded, Billboard-charting Forever Abomination was recorded earlier this year at GodCity Studio with Kurt Ballou (Converge, Trap Them, High on Fire), who expertly channeled the band’s colossal live sound into eleven blasts of abominable, frosty fire. Serpents Unleashed features cover artwork by John Baizley (Baroness, Kylesa, Kvelertak), who returns to the ‘WITCH fold for the first time since 2007’s Beyond The Permafrost.
Today, new track “Burned From Bone” — which the band debuted earlier this year during a headlining set at Pitchfork’s “Show No Mercy” showcase at South By Southwest — premiered on SiriusXM’s “Liquid Metal with Jose.” The song is available now as a free* download by texting SERPENTS to 24587. Behind-the-scenes studio footage of the band recording the track at GodCity can be view at:
1. Serpents Unleashed
2. Beneath Dead Leaves
3. I Am Of Death (Hell Has Arrived)
4. From a Cloudless Sky
5. Burned From Bone
6. Unending, Everliving
7. Blade On The Flesh, Blood On My Hands
8. This Evil Embrace
9. Unwept
10. Born of the Light That Does Not Shine
11. More Cruel Than Weak
…or physically on CD, audio cassette, three different 180-gram LP variants (black, clear or red) and a limited-edition 7-inch collector’s box via http://www.skeletonwitch.com.
Also available for pre-order now is a new vinyl pressing of Beyond ThePermafrost,which is back in print on 180-gram black vinyl as well as a new 180-gram clear vinyl variant. Purchase it here:
Over the past decade, SKELETONWITCH has toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe with a who’s who of modern heavy metal in addition to leveling some of the genre’s largest festivals (Wacken, Graspop, Summer Breeze, Ozzfest, Tuska, Bloodstock), in the process gaining a dedicated legion of fans on both sides of the stage. The band recently completed a successful run of high-profile dates opening for Sweden’s Ghost B.C., a group they will again perform alongside this fall. Additional fall tour dates will be announced later this week.
Tasmanian Technical Death Metal artisansMEPHISTOPHELES will unleash theirsecond full-length, and first for genre-bending, extreme metal imprint Willowtip Records, this Fall. Titled Sounds Of The End, the vicious, ten-track offering was recorded at Red Planet Studio with Jake Long, and boasts some of the band’s most devouringly complex, intricately arranged and plainly engaging compositions to date. Sounds Of The End includes cover art by Bill Dean (Psycroptic, Iciclan, Excarnated) and a layout provided by Cock And Ball Torture drummer Sascha Pahkle.
Comments Matthew “Chalky” Chalk of the outcome: “I’ve never been happier in any of my bands over the years than I have been in MEPHISTOPHELES. What we’ve put together is the freshest, most alive, most invigorating music I’ve ever been a part of and I cannot wait to show the world that Mephistopheles are here, we’ve got something new to say and we mean business!”
Melt your face off to the sounds of “The End of All Light” RIGHT HERE.
Sounds Of The End – Track Listing:
1. Pariahs of the Universe
2. Silver Doors
3. Soldiers of the Endtime
4. The End of All Light
5. Battle of the Sea and Sky
6. Those Whose Skin Was Gold
7. The Great Orbs Beyond Our Skies
8. Generation O
9. A Dolmen Maker’s Lament
10. The Siren of Eternity
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Featuring former members of Spawn of Possession, Psycroptic and Space Raven among others, MEPHISTOPHELES is a four-piece technical metal band from Hobart, Tasmania drawing inspiration from the likes of bands like Athiest, Deeds of Flesh, Opeth, Cynic, Deicide etc. Originally formed by four high school friends in 2004, MEPHISTOPHELES has always been focused on the creation of memorable but challenging music, infusing Black and Death Metal with occasional Jazz moments. The band has continually thrived on fashioning fresh sounds that purposely step well beyond conventional genre structures, but have also maintained a firm footing within traditional Death Metal realms.
Sounds Of The End will be released in North America via Willowtip Records October 1, 2013. Preorder details and live assaults to be announced soon.
After seven active years, from 2004 through 2011, and the last two spent on hiatus, Baltimore-based independent label Public Guilt is officially closing its doors this year. Public Guilt had a great run, having disbursed thirty-five unique and eclectic releases from some incredible artists including Aluk Todolo, Aun, The Psychic Paramount, Zu, Strotter Inst., Cream Abdul Babar, Destructo Swarmbots, Terminal Lovers, Darsombra, and many others.
While we’re sorry to see the label coming to an end, we’re also excited to announce that Public Guilt is selling off its back catalog and many distro items at super low prices, with CD’s starting at $1, 7″s starting at $1 and LP’s starting at $5. Help the label clear out some space and explore some unique artists while adding a few pieces to your collection now while the stock lasts!
Check out the full Public Guilt label discography HERE and scan the substantial list of killer on-sale titles RIGHT HERE.
Portland Punk Metal perpetrators TOXIC HOLOCAUST will break their stage silence with a triad of Northwesternlive assaults next month. Set to commence August 9, the band will terrorize Vancouver, Seattle and Portland.
Proclaims TOXIC founder Joel Grind: “I’m really looking forward to these three shows in the Northwest! It’s been a while since we’ve stepped on stage at all and even longer since we’ve played the U.S. and Canada. We’re playing with some great bands and excited to play a few songs from the new record for everyone to check out.”
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TOXIC HOLOCAUST:
8/09/2013 Funky Winkerbeans – Vancouver, BC w/ Golers, Dungeons
8/10/2013 The Highline – Seattle, WA
The live expedition comes in advance of the band’sforthcoming new full-length, Chemistry Of Consciousness. Delivering 12-tracks of punked out, bestial devastation, Chemistry Of Consciousness was recorded by the band, mixed with friend, Converge guitarist and renowned producer, Kurt Ballou at his own GodCity Studio and mastered by Brad Boatright (Sleep, From Ashes Rise, Nails) at Audiosiege Engineering.
Chemistry Of Consciousness is set to drop this Fall via Relapse Records. Further details – including cover art and track listing – to be revealed in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, fans can still bludgeon their eardrums to the satiating sounds of From The Ashes Of Nuclear Destruction, the monolithic 22-track TOXIC anthology released earlier this year. Compiling over a decade’s worth of demos, and various comp and vinyl-only split appearances, From The Ashes Of Nuclear Destruction is a historic compilation of hostile bliss and a must own for any TOXIC HOLOCAUST completist. Order your copy HERE.
We’re excited to announce we will be performing at the ULTIMATE HORROR experience this fall: the Great American Nightmare, curated by legendary horror director RobZombie, at the Pomona FEARplex on Saturday October 26th!
Portland’s favorite punk metal combatants, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, recently completed the recording of their long-anticipated forthcoming new full-length. Titled Chemistry Of Consciousness, the 12-track beast of an offering was recorded by the band themselves, mixed with friend, Converge guitarist and renowned producer, Kurt Ballou at his own GodCity Studio and mastered by Brad Boatright (Sleep, From Ashes Rise, Nails) at Audiosiege Engineering.
Elaborates TOXIC founder Joel Grind, he of “spewed blasphemies and death-machine guitar tones” (Revolver): “I’m excited to announce that the new TOXIC HOLOCAUST record has been completed. We recorded it ourselves like we did last time but this time around we had our friend Kurt Ballou mix. It’s sounding so crushing! Lots and lots of distortion! Musically I went into a more punky territory than the last record while still maintaining the TOXIC HOLOCAUST sound. I look forward to everyone hearing it!”
Joel Grind
Chemistry Of Consciousness is set to deploy this Fall via Relapse Records. Further details – including cover art and track listing – to be revealed in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, fans can still bludgeon their ear drums to the satiating sounds of From The Ashes Of Nuclear Destruction, the monolithic 22-track TOXIC anthology released earlier this year. Compiling over a decade’s worth of demos, and various comp and vinyl-only split appearances,From The Ashes Of Nuclear Destruction is a historic compilation of hostile bliss and a must own for any TOXIC HOLOCAUST completist. Order your copy HERE.
From The Ashes Of Nuclear Destruction
TOXIC HOLOCAUST mutated into existence in 1999, when Joel Grind merged his love for classic punk and metal into his ideal band. Like his influences – Bathory, Venom, English Dogs, Possessed, Broken Bones – TOXIC HOLOCAUST offers up blazing riffs, gravel-throated vocals, and a deadly fixation on the evil in man and a post-apocalyptic world wrapped in a DIY attitude.
Formed in the summer of 2010 in the heart of Cascadia, Winterwheel is the second offering from Blackened Folk Metal duo Moss of Moonlight and will be released this summer solstice on June 21st, 2013.
Described as “a true rarity in the black metal genre” by Pure Gain Audio, ‘Winterwheel’ follows the highly acclaimed debut ‘Seed’, a concept album about a band of Pacific North Western rebels that rise up and create the Republic of Cascadia. ‘Winterwheel’ digs deeper into the earth; a 45 minute trance into the otherworld’s. Using Anglo-Saxon chanting, haunting female vocals, visceral growls, and a giant atmosphere, Moss of Moonlight has put ancient Pagan ritual into song. It’s an album of Anglo-Saxon gods and primal Paganism and as the band says, “it reaches far beyond ‘Seed’, into colder and darker territories.”
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Jenn Grunigen of the band recently discussed the upcoming album in more detail and touched on the actual writing process:
“Winterwheel is a ritual put to song. It embraces the turning of the seasons, and the necessary, vicious loop of birth and death. Each song delves into the nature of a different Anglo-Saxon god or goddess, and is steeped in the old, cyclic roads of our Pagan ancestors, as well as the very language of the Anglo Saxons. With this wisdom and craft, we made new rites–in other words, Winterwheel, this sacrifice to the gods, the cosmos. With each play, the ritual is brought to life once more, and anyone willing to listen is a participant in the offering.”
“The writing was natural, but is still a momentary step away from our Cascadian heart. Our first album, Seed, was created with the majestic, deep, damp forests of Cascadia in mind; a viscera that the music, of course, reflected. Winterwheel is rooted and broad in its own way, but is more grounded in our Pagan past. We extricated it from the typical tropes of folk metal; the usual woodwind riffs and such. Instead, this is an album of long, epic swells, swollen with meditative chants and percussion, cold chunky guitars with a tale to tell.”
Winterwheel – Track Listing:
01) Gaet
02) Eole
03) Catte
04) Hraefne
Cavan Wagner of the band took the cover image himself though the artwork throughout the digipack’s booklet is photography by both band members, Cavan and Jenn. “The artwork represents a photographic microcosm of Cascadia’s seasons. The cover image itself is simply another form of the wheel: the rose hip, an insomniac bud of life across the still sleep of winter.”
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