Horror Pain Gore Death Productions are set to release the debut album from Denmark’s vicious Thrash assassins Destabilizer. Violence Is The Answer! is up now for pre-order and will be released September 22nd on CD and Digital formats along with merch.
Formed in 2020 in Denmark, Destabilizer perform vicious and uncompromising chaotic Thrash metal. With lyrics that provoke and challenge, Violence Is The Answer! delves into the darkest recesses of the human psyche, with a fast-paced and guitar-driven sound that is a furious storm of intensity, accompanied by blistering solos that ignite the senses.
Destabilizer deliver a relentless sonic assault that pushes the boundaries of aggression… a chilling atmosphere that transports listeners to a darker realm. Violence Is The Answer! showcases ten tracks of explosive Thrash complimented by the gory and satanic imagery of renowned artist Mario Lopez, which adds a visually striking dimension to the work.
For fans of Exodus, Exumer, Kreator, Razor, Rigor Mortis, Slayer, Sodom, Tankard, Vio-lence and Voivod
On January 19, 2024, Swedish melodic power metal act METALITE will release their forthcoming studio album, Expedition One, and sees them unleash their most gigantic record to date!
Following the previously-released, first single, “Disciples Of The Stars” and a haunting, in-depth album trailer, today, METALITE are premiering a music video for the powerful anthem “Blazing Skies“! Join the Expedition One, and watch their official, new music video now premiering HERE:
Expedition One tells a fictitious story about life on our planet in the year 2055. The band’s upcoming magnum opus inspires with a wide range of diverse compositions and an intelligent sci-fi story that couldn’t be more topical. In addition, their fourth album offering manifests the musicians’ amazing artistic development.
METALITE‘s visionary sci-fi trip is told over sixteen multi-faceted songs that combine the quintet’s many strengths: powerful and at the same time delicate guitar riffs and solos, anthemic melodies courtesy of vocalist Erica Ohlsson, driving rhythms and cleverly positioned keyboard parts. Expedition One was produced by guitarist Edwin Premberg, and was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen. The pre-sale of this early 2024 album highlight, one that belongs into every well-sorted power- and melodic metal record colection, is available via AFM Recordsat THIS LOCATION!
“In the past four or five years, our sound has evolved considerably,”Premberg recently said.“The quality of our production in particular has progressed considerably since our debut.”
“We are really excited to release this bombastic song together with this epic video made by Ted Lindén at Bullsize Production.”METALITE comments.“The song is truly a blast in a classic Metalite style and it feels that we have leveled up a few steps since last time. We hope everyone will like it and we looking forward to play it live!”
METALITE live: 20.09.2023 Full Metal Cruise Part II
Following an ambitious multi-year tour that saw the band bring their heavy metal power to Europe, Canada and the USA, the Australian heavy metal band ELM STREET finally returns with their third studio album: “The Great Tribulation”! The album will be released as CD Digipak, Ltd. Vinyl LP and Digital formats on October 27, 2023 via Massacre Records, the pre-sale is now available at THIS LOCATION!
A soundtrack for troubled times, or a charred mirror reflecting the state of the world today, “The Great Tribulation” provides commentary on the darker side of life, and pairs it with the band’s most ambitious and hard-hitting music to date. While ELM STREET‘s first two albums, “Barbed Wire Metal” and “Knock ‘Em Out… With A Metal Fist”, have both been revered as modern classics by fans of traditional-flavoured heavy metal, “The Great Tribulation”seeks to take the template set by the two albums preceding it, and amplifies it by several notches, resulting in the band’s most powerful, complex, and heavy performances recorded to date.
Everything about “The Great Tribulation” encapsulates a band at the peak of their powers, ELM STREET have left no stone un-turned in expressing their diverse musical palette, resulting in a wide-ranging collection of songs that stand tall individually, but extremely powerful as a collective unit.
Give ear, as tthe band is premiering a music video for their first single “Take The Night”! At just over 2 minutes long, it’s the shortest and most direct song the band has produced to date, without sacrificing any of the trademark power and fretboard fireworks they are known for.
Watch the new ELM STREET video clip now streaming HERE
ELM STREET: Ben Batres – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar Aaron Adie – Lead Guitar Nick Ivkovic – Bass Guitar Tomislav Perkovic – Drums
“The song was written at the very start of the writing sessions, and is a throwback to simple, catchy, party metal anthems we’ve all grown up enjoying.“ The band comments.
German power metal frontrunners, IRON SAVIOR, have announced the release of their new studio album, titled Firestar, for October 6, 2023 via AFM Records. The pre-sale is available at THIS LOCATION!
Following previously-released songs, “Through the Fires of Hell” and the blistering, fast-paced album title track, IRON SAVIOR are premiering a music video for their new single “In the Realm of Heavy Metal”! The new clip is now streaming HERE.
Firestar track listing:
IRON SAVIOR have again come up with an exceptional studio album in Firestar, enhanced by Felipe Machado Franco’s impressive cover artwork presenting the band’s mighty spaceship that has been aroundr since 2011. The cherry on the cake is the powerful production courtesy of Hamburg’s Powerhouse Studio, including intelligently positioned keyboard parts and the anthemic background choirs, supported by Sielck’s 17-year-old daughter Frida and her boyfriend. Without any doubt, Firestar promises to be a bonfire in many respects!
IRON SAVIOR: Piet Sielck (vocals, guitars) Joachim “Piesel” Küstner (guitars) Jan S. Eckert (bass) Patrick Klose (drums)
Ontario-based melodic death-thrash outfit RAIDER are going to tear open North America this month on their North American tour. With support from INVICTA and WARHEAD on select dates, the tour kicks off on August 4th in Montreal, QC and wraps on August 27th in Cleveland, Ohio. The band is touring in support of their most recent album, Trial By Chaos, which is out now.
RAIDER:
Angelo Bonaccorso – Vocals Gabriel Rosa – Guitars Bennett Smith – Guitars Aaron Tanner – Bass
04/08- Montreal, QC* 05/08 – Toronto, ON* 06/08 – Cincinnati, OH* 07/08 – Knoxville, TN 09/08 – Tulsa, OK 10/08 – Houston, TX 11/08 – San Antonio, TX 12/08 – Dallas, TX 13/08 – Albuquerque, NM 15/08 – Tuscon, AZ** 16/08 – Tempe, AZ** 18/08 – Fresno, CA ** 19/08 – Santa Rosa, CA ** 20/08 – Palmdale, CA** 22/08 – Santa Fe, NM 23/08 – Oklahoma City, OK 24/08 – Des Moines, IA 25/08 – Kansas City, MO 26/08 – Chicago, IL 27/08 – Cleveland, OH
*with Invicta **with Warhead
While RAIDER is known for their sheer unbridled savagery, the overarching theme of their music is deceptively positive. “Life is hard the whole way through and each and every one of us has our own personal hell to contend with in order to find meaning,” the band elaborates. “We want to be a voice that is in your corner of the ring for the battles we face together, and the battles you face alone. That being said, there is no rule that facing life’s challenges should make us perpetually miserable and that is what our live show is all about. We want people to feel welcome no matter who they are or where they come from, and to have FUN with us. If we can bring people joy and empower them even just a little bit to take on the next big thing, we have done our work.”
Today, the spearheads of the next generation of power metal, INDUCTION,surprise their fans with a new digital EP, The Power Of Power. The six-track EP features brand new track “Set You Free,” alongside the best and most power metal songs of the band’s repertoire.
Rekindling all the classic elements of the genre in their own modern and unique way, “Set You Free” is INDUCTION‘s interpretation and homage to power metal’s glory days.
Guitarist Tim Kanoa Hansen explains, “Bands such as Helloween, Stratovarius, and Sonata Arctica have truly shaped the genre of power metal, and I have always wanted to write a song honoring this part of history, which we all know and love. This comes at just the right time, as we’re also joining all three of these giants on the road this year. ‘Set You Free’ is my humble attempt to reignite, or simply just fuel, your love for the genre, in my own way. Let it take you on a journey back through time and may the glory of power metal shine on forever!”
Watch INDUCTION’s “Set You Free” video at THIS LOCATION.
Earlier this week, INDUCTION announced that their guitar player Marcos Rodriguez will take an extended hiatus from the band to focus on personal issues in the upcoming months. Rodriguez will be temporally replaced by the Greek shredder, George Thanasoglou.
INDUCTION’s most recent full-length album, Born From Fire, which boasts twelve metal anthems in fifty-eight minutes, was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen and is graced by the cover artwork of Peter Sallai (Sabaton, Jinjer, Powerwolf). Preview and purchase Born FromFire and more at THIS LOCATION.
View the band’s previously released videos for “Queen Of Light” HERE, “Sacrifice” HERE, “Go To Hell” HERE, “Embers” HERE, and “A Call Beyond” HERE.
Subscribe to Atomic Fire Records on YouTube and listen to “Set You Free” as well as other new tracks in the AFR New Releases playlist on Spotify HERE.
INDUCTION Live: 8/05/2023 Hello-Feast @ Štadión Lokomotíva – Košice, SK 9/09/2023 Port Of Power Festival @ Juki 42 – Ahrensburg, DE w/ Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius: 10/14/2023 Northern Rockfest @ Energi Arena – Umeå, SE 10/15/2023 Cozmoz Arena – Borlänge, SE 10/16/2023 Vulkan Arena – Oslo, NO 10/17/2023 Trädgår’n – Gothenburg, SE 10/19/2023 Slaktkyrkan – Stockholm, SE 10/20/2023 Gimle – Roskilde, DK 10/21/2023 Kulturpalast – Hamburg, DE 10/22/2023 Hellraiser – Leipzig, DE 10/24/2023 TivoliVredenburg (Ronda) – Utrecht, NL 10/25/2023 Garage – Saarbrücken, DE 10/27/2023 Konzertfabrik Z7 – Pratteln, CH 10/28/2023 Alcatraz – Milan, IT 10/30/2023 Backstage – Munich, DE 10/31/2023 Szene – Vienna, AT 11/01/2023 Barba Negra – Budapest, HU 11/03/2023 Fuzz Club – Athens, GR 11/04/2023 Principal Club Theater – Thessaloniki, GR 11/06/2023 FORM Space – Cluj-Napoca, RO 11/07/2023 Quantic – Bucharest, RO 11/10/2023 Colos-Saal – Aschaffenburg, DE 11/12/2023 Matrix – Bochum, DE w/ Accept, Songs Of White Lion: 12/12/2023 Große Freiheit 36 – Hamburg, DE 13/13/2023 Carlswerk Victoria – Cologne, DE
JAG PANZER released their first album in six years, a conceptual opus titled The Hallowed, through Atomic Fire Records last month. The record earned the #23 position on the Official German Album Chart and #62 on the Official Swiss Album Chart: #62. Now, JAG PANZER have kicked off their European tour in support of the record at Germany’s Headbangers Open Air Festival. The ten-date journey also includes a stop at Wacken Open Air and will come to a close with an appearance at Alcatraz Festival on August 12th. In celebration of the tour, the band has unveiled a video for the track “Prey.”
Guitarist Mark Briody comments, “‘Prey!’ is probably the band’s favorite song to rehearse. The quick riff is lots of fun to play live! In the album concept this is where the panthers kill a family so that the team can take their supplies. We wanted something a bit different for this song, so there is no solo and the structure is much different from the other songs. The track also showcases some of our more unique influences. For example, the main riff in ‘Prey!’ ends on 4. We don’t do that a lot in our music but some of our very early (young teens) influences such as The Runaways’ ‘Cherry Bomb’ ends the riff on 4.”
CROWBAR today announces a US headlining tour! The twenty-four-date journey begins September 7th in Fort Walton Beach, Florida and runs through October 5th in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Support will be provided by PrimitiveMan as well as Bodybox, on select dates. Additionally, the band will play a special show with Venom Inc. on October 1st in Iowa City, Iowa. Tickets are on sale TODAY! See all confirmed dates below.
CROWBAR w/ Primitive Man: 9/07/2023 Downtown Music Hall – Fort Walton Beach, FL 9/08/2023 Conduit – Orlando, FL 9/09/2023 The Orpheum – Tampa, FL 9/10/2023 Gramps – Miami, FL w/ Primitive Man, Bodybox: 9/12/2023 Masquerade – Atlanta, GA 9/13/2023 New Brookland Tavern – Columbia, SC 9/14/2023 Asheville Music Hall – Asheville, NC 9/15/2023 The Camel – Richmond, VA 9/17/2023 Broken Goblet – Bensalem, PA 9/19/2023 Dingbatz – Clifton, NJ 9/20/2023 Song & Dance – Syracuse, NY 9/21/2023 Palladium – Worcester, MA 9/22/2023 Saint Vitus Bar – Brooklyn, NY 9/23/2023 Angel City Music Hall – Manchester, NH 9/24/2023 Space Ballroom – Hamden, CT 9/26/2023 Crafthouse – Pittsburgh, PA 9/27/2023 Hobart Art Theater – Hobart, IN 9/28/2023 Reggie’s – Chicago, IL 9/29/2023 Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH 9/30/2023 Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI 10/01/2023 Wildwood – Iowa City, IA w/ Venom Inc # 10/02/2023 Red Flag – St Louis, MO 10/04/2023 Cobra – Nashville, TN 10/05/2023 George’s Majestic – Fayetteville, AR # = no support
Zero And Below is available on CD, LP, cassette, and digitally. Preview and purchase the record at THIS LOCATION.
View the band’s previously released videos for “Chemical Godz” HERE and “Bleeding From Every Hole” HERE.
CROWBAR released their critically-adored ZeroAnd Below full-length last year on MNRK Heavy. Produced, mixed, and mastered by Duane Simoneaux at OCD Recording And Production in Metairie, Louisiana, Zero And Below is the band’s most unforgivably doom-driven record since their 1998 landmark effort, Odd Fellows Rest. Led by Windstein, with guitarist Matt Brunson, bassist Shane Wesley, and drummer Tommy Buckley, songs like “Chemical Godz,” “It’s Always Worth The Gain,” and “Bleeding From Every Hole” are unapologetic emotional outpourings, with a bare-knuckle resolve alongside its soul-searching vulnerability, reliably delivered with crushing heaviness.
German heavy metal act SKULL & CROSSBONES, the new band featuring former members of Stormwitch, have shared a new track taken off their upcoming debut Sungazer! The band’s first full-length studio album will be released as CD Digipak, Ltd. Vinyl LP and Digital formats on September 8, 2023 through Massacre Records, the pre-sale is available at THIS LOCATION!
As the band reveals, the song “is about the occult, pagan nature religions. The attentive view of the beauty of nature should be sharpened, but from a dark point of view. One should leave a legacy of which one should be proud. Inspired by “The Witches’ Almanac.” It’s a classic, driving metal song with a short, calm and hypnotic interlude that culminates in a power metal solo.”
A lyric video for “Nature’s Legacy” is now streaming HERE
With SKULL & CROSSBONES, the four ex-Stormwitch members VolkerSchmietow, Tobi Kipp, Jürgen “Wanschi” Wannenwetsch and Marc Oppold, completed by vocalist TobiHübner, pick up where they left off: Dedicating themselves to traditional heavy metal.
Sungazer was mixed and mastered by Marc Ayerle at KlangManufaktur, with a cover artwork created by Michael Vetter.
July 25, 2023 – Ghost Spirit, the L.A. hardcore band who surprised fans in early June with the release of “Kill The Strife,” the group’s first new music in four years, have now released an additional single via Blue Swan/Rise Records: “The Tradition That Remains” (watch the video here).
“’The Tradition That Remains’ is a heartfelt anthem celebrating the unbeatable spirit and promising future of the hardcore scene,” explains vocalist Alex Bigman of the Will Putney (Every Time I Die, Knocked Loose) mixed and Phil Odom (Code Orange, Portrayal of Guilt) engineered track. “Amid the Covid lockdowns, just like everyone else, we were deeply concerned about the fate of our beloved community’s shows. It seemed as though the very existence of the scene was at stake. Determined to rally the troops and reignite the passion, we set out to create a song that would unite us all. Out of the pandemic we overcame the challenges, and now in 2023 the scene feels more alive than ever. This music video, lovingly captured on Super 8mm, Super VHS, and digital formats, beautifully portrays the essence of this journey during the unforgettable run of our recent sold-out shows. We proudly declare that the tradition endures, binding us together in our shared love for hardcore, and illuminating a bright path towards the future.”
Photo credit: Connor Laz and Cameron Gile
Ghost Spirit released Hourglass in 2019, with the 8-song album landing on Rolling Stone’s staff’s personal best of lists, and being praised by outlets for capturing the band’s DIY spirit. Idioteq said the collection is “sonically and thematically immense,” while Sputnik Music noted the band’s ability to juxtapose “tenderness and honesty” with “frantic guitar work… and the pained screams of Alex Bigman.”
The band is currently writing a new album with additional details to be revealed soon.
Ghost Spirit is Alex Bigman (vocals), Taylor Jewell (drums), Niko Zaglaras (guitar) and Evan Henkel (bass).
Santa Fe death metal practitioners STREETTOMBS today unleash their new video for “Diseased Existence.” The track comes by way of their debut full-length, Reclusive Decay, released early this year via Carbonized Records.
Forged in the flames of the legendary underground venue, The Cave, in 2017 where they hosted numerous shows for the DIY punk/metal community of Santa Fe and surrounding cities, the STREET TOMBS collective has released three demos since 2018. Combining the death metal grit of early Sepultura and Bolt Thrower with the rabid d-beat/street punk of Discharge and G.B.H., Reclusive Decay presents a unified vision for all that is dark, heavy, and fast. As death and disease rage through our modern world, STREET TOMBS rip the abyss of suffering.
Watch STREET TOMBS’ “Diseased Existence” video at THIS LOCATION.
STREET TOMBS will kick off an eleven-date tour next month which will take them through the US and Canada. The North American Decay run begins on August 11th in St. Louis, Missouri and runs through August 25thin Albuquerque, New Mexico. Tickets are on sale now. See all confirmed dates below.
STREET TOMBS: 8/11/2023 CBGB – St. Louis, MO 8/12/2023 Black Circle Brewing – Indianapolis, IN 8/13/2023 Reggie’s Music Joint – Chicago, IL 8/14/2023 No Class – Cleveland, OH 8/15/2023 See Scape – Toronto, ON 8/17/2023 The Broadway – Brooklyn, NY 8/18/2023 Century – Philadelphia, PA 8/19/2023 The Junkyard – Richmond, VA 8/20/2023 Bogg’s Social & Supply – Atlanta, GA 8/22/2023 The Whittier Bar – Tulsa, OK 8/25/2023 Sister – Albuquerque, NM
STREET TOMBS’ Reclusive Decay was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Augustine Ortiz at The Decibel Foundry with additional recording by Galen Baudhuin, cover art by Todd White, additional interior artwork by Lucas B, and logo by Ben Brodsky.
Reclusive Decay is out now on CD, LP, cassette, and digitally. Find ordering options at the Carbonized webshop HERE or Bandcamp HERE where the record can be streamed.
STREET TOMBS: Damian Jacoby – guitar, vocals David McMaster – guitar, vocals Ben Brodsky – drums Galen Baudhuin – bass
September 1, 2023 sees hard rock power metal titans FIREWIND release their epic anniversary live album, titled “Still Raging”, through AFM Records. Recorded in 2022 at a frenetically-acclaimed hometown show in Thessaloniki, Greece, “Still Raging” will be available on Blu-Ray and as a 2CD edition, the pre-sale has just recently started at THIS LOCATION!
Following a previously-released single, a new live version of “Orbitual Sunrise”, today, the band is premiering a new video clip for their classic “Maniac”! Watch it HERE
As Gus G comments:“Maniac” is Firewind’s biggest hit and we didn’t even write it! Our Metal version of the “Flashdance” anthem goes back to 2008 straight out of “The Premonition” album of ours and it was originally recorded for fun during the album sessions. Whenever we play it live, it instantly gets the crowd on party mode and you can see that on this video from our anniversary hometown show. Enjoy!”
Since more than twenty years, the iconic band founded by exceptional guitarist Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne, Arch Enemy, Dream Evil) enthralls heavy music fans with their exciting blend of hard rock and power metal. Razor-sharp riffs, big hooks and solos meet the incredible vocal skills of charismatic singer Herbie Langhans (Avantasia, Radiant, Seventh Avenue, amongst others), who joined the band in 2019.
FIREWIND is: Gus G. (guitars) Herbie Langhans (vocals) Petros Christo (bass) Jo Nunez (drums)
Swedish hard rock powerhouse BÜRNER have announced the upcoming release of their sophomore album, “Hittin’ The Target”, on September 15th, 2023 via Time To Kill Records. The first video from the album,“Beer Before Glory”, is out today. Watch it HERE.
“After the release of ‘Baptized in Gasoline’ we continued to write new songs as always. Soon there was enough material for a second album and recording began. We always do everything with a smile and our sick sense of humor. The inspiration it comes from anything really, there are so many bands that have inspired us over the years. Janne came up with the idea for the cover and title and work moved on. We are really happy with the result and our fans will be in for a nice surprise. ‘Hittin’ The Target’ will be our second release and once again it will be filled with hard rock’n roll riffs. The perfect soundtrack for gulping cold beer!”.
“Hittin’ The Target” tracklist:
Beer Before Glory
Burnerator
Haulin’ Ass
Bring Me The Fire
Warrior
Baptized In Gasoline
Soulmate Killer
Come Blow The Horn
Bloodstorm
Up Shit Creek
Line-up: Björn Ohlson – Guitars/Vocals Mats Thuresson – Bass Jan Andersson – Drums
BÜRNER call their music gasoline-fuelled rock with no brakes and with this expression they hit the nail. The three guys from Sweden don’t play stale guitar rock, but groove into R’n’R paradise. Motörhead, AC/DC, Saxon? Admittedly very big names. But you just can’t avoid mentioning those bands while describing BÜRNER. Their music sounds like a spontaneous casual jam, bursting with energy. Their sound is loud and heavy, vibrant and always catchy.
Finnish goth metal demons The 69 Eyes send greetings to fans and fiends the world over with an ultra cool apocalyptic boogie woogie take on The Cramps’ classic “Aloha From Hell.” Originally released on the landmark 1986 album A Date With Elvis, The Cramps’ third full-length and its commercial breakthrough, “Aloha From Hell” offered a perfect distillation of the band’s sound – rollicking drums, a throbbing bass line and uber creepy tremolo guitar.
The 69 Eyes’ version retains all of the best elements of the original while adding in their own distinctive goth metal sounds, including the signature baritone voice of frontman Jyrki 69 and the twin guitar attack of Bazie and Timo-Timo with bassist Archzie and drummer Jussi 69 holding down the steady driving groove. Check out the performance video for the full experience of these veteran rockers making a full meal of The Cramps influential horror punk stew!
Every path encounters a river too arduous to cross. Its flowing water wash away the burden and cleanses what cannot be carried away. What secrets could be unlocked, what could possible be discovered when one encounters the source?”
The positive reception of their debut serves as an impetus for the southern European group to continue to improve and present an even stronger sophomore album. AETHERIAN do not rest on their laurels. No sooner said than done.
In 2016 they recorded a new single alongside a video clip called “The Rain” which drew attention and signified the beginning of their journey. ”The Rain” made a huge impact in a very short time on social media and the underground scene, currently reaching 3.5 million views on YouTube.
Listening to “At Storm’s Edge”, one notices several things: the musicians individually act both more precisely and more playfully. At the same time, the group play sounds even more exciting and distinctive. Especially the majestic melodic guitar leads, the driving drumming and the throaty growls stand out.
In the compositional area AETHERIAN apply their storyteller approach variable and song-serving. Despite considerable playing times, the album’s eight tracks come across as focused and urgent. Acoustic accents and a fine feeling for special atmospheres additionally distinguish the playing of the five Greeks.
NEW ALBUM AT STORM’S EDGE JULY 14TH
The second full length of the band from Athens is called “At Storm’s Edge” and was recorded at Devasoundz studios and produced by Fotis Benardo (Nightfall, ex- Septic Flesh). AETHERIAN are not content with a spectator role on the sidelines, but pushes forward into the center in every respect and goes into full swing. Melo-Death fans beware – don’t be caught off guard again!
TRACK LIST:
Forgotten Oaths Army of Gaia ΠΥΡ ΑΕΝΑΟΝ At Storm’s Edge Advent Dreams Astral Breath Soulriver Starlit Shores
“Touchdown” Full-Length To See Release This August Via Atomic Fire Records + Preorders Launched!
Heavy metal quintet U.D.O. — fronted by legendary singer Udo Dirkschneider and officially completed by former Accept bassist Peter Baltes in April — recently announced their new studio album, Touchdown, due out on August 25th via Atomic Fire Records.
Crafted with producer and mixing engineer Martin “Mattes” Pfeiffer at Redhead Studio (Wilhelmshaven, Germany), the massive, thirteen-track Touchdown was mastered by Stefan Kaufmann at ROXX Studio (Solingen, Germany). The record includes a guest appearance by violinist Stefan Pintev on the closing track, and bass tracks were recorded by new member Baltes. Artwork was provided by Martin Häusler who was also responsible for shooting band photos in support of the new album campaign.
Currently, U.D.O., who are also performing as DIRKSCHNEIDER, are gracing the stages of some of Europe’s biggest festivals including Graspop Metal Meeting, Leyendas del Rock, Summer Breeze Open Air, and more. Playing in front of their rabid loyal global fanbase makes each and every concert feel like a home game and today, U.D.O. kicks off their new musical season with their latest single and accompanying lyric video, “Forever Free.”
Elaborates drummer Sven Dirkschneider of the track, “‘Forever Free’ is supposed to make people not simply believe facts they hear or get shown, for example, by media, but to think individually. Of course, we don’t mean that one should question everything. The song shall just express that it’s better to create your own opinions about conflicts and other topics one stands for, even when they’re wrong sometimes, than to follow the mass blindly. It’s a musical tribute to our privilege of living in a free world as we luckily can.”
Preorder Touchdown, presave it on your favorite DSP, or preorder it digitally to receive “Forever Free” instantly at: http://udo.afr.link/touchdownPR.
Subscribe to Atomic Fire Records on YouTube HERE. Listen to “Forever Free” as well as other new tracks in the AFR New Releases playlist on Spotify HERE.
European fans can catch U.D.O. / DIRKSCHNEIDER live throughout the coming months. For tickets and to stay up to date on upcoming shows go to THIS LOCATION.
Driving, unrelenting and unique true metal is what’s on offer for the forthcoming debut album, Sceptre, from Vision Master. Sceptre combs the darkest depths for ten songs of blazing and unconventional classic metal! Gates of Hell Records will release Sceptre on August 25.
Former Funerot members Dan Munro and Reuben Storey (Christian Mistress) have long imagined a band like Vision Master: Dark, but with mystical atmospheres adjoined with blistering guitar riffs, thunderous rhythms and soaring vocals.
The band’s first full-length, Sceptre, is a fully-realized exercise in driving, unrelenting and unique true metal. Thoroughly recorded at Storey and Munro’s home studios, and with Tony “Baloney” Jefferson providing additional engineering, Sceptre was finally mastered by Justin Weis’.
Sceptre pushes boundaries across the traditional metal terrain, with Vision Master drawing from a wide range of influences that spans old-school metal as well as the likes of Brocas Helm, Slough Feg, Venom, Mercyful Fate and early Voivod. And, going down an even dirtier and extreme path, Discharge, Poison Idea, Die Kreuzen and classic black metal. It all adds up to a cosmic journey that, as Munro explains, “explores the depths of strange, unfamiliar realms and unrealities.”
Line-up: Dan Murno – Vocals/guitar Reuben Story – Bass/drums
Featuring cover art by Seventh Bell Artworks based on an experimental photographic collaboration between Dan and David Hoekje, Sceptre transports the listener into a futuristic world where a biological network sprawls across cities and xenon gas stores are the only hope for mankind. The album’s journey brings listeners to a mystical, sandstone throne with the power to probe the origins of mankind, ultimately asking the question: If you had the power to undo the petulant plague that is man, would you?”
FFO: Brocas Helm, Mercyful Fate, The Lord Weird Slough Feg, and Cosmic Horror.
Midwest death machine CASKET ROBBERY is once again hitting the road in support of their latest album, Rituals of Death.
The first leg of the tour kicks off in July, followed by a string of dates with St. Louis-based symphonic deathcore band ABADDONIA. Tour dates are as follows:
July 6th – Detroit, MI at Sanctuary Detroit July 7th – Lakewood, OH at The Foundry Concert Club July 8th – Menomonie, WI at The Mabel Tainter
CASKET ROBBERY/ABADDONIA SUMMER TOUR August 10th – Portage, WI* at Studio 301 August 11th – Rhinelander, WI* at Project Mayhem August 12th – Rhinelander, WI* at Project Mayhem – Patreon Member Meet August 13th – Chicago, IL at Cobra Lounge August 14th – Louisville, KY at Mag Bar August 15th – Chesapeake, VA at Riffhouse Pub August 16th – Harrisburg, PA at JB Lovedraft’s Micro Pub August 17th – Dayton, OH at Blind Bobs August 18th – Indianapolis, IN at Black Circle August 19th – Battle Creek, MI* at Michigan Metal Fest *No Abaddonia
This tour comes on the heels of CASKETROBBERY‘s blistering performance at the reincarnated Milwaukee Metal Fest. Check out video footage from their set below.
Emerging from the darkest and most desolate areas of the Midwest, CASKET ROBBERY creates its own signature style of death metal by infusing horror and occult themes. Their trademark huge riffs and unstoppable grooves create the unrelenting, brutally catchy, and eerie sound that only CASKET ROBBERY is known for. Death metal with a wink.
CASKET ROBBERY’s intense, high-energy shows have quickly surfaced a die-hard following. They continue to show a relentless work ethic and dedication to their fanbase. After the release of their debut album CASKET ROBBERY has toured the United States continually, hitting large festivals like Full Terror Assault and Milwaukee Summerfest. CASKET ROBBERY has shared the stage with Cannibal Corpse, Jungle Rot, Psycroptic, Immolation, and more. Your unrelenting nightmare has just begun.
HOLE IN THE FRAME keep on rocking with the third single in a few weeks. After ‘Mr Madness’ and ‘Insomnia Pt.2′, now is the time of ‘Frame Of Mind’, a powerful and groovy metal song, released through Volcano Records & Promotion, and available both on all digital platforms and YouTube with a lyric video.
‘Frame Of Mind’ is the title-track of the full album to be released by the band further on and well represents the style of this young collective that cross-over the genres with rage and strength. Looking at Pantera, Korn and Slipknot as main sources of influence, Hole In The Frame are writing their path with personality and determination gaining a lot of interest and attention both in Europe and South America.
The band said about ‘Frame Of Mind’ that this song talks “about an inner journey in our ego search. Frame of mind is about some questions that, many times, we cannot find an answer to. What is our place in this world? What do we do to live with dissatisfaction?”
Discover more about HITF on their official social pages and check ‘Frame Of Mind’ out at the link below
Following their much-acclaimed debut album, Ban The Light ( 2019, AFM Records ) and a series of live tracks, taken of their incredible show in support of JUDAS PRIEST “Live In Dalhalla”, Swedish hard rock act DEAF RAT has suprised their fanbase with a brand new song!
The music video for the high-voltage banger “Schizophrenic Part Of Me” is showcasing actual studio footage of the band, who is currently working on a new EP to be released in the not so distant future! As DEAF RAT reveal: “Schizophrenic Part Of Me is a kick ass rock n roll track, a party starter as energetic, straight forward and deadly as it can get. Be prepared to get grabbed by your neck by this venomous guitar riff, the sound and the vibe of Deaf Rat 2.0!”
The new DEAF RAT video for “Schizophrenic Part Of Me” is now premiering HERE
DEAF RAT hails from Dalarna in Sweden, a small region with long traditions of mining, steel industry, music and a healthy dose of DIY attitude. The broad sound of DEAF RATis built on a strong foundation of classic 70s, 80s and 90s rock packed with influences of the band members different personal favourites. With their massive guitar riffs and strong melodies, this is the band that fills up the cracks in the ageing concrete between old school and modern hard rock.
With their driving riffs, thundering drum beats, and electrifying presence, DEAF RAT prove that they are one of the most explosive and dynamic forces in the world of hard rock. Their latest album, Ban The Light is available at THIS LOCATION!. Ban The Light was released with great reviews from all over the world.
Metal Temple recommends “if you are a fan of eccentric and eclectic Hard Rock acts, DEAF RAT must find its place on your watch list for the years to come”, Sonic Perspectives lauded “Deaf Rat puts forth some quality hard rock”, while GBHBL featured the album as “an overly strong rock effort from these Swedish up and comers”! So better watch out for many more DEAF RAT news and songs to be revealed in the nearest future!
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