Vancouver (BC) – Dissonant Death Metal duo CROWN OF MADNESS are set to release their sophomore EP, Elemental Binding, on February 23, 2023.
The EP’s first single and opening track, “Immortal Eyes” (featuring a guest guitar solo from Matthew Pancoust of Truent) is available now at the following links:
With their second EP, CROWN OF MADNESS brings you a penetrating mix of the technical and the dissonant, as well as devastating lyrical themes that will leave you sorrowful. Elemental Binding is the second and final EP on the road to the duo’s full-length debut album. The EP serves as a representative sample of the direction CROWN OF MADNESS will take on their future full-length release. Their debut EP The Void released on March 25, 2022.
From all of us at Witherfall to all of you Dark Melodic Music Fans and Friends we wish you a very warm and intoixicated Christmas. (or insternt Holiday of Choice) For now we leave you with a Witherfall Festival Announcment: We are excited to be headlining this years All Things Metal Festival in Fort Worth Texas! Tickets are available Here http://ow.ly/6KlE50Mc6Xy
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
Time To Kill Records is proud to announce the signing of Italian death metallers SEPOLCRAL.
The band is currently putting the finishing touches to the new album “Scourge”, which will be released in 2023.
Formed in 1993, Italy’s SEPOLCRAL have lurked in the underground across a handful of demos and a couple of albums (including the infamous debut album “Victims”, recorded in 1996 but released only in 2017).
SEPOLCRAL’s vision of death metal is as relentless as it gets: sinister and raw, often influenced by grind and hardcore and always sharp, full of barbed hooks, thick with atmosphere and drenched in groove.
Stay tuned to Time To Kill Records and the band’s socials for more details on the upcoming release and other activities in 2023.
Line up:
Daniele – Vocals Cristian – Guitars Kevin – Bass Aleksandar – Drums
Discography:
Witness Of Lies (demo) 1994 Victims (full-length, originally to be released for Nosferatu Records but never printed) 1996 Promo ’90 (demo) 1998 Reborn6 (split) SG Records 2015 Victims (full-length from 1996, digitally self-released) 2017 Broken Armour (single) 2018
Nuclear Blast issues: Polish death metal legends VADER are proud to announce their “Revelation Of The Wicked – North American 2023” tour. The 29-date trek will kick off in Arizona on March 18th, the tour will make stops in Atlanta, Quebec City, and Salt Lake City before concluding in San Diego on April 17th. Joining the tour are Brazil’s death metal heroes KRISIUN and brutal-tech death merchants and labelmates DECREPIT BIRTH.
VADER’s Piotr “Peter” Wiwczarek comments, “FINALLY, we are announcing the long-awaited US & Canada tour. It’s been a while since our last visit to the North American continent in early 2020. Together with Continental and Nuclear Blast, we prepared a very special show including a set of songs from the debut of The Ultimate Incantation (30-year anniversary) and Revelations (20-year anniversary). Quite a number of them were very occasionally or never played before. A nice mix of other VADER albums should satisfy every VaderManiac indeed. “Revelations Of The Wicked – North America 2023” will open the Gates to Hell wide just for You. ARE YOU READY?‘
Tickets for the tour go on sale this Friday at 9:00 AM PST / 12:00 PM EST. Read more details at https://us1.campaign-archive.com
Confirmed dates for VADER’s “Revelation Of The Wicked – North American 2023” tour with KRISIUN and DECREPIT BIRTH are:
3/18/2023 Nile Theater – Mesa, AZ 3/19/2023 Sunshine Theater – Albuquerque, NM 3/20/2023 Amplified Live – Dallas, TX 3/21/2023 Come and Take it Live – Austin, TX 3/22/2023 White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX 3/24/2023 Gramps – Miami, FL 3/25/2023 The Conduit – Orlando, FL 3/26/2023 The Masquerade (Hell) – Atlanta, GA 3/27/2023 Canal Club – Richmond, VA 3/27/2023 Warehouse on Watts – Philadelphia, PA 3/29/2023 Le Poisson Rouge – New York, NY 3/30/2923 Middle-East Downstairs – Boston, MA 3/31/2023 Studio TD – Montreal, QC 4/01/2023 La Source de la Martinière – Quebec City, QC 4/02/2023 Brass Monkey – Ottawa, ON 4/03/2023 Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ON 4/04/2023 The Sanctuary – Detroit, MI 4/05/2023 Reggies – Chicago, IL 4/06/2023 Skyway Theater – Minneapolis, MN 4/07/2023 BLVD Nights – Kansas City, MO 4/08/2023 Denver, CO – Marquis Theater 4/09/2023 Metro Music Hall – Salt Lake City, UT 4/11/2023 El Corazon – Seattle, WA 4/12/2023 Rickshaw Theater – Vancouver, BC 4/13/2023 Bossanova Ballroom – Portland, OR 4/14/2023 DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA 4/15/2023 Backstage Bar – Las Vegas, NV 4/16/2023 1720 – Los Angeles, CA 4/17/2023 Brick by Brick – San Diego, CA
L-R – Josh MacDonald (Bass), Matt Johnstone (Guitar/Vocals), Bretton Melanson, (Drums/Vocals), Jeff Mabb (Guitar/Vocals) Photo Credit – Chris Geistlinger
From British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley in Canada, Nomad has been making a name for themselves locally for the last several years, playing at local fests and supporting big-name acts in the extreme metal scene. Now they have their debut album “The Mountain” ready for consumption and their blend of progressive, groovy death metal is sure to impress existing fans and entice new listeners. Their first single “Burning Alive” was the first song they wrote together, pieced together at their very first jam. The lyrics were inspired by the heat of that day, and the careless ignition of forest fires. They added blazing riffs, smokey vocals, and smooth bass lines to round it out, making it an impressive introduction to Nomad. They share their thoughts on the album:
“We’re hoping that it fills the need for a little groove in the metal scene. We’ve spoken to many people in the audience after playing a show that say there are not enough bands like Nomad out there that like to slow it down and catch you with a good hook once in a while. We feel that many emotions and influences can be felt throughout this album and are sure to keep the listeners engaged and entertained with heavy riffs, blasting beats, and dynamic vocals.”
There have been a few lineup changes in Nomad since their inception and each one of those members has left their mark on the band’s music. They’ve always worked collaboratively, one member bringing in the skeleton of a song and it being workshopped until it meets everyone’s standard. This had led to masterful consistency, present in every groovy riff, every chunky chord, and throughout the blasting of drums.
The single “Burning Alive” can be heard via its premiere on Bravewords HERE.
“The Mountain” was mixed by drummer Bretton Melanson and mastered by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy). It is recommended for fans of Gojira, Lamb of God, and Pantera.
Tucson, AZ thrashers Scars of Atrophy, formerly known in the 80s as Atrophy on Roadrunner Records, rebranded their lineup in 2020 and recently unleashed their return to the mosh pit with the new EP “Nations Divide” in June 2022, 30-plus years after the release of their last full-length 1990’s “Violent By Nature”. The band approached this comeback EP as both the entertainers and the audience. They love the thrash metal genre and for them, there is nothing better than watching a huge mosh pit break out while playing on stage.
The EP has also garnered praise with comments such as “honestly this EP is easily the winner for the best thrash metal material in 2022” – Encomium Zine and “Breakneck speed and crushing mid-tempo are balanced, so that fans of EXODUS, VIO-LENCE and TESTAMENT definitely get their money’s worth.” – Twilight Mag.
Closing the chapter for their breakthrough return that saw them touring the country and sharing the stage with bands such as Exhorder, W.O.R. plus a performance on Dimestock (Watertown, WI), Scars of Atrophy is sharing with fans their latest music video for the “Nations Divide” title track, which features clips from this year’s shows and insane mosh pits.
Watch the video via its premiere on Metal-Rules HERE.
Scars of Atrophy are currently working on their follow-up record for 2023, the band comments:
“Our yet-to-be-titled forthcoming album still needs tweaking and a hint of flavoring here and there and will be a greater representation of our EP ‘Nations Divide”. All songs on the EP will be on the album as well. Musically, the songs are all hard-hitting with our signature tempo and riffage. Definitely an aggressive approach with the thunderous double bass of veteran thrash drummer, Tim Kelly. The album will also have new tracks, Purge, Burn the Veil, and A Trophy Kill, which are currently being played live.”
Scars of Atrophy is recommended for fans of Testament, Exodus, and Slayer.
Scars of Atrophy: Drums – Tim Kelly Guitar – Bobby Stein Guitar – David Ruiz Bass Guitar – Scott Heller Vocals – MikeNiggl
EP Recording Credits: All songs performed by Scars of Atrophy All songs written by Robert Stein Tim Kelly Scott Heller Produced by Scars of Atrophy Mixed by John Gianni Album Artwork by Gabriel T. Byrne
Discography: 1987 – Chemical Dependency – Atrophy 1988 – Socialized Hate – Atrophy 1990 – Violent By Nature – Atrophy 2017 – song Riptide – Atrophy 2022 – Nations Divide – Scars Of Atrophy
After a successful “Relevations Of The Wicked Tour” weekend-shows in November and December, Polish death metal legends VADER bring even better news to their fans in Poland, announcing a new series of shows for January and February 2023, see the confirmed dates below.
VADER shared on Pt.2 “Relevations Of The Wicked Tour 2023”: VADERMANIAX!!! We have a handful of good, still warm fresh news! The last weekend club tour “Revelations Of The Wicked” in November and December – so spontaneously prepared by Massive Music – was incredibly well received by you, and the concerts themselves with madness and power probably only looked like “gold and the times” of Metal. In response to really numerous requests we have added three more weekends in January and February 2023. This time we will also visit the North and West of Poland. The program mostly reminiscent of our debut “The Ultimate Incantation” (30 years) and “Revelations” (20 years) will be added with more surprises. YOU ARE WELCOME !!!! \m/ \m/
Together with VADER, the band’s colleagues from INSIDIUS will appear in: 27.01.2023 (PL) – Sul 27cin / U Bulka 28.01.2023 (PL) – Legnica / LCK 29.01.2023 (PL) – Ostrow Wlkp. / The Old Pump House 02.02.2023 (PL) – Elbl 2.g / Pulp 03.02.2023 (PL) – Saw / Boat 04.02.2023 (PL) – Koszalin / Event Center G38 05.02.2023 (PL) – Gdynia / Ear 10.02.2023 (PL) – Opole / NCPP 11.02.2023 (PL) – Cz 20stochowa / Pipe 12.02.2023 (PL) – Pszów / MOK
VADER released their 16th studio album “Solitude In Madness” on May 1st 2020 via Nuclear Blast. Get your copy and enjoy the madness: https://nblast.de/VaderSolitudeMadness
Dutch death metallers DEAD WILL WALK are ready to present their brand new EP “A New Day of Dawning”. The band offers brooding and furious but always catchy old school death metal with sinuous melodies.
The coming EP is set to be released on the 27th of January 2023 via Dawnbreed Records, serving as the proverbial crown to the band’s ten-year career.
In the deepest and darkest corners of the very crypts that made death metal the powerhouse of undeath and shattered bone that it always has been, there has never been a better time to find yourself lost in its halls. Legions upon legions of new acts are constantly spawning in that madness to bring us new glory the like of which is naught but utterly gripping with bands like DEAD WILL WALK all but the perfect vessels for such chaos with albums like “A New Day of Dawning” all but works of art for the genre.
Overflowing with self-awareness, horrifying talent that’s exuded out of every minute of these six tracks, and a ferocious listen that wouldn’t stop for the very ending of the world, it’s clear that DEAD WILL WALK has put their best foot forward. This is what it means to make uncompromising death metal with such efficiency that can’t be seen as anything less than powerful with each second of this massive creation a conquest upon life itself that simply cannot be denied.
Greek Symphonic Progressive Metallers MYTHODEA – rejoined by Testament bassist Steve Di Giorgio – have announced their new single + video ‘Into The Abyss’, coming out on February 8th.
MYTHODEA shared on ‘Into The Abyss’: “Mythodea new songs coming soon! Greece based Mythodea announces new songs to be released in 2023! Follow up material to the 2012 self-titled album to start with February 8 release of first single. Into The Abyss – the title of the first single, will feature the immense vocal talents of vocalist/bassist IdaHaukland from the Norwegian band Triosphere. Christos Nikolaou, the group’s founder and composer returns with a fresh new sound and concise arrangements. Maintaining the orchestral integration in the epic symphonic style metal that was established on the previous release, each new song delivers a unique experience with a new vocal flare.
Mythodea is rejoined by American bassist, Steve Di Giorgio, who is also contributing as lyricist to these new compositions. Completing the lineup is the powerful Stefanos Meletiou of Cyprus on drums. The sound is made clear and powerful by the mixing and mastering of Matias Kupiainen of Finland’s Stratovarius. Each release has a unique conceptual art piece made by Gogo Melone. Into The Abyss will also be released as a music video the same day as the audio single – 8th of February 2023… Set your reminders..!!”
The fretless guru, STEVE DI GIORGIO doesn’t need any longer introductions, as he is widely renowned as a pioneer on the fretless bass in heavy metal music, being the bassist of TESTAMENT, DEATH and SADUS, among others. Within his genre, STEVE DI GIORGIO is respected for his playing skills, versatility and incredible technique. He has more than 40 studio album recordings and over 30 years of touring the world.
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions are set to release the new split album between Sweden’s Satanic Black Metal beasts Pagan Rites and the Netherlands’ Black/Speed Metal Maniacs VulcanTyrant. This release is up now for pre-order and will be released December 30th on CD and Digital formats along with merch.
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions presents an unholy alliance of Black/Thrash blasphemy! Pagan Rites make their long-awaited HPGD debut, showcasing two tracks of signature Satanic Black Metal madness. Formed way back in 1992, Pagan Rites are among the most sinister acts to have ever been exported from Sweden, and their material on this split is sure to please diehards and maniacs worldwide. Vulcan Tyrant returns to HPGD once again, unleashing two brand new tracks of infernal Blackened Speed/Thrash straight from the Netherlands. No one is safe from the primal hellfire that will slash through your speakers with raw punishment… fuck off and die posers!
For fans of Abigail, Bathory, Deströyer 666, Destruction, Morbid, Nifelheim, early Slayer, Toxic Holocaust and Venom
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
German hard rock titans BONFIRE have revealed their new vocalist. The band has joined forces with exceptional singer and frontman DYAN, who may be yet unknown but will immediately convince every heavy and hard rock fan!
“As most of you already know. Bonfire was in the process of re-recording the first 3 albums for a special Box Set to go along with the release of Hans Ziller’s book and a Bonfire documentary,” says bassist Ronnie Parkes. “At nearly the end of the recording process Alex Stahl and Bonfire split ways.
Bonfire would like to welcome to the family our new vocalist DYAN. DYAN was born 31 years ago in Greece and currently lives in the UK. He is an incredible addition to the team and will surely bring Bonfire to new heights!”
Now, BONFIRE has re-recorded the classic “Fantasy”, taken of their iconic 1987-“Fireworks” album, while DYAN is showcasing his extraordinary vocal talent and giving the track a new, fresh sound and shape! Give DYAN a warm welcome and watch BONFIRE’s official music video for the new version of “Fantasy” HERE
Time To Kill Records is proud to announce the signing of Istanbul, Türkiye’s extreme metal stalwarts EXNUN.
The band is currently putting the finishing touches to new material, which will be released in 2023.
The foundations of EXNUN were laid by bassist and vocalist Can Temiz in 2018 as a project that blends many different genres of metal on the axis of hardcore punk and death metal. In 2019, their first album “Decomposition Of An Infant Soul” was released. The album drew a lot of attention in the Turkish local scene and was critically acclaimed by the Turkish reviewers. One of the songs from the album, “Rape of God” was chosen by the Canadian YouTube channel Banger TV viewers to be the theme song for the Banger TV show “Overkill Global” by a landslide
The band took its final form with the participation of Ozan Çam (Kozmik Yıkım) on guitars and vocals in 2019, Ersin Çağlayan (Radical Noise) on guitars and vocals in 2020, and Aberrant Engin (Burial Invocation, Diabolizer) on drums in 2021.
Stay tuned to Time To Kill Recordsand the band’s socials for details on the upcoming release and other activities in 2023.
Norwegian death metallers CELESTIAL SCOURGE have signed to Time To Kill Records for the release of their debut EP “Dimensions Unfurled”. The EP is slated for a release on January 20th, 2023.
Today, the band have release a new track entitled “Elliptical Orbit” which showcases their exceptional talent. Stream it HERE.
“‘Elliptical Orbit’ is one of our heaviest tracks and filled with riffs to puncture anyones membrane. With technical riffs and brutal breakdowns we give you a journey through the cosmic purgatory of space”.
“Dimensions Unfurled” tracklist:
01. The Vast Profound 02. Moon Dweller 03. Elliptical Orbit 04. Dimensions Unfurled 05.Mortal Sun
CELESTIAL SCOURGE is a brutal/technical death metal band from Norway founded by Stian Gundersenduring the pandemic. The band features members from well known acts from Norway such as BLOOD RED THRONE, DECEPTION, RUUNand ARVAS.
The band draws influence from a wide range of death metal bands while injecting melodies and progressive elements to create their own frantic sound.
Watch for more audio previews and more news on other upcoming CELESTIAL SCOURGE activities to be posted shortly.
Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Nihilist Death Cult has recently released its debut album“Death To All Tyrants”. They are now releasing a video for the track “Obey & Consume”, which is about just following blindly and not questioning anything, and being a good consumer. The time to fight is always now, not later and it was inspired by John Carpenter’s “They Live”.
The video can be seen and heard via its premiere on NoCleanSinging HERE.
The album “Death To All Tyrants” is in-your-face punk rock that combines angry riffs and hate-fuel lyrics about how the corporate-sponsored news media feeds you the stories and ideas they are paid to push. This record is about the victims standing up to the tyrants, it’s about choosing your own path and not blindly following norms if they don’t suit you. Bassist/vocalist Nick Sagias writes most of the music, but takes in input from his brother, drummer John Sagias and guitarist Ethan Bolduc. He shares their writing process:
“When I started writing for NDC, I knew that I wanted it to be aggressive, relentless, savage, no breakdowns, short songs, angry hardcore punk, the fact that my brother’s drumming fit perfectly in that and he was into it was a bonus for this otherwise it probably never would have happened. We just wanted to do this relentless style that we love and miss. Poison Idea, early DRI, early Bad Brains, the early dbeat bands, Discharge and GBH, that stuff gets the blood pumping and that’s the kinda stuff we wanna hear and see live.”
Those that get to witness Nihilist Death Cult play live can expect seasoned veterans going up on stage and putting on a show to match the energy of the music. There are no shoegazers here, just three passionate guys that want people to get into their music. They may be from Toronto but they are not a typical attitude Toronto band, they are the antithesis of that attitude.
The relatable lyrics are well enunciated making each of the nine songs on the album easy to pick up and get into. Nihilist Death Cult is recommended for fans of early DRI, early Bad Brains, and Nails.
Dec. 13, 2022, LOS ANGELES – Greg Puciato, who has released both his critically-acclaimed debut and sophomore solo albums in the short span of two years, has set a Dec. 20 release date for his inaugural live album, 11/11/22 Los Angeles.
WATCH “DEEP SET (LIVE)” VIDEO
“You don’t get many first shows,” says Puciato of his Nov. 11 outing at Los Angeles’ Don Quixote. “Having the ability to properly document one and get high quality audio and video…I didn’t wanna regret not doing that. It’s gonna be killer to look back at this 100 or even five shows from now and see how much further along the live versions of these songs are. When I hear these recordings, I instantly feel transported to that room, that night, with my bandmates onstage and friends and everyone there in attendance. A lot of love and support and passion and hard work and talent in the room. I hope it does the same for you if you were there, and resonates as strongly for people who weren’t able to attend. I can’t wait to do more of this and see everyone again and more of you in other places down the line.”
A preview of the 11-song collection arrives today with the Jim Louvau and Tony Aguilera directed video for “Deep Set (Live)” (https://youtu.be/6U3IGUQmV1o). Puciato noted: “’Deep Set’ feels good to lead with. One of my favorite memories of the tracking of Child Soldier: Creator of God were the vocals to this song…incidentally recorded at the same time of year as this show. The song was always meant to feel loose and live; the recorded vocal was a front-to-back one-take that we did in a shed in Nick Rowe’s (producer and live guitarist) backyard…so bringing it to life onstage with him, and Chris (Hornbrook) for the first time felt like a nice, symbolic full circle.”
11/11/22 Los Angeles will be available exclusively via Bandcamp, with the album streaming on Dec. 20, and vinyl pre-orders launching the same day. The collection will arrive on additional streaming services following its vinyl release in the Spring.
Joining Puciato for the live performance, and featured in this video, are the aforementioned Nick Rowe (guitar), Chris Hornbrook (drums), James Hammontree (guitar), and Jeff “Manwolf”Geiser (bass).
11/11/22 Los Angeles album cover (photo: Jonathan Weiner)
11/11/22 Los Angeles track list:
No More Lives to Go
Deep Set
Lowered
Do You Need Me to Remind You?
Absence as a Presence
Never Wanted That
Down When I’m Not
All Waves to Nothing
A Pair of Questions
Evacuation
September City
Greg Puciato came to prominence as the singer of The Dillinger Escape Plan, quickly becoming one of music’s most unpredictable and versatile vocalists. Throughout his career he has been equally adventurous when choosing his projects. From the metal-centric Killer Be Killed, to the brooding, R&B-infused electro outfit The BlackQueen, onto his two remarkable solo albums (2020’s Child Soldier: Children of God and 2022’s Mirrorcell), and recently, his work with Jerry Cantrell, Puciato has amassed a dynamic and impressive body of work.
Swedish modern sci-fi metal outfit CURSE OFCAIN has joined the Atomic Fire Records roster! Forged in 2000 by ex-Follow The Cipher and ex-Ad Infinitum forward-thinking bassist Jonas Asplind, CURSE OF CAIN focuses on both musical and visual elements to create a futuristic dystopian world while simultaneously unfolding fascinating stories about strong characters such as Cain himself.
Comments the band, “We are beyond excited and really looking forward to this collaboration. Atomic Fire Records is the perfect partner for us, and we are happy to take this huge next step together with them.”
Adds Atomic Fire Records CEO Markus Wosgien, “We were all completely impressed by what CURSE OF CAIN presented to us with their debut album: a coherent, exciting concept and a multi-faceted album with numerous catchy tunes. In short, everything is right here and fantastic musicians come together who have created something unique. I’ve had a close friendship with Jonas Asplind since his time in Follow The Cipher, so I’m all the more pleased to be able to further promote his musical career and to be able to walk with him. CURSE OF CAIN is one of the most exciting newcomers of the hour. Look forward to something very special!”
Today, CURSE OF CAIN also gives a first taste of their music, which can be described as movie metal with a dark touch, with a video for first single, “Alive.”
“‘Alive’ is the natural song for us to start off with,” the band notes. “It’s catchy but dark at the same time; it really captures the movie metal feeling that is our signature.”
The video for “Alive” was produced and directed by George Grigoriadis and Jonas Asplind and filmed and edited by Grigoriadis. The story is by Grigoriadis and Victor Ganebrant.
The band’s debut album, Curse Of Cain, will see release in May 2023. Further details on the concept and the ordeal of Cain and his band of misfits will be revealed soon!
Cruz Del Sur Music is proud to announce the signing of the vintage hard/rock metal outfit TAROT. The label will release the band’s second studio album sometime in 2023. TAROT presents a familiar face from Cruz Del Sur Music: The band’s guitarist and vocalist Will Spectre, also leads arcane metallers THE WIZAR’D.
“I got in touch with Cruz Del Sur when I was looking for a label to release the most recent album from THE WIZAR’D,” he says. “Cruz Del Sur did a great job on that and were very supportive of us, so I thought they would be an excellent choice for the new TAROT album. Luckily for us, Cruz Del Sur was also fans of TAROT and agreed to release the album before they had even heard any songs. We are really looking forward to working on the release with them!”
The TAROT journey began in 2011 when Spectre decided to write songs in the vein of URIAH HEEP, RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE, bands that, admittedly, he is “obsessed with.” The two-track Take A Look Around demo arrived later that year. After honing the production methods needed to capture a warm, analog sound, TAROT released the Life And Death EP in 2014.
Two subsequent EPs, Dying Daze and The Watchers Dream were released in 2014, setting the stage for TAROT’s first full-length, 2016’s Reflections. The release of Reflections coincided with the expansion of the TAROT lineup to play live. The band now comprises organ and synth player David Harrington-George, guitarist/vocalist Felix Russell, bassist/vocalist Dave Walsh and drummer Mat Frodsham.
“Our current lineup is the strongest and tightest yet,” says Spectre. “I think we work very well together. I couldn’t imagine playing with anyone else. The other guys are also taking on writing duties and have contributed songs to our new album.”
TAROT recently laid down the drums for its aforementioned second full-length album with producer/engineer Joe Haley, with the remainder of the tracking to take place at the band’s home studios. Like previous efforts, TAROT’s new full-length will be self-produced and employ production techniques used in the 1970s.
“I think while the new material is very much in line with the previous stuff, the contributions of the other members will be very noticeable and it may take some people by surprise,” says Spectre. “Everything will be much more lively than before, and there will be a fairly distinct difference in the performance since, for the most part, the older recordings were me working on my own. Fans of our previous works won’t be disappointed, though!”
The EP was produced by Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed) and Nick Bellmore (Jasta, Dee Snider). Players on the EP include the aforementioned Nick Bellmore (Dee Snider/ex-Toxic Holocaust on drums), Charlie Bellmore (Dee Snider/ex-Toxic Holocaust on guitars), and Chris Beaudette (Jasta/Enteirro on bass). The EP’s striking and vivid artwork was illustrated by Dan Goldsworthy (Accept, Corpsegrinder, Alestorm).
RETURN TO DEATH ROW EP TRACK LISTING: “Die While We’re Alive” “Embattled” “The Night (Take It Back)” “Silent Cage” “Heroes Dare” “Return to Death Row“
Ripper is currently serving as the frontman for KK’s Priest, featuring former Judas Priest member KK Downing.
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Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
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