ALTERIUM, the new Italian power metal quintet led by Nicoletta Rosellini (ex. Kalidia, Walk in Darkness), has revealed new details about their hotly-anticipated, first full-length studio album! “Of War And Flames” will be out on March 8, 2024 via AFM Records, the pre-sale is now available via: https://alterium.bfan.link/of-war-and-flames
Following previously-released, first album appetizers, “Siren’s Call”, “Drag Me To Hell” and the epic cover version of Sabaton‘s “Bismarck”, ALTERIUM have unleashed their powerful title track “Of War And Flames”!
Born in late 2022, ALTERIUM consists of vocalist Nicoletta and former bandmates Paolo Campitelli (guitars) and Dario Gozzi (drums) from Kalidia, soon joined by Alessandro Mammola (guitars, also in Draconicon) and Luca Scalabrin (bass, also in Altair).
After Kalidia parted ways, Nicoletta decided to take a different approach and finally unleashes her whole potential as both a singer and a songwriter. Produced by Lars Rettkowitz (Freedom Call), and featuring 9 original classy power metal tracks including the cover of “Bismarck”, “Of War and Flames” turns out to be a triumph of catchy choruses, terrific vocal lines, powerful sounds, strong guitar riffs, explosive drums, majestic choirs and captivating grooves, all skillfully mastered by Achim Koehler. Pre-order your album copy now, and get ready for new power metal hope ALTERIUM, when theywill take the metal scene by storm!
Heavy metal icons Pantera will return to the stage this February on the second leg of their North American headlining tour with special guest, Lamb Of God. Much like last Summer’s run, each show will feature an opening performance by one of three Housecore Records recording artists on select dates.
Housecore Records was founded by Pantera frontman Philip H. Anselmo in an effort to release material by his many side projects and from other bands he’s supported throughout his career. Joining this leg of the tour will be St. Louis-based metal trio and recent Housecore Records signees NEST, featuring Scour/Agoraphobic Nosebleed bassist John Jarvis, as well as two Detroit juggernauts – art punk/noise metallers CHILD BITE and hardcore punk/thrashers SNAFU (Situation Normal All Fucked Up) — both of which opened for Pantera in 2023.
Notes Anselmo, “I am very pleased Housecore bands will have the opportunity to play these shows; they’re all excellent and will deliver the goods, no doubt, so show up early!”
The bands comment:
NEST – Photo by John Jarvis
NEST’s John Jarvis: “I’d like to thank Housecore Records, Lamb Of God, and Pantera for this incredible opportunity! I was lucky enough to see Pantera when I was 12, and if you had told me then that I’d open up for them on an arena tour in 2024, I would have called you crazy. Actually, I still don’t believe it as I type this, but it’s apparently happening! Thanks to everyone that’s helped us along the way and all NEST members past and present. It’s truly a dream come true and will probably go down as the coolest thing that’s ever happened to me.”
CHILD BITE – Photo by Trevor Naud
CHILD BITE’s Shawn Knight: “Oh boy, here we go! Pantera hath beckoned the BITE… again. Can’t wait to blast our brain-damaged jams in some MFing arenas. Winter too, so it’ll actually be dark when we play this time around! Philip, Rex, Charlie, Zakk… see you at catering [smooch]!”
SNAFU – Photo by Brian Sheehan
SNAFU’s Scott Curnow: “Oh man, I can’t believe we get to do this again! Last Summer was absolutely insane for us. One minute we’re playing in a two-car garage to fifty people, the next minute we’re opening for Pantera and Lamb Of God in front of 13,000 people. What a trip! We’re forever grateful to the Pantera crew, the Housecore family, and Lamb Of God for having us back. We can’t wait!”
w/ NEST: 2/03/2024 Amerant Bank Arena – Sunrise, FL 2/05/2024 Amalie Arena – Tampa, FL 2/07/2024 Rupp Arena – Lexington, KY 2/09/2024 Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN 2/10/2024 FedEx Forum – Memphis, TN 2/13/2024 T-Mobile Center – Kansas City, MO w/ CHILD BITE: 2/14/2024 Pinnacle Bank Arena – Lincoln, NE 2/16/2024 Canada Life Centre – Winnipeg, MB 2/18/2024 Resch Center – Green Bay, WI 2/20/2024 Van Andel Arena – Grand Rapids, MI 2/22/2024 Madison Square Garden – New York, NY w/ SNAFU: 2/24/2024 CFG Bank Arena – Baltimore, MD 2/26/2024 Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, ON 2/27/2024 Centre Vidéotron – Québec City, QC
20 Buck Spin labelmates GRAVESEND and MAUL will team up for a run of East Coast tour dates during the Winter months. The Stomped And Mauled On The East Coast 2024 trek will run from February 29th through March 9th, with shows in Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Richmond, Raleigh, Atlanta, Ormond Beach, Miami, and Tampa.
See the confirmed routing below and watch for updates on both bands to post over the weeks ahead.
Find the latest output from GRAVESEND and MAUL at the 20 Buck Spin webshop HERE, Bandcamp HERE, and YouTube HERE.
GRAVESEND / MAUL: Stomped And Mauled On The East Coast: 2/29/2024 St. Vitus Bar – Brooklyn, NY 3/01/2024 Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA 3/02/2024 Metro Gallery – Baltimore, MD (matinee) 3/03/2024 Fallout – Richmond, VA 3/04/2024 Chapel Of Bones – Raleigh, NC 3/06/2024 Boggs – Atlanta, GA 3/07/2024 Nightshift Warehouse – Ormond Beach, FL 3/08/2024 Gramps – Miami, FL 3/09/2024 Brass Mug – Tampa, FL
GRAVESEND
New York City-based GRAVESEND released their second LP for 20 Buck Spin, Gowanus Death Stomp, in October. A gritty and primal barrage of violence at the crossroads of criminal depravity and urban malaise, GRAVESEND utilizes many tools of the trade: black, death, grind, and war metal all meld seamlessly into a tar pit of scathing back-alley sadism and acid-tongued vocals
Like a newly found corpse down by the docks, the smell of decomp is wafting out of every track on Gowanus Death Stomp. And as with NYC’s underground legends from Cro-Mags to Swans to Type O Negative, GRAVESEND embodies the pulse of the city, even as that pulse bleeds out on the concrete. Gowanus Death Stomp was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Arthur Rizk (Power Trip, Tomb Mold, Kommand), and the album was completed with cover photos by Mark Weber.
MAUL – photo by Jason Dahlke
Based out of Fargo, North Dakota, MAUL impacted the US death metal underground through via various demos, splits, EPs, and their Seraphic Punishment full-length debut in 2022. 20 Buck Spin picked up the band on the strength of that first album and while the band painstakingly constructs their new full-length, they made their label debut with the Desecration And Enchantment EP in November. The songs were captured in May 2023 at Signaturetone Recordings in Minneapolis (Ulthar, Obsequiae, Sunless), recorded, mixed, and mastered by Adam Tucker. The songs feature guest synth and sample work by Isthmus of Styx, and the EP is completed with cover artwork by S. Deloria Black Wolf.
Italian black metal unit STORMCROW will release their third album, “Path to Ascension”, sometime in 2024 via Time To Kill Records.
The band shares a new single from the new album. Stream “Dark Existence” at THIS LOCATION.
The video of the previous single “Vulgus Vult Decipi” is also available HERE.
The band started out in northen Italy in 1997 and is no secret to genre connoisseurs thanks to a couple of well-received albums and European tours with Dark Funeral, Enthroned, Shining and many more. But now their big moment in the spotlight has come – STORMCROW are ready for the final breakthrough with the new album “Path to Ascension”.
STORMCROW have kept the black flame burning for 20+ years simply out of adoration and their respect for the genre. Undoubtedly they share some of the same DNA of iconic black metal bands that have gone before them, and whilst their technical abilities add a more than impressive flourish, they operate on a ‘don’t overcomplicate for the sake of overcomplicating’ rule. Keeping theatrics to a minimum has yielded a lean, sharp album that embodies the blueprint of old school black metal and embraces both melody and an epic narrative.
Watch for more details on the new album release, new tour updates, and more news on other upcoming STORMCROW activities to be posted shortly.
Death metal quartet SLAUGHTERSUN present their first ferocious offering, “Fall of the Firmament”. Brutal riffs, aggressive vocals and unrelenting percussion produces an unstoppable force as the track displays their lament for the miserable collapse of an ever sinking world.
Ben Karas comments on “Fall of the Firmament”:
“Lyrically this song combines the lore of the Nephilim, which are a race of giant angels rumored to be responsible for the great flood, and pits that dynamic against the tech age and the giant names of that industry mimicking the decadence and ugliness that brought about the end times.”
About SLAUGHTERSUN: Drawing musical, lyrical and creative influences from the likes of DEMILICH, GORGUTS, CANNIBAL CORPSE and AT THE GATES, to name a few, SLAUGHTERSUN create their own take on the death metal subgenre. Band founder Ben Karas initially began writing for SLAUGHTERSUN back in 2017, but it wasn’t until 2022 that Karas was able to fully dedicate time and energy into the band. The band’s line-up soon came together comprised of Karas’ THANK YOU SCIENTIST band mate Cody McCorry, along with Jason Quinones (TOMBSTONER) and Justin Hillman (CRANIAL DAMAGE). In 2023, SLAUGHTERSUN began to rehearse and record in their full form and soon turned to preparing their debut “Fall of the Firmament”.
SLAUGHTERSUN: Justin Hillman – Unearthly Wails Ben Karas – Treble Strings Cody McCorry – Bass Strings Jason Quinones – Hammer Battalion
Credits: “Fall of the Firmament” was produced, mixed and mastered by Ben Karas at Frost Gauntlet Recording in East Rutherford, NJ.
German Hard ‘n Heavy metal band CobraKill, recently signed to Frontiers, are set to release their incredible second album ‘Serpent’s Kiss‘, on 19th January 2024.
The band show excitement for the upcoming album: “’Serpent’s Kiss’ is a testament to our musical evolution. Recorded in the studio, it showcases a remarkable diversity, giving birth to infectious earworms right from the initial sessions. The album is a testament to our growth since our debut, radiating with creativity and displaying a newfound maturity. With drummer Toby Ventura taking the reins in production, mixing, and recording, we had unparalleled freedom to sculpt our sound. “Serpent’s Kiss” undoubtedly marks a significant leap forward for us”.
Formed in 2020, CobraKill swiftly garnered attention for embracing the sound, attitude, and ferocity reminiscent of iconic artists such as Mötley Crüe, Judas Priest, W.A.S.P., Lizzy Borden, and RATT. Their ambitious goal is to reignite the flames of heavy metal’s glory days from the ’80s and conquer the world with their unique music.
Drawing inspiration from the likes of these legendary bands, the quintet, featuring Nick Adams on vocals, Randy White on lead guitar, Tommy Gun on rhythm guitar, Crippler Ramirez on bass, and Toby Ventura on drums, not only captures the essence of the ’80s but embodies it in both sound and appearance.
CobraKill‘s rise to prominence has been marked by electrifying performances and meticulously crafted songs. Fans attending their shows often describe the experience as magical, with many likening the atmosphere to witnessing the young Mötley Crüe commanding the stage.
The band’s debut album, ‘Cobratör,’ released in 2022, achieved remarkable success, selling out its physical format within weeks—a testament to the band’s rapid ascent in the music scene.
CobraKill’s music seamlessly blends metal, rock, sleaze, and glam, creating a sonic landscape that not only pays homage to the glory days of hair metal in the ’80s but also asserts the enduring vitality of rock n’ roll in 2024. ‘Serpent’s Kiss’ promises to be an infectious rock record that will undoubtedly set the tone for the musical landscape in the year ahead.
The brand new open air festival METAL PARK have announced its first edition, set to take place from July 6th to July 7th 2024 in the ancient park of Villa Ca’ Cornaro in Romano D’Ezzelino, Vicenza (Italy).
The legendary frontman of Iron Maiden, BRUCE DICKINSON will headline the first day of the festival with his solo project. The second day will host as headliners the iconic Norwegian black metal band EMPEROR.
CAVALERA (full SEPULTURA set), THE DARKNESS, STRATOVARIUS, RICHIE KOTZEN, DARK TRANQUILLITY, MICHAEL MONROE, MOONSPELL and FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE are the first confirmed support acts.
JULY 6 2024: BRUCE DICKINSON THE DARKNESS STRATOVARIUS MICHAEL MONROE RITCHIE KOTZEN
more tba
JULY 7 2024:
EMPEROR CAVALERA – Full Sepultura Set DARK TRANQUILLITY MOONSPELL FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE
more tba
Two-days passes and single day tickets can be purchased on Ticketone, Ticketmaster, TicketSms, and Mailticket. Attenders can also buy admission ticket to the camping site and car parking.
Single day ticket: 70€ + p.d. Two-days pass: 100€ + p.d. Camping 2 nights including pitch for 4 people with tent or camper van and car parking: 40 € Parking (1 car): 7 €
DISBELIEF ANNOUNCE ‘KILLING KARMA’ NEW ALBUM DETAILS
It will once again underline the band’s singularity and their persistence to follow an unconventional way for more than 30 years against all resistance.
DISBELIEF have grown into a very experienced band that has always kept an open minded spirit, yet remote from any mainstream connection, in order to further sharpen their Death Metal style with implacable conviction and dedication.
A colossal, destroying, atmospheric, yet subtle wall of sound was conceived with this new album. The band invited two of the most unique singers in the German Metal scene on ‘Killing Karma’: Michelle Darkness (End of green) and Joschi Baschin (Undertow). They perform on some of the album songs: ’The Scream that slowly disappeared’, ‘Flash of inspiration’ and the epic ‘Reborn’.
DISBELIEF captivates the listener further with a special rendition of Killing Joke classic ‘Millenium’, while shaping it into a very memorable remake which will surprise a lot of fans out there.
Lyric wise, DISBELIEF vocalist Karsten ‘Jagger’ comments: “‘Killing Karma’ is a declaration of war to desperation, grief and helplessness, an unbelievable musical journey through the human soul threatening to break under the weight of life.”
DISBELIEFs’ new album ‘Killing Karma’ is a diversified, captivating , strength giving, crushing Death Metal monster.
DISBELIEF: Timo Claas (drums) Marius Pack (guitars) Dave Renner (guitars) Joe Trunk (bass) Jagger (vocals)
PALOOKA is big thick two-guitar rock the way God intended it. Hailing from Seattle, USA, singer Chuck Campbell belts out melody lines full of emotion and purpose with tenacity. Chris Quinn and Glen Logan trade flurries of devastating and searing guitar punches reminiscent of a barroom brawl. All of which sits on the rock-solid pounding foundation built on the talents of Howard Binner on bass and the percussive mauler Jason Reavis on drums.
This powerhouse of rock has been making waves since their debut album “What’s Wrong With Wanting Everything” in 2011. They have come a long way since then and their forthcoming 2024 EP “Save Yourself” promises to deliver the heavy dose of rock that you need. The first look at this EP is with the title track, which the band comments on:
“Save Yourself speaks to those moments in life where one comes to the realization that the way through a particular event or situation is purely up to us as individuals. The metaphoric cavalry isn’t coming, we are on our own and the only way forward is through.”
PALOOKA goes on to explain that as fans of a wide assortment of genres, they channeled their influences into an energy and intensity that is all their own. They made a point to push their boundaries and across the EP listeners can expect to hear elements of metal, blues, 70’s rock, grunge, alternative, and more.
Mostly written throughout the pandemic, the songs on “Save Yourself” were born from the unique environment of physical isolation, which not only left its mark on the personal themes of the songs but also played a pivotal role in the collaborative process. Interestingly, PALOOKA didn’t consciously decide on the track lineup. Instead, the songs, along with the circumstances that led to their creation, organically determined which songs found their place on “Save Yourself”. Loud, classic, and accessible PALOOKA is recommended for fans of Cheap Trick, Alice in Chains, and AC/DC.
Watch the music video for “Save Yourself” via its premiere on Bravewords HERE.
Finnish masters of melancholy and haunting melodies INSOMNIUM are teaming up with their friends from highspeed melodic death virtuosi OMNIUM GATHERUM, for 25 nights of gloom and sinister anthems in North America.
Both bands have been two prime examples of exceptional melodeath originating from Europe’s freezing North and have gained a massive following over the years through their captivating sound that combines blistering guitar riffs, thunderous drumming, and guttural vocals. For years, the American and Canadian fans have been waiting for the combo of “Insomnium Gatherum” to hit the road together again after the pandemic-related cancellation in 2020 and now, with no more virus in sight, it will finally happen in April and May 2024.
WILDERUN, hailing from Boston, will join as support with their unique mélange of prog and folk metal.
Tickets and VIP options for this melodic-deadly-combo are on sale at: insomnium.net/tour
Hauntologist, a new project established by black metal stalwarts The Fall and Darkside, will release its debut album on 2 February via No Solace on CD and digital formats. To get a taste of the upcoming album, the band has released the first single “Ozymandian”.
Although the material is only about to be released now, the roots of the project go back many years and due to the band members’ busy schedules, they were waiting for the right time to unleash their creativity. The Fall – known for his work with Owls Woods Graves, Over the Voids… and as a live bassist for Mgła – and Darkside – known as the Mgła and Kriegsmaschine drummer – decided to venture further than the typical and conventional boundaries of black metal in their musical exploration.
Over the years, the band has undergone numerous clinical deaths and reanimations but eventually recorded their debut “Hollow” in 2023. Deeply rooted in negative metal music, it leans toward other genres and forms of expression to seek musical analogies of sleepless nights and surreal, anxiety-provoking hallucinations.
“Hollow” could be described as a field recording of a feverish nightmare. Despite its metal foundations, the music on “Hollow” constantly turns into side streets of other, often difficult to term and locate, music genres. It is an album built on the foundation of rubble and debris of visions that developed and died back throughout the years. The documentation of spirit decay and life slipping through the fingers.
Hauntologist – Hollow artwork
“Hollow” – tracklist:
Ozymandian
Golem
Waves of Concrete
Deathdreamer
Hollow
Autonomy
Gardermoen
Car Kruków
Hauntologist are: The Fall – Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Keys Darkside – Drums
Bay Area thrash icons VIO-LENCE will return to the stage this April for a special eight-date headlining tour featuring the band performing their classic 1988-released debut full-length Eternal Nightmare in its entirety!
The tour runs from April 5th in Cambridge, Massachusetts through April 13th in Chicago, Illinois. Support will be provided by Exhorder, Deceased, and Mortal Wound. Tickets are on sale now. See all confirmed dates below.
VIO-LENCE w/ Exhorder, Deceased, Mortal Wound: 4/05/2024 Middle East / Downstairs – Cambridge, MA 4/06/2024 Monarch – Brooklyn, NY 4/07/2024 Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA 4/08/2024 The Ottobar – Baltimore, MD 4/10/2024 The Winchester – Cleveland, OH 4/11/2024 Legends Bar & Venue – Cincinnati, OH 4/12/2024 Sanctuary – Detroit, MI 4/13/2024 Reggies – Chicago, IL
Formed in 1985, Oakland thrashers VIO-LENCE helped define and refine what came to be known as the Bay Area sound, dropping three seminal albums before splitting in 1993. Leaving behind a heady legacy, they briefly reformed a handful of times in the intervening years before becoming a full-time band once more in 2019.
After playing a string of successful shows, the quintet delivered Let The World Burn in 2022, a five-song EP showcasing their first new material in twenty-nine years. Delivering on the classic VIO-LENCE sound, Let The World Burn was tracked in Trident Studios in Pacheco, California by Juan Urteaga (Machine Head, Exodus), mixed by Tue Madsen (Dark Tranquillity, Heaven Shall Burn), and mastered by Ted Jensen (Alice In Chains, Death Angel).
“The missing link between Ronnie James Dio and Christina Aguilera”. That’s how Athens born ANDRY LAGIOU describes herself as a vocalist. A former runner-up on The Voice of Greece and frontwoman of The Harps, she has decided to embark on a solo career and will be just ANDRY.
Being a well-known name on the international metal scene, her highly anticipated debut album ‘Skies’ will be released on February 16 2024 through Baby Mistress Records.
The first single, for the title-track ‘Skies’ is out now and available on all streaming platforms via The Orchard, at https://orcd.co/skies.
Skies’, the hard-hitting title track of the album is an important song for Andry and close to her heart: “Skies is about empowerment and rising through the ashes of a nuclear war having many allegories of female abuse and my personal life. The artwork of the album is inspired by the space and how it might look in the future. Since you can’t live in the past it is consoling to dream about the future and about the changes it will bring.”
Andry is much more than just a singer… songwriter, guitar player, feminist. She first appeared on the scene in 2013, when she founded her band The Harps but it was in 2017 when she took Greece by storm after winning a blind audition on The Voice, covering a spectacular version of Deep Purple’s ‘Burn’. The video garnered more than one million views on YouTube (see below). After finishing as the runner-up at The Voice of Greece, Andry released the album ‘Love Strikes Doves’ with The Harps and was featured as guest vocalist on several albums, including The Vivaldi Metal Project and prog metal act Pyramid, where she duetted with Tim Ripper Owens on the smash song ‘Stygma’.
By 2022 Andry decided to take fate in her own hand and wrote and recorded her first solo-album ‘Skies’. Mixed by sound wizard Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Winery Dogs, Steel Panther), the album features contributions from Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, Winery Dogs, David Lee Roth), Mike Lepond (Symphony X), Russell Gilbrook (Uriah Heep) and Stephen Platt (Devin Townsend).
Most of all, ‘Skies’ contains the amazing vocal and songwriting talents of Andry, a strong and confident woman who has taken control of her own career… and life: “One choses her own destiny. Are you a slave to your emotions or your goals? Life is like a jungle, you eat or you’ll be eaten.”
With the imminent release of her album, Andry has put a kick-ass live band together to take her music to live stages across Europe and beyond. Her tour will start in January with shows in the Benelux.
Next confirmed shows: 14-01-2024: The Church – Almelo (TRY OUT) – NL 16-01-2024: De Lantaarn – Hellendoorn (NL) 18-01-2024: Eurosonic 2024 -Simplon Groningen (ESNS EXTRA) – NL 20-01-2024: Iduna – Drachten – NL 27-01-2024: Rockbox – Claussen – Lux
Live-band: Andry – vocals Ivan Keller – guitar Hans in ’t Zandt – drums Robin van der Bor – bass Fab Jablonski – keyboards
Today, Atomic Fire Records proudly welcomes St. Louis metal powerhouse VOIDGAZER to their label family.
Comments the band, “VOIDGAZER is beyond fired up to join the roster of Atomic Fire Records and stand shoulder to shoulder not only with bands that defined entire genres, but also other up and comers also out to prove something to the world. We think we are in the right place at the right time to help rewrite the rules the way our predecessors did. With their DNA pumping through our veins, and the global vision of Atomic Fire Records behind us, VOIDGAZER is ready to write our own chapter in heavy metal history.”
Founded in late 2015 by mastermind Manny Watts, extreme prog merchants VOIDGAZER released their debut EP, Years Of Exile, the following year. The band jammed around the Midwest over the next three years, naturally evolving the music and band until the current lineup. Although they first played together in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic forced them put their live performances on ice as well as hit pause on the release of their second EP, Dance Of The Undesirables. They initially planned a large release campaign for the offering but ultimately only pressed enough copies to cover their last few scheduled live performances. It was during this down time that Atomic Fire Records took interest in VOIDGAZER‘s vision and offered them an international recording contract.
To seal the deal, Dance Of The Undesirables will be released early next year with additional new material. Stay tuned for details…
Finnish industrial flavored metal act Kaos Krew has released their sixth full length album Blackout, on December 15th 2023.
Kaos Krew is a musical project from Finland that mixes hard rock and metal with influences from the industrial scene. The band is basically a one-man project by Ulf Skog.
The studio work is mainly done by Ulf Skog who also writes all the songs. A great deal of guest musicians has appeared both live and on the records.
“The album as such is not a concept album but consists of songs written during the period of possible energy crisis, therefor the title ‘Blackout’.” Ulf Skog comments on the album.
Helsinki’s favorite vampires, THE 69 EYES, will return to US stages this Spring on the Death Of Darkness USA Tour 2024. The sixteen-date journey runs from March 26th through April 13th and includes support provided by The Bites and Budderside. Tickets are on sale now! See all confirmed dates below.
THE 69 EYES will be touring in support of their critically lauded, thirteenth studio album, Death Of Darkness, released last April via Atomic Fire Records. The record continues to galvanize fans and critics globally resulting in an award nomination at Finland’s Emma Gaala (Finnish Grammy Award equivalent) in the “Best Rock” category. Emma Gaala will be held on February 17th at Metro Areena in Espoo. Fans can now vote HERE; for a complete list of this year’s nominees, visit emmagaala.fi.
THE 69 EYES w/ The Bites, Budderside: 3/26/2024 Empire Live – Albany, NY 3/27/2024 Rec Room – Buffalo, NY 3/28/2024 The Winchester Music Tavern – Cleveland, OH 3/29/2024 The Machine Shop Concert Lounge – Flint, MI 3/30/2024 Reggies – Chicago, IL [Tickets] 3/31/2024 The Basement East – Nashville, TN 4/02/2024 The Radio Room – Greenville, SC 4/03/2024 Open Chord Stage – Knoxville, TN 4/04/2024 The King Of Clubs – Columbus, OH 4/06/2024 Crafthouse Stage & Grill – Pittsburgh, PA 4/07/2024 Lovedraft’s Brewing Co. – Mechanicsburg, PA 4/08/2024 Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA 4/10/2024 Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA 4/11/2024 Tally Ho Theater – Leesburg, VA 4/12/2024 Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY 4/13/2024 Dingbatz – Clifton, NJ
Photo by Julius Konttinen
THE 69 EYES earned platinum status with the albums Blessed Be (2000) and Paris Kills (2022) and not only reached #1 of the single and album charts in their home country of Finland, but also plunged the world into a sinful cosmos of love, death, and melancholy, while outliving any other band emerging from the goth hype of the early 2000s. By developing their sound further into sleaze rock on Devils (2004) and Angels (2007) and not shying away from pitch black Elvis allusions in singer Jyrki 69’s dark voice and unique onstage dance moves, the band has established a worldwide following. Over the course of more than three decades, the band has toured relentlessly throughout Europe, America, Asia, and Australia and released twelve full-length studio albums.
Sprawling across ten lavishly dark, effortlessly cool tracks, THE 69 EYES‘ Death Of Darkness is one of their most flawless and consistent offerings bearing a title that’s of course both stylish and symbolic, much like the music they create. 2023 is a far cry from the early days of the new millennium when gothic rock bands emerged from every graveyard and Finnish vampires stormed the charts around the world. However, the spirit of a world-class record like Death Of Darkness, the sheer passion and the enticing mystery, the suspense, and the smirk, are still very much alive.
Kyiv (UA) – After a long silence, Ukrainian Brutal Death Metal quartet SCHIZOGEN have released a lyric video new single “Out of the Light,” courtesy of Slam Worldwide YouTube Channel. The song will appear on the band’s forthcoming, as yet untitled, third album, which will be released on WillowtipRecords. The video is available at: youtu.be/wFkRsQExeWI
“The single was written before the full-scale war that followed Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine,” the band explains. “So it took much longer than we would have liked, but we hope you will appreciate the result. We are not going to tell you what this song is about, what meanings and feelings we put into it, because in our opinion everything is very individual. That is why the release is in the form of a lyric video, where everyone can familiarize themselves with the lyrics while listening to the composition, experience it with us and get their own emotions, their own vision of the meanings embedded in this track.”
SCHIZOGEN goes on to say that, “We want to remind you and ask you not to forget that every day our best people bravely and steadfastly choose their freedom over the threat of losing their existence due to the aggression of a hostile totalitarian regime that wants to destroy us at any cost. Your support is very important to us! Glory to Ukraine!”
In a thrilling announcement for rock and metal fans, the legendary bands VOÏVOD and PRONG are delighted to confirm their much-anticipated co-headline tour, set to take place in 2024. This tour marks a reunion of sorts for the two bands, who have long admired each other’s work and have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to hit the road together once again.
Tickets will be available at 12pm EST on Friday, December 15th and can be purchased here: https://voivod.com/en/shows
The decision to embark on this tour was an easy one for both bands, united by their fresh and acclaimed new records. VOÏVOD, the Canadian heavy metal connoisseurs, recently released their latest album, Morgoth Tales, under the banners of Century Media, The Orchard, and Sony Music. This record is a testament to their enduring impact in the metal scene, showcasing their evolution and prowess.
Furthermore, Voïvod‘s 2022 release, Synchro Anarchy, has garnered significant acclaim, winning the 2023 Juno Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Album in Canada. This recognition is a clear indicator of Voïvod’s undiminished skill and relevance in the genre.
The upcoming tour promises to be an exhilarating experience, as both VOÏVOD and PRONG are known for their dynamic and powerful live performances. Fans can expect a blend of new hits and classic favorites, delivered with the raw energy and passion that both bands are renowned for.
VOÏVOD and PRONG Full Dates: Wed 2/28/24 – Columbus, OH – King of Clubs Thu 2/29/24 – Milwaukie, WI – The Rave Fri 3/1/24 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater Sat 3/2/24 – Kansas City, MO – recordBar Sun 3/3/24 – Denver, CO – Oriental Theater Mon 3/4/24 – South Salt Lake, UT – The Commonwealth Room Wed 3/6/24 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom Thu 3/7/24 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon Fri 3/8/24 – Eugene, OR – John Henry’s Sat 3/9/24 – Berkeley, CA – The UC Theatre Sun 3/10/24 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre Tue 3/12/24 – San Diego, CA – Brick by Brick Wed 3/13/24 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren Fri 3/15/24 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater Sat 3/16/24 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom Sun 3/17/24 – St. Louis, MO – The Golden Record Wed 3/20/24 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall Thu 3/21/24 – Fort Wayne, IN – Piere’s Entertainment Center Fri 3/22/24 – Knoxville, TN – The Concourse Sun 3/24/24 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theater
Tickets will be available at 12pm EST on Friday, December 15th and can be purchased here: https://voivod.com/en/shows
Other previously announced, upcoming VOÏVOD live dates are as follows:
VOÏVOD – Live 2023/2024: Sat 12/16/23 – Laval, QC – Place Bell + Meshuggah & In Flames Fri 2/23/24 – Joliette, QC – Centre Culturel Desjardins Sat 2/24/24 – Saint-Hyacinthe, QC – Centre Des Arts Juliette-Lassonde
And more international dates to be announced soon…
Stressing the band’s untamed and contagious live-energy, you can now also check out a newly released VOÏVOD live-video of their classic track “Rise” (which also appeared on the band’s 40th anniversary release “Morgöth Tales”) from the band’s appearance at this year’s Wacken Open Air festival in Germany: https://youtu.be/ue5vkaoIqFU
“Morgöth Tales” succeeded VOÏVOD’s 15th (!) much acclaimed studio album “Synchro Anarchy”, which entered sales charts upon release in early 2022 as follows: Germany # 7 (!), Switzerland # 64, Austria # 67, The Netherlands # 88, Belgium # 129, UK (Rock & Metal) # 7, Canada (Hard Music) # 2, USA Current Hard Music # 8, USA Top New Artist # 11, USA Heatseekers # 56 and USA Current Album # 67.
And stay connected for more VOÏVOD news coming soon…
VOÏVOD line-up: (From left to right on photo by Catherine Deslauriers) Michel “Away” Langevin – Drums Denis “Snake” Bélanger – Vocals Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain – Guitar Dominic “Rocky” Laroche – Bass
Finnish melodic metal titans SONATA ARCTICA deliver the perfect soundtrack for the cold season with their stormy new opus Clear Cold Beyond, set for release on March 8th, 2024 through Atomic Fire. In advance of the release, the quintet is pleased to unveil epic new single, “A Monster Only You Can’t See;” a song about friendship and never leaving anyone behind.
Frontman Tony Kakko elaborates, “We all may have, in our group of friends, that one person who seems to be a magnet for all kinds of problems, many of which they may not even see themselves. Maybe you’re that one? You might be an asshole, but you’re our asshole and we can see through all that, see the real you, and help. And when children arrive to the scene, they all fit under that same umbrella. Don’t worry. We’ll kick your butt up that hill.”
Watch SONATA ARCTICA’s lyric video for “A Monster Only You Can’t See” HERE. Stream/purchase the track HERE.
Stream previously released single “First In Line” at THIS LOCATION.
Clear Cold Beyond will be available on digipak CD, jewel case CD (US), 2XLP on multiple color variants, and digitally.
Preorder the album in the physical format of your choice, presave it on your favorite DSP, or preorder it digitally to receive “A Monster Only You Can’t See” and “First In Line” instantly at sonataarctica.afr.link/clearcoldbeyondPR.
Subscribe to Atomic Fire Records on YouTube HERE and listen to “A Monster Only You Can’t See” as well as other new tracks in the AFR New Releases playlist on Spotify HERE.
SONATA ARCTICA: Tony Kakko – vocals Elias Viljanen – guitars Pasi Kauppinen – bass Henrik “Henkka” Klingenberg – keyboards Tommy Portimo – drums
Following their trip through various acoustic landscapes during the pandemic, Clear Cold Beyond contains ten tracks reviving SONATA ARCTICA’s penchant for power metal-esque songwriting. From high-speed anthems such as “First In Line” and “California” to emotion-laden tracks like “The Best Things” and the closing title track, the record offers something for each and every SONATA ARCTICA fan. The album’s artwork, reminiscent of the art adorning early releases, was created by Niko Anttila. Additionally, the band returned to mixing engineer Mikko Karmila (1999’s Ecliptica, 2012’s Stones Grow Her Name). Final mastering was handled by Svante Forsbäck (Rammstein, Korpiklaani, Delain, The 69 Eyes, Deathstars) who has also been part of other SONATA ARCTICA productions.
Following their latest, chart-topping album, Invincible (available HERE!), that entered a phenomenal #1 in the Swiss album charts, SHAKRA return with another musical encore! While Christmas time is approaching, the Swiss hard rockers are now premiering a video clip for their new single “Angels Landing“!
“Angels Landing” – a sonic odyssey at the threshold of longing and fulfillment.” The band states. “This song is a rock anthem for the rediscovery of lost hearts, inviting you to a rendezvous at a mythical place: where only angels dare to land. Are you ready for the landing?”
The new SHAKRA track “Angels Landing” is out now on all digital services at THIS LOCATION!
“You are invincible — You can achieve anything, not if you believe in it, but if you know it…and that makes you invincible!” That’s the core message of the band’s latest album offering, Invincible, that was lauded by both rock fans and critics alike. Released in June 2023 via AFM Records, SHAKRA have proved why they are not only invincible but belong to one of the most enthralling, powerful acts the hard and heavy rock scene has to offer!
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