Archive for Heavy Metal

Unique True Metal Duo VISION MASTER Releasing “Sceptre” In August On Gates of Hell Records

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, music videos, news with tags , , , , , , , , on June 24, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

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.

Stream album opener “Wolves in the Shadows” at: youtu.be/W9aYb4ru9RU

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.

Pre-order:

CD: https://tinyurl.com/knpak927

Vinyl (Crystal, Neon Black): https://tinyurl.com/32zp2vmc

Bandcamp: https://visionmaster.bandcamp.com/album/sceptre

Track Listing:

  1. Wolves in the Shadows
  2. Wet Net
  3. Gossamer Sky
  4. Knife in a Velvet Glove
  5. Walls of Bone
  6. Sandstone
  7. Arc Terminal X
  8. Dust Within
  9. Beyond
  10. Thin Veil

gatesofhellrecords.com

facebook.com/gatesofhellrecords

cruzdelsurmusic.bandcamp.com

Source: ClawHammer PR

CANINE – Release New Single “Mad For The Dead”

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , on June 22, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Israeli metalcore warriors CANINE have released their latest single, “Mad For The Dead”, on June 21, 2023. This is the third of many planned singles, leading up to their second full-length, Perception, due out early 2024.

The band comments on the single: “‘Mad For The Dead’ is our take on the inability to let go of a loved one, taking heavy inspiration from Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary”. If you had the power to revive that loved one, not knowing the ramifications of your actions. Would you?”

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/WQ-GwiPdfIg

Since forming in 2009 in Modiin, Israel, CANINE have been making a name for themselves by defying convention, creating their own distinct sound and never settling for anything that was just run of the mill or ordinary. Rather, the band have stretched the boundaries of their sound, through the trials of line-up changes and military service in the IDF. CANINE has established themselves as a powerhouse of the metalcore scene, while incorporating a healthy dose of groove metal, nu-metal and post-hardcore into their signature sound.

In November 2017, CANINE released their debut The Uprising and immediately set out on tour throughout Israel.

As CANINE breaks new ground and forges ahead in their career, they will do so with a sense of determination and defiance. Throughout 2023, the band will explore themes of addiction, depression, the weaponized power of religion, but mostly chasing your dreams no matter the circumstances, trusting in your friends and loved ones and never backing down.

After 4 years of intense work in the studio, experimenting with different production methods and recording techniques, as well as many personal hurdles, Perception was born and will be released in 2024 marking a new page in the band’s career, both sonically and aesthetically.

CANINE is:

Ben Saada – Vocals
Eliav Torjman – Guitars
Nir Leberstein – Drums
Ilya Kislitsin – Bass

Connect with CANINE: 

Website: canineband.com

Source: C Squared Music

WOODEN VEINS – Chilean Melodic Doom Metallers Premiere New Album “Imploding Waves”

Posted in doom metal, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , on June 20, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Chilean melodic doom metallers WOODEN VEINS will be releasing their new album, “Imploding Waves”, on June 23rd 2023 via Ardua Music.

Today, Everything Is Noise is hosting the album’s official premiere. Stream “Imploding Veins” in its entirety at THIS LOCATION.

WOODEN VEINS, formed by Chilean musicians mostly based in European countries, engages in classic melodic doom metal, combining it with progressive and gothic elements, exploring even further as they bring more heaviness and even some latin flavour into their sound.

“In Finitude”, their debut album (The Vinyl Division), released in 2021, got an excellent response from the media, ranking the album in many lists as one of the best of 2021, in specialised press and was even nominated for the best Metal Album in the Premios Pulsar Chile, the biggest Music Award for Chilean Music.

Now WOODEN VEINS present us their second album “Imploding Waves”, a more complex and refined work. This time the Chileans took a more progressive approach, expanding their stylistic boundaries, mixing darker, heavier and faster passages into their distinctive melodic and atmospheric elements.

“It’s about dreams, death and change, the mixture of these elements and their manifestation in ourselves and the world around us.”

“Imploding Waves”
was recorded in Chile, Czech Republic, Spain and Germany, between July and October 2022.
The album was mixed by Juan Escobar at Vultura Studio in Plzen, CZ and mastered by Sebastian Puente at Audiocustom, CL. The artwork is once again by French artist Valnoir from Metastazis.

Tracklist:
01 – Dreamside Death
02 – Tearing Seas
03 – The Dreamer
04 – L´apell du Vide
05 – Skies
06 – Ganymede
07 – Kaimerah
08 – Broken World
09 – Vuelavá
10 – Calling

Line-up:
Javier Cerda – Vocals
Juan Escobar – Guitar
Eduardo Poblete – Keys
Juan Diaz – Bass
Alberto Atalah – Drums

https://woodenveins.bandcamp.com

https://www.arduamusic.com/

http://arduamusic.bandcamp.com/

ALICE COOPER – Announces New Studio Album “Road” Releasing On August 25th!

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , on June 18, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

From: https://www.ear-music.net/

Alice Cooper revs up as loudly as ever on his latest solo album Road. Produced by longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin, it’s written, composed and recorded with his trusted, longtime bandmates – Ryan Roxie [guitar], Chuck Garric [bass], Tommy Henrikson [guitar], Glen Sobel [drums], and Nita Strauss [guitar]. “Roadchannels the spirit of old school Alice with instantly recognizable grit and plenty of gusto. It’s everything you’d hope for from him and more.

“For Road, I wanted the band to be involved in the foundation of all the songs,” says Alice. “I only see these guys when we’re on the road. So, I wanted them to be as tight as they are for the show but on all new material. When you have a band this good, I believe in showing it off, and this is my way of doing so.”

The album opener and first single “I’m Alice” sets the tone for the album with its driving drumbeat as guitars wail in the distance. Alice’s instantly recognizable rasp takes hold, “I know you’re looking for a real good time. So, let me introduce you to a friend of mine. I’m Alice. I’m the Master of Madness; the Sultan of Surprise…so don’t be afraid, just look into my eyes.”

“Road” is going to be released on August 25th, 2023 on earMUSIC in a wide variety of formats and limited vinyl colors. Complementing the album’s theme, the bonus DVD/Blu-ray comes with Alice Cooper’s full live show at Hellfest 2022 and includes all the classics and rarely played gems.

Below info from: AliceCooper.com:

Album Features: Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Keith Nelson (Buckcherry) and Kane Roberts

Track listing (CD):

01. I’m Alice
02. Welcome To The Show
03. All Over The World
04. Dead Don’t Dance
05. Go Away
06. White Line Frankenstein
07. Big Boots
08. Rules Of The Road
09. The Big Goodbye
10. Road Rats Forever
11. Baby Please Don’t Go
12. 100 More Miles
13. Magic Bus

Tracklisting (DVD – Live at Hellfest 2022):

01. Feed My Frankenstein (Live at Hellfest)
02. No More Mr. Nice Guy (Live at Hellfest)
03. Bed Of Nails (Live at Hellfest)
04. Hey Stoopid (Live at Hellfest)
05. Fallen In Love (Live at Hellfest)
06. Go Man Go (Live at Hellfest)
07. Guitar Solo by Nita Strauss (Live at Hellfest)
08. Roses On White Lace (Live at Hellfest)
09. I’m Eighteen (Live at Hellfest)
10. Poison (Live at Hellfest)
11. Billion Dollar Babies (Live at Hellfest)
12. The Black Widow Jam (Live at Hellfest)
13. Steven (Live at Hellfest)
14. Dead Babies (Live at Hellfest)
15. I Love The Dead (Live at Hellfest)
16. Escape (Live at Hellfest)
17. School’s Out (Live at Hellfest)

UFO (UAP) Themes On Rock And Metal Album Covers: Through The Years Part 3

Posted in album covers, classic rock, classic rock bands, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Music, music news, news, uaps, ufos with tags , , , , , , , , , on June 17, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

VOIVOD – ‘MORGOTH TALES’ (2023)

Might as well start our UFO album covers off with the Sci-Fi legends of Metal themselves: VOIVOD. ‘Morgoth Tales’ is an album of re-recordings from the bands’ back catalogue of great albums and will be released on July 21st via Century Media Records.

HYPOCRISY – ‘WORSHIP’ (2021)

Swedish Death Metal juggernaut HYPOCRISY really went all out on the Ancient Alien theory with this album cover for their thirteenth studio album: ‘WORSHIP’.

Crosby Stills & Nash – ‘Daylight Again(1982)

Yup. Even Crosby Stills & Nash couldn’t resist a UFO theme for an album cover.

BOSTON – ‘WALK ON’ (1994)

The iconic BOSTON spaceship has graced every one of their album covers. We’ve highlighted three other BOSTON album covers in our past UFO posts and WALK ON’ gets the nod this time around.

PARLIAMENT – ‘5 Classic Albums(2016)

The slipcase cover for this 5 CD set of classic albums from Parliament surely shows a UFO floating around! Then again it’s only fitting; for this band spread their Funk all over the Universe!

Thank you for checking out this crazy post! Keep your eyes to the sky! 👀

JAMES RIVERA’S METAL WAVE Premieres DEPECHE MODE Cover & Announces “New Wave Gone Metal” Album!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, music videos, news with tags , , , , , , , , on June 16, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

For those who love 80’s new wave and/or 80’s metal, stand in the light of the darkness, and testify… your time is at hand! Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to JAMES RIVERA’S METAL WAVE!

Fronted by the iconic Helstar singer James Rivera, the band will release their much-awaited album, entitled New Wave Gone Metal, on July 28, 2023 via Massacre Records. Get ready for the embrace of metallic, dark, epic and euphoric cover versions of songs by some of the greatest bands of the new wave/dark wave era!

James Rivera comments:
“Make no mistake that to this day I still love each of these songs in the original forms but I have to admit now that we did them in our own metal way, it’s hard for me to listen to them as they were and I know once these new wave classics sink their teeth into you metal wave style, you’ll never listen to them the same either!”

Get a taste of what metal wave sounds like, today, JAMES RIVERA’S METAL WAVE has unleashed a music video for their first album single, a crushing heavy metal cover of the Depeche Mode classic “Black Celebration”! Watch the clip now premiering HERE

“As for “Black Celebration” it is a kind of a funny story as well as very memorable and the beginning for my passion of Dark Wave,” James reveals.

“Back in the late summer of 1985 when we had just finished recording “Remnants of War” with Helstar, we had an amusement park here in Houston called Astroworld/ Six Flags and they had free concerts. So if you bought a ticket to the park you could go to the concert afterwards.

Back then it was taboo, if you were a metal head, to listen to that kind of music and vice versa. You practically got your ass kicked by your gang of metal heads. So our whole point even more so now was go and terrorize the nerdy New Wavers, wearing our denim vests with the metal patches with the big one on the back being the Venom one “Welcome to Hell”!” He continues: “We enter the concert grounds and Larry Barragan turns to me and says “Wow dude! These people look more dead than we do!” And as I’m looking around, yep! Everyone is in black from head to toe and dead pale white!! If that wasn’t enough now, Depeche Mode is getting ready to the hit the stage. The stage is completely black, their intro starts, the fog is massive and there is this huge white sheet in front of the entire stage. (which now years later I found it’s called a kabuki drop and we use one when we can for our Metal Wave shows for the beginning). Then the red lights come on and all you see is 4 black silhouettes while they are playing the eerie beginning of “Black Celebration”. When the beat hits, the kabuki drops and then there is the band!! We were floored!!! It was like seeing a King Diamond show but a Dark Wave version of it! We ran up to the front as close as we could and flashed the metal horns to the band and I’ve been in love with this band ever since and the rest is history.

On top of it being the very first song we rearranged and recorded for Metal Wave, that is why it had to be our first more official video for the record and opening track for it!”

New Wave Gone Metal was mixed by Larry Barragan at the Hombre Malo Studio, and was mastered by Robert Colwell at Bombworks Sound Studio. Slated for a release as CD Digipak , Ltd. Vinyl LP and Digital formats on July 28, 2023 through Massacre Records, the pre-sale has just started at THIS LOCATION!

New Wave Gone Metal – track listing:

  1. Black Celebration
  2. Love My Way
  3. Lovesong
  4. Shock The Monkey
  5. Black Planet
  6. Everybody Wants To Rule The World
  7. Bela Lugosi’s Dead
  8. The Killing Moon
  9. Pet Sematary
  10. Rain

Album Line-Up:
James “Vampiro” Rivera – Vocals
Larry Barragan – Guitars
Maurice Eggenschwiler – Guitars
Garrick Smith – Bass
Rene Luna – Drums

Guest Musician:
Jan Kimmel – Hammond Organ, Backing Vocals & Co-Lead Vocals on “Rain”

Source: Massacre Records

True To Metal Part One – ‘Blizzard Of Ozz’ And ‘Mob Rules’

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on June 15, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Back in 1981, I was a freshman in high school. My buddy Scott introduced me to the albums Blizzard Of Ozz and Mob Rules. Seriously, my life changed forever. For those that never lived this era, the feeling and vibe of these albums being newly released was nothing short of ecstasy.

I worry that younger generations of Metalheads will never fully understand the full magnitude of Blizzard O Ozz and Mobb Rules on the Metal spectrum back in 1981. Yes, Ozzy Osbourne is a mainstream figure today. Yes, Randy Rhoads will forever be an iconic Metal guitarist. What I want to scream out loud for the universe to here is that the rhythm section of Blizzard Of Ozz was a once in a lifetime duo of Bob Daisley on bass and the late Lee Kerslake on drums.

Bob Daisley wrote the songs AND lyrics for Blizzard Of Ozz. No debate. Fact. Please, just do the research to know the truth. Regardless, Ozzy was the singer that was so unique for its time and is still to this day. I believe each member of Blizzard Of Ozz were honestly dependent on each other; they were a group that will never again be matched. They’re vibe as a cohesive group is to be emulated. Forever.

Now, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward countered with Mob Rules. With Ronnie James Dio recruited as the new lead singer of Black Sabbath, the evolution of Metal will forever be changed for the better, in my Metal opinion. Now, the Black Sabbath album Heaven And Hell was already released a year earlier and set the bar for the new era of Metal. Regardless, Mob Rules solidified the impact that this new era of Black Sabbath was about.

My main objective with this post is to remind seasoned Metalheads and/or let the younger generations of Metalheads that 1981 was a pulsar of Metal history due to Blizzard Of Ozz and Black Sabbath. These albums have stood the test of time. Heck, these albums are better than most Metal albums released since then.

Metal Be Thy Name. Stone.

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER Announces Fall Headlining Dates With Chelsea Grin, 200 Stab Wounds, And Gates To Hell; Tickets On Sale This Friday!

Posted in Death Metal, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , on June 13, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo by Shimon Karmel

Following their wildly successful Verminous Remnant Spring headlining tour, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER today announces a final bout of shows before returning to the studio to complete their next studio album. The short journey, which begins on September 8th at Blue Ridge Rock Fest in Alton, Virginia and closes on September 16th at the New England Metal Fest in Worcester, Massachusetts, includes a performance alongside Lamb Of God in Pikeville, Kentucky. Support will be provided by Chelsea Grin, Gates To Hell, and labelmates, 200 Stab Wounds, on select shows. Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 16th at 10:00am local time. See all confirmed dates below.

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER w/ Chelsea Grin, 200 Stab Wounds, Gates To Hell:
9/08/2023 Blue Ridge Rock Fest – Alton, VA *
9/09/2023 The Concourse – Knoxville, TN
9/10/2023 Mercury Ballroom – Louisville, KY
9/11/2023 Appalachian Wireless Arena – Pikeville, KY w/Lamb Of God, After The Burial, Alpha Wolf *
9/12/2023 The King Of Clubs – Columbus, OH
9/14/2023 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
9/15/2023 Reverb – Reading, PA
9/16/2023 New England Metal Fest – Worcester, MA

  • THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER only

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER’s most recent full-length, Verminous, was released in 2020 via Metal Blade Records. Without compromising a scrap of heaviness, the record stands among the band’s most dynamic, rousing, and emotional releases to date. Louder Sound crowned Verminous, “absolutely excellent,” while Blabbermouth wrote, “This is a deeper and smarter realization of the Michigan crew’s tried and tested formula, and one blessed with several of the finest songs they have ever written… File next to Nocturnal and Ritual as an unquestionable career peak.” To preview and purchase the record, visit metalblade.com/tbdm.

Source: EARSPLIT PR

German Power Metal Force IRON SAVIOR Announces Brand New Album & Shares Title Track: “Firestar”!

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news, Power Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , on June 10, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Following their latest, much-acclaimed offering, Reforged – Ironbound (released in 2022 via AFM Records), Hamburg-based power metal act Iron Savior has announced the release of a brand new studio album! Firestar will be out on October 6, 2023 through AFM, the pre-sale has just started at THIS LOCATION!

To shorten your wait until the full-length release, today, Iron Savior have unleashed their blistering album title track! It’s immediatly evident, “Firestar” is irresistible and with its incredible 176 bpm definitely one of the fastest songs in Iron Savior’s history to date. Says singer and guitarist Piet Sielck: “With the power of the debut, the energy of Condition Red and a massive old-school-meets-modern-soundscapes production, Firestar is a massive track that won’t leave your players for a long time. We promise!”

Watch the official lyric video for “Firestar”, now premiering HERE

The band’s upcoming album will feature a wide range of influences from hard rock to pop, all calibrated to heavy metal standards thanks to those typical Iron Savior virtues. But sometimes pure coincidence or seemingly inconspicuous little details can turn a very good album into an outstanding release. In the case of Firestar, it has come as a real surprise even for Sielck that the new songs surpass the material of the impressive 2020 album Skycrest. In fact, the cornerstones of the current offering were already set and pointed to a successful production within the tried and tested framework, when all of a sudden everything turned out rather differently: “Just before the recordings were finalised, I was inspired by the muse, totally out of the blue. I wrote two more songs out of nowhere and changed a third one on the spur of the moment. And suddenly, ‘Firestar’ turned into an even better record,” says Sielck happily, admitting that this unexpected creative surge “triggered great emotions” in him.

Iron Savior have again come up with an exceptional studio album in Firestar, enhanced by Felipe Machado Franco’s impressive cover artwork presenting the Iron Savior spaceship that has been around 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!

Firestar track listing:

  1. The Titan
  2. Curse of the Machinery
  3. In the Realm of Heavy Metal
  4. Demise of the Tyrant
  5. Firestar
  6. Through the Fires of Hell
  7. Mask, Cloak and Sword
  8. Across the Wastelands
  9. Rising from Ashes
  10. Nothing Is Forever
  11. Together as One

IRON SAVIOR:
Piet Sielck (vocals, guitars)
Joachim “Piesel” Küstner (guitars)
Jan S. Eckert (bass)
Patrick Klose (drums)

IRON SAVIOR Live:
09.06.23 Hellpdays, Olmutz (CZ)
30.06.23 Midalidare, Rock in the Vine Valley (BGR)
01.07.23 Fahrendorf Open Air, Fahrendorf (D)
26.08.2023 Steel Fest, Stalowa Wola (POL)
02.09.23 1000Fryd, Aalborg tba (DK)
09.09.23 Kubana, Siegburg (D)

STRATOVARIUS And SONATA ARCTICA – Nordic Power Metal Titans Tour 2023 – October/November Dates, Cities & Venues

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news, Power Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , on June 6, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

October 14, 2023 | Northern Rockfest | Umeå, Sweden
October 15, 2023 | Cozmoz Arena | Borlänge, Sweden
October 16, 2023 | Vulkan Arena| Oslo, Norway
October 17, 2023 | Trädgår’n | Gothenburg, Sweden
October 19, 2023 | Slaktkyrkan | Stockholm, Sweden
October 20, 2023 | Gimle | Roskilde, Denmark
October 20, 2023 | Kulturpalast | Hamburg, Germany
October 22, 2023 | Hellraiser | Leipzig, Germany
October 24, 2023 | TivoliVredenburg (Ronda) | Utrecht, Netherlands
October 25, 2023 | Garage | Saarbrücken, Germany
October 26, 2023 | Bataclan | Paris, France
October 27, 2023 | Konzertfabrik Z7 | Pratteln, Switzerland
October 28, 2023 | Alcatraz | Milan, Italy October 30, 2023 | Backstage | Munich, Germany
October 31, 2023 | Szene | Vienna, Austria November 1, 2023 | Barba Negra | Budapest, Hungary
November 3, 2023 | Fuzz Club | Athens, Greece
November 4, 2023 | Principal Club Theater | Thessaloniki, Greece
November 6, 2023 | FORM Space | Cluj-Napoca, Romania
November 7, 2023 | Quantic | Bucharest, Romania
November 10, 2023 | Colos-Saal | Aschaffenburg, Germany
November 12, 2023 | Matrix | Bochum, Germany

BATTLE BEAST – Added To PROGPOWER USA LINEUP

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music festivals, music news, news, Power Metal with tags , , , , , , , , on June 6, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Finnish heavy metal sextet BATTLE BEAST will be bringing their Circus of Doom to town and playing Day 3 (Sept. 8) of ProgPower USA. They will be replacing WIND ROSE. Tickets are still available for days 1 & 2 of the festival. 

ProgPower USA is a progressive and power metal festival held annually in the United States since 2001. Its upcoming edition, ProgPower USA XXII, will occur Sep 6 – Sep 9, 2023 at Center Stage Theater in Atlanta, GA. This year’s lineup features KAMELOT, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, the final USA show for POWER QUEST, and the first announced USA show for THE HALO EFFECT. Other acts include DORO, BEAST IN BLACK, SWALLOW THE SUN, VOLA, CYNIC, and more!

Day 1 | September 6
DORO
SWALLOW THE SUN
CYNIC
ELVENKING
ICE AGE

Get Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/progpower-usa-xxii-day-2-atlanta-georgia-09-07-2023/event/0E005D4CB6AB455E

Get Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/progpower-usa-xxii-day-2-atlanta-georgia-09-07-2023/event/0E005D4CB6AB455E

Day 2 | September 6
BEAST IN BLACK
VOLA
THE HALO EFFECT
ZERO HOUR
SEVEN KINGDOMS

Day 3 | September 8 – SOLD OUT

KAMELOT
CALIGULA’S HORSE
GREEN CARNATION
AD INFINITUM
BATTLE BEAST
THE CRYPTEX

Day 4 | September 9 – SOLD OUT

MYRATH
UNLEASH THE ARCHERS
DELAIN
VISIONS OF ATLANTIS
EVIL INVADERS
POVERTY’S NO CRIME

Glenn Harveston reflected, “Our festival has established itself as one of the most unique and exciting events for progressive and power metal worldwide, and the history of sales speaks for itself. I’m thankful for yet another sell-out for days 3&4, and hope the trend continues for Milton and Nathan’s shows as well.”

Milton Mendonca continued, “This year’s Day 2 roster calls back to the quintessential blend of genres that made our festival so successful to begin with. You cannot find a show like this anywhere else in the States, so last call to join the best metal party of the year.”

ProgPower USA has served as the USA debut for iconic bands like Nightwish, Blind Guardian, Epica, Kamelot and more. Tickets for days 1 & 2 of the festival have limited quantities still available. Be a part of heavy metal history and join in on ProgPower USA XXII!

Source: C Squared Music

LEGIONS OF DOOM – Dual-Vocalist Doom Metal Supergroup To Play Debut Performance In Chicago This Weekend + Band To Kick Off European Tour Later This Month

Posted in doom metal, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on June 3, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo by Krista Buford

LEGIONS OF DOOM, formerly Legion Of Doom, the doom metal supergroup featuring members of The Skull, Trouble, Saint Vitus, Corrosion Of Conformity, and more will make their debut appearance at Legions Of Metal Fest at Reggies Live in Chicago this Saturday! Later this month, the band will head overseas for performances at Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium, Hellfest in France, and more. In November, the band will play Mass Destruction Fest VI in Atlanta, Georgia with more shows to be announced in the weeks to come. See all confirmed dates below.

LEGIONS OF DOOM Live:
6/03/2023 Legions Of Metal Fest @ Reggies Live – Chicago, IL
6/14/2023 Schlachthof – Wiesbaden, DE
6/15/2023 Club Void/Effenaar – Eindhoven, NL
6/16/2023 Graspop Metal Meeting – Dessel, BE
6/18/2023 Hellfest – Clisson, FR
11/05/2023 Mass Destruction VI Fest @ The Loft – Atlanta, GA

After the untimely passing of Eric Wagner (The Skull, Trouble), one of doom metal’s most notable and esteemed singers and songwriters, The Skull bassist and bandleader, Ron Holzner (Trouble) contemplated long and hard on whether it would be possible to carry on. Nine months and a lot of soul searching later, an idea was born. “I’m not in this boat alone.”

Recalls Holzner, “I decided I want to honor the memory of Eric by still playing some of the songs that he crafted, and ones that [guitarist] Lothar [Keller] and I wrote with him in The Skull. I want his spirit to become eternal through his words and melody. And I also want to play many songs from the catalogs of everyone involved. We want to honor Eric as well as Reed Mullin [Corrosion Of Conformity], Armando Acosta [Saint Vitus], and, most recently, Mark Adams from Saint Vitus. We have all lost someone close and special to us that we have spent much time making and playing music with over the years.”

Alongside Holzner and Keller is drummer Henry Vasquez (The Skull, Saint Vitus, Blood Of The Sun), vocalists Karl Agell (Corrosion Of Conformity, Blind, Leadfoot, Lie Heavy) and Scott Reagers (Saint Vitus), and recent recruit, guitarist Scott Little (Leadfoot, Blind).

And so, LEGIONS OF DOOM has come to exist with an all-star lineup of some of doom’s most prestigious figureheads, here to share their ultimate heavy truth, taking the genre from what is known into uncharted territories.

LEGIONS OF DOOM:
Ron Holzner – bass
Lothar Keller – guitars
Henry Vasquez – drums
Karl Agell – vocals
Scott Reagers – vocals
Scott Little – guitars

Source: EARSPLIT PR

HAMMERFALL “CRIMSON THUNDER” 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CD Box Set, Autographed By The Band – I Received As A Gift!!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on June 1, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

My very best Metal buddy, Scott Coverdale, was so generous to buy for me the HAMMERFALLCRIMSON THUNDER20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY CD Box Set Autographed by the band! Whoa!! I thank Scott so very much for this gift!

Scott took his son to the HELLOWEEN and lHAMMERFALL concert back on May 20th, in New York City at Terminal 5. This is where he bought this beautiful CD box set at. Scott bought one for himself too. Also, this was his sons’ first concert ever and his all-time favorite band is… HELLOWEEN.

Crimson Thunder is HAMMERFALL’s fourth studio album. It has been remixed and remastered by Fredrik Nordström. This box set version also include’s previously unreleased pre-production tracks, a brand-new medley, live acoustic songs and a live album. Very nice.

Back cover to box set. Track-list for all 3 CDs shown.
Digipak opens as a trifold.
Front cover of liner notes. It’s jam-packed with color concert photos and anecdotes of their 2003 world tour.
Back cover of the liner notes.
CD digipak cover.

LONG LIVE HAMMERFALL

STEPHEN PEARCY – 2023 Tour Dates And Meet N’ Greet Info

Posted in 1980's heavy metal bands, Hair Metal, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , on June 1, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

The outstanding Stephen Pearcy has many concerts lined up for the remainder of 2023! As a founder and vocalist of the legendary RATT; Stephen Pearcy has also built his solo career to immense heights of success. Check out the tour dates and cities on above tour flyer! Also look into the fabulous meet N’ greet package below!

LONG LIVE STEPHEN PEARCY.

PRIMAL FEAR – Presents “Another Hero” Video/Single – “Code Red” Full-Length To Be Released September 1st Via Atomic Fire + Preorders Available

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, Music, music news, music videos, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on June 1, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo by Alex_Kuehr

German metal commandos PRIMAL FEAR are back! Following the release of their chart-topping album Metal Commando in 2020, the band returns with their eleven-track magnum opus titled Code Red, set for release on September 1st through Atomic Fire.

PRIMAL FEAR today offers up the first single and accompanying video from the record with opening song “Another Hero.” The track appropriately sets the tone for Code Red by delivering, “heavy metal in its purest form while breathing the spirit of current times,” as Rock It! (DE) Magazine’s Jürgen Will stated after an advance listen to the record.

Vocalist Ralf Scheepers elaborates on the song’s lyrical topic, “Sometimes I wish there would be ‘Another Hero’ who shows mankind how to get along with each other in peace and harmony.”

Watch PRIMAL FEAR’s “Another Hero” video at THIS LOCATION. Stream/purchase the track at THIS LOCATION.

Code Red will be available as a digipak CD, 2xLP in multiple color variants, and digitally.

Preorder Code Red in the physical format of your choice, presave it on your favorite DSP, or preorder it digitally to receive “Another Hero” instantly at THIS LOCATION.

Recorded in Germany at Sebastian “Basi” Roeder‘s Backyard Studios, with the helping hands of vocalist Ralf Scheepers as well as Mitch Kunz, Code Red was produced by bassist Mat Sinner and co-produced by Scheepers and guitarist Tom Naumann. Long-time PRIMAL FEAR companion Jacob Hansen took care of mixing and mastering at his own Hansen Studios in Denmark once again. Additionally, Stan W. Decker, who created previous works for the band including 2017’s Angels Of MercyLive In Germany, 2018’s Apocalypse, and 2021’s I Will Be Gone), provided the record’s magnificent artwork.

Subscribe to Atomic Fire Records on YouTube. Listen to “Another Hero” as well as other new tracks in the AFR New Releases playlist on Spotify HERE.

Code Red Track Listing:

  1. Another Hero
  2. Bring That Noise
  3. Deep In The Night
  4. Cancel Culture
  5. Play A Song
  6. The World Is On Fire
  7. Their Gods Have Failed
  8. Steelmelter
  9. Raged By Pain
  10. Forever
  11. Fearless

PRIMAL FEAR Live:
6/24/2023 Koba Live – Abadiño, ES
w/ The Unity – Code Red European Tour – Part 1:
9/01/2023 Im Wizemann (Halle) – Stuttgart, DE
9/02/2023 Kaminwerk – Memmingen, DE
9/03/2023 Frankenhalle – Naila , DE
9/05/2023 Backstage (Werk) – Munich, DE
9/06/2023 Zeche – Bochum, DE
9/07/2023 Batschkapp – Frankfurt, DE
9/09/2023 Le Port Franc – Sion, CH
9/10/2023 Z7 – Pratteln, CH

PRIMAL FEAR:
Ralf Scheepers – vocals
Mat Sinner – bass, vocals
Tom Naumann – guitars
Alexander Beyrodt – guitars
Magnus Karlsson – guitars
Michael Ehré – drums

Source: EARSPLIT PR

STEEL PANTHER – Performs On America’s Got Talent – New Dates Announced For ‘On The Prowl’ World Tour

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , on May 31, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Last night, STEEL PANTHER performed on America’s Got Talent. This was the first episode of season 18 for AGT., STEEL PANTHER performed Eyes Of A Panther (from their 2009 debut studio album Feel The Steel) and had the audience and all 4 judges on their feet with their collective fists pumping in the air. The large audience went electric, quite honestly. Even the ultra critical judge Simon Cowell was praising STEEL PANTHER, stating “this is what it’s all about”.

Check out the tour dates (above) for STEEL PANTHER. Trust me, they put on a great live show and are fun as hell to see. – Stone

FASTER PUSSYCAT – June Tour Dates, Cities And Info You Need

Posted in Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , on May 30, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

The acclaimed Faster Pussycat will be touring throughout the entire month of June, with special guest Jason Charles Miller. Their tour begins on June 3rd in Las Vegas, Nevada and encompasses 24 cities. Check out these tour flyers for all the info you need.

NEMOPHILA – Release “Night Flight” Digital Single & Video

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 29, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

May 2023, TOKYO – Nemophila, the all-female Japanese band who recently wrapped up a U.S. tour, which was preceded by a performance at Aftershock 2022, have released “Night Flight,” a new song, and its accompanying video (https://ssm.lnk.to/NightFlight).

“This is a song we’ve been playing live for some time, but have not recorded or released it until now,” explains singer/Nemophila founder mayu of the new track. “Please take a look at the video as well, as it does a great job capturing the spirit of the song.” In March, preceding the band’s SXSW show, Nemophila released the single, “Rise” (watch the video here).

The arrival of “Night Flight” coincides with the release of “Seize The Fate,” a concert film featuring Nemophila’s February performance from Tokyo’s Zepp DiverCity.

Photo credit: Michael Nambu

Guitar Girl Magazine described the quintet as “one of the most thrilling metal bands in Japan,” Distorted Sound said their music is “a reminder of just how fun heavy metal can be,” and Glasse Factory, commenting on their riveting Aftershock performance, noted “they nodded to metal legends with their styling and offered a refreshing take on their own unique blend… the excitement was tangible and radiated through the crowds as they all leaned in to watch the rising rock stars.”

Nemophila formed in 2019, playing their first live show in August of the same year, supporting Loudness and Hammerfall at Tokyo’s Metal Weekend 2019. The band have released two albums: Seize The Fate (2022) and Revive (2021). Nemophila is mayu (vocals), Saki (guitar), Hazuki (guitar), Haraguchi-san (bass) and Tamu Murata (drums).

Nemophila.tokyo

Instagram.com/nemophila_band

Source: Speakeasy PR

STRYPER – Nashville Show To Be Live Streamed On July 17th

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal bands, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 27, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

From the Stryper newsletter:

CAN’T MAKE IT TO A SHOW IN PERSON? WATCH STRYPER’S NASHVILLE SHOW LIVE STREAMED ON JULY 17

We will be going live, across the globe, on July 17, 2023 from the world-famous Basement East in Nashville TN. 7:30 Central Time / 8:30 Eastern. This will be a true-live broadcast, as it happens – featuring multiple cameras with a professional audio feed from the sound equipment at the Basement East.

We are also bringing in extra lighting and visual production for this special show. AND, if that weren’t enough – Also part of the broadcast is our friend and opening act, Jamie Rowe, the voice of Guardian, playing a special acoustic show featuring many of the Guardian fan-favorites. The broadcast starts at 7:30 PM CT.

Live Stream ticket info link below:

https://m.volume.com/t/QJ20iO/

INDUCTION Unveils New Track, “A Call Beyond” – European Shows With Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius, And Accept Announced

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, music videos, news, Power Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , on May 25, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Following their feature in a documentary on Germany’s public TV station SWR about the future of metal, unstoppable progressive symphonic power metal machine INDUCTION returns with another uplifting new song, “A Call Beyond.” The track, which comes just six months after the release of their sophomore album Born From Fire, proves they are indeed the spearheads of the next generation of power metal.

“A Call Beyond” takes listeners on an epic and melodic journey through what it means to be human, to resist, to rise up, to fall and to succeed. Bathed in the rich orchestration of the independent French composer Peter Crowley and awakened by lead singer Craig Cairns‘ soaring vocals, this mid-tempo song will surely leave a feeling of awe.

Guitarist Tim Kanoa Hansen comments, “In a way, this song is the thematic followup to our fan favorite title, ‘Scorched.’ Chaos breaks loose on earth, up is down, right is wrong, light is dark. Ethereal voices call you to follow and fight as well as lead into a new, better world. It’s a call to stand up and to realize the potential paradise we live in, to embrace progress and to resist the tyrants that are in control of the masses.”

Watch INDUCTION’s visualizer for “A Call Beyond” at THIS LOCATION. Stream/purchase the track HERE.

Subscribe Atomic Fire Records on YouTube and listen to “A Call Beyond” as well as other new tracks in the AFR New Releases playlist on Spotify HERE.

View the band’s previously released videos for “Queen Of Light” HERE, “Sacrifice” HERE, “Go To Hell” HERE, and “Embers” HERE.

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).

Stream/purchase Born From Fire at THIS LOCATION.

INDUCTION will serve as openers on the Nordic Power Metal Titans Tour 2023 which features Finnish power metal heavyweights Sonata Arctica and Stratovarius.

Hansen adds, “Our latest album, Born From Fire, was received very positively during its release tour at the end of last year, but this was just the beginning. We can’t wait to present it to many more power metal hungry fans around Europe in Autumn. Warming up the crowds for such influential giants of the scene will make it an even more special experience for sure. INDUCTION is already starting their high-power engines – and you better do the same. Get your tickets and we’ll see you on the road!”

The group will close the year with a blast by supporting legendary act Accept in Germany.

The band further comments, “We are joining forces with Accept this year in December for two dates. It will be special for us playing in Tim Hansen’s hometown Hamburg and in [bassist] Dominik Gusch’s hometown Cologne!”

INDUCTION:
Craig Cairns – vocals
Tim Kanoa Hansen – guitars
Marcos Rodriguez – guitars
Dominik Gusch – bass
Dominik “Dome” Zester – session drums

The band’s full itinerary can be found below.

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
12/13/2023 Carlswerk Victoria – Cologne, DE

Source: EARSPLIT PR