German power metal frontrunners, IRON SAVIOR, have announced the release of their new studio album, titled Firestar, for October 6, 2023 via AFM Records. The pre-sale is available at THIS LOCATION!
Following previously-released songs, “Through the Fires of Hell” and the blistering, fast-paced album title track, IRON SAVIOR are premiering a music video for their new single “In the Realm of Heavy Metal”! The new clip is now streaming HERE.
Firestar track listing:
IRON SAVIOR have again come up with an exceptional studio album in Firestar, enhanced by Felipe Machado Franco’s impressive cover artwork presenting the band’s mighty spaceship that has been aroundr since 2011. The cherry on the cake is the powerful production courtesy of Hamburg’s Powerhouse Studio, including intelligently positioned keyboard parts and the anthemic background choirs, supported by Sielck’s 17-year-old daughter Frida and her boyfriend. Without any doubt, Firestar promises to be a bonfire in many respects!
IRON SAVIOR: Piet Sielck (vocals, guitars) Joachim “Piesel” Küstner (guitars) Jan S. Eckert (bass) Patrick Klose (drums)
Hot on the heels of their recent co-headline tour announcement, Canadian melodic metal outfit LUTHARO has now announced a string of Canadian dates supporting power metal powerhouses UNLEASH THE ARCHERS. They will be joined by tourmates PALADIN for all four dates. Tickets are available HERE.
LUTHARO will also be riding across the East Coast of the US this Fall on a co-headlining run with thrashy power metal affront PALADIN. The tour kicks off on September 20th in Knoxville, TN and wraps on October 8th in Louisville, KY. Full dates and more information are available below.
LUTHARO commments: “IT’S TIME TO SHRED! We are super stoked to be joining our friends in Paladin for an epic tour this fall! Tickets are available and we hope to see you on the road! 🤘❤️🔥”
LUTHARO will be touring in support of their latest album, Hiraeth. This new album launches into an epic exploration of the band’s technical, musical and compositional abilities. They expertly balance hauntingly beautiful atmospheres with raw power and aggression. Hiraeth is an astounding new album, a fantastically epic journey that needs to be experienced to be believed. Stream HiraethHERE.
LUTHARO: Krista Shipperbottom – Vocals Victor Bucur – Guitars, backing vocals ChrisPacey – Bass Cory Hofing – Drums Jeff WIlson – Guitar (Live)
LUTHARO/PALADIN – Tour Dates:
9/22 Fri – Youngstown, OH – Westside Bowl (Downstairs) 9/23 Sat – Cleveland, OH – No Class 9/24 Sun – Chicago, IL – Subterranean 9/26 Tue – Nashville, TN – DRKMTTR 9/27 Wed – Birmingham, AL – The Nick 9/28 Thu – Tallahassee, FL – The Bark 9/29 Fri – Gainesville, FL – Loosey’s 9/30 Sat – Atlanta, GA – Boggs Social & Supply 10/1 Sun – Charlotte, NC – The Milestone 10/3 Tue – Baltimore, MD – The Crown 10/5 Thu – Brooklyn, NY – Kingsland 10/6 Fri – Providence, RI – Dusk
LUTHARO w/ UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, PALADIN:
10/19 Thu – Ottawa, ON – Brass Monkey 10/20 Fri – Toronto, ON – The Phoenix 10/21 Sat – Montreal, QC – Studio TD 10/22 Sun – Quebec City, QC – Imperial Bell
Today, the spearheads of the next generation of power metal, INDUCTION,surprise their fans with a new digital EP, The Power Of Power. The six-track EP features brand new track “Set You Free,” alongside the best and most power metal songs of the band’s repertoire.
Rekindling all the classic elements of the genre in their own modern and unique way, “Set You Free” is INDUCTION‘s interpretation and homage to power metal’s glory days.
Guitarist Tim Kanoa Hansen explains, “Bands such as Helloween, Stratovarius, and Sonata Arctica have truly shaped the genre of power metal, and I have always wanted to write a song honoring this part of history, which we all know and love. This comes at just the right time, as we’re also joining all three of these giants on the road this year. ‘Set You Free’ is my humble attempt to reignite, or simply just fuel, your love for the genre, in my own way. Let it take you on a journey back through time and may the glory of power metal shine on forever!”
Watch INDUCTION’s “Set You Free” video at THIS LOCATION.
Earlier this week, INDUCTION announced that their guitar player Marcos Rodriguez will take an extended hiatus from the band to focus on personal issues in the upcoming months. Rodriguez will be temporally replaced by the Greek shredder, George Thanasoglou.
INDUCTION’s most recent full-length album, Born From Fire, which boasts twelve metal anthems in fifty-eight minutes, was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen and is graced by the cover artwork of Peter Sallai (Sabaton, Jinjer, Powerwolf). Preview and purchase Born FromFire and more at THIS LOCATION.
View the band’s previously released videos for “Queen Of Light” HERE, “Sacrifice” HERE, “Go To Hell” HERE, “Embers” HERE, and “A Call Beyond” HERE.
Subscribe to Atomic Fire Records on YouTube and listen to “Set You Free” as well as other new tracks in the AFR New Releases playlist on Spotify HERE.
INDUCTION Live: 8/05/2023 Hello-Feast @ Štadión Lokomotíva – Košice, SK 9/09/2023 Port Of Power Festival @ Juki 42 – Ahrensburg, DE w/ Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius: 10/14/2023 Northern Rockfest @ Energi Arena – Umeå, SE 10/15/2023 Cozmoz Arena – Borlänge, SE 10/16/2023 Vulkan Arena – Oslo, NO 10/17/2023 Trädgår’n – Gothenburg, SE 10/19/2023 Slaktkyrkan – Stockholm, SE 10/20/2023 Gimle – Roskilde, DK 10/21/2023 Kulturpalast – Hamburg, DE 10/22/2023 Hellraiser – Leipzig, DE 10/24/2023 TivoliVredenburg (Ronda) – Utrecht, NL 10/25/2023 Garage – Saarbrücken, DE 10/27/2023 Konzertfabrik Z7 – Pratteln, CH 10/28/2023 Alcatraz – Milan, IT 10/30/2023 Backstage – Munich, DE 10/31/2023 Szene – Vienna, AT 11/01/2023 Barba Negra – Budapest, HU 11/03/2023 Fuzz Club – Athens, GR 11/04/2023 Principal Club Theater – Thessaloniki, GR 11/06/2023 FORM Space – Cluj-Napoca, RO 11/07/2023 Quantic – Bucharest, RO 11/10/2023 Colos-Saal – Aschaffenburg, DE 11/12/2023 Matrix – Bochum, DE w/ Accept, Songs Of White Lion: 12/12/2023 Große Freiheit 36 – Hamburg, DE 13/13/2023 Carlswerk Victoria – Cologne, DE
Guitar legend George Lynch will release his sophomore instrumental album “Guitars at TheEnd of the World” via Rat Pak Records on September 08, 2023, an album which features 10 all new studio tracks along with 3 new bonus tracks. The album is the highly anticipated follow up to his 2021 opus “Seamless”, which fans of the shred-master embraced with open arms. Guitars at The End of the World features pro drumming legend Curt “Kirkee B.” Bisquera, who has worked with such greats as Elton John, Mick Jagger and Tom Petty, and also features renowned bassist Tony Franklin, who is known for his work with The Firm, Jimmy Page and Kenny Wayne Sheperd. Also appearing is Lynch Mob drummer Jimmy D’Anda on the track “The Crucible”.
Regarding George’s approach to instrumental albums, the virtuoso states, “I always focus on creating guitar-driven music that delivers something outside the realm of what most people would expect, coming from a semi-redeemed 80’s hair shredder. I want my instrumental records to be challenging, but not exhausting; personal, without being belligerently self-indulgent, include a fair amount of guitar histrionics, and pay tribute to the masters without making it sound like I’m competing to be the end-all summation of all guitar legacies that preceded me. I also wanted the underlying music to be more than vehicles for solos, I want the compositions to stand on their own”, explains Lynch. Fueled with driving guitar tracks like “Psycho Beta” and “The Crucible”, to the haunting outro of album closer “Contraflow”, it is clear there is no slowing down George’s creativity and Guitars at The End of the World is sure to be a fan favorite!
TRACK LISTING:
The Knowing
Psycho Beta
The Crucible
The Passage
Borracho Boogie Delux
Shadow of the Needle
The Wolf
Serpentarium
The Ritual
Contraflow BONUS TRACKS (CD & Digital versions only)
JAG PANZER released their first album in six years, a conceptual opus titled The Hallowed, through Atomic Fire Records last month. The record earned the #23 position on the Official German Album Chart and #62 on the Official Swiss Album Chart: #62. Now, JAG PANZER have kicked off their European tour in support of the record at Germany’s Headbangers Open Air Festival. The ten-date journey also includes a stop at Wacken Open Air and will come to a close with an appearance at Alcatraz Festival on August 12th. In celebration of the tour, the band has unveiled a video for the track “Prey.”
Guitarist Mark Briody comments, “‘Prey!’ is probably the band’s favorite song to rehearse. The quick riff is lots of fun to play live! In the album concept this is where the panthers kill a family so that the team can take their supplies. We wanted something a bit different for this song, so there is no solo and the structure is much different from the other songs. The track also showcases some of our more unique influences. For example, the main riff in ‘Prey!’ ends on 4. We don’t do that a lot in our music but some of our very early (young teens) influences such as The Runaways’ ‘Cherry Bomb’ ends the riff on 4.”
German heavy metal act SKULL & CROSSBONES, the new band featuring former members of Stormwitch, have shared a new track taken off their upcoming debut Sungazer! The band’s first full-length studio album will be released as CD Digipak, Ltd. Vinyl LP and Digital formats on September 8, 2023 through Massacre Records, the pre-sale is available at THIS LOCATION!
As the band reveals, the song “is about the occult, pagan nature religions. The attentive view of the beauty of nature should be sharpened, but from a dark point of view. One should leave a legacy of which one should be proud. Inspired by “The Witches’ Almanac.” It’s a classic, driving metal song with a short, calm and hypnotic interlude that culminates in a power metal solo.”
A lyric video for “Nature’s Legacy” is now streaming HERE
With SKULL & CROSSBONES, the four ex-Stormwitch members VolkerSchmietow, Tobi Kipp, Jürgen “Wanschi” Wannenwetsch and Marc Oppold, completed by vocalist TobiHübner, pick up where they left off: Dedicating themselves to traditional heavy metal.
Sungazer was mixed and mastered by Marc Ayerle at KlangManufaktur, with a cover artwork created by Michael Vetter.
September 1, 2023 sees hard rock power metal titans FIREWIND release their epic anniversary live album, titled “Still Raging”, through AFM Records. Recorded in 2022 at a frenetically-acclaimed hometown show in Thessaloniki, Greece, “Still Raging” will be available on Blu-Ray and as a 2CD edition, the pre-sale has just recently started at THIS LOCATION!
Following a previously-released single, a new live version of “Orbitual Sunrise”, today, the band is premiering a new video clip for their classic “Maniac”! Watch it HERE
As Gus G comments:“Maniac” is Firewind’s biggest hit and we didn’t even write it! Our Metal version of the “Flashdance” anthem goes back to 2008 straight out of “The Premonition” album of ours and it was originally recorded for fun during the album sessions. Whenever we play it live, it instantly gets the crowd on party mode and you can see that on this video from our anniversary hometown show. Enjoy!”
Since more than twenty years, the iconic band founded by exceptional guitarist Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne, Arch Enemy, Dream Evil) enthralls heavy music fans with their exciting blend of hard rock and power metal. Razor-sharp riffs, big hooks and solos meet the incredible vocal skills of charismatic singer Herbie Langhans (Avantasia, Radiant, Seventh Avenue, amongst others), who joined the band in 2019.
FIREWIND is: Gus G. (guitars) Herbie Langhans (vocals) Petros Christo (bass) Jo Nunez (drums)
Building on the foundations set by their previous 2019 album, “Unseen Planets, Deadly Spheres”, September 15, 2023 will see DAMNATIONS HAMMER release their much awaited, forthcoming magnum opus titled “Into The Silent Nebula“!
On their third album, DAMNATIONS HAMMER unleashes eight songs of relentless heavy metal, incorporating the band’s trademark doom-laden groove. Once again produced by Mark Mynett, “Into The Silent Nebula” will feature guest appearances from Rotting Christ’s Sakis, Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bride and Fenriz from Darkthrone!
Give ear, today, DAMNATIONS HAMMER are presenting a first single, the colossal album opener “Sutter Cane“ (feat. Aaron Stainthorpe)! A video clip is now premiering HERE!
The band comments: “”Sutter Cane” is based on the film “In The Mouth Of Madness”. Sutter Cane is the protagonist from the film, he’s a horror novel writer who goes missing before the release of his latest book, “In The Mouth Of Madness”. It turns out that what Cane is writing is becoming reality: He’s opening a gateway to other worlds allowing an unspeakable horror to spill into our reality! That’s Aaron Stainthorpe from My Dying Bride at 02:51 minutes wanting to know “Do you read Sutter Cane?”
Set to be released as CD Digipak, Ltd. Vinyl LP and Digital formats on September 15, 2023 through Massacre Records, the album pre-sale is now available at THIS LOCATION!
An all-new King Kobra with We Are Warriors, the band’s hard-hitting 7th studio album. KK founder Carmine Appice is joined once again by longtime bassist Johnny Rod, and vocalist Paul Shortino who welcome to the den the newest vipers, Quiet Riot guitarist Carlos Cavazo and former DIO guitarist Rowan Robertson. Check out the first single, the supercharged title track, which was released earlier this week on all digital platforms.
The band even recorded a captivating performance music video that proves these veteran rockers still have what it takes to bring the rock! We Are Warriors releases on August 11th.
We Are Warriors – Track List:
01. Music Is A Piece Of Art 02. Turn Up The Music 03. Secrets And Lies 04. Drownin’ 05. One More Night 06. Love Hurts 07. Dance 08. Darkness 09. We Are Warriors 10. Drive Like Lightning 11. Trouble (Bonus Track) 12. Side By Side (Bonus Track)
Sources: Cleopatra Records newsletter cleorecs.com
The eagerly anticipated second leg of ARMOREDSAINT’s North American tour supporting W.A.S.P. has been canceled due to extensive back injuries suffered by W.A.S.P.’s Blackie Lawless during the European leg of the run. The tour will be canceled so Lawless can complete a full recovery. Tickets and VIP packages can be refunded at the point of purchase.
ARMORED SAINT vocalist John Bush comments, “To say we are super bummed about the tour being canceled would be an understatement. We were all prepping hard, and I was looking forward to turning 60 years old in Wheeling, West Virginia. That being said, we understand Blackie’s physical condition and we stand behind him and hope for a speedy recovery. Thank you to all the fans who purchased tickets and VIP packages. The Concert Tickets and VIP packages can be refunded at the point of purchase. ARMORED SAINT VIP Upgrade holders should go to www.national-acts.com for a full refund. Thank you for all your loyalty as always! I’m gonna turn a negative into a positive and let you know that this little snafu has allowed us to start writing songs for a new record. It’s sounding killer!”
ARMORED SAINT: John Bush – vocals Jeff Duncan – guitars Phil Sandoval – guitars Joey Vera – bass Gonzo Sandoval – drums
Can you hear the sirens howling? Code Red, the forthcoming new studio album from German metal commandos PRIMAL FEAR, will be unleashed upon the world in just six weeks on September 1st via Atomic Fire.
Following the release of celebrated first single, “Another Hero,” the group today shares a second new track, “Deep In The Night.” The raging yet stomping song is a massive statement for all human beings that have lost faith in mankind or other people while underlining that there’s still better times awaiting.
Vocalist Ralf Scheepers comments, “Finding out to being cheated is one of the worst experiences for a young man or woman. Unfortunately, it happens to almost every one of us in life and if not, I hope it never will! But one thing is for sure: If it happens to you, it will definitely help to make the cornea around your heart grow even more. It affects your trust and if you take it too personally, you will probably never be able to trust anyone again. Nevertheless, there are fortunately always people who penetrate this cornea and reach your heart with their beautiful souls.”
Watch PRIMAL FEAR‘s “Deep In The Night” video at THIS LOCATION. Stream/purchase the track at THIS LOCATION.
Ubik Media, who produced the music video for aforementioned hit track “Another Hero,” has once again greatly caught the atmosphere of the song. The video was shot at Stuttgart, Germany’s Im Wizemann venue, where PRIMALFEAR will kick off their release tour with support from special guests The Unity.
Watch PRIMAL FEAR’s previously released video for “Another Hero” at THIS LOCATION.
Code Red will be available in 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 “Deep In The Night” and “Another Hero” instantly at THIS LOCATION.
Cover artwork by Stan W. Decker
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 MatSinner and co-produced by Scheepers and guitarist Tom Naumann. Long-time PRIMALFEAR 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 Mercy – Live 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 HERE. Listen to “Deep In The Night” as well as other new tracks in the AFR New Releases playlist on Spotify HERE.
PRIMAL FEAR w/ The Unity – Code Red EuropeanTour – 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
Stockholm-based heavy metal band IGNITED is set to release its second full-length album, Cradleof the Wicked. The follow-up to 2019’s “Steelbound” will be out on October 27.
The band has also revealed the cover artwork and track listing for “Cradle of the Wicked” (shown below).
“Cradle of the Wicked” was recorded, produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden by Fredrik Nordström. Additional engineering and edits by Robert Kukla. Songwriting on “Cradle of the Wicked” by Dalton Castro, Martin Bellucci, Maurício Velasco. The album was recorded in August 2022.
Cradle of the Wicked – track listing: 1) Cradle of the Wicked 2) The Overflow 3) At the Damned’s Hall 4) Bloody Satisfied 5) Uncontrollable 6) The Sewer Lords 7) Life Goes By 8) Nightshift 9) Tearing Down the Walls 10) Abyss of Fear
At the beginning of 2017, the band started working on a proposal to play an energetic heavy metal as straightforwardly as possible and then the first songs got into shape, which turned into the pre-production of the first album.
“Steelbound” was recorded in August 2019 in São Paulo, Brazil, produced by Thiago Bianchi (Noturnall/ex-Shaman), and the artwork was designed by Gustavo Sazes (Arch Enemy/British Lion/Machine Head).
The album was released digitally on November 1st and played live during the band’s first concert as one of the opening acts for the band Noturnall, featuring Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) in Porto Alegre, Brazil (Bar Opinião) and also in another gig in February of the next year, right before the pandemic took place. After being made available on digital platforms along with a video clip for the song “Ignition” and a lyric video for the song “Times” in the same year, the band got a distribution deal for a physical CD release in 2020 through Voice Music Records. The promotion was handled by the band and PR agencies.
“Steelbound” has reached more than 200.000 streams on Spotify and more than 100.000 on YouTube so far, having an excellent acceptance by the audience in many countries.
In the same year, the band participated in online festivals like Heresy Metal Festival idealized by Argentinian metalheads, and also worked on the production of a live album called Steelive and an acoustic version of the song “Times,” exploring different sounds than previously done in the debut album. Also, a guitar playthrough for the song Roaring Gears was released and promoted.
In 2021 another music video for the song “Living In The Dark” was released by the band and got some promotion as well made by a European PR agency this time, and marketing actions like in the previous releases were made. In April 2022, the live album came out after the acoustic version, and Martin Bellucci was introduced as their new bass player.
The band worked together on the second album pre-production during the first semester of 2022. In August landed in Gothenburg, Sweden to record at Studio Fredman with the production of Fredrik Nordström (Arch Enemy, Dark Tranquility, In Flames, Dimmu Borgir, Dream Evil), having a Swedish production at its finest. A new video clip was produced by Bravo & Bravo Films (Soilwork, The Night Flight Orchestra, H.E.A.T), and the album artwork and design are handled again by Gustavo Sazes.
Ignited was born in the South of Brazil, Balneário Camboriú, and is now based in Stockholm, Sweden.
WARMEN — the Finnish powerhouse featuring Janne Wirman (Children Of Bodom) — will unleash their Here For None full-length worldwide August 18th via ReaperEntertainment. In advance of the record’s release, today the band releases their second single, “Hell On Four Wheels.”
Bassist Jyri Helko comments on the track and accompanying video, “‘Hell On Four Wheels’ is a fast and furious combination of the new, heavier WARMEN and the older albums’ melodic style, including the Wirman brothers’ epic solo battle! We also shot WARMEN’s first real music video to this song. The camera was operated by Petri Inkinen of Guilty Visuals, and the director was non other than Ykä Järvinen, who is the man behind, for instance, Children Of Bodom’s classic videos ‘Downfall’ and ‘Sixpounder.’”
Watch WARMEN‘s “Hell On Four Wheels” video at THIS LOCATION. Stream the track on all major streaming platforms.
Watch WARMEN’s previously released video “Warmen Are Here For None” at THIS LOCATION.
“Here For None” will be released on vinyl, digipak CD, and digital formats. Find preorders at THIS LOCATION.
“Here For None” heralds a new era. True to the motto, “The king is dead, long live the king,” WARMEN is not only headed towards heavier shores musically due to the band’s updated lineup, but it can also be said with justification that WARMEN is taking on the musical legacy of Wirman’s former band in a spectacular way.
“I will always be Janne from Bodom. That’s okay with me. I’m happy about it and I don’t have to hide my past. I also see that as a positive thing for WARMEN,” Wirman notes of his good reputation and the attention he gets within the metal scene. Together with his brother Antti Wirman and longtime friend Jyri Helko, the trio has recuited Seppo Tarvainen on drums as well as Petri Lindroos (Ensiferum) on vocals to make “Here ForNone” a true masterpiece of melodic death metal.
WARMEN will present this legacy live at select events including a release show at this year’s Summer Breeze Open Air. Stand by for further details.
WARMEN: Janne Wirman – keyboards Petri Lindroos – vocals Antti Wirman – guitar Jyri Helko – bass Seppo Tarvainen – drums
Influenced by Thrash Metal Royalties Slayer, Kreator, Destruction and Exodus’ earlier works, ETERNAL EVIL was formed in Stockholm – Sweden in 2019. The band has intended to carry on the legacy of early High energy and early Classic Thrash insanity. Their quickly sold out ‘Rise of Death’ self released demo was recorded in band leader Adrian Tobar‘s garage and It was later reissued by Iron Fist and Redefining Darkness records .
Shortly after the demo release, the world was hit by a pandemic and during those restrictive years, the band worked on in silence and brought in Norrland guitarist Tobias Lindström. Recorded at Studio Humbucker by Robert Pehrsson, the band’s full length debut ‘The Warriors Awakening… Brings The Unholy Slaughter’ was released in November 2021.
ETERNAL EVIL ‘Funeral prayers’ is to be released on July 27.
Now with two new members, the band is ready with its follow-up album “The Gates beyond Mortality” to be released in October 2023.
With lyrical themes from Occult Practice to the violent nature of warfare the band has crafted an album that has broken all the rules and standards from previous times, which makes this album sound darker than anything they have released prior.
Having kickstarted with an indestructible enthusiasm conjuring malicious Old School Metal powers, ETERNAL EVIL are destined to make that head bang forever!
The Gates beyond Mortality’ Tracklisting: 1) Depths a of a New Eternity 2:07 2) Guerilla Warfare 3:32 3) The Gates Beyond Mortality 5:30 4) Funeral Prayers 4:05 5) Signs of Ancient Sin 4:40 6) Desecration of Light 3:30 7) The Astral Below 6:00 8) Immolation 4:08 9) The Cursed Trilogy 7:29
ETERNAL EVIL (new band line up): Adrian Tobar – Vocals and Lead Guitar Tobias Lindström – Lead Guitar Niklas Saari – Bass Guitar Adam Schmidt – Drums
American heavy metal icons CIRITH UNGOL today announce three special live performances. The trio of dates includes a performance in Denver, Colorado for the first time ever as well as a show in West Hollywood, marking the band’s first Los Angeles live appearance in thirty-five years!
Comments the band, “CIRITH UNGOL legions arise! We are coming to unleash our epic metal darkness upon three US cities. Los Angeles will see our first appearance since 1988 – be there to behold this triumphant return! Our Colorado show will mark the band’s first time ever in the Centennial State, and for you New York diehards, we cannot wait to return and play for you. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable descent into the abyss!”
Tickets are on sale now. See confirmed dates below.
CIRITH UNGOL Live:
8/18/2023 The Gothic Theater – Denver, CO w/ Night Demon, Castle Rat, Chamber Mage [Tickets]
8/20/2023 Le Poisson Rouge – New York, NY w/ Night Demon, Sanhedrin [Tickets]
10/20/2023 The Roxy – West Hollywood, CA [Tickets]
CIRITH UNGOL released their Half Past Human EP via Metal Blade Records in 2021. The globe was ravaged by pandemic in the wake of the release of their reunion album, Forever Black, in April 2020. As time stood still, the band dug deep into their archival crypts, drawing back the veiled mists of history to expose long-forgotten jewels from their storied past. In doing so, they exhumed four songs written in a bygone era but never properly included as part of their fabled discography.
CIRITH UNGOL swept the dust off these precious relics, summoning long-dead forces back to life. Each song was reimagined for today, injected with a fresh dose of power and vitality while preserving their trademark mysticism and remaining drenched in sinister, apocalyptic energy. Recorded under the watchful eye of producer Armand John Anthony (Night Demon, Bewitcher, Gygax) in the darkness of 2020, Half Past Human is a treasured addition to the music collections of CIRITH UNGOL loyalists. In keeping with tradition, the package is completed by stunning cover art courtesy of acclaimed fantasy artist Michael Whelan, from the original Elric series.
Trevor Church will be taking his traditional heavy metal band HAUNT on the road, this August and September. Check out the tour schedule below to see if HAUNT will be near you.
8/24 Reverb Lounge Omaha, NB 8/25 Reggie’s Chicago, IL 8/26 Outer Limits Lounge Detroit, MI 8/27 Southgate House Newport, KY 8/28 Black Circle Indianapolis, IN 8/30 Sonia Cambridge, MA 8/31 The Meadows Brooklyn, NY 9/01 Cherry Street Wallingford, CT 9/02 Silk City Philadelphia, PA 9/03 The Runaway Washington, DC 9/05 Tin Roof Charleston, NC 9/06 529 Bar Atlanta, GA 9/07 Conduit Winter Park, FL 9/08 Handlebar Pensacola, FL 9/09 Freetown Boom Lafayette, LA 9/10 Black Magic Social Club Houston, TX 9/11 The Mix San Antonio, TX 9/13 The Beast Tempe, AZ 9/14 Brick By Brick San Diego, CA
* HAUNT are from Fresno California.
* Trevor Church is also the creative force for his doom metal band BEASTMAKER.
Brazilian progressive power metal legends ANGRA are thrilled to announce that they’ve officially signed with Atomic Fire Records!
The group’s metal leadership began over thirty years ago in 1991. Since then, the band has remained one of the finest metal acts originating from South America. 2013 saw the addition of vocalist Fabio Lione (Athena XIX, ex-Rhapsody Of Fire, ex-Vision Divine etc.) to their ranks. With Rafael Bittencourt and Marcelo Barbosa on guitars, Felipe Andreoli on bass, and Bruno Valverde on drums, ANGRA has kept their momentum and now, joining Atomic Fire Records, they are ready to release their long-awaited tenth studio album, Cycles Of Pain, on November 3rd. Its launch will be supported by a special release show which will take place at São Paulo, Brazil’s Tokio Marine Hall on the same day.
Founding member/guitarist Bittencourt comments, “I’m very proud to announce that our newest album will come out on the 3rd of November and it’s going to be released and distributed by Atomic Fire Records. We’re very proud to be part of the Atomic Fire Records family now. It’s a special moment for us in the band.
“For me, who started the band over thirty years ago, but also for everyone in the band, we’re now in the third generation in the era of our third singer as we have Fabio Lione on vocals. So this will be the third record of our third generation. It’s our tenth studio album, so it’s like keeping the legacy but also focusing on the future.
“It’s very funny to have this partnership with Atomic Fire Records because the word ‘Angra’ also stands for a place in Brazil where an atomic reactor was built in the ‘70s. This nuclear power plant was basically created to originate a kind of clean energy, but it’s a very powerful one which could save the world in a way, but also destroy it. It’ll be a very huge explosion and metaphorically we can say that it’s going to be a very strong album and I hope to burn the world with music which can heal the soul of sad and lonely people.”
Atomic Fire Records A&R Markus Wosgien notes, “I remember receiving the ANGRA demo Reaching Horizons in 1992 for the fanzine I published in the ‘90s. I fell in love immediately; this was simply a new form of power metal – and after his departure from Viper, André Matos finally had a new home back then. One year later, Angels Cry, which I still consider to be one of the best power metal albums of all time, was released, and over the years, ANGRA always developed, but still remained true to themselves. We are more than happy to be a part of their future now and to release their upcoming tenth studio album that blew us away once more. For us, ANGRA is also a matter to our hearts since they’re a band we’ve always been following, respecting and loving; our whole team is more than proud that the band and their management decided to join our roster and to trust in us.”
Stay tuned for more ANGRA news in the coming weeks.
ANGRA: Fabio Lione – vocals Rafael Bittencourt – guitars Marcelo Barbosa – guitars Felipe Andreoli – bass Bruno Valverde – drums
ANGRA Live: 7/07/2023 Complexo Armazém – Fortaleza, BR 7/08/2023 Espaço Náutico Marine Club – Belém, BR 7/09/2023 Residencial Recepções – São Luiz, BR 7/14/2023 CK Centro de Eventos – Londrina, BR 7/15/2023 Beira Mar de São José – Florianópolis, BR 7/16/2023 Arena Santos – Santos, BR 7/21/2023 Studio Mirage Eventos – Limeira, BR 7/22/2023 Bolshoi Pub – Goiânia, BR 7/23/2023 Capital Moto Week – Brasília, BR 8/12/2023 Ópera De Arame – Curitiba, BR 11/03/2023 Tokio Marine Hall (Album Release Show) – São Paulo, BR 11/18/2023 Armageddon Metal Fest – Joinville, BR 1/29 – 2/02/2024 70,000 Tons Of Metal – Miami, FL
Doom-tinged trad metal band Oxblood Forge has released their new EP Cult of Oblivion on digital, CD, and cassette formats. Stream and/or purchase the EP at the following locations:
1) Cult of Oblivion 2) Upon the Altar 3) Cleanse With Fire 4) Mask Of Satan [Video]
Cult of Oblivion was engineered and mixed by James Gazerro at The Red Room in Attleboro, MA. Mastering by Brad Boatright of AudioSiege.
Oxblood Forge:
Kenneth MacKay: Vocals Robb Lioy: Lead Guitar Greg Delleria: Bass Erik Fraunfelter: Drums Steve Nelson: Rhythm Guitar
Hailing from the outskirts of Boston, Massachusetts, Oxblood Forge brings a penchant for roundhouse kicking the listener in the face with their own special sauce of heavy metal with a generous helping of classic rock, doom, and blues. The band aims for big hooks, destructive vocals, and heavy guitars.
Oxblood Forge recently completed a successful east coast tour with Spiral Grave and Mourn the Light, playing shows recently with Anvil, Manilla Road, and Magic Circle, and keeping the flame alive for heavy metal.
Following their latest, self-titled studio album in 2020, hard rock power metal titans FIREWIND have announced the release of an upcoming live album/BluRay, titled “Still Raging”! The release, that comes as a special BluRay and 2CD edition, will be available on September 1, 2023 through AFM Records. The pre-sale has just started at THIS LOCATION!
Since more than twenty years, the iconic band founded by exceptional guitarist Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne, Arch Enemy, Dream Evil) enthralls heavy music fans with their exciting blend of hard rock and power metal. Razor-sharp riffs, big hooks and solos meet the incredible vocal skills of charismatic singer Herbie Langhans (Avantasia, Radiant, Seventh Avenue, amongst others), who joined the band in 2019.
“It’s hard to believe that a band like Firewind has been around for 2 decades,” Gus G comments. “In 2022 we had only planned a re-issue of our debut album, but with the pandemic slowly winding down, we were fortunate enough to start doing shows in America and Europe again. Come Fall of 2022 we played 2 headline shows in our homeland, Greece to celebrate our 20th anniversary.”
Gus continues: “Prior to the Greek shows, my friends from OTSE film crew asked me about filming our hometown gig in Thessaloniki. In a way, the stars aligned, as we returned to the same venue (Principal Club Theater), with the exact same crew that filmed our DVD back in 2008 (Live Premonition anyone?). With this opportunity in front of us, I started thinking about a cool way to put this onto our beloved fans homes as a special thank you for the support you’ve shown us over the years. Together with AFM Records, we bring you a special BluRay + 2CD package. So yeah… Firewind Still Raging, 20 years later and it’s all thanks to YOU! While we’re currently hard at work on some new music, we hope this commemorative Live release will keep you good company, till our new Metal anthems arrive!”
A stunning excerpt of FIREWIND‘s upcoming live record is now available online, the video clip for “Orbitual Sunrise” is premiering HERE
FIREWIND is: Gus G. (guitars) Herbie Langhans (vocals) Petros Christo (bass) Jo Nunez (drums)
FIREWIND Live: 14.07.23 DE Blizzard Rockfest 21.07.2023 FR Guitare en Scene 29.07.2023 CZ Ostrava v Plamenech 04.08.2023 DE Helmfest 05.08.2023 AT Innrock Reloaded
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