Archive for Heavy Metal

The Electric Highway Festival (Calgary, AB) Announces Dates For 2024 Lineup – April 4 -6; Opens Band Submissions and Special One-Day Ultra Early Bird Special

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music festivals, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 29, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

EHF 2023 Lineup Spotify Playlist – https://spoti.fi/3ZKB9Tm

Calgary’s The Electric Highway Festival has wrapped up for 2023 and it was a resounding success according to festival organizers. The event took place from March 23, 24, and 25, 2023 at Dickens, with 3 days of music from Canadian bands trekking from across Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba along with American headliners, Los Angeles’ Sasquatch.

The 2024 edition of The Electric Highway will take place April 4, 5, and 6, 2024 once again at Dickens in Calgary. Band submissions for the event open on April 1 and run until June 30, 2023. Bands can fill out the form on the website.

Fans of The Electric Highway will also have the opportunity to buy very limited Ultra Early Bird Passes for the 2024 festival starting at noon MST on April 1, 2023. Only 20 passes for $60 each will be available in the Festival Store.

About: Buckle up for The Electric Highway Festival! The 2023 edition of the festival focused on Desert Rock and Metal, Doom, Sludge, and Heavy Psych and had expanded to include some punk and hardcore bands as well.

The festival featured Californian headliners Sasquatch, one of the festival’s past favorites, laying down their brand of fuzzy, kick-ass Desert Rock & Heavy Psych with direct support from Vancouver’s La Chinga who returned for their 4th appearance on Saturday night. Black Mastiff returned to headline Friday night with Calgary’s Gone Cosmic and HypnoPilot headlined the Thursday show with support from Citizen Rage. These are just a few of the wicked bands that played at The Electric Highway.

The Electric Highway is a fully immersive festival experience and offers much more than just music. The festival also featured an art & vendor exposition during all three days at Dickens, March 23 – 25, 2023.

Check www.TheElectricHighway.ca for more festival information. We look forward to bringing this festival to you, and can’t wait to see everyone in 2024!

The Electric Highway 2023 Official Nightly Lineups:

Thursday, March 23:
HypnoPilot (Lethbridge, AB) – Daily Headliner
Citizen Rage (Calgary, AB)
Musing (Calgary, AB)
No More Moments (Siksika, AB)
Father Moon (Calgary, AB)
Destroy My Brains (Lloydminster, AB).

Friday, March 24:
Black Mastiff (Edmonton, AB/Vancouver, BC) – Daily Headliner
Gone Cosmic (Calgary, AB)
Set & Stoned (Crossfield, AB)
Hombre (Calgary, AB)
Empress (Vancouver, BC)
Molten Lava (Vancouver, BC)
Space Queen (Vancouver, BC) Owls & Eagles (Calgary, AB)

Saturday, March 25:
Sasquatch (Los Angeles, CA) – Festival Headliner
La Chinga (Vancouver, BC)
Buffalo Bud Buster (Calgary, AB)
Brown Dwarf (Red Deer, AB)
The Astral Prophets (Calgary, AB)
Iron Tusk (Siksika, AB)
The Sleeping Legion (Winnipeg, MB)
Tebby & the Heavy (Edmonton, AB)
Garuda (Cranbrook, BC).

Source: Asher Media Relations

WINTERSTORM – Releases Music Video For Epic, New Album Single “Future Times”

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

New Album, “Everfrost”, Out This Summer On AFM Records!

July 14, 2023 will see power metal act WINTERSTORM release their upcoming, fifth studio album entitled “Everfrost”. It’s their first offering since 2016, and their debut with powerhouse label AFM Records.

“Winter” stands for nordic viking and folk metal, the “Storm” for fast-paced power metal, combined with epic and orchestral metal facettes, WINTERSTORM shines in a new splendor as first single releases prove. Following the previously shared, first album appetizer “To The End Of All Known”, now, the five-piece has released a music video for “Future Times”! The comments:

“Future Times is about focusing on the changeable future instead of wasting time on the unchangeable past. Whether it’s the small things everyday or big ones like the destruction of our planet — it’s always worth getting the focus right.”

The new WINTERSTORM clip for “Future Times” is now streaming HERE

It’s the melodic grandeur, that clearly marks the foreground of WINTERSTORM, reflected in heavily catchy choruses and colossal, polyphonic vocals. Striking elements of different metal styles merge with each other and get a completely new impression, that WINTERSTORM’s forthcoming record may be their most versatile and powerful album to date; one that does not have to hide behind proved genre colleagues such as Blind Guardian or Rhapsody Of Fire.

“Everfrost” will be available as CD Digipak, limited clear blue Vinyl and Boxset on July 14, 2023 through AFM Records, the pre-sale is now online at THIS LOCATION!

“Everfrost” track listing:

  1. Origin
  2. To The End Of All Known
  3. The Phoenix Died (Remember)
  4. Circle Of Greed
  5. Future Times
  6. Everfrost
  7. Final Journey
  8. Fate Of The Atlanteans
  9. Crusade
  10. Overcome The Fear
  11. Silence

Source: AFM Records

IMMORTAL GUARDIAN – New Single “Roots Run Deep” Includes Guest Vocals From Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear)

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, music videos, news with tags , , , , , , , , on March 28, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo Credit – Arturo Pina

5th new song and music video released from the Power/Progressive Metal band’s upcoming new album

Hotly anticipated Power/Progressive Metal band IMMORTAL GUARDIAN continue building the anticipation for their next opus, sporadically issuing new material as it completes as we head towards a late summer release of the band’s next full album. Today, the group unveils “Roots Run Deep” along with a corresponding music video. To heighten the experience the group has enlisted the services of famed vocalist Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear, ex-Gamma Ray) who guests alongside IMMORTAL GUARDIAN singer Carlos Zema.

Recording independently and remotely the quartet is assembling the follow-up to 2021’s successful ‘Psychosomatic’ track-by-track and sharing the material as it completes, along with visually captivating music videos, that again the self-contained group produces themselves. Check out “Roots Run Deep” on all streaming/download services, or watch the clip at: https://youtu.be/j7CLsJ50glo

“This Super Metal style song brings together the powerful vocals of Mr. Scheepers with Immortal Guardian’s signature sound to create an epic and inspiring anthem,” explains Carlos. “’Roots Run Deep’ takes us on a journey back to a time when we were all united before our differences and conflicts divided us. It reminds us that we all share a common history and that as a society we must learn to survive the separations and unite to conquer. With a message of hope, unity, and perseverance, ‘Roots Run Deep’ encourages us to make the world a better place. So let us embrace our shared history and let this song inspire us to make a positive change in the world. Thank you for watching this powerful and inspiring video.”

“‘Roots Run Deep’ is about the levels of today’s division. Black and white, religion vs religion, left vs right, rich and poor, war and peace, etc.,” further explains guitarist/keyboardist Gabriel Guardian. “The world is so divided right now and what we want more than ever is unity. This song is about putting our differences aside and remembering that we are all humans just trying to survive. We all just want a happy life, and that would be more likely to happen if we all just agreed to disagree and respect each other and celebrate the things that make us all so different and unique.”

Heavy topics are not unfamiliar to Immortal Guardian whose previous album focused on the Covid pandemic, likely the first full album to be thematically linked to the disease and its effect on the globe and its people. In the past year, Immortal Guardian has revealed four other brand new songs including “Perfect Person,”Ozona,” “Echoes” and “Southern Rain” forming a basis for their next conceptual piece, ‘Unite and Conquer.’ The band will continue to share new material as the creative process proceeds to build up to a new full-length album planned for late summer 2023. Watch for pre-orders soon for CDs and limited-color vinyl variants.

More info will be released by Immortal Guardian and M-Theory Audio in the weeks and months to follow. https://www.facebook.com/igmetal/.

IMMORTAL GUARDIAN:
Gabriel Guardian – guitars/keyboards
Carlos Zema – vocals
Justin Piedimonte – drums
Joshua Lopez – bass

Source: Asher Media Relations

AMONG THESE ASHES – Reveal “The Enemy In I” Artwork – Cover Savatage’s “Sirens” In New Video!

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, music videos, news, Power Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , on March 28, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Detroit (MI) – Melodic Power Thrashers AMONG THESE ASHES have revealed the artwork for forthcoming single “The Enemy In I.” Jayson Cessna of Prosthetic Records artists, Astralborne, is responsible for the visual stunner!

“The Enemy In I” will be released on April 21, packaged with b-side track “Sirens,” a cover of the Savatagegem. A lyric video for “Sirens” is available now at youtu.be/WQe52VAHb5Y!

Regarding “Sirens,” the band had this to say: “Among These Ashes pays homage to one of the best bands to ever do it, Savatage, with a cover of the band’s classic song, Sirens. This cover is deliberately made with ATA sonic trademarks, rather than being a carbon copy of the original. Thank you Savatage for being a continuous source of inspiration.

The band released the following statement concerning the forthcoming single package:

“A year after releasing our debut album, Dominion Enthroned, we return with our newest track, The Enemy in I. This track lyrically chronicles the woes of self-destruction. We worship at the altar of those who paved this musical path for us, and in that spirit, we’ve included a cover of a Savatageclassic, Sirens, as a B-side track to this release. Both tracks display our signature attributes with pummeling aggression contrasted by thematic melodies and harmony. We cannot wait to bring these cacophonous offerings to the ravenous metal hordes.”

In other news, the band recently released a lyric video for a reworked version of “A Veil of Black,” a track from Dominion Enthroned, at youtu.be/Dt8CsNn7QdQ.

The new version of “A Veil of Black” features Brooke Rousseau of Lady Luna and the Devil on vocals with AMONG THESE ASHES lead vocalist, JP Abboud. The video was created by Ross Morgan. The song is included as a bonus track on Alone Records’ CD reissue of Dominion Enthroned, which is available to purchase at this location.

Dominion Enthroned, which was released in early 2022, is available to stream in its entirety at the following locations:

amongtheseashes.bandcamp.com/album/dominion-enthroned

open.spotify.com/album/0J0gVCIQeLofMnK76NJQTt

Track Listing:

  1. The Enemy in I (Single)
  2. Sirens (Savatage Cover)

BIO: Among These Ashes is a melodic power/thrash metal band hailing from Detroit, MI. The central focus of this band is creating stellar, highly-memorable metal songs. The band’s sound is crushingly heavy and punctuated by cerebral arrangements, thought-provoking lyrics, and dynamic shifts in tempo and aggression. The band’s debut musical offering, Dominion Enthroned, is a conceptual tour de force inspired by modern societal parallels and struggles.

Source: ClawHammer PR

Denmark’s Prog-Power Metal Act PYRAMAZE Reveals Album Details & Music Video For New Single “Fortress”

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, music videos, news, Power Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 28, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Following the much acclaimed, 2020-album Epitaph, Danish prog-and power metal masters PYRAMAZE have announced the release of their forthcoming full-length record, entitled Bloodlines. The album will be out on June 23, 2023 via AFM Records

After PYRAMAZE previously shared a first song, “Broken Arrow”, today, they are premiering a music video for new single “Fortress”! The band comments:

“Fortress” has Pyramaze incorporating some of their traditional elements and melding it with a modern cinematic atmosphere. With hard hitting staccato strings, soaring and powerful vocals, driving rhythm guitars and drums, and moving and melodic keyboard passages, “Fortress” should please fans of both older and newer Pyramaze.”

Watch the new PYRAMAZE clip, now streaming HERE

PYRAMAZE are an exceptional phenomenon in the international, heavy music scene: Their sound brings along numerous traditional melodic and progressive metal trademarks, but gets an immensely high recognition value by their unique feeling for great melodies. The band is known for their technical finesse and unique arrangements, often melodic and atmospheric, and frequently including complex guitar riffs and solos supported by synthetic sounds.

In recent years, PYRAMAZE has played on many stages in Europe and North America, demonstrating their energetic live performance and impressive musical skills. They have built a loyal fan base and is considered by many metal fans as one of the most innovative and talented bands of their generation.

Bloodlines was recorded, mixed and mastered by PYRAMAZE guitarist and renowned producer Jacob Hansen. Set to be released on June 23, 2023 through AFM Records, the album pre-sale is now available at THIS LOCATION!

SINGLES/ VIDEOS
PYRAMAZE – Fortress (2023) watch HERE
PYRAMAZE – Broken Arrow (2023) watch HERE

Bloodlines Track Listing:

  1. Bloodlines
  2. Taking What’s Mine
  3. Fortress
  4. Broken Arrow
  5. Even If You’re Gone
  6. Alliance
  7. The Midnight Sun
  8. Stop the Bleeding
  9. The Mystery
  10. Wolves of the Sea

Source: AFM Records

BIG RED FIRE TRUCK – Release New Single “Trouble In Paradise”

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , on March 24, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

BIG RED FIRE TRUCK have released their new single “Trouble in Paradise”. The title track from their upcoming EP, the new song kicks off with high-energy guitar riffs, driving rhythms and dynamic drums. It’s a modern take on a classic hard rock sound filled with vocal harmonies and it packs a punch with heavy momentum.

Stream “Trouble In Paradise” Here: https://ffm.to/brfttroubleinparadise

Australian hard rock outfit BIG RED FIRE TRUCK are gearing up to unleash their new EP Trouble in Paradise on August 4th, 2023. This guitar driven release is a collection of high-spirited, magnetic tracks showcasing classic rock and metal styles through a contemporary sound.

Digby comments: “We’re making this music because there’s not enough of this style in the mainstream and I miss bands like VAN HALEN, BON JOVI & AEROSMITH releasing new music. I wanted to write upbeat and melodic heavy rock music to listen to. We want to keep that alive while ripping off your car speakers.”

Track Listing:

  1. Neon Sunsets
  2. Trouble In Paradise
  3. Love Bite
  4. Psychotropic Thunder
  5. Miami Skies
  6. Hot Summer Nights

About BIG RED FIRE TRUCK:
BIG RED FIRE TRUCK began in 2016 as a project by Digby to write some fun heavy metal and hard rock songs and fulfil his need to hear new music in the style of his beloved bands. Taking inspiration from the likes of VAN HALEN, RECKLESS LOVE, THE DARKNESS, AEROSMITH, SUM 41, and CRAZY LIXX, the quartet pay homage to previous generations of hard rock while delivering their own distinctive character.

BIG RED FIRE TRUCK Are:
Digby (Guitar and Lead Vocals)
Ben Frank (Guitar)
Pete Grant (Drums and Vocals)
Nick Frazier (Bass)

Bandcamp: https://bigredfiretruck.bandcamp.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brftband

Source: C Squared Music

METAL CHURCH – New Studio Album “Congregation of Annihilation” Releases On May 26th!

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 23, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

From Rat Pak Records:

West coast metal veterans Metal Church will release their 13thstudio album, Congregation of Annihilation, on May 26th via Rat Pak Records (America) and Reaper Entertainment (Europe). The new album marks the first release since the tragic death of legendary front man Mike Howe who passed in July of 2021. It also marks the first album with new vocalist Marc Lopes (Ross the Boss / Let Us Prey) who came on board in the summer of 2022 and features the current lineup of founding guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, guitarist Rick Van Zandt, bassist Steve Unger and drummer Stet Howland. The new songs are a return to the band’s musical roots harkening back to the vibes of the self-titled first album and The Dark.

Of the album Kurdt Vanderhoof comments: “This new album is starting a new chapter in the Metal Church legacy. I really love this album. It’s a fresh approach for us in one way, but also a return to the very beginnings of Metal Church as part of the New American Thrash Metal movement. This record contains some of the most aggressive songs we have recorded. I hope the fans will like it as much as we do.”

Marc Lopes comments, “I am beyond honored to be part of carrying on this legacy into a new era of Metal Church. Working with Kurdt and a band that was a huge influence of mine growing up was a surreal experience to say the least. For me there was no point in trying to imitate what was already done to perfection. So, with respect to the past, we moved forward to a new chapter and here we are!”

Congregation of Annihilation features nine all new tracks from Metal Church and continues to build upon their iconic sound the band established over three decades ago. From the first guitar riff of album opener “Another Judgement Day” through the driving outro of album closer “Salvation,” it is clear Metal Church is back and better than ever. “Pick A God and Prey”, “Children of the Lie”, “Congregation of Annihilation” and “These Violent Thrills” showcase the sonically charged songwriting that made the early Metal Church albums such fan favorites.

Haunting musical opuses “Me the Nothing” and “Making Monsters” each puts the musicianship that Metal Church was known for on full display in 2023. Infused with intelligent lyrical content, thundering guitar riffs, and Marc’s aggressive soaring vocals, Congregation of Annihilation furthers the bands sonic evolution up to the next level and is guaranteed to enthrall metal music fans around the world.

Track List:

(01) Another Judgement Day
(02) Congregation of Annihilation
(03) Pick A God and Prey
(04) Children of the Lie
(05) Me the Nothing
(06) Making Monsters
(07) Say a Prayer with 7 Bullets
(08) These Violent Thrills
(09) All That We Destroy
(10) My Favorite Sin (bonus track)
(11) Salvation (bonus track)

NARCOTIC WASTELAND Announces Performances at Denver DeathFest, Loud As Hell And more!

Posted in Death Metal, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, music videos, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 21, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo Credit – Andrea Roberts

South Carolina’s Narcotic Wasteland founded by guitarist Dallas Toler-Wade announces it will be performing at this year’s Denver DeathFest on April 20th along with Loud As Hell Festival in Canada in August among many others slated for this summer. (dates listed below).

“We are very excited about 2023! We have upcoming shows and new music on the way! We are ready to play some metal!” adds Toler-Wade.

2023 is going to be an exciting year for Narcotic Wasteland, not only is the band hitting the road they are also in the works of releasing their third yet to be titled album via Mega Force Records. So far they have unleashed three singles “Morality and the Wasp”, “The Best Times Have Passed” and “Victims of the Algorithm” to give fans a taste of their forthcoming mosh pit of terror. For their third full-length, the band worked once again with engineer, and producer Erik Schultek who produced the band’s self-titled debut album. The band’s 2023 album will be the follow-up to their sophomore full-length 2017’s “Delirium Tremens”.

Inspired mostly by thrash metal and classic heavy metal, Narcotic Wasteland is becoming more thrash and speed and less death metal and getting better at writing material that is meaningful and powerful. They are recommended for fans of Vader, Death, The Crown, Autopsy, Pestilence, and Nile.

Show Dates:
April 20 – The King Room – Denver, CO – Denver DeathFest
June 22 – Rubber Gloves – Denton, TX
June 23 – The Concert North – Houston, TX
June 24 – The Rail Club – Forth Worth, TX
June 25 – Boozerz Rock Club – Corpus Christi, TX
Aug 5 – Dinosaur Stampede Grounds – Drumheller, AB – Loud As Hell Festival
Aug 12 – Zymurgy Brewing – Menomonie, WI – Zymurderfest

Singles:

Morality and the Wasp – https://youtu.be/fXThLKTP-xI

The Best Times Have Passed – https://youtu.be/U6kB087hGyY

Victims of The Algorithm – https://youtu.be/KEGN0iGR1Uo

Digital – https://orcd.co/nwvota

https://www.narcoticwasteland.com

Source: Asher Media Relations

Finnish Traditional Heavy Metal Band WISHING WELL Releases “Sin And Shame” Album Today

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 16, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

 
Valokuva: Henrik Sirelä

Finnish Helsinki-based metalheads Wishing Well have released today their fourth album “SIN AND SHAME” (Inverse Records). Together with the album the band also released a single and a video for the opening track “In The Line Of Fire”. It’s the third single and video off the new album. The song is about ordinary hard-working people trying to manage in a busy, more and more complicated and competitive world with ever-growing pressure and expectations from left and right. This goes with bands and musicians as well. The video was filmed by Toni Pasanen and edited by Sami Timonen.

Watch the music video: https://youtu.be/rDv97OowXDQ

Songs on “Sin And Shame” vary from the fast power metal style opening track to classic hard rock ballad “Dancing Across The Stars” and prog-influenced instrumental “Flying Finn”. The title track deals with ancient religious themes of sin and punishment whereas “Dogs Bark But The Caravan Rolls On” is a classic hard rock shuffle with a catchy riff and a punchline that makes it clear to everybody that they mean business.

Wishing Well can handle all these styles with flying colours, sounding original and familiar at the same time. The band have updated their sound with some more synthesizers and keyboards, though their distinctive trademark Hammond organ is still there on most of the songs, giving the music a majestic touch.

We are relieved to get this album finally off our hands and hopefully into the hands and ears of as many people as possible. We enjoyed writing, rehearsing and recording it but now we just want people to hear the songs, live if possible. The new songs are great fun to play together and we want to take our babies out to the world”, says Anssi Korkiakoski, the guitar player and prime mover of the band. “We take pride in our work and though our music certainly isn’t groundbreaking or revolutionary, it still represents us and shows the world who we are and where we come from. We’ve found our corner of the world and we want to share that corner with hard rock and metal fans all over the world. With our heads in the clouds and feet on the ground, seriously tongue-in-cheek”, he finishes.

Wishing Well – Sin and Shame

01. In The Line Of Fire
02. Soul Rider
03. Space Invaders
04. Mistress Of The Night
05. Lonely Road
06. Dogs Bark But The Caravan Rolls On
07. Sin And Shame
08. Heavenly Body
09. Dancing Across The Stars
10. The Golden Rule
11. Flying Finn

The album was recorded and mixed in various studios during 2022 by Henrik Sirelä, exclucing the title track, recorded and mixed by Marko Kataja.

The album is out on all major digital music services as well as on CD.

Listen to the album: https://push.fm/fl/wishingwell-sinandshame

The band will play an album release gig at On The Rocks Club in Helsinki on 31 March, supporting legendary Finnish hard rock trio, Peer Günt.

Wishing Well are:
Pepe Tamminen –vocals
Arto Teppo – synthesizers
Matti Kotkavuori – bass
Juha Kivikanto – drums
Anssi Korkiakoski – guitars

Wishing Well discography:
Chasing Rainbows (Inverse 2016)
Rat Race (Inverse 2018)
Do Or Die (Inverse 2020)
Sin And Shame (Inverse 2023)

A Personal Message From KIX

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on March 14, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Hello friends! Jimmy here! As you all know, I’ve had some health issues in the last few months. I’ve been working hard to get back into playing shape, but unfortunately I’ve had a couple setbacks in the last few weeks. With the support of my wife Cathy, my KIX bandmates and crew, and all of our friends and fans, I will continue working to return to Rock Your Face Off to the best of my ability. But I’m not there yet.

I’ve come to the realization that I will not be able to return to the stage as soon as I was hoping. I’ve been discussing with my wife and bandmates all the different scenarios for KIX to get back to playing for our fans again. We’ve all thought long and hard about it and have decided it is best to go forward with someone to fill in for me until I can return. We are very fortunate to have found someone who I think is the best possible choice for us.

Please show your love and support to Matt Starr as we welcome him into the KIX camp. He is an amazing drummer/vocalist who has played with many top artists, notably Ace Frehley and Mr. Big. I am humbled and honored that he has agreed to help us out and I welcome him with open arms. As of now, Matt will be playing all the KIX shows until further notice. Please show your support of the band, and Matt, until I can make my return. See you soon! -Jimmy

Source: KIX newsletter

CLICK HERE FOR KIX TOUR DATES

HELLOWEEN – To Return To The USA And Canada This Spring – Tickets On Sale NOW!

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

Photo by Martin Häusler

Legendary German heavy metal icons HELLOWEEN will return to the US and Canada this Spring as part of their ongoing United Forces world tour alongside supporting special guests, HammerFall. The trek will commence on May 13th in Dallas, Texas and wind its way through a total of thirteen cities, the journey drawing to a close on June 3rd in San Francisco, California. Fans can expect an epic night of HELLOWEEN hits spanning the band’s legacy as well as tunes from their latest album, Helloween, marking the first time tracks from the album will be performed live for US and Canadian audiences.

Tickets are on sale now. Secure yours today atTHIS LOCATION. See all confirmed dates below.

HELLOWEEN w/ HammerFall:
5/13/2023 The Bomb Factory – Dallas, TX
5/16/2023 Jannus Live – St. Petersburg, FL
5/18/2023 The Fillmore – Silver Spring, MD
5/20/2023 Terminal 5 – New York, NY
5/21/2023 The Palladium – Worcester, MA
5/23/2023 History – Toronto, ON
5/24/2023 Royal Oak Music Hall – Royal Oak MI
5/26/2023 The Riviera – Chicago, IL
5/27/2023 The Fillmore – Minneapolis, MN
5/30/2023 Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO
6/01/2023 Brooklyn Bowl – Las Vegas, NV
6/02/2023 YouTube Theater – Los Angeles, CA
6/03/2023 The Warfield – San Francisco, CA

http://www.helloween.org

Source: EARSPLIT PR

MNRVA Release Video For “Not The One”

Posted in doom metal, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, music videos, news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on March 11, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Doom metal band MNRVA have released a video for their song “Not the One”. The track is taken from their album Hollow which came out last year via Black Doomba Records. A vinyl version is set to be released on April 7th, 2023 with pre-orders starting on March 17th, 2023.

The band comments: ” ‘Not the One’ is a mid-tempo, sludgy track with a psychedelic intro, catchy vocal hooks, and in-the-pocket grooves. We filmed the video at Filmmaker Chris Bickel’s compound on a sweltering Saturday in June. Columbia, SC’s city motto is “famously hot” and we were all pretty much at our limit, even with constant hydration and industrial fans, which set the perfect scene for a song about burning it all down. The hottest part of the day was actually well after sunset, when the director had us improvise some around-the-bonfire scenes. The fire burned so intensely hot and fast that we had to act quickly. Kevin is a natural at spontaneous invention, and dark mystery.”

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBok4q6hqPQ

MNRVA venture further into the descending darkness with their debut full-length, Hollow. Conjuring gloomy atmospheres with funereal doom and fuzz tones, the heavy trio are unafraid to unveil what’s lurking in the shadows.

Forming in 2018, MNRVA made their debut with the EP Black Sky giving fans a tantalising taste of their unconventional sludge fuelled doom sound. Hollow builds further on their exploration of heavy music with groove-laden riffs, mid-slow tempo tracks and vocals which range between soaring melodies and those of guttural demons . “Not the One” introduces the new album with ludicrously overdriven instruments, impactful percussion and vocals that appear to be reaching out of the abyss. The title track falls further into the gloom evoking an intense dark mood. Melodic motifs and riffs punctuate the black with an experimental twist, adding something extra to the sound without breaking the nightmarish illusion. “The Way” concludes the album with the wrath of the void, fusing the sinister and sombre.

Hollow is a melting pot of sludge drawing upon the guitar grind of MELVINS, the vocal interplay of MASTODON, and the post-doom heaviness of Wisconsin’s BEREFT. Embracing their influences while cultivating their own distinctive edge, MNRVA manipulate these dynamic musical elements to manifest an enticing atmosphere.

Line-up:
Byron Hawk – guitar, vocals
Kevin Jennings – bass, vocals
Gina Ercolini – drums

Bandcamp: https://mnrva.bandcamp.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mnrvabandofficial/

Source: C Squared Music

SATAN – New Wave Of British Heavy Metal Icons To Kick Off Hell’s Decibels Tour 2023 Next Week – Band To Headline Decibel Metal & Beer Fest Pre-Party

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news, nwobhm with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 9, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo by Stefan Rosic

New Wave Of British Heavy Metal icons, SATAN, will return to the stage on a three-week US headlining tour! The Hell’s Decibels Tour 2023 will commence on March 17th in West Hollywood, California and run through April 13th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where the band will headline this year’s Decibel Metal & Beer Fest pre-party. Support will be provided by Night Demon and Haunt.

Comments the band, “This is the most extensive US tour SATAN has ever undertaken. Come join us!”

See all confirmed dates below.

SATAN w/ Night Demon, Haunt:
3/17/2023 Whisky A Go Go – West Hollywood, CA
3/18/2023 Eli’s Mile High Club – Oakland, CA
3/19/2023 Dive Bar – Las Vegas, NV
3/21/2023 Aces High Saloon – Salt Lake City, UT
3/22/2023 HQ – Denver, CO
3/24/2023 Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX
3/25/2023 White Oak (Hell’s Heroes) – Houston, TX
3/26/2023 Amplified Live – Dallas, TX
3/27/2023 Barleycorns – Wichita, KS
3/29/2023 Turf Club – St. Paul, MN
3/30/2023 Reggies – Chicago, IL
3/31/2023 Lefty’s Live Music – Des Moines, IA
4/01/2023 Cain’s Ballroom (2 Minutes To Tulsa) – Tulsa, OK
4/04/2023 Pyramid Scheme – Grand Rapids, MI
4/05/2023 Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH
4/06/2023 Ace Of Cups – Columbus, OH
4/07/2023 Lovedraft’s – Mechanicsburg, PA
4/08/2023 Sonia – Cambridge, MA
4/09/2023 Saint Vitus Bar – Brooklyn, NY
4/11/2023 Dingbatz – Clifton, NJ
4/13/2023 Decibel Metal & Beer Fest Pre-Party @ The Foundry – Philadelphia, PA

SATAN released their sixth full length album, Earth Infernal, via Metal Blade last April. Earth Infernal is a product of the times that birthed it and could only be the work of SATAN. Having churned out cutting edge heavy metal throughout the ‘80s – and reunited in 2011 – the record maintains the high standard of musicianship the band set long ago and it is perhaps their timeliest release. “For two years, the world has been preoccupied with politics and pandemics and while we were all looking the other way our planet has continued to get hotter,” said guitarist Russ Tippins upon the record’s release. “Our Earth is now infernally hot. Almost irreversibly so. We are on a one-way trip to Hell and dragging our children along with us. Yes, SATAN has something to say about global warming.” The album entered the German Charts at position #12, the highest chart entry ever for the band.

Preview and purchase Earth Infernal at THIS LOCATION.

Source: EARSPLIT PR

STRIKER Posts Studio Update – Enter Studio To Work With Producer Josh Schroeder (Lorna Shore, Tallah, King 810) For 7th Full-Length

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, music videos, news with tags , , , , , , , , on March 7, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

L-R – Tim Brown – Guitar, Pete Klassen – Bass, – Dan Cleary – Vocals, Jono Webster – Drums, – John Simon Fallon – Guitar
Photo Credit: Dana Zuk

Canadian shredders STRIKER are excited to share the news that they have entered the studio to work on their seventh album with producer Josh Schroeder (Lorna Shore, Tallah, King 810). The yet-to-be-titled album follows the band’s singles “Strange Love” (2022) and “Death Wish”(2021), which will be featured on the record that follows their Juno Award-winning self-released full-length “Play to Win” (2018) (Record Breaking). The forthcoming album will also feature the band’s latest lineup addition of long-time friend and guitarist John Simon Fallon (The Order of Chaos).

The band comments:

We have arrived at shred central in Midland, MI. We’ll be spending the next 5 weeks WITH Josh Schroeder who will essentially be our 6th band member for the creative process. We are stoked to get into the studio with HIM. We are looking to do something different sonically with this album, more extreme, more over the top, and more punishing and we think he’s the right man for the job. It’s going to be a bit of an experiment for us but we are ready to push out of our comfort zone and lay down some caveman riffs and bigger hooks. Stay tuned for more updates and don’t forget to check out our Patreon for exclusive content!”

In additional news, STRIKER is confirmed to perform this summer in Europe at Bloodstock Festival in the UK and Headbangers Open Air in Germany. Canadian fans can also check out STRIKER at this year’s Hyperspace Metal Festival in Vancouver on April 14th at The Fox Cabaret.

Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/strikermetal

Music Video – “Strange Love” – https://youtu.be/sBsmtgukhHw

Music Video – “Deathwish” – https://youtu.be/98V8CchlEVM

Spotify – https://spoti.fi/2DXOXRZ

​THE BAND CHAT with STRIKER PODCAST – EP 37 – LIVE FROM MIDLAND – https://youtu.be/5BPVQeG4sHA

Source: Asher Media Relations

German Heavy Metal Institution MYSTIC PROPHECY Will Release Their Hot Awaited 12th Studio Album “Hellriot” On May 19th, 2023 via ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on March 2, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

German Heavy Metal institution MYSTIC PROPHECY will release their hot awaited 12th studio album “Hellriot” on May 19th, 2023 via ROAR! Rock of Angels Records!

At least with their celebrated last masterpiece “Metal Division” and chart successes in several countries (including #20 in the official Top 100 German album charts), MYSTIC PROPHECY belong to the spearhead of international Heavy Metal. They are one of the most successful acts of the genre on digital platforms and with several hundred thousand followers on Spotify. At their live shows they prove again and again that they understand Heavy Metal as a passionate ultimate fight. And with their new album “Hellriot” they pick up where they left off with “Metal Divison”: Powerful concise hooks with shout-along factor, hard-hitting and monstrous sound paired with technically brilliant riffs, all refined by a powerful modern production that is second to none and makes the band so popular and unique. In short: With “Hellriot”, MYSTIC PROPHECY deliver brilliantly and make every Heavy Metal heart beating merciless faster!

Hellriot” will be released on May 19, 2023 as jewel case CD, limited mediabook CD, various vinyl colors and picture discs and digital streaming / download format. Also released as a limited to 666 copies collector’s hardcover boxset that includes: the limited mediabook CD, velvet bag, all in one flatware/multitool, raincoat, and signed autograph!

Pre-order the album here: https://bit.ly/mystic_prophecy_hellriot

Mystic Prophecy:
R.D. Liapakis – Vocals
Markus Pohl – Guitar
Evan K – Guitar
Joey Roxx – Bass
Hanno Kerstan – Drums

Produced by by R.D. Liapakis
Mixed & Mastered by Henrik Udd
Cover Artwork & Layout by Dusan Markovic
Additional layout by Michael Gladigau
Photos by Frank Kollbi

TRACK LIST:

  1. Hellriot
  2. Unholy Hell
  3. Demons Of The Night
  4. Metal Attack
  5. Paranoia
  6. Revenge And Fire
  7. Rising With The Storm
  8. Road To Babylon
  9. Azrael
  10. Cross The Line
  11. World On Fire

Source: Rock Of Angels Records

KISS – Announces Final 50 Shows For End Of The Road World Tour

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 1, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

From KISS Official newsletter:

COUNTDOWN: THE FINAL 50 SHOWS. After 50 years of Rock and Roll mayhem, the final 50 shows are here.

KISS ARMY Presale starts March 6th at 10am local time. Please check KISSOnline.com for your local presale time.

General Public Onsale for North America begins March 10th at 10am local time.*

Exclusive VIP experiences will be available. Details for each experience and territory vary so be sure to check your market.

4/12/23 Manaus, Brazil
4/15/23 Bogota, Colombia
4/18/23 Brasília, Brazil
4/20/23 Belo Horizonte
4/22/23 São Paulo, Brazil
4/25/23 Florianópolis, Brazil
4/28/23 Buenos Aires, Argentina
4/30/23 Santiago, Chile
5/4/23 San Salvador, El Salvador
5/27/23 Columbus, OH
6/3/23 Plymouth, UK
6/5/23 Birmingham, UK
6/6/23 Newcastle, UK
6/10/23 Prague, Czech Republic
6/12/23 Amsterdam, Netherlands
6/13/23 Belgium, Brussels
6/15/23 Clisson, France
6/17/23 Munich, Germany
6/19/23 Kraków, Poland
6/21/23 Dresden, Germany
6/22/23 Berlin, Germany
6/25/23 Cartagena, Spain
6/27/23 Lyon, France
6/29/22 Tuscany, Italy
7/1/23 Manheim, Germany
7/2/23 Cologne, Germany
7/5/23 London, UK
7/7/23 Manchester, UK
7/8/23 Glasgow, UK
7/12/23 Rättvik, Sweden
7/13/23 Rättvik, Sweden
7/15/23 Tonsberg, Norway
10/29/23 Austin, TX
11/1/23 Palm Desert, CA
11/3/23 Los Angeles, CA
11/6/23 Seattle, WA
11/8/23 Vancouver, BC
11/10/23 Edmonton, AB
11/12/23 Calgary, AB
11/13/23 Saskatoon, SK
11/15/23 Winnipeg, MB
11/18/23 Montreal, QC
11/19/23 Quebec, QC
11/21/23 Kanata, ON
11/22/23 Toronto, ON
11/24/23 Knoxville, TN
11/25/23 Indianapolis, IN
11/27/23 Rosemont, IL
11/29/23 Baltimore, MD
12/1/23 New York, NY
12/2/23 New York, NY

LONG LIVE KISS

CEMETARY – Signs To Atomic Fire Records – New Album, ‘Come To Ruin’ To Be Released Later This Year + Limited T-Shirt Available For Preorder

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal albums, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on February 28, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Atomic Fire Records is proud to announce the signing of Swedish cult metal band CEMETARY, one of the most exciting bands of the ’90s, capable of merging death metal with gothic and doom flavors. CEMETARY‘s founding member and mastermind Mathias Lodmalm is back to remind us that true legends never die.

Lodmalm comments: “After several decades in the wilderness, CEMETARY finally arrives home at Atomic Fire Records. For better or for worse, I have always gone my own way and rolled the bones as they may. Roughly a decade ago, I started crafting a sound that came to be the upcoming album Come To Ruin. Working with a label was never a thought, quite the opposite. But when I heard the rumblings from Donzdorf, it pulled me in, and what I saw was the finest team in metal today.

“To finally be able to work with people as passionate as myself is a true blessing. I am forever grateful. Old titles will come back to life with the highest production values possible. Not only one, but two new albums are being prepared to usher in the apocalypse with a ferocity never before heard from the band. This has been a long time coming – plans are best laid. Thanks to all who patiently waited and kept CEMETARY alive by tuning into the sound.”

Preorder it now at THIS LOCATION.

Atomic Fire Records co-founder/A&R Markus Wosgien adds, “It was in 1993 when I discovered CEMETARY with their second album, Godless Beauty, which guided me into another world, similar as Tiamat (Clouds) and Paradise Lost (Shades Of God) did the year before. But CEMETARY was different, even more intense with more ‘corners and edges.’ Songs like ‘And Julie Is No More’ and ‘By My Own Hand’ stuck in my head and I can repeat every second even three decades later.

“Some months ago,” he continues, “Lake Of Tears mastermind Daniel Brennare introduced me to Mathias Lodmalm and we started to talk about the past and future. That’s why we kick off our cooperation with beautiful reissues of their ’90s albums, starting with An Evil Shade Of Grey and my all-time favorite, Godless Beauty, including individual interviews and new graphics. Mathias is also in the final steps of a brand new CEMETARY album and the demos we heard took us back to the band’s origin and breathe the mood of those first two cult records.”

Over twenty years have passed but now is the time to break the silence – a new incarnation of CEMETARY springs to life. In celebration of their return is a limited exclusive T-shirt, designed by Lodmalm himself. Featuring CEMETARY‘s logo, this collector’s item is limited to only thirty-four pieces worldwide to celebrate thirty-four years of the band’s existence!

Preorder it now at THIS LOCATION.

CEMETARY:
Mathias Lodmalm – vocals, guitars, bass
Mattias Borgh – drums

About Cemetary: Based in Borås, Sweden, Mathias Lodmalm and his comrades immediately reaped recognition unleashing a stunning debut album titled An Evil Shade Of Grey (1992), shortly followed by their Godless Beauty (1993) masterpiece and Black Vanity (1994). CEMETARY incessantly dominated the extreme metal scene releasing two more records (1996’s Sundown and 1997’s Last Confessions) and touring all over Europe.

Following the band’s split in 1997, Lodmalm released his swansong, Phantasma, in 2005. Continually active within the metal underground, he reemerged as CEMETARY 1213 to create the science fiction inspired concept album The Beast Divine, showing a much colder and harder edge than its predecessors.

Source: EARSPLIT PR

http://www.atomicfire-records.com

SAVAGE GRACE – Reveal First Song And Music Video Of Upcoming Album “Sign Of The Cross”

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal albums, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, music videos, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on February 27, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

May 5, 2023 will see heavy speed metal giants SAVAGE GRACE return with a brand new studio album, entitled “Sign Of The Cross”, through Massacre Records!

On their forthcoming album, SAVAGE GRACE are not only introducing their new vocalist Gabriel Colon – who is described as a blend of the early Rob Halford and the young Ian Gillian – but creating and moving into a new dimension of metal while keeping true to their authentic roots. Guitarist Christian Logue assembled the most incredible musicians from across the world to create the most devastating version of SAVAGE GRACE yet.

Get a sneak peak of their upcoming offering, as the band has just unleashed a music video for first single ‘Automoton’! According to Logue, “Automoton is inspired by Aldous Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’ and is very relevant to the events of the day.”

Watch the new clip by SAVAGE GRACE HERE

Forty years of metal experience went into crafting each of the new album songs into classics they will soon become. In addition, provocative, thought-inspiring lyrics and powerful topics weave their way through this mesmerizing collection of songs.

Christian Logue comments:
“This album is my masterpiece and a grand addition to my legacy of universally acclaimed classic metal recordings. Every song on this album is powerful, there is not one weak track on this record.”

“Sign Of The Cross” was produced by Logue and was mixed and mastered by Roland Grapow at Grapow Studios. Slated for a release as CD, ltd. Vinyl LP and Digital formats on May 5, 2023 via Massacre Records, the pre-sale has just started at THIS LOCATION!

Album track listing:

  1. Barbarians At The Gate
  2. Automoton
  3. Sign Of The Cross
  4. Rendezvous
  5. Stealin’ My Heart Away
  6. Slave Of Desire
  7. Land Beyond The Walls
  8. Star Crossed Lovers
  9. Branded
  10. Helsinki Nights (CD Bonus Track)

Source: Massacre Records

OVERKILL – New Studio Album “Scorched” Releases On April 14th

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on February 25, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Formidable Thrash Metal pioneers, OVERKILL, will be releasing their 20th studio album, Scorched, via Nuclear Blast Records on April 14th. This is phenomenal Metal news! Long live OVERKILL!!

LITA FORD – To Perform At Sweden Rock Festival 2023

Posted in classic rock, classic rock news, Hard Rock, hard rock bands, Heavy Metal, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on February 25, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Text and photos from Marten Andersson Twitter timeline:

It’s official! The Lita Ford freight train is rolling into the @swedenrockfest on June 8! We couldn’t be more excited! I get to Rock for my hometown peeps. 🇸🇪

Lita Ford (vocals & guitar) ~ Marten Andersson (bass), Bobby Rock (drums), Patrick Kennison (guitar)