German hard rock titans BONFIRE have revealed their new vocalist. The band has joined forces with exceptional singer and frontman DYAN, who may be yet unknown but will immediately convince every heavy and hard rock fan!
“As most of you already know. Bonfire was in the process of re-recording the first 3 albums for a special Box Set to go along with the release of Hans Ziller’s book and a Bonfire documentary,” says bassist Ronnie Parkes. “At nearly the end of the recording process Alex Stahl and Bonfire split ways.
Bonfire would like to welcome to the family our new vocalist DYAN. DYAN was born 31 years ago in Greece and currently lives in the UK. He is an incredible addition to the team and will surely bring Bonfire to new heights!”
Now, BONFIRE has re-recorded the classic “Fantasy”, taken of their iconic 1987-“Fireworks” album, while DYAN is showcasing his extraordinary vocal talent and giving the track a new, fresh sound and shape! Give DYAN a warm welcome and watch BONFIRE’s official music video for the new version of “Fantasy” HERE
Norwegian death metallers CELESTIAL SCOURGE have signed to Time To Kill Records for the release of their debut EP “Dimensions Unfurled”. The EP is slated for a release on January 20th, 2023.
Today, the band have release a new track entitled “Elliptical Orbit” which showcases their exceptional talent. Stream it HERE.
“‘Elliptical Orbit’ is one of our heaviest tracks and filled with riffs to puncture anyones membrane. With technical riffs and brutal breakdowns we give you a journey through the cosmic purgatory of space”.
“Dimensions Unfurled” tracklist:
01. The Vast Profound 02. Moon Dweller 03. Elliptical Orbit 04. Dimensions Unfurled 05.Mortal Sun
CELESTIAL SCOURGE is a brutal/technical death metal band from Norway founded by Stian Gundersenduring the pandemic. The band features members from well known acts from Norway such as BLOOD RED THRONE, DECEPTION, RUUNand ARVAS.
The band draws influence from a wide range of death metal bands while injecting melodies and progressive elements to create their own frantic sound.
Watch for more audio previews and more news on other upcoming CELESTIAL SCOURGE activities to be posted shortly.
The EP was produced by Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed) and Nick Bellmore (Jasta, Dee Snider). Players on the EP include the aforementioned Nick Bellmore (Dee Snider/ex-Toxic Holocaust on drums), Charlie Bellmore (Dee Snider/ex-Toxic Holocaust on guitars), and Chris Beaudette (Jasta/Enteirro on bass). The EP’s striking and vivid artwork was illustrated by Dan Goldsworthy (Accept, Corpsegrinder, Alestorm).
RETURN TO DEATH ROW EP TRACK LISTING: “Die While We’re Alive” “Embattled” “The Night (Take It Back)” “Silent Cage” “Heroes Dare” “Return to Death Row“
Ripper is currently serving as the frontman for KK’s Priest, featuring former Judas Priest member KK Downing.
Veteran US heavy metallers JAG PANZER are finally back in full force! Today, the band is proud to announce their signing to Atomic Fire Records for the release of their twelfth full-length album, The Hallowed, which is due out next Spring.
Comments founding guitarist Mark Briody, “JAG PANZER is proud to announce that we have signed to Atomic Fire Records. Over the years, we have seen the incredible promotional work done by Markus, Flori, and their team. We felt that our music combined with their hard work could take JAG PANZER to the next level. We are very excited to bring The Hallowed to Atomic Fire Records.”
Adds Atomic Fire Records founder/A&R MarkusWosgien, “When we got the offer for a new JAG PANZER album, it was already a bit of a no-brainer to give them a deal. When we heard the album, it became a must-have. Honestly, this is one of the best albums they’ve ever done and they have an armada of classics in their discography. They sound hungry, inspired, and take all their trademarks to another level. We cannot wait to release their first singles and believe me; it wasn’t a hard choice to make. This is a future heavy metal classic to come!”
JAG PANZER came into being in 1981 in Colorado Springs and, over four decades later, has lost none of their rebellion and power. Inspired by the onslaught of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, Mark Briody and his comrades quickly became one of the most intriguing US power metal acts, releasing a glut of successful studio albums, including their debut album AmpleDestruction (1984), The Fourth Judgement (1997), Thane To The Throne (2000), TheScourge Of The Light (2011), and their latest effort, The DeviantChord (2017).
After facing several lineup changes and a hiatus, JAG PANZER are still holding sway as their forthcoming album The Hallowed proves.
Recently, JAG PANZER welcomed long-time touring guitarist Ken Rodarte as an official band member: Said Briody, “Ken’s done a great job on the last several tours. When he expressed interest in joining the band, we put him on an eight-week audition to see how he’d fit in with our creative process. Ken’s contribution to The Hallowed exceeded all our expectations. Harry, Rikard, John, and I are all excited to have Ken on board.”
JAG PANZER Live: 1/19/2023 Klub Remont – Warsaw, PL 1/21/2023 Hammer And Iron Festival – Essen, DE 1/22/2023 Baroeg – Rotterdam, NL 1/24/2023 Kyttaro Live Club – Athens, GR 1/25/2023 Eightball Club – Thessaloniki, GR 1/26/2023 Down Town Live – Nicosia, CY 7/27–29/2023 Headbangers Open Air Festival – Brande-Hörnerkirchen, DE 8/11–13/2023 Alcatraz Festival – Kortrijk, BE
JAG PANZER: Harry Conklin – vocals Mark Briody – guitars Ken Rodarte – guitars John Tetley – bass Rikard Stjernquist – drums
Canada’s premier melodic and power metal festival HYPERSPACE is proud to announce its full lineup for its 2023 edition being held on April 13-15 in Vancouver, BC at The Fox Cabaret and Rickshaw Theatre.
Joining the final lineup is Calgary’s speed demons Riot City, Atlanta power thrashers Paladin, power prog saviours Immortal Guardian, Denver fantasy heroes Celestial Wizard along with locals, epic metallers Atavistia, and one-man instrumentalist Zack Brannon.
EXMORTUS
The lineup also features previously announced headliners California melo-death warriors EXMORTUS, Edmonton Juno Award winners, and heavy metal champions STRIKER along with HMF alumni JUDICATOR and LORDS OF THE TRIDENT among many more for the three-night event. (festival day-by-day schedule listed below).
Unfortunately, Odinfist and Hrom have had to pull out of HMF4. There will be plans to welcome them again in future years.
Festival organizer Joey Hockin of Journeyman Productions adds:
“We’re excited to have our 2023 lineup complete. This fourth year of the fest is going to be another great gathering of metal’s best and upcoming power and prog-influenced bands. We look forward to seeing everyone making the trek to Vancouver this April.”
Saturday, April 15th (Rickshaw Theatre) Exmortus Judicator Lords Of The Trident Paladin Immortal Guardian Lutharo Hyperia
JUDICATOR
Over the three editions of Hyperspace Metal Festival, bands from all over the world have come to play power, prog, melodic death, and speed metal on the Canadian West Coast. The festival has presented lineups that have included performances by Into Eternity, Witherfall, Planeswalker, Iron Kingdom, Helion Prime, Ravenous, Crimson Shadows, West of Hell, Judicator, Odinfist, Tanagra, Scythia, Greyhawk, The Order of Chaos, Red Cain, and many more.
Seattle (WA) – Heavy Metal quintet TELOMYRAS will release its self-titled debut EP on February 18. The EP’s first single, “Cambion,” is streaming now on Bandcamp at the link below!
Inspired by both classic and contemporary metal bands, TELOMYRAS writes riff-driven music with an emphasis on melodic phrasing, punctuated by progressive elements.
The collection of songs on the EP represents the band’s musical vision, which embraces both the darkness and the light with triumphant exclamation. The musical performances are influenced by a range of metal genres, such as thrash, power, and traditional heavy metal. The powerful vocal performance and lyrics comment on conflict and change through the lens of myth, personal strife, and the reality of the world we live in.
Line-Up:
Sammie Gorham – Vocals Travis Busby – Drums Eric Thomas – Bass Guitar Ephraim Grimm – Guitars Jack Schonher – Guitars
FFO: Iron Maiden, Smoulder, Megadeth, Crystal Viper, Chastain, Metallica
Track Listing:
Cambion
Colorless
First Blood
Hydra
Throne Of Ruin
Credits:
All songs written and arranged by Telomyras. Recorded at Hanger 12 Studios in August of 2022. Engineered and mixed by Cody Brumlow. Logo by Erich Lough. Artwork by Sam Haglund.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania’s long-running traditional metal veterans ICARUSWITCH today drop a banger of a new single, “10,000 Light Years From Home,” as well as a captivating lyric video for the anthem. With this sci-fi-themed single, the band provides a glimpse into their futuristic folklore concept album slated for 2023 through Cleopatra Records.
UK’s Metal Hammer Magazine called ICARUSWITCH, “One of the best New Wave Of Traditional Metal Bands to carry the standard triumphantly into the future.” Today, the band is living up to that prediction as they unveil an animated video that takes place in a dystopian future, created in part with AI, set to an explosive trad metal track called “10,000 Light Years From Home.” This song was road-tested on festival stages around the world this year and showcases the first studio recording released by the band since 2018’s critically acclaimed LP, Goodbye Cruel World. The single marks another milestone for the band as it’s part of their first concept album, No Devil Lived On, which will be released next year.
Founding member Jason Myers sets the scene, “Though written at the height of the global pandemic, the messages in ‘10,000 Light Years From Home’ ring truer today than ever before. The lyrics are taken from the ship’s log of a crew on a doomed space voyage. The story takes place in the near future when an elite group of global government officials as well as several of the world’s wealthiest business leaders, and foreign royals take flight on a mission to escape the planet they helped decimate while seeking to colonize new worlds to satiate their egos and personal fortunes. Will these intergalactic robber barons accomplish their selfish cosmic agenda, or will the prophecy of Gaia’s mysterious occult council prevail? Tune in to find out.”
Featuring a guest spoken word section by Paul Messerle, the guitars and bass for “10,000 Light Years From Home” were recorded by Quinn Lukas at QL Audio, and the vocals and drums were recorded by Andrew D’Cagna at Sacred Sound Studio. The song was mixed and mastered by Brad Cox at Black Paw Studios. Aubrianna Myers handled the graphic design while Jason Myers produced the video using Midjourney AI illustrations animated by Emre Alan.
Watch ICARUS WITCH’s spellbinding “10,000 Light Years From Home” lyric video now at THIS LOCATION.
“10,000 Light Years From Home” is also available on all major streaming services today including Spotify HERE, Apple Music HERE, Amazon HERE, and more.
Watch for updates on ICARUS WITCH’s impending No Devil Lived On album to post in the months ahead.
ICARUS WITCH: Andrew D’Cagna – vocals Quinn Lukas – guitar Jason Myers – bass, synthesizer Noah Skiba – drums
York (PA) – Vintage proto-metal purveyors SPELLBOOK have released a lyric video for “Goddess,” a track from new album DeadlyCharms. You can check out the video at youtu.be/gZEUeAmb4_s or below:
Deadly Charms is available on CD, digital, and vinyl formats via Cruz Del Sur Music. See the links below for streaming and purchase options.
The follow-up to 2020’s Magick & Mischief was recorded in February at Developing Nations in Baltimore, Maryland, with producer/engineer Kevin Bernsten. The album also marks the SPELLBOOK recording debut of their two new guitarists, Les Yarde and Patrick “Patty” Benton.
“The material has new life injected into it while still maintaining the adventurous ’70s hard rock sound we strive for,” says drummer Nick Zinn. “It certainly helped Les and Patty love Magick & Mischief and its no-rules approach. Yet, at the same time, Deadly Charms does seem a bit more focused. We love how the overall vibe has a more anthemic feel.”
Line-Up:
Nate Tyson – Vocals Les Yarde – Guitar Patrick “Patty” Benton – Guitar Seibert Lowe Jr. – Bass Nick Zinn – Drums
According to Zinn, the lyrical themes on DeadlyCharms lean much heavier on horror and reality than the fantasy and fiction approach found in Magick & Mischief. The David Thiérrée (BEHEMOTH, MORTIIS, IHSAHN)-created artwork capably showcases these topics.
“The cover depicts an open spell book spewing forth witches, devils and other ghastly things,” notes Zinn. “These are all subject matters within Deadly Charms songs. We’ve been fortunate to work with so many great artists over the years on different albums dating back to our WITCH HAZEL days and enjoy the excitement of a new artist on each project we do.”
Magick & Mischief was released in the thick of the global pandemic. While it put a premature end to the band’s touring plans, it immediately cultivated a feverish critical following.
Bring on the Aqua Net….your 80’s dream team has come true!! Vince Neil and Stephen Pearcy are bringing the 1980’s Sunset Strip Experience to your town…..starting with Coachella, California, Tempe Arizona, then more shows to be announced.
These 2 Legendary Voices of MTV and all things debaucherous will give fans a night filled with Hit after Hit taking you back to your days in the Sun blasting tunes from your Boombox while drinking Bartles & James at the beach. 🏖️
So wax up the Z28, load up the trunk with ice and wine coolers, pick up your hottest babe, and Come to the Coolest Party in your life!! Vince Neil and Stephen Pearcy are comin’ to your town and it’s Gonna be FRICKIN’ AWESOME!
Extreme Metal Music is proud to announce the release of the one-man black metal band, Croatia’s Tryglav‘s second album “The Ritual” this coming February 2023 to follow the 2019 debut “Night of Whispering Souls” also released on the label.
All the music on “The Ritual” were written by founder Boris Behara with vocals entrusted to vocalist Callum Wright along with mixing and mastering by producer Rocco Pezzin. The songs on the sophomore record began their journey in 2018 as part of Behara’s love for black metal and horror imagery. After many re-compositions and re-arrangements along with interruptions from the world pandemic and his personal health with two open heart surgeries. , “The Ritual” will now see the light once again via Extreme Metal Music, a subsidiary of Italian label Rockshots Records.
“After three years, a world pandemic, and two open heart surgeries, I’m proud that the album I worked hard on is finally seeing the light! This time I wanted something more than just individual horror stories, that’s why I worked so hard to put out an original concept story based on Plague Doctors, which are the trademark of this band since the beginning. This album has seen so many difficulties, but finally, after three long years, it’s here! I hope fans will enjoy it as much I did create it!”
Tryglav‘s sound is aggressive, melodic, modern, and emotionally epic black metal, and fans of its predecessor will notice a maturity in sound and lyrics. The story behind the album is set in the 17th century as Tryglav explains further:
“On a dark stormy night, a dying man sighed his last breath. Nothing his parents could do to save his life. A Plague Doctor was called. Four of them showed up, taking the dead body with them. The family knew that they would never see him again. What they didn’t know was that he would come back, in an unimaginable way..”
Tryglav is recommended for fans of Dark Funeral, Dissection, and Uada.
Track Listing: I The Ritual – 5:26 II The Evocation – 3:51 III The Plague – 5:08 IV The Repentance – 4:15 V The Redemption – 3:18 VI The Vision – 5:44 VII The Vengeance – 4:11 Album Length: 31:56
Album Credits: All music by Boris Behara Concept story by Boris Behara Lyrics by Social Abattoir Vocals by Callum Wright Band Photography: Susanne Pedersen Editing by David Busai Cover,Graphics and Layout by David Busai Mixed & mastered by Rocco Pezzin Produced during the year 2019-2022
The world’s favorite hard rock monsters, LORDI, who are currently busy touring Europe, are gearing up for the next chapter of their spooky discography. Today, the horde is proud to announce their signing to Atomic Fire Records. While their current seven-CD(!) album box, Lordiversity, was released just one year ago, the famed Finnish group led by mastermind Mr. Lordi have fully seized their time at home during the pandemic to record a follow-up album that will see the light of day in Spring 2023.
LORDI comments, “We are damn proud to announce that LORDI are joining the impressive ranks of Atomic Fire Records! We’re quite psyched up to stir the pots with Markus Wosgien, Flori Milz, and their fantastic team. Leaving AFM Records (thanks a million, Jochen) was not an easy decision for us since the support there was always great! Stay tuned monster maniacs — the next era is all set and ready and awaiting just right around the corner…”
Atomic Fire Records label founder/A&R MarkusWosgien adds, “With LORDI, we are happy to welcome another heavyweight of the heavy metal scene to Atomic Fire Records. Twenty years ago, their fantastic debut Get Heavy was released and you simply had to love them! The combination of their monster image with traditional ’80s metal was a real joy on every single one of their albums and is always a guarantee for a true metal inferno live on stage. What Mr. Lordi and his monster clan recently created on the seven-CD package Lordversity still leaves me speechless and will probably never be seen again in this form. We are looking forward to the next chapter with some new monster anthems par excellence!”
New LORDI tunes will come your way soon. In the meantime, you can catch the band live on their European Lordiversitour currently underway and the newly announced The Tour To End All Tours run with Sabaton and Babymetal. See all confirmed dates below. Keep up with all LORDI live dates at THIS LOCATION.
LORDI:
11/23/2022 Der Hirsch – Nuremberg, DE w/ Almanac, Dymytry
11/24/2022 Eventhall Airport – Regensburg-Obertraubling, DE w/ Almanac, Dymytry
11/25/2022 Hole44 – Berlin, DE w/ Almanac, Dymytry
11/26/2022 Hellraiser – Leipzig, DE w/ Almanac, Dymytry
11/28/2022 Backstage (Werk) – Munich, DE w/ Almanac, Dymytry
11/29/2022 Essigfabrik – Cologne, DE w/ Almanac, Enemy Inside
11/30/2022 Garage – Saarbrucken, DE w/ Almanac, Enemy Inside
Dallas Toler-Wade and his Metal band NARCOTIC WASTELAND invaded Columbus Ohio on October 29th, opening for the powerhouse ACCEPT. Over 500 (announced) die-hard Metal maniacs assembled at The King Of Clubs on this evening, well prepared for the Metal onslaught that was to be unleashed. I was eagerly one of them. I was not denied… NARCOTIC WASTELAND pummeled my Metal senses into submission. Yes they did.
Joseph Howard – drummer & backing vocals – (photo credit: Stone/Metal Odyssey)
Between Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati Ohio, there are TONS of music clubs and venues. With that said, I’ve never been to The King Of Clubs before this night. I’ll say this venue is very spacious, with a full bar, an upstairs dining area, outdoor sitting area and a large stage. I was impressed by The King Of Clubs and their entire staff. A first-class music venue.
Here’s a 57 second snippet (below) of NARCOTIC WASTELAND live that night. Enjoy.
Video credit: Stone/Metal Odyssey
Dallas Toler-Wade is a Metal warrior,having been an 18 year member of the brutally legendary NILE. He commanded the stage with a formidable presence and (obviously) appeared to be having a tremendous time singing and playing at every second. The crowd and band fed off each other and that’s what ignited the energy level to high. No doubt in my mind, NARCOTIC WASTELAND performed like a headliner on this night.
As a live band, NARCOTIC WASTELAND plays like a cohesive Metal unit and delivers a skull numbing Death Metal attack. I’ve seen many live shows; yet I haven’t been this impressed and had this much fun since I saw CRYPTOPSY some years back.
With new singles released (“Morality and the Wasp” and “The Best Times Have Passed”) prior to this show, NARCOTIC WASTELAND also have 2 previously released studio albums to draw material from. Their blend of Death meets Thrash with threads of Trad Metal blends flawlessly together. I applaud each band member for giving it ALL at King Of Clubs that night and look forward to seeing them live again on their next tour.
During the past few years,long-running stoner/doom metal act GODWATT has been crafting their new opus “Vol. III”, which will be released on CD, LP and digital format on December 20th 2022 via Time To Kill Records.
To celebrate this delightful day of the album announcement,the Italian band are now premiering the video of new single “Signora Morte”. Watch it HERE.
Album tracklist:
01. Signora Morte 02. Sepolta 03. Croce 04. Delirio 05. Oscura 06. Non Ritornerai 07. Lamenti
No one combines 70’s hard rock in the vein of Ozzy’s era Sabbath, heavy rock and stoner/doom metal streaks quite like Italy’sGODWATT. With unflinching viciousness and a sense of atmosphere unique to the band, with their upcoming new album they are going to push the boundaries of their craft even further.
Pre-order/add/save ‘Like a Ghost‘and ‘Pirate Love’HERE
Iconic rockers Faster Pussycat have announced the upcoming release of double A-side singles ‘Like a Ghost‘ and ‘Pirate Love‘ which will be available digitally, via Golden Robot Records on November 28.
This release is the first for the band under the Golden Robot umbrella with Taime Downes saying earlier this year “The band and I are over the moon to join the Golden Robot Records rock-n-roll family! We are super excited to release some of our badass new tunes globally – we know the label see our vision and supports the band and we feel completely at home here.”
The double A-side single comes just a few months before Faster Pussycat are expected to hit Australian shores with an exclusive Australian tour edition of ‘Like a Ghost‘ and ‘Pirate Love‘ on coloured translucent blue 7″ vinyl available to purchase at these shows with only limited stock to be made available online.
‘Like a Ghost‘ is a track about growing up in the 70’s, listening to the radio and doing what kids do and the memories it brings back. It features Taime‘s signature vocals carrying the song through to completion. The production on this track is second to none with blistering guitars and the band in full force.
‘Pirate Love‘ a cover of the legend Johnny Thunders stays true to the original with both tracks complimenting each other with strong instrumentals, killer vocals and an edge to them – everything you would expect from a top-shelf Faster Pussycat release.
Pre-order/add/save ‘Like a Ghost‘and ‘Pirate Love’HERE
ABOUT FASTER PUSSYCAT:
Faster Pussycat is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California
Faster Pussycat has been releasing albums over the past 30 plus years, andhave grown to be one of the most influential hard rock bands in the USA, especially during the late 1980s and early 1990s, resulting in sales over two million plus records worldwide and over 215,000 monthly listeners on Spotify alone with millions of streams. The band still tour the world and will be in Australia in January 2023.
This past May, British Thrash Metal force ONSLAUGHT were inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame – being characterized as “one of the most ferocious, explosive and controversial Metal bands ever to come out of the UK.”
2022 sees one of the most influential and respected bands of their genre, led by Nige Rockett, celebrating its 40th anniversary and is doing so in style. Today, ONSLAUGHT are re-issuing their latest three studio albums “Sounds Of Violence“ (2011), “VI” (2013) and “Generation Antichrist” (2020) as red 180 gram Vinyl editions in gatefold sleeve. ONSLAUGHT have also released a special “Anniversary Edition“ of “Sounds Of Violence”, which now comes as a 2-CD digipak including a bonus CD.
Watch the new, official music video for the band’s classic “Godhead”, now streaming HERE
The band recently commented: “It’s great to see AFM re-releasing these albums to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the band. Some new Sounds of Violence artwork, new videos and bonus tracks too?…yea, this is fucking killer!”
The ONSLAUGHT anniversary editions, which belong into every well sorted Thrash Metal record collection are now available via the AFM Records store at THIS LOCATION!
Today, Italianblack-thrash metal trailblazers NECRODEATH share the new single “Oomny Ones”. Watch the video HERE.
The clip was produced by Time To Kill Records/Morbid Vision Italyand directed by the band’s frontman Flegias with the assistance of Merlin Music Management, BlåKläDer, Midnight Club.
The song is inspired by Kubrick’s “A Clockwork Orange” – the scene in which Alex, the protagonist, is seen regaining his leadership among his “droogs”. In the video, the director (and singer of the band) elaborates this concept through the rivalry between two motorcycle gangs who meet to discuss the ownership of a territory. Those who are able to showcase a little (un)healthy ultra-violence will prevail. The video also shows the whole band drinking milk plus inside a replica of the famous Korova Milk Bar.
The band’s new record “Singin’ in the Pain” will be released via Time To Kill Records on November 28th 2022.
“Singin ‘in the Pain” is a concept based on the movie “A Clockwork Orange” by Stanley Kubrick, where the band takes us on a one-way black-thrash journey, soaked in immorality and violence, and back to a vain attempt at redemption and normality.
The album is conceived in 9 tracks linked together by the narrating voice of Tony Dolan of VENOM INC. and supported in the finale by the presence of Eric Forrest of E-FORCE (ex-VOIVOD).
Ready for a bit of the old ultra-violence?
Tracklist:
01 Gang Fight 02 Transformer Treatment 03 The Sweet Up and Down 04 Redemperdition 05 Delicious Milk Plus 06 655321 07 The (In)sane Ultraviolence 08 Oomny-Ones 09 Anti-Hero
Check out the band’s latest single, “Transformer Treatment”, at THIS LOCATION. “Transformer Treatment” is a song written in collaboration with S.B. Reder (SCHIZO).
The moment you hear it, you know it’s NECRODEATH. Formed back in 1984, the Italian act is one of the real iconic black-thrash metal bands. With an ongoing career of almost 40 years, the band has helped to shape the Italian metal scene and the international underground as it is today. NECRODEATH released a cult-demo tape titled “The Shining Pentagram” and obtained an incredible success in the underground.
The demo is still considered a real gem in the thrash and black metal history. Tons of tributes in major magazines, fanzines and other underground outlets highlighted the release of the first two legendary albums “Into The Macabre” (1987) and “Fragments Of Insanity” (1989). And today after many full-lengths, EPs and side projects the long voyage to hell is not over yet.
Album discography:
Into the Macabre (1987) Fragments of Insanity (1989; re-recorded in 2019) Mater of All Evil (1999) Black as Pitch (2001) Ton(e)s of Hate (2003) 100% Hell (2006) Draculea (2007) Phylogenesis (2009) Old Skull (2010) The Age of Fear (2011) Idiosyncrasy (2011) The 7 Deadly Sins (2014) The Age of Dead Christ (2018) Defragments of Insanity (2019)
You can now pre-order the LTD Print MetalChurch “The Best of Mike Howe” (2016-2021) vinyl record picture disc bundle, includes memorial guitar pick, 4×4 sticker and 8×10 insert. [ONLY 300 AVAILABLE!] This is the first, last and only pressing, once they are gone they are gone, so grab yours while supplies last!
There is also a CD Jewel-case version which includes an unreleased bonus/demo track “Never Grow Old”! Pre-orders will ship on or before December 16, 2022.
Golden Robot Records are proud to announce the signing of the fiery, full-blooded Polynesian metal band, Shepherds Reign.
Members Filiva’a James, Oliver Leupolu, Shaymen Rameka, Gideon Voon and Joseph Oti-George have cemented a unique space for themselves in the industry with thunderously fearsome hits, including 2020 hauntingly feral track ‘Le Manu‘ that has amassed over 1 million streams since its release.
“We have had our eye on Shepherds Reign for years. There is no one doing what they are doing, it is completely unique and we are thrilled to be a part of it. This is just the beginning for Shepherds Reign, the catapult is coming,” says Golden Robot Records CEO and President Mark Alexander-Erber.
“From our first meeting with Golden Robot I could really feel the passion that Mark and the team have for music and rock n roll so I’m really excited to see what we can achieve together,” enthuses Oliver Leupolu. “We have great feelings about our new joint venture, there’s a great sense of ‘justice’ for rock n roll in the house of GR and in saying that, I believe Shepherds Reign will fit the bill very well. A new path has opened but the journey remains the same!” adds Shaymen Rameka.
With new music on the horizon, the rarity of Shepherds Reign will become more evident, as will their demand for the world stage. The bands guitarist Gideon Voon sums it up saying, “We are excited for the next chapter in our story, as we have full confidence in Golden Robot to give us the tools to carve our place in the history of music.”
Fiercely dedicated to their cultural heritage and Polynesian pride, every Shepherds Reign live performance bleeds inner grit and passion, and as said-stages multiply Shepherds Reign remain as ferociously focused as ever on taking over the world with their next chapter looking paramount. “A new path has opened but the journey remains the same!” roars Rameka.
Pay attention. Shepherds Reign are here and they’re determined.
Italian melodic death metallers CULTØ have launched their new lyric video of “Frost”. The song is featured on the band’s debut album, “Of the Sun”, out now via Time To Kill Records. Watch the clip HERE or below:
CULTØ was born from an idea of mastermind Dave, who, in a very short time span, nmanaged to put together a line-up made up of well-known musicians from the Lombardy underground scene (Ghostheart Nebula, Vide, Perfidious, etc.) and record an album of nine songs.
The style of “Of The Sun” comes straight from the Gothenburg sound of the 90s (In Flames, Dark Tranquility, etc.) opening on to more aggressive musical tones. The album is not only a personal interpretation of this music style, but revolves around a message on the awakening of generative consciousness and on the power of artistic expression.
The concept of the lyrics is focused on the awareness of the artist and his creative abilities, through the metaphor of a star that, following a flare, becomes a creator and destroyer god in search of himself and his kind.
Line-up:
Dave – Vocals Panta – Drums Ema – Guitars BT – Bass John Pino Lisi – Guitars
CULTØ combine a number of genres and influences, ranging from In Flames to Bloodbath and Septicflesh, filtered through a prism of metallic extremity. The result is fierce melodic death metal, mixing the best of old and new school into their own sound.
Tracklist:
1. Flare 2. Experiment 1 3. Excrete 4. Frost 5. The Desert Of Shadows 6. Void 7. The Ashes Of Annihilation 8. Darkness Leads To Light 9. Fire From Inside
MUNROE’S THUNDER, fronted by renowned power-metal vocalist, Ronny Munroe, have released their new album The Black Watch today via RFL Records.
Ronny Munroe Comments:
MUNROE’S THUNDER, The Black Watch, is loosely based on my family heritage, as some of my ancestors were actually in the black watch who guarded Mary, Queen Of Scots. Finding that out intrigued me enough to do a concept record about my family heritage.
“After a very long wait, this record is finally finished and ready for you all to hear. I am very proud and elated by all the hard work that went into it, from the hours of research to the countless hours from DMP behind the board and all the remarkable talent that is on the album. Thank you so much to Jon and the team at RFL Records for having faith in our vision and for finally bringing MUNROE’S THUNDER to the masses.”
The Black Watch is a journey where melodic power metal tells the tale of darkness, betrayal and bravery during the reign of one of history’s most recognized Queens, Mary Queen Of Scots. Mary Queen of Scots, original name Mary Stuart or Mary Stewart, (born December 8, 1542, Linlithgow Palace, West Lothian, Scotland—died February 8, 1587, Fotheringhay Castle, Northamptonshire, England), queen of Scotland (1542–67) and queen consort of France (1559–60). Her unwise marital and political actions provoked rebellion among the Scottish nobles, forcing her to flee to England, where she was eventually beheaded as a Roman Catholic threat to the English throne. The story is one of history’s most recognized tales and Munroe, coincidentally, has ties to the legendary history of the Queen.
Sound effects and atmospheric textures set the mood of this album and its chilling tale, delivered, of course, in full-throttle power metal style. The title track unleashes Munroe’s soaring melodic vocals accompanied by epic guitar leads and riffs. The album also includes a number of ballad-style tracks: “Babbington Mary”, “Falkirk” and “Thirty Years War”. The shift in musical textures and pace adds further dimension to the dynamical journey of The Black Watch. “The Executioner” brings this royal story of bloodshed to a gruesome conclusion. Thunder and rain manifests alongside a sombre guitar melody before the track builds into the full heavy ensemble. An anthemic chorus, dark guitars and haunting lyrics tell of Mary’s execution and bring this chapter to a close.
About Ronny Munroe:
Ronny Munroe is an American singer, most noted as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band METAL CHURCH. Ronny recorded three albums with METAL CHURCH before the band decided to call it quits in 2009. His second tenure with the band lasted from 2012 when the group reunited until 2014, where he left to “pursue other interests.” In October 2011, Munroe joined the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, as a vocalist, which further defined his prominence as one of metals elite. In July of 2022, Munroe was announced as the new lead vocalist for the power metal titans, VICIOUS RUMORS.
Munroe has an extensive background as a lead singer and has fronted acts such as ZERODISCIPLINE, MADHOUSE, MOXI, the Seattle band PALADIN from 1986 to 1988 and also the band FARCRY in the early ’90’s.
MUNROE’S THUNDER meshes METAL CHURCH, SAVATAGE, VICIOUS RUMORS and IRON MAIDEN and there is something for every metal fan here. Munroe’s broad vocal range and power highlight the album and its easy to see that there is still plenty of fire left in the heart and voice of the talented rocker.
MUNROE’S THUNDER: Ronny Munroe – Vocals David Mark Pearce – Guitars, bass BJ Zampa – Drums Justin Zych – Guitar Oliver Wakeman-Keyboards
Track Listing:
1. Battle Cry 2. The Black Watch 3. Awaken The Fire 4. Gray Hall 5. Babbington Mary 6. Brace For The Night 7. Dead Man’s War 8. Falkirk 9. Thirty Years War 10. Echoes Of The Dead 11. The Executioner
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