Archive for melodic metal

Nightqueen and Winter’s Verge – New Videos Uploaded on Massacre Records

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, heavy metal videos, melodic metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on November 18, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

The newly uploaded music videos of NightqueenLady Fantasy and Winter’s VergeNot Without A Fight have been uploaded on www.massacre-records.com or you can watch them both here: www.youtube.com/massacrerecords

Lady Fantasy will be on the debut full-length album from Nightqueen, which is titled For Queen & Metal and looks to drop in January of 2012, on Massacre Records.

* Not Without A Fight appears on the forthcoming full-length album from Winter’s Verge, titled: Beyond Vengeance, (on Massacre Records).

NIGHTQUEEN:

Keely Larreina – vocals

Rex Zeco – guitar

Alan Rawson – guitar

Daniel Kells – keyboards

Steven Steele – bass

William Blodyn – drums

WINTER’S VERGE:

George Charalambous – Vocals

Stefanos Psillides – Keyboards

Harry Pari – Guitars

Miguel Trapezaris – Bass

Chris Ioannides – Drums

LONG LIVE NIGHTQUEEN.

LONG LIVE WINTER’S VERGE.

LONG LIVE MASSACRE RECORDS.

Stone.

WOLFPAKK – S/T Debut Album Of Epic, Melodic, Hard & Heavy Songs In Stores Now! Some Positive Metal Thoughts…

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on October 13, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

The self-titled debut from WOLFPAKK is out now in North America. The brainchild of musicians Michael Voss (ex-Casanova, Mad Max) and Mark Sweeney (ex-Crystal Ball), the goal of WOLFPAKK was not only to feature their respective characteristics and strengths, but also to be joined by guest musicians on the album from all over the Hard Rock and Traditional Metal scenes. Within a very short time over thirty musicians from all over the world had contacted the ambitious Sweeney and Voss to take part in the project, and an album was constructed.

Simply dubbed Wolfpakk, all ten songs were written by Voss and Sweeney, who also shared in the vocal duties, in addition to handling all production and mixing. Joining Michael Voss and Mark Sweeney on this release was an international cast including Paul Di’Anno (ex-Iron Maiden), Tony Martin (ex-Black Sabbath), Jeff Scott Soto (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen, Talisman), Tim “Ripper” Owens (ex-Judas Priest), Paul Shortino (ex-Quiet Riot), Tony Franklin (ex-Blue Murder, Robert Plant), Mat Sinner (Primal Fear), Neil Murray (Whitesnake), Igor Gianola (U.D.O.) and Marco Wriedt (Axxis). View full list of guest musicians at this location.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* WOLFPAKK was released in North America on October 11th, 2011, on AFM Records.

Stone Says: Really, what can I say in regards to this astounding “all-star cast” of guest musicians that contributed to WOLFPAKK? Amazing. A hundred Metal bravos to Michael Voss and Mark Sweeney! This album soars in its epic appeal, quality melodic songs, Power Metal feel and Hard Rock meets Traditional Heavy Metal sound. My best Metal advice is to buy this album, play it LOUD and enjoy a collaboration of incredibly talented musicians that make WOLFPAKK glisten with Hard Rockin’ and Metal thunderin’ pride.

WOLFPAKK has taken me by surprise and I like Heavy Music surprises that are this grand. Amazing again. I only hope and pray, that this is not the one and only album that I get all stirred up from by WOLFPAKK… please sirs, may Stone have more? Metal be thy name.

WOLFPAKK – Track Listing:

01. Sirens

02. Dark Horizons

03. Lost

04. Slam Down The Hammer

05. The Crow

06. Wolfpup

07. Let Me Die

08. Reptile’s Kiss

09. Ride The Bullet

10. Wolfony

* For more info on WOLFPAKK, click on the links below:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wolfpakk/111305725627387

AFM Records

LONG LIVE WOLFPAKK.

Stone.

THE NEOLOGIST Release New Album Teaser – Ask For Fans Help

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, melodic death metal, melodic metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on July 31, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

THE NEOLOGIST – America’s Gothenburg styled Melodic Metal band THE NEOLOGIST have just released an album teaser to their upcoming release, The Promise of Eternal Separation, in which fans can hear bits to every song on the album.

Coming off the release of their highly acclaimed debut album, The 26 Letters of Your Universe, as well as their full IN FLAMES cover album IN FLAMES We Trust: Volume I, the band delivers more intense Melodic Metal.

In addition, the band is asking for the help of their fans in choosing the next albums singles.  THE NEOLOGIST will be releasing 3 singles from the new album before the full length is released, and they want fans to help them decide which songs to use.  All you have to do is listen to the new album teaser and tell them which song you want to be released first as a single.  Fans can write on the wall to their homepage (www.theneologist.net), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Neologist/157218564291856), or even email theNeologist@gmail.com.

THE NEOLOGIST will also be giving away their entire new album for free, as with all of their music.

The track listing for The Promise of Eternal Separation:

1. Fall of an Empire

2. Innate Supremacy

3. Subterranean Creatures

4. Apollo’s Creed

5. With Blind Eyes

6. In The Name Of…

7. The March of Sagittarius

8. Between the Fallen

9. A Call to Harms

10. My Angel Is a Demon

11. Lost Souls of a Forgotten Science

*12. Red Clouds (Disarmonia Mundi Cover)

Album Teaser – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtppE-7P7jk&feature=channel_video_title

* For more info on THE NEOLOGIST, click on the links below:

www.theNeologist.net

www.youtube.com/theNeologistOfficial

Download all the music for FREEwww.theneologist.bandcamp.com

(Source: Team All About The Music – Publicity)

LONG LIVE THE NEOLOGIST.

LONG LIVE INDEPENDENT METAL.

Stone.

BENEDICTUM – Guitarist Pete Wells Takes Over Metal Express Radio This Friday, July 1st, 2011!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock guitarists, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on June 29, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

METAL EXPRESS RADIO is pleased to announce that this week’s Guest DJ is guitarist Pete Well’s from U.S. Heavy Metal powerhouse BENEDICTUM. Pete heard how much fun his vocalist, Veronica Freeman, had doing the show that he wanted to take command of the DJ chair for himself! He’ll also take a call or two on air! After Pete’s setlist, which is essentially a homage to some classic Metal guitarists, we’ll play some cuts off Benedictum’s latest album entitled Dominion, which is currently available through Frontiers Records.

Tune in to METAL EXPRESS RADIO on Friday, July 1st at 9:00 AM & 3:00 PM EST to listen! 

(Source: ClawHammer PR)

* For more info on BENEDICTUM, click on the links below:

BENEDICTUM – Official Website

BENEDICTUM – facebook

LONG LIVE BENEDICTUM.

Stone.

DRAGONFORCE – Announce Only East Coast Show For 2011!

Posted in concerts, Heavy Metal, melodic metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on June 10, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

As reported on RoadRunnerRecords.com, June 10th, 2011:

Shredmasters DragonForce have announced their only East Coast show for 2011! This intimate show will be taking place October 21st at New York’s Gramercy Theater. DragonForce’s return to New York will be their first since 2009, and will give fans and media the unique opportunity to preview the band’s new singer Marc Hudson and whet their appetites for what’s to come with some brand new material from their highly anticipated forthcoming album. Click here to purchase tickets!

* For more info on DRAGONFORCE, click on the links below:

DragonForce – Official Website

ROADRUNNER RECORDS

LONG LIVE DRAGONFORCE.

Stone.

Nergard “The Beginning” EP – Features Andreas Nergard, Ralf Scheepers, Tony Mills and Mike Vescera: Releases June 14th, 2011

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, melodic metal, melodic rock, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 1, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

NERGARD – THE BEGINNING: Here is a press release detailing an exciting Metal Musical, MEMORIAL FOR A WISH, that is being written/composed by ANDREAS NERGÅRD. A three song EP: Nergard – The Beginning will be released on June 14th, 2011, via PUG-NOSE RECORDS. The following information is courtesy of Andreas Nergard and PUG-NOSE RECORDS:

Since May 2010 Norwegian musician and composer ANDREAS NERGÅRD has written material for a Metal Musical entitled MEMORIAL FOR A WISH. “Musicals and concept albums have always fascinated me,“ Andreas says eagerly. “I created this project because I wanted to make an album with the singers and instrumentalists who have inspired me to start playing music. It’s because of them I’ve become a musician and a composer.” And he has an impressive line-up for the musical. THE BEGINNING is an EP containing three tracks off this musical and features performances by the well known vocalists Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR, GAMMA RAY), Tony Mills (TNT, SHY) and Mike Vescera (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, LOUDNESS).

Andreas has worked hard with the musical for a long time. “Since April 2010 I’ve worked an average of 4-5 hours each day with this project, both with the music and promotion of the music,” explains Andreas. “I play all the drums, percussions and keyboards myself, and I’m also handling the bass guitar on a couple of tracks. Also I wanted complete control of the whole process, from the song writing to the mastering. Therefore I’ve spent a huge amount of time in the studio.” The musical was recorded at Trondheim Studio (Trondheim/Norway) with the outstanding producer Conor Patrick.

The Metal Musical – Memorial For A Wish will be released on two individual albums: ACT 1 and ACT 2, during 2011-2012.

The story of MEMORIAL FOR A WISH is set to Dublin, Ireland, in 1890:

The young man Peter O’Donnell is arrested and wrongfully accused for a burglary which he did not commit. After a short trial he is sentenced to prison for twenty years. In desperation he is forced to leave his pregnant wife behind and live in solitude behind the prison walls. Twenty long years passes by and Peter is released from jail, only to find out that his beloved wife died many years ago while giving birth to their daughter. The friends he once had turn their backs on him and let him face the grief all alone. This eventually tears him apart. As the hands of sorrow and despair becomes too much to handle he ends up committing suicide.

Nergard – The Beginning Track List:

1. The Haunted – featuring Ralf Scheepers (4:01)

2. All I Ever Wanted – featuring Tony Mills (5:16)

3. Hell On Earth – featuring Mike Vescera (5:11)

* Vocalists and/or musicians also appearing on the albums will be:

Åge Sten Nilsen – (Wig Wam)

Göran Edman – (Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum)

Helge Engelke – (Fair Warning)

David Reece – (Bangalore Choir, Accept)

* For more info on Nergard – The Beginning EP and Memorial For A Wish, click on the links below:

Memorial For A Wish – myspace music

Nergard – Memorial For A Wish – facebook

Memorial For A Wish (memorialmusical) on twitter

LONG LIVE ANDREAS NERGÅRD.

Stone.

STEELHEART – “Black Dog”: New Single Downloads For FREE On June 5th, 2011!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on May 26, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

STEELHEART – As it has been posted on the official website for SteelHeart:

Miljenko Matijevic/SteelHeart recorded a new single for the world! After many requests by the fans, Miljenko and the boys went into the studio and cut a rendition of Black Dog by Led Zeppelin. Futuristic, hard and heavy! Get it at the SteelHeart website for free on June 5, 2011″.

Stone Says: Whoa! This new cover song of Led Zeppelin’s Black Dog should be quite the Hard Rockin’ ear candy from SteelHeart! Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale and I can’t wait to hear it! Plus, what a cool gesture to all Rock, Hard Rock and Metal fans across the globe… to offer this new single for free! I’m marking my Metal calendar for June 5th. A huge Metal kudos goes out to Miljenko Matijevic/SteelHeart for such a move!

(Source: SteelHeart Official Website)

(Contributor: Scott Coverdale)

* For more info on Miljenko Matijevic/SteelHeart, click the link below:

STEELHEART – Official Website

Long Live Miljenko Matijevic/SteelHeart.

Stone.

Within Temptation – “Shot In The Dark”: A Melodic and Symphonic Metal Song That’s Truly Memorable

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, melodic metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, operatic metal, rock music, rock music news, symphonic metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on May 26, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

WITHIN TEMPTATION – On March 29th, 2011, the fifth studio album from the Dutch Symphonic Metal band Within Temptation was released, via RoadRunner Records. The Unforgiving is the album and my favorite song from it is Shot In The Dark. Sharon den Adel is an amazingly powerful vocalist, she really summons up a bounty of believable emotion on Shot In The Dark. Within Temptation took Melodic and Symphonic Metal to incredible heights with The Unforgiving. I highly recommend this new album from Within Temptation. I admire and respect the direction that this band has taken on this album and it has become quite the contagious listen for me over the past month. Truly an inspiring album is The Unforgiving.

In the April 2011 issue (Issue 130) of Power Play Rock & Metal Magazine, (vocalist Sharon den Adel stated about the new album’s concept: “It’s a very realistic story, although you don’t see that in the first phase when you see a lot of the supernatural and people being brought back to life to have a second chance. It’s not about bad people but good people making bad choices. There are many layers and characters but it’s about making peace with yourself.”

Watch and listen below to Shot In The Dark… I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

http://youtu.be/GRPdSqfLxAU

Within Temptation:

Sharon den Adel – vocals

Robert Westerholt – electric guitars

Martijn Westerholt – keyboards

Ruud Jolie – acoustic & electric guitars

Jeroen van Veen – bass guitars

Track Listing For The Unforgiving:

Why Not Me

Shot In The Dark

In The Middle Of The Night

Faster

Fire And Ice

Iron

Where Is The Edge

Sinéad

Lost

Murder

A Demon’s Fate

Stairway To The Skies

* For more info on Within Temptation, click the links below:

WITHIN TEMPTATION – Official Website

ROADRUNNER RECORDS

LONG LIVE WITHIN TEMPTATION.

Stone.

UNEARTH – Darkness In The Light: Album Art and Track Listing Revealed! New Song Stream Available!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, metal odyssey, metalcore, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , on May 11, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

UNEARTH – Pit-churning, Melodic Metal pioneers, UNEARTH, are currently readying to unveil Darkness In The Light, their fifth full-length in a discography that’s placed the band among the most prolific and plainly ravaging modern metal acts to come out of the U.S. Set for North American release on July 5 via Metal Blade Records, the 11-track long player — their most conceptually personal offering to date — was recorded at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts with producer (and Killswitch Engage guitarist) Adam Dutkiewicz and mixed at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida by Mark Lewis (The Black Dahlia Murder, Whitechapel, Trivium, et al). Sitting in on drums during the recording was Justin Foley of Killswitch Engage/Blood Has Been Shed.

Commented UNEARTH vocalist Trevor Phipps of the band’s latest output: “Darkness In The Light is without a doubt some of the heaviest, most dynamic and memorable tunes we’ve ever written. The disc is littered with the shred ‘n’ stomp-filled songs our fans would expect from us, as well as some added vocal hooks, guitar melodies, guitar solos and some different paths taken in style and structure. We knew we had to continue to separate ourselves from the pack and to cement our place in the Heavy Metal world as one of the leaders and not as one of the many followers that seem to hop on the trend wagon and give up so easily when the going gets hard. We are here to stay and collectively we couldn’t be any more fired up to play these songs around the world for our fans new and old.”

Darkness In The Light Track Listing:

01. Watch It Burn

02. Ruination Of The Lost

03. Shadows In The Light

04. Eyes Of Black

05. Last Wish

06. Arise The War Cry

07. Equinox

08. Coming Of The Dark

09. The Fallen

10. Overcome

11. Disillusion

UNEARTH:

Trevor Phipps – Vocals

Buz McGrath – Guitar

Ken Susi – Guitar

John “Slo” Maggard – Bass

Justin Foley – Studio Drummer

The first single, the instantly pummeling “Eyes Of Black,” is currently streaming on the band’s official album landing page, which includes updated tour info, pre-order options and more. Said Phipps of the track: “We chose ‘Eyes Of Black’ to be the first song heard out of the gate as we feel it represents the ‘UNEARTH sound’ and style perfectly and it’s simply a hard-hitting, catchy-as-hell song. The lyrics are also in line with many of the albums darker lyrical themes. I’m not speaking for all of the band, but this is my personal favorite on the album and I can’t wait to get out there and play it live!” To check out the tune, point your browser to THIS LOCATION.

Several pre-order deals for Darkness In The Light are available. Packages include:

CD: $9.99

CD + T-Shirt: $19.99

CD + Unearth Beer Bong: $20.99

CD + T-Shirt + Unearth Beer Bong: $29.99

For further info, visit: http://www.darknessinthelightalbum.com

Coinciding with the release of Darkness In The Light, UNEARTH will bring their ruckus to the live arena on a host of dates that include headlining shows and a spot on this year’s Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival with Disturbed, Godsmack, Megadeth, Machine Head, In Flames, All Shall Perish, Kingdom Of Sorrow and more! Confirmed dates below.

UNEARTH:

05/20/2011 Egan Civic & Convention Center – Anchorage, AK w/ As I Lay Dying, Turbid North

05/21/2011 Blue Loon – Fairbanks, AK  w/ Turbid North

07/05/2011 Jakes – Lubbock, TX  w/ Turbid North

07/06/2011 Club 101 – El Paso, TX w/ Turbid North

07/08/2011 Hard Rock Café – Las Vegas, NV w/ Turbid North

UNEARTH on 2011’s Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival w/ Distrubed, Godsmack, Megadeth, Machine Head, In Flames, Trivium, Suicide Silence, All Shall Perish, Straight Line Stitch, Kingdom Of Sorrow, Red Fang:

07/09/2011 San Manuel Amphitheatre – San Bernardino, CA

07/10/2011 Shoreline Amphitheatre – San Francisco, CA

07/11/2011 Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR *Off Date w/ Suicide Silence, All Shall Parish

07/12/2011 White River Amphitheater – Seattle, WA

07/13/2011 Idaho Center Amphitheatre – Boise, ID

07/15/2011 Cricket Wireless Pavilion – Phoenix, AZ

07/16/2011 Hard Rock Casino Presents: The Pavilion – Albuquerque, NM

07/17/2011 Comfort Dental Amphitheatre – Denver, CO

07/18/2011 Granada Theater – Lawrence, KS *Off Date w/ Suicide Silence, All Shall Parish , Red Fang

07/19/2011 Verizon Wireless Amphitheater – St. Louis, MO

07/20/2011 Riverbend Music Center – Cincinnati, OH

07/22/2011 Comcast Center – Boston, MA

07/23/2011 Parc Jean Drapeau – Montreal, QC

07/24/2011 The Comcast Theatre – Hartford, CT

07/25/2011 Lost Horizon – Syracuse, NY *Off Date w/ All Shall Parish

07/26/2011 Club Texas – Auburn, ME *Off Date w/ Suicide Silence, All Shall Parish

07/27/2011 P.N.C. Bank Arts Center – Holmdel, NJ

07/29/2011 First Niagara Pavilion – Pittsburgh, PA

07/30/2011 Jiffy Lube Live – Washington, DC

07/31/2011 Susquehanna Bank Center – Camden, NJ

08/02/2011 Verizon Wireless V. Beach Amphitheater – Virginia Beach, VA

08/03/2011 Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek – Raleigh, NC

08/04/2011 Peabody’s – Cleveland, OH *Off Date w/ Suicide Silence, All Shall Parish

08/05/2011 First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre – Chicago, IL

08/06/2011 DTE Energy Music Theatre – Detroit, MI

08/07/2011 Verizon Wireless Music Center – Indianapolis, IN

08/09/2011 Zoo Amphitheatre – Oklahoma City, OK

08/10/2011 Superpages.com Center – Dallas, TX

08/11/2011 New Daisy Theatre – Memphis, TN *Off Date w/ Suicide Silence, All Shall Parish , Red Fang

08/12/2011 Lakewood Amphitheatre – Atlanta, GA

08/13/2011 1-800-Ask-Gary-Amphitheatre – Tampa, FL

08/14/2011 Cruzan Amphitheater – West Palm Beach, FL

Worldwide Release Dates:

Darkness In The Light will be released in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Norway July 1, the rest of  Europe on July 4, North America, Spain and Italy on July 5, Finland and Hungary on July 6, and Japan on July 27.

(Sources: Earsplit PR, Metal Blade News Update)

* For more info on UNEARTH, click on the links below:

http://www.darknessinthelightalbum.com

http://www.unearth.tv

http://www.facebook.com/unearthofficial

http://www.twitter.com/unearthofficial

http://www.myspace.com/unearth

LONG LIVE UNEARTH.

Stone.

STRAIGHT LINE STITCH – Shoot New Music Video, Behind The Scenes Footage Available!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on May 4, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

(Alexis Brown – Vocals)

(New York, NY) — STRAIGHT LINE STITCH have shot a brand new music video for their next single “One Reason” off their latest record The Fight Of Our Lives which came out earlier this year. Veteran director and band manager Dale ‘Rage’ Resteghini took on the directing duties.

Watch a sneak peak behind the scenes video here.

The band has no qualms about staying on the road this year. They recently announced off-dates with the one and only IN FLAMES during their run on the 2011 ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK MAYHEM FESTIVAL. They’ve recently completed a handful of dates with road mates NONPOINT, Revolver magazine’s “Hottest Chicks In Hard Rock: Hell Hath No Fury” tour supporting IN THIS MOMENT and last but not least, DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL. All dates can be found here.

The band’s latest record The Fight Of Our LIves came out on March 22, 2011 to much critical praise. “‘The Fight of Our Lives’ is a good example of what happens when modern American metal-core is performed with passion and intensity,” says OUTBURN MAGAZINE. The band released their first single “Conversion” soon after with a video to follow, also directed by Resteghini.

STRAIGHT LINE STITCH originally hailing from Knoxville, TN, features Alexis Brown on vocals, Seth Thacker and Kris Norris on guitar, Jason White on bass, and Kanky Lora on drums.

(Source: eOne Music)

* For more info on STRAIGHT LINE STITCH, click the links below:

Straight Line Stitch – facebook

Straight Line Stitch – myspace music

LONG LIVE STRAIGHT LINE STITCH.

Stone.

SYMFONIA – New Album “In Paradisum” Streaming Via AOL Music and Released Today! April 19th, 2011

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, melodic metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on April 19, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

SYMFONIA, the new Melodic Metal project featuring the all-star lineup of vocalist Andre Matos (ex-Angra), guitarist Timo Tolkki (ex-Stratovarius), drummer Uli Kusch (ex-Helloween), bassist Jari Kainulainen (ex-Stratovarius) and keyboardist Mikko Harkin (ex-Sonata Arctica), unleash their debut full-length today via Armoury Records. Titled In Paradisum, the ten-track offering was recorded mainly in Finland, mixed and mastered in Italy and produced by Timo Tolkki.

In celebration of its release, the album is currently streaming in its entirety via AOL Music. To check it out, point your browser HERE.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

LONG LIVE SYMFONIA.

Stone.

HUNTED “Welcome The Dead” – Colossal Progressive Metal To Prize

Posted in classic metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on March 23, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

HUNTED – In my Metal quest for delivering to visitors of Metal Odyssey, unsigned bands that are decidedly worthy of their Metal existence, I have uncovered yet another exemplary band. This Progressive Metal band is based in Cardiff, Wales and is known as HUNTED. Remember the name of this band, cause once a record label signs them (and Hunted will get signed) you can say, with Metal pride, you knew about them “back in the day”. Welcome The Dead is the debut album of ten songs that ruptures with proficiency, the Progressive Metal of Hunted. Hunted is a band that’s on the Metal advance and I’m on board for their Metal offensive.

The Metal influences are easily detectable from the Progressive Metal sound that Hunted plays. I hear Geoff Tate’s influence resonate from the vocals of Chris G and trust me, this guy can sing like his life depends on it. Picture if you will, Iron Maiden fusing their Progressive Metal with Dream Theater and you have what Hunted reminds this Old Schooler of and openly agrees with. Hunted is light years from being a copy-cat band, so rest assured you will be listening to a band that has taken such legendary Metal influences and carved out their own flaming ball of Metal originality.

Minus any keyboard atmospherics, Hunted remarkably pulls off an ambiance of Progressive Metal space that excels. This band can play heavy, my ears don’t doubt this for a second. I Want Nothing has it’s tempo changes, only it plays out quite Heavy in both it’s Metal and vocal personality. There is a lot to be said, as to how Hunted structures their songs, leading the listener on a Metal landscape that evolves with it’s intensity and simmers down with melodic majesty.

The totality of musicianship and the vocals of Chris G carry Hunted in unison, combining for a band that plays extremely tight. While not radiating an over-polished listen in sound, there is an air of rawness to this album that many superstar bands are missing today. I am impressed by the talents of Tim Hamill and Hunted in producing and mixing this album, these are songs that can’t be thrown together with their delicate parts. Hunted comes across as a band that planned this Welcome The Dead album a long time ago, in a Metal galaxy far, far away. This is not an album you can listen to three times over and write about. Instead, Welcome The Dead is an album that needs to be digested for a month, enjoyed and continually savored.

The articulation of Chris G’s vocals coinciding with the Metal articulation of Steven Barberini on guitar could not have happened overnight… or over the course of one year, these songs are that luminous with profound energy, thought and dynamism. The melodic leads and solos that Steven plays are so flavorful, that I am launched into a world of swirling Metal highs because of my hearing them. Sounds sappy? Not to me. Music, especially Metal, can move me like there’s no tomorrow. Metal be thy name.

Aria (In Memoriam) plays out at 8:49 and is one of the finest Progressive Metal epic songs I’ve ever listened to. Emotion spills over from both this songs music and vocals. If your going to make Progressive Metal songs that last this long, the key is to keep the emotion on high and never let up and Hunted does just that. The title track/intro begins with the sounds of war, bullets ripping through the air, marching boots and an air raid siren. This is Progressive Metal. An intro such as this sets the stage, mood and impending anatomy to the songs that follow.

Hunted plays as if they have been together for twenty years. Layered songs with clever lyrics, the enthusiasm and competence this band exhibits through their playing of these songs cannot be denied. I’m already looking forward to another album from Hunted… right now. Then again, Metal, Progressive Metal that is this grand, cannot be manufactured or served up fast-food style. Welcome The Dead is an album of Progressive Metal and Metal for discerning fans of Metal Music. I’ll just end this rave review by adding: Hunted is without question, in the sparse crème de la crème crowd of unsigned Metal bands. Metal be thy name.

Track Listing For Welcome The Dead:

Welcome The Dead (1:19)

The Silence Of Minds (6:03)

Chosen (4:28)

Aria (In Memoriam) (8:48)

The Incident (0.33)

Impaled (5.11)

Scars (5.23)

I Want Nothing (5.41)

Shadows (7.00)

The Heart Collector (Bonus Track) (5.49)

HUNTED:

Chris G – vocals

Steven Barberini – guitars

Jon Letson – bass

Matt “Animal” Thomas – drums

Metal Odyssey gives HUNTED Welcome The Dead Five Metal Fists out of Five!

* Welcome The Dead was mixed and produced by Tim Hamill and Hunted.

* Welcome The Dead was mastered by John K. (Biomechanical)

* Welcome The Dead was recorded & edited by Tim Hamill at Sonic One Studio, Wales, UK.

* Album cover art by: Marcela Bolivar

* For more info on HUNTED, click here: HUNTED – myspace music

LONG LIVE HUNTED.

Stone.

FAITHSEDGE – Releasing Self-Titled Debut On April 19th, 2011! Album Details and Some Metal Thoughts…

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, melodic metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on March 6, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

FAITHSEDGE – What do you get when you combine Heavy Metal and Hard Rock with a bit of Progressive sound and style? FAITHSEDGE is the Metal answer. FAITHSEDGE will be releasing their self-titled debut album on April 19th, 2011, via Scarlet Records. This “new” band can surely be recognized as a supergroup, only the ego’s appear to be non-existent, based on the quality Heavy Music I’m listening to. Five songs are currently streaming on the official FAITHSEDGE website and they are worth every second of your Metal time to check out! (See link at bottom of post)

Making up this veteran lineup of musicians that are FAITHSEDGE: Giancarlo Floridia on lead vocals and guitar, has worked alongside world respected producers Mike Talanca (David Bowie/Foreigner) and Juan Croucier (ex-Ratt) along with others. Songwriter as well, Giancarlo founded FAITHSEDGE in 2009, in Huntington Beach, California. Well known bass guitarist and producer Fabrizio Grossi has worked alongside numerous names in the music industry, including: Alice Cooper, Steve Lukather, George Clinton, Ice T and Cypress Hill, to name a many few.

Alex De Rosso on lead guitar has played “live” lead guitar for Dokken, while touring the globe with them. Alex De Rosso is without a doubt, a widely respected guitarist amongst his peers in the recording industry and has worked alongside some of the very best. Tony Morra on drums owns his own studio in Nashville, Tennessee (the Downtown Batterie) and has played with Rebecca St. James and Van Zant to name a couple.

I’d like to tell the world that I really dig what I hear thus far from FAITHSEDGE. There is a Classic Rock meets Classic Metal feel and vibe that jumps right out of the songs from this band. Giancarlo on vocals sounds excellent, lending plenty of emotion to the lyrics. After listening to Giancarlo, you just might think he is a standout vocalist and guitarist with Arena Rock roots, stretching back to those glory days we call the 80’s. Psyche-you-out guitar licks are aplenty, which gives this band it’s heavy and melodic muscle.

Collectively (not to leave out anyone) FAITHSEDGE plays tight, melodic Hard Rock and Heavy Metal that spills over with many memorable moments for me. This is top quality, this is FAITHSEDGE. These are songs that are worthy of being heard live and loud in any venue on this planet. Metal be thy name.

* Phil Vincent – provides additional background vocals.

This FAITHSEDGE album was:

* Produced, recorded and mixed by Fabrizio Grossi.

* Recorded at Noize Factor Studio (Valencia, CA).

* Mastered by Tom Baker at Precision Mastering (Hollywood, CA).

Track Listing for FAITHSEDGE (partial due to availability)

Another Chance

Let It End This Way

Somewhere In Your Heart

The World Keep Falling Down

There’s Still Hope

* Album cover picture by: Richard Crosthwaite

* Album cover model: Jessica Renee Wilson

* For more info on FAITHSEDGE, just click the links below:

FAITHSEDGE – Official Website

SCARLET RECORDS

LONG LIVE FAITHSEDGE.

LONG LIVE ESKI.

Stone.

SYMFONIA – All-Star Melodic Metal Project To Release Debut Via Armoury Records This April! New Song Stream Available!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, melodic metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on February 28, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

SYMFONIA — the new Melodic Metal project featuring the all-star lineup of guitarist Timo Tolkki (ex-Stratovarius), vocalist Andre Matos (ex-Angra), drummer Uli Kusch (ex-Helloween), bassist Jari Kainulainen (ex-Stratovarius) and keyboardist Mikko Harkin (ex-Sonata Artica) — are gearing up to release their debut full-length. Titled In Paradisum, the ten-track offering was recorded mainly in Finland, mixed and mastered in Italy and produced by Timo Tolkki. The record will be released in North America via Armoury Records on April 19, 2011.

To check out a stream of “Pilgrim Road,” the sixth track off In Paradisum, visit the band’s official website HERE [click the “News” link].

In Paradisum Track Listing:

01. Fields Of Avalon

02. Come By The Hills

03. Santiago

04. Alayna

05. Forevermore

06. Pilgrim Road

07. In Paradisum

08. Rhapsody In Black

09. I Walk In Neon

10. Don’t Let me Go

Honoring the heritage of their previous bands, SYMFONIA is a force no serious melodic metal fan will be able to ignore. The band made its live debut on February 18 at the Finnish Metal Expo in Helsinki, Finland. To check out some fan-filmed video footage, point your browser HERE.

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info on Symfonia, click the links below:

http://www.symfonia.fi

http://www.eaglerockent.com

LONG LIVE SYMFONIA.

Stone.

NECROMANCE “Never Look Back” – Demo From 2009 Swells With Metal Promise

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 19, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

NECROMANCE – As I see and hear it, the younger Metal bands of today are the future of Metal. It has always been that way, as each decade passes. My curiosity for unsigned bands is constant, every notable Heavy Music band in the world today was unsigned at one point in time. So, while I was searching through a pile of CD’s this past week, I stumbled upon Necromance and their demo from 2009 titled – Never Look Back.

Necromance is a Metal band from Pennsylvania, forming back in 2004, with obvious influences that come from Traditional Metal and hints of American Power Metal from yesteryear. The brother and sister duo of  Sarah Teets (vocals) and Jeff Teets (guitar) along with drummer Kalin Schweizerhof make up the current Necromance lineup, original members all.

As with all demo’s, production is not going to jump out at you and scream perfection. With Never Look Back, there are the expected raw edges that comes with a demo recording and I really like what I hear. Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All is raw and that was this legendary band’s first studio album, an eventual launching pad for their Metal fame. The Queensryche EP from 1984 had it’s raw luster to my ears too and look at what that band has accomplished since. Every band needs that launching pad, Necromance plays their Metal with enough Traditional Metal style to attract a vast audience of fans.

Jeff Teets on guitar plays some hot riffs and leads on Never Look Back, not bashful to unleash a muscular solo when it counts. Stand Up And Fight is a prime Metal example of Jeff’s guitar competence. I can feel the energy and excitement in these songs elevate, due to the guitar licks that Jeff lets loose.

Sarah Teets has vocals that would appeal to Power Metal and even Symphonic Metal fans. There is an evident air of Metal clarity to Sarah’s vocals combined with contagious harmony, this very likely can ignite more widespread accessibility for Necromance. Sarah even reminds me of Maria Breon, who fronts the American Heavy Metal band – HolyHell. This is not an operatic Metal band by any stretch of the imagination. The Melodic Metal that Necromance weaves with such an Old School style, is a never ending reminder of just how relevant that Metal sound really is… to me.

I’ll be on the lookout for Necromance in the future, their Metal fire has been lit with Never Look Back. If this band intends to actually never look back and keeps moving forward, while maintaining a belief in their Metal style, then there possibly may be great Metal moments in the future awaiting them.

* Necromance has opened for these extremely well known bands: Jon Oliva’s Pain, Overkill, Raven, George Lynch, Doro, Chris Caffrey, Circle II Circle and Manticora. That is one Metal impressive list, if I might say.

* For more info on NECROMANCE and to purchase their Never Look Back demo, just click on the very cool links below:

NECROMANCE – Official Website

NECROMANCE – Reverbnation

Track Listing For Never Look Back:

Never Look Back

Stand Up And Fight

Necromance

The End Of Our Days

Breaking The Chains

Destiny Calls

Remember (Acoustic)

NECROMANCE:

Sarah Teets – vocals

Jeff Teets – guitar

Kalin Schweizerhof – drums

* Chad Hontz played bass on the Never Look Back demo.

* John Gaffney is the current temporary bassist, NECROMANCE is currently seeking a bassist

LONG LIVE NECROMANCE.

Stone.

VANDEN PLAS “Holes In The Sky” – Music Video… ROCKS!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Power Metal, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on January 13, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

VANDEN PLASHoles In The Sky, the brand new music video from German Progressive Metal Band VANDEN PLAS, is the “first regular video clip in VANDEN PLAS band history”… and it flat out Rocks! Holes In The Sky is a melodically heavy song that has caught my Metal attention like a thunder strike. This song is from the new and sixth VANDEN PLAS studio album Seraphic Clockwork, released in the U.S. on June 22, 2010 via Frontiers Records. I like everything about this song, from the  smooth and harmonious vocals of Andy Kuntz to the atmospheric keyboards of Günter Werno.

If you are into Power Metal, Progressive Power Metal and/or Melodic Metal, then check out this exceptional song below and give your ears the candy it deserves. My ears are asking for more…

VANDEN PLAS:

Andy Kuntz – vocals

Stephan Lill – guitars

Torsten Reichert – bass

Günter Werno – keyboards

Andreas Lill – drums

Track Listing For: The Seraphic Clockwork:

Frequency

Holes In The Sky

Scar Of An Angel

Sound Of Blood

The Final Murder

Quicksilver

Rush Of Silence

On My Way To Jerusalem

Eleyson (bonus track)

(Seraphic Clockwork back cover)

* For more info on VANDEN PLAS, click here: VANDEN PLAS – Official Website

LONG LIVE VANDEN PLAS.

Stone.