Blasting forth from the guts of Erie, Pennsylvania, a vicious new act is about to invade the Death Metal universe, with the debut full-length from EXTINCTION PROTOCOL, confirmed for release via NYC-based D.I.Y. label P2.
Formed in 2010, EXTINCTION PROTOCOL merges classic Death Metal structures with breakdowns and grooves of modern, guttural slam while infusing the darkness of dissonant black metal into the proverbial cataclysmic blender. A nihilistic Death Metal vortex, EXTINCTION PROTOCOL’s debut album, Aeonic Obliteration lyrically scrutinizes the greed and corruption of mankind thus concluding mankind’s eventual downfall due to genetic testing and world altering events.
With nine devastating songs packed into a nearly thirty-three minute event horizon, Aeonic Obliteration features stellar production values courtesy of Ivan at Anthropocide Studios (Abominable Putridity) and full-color cosmic destruction ala JoeJesus of DeviantArt, and will see release on May 14th worldwide.
Inundate your senses with the hellish force of the album-opening track Aeonic Obliteration, “The Merging Of Titans,” alongside the cover art and more EXTINCTION PROTOCOL info RIGHT HERE.
Erik: vocals, Drew: guitars, TJ: Drums, AJ: bass
New York-based P2, while a fairly young label, is based upon disbursing quality material over quantity, the curators of its releases focused on maintaining more of a devout cult status within the extreme underground music world rather than sales-based mass appeal. P2 has released a 7” version of NYC sci-fi/tech Death Metal outfit Artificial Brain’s 2011 demo, and is preparing to unleash the vinyl pressing of New York death/gore kingpins Malignancy’s newest album, Eugenics, in addition to the debut from EXTINCTION PROTOCOL and more over the coming months.
GAMMA RAY – The iconic Kai Hansen and his legendary Power Metal force from Germany, known and celebrated world-wide as GAMMA RAY, will be seeing their Master Of Confusion album release on March 15th, via earMUSIC.
GAMMA RAY are currently on tour with Power Metal pioneers/legends HELLOWEEN, on the Hellish Rock Part II Tour!
Master Of Confusion – Track Listing:
A Side
1. Empire Of The Undead (new studio track)
2. Master Of Confusion (new studio track)
B Side
3. Death Or Glory (Holocaust studio cover version)
4. Lost Angels (Sweet studio cover version)
C Side*
5. The Spirit / 6. Wings Of Destiny / 7. Gamma Ray
8. Farewell / 9. Time To Break Free / 10. Insurrection
*Recorded live in Bochum.
GAMMA RAY:
Kai Hansen – vocals & guitar
Henjo Richter – guitar & keyboards
Dirk Schlächter – bass
Michael Ehré – drums
* For more info on GAMMA RAY, click on the links below!
Texas Thrash heavyweights WARBEAST have announced the upcoming release date for their new full length album, Destroy. The new album, produced by Philip H.Anselmo (DOWN, ex-PANTERA) and engineered by Stephen“The Big Fella” Berrigan, will hit stores and digital retailers on April 2nd via Housecore Records.
Destroy was recorded at Nodferatu’s Lair in May and July 2012 and mixed by Anselmo and Berrigan. The album artwork and concept were designed by “Carcass” John Fossum with graphic and technical assistance by John Deleon.
A CD release show for Destroy will take place at The Rail Club in Fort Worth, TX on April 6th.
Robb Chavez of the legendary Robb’s MetalWorks will be making the trip from San Antonio to cover this event. He will do video interviews with Bruce Corbitt and Scott Shelby as well as getting some live footage. He will also be filming some video testimonials from musicians and fans on their memories of Mike Scaccia.
APRIL 6th CD RELEASE SHOW SET TIMES:
8:00 – ASTYANAX
9:00 – PRIMORDIUS
10:00 – HYMNS (Fayetteville, AR – HOUSECORE RECORDS NEWEST BAND)
11:00 – WARBEAST
12:30 – RABID FLESH EATERS
Warbeast recently announced that Casey Orr (RIGOR MORTIS, GWAR) will join them as their fill-in bassist while on the road this spring with Gwar. The band’s upcoming tour dates with Gwar and WILSON kick off in Tucson, AZ on April 10th. The 16 day run, dubbed the Fate Or Chaos Tour, will continue through the month of April until it closes in Jacksonville, FL on April 25th.
WITCH CROSS lead vocalist Kev Moore has confirmed today, their new studio album Axe To Grind is now with Flemming Rasmussen (Metallica, Morbid Angel) and mastering is underway! WITCH CROSS is also confirmed for the Sun Valley Metal Fest in Italy on Friday, June 28th.
Soon Demon in the Mirror, the first single, will be promoted with a brand new video produced by Peter Hansen.
For more information on this Sun Valley Metal Fest, click on the link below!
7 Days Dead have just announced that, as of today, they will be releasing their debut Beyond Within EP digitally for free! “We want to share our music with as many people as possible and do everything possible to get our name out there”, states drummer StephenBrown.
7 Days Dead will leave the option open for fans to donate should they wish and there is also the option to buy a physical copy through the bands official webstore: www.7daysdead.bigcartel.com
Critical Praise:
“No BS, straight-from-the-gut metal with melody. Period. 7 Days Dead‘s new EP, Beyond Within, is a great listen. Kick ass guitar riffs and awesome vocals; these guys are out to prove that is all you need to entertain in this day and age.”Skulls N Bones
“7 Days Dead are a powerful sounding four piece!”Sea Of tranquility
“Ryan McManus is the Irish response to James Hetfield.” Rock Portaal
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‘Beyond Within’ was recorded at Manor Park Studios, Northern Ireland with producer NealCalderwood (The Answer, The Dangerfields, General Fiasco, Million Dollar Reload, Therapy?). Artwork was undertaken by Kieran Hill from Dog Day Design.
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7 DAYS DEAD – BEYOND WITHIN
STONE’S METAL PICK OF THE DAY!
Stone Says:7 Days Dead are a Metal band worth every second of checking out! This band delivers groove laced Metal that will appeal to both Hard Rock and Metal fans alike. BeyondWithin showcases guitar driven songs with an overall modern and melodic sound that crunches! Eye popping riffs abound! Lead vocalist Ryan McManus does have a striking resemblance to James Hetfield (vocally) and I’m digging it.
Just a terrific new band that I look forward to hearing a whole lot more of in the Metal future! 7 Days Dead have nailed it with their debut EP Beyond Within. Metal be thy name.
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(Source: Future PR)
* For more info on 7 DAYS DEAD, click on the link below!
ADRENALINE MOB – Brace yourself my fellow Metal brethren and Rockaholics; cause ADRENALINE MOB will be making some HUGE noize on Tuesday, March 12th! Their NEW 2013 tour and EP will be landing on this same day! Metal be thy name!
Coverta‘will feature 8 cover songs, showcasing the sensational Metal talents of MikePortnoy on drums, Russell Allen on vocals, Mike Orlando on guitar and John Moyer on bass.
Either join on with the ADRENALINE MOB legion of Metal or get out-of-the-way. Metal as my witness, you’ve all been warned.
On March 30th AVANTASIA will release their new album The Mystery Of Time. Now the band presents the first track called INVOKE THE MACHINE. Besides mastermind TOBIAS SAMMET, the track features PRETTY MAIDS vocalist RONNIE ATKINS as a guest singer.
Tobias Sammet comments: “I have been a huge PRETTY MAIDS fan since I was a teenager. I already asked Ronnie to be on the Metal Opera in 1999, but he was busy back then. Last year I saw PRETTY MAIDS live and they were a steam train on stage, unbelievable. After the show we met and Ronnie was a great guy. Finally after 13 years, I am really proud to have him on the new Avantasia album. And his kick-ass performance leaves no doubt: It was a great decision to ask him!”
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(Source: Nuclear Blast)
* For more info on AVANTASIA, click on the links below!
As reported on the official facebook of SUFFOCATION:
New York Death Metal veterans, SUFFOCATION, have sold 3,213 copies of their new album Pinnacle of Bedlam in the U.S. during its first week of release. That puts the band at #152 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart and at #2 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) Chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
“Pinnacle of Bedlam is an album that we couldn’t be prouder of,” commented the band. “A lot of blood and sweat went into the making of this album and the fans have responded! Thank you to all of you who support SUFFOCATION, as well as Nuclear Blast for their support in helping to bring this brutal beast to the masses and to our management team for keeping all the pieces together. We’ll see all of you on the road on the ‘Despise the World’ tour!!!”
Stone Says: Hails to SUFFOCATION for invading the Billboard Charts! I bought my copy of Pinnacle Of Bedlam; it’s the CD/DVD Digipak version sold at Best Buy for $11.99. I highly recommend this new deathly offering from SUFFOCATION and… Metal be thy name.
Ripple Music will release Fate is Your Muse from Indianapolis Heavy Rockers DEVIL TO PAY on April 9th. The album will be available on CD, vinyl, and digital formats. Fate is your Muse is an introspective lyrical journey that careens from the metaphysical, to the absurd, to the pragmatic (and back again), all set to bone crushing heaviness wrapped in elaborate vocal melodies and elegant guitar phrases. Exploring topics such as reincarnation, the end of days, and the thin veil between reality and fantasy, the Indianapolis foursome create a rare musical experience; one that will have Heavy Rock fans returning for the primal emotional riffs, as well as the complex and heady lyrical content.
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FATE IS YOUR MUSE – Track Listing:
Wearin’ You Down
Ten Lizardmen & One Pocketknife
Yes Master
Already Dead
This Train Won’t Stop*
Savonarola
Black Black Heart
The Naked Truth
Mass Psychosis
Tie One On*
Beyond The Ether
*CD version only
DEVIL TO PAY released a video for the single “This Train Won’t Stop,” which was premiered by The Obelisk in conjunction with the end of the Mayan Baktun on December 21st. The lyrics are about the continual false prophesying of the world’s end. Check out the video below!
The band is hosting a listening party for Fate Is Your Muse at the Sound Square Brewery in Indianapolis on the 16th of March, which will feature the establishment’s home brews, all of which will be named after DEVIL TO PAY songs for the night. DEVIL TO PAY’s album release party will be held at Radio Radio in Indianapolis on the 12th of April.
Pre-order Fate is your Muse by clicking the link below!
WITCH CROSS – Lead vocalist Kev Moore of Metal legends Witch Cross has recently took time out of his unreal busy schedule to do an exclusive interview with Metal Odyssey. A huge Metal thank you to Kev for being so obliging! Below you’ll read about Kev reflecting on the writing of the forthcoming Witch Cross album: Axe To Grind. Kev also speaks with the utmost respect for the Metal legacy in which Witch Cross has earned; as well he speaks the same for his band’s former and current members.
Band chemistry, special (well-known) guest musicians on Axe To Grind, playing the Metal festival circuit and (of course) the fans of Witch Cross, are all touched upon by this talented and charismatic frontman. It’s been many years since the last Witch Cross studio release; that being 1984’s Roadrunner Records release of Fit For Fight. It’s a new Metal era for this Danish rooted Metal band. The fans never went into hiding, Metal never died and now… Witch Cross is back! Here’s what Kev Moore had to say:
Stone: Kev, how excited are you and the entire Witch Cross band & camp to see ‘Axe To Grind’ release?
Kev: We’re totally psyched-up about this release Stone – it’s very, very important to us, as ‘Fit for Fight’ has achieved such a cult status in the Metal world, all these years later we knew it would be a hard act to follow. But we think we’ve stayed true to the ethic of the original, never losing sight that ‘The song is King’.
Stone: Can you tell us Metal faithful how cool it is to have Chris Tsangarides do the mixing for ‘Axe To Grind’?
Kev: To have Chris mix the album is a huge Metal bonus for us. We had him in mind right from the start, and we are great admirers of his work in this genre, his track record speaks for itself! We knew he could help us stay true to the genre and the era from which our music is born.
Stone: Can you elaborate on the flow and chemistry as you and (guitarist/founding member) Mike‘Wlad’ Kock wrote songs for ‘Axe To Grind’? Anyone else contribute to the songwriting?
Kev: Finding a songwriting partner that is easy to work with and complements your own ideas is not an easy task. Primarily, you have to check your ego at the door, and be prepared to have the other guy say ‘I don’t like what you did there’ or ‘that sucks!’ because you need to focus on what is best for the song, nothing else. When Mike sent an idea over for me to look at way before we even got deep into the ‘Axe to Grind’ project, and we started ‘ping-ponging’ the ideas back and forth, I immediately knew we could write together. Mike is prolific and fast, as am I. We worked at a furious pace, honing the material to how we wanted it. I want to give huge credit to Mike, who really kept his eye on the ball regarding his vision for this album, keeping it true to the band and the genre. In addition, we really wanted to make this album very inclusive, and ‘Part of the Machine’ was co-written with our bassist, Jan ‘Little John’ Fields, and ‘Metal Nation’ was co-written with guitarist Paul Martin. To take the ‘inclusive’ vibe further, we have our original drummer from ‘Fit for Fight’, Anders “A.C” Hjort as a guest on several tracks too.
Check out the teaser video below for Axe To Grind… Whoa!
Stone: How did your guest musicians Marta Gabriel, Graham Oliver and Jax Chambers all come on board for this exciting Metal chapter in Witch Cross history?
Kev: We’re so pleased to have these great Metal mates on board for this album! I’ve known Graham for many years, I sang with Oliver/Dawson Saxon for two tours before Wardi joined them and both Graham and I have guested on each others albums in the past. It was natural to want him to contribute to ‘Ride with the Wind’ which is a motorcycle song in the best Saxon tradition! I also get to play bass on that one, so it’s Graham and I together again like the first tour we did. We worked with the fabulous Crystal Viper at Metal Magic in Denmark last year, and Marta’s amazing vocals just knocked us out! It was an honour to have her take the part of the ‘Bird of Prey’, she just rips it to shreds… fantastic Metal stuff!
We’ve known Girlschool for years, often getting the same flights to and from Germany to shows. Jax was a natural to ask to contribute and she’s great fun! She laid down a great solo for ‘Chelsea 100’. What was also cool was my son Corey did the recording of Graham and Jax over in the UK for us, so we kept it in the family! It’s truly an honour to have these three great artists share this album with us. They rock!
Stone: Which are your favorite songs on ‘Axe To Grind’ or is the entire album a favorite?
Kev: It’s REAL hard to pick a favourite, throughout the process it’s changed…but if I had to pick one, it’s probably ‘The Killing of Chelsea 100’. I love the time signature changes and I’m very proud of the lyrics, which reference much of the history and people who went through that famous New York hotel. That said, the album as a whole is a fine body of work, in my obviously biased opinion!
Kev Moore
Stone: Have you performed any new songs ‘live’ yet? If so, how have the fans responded?
Kev: Yes, we’ve been performing ‘Demon in the Mirror’ and ‘Pandora’s Box’, and I have to say, we were blown away by the fans reaction! When you realize that they also have to deal with me as the ‘new’ vocalist singing the old songs and then hearing new stuff on top, it really gave us a great feeling as we were recording ‘Axe to Grind’.
Stone: Are there songs that didn’t make the cut for ‘Axe To Grind’ that (hopefully) will land on a future EP or studio album?
Kev: Hell yeah! We had so many ideas coming out that we’re well on the way to another album’s worth of material already! We had to think long and hard about what to leave off this one and things are shaping up nicely so that we hope it won’t be another 28 years between releases!
Stone: What can you tell your Metal brethren about the ‘live’ Witch Cross experiences you’ve had thus far?
Kev: You know, playing ‘Keep it True’ in Germany last year was immense for us. It was SO important. We didn’t really know how we’d be received, whether we could recapture any of the magic the band had back in the day, and from a personal perspective, whether I would be accepted as the new frontman, because, and I want to go on record with this: Alex Savage’s vocal performance on ‘Fit for Fight’ was a tour de force – it’s a superb piece of work. I’m no stranger to filling a role though. Going out singing Saxon’s catalogue with Graham Oliver, Nigel Durham and Steve Dawson was a big task too and the experience probably helped me when we resurrected WITCH CROSS.
Kev: The fans reaction was truly amazing. You must remember, as is so often the case with Metal, this music gets ‘handed down’ from older brothers, or indeed through generations and there are many people who know the old songs, who never thought they’d ever hear them performed live. Some of the messages of support we’ve had have been wonderful, and the instances of meeting many of the fans at the great festivals such as Metal Magic and Heavy Metal Maniacs in Holland have been very important to us. It is a symbiotic relationship. The band IS its fans, it is our raison d’etre. Without their enthusiasm, their approval, their support, I doubt this album would have been made.
Stone: What are the release dates for ‘Axe To Grind’ in North America, Europe and the UK?
Kev: We have a tentative worldwide release for the beginning of April, but nothing more definite than that at the time of writing. I DO know that our wonderful label Hells Headbangers, will be issuing it in on both CD and 12″ vinyl. More news as we get it!
Photo from Ultraviolet recording sessions at The Jam Room
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“UNSPOKEN” MP3 AVAILABLE NOW
Feb. 26, 2013, Philadelphia – Kylesa is set to release Ultraviolet, one of the most anticipated Hard Rock releases of the year and the follow-up to their critically acclaimed album SpiralShadow, on May 28 via Season of Mist (May 24 in Europe).
“Whereas Spiral Shadow was a warm album suggesting concepts of hope, Ultraviolet is a bit colder and darker,” explains songwriter/guitar player Laura Pleasants. “All of our studio albums have their own unique identity and we’ve always been a band who strives for something different than what current fads suggest. With Ultraviolet, we took a step inward and wrote music that we felt we had to write; this album centers around the multiple themes of loss and you can feel it in the music. Everyone goes through it during their lifetime and this record reflects that experience.”
The Savannah-based quintet recorded Ultraviolet at The Jam Room in Columbia, SC with the band’s guitar player/songwriter, and sought-after producer, Phillip Cope (Baroness, Black Tusk) once again overseeing production.
Kylesa released a rarities collection in November titled From The Vaults, Vol. 1, which featured unreleased, new and alternate versions of songs spanning the band’s catalogue as well as one new song titled End Truth. Cope and Pleasants spent over a year going through their archives preparing the release.
The band’s most recent studio album, Spiral Shadow, had the highest Metal/Hard Rock entry on the Village Voice’s 2010 Pazz & Jop album poll, led Pitchfork to say “Kylesa would be a household name” following the release and landed the band on the cover of Terrorizer as well as album of the month accolades from Metal Hammer, Rock Sound and Visions Magazines. In 2011, Kylesa became the first Metal band to perform on Last Call with Carson Daly.
Kylesa will return to the road in May with more details forthcoming.
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(Source: Speakeasy PR & Marketing)
* For more info on KYLESA, click on the links below!
CRUZ DEL SUR MUSIC is pleased and extremely proud to have signed a deal with FATESWARNING’s original guitarist and founding member Victor Arduini for the release of Arduini’s new band FREEDOMS REIGN.
FREEDOMS REIGN marks Arduini’s comeback to the Metal world since he left FATES WARNING after the release of The Spectre Within in 1985.
Keeping his original, charismatic and unmistakable guitar-style untouched, Arduini returns under the spotlights with fresh enthusiasm and dedication, producing a notable effort of true American-styled Heavy Metal with a classic Ozzy/Sabbath’s flavor. FREEDOMS REIGN was introduced to Cruz Del Sur by long-time friend and “occasional A&R” Tom Phillips (While Heaven Wept) who said about F.R.’s music:
“I think Freedoms Reign would be a welcome addition for anyone into classic heavy rock, early Fates fans, those into both the recent Proto-Metal movement, and the wave of Classic Metal bands that evolved on the outer fringes of the Doom scene!”
Besides Arduini (guitar/vocals) , FREEDOMS REIGN also consists of Tommy Vumback (Guitars), Michael Jones (Bass) and Chris Judge (Drums).
The release of FREEDOMS REIGN’s self-titled debut is set for April 30th to celebrate the Walpurgis Night that originally influenced Fates Warning to release their Night on Bröcken debut exactly 29 years ago.
FREEDOMS REIGN has been active in the Connecticut Metal scene since 2011. The idea behind the band’s formation was to simply make some great music that returned the musicians involved to their roots and could deliver on their commitment to making some Old School Metal that would be relevant in today’s scene. Expect nothing less than a true return to heavy, hard and driving Old School Metal. The band’s self-titled debut was produced by Nick Belmore (Toxic Holocaust/Hatebreed) at Dexters Lab in Milford, CT.
SOEN, the Progressive Metal supergroup featuring drummer Martin Lopez (ex-Opeth, Amon Amarth), bassist Steve DiGiorgio (Sadus, Testament, Death, Iced Earth), vocalist Joel Ekelöf (Willowtree), and guitarist Kim Platbarzdis, are pleased to bring their Cognitive debut stateside this Summer.
Initially released digitally via Spinefarm Records last Winter, Cognitive was mixed by DavidBottrill (Tool, Coheed and Cambria, Silverchair, Smashing Pumpkins, Muse, etc.), mastered by João Carvalho and features ten tracks of what Lopez describes as “melodic, heavy, intricate and different.” View the band’s video for “Delenda,” at THIS LOCATION.
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Cognitive Track Listing:
01. Fraktal
02. Fraccions
03. Delenda
04. Last Light
05. Oscillation
06. Canvas
07. Ideate
08. Purpose
09. Slithering
10. Savia
SOEN – Cognitive
When Lopez joined forces with DiGiorgio, Ekelöf, and Platbarzdis, it was obvious that this collaboration would not be another name-dropping, substance-deprived “super project.” The foursome paint their musical canvas with broad strokes that on first listen may appear gray and sullen, but the true power of the music lies clandestine, just a little below the monochrome surface. More than just a sum of its rather esteemed parts, SOEN weave an intricate network of melody and melancholy. While SOEN may sound Opethian at times, it features none of the guttural vocals and full-on death metal wall of sound of Lopez’ former group. Nothing more is needed however when Ekelöf’s somber voice, Platbarzdis’s transcendent guitar work, Lopez’s trademark drum beats and DiGiorgio’s exquisite bass lines collaborate to build a pensive tide waiting to wash over you.
Cognitive isn’t an instantaneously accessible album but with a bit of listening patience, can prove to be one of the most rewarding pieces of “thinking man’s metal” you will ever come across. In a world full of super-compressed albums waging the loudness war, Cognitive breathes with ease thanks to the warmth of Platbarzdis/Lopez production and the masterful mixing work of. Like rain on a windowpane, translucent and free of form, Cognitive breathes like a living entity. The colors are there, lingering within the grays. It’s just up to you to find them.
Further information on SOEN to be revealed in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.
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Critical Praise:
“The instrumental prowess of each of the members aside, the thing that ultimately makes Cognitive a success is the high-caliber of songwriting from beginning to end, a triumph in rhythmic and melodic interplay between all instrumentalists and vocalist Joel Ekelof… a brilliantly executed album.. sure to stand up to repeated listening for a long time to come.” – Ultimate-Guitar
“For a debut album, this is really something to behold. The production is even, the music thematic and smart, and the musicians eager to share every second with the other. Most remarkable is that SOEN simply appear to be on the exact same page.” – The Metal Observer
Record to See North American Release Next Tuesday!
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In celebration of the upcoming release of their new full-length, Nemesis, Melodic Metal legends STRATOVARIUS are offering up sound/video snippets of its eleven tracks. Produced and mixed by guitarist Matias Kupiainen and mastered by Mika Jussila (Finnvox Studios), Nemesis will be released in North America via earMUSIC in conjunction withArmoury Records next Tuesday, February 26, 2013.
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From the signature power of “Abandon,” and the aggressively energetic “Stand My Ground,” to the folkish elements of “Out Of The Fog,” and the title track “Nemesis,” which boasts medieval melodies and double bass drumming, Nemesis delivers new elements fused with the traditional melodic power metal for which STRATOVARIUS is known.
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In an early review of the record, Metal Underground dubs Nemesis, “one of the finest releases in the band’s history,” while Metal Reviews gushes, “… Nemesis is pure epic! It is grandiose, majestic, melodic yet heavy when it needs to be. It’s an unexpected return to form for STRATOVARIUS. It’s what power metal should sound like, period! It is without the shadow of a doubt STRATOVARIUS‘ best album in ages… Album of the year award? You betchya! If you are a fan of this band, you can’t afford to miss this incredible album.”
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Metalholic, in a perfect 10/10 rating, notes, “Nemesis has a lot of the traditional STRATOVARIUS power metal edge, but they’ve managed to evolve and develop their sound to a much more rounded, matured, and polished heavy metal… This album hit the very depths of my core, my will, my heart, and my soul… This is more than music, it’s a masterpiece and should go down in the book of heavy metal as one of the best heavy metal albums of all time,” while About.com adds, “Nemesis finds the band recapturing the magic of their glory days. Most importantly, the songwriting is excellent as the band seems determined to capture memorable songs that sit alongside the best of their catalog.”
After the tragic loss of their bassist, Markus Berger, in early January, DANTE are now looking for a talented bassist with studio/live experience, who is able to join the band as soon as possible.
DANTE have recently released their new album November Red on Massacre Records and offer an own recording studio, a huge rehearsal room, a creative work environment and much more.
They expect their bassist to be enthusiastic about the band, have knowledge about their music’s genre (progressive metal), be passionate and to be reliable.
If you think you’re the right man or woman, feel free to contact the band via info@danteband.de
AZURE EMOTE, the avant-garde Death Metal entity envisioned and created by Mike Hrubovcak (Monstrosity, Vile, Divine Rapture, Abraxas), will release its second full-length work, The Gravity OfImpermanence, worldwide on April 3rd via Selfmadegod Records.
Under Hrubovcak’s direction, songwriting and full-on participation in its creation, The Gravity Of Impermanence was executed utilizing musicians from Death, Fear Factory, Yakuza, Monstrosity, Tristania, Rumpelstiltskin Grinder and more. With over an hour of material displayed through fourteen tracks, the album is fueled by pummeling blast beats, electronic programming, a mixture of both guttural and haunting vocal styles, violins, saxophone, harmonica and a barrage of other instruments coalescing in a melting pot of misanthropic darkness that defines the AZURE EMOTE ethos, recorded, mixed and mastered by Ron Vento of Aurora Borealis at Nightsky Studios.
The cover art was once again done by AZURE EMOTE’s creator and frontman Mike Hrubovcak, his Visual Darkness works well-known in the death/grind communities for illustrating covers for Sinister, Grave, Cattle Decapitation, Hate Eternal, Mortician, and many others.
Venerable scene news outlet/community Lambgoat.com is hosting an exclusive stream of the opening track to The Gravity Of Impermanence. Unleash the brilliantly unique destruction of “Epoch Of De-Evolution” AT THIS LOCATION.
Experience the epic closing track to the album “Puppet Deities” and more on AZURE EMOTE RIGHT HERE.
South American Black Metal horde Patria have recently unleashed a new album teaser for ‘Nihil EstMonastica’. The trailer was created by Swedish producer Håkan Sjodin, who previously worked for Marduk on their latest official video for ‘Souls For Belial’. The album is set to be released on 13th March 2013 via cult French label Drakkar Productions in Digipack, Vinyl and Cassette formats. Artwork for the album was undertaken by Costin Chioreanu who has worked with bands such as Darkthrone, Ulver, Aura Noir, etc.
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‘Nihil Est Monastica’ Tracklisting is as follows: –
Mantus comments on the release as a definite step forward for Patria, adding that “‘Nihil Est Monastica’ is an album going through a bit fresh musical conception if compared to our previous releases. There’s no walls at all concerning our creativity on this record. We just decided to do what we had to do, naturally, without any worries about labels or rules. Something that would pleasure our own ears as real Black Metal fans, you know. We’re also mixing different influences and elements. It also has a little better production, but even still keeping that necro and lowfi characteristics of the early Black Metal sound. The cover art was designed by the great artist Costin Chioreanu (Darkthrone, Ulver, Aura Noir, Absu, etc.)”
Legendary Metal Queen DORO PESCH is currently finishing up the Raise Your Fist North American Tour which commenced with a fiery appearance on the 70000 Tons Of Metal Cruise late last month! Touring in support of the anthemic Raise Your Fist full-length,released worldwide via Nuclear Blast late last year, the iconic songstress continues to enthrall the masses with her permeating voice, metallic grace and infectious, onstage charm.
Comments the perpetually upbeat DORO: “So far the tour has been so amazing! It’s the best North American tour we’ve ever done. The venues have been packed and so many have sold out. The fans have been truly amazing and so supportive, it’s been overwhelming! The Joliet, Illinois show was so intense, we’re saving some of the live footage for an upcoming DVD. Some shows have been very long — everyone wants to hear so many songs; so many encores! We are so looking forward to playing the rest of these shows, especially Hollywood! The old Warlock members, our label and so many friends are coming out. I truly thank all the fans who’ve made these shows so amazing and possible.”
Additionally, DORO devotees in Tempe, Arizona will have the opportunity to meet Pesch and her bandmates at a special in-store meet & greet on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at Naked Dave’s Music located at 2155 E. University Drive, Tempe, AZ. The signing session will run from 5:00pm – 6:30pm. For more info, go to THIS LOCATION.
DORO North American Headlining Tour 2013 [remaining dates]: 2/19/2013 El Corazon – Seattle, WA 2/20/2013 Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR 2/21/2013 Thee Parkside – San Francisco, CA 2/22/2013 House Of Blues – West Hollywood, CA 2/23/2013 Rocky Point Cantina – Tempe, AZ
Raise Your Fist features guest appearances by Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister and Ozzy/Firewind guitarist Gus G, with artwork by British artist and longtime DORO collaborator Geoffrey Gillespie. The offering debuted at #65 on the American Billboard Heatseekers chart upon its first week of release and was commended by Outburn in an 8/10 rating for delivering “50 minutes of expertly crafted Teutonic metal.”
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Critical Praise For Raise Your Fist:
“…probably the classiest lady in metal.” – Outburn
“Raise Your Fist is a solid outing for DORO PESCH and at this stage in the game, would expect nothing less from her. She still manages to savor that hard rock image and make it work for her and I hope she never stops doing this. I say raise your fist in the air babe, and never let it go.” – Blistering
“On her 12th solo album, German metal maiden DORO PESCH sounds more assured than ever, particularly as a songwriter on these 13 taut, Teutonic tunes.” – Revolver
(Source: Earsplit PR)
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