Archive for metal albums 2023

U.D.O. Announces Touchdown US/Canada Tour – VIP Upgrades Available

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on September 27, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo by Martin Häusler

German heavy metal icons U.D.O. will return to North America this Fall on the Touchdown US/Canada Tour! The journey will commence on November 3rd in Frenchtown, New Jersey and makes its way through nearly two dozen cities, closing on December 7th in Manchester, New Hampshire. Tickets, as well as VIP upgrades which include a meet and greet with U.D.O., a photo-op, autographs, and more are available now at: national-acts.com/UDO. See all confirmed dates below.

U.D.O. Touchdown US/Canada Tour:
11/03/2023 Arties Bar and Grill – Frenchtown, NJ
11/04/2023 The Vault Music Hall – New Bedford, MA
11/05/2023 Reverb – Reading, PA
11/08/2023 The Southport Music Hall – Jefferson, LA
11/09/2023 Rise Rooftop – Houston, TX
11/11/2023 Royal Oaks Event Center – San Antonio, TX
11/12/2023 Trees – Dallas, TX
11/15/2023 The 44 – Glendale, AZ
11/16/2023 Whiskey A Go Go – West Hollywood, CA
11/17/2023 DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA
11/18/2023 Stages – Santa Ana, CA
11/20/2023 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA
11/22/2023 The Rick House – Denver, CO
11/24/2023 The Vixen – McHenry, IL
11/25/2023 The Forge – Joliet, IL
11/26/2023 King Of Clubs – Columbus, OH
11/28/2023 Brass Monkey – Ottawa, ON
11/29/2023 Les Foufounes Electroniques – Montreal, QC
11/30/2023 Lees Palace – Toronto, ON
12/01/2023 Token Lounge – Westland, MI
12/03/2023 Blue Note – Harrison, OH
12/04/2023 Shank Hall – Milwaukee, WI
12/07/2023 Angel City Music Hall – Manchester, NH

U.D.O. – featuring legendary vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, drummer Sven Dirkschneider, guitarists Fabian Dee Dammers and Andrey Smirnov, and bassist Peter Baltes – released their latest studio album, Touchdown, last month via Atomic Fire Records. The record continues to reap critical accolades globally and entered the official German album charts at #4 upon its first week of release marking the highest charting result in their homeland in their long-running career! Other notable chart entries include:

Germany: #4 (Album Chart)
Switzerland: #8 (Album Chart)
Austria: #33 (Album Chart)
Sweden: #1 (Physical, Vinyl & Hard Rock) / #17 (Album Chart)
Finland: #2 (Physical) / #34 (Album Chart)
France: #25 (Album Chart)
UK: #50 (Independent Album Chart)
US: #16 (Top New Artists) / #18 (Hard Rock)

Preview and purchase Touchdown at THIS LOCATION.

Source: EARSPLIT PR

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INCANTATION – Announces New Album, ‘Unholy Deification’ Out August 25th On Relapse Records

Posted in Death Metal, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on July 16, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo by Scott Kinkade

‘Concordat (The Pact) I’ Video Now Playing + Preorders Available

Death metal icons INCANTATION will unleash their new album, Unholy Deification, via Relapse Records on August 25th, today revealing the record’s artwork, track listing, preorders, and first single/video!

INCANTATION frontman John McEntee comments, “I’m not interested in playing it safe. I think other people feel that there are limits to what we do. However, I don’t see it that way. If it feels right, then it’s INCANTATION. The songs we write are an honest expression of ourselves. When people hear the new album, I hope they think, ‘Why are these guys so pissed off?!’ Rage gives focus, which is why this album turned out the way it did.”

Watch INCANTATION’s“Concordat (The Pact) I” music video, directed by The C.O.I.N., at THIS LOCATION.

Physical Unholy Deification preorders are available via Relapse.com HERE. Digital downloads/streaming are available HERE.

INCANTATION‘s sepulchral pandemonium is visually enhanced by award-winning artist and longstanding collaborator Eliran Kantor (Immolation, Kreator, Cavalera, and more.) The end result is an interpretation of Italian Renaissance masters but thrust into INCANTATION‘s cauldron of chromatic malice.

Unholy Deification Track Listing:

  1. Offerings (The Swarm) IV
  2. Concordat (The Pact) I
  3. Chalice (Vessel Consanguineous) VIII
  4. Homunculus (Spirit Made Flesh) IX
  5. Invocation (Chthonic Merge) X
  6. Megaron (Sunken Chamber) VI
  7. Convulse (Words Of Power) III
  8. Altar (Unify In Carnage) V
  9. Exile (Defy The False) II
  10. Circle (Eye of Ascension) VII

Edified over three-plus decades of experience, Unholy Deification is INCANTATION’s thirteenth full-length album. Validated by peers seasoned and new, INCANTATION is more vital than ever. The lineup, featuring founding guitarist/vocalist John McEntee, drummer Kyle Severn, bassist Chuck Sherwood, and guitarist Luke Shively, displays death metal know-how and the power of determination.

Lyrically, Unholy Deification originates with Sherwood. An avid reader and occult logician, the INCANTATION bassist wanted to capture a fully realized concept of evolution through enlightenment. Expect thought-provoking, historically derived intellection. The mortal-to-deity narrative interacts with the merciless musical conflagration of hard-hitting tracks such as “Concordat (The Pact) I,” “Homunculus (Spirit Made Flesh) IX,” and “Invocation (Chthonic Merge) X”. Make no mistake – the ferocious new album, featuring guests Jeff Beccera (Possessed), Henry Veggian (ex-Revenant), and Dan Vadim Von (Morbid Angel), is pure death metal.

Source: EARSPLIT PR

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STITCHED UP HEART “To The Wolves” – A Can’t Miss Album! Review By Metal Odyssey

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, modern metal, movies, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on July 7, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

The Metal world every few years needs a deserving kick-in-the-ass, to rid the status quo that try’s to rear its ugly head. Step in, Stitched Up Heart. This band’s new studio album, To The Wolves, is a guaranteed modern Metal can’t miss. It releases on September 1st, via Century Media. Not a dull moment on this new offering. Not one.

Stitched Up Heart explodes with grooves, hooks, their brand of heaviness, and of course, Mixi’s versatile and incredible vocals. Mixi can vocally deliver both smooth and hard as nails, while her intensity for the lyrics is heard in stunning integrity. Mixi also plays rhythm guitar, rounding out her essential qualities.

The Architect is one of my favorite songs on this album, which only clocks in at 2:50. Regardless, it’s the crunchy and aggressive small package that makes this song so tasty. The title track, To The Wolves, is immensely memorable for me and I’m flat-out addicted to it.

Randy Mathias on bass is heard markedly and gives this album its contagious grooves. Lead guitarist Merritt Goodwin, once again, has delivered a solid performance on this album, in my opinion. Drummer James Decker also casts a presence on each song. All aces on the backing vocals too, which gives this album that elevated vibe.

Annually, ten or so new Metal album releases reinvigorates my Metal soul. To The Wolves is such an album. Buy this new Stitched Up Heart album; this band has elevated their game and it’s their heaviest and best release yet. ‘Nuff said. -Stone

To The Wolves Track List:
To The Wolves
Thunder
The Hunting
Possess Me
Immortal
Taste For Blood
Conquer and Divide
Dead Inside
The Architect
Part of Me
The End

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German Power Metal Force IRON SAVIOR Announces Brand New Album & Shares Title Track: “Firestar”!

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news, Power Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , on June 10, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Following their latest, much-acclaimed offering, Reforged – Ironbound (released in 2022 via AFM Records), Hamburg-based power metal act Iron Savior has announced the release of a brand new studio album! Firestar will be out on October 6, 2023 through AFM, the pre-sale has just started at THIS LOCATION!

To shorten your wait until the full-length release, today, Iron Savior have unleashed their blistering album title track! It’s immediatly evident, “Firestar” is irresistible and with its incredible 176 bpm definitely one of the fastest songs in Iron Savior’s history to date. Says singer and guitarist Piet Sielck: “With the power of the debut, the energy of Condition Red and a massive old-school-meets-modern-soundscapes production, Firestar is a massive track that won’t leave your players for a long time. We promise!”

Watch the official lyric video for “Firestar”, now premiering HERE

The band’s upcoming album will feature a wide range of influences from hard rock to pop, all calibrated to heavy metal standards thanks to those typical Iron Savior virtues. But sometimes pure coincidence or seemingly inconspicuous little details can turn a very good album into an outstanding release. In the case of Firestar, it has come as a real surprise even for Sielck that the new songs surpass the material of the impressive 2020 album Skycrest. In fact, the cornerstones of the current offering were already set and pointed to a successful production within the tried and tested framework, when all of a sudden everything turned out rather differently: “Just before the recordings were finalised, I was inspired by the muse, totally out of the blue. I wrote two more songs out of nowhere and changed a third one on the spur of the moment. And suddenly, ‘Firestar’ turned into an even better record,” says Sielck happily, admitting that this unexpected creative surge “triggered great emotions” in him.

Iron Savior have again come up with an exceptional studio album in Firestar, enhanced by Felipe Machado Franco’s impressive cover artwork presenting the Iron Savior spaceship that has been around since 2011. The cherry on the cake is the powerful production courtesy of Hamburg’s Powerhouse Studio, including intelligently positioned keyboard parts and the anthemic background choirs, supported by Sielck’s 17-year-old daughter Frida and her boyfriend. Without any doubt, Firestar promises to be a bonfire in many respects!

Firestar track listing:

  1. The Titan
  2. Curse of the Machinery
  3. In the Realm of Heavy Metal
  4. Demise of the Tyrant
  5. Firestar
  6. Through the Fires of Hell
  7. Mask, Cloak and Sword
  8. Across the Wastelands
  9. Rising from Ashes
  10. Nothing Is Forever
  11. Together as One

IRON SAVIOR:
Piet Sielck (vocals, guitars)
Joachim “Piesel” Küstner (guitars)
Jan S. Eckert (bass)
Patrick Klose (drums)

IRON SAVIOR Live:
09.06.23 Hellpdays, Olmutz (CZ)
30.06.23 Midalidare, Rock in the Vine Valley (BGR)
01.07.23 Fahrendorf Open Air, Fahrendorf (D)
26.08.2023 Steel Fest, Stalowa Wola (POL)
02.09.23 1000Fryd, Aalborg tba (DK)
09.09.23 Kubana, Siegburg (D)

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EXMORTUS – Return With 6th Studio Album ‘Necrophony’ On August 25th!

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on April 17, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

From Nuclear Blast Records:

Following their recent announcement of joining Nuclear Blast Records, Southern Californian melodic death mongers EXMORTUS have revealed plans to release their massively anticipated 6th studio album, Necrophony, on August 25th. Available for pre-order now, the record 4 years in the making finds the shredders at a new creative peak, re-born in the isolation of the pandemic and wielding a master craft of metallic savagery.

Pre-order Necrophony:  https://exmortus.bfan.link/necrophony.a01

Commenting on the impending record, guitarist/vocalist Conan says:
“‘Necrophony’ was an album title idea for as long as I can remember. This Symphony of the Dead couldn’t be realized for a collection of songs until now. Finally, we have our darkest and most Classically inspired work yet, with artwork by the great Toha Mashudi to match perfectly. We returned to Sharkbite Studios to have the mighty wizard that is Zack Ohren aid us again in forging our metal, and resulted in the finest steel we’re all proud to wield on the battlefield.“

The band has released the new single ‘Mind Of Metal,’ which can be streamed now at https://exmortus.bfan.link/mind-of-metal.a01.

Conan says of the song:
“‘Mind of Metal’ is a great compliment to our previous single ‘Oathbreaker,’ in that it has contrasting rhythms and structure, but shares lyrical inspiration by Tolkien. It’s a tribute to the wizard Saruman and other like characters in the legendarium, for their will to power and domination by crafty and industrial means. This song features groove, fast licks, and some of our favorite riffs ever written. Can’t wait to perform it live!“

Stream the band’s previously released single, ‘Oathbreaker,’ here: https://bfan.link/Exmortus-Oathbreaker.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/vMCWh71vcjw

Necrophony Track-list:

  1. Masquerade
  2. Mask of Red Death
  3. Oathbreaker
  4. Mind of Metal
  5. Storm of Strings
  6. Test of Time
  7. Darkest of Knights
  8. Prophecy
  9. Children of the Night
  10. Beyond the Grave
  11. Overture
  12. Necrophony
  13. Moonchild

LONG LIVE EXMORTUS.

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US/Finnish Thrashers OSIRIS REX Unleash Second Single ‘The Meek Shall Inherit’!

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, music videos, news with tags , , , , , , , , , , on April 12, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Tampere, Finland -based thrash metal act OSIRIS REX – led by US thrasher Superstar Joey Severance have unleashed the second single ‘The Meek Shall Inherit’ taken from their forthcoming debut EP “Arrival of the New Dawn”!

Stream ‘The Meek Shall Inherit’, here: https://youtu.be/X_KDbH54DGs

Also check out the first single ‘Lone Wolf Terror’, feat. on solo: Michael “Big Maaaan” Rutten, at https://youtu.be/IL-BAxGFLl0

“Arrival of the New Dawn” recording lineup:
Superstar Joey Severance – Vocals
Ben Varon – All Guitars (except where noted) and Bass (Session Musician)
Oskari Niemi – Drums (Session Musician)

Music and Lyrics: Superstar Joey Severance
Produced, Mixed and Engineered by: Ben Varon
Mastered by: Ben Varon and Oskari Niemi

Tracklisting:

  1. The Meek Shall Inherit
  2. Arrival of the New Dawn
  3. Lone Wolf Terror (Solo: Michael “Big Maaaan” Rutten)
  4. Hot Stuff (Donna Summer Cover)

More on OSIRIS REX:

Rising from the ashes of TORNADO comes OSIRIS REX. With Tornado, vocalist Superstar Joey Severance recorded three albums (Amsterdamn, Hellsinki – Black President – Commitment to Excellence) with the debut being produced by Peter Tagtgren and their last album featuring such metal heavyweights as Karl Sanders (Nile) Glen Drover (ex-Megadeth) and Ross Dolan (Immolation). All three albums received positive reviews worldwide and the band did a European tour supporting Six Feet Under.

Soon after the tour ended, and right before the start of the pandemic, SJS decided to disband Tornado for personal reasons and move forward with a new lineup which will become Osiris Rex.

The four-song debut EP, “Arrival of the New Dawn” showcases the musical direction the band is taking which is not too far removed from Tornado. Stay tuned!

With a focus on writing great, catchy songs, Osiris Rex are looking to advance the thrash genre for a new generation!

More information at https://www.facebook.com/OsirisRex666

Source: Tarja Virmakari PR

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GRAVEWORM – Unleashes Video For New Album Single “We Are The Resistance”!

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

June 2nd, 2023 in the US will see dark and extreme metal masters, GRAVEWORM, return with their brand new album, entitled Killing Innocence, through AFM Records. It’s the band’s first studio album in eight long years!

Following previously released first singles, “Dead Words” and “Escorting The Soul”, today, GRAVEWORM have premiered a video for their latest single “We Are The Resistance”, now streaming HERE

Formed in 1997, with nine studio records under their belt and countless tours with bands such as Kataklysm, Vader, Satyricon and Destruction to name just a few, GRAVEWORM belongs to one of the most influential acts the dark and extreme metal scene has to offer. The band’s upcoming magnum opus Killing Innocence showcases their own blend of thrash, gothic and death metal is as powerful as ever, GRAVEWORM has not lost any of their hardness and energy over the years.

The ten new songs on Killing Innocence are characterized by dark atmospheres, powerful riffs and driving drums that captivate the listener. The album is a tribute to the band’s roots, yet produced in a contemporary and fresh way, an absolute must-have for fans of dark but captivating metal. With Killing Innocence, GRAVEWORM impressively proves that they belong to the best representatives of their genre, with an album that is poised to top the best-of lists in 2023!

Pre-order your album copy at THIS LOCATION!

Killing Innocence Track Listing:

  1. Escorting The Soul
  2. We Are The Resistance
  3. Wicked Mind
  4. If The World Shut Down
  5. Dead Words
  6. Where Agony Prevails
  7. A Nameless Grave
  8. End of Time
  9. Wrath of
  10. In Honour of the Fallen

CHECK OUT THE VIDEOS BELOW!

Track #1 watch ‘Escorting The Soul’ video HERE Track # 5 watch ‘Dead Words’ video HERE

www.afm-records.de

Source: AFM Records

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ARCHON ANGEL – New Studio Album “II” Releasing on April 14th, via Frontiers Music s.r.l.

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on April 1, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Famed rock vocalist Zak Stevens and producer / guitar player extraordinaire Aldo Lonobile make up the force behind Archon Angel and this album, aptly named ‘II’ is their second album together. Like their first effort, but even more in tune and perfected, ‘II’ is an impressive and powerful work of prog metal.

Having aced the crystal perfect production and found a fluidity with their songwriting teamwork, these two veterans need no roses considering their impressive back catalogs, but ‘II’ is a project worth being very proud of and fans will be more than satisfied with the results.

Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to present the upcoming release of Archon Angel’s second album, “II” on April 14, 2023. It follows the band’s 2020 debut, “Fallen”, which saw vocalist Zak Stevens (Circle II Circle, Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) and producer/guitarist Aldo Lonobile (Secret Sphere, Edge Of Forever) delivering a fantastic slab of power/progressive metal. Fans of Archon Angel’s debut will surely find no sophomore slump awaits them on “II”. In fact, the two have locked in on all the key parts that worked so well on their debut and amplified and perfected them for this glorious follow-up.

The seeds of Archon Angel were planted when producer/guitarist Lonobile and vocalist Stevens were collaborating on songs for Timo Tolkki’s Avalon’s ‘Return To Eden’ album, which Aldo produced and played guitar on and Zak did some guest lead vocals for. After some discussions about what musical direction they wanted to take, Aldo sent Zak some demos that were reminiscent of classic Savatage records like Edge Of Thorns and Gutter Ballet. The two felt they were onto something and followed their musical muse, ultimately culminating in what would become Archon Angel’s debut album, “Fallen”.

Zak Stevens first came to prominence in the metal scene when he was hand-picked by Savatage‘s Jon Olivia to take over as lead vocalist for the band. Starting with 1993’s Edge Of Thorns, he would record four studio albums with the band, including the aforementioned album plus Handful Of Rain, Dead Winter Dead, and The Wake Of Magellan. He has also performed on multiple Trans-Siberian Orchestra releases, including Christmas Eve and Other Stories, Beethoven’s Last Night, and more, while also being a member of the band’s touring production. Around 2001, Zak started a band, Circle II Circle, which has recorded seven studio albums, with the most recent being 2015’s Reign Of Darkness. Additionally, he has appeared on albums by Timo Tolkki’s Avalon, Machines Of Grace, Jon Olivia‘s Pain, and more.

Source: Frontiers Music s.r.l.

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

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

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

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

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

Watch the new PYRAMAZE clip, now streaming HERE

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

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

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

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

Bloodlines Track Listing:

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

Source: AFM Records

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TRACK LIST:

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

Source: Rock Of Angels Records

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

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

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

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

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

Preorder it now at THIS LOCATION.

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

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

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

Preorder it now at THIS LOCATION.

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

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

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

Source: EARSPLIT PR

http://www.atomicfire-records.com

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PRIMAL FEAR – To Release New Studio Album ‘Code Red’ On September 1st Via Atomic Fire – Cover Artwork And First Tour Dates Unveiled

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news, Power Metal with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on February 9, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo by Heilemania

German metal commandos PRIMAL FEAR celebrated their twenty-fifth band anniversary with select events last year, including live shows and reissuing their iconic self-titled debut album. The time was also spent preparing the huge sonic assault named Code Red, set to be unleashed on September 1st through Atomic Fire!

Produced by bass player Mat Sinner and co-produced by vocalist Ralf Scheepers as well as guitarist Tom Naumann, the record will once again be mixed and mastered by long-time PRIMAL FEAR companion Jacob Hansen at his own Hansen Studios in Denmark. To give fans a first impression of the album, which is still in its recording stages, the group has unveiled its cover artwork, designed by Stan W. Decker who created previous works for the band including 2017’s Angels Of Mercy – Live In Germany, 2018’s Apocalypse, and 2021’s I Will Be Gone.

And PRIMAL FEAR wouldn’t be PRIMAL FEAR if they didn’t announce the first leg of their upcoming European tour as well. Kicking off with a hometown show at Stuttgart’s Im Wizemann venue, the run will also lead the “eagles” to many other countries beyond Germany and Switzerland. Special guests on this run will be power metallers The Unity featuring members of Gamma Ray, Edguy, Primal Fear, and more. Additional dates will be announced in the weeks to come. Find tickets at metaltix.com before they’re gone!

Comments Mat Sinner, “The world is in a state of emergency, one catastrophe follows another. Code Red is our statement about the present and the title of our upcoming fourteenth studio album, which will be released directly at the tour start on September 1st. According to its title, it will be a heavy, powerful, and uncompromising record – 110% PRIMAL FEAR!”

PRIMAL FEAR:
6/24/2023 Koba Live – Abadiño, ES
w/ The Unity – Code Red European Tour – Part 1:
9/01/2023 Im Wizemann (Halle) – Stuttgart, DE
9/02/2023 Kaminwerk – Memmingen, DE
9/03/2023 Frankenhalle – Naila , DE
9/05/2023 Backstage (Werk) – Munich, DE
9/06/2023 Zeche – Bochum, DE
9/07/2023 Batschkapp – Frankfurt, DE
9/09/2023 Le Port Franc – Sion, CH
9/10/2023 Z7 – Pratteln, CH
To be continued…

Order/stream the band’s reissued debut album, Primal Fear [Deluxe Edition; Remastered], released on July 15th, 2022, at THIS LOCATION.

View PRIMAL FEAR’s previously released videos for “Chainbreaker,” “Running In The Dust,” and so much more at the Atomic Fire Youtube channel at THIS LOCATION.

PRIMAL FEAR:
Ralf Scheepers – vocals
Mat Sinner – bass, vocals
Tom Naumann – guitars
Alexander Beyrodt – guitars
Magnus Karlsson – guitars
Michael Ehré – drums

Source: EARSPLIT PR

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BLOODBOUND – Announces New Album, ‘Tales From The North’ + Live Dates Over Europe!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal albums, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on January 13, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

When it comes to defending the core values of timeless power metal and combining them with fresh stylistic variations and exciting stories, Swedish power metallers Bloodbound have always been fighting at the forefront. With nine studio albums in 16 years under their belt, the six-piece has proven their versatility and inventiveness countless times. Following the much acclaimed, latest record Creatures Of The Dark Realm (2021, AFM Records), Bloodbound have announced the release of their upcoming masterpiece, entitled Tales From The North!

“‘Tales From The North’ is very much a concept album about the viking era. About the lives of our ancestors up here in the dark, cold and unfriendly environments of the north,” explains lead guitarist Tomas Olsson and summarizes the content of their eleven songs: “Different legends and myths intertwine during the course of the songs, leading up to the epic battle of 1066, which marks the end of the viking era.” Those who already know the sound of Bloodbound can imagine the metallic force the band employs to evoke this story. Tales From The Northwill be released on July 7, 2023 via AFM/Soulfood as a 2-CD digipak including a live CD. As a special treat, it will also be released as a strictly limited box set as well as coloured vinyl LPs.

Give ear, as today, the band shared a lyric video for their first album single “Odin’s Prayer”!
“Odin’s Prayer is a real banger of a song”, Fredrik Bergh comments. “It represents the new album well and I think it’s a great first taste of the new record. On Tales From The North we have gone back to the roots of bloodbound a bit and I think the bloodheads will like what they hear!“

Watch the Official Lyric Video for Odin’s Prayer HERE

Bloodbound have not only improved in terms of content, but also musically. Says Olsson: “The songs are more fast-paced and closer to some of our earlier stuff like ’Moria’ and ’Nosferatu’, but have more complex arrangements. Compared to the predecessor ‘Creatures Of The Dark Realm’ there are heavier guitars and some deeper sounding keyboards. We have also incorporated some traditional nordic folk music instruments to fit the concept of the album. It’s still pure power metal but we’re trying to take it to the next level.”

Pre-Order ‘Tales From The North’ HERE!

Tales From The North was produced by Bloodbound, and was mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren (Amorphis, Overkill, Sabaton) at the Swedish ‘Black Lounge Studios’. The cover artwork was done by Péter Sallai (Hammerfall, Powerwolf & many more).

Tales From The North track listing:
01. Tales From The North
02. Drink With The Gods
03. Odin´s Prayer
04. The Raven´s Cry
05. Mimir`s Crystal Eye
06. Between The Enemy Lines
07. Land Of Heroes
08. Sail Among The Dead
09. Stake My Claims
10.Sword And Axe
11. 1066

BLOODBOUND:
Tomas Olsson – lead guitar
Fredrik Bergh – keyboards
Patrik Selleby – vocals
Henrik Olsson – rhythm guitar
Anders Broman – bass
Daniel Hansfeldt – drums

In support of their upcoming album, Bloodbound has announced an extensive headliner tour and to appear at several festivals such as Karmoygeddon, RockHarz, Masters of Rock, among others. Make sure to catch them live at the following dates this year:

04.02.2023 (SWE) MORA Lilla Helfvetet
28.02.2023 (GER) BERLIN Hole 44*
01.03.2023 (GER) MUNICH Backstage Halle*
02.03.2023 (CH) PRATTELN Z7*
03.03.2023 (FR) COLMAR Le Grillen*
04.03.2023 (BE) VORSELAAR De Dreef*
05.03.2023 (GER) NUREMBERG Hirsch*
06.03.2023 (GER) MANNHEIM 7er Club*
07.03.2023 (GER) ASCHAFFENBURG Colos-Saal*
08.03.2023 (GER) HAMBURG Bahnhof Pauli*
09.03.2023 GER SIEGBURG Kubana*
10.03.2023 (GER) ESSEN Turock*
11.03.2023 (NL) ENSCHEDE Metropool*
12.03.2023 (GER) KASSEL Goldgrube*
04.05.2023 (NOR) KOPERVIK Karmoygeddon Festival
08.07.2023 (GER) BALLENSTEDT RockHarz Festival
16.07.2023 (CZE) VIZOVICE Masters of Rock Festival

with: ARION, NORTHTALE , TUNGSTEN

Tickets: https://linktr.ee/bloodboundmetal

Source: AFM Records

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METALLICA – Releases New Song “Lux Æterna” – Plus: Announces New Studio Album Release Date And World Tour!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal albums, metal bands, metal music, Metallica, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on November 28, 2022 by Metal Odyssey

New studio album “72 Seasons” releases on April 14, 2023. Album package conceived and art directed by David Turner and his team. Source: Metallica.com

The complete track listing for 72 Seasons is:

72 Seasons
Shadows Follow
Screaming Suicide
Sleepwalk My Life Away
You Must Burn!
Lux Æterna
Crown of Barbed Wire
Chasing Light
If Darkness Had a Son
Too Far Gone?
Room of Mirrors
Inamorata

Source: Metallica.com

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HELLEVATE – “Purpose is Cruelty” EP Releases On January 14, 2023

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , , on November 24, 2022 by Metal Odyssey

Kansas City thrashers HELLEVATE will kick off 2023 with the release of The Purpose is Cruelty. The band’s newest EP features five aggressive tracks of classic speed/thrash metal with a modern attack. A violent hybrid of East Coast and Bay Area thrash, The Purpose of Cruelty shows why HELLEVATE has been called “a new hope for thrash” (All Around Metal).

Playing melodic thrash metal with a mixture of extreme and power metal thrown in to keep listeners on their toes, HELLEVATE draws from across the spectrum of sounds to forge the most potent of heavy metal. The band was formed in the late 2000s by guitarist Dan Whitmer, and while it has experienced several lineup changes, the band has found its superior form with the addition of Zack Burke, Joshua Cole, RJ Whitmer, and new singer Robert Browne.

HELLEVATE’s debut was released in 2012 and was followed up in 2014 with the EP Kill Confirmed and the album Weapons Against Their Will in 2016. Singles “Last of the Fell” and “Krampusnacht” were released in 2018 and 2019, respectively. The band’s new EP, The Purpose Is Cruelty, is the culmination of the work the band has put in up to this point. Packed with riffs across a spectrum of sounds and the razor-sharp vocals of Robert, HELLEVATE seeks to make a statement with the release.

The band has established itself by sharing the bill with many nationally touring bands, including Exodus, Kreator, Accept, Overkill, Destruction, Ghoul, Venom Inc., and Danzig, just to name a few. With a great lineup and a bright future ahead of them, HELLEVATE continues to grow as a musical force in the metal world and intends to dominate and annihilate for many years to come.

The Purpose is Cruelty will be out on January 14, 2023.

Tracklist:
The Purpose is Cruelty
Dagon
Buried Under Mistakes
Die or Be Killed
(No) Further Action is Required

https://hellevate.bandcamp.com/

Source: ClawHammer PR

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