DISCONNECTEDSOULS are continuing their annual tradition of releasing a Christmas cover. 2021 sees their fourth cover, John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Merry Xmas (War Is Over)” receive a dramatic, heavy reimagining. Fusing metalcore sounds with intense electronics, folk instruments and a choir singing in Latin, the genre busting outfit have produced their most dynamic seasonal treat yet.
The band comments:
“This year’s Christmas cover was a challenge! We knew that the song could be interpreted in a number of different styles, but we didn’t want to release multiple versions and so chose to combine all our ideas into one. Despite the trials of mixing so many ideas into one track, we’re thrilled with the result.”
“Merry Xmas (War Is Over” will be released on December 17th 2021 on all streaming platforms.
L-R – Oscar Rangel – Bass, JJ Tartaglia – Vocals, Drums, Keys, Jonny Nesta – Guitars Photo Credit – Rae Chatten
Debut Album “Fire It Up” Out Feb 25, 2022 via Boonsdale Records
March 2022 European Tour w/ Traveler, Toledo Steel
Thunderor is a relatively new band, just having started up in the midst of the pandemic when JJ Tartaglia (Skull Fist) felt a calling to develop his singing and front his own band. He was joined by Skull Fist bandmate Jonny Nesta and Oscar Rangel (Operus, ex-Annihilator) creating a heavy 80’s influenced power trio that knows how to rock fans. They are releasing their debut album “Fire It Up” early next year with the first single being “How We Roll”, which Tartaglia explains:
“How We Roll just felt like the right choice as the first single to come out with. It’s a catchy tune, with a big emphasis on the song-writing, and that’s the main thing with Thunderor. It’s got that anthem-like singalong chorus, feels like freedom and good times. It’s a song about friends, road trips, and not wanting to go home when it’s time to go home haha.”
The album is a fresh take on NWOTHM, with 80s synths, piano, and gong hits. Lyrically it’s an adventure, complete with motorcycles, romance, and danger. It inspires you to go after your life and to never give up. The video for the groovy, catchy single features shots of the band cruising on bikes; JJ Tartaglia is indeed an avid motorcycle rider and has been featured a couple of times in Adventure Bike Rider.
Tartaglia expects that the album will be a hit with Skull Fist fans who will find some familiarity in the music, and also will intrigue new listeners who will be drawn in by the originality and catchy hooks. He cites that being a singing drummer definitely adds a unique twist and will allow for a creative setup when they hit the stage. He sums up the album:
“I think we’ve created a truly original album with Fire It Up. It was a blast writing these songs and putting my personality into the lyrics for the first time. The songs on the album are meant to inspire a life journey – an adventure with friends, motorcycles, romance, danger, and victory. I hope it will be a soundtrack for your adventures.”
The 80s-infused heavy metal is recommended for fans of Skull Fist, Saxon, and Judas Priest.
The music video for “How We Roll”can be viewed via its premiere on Bravewords HERE.
Track Listing: 1. Fire It Up (5:12) 2. How We Roll (4:14) 3. All or Nothing (4:31) 4. Dangerous Times (5:24) 5. Thunderor (4:32) 6. On the Run (4:04) 7. Into the Storm (1:34) 8. We Can Make It (4:21) 9. Cold Tears (5:17) Album Length: 39:09
Dreamlike and longing but still vicious and punishing – Nordic black metal saturated in that characteristically wild and unbound organic spirit associated with many of the Nordvis bands. Perhaps somewhere in-between Murg and Panphage, but with an atmosphere rooted in folkloric mysticism. Blodtår’s primary strength is the masterful use of contrast in mood and music, showcasing both acoustic interludes and a youthful fire that brings early Dissection to mind.
Tracklist: 1. Djävulskap 2. Svartsejd 3. Besatt 4. Aldrig Mer
“Return To Earth”, the new single from heavy psych doom metal space project, THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON will be released on all streaming platforms on December 10th. Landing ahead of their upcoming album in Spring 2022, the dynamic collective of seasoned musicians, powerhouse vocal talent and a visual Sci Fi stage show has seen the project take off into orbit.
“We are incredibly excited to release the first single off our new Album. Return To Earth is the perfect song to showcase our new sound. After wood shedding through the worst of the pandemic we are very proud of the work we have accomplished. This song is the first of many new exciting adventures. Climb aboard and strap yourself in. We are about to blast off!”
With wide appeal in Comic Con culture, THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON not only perform epic sounds and live shows, they are busy with famed horror artist Rick Lara as the band’s art director and artist involved in rebooting the band’s comic book. “Return To Earth” delivers soaring instrumentation, ethereal lead vocals and a haunting choral backing. The soundscape is an expanse of powerful chord progressions, along with heavy grooves from the guitars and bass that bring a delicious sludge edge. All of the elements combine to produce a theatrical mood with added effects in the form of narrative clips.
THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON use their music to transport to other worlds. Their cosmic sound is a fantastic combination of genre mixing and sheer creativity. Take trip out into the galaxy and beyond safe in knowledge that with THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON you’ll “Return To Earth”.
THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON IS:
Luna Nemesis- Lead Vocals The General Shane Thirteen- Guitar and Vocals R. Benjamin Black- Lead Guitar and Vocals Zakkatron- Bass Adryon Alin- Drums Nova 1001001- Vocals
Metal Tour of the Year takes the front cover of this week’s Pollstar Magazine. Check out the full story behind this summer’s run with Megadeth, Lamb of God, Trivium and Hatebreed, now up at pollstar.com
An outfit created in the midst of chaos, erected from an earth in mourning and the universal struggle to reclaim our humanity… Uncertainty of the collective future remains, but even in darkness there is light. A new challenge emerges from the shadows and a new hope begins to dissipate the pain. A powerful connection that binds us to the universe and a deep desire for spiritual illumination exists within us. We introduce to you, SEVENTH STORM.
Five musicians from Portugal who aspire to play music full of emotion and character, the members of SEVENTH STORM are fighters seeking a new path in life. Comments drummer and band leader Mike Gaspar (ex-Moonspell), “We come together with one goal: to stay strong so that there may be a chance of freedom to come, to never give up even in the most troubling times. Our crusade starts now. May our paths cross; may we one day visit the seven continents and navigate through the seven seas, in the hope of creating the perfect storm: the SEVENTH STORM. May the light and fire return to this forgotten art. Let the horns be heard once more. Join us.”
Atomic Fire Records is proud to announce the signing of this promising dark metal outfit who are working on their debut album, slated for release in August 2022.
“SEVENTH STORM signing to Atomic Fire Records is the best thing that could have happened to us,” says Gaspar. “We are so proud to be a part of this amazing team that truly believes in metal. Together, our mission is to set fire to your hearts once more. Get ready for the best label ever because we are here to stay.”
Adds Atomic Fire Records co-CEO and founder Markus Wosgien, “Our common friend Esa Holopainen of Amorphis introduced us and there was magic in the air right away. Within twenty-four hours, it was clear that we would experience this adventure together. The group’s demo songs, brimming over with inspiration and all their emotions, really touched us. Our whole team fell in love, and we are fully convinced that this STORM will become nothing but a hurricane.”
SEVENTH STORM emerged from Gaspar’s strong desire to continue making music after his departure from Moonspell in 2020. “I was at a crossroad in my life, feeling a bit lost and unsure of my artistic future,” notes Gaspar, who was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts and moved to Portugal in 1988. “Then a good friend of mine got me together with musicians that he thought could fulfill my vision.”
Initially, he was just eager to get back to drumming with a band and to feel inspired by music again, but after SEVENTH STORM’s first rehearsal, he realized how powerful their connection was. “Most of the members had a more hard rock background and not such an extreme metal underground influence like mine, but this diversity in musical styles is what made the energy in the rehearsal room so magical. Some of the first riffs we played reminded me of early Darkthrone and Emperor. It almost felt like I had gone back in time and was reliving my youth, but with thirty years of experience! The driving force was to save and honor my past and being able to share that with a new metal family – to hopefully make epic, meaningful music full of soul and emotion.”
Don’t miss out on SEVENTH STORM’s journey. Expect further travel details to be revealed in the weeks to come.
SEVENTH STORM: Mike Gaspar – drums, Rez – vocals, Ben Stockwell – lead guitar, Josh Riot – guitar, Butch Cid – bass guitar
Connecticut symphonic death metal band VIRUS OF IDEALS have released a stunning cover of the classic CRADLEOF FILTH track “Nymphetamine Fix”. The song is available on all digital streaming outlets including Spotify and Bandcamp.
The band comments:
” ‘Nymphetamine Fix’ is obviously a classic, but the main reason we chose to cover this song is because it fits our style perfectly: it has a balanced mix of screaming and clean vocals with strong keyboards and orchestrations. This song was a challenge to record because there are way more layers of vocals, orchestrations, and guitars than we are used to. Fortunately, our drummer Brian (Westbrook (Lich King)) is also a producer with a fantastic ear; we were able to stay very faithful to the original due largely to his direction. We know our debut album is long overdue (our EP is 5 years old), but we are still making progress despite numerous setbacks over the years. We were planning to cover this song anyways, but we thought it would make the wait a bit easier for our fans to have something new to listen to in the meantime.”
Earlier this week, reunited German black/death metallers MYSTIC CIRCLE announced their signing to Atomic Fire Records. Today, the duo unveils a video for “Letters From The Devil,” the first single off their highly-anticipated, eponymous comeback, set for release on February 4th, 2022.
Elaborates the band of the track, “This song tells the true story of a possessed nun who reportedly received messages from Satan at night back in 1676. They were of a language that can’t be decoded to this day. Myths like these are always worthy of becoming a song within the MYSTIC CIRCLE universe, of course. Musically, we kept it diabolical but still infectiously melodic. That diabolicalness has greatly been staged in our new music video. Get seduced…!”
“Letters From The Devil” is part of a trilogy written by the band’s own A. Blackwar.
View the video, filmed and edited by Alen Ljubic and Nils Lesser, at THIS LOCATION.
Following the musical path where Infernal Satanic Verses — the final MYSTIC CIRCLE record featuring both reunion members — had left off in 1999, Mystic Circle was produced by the band and Nils Lesser at Vaultroom Productions while its artwork was designed by Brazilian artist Rafael Tavares.
Preorder Mystic Circle in various formats (box set, CD-digipak, black/red marbled vinyl), presave it, or preorder the album digitally to receive “Letters From The Devil” instantly and order the group’s new Letters From The Devil 7″ black vinyl single, which includes the exclusive, non-album B-side track “The Godsmasher,” limited to 666 copies and available now at THIS LOCATION.
Mystic Circle Track Listing:
1. Belial Is My Name, 2. Seven Headed Dragon, 3. Hell Demons Rising, 4. Letters From The Devil, 5. Darkness In Flames, 6. The Arrival Of Baphomet, 7. Curse Of The Wolf Demon, 8. Satanic Mistress, 9. Death Metal (Possessed Cover) * * CD-digipak only bonus track
Letters From The Devil 7” Track Listing:
Side A: Letters From The Devil
Side B: The Godsmasher
With seven studio albums and many tours alongside black metal heavyweights Marduk, Gorgoroth, and Dimmu Borgir under their belt, it wasn’t just a little history that German black/death metal legends MYSTIC CIRCLE left behind when they decided to call it quits in 2007. But alas, 14 years of silence are over as MYSTIC CIRCLE – consisting of Beelzebub and A. Blackwar who had actually left the group in 1999 – have risen from their graves to renew their deal with the Dark Lord.
Madison (WI) – Midwest Death Machine CASKETROBBERY have officially released their newest single, “Bone Mother.” The song is now available on Spotify and all other streaming platforms.
“Bone Mother” is dedicated to the memory of Eric Orvold, father of CASKET ROBBERY vocalist Megan Orvold.
CASKET ROBBERY recently released a video for “Bone Mother.” HorrorPatch.com called the video “a claymation masterpiece of darkness and horror that you’re going to want to check out.”
The video was directed and created by Shayne Minott of Budget Blood Productions. “Bone Mother” was produced and engineered by Troy Powell at Unintended Studios, and mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson.
Emerging from the darkest and most desolate areas of the Midwest, CASKET ROBBERY creates its own signature style of death metal by infusing horror and occult themes. Their trademark huge riffs and unstoppable grooves create the unrelenting, brutally catchy, and eerie sound that only CASKET ROBBERY is known for. Death metal with a wink.
CASKET ROBBERY’s intense, high energy shows have quickly surfaced a die hard following. They continue to show a relentless work ethic and dedication to their fanbase. After the release of their debut album CASKET ROBBERY has toured the United States continually, hitting large festivals like Full Terror Assault and Milwaukee Summerfest. CASKET ROBBERY has shared the stage with Cannibal Corpse, Jungle Rot, Psycroptic, Immolation and more.
Your unrelenting nightmare has just begun.
Casket Robbery is: Megan Orvold – VocalsCory Scheider – GuitarsTroy Powell – GuitarsEli Pete – Bass
Sponsors: Dean Markley Strings, Vader Cabinets, Pig Hog Cables, Dirtbag Clothing, Gravewitch Goods, Grindcore Coffee
Originating from Poland, Dublin-based pagan black folk metal act Thy Worshiper are streaming their upcoming fifth studio album “Bajki o Staruchu” (translates to “Fairytales about an old man” from Polish) ahead of its release via Pagan Records on 17 November 2021.
Coming six years after the release of “Klechdy”, “Bajki o Staruchu” is a concept with eight new tracks based on fairy tales that are held together by the main character of the album title, the Old Man.
Musically, “Bajki o Staruchu” is a continuation of the path the band carved out on “Czarna dzika czerwień” and “Klechdy”, a mixture of non-obvious ethno-folk and pagan black metal, with a large dose of individuality.
It’s that individuality that led Thy Worshiper to be included in Metal Hammer UK’s list of eleven bands that redefined the concept of folk metal. The band is described as having an “impressively menacing atmosphere, expressed through chanting and hypnotic guitar riffs. This isn’t music for the faint of heart, but it’s a dark journey that rewards as well as challenges.”
Two new musicians make their debut on “Bajki o Staruchu”: Jarun’s Marcin Pazera on drums and Monika Lubas on vocals.
Swedish metal band TRUMBITEN have released an awesome playthrough video for their song “Break Out”. The song is from their critically acclaimed EP Out which was recently released.
The band comments:
“It’s amazing that we could pull this off even if we never have had the opportunity to meet face-2-face. Today’s technology like smartphones and online tools made it possible”
TRUMBITEN channel the philosophy of cultivating a positive mindset, and the ecstatic feeling born from creating music with others. The new EP explores difficulties in life and feelings of being trapped in oneself, or in a bad company, or in difficult situations and a wish to get out and break free in order to find confidence and trust in oneself.
Out is a powerhouse of energy, heavy distortion, and soaring vocals. Beginning with the impactful opener “Break out”, recorded by the talented musician Adam, with lyrics by Tommy. The EP progressing on a meaningful journey to conclude with “Run”, Out is an emotive display of the human condition and how we overcome the dark aspects of life.
Line-up: Tommy Arngren – songwriter, lyrics, drums, bass, keyboard Adam Arngren – songwriter, guitar, bass João Miguel – on guitars Leonel Silva – lead vocalist and composer
Mike Howe “In Memoriam” (Remembering Mike Howe) 60 page full color 8×11 memorial booklet and official tribute shirt is now available for a limited time. A visual celebration & tribute to Mike Howe’s music career, including photos from his days with Hellion, Snair, Heretic and Metal Church!
New Orleans thrash icons EXHORDER will return to the road later this month on a US headlining tour. The journey runs from November 24th through December 19th and will see the band performing their classic 1990 debut, Slaughter In The Vatican, in its entirety!
Comments vocalist Kyle Thomas: “It seems kind of crazy that EXHORDER is finally doing a proper US tour for Slaughter In The Vatican in 2021, thirty-one years after its release. The opportunities and possibilities didn’t line up for us back in the day, so we’ve decided to take this show on the road and give everyone a proper tribute to this landmark album. As a band, we are truly grateful and honored to be able to do this, and for me it’s simply amazing. Almost like watching one of your children grow up and succeed in life! Without overstating the obvious too much, it’s going to be immeasurably exciting to once again take the show on the road after more than a year and a half on hold due to the pandemic. May we all find good health in the upcoming months to make the shows on this tour as exciting to witness as it is for us to perform them! We look forward to rolling with our support acts Take Offense, Extinction A.D., and Plague Years as well. See you all soon, can’t wait!”
Formed in 1986, EXHORDER’s thirty-five-year long (and counting) journey has proven exciting, yet tumultuous, fraught with euphoric peaks and crippling valleys throughout its existence. The band recorded their controversial classic demo, Slaughter In The Vatican, in 1987 and from there, the international attention the band drew via the world of underground tape-trading was indisputable. As fate would have it however, the band broke up for the first time in early 1988 due to internal struggles. A reformation ensued later that year and EXHORDER set out once again to pursue its vision.
The band soon signed with Mean Machine Records but the label dissolved before the band’s debut could be completed. The contract was subsequently purchased by R/C Records, a subsidiary of Roadracer/Roadrunner Records in the United States. With a small recording budget and repair to previous sessions, Slaughter In The Vatican was completed and released with the assistance of legendary producer Scott Burns in 1990, nearly five years after much of the material was written.
Following a series of lineup shifts, a second full-length, and multiple hiatuses, the band finally relaunched itself in 2017. Legends grow over time, and new generations emerge to keep them alive. With the demand of EXHORDER at an all-time high, the band set out once again to finish the job they had not yet completed. The band played a series of club shows and festivals to immense interest. A deal with the Nuclear Blast label was quickly inked and in 2019 the band released Mourn The Southern Skies. Rave reviews from critics and fans saw the band’s popularity increase yet again, and the band set out on the road to packed venues and large festivals.
In March of 2020, a direct support tour slot in front of Overkill allowed the band to showcase themselves at the level they had always strived to reach. Live reviews of the tour and audience reaction proved that the hunger for this band by the public continues to grow.
Slaughter In The Vatican, which was recently inducted into Decibel Magazine’s coveted Hall Of Fame series and re-released on vinyl, remains a crucial release in the annals of metal.
Decibel hailed the band’s “precision groove and whip-smart thrash,” Invisible Oranges lauded a, “groundbreaking and incredibly heavy slab of groove-infused thrash and speed metal,” Sputnik Music commended, “an album which helped to kick-start the groove metal revolution, while staying true to its thrash roots,” while AllMusic observed the album’s, “death metal-style double kick drums, chugging guitar riffs played at both slow and blistering tempos, and…the gruff but very expressive lead vocals of frontman Kyle Thomas,” After a seventeen month halt in touring due to the pandemic, EXHORDER put on a legendary performance of Slaughter In The Vatican in its entirety at Psycho Las Vegas 2021 and are fully ready to return to the stage with the record that started it all.
SHADOWKINGDOMRECORDS is proud to announce the signing of LEATHÜRBITCH. The first fruit of this union will be the band’s highly anticipated second album, to be released in 2022.
Formed in 2015 in Portland, Oregon, LEATHÜRBITCH have quickly ascended the underground ranks with the release of their self-titled debut EP in 2018 and successive debut album, Into the Night, a year later via High Roller Records. With the sound of early ‘80s Sunset Strip AND first Metal Massacre comps as their foundation, LEATHÜRBITCH have created an addicting blend of vicious sleaze and propulsive speed, all done with power, poignancy, and above all, a larger-than-life charisma.
Think early Ratt, W.A.S.P., and even Mötley Crüe meets equally early Jag Panzer, Bitch, and Armored Saint – and SHADOW KINGDOM will be bringing that to stereos soon with the band’s second album!
Harder Truths is the epic debut solo release from JOSEPH IZAYEA featuring some heavyweights of the metal world including the legendary Doc Coyle from BAD WOLVES & GOD FORBID, Kris Norris, formerly of DARKEST HOUR, Buz McGrath of UNEARTH, Chris Daniele, formerly of The ACACIA STRAIN, Tim MacMillar of PROTEST THE HERO, THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD’s Justin Longshore, as well as Josh Gilbert of AS I LAY DYING / WOVENWAR.
“I’m most pleased to announce that final mixing and mastering of this record is well underway and fast approaching completion on schedule. The fate of this endeavor couldn’t be in better hands than those at Chris Daniele Audio and I’m stoked beyond measure to have him at the helm in the control room on top of contributing nothing short of a barn burner to the collaboration. Final cover art has also been completed, courtesy of Meserve Designs. Matt did a stellar job bringing the concept and symbolism of this release to life in the span of one image, and I’m most enthused to see the work involved in putting this together finally bear fruit! Chenqui!”
JOSEPH has been producing songs and performing as a vocalist since 2007, and has released nine albums, numerous singles and covers of various genres. Currently the vocalist for FROM UNDER CONCRETE KINGS, SEEKING SIRENS, and SOUR TIMES, he’s shown no signs of slowing down. This collaboration album will be released under the umbrella of JOSEPH’s production company “Do Work” on the 26th November 2021.
The new single from Canadian death metal horror freaks VHS is ready to impale you like Vlad. “Horror of Dracula” is a bloody death ‘n’ roll basher featuring guest vocals from Trevor Strnad of THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER. The song was premiered exclusively at Decibel Magazine ahead of the December release of the band’s upcoming vampire-themed record I Heard They Suck… Blood. With songs based on vamp classics like The Lost Boys and Near Dark, the album will thrill death metal and horror fanatics alike.
Decibel Magazine writes:
“Fans of EXHUMED, IMPETIGO, CARCASS, MORTICIAN and fake blood will go nuts for “Horror of Dracula,” which hits all the pleasure spots in the brain: ominous riffs, fast-paced mosh parts, guttural grooves and a Simpsons sample. Strnad’s vocals add another layer of depth, in addition to a familiar voice.”
Austrian black metal band IN CRUCEM AGERE have released the title track from their upcoming album Calling the Void. The album will be released via code666 on October 22.
Originally formed in 2010, the project encompasses a narrative exploring the darkness inside man for whom there is no hope of salvation. Calling the Void sees the next chapter of this haunting concept unveiled.
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