Above photo: L to R: Matt Bachand (bass) & Chris Broderick (guitar)
Hey everybody, Stone here! I went to see Act Of Defiance at Oddbody’s in Dayton Ohio, back on June 16th of 2016. Accompanying me was Robert (Rob) Nickell; an old friend of mine and professional photographer. All of these fabulous concert photos featured in this post are credited to Rob.
Not appearing in a photo here is the legendary drummer Shawn Drover. Trust me, Shawn was creating plenty of thunder behind his drum kit on that night! Shawn is also an ex-member of MEGADETH.
Yes, 2016. How or why it took me over 5 years to finally publish these photos of such an amazing Metal supergroup? Regardless, I’ve rediscovered them in the Metal Odyssey archives and they’re to be enjoyed now and forever! Thank you Act Of Defiance for killing it on that night! Thank you, Robert Nickell for the camera talent!
Above photo: Chris Broderick / guitarist
I remember this concert being high octane! Chris Broderick shredded on guitar and played to the crowd with his constant smiles of appreciation. A true thrill it was for me, to see such a legendary Metal guitarist so close up! Yes, I was psyched outta my mind that night!
Above: Chris Broderick gives back the horns to his fans. Chris also is an ex-member of world-class Metal bands: Jag Panzer, Nevermore and MEGADETH.
On this tour, Act Of Defiance were out supporting their debut studio album: BirthAndTheBurial. This album was released back in August of 2015, via Metal Blade Records. I highly recommend both studio albums that Act Of Defiance created! Their second album was released back in 2017, titled: OldScars, NewWounds (Metal Blade Records).
Above: Henry Derek (vocalist). Henry is also an ex-member of Thrown Into Exile and Scar The Martyr.
Vocalist Henry Derek was outstanding! He was a thrill to see and hear live! Henry is an underrated Metal vocalist and that’s my Metal fact for the day.
Above: Matt Bachand (bassist) – Matt is also a founding member, rhythm guitarist and clean vocalist for the mighty Shadows Fall.L to R: yours truly aka Stone & bass player Matt Bachand
Italian melodic symphonic power metallers MOONLIGHT HAZE will release their third studio album “Animus” on March 18th 2022 on Scarlet Records.
“‘Animus’ represents a huge step up for Moonlight Haze’s songwriting and sound. This album got each of us excited since the very first melodies and lines that had been written. It’s an introspective work, but at the same time it also looks at the world outside – willing to bring a bright message of vitality and rebirth. Hence the title, ‘Animus’, a Latin word that has different meanings: vital force, conscience, soul, mind and courage as well.” Chiara Tricarico, frontwoman & lyricist
Recorded by MOONLIGHT HAZE and mixed & mastered by Simone Mularoni at the renowned Domination Studio, “Animus”boasts the stunning performance of vocalist Chiara Tricarico and is graced by the amazing artwork and pictures of Beatrice Demori.
The album will be released in the following formats:
– digipak CD – limited-edition vinyl – digital
Tracklist is as follows:
01. The Nothing 02. It’s Insane 03. Kintsugi 04. Animus 05. The Thief and the Moon 06. Midnight Haze 07. Tonight 08. Never Say Never 09. We’ll Be Free 10. A Ritual of Fire 11. Horror & Thunder
The first single/video will be released on December 10th 2022.
MOONLIGHT HAZE:
Chiara Tricarico – Vocals Marco Falanga – Guitars Alberto Melinato – Guitars Alessandro Jacobi – Bass Giulio Capone – Drums
Ex-Intergalactic warlords cloned from the evil cosmic conquer Colonel Roach to better fulfil his crusade of universal dominance, have successfully concealed their identity as the crossover thrash metal band, FULLMINATOR. Having escaped through a prototype dimensional portal called the Nexus, they appeared in the streets of Puerto Rico in the year 2016 and have remained ever since.
“We at FULLMINATOR want to present to you our latest single “Cyberpathic” all the way from the year 2078, punch deck and get ahead of the simulation!”
The new single, “Cyberpathic”, was inspired by the cyberpunk aesthetic and themes of William Gibson’s Neuromancer and The Matrix trilogy. A mash-up of fictional and factual political theories is paired up with the melodic fun, along with the style of the streets of Chiba City and the fast pace of a speed-fuelled run through cyberspace. “Cyberpathic” explodes into life with energetic instrumentation, delicious distortion and powerful percussion.
FULLMINATOR are a powerhouse of hard-hitting metal with a galactic twist. Effects and electronics emerge through the immense thrash sound adding a theatrical punch of personality. If you were born before 2000 you may catch the throwback to the early era of the internet. Intricate guitar leads, aggressive vocals and utter full-throttle enthusiasm makes for a thrilling listening experience.
FULLMINATOR deliver an epic fusion of sci-fi, speed and sheer creativity. The outfit have produced a release that will appeal to thrash lovers and space travellers alike. It’s loud, with a pace close to lightspeed and utterly fun.
Imagine blending the early frenzy of System Of A Down, the heaviness of Slipknot, and the explosive energy of Social Distortion in a Mexican setting and multiply it tenfold and you might come close to the rabid intensity that is 8 KALACAS (spoken: “Ocho Kalacas”). Not so much an ordinary band than it is a tidal wave of bristling energy, hard-hitting music, and biting social commentary, this Californian skacore collective is set on conquering the world with their astounding musical exorcism.
Today, Atomic Fire Records is proud to announce the signing of 8 KALACAS. To celebrate their union with the label, the band presents “R2rito,” the first single off of their upcoming new album Fronteras set for release on March 25th, 2022.
“This song is for all the people who are tired of the same routine day-in and day-out. We become robotic slaves to industry and the casualty of it all is our ambition. There will never be growth in a system designed for clockwork obedience,” comments Choriz, the man behind the trumpet.
Additionally, 8 KALACAS recently signed a management deal with Dez Fafara (Devildriver, Coal Chamber), who is COO and founding partner of the Oracle Managament (Cradle Of Filth, Jinjer, The 69 Eyes etc.) along with his wife and CEO Anahstasia Fafara. “When I was approached by 8 KALACAS to manage I was sent songs and immediately knew there was something special about this music,” recalls Dez Fafara. “The combination of heavy metal, done in punk rock fashion with a ska twist and a horn section… you would have to be blind to not see the special combination of influences the band was mashing up! Then I caught them live and couldn’t believe how out of control the crowd was, how tight the band was, and how special this whole vibe surrounding them is. I was in!”
“This is the coolest and hottest shit out there,” says Atomic Fire Records CEO and founder Markus Wosgien. “The first thing that I heard and saw after Dez and Anahstasia introduced us to the band, was the video clip for ‘R2rito,’ which completely blew me away. What an energy and what a damn unique mix! This had to be the first single and I want everyone out there to experience the same. Enjoy this aggressive chunk and prepare yourself for some more hits on the same level. This band is the future! Once you get into them, you will be addicted!”
Formed in Orange County in 2003, the fertile soil of extremity that also brought us Social Distortion and Avenged Sevenfold, 8 KALACAS are the harbingers of a new era. After establishing their unique brand of metallic hardcore, ska, and traditional Mexican elements in California and the rest of the Divided States, the massive seven-piece brotherhood is ready to take on the rest of the world. Fronteras, their third full-length and first for brand-new label Atomic Fire Records, is a curveball for the rest of the international metal/hardcore scene: An album so fierce and unique you simply can’t resist succumbing to the thundering grooves, malicious riffs, and infectious trumpet/trombone madness they so vigorously unleash like there’s no tomorrow.
And maybe there isn’t. Recorded in winter 2019 in Los Angeles, Fronteras is an album fit for times like these; a musical indictment of everything that goes wrong in this world. “This album is real life,” says the band. “It’s what’s happening now in our country and in many other countries. A lot of people leave behind their families, their loved ones, their security to come and try to make a new life just to discover that it was never that easy. Many people have lived and died for a dream they couldn’t achieve because they didn’t have the right documents or because they didn’t come from the right families, and we feel that because it can happen to so many of our brothers and sisters on this planet for bullshit borders that are just imaginary lines dividing us.”
8 KALACAS is well aware of California’s underbelly, the other side of beaches, sunshine, and shady glamour. “We see it every day in the streets. There are homeless people living under bridges while hundreds of buildings remain empty throughout the city. We see businesses and politicians make decisions that affect millions of people while their jobs are safe, and their security is stable. This country is filled with class division, racial division, sexist division and you don’t have to go far to see that reality.”
This is why 8 KALACAS is taking up their instruments as their arms: To smash those borders and to remind us that there is more uniting that separating us. “We sing about the literal borders that so many countries enforce, that keep humans separated and discriminated against. But we also sing about the borders in our head that keep us from being happy or that keep us from believing that we are worthy people capable of doing more than what society tells us we can do.”
More a family than a band, the 8 KALACAS tribe is welcoming everyone into their ranks who shares their values and their passion for music. “We love sharing that with anyone who’s willing to be a part of our family and we hope that family continues growing.”
It will. The energy level on Frontera is so high it will turn any fan of extreme and extremely uplifting music into an ecstatically banging, moshing, jumping or dancing dervish. “People see us and listen to us when they want to relieve their frustrations, when they want to celebrate their happiness, or just to share a night or a feeling they have. They keep us moving forward and we do not plan on letting them down.”
Taking their Latin roots and their Californian upbringing and ingeniously warping the two into this behemoth of an album, 8 KALACAS truly bring something new and exciting to the table. “More than anything it demonstrates to us that nothing is impossible,” the band says of their wild musical ride. “We started as a garage band and now we’re living a dream that many people thought was impossible. We did that by blending together the sounds that influenced us throughout our lives and creating this world of Latin skacore. It’s an honor to be able to represent our communities and have the opportunity to share those musical traditions to the world in our own way.”
Influenced by the Mariachi and Cumbia traditions of Mexico while also being true children of a globalized world, 8 KALACAS stand for a new era in rock and metal music. It’s music for anyone who feels at home in these intoxicating tunes. Hence their bandname, with “calaca” meaning “skull” in Spanish. “No matter who you are, the color of your skin, the type of people you love, what god you believe in, the poverty, or the wealth: when you die the only thing left is the fucking Kalaca.” In death at least we are united… or, if we don’t wanna wait that long, in this fiery phenomenon called 8 KALACAS.
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions welcome FERNWAH to the roster with the debut album Approaching Oblivion! Hailing from the great state of New Jersey, FERNWAH perform one of a kind experimental Heavy Metal and features Zakk Mild (Oxalate/Come Mierda) and Peter Martin (Black Kites/Bonjour/Holy Death).
Approaching Oblivion is a progressive album that combines elements of Black/Death Metal along with trippy, technical and psychedelic, stoner friendly fuzz. FERNWAH are fueled by subconscious Jungian philosophies with a horror aesthetic, and these occult obsessed crushers are ready to take on the world with adventurous throttling riffs, staccato rhythms, swelling synths and crackling-yet-slippery guitar work.
The track ‘Leaking Out’ is pure crushing Death Metal with a progressive twist, featuring the wretched guest vocals by Devin Swank of Sanguisugabogg (courtesy of Century Media Records). For fans of Black Sabbath, Boards Of Canada, Camel, King Crimson, Morbid Angel, Pelican, Soundgarden and Voivod.
De Arma was founded in 2009 by guitarist, vocalist, and bass player Andreas Pettersson. After the 2011 “Towards the Shores of the End” split with British band Fen, they released their debut album – “Lost, Alien & Forlorn” – in February 2013. Due to various life obligations, a long hiatus followed.
Eight years later, De Arma made a sudden return with “Strayed in Shadows”. The second chapter sees the band explore a wide spectrum of music – from gothic metal to synthwave and even pop music. Cold and heartfelt northern melancholia sweeping in from the borderlands between Fields of the Nephilim, Katatonia, and Anathema.
Now, as the band is enjoying some serious momentum in the wake of “Strayed in Shadows”, work on their third album is in full swing. With any luck, it should be ready at some point in 2022. And this is where Silent Future Recordings come in – sealing a collaboration which the band describes as ‘coming home’.
Andreas commented:
While we recorded “Strayed in Shadows” in recent years, the material was written and arranged in its entirety shortly after “Lost, Alien & Forlorn”. Now that we’ve gotten it out of our system, we are looking forward to presenting music which is more representative for the De Arma of today.
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!
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