“You are invincible— it happens in your brain.” That’s the core message of the single “Invincible” by Swiss hard rockers SHAKRA, who kick off 2023 with this new anthem featuring powerful walls of guitars and haunting melodies. “As simple as this statement may sound, it stands for the essential in everyone’s life, the ability to have an unbreakable will and thereby achieve or create great things. But not only that. It can also mean being able to pull oneself out of the deepest swamp and be perceived in this society as a person steeled with self-confidence.” SHAKRA’s new song is a source of power to strengthen exactly this will. You can achieve anything, not if you believe in it, but if you know it… and that makes you invincible!
After the five piece shared their latest single, “The Way It Is” by the end of last year, today, SHAKRA premiered a music video for their new song “Invincible”. Watch the clip HERE
Finnish melodic death metal band Admire the Grim released their debut EP Rogue Five on January 13th 2023 via Inverse Records. Strictly limited CD version is released on February 3rd and pre-sale is available on Inverse Records Store.
The band comments on making of ‘Rogue Five’ EP:
“After our first single release in the spring of 2022 we soon started rehearsing on our debut EP to be ready for the studio recordings. We recorded everything in the summer of 2022 in our beautiful hometown Lappeenranta and we also filmed our first music video for the title track that summer. A lot of our friends participated in the making of the music video and some of them joined us in the studio to record gang shouts as well. In other words, the entire process went smoothly in good company and the energy was high! In our opinion we managed to capture that vibe for the record itself and we are very pleased about how it turned out. Huge thanks go to our friends, Saku Moilanen, Onni Lappalainen, Mikko Tirkkonen and Inverse Records for making it such a smooth sail.”
Admire the Grim is a melodic death metal band from Lappeenranta, Finland. The group was formed by five friends in early 2021. In May 2022 the band released its first single ‘Storm the Barricade’ and in September 2022 music video and single for ‘Rogue Five’ saw the daylight. In November 2022 the second single ‘The Flood’ from ‘Rogue Five’ -EP was released and the EP itself is published on January 2023 via Inverse Records.
Line-up: Katri Snellman (vocals) Jani Loikkanen (guitar) Sirja Ojaniemi (guitar) Kalle Raatikainen (bass) Tommi Vante (drums)
EP cover by Anssi Kuivalainen
Admire the Grim – Rogue Five (EP) (2023)
01. The Flood 02. Mad Queen of the Second Sun 03. Admire the Grim 04. Rogue Five
Sizzling, soulful and bewitching, WITCHROT is gearing up for their latest offering Witchrot: Livein the Hammer, due out for its international release March 10, 2023. All sleaze and psych, Live In The Hammer has the fuzz fueled quartet playing in the grease trap of Ontario. Smoky vocals overtop mesmeric psychedelic doom fill the room to the brim. Pre-orders for Live In The Hammer are available HERE.
Formed in Toronto in 2018, WITCHROT was founded by Lea Reto (vocals) & Peter Turik (Guitar). After some international press over band disputes, betrayals, and a temporary break up, the band recruited Lea’s boyfriend Nick Kervin (Drums) and Cam Alford (Bass). Together they recorded the band’s debut full-length Hollow (2021) and most recently Live In the Hammer. Currently, Nick “Nido” Dolphin has joined the band on bass.
Pulling from the lost psychedelic masterpieces with fuzz erupting like a volcano and the ethereal shoegaze music of the late 80s and 90s, WITCHROT has carved their own haunting path. The all-consuming wave of divine music that is terrifying by its sheer velocity and force rather than dissonance.
Simultaneously beautiful and putrid, Live In The Hammer pays homage to the grime of the past, paved over by the glitz of the present. Live In The Hammer was recorded at Boxcar Sound in Hamilton, and mastered by Tony Reed at Heavy Head Recording.
Live At The Hammer Track Listing: 1. Medley – Druid Smoke Part 1 (The Keeper) / Crypt Reaper / Burn Me Down 2. Dug Your Grave / Strega 3. Acedia 4. Who Scared You 5. Colder Hands 6. Million Shattered Swords
The bubbling cauldron that is Live In the Hammer, serves as a bridge between Hollow and the band’s forthcoming next album, currently in the works. There’s no escaping the strange web of WITCHROT. Fall into the chasm and embrace the dark.
WITCHROT:
Lea Reto – Vocals Peter Turik – Guitar Nick Kervin – Drums Nick “Nido” Dolphin – Bass
Tucson, AZ thrashers Scars of Atrophy, formerly known in the 80s as Atrophy on Roadrunner Records, rebranded their lineup in 2020 and recently unleashed their return to the mosh pit with the new EP “Nations Divide” in June 2022, 30-plus years after the release of their last full-length 1990’s “Violent By Nature”. The band approached this comeback EP as both the entertainers and the audience. They love the thrash metal genre and for them, there is nothing better than watching a huge mosh pit break out while playing on stage.
The EP has also garnered praise with comments such as “honestly this EP is easily the winner for the best thrash metal material in 2022” – Encomium Zine and “Breakneck speed and crushing mid-tempo are balanced, so that fans of EXODUS, VIO-LENCE and TESTAMENT definitely get their money’s worth.” – Twilight Mag.
Closing the chapter for their breakthrough return that saw them touring the country and sharing the stage with bands such as Exhorder, W.O.R. plus a performance on Dimestock (Watertown, WI), Scars of Atrophy is sharing with fans their latest music video for the “Nations Divide” title track, which features clips from this year’s shows and insane mosh pits.
Watch the video via its premiere on Metal-Rules HERE.
Scars of Atrophy are currently working on their follow-up record for 2023, the band comments:
“Our yet-to-be-titled forthcoming album still needs tweaking and a hint of flavoring here and there and will be a greater representation of our EP ‘Nations Divide”. All songs on the EP will be on the album as well. Musically, the songs are all hard-hitting with our signature tempo and riffage. Definitely an aggressive approach with the thunderous double bass of veteran thrash drummer, Tim Kelly. The album will also have new tracks, Purge, Burn the Veil, and A Trophy Kill, which are currently being played live.”
Scars of Atrophy is recommended for fans of Testament, Exodus, and Slayer.
Scars of Atrophy: Drums – Tim Kelly Guitar – Bobby Stein Guitar – David Ruiz Bass Guitar – Scott Heller Vocals – MikeNiggl
EP Recording Credits: All songs performed by Scars of Atrophy All songs written by Robert Stein Tim Kelly Scott Heller Produced by Scars of Atrophy Mixed by John Gianni Album Artwork by Gabriel T. Byrne
Discography: 1987 – Chemical Dependency – Atrophy 1988 – Socialized Hate – Atrophy 1990 – Violent By Nature – Atrophy 2017 – song Riptide – Atrophy 2022 – Nations Divide – Scars Of Atrophy
Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Nihilist Death Cult has recently released its debut album“Death To All Tyrants”. They are now releasing a video for the track “Obey & Consume”, which is about just following blindly and not questioning anything, and being a good consumer. The time to fight is always now, not later and it was inspired by John Carpenter’s “They Live”.
The video can be seen and heard via its premiere on NoCleanSinging HERE.
The album “Death To All Tyrants” is in-your-face punk rock that combines angry riffs and hate-fuel lyrics about how the corporate-sponsored news media feeds you the stories and ideas they are paid to push. This record is about the victims standing up to the tyrants, it’s about choosing your own path and not blindly following norms if they don’t suit you. Bassist/vocalist Nick Sagias writes most of the music, but takes in input from his brother, drummer John Sagias and guitarist Ethan Bolduc. He shares their writing process:
“When I started writing for NDC, I knew that I wanted it to be aggressive, relentless, savage, no breakdowns, short songs, angry hardcore punk, the fact that my brother’s drumming fit perfectly in that and he was into it was a bonus for this otherwise it probably never would have happened. We just wanted to do this relentless style that we love and miss. Poison Idea, early DRI, early Bad Brains, the early dbeat bands, Discharge and GBH, that stuff gets the blood pumping and that’s the kinda stuff we wanna hear and see live.”
Those that get to witness Nihilist Death Cult play live can expect seasoned veterans going up on stage and putting on a show to match the energy of the music. There are no shoegazers here, just three passionate guys that want people to get into their music. They may be from Toronto but they are not a typical attitude Toronto band, they are the antithesis of that attitude.
The relatable lyrics are well enunciated making each of the nine songs on the album easy to pick up and get into. Nihilist Death Cult is recommended for fans of early DRI, early Bad Brains, and Nails.
Dec. 13, 2022, LOS ANGELES – Greg Puciato, who has released both his critically-acclaimed debut and sophomore solo albums in the short span of two years, has set a Dec. 20 release date for his inaugural live album, 11/11/22 Los Angeles.
WATCH “DEEP SET (LIVE)” VIDEO
“You don’t get many first shows,” says Puciato of his Nov. 11 outing at Los Angeles’ Don Quixote. “Having the ability to properly document one and get high quality audio and video…I didn’t wanna regret not doing that. It’s gonna be killer to look back at this 100 or even five shows from now and see how much further along the live versions of these songs are. When I hear these recordings, I instantly feel transported to that room, that night, with my bandmates onstage and friends and everyone there in attendance. A lot of love and support and passion and hard work and talent in the room. I hope it does the same for you if you were there, and resonates as strongly for people who weren’t able to attend. I can’t wait to do more of this and see everyone again and more of you in other places down the line.”
A preview of the 11-song collection arrives today with the Jim Louvau and Tony Aguilera directed video for “Deep Set (Live)” (https://youtu.be/6U3IGUQmV1o). Puciato noted: “’Deep Set’ feels good to lead with. One of my favorite memories of the tracking of Child Soldier: Creator of God were the vocals to this song…incidentally recorded at the same time of year as this show. The song was always meant to feel loose and live; the recorded vocal was a front-to-back one-take that we did in a shed in Nick Rowe’s (producer and live guitarist) backyard…so bringing it to life onstage with him, and Chris (Hornbrook) for the first time felt like a nice, symbolic full circle.”
11/11/22 Los Angeles will be available exclusively via Bandcamp, with the album streaming on Dec. 20, and vinyl pre-orders launching the same day. The collection will arrive on additional streaming services following its vinyl release in the Spring.
Joining Puciato for the live performance, and featured in this video, are the aforementioned Nick Rowe (guitar), Chris Hornbrook (drums), James Hammontree (guitar), and Jeff “Manwolf”Geiser (bass).
11/11/22 Los Angeles album cover (photo: Jonathan Weiner)
11/11/22 Los Angeles track list:
No More Lives to Go
Deep Set
Lowered
Do You Need Me to Remind You?
Absence as a Presence
Never Wanted That
Down When I’m Not
All Waves to Nothing
A Pair of Questions
Evacuation
September City
Greg Puciato came to prominence as the singer of The Dillinger Escape Plan, quickly becoming one of music’s most unpredictable and versatile vocalists. Throughout his career he has been equally adventurous when choosing his projects. From the metal-centric Killer Be Killed, to the brooding, R&B-infused electro outfit The BlackQueen, onto his two remarkable solo albums (2020’s Child Soldier: Children of God and 2022’s Mirrorcell), and recently, his work with Jerry Cantrell, Puciato has amassed a dynamic and impressive body of work.
Crashing Wayward is offering up a powerful new mix of the song “Breathe” as their debut single from RFK Media. Available December 16th on iTunes, Spotify and all major distribution platforms, this version gives everyone a strong taste of what’s in store on their first full length album and serves as the perfect introduction to this exciting new band.
While Crashing Wayward’s sound can be categorized as alternative rock, they exhibit a diverse array of influences from Foo Fighters to Queen to Stone Temple Pilots and many more. The recording sessions were produced by Mike Gillies, who has also worked with Metallica, Motley Crue and The Cult among many others.
The members of Crashing Wayward characterize “Breathe” as “a modern alternative rock anthem rejecting intolerance.” Before signing with RFK Media, the band self-released a music video for the initial version of the song which can be viewed at http://breathevideo.com.
Solid support in their home base of Las Vegas includes having “Breathe” cranked up in the arena there during an NHL playoff game and airplay on hometown station KOMP 92.3 FM. Since their debut concert there in 2021, they’ve performed throughout the southwest and are now gearing up for an appearance March 18th at the Nashville ROCKNPOD Expo and the KEELFEST2 concert event. “Breathe (Album Version)” will also be featured on the RFK Media compilation album “Live The Rock” releasing worldwide in February.
York (PA) – Vintage proto-metal purveyors SPELLBOOK have released a lyric video for “Goddess,” a track from new album DeadlyCharms. You can check out the video at youtu.be/gZEUeAmb4_s or below:
Deadly Charms is available on CD, digital, and vinyl formats via Cruz Del Sur Music. See the links below for streaming and purchase options.
The follow-up to 2020’s Magick & Mischief was recorded in February at Developing Nations in Baltimore, Maryland, with producer/engineer Kevin Bernsten. The album also marks the SPELLBOOK recording debut of their two new guitarists, Les Yarde and Patrick “Patty” Benton.
“The material has new life injected into it while still maintaining the adventurous ’70s hard rock sound we strive for,” says drummer Nick Zinn. “It certainly helped Les and Patty love Magick & Mischief and its no-rules approach. Yet, at the same time, Deadly Charms does seem a bit more focused. We love how the overall vibe has a more anthemic feel.”
Line-Up:
Nate Tyson – Vocals Les Yarde – Guitar Patrick “Patty” Benton – Guitar Seibert Lowe Jr. – Bass Nick Zinn – Drums
According to Zinn, the lyrical themes on DeadlyCharms lean much heavier on horror and reality than the fantasy and fiction approach found in Magick & Mischief. The David Thiérrée (BEHEMOTH, MORTIIS, IHSAHN)-created artwork capably showcases these topics.
“The cover depicts an open spell book spewing forth witches, devils and other ghastly things,” notes Zinn. “These are all subject matters within Deadly Charms songs. We’ve been fortunate to work with so many great artists over the years on different albums dating back to our WITCH HAZEL days and enjoy the excitement of a new artist on each project we do.”
Magick & Mischief was released in the thick of the global pandemic. While it put a premature end to the band’s touring plans, it immediately cultivated a feverish critical following.
Italian melodic death metallers CULTØ have launched their new lyric video of “Frost”. The song is featured on the band’s debut album, “Of the Sun”, out now via Time To Kill Records. Watch the clip HERE or below:
CULTØ was born from an idea of mastermind Dave, who, in a very short time span, nmanaged to put together a line-up made up of well-known musicians from the Lombardy underground scene (Ghostheart Nebula, Vide, Perfidious, etc.) and record an album of nine songs.
The style of “Of The Sun” comes straight from the Gothenburg sound of the 90s (In Flames, Dark Tranquility, etc.) opening on to more aggressive musical tones. The album is not only a personal interpretation of this music style, but revolves around a message on the awakening of generative consciousness and on the power of artistic expression.
The concept of the lyrics is focused on the awareness of the artist and his creative abilities, through the metaphor of a star that, following a flare, becomes a creator and destroyer god in search of himself and his kind.
Line-up:
Dave – Vocals Panta – Drums Ema – Guitars BT – Bass John Pino Lisi – Guitars
CULTØ combine a number of genres and influences, ranging from In Flames to Bloodbath and Septicflesh, filtered through a prism of metallic extremity. The result is fierce melodic death metal, mixing the best of old and new school into their own sound.
Tracklist:
1. Flare 2. Experiment 1 3. Excrete 4. Frost 5. The Desert Of Shadows 6. Void 7. The Ashes Of Annihilation 8. Darkness Leads To Light 9. Fire From Inside
Finnish Hard Rock band Hootenanny Freaks had their 25th anniversary in January 2022 and now they are releasing two new songs to celebrate their quarter of a century journey.
This release also presents the new singer Arttu Kettunen who have brought loads of new fresh energy to the band – that can be heard on both songs. The song Lose it All is about things going to hell and nothing seems to work out. A music video was also made for the song and it can be viewed on the band’s YouTube channel.
Falling Waters is an empowering song that tells about how it feels when the imagination takes over and you believe you have superpowers. The song is one of the heaviest tracks the band has ever recorded.
Currently the band is working on their next full length album.
Composers/Lyricists: Arttu Kettunen, Esko Kemell, Aapo Häyrinen, Marko Kuurne, Marko Leino
Just in time for Halloween, doom metal band GRAVE NEXT DOOR have released a spooky video for their track “Charnel House”. The song is from their album Sanctified Heathanwhich was recently relesaed via Black Doomba Records.
The band comments: “‘Charnel House’ was inspired by Henry Miller’s book Tropic Of Cancer. Miller used the archaic term ‘Charnel House’ in this sentence: ‘The cradles of civilization are the putrid sinks of the world, the charnel house to which the stinking wombs confide their bloody packages of flesh and bone.’
The song is about being trapped in a tomb of the past by one’s own mistakes and misery. The tortured soul seals his own fate by not forgiving himself and living in the past no matter how bad he wants to be free he can not free himself from his past and has therefore destroyed his future by not letting go and moving forward. At the same time he is dead and he doesn’t even realize it. He is the quintessential tortured soul rotting in his own tomb of self inflicted misery.”
Formed back in 2018 by brothers Patrick and Anthony Salerno, and aptly named after the graveyard situated next to their home, GRAVENEXT DOOR delves into the dark and macabre. Drawing from the iconic sounds of BLACK SABBATH, BLACK FLAG and even CREAM, all blended with the trio’s individual edge. SanctifiedHeathensees the band deliver brutally heavy distortion, doom grooves and powerful vocals. A morbid exploration awaits with lyrical themes of addiction, mortality, war, and their own personal experiences seeping through the album.
Track Listing:
Thor
Bloody Nuns
Witch Head
As Heavy As Texas
Charnel House
Sanctified Heathen
Sand in the Blood
Nuclear Winter
Bloody Nuns (Live Bonus Track)
Line Up: Patrick Salerno Anthony Salerno Travis Soleski
“Remember To Breathe” is the latest magical offering from LINDSAY SCHOOLCRAFT. Featuring a duet with SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA and Mustis on piano, the new release delivers an epic and heavy sound, setting the stage for SCHOOLCRAFT to take her solo work to the next level in 2023.
LINDSAY comments: “This one is rather special because it’s the result of community. Community of musicians and community of fans.
The track was originally something I orchestrated that didn’t make a cut a few years back. But I love how on Patreon I can just throw up my lost demos and the community there decides what path I go down next.
I definitely have not been on the heavy train much the past few years, but it was time to change that. The minute I came across this demo I knew it had to be another duet with the one and only Sarah Jezebel Deva and along the way the lovely and talented Mustis lended his piano talents (I’m still over the moon about that). I also couldn’t have done it without the super talented team that came on board.”
Additional Credits: Guitars and Drums: Fabian Daniel Bass: Håkon Didriksen Additional Orchestration: Chris Caouette Mixing and Mastering: Tyler Williams Artwork: Effy Gold
Dallas Toler-Wade, was a long-standing 18-year member of the brilliantly Egyptian-themed metal band, Nile, where he composed the music for hit songs such as, “Execration Text”, “Permitting the Noble Dead to Descend to the Underworld”, and “Lashed to the Slave Stick”. Toler-Wade was also featured in Guitar World magazine alongside founding member and guitarist/vox/songwriter Karl Sanders. With his new band Narcotic Wasteland, he is pleased to announce the second single “The Best Times Have Passed” off the yet-to-be-titled new album coming in 2023.
Toler-Wade comments on the single:
When I was writing it I was at another big turning point in my life. I was feeling my own mortality. I was feeling beat down. As with me, I still manage to find good things within it all and pull myself out of it time and time again. I think we can all relate to the fact that that it’s not forever and we better make the best of things while we can.”
They expect good reception for the upcoming single, as a band, they have grown majorly and they sound focused, and mature through their writing, recording, and performing. They have released two albums, 2014’s self-titled and 2017’s “Delirium Tremens” with their third record due out in 2023.
Dallas worked once again with drummer, engineer, producer Erik Schultek, who is no stranger to the band having recorded drums, engineered and produced the debut album.
Inspired mostly by thrash metal and classic heavy metal, Narcotic Wasteland is becoming more thrash and speed and less death metal and getting better at writing material that is meaningful and powerful. They are recommended for fans of Vader, The Crown, and Nile.
In additional news, Narcotic Wasteland is currently hitting the road for USA tour dates supporting German heavy metal legends ACCEPT, during October (dates listed below). Those who attend will get to experience the full onslaught of Narcotic Wasteland. Always well rehearsed, they deliver a tight performance including dual guitars. From harmonies to counterpart melodies it gives the band some of that traditional metal style. They are also not afraid to challenge the audience with an array of styles from whiplash-inducing fast metal to infectious arena metal.
Tour Poster credit- Andrea Roberts of Ashley Talent International
Remaining Tour Dates:
10/21/2022 Providence, RI – Fete Music Hall *NW Only 10/22/2022 Brooklyn, NY – Lucky 13 Saloon *NW ONLY 10/24/2022 Wallingford, CT – Cherry St. Station *NW ONLY 10/25/2022 NYC – The Gramercy Theatre 10/26/2022 Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall 10/27/2022 Harrisburg, PA – XL Live 10/29/2022 Columbus, OH – The King of Clubs
Dallas Toler-Wade, long-standing 18-year member of the brilliantly Egyptian-themed metal band, Nile, composed the music for hit songssuch as, “Execration Text” (NILE – “Execration Text” (Official Music Video), which featured the band’s second video release on MTV Headbangers Ball and the Uranium channel. The video was well received and aired for several weeks. “Permitting the Noble Dead to Descend to the Underworld”, is also a fan favorite. The video release was long after the demise of Headbangers Ball. Dallas also composed music for many other hits like, “Lashed to the Slave Stick”, Evil to Cast Out Evil NILE – Evil To Cast Out Evil (OFFICIAL TRACK & LYRICS) ), “Wind of Horus”, “The Eye of Ra” and many others. Toler-Wade was also featured in Guitar World magazine alongside founding member and guitarist/vox/songwriter Karl Sanders.
Dallas Toler-Wade started Narcotic Wasteland while he was in between tours with Nile. He started writing music that was a little more similar to things he was doing in a previous band and since then he has completed writing for the third album and is currently finishing up the recording process. Ahead of that, they have released the single “Morality and the Wasp” and going on a US tour with German heavy metal legends Accept.
Toler-Wade shares his hope for the single’s reception:
“I think fans will really enjoy it. The band has grown majorly and this album sounds like a band that is focused on writing, recording, and performing the very best we can., but also I think I am getting better at just writing stuff that is meaningful and powerful.”
For Toler-Wade, who is the primary songwriter for the band, the main goal is to give the listener music and lyrics that are deeply emotionally charged. Anger, sadness, and triumph are put to music the best way he knows how. The new album has a lot to say about human behavior and unchecked egos as well as his own personal philosophies about life.
The tour with Accept consists of 18 dates across the US during October (dates listed below). Those who attend will get to experience the full onslaught of Narcotic Wasteland. Always well rehearsed, they deliver a tight performance including dual guitars. From harmonies to counterpart melodies it gives the band some of that traditional metal style. They are also not afraid to challenge the audience with an array of styles from whiplash-inducing fast metal to infectious arena metal.
Oct 20 – Jim Thorpe, PA – Penns Peak Oct 21 – Providence, RI – Fete Music Hall – NARCOTIC ONLY Oct 21 – Patchogue, NY – Stereo Garden * NO NARCOTIC Oct 22 – Peekskill, NY – Paramount Theater * NO NARCOTIC Oct 22 – Brooklyn, NY – Lucky 13 Saloon # Narcotic Wasteland Only Oct 23 – Teaneck, NJ – Debonair Music Hall * Oct 24 – Wallingford, CT Cherry St. Station # Narcotic Wasteland Only Oct 25 – New York City, NY – The Gramercy Oct 26 – Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall Oct 27 – Harrisburg, PA – XL Live Oct 29 – Columbus, OH – The King of Clubs
Progressive/symphonic power metal quintet INDUCTION will release their sophomore full length, Born From Fire, on November 25th via Atomic Fire Records. After releasing their first two stand-alone singles, today the band reveals their latest helping from the record with “Go To Hell.”
As the world is scorched by flame and consumed in chaos, hope is born, forging a new path to mankind’s everlasting paradise. Stories of distant worlds welcome you to rethink how we live today. In a world where sadistic and religious fanatics prey on gullible minds and control the hearts of many, the truth is destined to be unveiled.
Comments the band, “‘Go To Hell’ appeals to unshackling the minds from religious boundaries – or any for that matter – and finding truth and power in yourself. It appeals to a world without oppression and people of power abusing their position to their benefit. But it also appeals to listeners to realize their full potential and take responsibility for their actions, standing up against the demons they face in everyday life. You always have the power to stay on top!”
Watch INDUCTION’s “Go To Hell” video or stream the track at THIS LOCATION.
View the band’s previously released video for “Queen Of Light” HERE and “Sacrifice” HERE.
Stream the tracks on the platform of your choice HERE.
Born From Fire, which boasts twelve metal anthems in fifty-eight minutes, was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen and is graced by the cover artwork of Peter Sallai (Sabaton, Jinjer, Powerwolf).
Born From Fire will be available on CD, 2xLP vinyl and digitally. Find special preorder bundles at THIS LOCATION.
In conjunction with the release of Born From Fire, INDUCTION will embark on a European tour supporting Serious Black. See all confirmed dates below. Keep up with INDUCTION’s upcoming European live dates at their official website HERE.
INDUCTION w/ Serious Black: 11/24/2022 Z7 – Pratteln, CH 11/25/2022 Matrix – Bochum, DE 11/26/2022 Club Zentral – Stuttgart, DE 11/27/2022 Rockhouse – Salzburg, AT 11/29/2022 South Of Heaven – Bilzen, BE 11/30/2022 Tivoli – Bremen, DE 12/01/2022 Garage – Saarbrücken, DE 12/02/2022 Gemeindehalle – Schirnding, DE 12/07/2022 Logo – Hamburg, DE
Originally founded in 2014, INDUCTION left their first mark with first single, “The Outwitted Consecration,” in 2016 before completely entering the metal world by releasing their eponymous debut album in 2019. Its enormously positive reception even paved them the way to touring across Europe alongside Brazilian power metallers Armored Dawn in November of the same year. It was a notable career start for the quintet that was unfortunately halted by the pandemic leading to a break (at least on the live front) that wasn’t only used by the band to work on their sophomore album but also to renew their power.
Autograph‘s new forthcoming release “Beyond”, was the last album to feature founding member and bassist Randy Rand. The album is due out on November 18, 2022 on Frontiers Music Srl, which the band has dedicated to Randy and in his memory.
“We tragically lost our brother, Randy Rand on April 26th 2022. His passing was untimely, as he had so much rockin’ left to do. We dedicate our upcoming album “Beyond” to our band mate and founding member of Autograph. His signature bass playing is a major part of the new record and his spirit is felt throughout.”
“The new album also serves as a catalyst for bringing Autograph into a new era of rock with it’s heavy-hitting and powerful sound. In the spirit of Randy’s love for the music, his excitement on the new release and eternal brotherhood, this one’s for you. Thank you Randy for keeping us connected, bringing people together from all walks of life and fueling the social bonds that music invites. Rest easy brother, we love you.”
Steve Unger from Metal Church has taken over the bass duties for the band as the legacy of Autograph continues on with a new album dedicated to Randy Rand and a busy schedule of touring.
Current Band Line Up: Simon Daniels – Lead vocals/guitar Jimi Bell – Lead guitar/vocals Marc Wieland – Drums Steve Unger – Bass/vocals
Heavy, cinematic gothic artist, THE EFFIGY has released a lyric video for their new single “One With My Enemy”. The single is also out today on all streaming platforms. Portraying a dark and profound narrative of emotional abuse, THEEFFIGY creates dynamic musical arrangements to convey the spiraling torment experienced by the track’s protagonist.
Influenced by the likes of GARBAGE, JOY DIVISION, EVANESCENCE, and KEANE, and thematically inspired by gothic and folk imagery, along with mythology, THEEFFIGY‘s music is a cinematic array of eclectic styles. Following their previous single “Cindersun”, which draws from Ancient Greek mythology, telling the tale of Icarus and the Sun who are framed as two lovers forever at odds, “One With My Enemy” exhibits another side to their music. Fusing delicate piano melodies, with heavy guitars and synths evoking a nod to the early noughties, a gothic through-line underpins the track. THEEFFIGY‘s vocals deliver both a soft intimate tone and powerful soaring lyrics that aptly reflect the intensifying mood of the song.
“One With My Enemy” once again showcases THEEFFIGY’s flair for catchy hooks and impressive compositions. The single conducts a compelling journey that gradually builds as the narrative progresses. Become enamored with THEEFFIGY’s striking sound.
Credits: EffyGold – Lyrics, Vocals, Composition
Other: Andrew Noe – Guitars, Production, Mixing Francesco Petrel – Mastering
Shadow Kingdom Records announces the signing of Cruel Force. The first fruit of this union shall be the band’s highly anticipated third album, which will see release next year. Additionally, reissues of the band’s cult two albums, 2010’s The Rise of Satanic Might and 2011’s Under the Sign of the Moon, will follow on Shadow Kingdom on all formats.
Truest of the true, Germany’s Cruel Force burst onto the scene in 2008 with the Into the Crypts… demo. While many have tried to emulate the ancient German (black)thrash sound, Cruel Force brimmed with an authenticity that could not be denied, as well as songwriting that added to that noble tradition rather than lazily picking at its corpse. Their two successive albums, 2010’s The Rise of Satanic Might and 2011’s Under the Sign of the Moon, made Cruel Force a certifiably CULT name in the international metal underground. Sadly, the band fell into a hiatus following that second album, but now are reinvigorated with the comeback 7″ EP Across the Styx and are ready to make up for lost time with their imminent new album with Shadow Kingdom.
Check out their latest single to give you a taste of what’s to come with the new album:
CRUEL FORCE – “Across The Styx” (Official Video)
A statement from the band as follows: “Today, we would like to announce that we have signed a deal with Shadow Kingdom Records for the release of our third album and for the re-release of our first two records. Signing with an American label was the right choice for us since we know that a big part of our fanbase is situated on the other side of the Atlantic, and we know that it was always a problem for you to get a hold of our releases, now even more than ever with the increase of postage costs. This way, we hope that access will get easier and more affordable for you folks.”
Concluding, the band says, “As for Europe and Germany in particular, everything will also be readily available through Shadow Kingdom‘s extensive distribution network and through our own BigCartel shop. We feel that this is the best decision for the band and the fans, and we are looking forward to spread the metallic mayhem through Shadow Kingdom Records in the future!
Further news about Cruel Force‘s third album will be announced in time.
Taken from their upcoming album “Symbol Of Eternity” German Heavy Metal legends GRAVE DIGGER release their third single + matching video next week Friday, August 19th, 2022, check out the teaser here or below: https://youtu.be/HxmpXcBrRhk
On August 26th, 2022 symphonic gothic metal band BLOOD OF INDIGO will unleash their debut album DawnoftheShadedWorld.
The band comments:
“We poured every ounce of love and passion into this album. Each song is like a carefully crafted dish from a Dark Fantasy Metal buffet. Every song tells its own story and was inspired by our favourite video games. We gave our devoted attention to every little detail and we hope this album will inspire someone to create. Dawn of The Shaded World is everything we’ve dreamed of and more.”
Become immersed in the dark, fantastical world that surrounds BLOOD OF INDIGO. Legend has it that the dark, majestic project hail from Toronto, Canada, and seek to indulge in their passion for storytelling through epic music.
The dynamic trio’s creative influences spawn from metal bands including DIMMU BORGIR, NIGHTWISH and DREAM THEATER, along video games such as Dark Souls, Hollow Knight and Bloodborne. The origins of this mystic ensemble are all but lost, scrolls from the distant era of 2017 reveal that following advice from Lindsay Schoolcraft to pursue his dream of being a metal vocalist, Alex Centorame formed the band in that year with MariuszSyposz. The third companion Nathan Gross joined forces with the line-up shortly after. Thriving in the realms of horror and fantasy, they sought a title that would live up to the bravery, majesty and wonder – and BLOOD OF INDIGO was born.
BLOOD OF INDIGO is currently preparing to unveil lyric videos for “Angelus, the ‘Faceless’ Vampire” and “Sphynx, Collector of Eyes”, before unleashing their eagerly awaited debut album Dawn of The Shaded World. The album also features a guest appearance from Juno nominated singer/songwriter Lindsay Schoolcraft.
Band Members: Alex Centorame (Sen-Tor-Ah- Mee) – Vocals/Lyrics NathanGross (Grr-Oh-Ss) – Keyboards/Orchestrations MariuszSyposz (Suh-Pose) – Guitars/Drum Programming
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