Cosmic black metal duo LIGHTLORN has unleashed “Dimensionless Blackness,” the newest single from their upcoming full-length debut: At One with the Night Sky.
The third track on the album, “Dimensionless Blackness” is full of contrasting elements. From the bright guitar picking in the intro, which belies the energetic, groove-infested opening riff that follows, to the ups and downs in the song structure, “Dimensionless Blackness” is highly representative of the sound LIGHTLORN has become known for. The lead guitar carries captivating melodies, while a foreboding piano section and an outro replete with strings and brass infuse the song with atmosphere and emotion. The lyrics are sung from the perspective of a supermassive black hole in the center of a galaxy. How it holds the galaxy together while slowly devouring the matter around it.
Thuringian (Germany) doomsters DÉCEMBRENOR release first new single from new album “Your Sunset | My Sunrise”
Against The Daylight is the first single from the new DÉCEMBRENOIR album Your Sunset | My Sunrise, which is set to be released on October 13th via Lifeforce Records.
The lyric video was created by JerkkaPerälä / Soft Neon Audiovisual, who is also responsible for the visual works for his own band ATLASES, also in Lifeforce Records.
As for the direction of their new album, DÉCEMBRE NOIR reveal the following: “Your Sunset | My Sunrise” is the cry for inner peace set to music. A heavy heart full of tears, which threatens to plunge its bearer into the abyss at any moment. Even if this means giving up oneself, in the end only the long-awaited silence counts. It is the escape on the wings of addiction from the battlefield of never-ending depression.
The approach of the band from Thuringia, Germany also reaches deep on their fifth full-time album – both lyrically and musically. This is already known from the previous records “The Renaissance Of Hope” (2020), “Autumn Kings” (2018), “Forsaken Earth” (2016) and “A Discouraged Believer” (2014). DÉCEMBRE NOIR act consistently atmospheric, gloomily tuned and open to interpretation. The underlying thoughts, emotions and intentions of the songs of the quintet are not always clearly determinable. And they don’t have to be. For the nuances and forebodings set to music have a special significance in the German band’s playing.
TRACK LIST:
Dead End: May Against The Daylight Your Sunset | My Sunrise Sentimental Giants Sleepwalker (In Yesterday’s Smoke) Trivial Heart
What once started between doom and death metal, has developed over the years and releases to an independent, organic gloomy sound, which achieves its ominous effect space and its captivating fascination quite independently of liking or style questions. On“Your Sunset | My Sunrise”, produced by HEAVEN SHALL BURN’s Alexander Dietz at his Chemical Burn Studio, DÉCEMBRE NOIR again rely on melancholic as well as melodically addressed pieces that stand completely on their own and therefore captivate because they are presented so heavy, dark and atmospheric.
Sweden-born death horde FARSOTH will crush skulls this fall with the release of their second full-length album Morbid Symphonies. FARSOTH puts their relentless brand of death metal on full display with the album’s first single, “Nothingness.”
Morbid Symphonies is simply 10 death metal songs done with a passion for music and the genre. As always, FARSOTH aims to make songs that will make you headbang, join a mosh pit, and chug a beer or two. If you are looking for music that will make you do the reptile dance, look no further.
FARSOTH invites all of you to join the madness and friendship of Death Metal. Morbid Symphonies is the album that everyone will soon be talking about.
Black Lion Records will release Morbid Symphonies on October 27. Pre-order the album atfarsothblacklion.bandcamp.com
FARSOTH was founded in Sala (Sweden) by Jari Kuusisto in 2020. Shortly thereafter JoakimMikiver on vocals, Jonas Magnusson on bass, and Kristofer Elemyr on guitar were contacted to join the band. The search for the right drummer turned out to be a more difficult task than expected. Several months later the place was still not filled so Jari decided to contact his good friend Chris Barkensjö (Lik) to help with the drum recording for the album. All said and done, FARSOTH had 9 songs recorded but still no permanent drummer.
FARSOTH: Jari Kuusisto – Guitar Joakim Mikiver – Vocals Jonas Magnusson – Bass Florian Rehn – Drums Johnny Nymark – Guitar
In early 2021 William Parkstam was recruited as the band’s permanent drummer. FARSOTH rehearsed for the first time as a full band in Williams’ hometown of Uppsala. Since then, they have released several videos, along with their debut album, The Plague, on all major streaming platforms.
Shortly after the album’s release in late 2022, William decided to leave the band due to other obligations, and Kristofer sadly passed away. William was quickly replaced by Florian Rehn on drums and in early 2023 Johnny Nymark joined the band as their new guitarist. At the beginning of 2023, Swedish record label Black Lion Records reached out to FARSOTH offering the band a record deal. So with a fresh record deal and more than 14 new songs, FARSOTH is looking forward to seeing what 2023 will bring.
Today, the spearheads of the next generation of power metal, INDUCTION,surprise their fans with a new digital EP, The Power Of Power. The six-track EP features brand new track “Set You Free,” alongside the best and most power metal songs of the band’s repertoire.
Rekindling all the classic elements of the genre in their own modern and unique way, “Set You Free” is INDUCTION‘s interpretation and homage to power metal’s glory days.
Guitarist Tim Kanoa Hansen explains, “Bands such as Helloween, Stratovarius, and Sonata Arctica have truly shaped the genre of power metal, and I have always wanted to write a song honoring this part of history, which we all know and love. This comes at just the right time, as we’re also joining all three of these giants on the road this year. ‘Set You Free’ is my humble attempt to reignite, or simply just fuel, your love for the genre, in my own way. Let it take you on a journey back through time and may the glory of power metal shine on forever!”
Watch INDUCTION’s “Set You Free” video at THIS LOCATION.
Earlier this week, INDUCTION announced that their guitar player Marcos Rodriguez will take an extended hiatus from the band to focus on personal issues in the upcoming months. Rodriguez will be temporally replaced by the Greek shredder, George Thanasoglou.
INDUCTION’s most recent full-length album, 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). Preview and purchase Born FromFire and more at THIS LOCATION.
View the band’s previously released videos for “Queen Of Light” HERE, “Sacrifice” HERE, “Go To Hell” HERE, “Embers” HERE, and “A Call Beyond” HERE.
Subscribe to Atomic Fire Records on YouTube and listen to “Set You Free” as well as other new tracks in the AFR New Releases playlist on Spotify HERE.
INDUCTION Live: 8/05/2023 Hello-Feast @ Štadión Lokomotíva – Košice, SK 9/09/2023 Port Of Power Festival @ Juki 42 – Ahrensburg, DE w/ Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius: 10/14/2023 Northern Rockfest @ Energi Arena – Umeå, SE 10/15/2023 Cozmoz Arena – Borlänge, SE 10/16/2023 Vulkan Arena – Oslo, NO 10/17/2023 Trädgår’n – Gothenburg, SE 10/19/2023 Slaktkyrkan – Stockholm, SE 10/20/2023 Gimle – Roskilde, DK 10/21/2023 Kulturpalast – Hamburg, DE 10/22/2023 Hellraiser – Leipzig, DE 10/24/2023 TivoliVredenburg (Ronda) – Utrecht, NL 10/25/2023 Garage – Saarbrücken, DE 10/27/2023 Konzertfabrik Z7 – Pratteln, CH 10/28/2023 Alcatraz – Milan, IT 10/30/2023 Backstage – Munich, DE 10/31/2023 Szene – Vienna, AT 11/01/2023 Barba Negra – Budapest, HU 11/03/2023 Fuzz Club – Athens, GR 11/04/2023 Principal Club Theater – Thessaloniki, GR 11/06/2023 FORM Space – Cluj-Napoca, RO 11/07/2023 Quantic – Bucharest, RO 11/10/2023 Colos-Saal – Aschaffenburg, DE 11/12/2023 Matrix – Bochum, DE w/ Accept, Songs Of White Lion: 12/12/2023 Große Freiheit 36 – Hamburg, DE 13/13/2023 Carlswerk Victoria – Cologne, DE
JAG PANZER released their first album in six years, a conceptual opus titled The Hallowed, through Atomic Fire Records last month. The record earned the #23 position on the Official German Album Chart and #62 on the Official Swiss Album Chart: #62. Now, JAG PANZER have kicked off their European tour in support of the record at Germany’s Headbangers Open Air Festival. The ten-date journey also includes a stop at Wacken Open Air and will come to a close with an appearance at Alcatraz Festival on August 12th. In celebration of the tour, the band has unveiled a video for the track “Prey.”
Guitarist Mark Briody comments, “‘Prey!’ is probably the band’s favorite song to rehearse. The quick riff is lots of fun to play live! In the album concept this is where the panthers kill a family so that the team can take their supplies. We wanted something a bit different for this song, so there is no solo and the structure is much different from the other songs. The track also showcases some of our more unique influences. For example, the main riff in ‘Prey!’ ends on 4. We don’t do that a lot in our music but some of our very early (young teens) influences such as The Runaways’ ‘Cherry Bomb’ ends the riff on 4.”
Atmospheric post-black metal band EAVE presents their third full-length album, Fervor. Complex and powerful, Fervor offers seven new songs that show a more aggressive march across the bleak, depressive soundscape the band created on 2020’s Phantoms Made Permanent.
Tracklist: 1) Past Pulses 2) Chance is a Spectre 3) Mirroring 4) Stale Ash 5) Bending the Light 6) Shards 7) Into Perdition
A lot has happened since the release of EAVE’s Phantoms Made Permanent via Bindrune Recordings. The world has seemingly flipped upside down and in the case of this forward-thinking quartet, change isn’t always a bad thing.
After a band migration back to their home state of Connecticut and a period of tireless effort, EAVE emerges with a formidable selection of songs that see the band demonstrating a fiery new approach to their unique brand of atmospheric metal. Bristling with energy and venom amidst passages of ethereal and shadowed melodies, the duly titled Fervor exhibits an air of urgency, disillusionment, and resiliency. Heavily incorporating elements from a myriad of musical genres and applying a broad tone of experimentalism to their soaring style of New England black metal, Fervor marks a new period of focus for the band, as they press upon new territory that feels wholly their own.
Recorded by the band in Connecticut, and re-amped, mixed, and mastered by Colin Marston in Queens, New York, Fervor sheds stunning light on the beauty and darkness that forever exists in mankind and its relationship to the natural world.
EAVE is: Brian Tenison – Bass, Vocals Caleb Porter – Drums Ian Stoller – Guitars Gabriel Shara – Guitars, Vocals
July 25, 2023 – Ghost Spirit, the L.A. hardcore band who surprised fans in early June with the release of “Kill The Strife,” the group’s first new music in four years, have now released an additional single via Blue Swan/Rise Records: “The Tradition That Remains” (watch the video here).
“’The Tradition That Remains’ is a heartfelt anthem celebrating the unbeatable spirit and promising future of the hardcore scene,” explains vocalist Alex Bigman of the Will Putney (Every Time I Die, Knocked Loose) mixed and Phil Odom (Code Orange, Portrayal of Guilt) engineered track. “Amid the Covid lockdowns, just like everyone else, we were deeply concerned about the fate of our beloved community’s shows. It seemed as though the very existence of the scene was at stake. Determined to rally the troops and reignite the passion, we set out to create a song that would unite us all. Out of the pandemic we overcame the challenges, and now in 2023 the scene feels more alive than ever. This music video, lovingly captured on Super 8mm, Super VHS, and digital formats, beautifully portrays the essence of this journey during the unforgettable run of our recent sold-out shows. We proudly declare that the tradition endures, binding us together in our shared love for hardcore, and illuminating a bright path towards the future.”
Photo credit: Connor Laz and Cameron Gile
Ghost Spirit released Hourglass in 2019, with the 8-song album landing on Rolling Stone’s staff’s personal best of lists, and being praised by outlets for capturing the band’s DIY spirit. Idioteq said the collection is “sonically and thematically immense,” while Sputnik Music noted the band’s ability to juxtapose “tenderness and honesty” with “frantic guitar work… and the pained screams of Alex Bigman.”
The band is currently writing a new album with additional details to be revealed soon.
Ghost Spirit is Alex Bigman (vocals), Taylor Jewell (drums), Niko Zaglaras (guitar) and Evan Henkel (bass).
September 1, 2023 sees hard rock power metal titans FIREWIND release their epic anniversary live album, titled “Still Raging”, through AFM Records. Recorded in 2022 at a frenetically-acclaimed hometown show in Thessaloniki, Greece, “Still Raging” will be available on Blu-Ray and as a 2CD edition, the pre-sale has just recently started at THIS LOCATION!
Following a previously-released single, a new live version of “Orbitual Sunrise”, today, the band is premiering a new video clip for their classic “Maniac”! Watch it HERE
As Gus G comments:“Maniac” is Firewind’s biggest hit and we didn’t even write it! Our Metal version of the “Flashdance” anthem goes back to 2008 straight out of “The Premonition” album of ours and it was originally recorded for fun during the album sessions. Whenever we play it live, it instantly gets the crowd on party mode and you can see that on this video from our anniversary hometown show. Enjoy!”
Since more than twenty years, the iconic band founded by exceptional guitarist Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne, Arch Enemy, Dream Evil) enthralls heavy music fans with their exciting blend of hard rock and power metal. Razor-sharp riffs, big hooks and solos meet the incredible vocal skills of charismatic singer Herbie Langhans (Avantasia, Radiant, Seventh Avenue, amongst others), who joined the band in 2019.
FIREWIND is: Gus G. (guitars) Herbie Langhans (vocals) Petros Christo (bass) Jo Nunez (drums)
Finnish goth metal demons The 69 Eyes send greetings to fans and fiends the world over with an ultra cool apocalyptic boogie woogie take on The Cramps’ classic “Aloha From Hell.” Originally released on the landmark 1986 album A Date With Elvis, The Cramps’ third full-length and its commercial breakthrough, “Aloha From Hell” offered a perfect distillation of the band’s sound – rollicking drums, a throbbing bass line and uber creepy tremolo guitar.
The 69 Eyes’ version retains all of the best elements of the original while adding in their own distinctive goth metal sounds, including the signature baritone voice of frontman Jyrki 69 and the twin guitar attack of Bazie and Timo-Timo with bassist Archzie and drummer Jussi 69 holding down the steady driving groove. Check out the performance video for the full experience of these veteran rockers making a full meal of The Cramps influential horror punk stew!
Midwest death machine CASKET ROBBERY is once again hitting the road in support of their latest album, Rituals of Death.
The first leg of the tour kicks off in July, followed by a string of dates with St. Louis-based symphonic deathcore band ABADDONIA. Tour dates are as follows:
July 6th – Detroit, MI at Sanctuary Detroit July 7th – Lakewood, OH at The Foundry Concert Club July 8th – Menomonie, WI at The Mabel Tainter
CASKET ROBBERY/ABADDONIA SUMMER TOUR August 10th – Portage, WI* at Studio 301 August 11th – Rhinelander, WI* at Project Mayhem August 12th – Rhinelander, WI* at Project Mayhem – Patreon Member Meet August 13th – Chicago, IL at Cobra Lounge August 14th – Louisville, KY at Mag Bar August 15th – Chesapeake, VA at Riffhouse Pub August 16th – Harrisburg, PA at JB Lovedraft’s Micro Pub August 17th – Dayton, OH at Blind Bobs August 18th – Indianapolis, IN at Black Circle August 19th – Battle Creek, MI* at Michigan Metal Fest *No Abaddonia
This tour comes on the heels of CASKETROBBERY‘s blistering performance at the reincarnated Milwaukee Metal Fest. Check out video footage from their set below.
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.
Following their much-acclaimed debut album, Ban The Light ( 2019, AFM Records ) and a series of live tracks, taken of their incredible show in support of JUDAS PRIEST “Live In Dalhalla”, Swedish hard rock act DEAF RAT has suprised their fanbase with a brand new song!
The music video for the high-voltage banger “Schizophrenic Part Of Me” is showcasing actual studio footage of the band, who is currently working on a new EP to be released in the not so distant future! As DEAF RAT reveal: “Schizophrenic Part Of Me is a kick ass rock n roll track, a party starter as energetic, straight forward and deadly as it can get. Be prepared to get grabbed by your neck by this venomous guitar riff, the sound and the vibe of Deaf Rat 2.0!”
The new DEAF RAT video for “Schizophrenic Part Of Me” is now premiering HERE
DEAF RAT hails from Dalarna in Sweden, a small region with long traditions of mining, steel industry, music and a healthy dose of DIY attitude. The broad sound of DEAF RATis built on a strong foundation of classic 70s, 80s and 90s rock packed with influences of the band members different personal favourites. With their massive guitar riffs and strong melodies, this is the band that fills up the cracks in the ageing concrete between old school and modern hard rock.
With their driving riffs, thundering drum beats, and electrifying presence, DEAF RAT prove that they are one of the most explosive and dynamic forces in the world of hard rock. Their latest album, Ban The Light is available at THIS LOCATION!. Ban The Light was released with great reviews from all over the world.
Metal Temple recommends “if you are a fan of eccentric and eclectic Hard Rock acts, DEAF RAT must find its place on your watch list for the years to come”, Sonic Perspectives lauded “Deaf Rat puts forth some quality hard rock”, while GBHBL featured the album as “an overly strong rock effort from these Swedish up and comers”! So better watch out for many more DEAF RAT news and songs to be revealed in the nearest future!
For those who love 80’s new wave and/or 80’s metal, stand in the light of the darkness, and testify… your time is at hand! Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to JAMES RIVERA’S METAL WAVE!
Fronted by the iconic Helstar singer James Rivera, the band will release their much-awaited album, entitled New Wave Gone Metal, on July 28, 2023 via Massacre Records. Get ready for the embrace of metallic, dark, epic and euphoric cover versions of songs by some of the greatest bands of the new wave/dark wave era!
James Rivera comments: “Make no mistake that to this day I still love each of these songs in the original forms but I have to admit now that we did them in our own metal way, it’s hard for me to listen to them as they were and I know once these new wave classics sink their teeth into you metal wave style, you’ll never listen to them the same either!”
Get a taste of what metal wave sounds like, today, JAMES RIVERA’S METAL WAVE has unleashed a music video for their first album single, a crushing heavy metal cover of the Depeche Mode classic “Black Celebration”! Watch the clip now premiering HERE
“As for “Black Celebration” it is a kind of a funny story as well as very memorable and the beginning for my passion of Dark Wave,” James reveals.
“Back in the late summer of 1985 when we had just finished recording “Remnants of War” with Helstar, we had an amusement park here in Houston called Astroworld/ Six Flags and they had free concerts. So if you bought a ticket to the park you could go to the concert afterwards.
Back then it was taboo, if you were a metal head, to listen to that kind of music and vice versa. You practically got your ass kicked by your gang of metal heads. So our whole point even more so now was go and terrorize the nerdy New Wavers, wearing our denim vests with the metal patches with the big one on the back being the Venom one “Welcome to Hell”!” He continues: “We enter the concert grounds and Larry Barragan turns to me and says “Wow dude! These people look more dead than we do!” And as I’m looking around, yep! Everyone is in black from head to toe and dead pale white!! If that wasn’t enough now, Depeche Mode is getting ready to the hit the stage. The stage is completely black, their intro starts, the fog is massive and there is this huge white sheet in front of the entire stage. (which now years later I found it’s called a kabuki drop and we use one when we can for our Metal Wave shows for the beginning). Then the red lights come on and all you see is 4 black silhouettes while they are playing the eerie beginning of “Black Celebration”. When the beat hits, the kabuki drops and then there is the band!! We were floored!!! It was like seeing a King Diamond show but a Dark Wave version of it! We ran up to the front as close as we could and flashed the metal horns to the band and I’ve been in love with this band ever since and the rest is history.
On top of it being the very first song we rearranged and recorded for Metal Wave, that is why it had to be our first more official video for the record and opening track for it!”
New Wave Gone Metal was mixed by Larry Barragan at the Hombre Malo Studio, and was mastered by Robert Colwell at Bombworks Sound Studio. Slated for a release as CD Digipak , Ltd. Vinyl LP and Digital formats on July 28, 2023 through Massacre Records, the pre-sale has just started at THIS LOCATION!
New Wave Gone Metal – track listing:
Black Celebration
Love My Way
Lovesong
Shock The Monkey
Black Planet
Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Bela Lugosi’s Dead
The Killing Moon
Pet Sematary
Rain
Album Line-Up: James “Vampiro” Rivera – Vocals Larry Barragan – Guitars Maurice Eggenschwiler – Guitars Garrick Smith – Bass Rene Luna – Drums
Guest Musician: Jan Kimmel – Hammond Organ, Backing Vocals & Co-Lead Vocals on “Rain”
Since Corvus Lore’s inception in 2015, their goal has been to write music that is memorable, inspiring, and possesses the perfect blend of the various styles of rock music that they grew up on — keeping original rock music alive today. And people in the music industry are taking note.
SoundwavesTV has referred to Corvus Lore as the Bay Area’s buzz-worthy band in 2023. Internet show host Chris Akin recently published his interview with the band stating, “Why Corvus Lore is the NEXT Velvet Revolver!” Inspiring and eye-catching videos such as “Boxing Ballerina” have won “Best Music Video” category at the 2022 Poppy Jasper International Film Festival. And their momentum keeps building — having shared the stage with notable rock legends like Tesla, Richie Kotzen, and Dizzy Reed from Guns n Roses, and Eric Martin. They have also made TV appearances on the KBFX morning show.
Their sophomore album, ‘Lucida,’ scheduled to be released in July 2023 on Valley of Fire Records, contains nine new songs that will take you on a ride and make you want to set the needle back again and again. Keep an eye out for their upcoming shows in 2023.
Fresh off their tour with Megadeth and Bullet For My Valentine, revered Canadian progressive-metal luminaries ONI have unleashed a ferocious new single, “Silence In A Room Of Lies” (feat. guitarist Jared Dines), a volatile, metallic anthem with a torrential onslaught of groove-laden riffs threaded with infectious melody.
Commenting on the new single, Jake Oni states:
“I’m super stoked to share my new song Silence in a Room of Lies! This track is the first step in a new direction for ONI musically. This is just a taste of what’s to come and I hope my fans enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it. Writing with Jared Dines was an absolute pleasure and his contributions brought this song to a whole new level.”
Dines adds:
“I am very proud of the song we were able to write together, and I’m excited that the world can finally hear it! Jake is the coolest dude and working with him was an absolute pleasure!“
Produced by Josh Gilbert (former As I Lay Dying, current Spiritbox bassist) and Joseph McQueen (Bad Wolves, As I Lay Dying).
About ONI: Formed in 2014 by vocalist Jake Oni, ONI quickly became one of Canada’s most promising bands with their distinct amalgam of experimental progressive songwriting, brute metalcore savagery and cathartic melody. The five-piece roared to life with the release of their 2016 debut album, Ironshore (Metal Blade Records), which was produced by Josh Wilbur (Avenged Sevenfold, Korn, Dillinger Escape Plan) and featured guest vocals by Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe on the song “The Only Cure.”
ONI followed up with a monstrous Alone EP in 2019, and returned with their critically lauded second full-length, Loathing Light in 2022, that boasted guests Iggy Pop and Blythe on the song “Secrets.”
Along their meteoric rise in the metal scene, the band has shared the stage with acts like Megadeth, Gojira, Bullet for My Valentine, Starset, Children of Bodom, Rob Zombie, Death Angel and The Devin Townsend Project.
Swedish MANIAK will be releasing their new EP, “Speed Metal Terrorist”, on June 18th 2023 via Dawnbreed and De Nihil Records. Stream the single “Nocturnal Hellfire” at THIS LOCATION.
These young lunatics bring back the sound of Belo Horizonte 1985 mixed with the legendary German mid 80’s violent speed metal sound. Mastered by DanSwanö.
The very future of metal is always brought into question by those who dare to question the worthiness and talent of the younger generations. Such fools do not know what they’re missing out on with the sanctity and respect of the old school veins cared for even today by ferociously passionate and talented bands that will be more than adept at keeping that old flame burning strong. With “Speed Metal Terrorist”, MANIAK instantly proves itself to be an up-and-coming whirlwind of blackened speed metal that is not to be underestimated!
Not a single moment throughout this small but unyielding effort is to be swept to the side as we’re given an utterly compelling barrage of unbridled speed, ripping solos and intensity that only the passionate lost in the underground can bring forward, with a viciously raw production that is sure to capture the attention of those exclusively living in the past.
MANIAK is priming themselves to be a name that is not to be denied when it comes to speed metal that is more than worthy of our time, and “Speed Metal Terrorist” is sure to be the first testament as to why MANIAK will be more than competent to carry the torch of the old school when their time comes to bear it.
New album, “Electric Sounds”, coming September 15, 2023 On AFM Records!
Are you ready to rock? Do you want a good time? Do you want to get high? If the answer to any of those questions is yes, then the undisputed kings of balls-out rock’n’roll are back to provide maximum satisfaction. An elite, three-man squad, dedicated to the noble art of riffs, melodies and life-affirming rock anthems, DANKO JONES are ready to serve up all the Electric Sounds you could possibly need!
September 15, 2023 will see the Canadian trio release their hotly-anticipated, eleventh studio album, entitled Electric Sounds, via AFM Records. Following a previously-released, first album appetizer, “Guess Who’s Back”, today, DANKO JONES are premiering their new single, the muscular new wave strut of “Good Time“, along a hilarious karaoke-themed music video featuring a guest appearance by Inge Johansson (currently in Gatuplan, previously of Against Me! and International Noise Conspiracy)! The clip was directed by Philip Hovensjö at Horseboy (Yung Lean, Martin Garrix, Victor Leksell and many more).
As the new DANKO JONES track proves, ElectricSoundspromises to have the instant sound and feel of a classic. Hands down, with DANKO JONES, you are going to have a good time, rock as hard as you can, always at full volume, while Electric Soundsis a deceptively diverse affair. No band has ever sounded more ready to hit the road than the pumped-up threesome showcased on a hell-for-leather rager that is “Good Time” (now available on all digital services at THIS LOCATION!
Danko confirms: “Good Time is the song you need to hear when you’re not ready to throw in the towel. It also rocks very very very hard and has a lot of swear words.”
MODERN MIMES, the alternative heavy rock outfit from South Florida, have unleashed their new single “Heavy Heart”. Following their latest single “Down and Dead”, “Heavy Heart” ventures into darker realms. Heavy distortion, dynamic electronics and stunning vocals combine to create a thrilling and powerful offering.
About MODERN MIMES: MODERN MIMES began as a duo in 2016 with Arianie and Ernesto blending styles of PORTISHEAD, NINE INCH NAILs, SEVENDUST, and LACUNA COIL. The duo performed locally in their hometown of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and landed the Riptide Music Festival alongside WEEZER, SILVERSUN PICKUPS and many more. It was in 2018 that they were joined by drummer Justin Perez from New Orleans, Louisiana, and became the three-piece they are today.
Perfect in time for a hot summer, on July 14, 2023, power metal act WINTERSTORM will release their upcoming, fifth studio album, entitled “Everfrost”, via AFM Records. It’s their first offering since 2016.
As the “Winter” stands for nordic viking and folk metal, the “Storm” for fast-paced power metal, combined with epic and orchestral metal facettes, WINTERSTORM shines in a new splendor as first album single releases have already proved. Following “To The End Of All Known” and just recently, a music video for their latest single “Future Times”, today, WINTERSTORM are proudly presenting us “The Phoenix Died (Remember)!
Watch the new WINTERSTORM video for “The Phoenix Died (Remember)” HERE
‘Remember’ reminds us that we should remember our past in order to learn for the future,” the band comments. “The text urges us to use our resources responsibly and to provide for future generations. In this context, one could also think of the sinking of Atlantis.”
It’s the melodic grandeur, that clearly marks the foreground of WINTERSTORM, reflected in heavily catchy choruses and colossal, polyphonic vocals. Striking elements of different metal styles merge with each other and get a completely new impression, that WINTERSTORM’s forthcoming record may be their most versatile and powerful album to date; one that does not have to hide behind proved genre colleagues such as Blind Guardian or Rhapsody Of Fire.
“Everfrost” will be coming out as CD Digipak, limited clear blue Vinyl and Boxset on July 14, 2023 via AFM Records, the pre-sale is available at THIS LOCATION!
Back – Jesse Briggs (Drums), Middle (L to R) – Jackson Landry (Guitar), Jordan Fournier (Guitar), Front – Chris Lee (Bass) Photo Credit: Bryan Otter
Tour Dates w/ Cancer Bats, Thousand Knives
Diner Drugs is a four-piece stoner metal punk crew, born out of a desire to defeat the boredom of east coast living. Diner Drugs is fast, loud and are always keen to turn up the heat with catchy choruses and deep vocal harmonies while sticking to their deep stoner metal roots. They are ready to hit the road this spring and have a flashy new single “This War” coming out to get fans excited. The single is the first look at a new EP that will be coming out this year. The band explains in detail:
“This is the first single off of our latest EP titled “42”. We are proud of this loud and driving track, complete with catchy choruses and an epic, heavy ending. This song features powerful vocals, with lyrics warning about the dangers of assuming things will work out for the best, without cautiously preparing for the worst. So much hard work from so many people went into this, it’s loud and fast and we hope everyone digs it.”
The tour this spring will take Diner Drugs all over the east coast of Canada. With relaxed attitudes and groovy riffs, they enjoy bringing fun metal to people and enticing them to headbang. Loud and energetic is their goal, and their lyrics come from both personal experience and witnessing the experiences of others. They live in a have-not town, so they are more than familiar with hard times. They draw from these troubles for inspiration and hope to maybe help anyone stuck in these situations feel a little less alone in their battles.
It’s loud, fast, meaningful metal, and according to the band the song means a lot more to them this time around and they feel it reflects in the upcoming record. They are recommended for fans of Cancer Bats, Dead Quiet, and Mokomakai.
The EP “42” is due out via BatSkull Records later this year.
Tour Dates: May 12 – St. John’s, NL – The Deck May 13 – St. John’s, NL – The Abbey (All Ages) May 13 – St. John’s, NL – The Deck May 24 – Charlottetown, PEI – Trailside w/ Cancer Bats, Thousand Knives May 25 – Moncton, NB – Xeroz w/ Cancer Bats, Thousand Knives May 26 – Halifax, NS – The Seahorse w/ Cancer Bats, Thousand Knives May 27 – Sydney, NS – Curling Club w/ Cancer Bats, Thousand Knives
Australian hard rockers BIG RED FIRE TRUCK have released their new single “Love Bite“. The song is from their upcoming EP Trouble InParadisewhich is out on August 4th, 2023.
The band comments: ” ‘Love Bite’ is a personal reflection of my experiences in the music industry and its comparison to the highs and lows of a place like Vegas. It’s easy to get caught up in the glittering facade of success and become fixated on the idea of making it big. I read an article recently that helped me come to realise that the industry is in fact a lot like a casino – a few win big, a few even win small and those that don’t are kicked to the curb and left to fend for themselves. This song is a reminder to myself and others to enjoy the journey, no matter what the outcome may be.”
About BIG RED FIRE TRUCK: BIG RED FIRE TRUCK began in 2016 as a project by Digby to write some fun heavy metal and hard rock songs and fulfil his need to hear new music in the style of his beloved bands. Taking inspiration from the likes of VAN HALEN, RECKLESS LOVE, THE DARKNESS, AEROSMITH, SUM 41, and CRAZY LIXX, the quartet pay homage to previous generations of hard rock while delivering their own distinctive character.
BIG RED FIRE TRUCK Are: Digby (Guitar and Lead Vocals) Ben Frank (Guitar) Pete Grant (Drums and Vocals) Nick Frazier (Bass)
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