Canadian sci-fi metal innovators VOIVOD are continuing their 40th Anniversary touring cycle, kicking off their US leg next week! The US dates start on May 9th in Asheville, NC and wrap on May 23rd in Pensacola, FL. Most dates will see support from enigmatic experimental outfit, IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT. Full dates below. Tickets are available HERE.
VOIVOD – USA Tour w/ Imperial Triumphant: May 9, 2023 – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel * no Imperial Triumphant May 10, 2023 – Virginia Beach, VA – Elevation 27 * no Imperial Triumphant May 11, 2023 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts May 12, 2023 – New York, NY – The Bowery May 13, 2023 – Baltimore, MD – Soundstage May 14, 2023 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground May 16, 2023 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live May 17, 2023 – Tampa, FL – Floridian May 18, 2023 – Atlanta, GA – Center Stage May 19, 2023 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues May 20, 2023 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall May 21, 2023 – Austin, TX – Come and Take It May 23, 2023 – Pensacola, FL – The Vinyl Music Hall * no Imperial Triumphant
VOIVOD recently announced a special Anniversary studio album entitled Morgöth Tales, to be released on July 21st, 2023 via Century Media Records.
Once more recorded and mixed by Francis Perron at RadicArt Studio, mastered by Maor Appelbaum and produced by VOIVOD, Morgöth Tales includes fresh studio (re-)recordings by the band’s current line-up of 9 especially selected, not-so-obvious picks from the band’s hyper-classy and extremely diverse back catalogue (between 1984 and 2003) as well as a brand-new song in the album’s title-track, “Morgöth Tales”.
“The album “A Matter of Time” shows where Alase is heading towards musically. We are already working on new music and this album leads the way to our new paths.
Compared to our debut album Vastaus, A Matter of Time is more versatile and progressive. In a way it is more mature but we also took more musical risks with its material. We even threw in a couple of tracks that go outside the genre of metal music but they still sound like Alase. Those songs also contain more electronic sounds which is a new thing for us.
Softer parts on the album are very soft but the heavier parts at their heaviest get really crushing and technical. When it comes to musicianship, this album contains the most demanding stuff that we have so far done.
Besides five previously unheard tracks, the album contains four tracks that were released as singles and music videos. Those songs represent the album pretty well but don’t tell the whole story. If you like bands Katatonia, Haken, VOLA and Sleep Token, this album might work for you!”
PYRAMAZE are an exceptional phenomenon in the international prog- and power metal scene. Their sound brings along numerous traditional melodic and progressive metal trademarks, but gets an immensely high recognition value by their unique feeling for great melodies – in connection with a certain open-mindedness for contemporary arrangements and further development.
It’s no secret that the band is currently working on a new album – and already the first single “Broken Arrow” stands as the epitome of what PYRAMAZE is about. Cast in a first-class production by PYRAMAZE guitarist and renowned producer Jacob Hansen, the track is elevated to highest quality realms not least by the fabulous organ of singer Terje Harøy.
Says keyboardist Jonah Weingarten: “Broken Arrow represents the perfect mixture of Disciples of the Sun- Pyramaze era with a splash of our modern Epitaph sound. It has the big chorus, huge strings, big powerful vocals, and catchy melodies that we are known for. It was an easy choice for our first single for our upcoming album!”
Watch the brand new video for “Broken Arrow”, now streaming below, and stay tuned for many more album news and details to follow soon.
Promo pic by Sami Hinkkanen. (From left to right: Rasmus Raassina, Harri Annala, Marko Loukamaa, Miika Erkkilä, Ari Lempinen, Esa Lempinen
Finnish progressive metal band Sum of Seven released a new single and music video ”The Monster…The King’. The track is released in collaboration with Inverse Records.
Ari Lempinen comments: “In the song The Monster…The King we wanted to give more room to the instruments to tell the story supporting the vocals. The song flows with tasty solos and tight riffs in synergy with Marko’s vocals and dances between succulent blasting and a relaxing respite. The music reflects the atmosphere of the lyrics, which dive deep into a dreamlike space where the monsters and kings within us are in juxtaposition. The music video features the skilled breakdancer Jose Granados aka Bboy Kalaco who interprets the mood and the message of the song with his skillful moves.“
Single cover by Ari Lempinen
The Monster…The King (single 2023)
Composed by Ari Lempinen Lyrics by Ari Lempinen, Esa Lempinen & Marko Loukamaa
Line-up: Ari Lempinen: Guitar, backing vocals Esa Lempinen: Keyborads Rasmus Raassina: Drums Harri Annala: Guitar Miika Erkkilä: Bass Marko Loukamaa: Vocals
One of Europe’s leading and most popular Prog Metal acts is finally back: Norway’s Communic Official have made a lasting impression on the scene with their previous four studio albums “Conspiracy In Mind” (2005), “Waves Of Visual Decay” (2006), “Payment Of Existance” (2008) and “The Bottom Deep” (2011), which all have been released by Nuclear Blast. Critical acclaim follows COMMUNIC since day one and a devoted worldwide fan base is hotly anticipating the release of the first COMMUNIC album since six years.
With “Where Echoes Gather”, the band impressively confirms and underlines its exceptional status. COMMUNIC’s first album for AFM is nothing short of another dark and atmospheric masterpiece, created by the very same three guys who founded the band back then. COMMUNIC’s characteristic mixture of prog, power and thrash sounds as fresh and relevant as ever and will amaze the band’s countless fans to the fullest.
“Where Echoes Gather” will be available as Digipak and ltd colored Vinyl (250 units gold, 250 red/marbled).
Pre-order here: http://bit.ly/2x5a6sz
Cover artwork painted by artist Eliran Kantor (Testament, Sodom, Iced Earth).
Track Listing:
Digipak
01. The Pulse of the Earth (Part 1 – The Magnetic Center)
02. The Pulse of the Earth (Part 2 – Impact Of The Wave)
03. Where Echoes Gather (Part 1 – Beneath The Giant)
04. Where Echoes Gather (Part 2 – The Underground Swine)
05. Moondance
06. Where History Lives
07. Black Flag of Hate
08. The Claws Of The Sea (Part 1 – Journey Into The Source)
09. The Claws Of The Sea (Part 2 – The First Moment)
Bonus Tracks:
10. Watching It All Disappear (Live In Studio 2017)
11. At Dewy Prime (Live In Studio 2017)
12. Waves Of Visual Decay (Acoustic Live Version – 10th Anniversary Concert)
Vinyl Side A
01. The Pulse of the Earth (Part 1 – The Magnetic Center)
02. The Pulse of the Earth (Part 2 – Impact of The Wave)
03. Where Echoes Gather (Part 1 – Beneath The Giant)
04. Where Echoes Gather (Part 2 – The Underground Swine)
05. Moondance
Side B
06. Where History Lives
07. Black Flag of Hate
08. The Claws Of The Sea (Part 1 – Journey Into The Source)
09. The Claws Of The Sea (Part 3 – The First Moment)
Prog Metal outfit THIRD ION, featuring former members of THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND and INTO ETERNITY, have announced a string of dates that will see the band hitting six Canadian cities later this month.
Guitarist Justin Bender comments: “We are so stoked to bring our nerdy brand of prog metal to western Canada! It’s been a crazy year getting this band off the ground and with an album nearly finished, we need a break, so we decided to hit the road. Join us and all the exceptionally killer bands that are opening each show, for our debut shows in six cities!”
Dates are as follows:
09/11 Winnipeg, MB @ The Zoo (w/ Grand Master and Dissolution)
09/12 Regina, SK @ The Exchange (w/ Magnetic and Room 333)
09/13 Red Deer, AB @ The Vat (w/ Demise Without Reason, Valria, Plaguebringer, Wraith Risen)
09/14 Calgary, AB @ Lord Nelson’s (w/ Kyoktys and Illuminated Minerva)
09/15 Edmonton, AB @ Rendezvous (w/ The Noumenon and The Universe Machine)
09/17 Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret (w/ Omnisphere and Wolfbourne)
THIRD ION:
Justin Bender – Guitar, Aaron Edgar – Drums, Mike Young – Bass, Tyler Gilbert – Vocals
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For a taste of what’s in store, THIRD ION has posted a full studio performance video of the song “Zero Mass.” Watch the video below:
THIRD ION is putting the finishing touches on their debut full-length, 13/8Bit. The band recently posted the lead single off the album, “Capitol Spill,” – check it out below!
THIRD ION is the product of a mutual love of prog, video games, and science. The debut album will contain eight to ten songs, including the title track which is written entirely in 13/8 time signature. 8-Bit musical renditions of every song will be released as well, to pay homage to their 1980s classic gaming inspirations.
THIRD ION, the new Canadian Prog Metal group featuring former members of THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND and INTO ETERNITY, have released its debut single “Capitol Spill.” The track is now streaming below:
THIRD ION is the product of a mutual love of prog, video games, and science. The debut album is currently over half written, and will contain eight to ten songs, including the title track which is written entirely in 13/8 time signature. 8-Bit musical renditions of every song will be released as well, to pay homage to their 1980s classic gaming inspirations.
BIO:
A project talked about, envisioned, and anticipated by Justin and Aaron since the day they met, by chance, in mid-2010. A few of the songs have been in the works since shortly after they met, but meeting Mike and getting him on board was the jump-start needed to truly get this band off the ground.
Now with the addition of Tyler on vocals, and the first few songs demoed, everyone is extremely excited about the future of this project and where it could go. Planning is underway for an amazing live show, with an emphasis on minimalism and mood. Every single member of this band comes from a large base of touring and recording experience and plan to use their resources to get this new project on the road and heard by as many people as possible. Plans are already under way to tour Canada and seek label or grant funding to support the tours.
THIRD ION:
Justin Bender – Guitar
Aaron Edgar – Drums
Mike Young – Bass
Tyler Gilbert – Vocals
________________________________
Member Background:
Justin is a guitar player, producer/engineer and song-writer, most known for playing with and producing the Canadian Heavy Metal veterans Into Eternity. Over a decade of live playing, live sound and studio experience, Justin has toured the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Southeast Asia. The main focus of his career has been studio production, which he has become well established in Regina, SK working out of both Touchwood Studios, and Blue Door Recording.
Aaron lives drums. He teaches, records, gigs, does clinics and is a published author (drum related – of course). On top of all that he is the editor in chief of Drums Etc. magazine and has a weekly broadcast show on Drumeo. His educational material (also drum related, of course) on Youtube has reached a million views, with almost 7000 subscribers to his channel. Coming up on March 30th, Aaron will be headlining the Vancouver Island “Day of Drum Festival.”
Mike has been a professional session bassist for the past 15 years. He is well versed in all styles of music and has played everything from Metal (Devin Townsend Band, Terror Syndrome) to rock (Jet Black Stare, Ten Ways, the Matinee), to Funk, Pop, Country and Jazz. He has toured North America and Europe with a variety of projects and currently resides in Vancouver, where he gigs, plays sessions and occasionally teaches. Mike also loves coffee, cartoons and all things nerdy.
Tyler was the last addition to the project and is also a full-time musician. Like the rest of the band, he has dedicated his entire life to his musical career. He has been involved in writing, playing and singing music since his childhood, he grew up surrounded by musical relatives in Regina, Saskatchewan. His primary training was of the guitar but he also dwells on piano, bass and harmonica, playing a mix of new-folk songs with soulful vocals. Tyler accepts influences of all sorts; his main influence taps are of Zakk Wylde, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Michael Jackson. Since 2008, Tyler has recorded and released three solo records and has received radio airplay all across Canada.
Laser’s Edge division, Sensory Records, has confirmed the late Summer release of the new live album from Los Angeles-based Progressive/Power Metal group, REDEMPTION.
In 2012, REDEMPTION co-headlined the world-famous ProgPower Festival in Atlanta, where the band recorded a unique show featuring nearly eighty minutes of material and staged with complementary visuals that drive home the compelling emotional impact of this band. That performance is now being constructed for official worldwide release as, Live From The Pit, to be delivered in a CD/DVD package including additional bonus material, including a 5.1 surround mix and more.
From fan favorites such as the never-before-performed “Parker’s Eyes” to the crushing emotional weight of “Stronger than Death,” the band’s performance captured the special ability of its music to deeply connect with fans. In the words of one concert goer, REDEMPTION‘s show “was definitely the most exhausting, personal and emotional musical experience I’ve ever had.”
Live From The Pit will see release via Sensory Records, REDEMPTION‘s original label, responsible for their seminal first two albums, on September 16th, 2014.
Live From The Pit –Track Listing:
1. Intro/Threads
2. The Suffocating Silence
3. Dreams From The Pit
4. Parker’s Eyes
5. Fall On You
6. Noonday Devil
7. Nocturnal
8. Stronger Than Death
9. The Origins Of Ruin
10. Black And White World
11. The Death Of Faith And Reason
12. Walls
[DVD bears same track listing plus 5.1 surround mix and bonus material]
__________________________________
REDEMPTION is one of the leading Progressive Metal bands in the world today. Formed in 2000 by guitarist / keyboardist / songwriter Nicolas van Dyk, the band features legendary Progressive Metal vocalist Ray Alder of Fates Warning, as well as guitarist Bernie Versailles (Agent Steel), and the phenomenal rhythm section of Chris Quirarte (drums) and Sean Andrews (bass). REDEMPTION‘s combination of heaviness not usually found in Progressive Metal, irresistible melodies and emotional urgency has created a unique and resonant voice for this band that sets them apart from the many clones in the genre, and which has gained them the attention of fans, critics and musicians.
Through the band’s first three studios albums – 2002’s self-titled debut, 2005’s The Fullness of Time, and 2007’s The Origins of Ruin, REDEMPTION gained a loyal fan base and garnered rave reviews worldwide from critics, who describe Redemption’s music as, “one of the best Progressive Metal acts to emerge in the past decade” [DPRP], praised their “magical aura and incredible songwriting” [Blabbermouth], stating, “it’s powerful, catchy, enslaving, technical; it’s the whole bunch” [Lords Of Metal] and having been dubbed, “the new star on the US prog-metal sky” [Squealer Rocks].
REDEMPTION has captivated audiences around the world with their incredible live performances. This was proven on a massive scale in 2008, when the band supported Dream Theater on a five-week North American tour and documenting a headlining show at the tour’s end, entitled Frozen in the Moment, the band returned to the studio to release 2009’s Snowfall on Judgment Day and 2011’s This Mortal Coil.
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME: Released on April 12th, 2011, via Metal BladeRecords, The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues is the seventh studio album released by BTBAM and first on the legendary Metal Blade Records. This new album from BTBAM may contain just three songs, only each song is a Progressive Metal epic to behold. The total playing time for all three songs is just around thirty minutes. This is thirty minutes of listening to a Metal band that takes song structure, lyrics and musicianship very, very, seriously.
While listening to the tempered down guitar and vocals on Lunar Wilderness, along with it’s rhythmic deceleration, I admittedly hear a progressiveness from the Classic Rock era of YES and very early RUSH. It’s the resonance of that classic tone that spills out from the vocals of Tommy Rogers, with Dustie Waring and Paul Waggoner giving that feel of a long ago Progressive Rock era that they have brought to relevance in this song. Lunar Wilderness can certainly be pointed out as having it’s Extreme vocal and Metal moments, qualities that BTBAM manifest brilliantly.
Specular Reflection clocks in at 11:21 and is progressively enriched with all things great about BTBAM. The piano key intro accompanied with orchestration and chorus, only leads me into the mind blowing, Extreme Metal journey that this ultra-talented band is so vastly known for creating. BTBAM fans won’t be disappointed while new fans shall be mesmerized and pulled into the Progressive and Extreme circle of sound that they’ll hear from Specular Reflection.
Augment Of Rebirth from the onset is a furious Metal assault onto the senses. Easily the heaviest song of the three. With unyielding Extreme vocals, the raging tempo subsides with soothing vocals for a few intervals, beginning at the three quarter mark. Is AugmentOf Rebirth a dream? A Nightmare? A daydream? Lyrically, this song casts a melancholy image of battling oneself within the framework of one’s own mind. Be it sub-conscious or conscious, BTBAM sets the mood musically around the lyrics of Tommy Rogers which culminates in a surreal and yet still, Extreme way.
When I listen to an uncommon Progressive Metal band such as BTBAM, I come to the realization that barriers are meant to be torn down within the framework of any Rock genre. Any BTBAM album needs to be absorbed for hours in order to hear almost everything that is happening within the layers of it’s music. This is what thrills me about remarkable Progressive Metal, when I have to dive into an album such as The Parallax:Hypersleep Dialogues and actually discover sounds and/or parts of songs that I’ve missed after the first ten listens.
Being one who grew up with the profoundness of Pink Floyd and their Dark Side Of TheMoon and The Wall masterpieces of Progressive Rock art, I tend to chuckle to myself as I think of BTBAM as a Metal metamorphosis of this iconic band. Seriously, BTBAM are as unique as The Periodic Table Of The Elements itself. Just like this same Periodic Table, BTBAM encompasses a level of discipline and conclusiveness that is Metal meritorious. BTBAM takes this discipline and arranges their songs with an uncanny and explicit manner, to take you on their Progressive Metal exploration. BTBAM may very well be unparalleled, within this exceptional genre known as Progressive Metal.
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME:
Dan Briggs – bass
Blake Richardson – drums & percussion
Tommy Rogers – vocals, keyboards & lyrics
Paul Waggoner – guitar
Dustie Waring – guitar
Track Listing For The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues:
Specular Reflection
Augment Of Rebirth
Lunar Wilderness
* For more info on BTBAM, click on the links below:
Sonic Unyon Metal is extremely proud to announce the confirmed upcoming release of a live album from the almighty VOIVOD!
Late in 2009, VOIVOD released their live Tatsumaki DVD, filmed the previous fall when they toured Japan for the first time ever. To celebrate its release of the DVD, VOIVOD performed in front of a sold-out crowd on December 12th, 2009 at Club Soda in their adopted hometown of Montreal, Quebec. It was their first headlining show in the city of Montreal in more than ten years and it was celebrated in grand style. It was a fitting end to a busy year that saw them named Metal Band Of The Year at the 2010 Indie Awards in Canada. The show was recorded for posterity and is now being released as the fifteen-track Warriors Of Ice, the first official VOIVOD live album to feature original band members Denis ‘Snake’ Belanger on vocals and bassist Jean-Yves ‘Blacky’ Theriault, as well as new guitarist Dan “Chewy” Mongrain.
Set for release on June 21, 2011, Warriors Of Ice highlights the classic period of the original VOIVOD lineup as well as a few new songs, all raging with the band’s notorious live energy. Containing songs from their classic albums, spanning from 1984’s War And Pain right up through 1991’s Angel Rat, as well as two songs from their 2009 Infini LP, the album is built of VOIVOD’s signature songs, from “Voivod” and “Nuclear War” to “Tribal Convictions” and “Astronomy Domine.” View the cover art for Warriors Of Ice — designed by drummer Michel Langevin, a.k.a. “Away”.
VOIVOD:
Denis “Snake” Belanger – vocals
Jean-Yves “Blacky” Theriault – bass
Dan “Chewy” Mongrain – guitar
Michel “Away” Langevin – drums
Warriors Of Ice Track Listing:
01. Voivod
02. The Unknown Knows
03. The Prow
04. Ripping Headaches
05. Ravenous Medicine
06. Tribal Convictions
07. Overreaction
08. Panorama
09. Global Warning
10. Treasure Chase
11. Tornado
12. Nothingface
13. Brain Scan
14. Nuclear War
15. Astronomy Domine (Pink Floyd cover)
The 15-track set captured on Warriors Of Ice is undeniably packed with VOIVOD fan favorites, making it an absolute must-have release for diehard fans and a great starting point for the uninitiated as well. This is the main set VOIVOD ravaged their audiences with on their 2010 US tour alongside Kreator, and at their headlining slot at the 2010Scion Rock Fest.
VOIVOD are currently touring Europe, and will begin to assault the North American masses again this May when they are scheduled as one of the top headliners of the 2011Maryland Deathfest. Stay tuned for more North American tour dates to be announced in the coming weeks.
(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on VOIVOD, click on the links below:
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