Archive for progressive metal

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

VOYAGER – Australian Prog Architects Confirm 2012 North American Tour

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, progressive metal, progressive rock, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on March 24, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Australian Prog-Rock heavyweights VOYAGER will be heading to North America to tour as main support for iconic Italian Symphonic Power Metal band Rhapsody Of Fire this Spring!

Fresh on the heels of releasing their latest critically acclaimed masterpiece The Meaning of I, and after winning over stateside crowds at the prestigious annual ProgPower USA festival in 2011, VOYAGER are pumped to hit North American shores once more to spread the ‘V’ message far and wide. The comprehensive tour will run from coast to coast and everywhere else in between.

___________________________________

VOYAGER North American tour with Rhapsody Of Fire:

5/25/2012 The Trocadero – Philadelphia, PA

5/26/2012 Soundstage – Baltimore, MD

5/27/2012 The Palladium – Worcester, MA

5/29/2012 Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY

5/30/2012 Club Soda – Montreal, QC

5/31/2012 Imperial de Quebec – Quebec, QC

6/01/2012 Mod Club – Toronto, ON

6/03/2012 Peabody`s – Cleveland, OH

6/04/2012 Altar Bar – Pittsburgh, PA

6/05/2012 Mojoes – Joliet, IL

6/06/2012 Station 4 St. Paul, MN

6/08/2012 Gothic Theater – Englewood, CO

6/10/2012 El Corazon – Seattle, WA

6/11/2012 Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR

6/12/2012 Slim’s – San Francisco, CA

6/14/2012 House of Blues – San Diego, CA

6/15/2012 The Grove – Anaheim, CA

___________________________________

VOYAGER‘s peculiar and unique sound merges Amorphis’ thirst for melody, Soilwork’s heaviness and the crystal vocal clarity of A-Ha’s Morton Harket into a sound all their own. The Meaning of I was released in October via Sensory Records, in conjunction with the band’s ultra-successful first tour on North American soil alongside labelmates Creation’s End, including their stellar performance at ProgPower USA.

_______________________________________________

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info on VOYAGER, click on the links below:

http://www.voyager-australia.com

http://www.facebook.com/voyageraustralia

http://www.lasersedgegroup.com

LONG LIVE VOYAGER.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

UFOMAMMUT ‘Oro: Opus Primum’ – A Multi-Sound, Metal Mind Quest

Posted in doom metal, drone metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on March 12, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

UFOMAMMUT – Oro is the title for UFOMAMMUT’s latest work and encompasses ten (tracks) movements overall. To be released separately as two albums, the first is Oro: Opus Primum, which will be released April 17th, 2012, via Neurot Recordings. The second chapter of Oro, Opus Alter, will be released in September of 2012. This album’s press release states Both Oro chapters are to be interpreted as a “single track” (to make a long story short) due to the way in which the music was written and flows.

For anyone unfamiliar with UFOMAMMUT, this band can get quite deep with their album concepts. I will use this album’s press release quote to sum up what Oro is conveying conceptually. Believe me, I would never be aware of this album’s concept from just listening to the music itself. Who could? Here it is:

“As with all previous UFOMAMMUT albums, the concepts behind Oro are expansive and multi-faceted, mutating the Italian palindrome which translates to “gold” with the Latin translation of “I prey.” Oro explores the concept of knowledge and its power; the magical stream controlled by the human mind to gain control of every single particle of the World surrounding us. Oro is the alchemical process to transform the human fears into pure essence; into Gold”.

Here is my honest interpretation of Oro: Opus Primum, based on the music, Metal and sounds I’ve taken in. Please note, all five (songs) movements are instrumentals:

___________________________________

EMPIREUM opens Oro: Opus Primum and swirls its ambient vibrations of spacey progressiveness throughout my thoughts. It’s Pink Floyd meets a psychotic thriller soundtrack. While building up its thick temp, the Doom atmosphere picks up mid-way through EMPIREUM, without losing grip on its creepy sound scape. I can get really, really lost in this opening track and love every second of it. At nearly 14 minutes long, EMPIREUM ends with a subdued atmosphere of sound, bringing about a melancholy affect upon me which I easily embrace.

___________________________________

AUREUM – Opens with a more crunchy guitar sound and the Metal has arrived. The drum beats and bass lines are heavier and very distinct. With a copious backdrop of synthetic sounds, AUREUM flows along like strong river rapids, only these rapids are controlled with musical precision. The overall Metal wall of sound is worthy to bang your head to while throwing down some cold brews in the process. At 12:28 long, could this be Psychedelic Metal at it’s finest? It surely can be interpreted that way by me.

___________________________________

INFEARNATURAL – Begins with an epic-like feel with its off in the distance chorus. There is plenty of Metal stomp, with chunky Doom laden guitar that never ceases throughout. Synth layers are aplenty, with more unique sounds than my ears can grasp, even after multiple listen-throughs. There are remote-like spoken words that are both audible and inaudible. Overall, this is a multi-layered movement that I found captivating and its strong Metal personality wins the day. At 7:26 this is the shortest movement on this album.

___________________________________

MAGICKON – This is by far the “foreboding entry” amongst these five movements I’ve listened to on Oro: Opus Primum. I just get that overall dark and cavernous vibe from MAGICKON. Doom, Doom, Doom and Doom again. MAGICKON just throws that Doom hammer down and covers me over in its heavy Doom blanket of sound. MAGICKON plays out at 7:57 long.

___________________________________

MINDOMINE – The tempo and repetitions of MINDOMINE could be considered by some as Drone Metal. With Doom riffs and distant screams ever the continuum, this movement can produce some chills. It’s a fine-line trying to consider some of these distant screams as being nearly “tribal-like” chants. An eerie ending to this first chapter of Oro is MINDOMINE. Picture yourself floating in outer-space (thanks to the synths) while the skull melting sounds of Drone and Doom Metal encircle your senses. Clocking in at 9:18, that’s MINDOMINE.

___________________________________

Musically complex, while consistently maintaining a Metal feel and vibe throughout its totality of sound, Oro: Opus Primum has allowed me to open my own mind to its world of unique sounds. Richly textured and layered, there is no doubt, that with each synth sound, drum beat or note, it all opens the doors to a vast wealth of other audible vibrations. Weaving itself through the Doom, Drone, Progressive, Psychedelic and Ambient Metal genres, Oro: Opus Primum is both a listening experience and Metal mind quest.

UFOMAMMUT:

Poia – guitars and effect

Urlo – bass, vocals and synths

Vita – drums

Ciccio – soundlord

Lu – visuals

___________________________________

* For more info on UFOMAMMUT, click on the links below:

http://www.ufomammut.com

http://www.facebook.com/pages/UFOMAMMUT/83336386071

http://www.neurotrecordings.com

LONG LIVE UFOMAMMUT.

Stone.

1 Comment »

ASCARIASIS – Debut EP “Ocean of Colour” Is Available Now!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, progressive death metal, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on March 4, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Canadian Progressive Death Metal band Ascariasis have released their debut EP Ocean of Colour. The EP consists of five songs: Shatter, Torchbearer, Eleven, Ocean of Colour, and Carving the World. The album art was designed by Cameron Gray, notable for creating album art for bands such as Born of Osiris, Dead Letter Circus and Fallujah.

Ascariasis embodies a new breed of Modern Canadian Metal. This four piece, founded in 2009, includes Evan Watton (vocals), Devin Kendall (bass), Mike Valeri (guitars), and Mark Poelmann (drums). They bring a unique mix of crushing brutality, agonizing passages and soaring melodies to the scene. With influences ranging from the most technical and chaotic Metal styles to Ambient and Classical, the band seeks to break beyond expectations and deliver a fresh blend of Melodic, Technical and Progressive Death Metal while staying true to their local roots.

“I think this EP is a good window into the mindset that shapes our view on music and Metal in general,” says bassist Devin Kendall. “We look at it in the sense that we don’t have to assign a particular genre to our sound and we leave it as free-form and thought-provoking as possible.”

Ascariasis has been featured in various publications including heavyblogisheavy.com. They are currently working on their debut album, which is set to be released in 2013.

* ASCARIASIS originates from Burlington, Ontario.

________________________________________________________

* For more info/Metal on ASCARIASIS, click on the link below:

http://www.youtube.com/user/AscariasisBand

* Download (name your price) and/or stream Ocean Of Colour:

http://ascariasis.bandcamp.com/album/ocean-of-colour

________________________________________________________

LONG LIVE ASCARIASIS.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

COHEED AND CAMBRIA – Announce Intimate Club Shows In The Southeast For Spring 2012

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, progressive metal, progressive rock, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on February 28, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

INTIMATE CLUB SHOWS IN THE SOUTHEAST

As reported on Coheed And Cambria Newsletter:

Howdy All,

We are excited to announce a string of intimate club dates in the Southeastern U.S. (and a couple in the Midwest) this Spring. These will be Josh’s first shows with us in a long time, and we hope you can come show him some Southern Hospitality for his return! We’ll be working out some new songs and a bunch you already know. Joining us will be Moving Mountains and Pianos Become The Teeth.

We’re also playing Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis, TN.

The dates officially go on sale this Friday and Saturday, March 2nd and 3rd, at 10AM local time. YOU CAN GET YOURS TOMORROW, starting at noon through our special fanclub links.

___________________________________________

IRON MAIDEN TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS WEEKEND!

In addition to our Southeastern U.S. dates, Iron Maiden tickets will also go on sale this Friday and Saturday – We start July 24th in Winnipeg, MB. More info HERE.

___________________________________________

COHEED AND CAMBRIA FULL TOUR DATES

With Moving Mountains, Pianos Become The Teeth 
General on sale March 2nd* and March 3rd** 10AM local time.

Apr 29 Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater*

Apr 30 Charleston, SC – Music Farm*

May 3 Gainesville, FL – Florida Theater*

May 5 Athens, GA – 40 Watt**

May 6 Memphis, TN – Beale Street Music Festival

May 7 Chattanooga, TN – Track 29*

May 8 Bloomington, IN – Bluebird** (21+)

May 10 Lexington, KY – Kentucky Theater*

May 11 Urbana, IL – Canopy Club**

May 12 Knoxville, TN – Bijou Theater*

May 13 Raleigh, NC – Lincoln Theater*

May 15 Tallahassee, FL – Coliseum*

May 16 Birmingham, AL – Workplay Soundstage*

May 17 Baton Rouge, LA – Varsity Theater**

May 18 Gulf Shore, AL – Hangout Festival

__________________________________________

With Iron Maiden

Jul 24 Winnipeg, MB – MTS Center*

Jul 26 Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome*

Jul 27 Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place*

Jul 29 Vancouver, BC – Pacific Coliseum**

Jul 30 Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre**

Aug 1 Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre**

Aug 3 San Francisco, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre*

Aug 4 Sacramento, CA – Sleepy Train Amphitheater*

Aug 6 Phoenix, AZ – Ashley Furniture HomeStore Pavilion**

Aug 9 Irvine, CA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre**
A

ug 10 Irvine, CA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre**

Aug 12 Albuquerque. NM – Hard Rock Pavilion**

Aug 13 Denver, CO – Comfort Dental Amphitheatre**

Aug 15 San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center**

Aug 17 Dallas, TX – Gexa Energy Pavilion**

Aug 18 Houston, TX – The Woodlands**

_______________________________________________________

For more information go to CoheedAndCambria.com

LONG LIVE COHEED AND CAMBRIA.

LONG LIVE IRON MAIDEN.

Stone.

1 Comment »

JON OLIVA’S PAIN – To Perform & Celebrate SAVATAGE Classic: ‘Hall Of The Mountain King’

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on February 27, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the SAVATAGE classic – Hall Of The Mountain King

One U.S. performance only, to be held on June 16th, 2012, at The Ritz Ybor in Tampa, Florida

________________________________

As reported on Jon Oliva’s Pain official facebook page, February 17th, 2012:

JOP Tampa Show news: We will be filming this show on June 16th at the Ritz. This will be the only US show, and you now fully realize that you must be there to be a part of this documented, epic event! Tickets are selling fast, and I think this post will add another element of fuel to the fire for all of you sitting back and waiting…you have been warned!

________________________________________________

* For ticket and venue info, click on the link below:

THE RITZ YBOR

* For more info on JON OLIVA’S PAIN, click on the links below:

JON OLIVA’S PAIN – Official facebook

http://www.jonoliva.net

http://www.myspace.com/jonoliva

LONG LIVE JON OLIVA’S PAIN.

LONG LIVE THE LEGACY OF SAVATAGE.

Stone.

2 Comments »

FOREVERS EDGE – Team All About The Music Welcomes Progressive Metallers To Their Roster!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, progressive metal, progressive metal bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on February 18, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

There certainly is something in that New Jersey water that can produce some incredible music. FOREVER’S EDGE is a conglomerate of Metal’s finest featuring Clay Barton (Suspyre), Salvatore Pisano, Andrew Distabile (Suspyre), Mike Pignataro, Samus Paulicelli (Decrepit Birth, ex-Suspyre, ex-Mutiny Within, ex-Abigail Williams), and Sharon MacPherson.

FOREVER’S EDGE has some of the most technical musicianship layered with soaring vocals by Barton and complex song structures. For anyone who has even the slightest interest in Progressive Metal, this is a band that will have you hooked.

The band is currently in the studio (Erypsus Studios) recording their second, as of yet unnamed, masterpiece. The album is due to be out in the summer of 2012 with a load of updates and announcements in the mean time.

To pump up the fans, FOREVER’S EDGE has re-released their highly acclaimed debut album Chaotic Silence. When guitarist Salvatore Pisano was asked what Chaotic Silence was about, he stated:
 ___________________________________
“It was like testing the waters for what we could do with such musicians from well-respected bands coming together. The album itself is an emotional journey that evolved in its music as I evolved and matured in life. It has within it stories like the Trilogy of Music: A story about a girl who was deaf, and a boy who loved her could only communicate with her through music and song to tell her how he feels. And the sad story of how she got pregnant, and the boy in the end died when he lost them both.”
 ____________________________________
(Source: Team All About The Music – Publicity, Management, A&R)
* For more info FOREVERS EDGE, click on the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Forevers-Edge/48688245803
LONG LIVE FOREVERS EDGE.
Stone.

Leave a comment »

COHEED AND CAMBRIA – Announces 2012 Tour Dates With IRON MAIDEN

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on February 17, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

It’s been a busy week in Coheed world! We are in the studio working on our sixth studio album, and we just announced we’ll be touring this summer with IRON MAIDEN in the US and Canada as part of the “MAIDEN ENGLAND WORLD TOUR!” According to IM’s management, the tour will closely mirror, in terms of production and content, Maiden’s original 1988 concert video of the same name, shot on the “Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son Tour.”

We will begin our stint with them on July 24th in Winnipeg and end on August 18 in Houston, with stops in Seattle, Denver, Dallas and Los Angeles along the way. Tickets go on sale March 2nd and 3rd. Full dates below, and more info will be coming soon.

We will also be appearing at this years HANGOUT FESTIVAL in Gulf Shores, AL with Jack White, Wilco, Skrillex, and many more.

With IRON MAIDEN:

Jul 24th – Winnipeg, MB – MTS Center

Jul 26th – Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome

Jul 27th – Edmonton, AB – Rexall Place

Jul 29th – Vancouver, BC – Pacific Coliseum

Jul 30th – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre

Aug 1st – Salt Lake City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre

Aug 3rd – San Francisco, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre

Aug 6th – Phoenix, AZ – Ashley Furniture HomeStore Pavilion

Aug 9th – Irvine, CA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

Aug 12th – Albuquerque. NM – Hard Rock Pavilion

Aug 13th – Denver, CO – Comfort Dental Amphitheatre

Aug 15th – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center

Aug 17th – Dallas, TX – Gexa Energy Pavilion

Aug 18th – Houston, TX – The Woodlands

* Check out the new look of CoheedAndCambria.com!

(Source: FanBridge/on behalf of  – Coheed And Cambria)

LONG LIVE COHEED AND CAMBRIA.

LONG LIVE IRON MAIDEN.

Stone.

1 Comment »

TRIBUNE – Reveal Album Artwork and Track Listing For “Elder Lore/The Dark Arts”

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal with tags , , , , , , , on February 15, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

The Melodic Thrash / Prog Metallers of Burnaby, BC’s TRIBUNE are proud to reveal the album artwork and track listing from their upcoming 8 track annihilator “Elder Lore/ The Dark Arts” that will be officially released on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 under their independent label Corpse Corrosion Music.

“Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, our album -“Elder Lore / The Dark Arts”– has come to usher in a new era of Canadian Melodic Thrash Metal, so come bask with us in this radiant, and dynamic vision. -“for none but death shall stop this lone revolution.” – lyrics from Bryan Baker of Tribune from the song “The Warrior Mentality”.” Commented TRIBUNE bassist Ryan O’Shea.

This is TRIBUNE‘s third studio effort and second full length since the band of friends and brothers inception in 2005. Mixing elements of Death Thrash Metal with melodic vocals, the album will feature new material along with classic fan favourites and is an album capturing the raw energetic sound the band projects naturally live.

In additional news,  TRIBUNE will also be kicking off their two month USA and Canada tour in support of “Elder Lore/ The Dark Arts” on April 2012 with dates soon to be announced.

(Source: Asher Media Relations)

Original artwork by Ryan O’Shea.

Art production by: Steve Kwasniewski

1. It Came From The Swamps…
2. The Succubus
3. Chemistry Arrives
4. The Warrior Mentality
5. Below
6. We, The Black
7. Man On The Outside
8. The World’s Greatest Cynic
_________________________________________________
Video – Tribune – Coming of Cain (from Rotting Core EP 2010) – http://youtu.be/8pJGDQXNoe0
______________________________________
Show Date:
February 24, 2012 – Funky Winkerbeans – Vancouver, BC w/ Bushwacker, Slagduster (Grand Forks, BC), Dead Asylum (Facebook Event Link: http://www.facebook.com/events/341050369250241/)
_________________________________________________
Genre defying. Accessible. Iconoclastic. This can only be Tribune.

LONG LIVE TRIBUNE.

Stone.

2 Comments »

MASTODON, OPETH & GHOST – Heritage Hunter Tour – North America 2012: Tour Dates Listed

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, Music, progressive metal, progressive rock, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 31, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

HERITAGE HUNTER TOUR 2012 – NORTH AMERICA DATES:

Mastodon and Opeth will head out on a co-headlining US tour with Ghost opening all dates, starting May 4th. General ticket sales begin on February 3rd and 4th, but you can get tickets before anyone else by heading to http://mastodon.artistarena.com starting tomorrow, February 1st at 3pm local time. Check out the dates below!

And make sure to tune in to the Grammy Awards on February 12th on CBS to see if Mastodon win for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance.

HERITAGE HUNTER TOUR 2012 – NORTH AMERICA DATES:

04/04 – Portland, ME @ State Theater

04/05 – Boston, MA @ Orpheum Theater

04/06 – Montreal, QC @ Metropolis

04/07 – Toronto, ON @ Sony Centre

04/09 – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory

04/10 – Wallingford, CT @ The Dome

04/11 – New York, NY @ Roseland Ballroom

04/13 – Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre

04/14 – Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection

04/15 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE

04/16 – Knoxville, TN @ TN Theater

04/18 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom

04/19 – Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom

04/20 – San Antonio, TX  @ Back Stage Live

04/21 – Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete Street

04/23 – Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium

04/25 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues

04/26 – Los Angeles, CA @ Gibson Amphitheatre

04/27 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theatre

04/28 – Reno, NV @ Grand Sierra Resort

04/30 – Seattle, WA @ The Paramount

05/01 – Vancouver, BC @ Orpheum Theatre

05/03 – Edmonton, AB @ Edmonton Events Center

05/04 – Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall

05/05 – Saskatoon, SK @ The Odeon

05/06 – Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre

05/09 – Washington, DC @ The Fillmore

05/10 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore

05/11 – Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues

05/12 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade Music Park

(Source: Mastodon Official Website)

* For more info, click on the links below:

Mastodon – Official Website

OPETH – Official Website

http://ghost-official.com

LONG LIVE MASTODON, OPETH & GHOST.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

PHARAOH – ‘Bury The Light’ – Weaves Both Melodic and Epic Metal, While Keeping It Heavy

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 31, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

PHARAOH –  Returning with their new full-length, Bury The Light, Pennsylvania’s Pharaoh has weaved Melodic and Epic Metal together, with slivers of progressiveness, making for a marvelous listen. This being the fourth album from Pharaoh, it is a 10 song experience, guitar driven, rhythmically pumped and vocally solid. Tim Aymar is not just belting out Heavy Metal lyrics, he is singing songs of story-filled substance. The Helloweenish bass of Chris Kerns and stellar drumming of Chris Black are a potent and fun listen together, throughout this album.

Then there is the guitar playing of Matt Johnsen, where he embellishes that progressive tone on par with what I’ve grown accustomed to from the six-string wizards of Iron Maiden and Queensrÿche.   To a flirtatious degree, Matt exhibits the poignant tones of  Steve Howe’s eloquence. Matt isn’t all about tearing-it-up and piling-up the riffs, instead this is one polished guitarist who plays with a glorious respect for Melodic Metal.

If you’re unfamiliar with Pharaoh, Tim Aymar is a vocally muscular Dan McCafferty. Gritty, sandpapered vocal cords and still able to sing on a melodic level. I could no doubt deny that Tim Aymar could sing the entire No Mean City album from the legendary Nazareth and  blow my mind away in doing so. Regardless of my comparative silliness, Pharaoh is a paradigm for younger bands to hear and realize that Heavy Metal as music isn’t just about booze, fast women and overdosing to near death.

Castles In The Sky is the signature song on Bury The Light for my ears. Flowing with every nugget of Melodic Metal that Pharaoh can muster, while infusing synthetic vocals akin to that of ELO or Mr. Roboto, this band can turn a surprise progressive trick when they want to. The Year Of The Blizzard is the epic that you must hear, to understand fully just how authentic Pharaoh is as a group of musicians. Summoning up the twilight dreamscape of RUSH’s brilliance from 2112, Pharaoh has genuinely tapped into a progressive realm they can surely call their own on The Year Of The Blizzard.

Please excuse all the previous musical comparisons, only when an album this great can trigger my mind to recall works of art from Hard Rock and Metal of years long past, then said album may indeed one day be recalled a work of art itself. For now, Bury The Light is that honest and great album of Melodic Metal from skilled musicians, an album that doesn’t compromise on heaviness, nor shall it short change you on its dynamical presentation.

BURY THE LIGHT – Track Listing:

Leave Me Here To Dream

The Wolves

Castles In The Sky

The Year Of The Blizzard

The Spider’s Thread

Cry

Graveyard Of Empires

Burn With Me

In Your Hands

The Spider’s Thread (reprise)

* Bury The Light will be released on March 6th, 2012, via Cruz Del Sur.

* For more info on PHARAOH, click on the links below:

PHARAOH – Reverbnation

http://solarflight.net

http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com

LONG LIVE PHARAOH.

Stone.

3 Comments »

PHARAOH – Premieres ‘Castles In The Sky’ From Their Forthcoming Album ‘Bury The Light’

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 21, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Cruz Del Sur Music officially presents the first track off of the upcoming PHARAOH album Bury the Light. The song, entitled  Castles In The Sky features Mike Wead of King Diamond fame on guitar. To stream Castles In The Sky, visit Cruz Del Sur Music here:  CRUZ DEL SUR MUSIC On SoundCloud. Bury the Light is PHARAOH’s fifth album and will be officially released in Europe on February 24th, 2012, and in North America on March 6th. Available formats include CD,  limited gatefold LP and digital. For more, visit http://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com.

BURY THE LIGHT – Track Listing:

Leave me Here to Dream

The Wolves

Castles in the Sky

The Year of the Blizzard

The Spider’s Thread

Cry

Graveyard of Empires

Burn with Me

In Your Hands

The Spider’s Thread (reprise)

PHARAOH:

 Tim Aymar – vocals

 Matt Johnsen – guitars

 Chris Black – drums

 Chris Kerns – bass

* PHARAOH originates from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

(Source: ClawHammer PR)

* For more info on PHARAOH, click on the links below:

PHARAOH – Reverbnation

http://solarflight.net

LONG LIVE PHARAOH.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

ZEBULON PIKE – Full Album Stream Of ‘Space Is The Corpse Of Time’ Available At The Obelisk

Posted in doom metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, instrumental metal, instrumental music, metal music, Music, progressive metal, progressive rock, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on January 13, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Minneapolis-based instrumental Prog/Doom goliaths ZEBULON PIKE unleashed their Space Is The Corpse Of Time full-length in 2011. Inspired in equal parts by heavy sounds of the ’70s (Mountain, Pentagram, Captain Beyond, early Judas Priest), Progressive Rock (King Crimson, Rush), and 20th century Classical (Bela Bartok, Arvo Part, and many others), the self-released, five-track offering is the band’s fourth and most ambitious work to date.

Dubbed “an epic feast of might and majesty” by Aquarius Records, ZEBULON PIKE churn an intriguing mixture of melodic melancholy, old-school guitar-isms, and Wagnerian dynamics that marks a mighty presence in the world of heavy music.



As a treat for those who’ve yet to witness the band’s unsung sonic sanctity, the fine folks at The Obelisk are currently streaming Space Is The Corpse Of Time in its entirety at THIS LOCATION.

(Source: Earsplit  PR)

* For more info on ZEBULON PIKE, click on the links below:

https://www.facebook.com/zebulonpike

http://www.zebulonpike.com

LONG LIVE ZEBULON PIKE.

Stone.

1 Comment »

BEAK – Debut Album, EYRIE, Set For April 3rd, 2012 Release

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, Music, progressive metal, progressive rock, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on January 10, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Jan. 10, 2012, Chicago – Beak, the Post-Metal quartet formed by local Chicago luminaries Chris Eichenseer and Jason Goldberg previously of The Timeout Drawer, release Eyrie, the band’s debut album on Apr. 3 via Someoddpilot Records.

Recorded and mixed in late-2011 at Engine Studios by Neil Strauch (Sage Francis, Bonnie Prince Billy), the five-track release highlights the band’s adept combination of blistering heaviness and melodic prog-rock.

“Metal for the sake of it just doesn’t interest us. We need more than heavy riffage and the trappings of the genre,” expained Eichenseer. “I wish we could call it something else, because to me it’s more. We’re not afraid to carry influence from our roots in post to Punk Rock. We’re very aware of storytelling and depth. We’re not interested in skulls.”

Vocalist Jon Slusher discussed the conceptual aspect of the debut album: “Eyrie is the nest of a bird of prey built in a high, inaccessible place.  The album is conceptual.  It’s the path of ruin, the crumbling of empires and the marching of time. ”

Beak is Andy Bosnak (Guitar), Chris Eichenseer (Drums), Jason Goldberg (Bass, Vocals) and Jon Slusher (Guitar, Lead Vocals).

EYRIE – Track Listing:

Angry Mother of Bones

Hands Collide

Men at Arms

Billions of Eyes

The Weight & Time

* The band’s next performance is February 23rd, at Reggie’s (Chicago) with Anvil. An April tour will be announced shortly.

(Source: Speakeasy PR)

* For more info on BEAK, click on the links below:

www.beakmusic.com/

www.facebook.com/pages/Beak/183159646995

Stone.

Leave a comment »

Metal Odyssey’s Top Ten Metal Albums Of 2011

Posted in Metal with tags , , , , , , on December 17, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Top Ten Metal Albums Of 2011 – Oh the Metal albums I listened to during 2011! Metal be thy name, there were a Metal many. Metal many again. Regardless of how many Metal albums that did rip my eardrums apart and psyched me out during the process, I couldn’t possibly listen to every Metal album released this past year. It’s not humanly possible. I’ve compiled below, a list of ten Metal albums that for all Metal intents and purposes… kicked my Metal lovin’ ass during 2011.

Yes, you will see a couple of albums tied in this top ten list and my Metal boss (me) said it was all good. Choosing my top ten Metal albums for any given year is not easy! However, choosing my number one Metal album for 2011 was easy and Hemoptysis is without a doubt in my Metal mind, one of the best Metal bands to come forth in the past ten and possibly twenty years. You can call Hemoptysis Thrash, Death Thrash, Extreme and Metal. I call this band exceptional and their Misanthropic Slaughter album is number F’n ONE!

Hopefully you may agree with a few of these albums I’ve chosen for my top ten. A personal list of Metal taste it is. Each Metal album here for me bestows quality musicianship and songs, from beginning to end. The common thread each band below shares with one another, that can never be denied: They are all Defenders Of The Metal Faith and I salute each and every one!

Metal Odyssey’s Top Ten Metal Albums Of 2011:

#10

HUNTED – WELCOME THE DEAD

(MASSACRE RECORDS)

#9

ANA KEFR – THE BURIAL TREE (II)

(Muse Sick)

#8

SARAH JEZEBEL DEVA – The Corruption Of Mercy

(Listenable Records)

#7

MORBID ANGEL – Illud Divinum Insanus

(Season of Mist)

#6 (Tie)

SPEED\KILL/HATE – OUT FOR BLOOD

(HAMMERFIST RECORDS)

#6 (Tie)

EASTERN FRONT – BLOOD ON SNOW

* (Was released in North America on January 25th, 2011)

(Candlelight Records)

#5 (Tie)

ANTHRAX – WORSHIP MUSIC

(MEGAFORCE RECORDS)

#5 (Tie)

MASTODON – THE HUNTER

(Reprise)

#4

ARCH / MATHEOS – SYMPATHETIC RESONANCE

(Metal Blade Records)

#3

BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME

THE PARALLAX: HYPERSLEEP DIALOGUES

(Metal Blade Records)

#2

AMON AMARTH – SURTUR RISING

(Metal Blade Records)

#1

HEMOPTYSIS – Misanthropic Slaughter

(Rock It Up Records)

* To read the complete album review I wrote for Misanthropic Slaughter posted on January 22nd, 2011, click on the large header link below!

HEMOPTYSIS “Misanthropic Slaughter” – Debut Album Is CAN’T MISS Thrash Metal For 2011 and Beyond!

Congratulations and THANK YOU to all the METAL bands above! 

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

* For more cool “Best Of 2011 Lists” of Rock, Hard Rock and Metal Albums, click on the links below to visit these other fantastic blogs/websites!

All Metal Resource — http://allmetalresource.com/

Bring Back Glam — http://bringbackglam.squarespace.com/

The Crash Pad of Ray Van Horn, Jr. – http://www.rayvanhornjr2.blogspot.com/

Hair Metal Mansion — http://hairbangersradio.ning.com/

Hard Rock Nights — http://hardrocknights.com

Heavy Metal Addiction — http://heavymetaladdiction.com/

Heavy Metal Time Machine — http://metalmark.blogspot.com/

Imagine Echoes — http://www.imagineechoes.com/

Layla’s Classic Rock — http://laylasclassicrock.blogspot.com/

Metal Excess — http://metalexcess.com/

The Ripple Effect — http://www.ripplemusic.blogspot.com/

Stone.

4 Comments »

ECHOES OF ETERNITY – “Ten Of Swords” Music Video Is Vital Metal!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, melodic metal, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on November 29, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

ECHOES OF ETERNITY – The second studio album, As Shadows Burn, from the Los Angeles Metal band ECHOES OF ETERNITY was released back in 2009, via Nuclear Blast in North America and on LP through Massacre Records in Europe. Take a look and listen to the new music video below for Ten Of Swords, which is the opening track on As Shadows Burn.

Led by the beautiful and vocally accomplished Francine Boucher, ECHOES OF ETERNITY is a Metal band that is without any doubt… on the Metal rise. Mixing up a potent batch of Speed Metal and Traditional Metal riffs, Ten Of Swords is a song that showcases the melodic and heavy talents of this band. Catch onto ECHOES OF ETERNITY and their Metal sound… hopefully it will serve you right as it did for me.

ECHOES OF ETERNITY:

Francine Boucher – Vocals

Brandon Patton – Guitars

Bryan Eagle – guitar

Kirk Carrison – Drums

Duane Cowan – Bass

AS SHADOWS BURN – (2009) Massacre Records (LP)

Track Listing:

Ten Of Swords

Veiled Horizon

Memories Of Blood And Gold

The Scarlet Embrace

Descent Of A Blackened Soul

Twilight Fires

Buried Beneath A Thousand Dreams

Letalis Deus

Funeral In The Sky

* For more info on ECHOES OF ETERNITY, click on the links below:

http://www.facebook.com/echoesofeternity

www.massacre-records.com

LONG LIVE ECHOES OF ETERNITY.

Stone.

2 Comments »

FAREWELL TO ARMS – Signs With Massacre Records

Posted in Death Metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on November 26, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

Landsberg am Lech back in 2007 – FAREWELL TO ARMS were born. Melodic, uncompromising, technically ambitious, versatile and curious – that’s how you could characterize the band.

Their goal is to define themselves without following any trends: FAREWELL TO ARMS are not one of those typical Metal bands and they won’t play the music you’ve heard a thousand times before! They have a unique style, which combines a lot of Death Metal, Thrash Metal, Progressive and Hardcore elements.

Their first 4-track EP “Exhalation”, which was produced by Corni Bartels (Hackneyed, End of Green), was released in late 2010.

After numerous live gigs, also at various festivals, FAREWELL TO ARMS were also finalists of this year’s New Blood Awards. So they also played at the Summer Breeze Open Air with Davidian, who are now their label mates.

In spring 2012 FAREWELL TO ARMS are going to enter the Weltraumstudios in Munich to record their debut album with Corni Bartels.

Welcome on board, guys!

Lineup:

Manuel Lotter – Drums

Dominik Martin – Vocals

Johannes Denk – Guitar

Gordian Golder – Guitar

Roland Gallus – Bass

(Source: Massacre Records)

* For more info, click on the link below:

www.massacre-records.com

LONG LIVE FAREWELL TO ARMS.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

ARCH / MATHEOS – Ultimate-Guitar host premiere of their new music video for “Midnight Serenade”

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on November 22, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

First music video off of debut album, “Sympathetic Resonance”, now live!

Directed by David Brodsky of MyGoodEye (The Devin Townsend Project, Amon Amarth, Kylesa, Helmet, etc.) “Midnight Serenade” marks the first music video off of the Arch / Matheos release Sympathetic Resonance, which was just released on September 13th via Metal Blade Records. Check the video premiere out exclusively on Ultimate-Guitar.com HERE.

Arch / Matheos is the new progressive rock band featuring the talents of Jim Matheos (current member of the progressive rock powerhouse Fates Warning and OSI) and John Arch (former vocalist of Fates Warning) along with renowned drummer Bobby Jarzombek (Halford, Fates Warning, Sebastian Bach, Riot), bassist Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Anthrax, Fates Warning, Seven Witches), and additional lead guitarist Frank Aresti (Fates Warning).

Arch / Matheos’ Sympathetic Resonance debuted at #13 on the Billboard New Artist Chart and at #36 on the Billboard Hard Music Chart while also hitting the international charts at #27 in Germany, #67 in Austria, and #78 in Switzerland.

(Source: Metal Blade Records News Update)

* For more info click on the link below:

METAL BLADE RECORDS

LONG LIVE ARCH / MATHEOS.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

HUNTED – New Music Video “Impaled” Uploaded By Massacre Records

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on November 21, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

HUNTED – 2011 has been a Metal grand year for HUNTED. This fast rising Metal band from Cardiff, Wales saw their debut album Welcome The Dead released and critically praised by Heavy Metal outlets worldwide… with Metal Odyssey being no exception in dishing out the Metal accolades. Endorsement deals followed. Landing a record deal was inevitable for HUNTED and Massacre Records knows Metal talent when they hear it. Impaled is the new and first official music video from HUNTED, a killer track also heard on Welcome The Dead.

You can view Impaled at:

www.youtube.com/massacrerecords

or view at:

www.massacre-records.com

* For more info on HUNTED, click on the link below:

HUNTED – myspace music

LONG LIVE HUNTED.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

MAELSTROM “It Was Predestined” – 3 Song EP Makes It’s Epic Metal Presence Known

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, Power Metal, progressive metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on November 18, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

MAELSTROM – Having established themselves as an underground Thrash Metal force back in the eighties, Maelstrom eventually parted ways as the nineties decade broke loose. The members of Maelstrom went their separate ways, while earning musical respect as members of other prominent bands, the likes of: Soilent Green, spOOge and [CAR BOMB]. Maelstrom has re-emerged upon the Metal scene, with an obvious goal to make Metal that will lead them to the front of the pack. Maelstrom has unveiled a three song EP, It Was Predestined, upon the world’s Metal faithful, giving us all a sign of grand Metal moments to come from them.

European Power Metal receives an influential nod from Maelstrom, the atmosphere and vibe is all there to be felt and heard in all three songs. I also hear the nuances of American Thrash, Speed and Death Metal so finely connected together within the Metal sound of It Was Predestined. Progressive elements of thunder, lightning and nightmarish backing vocals are featured in A Futile Crusade, with stormy atmospherics introducing Arise. Without going overboard on being epic, heavy and fast, Maelstrom has captured balance and actualized some impressive textures and layering within the structures of all three songs.

Gary Vosganian vocally applies a triple threat of Power, Thrash and Death tones, which all seem to match the present moment of each song accordingly. A notable attribute of Gary, is he comes across as a commanding and theatrical lead vocalist, beckoning my ears to listen all the more intently to the song’s lyrics. Joey Lodes does come across as quite possibly digging the legendary guitar talents of Yngwie Malmsteen. Joey can articulate with his guitar in an astounding fashion. One thing is certain, Joey does have an established guitar style and tone all his own. Plus, Joey also plays bass and keys for Maelstrom, a multi-Metalist that can’t be ignored… only appreciated highly by my ears.

With multiple Metal genres of influence being applied to their sound, Maelstrom is still ideally original with their Metal creations I’m listening to. Maelstrom has decided to give the term epic a whole new meaning of heaviness, speed and Metal bite. I look forward to an eventual full-length studio album from Maelstrom. This creative band will surely deliver, based on the three songs I’ve digested into my Metal soul thus far. It Was Predestined should be on any Metal lovin’ maniac’s hit list.

MAELSTROM:

Gary Vosganian – Vocals, lyricist

Joey Lodes – Guitars, Bass, Keys

Daniel Kleffmann – Drums

IT WAS PREDESTINED – Track List:

Arise

A Futile Crusade

Predestined

* Check out MAELSTROM & download It Was Predestined for free here:

MAELSTROM – bandcamp

* For more info on MAELSTROM, click on the link below:

MAELSTROM – facebook

LONG LIVE MAELSTROM.

Stone.

3 Comments »

MASTODON – Performing Tonight On: Last Call With Carson Daly

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal news, metal music, metal odyssey, Music, progressive metal, progressive rock, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on November 15, 2011 by Metal Odyssey

MASTODON will perform “Curl of the Burl” and “Black Tongue” on Last Call with Carson Daly tonight, Tuesday the 15th, at 1:35a/12:35 central on NBC. This episode will re-air on FUSE the following day at 6:30p, 10:30p, and 12:30a EST. Don’t miss it.

(Source: Mastodon)

* For more info on MASTODON, click on the link below:

Mastodon – Official Website

LONG LIVE MASTODON.

Stone.

Leave a comment »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »